BUSINESS OF DUCK HUNTING: Duck hunting is big 
business in our state. How big is it? The answer is next 
on Passport to Texas.

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

(:20 SFX ... CANVASBACK DUCKS) ESTABLISH, THEN FADE UNDER SCRIPT.

Hear that? That's the sound of canvasback ducks; they bring greenbacks 
into the Texas economy. In fact, if we were to look at duck hunting in 
general as a business -- its economic impact on the Texas economy would be anything but small.

"Duck hunting is a big business."
Dave Morrison is the waterfowl program leader at Parks and Wildlife. 
He says that the average citizen may not fully appreciate ... or even realize ... 
the substantial economic impact that duck hunting has on our state.

"And if you were to look at duck hunting as a business - like a fortune 500 
company - duck hunting would rank about 491st on a fortune 500. It brings
 in tremendous dollars to the state of Texas. It has an economic boon of 
about over 200-million."
And to keep any business healthy into the future, Morrison says at least 
two things need to happen.

"And to continue this business you have to keep your customers satisfied. 
And your customers are the hunters of the state, and also try to bring in new 
customers - and that's the kids. So somehow or another you have to get the 
kids involved to make sure that this business stays afloat."
(:13 SFX ... MALLARD DUCKS) ESTABLISH, THEN CROSS FADE WITH MUSIC.

For season dates, bag limits and other duck hunting information, visit the Texas 
Parks and Wildlife web site.

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.