Texas Public Policy and the Effectiveness of Wildlife Conservation
Hunter R. Roach Tarleton State University
Introduction.
Texas is the second largest state in the United States with many different ecosystems from prairies to costal areas and wildlife from the American alligator to monarch butterflies. The Texas state government’s public policy on wildlife must protect the animals, plants, and ecosystems within the state. Public policy in Texas concerning wildlife conservation is an example of an effective public policy.
Definitions.
Public policy is the outputs of government institutions, expressed goals of a government body backed by incentives and sanctions. These public policies …show more content…
Using the research provided by the articles titled “Range Expansion of Mule Deer in the Texas Panhandle”, “Freshwater Turtle Conservation in Texas: Harvest Effects and Efficacy of the Current Management Regime”, and “Wild Game in “Texas” the data was compiled in this case study. The articles “Enhancing Wildlife Sciences' Linkage to Public Policy: Lessons from the Predator-Control Pendulum”, and “Utilization of a Species Occupancy Model for Management and Conservation” provided theories of how to influence public policy and conserve a species.
Case Study.
Texas is the second largest state in the United States with territory for wildlife spanning hundreds of acres of both public and private undeveloped land. Wildlife conservation in the state of Texas not only requires research to know what needs to be protected, but money to fund policy changes, research, and facilitate the actual measures being taken to save the species. Conservation of these various species of animals is critical to not only Texas’ environment but to the economy because the estimated value of Texas’ wild game is between $100-$300 million (Brown et. al ND). Texas public policy regulates hunting, wildlife conservation, and habitat protection, however, management of predatory species, and species who …show more content…
Evidence of expanding and increasing mule deer populations in the Texas panhandle region provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or TPWD, shows not only a growth in mule deer population but near doubling from 1985-2000 (Ballard et. al 2001). This ever-increasing population of mule deer proves that state conservation policy has increased numbers of at least one species, but also has the potential to stimulate the economy with the various costs hunters and land owners have associated with the increasing population. Along with increasing mule deer it is estimated that there are over 4.2 million white tailed deer in the state whose population is increasing because of the improved condition of their habitat from the leasing system. In Texas the leasing system allows landowners to make up to $2,000-$3,500 per trophy white-tail deer and $7-$9 an acre for quail and other bird hunting leases (Brown et. al ND). Hunting benefits wildlife in that the number one contributor of funds towards wildlife conservation is hunting. Landowners and politicians know that large healthy wildlife populations are an economic draw for Texas, which promotes policy changes in
Hunter R. Roach Tarleton State University
Introduction.
Texas is the second largest state in the United States with many different ecosystems from prairies to costal areas and wildlife from the American alligator to monarch butterflies. The Texas state government’s public policy on wildlife must protect the animals, plants, and ecosystems within the state. Public policy in Texas concerning wildlife conservation is an example of an effective public policy.
Definitions.
Public policy is the outputs of government institutions, expressed goals of a government body backed by incentives and sanctions. These public policies …show more content…
Using the research provided by the articles titled “Range Expansion of Mule Deer in the Texas Panhandle”, “Freshwater Turtle Conservation in Texas: Harvest Effects and Efficacy of the Current Management Regime”, and “Wild Game in “Texas” the data was compiled in this case study. The articles “Enhancing Wildlife Sciences' Linkage to Public Policy: Lessons from the Predator-Control Pendulum”, and “Utilization of a Species Occupancy Model for Management and Conservation” provided theories of how to influence public policy and conserve a species.
Case Study.
Texas is the second largest state in the United States with territory for wildlife spanning hundreds of acres of both public and private undeveloped land. Wildlife conservation in the state of Texas not only requires research to know what needs to be protected, but money to fund policy changes, research, and facilitate the actual measures being taken to save the species. Conservation of these various species of animals is critical to not only Texas’ environment but to the economy because the estimated value of Texas’ wild game is between $100-$300 million (Brown et. al ND). Texas public policy regulates hunting, wildlife conservation, and habitat protection, however, management of predatory species, and species who …show more content…
Evidence of expanding and increasing mule deer populations in the Texas panhandle region provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or TPWD, shows not only a growth in mule deer population but near doubling from 1985-2000 (Ballard et. al 2001). This ever-increasing population of mule deer proves that state conservation policy has increased numbers of at least one species, but also has the potential to stimulate the economy with the various costs hunters and land owners have associated with the increasing population. Along with increasing mule deer it is estimated that there are over 4.2 million white tailed deer in the state whose population is increasing because of the improved condition of their habitat from the leasing system. In Texas the leasing system allows landowners to make up to $2,000-$3,500 per trophy white-tail deer and $7-$9 an acre for quail and other bird hunting leases (Brown et. al ND). Hunting benefits wildlife in that the number one contributor of funds towards wildlife conservation is hunting. Landowners and politicians know that large healthy wildlife populations are an economic draw for Texas, which promotes policy changes in