COVER
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Hunting Seminar As for me hunting season is on and around all the time. Just because deer season is over, technically we still have to tend to protein feeders and corn feeders and food plots and deer blinds etc. ,Q EHWZHHQ IDPLO\ WLPH ÂżVKLQJ WULSV DQG WDSLQJ VKRZV \RX always have to have time to go to the ranch. Well coming up April 29th you all are invited to the Texas Sportsman / Medina Deer and Cattle Company hunting seminar at the Bass Pro Shop in Harlingen,Texas . In store on the line up we will be talking about the hunter education course and gun safety. One of the other topics will be about deer tracking . What is it your looking for when you begin to track your deer and how long should you wait till you decide to start looking. There are so many things to look for when you are about to look for your buck or doe. Next, on the line up we will be discussing managing your deer if you are in a high fence or low fence. Look into the buck and doe ratio , helicopter surveys,should I shoot a spike? Questions like these and many more. Another topic is going to be protein feeding . Which one should I use and what do all those numbers mean ? When should I feed protein and then switch to corn or should I keep going? The last topic is going to be how to maintain your senderos and the overall construction or destruction of new senderos? Overall, its going to be a good seminar and there will be time for questions and answers. The best part is, its Free to the public but you better get there early for a seat. Coming up in May and June on WKH 7H[DV 6SRUWVPDQ 79 6KRZ ZH DUH JRLQJ WR EH ÂżVKLQJ PRUH LQ 3RUW 0DQVÂżHOG RXW RI 3RFR /RFR 0DULQD DQG RIIHULQJ XS VRPH JUHDW WLSV RQ ZKHUH DQG KRZ WR FDWFK ÂżVK DQG VWXG\ WKH ZDWHU DQG WKH PRRQ Lastly , apart from the fun make sure you do proper maintenance on your boat motor and trailer. Changing out water pumps, changing the lower unit oil and greasing and lubing your axles. 7KHQ WKHUH LV \RXU ÂżVKLQJ HTXLSPHQW UHHOV URGV HWF ,Q FORVLQJ HQMR\ this issue of the Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors Magazine and EH FRXUWHRXV RQ WKH ZDWHU DQG GRQÂśW FXW RII \RXU IHOORZ ÂżVKHUPDQ *RG Bless and Be Safe!
ON THE COVER Ray Thomas Chief of Justice
STAFF
Fred Rodriguez The Texas Sportsman fredrsportsman@yahoo.com (956)776-4623
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gus Escobar Brent Johnson Capt. Nick Lapre Manny Perez Capt. Alan Stewart PHOTOGRAPHY Albino Mendoza DESIGN Albino Mendoza
Fred Rodriguez Texas Sportsman
Volume 4, Issue 2. April 2017. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is a production Sportsman Media LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the writers, photographers and contributors, and are not necessarily those of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors or its publisher. Every effort has been taken to ensure the correctness and accuracy
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in the material published in this magazine. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors reserves the right to edit, rewrite and refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequence arising from it. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors shall be held harmless and indemnified against any third - party claims. Advertisements appearing in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors present only the viewpoint of the advertisers
Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is printed in the U.S.A. All correspondence to the publication become the property of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors. To advertise in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors call (956)776-4623 or email fredrsportsman@yahoo.com
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*XVÂśV &RUQHU
PREDATOR CONTROL One of the biggest concern for ranchers and hunter is “predator controlâ€?. How do we maintain that part of the Eco System in check? 3UHGDWRUV MXVW OLNH DQ\ RWKHU DQLPDO GRPHVWLF RU wild, their numbers must be maintained to avoid over population. In South Texas the list of predators is small compared to other areas of the state and country. The primary predators for us are coyote, bobcats, mountain lions and hogs yes hogs!!!! Hogs have been known to eat their own and also they have been seen killing and eating fawns. Hogs are considered an invasive species due to there reproduction cycles which may be up to three gestation periods a year. If you have hogs on your property and are trying to grow your deer population this writer suggests you hunt these hogs aggressively in order to protect your herd. Some means of maintaining the herd are trapping, hunting XVLQJ GRJV ULĂ€H DQG LQ VRPH H[WUHPH FDVHV using a helicopter to shoot them is the only way to eradicate them. %REFDWV DQG FR\RWH DUH GLIÂżFXOW DV ZHOO because they are mostly nocturnal and if they do show up on your sendero early in the morning or late in the evening while your deer hunting most hunters will decide to pass up that shot at a predator hoping to see that deer of a lifetime. So, what do we do? Now is the time to get out and do your predator management. All does will be pregnant with fawns and all bucks have dropped there horns and are preparing for the harsh hot summer months. Does begin dropping fawns in late June and July with some late bloomers in August and even September these months are prime hunting periods for coyote and bobcats. In order to insure maximum survival of your deer fawns you must aggressively hunt these predators NOW!!!
