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Hunt Like a Champion NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
Cover Photo By Butch Ramirez
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2 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
A Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/December 2015
A Shot of Texas Magazine “Where Outdoors Meets Industry�
Our Staff
Teffany and Robert Kahn Founders/ Co-Editors
CONTENT 4. South Zone Dove Season in Review By Texas Parks & Wildlife
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What’s in Your Water?
Ranch of the year 2014
2]DUNV )LHOG 2I 'UHDPV By Jim Miller
5 big Bucks
10. Fall Frenzy By Capt. Chance Angel
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Real Time Advantages of Oil Exploration
FFRACKING FACTS
Cover Photo by Butch
Ramirez
2014 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Kendall Rae Kahn Camo Girl Product & Ranch Reviews
Rod Daigle
Senior Industrial Editor
Butch Ramirez
Wildlife Photographer
Dan Verrips
Wildlife Photographer
Larry Weishuhn ‘Mr Whitetail� Field Writer
Shamus Dartanyon Political Editor
Jim Miller
Bow Hunting Editor
Efrain Martinez Safety Editor
Jim Sessions Huskemaw Optics/Field Writer
Russell Selle
Hunting Consultant
Scott Platzer Industry Writer
Terry Blaukamp Shooting Editor
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2nd ANNUAL SAFARI ISSUE
Medical Plaza Mobile goes Nationwide!
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Ducks on Rice Recipe or Strategy?
Upstream Adjusting Down Stream Ready
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MARCH/APRIL of Texas Magazine™ A Shot March/April Issue 2015
MAY/JUNE 2015
+XQWHUV $VN 7R 6XEPLW 6DPSOHV IRU &:' 7HVWLQJ 7H[DV 3DUNV :LOGOLIH &DSWXULQJ 7KH %HDXW\ 2I (DUWKÂśV Creatures By Butch Ramirez
WHAT IF YOUR TARGET MARKET ACTUALLY SAW YOUR AD? 60% of the executives surveyed say they NEVER read trade journals. The rest say they GLANCE THROUGH them.
+\GUDWH (YHQ ,Q :LQWHU Efrain Martinez 1HZ =HDODQG +XQWLQJ 7ULS By Russell Selle
ADVERTISE WITH US! CONTACT Rob@ashotoftexas.net
+XQW /LNH $ &KDPSLRQ By Kendall Rae Kahn, Camo Girl
$GYHUWLVHUV /LVW ,VVXH Air Logistics Brazos M & E Cannon Feeders Capital Farm Credit Carter’s Country Champion Ranch Critter Gitters 4-D Guest Ranch GAMEGUARD Grander Supply Gravely Grizzly Coolers Gulf Land & Wildlife Huskemaw Long Range Optics ,Q¿QLW\ *URXS Innovative Turnaround Controls
Larco Industries Lonesome Coyote Ranch MB Ranches Medical Plaza Mobile Meyer Ranch Boots Midstream Integrity Services Mobley Industrial Services Murray Custom Leather My Core Control Pagony Whitetails Performance Top Drives Record Buck Ranch Red Point Solutions
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C 2014 A Shot of Texas Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the USA. For current Media Kit, advertising or questions about our Traveling Trade Show contact Rob Kahn. Email rob@ashotoftexas.net 2IÂżFH RU &HOO
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 3
South Zone Dove Season in Review for mourning doves in many locations in South 7H[DV VR LI HQRXJK VFRXWLQJ DQG ÂżHOG SUHSDUDonditions are prime for record har- tion occurred in a location, opening day should vest of white-winged doves as hunt- produce satisfactory results.â€? ing in the South Zone is under way. Hunters are reminded that a current hunting 73: VXUYH\V LQGLFDWH VLJQLÂżFDQW LQFUHDVHV license, a Migratory Game Bird endorsement observed in white-winged dove breeding popu- and Harvest Information Program (HIP) cerlations in South Texas, which should equate to more birds in the air during the season. “Expectations are for a record harvest of white-winged doves throughout the state based on TPWD breeding survey information and observations on production from biologists around the state,â€? said Shaun Oldenburger, TPWD’s dove program leader. “For mourning doves, increases were observed in breeding populations in South Texas, but with the increased water and seeds on the landscape thanks to precipitation this spring and into summer, mourning doves may be more widespread than previous years. Furthermore, production was fair to good Courtesy TPW
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The Rut in Texas White-tailed Deer
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he phenomenon known as “the rut� is the period when deer breed. People often ask biologists when the rut is going to occur. It’s a question biologists commonly hear in the fall. Many hunters want to make sure that they plan hunting vacations to include that magical time when bucks lose all caution and deer are moving.
Can hunting the rut help? You bet. Anything that encourages bucks to move enhances the chance of seeing one. Buck deer, like most male mammals, seem to lose a lot of their natural caution when the scent of a receptive female is in the air. One of the tips gained from this study is that rutting bucks can be found during most of the hunting season in many regions of the state.
4 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
WL¿FDWLRQ DUH UHTXLUHG WR KXQW GRYH +,3 FHUWL¿FDWLRQ LQYROYHV D EULHI VXUYH\ RI SUHYLRXV year’s migratory bird hunting success and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased. They can be purchased through the agency’s ¿HOG RI¿FHV PRUH WKDQ VWDWH SDUNV DQG at over 1,700 retailers across the state.
Consistently successful hunters spend a lot RI WLPH LQ WKH ÂżHOG WKURXJKRXW WKH KXQWLQJ season, not just during the peak of the rut. Hunters and ranchers often encourage Texas Parks and Wildlife to move the season later to give deer a chance to breed. The study showed that no matter when the rut occurred, the vast majority of does were bred. Individual ranch and deer herd management are much more important than timing of the hunting season. The data will assist TPWD in determining whether the number of bucks in an area has an effect on breeding season length and success. There are many interacting factors which affect breeding. The breeding study involved the examination of 2,436 does, the largest number of deer ever utilized in a Texas breeding study. The date of conception can be determined by looking at fetus length. An average of 200 days from conception was used to determine fawning dates. Biologists got as much information as they could from the does collected. They looked at the timing of the rut and at breeding success on 16 study areas throughout Texas for three years by Max Traweek, Susan Wardroup, Jay Williams and E.L. Young
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OZARKS FIELDS OF DREAMS
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ways works out. We turned in early knowing that the alarm clock would be going off at 4:00 AM. After some thick black coffee and a cinnamon bun we were out into the cold. The temperature was in the low 30’s with frost on the ground and just enough wind to cover both your movement and any slight noise. It was clear. You could see a million stars in the dark sky under a first quarter Moon. The rut was starting. It was a perfect morning to be in a ground blind hunting monster whitetails. We parked the truck, walked about 100 yards in the dark to our blind and crawled in to wait for one of the monster bucks of Oak Creek Ranch to come to the scrape. Well the best laid plans of mice and men do go awry! The first hour came and went and we saw zero deer. We did see plenty of birds. Squirrels, both red and grey, were busy gathering nuts for the coming winter. The woods were alive with activity, but NO DEER! The first hour came and went. But at 8:00 AM, just like Cleat The guides were seeing a said, we heard a buck comlarge number of bucks mak- ing on the run and grunting. ing rubs, scrapes and scent I got ready and out popped checking does. My guide, a one and one-half year old Cleat, said that a week ago 120 inch 8 point buck. He he had placed a ground blind was chasing a doe, his tongue under a huge spruce tree that was hanging out and he was was along a food plot. There on a mission that doe wanted was a fresh scrape not twen- no part of! ty-five yards from the blind. By 9:30 AM we were whisHe had placed a Spy Point pering and thinking about a Camera near the scrape and hot cup of coffee and breakhad some really great bucks fast when we heard a buck coming in. There was one grunt. Looking around, Cleat great buck coming in around spotted a tree, not a bush or 8:00 AM every day for the sapling, but a tree moving SDVW GD\V OLNH FORFNZRUN up on the side of a ridge. A Yeah right! We all laughed monster buck was tearing the as we all knew how that al- heck out of that tree, just rip-
e all dream of being able to harvest a monster whitetail. Today, with all of the hunting opportunities available, both private and public, we can harvest a big deer. One of the greatest places in the world to do this is Oak Creek Ranch in Bland, Missouri. This two thousand acre estate is a bow hunter’s dream come true! With its many draws, ridges and creek bottoms its like hunting three to four thousand acres.
I grew up in Missouri and in my early years I was truly blessed to be able to hunt the Ozarks for small game, turkeys and whitetails. Years ago Donald Hill established Oak Creek Ranch. It is now one of the premier whitetail hunting ranches in the country. His bucks have some of the best genetics, are given plenty of horn growing nutrition and the time to grow up to be huge trophies of a lifetime. Donald and I discussed when would be the best time to hunt his ranch. We decided to hunt the last day of October and the first days of
November. This was perfect Halloween weather. With cold nights and cool days the fall colors were beautiful in the Ozarks. God’s paint brush had used every vivid color you could imagine. We arrived late on the 30th of October. After much back slapping, bear hugs and vice grip handshakes we settled down to making sure my bow was shooting accurately. Afterward we visited with the guides and other hunters in camp. That night during supper the main subject was of course whitetails. The rut was just getting started.
