TF&G ALMANAC Table of Contents GEARING UP SECTION
90
SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides & Prime Times | by TF&G
TESTED • Ugly Stik, 68 TEXAS Power Pole | TF&G OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE INDUSTRY INSIDER • Costa | 69 TF&G SECTION FISH AND GAME GEAR• Hot New SPECIAL SECTION • Texas Hunt70 Outdoor Gear | TF&G 97 ing Traditions | TF&G OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED 117 DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear and FISHING FORECAST More | TF&G by
staff
staff
by
staff
by
staff
SECTION
57
COVER STORY • October Surprise | by chester moore
HOW-TO SECTION
60 64 65 66
TEXAS BOATING • Choosing a Tow Vehicle | by lenny rudow TEXAS KAYAKING • Dawn’s Early Light | by greg berlocher PAUL’S TIPS • Tips for Hunting Bushytails | by paul bradshaw TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Affordable Reloading | by steve lamascus
If you are on property with bunches of small potholes filed with water keep your eyes out for cottonmouths as that is their preferred habitat. I have seen far more cottonmouths in puddles in the woods than I ever have in the marsh or deep swamp. Something else to consider is all of the pit vipers move Scorpions around more at can deliver a night so be carenasty surprise to hunters ful walking to your who don’t blind and also look where when trailing anithey sit. mals after hours. The last time I trailed a deer in South Texas at night, I found myself on my hands and knees just a few yards away from a monster western diamondback. A less frightening but equally dangerous foe is heat exhaustion. Temperatures can push 100 degrees in parts of Texas during October so make sure to get plenty of fluids. It is best to hydrate yourself early and often. Water is the best but mixing it up with electrolytesupplying drinks such as Gator-Aid will get
t
58 |
O C T O B E R
2 0 1 3
74
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • Fast and Furious | by capt. eddie hernandez
75
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON • A Good Red Tide | by capt. mike holmes
76 78
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • Go With The Flow | by mike price
118
by
staff
staff
TF&G PHOTOS • Your Action Photos | by TF&G readers
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT • Is This Fish Safe to Eat? | by capt. mac gable
80
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • House and Bars | by
82
TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | by TF&G
calixto gonzales
staff
the job done as well. Nothing frightens me more in the wilds of Texas than bees, particularly the deadly Africanized “killer” bees. These bees are spreading and have firmly established populations in the Brush Country and part of the Trans-Pecos and Hill Country. The sting of one bee might only cause some pain (unless you’re allergic) but the wrath of a swarm could spell death. In 2003, I had a truly frightening bee experi-
ence near Bracketville. While about to draw down on a turkey, I heard what I
T E X A S
by
F I S H
&
G A M E ®
T F & G
www.FishGame.com literally thought was a low-flying plane in the distance. All of a sudden, a shadow passed overhead and I looked up to see a massive swarm of bees less than 30 feet up. I remained calm, said a prayer, and watched the huge swarm pass by. After talking with ranch officials, I learned the Africanized kind is present in the area, and thanked God the swarm did not sense how frightened I was. Back in 1998, I guided my father on a hunt for red deer out in Kerr County. After bagging a big 8-pointer, we hoisted it into a strong oak and began to skin it. Suddenly, thousands of bees moved in, started buzzing all around us, and began to cover the animal. Dad backed his truck up under the deer, I cut the hoist down, and we moved more than a mile away. Other stinging insects such as yellow jackets can be problematic around deer blinds where they have a tendency to inhabit CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 A L M A N A C
u