AUSTIN — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulations Committee) has approved the 2012-2013 Texas early migratory game bird seasons, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide for dove, a 16-day early season statewide for teal, and 16-day early season for Canada geese in the Eastern Goose Zone.

Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Saturday, Sept. 1 through Wednesday, Oct. 24 and reopen Saturday, Dec. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 6, with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

The South Zone dove season will run Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 28, reopening Saturday, Dec. 22 through Tuesday, Jan. 22 with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.
The Special White-winged Dove Area will be restricted to afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September running from Sept. 1-2 and 8-9 and reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 28 and again from Saturday , Dec. 22 through Friday, Jan. 18. The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area must close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone. During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than four mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15 with no more than 2 white-tipped doves.

The early teal season will run Sept. 15-30 statewide with a daily bag limit of four teal. The early Canada goose season will also run Sept. 15-30 in the East Goose Zone with a bag limit of three Canada geese. The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

Oh, how horrible, some say. It’s so dangerous, others preach. Some suggest we teach our kids to be ‘killers’. But we know individuals who dedicate their spare time to make certain none of this happens. Their procedure is simple: Respect for others and their rights (such as trespass laws), learn safety from the empty gun up, learn the psychology of avoiding an argument, and responsibility is in their hands, so they must learn from it.

If you believe in the time-tested Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights amendments, you will certainly find the 2nd Amendment essentially says, “The right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon.” There are some that are bent to deny or change that amendment. But there are hundreds of thousands in this country that say that won’t happen.

An interesting conversation developed recently about some kids who carried their .22 rifles or .410 shotguns to school years ago. Why? Were they killers? Were they afraid of someone or classmates? Were they insecure to the extent they wanted protection? Did they want to assert their importance or their superiority over those that might not have a gun? Of course not, because their reason was legitimate in that particular time.

One of these ‘kids’ is now a city councilman in Dayton, Texas. When talking with Felix Skarpa about his youth and guns, he explained that when he got on the school bus he just handed his rifle or shotgun to the driver who kept it safe for him until the trip home. The driver might let him off at his favorite place to hunt near his home and he would bring home game for the table or varmints which he brought back on the bus to the ice house the next morning. Those would be sold for his spending money and no one thought the lesser of it.

American’s reputation of owning guns for collecting food or protection dates back before the American Revolution when our patriots won our independence from England with their won guns for the most part. At the beginning of WWII, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto once said, “The occupation of the United States would be most difficult because there is a gun behind every blade of grass.”

Many youngsters were taught gun safety at home, game laws, and respect for others, but most certainly, they might bring something home for supper. Squirrels, rabbits, and at times, waterfowl were fair and legal game. They were taught conservation and how to avoid waste or excessive taking of game. Furthermore, the nutritional value of wild game, as we now know, is likely more healthful than the programmed or supplemental diet of marketed foods we find in stores.

This story can’t be a stone’s throw from our small communities. All realize times have changed in regard to the proper responsibilities of guns as it relates to prohibited areas of business, public buildings, and certainly schools. By far, the majority of us understand and respect the rules and abide by them, or certainly should.

A rather extreme example of misinformation came from a TV interview by a sarcastic and opinionated lady announcer. She addressed a retired military officer about his shooting training course for youngsters. Why? What will be gained? Are you equipping these children to be killers?”

His answer, after much slanted interrogation by the announcer, when the officer had enough: “Madam, when these kids finish this course they will know responsibility and will use it wisely. On the other hand, you might be equipped to be a prostitute; but, you’re not, are you?”

The interview ended.

Bob Jamison is a columnist and book author. He is a conservationist and past state chairman of Ducks Unlimited of Texas.
jbobalong.com

The number of Texas hunting accidents in 2011 declined to the lowest since statistical records began in 1966, according to a new report by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The number of people injured in hunting accidents in Texas fell from 25 in 2010 to 23 in 2011, and fatalities also declined from four to two during the same period.

More important than the annual dips and peaks, however, is the long-term trend continues to track downward.

“The statistics show hunting is safe and getting safer in Texas,” said Terry Erwin, TPWD hunter education coordinator. “And we do believe that is directly related to  hunter education.”

The steady decline in the number of accidents tracks the growing number of people who take hunter education in Texas. In 1972, 2,119 people were certified in hunter education. In 2011, more than 3,000 volunteer hunter education instructors trained 43,645 hunters across the state.

The state’s worst year on record for accidents was 1968, when 105 accidents were reported, including 37 fatalities. In 1988, hunter education became mandatory in Texas for anyone born on or after Sept. 2, 1971.

According to Erwin, most accidents are preventable if hunters follow basic safety principles like those taught in hunter education courses. “You know you’re not going to stop accidents altogether,” he said. “But you’re going to help people build knowledge an skills to avoid accidents. It’s things like ‘10 Commandments of Shooting Safety,’ the very basic safety principles that are promoted a whole lot more now than 30 or even 20 years ago.”

