Two Approaches to Wildlife Management Plans
Texas Tax Code Section 23.521 gives landowners the right to prepare their own wildlife management plans. Here is how the self-serve, data-driven approach compares to traditional biologist consulting.
Feature Comparison
| Aspect | Traditional Biologist | Thorpe Land Services |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline | 30 to 45 days | Same day |
| Property visit | Yes, 2 to 4 hours on site | No (you know your land) |
| Data sources | Field observation and experience | 21 federal and state databases |
| Soil analysis | Visual assessment | NRCS SSURGO laboratory data |
| Species coverage | 10 to 20 target species | 8,612 documented Texas species |
| Fire risk | Not typically included | Live KBDI, burn ban, TxWRAP data |
| EQIP savings | Rarely calculated | Automatically identified |
| Legal citations | Varies by provider | Every practice cited to TAC and Tax Code |
| Filing support | Plan and submission | Plan, pre-filled PWD-885, companion guide, interactive map |
| Cost | $2,000 to $5,000 (varies by acreage) | Flat rate, any county, any acreage |
| Coverage area | Limited service area | All 254 Texas counties |
| Best for | Properties with complex site-specific conditions | Landowners who know their property and want data-backed documentation |
Timeline
Traditional
30 to 45 days
Thorpe Land Services
Same day
Property visit
Traditional
Yes, 2 to 4 hours on site
Thorpe Land Services
No (you know your land)
Data sources
Traditional
Field observation and experience
Thorpe Land Services
21 federal and state databases
Soil analysis
Traditional
Visual assessment
Thorpe Land Services
NRCS SSURGO laboratory data
Species coverage
Traditional
10 to 20 target species
Thorpe Land Services
8,612 documented Texas species
Fire risk
Traditional
Not typically included
Thorpe Land Services
Live KBDI, burn ban, TxWRAP data
EQIP savings
Traditional
Rarely calculated
Thorpe Land Services
Automatically identified
Legal citations
Traditional
Varies by provider
Thorpe Land Services
Every practice cited to TAC and Tax Code
Filing support
Traditional
Plan and submission
Thorpe Land Services
Plan, pre-filled PWD-885, companion guide, interactive map
Cost
Traditional
$2,000 to $5,000 (varies by acreage)
Thorpe Land Services
Flat rate, any county, any acreage
Coverage area
Traditional
Limited service area
Thorpe Land Services
All 254 Texas counties
Best for
Traditional
Properties with complex site-specific conditions
Thorpe Land Services
Landowners who know their property and want data-backed documentation
A Note on Professional Biologists
We respect the work of wildlife biologists. For properties with complex endangered species issues, active remediation needs, or litigation-related documentation, a site visit from a certified biologist may be appropriate. Our system serves landowners who want to exercise their statutory right to prepare their own plan with professional-grade data support.