Texas is getting ready for hunting season with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s first ever Texas Wildlife Short Course August 20-21, 2010 at the Brazos County Exposition Center.

The Texas Wildlife Short Course is designed for both new and seasoned sportsmen alike, providing up-to-date information on various aspects of wildlife management.  Educational topics covering white-tailed deer management, the use of infrared cameras for scouting, and what forages to plant for deer and doves will be discussed.  Feral hog and farm pond management, and marketing wildlife on your piece of Texas will also be covered.  A special session will be devoted to managing wildlife for the 1-d-1 Open Space Lands tax valuation.  Special speakers will include Bob Zaiglin, well-known white-tailed deer biologist and Department Chair Wildlife Management Southwest Texas Junior College, Clayton Wolf, Wildlife Division Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Ben Koerth, white-tailed deer biologist from the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Jon Hayes, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Shane Kiefer, Plateau Land and Wildlife Management.  Other noted speakers will include Jim Cathey, Extension Wildlife Specialist, Larry Redmon, Extension Forage Specialist, Miles Phillips, Extension Nature Tourism Specialist, and Michael Masser, Extension Fisheries Specialist.  Three continuing education units will be provided.

Admission to The Texas Wildlife Short Course is $75 and included with the price are 1 catered meal (Friday lunch), vendor displays, and a chance to see some of the best deer taken during last year’s hunting season.  There will also be exclusive activities designed for children.

Following the conclusion of the Texas Wildlife Short Course, the Texas Wildlife Association’s Regions 5, 6, 7 (Post Oak Savannah, Pineywoods, and Coastal Prairies) will be holding the annual Texas Big Game Awards Sportsmen’s Celebration.  The Texas Big Game Awards Sportsmen’s Celebration will begin Saturday August 21 with their awards luncheon at 1:00 pm followed by the awards presentation.

To register for the Texas Wildlife Short Course go to the Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services’ web-site at https://agrilifevents.tamu.edu .  For more information regarding this inaugural event, please contact Ms. Kristi Smith @ 979-845-7471 or email her at kjsmith@ag.tamu.edu.  For more information on the Texas Big Game Awards Sportsmen’s Celebration visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.com