Passport to Texas

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

Fishing is about more than just catching fish.

Fishing is one of the gateway opportunities to the outdoors.

Kevin Cunningham is the aquatics education specialist for the Greater Houston area. Urbanization has changed how we relate with the natural world, and Cunningham says his job is to reacquaint urbanites with the outdoors through the Parks and Wildlife Take Me Fishing program.

Fishing is a way, in our program, to teach younger people or adults, how to fish in order to pass on our mission of conservation. The theory being, that as people learn how to fish, being connected with the outdoors will garner self-interest to protect that resources so they will be able to use it again in the future.

Among the organizations that participate in the Take Me Fishing Program is Hutsell Elementary in the Katy Independent School District. Keiko Davidson is the school principal.

I have very fond memories of being a child in the out of doors. And I felt as though it could do nothing but enhance our boys’ and girls’ educational opportunities.

And she was right. Learn how the Take Me Fishing Program at Hutsell Elementary has improved its students grades.

That’s our show for today… made possible by a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing opportunities in Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Take Me Fishing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

People who don’t live in Texas are usually surprised by the amount of water we have here, as well as the extensive and diverse angling opportunities available in the state.

If freshwater fishing is your thing, and bass your bag, then Lake Texoma, near Oklahoma, Falcon Lake on the border with Mexico, Caddo Lake near Louisiana, and even the White River Reservoir in the panhandle have healthy bass populations just waiting for you to reel them in. Each lake also has plenty of species like catfish and crappie for your angling pleasure.

For some… saltwater angling is a passion — and if it is for you — consider Goose Island State Park, where you won’t find any geese, but you will find prolific waters of Aransas, Copano and St. Charles Bays. Mustang Island, meanwhile, offers primitive camping on a first come first served basis, as well as prime opportunities to get into the surf and pull in rockfish, red fish and maybe sea trout, as well as other sport fish.

Come to passporttotexas.org where you’ll find useful links to help bring out your inner angler.

That’s our show…made possible by the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing, shooting, fishing and hunting in Texas.

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

Fishing in Texas--Landing Your Inner Angler Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Catfish have a face only a mother and angler could love. Texas Parks and Wildlife television series producer Alan Fisher hooked up with fishermen who were catching cats.

In the story we visit Lake Buchanan in Central Texas, and then Lake Conroe in Southeast Texas. I went out with two folks who target big catfish. And, the folks on Lake Conroe actually landed a thirty-five pounder that night. And, thirty five pounds is a lot of fish when you try and lift it into a boat.

[Groaning and fish flopping] He’s not very happy about all this.

Alan says something called jug fishing is a popular among cat anglers.

[Chuckles] Well, the jug fishing is something I’ve always known about. People take an old milk jug and tie a string around it, and [put a] hook on it, and throw it out in the water.

[With a] jug, you’re increasing your odds a whole lot, because you can put up to five hooks on a jug. It’s a blast. [laughs] I love it.

Catfish are kind of a fun fish. Some people like to see them at the end of a rod, some people like to see them on the dinner plate. But they’re a fun fish any way you choose to enjoy them.

Thanks, Alan. Go to passporttotexas.org for a listing of PBS stations that air the series.

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife on PBS and Cable

Times and dates are subject to change, especially during PBS membership drives.

• Amarillo, KACV-TV, Channel 2: October–March, Saturday 6 p.m.
• Austin, KLRU-TV, Channel 18: Monday, 12:30 p.m.; Friday 5:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. KLRU2, Cable 20: Tuesday, 11 p.m.
• Bryan-College Station, KAMU-TV, Channel 15: Sunday, 5 p.m.; Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Corpus Christi, KEDT-TV, Channel 16: Sunday, 12 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m.
• Dallas-Fort Worth, KERA-TV, Channel 13: October–March, Saturday, 6 p.m. Also serving Abilene, Denton, Longview, Marshall, San Angelo, Texarkana, Tyler, Wichita Falls and Sherman.
• El Paso, KCOS-TV, Channel 13: Saturday, 3 p.m.
• Harlingen, KMBH-TV, Channel 60: Sunday, 5 p.m. Also serving McAllen, Mission and Brownsville.
• Houston, KUHT-TV, Channel 8: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.; Friday 1:30 p.m. Also serving Beaumont, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas City and Victoria.
• Killeen, KNCT-TV, Channel 46: Sunday, 5 p.m. Also serving Temple.
• Lubbock, KTXT-TV, Channel 5: Saturday, 10 a.m.
• Odessa-Midland, KPBT-TV, Channel 36: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
• San Antonio and Laredo, KLRN-TV, Channel 9: Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Waco, KWBU-TV, Channel 34: Saturday, 3 p.m.
• Portales, New Mexico, KENW-TV, Channel 3: Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
• The New York Network, NYN, Thursday 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 2:30 p.m. Serving the Albany area.

Cable

Texas Parks & Wildlife can also be seen on a variety of government, educational and access cable channels in the following communities: Abilene, Allen, Atlanta, Boerne, Collin County Community College, Coppell, Del Mar College, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Irving, McKinney, North Richland Hills, Plano, Rogers State University, Texarkana College, The Colony, Tyler, Waco and Wichita Falls. Check your local listings for days and times.

TPW TV: Catching Cats 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