My son and I spent much of this past weekend deer hunting and watching animals of all sorts. We listened to the honks of geese as they migrated to the Texas Gulf Coast and we wondered how many blue-winged teal made the whistling sounds as the passed over our heads. Both of these observations were surprises as we were not in duck country, but sometimes Mother Nature throws a curve ball just to keep you thinking about biological processes. We were happy seeing the Rio Grande wild turkeys and watching squirrels chase one another, but like any deer hunters we had high anticipation of finding a nice mature buck.
My son has been on most field excursions since he was 4 years old. For those rare hunting or fishing trips that he missed, he was none too happy with being left behind - then and now! He is nearly 12 and has been a student of wildlife over that time and is an accomplished hunter at his young age. Even so, my son was unaware that he was following one of the prescriptions expressed by biologists and leaders of the Quality Deer Management Association. He let several young bucks “walk” and by passing up these deer he had the opportunity to take a nice mature 8 point. Perhaps those young bucks we saw will grow to become old “mossyhorns” of the future.
Now, understand that he has taken smaller bucks in times past, but his growing appreciation for mature deer is taking shape. That is what I want as a father and a fellow huntsman, as he is cultivating a hunter ethic that is in sync with mine and a growing number of other hunters and managers. I anticipate that he will learn more about the biology and skills needed to manage for age structure and more importantly the habitat, but for now he has an appreciation for waiting on the right animal to come along. Young Mr. Cathey will likely become a life-long student of wildlife including white-tailed deer. It is important that he learns information from science-based sources and melds data to form his own opinions and conservation ethics.
Spending time in the outdoors with friends and family is important from a lot of different aspects, but seeing things that make you wonder and then seeking out information to explain them leads one to become a much more knowledgeable person. If you consider yourself a student of nature and deer management, consider attending QDMA’s 2010 Deer Steward I course, held February 25-28, 2010 in Kingsville, TX. Much of the program will be given by some of my friends and respected colleagues from the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. Topics include herd, habitat, and hunter management and much more. For more specifics, please see the agenda at QDMA's web-site.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Cat Spring workshop to address quail restoration
Blackland Prairies, Post Oak Savanna, Coastal Prairies areas will be the focus
By: Paul Schattenberg, 210-467-6575
Contact(s): Dr. Jim Gallagher, 830-278-9151, JFGallagher@ag.tamu.edu
CAT SPRING -- Helping landowners and others understand reduced quail habitat in the Blackland Prairies, Post Oak Savanna and Coastal Prairies of Texas and how they might be restored is the focus of the Texas Quail Study Group workshop.
The workshop will take place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Cat Spring, about one hour west of Houston.
According to Dr. Jim Gallagher, Texas AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist based in Uvalde and workshop presenter, Washington County and the surrounding area were once billed as "the quail capitol of Texas." However, over the past century, much of the quail habitat has been converted to other uses and quail populations in the region have plummeted.
"We want to give folks a better understanding of what kind of landscape quail require and examine the things that have been done to try to restore their habitat and populations," Gallagher said.
The workshop begins Sept. 30 with a full-day session at the Cat Spring Ag Society Hall, 13035 Hall Road. Discussion topics include quail habitat and population management and restoration techniques, economic considerations in restoration, and landowner co-operation in quail restoration.
There will be a half-day field session on Oct. 1, during which participants will look at habitat restoration techniques on the ground and go through a habitat evaluation exercise.
Registration is $50 by Sept. 14 and $75 thereafter, and includes two meals, refreshments and a copy of the proceedings. A registration form is available from the Texas Wildlife Association at http://www.texas-wildlife.org/files/TQSG_catspring_2009.pdf.
For more information, contact Gallagher at 830-278-9151 or JFGallagher@ag.tamu.edu , or Justin Dreibelbis at 512-551-3004 or jdreibelbis@texas-wildlife.org .
