You know John when I lived just south of you in Pearsall (early '80's) I never saw any box turtles. In fact the first box turtle I ever saw in texas was at a church camp in La Grange which was also where I saw the first live alligator snapper up close I ever saw.
The thing is I lived in the brush when I was in pearsall. I lived in the brush in alice as well, and I'm not saying that because I didn't see them they weren't there but considering that all I ever did was hunt,fish and look for reptiles it is kind of odd I never found one.