Passport to Texas

Having fun during the Christmas Bird Count. Image: Audubon.org

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This is Passport to Texas

Mark December 14 through Saturday, January 5, 2019 on your calendar. Those are the dates of the 119th Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), organized by the National Audubon Society.

In the December issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, writer, Melissa Gaskill, takes readers to the Texas coast, and Matagorda County, where they become immersed in last year’s counting activities.

Gaskill writes: In the 2017 count, Matagorda County reported 220 species, ranking it number one for total species for the 11th year in a row and 25th time overall.

The article is part of the magazine’s year-long celebration of Epic Texas Challenges. Gaskill says: Between the wildlife, unpredictable weather, occasionally remote locations, and subtle but unmistakable air of competition, the Christmas Bird Count qualifies as bona fide adventure.

Researchers compile the data collected by birders and use it to guide allocation of conservation dollars, land management decisions, and wildlife policy.

To participate in the CBC, visit audubon.org and find a counting circle near you.

The Wildlife Restoration program supports our series.

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

Learning the proper use of firearms during a Becoming and Outdoor Woman Weekend Workshop

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This is Passport to Texas

Thanks to a unique program from Texas Parks and Wildlife, women of all ages–who have never had the opportunity to camp, climb, fish, or sport shoot–are getting the chance to become the outdoor women they always dreamed of being.

The Becoming and Outdoors Woman workshops span a weekend. They usually begin on a Friday at noon and lasting through Sunday noon. The weekend is divided into four sessions and attendees pick their own classes.

Class topics are diverse and can be divided into three areas: shooting sports, fishing, and non-harvest activities (like camping, kayaking, and plant identification). As much as possible the classes are taught with the “hands-on” approach and equipment is provided. They’ve even
learned to field dress harvested game.

Participants come away from the weekends with the confidence to engage the outdoors in new ways. Moreover, they meet other women with similar interests, and make new friends.

We just missed this year’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop. Even so, it is not too early to get on the list for next year. Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website to find out how to sign up. And while you’re there, you can check out other outdoor opportunities for you and the family.

We record our series at the Block house and Joel Block engineers our program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Big Time Texas Hunts Grand Slam

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This is Passport to Texas

Hunters hoping for a chance at premium guided hunt packages through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Big Time Texas Hunts program have until midnight Monday, Oct. 15 to enter. That’s the deadline for the opportunity to be selected for these top shelf hunting adventures.

Big Time Texas Hunts provide opportunities to win one or more of nine premium guided hunt packages with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases.

The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals — the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn.

In addition to the Grand Slam, there are several quality deer hunting packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, waterfowl, upland game birds, wild hog and exotics. New to the program this year is the Nilgai Antelope Safari in South Texas.

Enter online through October 15 at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website; it’s $9 per entry. You’ll pay a $5 online administrative fee, but it allows unlimited entries in a single transaction.

Proceeds from Big Time Texas Hunts support public hunting opportunities and wildlife habitat conservation in Texas.

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

#TXPollinators

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This is Passport to Texas

Love bugs? Then participate in the Pollinator BioBlitz, October 5 – 21.

[We have] two goals in mind: to increase awareness about pollinators, and about the habitat that they require.

Johnnie Smith is with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Pollinators include bees, butterflies, beetles, moths and other critters that move pollen while foraging.

If you participate in the pollinator bio-blitz, you’re going to have an opportunity to observe pollinators at a site that you visit, like your local zoo or aquarium or nature center. And observe the pollinators that are there. Grab a picture of the pollinators you find, and you can post them onto Instagram. We’re asking all of the participants to use the hashtag #TXpollinators.

Post findings, on iNaturalist.org. Texas Parks and Wildlife’s website, has pages dedicated to the Pollinator Bioblitz.

Where people can learn what pollinators might be in their area. Links to what might be blooming in your area right now—that’s hosted out of the Wildflower center—and then also, to be aware of habitat you have that supports pollinators. And if you don’t have habitat in or near your home, school library… We’re encouraging people to try and get organized in planting pollinator habitat.

The Pollinator BioBlitz is October 5 through 21.

The Wildlife restoration Program supports our series.

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

Kayak fishing at Gum Slough, part of the Hen House Ridge Unit at Martin Dies SP

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This is Passport to Texas

Do you know what the North American wildlife conservation model is? It’s a science-based, user-pay system that fosters conservation success. Do you know who’s responsible for it? Hunters and anglers.

More than 100 years ago they recognized that rapid development and unregulated uses of wildlife were threatening the future of many species. These guys were proactive. You know how we have hunting and fishing licenses and game laws? What about the promotion of the sustainable use of fish and game? It’s thanks to them.

They were so committed to the preservation and reasonable use of resources that they even lobbied for taxes on sporting equipment to provide funds for conservation to state wildlife agencies.

To celebrate the passion, commitment and forward-thinking of hunters and anglers then and now, we observe National Hunting and Fishing day on September 22nd.

President Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day on May 2, 1972. It’s now observed annually on the fourth Saturday of September.

Observe the day by grabbing a fishing pole, some bait and head to a state park with fishing opportunities. While you relax on the bank, or lean over the railing of a pier, or bob around on a boat, remember those hunters and anglers then and now who do what they can to ensure we all have meaningful outdoor opportunities.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

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