Texas Wildlife - A Thriving Habitat - January 2022

MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

A Thriving

Habitat

JANUARY 2022

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TEXAS WILDLIFE

CEO COMMENTS JUSTIN DREIBELBIS

Texas Wildlife Association Mission Statement Serving Texas wildlife and its habitat, while protecting property rights, hunting heritage, and the conservation efforts of those who value and steward wildlife resources.

M

OFFICERS

y first 60 days on the job have been an enjoyable whirlwind. I’ve seen our staff plan and execute events to engage our members in different communities. I’ve been able to work side by side with our volunteer leaders to represent the organization on tough natural resource issues in front of legislative committees, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and the Texas Animal Health Commission.

I’ve seen our TWA Foundation trustees roll up their sleeves and raise large amounts of money for our Conservation Legacy and Hunting Heritage programs. And I’ve gotten to see a young group of TWA leaders organize and come together to begin planning for the future of the organization. And I've seen our members open their gates, calendars and check books to support the organization's mission. I can honestly say that after my first two months on the job, I’m extremely excited about TWA’s bright future.

None of the good stuff above happens without a large group of passionate members. Our membership serves as TWA's eyes and ears across the state. They represent us locally and they support us statewide.

An engaged membership is a relevant membership and that helps us in the legislature, in our education programs, our hunting programs, and in our fundraising efforts through the Foundation and the Association. It’s all connected, so it is important that we build our ranks and that we stay engaged in the issues.

Over the next year we plan to host at least two events in each TWA region, and I would urge each one of our members to commit to recruiting a new member and bringing the newcomer to an event. Please reach out to us if you are interested in hosting an event in your community and we will provide the resources to plan and execute that event.

Please sign up a friend as a TWA member in 2022 so that we can build our ranks and be even more effective in the coming years.

Thanks for all you do for TWA. Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2022!

Sarah Biedenharn, President, San Antonio Jonathan Letz, Vice President, Comfort Dr. Louis Harveson, Second Vice President for Programs, Alpine Nyle Maxwell, Treasurer, Georgetown For a complete list of TWA Directors, go to www.texas-wildlife.org

PROFESSIONAL STAFF/CONTRACT ASSOCIATES Administration & Operation Justin Dreibelbis, Chief Executive Officer Quita Hill-Haynes, Director of Finance and Operations Shannon Hasan, Office Administrator

Outreach & Member Services David Brimager, Director of Public Relations Kristin Parma, Membership Coordinator

Conservation Legacy and Hunting Heritage Programs Kassi Scheffer-Geeslin, Director of Formal Education Elanor Dean, Conservation Education Specialist Peggy Maxwell, Conservation Education Specialist Gwen Eishen, Conservation Educator Adrienne Paquette, Conservation Educator Elisa Velador, Conservation Educator Ali Kuehn, Conservation Educator Caroline Langston, Conservation Educator Susannah Becken, Conservation Legacy Program Assistant Marla Wolf, Curriculum Specialist Iliana Peña, Director of Conservation Programs Amanda Gobeli, Conservation Education Specialist Chad Timmons, Conservation Education Specialist COL(R) Chris Mitchell, Texas Youth Hunting Program Director Bob Barnette, TYHP Field Operations Coordinator Briana Nicklow, TYHP Field Operations Coordinator Kim Hodges, TYHP Program Coordinator Sherry Herrington, TYHP Administrative Assistant Kara Starr, Texas Big Game Awards Program Coordinator

Texas Wildlife Association Foundation TJ Goodpasture, TWAF Director of Development

Advocacy Joey Park, Legislative Program Coordinator

Texas Wildlife Association

TEXAS WILDLIFE is published monthly by the Texas Wildlife Association, 6644 FM 1102, New Braunfels, TX 78132. E-mail address: twa@texas-wildlife.org. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Wildlife Association, 6644 FM 1102, New Braunfels, TX 78132. The Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) was organized in 1985 for the purpose of serving as an advocate for the benefit of wildlife and for the rights of wildlife managers, landowners and hunters in educational, scientific, political, regulatory and legislative arenas. TEXAS WILDLIFE is the official TWA publication and has widespread circulation throughout Texas and the United States. All rights reserved. No parts of these magazines may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without express written permission from the publisher. Copyrighted 2022 Texas Wildlife Association. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Texas Wildlife Association. Similarities between the name Texas Wildlife Association and those of advertisers or state agencies are coincidental, and do not indicate mutual affiliation, unless clearly noted. TWA reserves the right to refuse advertising.

4 TEXAS WILDLIFE

JANUARY 2022

6644 FM 1102 New Braunfels, TX 78132 www.texas-wildlife.org (210) 826-2904 FAX (210) 826-4933 (800) 839-9453 (TEX-WILD)

Texas Wildlife

MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

JANUARY VOLUME 37

H

8 A Thriving Habitat

NUMBER 9

H

2022

30 Pond Management

by ELLEN H. BRISENDINE

Two Important Measurements for Managing Ponds

16 Hunting Heritage

by MICHAEL D. PORTER

What Animals Qualify For TBGA?

32 Quail Benediction

by KARA STARR

by STEVE NELLE

18 Lessons From Leopold

34 Bipartisan Bill Helps Fund

Acts of Conservation

by STEVE NELLE

Conservation and Economic Growth

by ANDREANA LOZANO

20 Conservation Legacy

Land Leasing Help Is on the Way

38 The Science of Connection

by AMANDA GOBELI

by TAMRA BOLTON

22 Members In Action

44 Wildscaping

The Wild Side of Cooking

by KRISTIN PARMA

by KRISTIN PARMA

50 Texas Brigades

24 Borderlands News

Examining Primary Forages, Diet Selection and Parasites in Scaled Quail of the Trans-Pecos

by ZOE R. CARROLL and RYAN S. LUNA

Learning by Doing

by CAMPBELL CAGE

54 Outdoor Traditions

Walking, Not Running, Into 2022

by SALLIE LEWIS

28 Guns & Shooting

Scope Secrets for Hunters

by STAN SKINNER

Magazine Staff

Photo by Russell A. Graves

MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION

On the Cover The quail decline has perplexed hunters, biologists, landowners and everyone else who enjoys listening to Gentleman Bob call muster. To drill down into the many and varied facets of quaildom, Dr. Dale Rollins established the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch (RPQRR) at Roby, Texas in 2007. Here’s a look at where the ranch is today, written by veteran ag writer Ellen H. Brisendine, which starts on page 8

MAGAZINE CORPS Justin Dreibelbis, Executive Editor Burt Rutherford, Consulting Publications Coordinator/Editor

Photo by Russll A. Graves

Lorie A. Woodward, Special Projects Editor David Brimager, Advertising Director

JANUARY 2022

A Thriving

Habitat

Publication Printers Corp., Printing, Denver, CO

WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG

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TEXAS WILDLIFE

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

FOR INFORMATION ON HUNTING SEASONS, call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (800) 792-1112, consult the 2021-2022 Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual, or visit the TPWD website at tpwd.state.tx.us.

JANUARY

JUNE

JULY

JANUARY 23 Kids Gone Wild! Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. For more information, visit www.fwssr.com.

JUNE 4 Texas Big Game Awards Sportsman’s Celebration, Thompson Student Center, Tarleton State University, Stephenville. For more information,visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.

JULY 15 Statewide Texas Big Game Awards Banquet, during TWA’s Annual Convention, WildLife 2022, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. For more information, contact David Brimager at (800) 839-9453 or dbrimager@texas-wildlife.org.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 10-28 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

For more information, visit www. sarodeo.com.

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 20 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com.

MAY MAY 21 Texas Big Game Awards Sportsman's Celebration, Brazos Expo Center, College Station. For more information, visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.

JUNE 25 Texas Big Game Awards Sportsman’s Celebration, Fiddler’s on the Gruene, New Braunfels. For more information, visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.

JULY JULY 14-17 WildLife 2022, TWA’s 37th Annual Convention, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. For more information, contact David Brimager at (800) 839-9453 or dbrimager@texas-wildlife.org.

TEXAS WILDLIFE

C O N S E R VAT I O N L E G A C Y Y O U T H P R O G R A M M I N G VISIT THE PROGRAM PAGES ONLINE AT www.texas-wildlife.org/program-areas/category/youth for specifics and registration information.

YOUTH DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS: • Youth Videoconferences are live interactive presentations featuring Texas wildlife species.

Offered throughout the semester, classes connect via videoconference equipment or Zoom.

• On-demand Webinars are recorded interactive presentations about natural resources and wildlife conservation topics and are available anytime on the TWA website.

WILDLIFE BY DESIGN ACROSS TEXAS CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS: • (Virtual) Wildlife by Design Across Texas is for schools outside of the areas served by TWA educators (DFW area, Greater Houston area, South Texas and West Texas). Programs are offered on a set schedule and registration is required in advance.

Critter Connections are now available in a readalong format. Recordings of past issues are available online and are created for each new issue.

6 TEXAS WILDLIFE

JANUARY 2022

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A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

Quail hunter numbers have followed the quail population in decline, Kubecka said. “If you look at some of the trends for the Rolling Plains, we're down 85 percent in hunters just within the last 25 to 30 years.” Hunters provide more than 95 percent of funding for RPQRF and many other conservation efforts.

8 TEXAS WILDLIFE

JANUARY 2022

A THRIVING HABITAT Article by ELLEN H. BRISENDINE

T

hings are changing at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, Roby, Texas. New buildings, a new executive director and a well-known leader in a new role indicate the ranch is gearing up for several more years of providing useful information to landowners, managers and hunters about all things quail.

A new 6,400-square-foot headquarters will allow the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation (RPQRF), the ranch's owner, to keep doing its important work—supporting its constituents by conducting research and educating all who seek knowledge

about quail, quail hunting and strengthening the community of quail enthusiasts.

RPQRF’s mission is to preserve Texas’ heritage of wild quail hunting for this, and future, generations. Brad Kubecka, named executive director in June 2021, intends to continue meeting this mission by making sure the work is relevant to those constituents.

RPQRF was founded in 2007 by Dr. Dale Rollins with the generosity of the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Conservation Fund.

WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG

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A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

Photo by Russell A. Graves

RPQRF serves a variety of constituents—landowners, managers and hunters. Their questions keep Kubecka and his team aware of the challenges the landowners are facing. If one landowner has a quail issue, probably others have the same or similar problem. Field days, seminars, podcasts and publications help to share pragmatic solutions.

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Rollins is an internationally recognized authority on quail, having served a distinguished and productive career as professor and Extension wildlife specialist for Texas AgriLife Extension, based in San Angelo, from 1987 to 2013. He retired from that career in August 2013 but returned as the program coordinator for Texas A&M’s Reversing the Quail Decline initiative.

Rollins served as the Foundation’s executive director until 2021, when he moved to the position of director of outreach for RPQRF, doing what he always seems to love best—reaching out to landowners, hunters and the world about quail.

Kubecka began his years with RPQRF as an intern in 2013 while earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management at Tarleton State University. He continued working with Rollins and the ranch while studying for his Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Kubecka has served on the graduate committee for RPQRF’s Erath County bobwhite translocation and helped establish the Western Pineywoods Quail Program, a Tall Timbers regional quail program based in East Texas.

