Passport to Texas

Blue-winged teal

Hunting: Early Teal Season Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It may feel like summer, but fall waterfowl season is here.

17— The first season that we have for waterfowl begins with our early seasons. Which include all species of teal, and as of the last couple years, in the eastern tier of the state of Texas, we have an early goose season for Canada Geese only that coincides with our early teal season.

Kevin Kraai is the waterfowl program leader at Texas Parks and Wildlife.

34— We are going to have the most liberal season, which is 16 days; teal is doing very well nationally, so we will be having the most liberal season we can have. Can you explain to our listeners how that’s decided. Yes. We have a harvest strategy in place that depicts the season lengths on teal. And basically, by looking at population estimates from the breeding ground surveys – we can determine whether we’re going to have a liberal, a base, or a closed season. And, basically any number of blue-winged teal above 4.7 million will have a 16-day season. And as of right now, we’re far above 4.7 million.

Early Teal season is September 14 – 29, with a six bird daily bag limit – up from 4. Tomorrow: How to get the most out the waterfowl season.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish restoration program supports our series.

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

Rainbow Trout in Texas

TPW TV: Guadalupe Rainbows Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Throughout the year, Texas Parks and Wildlife has been observing its 50 year history as an agency. This week we go back in time with the TPW PBS TV series as producer Abe Moore reflects on Texans’ love affair with winter trout stocking.

41— We went back and looked at some of the old movies that Parks and Wildlife produced. And one of the stories I came across was fishing for rainbow trout on the Guadalupe River, and the stocking that they actually did back there on the river. It was really interesting.

[ambiance] No one would have guessed several years ago that rainbow trout could ever be caught in Texas. Summer Waters were much too warm for trout. [ambiance]

And then what we did is we looked at that piece then, and comparing it to see if it’s changed as far as stocking on the river over the past 40 to 50 years.

We stock close to 30-thousand rainbow trout in the Guadalupe River. They used to be six to eight inches back then, today, they’re eight to 10 inches, and the still come from Missouri.

That historical piece will be on September eighth through the 14th on your local PBS station.

Check your local listings.

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram.

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

Sandcastle on Texas Beach

Conservation: Goals of Taking Care of Texas Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Taking Care of Texas, is a non-profit started in 2011, by former first lady Laura Bush. The organization promotes conservation of Texas’ natural resources.

10— Our goals are to really communicate the value of safeguarding our natural resources, and to do that in rural and urban settings, and emphasize conservation is consistent with Texas tradition.

Taking Care of Texas partnered with a who’s who of conservation heavyweights, including Texas Parks and Wildlife. Erin Franz, Executive Director, says the enterprise catalyzes its partner’s initiatives while recognizing conservation and economic prosperity need not be at odds.

21— One of our goals is to showcase there are already a lot of great conservation efforts being done by our business community, and so we want to continue what’s being done and expand on that. And, bring business minds to conservation matters and conservation minds to business matters so that we can really continue to elevate that conversation, and get more and more conservation practices put into place.

Learn more about the conservation efforts around our state, and how you can get involved, at Taking Care of Texas dot org.

Support provided by Ram Trucks. Doing what’s right and good regardless of the degree of difficulty — takes guts. Those are the people who build Ram trucks. RAM.

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

Beautiful Texas

Conservation: Taking Care of Texas Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Former First Lady, Laura Bush, has been keeping busy since her husband left office.

12— Now that Mrs. Bush is back in Texas, she’s really wanting to spend her time promoting causes that are near and dear to her heart. And, conservation of our natural resources is an area that she’s personally passionate about.

Erin Franz is Executive Director of the non-profit Taking Care of Texas, founded in 2011 by Mrs. Bush and a board of science experts, private landowners, conservationists, and businesspeople.

20— It’s a great time to look at our natural resources. We know water conservation is an issue our state is facing; so, [we’re] raising awareness of the need to conserve our natural resources, and spur conservation efforts along that benefit communities –that builds on the success of others – and work to inspire all Texans to join in.

Taking Care of Texas will use its influence to support the work of conservation groups throughout the state for the benefit of all Texans.

25— Part of our goal at Taking Care of Texas is to utilize Mrs. Bush and her ability to connect people — and to convene various groups — to start to take a look at the issues that our state is facing, and spreading awareness and the message of our natural resources. [She’ll emphasize] Why our rural Texas lands play a huge part in our heritage and our future, and why they are important to people that live in cities.

Learn more at Taking Care of Texas dot org.

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

Toni Brown, Texas Parks and Wildlife

Recreation: Toni Brown Goes Geocahing Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Toni Brown is a systems analyst with Texas Parks and Wildlife, and she has a condition called Asperger’s syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder.

07— With Asperger’s syndrome, you don’t understand people and people don’t understand you. You know, you just don’t fit in.

Brown says her condition led her to live a secluded life. Until, that is, she discovered geocaching.

16— And so it was with geocaching that I was able to get out in the world; you know, I was able to have fun, and meet other geocachers who had the same interests that I did – because we all had this love of geocaching. So now I fit in somewhere. It’s just made it so much better. It’s fulfilled my life more.

Geocaching is like a treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates to find hidden prizes. Brown says geocaching opened up new doors and new friendships she once thought impossible.

12— You know, I used to go to work and go home; and now I look forward to getting outside. It’s not just about finding a box. I met all these other geocachers, and that’s when I found out how much fun it could be.

Toni Brown is living proof that Life’s Better Outside.

That’s our show…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

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