This is the time of year when getting a little scared is considered fun.

So, why don’t you come out to the Kingdom Zoo: Nature Fest and confront giant tarantulas, hissing cockroaches and snakes in the “Face Your Fears” booth? Or if creepy things aren’t your style, see the beautiful rainbow finches and an impressive collection of tortoises from around the world.

The event will take place 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Kingdom Dominion Church, 3600 Memorial Blvd., in Port Arthur.

We wanted to come over to this area and do something fun, free and educational for the public. The event will feature several animal presentations, the aforementioned exhibits as well as games, food, singing and other activities.

We are a ministry that teaches about God through the Creation, and we have done presentations all over the state. This is our way of reaching out to the local community and providing a chance to see nature in a new light.

The event will also help us with our programs for orphaned children and “Wild Wishes,” which grants animal encounters to kids who have terminal illnesses or have lost a parent or sibling.

“There will be a little bit of something for everyone and we really look forward to coming out, showing our animals and meeting people from the area,” said Kingdom Zoo president Lisa Moore (who just happens to be my wife).

For more information call 409-920-2062 or email chester@kingdomzoo.com.

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This year Congress increased the price of the federal duck stamp for the first time since 1991, to $25, plus state and federal administrative fees. Some local hunters are likely getting sticker shock but should know it goes to a great cause: purchasing more wetlands for conservation.

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Beginning this fall, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be altering the timeline and process by which migratory game bird seasons are set. A change in federal guidelines will allow TPWD staff to propose changes to migratory bird seasons to the commission for the following year’s duck season nearly an entire year prior to the beginning of that season. As a result of this change, Texas hunters will have an opportunity to review and comment on proposed changes to the 2016-17 seasons next spring, with final approval by the TPW Commission in March 2016.

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The archery-only season for whitetail deer opens Oct. 3 and if you’re like most hunters you are probably not quite ready.

Make sure and spend some time shooting and make sure your broadheads are sighted in correctly. No matter how they advertise them, they don’t always fly like practice points so it is best to make sure everything is in order.

Also, do a little scouting before the season starts to check natural food sources I the area you hunt. Where there are acorns there will be deer and that could mean little action around feeders.

In fact, it usually does during the early season. Those who scout hard usually bag deer early.

To contact Chester Moore, e-mail chester@kingdomzoo.com. You can hear him on “Moore Outdoors” Fridays from 6-7 p.m. on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI and online at www.klvi.com.