2018 Sutton County Hunting Guide

SUTTON COUNTY

HUNTING GUIDE

E E R F

NOVEMBER 2018

2018 GAME DINNER SUTTON COUNTY’S 52ND ANNUAL

2018-2019

DEER HUNTING REGULATIONS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE - SEASON

TIPS FROM GAME WARDEN DEREK ROGERS

GOING FOR THE KILL SHOT

BIG CHARLIE WAS NO ORDINARY DEER

THE DEVIL'S RIVER NEWS

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Local Game Warden Expects Good Season, Offers Last Minute Tips For most people in Texas, the end of summer brings on an excitement and eagerness for the start of hunting season. Dove season kicks off September 1st and runs through November 4th, and then starts up again on December 21st and runs through January 14th. The daily limit of dove remains the same as last year at 15 per hunter per day. A new license must be purchased each year as the past year’s license expires August 31st.

If you have been hunting long enough you have probably been peppered a time or two. Keep in mind that Derek Rogers when you are dove hunting you need Texas Game Warden to be aware of your surroundings and that you should not swing around on other people hunting around you.

Remember that the legal shooting hours are half hour before sunrise to sunset. Although it is legal to place bait for deer in Sutton County, it is unlawful to place salt, grain, or any other feed that will lure migratory game birds to areas where hunters are attempting to take them. Hunters are responsible for knowing whether an area is baited or not.

General season for whitetail deer starts November 3rd and ends January 6th. It should be a pretty good season despite the absence of rain through the spring and summer months, like we have had the last couple of years. I have noticed an excellent fawn crop in many parts of the county seeing many does with twins. The deer were abundant and looking healthy in Sutton County.

Before starting your hunt, I would like to suggest picking up an Outdoor Annual where you purchased your license. The Outdoor Annual is a free publication offered by TPWD that gives a summary of hunting regulations. There are a few common violations I would like to share with you that I run across in the field.

The number one violation I encountered last year was a failure to complete the whitetail deer log. On the back of every hunting license is a log of the deer taken by the hunter throughout the current season.

Most hunters are aware of tagging the deer immediately upon kill but forget to complete the whitetail deer log on the back of the license. It is a good idea for hunters to bring a knife for cutting out dates and a pen to complete the log with them to the blind.

The second most common violation I come across is hunter education requirement. Every hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must complete this course. The online courses are available through the TPWD website (www.tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education).

• The minimum age of certification is 9 years of age. (Any child under 9 years of age must be accompanied while hunting.)

• Those age 9 through 16 must complete Classroom course or Online (+) Field Course, or be accompanied by a person who is at least 17 and has completed the hunter education course; or a person who was born before Sept. 2, 1971.

• Those age 17 and above may complete the Online-only hunter education course in lieu of the traditional course.

I hope you have a safe and successful hunting season. Being outdoors is an enjoyable and memorable way to spend time with family and friends. Remember to take kids out hunting. A few hours with a young hunter will create memories that will last a lifetime. There is no greater joy than watching them harvest their first deer, turkey, quail, or dove.

2 • NOVEMBER 2018

Welcome to beautiful Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, truly a hunters paradise.

We wish you the best of luck in your hunting adventures.

For those hunters lodging in town we have several hotels that offer a clean and restful experience. While in our area, you will have access to an excellent feed store that has much more than just deer corn to offer.

Sonora has several gift shops with unique offerings for the ladies, as well as the men. Our grocery store offers everything you will need for your camp cooking; or if you prefer, Sonora offers a nice variety in excellent dining, whether you want a juicy steak, or authentic Mexican food, or melt in your mouth bar-b-que. For those who want a little nip, Mr. D’s has any “spirit” you might wish to enjoy.

Our little town offers deer processing, as well as an excellent taxidermy shop. In between your morning and evening hunt, you can explore our historic downtown, which includes the Ice House Ranch Museum, Meyers Museum, as well as the newly opened Old Jail Museum. Eaton Hill offers a nice hiking trail and information center. Don’t miss an opportunity for an excellent adventure by visiting our world famous Sonora Caverns, located a short drive East from Sonora.

If you are in the area on Sunday morning, rest assured you are welcome to worship with us, even if you are in your camo.

In the event of an emergency, we have a state-of-the-art hospital, with a highly trained staff. Please relax and enjoy all that Sonora has to offer, and best of luck on your hunt!

Sincerely,

Wanda Shurley Mayor, City of Sonora

About This Publication This Hunting Guide was produced by the staff of The Devil’s River News newspaper for the use and enjoyment of the sportsmen and women who hunt in Sutton County. We hope you have an enjoyable and successful season and wish you well as you try to bag the big buck this year.

We encourage you to visit with our area merchants who support this publication with their advertisements and by allowing us to distribute it in their places of business.

We also hope you will take the opportunity to attend and participate in the annual Sutton County Game Dinner held each year by the Sutton County Game Association.

Through their efforts and with the support of their many generous donors, the Game Association will award hundreds of prizes to the lucky winners at their annual raffle.

THE DEVIL'S RIVER NEWS 224 E. Main Street • Sonora, Texas 76950 Ph: 325.387.2507 • Fax: 325.853.3378

Email: editor@devilsriver.news Website: www.devilsriver.news © Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved Masked Rider Publishing

52nd Annual

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

SUTTON COUNTY GAME DINNER Saturday, November 10, 2018 Sutton County Civic Center • Sonora, Texas Doors Open at 5 p.m.

Meal Starts at 6:00 p.m.

60+ Firearms Over $50,000 Worth Quality Prizes

Polaris Ranger

Credi t Cards Accep ted!

ADMISSION $10 PER PERSON CHILDREN UNDER 10 FREE WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY AND ADULT NO CHARGE FOR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN IN UNIFORM Sponsored by Sonora Game Dinner Association and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce.

Do not have to be present to win guns and/or Polaris. Door prizes and other raffle you must be present.

COOLERS WELCOME

GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: Sonora Chamber of Commerce • Mr D’s Liquor • Rafter W Feed • Rough Creek Taxidermy • Sonora Wool House Feed & Supply

NO GLASS

FMI Contact the Sonora Chamber of Commerce at 325-387-2880 NOVEMBER 2018 • 3

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Sutton County Game Association Here to Support the Hunters and Our Local Community

The Sutton County Game Association is hosting their Annual Game Dinner and Raffle on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Sutton County Civic Center.

The game dinner is a fun event for all ages. Additionally, the meal, donated by area ranchers and business owners then cooked to perfection by local chefs, will excite the appetite of any person.

The cost for dinner is $10 per plate. Everyone, especially hunters visiting Sutton County, is invited to come out and enjoy the evening.

After the meal, the raffle begins where an estimated $50,000 plus is given away in rifles, shotguns, quality door prizes, and the grand prize of a 2018 Polaris Ranger.

Raffle tickets are available to purchase in advance and they can be purchased at the door Saturday night.

Raffle prize donors will also be announced at the dinner.

The Sutton County Game Dinner Association is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers from the community of Sonora, Texas in Sutton County, and it has remained a vital part of the local community since 1966.

This charitable organization is made possible through funds raised during their annual game dinner, held the second weekend of November, at the Sutton County Civic Center in Sonora.

As always, the Game Dinner Association is hoping to expand the association and the event in order to give more back to the community.

4 • NOVEMBER 2018

As always, the goal is to continue to support the people, businesses and local organizations in Sonora and Sutton County with funds from this year’s 2018 game dinner.

With proceeds from their annual dinners in past years, the Association has helped support a wide variety of activities and improvements in the local community.

In addition to donating money to build restrooms, a kitchen and enlarge the slab at the Sutton County Park, their generosity has also assisted with 4-H shooting sports and livestock show, the Relay for Life Survivor’s Dinner, the Downtown Lion’s Club, the Combat Marine Outdoors Devil’s River Weekend, the Boy Scouts, a Washington DC trip for Sonora Middle School students and a freezer and commercial refrigerator to the local food pantry.

Aside from their financial and volunteer contributions, the Game Dinner Association is committed to promoting the sport of hunting in Sutton County.

We hope you will join us once again on November 10, 2018, for the 51st annual Sutton County Game Dinner.

Of course, all donations are welcomed and appreciated.

The Sutton County Game Dinner is one of the oldest in the state and its legacy depends upon continued support from everyone.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Heather Cearly at heathercearley@hotmail.com or call 806-543-7317.

Show Us Your Big Buck!

Bring your Big Buck by The Devil’s River News office for a photo! Selected photos will be published in The Devil’s River News as well as the 2018 edition of this Hunting Guide.

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Pit Stop BBQ is serving up West Texas style barbecue including mesquite smoked brisket, St. Louis style pork ribs and more.

Pit Stop BBQ So Mouth Watering!

Large orders for camps or groups available for pick-up.

To order, call or come by today!

Be sure to check out our menu and like our page on Facebook. While you’re there, keep up with the latest info on Pit Stop BBQ Sonora.

Trail system with 2 miles of semi-improved trails where the Hill Country meets the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center with many interpretive exhibits and gift shop Magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities Minutes off of I-10

325-387-2626 802 N. Crockett Ave., Sonora, Texas 76950

WELCOME HUNTERS

500 City Hill Road Sonora, Texas 76950 325.387.2615 www.eatonhillnaturecenter.org “Like” us on Facebook!

Automatic Gates • Custom Welding Cattle Guards • Excavators Hydraulic Hammer Backhoes Belltec • Rocksaws

NOVEMBER 2018 • 5

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Big Charlie Was No Ordinary Deer By: Jim Cox For 6½ years, Big Charlie was an integral part of the Kerr Wildlife Management Area’s spike buck study. The impressive white-tailed buck fathered a significantly higher number of fork-antlered offspring than did the bucks with spike antlers. From these studies, biologists have concluded that spike bucks are genetically inferior deer and will never achieve the same body weight and antler mass as deer that had forked antlers as yearlings.

When the handsome whitetailed buck died of a bacterial infection and pneumonia shortly before Christmas at Kerr Wildlife Management Area, the big fellow left behind perhaps a greater legacy in the field of deer research than has any other single animal.

In short, Big Charlie was the grandsire of many of the deer used in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s studies probing the mysteries of the spike buck. During his 6½ years of life, Charlie fathered many of the animals which formed the nucleus of a genetic study which biologists believe

6 • NOVEMBER 2018

will clear the air on the controversial issue of spike buck harvest. Whether or not to harvest spike bucks in Texas is a question as old as deer management itself. A spike buck is one who’s first set of antlers (produced at 1½ years of age) are single spikes without prongs or forks.

In other words, a spike buck is a two pointer under the traditional Texas system of counting antler points. In Colorado, a spike buck would be considered a one-pointer. Through the years some hunters and landowners have persistently held to the belief that a spike buck is simply a young animal which needs only additional time to blossom into a trophy-sized buck. However, nutrition studies during the past decade and, more recently, genetic studies at the Kerr research facility have shown this theory to be false.

The casual observer of the Texas deer scene might find it odd that a serious problem exists in the nation’s number one white-tailed deer state, with a total herd in excess of three million animals. But biologists point out that high

deer populations are an integral part of the problem. Deer have outstripped the ability of the habitat to sustain them in many areas. This has led to declines in body and antler size and, in some cases, massive die-offs.

Answers to the problem are not easily found. Biologists believe an adequate annual harvest of does and spike bucks is one factor which would help.

But Donnie Harmel, project leader for the Kerr studies, points out there are other factors. “Spike harvest, or doe harvest alone won’t do the job unless you consider all the factors of deer production,” he said. These include habitat, number of deer, numbers of domestic livestock competing with deer, deer herd composition (bucks, does, fawns, etc.), past hunting pressure and even the size of the tract to be managed.

Harvest of spike bucks still is illegal in many Texas counties. Most of these are general law counties, which are not under the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s regulatory authority. Their game laws are set either partially or wholly by the Texas Legislature. Why then, should spike bucks be harvested instead of protected? The Kerr studies, in the opinion of the biologists involved, prove spike bucks are inferior animals due to nutrition and genetics.

“Harvesting the best bucks and protecting spikes could be compared to a stockman slaughtering his best young bulls and saving the poorest animals for breeding stock,” Harmel explained. Poor nutrition is the primary cause for the appearance of spike bucks in a deer herd, but until recently, no proof had been found to indicate that genetics also played a role. That’s where Big Charlie and his progeny entered the picture.

Charlie was a six-pointer at 1½ years of age and added points and bulk to his antlers in subsequent years. At the

time of his death he had 15 points with an inside spread of 19 inches. His live weight was 216 pounds. The big buck was born on the Kerr area. His father, from Milam County, weighed 176 pounds when field dressed after he died at age 3½.

His mother, born in the Texas A&M University deer pens, was sired by a Maverick County buck which lived to age 15 and weighed 164 pounds live weight.

In the Kerr investigations, Charlie was bred to one group of does, while another group of does was bred with spike bucks.

All deer were maintained on high-protein rations. Only one of Charlie’s 16 male offspring was a spike buck, while the spike fathers produced five spikes among their 19 male offspring, or 26 percent. In all, of 36 bucks whose fathers were spike bucks, 42 percent had spike antlers at age 1½. Big Charlie’s sons averaged 122 pounds in weight at age 1½, while the sons of spikes averaged 109 pounds at the same age.

Carrying the experiment further, female progeny of the spikes were backcrossed with their fathers. This produced 16 spikes out of 32 male offspring, or 50 percent. The theory that a spike eventually will grow to have normal-sized antlers is refuted by the Kerr study.

Three spikes were maintained on high-protein rations through 2 years of age and they still grew only spike antlers.

Also, 60 percent of the male offspring of one second-generation, high-protein spike were spike bucks at 1½ years.

Even before Big Charlie entered the scene, side-by-side growth studies on groups of spike and fork-antlered yearlings showed the differences in body and antler development between the two groups. The experiment started with nine bucks which were spikes at age 1½, and seven with fork-antlers of the same age. Under equal nutrition, the fork-antlered bucks consistently produced twice as much antler mass (weight) through 5½ years.

SEE BIG CHARLIE ON PAGE 7

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Big Charlie Was No Ordinary Deer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“One of the spike bucks in that group never produced more than four points during that time, and another had no more than six points,” said Harmel. Harmel added that the Kerr studies have convinced him that two other long-standing theories about spike bucks are not necessarily true. “Some people believe that a buck born late in the breeding season is more likely to be a spike, and others think a buck born to a yearling doe is more likely to be a spike,” he said. “Our experiments have involved bucks born throughout the normal breeding season and to does of all ages, and we have found no correlation between these factors and the percentage of spikes produced.

“Nutrition is the number one cause of the spike buck phenomenon, but at some point along the line it is obvious that genetics play an important

role as well.” Harmel theorized that the probability of producing a spike buck is carried equally in the genes of both bucks and does. “It appears to me that production of spike or fork-antlered bucks is related to genetics, just as are other characteristics such as body conformation, hair color, and perhaps the incidence of twins.”

The Kerr studies already have provided ample proof that the incidence of spike bucks can be reduced through a combination of hunting pressure and habitat management.

After the installation of a deerproof fence in 1968 and the subsequent removal of sheep and goats from the area, deer populations and body condition have been closely monitored. Populations have been maintained at one deer per 10 acres, while much of the Hill Country habitat surrounding the area carries a much higher

density of deer. Public hunting on the area, which included an adequate harvest of does and spike bucks, has held the herd within the range’s carrying capacity. As a result, some 70 percent of the yearling bucks on the area have forked antlers, compared to only 30 percent before the herd was reduced.

Yearling does with fawns, a rare occurrence in the past, became almost commonplace and the average body weight of fawns, does, and bucks all climbed impressively. This dramatic improvement in the deer herd was accomplished while the area was grazed by cattle, dramatizing the fact that landowners can have two important cash crops on a single tract of land.

While sheep, goats and exotics such as axis deer or sika deer compete directly with whitetails, moderate grazing by cattle actually has been found to be beneficial to

deer habitat. Biologists are quick to point out that a true genetic spike still has not been found. “But there is enough evidence to indicate that the probability of producing spike bucks can be carried through several generations even where nutrition is adequate,” Harmel said. “This alone convinces me that a spike buck is an inferior animal which is not contributing to the overall quality of the herd. This buck should not be given more protection than other bucks in the herd. Many landowners do not have the advantage of a deer-proof fence within which to upgrade the quality of their deer. However, a deer spends most of its life in a relatively small area. If enough landowners attempt to apply the principles of good deer management - including harvest of spike bucks - developed at Kerr Wildlife Management Area, the current decline in Texas deer quality could be reserved.

BOSS HOG OUTDOORS Nathan Mungia Bryan Reyes

325-206-0431 325-812-9660

Hunting & Fishing Supplies Optics • Game Calls Coolers Ammo • Lights • Knives • Apparel 105 W. 4th Street, Texas 76950 NOVEMBER 2018 • 7

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

How to Deal with Snakes While Hunting

By Michael Price Ah, hunting season. Time to get into the great outdoors; breathe in the crisp cool air.

Time to wait in anticipation for the trophy game. It is a wonderful time of the year for sure.

And hunting season here in Texas brings folks from many different backgrounds and outdoor experience levels. Many experienced hunters know what to watch out for while in the field; their buddies’ meal and consequences of pork and beans, ticked-off skunks, and even chiggers. However, many folks are unaware that Sutton county is home to 5 species of venomous snakes, and while these creatures truly pose a minimal risk, it is good to be informed about them.

Sutton county lies between two distinct eco-regions of this state, and as such, the biodiversity is extraordinary.

Situated on the western edge of the Edwards Plateau and the eastern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, this area is home to species that can be found in each of those two eco-regions.

Over thirty species of snakes reside in Sutton county, but only five venomous species call this area home. Of those five species, four are pit viper varieties (three of them are rattlesnakes) and one elapid (actually a member of the cobra family).

By far the most common venomous snake that occurs in Sutton county is the infamous Western Diamond-backed

Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus)

8 • NOVEMBER 2018

Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).

This species is the most dangerous snake in Texas, but not for the reasons that are usually attributed to it. This is the largest of all the rattlesnake species in Texas with big adults achieving a total length between 48 and 60 inches. It can be distinguished from other rattlesnake species by the black and white alternating tail bands as well as the diamond-shaped pattern on the back. Typically, this species is only aggressive only when molested.

The second largest species of rattlesnake just so happens to be the least common that can be observed in Sutton county, the Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus ornatus). Almost always very benign, this species will oftentimes refuse to rattle unless severely threatened. It can be differentiated from other rattlesnake species by the presence of an entirely black tail, black face mask, and black rhomboids on the backside.

The last species of rattlesnake is the smallest in this county, and one of the smallest in United States; this diminutive species is the Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus).

Adults of this species rarely attain lengths of more than two feet. This common variety of rattlesnake is also very shy, secretive and due to its light background coloration, extremely cryptic. The body coloration is typically light (to match the light-colored

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

limestone) with darker crossbands down the body. These crossbands are darker toward the back end of the snake.

The last pit-viper that can be seen in Sutton county is the Copperhead (Agkistrodon laticinctus). Unlike its eastern cousins, this variety of Copperhead is small, rarely achieving lengths of more than 30 inches. Also, unlike its eastern cousins, this variety is not very common at all. It is active in the fall, and its light and dark copper-colored bands help to camouflage it in mesic canyon bottom leaf litter.

The remaining venomous snake is not a pit viper at all, in fact it is closely related to the cobras of the Old World, and that is the Coral snake (Micrurus tener). One of the most brilliantly colored of any snake in this state with an alternating ringed pattern of red, yellow and black. These bands encircle the entire body. The color arrangement can best be summed up in an old rhyme

Coral snake (Micrurus tener).

– “red-touches yellow, kill a fellow”. While there are always exceptions in the natural world, this is one that rarely has exceptions. This species, although common in Sutton county, is rarely observed as it spends over ninety percent of its life underground.

Although an encounter with a venomous snake is possible, the chances of being bitten are actually rather small.

More people are bitten by venomous snakes by attempting to either capture or kill the creature rather than by giving it its space and moving on. The old saying of “they are more afraid of you than you are of it” is factually true. When emotion is removed, we can see that people are viewed as nothing more than predators hundreds of times their size; they don’t want a confrontation. So instead of engaging with these beneficial creatures, give them a wide berth, and each of you can go along your merry way.

Happy hunting y’all!

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HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Tips for Young Hunters

by Pascual Hernandez, Sutton County Extension Agent

Dove hunting in September marks the start of the fall hunting season. But, deer season is just around the corner, and hunters will be in the field by the thousands in hot pursuit.

For many youth, this may be their first hunting expedition. They will be thinking about monster bucks, sitting in a blind, or processing their deer. But, those going to deer camp should keep these things in mind: safety, the law, and that they are a part of wildlife conservation efforts.

In 2016, 1,271,368 hunting licenses were sold in Texas, with a total of 24 accidents (5 were fatal). Dove hunting (with 7) continued to lead the list of animals hunted at time of incidents in 2016.

Regarding equipment used, shotguns continue to be the dominant firearm involved in hunting incidents.

Contributing factors with the most incidents included the victim being out of sight or moving into line of fire/ hit by shooter swinging on game, and careless handling of a firearm.

Most were NOT Hunter Education Course graduates.

Take the course.

There were 60,115 students certified in a hunter education program in 2016.

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after September 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course.

Minimum age requirement is 9 years old.

Course topics include Hunter Safety & Responsibility, Firearms, Hunting as A Wildlife Management Tool, Survival & Wilderness First Aid, Wildlife Identification, Basic Hunting Techniques, and more.

Upon satisfactory completion, those 9 years and older receive

their hunter certification.

So how should youth know about hunting laws?

Well, every year the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) publishes an “Outdoor Annual”. The handy publication provides information on the seasons, regulations, laws, and license requirements for Texas.

It’s a must-have in order to comply with laws and regulations.

According to TPWD, sport hunting in Texas has been continuously evolving since World War II from small game hunting to deer hunting.

Today, there are more than a million licensed hunters afield in Texas. That number has remained constant for more than a decade, even as the state’s population has grown.

So, it’s apparent that new hunters are necessary to wildlife conservation efforts.

Why? Our state is home to an estimated 3.6 million white-tailed deer.

Hunters help maintain white-tailed deer populations within an ecological and cultural carrying capacity by harvesting deer.

Overpopulation leads to degrading of the habitat and poor health for deer. Thus, hunters are essential to the conservation and management of white-tailed deer.

Okay, back to where we started.

Deer hunting is the highlight of the fall and winter seasons for many.

Whether you finish the season with a big buck or a big story, it’ll have been successful if you stay safe, follow laws & regulations, and did your part in wildlife conservation.

“Ranch cowboys, rodeo cowboys or just cowboys at heart are all invited.

No steeples and stained glass, nor pews and a fancy pulpit, just a group of caring folks coming together to help and encourage each other.”

Sunday Mornin’s Cowboy Coffee @ 10am Gatherin’ @ 10:30am

11 miles North of Sonora on Hwy 277 @ the “Red Barn” FMI: 254-485-2089

Wednesdays Meal @ 6:30pm Bible Study @ 7pm

“Ridin’ brush for the Master!”

NOVEMBER 2018 • 9

Field Care of Game

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

10 • NOVEMBER 2018

Field Dressing Your Game Harvest How you care for game once it has been harvested will make a tremendous impact on how much you, your family and friends will culminate your hunt by enjoying a wonderful meal. Cut corners here and you will regret it later.

