texascavers Digest 30 Nov 2012 23:14:38 -0000 Issue 1670
Topics (messages 21053 through 21061):
FYI Bear Sightings in Texas
21053 by: Travis Scott
21054 by: Joe Ranzau
21056 by: Louise Power
Volunteers Needed for Girl Scout Winter Jam at CBSP, January 12th
21055 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
21057 by: Julia Germany
21058 by: Natasha Glasgow
21059 by: Sheryl Rieck
Missing blue hand ascender/foot loop
21060 by: Mallory Mayeux
complex bat gates designed by Jim Kennedy
21061 by: Logan McNatt
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--- Begin Message ---
Hey all,
Just some info cavers might oughta be aware of:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20121127c
Mountain Lions, Tigers (ringtails maybe?) and Bears, Oh no! Keep your
eyes peeled...
--
Travis Scott
tra...@oztotl.com
979.450.0103 (cell)
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
In my personal experience, when the bear is sighted, it is typically the
rump end as the black bear is running away from you as fast as possible.
Granted there are some that get habituated and are not afraid of humans.
Rarely is a black bear aggressive towards humans that I have heard of or
witnessed. All the ones I've been around, including a couple in Texas
wanted absolutely nothing to do with me, even the habituated one. Granted,
with a cub, if injured, ill or extremely hungry, basically anything
abnormal, all bets are off. Stupid tourist tricks with cameras also cause
issues.
Personally, I am more concerned about cornering a raccoon or coming across
a buck in rut than bears. Oh, and feral hogs...
Heck, I've even seen several ass ends of mountain lions in the past year.
All running away! I shower, I really do. When I'd go out hiking I was
more concerned about the rogue emu on the property or falling than most
other things.
I see bears...
Ranzau,
Val Verde County Refugee living in Jeff Davis County
On Wed, Nov 28, 2012 at 11:01 AM, Travis Scott <tra...@oztotl.com> wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> Just some info cavers might oughta be aware of:
>
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/**newsmedia/releases/?req=**20121127c<http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20121127c>
>
> Mountain Lions, Tigers (ringtails maybe?) and Bears, Oh no! Keep your
> eyes peeled...
>
> --
> Travis Scott
> tra...@oztotl.com
> 979.450.0103 (cell)
>
>
> ------------------------------**------------------------------**---------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
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>
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Anybody interested in a longterm black bear study in Ely, MN, can go on to the
following site:
www.bear.org
I started watching last year when they had den cameras in several dens; one
focused on a pregnant sow who was hibernating and preparing to give birth. It
was fascinating. They follow area bears all year. Some have GPS collars on some
of them. Near their center they have three bears in a multi-acre compound who
were so habituated to humans they could not return them to the wild.
This site has been a real eyeopener for me. Their main cause is to study wild
bears in their natural habitat and educate themselves and the public about
American black bears in general. They write articles for professional journals
on aspects of bear life.
One of the most interesting thing I found out was that they are primarily
vegetarians and eat meat only incidentally if them come across a carcass. I
would not, however, confront a strange bear directly or make it think I was
trying to challenge it.
Louise
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:01:43 -0600
> From: tra...@oztotl.com
> To: texascavers@texascavers.com
> Subject: [Texascavers] FYI Bear Sightings in Texas
>
> Hey all,
>
> Just some info cavers might oughta be aware of:
>
> http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20121127c
>
> Mountain Lions, Tigers (ringtails maybe?) and Bears, Oh no! Keep your
> eyes peeled...
>
> --
> Travis Scott
> tra...@oztotl.com
> 979.450.0103 (cell)
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Visit our website: http://texascavers.com
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com
> For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and, now, I need your help.
For the last several years, cavers from around the state have
participated with the folks at TPWD and GS leaders from the Austin and
San Antonio area for their annual event at CBSP.
I just wanted to let you know that we have been invited to again assist
the Girl Scouts from the Austin and San Antonio area at Colorado Bend SP
for their annual Girl Scout Extravaganza.
They are needing our help to lead groups of girls on caving trips on
Saturday, January 12th.
They are usually split into three (or four groups) and we typically
visit Dynamite Cave, Turtle Shell Cave, and Cicurrina (sp?) Cave and,
possibly, Gorman Falls.
A short cave talk at the Park office is usually given beforehand and the
girls will be providing their own equipment.
Female leaders are especially effective with the Scouts, as they seem to
like and appreciate members of the fairer sex who aren't afraid to have
fun and get dirty!
I was planning on helping, as were the kids, as we have the last 6 or 7
( 8?) years, but I found out my parents will be swinging through the DFW
area to see us and, primarily, their two new great granddaughters that
same weekend.