<RX FDQ ÂżQG VRPH LQH[SHQVLYH KDQG KHOG SUHGDWRU calls and the more expensive electronic calls are also available at your local outdoor store. The best times to call in predators is late in the evening or at night using colored spot lights in either red RU JUHHQ 0DNH VXUH \RX QRWLI\ \RXU ORFDO *DPH Warden if you will be doing any night hunting at your ranch. This is a courtesy call to keep the *DPH :DUGHQ LQ WKH ORRS DV WR ZKDW \RX DUH GRLQJ DV QHLJKERUV ZLOO FDOO WR UHSRUW VKRWV ÂżUHG HVSHFLDOO\ at night. You will need at least two to three people in order to properly scan the shooting areas when you are calling in these predators. You must pay close attention to wind direction and the placement of your decoys. Make sure you use a good “Scent Killerâ€? to eliminate your natural oder and use a good coyote scent to mask your cover. Predator hunting can be a lot of fun and very productive at the same time. If you have not started a predator control program at your ranch and need help in getting one started please feel free to drop me a line through the magazine or call us at the numbers listed in this magazine. Until next time happy hunting and take someone with you to the great outdoors!!!
Gus Escobar 7H[DV 6SRUWVPDQ 2XWÂżWWHUV
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FLOUNDER TIPS By Brian Joseph Spencer
With hopes that my last article was able to help out, I have a few more important things that I was unable to talk about. One of the cool characteristics RI WKH ÀRXQGHU LV WKDW ZKHQ WKH\ DUH ERUQ WKHLU H\HV are actually normal and on both sides of its head. As they start to mature, the side of their body that faces upwards is where the eyes will gravitate to and the type of species also decides which side the H\HV ZLOO EH RQ *LYLQJ WKHP WKH VLOO\ ORRN WKH\ KDYH DV DGXOWV )ORXQGHU DUH PHPEHUV RI WKH ÀDW¿VK IDPLO\ 7KH WZR W\SHV RI ÀRXQGHU LQ 7H[DV ZDWHUV DUH WKH JXOI ÀRXQGHU DQG WKH VRXWKHUQ ÀRXQGHU RFFDVLRQDOO\ DOVR ¿QGLQJ D VROH KHUH DQG WKHUH 2I WKH WZR WKH VRXWKHUQ ÀRXQGHU JURZV ELJJHU DQG OLYHV ORQJHU 7KH JXOI ÀRXQGHU ZLOO QRW JHW much bigger than eighteen inches as to where the southern females can get up to twenty-eight inches. ,W WDNHV DERXW ¿YH \HDUV IRU D IHPDOH WR JURZ XS to twenty inches. Sharks, dolphins and humans DUH ÀRXQGHUV RQO\ SUHGDWRUV XQOHVV VSRWWHG E\ D bird in the shallows. Then they could become an easy meal. I know I spoke about them having a fall 14- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
migration but with March coming to an end it is getting very close to the spring run or when WKH ÀRXQGHU RQ WKH ZD\ EDFN LQ IURP WKH JXOI This time they are making their way back to the VNLQQ\ ÀDWV LQ WKH PDUVKHV , ZDV OXFN\ HQRXJK to get out this week and do some gigging. The YHUGLFW RQ WKH ÀRXQGHU LV WKDW , DP VHHLQJ D lot of males between twelve and seventeen LQFKHV DOWKRXJK , DP VWLOO ¿QGLQJ VRPH PRQVWHU IHPDOHV ZKR KDYH ¿QLVKHG OD\LQJ their eggs. I was able to stick my personal best ÀRXQGHU DW WZHQW\ ±¿YH LQFKHV ,W VXUSULVHG me so much that I almost ended up missing WKH ¿VK <RX VHH , ZRXOG QRW ZDQW WR QRUPDOO\ WDNH D ÀRXQGHU IURP WKH ZDWHU LI ELJJHU WKDQ twenty-two inches or more but this one was so buried that I thought it was maybe seventeen inches or so. The body was so hidden it pretty much disappeared. He exploded from the VDQG RQFH WKH SURQJV KLW KLP $V IRU ¿VKLQJ with rod and reel, I would say that right now WU\ WR ¿QG VRPH URFNV RU ZDOOV DORQJ DQ\ LQOHW
leading back inshore. With the water still being kind of cold you will have to work the bait a whole ORW VORZHU VLQFH WKH ¿VK DUH OHWKDUJLF LQ FROGHU water temperatures. In my next article I will go in to further detail about barometric pressure and ZKDW NLQG RI LPSDFW LW KDV RQ WKH ¿VK DQG WKH ZD\ WKDW WKH\ GR RU GR QRW ELWH <RX GH¿QLWHO\ ZLOO QRW FDWFK D ÀRXQGHU VLWWLQJ DW KRPH VR JHW RXW there and give it a try, whether you are gigging RU MLJJLQJ 'R QRW IRUJHW WKDW LI \RX KDYH DQ\ TXHVWLRQV RU MXVW ZDQW WR OHDUQ FRPH MRLQ P\ group Flounder Fanatics on Face Book or email me. Tight lines and sharp gigs. Thank you to all P\ VSRQVRUV VWLQN\ SDQWV ¿VKLQJ WKXPS NLQJV lures, chickenboy lures, Kelley wigglers, Team ardent, Redtail Republic, Hookspit Performance Rods, Fin Addict Angler and Fishing Reactant Compound.
Brian Joseph Spencer Flounder Fanatics @ Face Book Flounderfanatics@gmail.com
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ƌ͘ KƌůĂŶĚŽ sŝůůĂƌƌĞĂů K ů Ě sŝůů ŚŝƌŽƉƌĂĐƚŽƌ
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He and his wife strive to lead by example, and have raised their children to measure success by the difference they make in the lives of others. Rey Ray was recently honored to receive the Presidential Service Award for 3URMHFW 0HUFL D PLVVLRQ KH FUHDWHG WR LPSURYH education in rural villages in Cameroon, Africa.
