The following are bits of miscellaneous information that hunters might find useful this hunting season in and around the central Texas deer woods. These observations will help hunters and managers to improve their deer herd this fall:
•This years' fawn survival is very high. Lots of new mouths on the range mean responsible managers should reduce the adult mouths accordingly to make room for the new ones.
•When harvesting antlerless deer, make certain it is a female and not a buck fawn.
Death by Mother Nature--by "natural causes"-- accidental death, death caused by something other than your weapon, that is what it is. Shooting at and wounding a deer that eventually dies from the wounds is not natural mortality. Starvation, flooding, fighting, predation, birthing complications, drought, snake bites, hung in fences and car accidents are examples of natural mortality.
As managers, we can certainly control the harvest pressure and weapon accuracy, but can we really control natural ...
The foundation of any wildlife management program involves collecting survey data. Survey data may be collected in a variety of ways but consistency and trends are critical.
With recent advances in technology, the use of infrared-triggered cameras (trail cameras) may be used as an acceptable form of gathering such data, especially on properties that may not be conducive to spotlight or helicopter surveys.
Silencers, or more accurately called "suppressors" are just that. They do not make a rifle shot silent, but rather muffled and far less intrusive to the human ear. According to OSHA, the human ear safety threshold is 140 decibels. Most common deer rifle shots are far louder and have resulted in, no doubt, generations of hearing damaged hunters.
Suppressors are typically fitted to the end of the rifle barrel to simply muffle the sound as it exits the barrel and breaks the sound barrier.
By now you may have heard of the Managed Lands Deer Permit (MLDP) program? If not and you are interested in taking your deer herd management to the next level, then keep reading.
The MLDP program was created in the late 1990's by landowners desiring to more aggressively manage their deer herd through efficient and effective harvest methods.
The bobwhite quail is the most important game bird in Texas. Texas landowners, managers, and hunters spend more time and effort per acre to produce these feathered rocket ships than any other game bird. Not only Texas sportsmen, but sportsmen all over the United States, endear northern bobwhite quail. The presence and abundance of bobwhites in Texas are responsible for bringing many out-of-state hunters into our woods and fields in search of the tiny targets.
I have been very busy lately with deer surveys all over Llano County. The rains have blessed the county and the improved range and nutritional conditions have been very good to the local deer herd. Bucks are supporting above average antler quality while the fawn survival rates are high this year, ranging from 70-100%.
The new Hill Country Science Mill (HCSM) promises to introduce students to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields using interactive, engaging exhibits and programs. The 14,000 square foot space features 35+ exhibits, sourced globally and many of which are unique to the HCSM. Bonnie Baskin, PhD and the museum's Founder and Chair of the Board, has designed a place where kids can fall in love with science.
Those who come to the Texas Hill Country from some less-blessed location may not understand the phenomenon of a real Texas dance hall. Sure, other parts of the country have places to dance–nightclubs, ballrooms, or repurposed roller rinks.
But the folks who settled Texas had the foresight to build halls designed for dancing.
Actually, the original halls were multi-purpose and multi-ethnic, according to Stephen Dean, co-Founder of
Walk down the dusty streets of Pioneer Town and picture what it was like to live in a Western village more than 100 years ago. See the blacksmith shop, emporium, chapel, barbershop, saloon, sheriff's office, post office, newspaper office, and don't miss the bottle house, made entirely of glass soda bottles.
Then stay for a few nights at the adjacent
