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Program Highlights & News |
Meet San Antonio's Caroline Nunley
A fourth-generation rancher from Sabinal, Texas, Caroline Nunley grew up immersed in the daily rhythms of a working cow-calf operation between Uvalde and Hondo. From an early age, she and her sister, Sarah, were fully included in ranch life—working cattle, fixing water lines, hunting, and learning firsthand what it takes to care for land and wildlife over the long term. |
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“It was never a question of whether we could do something,” Caroline says. “It was just, this is the work that needs to be done. Let’s figure out how to do it.”
That mindset was shaped by both of her parents. Her father modeled hands-on stewardship and leadership through years of involvement with conservation organizations, while her mother kept the entire operation and household running, homeschooling Caroline and her sister and making sure nothing fell through the cracks. Together, they instilled in their daughters a deep respect for responsibility, resilience, and service.
Today, Caroline carries that legacy forward in multiple ways. She and her sister co-own and manage a small ranch near Batesville, where they balance a modest cow-calf operation with active wildlife management, including participation in a variety of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) programs. Though both now live in San Antonio, staying connected to the land remains a priority.
Caroline’s path to Stewards of the Wild began about eight years ago through the San Antonio Chapter. What started with local social events soon grew into something deeper as she became more involved statewide, connecting with fellow members across chapters and helping shape a more education-focused vision for the organization. |
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Hunters learn from waterfowl expert and bring home variety of birds at Annual Bucksnag Duck Hunt
Stewards from across the state, including 11 new or novice duck hunters, spent two days in Garwood for our Annual Bucksnag Duck Hunt. Northern habitat hadn't frozen over yet, meaning fewer ducks migrating and tougher hunting. But that didn’t stop the group from heading home with some birds in their coolers, including a variety of duck species (pintail, teal, and gadwall) and 13 sandhill cranes.
We were joined by Texas Parks and Wildlife waterfowl expert and Justin Hurst WMA Biologist, Trey McClinton, who shared insight on waterfowl migratory patterns, how to identify waterfowl age, sex, and species, and more. For those of you looking for waterfowl resources, check out Ducks Unlimited's podcast, And thanks to our great friends at Duck Camp, one lucky attendee won a pair of the highly coveted Duck Camp waders! Keep an eye out for more info about our partnership with Duck Camp this year. |
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Register for Women-Only SOTW x TPWD's BOW Outdoors & Camping 101 |
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Camping and outdoor activities alike are a great way to enjoy nature on your own or with family and friends, but can feel overwhelming if you're just starting out. Join Stewards of the Wild and TPWD's Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Program for a ladies-only campout at Long Acres Ranch, just outside of Houston, on April 24-26. You'll have opportunities to learn about and practice outdoor cooking, fishing, archery, foraging, kayaking, birding, orienteering, survival skills, firearm handling, and night hikes with insect identification. Join other like-minded women for a weekend and leave ready to embark on your own outdoor or camping adventure! Use the link below for more information and to register: choose "Stewards of the Wild Member Ticket" option and use code "SOTWWOMAN2026". |
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Join or renew today for your chance to win big! |
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Join or Renew your SOTW membership February 1-28, 2026 and automatically be entered into a drawing to win a $500 gift card to Scheels Sporting Goods and two tickets to Luck Reunion on March 19, 2026. Active members will receive two additional entries for every new member referred. To be eligible for additional entries, referral must include your first and last name in the referral section completed during their new member registration. Membership renewal is not required to secure referral entries.
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Resources & Opportunities |
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Thank you to our statewide program supporters: |
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The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is the leading wildlife research organization in Texas and one of the finest in the nation. Its mission is to provide science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of wildlife in South Texas and related environments.
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Copyright © 2026 Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
6220 Gaston Ave. #700
Dallas, Texas 75214
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