There is something in the air here in Texas that let's you know something big is about to happen and I can't wait for the big day.  The day when people put their worries aside about high gas prices, the economy and health care.  This day my friend is the start of hunting season in Texas and what a fiesta it is.  We Texans kick hunting season off with a weekend party called the "Dove Panchanga", and event that has it's roots deep in tradition.  A day that father's can take the kids out to a good patch of sunflowers or maybe if lucky enough to a tank of water to hopefully knock down a cooler full of birds.  This is a sport of the working man that doesn't cost thousands of dollars for some fancy hunting lease, rather anybody can purchase a public lands permit and a hunting license with required stamps for around $100.

    If that does not make you proud of Texas I don't know what else will, except for longhorn football or maybe the Dallas Cowboys.  I personally have participated with Parks and Wildlife public hunting opportunities for at least 10 years and know first hand the quality of hunts that can take place with a little planning.  The whitewing dove hunitng in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is exceptional and something everyone should try once in their life before checking out of this crazy world.  I have been fortunate enough to have been introduced to these opportunities thanks in part to my father who is my hunting partner and now I get to continue the yearly tradition with my 9 year old son (J-Rod).

     He already takes advantage of the freshwater and saltwater public fishing opportunities that parks and wildlife support.  Let's just say he is very pleased with the efforts of Texas to get young people involved with the outdoors.  I am proud to live in a state that promotes wildlife opportunities and being a hunter has helped me grow stronger as an individual to share these great values with others.  No dollar amount or recessional economy will keep me from breaking that old shotgun or deer rifle out this season to claim my trophy.  We owe this to our future and the values of this great country to get our younger generation outdoors to pass on the magic of nature.

     I remeber working at an emergency shelter for abused and neglected children a few years ago and applying for funding to start an outdoor program for these kids.  I was able to scrape up enough money to purchase some fishing equipment and took the kids saltwater wade fishing on the weekends.  The impact of this program was huge, many of the children had never been fishing and most caught their first fish as part of this opportunity.  We also took the children to the CPL fish hatchery in Flour Bluff to learn about conservation and how important it is to give back to mother nature so that sustainable population can exist in the wild.  I carry these same enviromental traditions with the students I currently work with in San Antonio as part of a Pre-College Program I oversee.  I encourage my students to pursue educational opporunities that involve science and math such as becoming a wildlife biologist or marine biologist.  I invite representatives from Texas Parks and Wildlife to mentor the students so that they can learn more about outdoor careers. 

     Texas is a great state and has provided excellent opportunities for positive outdoor activities.  If we want to sustain the level of outdoor recreation that exist in this great state we must look to the future in our youth.  Promoting hunting and fishing is a great way to keep kids away from the negative environments that haunt so many communities today.  Hunting and fishing provide a outlet to escape the chaos that fills our society on a daily basis.  I know my son has showed more respect to others and the environment because he participates with outdoor opportunities.  Wildlife is a valuable resource that Texas is blessed with and we must utilize this great tool to help make this small world a better place for all.  If you get the chance, share the great outdoors with your family and take them out hunting or fishing this season, trust me you will have fun!!!

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