WILD HARVEST, 2: Dos and don'ts when foraging for wild 
native fruit ... details ahead on Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas

Before trudging into the woods with dreams of foraging 
wild persimmons or mustang grapes, remember: leave 
some for the wildlife. 

09 -- When you're a gatherer, it's kind of like being a hunter: you 
should only take what you think you can use; although, I have 
been known to get fourteen gallons of wild grapes.

Dyanne Cortez writes about gathering and using wild 
Texas fruit for the August/September issue of TPW 
Magazine.

15 -- Well, a lot of things grow in pretty wild places. So, you need 
to be aware of snakes; wear boots; be aware of your 
surroundings. You're out in the field. There's going to be sun; 
there might be poison ivy. You're really out stalking the wild 
harvest.

Learn about edible Texas plants before going out; the 
Native Plant Society of Texas and the Ladybird Johnson 
Wildflower Center are great resources for that. Cortez, 
meantime, advises about where to find wild fruit.

24 -- It is not legal to collect any plant or plant part in a state park 
or a national park. It can be a challenge because you see this stuff 
in the parks and it's very tempting, but you don't do that. Go for 
private land; look in your own backyard. Ask your friends. It's so 
much fun when it's all done. It's just really worth it, and it's so 
neat to know what nature has to offer.

Dyanne Cortez' article about gathering and using wild 
fruit is in the August/September issue of TPW Magazine.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti. 






Total sound bite time:		 0:48.0
Maximum Script time:		 0:37.0 Suggested show time: 85.0 = 1:25