Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine has a great adventure lined up for readers this month as they go deep underground into karst caves. Managing Editor, Louie Bond.

The way they were created geologically is that the bedrock dissolves, and what you have forming is a sink hole on top, and underneath you have these caves and these wonderful springs. And what’s really special about these formations, I think, are the wonderful creatures that come to live there. And there’s a whole “genre” of species that are called troglobites.

And once we start losing these species, we realize something’s wrong and we need to do something about it. So, this is really important work, as well as being just an incredible adventure for our readers.

Thanks, Louie.

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

Think of buoys and water markers just like you would a traffic signal or sign on a roadway…

There may be some that indicate a speed limit…some that indicate there is not a wake allowed…a lot of inland buoys will contain information telling you where boat traffic is restricted…information such as hazards or rocks, that’s a danger to boating.

That’s Alfonso Campos, the Assistant Chief of Marine Enforcement for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Buoys can also help keep you steering in the right direction…or on the right channel.

The main thing to remember is red right returning…that simply means that when you’re returning you keep the red buoy on your right and it will bring you inland.

And just because you leave your car in the garage…you can still get a ticket for not obeying these signs on the water.

If people failed to obey the laws a game warden or other marine safety officer may issue citations…and the penalties are quite stiff. They range anywhere from 25 to 500 dollars.

Boater safety classes will introduce you to the buoy system…to learn more, log on to our website, passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…reminding you that June 6th through 14th is National Fishing and Boating week…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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

You would think if you’re in your boat on a wide-open waterway you’d be less likely to have an accident…but it happens. When it does you can’t tell a fish story…

An accident must be reported under Texas law if there is at least 500 dollars in damages, if there is a person that is killed or injured…injured means an injury that is beyond first aid.

Alfonso Campos, is the Assistant Chief of Marine Enforcement at Texas Parks and Wildlife. He says you’d be surprised how many people don’t report boating mishaps.

A national statistic, provided by the Coast Guard shows as few as 10 percent of the accidents are actually reported.

Accident reports need to be filed within 30 days of the incident…and it’s an up to a 500-dollar fine if you don’t comply. To encourage more folks to fill out the paperwork, he says the report is not admissible in court as evidence against you.

It can’t be held against you that you reported an accident…if you write something down it’s not going to incriminate you…it’s simply a statistical report and we use it to look at trends in boating…what things are causing accidents.

If you have an aquatic fender bender, download a copy of the boating accident report online, we have a link to it at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…reminding you that June 6th through 14th is National Fishing and Boating week…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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

Next time you are on the water, and decide to forgo wearing a life jacket, consider this:

About eighty-five percent of the drowning fatalities, a person is not wearing a life jacket—and that’s huge.

Brandi Bradford, state boater education coordinator, says all personal watercraft passengers, including those being towed, must wear life jackets…including the kiddos.

The law says that anyone under the age of thirteen must be wearing a life jacket while the boat is underway. We recommend that everyone does.

Boaters have reasons why they don’t like wearing life jackets, but those excuses don’t hold water.

People usually don’t like to wear them because they’re heavy, they’re bulky, they make you hot. You know, it’s a hundred degrees outside in Texas. There are actually new forms of life jackets. We have belt pack inflatables, over the shoulder (they look like little harnesses) inflatables. They’re real lightweight; they won’t mess up your tan, and they don’t get in your way when you’re driving around.

Life jackets are widely available at department and sporting goods stores. Find additional information about life jackets at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase hunting, shooting, fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.

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

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

Memorial Day is the traditional start of “boating season” in Texas. Before you set foot on a boat this summer, learn the “rules of the road.”

We teach classes. They’re available online. They’re available in person.

Brandi Bradford, state boater education coordinator, says boater education information is even available as a home study course.

It’s required for those aged thirteen to seventeen, but we recommend it for any new boater—or even if you’ve been doing it for twenty years. There’s always something new out there.

With 500-thousand registered boaters in Texas, everyone who spends time on the water benefits when boaters know the rules.

We talk about rules of the road. Which way do you turn if somebody is coming right at you? Do you go right or left? The answer is go right. You might not have known that, and the other person might not know it, is the bigger deal. We teach you about how alcohol affects you on the water; it actually affects you three times more than it does on land. So, one beer on the water equals three on the land. We teach you about proper lighting to use on your boat, proper safety equipment to have on your boat…. And just what to expect when you’re out there.

One piece of safety equipment everyone should keep close is a personal flotation device. We’ll have more on that tomorrow.

That’s our show…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…reminding you that June 6th through 14th is National Fishing and Boating Week…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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