Texas AgriLife Extension Service will conduct its annual “Ranching in the 21st Century”program at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 31 in Sonora’s Sutton County Civic Center.

The multi-county event is designed for new landowners and veteran ranchers alike. This year’s program will center around wildlife issues, said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Sutton County.

“We think this year’s wildlife theme will fit most audiences from the wildlife manager to the hunting enthusiast to the recreational landowner,” Hernandez said. “Even with the economic downturn, wildlife remains a huge natural asset and money-maker throughout the region.

“Our aim here is to help producers maximize their wildlife options while at the same time helping them to preserve and manage it in a responsible manner,” he said.

Topics include: hunting season outlook; deer habitat evaluation; prescribed burns for deer habitat improvement; effect of road, water and feeders on deer and cattle distribution; role of predator control in wildlife management; and reducing agricultural damage by wildlife.

The program will be conducted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Sutton, Crockett and Schleicher counties.

Individual registration is $15 by Oct. 24 and $25 thereafter. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units are being offered for those with a pesticide applicator’s license.

To register and for more information, call Hernandez at 325-387-3101.