Wildlife Blog

Appraisal District Requirements - FACT or FICTION?

For the wildlife enthusiast who have transitioned their pieces of Texas dirt into wildlife management use, you may be scrutinized more frequently than if you have livestock. Why, because appraisers can SEE livestock, but they may not readily see a wildlife activity.
Appraisal District Requirements - FACT or FICTION?

For the wildlife enthusiast who have transitioned their pieces of Texas dirt into wildlife management use, you may be scrutinized more frequently than if you have livestock. Why, because appraisers can SEE livestock, but they may not readily see a wildlife activity.

Allow me to explain some specifics you may or may be know:

  1. Can an appraisal district REQUIRE you to perform a specific wildlife management activity/practice? NO, as per Tax code 23.51 (7)(A).
  2. Can an appraisal district REQUIRE you to target one SPECIFIC species of wildlife versus having your wildlife plan address several species? YES and NO,  If the local appraisal district has created/issued additional guidelines, those guidelines were approved by their board of directors and the  "beefed" up guidelines have been published for the counties property owners to see, then, yes they can. Can they tell you not to target additional species, NO.

Over the years I have been helping Texas landowners, I have encountered appraisal districts that are "bullies" to the landowner and I have encountered appraisal districts that are "awesome".  For the most part the appraisal district personnel I have had the pleasure to work with are really great hard working people, doing their jobs as required. Only on a rare occasion will I run into an appraiser that has an agenda of some sort.

As a Texas landowner you have rights. If you feel that you are being asked to do something that is not addressed in the statutes as they deal with wildlife use appraisal, simply ask the person making the request to provide you with a copy of the "beefed" up requirements that have been approved by that appraisal districts board of directors.

If they can not provide you with that document, then you have a decision to make:

1) Ignore the request until the county has provided you with the proof you requested
2) Comply with the request and move on down the road.

You as a Texas landowner have rights. Are you type of landowner that "goes along to get along" or are you a defender of your rights?  

 

 

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