Raymond (Ray) Thomas is a McAllen lawyer, ERDUG FHUWL¿HG LQ FLYLO WULDO ODZ )RU QHDUO\ \HDUV he has specialized in complex litigation, including VHYHUDO KLJK SUR¿OH FDVHV IHDWXUHG LQ QDWLRQDO PHGLD +H DQG KLV ZLIH 6DQGUD *RQ]DOH] KDYH been married for 28 years. They have two living children, including his son, Raymond Luis (Rey Ray), DQG GDXJKWHU /DXUD $OHMDQGUD +DQQD UHFHQWO\ married to Adrian Adame. Until recently, he and his ODZ ¿UP RZQHG D UDQFK LQ :LOODF\ &RXQW\ ZKHUH KLV IDPLO\ HQMR\HG ORQJ ZHHNHQGV DQG KROLGD\V FOD\ VKRRWLQJ KXQWLQJ ¿VKLQJ DQG RXWGRRU JULOOLQJ +H raised his children to love and respect nature, taking them to special places like Alaska, Africa, Argentina and many places throughout Latin America. Thomas serves as a permanent deacon at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen, where he teaches adult education, is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is active in other ministries, including ACTS. Thomas preaches and teaches that the family is essential to the fabric of society. 22- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
Thomas served as President of the Boys DQG *LUOV &OXE LQ 0F$OOHQ DQG DV FKDLUPDQ of a capital campaign which raised more than $5 million dollars to build state-of-the-art facilities in north McAllen. He also served on the board of the Vannie E. Cook Jr Children’s Cancer Foundation, and has supported many RWKHU QRQ SUR¿W RUJDQL]DWLRQV 3URIHVVLRQDOO\ Thomas served as President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, which annually
invests millions of dollars of time and money into award-winning public service programs. Thomas was appointed by the Texas 6XSUHPH &RXUW WR LWV *ULHYDQFH 2YHUVLJKW Committee, which oversees the attorney discipline system. Thomas also served for three years on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas, and as a Commissioner of the Texas Access to Justice Commission. His peers recognize Thomas as one of the top lawyers in Texas. He is rated AV3UHHPLQHQW RXW RI E\ 0DUWLQGDOH Hubbell, meaning his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. His peers have also voted him as a Super Lawyer, for eleven consecutive years, a distinction reserved for only 5% of all Texas lawyers.
Thomas attributes his success to his family and faith. His desire to serve is driven by his belief that to whom much is given, much is required. After building one of the premier ODZ ¿UPV LQ 6RXWK 7H[DV DQG RQH RI WKH PRVW VXFFHVVIXO trial records, Thomas seeks to continue his public service in an arena where he knows he can make a great impact. “As an accomplished courtroom lawyer, I’ve thrown a lot of balls and strikes over the years,” says Thomas. “This experience has put me in a good position to call balls DQG VWULNHV DV DQ DSSHOODWH FRXUW MXGJH ´ :LWK WKH VXSSRUW and encouragement of his family and friends, Thomas is pleased to announce his candidacy for Chief Justice of the Thirteenth Court of Appeals. This intermediate appeals court covers a twenty county area from Hidalgo County DOO WKH ZD\ XS WKH *XOI &RDVW WR :KDUWRQ &RXQW\ 7KRPDV KRSHV WR FDWFK VRPH ¿VK DQG PDNH QHZ IULHQGV DV KH makes his way through the district during the campaign!
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VESSEL SAFETY CHECK LIST You don’t have to go through a checklist alone on your boat. You might miss important things. You have to make sure everything is right or if stuff isn’t expired or damaged. It is the beginning of the boat season and memorial day is upon us very soon so it would be a great gift for your whole family to make sure that everything works. I have so many stories I could tell, but that is in another article. There is a way to do this inspection at no cost to you. You can ask for a Vessel ([DPLQDWLRQ 7KLV LV GRQH E\ MXVW FRQWDFWLQJ WKH &RDVW *XDUG $X[LOLDU\ RU WKH 3RZHU Squadron in your area. I will have info about how to contact them at the conclusion of this article. These guys issue no citations. There are no penalties for not successfully completing a Vessel Safety Check. They will give you a list of what you need to acquire a successful check. After a successful examination, a VSC decal will be issued. $ W\SLFDO 9HVVHO &KHFN ZLOO WDNH DERXW minutes. Each list is customized for various size powerboats, personal watercraft, sailboats and even kayaks, canoes or rowboats. Some of the safety boat problems may lie deep inside the boat. Some of the issues inspectors have found in used boats have been from inoperative bilge pumps, inoperative ¿UH H[WLQJXLVKHUV FRUURGHG IXHO WDQNV PLVVLQJ YLVXDO GLVWUHVV VLJQDO RU OLIH MDFNHW WKDW DUH WRUQ RU QRW DQ\ FKLOG VL]H MDFNHWV LI \RX KDYH NLGV RQ board. While we are talking about the boat, this would be a good time to discuss a boating course. This is done simply on line. American Boating Course (ABC) is a new electronic EDVLF ERDWLQJ FRXUVH SURGXFHG WKURXJK D MRLQW YHQWXUH EHWZHHQ WKH 8 6 &RDVW *XDUG DQG United States Power Squadron. This course is available online at www.AmericanBoatingCourse.com.
