Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> COMING UP ON TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE...
>> TO HAVE A SPECIES BE EXTINCT AND HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO
REVIVE IT IS UNHEARD OF.
>> ALRIGHT CLEVLENS, LET'S MAKE HISTORY ALL OVER AGAIN.
COME ON, HERE WE GO.
AND IF YOU FLASH FORWARD 50 YEARS,
THEY LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS THEY DID IN THE PICTURES
BACK THEN.
>> DOVE HUNTING IS BETTER THAN DEER HUNTING,
CAUSE WE GO DEER HUNTING IN NOVEMBER AND STUFF
AND I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING.
REAL QUIET.
BUT LIKE IN DOVE HUNTING WE CAN TALK AND EAT AND EVERYTHING.
IT'S COOL.
>> WHEN I'M OUT IN THE FIELD AND THE SHOT PRESENTS ITSELF,
I GET REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE ALL THE ELEMENTS ARE THERE
TO MAKE THE PERFECT SHOT.
(theme music)
♪
>> TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE,
A TELEVISION SERIES FOR ALL OUTDOORS.
THIS SERIES IS FUNDED IN PART BY A GRANT
FROM THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM.
THROUGH YOUR PURCHASES OF HUNTING AND FISHING EQUIPMENT,
AND MOTORBOAT FUELS, OVER 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN
CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE FUNDED IN TEXAS EACH YEAR.
>> ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY RAM TRUCKS.
GUTS. GLORY. RAM.
(sounds of swamp)
(music)
>> TO HAVE A SPECIES BE EXTINCT AND HAVE A SECOND
CHANCE TO REVIVE IT IS UNHEARD OF.
(canoe paddles)
>> WE'RE GOING TO BASICALLY SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND IN THE
WAY OF IVORY-BILL SIGNS OR EVEN THE BIRDS THEMSELVES.
(music)
>> THESE BIRDING BIOLOGISTS ARE LOOKING FOR A GHOST,
THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER, A BIRD THOUGHT TO HAVE
BEEN EXTINCT.
OR IS IT...
(canoe paddling)
IN EARLY 2004 ALONG THE CACHE RIVER IN ARKANSAS THIS
VIDEO WAS TAKEN FROM THE SEAT OF A CANOE.
>> DID YOU SEE IT?
(computer clicks)
>> IT'S FLYING AWAY NOW.
>> JOHN ARVIN IS ONE OF MANY BIRD EXPERTS WHO HAS
ANALYZED THE FOOTAGE.
>> WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE UNDER WING YOU SEE A LARGE AMOUNT
OF WHITE ON THE TRAILING EDGE, SEPARATED BY A BLACK LINE
OF FEATHERS DOWN THE CENTER.
THESE FLIGHT PATTERNS APPEAR TO SHOW THAT THE BIRD IS IN
FACT AN IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER AS OPPOSED TO
A PILEATED WOODPECKER.
>> THIS VIDEO, MULTIPLE SIGHTINGS, AND ANALYZED AUDIO
RECORDINGS WERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE BY EXPERTS TO DECLARE
THAT THE IVORY-BILL LIVES.
>> IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE FRENZY; THE WHOLE ORNITHOLOGICAL
COMMUNITY WAS JUST ELECTRIFIED BY THIS.
THE BIRD HAD BEEN THOUGHT EXTINCT FOR 60 YEARS.
>> THE ARKANSAS FOOTAGE BROUGHT A LOT OF HOPE,
AND IT MADE OTHER STATES LIKE TEXAS, GET VERY EXCITED,
CAUSE THE CHANCES OF THAT BIRD BEING ANYWHERE IN THIS
RANGE ARE HIGH!
>> WE'RE GOING TO START IN HERE.
>> SO JOHN ARVIN IS LEADING A TEAM OF BIOLOGISTS,
INCLUDING JON FREDLAND AND CORINNE CAMPBELL,
THEIR GOAL TO FIND THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER
HERE IN TEXAS.
