UPDATE-Family Outdoor Adventure Field Day

UPDATE: PRE-REGISTRATIONS WILL NOW BE ACCEPTED THROUGH TUESDAY MAY 13! YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER TO HAVE YOUR LUNCH PROVIDED AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE DRAWING FOR A FREE WEEK AT H.S. ESTELLE 4-H AND YOUTH CAMP!!!

EVENTS WILL CONTINUE COME RAIN OR SHINE SO BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST AND BRING THE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING!
DON'T FORGET YOUR LAWN CHAIRS, PICNIC BLANKETS, SUNSCREEN, AND INSECT REPELLANT!!!

Coming up May 17, 2008!

Prarie View A&M University will host the
Family Outdoor Adventure Field Day.
Youth and adults of all ages are invited to join in a fun-filled day of
outdoor learning and recreation FREE!

The Field Day will be held at the Prairie View A&M University Campus Farm.
Click here for map.
Then click the map to zoom.

Registration and check in will begin at 9:00am, events will begin at 10:00am and run until 3:00pm.


Possible learning and activity stations may include:

• Archery & Texas-National Archery in the Schools Program
  
• Riflery
• Aquatic Ecology & Water Quality
• Wildlife Viewing
• Urban Wildlife
• Wildlife Calls
• Wildlife Tracks
• Hunter Education
• Digital Photo Safari
• Plant Identification
• Basic Survival Skills
• Angler Education
• Casting
• Fishing Knots
• Fly Fishing/Fly Tying
• Birding
• Bird Calls
• Outdoor Cooking
• Camping/Backpacking
• Orienteering
• Kayaking
• WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program)
• Rainwater Harvesting
• Junior Master Gardener
• And Many More!!!!

Many great door prizes will be awarded! Pre-Register by May 13 and be entered in a special door prize drawing for a week at H.S. Estelle 4-H and Youth Camp!

Lunch will be provided for those who pre-register by May 13!!!

For Registration Form Click HERE,
then click Download on the top navigation bar.

Events will continue come rain or shine,
so be sure to check the weather forecast and bring the appropriate clothing!
Don't forget your lawn chairs, picnic blanket, insect repellent, and sun screen!!

For more information or questions contact:

Laci Chapman
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Wildlife & Fisheries-Conservation Education
979-845-5785
rlblanek@ag.tamu.edu

Mail Registration Forms to:

Family Field Day
Laci Chapman
111 Nagle Hall, 2258 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2258

Email Forms to:

Laci Chapman
rlblanek@ag.tamu.edu

Or Fax Forms to:

Family Field Day
Laci Chapman
979-862-7750


Check back for information on these related events:
Youth Field & Stream Camp
Family Field & Stream Weekend

4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program State Contest - Registration Information

The 2008 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program State Contest is scheduled to be held May 3rd. This year's State Contest will be held at the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation off Highway 77 just north of Sinton, Texas; http://www.welderwildlife.org/. This beautiful facility was established in 1954 as a non-profit foundation. The Foundation headquarters and offices are located on a 7,800-acre native wildlife refuge in the Coastal Bend region of the state. The Foundation's research and educational priorities are in the field of wildlife management and conservation and closely related disciplines. Most of the research is accomplished through their graduate student research program initiated in 1956.

The following link will take you to a map of the area, http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=&tab=il. Click on the ‘A’ label and a window will appear to assist you in find directions from your location. Watch for ‘4-H’ or ‘4-H WHEP’ signs on the highway at the entrance and once you have passed through the Foundation gate.

Contest registration is made by the local coach through the 4-H Connect online system; http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/4hconnect/index.html. Contact your local Extension office with any questions regarding setting up that system. Registration payment is made online as well.

