Silver Bulletin

Volume 5, Issue 3

August 2015

Way to hit the ground running!

In This Issue

Support Materials

Promo Materials

Upcoming Events

Follow us for Brigades updates!

#TexasBrigades

Thank You to all of our Partners and Donors!

We knew you had it in you!

We've sent out record-setting quantities of
brochures, flyers, and posters! Way to go, we have plenty more!

Below, you will find an events calendar, resources,
Early Bird requirements and more.

Let us know how we can help!

- Helen and Zelina

Early Bird Requirements

**Each participant must obtain or have the proper hunting or fishing licenses required by law.
See www.tpwd.state.tx.us for more info.**

RPBB - 10 qualifying programs/projects

Deadline: November 1, 2015

Reward: Game Bird Hunt. May include predator calling

When: TBD

STBUB - 5 qualifying programs/projects

Deadline: October 1, 2015

Reward: Deer, Coyote, and Hog Hunt

When: October 23-25, 2015

Where: Half Brothers Ranch, Pearsall, TX

STBOB - 6 qualifying programs/projects

Deadline: October 1, 2015

Reward: South Zone Dove Hunt

When: TBD
**Migratory game bird stamp & HIP certification required.**

BASS -10 qualifying programs/projects

Deadline: November 1, 2015

Reward: Fishing Trip

When: TBD

RANCH - 10 qualifying programs/projects

Deadline: November 1, 2015

Reward: $100 Visa gift card

NTBB - 10 qualifying programs/projects

Deadline: November 1, 2015

Reward: Whitetail and Axis Doe Hunt, Sonora Experiment Station

When: Dec 11th-13th

WTFL - 10 qualified programs/projects

Deadline: November 1, 2015

Reward: Weekend waterfowl hunt

When: TBD

**Migratory game bird stamp & HIP certification required.**

Mail Early Bird Books
postmarked by your camp's deadline to:

Texas Brigades

3660 Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 126

San Antonio, TX 78247

Support Materials

We try our hardest to equip you with everything you need to become conservation ambassadors. Please utilize the materials and technology we have worked so hard on:

DVD - sent to you in the mail within 2 weeks after camp. This includes all the pictures from camp, PowerPoint, Book of Accomplishments guidelines, and additional resource materials your instructors thought would be beneficial for you to have.
Texas Brigades website - please visit www.texasbrigades.org. You'll find information about earning program points for your Book of Accomplishments, camp PowerPoints, and much more!

Promotional Materials

E-mail us if you would like Texas Brigades brochures or posters!

Educate, Recruit, Research

If you're questioning whether a program will earn you points, ask yourself if it meets one of the criteria listed:

Educate others about what you learned at camp: wildlife, leadership, conservation, habitat management, land stewardship, etc.

Program examples: manned or unmanned display, presentation, article, wildlife expos, ag fairs.

These are just a few examples of ways to educate!

Recruit others to participate in the Texas Brigades, both youth and adults.

Program examples: creating and displaying a new trifold, presentation, article, posting Brigades posters, or doing a radio interview. These are just a few examples of ways to recruit!

Research Texas' wildlife, conservation and management methods, and methods to become a conservation ambassador.

Program examples: ranch management plan, food plots, species census surveys, plant collection. These are just a few examples of research programs!

WE NEED YOU:

Former Asst Leaders/Future Special Agents

Becoming a Special Agent means not only doing programs, but

coordinating programs for cadets as well. We could always use your help with upcoming events, but we REALLY need your help with the events below! You'll be representing Texas Brigades, just as a staff or committee member would. Contact Helen for specific information.

TIP: How to Earn Points for Your Book of Accomplishments

ShareTexas Brigades' posts on your Facebook page!

College Scholarship Winners

Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade Issac Carver Sam Mares Braxton Faust Sierra Gordon Julie Krebs Issac Garcia	South Texas Bobwhite Brigade Lane Boenker Jose Morales-Wade Grace Jestis Ethan Ayala Hannah Reed
North Texas Buckskin Brigade Sean Skweres Ryan Helms Katy Bell Elise Hesseltine	South Texas Buckskin Brigade Bennett Young Patrick Dean Katelynn Butler Micayla Pearson Stetson Dierlam Travis Bonner Kalyn Stephens
Bass Brigade Hunter Merta Faith Antley Matthew Willcox Jonathan Gray Tommy Johnson Abbie Lanier	Ranch Brigade Elizabeth Brogan Riley Lucherk Jadie Marshall Reagan Ruddock

Waterfowl Brigade

Seth Chapman

Christopher Childress

Kyle Kolbe

Micah Rainey

JOIN THE TEXAS BRIGADES NETWORK

We've officially launched the Texas Brigades Network!

