Week 1:
During my first week as an intern at the Stiles Farm, I accompanied Dr. Tomecek and his graduate students to the San Antonio Viejo Ranch near Hebbronville, Texas. The goal of the trip was to conduct feral hog control and to see how the remains are used by wildlife, with an emphasis on coyote observation. Along with learning about feral hog management and coyote population dynamics, I also learned how to drive a Polaris, use an ax, build a fire, and how to mount a game camera using wire.
Upon returnin
g to the farm, I spent the rest of the week exploring and getting to know the property as well as becoming familiar with driving a manual transmission. During my exploration of the farm, I observed a large diversity of wildlife including this common nightha
wk and great horned owl. We also scouted a field of native, annual sunflower in order to determine future management needs in preparation of dove season 2018.
