The Lower Rio Grande Valley was suffering from lack of rain in May, and the woody vegetation there was suffering. However, recent rains throughout much of South Texas have been very good. Range conditions are now excellent, with woody vegetation responding well. Prospects for turkey and quail are good. Prospects for deer are excellent.
Conditions are lush in South Texas.
Mother Nature is going to make wildlife managers look good this year. Speaking of hunting, new hunting licenses for the 1999-2000 season will go on sale Aug. 11. As usual, it's a good idea to buy your license before the Sept. 1 dove season opener. It's a way for federal officials to track migratory bird hunters, but it is also the law, just like buying the appropriate waterfowl stamps. The objective of HIP, which was initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is to create a harvest database of ducks, doves, geese and other migratory birds.