Mason County, TX — Ag Exemption Requirements (2026)

Grazing Intensity Standards

Beekeeping Intensity Standards

Animal Unit Equivalencies

An animal unit (AU) is a standardized measure used to compare livestock of different sizes. One AU = one 1,000-lb cow. Your total stocking rate is calculated in AUs, then multiplied by the acres-per-AU standard for your pasture type. These values are published by the county.

Wildlife Management Option

Mason County allows wildlife management as a qualifying use. Landowners must implement at least 3 of the seven recognized wildlife management practices defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife. An annual wildlife management plan report is required.

Land must have been qualified and appraised as open-space agriculture land or as timber land in the year prior to conversion to wildlife management use. The primary use must be wildlife management, the owner must perform at least 3 of 7 management practices each year, and the Mason County minimum is 20 acres. Form 50-129 and Texas Parks and Wildlife form TPWD 885-W7000 are required initially; all enrolled properties must submit an annual PWD-888-W7000 report to the chief appraiser by April 30.

Required Documents

• Form 50-129 - Application for 1-D-1 (Open-Space) Agricultural Use Appraisal
• Texas Parks and Wildlife form TPWD 885-W7000, Wildlife Management Plan, if applying for wildlife management
• Form PWD-888-W7000, Annual Report, for property enrolled in Wildlife Management
• Written lease or a statement signed and dated by the lessee containing the extent and duration of the lease, if land functions as a portion of a larger livestock operation
• Related supporting documentation such as maps, photos, planning grids and check points or goals for each tax year, if applying for wildlife management

Discretionary Caveats

Frequently Asked Questions — Mason County

How many animal units does Mason CAD require on 100 acres of Range Brushy pasture? +

Mason CAD’s Range Brushy rate is 1 animal unit per 25 acres. One hundred acres ÷ 25 acres per AU = 4 AUs, which meets the district’s four-AU minimum for a commercial livestock operation.

How many active hives are needed on 15 acres in Mason County? +

The standard starts with 6 colonies on 5 acres and adds 1 hive for every 2.5 additional acres. Fifteen acres has 10 additional acres, so 10 ÷ 2.5 = 4 additional hives and 6 + 4 = 10 active colonies.

What does a Mason County tract need to convert to wildlife management? +

It must already have qualified open-space agricultural or timber appraisal in the prior year, meet the 20-acre Mason County minimum, and perform at least 3 of 7 management practices annually. The initial filing includes Form 50-129 and TPWD 885-W7000, followed by an annual PWD-888-W7000 report due by April 30.

What hay-production intensity does Mason CAD publish for dry-land improved grass? +

For Coastal Bermuda and other improved grasses, Mason CAD lists a 10-acre minimum and requires dry-land cutting and baling at least 2 times per year. An irrigated operation has the same stated acreage minimum but must be cut and baled at least 3 times per year.

Nearby Counties

• Gillespie County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Kimble County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• Menard County Ag Exemption Requirements →
• San Saba County Ag Exemption Requirements →

See all documented counties →

Learn the Basics

• Texas Ag Exemption Explained: 1-d-1 Open Space Valuation for Small Landowners →
• Rollback Taxes: What Happens If You Lose Your Ag Exemption →