Wildlife Management Can Qualify Land for Lower Tax Appraisal

Texas lets landowners get a special low property tax rate by managing their land for wildlife. This is the same low rate that farm and timber land can get. To qualify, the land must have been taxed as ag or timberland before. Then the owner must actively manage it for native wildlife.

Active management means using at least three of seven recognized practices. Examples are habitat control, erosion control, predator management, and providing water for wildlife. This takes more than filing a form once. The land must show real, ongoing work. Apply through the Montgomery Central Appraisal District. Montgomery County's mix of pine forest and open land means many rural properties could qualify. The Texas Comptroller publishes the full guidelines at comptroller.texas.gov.