Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Evolution bypassed the alligator gar. Compare today’s gar to the fossil record, and the differences are insignificant.

They’re often perceived as this very primitive, horrible fish that is kind of scary looking. So people, for that reason, have some fear of them.

David Buckmeier, a fisheries scientist for parks and wildlife, says this coastal river-dwelling freshwater fish is actually quite docile despite appearances.

The alligator gar is the largest freshwater fish in Texas, and can grow up to ten feet long and have the potential of tipping the scales at over three hundred pounds.

They have a head shaped much like that of an alligator, hence the name. They are quite primitive; they have heavy bony scales all across their body, which are called ganoid scales. And it’s actual bone plates that protect that fish.

A behavior that some find unnerving is the gar’s tendency to linger at the water’s surface.

Their gills aren’t advanced enough to get enough oxygen, especially when the water temperatures are warm. So, that’s why people will frequently see them at the top of the water; they’ll come up, gulp air then and go back down.

So maybe, it’s not that their gills aren’t advanced enough, maybe they are evolving and they’re going to be crawling on the land soon.

(laughs) Unlikely. They’ve been around for a long, long time, and they’ve been the same way.

Alligator gar is abundant in Texas, and is a sought after sport fish. More on that tomorrow.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

The Parks and Wildlife television series is a menu of things to do outdoors. Offerings in November include: stories about scuba diving…and game wardens that fight environmental crime…and people who count frogs…

And every show in November we’re going to hit a state park.

Don Cash is Series Producer…

And one of the state parks is down in the valley in Weslaco, Texas. It’s Estero Llano Grande State Park, and it’s part of the World Birding Center.

On just a regular day you can sit on this deck for an hour or two and easily spot thirty to forty species of birds.

And one of the big draws is not a bird, it’s the alligators they have living in the park.

Yes, we do have a few alligators—they’re a major attraction, and we’re hoping that really pulls in some of the locals.

Also in November we’re going to Lake Bob Sandlin State Park which is about 2 hours east of Dallas. Fishing is one of the big draws there, obviously. They’ve got a small stock pond, which is great for kids, and then the lake itself is known for bass.

Just about anywhere you fish could be good. There’s almost not a bad looking spot on the lake…a place that doesn’t look like it will hold a bass or two. I’ve loved it for years.

So, in November, we show you a lot of places to go, and a lot of things to do. And, of course, one of those is fall camping—we always encourage that.

Thanks, Don.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Texas River Otter

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This is Passport to Texas

A few months ago we aired a program about Texas river otters with biologist Gary Calkins. At the time, he told us few people ever get to see otters…but then…

With the awareness now from the program, people are talking about it. And so, we’re getting to hear what they’re seeing.

What you’re seeing and telling us about, are river otters… a lot of them it seems…and some in unexpected places.

This has been awesome. We found out about otters a lot further west and further north than we really had an idea that there were good populations. So it’s been really interesting.

Calkins says having extra sets of eyes looking for otters has been a boon to his research.

I was very surprised, but also pretty psyched. It was really neat to start getting some feedback from the radio program on something that we had been trying to do other ways and hadn’t been able to get there.

Researchers are interested in Texas river otters for more than their playful personalities.

They’re kind of an indicator species of how healthy our environment is. So, by trying to get a handle on how their population’s doing, it kind of tells us how our environment is doing overall.

If you spot an otter…on land or water…tell us about it …you know you ought to…at passporttotexas.org.

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

This is Passport to Texas

The city of San Antonio recently voted to transfer three thousand acres of land to the Government Canyon State Natural Area because they didn’t have the funds to manage the land themselves.

Richard Heilbrun (High-ul-brun) is a wildlife biologist at Parks and Wildlife. He says the new land is important because it provides habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

This is golden-cheeked warbler paradise. You’ve got these slopes, you’ve got good diversity. You’ve got old shredding bark juniper like that one right there. I just have to believe that they’re all over the place.

The land is full of a wide variety of trees, which are necessary for the warbler’s survival. But the land is also important to the Edwards Aquifer.

You can see just on the side of this road just holes in the ground, holes in the soil, and it goes directly into the aquifer. And this is why this is such a wonderful place because it has both habitat and aquifer recharge.

But as you look out over the land, you see newly built houses dotting the nearby hills. The land right outside the natural area is being developed because people want to live where there’s a nice view. But new homes only mean less habitat for the warbler and other species.

Fortunately, Parks and Wildlife will continue efforts to preserve the fragile habitat. And in five to ten years, the new land will have trails for public hiking and mountain biking, for all Texans to enjoy.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Gretchen Mahan… For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

The public hasn’t had much access to the 300-thousand acre Big Bend Ranch State Park—but that’s about to change—and we kick things off with a Fiesta!

It’s a coming out party. The big day is November 14th, Saturday. We do have some pre and post fiesta activities.

Linda Hedges is a regional interpretive specialist and fiesta organizer. This free event will introduce attendees to outdoor opportunities and natural diversity found at the park. Pre fiesta activities commence Friday the 13th.

We’re looking adversity in the face this time since we’ve had a couple of false starts with the Fiesta because of, well, flood and swine flu. We are going for the three is a charm concept on the 13th of November as a kick-off with some daylong guided hikes, and mountain biking treks, also some half priced river rafting trips on the Rio Grande, with that same program repeated on Sunday.

The big day is Saturday November 14th which features tons of activities, a free barbecue lunch and a live concert. Folks who plan to attend should RSVP.

That is, in part, for planning purposes on our end, so we can do the best job of taking care of our visitors that day. But also, a nice perk for those who also do RSVP comes in the way of some attendance prizes.

Find out how to RSVP for the Big Bend Ranch State park Fiesta at passporttotexas.org

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
_______________________________________________________
RSVP:
Let us know you’re coming & double your chances of winning by sending us an e-mail RSVP. Your RSVP will entitle you to receive 2 tickets per family/group instead of 1. Must be at least 16 years of age to win.

RSVP by calling 512/389-8908 from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday – Friday or by e-mailing
Big Bend Ranch State Park.
In your e-mail please provide:

• Your name
• Phone number
• E-mail address
• City of residence
• Number of adults
• Number of children under 12 yrs

Indicate the activities you are interested in:

• Guided short hikes
• Jeep tours
• Horseback riding
• Mountain biking

Indicate if you are wanting to make required reservations & how many for:

Early Bird Tours, Saturday, November 14:

• Birdwatching
• Rock Art Tour
• Geology Tour

Pre-Fiesta Field Trips, Friday, November 13:

• Birdwatching
• Rock Art Hike
• Backcountry Tour/Hike – Madrid Falls to Fresno Canyon
• Mountain Bike Tour – All day – Mexicano Falls (will you be bringing your own bike)

Post-Fiesta Field Trips, Sunday, November 15:

• Birdwatching
• Rock Art Hike
• Backcountry Tour/Hike – Madrid Falls to Fresno Canyon
• Mountain Bike Tour – All day – Mexicano Falls (will you be bringing your own bike)

Remember, you can double your chances in the attendance prize raffle by letting us know ahead of time that you are coming – receive two tickets per family instead of one!

For free campsite reservations, phone 432-358-4444.

Thank you & we hope to see you there.

Big Bend Ranch State Park Fiesta! Play Now | Play in Popup | Download