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Using Remote-Sensing Cameras In Wildlife Management
Presented by Billy Higginbotham (Professor and Wildlife & Fisheries Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service)
August 27, 2009 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM (Central)
First time users please attend the "Participant's Orientation" session to become familiar
with the webinar interface. This will start at 11:45 am.
One of the best advances in technology for hunters and wildlife managers is the remote-
sensing camera. Historically,these cameras have primarily been used to "photo capture"
numerous species of wildlife along game trails, food plots and feeding stations. However,
they also can be extremely useful management tools for estimating population size, fawn
crop and sex ratios of white-tailed deer, monitor non-target species occurrence and use
of food supplies and even help landowners formulate a battle plan in the continuing war
on feral hogs!
Join us to learn how to put your camera to work to do more than simply
scout your wildlife!
CFEs: 1 hours of SAF CFE Category I credits have been requested
** Make sure to enter your contact information in the CFE request form **
To participate, visit: http://forestrywebinar.net
Join us by simply logging in
No registration required
North Texas Wildlife & Fisheries Management Course
By: Mike Jackson, 972-952-9232, mcjackson@ag.tamu.edu
Contact(s): Ken Johnson, 817-884-1946, kdjohnson@ag.tamu.edu
Billy Higginbotham, 903-834-6191, b-higginbotham@tamu.edu
The program will take place in
The program is open to the public, said Ken Johnson, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in
The registration fee is $75 until Sept. 11 and $100 thereafter, Johnson said. The fee includes lunch, snacks during a break and a copy of the proceedings.
Participants may register online at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu , he said. Search the site for “wildlife” or register through the September calendar. Participants may also register by calling AgriLife Extension’s conference services at 979-845-2604 or by contacting Johnson directly at 817-884-1946 or kdjohnson@ag.tamu.edu .
State-licensed pesticide applicators can earn three continuing education units: one in integrated pest management; one in laws and regulations; and one in the general category, Johnson said.
Topics to be discussed at the “Managing Wildlife and Fisheries Resources on Rural Lands” programs include:
-- Brush Management Guidelines to Promote Quail Habitat.
--Wetland Management for Attracting Waterfowl.
-- Managing for Doves.
-- Wild Turkey Management.
-- Shortening the Time Between Bites – Pond Management. -- White-tailed Deer Management.
-- Obtaining a Wildlife Property Tax Valuation – Is It for Me?
-- Feral Hog Control – What’s Legal and What’s Not?
“The program covers a wide range of vital issues that are important to anyone who manages public or privately owned land,” said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension specialist for wildlife and fisheries based in Overton.
Sessions, including open discussions, will be led by experts from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Managing Wildlife and Fisheries Resources on Rural Lands
Sponsored by
Friday, September 18, 2009- Tarrant Co. Ext. Office,
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Welcome and Purpose
Ken Johnson –
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Brush Management Guidelines to Promote Quail Habitat
Dale Rollins, Extension Wildlife Specialist
9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Wetland Management for Attracting Waterfowl
Jim Cathey, Extension Wildlife Specialist
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Managing for Doves
Dale Rollins, Extension Wildlife Specialist
10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Wild Turkey Management
Jim Cathey, Extension Wildlife Specialist
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. Shortening the Time Between Bites--Pond Management
Billy Higginbotham, Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Lunch (Catered)
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. White-tailed Deer Management
Jim Cathey, Extension Wildlife Specialist
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Obtaining A Wildlife Property Tax Valuation -Is It For Me?
Jim Cathey, Extension Wildlife Specialist
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Feral Hog Control-What’s Legal and What’s Not!
Billy Higginbotham, Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist
4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Question and Answer Session
All Speakers
4:15 p.m. Administer Evaluation and Adjourn
Ken Johnson,
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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
Normal Agricultural Operations and Dove Hunting in Texas
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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.
Wetlands SP316
Wetlands SP316
Friday, June 12, 2009
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.
Trinity River SP318
Trinity River SP318
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