A state department will hold public meetings regarding proposed changes to hunting regulations in Texas.

One such rule change by Texas Parks and Wildlife would be allowing the use of suppressors on firearms for hunting. Suppressors do not eliminate the sound of a firearm, but do reduce the muzzle report from firing a shot, helping to protect the hearing of the firearm operator.

The rule change would allow the use of suppressors for game animals. The use of suppressors is allowed under Texas law for other shooting activities, including shooting nuisance species.

According to a press release from the National Rifle Association, the use of suppressors offers benefits such as “increased accuracy due to reduced recoil and muzzle blast, protection from hearing damage, and reduced noise pollution.”

The rule change by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department states:

“The department has determined that there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use of firearm silencers for the take of alligators, game animals or game birds, and therefore proposes to eliminate the current prohibition. The proposed rule also would specifically state that the rule does not relieve any person of the obligation to comply with any applicable state, federal, or local law governing the possession or use of firearm silencers.”

Public hearings will be conducted across the state during March. For a complete list of public hearing sites and dates, click here.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will make their final decision on the changes at their meeting on March 28th and 29th. A complete list of rules changes is available here.

More From News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO