MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION
MAY 2022
Dragons
of the Pineywoods
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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.
T
he Texas Wildlife Association was founded in 1985 by a passionate group of land stewards interested in protecting private property rights. Although the organization has grown over the last 37 years and has a few more moving parts these days, I’m proud that the mission is the same today as it was when we started. The engine that drives TWA's success in our advocacy, hunting heritage and conservation education efforts is our membership. TWA members provide influence and volunteer support around the state, fundraising support to keep the organization financially healthy, and real time information about important local private lands issues. At a recent Executive Committee meeting, long-time TWA leader and current TWAF President, Steve Lewis, made a commitment to personally recruit 30 new TWA members through a personal letter writing campaign to his contacts. As part of this commitment, he challenged other committee members to take a similar approach and recruit their own group of new members. We are now about 45 days out from this membership challenge and as I write this, more than 150 new members have joined our association with more coming in each day. I would like to thank our EC members who have taken this effort so seriously for their passion and persistence. It is greatly appreciated. If this small group of passionate volunteers can produce this level of membership recruitment success in such a short time, just imagine what we can accomplish if every TWA member recruited five new members over the next month. The sky is the limit. Here is the challenge……we would like to grow by 1,000 members by Convention. All this will take is for 200 TWA members to step up and GET 5 new members before July. I’ve recruited several new members since that Executive Committee meeting and can tell you the hardest part for me has been finding the time to sit down and write the letters. The TWA mission sells itself to private landowners who value land, water, and wildlife. And when a friend asks a friend to become a member, it is hard to say no. Thank you all for being TWA members and thanks in advance for your efforts in helping grow our ranks. The more of us there are, the more effective we can be at protecting private property rights and creating connections for Texans to better understand the value of well stewarded private lands.
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
MAY 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
MAY
VOLUME 38
H
8 Hidden Dragons of the Pineywoods by MATT BUCKINGHAM
NUMBER 1
H
2022
30 Guns & Shooting Hand Cannons by STAN SKINNER
16 Small Acreage-Big Opportunities
32 Pond Management
by AMANDA GOBELI
Stocking Ponds is a Process
20 Lessons From Leopold
by TODD SINK and BRITTANY CHESSER
Dogmatic Statements
34 Wild Turkey & Wine
by STEVE NELLE
Recipes and Spirits for Your Table
21 Members In Action
by TAMRA M. BOLTON
TWA Launches Hunt to Table Wild Game Cooking Class Series
38 Into Sharp Focus
Bringing Generations of Hands-On Experience in Nature Photography
by KRISTIN PARMA
by LORIE A. WOODWARD
22 Conservation Legacy
Teaching “Birds of a Feather”
44 Deep in the Heart
by ADRIENNE PAQUETTE
Behind the Scenes of a Wildlife Film by KATY BALDOCK
28 Borderlands News
The Economics of Stewardship
48 By The Book
by KELLEY MUNDY, LOUIS A. HARVESON, STACEY S. DEWALD, PATRICIA M. HARVESON and BILLY TARRANT
by SALLIE LEWIS
54 Outdoor Traditions A West Texas Weekend by SALLIE LEWIS Photo by Matt Buckingham
Magazine Staff
MAGAZINE OF THE TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION
MAY 2022
Salamanders, the hidden dragons of the Pineywoods, are more than just fish bait. Much more. They are remarkable amphibians that make their above-ground appearance only once a year. But their importance goes beyond just being interesting oddities in nature—they are an indicator species. If salamanders are doing well, the ecosystem is doing well, as biologist and photographer Matt Buckingham describes in his article beginning on Page 8.
MAGAZINE CORPS Justin Dreibelbis, Executive Editor Burt Rutherford, Consulting Publications Coordinator/Editor Lorie A. Woodward, Special Projects Editor David Brimager, Advertising Director
On the Cover
Photo by Matt Buckingham Dragons
of the Pineywoods
Publication Printers Corp., Printing, Denver, CO
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5
TEXAS WILDLIFE
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
FOR INFORMATION ON HUNTING SEASONS, call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (800) 792-1112, consult the 2022-2023 Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual, or visit the TPWD website at tpwd.state.tx.us.
MAY
JUNE
JULY
MAY 13 TYHP Huntmaster Training, Matador WMA. For more information call Chris Mitchell at 800-460-5494 or email cmitchell@texas-wildlife.org
JUNE 4 Texas Big Game Awards Sportsman’s Celebration, Stephenville. For more information,visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.
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.
MAY 14 TYHP Huntmaster Training 1-Day Field Course, Richmond, TX. For more information call Chris Mitchell at 800-460-5494 or email cmitchell@texas-wildlife.org
JUNE 25 Texas Big Game Awards Sportsman’s Celebration, Fiddler’s on the Gruene, New Braunfels. For more information, visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.
MAY 21 Texas Big Game Awards Sportsman's Celebration, Brazos Expo Center, College Station. 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.
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
MAY 2022
HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
This smiling dragon doesn’t breathe fire, fly around or torment humans. Rather, salamanders are unique amphibians that play a vital role in the ecosystems where they live.
8 TEXAS WILDLIFE
MAY 2022
HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS Article and photos by MATT BUCKINGHAM
F
ar behind the pine curtain, where towering trees reach for the clouds, lies a hidden world. Nestled beneath the leaf litter in the shade of the forest floor, it is home to a cast of fantastic creatures that few will ever see. Kings among them are the salamanders of the genus Ambystoma, commonly referred to as mole salamanders. Highly secretive, these hidden dragons spend as much as 95% of their time in burrows deep below the forest floor. For a few magical
days each year, however, they emerge by the thousands to embark on a perilous journey and take part in an ancient ritual to ensure the continuation of their bloodlines. A LITTLE HISTORY When most think of Texas, lush forests and tall trees seldom come to mind. Yet by the late 1800s, East Texas was one of the largest timber producing regions in the nation. Over the
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HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
Five different and unique salamanders live in the East Texas Pineywoods. While their habitat preferences may vary, one common factor is vernal pools—isolated wetlands that form in upland depressions. Because these pools are seasonal, fish can’t survive, meaning a major predator isn’t present.
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following decades, hundreds of thousands of acres of virgin timber were felled to fuel a rapidly industrializing population. Indeed, the Pineywoods of East Texas stand apart from a state primarily defined by sweeping prairies, desolate deserts, and rugged canyons. The Pineywoods are located at the eastern extent of the state, from the Louisiana border west roughly to the town of Crockett, where dense forests of pines and hardwoods give way to sprawling post oak savannas; and from Texarkana south to just north of Houston, where the land transitions to open prairies and marshes that reach to the Gulf of Mexico. The term “Pineywoods” is a bit of a misnomer, as the forests here are quite diverse. While longleaf, shortleaf, and loblolly pines are important species throughout much of the region, hardwood forests also thrive. A variety of oaks, elms, maples, and hickories form pure hardwood stands or mingle with the pines. Famously showy trees like dogwoods, redbuds, and hawthorns occur in the understory, while a variety of flowering forbs cover the ground and complete the scene for a landscape that looks more like an Appalachian forest than the rest of Texas. In fact, many are surprised to learn that East Texas has more in common, at least in terms of plant and animal species, with Virginia more than 1,000 miles to the east, than it does with Austin just 200 miles to the west. The thriving forests are due in large part to the abundance of rainfall in the region. Annual average rainfall steadily increases as one moves from west to east across Texas. While areas like El Paso and Terlingua may receive less than 10 inches, the Pineywoods average between 40 to 60 inches per year. The abundant rainfall is also what allows the salamanders to flourish. Though they may look like lizards at first glance, salamanders are amphibians, like frogs and toads. And as amphibians, they depend on water to complete their life cycles. There are five members of the genus Ambystoma found in the Pineywoods. While some have different habitat preferences, the places they live have
HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
one thing in common: the presence of vernal pools—isolated wetlands that form in upland depressions. In the rich forests of the eastern U.S., these depressions can be found over pockets of dense clay scattered among a matrix of otherwise loamy soil. They may also occur in the scars of old stream beds left after some waterway changed millennia ago. These depressions begin to collect water in the late fall and early winter when abundant rainfall returns after a droughty late summer and early fall. At the same time, trees and other plants are entering dormancy, when their water requirements are reduced dramatically. This reduction in plant activity results in a rising water table. By later spring and early summer, the water table begins to drop as thirsty roots once again draw from it. Rising temperatures increase evapotranspiration, and by late summer when the droughts return, these depressions will be dry once again. Rich in biodiversity, vernal pools are home to a multitude of insects, copepods, and other invertebrates. These tiny organisms provide food for a diversity of amphibian larvae. Commonly known as tadpoles or pollywogs, these larvae are the early life stages of frogs, toads, and salamanders and they possess gills and tail fins, making them supremely adapted to life in the water. Over time, they will develop legs, lungs, and other adaptations for life on land so that they can transition to a life outside the water by the time the pools dry up. The ephemeral nature of these wetlands means that fish are unable to survive. The absence of these voracious piscine predators is exactly what allows the amphibians to flourish. Vernal pools are at their most vibrant in the late winter and early spring when salamanders and frogs migrate to them by the thousands to breed. It is an ancient ritual that is triggered by the first warm rains of the season, which typically occur sometime in mid-January in the Pineywoods. The joy of standing ankle deep in the frigid water of a vernal pool, watching hundreds of salamanders swimming across the leaf-laden bottom, and being serenaded by a cacophony of spring peepers, Cajun chorus frogs, and leopard frogs is an experience that every nature lover should experience at least once in their lives. BIG MOUTH, BIG APPETITE The genus Ambystoma contains some of the country’s most spectacular amphibians. The origin of the genus name is a bit of a mystery, however. In his book “The Amphibians of Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” Kenneth Dodd, Jr. suggests the name stems from the phrase “ana stoma buein” which translates “to cram into the mouth.” Other authors have suggested that it comes from the Greek Ambyx or Ambykos and stoma meaning a “cup-like mouth.” It is also thought that the name comes from the Greek Amblys and stoma meaning “blunt mouth.” The latter seems most likely, as many historic authors wrote the genus as Amblystoma. It’s interesting to think that the genus spelled as we know it today may be a holdover from a misspelling in historic texts.
East Texas Ambystoma salamanders are gape-limited predators, meaning they’ll eat anything they can fit into their mouths, which they can open wide. However, the smallmouth salamander is named for its proportionately smaller head and mouth.
Regardless of the origin, it’s clear that the genus name hints at the large mouths and voracious appetites of these salamanders. Ambystoma salamanders are gape-limited predators, meaning they’ll eat anything they can fit into their mouths. Indeed, both the larvae and adults are known to gorge themselves on any type of prey available. Captive tiger salamanders, for example, may consume bits of hamburger meat and have even been recorded feeding on mice. Each of the five Ambystoma species in East Texas leads a fascinating life. The descriptions below profile mysterious life histories of these hidden dragons of the Pineywoods. THE SPOTTED SALAMANDER (AMBYSTOMA MACULATUM) Large and brightly colored, spotted salamanders may reach up to 9 inches in length. Adorned with black skin interrupted by two rows of bright yellow spots, they are among the most spectacular of forest denizens. This species is considered by many to be the poster child for vernal pools.
As warm winter rains begin to fall, salamanders like this spotted salamander emerge and begin to migrate to vernal pools to breed.
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HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
up and uses it to fertilize her eggs, which she deposits in a huge gelatinous mass on submerged twigs and vegetation. The salamanders don’t dawdle in the ponds, and as quickly as they arrived, they vanish back into their upland burrows. There they will remain for the rest of the year, waiting for the next winter’s rain when the ritual will begin again. One of the most fascinating aspects of the spotted salamander’s life history is a mutualistic relationship with a species of algae, Oophila amblystomatis. This single-celled algae only occurs within the eggs of the spotted salamander and is encountered nowhere else in nature. As the embryos mature, many egg masses will become green as these algae proliferate within them. The developing embryos are oxygenated through the byproducts of the photosynthesizing algae, causing them to develop more quickly and suffer less mortality than embryos in egg masses where algae are absent. The algae benefit from the nitrogen-rich waste products and carbon dioxide produced by the embryos.
While East Texas salamanders spend 95% of their time burrowed underground, they emerge once a year to lay eggs in vernal pools dotting the forest floor.
Their fate is so closely tied to the presence of these ephemeral wetlands that they are used as indicator species for healthy pools. And as healthy vernal pools depend on healthy forests, the spotted salamander, in turn, serves as an indicator for the health of the entire forest. Spotted salamanders spend most of their lives confined to small burrows excavated by some species of rodent or other fossorial (burrowing) creature. As warm winter rains begin to saturate the soil, they slowly emerge from their underground haunts and migrate to their breeding ponds. The males arrive first. Eventually they will outnumber the females several to one. After entering the water, they make their way to the perfect spot on the bottom of the pool where they will deposit their spermatophore, a gelatinous deposit containing their genetic material. They tend to revisit the same exact site year after year. Here they will stand guard over their deposit and await the females. The arriving females are swollen with a gelatinous mass of unfertilized eggs. As soon as they see approaching females, the males begin to display near their spermatophore. They engage in a seemingly choreographed dance that involves a series of flips, gyrations, and underwater acrobatics. Once a female appears receptive to his performance, a male will gently guide her over his spermatophore. She then picks it
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Tiger salamanders are the rarest of the Ambystoma salamanders of East Texas although they range across a vast swath of the nation.
THE EASTERN TIGER SALAMANDER (AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM) The rarest of the Pineywoods Ambystoma, tiger salamanders resemble spotted salamanders at first glance. They have a base color of black to olive, with numerous yellow, orange, or copper spots and blotches. Unlike the spotted salamander, whose spots generally form two parallel lines down their backs, the tiger salamander’s markings are randomly distributed over its back and sides. Tiger salamanders can also be differentiated by their stockier build and larger size, with some individuals reaching up to 12 inches in length. In East Texas, tigers are restricted to bands of deep sand that were deposited during the Eocene Epoch, 30 to 50 million years ago. With names like Sparta, Carrizo, and Tonkawa, these deposits occur in narrow bands that roughly parallel the arc of the Gulf. Despite occurring more than 100 miles inland, these deposits provide evidence that the geology of East Texas developed as the Gulf slowly retreated to its current position.
HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
Outside of East Texas, tiger salamanders are the widest ranging amphibians in North America. What was once considered a single species ranging from Arizona to New York is now considered by many to be two species. The western tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) occupies the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, and the eastern tiger salamander occurs in the forested eastern portion of the country. Both occur in Texas, with Central Texas apparently serving as the transition zone between species. The range of tiger salamanders has been artificially expanded thanks to its popularity as fishing bait. Often sold in bait shops as “waterdogs,” their larvae are renowned for their ability to attract large bass. Inevitably, some of those will wiggle off the hook and escape. In other instances, the leftover waterdogs at the end of a fishing trip may be dumped into the water. In some cases, bait store owners will deliberately introduce them into ponds on or near their property to encourage their breeding and keep a supply on hand. Inevitably, after morphing into adults, some will escape the confines of the property and spread to adjacent ponds. Very little is known about eastern tiger salamanders in Texas, due largely to their scarcity and secretive nature. They apparently prefer oak-dominated savannas where they breed in vernal pools and permanent fishless clay-bottomed ponds surrounded by sandy uplands. They are considered a species of conservation concern in the state, and there is evidence that their populations may be declining.
THE MOLE SALAMANDER (AMBYSTOMA TALPOIDEUM) With an oversized bulbous head and beady eyes, the mole salamander might be mistaken for a monster from a B horror movie, were it not for its tiny size. Averaging 3 to 4 inches in length, they are about half the size of a spotted salamander, and a third the size of a tiger salamander. Their common name refers to their highly fossorial nature. Mole salamanders seem to spend less time on the surface than other Ambystoma salamanders in Texas, and it’s more difficult to predict when they might emerge to migrate to their breeding ponds. Mole salamanders also spend more time in the water than other East Texas Ambystoma. In fact, mole salamanders have evolved a remarkable adaptation to allow them to take advantage of the relatively safe environment in the ponds of their birth; some adults are neotonic, a condition where larval characteristics are retained into adulthood. While most Ambystoma salamanders will grow lungs, absorb their gills, and leave the ponds to live out their adult lives on land, some mole salamanders forgo this process in ponds where water remains year-round. They grow to adult size and can reproduce, all while keeping their gills and fin-like tails. If drought conditions cause their ponds to dry up, they can quickly absorb their gills, and morph into terrestrial adults where they will live out the rest of their lives on dry land, returning to their ponds only to breed.
When you think of salamanders, you think of a long, thin, lizard-like animal. The well-named mole salamander breaks that mold.
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HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
Compared with the other Ambystoma salamanders of the Pineywoods, mole salamanders appear rather drab at first glance. Generally grayish or brown overall, closer inspection reveals thousands of tiny purplish or bluish flecks, which are especially evident when they are in their breeding congresses. In East Texas they typically occur in longleaf or shortleaf pinedominated uplands.
Most salamanders may look like lizards, but they’re really amphibians, like frogs and toads.
THE SMALLMOUTH SALAMANDER (AMBYSTOMA TEXANUM) Named for their proportionately smaller heads and mouths, smallmouth salamanders are relatively long and slender, and may reach up to 7 inches in length. This species has a wide range in eastern Texas, occurring from the Louisiana border west to Austin, and from the Oklahoma border south to Victoria. They are relatively uncommon in the Pineywoods, and are usually significantly outnumbered by other East Texas salamander species where they occur. Elsewhere in the U.S. they can be found from Ohio west to eastern Nebraska and Kansas, and south to southern Mississippi. Coloration varies throughout their range, and it’s said that Texas is home to the most attractive representatives of the species. Here they are generally grayish, with dark bellies and numerous lichen-like white, light blue, or coppery blotches on their backs and sides.
Salamanders are an important indicator species in the East Texas Pineywoods. If the salamanders are thriving, so is the entire ecosystem.
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HIDDEN DRAGONS OF THE PINEYWOODS
Smallmouth salamanders are active on the surface longer than other Ambystoma and may be encountered from November through March if there is plentiful rainfall and mild temperatures. During this period, they spend most of their time hidden beneath logs and other debris on the forest floor. In East Texas, they tend to be found in or adjacent to bottomland hardwood and floodplain forests. Here they breed in shallow pools and may occasionally utilize holes left by uprooted trees. THE MARBLED SALAMANDER (AMBYSTOMA OPACUM) The species previously discussed breed during warm rains in late winter and early spring. Marbled salamanders, however, have adopted an entirely different strategy. They emerge from their subterranean haunts during the first cool rains of autumn, typically in early- to mid-October in the Pineywoods. They migrate to the ponds of their birth, which are completely dry when they arrive. Here they court, breed, and lay eggs—all on dry land. The females deposit eggs singly into a tight cluster under woody debris in the pond’s basin. She will stay with them, guarding them closely until the winter rains fill the pool and the eggs disperse and hatch. It’s a risky move. With no water in the pool, the marbled salamanders are gambling that the winter rains will come and the ponds will fill. If they don’t, the year’s crop of future marbled salamanders will fail. Fortunately, the eggs are adapted to avoid desiccation and can remain viable if the rains are late. When the rains do come to flood the eggs, the payoff is huge. By being the first to hatch in the pond, the marbled salamander’s larvae are the top predators. By the time the spotted salamander eggs hatch, the marbled larvae may have already been growing for several weeks. In fact, it’s not unusual to see marbled salamander larvae resting on the egg masses of spotted salamanders, lying in wait for their hatching. And then they feast.
Trees aren’t the only part of East Texas forests to show off their colors. This marbled salamander has come out from its underground home to join others of its kind in an annual ritual of propagation.
Vernal pools are at their most vibrant in the late winter and early spring when frogs and salamanders like these spotted salamanders migrate to them by the thousands to breed. It is an ancient ritual that is triggered by the first warm rains of the season, which typically occur sometime in mid-January in the Pineywoods.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTORS Amphibians are renowned as predictors of environmental health. Sensitive to changes in water quality and other environmental factors, they can serve as indicators to the quality of many of our ecosystems. They have more direct benefits as well. Ambystoma salamanders are famous for their ability to regenerate limbs. Research into this may result in remarkable medical advancements. Amphibian populations around the world are suffering steep declines. As with most of our biodiversity, the main threat is habitat loss. Protecting mature forests, implementing sustainable forestry practices, and adhering to regulations pertaining to wetland protection can help offset this threat. Salamanders are also threatened by feral hogs and certain invasive aquatic plants, which may choke out the vernal pools they depend on. Land stewardship that targets these invaders is another good practice to ensure that these remarkable hidden dragons continue to thrive in the Pineywoods for generations to come.
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As land ownership changes in Texas, finding ways for landowners who manage smaller pieces of land to do so with a stewardship ethic becomes more important.
Small Acreage-Big Opportunities Article by AMANDA GOBELI Photo courtesy of TWA
I
n February, TWA and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension hosted a working group with a single goal: to make our Small Acreage – Big Opportunity program more relevant and impactful to its target audience. The program, nicknamed SABO for short, began in 2020. It aims to support small-acreage landowners in their efforts to practice stewardship that promotes healthy, functional ecosystems across Texas. Although the SABO programs held so far, including both in-person and virtual events, have received high praise from attendees, there is always room for improvement. To help uncover these opportunities, we brought together partners from a variety
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of organizations including Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Gulf Coast Joint Venture, 100 Ranchers, and others for a total of 16 participants. Using the Conservation Standards planning process, the work group identified key barriers preventing effective steward-ship on small acreages and potential strategies for addressing those barriers. The discussion was eye-opening not just for SABO, but for conservation outreach and education as a whole. Thanks to everyone who shared their time and expertise as part of the working group. SABO attendees can look forward to seeing the working group's feedback implemented in future sessions.
SPRING CREEK RANCH 1,789+ Ac. Bee County
LADY J RANCH 2,695+ Ac. Leon-Robertson County
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DullnigRanches.com DullnigRanches@gmail.com 210.213.9700
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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17
TWA & TPWD INVITE YOU TO THE
31ST
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
ESTABLISHED 1991
MAY 21, 2022 JUNE 4, 2022 JUNE 25, 2022 Join us this summer as we celebrate our hunting heritage!
2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MAY 21ST BRAZOS COUNTY EXPO 5827 LEONARD ROAD, COLLEGE STATION
DOORS OPEN AT 4 P.M. BANQUET DINNER AT 6 P.M. FOLLOWED BY AWARDS CEREMONY. AWARDEES ARE FREE WITH ALL OTHER GUESTS AT $20 PER PERSON. DEADLINE TO RSVP IS MAY 11.
JUNE 4TH CELEBRATION EVENT CENTER 9710 CR 209, HICO (STEPHENVILLE)
DOORS OPEN AT 4 P.M. BANQUET DINNER AT 6 P.M. FOLLOWED BY AWARDS CEREMONY. AWARDEES ARE FREE WITH ALL OTHER GUESTS AT $20 PER PERSON. DEADLINE TO RSVP IS MAY 20.
JUNE 25TH FIDDLER’S GRUENE 832 GRUENE RD, NEW BRAUNFELS
DOORS OPEN AT 4 P.M. BANQUET DINNER AT 6 P.M. FOLLOWED BY AWARDS CEREMONY. AWARDEES ARE FREE WITH ALL OTHER GUESTS AT $20 PER PERSON. DEADLINE TO RSVP IS JUNE11.
MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND! YOU MAY ATTEND ANY OF THE THREE BANQUETS TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD. REGIONAL TROPHY MOUNT DISPLAY, EXCITING RAFFLES FOR HUNTING GEAR, AND MUCH MORE! RESERVED TABLES AVAILABLE AT $400. RSVP ONLINE AT WWW.TEXASBIGGAMEAWARDS.ORG QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL (800) 839-9453.
Photo Courtesy of the Aldo Leopold Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives
Dogmatic Statements BY STEVE NELLE
“I have stated that any system of grazing, no matter how conservative, induces erosion. The proof of this statement... may be seen almost anywhere in the hills.” Aldo Leopold, 1921
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t is usually unwise to make bold, rigid statements about complex things. Natural resources and their management are unbelievably intricate and new information is being discovered almost daily. We are still learning a lot even 100 years after Leopold made his confident but incorrect statement. We should temper everything we read or hear within the context in which it was delivered and with the realization that even the best scientists and land managers are prone to errors and misunderstandings. A statement delivered as black and white will almost always prove to be some shade of gray when more carefully examined and when the specific setting is considered. Leopold’s statement was based on his observations at the Prescott National Forest in central Arizona. Rough topography, shallow soil, low rainfall, and limited natural water made it a challenging place to graze. In fairness to Leopold, what he saw at that time and place led him to conclude that any kind of grazing inevitably led to soil erosion. From where he stood, the statement seemed true. Everywhere he looked, he could see signs of erosion on hillsides that were grazed too short. His mistake was positioning the proclamation as if it applied universally. We should be slow to accept oversimplified statements about natural resource management and we should be quick to hear other perspectives that may shed better or additional light. While we may hold to our theories or the theories of others, we should hold them loosely enough that we are able to see when they are flawed or incomplete. The most dangerous person in natural resource management is the one who confidently asserts to have the right answers. It is a mistake to put any person on a pedestal and automatically embrace without question what he or she says. We admire and respect Aldo Leopold for his insights into ecology and land management. But like the rest of us, he sometimes made statements that later proved not to be completely true.
Early in his career, Leopold made other dogmatic declarations in support of predator eradication. He aggressively promoted intensive control of coyotes, wolves, and mountain lions in the Southwest, knowing it would mean more big game to hunt. What he failed to recognize initially is that game populations unchecked by predators could—and would—destroy their own habitat. He was young, enthusiastic and too full of confidence. His enthusiasm was not yet backed up by the wisdom of experience or the ability to see the big picture. Like many of us, as he matured, he was less likely to make brash, universal proclamations. With age should come the wisdom to temper what we say. We can’t be too hard on Leopold because most of us have also embraced flawed thinking. In our day we have heard and probably adopted certain dogmatic ideas which later proved faulty. Here are some examples: Spikes and other “inferior bucks” should be culled to improve antler genetics. Since there is an 80% turnover of quail every year, hunters may as well harvest the “doomed surplus” or it will die of natural causes. Cedar and mesquite suck unusually large amounts of water and the widespread control of these brush species will dramatically improve our water supplies. When we make bold statements, we should be careful to qualify what we say and state the conditions under which we believe the statement is true. A little bit of humility goes a long way when we think we have some new revelation. It is wise to acknowledge, “This is what seems to be true based on our current understanding.” The test of time and further scrutiny will determine whether our beliefs stand, fall, or need to be modified. With the complexities of natural resource management, it is frustrating to realize that the “right answers” sometimes change over time. One thing that helps us navigate these complexities and frustrations is the resolve to stay focused on the perspective of strong and sustaining stewardship.
WRITER’S NOTE: Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) is considered the father of modern wildlife management. This bi-monthly column will feature Leopold's thought-provoking philosophies as well as commentary.
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T WA M E M B E R S I N A C T I O N
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
TWA Launches Hunt to Table Wild Game Cooking Class Series Article and photos by KRISTIN PARMA
Not your grandpa’s appetizer. Or grandma’s either. These terrine crostini appetizers will wow the crowd at your next gathering.
It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it, as TWA staffer Chris Mitchell (left) and TWA member and TYHP Huntmaster Henry Cardenas gladly demonstrate.
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he Texas Wildlife Association hosted its first wild game cooking class of the year this February at its headquarters in New Braunfels. With an emphasis on the connection between conservation-based hunting and sustainable eating, the classes aim to engage interested members with the knowledge and resources to utilize simple, elevated wild game cooking techniques in their daily lives. Led by TWA staff members Chris Mitchell and Kristin Parma, the limited registration event focused its efforts on teaching participants how to make a historic German dish pannas (pon haus) using venison, as well as creative ways to present and plate. Participants sampled pannas in various preparations before taking part in the process of making the dish themselves and sharing in the fellowship of food with each other. Free to members, TWA intends to host wild game cooking classes quarterly as part of its Hunt to Table program focusing on engaging new and experienced adult hunters and their families. REMAINING 2022 CALENDAR May 21 - Meatballs September 10 - Tamales December 17 - Link & Summer Sausage
TWA members Phillip and Cassandra Farmer enjoyed their “date day” learning how to prepare a trio of venison recipes.
For more information, contact Kristin Parma at kparma@ texas-wildlife.org or call (800) 839-9453 (TEX-WILD).
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Teaching “Birds of a Feather” The View From Below
Article by ADRIENNE PAQUETTE Photos courtesy of CONSERVATION LEGACY
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How do birds stay dry in the rain? By preening their feathers, which spreads protective oil, as these students are learning.
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s I prepared to enter an elementary school first thing in the morning one spring, I stopped to listen to the cacophony of Blue Jays and Mockingbirds in the loblolly pines that shaded the parking lot. I looked up to see what all the fuss is about, wondering if I’m the one causing their stress. What I saw was a very harassed-looking Red-tailed Hawk being dive-bombed by the territorial songbirds. Half an hour later, I relayed this encounter to a group of fifth graders, who were in awe that something so wild could be happening just outside their classroom door. These are the moments I live for as a conservation educator— sharing the love of our native Texas wildlife with students in the Houston area. “Birds of a Feather” is one of five in-class TWA Wildlife by Design programs currently offered to teachers in Texas. Kids enjoy these hands-on explorations of our native Texas wildlife as we discuss what it means to be a good steward of Texas lands, water, and wildlife. “So why is a bird not a mammal?” “How do birds fly?” “Why don’t birds have teeth?” We answer these questions and explore what makes a bird a bird in our “Birds of a Feather” Wildlife by Design program. Birds are a unique group of animals that anyone anywhere can enjoy. They are found on every continent on Earth, so it’s no surprise that many of us feel fascinated by these feathered wonders. In every classroom I enter—regardless of whether it’s full of first-graders or adults—I hear stories of how amazingly fast a Peregrine Falcon can fly (more than 200 miles per hour in a dive!), how beautiful a Painted Bunting is, or even how watching hummingbirds hover at a feeder brings a smile to a child’s face. This incredibly diverse group of animals can bring the wonders of the wild into our own backyards. Kids are used to seeing wildlife on television and in nature documentaries. But nature is not just somewhere far away; it’s right here! During the “Birds of a Feather” lesson, we cover special adaptations birds have that help them thrive in nearly every habitat on Earth. The kids giggle when I tell them how, if a bird
TEACHING “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
had teeth rather than a beak, their heads would be too heavy for them to fly. They “ooh” when I show them how water rolls off the fan of a tom turkey’s tail feathers thanks to the natural oils birds spread on themselves to prevent their feathers from being weighed down by rain.
recognizable red head and neck. Often called a buzzard (which it is not), the vulture plays a very important role as nature’s garbage disposal. They eat carrion like an armadillo struck by a car while foraging for beetles on the roadside. “That means it’s a decomposer!” remarks one enthusiastic student. Exactly! This is a great opportunity to talk about the special characteristics of vultures as decomposers. Vultures are specially adapted to pluck at rotting carcasses. Their bare heads keep bacteria and parasites from hitching a ride after a dive into a deceased deer. They have a very acidic fluid in their stomachs that helps them digest meat that’s past its expiration date without causing illness. Turkey Vultures have the most well-developed olfactory system of any bird we know. They can easily sniff out their next meal while soaring for hours on end—a feat they accomplish because of the ratio of their extra-long wingspan to body size. In addition, Black Vultures mate for life. All this information turns the kids’ “ewws” into “awws” and opens their minds to understanding more about something they may see every day. Like all of our Wildlife by Design programs, a handson activity helps bring our wildlife discussion to life for the students. Younger kids (grades K-2) get to explore bird adaptations for themselves with an activity called Beak Frenzy, while older students (grades 3-8) match models of different bird beaks and feet while studying the functions of the bird parts more closely. Would a duck’s beak be a good adaptation for a bird that needs to drill holes in trees? Is a woodpecker beak adapted to rip apart prey? Beak Frenzy allows the class to explore these questions by comparing the variety of shapes of bird beaks. Students attempt to pick up different kinds of “food” with the “beaks” that are provided. The “beak” provided might be a pair of chopsticks (woodpecker beak), some tongs (duck), or a small clothespin Blue Jay). The “food” includes beads and marbles (seeds), pieces of chenille stems inside a PVC pipe (insects
Which beak is best? It depends on what the bird eats, the students learn.
The class gets a chance to compare a hawk’s hook-shaped beak to the long, sharp woodpecker beak used for chiseling into trees. Then come the squeals as I pass around fake turkey poop or “scat.” I tell the group that the presence of J-shaped scat means they're tracking a tom turkey while spiral-shaped scat (just like the poop emoji!) means it's a hen. The “Birds of a Feather” program not only teaches kids about bird adaptations but engages them in a discussion about the importance of birds in our ecosystems. Birds are consumers. Whether it’s a raptor, like a hawk or owl pouncing on a mouse, a flock of Cedar Waxwings sweetly passing berries from beak to beak, or a Barn Swallow swiftly snatching up insects on the wing, all birds have a place in balancing our environment. One bird which kids—and many adults—are rarely fond of is the vulture. We have two in Texas: the Black Vulture that has a black head and neck, and the Turkey Vulture with its easily
A woodpecker’s bill wouldn’t work for waterfowl, as students learn in the Beak Frenzy exercise. By trying different hands-on exercises, like using tongs to pick up aquatic plants, students see why a duck’s beak is different than a woodpecker’s.
