Don't shoot hens Conservation group asks hunters to focus on drakes.
Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper
January 14, 2011
Volume 7, Issue 10
Page 5
Inside
❘❚ FISHING
New Record Guide sets new Falcon Lake record with 15.63-pound bass. Page 8
Survivor Hypothermia nearly claims Arlington biology teacher. Page 21
❘❚ HUNTING
Snows in the forecast More snow geese are mixing with Canadas over Texas. Page 4
Free of disease Tests show Hunt County deer killed last month by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department had no Chronic Wasting Disease. Page 4
❘❚ CONTENTS Classifieds . . . . . . . . Crossword . . . . . . . . Fishing Report . . . . . . For the Table. . . . . . . Game Warden Blotter . . . Heroes. . . . . . . . . . Outdoor Datebook . . . . Outfitters and Businesses . Products . . . . . . . . . Sun, Moon and Tide data .
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
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SEASON FINALE: Excellent range conditions made for healthy deer in the 2010-2011 deer season, and a good secondary rut added lots of late-season action from the Panhandle to the border with Mexico. This Webb County buck was photographed chasing does on a sendero Dec. 31. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Post-rut bucks highlight season After slow start, second half of season picks up for many hunters By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Christmas came early for Bibi Flores. The 2010 season produced her biggest buck ever — a 16-point, 184-inch buck taken from her ranch in Webb County. She and her family had watched the deer grow for years, and the opportunity to harvest the animal finally presented itself in mid-December. “I’d been chasing him for three weeks,” she said. “He was chasing does. I would sit at one stand and my son would call me and say he saw
him at another stand.” The buck, nicknamed “Homie,” finally appeared in front of Flores. “My husband said, ‘There he is,’” she said. “I grabbed my binoculars and he said, ‘No, grab your gun.’ “I was in shock after I shot him. This was my Christmas gift. He’s my once-in-a-lifetime buck.” Many hunters connected on big bucks well into the post-rut, although
Location, location, location Quail numbers picking up in some regions, hunters say By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS
BACK TO BOB BASICS: Some hunters in North and West Texas still report scant coveys of bobwhite quail, but the opposite was true the first week of January in southern and southeastern parts of the state. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.
The business mantra “location, location, location” applies well to Texas quail hunting midway through the 2010-11 upland game season. Many hunters in North and West Texas reported scant coveys, unless
they were fortunate to hunt ranches that are actively managing for quail. “It has been few and far between, as far as good coveys,” said Emily Berg of Dalhart in the northwest corner of the Panhandle. See LOCATION Page 14
See POST-RUT BUCKS, Page 14
La Niña back
DRY AGAIN: Don Stiles, a South Texas cattleman, inspects an empty tank on a ranch in DeWitt County. Hunters and anglers closed 2010 with plenty of food and cover for wildlife, but by early January, most of Texas was sliding back into drought. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.
By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Parched is how most of Texas began 2011, a complete reversal of the previous year when wet conditions spurred explosive growth of wildlife habitat.
Hunters and anglers closed 2010 with plenty of food and cover for deer, turkey and small game in Texas. But the massive downpours shed by Tropical Storm See DROUGHT Page 24
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HUNTING
Snow flocks drift west
BULL'S-EYE: This single juvenile snow goose, in joining with a flock of Canadas, sticks out like a sore thumb and would become the target of West Texas goose hunters, where Canadas are more abundant. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Great nesting season leads to more snows in the Texas Panhandle and along the coast By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Dang snow geese. That’s the sentiment of many hunters who have seen one snow goose in a flock of more-easily fooled Canadas lead them away from decoy spreads this season. Waterfowl hunters in the Texas Panhandle are reporting larger numbers of snow geese intermingled with flocks of Canada geese. Snow geese often are harder to decoy because they prefer to stay with large flocks instead of small groups of geese like many Canadas. On the flip side, hunters can shoot more snow geese than the darker Canadas, which can make for some great days if they are coming into spreads. Young snow geese often will join a flock of Canadas if they get separated from their original flock.