If any of you could head up this endeavor, I would be very much indebted
to you and the Conference Center available for GS caving volunteers'
use.
Please let me know if you can assist and I appreciate your past help
and, I hope, participation in January.
Thanks!
Mark Alman
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
I will be there now that I work and live in Austin!
When do we need to be there? Do all scouts get to go into each of the caves you
listed?
I'm sure I will have more questions, like who the trip leaders will be since I
haven't been to these caves in too many years to remember, but I can be the
last person in each cave in case someone wants out or freaks or whatever. How
old are these kiddos?
- from julia's cell
On Nov 28, 2012, at 12:40, mark.al...@l-3com.com wrote:
> Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and, now, I need your help.
>
>
> For the last several years, cavers from around the state have participated
> with the folks at TPWD and GS leaders from the Austin and San Antonio area
> for their annual event at CBSP.
>
> I just wanted to let you know that we have been invited to again assist the
> Girl Scouts from the Austin and San Antonio area at Colorado Bend SP for
> their annual Girl Scout Extravaganza.
>
> They are needing our help to lead groups of girls on caving trips on
> Saturday, January 12th.
>
>
> They are usually split into three (or four groups) and we typically visit
> Dynamite Cave, Turtle Shell Cave, and Cicurrina (sp?) Cave and, possibly,
> Gorman Falls.
>
> A short cave talk at the Park office is usually given beforehand and the
> girls will be providing their own equipment.
>
>
> Female leaders are especially effective with the Scouts, as they seem to like
> and appreciate members of the fairer sex who aren’t afraid to have fun and
> get dirty!
>
>
> I was planning on helping, as were the kids, as we have the last 6 or 7 ( 8?)
> years, but I found out my parents will be swinging through the DFW area to
> see us and, primarily, their two new great granddaughters that same weekend.
>
>
>
> If any of you could head up this endeavor, I would be very much indebted to
> you and the Conference Center available for GS caving volunteers’ use.
>
>
> Please let me know if you can assist and I appreciate your past help and, I
> hope, participation in January.
>
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> Mark Alman
>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Mark,
I'm in. Again. Can lead through Cicurina. Let me know what to do.
Also......do we get the conference center again this year? That'd be great!
You've got my cell. Let me know what I need to do.
Natasha
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 28, 2012, at 17:09, Julia Germany <germa...@aol.com> wrote:
> I will be there now that I work and live in Austin!
>
> When do we need to be there? Do all scouts get to go into each of the caves
> you listed?
>
> I'm sure I will have more questions, like who the trip leaders will be since
> I haven't been to these caves in too many years to remember, but I can be the
> last person in each cave in case someone wants out or freaks or whatever. How
> old are these kiddos?
>
> - from julia's cell
>
> On Nov 28, 2012, at 12:40, mark.al...@l-3com.com wrote:
>
>> Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and, now, I need your help.
>>
>>
>> For the last several years, cavers from around the state have participated
>> with the folks at TPWD and GS leaders from the Austin and San Antonio area
>> for their annual event at CBSP.
>>
>> I just wanted to let you know that we have been invited to again assist the
>> Girl Scouts from the Austin and San Antonio area at Colorado Bend SP for
>> their annual Girl Scout Extravaganza.
>>
>> They are needing our help to lead groups of girls on caving trips on
>> Saturday, January 12th.
>>
>>
>> They are usually split into three (or four groups) and we typically visit
>> Dynamite Cave, Turtle Shell Cave, and Cicurrina (sp?) Cave and, possibly,
>> Gorman Falls.
>>
>> A short cave talk at the Park office is usually given beforehand and the
>> girls will be providing their own equipment.
>>
>>
>> Female leaders are especially effective with the Scouts, as they seem to
>> like and appreciate members of the fairer sex who aren’t afraid to have fun
>> and get dirty!
>>
>>
>> I was planning on helping, as were the kids, as we have the last 6 or 7 (
>> 8?) years, but I found out my parents will be swinging through the DFW area
>> to see us and, primarily, their two new great granddaughters that same
>> weekend.
>>
>>
>>
>> If any of you could head up this endeavor, I would be very much indebted to
>> you and the Conference Center available for GS caving volunteers’ use.
>>
>>
>> Please let me know if you can assist and I appreciate your past help and, I
>> hope, participation in January.
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> Mark Alman
>>
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Mark,
Please put my name down. I have not been in these caves but am happy to help.
I believe Dessie Pierce would like to volunteer as well.
Sheryl
Sent from my iPhone-Resistance was futile.