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TEACHING “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
Who has the longest wing span? Students stretch as far as they can, but have yet to match that of a Great Blue Heron.
inside a tree cavity), or fake plants in a bucket of water. The students try to find the matching “beak” and “food” that represent different birds and the food they eat. Students also get a chance to compare the wingspan of the birds we have studied to their own “wingspan” by measuring how far they can stretch their arms apart. I have yet to find a student to match the 6 ½-foot wingspan of a Great Blue Heron. My favorite part of the lesson comes at the end. We talk about the ever-present
sounds of birds. While many kids may have heard a Mockingbird’s diverse array of calls, they may not as easily be able to identify our state bird without seeing the bird itself. However, as any birder can attest, we use our ears more often than our eyes to find our feathered friends. When I play a recording of the Great Horned Owl’s familiar and characteristic low hoots, every hand in the room shoots up to tell me it’s an owl. “But what kind of owl?” I implore. Many hands go down.
“Now what makes this noise?” I ask as I play the call of a Barred Owl. “It sounds like a monkey,” says one boy as many other kids laugh and nod in agreement. I explain that some bird calls have a mnemonic phrase that can help us recognize and remember which bird makes what sound. In this case, the Barred Owl sounds like it’s saying, “Who-cooks-for-you? Who-cooks-for-y’all?” I play the call again, and the kids’ eyes widen in recognition of the phrase in the bird’s hoots. Next I play the Northern Bobwhite Quail, which says, “poor-bob-WHITE!” followed by the American Robin (“Cheerup! Cheer-a-lee! Cheer-e-o!”). The kids are fascinated by the numbers of calls a wild turkey can make (28!), and how not all ducks say, “quack, quack!” They are always begging to hear more bird sounds as our time runs out. I end each session with a challenge to each of the students: observe with your eyes and your ears to find out more about these wild animals to which we have become so accustomed. My hope is, by increasing awareness of our surroundings and the integral roles every living thing plays in our local ecology, future generations may be able to better appreciate wildlife in all places, and not just in a nature documentary on a screen.
TWA WELCOMES NEW DFW AREA EDUCATOR CAROLINE LANGSTON Hello! My name is Caroline Langston, and I am thrilled to be the new conservation educator for Denton, Parker, Tarrant, and Wise counties in the Fort Worth area. I grew up in the Fort Worth area, graduating in 2020 from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. I’ve spent the past few years in the world of informal environmental education, where I discovered a love for teaching kids and opening their eyes to the natural world around them—a realization that still surprises me, despite coming from a family of teachers. Behind the scenes, I have a large collection of plants that are quickly overtaking my
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house and a trio of cats. I enjoy visiting national parks when I have the time, going on hikes in the area, and studying animals. From childhood, I have always been a nature lover who spent hours each day exploring the outdoors and was never afraid of the insects and animals that sent others running. For a long time, I've dreamed of using my life to help conserve all the outdoor spaces and creatures that I love so much. Teaching the next generation of stewards to share that same appreciation is exactly what I hoped for. With that said, I’m excited to be a part of TWA. I look forward to working with everyone and delivering our programs to kids across the Fort Worth area.
AUCTION SUCCESS!
JULY 14-17, 2022
WildLife 2022
IS THE PLACE TO BE THIS JULY! This year’s auction features some of the most exclusive hunts, trips and vacation packages available anywhere as well as game feeders, blinds, firearms, and in this case, ranch management tools. One of crowd favorites annually is the HoltCat D6 Dozer Rental.
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Thanks to long-time Corporate partner HoltCat, this is a unique opportunity to rent for one month a HoltCat D6 Dozer, or buyer may receive monetary credit towards the rental of other available equipment. Exclusive adventures and items like this are among the many exciting items you can find at the TWA Annual Convention, WildLife 2022, to be held July 14-17, 2022 at the beautiful JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. Visit www.wildlife2022.com to register today!
THE LAND creates a LIFESTYLE which leaves a LEGACY.
Long Term Hunters Wanted! • Rancho Rio Grande - Del Rio, TX MLD 3, $15/ac, Hwy 277 Frontage, water & electric
– 6,000 ac, Axis, Duck & Quail
Live Water: Rio Grande River, Tesquesquite Creek and a canal.
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– 9,170 ac , Whitetail, Some Exotics
Specializing in: Farms, Ranches and Hunting Properties Throughout TEXAS! j Call Me Today i
Johnny Baker Realtor Associate
www.txland.com johntxland@gmail.com 713-829-9951
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JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa 23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78261
ANNUAL PRIVATE LANDS SUMMIT • INFORMATIVE SEMINARS • MEET & GREETS • ENTERTAINMENT • FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
FUN FOR EVERYONE!
COME SEE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!
EXCITING AUCTIONS WITH EXCLUSIVE HUNTS AND TRIPS!
TOP NOTCH TRADE SHOW!
TEXAS BIG GAME AWARDS STATEWIDE CELEBRATION
ANNUAL PRIVATE LANDS SUMMIT
BRING THE FAMILY! CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER ARE ADMITTED FREE!
Visit WWW.WILDLIFE2022.COM or call (800) 839-9453 for more information
COME CELEBRATE TWA’S 37th ANNIVERSARY!
HOW TO REGISTER • MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM Fill out the Registration Form at www.wildlife2022.com and return with payment to TWA at 6644 FM 1102, New Braunfels, TX 78132 • FAX REGISTRATION FORM Complete your Registration Form and fax to (210) 826-4933 • PHONE REGISTRATION Register and pay by phone at (800) 839-9453 • ON-LINE REGISTRATION Register on-line at www.wildlife2022.com • FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS
book.passkey.com/go/TWA2022 or by phone at 800-266-9432. Ask for “TWA 2022.” Group Rate is $232/night Standard Room plus state taxes, local taxes, and resort fees. Reservations must be received prior to June 22, 2022.
TEXAS WILDLIFE
B ORDERL ANDS NEWS BORDERLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT SUL ROSS STATE UNIVERSITY
The Economics of Stewardship Quantifying Big Game Hunting in the Trans-Pecos Article by KELLEY MUNDY, LOUIS A. HARVESON, STACEY S. DEWALD, PATRICIA M. HARVESON and BILLY TARRANT Photos courtesy of the BORDERLANDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Texas hunters don’t need to trek to the Mountain West to find trophy-sized mule deer. West Texas can grow them just fine.
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ith the rise in land fragmentation across the state, it has become increasingly important to understand the activities that minimize developmental impacts and keep lands intact. While it is accepted that hunting is an important economic driver for West Texas landowners, it can be difficult to capture the actual economic value in different areas.
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We investigated the economic potential for hunting native big game species for 10 counties in West Texas—Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, and Val Verde. Specifically, we estimated potential hunting income of four principal big game species—pronghorn, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep.
Each of these species are routinely surveyed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists and managed within species-specific manage-ment units. For mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn, we applied a sustainable harvest rate of mature bucks to the long-term average population for each management unit. For desert bighorn sheep, actual ram permit issuance through time was used to provide harvest potential for each occupied mountain range. We estimated potential hunting income for each species across all management units in the Trans-Pecos based on income estimates from expert opinion (TPWD biologists). We then incorporated the data into spatial layers in a GIS database and excluded state and national parks, as hunting is not allowed at those locations. We then created a cumulative map that represents total estimated hunting income (the sum of all four species). Total estimated hunting income ranged from $0.24 to $16.17 per acre with highest incomes coming from Pecos, Terrell, and Val Verde counties. Most of the areas that had the highest potential income per acre were in the eastern portion of the Trans-
BORDERL ANDS NEWS
Potential annual income per acre for the four native ungulate species across the Trans-Pecos region.
Pecos and were a direct result of whitetailed deer. It is no coincidence that these regions also receive the highest precipitation amounts in the Trans-Pecos and have the highest forage production. There was a noticeable decline across the potential income map that demonstrates that economic potential is directly related to precipitation levels. It is noticeable in the map that the major mountain ranges across the Trans-Pecos also had moderate income potential. The mountain ranges also have higher precipitation levels compared with lowlands and often provide habitat
for two of the profiled big game species, thus maximizing potential income. As with precipitation amounts, the farther west you go, the less potential income you can generate. Based on our model, every location in the Trans-Pecos has economic potential from hunting, even if that amount is as low as $0.24 per acre. The monetization of wildlife can sometimes invoke concerns of ignoring intrinsic values of wildlife, their role in ecosystem function, or the value of nongame species. However, hunting income is a major economic driver for TransPecos landowners that can be utilized for managing habitat improvements to benefit all wildlife species. Regardless if a landowner wishes to derive income from hunting, grazing, or a combination of both, in this area of the state it is vital that the managed
The big game animal in Far West Texas that likely provides the most potential economic return to landowners is a trophy desert bighorn ram.
Of the big game species that populate West Texas, the pronghorn is perhaps the most unique. Is it an antelope or a goat? It’s a species unto itself.
tracts of land stay large. This is a direct function of rangeland productivity, and more importantly, precipitation levels. Results from this research can be used as a spatially explicit model to help plan for the development and management of the Far West Texas region. Lastly, it should be noted that smaller acreages do not typically have the capacity to produce significant revenue from hunting or ranching income. When coupled with the other values that large working lands provide to society—clean air, water, dark skies, biodiversity—it has never been more important to work with landowner partners to ensure sustainability and minimize land fragmentation.
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GUNS & SHOOTING
Hand Cannons Part Two
Article and photos by STAN SKINNER
This is the “Big Kahuna,” the Smith & Wesson Model 500 revolver chambered for the .500 S&W Magnum, which has a muzzle velocity of 1,975 fps with a 350-grain bullet and generates 3,300 ft lbs of energy. This massive five-shot revolver was designed in 2003 to regain S&W’s crown as the world’s most powerful production handgun. With an 8 3/8-inch barrel, the Model 500 weighs 4 3/4 pounds empty.
