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Policies, Politics, and You
"I used to wonder why somebody didn't DO something! Then I realized that I’m somebody."
Where would stand-up comedy and late-night television be without politicians? For most of us, “being in politics” is the last thing in the world we’d want to do. But the reality is that whether we realize it or not, whether we like it or not—we are.
The ability of landowners in Texas to manage their land for wildlife as their agricultural practice for property tax purposes is a shining example of private people who would cringe if you called them politicians advocating for this legislation; working hard to educate their legislators as to the value of it; and finally in getting support from the people of Texas who voted for the legislation.
The 13 inch antler regulation is another example of where landowners—particularly TOWMA member landowners—went to the TPWD Commission and advocated for the passage of a regulation they felt was critical if landowners in the original 6 counties were ever going to be able to effectively manage their deer. As we all know, thanks to these non-politician TOWMA landowners, the popularity of the regulation is growing and other counties are clamoring to get into the program.
Our wildlife does not vote. Deer don’t lobby; bluebirds don’t make phone calls and quail don’t write letters. We have to do it for them. As landowners, our way of life is more at the mercy of politics and who’s in office than the average person realizes.
So where is this going? Urban voters will ultimately control what we do on our land. Recently a request for an Attorney General’s opinion on the legality of the wildlife appraisal was made by an urban senator. “Fortunately” due to a pending lawsuit, the request was denied. But sooner or later, it will come back. Will we be ready?
We will if we recognize that together many voices can make a difference. If just one person is able to go to the Commission or the Legislature and is able to say, “Mr. Chairman, my name is Private Landowner and I’m here today as a TOWMA member, which represents 3000 landowners in 60 Wildlife Management Associations on 1.8 million acres of Texas land..." —THAT’S powerful! THAT gets attention.
TOWMA, as a 501(C)(3) organization, is not allowed to lobby, but we can furnish you with information concerning legislation and regulations, and you as a private landowner can, and in fact must, stand up for what you believe in.
Wildlife can’t vote, but you sure can! Be somebody!