Passport to Texas

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432"]Mike & Gloria Quinn, http://www.texasento.net[/caption] This is Passport to Texas Outdoor Stories Mike Quinn is an invertebrate biologist who used to ply his trade with Parks and Wildlife He says his interest in bugs developed through an interest in birds. 60 –My parents were birdwatchers, and I had an interest in outdoors as a child. But it wasn’t until I was in my twenties… I was helping ornithologists at UT study painted buntings at McKinney Falls State Park, and walked around the bend, and we saw this large butterfly there sunning itself – absolutely gorgeous in the sun – and Anita Fauquier says, “I think that’s a giant swallowtail.” And it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was an epiphany for me that you could put a name on an insect. Why that was a revelation to me I still don’t quite don’t know, because I could identify birds by sight and sound, and plants and herps and etcetera. But putting a name on an insect was somehow a foreign concept. And I went home and I borrowed my mother’s butterfly field guide (which I haven’t quite returned yet), and just from that point on I started paying much closer attention to insects, and that led me to my degree now that I have in entomology. Go to passporttotexas.org, and share your outdoor story with us…and we might share it with Texas. That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Blue-winged Teal[/caption] This is Passport to Texas Fall hunting begins with dove season on September first, and continues with a 16 day early teal season, beginning September 15th. 10—Teal are an early migrant species of waterfowl that come through Texas -- usually in September is when you see a big bunch of birds pushing through here. They’re one of the earliest migrant species that we have. Dave Morrison is small game program director for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Of the three teal species found in Texas, the blue winged teal is most plentiful. Before the creation of early teal season, Blue winged teal were not as available to hunters. Morrison says that’s because the “big duck” season started too late and ended too early for teal’s migratory habits. Biologists monitor movement, survival rates and harvest rates of migratory species like blue winged teal through banding programs. 21—Years ago we started doing research on this, and saw that the band returns are very low for blue wings, and because they’re not available during the regular duck season -- a lot of times they’re already through here and gone -- and they’re one of the most populous ducks, as well as one of the ones that has the lowest band reporting rates, it makes sense biologically that you can take advantage for these birds. So that’s the reason why we have September teal season. Tomorrow: how Mother Nature can play foul with early teal season. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Bighorn Sheep Release at Big Bend Ranch[/caption] This is Passport to Texas Kenneth Garcia has a name for the kind of hunting he usually does. 08— I called it poor man hunting, because I hunted on state property in New Mexico for mule deer, and some small leases and stuff here in Texas. The cost of high fence hunting leases offering premium animals are out of reach for most hunters. 07— I look all the time at what they cost nowadays here in Texas, and I go – how can I justify that expenditure –and the answer is I can’t. Kenneth got a chance to hunt like the “one percent” when in 2010 Texas Parks and Wildlife drew his name to win the grand Slam from Big Time Texas Hunts: four guided hunts for mule deer, white tail, pronghorn and desert bighorn sheep. He’d been spending $10 dollars annually on entries for a dozen years. 06— Oh, okay. So I did it for 12 years; so I put $120 dollars toward that hunt before I won it…whoop-de-doo. He considers it an investment in habitat conservation, which is how entry fees are used. 17— If you’re a hunter, or a person who enjoys the outdoors, even if you don’t win, it’s being put to good use. And all of us can spare ten bucks—we drop it on useless stuff every day. So putting it on something like this is a whole lot better in the long run. There are seven premium Big Time Texas Hunts hunt packages, including the grand slam. Online entry is $9 dollars, $10 dollars at license retailers. Deadline to enter is October 15. Find more information the TPW website. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"]Donna Shaver Releasing Ridley Turtle With Satellite Transmitter[/caption] This is Passport to Texas The Kemps’ Ridley may be the best known—and most threatened—sea turtle that occurs along the Texas coast, but it’s not the only one. 19—The ones that we hear most commonly about are the Kemp’s Ridley, and the green sea turtle—the green sea turtle is threatened in Texas and the populations are increasing. Also in Texas, there’s the Loggerhead, that’s a threatened species. What we hear about less are both endangered turtles: The Hawksbill and the Leatherback. Dr. Donna Shaver is with the US National Park Service at Padre Island National Seashore. She says if you ever see stranded or nesting sea turtles, report your observation to officials. 