Passport to Texas

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife, in conjunction with Texas State University-San Marcos and Texas Watch, developed a podcast that takes listeners on a wetland walking tour.

Well, we created a Texas wetlands podcast. And then we also have another version that’s site specific for the Aquarena wetlands, which are at Spring Lake in San Marcos.

Lisa Korth is education coordinator for the Freshwater Resources program in San Marcos.

Wetlands are an integral part of the natural water system of Texas. Because it’s really only sustainable if we view it as a whole in which all of the parts are preserved and protected. And that was a real inspiration to create this podcast.

Korth says she believes the wetlands walk podcast will help to create a more enriching outdoor experience for those who take part.

At Texas Parks and Wildlife we think life is better outside. And so, we’re trying to come up with as many outreach opportunities as we can to get people outside, and this is a great way for someone to go to a wetland and have something that they can take with them on their mp3 player, or their phone, to learn about the importance of wetlands as a natural resource.

More on wetlands and where to download the podcast on tomorrow’s show.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Wildlife Restoration program…providing funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement
Program

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

Texas Treasures: Wetlands [You will need Adobe Reader]

Wetlands Walk Podcast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Dove season signals the beginning of fall hunting opportunities in Texas. And, Saturday September first is opening day in the north and central zones…with the south zone opening later in the month.

And that is to protect late-nesting mourning doves. We have indications from studies that a significant proportion of young are produced after September first in South Texas. And obviously, we want to set the hunting seasons when we’re not going to affect the survival of the young that are still in the nest.

Jay Roberson is the leader of the webless migratory game bird program at the agency. He says protecting the species not only makes good conservation sense, it makes good economic sense.

A Southwick Economic Survey, in 1995, indicated that about two hundred sixty million dollars are generated annually to local economies from dove hunting. Over five thousand four hundred jobs are created because of dove hunting, and about ten point five million dollars in sales tax is generated annually from dove hunting. This comes from leases, gasoline, groceries, hunting licenses, goods and services at local stores. So it is an extremely important species.

Plan on hunting dove this season? Then get your license early to avoid long lines.

That’s our show…made possible by the Wildlife restoration Program…providing funding for the Private Lands and Public Hunting Programs.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
_____________________________________________________________________
2007-2008 Hunting Seasons [Adobe Reader required]
Where to Get Information and Licenses
Hunting & Fishing Requirements/Restrictions

Dove Hunting: An Economic Boon Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

With your hunting license, a $48 annual public hunting permit, and the two map booklets of public and private hunting lands, a great hunting experience is closer than you think.

Just for dove hunting alone, this program has a hundred and fifty-five areas in the public dove and small game map booklet. And another fifty areas in the annual public hunting lands map booklet. So, over two-hundred areas just for small game.

Dove season opens September first in the North and Central Zones. Kelly Edmiston, public hunting program specialist, says there’s more than dove and small game on these lands.

There’s also deer and feral hogs and spring turkey and a lot of waterfowl. So, for forty-eight dollars and a hunting license, you can hunt a lot of game birds and a lot of game animals.

And the heavy rains this year mean we could see improved hunting statewide.

All of this rain, believe it or not – in spite of what a lot of people think – is happening almost at the right time, because what’s happening is everything is greening up and the habitat is improving. It’s improving to the point that I think, probably come this fall, a lot of people will notice that the hunting is going to be better.

Public hunting permits go on sale August fifteenth wherever licenses are sold. Find more information at passporttotexas.org.

Our show receives support from the Wildlife restoration program…working to increase shooting and hunting opportunities in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
_______________________________________________________________
Link to 2007-2008 Hunting Seasons [You will Need Acrobat Reader]
Link to Hunter Education Information

Public Hunting Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

The Hill Country is the crown jewel of Texas, and the Kerr Wildlife Management area teaches landowners how to keep it polished.

We’re a 65-hundred acre wildlife research and demonstration area for the Edward’s plateau ecological area. And it serves as our experiment station for private landowners to come out and find out more about the basic tools of wildlife management.

Area manager, Donnie Frels, says landowners learn how to mimic the natural systems that keep habitat in balance.

Like wildfires and grazing buffalo. We’ve just replaced those types of actions with some manmade actions, with prescribed fire and a rotational grazing system. So, we’re still mimicking some of the natural systems.

While the majority of research at Kerr focuses on white-tailed deer, three endangered species on the site also receive thoughtful attention.

We have probably one of the highest densities of black capped vireos anywhere in the state. Golden-cheeked warblers are found on the management area. The third endangered species is the toe bush fishhook cactus. And we do surveys for all three of these species; and our management program benefits not only white-tailed deer but those endangered species as well.

The Kerr WMA is open to the public for wildlife viewing during daylight hours. Find details at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for the Private Lands and Public Hunting Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Kerr Wildlife Management Area Contact Information

Phone: (830) 238-4483
Address:
2625 FM 1340
Hunt, TX 78024

Contact: Don Frels Jr.

Dates Open: Open year round, except closed for Special Permit hunts. The office is open 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday.

Kerr Wildlife Management Area Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

The first week of August, if paperwork and weather cooperate, the Texas Clipper will have a new home below fifty feet of water, seventeen miles off the coast of South Padre Island, where it will serve out the rest of its days as an artificial reef.

It could be a number of months before you see a tremendous amount of growth, but growth will occur almost instantaneously.

That’s good news for anglers and divers because it will improve the fishery and provide a unique environment to investigate. Dale Shively coordinates the artificial reef program.

We have sunk ships before using explosives and other devices. But, in this particular case, we’re going to use controlled flooding. So, I’ve been told from the contractor that once they start the flooding sequence, it may only take about thirty minutes for the ship to go down.

Divers will not be allowed to explore right away, though.

After it’s done, for the first forty-eight hours, we’re going to prohibit any sort of diving on the ship. That will give us time to inspect the vessel to make sure its safe – to do some preliminary type investigations on it, and to make sure that we’re to open it up to the public.

Find more information about the Texas Clipper at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas…

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

Texas Clipper, 3 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download