Kubecka earned his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia while serving as western game bird director with Tall Timbers, a Florida-based land trust recognized as the home of the study of fire ecology and an advocate of prescribed fire for land management. It is also recognized as one of the nation’s leading land trusts.

Kubecka, originally from Flatonia, Texas, did not grow up quail hunting. But meeting Rollins sparked his interest in the birds. Rollins helped Kubecka find his first two bird dogs.

A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

“My whole academic upbringing was in Texas with Texas quail in South Texas and West Texas. I decided for my Ph.D. that I was either going to do something completely different and stay in Texas or move somewhere completely different and do something similar,” he said. “But I had a passion for game birds, and specifically quail,” and found an opportunity to continue his education and his passion by sharing his time with Tall Timbers and RPQRF. This move to the Southeastern U.S. for his Ph.D. studies has broadened Kubecka’s perspective on quail management and quail science, he said. “These experiences—seeing the different ecosystems in which the birds can grow, and the different management techniques the landowners use to grow healthy quail populations in environments that are completely different from Texas—have been incredibly helpful and are giving me a deeper understanding of quail management.”

CONSTITUENTS AND CORE AREA Given the name, Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, it’s clear the core area of interest for the RPQRF's research and outreach is the Rolling Plains ecoregion of West Texas and up into the Panhandle. The ranch at Roby is conveniently situated northwest of Abilene.

Landowners and quail managers are part of the constituents the staff serves, as are hunters. Kubecka said, “Our mission specifically includes the preservation of wild quail hunting.

We have a lot of hunters who lease land in West Texas, and we have the public land hunters—the folks who visit the Matador Wildlife Management Area and other WMAs in the region.

They don't have a lease and they don't own land, but they are devoted quail hunters.”

This variety of constituents provides Kubecka and the RPQRF staff a variety of opinions and perspectives. “Such a dynamic constituency really drives the research and work we do,” he said.

Those questions keep Kubecka aware of the challenges the landowners are facing. If one landowner has a quail issue, probably others have the same or similar problem. “There are common denominators across the Rolling Plains and things that we can help (landowners) with,” he said.

RPQRF staff are involved in a number of research projects at any given time such as supplemental feeding, and the continuing translocation projects with Scaled Quail in Kent County and Northern Bobwhite Quail in Erath County. Research details can be found on their website, www.quailresearch.org.

Dr. Dale Rollins is the new director of outreach for RPQRF, doing what he always seems to love best—reaching out to landowners, hunters and the world about quail. Rollins served as the Foundation’s executive director from its beginning in 2007 to 2021.

STAFF LEADERSHIP TEAM Brad Kubecka – Executive Director Dr. Dale Rollins – Director of Outreach Phil Lamb – Director of Development Daniel King – Director of Operations Becky Ruzicka – Research Scientist and Doctoral Candidate John Palarski – Research Associate

Brad Kubecka stepped into the executive director role at Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation in June 2021.

WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG

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Photo courtesy of David Sams

A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

Among the many things happening at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch near Roby is the construction of a new headquarters building that began the summer of 2021. Present at the groundbreaking were (left to right) Joe Crafton, Board president; Brad Kubeck, RPQRF executive director; Stephen Howard, director; Jay Stine, executive director of the Quail Coalition; Dr. Dale Rollins, RPQRF director of outreach, and; Gary Cooney, director.

Thanks to support from private donors and the Park Cities Quail Coalition, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation will have new headquarters facilities where the team can continue research, host students, offer space for meetings and conferences, and much more. “We are excited to have the new facility being built at the ranch. We have training sessions, workshops and all sorts of events already on the calendar,” Kubecka said.

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One such project is helping landowners develop methods to control prickly pear in Texas wintergrass communities. “I don’t want to overshadow any of our other research efforts, but this one is a good example of relevant research for landowners,” he explained.

“Those communities are quite pervasive across the Rolling Plains, in particular Texas wintergrass. We know more than just one person has this issue, so this is the kind of problem we work on,” he said.

Quail use prickly pear for nesting and a food source. “But once it gets to a certain point, prickly pear can become detrimental, which is not good for quail because it could stifle other, more desirable plants,” he said.

Recalling the two components of a successful quail management program— knowing how to grow birds and

If the amount of acreage calls for it, helicopter surveys can be very effective at estimating wildlife populations out on the ranch. Kubecka and his team have other techniques suited for ranches of various acreages.

Photo by Joseph Richards

knowing how to hunt them—Kubecka said, “Excessive prickly pear tends to be despised by dog trainers and owners, because of the possible injuries to the dogs and its tendency to limit areas where dogs can hunt.”

Wintergrass can also injure dogs.

“When dogs are running, they can get the awns from the wintergrass in their nose, and it becomes problematic. Quail will use wintergrass for nesting, up to a certain point, but once it becomes homogeneous and dense across the landscape, it becomes an issue,” he said.

Another variable in researching prickly pear and wintergrass management is just that—variety. “The landowners might have the same goals to grow quail, but every property is different. Their tools are different. One person might have a roller chopper and their neighbor might have another piece of equipment.”

What’s more, different landowners have different budgets, he acknowledged. “We are learning a lot from the landowners and managers because they are innovative in how they accomplish the same goal,” and how they use the many tools and options to reach their goal.

RPQRF researchers widely share the information and answers they find, “either in the form of publications, technical publications, by podcast and on social media,” Kubecka said. “We provide information through several outlets. We can say, ‘Here is a pervasive problem that we know occurs across most of the Rolling Plains. If this happens to be a problem on your ranch, this is what we found to be a possible pragmatic solution.’"

Photo by Russell Graves

A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joe Crafton – President Gary Cooney – Director Dan Craine – Director Pete Delkus – Director Dwayne Elmore – Director Russell Gordy – Director Stephen Howard – Director Raymond Morrow – Director Steve Snell – Director Rick Snipes – Director Justin Trail – Director

Continuing research, starting new research, reinstating popular educational programs and statewide educational meetings, collaborating with other quail research initiatives around the country, building a new headquarters building, and developing an endowed chair—the RPQRF group has a tremendous amount of work to accomplish, and they are excited.

WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG

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RPQRF’s regional quail monitoring program is another way Kubecka and his team gather and share relevant information to the landowners and hunters.

“I think this project will help us develop a sense of community in the Rolling Plains,” Kubecka said, because the Foundation staff will be in contact with area landowners throughout the year to help identify limiting factors within and among ranches and help identify potential solutions through its research.

“Our research is driven by what the managers, hunters, and public land users think is important. The only way to know what's relevant is to get on the ground and start talking with folks and consistently be out there on the range,” he said.

Research is the basic purpose of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch at Roby, Texas. Visit www.quailresearch.org to learn what this group of scientists and their supporters are working on.

Photo by Brad Kubecka

STUDYING THE HUNTER EXPERIENCE “Our mission is to preserve wild quail hunting for this, and future, generations,” Kubecka said. “One part of the equation is growing the birds and knowing something about them.

The other part of it is hunt success and driving that tradition.

Also, when we learn a little bit more about the hunting process from a scientific standpoint, that always seems relevant to our constituents. So, there's going to be some hunting research coming up,” he said.

Quail hunter numbers have followed the quail population in decline, Kubecka said. “If you look at some of the trends for the Rolling Plains, we're down 85 percent in hunters just within the last 25 to 30 years.” Hunters provide more than 95 percent of funding for RPQRF and many other conservation efforts.

While working on his research at Texas A&M UniversityKingsville, Kubecka evaluated tools used to estimate quail populations. “You might think it would be easy to count the

Photo by Jonathan Vail

A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

Managing for quail can also mean managing for successful hunts. Brad Kubecka, executive director of the RPQRF, said researchers at the ranch at Roby are helping landowners manage the environment to reduce possible injuries to hunting and herding dogs, such as awns from winter grass or spines from prickly pear.

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A T H R I V I N G H A B I TAT

FOUNDATION GROWTH AND GOALS With 15 years in the bag, one might consider the RPQRF to be an established entity, but Kubecka sees untapped potential and room to grow.

One of the most exciting things in the works is the new headquarters. According to its website, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch's quail habitat is opulent. The 1940s farmhouse and shipping container facility that houses the RPQRF? Not so opulent. That is changing thanks to the support of private donors and the Park Cities Quail Coalition The new buildings will be the James R. Currie Research Center with laboratory, staff offices and meeting space; the Park Cities Quail Coalition Education Center for hosting students,

RPQRF staff are involved in a number of research projects at any given time such as supplemental feeding, and the continuing translocation projects with Scaled Quail in Kent County and Northern Bobwhite Quail in Erath County. Research details can be found on their website, www.quailresearch.org.

Photo by Joseph Richards

number of wild animals in a system, but inevitably, we fail to detect a large portion of the population,” he said.

“For my master's degree, we looked at different indices— spring call counts, fall covey counts, roadside surveys, helicopter surveys, banding of birds, things of that nature. We found the best estimators for land managers are helicopters surveys on large-acreage rangelands. Of course, helicopter surveys aren't very practical for smaller acreages. The next best tool was the fall covey counts.”

Once the landowner has a good population estimate, Kubecka said research prescribes about 15 percent annual harvest. “There is a misconception that quail harvest management doesn't matter,” he said, but it does. “If you estimated 1,000 birds on a property, you would want to limit harvest to 150 birds,” he said, and reminds managers to include crippling losses in that harvest limit. “You could conservatively harvest 10 percent and assume about 5 percent margin for crippling loss. That seems to be fairly sustainable.”

field day attendees, meetings, conferences, and more.; and The Gordy Family Guest Lodge with kitchen and living space for up to 12 overnight visitors.

“We are excited to have the new facility being built at the ranch. We have training sessions, workshops and all sorts of events already on the calendar,” Kubecka said.

They are also launching a campaign to secure an endowed chair for quail research and management—to be named in honor of Rollins.

“I believe a lot of people would entertain the idea of donating to that endowment fund to thank Dr. Rollins for all the work he has done for landowners and quail managers in the study of quail. And I know many of our constituents appreciate his work starting the research ranch at Roby,” Kubecka said.

RPQRF leaders also intend to continue the QuailMasters program, a 12-day educational program in quail management.

“And we will continue the statewide quail symposium, the newsletters, podcasts, things that Dr. Rollins was able to kickstart,” he said.

Continuing research, starting new research, reinstating popular educational programs and statewide educational meetings, collaborating with other quail research initiatives around the country, building a new headquarters building, and developing an endowed chair—the RPQRF group has a tremendous amount of work to accomplish, and they are excited.

“There is absolutely the vision for this foundation to continue for the long term. Because of that vision, in my mind, we’re in a growth phase,” Kubecka said. “Keep an eye on our social media and our newsletters for updates, because that's where we will be releasing the news on the cool stuff we’re doing at Roby.”

WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG

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What Animals Qualify For TBGA? Article by KARA STARR Photos courtesy of TBGA

P

op quiz time! How many animals does Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA) recognize—and can you name them?

Five animals are recognized by the TBGA: white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, javelina and desert bighorn sheep.

Every year we get a few entries that we have to disqualify for one simple reason— it’s the wrong animal.

Because not every big game animal that can be hunted in Texas qualifies for entry into the TBGA, let’s take a look at which animals do qualify. Here are photos of each qualifying species along with a past TBGA awardee. Each of these animals can be entered into the First Harvest and Youth Division categories along with the varied Scored Entry categories. There’s even a new category that has just been established this year for white-tailed deer.