THE SEARCH AREA COVERS PART OF THE BIRD'S HISTORIC RANGE,
THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD FOREST
HABITAT FOUND IN THE BIG THICKET NATIONAL PRESERVE
OF SOUTH EAST TEXAS.
(red-bellied woodpecker calls)
>> RED-BELLIED AGAIN!
WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANY KIND OF WOODPECKER SIGN, EITHER
SCALING, ACTUALLY CHIPPING AWAY AT THE BARK LOOKING FOR
GRUBS FOR FOOD, OR CAVITIES THAT IT WOULD MAKE A
HOME FOR THE NIGHT.
(pileated woodpecker calls)
>> SOMETHING REALLY JACKED THAT SNAG UP, IT'S TORN APART.
>> WE FOUND SOME SCALING THAT LOOKS LIKE WOODPECKER WORK,
IT'S PROMISING.
>> ITS LOOKS PRETTY PITTED BUT IT IS SCALED ALL
UP AND DOWN!
>> TAKE SOME FOOTAGE OF IT.
>> BY THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM SEES PLENTY
OF WOODPECKERS, BUT NO IVORY-BILL.
(movie projector)
INTENSE LOGGING OF BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD FORESTS IN THE LATE
1800'S WIPED OUT MOST OF THE IVORY-BILL'S HABITAT.
(tree crashes in water)
>> THE DECLINE STARTED WHEN A LOT OF THESE LARGE FORESTS
WITH LARGE TREES WERE CUT DOWN.
>> THE ONLY FILM EVER TAKEN OF AN IVORY-BILL WAS CAPTURED IN
1935 IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA.
>> THE FOOTAGE GIVES US SOME MOVEMENT, SOME LIFE TO THIS
BIRD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SOME VOICE.
(ivory-billed woodpecker calls)
>> MASSIVE SOUND EQUIPMENT CAPTURED THE ONLY CALLS OF
THE BIRD EVER RECORDED.
>> FOR THE 30'S THIS WAS CUTTING EDGE, FOR THESE GUYS
TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT BACK THEN WAS REMARKABLE.
(ivory-billed woodpecker calls)
(northern flicker calls)
>> IN THE SEARCH AREA THERE ARE A TOTAL OF EIGHT SPECIES
OF WOODPECKERS, INCLUDING THE NORTHERN FLICKER,
THE RED-BELLIED, AND THE RED-HEADED.
BUT THE CLOSEST LOOK-A-LIKE IS THE PILEATED.
EXTREMELY SIMILAR, THIS MAKES FINDING THE
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER A BIT OF A CHALLENGE.
>> LOOK AT THE BACK, AND THERE'S A WHITE BACKPACK
ON THE IVORY-BILLED, YET IT'S BLACK ON THE PILEATED.
AND BOTH BIRDS ARE CROW SIZED.
SO WHEN YOU SEE A CROW SIZED WOODPECKER WITH A WHITE BACK
PACK YOU SHOULD GET EXCITED.
BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE SEEING THE ONE WITH THE BLACK BACK
PACK AND THAT'S THE PILEATED.
(woodpecker calling)
>> IT'S NOW THE MIDDLE OF THE SEARCH SEASON.
(woodpecker pecks wood)
>> THERE IT IS!
>> I SEE IT THERE!
>> THE TEAM HOPES SOME NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL HELP SPOT
AN IVORY-BILL.
>> A CAVITY WAS FOUND THE LAST TIME WE VISITED THIS AREA,
WERE PUTTING A VIDEO CAMERA UP TO SEE IF WE CAN SEE
ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE AN IVORY-BILLED.
>> PULL THE SLACK OUT.
>> THIS ISN'T JUST ANY CAMERA; IT HAS TIME LAPSE CAPABILITIES
AND IS MOTION SENSITIVE.
>> ANY BIRD IS MOST ACTIVE AT SUNRISE AND SUNSET.
>> GREEN LIGHT!
>> AND IT'S HOPEFULLY GOING TO CAPTURE A BIRD COMING IN
TO ROOST FOR THE NIGHT.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> LOOKS PRETTY GOOD TO ME.