6 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
ping it apart. Cleat said to get ready. He gave a snort wheeze. That buck stopped and looked in our direction with a totally PO’d attitude. He came walking down a ravine and right to us! The buck stood over the scrape looking for the buck that had dared to enter his domain. The buck stood there for three full minutes looking, sniffing the wind, grunting and snort wheezing. As this was going on I had my VicWRU\ 9$3 RQ WKH VWULQJ I was so nervous the arrow looked like one of those hula dancers on the front dashboard of your truck as you drove down a washboard gravel road! As the buck could not see his adversary, he started to walk from my left to right. Immediately I drew my bow, hitting my anchor point. Cleat whispered the buck was at twenty-seven
yards and hit his grunt tube. The buck stopped and looked right at us. I settled my pin on the sweet spot right behind the shoulder. I released my arrow and immediately saw a huge red spot coming from the deer’s side. This monster of Oak Creek Ranch was on his death run. I was shaking badly as my emotions took over. After the adrenaline rush had passed I realized that I had just harvested the biggest buck of my life. After waiting the obligatory thirty minutes we followed the buckets of blood to my trophy of a lifetime. Waiting for the buck to give me a shot I knew he was huge but I had no idea how big until we walked up on him. There was no ground shrinkage! This buck was HUGE! He had six points on each side, a twenty inch in-
side spread and twenty-four inch main beams. This buck had twenty-seven points and an official SCI score of 234 1/8 inches. First, and foremost, I want to thank Donald Hill and the great folks at Oak Creek Ranch for making our hunt the best ever. If you’re looking for a buck of a lifetime give Oak Creek Ranch serious consideration. Buena Caceria/Good Hunting: Jim Miller @ Tex Mex Outdoors EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDED: ARCHERY ACCESSORIES: AXION, STABILIZER & PULSE ARROW REST ARROWS: 9,&725< 9$3 ¶6 BLINDS: BARRONETT BLINDS
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November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 7
Fully ll adjustable dj bl mid id - h height i h rib ib New offset comb Monte Carlo stock g System y BHBTM Precision Balancing m Boss Locking System
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8 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
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By Capt. Chance Angel
6HSWHPEHU DQG 2FWREHU DUH DOVR JUHDW PRQWKV WR VWDUW ÀRXQGHU ith summer warm water patterns cooling down, JLJJLQJ )RFXVLQJ RQ WKH PDUVK GUDLQV DQG ÀDWV DGMDFHQW WR ODUJH the fall months of September and October bring QHZ RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR ¿VKHUPHQ 1RUWK ZLQGV IURP FKDQQHOV FDQ DOORZ IRU VRPH H[FHOOHQW FDWFKHV RI ÀRXQGHU 7KHVH early fronts not only provide cool enjoyable days on the wa- ¿VK WHQG WR FRQJUHJDWH WRJHWKHU VR RQFH RQH RU WZR ¿VK DUH IRXQG ter, but push shrimp and other bait out of the marshes. This you can bet there are others in the area. A key sign in knowing hungry trout create a feeding frenzy on top of the water and ZKHUH WKH ¿VK DUH LV WKH LQGHQWLRQ WKH\ PDNH RQ WKH ERWWRP NQRZQ under seagulls looking for a meal. If you have a trolling motor DV D ÀRXQGHU EHG 6SRWWLQJ WKHVH EHGV LV D VXUH EHW WKDW ÀRXQGHU DUH \RX FDQ HDVLO\ VQHDN XS WR D VFKRRO RI IHHGLQJ ¿VK WKURZ \RXU or have been in that area recently. Fall months are a great time to favorite lure or just about any bait that exists under those JHW RXW LQ WKH IDLU ZHDWKHU DQG HQMR\ VRPH JUHDW ¿VKLQJ /HW¶V VWRFN birds and get a bite in a hurry. This time of year provides XS WKRVH IUHH]HUV IRU VRPH ¿VK IULHV DW WKH GHHU OHDVH WKLV ZLQWHU HQMR\DEOH ZHDWKHU IRU ZDGH ¿VKLQJ DV ZHOO 7URXW KXJ WKH VKRUHOLQHV DQG FUHDWH JUHDW RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU ZDGH ¿VKHUPHQ Capt. Chance Angel to get out of the boat, throw top water plugs and wait for that 281-851-8707 exciting explosion everyone loves to see. www.strapsandstringerstx.com
10 Shot of Texas Magazineâ„¢ November/Desember Issue 2015
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 11
RUSSELL SELLE CUSTOM HUNTS Since 1986
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Every hunter likes and wants a big whitetail EXFN 0\ RXWÂżWWHU LQ 6DVNDWFKHZDQ SURGXFHV some fantastic bucks at the best value you will ÂżQG DQ\ZKHUH This area is about 1000 acres and is right on the $OEHUWD 6DVNDWFKHZDQ ERUGHU 7KH\ KDYH D YHU\ nice lodge, great meals and heated blinds. These are 4 day hunts with 100% success. The season LV PLG 6HSWHPEHU 1RYHPEHU 170-250 SCI $6995 Standard Hunt 225-270 SCI $11500 Platinum hunt 7KLV LV D JUHDW FRUSRUDWH GHVWLQDWLRQ DV ZHOO DV IRU D JURXS RI VHULRXV ZKLWHWDLO KXQWLQJ EXGGLHV ORRNLQJ IRU VXSHUE WURSKLHV 1RZ ERRNLQJ IRU WKH 2016 and 2017 seasons.
CONTACT: Russell Selle 512-644-7962 cell 512-829-4689 office Russellselle@gmail.com www.rscustomhunts.com 12 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
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,W VHHPV WKDW HYHU\ERG\ ZDQWV D ELJ $ODVNDQ PRRVH WR KDQJ RQ WKH ZDOO 0\ RXWILWWHU LQ ZHVWHUQ $ODVND SURduces the biggest moose anywhere. They consistently take bulls in the 60�-70�+ class. There is nowhere else LQ 1 $PHULFD WKDW KDV JHQHWLFV OLNH WKLV DUHD 7KH\ DUH DEOH WR KXQW WKH HQWLUH PRQWK RI 6HSWHPEHU ZKHQ PRVW RXW¿WWHUV RQO\ KDYH D GD\ VHDVRQ 7KHVH DUH GD\ KXQWV DW IRU PRRVH RQO\ RU IRU D PRRVH JUL]]O\ FRPER ,I \RX HYHU ZDQWHG D UHDOO\ ELJ PRRVH WKHQ WKLV LV WKH SODFH DQG RXW¿WWHU WR JR ZLWK $ IHZ RSHQLQJV OHIW IRU DQG QRZ ERRNLQJ IRU WKH DQG VHDVRQV
CAN YOU DUPLICATE FACTORY AMMO? By Terry Blaukamp Shooting Editor
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t would be hard to say just how many ƟŵĞƐ ĞŝƚŚĞƌ / ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĂƐŬĞĚ͕ Žƌ ƐĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƋƵĞƐƟŽŶ ƉŽƐƚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĞƚ͕ ĂďŽƵƚ ŚŽǁ ƚŽ ĚƵƉůŝĐĂƚĞ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ůŽĂĚƐ͘ DŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ Ă ĐĞƌƚĂŝŶ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ůŽĂĚ ǁŝůů ƐŚŽŽƚ ƌĞĂůůLJ ǁĞůů ĨŽƌ ƐŽŵĞŽŶĞ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞLJ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞůŽĂĚ ŝƚ ƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐ͘ &Žƌ ĞdžĂŵƉůĞ͕ ƚŚĞLJ ŚĂǀĞ ŚĂĚ ŐƌĞĂƚ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ͘ϯϬϴ tŝŶĐŚĞƐƚĞƌ ϭϱϬ ŐƌĂŝŶ ^ŽŌ WŽŝŶƚ &ĞĚĞƌĂů ůĂƐƐŝĐ ĂŵŵŽ͕ ƐŽ ƚŚĞLJ ƉƵůůĞĚ ŽŶĞ ĂƉĂƌƚ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƵŶĚ ŝƚ ŚĂƐ ϯϴ ŐƌĂŝŶƐ ŽĨ ĞdžƚƌƵĚĞĚ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ŝŶ ŝƚ͕ ĂŶĚ ŶŽǁ ƚŚĞLJ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ŬŶŽǁ ǁŚĂƚ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ŶƵŵďĞƌ ŝƚ ŝƐ ƐŽ ƚŚĞLJ ĐĂŶ ͞ĚƵƉůŝĐĂƚĞ͟ ŝƚ͘ KĚĚƐ ĂƌĞ ŝƚ ŝƐ ĂŶ ůůŝĂŶƚ ͞ZĞůŽĂĚĞƌ͟ ƐĞƌŝĞƐ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ůŝŬĞ ZĞůŽĂĚĞƌ ϭϱ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ &ĞĚĞƌĂů ŝƐ ŽǁŶĞĚ ďLJ d<͕ ǁŚŽ ŽǁŶƐ ůůŝĂŶƚ WŽǁĚĞƌ͕ ^ƉĞĞƌ͕ Z ^͕ ĂŶĚ Ă ŚŽƐƚ ŽĨ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƐŚŽŽƟŶŐ ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ͘ tŚĂƚ ƚŚĞLJ ŚĂǀĞ ŶŽƚ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ͕ ŝƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƚ ũƵƐƚ ŵŝŐŚƚ ďĞ ƚŚĞ ͞ďƵůůĞƚ͟ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ƐŚŽŽƟŶŐ ƐŽ ǁĞůů͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞLJ ĐĞƌƚĂŝŶůLJ ĐĂŶ͛ƚ ĚƵƉůŝĐĂƚĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƐ &ĞĚĞƌĂů ĂƌƚƌŝĚŐĞ ĚŽĞƐ ŶŽƚ ƐĞůů ŝƚ͛Ɛ ďƵůůĞƚƐ ƚŽ ƌĞůŽĂĚĞƌƐ͕ ƐŽ ƚŚĞ ĐůŽƐĞƐƚ ƚŚŝŶŐ ǁŝůů ďĞ Ă ^ƉĞĞƌ Žƌ ,ŽƌŶĂĚLJ ϭϱϬ ŐƌĂŝŶ WŽŝŶƚĞĚ ^ŽŌ WŽŝŶƚ͘ tĞ ĐĂŶ ƵƐƵĂůůLJ ĚƵƉůŝĐĂƚĞ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ĂŵŵŽ ǀĞůŽĐŝƚLJ ďƵƚ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ Ă ƐƵƌĞ ƚŚŝŶŐ ĞŝƚŚĞƌ͘ DĂŶLJ ƟŵĞƐ / ŚĂǀĞ ŚĂĚ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ůŽĂĚƐ ŐŽ ĨĂƐƚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ ŵLJ ŚĂŶĚůŽĂĚƐ͕ ;ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůLJ &ĞĚĞƌĂů ĂŶĚ ,ŽƌŶĂĚLJ ĂŵŵŽͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ĂůƐŽ ƐŚŽŽƚ ďĞƩĞƌ ŐƌŽƵƉƐ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ũƵƐƚ ďĞƚ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƐ ĂƌĞ ŐŽŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƵƐĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŽǁŶ ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ ƚŽ ůŽĂĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĂŵŵŽ͘ dŚŝƐ ĚŽĞƐ ŶŽƚ ŵĞĂŶ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ƵƐŝŶŐ ZĞůŽĂĚĞƌ ϭϱ͘ ůů ůůŝĂŶƚ ZĞůŽĂĚĞƌ ďƌĂŶĚ ƉŽǁĚĞƌƐ ůŽŽŬ ƉƌĞƩLJ ŵƵĐŚ ĂůŝŬĞ ďƵƚ ƚŚŽƐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ŵĞĞƚ ƚŚĞ ĐĞƌƚĂŝŶ ďƵƌŶŝŶŐ ƌĂƚĞƐ ƐƉĞĐƐ ĨŽƌ ZĞůŽĂĚĞƌƐ
ĂƌĞ ƵƐĞĚ ĨŽƌ K D Žƌ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ůŽĂĚƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ ƚŚĞLJ ĐĂŶ ĐƵƐƚŽŵŝnjĞ ĐĞƌƚĂŝŶ ůŽĂĚƐ ƌĞŐĂƌĚůĞƐƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐĂůŝďĞƌ ĂƐ ůŽŶŐ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƵůƚƐ ĂƌĞ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƉĂƌĂŵĞƚĞƌƐ ŽĨ ďŽƚŚ ǀĞůŽĐŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ͘ EŽǁ ƚĂŬĞ ZĞŵŝŶŐƚŽŶ ĂŵŵŽ ĂƐ ĂŶŽƚŚĞƌ ĞdžĂŵƉůĞ͘ dŚĞLJ ŚĂǀĞ ŶŽ ƉĂƌƟĐƵůĂƌ ƟĞƐ ƚŽ ĂŶLJ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ͕ ƐŽ LJŽƵ ŵŝŐŚƚ ŐĞƚ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ŵĂĚĞ ďLJ ůůŝĂŶƚ͕ ,ŽĚŐĚŽŶ͕ ĐĐƵƌĂƚĞ͕ /DZ͕ Žƌ ĞǀĞŶ ƐŽŵĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĨŽƌĞŝŐŶ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌ͘ Ɛ ĂŶ ĞdžĂŵƉůĞ͕ / ƌĞĐĞŶƚůLJ ƚŽŽŬ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ͘ϯϬͲϬϲ ^ƉƌŝŶŐĮĞůĚ ϭϱϬ ŐƌĂŝŶ ŽƌĞ >ŽŬƚ ZĞŵŝŶŐƚŽŶ ĐĂƌƚƌŝĚŐĞƐ ĂƉĂƌƚ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƵŶĚ ŽŶĞ ůŽƚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ Ăůů ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŶĞdžƚ ůŽƚ ŚĂĚ ƐŚŽƌƚ ŬĞƌŶĞůƐ ŽĨ ĞdžƚƌƵĚĞĚ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ĂŶŽƚŚĞƌ ůŽƚ ŚĂƐ ůŽŶŐ ƚŚŝŶ ĞdžƚƌƵĚĞĚ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ͕ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞŶ ĂŶŽƚŚĞƌ ůŽƚ ǁŝƚŚ ͞ŇĂŬĞƐ͟ ŽĨ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ / ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ƌĞĐŽŐŶŝnjĞ Ăƚ Ăůů͘ Ɛ / ƚĞƐƚ ĮƌĞĚ ĞĂĐŚ ůŽƚ͕ / ĨŽƵŶĚ ƚŚĞŵ Ăůů ƚŽ ďĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ǀĞůŽĐŝƚLJ ďƵƚ ƚŚĞLJ Ăůů ŚĂĚ Ă ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƉŽŝŶƚ ŽĨ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ͘ tĞƌĞ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ŵŝdž ƚŚĞŵ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ LJŽƵ ǁŽƵůĚ ŐĞƚ Ă ŚŽƌƌŝďůĞ ŐƌŽƵƉ ĂŶĚ ƚŚŝƐ ƐŽŵĞƟŵĞƐ ŚĂƉƉĞŶƐ ǁŚĞŶ ƐŚŽŽƚĞƌƐ ďƵLJ ĂŵŵŽ ĨƌŽŵ ĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ ůŽƚ ŶƵŵďĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŶ ǁŽŶĚĞƌ ǁŚLJ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĨĂǀŽƌŝƚĞ ĞĞƌ ƌŝŇĞ ĚŽĞƐŶ͛ƚ ƐĞĞŵ ƚŽ shoot so well anymore. ZĞĂůůLJ LJĂ ĐĂŶ͛ƚ ďůĂŵĞ ƚŚĞ ƐŚŽŽƚĞƌ ĂƐ ŚĞ ŝƐ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ZĞŵŝŶŐƚŽŶ ϭϱϬ ŐƌĂŝŶ ^ŽŌ WŽŝŶƚ ŽƌĞ >ŽŬƚ͕ ďƵƚ Ă LJĞĂƌ ĂƉĂƌƚ͕ ƐŽ ŝƚ ŝƐ Ă ŶĂƚƵƌĂů ŽĐĐƵƌƌĞŶĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞLJ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĨŽƌ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ůŽƚ ŶƵŵďĞƌƐ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶůLJ ǁĂLJ ƚŽ ƐŽůǀĞ ƚŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ďƵLJ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ďŽdžĞƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ůŽƚ ŶƵŵďĞƌ ǁŚĞŶ LJŽƵ ďƵLJ ĂŵŵŽ͘ >ŽŽŬ ŝŶƐŝĚĞ ƚŚĞ ďŽdž ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĞŶĚ ŇĂƉ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ŶƵŵďĞƌ͖ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ ũƵƐƚ ďƵLJ Ă ƐŝŶŐůĞ ďŽdž ĞǀĞƌLJ LJĞĂƌ͘ KĨ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ĨĂĐƚŽƌLJ ĂŵŵŽ / ŐĞƚ Ă ĐŚĂŶĐĞ
ƚŽ ƐŚŽŽƚ͕ &ĞĚĞƌĂů͕ ,ŽƌŶĂĚLJ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ĂƌŶĞƐ sKZͲdy ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ĐŽŶƐŝƐƚĞŶƚ ĚĂLJ ĂŌĞƌ ĚĂLJ͕ ĂŶĚ ůŽƚ ƚŽ ůŽƚ͘ tŚĂƚ ƌĞĂůůLJ ŐĞƚƐ ĨŽůŬƐ ŝŶƚŽ ͞ƚƌŽƵďůĞ͟ ŝƐ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ƚƌLJŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƌĞůŽĂĚ ĂŵŵŽ ƚŽ ĚƵƉůŝĐĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ,ŽƌŶĂĚLJ ,ĞĂǀLJ DĂŐŶƵŵ Žƌ ŶĞǁ ^ƵƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂŵŵƵŶŝƟŽŶ ĂƐ ƚŚŝƐ ĂŵŵŽ ŝƐ ůŽĂĚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƉƌŽƉƌŝĞƚĂƌLJ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĞŶĂďůĞƐ ƚŚĞŵ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ǀĞůŽĐŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐƟůů ƐƚĂLJ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ůŝŵŝƚƐ͘ ;dŚŝƐ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ŚĂƐ ƌĞĐĞŶƚůLJ ďĞĞŶ ŵĂĚĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƌĞůŽĂĚĞƌƐ ĨƌŽŵ ,ŽĚŐĚŽŶ͕ ďƵƚ ŽŶĞ ŵƵƐƚ ƌĞĂĚ ƚŚĞ ůŽĂĚŝŶŐ ĚĂƚĂ ǀĞƌLJ ĐůŽƐĞůLJ͘ /ƚ ǁŝůů ƚĞůů LJŽƵ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚŝƐ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ŝƐ s Zz ʹ s Zz ĐĂůŝďĞƌ ĂŶĚ ůŽĂĚ ƐƉĞĐŝĨŝĐ͘ dŚŝƐ ŵĞĂŶƐ LJŽƵ ũƵƐƚ ĐĂŶ͛ƚ ƚĂŬĞ ĂŶLJ ϭϱϬ ŐƌĂŝŶ ďƵůůĞƚ ĂŶĚ ƵƐĞ ƚŚŝƐ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ͘ϯϬϬ tŝŶĐŚĞƐƚĞƌ ^ŚŽƌƚ DĂŐŶƵŵ ĂƐ ŝƚ ŝƐ ƚĂŝůŽƌĞĚ ƚŽ Ă ƐƉĞĐŝĨŝĐ ,ŽƌŶĂĚLJ ϭϱϬ ŐƌĂŝŶ ďƵůůĞƚ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚĞůůƐ LJŽƵ ŶŽƚ ƚŽ ƐƵďƐƚŝƚƵƚĞ͘Ϳ &Žƌ ĞdžĂŵƉůĞ͕ ,ŽƌŶĂĚLJ ůŝƐƚƐ Ă ͘ϯϬͲϬϲ ϭϲϱ ŐƌĂŝŶ ďƵůůĞƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƵƐƚŽŵ ŵŵŽ Ăƚ ϮϴϬϬ ĨƉƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞLJ ŽīĞƌ Ă ^ƵƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ůŽĂĚ Ăƚ ϮϵϲϬ ĨƉƐ͘ ^Ž ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ƋƵŝƚĞ Ă ƐƵďƐƚĂŶƟĂů ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ ŝŶ ǀĞůŽĐŝƚLJ͘ dŚĞLJ ĂůƐŽ ŽīĞƌ Ă ĨĂǀŽƌŝƚĞ ůŽĂĚ ŽĨ ŵŝŶĞ͕ Ă ͘ϯϯϴ tŝŶĐŚĞƐƚĞƌ DĂŐŶƵŵ ^ƵƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ůŽĂĚ ǁŝƚŚ ϮϮϱ ŐƌĂŝŶ ďƵůůĞƚƐ Ăƚ ϮϴϰϬ ĨƉƐ ĂƐ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĞĚ ƚŽ Ă ŶŽƌŵĂů ůŽĂĚ ŽĨ Ϯϳϴϱ ĨƉƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ŶŽƚ ŶĞĂƌůLJ ĂƐ ŵƵĐŚ ŽĨ Ă ǀĞůŽĐŝƚLJ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ / ĚŽƵďƚ LJŽŶĚĞƌ tŝůĚĞďĞĞƐƚ ǁŝůů ĞǀĞƌ ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚĞ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶĐĞ͘ ^Ž ŝĨ Ă ƌĞůŽĂĚĞƌ ŝŶƚĞŶĚƐ ƚŽ ƚƌLJ ĂŶĚ ĚƵƉůŝĐĂƚĞ ƚŚŽƐĞ ůŽĂĚƐ ŚĞ ŝƐ ŐŽŝŶŐ ƚŽ ͞ĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ůŝŶĞ͟ ƐŽŵĞǁŚĞƌĞ͘ ^ƵƌĞůLJ ŚĞ ŝƐ ŐŽŝŶŐ ƚŽ ďĞ ĚĞĂůŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ ŶŽƌŵĂů͕ ĂŶĚ ŝĨ ŚĞ ĚŽĞƐ ƉƌŽĐĞĞĚ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ĂǁĂLJ ǁŝƚŚ ŝƚ ĨŽƌ Ă ǁŚŝůĞ͕ ŝƚ ǁŝůů ƚĂŬĞ ŽŶůLJ ŽŶĞ ŵŝŶŽƌ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŝŶ ĐŽŵƉŽŶĞŶƚƐ Žƌ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ďůŽǁ Ă ƉƌŝŵĞƌ͕ ƐƟĐŬ Ă ĐĂƐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ŚĞĂǀĞŶ ĨŽƌďŝĚ͕ ƐƉůŝƚ Ă ďĂƌƌĞů Žƌ ĂĐƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŚƵƌƚ ƐŽŵĞďŽĚLJ͘ :ƵƐƚ ůĞĂǀĞ ǁĞůů ĞŶŽƵŐŚ ĂůŽŶĞ ĂŶĚ ůŽĂĚ ǁŚĂƚĞǀĞƌ LJŽƵ ǁŝƐŚ ĂĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ůŽĂĚŝŶŐ ŵĂŶƵĂůƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ ^ƚĂƌƚ ϭϬй ƵŶĚĞƌ Ă ŵĂdž ůŽĂĚ͕ ĂŶĚ ǁŽƌŬ ƵƉ ĐĂƌĞĨƵůůLJ͘ :ƵƐƚ ƌĞŵĞŵďĞƌ ŶŽ ŵĂƩĞƌ ŚŽǁ ĨĂƐƚ ƚŚĞ ďƵůůĞƚ ŝƐ ŐŽŝŶŐ͕ ŶŽƚŚŝŶŐ ďĞĂƚƐ ďƵůůĞƚ ƉůĂĐĞment. If I can be of any further assistance in your reloading endeavors, don’t hesitate to write to TBlauwkamp@superior-sales.com
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 13
AIR
LOGISTICS
CORPORATION
IN PURSUIT OF CANIS LUPUS AND COUSINS By Jim Sessions
zine featured the two Black Bear hunts and HTXLSPHQW ZH XVHG ZLWK ,Q]DQD 2XW¿WWHUV I arrived in Prince George with The Best of the West videographer Terence Knudsen in the evening where we were met at the airport by both Paul and -20F temperatures. We loaded our gear in his truck and he said, “Let’s check some snares!”. Shortly after leaving Prince George, we stopped along a rural dirt road and followed Paul through the bush. A
any recent activity at the wolf baits. The bait pile nearest to the lodge had seen reFor those of you that don’t know what cent activity and we were soon set up in a Canis Lupus is, I am referring to the northcomfortable shack that provided an unobern Grey Wolf. This animal has a broad structed view of the bait pile approximaterange extending from Alaska in the north ly 300 yards across the frozen lake. The down to Idaho and Wyoming to the south sun was setting, which created the Alpen and east to Michigan, Minnesota and Wisglow effect seen in Northern Latitudes. consin. To say that the wolf has been the Our vigil continued into the evening with subject of much controversy would be a darkness shrouding the frozen landscape. huge understatement. In Wyoming, we We loaded our gear and followed the have seen the carnage and decimap packed trail back to our snow mation realized by our ungulate popuc chines. A brisk 20 minute ride back lations. The elk herd in Sunlight W WR WKH ORGJH HQGHG RXU ¿UVW GD\ 7KH Basin and Crandall of northwest, n next morning we set out checking Wyoming at one time produced v various snare sets scattered throughexceptional trophy bulls on late o the country. We were focusing out migratory hunts and was a general o efforts on the fringe country. By our hunt during October. All this has t this, I mean the country on the edge changed dramatically. The late o agricultural lands and miles of of hunts are a thing of the past and the N Northern forest. This is also where general hunt is now limited quota. F FRQÀLFW DULVHV EHWZHHQ ZROYHV DQG This is just one example of a prey c cattle ranchers. There we met John population that has been ravaged by K Kochel, a local rancher trying to unregulated wolf predation. Unforr raise cattle in this remote area. He tunately, Wyoming hasn’t been able w very articulate relating his exwas to keep a controlled hunt in play. p periences particularly with wolves Idaho and Montana continue to ofa the problems he has personally and fer hunting and trapping opportunie experienced from outright predation ties. The reality of wolf populations in the typical snare setup is to place bait in an to the stress