Any complaints at the table about “gaminess” can be traced straight back to how you handled, or mishandled, your game after the harvest. The three factors that can spoil meat through the spread of bacteria are: heat, moisture and dirt.

Field Dressing, whether in the field or back at camp, it should be done soon after harvesting the animal. It involves removing all the internal organs from the body cavity. This first step begins the cooling down of the meat.

An experienced hunter should guide the novice in the procedure.

Plastic gloves are recommended when cleaning game animals, especially feral hogs.

Some diseases or parasites can be transmitted by the animal’s blood into any nicks or cuts the hunter may have.

Packs of disposable gloves are readily available at pharmacies and large supermarkets. They don’t take up much space and are easily carried in a pocket while hunting.

A good, sharp knife is needed in all phases of cleaning game animals. A sharp knife makes the work safer and easier since it is less likely to force the blade and lose control of the cut. Many experienced hunters have a sharpening device nearby to touch up the blade as needed.

Skinning It helps to hang a deer after field dressing to facilitate draining any excess blood. Use a hose and water to help clean off excess blood but remember that moisture is one of the factors which contribute to bacteria growth, so dry the animal off well. Once the deer is hung, the next step is to remove the skin. Skinning the deer also helps cool down the meat.

Quartering Quartering when you butcher the deer by removing the

forequarters (shoulders), the hindquarters (hams) and the backstraps from the carcass. By Texas law, you may not process the deer beyond quartering until you reach your final destination. This means you may not ‘bone-out” the shoulders and hams. You may take trimmings from the neck and ribs. Don’t forget the tenders on the inside of the chest cavity that parallel the backstraps.

Transportation Keep your quartered deer meat cool and dry by placing your meat in plastic bags inside an ice chest. Add some ice and you’re ready for the trip home.

You will need to retain the tags, along with proper “evidence of sex” (head of a doe or antlers of a buck) to your final destination. Consult the regulations in the Outdoor Annual for more information.

Under no circumstances should you ever transport game animals on the hood or roof of cars. This is a sure way to spoil the meat. It is also very likely to offend many of the non-hunting public.

Most non-hunters are not against hunting but witnessing this type of disregard for the animal could turn them against hunting. Just don’t do it!

Transferring Game It is possible to give game to

other people when hunting. The hunter that harvests the game must fill out and sign a Wildlife Resource Document.

Field Care of Game Birds Many hunters clean and dress their birds right after the hunt. It is important not to leave a pile of feathers and entrails at the hunting site or in town at a motel. Contain and dispose of feathers and entrails properly.

Remember: One fully feathered wing or head must remain attached to dressed waterfowl while being transported between the place taken and the personal residence (personal abode) of the hunter, the personal residence of another person receiving the dressed birds or a migratory bird processing facility. One fully feathered wing or head must remain attached to all migratory game birds imported from Mexico.

Plastic gloves and a good pair of game shears are helpful for the task of cleaning birds.

There are two basic styles of cleaning birds. First is picking the feathers and leaving the skin on.

The other method is called “breasting” where the skin is removed with the feathers intact, along with the back and legs, leaving only the breast meat attached to the breastbone.

Place your birds in plastic bags and then into a cooler with ice for transportation.

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

ANITA B. HUDSON, BROKER 215 E. Main Street Sonora, Texas 76950

325-387-6115 info@msr-hp.com

630 Acres - Val Verde Co., Texas $1,022,125 The Double Star Ranch is very scenic with rugged terrain and located between Rocksprings and Del Rio, Texas near Carta Valley. This property is low fenced and covered in oak and cedar trees. The wildlife includes White-tail Deer, Aoudad Sheep, turkey, quail, Sitka, Axis Deer and Black Buck Antelope. The approx. 1/3-acre retention pond and the designated wildlife creating a diverse population. This property is complete with a 3BR/2B home, electricity, water, good road system, blinds, feeders and spectacular views.

1045 Acres - Sutton County, Texas $2,084,775 The Locklin Ranch is 1045+/- acres of native ranch land with water and electricity on site. This is a great hunting property with abundant wildlife including white-tail deer, turkey, dove and axis. There is a great road system throughout this working ranch along with a set of pens and 2 water wells. The spectacular West Texas views make for several great home sites.

This property is in western Sutton County and has paved road frontage on FM 1989 and easy access from Interstate 10.

520 Acres - Schleicher Co., Texas $1,144,000 The Milligan Ranch is located approximately 20 minutes southeast of Eldorado, Texas. The headquarters of the ranch consists of a 4-bedroom, 2 bath house that has been nicely cared for over the years. There is a large metal barn with a cement slab that serves as a great workshop/storage area. This barn is adjacent to a set of pipe livestock working pens. The land has a rolling topography with a small wet weather creek that runs through the property. The ranch has a healthy population of white-tailed deer, turkey, axis deer, Corsican rams, mouflon rams, blackbuck antelope, hogs and some other free ranging exotics that pass through the area.

1553 Acres - Schleicher Co., Texas $2,096,753

Located within 10 minutes of Eldorado, Texas, the 7 Bar Ranch is an excellent hunting/ranching property.

Highlighted by a nice rock ranch house, two barns, a set of working pens and several water wells with dirt ponds.

Most of this ranch consists of divide country with mesquite cover. The condition of the pastures is excellent with an abundance of native grasses. Game on this ranch include white-tailed deer, black-buck antelope, turkey and dove.

Don’t miss out on this long-time family owned ranch. Some minerals available and shown by appointment only.

1,500 +/- Acres - Crockett County, TX $1,800,000 This 1500 +/- acres in Rim Rock Ranch southwest of Ozona, Tx is rough canyon land that is great for hunting.

This property is complete and ready for hunting today with a 3BR/2Bath house with outdoor kitchen, a 2BR/1Bath hunters cabin, 11 corn and 5 protein feeders, 8 blinds, a cleaning rack, 2 water wells, 4 tanks and troughs, 2 sea containers for storage and electric in 3 areas of the property. There are good roads throughout the property for easy access to all areas of the ranch.

1623 Acres, Sutton Co., Texas $2,150,595 1623.09 +/- acres is located just minutes north of Sonora, Texas off of U.S. Hwy 277 N. This hunting and working ranch features a set of pipe working pens, barn with concrete floor, and an ideal campground for hunters. Rolling terrain with live-oak cover as well as cedar and mesquite trees is ideal for both ranching or hunting activities. This is a great opportunity to own a wonderful ranch on the outskirts of Sonora.

ACREAGE Sutton County 24.397 Acres - Adjoining City Limits - Unimproved. $75,000 100+/- Acres - S Service Road - Unimproved. $159,500 100+/- Acres - S Service Road - Unimproved. $159,500 149.61 Acres - SCR 410 - Water and Electricity. $240,000 184.80 Acres - Rolling Hills Ranch S/D (Tract 4) - Unimproved. $280,000 207 Acres - Tract 7 Rolling Oaks Ranch - Unimproved. $362,990 261.95 Acres - Tract 1 Rolling Oaks Ranch - Electricity Available. $417,810 1623+/- Acres - Hwy 277 N - Water Well, Can Divide. $2,150,595 1045 +/- Acres - Caverns Road - Water and Electricity. $2,084,775 Crockett County 100 Acres - Tract 32 RRR, Unimproved. $80,000 100 Acres - Texas West Ranch (Lot 49) - Cabin, Water & Electricity. $179,000 100 Acres - Tract 32 Hersey Ranch - 3BR/2B Home, Water & Electricity. $225,000 794 Acres - County Road 203 - 2 Water Wells, 2 Pens, Barn w/ Apartment. $1,192,500

Other Areas 3+ Acres - Menard County - Electricity, San Saba River. $120,000 630 Acres - Carta Valley - Turn-Key Hunting Ranch. $1,022,125 520+/- Acres - Schleicher County - 4BR/2B House, Barn, Pens. $1,144,000 1553 Acres - Schleicher County - House, 2 Barns, Pens & Water Wells. $2,096,753 2440+/- Acres - Edwards County - 3 Water Wells, 4 Dirt Tanks. $3,782,000 Small Acreage With Home - All Areas 1.424 Acres - Ft. McKavett - 3BR/2B Mobile Home, San Saba River. $110,000 4.481 Acres - Sonora - 2 Homes, Apartment, RV Setup. $335,000 2+/- Acres - Sonora - 3BR/2B Home. $375,000 6.84 Acres - Sonora - 4BR/3B Stone Home. $425,000 18.793 Acres - Sonora - 4BR/3B Brick Home, Shop. $515,000 10 Acres - Sonora - 5BR/5B Stone Home, Pool. $699,000 2.258 Acres - San Angelo - 5BR/4Bath/Pool, Arena, Stalls. $799,000

View all listings at www.msr-hudsonproperties.com NOVEMBER 2018 • 11

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

2018-19 General Hunting Regulations and Information Ethical Hunting An ethical hunter is careful, considerate and courteous to others. Being informed about wildlife resources and practicing good conservation efforts helps our native resources and the people of Texas. To help teach hunting and share your ethical hunting skills with others, visit: tpwd.texas.gov/oa/HunterEd. MEANS AND METHODS It is LEGAL to: • hunt animals and non-migratory game birds from a motor vehicle, powerboat, sailboat, or from any other floating device within the boundaries of private property or upon private water.

• use calling devices (including manual and mouth operated), recordings, and electrically amplified calls to hunt game animals and game birds. Electronic calls may not be used to hunt migratory game birds except during the Light Goose Conservation Order season.

• use decoys to hunt game animals and game birds. NO person may use live decoys when hunting migratory game birds.

• bait for game animals, nongame animals, and upland game birds, except for Eastern turkey and migratory game birds. (Baiting is unlawful on most public property. Please check specific regulations for that public property.)

• trap nongame/exotic animals (such as feral hogs, rabbits, etc.) on private property.

• use dogs to aid in the hunting of any game bird.

FIREARMS Game animals and non-migratory game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT: Rimfire Ammunition (of any caliber) may NOT be used to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, or pronghorn.

Fully Automatic Firearms Shotguns are the only legal firearm that may be used during spring Eastern turkey season.

Magazine Capacity (number of shells/cartridges allowed): there are no restrictions on the number of shells or cartridges a legal firearm may hold when hunting game animals or game birds (except migratory game birds).

Muzzleloader: any firearm that is loaded only through the muzzle (as opposed to breech-loading firearms). A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader. Muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only.

Suppressors (aka “silencers”): may be used to take any wildlife resource; however, all federal, state and local laws continue to apply.

Possession of Firearms by Felons: A convicted felon, regardless of where the conviction occurred, may not possess or use a firearm (as defined by Texas Penal Code, §46.01) to hunt in this state. Under Penal Code, §46.01, possession of and hunting with a muzzleloading firearm is lawful if it is an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899 or is a replica of an antique or curio firearm manufactured before 1899 that does not use rimfire or centerfire ammunition.

AIR GUNS AND ARROW GUNS Refer to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual website or mobile app for regulations regarding the use of air guns and arrow guns as means of hunting. For more information: tpwd. texas.gov/oa/airgun

ARCHERY AND CROSSBOWS • Only the archery and crossbow equipment prescribed in this section may be used for taking game animals or game birds.

• Archery and crossbow equipment may not be used to hunt deer during the Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season.

• Archery and crossbows are lawful for non-protected nongame animals.

LONGBOWS, COMPOUND BOWS, OR RECURVED BOWS: • There is no minimum draw requirement.

• Lighted pins, sight magnification, overdraw rests, and devices that allow a bow to be locked at full or partial draw are lawful during any season when lawful archery equipment may be used.