We would like to connect every Texas Brigades graduate, all past Adult Leaders, volunteers and instructors, as well as donors, friends and Texas Brigades families. With this expansive network, we will magnify our outreach, but we need your help!
Please click the link below to join the Texas Brigades Network and give us your current contact information. You will be added to our network and receive information about the Texas Brigades on a regular basis. Then, help us promote the Brigades; recruit new cadets and adult leaders, serve as an Adult Leader, connect us with potential donors or make a donation yourself.
Please email us to let us know if you're able to make any of the upcoming events on the calendar below, we'd love to have you with us!

http://www.texasbrigades.org/Alumni/cadets.html

Texas Brigades Fundraising for Trip to Leopold's Shack

The Texas Brigades W.I.L.D. Class of 2015-2016 is looking for financial donations to assist with the class' graduation trip to Aldo Leopold's "shack" in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The class of 10 students have set up a Go Fund Me site at http://www.gofundme.com/gofundwild . Texas Brigades is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are greatly appreciated.

Wildlife Intensive Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) is the advanced leadership program of Texas Brigades. All participants must apply and have demonstrated exception leadership in the Brigades program. The program seeks to hone their leadership skills, expose them to agricultural and natural resource policy-making and policy makers, foster development of professional skills, and improve the overall success of the Texas Brigades.

The program consists of five (5) weekend sessions held over a 15 month period, and volunteer service at one of seven Brigade camps held during the summer. In addition, they also serve as the Cadet Advisory Group to the Texas Brigades Board of Directors, providing input and ideas to further enhance the Texas Brigades' mission.

This class has studied the impacts of oil and gas production in South Texas, visited Austin during the legislative session to hone their skills in making public comments, and learned about playa lakes in the Texas Panhandle. With this trip to Wisconsin, not only will the class visit and learn more about Aldo Leopold and his impact on wildlife management and conservation, but they will also have the opportunity to visit the International Crane Foundation and local businesses involved with ecological restoration.

For more information about Texas Brigades, go to www.texasbrigades.org, call toll free (855-892-7447), or email Helen Holdsworth, Executive Director, at hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

August 15	Hunter Ed Class, Abilene. Come help Rodney Sturdivant (RPBB & WTFL) with his hunter education call at Abilene State Park. Contact Rodney at jaeger2014@hughes.net.
August 15-16	Fall Great Outdoor Days Event at Cabela's in Fort Worth. If you would like to set up your tri-fold at Cabela's, contact Tracy Doty at tracy.doty@cabelas.com. Cabela's is one of our outstanding Brigade sponsors!
August 20	Texas Master Naturalist training, Abilene. Help us recruit adult leaders and Brigade volunteers. Contact Rodney Sturdivant (RPBB & WTFL) at jaeger2014@hughes.net or call him at 325-625-2715.
August 20	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Carthage. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
August 25	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Hereford. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
August 25	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Granbury. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
August 27	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Lubbock. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
August 28	Texas Brigade Network Social/Washington County Wildlife Society Meeting, Brenham. Any Brigade graduates, Adult Leaders, volunteers, families, donors and friends are invited to the Texas Brigades Network social. Mark your calendar! More details to come.
August 29	Hunter Ed Class, Abilene. Come help Rodney Sturdivant (RPBB & WTFL) with his hunter education call at Abilene State Park. Contact Rodney at jaeger2014@hughes.net.
August 29-30	Fall Great Outdoor Days Event at Cabela's in Fort Worth. If you would like to set up your tri-fold at Cabela's, contact Tracy Doty at tracy.doty@cabelas.com. Cabela's is one of our outstanding Brigade sponsors!
September 8	Deer Appreciation Day, Hebbronville. Contact Sophia Judson at Sophie.Judson@ag.tamu.edu for all the details!
September 8	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Kaufman. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
September 10	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Franklin. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
September 12-13	NRA Shooting Sports Weekend at Cabela's in Fort Worth. If you would like to set up your tri-fold at Cabela's, contact Tracy Doty at tracy.doty@cabelas.com. Cabela's is one of our outstanding Brigade sponsors!
September 15	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Cuero. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
September 16-18	Quail Symposium, Abilene. Here is an opportunity to meet people from all over Texas! Contact Dr. Dale Rollins if you would like to attend.
September 16	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Rio Grande City. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
September 17	Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Ranch Gathering, Linn. Set up your trifold and continue to promote Texas Brigades. To secure a spot, contact Stacy Fox with TSCRA at sfox@tscra.org.
September 26	Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament and Outdoor Expo at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Athens. http://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/outdoor-expo. Great chance to set up your tri-fold and get some fishing in! Contact Deborah Wade (Bass Brigade instructor) at deborah.wade@tpwd.texas.gov.
For fun! Deadline unknown	http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/2015-1/article/blaser-sporting-classics-essay-contest

