SAN ANTONIO –-(Ammoland.com)- Hunting is a long-standing tradition in Texas but it’s also a deeply personal experience that includes many individual preferences on how and where to hunt.
Since its founding, the Texas Deer Association’s (TDA) efforts to promote the future of Texas’ whitetail heritage have been unparalleled.
TDA leads the way in the deer industry as the largest organization in the state dedicated to protecting the rights of both the landowner and the hunter.
The TDA is proud to defend hunters’ freedom of choice, and denounce recent fear-based propaganda spread by an elitist group with a specific agenda — one that is driven by financial motives without consideration for what is best for Texas hunters or landowners.
“We’ve all seen the small feuds over the years among sportsmen — bow hunters vs. rifle hunters, baiting vs. no baiting and high fence vs. low fence. A free society allows for open debate and the exchange of ideas. But the recent attacks on private property owners for managing their land and wildlife resources goes beyond any discussions over personal preference and actually threatens to take away hunting opportunities in the state,” says Karl Kinsel, executive director of the TDA.
“In Texas, landowners have the right to manage their property how they see fit and sportsmen have the right to hunt how and where they choose. The TDA is working to ensure those rights are not infringed.”
The game ranching of whitetail deer is heavily regulated by the state and it is one of the top agricultural producers in Texas, even exceeding the rice and citrus industries. The deer industry represents a $650 million industry in Texas, and deer hunting’s direct economic impact is more than $2 billion every year. In addition, Texas Parks and Wildlife estimates more than 600,000 sportsmen annually hunt deer, with a vast majority of hunting occurring on private land.
“The Texas deer industry is good for Texas, and we always invite dialogue with stakeholders in the wildlife and hunting communities,” adds Chase Clark, president of the Texas Deer Association. “We are happy to work alongside organizations and individuals who are dedicated to improving the quality of Texas deer herds through better habitat practices, modern harvest strategies and science-based solutions.”
Founded in 1999, the TDA is the state’s largest wildlife association dedicated to health and science-based management of Texas deer. The TDA is committed to improving the quality of whitetail and mule deer herds through better habitat practices, modern harvest strategies and use of managed deer to enhance the herds. As a part of its public education efforts, the TDA produces a full-color bimonthly publication, Tracks Magazine, which updates TDA members on current industry news, deer genetics and game management issues. In August, the TDA also hosts an annual convention and trade show featuring fund-raising auctions, a deer auction, golf tournament and other events.
For more information about the Texas Deer Association, visit www.texasdeerassociation.com or call 210.767.8300.
Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the Texas Deer Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of Texas deer herds, and to developing ways to improve deer quality in Texas. For more information on the Texas Deer Association, call 210.767.8300 or visit www.texasdeerassociation.com.