Anybody have experience doing this or have advice?

Why would you give up an ag exemption? My understanding of the wildlife exemption is that the land owner has to apply for it each year where as an ag exemption rolls over each year.

I've always felt that if the state ever reconsiders exemptions for land, the wildlife exemptions would be the first to go.

Corrected to clarify I think the wildlife exemptions would be eliminated (not ag exemptions).

This is why I'm inquiring. I currently have a grazing lease, but these Juvenile bulls are tearing everything up.

Visit with your local TPWD biologist. The plans are designed to be written by the landowner. They have forms online. My guess is YouTube might have some programs that discuss plan development.

There are some companies and/or individuals that charge for plan development.

In general have realistic goals, if you got 10 acres then quail or deer probable aren't the best choice for target species to manage for.

If you need to develop maps, Texas forest service has map my property tool that can help.

I can help you convert or answer any questions you may have about converting. It is pretty simple to change to wildlife and doesn't necessarily mean that you can't still run some cattle. You do not have to apply each year for the wildlife but you do have to do your management practices each year and have documentation of them. Some counties require you to submit an annual report and some just want you to have the documentation that you're doing your practices. My email is in my profile if you'd like to visit more about it.

Rufnek said:

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Why would you give up an ag exemption? My understanding of the wildlife exemption is that the land owner has to apply for it each year where as an ag exemption rolls over each year.

I've always felt that if the state ever reconsiders exemptions for land, the ag exemption would be the first to go.

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I assume you mean "wildlife exemption" would be first.

The Ag also doesn't roll over and you have to keep up with the application and proof of activity. Going to wildlife makes sense as you can write your plan to get credit for what you are currently doing.

I converted a few years ago because I was tired of messing with cows and we were in a draught and didnt have enough grass. We were already doing all of the necessary things to qualify for a wildlife exemption, so it was a no brainer for me. We hired "Plateau Land and Wildlife Management". to make the application and do all of the leg work. We met on the property and they did all of the work from there. If you dont wont to pay for the services it shouldnt be too hard to do yourself.

Good luck.

BTW we are in Kerr County

Yes. That is what I meant. thank you

Not correct. Depends on the county. I converted years ago- Most work I put into it is 15 mms a year (that's when I have to do it at all)

one thumb 81 said:

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I converted a few years ago because I was tired of messing with cows and we were in a draught and didnt have enough grass. We were already doing all of the necessary things to qualify for a wildlife exemption, so it was a no brainer for me. We hired "Plateau Land and Wildlife Management". to make the application and do all of the leg work. We met on the property and they did all of the work from there. If you dont wont to pay for the services it shouldnt be too hard to do yourself.

Good luck.

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Plateau is good people. Working with owner's law firm on a conservation easement. Would also recommend Blair Wildlife Consulting.

I'll add that we are an Aggie owned and operated Wildlife consulting business and we would love to help you out in anyway that we can. CrossTimbersW.com

I went through it several years ago. I hired a consultant to help me and it was pretty easy and cost a couple hundred dollars. The consultants have some boiler plate documents which makes the process quick. They do have to work up a personalized map of your property.

You also have to have several years of Ag exemption before you can convert to wildlife.

Maintaining the Wildlife Exemption is pretty simple. We went with blue bird boxes and some other things we were already doing. Our place is in Washington County.

You have to have Ag to convert to wildlife and your property can't decrease in size to less than the wildlife management minimum use requirement for your eco region.

To convert to wildlife for 2022 you most file a 1-d-1 (form 50-129) application with the CAD the property is beholden to as well as a wildlife management plan (PWD-885) you may also need to submit a annual report (PWD-888) yearly. Don't turn in one now as applications are due by the end of April and you will get hit for a 10% late filing penalty.

Contact your CAD and ask for their wildlife management guidelines. If they don't have any them contact your county TPWD biolgist and ask for the ecoregion wildlife management manual and that should provide you with some guidance for TPWD recommendations for the types of activities that you want to do

Ultimately of the 7 categories of wildlife management practices you must do at least 3 of the 7 yearly. If you ever lose your wildlife management valuation then you must convert back to regular Ag to maintain any kind of special use valuation.

Best thing is to contact your CAD and ask for the person in charge of Ag/wildlife

Meant to post this yesterday but works been pretty busy lately

I converted my property to wildlife management to maintain the ag exemption about 3 years ago and I send in an annual report. I'm still waiting on someone to come verify what I'm actually doing. All the forms are available on line. If you didn't grow up managing a rural property there is a lot to learn but if you have time you can do it without paying for help. For me that was the whole point of escaping city life.

Did it a few months ago and it was accepted. PM me if you want to chat.

Question- what is the process to go back to Ag from wildlife?

User name does not check out.

Cows and hay.

There are people on this very site who will write them for you and even do the annual documentation. It's tax deductible as a consultant expense..

Go to your county tax office and ask. Every county is a little different. What county? Most ag counties are easy to work with.

I went through all of this a few years ago. We had to get the place into Ag Exemption first. Managed to do that by letting my neighbor run his cows on the place for 5 years. The plan was to convert it to Wildlife after 5 years but just decided to keep it Ag instead. The grazing of the cows means a lot less mowing for us plus no paperwork. Helps to have a great neighbor too. He moves the cows off by September and can put them back on after deer season.

ghollow said:

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I went through all of this a few years ago. We had to get the place into Ag Exemption first. Managed to do that by letting my neighbor run his cows on the place for 5 years. The plan was to convert it to Wildlife after 5 years but just decided to keep it Ag instead. The grazing of the cows means a lot less mowing for us plus no paperwork. Helps to have a great neighbor too. He moves the cows off by September and can put them back on after deer season.

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Prescribed grazing can be a part of the wildlife plan, and should be in many cases.

It's easy. I stitched ours several years ago and while there is some paperwork every other year it takes only about 30 minutes. Just get in the habit of saving receipts. I am personally happy I don't have to deal with cows living 1.5 hours away from the property. No need to pay someone to do a plan. It's really easy. I bet your county tax office has examples for you. Blanco county did.

This topic came up in conversation regarding a property that is encroached upon by urban sprawl. Currently wildlife exemption. Eventually the deer will vanish. That's what's prompted the question. I can see the local taxation authority making it difficult when the deer census counts dwindle.

There is a lot of stuff you can do. I think even creating habitat for songbirds works. Birdhouses, supplemental water, feed stations, census count, etc. I think it could be done. Unless the county you are dealing with is a pain in the ass.