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n the closing years of the 19th century, handgun shooters turned away from hand cannons to newly developed handgun technology. New semi-automatic handguns such as the Borchardt in 7.62x25mm were more lightly loaded than the dimensionally identical 7.63 Mauser. The latter, still-puny, cartridge was offered in the somewhat later broom-handle Mauser. This handgun did see use in war, notably by a young Winston Churchill in 1898 at the battle of Omdurman. Hand cannons continued to take a back seat as the 20th century began. Georg Luger perfected and patented his improvement of the Borchardt toggle action, and the Model 1900 Luger was adopted by the Swiss military and chambered for 7.65x21mm. This cartridge was designed by Georg Luger who later reworked it to become the 9mm Parabellum. In 1908, the German Army adopted the Luger chambered for 9mm, as did numerous other countries in succeeding years. However, the Luger was rejected by the U.S. military in favor of
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the Browning slide-action Model 1911 semi-auto chambered for .45 ACP. Although the .45 ACP was significantly more powerful than the 9mm, it still fell short of being true hand cannon ammo. In fact, it wasn’t until 1934 that a modern-day version of a hand cannon emerged. In that year, Elmer Keith, Phil Sharpe, and Doug Wesson collaborated to design a new cartridge based on Keith’s highpressure experiments with the .38 Special. The new cartridge became the .357 S&W Magnum, which was introduced in 1935. The new cartridge’s name reflects its actual caliber size, which is identical to the .38 Special. The .38 Special name is based on a 19th century load which used heeled bullets that were the same diameter as the cartridge case. The new cartridge was designed for a maximum chamber pressure of 45,000 CUP, which is roughly twice the maximum pressure for the .38 Special. It was to be chambered in largeframe revolvers with stout chamber walls compared with most revolvers chambered for .38 Special. For this reason, the .357
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Mag is about one-eighth inch longer than the .38 Special, so it cannot fit in a .38 Special chamber. Nearly two decades later, Elmer Keith was at it again. Having earlier determined that the cylinder walls of the .45 Colt were too thin to accommodate his highpressure loads, Keith turned his attention to the .44 Special. Bullet diameter of this cartridge was actually .429 inches, significantly smaller than the .452 diameter of the .45 Colt. Before long, Keith had developed loads that yielded 1,200 feet per second (fps), using a 250-grain bullet. In January 1956, Smith & Wesson introduced its Model 29 revolver chambered for the .44 Magnum. In the meantime, Keith encouraged Remington to develop a commercial version of his loads. Remington responded with an even more powerful .44 Remington Magnum that propelled a 240-grain bullet at 1,500 fps. Rumor has it that a Ruger employee found empty pre-production brass in a scrapyard and gave it to Bill Ruger, who investigated and went to Remington. Provided with specifications and performance data, Ruger was able to ship his .44 Mag Blackhawk in August of that year. Despite its January announcement, Smith & Wesson was able to produce only a small quantity of Model 29s in 1956. So, Bill Ruger’s .44 Blackhawk effectively beat S&W 29s into shooters’ hands. The .44 Magnum achieved only modest popularity until 1971. In that year, the movie “Dirty Harry” was released. In that movie, Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan proclaimed the S&W Model 29 in .44 Magnum to be “the most powerful handgun in the world.” Within days, S&W Model 29s disappeared from dealers’ shelves. Prices skyrocketed to as much as three times normal retail prices. With limitations from production capacity, S&W was unable to immediately meet the soaring demand. Many shooters turned to other gunmakers such as Sturm, Ruger with their .44 Mag Super Blackhawk and double-action Redhawk revolvers. Despite all the hype, it turns out that Dirty Harry was wrong. In 1958, Dick Casull, Duane Marsh and Jack Fullmer
The .45 Colt (left) was designed in 1872 as a black powder cartridge for the Colt Model 1873 “Peacemaker.” Dick Casull and Jack Fullmer lengthened and beefed up the .45 Colt in 1957 to become the .454 Casull (center), toppling the .44 Magnum as the “World’s Most Powerful Handgun Cartridge.” Then, in 2005, Smith & Wesson lengthened the .45 Colt again to create the .460 S&W Magnum, perhaps the world’s best long-range handgun hunting cartridge.
developed a wildcat based on the .45 Colt. Similar to the .357 and .44 magnums, the new cartridge was lengthened to prevent its use in older .45 Colt chambered revolvers. It was dubbed the .454 Casull. From a 7.5-inch test barrel, the new cartridge could launch a 240-grain bullet at 1,900 fps compared with the .44 Magnum with a muzzle velocity of 1,350 fps from a similar length barrel. This increased muzzle energy to almost twice that of the .44 Magnum. In 1983, Freedom Arms, located in western Wyoming, introduced its Model 83 revolver chambered for .454 Casull. This stainless-steel, single-action handgun is not a six-shooter. Its cylinder holds only five shots for an extra margin of safety. In 2003, Smith & Wesson decided to regain its top dog status with its Model 500 revolver, which is chambered for the .500 S&W Magnum as well as the somewhat smaller .460 S&W Magnum. This stainless-steel, double-action revolver is built on S&W’s brand-new X-frame. The X-frame joins the N, L, and K frames in S&W’s lineup as the largest of the S&W frame sizes. The .500 S&W Magnum propels a 350-grain bullet at 1,975 fps, generating a staggering 3,300 ft lbs of kinetic energy. This is more than 1,500 ft lbs greater than the .454 Casull.
Also chambered in the S&W Model 500 is the .460 Magnum, which is a lengthened version of the .454 Casull, which in turn, is a lengthened version of the .45 Colt. This means the S&W 500 revolver in .460 Magnum can also accept .454 Casull ammo as well as .45 Colt and even .45 Schofield ammo. I have used the .460 Mag on successful hunts for white-tailed deer, pronghorn and feral hogs. Using a Bushnell handgun scope mounted on my .460, I took the pronghorn at a lasered 265 yards. However, I am not proud of it. A stiff crosswind made a steady hold difficult, even using a fence post for support. Wind drift was also problematic. Let me just say, it took more than one shot and was not instant. I harvested the whitetail at 108 yards from a steady rest over a leather bag. The buck dropped like a bag of rocks, and my feral hog was just below my deer blind. In my opinion, the .460 performed very well on medium sized game, and the big S&W revolver was accurate with a crisp trigger pull. It is no lightweight, tipping the scale at 4 ¾ pounds. With the size and devastating power of the S&W Model 500, it is truly a hand cannon and deserves the title of “Most Powerful Handgun in the World.”
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TEXAS WILDLIFE
POND MANAGEMENT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Stocking Ponds is a Process Article by DR. TODD SINK, Associate Professor and Aquaculture Extension Specialist BRITTANY CHESSER, Aquatic Vegetation Management Program Specialist Photo courtesy of DR. TODD SINK
Let the good times begin. But for times to be good for both the pond owner and these young catfish being stocked, it’s important to manage fish populations correctly.
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s spring begins to give way to summer, many pond owners will begin to turn their attention to stocking their pond for the first time, or perhaps restocking an existing pond to correct an imbalance in the fish population. It is important to remember that stocking ponds is a process that should not be rushed to avoid mistakes as the fish population is established. When rushed, the fish population could become imbalanced from the start and take years of corrective management. When stocking a pond, many pond owners locate a fish supplier and purchase all the fish, including several different species, to stock at once. This can be a mistake. The proper stocking ratio is 10 prey fish (typically sunfish) for every predatory fish. Prey fish tend to be smaller species in the sunfish family and include bluegill and redear sunfish. Less often prey fish can include warmouth, longear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, or pumpkinseed. Other prey species that are also sometimes stocked for specific situations, such as growing trophy-sized largemouth bass, include threadfin shad and tilapia. These species are not recommended for most smaller (less than 1 acre) recreational ponds or ponds that will not be intensively managed.
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The recommended stocking rate is 500 sunfish per acre and 50 bass per acre. The sunfish can be 500 bluegill or 400 bluegill and 100 redear sunfish. Stocking redear in combination with bluegill is recommended because it provides another species to catch. Redear also get larger than bluegill. Because they do not directly compete for food resources, the pond typically ends up with more fish per acre than by stocking with bluegill alone. Bluegill feed predominantly on insects their entire life while redear feed primarily on snails and mollusks as adults. Redear sunfish can be stocked as the only species in a pond, but if so, do not stock bass. The reproductive rate of redear is much lower than that for bluegill, so alone they are not good forage to support a bass population. Instead of bass, stock catfish at low rates as the predatory species. Stocking bluegill as the only species in the pond is not recommended because of potential overpopulation issues. With any sportfish stocking, 5 to 15 pounds per acre of fathead minnows should be stocked prior to stocking the sportfish. They provide an easy-to-capture forage as fish population becomes established. There is also a specific stocking order. Stock 5-15 pounds of fathead minnows per acre in the spring or early summer and allow them to reproduce and fill the pond during the summer. Stock the sunfish (bluegill and redear) in late summer or fall, and they will now have ample forage in the form of fathead minnows to establish their population and grow rapidly. Should you choose to stock bass or catfish, do not introduce them until late spring or early summer the following year. If the sunfish (typically 1-3 inches) are stocked at the same time as bass (typically 3-5 inches), the next spring the fish population will be compromised with starving bass and few reproducing sunfish to serve as food. Why? The stocked bass ate the sunfish that were stocked simultaneously. By stocking the sunfish during the fall and stocking the bass the following spring, the sunfish have time to grow and sexually mature. By the time bass are stocked the following spring or summer, the sunfish will be reproducing and the bass will be able to feed on their numerous offspring instead of the original sunfish that are now serving as broodstock.
Cutting the breast meat into strips and chicken frying the pieces is a time-honored way to enjoy your wild turkey harvest. But give this stuffed wild turkey breast recipe a try and enjoy a different and delightful meal.
WILD TURKEY & WINE Recipes and Spirits for Your Table Article and photos by TAMRA M. BOLTON
Editor’s Note—This is the first in a series of articles featuring game recipes and wine/spirits pairings and recommendations. In the coming months, wild boar, exotics, venison, dove, quail and duck, and Texas game fish will be highlighted. We hope you enjoy this new addition to our regular magazine features.
W
ild turkey is often referred to as one of the most challenging and wily game birds a hunter will face. It is also considered one of the tastiest. Because wild turkey meat differs from its more docile barnyard counterpart, a variety of techniques are required to get the best results in the kitchen or on the grill. Knowing how to prepare delicious dishes using not only the turkey breast, but the legs and thighs also, will have your
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friends asking for your recipes instead of ignoring those sometimes tougher parts of their bird or giving them away. These recipes, along with pairing notes, will turn your next family dinner or gathering into a memorable event. STUFFED WILD TURKEY BREAST WITH WILD BOAR AND CRANBERRY RICE Recipe courtesy of Pete Muller, NWTF • • • • •
1 boneless wild turkey breast 1 ½ cups uncooked rice 3 cups water ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped celery
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• • • • • • • • •
½ pound wild boar sausage 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon onion 1 teaspoon parsley ½ teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon sage ¾ - 1 cup dried cranberries 5-6 strips bacon 1 tablespoon oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Trim turkey breast and pound to ½ inch to ¾ inch thickness. Set aside until ready to fill with rice stuffing. Cook sausage over medium heat in a cast iron skillet, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbly. Remove sausage from pan and add 1 tablespoon oil to already heated skillet. Add celery and onions to skillet and sauté until just tender. Once cooked, remove from pan. Heat 3 cups water in 2-quart saucepan until boiling, and then add uncooked rice. Cook according to package directions. When done, combine rice, vegetables, sausage, and spices. Cut six pieces of butcher’s twine, 15 inches long and place on cutting board, then lay 5-6 slices of bacon, close together, but not touching, on top of each piece of twine. Lay bacon lengthwise the same direction as the twine. Top this with flattened turkey breast and add 1-1 ½ cups of rice mixture. Roll up bacon and stuffed turkey breast and tie with butcher’s twine to keep bacon in place and stuffed breast together. Set aside remaining stuffing for serving with dinner.
Place stuffed turkey breast back in cast iron skillet and cook uncovered in preheated oven or pellet smoker until internal temp reaches 165 degrees and bacon is nicely browned—about 45 minutes depending on your oven. Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes, then slice and serve. THE BOLTON BURGER This is my own variation on a popular recipe…with a Texas twist! • Prep Time: 30-45 minutes for deboning and grinding turkey and making pecan butter • Total Cook Time: About one hour You will need: • Legs and thighs of one bird, about 2 pounds • 12-ounce package bacon • 8 brioche buns • 8 slices of cheddar jack cheese • Fresh mixed salad greens • Kosher salt and pepper • Vegetable oil – 2 to 3 teaspoons • Peach jam/syrup and/or blackberry jelly/syrup • 1 cup Texas pecans Recipe for Texas Pecan Butter: Place 1 cup pecan halves or pieces on a cookie sheet. Lightly toast 3-5 minutes in a preheated oven 375 degrees. Watch closely to prevent scorching. Let cool to just warm, and then pulse
While it takes a little longer to prepare than a ground beef burger, this version of an American favorite will tantalize your tastebuds.