mother cows experience from 21st century is that they are here to stay area and correspondingly set 6 – 10 snares wolves being in close proximity. UnforDQG WKH\ PXVW EH FRQWUROOHG IRU WKH EHQH¿W RQ WUDLOV OHDGLQJ LQWR WKH EDLW 7KH ¿UVW tunately, we had two wolves snared on his of all wildlife populations. check yielded 3 coyotes. Darkness had ranch that had broken the snares and esThis article refers to a wolf hunt/tra- settled across the northern landscape and caped. As a consolation, we did manage pline adventure that I was able to partici- we still had a few miles to drive to Paul’s to snare 6 coyotes in and around his ranch. SDWH LQ ZLWK ,Q]DQD 2XW¿WWHUV ,Q]DQD¶V house. The next morning we continued $IWHU RXU LQWHUYLHZ DQG ¿OPLQJ DW WKH guide area is located in North-Central checking snares at various baits and the Kochel ranch, we headed back to the InzaBritish Columbia, near Prince George. fur pile began to build with coyotes and na lodge in preparation for our evening Paul Trepus owns and operates Inzana foxes. The fox population in this area wolf hunt. We parked the snow machines 2XW¿WWHUV IURP D FRPIRUWDEOH ORGJH ZLWKLQ offers red, cross and silver color phases. well back from the frozen lake and packed his guide territory. Paul is very familiar The pelts were in prime condition and are all our gear to the blind. We noticed that with his territory as he not only guides Fall a great addition to a trophy room. additional activity and feeding had taken and Spring hunts, he also runs a trapline in Later that afternoon we loaded our gear place at the bait pile and anxiously glassed the area and is a recognized expert on wolf and headed into the more remote country, the timbered edge of the lake shore. It trapping/hunting and predator control. ZKHUH WKH ,Q]DQD 2XW¿WWHUV KXQWLQJ ORGJH happened very quickly as I caught movePaul truly understands the relationship be- is located. Paul had been setting out bait ment from the right of our location. Two tween predator and prey populations and piles of frozen beef scraps and bones on wolves were on the move coming into the need for management of both. Given a couple of isolated lakes in the area. He the bait from a Northerly direction. They these facts, I have been very fortunate to KDG FRQ¿UPHG WKDW WZR VHSDUDWH SDFNV RI knew something wasn’t quite right, maybe KXQW DQG ¿OP WKUHH KXQWV ZLWK 3DXO 7KH wolves were hitting the bait. We headed an errant breeze had carried our scent in May/June issue of A Shot of Texas maga- out on snow machines to check snares and their direction. Whatever the cause, both 16 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
wolves veered off heading in a westerly direction across the frozen lake. Terence was set up and had the camera running, Paul was giving all kinds of marching orders and I was on the Best of the West Signature Series 7 Mag topped ZLWK D ; +XVNHPDZ %OXH 'LDPRQG scope. My sight picture was perfect and I placed the cross hair on the larger wolf’s nose and broke the shot. This apex predator dropped immediately to the frozen surIDFH RI WKH ODNH 1RW RQO\ KDG , IXO¿OOHG a dream of killing a wolf, he was a large male with an absolutely beautiful coat. We were able to take some great pictures in WKH ZDQLQJ OLJKW :H ¿QLVKHG DOO WKH YLGHR work while Paul retrieved a snow machine and sled to pack ourselves, gear and our trophy back to the lodge. The evening was ¿OOHG ZLWK PXFK H[FLWHPHQW DV RXU JRDO RI harvesting a wolf from Paul’s main hunting area had been accomplished. The next day we travelled by snow machine deeper into the Northern woods and checked a Canadian Lynx trapline that Paul had set prior to our arrival. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful in trapping a Lynx and/or Wolverine. We continued
adding to our growing fur pile with many fox and coyote caught in snares throughout the area. We took the time to reset active snare sets throughout the area. By the time we left, Paul had a pile of canine carcasses thawing in his skinning shop. +H LV DQ H[SHUW LQ WKH VNLQQLQJ ÀHVKLQJ and stretching of furs and sells these prime northern furs at auction, which is a portion of their family annual income. I enjoyed every aspect of this hunt and WUDSOLQH DGYHQWXUH ZLWK ,Q]DQD 2XW¿WWHUV Having trapped in my younger years in 1RUWKHUQ :\RPLQJ , IXO¿OOHG D GUHDP WR participate in a true longline trapping adventure. I hope to return to the region to obtain a Lynx and Wolverine, bringing my son to share in the experience. I believe that as concerned sportsmen, we have an obligation to hunt and harvest predators as part of proper management of all species. The uniqueness of predators both from a hunting perspective and as a trophy to enjoy for many years cannot be overstated. By hunting predators, we as hunters are the true conservationists that ensure the survival and viability of both predator and prey species.
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 17
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18 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
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19
By Scott Platzer
/RRNLQJ 7RZDUGV 0H[LFR
5,6.6 %,* 60$//
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HUH LQ 7H[DV ZKHQ PRVW RLO DQG JDV SHRSOH DUH GLVFXVVLQJ WKH SURVSHFWV RI RQVKRUH RSHUDWLRQV LQ 0H[LFR DPRQJ WKH ¿UVW WKLQJV WKH\ PHQWLRQ DUH WKH SHUFHLYHG ULVNV IURP WKH FULPLQDO QDUFR HPSLUHV WKDW GRPLQDWH PXFK RI WKH FRXQWU\œV UXUDO ODQGVFDSH 1RERG\ FDQ EODPH WKHP IRU EHLQJ SUHRFFXSLHG E\ WKH QDUFRV 6WRULHV RI JULVO\ FDUQDJH EHVSHFNOH WKH news as cartels take on their rivals, settle scores, RU VLPSO\ ³VHQG D PHVVDJH´ WR ORFDOV RU DXWKRULties. From chainsaws, to beheadings, to mutilatHG FRUSVHV KDQJLQJ RII EULGJHV ¹ WKH PRQVWURXV EUXWDOLW\ LV DV FDSWLYDWLQJ DV LW LV JURWHVTXH %XW LQ WKH IDFH RI WKH PDFDEUH VSHFWDFOH WKDW LV QDUFR YLROHQFH RLO DQG JDV H[SORUHUV ULVN XQGHUHVWLPDWLQJ VRPH RI WKH OHVV VSHFWDFXODU EXW KLJKO\ SUREOHPDWLF VXUIDFH ULVN LVVXHV WKDW DUH SHUKDSV HYHQ PRUH OLNHO\ WR FKDOOHQJH WKHP LQ 0H[LFR 7KH KXPDQ WHUUDLQ LQ 0H[LFR LV FRPSOH[ DQG PXOWL IDFHWHG DQG WKRVH FDVWLQJ DQ H\H WR WKH 6RXWK ZRXOG GR ZHOO WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH IXOO EUHDGWK RI surface issues they are likely to encounter.
20 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
When h Mexico i signed i d iinto llaw a constitutional i i l amendment in August 2014 that opened its energy sector to private oil companies and dissolved the PEMEX monopoly over the state’s oil industry, President Enrique Peùa effectively discarded one of the FURZQ MHZHOV RI 0H[LFDQ 1DWLRQDOLVP ZKLFK ÀRXUished in the decades following the Mexican Revolution. The 1937 nationalization of the country’s oil and gas resources was widely viewed as the economic
capstone of the Revolution, and its ultimate undoing last year unearthed some dormant but profound tensions that go to the roots of Mexican identity. Labor and peasant-farmer “campesinoâ€? groups vehemently opposed reform, and they assured their constituents that the reform would fail to bring promised HFRQRPLF EHQHÂżWV :KDWHYHU EHQHÂżWV 0H[Lco’s opening may have delivered in a period of healthy prices were relegated to the “if only things were differentâ€? category by the price collapse, and opponents to reform have not been reluctant to use this as an opportunity to impugn the motives and foresight of reformers. If all of that seems somewhat irrelevant up to this point, it should be considered that many of the onshore prospects Mexico has DOUHDG\ LGHQWLÂżHG IRU LWV XSFRPLQJ DXFWLRQ round are in territories are nestled within poor and rural communities where reform’s FULWLFV KDYH EHHQ LQĂ€XHQWLDO 7KH QDUUDWLYH that foreign capitalists are, once again, set to pillage Mexico’s national resources in colOXVLRQ ZLWK FRUUXSW JRYHUQPHQW RIÂżFLDOV LQ Mexico City has traction in many communities, who are themselves struggling with ÂżVFDO FULVHV DQG LQDGHTXDWH VXSSRUW IURP national and regional governments. And in Mexico when communities or labor groups mobilize, the effects can be crippling, as H[HPSOLÂżHG E\ WKH UHFHQW 7HDFKHUÂśV 6WULNH which resulted in the prolonged occupation RI JRYHUQPHQW RIÂżFHV DFURVV PXFK RI WKH country, extensive marches, etc. Oil and gas companies moving into rural DUHDV RQVKRUH VKRXOG H[SHFW ORFDO RIÂżFLDOV and community leaders to approach them with their own set of terms and expectations, which, if not satisfactorily handled will likely result in transportation blockages, increased criminal activity, protests and the involvement of unfriendly international stakeholder groups. Operators confronting these challenges must also remain sensitive to the fact that reform was not only deeply unpopular in many areas, but it was also an affront to certain aspects of the folklore surrounding the Mexican Revolution that still live proudly in the hearts of many. So while this may be a business related issue for the oil and gas industry, for many communities struggling in Mexico’s rural interior it will more a matter of the heart – a corollary of which is that if the relationship between operator and community become acrimonious, it will likely be very hard to repair.