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You can study at your own pace…on your own time…anyplace you have a computer to XVH 7KHUH LV D IHH IRU WKLV ,W MXVW GHSHQGV RQ what you want to pursue. There is courses, VHPLQDUV FHUWL¿FDWLRQV DQG ¿QGLQJ RQH QHDU you. Since they offer a wired range of courses and seminars, you have lots of choices. They go from the simple basic boating course to Advanced Piloting and Electronic Navigation. Here are some contact numbers that will get you in the right direction.
U.S.C.G. AUXILARY
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This is good info for your whole family to study and know where things are and what they do. As always, be safe and see you on the water.
In honor of our 80th Anniversary
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MY BEST DAYS By Brent Johnson
1R PDWWHU ZKDW LW LV , GR ZHOO LQ OLIH , FDQ DOZD\V GR EHWWHU , ZRXOG VD\ ,ÂśP D SUHWW\ JRRG ÂżVKHUPDQ DQG I would like to think I’m a pretty good dad. Two of the best days in my life time were when my dad took me ÂżVKLQJ DQG WKH GD\ , EHFDPH D IDWKHU 0\ GDXJKWHU MXVW WXUQHG LQ -DQXDU\ DQG ZLWK WKDW PLOHVWRQH FDPH the realization my baby is growing up fast. It occurred to me that I better take the opportunity to spend time with her before that sand slips away. When I was a kid I remember a day my dad dug up worms with a shovel along a river bank on the north IRUN RI WKH *XDGDOXSH 5LYHU , ZDV IDVFLQDWHG MXVW ZDWFKLQJ WKH ZRUPV PRYLQJ DURXQG LQ WKH GLUW /DWHU WKDW IDVFLQDWLRQ ZRXOG FRQWLQXH ZLWK ZDWFKLQJ PLQQRZV Ă€LS DURXQG LQ D VHLQH QHW VKULPS VZLPPLQJ DURXQG LQ D live well, or shad being dumped from a cast net on the old Port Harlingen wooden bridge. I still remember the smell associated with those days. On the river bank it was a smell of fresh dug earth, cedar trees, and *XDGDOXSH ULYHU ZDWHU RYHU OLPHVWRQH URFN $URXQG WKH ROG EULGJH LW ZDV VDOW JUDVV VDOW ZDWHU VXQ WDQ ORWLRQ DQG WKH VPHOO RI ÂżVK :LWK D FDQH SROH XQGHUQHDWK D ELJ &\SUHVV WUHH , ZRUH WKH SDQ ÂżVK RXW 7KH DFWLRQ ZDV RQH DIWHU DQRWKHU %OXH *LOO &UDSSLH DQG DQ RFFDVLRQDO %DVV :DWFKLQJ WKDW EREEHU GDQFH ZDV WKH EHVW HQWHUWDLQPHQW P\ \RXQJ mind could ever experience. Later my dad would take me with him to set trot lines. I remember looking over the side of the raft and being in awe at the sight of submerged boulders the size of school buses. 2QH PRUQLQJ DIWHU OHWWLQJ D OLQH VRDN RYHUQLJKW ZH FRXOG WHOO WKHUH ZDV D ORDG RI ÂżVK EHFDXVH WKH WUHH OLPE WKH OLQH ZDV WLHG WR ZDV EHLQJ SXOOHG GRZQ LQWR WKH ZDWHU DQG PRYLQJ :KHQ GDG SXOOHG LQ WKH OLQH WKH ÂżUVW KRRN UHYHDOHG D ELJ ROÂś WXUWOH ZKR ZDV QRW WRR KDSS\ DQG UHDOO\ SXWWLQJ XS D ÂżJKW 'DG GLGQÂśW ZDQW WR PHVV ZLWK him so he cut that section of the line and the turtle went his way with a fancy new lip ring. The next hook was a QLFH OE %ODFN %DVV 6HHPHG OLNH HYHU\ KRRN KDG D ÂżVK RQ LW RU WKH EDLW ZDV JRQH $V ZH JRW QHDU WKH HQG 'DG FRXOG WHOO KH ZDVQÂśW ÂżQLVKHG \HW DV D WUHPHQGRXV VXUSULVH VWLOO DZDLWHG :KHQ KH SXOOHG WKH OLQH LQ KLV H\HV JRW ZLGH 7KHUH VZLPPLQJ EHQHDWK XV ZDV D ÂżVK RI Âś LQ OHQJWK 7KH WDLO ZDV KXJH DQG FORXGV RI VLOW GXVWHG XS WKH ZDWHU ZLWK HDFK PRWLRQ ,W ZDV D OE %OXH &DW DQG LW WRRN WZR KDQGV to lift him out of the water. To this day I have yet to catch one as big as that one. Since we didn’t have a FDPHUD GDG SXW WKH EDVV DQG PRQVWHU FDWÂżVK RQ D VWULQJHU DQG ZH ZHQW LQ WR WRZQ WR SLFN XS D FDPHUD IURP P\ JUDQGSDUHQWV :KHQ ZH JRW EDFN WKH ÂżVK ZHUH JRQH 6RPHERG\ HLWKHU UHOHDVHG WKH ÂżVK RU DGGHG WKH ÂżVK to their own stringer. Our guess was an old lady named “Bootsâ€? who lived across the river and routinely fed the ÂżVK FDPH RYHU DQG OHW WKHP JR ,W LV RQH P\VWHU\ ZHÂśOO QHYHU NQRZ EXW WKH PHPRU\ IURP WKDW GD\ LV HWFKHG LQ my brain. , KDG D ORW RI JRRG PHPRULHV ÂżVKLQJ ZLWK P\ GDG :H ÂżVKHG HYHU\ZKHUH ZH FRXOG IURP )DOFRQ 6XJDU /DNH 28- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