More information on our newest category along with all other categories can be found on the website, www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.

Desert bighorn sheep 2018-2019 TBGA Awardee Marcus Dennis

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Mule deer 2019-2020 TBGA Awardee Alan Howry

Javelina 2017-2018 TBGA Awardee Matt Grayless

Pronghorn 2019-2020 TBGA Awardee Tracy Gilliam

White-tailed deer 2020-2021 TBGA Awardee Ty Tinsley

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Acts of Conservation

Photo Courtesy of the Aldo Leopold Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives

BY STEVE NELLE

“During the CCC epoch, many farmers were induced, by subsidy, to perform the acts of soil conservation; but those who lacked desire and skill dropped the acts as soon as the subsidy was withdrawn. Acts of conservation without the requisite desires and skills are futile.”

Aldo Leopold, 1944

C

onservation was a new concept in the 1930s and was not yet a normal part of agriculture or land management. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was one of the New Deal programs ushered in during the Franklin Roosevelt administration. It put people to work during the Depression and installed useful public infrastructure projects and conservation practices on private farms.

In order to attract attention and stimulate interest, subsidies and free labor were offered to get farmers to try conservation techniques with the hope that they would be adopted as an ongoing part of the farm operation. In the early days, subsidies were provided to build terraces, waterways, diversions, check dams, plant trees and other conservation practices.

Since those early days, subsidized conservation programs have expanded greatly in number and scope. We now have many generously funded state and federal incentives for conservation on croplands, rangelands, forest lands, and wetlands for many different kinds of enhancement practices.

How many of these cost-sharing programs actually result in a long-lasting conservation mindset and a continuation of the practices once the subsidy is gone?

That was the question in Leopold’s day and it is still a valid question today.

Individual acts of conservation are good at least for short-term benefits and to jump start the adoption of new ideas. These acts of conservation are comparatively easy, especially when subsidized. It is harder to adopt a coordinated conservation system that involves the overall health and management of the soil, water, plants and animals.

Leopold stated that individual acts of conservation are pointless if the owners lack the inner desire to continue and unless they attain the necessary skills to do it on their own. In some cases, even today, such programs entail impressive financial assistance but lack the more important management components that must accompany the practice to achieve the intended benefit.

In another essay, Leopold wrote, "Subsidies and propaganda may evoke a farmer’s acquiescence, but only enthusiasm and affection will evoke his skill.” A government incentive may be what sparks an interest and gets the ball rolling but there must be something deeper. For true and lasting conservation success, it must be motivated by an inner land ethic, not merely financial assistance.

Conservation programs are funded by the government and justified to taxpayers on the basis that they provide direct or indirect benefits to society, not just payments to landowners. There must be the assurance that the practice

will be maintained and that the landowner develops the skills and desires to perpetuate and sustain what has been funded.

A complex alphabet soup of agencies, organizations and programs exists to encourage and assist landowners. The programs are good when customized to individual landowner needs and when they fit in with an overall conservation strategy of the farm, ranch or watershed. Too often, though, agencies equate conservation success with program participation numbers and dollars spent.

For agencies, successful programs require capable, trustworthy and committed employees at the field level and all administrative levels. Building lasting relationships with landowners is far more important than program participation. The relationship must be built on trust and technical competence, not just financial benefit. When agencies understand this dynamic, their programs and incentives can become an important conservation catalyst and a societal benefit.

Successful, enduring conservation is a way of life, not just a checklist of practices or enrollment in a program.

With or without financial assistance, it requires skill, dedication, sacrifice, risk, and investment on the part of the landowner.

WRITER’S NOTE: Aldo Leopold (1887—1948) is considered the father of modern wildlife management. More importantly, he developed and described many of the concepts of conservation, ecology and stewardship of natural resources. Leopold was an amazingly astute observer of the land and man’s relationship to the land. His writings have endured the test of time and have proven to be remarkably prophetic and relevant to today’s issues. This bimonthly column will feature thought-provoking philosophies of Aldo Leopold, as well as commentary.

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JANUARY 2022

Land Leasing Help Is on the Way Article by AMANDA GOBELI

L

easing land can be a daunting prospect for both landowners and livestock producers. As a landowner, how do you find producers who will respect your property and management goals? As a producer, how do you connect with landowners whose management goals match your ranching needs?

These questions become even more important for individuals on both sides of the equation who want to implement grazing management techniques which supports livestock production, while maintaining or improving wildlife habitat and ecosystem services. When these relationships work, everyone wins; the challenge is forging those essential connections.

That led us to wonder…what if there was a matchmaking site which helped you connect with a like-minded landowner or livestock producer instead of a date? One with a map showing potential partners in your area who are looking to either lease land or graze livestock, and who are committed to doing so in a way that supports wildlife and natural resource conservation.

What if relationships like these could begin on an online platform, instead of relying solely on word-of-mouth and chance meetings?

What if…Grazing Matters?

We think this idea has a lot of potential—so much, in fact, that we’re committed to making it a reality. TWA is leading a collaborative effort with our agency, university, and NGO partners to create “Grazing Matters,” a matchmaking website that will serve as a networking and information tool. The site will host educational resources about sustainable grazing and provide tools to connect users not only with each other, but with local cost-share opportunities and partner organizations that can help them put theory into practice.

Grazing Matters has moved from the planning to development phase of production. Get ready, because we need YOUR help to make it a success. Look for a more in-depth article in our next issue with information on how to get involved and make Grazing Matters a success.

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AsAs a landowner, a landowner, you you will will bebe able able toto use use this this tool tool to:to: • Find • Find grazing grazing partners partners in in your your area area • Learn • Learn more more about about restorative restorative grazing grazing • Discover • Discover cost cost shares shares and and other other support support provided provided byby our our partner partner organizations organizations toto help help you you achieve achieve your your grazing grazing goals goals

COMING COMING SOON SOON

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JANUARY 2022

Lunchtime Learning Coming Soon Photo by Kathy Adams Clark

Article by AMANDA GOBELI

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or busy people with hectic lives, attending programs in-person is often not an option.. Between work, chores, family, and countless other obligations, carving out a few hours— much less a whole day—to learn about wildlife and land stewardship may be impossible, even for people who are passionate about those topics. TWA and its partners understand how challenging that can be, and we want to offer as many options as we can for folks who have the will to learn but are searching for a way.

That’s where our new webinar series that will start this spring comes in.

While the pandemic has turned our lives upside down, it has made online learning more prevalent and accessible than ever before, opening up new avenues to bring conservation education to a wider audience. We plan to take advantage of that opportunity with this new webinar series.

We will host 1-hour webinars around lunchtime on Thursdays to give those at work a chance to tune in during their break. Topics will focus on current, relevant issues in wildlife and habitat management: How might Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) affect our hunting heritage? What do you need to know about spring and fall bird migrations? What is the most efficient way to manage water for wildlife and habitat? Experts from our partner organizations will weigh in on these topics and more.

Look for a full schedule and topics list to be released in the coming months. We welcome your input as we continue to finalize those items. Would the proposed Thursday lunchtime timeslot work for you? Are there particular topics you want to see covered? Send your thoughts to agobeli@texas-wildlife.org. We look forward to seeing you online.

Conservation Legacy Welcomes New Program Assistant Article and photo by SUSANNAH BECKEN Howdy! My name is Susannah Becken and I am thrilled to join TWA as the program assistant for Conservation Legacy.

I am Texas born and raised, spending most of my time in San Antonio. My family was always on the go visiting any state park we could find nearby or spending weekends at my grandmother’s ranch. I can remember trying to make up any excuse to be able to spend the day in the outdoors.

Whether it was just sitting in the backyard, venturing though the woods at the ranch or chasing the family chickens

around, I practically lived outdoors.

I attended the Texas Brigades program which intensified my passion for wildlife and natural resources. Throughout the years I continued to work with Texas Brigades as a student worker and more recently a program manager.

I attended Texas A&M University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources and Animal Science. While at Texas A&M, I was involved in several organizations that furthered my passion for the great outdoors. I am excited to be a part of TWA and share my passion!

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T WA M E M B E R S I N A C T I O N

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Wild Side of Cooking Wild Game Recipes from Our Members Article by KRISTIN PARMA

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he holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still indulge and get creative in the kitchen with a freezer full of wild game to choose from. Ducks to doves, venison to wild hogs, I reached out to our members to see what their favorite wild game recipes are. Perhaps they will inspire you to try something new this New Year.

VENISON ZUPPA TOSCANA (SERVES 4) Submitted by: Alexa & Ryder Wuest Ingredients • ¼ cup of diced bacon or pancetta • 1 cup yellow onion, diced - fine • 1 pound venison sausage - plain or ground, either works • 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes (add more to make spicier) • 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning • 5 cloves of garlic, minced • Salt & pepper to taste • 2 teaspoons of arrowroot flour • 32 ounces of chicken broth or homemade stock from MeatEater • 2 cups of peeled russet potatoes - cubed • 3 cups of kale - rough chop (remove stems) • 1 cup of heavy whipping cream or Nutpods to make dairy free • 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast • Juice of 1 lemon Instructions 1) Heat large pot over medium heat. Cook bacon/pancetta until crispy. Transfer to plate with a paper towel, save for later. Reserve rendered fat in the pot.

2) Add onion, garlic, S&P, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and meat into the pot. Cook and break up the meat with a spoon for about 4-5 minutes until no longer pink. Add arrowroot and stir to combine well. While stirring, add broth or stock and bring to a boil.

3) Reduce to simmer, add chopped kale and potatoes. Cook, covered until potatoes are tender. (10-15 minutes) 4) When tender, remove the lid from the pot and stir in the creamer, nutritional yeast, and lemon.

5) Cook for 5 minutes, simmering uncovered. Serve in bowls and top with bacon/pancetta.

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SHANK STEW Submitted by: Craig Bowen, TWA Life Member Ingredients • 1 large shank from a nilgai, elk, etc.

• Salt • 1/4 cup peanut (or your favorite) oil • 6 parsnips (carrots work, too) • 2 large yellow onions, sliced ¼” thick root to stem • 2 large pears, cored and chopped • 1 red beet, peeled and rough chopped • 2 serrano peppers (optional) • 4 cloves of garlic, minced

T WA M E M B E R S I N AC T ION

• 2 cups brewed black or mint tea • 2 cups chicken, veggie, or venison stock • 4 teaspoons dried oregano • 4 bay leaves • 1 whole sprig of basil • Basil or parsley for garnish Instructions 1) If you are searing your shank, do that now in a blazing hot cast iron, 3-5 minutes on each “side.” You want to brown the entire exposed area. If you are smoking, this is the 2-hour mark where your shank is ready to move to the braising pot.

Remove it from the smoker and set aside.

2) Heat the peanut oil in a Dutch oven or heavy, lidded pot.

When the oil begins to smoke, add in both onions and work them for a good 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat. You want them to cook steadily but gently. When the onions have become slightly translucent and aromatic, add the parsnips, pears, beets, garlic, and serrano (if using). Salt to taste. Let this mixture brown for 5-10 minutes.

3) Set the shank on top of the vegetables. Pour in the tea and stock. If you want a thinner stew, add more water or tea; for a meatier consistency, cover only about 1/3 of the shank. It will not dry out! Bring the liquid to a boil and roll the shank around to coat it in the liquid.

Add the oregano, bay leaves, and basil.

4) Once boiling, cover the pot with a heavy lid and move to the oven. Cook times vary, but I’ve found 4 hours to be a sweet spot if you’ve done the 2-hours smoke. If not, it may take 6 or 8 hours to reach perfection. Regardless, don’t get impatient! Don’t even look at it for 4 hours, then cook in 30-minute intervals until all that’s left is a bare bone, chunks of parsnip, and soupy liquid. If the sauce is too thin, just boil it down on the stovetop for a few minutes.

5) Scrape any remaining meat off the bone and pull it apart with two forks. Serve the meat and parsnips over wild rice or with your favorite bread or tortillas. You can also strain and sear the meat on a griddle for perfect taco meat.

RENEW TODAY to receive your

NEW Membership Decal!

Texas Wildlife Association 6644 FM 1102 New Braunfels, TX 78132 www.texas-wildlife.org (210) 826-2904 FAX (210) 826-4933 (800) 839-9453 (TEX-WILD)

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TEXAS WILDLIFE

B ORDERL ANDS NEWS BORDERLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY

Examining Primary Forages, Diet Selection and Parasites in Scaled Quail of the Trans-Pecos Article by ZOE R. CARROLL and RYAN S. LUNA, Borderlands Research Institute, Sul Ross State University Photos courtesy of BORDERLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Photo by Michael L. Gray

I

Scaled Quail are the second most abundant quail species in Texas, and a popular game bird species.

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JANUARY 2022

n Texas, quail hunting is a popular pastime. In the western part of the state, hunters may encounter the swift and sure-footed Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata).

Also known as “blue” quail, or “cottontops,” these birds are the second most abundant quail species in Texas.

Quail hunting has a large economic impact in Texas; communities across the state, especially small towns in West Texas, benefit from tourism and hunting lease fees.

Historically, it was possible to sit on porches at ranches across the region and hear Scaled Quail or Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) calling. In some areas, however, those calls might be a thing of the past.

Quail populations have been declining, not just in Texas but across the United States, since the mid-1960s. Studies suggest the reasons behind the Scaled Quail decline may include changes in land use, deteriorating rangeland conditions, or overgrazing by livestock.

BORDERL ANDS NEWS

Currently, studies are focused on determining factors that might be influencing the quail decline and as well as finding ways that might bolster current populations.

One area of ongoing research involves determining forage selection in Scaled Quail. Researchers have recorded data on Scaled Quail diets from several parts of Texas, such as the South Texas Plains and the Rolling Plains.

However, data are lacking from the area of the state that houses the greatest populations of Scaled Quail, the Trans-Pecos. So far, only four studies have documented quail diets in this ecoregion.

It is known from these studies that Scaled Quail tend to eat green vegetation, grains, seeds and insects. Some specific species include doveweed (Croton spp.), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), tasajillo (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothae), green carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata) and insects like grasshoppers (order Orthoptera), beetles (Coleoptera) and ants (Hymenoptera).

Insects are a vital protein source for quail, especially in summer and fall, and account for a major component of the diet for growing quail chicks. However, these studies may only pertain to forage selection on certain properties and may not be applicable throughout the Trans-Pecos. Many landowners west of the Pecos river readily provide supplemental feed for quail, but studies do not yet describe what native plants may still be consumed in addition to supplemental feed.

In addition to diet selection, researchers are beginning to fill in the gaps to better understand how parasites impact Scaled Quail and if parasites are a potential cause of the quail decline. Recent research on Northern Bobwhite Quail and Scaled Quail has focused on two parasites known to infect these birds: eyeworms (Oxyspirura petrowi) and cecal worms (Aulonocephalus pennula). These parasites can negatively impact quail through damaging tissue associated with digestion, irritating the eye and obstructing vision.

An increasing number of studies have revealed new information on these quail parasites. For example, studies now describe these parasites' presence, pathology, and intermediate hosts.

Intermediate hosts, often insects like grasshoppers, are needed for these parasites to complete their life cycle. Since Scaled Quail eat a variety of insects, including grasshoppers, it would be important to determine if there are any relationships between the insects that quail eat and the number of eyeworms and cecal worms found in quail.

Researchers from Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University initiated a two-year study to learn more about Scaled Quail diets and determine if the types of insects consumed by Scaled Quail are potentially related to the abundances of parasites found in quail samples.

Scaled Quail samples were collected through hunting, trapping, and night-netting across study sites in the Trans-Pecos.

Samples were collected from ranches with supplemental feeding programs as well as those without supplemental feeding.

Crops, both eyes and the intestinal tract were removed from samples. Crops were opened and their contents such as seeds and

Crop contents were sorted by species and weighed in the laboratory to determine which native forage species made up quail diet.

green vegetation were dried and identified in the laboratory to determine which species of plants quail were consuming. Eyes and intestinal tracts were opened and probed to determine the amount of parasites present.

Vegetation surveys were performed on study sites to catalog which plant species were present, to compare with those species found in crop samples. Soil samples were taken from each study site to identify seeds available in the soil for quail.

BRI researchers utilized 183 Scaled Quail samples from across the Trans-Pecos. From crop samples, 78 different plant and insect species were found to be quail foods. In fed areas, the top forages quail consumed, in addition to supplemental feed, included viscid acacia (Vachellia vernicosa), green vegetation, caltrop (Kallstroemia sp.), tasajillo and common desmanthus (Desmanthus virgatus).

In non-fed areas, the top forages included green vegetation, Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), milkvetch (Astragalus sp.), and browntop signalgrass (Urochloa fusca). Quail had a high selection preference for viscid acacia, caltrop, and green

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BORDERL ANDS NEWS

Eyeworms (shown here) and cecal worms were removed from quail samples in the laboratory and tallied for each sample.

vegetation on fed areas, while they selected hedgehog cactus, milkvetch, and mock vervain on non-fed sites.

Types of insects found in quail crops were ants, grasshoppers, beetles, termites (Isoptera), true bugs (Hemiptera) and caterpillars (Lepidoptera). The number of insects in each quail sample was paired with the corresponding number of eyeworms and cecal worms. Statistical tests were used on these data to determine any relevant relationships between the two variables.

The tests showed two potentially significant results. First, the relationship between beetles and cecal worms was a significant but weak-positive relationship.

This means it is possible that as there is an increase in the number of beetles consumed, the prevalence of parasites also increased.

Second, the relationship between grasshoppers and cecal worms was borderline significant, but also a weaknegative relationship. This indicated a weak inverse relationship; as the number of grasshoppers consumed increased,

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the number of cecal worms found in the intestinal tract decreased.

However, since these direct counts don’t take into account the parasites' life cycle, it is likely that the relationships between the number of beetles and grasshoppers consumed and the prevalence of parasites is arbitrary.

Overall, this study contributed information regarding diet preference across the Trans-Pecos. For instance, Scaled Quail in the Trans-Pecos target species such as viscid acacia, mock vervain, bipinnate tansymustard, and tasajillo. Scaled Quail on ranches that provide supplemental feed may target different species such as Russian thistle, milkvetch and browntop signalgrass.

This study also found no significant relationships between the types of insects consumed by Scaled Quail and the abundance of eyeworms and cecal worms found in those quail samples.

This information can help wildlife managers and researchers better understand quail's forage selection across the Trans-Pecos. Scaled Quail

JANUARY 2022

eat a diversity of plant species and it is important for landowners to recognize and manage for these plants. In areas where adequate amounts of native forage are not available, providing supplemental feed and water may be necessary.

Much more information needs to be collected on quail in the TransPecos. Managers can encourage insect populations through management and can perform surveys or field observations to determine which insect species are present. While this study adds more information to our growing knowledge about Scaled Quail, future research should be able to expand upon this knowledge.

From our research, we have learned that Scaled Quail consume a diverse variety of foods in the Trans-Pecos. Additionally, this study indicates that quail diet selection may differ on ranches that provide supplemental feed versus those that do not. As such, understanding which forage species may be targeted on a specific ranch should provide land managers with information that could be used to help bolster their current quail populations.

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27

TEXAS WILDLIFE

GUNS & SHOOTING

Scope Secrets for Hunters Article and photos by STAN SKINNER

Skinner’s left-hand .257 Weatherby has ballistic tables taped to the buttstock. This allows him to quickly make adjustments to compensate for targets at various distances.

P

ost-World War II, hunters began to turn to scope-sighted bolt action rifles in a big way.

Bolt action rifles were generally more accurate than other action types, often achieving 1 MOA (minute of angle) or better.

Introduction of cartridges such as the .270 Winchester or one of the high velocity magnum offerings chambered in a bolt action rifle gave hunters a reach of up to a quarter mile or more. However, the limitations of iron sights at long range made it difficult for a hunter to see the target well enough to take advantage of MOA accuracy.

The answer, of course, was a telescopic sight. Post-war rifle scopes ranged from 2 ½ to 4 power and occasionally 6 power.

A simple crosshair was the most common reticle, occasionally augmented with a Lee dot at the crosshair intersection.

To compensate for bullet drop at the longer ranges, most hunters zeroed their

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rifles to impact about 3 to 4 inches high at 100 yards. This puts the actual zero range somewhere between 250 and 300 yards, depending on the muzzle velocity and the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, or its ability to overcome air resistance.

Beyond the actual zero range, the bullet trajectory steepens sharply. This makes an ethical shot at longer ranges increasingly difficult. This limitation is improved with more advanced reticles, such as the duplex reticle.

This reticle has four fairly thick posts around a fine crosshair intersection that are designed to stand out against brush or other background clutter and draw the shooter’s eye to the center crosshair. As a bonus, the bottom post provides a secondary aiming point below the crosshair intersection.

This gives the shooter an alternate zero about 3.5 to 4 MOA beyond the primary zero range, depending on the manufacturer’s specification.

JANUARY 2022

One MOA is an angular measure that translates to roughly one inch at 100 yards. As an angle, this increases to 2 inches at 200 yards and 3 inches at 300 yards, etc.

A 4 MOA alternate zero extends the zero range roughly 150 yards farther.

Unfortunately, mid-range trajectory at distances closer than the zero range are as much as a foot above line of sight. Still, if shooters use a laser rangefinder and have developed good trajectory tables for their rifles, they have a decent chance of delivering a humane shot on deer-sized game at long range.

But, what about closer shots? Hunting statistics show that about 95 percent of deer and other big game are harvested at less than 200 yards.

At these closer ranges, your game is more likely to see you and begin to move away. Also, any intervening brush might leave only a small window for a clear shot.

This places a premium on a quick but precise bullet placement.

When you factor in these conditions, a bullet 3 inches high at 100 yards and a mid-range trajectory as high as 4 inches adds an unnecessary complication. You really need your bullet to impact as close as possible to your aiming point.

Remember, probably 95 percent of your shot opportunities will occur at less than 200 yards. So, it makes sense to zero your rifle accordingly.

I used the Oehler Ballistic Explorer program to plot a .300 Win Mag launching a 165 grain Hornady Interlock® BTSP bullet at 3,100 feet per second. At sea level on a standard day, a zero 1 inch high at 100 yards stays roughly an inch high or less up to 195 yards, then it’s about an inch low until 225 yards where the trajectory begins to get increasingly steeper.

GUNS & SHOOTING

Such reticles are designed for a 100-yard zero as the primary aiming point. The additional aiming points are spaced apart in increasingly steep increments, which allow for the bullet’s increased drop as the range increases.

Also, laterally placed dots represent corrections for a crosswind.

Using a paper target with a printed grid of one-inch squares, zero your rifle at a measured 100 yards. Then jot down how far each additional crosshair falls below the primary zero as actually shown against the 1 inch grid.

The next step requires a ballistics program such as the Oehler Ballistic Explorer that I use. Using your notes from the firing range and the ballistics program, create a table that shows each additional zero range customized for your rifle and bullet combination. Print it and tape it to your rifle’s buttstock.

Equipped this way, and using a laser rangefinder, you can take long range shots with confidence. Also, the 100-yard primary zero is ideal for quick, precision close range shots as well.

The rest is up to you.

A typical ballistic reticle has additional long-range aiming points and lateral dots to compensate for a crosswind.

A 100-yard zero stays even closer to point of aim. The bullet stays within a half-inch above or below point of aim until roughly 150 yards. At 200 yards, bullet impact is only about 2.2 inches below the aim point.

Either of these zeroes works at close ranges. However, as mentioned before, a good trajectory table taped to your gunstock, a duplex reticle and a laser rangefinder offer a viable but not ideal ability to take longer shots.

That was then—this is now.

Today, if shooters are willing to delve into a few technical details, a variable power scope and a “ballistic reticle” can greatly improve their ability to score at short and long distances. A couple of those details are “first focal plane” and “second focal plane.”

Technically, it’s enough to know that as a visible image travels through a riflescope’s lenses, it comes to a focus twice—or in the first and second focal planes. This makes a difference because in a variable power scope, a reticle placed at the first focal plane will magnify along with the image as the shooter increases the scope’s magnification. A reticle at the second focal plane will not magnify.

A riflescope with a second focal plane ballistic reticle allows a shooter to fine tune his secondary aiming points. A typical ballistic reticle has short hash marks to create several additional crosshair aiming points below the primary crosshair intersection.

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TEXAS WILDLIFE

POND MANAGEMENT

Two Important Measurements for Managing Ponds Article and by MICHAEL D. PORTER, Senior Wildlife and Fisheries Consultant, Noble Research Institute Photos courtesy of the NOBLE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The old cliché that you can’t manage what you don’t measure applies everywhere, even in ponds. It’s important to know water depth to know how to manage the aquatic life in your ponds.

S

urface area and maximum depth are two pond measurements necessary for several important management decisions.

Predictable pond management results often depend on them. Even so, many managers tend to estimate or guess rather than measure them.

POND SURFACE AREA Decisions about the number of fish stocked and harvested and any chemical applications should be based on surface area, goals, water quality and fish populations. Some chemical applications

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also require volume or average depth measurement. Pond chemical treatments include aquatic plant herbicides, fish toxicants, clay flocculants to clear muddy water, alkalinity adjustments to improve pH buffering capacity and plant growth, and fertilizers. Chemical application decisions should be carefully evaluated because some may not fit regenerative or sustainable management.

Surface area should influence fish species selection. Sport fishponds smaller than one-half acre usually should be managed for relatively simple fisheries such as channel catfish

JANUARY 2022

or hybrid sunfish, with largemouth bass stocked to prevent excessive catfish or sunfish recruitment.

Larger ponds commonly include bluegill, which is an important prey species for largemouth bass. Bass-bluegill balance tends to be delicate and is sometimes difficult to manage in ponds smaller than one-half acre. Larger ponds are more appropriate than smaller ponds for management of crappie or quality or trophy largemouth bass.

The surface area of a pond that has existed for a while can be accurately measured using online software such as Google Earth https://earth.google. com/web or DaftLogic Google Maps Area Calculator Tool https://www. daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-areacalculator-tool.htm.

A newly constructed pond or recent pond modifications may not be visible on free online aerial imagery. However, dimensions of a new or modified pond can be measured or surveyed on site.

Geometric formulas that fit a pond’s shape can be used to calculate surface area. When a pond does not fit a standard geometric shape, the pond can be divided into segments, with each segment measured separately and the individual areas added together to determine a pond’s overall surface area.

POND DEPTH Maximum depth determines permanence and suitability of a pond for sport fish. More depth is required as pond location moves west across Texas.

POND MANAGEMENT

Knowing the surface area of your ponds is important for a number of management reasons.

Among them is it influences which fish species to stock.

For example, sport fisheries in ponds shallower than 7 feet generally die during significant droughts at Gainesville, whereas a fishery might survive in a pond with similar depth at Texarkana.

Pond surface area typically changes little during a few decades, but not so for maximum depth. To provide long-term permanent water, a pond should have more depth than the minimum necessary for a fishery, because ponds collect silt over time, commonly at the rate of 0.1 to 0.2 foot per year. Therefore, a pond with barely enough depth to support sport fish this year probably will not support fish 10 years from now.

Maximum depth can be accurately measured from a boat using a depth finder or a marked rod or PVC pipe.

When surface area and maximum depth are guessed rather than measured, pond management decisions and results often are no better than the initial guesses. It is best to measure so decisions are based on facts rather than guesses.

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• South Texas Ranch Brigade Duval County Ranch Freer, TX June 25-29, 2022

• Ranch Brigade Warren Ranch Santa Anna, TX July 18-22, 2022

• South Texas Buckskin Brigade G2 Ranch Pearsall, TX June 12-16, 2022

• Bass Brigade Warren Ranch Santa Anna, TX July 6-10, 2022

• North Texas Buckskin Brigade Warren Ranch Santa Anna, TX July 24-28, 2022

• South Texas Bobwhite Brigade Buck Horn Creek Ranch McCoy, TX June 18-22, 2022

• Waterfowl Brigade Pintail Hunting Club Garwood, TX July 13-17, 2022

• Coastal Brigade Sea Star Base Galveston, TX July 26-30, 2022

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QUAIL BENEDICTION Article by STEVE NELLE

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t the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, Dr. Dale Rollins allowed me to give a closing “benediction” after a field day discussing quail habitat and how to manage it. The closing words were a way of recapping and reinforcing the day’s events, sending the participants on their way with something to think about. I raised my hand high over the crowd and reverently gave these departing words: May your pastures be full of good grass - just right for nesting.

But when the grass is short or thin may we be thankful for prickly pear.

May your brush provide protection from hawks and refuge from summer sun and winter cold.

May your weeds be plentiful and diverse, providing overhead cover, seed and bugs.

May we strive to be good students of quail and their habitat.

May your rains be good, deep-soaking and timely.

When rains are poor and birds are few, may we not become discouraged.

When rains are good and birds are many, may we not become complacent.

May we practice Valentine’s rule of quail – “manage for habitat; pray for rain” May each hunt and each season bring renewed joy and thankfulness.

May we savor the thrill of the hunt, regardless of the harvest.

May we measure the quality of the hunt not in numbers.

May all our dogs be special, with keen nose, good instinct, long life and healthy offspring.

May we hunt slow enough to enjoy the simple things.

May we treasure the beauty of a frosty morning or a painted sunset.

May we appreciate all the creatures we encounter.

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May we be patient with new hunters and kind to those who do not hunt.

May our birds be ever wild, wary, healthy and strong.

May we be excited and surprised at every rise, just as if it were the first.

May our eyes and ears remain sharp, and our legs strong for many years.

But as we grow too old to hunt, may our memories remain clear.

May we always do well for the soil, water, plants and animals under our care.

May we grasp these responsibilities with enthusiasm and skill.

May we study the land like a scientist and appreciate it like an artist.

May we teach our children and grandchildren about loving the land.

May we be good ambassadors for sportsmanship and stewardship.

May we learn to practice moderation in all things.

May our grazing be just right – not too heavy, not too light.

May our brush control be gentle and careful, done through the eyes of quail.

When needed, may our fires burn sweetly – not too hot and not too big.

When we do wrong to the land or our fellow man, may we be contrite and repentant.

May we teach others about quail and other wild things and why we love them.

May we be ever thankful for all these things, And may God grant us wisdom and grace to be trustworthy stewards.

Funds from the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will benefit wildlife the breadth and width of the Lone Star State.

BIPARTISAN BILL HELPS FUND CONSERVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH Article by ANDREANA LOZANO Photos courtesy of the TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

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he Garcias planned their summer vacation around nature last year. The kids wanted a place to swim, and when Michael and Veronica suggested going to “the country” to play in the river and see wildlife, the hearty “yes!” was unanimous.

The family piled into the van and headed to a rented Hill Country cabin, first stopping at a local store for supplies, impulsively including a sale-priced kayak and an archery set.

They refueled at the town gas station and picked up dinner to go at a little café.

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Before the long weekend ended, they’d patronized the local theater, bought keepsakes from the gift shops and stopped by the shaved ice stand twice. The kids had stories of perch nibbling their toes, red-eared slider turtles stacked on rocks and a great blue heron that landed nearby, not to mention how they’d each summoned the courage to jump off the rope swing.

The Garcias headed home, closer than ever and already planning another foray. The little Hill Country town had added another thousand dollars in sales and a chunk of change in tax

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revenue from the Garcias’ visit, which would be reinvested in nature conservation.

Win, win, win.

RAWA FUELS NATURAL ECONOMIC GROWTH Although the Garcias aren’t a “real” family, these composite characters are a familiar sight in small towns across Texas that fill up on pleasant days with folks seeking to “get away from it all” out in nature.

Unfortunately, the natural areas that make Texas a world-class destination for outdoor pursuits face a number of threats. Some fish and wildlife populations are already at risk. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists keep a close eye on species of concern, as listed in their State Wildlife Action Plan. This plan contains a roadmap for putting these populations back on track, but there are no dedicated funds for this work.

Fortunately, there’s a measure before Congress that aims to fix that funding problem. The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R.2773) would provide critical funds to help recover more than 12,000 species of concern throughout the country, restore damaged habitats, address wildlife diseases and invest in getting more people outside enjoying nature and participating in nature education programs.

Without creating a new tax, wildlife populations could be restored and habitats could be protected, which in turn would inject funds into small town economies.

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is our opportunity to help recover declining species, restore wildlife habitat and protect the many benefits healthy fish and wildlife populations provide us,” said Texas Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife’s Rachel Rommel-Crump. “A portion of the funding would also go toward outdoor recreation and nature education programs that will connect more Texans to wildlife and invest in our booming nature tourism economy. If RAWA passes, folks from all walks of life will reap the economic, health and quality of life benefits of this legislation and will be engaged in ensuring wildlife thrive for future generations.”

Texas would benefit from the bill’s passage, which has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate with strong bipartisan support.

“While it would do much to protect fish and wildlife that need it most, RAWA would also mean a long-term investment in the public health and well-being of all Texans, as well as stewardship of our home ground,” said Carter Smith, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) executive director.

“Well-managed and restored habitats provide clean water, clean air and healthy rivers, rangelands and bays and estuaries that benefit both wildlife and people’s enjoyment of the outdoors.”

Assuming the measure passes, Texas will get around $50 million per year. Up to 15 percent of the funds can be used for outdoor recreation and nature education. “That leaves 85 percent of the funds for on-the-ground conservation and management actions (all voluntary), rare species research, and enacting the State Wildlife Action Plan,” said Richard Heilbrun, TPWD program leader.

Although RAWA is primarily designed to benefit public conservation efforts, private landowners will benefit as well, according to TPWD. That benefit will accrue through landowner incentive grant programs, habitat restoration programs and programs aimed at stopping wildlife diseases and invasive species.

One example on how landowners will benefit if RAWA passes is preserving the state’s iconic Texas horned lizard, better known as the horny toad.

“Biologists have been studying them recently and have made great headway in learning how to breed, propagate and release them. Landowners call us all the time wanting to be a release site, but we don’t have enough lizards to go around,” Heilbrun said. “With RAWA, we could build a horny toad factory and pump out thousands of hatchlings each year for release on those willing private ranches.”

Another priority hotspot for conservation is the Marfa grasslands. “We can put conservation on the ground to help restore those grasslands, which helps a whole community of

The Texas horned lizard, or horny toad, is one of the most iconic Texas wildlife species. Yet horny toad populations have decreased. Among the projects that the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act could fund is a horny toad factory where the lizards can be bred for release on both public and private land.

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Hook said visitation numbers jump significantly if rare birds are spotted in the area.

Nearby, the city of Harlingen gets a piece of the action too. Each year, they host the annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. The festival offers more than 100 field trips to prime bird watching locations, presentations from experts and programs for families, drawing crowds that are happy to invest in the local economy, provided they see the birds.

While the hundreds of bird species in Texas draw bird watchers from around the world, the Whooping Crane tops the list. These rare and elegant birds winter along the Texas coast and the birder who spots some has reached the apex of birding in the state.

at-risk plants and wildlife, including the pronghorn,” he said.

Then there are bats, which are crucial to controlling agricultural pests for corn and cotton. White nose syndrome is a disease that was recently discovered in Texas, killing thousands of bats each year. “In some species, we’ve observed 75 percent mortality. RAWA can help us stop or slow its spread, saving producers millions each year in chemical pesticides and labor,” he added.

WILDLIFE = BIG DOLLARS According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 23 million people spend money to watch wildlife away from their homes.

By far, the bulk of those people, about 72 percent, observe or photograph birds.

Texas’ location in the central migratory flyway at the intersection of 10 ecoregions makes our state one of the best destinations in the country for nature recreation and tourism. Bird watchers seek out more than 650 species of birds here.

It’s not just birds drawing crowds these days. Texans and out-of-state visitors can enjoy diverse wildlife such as the Texas horned lizard, the elusive ocelot or the

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Mexican free-tailed bats that congregate by the millions in caves and under bridges. Nature enthusiasts make up a critical piece of the economic puzzle for many Texas towns and cities.

For instance, McAllen entertains some 18 million visitors annually; hotel lodging brings in an astounding $3 million in revenue each year. Tourism is a significant economic driver and the city acknowledges the importance of wildlife to the tourism industry, noting that the Rio Grande Valley area is one of the world’s top birding destinations, drawing in visitors from across the globe.

In the center of the city, the urban nature center Quinta Mazatlán plays a vital role in attracting tourists with an interest in wildlife to visit McAllen.

City officials know where their bread is buttered. These ecotourists spend their money at local hotels, restaurants and shops.

“We market to birders because when birders fly in, they fill hotel beds,” said Colleen Hook, Quinta Mazatlán nature center manager. “It is all about the birds to these visitors. If you don’t have the birds, they aren’t coming back.”

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FINS AND FEATHERS IN ROCKPORT Up the coast, the city of Rockport has also invested in ecotourism. Whether pursuing finned or feathered quarry, visitors can look forward to exploring miles of beautiful water and nature trails, visiting bird sanctuaries and attending the annual hummingbird festival. Sandy Jumper, Rockport Chamber of Commerce vice president of marketing and promotion, said that wildlife conservation is a huge part of the area’s culture.

“Everyone understands that there is a spillover effect from nature tourism,” Jumper said. “It doesn’t just help birding tour guides and conservationists, it benefits hotels, restaurants and local businesses.”

In a typical year, Aransas County, where Rockport is the county seat, can expect several million visitors. In 2019, still reeling from the 2017 Hurricane Harvey, tourists spent $98.9 million in Aransas County. In 2020 they spent $117.9 million, a 19.2 percent increase.

The Rockport Chamber of Commerce predicts that tourism numbers will soon return to pre-Harvey levels.

Jumper said that people travel all over the world to see the area’s 400 bird species, including the critically endangered Whooping Cranes at the nearby Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and the swarms of hummingbirds that migrate along the coast, especially the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Once reduced to only about 20 birds in the wild, the Whooping Crane has made a significant recovery thanks to conservation efforts, and now

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numbers around 800 globally. Still, the crane remains one of the rarest birds in North America and a sighting is highly prized by bird watchers.

“People don’t come just for the birds, of course,” Jumper said. “They come to enjoy the water. Fishing is very popular and then there are the festivals.”

The HummerBird Celebration each September celebrates the annual migration of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Because nature is so important to the local economies, area communities invest in conservation through education programming, nature centers, nature preserves and ecotourism infrastructure to keep tourists close by. Think birdwatching spots, all of which need parking lots, trails and signage.

FUNDING PORT A PRESERVATION Rae Mooney, Port Aransas Nature Preserve manager, said the preserve is funded almost entirely by tourism and that nature conservation is tied tightly with the Port Aransas economy.

“It is all very interconnected, the funding comes solely from tourism,” Mooney said. “Everything for us comes out of the hotel-motel tax.”

Port Aransas collects a 7 percent tax on every room, condo or house rental.

Mooney said she believes the nature preserve receives funding because the city recognizes the economic value of birdwatchers and other tourists who visit the area to enjoy nature. Port Aransas hosts around 7 million tourists annually; the tourism industry generates $400 million each year.

“Of course, the residents here use the preserve, but I think it really is a driver for tourism,” Mooney said. “The beach and fishing are such big attractions in the summer that the percentage of people just here for birding is probably low. But in the fall, winter, and spring, there is a much higher proportion of visitors coming directly for birdwatching at the preserve.”

Because the city sits in the center of the Central Flyway, the bird migration route that runs through the United States and Canada, the natural areas surrounding Port Aransas are optimal for

Watching the natural world, especially bird watching, is a very popular pastime for Texans and tourists alike. Nature tourism in Texas will get a big boost should the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act pass.

bird watching. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve features 1,217 acres of habitat that attract birds and tourists alike.

The preserve brings in tourists and, like the fictitious Garcia family, those tourists stay at local hotels, motels and vacation rentals. These businesses then pay the hotel-motel tax, which gets funneled back into the preserve.

In addition to filling hotels, tourist also eat at local restaurants, shop at local businesses and hire ecotourism guides.

The nature preserve directly creates jobs by hiring local contractors to remove invasive species, revegetate the preserve, build boardwalks and to serve as tour guides. Maintaining the preserve is vital to both the continued conservation of the endangered birds and animals that reside in the area—such as Whooping Cranes— and to the continued business of tourism.

Birders and beachgoers expect their nature to be healthy, abundant and diverse. Even birders on the lookout for Whooping Cranes are delighted

to encounter egrets, herons, pelicans, storks and a plethora of small shorebirds, affectionately called “peeps.” They expect the outer beauty of the scenery to reflect the inner beauty of a healthy ecosystem, and for that to translate into long-term sustainability of the fish and wildlife populations.

Nature tourism is a billion dollar industry that supports thousands of jobs in Texas and a testament to the importance of nature and wildlife to everyday people. Texans can be proud of the state’s incredible natural diversity, something that financially supports local communities while uplifting the spirits of those who experience it.

Whether they’re attracting people to hunt, fish, birdwatch or walk on the beach, rural Texas communities know that the nature experience they offer is truly special—for the wildlife, for the people who enjoy it and for the towns that thrive thanks to wild things and the people who love them.

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Photo by Tamra Bolton

THE SCIENCE OF CONNECTION

Always the first one to the corral, 98-year-old Stuart McAnally prepares for the day’s work.

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THE SCIENCE OF CONNECTION Article by TAMRA BOLTON

“I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here.”

– Davy Crockett

S

Photo courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick

ince Texas has existed, a certain mystique has surrounded its vast territory and its people. No one feels that inexplicable connection to this unique place we call home more than long-time farmers and ranchers.

For generations they have been stewards of the land—growing crops, raising cattle, and caring for its wildlife and natural resources, all while rearing families, often in adverse conditions. Many of these hardy pioneer descendants are third and fourth generation landowners or more, carrying on a legacy entrusted to them more than a century ago.

While it is true that “we all can’t live on a ranch or farm,” as Will Phinizy, a third-generation rancher in Borden County said, “None of us would have to look many generations back to find an ancestor who lived off the land.”

KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE Remembering and honoring that heritage is the mission of the National Ranching Heritage Center (NRHC) in Lubbock, a 27-acre complex of more than 50 historic structures and a 44,000 square-foot facility housing multiple collections and displays. This one-of-akind center tells the story of ranching beginning with its Spanish roots, changes through the 1800s, and the development of modern-day operations. Visitors can also see the process of beef production, how ranches operate today, and learn how important the cowboy and his horse still are in this age of mechanization.

Through a special partnership with John R. Erickson, author of the awardwinning “Hank the Cowdog” series, the NRHC is improving society’s understanding of the ranching life and its continued importance to our daily lives.

A new Ranch Life Learning Center is slated to open in 2024 and will feature many of the familiar buildings and characters on Hank’s fictional ranch.

Through interactive displays, holograms, and other means, visitors will get a

The entire Kirkpatrick clan gathers for a family photo at the ranch.

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Photo courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick

THE SCIENCE OF CONNECTION

The Kirkpatrick family and crew gathering cattle in Crosby County.

Photo courtesy of Mark Kirkpatrick

chance to see what real ranch life looks like and watch demonstrations by ranch experts. Kids can even sign up to help solve a ranch mystery.

For a look at farming history and its connection to our lives today, a visit to the Barrington Living History Farm located in the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site near Brenham provides an excellent way to help a younger generation see how their food is grown and where those everyday grocery items come from. Here, on a true working farm, you can see what’s growing in the garden, watch cows being milked, butter churned, and the other daily tasks necessary to life on an early Texas farm.

When 48 percent of people surveyed by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy don’t know how chocolate milk is made and another 7 percent believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, you have a major gap in agricultural knowledge. It’s hard to imagine that one in five adults have no idea hamburgers are made from beef and four out of 10 school children surveyed don’t know that hamburgers come from cows.

If people aren’t educated about the critical role of agriculture, they will not care about the land and what happens to it. More and more farm land is lost to development each year. When people think food is made in factories, they are disconnected from the land.

Places like Barrington and the NRHC are vital for future generations to understand the basics of our food production and the integral part farmers and ranchers play.

The patriarch of the Kirkpatrick clan, Willard Kirkpatrick and his horse Pinto circa 1929.

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WHAT IS THE CONNECTION? In a world of increasing disconnection, the fierce love and attachment long-time ranchers and farmers feel toward their land is a mystery to people far removed from the soil.

“It’s hard to explain to an outsider the bond one has with the land,” explained Betsy Bellah of the RA Brown Ranch in Throckmorton. “Ranching is not just a job, it is a lifestyle.”

Photo courtesy of Chris Davis

THE SCIENCE OF CONNECTION

Using the 1940 B Farmall tractor that his son Grant restored, Chris Davis and his sons load watermelons they grew on their heritage farm.

“You encourage them to understand that this is their heritage, passed down from many generations—not earned, but a blessing that is their sacred trust.”

AN UNMATCHED BOND Growing up on a farm myself has given me a deep sense of belonging that even as a writer, I struggle to put into words. I am the fourth generation farmer/rancher on our land in East Texas. My 98-year-old Photo courtesy of Will Phinizy

Bellah believes it is imperative to encourage the younger generation to understand their role in the future of agriculture and to appreciate the heritage handed down to them. Her family has been ranching in the Throckmorton area since 1903 and she not only supports the NRHC, she serves as the head of the Ranch Life Learning Committee. “We show our children and grandchildren the significance of being a long-time landowner by being good stewards of the land, the livestock, and wildlife on the land.”

Mark Kirkpatrick, vice president of NRHC and fourth generation rancher in Garza County, agreed. “You try to raise your kids and grandkids to appreciate everything the land…has to offer.”

He explained how heritage can shape a generation.

“You learn how to fix things when you don’t have what you need. You learn how to be self-sufficient because it’s not always easy to ride back to the barn or drive back to town. You learn how to solve problems not explained in textbooks,” he said.

“We are cheating our kids with all the school activities and sports," he opined.

"It takes time away from work and that’s a learned skill. Hard work and dirty jobs are a part of life. Someone’s got to do them—why not you? Once it’s finished, then you can do something fun like roping or hunting quail or deer.

dad, Stuart McAnally, still oversees the day-to-day operation—everything from haying, feeding, and doctoring the cows, to mowing and checking fences. He still runs cattle on the place he and his dad were born and raised.

His is a profound attachment to the land, nurtured over almost a century of living next to the earth. When I asked him to explain his bond with the land he has worked for so long, he said, “It gives you an anchor. You know a little about a piece of land right quick, but when you grow up on it…you know every foot of it.”

Kirkpatrick agreed. “The land becomes a part of who you are…we can all ride into any pasture and automatically notice something out of place or a problem that wasn’t there before—not from training, but from years of experience seeing the same country on a daily basis.”

The old saying is true…there are things you cannot learn in a classroom or from a textbook…things you can only learn from a long experience with a certain piece of ground. I know every bend in the creeks that run through our place, the deep and shallow places in the ponds where the big catfish hide and where the flashing minnows play.

Will Phinizy and friends gathering the cattle in at the Phinizy Ranch for the day’s work.

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Photo courtesy of Will Phinizy

THE SCIENCE OF CONNECTION

Photo by Tamra Bolton

Photo courtesy of Will Phinizy

Will Phinizy and his wife Michelle enjoy a ride on their ranch.

Will’s dad, 86-year-old Bill Phinizy, watches the round-up from the truck.

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I can show you where the barred owls nest and where the pileated woodpeckers like to dine. I know every inch of our place and love it in a way that only other long-time farmers and ranchers can understand.

Memories are also powerful enforcers when it comes to a solid connection with the land.

Will Phinizy, an ardent supporter of the NRHC, shared, “There is an old set of pens on the east side of the ranch. My dad remembers the last time his dad was at the ranch and we were working cattle at those pens.

“Granddaddy drove up, watched a little bit, then said he didn’t feel well and was going to head back to town. Granddaddy was 86 years old at the time. My dad is 86 years old now and I suspect he hasn’t passed those pens one time without remembering that.”

My own memories, whether it was searching on horseback for a new calf in the freezing cold or doing daily chores alongside my dad and siblings, these are the things that bind our hearts and souls to this place we call home. To pass this love along, I believe we need to tell our stories and let our kids and grandkids be active participants in their own stories about farm and ranch life.

That is the philosophy of Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis and his wife, Jay Anna. The Davis family lives on and works the farm that has been in Jay Anna’s family for more than 100 years.

Their three boys grew up with the knowledge that hard work pays multiple dividends. Working the land provided them with a sense of belonging and a rich heritage they can now pass along to their families.

For all of these farming and ranching families and many more like them, the land is as much a part of who they are as if it were embedded in their DNA. From the Panhandle to South Texas, from the Pineywoods to West Texas—in almost every county there are long-time farmers and ranchers who quietly go about their work every day, without fanfare, and mostly without recognition. They are the backbone of our great state’s agriculture industry and a vital part of our culture.

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Stuart McAnally, 98 years old, is happiest when he is working cattle on his place, Poverty Ridge.

WHAT’S THE SCIENCE? When I tried to find a common thread to explain the phenomena of connection, the word gratitude kept coming to mind.

Over and over, everyone expressed a sense of gratitude for being blessed with the stewardship of their family land. All of them, including myself, feel thankful we are able to carry on long-held traditions built on the sacrifices and hard work of those who came before us.

It is this thread of family stories coupled with gratitude that can be explained scientifically. Numerous studies have shown that people who have knowledge of family history through storytelling have more self-control, higher self-esteem, more confidence, and lower levels of anxiety.

Sharing the stories of who built the barn, what grandma and grandpa did during the Great Depression…all of these connect them to not only their past, but to the land they share with their predecessors.

Gratitude has also been shown to improve physical, mental, and emotional health. Grateful people are oftentimes spiritually healthy too, having a greater sense of peace and contentment, even in turbulent times. The old admonition, “Have an attitude of gratitude” is one that long-time landowners seem to put into daily practice.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? While some I talked with felt confident their legacy was secure, others

Photo courtesy of Melanie Roos

THE SCIENCE OF CONNECTION

Walking back from the barn after working cows together are 98-year-old Stuart McAnally with his grandson, Andrew Roos, and great-grandson, Garrett Roos. Generations working together have kept the family business going for more than 75 years.

expressed anxiety about handing the reins over to the next generation, for good reason. According to Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, in the next 20 years, the U.S. will see the largest intergenerational transfer of rural land in our history. This impending massive shift of ownership makes successfully imparting our heritage and love for the land of crucial importance.

Teaching his grandsons and great-grandsons cattle working knowledge is all part of the legacy Stuart McAnally is passing on. Photo by Tamra Bolton

The blessings we enjoy—watching a sunrise from a hilltop, newborn calves struggling to stand, hearing the call of a quail or turkey waft through the still morning air or watching a sunset after a full day of mending fences with your sons and daughters—these treasures are priceless and are only one generation away from extinction.

Preservation is far easier than restoration. We must keep what we have now and instill a love for it so that future generations will want to hang on to their heritage, not turn the family farm or ranch into yet another strip mall or housing development.

Texans love their land and make no excuses for their overwhelming devotion and commitment to honor the legacy entrusted to them.

Kirkpatrick summed it up best, “My greatest joy is to saddle a horse on a crisp spring or fall morning, watch the sun come up as I sit and wait for the drive to start. As I get older, my appreciation grows. I may find myself closer to God than I do in my church on Sunday morning. I think Heaven will be better, but if it’s not, that’s good enough.”

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WILDSCAPING

With landscaping your ranch house, or even your home in town, go with native plants or plants that may not be native to your ecoregion but are good pollinators. Salvia or indigo spires or sages as they’re sometimes called are perennial flowers in a variety of colors that bloom spring through fall and are drought tolerant.

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WILDSCAPING

Restoring Native Plant Habitat at Home Article and photos by KRISTIN PARMA

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exas continues to grow, fragmenting land into smaller parcels and dividing biodiverse landscapes critical to wildlife and habitat conservation. Wildscaping, deliberately incorporating native plants into urban, suburban or rural landscapes, is an effective means of combatting the effects of habitat fragmentation.

“It’s critical that all Texans consider where they can do their part to restore native plant habitat,” said Meg Inglis, executive director of the Native Plant

Society of Texas. “The more people who have that in their neighborhoods, the more they create a connection, a wildlife corridor. An option for wildlife to use their neighborhood as opposed to not being able to use it because everything is non-native. It creates this little park by joining together all these yards and creating a larger piece of property.”

Still, because of its size and geography, Texas remains one of the most biologically diverse states in the country, offering a variety of natural eco-regions.

Espanranza, Tecoma stans

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WILDSCAPING

An important part of wildscaping is to use pollinator plants. This is Gregg’s mistflower, which this Queen butterfly appreciates.

Like Texans, native plants are resilient and have adapted to the land over time, allowing them to thrive in our environment.

Native grasses and plants have deeper root systems and in addition to reducing harmful pollutants, they generally require little maintenance including far less water because they are adapted to area rainfall patterns. Native plants also provide protective shelter and food sources for wildlife and pollinators such as the iconic Monarch butterfly.

The traditional grass lawn and manicured beds that define many residential landscapes are thick with exotic and ornamental plants and grasses from other countries, which interrupt the order of the natural habitat.

“With a manicured type approach you are always battling nature and that’s not how nature works,” said George Cates, restoration specialist for Native American Seed Company in Junction. "There are many benefits to getting in sync with nature versus trying to fight it.” In addition, these landscapes often require large amounts of artificial fertilizers and synthetic additives.

Small scale or large, designing, installing and maintaining a native plant landscape, or wildscape as it's often referred to, can seem like a daunting task. It doesn't have to be.

RAINWATER HARVESTING (RWH) SYSTEMS A Flood of Technology

Crepe myrtle is a non-native often mistaken as native. In your wildscaping plans, consider desert rose or Texas mountain laurel.

As with all wildscaping, consider your water use. Water is the most precious Texas resource and should be used wisely.

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Rainwater harvesting is one way to make the most of every raindrop that falls from the sky and give native plants a natural drink.

Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other surface to store for later use. Rainwater harvesting systems (RWH) can be as simple as collecting rain in a plastic food-grade drum or more elaborate such as large cisterns capable of supplying an entire landscape or household.

Many factors will determine how much rainwater you need to supply your landscape. Texas A&M AgriLife horticulturists recommend purchasing a soil moisture meter to help determine when your plants need water.

Some considerations while planning a rainwater harvesting strategy for your household include: 1. Find a location for your rain barrel. Look for areas where rain naturally flows off a roof. This could be your house, barn, shop, greenhouse or shed.

2. Consider modifying an existing gutter and downspout to reroute rainwater to your barrel.

3. No gutter? Flat planes with sharp inclines can be good places to catch rainwater runoff.

4. Make or purchase your rain barrel using food-grade containers, avoid barrels that once held petroleum or soap to help keep harvested water clean.

For more information about rainwater harvesting, visit www.agrilifetoday.tamu.edu

WILDSCAPING

Prairie aster, Marchaeranthera tanacetifolia

In the foreground is Texas mountain laurel, a great choice for a brush-like native plant. To the left is nandina. It is not native and is problematic because it is invasive and can choke out out native plants that support wildlife and the berries are toxic to birds and pets.

Red yucca, Hesperaloe parviflora

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TOP NATIVE PLANTS TO CONSIDER Weldon Riggs, County Extension Agent-Agriculture (Retired) Texas mountain laurel: A slow-growing evergreen that is a beautiful bloomer, making it great for pollinators and adding color to your landscape. It may be grown as a medium to large shrub or trained into a single trunk tree. Noteworthy, both the seeds and the flowers are poisonous. Though difficult to transplant, they are widely available at local nurseries. Once established, Texas mountain laurel never needs irrigation making it a must have for absentee landowners or those wishing for less upkeep.

Texas lantana: Beautiful bright multi-colored flowers accompany the Texas lantana which thrives in the full summer sun and heat, requiring little water once established. Its tube flowers are not only beautiful but provide an excellent source of food for many nectaring butterflies.