17—Many of our entrances to beach access roads, signs are posted that have a telephone number to call. And then once they call, they will receive a recorded message that will tell them the proper contact number for the particular geographic area where they are located. The number to call is 1-866-TURTLE5…And if you come across a nesting female… 17—Stay back from the nesting turtle until she’s dug her hole with her rear flippers and is remaining mostly motionless and laying eggs. At that time, without touching the turtle, look for any tags, and without piercing anything into the sand, put a designating market next to where the turtle laid her eggs. The number to call if you find a nesting female is 1-866-turtle5. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"]Kemps' Ridley Sea Turtle Release[/caption] This is Passport to Texas All species of sea turtles are endangered: and none more than the Kemp’s Ridley. Our state park guide Bryan Frazier was on South Padre Island recently and witnessed the release of some Kemp’s hatchlings. 54— Sea Turtle, Inc., which is a partner with TPW and the National Park service..they do such fantastic down on South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sea turtles back into the wild. And while I was down there on vacation they just happened to be having a hatchling release: 89 baby Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, which are critically endangered. And I got to photograph that release back into the Gulf of Mexico. It was a profound experience. The whole summertime is the time when those hatchlings come out of the eggs and are released back into the Gulf, and so it’s still a time to do that, and they’re open to the public. If people will visit Sea Turtle, Inc. Like them on Facebook, or call them while they’re down there on South Padre island, they can witness this as well. And the work that’s going on there is impacting things all the way down into the interior of Mexico and the Mexican coast. Follow them and us on Facebook and see the incredible story that the sea turtles have to tell, and how relevant that is to all of our efforts here in Texas. Thanks Bryan That’s our show for today…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.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Map of Bumblebees' Historic Range in Texas[/caption] This is Passport to Texas Do you like the idea of bird watching, but don’t have the time or patience to learn about every bird out there? Maybe you should try bumblebee watching, instead. 12— Bumblebees could be a new kind of hobby for folks. Birdwatchers have to learn hundreds of birds. There are only nine bumblebees [species] in Texas. And so it’s just a matter of learning their color patterns. Michael Warriner is an invertebrate biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, and curates the website texasbumblebees.com. 18— In Texas, we have nine bumblebee species. And, fortunately, bumblebees are large bees; they’re pretty noticeable because they have a pattern of black and yellow. But, each one of the nine differs a little bit in terms of how much yellow they have on – let’s say – on the front part of their body versus the rear…. More than a pleasant hobby, tracking these insects – and reporting back to biologists like Michael Warriner – can provide needed information about the status of bumblebees in Texas. What you may not know is …these native bees are facing threats. 16—They’ve lost habitat. Pesticide use is another concern. And also, there’s been the importation of bumblebees from Europe into this country, which has brought in parasites and diseases that may be impacting them. So, there’s a lot of concern how they’re faring in North America. Find a chart on bumblebee identification and where to report your sightings, when you visit Michael Warriner’s website: Texasbumblebees.com. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Courtesy Jessica Womack, via www.texasbumblebees.com[/caption] This is Passport to Texas [SFX—buzzing] Bumblebees are the bomb—or per their genus: bombus. Texas has nine native species of this big, slow-flying, black and yellow insect. They’re effective pollinators of our native plant species, and many food crops, too. But as summer wanes, so do the bumblebees. 18— At the end of the summer, the queen that started the colony gives birth to new queens. The old queen dies and all her workers die. But the new queens mate, find a hole in the ground, spend the winter there, come back out in the spring, and she starts a whole new colony. That’s a lot of work for one bee…Michael Warriner… an invertebrate biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife… tells us how she does it. 36— In early spring—February and March—the new queen comes out, and she’s foraging. [She] finds a nest site, and she starts making what’s called a “honey pot.” It’s a little waxen thimble, and she fills that with food. Then she accumulates pollen and makes a big pollen ball. Then she lays eggs, and she stays there [tending to the nest and larvae tht hatch]. And those are her first workers. Once her first worker daughters mature, she stays there [in the nest] full time—her main business is laying eggs. But, getting started is pretty much all on her: getting all the food and having the reserves to stay put and raise that first batch [of young]. Learn more about Texas Bumblebees at Michael Warriner’s website: Texasbumblebees.com. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Pronghorn Antelope Running[/caption] This is Passport to Texas Hunters and anglers look forward to the day licenses go on sale the way many children look forward to Christmas. Hunting and fishing licenses bring with them the hope of a harvest and the promise of time spent in the great Texas outdoors. Licenses for the 2012-2013 seasons go on sale statewide this month. 17 – I would advise folks to buy early. The new season, dove season, opens September first. It’s on a Saturday. I think it would be a very good idea for hunters to start buying their licenses and their super combos as soon as our sales season opens, which is August fifteenth. Tom Newton manages licensing at Texas Parks and Wildlife. You can buy your licenses online…at 17-hundred retailers statewide…at state parks…game warden offices and the Texas Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Austin. Newton says sales this year started in the hole because of last year’s drought and heat, but because of milder temperatures and statewide rain, we’ve almost caught up to last year’s sales and may catch up by year’s end. And that’s good news for conservation. Money spent on licenses directly supports conservation efforts in Texas. There’s more than one type of hunting license – they range from a $7 resident senior license to a $315 license for nonresident hunters. Find links to hunting information at passporttotexas.org. The Wildlife and Sport fish Restoration Program...working to increase fishing, shooting and hunting opportunities in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300"][/caption] This is Passport to Texas It’s August: time to renew hunting and fishing licenses. 06—The licenses are effective beginning September first, but they actually go on sale August 15th. Tom Newton manages licensing at Texas Parks and Wildlife. Heat and drought kept license sales down last year, but the milder temperatures and statewide rains in 2012 have seen sales rise. 23 –The fishing is broken down into saltwater or freshwater, or what we call an all-water, which covers both. There’s a couple of different hunting licenses, which is your standard deer hunters, or turkey hunters, or alligator hunters. With the hunting license you have to purchase a couple of stamps. If you’re a bird hunter you’ll need the upland game bird stamp and the federal duck stamp. The best license to buy -- if you plan on hunting and fishing -- is the Super Combo. $68.00 17 – Which encompasses everything: All the stamps, all of your hunting options, all of your fishing options. The only thing you need in addition to that is your federal duck stamp. So, the Super Combo –– is the best priced license. And, like I say, you buy that, you need nothing else for the whole year. Buy your licenses early and avoid the rush. They’re available online and at 17-hundred agents statewide. 06 –All of our parks sell licenses. All of our law enforcement sells licenses as we do here at Headquarters The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series, and works to increase fishing and hunting opportunities in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="304"]Caprock Canyons Superintendent Donald Beard with Bison Cut-out[/caption] This is Passport to Texas Eighty descendents of the southern plains bison roam freely on 700 acres at Caprock Canyon SP…with plans to give them even more room to roam in the future. To celebrate these majestic animals and to raise money for their continued restoration, Caprock Canyons SP is throwing a party. Our State park Guide Bryan Frazier has details. 54— Beginning September 14th, they’re going to have the Bison celebration days on that Friday. They’re having school groups from all over the region come in and learn about the native Americans, and learn about the impact of the Buffalo Soldiers on the settlement of that region. And then on Saturday, there’ll be opportunities to photograph the free roaming bison walking around, there’ll be other activities, vendors, and lots of things going on during that Saturday to bring everyone out. And then on Sunday, there’s a concert that benefits Caprock Canyons and the bison restoration, and it’s going to be done by nine time Grammy award winning, and Texas legendary band – Asleep at the Wheel. And that’s on Sunday, September 16th at Caprock Canyon SP, as part of the second annual bison celebration days going on there. If you’re a Texan….if you’re a history buff…if you like Asleep at the Wheel and good music..and incredible scenery…this is the place. Thanks Bryan That’s our show for today…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.

