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Woods, Waters, and Wildlife
The new year begins with this issue of the Woods, Waters, and Wildlife column. And let it begin with my wish for you to spend as much of your free time outdoors, doing something – anything -- to get you off the couch and away from your computer and the Internet.
It doesn’t matter what activity you choose – just pick one or two off the list below, put on your best walking shoes, and get out after it!
Jane Goodall, the famous conservationist and environment advocate, recently died at age 91. If she were here to comment, I’m confident she would attribute her longevity on earth to being outdoors. She was famous worldwide for her groundbreaking chimpanzee research. Although some of her work was indoors writing and analyzing her data -- like all wildlife researchers – MS Goodall spent much of her life outdoors.
But don’t get me wrong; you don’t have to risk your life consorting with wild animals and publishing much heralded research literature. Going for a walk in a nearby park would be a fine start. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) even pushed “First Hikes” on a state park to start the new year off on the right foot!
Even the late Robert Redford, who died in 2025 at age 89, credited his environmentalism and love of nature to his outdoor visits to relatives in Austin as he was growing up. Disregarding any beliefs he might have shared that offended readers, he also benefitted from his outdoor life in some of the roles he chose as an actor or director – like “Out of Africa,” “A River Runs Through it,” and others. In “A River …,” Redford was director AND narrator.) But you needn’t even take off your shoes as the title of his movie, “Barefoot in the Park” implied. Redford kept his shoes on … except in bed!
All this is said to create interest in an outdoor lifestyle for future health. It obviously assisted in taking the two notables mentioned farther in life than most people. It’s helped me keep moving … to see what’s around the next bend in the stream.
Pick an activity you can enjoy. Here are some examples: hiking, swimming, water- walking, bicycling, jogging, tennis, golfing (with or without a golf cart), wade fishing, skeet shooting, birding, paddling a canoe or kayak, rowing, walking or training dogs, surfing, karate or judo, water aerobics, or even pickleball!
If those aren’t enough, walking the bank and fishing for rainbow trout on the Guadalupe River or other streams will still be available into March. Click on https/tpwd.texas.gov/20252026trout/stocking/schedule for dates and stocking sites.
There are also dove seasons still open providing some exercise: North Zone closes 1/7/26; Central Zone closes 1/14/26; South Zone 1/22/26.
Duck hunting requires some walking, too: All seasons close 1/25/26. Check the Outdoor Annual for bag limits. They vary.
Dark and Light Goose seasons: Both Western Zones close 2/1/26.
LIGHT Goose season Eastern Zone closes 2/15/26.
Exercising is easy, providing you do something you enjoy.