Native milkweed: Texas is home to 37 species of native milkweed plants. In addition to being colorful bloomers, planting native milkweed provides nectar for Monarch butterflies during their migration. Visit The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at wildflower.org for more information on the best milkweeds to plant in your area.

Native cacti: While most folks can recognize a prickly pear cactus, Texas is full of other native cacti that can provide unique and beautiful additions to your landscape. Most Texas cacti do well in all of the state's eco-regions. However, they prefer hot, barren, gravelly soil with good drainage. Some native cacti for consideration are pineapple cactus, horse crippler cactus, claret cup cactus and twisted rib cactus.

Salvias: Salvias or sages as they are often referred to, are perennial flowers that come in a variety of colors and bloom in spring, summer and fall. They tolerate poor soil and require very minimal irrigation. In addition they are often deer resistant meaning deer tend to avoid them as a midnight snack.

Agarita: An evergreen holly-like shrub that is highly drought tolerant and often removed by home builders. In fact, its small red berries grow in clusters and are edible, making great jelly. Note that wildlife find them tasty too as the agarita produces important food for turkeys, quail, songbirds and small mammals. The agarita is the first to bloom for pollinators in the summer and is overlooked as a native plant.

For a full list of native landscape plants based on your location visit: Plant lists by region – Native Plant Society of Texas (npsot.org)

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Three tips for beginners: Use your resources. Start small. And plan your water source.

The most important step in developing a wildscape plan is learning about the native plants and soils that characterize your property and eco-region. An organization that offers a multitude of resources for planning and installing your native wildscape is the Native Plant Society of Texas. Made up of 37 chapters around the state, its mission is promoting research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example.

The society offers a unique four-level class as part of its Native Landscape Certification Program. Tailored to specific eco-regions around Texas, the Native Landscape Certification Program teaches its participants to appreciate the benefits of native landscapes, recognize important considerations when designing native landscapes, and become

Prairie aster is a beautiful bright lavender flower that grows well with other wildflowers making it a colorful choice for pastures, meadows, gardens and landscape borders.

WILDSCAPING

familiar with maintenance requirements of a native landscape.

Once you've done your homework, it's time to get started. When it comes to wildscaping, bigger isn't always better.

“Start small and experience success," Cates said. "Read the land. Everybody’s property is different, stop and pay attention to what the landscape is telling you."

Is it under the shade of an oak tree? Is it covered in Bermuda grass? Is it located on an upper slope?

"Native plants need room to grow and there are better plants suited for different environments,” he said.

Small changes in your landscape can result in significant improvement in wildlife habitat. Keeping your plans simple means less work to maintain in the long run, especially if you are an absentee landowner.

Plan your water source ahead of time, and consider doing your best to conserve Texas’ most precious resource.

“You don’t really realize how much water you need to keep your landscape alive,” Inglis said. “Anywhere from 40 percent to 60 percent of your typical household water usage can be on the landscape. Native plants are naturally adapted to the rainfall of the area once they are established.”

Automatic sprinklers and soaker hoses may seem like the easy route; however, consider adding a rainwater harvesting system to your future wildscaping plans.

Native plant experts say that you won’t regret it.

“There’s this relationship between native plants and insects that’s critical,” Inglis said. “Native plants have evolved with insects over thousands of years and if you wipe out a native plant that an insect depends on, you wipe out the insect. The more insects you wipe out the more likely it is you’re going to be wiping out the rest of the food web, too.”

So do a bit of homework and yard work. Then sit back and enjoy the bees buzzing and the sound of hummingbirds whizzing by while you enjoy the beauty of your new native “wildscape” habitat.

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Campbell (front, second from left) poses with her herd, the Charolais, at the finale of the 9th Battalion of Ranch Brigade.

TEXAS BRIGADES Learning by Doing

Article by CAMPBELL CAGE Photos courtesy of TEXAS BRIGADES

A

s I entered my sophomore year of high school, my classmates and I were required to identify an event and/or experience that had changed the course of our lives. For many, their pencils sat still on the paper, but I knew exactly what would start my list: Texas Brigades.

Texas Brigades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate and empower adolescents with leadership skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries and land stewardship to become conservation ambassadors for a sustained natural resource legacy. Texas Brigades offers eight different camps during June and July across the state.

Students, ages 13-17, who are interested in learning about the outdoors and wildlife are eligible to apply. I highly recommend getting involved for countless reasons, especially because of the incredible people and the one-of-a-kind educational opportunities that exist at the camps. Texas Brigades is an experience one treasures forever.

Last summer I attended Ranch Brigade, a five-day program in Santa Anna, Texas, where I got to explore cattle production while learning land stewardship skills. All the campers were assigned to one of four different herds: Brahman, Hereford, Charolais and Angus. Each herd consisted of six to seven campers (called

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Campbell administers a brand after learning from local veterinarian and Ranch Brigade instructors how to safely brand and why branding is important in most operations.

TEXAS BRIGADES

Campbell (4th from left) poses with her herd mates as they start to grill their own steaks. Beef Loving Texans, a part of the Beef Checkoff, supports Ranch Brigade by providing instruction to properly grill beef, equipment, steaks and all the trimmings.

cadets), an assistant herd leader and a herd leader, all of whom became my family for the week.

Upon arrival at the Warren Ranch, we wasted no time. We were all handed a quiz that tested our knowledge of native and exotic grasses as well as the different elements of beef production. I know what you’re thinking… a quiz already?

That’s exactly what went on in my head too. But as a graduate of the program I now realize everything built into the schedule had a purpose—even this welcome quiz.

After our assessment, the 26 cadets, all strangers, loaded the bus and drove to observe a cow necropsy, a large-scale dissection, on site. From the digestive system and learning how to age cattle to understanding vaccinations and the different facets of a cattle operation, I felt like my brain had grown exponentially already—and it hadn’t even been a full day! The week was filled with hands-on activities and presentations given by the best men and women in their fields.

This camp was unlike any other camp I have ever experienced.

Thanks to the thoughtful planning by Ranch Brigade volunteers, campers were given the unique opportunity to follow the cattle production system fully from pasture to plate.

We started with the different elements of the land and how they can and will affect livestock. It is amazing how important it is to maintain plants and plant residue on your ground to help build up organic matter and prevent erosion, yet I had no idea soil structure was a factor every landowner should investigate.

Similarly, it is vital to know what is growing on your property and how that can save lives and money. For example, without being able to identify the purple dots on johnsongrass as a sign that the grass is stressed and therefore poisonous, you are at risk of losing cattle and economic growth.

We learned how to herd cattle calmly and quietly with an enlightening demonstration, followed by the opportunity to work cattle ourselves. For me, it was a day for many firsts: vaccinating, deworming, branding, dehorning, ear tagging and even castrating—how many other camps offer that?!

As a herd we competed in a variety of ranch chores, including dummy roping, goat sorting, post hole digging and watering/ feeding cattle. Although we found ourselves sweating and out of breath by the end of each activity, the reward of our hard work and immense amount of knowledge we gained made it all worth it.

At the end of the week, we had front row tickets to the practical art of beef processing and learned first-hand about the various cuts of meat and where they come from on a cow. I had the opportunity to grill my own flat iron steak, not to mention enjoy it!

Ranch Brigade was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. This camp was so much more to me than just memorizing facts for the daily trivia competition or shouting the loudest while reciting cadences; this educational camp fostered learning and inspired me to love the environment. Throughout the week we not only became more informed and prepared land stewards and ranch managers, but leaders and better people.

During our time at Warren Ranch, we participated in several public speaking competitions and seminars; this was a special time for us to build the confidence and skills necessary to successfully educate and share with others what we learned.

We were provided the chance to observe the natural world waking up and going to bed through silent journaling and reflection at sunrise and sunset. These moments made me recognize my newfound passion and love for the outdoors and my urgent desire to conserve the land and serve the agricultural industry; something I wouldn’t have found without Ranch Brigade.

Driving into Ranch Brigade my mind was racing. What would I be learning? Driving out, my mind was racing again, but this time with passion. How am I going to be part of a positive change in my own community through spreading my experiences and advocating for the land and the animals?

As we loaded the ranch bus for the last time, we were now a family, high school students bound by a love for agriculture and a motivation to preserve it. After all, it isn’t hard to fall in love with this industry after being influenced by conservationists like Chris Farley, Jon Taggart, Steve Nelle and Jeff Petter.

Motivated by these legendary ranchers and land stewards, I was determined to start an agricultural club in my school community. I strive to continue to influence and educate my community to appreciate and understand our natural resources and hopefully help inspire people to be curious and excited about the natural world, wild things, and wild places Remember that plant identification and beef production test I took at the beginning of camp? Well, during our last couple of hours as Ranch Brigade cadets we retook the same assessment— and the improvement was impressive.

I truly believe that regardless of previous knowledge or experience, everyone can all learn something and use the knowledge to create a more informed world. And for many, Texas Brigades is the key to opening the door to a better today… and a better tomorrow.

For more information, visit www.texasbrigades.org.

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TEXAS WILDLIFE

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

Walking, Not Running, Into 2022 Article and photo by SALLIE LEWIS

I

t is hard to believe a whole year has come and gone since I started writing this column for Texas Wildlife. Over the last 12 months, I have shared stories and lessons inspired by the outdoors, along with countless memories made living in the Hill Country. I relived treasured traditions like fly fishing, turkey hunting, and searching for sheds, along with new experiences such as harvesting tunas from a prickly pear cactus.

On the last page of every issue, I’ve shared my wonder and curiosity with you all, recounting unexpected passions, like bird watching for example.

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During the pandemic's early days, a flock of barn swallows nesting around my home became a steady comfort during an unsteady time. So too were the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and Canada Geese, the Hummingbirds and Northern Flickers I observed with the changing seasons.

On my morning walks on the outskirts of Fredericksburg, I foraged for treasure, collecting pieces of sharpened stone, fallen feathers, silk moths, and empty turtle shells bleached by the sun. Journaling became another source of quiet contentment. With each month’s contribution, my hope was

JANUARY 2022

that these words might somehow pique others’ curiosity and perhaps even inspire some of you to embrace the outdoors anew.

For those who followed along, you might recall that my move to the Hill Country began as a year-long sabbatical.

Today, it is a place I continue to call home, along with my hometown of San Antonio, and it will always be a special sanctuary for the healing I found after a difficult chapter of life.

As 2022 begins, I am challenging myself to walk, not run, into the year ahead.

Instead of busying myself with future plans and short-lived resolutions, I want to continue the slow, mindful lifestyle I learned, be it driving unhurriedly on quaint country roads or stopping in awe at a field of sunlit wheat.

I like to think that no matter where we live, be it a rural residence or a bustling city center, there is always inspiration to be found outdoors. I for one am continually grateful for life’s simple, sensory pleasures, like the smell of the earth after a long rain and the warmth of a wood-burning fire on a cold winter’s night.

Equally special is the soft, soothing sound of snow dropping from the sky and the singular beauty of a farm-fresh egg. Before moving to the country, I never quite appreciated the golden hours that bookend each day or the way the moon rises high into the sky every night, like hope.

As a new year begins, I would like to thank all of you who have read my monthly column and invite you to continue with me on this humble, heartfelt journey. Together, we will keep walking slowly, observing keenly, and living fully, ready to discover the wild wonder that awaits outside our doors.