Hunter's Journal

OCTOBER 2014

SOUTHWEST TEXAS OUTDOOR MAGAZINE

OUTLOOK: Perfect white-tail summer HUNTING TALES: story winners UVALDE: Wingshooting hot spot

Proudly Serving Southwest Texas for over 107 years!

ATTENTION HUNTERS: We invite you to visit our main bank and view our collection of art, antiques and White-tailed deer mounts.

Proud sponsors of the 33RD ANNUAL HUNTERS ROUND-UP presented by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce.

Located at the Uvalde County Fairplex.

2QOLQH 0RELOH %DQNLQJ 0DVWHUFDUG 'HELW &DUG f &RPPHUFLDO +RPH /RDQV f )ULHQGO\ 6HUYLFH

%5$1&+(6 &$03 :22' Â&#x2021; &$55,=2 635,1*6 Â&#x2021; &21&$1 /($.(< Â&#x2021; 6$%,1$/ Â&#x2021; 8723,$ Â&#x2021; 0$,1 675((7 Â&#x2021; 89$/'(

(DVW 1RSDO 6WUHHW Â&#x2021; 8YDOGH 7; Â&#x2021;

CONTENTS 4 7 8 9 10 11

HUNTERS ROUNDUP Friday, OCTOBER 31, 2014 WEAPON OF CHOICE Know which weapon to use for the hunt

UVALDE CONVENTION Surround yourself with adventure VENISON DONATION PROGRAM Local meat market provides for the hungry TEXAS BIG GAME AWARDS Uvalde 2015 HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT Do you really know about camouflage

14 16 18 21 24 27

2FWREHU

30 39 42 44 46 50

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Southwest Texas Junior College

BE AWARE No Trespassing

HUNTING CONTEST WINNERS Finley takes first HORNED

Possum-playing buck SNAKES The Good, The Bad, The Deadly 1ST PLACE - FINLEY Covert trip

2ND PLACE - WARD Unusual-looking trophy 3RD PLACE - HOPKINS Husband bests wife DOVE CENTRAL Uvalde is wing-shooting hotspot YOUR OTHER LICENSE Obtain a hunting license RECIPES Venison Salami and more TIPS FOR PROPER CARE Field dressing

Hunter’s Journal is a production of the Uvalde Leader-News. ©Copyright 2014 Publisher/Owner: Craig Garnett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cgarnett@uvaldeleadernews.com General Manager: Logan Garnett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lgarnett@uvaldeleadernews.com Managing Editor: Meghann Garcia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mgarcia@uvaldeleadernews.com Graphic Designer/Layout: Gloria Resma . . . . . . . . . . .gresma@uvaldeleadernews.com Classified Manager: Norma Ybarra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .nybarra@uvaldeleadernews.com Advertising Manager: Steve Balke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sbalke@uvaldeleadernews.com Advertising Executives Mark Espinoza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mespinoza@uvaldeleadernews.com Michael Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mrobinson@uvaldeleadernews.com Staff Writers Kim Eagle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . keagle@uvaldeleadernews.com Kimberly Rubio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . krubio@uvaldeleadernews.com Cover and page 3 photographs by Bob Zaiglin

LOCALLY OWNED INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER—SINCE 1879 A LE ADER IN SOUTHWEST TE X AS

www.uvaldeleadernews.com

facebook.com/uvaldeleadernews

@uvaldenews The Leader-News is available online www.uvaldeleadernews.com

110 N. EAST STREET UVALDE, TX 78801 PHONE : 830-278-3335 | FAX : 830-278-9191

ZZZ XYDOGHOHDGHUQHZV FRP ZZ Z ZZ Z XXYYDDOOGH OGGHHOH OHDGH DDGGHHUUQQHHZ ZVVV FFRP RP [ +817(5 6 -2851$/ 3 [ +8 +817 17( (5 5 6 6 -2 -2851$ 85 8 51$/ 1$ 1 $/ 3 3

Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce presents the…

rd

33 Annual Hunters’ Friday, October 31, 2014 Roundup Fairplex - Stardust Pavillion The 33rd annual Hunters’ Roundup will be held Friday, Oct. 31, to welcome hunters to Uvalde County and celebrate the start of the season.

The event, organized by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled from 6-11 p.m. at the Uvalde County Stardust Pavilion at the Fairplex, which is west of Uvalde on Highway 90.

Olivia Rish, executive director of the chamber, said this year the chamber is continuing the tradition of welcoming hunters and

showing communitywide appreciation with an entertaining expo, music, prize items, children’s hunting costume contest, and pumpkin coloring corral.

“It is going to be a great night. Our members work so hard together along with our Uvalde Area Chamber board HUK Z[HɈ [V ^LSJVTL [OL

hunters the evening before their big hunt...” Rish said.

Last year, Rish said an estimated 3,000 people were in attendance and this year she hopes to have an even larger turnout. “...So come trick-ortreat with us and if you are going to homecoming to support our Coyotes, come see us after the game and enjoy yourselves at this community-friendly event,” Rish said.

For more information, call the Uvalde Area Chamber of commerce at 830-278-3361.

Commercial Residential )DUP 5DQFK 2LO )LHOG Deliveries Installations

830-278-5681 4

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

Big Bucks Ride Better in a Dodge

Stop by one of our 4 locations % -AIN s UVALDE, TEXAS TH 3TREET s HONDO, TEXAS (WY s SABINAL, TEXAS

When the products are similar, the dealer makes the difference.

2630 E. Main | Uvalde, Texas 78801

830-278-4124 | 1-800-299-5391 cecilmotors.com

&ARM TO -ARKET 2OAD s COTULLA, TEXAS

Get your holiday packages at Casalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Open 10:00 a.m. - 8:55 p.m. Monday - Saturday

( 0DLQ Â&#x2021; 8YDOGH 7H[DV Â&#x2021; 830-278-5696 Family Owned since 1946 www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 5

Make work and play more fun

6

+817(5 6 -2851$/ [ 2FWREHU

2305 E. Main St. |Uvalde | 830-278-5628

What type of WEAPON TO USE Most hunters prefer one weapon to another. Some SPRL [V O\U[ ^P[O H YPĂ&#x2026;L ZVTL ^P[O H ZOV[N\U ZVTL with a bow and some with all three.

Of course, prey can determine what weapon is used as can the hunting season. While guns and bows are popular, they are not the only lethal hunting instruments available.

Do you like to hunt with a bow? Why not try a JYVZZIV^& *YVZZIV^Z VÉ&#x2C6;LY ZVTL HK]HU[HNLZ V]LY long bows or compound bows. They are easier to cock using a string or wind-up cocking device.

They are also easier to aim. They do take some room to cock, however, and sitting in a tree stand TPNO[ THRL [OH[ KPÉ&#x2030;J\S[ 0[ HSZV [HRLZ TVYL [PTL to reload a crossbow.

Think you have good aim? Try hunting with a slingshot. Hunting with a slingshot takes a great amount of skill and practice. Hunting slingshots are more than a tree branch and a rubber band. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s models are state of the art. They are lethal weapons and should be treated as such. The ammunition used is usually steel ball bearings. These weapons are great for hunting rabbits or squirrels, but you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to go bear hunting with them.

Want a real challenge? Hunt with a blowgun. Like modern slingshots, blowguns are high tech and available at sporting goods stores.

The concept is simple. Hitting something with a blowgun is hard. While most people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hunt with them, they are used for recreational target shooting and some people even load them with paintballs. Like the slingshot, blowguns are not for hunting big game.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to remember that not all these weapons are legal to hunt with in all states. So, before you go deer hunting with a crossbow, make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal.

The hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weapon of choice can be as important as their quarry. For a change of pace, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget about other types of weaponry. The rabbit might not taste better if you tell everyone at the table that you got it with a slingshot, but it would certainly make for a good story.

Possession of Firearms by Felons A convicted felon, regardless of where the conviction occurred, may UV[ WVZZLZZ VY \ZL H Ă&#x201E;YLHYT HZ KLĂ&#x201E;ULK I` 7LUHS *VKL Â&#x160; [V O\U[ PU [OL Z[H[L VM ;L_HZ <UKLY 7LUHS *VKL Â&#x160; H T\aaSLSVHKPUN Ă&#x201E;YLHYT PZ SH^M\S PM P[ PZ HU HU[PX\L VY J\YPV Ă&#x201E;YLHYT THU\MHJ[\YLK ILMVYL VY H YLWSPJH VM HU HU[PX\L VY J\YPV Ă&#x201E;YLHYT THU\MHJ[\YLK ILMVYL [OH[ KVLZ UV[ \ZL YPTĂ&#x201E;YL VY JLU[LYĂ&#x201E;YL HTT\UP[PVU

50 lb. bagsâ&#x20AC;Ś t Cottonseed t Milo t %FFS $PSO BULK DELIVERY AVAILABLE Bruton Feeder Trailer Sales/Rental with corn purchase

YOUR DIRECT SUPPLIER OF QUALITY ASSURED WILDLIFE FEED

t XXX TQFFSBH DPN t 6WBMEF 5FYBT

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 7

Uvalde Comvention and Vistors Bureau 300 E. Main St, Uvalde 830-278-4115 www.visituvalde.com Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau is a unique resource for hunters and their families. ;OL Z[HÉ&#x2C6; JHU HUZ^LY HU` NLULYHS questions about hunting and recommend restaurants, meeting locations, help with shopping inquiries and provide maps of Uvalde and its surrounding areas. +LIYH :[PÉ&#x160;LTPYL L_LJ\[P]L KPYLJ[VY of Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that hunting is extremely popular in the area and attracts legions of visitors.

An inventory of the vehicles during hunting season in Uvalde is a dead giveaway to the popularity of the sport. *HTV\Ă&#x2026;HNL [Y\JRZ ^P[O N\U YHJRZ mounted on the back and massive deer blinds being pulled by trailers can be found up and down Highway 90 and Highway 83.

No one will look twice at the occasional deer corpse lying in the bed of a pickup, because it is a common occurrence and helps boost the local economy. :[PÉ&#x160;LTPYL ZHPK [OH[ ]PZP[PUN O\U[LYZ JVU[YPI\[L ZPNUPĂ&#x201E;JHU[S` to the local economy, and the impact is a welcome boost for hotels, attractions, restaurants, retail outlets, and other businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomes hunters to our town to enjoy this rural recreational sport, which is tradition and is an essential part of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OLYP[HNL š :[PÉ&#x160;LTPYL ZHPK â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is our time to say thank you to our visitors for choosing Uvalde and making us a part of their travel plans,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surrounded by all the

adventures of Texas including river country, the Hill Country, wild w game and more, our area OHZ ZV T\JO [V VÉ&#x2C6;LY š O Many of the visitors in the area JHU ILULĂ&#x201E;[ MYVT Z[VWWPUN I` [OL J CVB CV and picking up an area map. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our brochure includes area are attractions and lodging information, and out website goes info PU[V ZWLJPĂ&#x201E;JZ MVY ^OLYL WLVWSL JHU PU[V eat and a things like that,â&#x20AC;? she said.

For Fo more information, or to receive a brochure, map, or list of local events, contact the CVB located H[ , 4HPU :[ VY JHSS Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.

[V W T People can also go to www. visituvalde.com for more information HIV\[ ^OH[ <]HSKL OHZ [V VÉ&#x2C6;LY UV[ VUS` during hunting season but year-round.

Texas hospitality with convenience.

Graves Taxidermy

Welcome Hunters

1DWLYH Â&#x2021; $IULFDQ Â&#x2021; ([RWLFV

-JRVPS t %PNFTUJD $SBGU #FFST 8JOF t $IBNQBHOF t .JYFST t $JHBST

In a hurry? Call ahead and we will have your order ready to go.

EASY DRIVE UP

WINDOW!

2809 East Main Street | Uvalde, Texas Conveniently located across from Oasis Outback

Browder Graves Taxidermist 18 years experience

ÄŚ ÄŚ Â&#x2021; Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

TEXAS OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1967

8

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

700 Benson Road | Uvalde | 830-278-9419

Local processing plant participating in venison donation program

Hunters feed the hungry This year, as hunters from all over the state and country take to the brush for the big kill, they can also do their part [V Ă&#x201E;SS LTW[` Z[VTHJOZ [OYV\NO [OL /\U[LYZ MVY [OL /\UNY` program.

