ninjabread wrote:As far as I know, you don't need a fishing license to fish in your own pond but you do need a hunting license to hunt in your own woods. I would be happy to learn I'm wrong about the second.
Yes, you need a license to harvest what TPWD defines as game animals.
As has been stated, in most instances you need a license to harvest exotics including feral hogs.
You do not need a license to eliminate destructive, nuisance animals to protect your property from damage or livestock.
I too see a gap between the fishing on private waters and hunting on private property.
Perhaps it is that most game species, when not restricted by high fences, are free to roam and might not actually "reside" on your property, and belong to the citizens of the State of Texas. Fish on a private pond do not have that ability.
I have a friend who has a lease next to a high fenced property that has invested in whitetail genetics and has some truly massive whitetails. During the South Texas rut, my friend soaked some special cotton devices with some doe urine and hung them across the road next to the fence for about 100 yards.
A big Boone & Crockett class buck caught wind of the aroma and jumped the fence. My friend was waiting and dropped the buck. The buck "owner" called the game warden and wanted him arrested for poaching.
The game warden said too bad so sad. Build the fence higher. Legal shoot.
Just because it is on your property doesn't mean you own it if it is wildlife.
"When democracy turns to tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote." Mike Vanderboegh
"The Smallest Minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." – Ayn Rand