And then, there are the far scarier narcoWUDIÂżFNLQJ RUJDQL]DWLRQV IHDWXUHG UHJXODUO\ LQ the news abroad for their sociopathic brutality. Evidence on the ground, however, suggests that PEMEX has been relatively successful in making arrangements that minimize contact between the two groups and make the potenWLDO IRU FRQĂ€LFW OHVV OLNHO\ 7KH PRVW FRPmon scenarios involve unwritten agreements about the usage of “las brechas,â€? the rural road network that crisscrosses the country. In many areas PEMEX uses the roads during the day, and leaves them to the cartels during the hours of darkness. Other examples of accommodations include a nominal donation of fuel, to be left out for collection once a week. While none of this is ideal, it’s a template IRU GHFRQĂ€LFWLRQ ZLWK QDUFR JURXSV WKDW FDQ likely be copied in some way successfully by foreign companies, and it’s certainly not a tale that involves beheadings and chainsaws. Ultimately, this is because Mexico’s narFR WUDIÂżFNLQJ RUJDQL]DWLRQV DUH EXVLQHVV OLNH DQG FRQĂ€LFW ZLWK IRUHLJQ RLO FRPSDQLHV would invite a mountain of involvement by both the Mexican government and potentially cooperation from international special operations forces that could cripple their core activity. Maybe most importantly, QHLWKHU RLO FRPSDQLHV QRU QDUFR WUDIÂżFNLQJ organizations have deep philosophical antagonisms. We should expect that there will EH RFFDVLRQDO FRQĂ€LFWV DQG LQFLGHQWV EXW generally both sides have a strong interHVW LQ DYRLGLQJ FRQĂ€LFW ZLWK WKH RWKHU 7KH same cannot be said, of course, in the case of local community antagonists. To make a simple analogy, if a small grievance between an oil and gas operator and a cartel was like a match to a damp cloth, the same grievance with communities will be more akin to a match to dry tinder. For companies looking at Mexico’s onshore prospects as potential additions to their portfolio, there is clearly an abundant collection of risks to be measured and analyzed. In considerations about surface risks, however, companies must not become exclusively focused on the high-visibility risks to the exclusion of the deeper set of sociopolitical issues that probably pose the most VLJQLÂżFDQW ORQJ WHUP WKUHDW WR VDIH DQG SURIitable operation. Especially for those of us in Texas, Mexico is familiar and close, and therein lies a potential to underestimate the complexity of surface risks inherent in operating there. Operators must avoid falling
into this trap. But in life, every risk is pregnant with the seeds of opportunity, and for the forward thinking and innovative operators in the oil and gas industry Mexico may present one of the best opportunities yet.
INDUSTRY CALENDAR DECEMBER 2015
1-2
Gas Supply Chain – Houston, Texas
2
ABC Coastal Bend – First Wednesday mixer
3
Refining Capital Projects Conference & Exibition – Houston
8
ABC Houston holiday P.A.C party
9
Houston Oilfield Expo
10
API/SPE – Petroleum Club
16
ACIT South Texas luncheon – Corpus Christi, Texas For more specific times and information visit www.THENETWORKER.BIZ
JANUARY 2016
20-21
Process Safety O & G – Houston, Texas
20
ACIT – Houston Ship Channel Reverse Tradeshow - Deer Park, Texas For more specific times and information visit www.THENETWORKER.BIZ
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 21
Take a minute to educate yourself “Citizen”. Don’t let the media make up your mind .. rather use your own mind and decide for yourself ... just saying
WHACK JOB OR AMERICA’S SAVIOR? WHO IS DONALD TRUMP? AND WHAT DOES HE REALLY STAND FOR? By Shamus Dartanyon
A MUST READ & SHARE!
Donald Trump... who he REALLY is... The criticisms of Trump are amazingly missing something. When interviewing those who work for him (or who have or have had business dealings with him) negative stories are, curiously, lacking. After all the employees he’s had and all the business deals he’s made there is an unmistakable lack of criticism. In fact, long term employees call him a strong and compassionate leader and say he has far more integrity and high moral standards than many people think. And while it may surprise many, he’s actually humble when it comes to his generosity and kindness. A good example is a story that tells of his limo breaking down on a deserted highway outside of New York City. A middle-aged couple stopped to help him and as a thank you he paid off their mortgage, but he didn’t brag about that. Generous people rarely talk of the charitable acts they bestow on others. But as much as all this is interesting, the real thing that people want to know is, what is Donald Trump’s plan for America. It’s funny how so many people say they don’t know what it is, or they act like Trump is hiding it. The information is readily available if people would just do a little homework. But, since most Americans won’t do their own research, here, in no particular
order, is an overview of many of Trumps positions and plans: 1.) Trump believes that America should not intervene militarily in other country’s problems without being compensated for doing so. If America is going to risk the lives of our soldiers and incur the expense of going to war, then the nations we help must be willing to pay for our help. Using the Iraq War as an example, he cites the huge monetary expense WR $PHULFDQ WD[SD\HUV RYHU trillion, and possibly much more depending on what sources are used to determine the cost) in addition to the cost in human life. He suggests that Iraq should have been required to give us enough of their oil to pay for the expenses we incurred. He includes in those expenses the medical costs for RXU PLOLWDU\ DQG PLOOLRQ IRU each family that lost a loved one in the war and $2 million for each family of soldiers who received severe injuries. 2.) Speaking of the military, Trump wants America to have a strong military again. He believes the single most important function of the federal government is national defense. He has said he ZDQWV WR ¿QG WKH *HQHUDO 3DWWRQ or General MacArthur that could lead our military buildup back to the strength it needs to be. While
22 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
he hasn’t said it directly that I know of, Trump’s attitude about America and about winning tells me he’d most likely be quick to eliminate rules of engagement that handicap our military in battle. Clearly Trump is a “win at all costs” kind of guy, and I’m sure that would apply to our national defense and security, too. 3.) Trump wants a strong foreign policy and believes that it must include 7 core principles (which seem to support my comment in the last point): American interests come ¿UVW $OZD\V 1R DSRORJLHV 0D[LPXP ¿UHSRZHU DQG military preparedness. Only go to war to win. Stay loyal to your friends and suspicious of your enemies. Keep the technological sword razor sharp. See the unseen. Prepare for threats before they materialize. Respect and support our present and past warriors.
4.) Trump believes that terrorists who are captured should be treated as military combatants, not as criminals like the Obama administration treats them. 5.) Trump makes the point that China’s manipulation of their currency has given them unfair advantage in our trade dealings with them. He says we must tax their imports to offset their currency manipulation, which will cause American companies to be competitive again, drive manufacturing back to America and create jobs here. Although he sees China as the biggest offender, he believes that America should protect itself from all foreign efforts to take our jobs and manufacturing. For example, Ford is building a plant in Mexico and Trump suggests that every part or vehicle Ford makes in Mexico be taxed LI WKH\ ZDQW WR EULQJ LW LQWR the U. S., which would cause companies like Ford to no longer be competitive using their Mexi-
can operations and move manufacturing back to the U. S., once again creating jobs here. 6.) Trump wants passage of NOPEC legislation (No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act – NOPEC – S.394), which would allow the government to sue OPEC for violating antitrust laws. According to Trump, that would break up the cartel. He also wants to unleash our energy companies to drill domestically (sound like Sarah Palin’s drill baby, drill?) thereby increasing domestic production creating jobs and driving domestic costs of oil and gas down while reducing dependence on foreign oil. 7.) Trump believes a secure border is critical for both security and prosperity in America. He wants to build a wall to stop illegals from entering put controls on immigration. (And he says he’ll get Mexico to pay for the wall, which many have scoffed at, but given his business successes I wouldn’t put it past him.) He also wants to enforce our immigration laws and provide no path to citizenship for illegals. 8.) Trump wants a radical change to the tax system to not only make it better for average Americans, but also to encourage businesses to stay here and foreign businesses to move here. 7KH UHVXOWLQJ LQÀX[ RI PRQH\ WR our nation would do wonders for our economy. He wants to make America the place to do business. He also wants to lower the death tax and the taxes on capital gains and dividends. This would put more than $1.6 trillion back into the economy and help rebuild the PLOOLRQ MREV ZHœYH ORVW WR WKH current tax system. He also wants to charge companies who outVRXUFH MREV RYHUVHDV D WD[ but for those willing to move jobs back to America they would not be taxed. And for citizens he has a tax plan that would allow Americans to keep more of what they earn and spark economic growth.
He wants to change the personal income tax to: 8S WR WD[HG DW From $30,000 to $100,000 WD[HG DW From $100,000 to $1,000,000 WD[HG DW $1,000,000 and above taxed DW 9.) Trump wants Obamacare repealed. He says it’s a “job-killing, health care-destroying monstrosityâ€? that “can’t be reformed, salYDJHG RU Âż[HG ´ +H EHOLHYHV LQ allowing real competition in the health insurance marketplace to allow competition to drive prices down. He also believes in tort reform to get rid of defensive medicine and lower costs. 10.) Trump wants spending reforms in Washington, acknowledging that America spends far more than it receives in revenue. He has said he believes that if we don’t stop increasing the national debt once it hits $24 trillion it will be impossible to save this country. Even though he says we need to cut spending, he does not want to harm those on Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. He believes that the citizens have faithfully paid in to the system to have these services available and that the American government KDV DQ REOLJDWLRQ WR IXOÂżOO LWV HQG of the bargain and provide those EHQHÂżWV 7KHUHIRUH KH ZDQWV WR build the economy up so that we have the revenue to pay those FRVWV ZLWKRXW FXWWLQJ WKH EHQHÂżWV to the recipients. He disagrees with Democrats who think raising taxes is the answer and says WKDW ZKHQ \RX GR WKDW \RX VWLĂ€H the economy. On the other hand, when you lower taxes and create an environment to help businesses they will grow, hire more workers, and those new workers will be paying taxes that become more tax revenue for the government. 11.) Trump also wants reform of the welfare state saying that America needs “a safety net, not a hammock.â€? He believes in a wel-
fare to work program that would help reduce the welfare roles and encourage people to get back to work. And he wants a crackdown on entitlement fraud. 12.) Trump believes climate change is a hoax. 13.) Trump opposes Common Core. 14.) Trump is pro-life, although he allows for an exception due to rape, incest, or the life of the mother. 15.) Trump is pro 2nd Amendment rights. 16.) Trump’s view on same-sex marriage is that marriage is between a man and a woman, but he also believes that this is a states’ rights issue, not a federal issue. 17.) Trump supports the death penalty. 18.) Trump believes that there is a lack of common sense and innovative thinking in Washington (Hmmm‌ looks like he believes in horse sense!). He says it’s about seeing the unseen and that’s the kind of thinking we need to turn this country around. He tells a personal story to illustrate the point: “When I opened Trump National Golf Club at Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles, I was immediately told that I would need to build a new and costly ballroom. The current ballroom was gorgeous, but it only sat 200 people and we were losing business because people needed a larger space for their events. Building a new ballroom would take years to get approval and permits (since LWÂśV RQ WKH 3DFLÂżF 2FHDQ DQG FRVW DERXW PLOOLRQ , WRRN RQH ORRN at the ballroom and saw immediately what needed to be done. The problem wasn’t the size of the room, it was the size of the chairs. They were huge, heavy, and unwieldy. We didn’t need a bigger ballroom, we needed smaller chairs! So I had them replaced with high-end, smaller chairs. I then had our people sell the old chairs and got more money for
them than the cost of the new chairs. In the end, the ballroom went from seating 200 people to seating 320 people. Our visitors got the space they desired, and I spared everyone the hassle of \HDUV RI FRQVWUXFWLRQ DQG PLOlion of expense. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little common sense.â€? On top of his saving years of FRQVWUXFWLRQ DQG PLOOLRQ LQ expenses, he also was able to keep the ballroom open for business during the time it would have been under remodeling, which allowed him to continue to make money on the space instead of losing that revenue during construction time. Donald Trump’s entire life has been made up of success and winning. He’s been accused of bankruptcies, but that’s not true. +HÂśV QHYHU ÂżOHG SHUVRQDO EDQNruptcy. He’s bought companies and legally used bankruptcy laws to restructure their debt, just as businesses do all the time. But he’s never been bankrupt personally. +HÂśV D ÂżJKWHU WKDW FOHDUO\ ORYHV $PHULFD DQG ZRXOG ÂżJKW for our nation. Earlier I quoted Trump saying, “I love America. And when you love something, you protect LW SDVVLRQDWHO\ Âą ÂżHUFHO\ HYHQ ´ We never hear that from Democrats or even from most Republicans. Donald Trump is saying things that desperately need to be said but no other candidate has shown the fortitude to stand up and say them. Looking over this list of what he wants for America I see a very necessary set of goals that are long past due. Before we criticize someone because the media does, maybe we should seriously consider what he has to offer. 7KH YLHZV DQG RSLQLRQV H[SUHVVHG by the author do not necessarily UHĂ€HFW WKH YLHZV RI $ 6KRW RI 7H[DV 0DJD]LQH 6WDII
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 23
Hunters Asked to Submit Samples for CWD Testing
TPWD Steps Up Free-Ranging Deer Disease Surveillance
AUSTIN — With the recent discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in two captive deer breeding facilities in southcentral Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be stepping up efforts to strategically sample hunter harvested deer at a greater level during the 2015-16 hunting season.