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> AT ANOTHER LOCATION...
>> THIS BLACK GUM RIGHT HERE WILL PROBABLY WORK FOR US.
>> ...JOHN IS SETTING UP AN AUTONOMOUS RECORDING UNIT,
WHICH IS SET TO RECORD AT SUNRISE AND SUNSET.
>> I'VE BEEN ANTICIPATING ITS ARRIVAL FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
WE HAVE A LONG TIME LOCAL RESIDENT WHO HAS REPORTED
ACTIVITY AND WE'RE GOING TO DEPLOY IT AND SEE IF WE
CAN'T PICK UP SOME SOUND.
(carolina wren calls)
>> WHAT'S THE EASIEST WAY THROUGH THIS MESS?
>> THE TEAM STILL HAS THOUSANDS OF ACRES TO SEARCH.
THEY HOPE THIS NEW EQUIPMENT WILL HELP IMPROVE
THEIR CHANCES.
>> WE'RE COVERING THE GROUND REALLY WELL, WERE GETTING INTO
SOME AREAS THAT NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN TO PROBABLY BEFORE.
YET WE HAVEN'T SEEN EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUPPORT
IVORY-BILLED BEING HERE.
(woodpecker calls)
>> THERE IS ONE SPECIES OF WOODPECKER THAT IS NOT EXTINCT,
BUT IT IS ENDANGERED.
THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER.
>> UNLIKE THE IVORY-BILLED, THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER
HAD ENOUGH NUMBERS AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS PUT ON THE
ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST, IN THAT WE HAD
SOMETHING TO WORK WITH, SOMETHING TO IMPROVE UPON,
SOMETHING TO INCREASE.
>> BIOLOGIST HERE HAVE A HUGE NURSERY OF SORTS,
AS THEY TRY TO RAISE MORE.
>> COMING UP ON THE NEST TREE HERE.
>> TO CHECK ON THE ACTIVE TREE CAVITIES DURING THE
BREEDING SEASON, THE BIOLOGISTS USE
WHAT'S CALLED A PEEPER CAM.
(robotic camera powers up)
>> MIGHT TAKE A SECOND.
IT'S KINDA A TOUGH ONE TO GET IN THERE...
THERE WE GO!
I'VE GOT ONE MALE WITH A RED CROWN PATCH AND WE HAVE A
FEMALE HERE THAT HAS NO CROWN PATCH ON HER...
WHICH IS GOOD!
TREE 24, THREE CHICKS, FIFTY FOOTER.
>> ONCE NEW CHICKS HATCH, THE BIOLOGISTS CLIMB UP TO
THOSE 40 TO 50 FOOT CAVITIES.
>> HOW'S IT GOING UP THERE?
YOU GOT EM YET?
>> TO BAND THE BIRDS, TO GIVE EACH NEW CHICK
A NAME AND NUMBER.
>> WE TRY TO DO ALL THE BANDING AND THE CLIMBING
WITHIN 15 TO 30 MINUTES, BECAUSE WE REALLY DON'T
WANT TO INTERRUPT THE FEEDING SCHEDULE OF
THESE NESTLINGS.
>> HERE YOU GO MANAGER!
>> THANKS!
LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE, THEY LOOK ABOUT NINE DAYS OLD,
GOT THEIR EYE'S SLIGHTLY OPEN, YOU CAN SEE THE FEATHERS
ARE STARTING TO COME OUT.
IT'S GOING TO BE THE DARK BLUE OVER MAUVE.
WE COLOR BAND THE BIRDS IN CASE WE HAVE A SINGLE MALE
THAT HAS ITS OWN TERRITORY BUT DOESN'T HAVE A MATE.
THAT WAY WE CAN TRACK DOWN THE FEMALE AND MOVE HER TO
THAT SINGLE MALE, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL
NEST THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
(red-cockaded chirping)
>> THIS IS A GOOD SPOT!