This season, Hunters for the Hungry is again working with Uvalde Meat Market and Processing to accept venison KVUH[PVUZ ;OL` HYL SVJH[LK H[ : >VVK :[ HUK TH` IL YLHJOLK H[ 3HZ[ ZLHZVU [OL I\ZPULZZ NH]L HIV\[ WV\UKZ VM processed venison.

Food assistance agencies like food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters can count on venison donations from Hunters for the Hungry to help stretch agency budgets and provide a nutritious source of protein to the people they serve.

According to Texas Association of Community Action (NLUJPLZ VY ;(*(( VUL PU Ă&#x201E;]L WLVWSL PU ;L_HZ Z[Y\NNSL [V HÉ&#x2C6;VYK MVVK ;(*(( OHZ ^VYRLK ^P[O [OL /\U[LYZ MVY the Hungry program for the past two decades, and has

administered the program directly for 16 years. Since the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inception, it has provided nearly 2.5 million pounds of meat or an estimated 10 million servings to Texans in need.

Through the program, hunters donate legally tagged, Ă&#x201E;LSK KYLZZLK KLLY H[ WHY[PJPWH[PUN TLH[ WYVJLZZVYZ HJYVZZ the state. The hunter contributes a nominal fee to cover processing costs and meat processors prepare and package the venison, then contact local food assistance providers who distribute it to low income families and individuals.

To learn more about Hunters for the Hungry see the ^LIZP[L ^^^ [HJHH VYN O\U[LYZ MVY [OL O\UNY` VY JHSS 617-2228.

Welcome

HUNTERS

Specializing in Crop Protection !G #HEMICALS s 3EED &ERTILIZER s &OOD 0LOTS "LENDS s 0EAS s /ATS s 2YE 'RASS s 7HEAT 4RITICALE s "AG "ULK

HELENA ÂŽ Peopleâ&#x20AC;ŚProductsâ&#x20AC;ŚKnowledge

ÂŽ

(WY % s 5VALDE s \ (ONDO 48 s www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 9

Texas BIG Game Awards Banquet coming to Uvalde 2015 6U 1\UL ULHYS` TLU women and children will attend the 9LNPVU ,K^HYKZ 7SH[LH\ HUK 9LNPVU :V\[O ;L_HZ ;L_HZ )PN .HTL (^HYKZ IHUX\L[ H[ ::.; >PSSPL KL 3LVU *P]PJ Center in Uvalde.

Centered around a dinner and an awards ceremony, the event will include childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities; a hunter education course; presentations on wildlife, photography, and hunting; contests that test your knowledge of wildlife and habitat; as well as numerous drawings and door prizes. ;L_HZ )PN .HTL (^HYKZ ^HZ developed in 1991 to promote big game hunting in Texas and encourage sound habitat and wildlife management.

It is co-sponsored by Texas Wildlife Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The program recognizes quality big game animals

taken in Texas, the hunters who harvest these animals, the landowners and managers who produce these animals, the importance of our hunting heritage, and the achievement of young and new hunters.

All entries must be native-born and wild-raised meaning they have not been translocated or released from a pen.

Young hunters are awarded a Youth +P]PZPVU JLY[PĂ&#x201E;JH[L MVY [OLPY OHY]LZ[ VM a white-tailed deer or javelina. New hunters are also recognized with a JLY[PĂ&#x201E;JH[L VM -PYZ[ )PN .HTL /HY]LZ[ MVY their harvest of a white-tailed deer or javelina. These entries are not scored.

Quality white-tailed deer and javelina harvested from south Texas and the Edwards plateau eco-regions may be LU[LYLK PU ;L_HZ )PN .HTL (^HYKZ HZ scored entries.

Edwards Plateau minimums for

ROADRUNNER ENERGY Locally owned & operated for over 35 years

www.roadrunner-energy.com

WELCOME AREA HUNTERS! We are your full service propane company! Â&#x2021; ( 0DLQ 6WUHHW Â&#x2021; 8YDOGH 7;

S A L E S

S E R V I C E

S A F E T Y

I N S T A L L

|<RXU DOO $&(6 )XOO 6HUYLFH 3URSDQH &RPSDQ\}

10

The following was submitted by David Rios, wildlife biologist at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

white-tailed deer are 130 Typical and 5VU [`WPJHS :V\[O ;L_HZ TPUPT\TZ MVY ^OP[L [HPSLK KLLY HYL ;`WPJHS HUK 5VU [`WPJHS 4PUPT\T ZJVYL MVY QH]LSPUH PZ HJYVZZ HSS YLNPVUZ HUK are scored using a simple measurement of the length and width of the cleaned skull. *HSS +H]PK 9PVZ H[ VY visit www.texasbiggameawards.org to Ă&#x201E;UK HU VÉ&#x2030;JPHS ZJVYLY PU `V\Y HYLH HUK LU[LY `V\Y [YVWO` PU [OL ;L_HZ )PN .HTL (^HYKZ

SCORED CATEGORIES Typical and non-typical white-tailed deer, typical and non-typical mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and javelina. All scoring is based on the Boone & Crockett Club scoring system and all ranked scores are based on net green Boone & Crockett score.

Hiding In Plain Sight You see it on men, women, children and lizards. What is it? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camouflage. Long before people sat in tree stands covered in this eye-bending ware, the military used camouflage, which they learned about from the animals that roam the earth. You may wear it to hunt or as a fashion statement, but how much do you really know about camouflage?

The word â&#x20AC;&#x153;camouflageâ&#x20AC;? comes from the French word â&#x20AC;&#x153;camoufler,â&#x20AC;? which means to blind or veil.

Essentially camouflage amounts to hiding in plain sight. Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of JHTV\MSHNL KH[LZ IHJR [V [OL [O century. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when the technique was practiced by the masters of stealthâ&#x20AC;Śthe ninjas! They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dress in green and brown, though. They utilized black to conceal themselves in the darkness.

The militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of camouflage came about in part due to the HK]HUJLTLU[Z PU MPYLHYTZ 0U the British army suffered vast causalities because the red tunics they wore made them targets that were easier to hit from long distances with more accurate firearms.

Bright and bold

military uniforms were intended to vast sea. intimidate, foster a team environment Breaking up the shape of an object and, in some cases, make soldiers is an important part of camouflage. easier to indentify. This, as the British Two techniques that use this principle found out, was not wise and they are disruptive coloration and counter dyed their tunics khaki. shading. Disruptive coloration relies The military uses camouflage for on a pattern that does not follow the survival and so do the ones who body shape or outline of the animal. invented itâ&#x20AC;Śanimals. Animals use With counter shading, an animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camouflage in a couple of different body is darker on the top and lighter ways to conceal themselves. First is on the bottom, which creates a lack general resemblance. This is what of depth and makes the animal more most people think of as camouflage.

2D than 3D. It involves blending into the natural What started as a tool for survival environment. There is also special has become a hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend and a resemblance, which uses not only teenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fashion choice. Camouflage color but shape and behavior to provides cover for hunters while they blend into the environment. Take the stalk their game and can be belted walking stick, for example. It looks and accessorized for a night on the and acts more like a stick than an town. The next time you put on some insect. camo for function or fun, take a Another form of camouflage is moment to thank Mother Nature for called motion dazzle. This technique all her hard work in perfecting it. is all about confusing the eye.

We wish you a happy The Navy called & safe hunting season! it â&#x20AC;&#x153;razzle dazzleâ&#x20AC;? and painted lines and patterns on ships to break up the actual lines of the ships. This confused the eye and made the ships harder to o Snake Bites focus on in the o Falls from tree stand

Common Hunting Injuries

We Are Here To Help! o o o o

Since

Firearm related injury Foot injury Accidental shootings Anthrax Infections

Emergency room services and on-duty physician available 24 hours a day, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prevent, 365 days a year.detect..

Located one block south of Hwy. 90 East. Turn south off Hwy. 90 at the light on Garner Field Road. The hospital will be on your right.

1025 Garner Field Road o Uvalde, TX 78801 o (830) 278-6251 o www.umhtx.org

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 11

Uvalde County hunting dates DEER - Archery, Sept. 27-Oct. 31; South of Hwy. 90: general, 5 deer, limit 3 bucks, Nov. 1-Jan. 18; special late general, antlerless and spike bucks only, Jan. 19-Feb. 1. North of Hwy. 90: 5 deer, limit 2 bucks, Nov. 1-Jan. 4; special late general, Jan. 5-18, antlerless and spike bucks only.

JAVELINA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; No closed season; 2 per license year.

SQUIRREL â&#x20AC;&#x201C; No closed season; no bag limit.

TURKEY - Archery, (countywide) Sept. 27-Oct. 31; South of Hwy. 90, Nov. 1-Jan. 18 (gobblers or bearded hens); North of Hwy. 90: Nov. 1-Jan. 4 ; either sex; Spring Season (county wide), March 21-May 3 (gobblers or bearded hens). Bag limit: 4 (all seasons combined).

QUAIL - General season, Oct. 25-Feb. 22; bag limit of 15 per day with a possession limit of 45.

DUCKS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; North zone, Nov. 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dec. 7 and Dec. 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan. 25; South zone, Nov. 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30 and Dec. 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan. 25; the daily bag limit is 6 ducks and can include no more than 5 mallards, only two of which may be hens. The following species restrictions also apply: two pintails, three scaup, two redheads, three wood ducks, one canvasback and one â&#x20AC;&#x153;duskyâ&#x20AC;? duck (the season for mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck, and their hybrids is closed the first five days of the season in each zone).

MOURNING DOVE - Central zone, north of Hwy. 90, Sept. 1-Oct. 20 and Dec. 19-Jan. 7; south zone, south of Hwy. 90, Sept. 19-Oct. 20 and Dec. 19-Jan. 25; special white-winged dove area, Sept. 6, 7, 13 and 14, Sept. 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oct. 20 and Dec. 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan. 21; daily bag limit, 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate to include not more than 2 whitetips; possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.

For info on lodging, attractions, events & tours visit www.visituvalde.com

GEESE - Western zone: Light and dark geese Nov. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 1; daily bag limit is 20 light geese in the aggregate and 5 dark geese in the aggregate to include no more than 1 whitefronted goose; possession limit is three times the daily bag limit for dark geese and no possession limit for light geese.

f /DUJH VPDOO PHHWLQJ URRPV DQG ODUJH EDQTXHW KDOO f (QWLUH IDFLOLW\ DYDLODEOH f &RQYHQLHQWO\ ORFDWHG FORVH WR VKRSSLQJ KRWHOV DQG UHVWDXUDQWV

SANDHILL CRANE - Zone A (Uvalde County and most of southwest Texas): Nov. 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 1; 3 per day; possession limit, 9; hunting sandhill cranes requires a Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit, in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp endorsement and HIP certification.

For more facility information 800-588-2533 civiccenter@visituvalde.com

12

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

66*7 :LOOLH 'H /HRQ &LYLF &HQWHU

/RFDWHG MXVW PLQXWHV IURP KLVWRULF GRZQWRZQ 8YDOGH

1.

2.

Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.

Treat every firearm or bow with the same respect you would show a loaded gun or nocked arrow.

3. Be sure of your target and what is in front of and beyond your target.

4. 8QORDG ĹľUHDUPV and unstring conventional bows when not in use.

5. Handle the firearms, arrows and ammunition carefully.

6. Know your safe zone-of-fire and stick to it.

7. Control your emotions when it comes to safety.

8. Wear hearing and eye protection.

9. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink alcohol or take drugs before or while handling firearms or bow and arrows.

10. Be aware of additional circumstances that require added caution or safety awareness.

Just because something isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t listed under these â&#x20AC;&#x153;ten commandments of shooting safetyâ&#x20AC;? doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you can ignore it if it is dangerous. There may be rules such as in muzzleloading or archery or posted at a shooting range which should also be followed. Also, practice reloading safety by following and reading all ZWLJPĂ&#x201E;J PUZ[Y\J[PVUZ 7YHJ[PJL HSS JVTTHUKTLU[Z VM ZOVV[PUN ZHML[` ,UZ\YL H ZHML future for you, others and the shooting sports.