(RMU); wildlife conservation areas that TPWD uses for all other deer management decisions. Criteria for establishing risk levels include factors such as deer density, susceptible species importation history, proximity to a CWDpositive site, etc. Sampling goals will rely upon hunter harvest submis-
Big Game Program Director. “We will be collecting samples from deer and elk, and other cervid species, in every county where deer hunting occurs.” Hunters wishing to submit VDPSOHV FDQ JR RQOLQH WR ¿QG their local TPWD biologist, listed by county DWKWWS WSZG WH[DV JRY ODQGZDWHU ODQG WHFK-
Hunters are encouraged to assist with this statewide monitoring effort by voluntarily submitting samples this fall. TPWD biologists will collect and submit samples to the Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at no cost to the hunter. Tissue samples from the heads of harvested deer must be collected within 24 hours of harvest, up to 48 hours if kept chilled. It is very important that the deer head not be frozen. Since 2003, TPWD biologists have been monitoring the state’s free-ranging deer population for CWD. Using statistical sampling tables commonly used by animal disease experts,
sions ranging from 60 to 433 (lowest to highest risk) deer for each RMU, and if biologists can achieve these goals, will result in excess of 7,000 samples. TPWD will also specifically target sampling efforts within D PLOH UDGLXV DURXQG WKH CWD index facility in Medina County to determine the prevalence and geographic extent of the disease in that specific area. “In the wake of our increased concern about CWD we are ramping up our sampling effort state wide,” said Mitch Lockwood, TPWD
nical_guidance/biologists/. The biologist will provide a sample receipt hunters can use to track test results online. TPWD anticipates test results could take 3-4 weeks to process. In some cases, biologists may request to retain the entire deer head for later sample collection; a resource document will be given to the hunter as proof of sex in those instances.
biologists set a sampling goal that would detect the disease ZLWK SHUFHQW FRQ¿GHQFH LI at least one out of every 100 deer was infected. Thus far, biologists have collected nearly 30,000 samples from hunterharvested deer across Texas’ eight ecological regions, in PRVW FDVHV VXUSDVVLQJ SHUFHQW FRQ¿GHQFH VWDQGDUGV 7R date, CWD has not been found in Texas free-ranging whitetailed deer. The sampling strategy for the KXQWLQJ VHDVRQ LV EHLQJ UH¿QHG WR WDUJHW GLVHDVH ULVN OHYels within the state’s 33 unique Resource Management Units
24 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
More information about CWD, including safe carcass handling tips and precautions, can be found online athttp://tpwd.texas.gov/ huntwild/wild/diseases/cwd/.
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 25
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Thandeka Safaris is a beautiful hunting destination situated in the Kalahari, 4km from the Botswana border,
Thirty two species Plains Game Dangerous Game Wing Shooting Bow Hunters welcome
“Experience prime unspoiled savannah”. Ideally suited for first time or returning hunters or families wanting to relax and enjoy all that Africa has to offer. Contact info@thandekasafaris.co.za or rob@ashotoftexas.net for details and packages We are proud to be hosting A Shot of Texas Magazine’s Big Shot Outfitters SAFARI 2015, Contact Rob@ashotoftexas.net for details.
www.crittergitters.net Tel: 281-332-7912 November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 27
28 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 29
Platinum Sponsors p
4TH Annual Clay Shoot & Outdoor Show Benefitting A Shot of Texas Magazine’s Scholarships for Industry & The Patriot Warriors Foundation April 21, 2016, 9am til 7pm Silver Sponsors American Shooting Centers – Houston, TX
FINANCING TEXAS FOR 100 YEARS
Meet Kendall Rae Kahn – Alias Camo Girl Master of Ceremonies Booths – $350 Team Of 5 - $800 Individual - $150 Includes Outdoor Show, Networking Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Networking Only $25.00 (includes show, breakfast, lunch & dinner)
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Platinum $5000.00 Includes 4 teams Gold: $3500.00 / includes 3 teams Silver: $2000.00 / includes 2 team Gun Sponsor: $500.00 Beverage Sponsor: $300.00 Breakfast Sponsor: $200.00 Lunch Sponsor: $500.00 Dinner Sponsor: $800.00 Station Sponsor: $150.00 BBQ Teams FREE –Sign up in advance for lunch or dinner.
Contact Teffany Kahn for info & registration: tef@ashotoftexas.net 512-746-2729
30 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
5TH ANNUAL
CC-PAL/VALERO DOVE HUNT
T h a n k Yo u , S p o n s o r s !
97.5 KFTX Real Country A Shot of Texas Magazine Advanced Corrosion Technologies & Training, LLC Ainsworth Trucking Airgas AmSpec Aquilex Hydrochem Arnold Oil Company BakerCorp Bay, Ltd. - A Berry Company Camin Cargo Control, Inc. Cat Spec. Ltd. Cooling Towers of Texas Corpus Christi Disposal Corpus Christi Electric DeltaValve Diamond Refractory Services Ed Martin & Associates
Electric Motor Rewind Furmanite GAC North America GE Energy - Dresser Direct GE Power & Water - Water & Process Technologies Govind Development, LLC - Engineering Division Gulf Coast Crane Services Gulf Coast Valve H&S Valve HDR Hi-Tech Industrial Services, Inc. Hydrochem Industrial Fabricators Inflight Outfitters Inspectorate America Corporation Intertek JVIC a Zachry Group Company Max Shipping, Inc. Nalco Champion - An Ecolab Company
Navy Army Community Credit Union NuStar Onyx Engineering, Inc. Port of Corpus Christi Puffer Sweiven QS QualSpec Rain For Rent Repcon Scott Electric Company SGS North America, Inc. SGS Petroleum Services South Texas Guide Service Stronghold, Ltd. T Parker Host TapcoEnpro Texas Eagle Ford Shale Magazine Vapor Point Veolia - Environmental Services
A ver y special thanks to all our volunteers! ++Save the date! 6th Annual CC-PAL/Valero Dove Hunt: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 ++
A Shot of Texas Reviews
RESTAURANTS WE LOVE! GUS’S FRIED CHICKEN-AUSTIN The next time you were at a trade show in Austin you have to stop at Gus’s. The bottom line is I have never had better fried green tomatoes or fried chicken. EVER. Colonel Sanders would be shaking his head.
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 31
Rob Kahn is from Laredo Texas and enjoys sharing many Mexican inspired dishes
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Home Made Venison Sausage Ingredients
Directions
1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup mustard seed 1/8 cup garlic powder 1 cup salt 1/8 cup black pepper 12 pounds pork, cubed 6 pounds venison, cubed 15 feet pork sausage casing
In a large metal bowl, mix sugar, mustard seed, garlic, salt, and pepper with pork and venison. When ingredients are well mixed, grind the meat mixture in a meat grinder. Put the ground meat into a mechanical sausage stuffer. Be sure to push all of the air out of stuffer so there are no air pockets in the sausages. Fill SRUN FDVLQJ ZLWK JURXQG PHDW :KHQ FDVLQJ LV ÂżOOHG HQWLUHO\ ÂżQG WKH FHQWHU RI WKH VDXVDJH DQG IROG DQG SLQFK LQ RQ D table. Pinch and twist into sausage links 2 at a time, pulling the “legâ€? of the sausage through the center each time a twist is made. Hang sausage in a smoke house or put sausage in a smoker for approximately 8 to 12 hours.
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FEATURED CONTRACTOR Troy CASSELS T President P roy Cassels serves as President of Innovative Turnaround Controls, overseeing all of IITC’s interests and operations on a daily basis. Much of Troy’s career revolved around the heavy in industrial business working from the “bottom upâ€? as theyy say say. Criscrossi Criscrossing the United States from one plant to the next, Troy accomplished successful Turnarounds and Capital Projects for clients in WKH UHÂżQLQJ EXVLQHVV WKURXJKRXW WKH 8 6 7UR\ VWDUWHG ZLWK ,7& LQ at its inception, working from a minor partner with duties in sales and project management to principle owner with the title of president.
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D E. MARTIN Dale Vice President V tarting out as a Mechanical Planner, he schedXOHG PDMRU SURMHFWV LQVLGH RI VHYHUDO UH¿QLQJ units u up to a cost of $400MM TIC. As a Mechanical Planner, P he was responsible for creating job tasks for f up to 100 craftsman and working with operations to plan and d eexecute all crafts. After a few years, he transitioned into a scheduling role on a $100MM project to install a modular unit LQVLGH WKH EDWWHU\ OLPLWV RI DQ H[LVWLQJ UH¿QLQJ XQLW $IWHU FRPSOHWLRQ of this project, he was hired by the client, to assist in the maintenance department and aid in the creation of best practices for maintenance planning. Dale also assisted with a cross training program for employees and onsite contractors to establish a planning team responsible for the safety, well-being and quality of all tasks. He worked for several years at Valero as Maintenance Supervisor, including positions on the FCC, Co-Gen and Oil Movements and as the Turnaround ExHFXWLRQ /HDG RQ VHYHUDO UH¿QHU\ RXWDJHV UHVSRQVLEOH IRU VXSHUYLVLQJ planners, schedulers, execution coordinators and contractors. As a Project Manager, he would utilize several different contract companies to achieve a safe, reliable and quality product for the customer and operations team. After several years, he assumed the role of Regional Project Controls Manager, responsible for budgets ranging from $30MM in Maintenance projects and $200MM in Strategic projects across the United States. Responsibilities included cash ÀRZ IRUHFDVWLQJ HVWLPDWLQJ SURFXULQJ PDWHULDO DQG GHOLYHULHV RI DOO equipment and manpower, and scheduling for all projects. During these years, he also helped adjust the contract language, saving cliHQWV XWLOL]LQJ QHZ WHFKQRORJ\ DQG EHVW SUDFWLFHV DURXQG time management and contract strategies.
