Hunting is a viable economic industry for South Texas landowners. Upland game, big game, and migratory game species are an important resource to South Texas and annually generate millions of dollars from hunting and property leases. These recreation activities have systematically helped stabilize rural economics. Understanding population dynamics of these wildlife species is key to selecting sustainable harvest guidelines and is necessary for the wise use of the wildlife resource. CKWRI researchers are conducting studies on economically-important game species like bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and migratory game birds and waterfowl.

Recently, there has been much interest in ecotourism. For example, migratory birds are an important resource, which generates thousands of dollars from bird watching activities. Other species such as ferruginous pygmy-owls and neotropical migrant birds also are pursued by bird watching enthusiasts. The Institute has led the way in evaluating new methods to facilitate ecotourism and assess the economic potential of this emerging industry in South Texas.