LOCKED OUT? CALL US! 24 hour service as available

See us for Deer Lease Lock-outs/Vehicles 3VZ[ 2L`Z ŕ Ž .\U :HMLZ ŕ Ž .\U :HML[` 3VJR ŕ Ž 2L` +\WSPJH[LZ 4HKL ŕ Ž 3VJRZ 9L RL`LK Complete Security Solution

( 0DLQ Â&#x2021; 1H[W WR $PEHU 6N\ Â&#x2021; 8YDOGH

)1.( *706+0) 2#%-#)'5 Â&#x2020; $#4 )4+.. .1&)+0) Â&#x2020; (70&4#+5+0) 61740#/'065 0RXQWDLQ 9DOOH\ 'ULYH Ĺ&#x2DC; &RQFDQ 7;

830-232-4471 www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 13

Wildlife Management An increased participation rate by women has occurred over the last few years, and in some cases the girls outperform the guys

By Bob Zaiglin

Thinking back about my early \HDUV LQ FROOHJH , UHFDOO WKH Ă°UVW WZR years grinding my way through a variety of academic courses, none of ZKLFK VDWLVĂ°HG P\ LQWHUHVW LQ ZLOGOLIH management. Obviously, they were important, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until the last semester in my junior year that I began taking wildlife management courses.

From that point forward, I really enjoyed college life and spent most of my time learning as much about wildlife and its management that I could.

7KLV LV GHĂ°QLWHO\ QRW WKH FDVH DW Southwest Texas Junior College as students in the wildlife management program are involved in a variety of

at Southwest Texas Junior College wildlife management activities as soon DV WKHLU Ă°UVW VHPHVWHU EHJLQV Obviously, the courses taken are critical to our studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; professional and mental development, but the variety of wildlife-related basic handson experiences available sets them apart from their colleagues in four-year institutions. Matter of fact, the faculty at Sul Ross in Alpine accepts our students as juniors because of their wildlife experience obtained at SWTJC. And to back up their respect of our graduates, Sul Ross has made it a seamless entry into their program for graduates of the SWTJC wildlife program by accepting all of their course work.

Now in our 10th year, we can look back and see the many students we have impacted in a positive fashion. We have graduates managing a number of prestigious ranches as well as students serving as interns and gaining valuable

experience on many others.

Former graduate of the wildlife program Daniel Tidwell just completed A Bachelor of Science degree at Sul Ross in Alpine and is presently working on a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in wildlife at the Border Lands Research Institute in Alpine. More importantly, like many of our successful graduates, Daniel continues to return as a guest lecturer, providing students tips on achieving success. Presently one of our students, Ashley Mumme, serves as a paid technician for Danielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduate research project which focuses on the survival of pen-raised deer following their release into the wild.

Daniel, however, is not the only successful graduate of the wildlife program as a number of our students have made their mark in the wildlife profession, and all agree that it was their out-of-class hands-on experience that EHQHĂ°WHG WKHP WKH PRVW LQ DFKLHYLQJ their dream.

PHOTO CREDIT BY BOB ZAIGLIN

14 HU 14 HUNT HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NTER NT ERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ER â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S S JOURNAL JOUR JOUR JO URNA URNA NAL AL [ October [ O Octobe Octo Oc to ob be e err 2 2014 014 01 4

The wildlife techniques class relaxes following the presentation of their wildPHOTO CREDIT BY BOB ZAIGLIN life management plan to local rancher Mr. John Currie.

Education should not only be enriching, but fun, and that is how we DSSURDFK LW 2XU VWXGHQWV DUH LQ WKH Ă°HOG every Tuesday throughout the school year. In the fall, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about identifying the various grass and brush species that make up the various habitat types that occur throughout the region. By the end of the fall semester, freshmen are able WR LGHQWLI\ VRPH GLĎ&#x192;HUHQW JUDVVHV and over 80 brush species. Their time is equally spent on assisting local deer breeders medicate and remove antlers on several hundred bucks. Those who exhibit an exceptionally strong work ethic combined with academic achievement can be invited to assist me on an aerial game survey. For some it represents a life-changing event, while for others it adds impetus to perform even better in school.

Last year, 13 deserving students accompanied me in a helicopter while surveying deer herds on some of the Ă°QHVW DQG PRVW LQWHQVHO\ PDQDJHG ranches in South Texas.

Although much of our focus is on whitetail deer, students obtain a variety

of information from our many ranch cooperators. For example, this past spring the wildlife techniques class was extremely fortunate to visit the 4R Ranch near Tarpley.

What made the event so special was the fact that the ranch focuses primarily on quail. They listened to the owner speak reverently and knowledgeably about the popular game bird while being served lunch on the veranda of Camp Louise, originally a Girl Scout camp.

Unlike most of the deer authorities students get to visit, on the 4R they heard about the advantages quail represent to a commercial hunting ranch. Comments like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;There is no such thing as trophy quail,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each and every bird harvested is an enjoyable memory,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and generating memories is their ultimate objective. Students were also privy to how the 40 spaniels housed at the ranch were treated like family and trained for various hunting situations.

This is only one example of what our Ă°HOG WULSV DUH OLNH (DFK VHPHVWHU GLĎ&#x192;HUHQW UDQFKHV UHSUHVHQWLQJ GLĎ&#x192;HUHQW YLHZSRLQWV RQ

managing land and its inhabitants are entertained, and students are continually being interviewed for intern positions at every one of them.

Students also participate in three to four deer captures throughout the fall as well. Most of these activities are deer management permitted activities, but at times a Triple T is conducted to transfer deer from one ranch containing a surplus of deer to another inhabited by only a few. Over their two years at SWTJC, they will handle over 500 deer.

So if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excitement youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re after while obtaining the appropriate skill set to become a wildlife manager, the dynamicity of the wildlife program at Southwest Texas Junior College just might be your answer.

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 15

BE AWARE

of property lines when hunting

Hair & Nail Studio & Tanning

( 1RSDO _

<

7RS 5RZ -DQLH )HUJXVRQ /LVD %XKOHU $OOHQ )URQW 5RZ 3DW <EDUUD 5HQDWD *DUFLD 'RUD 0 +DQVRQ

For hunters, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quandary.

They shoot a dove and it glides to a landing on someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property or they shoot a deer and it jumps the fence and dies, once again on someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a law that says you OH]L [V THRL H YLHZVUHISL LÉ&#x2C6;VY[ to retrieve game, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a law that says a person commits HU VÉ&#x2C6;LUZL PM OL LU[LYZ VY YLTHPUZ on property without the consent of the owner,â&#x20AC;? Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden Javier Fuentes said.

He suggested that hunters Ă&#x201E;UK [OL V^ULYZ VM HU` WYVWLY[` adjacent to where they are hunting and get permission to cross property lines ahead of time if it becomes necessary.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Contact them prior to hunting, so the game doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lie over there for six hours while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to Ă&#x201E;UK V\[ ^OV V^UZ [OH[ WPLJL VM property,â&#x20AC;? Fuentes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Establish good relations with your neighbor; have a phone number.â&#x20AC;?

He said that when trespassers are caught, the excuse they use most often is they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know who the neighboring landowner was or how to contact them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not hunting or walking on someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property,â&#x20AC;? Fuentes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most landowners are pretty fair.â&#x20AC;?

To contact a game warden in Uvalde County call the dispatcher H[ VY (\Z[PU *VTT\UPJH[PVUZ H[

Crabapple Creek Ranch Gillespie County 1,318Âą Acres North of Fredericksburg easy access to Hwy 16 s ReďŹ ned main home with pool s 1.45 miles of Crabapple Creek and numerous swimming holes Hunting - Whitetail, Fallow and Axis deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Turkey s Rustic rock lodge - sleeps 15 s Horse stable s 64 acre Costal ďŹ eld and 5 acre peach orchard

Listed for $13,180,000

Race Ranch Lampasas and Hamilton Counties 1,556Âą Acres

Real County, Texas 233Âą Acres Located on the outskirts of the Hill Country town of Leakey.

40 miles north of Uvalde. s Access by paved road frontage s Municpal water and electricty s Incredible hilltop views s Abundant exotic ad native wildlife s Natrual Spring ďŹ&#x201A;ow

Reduced to $3,650/acre Below Market -INERALS INCLUDED s !G EXEMPT

P.O. Box 6309 | San Antonio, Texas | 800-447-8604 info@ranchinvestments.com | www.ranchinvestments.com

16

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

98 miles north of Austin. 125 miles southwest of Dallas/Ft. Worth with easy access to Hwy 281 s Will divide s Wet weather creeks and great views s Outstanding hunting for Whitetail deer, turkey, hogs, and gamebirds.

Listed for $2,250 per acre

ZZZ XYDOGHOHDGHUQHZV FRP [ +817(5 6 -2851$/ 17

Finley takes top honors in story contest Nick Finley of Uvalde, Mary Lou Ward of Camp Wood and John Hopkins of Uvalde

Nick Finley won ÄYZ[ WSHJL PU [OPZ year’s Uvalde LeaderNews Hunting Story Contest for his tale of a clandestine teenage hunting trip near Uvalde.

Second place went to Mary Lou Ward for her story about a teenager’s last-minute

hunt that resulted in a trophy buck.

John Hopkins won the third place honor for a story about a husband/wife hunt that could have ended in hurt feelings.

Start taking notes now for next years story and photography contest and send your entries to lgarnett@ uvaldeleadernews.com.

Buck Laning – BROKER Rick Taylor – BROKER Sherry y Herndon – SALES ASSOCIATE

SWLANDTX.com 830.278.3612 18

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

GAME GALORE

Summer conditions perfect for white-tails

PHOTO BY BOB RASA

Wildlife biologist David Rios The same timely rains that he said there are â&#x20AC;&#x153;plenty of whiteof Uvalde says that thanks to a mild ILULĂ&#x201E;[[LK X\HPS OH]L HSZV WYV]LU [V wings in town.â&#x20AC;? winter and summer rains, hunters IL H IVVU MVY [OL 9PV .YHUKL [\YRL` The biologist also said the numbers should encounter an abundance of of Eurasian collared dove continue population. game during the coming season that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course we had a good hatch, to grow, and they are not protected, opens Nov. 1. so it should also be a great year for which means they can be hunted year According to Rios, mild winter turkey,â&#x20AC;? Rios said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There should be all around. temperatures allowed the browse to kinds of young birds. As far as older Finally, Rios encouraged hunters remain healthy, which was followed [V H[[LUK [OL ;L_HZ )PN .HTL (^HYKZ birds, if you go back three years, we by spring rains and what he called â&#x20AC;&#x153;a banquet next June in Uvalde. To had another good summer. I would perfect white-tailed deer summer.â&#x20AC;? locate a scorer in the area or for expect lots of mature gobblers.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a great fawn crop and more information, contact Rios Finally, Rios said he had not excellent nutrition. I am expecting received much feedback â&#x20AC;&#x201C; positive or H[ VY ]PZP[ ^^^ some really big deer to be harvested,â&#x20AC;? negative â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on dove numbers, although texasbiggameawards.org. the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist said.

He added that the area IRU GULQNV LFH DQG VQDFNV needs to experience some cold weather to help clear out the vegetation. As it is, the deer have an abundance of food including acorns, The Best Mesquite Grilled Steaks in Town!

Th mesquite beans, blackbrush and huajilla and are not from 6 Entrees Happy Hour Special 99¢ 16 0z. Aluminum Bottles (No Limit) 2 for $22 Choose with Appetizers much interested in the corn Sunday - Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. that most hunters use as an DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS 730 W. Main | Uvalde | 830-278-9690 enticement. ( 0DLQ ² ,QQ RI 8YDOGH Â&#x2021; Ownes: Mr. & Mrs. Roy Martinez â&#x20AC;&#x153;The deer take the very best parts of the plants because of the size of their rumen. They are not hungry right now,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Quail will be another bright spot, according to the 3FDMFBOFE DPSO t .JMP biologist.

Acco Deer pellets and Blocks Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays 8 a.m. - Noon â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are hearing that there Marsha Kitchens are quail everywhere. We had Uvalde Producers Feed 508 W. Fannin rainfall at important times. It Uvalde, Texas 78801 Mill & Elevator Co. should be above average for t )XZ / 4PVUI PG PWFSQBTT t 6WBMEF www.lyfetyme.com sure.â&#x20AC;? t

HUNTERS HEADQUARTERS

KE R S N U L

Supplying all your game feed needs.

