Dove Hunting in Texas: Baiting Issues

As a kid, I can remember anticipating the opening day of dove season. For me it was the kickoff of the fall hunting season, which meant time well spent in the field with family and friends. We often hunted in farm fields and around stock tanks and really did not do much to grow food for dove. However, times have changed and many people are involved in farming food for dove. Now as a wildlife professional, my colleagues and I always receive questions regarding baiting. Hunters want to know what is legal and what is not. In this new Texas AgriLife Extension Service publication we explore the law, address the confusion about normal agricultural operations, provide information on seed crops for dove, and line out the hunter's responsibility while in the field. We hope you find this resource useful.


Normal Agricultural Operations and Dove Hunting in Texas

Wetland Construction and Management

For many people, wetlands equate to swamps, which bring to mind images of dangerous alligators and snakes. However, wetlands are important systems that contain a vast array of plants and animals. They are as valuable ecologically as they are beautiful. Wetlands serve many functions that rarely are recognized by most people, yet they are vital to human existence. Wetlands help regulate the climate, as well as provide flood and erosion control, while at the same time storing and recycling nutrients. Furthermore, wetlands remove human, livestock, and wildlife waste and protect water quality. They provide habitat for numerous wildlife species and present cultural and recreational opportunities for humans. The objective of this publication is to provide land stewards with the knowledge to perform actions on individual properties to create, restore, or enhance wetlands.

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Linking Water Conservation and Natural Resource Stewardship

As we head into the 21st century, water conservation has quickly become a core issue facing citizens of Texas. Texans commonly hear that demand for water by the human population has already outgrown the supply in Texas. Currently, plans for new reservoir construction or inter-basin transfers of water are increasingly controversial. Many believe that the confrontations are because society may be reluctant to pay for ecological and monetary costs associated with these water supply proposals. Also, rural interests are a growing force demanding more balance in water issues. Fortunately, this factionalized forum brings opportunities for innovations and non-traditional approaches to enhancements for water supplies. The purpose of this publication is to stimulate further creative thinking about opportunities through land stewardship that benefit water and wildlife.


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Rio Grande Wild Turkey Habitat Appraisal

Wildlife management is an integral part of farm and ranch operations throughout much of Texas. Although there is a long tradition of managing solely for livestock, active management focused on enhancing habitat for wildlife populations is gaining momentum. Interest in habitat management for wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) has grown over the last fifteen years as landowners, hunters, and wildlife viewers recognize their actions can impact natural resources. Wild turkey hunting generates millions of dollars annually through direct and indirect economic benefits and therefore represents a valuable resource to landowners.

The Rio Grande wild turkey habitat appraisal guide provides landowners and managers a standardized, systematic method to evaluate current habitat conditions, identify limiting factors, and potentially improve habitat through appropriate management practices throughout the Rio Grande wild turkey’s range in Texas.

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Rio Grande Wild Turkey Biology and Management

Among the birds of North America, it could be argued that few rival the showmanship and vibrant plumage of the wild turkey. The unmistakable gobble and showy tail fan of the tom turkey indicate competition to pass on its genes to the next generation. To many people, the sight of strutting gobblers, as males vie for the attention of hens, is an unforgettable scene in spring.

An understanding of the life history, population dynamics, habitat requirements, and general management of the Rio Grande wild turkey will help land stewards enhance habitat to benefit this bird and many other wildlife species. Texas AgriLife Extension Service has recently released a publication titled "Rio Grande Wild Turkey in Texas: Biology and Management." We hope you enjoy this publication.


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Texas 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Ends The 2009 Contest Season

The Texas 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) ended its annual contest season this spring. 4-H WHEP is an interactive program that teaches youth about wildlife, habitat, habitat management, and natural resources stewardship. 4-H groups meet and study in their local areas. Currently, there are two contests that these groups can attend to test their knowledge and skills against others in the program across the state; the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Contests and the State 4-H WHEP Contest.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo hosts a 4-H WHEP contest in March on the T&M Ranch outside of Richmond on the Brazos River. This contest is divided into two age divisions; Junior and Senior. Taking top Senior team honors and the ownership of the traveling trophy for the year was the Waller County team of Mandy Hegemeyer, Joseph Jones, and Connor King. The top Junior team was also a Waller County team of Baylee Smith, Miranda Jones, and Malorie Hegemeyer. Both top teams are coached by Harvey Laas. The top High Point Individuals were Senior Joseph Jones, Waller County, and Junior Madeline Maske, Grimes County.

Further awards were earned as follows:

• Senior teams – 2nd Place Fayette County, 3rd Place Fayette County, 4th Place Washington County, and 5th Place Galveston County.

