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Wildlife Resources by Texas OutdoorsAdd a New Journal Entry
The Basics of Dove Hunting
Give these basic tips and tactics a shot and you're sure to enjoy the exciting, fast-paced wingshooting provided by America's favorite game bird, the dove.
Where the First Raindrop Falls
John Graves said it best in Texas Rivers: “The loss of our primeval forests and prairies, the extinction or increasing rarity of many species of living things, the disruption of our waters’ flow and their pollution — all these evils and more … are the price we have paid for progress and prosperity and our nation’s power, for getting to the point we have reached today.”
Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is an ancient technique enjoying a revival in popularity due to the inherent quality of rainwater and interest in reducing consumption of treated water.
New Research Shows Ashe Juniper Not the Water Hog It Was Thought To Be
Last summer Texas A&M research scientist and professor Dr. Jim Heilman released a report showing that Ashe Junipers, a.k.a. cedar trees, aren’t really the water hogs that people think they are. According to Heilman, “People have this idea that trees are suction pumps, that if you have all of this l... 
Rocks & Minerals Websites
If you want to find out about different rocks or minerals then the link below is a very nice tool with some great pictures.
Texas Forestry Association
More than 90 years have passed since a handful of conservationists, motivated by a deep concern for Texas' forest resources, formed Texas Forestry Association. As the years passed, they were joined by others, forming a continuous bond of dedication, service and support to the forest lands of Texas.
San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs
Welcome to the San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs. Organized in 1974 with the purpose of: (1) establishing a community for the promotion of the mutual interests of bass clubs in the San Antonio metropolitan area, (2) of encouraging true comradeship between the metropolitan area bass clubs, (3) and for the further purpose of establishing and organizing the annual San Antonio Metropolitan League of Bass Clubs Tournament, formerly known as the City Bass Club Championship Tournament.
North American Gamebird Association
The North American Gamebird Association (NAGA) is a non-profit professional organization established in 1931. For more than 76 years, NAGA members have led the way in improving methods of gamebird production and hunting preserve management.
Dallas Woods and Waters Club
In 1961, the Dallas Woods and Waters Club was organized to provide an environment for education, networking and understanding for those sportsmen and sportswomen that are interested in hunting, fishing and conserving our ever diminishing outdoors. Our organization is dedicated to further the education and experiences of our youth.
Pack your binoculars and wing it to the Texas coast for an amazing bird-watching show
Pack the binoculars and wing it to one of these seven perches, from the Big Thicket to Weslaco World travelers migrate to the Texas coast for the astounding variety of birds that congregate here. Yet birding remains a mystery to many Americans. It shouldn’t be. You don’t have to spend a fortun...
Trinity Basin Conservation Foundation
Improve the quality of life, economic sustainability and ecological integrity of areas associated with the Trinity River Basin through a coalition of local communities, NGO's and stewards of private and public lands.
Texas Trophy Hunters Association
Texas Trophy Hunters Association is a membership-based organization. For over 30 years, TTHA has promoted the sport, science and heritage of hunting.
Restoring Native Texas Rangelands for Increased Water Yield
Performance of water catchments and the land-based water cycle is heavily influenced by vegetation and the management of that vegetation. Vegetation in south central Texas has undergone significant change over time, shifting from a grassland dominated savanna to a heavily wooded landscape. This is due to the invasion of Ashe juniper (sometimes called “cedar”) in the Edwards Plateau and mesquite in the South Texas Plains.
Kayak Anglers Society of America
The Kayak Anglers Society of America works through its programs to increase access to and participation in kayak angling throughout the United States.
Surf Scoter
Click Here to listen to a Surf Scoter Latin: Melanitta perspicillata Average length: M 19.7", F 18.5 Average weight: M 2.2 lbs., F 2.0 lbs. Description: Male surf scoters are entirely black with a white patch on the forehead and a larger white triangle on the nape. They have la...
Ruddy Duck
Click Here to listed to the Ruddy Duck Latin: Oxyura jamaicensis Average length: M 15.4", F 15" Average weight: M 1.20 lbs., F 1.19 lbs. Description: The conformation of the small ruddy duck is distinctive: a short, thick neck, chunky body, stubby wings, and a fan-shaped tail c...
Ring-necked Duck
Click Here to listed to a Ring-necked Duck Latin: Aythya collaris Average length: M 17", F 16.6" Average weight: M 1.6 lbs., F 1.5 lbs. Description: Although male ring-necked ducks superficially resemble their counterparts in greater and lesser scaups, their peaked, angular hea...
Northern Pintail
Click Here to listed to a Northern Pintail Latin: Anas acuta Average length: M 25", F 21.4" Average weight: M 2.26 lbs., F 1.91 lbs. Description: Pintails are long, slender ducks with long, narrow wings, earning them the nickname "greyhound of the air." Pintails are named for t...
Masked Duck
CLICK HERE to hear a Masked Duck Latin: Nomonyx dominica Average length: M 14", F 13" Average weight: M 0.90 lbs, F 0.75 lbs. Description: Masked ducks bear a close resemblance to the closely related ruddy duck; however, they are smaller and in flight display a pronounced whi...
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
In 1877, 40 Texas cattlemen joined together out of their common interest to end unbridled livestock theft and formed what was to become Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Feather growth detoxifies mercury, but after fledging or molting, watch out
The level of mercury contamination among bird populations varies with feather growth, which makes them especially vulnerable after feathers stop growing, according to an article in the most recent issue of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Benefits of Prescribed Burning (TWA Fact Sheet)
TWA considers Prescribed Burning an essential tool for rangeland, forest, wildlife habitat and agricultural management and necessary to sustain Texas’ agricultural and natural resource businesses.
