"For anyone over the age of 17 who was born after September 2, 1971, hunter's education certification is required.  We will be offering that October 3rd at the Maverick County Showbarn beginning at 9:00 AM.  It's a one day course, $15.00 and every hunter over the age of seventeen is required to have it."

You will receive your hunting certificate in the mail if you attend which is a hunter's education card that will allow them to hunt legally.  Any child from the age of 10 can attend in the company of a parent.

Mr. Garcia informed The News Gram of the fact that there are many interesting species which inhabit our area such as bobcats, mountain lions and even black bear.

"One of the biggest ones that people don't know about in this area is the black bear.  I've seen a couple in the area out in the wild.  They tend to be coming in from Northern Mexico."

Other species include alligators, dove, ducks, geese, javelinas, rabbits and hares, rails, gallinules and moorhens, bobcats, jaguarundis, cuca-buras, sand hill cranes, squirrels, teal, turkey, Wilson's Snipe, woodcocks and our world-famous white-tailed deer.

Another thing we are doing at this time is we are checking for Harvest Information Program certification which is something you are inquired about when you are getting your hunting license.

"We ask them if they indeed have HIP certification as we need to assist the US Fish & Wildlife Agency with a number of how many migratory birds are being killed each season," concluded the game warden who encourages our citizens to explore the outdoors legally, and the best way to do so is to have a license.  Get yours today!

For more information you can call 210-348-4848 or contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at www.tpwd.texas.gov .