>> FOR THE SEARCH TEAM, ONE WAY TO TRY AND CAPTURE A
GLIMPSE OF THE IVORY-BILL IS TO SIT AND PLAY SOME MUSIC,
BIRD MUSIC.
(ivory-billed woodpecker)
>> TURN THE VOLUME UP.
(ivory-billed woodpecker)
DOUBLE KNOCKS!
(ivory-billed woodpecker)
WE USE PLAYBACK TO CALL IVORY-BILLS IN,
THE IDEA BEING THE BIRD WILL HEAR ITS OWN SPECIES CALL
AND WANT TO COME AND CHECK IT OUT.
(unzipping backpack)
(camera dings)
>> AND WHILE OUT ALONE WITH THEIR CAMERAS THEY'VE SEEN
THEIR SHARE OF BIRDS.
(sounds of pileated woodpecker)
>> I SAW A PILEATED DURING THE PLAYBACK BUT HE DIDN'T
SEEM TO CARE AT ALL ABOUT IT.
HE JUST WENT AWAY WORKING ON THAT SNAG OVER THERE.
SNAKES ARE OUT AGAIN, CAN'T SAY I LIKE THAT,
LOT'S OF ACTIVITY ONCE IT WARMS UP IN THE SWAMP.
(splash of water)
(music)
>> AN IMMENSE FOREST.
>> SPECIES, TUPELO.
>> A TEAM OF BIOLOGISTS AND ONE BIRD.
(woodpecker pecking tree)
THE ODDS ARE STACKED, >> SOME CAVITIES ON THAT TREE.
>> BUT THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
>> WAYPOINT NAME, CCC.
>> AFTER ALMOST SIX MONTHS, THE TEAM TRACKED TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF ACRES.
AS FOR THE SOUND RECORDINGS FROM THE ARU, NOTHING.
AND THE PICTURES FROM THE REMOTE CAMERA?
>> THERE'S ME AROUND THE TREE.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE POSING FOR IT... HA, HA, HA!
>> IT DID CAPTURE SOME CRITTERS.
>> THERE'S A DEER!
>> I SEE A SHADOW?
>> THAT'S THE DEER, YAH!
>> BUT AGAIN NO IVORY-BILL.
>> NO, YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT IT'S DOING?
>> SO AFTER A HALF OF YEAR IN THE BIG THICKET,
A GHOST IS STILL A GHOST.
>> THERE WAS NOTHING PROMISING, THAT WE FOUND OUT HERE TO TELL
US THAT THE BIRD IS EVEN IN THIS STATE AT ALL.
>> BUT LIKE ANY LOST TREASURE, IT MIGHT BE HIDING
JUST OUT OF SIGHT.
>> IF THERE WAS A BIRD OUT THERE, I MEAN THERE IS STILL
A HUGE CHANCE THAT IT COULD BE AND WE DIDN'T SEE IT BECAUSE
ITS PRETTY GIGANTIC AREA WE WERE COVERING, AND IT WOULD
HAVE TO RELY ON A WHOLE LOTTA LUCK IF IT HAPPENED TO BE
WHERE WE WERE.
>> AND ALL IS NOT LOST, THIS SEARCH BRINGS NEW ENERGY
TO THE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE AND EVEN RESTORE THESE
PRISTINE BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD FORESTS OF EAST TEXAS.
(music)
>> ALRIGHT CLEVLENS, LET'S MAKE HISTORY ALL OVER AGAIN.
COME ON, HERE WE GO.
>> THE CLEVLEN FAMILY IS RECREATING A PHOTO
TAKEN 50 YEARS AGO.
JOAN ENGEN GOT THE SURPRISE OF HER LIFE ONE MORNING WHEN SHE
LOGGED ON TO A LOCAL NEWS SITE.
>> THERE WAS THIS PICTURE OF MY BROTHERS AND I.
I WAS LIKE, "OH MY GOSH!
WHAT IS THIS DOING HERE?"
>> THE PICTURE WAS PART OF TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE'S
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WAS JUST TOTALLY SHOCKED
TO SEE THE PICTURE.