ON-GOING ACTIVITIES

For events in your area, visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife website calendar section at

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/calendar/.

Find a Ducks Unlimited banquet in Texas at http://www.ducks.org/texas/events.

Find a Delta Waterfowl banquet in Texas at http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/events/.

Any cadet is invited to speak to the Big Country Master Naturalists (Abilene) who meet on the third Thursday of each month - call Rodney Sturdivant (Rolling Plains Bobwhite and Waterfowl Brigade) at home, 325-625-2715.

Get on the radio!

There are several radio stations across the state which host outdoor radio shows. Call them (or email) and ask to be on to promote Brigades!

Lone Star Outdoors Show (KHYI 95.3) www.lonestaroutdoorshow.com
Rusty Baker Outdoors (KZNE 1150) rusty@rustybakeroutdoors.com
Texas Fishing & Outdoors Show (KRLD 1080) www.texasfishingandoutdoors.com;
888-256-1080
Big Billy Kinder (WBAP) billkinder@bigbillykinderoutdoors.com; 877-820-2256

Thanks to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Ed Instructors for their support!!

Rodney Sturdivant (Rolling Plains Bobwhite & Waterfowl Brigade instructor) teaches Hunter Ed classes several times a year. Contact him at 325-625-2715.

Kim Price (Covey Leader and mom of Brigade grad, Faye Price) is also a Hunter Ed instructor from Iowa Park. She'd love to have you speak at one of her classes since Faye has left for college! Contact her at kprice@ipcisd.net.

TEXAS QUAIL YOUTH PAGE!

Find instructions on this webpage http://wildlife.tamu.edu/quail/northern-bobwhite-kids-reverse-quail-decline-initiative/) for conducting experiments with scent stations and dummy nests. Share you results on Facebook. Contact Kristen Tyson at Kristen.tyson@ag.tamu.edu if you have questions.

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Texas Trophy Hunters Magazine

Publishes a Texas Brigade story in every issue. We are looking for stories about your Brigade camp experience or about your experience on a Brigade hunt. Articles should be 500-1000 words and submitted to hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org by the following deadlines:

Jan. 29th
Mar 29th
May 29th
July 29th
Sept. 29th
Nov. 29th

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If you live in or near Atascosa County, Natalie Bartek (South Texas Bobwhite Camp Coordinator) can get you a speaking engagement at the local Soil & Water Conservation District meeting or Texas Farm Bureau. Both organizations meet monthly and would love to hear from a Brigade cadet. Contact Natalie at natalie.bartek@tx.usda.gov.

Texas Youth Hunting Program

They sponsor introductory, instructive youth hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, javelina, exotics, dove, small game, waterfowl, varmints and other species. Normally, they provide mentors, lodging and meals.

To participate as a Youth Hunter in the Texas Youth Hunting Program, you must:

Be 9 to 17 years old.
Complete the Hunter Education Program.
Have a valid Texas hunting license and appropriate tags or stamps when required.
Be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Visit http://www.tyhp.org for more information!

Texas Big Game Awards

If you harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn or javelina this hunting season be sure to enter the Texas Big Game Awards.

Visit http://texasbiggameawards.org/ for more information!

Contact Info

Helen Holdsworth

Executive Director

hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org

855-TXBRIGS

(855-892-7447)

210-884-3712 - cell

Zelina Alvarado

Program Coordinator

ZAlvarado@texas-wildlife.orgg

830-538-8911 - cell