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W William BERRY Vice President V ith more than a decade of heavy industrial experience, William Berry has devveloped a sharp eye for assessing organizational aand management needs for both projects and T Turnarounds--As an integral team member of IInnovative ti T Turnaround Controls; William specializes in the implementation of cost savings practices through the creation, development, and integration of technical processes and systems. Since Joining Innovative Turnaround Controls William has assisted a variety of clients ranging from General Contractors to ForWXQH FRPSDQLHV RQ YDULRXV W\SHV RI SURMHFWV DQG WXUQDURXQGV across the world. William holds a Bachelors of Science Degree from Texas A&M University and is currently an active member of many SURIHVVLRQDO DQG LQGXVWULDO VSHFLÂżF RUJDQL]DWLRQV ZKHQ QRW DVVLVWLQJ FOLHQWV KH RIÂżFHV RXW RI 3DVDGHQD 7H[DV
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Workers: Importance of staying hydrated and how to recognize heat exhaustion Water, rest and shade; Difference between life and death. OSHA standard is for employee to drink one-gallon of non-alcoholic liquid per eight hour shift. If the heat temperature is GHJUHHV ZRUNHU FDQ ZRUN PLQXWHV DQG UHVW WKH RWKHU PLQXWHV *HW XVHG WR your outdoors work gradually, BUT allow more frequent breaks to build a tolerance for working in the heat (acclimatization). Heat index values increase by GHJUHHV )DKUHQKHLW ZKHQ ZRUNLQJ LQ IXOO VXQOLJKW • Rest and stay in the shade at least during the break or when the body needs it. ‡ 'ULQN OLTXLGV HYHU\ PLQXWHV HYHQ LI \RX DUH QRW thirsty. • Wear a hat and light-colored clothing. • Keep an eye on fellow workers. The Importance of staying hydrated will prevent of becoming sick from exposure to heat and prevent death. Stay safe from excessive heat. Heat illnesses range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat illness can be prevented. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and can result in death. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but hot weather with high humidity, sweating isn’t enough.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE HEAT EXHAUSTION Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to loss of water and salt from heavy sweating. Signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, and heavy sweating. Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat-related illness, happens when body becomes unable to regulate its core temperature. Sweating stops and the body no longer rid itself of excess heat. Signs include confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Heat cramps are caused by the loss oof body salts and fluid during sweating. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful L ccramps. Signs include tired muscles that bbecome cramps during or after working hhour. Mr. Efrain Nunez Martinez is a General Industry, General Construction A & M OSHA Trainer Graduate and Maritime Industry OSHA Trainer Graduate from the University of South Florida and a former Chief Bi-lingual Safety Trainer for British Petroleum (BP) during the 2010 Oil-Spill for the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Efrain Nunez Martinez Occupational Safety Academy is not affiliated with OSHA federal agency. Call Dr. Jesus 'XUDQ DW RU martinezemarti@aol.com for a free safety consultation. LIKE us on Facebook.
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 33
34 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
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NEW ZEALAND
Hunting Trip 2015
36 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
was talking with Russell Selle with Russell Selle Custom Hunts a few years ago about going on a hunt somewhere over seas. He recommended several places and one of them was New Zealand. I have used Russell to book all of my hunts for the last ten years or more. I have been blessed to be able to hunt all over the globe. Places like Africa, Yukon, Alaska, Mexico etc...
I
Russell knows all the best places to go and the most professional outfitters to use on your hunt no matter where they are on the globe. I have never been on a bad hunt that Russell has recommended for me. So when he said New Zealand my “old hunting wheels” started to turn. It started out as a hunt with one of my good friends and me, but my friend had to cancel and my wife had said if he cancels that she wanted to go. She wanted to go and see the beautiful country of New Zealand. Which it is very beautiful! So we booked the trip/hunt. It was nice my wife Karla was coming as this was the first hunting trip she had been on. When we arrived in New Zealand customs was very easy to go through. We arrived at our hotel and received a call from our outfitter. They wanted to make sure everything had gone well and also wanted to set up a time to pick us up the next day. My wife would be going to the Main Lodge on the North Island and I would be picked up and taken to a small airport and flown to the South Island to start my hunt for Chamois and Tahr. I arrived on the South Island and was met at the airport. I ate lunch and met the couple that was going back on the plane to the North Island and the Main Lodge. It just so happened they were from Texas also. They were a father and daughter from Sweetwater Texas. They were showing me the trophies that they had taken. I was very impressed by how nice of quality they were. Both had gotten a Tahr and Chamois. Just like what I was going after. They said they had seen a lot of game in the mountains. They wished me luck and said they would see me at the Main Lodge they then flew back to the North Island. Now it was my turn. I met with my guide Travis. I was amazed at the knowledge that he had of the South Island and of all the game that was on it. We had some small talk to break the ice. Then he asked me what I was looking for in way of trophies. I told him on the Tahr I wanted one with a lot of long gray hair. He was so knowledgeable he knew where on the mountain range to go and try and find one. He told me that different areas on the mountain range would produce different characteristics. After some safety instructions and more visiting we went up in the helicopter to get in the mountains to start hunting. We saw a lot of game and I saw a Chamois that looked promising. We got close enough for a shot and the Chamois became my first animal to take in New Zealand. It is a pretty animal. It reminds me of an Antelope and a goat. We continued hunting for my Tahr. We saw several Tahr and groups of Tahr, but not the one I was looking for. Towards the end of the day we saw several Tahr and one was a huge Bull Tahr with a lot of long gray hair. Just what I was looking for! We managed to get about 75 yards from him and I was able to make a good shot on him. What a day! I would be leaving the South Island to go the North Island the next day. Travis and I had that night and the next morning to sight see before the plane came and picked me up and drop off the next group of hunters. That next morning I saw some beautiful country. We also drove to the
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 37
ocean and while there I picked up some sea shells to take home with me. Around lunch the plane came to take me to the North Island. I spoke with the next group and showed them my trophies and wished them luck. When I arrived at the North Island I was met by my wife Karla and my guide Bruce. He would guide me for the remainder of my hunt. The next morning Bruce wanted to show me around the property and ask me what size and species
game from the windows and on the decks around the Lodge. They had staff there to attend any need you might have. They would take the ladies to town to shop or sights see. They were accommodating to whatever you wanted to do. All hunters had their own room, bathroom, and closet. They had a basket in each room. You put the basket with your dirty clothes in it outside your door every morning and they would pick it up and
of animals I was looking for. Bruce was great! He had guided nearly his whole life. He was very knowledgeable about the property and the animals that were on it. My wife and I enjoyed with Bruce a great morning of sightseeing and spotting animals. We came back to the Main Lodge a little before lunch and Bruce wanted me to shoot and make sure everything was ok on my rifle. Side note they had plenty of high end custom rifles I could have used, but I like to take my own gun on all of my hunts. So I chose to bring my own. Bruce said after lunch we would head to an area he had been seeing some good size Red Stags at. Lunch was great! All of our meals were wonderful! We had a 5 star chef who loved to cook and make snacks all during the day. The lodge was on a hill that over looked several valleys. We would see
wash them and have them back to your room around noon. The Lodge had Wi-Fi, TVs, fire place, four wheelers, streams you could fish from and rooms you could read or just relax. My wife loved the Lodge and the friends she made there. Bruce, Karla and I went after lunch to see if we could find a Red Stag for me. We set up on a hill where we could glass a big area to find the Red Stags. Late in the evening we saw a group with some nice Stags. There were two that were super nice. One in particular I liked. So Karla, Bruce, and I made a stock to get closer to them. They were in some trees and brush. Some were lying down and some were grazing. We glassed them for a long while and I made up my mind that I wanted one of them that had great crowns and a lot of mass. Of course this one was lying down
38 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
and was the last one that got up to graze. He was always behind some trees or brush. Finally he walked out in the open. He was 238 yards downhill from me. I got ready and squeezed a shot off and I hit him hard. I was using a 300 rum. I got ready to take another shot, but he started to sway and then he fell over. We watched him for a short time then we went down the hill to him. It was the biggest and heavies horned animal that I had ever taken! He scored 484 2/8”!! What an animal! Karla and I were so excited and I think Bruce was also. This was my first animal that I took on the North Island and the first time my wife had seen me take an animal. What fun! As we hunted for other animals we saw a lot of Red Stags. Some were even bigger horned than mine. It was also fun to see each day what the other hunters have harvested and share our stories. We stayed at the Main property and Lodge a few more days. Bruce decided that we might enjoy hunting another property that they had to the north about three hours away. Karla had seen a Rusa and said if I saw a good one she would like me to shoot one for her. She wouldn’t have to ask me twice to shoot another trophy. I asked Bruce if they had Rusa at the other property. He said that they did and that they would have all the same kinds of animals there as they did here. So I told him lets go to the other property and see what we can see. We were glad we did! We got to see some more of the North Island that we wouldn’t have been able to see. The game was just as plentiful there as it was at the Main Lodge. I ended up shooting a great Rusa, a wonderful Fallow Deer, along with a sly old Sika Deer. We had a great time there! We drove back to the Main Lodge were we spent the last few days enjoying the animals and company. We made a lot of friends there. We still keep in touch by e-mail, face book, etc… If I could go hunt anywhere again it would have to be New Zealand. The people are friendly, the country is beautiful and well kept, and they speak English or in my case “Texan”.
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2015 20 2201 015 SSport 01 Sportsman ppoort rts rts tsma sma man XXPP 11000 1000 0000 00 PPolaris Po ola laris ris is PPursuit ursui urs suit Camo Caamo 88 Horsepower!
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/2: $35 ),1$1&,1* 237,216 $9$,/$%/( WARNING: Polaris off-road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2015 Polaris Industries Inc.
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 39
NETWORKING PAGE
sentt to us byy Zach reatt shott off two future oilmen and hunters i a grea Here is H ices. Serv gy Ener Rock Theobald at Iron
s Valero Dove a gold sponsor at last month ked A Shot of Texas Magazine was ck out this crowd. It was pac Shoot benefitting CC PALS. Che
40 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
William Berry with ITC Safetyy and Camo Girl Kendall Rae Kahn at ITCs fishing tournament
Setting upp door prizes! Dennis Payne off Valero’s wife Debbie Payne n andd Sherry Carrillo.
It’s all about working the events, shooting and networking. Kendall Rae Kahn, Camo November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 41
What is a Camo Girl review? At Mobley Industrial Services we always keep our ducks in a row, especially with Safety and Quality!
