The ability to manage land in difficult times, through extended dry periods and economic downturns, is the hallmark of a good land steward. This year’s recipients of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards are prime examples.

Texas quail hunters should not expect substantive changes for the 2012-13 season after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission urged biologists to intensify quail conservation efforts, while minimizing the use of regulations as a means to address declining bobwhite populations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up will run Monday, August 2nd through Friday, August 27th. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologists are prepared to work with landowners through the entire sign-up period.

Big game hunters are planning to gather in celebration of the best game harvests in South Texas, and showcase their superior trophy mounts at the first Texas Hunting and Outdoor Classic (THC).  The classic will be held August 13th through the 15th at Freeman Coliseum grounds in the new air-conditioned Expo Center.

Today at Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced plans for a new Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup. Secretary Vilsack also announced increased acreage allotments for three CRP practices significant to wildlife, and then signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pheasants Forever.

This years featured speaker is Dr. Fred S. Guthery, a research scientist with Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. Guthery will present two lectures. The morning session will feature A Rockin Retrospective on Quail Science and Management, while the afternoon session features Quail, Weather, and Time.