By Editor Louie Bond
Hunting, hunting, hunting! Where are my hummingbirds? This could be the wail of some readers when they open this October issue. It’s fall in Texas, though, and the first whiff of cool air gets many of our colleagues jumping for joy at the prospect of a day in the field on the hunt. It’s as elemental to them during this season as a spot of bubbling chili, a campfire under the stars or a Sunday afternoon football marathon.
We know that some of our readers don’t hunt. We see their blissful smiles when our stories lean more toward watching warblers or hiking park trails or planting native grasses. Of course, during these months, I get complaints from the camouflage camp. Patience, dear readers, your day will come as surely as the seasons will change from autumn leaves to spring blossoms.
You may have noticed that we put our own spin on hunting stories, a spin we think sets us apart a bit from traditional hook-and-bullet publications. We like to weave our hunting narratives with science, philosophy, tradition, pop culture and humor. After all, hunters will tell you that they don’t participate solely to pull the trigger. They enjoy the quiet of the woods, the camaraderie of sitting in a blind with friends, watching wildlife slip by, sharing the memories of their first hunt with Grandpa. Hmm, maybe they’re not so different than our hikers and nature watchers after all!
This month, TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith shares his love of dove hunting, a passion he’s pursued since he was a small fry. John Jefferson recounts the great hunting epic of Alan McGraw, the Round Rock mayor who took down a bighorn with bow and arrow. Even the moon isn’t too far to go for a good hunting story. Astronaut Charlie Duke has traveled faster than a speeding bullet in space and now enjoys a different thrill with his family.
Don’t despair! Look a little deeper and you’ll see stories about topaz hunting in Mason County and a man with a passion for propagating seed to restore our prairies to their former glory. You can learn all about kangaroo rates (not a kangaroo or a rat!), cardinal flowers and the beautiful bison at Caprock Canyons State Park.
You see, there’s something for everyone in each issue. We love to hear from you, so take a moment to tell us what you like to see when you open a new issue. And don’t forget to check out the issue on our app – we always throw in a little extra fun.
Happy hunting! Happy hiking! Just get outdoors – it’s lovely to live in Texas
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