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Upcoming events

    • Wednesday, September 16, 2026
    • 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, TX 78266
    Register

    Bat Flight at Bracken Cave Preserve

    Bracken Cave, Texas is the summer home of more than 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats, making it the world’s largest bat colony and one of the largest concentrations of mammals on earth. The emergence of these millions of bats, as they spiral out of the cave at dusk for their nightly insect hunt, is an unforgettable sight.

    To secure your spot for this Stewards of the Wild event, all attendees must complete both steps below:

    1. Register for the event on Wild Apricot using the standard event registration form.

    2. Purchase your $16.80 SOTW entrance ticket using this private payment link.

    Both steps are required for entry into the event. Completing registration without purchasing the entrance ticket (or vice‑versa) will not grant access.

    WHEN TO ARRIVE: Throughout the summer, the emergence of the bats can vary depending on many factors. You will be sent an email the week of our reserved visit to confirm the arrival time; it can range from 6pm to 7:30pm. Please bear this in mind if you're planning a strict schedule. Please be on time. Once the gate is closed no one else will be permitted to enter the property.

    WHERE TO MEET: Look for the Bracken Cave Road street sign and the blue "BC| Bat Flight" banners. Staff and volunteers will be at the gate to greet you.

    DIRECTIONS:

    Address- 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, TX 78266

    From Interstate 35, take Exit 175 - Natural Bridge Caverns Road (Hwy 3009)

    Turn onto FM 3009 (heading west 7 miles)

    Turn left at Bracken Cave Road - look for the blue "BCI Bat Flight" banners.

    IMPORTANT: Smartphone navigation systems directed to "Bracken Bat Cave" will take you to the wrong place. Look instead for "Bracken Cave Preserve" and ensure that the address is listed as 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266. If you pass the entrance to Natural Bridge Caverns on your left, you missed us.

    WHAT TO WEAR:

    •   Comfortable clothing for hot summer temperatures
    •   Closed-toed shoes.

    WHAT TO BRING: Bottled water (there is no water or vending on site). You may also want to bring insect repellant, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, camera (no flash, please), and binoculars. Please eat dinner before you arrive.

    WHAT NOT TO BRING: Pets, coolers, alcohol. No RVs or motorcycles.

    WHAT TO EXPECT:

    •   Arrive at Bracken Cave Preserve main gate for check-in. Once our entire party has arrived we will be given directions to the cave.
    •   Please eat prior to arriving at the Preserve. There is no picnic area, and no food is allowed in the viewing area.
    •   Drive to the cave parking area. Once there, look for the pavilion located across from the parking area.
    •   There will be a short orientation and educational talk at the pavilion, look for the posted schedule before going to the cave viewing area.
    •   Enjoy the spectacle of millions of bats emerging from the cave!
    •   The preserve has a unisex port-a-potty with hand sanitizer just a short walk from the viewing area.
    •   Guests may leave at any time after the emergence has started.
    •   You may encounter various wildlife. This includes snakes, spiders, birds, bugs, raccoons, possums, and more. Please be vigilant while at the preserve and give the wildlife the right of way.
    •   It is important that all guests are quiet and remain seated while at the cave. Keep in mind the bat emergence times are unpredictable and can vary from night to night. If you or your children cannot sit quietly for over an hour you should reconsider attending a bat flight.

    ACCESSIBILITY: There is a short ¼ mile walk over uneven surface from the closest parking to the viewing area. If you or a guest have limited mobility or accessibility needs, please let the staff or docent at the main gate know this when you arrive so they can accommodate you. There is bench seating in the viewing area.

    CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS: If weather or other factors are an issue, Bracken Cave Preserve will assess the situation and decide if the event will be canceled by 3:00PM the day of our visit. If the event is CANCELLED, you will be notified by email and in the GroupMe chat. 


    • Saturday, October 10, 2026
    • 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM
    • 832 Arizpe Road, Cibolo Texas 78108
    Register

    Stewards of the Wild – San Antonio Chapter Dove Hunt

    Saturday, October 10, 2026
    Cibolo, Texas
    Tickets: $150 per hunter

    Join the Stewards of the Wild – San Antonio Chapter for a full day of dove hunting, food, and fellowship in Cibolo, Texas!

    Your $150 ticket includes both a morning and afternoon dove hunt, as well as food and refreshments provided by Stewards of the Wild between hunts.

    Hunt Details

    Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
    Location: 832 Arizpe Rd., Cibolo, TX
    Approximate Meeting Time: 6:30 AM

    Sunrise is approximately 7:30 AM, with legal shooting light beginning 30 minutes before sunrise.

    Hunters will meet at approximately 6:30 AM to allow time for check-in, field assignments, and getting into position before legal shooting light.

    The outfitter will determine the exact hunting field based on dove activity and conditions during the week leading up to the hunt. Final field location, meeting instructions, and any additional hunt-day details will be communicated to registered hunters prior to the event.

    Your ticket includes:

    • Morning dove hunt
    • Afternoon dove hunt
    • Food and refreshments between hunts
    • The option to leave the property between hunts and return for the afternoon hunt

    Hunters are welcome to remain with the group between hunts or depart the property and return in time for the afternoon hunt.

    Exclusive Dove Cooking Class

    Following the Stewards of the Wild Dove Hunt, 20 participating hunters will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive, hands-on dove cooking course at Gastronomy Kitchen.

    Dove harvested during the hunt will be individually labeled, sealed, frozen, and transported to Gastronomy Kitchen. During the class, participants will learn how to prepare and cook their own harvest before sitting down together to enjoy the finished meal.

    Everything needed for the cooking class will be provided. Hunters will not need to bring anything from home.

    Space for the cooking course is limited to the first 20 hunters who reserve a spot, so interested participants are encouraged to sign up early.

    Cooking Class Date: TBD
    Additional details will be provided to registered participants once the date is finalized.

    Important Reminders

    Hunters are responsible for bringing all necessary hunting equipment and ensuring they have a valid Texas hunting license, required migratory game bird endorsements, and current Hunter Education certification or applicable deferral.

    Please arrive on time and ready to hunt. Final instructions regarding field assignments and hunt logistics will be distributed during the week of the event.

    We look forward to another great Stewards of the Wild dove hunt and a day centered around hunting, conservation, food, and community!





Stewards of the Wild, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s conservation leadership program, equips emerging leaders aged 21 to 45 with opportunities to actively participate in the stewardship of Texas’ wild things and wild places by providing education, networking, and outdoor experiences.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. 

Since 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has raised and invested more than $250 million to advance Texas’ proud outdoor traditions and conserve our state’s lands, waters, and wildlife. Our vision is for all Texans to have access to the wild things and wild places in our state, both now and for generations to come.




Get in touch with us!

6220 Gaston Ave. #700 | Dallas, TX 75214

sotw@stewardsofthewild.org

214-720-1478

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