CROSSBOW: For current crossbow requirements, please refer to the TP&WD Outdoor Annual Mobile App or visit: tpwd.texas.gov/oa/ MeansMethods • Crossbows are lawful for any person during the Archery Only Open Season except in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, where no person may use a crossbow to hunt deer during the Archery Only Open Season (Sept. 29 - Nov. 2) unless the person has an upper-limb disability and has in immediate possession a physician’s statement that certifies the extent of the disability. An upperlimb disability is a permanent loss of the use of fingers, hand, or arm in a manner that renders the person incapable of using a longbow, compound bow, or recurved bow.

• An Archery Endorsement is required to hunt deer during the Archery-Only Open Season. An archery endorsement is required to hunt deer, turkey and/or javelina at any time in Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, including during the general open season (Nov. 3 - Jan. 6).

• Any person, regardless of physical ability, may use a crossbow to hunt game animals or game birds in any county, including Collin, Dallas, Grayson, and Rockwall counties, during a general open season or Eastern spring turkey season.

Projectiles (Arrows and Crossbow Bolts) While hunting game animals and game birds, a projectile may not be poisoned, drugged, or explosive.

• When used to hunt turkey and all game animals other than squirrels, a projectile must be equipped with a broadhead hunting point. An archer may have arrows/bolts with field, target, or judo points in the quiver with the broadhead hunting points.

• There are no restrictions or minimum requirements on arrow or bolt lengths, arrow material, arrow weight, lighted nocks, broadhead lengths or diameter, number of cutting edges, broadhead material, or mechanical broadheads.

FALCONRY Please contact (512) 389-4481 for information on falconry permitting and regulations or visit: tpwd.texas.gov/oa/falconry.

For open seasons and daily bag limits for game birds visit: tpwd.texas.gov/oa/migratory.

UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES It is UNLAWFUL to: • knowingly discharge a firearm causing a projectile to cross a property line, unless the person owns both sides of the property line or has obtained written permission from the owner of any land crossed by the projectile.

• discharge a firearm on or across a public road or hunt from public roads.

SEE REGULATIONS ON PAGE 14

12 • NOVEMBER 2018

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

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THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

2018-19 General Hunting Regulations and Information CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

• use a computer, or operate a facility that uses a computer, to assist in remote firearm or archery hunting, if the animal being hunted is located in Texas.

• hunt with the aid of artificial light of any form that casts or reflects a beam of light onto or otherwise illuminates a game animal or bird; EXCEPTION: legally blind hunters, or hunters who have a documented permanent physical disability that prevents them from using traditional firearm sighting devices (Parks and Wildlife Code Sec. 62.0055- 62.0056) may use battery-powered scoping devices that project a light or dot only inside the scope, pin sight lights on archery equipment, or laser sighting devices.

- Blind hunters must possess a physician’s signed statement attesting to legal blindness; and be assisted by a licensed hunter at least 13 years of age who is not legally blind. Legal blindness is defined in section 62.104 (c) of the Texas Government Code.

- Hunter education and licensing requirements still apply to legally blind hunters, hunters with a documented permanent physical disability, and persons assisting blind or disabled hunters.

• use traps to hunt game birds or game animals.

• use dogs to hunt deer in this state.

- A person who violates this law is subject to a fine of $500$4,000 and/or a year in jail. Additionally, a person’s hunting and fishing licenses may be revoked or suspended. In addition, no person may possess a shotgun and buckshot or slugs while in the field with dogs on another person’s land during an open deer season in Angelina, Hardin, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange,

Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler counties.

- Not more than two dogs may be used to trail a wounded deer in counties not listed above. A “wounded deer” is a deer leaving a blood trail.

• use aircraft (including drones, except by activity-specific permit) to hunt, locate (including wounded animals), manage, harass, drive, trap or photograph any wild animal.

• hunt on Public Hunting Areas without the required permits.

• hunt in a subdivision on lots 10 acres or less in an unincorporated area of a county if prohibited by local ordinance. Contact local county clerk and ask about §235.022, Local Government Code.

• hunt anywhere by means or methods that have been prohibited by county or city ordinance.

• hunt on any area named as a wildlife sanctuary, nesting, or propagation area.

• hunt in state and/or national parks or refuges except during scheduled hunts or under other special state or federal policies.

• hunt any wild animal or wild bird on or over privately-owned land that is submerged under public fresh water due to seasonal or occasional inundation or submerged under salt water above the mean high tide line. The property must be posted to indicate that hunting is prohibited. (Class C misdemeanor: $25-$500 fine.)

• hunt any wild animal or wild bird, including exotic animals, on foot or from a vehicle on any public road or road right of way, or a boat on public water, except that migratory waterfowl may be hunted from a boat or any floating craft (except a sinkbox) under certain conditions.

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HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

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NOVEMBER 2018 • 15

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

TRACKING AFTER THE SHOT Tracking and Retrieving Your Game

Mark the Spot Before the shot is made, mark in your mind the exact location of animal. Notice any landmarks that will aid you to find that exact spot. If the animal runs off this will help you begin trailing. It is easy to become so focused on the quarry that you lose perspective of its location after the shot. Above there is a stump to the right of the buck, a distinctive tree to the left and a row of cactus behind.

Watch and Listen Above is the classic broadside shot. A typical reaction by a deer to such a heart-lung shot is to jump or lurch straight up, then sprint off, usually in the direction they were facing when hit. Many times you can hear when the bullet strikes. Right after the report of the rifle, there will be an audible, “Thwack.” Also listen as the deer moves off into the brush. You may hear branches breaking and the body crashing into brush, giving you clues for directions to search later.

Wait a Bit If the deer has run off, mark the time then wait for at least 30 minutes to an hour before beginning to trail.

After incurring a mortal wound, an animal, after a short run, will usually lie down, go into shock and die.

If you move in too quickly, the animal’s flight instinct 16 • NOVEMBER 2018

will kick in. With a flush of adrenaline, that animal can jump up and continue running for several hundred yards. In dense cover, this can make finding and retrieving that animal very difficult, if not impossible. By simply waiting and being patient you will be better able to find the animal.

Trailing Wounded Game Just because an animal flees after being shot does not mean it is lost. There is a good chance you can recover the animal.

First go the exact spot that you remember where the animal stood when you shot. Look for hair and blood. Depending on the placement of the shot you may even find meat and bone. Even if you think you missed, you should check thoroughly for any sign of impact.

From there, move slowly in the direction the animal fled. Look for more blood on the ground but also look for blood higher off the ground on plants.

Many hunters carry toilet paper in the field with them.

It can come in handy to mark the blood trail. Tie a piece above or very near where you find blood sign. After marking several spots the toilet paper “flags” will give you a good idea of the direction of flight.

Once the animal is located remove the toilet paper. If you miss one or two, the next rain will probably knock them down and in a short time they will disintegrate. Biodegradable orange tape is also available for use to mark trails.

Approach with Caution A wounded deer can be dangerous, especially its sharp hooves or antlers.

Approach from behind, watch the chest to detect any rise and fall from breathing. Notice the eyes. If the deer is dead

usually the eyes will be open, motionless and with a glazed appearance.

Tag immediately Find the appropriate tag on your license, with a pen fill out the name of the property and the correct county then cut out the day and month.

Attach the tag to deer (or turkey) in a secure manner before field dressing, photos,

or transporting. If you harvest a white-tailed deer, you must also completely fill out the White-Tailed Deer Log found on the back of your hunting license.

When taking photos clean up any blood, place the tongue back in the mouth, and position for good presentation.

If firearm is used in the photo, open action and point in a safe direction.

Shooting Safety

After the Shot What you do after the shot can be just as critical to the success of your hunt as everything you have done before taking the shot. Retrieving your game, properly tagging if necessary, cleaning, transporting, processing and storage are all equally important components of the hunt.

Texans love to hunt. Nature beckons. There’s suspense and excitement and escape from the daily routine.

Here are the “ten commandments” of shooting safety: • Always point the muzzle of your gun in a safe direction.

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

• Be sure of your target.

• Unload firearms and unstring conventional bows when not in use.

• Handle firearms, arrows and ammunition with care.

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

• Control your emotions when using weapons.

• Wear hearing and eye protection.

STRAIGHT SHOOTING ON SAFETY

• Don’t consume alcohol or drugs before or while handling firearms or bows.

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

If you practice these rules, you’ll help to ensure safety for everyone.

SOUTHWEST TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE This public service message is brought to you by Southwest Texas Electric Cooperative.

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Estimating Your Boone & Crockett Score The Boone & Crockett Scoring system has become the “gold standard” for measuring white-tailed deer antlers.

Although many people have tried, no scoring system has surpassed the Boone & Crockett (B&C) system for recognition and popularity. Even if you’re not familiar with how the scoring system works, you are likely familiar with the B&C scores that represent trophy animals.

For example, a B&C score of 170 inches for a typical white-tailed deer would make the all-time record book, and a score of 160 inches would make the buck eligible for the 3-year award. Similarly, for non-typical white-tailed deer, a buck scoring 195 inches would make the alltime record book, and a score of 185 inches would receive 3-year award recognition. If you or a friend has been lucky enough to harvest or find a buck that comes close to these minimum scores, you should locate an official Boone & Crockett measurer in your area. The Boone and Crockett website provides a list of official measurers located in each state.

But what if you want a simple estimate of B&C score without taking all the necessary measurements? Often times this scenario occurs among hunters or deer herd managers that wish to have an approximate score, or in many deer management programs, a manager may wish to monitor the average B&C score of 3.5” x 2”

harvested bucks to determine the condition of the herd and if management activities are effective. Is the habitat management program working?

Did the average size of antlers increase after reducing the deer herd to below carrying capacity?

The Mississippi State University Deer Lab developed a few equations that may help.

Please keep in mind, this only an estimate of B&C score — to determine the true score, the antlers must be measured by someone familiar with the B&C scoring system. The MSU Deer Lab developed four equations using the sum of both main beams (inches), number of antler points, sum of both basal circumferences, and the inside spread. There’s an equation that uses only the sum of both main beams, but this is the least accurate equation.

The more measurement you can enter, the better. So, the best equation uses the sum of both main beams, number of points, sum of basal circumferences, and the inside spread.

The best results occur when the user enters the average antler measurements for a group of bucks. For example, if a manager was examining the harvest data from the previous hunting season they could take the average of all the main beams, circumferences, spread, and number of points from all the bucks harvested to determine the average B&C score. Or, a manager may want

to estimate average B&C score by age class — for all the 3.5 year, 4.5-year, and 5.5-year bucks. In this context, the equations are most accurate.

If you have these antler measurements, visit the

5 6

7

106 Miers St Ste B Del Rio, TX 78840 830-775-3074

MKT-5894I-A

3

1

7 9

8

6

2

12

4

13

11

5

14 15

INSIDE SPREAD 16

3

10

2

1

Estimate Boone & Crockett Score from Simple Antler Measurements www.msudeer.com/estimateboonecrockettscore.asp LEAST ACCURATE EQUATION

Estimated B&C Score

115

109

Financial Advisor

4

8

Estimated B&C Score

Brett P Chambers

website listed below, enter the boxes at the bottom of the page, click on the calculate button and an estimate of your B&C score will be produced.

Remember — this is only an estimate.

Estimated B&C Score

113

= = =

Main Beams

36 Main Beams

36 Main Beams

36

Number of Points

8 Number of Points

8

MOST ACCURATE EQUATION

Estimated B&C Score

118

=

Main Beams

36

Number of Points

8

Circumferences

9

Circumferences

9

Inside Spread

16

Main Beams = Sum of left and right main beams in inches Number of Points = Total number of antler points 1 inches or longer. Includes typical and non-typical points.

Circumferences = Sum of left and right basal circumferences in inches.

Inside Spread = Inside spread on main beams in inches.

NOVEMBER 2018 • 17

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

WARNING PURPLE PAINT means

It’s the Law In Texas, as well as several other states (Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida, Arkansas), purple paint is a method of prohibiting trespassing. Basically, the purple paint is one alternative to posting “No Trespassing” signs.

