July 28, 2009

World Birding Center Sites Known For More Than Birds!

Brownsville, Texas — Some exciting news for entomologists: a new species of tree cricket has been found in the United States. On May 16, 2009, Nancy Collins from Wisconsin and Laurel Symes, a PhD candidate at Dartmouth University, heard a tree cricket sing at Resaca de la Palma State Park and World Birding Center in Brownsville. On a return trip in June they found another cricket at Bentsen Rio Grande State Park, another World Birding Center in Mission. Further analysis by Dr. Thomas J. Walker, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida-Gainesville, revealed that it was an unnamed species of Oecanthus.  Collins says that it will be called Alexander’s tree cricket, in respect of R. D. Alexander who first discovered them in Mexico in the 1960s.

July 24, 2009

TPW Commission Authorizes Crossbows for Early Archery Season

AUSTIN, Texas — In preparation for implementation of new legislation, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has adopted rules allowing hunters to use crossbows during the upcoming special archery-only hunting season and authorizing persons with documented physical disabilities to use laser sighting devices.

July 23, 2009

Free Web Service Connects Hunters With Places To Hunt

AUSTIN, Texas — Research surveys show that finding a place to hunt is a barrier for many people in today’s Texas, which is why Texas Parks and Wildlife Department created the Hunt Texas Online Connection, a free Web service that allows anyone to view hunting opportunities posted by private landowners across the state.

Student Interns Get Feet Wet in World of Texas Coastal Fisheries

AUSTIN, Texas — For the past month and a half, Cynthia Kelly wakes up each morning to a different variety of fish to study or a new slice of coastal habitat near Corpus Christi to explore. She’s one of four student interns working this summer with the Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department up and down the Texas coast.

July 22, 2009

Texas Public Hunts Offer Affordable, Quality Experience

AUSTIN, Texas — Sportsmen looking for an affordable family activity should consider Texas’ public hunting opportunities. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will be offering adult and youth only hunts by special drawing for a wide variety of species. Hunt schedules and applications are available upon request and online now. Don’t miss out on a chance to take a kid hunting.

Native Plant Restoration Set for July 25 at Lake Conroe

CONROE, Texas — This Saturday morning, July 25 on Lake Conroe, state fisheries biologists and volunteers will plant about 150 native plants in protective cages, part of a statewide effort to restore lake vegetation that improves water quality, prevents erosion, and provides high quality habitat (food and shelter) for fish and other wildlife.

July 20, 2009

Master Naturalist Program Seeks Applicants

AUSTIN, Texas — Thirteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program have announced fall training classes for volunteers wanting to help conserve our natural resources.

July 15, 2009

‘Take Me Fishing 101’ Videos Help New Anglers Gear Up

AUSTIN, Texas — You walk into a sporting goods store and see a row of fishing poles hanging from a shelf.  All of them look the same, and you become so overwhelmed that you leave in frustration.  You’ve always wanted to pick up the sport but don’t really know where to even begin.

Texas Moves to Protect Trophy Alligator Gar Fishery

ATHENS, Texas — The 82-inch, 140-pound alligator gar I pulled from the Trinity River in April 2008 will likely remain my fish of a lifetime.

July 10, 2009

NOAA Grant to Restore Galveston Bay Marsh a ‘Happy Surprise’ for State

AUSTIN, Texas — When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publicly announced the last week of June that it was providing $5,148,369 to help restore critical wetlands in West Galveston Bay, the news took Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staffers who wrote the grant request by surprise.