Passport to Texas

Bobwhite quail

Upland Game Bird Forecast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport

Substantial rainfall and mild summer temperatures across the state bode well for quail hunters.

Typically when you’re thinking about quail hunting in Texas, you’re thinking about south Texas and also the rolling plains up in north Texas and the Panhandle and things are certain looking great in both of those areas.

Robert Perez is Upland Game Program Leader at Texas Parks and Wildlife. Scale quail, in West Texas, are doing exceptionally well.

It’s why people come to Texas [to hunt]. And in the desert when it rains, everything turns green and blooms and the timing has been very good so our numbers are pretty staggering as far as what we’ve been seeing with scaled quail in west Texas. And we expect to see some great opportunities.

Quail isn’t the only upland game bird doing well this season. Perez says turkey hunting is on the rise.

Wild turkey hunting is a growing sport. The excitement of calling in a bird and it coming in—a big old Tom. They really rely on spring moisture to be successful at nesting. And, so we’re going to see a variety of ages, which is great for hunters because they’ll be looking for that mature bird but they’ll also be some three and four year old birds in there. If you had to put a number on it or qualify the season for turkey for Rio Grande Turkey it’s looking excellent.

Hunting in Texas is big business bringing more than three-billion dollars to the state’s economy.

The Wildlife Restoration program supports our series.

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

Quail, cauliflower mash, and pickled onion from a previous Central Market Cooking School & Texas Parks and Wildlife Wild Game and Fish Cooking Class.

A Tasty Game Day with Parks and Wildlife Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Summer temperatures are still taunting us—but fall hunting season starts this month, and with it opportunities to cook wild game.

For five years Texas Parks and Wildlife’s worked with Central Market Cooking Schools to offer statewide, hands-on public cooking classes featuring preparation of wild game and fish at home.

A Texas Parks and Wildlife representative is always on hand to provide attendees with background on the agency, conservation, and information about the species on their plates.

Everyone loves bacon wrapped dove breasts on the grill, fish tacos, or venison in a slow cooker in Italian dressing. But it’s nice to have new recipes to put the “wow” in your next wild game and fish dinner.

In past classes attendees learned how to make Venison Medallions with Juniper-Black Pepper Brandy Sauce, Pot Roasted Pheasant with Cider and Bacon; Vietnamese style baked Snapper; and Braised Rabbit with Wild Mushrooms, to name a few.

Folks who register for the Tuesday, September 13, Texas Parks and Wildlife & Central Market Wild Game Cooking Class will prepare and eat Wild Boar Sausage Patties; Quail with Wild Rice Pilaf; and Duck Gumbo. Perfect fall foods-even if it still feels like summer.

Find registration information at passporttotexas.org.

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

Register for a class near you:

• Austin
• Dallas
• Fort Worth
• Houston
• Plano
• San Antonio
• Southlake

From a previous class: grilled quail with cauliflower mash, pickled onions and micro greens.

Learn How to Prepare Wild Game and Fish Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fall is in the air…and on your plate. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Central Market Cooking Schools statewide join forces again to present their regular wild game and fish cooking classes.

On Tuesday, September 15, Central Market Cooking Schools in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Southlake, Austin, San Antonio and Houston will all feature a hands on cooking class of early fall favorites, including quail, snapper and venison.

A Parks and Wildlife representative will be on hand to talk about game and fish management, hunting, fishing and engaging the great outdoors; they’ll also answer attendee’s questions. It’s like dinner and a show.

Participants will learn how to create flavorful fall inspired dishes, including White Wing Dove-style Grilled Quail, Vietnamese-style Baked Snapper, and West Texas Venison Chili.

These highly popular classes help food enthusiasts explore the renewed interest in hunting or fishing for a meal and preparing their own bounty at home.

The Central market / Texas parks and Wildlife fish and game cooking classes take place every other month; each is different, and features game and fish of the season.

Classes fill fast. Find registration information at passporttotexas.org.

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

________________________________________________________

Copy and paste the link of the Cooking School nearest to you into your browser to find registration information.

Austin: http://tiny.cc/atx
Dallas: http://tiny.cc/dal
Fort Worth: http://tiny.cc/fwt
Houston: http://tiny.cc/houtx
Plano: http://tiny.cc/pltx
San Antonio: http://tiny.cc/satx
Southlake: http://tiny.cc/sltx