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 19

Uvalde Office â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 877.218.5552 CapitalFarmCredit.com

RENTCH ENTERPRISES, INC &BTU .BJO 4USFFU t 6WBMEF 5FYBT

830-591-1155 XXX EFSLTFOCVJMEJOHTVTB DPN

Purchase or rent-to-Own Free Delivery* NO CREDIT CHECK

Choose the Style Barns Side Lofted Barns Side Utility Buidings Lofted Barns Cottage Sheds

Utility Buildings Cabins Garages Lofted Garages Play Houses

Create YOUR Building YOUR WAY! T-111 Treated/Stained Siding LP SmartSide Panel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Paint or Urethane LP SmartSide Panel with Silver Tech Metal Siding â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Z-Metal, Metal, Economy Log Siding Metal Roof or Shingle Roof

The Strongest Deluxe Carport

Solid Style or 9Lite Style Metal Doors Single or Double Vinyl Doors 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122; or 9â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Roll-up Garage Doors Fiberglass Doors A/C Cut-outs Single Pane or Double Pane Windows On-Site Build Available

++FINISHED OUT MODELS++

We would be happy to give you a Customized Quote

Buy AMERICAN Made!

We use steel made here in America, American Steel Association produced out of the ground here in the United States and milled in American Steel Mills in the USA. 2Âź sq. Galvanized frame tubing 29 Gauge Galvanized Steel Roof with Baked Enamel Finish

Carport Sizing Chart 12â&#x20AC;&#x2122; wide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 car, truck, or SUV 18â&#x20AC;&#x2122; wide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 compact cars 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122; wide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 mid-size cars, trucks, or SUVs 22â&#x20AC;&#x2122; wide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 full size cars, trucks, or SUVs 24â&#x20AC;&#x2122; wide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 full or oversized cars, trucks, or SUVs

Options Full Gables Extra Height Wind Bracing Vertical Roof Extra Sheets Windows

WE SPECIALIZE IN STORAGE BUILDINGS, CARPORTS, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE!

20

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

Anchors CertiďŹ ed Buildings Service Doors Roll-up Doors Welded Trusses

Possum-playing buck out for blood The following story was written by LeaderNews publisher Craig Garnett.

The buck was supposed to be dead.

My longtime-friend and hunting lease partner had drilled him through the shoulder with his .270 and the animal had humped up, charged a short distance through the brush and then collapsed.

At least that was the way Mike Moore described it to me when he called on a Sunday evening to ask if I could help him locate the big 10-pointer the following day.

I was happy to oblige and on the way to our lease just north of Batesville, Mike recounted the events that led up to the impending search.

He had shot the animal late in the evening and, believing it to be lying near the point of impact, walked into the pasture to ďŹ nd it. As he got close, however, the buck scrambled to its feet and began running. Mike ďŹ red again,

not knowing whether he had hit the deer, and then gave chase.

He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to travel far. The animal lay in a small clearing. Mike, who has been hunting since he was big enough to climb into his dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vehicle (and has forgotten more about whitetailed deer than I will ever know), approached the trophy cautiously, and if I remember correctly, even poked it with the muzzle of his gun.

Finding the white-tail unresponsive, he slung his riďŹ&#x201A;e over his shoulder and reached down to pick up a horn. As he turned to begin dragging the buck to the road, the horn slipped from his hand. Mike turned, expecting to reach back for the antlers, but instead found himself face-to-face with a very much alive and mutually frightened animal.

Mike said that as he swung his riďŹ&#x201A;e around, the buck bolted, and he ďŹ red from the hip. Nothing. The deer kept running and now with the light failing, the hunter decided to call it quits.

Walking back to his truck, he felt something squishy in his boot. When he bent over to examine the source of the liquid, he discovered that the buck, in getting back on its feet, had gored him in the back of the calf.

Needless to say, Mike very much wanted to ďŹ nd his nemesis. And when we arrived on the scene the following day, the search did not take long. We spread out about 50 yards and begin walking the same ground. After a couple of hundred yards, I walked up on Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buck crumpled in the shade of a mesquite.

He had not suffered the typical ground shrinkage but was indeed a handsome animal. Of course, the meat was spoiled because of high temperatures over night, but the head and horns were intact.

I think Mike was going to have a European mount done for the horns. If so, I hope they have a patch of denim attached to the longest tine.

Welcome Hunters to the Huddle VIP & Private Party Rooms Available &DWHULQJ Â&#x2021; )XOO %DU '- 0XVLF Â&#x2021; /LYH %DQGV /LYH 0XVLF RQ WKH RXWGRRU SDWLR *DPH 5RRP Âą 3RRO 'DUWV 6KXIĂ&#x20AC;HERDUG

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IS CAJUN NIGHT Take advantage of our local drop off/pickup service DRINKS

BURGERS

STEAKS

MEXICAN

Join Us

4 Square Friday t /PWFNCFS t %FDFNCFS t +BOVBSZ For evening shopping, refreshments, and entertainment.

MELTS

DRINKS KS

226 North Getty | Uvalde, Texas | 830-591-9101 www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 21

Get Ready to

Hunt ^^^ R\IV[H JVT

Stop by and check out our line of Kubota and Polaris vehicles.

4420 Hwy. 90 East | Uvalde,TX 78801

(830) 278-1117

$QWKUD[ FRQĹľUPHG LQ .LQQH\ &RXQW\ In late September, anthrax was JVUĂ&#x201E;YTLK PU [OYLL >OP[L [HPSLK KLLY PU Kinney County, approximately 20 miles north of Brackettville. ;OPZ PZ [OL [OPYK JVUĂ&#x201E;YTLK JHZL VM Anthrax in Texas this year; the second in deer.

The Texas Animal Health Commission Y\SLZ YLX\PYL WYVWLY KPZWVZHS VM HÉ&#x2C6;LJ[LK carcasses and vaccination of livestock on the premises prior to release of the quarantine.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, which is a naturally occurring organism with worldwide distribution, including certain parts of Texas. It is not uncommon for anthrax to be diagnosed in livestock or wildlife in the southwestern part of the state. A vaccine is available for use in susceptible livestock in high-risk areas.

Acute fever followed by rapid death with bleeding from body openings are common signs of anthrax in livestock.

Carcasses may also appear bloated and decompose quickly. Livestock displaying symptoms consistent with

SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Acute fever Staggering Depression 'LIĹľFXOW\ EUHDWKLQJ Seizures 'DUN EORRG oozing from mouth, and nose Sudden death

WYHJ[P[PVULY VY SVJHS ;(/* VÉ&#x2030;JL PM [OL` have questions about the disease,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. T.R. Lansford, TAHC assistant executive director for animal health programs.

For more information regarding Anthrax, contact your local TAHC YLNPVU VY JHSS VY ]PZP[ www.tahc.texas.gov.

Anthrax should be reported to a private ]L[LYPUHY` WYHJ[P[PVULY VY H ;(/* VÉ&#x2030;JPHS 0M HÉ&#x2C6;LJ[LK SP]LZ[VJR VY JHYJHZZLZ T\Z[ be handled, producers are encouraged to follow basic sanitation precautions such as wearing protective gloves, long sleeve shirts and washing thoroughly afterward to prevent accidental spread of the bacteria to people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The TAHC will continue to closely monitor the situation for possible new cases across the state. Producers are encouraged to consult their veterinary

Friendly and professional customer service that offers a wide range of banking services to fit your needs.

( 0DLQ 6WUHHW _ 8YDOGH 7H[DV _ ZZZ KRQGRQDWLRQDOEDQN FRP www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S .<0+, 23

SNAKES Angela Clendenin Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Texans are no strangers to snakes, especially during the summertime when many of them are out and about.

Copperhead, coral, cottonmouth, and rattler: these are the names given to the four species of venomous snakes in Texas.

It is a good idea for anyone to be LK\JH[LK VU [OL KPÉ&#x2C6;LYLU[ [`WLZ VM dangerous snakes in Texas and how to avoid being bitten. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Snakes tend to follow their food source,â&#x20AC;? said Teresa Shisk-Saling, veterinary technician at the Texas A &M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you

have problems with snakes in your home area, make sure to clean up any trash, debris, wood piles, rock piles or building material laying on the ground. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last summer when it was very hot out, a friend of mine had a problem with copperheads in her dog kennels so she took several litter pans and placed them along her fence line and kept them full of water,â&#x20AC;? Shisk-Saling said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After that, there were no more snakes in the kennels because they were just looking for water. Problem solved.â&#x20AC;?

Coral Snake The coral snake, which is seen in Uvalde County is not to be confused with the like-colored but non-venomous milk snake, whose red and black bands connect. The coloring pattern and KPÉ&#x2C6;LYLUJLZ IL[^LLU [OL [^V ZUHRLZ HYL

The Good The Bad & The Deadly best learned with the old adage, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red and yellow kills a fellow; red and black is a friend to Jack.â&#x20AC;?

Coral snakes in the eastern part of the state mostly eat snakes and those in western part eat lizards. They tend to be very shy and secretive and will spend most of their time underground, in deep leaf litter, dens and burrows.

There is no anti-venom being manufactured in the United States that is available for people bitten by the coral snake, which has the most potent venom of any North American snake.

The coral snake accounts for less than 1 percent of the number of annual snake bites. Respiratory paralysis can occur suddenly or within hours after a coral snake bite, therefore intubation and ventilation should be employed for a victim.

YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE GOT TO HAVE AN

ACE

IN THE HOLE.

Available 24 hours Serving Southwest Texas

Ace Bail Bond Company &BTU /PQBM t 6WBMEF 5FYBT

UI 4U t )POEP 5Y

(830) 591-1100

24

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

SPECIALIZING IN: $XWRPRWLYH 5HSDLU Â&#x2021; 7UXFN 5HSDLU Â&#x2021; %DWWHULHV 6WDUWHUV Â&#x2021; 7XQH XSV Â&#x2021; 1HZ 8VHG 7LUHV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Honest Reliable Service At A Fair Priceâ&#x20AC;?

(830) 278-4849 6 *HWW\ Â&#x2021; 8YDOGH 7; Â&#x2021; ZZZ DQG\VH[SUHVVVHUYLFH FRP

Call Us About Tires, Any Brand, Any Size

SNAKES…Lowdown on venomous snakes Texans are no strangers to snakes, especially during the summertime when many of them are out and about.

Copperhead, coral, cottonmouth, and rattler: these are the names given to the four species of venomous snakes in Texas.

It is a good idea for anyone to be LK\JH[LK VU [OL KPɈLYLU[ [`WLZ VM dangerous snakes in Texas and how to avoid being bitten.

Coral Snake The coral snake, which is seen in Uvalde County is not to be confused with the like-colored but non-venomous milk snake, whose red and black bands connect. The coloring pattern and KPɈLYLUJLZ IL[^LLU [OL [^V ZUHRLZ HYL best learned with the old adage, “Red and yellow kills a fellow; red and black is a friend to Jack.”

Coral snakes in the eastern part of the state mostly eat snakes and those in western part eat lizards. They tend to be very shy and secretive and will spend most of their time underground, in deep leaf litter, dens and burrows.

There is no anti-venom being manufactured in the United States that is available for people bitten by the coral snake, which has the most potent venom of any North American snake.

The coral snake accounts for less than 1 percent of the number of annual snake bites. Respiratory paralysis can occur suddenly or within hours after a coral snake bite, therefore intubation and ventilation should be employed for a victim.

Rattlesnake Another pit viper family member found in Uvalde County is the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. These snakes primarily eat rabbits or other small mammals. They are mostly found in central, south and southeast Texas and, since they use their rattlers as warning, can usually be heard before they are seen. There are a number of snakes, venomous and non-venomous, that will beat their tail in grass and leaf litter trying to sound like a rattlesnake.

These snakes are a little more aggressive and will rarely back away

WELCOME

from confrontation.

Water Moccasin These semi-aquatic pit vipers eat ÄZO HUK MYVNZ HUK HYL HTVUN [OL snakes known to live in Uvalde County.

All snakes swim on top of the water, however when they stop to rest or evaluate their surroundings, venomous ZUHRLZ ^PSS JVU[PU\L [V ÅVH[ VU [VW VM the water and non-venomous snakes will sink, leaving only their heads visible.

When a water moccasin feels threatened, it will stand its ground and ÅH[[LU V\[ P[Z IVK` [V HWWLHY IPNNLY 0[ will also hiss and gape open its mouth, revealing lighter colored tissue – hence its name.

6JJHZPVUHSS` VUL TH` ÄUK H ZUHRL stretched out warming itself in a sunny area. The best course of action is to leave the snake alone and respect its space.

Copperhead Out of the four most venomous snakes, copperheads are the most prevalent in the Bryan/College Station

HUNTING for that

SPECIAL GIFT Come visit our gift shop for locally made arts and crafts items.

