Donald C. Ruthven III

Exotic Grass Impacts on Northern Bobwhite Habitat in South Texas

There is growing concern about the impacts that exotic grasses may have on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and other grassland birds. Large areas of South Texas have been seeded to or have been invaded by several species of exotic grasses including Guinea grass (Urochloa maxima), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum), Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum), buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), and Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). Impacts of exotic grasses on northern bobwhite are largely unknown. While exotic grasses such as...

Shooting Sports Events: Introducing Youth to Recreational Shooting

Participants of youth shooting sports events held at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in southern Texas reflected the racial makeup of the region including a high percentage of Hispanics in attendance. Thirteen percent of participants indicated that they had never fired a gun prior to attendance of these events. Of those who had shot in the past, 61% did not currently participate in shooting activities other than hunting while 70% indicated that they hunt. Of those participants who stated that they hunt, only 40% had a current hunting license and 34% had the State required hunter...