The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will close red snapper fishing in state waters on Nov. 20, at 11:59 p.m. until Jan. 2024. Federal waters remain closed until the summer. “While we are disappointed to close state waters earlier than we had hoped, the pattern of prolonged federal seasons highlights the success of Texas’ state-managed red snapper fishery,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division director. “This year, anglers had a…
Texas State Parks Day is Nov. 5 and, as part of continued centennial celebrations, visitors will get free day-use entrance at all Texas state parks. “Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to continue to connect everyone to our beautiful parklands and we hope that Texas State Parks Day will give someone new the opportunity to discover what makes our state parks special,” said Rodney Franklin, State Parks Division director. “This…
The 2023 Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival takes place Nov. 8-12 at the Harlingen Convention Center. The event includes 100 field trip offerings to choose from including traditional tours through the parks and new offerings such as private ranches. Special trips in the field with some of the festival’s featured speakers to further enhance their presentations are also on the schedule. In addition to field trips, the Rio Grande Valley Birding…
Thanks to a recent bill passed during the last legislative session, active-duty military, honorably discharged veterans and the immediate family members of a service member who died while serving now qualify for one of three new Parklands Passports. These passports are available at no cost and grant the cardholder free entry to all Texas State Parks. The new categories of Parklands Passports, which can be obtained at any state park,…
A fast-growing sport is expanding in the Rio Grande Valley with plans to construct a 21,500-square-foot venue for padel ball and pickleball players. The RGV Padel Club is making a $2.7 million investment to construct the new facility at 2513 Victoria Drive in Mission. Construction is projected to start within three months and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024. Estimates are the RGV Padel Club will support 52…
A freshly surfaced pocket parking lot by Boggus Ford in Harlingen offers a clue of something new afoot by the Arroyo Colorado. Take a left from an existing trail of two decades into a new section of the Arroyo Colorado Hike and Bike Trail. It descends to the arroyo and then back toward Expressway 77. The new extension runs 1.6 miles, going under an expressway bridge on a trail lined…
Current-year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except the Year-from-Purchase All-Water Fishing Package) expire at the end of August. Licenses for the 2023-24 season go on sale Aug. 15. Texans purchase more than 2.7 million hunting and fishing licenses annually, directly funding a multitude of conservation efforts and recreational opportunities. Some of the many projects made possible by license sales include fish stocking, wildlife management, habitat restoration, public hunting leases, river…
Texas State Parks is competing against three other state park systems to receive 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Presenters for the award are the National Recreation and Park Association along with the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. “I’m proud to have the hard work of our Texas State Park staff recognized for building one of the best state park systems in…
With the soaring summer temperatures Texas State Parks is sharing seven tips to help Texans enjoy time outdoors safely. Last year, 47 state parks reported 141 heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. Since Jan. 1, 77 heat-related incidents have already been reported, compared to 64 reported by this time last year. Here are the top seven heat hacks recommended for park visitors: Hydrate – It’s important to drink at least…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce recently announced the South Texas Chess Federation has selected McAllen as its host city for the 2024 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. Organizers expect the January 2024 tournament to draw more than 400 visitors to the McAllen Convention Center, potentially generating an economic impact of over $315,000. Throughout the year, the McAllen Chamber’s Tourism Department ‘Convention & Visitors Bureau’ diligently facilitates conferences that attract…