Does any one know facts on this? Sam Houston National Forrest, WMA

[Txmason]

This was from a person that wants to join TDHA but want to know about the National Forrest.  Please help if know facts.

I WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY THING ON ANY BODY WEB SITE ABOUT THEM STOPPING THE DOG SEASON ON HOGS IN THE SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FOREST

Got another e-mail today from a dog hunter but not a member of TDHA.
Trying to let you guys know there is strenght in numbers, that why all dog hunters should be a member so we can show strenght.

Now we need to be informed as too what's going on.

Please post up information so others can look at what's happening.

[txmaverick]

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/hunting.shtml
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=30&activity=hunting
http://www.stateparks.com/sam_houston.html

Nothing about dogs of any kind, it is in Texas so those laws concerning dogs in Texas would apply, which means no deer dogs. Beyond that you would have to contact one of the people listed on those sites.

[Mike]

It looks like they did away with the dog season in the forest. Very sad, i've hunted it every year for the last nine years and we've had many, many group hunts out there which generated a lot of revenue for the forest service in APH permit sales.

Maybe TDHA can file a formal complaint with the USFS and TP&WD on behalf of dog hunters concerning this rule change?

I can guarantee them this, dog hunters are responsible for way more hogs taken out of there than gun and bowhunters could even think about taking.

[matt_aggie04]

Please tell me this is a bad joke??  I hate to think about what the hog numbers will be like out there after they let no hunters in the forest.  I just can't imagine how pissed off people will be once the word gets around.  It makes me sad to think we won't be able to hunt out there.  I have only hunted out there for three years but I have some good memories from there.  I was looking forward to hunting this year.  Man that sux!!!
Matt

[Mike]

They did open the season to year round hunting for hogs... just no dogs allowed...period.

I'll see if I can get the link... it's on the map page of Sam Houston WMA in the box that lists the seasons for different game.

[matt_aggie04]

I wonder what they will do if they catch you coon hunting with cur dogs?

[Mike]

Here's the link... scroll down to the second page.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/table_contents/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0112a_905.pdf

[matt_aggie04]

Man I just can't understand that, who do you call or mail letters to?  I would sure like to vent a little about this.  I really like how it says all legal means and then says no dogs allowed.  I guess the federal game warden knew what was coming last year when he was dropping clues....

[UNDERDOG]

Man that is a sour deal....the way our world is becoming... what more should we expect? sad times ahead,enjoy it all while we still can.

[Txmason]

Guys, need some help here, I see where it satates no dogs allowed, but who and where is making there rules?
Help me kind a link to get in touch with some one that has the power to make rules.

Thanks for your help and all the ones that has contacted me so far are not members of TDHA but want me to get something done, we need all dog hunters support, strenght in numbers.

[Mike]

Mr.Mason, i'm going to call my contact with the forest service today and see if he can point us in the right direction.

Everyone needs to join TDHA now, this hits close to home to a lot of us and is a huge blow to our dog hunting rights.

[DIAMOND A KENNELS]

I hunted the sam houston national forrest for along time around evergreen and coldspring area i cant believe they are no longer letting people run dogs thats crazy  let me no where 2 send a letter i will help all i can

[Circle C]

    I read this for the first time last night, and was too shocked to respond.  My initial thoughts go along with what others have already stated.

    This is where the TDHA needs to show that they can make a difference for hunters. Now, I am not talking about the handful of BOD doing all the legwork. I am talking about the TDHA organizing a movement to get this policy changed in future seasons. TDHA can get a game plan, and let its members know what is needed on their part to help in the movement. This is the chance to really make a difference.  I will be making phone calls on my own, but I only represent myself.  When TDHA makes a phone call, that one call represents the voice of hundreds of members.
   
     Phone calls, letters, and common sense prevailed in West Columbia, I think we can make a difference too, we just need to get organized with it.

Here are some resources that we might can use to help.

RPOA - Responsible Pet Owners Alliance - has a pretty strong force when it comes to sending emails and making phone calls. We stand with them, and I expect they will stand with us.

US Sportsman's Alliance - same as above
TOPS- Texas Outdoor Partners - same as above

Various breed registries - they have lists of contacts that are using their dogs on hogs, and this effects them directly. Have them send out an email to all members letting them know of the situation.
Lacy dogs
NALC
BMC registries
APBT

We need to have an properly worded (proper grammar and spelling) letter/ email that can be sent to the decision makers once we know who they are. As can be seen by my posts, I am not the one to compose the letter, but I will help in any way I can. I think the letter needs to address the effectiveness of dogs in the removal of feral hogs,  might even address the fact that the rifle hunters cannot hunt hogs at night and that they will quickly become nocturnal, yet continue to reproduce, etc.


What are y'alls thoughts on how to correct this?
   

[matt_aggie04]

Chris I agree with everything you have there except for the fact that you cannot hunt hogs at night in the forrest with dogs, even when hunting with dogs was legal.  I still feel like something was taken from me, how do lose such a great resource?  Who makes the rules on this?  If you look at what they did on their way to making deer dogs illegal it looks very familiar to what is happening now!!!  Hunting hogs with dogs is legal but they don't allow it, why???  Just some of the things that are going through my mind....
Matt

[Circle C]

Matt,

     I wasn't real clear in getting across what I was thinking in regards to the hogs going nocturnal.  I realize the dog hunters are/were only allowed to hunt them in daylight too. However, with dogs, we have the advantage of trailing them by scent to their bedding areas. Joe gun hunter does not have that advantage, he almost has to come across them while they are traveling, whereas in daylight, our dogs can find them bedded. I think that is the are that dog hunting has a distinct advantage over any other method, when there are restricted hours.

[matt_aggie04]

I would agree 100% Chris, that is a good point...
MG

[BarrNinja]

No point in calling the SHNF headquarters in New Waverly. I called them about an hour ago after getting off the phone with WormyDogKennels and was told that she didnt know why the rules were changed or who changed them. Maybe I was talking to the wrong person but this lady seemed clueless.
I dont hunt there anymore but this makes me sick. Its unfair completely and Im ready to do what I can to get dog hunters their rights back to hunt there!!!

[bghogdogtx]

Just let me know when and where and ill be there

[BarrNinja]

Just ran the phone gauntlet with TPWD & SHNF and still got nowhere!

I was told by an official at TPWD in Austin that a Supervisor at the SHNF would be the only person to disclose why dogs are being prohibited in the National Forest this year for hog hunting.
My last connection was to Capt. Chris Crain at the SHNF New Weaverly headquarters. Of coarse he didnt answer the phone so I left him a message in regards to my call and asked him to give me a call at his earliest convenience.
I will let you know when he calls me. In the mean time his direct office # 936-639-8530.
His executive assistant Vicky will be happy to talk to you also but she will only refer you to Capt. Crain. Her # is 936-639-8530

[Silverton Boar Dogs]

I will be the point man for the TDHA on this issue. I am working the phones trying to get a live person who knows something about this issue, everyone needs to keep me informed about who you are talking to and all info that you may get on this issue.


I will update with new info, and I will find the person whose job it is to take the heat for this and we will have a plan for a united front to address this problem.

Paul Teegardin
806 455 1297
pwt_3@yahoo.com

Thanks,
Paul T

TDHA, join today.....We need some help from those of you that are tired of losing your freedom one little piece at a time.......