This is Passport to Texas Wild turkeys wearing backpacks? See it this month on the TPW PBS TV series. Producer, Alan Fisher. 64— I got to follow some work going on at a ranch in south Texas, on the habitat of Rio Grande turkey. The research that people have done about Rio Grande turkey has really kind of focused on where they roost… There’s really been less information about what they do for the rest of the hours of their day. Technology has gotten to the point now where GPS technology can be used. We put a backpack transmitter on them. So currently we’ve developed some that are using GPS technology. You can use that information to identify habitat. In talking to the biologists –how is that knowledge going to be used? It will help landowners how to work with their landscape to give the turkey exactly what they need. It’s really evident on this particular ranch – the Temple ranch -- that they’ve done really good things for the turkey there. There are many of them –and they seem to be very happy. We’re getting better at answering the question what do these landowners need to do to really provide quality habitat. If you’d like to know where you can catch the Parks and Wildlife TV series, you can check out our website, or check your local PBS listings. Thanks, Alan. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

This is Passport to Texas The Kerr Wildlife Management Area is a research and demonstration site for the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion…and August third begins the first of a three-part monthly series called First Friday Tours. 06—Our First Friday Tours are a series of seminars that we offer annually as part of our outreach program. Wildlife biologist, Ryan Reitz, says the first part of the free series focuses on the basics. 31—We’re starting out with the basics here, on our first part of our three-part series. And we will be discussing those elements of habitat—those things critical in the successful management of any wildlife species: food, water and cover. We’ll be discussing these in detail. We’ll be addressing the diets of native species—and even exotic species. We’ll be discussing how important water is on the landscape. And we’ll be discussing development strategies and cover requirements—how these plants provide both food and cover to our wildlife resources. It’s free to attend, but Reitz says you need a reservation. 13—We do ask that everyone interested in attending call in for reservations. You can call the Kerr WMA. Our office number is 830-238-4483, and sign up for a spot on our First Friday Tours. Again, the First Friday is on August 3. If you’re not in the Edwards plateau ecosystem, go to the TPW website and find your nearest WMA, and programs offered specific to your area. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

This is Passport to Texas Located at the headwaters of the North Fork of the Guadalupe River, the nearly 65-hundred acre Kerr Wildlife Management Area offers more than striking Hill Country scenery. 13—We are a research and demonstration site in the Edwards Plateau ecological region. Our goals out here are to mainly develop and manage wildlife habitats and wildlife populations of indigenous species. Ryan Reitz is a wildlife biologist at The Kerr. 12—Out here you’ll find white tailed deer, Rio Grande turkey, bobwhite quail… We also boast very successful populations of the endangered black capped vireo, golden cheeked warbler, and toe bush fishhook cactus. The Kerr opens its gates to land managers and others interested in wildlife and habitat management in the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion…but other ecoregions also offer programs. 13—Yes. There are Wildlife Management areas throughout our great state of Texas, and they’re established by ecoregion. And you certainly can contact your local wildlife management areas and see what programs and opportunities are provided within that ecoregion. But if you do happen to own or manage land in the Edwards Plateau, the Kerr hosts a First Friday Tour…this Friday. 06—Our First Friday Tours are a series of seminars that we offer annually as part of our outreach program. Details tomorrow. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

This is Passport to Texas If you plan on hunting migratory game birds in Texas this fall, you need to be HIP – HIP certified, that is. HIP stands for Harvest Information Program. 15—It’s purpose is to gain information on waterfowl and migratory bird hunters nationwide. Basically a name and address and a little bit about their previous year’s hunting activity—as well as what they plan on hunting what they plan on hunting in the upcoming year. Kevin Kraai is Waterfowl Program Leader. He says the HIP program helps wildlife professionals improve resource management practices as well as track various waterfowl populations throughout the country. 05—It’s a very useful tool in setting the future year hunting regulations and management decisions. Being a HIP certified waterfowl hunter isn’t just a good idea—it’s the law. 11—Officially it is a requirement by law that every individual that plans on hunting migratory birds in the state of Texas us HIP certified. If you are not HIP certified and you are hunting migratory game birds, you are subject to game violations. We have a link to information about becoming HIP certified at passporttotexas.org. The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and is celebrating 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Passport to Texas Outdoor Stories from TP and Wildlife Philipp Hübner, from Austin, spent his formative years in Tennessee. His outdoor story is about the value of befriending landowners. One of the things that strikes me about the great outdoors is there are so many beautiful places that are on private lands. One of the places that comes to mind is in Central Tennessee, up in the Cumberland Mountains, a place called Hardscrabble Falls, which a friend of mine and I had heard about, but could never find on any maps or any places official. And we finally got some information, where we approached a gentleman by the name of Herman Rector, and asked him about this place. And he said, ‘Oh, yes, indeed it is in my land. And, if you would like to go out and see it, just follow this trail, and once you hear it roaring you will know where you are.’ From there we cultivated a relationship with him, and we were allowed to come in, really, whenever we wanted to. We would show up on a weekend with our camping gear, and head up to the top of the falls, and pitch camp, and have a nice fire, and a great evening or a great weekend. And, from there, we just really grew to appreciate the relationships that people can build with other people that might have beautiful scenery and other attractions on their own private land. So, I’d encourage anybody that has the opportunity to do that, by all means do it. And, enjoy what’s out there. Thanks, Philipp. Visit passportotexas.org and tell us your outdoor story. That’s our show for today… Remember: Life’s Better Outside…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.