South Texas bucks lock up in head-to-head battle By Conor Harrison
that was only 4 years old.” Jordon said Pro bass fisherman the bucks evenKelly Jordon and Iraq tually fought out War veteran Brent of sight. One of Homan were huntthe management ing on a ranch near bucks stepped Laredo last month back into the when they came sendero, where upon a rare sight — Homan downed two big bucks locked the deer. together in battle. After climbing Jordon said it was out of the stand Homan’s first time and taking picever to sit in a deer tures with the stand, and after deer, Jordon said shooting a doe durhe heard the two ing the morning bucks still fighthunt, the pair went TANGLED: These two bucks were clenched together while doing ing in the brush looking for a man- battle during the South Texas rut. The bucks were freed with the and decided to agement buck for help of several hunters who intervened. Photo by Kelly Jordon. investigate. Homan to harvest. “We found the Jordon said the bucks and I text-messaged a friend to come help,” two men were sitting in a blind overlooking a he said. “We watched the two deer for probably sendero when two management bucks appeared. 30 minutes before help arrived.” Neither presented Homan with a shot and the Jordon’s friend grabbed one of the bucks and pair walked into the brush. Moments later, one of tried to get a rope around it to help pull the deer the management bucks and another buck began apart when the two bucks freed themselves and fighting and crossing the sendero. ran off into the brush. “They crossed the sendero three times, and Jordon said the bucks looked fine as they departed. the last time they crossed it looked like they were “It was a great day,” he said. locked,” Jordon said. “Lots of deer began invesJordon videotaped the buck fight. View it at tigating, including about a 150-inch 10-pointer lsonews.com.
LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS
this year and the birds are congregating in huge flocks near feed and water. He also said some areas in the Panhandle had good water, while other areas are dry. “Just given the habitat differences, those birds might be holding in places they haven’t been before,” he said, which might explain why hunters are seeing snows in traditional Canada geese strongholds. “Snows will barge right in and take over.” Biologist Greg Green said snow geese are staying in the Panhandle more than they used to, instead of heading farther south to the coast. “They aren’t migrating like they historically did,” Green said. “With people seeing a mix of snow geese in flocks of Canadas, it could be young birds that find security in a flock of Canadas. Snow geese are very particular. “They tend to stay in large groups. Guys on the coast will put out 500 to 600 rag decoys. Those birds are watching for large flocks of white, but they are pretty selective.”
Game Warden Adam Clark, who patrols Dallam and Hartley counties, said he has noticed a lot more snows in the air and in hunters’ bags this year, compared to years past. One reason could be a bumper crop of young birds migrating south from their Arctic breeding grounds. “Absolutely, it’s crazy,” said guide Terry Cook of Straight Line Outfitters, when asked if his hunters were seeing more snow geese. “All the Canadas are in the area around Amarillo, and we are seeing a lot more snows than normal. Friday (Jan. 7) was phenomenal. We killed 43 geese.” Todd Merendino, Ducks Unlimited's manager of conservation programs, said this year’s flock of snow geese contained 30 to 40 percent young birds, compared to 10 percent last year. “The sheer numbers of (snow geese) coming south is higher,” he said. “Snow geese on the coast are up approximately 200,000 birds from last year. It was a good hatch in the Arctic.” Merendino said the Gulf Coast has been extremely dry
Anderton deer free of disease Critics help TPWD improve controversial disease protocol By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS No Chronic Wasting Disease or tuberculosis have been found in tests on 70 deer that were killed last month by state wildlife officials in Hunt County. The deer at the Anderton ranch near Quinlan were euthanized on Dec. 6 because owners could not prove the animals came from a state free of CWD. Mitch Lockwood, big game program director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, announced the test results on Jan. 10. Texas breeders who bought deer from the Andertons in the spring of 2010 eagerly awaited the news. “These results give us comfort that other facilities that received deer from this facility were not jeopardized by those transactions,” Lockwood said. He added that the breeders who