>> THEN THE MEMORIES CAME FLOODING BACK.
>> MY FATHER WAS A TRAVELING SALESMAN FOR MERCK
AND MOM WOULD BRING ALL FIVE OF US KIDS UP HERE AND WE WOULD
STAY UP HERE BY OURSELVES WITH MOM AND WE JUST LITERALLY
JUST LIVED OUT HERE FOR A MONTH AT A TIME.
>> THE MEMORIES FOR US AS KIDS AND BEING BOYS, YOU KNOW,
IT WAS JUST AN AWESOME SUMMER BEING ABLE TO DO WHATEVER
YOU WANTED TO DO, GET UP EVERY MORNING AND GO FISHING.
YOU COULD FISH ALL DAY LONG.
WHEN YOU GET TIRED OF FISHING YOU GO SWIMMING.
IT WAS A GREAT SUMMER.
YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME FOR ANY REASON BECAUSE YOU
HAD EVERYTHING UP HERE THAT YOU LOVED DOING.
>> AND IT WAS ONE OF THOSE HAPPY SUMMER DAYS THAT A TEXAS
PARKS AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER SNAPPED THE PICTURE.
>> I WANT Y'ALL TO TRY TO RECREATE THAT PHOTO
IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
>> FIFTY YEARS LATER, ANOTHER PARKS AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
ASKED IF THEY WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN.
>> RECREATING THE FOOTSTEPS OF ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPHER
WITH PARKS AND WILDLIFE WAS A BIG THRILL FOR ME,
SOMETHING I REALLY WANTED TO DO.
ONE MORE, HERE WE GO!
ONE, TWO, AND SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!
IF YOU LOOK AT THE PHOTO FROM 50 YEARS AGO,
ALL OF THEM LOOK SO HAPPY AND LIKE THEY GET ALONG
AND THEY JUST CONNECT WELL WITH ONE ANOTHER.
AND IF YOU FLASH FORWARD 50 YEARS, THEY LOOK EXACTLY
THE SAME WAY AS THEY DID IN THE PICTURES BACK THEN.
>> THE CLOSE-KNIT SIBLINGS STILL ENJOY SPENDING
TIME TOGETHER OUTDOORS.
>> I THINK THEIR GOOD RELATIONSHIP THEY HAVE NOW IS AS
A RESULT OF THE YEARS THEY SPENT VISITING STATE PARKS.
>> TO HELP MORE FAMILIES ENJOY THE OUTDOORS,
TEXAS STATE PARKS OFFER OUTDOOR FAMILY WORKSHOPS.
>> YOU'RE GONNA GET TWO POLES...
>> FOLKS WHO HAVE NEVER CAMPED BEFORE GET TO EXPERIENCE THE
GREAT OUTDOORS WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.
>> WE PROVIDE ALL GEAR, THE TENTS, THE STOVE,
COOK SETS, UTENSILS.
WE PROVIDE AIR MATTRESSES FOR THE ADULTS SO YOU
DON'T HAVE TO WAKE UP WITH CREAKY BONES.
ONLY THING THEY HAVE TO BRING IS THEIR FOOD AND THEIR
SLEEPING BAG OR BLANKETS AND WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> FOR THE CLEVLEN KIDS, INKS LAKE STATE PARK
HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS.
THEIR PARENTS' ASHES ARE SPRINKLED THERE.
>> AFTER COMING UP HERE IT'S LIKE,
"HEY, WE NEED TO GET BACK TO DOING THIS AGAIN."
YOU KNOW OUR LIVES ARE SO BUSY NOW BUT JUST COMING UP HERE
TODAY IT'S BEEN GREAT BRINGING BACK THE MEMORIES.
>> ...WHY IT CAN BE SUCH A HUGE VOLCANO,
AND BUILD UP SO MUCH PRESSURE, JUST BECAUSE THERE IS...
>> (whispering) I'M ABOUT TO FALL ASLEEP.
