Texas A&M University - Kingsville

In 2024, the program made significant strides in wildlife research and conservation education, particularly through its fellowship program and research initiatives. The program maintains strong alignment with the Boone and Crockett Club’s mission through applied research, promotion of hunting as a conservation tool, and wildlife policy education.  

Research funding totaled $11,344,765 across all projects at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, with $404,191 dedicated to the mountain lion project. The program demonstrated excellent financial leverage, generating $12.50 in external funding for every Boone and Crockett dollar invested. Major funding sources included the US Fish and Wildlife Service through Customs and Border Protection.

Academic output was substantial, with faculty members teaching key courses including spatial ecology, large mammal ecology and management, big game management, and Texas ecosystems. The program published several peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals, focusing on topics such as ungulate physiology, herbivore phenotypic variation, competition between native and domestic ungulates, drone survey techniques, and mule deer population dynamics.

The program maintained a strong public outreach presence through popular articles in publications like Fair Chase, Texas Land, Texas Wildlife, and Wildlife Research. Topics covered included mountain lion ecology, chronic wasting disease, predator management, and deer behavior.

Professional engagement remained robust, with faculty serving on multiple Texas Parks and Wildlife Department committees, including the White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee, Private Lands Advisory Committee, Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, and Mountain Lion Stakeholder Group. Additional leadership roles included directorship in the Texas Wildlife Association and membership in the International Deer Biology Congress Steering Committee.

The program delivered four invited presentations in 2024, covering topics such as large mammal conservation, mule deer ecology, and pronghorn movement patterns. Notable venues included Oklahoma State University and the Texas Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation.

Training in wildlife policy was provided through a specialized 1.5-day workshop in Kingsville, featuring experts Greg Schildwachter and Charlie Booher. The program maintains its commitment to conservation by integrating hunting education into its curriculum, providing hunting opportunities for students and faculty, and conducting research that supports landowners and agencies in wildlife management. Five Boone and Crockett Club members on faculty ensure alignment with the Club’s mission and policies.

Read More about Texas A&M Kingsville

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