Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Photographer, Russell Graves, and his brother Bubba are creating a loving tribute Bois d’Arc Creek. Find out more… on Texas Parks and Wildlife TV… Series Producer, Don Cash:

Russell and his brother are producing a documentary that they’re going to put on their website that’s about growing up in Fannin County along Bois d’Arc Creek.

Russell and I have become pretty good friends over the years, and so I’ve spent some time with him. Being with him out there has really given me a better appreciation for the land and the resources and the water. We did a canoe trip and had just a grand time and it was a beautiful spring day. And to know that they’re going to put water here, and water St. Augustine Grass somewhere, is kind of sad.

Thanks, Don.

Find out when the show airs when you log onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Texas Parks & Wildlife on PBS and Cable
Stations and Air Times
Times and dates are subject to change, especially during PBS membership drives.

• Amarillo, KACV-TV, Channel 2, Sunday, 12:30 p.m.
• Austin, KLRU-TV, Channel 18, Sunday, 10 a.m.; Thursday 5:30 a.m.
• Bryan-College Station, KAMU-TV, Channel 15, Sunday, 5 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
• Corpus Christi, KEDT-TV, Channel 16, Sunday, 12 p.m.
• Dallas-Fort Worth, KERA-TV, Channel 13, Saturday, 3 p.m. Also serving Abilene, Denton, Longview, Marshall, San Angelo, Texarkana, Tyler, Wichita Falls and Sherman.
• El Paso, KCOS-TV, Channel 13, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
• Harlingen, KMBH-TV, Channel 60, Sunday, 5 p.m. Also serving McAllen, Mission and Brownsville.
• Houston, KUHT-TV, Channel 8, Saturday, 3 p.m. Also serving Beaumont, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas City and Victoria.
• Killeen, KNCT-TV, Channel 46, Sunday, 5 p.m. Also serving Temple.
• Lubbock, KTXT-TV, Channel 5, Saturday, 10 a.m.
• Odessa-Midland, KPBT-TV, Channel 36, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
• San Antonio and Laredo, KLRN-TV, Channel 9, Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Waco, KWBU-TV, Channel 34, Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
• Portales, New Mexico, KENW-TV, Channel 3, Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

Cable
Texas Parks & Wildlife can also be seen on a variety of government, educational and access cable channels in the following communities: Abilene, Allen, Atlanta, Baytown, Boerne, Cedar Park, Collin County Community College, Coppell, Dallas, Deer Park, Del Mar College, Denton, Euless, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Houston, Irving, Keller, Killeen, Lubbock, Lufkin, McKinney, North Richland Hills, Plano, Round Rock, Rogers State University, Seabrook, Temple, Texarkana College, The Colony, Trophy Club, Tyler, Victoria, Waco and Wichita Falls. Check your local listings for days and times.

 

 TPW TV--Good-bye Bois d'Arc Creek: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

Carp is considered a desirable sport fish in Europe…and Buffalo fish, which resemble carp, also win praise from outsiders. This month, TPW TV Series takes a closer look at these species and the people who catch them. Producer Alan Fisher.

In this segment we meet some folks who’ve come to Texas to catch Carp and Buffalo.

The European anglers want to catch a big fish.

And a guide in the Dallas area who actually started a business to cater to people who are interested in coming here. It’s a high tech pursuit; they’ve got alarms on their fishing rods.

[alarm] Looky there…he’s got a fish. That didn’t take long. That was quick.

The fish can get quite large, so it’s a good sporting fight.

Texas carp fight extremely hard.

I saw a guy catch a 43 pound new state record carp right in the middle of Austin on Ladybird Lake.

[Fish in water] Nice.

Buffalo…they’re this interesting fish that people in Texas may not know much about, but they’re quite sought after by folks that live elsewhere.

And buffalo get really big here. They’ve been captured at over a hundred pounds.

They’re readily available and a lot of fun to catch.

Thanks, Alan.

That’s our show…the Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

 

 TPW TV: Carp & Buffalo Fish: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

Spending the day fishing is usually its own reward. But if you want to make it more interesting, submit proof of your catch to the Angler Recognition Program.

It’s a program where you get recognition for trophy catches. For rod and reel… bow fishing and unrestricted gear—jug lines and things like that.

Joedy Gray oversees the program. Nearly any length or weight fish caught in fresh or saltwater, that’s been accurately documented, will be considered for recognition—with a few small exceptions.

Whatever you do, don’t bring me any small fish like anchovies, or minnows or mosquito fish.

In the past, before weight and length requirements were instated, Gray received lots of stats on tiny fish. Today, new minimums are in place.

For bow fishing we put a minimum weight requirement of a half a pound. And for other fish for rod and reel records, we’re using two ounces…or point one two five pounds.

Gray says anglers whose fish are certified as records will receive recognition.

You can get recognition for state record catches, or large catches, water body records, catch release records…you’re going to get something. Any kind of record submission is going to get some kind of award, or certificate or pin.

Find complete details about the Angler Recognition Program on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show… The SF Restoration program supports our series…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

 

 Angler Recognition Program, 1: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

Coastal fishing in Texas is big business.

We have a recreational fishery that brings in over a billion dollars to the Texas economy, a commercial fishing industry that brings in nearly 300-million dollars annually to the Texas economy.

Dave Buzan, former TPW coastal studies team leader, says the success of these industries depends on freshwater inflows into the gulf.

And those industries are based upon fish and shellfish that have very important life stages depending on these estuaries, and the freshwater inflows and the nutrients and sediments that freshwater inflows bring to estuaries.

Upstream water use by people, industry and agriculture, has reduced the amount of freshwater flowing into the gulf. Yet, by implementing simple water-saving strategies, we can make a difference.

We all need to take responsibility for conserving water. And it’s an individual decision. And the cumulative impact of our individual decisions will save significant water and allow that water to get into estuaries.

That’s our show … made possible by the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

 

 Freshwater Inlflows, 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

Nuisance exotic aquatic vegetation is clogging up East Texas reservoirs. Funding provided by the Sport Fish Restoration Program helps to manage the problem.

The sport Fish Restoration Program, and specifically boating access money, has been used to clear boat lanes and provide access for anglers and boaters to either their favorite fishing holes, or to areas where they like to water ski, or [participate in] other recreational activities.

Timothy Birdsong coordinates the program for Parks and Wildlife. Taxes collected on fishing equipment and motor boat fuel funds the work.

We have several different reservoirs where we’re working right now. We have a great success story on Lake Conroe, where we’ve been able to control the vegetation. And now we’re using some other pots of available resources to go out and establish native vegetation communities.

The Sport Fish Program provides funding to agencies as a three to one match. And the success of the program depends on coordinated efforts and strong partnerships.

So, the partnership between the anglers, boaters, Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service…we’ve also worked with other partners including B.A.S.S., and the Seven Coves Bass Club to go in and do some of this habitat restoration.

We learn about the exotic aquatic plant hydrilla tomorrow.

That’s our show… with support from the Sport Fish restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

 

 Battling Aquatic Invasives: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download