Thursday, September 27, 2001

Fishing, flies, birds, bikes: Wildlife Expo offers a lot

Texas Parks and Wildlife will host its 10th Wildlife Expo Oct. 6-7 at department headquarters in Austin, 4200 Smith School Road.
   This year's exhibit promises to entertain, educate and introduce visitors to a plethora of outdoor opportunities and activities, from the passive to the extreme.
   And the price is right, - admission and parking are free, as are the activities. But if parting with your money makes you happy, do like me. Go in search of the most obscure camouflaged object money can buy.
   There are always plenty from which to choose.
   Whatever your plans, count on spending the day. There will be 35 acres of shooting sports, biking, kid-fishing, fly-casting, birds of prey demonstrations, living history exhibits, wildlife booths, park information, conservation booths, birding features, rock climbing, paddling courses and more.
   New this year, as part of something called the Outdoor Kid's Challenge, children can participate in at least one activity from several categories to qualify for a hunting, fishing or family camping trip. Kids also may enter to win a lifetime fishing/hunting license, outdoor gear, or a five-year pass to any state park.
   Also new this year is a Global Positioning Satellite course, at which participants can learn how to use GPS while competing for a Garmin GPS unit to take home.
   The Saturday before the Expo, a trail ride into Austin will begin in Bandera. Anyone interested in participating should call Carl Clonninger with Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association at (254) 634-9761.
   Still more from TPW
   Closer to home, TPW will host free paddling tours, a no-motor fishing tournament, fly-fishing clinics and kayak races between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas the weekend of Oct. 20-21.
   These events coincide with Lone Star Legacy Weekend at the Lighthouse Lakes Trails in Redfish Bay. No entry fees will be charged at state parks during this weekend. Money raised through donations at TPW sites statewide will be placed in an endowment to help fund research and operational costs of state parks, fish hatcheries and wildlife management areas.
   The local paddling tours and fly-fishing instruction will be free of charge. Donations will be collected during all events for an endowment fund to benefit Texas conservation projects.
   Reservations are required for the paddling tours, which will be offered both days. Call (512) 389-4642.
   Paddling and fly-fishing instruction is planned for the shoreline on the south side of the causeway (Texas Highway 361) near Brown and Root Flats.
   The no-motor fishing tournament, sponsored by Gruene Outfitters, is scheduled for Saturday (Oct. 20). Fishing begins a half-hour before sunrise and the weigh-in ends at 3 p.m. The entry fee is $20 to benefit seagrass preservation and research through the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area.
   Call 994-8361 locally or (888) 477-3474 toll free.
   PORT TO PORT RACE: The Port Aransas and Rockport parks and recreation departments and the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Port to Port Canoe and Kayak Race, scheduled for Oct. 20 (Saturday). Registration begins at 8 a.m. the day of the race. The race starts at 9 a.m. and runs 13 nautical miles, probably with a starting point near Rockport.
   Categories are outrigger canoes, kayaks, solo unlimited and tandem unlimited. The entry fee is $10.
   Representatives from Ocean Kayak, Wilderness Systems and Mad River Canoe will be on hand to demonstrate their wares. Southwest Paddlesports and Austin Outdoor Gear and Guidance will provide paddlecraft for the tours if you don't have your own.
   YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAM: The Texas Wildlife Association's Youth Hunting Program will take applications for hunts from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Academy Sports and Outdoors, 4919 South Padre Island Drive.
   Kids between the ages of 9 and 17, not already involved in the program, are invited to sign up.
   Local TWA huntmaster Ruben Rosales also needs adult volunteers and landowners willing to help make these hunts happen.
   Liability insurance is provided by the organization. Safety, education and ethics are priorities during TWA youth hunts.
   Help preserve hunting heritage by participating.
   Call Rosales at 774-1179.
  
  
  
  

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