Can I switch from ag valuation to wildlife management in Texas?

Short answer: Yes, if the land already has 1-d-1 agricultural or timber valuation. You file a written wildlife management plan with your appraisal district and carry out at least three of seven wildlife practices each year. Districts also set minimum acreage; for example Williamson and Kaufman list 12.5 acres and Parker lists 20 acres.

Who qualifies

Wildlife management is a way to keep qualified land in open-space use, not a way to qualify new land. The land must already be appraised as agricultural or timber land. Texas Parks and Wildlife explains the program and publishes the plan form.

The seven practices

Habitat control
Erosion control
Predator control
Providing supplemental water
Providing supplemental food
Providing shelters
Making census counts

You must do at least three each year, to the intensity your district requires.

Minimum acreage examples

Williamson CAD: 12.5 acres for an individual owner; 16.6 acres per owner in a wildlife association or co-op.
Kaufman CAD: 12.5 acres.
Parker CAD: 20 acres.

Other counties: check with your appraisal district.

Steps

Confirm the land has 1-d-1 valuation now.
Pick at least three practices that fit your land.
Write the plan on the TPWD form, or hire a wildlife plan writer.
File the plan and application with your appraisal district by its deadline.
Keep records and file any annual report the district requires.

Ready to put your land to work? Tell us about your land. Farm, ranch or keep bees? List free as a producer. Or browse the counties we serve.

Questions

Can land without ag valuation qualify for wildlife management?

No. It must already be appraised as agricultural or timber land.

How many wildlife practices are required?

At least three of the seven each year.

Get matched

Tell us about your land or your operation. We review every submission by hand and introduce landowners to producers who work their county and fit their acreage, access and the uses they're open to.

I own land I farm, ranch or keep bees

Producers list free. Landowners pay a placement fee based on acreage: $149 up to 20 acres, $249 for 21 to 100 acres, and $499 over 100 acres, the same for every use. A $49 deposit opens your placement, and the remainder is due only when you sign a lease.

Sources: Texas Parks and Wildlife: agricultural land and wildlife management; TPWD wildlife tax valuation FAQ; Texas Tax Code Section 23.51; district documents linked above. General information, not tax or legal advice.

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