Last November, Texas voters made an overwhelming decision to make fishing and hunting a constitutional right.
Prop. 6 passed by a margin of 82 to 18 percent.
The Amendment to the state’s constitution now reads.
“The people have the right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to laws or regulations to conserve and manage wildlife and preserve the future of hunting and fishing.”
“Hunting and fishing are preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife.”
“This section does not affect any provision of law relating to trespass, property rights, or eminent domain.”
“This section does not affect the power of the legislature to authorize a municipality to regulate the discharge of a weapon in a populated area in the interest of public safety.”
• • •
The 2016 Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will celebrate its tenth anniversary in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on May 20–22, 2016.
The fishing competition will take place on Lake Ray Roberts, and Toyota Stadium in Frisco will host activities for the whole family.
Proceeds from the three-day festival will continue to benefit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) youth fishing and urban outreach programs, which have received $2.25 million since the TTBC event first began in 2007.
“Toyota has been a proud supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since 2002, and we are excited to spotlight another great fishery in the state of Texas through the TTBC,” said Katie Scallan, senior manager marketing, Gulf States Toyota.
“Toyota’s roots have been firmly planted in the great state of Texas since 1969 with the founding of Gulf States Toyota,” Scallan said. “For more than a decade, Tundras and Tacomas have been built at our manufacturing facility in San Antonio. Our roots have deepened since relocating our North American headquarters to Plano, and we look forward to continuing to promote and support the many great resources Texas has to offer for many years to come.”
As host venue, Toyota Stadium will feature a wide array of family-friendly activities held in conjunction with the event.
Fans can expect the return of the annual three-day star-studded lineup of country music concerts, a large outdoor consumer expo and numerous outdoor family activities-all held in addition to the fishing action taking place at Lake Ray Roberts, one of the TPWD’s premier fisheries .
“We are looking forward to celebrating the TTBC’s 10th anniversary in the City of Frisco at Toyota Stadium,” said Lenny Francoeur, TTBC’s tournament director.
“This world-class facility was built to host large-scale events and will provide an amazing venue for TTBC fans and partners.”
Over the past nine years of the event’s history, the partnership between TTBC and TPWD has showcased some of the best fisheries that Texas has to offer while raising awareness of conservation efforts and funding the department’s youth fishing and urban outreach programs.
“The TTBC has been key to TPWD’s efforts to increase fishing opportunities in urban areas through its Neighborhood Fishin’ Program,” said Dave Terre, chief of research and management for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division.
“About 100,000 people a year benefit from this program, and about 50,000 of those are new to fishing,” Terre said. “The TTBC also supports a number of other conservation and outreach efforts aimed at involving more people in the outdoors.”
2015 TTBC Champion Brent Ehrler will join the 2016 TTBC field alongside the top 15 in 2015 Angler of the Year points from both the FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series, and five chosen exemptions.
The 36 anglers will compete on Lake Ray Roberts over the three days, with the field being reduced to the top10 for the final round on Sunday, May 22.
“I love competing in Texas because their lakes are some of the healthiest and most productive in the country, thanks in large part to the efforts of TPWD,” stated 2015 TTBC champion Brent Ehrler. “I am excited to return to the Lone Star State and defend my TTBC title on Lake Ray Roberts in 2016.”
— From staff repots
—from TPWD
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