>> ARIEL HAINES IS PRETTY MUCH LIKE ANY OTHER
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
BUT IN ONE RESPECT, ARIEL IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT
FROM THE OTHER KIDS HER AGE.
(gun shot)
>> GOT HIM!
>> ALRIGHT.
>> ARIEL LIKES TO HUNT.
>> THAT'S FOUR, ARIEL.
>> YEP.
>> WHILE OTHER KIDS HER AGE ARE BUSY SHOPPING AT THE MALL
OR WATCHING TV, ARIEL IS ENJOYING THE OPENING
OF DOVE SEASON ALONGSIDE HER FATHER.
(gun shots)
>> TOO LOW.
GOT HIM.
DOVE HUNTING IS BETTER THAN DEER HUNTING BECAUSE WE GO
DEER HUNTING IN NOVEMBER AND STUFF AND I CAN'T SAY
ANYTHING, JUST REAL QUIET.
BUT IN DOVE HUNTING WE CAN TALK AND EAT AND EVERYTHING,
IT'S COOL.
>> WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON OUT THERE,
BECAUSE THESE GUYS ARE STARTING TO SHOW UP.
>> WHAT'S NOT COOL IS THE DIFFICULTY MANY FOLKS FACE
IN LOCATING AFFORDABLE HUNTING LAND.
SINCE MOST OF THE LAND IN TEXAS IS PRIVATELY OWNED,
MANY SPORTSMEN FACE A COMMON DILEMMA,
FINDING A PLACE TO HUNT.
GEORGE AND ARIEL HAINES HAVE BEEN HUNTING TOGETHER SINCE
SHE WAS JUST 12 YEARS OLD.
>> I LIKE SPENDING TIME WITH MY DAD, HE'S COOL...
MOST OF THE TIME.
>> ACTUALLY NOW, YOU'RE STARTING TO SHOOT A LITTLE BIT,
AND YOU'RE STARTING TO HANDLE THAT GUN JUST RIGHT NOW,
AND YOU'RE GETTING ON 'EM.
WE SPEND A LOT OF GOOD QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, AND WITH
DOVE HUNTING YOU CAN TALK, YOU CAN WALK AROUND,
YOU CAN SHARE THE TIME AND THE EVENT OPENLY TOGETHER.
SO IT'S REALLY, REALLY GREAT.
>> ACTUALLY IT'S BEEN GOOD.
>> IT'S BEEN GREAT MAN, IT COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER,
I DON'T BELIEVE.
>> GEORGE AND ARIEL, ALONG WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS,
HAVE TRAVELED 200 MILES WEST FROM THEIR HOME IN HOUSTON TO
GUADALUPE COUNTY.
HERE, THE DOVE ARE PLENTIFUL, AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT.
(gun shots)
>> GOOD SHOT, ARIEL.
OH, I THOUGHT YOU HIT HIM!
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
>> HE'S GONNA POP UP OVER THERE.
>> I THINK THEY HIT HIM.
I THINK THEY HIT HIM OVER THERE.
(music)
>> THIS 123 ACRE PATCH OF SUNFLOWERS IS IDEAL
DOVE HABITAT.
IT'S ALSO PRIVATE LAND.
BUT THANKS TO TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE AND COOPERATING
LANDOWNERS, THE PROPERTY IS PART OF MORE
THAN 40,000 ACRES OF PRIVATELY OWNED LAND
LEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR DOVE HUNTING BY THE PUBLIC.
IT'S PART OF THE PUBLIC HUNTING LANDS PROGRAM.
>> IT IS A PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE GONE OUT
AND LEASED LANDS DIRECTLY FROM LANDOWNERS,
AND THEN WE TURN AROUND AND ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO ACCESS
THOSE THROUGH THE ANNUAL PUBLIC HUNTING PERMIT.
>> THE PERMIT ALLOWS HUNTERS ACCESS TO OVER ONE MILLION
ACRES OF LAND, AND NOT JUST FOR HUNTING DOVE.