Private Lands
The goal of the Private Lands and Habitat Program is to provide advice and information to land managers interested in managing natural resources on their property. We hope this site will answer your questions regarding the conservation and development of wildlife habitat and the proper management of the various wildlife populations which utilize that habitat, from producing quality whitetails to increasing songbird diversity.
Lone Star Land Steward Awards Program
Private landowners are the key to effective habitat management in Texas, since more than 90 percent of Texas is privately-owned. The Lone Star Land Steward Awards program recognizes and honors private landowners for their accomplishments in habitat management and wildlife conservation. The program is designed to educate landowners and the public and to encourage participation in habitat conservation.
Landowner Incentive Program
Most rare species inhabit privately owned and managed lands in Texas. Incentive programs to assist private landowners in protecting and managing rare species can have a direct and positive impact on their conservation. It is the goal of this program to provide financial and technical assistance to landowners to help conserve rare species in support of the newly drafted Texas State Wildlife Action Plan. The LIP program is flexible and is open to all private landowners who have a desire to voluntarily manage for rare species on their land.
Economic Impact of the Exotic Wildlife Industry
The exotic wildlife industry is a vital and growing industry, particularly in rural areas. As traditional revenue sources shift away from rural communities, their economies increasingly rely other industries such as this one. The industry is governed by a myriad of state and federal laws, regulations, and jurisdictions. Since the overwhelming majority of industry regulation is left up to the states, a large amount of variability exists from state to state. This lack of consistency in laws and regulations is a factor affecting future industry growth.
Property Tax Exemption for Wildlife Management
Although large property owners can benefit by receiving a tax break for their wildlife management activities, the Wildlife Management Use exemption should be good for small property owners as well. Often times, small property owners engaged in traditional agricultural practices are hindered in their ability to properly manage their resources due to the agricultural practice itself.
Wetlands Habitat Alliance of Texas
Nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, enhancement, restoration and creation of wetland habitat.
Economic impact study of hunting and fishing
If the $76 billion that sportsmen spend on hunting and fishing were the Gross Domestic Product of a country, sportsmen as a nation would rank 57 out of 181 countries.
Whooping Crane
There is only one wild migratory flock of whooping cranes of about 194 birds. The flock migrates from Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. This arduous journey of 2,700 miles takes weeks. In the 1950s, there were less than 20 birds left. Governments and conservation groups helped save the flock
All About Wild Turkeys
All About Wild Turkeys. Several links available to research subspecies of wild turkeys and other great facts to be aware of...
Images for Conservation Fund
Images for Conservation Fund (ICF), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, creates sustainable development of rural economies through the establishment and prosperity of the Private Lands Nature Photo Tourism Industry. Nature Photography has the unique ability to preserve habitat permanently by making it profitable.
Texas Outdoor Partners
Initially 30-35 Texas hunting, fishing and conservation organizations met in January and February of 2007, at the beginning of the Texas legislative session, to set up the loose structure and operating procedures for a coalition that was to be called the Texas Outdoor Partners (affectionately known as TOP).
Texas Outdoor Council
Texas Outdoor Council is the political voice for Texas sportsmen, gun owners, landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts. TOC is committed to supporting legislation and education that will enhance and preserve the rights of all sportsmen through political activism and community involvement. The goal is to raise awareness of our natural resources, and the importance of our Texas Heritage to our local communities.
Wildlife Habitat Federation
The Wildlife Habitat Federation is a non-profit conservation organization in Texas, dedicated to the preservation and re-establishment of crucial upland game habitat needed to sustain healthy populations of quail and other upland wildlife species. The objectives of this organization are 1) to esta...
Texas Hawking Association
The mission of the Texas Hawking Association is: To encourage and promote the wise conservation of raptors and to assure that those participating in falconry conduct themselves legally and in accordance with traditionally high ethical standards of the art. To extend cooperation, assistance, and ...
SCIF Austin Sables
SCIF Austin Sables is a division of the Safari Club International Foundation Sables, which is a group that focuses directly on education. They work directly with local educators on Safari In A Box , sending teachers to American Wilderness Leadership School, supporting scholarships set up for colle...
Pheasants Forever (PF)
Pheasant Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs. Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) have launched, as an expansion of the organization's educatio...
Dove Sportsman's Society
Dove Sportsman's Society and Quail Unlimited address the habitat problems of dove and quail through its network of grassroots chapters. Dove Sportsman's Society chapters raise funds in their local communities, then fund projects that will have the greatest impact on dove, quail, upland game birds...
Anglers Club of San Antonio
The Anglers Club of San Antonio was founded in 1937 by Mr. Gene Seng, Sr. to promote fishing and hunting amongst those interested individuals of the San Antonio community. It a Bass fishing club out of San Antonio and surrounding areas. They fish 9 tournaments per year, ranging from: Falcon Lake,...
Safari Club International, Austin Chapter (SCI)
SCI Austin has a mission to protect and preserve our hunting and fishing heritage through wildlife conservation, education, legislative, and humanitarian efforts. The Austin Chapter of SCI applies this mission and values in a grassroots effort throughout central Texas. SCI Austin is making every...
Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA)
The Exotic Wildlife Association has a mission to encourage and expand the conservation of indigenous and non-indigenous hoofstock animals, while encouraging their members to develop and strengthen the markets for their animals. Exotic Wildlife Association is committed to accomplishing the followi...
Texas Wildlife Association (TWA)
The Texas Wildlife Association was organized for the benefit of wildlife and for the rights of wildlife managers, landowners, and hunters in educational, scientific, political, regulatory, legal, and legislative arenas. TWA is dedicated to educating all persons, especially the youth of Texas, ab...
