How We Help You Get This Exemption
The Wildlife Management Valuation is one of Texas's most powerful, and most misunderstood, property tax tools. It allows landowners to maintain their agricultural valuation without traditional farming or ranching. Instead of raising cattle or growing crops, you manage your land for native wildlife. Same tax savings, different approach.
But here's the catch: wildlife management exemptions are a bigger lift than standard ag exemptions. You need a prior agricultural history, a written wildlife management plan, and you must actively implement at least 3 of the 7 approved management practices every year. The management plan alone is a multi-page document that many landowners struggle to prepare correctly.
That's exactly why we exist. Our team has prepared hundreds of wildlife management plans for properties ranging from 10-acre ranchettes to 5,000-acre Hill Country ranches. We know which practices work best for your region, how to document them properly, and what your county's appraisal district actually reviews when they evaluate your application.
With our mapping data, we can assess your property's habitat quality before you even sign up. We know the terrain, the vegetation, the water sources, and the wildlife corridors. This lets us build a management plan that isn't just paperwork — it's a real strategy that works for your land.
How We Help
What the County Requires (the hard part)
- Prior agricultural valuation (cannot apply directly — must convert from existing ag)
- Written Wildlife Management Plan detailing your property and strategy
- Active implementation of at least 3 of 7 approved practices annually
- Annual reporting and documentation (photos, logs, receipts)
- 10+ acres minimum (some counties require more)
- Understanding of TPWD resources and regional wildlife priorities
What WE Do for You (the easy part)
- We verify your agricultural history and confirm conversion eligibility
- Our wildlife biologist network helps prepare your management plan
- We select the optimal 3+ practices for your specific property and region
- Our app helps you log activities, take photos, and build your annual evidence file
- We use habitat mapping to demonstrate your property's wildlife value
- We coordinate with TPWD and understand their regional recommendations
Our Technology for Wildlife Exemptions
Wildlife management exemptions require a deeper level of property intelligence than standard ag filings. Our technology platform is built for this complexity:
- Habitat Mapping: We analyze your property's vegetation cover, water sources, nesting areas, and wildlife corridors using topographic and satellite data. This information feeds directly into your management plan.
- Species Inventory: Our database tracks native wildlife species by region and county, helping us identify which target species to include in your management plan for maximum appraisal district approval.
- Management Plan Generation: We've templated the wildlife management plan format accepted by Texas appraisal districts and auto-populate it with your property-specific data, practices, and regional wildlife priorities.
- Practice Documentation: Each of the 7 approved practices requires specific evidence. Our platform guides you through documenting predator control, supplemental water, census counts, and more.
- Annual Compliance: We monitor your practice implementation throughout the year and alert you when documentation gaps need attention, well before your annual review.
Requirements (We Handle All of This)
| Requirement | What's Needed | How We Handle It |
|---|
| Prior Ag Valuation | Must currently have or have recently had an agricultural valuation | We verify your property's ag history and conversion eligibility |
| Wildlife Management Plan | Multi-page written plan covering property analysis, target species, and practices | Our team prepares your complete plan with certified biologist input |
| 3 of 7 Practices | Must implement at least 3 approved practices annually | We recommend the optimal practices for your terrain and region |
| Annual Documentation | Photos, activity logs, receipts, census data | Our platform tracks and organizes your evidence throughout the year |
| 10+ Acres | Most counties require at least 10 contiguous acres | We confirm your county's acreage minimums before you commit |
| April 30 Filing | Initial application and annual renewal documentation due annually | Automated reminders and on-time filing management |
Our Process
Free Assessment
We analyze your property using our mapping data (soil composition, terrain, vegetation) and determine your eligibility.
Recommendation
We tell you exactly which exemption fits your land, the expected savings, and the requirements you'll need to meet.
Documentation
We gather photos, soil data, production records, and property evidence into a thorough application package.
Application
We fill out every form and review for errors. You review and sign. That's it.
Filing
We submit to your county appraisal district on time, every time.
Maintenance
We monitor your exemption, handle renewals, track deadlines, and keep you in compliance year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a wildlife biologist to get this exemption?
No. You don't need any credentials. However, a professional wildlife management plan really helps your chances of approval. Our team works with certified wildlife biologists to prepare your plan — you just implement the recommended practices on your land.
What are the 7 approved wildlife management practices?
The seven practices are: (1) Habitat control, (2) Erosion control, (3) Predator control, (4) Providing supplemental water, (5) Providing supplemental food, (6) Providing shelter, and (7) Census/population counts. You must actively perform at least 3 each year.
Can I convert from ag to wildlife if I stop ranching?
Yes — this is one of the most common reasons for wildlife conversion. If you retire your cattle operation but want to keep your ag valuation, wildlife management is the ideal path. The key is applying before your ag valuation lapses.
Is this the same as a wildlife preserve?
Not exactly. You don't need to prohibit public access or stop all other land uses. Wildlife management valuation simply means you're managing your land for the benefit of native wildlife species using approved practices.
Will the county inspect my property?
Some counties do conduct field checks, though many rely on documentation review. This is why thorough annual documentation is critical. Our platform helps you build a solid evidence file that holds up to any review.
How does this compare to regular ag valuation in savings?
The savings are essentially the same — your property is valued based on its productivity (wildlife value) rather than market value. Most landowners see no change in their tax bill when converting from ag to wildlife.
Plans Starting at $49/yr
Self-service guides or full-service filing. Pick the plan that fits.