DEER, TURKEY, QUAIL, FERAL HOG, SQUIRREL AND WATERFOWL HUNTING
ARE ALL AVAILABLE.
THE DOVE LEASE PORTION OF THE PROGRAM STARTED IN 1994
WITH 10 LEASES ALONG INTERSTATES 35 AND 37.
TODAY, IT'S EXPANDED TO OVER 100 LEASES ALL ACROSS
THE STATE.
>> WE SOLD QUITE A FEW CALVES HERE,
AND A COUPLE OF THOSE, A FEW WEEKS AGO.
BUT THE PRICE WAS A LITTLE BETTER THAN IT HAD BEEN.
>> KURT AND JULIA WACKERHAGEN OWN 400 ACRES OF FARMLAND
THEY AFFECTIONATELY CALL "POVERTY HILL".
WHEN THEY MOVED HERE IN 1941, THE FARM INCLUDED ALMOST 5,000
ACRES AND OVER 700 HEAD OF CATTLE.
TODAY, POVERTY HILL'S 400 ACRES HOLD ABOUT 100 COWS.
>> I USED TO FARM COTTON AND MILO AND CORN AND EVERYTHING,
MAYBE 3 OR 4 THOUSAND ACRES OF THAT,
AND I ALWAYS KEPT CLEAN FIELDS, NO JOHNSON GRASS,
NO SUNFLOWERS, NOTHING.
NOW I GOT SUNFLOWERS...
I'M DOING PRETTY GOOD.
>> THE WACKERHAGENS LEASE ALL 400 ACRES TO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
FOR THE PUBLIC DOVE HUNTING PROGRAM.
IT WASN'T SO MUCH THE MONEY THAT INTERESTED THEM,
AS IT WAS THE CHANCE TO HELP.
>> I USED TO DO A LOT OF HUNTING MYSELF,
AND IT'S JUST A PROGRAM THAT I THINK IS WELL WORTH IT FOR
THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HUNT ANYWHERE.
>> HUNTERS ARE ASKED TO FOLLOW A FEW GENERAL RULES WHEN
USING LANDS LEASED FOR PUBLIC HUNTING.
THE RULES ARE POSTED AT EACH SITE,
AND ARE DESIGNED TO INSURE RESPECT FOR THE LAND
AND THE LANDOWNERS.
>> IF YOU SEE ANY MORE OUT HERE, JUST PICK EM UP.
LANDOWNER GIVES YOU THE PRIVILEGE TO COME OUT AND HUNT,
AND TAKING CARE OF THE PROPERTY, NO TRASH, NO DEBRIS,
IT'S REAL IMPORTANT.
SO HOPEFULLY THEY'LL CONTINUE TO LET US COME OUT AND HUNT
THE PROPERTY IN THE FUTURE.
>> FOR GEORGE AND ARIEL HAINES, THIS HUNTING TRIP IS MORE ABOUT
SPENDING TIME TOGETHER THAN IT IS ABOUT THE BIRDS.
AND SINCE ARIEL IS UNDER 17, SHE CAN HUNT FOR FREE,
AS LONG AS SHE'S WITH A PERMITTED ADULT.
THAT HELPS TO MAKE HUNTING MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR
FAMILIES LIKE HERS, WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE
THE MAIN GOAL OF THE PUBLIC HUNTING LANDS PROGRAM.
>> WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE GO OUT, HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN ACCESS
INEXPENSIVELY, AND TAKE THE KIDS HUNTING.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S REALLY FOR.
(gun shots)
>> I WINGED HIM.
>> GOT HIM!
>> YOU GOT HIM? GOOD!
OH YEAH, SHE TOOK THE ONE ON THE RIGHT,
I TOOK THE ONE ON THE LEFT, AND WE BOTH HIT 'EM.
THAT'S GREAT.
BEAUTIFUL LOOKING BIRDS, NICE LOOKING BIRDS,
AND THE BIRDS ARE REALLY STARTING TO FLY NOW.
THE ACTION IS STARTING TO PICK UP, LOOKS REAL GOOD.
