DOSS – Texas AgriLife Extension Service will begin its annual Hill Country Wildlife Field Day at 8 a.m. April 11 from the Doss Community Building.
Doss is located 14 miles north of Harper on Ranch Road 783. Participants will caravan to the tour site from the center at about 8:30 a.m.
Brent Drennan, AgriLife Extension agent in Mason County, said interest in wildlife continues to grow throughout the area.
“We continue to have a lot of new landowners coming into our area and they all have a keen interest in wildlife,” Drennan said. “There is still a lot of interest in hunting, but the actual management and general understanding of wildlife is becoming equally important. So this year, we are touching on topics such as plant identification and quail management to educate landowners about the natural resources their properties have to offer.
“This will be an excellent program, no matter if you are a hunter or prefer more non-consumptive outdoor activities such as wildlife viewing or birdwatching.” Morning topics and speakers are:
– “Plant ID,” Steve Nelle, Natural Resources Conservation Service zone biologist, San Angelo.
– “Quail Management,” Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, San Angelo.
– “Brush Management,” Dr. Bob Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.
At the tour’s conclusion, the group will travel back to the Doss Community Center for a catered lunch and the remainder of the program.
Afternoon topics and speakers will be:
– “White-tailed Deer Necropsy” Dr. Robert Dittmar, veterinarian, Kerrville.
– “Feeding and Bedding Areas, Doe and Buck Management,” Dr. Jim Gallagher, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde.
– “White-tailed Deer Hunting Permits,” Mike Krueger, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Kerrville.
– “Marketing and Web Design,” Miles Phillips, recreation, park and tourism specialist, College Station.
Texas Department of Agriculture will offer three continuing education units for private pesticide applicators: two units in integrated pest management and one general unit.
Individual registration is $15 through April 7 and $20 thereafter.
For more information, contact any of the following Extension agents in these sponsoring counties: Drennan at 325-347-6459; Bill Botard, Gillespie County, 830-997-3452; Jerry Kidd, McCulloch County 325-597-1295; Billy Kniffen, Menard County, 325-396-4787 or Russell Kott, Kimble County 325-446-2620.
-30-