Contest check in on site will begin at 7:00 a.m. The contest will begin at 8:00 a.m. The contest will continue into the late afternoon. The revised National WHEP Manual (http://www.whep.org) and procedures will be followed this year. The ecoregion covered will be the Wetlands and Prairie Brushland as described in the WHEP Manual. We will make Junior Age Class modifications to the contest that are not shown in the manual. All contestants are required to provide and carry a clipboard and at least two pencils during the contest. Lunch will not be provided on contest day. However, there will be a lunch break. Due to the distance of the Welder from area restaurants, it is recommended that teams bring in items for lunch that day. There is plenty of room and large oak trees for family picnics. Coaches and families are encouraged to take lawn chairs, food, drinks and anything else that will make you comfortable as your 4-Her competes. Don't forget your binoculars and cameras since wildlife abounds at this beautiful site.

Accommodations for overnight stay are available at the Welder or at hotels in Sinton (about 6 miles).
The accommodations at the Welder are bunkhouse style. The air conditioned bunkhouse has a male side and a female side, each with 18 beds. These beds are bunk beds, so 9 on each side are on top. Space in the bunkhouse can be reserved on a first come, first served basis by sending the number of bunks requested to
lhysmith@tamu.edu. Bunks rates are very affordable and we will collect fees for these on site. Those staying in the bunkhouse will need bed linens or bedrolls, towels, and any other personal items you require.

Hotels in Sinton include:
Best Western Sinton, 8108 US Highway 77 , Sinton, TX, (361) 364-2882
Motel 6, 8154 US Highway 77 , Sinton, TX, (361) 364-1853
Hotel in Odem (Approx 13 miles from Welder Wildlife further south on Hwy 77):
Days Inn, 1505 Voss Ave S (Hwy 77), Odem, TX, (361) 368-2166

Students from Texas A&M - Kingsville will be assisting with the contest procedures as well as providing a variety of fun, educational activities for contestants and their families following the contests. There will be something going on all day.

To learn more about 4-H WHEP and how to become a part of this fun and challenging program learning about the wildlife and wild world around you, contact Larry Hysmith at lhysmith@tamu.edu.

Wildlife Photography - Year Around Opportunities

Photographer: Fred LaBounty, Site: Rio Vista Bluff Ranch, Jan Wheelis, Courtesy of Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 national survey 11.7 million Americans travel for the purpose of photographing wildlife. Technology has fueled increased interest in nature and wildlife photography primarily it seems because many people find digital cameras easier to use and because the image quality has come to equal or exceed that of film for the higher quality digital cameras.

In Texas those interested in conservation and nature tourism have established a creative link by developing sites and wildlife photography contests with the aim of educating the public and rewarding land managers for conservation practices on private land.

April 1, 2008 kicked off the 2^nd Pro Tour of Wildlife Photography by the non-profit organization Images for Conservation. This 1 month contest matched 20 professional nature photographers with 20 private landowners and moves location year to year based on local support. In 2008 the contest is being held in a multi-county region of the Texas Coastal Bend, ie a large area around Corpus Christi, TX. Winning images are awarded cash prizes. Approximately $160,000 in prize money will be split between the winning photographers and their landowner partners. A Book is then made from the winning photographs.

Wildlife Photo Enterprise Workshop at the Martin Refuge

Two similar conservation purposed wildlife photo contests occur in Texas which are open to anyone. The Valley Land Fund – South Texas Shootout which is also underway this spring into June 2008. This contest is held on private lands in deep south Texas. It is held every other year. The coastal bend also holds its nature photography contest every other year on private lands in the coastal bend. This means that there is a contest each year. These contests award between $90,000 and $150,000 in prize money. This encourages landowners to manage for biodiversity and helps generate some of the highest quality wildlife images for the book.

These organizations http://imagesforconservation.org, http://www.wildlifephotocontest.com, http://www.valleylandfund.com/index.php

do much more than just the contest in their conservation and education efforts. In the coastal bend the book of winning photos was used to create a science course curriculum and is being used in area schools resulting in higher test scores! An excerpt from their web site describes the Kitters 4 Kids program.

Kritters 4 Kids provides a set of 25 books for use by a classroom in each participating elementary and middle school in our 14 county service area. K4K meets the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Guidelines (TEKS) and is developed by a teacher, for teachers. The program is taught by the science or biology teacher in grade levels K-5 and Grades 6-8 using two separate curriculum guides. Over the past two years, we have successfully received funding to provide Kritters 4 Kids in over 160 schools across Texas with the help of the community. Kritters 4 Kids is underwritten by conscientious charitable organizations, corporations, and individuals who find value in educating school children about preserving our environment and protecting our animals and plant life.

