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• BCS SOTW Piney Woods Escape

  • Start
    Friday, April 04, 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM
  • End
    Sunday, April 06, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Huntsville State Park

  Piney Woods Escape and Schedule

  Please note that some details may be changed or added.

  Contact Matt Ward for additional questions, (979) 219-4804. 

  What to bring:

  Bring a tent though we will have limited room in the screen shelters for those who don’t have a tent or prefer to just sleep on a cot in there. Bring a camping chair, and hammock if you have one. Bring bedding. Bring personal eating utensils (plate, bowl, cup, and flatware). Bring clothing in layers and standard toiletries. Fortunately state parks have restrooms and hot water for showers just no hotel soaps). Lake Raven offers excellent mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking. Bring bikes, kayaks, and/or fishing tackle if you have it. We’ll try these as a group or you can go off on your own. This is Texas. We’ll make plans and then adapt if Mother Nature interferes.

  For those of you who are camping experts, come enjoy the park and hang out, for those of you not used to camping just let us know and we’ll be happy to give you pointers and ensure you enjoy a great time. Please contact Matt for a more detailed packing list if desired or tips on what gear to get.

  Please note that Texas State Parks have a “no alcohol rule” so we will not be providing adult drinks. 

  Friday (Late Afternoon/Evening)

  Come as soon as you like (dinner on your own, feel free to bring food in with you) and head straight for our camp sites (final sites to be announced after sign ups complete).

  We’ll help with tent set up if it is your first time and then we’ll just hang out around the campfire.

  Your hosts will probably turn in a little early to make sure breakfast is ready for the early risers.

  Saturday Morning

  We’ll serve breakfast for a good while to allow for a variety of wake up times. Coffee and breakfast tacos with some fruit.

  Nature Hike: We’ll take a nature hike for those who want to go. We’ll point out as many natural flora and fauna as we can and introduce you to the Piney Woods. We expect this hike to last a couple hours running from about 8:30-10:30am.

  Saturday Midday

  We’ll head back to our campsite to prepare the main meal of the day. Get ready for steak and salmon. You’re welcome to join us if you want to get some tips on camp cooking or please feel free to do anything you like until we have food ready around 12:00pm. After a good meal is an excellent time for being lazy.

  2:30p we’ll do our service project, details to follow.

  3:30p Fishing in Lake Raven from kayaks. Lake Raven offers above-average bass and sunfish fishing. If the afternoon is warm and sunny a scenic view of large reptiles and/or bald eagles if they are out. If you prefer to stay on shore there are fishing docks or the bank to enjoy. Kayaks are for rent from the park if you don’t have your own though some extras may be available from our group.

  Saturday Evening

  We’ll head back to the campsite to prepare a chili dinner and you are welcome to stay on the lake or join us for a demonstration of simpler camp cookery.

  After that, we’ll hang around the campfire and relax. S’Mores for those with a sweet tooth.

  Sunday Morning

  Pancakes and fruit. Oh and coffee!

  Pick up camp and then go on a bike ride.

  Check out by 11:00a from our campsites.

  Refund Policy

  A full refund can be issued if ticket is cancelled on or before March 27. Tickets are non-refundable after March 27. Tickets can be transferred to another BCS SOTW member.
  

  
  

  Show details
• BCS SOTW Piney Woods Escape

  • Start
    Friday, April 04, 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM
  • End
    Sunday, April 06, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Huntsville State Park

  Piney Woods Escape and Schedule

  Please note that some details may be changed or added.

  Contact Matt Ward for additional questions, (979) 219-4804. 

  What to bring:

  Bring a tent though we will have limited room in the screen shelters for those who don’t have a tent or prefer to just sleep on a cot in there. Bring a camping chair, and hammock if you have one. Bring bedding. Bring personal eating utensils (plate, bowl, cup, and flatware). Bring clothing in layers and standard toiletries. Fortunately state parks have restrooms and hot water for showers just no hotel soaps). Lake Raven offers excellent mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking. Bring bikes, kayaks, and/or fishing tackle if you have it. We’ll try these as a group or you can go off on your own. This is Texas. We’ll make plans and then adapt if Mother Nature interferes.

  For those of you who are camping experts, come enjoy the park and hang out, for those of you not used to camping just let us know and we’ll be happy to give you pointers and ensure you enjoy a great time. Please contact Matt for a more detailed packing list if desired or tips on what gear to get.

  Please note that Texas State Parks have a “no alcohol rule” so we will not be providing adult drinks. 

  Friday (Late Afternoon/Evening)

  Come as soon as you like (dinner on your own, feel free to bring food in with you) and head straight for our camp sites (final sites to be announced after sign ups complete).

  We’ll help with tent set up if it is your first time and then we’ll just hang out around the campfire.

  Your hosts will probably turn in a little early to make sure breakfast is ready for the early risers.

