Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Late February is not too early to begin planning for spring break. As spring breakers often like to experience the wild side on their week away from classes, we’d like to suggest they blaze a trail by following a special set of maps to the best spots for wildlife in Texas.

07—Through this series of maps, we now have over 950 sites, statewide, that show you the best places to see all kinds of wildlife.

You do know we’re talking about actual wildlife—not questionable behavior.

07—From bighorn sheep to monarch butterflies to migratory song birds, to nesting shorebirds on the Texas coast.

Shelly Plante oversees nature tourism for Parks and Wildlife.

30—Fifteen years ago we started with the Great Texas Coastal Birding trail, which was a series of three trails on the Texas coast: the upper, central and lower Texas coast. With the success of those, we moved on and did the Heart of Texas, and Panhandle Plains, and those were so successful we then moved on to the Prairies and Pineywoods. About two years ago, I started partnering with the Texas Mountain Trail and Texas Pecos Trail regions of the Heritage Trails of the Historical Commission to create the final map of the series. And that is the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail map.

Download any of the nine Great Texas Wildlife Trail Maps from the Texas Parks and Wildlife website…and have a wild spring break—the kind you can tell your folks about.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Wildlife: Quail on the Prairie Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bobwhite quail used to be abundant in the eastern third of the state, but habitat loss sent this small game bird packing in search of hospitable environs.

05—Private landowners are the key to increasing habitat.

More than 90 percent of the state is privately owned. Jim Willis, who owns the WW Ranch, improved the habitat on his property, and rallied his neighbors to do the same; together they created the Wildlife Habitat Federation.

36—The Wildlife Habitat Federation applied [to the USDA] for a conservation innovation grant. And with this grant, we received a hundred twenty thousand dollars, which was the seed money for getting some major wildlife conservation programs off the ground. We matched that with funds that we received from the landowners that are participating. We got a lot of help from Texas Parks and Wildlife. I can tell you that we’ve been blessed with the technical and the financial help we’re getting from them. With that assistance, we’re getting landowners to sign up to put in a wildlife corridor.

At seven miles long and at least a hundred fifty feet wide, the corridor runs from the WW ranch to the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge.

Willis says he hopes their efforts reestablish wildlife in the area.

That’s our show, with support from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program… providing funding for the Private Lands and Pubic Hunting Program.

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

Stewardship: Land Management Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Al Brothers, of Berclair, Texas, views hunting as an outdoor experience; the opportunity to harvest deer is simply bonus.

Mr. Brothers, a ranch manager, values thoughtful white-tailed deer management on private land, and recognizes that sound conservation practices lead to sound economics.

52—The whole idea of quality deer management is: let’s maintain a healthy herd; and what you would term as a trophy animal is basically a by-product of maintaining a good, healthy herd. When you have a good herd, and have good buck doe ratios, good age structure, good recruitment, and the numbers are in tune with the habitat, and then you have quality animals out there.

I have a quality experience every time I go out. And occasionally I’ll fire a shot.

Find landowner assistance programs on the parks and wildlife website.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series, and is funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuel.

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

Celebrating Texas Independence Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This year on March 3, you have two chances to celebrate Texas Independence at historic state parks. Our State Park guide Bryan Frazier has the details.

64—One of them of course is Washington-on-the Brazos State Historic Site which is considered the birthplace of Texas. So, they’re going to pull out all the stops as they always do for Texas Independence Day at Washington-on-the Brazos State Historic Site which is just outside of Brenham, if people are looking to go there.

The fort was from 1860s to 1870s; there are seven restored frontier fort buildings at Ft. Richardson. So it makes an even neater backdrop to celebrate Texas independence Day. So, check it out on our website at texasstateparks.org.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Recreation: Rock Climbing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Brad Bell doesn’t think twice when you ask him why anyone would climb a rock.

04—Why would someone wanna…Because it’s there (laugh)…

The Austin resident teaches the sport of rock climbing. He says although you don’t need rock-hard abs to climb — before you attempt this sport — a little weight training may be in order first…

13—Upper body strength is good and leg strength is even more of a plus. (Nat sound) “There ya go…push your hand and then move your hand up to the next one…there ya go (screams) pull on up…good!

And even though rock climbing offers climbers a feeling or solitude, it’s critical – whether you’re a novice or a seasoned climber — never go alone.

12—You should always have team partners… because you have to have a partner to help you belay and help you repel down and basically it’s a team effort all the way up.

Four Texas state parks offer rock climbing: Enchanted Rock, north of Fredericksburg, Hueco Tanks, just north of El Paso, Caprock Canyons southeast of Amarillo and Lake Mineral Wells.

When you log onto the Texas Parks and wildlife Web site, you’ll find more information about ways to enjoy the great Texas outdoors.

That’s our show for today…for Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.