Just a reminder that applications for the Texas draw are due this Thursday.

If anyone needs it, the information and application forms are located here: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/public_hunting_system/

Can non-residents apply?

Yes.

Texas does not discriminate against non-residents for permit applications.

But to our friends in Colorado... how about either:

a) abstain from applying for desert bighorn permits in Texas, since you live in a state that restricts non-residents from applying for desert bighorn permits in your state, or

b) contact your Colorado DOW to remove the restriction against non-residents applying for desert bighorn sheep permits in Colorado.

Not to start a disagreement, but something seems wrong about applying as a non-resident in another state for a desert bighorn permit, when you live in a state to accepts a restriction against non-residents.

I just try to help folks with sheep hunting & applications and I get slammed for it.

Thanks, HornedToad.

RamDreamer (Life Member, Texas Bighorn Society)

Ramdreamer,

I really appreciate what you do for us that are not as up-to-date as you are.

kho

Wow! I don't think people realize how much time and money Ramdreamer gives to support ALL sheep organizations.

Please, HornedToad, let's hope you're a more positive person than your first post indicates.

Where do you read any slam (on this site, an interesting choice of words) on RamDreamer... I love the guy... and I'm a very positive sheep hunter.

I just believe it would be appropriate for any Colorado hunter interested in hunting in other Western states, including Texas, that allow non-residents to apply for desert bighorn permits, to encourage Colorado to reciprocate by opening it's desert bighorn opportunity to non-residents of Colorado.

How does one justify a position of, "I want to hunt in my neighbor's state for desert bighorns, but I'm happy to see my state keep my neighbor at arm's length."

I know... most guys will say, "I'm just one person... what can I do?" But the reality is that political decisions, including decisions on the allocation of public hunting opportunities, are the result of collective public input.

But as said at the beginning of my earlier post... I'm not trying to start a disagreement... and I'm certainly not trying to slam anyone. I just subscribe to the belief that we're all non-residents somewhere (particularly true for sheep hunters), and that if we are interested in hunting the West, and protecting our right to continue hunting in the West, then we should be reducing barriers to non-resident participation (as Texas has done... commendably) rather than dividing the hunting community with severe non-resident restrictions (such as Colorado's decision to provide ZERO non-resident opportunity for its desert bighorns).

And yes... I'm aware that Colorado provides significant non-resident hunter opportunity for other species. But not for desert bighorns.

Just my opinion... if you want to take... you should be prepared to share.

The drawing has been held.

Applicants can receive information on preference points, status of a submitted application, and drawing results, by calling 512/389-8221 to access the Public Hunting Program's automated information system.


HornedToad will be pleased to learn that neither my wife nor I drew.