Chimney Park, La Joya Lake, Bentsen Park, Lake -DPHV /DNH *XHUUHUR 'HOWD /DNH WKH *XDGDOXSH River, farm canals, resacas, and of course the Lower Laguna Madre from South Bay to the Land Cut. They say time is the most valuable thing you can give someone. I will always be thankful to my dad who JDYH PH KLV WLPH DQG WDXJKW PH KRZ WR ÂżVK , FDQQRW imagine a life in which I didn’t pursue this passion. The opportunity to spend time with my daughter FDPH D IHZ ZHHNV DJR LQ WKH IRUP RI D ÂżVKLQJ WULS WR South Padre Island. The forecast showed rain the whole weekend, but I wasn’t going to let it stop us as forecasts have been wrong before. As the time got FORVHU , UHDOO\ ZRQGHUHG LI ÂżVKLQJ ZRXOG EH SRVVLEOH as the whole state of Texas was getting drenched. We drove down to Port Isabelle Friday night after I got off work and it rained on us the whole way. When we woke up Saturday morning the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. We started off by eating breakfast at Manuel’s. If you like good Mexican food I highly recommend you go by and pay these folks a visit, but get there early because Manuel’s is a popular place. After eating my “breakfast taco con todoâ€?, we made a bee line for the beach. Now that .D\OD LV D WHHQDJHU ÂżVKLQJ LVQÂśW RQ WKH WRS RI KHU OLVW RI priorities. So as a compromise we agreed upon one GD\ RI ÂżVKLQJ DQG RQH GD\ RQ WKH EHDFK
temperature and a howling wind from the north. A small craft advisory was in effect. I was not going to wake Kayla up for this, so back to bed I went. Later we would salvage the day with another walk on the beach and a nice dinner at the Sea Ranch. Seems like it was only yesterday I was ¿VKLQJ ZLWK a cane pole and following my dad around, or looking into the eyes of my new born baby girl. If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that time waits for no one and you have to seize the moments when you can. I may not be as high on my daughter’s priority list as I was when she was little, but she still owes me a ¿VKLQJ WULS E\ *RG , ZDQW WR EH WKHUH ZKHQ VKH UHHOV in the big one. See you on the water my friends. - Brent Johnson
The ocean was cold and I didn’t care to get in more than calf deep, but that didn’t stop Kayla from catching some waves on her boogie board. I kept my eye on her the whole time as these waves had a strong current running through. Before she went out , UHPLQGHG KHU QRW WR ¿JKW DQ RXWJRLQJ XQGHU WRZ EXW to swim out of it by swimming parallel to the beach. After she had caught a few waves she came back in and we went exploring. We climbed the dunes, took pictures, found a coconut and some seashells. Then we took out a garbage sack the park attendant gave us when we entered the beach and did our part to help keep the beach clean by walking up and down SLFNLQJ XS DQ\WKLQJ PDQ PDGH $W ¿UVW JODQFH \RX don’t see a lot of trash, but if you look hard enough it is here and there. After beach combing we stopped by Sandy 0DUJUHWœV .LQJ¿VKHU *DOOHU\ DQG WD[LGHUP\ :H ZHUH DPD]HG DW WKH WURSK\ ¿VK VKH KDG RQ WKH ZDOOV DQG DOO the beautiful art work. I saw some very nice framed paintings I would love to own, but my wallet was looking a little thin so I told myself I had better wait. When Sunday morning came around the beautiful weather we had previous was gone. When I walked outside I was greeted by a grey misty sky, cold 29 - TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL2017
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LOS ENCINOS RANCH.COM
2680 acres of unique South Texas rolling oak country and mesquite flats. Ranch location 15 Miles South of Falfurrias, Texas 50 Miles North of McAllen on Highway 281 For Information contact: Paul E. Johnson Cell: 956-207-9154 Email: pjmcallen@aol.com www.losencinosranch.com Los Encinos Ranch
Whitetail, Turkey & exotic hunting. Exotics include, Black Buck, Axis Deer, Aoudad and Wildebeest.
Bred whitetail does available to stock your ranch. (TC1 breeder)
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723 7+,1*6 72 /22. )25 :+(1 %22.,1* $ *8,'( By Captain Allen Sifford 1. Is the guide full time? Fishing conditions, weather etc. are constantly changing and you want someone who is on the water on a regular basis.
Don’t be afraid to do your research and ask your guide questions. Your safety and experience for your trip relies on them.
2. Is the guide local? Make sure his/her area code is same as the area you are booking and not from some other part of the state. Currently it is easy to get a guide license and say you’re a guide. If they have a GLIIHUHQW DUHD FRGH WKH\ PD\ KDYH MXVW VWDUWHG ³JXLGLQJ´ DQG DUH XVLQJ \RX WR ÀLS WKH ELOO IRU WKHP WR OHDUQ scout the water even prior to living in the area.
