Theodore Roosevelt’s contributions to wildlife conservation and land stewardship are monumental, and their products have blessed future generations with many benefits. Now it is up to the present generation to preserve the wildlife and land for those generations to come, just as Roosevelt did.
This past summer I had the honor of participating as a cadet of the Texas Brigades as a member of the South Texas Buckskin Brigade. Interested in wildlife ever since I was able to harvest my first deer, I had always looked at wildlife from the hunting aspect alone but never from a conservation perspective. That is, until I met Terry Anderson, an East Texas wildlife biologist and Texas Wildlife Association executive director, who introduced me to the role of the conservation of natural resources and land stewardship. Anderson has influenced my view of conservation immensely and to further my interest, he introduced me to the Texas Brigades.
My experience with the Texas Brigades, in summary, was nothing short of awesome, amazing, spectacular, and life changing. It is nearly impossible to list everything the cadets were taught at the South Texas Buckskin Brigade, which focused on whitetail deer.
We covered subjects including plant ID and habitat evaluation, anatomy and physiology of whitetail deer, aging and scoring, technology in wildlife management, surveying techniques, firearm safety and shooting skills, public speaking and media skills, as well as critical thinking and life skills. From what I had read prior to attending the Brigades, I had expected all of these courses but not anywhere near the depth and involvement that the camp provided. The instructors were great in handling these new “bird dog pups”, as Dr. Dale Rollins would say, and helping us understand the great role and importance of conservation of land and wildlife all over Texas.
The frontline of conservation has had many stalwart leaders, but there continues to be a need for new leaders to take the helm and support the cause. Conservation ambassadors are necessary to educate the public in order to preserve our future in hunting heritage, private property rights, and natural resources.
The Texas Brigades’ mission is to educate and empower youths with leadership skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries, and land stewardship so that they become conservation ambassadors for a sustained natural resource legacy. In just four and a half days of camp, the Texas Brigades lays the foundation of a conservation mind-set for youths who will carry on that message to the public. History and reality warn us that man must conscientiously strive to live in harmony with nature and strike a balance between resource development and conservation. Whether through courses in habitat management and evaluation or lessons in population dynamics and herd management, the importance of conservation was apparent in every aspect at the South Texas Buckskin Brigade.
T
