Question 1

How much does a wildlife management plan cost in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Thorpe Land Services offers complete, TPWD-compliant 5-Year Wildlife Management Plans starting at $149. This covers any Texas county, any acreage. The package includes the plan document, pre-filled PWD-885 form, companion implementation guide, interactive property map, and compliance tracking calendar. No per-acre fees or hidden costs.

Question 2

What are the 7 pillars of wildlife management in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The seven qualifying wildlife management practices under Texas Tax Code Sec. 23.51(7)(A) are: (1) Habitat Control, (2) Erosion Control, (3) Predator Control, (4) Providing Supplemental Water, (5) Providing Supplemental Food, (6) Providing Supplemental Shelter, and (7) Making Census Counts. Landowners must actively implement at least 3 of 7 pillars to the degree of intensity generally accepted in their ecoregion, as specified in 34 TAC Sec. 9.2002.

Question 3

How do I switch from ag exemption to wildlife management in Texas?

Accepted Answer

To convert from traditional agricultural use to wildlife management valuation in Texas: (1) The property must have been appraised as qualified open-space land for at least one of the preceding five tax years (Tex. Tax Code Sec. 23.521). (2) Prepare a 5-Year Wildlife Management Plan documenting at least 3 of the 7 qualifying management practices. (3) Submit the PWD-885 form to your County Chief Appraiser by April 30. (4) File the PWD-888 annual report each subsequent year. Thorpe Land Services can generate your complete plan package at thorpeland.com/wildlife.

Question 4

What is the deadline to file a wildlife management plan in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The PWD-885 wildlife management plan form must be submitted to your County Chief Appraiser by April 30 each year. Late applications may result in loss of agricultural valuation and a five-year rollback penalty under Texas Tax Code Chapter 23, Subchapter D. The PWD-888 annual management activities report must also be filed each subsequent year.

Question 5

Do I need a biologist for a wildlife management plan in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Texas does not legally require a biologist to prepare a wildlife management plan. The plan must document qualifying management practices per TPWD guidelines, but it can be self-prepared by the landowner. Thorpe Land Services provides an automated, self-serve plan builder at thorpeland.com/wildlife that uses TPWD ecoregion-specific intensity standards, NRCS soil data, and species databases to generate professionally formatted, submission-ready plans starting at $149.

Question 6

What is the minimum acreage for wildlife management in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Minimum acreage for wildlife management valuation varies by ecoregion, as specified in 34 TAC Sec. 9.2002. Typical minimums range from 10 to 20 acres depending on location. The Edwards Plateau requires approximately 14.2 acres, while the South Texas Plains may require 20+ acres. Thorpe Land Services automatically calculates the minimum for your specific ecoregion during the plan builder process.

Your Land. Your Plan.

What You Receive

5-Year Wildlife Management Plan

PWD-885 Application Form

Companion Implementation Guide

Interactive Property Map

Three Steps to Your Plan