Texas Sportsman's Association
Texas Sportsman's Association is dedicated to educating the public about the need for protection, conservation and improvement of fish, game and other wildlife, grasslands and forests, and to safeguard the freedoms that enable these pursuits.
Texas Organization of Wildlife Management Associations (TOWMA)
Texas Organization of Wildlife Management Associations is an organization that brings together wildlife management associations throughout Texas to achieve common goals and objectives. TOWMA believes there is strength in numbers. While individual wildlife associations may consist of hundreds ...
Texas Teaming with Wildlife Coalition
The Texas Teaming with Wildlife Coalition is led by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and includes wildlife biologists, hunters & anglers, birdwatchers, hikers, nature-based businesses, and other conservationists. This is a coalition of more than 5,000 organizations seeking new and greater fu...
Texas Gulf Coast Stewards (TGCS)
Texas Gulf Coast Stewards, Inc. (TGCS) is a non-profit marine conservation organization, founded in 2006, for the purpose of the enhancement of saltwater fishing, including restoration of essential fish habitat along the Texas Gulf Coast. First Project - Texas Great Barrier Reef Project TGCS h...
Texas Dog Hunters Association (TDHA)
The Texas Dog Hunters Association is a grass roots organization formed in order to preserve and advocate hunting with dogs. TDHA is made up of members from all over Texas, other states, and even a few other countries, that believe in saving the right to hunt with dogs for future generations. Seve...
Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society
The Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society was formed in 1965 and conforms to the bylaws, policies, code of ethics, objectives, and position statements of The Wildlife Society. Chapter efforts are designed to involve resource professionals and stimulate involvement by all concerned individuals. T...
Texas Brigades
The Texas Brigades is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to empower high school youth with the necessary skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries, and habitat conservation, land stewardship, team-building, communication, and leadership to become ambassadors for conservation, in ord...
Texas Bighorn Society
The mission of Texas Bighorn Society is to restore Desert Bighorn Sheep to all their native ranges in Texas and to insure the viability of their habitat. As individuals we need to study and learn everything we can about issues affecting wild bighorn sheep. Bighorns serve as an effective indicator ...
Texas Black Bass Unlimited (TBBU)
Texas Black Bass Unlimited (T.B.B.U.) is a non-profit organization founded in 1985. Through the efforts of the original handful of conservation minded freshwater fishermen, the organization has grown to become a statewide organization of anglers and other conservation minded individuals today. It...
Texas BASS Federation Nation
Texas BASS Federation Nation provides conservation leadership by developing and supporting actions to protect, improve, and sustain quality aquatic resources and user access. BASS Federation takes their role seriously as they continue to improve fishing through education, partnerships, communicat...
Texas Deer Association (TDA)
Texas Deer Association (TDA) is the only non-profit organization in Texas solely dedicated to improving the quality of Texas deer herds. Founded in 1999, TDA endorses the welfare and health of our deer herds, and on ways to improve deer quality and the hunting experience in Texas. TDA represents...
Texas Association of Bass Clubs (TABC)
Texas Association of Bass Clubs (TABC) is a statewide organization formed by individual members of the Bass Clubs and affiliate members in Texas. Their mission is preservation, conservation, and enhancement, with a focus on youth involvement for the future of fishing in Texas They exist to promo...
Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Team (SMART)
Sensible Management of Aquatic Resources Team (S.M.A.R.T.) is a non-profit organization formed by anglers, enrivonmentalists, and industry leaders to improve and protect our fisheries and the environment of the US. They will do what is necessary to accomplish their goals, which includes educating ...
Saltwater-Fisheries Enhancement Association (SEA)
Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association (SEA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting the conservation and preservation of our saltwater resources for the benefit of recreational users. SEA was formed in 2000 as a grassroots organization dedicated to raising money locally...
North Texas Chapter, Safari Club International
North Texas Chapter Safari Club International exists to protect the rights of sportsmen for our future generations, strengthen the voice of sportsmen in Washington, increase the awareness and importance on hunting, keep informed about issues relating to our great outdoors, and to share hunting ex...
Houston Gulf Coast SCI First for Hunters
The motto of the Houston Gulf Coast SCI First for Hunters (HGC-SCI) is to Conserve and Protect (conserve wildlife and protect the hunter). HGC protects hunters' rights by actively lobbying on behalf of hunters at a state, provincial, and federal level. This is a chapter of the premier global hu...
Houston Safari Club (HSC)
Houston Safari Club , established in 1972, is a non-profit volunteer organization that raises money for preserving the sport of hunting, supporting wildlife conservation, and educating the public on hunting and conservation issues. Today, HSC has grown into a large and influential group of hunters...
Dallas Safari Club (DSC)
The mission of the Dallas Safari Club is to conserve wildlife and wilderness lands. It is to educate youth and the general public, and to promote and protect the rights and interests of hunters worldwide. As part of that mission. Since 1972, Dallas Safari Club has been the gathering point for hu...
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF)
The mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, and their habitat. RMEF is committed to: Conserving, restoring, and enhancing natural habitats; promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; fo...
Recreational Fishing Alliance - Texas (RFA)
Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national grass roots, political action organization comprised of one million saltwater anglers. Their mission is to safeguard the rights of those salt water anglers, protect jobs in the marine boat and tackle industries, and ensure the long-term sustainability of...
Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA)
Quality Deer Management Association (QDM) is a management philosophy and practice that unites landowners, hunters, and managers in a common goal of producing biologically and socially balanced deer herds within existing environmental, social, and legal constraints. This typically involves the pro...
Quail Forever
Quail Forever (QF) is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail, pheasant, and other upland wildlife through habitat improvement, public awareness, education, and advocacy for solid land management policy. Quail Forever is a non-profit organization dedicated to quail conservation and ...
