Wildlife, Warnings & Young Innovators: From Texas Skies to Gen Z Skills and Eco-Friendly Fishing

Aerial Hunting, Moose Dangers, Life Lessons, and a Teen’s Green Fishing Breakthrough 

Texas Takes to the Skies to Manage Invasive Aoudad

Texas is stepping up its wildlife management game — from the sky. Starting September 1, hunters will be allowed to shoot aoudad, also known as Barbary sheep, from helicopters, thanks to Senate Bill 1245, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.

Originally from North Africa, aoudad were brought to Texas in the 1950s and have since exploded in number — with over 30,000 now roaming the state. They’re hardy, fast-breeding, and tough on the environment, competing with native species like mule deer and bighorn sheep, damaging fragile desert ecosystems, and even spreading disease to commercial herds.

The bill adds aoudad to the state’s aerial wildlife management program, which already includes feral hogs and coyotes. Officials hope helicopter hunting — a method that helped reduce hog numbers by over 30% — can also bring the aoudad population under control.

While they’re a problem for landowners and wildlife managers, aoudad remain a popular big game target for hunters. Texas has no closed season or bag limit for them — just bring a valid hunting license and be ready for a challenge, whether on foot or from above.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/texas-hunting-aoudad-from-helicopters/

Colorado Officials Warn: Give Moose Space During Calving Season

Moose attacks are on the rise across Colorado, and wildlife officials say the reason is simple — it’s calving season. From late May to mid-June, cow moose become highly protective of their young and more likely to charge if they feel threatened, especially by dogs.

In just over a week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) responded to four separate attacks involving mother moose and nearby people or pets. In one case, a cow moose trampled two dogs and forced a man to dive under a car. In another, two women were charged and stomped while walking off-leash dogs — they only escaped by climbing onto a roof, and a neighbor used a fire extinguisher to drive the moose off.

Even leashed dogs don’t guarantee safety. In Grand County, Colorado, a woman was seriously hurt when a cow moose charged her and her dog; her boyfriend shot the moose in self-defense. Wildlife officers later had to euthanize the orphaned calf, fearing it would become too dependent on humans.

In the most recent incident, a woman in Steamboat Springs was attacked while walking her dogs. A bystander tried to help — and got kicked for his trouble. The injured woman was airlifted to the hospital, and the cow and its two calves were later relocated.

CPW says moose see dogs as predators and react aggressively to protect their calves. They’re urging outdoor enthusiasts to keep pets leashed, avoid thick brush where calves may be hiding, and give moose a wide berth if spotted. While moose attacks remain rare, growing moose and human populations mean encounters are becoming more likely.

So if you’re hiking in moose country this time of year, stay alert, leash your dog, and let these massive mammals raise their young in peace.

Reference: https://cpw.state.co.us/news/06022025/colorado-parks-and-wildlife-warns-potentially-aggressive-cow-moose-following-three

GEN Z Needs Adulting “101”

According to a recent New York Post article, Gen Z — born between 1997 and 2012 — can code TikToks in their sleep, but ask them to change a tire or fold a fitted sheet? Forget it.

High schoolers and college students across the U.S. are now signing up for “Adulting 101” — crash courses in how to do laundry, budget for rent, or cook something besides ramen.New York teen Zack Leitner put it this way: “Until the 1960s, students learned how to cook, clean, and sew. In 2025, we’re lucky if they know how to do their laundry.”

Psychologist Jean Twenge points to overprotective parenting and a trend of young adults living longer at home. She says today’s 20-somethings are arriving at adulthood with empty toolboxes — not because they’re lazy, but because no one taught them the basics.So while schools are starting to step in, experts say these basic life skills should be taught way earlier.

Because whether it’s interest rates or ironing a shirt — ignorance isn’t bliss. It’s expensive…. Lastly, if you have a chance – research Financial Literacy, it is a topic more should be talking about in our opinion!

Reference: https://nypost.com/2025/05/26/lifestyle/gen-z-flocks-to-adulting-101-for-basic-life-skills-help/

Teen Angler Hooks Science Fair Win with Eco-Friendly Fishing Lures

A high schooler from Pennsylvania is reeling in praise — and fish — with his homemade biodegradable fishing lures. Ethan Albright, a senior at Hempfield High School and lifelong fisherman, created the lures using natural ingredients like seaweed-based sodium alginate, gelatin, and cornstarch. His goal? Cut down on plastic waste in rivers.

Albright’s eco-conscious invention earned him third place at the International Science and Engineering Fair this May, after first winning a local competition in March. And yes — the lures work. “The trout were hammering them,” Albright said after a successful trip during trout season.

Traditional soft-plastic lures often break off or get swallowed by fish, clogging waterways and fish stomachs. Albright’s version, on the other hand, is fully edible and decomposes in just over two weeks.

He’s now producing 10-packs of the five-inch worm lures — the classic “senko” style — in biodegradable packaging, with plans to sell them in local bait shops. His creations could mark a step forward for anglers and the environment alike.

Albright says he’s starting small but thinking big: “One day, maybe we can get them manufactured somewhere other than my kitchen.”

(Interested buyers can email him here.)

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WESTERN LIFESTYLE & THE OUTDOORS

Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC’ Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation.

With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire those who appreciate God’s Country and life on the land.

United by a common mission, Tigger & BEC offer a glimpse into the life beyond the beaten path and down dirt roads. They’re here to share knowledge, answer your questions, and join you in your own success story. Adventure awaits around the bend. With The Outdoors, the Western Heritage, Rural America, and Wildlife Conservation at the forefront, Tigger and BEC live this lifestyle every day.

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