received deer from the Andertons can “continue operating with no interruptions.” Lockwood also said he will soon draft a revised protocol for euthanizing deer at facilities that don’t have proof of the animals’ origins. The controversial operation in Hunt County made news in print and on TV, and the protocol drew criticism from Texas deer breeders who complained that it needlessly caused healthy deer to die. But some of the critics joined TPWD officials for meetings in late December and early January to discuss the protocol. Officials from the Texas Animal Health Commission attended the meetings, held in Austin. Members of the Texas Deer Association, which criticized the Dec. 6 operation, also participated. Lockwood said this working group See RESULTS, Page 27
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Don’t shoot hens Delta Waterfowl promotes focus on drakes By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Two hunters sat in their duck blind when a pair of mallards flew overhead. One couldn’t shoot — he had limited out for the day. The other pulled up and dropped one. “You just shot the hen,” the partner said. “But I was shooting at the drake,” the other replied. “It still costs $5 in the hen jar.” For years, that group of hunters maintained a jar to collect fines for shooting hens. Fines varied from $1 for hen teal, gadwalls and wigeon to $5 for hen mallards, pintails, canvasbacks (when legal at all) and wood ducks. The money went to a waterfowl conservation organization at the season’s end. Delta Waterfowl is promoting a similar approach. Called “Voluntary Restraint,” it challenges hunters to focus on harvesting drakes, especially among sensitive species like pintails, canvasbacks, and bluebills. The promotion isn’t new — it began in 1989 when duck populations were at an all-time low. “It’s not about criticizing hunters that shoot hens,” said Delta Senior Vice President John Devney. “But for those guys that have lots of opportunities to hunt — why not pass on the hens?” Although there isn’t definitive science that it makes a differ-
ence, the hope is that focusing the harvest on drakes and passing on hens may have the potential to improve the number of hens returning to the breeding grounds each spring. “It’s something an individual hunter can do,” Devney said, “decide whether to shoot a hen or not. And I’ve found that being that focused has helped make me a better shot.” Hens do all the important work in the duck world and suffer the most from predation. They lay a clutch of eggs, incubate them until hatch and care for the newly hatched brood. Letting the hen pass might allow her to return to the breeding grounds and contribute to next year’s flight. At Pintail Farms near Telephone and the Oklahoma border, the lodge hits members and guests if they shoot a more easily identifiable hen mallard or pintail. “It’s $10 for the hens,” said owner Mike Jolley. “They can decide whether the money goes to Delta Waterfowl or DU. Our total usually comes to between $250 and $400 per season.” Delta’s VR program also promotes good field identification techniques, including learning to identify species and sexes in flight, avoiding losses of birds and taking a young people duck hunting, helping to improve their duck identification skills.
MEN'S CLUB: Delta Waterfowl is encouraging avid waterfowlers to focus on shooting drakes, leaving the hens to return to the breeding grounds in the spring. Photo by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News.
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Hunting Brief Brittingham shoots record typical Well-known Texas hunter Jack Brittingham harvested a typical white-tailed buck on Oct. 23 that officially gross scored 213 7/8 and netted 196 1/8 Boone and Crockett, besting the Texas Big Game Awards all-time record that has stood for 20 years. Brittingham shot the buck with a bow on his 5,000-acre ranch, Rancho Encantado in Dimmit County. The buck bested the previous record typical buck killed in 1991 by Steven O’Carroll in Shackelford County. That buck scored 190 2/8 B&C. Brittingham also holds the record for the sixth-best non-typical buck all-time in the TBGA. —Staff report
MUY GRANDE: Texas hunter Jack Brittingham shot this 196 1/8 B&C buck on his South Texas ranch on Oct. 23. Photo by Texas Big Game Awards.
