Can I keep a lower tax valuation with wildlife management instead of farming?

Possibly. Texas allows land already appraised under agricultural (1-d-1) open-space valuation to convert to wildlife management use while keeping that lower valuation. The land must actively be managed for indigenous wildlife using at least three of seven practices: habitat control, erosion control, predator control, supplemental water, supplemental food, providing shelters, and census counts. A written wildlife management plan must be filed with the county appraisal district. Land without existing ag appraisal cannot start directly in wildlife use. Minimum acreage rules can apply if the tract has been reduced in size, set by the chief appraiser.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

Sources

• Wildlife Management Use: Legal SummaryTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
• Agricultural, Timberland and Wildlife Management Use Special AppraisalTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts