Wildlife Management Requirements

The 7 Pillars of Wildlife Management in Texas

Texas law defines 7 wildlife management practices under Tex. Tax Code Section 23.521. Landowners must implement at least 3 to qualify for wildlife management valuation. Here is what each pillar requires and how to implement it on your property.

Understanding the Statutory Framework

Tex. Tax Code Section 23.521 authorizes land to be appraised for wildlife management if the land was previously qualified for agricultural appraisal and is currently used to manage wildlife. The statute defines 7 specific management practices, codified in 34 TAC Sections 9.2001 through 9.2005.

A landowner must implement at least 3 of these 7 practices each year. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) publishes intensity standards for each practice by ecoregion, which define the minimum frequency, scale, and documentation expected. These standards are incorporated into the PWD-885 Wildlife Management Plan and the PWD-888 Annual Report.

The ecoregion determines which practices are most effective and what intensity is expected. Texas has 12 ecoregions under 34 TAC Section 9.2002, each with distinct habitat types, species assemblages, and management challenges. A practice that works in the Pineywoods may not be appropriate in the Trans-Pecos.

The 7 Required Practices

1

Habitat Control

Managing the vegetative cover and physical characteristics of the land to benefit target wildlife species. This is the most commonly implemented pillar and the foundation of most wildlife management plans.

Examples

  • •Prescribed burning to maintain grassland habitat and stimulate native plant growth
  • •Brush management through selective clearing to create edge habitat
  • •Native grass and forb reseeding to restore degraded pastures
  • •Invasive species removal (Chinese tallow, KR bluestem, feral hogs)
  • •Grazing management to maintain ground cover at appropriate levels

TPWD Guidance: TPWD recommends habitat control as one of the primary practices for every ecoregion. Intensity varies by ecoregion: the Edwards Plateau may require more frequent brush management, while the Gulf Prairies and Marshes focus on prescribed fire intervals.

2

Erosion Control

Protecting soil resources and water quality through practices that prevent soil loss and maintain the land's productive capacity for wildlife habitat.

Examples

  • •Establishing riparian buffer zones along creeks and waterways
  • •Installing water bars and diversion structures on roads and trails
  • •Planting native vegetation on exposed slopes and bare areas
  • •Terracing or contouring on steep terrain
  • •Maintaining ground cover to prevent sheet erosion

TPWD Guidance: Erosion control is particularly important in the Cross Timbers, Rolling Plains, and Trans-Pecos ecoregions where soil erosion rates can be high. TPWD expects documentation of specific erosion control measures in the annual report (PWD-888).

3

Predator Management

Controlling predator populations to protect target wildlife species, particularly ground-nesting birds, deer fawns, and other vulnerable species.

Examples

  • •Trapping feral hogs that destroy ground-nesting bird habitat
  • •Removing feral cats that prey on songbirds and small mammals
  • •Monitoring and managing raccoon and opossum populations near nesting areas
  • •Coordinating with neighbors on area-wide predator control
  • •Using game cameras to document predator activity and population levels

TPWD Guidance: TPWD requires that predator management be targeted and documented. Landowners must record the species, number, and method of removal. Indiscriminate removal does not satisfy this pillar. Non-lethal methods (nest guards, fencing) also qualify.

4

Providing Supplemental Water

Ensuring reliable water sources for wildlife, especially during drought periods and in ecoregions where natural water is scarce.

Examples

  • •Installing wildlife-friendly water troughs with escape ramps
  • •Building or maintaining stock tanks accessible to wildlife
  • •Creating shallow water features for amphibians and wading birds
  • •Maintaining natural springs and seeps
  • •Installing drip systems in the Trans-Pecos or South Texas Brush Country

TPWD Guidance: Supplemental water is critical in the Trans-Pecos, South Texas Brush Country, and Edwards Plateau ecoregions. TPWD expects water sources to be distributed across the property rather than concentrated in one area. Water features should include escape ramps to prevent wildlife drowning.