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pecans in food processor, using a spatula to push down the build-up on the sides of the processor. Add the oil a teaspoon at a time and continue processing until it reaches the desired creaminess. (It should be thin enough to spread on burger, but not runny.) Set aside. Recipe for Ground Turkey Burger: Debone turkey legs and thighs; cut meat into 1-inch cubes. Place meat and grinder components into the freezer to chill for 20 to 30 minutes. Grind meat twice at a medium grind, finer if preferred. Form into patties using about a quarter-pound of meat for each patty. Making a thumb-print indentation in the middle of each patty will help them cook more evenly and hold their shape. Season lightly with salt and pepper and place in fridge to keep chilled until ready to grill. Cook bacon on a foil-covered baking sheet with sides in reduced heat oven, 275 degrees, for about 30 to 40 minutes until browned but still pliable. Drain on paper towels and set aside until ready to assemble burgers. Cook burger patties on grill to internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.
To Assemble Your Bolton Burger: Toast the brioche buns. Place turkey patty on bottom bun and spread Texas pecan butter on top of patty. Drizzle either warmed peach jam/syrup or warmed blackberry jelly/syrup over the pecan butter, then place slice of cheddar jack on top of patty. At this point you can place your burger under a broiler to melt the cheese if desired. Place bacon on top of cheese; follow with mixed greens and top bun. Have some extra peach and blackberry on the side to dip your burger in, if you like. This recipe takes a little more time than a regular burger, but the end result and the smiles around the table make it worth your while! • • • • • • •
WILD TURKEY KATSU One skinless, boneless wild turkey breast Panko breadcrumbs 1 cup all-purpose flour 3 large eggs, lightly beaten with 3 tablespoons of water Kosher salt 1 to 2 cups vegetable oil, depending on the size of your pan Tonkatsu sauce, Dijon mustard, and steamed sushi rice for serving
Brine: To brine your turkey breast, fill a large bowl with 1 quart of warm water and 1/4 cup kosher salt. Stir to combine until most of the salt is dissolved. Allow mixture to cool. Add the turkey breast and let it sit in the mixture to brine for at least 15 minutes. Or you can also cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to 6 hours.
No matter how you prepare it, wild turkey can delight your family and friends.
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The 2017 Llano Estacado Cinsaut and the LDC 2019 G * S * M both pair very well with the flavors in these wild turkey recipes. However, the best wine to pair with your meal is the wine you like best.
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Step 1: Lightly pound the turkey breast to 1/2 inch thick and season with salt. Cut turkey into 2- to 3-inch portions. Put the flour, eggs and panko in three separate pie plates and season each one lightly with salt. Dredge one piece of turkey in the flour, tapping off the excess. Dip in the egg, allowing the excess to drip off, and then coat the turkey with the panko, pressing to help it adhere. Transfer the prepared turkey piece to a wax paper–lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining turkey. Step 2: Add the oil to a large skillet and heat until shimmering. Add the turkey and fry over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden and crispy, 3 minutes per side. Be sure not to crowd your pieces while frying; it will make them less crispy and more apt to retain oil. Drain on paper towels. Serve the turkey with Tonkatsu sauce, mustard and steamed rice. Tonkatsu sauce is a sweet, thick Japanese barbecue sauce. It’s available in the Asian section of most supermarkets. Note: It is also delicious served with a Texas favorite, Fischer & Wieser’s Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce made in Fredericksburg.
2017 LLANO ESTACADO CINSAUT Texas High Plains This pairing of Cinsaut and wild turkey allows the brightness of the fruit in this wine to play off the earthiness in the wild turkey, resulting in a fresh finish with red fruit and enhancing the savory turkey. It pairs well with the katsu, turkey burger, and the stuffed turkey breast. It is a medium bodied red with aromas of red cherry, raspberry, ripe pomegranate, violets, and a smooth bright palate with hints of black tea and red fruits, making it a perfect before dinner sipping
wine. Just be sure to save some for the main course! LDC 2019 G * S * M Texas Hill Country This delightful blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes works well with all the wild turkey dishes, but especially the turkey burger. This light and tart wine plays off the burger’s accessories: the pecan, peach, and blackberry, and brings a delightful layer of flavor to this complex dish. For those who favor a red blend, this is a perfect fit.
WINE PAIRING FOR WILD TURKEY RECIPES Pairing Texas wines with our native game is the perfect way to appreciate the best Texas has to offer. The featured wines for our wild turkey dishes are from Llano Estacado Winery and Lost Draw Cellars. Llano Estacado, located on the High Plains near Lubbock, is one of the oldest wineries in Texas and produces some of the finest wines in the state. Lost Draw Cellars near Fredericksburg has been producing quality wines since 2012 and, like Llano, Lost Draw uses 100% Texas grown grapes. While these pairing are recommendations from experienced certified sommeliers, there are no hard and fast rules, just suggestions. Most experts and wine aficionados will encourage you to drink what you like and be willing to experiment when tasting and pairing new wines and foods. Wine doesn’t have to be pretentious…it is meant to be enjoyed. Cheers!
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Photo courtesy of Joseph Richards Whether in a blind or out in the open trying to rattle up a buck, sitting still is essential. These two photography students hone their skills behind the camera at one of the Richards family photography schools on the Hindes Ranch.
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A Richards Outdoor Photography Workshop Hosted on the Hindes Ranch Near Charlotte Brings Generations of Hands-On Experience in Nature Photography, Land Stewardship and Wildlife Management Into Sharp Focus. Article by LORIE A. WOODWARD
"I
've bagged a lot of magazine covers and chased a lot of light in a lot of places, and while I still have a passion for those things, I also have to ask, 'What's next?'" said Dave Richards, a manufacturer's representative in the sporting goods industry and noted outdoor photographer based in Boerne. "Quite simply, I want to help people experience what I've experienced in the outdoors and hopefully light a fire in them that inspires them to help take care of it." An outdoor photography workshop seemed to be the logical next step. It was something that he, wife Beth, and their sons, Joe and James, themselves talented photographers, had discussed extensively. The Hindes Ranch, with its diverse, well-managed Brush Country habitat and reputation for outstanding native white-tailed deer, offered the ideal setting.
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Dave and the Hindes family have enjoyed a long and rewarding relationship. So Dave approached them with the idea. Collectively, they decided to "give it a try and see where it would go." "We agreed because we'd be able to share the fruits of 50 years of management with a new group of people," said Roy "Cuatro" Hindes IV, who co-manages the Hindes Ranch along with his father "Little" Roy Hindes III and his brother-in-law John Schulte. Recognizing the value of well-managed whitetails, the Hindes family under the leadership of "Big" Roy Hindes installed a high fence around their about 9,000-acre property in 1972. Knowing that information was key to managing the wildlife resource, they wanted to familiarize themselves with the deer on their property. In the days before trail cameras were widely available and affordable, a long-term photography project could provide
HUNTING WITH A CAMERA Outdoor photography is a natural fit for people who enjoy nature, whether they are hunters looking for a new challenge, non-hunters seeking the adrenaline of the chase, artists exploring new creative avenues, or youngsters becoming aware of the intricate world around them. "Outdoor photography is a form of hunting with its own unique skill set," Dave said.
Wildlife is all around when you’re outdoors. If you have a camera along, you can enjoy it forever. This wall hanger occurred while waiting for a white-tailed buck to drop by.
Photo courtesy of JP Nyland
a "reference catalog" of bucks and their growth over time. "Big" Roy and "Little" Roy, early adopters of deer management who pioneered aging deer on the hoof, invited Dave to photograph "every buck on the ranch." Dave and his photo blinds have been fixtures on the ranch for almost 30 years. The opportunity to photograph the resident bucks year after year was the genesis for “Observing & Evaluating Whitetails,” the definitive guide to aging deer on the hoof, coauthored by Dave and legendary wildlife biologist Al Brothers. "The Richards and Hindes families have a long working relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect," Dave said. "Each family brings different skills and assets to the table, but all of them are important in creating a complete outdoor experience for the workshop participants." The Richards family provides photography expertise, sets out pop-up photo blinds, and handles all the workshop logistics, including marketing, registration, securing cooks and food, and serving as the full-time event hosts. The Hindes family manages the habitat and the wildlife, keeps feeders filled, delivers boots-on-the-ground information about wildlife movement, and supplies lodging. Members of both families help transport photographers to and from blinds on the ranch. Together, the families have hosted three workshops since 2021, two dedicated to white-tailed deer and one targeted to both waterfowl and whitetails. Eventually, Dave would like to host four workshops per year on the ranch. To provide the best overall experience, maximum capacity is seven photographers per workshop.
Photo courtesy of Mack Boyd
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Lights, camera…composition. There are basic elements that make any photo a good photo, and they’re especially relevant in outdoor photography. Combining those elements with sharp focus and making sure the eyes are clearly seen does the trick.
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Photo courtesy of the Richards family
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Photo courtesy of the Richards family
Just as in a hunting camp, it’s the friendships and relationships made and renewed that make the trip satisfying. Seeing wildlife and harvesting with a camera or gun is certainly the objective, but it’s the time sharing a laugh back in camp that are the warmest memories.
Photo courtesy of James Richards
Hunting is hunting, whether you do it with a camera or a bow or a gun. Wildlife photographers need the same skills as any others who pursue wildlife, whether it be the smallest bird or a Muy Grande whitetail buck.
KEEP UP
At the end of each day, James and Joe Richards put together a slide show of each photography student’s best photos. Then, in the comfort of the lodge, participants watch, enjoy, and learn from their work as well as the other student’s photos.
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In addition to learning traditional hunting skills such as recognizing wildlife travel patterns, placing blinds, managing human scent and moving stealthily, outdoor photographers must master the technical aspects of photography, come to understand light, and develop an eye for composition, perspective, color and texture. "With photography, though, the hunt isn't over when you snap the shutter," Dave said. It was the unique combination of challenging skills, creativity, and the opportunity to be outdoors that first attracted workshop participant Mack Boyd to a photo blind. "I'm enthusiastic about the art and science of photography," said the veterinarian and lifelong hunter who lives in Ennis and operates his family's farm in Corsicana. "On the technical side, there is always something new to learn. On the creative side, there is always something new to try." And Boyd, who caught the shutter bug in high school and has since photographed scenes from around the world including Alaska's famed Iditarod, knows first-hand a photo expedition is never truly over. "There's a saying among hunters, 'The fun stops once you pull the trigger,' and in a sense it does because the thrill of that hunt is over and you start the work of processing the meat," Boyd said. "In photography, you have the opportunity to photograph dozens of different animals of a variety of species, so the 'trophies' are limitless." Because a trophy can appear at any time and in any form, ranging from a massive whitetail to a bird in flight or a backlit spider on a dew-covered web, outdoor photographers must remain alert to the world unfolding around them. Case in point, two of the most talked about pictures at the Richards' workshops have been of birds, even though the primary photo targets have been whitetails. One, taken by Boyd, captures a fast-moving Green Jay in midflight with all its feathers splayed and fully visible. Another, taken by Katy Garren Hoskins, catches a Cormorant in midswallow just as the catfish's head disappears into its gullet. "The exciting part is that you never know what is going to pop out in front of you or when it is going to happen," Boyd said. "The anticipation is never done—and taking an image that captures the spirit of an animal and tells the story of a time and place never gets old." In the hunting world, outdoor photography is the equivalent of catch and release fishing. The fact that valuable wildlife assets like mature white-tailed bucks can satisfy one group
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To keep abreast of upcoming workshops, follow Richards Outdoor Photography and Hindes Ranch on Facebook or see www.richardsoutdoorphotography.com or www. thehindesranch.com. The Richards family is also exploring photo workshop opportunities in Alaska in 2022 and Africa in the not-so-distant future.
