Passport to Texas

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This is Passport to Texas

It may still feel like summer outside, but we’ve already crossed the threshold into fall hunting season. Will you be prepared? You may be if you watch the Texas Parks and Wildlife television show this month. Series Producer, Don Cash.

We’re going to take a look at the tradition of hunting and how it’s passed down from one generation to the next. You know, it helps if you grow up in a hunting family, but if you don’t, Parks and Wildlife has some ways to help you get out there and learn to hunt, whether you’re a kid or whether you’re an adult.

And September is the start of the hunting season, and we’re going to help you out on the television show.

Thanks, Don!

Check your local listings for air times.

The Sport fish and Wildlife Restoration program supports our series and is funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuel.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

This is Passport to Texas…

Whether it is your fiftieth or first time hunting, Texas Parks and Magazine’s September issue has something for everyone. Editor, Louie Bond.

In September we do turn our focus to hunting, And this year we’ve split our hunting forecast into two sections to give our whitetail experts a little more time to come up with more accurate predictions. So this year in September we’ll have a dove and teal forecast all by itself. We’ll also have a special feature on public hunting by Ben Reeder. I know a lot of people want to hunt but just don’t know where to go and can’t afford to get their own lease. So, we have a variety of options through Texas Parks and Wildlife public hunting program, and I think there will be a lot of good information in there for hunters. And we also have kind of an interesting take on hunting, I think, in that we’re looking at modern day flintknappers. And flinknappers, of course, they’re rock enthusiasts who go about trying to recreate Clovis and Folsom points and they get together at knap-ins. They learn from each other and, as they say, they bust a lot of rocks. And they have a lot of fun rediscovering the old ways of hunting. It’s quite a fascinating read. So, as you get ready for hunting pick up the September issue and we’ll give you all the information you need.

Thanks, Louie.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife restoration program supports our series and works to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

The dove season opener is September 1, and if you plan to hunt this season, your firearm needs to work properly.

08—Before you ever start the season or bring it out to use it for the first time make sure that firearm is in good operable condition.

You want to listen to this man. He’s Terry Erwin, TPW Hunter Education Coordinator, and he knows a few things about firearm safety.

06—Make sure it’s clean and well oiled, and always keep that muzzle pointed in a safe direction while you’re handling that firearm.

Terry says to thoroughly clean your firearm using the manufacturer’s recommendations. Now, if you’re new to firearms and unsure of how to care for one, there’s no embarrassment in getting some help…

07—Take it to a qualified gunsmith to have those things looked after and make sure it’s in good operational condition.

Terry reminds us a properly maintained and sighted-in firearm will provide years of reliable service and enjoyment.

15—Once you go out to sight in your rifle and things like that, make sure all your scope rings and that mounts and bases are tightened so when you do sight the rifle in, everything is going to line up and be as it should when you actually go hunting.

Find hunter safety information on the Texas parks and Wildlife Website.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

The closer we get to fall hunting season, the faster hunter education courses fill up.

08—Take it well before the busy season starts, because as the season progresses, courses get more difficult to obtain.

Hunter Education Coordinator, Terry Erwin says you’ll find the hunter education schedule on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

13—And then look under Outdoor Learning. Courses are listed under two-day courses, or even the online courses are available. And pick one that’s closest to your location and convenient to your scheduling.

Those born on or after September 2, 1971, who are at least nine years old, must take the course. Not having completed hunter education training could result in a fine if caught.

10—The fine could be a Class C misdemeanor up to $500 for not having a hunter safety course. That happens to be the number one citation written this year.

Young hunters between 9 and 17 years old may go into the field with someone who is licensed.

16—Once you turn 17 you have at least one-year option of buying the deferral, which gives you an extra year’s time to take the course. But, you still must hunt with a licensed hunter while in the field.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

It’s August: time to renew hunting and fishing licenses.

06—The licenses are effective beginning September first, but they actually go on sale August 15th.

Licenses are valid as of the date of purchase. Tom Newton manages licensing at Texas Parks and Wildlife.

20—The fishing is broken down into saltwater or freshwater, or what we call an all-water, which covers both. There’s a couple of different hunting licenses, which is your standard deer hunters, or turkey hunters. With the hunting license you have to purchase a couple of stamps. If you’re a bird hunter you’ll need the upland game bird stamp.

If you’re a dove or duck hunter you’ll need a migratory game bird stamp and the federal duck stamp. The best license to buy — if you plan on hunting and fishing — is the Super Combo.

17—Which encompasses everything: All the stamps, all of your hunting options, all of your fishing options. The only thing you need in addition to that is your federal duck stamp. So, the Super Combo is the best priced license. And, like I say, you buy that, you need nothing else for the whole year.

Buy your licenses early and avoid the rush. They’re available online and at 17-hundred agents statewide.

06—All of our parks sell licenses. All of our law enforcement sells licenses as we do here at Headquarters.

The Wildlife restoration program supports our series and works to increase shooting and hunting opportunities in Texas

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

2011-12 Hunting Licenses on Sale This Month Play Now | Play in Popup | Download