The Chap (Chaparral Wildlife Management Area)

The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area is a place where I truly blossomed as a natural scientist.  I served as an intern on “The Chap” during the summer of 2011.

A Texas Horned Lizard at an educational event.

The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area is one of over 50 wildlife areas managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area is located in South Texas, more specifically La Salle and Dimmit County.  It is also an hour away from my hometown of Laredo, Texas.

I can still remember how nervous I was to be an intern for Texas Parks and Wildlife on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area.  The staff at the time was quick to make me feel at home in this new environment.

I was surrounded by great people who all wanted the interns to learn and get a great hands-on experience. My direct supervisor was Daniel Walker, a Natural Resource Specialist for the Chap. He along with the technicians(Robert, Greg, Vicars) , secretary (Elena) and manager (Dave) all contributed in some way to the knowledge I have today about wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Wildlife Management Areas, trucks, computers, and even life.

Being  on The Chap, is where I connected many topics in my natural resource classes to the field, or at least remembered learning something about it in class. The Chap even prepared me for future classes and future internships because of the variety of tasks that we were involved in as interns.

I am truly fortunate that I was surrounded by Texas Parks & Wildlife employees that provided a family atmosphere to grow as an intern and wildlife professional.

Thinking back on the knowledge I gained on the Chap, Daniel Walker, took the time to teach me about birds, horned lizards, pitfall traps, snakes, scat and tracks. At the time, I did not know I was learning but rather working as an intern. As time has passed, since my internship, and I share my knowledge with others, I think back to the time I first learned about that particular topic which was on The Chap.

The technicians showed me how to do more basic things that wildlife professionals need to know when they are out in the field. This includes getting a tire off the truck to change a tire and replacing a light on a vehicle.

Elena provided direction in making sure I filled out paperwork correctly. Dave taught me the importance of managing these wildlife areas for public use.

Since the summer of 2011, I have made an effort to visit The Chap every time I go home from Lubbock, Texas to Laredo, Texas.  In 2013, I was able to help with a youth hunt that was being put on by the Chap. Most recently, I helped with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Even now, I am amazed at the new information I have learned about wildlife in South Texas.

Aside from youth hunts, the Chap also has public hunts which work on a drawing system. It is a great place to bird, and a great place to see the flora and fauna of South Texas. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/

Texas Parks & Wildlife has recently posted several internships, even on The Chap! I highly encourage any student interested in natural resources management to get involved with a great agency. For more information on internships contact:  Joe.Beach@tpwd.texas.gov

For more information on The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area contact:  Daniel.Walker@tpwd.texas.gov