Memorial Day weekend is the gateway to summer fun. And Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine editor Louie Bond says the June issue takes readers to the coast for a little fishing.

55—We sure are heading to the coast this month, Cecilia. You know, I guess people throughout our agency and throughout the state would argue about what the most exciting type of fishing is, whether it’s catching those big bass out in the lakes or fly fishing on the river…but for me, it’s being out there on the Gulf—what a tempestuous body of water, and what a challenge to fish out there. So, this month I have David Sykes from the Corpus Christi Caller Times and Larry Bozka; both well-known anglers and much to my delight both great writers. And so, we have dueling stories—both of conservation and sport fishing this month down on the lower Texas coast. And I’m excited to read about it. I still recall my favorite redfish experience: catching the biggest fish on the boat when I was eight months pregnant. Surprised a lot of the guys, I can tell you that. But, Larry will help us take a look at redfish, and David’s taking us for a look at that amazing sport fish—the tarpon. So, we hope that everybody will head down to the coast with us this month.

That’s our show…with funding from the Sport Fish restoration program, working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The April issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is sure to intrigue and delight with stories that take you from one side of the state to the other. Editor, Louie Bond.

55—One thing in particular we’re going to look at is the bighorn sheep relocation out in West Texas, that happened in December, which was a glorious project, and very exciting for everyone who participated as they literally air lifted sheep from one location to another. But, it’s a great restoration project that the agency’s been working on for a long time, and we’re very proud. And I know that people are going to be so excited to drive down the road and be able to see a bighorn sheep again. In fact, I already had a friend tell me, ‘I saw a bighorn sheep out there the other day.’ So, it’s a great success story for all of us. Another great success story are the paddling trails that are opening up all around the state, due in large part to our partnerships with lots of great people across the state who want these paddling trails in their areas, and we help them make these a reality. So, people are getting out on the water and seeing the sights in this quiet, peaceful way of travel. So, I hope whether you like land or water, you’ll get outside and enjoy the great things our agency’s done this month.

Thanks, Louie.

Find more information at www.tpwmagazine.com.

We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…providing funding for wildlife restoration and water access.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine editor, Louie Bond, says if you’re looking for a cure for cabin fever…

I think our cover story in march really addresses this with 12 great state park hikes. We have hikes for those who just like a leisurely amble to those who just want a little something more strenuous. We go across the whole state and give you an idea of what the trails are like, and what you might see a long the way.

If you’re not quite ready to get outdoors—maybe March is a little too brisk for you, you can stay home and read about one of my favorite topics—tarantulas. At one point they’re fascinating and wonderful, and they’re actually gentle giants. And then when you really read closely about them there’s some horrifying facts. Such as they liquefy their prey and suck it up though some sort of straw-like mouth, which is quite disgusting, but yet we all have to eat. So, I think we have a nice variety of things, whether you’re ready to get out in March or stay indoors and curl up with the magazine.

Thanks, Louie.

You can catch up on your reading online, too, when you go to tpwmagazine.com. Search through a decade of great article and images. When you’re there, you can also subscribe to the magazine, or give it as a gift.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Located in the central mineral region of the Texas hill country, about six miles northwest of the town of Mason, is Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.

It’s a pretty unique region in Texas, where you have the huge granite boulders that have uplifted; it’s an extension of the same uplift that created Enchanted Rock.

Mark Mitchell is a biologist at the 53-hundred acre site.

We’ve got some bottomlands, we’ve got the granite gravel uplift. We’ve got the more traditional hill country habitat such as the limestone hills.

The site supports diverse native flora and fauna, including: six hundred fifty identified plant species, spiny crevice lizards, black bellied tree ducks, white tailed deer, javalina, and black-capped vireos, just to name a few.

I think for the hill country and a 53-hundred acre management area, we may have as much diversity as you can possibly find.

Because of exotic species like gemsbok and impala and outstanding facilities on the site when the agency acquired it, the WMA is self-supporting.

We don’t receive tax dollars for operation and maintenance of the area; we have to generate our own income. And we do that through — primarily – guided hunts. And because of the facilities that were here when we obtained the place, we can host conservation meetings.

Access to Mason Mountain WMA is limited to hunters with  a Special Permit, or to groups that make prior arrangements. That’s our show… made possible by a grant from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Are you in need of a hunting forecast, or a place to experience nature at its most wild? Then look no further than the September issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. Managing Editor, Louie Bond.

