Outdoor Fools Day returns to Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center April 4
By Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Mar 18, 2009
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ATHENS, Texas—Hands-on learning, family fun and live animal displays will be featured at Outdoor Fools Day April 4 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

 

Representatives of various divisions of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, conservation organizations and outdoor-related businesses will be on hand to teach outdoor skills including fishing, kayaking, archery and campfire cooking.

 

In addition, live animal displays will get visitors eye-to-eye with birds of prey, snakes, turtles and a variety of aquatic bugs and fish.

 

One of the most popular Outdoor Fools Day activities is archery, and the Lone Star Bowhunters Association will again bring their 3-D targets and archery equipment suitable for everyone big enough to grip a bow. The Dogwood Chapter of the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society will be cooking up and serving a variety of free tasty treats while demonstrating the fine points of dutch oven cooking.

 

Featured attractions include the birds of prey shown by wildlife rehabilitator Doris Mager, who will bring owls, hawks and a caracara and fly them in the Hart-Morris Conservation Center. Wildlife on the Move will present “The Unhuggables” and “Cool Cold-Blooded Creatures” and give viewers the opportunity to touch some of the creatures.

 

Members of the East Texas Herpetological Society will have snakes, turtles and other creepy-crawly creatures available for viewing and handling.

 

Representatives of TPWD’s State Parks Division will be on hand to acquaint visitors with the wealth of outdoor recreation sites in East Texas.

 

Champion professional angler Kathy Magers, a member of the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, will conduct casting classes and share experiences from her career as one of the pioneer female professional anglers.

 

“The idea behind Outdoor Fools Day is to showcase the variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in East Texas and help visitor learn some of the skills they need to have a great outdoor experience,” said event coordinator Jim Booker.

 

Major sponsor for Outdoor Fools Day is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites—Athens.

 

Outdoor Fools Day will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. April 4 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. TFFC is four miles east of Athens (75 miles southeast of Dallas) at 5550 F.M. 2495. All Outdoor Fools Day events are free with paid admission: $5.50 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3.50 children ages four to 12. For information or directions call (903) 676-2277 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc.

 

For vendor or exhibitor information, contact Jim Booker at (903) 670-2266 or james.booker@tpwd.state.tx.us.

 

Video from a previous Outdoor Fools Day can be viewed at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/videos/outreach/.

 

Archery is just one of the many hands-on activities visitors enjoy during Outdoor Fools Day at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. This year’s event is Saturday, April 4. TPWD Photo © 2008, Larry D. Hodge