BIG SKY AREA STATE PARKS Welcome to the Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge! Adventure and discovery await you as you find specially placed hidden items that reveal exciting facts and stories about Texas State Parks.

We have hidden a special geocache in each of 20 state parks for That’s it! Continue searching for the rest of the you to find (north and south). This passport page is your proof caches in the Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge you found each cache, so keep it dry and clean (we recommend and other caches hidden in your state parks. Go to you print this on card stock). Write down each coordinate www.geocaching.com to log your cache. (waypoint) on this sheet before leaving for the state park. Once you have found 10 of the 20 caches, send Waypoints can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/geocaching your completed passport to: You will find a logbook inside each cache. Sign your name, date Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge – TPWD and message for others to read. Each cache contains unique 4200 Smith School Road state park geocards which reveal exciting facts and stories Austin, TX 78744 about Texas State Parks – yours to keep! Please limit one card per person. Use the geocard to answer the question listed on The first 25 returned passports receive a free this passport. There will also be a special orienteering punch, commemorative Texas State Parks Geocache which you should use to punch the black circle next to the park Challenge coin (one per household). Other gifts will name. These two elements are your proof of finding the cache. include large stickers and certificates of completion. In addition, all completed and returned passports There will also be small prizes and trinkets for trade. Be sure to will be given the option to purchase trackable, bring something with you and trade for something of equal or region-specific geocoins. Passports must be legible lesser value. to claim prizes. In order to claim your prize, please complete this Last Step! Texas State Parks Geocache Challenge survey.

1. How long have you been geocaching? Demographics (optional) New cacher Less than 1 year 1-5 years 5+ years l l l l 1. How many people are in your group? 2. Would you be interested in attending a l 1–2 l 3–4 l 5 or more clinic to learn more about geocaching? Yes No l l 2. What are the ages in your group? 3. Did you learn something new about ______Texas State Parks from the caches? l Yes l No 4. Where did you learn about the Texas SP Geocache Challenge? 3. What zip code do you live in? ______www.geocaching.com © 2012 Texas Parks and l 4. Ethnicity: Wildlife Department TPWD website PWD LF P4000-1676A l l Caucasian (non-Hispanic) l African-American (2/12) Texas State Park l l Hispanic l Asian In accordance with l Other (specify) ______Native American/Pacific Islander Texas State Depository l Law, this publication is 5. Have you been to a Texas State available at the Texas l Other ______State Publications Park in the last two years? Yes N o Clearinghouse and/ l l or Texas Depository If yes, how many times? ______Libraries. Texas Parks and Wildlife 6. Do you own a Texas State Park Pass? l Yes l No Department maintains Name ______the information collected If yes, was the Texas SP Geocache Challenge through this form. With program a reason for your purchase? Yes No few exceptions, you are l l entitled to be informed about the information we 7. Would you be interested in volunteering for Mailing address ______collect. Under Sections 552.021 and 552.023 of the Texas SP Geocache Challenge program? Yes No the Texas Government l l City/State/Zip ______Code, you are also entitled to receive and review the information. E-mail address ______Under Section 559.004, you are also entitled to have this information corrected. Practice “Cache in and Trash out.” Help us take care of our real treasures, Texas State Parks. (PUNCH) Abilene State Park Big Spring State Park (PUNCH) What must be near your feeder in Coordinates: In which year did the Texas legislature Coordinates: order to attract painted buntings? name the horned lizard our state N reptile? N W W

(PUNCH) Caprock Canyons Copper Breaks

State Park & Trailway State Park (PUNCH) Prior to the 1870’s how many head Coordinates: What is the State Large Mammal Coordinates: of bison were estimated in the of Texas? great southern plains herd? N N W W

(PUNCH) Lake Arrowhead Lake Brownwood

State Park State Park (PUNCH) How did prairie dogs earn their Coordinates: Name two likely places Coordinates: name? scissor-tailed flycatchers N can be found. N W W

(PUNCH) Lake Colorado City State Park State Park (PUNCH) How do armadillos use their claws? Coordinates: What is the name of the harder Coordinates: rock that rests on top of the softer N soil on a hoodoo? N W W

(PUNCH) Possum Kingdom San Angelo

State Park State Park (PUNCH) How many finger-like toes do Coordinates: How fast can beavers travel in Coordinates: opossums have? N the water? N W W (PUNCH) Balmorhea Barton Warnock

State Park Visitor Center (PUNCH) What type of habitat does the Coordinates: Roadrunners are excellent at hunting Coordinates: Comanche Springs pupfish what desert animal? completely rely on? N N W W

(PUNCH) Big Bend Ranch Davis Mountains State Park State Park (PUNCH) What are El Solitario’s outer Coordinates: For what do Montezuma quail use Coordinates: rings called? N their claws? N W W (PUNCH) Devils River SNA Fort Leaton SHS (PUNCH)

Why is this Texas flower named Coordinates: What shape is the nest of a Coordinates: “snowbells”? N Texas brown tarantula? N W W

(PUNCH) Franklin Mountains Monahans Sandhills State Park State Park (PUNCH) What is a diamondback Coordinates: What does this lizard use to Coordinates: rattlesnake’s rattle made of? help bury itself under sand on N a hot day? N W W

(PUNCH) Seminole Canyon

State Park and SHS State Park (PUNCH) The gray fox is the only Coordinates: How thick is the cable that the Coordinates: canid that can______N Tramway’s gondola travels on? N ______? W W