The Texas Penal Code 30.05 provides that a person commits criminal trespass if he or she (1) enters or remains on the property of another; (2) without effective consent; and (3) the person had notice the entry was forbidden or received notice to depart but failed to do so.

The “notice” required in the third prong of this test may be given in various ways, including (a) oral or written communication from the landowner or someone with apparent authority to act for the landowner; (b) fencing or other enclosure obviously designed to exclude intruders or to contain livestock; (c) a sign or signs posted on the property or at the entrance to the building, reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders, indicating that entry is forbidden; (d) the placement of purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property; or (e) the visible presence on the property of a crop grown for human consumption that is under cultivation, in the process of being harvested, or marketable if harvested at the time of entry. Essentially, any of these five options constitute notice to people that trespassing is prohibited.

In order to constitute the required “notice” that trespassing is prohibited, purple paint marks on posts or trees must meet

Photo by Kimberley Meyer

the following criteria: (1) vertical lines of not less than 8 inches in length and not less than 1 inch in width; (2) placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than 3 feet from the ground or more than 5 feet from the ground; and (3) placed at locations readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than 100 feet apart on forest land or 1,000 feet apart on land other than forest land.

Thus, in summary, purple paint is used to indicate that the public is not permitted to trespass on private property and is one of five alternative options for giving the notice required so that trespassers may be held criminally liable.

Source: Texas Agriculture Blog - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

112 West College Avenue San Angelo, TX 76903

Photo by Kimberley Meyer 18 • NOVEMBER 2018

Phone: (325) 659-7000 (325) 655-7307

Toll Free: (866) 655-7307 fax: (325) 655-7308

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Common Sense Precautions FOR HANDLING AND PROCESSING DEER Common sense precautions while handling and processing deer should be taken at all times. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is one of many diseases that can affect deer. CWD is a fatal transmissible neurological disease that affects cervid species such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, red deer and sika. It is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, a family of diseases that includes scrapie (found in sheep) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE; found in cattle). Much remains unknown about this disease.

The peculiarities of its transmission, infection rate, incubation period, and potential for transmission to other species are still being investigated. What is known is that CWD is invariably fatal, and can be passed directly from deer to deer and indirectly through environmental contamination. Scientists believe CWD is caused by a misfolded protein (“prion”) that replicates and infects other normal proteins. Prions generally concentrate in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, lymph nodes and spleen, and they are shed in saliva, urine, blood, soft-antler material, feces, and from decomposition of an infected animal. There is no scientific evidence that chronic wasting disease can infect humans or domestic livestock.

Yes, There’s an App for That!

Hunting has gone hi-tech.

While the thrill of the hunt is a primitive pleasure, advancements in technology allow for better precision and efficiency.

If you are looking to enhance your hunt but don’t have the budget for big-ticket gadgetry, look no further than your own smartphone — the newest must-have hunting device.

Here are six smartphone applications that will enhance any hunt. All are available on both Apple and Android phones. You don’t need all the apps, so consider how you would like to develop your hunt before choosing.

SCOUTLOOK HUNTING Cost: FREE but has in-app purchases ScoutLook is a standard navigational app with weather features and a scent tracking system. Weather forecast details include temperature, cloud cover, barometric pressure and wind activity. And the Scentcone Wind Map feature lets you see where your scent will blow hour by hour.

SAS SURVIVAL GUIDE Cost: $5.99 You know what they say: Safety first. This application provides essential information to survive any situation. The app includes photo galleries of plants that are edible, medicinal and poisonous, knots and animal tracks. The first aid

General Precaution

Field Dressing

section is comprehensive and user-friendly.

SHOOTING HOURS Cost: 99¢ This app performs a very basic function extremely well: calculating the times of sunrise and sunset using your GPS location — allowing you to always shoot legally.

POWDERHOOK Cost: FREE Need a place to hunt? This app will help you find one. The app includes free maps of public lands in all 50 states, with thousands of depth contours for lakes and rivers. It also populates listings of outdoor events near you.

DEER CALLS & TACTICS Cost: $1.99 This is one of the best and most comprehensive resources for learning and interpreting deer tactics and calls. The app provides tips on how and when to use each of the deer calls to maximize your chance of a successful hunt.

WHITETAIL FREAKS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Cost: $2.99 One of the best organizational hunting tools available from your phone, the app allows you to mark your property and pin the locations of your tree stands, trail cameras and food plots. You can even attach notes to each pin.

Do not shoot or eat any part of a deer that appears sick. If hunting within a CWD Containment Zone or High Risk Zone, please accurately document the location of any deer that appears sick and contact a TPWD office or call TPWD headquarters in Austin toll-free at (800) 792-1112 and enter 5 for wildlife and 1 for general wildlife information. Or contact TAHC toll-free at (800) 550-8242.

Wear rubber or latex gloves.

All internal organs and inedible carcass parts should be left at the site of harvest.

Clean processing knives and equipment of residue and disinfect with a 50/50 solution of household chlorine bleach and water. Wipe down counters and let them dry; soak knives for one hour.

Cutting and Processing

Wear rubber or latex gloves.

If removing antlers, soak the blade of the saw used in a bleach solution for one hour.

If hunting within a CWD Containment Zone or High Risk Zone, it is recommended that harvested deer be quartered and head detached in the field and all other carcass parts be left at the site of harvest if it is not possible to dispose inedible carcass parts in a landfill (or buried at least 6 feet deep).

Bone out the meat from the deer and remove all fat and connective tissue (the web-like membranes attached to the meat). This will also remove lymph nodes.

These inedible parts also should be left at the site of harvest, or disposed of in a landfill, or buried at least 6 feet deep.

Thoroughly clean and sanitize equipment and work areas with bleach solution after processing.

What parts can I use?

There are some parts of the deer you should never eat, even if the animal looks healthy.

The parts listed below are tissues where prions generally concentrate.

Brain Eyeballs Lymph nodes in head and neck

Spinal cord

Tonsils

Lymph nodes near digestive system

Spleen

Normal field dressing and trimming fat from meat will remove lymph nodes and other parts that accumulate prions. The diagram shows some main locations of lymph nodes and other tissues where prions concentrate.

Never eat meat from a deer that looks sick.

Never eat a deer’s: • • • • •

Brain Eyeballs Spinal cord Spleen Lymph nodes

To be sure you’ve removed all of the parts listed above: • Gut and skin the deer • Cut meat from the bone with a knife; don’t cut through bones • Remove all fat, membranes and tendons from the meat • Remove the head

Lymph nodes in/near joints

Clinical symptoms/signs of sick deer Please note that many diseases in deer cause many of the same symptoms as CWD, and not all symptoms/signs of CWD will occur in all cases.

Loss of fear of humans Nervousness or high excitability Teeth-grinding Loss of coordination Notable weakness Inability to stand Rough dull haircoat Excessive salivation Drooping of the head and ears Excessive thirst Difficulty swallowing Severe emaciation and dehydration

Report sick deer, especially those within a CWD zone to a TPWD Game Warden or Wildlife Biologist.

For additional information contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

www.tpwd.texas.gov © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

PWD LF W7000-859 (9/15)

NOVEMBER 2018 • 19

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Whitetail Deer Season in Sutton County

Sunrise/Sunset for Sonora, Texas Daylight Saving Time Ends November 4, 2018

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

RISE A.M.

SET P.M.

7:58 7:58 7:59 7:00 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:03 7:04 7:05 7:06 7:07 7:08 7:08 7:09 7:10 7:11 7:12 7:13 7:14 7:14 7:15 7:16 7:17 7:18 7:19 7:19 7:20 7:21 7:22

6:53 6:52 6:52 5:51 5:50 5:49 5:49 5:48 5:47 5:47 5:46 5:46 5:45 5:45 5:44 5:44 5:43 5:43 5:42 5:42 5:42 5:41 5:41 5:41 5:41 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40

JANUARY 2019 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

RISE A.M.

SET P.M.

7:40 7:40 7:40 7:40 7:40 7:41 7:41

5:52 5:53 5:53 5:54 5:55 5:56 5:56

20 • NOVEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

RISE A.M.

SET P.M.

7:23 7:24 7:24 7:25 7:26 7:27 7:27 7:28 7:29 7:29 7:30 7:31 7:32 7:32 7:33 7:33 7:34 7:34 7:35 7:36 7:36 7:37 7:37 7:37 7:38 7:38 7:39 7:39 7:39 7:49 7:50

5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:40 5:41 5:41 5:41 5:41 5:42 5:42 5:42 5:43 5:43 5:43 5:44 5:44 5:45 5:45 5:46 5:47 5:47 5:48 5:48 5:49 5:50 5:50 5:51

GENERAL SEASON November 3, 2018 - January 6, 2019 Special Late Season January 7 - 20, 2019 YOUTH-ONLY Early Youth-Only Season October 27 - 28, 2018 Late Youth-Only Season 7 - 20, 2019 BAG LIMIT 5 deer - no more than 2 bucks, all seasons combined.

ANTLERLESS DEER No permit is required to hunt antlerless deer unless MLDP antlerless permits have been issued for the tract of land.

ARCHERY ONLY September 29 - November 2, 2018 Archery Only either sex. Archery Endorsement is required to hunt.

Stay warm out there

What happens to your body when the mercury falls?

Eyes:

Wind Chill

Temperature Fahrenheit 5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

5

-5

1

3

13

19

25

31

36

45

48

10

-10

-4

3

9

15

21

27

34

40

46

50

15

-13

-7

0

6

13

19

25

32

38

45

20

-15

-9

-2

4

11

17

24

30

37

44

25

-17

-11

-4

3

9

16

23

29

36

43

30

-19

-12

-5

1

8

15

22

28

35

42

35

-21

-14

-7

0

7

14

21

28

35

41

40

-22

-15

-8

-1

6

13

20

27

34

41

Wind Speed MPH

NOVEMBER 2018

45

-23

-16

-9

-2

5

12

19

26

33

40

50

-24

-17

-10

-3

4

12

19

26

33

40

55

-25

-18

-11

-3

4

11

18

25

32

40

60

-26

-19

-11

-4

3

10

17

25

32

39

Eyeballs don’t freeze because they are protected by the head, which your body works very hard to keep warm. Also Tears are salty, which reduces the freezing point.

Ears:

At the greatest risk because there are no major muscles to provide heat.

Why does your nose run when it’s cold?

While trying to warm up cold air on the way to the lungs, extra blood flow within the nostrils leads to more mucus production.

Cheeks:

DANGER

BUNDLE UP

Skin can freeze in 10-30 minutes.

AT RISK

Risk of frostbite or hypothermia.

Be sure to wear warm clothing.

EXTRA LAYER

Wear an extra layer of thermal protective clothing.

What is frostbite?

• Severe condition: both skin and underlying tissue (fat, muscle, bone) are frozen.

• Skin appears white and waxy; is hard to the touch.

• No sensation — the area is numb.

Turn red when surface blood vessels dilate as skin temperature drops below 15º F.

Fingers, Toes

50º F is the critical air temperature for good manual dexterity. 45º F is the point at which fingers lose sensitivity to touch.

Mild hypothermia Body temperature drops. Being cold over a prolonged period of time can cause a drop in body temperature to below 97º F.

Why do we shiver?

Moderate hypothermia Being cold over a prolonged period of time can cause a drop in body temperature to 95º F.

You’ve Gotta Go:

What is hypothermia?

Being cold over a prolonged period of time can cause a drop in Severe hypothermia body temperature. Normal body Being cold over a prolonged period of time can cause a drop in temperate is 98.6º F body temperature below 90º F.

Muscle contractions produce heat, so when we get cold we shiver.

You need to urinate more when you get cold. Exposure to cold causes reduction in blood flow to the surface of the skin, which reduces overall blood volume.

The body’s response is to reduce fluid volume by urinating.