  Saturday Morning

  We’ll serve breakfast for a good while to allow for a variety of wake up times. Coffee and breakfast tacos with some fruit.

  Nature Hike: We’ll take a nature hike for those who want to go. We’ll point out as many natural flora and fauna as we can and introduce you to the Piney Woods. We expect this hike to last a couple hours running from about 8:30-10:30am.

  Saturday Midday

  We’ll head back to our campsite to prepare the main meal of the day. Get ready for steak and salmon. You’re welcome to join us if you want to get some tips on camp cooking or please feel free to do anything you like until we have food ready around 12:00pm. After a good meal is an excellent time for being lazy.

  2:30p we’ll do our service project, details to follow.

  3:30p Fishing in Lake Raven from kayaks. Lake Raven offers above-average bass and sunfish fishing. If the afternoon is warm and sunny a scenic view of large reptiles and/or bald eagles if they are out. If you prefer to stay on shore there are fishing docks or the bank to enjoy. Kayaks are for rent from the park if you don’t have your own though some extras may be available from our group.

  Saturday Evening

  We’ll head back to the campsite to prepare a chili dinner and you are welcome to stay on the lake or join us for a demonstration of simpler camp cookery.

  After that, we’ll hang around the campfire and relax. S’Mores for those with a sweet tooth.

  Sunday Morning

  Pancakes and fruit. Oh and coffee!

  Pick up camp and then go on a bike ride.

  Check out by 11:00a from our campsites.

  Refund Policy

  A full refund can be issued if ticket is cancelled on or before March 27. Tickets are non-refundable after March 27. Tickets can be transferred to another BCS SOTW member.
  

  
  

  Show details
• San Antonio Chapter 7th Annual Wild Game Sausage Showdown

  • When
    Sunday, April 06, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Beethoven Maennerchor, 422 Pereida St., San Antonio, TX 78210

  
  

  Join the San Antonio Stewards of the Wild Chapter on Sunday, April 6 at Beethoven Maennerchor for its 7th Annual Wild Game Sausage Showdown! Ticketed attendees will have the chance to sample delicious venison from Texas-based wild game processors. Enjoy live music by Keith Hickle, sip on a cold beer, try your luck at our exciting raffle, and connect with fellow local conservationists!

  Proceeds from the event will benefit City Kids Adventures, a San Antonio-based non-profit that provides local youth with outdoor experiences, helping them expand their horizons beyond their neighborhoods. This event is fun for the whole family, and we can't wait to welcome a lively crowd from across the city this year.

  Event entry is free. To sample wild game sausage and vote for your favorite processors, you will need a donation wristband: $20 donation for adults and $10 for children 14-17. Donations will also be taken at the door.

  Drink tickets are available for purchase at $6 each and will also be available at the door.

  We look forward to seeing you there!

  

  Refund Policy: Cancel 3-4 weeks in advance of the event and receive a full refund. Cancel 1-2 weeks of the event and receive a 50% refund. Cancel within 1 week of the event and receive no refund.

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• Stewards of the Wild - Houston Chapter Sporting Clay Shoot 2025

  • When
    Sunday, April 06, 2025
  •  
    2:30 PM
  • Location
    American Shooting Centers 16500 Westheimer Parkway, Houston, TX 77082

  Stewards of the Wild is pleased to invite you to join the Houston Chapter for our annual Sporting Clay Shoot at American Shooting Centers on Saturday, April 6!

  Shooters will be divided into teams of four and shoot 50 targets throughout the course. 12 and 20 gauge shells will be provided. Ear and eye protection is required and gun rental is available through the Pro Shop, if needed. All experience levels are welcome and encouraged to come!

  After everyone has finished shooting, food and drinks will be served and the top scores and raffle winners will be announced.

  We look forward to seeing you there!

  
  

  If you are interested in learning more about Stewards of the Wild or joining the Houston Chapter, visit https://houstonsotw.org/

  
  

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• BCS SOTW Booth at Lick Creek Park Nature Center BioBlitz

  • When
    Saturday, April 12, 2025
  •  
    ? - 9:30 PM

  Stop by the BCS SOTW booth at the Lick Creek Park Nature Center BioBlitz to learn about conservation and SOTW!

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• Statewide Conservation Committee Coastal Lunch & Learn

  • When
    Thursday, April 17, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  
  

  The SOTW Statewide Conservation Committee will host a virtual Lunch & Learn on April 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

  Join us for lunch to hear from Jay Kleberg, executive director of the Gulf Trust, and director and producer of Chasing the Tide. Jay will discuss the importance of the Gulf Coast and conserving its resources. 

  The Lunch & Learns will be an opportunity for SOTW members to learn more about critical conservation issues and engage with conservation experts from across the state.    

  Once you have RSVPed to this event, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the Zoom meeting where the Lunch & Learn will occur.