5

Providing Supplemental Food

Establishing food sources for target wildlife species through plantings, food plots, or supplemental feeding programs.

Examples

  • •Planting warm-season food plots (sunflower, grain sorghum, lablab)
  • •Planting cool-season food plots (winter wheat, oats, clover)
  • •Managing mast-producing trees (oaks, pecans) through selective thinning
  • •Establishing native berry-producing shrubs for songbirds
  • •Supplemental feeding during severe drought (with documentation)

TPWD Guidance: TPWD distinguishes between food plantings and supplemental feeding. Food plantings (native forbs, food plots) are generally preferred. Protein feeders and corn feeders can qualify, but TPWD expects them to be part of a broader management strategy rather than the sole practice.

6

Providing Supplemental Shelter

Creating or enhancing physical structures and cover types that provide refuge, nesting sites, and protection from weather and predators.

Examples

  • •Installing nesting boxes for cavity-nesting birds (bluebirds, wood ducks, screech owls)
  • •Creating brush piles from cleared vegetation for small mammals and reptiles
  • •Leaving standing dead trees (snags) for woodpeckers and other cavity nesters
  • •Installing bat houses to support insect control
  • •Constructing rock piles for reptiles and amphibians

TPWD Guidance: Shelter practices vary significantly by ecoregion. The Pineywoods emphasizes snag retention and cavity nesting boxes. The Gulf Prairies focus on coastal nesting platforms. The Edwards Plateau benefits from brush pile construction after clearing. TPWD expects shelter structures to be maintained and documented annually.

7

Census and Population Monitoring

Conducting systematic surveys to track wildlife populations, measure the effectiveness of management practices, and guide future management decisions.

Examples

  • •Spotlight deer surveys along established transects
  • •Breeding bird point counts during nesting season (April through June)
  • •Game camera surveys at bait stations and water sources
  • •Herpetological surveys using drift fences or cover boards
  • •Small mammal trapping surveys using Sherman traps
  • •Tracking harvest data and maintaining a property log

TPWD Guidance: Census is required as one of the three minimum practices for most wildlife management plans. TPWD expects documented, repeatable survey methods with consistent effort across years. This is the pillar that county appraisal districts scrutinize most closely, so thorough record-keeping is essential.

Minimum Requirements and Common Practice Combinations

While 3 of 7 is the statutory minimum, most effective wildlife management plans implement 4 or 5 practices. The most common combinations include:

  • Core three: Habitat Control + Census + Predator Management
  • Water-focused: Habitat Control + Census + Supplemental Water (common in arid ecoregions)
  • Comprehensive: Habitat Control + Census + Erosion Control + Supplemental Shelter + Predator Management

Your wildlife management plan should select practices that match your ecoregion, target species, and property characteristics. A 20-acre tract in the Blackland Prairie will have different optimal practices than a 2,000-acre ranch in the South Texas Brush Country.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many of the 7 pillars do I need for a Texas wildlife management plan?

Texas law requires landowners to actively implement at least 3 of the 7 wildlife management practices. Most plans include habitat control and census/population monitoring as two of the three, with the third practice varying based on the property and ecoregion. TPWD recommends that practices be appropriate for your ecoregion and target species.

Where are the 7 pillars defined in Texas law?

The 7 wildlife management practices are defined in Tex. Tax Code Section 23.521(a) and further detailed in 34 Texas Administrative Code Section 9.2001 through 9.2005. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides implementation guidance through the PWD-885 Wildlife Management Plan form and associated publications.

Do I need to implement the same pillars every year?

You must implement at least 3 practices each year, but they do not need to be the same 3 every year. Your annual report (PWD-888) documents which practices were conducted that year. However, TPWD recommends consistency in core practices like census and habitat management, since switching practices frequently can reduce their effectiveness.

What happens if I only implement 2 of the 7 pillars?

If you fail to implement the minimum 3 practices, your county appraisal district may deny or revoke your wildlife management valuation. This could trigger a rollback to market value taxation for up to 5 previous years, plus 7% annual interest. The financial consequences can be significant.

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