Central Texas hasn’t had much relief from the heat lately, with temperatures running roughly 10 degrees above average, and the blistering temperatures have altered many people’s outdoor plans.

Veterans of Texas summers have learned to beat the summer heat by adjusting their schedules so they can be outside during cooler times of the day.

One of my favorite ways to spend a day on the lake is to spend it there at night. Launching a boat about an hour before sunset allows for some daylight time on the water followed by hours of cool lake breezes and a zero percent chance of sunburn.

Night trips require a few extra safety considerations, but the swimming is fine and the fish are still hungry long after the sun goes down.

An early morning fishing trip or round of golf can also get your outdoor itch scratched without taking too much of a beating from the sun.

Common sense during the heat of the day will help you stay comfortable. Plenty of water and sports drinks will maintain hydration and — as all of us know who have returned home with blistered skin after a day outdoors — sunblock and protective clothing are mandatory.

Cameron Park trails

Cameron Park will join a network of more than 1,000 designated trails that total more than 12,500 miles as it is inducted into the National Trails System at 11 Tuesday mornning at the Pecan Bottoms.

 The U.S. Department of the Interior recently selected the Cameron Park Trails, which includes 20 miles of multi-use trails featuring handcrafted bridges, varying terrain, bamboo forests, cedar groves, and views of the Brazos and Bosque Rivers from 100-foot cliffs into the park system.

The ceremony will include Mayor Virginia DuPuy and National Park Service representatives, among others. For more information, call 750-5781.

Hunters extravaganza

The Texas Trophy Hunters Association Hunter’s Extravaganza will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

 Hours are from 3-9 p.m. July 10, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 11; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 12. For more information, visit www.ttha.com.

Feral hogs cause issues

Feral hogs continue to pose threats to crops, other animals and people across Central Texas, and these pervasive and prolific creatures are moving from the farms and fields into neighborhoods and parks.

 Recently, I’ve seen two of these animals dead on Old Lorena Road. One of them likely caused significant damage to the vehicle that hit it. On a recent walk along the South Bosque River, I saw clear evidence that feral hogs are rooting the riverbanks just down the hill from Woodway and along the fairways of Twin Rivers Golf.

Not only can these swine devastate crop lands, causing economic distress to already struggling farmers, they can also carry disease and destroy habitats that other animals depend on for their health and well-being.

Wild pigs are commonly known to attack animals and people they perceive as threats to them or their offspring.

There is no closed season on feral hogs.

For more information on feral hog hunting, trapping, and processing, visit the Centex Outdoors Web site.

Good news, bad news

There’s good news and bad news from Tradinghouse. The good news is that the white bass are schooling from the dam gates back into skiers cove on the south side of the lake — with spoons being the top bait.

 The bad news is that soon, you probably won’t be able to launch a boat to get to them.

In the past, TXU would pump water into Tradinghouse from the Brazos River to maintain water levels so the power plant could generate electricity. But with the plant on standby, the lake’s level continues to dip with no remedy in sight.

www.centexoutdoors.com

717-8907