In September, we always have our big hunting forecast. It’s much more than the dates and the permits required. We actually have lot’s of biologists who contribute to the interview, and tell us about how, perhaps, rain has affected the particular season and other environmental factors—just to tell us how’s it looking this year for quail and javalinas and things like that. So, it’s a really thorough, up-to-date look at what the hunting season is going to look like.

Another thing we have in the September issue—we featured Big Bend in our August issue—and if Big Bend is a little too populated for you, you can head out that way and go to Black Gap WMA. And it’s the biggest one in the state, and it’s really for roughing it, but it’s just huge and there’s so many things you can do out there, and the hunting is great out there, they’ve reintroduced the big horn sheep…but there’s also a lot of recreational opportunities for people who aren’t afraid to rough it. So, check out our September issue and find new ways to get outdoors.

The September issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

That’s our show for today…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program… providing funding for the operations and management of more than 50 wildlife management areas …For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The August issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine takes readers way out west to Big Bend Country. Managing Editor Louie Bond.

Maybe it’s a little hot to visit there is August, but it’s a great time to plan your next trip out there for maybe October when the nights are cool. We’ve got three big stories on Big Bend. The first is a great photo essay by our photographers on the Big Bend Ranch cattle round up that they have every year. This is an actual longhorn cattle roundup. It’s the real deal. Twenty-five ordinary citizens come out, they get on horses, and they actually do round up these cattle. I think it’s a taste of the old west that you can’t find anywhere else.

And we’re going to go rafting down the Sana Elena Canyon. Some of them combine music and food, as well as just incredible sights. And then we’re also going to take a tour of Big Bend Ranch State Park, which is newly funded, newly organized. They’re just making great strides out there.

And there are so many recreational opportunities; there are so many things for people to explore that they’ve never seen before out at Big Bend. And then, if we need to cool off after all of that Big bend in the hot sun, we’re going to take a look at the Resaca de la Palma state park which is going to be opening up, and the best state park swimming spots—which we will definitely need in August.

Thanks, Louie. The August issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

That’s our show…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The June issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine celebrates saltwater angling. Managing editor, Louie Bond is here to tell us more.

A lot of saltwater fishermen go out for the big three fish, which are the speckled trout, the red fish and the flounder. But, as Larry Bozka points out this month, unpredictability is the essence of saltwater fishing.

And so, any of these fish put up a good fight, they’re really great eating, they’re just as much fun as the big three, and, heck, part of the fun is the mystery of what is on the end of your hook.

Thanks, Louie. Find links to saltwater fishing information at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The May issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is traditionally the birding issue, and this month, says it offers readers a little sizzle. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

You know, May’s not exactly the month for romance, but in bird terms, it is. And you know—birds—the important things for them to do are survive and reproduce. So, the focus of one of our articles this month is on the courtship rituals of the birds.

Isn’t that just the most romantic bird story? I just think that’s very sweet, and every bit as spicy as any modern day romance novel. So, if you’re looking for romance, and February is long gone, turn to the May issue. Even is you’re not into birds, you’re going to find something there that you’ll love.

Thanks, Louie. That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

When Hurricane Humberto made landfall along the Texas coast last September, High Island, an important sanctuary for migratory birds, got hit hard. The April issue of TP&W Magazine follows the efforts of volunteers who brought the island back to life. Managing Editor, Louie Bond.

When you talk about damaging hurricanes, I think everybody thinks about Katrina and Rita. But actually, Hurricane Humberto was the fastest-growing hurricane in US history. And, unfortunately, the bull’s-eye hit High Island, which is a wonderful bird sanctuary. And, it’s an important stopover for neotropical birds who are coming north from Central and South America to their spring nesting places in North America. There’s marshland all around, and there’s just beautiful little secluded sanctuary where the birds can stop and rest and then continue on their way. And when Humberto came around, it uprooted centuries-old trees, tore up boardwalks, and just did incredible damage. But luckily, volunteers came on the weekends—members of the Houston Audubon Society—and they worked and worked and they cleaned up the debris and rebuilt the boardwalks. And now, I’m glad to say High Island has been totally restored and will be ready for the visiting birds this spring.

Thanks for the great news, Louie. Learn more about High Island at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.