TRAVEL - A TEXAS STATE PARK FOR THE BIRDS

A TEXAS STATE PARK - GREAT PLACE TO VISIT
By Jim Foster

It is hard to find good vacation location when you live in or near a great vacation location. Let’s face it with the price at the pumps many travelers are looking for vacation destinations a bit closer to home. For that reason Texas offers a plethora of travel choices.

Bird watching has become a great outdoor sport that includes hunters and fishermen - who have been footing the bill for our natural areas for decades – long before others with more urban interests caught the bug.

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting and enjoying the hard work of Wayne Haley, Park Manager of the South Llano River State Park. Wayne is one of those people who know how to get things done and has used his funding wisely during a period of hard times for Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW).

South Llano River State Park (SLRSP) offers visitors a chance to get away in a quite family oriented environment and observe nature at its best. Much of what Texas has to offer can be found at the park. Wayne and his crew work hard to keep visitors safe have an enjoyable stay.

One or maybe I should say several of the outstanding features of the park is the enclosed wildlife blinds with water features and bird feeders that will attract a wide variety of birds and wildlife. The blinds are provided with benches and even a photo window for photographers.

Hunters will find the 524-acre park home to one of the oldest recorded winter turkey roosts in Texas. The park is joined by the 2160-acre Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area that adds to the high number of species for wildlife watching. The area also holds a drawing deer hunt on a yearly basis.

For summer travelers the park offers 56 multi-use sites with water and electricity, shelters, tables, fire rings, and 4 handicapped accessible sites. Of course the park has the normal showers and public restrooms for overnight campers as well as day use areas with over 20 picnic facilities.

Visiting this park is well worth the drive and will be a place that I am sure you will want to revisit. During the summer months it would be a good idea to call ahead for reservations before making the trip especially if you are planning on camping. Another hunt – arrive at the bird blinds early. They are very popular and will fill up fast.

For more information about South Llano River State Park you can contact them at 325-446-3994 or check the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s web site at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/ - Information about the Walter Buck Wildlife management Area call 325-446-3617.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at; jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com