- Captain Allen Sifford
3. Make sure the guide has been in business for a good while. I suggest at least eight years. Check if they have good credentials. Do they have the US &RDVW *XDUG DQG 7H[DV 3DUN :LOG OLIH OLFHQVLQJ" 4. Does the guide have good references? Make sure their references are legitimate and that their website is updated and informative? 5. Does the guide have updated equipment? Make sure the guide has an updated boat, motor and safety equipment. You want you and your guests to be safe and in good hands with someone that maintains their equipment. 6. Call the marina and ask about the guide and if they KDYH EHHQ FDWFKLQJ SOHQW\ RI ¿VK 0DQ\ JXLGHV DUH loyal to their marinas and run out of them for years. This will be one of your best references. 7. :$51,1* LI WKH JXLGH LV SULFHG ORZHU WKDQ RWKHU guides there is a reason. He/she probably does not KDYH WKH H[SHULHQFH DQG GRHV QRW FDWFK DV PDQ\ ¿VK They are still learning. 8. 'RHV WKH JXLGH VHHP WR EH D JRRG ¿W IRU \RX DQG your guests? When talking to the guide on the phone do you feel good about them? 9. ,I WKH\ XVH ³1R )LVK 1R 3D\´ GRHV WKDW PHDQ MXVW FDWFKLQJ ¿VK RU DFWXDOO\ SXWWLQJ ³NHHSHU´ ¿VK LQ WKH box? 10. Also, many of your most experienced guides that have been around for a while will have done TV shows, ZULWWHQ ¿VKLQJ DUWLFOHV DQG JLYH ¿VKLQJ UHSRUWV WR UDGLR shows and/or outdoor magazines.
34- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
To book a trip or ask any questions call Captain $OOHQ 6LIIRUG ZLWK )LVK 2Q 3UR *XLGH 6HUYLFH *RG %OHVV DQG )LVK 2Q
35 - TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL2017
DOG TRAINING
POTTY TRAINING YOUR NEW DOG BY MANNY PEREZ Bringing your new puppy or dog home is quite a lifestyle change. If the idea of raising your new pet indoors is of consideration, I hope you have plenty of help and have an idea of what it takes to accomplish this. Of course there are several other factors to consider when housebreaking your new pet, but for the purpose of this article well stick to potty training. 7KH ¿UVW WHFKQLTXH ,œG OLNH WR WDON DERXW LV NQRZQ as crate training. There is plenty of information about this on the Internet, but let’s stick to the EDVLFV , SUHIHU WR XVH VLPSOH PHWKRGV ¿UVW DQG have had great success. Start by purchasing or building a small crate or kennel for your dog to rest in. The trick is to provide only enough room for the dog to be comfortable, not a whole lot of walk around space. The reason for this is simple, nothing wants to poo or pee where it sleeps, so if you minimize the space for this to occur, the
36- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
likelihood of this happening is minimized. Begin by giving your dog a potty break every WR KRXUV %H VXUH WR JLYH \RXU GRJ D command like “pottyâ€?, “outsideâ€?, or “breakâ€? once you are at the designated potty area. 2QFH \RXU GRJ ÂżQGV D VSRW DQG UHOLHYHV KLP or herself be there to give them plenty of praise and positive reinforcement. Repetition of these simple techniques has proven successful for me many countless times throughout my lifetime. Something else to FRQVLGHU LV WKDW DV \RX HQMR\ VXFFHVV ZLWK this technique, you can increase the length of time between potty breaks. It is important to allow your pet to familiarize itself with \RXU KRPH LQWHULRU EXW GHÂżQLWHO\ DIWHU D SRWW\ break, remember to always train for success, don’t let your dog run loose in the house on a full bladder or stomach. And never, ever,
use your kennel as a source of punishment, your pet will resent that area and it will create a whole new world of problems. Rather use the “kennelâ€? command, and praise your dog plenty and often when success is achieved, use lots of baby talk and high toned praises. The next part of crate training is achieved when the caregiver monitors the dogs intake, this means that both food and water consumption must be controlled and properly delivered. To avoid any controversy, let me clarify this, I have successfully done this for many years and I am in no way condoning you starve or dehydrate a dog. Rather allow them limited healthy amounts of food and water until potty training success has been IXOO\ DFKLHYHG 2QFH WKLV FRQÂżGHQFH LQ \RXU canine partner is achieved, you can freely allow food and water as you please. The way this works, is that when a controlled amount of food and water is given, preferably mixed together and at the same time of day, it allows the dog owner to get a realistic timeline of when the dog absolutely has to be given a potty break. You and your dog will get on a schedule that will work great for both of you. And of course, after your dog has had a good meal, it is also a great time to take your dog out for a potty break. Another very important factor to consider is the choice of dog/puppy food. As a good school of thought, any dog food that is over a dollar a pound is pretty good quality. I always recommend that when selecting a dog food, the owner purchase the best quality and price point within their budget. It has been my experience, and is backed by plenty of great articles and dog food companies, that the higher the quality of the dog food, the lesser the waste. Another DGGHG EHQHÂżW LV VPDOOHU DQG ÂżUPHU VWRROV So you can expect to feed less food and have much less waste, making your potty training experience a good one. Often times, I have also noticed that with better quality dog food, the odor factor is diminished drastically. )RU WKHVH UHDVRQV , ÂżQG LW H[WUHPHO\ LPSRUWDQW to consider this when potty training. As you achieve success in the kennel, start allowing your dog to become a bigger part of WKH IDPLO\ DQG HQMR\ PRUH WLPH RXW RI KLV RU KHU kennel. The dog will simply begin to treat the
house as its kennel, and remember that it doesn’t want to pee or poop where it sleeps. Continue to give plenty of potty breaks as scheduled. In the instance of an accident in the house, don’t correct or punish the dog unless you were there to witness it. A dog that is corrected after the fact, does not understand what it is being punished or corrected for. So now you’re ready to tackle this great feat with FRQ¿GHQFH , DGYLVH \RX IROORZ WKHVH VLPSOH VWHSV for success in the household. Feel free to reach out to me via e-mail, Facebook or Instagram. I’d also love to hear form anyone who would like me to address any dog issues on my upcoming articles.