6WDWHĥRIĥWKHĥDUW IDFLOLW\ IHDWXUHV« +HDWHG LQGRRU VZLPPLQJ SRRO _ )LWQHVV URRPV _ :RRGZRUNLQJ VKRS $XGLWRULXP _ &RPPHULFDO NLWFKHQ _ 0HHWLQJ URRPV _ *LIW VKRS

Visit our website at www.herbyhamactivitycenter.org

H

uaacoffice@sbcglobal.net

erby am 830-591-2711

Activity Center

116 North Getty Downtown Uvalde 830-278-1667 Open Mon. - Sat. 10:00 - 5:30 p.m.

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTER’S JOURNAL 25

26

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

st

1

&RYHUW WULS EULQJV WHHQV too much adventure 'Just put that on my dad's tabâ&#x20AC;Ś'

7KH IROORZLQJ VWRU\ E\ 1LFN & )LQOH\ -U ZRQ Ć&#x201C;UVW place in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Uvalde Leader-News Hunting Story Contest.

the attendant and yelled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just put that VU T` +HKÂťZ [HI š (OOO [OVZL ^LYL [OL NVVK VSÂť KH`Z >L T\Z[ OH]L WYLZLU[LK quite an image: Three 12- or 13-year-old In December of 1963 my parents had boys driving west on Highway 90, armed to be out of town. My grandmother was to the teeth, in an inappropriately acquired left in charge in their absence. The day vehicle with a full tank of gas thanks to a after they had gone, I was looking for a questionable fuel transaction, no driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pen in my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desk. Not only did I license, and no thought of consequence. Ă&#x201E;UK H WLU I\[ 0 HSZV MV\UK [OL RL`Z [V T` What could go wrong? fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s truck. Eureka!

When arriving at the ranch, Mike The next afternoon I was discussing and Roger loaded their weapons while my good fortune with my friends, Mike 0 \USVJRLK [OL NH[L @LHO 0 MV\UK [OVZL Moore and Roger Nelson, I reasoned RL`Z [VV 0[ ^HZ Z[PSS KHYR ZV 0 KYV]L [V that we should take full advantage of the a large stock tank, parked on top of \UMVSKPUN ZP[\H[PVU P[ÂťZ JVSK P[ÂťZ +LJLTILY the dump and waited for sunrise. We T` WHYLU[Z HYL V\[ VM [V^U [OH[ [OPZ T\Z[ heard the world waking up around us, be divine intervention, that it was a moral a whistling covey of quail, the snort and imperative. We all agreed that this must squeal of a herd of javelinas, some olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; be fate and any disruption of the evolving cow bawlinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; way out in the pasture. It was situation would disrupt the movement great! We just rode around for most of of the stars resulting in a rift in the time/ the morning. The afternoon warmed up space continuum, thereby causing the enough for a walk through the pasture. end of life on Earth as it was known at the Roger was to walk the center of the [PTL 5V[ YLHSS` ^L ^LYLUÂť[ [OH[ KLLW pasture while Mike and I rode the fence. ^L Q\Z[ ^HU[LK [V NV O\U[PUÂť 4PRL HUK 0 Ă&#x201E;UPZOLK V\Y YV\UK HUK ZL[[SLK In the pre-dawn darkness of the next in to watch the main road. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long TVYUPUN 0 SVHKLK [OL [Y\JR ^P[O H YPĂ&#x2026;L H however until we heard the unmistakable shotgun and enough ammunition to start IVVT [O\TW MYVT 9VNLYÂťZ YPĂ&#x2026;L >OH[L]LY a small war. I heated some milk, raided he had pulled the trigger on had been [OL PJL IV_ Ă&#x201E;_LK H S\UJO HUK Ă&#x201E;SSLK H successfully targeted. couple of canteens with water and a Mike and I waited a short while before Thermos with hot chocolate. Where my starting out, just in case something might grandmother was in all this activity Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cross the road in front of us. Mike then got never know. in the back to guide me through the brush Into the night I raced to pick up my toward the cohorts, but before we could leave I realized we would need some gas. I pulled into Dudley Blairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conoco station. I [VWWLK VÉ&#x2C6; [OL tank, waived at

sound of Rogerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gunshot. We found Roger standing beside his trophy.

Backslaps and congratulations were had all around and as we stood there admiring his prize; reality reared its ugly head! What are we gonna do now?

It was a long trip back into town as we JVU[LTWSH[LK V\Y MH[L .YV\UKLK MVY SPML& Jail time? Not only were we saddled with all the other aforementioned infractions, but we had just added this damned big, untagged buck, lying dead in the bed of my truck to the list. We decided to turn ourselves into Mr. Moore. I pulled into Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driveway and all the way back to the garage. While Mike went in to get his dad, Roger and I unlatched the tailgate.

Mr. Moore stepped out the back door and toward the truck. Roger and I let the tailgate fall. It hit the bumper with a loud metallic â&#x20AC;&#x153;thunkâ&#x20AC;?, revealing our contraband. The smile that crossed Mr. Mooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lips was quickly replaced with a stern, fatherly frown. The tongue lashinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; I had expected did not transpire. He admonished our actions and questioned our sanity and took us back home. Our great adventure had ended.

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember what happened to my buddies for their part in our little outing. The worst part for me was having to listen to my grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s endless lectures on my errant and sinful ways.

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how Mr. Moore smoothed things over with the other dads. He probably reminded them of atrocities committed, by them, of equal or greater ZPNUPĂ&#x201E;JHUJL PU [OLPY `V\[O 0 KV RUV^ [OH[ Rogerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deer was processed and the head mounted. I do know that our escapade ^HZ [OL Z\IQLJ[ VM JVÉ&#x2C6;LL ZOVW [HSR H[ [OL Kincaid, where my dad was razzed by the regulars, and in the ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sunday school classes, where prayers for strength were VÉ&#x2C6;LYLK \W MVY T` TV[OLY 0 RUV^ [OH[ ^L never operated another motor vehicle without proper authorization. I think that I also knew that this act of audacious behavior was not going to be the last, but it was sure gonna be one of the best.

www.uvaldeleadernews.com ww ww. w.uv w.uv uval alde al lde delead del lead le ader der erne erne news ws.com ws .c com o [ HU H HUNT HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UNT NTER ER Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S S JO J JOUR JOURNAL OUR URNA URNA NAL 27 NAL 27

28

+817(5 6 -2851$/ [ 2FWREHU

Deer Ticks

By now, there’s hardly a hunter or ÄZOLYTHU ^OV OHZU»[ OLHYK VM KLLY ticks and the disease they can spread.

Unfortunately, the scourge of Lyme disease, which the ticks can carry, has hardly been controlled, and its range JVU[PU\LZ [V ZWYLHK 6UJL JVUÄULK to the East Coast, infected ticks have made headway into the Midwest and are increasing their range.

3`TL KPZLHZL ^HZ ÄYZ[ PKLU[PÄLK PU ^P[O H JS\Z[LY VM H WYL]PV\ZS` \UPKLU[PÄLK PSSULZZ HYV\UK 3`TL Connecticut. Infected patients complained of long-lasting rashes around a tick bite, followed by a JVU[PU\V\Z SV^ NYHKL ML]LY Z[PɈULZZ in the neck and lingering pain in the joints. After some time, a treatment was KPZJV]LYLK I\[ P[ PZ TVZ[ LɈLJ[P]L ^OLU the disease is diagnosed early. Today, Lyme disease is still most prevalent in the Northeast, but has also cropped up in the Midwest, the South and California. In recent years, over 16,000

Ixodes scapularis is commonly known as the deer tick or blacklegged tick, and in some parts of the USA as the bear tick. It is a hard-bodied tick of the eastern and northern Midwestern United States.

cases have been reported nationwide.

Deer ticks are active from March through September in most areas, so hunters and anglers need to be extra cautious during these times.

They’re somewhat smaller than the far more common wood tick, and can be visually separated from other ticks by a

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TICKS Long pants should be worn Pants cuffs should be tucked into socks or wear tall laced boots Wear a Long-sleeved shirt Wear a hat Use insect repellant containing DEET gives added protection.

Do a thorough “tick check” of entire body when changing clothes

U-shaped line on the underside. They’re common wherever the foliage or grass is in full growth: along trails, through woodlands and meadows, and around stream brush.

Although harvested wild game may at one time have come in contact with an infected tick, according to the University of Minnesota Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, there is no reported instance of Lyme disease being passed on through the ingestion of game meat.

There is, however, the danger of coming into contact with infected ticks while dressing game. The University of 4PUULZV[H Z[HɈ YLJVTTLUKZ ^LHYPUN gloves while dressing game to decrease the chance of contact with ticks, and keeping a pan of water beneath the JHYJHZZ [V KYV^U [PJRZ HZ [OL` MHSS VɈ The area beneath the carcass can be sprayed with an insecticide, but don’t spray the carcass itself. Also, it’s a good rule to make sure any wild game is well cooked before eating.

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTER’S JOURNAL 29

nd

2

Unusual-looking trophy buck is costly, priceless

The following story by Mary Lou Ward of Camp Wood won second place in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hunting Story Contest.

still time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Still time,â&#x20AC;? Ross said in a cocky, reassuring manner. The duo bounced around in the Jeep in search for any buck at this stage.

Time was running out, but somehow, Hollisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopes were fading fast; the the 11th hour showed up and gave Hollis sun was getting closer and closer to the a chance for a last-minute hunt. horizon.

Ross, a nearby rancherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son and dear â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ross, this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look good since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend, drove up in his almost expired Jeep the last day. Ross! Look over there, there and yelled out, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey! Hollis, the hunters he is!â&#x20AC;? Hollis exclaimed, pointing east. have packed up and left. Dad says you Hollis was shaking like a leaf and can come and have a hunt, if you want KV\I[LK OPZ HIPSP[` [V Ă&#x201E;YL H KLJLU[ ZOV[ to.â&#x20AC;?

They chased him through the brush and Now, what teenage country boy OL YHU PU[V [OL VWLU PU H Ă&#x201E;LSK VM [HSS NYHZZ wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t jump at the chance?

Abruptly the buck stopped. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sure Ross, let me ask Mom and grab ;OL IV`Z Ă&#x201E;N\YLK [OH[ [OL VUS` [OPUN T` YPĂ&#x2026;L š /VSSPZ L_JP[LKS` YLWSPLK that would stop â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. Bigâ&#x20AC;? was a herd of Ross said he felt theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d see the â&#x20AC;&#x153;big does in sight! Hollis slipped out of the jeep â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;un.â&#x20AC;? Hollis asked Ross if he reckoned ^P[O YPĂ&#x2026;L PU OHUK HUK [VVR H Z[HUJL 9VZZ thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be any deer left and if there was goading him on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shoot! Shoot!

Hollis drew a bead with his .222 and kapow! The buck deer dropped dead in his tracks. Hollis knelt down beside him and with a gleam in his eye he said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a perfect 10 point rack! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sundowner!â&#x20AC;?

The prize was www.gravesrealestate.net loaded on the Jeep and they sped to town for Hollisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bragging rights. News travels fast in Camp Wood and it soon reached HUNTING PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR SALE Rossâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dad. Now, the hunt was OK but 3FTJEFOUJBM t $PNNFSDJBM t )PNFT 8JUI "DSFBHF Dad had his eyes 3BODIFT t 8BUFS "DDFTT t 3BX -BOE set on that particular buck. He had been Kay Graves Jungerman, Broker (830) 279-7477 watching the deer for a long time and really Kathie Carr

didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want him shot.

Kimberly DeRusha

After a brief discussion, Ross Marvin Wimberley

admitted he had wanted to bag this / (FUUZ 4U t 6WBMEF 5Y one himself, and until (830)278-9462 office this day heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never

GRAVES

REAL ESTATE

30

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

told Hollis. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a true friend, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you say?

Well, it was hunting season, and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame the boys for wanting a good hunt. After all, what are the odds of IHNNPUN H Ă&#x201E;UL WVPU[ I\JR VU [OL SHZ[ day of the season, only the legal limited sunshine left, and one lone bullet? It was the only shell he had for the gun!