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Everything’s bigger in Texas, except pheasant tails By Ralph Winingham FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The sad tale about Texas pheasant tails is that while length can win prizes in states like South Dakota or Kansas, Lone Star State hunters have to settle just for a little personal glory. Long tail feathers on Texas pheasants are rare and when anyone bags a bird sporting a plume nearing the 2-foot mark, they have claimed a trophy similar to a white-tailed buck that makes the Boone and Crocket record book or a big tom turkey dragging a 10-inch beard. While a Panhandle café or bar may sponsor local contests, the state does not enjoy the popular events like the ones sponsored by Cabela’s and Pheasants Unlimited in Midwest states that are rich with ringnecks. “South Dakota is the heart of pheasant country,’’ said John Castrillo, who handles field support of media relations for Cabela’s. “There are a lot of hunters up there and a lot of interest in our contests. “There are some hunters in the Texas Panhandle who are pretty dedicated, but we’ve not looked into conducting any contests there.’’ Jordan Martincich, regional director of Pheasants Forever in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, expressed similar observations about the lack of Texas pheasant tail competitions. “We have a lot of contests in Kansas, particularly for the youngsters, because it helps get them excited and more involved in pheasant hunting,’’ Martincich said. “We only have about 330 Pheasants Forever
members in Texas and might be trying to get bird with long tail feathers get up out of the most popular tail feather contest in the a chapter established in the Panhandle at grass, you know it — it looks like it is about 3 country at the Cabela’s store in Mitchell, some time, but don’t plan any contests yet.” feet long as it is flying away.” S.D., said the longest feather entry this seaIn the absence of sponsored contests, As for the adage “everything is bigger in son has been 29 5/8 inches. some outfitters do organize competitions Texas,” the Lone Star State is far behind in “Last year set the record with a tail feather among their hunting groups, such as Dane the pheasant tail feather arena. that was 31 inches long,’’ she said. Swinburn with Tule Creek Outfitters based Kacie Zajic, events coordinator for the in Tulia. “Sometimes we will have the hunters toss $10 in a pot and the one who brings in the longest tail feather wins,’’ Swinburn said. “Anything 24-inches plus is a pretty good tail feather — most of the birds have tail feathers about 18 to 20 inches long. “The only sponsored contests that I have heard of are in Kansas.” Tim Ballinger, with Ballinger Outfitters, has been conducting pheasant hunts in the Panhandle area from his Dumas headquarters for about seven years, and has yet to find a local contest where a long tail feather can earn hunters cash or prizes. “If you find out about one, let me know,’’ he said, adding that he has collected several tail feathers measuring 23 inches and four or five that are 24 ½-inches long. “A 25-inch long tail feather would be a once-in-a-lifetime trophy. I would guess that only about 10 percent of our birds have tail feathers more than 18-20 inches long,’’ BRAGGING RIGHTS: Competitions awarding prizes for the longest tail on a ring-necked pheasant are common in states to Ballinger said. “When you do see a the north, but haven’t quite caught on in Texas. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.
Calling all predators By Alan Clemons FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS
TROPHY: Dr. Stanley McGowen, center, poses in front of the problem elephant he harvested on a recent safari to Mozambique. The meat was donated to local villagers. Proceeds from the sale of the tusks and hide helped purchase infrastructure improvements in local villages. Photo by Stanley McGowen.
Blind Texas hunter shoots elephant By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Most people wouldn’t think about hunting elephants in thick cover at night. That’s not a big deal for Dr. Stanley McGowen of Weatherford. “It made no difference to me,” he said. “I hunt in the dark all the time.” McGowen lost his eyesight in an airplane crash several years ago, but he hunts with a laser site on his firearms. That way, his professional hunter can see if he’s on target and tell him when it’s safe to shoot. While on a recent safari to Mozambique with Safrique Safaris, the opportunity arose to hunt an elephant that was causing trouble. “I was actually on a leopard hunt,” he said. “We got a call from the district administration office about elephants coming into banana plantations and wreaking havoc.” McGowen said the local villagers tried to scare the elephants with burning torches and by banging pots and pans, but to no avail. After receiving the necessary permits from the district administrator, McGowen and PH Tinie Kok set out for the 35-mile drive from their concession to the plantation. After eating dinner, they began their stalk. “We had a perfect wind and we could hear the bulls feeding,” McGowen said. “About the time we got close, the wind changed and we backed out.
