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The Swift Fox
By Russell A. Graves
North of Dalhart there isn’t much to stop the wind. A vast prairie cleaves horizontally into an even bigger sky. If you get past the row crops and out to the big ranch country, you’ll find a wild land that’s remained virtually unchanged. Short grasses carpet the prairie and yuccas point their green barbed leaves towards the heavens, waiting for rain to fall. While rains do fall intermittently, the band of Texas landscape that runs along the state’s long western edge gets barely over a foot of rain annually. The semi-arid country sits below the oothills of the Rocky Mountain range to the west. Eons of sediment washed down from mountains to create the Great Plains and it’s the same mountains that influence the region’s weather. As clouds gather over the mountains, moisture is wrung from them. The result is a north to south running dry slot that encompasses about a quarter of the Texas landscape.
This patch of semi-arid ground is suited for many plant and animal species that are unique to this part of Texas. It’s a place where the density of people per square mile is scant and trees are perhaps as rare. Prairie dogs, while not as plentiful as historical records indicate, are still numerous. Their incessant burrowing creates habitat that supports numerous other high plains species like pronghorn antelope and a variety of reptiles and invertebrates. The prairie dogs themselves are a meal for animals higher up on the food chain.
As the sun rose across the immense prairie, my pal Chad and I were creeping through the shortgrass along a ranch road in his Ford F-250. Chad is an outfitter, and a couple of months before the opening day of the pronghorn season, we were scouting for big males that his clients would invariably hunt.
From our vantage point, emptiness was all around. East to west there was prairie, an old barbed wire fence immediately outside the passenger side door, the rutted ranch road on which we parked, a prairie dog town and more undulating prairie as far as we could see. Across the prairie dog colony— perhaps 400 yards away, we watch a small band of half dozen pronghorn antelopes skirt the town’s margins.
As we glassed the antelope, my binoculars began to wander as I watched prairie dogs skitter about the town. Running from burrow to burrow they weren’t as concerned with the pronghorns as we were. It was business as usually in dog town except for one thing: about 100 yards from the truck I saw what I thought were baby coyotes.
“Look,” I told Chad. “Look at those coyotes!”
From a personal standpoint, I thought the find was significant, as I’d never seen as many baby coyotes in one spot. When I put the binoculars to my eyes, I knew my snap identification was wrong.
“Those are foxes,” I told Chad. “Swift foxes.” Until 1995, swift foxes were thought to be all but extirpated in Texas. Now, I was staring at five of them who are staring right back.
Camera on the window, I snapped a few shots and then did all I knew to do: I squeaked at them like I was calling a dog. When the sound traveled across the town, a male, lying next to the others stood up with his ears perked.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Emily Gleason
The outdoor, hunting, and fishing industries have long been perceived traditionally as a male-dominated realm. However, as societal norms shift, the experiences of women in these industries have been increasingly coming to the forefront. Being a woman in the outdoor industry today is a complex blend of passion, perseverance, and community, marked by both challenges and triumphs.
Women who hunt or engage in outdoor activities frequently find themselves confronting preconceived notions about their capabilities and interests. Many of us have experienced skepticism or outright disbelief when we express our enthusiasm for hunting or other outdoor activities.
Despite these stereotypes, women are increasingly challenging and redefining what it means to be involved in these activities. Female hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are not only participating but excelling in such skills. They contribute unique perspectives and insights to the hunting community, showcasing that passion for the outdoors knows no gender.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter
It’s easy for us to take for granted the multiple forbs that are growing throughout our North Texas and Oklahoma grazing lands. They play an important part in the health of our soils and of our livestock, and we should be aware of how they fit in our grazing environment.
Winecup is one of the forbs that many of us can recognize. There are both annual and perennial species, and of significant numbers in our area is Trailing winecup, which is a perennial.
To learn more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton | Editor
The North Texas Fair and Rodeo, held annually in Denton, Texas, has a rich history that dates back to 1928. Originally conceived as a small agricultural fair, it was organized to showcase the region’s farming and ranching heritage while promoting local businesses and community engagement.
The fair quickly gained popularity, and by 1958, it incorporated a rodeo, which became a central feature of the event. The rodeo added an exciting element to the fair, drawing competitors and spectators from across the region to witness events like bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. Over the years, the fair grew in size and scope, expanding to include live entertainment, carnival rides, livestock shows, and various exhibitions celebrating North Texas culture.
Today, the North Texas Fair and Rodeo has become one of the largest and most anticipated events in the region, attracting thousands of visitors each August. It remains true to its roots, continuing to celebrate the region’s agricultural and ranching heritage while incorporating modern elements such as concerts, arts and crafts, and food vendors.
The rodeo, which is now a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event, draws top-tier competitors from across the state- both in the arena and for the accompanying rodeo queen contest.
To learn more about Miss North Texas Fair & Rodeo, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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