Texas Parks and Wildlife - Trans-Pecos Wildlife District

06/05/2026

The first confirmed U.S. case of New World Screwworm was found in a calf in Zavala County, about 100 miles southwest of San Antonio. Texas Parks and Wildlife is working with the Texas Animal Health Commission, USDA and partners statewide to respond.
Early detection is critical and it is important to report suspected infestation in live animals.

Get details on this case and what to watch for at screwworm.gov

Get information on how to report possible cases at tpwd.texas.gov/screwworm

Find a Wildlife Biologist: https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/habitat-management/find-a-wildlife-biologist/

06/04/2026

If you see signs of maggot infestations in live wildlife, especially in areas near the U.S./Mexico border, please report it to your local TPWD Wildlife Biologist.

Find a Wildlife Biologist: https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/habitat-management/find-a-wildlife-biologist/

Get information on how to report possible cases at tpwd.texas.gov/screwworm

🚨 With the recent detection of New World screwworm in a 3-week-old bovine in Zavala County, TX, USDA urges residents to contact your veterinarian right away if you see any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations in your animals or herd.

If you see signs of maggot infestations in live or very recently dead wild animals, especially in areas near the U.S./Mexico border, please call 866-4USDA-WS (866-487-3297) to report it to your local USDA Wildlife Services office.

For more information, visit WWW.SCREWWORM.GOV.

06/04/2026

First confirmed U.S. case of New World Screwworm found today in a calf in Zavala County, about 100 miles southwest of San Antonio.

We are working with the Texas Animal Health Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture and partners statewide to respond.

Early detection is critical and it is important to report suspected infestation in live animals

Get details on this case, how to report potential infestations, and what to watch for at screwworm.gov

***
Hoy se confirmó el primer caso en los Estados Unidos del gusano barrenador del Nuevo Mundo, hallado en un becerro en el condado de Zavala, a unas 100 millas al suroeste de San Antonio.

Estamos trabajando en colaboración con la Comisión de Salud Animal de Texas, el USDA y socios en todo el estado para dar respuesta a la situación.

La detección temprana es fundamental, y es importante reportar cualquier sospecha de infestación en animales vivos.

Obtenga detalles sobre este caso, cómo reportar posibles infestaciones y qué señales buscar en screwworm.gov

05/27/2026

Western counties are finally getting in on the rainfall action.🌧️

Today’s highest 24-hour rainfall total came from the Coyanosa Mesonet with 2.73" of rain. Many western and central areas picked up beneficial rainfall, while eastern counties saw smaller totals.

04/28/2026

The 2025 Mule Deer Survey results are in!

The Trans-Pecos Mule Deer population numbers have improved some from last year’s historic low. The long-term trend continues to decline with prolonged regional drought conditions having a major impact on numbers. However, recent improvements in range conditions show promising developments in fawn and adult Mule Deer numbers.

The experimental Mule Deer antler restriction in Terrell County has now been in place for 4 hunting seasons (started 2022). The number of Mule Deer harvested and voluntarily presented to the harvest check station has continued to increase year after year. Reported Mule Deer bucks meeting the antler restriction requirements should continue to increase each year until buck numbers naturally stabilize in each age cohort without the additive mortality of buck overharvest.

Preliminary data from Terrell County, and information from the Panhandle, indicate the antler restriction is not flawless, but data collected to-date point to an undeniable improvement in mule deer s*x ratios and buck age structure. These early results demonstrate that the experiment's objectives of managing for a more natural mule deer s*x ratio and buck age structure are being met using an outside spread of the main beams antler restriction set at 20”. In addition, public support for the mule deer antler restriction continues to be very favorable.

03/19/2026

Join our Team!
We are now accepting applications for the Natural Resources Specialist (Wildlife Biologist) position based in Brewster County.
This Trans-Pecos Wildlife District position is responsible for performing the professional planning and implementation of natural resource management, monitoring, and research duties associated with wildlife and habitat resources in Brewster County.
🐏🦃 🦌
Closing Date: Apr 8, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

For more information and to apply, please follow the link below: 👇

https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00057015&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago

03/06/2026

“Go early and go often”
Spring turkey hunters can expect to see an abundance of 2-to-3-year old gobblers as they spread out in search of hens 🦃 🦃 🦃
Find details about harvest reporting, bag limits and more at OutdoorAnnual.com
Forecast by region below 👇🏽

“Go early and go often”

Spring turkey hunters can expect to see an abundance of 2-to-3-year old gobblers as they spread out in search of hens 🦃 🦃 🦃

Find details about harvest reporting, bag limits and more at OutdoorAnnual.com

Forecast by region below 👇🏽

02/27/2026

The winners of the 2025-2026 Voluntary Mule Deer Harvest Reporting prizes have been drawn!
Congratulations to the 6 lucky hunters who brought in their eligible Terrell County mule deer buck and won some great prizes from our sponsors the Mule Deer Foundation, Safari Club International San Angelo Chapter and Houston Safari Club!

TPWD will use the age and antler measurement data collected at the voluntary Terrell County check station to assess the impact of the experimental mule deer antler restriction on buck age structure and s*x ratios within the local population. To gather the most harvest data possible, TPWD and our partners offered incentives to hunters who brought their mule deer buck to the check station. Hunters were entered in drawings for items such as a rifle and gift cards. The harvest data collected are essential to effectively evaluate the success of the experimental antler restriction.

More info on Mule Deer Harvest Check Stations 👇

Experimental mule deer check stations.

02/19/2026

Recent reports from the public and investigations conducted by TPWD Biologists and Game Wardens have revealed a widespread infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) outbreak affecting invasive Aoudad (aka Barbary Sheep). Since December, approximately 25 Aoudad showing severe clinical characteristics (e.g. blindness) in one or both eyes have been documented across ~ 30 miles spanning Jeff Davis County and extending into northern Presidio and Brewster Counties.

Texas Parks and Wildlife has not documented cases of IKC in Desert Bighorn Sheep and will continue to actively monitor our populations in west Texas.

IKC, generally referred to as pinkeye, is a highly contagious eye infection that can be a common disease in livestock. IKC has also been described in many wildlife species. It rarely affects just one animal, but spreads throughout a herd. IKC can present as mild clinical symptoms (e.g. watery eyes) to more severe cases characterized by blindness.

The current outbreak within Aoudad herds in the Tri-County area is likely caused by a bacteria known as Moraxella, which can be spread by flies, dust, and other exposed environmental vectors. In wildlife populations there is no available treatment and the disease naturally runs its course through the herd.

If you have concerns regarding pinkeye in livestock contact your veterinarian.

02/12/2026

Internship applications are now live ❗

🌟 Kickstart Your Career with TPWD! 🌟
Our Summer Internship Applications are OPEN from Feb 11 – March 11! This is your chance to gain hands-on experience, work alongside conservation professionals, and explore exciting career paths in natural resources.

✅ Apply here: https://bit.ly/TPWDInternProgram
✅ Register for our Internship Fair: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=p_1keK1i7EeB7DIyZuOjX5_cXEjBI6RHkMmjLs1qEcVUQUZRQzJWUjhON1FPMkNSUlJKRFNPOEZEWS4u&route=shorturl

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference for Texas wildlife and habitats!