“We moved around to find another approach, and it was one of the hardest stalks I’ve ever made.” McGowen said the area was not the manicured variety most associate with a plantation. It was a slash-and-burn operation with thick brush and thigh-deep holes dug by the elephants in search of fruit and peanuts. “We moved around for two hours,” he said. “We got within 20 yards.” McGowen shoots a .300 Winchester Magnum with the specially mounted laser sight, but for this stalk he put the laser on a .458 Winchester Magnum. “I got the laser on the bull and shot him through the heart,” he said. “Tinie backed me up with his .500 Jeffries and I shot again as the bull turned. He ran close to 80 yards.” McGowen said the most nervous part of the hunt was hearing what the other elephants were doing after the shots. “It was so thick,” he said, “we couldn’t have run anywhere.” The other elephants went the other direction, and the party returned in the morning, along with more than 100 villagers to help butcher the bull. McGowen said the ivory and the hide went to the district office to be sold, with the proceeds going to dig wells and build schools in the area. He also harvested a trophy sable, Nyssa wildabeest and bushpig while in Mozambique. “It was pretty exciting,” McGowen said. “I shot a Cape buffalo several years ago and this was every bit as exciting as that.”
Predator hunters turn the tables on their quarry, pursuing bobcats, coyotes and foxes that typically are the hunters instead of the hunted. From the Panhandle to the Rio Grande, the year-round opportunities for predators give hunters a chance to whet their appetites day or night in challenging situations requiring stealth, calling skills and marksmanship. Danny Bloodworth, who lives near Weatherford, has been calling predators for about six years. He would shoot a coyote or bobcat on occasion while deer hunting before the bug bit hard to get more involved with predator hunting. “Whenever you see their eyes pop up and you know they’re coming in, it’s like calling a turkey and dealing with something one-on-one,” Bloodworth said. “They come in and it gets your heart pumping.” During daytime hunts, full camouflage including gloves and a facemask are standard gear. Bobcats, foxes and coyotes have keen eyesight and detect the slightest movements that can give them pause. Because they lock in on the call — a “dying” rabbit or squeaking mouse, for example — they pinpoint the location first by sound and then start searching with their powerful vision. That’s one reason why nighttime hunts are more popular. The ability to call and use a light to “halo” a field to spot gleaming eyes, under a cloak of darkness, leads to better success. “It’s a lot easier and you see a lot more animals,” Bloodworth said. “During the day, if they’re pretty much within 100 yards and you move, they’re going to see you. Then you’re busted. “At night, there’s a better chance for them to get closer and give you a better shot. Plus, when those eyes light up in
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From gridiron to deer lease, Frisco youth make a difference By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS When Mike Beecroft of Frisco told his son that he could invite two friends to hunt deer on a West Texas ranch, the 10-year-old boy knew whom to ask. Charlie Beecroft, already a veteran hunter at age 10, invited Noah Jagot, also 10, and 11-year-old Dylan Deady. All three played for the Cowboys — a team in the Frisco Football League. They teamed up again during this past deer season on the Crockett County ranch of Wilson and Susan Stout of Dallas. The boys each filled doe tags, but the venison started to stack up; they still had quite a bit of it after donating some to a food bank in Ozona. Mike recalled an article last fall in Lone Star Outdoor News about a sanctuary outside McKinney that was accepting freezer-burned venison to feed two female Siberian tigers and an African lioness. The boys delivered the meat a few days before Christmas to the big cats at Pug Mark Park. The private sanctuary, which allows occasional visitors, is southeast of McKinney and just north of Lake Lavon. “My mom used to give my old clothes away in a box, and that made me feel good,” Noah said. But donating his venison to the cats was his own decision. “It made me feel like I was making a difference,” Noah said. The cats’ owners were delighted to have the venison. Michelle Clark and her late husband, Michael, founded Pug Mark Park in 1995 after the former circus performers rescued a male lion from being destroyed. As many as 10 cats have lived there, but now there are only three: the tigers, Sheba and Pookie; and lioness, Sugar. The sanctuary accepts freezer burned meat or parts that might be turned into sausage, especially if a leg bone is attached. Anne Pauken, Michelle Clark’s daughter, helps keep the sanctuary going as the last three cats live out their days. A lot of people called to ask about donating meat after reading the Lone Star Outdoor News article, Anne said. But
FOR THE CATS: Dylan Deady (from left), Noah Jagot and Charlie Beecroft unload their harvested venison at the Pug Mark Park near McKinney. The boys, football teammates, donated the meat to the wild cats that live there. To schedule a delivery, contact Anne Pauken at (469) 223-6859. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.
