Passport to Texas

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

The January 2009 issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine focuses on the multi-faceted issue of endangered species. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

And so, we’re taking it, kind of, almost as a theme through the magazine. Starting out with our “At Issue” by our Executive Director, Carter Smith, who quotes the famous American Conservationist, Aldo Leopold, who says: There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. And, of course, here at Texas Parks and Wildlife, we fall into the latter category. We cannot live without any of these wild things. The main reason for a lot of the problems that these species are having is habitat loss. But there’s also some subtle things that go on, for example, wild fire control. I know that you and I grew up with Smokey the Bear—and tried to stamp out forest fires—which is a great cause. But, forest fires are a fact of life, and they’re Mother Nature’s way of getting rid of some undergrowth. And that does affect some of these species. And, I think that Carter Smith wraps it best. He says at the end of his at issue column this month, “I have no doubt that if we can collectively succeed in this worthwhile endeavor, our children, and their children, and their children after that, will be forever grateful. And if we don’t—they may never forgive us.”

The January issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

That’s our show…with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TPW Magazine January Preview Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

There are a number of ways and reasons to get outdoors in 2009.

My name is Carlee Klatenhoff and my outdoor resolution for 2009 is to be a white water raft guide in West Virginia on the Gauley. My name is Dan Hayes and my outdoor resolution is to hike the Colorado Trail, which is 500 miles from Denver to Durango. My name is Chris Holmes, and I’m the Outdoor Program Coordinator and it’s my new year’s resolution to make sure every state park has a geocaching place. My name is Samantha Peek and I’d like to plant at least one new flower in 2009.

Big or small…personal or professional… the outdoors can help you achieve your aspirations. Outdoor columnist, Drew Schlussel, resolved to get out more in 2008 and looks to do the same in the upcoming year.

When you’re outside, you don’t have any interruptions, distractions like the computer and the television. And it just reminds you that there’s something more to do than what you have to do every day.

For recreation, spiritual renewal, or interests in wildlife and conservation: Texas offers a variety of ways to take part in nature. Explore the outdoor possibilities on our website: passporttotexas.org.

Make life better in 2009 by getting outside. From all of us at Passport to Texas: have a happy and healthy New Year!

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

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Drew Schlussel’s 2008 Outdoor Resolutions
http://www.gilpincountynews.com/20080103/drew_column.htm

New Year Resolutions Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Jake “Bud” Dearing, has worked tirelessly to produce quality white-tailed deer on his ranch through the Parks and Wildlife Managed Lands Deer Program.

We got plenty of good deer here. They need a little push, a little help.

The Dearing Ranch, in Northern Erath County, stretches across 1400 acres, and has a 15-acre bass lake. Walking along one of the property’s many trails, Dearing points to a healthy stand of waist-high vegetation.

Right here we have this skunk bush, and I’m, and I’m proud of it. We have, uh, lots of it, and it’s one of the better foods for deer in this country. It is very important in a deer’s diet.

And deer get their fill at this all-you-can-eat buffet. Steve Whisenant works alongside the 78-year-old rancher.

I’ve worked with him on it since day one. And it’s just part of us. We’ve put a lot of our life into it. A lot of work, and it’s beginning to pay off now. He’s got world class game here; bass, turkey, white-tail deer. It’s just a dream for a sportsman or wildlife person.

Dearing says he’s not ready to slow down, because he’s having too much fun managing his land.

I enjoy it more since y’all have pointed things out to me that…I’d never thought about.

The Dearing Ranch earned the Lone Star Land Steward award for the Cross-Timbers and Prairies Eco-Region.

That’s our show…with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
__________________________________________________________

The Dearing Ranch
http://www.dearingranchtrophywhitetails.com/

Lone Star Land Steward Cross Timbers & Prairies, 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Jake “Bud” Dearing, has worked tirelessly to produce quality white-tailed deer on his ranch through the Parks and Wildlife Managed Lands Deer Program.

We got plenty of good deer here. They need a little push, a little help.

The Dearing Ranch, in Northern Erath County, stretches across 1400 acres, and has a 15-acre bass lake. Walking along one of the property’s many trails, Dearing points to a healthy stand of waist-high vegetation.

Right here we have this skunk bush, and I’m, and I’m proud of it. We have, uh, lots of it, and it’s one of the better foods for deer in this country. It is very important in a deer’s diet.

And deer get their fill at this all-you-can-eat buffet. Steve Whisenant works alongside the 78-year-old rancher.

I’ve worked with him on it since day one. And it’s just part of us. We’ve put a lot of our life into it. A lot of work, and it’s beginning to pay off now. He’s got world class game here; bass, turkey, white-tail deer. It’s just a dream for a sportsman or wildlife person.

Dearing says he’s not ready to slow down, because he’s having too much fun managing his land.

I enjoy it more since y’all have pointed things out to me that…I’d never thought about.

The Dearing Ranch earned the Lone Star Land Steward award for the Cross-Timbers and Prairies Eco-Region.

That’s our show…with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
__________________________________________________________

The Dearing Ranch
http://www.dearingranchtrophywhitetails.com/

Lone Star Land Steward Cross Timbers & Prairies, 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

[birds] I’ll be seventy-eight years old in a week or two, and I’m having more fun now than I ever had in my life. I’m getting to do for a hobby what I used to have to scratch out a living out of. [dog barking]

Jake “Bud” Dearing has spent over thirty years piecing together fourteen hundred acres of north Texas cross timber land devoted to native Texas Wildlife.

I love my wildlife. I love deer. We try to use what the good Lord provided us. And then whatever we don’t have, then we try to supplement it, and we’ve come up with some very good deer.

He purchased the original land in the seventies with a veteran’s loan, and spent the next five years adding to his acreage. His land management goal is to improve plant diversity to benefit a variety of wildlife, which he has done with the help of Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Mr. Dearing is an extremely good partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

James Edwards is a Parks and Wildlife Biologist.

His openness and willingness to manage his land the way that it needs to be managed is one of the biggest assets that he has.

The Dearing Ranch earned the Lone Star Land Steward award for the Cross-Timbers and Prairies Eco-Region. Tomorrow: successful land management.

Y’all have pointed things out to me that I never thought about.

That’s our show…with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program…providing funding for the Private Lands and Public Hunting Program.

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

The Dearing Ranch
http://www.dearingranchtrophywhitetails.com

Lone Star Land Steward Cross Timbers & Prairies, 1 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download