Manuel Noel Perez Jr. “Mannyâ€? has been an outdoor enthusiast for most of his life. He began training his own hunting dogs at the early age of nine. He has been guiding deer and quail hunts for over twenty years and has a wealth of dog knowledge in the ÂżHOG :KHQ QRW RQ D KXQW RI KLV RZQ 0DQQ\ ZRXOG UDWKHU EH IRXQG ZRUNLQJ EHKLQG D EORRG WUDLOLQJ GRJ D ZDWHU GRJ RU D ZHOO WUDLQHG SRLQWHU &(2 RI &RDVWDO &RQFHSWV //& )ROORZ PH RQ )DFHERRN DW &RDVWDO &RQFHSWV //& DQG RQ ,QVWDJUDP #FRDVWDOFRQFHSWVOOF
37 - TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL2017
Falcon Lake
Falcon lake is one the most popular destinations in South Texas, known for being one of the best lakes in the nation for trophy largemouth EDVV 7KLV ODNH FRYHUV D WRWDO DUHD RI DFUHV DQG LW KDV WKH PD[ GHSWK RI IW :KHQ ¿VKLQJ D ODNH WKH VL]H RI )DOFRQ LW FDQ EH RYHUZKHOPLQJ WR ¿QG ¿VK DQG HYHQ PRUH ¿QGLQJ WKH EDVV RI D OLIH WLPH $ JROGHQ UXOH IRU )DOFRQ DQG VRPHWKLQJ , OHDUQHG WKURXJK DOO WKHVH \HDUV LV ZKHQ \RX ¿QG URFNV \RX ¿QG WKH ¿VK ,I \RX DUH SODQQLQJ RQ YLVLWLQJ WKLV ODNH DQG ¿VKLQJ LW IURP WKH EDQN ORRN IRU DUHDV ZKHUH URFNV are visible outside the water to maximize your chances to come across structure. Early morning I like to start with a Buzzbait, Spinnerbait , Rat / 7WUDS RU 6TXDUH %LOO WR FRYHU PRUH ZDWHU DQG ¿QG WKH DFWLYH RU VFKRROLQJ ¿VK 2QFH WKH VXQ WDNHV RYHU , OLNH WR VZLWFK WR SODVWLFV RQ D 7H[DV ULJ RU D )RRWEDOO +HDG MLJ IRU D VORZHU SUHVHQWDWLRQ 6RPH RI P\ IDYRULWH SODVWLFV DUH WKH %DE\ %UXVK +RJ *DPEOHU 8JO\ 2WWHU RU WKH )DOFRQ /DNH 5DJH &UDZ :KHQ )LVKLQJ WKH 7H[DV 5LJ LV H[WUHPHO\ LPSRUWDQW WR GUDJ \RXU EDLW WR LQFUHDVH \RXU FKDQFHV RI FDWFKLQJ D ¿VK FISHING OFF SHORE )DOFRQ /DNH LQ WKH VXPPHU LV KRW DQG ORWV RI VROLG ¿VK FDQ VWLOO EH FDXJKW )LVKLQJ VKDOORZ ZDWHU IURP IW LQ WKH PRUQLQJ LV SURGXFLQJ D ORW RI ¿VK EXW WRXJK WR FRPH DFURVV D ZDOO KDQJHU 0RVW RI WKH ELJ EDVV FDQ EH IRXQG LQ IW RI ZDWHU LQ WKH H[WUHPH KHDW :KHQ , ORRN IRU WKHVH DUHDV , OLNH WR VWDUW ORRNLQJ IRU URFN\ SRLQWV DQG MXVW GULYH DURXQG ZLWK WKH ERDW ORRNLQJ IRU DQ\ FKDQJHV LQ GHSWK RU PDMRU VWUXFWXUH 2QFH , ¿QG VRPHWKLQJ , OLNH WR VWDUW WKURZLQJ D 6WULNH .LQJ ;' RU '' ,W LV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW \RXU EDLW LV LQ FRQWDFW ZLWK WKH URFNV WR WULJJHU PRUH bites. When throwing a big crankbait it’s important to make really long casts so the bait stays longer in strike zone. Once you have exhausted WKH ELWH RU \RXU DUP RQ WKH FUDQNEDLW , OLNH VZLWFK WR D ô R] IRRWEDOO MLJ DQG ¿VK H[WUHPHO\ VORZ , OLNH VWD\LQJ DW OHDVW PLQXWHV LQ HDFK DUHD to cover it from different angles. The closer these deep areas are to the bank increases the chances to catch a giant. The reason is because ¿VK OLNH DUHDV ZKHUH WKH\ FDQ PRYH HDVLO\ IURP VKDOORZ WRR GHHS IRU IHHGLQJ RU VSDZQLQJ SXUSRVHV ,W LV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW WR VWXG\ \RXU JUDSK LW LV OLNH \RXU SOD\ ERRN :DOOV RI URFN RU ELJ OHGJHV DUH P\ IDYRULWH DUHDV WR ¿VK %RDW SRVLWLRQ LV NH\ LQ WKHVH DUHDV VR WU\ IURP VKDOORZ WR GHHS RU WKH RSSRVLWH 7KHUH KDYH EHHQ PDQ\ WLPHV P\ FOLHQWV KDYH PDGH FDVW DW WKH VDPH OHGJH ZLWK QR OXFN :H DGMXVW WKH SRVLWLRQ RI WKH ERDW DQG FDVW WR WKH VDPH OHGJH LQ D GLIIHUHQW DQJOH DQG FDWFK ¿VK EHLQJ SRXQGV LQ D IHZ FDVW FUD]\ KRZ LW ZRUNV FISHING HARDWOOD $QRWKHU ZD\ WR FDWFK ELJ ¿VK RQ )DOFRQ LV E\ ÀLSSLQJ KDUGZRRG EXVKHV WUHHV DQG KRXVH IRXQGDWLRQV :KHQ ZDWHU OHYHOV GURS RQ )DOFRQ LW VWLOO ¿VKHV WRS QRWFK FRPSDUHG WR RWKHU 7H[DV /DNHV 1RW DOO WUHHV DUH WKH VDPH RQ )DOFRQ , OLNH ORRNLQJ IRU DUHDV ZLWK ELJ KDUGZRRG WKDW KDYH D VSDFH LQ WKH FHQWHU ¿VK OLNH WR SRVLWLRQ LQ WKH FHQWHU WKHUHIRUH LV LPSRUWDQW WR SODFH \RXU EDLW GHHS LQ WKH KHDUW RI WKH WUHH , OLNH ORRNLQJ for trees right next to the river area, creeks or main points those will be more productive. The bigger the trees are and the deeper the water the EHWWHU FKDQFH RI ODQGLQJ D PRQVWHU , OLNH XVLQJ SRXQG EUDLG RU OE )OXRURFDUERQ UHHOV DQG ELJ 5DJH &UDZ EDLWV ZLWK -XQJOH )OLSSLQJ KRRNV 2QFH \RX VWDUW FDWFKLQJ WKH ¿VK LQ WKH KDUGZRRG LWV KDUG WR VZLWFK WR DQ\WKLQJ HOVH &DWFKLQJ D ELJ ¿VK RQ D VKRUW OLQH LV D great feeling. ,I \RX DUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ OHDUQLQJ PRUH DERXW WKHVH WHFKQLTXHV DQG KDYLQJ D JRRG WLPH FRPH ¿VK )DOFRQ /DNH 7KDQN \RX WR DOO WKH ODZ HQIRUFHPHQW RI¿FHUV DQG PLOLWDU\ IRU NHHSLQJ XV VDIH -DUHG ±
DEER BLINDS
THREE-RAIL VINYL SALE!
WHERE 215 East Monte Cristo Road, Edinburg (956) 383-4949 HOURS M-F, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Closed Major Holidays.
38- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
ON THE WEB Martinfarmandranch.com
PROTEIN
39 - TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL2017
17th ANNUAL SHALLOW SPORT OWNERS TOURNAMENT
Sin Si Since nc ce 1 19 1983 983 83
May 19-20, 2017 South Padre Island, TX For more information go to: www.shallowsportboats.com/owners-tournament/
Something for Everyone With ith 11 models to choose from, everyone can find their perfect perfe Shallow S llow Sport Sha Spport Boat Custom built just the way you want it!
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FGH F. Garcia Hauling
WHAT WE DO: -- Aggregate Hauling -- Haul: Limestone, Caliche, LRA (Land Reclaimed Asphalt)
Asphalt -- Material Procurement -- Ranch Road Repairs Belly Dump, End Dump and Dump Trucks available Motor grader and backhoe services available
CALL OR EMAIL US (210) 863-4354 Silver Garcia sghauling.1963@hotmail.com
(210) 601- 9661 Frank Garcia francisco.garcia29@yahoo.com 41 - TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL2017
42- TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL 2017
AMIGO POWER EQUIPMENT 304 W MONTE CRISTO ROAD EDINBURG, TX
Restrictions: Offers vary by model. Valid on select 2013-2017 new and unregistered models purchased between 3/1/17- 4/30/17. See your dealer for details. Rates as low as 2.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36-month term at a 2.99% rate: $29.08 per $1,000 financed; and at an 5.99% rate: $30.42 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 2.99% for 36 months at a MSRP of $9,999.00 is $290.74; total cost of borrowing of $467.60 with a total obligation of $10,466.60. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Offer subject to change without notice. Warning: PolarisŽ 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. Š2017 Polaris Industries Inc.
43 - TEXAS SPORTSMAN - APRIL2017
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