  Show details
• BCS SOTW Booth at Lick Creek Park Nature Center World Migratory Bird Day

  • When
    Saturday, May 10, 2025
  •  
    ? - 9:30 PM

  Stop by the BCS SOTW booth at the Lick Creek Park Nature Center World Migratory Bird Day to learn about conservation and SOTW!

  Show details
• Introduction to River Kayaking

  • When
    Saturday, May 17, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    San Marcos River, San Marcos, TX

  Combat Kayak will lead BCS Stewards in an Introduction to Kayaking Course on the San Marcos River on May 17. This class is for beginner to intermediate recreational and whitewater paddlers. Topics covered include river terminology, safety, rescues, strokes, catching eddies, peeling out, ferrying, and more.

  Equipment needed for this trip are a kayak (no sea kayaks or fiberglass kayaks), paddle, pfd, safety/emergency whistle, white water helmet. Please note which equipment you need to borrow on the registration. Combat Kayak will contact you to ensure you receive the correct equipment. 

  We will be on the river rain or shine! A list of additional gear to match the weather will be sent out to registrants closer to the event. Attendees will also need to provide their own food and drinks. 

  Registration is open to BCS Members only until February 17. Registration for non-BCS Members will open on February 17. Space is limited so purchase your ticket now! 

  A full refund can be issued if ticket is cancelled on or before April 17. Tickets are non-refundable after April 17. Tickets can be transferred to another BCS SOTW member.

  Show details
• Statewide Conservation Committee West Texas Caldwell Ranch Trip

  • Start
    Thursday, October 09, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    Sunday, October 12, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Caldwell Ranch, near Fort Davis
  • Spaces left
    28

  
  

  SOTW SCC West Texas Weekend

  Caldwell Ranch, Fort Davis, Texas

  October 9-12, 2025

  The focus of the Statewide Conservation Committee West Texas Weekend is conservation education, witnessing the natural beauty of the Trans-Pecos landscape and wildlife firsthand, and getting to know other conservation-minded Stewards of the Wild members! We will hear from conservation experts throughout the weekend focused on an array of land, water, and wildlife issues; explore the vast region; and hopefully see a multitude of unique plant and wildlife species.

  Our tentative agenda for the weekend and photos of the incredible, 30,000-acre Caldwell Ranch are below. Many of you may have visited far West Texas before, but we promise this weekend will be full of exceptional, unforgettable experiences. Because Stewards of the Wild is a program of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, we are uniquely positioned with exclusive access to private lands and to learn from the best experts and resources Texas has to offer!

  Everyone in attendance will get the privilege of staying on the Caldwell Ranch! There are a few registration options. The registration fee helps us cover food and cleaning costs. All meals, beverages, and activities are included with registration. You may register for one of two types of lodging: indoor or cantina (glamping) tents. Both types of lodging will have access to vast indoor common areas, a beautiful pool surrounded by pollinator gardens, modern bathrooms, and all bedding needs. You may register as an individual (single) or with someone else (dual), whether that be your friend or partner/spouse. If you register as an individual, you may be sharing a room and/or bathroom with someone of the same gender. If you register as dual, you will share a bed with your guest (the second person in your registration) and may possibly share a bathroom with an individual and/or another pair/couple. If you have any questions, special requests, or specific needs, please email Katie Spurgin at kspurgin@tpwf.org.

  This is a weekend you won’t want to miss!

  

  Agenda

  Thursday, October 9
  3 - 5 p.m. Arrivals at the Caldwell Ranch
  6:30 p.m. Cocktails and welcome dinner at the Cadillac Bar

  Friday, October 10

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at the Caldwell Ranch
  • 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Day Trip Options
  • Option 1: Mt. Livermore hike in the Davis Mountains Preserve (sack lunch provided)
  • Option 2: Art tour in Marfa, featuring visits to the Judd Foundation La Mansana de Chinati/ The Block* and the Wrong Bar, lunch at Bordo, and time to explore Marfa
    
  • 5:30/6 p.m. Cocktails at Caldwell Ranch
  • 6:30 p.m. BBQ dinner and live music at Caldwell Ranch

  Saturday, October 11 (Transportation Provided all day)
  

  • 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at the Caldwell Ranch
  • 10 a.m. Depart for Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (sack lunch provided)
  • 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lunch, speaker, and Elephant Mountain WMA tour (will hopefully include Desert Bighorn Sheep sightings*)
  • 3 p.m. Depart Elephant Mountain WMA for Alpine
  • 3:30-5 p.m. Explore Alpine & the Big Bend Saddlery
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner at Spicewood Restaurant in Alpine
  • After Dinner – Return to the Caldwell Ranch for dessert and stargazing party with Davis Mountains State Park Superintendent Diego

  *Read more about Desert Bighorn Sheep in the Trans-Pecos

  Sunday, October 12
  

  • 8 a.m. Breakfast at the Caldwell Ranch
  • Departures after breakfast

  
  

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