Outdoor Briefs for June 22, 2019

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Outdoor Briefs

Beginning Sept. 1, hunters will no longer need a valid hunting license to take feral hogs in Texas.

On May 31, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed off on legislation to allow unlicensed hunters to shoot the destructive swine.

Current law requires hunters to be licensed to shoot wild hogs, unless the animals are causing depredation.

The new law is meant to loosen the noose on feral hog harvest and hopefully aid in the war against the nuisance animals that are wrecking the landscape and costing Texas agricultural enterprises an estimated $52 million in damages each year, according to reports from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Experts say the Texas feral hog population is estimated at 2.6 million, accounting for more than half of the nationwide population of 4-5 million.

 

PRO ANGLER BROWNE PASSES AWAY AT 43

FLW Tour pro Glenn Browne of Citrus Springs, Fla., passed away on May 28 after a 2 1/2-year battle with colorectal cancer. He was 43.

Well known for his prowess as a shallow water flipper, Browne spent 11 full seasons on the FLW Tour and qualified for the FLW Cup six times prior to his diagnosis in Dec. 2017. He also competed in the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2014.

Browne posted four FLW victories during his career, including an FLW Tour win at Fort Loudon-Tellico lakes in 2010. His career FLW earnings totaled just over $1 million.

According to FLW reports, Browne fought the disease head-on and fished right up until the end. He competed in his final tournament on May 18, when he and long-time friend Jimbo Denton, fished in the Wolfston Children’s Bass Tournament — a charity fundraiser event — in Palatka, Fla.