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You’re sitting in a duck blind trying to take a picture of a duck and the ducks aren’t cooperating. It still pays to pay attention. Catching this cormorant in the process of obtaining dinner is a once-in-alifetime opportunity.
Photo courtesy of Adam Courville
THE NUTS AND BOLTS Hosting a successful outdoor photography workshop requires more than opening the ranch gate, inviting photographers inside, and going to the bank. "I've read a lot of articles that might lead landowners to believe that developing an income stream from outdoor photography is as simple as opening the gate," Dave said. "The implication is that photographers will pay for the privilege of doing all the work themselves in the hope of seeing something worth shooting." In his experience, that's not case. Well, at least, not for anyone who hopes to charge a fee substantial enough to make hosting the endeavor worthwhile. Attendees of the Richards Outdoor Photography Workshops, which start late morning on Friday and end early afternoon on Sunday, pay $2,500 for the weekend. The fee includes lodging, food, transportation on the ranch, and instruction which often includes in-blind mentors, as well as access to photo blinds that have been positioned at least two weeks in advance and baited with feed to maximize wildlife traffic. To keep this price point in perspective, deer hunters generally pay a minimum of
Photo courtesy of Katy Garren Hoskins
of clients and remain in the ranch's inventory as potential additional income producers is a positive. Cuatro recounted a conversation with Rick Stovall, one of the photographers at the most recent whitetail workshop. Stovall, a long-time hunter and wellrespected manufacturer's representative who enjoyed a 40-year career in the hunting and fishing industry prior to his retirement, came back from an afternoon in a photo blind and said, "I have just had the best sit of my life." He then proceeded to rhapsodize about the size and number of mature bucks as well as all the other wildlife he saw. "He had that phenomenal experience— and we still have those deer walking around for other people to enjoy or harvest," Cuatro said. "And it really means a lot to have someone appreciate what we've worked so hard to produce on the ranch."
Was it the click of the shutter? Was it the movement of the hand on the camera? Whatever it was, it caught this buck’s attention. Just as when hunting white-tailed deer with a gun, hunting with a camera entails many of the same skills. However, outdoor photography is a form of hunting with its own unique skill set.
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Photo courtesy of the Richards family
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“Seeing our sons grow up loving the outdoors and getting to share that passion together as a family through these workshops with others has truly been a blessing!” said Dave Richards, third from left. The rest of the Richards crew are, from left, Joe, Beth and James.
$4,000, plus a trophy fee based on inches, for a similar length guided hunt on a high-quality ranch, Dave said. "At this price, none of us is getting rich—and that's not our goal—but it's profitable for both families, and it ensures that the people who come really want to be part of the experience," he said. The professional reputation of the hosting photographer and the location of the hosting ranch are equally important. Photographers whose work is well-known often have a following of people interested in learning from them. To date, Dave has marketed the workshops through direct emails to his personal network and Facebook. "We have a limited a number of openings, so we've been able to market the opportunities on a small scale," said Dave, noting the workshop is open to photographers at all levels. The ranch location as well as its management dictates how diverse the photographic bounty might be. Prime photo quarry
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runs the gamut from landscapes and water courses to big game species, migratory birds, reptiles, and insects. According to Boyd, the name and work of Dave Richards resonated with him as did the Hindes Ranch and its reputation for native white-tailed deer. "When I go to a workshop I obviously hope to come away with some great images as well as some insight into the techniques that lead to those images," Boyd said. "And the location is big. I want it to have the species I'm interested, which in this case is whitetails, but it's an added bonus if the place has other species to photograph as well." From a hosting standpoint, diversity is important because it provides a built-in Plan B. In November 2021, the ranch was site of a waterfowl photography workshop. A wet summer had completely re-filled a 72-acre lake that had historically been a stopover for thousands of ducks and geese making their way to
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coastal wintering grounds. Last year was the first time the lake had held water in almost 10 years. The hosts bet on the come—and the waterfowl didn't, at least in large numbers. Those that arrived stayed in the middle of the lake, out of range of even the longest lens. When it became clear that the ducks and geese might be MIA, Dave offered the photographers a full refund or the chance for a hybrid workshop that included whitetails as well as waterfowl. All the photographers opted for the "best of both worlds" workshop. When they returned home, their trophies included photos of several quality bucks including one scoring over 200 Boone and Crockett, landscapes shrouded in fog, mallards on the rise, a javelina family, a tiny spider on its web, and the fish-eating cormorant. "We can make all these plans, but we can't control the weather, the light, or the wildlife," Cuatro said. "What we can do is offer as many set-ups as possible, so we all have options. After that, it's a matter of someone sitting still, grinding it out and waiting to see what shows up." At a certain price point, American consumers have expectations that must come into the planning. For instance, most people who are expending several thousand dollars for a weekend prefer a private bedroom and plentiful bathrooms. Lodging can be a limiting factor when it comes to the number of participants. Guests also anticipate high-quality food in adequate quantities. As outdoor photographers, the schedule is predicated by the light. Photographers need to be out and settled into their blinds well in advance of the "golden hours," the hour or so surrounding sunrise and sunset. Shadows are almost non-existent, the light bathes everything in a warm, soft glow and the wildlife are most active. "One of the biggest challenges, especially on a big place, is getting everyone delivered to the blinds on time," Dave said. "Having enough transportation and a plan is crucial." During the winter months, workshop participants are situated in their blinds scattered across the Hindes Ranch by 6:30 a.m. and they stay until 10:00 a.m. or so. Then it's back to camp for lunch and an
afternoon seminar. Everyone is back in the blinds by 3:30 p.m. where they stay until dark. Upon arriving back at camp in the evening, participants enjoy some light appetizers in anticipation of dinner and hand over their camera cards in anticipation of one of the day's highlights: the slide show. One of the Richards, usually Joe, downloads all the photographers' images taken that day and selects the top five from each participant. Then, the images are compiled into a digital slide show and the storytelling begins. It's the equivalent of a campfire. In the afterglow of a day in the field, laughter and compliments flow freely. Gratitude abounds. Friendships are forged. And often, deeply personal subjects like faith are explored. "When you attend an outdoor photography workshop, you automatically have something in common," Boyd said. "Everyone has a shared love of wildlife and the natural world—and you just build from there."
For the hosts, the landowners and the participants, these moments of connection are even more precious than a photo of a lifetime. "I've gotten some great photos on these workshops," said Boyd, who has participated in all three of the workshops on the Hindes Ranch. "But the personal connection that I now enjoy with Dave, his family and the rest of the photographers is the best part of the whole affair." Cuatro concurred. "We've hosted three workshops and three times Dave has put together an outstanding group of people. It makes for a great weekend when you've got good people in camp— and our family keeps being blessed by the lasting relationships." Dave agreed. "For me, it's about the relationships that have been formed and cultivated. There is a contagious joy that comes from being in God's creation with people who appreciate the experience and the grandeur of the outdoors. Hopefully, that joy inspires people to share it—and take care of it."
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The bat emergence at Bracken Cave, just 20 miles outside of San Antonio. Cinematographers Austin Alvarado and Ryan Olinger capture the event on camera both above and at the mouth of the cave. Bracken Cave is home to approximately 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats in the summer, the largest known congregation of mammals in the world.
DEEP IN THE HEART Behind the Scenes of a Wildlife Film Production Article by KATY BALDOCK Photos courtesy of DEEP IN THE HEART FILM
A
s I stood at the mouth of Bracken Cave, I watched in awe as millions of Mexican free-tailed bats began to stir in preparation for their nightly emergence. From a distance, the inside of the cave looked mostly black, like charred rock. Up close, however, it became clear that the solid dark coat was formed by a congregation of bats clinging to the pale limestone walls—huddled close together and stuffed into the nooks and crannies of the rock. As the sun sank lower, they began to stretch their wings and crawl around, gearing up for the night’s activities. Some fluttered around the opening of the cave, eager to begin their nightly dinner-out venture. I moved back up to the observation deck above the cave before the emergence began to get a good view and to avoid getting caught in the middle of a bat tornado. Then, starting as a small trickle and quickly escalating to a steady-flowing river, the emergence arrived in full force. As they flooded out of the cave and into the evening sky, the millions of Mexican free-tailed bats generated a wind strong enough to brush back my hair. Closing my eyes and cupping a
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hand behind my ear, I could hear the impressive sound of their collective wings flapping frantically. After exiting the cave and making a couple tornado-like rotations, the bats trailed off as a steady stream over the treetops, making their way to their nightly feast of insects. They would return to the cave the following morning. This was July 2020 and my first time watching the bat emergence at Bracken Cave, the world’s largest known summer bat colony—and largest congregation of mammals—just outside of San Antonio. It was a nearly indescribable wildlife encounter I will never forget. Following that first viewing experience, I returned a few more times over the next couple of weeks to observe and extensively photograph the unique wildlife action at Bracken Cave. It was a truly unique opportunity I was fortunate to experience as one of the producers for an upcoming film called “Deep in the Heart.” Working on this production has also taken me into the dense South Texas brush in search of endangered ocelots. It sent me trekking through the lush longleaf pine forests and muddy cypress sloughs of East Texas for the first time despite growing
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up in the region. And it led me across the Hill Country in search of the best spots to get shots of spring wildflowers. This unique job has taken me all around our beautiful state and introduced me to underrated landscapes, little-known wildlife stories, and passionate people who I otherwise would probably not have known about. It has instilled in me a much deeper appreciation for Texas and a greater understanding of how unique, diverse, and valuable our wildlife and natural resources are. Through the production and release of this film, my colleagues and I hope to instill that same appreciation and sense of pride for Texas wildlife and landscapes in our fellow Texans. “Deep in the Heart” is the first of its kind. It’s a featurelength natural history film about Texas narrated by Matthew McConaughey that focuses on the diverse landscapes and wildlife behavior that cannot be found anywhere outside the Lone Star State. The film highlights our sometimes-complicated relationship with the natural world and showcases our ability to destroy, conserve, and recover wildlife and habitat. “Deep in the Heart” is a two-year production created by a group of Texans who are passionate about wildlife, conservation, and showcasing the beauty of Texas to the rest of the world. The film is directed by Texas wildlife filmmaker Ben Masters, produced by longtime conservationist and environmental advocate Jay Kleberg and me; edited by Sam Klatt; and shot by a crew of cinematographers under the guidance of director of cinematography and Emmy award-winning wildlife cinematographer Skip Hobbie. A discussion about the talents of this crew, collectively and individually, could fill a separate article. It’s an honor to work with them and to say that I'm grateful to be part of this team and this project is an understatement. Over these two-plus years, my colleagues and I have travelled all across the state to document Texas’ wildlife and landscapes. We have captured some really exciting footage, ranging from never-before-seen behavior of rare and elusive animals to exciting new takes on familiar wildlife stories. The footage we’ve recorded has exceeded our expectations and we have created a film we’re all very proud of. However, it has not been accomplished without challenges.
A mother and kitten ocelot captured on a remote camera trap in South Texas.
Producer Katy Baldock in South Texas during a trip to photograph ocelot habitat and set up trail cameras.
Cinematographer Austin Alvarado sets up a shot on the Guadalupe River.
Director Ben Masters sets up a remote camera trap in Far West Texas.
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A mountain lion in the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas captured on a remote camera trap.
Big Bend’s night skies are unmatched by any other national park in the lower 48.
