The Rise of Wildlife Management Exemptions in Texas: Is It Right for Your Land?

Wildlife management use is gaining momentum in Texas as more landowners look for ways to maintain their open-space appraisal while stepping away from traditional ag operations. Whether you're retiring cattle or just want a more hands-off land use strategy, a wildlife exemption might be the right fit.

To qualify, your land must already be under an ag exemption, and you must implement at least three approved wildlife practices, such as habitat control, supplemental feeding, or census counts. Practices must be implemented at a level that meets your county’s degree-of-intensity standards and documented annually to maintain compliance.

It’s not just about paperwork—implementation matters. Many landowners unknowingly fall short because they’re using generic plans or not tracking activities correctly. At HLM, we build custom wildlife management plans, help identify appropriate native species, and can handle the ongoing documentation needed to keep you in compliance.

This is a smart move for owners who want to conserve wildlife, maintain tax benefits, and reduce day-to-day land obligations. We can also help transition properties from traditional ag use into wildlife management without missing a beat in valuation.