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

NOVEMBER 2018 • 21

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

GOING FOR THE KILL SHOT Importance of a Well-Placed Shot to a Vital Organ

When taking a shot at a game animal, the goal of the hunter should be to deliver a well placed shot to the vital organs. Knowing the anatomy of your quarry will allow you to place the shot in the most vital spot. This insures a quick, clean kill, which minimizes the suffering of the animal and maximizes the chance of retrieving the downed animal. The angle that the animal is standing in relation to the hunter is the shot angle. If the animal does not present a good shot angle to the hunter, it’s best to wait for the shot angle to improve.

The Broadside Shot The Broadside Shot presents the largest target area to strike the heart and lungs.

For the novice hunter this is the best shot to take. It is just

behind the shoulder bones.

Properly placed, the bullet will strike the ribs and probably pass completely through the chest cavity.

To find the best shot placement, look at the front leg facing you, along a line on the back side of this leg, come up one third of the way into the body. This is the place you want your bullet or arrow to impact.

The broadside shot for turkey is the best for bowhunters.

With a firearm, the head and neck are the best place to aim.

Most of the meat on a turkey is in the breast. By aiming for the head with a rifle or grouping for the head and neck with a shotgun, you won’t damage the breast meat.

Quartering-Toward Quartering-Toward is a shot angle from the front of

the animal when their body is angled towards you. This angle still affords a shot to the vital area, however, there is a greater chance of hitting bones in the shoulder. Since the animal is facing you, it can easily detect any movements.

Bowhunters should avoid taking this shot because of the added density of the shoulder bones that the arrow must penetrate. Also, many times the animal can see the arrow in flight.

Quartering-Away Quartering-Away is a shot angle where the animal’s body is angled away from you. You still have a shot at the vital areas and should aim behind the shoulder. You must be confident of your accuracy with your firearm as misplacement of the shot can result in a “gutshot,” a shot to the stomach and

intestines. Not only does the animal suffer when gut-shot but it can still travel a great distance and there is a good chance you may lose it.

Head-On Head-On means the animal is standing directly facing you.

The vital organs can still be hit but there is a good chance the bullet will damage a good deal of meat. Depending on the velocity of the bullet, it could also pass through and hit the stomach, even continuing into one of the rear legs, ruining even more meat. Bowhunters should not take this shot.

Rear-End Rear-End is exactly that, an angle directly behind the animal. No large vital area is presented. Never take this shot with firearm or bow. Wait for a better shot or pass.

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22 • NOVEMBER 2018

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THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Use Safe Practices When Processing, Cooking Feral Hogs

BY BLAIR FANIN AgriLife Extension Service With a proliferation of feral hogs in Texas, control measures such as trapping and hunting can yield the rewards of good table fare.

However, feral hogs can carry parasites, such as hookworms, and experts advise to use safe cooking practices before consuming the meat.

“Feral hogs are destructive in nature and their daily patterns include both feeding and fighting,” said Dr. Tom Hairgrove, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist in College Station. “They fight off other feral hogs in their daily activities of searching for food and can incur lesions or open wounds.

like tadpoles,” said Dr. Tom Craig, professor emeritus and Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory scientist in College Station. “Tadpoles grow up to become frogs or toads, which are eaten by snakes.

Eating any of these can infect pigs or people who carry the larval stage.

Cats, dogs or raccoons eating any of the above have the adult tapeworms in the intestine.”

As spring approaches, feral hog activity will begin to pick up as female sounders will be searching for food and raising newborns.

That will lead to more feral hog activity in general and trapping control activities.

For those who choose to

This may create openings for parasites and lead to infections, discoloring the meat, etc. That’s why it’s good for those who process feral hogs to be on the lookout for any abnormalities and use safe practices when processing the meat.”

Though not an endemic problem, the bobcat tapeworm, Spirometra mansonide, can be found in both wild and domestic cats, according to experts.

They are more prevalent in Gulf Coast areas and hosts, such as feral hogs, can come into contact by consuming contaminated water.

“Pigs can be infected by drinking water with the intermediate host copepods or things that eat copepods

harvest feral hogs, experts advise to use precautions.

Before processing, wear protective equipment and gear such as latex gloves since parasites or blood infections could be present.

“Any wild game, including feral hogs, should be cooked thoroughly to 160 degrees internal temperature at the center of the whole muscle cut and ground meat product as measured with a food thermometer,” said Dr. Dan Hale, AgriLife Extension meat specialist in College Station.

Experts advise those with any questions about feral hogs or processing to contact their AgriLife Extension county offices.

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HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Recent Rains Provide Boost for Deer, New Challenges for Bowhunters Texas’ Archery-Only Hunting Season

September 29 - November 2 Bowhunters might need to adjust their game plan for Saturday’s archery-only whitetailed deer season due to recent rains, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The advance scouting report could be out the window.

“Hunting might be a little tough with the exceptional rainfall in September that has created a giant food plot of native forage across the state,” Alan Cain, TPWD whitetail deer program leader said.

“Deer may be visiting the feeders less frequently with the abundant forage, so hunters might rely on information gathered recently on their trail cameras to help narrow down

windows of opportunity as to when deer are visiting feeder and blind locations.”

Texas boasts a robust white-tailed deer population of about 4.6 million and the influx of new groceries on the ground should provide a boost of nutrition heading into the fall. It should also give wildlife managers some relief after range conditions across much of the state heading out of the summer doldrums began to decline.

“Range conditions had

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diminished somewhat with the long stretches of 100 degree weather and wind,” Cain noted. “The majority of the state had reasonable forb production and good brush greenup this past spring, which provided a good foundation of native forage to get deer off to a good start in terms of antler growth and fawn production.

By late August, we were seeing preferred forbs becoming less available for deer. The rains came at an opportune time.”

While the archery-only season kicks off this weekend and runs through Nov. 2, the general gun season opener is still more than a month away on November 3.

A special youth-only weekend season is set for October 27 - 29. The general season runs through January 6, 2019 in North Texas and January 20, 2019 in South Texas. A late youth-only season is also

slated for Jan. 7-20, 2019. For additional late season deer hunting opportunities and county specific regulations, consult the 2018-19 Outdoor Annual of hunting and fishing regulations.

Hunters are also reminded to review the TPWD chronic wasting disease regulations for information about CWD testing requirements and carcass movement restrictions for the 2018-19 season. Also as a reminder, Texas hunters harvesting deer, elk, moose, or other susceptible species in other CWD-positive states must also comply with carcass movement restrictions when bringing those harvested animals back into Texas. Additionally, the Texas Animal Health Commission has mandatory testing requirements that apply to elk, red deer, sika, moose, and reindeer.

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THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Tagging Game Animals Tagging a Deer or Turkey A tag from the hunting license of the person who killed the deer or turkey must be correctly and legibly completed (including name of property and county) and immediately attached to the animal (exception is properties with issued tags such as MLD tags).

The hunter MUST: • use the specific type of deer or turkey (for example, buck tags must be used only on buck deer, antlerless tags on antlerless deer, etc.).

• have the month and date of kill clearly cut out on the tag by notching the respective month and day. Do not “ink out.”

• immediately complete, date and cut out the appropriate hunting license tag after a deer is harvested but before the deer is field dressed,

moved or tagged.

• for white-tailed deer, immediately before moving carcass, complete the log, in ink, on the back of the hunting license.

Asterisks in the log indicate bucks with an inside main beam spread of at least 13 inches. Failure to complete the log as required may result in a fine not to exceed $500 for each deer improperly logged.

Completion of the log is not required for mule deer, or for white-tailed deer or mule deer lawfully taken under a MLDP tag, TPWD Special Drawn Public Hunt permit, or on a Big Time Texas Hunt.

Where to Attach Tag to Deer or Turkey The tag may be attached anywhere on a deer or turkey so that it is not damaged, defaced, or lost in transporting or handling. For deer,

the appropriate tag or permit must remain attached until the deer reaches its final destination and is quartered.

If deer’s head is severed from the carcass (body), then the appropriate tag or permit must remain attached to its carcass.If the head does not accompany the carcass, then the head must be accompanied by a Wildlife Resource Document. For turkey, the tag must remain attached until the turkey reaches its final destination and is finally processed.

TIP: Remember that if the head and the carcass are separated, the tag from the hunting license goes with the meat and the WRD goes with the head.

NOTICE: Read the tag use

It is UNLAWFUL to: • use a tag from another person’s license or allow anyone to use your tags.

• use a tag more than one time (or on more than one deer or turkey).

• use an incorrect tag on a deer or turkey (example: mule deer tag used on a white-tailed deer, etc.)

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description on your license carefully before attaching to harvested deer or turkey.

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Please, BEE Safe Out There Hunters returning to cabins and camps that remain vacant for much of the year should understand that the very shelters that attract them during hunting season, also offer transient bees a tempting place to build a hive.

Experts say that all honey bees in Texas have been africanized to one extent or another. That means they are more aggressive than in the past and pose a greater risk to humans and animals when they are disturbed. There are things you need to know if and when you encounter a hive of honey bees.

WHAT IS A HONEY BEE? • Honey bees are not native to the North America • Honey bees currently pollinate about 90 agricultural crops (accounting for 80 percent of the pollination in the US): ~ $10 billion pollination business, $150 million honey industry • Bees forage over large expanses of area: 8,000-25,000 acres • US honey bees originated in Europe (European honey bees = EHB) and were brought to the US to pollinate insect-pollinated crops originating in Old World countries • EHB (Apis mellifera mellifera) were also imported in the 1660-1700s to make candles used by emerging churches • Honey bees are not likely to sting when foraging for nectar and pollen in the back yard • Honey bees are not likely to sting when swarming (looking for a new home) • Honey bees are most docile when carrying out their daily chores • Honey bees are most likely to sting when their home (the hive) is threatened or they are accidentally crushed • Honey bees swarm (move in large numbers to establish new hives) in spring and fall and are most likely to be aggressive in those seasons.

• Honey bees sting to protect their hive but each bee can sting only once, and then it dies • Stings are usually not serious unless there are an large number of them or you are systemically allergic to the venom WHAT IS AN AFRICANIZED HONEY BEE? • In 1957, honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata) were imported from Africa to Brazil • African bees escaped and became feral (wild) • As feral African bees mated with EHBs they produced a hybrid called an “Africanized honey bee” (AHB) • AHBs look like European bees to the eye

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• They are, on average, slightly smaller than EHBs, but can only be separated by molecular techniques or morphometric computer analysis • Africanized honey bees are less fussy in their choice of nesting sites: building nests in the ground, in tree cavities, in the walls of a home, and where ever they find a small hole through which to enter • Africanized honey bees will “abscond” (leave a location when conditions are not suitable) more often than European honey bees • The impulse to sting in AHBs is 10 times greater than that of European honey bees, and attacks last longer and involve more bees • AHBs have been known to follow victims as much as a 1/4 of a mile from the hive whereas EHBs will pursue only about 50 yards • AHB venon is same chemical found in EHBs • AHB have been moving north from South America at a rate of 100-300 miles per year • Once disturbed AHBs may remain aggressive for as long as 24 hours • The “killer bee” reputation of AHBs is highly exaggerated, AHB do not hunt for people to attack and they do not attack unless they feel threatened WHAT CAUSES AN AHB STINGING INCIDENT? • Load noise • Vibrations of equipment, lawn mowers, moving vehicles etc., even up to 100 feet or more from a hive • Pedestrian activity up to 50 feet from the hive: the hive does not have to be touched to provoke AHBs • Animal breath attracts bees to the face. Animals (e.g. horses) that cannot breath through their mouths are vulnerable to suffocation if stings cause swelling of the nasal passages • Smaller pets and small children are more impacted. On average, 8-10 stings per pound of body weight can be lethal. 100 stings is considered to be potentially life threatening. Some individuals are very sensitive to bee venom, and in this case, even one or a few stings can be life threatening • AHBs are attracted to hair, dark colors, new mown grass, citrus-scented candles and perfume SEE BEE ON PAGE 27

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THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

BEE AWARE, BEE SAFE! CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

How to Prevent a Stinging Incident • Bees need two basic things to colonize your property: water and a place to build a hive. Prevent access to these where possible • Repair dripping leaks in and around the yard and in irrigation systems • Be alert for the presence of colonizing bees around the home • Listen for bees in walls and abandoned building before approaching • Patrol yards periodically to look for signs of bee colonies. Colonies can set up residence in as little as 24-48 hours • Prevent bees from colonizing the yard or home: fill cracks in the house, remove refuse (bees can establish in discarded cans), discard used tires, plug holes in open pipes and swing sets, move abandoned vehicles, check stock tanks and irrigation pump housings • Properly cover chimney openings • Place screens over drains, attic vents, irrigation control boxes etc.

• Close and lock doors to sheds and out buildings • Education is central to the issue. South Americans have lived with AHB for decades with a minimum of impact. Teach children and others respect for, and avoidance of, honeybees WHO IS MOST VULNERABLE? • Those that are allergic to bee stings. Only about ~1% of the population has a systemic allergy to bee stings. Symptoms: within 20 minutes the tongue or throat swell, hives may develop, dizziness may occur and there may be difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness.

• Pets which are tied so they cannot exit the area WHAT TO DO WHEN A STINGING INCIDENT OCCURS Remember that “ACE” is the best action (Alert, Cover, Exit) • Alert = Warn others in the area to flee • Cover = cover your head; pull a shirt over your face. Stings to the head and neck are more dangerous than those to the body • Exit the area. Get into a car or a house immediately. If bees follow, tolerating those stings is preferable to trying to swat bees away from an open doorway.

• Stingers are left in the skin by the bees after an attack and continue to deliver venom (for up to 10 min.) due to attached pulsating muscles of the stinger. When the situation has stabilized, remove the stingers as quickly as possible by scraping, do not remove with forceps • Above all, stay calm. Fear can cause accidents if bees get in cars or clothing.

• If you observe a serious stinging incident call 911.

• Bee attacks can disorient and if you attempt to aid an attack victim protect yourself first then call them toward you and lead them to safety • If a pet is involved seek veterinary attention • If you are seriously stung seek medical attention • If you are allergic, carry a bee sting kit prescribed by your personal physician

27 • NOVEMBER 2018

WHAT NOT TO DO • Don’t tie or pen animals near bee hives as they will have nowhere to go if stung • Do not try to remove bee hives yourself if you find them. Fire departments, bee keepers and pest management operators are best equipped to remove bee colonies • Do not try to fog or spray colonies with insects bombs or sprays • Do not swat at bees. Swatting bees causes the release of an alarm signal and only increases the intensity of an attack by stimulating other bees to attack • Do not count on insect repellents sprayed on the skin to deter bees • Do not provoke bees by spraying the hive with a garden hose • Don’t place certain veterinary salves and creams on your pet. Some are made with bees wax and can increase the severity of AHB attacks to pets and livestock. Check with your vet before using salves and creams.

• Don’t use meat tenderizer on bee-sting wounds, as this could lead to a secondary infection • Do not hike with your dog off-leash, if the dog encounters a hive and provoke the bees it may bring the attackers back to you For identification of honey bees: Samples (50 bees or more) can be collected and sent to the Texas Honey Bee Identification Lab at Texas A&M. Forms are available on the Texas Agrilife Extension Service website (http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ahb)

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HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Determining the Age of a White-Tailed Deer Tooth wear and replacement is one of several methods for aging white-tailed deer.

Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists have been using this deer aging technique to manage deer on ranches, wildlife management areas and by county since 1965. Although this method is not perfect, it has been used for the past 35 years in the successful management of deer herds in Texas. Deer are aged by examining the wear and replacement of the premolars and molars of the lower jaw. As a deer grows older, its teeth continue to wear. As the enamel begins to wear away, and exposes the dark dentine material,

noticeable distinctions in tooth wear occur between each age class. Deer are aged in year and half increments, such as 1 1/2, 2 1/2, 3 1/2, etc., since fawns are born from late May through July and are not harvested until the fall hunting season.

Biologists, landowners or land managers may be interested in deer ages from a deer management standpoint.

Age data provides information about deer herd characteristics, hunting or mortality pressure on a particular age class, and progress of the wildlife management program.

Age data becomes a valuable piece of information when used

Fawn (1/2 year) Aging fawns should not be difficult. For more clarification, inspection of the lower jaw will indicate age. Fawns have 5 or less teeth present and the third premolar (tooth 3) has 3 cusps. Tooth 6 has not yet erupted. In younger fawns tooth 5 has not erupted and only 4 teeth will be visible.

with other data such as antler characteristics, dressed body weights or lactation in females.

Deer herd trends can thus be monitored if enough data are collected over time. Often these trends can be related to a particular management style, climatic conditions or any other factors affecting deer.

Dressed body weights, age and antler measurement data should be collected every year and from every deer harvested.

Collecting partial data, only occasionally during a season, or every couple of years may result in land managers making uninformed decisions about deer management.

Aging deer using the wear

Deer Teeth Parts Cusp: a point or projection on a tooth Back Cusp: very last cusp on tooth 6 on cheek-side of the jaw Lingual Crest: tooth ridge adjacent to the tongue Enamel: hard, white, outer coating of a tooth Dentine: soft inner core of a tooth, dark brown color Infundibulum: crescent-shaped depression in the central crown of a tooth between the enamel ridge or crest Lingual Crests

and replacement method is not difficult, but it does require practice. When aging a deer, it is helpful to cut the skin along the edge of the jaw to allow better inspection of the teeth. Do not cut the skin if planning to mount the deer. Taxidermists will cape out the deer head and save the lower jaw if asked. A jaw spreader and small flashlight may also be used to prop open the jaw while examining the teeth, especially when the skin is not to be cut. Be sure to remove any food particles or debris to maintain a clear view of the teeth along the jaw.

Inspect teeth on both sides of the jaw to confirm that wear is consistent.

1 1/2 years Tooth 3 (3rd premolar) has 3 cusps. Tooth 6 has erupted and is slightly visible just above the gum line.

3-Cusp Tooth Heavy Wear

Enamel Dentine

Back Cusp

3 1/2 years Infundibulum

Lingual crest on tooth 4 is blunt. The dentine is as wide or wider than the enamel in tooth 4. The back cusp on tooth 6 is forming a concavity.

2 1/2 years Lingual crest on all molars are sharp and pointed.

Tooth 3 now has 2 cusps. Back cusp of tooth 6 is sharp and pointed. Enamel is wider than the dentine in tooth 4, 5 and 6.

Permanent 2-Cusp Tooth

Pointed Cusp

4 1/2 years

Lingual crest on tooth 4 are almost rounded off and lingual crest in tooth 5 are blunt. The dentine in tooth 4 is twice as wide as the enamel. The dentine in tooth 5 is wider than the enamel. The back cusp on tooth 6 is worn so badly that it slopes downward towards the cheek.

Blunt Crests

A simple jaw spreader can be made from 1/4 inch rebar and welded into a similar shape as the above photo.

Insert jaw spreader into mouth as shown in photo. Be sure spreader is pushed completely through the mouth. Rotate jaw spreader downward as shown.

Teeth are now visible for inspection. A small light may be helpful for viewing teeth.

Cusp Worn To Concavity

Dentine Wider Than Enamel

5 1/2 years Lingual crest is worn away on tooth 4 and rounded in tooth 5. Lingual crest in tooth 6 is blunt. Dentine in tooth 6 is now wider than the enamel.

Dentine Twice As Wide As Enamel

Dentine Twice As Wide As Enamel

Dentine Wider Than Enamel

Cusp Slopes Downward

6 1/2 years Tooth 4 is worn completely smooth; no enamel ridge should be visible in the center of tooth 4.

Small enamel ridge will be present in center of tooth 5 and tooth 6. Lingual crest on tooth 5 is almost worn away and rounded in tooth 6.

7 1/2 years Tooth 4 and tooth 5 are worn smooth; no enamel ridges are present in the center of these teeth.

Lingual crest is gone from tooth 6. Infundibulum in tooth 6 is a narrow crescent shape.

Tooth 4, 5 and 6 are completely dished out and no enamel ridges are showing in the center of these teeth.

Worn Smooth “Dished Out” Appearance

Worn Smooth “Dished Out” Appearance

Small Enamel Ridge In Center of Teeth

8 1/2 years

Small Enamel Ridge In Center of Teeth

Teeth 4, 5 & 6 Worn Completely Smooth

NOVEMBER 2018 • 28

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Important Phone Numbers

Local Officials

Sutton County Sheriff’s Department

County Judge - Steve Smith County Sheriff - Oscar Chavez Justice of the Peace - Jody Harris County Attorney - David Wallace County Clerk - Rachel Duran Tax Assessor-Collector - Kathy Marshall County Treasurer - Janalyn Jones County Commissioner Precinct #1 - Mike Villanueva County Commissioner Precinct #2 - Bob Brockman County Commissioner Precinct #3 - Carl Teaff County Commissioner Precinct #4 - Fred Perez

Emergency Dial 9-1-1 Non-Emergency 325-387-2288

Sonora Police Department Emergency Dial 9-1-1 City Hall 325-387-3888

City of Sonora

Emergency Dial 9-1-1 City Hall 325-387-2558

Lillian M. Hudspeth Hospital Emergency Dial 9-1-1 Hospital 325-387-2521 Family Clinic 325-387-7911

Sonora Volunteer Fire Department Emergency Dial 9-1-1 Dispatch 325-387-2428

Things You Need to Know The Devil’s River News

Sonora’s newspaper since 1890 224 E. Main Street • 325-387-2507 editor@devilsriver.news Bring your Big Buck by our office for a photo and possible publication in the next week’s newspaper and possible inclusion in the 2018 edition of this Hunting Guide.

Sonora Chamber of Commerce

205 Hwy 277 N. • PO Box 1172 • Sonora, Texas 76950 325-387-2880 chamber@sonoratexas.org • www.sonoratexas.org

Sonora Economic Development Corporation

Sutton County

City of Sonora

Mayor - Wanda Shurley Council Members - Cody Gann, Norm Rousselot, Manual Martinez and Juanita Barrera Municipal Judge - Jerry Kemp City Manager - Ed Carrasco City Secretary - Belia Fay Public Works Administrator - Peter Duran

Sutton County Hospital District

Hospital Administrator - John Graves Board of Directors - Sharon Holman (president), Edward Earwood, Lenora Pool, Mary Humphrey, Adaleta Alvarez, Don Longoria and John Henry Strauch.

Sonora I.S.D. 325-387-6940

Superintendent - Ross Aschenbeck High School Principal - Sean Leamon Middle School Principal - Daron Worrell Elementary Principal - Michael Kissire Board of Trustees - Dawn Cahilll (president), Brady Johnson, Jerry Jimenez, Jesse Bustamante, Shana Castro, Cynthia Perez and Amber Killough.

Sutton County Underground Water Conservation District

325-387-2369 General Mamanger - Jim Polonis Board Members - Robert Sol Mayer, Joe David Ross, Max Howorth and James Archer

307 East Oak Street • Sonora, Texas 76950 325-387-6280 www.sonoraedc.org

Old Ice House Ranch Museum

Located at 206 S Water Avenue in downtown Sonora adjacent to the Sutton County Courthouse.

325-387-3754 If you’ve lost your marbles, the volunteers at the museum just might know where they are.

Come by the museum to see ‘em.

