Passport to Texas

Beautiful Texas

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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

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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.

Dove at Dusk

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Doves may be harder to find in the Panhandle during the upcoming hunting season because of drought conditions in the area.

09— The drought can be a blessing when it comes to hunting – they can concentrate birds in some areas. But, the last few years we’ve seen a lot of decreased harvest in the Panhandle region just for the fact of conditions.

Shaun Olden-burger is migratory shore and upland game bird program leader at Parks and Wildlife. Farmers planting fewer crops and a shortage of water sent doves searching for more hospitable environs.

07— I probably see hunting opportunity somewhat similar to last year. It was probably average to poor in certain areas in the Panhandle.

However, Olden-burger says if hunters don’t mind traveling to other regions of the state, they can harvest their limit.

28— We look in the Edward’s Plateau area, in the central part of the state; I’ve already heard some very good reports as far as dove numbers there – in some of our initial surveys that we’ve done — we’ve actually found very good numbers in many locations compared to last year. So, I would expect the hunting in the central part of the state to be good, western Texas I’ve heard some good numbers as well, and even in south Texas where we have some drought areas, I’ve heard numbers were up this year compared to last year just based on some field reports. Eastern Texas probably very similar to last year, maybe a few more. We tend to have more consistent rainfall there.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Mourning Dove

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Dove hunters who get in the field early in the season may experience more success than those who wait.

05— For the most part, we see a lot of the harvest occur very early in all the seasons in all the zones.

Shaun Oldenburger is migratory shore and upland game bird program leader at Parks and Wildlife. September first marks the start of dove season in the North and Central zones and September 20th in the South Zone. While Mourning Doves are plentiful statewide, for greater success, Olden-burger says it pays to do your homework.

27— The nice thing about mourning doves is they tend to be a generalist. They primarily eat seeds, and they need a lot of water on a daily basis. So you think about two things when you go hunt doves: you think about water sources and you think about seeds. And seeds may be a harvested grain field, wheat field, or some other food plot. And so I think a lot of scouting needs to go into these locations. A lot of people do have traditional areas that they just tend to do to. But, you know, a little bit more scouting if you have access to properties, you can ensure – probably – a pretty good hunt on opening day.

What’s this season’s outlook for dove hunters considering we’re still in the throes of a drought?

04— The drought can be a blessing when it comes to hunting – they can concentrate birds in some areas.

But that’s not true everywhere. We’ll tell you more tomorrow. The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

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

Working with Landowners on Conservation

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Through confidential relationships with area biologists, Texas landowners conserve the state’s natural resources for future generations.

14 — Our goal is to develop these relationships. We do have laws that maintain confidentiality for the landowner. That’s helpful to people and gives them comfort to know that their private business is between them and their biologist.

Linda Campbell oversees the private lands and public hunting programs.

19— We have good relationships all over Texas. We have over 8-thousand wildlife management plans that we hold with active cooperators, one over 29-million acres. We do everything from deer management to quail management to whatever the landowner is interested in – and what the habitat can support.

For the past 18 years, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s honored landowner efforts through its Lone Star Land Steward Awards Program.

13 —And we hold them up to show people what they can do with this dedication and commitment these award winners show. And we want to honor those folks for their achievement and their commitment to good land stewardship.

Find information about free technical assistance and the Lone Star Land Steward Program on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series and provides funding for Private lands and Public Hunting programs.

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