Wildlife at the Crossroads Podcast

In this episode of SWTX Wildlife at the Crossroads, the crew sits down again with Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist David Rios to break down the Managed Lands Deer (MLD) Program and what landowners should be doing now that deer season is over. They walk through the two MLD options—Conservation and Harvest—what it really means for a program to be incentive-based and habitat-focused, and how extended seasons, customized harvest recommendations, and extra tags can add value to a ranch and its hunting leases. The conversation also covers key habitat practices such as supplemental water and grazing management, the importance of entering harvest data and management activities by the April 1 deadline, and how state biologists partner with private land stewards across South Texas. The episode wraps up with a shout-out to SWTX wildlife students who placed third at the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society plant ID competition, highlighting how the next generation of land managers is already making an impact.​

Episode 5 of Wildlife at the Crossroads kicks off the spring semester with a deep dive into what real-world wildlife management looks like for students at Southwest Texas Junior College’s Wildlife Program. In this episode, hosts visit with longtime partner and senior Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist David Rios and freshman wildlife student and scholarship recipient Wyatt Metcalf.​David shares what a district biologist actually does day to day—working with private landowners, writing wildlife management plans, running spotlight deer surveys, banding white-winged doves, and even responding to black bear and mountain lion calls in the region. He also talks about why he’s kept his office on campus for 17+ years, how that daily access benefits students, and how hands-on projects like Boone & Crockett scoring and hunter education help connect classwork to the field.​Wyatt talks about growing up on a ranch, discovering wildlife and entomology, and why he chose SWTX’s wildlife program as his launchpad before transferring to a four-year school like Sul Ross in Alpine or Texas A&M–Kingsville. He reflects on plant ID competitions, internships with Trinity Ranch, networking at places like the East Foundation, and how student hunts and hunter education completely changed his perspective on hunting, conservation funding, and outdoor ethics.​Along the way, you’ll hear campfire stories about flaming marshmallows, hauling sedated bears across West Texas, and the value of keeping a field journal in a fast-paced program. The conversation keeps coming back to one theme: how close mentorship, real landowner work, and unique field opportunities at SWTX help students find their direction in wildlife, land stewardship, and conservation careers.​Use this episode if you’re:A prospective or current wildlife student wondering what this career really looks like.​A landowner interested in working with biologists on habitat and wildlife plans.​An educator or parent looking for hands-on, affordable pathways into wildlife and natural resource careers.​🎧 Hit play to learn why so many students say this is “the place to be” for starting a future in wildlife management.