Capturing the Texas Horned Lizard, La Copita Ranch

Another program for kids & families of all ages utilizing digital cameras is the Digital Photo Safari Scavenger Hunt program developed by Miles Phillips. This kit is used as a 2 hour activity that can be both recreational and educational. Teams of 1-3 people are given a digital camera, a list of items to photograph, a limited area and 30-60 minutes to hunt. Everyone comes back as a group and photos are projected on a screen or television for all to enjoy and learn from. This can be a fee based activity for nature centers, tour operators etc or a free educational program as done by the wildlife education extension program.

In addition to education programs these organization support nature tourism ie market based conservation or ecotourism, agritourism, pick your term. They do this by encouraging and supporting the efforts of private landowners to allow photographers to explore and photograph on their property for a fee. Many landowners have developed wildlife management plans, established photo blinds to make photography easier and more comfortable, & some even offer lodging on site. Photo tour leaders from across the country are taking groups to these private Texas lands for wildlife and nature photos. Landowners have also formed cooperatives to help organize and promote the opportunity for wildlife photographers and viewers.

Texas Agrilife Extension is assisting in the research and education efforts needed to understand how & in what situations wildlife photography and other forms of agricultural diversification through tourism can be economically feasible for landowners while supporting conservation.

Recently the results of a pilot study Wildlife Photography on Private Lands A Market Study Pub # E467 was published by Texas Agrilife Extension Nature Tourism Program

This and other publications and videos on Nature Tourism and Wildlife are available at http://agrilifebookstore.org/publications_search.cfm

For more information on Nature Tourism please see our program web site at http://naturetourism.tamu.edu

Enjoy your outdoors!
Miles Phillips: Nature Tourism Specialist – Texas Agrilife Extension

Urban Deer Management in Texas

Urbanization throughout much of Texas has resulted in diminished wildlife habitat, resulting from fragmented landscapes. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) pose a growing urban wildlife management problem in many cities in Texas and other states. Urban deer can cause economic losses by causing property damage, personal injury in deer-vehicle collisions, and disease risks. Deer populations are growing exponentially in some urban areas due to: the lack of natural predators; no hunting or highly controlled hunting; increased production and survival of offspring; abundant food resources; and tolerance of human activities.

Usually, in urban habitats when deer first appear, residents consider them to be beautiful non-threatening, and a highly valuable wildlife resource. However, when deer become overabundant, conflicts may arise between deer and people. Communities seldom want to completely eliminate the deer population, but any management technique can become a controversial issue. For instance many people want deer to be removed or controlled using nonlethal methods, while other residents will support lethal control methods. Negative encounters, such as deer-vehicle collisions and human-deer encounters, usually receive the highest priority by stakeholders involved in the decision–making process concerning management options. For example, substantial increases in deer-vehicle accidents resulting in property damage, injury, or death will usually tip the balance in favor of more aggressive urban deer herd management plans.

Because of deer population growth in urban communities over the last 20 years, deer management has shifted from management of a game species to an animal that is viewed as a nuisance. This shift has caused a management dilemma for state departments of natural resources. There are a variety of control measures when dealing with rural white-tailed deer, but many of these options cannot be used in urban settings. For example, hunting may not be legal within city limits or are not practical in urban communities.

Urban residents are advised to landscape with plants that deer do not prefer to eat, use exclusion devices, such as fencing and individual plant protection (e.g. plastic netting, wire cages or tree shelters), repellents and deterrents to keep deer from destroying their property. Most importantly, residents are strongly advised not to feed the deer. Many communities practicing deer management programs have implemented a city ordinance which prohibits the feeding of deer, restricts public access to deer control areas, and assigns penalties for damage or destruction of deer control equipment.