Texas Council of Quail Unlimited
Quail Unlimited was founded in 1981 to battle the problem of declining quail populations and wildlife habitat and is the oldest national, nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the careful management of America's wild quail. The overall vision is to restore America's quail populations f...
National Wild Turkey Federation, Texas Chapter (NWTF)
The National Wild Turkey Federation is a grassroots, nonprofit organization with more than 550,000 members from the US, Canada, Mexico and 14 other foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private, and corporate lands, as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditiona...
The Nature Conservancy of Texas
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. They've accomplished so much since they were established in 1951: Protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of ...
Lone Star Bowhunters Association
Lone Star Bowhunters Association (LSBA) is a non-profit organization established in 1974. It is the only statewide organization representing your bowhunting privileges. The purpose of the LSBA is to unite the state's bowhunting enthusiasts to work towards a common goal of preserving and promoting ...
Ducks Unlimited, Texas Chapter (DU)
The vision and mission of Ducks Unlimited is to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever by conserving, restoring, and managing wetlands. DU acts to uphold the reputation of their organization, treating people and wildlife with respect. They evaluate their programs to guide ...
Conservation Force
Conservation Force is an international non-profit, charitable public foundation. Conservation Force focuses on wildlife conservation, education, research, and serving the greater public good. It's a comprehensive organization that functions as a worldwide communications center and information sou...
Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program
Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program (CBBEP) is a local non-profit organization established in 1999. The CBBEP project area encompasses 12 counties of the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, from the land-cut in the Laguna Madre, through the Corpus Christi Bay system, and north to the Aransas N...
Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA)
The stated purpose of Coastal Conservation Association is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. The objective of CCA is to conserve, promote, and enhance the present and future availability of these coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general pub...
Bass Club of Fort Worth
The Bass Club of Fort Worth began in January 1985 as Mini Bass Boat Club of Fort Worth, then became how it's known today in January of 1988. There are close to 100 members with 40-50 members at each tournament. They hold meetings the 1st Thursday of the month, with door prizes and raffle prizes ...
Austin Woods and Waters Club
The Austin Woods and Waters Club is a (regional) social organization, committed to promoting hunting, fishing, and various outdoor activities, as well as preserving those opportunities for others. AWWC is dedicated to "passing on the heritage" of the outdoors experience to younger generations an...
Audubon Texas
Audubon Texas works to restore over 1 million acres of grasslands, oversees 13,000 acres of critical coastal habitat, and educates 50,000 students on an annual basis. The mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, concentrating on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for th...
Hairy Legged Vampire
Although only one specimen of the hairy-legged vampire is known from Texas, it is possible that a thorough search of the caves in the Hill Country and along the Rio Grande will reveal additional records of this species or the common vampire (Desmodus rotundus) which have been taken in northern Mexico no more than 200 km from the Texas border. Since Diphylla is a possible reservoir of bovine paralytic rabies, it is of economic importance to the cattlemen and sportsmen of Texas.
Mexican Long-tongued Bat
A Mexican Long-tongued Bat , Choeronycteris mexicana (Tschudi), is a medium-sized bat with a long, slender muzzle and prominent nasal leaf. A minute tail is present and extends less than halfway to the edge of the interfemoral membrane. Color is sooty gray to brownish. Dental formula: I 2/0, C 1/1,...
Mexican Long-nosed Bat
The breeding season is restricted to April, May, and June. Females give birth to one young annually. The young are born in Mexico, prior to the bats’ arrival in Texas, and are weaned in July to August, which is the peak of the rainy season and the peak of flower abundance.
Texas Bat Colonies
"Texas holds the interesting distinction of being the battiest state in the country. It is the home of not only the largest known bat colony in the world, near San Antonio, but also the most famous urban bat colony, in Austin, and perhaps more public bat-viewing locations than anywhere else." ~ www.BatCon.org
Let Your Imagination Fly at the World Birding Center
The World Birding Center is a voice for conservation as well as a special place for learning and discovery. Located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the WBC is a network of nine sites dotted along 120 miles of river road from South Padre Island West to Roma, with habitats ranging from dry chaparral brush and verdant riverside thickets to freshwater marshes and coastal wetlands.
Example Food Plot Plan
East Texas Food Plot Plan for the Parrish Property (June 2005 –May 2006) More Deer, Bigger Deer… Period! Prepared by Wildlife Biologist John Schwarzlose, June 9th, 2005 on behalf of TEXLA Wildlife Before coming to work for Texas Wildlife Unlimi...
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
The Kemp's ridley sea turtle is the smallest and most endangered sea turtle. Adults do not exceed 0.8 meters (30 inches) in shell length and range in weight from 36-45 kilograms (80-100 pounds). The broadly oval-shaped shell is usually olive gray, but the young are black.
Yak
(From China) Yaks are very large animals that are blackish-brown in color with long hair. The horns grow out from the side of the head and tip up. A large male can weigh as much as 2000 pounds. Their long hair allows them to survive in the very coldest climates. They frequently have a white spot b...
Wildebeest
(From Africa) This strange looking animal can be black, blue, or gray in color. The horns grow out from the head, curve up, and then in. Large males weigh up to 375 pounds, while females weigh 250 pounds. There are several different subspecies of Wildebeest. Three of them are the Black Wildebeest,...
Wild Boar
(From Europe) This is a feral hog that has been released into the wild. This hog comes in all colors ranging from black, white, red, brown, or spotted. The mature males have tusks protruding from the upper and lower gums. The lower tusks are measured for the book. A large male can weigh over 400 p...