Hollis wanted to have the head full of horns mounted, so he could forever remember his conquest. Money was scarce, but we promised Hollis weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d do something. I called the Lone Star Taxidermy inquiring about the price of a OLHK TV\U[ >OLU ZOL X\V[LK MVY [OL Ă&#x201E;_PUN VM [OL TV\U[ 0 HSTVZ[ MYLHRLK out. She recommended we leave the head in a deep freeze until we could do otherwise. ,]LY [Y` [V Ă&#x201E;UK H SHYNL LUV\NO KLLW freezer to hold a big deer head and horns?

0 ZLHYJOLK MYHU[PJHSS` HUK Ă&#x201E;UHSS` HU LSKLYS` gent from Barksdale came to Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and my rescue. It seems he had an idle freezer ^L JV\SK \ZL HSTVZ[ PUKLĂ&#x201E;UP[LS` 4VU[OZ ^LU[ I` \U[PS ^L JV\SK HÉ&#x2C6;VYK [V WH` [OL fee. ;OL TV\U[PUN Ă&#x201E;UHSS` [VVR WSHJL ;OL taxidermist was elated over the rack. She said they were the most rare ones sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d L]LY OHK [OL WYP]PSLNL [V Ă&#x201E;_ ;OLPY JVSVY was so unusual. White stripes ran around and up the horns. She thought they were dirty and she scrubbed them thoroughly VUS` [V Ă&#x201E;UK [OL` ^LYL UH[\YHSS` JVSVYLK that way.

The mount was fantastic; even the deer, itself had a true beauty. He was [Y\S` H THNUPĂ&#x201E;JLU[ ILHZ[ ;OL [H_PKLYTPZ[ was well pleased with her own results in restoring the beauty of a most unusual rack of horns.

After a six-month wait from start to Ă&#x201E;UPZO Z\YWYPZL Z\YWYPZL Z\YWYPZL ^L NH]L the mount to Hollis on his 17th birthday.

Twenty-nine years have passed, but every time Hollis sees the head decked out on the hallway wall, the hunt is still vivid and thrilling to him. I have no regrets to have the determination to preserve /VSSPZÂť Ă&#x201E;YZ[ I\JR

South Texas deer aging chart Age 2.5 years 3.5 years 4.5 years 5.5 years 6.5 years 7.5 years 8.5 years 9.5 years 10.5 years

From 0 0.64 1.2 1.75 2.31 2.87 3.42 3.98 4.53

To 0.63 1.19 1.74 2.3 2.86 3.41 3.97 4.52 5.08

Dentine width (mm) Right jaw, first bicuspid molar, front cusp on cheek side TEXAS AGRILIFE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER

The major tooth parts used in determining a deer’s age are shown in this illustration.

Teeth 1,2,3 - Pre-Molars: The rather narrow jaw teeth in front of the molars adapted to cutting food.

Teeth 4,5,6 - Molars: The large jaw teeth adapted for grinding food.

A - Infundibulum: The funnel-shaped depression in the center crown of tooth between crests. Exterior surfaces will be stained dark.

B - Dentine: The softer inner core of the tooth, much darker in color than the enamel.

C - Enamel: The hard, white outer coat of a tooth.

D - Lingual Crests: Tooth ridges running from front to back adjacent to the tongue.

E - Cusps: The points or projections on the surface of a tooth.

F - Gum line: Point to which flesh of the gum cover a tooth.

Food stains are deposited above the gum.

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTER’S JOURNAL 31

32

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

ZZZ XYDOGHOHDGHUQHZV FRP [ +817(5 6 -2851$/ 33

Lumber/Building Materials Flooring Lawn/Garden Plywood Paint/Sundries Roofing Material Hardware/Tools Masonry Products Plumbing/Electrical

WE DELIVER! ®

T.J. Moore Lumber Yard Since 1892

( 0DLQ 8YDOGH (830) 278-3344

Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

COMMUNITY Business Directory ALTA VISTA REALTY, INC.

David Rios & Susan Ditto

Cynthia Rodriguez, Gracie Garcia, Juanita Garcia.

Not pictured Adam Martinez.

956-330-1228 214-499-6856

www.aegischl.wix.com/aegis

110 N. East Street | Uvalde, Texas 78801 830-278-3335 | uvaldeleadernews.com

Ď­ĎŽĎ­ EÍ&#x2DC; tÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161; ^Ć&#x161;Í&#x2DC; Íť ϴϯϏͲώϳϴͲϯϏϯϏ Íť ϴϯϏͲώϳϴͲϭϯϭϏ ZÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ͳ ŽžžÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä?Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ͳ Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;

Stephanie Sieckenius Broker, ALHS, ABR, E-Pro dba Raynice Shudde Real Estate

Residential Commercial Acreage

LOCALLY OWNED INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; SINCE 1879 A LEADER IN SOUTHWEST TEX AS

W E W EBE R E R Brush Control Grass Seeding Site Work

Tanks Dams Farm & Ranch Roads

Shop Service Machine Shop Hydl Hoses

4045 Hwy 90 E Uvalde, Texas 78801

830-278-7358

JOEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PLUMBING New Construction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Remodeling Complete Concrete Septic Tank Installation Septic Tank Pumping Repairs - Drains Cleaned - Leaks Fixed

FREE ESTIMATES

Classes offered monthly in Uvalde Private classes available Gun rental available

https://www.facebook.com/ConcealedHandgunCourses

Residential & Commercial

P.O. Box 1672 | Uvalde, Texas 830-275-3545 | 830-278-8457

Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tree Trimming 830-275-5311 Insured and Bonded s (UNTING ,EASES

direct 830.591.6658

s 2ESIDENTIAL

fax 830.900.5075 stephaniesieckenius@yahoo.com

s #OMMERCIAL s 2EASONABLE 2ATES

Raynice Shudde Real Estate

& /PQBM 4VJUF t 6WBMEF 59

PREMIER AUTO COLLISON

6 *HWW\ _ 8YDOGH _ www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S .<0+, 35

HUNTING: 2QOLQH RU RIĹ´LQH A Southwest Texas Junior College student participates in a hunter education course conducted for wildlife students at SWTJC.

Buy 1, Get 1 Free 6â&#x20AC;? sub of equal or lesser value.*

* Valid at both locations 2809 E. Main and 335 E.Main, Uvalde. Coupon good November 1 - December 31, 2014.

It is the law in Texas for anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971 to complete a hunter safety course before getting their hunting license. Licenses can easily be obtained, via online, for a nominal fee. ;OL JV\YZL ^OPJO PZ VÉ&#x2C6;LYLK exclusively for hunters over the age VM JVZ[Z ^P[O HU HKKP[PVUHS charge for hunters 17 years of age or older. Successful completion results PU HU LK\JH[PVU JLY[PĂ&#x201E;JH[L The course is broken up into units organized to form building blocks of information. Each unit is developed to help a person understand the information in the next unit.

For hunters 17 years of age or older, a score of 60 percent or greater is required on each unit before they are allowed to begin the next unit. After successfully completing all quizzes, hunters have

the option of proceeding directly to the online hunter education JLY[PĂ&#x201E;JH[PVU L_HT VY Ă&#x201E;YZ[ [HRPUN H practice exam. ( ZJVYL VM WLYJLU[ VY NYLH[LY is needed to pass, and hunters have an unlimited amount of tries to pass.

For hunters 9 through 16 years of age an 80 percent or greater must be scored on each unit quiz before the test-takers are allowed to move onto the next unit. After successfully completing the course they can print V\[ H Ă&#x201E;LSK KH` ]V\JOLY Following the completion of [OL YLX\PYLK Ă&#x201E;LSK KH` ^OPJO PUJS\KLZ PUZ[Y\J[PVU VU ZHML Ă&#x201E;YLHYT techniques and participation in a SP]L Ă&#x201E;YL L_LYJPZL [OL `V\UN O\U[LYZ will receive a temporary student card issued by the instructor. The card may be carried until a permanent O\U[LY LK\JH[PVU JLY[PĂ&#x201E;JH[L PZ

UTV â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Baskets, Gun Racks, Game Loaders, Road Feeders, Hunting Seats, Deer Blinds and Feeders

830-278-5914 lonestaroutdoor.com 36

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

HUNTING COURSE FEES Ages 9-16 $24 17 and older $29 )RU PRUH information or to take the online course visit www.hunter-ed.com, www.hunteredcourse.com or www.huntercourse.com. mailed to them. Receipt of [OL WLYTHULU[ JLY[PÄJH[L JHU come three to four weeks later.

Hunters not wishing to participate in the online course have several other options for receiving a JLY[PÄJH[L A basic education course PZ VɈLYLK H[ H JVZ[ VM and consists of six hours of classroom instruction, led by a Texas Parks and >PSKSPML +LWHY[TLU[ JLY[PÄLK instructor.

An enhanced education course which consists of a four-hour class taught in one day is also available following the completion of an online course.

An advanced education

course is another option and consists of more than six hours of instruction by a JLY[PÄLK PUZ[Y\J[VY In the advanced course, a variety of focus points are VɈLYLK VU WHY[PJ\SHY [`WLZ VM hunting, including waterfowl hunting, deer hunting, small game hunting with children, ÄLSK KYLZZPUN HUK WYVJLZZPUN deer, tracking wildlife, cooking wild game, alligator O\U[PUN ZPNO[PUN PU H YPÅL gun cleaning, and outdoor survival skills.

An exception to the LK\JH[PVU JLY[PÄJH[L JHU be made for the duration of one season if a deferral is purchased at a cost of $10.

The deferral is good for one season and is not renewable.

FRIO REGIONAL HOSPITAL

www.frioregionalhospital.com

200 S. IH-35 Pearsall, TX 78061 TEL (830) 334-3617 FAX (830) 334-9812

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTER’S JOURNAL 37

Diamond Sponsors…

ǡ ͵ͳǡ ʹͲͳͶ Ȉ ͸ ͳͳ Ǥ Ǥ

Platinum Sponsors…

GOLD SPONSORS !MISTAD .URSING (OME s 3ILVER %AGLE $ISTRIBUTING s 5VALDE ,EADER .EWS s 5VALDE 2ADIO s *, 2EFRIDGERATION s 5VALDE -EAT -ARKET s (ARBOR !MERICA s 5VALDE -EAT -ARKET s 5VALCO s 7INTERGARDEN &ARMS s -EDINA %LECTRIC s $OUBLE 4 /UTlTTERS s !NGEL "REEZE 3ERVICES s 2OADRUNNER %NERGY s #LUB !T #ONCAN SILVER SPONSORS 33&#5 s &AGLIE #ONSTRUCTION s !MISTAD .URSING 2EHABILITATION s #HICAGO 4ITLE s #ROSSlRE &EEDERS s (ONDO .ATIONAL "ANK s /6 #ASEY 0LUMBING s &RANKLINS !UTO 3ERVICE s 3TATE &ARM )NSURANCE $EAN 3TERLING s 3TATE &ARM )NSURANCE *ODY 'RIFlN s (UNTING %TC

Expo . Gun Raffle . Food . Live Music Kids Hunting Costume Contest Pumpkin Coloring Corral

Live music by Taylor Langford

For more information contact the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce at 830-278-3361 or uvalde.org.

rd

3

HUSBAND BESTS WIFE'S PRIZE BUCK

DURING WEEKEND HUNT The following story by John Hopkins of Uvalde won second place in this year’s Hunting Story Contest.

Brooke and Chad arrived shortly after noon VU H ;\LZKH` )YVVRL ^HZ [OL ÄYZ[ [V JOLJR OLY YPÅL HUK ZJVWL HSPNUTLU[ :OL took a while getting settled and trying [V ÄN\YL V\[ OV^ [V OVSK [OL YPÅL PU [OL SLHK ZSLK >OLU ZOL ÄUHSS` ZX\LLaLK VɈ a shot from her .260, the bullet was in [OL I\SSZ L`L *OHK»Z YPÅL ULLKLK ZVTL adjustment.

For the evening hunt, Chad went into a blind on the southeast corner of our west pasture and Brooke and Ivan were in a blind in the middle of that same pasture.

Ivan is my foreman.

