ALBANY — If you treasure wildlife, as most Texans do, then being in Albany on March 13-14 for the “Wildlife Appreciation Event” is a must.
Dr. Dale Rollins, Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo and a program coordinator, said the word “appreciation” has several meanings that all apply to this program.
“The traditional context, to value or admire highly’, reflects the longstanding interest in wildlife and land stewardship that I like to think characterizes the Albany area,” said Rollins. “But two other connotations, to judge with heightened concern’ and to be cautiously or sensitively aware of’ reflect the hunger for information that landowners in this area have for making the system work.”
Rollins joins a host of top-notch speakers during the two-day event that features numerous educational opportunities, a field trip, and social activities. The program will capitalize on Albany’s unique “cow country” flavor and long-standing reputation as a top quail and deer hunting venue.
“The Southern Rolling Plains has a tradition of offering some of the finest quail hunting anywhere,” said Rollins. “Now, the region’s interest in deer management has also skyrocketed. This meeting will help fuel the interest of land managers who are interested in making the transition from wildlife miners’ to wildlife managers’ that is so necessary for us to sustain what momentum we’ve achieved.”
“The Shackelford County area serves as a good model for how landowners, hunters, and the entire community can benefit from wildlife conservation,” says Tamara Trail, director of education for Texas Wildlife Association in San Antonio.
Local ranchers will discuss developing hunting and tourism while maintaining a strong sense of community. Other presentation topics include landowner liability and risk management, economics of hunting and nature-based businesses, a market outlook on ranch real estate, and hunter and landowner relations.
Part of the March 14 program will be held at Stasney’s Cook Ranch Headquarters, 11 miles north of Albany off U.S. Highway 283. Featured will be field observations on tying information on habitat for hunting and wildlife together. Kicking off the field portion of the program is a hands-on session led by a team of veterinarians on “getting to know” deer, quail, hogs and turkey. Other presentations will be given on plants, brush sculpting for wildlife, prescribed burning and deer diets.
The program is hosted by the Shackelford County Range and Wildlife Management Association, the Texas Wildlife Association, and Stasney’s Cook Ranch.Sponsors include: Texas Cooperative Extension; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Lower Clear Fork of the Brazos Soil and Water Conservation District; Throckmorton County Range and Wildlife Management Association; Throckmorton SWCD; Caddo Wildlife Association; Texas Midwest Community Network; Texas Brigades Youth Wildlife Leadership Program; Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Registration for the two-day event is $50 per person. The fee includes all meals and refreshments. The Habitat Social (March 13) alone is $30 per person and the Field Day (March 14) alone is $25 per person.
For further information contact Tamara Trail at (800) 839-9453, t_trail@texas-wildlife.org, or Rocky Vinson at (915) 762-2233, ext. 7 or r-vinson@tamu.edu
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