Trapping, using drop nets, is a common tool used in many communities facing overabundant deer issues. Once the deer are trapped, there are two options: 1) Trap/Tranquilize, Transport, and Transplant (TTT) and 2) Trap, Transport, and Process (TTP). In order to use any of above urban deer control methods, the city must obtain a permit from the TPWD. If a landowner requests white-tailed deer to restock rangeland, deer may be transported to their location, but only after meeting TPWD guidelines. For TTT methods, before deer are trapped or tranquilized, the TPWD must inspect release sites for sustainable habitat; the landowner must have an an approved Wildlife Management Plan (WMP); and receive Site Information Forms for of every release location. If deer cannot be relocated, trapped animals are taken to a processing plant and the meat is donated to charity food banks. Currently there are seven communities in Texas that practice the TTT or TTP management options.

If you would like more information about urban deer management in Texas please visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site below:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/game_management/overabundant_deer/

Written By:

Jessica Alderson

Graduate Student - TAMU Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Roost Site Selection and Survival of Pen-Reared Northern Bobwhite

Good habitat management is a must for northern bobwhite. Yet, it is easy to drive the roads of Texas and see pastures that have been pushed too far and the lack of plant diversity show signs of compromise. Most often, we notice poor range conditions during times of drought. Yet, as wildlife managers, we better plan strategies that leave rangelands in good condition, even during these stress periods.

In high rainfall years, quail managers look like heroes and the success of habitat management practices are aided by the high reproductive effort of quail, that often double and sometimes triple nest in a single season. However, in dry times, ranch managers are often pressured to produce quail one way or another. Generally, it is at these times that one might consider releasing bobwhites raised in captivity called pen-reared quail for the purpose of bolstering wild populations.

This is not a new technique and since the 1930s, thousands of turkeys, partridges, and quail have been released across the state and few survived very long. Poor body condition, slow flight speed, naivety to predators and food sources have all been studied and suggested as causes to poor survival in the wild.

Little information existed regarding roost site selection by wild quail much less those raised in captivity. We wanted to know if poor choice of roosts could be a limiting factor pen-reared quail.

You will find the results of pilot study in a new publication (L-5477) called, “Roost Site Selection and Survival of Pen-Reared Northern Bobwhite”. If you would like to have a magazine-style copy, it can be purchased ($2.50) from the Texas AgriLife Bookstore, or an electronic file can be downloaded at no cost at this same site.

This publication is 6 pages long, containing 6 major sections, 9 photos, and 1 table. Section 1, the Introduction, provides background information on past efforts to release pen-reared bobwhites and the ranch manger’s dilemma to produce quail even when the habitat is compromised. Section 2, the Study Area, gives the general location of the investigation and common plants found in the area. In Section 3, the Methods, we describe how quail were housed and measured before release. Later we describe the use of radiotelemetry to track the birds over time. Additionally, this section describes how we found roosting locations and the habitat characters we measured at each. Section 4, the Results, provides information on the survival of pen-reared quail in this study and provides insight on the area used by pen-reared quail over the study period. We discuss our results and make comparisons to other studies in the fifth section, called Findings. Finally in the sixth section, Recommendations, we make suggestions for land managers to consider before releasing pen-reared northern bobwhite.

I hope you find this publication useful in your own efforts to enhance habitat for northern bobwhite and the associated plants and animals that will benefit from your land stewardship.

Jim Cathey Ph.D., Certified Wildlife Biologist, Extension Wildlife Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA

Abnormal Eggs in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys

Kyle Melton recently earned a Master of Science degree in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Kyle’s work was part of a series of investigations within the Texas A&M Rio Grande Wild Turkey Research Program. Although his work primarily concerned turkey reproductive success, during field work Kyle observed and reported the production of abnormal eggs in for a hen in Real County, TX.

Runt eggs from a single adult female were observed through 3 nesting events over 2 years. In 2005, runt eggs occurred in her first nesting attempt and a second nesting attempt. In 2006, her first nesting attempt also contained runt eggs. The average mass and volume for runt eggs were 44% smaller than those of normal wild turkey eggs (see below photographs).

