Passport to Texas

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

Texans love making the trek to Austin the first weekend in October for the annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo. This free annual event offers visitors a chance to experience a wide variety of outdoor activities, including fishing.

You know, fishing is one of those things that the whole family can enjoy. There are no winners; there are no losers. They call it fishin’, they don’t call it catchin’. And, it’s a lot of fun to do, and you can get the basics and also tips at Expo.

Expo Director, Ernie Gammage.

As far as learning more about how to fish, one of the highlights is the big bass tub, which is a “ginormous” aquarium full of real fish, with an expert angler on top, throwing his line and lure, and showing you how to work it.

Expo extends angling opportunities to children, too.

Well, the kids can actually catch a trout or a catfish, and if it’s their first fish, they’ll receive a “first fish certificate,” with a photograph of them holding their prize. Those are great, and my grandsons have got those on the wall.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo is from 9 to 5, Saturday and Sunday, October sixth and seventh on the grounds of Parks and Wildlife HQ in Austin….and its free. Find links to Expo at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration program… providing funding for the operations and management of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

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

TPWD Expo: Family Fishing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Prairie dogs live in connected underground burrows called “towns,” which have been known to cover up to 1,000 acres of land!

These colonies are divided into social groups usually consisting of one male, up to four females, and offspring less than two years of age.

Pat Bales, San Angelo State Park Assistant Superintendent, says the animals are active only in daylight hours.

They’re most active during the cool hours of the day, during that time they’ll engage in the social activities- visiting, grooming, as well as feeding of grasses and herbs. And normally whenever they are out feeding like that, they’ll have a sentry and they’ll have a lookout.

And down in the burrow itself, they’ll have little compartments where they can sleep, where they can feed.

Prairie dogs were indigenous to the San Angelo area, but various factors drastically reduced their population. But thanks to dedicated dog lovers – they’re back.

Actually, we have 2 towns- we’ve established one on the north side and south side of the park.

And you’re invited to take a Prairie Dog Tour at San Angelo SP on Saturday, August 4th. The program is free with park entrance fee. Find details at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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August 4, 2007 — San Angelo SP — Prairie Dog Tour — Prairie Dogs once numbered in the tens of millions and ranged throughout the entire plains regions of the central United States. Park interpreter will guide you to a Prairie Dog town, interpret facts and tell the story of these little engineering marvels who had a symbiotic relationship with other animals and helped shape the landscape of the Great Plains. Meet at the South Shore Gatehouse. 10-11:30 a.m. (325) 949-4757.

Prairie Dog Towns Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area in Port Arthur offers the best alligator habitat in Texas. Amos Cooper is a Natural Resource Specialist at the site.

Murphree Wildlife Management Area was originally bought for waterfowl habitat, but by impounding this area, you actually created excellent habitat for the American Alligators, too. This is probably the most populated habitat that we have in the state.

There’s approximately one alligator per acre of land at J.D. Murphree WMA. And this month, the public’s invited to help census the big lizards during a nighttime count.

First, we give a little orientation and we explain to them, you know, what we do, why we do it, and basically how we do it. We take people out at night on a cruise and we go out and do a count. It’s data that we use. And they get to see first hand that this animal is not trying to jump in the boat with them. Also, we capture some so they can actually get close up to them and touch them and feel them and see what they’re about.

The Nighttime Gator Spotlight Count is Saturday, July 28th. It’s free with admission to the site – you must also have an Annual Public Hunting Permit or Limited Public Use Permit. Reservations are required, and space is limited.

Don’t forget your bug spray.

Log onto passporttotexas.org for registration information.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…we receive support from the Wildlife Restoration Program…which provides funds for the Private lands and Public Hunting Programs…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Nighttime Alligator Count Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Throughout its history, Varner-Hogg Plantation, in Brazoria County, has been home to well-known Texans — including the family of James S. Hogg, the first native-born governor of Texas.

The Hoggs purchased the property in 1901. They bought it and made a cottage, a country home for them to go and retreat to.

Kandy Taylor-Hille, is Varner-Hogg site manager.

James Stephen Hogg also bought it because he very personally felt and thought after his involvement in Beaumont with Spindletop there was oil on the property. And he was right! Never found this out unfortunately in his lifetime, but by the 1920s this land was giving over $40,000 a day up in oil to the Hogg family. That’s where their real riches came from. He made some money in politics, but his children, this three sons and daughter, Miss Ima Hogg, were the ones who really prospered from it. All the wonderful things they did for Houston and for Texas was because of the oil they received from this property and the money from that.

The home remained in the Hogg family until in 1957, at which time Miss Ima Hogg donated the renovated property to the state. It was dedicated and opened for visitation on her father’s birthday in 1958.

And this Saturday Varner-Hogg celebrates Ms. Ima Hogg’s birthday from noon to 2 and you’re invited. Find a link to park information and directions at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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July 7, 2007 — Varner-Hogg Plantation SHS — Miss Ima’s Birthday — In recognition of the birthday of Miss Ima Hogg, Houston philanthropist and only daughter of Gov. and Mrs. James Stephen Hogg, we will celebrate with cake and punch on the porch of Miss Ima’s Cottage. Noon-2 p.m. (979) 345-4656.

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Throughout its history, Varner-Hogg Plantation, in Brazoria County, has been home to well-known Texans — including the family of James S. Hogg, the first native-born governor of Texas.

The Hoggs purchased the property in 1901. They bought it and made a cottage, a country home for them to go and retreat to.

Kandy Taylor-Hille, is Varner-Hogg site manager.

James Stephen Hogg also bought it because he very personally felt and thought after his involvement in Beaumont with Spindletop there was oil on the property. And he was right! Never found this out unfortunately in his lifetime, but by the 1920s this land was giving over $40,000 a day up in oil to the Hogg family. That’s where their real riches came from. He made some money in politics, but his children, this three sons and daughter, Miss Ima Hogg, were the ones who really prospered from it. All the wonderful things they did for Houston and for Texas was because of the oil they received from this property and the money from that.

The home remained in the Hogg family until in 1957, at which time Miss Ima Hogg donated the renovated property to the state. It was dedicated and opened for visitation on her father’s birthday in 1958.

And this Saturday Varner-Hogg celebrates Ms. Ima Hogg’s birthday from noon to 2 and you’re invited. Find a link to park information and directions at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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July 7, 2007 — Varner-Hogg Plantation SHS — Miss Ima’s Birthday — In recognition of the birthday of Miss Ima Hogg, Houston philanthropist and only daughter of Gov. and Mrs. James Stephen Hogg, we will celebrate with cake and punch on the porch of Miss Ima’s Cottage. Noon-2 p.m. (979) 345-4656.

Miss Ima Hogg's Legacy & Birthday Celebration Play Now | Play in Popup | Download