HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

     Hunting of the indigenous desert bighorns in Texas was officially outlawed in 1903.  Further protective measures were taken in 1945 with the establishment of the Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area.  In spite of these efforts, the last remaining native bighorns were gone by the early 60's.  Re-introduction efforts begun in 1954 have produced a population that today supports limited hunting opportunities.
     Hunting of desert bighorn sheep in Texas was reinstated in 1988.  through the 2002 season 38 permits have been issued including 7 permits auctioned off through the Foundation for North American Sheep (FNAWS) , 5 public land hunting permits, 7 Texas Grand Slam public hunting permits, and 19 private landowner permits.  With these permits, 26 rams have been harvested, and significant funding generated for bighorn sheep management activities.  The opportunity to hunt these magnificent creatures will always be limited due to the amount of suitable habitat available and the resulting limits on population sizes.  Texas Parks and Wildlife is charged with juggling these limited opportunities into a program that adequately supports the management efforts required to insure that future generations can witness these desert monarchs in the mountains of West Texas!

     If you are interested in hunting desert bighorns in Texas, there are four ways to obtain a permit.
     1. Through a Texas Parks and Wildlife program called the "Texas Grand Slam", (TPWD)
         in which a chance to hunt desert bighorn, whitetail deer, mule deer, and antelope are
         raffled off through sales at authorized license dealers, by mail, or over the internet.
         Through 1999 this program has raised approximately $425,000.00 for desert bighorn
         sheep management programs in Texas.
     2. Through public hunting permits issued as populations will support it on public land in
         Texas.  Review the Limited Entry Public Hunting Guide published yearly by
         Texas Parks and Wildlife to apply for these permits.
     3. Through the FNAWS auction held at their annual convention, of a permit donated
         by Texas.  Proceeds from the sale of 5 of these permits have contributed $344,000.00
         to bighorn sheep management efforts in Texas.  The 1999 permit was auctioned for
         $85,000.00, an all time high for Texas.
     4. Through landowner permits issued to property owners with significant populations, and
         harvestable rams on their land.  These permits provide a return to landowners who
         provide critical habitat in a state with very little public land, and who frequently must modify
         ranch management practices to accommodate the desert bighorn herds.  The shortage of
         suitable habitat on public land makes the support of these landowners critical to the ongoing
         success of bighorn sheep programs in Texas.  For more information on current landowner permits, 
         contact us at  Information@texasbighornsociety.org.

     Bighorn sheep management in Texas continues to be funded by hunters through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, (The Pittman-Robertson Act which levies a tax on sporting firearms, ammunition, handguns, and archery equipment funds this program), the Texas Grand Slam Hunt Program and FNAWS auction permits.
     The Texas Bighorn Society believes that hunter/conservationists are key to the conservation, management, and preservation of wildlife throughout the world.  We believe that regulated hunting is beneficial, and a viable recreational use of renewable wildlife resources.  We support harvesting as a necessary management tool in this regard and strongly advocate the right of state agencies such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, to determine wildlife management policies.  We believe that education is the key to preserving America's hunting heritage.  We also feel that every hunter has a moral obligation to behave ethically and responsibly.  The Texas Bighorn Society believes that the continued success of the desert bighorn sheep restoration program in Texas is closely related to hunting.  Without the support of hunters, it would be virtually impossible to continue to provide the monetary, physical, and political support needed to keep the sheep restoration project alive and healthy.
       

"GOOD HUNTING"