Water Buffalo
(From Africa) This large buffalo is normally black or gray in color. The horns sweep out and up. Males can weigh 1500 pounds and females can weigh 1000 pounds. Water Buffalo are apt to completely submerge themselves under water for a minute or longer. When they come up for air, then you will see o...
Waterbuck
( From Africa) Waterbuck are grayish-brown in color. The common Waterbuck has a ring on the rump that circles the tail. The hair is about 3 inches long and it is quite greasy. The greasy coat helps them stay in water for long periods of time. The horns grow up and slightly forward. A large male...
Thomson's Gazelle
(From Africa) The Thomson's Gazelle's upper parts are tan with a large black stripe on their sides. The bellies are white. The horns grow up and curve back over the top of the neck. Males weigh up to 60 pounds and females weigh 40 pounds. The Thomson's Gazelle, also called the "Tommy" is consider...
Texas Dall Ram
(From Texas) This striking sheep is completely white or golden colored with a white face. The horns grow up, out, down, forward, up, and out. A large male will weigh 140 pounds, while a female will weigh 75 pounds. The Texas Dall Sheep is a hybrid sheep that was originated in Texas. A white Texas...
Springbok
(From Africa) This small antelope is reddish tan with a chocolate horizontal band on its side. The underside is white and their horns are short. They grow up, out, and then the tips curve back in at the ends. Large males can weigh 100 pounds and females weigh 60 pounds. the name "springbok" comes ...
Sika Grande
(From U.S.A.) This is a crossbreed between a Sika Deer and an Elk. They are also known as a "Silk." The males are light brown to dark brown. Their hair is about 3 inches long on the body and 5 inches on the neck. The antlers are large with 4 to 5 points per side. A large male will weigh 400 pounds...
Scimitar Oryx
(From North Africa) This large-bodied antelope is white with red coloration around the neck. Both males and females have horns that are long and curved. They are also called "Scimitar Horned Oryx." Scimitar means "curved." large males can weigh 300 pounds and females can weigh 200 pounds. In Afri...
Sable Antelope
(From Africa) This large, impressive antelope is black with a white underside. The face is very delicately painted with black and white. The horns grow up and arch back over the shoulders. A large male can weigh 500 pounds while a female can weigh 280 pounds. The Sable Antelope is one of the most ...
Russian Wild Boar
(From Europe) This hog is brownish black with split hairs at the end. The snout is long and straight. Mature males can have 4 inches of tusks protruding from the lower jaw. There will usually be about 4 inches inside the jaw also. A large male can weigh 300 pounds, while a female will weigh about 1...
Red Sheep
(From Iran) This sheep is reddish brown as its name depicts. The face is creme colored. Sometimes they have a white bib under their chin. The horns grow up, out, down, and back in towards the face. They sometimes have a faint white saddle patch. A large male will weigh 120 pounds and a female will...
Red Deer
(From Europe) This large deer is reddish brown with hair about 3 inches long. The hair on the neck is about 5 inches long. A mature male will have antlers with 5 to 7 points per antler. Large males weigh 400 pounds and females weigh about 250 pounds. Red Deer are the European cousin of our North A...
Persian Ibex
(From Iran) This Ibex is tan with a black stripe around the shoulders at the neckline. They have a long patch of hair on their chin known as a "goatee." The horns do not have knots, but are knife edged on the forward edge. the horns curl up, back, down, and occassionally back up. These goats have be...
Pere David Deer
(From China) These deer are gray in color. The males have antlers with multiple branches and very long brow points. A male is quite large, weighing 400 pounds with the females weighing about 200 pounds. Many years ago, a Catholic priest named Father David (in French, Pere David) built a high fence a...
Painted Desert Ram
(From U.S.A.) The color of this attractive sheep is black, brown, and white. They resemble a paint horse in coloration. The horns grow up, out, down, up, and out. A large male will weigh 140 pounds and a female will weigh 70 pounds. The painted desert ram is a hybrid sheep that was bred here in the ...
Nubian Ibex
(From Sudan) This Ibex is light brown with a dark dorsal stripe. The horns of the Nubian Ibex have the pronounced knots on the forward edge of the horns. The horns grow up, back, and then hook back in. A mature male is small weighing about 100 pounds and the female about 75 pounds. The female has h...
Merino Ram
(From China) This sheep is white with its body covered in wool. The horns can grow to be quite large. Sometimes they grow to two full curls. A large male will weigh 250 pounds while a large female will weigh 160 pounds. The Merino Ram is a domestic sheep originally from Asia. They are cousins to the...
Markhor Goat
(From Afghanistan) This goat is gray, brown, and white. They have a long full beard. The horns are very impressive, spiraling upward making two twists or more. Large males will weigh up to 180 pounds, while females weigh 100 pounds. They live high up in the mountains in the roughest, most inaccessib...
Kafue Flats Lechwe
(From Africa) This Lechwe is chestnut red with a white underside. They have a black stripe low down on the shoulders and extending down the front legs as well. The horns sweep back and up from the head. A large male will weigh 200 pounds with the female weighing 180 pounds. The Lechwe have feet and...
Impala
(From Africa) This antelope is reddish brown on the top half of the body and light tan on the bottom. The horns grow up, back, and back up again. A large male will weigh 175 pounds, while a female weighs about 90 pounds. They have long legs and can run very fast. They are fearful and will run very f...
Ibex Goat
(From Asia) This goat is usually brown with a black stripe around the shoulders at the neck. The belly is white. They have a patch of long hair on their chin. This is a "goatee." The males have long horns that grow up, back, and down. The males can weigh up to 200 pounds white the females normally w...