Brooke wanted Ivan to coach her on which buck, if any, to shoot. Brooke might have wanted Ivan to sit with her because she heard the cook tell me that the U.S. Border Patrol had sent us a message that trespassers were becoming more active. I wonder if there is a connection with the recent election results. *OHK JHSSLK HYV\UK ! W T [V ZH` he’d taken a shot. He described the buck as a nice buck with a drop tine. Chad said he wasn’t nervous and felt like he was steady, but the buck didn’t react like he was hit. The buck was last seen Y\UUPUN MHZ[ HIV\[ `HYKZ H^H` MYVT the impact site. The impact site was HIV\[ `HYKZ MYVT [OL ISPUK >L MV\UK no blood, but we found deep hoof prints where the buck had bolted. We searched the area, but found no downed buck or any blood. We returned to the impact site and found an elongated scrape about PUJOLZ SVUN [OH[ ^HZ HIV\[ `HYKZ further than the impact site. The angle

from that little ground scrape to the blind window was consistent with a bullet passing a little less than knee high at the impact site. We think the bullet missed the buck and the impact site was really the where-the-buck-was-standing-whenthe-bullet-passed-by site. )` [OL [PTL ^L ÄUPZOLK ^P[O *OHK»Z adventure and were almost back to the compound, Ivan sent a message that Brooke had a buck down. Brooke and Ivan had seen a lot of deer. The deer were very blind wary. Ivan is pretty savvy about how to stay in the shadows and keep movement to a minimum, so Brooke and Ivan kept the deer in the area. )YVVRL ^HZ [OL ÄYZ[ [V ZLL OLY I\JR Ivan knew he was a good buck and a buck with a drop tine. Brooke had prepared for this trip for a long time. She had months to think about it. She wanted a drop tine buck, so this was perfect.

(Z ZOL YHPZLK [OL YPÅL HUK W\[ P[ PU [OL window, she started to get buck fever.

Her heart was racing and adrenaline was rushing into her system. Somehow, she settled her shaky body long enough to squeeze the trigger.

The buck dropped in its tracks.

Brooke was so overcome with emotion that she started crying.

Then she had a bout of Tourette Syndrome. Not only did Brooke bag a unique buck, Ivan had a unique experience.

Brooke is a special huntress.

She works hard as a stayat-home mom. She likes the feminine side of life, so much so that she doesn’t go hunting without getting

pretty. Tuesday ended with Brooke having all the bragging rights. I’m sure Chad had mixed emotions. He was upset with himself for missing his buck, yet happy that his wife was happy. If I’d been in that situation, I might have had to fake the “I’m happy for you” part.

The Wednesday morning hunt was unproductive. For the evening hunt, we put Chad in a blind overlooking a big crater where the Big Pond used to be before the Big Drought. A previous hunter had recently reported seeing a big buck in that area. Around 6 p.m., Chad phoned and said he had a buck down.

Chad had watched this buck come into the protein feeder which was south of the blind. But the buck was feeding on the western tube and the feeder leg was in the way.

Finally, the buck moved around the feeder and exposed himself broadside.

This time, Chad’s bullet was true and the buck collapsed immediately. This was a nice buck.

Chad might have made a bigger mistake than missing on Tuesday evening. He shot a buck bigger than his wife’s.

The long winter nights might be colder this year.

Things to remember In that last-minute scramble around the house prior to heading out to hunting camp this fall or during that pre-dawn rush to get in the woods or even on the way back home after a successful hunt, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to forget something.

To help insure that hunters donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end up pleading memory lapse in the face of possible citation for a game law violation, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to: ² Check for open season dates and bag limits for the county you are hunting. ² Check for legal means and methods in the county you are hunting. ² Carry your current hunting license. ² Clearly identify your target before pulling the trigger. ² *HYY` H ZOHYW RUPML" J\[ V\[ [OL KH[L TVU[O HUK KH` VM RPSS VU KLLY and turkey tags and immediately after kill, attach appropriate tag to the deer or turkey. ² *HYY` H IHSS WVPU[ WLU" Ă&#x201E;SS V\[ YHUJO HUK JV\U[` UHTL VU IHJR VM deer and turkey tags. ² *HYY` `V\Y O\U[LY ZHML[` JLY[PĂ&#x201E;JH[PVU JHYK PM HWWSPJHISL ^P[O `V\ PU [OL Ă&#x201E;LSK ² *HYY` H Z[H[L KYP]LYÂťZ SPJLUZL VY Z[H[L WLYZVUHS PKLU[PĂ&#x201E;JH[PVU JHYK PM you are 17 or older. ² Fill out a Wildlife Resource Document to accompany any part of a deer or turkey that you give to someone else. ² Keep all game animals and game birds in an edible condition.

PHOTO BY BILL DRAKER

Los Alamos Family Restaurant

Owned and operated by the Valdez family since 1993

Daily Breakfast & Lunch SPECIALS Homemade Tortillas Fresh Menudo served Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Join us for our upcoming Gun Shows in 2015 at the Uvalde County Fairplex Saturday and Sunday -LIY\HY` Â&#x2039; 4H` Â&#x2039; (\N\Z[ 6J[VILY Â&#x2039; 5V]LTILY

Delivery available within Uvalde city limits.

Minimum purchase of $25.

1105 West Main | Uvalde | 830-591-0083 Monday - Saturday 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.

40

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

Customer & Vendor information â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 210-371-3001 T TR '`HOVV JVT ŕ Ž ^^^ LHNSLV\[Ă&#x201E;[[LYZ[L_HZ JVT

ZZZ XYDOGHOHDGHUQHZV FRP [ +817(5 6 -2851$/ 41

'29( &(175$/ Uvalde is wing-shooting hotspot

Lorenzo Perez III and his son Lorenzo Perez IV of Uvalde show off the result of their first try at dove hunting. The pair hunted at Jeff Parker’s ranch, and they called the hunt a great experience and huge success. Lorenzo Perez IV reached his bag limit first.

As the white-winged dove population has multiplied across South Texas, Uvalde has taken its place as one of the hottest wing shooting locations in the state.

By the time the Central Zone season opens on Sept. 1, the birds are well established in leaving their roosts in the city each morning to ÄUK MLLK HUK [OLU YL[\YUPUN PU [OL afternoon in numbers that sometimes leave your mouth ajar and your shoulder sore.

And outside of town, the mourning dove shooting over corn and Z\UÅV^LY ÄLSKZ JHU IL L]LY IP[ HZ exciting as drawing down on the white-wings.

The Central Zone season runs through Oct. 20 and then again on Dec. 19 to Jan. 7. The South Zone also runs through Oct. 20 and then +LJ [V 1HU Shooting in the special whitewinged zone is the same except it closes the second time on Jan. 21.

HUNTERS

HEADQUARTERS $EER &EEDERS s $EER 3TANDS s ""1 0ITS s 'RILLS $ISC s 'RILLS s 4REE 4RUNK $EER "LINDS

)XZ & t 6WBMEF 42

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

Welcome to your Uvalde Walmart

( 0DLQ _ 8YDOGH 7; _ 6KRS RQOLQH DW ZDOPDUW FRP

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Be sure you know where your shotgun pellets or bullets are going.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Javier Fuentes,Game warden

Your other license, please In order to comply with the law, property owners who lease land for hunting purposes must obtain a hunting-lease license, the cost of which varies based on acreage. They are encouraged to display the license in plain view.

Javier Fuentes, a game warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the law applies to any type of hunting, whether it be for dove, deer, turkey or anything else. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Placing a copy of the license at the hunting camp or in another conspicuous place, if possible, makes it easier to check compliance,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Fuentes said it is best if landowners make copies of the permit, holding on to the original, while posting copies in several locations as elements may compromise legibility over time.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website shows that

44

hunting-lease licenses can be purchased anywhere that sells hunting licenses or online, with a credit card, through the TPWD website http://www. tpwd.state.tx.us/business/licenses/ online_sales/.

Hunters should also be aware, Fuentes said, that if game is downed on neighboring property the hunter must have permission from the property owner to retrieve the game.

In addition to the law requiring hunters to have permission from landowners before retrieving downed game from neighboring properties, Fuentes also said it is against the law [V KPZJOHYNL H Ă&#x201E;YLHYT HJYVZZ WYVWLY[` lines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be sure you know where your shotgun pellets or bullets are going,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that simple adjustments often remedy wayward bullets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get called out to a lot of places during dove

HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL [ October 2014

season because of peppering of properties.â&#x20AC;?

Anyone who sees someone violating hunting laws is encouraged to report [OLT I` JHSSPUN [OL OV\Y 6WLYH[PVU .HTL ;OPLM OV[SPUL H[

7$**,1* 7,36 Majority of citiations are due to tagging violations Carry knife, pen and zip ties 7DJ DQLPDO immediately after harvest Use appropriate tag for the animal Cut out the correct date of the kill Fill out the back of the tag and harvest log on the hunting license When Managaed Land Deer permit tags have been issued, the deer must be tagged with the permit and the tag from the hunter's license.

PHOTO BY BILL DRAKER

Mule Deer photographed in Colorado in 2013

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 45

Venison Salami 6 lbs. Ground venison 5 tbsp. quick salt 3 tbsp. mustard seed 3 tbsp. garlic powder 3 tbsp. peppercorns 2 tsp liquid smoke 2 tsp sausage seasoning 3 to 4 tbsp. Accent 2 to 3 tbsp. red pepper Mix all ingredients together. Cover and put in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days, mixing each day. On the last day, shape meat into 6 loaves. Cook at 200° for 4 hours on one side, then turn loaves and cook 4 hours on the other side. After allowing loaves to cool, wrap in Saranwrap and refrigerate. Serve with crackers and cheese for a great snack. These also freeze well if wrapped in Saranwrap and then foil.

%XWWHUŶLHG /DPE /HJ OEV %RQHG DQG ñDWWHQHG OHJ RI ODPE 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 tbsp. olive oil ½ tsp. Salt ¼ tsp. Peppercorns 1 garlic clove, crushed 4 tbsp. brown sugar 1/3 cup lemon juice 2 tbsp. soy sauce

Preheat oven to 450° Prepare marinade: mix mustard, salt, pepper, garlic oil, sugar, juice and soy sauce. Pour over lamb and marinate 4 hours or more. Drain, reserving marinade. Bake in open pan 35 minutes while basting frequently with marinade. Remove from oven. Let stand 10-15 minutes. Slice thinly on diagonal. May cook on medium hot gill 15 minutes per side.

Turkey Soup 1 stick of butter 1 small onion 2 tsp. Curry powder 6 cups turkey or chicken broth 1 cup carrots 1 cup celery 1 pkg. Frozen French-style beans 2 cups potatoes 3 cups cooked turkey 1 tsp. Oregano 2 tbsp. parsley

46

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

Butterlied Lamb Leg 3 1/3 cup half-and-half cream WEVS ñRXU Salt and pepper to taste Melt butter in soup pot; add chopped onion and saute until tender. Stir in curry and cook 1 minute; add broth, diced carrots, chopped celery, salt and pepper and cook 15 minutes. Add green beans, diced potatoes, diced turkey, oregano and minced parsley and cook 20 minutes. Combine cream and ñRXU DQG VWLU LQ JHQWO\ XQWLO VRXS LV WKLFN DQG ZHOO blended; check seasoning. Serve.

Grilled Quail with Bacon Barbecue Glaze 8 quail, rib bones removed (4 oz. Each) 2 tsp. Vegetable oil 2 tsp. Slat ¼ tsp. Freshly ground black peppercorns ½ cup Bacon-Barbecue Glaze, recipe below Preheat a grill. Pat the quail dry with paper towels and position them in 1 layer on a baking sheet or large plate. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat each quail with some of the oil on both sides.

Season the quail with the salt and pepper on both sides. Transfer the quail to the grill and grill for 3 minutes on each side. Brush the quail with the bacon barbecue glaze and cook for 1 minute longer, just until the glaze starts to caramelize, turning mid way to ensure even cooking on both sides. Serve immediately.

Bacon Barbecue Glaze 1 lb. bacon, diced 1 cup chopped yellow onions ¼ cup tomato paste 1 cup apple cider vinegar

Vegetable oil ž cup chopped celery 3 (10 ½ oz) cans beef bouillon 1/3 cup chopped onion 1 (3- to 4-oz.) can chopped mushrooms 1 bay leaf, crushed

1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp. hot sauce 1 cup brown sugar 2 tsp. salt Ä&#x2122; WVS UHG SHSSHU ĂąDNHV Place the bacon in a medium pot and cook until golden brown and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Remove all but Âź cup of bacon fat from the pan. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onions are soft, 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate. Add the vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire and hot sauce. Stir well and bring to a boil. Add the sugar, salt, red pepper, and cooked bacon, and cook at a boil until the sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened 7, to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat. With a hand-held immersion blender or in a food processor, lightly SXOVH WR Ă°QHO\ FKRS WKH EDFRQ 7UDQVIHU WR D ERZO until ready to use.

