Passport to Texas

Southern Plains Bison Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Almost lost to extinction, a small herd of southern plains bison—the state’s official herd—roams 300 acres at Caprock Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle.

04—This herd was started back in the 1870s by Charles Goodnight.

Park Superintendent Donald Beard says Goodnight, a legendary Texas cattle rancher, brought bison to Palo Duro—after his wife Mary Ann expressed concern about the number of animals being slaughtered.

08—They are probably the last true example of the great Southern Plains Bison. This is how they were when the roamed freely.

Superintendent Beard says the herd has unique genetic markers not found in other bison, which is just one reason to preserve their lineage.

15—Strictly for science, it’s a very important herd. Not only that, but the history behind this herd is amazing. This is one of the five foundation herds that bought bison back from the brink of extinction in the late 1800s.

And not just in Texas.

09—Charles Goodnight made a deal with the National Park Service, and sent some bulls to Yellowstone. So this herd here helped bring the Yellowstone herd back up as well.

Soon, the official herd of Texas will be a step closer to roaming wild. That’s tomorrow.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Texas Drought and Teal Season 2011 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Here’s good news: Teal season begins September 10 and runs 16 days this year, because survey says:

06— This year blue wing numbers are at 8.9 million, and that’s rivaling mallard numbers, which is really unheard of.

Dave Morrison, small game program director at parks and wildlife, says teal breeding grounds up north are as wet as they’ve been in decades.

13—And, so you look up there….more water…there are flood conditions all through the Dakotas…setting up for a great season next year with respect to breeding. You move south to Texas and ducks are going to have to bring their own water…because we don’t have any water down here.

That’s not the end of bad news. Even if we receive substantial storms between now and the season opener thus breaking drought conditions, challenges remain.

11—Even if we do get storms that drop water—there’s no groceries. So, it’s going to be a tough season this year. And, you know, shoot, those teal may get up there, look around, and say ‘Hey, I’m done; I’m moving on to Mexico.’

What advice does Dave Morrison have to offer hopeful hunters?

14—Find you some water. Because, if you’ve got water that’s fresh, and you’ve got some groceries, you’re going to be in a premier spot, because you ought to be able to find some birds sitting n that water. Do you have a secret spot with water that you can tell us about? No ma’am. That’s my secret!

Find hunting information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. The SFWR supports our series…

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

2011 Teal Season Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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[SFX…teal]

Teal season is like Christmas in September for duck hunters.

08—This year the population numbers is going to put the September Teal season at a 16 day season, which will open September the tenth and run through September the 25th.

Dave Morrison, small game program director at parks and wildlife, says the teal population is as high as he has ever seen it and explains how the number of birds determines season length.

21—If it’s below 3.2 million, we have no season. From 3.2 to 4.7, we have a nine day season. Anything over 4.7 is a 16 day season. This year the survey show the blue wing numbers are at 8.9 million. And that’s rivaling mallard numbers which is really unheard of. They’re the second most populous duck this year in our survey—so there’s a lot of blue wings this year.

Despite the surplus of teal, hunters will not see an expansion of the season—ever. Yet, Morrison says hunters may one day see the daily bag limit increase from four to six birds.

19—There’s a lot of people who ask the question, ‘why four during September teal season, and not six like the regular season’? that’s one of the things that we’ve been trying to deal with. There is a group of people right now looking at biological needs and information about blue wings. And hopefully in a year or so we may be able to answer that question, and see if we can go more liberal during that September teal season.

Find hunting information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program supports our series… For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

State Parks: Possum Kingdom Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

There seems to be an assumption that Possum Kingdom State Park and Lake aren’t fully functional because of this year’s spring wildfire and past bouts with golden algae. State Park Guide Bryan Frazier says nothing could be further from the truth.

At Possum Kingdom SP, they did have a close call with a wildfire, and it did actually impact the park.

And the recreation here is unmatched. From the fishing, to the scenery, to the cabins and the campsites that are right along the lake shore—those are going un-rented, even on weekends now. And we’re trying to get the word out: Possum Kingdom is alive and well and doing great!

Thanks, Bryan!

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Become a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Since 1971, teaching new hunters the basics of the sport is no longer the sole responsibility of family members—new hunters of a certain age must earn certification.

05—Basically it’s anyone who’s born on or after September 2, 1971; They have to take the course.

The course is hunter education. Terry Erwin oversees the hunter education at Texas Parks & Wildlife, and says volunteer instructors are the backbone of the program.

07—Many of the individuals have gone through the Hunter education course themselves, and found out that they really wanted to give something to the sport.

Volunteers also save taxpayers a nice chunk of change in the process.

07—If you put a dollar value on it, probably in volunteer hours and things like that, way exceeding half a million dollars.

The volunteer aspect goes beyond the classroom; these dedicated instructors also take on mentoring roles.

12—We always encourage every instructor to take at least one or two youth hunting each year that they train. That starts a mentoring process in which that student goes out under the training and guidance of an experienced hunter.

Learn how to volunteer by logging onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife 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.