AUSTIN – Communities in Texas will be healthier and more engaged with their natural surroundings thanks to grants awarded through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). This opportunity will create 10 grant partnerships, totaling $290,000, supporting community-based conservation and outdoor recreation activities throughout the State.
AUSTIN— Park rangers from around Texas, including the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Outreach Program and the Texas Outdoor Family staff, are debuting a new series of virtual programs celebrating Black History throughout the month of February. The series will culminate in a live, interactive Black History Trivia Challenge for the public at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) law enforcement reports.
AUSTIN — According to the 2019 Texas Hunting Incident Analysis, Texas has seen a substantial decrease in hunting-related accidents and fatalities since Hunter Education became mandatory in 1988. That year, over 18,000 Texans received their Hunter Education certification, but 12 fatalities and 70 accidents were still reported throughout the state. As more Texans have taken to the field and obtained their Hunter Education certification, these numbers have improved, with over 56,000 certifications in 2019 and only 1 fatality, and 21 accidents, reported statewide.
AUSTIN – Grab your fishing poles and mark your calendars for December 5-15 to participate in Trout Fest 2020 at Cal Young Park Pond in Abilene. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is teaming up with the City of Abilene to host the event that is open to anglers of all ages.
AUSTIN — Hunting season throughout Texas is already in full swing but Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Community Archery Program aims to help future hunters prepare for next season or find a hobby with archery sports. Adaptive and accessible to most any audience, the program helps to facilitate the spread of archery skills to those hoping to bring home a meal of wild game, competitive archers and even target shooters who simply enjoy the social and health benefits that the sport has to offer.
AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) received the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Award during the 74th meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) held virtually Oct. 26-28.
AUSTIN— Los biólogos del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas pronostican una temporada exitosa de venado cola blanca en muchas regiones del estado. Aunque las condiciones se van secando, las lluvias de septiembre ayudaron a crear una abundancia de hierbas y arbustos de alta calidad. Ambos son críticos para la nutrición del venado.
AUSTIN— Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists predict a fruitful white-tailed deer season in many regions of the state. Although conditions are drying statewide, rains in September helped to create an abundance of quality forbs and shrubs, both of which are critical for providing good deer nutrition.
ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is teaming up with the Henderson County Food Pantry this November to help feed the hungry. In honor of the first Sharelunker, “Ethel” who was caught on November 26, 1986, the “Ethelsgiving Feed the Hungry, Feed the Fish” food drive will begin November 1 and run throughout the month at the Athens facility.