How to keep a Texas wildlife management practices log

What the log is for

If your land is in wildlife management valuation, you generally file an annual wildlife management report (PWD 888) with your appraisal district, typically by April 30, that describes the qualifying practices you carried out during the year. A practices log is simply the running record you keep so that report is accurate and backed by evidence. It works alongside your PWD 885-W7000 wildlife management plan.

The seven categories, pick at least three

Texas generally recognizes seven categories of wildlife management, and qualifying land generally must carry out at least three of them each year. The seven are:

• Habitat control (managing vegetation and habitat).
• Erosion control.
• Predator control (managing predator populations).
• Providing supplemental supplies of water.
• Providing supplemental supplies of food.
• Providing supplemental shelter.
• Making census counts to estimate wildlife populations.

What to record for each practice

For every practice you perform, log the date, the location on the property (a GPS point or map note helps), what you did, and proof such as photos, receipts, or count sheets. Concrete, dated evidence is what an appraisal district generally looks for if it reviews your report.

Keep it current through the year

Wildlife management is judged on what you actually did across the year, so log practices as you go rather than reconstructing them near the deadline. Consistent records also make next year's plan and report easier. ExemptLand tracks the practices and proof your appraisal district expects; you review and file.