Himalayan Tahr
(From Nepal) This unusual animal is brown with long, white hair on its neck and shoulders. The male has short, thick horns that will grow to about 12 inches in length on good specimens. A large male will grow to about 200 pounds, while a female will weigh about 90 pounds. The Tahr is found in the ...
Black Hawaiian Sheep
(From Hawaii) These sheep are black in color and sometimes have an outer coat of reddish wool. They will frequently have a white muszzle. The horns are usually dark. They grow up, back, down, forward, up, and out. A large male can weigh 140 pounds. There are fewer Black Hawaiian Rams than the other ...
Gemsbok
(From Africa) These large bodied antelope are beautifully and wonderfully colored. They almost look like a clown in the face. They are black, white, and gray. Both sexes have long straight horns, but the male's horns are much thicker. A large male can weigh 400 pounds and a large female can weigh 25...
Four Horn Ram
(From Middle East) These sheep are usually brown or white with a lot of wool. There can be other colors, including spotted. The rams have four distinct horns. Two horns grow up from the head and two horns grow down beside the jaw. A large male can weigh up to 120 pounds. They are also known as Jaco...
Eld's Deer
(From India) This deer is brown with reddish brown underparts. The coat is coarse and shaggy with long hair on the throat. The male's antlers usually have three points per side which includes long brow points. A lage buck will weigh 275 pounds and a large doe will weigh 100 pounds. There are very l...
Eland Antelope
(From Africa) This extremely large bodied antelope is tan in color. Both males and females have horns, but the male's horns are usually larger. A male can weigh up to 1500 pounds and a female about 500 pounds. The Eland is one of the largest antelopes in the world. They have done very well on U.S. f...
Dama Gazelle
(From Africa) This peculiar looking antelope with a long neck is white with a reddish brown neck. They are very long legged. The horns are short. They grow up, out, and up again. A large male can weigh 165 pounds, while the females will weigh up to 120 pounds. This exotic has adapted very well to ...
Catalina Goat
(From Spain) This goat will be black, brown, reddish brown, or white on most animals, however, other colors are not uncommon. The males have horns that grow up and back from the head in large twists. Large male can weigh up to 175 pounds with the female weighing 80 pounds. The Angora or New Zeala...
Barasingha Deer
(From Pakistan) This endangered deer is sandy brown with hair about 4 inches in length. The word "barasingha " means "12 points". A mature male can have six points on each antler. A large male can weigh 350 pounds and a female can weigh up to 225 pounds. Although Barasingha are endangered in their ...
Armenian Sheep
(From Iran) This small wild sheep is a light reddish gray color with a faint white spot on the flanks of the males. Their faces are creme colored. The horns of the males grow up, out, and back around above the neck. The females have short horns usually less than five inches. A large Armenian ram wi...
Arabian Oryx
(From Arabia) This member of the Oryx family is white with dark stripes on the face. The horns grow straight up. Both the males and females have horns. The horns are thicker on the males than females. The female's horns can grow longer than those of the males. A male can weigh 300 pounds and a fema...
Addax Antelope
(From Africa) This antelope is white with a gray masked face. The horns corkscrew up making two or more twists on both mature males and females. They are native to dry deserts. Their feet are adapted to run on sand. They are a member of the Oryx family. A large male can weigh 275 pounds while the f...
Texas Mouse
Their main diet is plant material, especially seeds. In southern Missouri, Larry Brown found that about 70% (by volume) of the stomach contents he examined consisted of plant material, including fragments of seeds, berries, bulbs, and green plants. The balance consisted of insects, chiefly camel crickets and beetles.
Texas Kangaroo Rat
It lives on clay soils supporting sparse, short grasses and small, scattered mesquite bushes. The rats make trails leading to their burrows, which invariably enter the ground at the base of a small mesquite, often in such fashion that one root of the mesquite forms the top or side of the opening. Scratching and dusting places, so characteristic of other species of kangaroo rats, are inconspicuous.
Texas Antelope Squirrel
"Ammos" are fidgety, nervous creatures and seldom are still for long. They are nimble-footed and can run with surprising speed. Their peculiar habit of carrying the tail arched forward over the back, exposing to view the contrastingly colored undersurface, is a readily usable field characteristic.
Swift or Kit Fox
Male and female foxes establish pair bonds during October and November, during which time large family dens are used. These foxes are monogamous for a breeding season but the pairs are not necessarily the same from year to year.
Swamp Rabbit
The swamp rabbit, as the name suggests, inhabits poorly drained river bottoms and coastal marshes. Well adapted to a semi-aquatic habitat in that its dense fur "waterproofs" its skin, the animal is at home in the water.
Spotted Ground Squirrel
These squirrels are extremely shy. One can work in an area several days without seeing them. They are most active in early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. They seldom go far from their burrows and retreat to them at the slightest sign of danger. Their movements are rapid and interrupted by abrupt stops, reminding one of a lizard. In running, the body and tail are held close to the ground.
Rock Squirrel
Although typical ground squirrels in most respects, they can climb trees nearly as well as tree squirrels. In the Guadalupe Mountains of western Texas, they have been observed 5 or 6 m up in the flowering stalks of agaves feeding on the flowers and buds. They also climb to the tops of junipers to forage on the berries and in mesquites to feed on the buds or beans.
Ringtail
They occur less commonly in woodland areas where they live in hollow trees and logs, and they are also known to live in buildings. They are expert climbers, capable of ascending vertical walls, so they have little difficulty in searching out and denning in well-protected crevices, crannies, and hollows.
Red Wolf
Formerly, red wolves ranged throughout the eastern half of Texas but their numbers and range quickly declined under pressure of intensive land use in the region. Also, early lumbering and farming practices allowed the coyote to expand its range into East Texas; hybrid offspring of interbreeding red wolves and coyotes more closely resembled coyotes and the genetic identity of the red wolf was gradually suppressed.