A
Project ser vices GRQH ULJKW INDUSTRIES SERVED Refining and Petrochemical Pipeline and Terminals Marine Power Generation Pulp and Paper
SERVICES OFFERED Industrial Painting Tank Linings Scaffolding Insulation Fireproofing Abatement
Camo Girl Review is a product review by Jr Editor, Kendall Rae Kahn. Miss Kahn is an experienced public persona that can represent virtually any product or service in print and in person . Kendall is becoming a familiar face at industrial events throughout Texas. There are several products that we actually test in the field such as rifles, optics, knives and ammunition etc. The field trial is then followed up with a written appraisal of that product’s performance in real field conditions. Other product reviews of a more technical type items such as pipe, valve and fittings or construction materials and methods are supplied by you about your product. For example: if you have received an award for your product or service we would be happy to publish that for you. Camo Girl and A Shot of Texas Magazine have a broad appeal in the Oil and Gas, Petrochemical and Pipeline industry. We began two years ago with 28 pages and less than 5000 readers. Today we have over 20,000 readers, 56 pages and are on track to reach 30,000 readers and 72 pages by the end of 2016. For more information email rob@ashotoftexas.net
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E-mail: info@mobleyservices.com sales team@mobleyindustrialservices.com www.mobleyindustrialservices.com
42 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
w w w . m b h u n t i n g r a n c h e s . c o m mike@mbhuntingranches.com
A Shot of Texas Magazine Spring Turkey Hunt . Contact rob@ashotoftexas.net for details
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November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazineâ„¢ 43
PERFORMANCE TOP DRIVES & CUSTOM HUNTING RIGS HIGH RACKS ACK AC ACKS CKS KS TOP DRIVES IV IVES VES ATV RACKS CK CKS KS COMPLETE QUAIL RIGS RIG GS “WE WILL MAKE YOUR YOU UR RIG RIG G AM A AMAZING MAZING “ THREE RIVERS TEXAS EX XA S XA
361-786-3034 86 6 3034 WWW.PERFORMANCETOPDRIVES.COM 44 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
HUNT LIKE A
CHAMPION! Arriving at Champion Ranch in Brady Texas was more than a pleasant surprise. I knew we were ,'!&'& ;3 ! #'!<ࣅ(<¡ ¡3&+' #<; 23; 32$' &-& -1!+-2' -; ;3 #' 93 6-$;<8' 6'8('$;U '-2+ +8'';'& #@ '!$, !2& '='8@ +<-&' !; ;,' (832; 3( ;,' ¡3&+' >!9 #3;, -168'99-=' !2& *!ħ'8-2+U !$, !2& '='8@ 32' 3( ;,' +<-&'9X 6'8(381!2$' >!9 63¡-;' !2& 683('99-32!¡U @ +<-&' '8,!8& >!9 (8-'2&¡@ !2& !ħ'2ࣅ='S !¡>!@9 1!0-2+ 9<8' >!9 $31(38;!#¡'S 6¡'!9'& !2& ,!& '='8@;,-2+ 2''&'&U Y Z -9 >,!; >' $!¡¡'& ,-1 #@ ,-9 8'7<'9; 3( $3<89' !2& +!=' 1' ! 131'2; ;,!; >-¡¡ ¡!9; !9 ! ;8'!9<8'& 1'138@ (38 ;,' 8'9; 3( 1@ ¡-('S 1@ )89; #-+ >,-;';!-¡ #<$0U
“A Shot of Texas Magazines Industrial Editor Rod Daigle with his trophy Mouflon Ram from Champion Ranch
46 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
Day 1. We started out at three in the after-noon and headed for a blind. Theree we would sit, wait and watch as sev-eral deer grazed near us. We saw fivee bucks in one spot, all impressive, butt far too young to harvest. The big boyy we were waiting on apparently had d other plans that evening, so we packed d up and headed back to the lodge forr the night.
Day 2. At 5:00 A.M. I was up and out off bed. I slipped on some jeans and d grabbed my GameGuard jacket. Afterr enjoying a breakfast taco we packed d up in the Hummer headed to the field.. As we unloaded our gear I prayed to o see that big white tail deer. Waitingg in the predawn hours the sun began n to rise, the glare much too intense to o spot anything through my Huskamaa scope. Three nice bucks lurked in thee area with does scattered all around.. Eight and nine pointers but not whatt we were looking for. So we waited and d watched. Finally, I see in the distance what ap-pears to be a noticeably bigger whitee tail buck. He had ten points, a big bodyy and was just mature enough to takee down. As G and I discussed the buckss that paced back and forth in front off us he finally gave me the go ahead. I raised my rifle, rested it in place and d lowered my head down to the scope to o find him. I could see nothing. The sun n wasn’t high enough, I was blinded byy the sun and it wasn’t safe to shoot. Wee had no choice but to wait for the timee to pass to allow the bright morningg light to disperse. All we could do wass hope that the ten point would decidee to stick around. Minutes passed and soon the scopee was clear. Now I could safely take thee shot. I lean in, placing the cross hairss o just behind the shoulder. I’m about to squeeze the trigger and suddenly hee d spooks. One of the younger bucks had scared him off, running him out of myy line of fire. I couldn’t believe it! By this time myy heart was pounding and my patiencee was being tested. For several minutess we play cat and mouse with this bigg
“Champion Ranches Hummer top drive vehicle had Camo Girl Kendall Rae Kahn smiling the whole trip”
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 47
buck who seems to be intimidated by one of the smaller bucks. At this moment the hunt became very intense. I feel as if every time my heart beat my chances were slipping away. Four times this buck was scared off and each and every time felt like a heavy, irritating disappointment. By the fifth time all luck runs out. The ten point seeks his interest elsewhere. My hope wasn’t gone yet though. I had several hunts left and my attitude was still positive. Back to the lodge until the next hunt. Lunch was ready when we arrived and we all gathered to indulge. Instead of waiting for the afternoon hunt we decided to take a ride around the ranch thinking maybe we would come across a shooter white tail. The ranch was beautiful and the weather absolutely perfect. The sun reflected off the golden grasses and the many varieties of green trees. We saw tons of game, both native and exotic, but we didn’t come across my target ani-
mal. Back into the pasture we headed for the afternoon hunt. Certainly this was the time, this was the day, this was the MOMENT I’d been waiting for. I could feel it in my bones. I knew we would see a shooter this evening. G and I again spotted doe and nice young bucks with lots of future potential. About forty-five minutes into the hunt there he was. There was the shooter whitetail buck we had been waiting for. Ten points with a little kicker and he was GORGEOUS. His golden gray coat looked so slick beneath the soft sunlight. I sat and waited for the word as I watched G peer through the binocu-
48 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
lars. “Okay, whenever you’re ready you can go ahead and shoot him.”, G whispered to me in his South African accent. I placed my firearm on the rest, holding it steady as I watched the white tail wander a little way off. He’s not yet standing right, but he’s just about in the perfect position. I place my cheek to the rifle, left eye sealed and right eye scoped and ready. All I needed was just one step. There it was, the motion I needed. His body placement was perfect and I had the go ahead. I put the cross hairs behind the shoulder thinking deep breath in, exhale and squeeze. The bullet dropped the buck in his tracks.
I shouted, “Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you!” The six simple words that slipped out of my mouth after a perfect shot. Tears filled my eyes as I thanked my guide, both of us leaning in for a hug! An unforgettable moment that was. Seeing that buck drop is an image permanently imbedded into my mind. In the end it was all satisfaction. My buck scored 151 and was a beautiful experience to remember. I’d like to thank all the guys at Champion Ranch for a memorable visit as well as my parents whom make it all possible. Nothing less than perfect! by Kendall Rae Kahn,, Camo Girll
double drop White Tail Buck Ronnie Norcross with his Champion Ranch
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 49
UNMATCHED TEXAS HUNTING RETREAT
"We Do Things Right!" www.lonesomecoyoteranch.com
"Just wanted to say thanks for showing my family an awesome time. The hospitality and service received at the Lonesome Coyote Ranch is second to none. This was our fifth trip to the ranch and it just gets better everytime, you guys are the best! Oh and the kids said the food was perfect every meal." Mann Daigle —
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The Lonesome Coyote Ranch is open year round. We are located in the famous South Texas Golden triangle that is famous for variety of exceptional hunting opportunities. Our corporate tailored facilities can host your next sales meeting this or guide you to your next exceptional trophy. We offer: White Tail Deer Rio Grande Turkey Upland Game Birds Hogs and Predators 50 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
The Best Possible Venison Starts With YOU!
S
o you pull the trigger and you’ve bagged a deer. From this moment on the venison quality will depend on you. Pay attention and you will give yourself the option to fry or not to fry. Here are the basics: gut it, skin it, keep it clean and cool. If it’s under 50° and in the shade you can safely hang it for two days. Please do not take quivering warm venison and place it on ice. This is the worst possible thing you can do for both texture and flavor. In the field: be prepared to process your animal anytime your hunting.
Have your knives and game bags ready and a tarp to place the meat on if you happen to be quartering without a hanging rack. – You have the option to leave the hide on depending on weather. You need to remember that the meat will cool much quicker without the hide. – Keep the meat clean as it is easier than having to remove dirt or debris later. – Clean your knife after gutting the animal or use a different one when you start the process. There are bacterial from the entrails that
Rob Kahn
you do not want to introduce into the meat. – Try to hang your meat for as long as possible in 40° but do not allow it to freeze. This is an important step in the flavor of your venison. – Be sure to trim off the bloodshot me and scrape away any gelled blood before you hang it. Blood is what makes the meat susceptible to bacteria. Check our guys and grills page for venison recipes and feel free to hare yours. Email me rob@ashotoftexas.net Good Hunting and be safe!
November/December Issue 2015 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 51
The 4D Guest Ranch and Resort! Right in the heart of Texas! Conferences, Meetings, Family Reunions, Church Retreats, Hunts, and Indoor/Outdoor Weddings! Our guest rate us the best ever on personalized service, food, facilities and animals! Ranch tours to see over 30 species of deer and antelope and much, much more on over one thousand acres included in every package. We provide an incredible alternative for your typical corporate event, reunion, wedding or business conference!!! Your best spot for the F1 and X Games! 5 times the fun for far less $$$ than the big name resorts. Family owned and run for eleven years!
52 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
4168 County Rd 444, Waelder, TX 78959 Where: We are between Gonzales and Bastrop just north of I10. One hour drive from DT San Antonio, one hour from DT Austin, and two hours from DT Houston. Your perfect place to stay, meet, eat, and party!
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Texas 2015 Deer Forecast E
verybody knows Texas has a ton of deer in fact we have more deer than any other state in the country. When we talk about deer forecast were talking about what the weather did and when the weather did what it did. The huge torrential rains this last summer proved to be a windfall for deer forage. The misfortunes of those who happen to have had homes on or near some of our central Texas rivers were actually fortunate for our deer herd.
Even the mule deer population which has been steadily increasing over the years is doing well. Texas hunters may be seeing a chance to fill their entire list of license tags. On top of the good weather at the right time Texas Parks and wildlife has suggested that this year’s fine crop is much higher. This is another good sign to a good season. What we would like to see here at A Shot of Texas Magazine is for hunters to pass up this year is young bucks for just one year. In our opinion it would May 2017 a banner year for good bucks.
He pointed out a key theory to deer management, one that especially will come into focus again across the state this fall and winter, no matter how lush or how parched the landscape shakes out. Larry Weishuhn who is one of our field writers and acclaimed game biolo-
gist responded with a smile when asked about this year’s prospects for numbers of deer. You can read more about game management and great wildlife adventures in the upcoming months. Visit www.ashotoftexas.net for more tips on game management.
COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE Led by Physicians and Special Operations Veterans In February, Redpoint evacuated two Ripcord clients on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro at 13,000 feet - not an unusual altitude for mountain hunters to reach. The climbers were part of the Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb for Valor, an event conducted by mountaineering company Tusker Trail to raise money and awareness for the families of fallen members of US Special Operations Forces. Two of the climbers developed conditions that threatened their lives but did not require hospitalization for treatment. Dr. Avi Patil, a Redpoint wilderness medical iÝ«iÀÌ > ` -Ì> v À` i` V i >vw >Ìi` physician who was participating in the climb, describes what happened: “On the second night, one climber indicated that he couldn’t breathe. The situation was clearly High Altitude Pulmonary Edema Ƃ* ® q yÕ ` Ì i Õ }ð - >vÌiÀ] another climber displayed serious facial
swelling and an allergic reaction that could easily lead to breathing problems. Both situations were immediate and lifethreatening. Both evacuations were necessary; there was no room for hesitation.” These evacuations are perfect examples of Ripcord’s rescue services. Both HAPE and allergic reactions are potentially life-threatening, but, in this case, neither required hospitalization. Both climbers were evacuated off the mountain and transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, but neither required hospital admittance. Visit us on facebook to see the places we’ve gone and the things we have done for our clients: facebook.com/ripcordtravelprotection
CONTACT US TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR NEXT TRIP.
W W W. R I P C O R D T R AV E L P R O T E C T I O N . C O M / A S O T EMAIL: RIPCORD@REDPOINTRESOLUTIONS.COM PHONE: +1 415 481 0600
54 Shot of Texas Magazine™ November/Desember Issue 2015
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