Texans have several options available for fulfilling hunter education requirements, including the traditional two-day, 10-hour classroom environment, two free online courses, including courses in Spanish, or three optional fee-associated online courses. For more information and to find a hunter education course near you, visit:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/
or call 512-289-4999.

Calhoun County Culture and Cuisine Committee presents Summer Music & Entertainment

Entertainment at Faye Sterling Park

The Calhoun County Culture and Cuisine Committee under the sponsorship of the Main Street Inc.; recognized by the City of Port Lavaca presented the first of the Summer Music and Entertainment Series.
It was an afternoon of listening to good music, a great breeze flowing thru downtown Faye Sterling Park, and free refreshments provided by the Culture Cuisine members.

At one point there were about 50 plus people sitting around in lawn chairs enjoying the atmosphere and entertainment. One of the culture members counted about 27 cars stopping and rolling their windows down and listening till they had to move, A few of them went around the block, parked and joined in the fun. Had a couple of visitors from the Golden Crescent area that saw the event calendar and drove about an hour to come check us out. When they left, they expressed their enjoyment and look forward attending next event.

Entertainment was provided by Walter Spiller on bass guitar, Alfredo Serna on accordion, Robert Ojeda vocalist and guitar and Carla Jones vocalist and Mr. Gonzales on drums. There was a “visitor” that had been a resident of Port Lavaca many years ago and was in town visiting. He heard the music, parked and join the crowd, after a few songs he asked if he could join in and do a song, Robert gave him he mike and it turned out he had sung with various bands during his life time but since retired, but the atmosphere and good musicians made him want to join in. He thanked the group for the opportunity and most of all for providing the citizens something attend and enjoy.

Personally a good thing I was not wearing socks! When Ms. Carla Jones started singing, I thought I was listening to Ms. Aretha Franklin – as a saying goes – “she blew my socks off”. Robert Ojeda’s presentation of Tejano, Country and Western and some informative history of the various styles of music were very interesting. Walter Spiller playing bass guitar along with Robert and Alfredo Serna’s accompaniment on the accordion made an evening for toe tapping and hand clapping music.

Please join us for the forthcoming summer series. Mr. Ojeda will have a variation of presentations. Calhoun County has some great talents and if you would like to share and perform please give Mr., Ojeda a call at 361-827-3627. Faye Sterling Park is located in the 200 block of Easte State, Hwy 87 (Downtown Port Lavaca) across from Texas Traditions.

Upcoming Events:
August 4, Saturday: the Calhoun County Museum has requested Culture and Cuisine do a presentation since August is Tejano Month. There will be a Tejano/Vaquero Exhibit, Wine and Cheese Reception, Story telling by Robert Ojeda and Guest Speaker (TBC).

August 18, Saturday: A Tejano/Vaquero Exhibit Forum and Reception will be hosted. Serving will be several guest panelists from Goliad, Victoria and Port Lavaca.

August 25, Saturday: The Culture and Cuisine Summer Musical Series will continue at the Faye Sterling Park with Robert Ojeda & Bronze with the Tejano Cantantes Music Series and invited guest artists, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Come early, stroll through downtown and visit the shops and then come and relax and enjoy some great entertainment at Faye Sterling Park. Bring your lawn chairs for a relaxing evening of fun and entertainment.

We would also like you to join us as part of the Culture Cuisine Committee. Meetings are the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Street Inc Meeting Room (in back of Texas Traditions). We need your input to highlight the numerous cultures we are fortunate to have in Calhoun County. In researching for the First Annual Cultures and Cuisine Event it was determined that we had no less than 15 cultures and 15 different actively languages spoken in our County.

Schedule of Meeting Dates: August 6; September 3; October 1; November 5, December 3, 2012.
January 7, 2013; Feb 4 and event date March 16, 2013.

Below are some of the contacts. Please give us a call or join us for any of the scheduled planning meetings.

Rose Ellen Pena, Chairperson Calhoun Co. Culture and Cuisine 361- 652-0410
j5500pena@cableone.net

Kathy Perez, Co-Chairperson
361-549-7044

Robert Ojeda – Chairperson – Entertainment – 361-827-3627
rrojeda2002@yahoo.com

Betty Hicks – Liaison –
(361) 552-2248

Jim Ward – Liaison –
(361) 676-7885
jimward@cableone.net

The Calhoun County Culture and Cuisine Committee

The public is invited to attend the August 14 meeting of the Conservative Club, held at the Heritage Center, Hwy 238 in Port Lavaca, where Congressman Blake Farenthold will be speaking.

Congressman Farenthold represents the 27th District of Texas.

Lunch ($5) will be served at 11:15 a.m. and the program will begin at noon.