Red Fox
Few foxes live beyond the age of 3 or 4 years, particularly in areas where they are hunted and trapped heavily. Man and domestic dogs are their major predators, although pups may be lost to great horned owls and other predators. Red foxes are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including rabies, distemper, and infectious canine hepatitis.
Pronghorn
The pronghorn is one of our more desirable game species, but despite extensive management efforts it has been decreasing in numbers in recent years. The estimated statewide population in 1990 was 13,920 and the 1989 harvest by hunters was 543.
Porcupine
They are expert at climbing trees, although their movements are slow, methodical, and seemingly awkward. They apparently are aware of their limitations and they take few chances.
Ocelot
Today, it is found only in several small, isolated patches of suitable habitat remaining in South Texas and is on the verge of completely disappearing from the state. It is listed as "endangered" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Nilgai
In Texas, coyotes are the primary predator of nilgai calves but are not of sufficient size to take full grown animals. In addition to people and coyotes, cold weather can cause significant mortality among nilgai in South Texas. Nilgai have a thin coat and store only a meager winter fat reserve.
Mule Deer
Mule deer of both sexes normally do most of their feeding in early morning before sunrise or in late afternoon and evening after sundown. They spend the middle of the day bedded down in cool, secluded places.
Mountain Sheep or Bighorn Sheep
At one time bighorn sheep were widespread in Trans-Pecos Texas but the advance of civilization and the inroads of domestic sheep upon the range of the wild animals led to a steady decline of the bighorn population. In spite of laws affording full protection to the sheep, they continued to decline in numbers. Today, the native population is extinct.
Mountain Lion
At present, mountain lions usually are considered as unwanted predators. Their value as game animals has received little attention, but those who have hunted them with trained dogs vouch that the sport is thrilling and exciting. Some day we may see this animal recognized as a game animal, hunted in season, and under license — a position it should have now.
Mink
Their food consists of a wide variety of animals which they usually capture and kill. The fact that they are attracted to traps by carcasses of birds and other animals suggests that they also feed on carrion. Fish, frogs, clams, freshwater mussels, snakes, rats and mice, ground squirrels, muskrats, and birds constitute their main diet.
Mexican Ground Squirrel
Their food in early spring is chiefly green vegetation. They are known to feed on mesquite leaves and beans, agarita leaves and berries, Shasta lily, Johnson grass, pin clover, and cultivated grains. Insects also contribute importantly to their diet.
Margay
The margay is a neotropical felid that ranges from northern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is recorded from Texas on the basis of a specimen taken near Eagle Pass in the 1850s.
Long-tailed Weasel
Although largely terrestrial, these weasels are adept at climbing trees. They are strong swimmers and do not hesitate to cross swift streams. On the ground they frequent areas occupied by small rodents and often live in the burrows of ground squirrels and pocket gophers or in rotten logs, hollow stumps, and under tree roots.
Western Spotted Skunk
Their natural foods are not well documented, but they are known to feed on turkey eggs, young rabbits, mice, and such arthropods as grasshoppers and scorpions.
Striped Skunk
These skunks are largely nocturnal and seldom venture forth until late in the day; they retire to their hideouts early in the morning. One of us (Davis) has seen striped skunks abroad in midday only twice, and in each instance a female was trailing her family of third-grown youngsters in single file across a meadow to a patch of woodland beyond.
Hooded Skunk
These slender, "white-sided" skunks occur along stream courses where they resort to rocky ledges or tangles of streamside vegetation for safety. Occasionally they resort to burrows in the banks of washes.
Eastern Spotted Skunk
The Eastern Spotted Skunk, Spilogale putorius (Linnaeus), is a small, relatively slender skunk with small white spot on forehead and another in front of each ear, the latter often confluent with dorsolateral white stripe; six distinct white stripes on anterior part of body, the ventrolateral pai...
Eastern Hog-nosed Skunk
All evidence suggests this skunk is extremely rare and in need of protection. Most records are from biological surveys of the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, and there is a growing consensus among professional mammalogists that the population level of this species in Texas has declined drastically during the past few decades.
Common Hog-nosed Skunk
The largest populations occur in rocky, sparsely timbered areas such as the Edwards Plateau of central Texas and the Chisos, Davis, and Guadalupe mountains of Trans-Pecos Texas. A few have been reported from the Big Thicket area of East Texas, but these are apparently extirpated now.
Jaguarundi
Jaguarundis are denizens of the dense, thorny thickets of southern Texas where cacti, mesquite, cat claw, granjeno, and other spine-studded vegetation abounds. There, these cats live a life of relative safety because such thickets are almost impenetrable to both dogs and man which are their chief enemies.
Jaguar
The last verified records of the jaguar in Texas are from near the turn of the century and this beautiful cat is now extirpated from the state. The jaguar is listed as "endangered" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Grizzly or Brown Bear
Only two specimens of grizzly bears are available from Texas. According to Vernon Bailey, who wrote of this bear in his "Biological Survey of Texas," a large and very old male grizzly was killed in the Davis Mountains in October, 1890 by C. O. Finley and John Z. Means.
Gray Wolf
The Gray Wolf inhabits forests, brushlands, or grasslands, preferring broken, open country in which suitable cover and denning sites are available. Formerly, wolves occurred commonly in the grassland plains of the buffalo on which they relied for their chief food supply.
Feral Pigs
Feral pigs, Sus scrofa Linnaeus , in Texas are descended from introductions of European wild hogs for sporting purposes, and from escaped domestic swine that have established feral populations. European wild hogs have several distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from domestic or f...
