Bluebonnet Acres Landowners Association

OPERATION GAME THIEF

INFO ON THE PROGRAM

Operation Game Thief is Texas' Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Program, offering rewards of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for a wildlife crime. Begun in 1981 as a result of laws passed by the 67th Legislature to help curtail poaching, the program, a function of the Law Enforcement division of The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is highly successful, having been responsible for the payment of over $195,000.00 in rewards. Privately funded, the program is dependent on financial support from the public through the purchase of OGT merchandise and memberships, donations, sponsorships, and gifts.

OTHER AQUATIC LIFE

Other Aquatic Life (Fresh & Salt Waters)
Aquatic life, except threatened and endangered species, not addressed in this guide may be taken only by hand or with the devices defined as lawful for taking fish, crabs, oysters, or shrimp in places and at times as provided in this guide
In public waters, a fishing license and freshwater fishing stamp endorsement is required to take mussels, clams, crayfish and other aquatic life for personal use. In salt water, a saltwater fishing stamp endorsement is required with the fishing license.
A hunting license is required to hunt non-protected turtles and frogs. (see sections on hunting license and nongame species )
Clams, Mussels and Other Molluscan Shellfish taken from public salt waters may be taken only from waters approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS). Maps identifying approved areas may be obtained from the TDSHS Seafood and Aquatic Life Group, (512) 834-6757. Additional information concerning area closures may be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (800) 685-0361.
Consumption of Clams and Mussels taken from public fresh waters is prohibited by the TDSHS.
No more than 25 pounds of whole mussels and clams, or 12 pounds of mussel and clam shells may be taken per day for personal use and consumption only.
Mussels and clams may only be taken by hand.
Freshwater mussels of the following species may be taken only when they will not pass through a ring with an inside diameter (I.D.) specified for that species.
Freshwater Mussels Species and ring size for inside diameter
SPECIES Ring ID in Inches
Washboard 4.00
Threeridges and roundlakes 2.75
Mapleleafs and pimplebacks 2.75
Tampico pearlymussel 2.75
Bleufer 2.75
All Other Species of Freshwater Mussels 2.50

More information on harvesting freshwater mussels and clams, including areas closed to harvest, can be obtained by calling TPWD in Austin at 512-389-4444.

Links

Operation Game Thief program was created to assist game wardens