Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

At some point this month you’ll want to spend time indoors to cool off from the unrelenting Texas heat. When you do, you can still experience the outdoors with the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS series. Producer, Alan Fisher, talks about two segments worth watching.

In July we might take you to some new destinations outdoors, but we’ll definitely try and get you some good information. If you’re in the market for a tent, there’s and Outdoor Info about picking out the right one for you.

Now, this particular model right here, this is a two-person, three-season tent. Three-season, meaning that it’s designed for more moderate weather, and it’s got features designed to move a lot of air through the tent.

Also coming up in July, there’s a Wild Things on the Invaders—invasive species in the water and on land.

Sometimes, non-native species are introduced into an area, by someone who releases an unwanted pet, or dumps an aquarium into a local stream or lake.

The Parks and Wildlife television series airs on PBS stations around Texas, and also on a number of municipal cable channels. More information can be found online on the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show… We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuel.

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

TPW TV: Tent Tips & Aquatic Invaders Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

[SFX fireworks]

When it comes to celebrating our nation’s birthday at Texas state parks you can bring the barbecue, the watermelon and the outdoor games…but not the fireworks.

06—It is illegal in Texas state parks…it is a Class C misdemeanor to possess fireworks in a state park.

That’s Wes Masur, the state park law enforcement coordinator at Texas Parks and Wildlife. He says even sparklers… black cats… and bottle rocket are prohibited in state parks, not only on the 4th of July, but everyday, and for good reason.

09—Within the state park system we have different types of wildlife and different types of grasses and we don’t want to get any type of forest fire started…people are there to enjoy the state parks.

While a few state parks do offer organized fireworks displays, not everyone appreciates traditional holiday pyrotechnics.

05—Some people don’t like fireworks…the noises that go along with that stuff—we just don’t allow it in the state parks.

For more information on which state parks offer public fireworks displays, log onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…we record our series at the Production Block Studios in Austin, Texas…Joel Block engineers our program.

Fireworks in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

[SFX speed boat on water]

Having fun and being safe are not mutually exclusive goals when boating this Fourth of July weekend. In fact, Steve Hall, Education Director at Parks and Wildlife says boating safety is as easy as one-two-three.

And the first one is wear a life jacket. That would prevent 90% of all fatalities in the water, especially those involving boating accidents.

So, when you don’t have stoplights on the water, and you have no breaks and you’re operating a tonnage of a vessel….yeah…you have to take that just as seriously, if not more seriously, than a vehicle on the highways.

Find boating safety information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website.

That’s our show… We receive support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating in Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Boating Safety Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is passport to Texas

Hunting is a tradition passed on from one generation to the next. Since 1971, teaching the basics is no longer the sole responsibility of family members.

10—Anyone who is born on or after September 2, 1971, and who has attained the age of 9, is eligible to be certified in hunter education.

The course is hunter education. Terry Erwin oversees hunter education at Texas Parks & Wildlife. He says volunteer instructors are the backbone of this popular 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.

13—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 you can volunteer to teach hunter education classes, visit our website: passporttotexas.org.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program support our series working to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

Hunter Education Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Golfing has often been described as a good walk spoiled. The same has never been said about hunting. Hunting includes a good walk as well as a chance to pass on a Texas tradition to the next generation.

06—I’d like to encourage all hunters to take their youngsters hunting even if they start them out with a pair of binoculars.

That’s Terry Erwin who oversees hunter education at Texas Parks & Wildlife. The idea, says Erwin, is to help kids become comfortable with the outdoors.

09—They can be out there in the woods observing nature, even if they don’t hunt at the time. But as they gain insight and become older, they may want to start hunting.

Hunting is an activity that fathers and mothers are encouraged to share with their children, but learning at a parent’s side is no substitute for a sanctioned hunter education class. With more than 3-thousand classes offered annually, there’s one to fit every schedule.

07—They go on year round, from January all the way up through December. So that’s not something that’s just a seasonal thing right before hunting season.

You will find a complete list of hunter education classes on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

Our show is made possible by the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Sharing the Hunting Tradition Play Now | Play in Popup | Download