Texas. Game and Fish Commission

The Texas Game and Fish Commission managed wildlife, fish, and marine resources and sanctuaries; conducted research and gathered information on Texas' fish and game; promoted preservation efforts; regulated hunting activities and enforced game laws; educated the public about conservation and environmental issues; controlled the sand, shell, and gravel in Texas' waters; and oversaw the operations of fish hatcheries, game preserves, and oyster beds throughout Texas until its merger with the Texas State Parks Board to form the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1963 (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). The Texas Game and Fish Commission traces its history back to early government conservation efforts during the late 1870s. Charged with monitoring compliance to fish preservation legislation, the Texas Office of the Fish Commissioner was established in 1879 (Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session) and lasted until 1885. In 1895 the Legislature (House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session) authorized the creation of the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner. Early duties included protecting marine life and oyster beds along Texas bays and coastal waters.

Due to growing concerns over regulating hunting and preserving wild game, a game department was added in 1907 (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session) and the office was renamed the Texas Office of Game, Fish, and Oyster Commissioner. This department was designated to issue hunting licenses with the idea that the department would sell enough licenses to absorb its operating costs. During 1909, the year the first hunting license law was passed in Texas, the department sold five thousand licenses. Throughout the 1910s and 1920s the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner continued its conservation efforts with projects focusing on gathering specimens of native birds, promoting awareness of growing pollution problems, and exploring water sewage issues. The department grew considerably in 1923 (House Bill 85, 38th Legislature, 3rd Called Session) when the game fund was turned over to the agency (instead of remaining under the Legislature's control) and forty-five game wardens were hired. This development made the enforcement of game laws possible, and two years later the activities of the Commissioner expanded further when fish hatchery construction resumed and game sanctuaries were created. Along with these activities came a new emphasis on public education and awareness of environmental issues, and the Division of Education, Publicity, and Research was formed in 1926 to oversee publications and establish a relationship with the press.

In 1929 the Legislature (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session) eliminated the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner and, in its place, created the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission. Composed of six members appointed by the governor with six-year overlapping terms, the Commission held regular quarterly meetings as well as special session meetings around the state every year. William J. Tucker was appointed the first Executive Secretary of the Commission and A.E. Wood its first Chairman. The Commission handled written and personal requests on designating areas as land preserves and changes in game laws and regulations. The Commission also made decisions about fish hatchery, oyster, and predatory animal control activities, and instituted departmental policies and reviewed departmental projects. With the 1930s came increased rebuilding of fish hatcheries and growth in the killings of predatory animals, though the Great Depression and ensuing dwindling financial resources forced the Commission to conduct departmental salary reductions and layoffs. Despite the influx of federal relief funds during the early 1930s, in 1933 the number of game wardens was reduced from one hundred twenty-five to sixty-five. Educational and research efforts continued to increase, however, and in 1935 the Texas Wildlife Research Unit was established at Texas A&M and a game warden's school was created at Texas A&M in 1946. Public outreach continued to grow as well during the 1940s, and the Commission conducted radio programs and produced a number of educational films. The Commission also replaced its monthly bulletin with Texas Game and Fish magazine, published monthly and reaching over six thousand subscribers.

In 1951 (Senate Bill 463, 52nd Legislature, Regular Session), the Commission was renamed as the Texas Game and Fish Commission and the number of commissioners was increased from six to nine. During the 1950s the Commission was organized into seven divisions. The Administrative Division handled office operations and accounting and fiscal matters; the Law Enforcement Division enforced the Commission's laws and regulations relating to game, fishing, and pollution; the Education and Publications Division produced Texas Game and Fish magazine, published educational materials, housed a library of wildlife films, and oversaw conservation courses at the university level; the Wildlife Restoration Division, in partnership with the United States Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act, oversaw the Commission's projects that focused on researching restoration of wildlife; the Marine Fisheries Division managed and researched the gulf coast's marine resources; the Inland Fisheries Division monitored fish hatchery operations and conducted research and management projects; and the Sand, Shell, and Gravel Division administered the sale of sand, shell, and gravel from public waters to businesses and its distribution to the State Highway Department for use in constructing highways. By 1961 the Game and Fish Commission had been reorganized into three major divisions with five regional headquarters and twenty district headquarters, and consisted of over six hundred employees. Two years later, in 1963, the Commission merged with the Texas State Parks Board to form the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session).

(Sources: A General History of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, no author given; A Layman's Guide to the Texas State Administrative Agencies, Dick Saunders, 1945, 1951 supplement; Guide to Texas State Agencies, 1956, 1960 supplement; Manual of Texas State Government, Texas Legislative Council, November 1950, Calkins, Howard A.; Agency History of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ; Enabling legislation, various years; Minutes of the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission)

From the guide to the Game and Fish Commission records, 1896, 1899-1969, 1976, bulk 1928-1963, (Texas State Archives)