• Junior teams – 2nd Place Waller County, 3rd Place Grimes County, 4th Place Washington County, and 5th Place Galveston County.

• Senior Individuals – 2nd Connor King, 3rd Mandy Hegemeyer, 4th Patrick Jones, 5th Haley Woelfel, 6th Casey Lange, 7th Kasey Ullrich, 8th Codie Lange, 9th Kelley Ullrich, and 10th Lorin Williams.

• Junior Individuals – 2nd Malorie Hegemeyer, 3rd Miranda Jones, 4th Baylee Smith, 5th Jakob Mielke, 6th Ryan King, 7th John Phillip Jones, 8th William Corn, 9th Austin Derkowski, and 10th Robert Brumbaugh.

Other coaches responsible for these and other contest participants include Wanda Busse, Grimes County, Laura Stone, Galveston County, Joy Nutt and Dave Redden, Washington County, and Bobby and Lanette Williams, Fayette County.

The State 4-H WHEP Contest was held in April at the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) run by the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The staff of the Gus Engeling WMA hosted this year’s event just north of Palestine. During part of the day the staff toured everyone through their wildlife management practices and the equipment used giving the WHEP group a better feel for the real work that goes into wildlife habitat management.

This year’s contest held three age divisions; Junior, Intermediate and Senior.

Top Senior honors went to the Fayette County team of (l to r) Codie Lange, Lorin Williams, Kelley Ullrich, Ryan Janda, and coach Bobby Williams (Larry Hysmith, Texas 4-H WHEP Coordinator, far right). This team took home the Byron Wright Memorial Traveling Trophy for the year and will also represent Texas 4-H this summer at the National 4-H WHEP Contest to be held in Zwolle, Louisiana.

The top Intermediate team honors went to the Galveston County team of (l to r) Sam Clark, Robert Brumbaugh, Jimmy Stone, and coach Laura Stone.

Second place Intermediate team went to the Waller County team of (l to r, front) Malorie Hegemeyer, Miranda Jones, Baylee Smith, Jakob Mielke, and coach Harvey Laas (back left).

The top Junior team honors were presented to the Grimes County team of (l to r) Kohlton Harding, Kaitlyn Harding, Jonathan Biehle, and coach Wanda Busse.

High point individuals included:

• Seniors – 1st Place Patrick Jones, 2nd Place Ryan Janda, 3rd Place Codie Lange, 4th Place Connor King, and 5th Place Kelley Ullrich

• Intermediates – 1st Place Jimmy Stone, 2nd Place Sam Clark, 3rd Place Malorie Hegemeyer, 4th Place Robert Brumbaugh, and 5th Place Miranda Jones

• Juniors - 1st Place Kaitlyn Harding, 2nd Place Kohlton Harding, 3rd Place John Phillip Jones, 4th Place Jason Stone, and 5th Place Keith Waters

Other coaches responsible for contestants of the 2009 State Contest include Kristen Greer, Anderson County.

A special thanks goes to the following for their contributions to the 2009 4-H WHEP season:
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Judging Contests Committee
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Texas Wildlife Association
Student Chapter of the Conservation Biology Society, Texas A&M University, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department
Wildlife and Forestry Students, Stephen F. Austin State University
Henderson County Landowner Wildlife Cooperative
Wes Littrell, Assistant Manager, Gus Engeling WMA
Renae Ross, Student Intern, Texas A&M University

Look for more activities, events, and information for 4-H WHEP at wildlife.tamu.edu or http://www.wild-wonderings.blogspot.com/ or contact Larry Hysmith at lhysmith@tamu.edu.

After CRP: Wildlife, Farming and Grazing Conferences

So, you're thinking about the future management of the land that you currently have under a CRP contract? You're considering various alternatives, would like to know what others exist, and wonder what impact each might have on land value and good land stewardship? What about the effect, if any, on the future eligibility for USDA farm programs?

AgriLife Extension-coordinated "After CRP: Wildlife, Farming and Ranching" conferences will assist landowners and managers who hold Conservation Reserve Program contracts with the decisions associated with whether or not to re-enroll, and the enterprises and practices to follow. Those contemplating or involved in buying or selling CRP land, agency personnel, educators, and various others with an interest in sound land management will likewise benefit from the program.

Conference partners include Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and Texas Wildlife Association (TWA).

3 General CEUs will be offered toward Pesticide Applicator re-certification. Lunch, refreshments, and conference materials provided with registration.

For more information about this conference, please contact Ken Cearley at 806-651-5760

Written by Ken Cearley, Program Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

AfterCRPflyer Draft 5 18 09

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