On Nov 28, 2012, at 12:40 PM, mark.al...@l-3com.com wrote:
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and, now, I need your help.
For the last several years, cavers from around the state have participated with
the folks at TPWD and GS leaders from the Austin and San Antonio area for their
annual event at CBSP.
I just wanted to let you know that we have been invited to again assist the
Girl Scouts from the Austin and San Antonio area at Colorado Bend SP for their
annual Girl Scout Extravaganza.
They are needing our help to lead groups of girls on caving trips on Saturday,
January 12th.
They are usually split into three (or four groups) and we typically visit
Dynamite Cave, Turtle Shell Cave, and Cicurrina (sp?) Cave and, possibly,
Gorman Falls.
A short cave talk at the Park office is usually given beforehand and the girls
will be providing their own equipment.
Female leaders are especially effective with the Scouts, as they seem to like
and appreciate members of the fairer sex who aren’t afraid to have fun and get
dirty!
I was planning on helping, as were the kids, as we have the last 6 or 7 ( 8?)
years, but I found out my parents will be swinging through the DFW area to see
us and, primarily, their two new great granddaughters that same weekend.
If any of you could head up this endeavor, I would be very much indebted to you
and the Conference Center available for GS caving volunteers’ use.
Please let me know if you can assist and I appreciate your past help and, I
hope, participation in January.
Thanks!
Mark Alman
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
Has anyone seen a blue hand ascender/ foot loop combo? Could have been left at
C My Shovel in the summer or Deep/Punkin in August. Please let me know. Thank
you!
Mallory Mayeux
225-933-9885
Sent from my iPhone
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
This article is in the latest issue of Bat Conservation News of Bat Conservation International. Gives a good description of what Jim Kennedy
does for a living so he can go caving on his time off!
November 2012, Volume 10, Number 11
Complex Bat Gates
A gate built years ago to protect the bats of Bat Cave in Oregon County, Missouri, turned out to be more a problem than a solution. The original
gate, designed with now-outdated information, was placed deep in the cave where the passageway shrinks sharply, creating a bottleneck so severe
that the bats virtually abandoned the site. The problem was solved, to some extent, by keeping the gate's doorway locked open, and by last
summer more than 100,000 bats were counted, making this the state's largest summer colony of endangered gray myotis.
nl1Nov2012.jpg
/BatGate.jpg: The 'chute gate' built to protect the bats of Bat Cave in Oregon
County, Missouri. � Jim Kennedy, BCI/
But the area around this important cave in the Mark Twain National Forest is partially surrounded by private land and crisscrossed with trails
for all-terrain vehicles, putting the cave bats at great risk of human disturbance. Now, however, the old gate is gone. And in its place are a
pair of unusually complex gates at that really are bat friendly.
This challenging project was accomplished through a partnership with the U. S. Forest Service, which provided core funding, manpower and
vehicles; the not-for-profit Cave Research Foundation (CRF), which served as project manager and provided the steel, tools and other equipment;
and Bat Conservation International, which dispatched BCI cave specialist Jim Kennedy to design the gates and oversee construction.
This is one of the most biologically important caves on the sprawling national forest. In addition to the critical colony of gray myotis, it is
also home to other bat species, as well as frogs, salamanders, spiders, beetles, crickets and leeches. Special gates were required because
summer colonies leave a cave each night to forage, and a basic bat gate could cause a massive traffic jam with so many bats.
"This was the most difficult cave-gate project I have ever done," said Kennedy. "The entrances were high on a cliff, so access was very
difficult. The steep slope, the entrance dimensions, the cultural sensitivity and the design that was necessary for such a large summer colony
combined to create problems that are rarely encountered."
After year and a half of planning, Kennedy and the Forest Service/CRF crew, reinforced by nine AmeriCorps members, went to work in October. All
materials and equipment were hauled up to the cave with a winch along a well-anchored steel cable.
One structure was a "flyover gate," which leaves an opening high at the top that lets bats come and go. The other was an extremely difficult
"chute gate." These rarely built gates feature a large, tube-like vent through which even very large numbers of bats can move freely in either
direction. Kennedy learned to design such gates from master-gater Roy Powers, with whom he has worked off and on since the mid-1980s.
Both gates were completed ahead of schedule in just 1� weeks. The equipment was hauled off, the old gate removed, trails and other signs of
construction were returned to a natural state and the weary workers went home. Now we all wait until next summer, to see what the bats think
about our efforts.
/Funding for this project was provided by Mark Twain National Forest, Cave
Research Foundation and the Woodtiger Fund./
--- End Message ---