>> MY SECOND, BUT I'M PLANNING ON GETTING MORE.
>> PARENTS HAVE LONG USED HUNTING TO TEACH THEIR
CHILDREN ABOUT SPORTSMANSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY.
WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE PUBLIC HUNTING LANDS PROGRAM,
IT'S A TRADITION THAT IS CONTINUING FOR ONE MORE
GENERATION OF TEXANS.
(music)
>> THIS IS GOOD HUNTING OUT HERE TODAY, ARIEL.
I MEAN THEY ARE STILL FIRING OFF.
>> THANKS FOR BRINGING ME, DAD.
>> AW MAN, THIS IS A GOOD TIME, HONEY.
>> THE SHALLOW FLATS ON THE TEXAS COAST SPAWN SOME OF THE
BEST FISHING IN THE NATION.
SEAGRASSES ARE A BIG PART OF THE REASON WHY.
BUT RUNNING BOATS IN THE SHALLOWS CAN DESTROY
THESE GRASSES.
PROPELLER SCARS REMAIN FOR YEARS.
SO WHEN YOU COME TO SHALLOW WATER, STOP YOUR ENGINE,
LIFT YOUR PROP, DRIFT WITH THE WIND, POLE, OR TROLL.
LIFT, DRIFT, POLE, OR TROLL.
PROTECT THE SEAGRASS.
(crickets chirping & waves)
(stream flowing)
(seashore)
>> MY NAME IS CHASE FOUNTAIN AND I'M THE PHOTOGRAPHER FOR
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.
I'VE GOT THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD BECAUSE MY OFFICE IS
THE STATE OF TEXAS.
ONE THING ABOUT MY JOB IS THAT ONE WEEK I COULD BE IN BIG BEND
DOING A CATTLE DRIVE SHOOT.
THE NEXT WEEK I COULD BE IN THE SWAMPS, IN THE WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT AREA, OR THE NEXT WEEK I COULD BE PHOTOGRAPHING
THE COMMISSION MEETING OR EVEN THE GOVERNOR.
SO EVERY WEEK PRESENTS A NEW CHALLENGE.
A NEW EXCITEMENT FOR ME.
(camera shutter)
TYPICALLY, WHEN I'M ON LOCATION, I LOOK FOR THE PROPER LIGHTING
AND COMPOSITION THAT FRAMES THE PHOTOGRAPH NICELY.
THAT CAN TELL A STORY.
THAT GOES BEYOND JUST TAKING A SNAPSHOT.
ANYBODY CAN TAKE A PICTURE.
THE HARD PART IS TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE EMOTION OF THAT SHOT
TO THE PEOPLE AND FOR THEM TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I EXPERIENCED,
OR TAKE SOMETHING FROM THAT PHOTOGRAPH.
(wind blowing)
(night time crickets)
WHEN I'M OUT IN THE FIELD AND A SHOT PRESENTS ITSELF,
I GET REALLY EXCITED.
BECAUSE I KNOW THE LIGHTING'S RIGHT...
THE COMPOSITION'S RIGHT.
ALL THE ELEMENTS ARE THERE TO MAKE THE PERFECT SHOT.
AND IT'S LIKE, TOUCHDOWN!
YOU GOT IT, YOU KNOW.
AND, AH, SOMETIMES YOU'LL BE OUT THERE FOR HOURS IF NOT
DAYS AND NOT GET THAT SHOT THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR,
BUT IT'S THAT ONE EXACT MOMENT, THAT PERFECT MOMENT, THAT YOU
GET THE SHOT THAT YOU WANT.
AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
(crickets, children playing)
THIS SERIES IS FUNDED IN PART BY A GRANT
FROM THE WILDLIFE AND SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM.
THROUGH YOUR PURCHASES OF HUNTING AND FISHING EQUIPMENT,
AND MOTORBOAT FUELS, OVER 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN
CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE FUNDED IN TEXAS EACH YEAR.
>> ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY RAM TRUCKS.
GUTS. GLORY. RAM.