February 23rd, 2012
This is Passport to Texas
Brad Bell doesn’t think twice when you ask him why anyone would climb a rock.
04—Why would someone wanna…Because it’s there (laugh)…
The Austin resident teaches the sport of rock climbing. He says although you don’t need rock-hard abs to climb — before you attempt this sport — a little weight training may be in order first…
13—Upper body strength is good and leg strength is even more of a plus. (Nat sound) “There ya go…push your hand and then move your hand up to the next one…there ya go (screams) pull on up…good!
And even though rock climbing offers climbers a feeling or solitude, it’s critical – whether you’re a novice or a seasoned climber — never go alone.
12—You should always have team partners… because you have to have a partner to help you belay and help you repel down and basically it’s a team effort all the way up.
Four Texas state parks offer rock climbing: Enchanted Rock, north of Fredericksburg, Hueco Tanks, just north of El Paso, Caprock Canyons southeast of Amarillo and Lake Mineral Wells.
When you log onto the Texas Parks and wildlife Web site, you’ll find more information about ways to enjoy the great Texas outdoors.
That’s our show for today…for Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in State Parks | Comments Off on Recreation: Rock Climbing
February 22nd, 2012
This is Passport to Texas
Interested in learning how to fish, but money is tight, or you want to be sure you like the sport before laying out cash on gear? Then the tackle loaner program is for you.
15—The tackle loaner program is a program in which we provide different sites with basic fishing rods and reels and some very basic tackle so that citizens can borrow that equipment and go fishing.
Ann Miller coordinated aquatic education program at parks and Wildlife before retiring last year. Checking out loaner tackle is simple.
15—Each tackle loaner site has a simple form that the person who check out the equipment would sign, saying that, “yes”, they will bring the equipment back. And you will just leave an ID there. You can check it out for up to a week.
Anyone over 17 needs a fishing license to check out equipment, unless you decide to fish in the boundaries of a state park. Persons under 18 must have an adult check out the tackle for them. There are many loaner sites across the state.
07—And you can access the locations of those tackle loaner sites through our Internet site.
[Taj Majal fishing blues :06]
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series, and is funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuels.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Fishing | Comments Off on Tackle Loaner Program
February 21st, 2012
This is Passport to Texas
Nature gave its creatures internal clocks that each follows faithfully. White bass—also called sand bass—are following their internal timetable now by migrating.
Through April large schools of this fish will concentrate in the far upper ends of reservoirs, making them easily accessible. Anglers love this silvery species for its schooling behavior and its willingness to take artificial lures. Not only that—it’s a tasty addition to the dinner menu.
Because they are similar in appearance and are often found in the same waters, it’s easy to confuse white bass with striped or even hybrid striped bass.
Striped bass and hybrid striped bass grow much larger than white bass and also have several distinct “stripes” that extend to the tail, while the white bass has only one stripe extending to its tail.
If you’re still not sure about who is who, there’s another way to distinguish these fish from one another, but you have to get a little personal. A white bass has a singular tooth patch on its tongue whereas two such adaptations exist on the tongues of striped bass and hybrid striped bass. Open wide.
Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for more information on sport fish in Texas.
The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series and provides funding for the operations and management of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Fishing | Comments Off on Fishing: White Bass Run
February 20th, 2012
This is Passport to Texas
We’re on the threshold of spring, and all the outdoor adventure that comes with it. Let Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine help you chart a course. Editor, Louie Bond.
60—We get you ready for spring in so many ways this month at Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.
Of course, we have our usual emphasis on fishing, and we have a great article by Larry Hodge about the new aquatic vegetation that’s being planted in a lot of reservoirs. You know, reservoirs are really just filled land; so they’re filled with dead vegetation, which is great for fish for awhile. But after awhile that all falls apart and fish need something to eat. So, we’re partnering with some different groups around the state to plant aquatic vegetation where it belongs in these reservoirs. It’s a great article.
We’ll also take a look at spring turkey hunting; if you need to get ready you need to take a look at this quiz we have about turkey hunting laws. There’s a little bit of humor and a whole lot of information by Ben Rehder.
We also have a “first timers” look,which I love our first timers stories. This time Parks and Wildlife news intern Amber Conrad goes out gar fishing with bow and arrow and has quite an interesting experience. So there’s a little something for everyone this month in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program Supports our series, and is funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuels.
For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in TPW Mag | Comments Off on TPW Magazine March Preview
February 17th, 2012
This is Passport to Texas
The Great Texas Birding Classic—a yearly week-long birding competition on the Texas coast is taking 2012 off to reevaluate, says Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator for Parks and Wildlife.
06—With this down economy, and some of the cutbacks we’ve had at parks and wildlife, this year was a tough year.
The 15 year old competition attracted dedicated birders from around the globe, who donated more than three-quarters of a million dollars to habitat projects. And some of those birders aren’t about to let the fact the classic is on hold keep them from their yearly tradition.
37— This is true. We sent out letters in January letting past participants and supporters know that 2012 was the year that we were taking off on the birding classic to really plan for 2013. And, so far we’ve heard from a few teams out there who are just going to do the classic anyway. This is their passion, this is what they do every April with their families and their friends, and they really are passionate about bird watching and Texas habitat conservation. They said they are going to do their own teams; they’re going to go out informally and keep checklists. And they’re going to donate money to habitat projects on behalf of the birding classic even though formally we’re not existing.
Shelly says the agency will support the birders via the birding classic website and Facebook page.
11—Teams are going to be able to talk about what they’re seeing, post photos, post their species totals for their count days, and really have a forum for their bragging rights of what they’ve done out on the Texas coast.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.
Posted in Birding, Conservation, Events | Comments Off on Great Texas Birding Classic Goes on for Some
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