Eastern Gray Squirrel
These squirrels are highly prized as game. In most parts of their range they are decreasing in numbers because of overhunting and the removal of favored habitat by drainage or lumbering operations. Consequently, sound management of their habitat is becoming an increasingly important responsibility.
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Fox squirrels are important small game animals throughout most of their range, hence they are of decided economic value. Their fondness for green corn, however, often brings them into conflict with farming interests, as does their pilfering in nut orchards.
Eastern Flying Squirrel
These small, nocturnal squirrels inhabit forested areas where suitable trees are present to afford den sites. In the western parts of their range, suitable habitat is restricted largely to areas along rivers and streams.
Eastern Cottontail
Eastern cottontails are prolific breeders. In southern Texas the breeding season is year-long, although the frequency of breeding does fluctuate throughout the year.
Desert Cottontail
Like other cottontails, these are more active in the twilight hours and at night, but they may be more or less active through the day. They are more or less sedentary and seldom range more than 360 m from their preferred thickets around and in which they feed, sleep, court, and rear their families.
Coyote
Around the turn of the century, coyotes were not known in eastern Texas, where red wolves were common. Land use in this area, including intensive lumbering and agriculture, as well as intensive predator control, eradicated the wolves and now coyotes have expanded their range to also include that part of the state.
Common Raccoon
Raccoons are primarily inhabitants of broadleaf woodlands, although they are rather common in the mixed-pine forests of southeastern Texas. They seldom occur far from water, which seems to have more influence on their distribution than does any particular type of vegetation. Still, they are one of the most abundant carnivores in the semi-desert areas of West Texas.
Common Gray Fox
The gray fox is essentially an inhabitant of wooded areas, particularly mixed hardwood forests. It is common throughout the wooded sections east of the shortgrass plains and in the pinyon-juniper community above the low lying deserts.
Collared Peccary, "Javelina"
In Texas, collared peccaries (often called "javelinas") occupy the brushy semidesert where prickly pear is a conspicuous part of the flora. They are commonly found in dense thickets of prickly pear, chaparral, scrub oak, or guajillo; also in rocky canyons where caverns and hollows afford protection and in barren wastelands. Peccaries are active mainly in early morning and late afternoon and often bed down in dense brush or prickly pear thickets during the heat of midday.
Bobcat
Bobcat, Lynx rufus (Schreber), a medium-sized, short-tailed, reddish brown or grayish cat about the size of a chow dog; upperparts reddish brown, streaked with black; underparts whitish, spotted with black; back of ears black-rimmed, with white in center; ears usually slightly tufted; hair on s...
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
The black-tailed jackrabbit, so familiar to those who know the West, is a common denizen of the hot, dry, desert scrubland. It occupies a latitudinal range from sea level to well over 2,500 m on the southwest slopes of some of the desert mountains but seldom inhabits coniferous forests (pinyon pine and juniper areas excepted), although occasionally it may stray into them
Black Bear
Formerly widespread throughout the state; the black bear is now restricted to remnant populations in mountainous areas of the Trans-Pecos region.
Bison
In early days the bison was found in great numbers over a vast range in North America. With the westward expansion of the white settlers, it became an object of exploitation on a tremendous scale that resulted in its total disappearance from the East and its almost complete extermination over much of its western range.
Texas Hill Country Food Plots and Whitetail Deer Management
A large percentage of the food plot questions I hear pertain to hunting properties in the Texas hill country. Common queries include: What should I plant? When should I plant? How should I plant? However, I seldom hear the question, "Should I plant."
The Deer Genetics Management Debate
A common topic among landowners is whitetail gene pool management. When talking about the management of a deer herd’s genetics there are basically two schools of thought.
Q&A: Management advice from biologist John Schwarzlose of Texas Wildlife Unlimited
Question: We want to start utilizing food plots for deer on our 2,300 acre ranch in east central Coleman Co. (7 miles s of Coleman). I have read the articles on Spring Nutrition for White-Tailed Deer and Food Plots for Deer Management. Q1: What type of feed works best in this area? Q2: Wh...
Q & A: Food plot advice from biologist John Schwarzlose of Texas Wildlife Unlimited
Being a Texas Wildlife Unlimited biologist, hunters often ask me for advice cooncerning the food plots on their hunting properties, which I am more than happy to give. Here are a few examples of questions I have recieved, along with their coresponding answers. If you have any questions or comment...
Dove Strips: A Food Plot Design For September Wing Shooters
By John Schwarzlose of Texas Wildlife Unlimited THFN Team Member and Biologist John Schwarzlose gives us some guidance for creating those essential food plots for attracting doves to your property this fall.
Eastern and Rio Grande Wild Turkeys: An Exploration of Subspecies Distribution
When I began writing this article my intent was to create an informative document explaining the differences between Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedis) and Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), with respect to their unique histories, biology, and the hunting regulations associated with each subspecies. Here I sit putting the finishing touches on what started as a simple informative paper and ended up an exploration of a gap in our knowledge of wild turkey biology.
Whitetailed Deer
By Mark Calicutt Read all about the management, habitat and feeding, breeding, and behavior of the Whitetailed Deer.
Food Plots for Whitetail Deer Management
Food plots are the most powerful tool in the white-tailed deer management toolbox. Some outdoorsmen, biologists, and outdoor writers downplay the significance of food plot implementation in wildlife management by discrediting the idea that food plots are a cure-all or a quick fix for achieving one’s wildlife management goals.
Spring Nutrition for Whitetail Deer
Today’s hunters are more conservation minded than those of yesteryear. We live in a time where phrases such as 'harvest strategy' and 'carrying capacity' are common on game ranches among hunters and managers alike.
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