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Dove hunting season opens on TPWDs wildlife management areas
Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a property of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and located approximately 26 miles south of Alpine on highway 118. Elephant Mountain WMA has 14 primitive campsites, four of which are handicapped equipped. These campsites are located on the northeast end of the management area.
Elephant Mountain WMA will open for dove hunting (mourning and white-winged) 01 September - 17 October 2008 and 20-24 October. Dove season Late Hunting will be 27 December 2008 through 5 January 2009. All visitors must self-register at Registration Station located at the entrance to Elephant Mountain WMA. Visitors must also check-out at Registration Station upon departure.
Unlike last year's above average rainfall, this year's precipitation has been more typical of the Trans-Pecos. Consequently, Elephant Mountain WMA has only received just over 7 inches. Most of it fell in the latter par of July and first part of August. The rangelands are not only shaping up and producing an abundance of seeds, but the stock tanks are also filling up. We hope the rains came in time to benefit the doves. We anticipate a moderate dove hunting season.
For further information call Elephant Mountain WMA at 432-364-2228 during normal business hours.
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (BGWMA) is located 58 miles southeast of Marathon on FM 2627. Over 20 primitive campsites are located throughout the area with an additional 25 primitive sites along the Rio Grande. Three handicap accessible sites are located at the headquarters campground.
This year precipitation has been holding around average with just over 8 inches, unlike the exceptional rainfall Black Gap received last year. However, the rainfall that we have received has caused rough road conditions and caution should be taken when traveling some of the roads. One of the biggest limiting factors for dove in the Trans-Pecos is available water. Black Gap has over 40 earthen water tanks, along with several other supplemental water sites, to provide hunters with good dove hunting areas. Although we have not received the rain we did last year, several tanks have benefited from the rainfall this year. This along with the increase in seed production around these tanks should help to make for an enjoyable hunting experience. Black Gap WMA will open for dove hunting (mourning and white-winged) 01 September -17 October 2008 and 29 December 2008 - 4 January 2009.
Upon entry to the area all visitors must self-register at the registration station at area headquarters. When exiting the area everyone is asked to please check out at the registration station as well.
For further information on visitation or hunting conditions, call the Black Gap WMA at 432-376-2216 during regular business hours.
Required Permits
All visitors to the both WMAs must possess an annual hunting permit (APH) or a limited use permit (LPU) before entering the area. Each of these permits can be purchased anywhere hunting licenses are sold or by calling 1800-TX-LIC-4U (1-800-895-4248). Only persons possessing an APH are allowed to hunt on the area. In addition to the APH, hunters must also have a current Texas hunting license and appropriate stamps. Those who wish to use public hunting lands for activities other than hunting can do so with a LPU permit, however it does not allow the permit holder to hunt.
Research
As part of ongoing dove research, hunters are asked to clip the left wings of harvested birds. This enables wildlife biologists to identify juveniles and adults. Calculating age ratios is important in determining the health of dove populations and making management decisions. Public hunters play an important role in the data collection process. Without their cooperation, it would be costly (time and money) to gather this information and make educated recommendations.
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