Kyle reported that production of runt eggs is common in domesticated gallinaceous birds, yet little information is available on runt egg production in wild gallinaceous birds. To our knowledge, the observations shown in Kyle’s study are the first which indicate that runt egg production occurs in wild turkeys. Kyle’s publication can be found on the Texas A&M University Rio Grande Wild Turkey Project website at http://wfsc.tamu.edu/turkey/Publications.html.

Kyle is now employed as a Wildlife Biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Photos taken in 2005 and 2006 show differences between runt and full-sized Rio Grande wild turkey eggs.

2005

2006

Blog post was written by Justin Dreibelbis.

PVAMU Agricultural Field Day to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Goat Center

By Gabriella Murray, PVAMU Mass Communications Major

Gloria J. Mosby, program director-Communications

PRAIRIE VIEW, TX - Prairie View A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences will host a college wide Agricultural Field Day, Friday, May 2 through Saturday, May 3 for the benefit of agricultural producers, agricultural policy leaders, elected officials and other persons interested in learning the latest agricultural research and farm demonstration techniques. This year’s field day will also commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the university’s International Goat Research Center.

“We are extremely pleased to highlight the 25^th year of our renowned International Goat Research Center and also the 25th year of the Goat Field Day,” said Dr. Freddie L. Richards, dean, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences. “For the past twenty five years our goat center has been the prototype of cutting edge research in the meat and dairy goat industry, not only in the United States, but internationally as well. Currently, we have successfully transferred our educational research concerning goats to our Ethiopian Sheep and Goat Productivity Improvement Program, which is being conducted in eight of twelve regions in Ethiopia.”

The event will be located in the Carden-Waller Extension building and on the University Farm, and will present a variety of activities that will promote both learning and enjoyment.

The Agricultural Field Day’s intent is to combine the Goat Field Day and Small Farm and Ranch Workshop into one fun-filled and educational event. “Recognizing twenty five years of the research and technology development is very significant,” said Dr. Alfred L. Parks, research director, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center. “Over the past twenty five years our small farm producers have learned the managerial skills needed to raise goats for profit and have benefited from the work that our agricultural researchers have done specifically on meat goats.”

The theme of this year’s occasion is “Sustaining Agricultural Communities” and looks to feature events for both young and not-so-young participants.

The festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m., Friday with a High School Career Awareness Day which aims to showcase the multiple careers available in agriculture and the agricultural and human sciences community. The 25^th Anniversary Goat Center Celebration will then follow, which will include a historical exhibition of the Goat Center and viewing and tasting goat products and by-products.

Saturday’s events will feature a presentation by USDA Undersecretary Gale Buchanan and the Goat Kid Giveaway, in which young 4-H participants get the chance to win a goat kid to nurture, raise and breed. The Giveaway program provides an opportunity for young people to eventually contribute a goat kid of their own to a future program.

"Many of these young people who get to keep the kid for a year learn how to care for a goat, keep good 4-H records, learn about leadership development and become more responsible individuals,” said Dr. Nelson Daniels, associate administrator, Cooperative Extension Program. . “They also keep the program running by contributing a new goat kid for a future field day.”

A Goat Barbeque Cook-off will also be featured in Saturday’s agenda. The cook-off will give attendees the chance to sample goat meat and participants the chance to showcase their barbequing expertise.

The day will also provide concurrent sessions that will aid in informing participants of realistic solutions to prominent issues in the agricultural community. These sessions include: Goat Parasites Famacha, Difficult Calving, Goat Management, Goat Parasites, Management of Feral Hogs/Feral Hog Damage, Recordkeeping, Reproduction in Goat Management, Forage Production, and Market Wethers, as well as an informative tour of the University Farm. The day will end with a Goat Auction.

Registration forms are currently available at www.pvamu.edu/agfieldday or at your local Extension office. The registration fee for both adults and children is $10. A separate registration form for high school aged students is also available for those wishing to attend the high school career day at www.pvamu.edu/agfieldday.

Contact the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center at 936/261-5043, the Cooperative Extension Program at 936/261-5137, International Goat Research Center at 936/857-3916, the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at 936/261-2522/2523 or visit www.pvamu.edu/agfieldday for more information.