Weinheimers ' conservation efforts recognized Texas Parks & Wildlife

- By QUALA MATOCHA
Preserving wildlife and land are two goals the Weinheimer brothers, Ed III and Steven, have taken seriously when managing their more than 1,400 acre ranch located off of FM 2546.

As one of 12 recipients of the Lone Star Land Steward Award, the brothers' conservation efforts were recently recognized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Private Lands Advisory Board at an awards ceremony in Austin.

"This is a nice award. I wasn't expecting it," said Ed. "We received this award by being exceptional land stewards in wildlife conservation." The award was announced at a May 26th reception recognizing Weinheimer Brothers, Inc. as the Gulf Prairies and Marshes regional winner for their "innovative and ecologically sound management of a wild habitat." In receiving this award, Ed believes he and his brother were recognized because, "we try to do things differently. We don't overgraze and we have structured wildlife management for hunting." Now in its ninth year, the Lone Star Land Steward Awards recognize private landowners' ability to integrate traditional land uses that produce meat, agricultural crops and outdoor recreational opportunities with habitat management and wildlife conservation, natural resource education of youth and outreach to other groups, and partnerships with natural resource agencies. The Weinheimer brothers, who purchased the land in 1993, operate a waterfowl business known as Whistling Wings Duck Club with 12 members leasing the land each year. The wetlands operation includes 11 ponds that cover about 300 acres.

Brotherly Venture Weinheimer brothers, Ed III and Steven (l-r), recently received the Lone Star Land Steward Award, which is sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife. The brothers operate a waterfowl hunting business with plans to expand a youth hunting program which you can see in the background where cabins are currently being constructed. The lodging will also be used by hunters. The Weinheimers received the award for their outstanding conservation efforts in preserving wildlife and land. L-N Photo by Quala Matocha

"We run a waterfowl hunting operation," added Ed. "We allow premier hunting on a limited basis. We are also trying to keep the birds in this area. You know our granddad (the late E.A. Weinheimer) taught us how to love to hunt."
The ranch has operated under the TPWD wildlife management plan for more than 10 years now with pond management under the guidelines set forth in the Texas Prairie Wetlands Project management plans.

In managing the wildlife, the Texas Parks and Wildlife evaluates the Weinheimers '' operation on a regular basis. "They come out periodically. Ducks Unlimited and the state representatives come out to evaluate and make suggestions," said Ed. When the brothers first considered running the waterfowl business, they sought assistance from Ducks Unlimited.

"They had a program," said Steven. "A three year project and helped build nine of the 11 ponds. The Texas Department of Natural Resources designed them."
An existing hunting program was already in place before the brothers bought the land, but they wanted to make some improvements.

"We wanted to offer quality hunting, as well as provide a better area for the birds," said Steven.

In operating the waterfowl hunting business, the brothers allow only morning hunts three days a week with at least six of the ponds lying idle each day.

In addition to the waterfowl business, "we have anywhere from 200 to 1,200 head of cattle on the land, depending on the year," said Ed. While managing the ponds, they also tend to the land, making sure cattle don't overgraze so that other wildlife, like the deer, can flourish also. Deer management was initiated in 1993 with the population increasing significantly over the years.

Through the combined assistance of Ducks Unlimited and the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Weinheimers continue to implement management plans to make their operation successful.

According to Steven, allowing the right amount and types of grasses to grow, managing the pond water and not allowing over-hunting, has produced an area conducive to fowl growth, which is home to several species.

"We are committed to each pond for the next 15 years," added Steven. "We shoot 13 duck species alone, not including geese."

Other factors, such as grass growth around the ponds allows natural water filtration and eliminates erosion. While the Weinheimers pump the ponds periodically, they allow some to stay full.

"We keep some water on the ponds so the ducks will stay and breed. Water on the ponds promotes ducks to live and stay around here," said Steven. "By pumping the ponds and filling with water, we get certain vegetation that produces seed for the birds."

Water is held in ponds for late migrating waterfowl and mottled duck production. However, some waterfowl remain year-round.

The brothers newest venture is constructing four cabins and a lodge in order to incorporate a youth hunting and fishing program. It will also be used by waterfowl hunters who lease the land annually. There are future plans for building a stocked pond that will provide a place for the youngster to fish.

Today, the Weinheimers ' ranch is considered one of the premier mottled duck operations along the Texas Gulf Coast region. They believe in preserving its wildlife and land.

"Our main goal is to make the place better than what it was intended to be. We are temporary tenders of the land," commented Ed. "It's God's land and we want to leave it better than what we found it."