Texas

Texas Cooperative Extension has set three Predator Awareness Workshops this fall.

Ken Cearley, Extension wildlife specialist and workshop coordinator here, said the programs are designed to bring producers the latest livestock predator control methods and information. Some of the topics will be recognizing when predation has occurred and predation's impact on livestock and wildlife.

All three programs have the same format and run from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

The dates, fees if any, contact numbers and meeting locations are:

--Oct. 27, Pecos County Civic Center, Fort Stockton, 432-336-2541; (no fee);

--Nov. 10, Coryell Activities Center, Gatesville, individual registration is $15 by Nov. 8 and $20 at the door (includes lunch), 254-865-2414; and

--Nov. 17, Culberson County Courthouse courtroom, Van Horn, individual registration is $10 by Nov. 15 and $15 at the door, 432-283-8440.

Six Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for participants: three general, two integrated pest management and one laws and regulations.

"Whether you love them or hate them, predators interest almost everyone," said Cearley. "These workshops are geared toward an objective presentation of predator management. Their purpose is to help participants increase their knowledge of various animals and hone the skills required to cope with them."

Cearley will present the morning's first two topics; "Appreciating Predators" and "Interpreting Physical Evidence of Predation."

Other morning presentations include predator control and wildlife management, and biological profiles of coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions and/or feral hogs (depending on which animal is the major concern at that meeting site).

The morning session ends with Cearley speaking on the school enrichment curriculum, "Predators in the Classroom."

The afternoon session opens with four 20-minute concurrent sessions on predator control alternatives conducted by local Extension Wildlife Services personnel. Methods to be discussed include non-lethal approaches, foothold traps and snares, M-44s and livestock protection collars, calling and aerial gunning.

Other afternoon topics include predators as disease vectors, ethical predator management, preventing illicit use of pesticides in predator control and the video "Coyotes: A Matter Of Perspective."