Category: Outdoor News

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that is naturally occurring with worldwide distribution, including Texas. Anthrax tends to be diagnosed in livestock, white-tailed deer and other wildlife species, and is typically document during the summertime in Texas. Anthrax is usually detected in the Southwest part of the state, but the most recent cases of the disease have been primarily confined to a triangular area bounded by the towns of Uvalde, Ozona and Eagle Pass. Unfortunately, however, anthrax has recently been confirmed in the Texas Hill Country, but currently it has not been documented in deer or wildlife.

The first case of anthrax in Texas livestock for 2011 has been detected on a ranch in Hill County near Whitney. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has quarantined the premise after one cow tested positive for the reportable disease. The initial anthrax case is somewhat unusual as it was detected earlier in the year than normal – and in a different part of the state than is normally expected. There have been no previous cases of anthrax in livestock reported in the Hill County until now. Continue reading Anthrax Confirmed in Texas Hill Country

A man-made structure is not the first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks about the words “wildlife habitat.” However, some of the structures humans create can be used beneficially by wildlife species, even although this is seldom the case. Today’s cool wildlife photos involve Ibex goats and the side of damn located in Italy. Common sense would lead you to believe that the side of dam is one place wildlife would not be hanging out, but you’d be wrong! Continue reading Ibex Climbing on a Dam in Italy! Is This Wildlife Habitat?

Mountain lions, commonly referred to as cougars, panthers, catamounts, and lions, are extremely secretive animals that live a solitary lifestyle, often in rugged terrain. That being said, it seems every single person in the great state of Texas has a real-life mountain lion story. How could so many lion encounters have occurred unless many of the proclaimed and reported mountain lion sightings were due to mistaken identity?

Sure, some people may outright distort the truth, but I believe many alleged mountain lion sightings are reports of only what persons wanted to believe that they had seen. Seeing even a single lion is quite a feat considering the secretive, solitary lifestyle that they live, but what about seeing several lions or a group of lions? How about observing eight mountain lions? Continue reading Eight (8) Mountain Lions in A Group?

The Texas Master Naturalist program currently has 42 chapters located across the state and aims to develop a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers who educate local communities about the wildlife management and the importance of our natural resources. Nineteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program are conducting 2011 spring training classes for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource, conservation and habitat management.

The main qualification needed to become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist is an interest in learning and playing an active part in habitat conservation and education. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours training from educators and specialists from places such as universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums. Training topics include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management. If you appreciate the outdoors, wildlife, and native plants then you will enjoy these classes! Continue reading Texas Master Naturalist Training Classes

Water is important to every form of life, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of Texas. Animals have to depend on Mother Nature and wildlife habitat or livestock water supplies, but homeowners and landowners can use rainwater collection systems to make the most of the liquid from the sky. And if you would like to learn how, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and San Antonio Botanical Garden will sponsor a Rain Barrel Workshop from 9 am to 12 noon on November 6, 2010.

The rainwater collection workshop will be held at the botanical garden, 555 Funston in San Antonio. Bryan Davis, Texas AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Bexar County, stated:

“Rainwater harvesting is a tried-and-true way to capture free water from rainfall. You can save money by collecting and storing rainwater and using it to irrigate your trees, shrubs and flower beds, even provide water to pets or wildlife.”

Continue reading Rainwater Harvesting Course Scheduled in Texas