Sutton County Food Pantry

704 Glasscock Road • PO Box 497 • Sonora, Texas 76950 325-387-2458 • scrc.director@gmail.com 29 • NOVEMBER 2018

Conservation Work • Individual Plant Treatment Fencing • Water Facility • Pipeline Installation Jason Porter • 325.226.4616 Eldorado, TX

Vaden Aldridge • 325.226.0904 Consultant/Sales

24th Annual Reagan County

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

WILD GAME SUPPER November 24, 2018 (Saturday after Thanksgiving)

100+ Quality Guns Prize Tickets Now Available! $1.00 Per Ticket HIGH ROLLER TICKETS AVAILABLE SPECIAL PRIZES FOR CHILDREN DRAWN FROM ADMISSION TICKETS

Reagan County Community Building Big Lake, Texas Doors Open at 5 p.m.

Meal Starts at 6:00 p.m.

2018 Utility Vehicle Do not have to be present to win. All prizes must be picked up no later than January 1, 2019.

Proper Identification required to claim firearms.

A physical address must be on your drivers license.

If a physical address is not on your ID, then you must present your Voters Registration Card or your Hunting License with a 911 address with your drivers license.

NOVEMBER 2018 • 30

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Texas Horned Lizard, Once Common, Now Must Be Captive Bred The horned lizard, the state reptile of Texas, is up against a myriad of threats. Scientists are hoping reintroduction will help it survive.

These bumpy reptiles are Texas horned lizards, also known as “horny toads.” Once common in Texas, the lizard is now a threatened species there. The beloved state reptile has two large horns on its head, and though it’s mostly docile, it can shoot blood from its eyes when threatened.

Biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and three area zoos have been working together to save the horned lizard. The zoos have begun captive breeding programs, with a goal to replenish the wild population. In September, around 140 hatchlings were released in Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Texas. Biologists hope the breeding and reintroduction program eventually will lead to selfsustaining populations.

31 • NOVEMBER 2018

By Lori Cuthbert Maybe it’s a butterfly you don’t see in your garden anymore, or a bird whose song you don’t hear in the summer. Many of us know of one or more animals we grew up with that just aren’t around anymore, or seen rarely. They may not be endangered but they could be headed that way.

That’s the case with the Texas horned lizard, the state’s official reptile and one of 1,300 species of concern in Texas alone, says Tom Harvey at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Numbers of the so-called horny toad have dropped so sharply that the reptile has been declared threatened

in Texas, and steps are being taken to save it. The Forth Worth Zoo has started a horned lizard captive breeding program; the hatchlings, around two weeks old in this video, are being released into the wild in the hopes that flooding the landscape with baby lizards will ensure their survival.

“The plan now is to produce large numbers of offspring that will hopefully enable them to get ahead of the predators,” says Diane Barber, ectotherm curator at the zoo.

“Last year we reintroduced 63 hatchlings; this year we released 93.”

Past experience shows that SEE TEXAS HORNED LIZARD ON PAGE 35

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

DO...

• Treat every gun as though it were loaded.

• Read the owner’s manual for your gun and learn how to operate it properly.

• Use the correct ammunition for your gun.

• Carry your gun with the muzzle pointing toward the ground.

• Keep your finger off the trigger until shooting.

• Look at the target and the area beyond it before pulling the trigger.

• Keep your gun unloaded when not in use.

• Store ammunition away from your gun and out of the reach of young children.

• Clean your gun and keep it free of obstructions.

• Make sure your gun is unloaded be fore cleaning it.

DON’T...

• Point your gun at anyone.

• Modify your gun.

• Run with your gun.

• Climb with your gun.

• Jump with your gun.

• Shoot at a hard, flat surface. The bullet will ricochet.

• Shoot at water. The bullet will deflect and travel a few inches above the water.

• Go hunting when you are overly tired.

• Drink alcohol when hunting.

• Do drugs when hunting.

You love to hunt and your kids are starting to get to the age where they would like to try hunting. You appreciate their interest and have enrolled them in the appropriate education course to obtain a license. You also plan to teach them the ropes yourself, starting first with gun safety.

To ensure you don’t forget anything, familiarize yourself with these dos and don’ts of gun safety.

After you have familiarized yourself with these rules, find a time to discuss them with your kids. Stress to them the importance of following the rules of gun safety and the consequences of ignoring them. Point out, for example, how many people are killed each year in accidents involving guns that were stored loaded.

Rent a video or take your kids to a demonstration on gun safety.

Kids learn best by example, so make sure you follow the rules of gun safety.

More importantly, make sure you enforce the rules. Should a situation arise in which your kids forget or abandon a safety rule, take the steps necessary to correct the situation immediately. It could mean the difference between life and death.

Do your kids a favor. Teach them the rules of gun safety, enforce the rules when necessary and help your kids mature into safe, responsible hunters.

Also, go over these gun safety rules with anyone at your hunting camp that you do not know. It NEVER hurts to review gun safety rules.

NOVEMBER 2018 • 32

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Maintain Proof of Sex After Kill Leaving sex identification on carcass

Deer or Pronghorn It is unlawful to possess a deer or pronghorn with proof of sex removed unless the deer or pronghorn has reached the final destination and has been at least quartered. Proof of sex includes one of the following: • the head (skinned or unskinned) of a buck deer with antlers attached; • the head (skinned or unskinned) of an antlerless deer; • the unskinned head of a pronghorn; or • a completed Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) Tag, Antlerless Mule Deer Permit, CWD

33 • NOVEMBER 2018

Check Station Receipt, or TPWD Drawn Hunt Legal Deer Tag. It is unlawful to remove the head or antlers (proof of sex) of deer or pronghorn at a commercial processor until the carcass has been quartered and entered into the cold storage logbook.

Pheasant or Turkey It is unlawful to possess a pheasant or turkey (where applicable) with proof of sex removed. The following is considered proof of sex and must accompany the pheasant or turkey until it reaches its final destination

and is finally processed: • Pheasant: one leg, including the spur, attached to the pheasant carcass or the entire plumage attached to the pheasant carcass; • Turkey: in counties where the harvest is restricted to gobblers and/ or bearded hens, a male turkey is required to have one leg, including the spur, attached to the bird; or the bird, accompanied by a patch of skin with breast feathers and beard attached.

In counties where the harvest of female turkeys is restricted to bearded hens, all harvested hens must be accompanied by a patch of skin with breast feathers

and beard attached.

EXCEPTION to Proof of Sex Instead of proof of sex, the hunter may obtain a receipt from a taxidermist or a signed statement from the landowner or the landowner’s agent containing the following information: • Name of person who killed the wildlife resource; • Date the wildlife resource was killed; and • One of the following, as applicable: Whether the deer was antlered or antlerless; the sex of the pronghorn; the sex of the turkey and whether a beard was attached; or the sex of the pheasant.

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

St. John’s Episcopal Church Sonora, TX Patrice Fiveash

Office Solutions Representative 3513 Wildewood San Angelo, Tx 76904

Phone: 325.944.2199 - Fax: 325.944.2188 - Cell: 325.234.5533

FARRIS Taxidermy

325-262-2151 601 S. Divide St. Eldorado, TX 76936 Open 7 days a week during hunting season!

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

404 E. Poplar Street • Sonora, TX

Welcome Hunters!

We wish you a happy and safe hunting season!

ADKINS Septic Services

"Servicing Sonora and surrounding areas for over 50 years!"

• Septic Tank Cleaning Service • Septic Tank Installation

• Stock Tank Clean Outs • Sight Evaluation • Porta Potty Rentals

Licensed Aerobic Maintenance Provider Russell Adkins Lic # OS0005022 & OS0021158, Thomas Adkins Lic# MP002063

325-853-3154 P.O. Box 1246, Sonora, TX 76950

WestTexasRehab.org

DIVIDE

SUPPLY

Livestock Feed • Ranching Supplies • Oilfield Parts • Tools

325-853-2020

516 SW Main Street • Eldorado, TX 76935 “For All Your Ranching Needs”

NOVEMBER 2018 • 34

THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE

Texas Horned Lizard, Once Common, Now Must Be Captive Bred CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

urban development, which has fragmented the landscape, robbing the reptiles of space

most won’t survive. “With amphibian reintroduction programs, as well as sea turtle programs, it is accepted that less than one percent of offspring from a female will survive to adulthood to breed,” she says.

Stressors Horned lizards used to be widespread in Texas but have been in gradual decline for the last few decades. Several factors have contributed, such as

and pressuring populations of the harvester ants they feed on. And that’s not all.

“The introduced red imported fire ants will kill

texas

parks

and

wildlife

impressive arsenal of defense weapons. When faced with predators, they can shoot foultasting blood out of their eyes, though they will only do that to members of the dog family.

Another effective technique is to sit very still in an effort to blend in with the rocks they’re perched on.

hatchlings,” says Barber, as well as harvester ants. “As green spaces shrink, some predators become more abundant or consolidated.”

Female horny toads can lay a lot of eggs—20 to 30 a year—but those factors reduce hatchling survival rates.

For over a decade Texas conservation experts have relocated adult and baby lizards from parts of the state where they were plentiful to parts lacking in lizards. But that grew expensive, and many were lost to predation, despite their

EMERGENCY DIAL

Can you identify these tracks?

TEXAS TRACKS Do you know them?

You may know Texas wildlife, but do you know their tracks? Some like the rabbit and opossum are easily recognized. Others such as the coyote, collared peccary and bobcat may be confused with their domestic look-alikes the dog, pig and house cat. Tracks are easily followed in snow or loose sand. Prints made in soft mud are best for study. (Answers at the bottom of page.)

1

BOBCAT

FORE

2"

4

7

1 1/2"

2" FORE

1 3/4"

HIND

1 1/2" 1 3/4"

2 3/4"

FORE HIND

FORE

1 1/4" FORE

FORE

5

2 1/4"

HIND

RACCOON

FOX SQUIRREL

8

HIND

2 3/4"

HIND

FORE

FORE

2 3 /4 "

FORE

HIND

RINGTAIL

1 1/2"

2

HIND

COYOTE

HIND

HIND

HIND

FORE

2"

FORE

HIND

SKUNK FORE

WHITE-TAILED DEER

HIND

DEWCLAWS SHOW WHEN RUNNING

9

6

3

FORE

1"

HIND

FORE

2"

FORE HIND HIND

FORE

3 3/4"

3. Raccoon

4. Collared Peccary

5. Skunk

6. Fox Squirrel

7. Bobcat

8. Coyote

9. Ringtail

HIND

2. Opossum

HIND

35 • NOVEMBER 2018

© 2001 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD LF K0700-001 (3/01) In accordance with Texas Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries.

FORE

FORE

4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 1-800-792-1112 www.tpwd.state.tx.us

HIND

1. White-tailed Deer

OPOSSUM

COLLARED PECCARY (Javelina)

Thank You! to the contributors, supporters and advertisers who make this publication possible for our hunters and the local community!

Please Support Our Advertisers!

HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS

Sutton County Game Dinner Association Road Ranger Pit Stop BBQ Walsh Welding Boss Hogg Outdoors Brushy Top Cowboy Church Bump Gate Cafe Armer & Andi’s Boutique Robert Webb Construction Brett Chambers, Edward Jones Caverns of Sonora Rafter W Feed Eaton Hill Nature Center & Preserve Larry Williams Bee Removal LaMexicana Restaurant & Outdoor Decor St. Ann Catholic Church Cactus Deer Processing Hudson Properties Reagan County Game Dinner Association Sonora Wool House Feed & Supply Mr. D’s Liquor Holmes Wrecker St. John’s Episcopal Church Ice House Ranch Museum Motel 6 Divide Supply West Texas REHAB Concho Bail Bonds Southwest Texas Electric Cooperative West Texas Rehab Sam Dillard, State Farm Insurance LaLa’s Mexican Restarurant & Cantina Wrenched Up Roustabouts Adkins Septic Services Divide Services Farris Taxidermy Total Office Solutions

NOVEMBER 2018 • 36