7(;$6 9(1,621 ,1 :,1( 6$8&( 1½ lbs. venison with tendons removed, thinly sliced Ä&#x201C; FXS ĂąRXU Salt and pepper to taste 1 stick butter, divided ½ cup chicken broth 1 cup dry white wine ½ tsp. salt Freshly ground pepper 1 lemon, thinly sliced

'UHGJH YHQLVRQ VOLFHV LQ ĂąRXU VHDVRQHG ZLWK VDOW DQG SHSSHU WR WDVWH VKDNLQJ RĎ&#x192; H[FHVV ĂąRXU Melt Âź stick butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Saute venison quickly a few pieces at a time, adding remaining butter as needed. Remove venison and keep warm. Pour broth into skillet, stirring well to remove browned bits. Add wine and salt and cook 1 minute. Return venison to sauce and cook 2-3 minutes until bubbly.

Sprinkle with pepper. Arrange meat on a serving platter, pour wine mixture over, and top with lemon slices.

Wash birds and season lightly with salt and pepper. Shake birds 2-3 at a time in a sack with ùRXU %URZQ LQ KRW RLO UHPRYH DQG GUDLQ ,Q a roasting pan lined with foil, place birds with remaining ingredients, salt and pepper. Bake, covered at 350° for 1 hour. Turn birds and bake for 1 hour, adding water if needed. Pour gravy over birds to serve.

9(1,621 3(33(5 67($.

2 lbs. venison steak or backstrap 1 stick butter 1 clove garlic, minced Dash ground ginger ½ cup, soy sauce 1 cup canned beef bouillon Pepper to taste 3 green peppers, sliced in strips 5 green onions with tops, sliced 3-4 tbsp. cornstarch ½ c. white wine or water Rice

Remove all tendons and connective tissue and slice steak into thin strips. This is easy if meat is partially frozen. Cook over medium heat in butter with garlic and ginger until well browned, adding more butter if necessary. Add soy sauce, bouillon and pepper. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes or until tender. Add peppers and onions and cook only until tender. Mix cornstarch with wine, simmer separately until clear, and add to meat mixture.

When thickened serve over rice.

Smothered Doves 10 doves Salt and pepper to taste Flour

Vension Pepper Steak www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 47

MEMORIES

Steve Lightfoot TPWD information specialist

Celebrating a successful hunt over a cold beverage back in camp is a big part of the hunting heritage.

That’s where our hunting memories HYL ÄYZ[ WYVJLZZLK HUK [OLU WHJRHNLK into stories to be retold again and again. Before that happens, something else needs to be processed and packaged - the game you harvest.

It’s easy to get caught up in the adrenaline rush of taking a limit of dove or ducks, but that’s not the end of the hunt. Caring for game after the kill is crucial – no, it is mandatory.

Wasting wildlife resources is illegal, whether you fail to attempt to recover a downed bird or improperly care for a harvested deer. It’s just as much about ethics as it is law.

Time and temperature are your worst enemies when it comes to

processed and packaged

processing game, especially in Texas, where it’s just as likely to hit 90 degrees in December as it is to drop below freezing. Taking precautions can prevent spoiling an otherwise memorable outing, not to mention the meat.

Arguably the most challenging game care situation occurs in September during dove and teal seasons. It’s easy to get caught up in fast-paced wingshooting when doves are pouring PU[V H Z\UÅV^LY WH[JO SPRL TV[OZ [V H ÅHTL But consider what’s happening in your bird bag as those feathercovered four ounces of tender meat begin to slow-roast under 90-degree temperatures. I carry a soft-sided insulated lunch bag with an ice pack to keep my birds cool until the hunt is over. It’s small and lightweight, and I can transport my cleaned birds in it. It

^VYRZ ^LSS MVY JSLHULK ÄZO ÄSSL[Z [VV Properly caring for larger game can present a greater challenge, easy to overcome with preparation. My dad once told me “hunting is a lot like playing in the mud: sure, it’s a lot of fun, but when you’re done, there’s always cleaning involved.”

Venison quality People who say they don’t like the taste of venison may have eaten improperly handled meat. Numerous factors contribute to venison quality – deer age and genetics, stress SL]LS WYPVY [V OHY]LZ[ ÄLSK KYLZZPUN techniques, storage, aging, butchering and packaging and, of course, cooking.

I would include a deer’s diet in this list of factors, but most free-ranging deer can’t be picky.

(U`VUL VM [OLZL MHJ[VYZ JHU HɈLJ[ [OL ÄUHS WYVK\J[ ZV \ZPUN NVVK

A B I L N O B I O T ND S C A A “The Sportman’s Connection”

T A E B WE’LL CE! I R P Y AN Call Lou…

830-278-7000

Serving the following counties in South Texas… s s s s s s

201 W. Main Street | Uvalde, Texas 78801

48

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

Uvalde Real Edwards Kinney Medina !ND MANY MORE Owners Bruce E. Embry and Dane W. Embry

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My dad once told me hunting is a lot like playing in the mud: sure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of fun, but when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always cleaning involved.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Steve Lightfoot â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TPWD information specialist

processing practices will increase the odds of enjoying a tender, tasty cut of meat, rather than something akin to boot leather.

Happiness is a warm gut pile Think about it: The decomposition clock starts ticking immediately after that deerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart stops ticking. Cold weather can help delay the damage PU ZVTL JHZLZ I\[ Ă&#x201E;LSK KYLZZPUN HU HUPTHS PTTLKPH[LS` PZ [OL Ă&#x201E;YZ[ Z[LW toward ensuring the meat will be edible when it hits the table.

Whether you plan to use a commercial deer processor, butcher it yourself at home or donate the meat, WYVWLY Ă&#x201E;LSK KYLZZPUN PZ JYP[PJHS 0[ [HRLZ practice and patience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are no shortcuts. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re new to hunting, there are plenty of how-to videos online. Watch experienced hunters and ask questions.

Three elements to remember: clean, cool and dry. Depending on the available facilities and the weather, your options for maintaining the meat will vary, but keep in mind the JHYJHZZ ULLKZ [V IL JVVSLK [V [V degrees during storage and aging. As a temporary solution to cold storage, you can pack ice sealed in plastic storage bags in the deer carcass. Secure the bags in place by tying the cavity shut with rope or cord.

You can wait a few days to skin and quarter a deer, but I have found skinning to be easiest immediately postmortem. Skinning allows you to remove the tenderloin, which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require any aging, and quartering gives you the option of transporting the meat in PJL JOLZ[Z KVUÂť[ SLH]L meat on ice for too long as it will also contribute [V ZWVPSHNL

classmates where it came from. for weeks. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found the meat to be I have a friend whose daughter Z\É&#x2030;JPLU[S` [LUKLYPaLK MYVT HNPUN has never eaten store-bought meat. no more than a few days. Venison (S[OV\NO P[ ^V\SK [HRL ZVTL LÉ&#x2C6;VY[ headed for the grinder doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need for me to harvest enough game to to be aged at all. The aging process feed my large family throughout the is basically a chemical reaction that year, I do have concerns about food accelerates the tenderizing process, additives. Fortunately, wild game is the but there are other options. original all-natural health food. Bon A mechanical or handheld meat tenderizer will do the trick; soaking the appetit! meat in a vinegar-based marinade OFFICE LOCATION will also break down the tissue, Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Express Service 516 Crystal City Hwy WHY[PJ\SHYS` ^P[O ^H[LYMV^S ;PW 441 S. Getty Uvalde, TX 78801 for venison: Soaking the meat Uvalde, TX 78801 830-278-6730 in milk helps remove any gamey [HZ[L [OH[ ZVTL MVSRZ KPZSPRL

Getting creative Butchering and processing at home is work. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an opportunity to experiment and create. In our home, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a family project. I still do all the butchering, but the other processes are shared â&#x20AC;&#x201C; grinding and mixing sausage, curing HUK Z[\É&#x2030;UN making jerky, wrapping and freezing. My younger kids take great pride in sharing deer jerky at school and then telling teachers and

ZZZ UHQW D VWRUDJH FRP

Uvaldeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mane attraction.

Better with age?

My grandfather believed you needed to age a deer or a hog

Š Photo Courtesy Sarah Kathryn Portrait Design

sarahkportraits.com

./24( '%449 342%%4 s s #%,, Across from the Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House

www.uvaldeleadernews.com [ HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOURNAL 49

Tips for proper care of GAME FIELD-DRESSING TIPS As a safety precaution and for quick cleanup, wear disposable plastic gloves while field-dressing game. There are 24 diseases that people can contract from feral hogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most will make you sick if you eat undercooked meat, but some, like brucellosis, are more severe.

Use clean water, disinfectant wipes or alcohol swabs to clean your knife frequently or between cuts to avoid dragging bacteria into meat.

meat thermometer to ensure proper cooking.

Do not can meat unless you have a calibrated or recently tested pressure canner. Proper pressure and time are critical to ensure the safety of canned meat.

TRANSPORTING, PROCESSING GAME

FIELD-DRESSING KIT CHECKLIST

Put everything you need to care for game after the kill into a small duffel bag.

If the organs smell offensive or exhibit That includes sharp knives, sharpening greenish discharge, black blood or blood clots stone or steel, small hatchet or bone saw, in the muscle, do not consume meat from this pair of shears or heavy-duty scissors, rope carcass. Discard the carcass properly. or nylon cord, clean cloth or paper towels, disinfectant cleaning wipes, sealable storage bags, cooler full of ice, disposable latex or We Take Printing Seriously…Not Ourselves. rubber gloves, clean drinking water

Hassle Free Printing

Keep the carcass cool and out of sunlight during transport. Don’t tie the deer across the hood or roof of a car.

Transport the carcass to the processing facility as soon as possible. Processing should be done only by businesses with fully refrigerated facilities.

If you are processing your own game, hold the carcass at 40 degrees or less. Freezing the carcass before processing may toughen the meat.

If aging the carcass, do so at 40 degrees or less for two to three days.

If you are using the meat for sausage, aging is not necessary.

During processing, clean your knife frequently or between cuts to avoid contaminating the meat.

Wash your knife, hands and cutting boards often with warm, soapy water.

KITCHEN PROCESSING FREEZING TIPS Store any unfrozen

Call 210-804-0390 for Special Online Pricing

PLANT TOURS AVAILABLE!

5,000 postcards $149 10,000 flyers $349 1,000 magazines $995 (16 pages, 60# paper)

Visit us at www.shweiki.com CONTACT TRACY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PLANT TOUR 210-804-0390 EMAIL SAMPLES@SHWEIKI FOR A FREE QUOTE OR CALL 512-480-0860

50

HUNTER’S JOURNAL [ October 2014

meat in the refrigerator and use it within two to three days.

Keep raw meat separated to prevent cross-contamination in the refrigerator.

Marinate all meats in the refrigerator.

Thaw all frozen meats in the refrigerator or microwave and use immediately.

Cut and package the meat into meal-size portions.

Heat all game meats, including jerky to, to 155° to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.

Use a calibrated

Properly wrapped game meat will store in the freezer for nine to 12 months.

Use heavily waxed paper, freezer wrap, heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer storage bags for meat storage. :UDS PHDW tightly; remove all air from the bag before sealing. /DEHO SDFNDJHV with contents and dates.

Space packages in freezer to allow proper air circulation for cooling and freezing.

Once packages are solidly frozen (within 24 hours), you can stack them in the freezer.

To avoid quality deterioration, do not refreeze thawed products.

0LODP 6WUHHW _ 8YDOGH 7; _ www.facebook.com/BottlenBag

ZZZ XYDOGHOHDGHUQHZV FRP [ +817(5 6 -2851$/ 51

SOUTH TEXAS’ PREMIER OUTFITTER YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR…

BBQ Pits & Grills

s Hunting Accessories s Hunting License s Clothing s Guns s Limited Gunsmithing s Cleaning s FFL Transfer

s s s s s s s s s

Special Orders Beverage Barn Feed Archery Kayaks BBQ Pits Deer Blinds Jewelry Gifts

ALSO LOCATED INSIDE… Oasis Outback BBQ Restaurant

2900 East Main | Uvalde, Texas 78801 | 830-278-4000 52 52

www.oasisoutback.com

+817(5 6 -2851$/ + +8 81 17 7( (5 5 6 6 -2 -2851$ -2 851$ 85 1$/ [[ 2FWREHU 2F 2F 2FWR 2FWR WREH WRE EHU