Passport to Texas

TPW MAGAZINE: The Best of Texas' Natural World Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The April issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine introduces readers to the best our state’s natural world has to offer… through the eyes of those who protect it. Editor, Louie Bond.

62—We’re doing our Annual Best of Texas feature, and we search out all the best natural things in Texas, whether it’s a kind of insect, or a kind of animal or a place to go or a great activity.

So we hope now that it’s spring and warm outside that everyone will get outside and visit some of these great places and learn more about the wild world.

Thanks, Louie.

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

This is Passport to Texas

Memorial Day weekend is the gateway to summer fun. And Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine editor Louie Bond says the June issue takes readers to the coast for a little fishing.

55—We sure are heading to the coast this month, Cecilia. You know, I guess people throughout our agency and throughout the state would argue about what the most exciting type of fishing is, whether it’s catching those big bass out in the lakes or fly fishing on the river…but for me, it’s being out there on the Gulf—what a tempestuous body of water, and what a challenge to fish out there. So, this month I have David Sykes from the Corpus Christi Caller Times and Larry Bozka; both well-known anglers and much to my delight both great writers. And so, we have dueling stories—both of conservation and sport fishing this month down on the lower Texas coast. And I’m excited to read about it. I still recall my favorite redfish experience: catching the biggest fish on the boat when I was eight months pregnant. Surprised a lot of the guys, I can tell you that. But, Larry will help us take a look at redfish, and David’s taking us for a look at that amazing sport fish—the tarpon. So, we hope that everybody will head down to the coast with us this month.

That’s our show…with funding from the Sport Fish restoration program, working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.

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

TPW Magazine Goes Coastal Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

The April issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is sure to intrigue and delight with stories that take you from one side of the state to the other. Editor, Louie Bond.

55—One thing in particular we’re going to look at is the bighorn sheep relocation out in West Texas, that happened in December, which was a glorious project, and very exciting for everyone who participated as they literally air lifted sheep from one location to another. But, it’s a great restoration project that the agency’s been working on for a long time, and we’re very proud. And I know that people are going to be so excited to drive down the road and be able to see a bighorn sheep again. In fact, I already had a friend tell me, ‘I saw a bighorn sheep out there the other day.’ So, it’s a great success story for all of us. Another great success story are the paddling trails that are opening up all around the state, due in large part to our partnerships with lots of great people across the state who want these paddling trails in their areas, and we help them make these a reality. So, people are getting out on the water and seeing the sights in this quiet, peaceful way of travel. So, I hope whether you like land or water, you’ll get outside and enjoy the great things our agency’s done this month.

Thanks, Louie.

Find more information at www.tpwmagazine.com.

We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…providing funding for wildlife restoration and water access.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

TPW Magazine--Big Horns & Paddling Trails Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine editor, Louie Bond, says if you’re looking for a cure for cabin fever…

I think our cover story in march really addresses this with 12 great state park hikes. We have hikes for those who just like a leisurely amble to those who just want a little something more strenuous. We go across the whole state and give you an idea of what the trails are like, and what you might see a long the way.

If you’re not quite ready to get outdoors—maybe March is a little too brisk for you, you can stay home and read about one of my favorite topics—tarantulas. At one point they’re fascinating and wonderful, and they’re actually gentle giants. And then when you really read closely about them there’s some horrifying facts. Such as they liquefy their prey and suck it up though some sort of straw-like mouth, which is quite disgusting, but yet we all have to eat. So, I think we have a nice variety of things, whether you’re ready to get out in March or stay indoors and curl up with the magazine.

Thanks, Louie.

You can catch up on your reading online, too, when you go to tpwmagazine.com. Search through a decade of great article and images. When you’re there, you can also subscribe to the magazine, or give it as a gift.

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

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Mason Mountain WMA Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Located in the central mineral region of the Texas Hill Country, about six miles northwest of the town of Mason, is Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.

It’s a pretty unique region in Texas, where you have the huge granite boulders that have uplifted; it’s an extension of the same uplift that created Enchanted Rock.

Mark Mitchell is a biologist at the 53-hundred acre site.

We’ve got some bottomlands, we’ve got the granite gravel uplift. We’ve got the more traditional hill country habitat such as the limestone hills.

The site supports diverse native flora and fauna, including: six hundred fifty identified plant species, spiny crevice lizards, black bellied tree ducks, white tailed deer, javelina, and black-capped vireos, just to name a few.

I think for the hill country and a 53-hundred acre management area, we may have as much diversity as you can possibly find.

Because of exotic species like gemsbok and impala and outstanding facilities on the site when the agency acquired it, the WMA is self-supporting.

We don’t receive tax dollars for operation and maintenance of the area; we have to generate our own income. And we do that through — primarily – guided hunts. And because of the facilities that were here when we obtained the place, we can host conservation meetings.

Access to Mason Mountain WMA is limited to hunters with  a Special Permit, or to groups that make prior arrangements. That’s our show… made possible by a grant from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.