AgriLife Extension sets multi-county Predator Awareness Workshop in San Angelo
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu
Dr. John Tomecek, 325-653-4576, tomecek@tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a multi-county Predator Awareness Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 23 in San Angelo.
Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County, said the classroom instruction will be in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, located north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87, and will include afternoon field exercises.
The participating counties include Tom Green, Coke, Runnels, Schleicher, Irion and Sterling.
“This program’s agenda was developed to fit landowners with acreages of any size,” Blanek said. “Whether you have a few acres in the country and want to know more about those country critters on your place, or you’re a rancher with a large acreage grazing many sheep and goats, this program will help you better understand the ecology and behavior of our West Texas predators.
“Knowing the ecology and behavior associated with predators will help you as a landowner understand the pendulum swings in predator numbers. This program will include a lot of outdoor, hands-on activities taught by those with a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with the realities and myths surrounding predators and predation. Anyone with livestock or with an interest in wildlife will benefit from this program.”
Individual registration is $15 before Oct. 19 and $25 thereafter. The fee includes lunch. For more information and to register, call the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County at 325-659-6523.
Topics and speakers will include:
– Opening Remarks and Predation Identification Exercise, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo, and participating AgriLife Extension agents.
– Predator Ecology and Behavior, Tomecek.
– Wildlife and Livestock Predation Identification, Tomecek.
– New Feral Hog Trap Technologies, a field demonstration, Josh Helcel, AgriLife Extension associate at Gatesville.
– Livestock Guard Dogs, Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo.
– Trapping Options, Tom Green and surrounding AgriLife Extension Wildlife Services trappers.
Afternoon breakout sessions will conclude the day. The sessions will include:
– Predator Sign and Identification, Tomecek.
– Hog Trap Design and Implementation, Helcel.
– Lethal Trapping Demonstration, area trappers.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one general and two integrated pest management, will be offered.