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The primary challenges that surfaced while producing this film were attempting to continue as planned during the height of a global pandemic, the financial complications of independent filmmaking, and the simple fact that nature does what it wants. Unlike filming humans with scripted scenes and organized sets, weather does not always respect your schedule and some animals are really elusive and nearly impossible to film. For two of the sequences—ocelots and mountain lions—we had to rely on highquality remote camera traps to capture footage of the animals in the wild. After a couple months of trial and error while getting the hang of the new camera traps, we were blown away by the ocelot footage we obtained. With fewer than 80 of these endangered cats known to exist in the United States, we didn’t have high hopes for getting many shots. “I never expected to get such amazing footage of ocelots,” said Masters. “It was a real honor to be able to infiltrate their brushy world and capture hours upon hours of footage of never-before-seen behaviors.”
DEEP IN THE HEART
widespread passion for Texas conservation and help viewers value the natural elements that humans and wildlife mutually depend on while realizing Texas’ ecological importance on a continental scale. Most of all, we want to bring awareness to the issues presented in the film and generate support for the many conservation organizations doing good work across the state. “I hope this film gives Texans a new appreciation for our home state and inspires them to get more involved in conservation efforts,” Masters said. “The filmmaking process certainly did that for me.” Caprock Canyons State Park is home to the Texas State Bison Herd, the sole descendants of the historic Southern Plains bison herd.
The mountain lion camera trapping, however, did not produce footage nearly as easily as we hoped. In addition to being heavily targeted by hunting and trapping, mountain lions have a relatively large range and may visit the same areas less frequently. “The most challenging sequence to film was the mountain lion,” Masters said. “A few months into filming, the big mature tom we had been getting footage of lost all of his toes to a leghold trap on a neighboring ranch. Shortly after, he got caught in a different trap and died." He continued, "After that, we were blindly searching for a mountain lion to film and only getting opportunities with the camera traps every two to three weeks. I don't think there was a single shot of a mountain lion that we didn't use in the film.” In the midst of challenges that were presented throughout the project, our team was able to complete filming and wrap up the film in post-production with the help of generous landowners across the state who gave us access to land, biologists who offered their knowledge and time to help us locate species, and individuals and organizations who helped fund the project from start to finish. This film is uniquely Texan not only because of the subjects and landscapes featured, but also because of the many people who helped make it happen.
By showcasing the beauty of Texas landscapes, astonishing wildlife spectacles, and both the fragility and resiliency of our natural resources, we aim to encourage Texans to appreciate the wildlife and wild places in our state. We hope to ignite a
“Deep in the Heart” will be available in theaters across Texas beginning June 3. To find a screening near you, learn more about the film, or support Texas conservation organizations, visit deepintheheartwildlife. com. To stay up to date on the film’s release plans and see more behind-the-scenes content, follow our Instagram and Facebook pages @deepintheheartfilm.
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BY THE BOOK Article and photos by SALLIE LEWIS
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believe one of the best ways to get to know a person is by looking at their bookshelves. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed building my own home library, stocking it with books from childhood, school, and travels from around the world. Some of my favorites have been gifted by friends or passed down by family members along the way. Collectively, these titles say a lot about who I am and what I love in life, including nature and the outdoors. Chances are you have your own collection of stories that you like to keep close. While the list is too great to count, below I share a handful of favorites, from flower guides to fishing tales, conservation classics and hunting meditations, along with a few selections from fellow TWA members. • “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway Growing up, my parents had an old, weathered copy of “The Old Man and the Sea” in our beach house. The PulitzerPrize winning novella became summer reading over the course of my childhood. Not only is it a great fishing story… it packs a poignant punch.
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• “Range Plants of North Central Texas: A Land User’s Guide to Their Identification, Value and Management” by Ricky J. Linex My neighbors in Fredericksburg gave me this book after they learned of my budding interest in Texas wildflowers and native grasses. It continues to be a great resource for educating myself and is full of interesting trivia and useful information. “Wildflowers of Texas” by native plant expert, Geyata Ajilvsgi, is another must-have. • “Producing Quality Whitetails” by Al Brothers and Murphy E. Ray, Jr. This title is a likely find on many TWA members’ bookshelves. The popular book is essential reading for practitioners of Quality Deer Management (QDM). • “Horn of the Hunter” by Robert Ruark In “Horn of the Hunter,” Robert Ruark recounts the safari he and his wife took to East Africa in the 1950s. Ruark’s “Something of Value” and “Uhuru” are classics too.
BY THE BOOK
• “The Art of Big Game Hunting in North America” by Jack O’Connor Jack O’Connor wrote this, his 17th book, when he was 65 years old, loading it with his knowledge of North America’s big game along with details of flora, fauna, rifles, and more. He once said, “If I had to leave one book to each of my numerous grandsons to remember his grandfather by it would be “The Art of Hunting,” as I have always called it.” “Big Game Animals of North America” is another of O’Connor’s finest. • “Out of Africa ” by Karen Blixen “I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills,” is one of the most famous and frequently quoted opening lines in all literature. In “Out of Africa,” Danish countess Karen Blixon, known as Isak Dineson, recounts her years running a coffee plantation in Kenya in the early 1900s. The stories of her relationships with both natives and fellow Europeans are beautifully set amongst the backdrop of the wild African landscape. Beryl Markham's African memoir, “West with the Night,” is another classic and one that inspired one of my favorite recent books, “Circling the Sun,” by Paula McLain. • “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold This environmental classic, published in 1949, is a poetic tribute to the outdoor world as told through a series of essays on conservation. The book beautifully addresses the responsibilities of being a good steward in nature. • “Goodbye To a River” by John Graves This story made the short list for past TWA President, Steve Lewis. The vivid narrative follows a canoe journey down the Brazos River. In it, the author examines the changing environment and the ways the river has shaped both the people and the land over time. • “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville For some, “Moby Dick” is perhaps the greatest fishing story ever told. While I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read it, I’m making 2022 my year to get it done. • “The Time It Never Rained” by Elmer Kelton The late Elmer Kelton lived and worked in San Angelo. His books are still heralded in the local Cactus Book Shop, which has the largest collection of Texana books in the state. This is one of his most popular works and is mainly a ranching story about tough times in Texas during the 1950s drought. • “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh Years ago, I read this pocket-sized book by the famed aviator and best-selling author, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. In it, she shares the lessons from her sabbaticals to Captiva Island on Florida's Gulf Coast. Over the course of its pages, she muses about life, womanhood, and the restorative gifts of solitude through the lens of various seashells, like oyster shells, argonauts, double-sunrise shells, and channeled whelks. From
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BY THE BOOK
the shells we inhabit to the shells we shed over the myriad stages of life, the sea's symbolic treasures are profound teachers. • “A River Runs Through It” by Norman Maclean “My father was very sure about certain matters pertaining to the universe. To him all good things—trout as well as eternal salvation—come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy.” This striking message is one of the many reasons that Maclean’s memorable novella about life, family, and fishing is a 20th century classic. • “Pastoral Song: A Farmer’s Journey” by James Rebanks This international bestseller was recommended by fellow TWA member Pam Howard of San Antonio. In it, Rebanks examines the global transformation of agriculture and humanity’s relationship to the land through the profile of his family’s farm across three generations. • “San Antonio Man Tells Tall Tale” by John T. Saunders, Jr. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my uncle John Saunders’ 2015 book “San Antonio Man Tells Tall Tale.” In its pages, he recounts a lifetime of hunting and fishing stories with settings wide-ranging from the Texas Gulf Coast to the Rocky Mountains and South America. The colorful illustrations by San Antonio artists Clay McGaughy and Pat Safir bring Saunders’ stories to life. It’s a favorite on my bookshelf! • “Crunch & Des: Classic Stories of Saltwater Fishing” by Philip Wylie Growing up, my dad always kept this book on his nightstand. Phil Wylie's saltwater fishing stories charmed readers of the Saturday Evening Post for nearly 30 years. The stories follow two charter boat captains named Crunch and Des and are beloved by anglers of all ages. • “African Game Trails” by Theodore Roosevelt Teddy Roosevelt was a staunch supporter of conservation and had a deep appreciation for hunting, which he shares in this more than 600-page classic filled with his stories from Africa. The title was edited by Peter Capstick who wrote “Death in the Long Grass.” • “A Field Guide to Stone Artifacts of Texas Indians” by Ellen Sue Turner and Thomas R. Hester Inside this book are details of more than 200 dart and arrow projectile points along with stone tools used by prehistoric Native Americans in Texas. • “Tales of the Anglers Eldorado New Zealand” by Zane Grey. Zane Grey's many novels and tales of adventure have enraptured readers for years. Grey was an avid hunter and prolific angler, purportedly fishing up to 300 days a year. In this title, he takes his fans on an unforgettable trip to the streams and shores of New Zealand.
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A West Texas Weekend Article and photo by SALLIE LEWIS
Steep canyons and vast vistas. The landscape, ecology, geology and just about everything else about Far West Texas is uniquely its own. Nowhere better to see and experience the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas than in Big Bend National Park.
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ast year around this time I took my first road trip through West Texas. Over a long weekend, I stopped in Marfa, Alpine, and Marathon on route to Big Bend National Park. For years, I’ve heard stories about this more than 800,000-acre expanse of public parkland, but somehow, its overwhelming size and remote location always kept me at bay. As it turned out, Big Bend was the highlight of the tour. Driving through the park gates, I saw the setting’s geological splendor unfurl in ribbons of gold, sage, sienna, and lavender. The dramatic desert and canyon landscape looked like an alien planet, and for a moment I felt farther from Texas than I ever have before. Fifty million years ago, Big Bend was covered by a shallow sea. Dinosaurs once roamed this stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert, and today, an amazing 130 million years of life are preserved in the rocks.
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Furthermore, there are more than 1,200 species of plants found within the park, along with 75 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, 3,600 species of insects, 11 species of amphibians, 56 species of reptiles, and 40 species of fish. This natural abundance makes it one of the most biologically diverse arid regions in the world. Over the course of my visit, I hiked the edge of the Rio Grande River into the Santa Elena Canyon, marveling at the steep, 1,500foot walls slanting at either side. I savored the sweeping vistas from the Lost Mine Trail and soaked my feet in the historic hot springs near Boquillas. Through it all, I felt an immediate connection to the land, with its blooming cacti and yuccas, agaves and tumbleweeds. Today, I still think about Big Bend, with its vast volcano and ash fields, its ancient canyons and creek beds, and the towering Chisos Mountains ablaze with light. I remember the unforgiving heat and plants like the ocotillo, which have adapted to endure this land of extremes. My favorite fragments of the trip came in the quiet, solitary moments when I paused to catch my breath or take in the scenery. Those were the times I felt Big Bend’s magic most deeply. Standing beneath the sky, I watched windswept clouds cast giant shadows on the earth. Every so often, sunlight pierced through, turning the landscape colors I’d never seen. My life felt as tiny as a grain of sand as I pondered the park’s immense geological and evolutionary history. Still, the beauty of its creation stirred a connection to something larger than myself. Everything at Big Bend has been touched and weathered by the elements, from the 500-million-year-old rocks at Persimmon Gap to the windblown sand dunes at Boquillas Canyon. It’s always changing, and as I learned firsthand, it can change us too. What a blessing it is to have this natural wonder in our proverbial backyard. Visiting last year reminded me of the importance of getting outside and seeing new places. Little did I know then how much it would suck me in, how much the endless horizons would clear my head, open my mind, and activate my spirit. I can’t wait to return again and hike its mountains, float the river through its canyons, and camp beneath its starry skies, to chase a storm and find a rainbow waiting around the bend.
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