only three donations were made, including the one from the three Frisco Cowboys. “In Texas, the white-tailed deer herd is a resource that we need to look at other than just a source for trophies to put on the wall,” Mike said. “It needs to THREE AMIGOS: Charlie Beecroft (from left), Noah Jagot and Dylan Deady harvested deer recently on a Crockett County ranch. They donated the venison to the Pug Mark Park, a big cat sanctuary near McKinney. Photo by Mike Beecroft.
be managed, and it can help feed the hungry. “But there is a lot of blood-shot shoulders that get cut off while quartering that you can put in the freezer instead of the gut bucket.” Sheba, Pookie and Sugar are nothing like the finicky felines described in some cat food commercials, Anne said. They eagerly devour the donated venison, no matter if it’s bloodshot, freezer burned or even tainted. “They just love it,” Anne said.
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FISHING
Record largemouth caught on Falcon Lake
LAKE RECORD: Falcon Lake guide Tommy Law poses with the lake record bass he caught Jan. 7. Law has fished the lake for 40 years and said it had been a life-long goal to break the lake record, which had stood since 1991. Photo by Tommy Law.
By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS A 20-year-record fell on Falcon Lake Jan. 7 when guide Tommy Law caught a 15.63-pound largemouth bass that beat the previous
record of 15.12 pounds set in 1991. Law was fishing with clients around 3:30 p.m. on the Mexican side of the lake when the fish bit a soft plastic Texas-rigged worm in 15 feet of water. Law had waited nearly 40 years
for that bite. “I work real hard and have fished this lake since 1971,” he said. “I started guiding full-time four years ago and take about 200 trips per year. I’d say I fish more than 300 days a year on this lake.”
Fishing guides keep rates flat during recession
The day started out almost as good as it ended. Law, who owns Outlaw Guide Service, was guiding a couple from Tennessee, and on the fifth cast of the day, his client caught a 13-pounder. That fish was 27-inches long and 21.5 inches around. After landing an 8-pound fish five minutes later, Law decided to move spots to get his other client a chance. “We made a 20-mile run to where the wind was calmer and she caught two 5-pounders,” he said. “I got a call from a buddy who said he caught a big fish and he wanted to weigh the fish on my scale and have me take a few pictures. “That fish weighed 12 pounds, 14 ounces.” Law told his clients they weren’t far from a place where he had caught a five-fish, 42-pound stringer the week before, so maybe they would be interested in trying it. The group boated an 8-pounder, and then a 9-pounder was hooked, but it “came off at the boat,” Law said. “We were fishing a point that was 15 to 16 feet deep and dropped off to 22 feet,” he said. “I cast up on the top of it and it never hit bottom. “I felt it get squishy and I set the hook. I didn’t move the fish when I set the hook.” Law said the fish headed for deeper water — a good thing because if she had gone up the point, he would never have landed her, he said. “I knew it was a big fish, but when she came up to the surface, I told my client he needed to help me land it,” Law said. “I thought
Lower bag limits Measure considered for speckled sea trout
By Aaron Reed
In 2004, TPWD issued 1,594 guide licenses statewide. Conventional wisBy 2010, that numdom holds that ecober was 1,855. That’s nomic downturns only slightly down can be good for from a high of 1,908 businesses linked to in license year 2008, outdoor recreation. which began Sept. 1, When times are 2007, before the econtough, the thinking omy tanked. goes, the tough hit Some guides have the trail. resorted to offering But for fishing discounts — as much guides, a recession as $75 to $100 off heralds “do-it-yourfor 2011 trips paid in self” outdoor experiadvance. Many more ences, said Dr. David have simply held Yoskowitz, chair their prices steady. of socioeconomics “I haven’t increased at Harte Research my prices in a couInstitute in Corpus ple of years, but bait Christi. and gas have gone “As discretionary up considerably,” income is reduced, said Capt. Bill Smith people will look for of Rockport’s Third alternative forms Coast Adventures. of entertainment “I’ve had no big and recreation,” MAKING A LIVING: Full-time professionals like third-generation Port group trips in two Yoskowitz said. “A Isabel guide Capt. Vere Wells are scrambling to make up for fewer years, and that’s bookings during the recession. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON. lot of that — even where my bread and camping and hiking — butter came from.” will be local, something But, he said, 2010 they can get to in only a day. was better than 2009, which “hit everyone really “Large expenditures for guided trips will definitely hard.” be diminished in an economic downturn.” Other guides have delayed major capital expendiThere is a pervasive perception among working tures and found other creative ways to meet payroll. fishing guides on the Texas coast that part-timers and Port Isabel-based Capt. Gencho Buitureira guides with smaller client bases got out of the busi- Jr. had his 24-foot Carolina Skiff professionally ness over the past two years. restored and repowered rather than purchasing a Certainly some may have, but the numbers of new boat. guide licenses issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have remained remarkably steady over See FISHING GUIDES, Page 27 the past five years.
it was about 13 pounds or so, but when I got it to the boat, he said it looked bigger than his.” Law said that when they put the fish on his scale, he thought he was reading it wrong. “It read 15 pounds, 9 ounces,” he said. “I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I said ‘if that’s right, I’ve got the lake record.’” Law put the fish in the live well and called a friend at a local bait shop to meet him at the dock with a game warden and a certified scale. When he got to the dock, 15 or 20 people had gathered to see the fish. “I was pretty excited because I know my scales are right — at least I was praying they were right,” Law said. Law said the fish was weighed with the game warden as a witness and then released back into the lake. “I wanted to get that fish back in the water as quickly as possible,” he said. “The fish was perfect. She had moved up into a pre-spawn position and this was a young fish. She didn’t have a huge head like a real old fish does. “These fish have a lot of food down here.” Law said Falcon Lake’s water temperature has been around 65 degrees — perfect for catching big fish. He said he hoped this would give the lake some positive publicity after a negative summer that saw one man killed, reportedly by Mexican drug cartels, while out on the water. “I feel absolutely safe,” he said. “I fish both sides of the border and I think it’s as safe as it’s ever been. Things like this is what we need down here.”
NEW SPECS FOR SPECS: A series of public meetings in January are gathering public input on proposals to address a five-year downward trend in speckled sea trout. Such meetings are typically the first step on the road to potential changes in fishing regulations, including bag limits. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.
FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS
By Aaron Reed FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS State fisheries managers this month have been gathering public input on proposals to address a five-year downward trend of speckled sea trout in mid-coast bays.
A series of seven scoping meetings, the first step on the road to potential changes in fishing regulations, began Jan. 4 in Port Arthur and will culminate Jan. 18 with a meeting in Corpus Christi. The proposal many anglers are talking about would reduce the See TROUT LIMITS Page 16
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Membership has its benefits Bass clubs help anglers become better fishermen
By Kyle Carter FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS In February of 2009, Texas Federation Nation angler Bryan Schmidt stood in front of a crowd of 10,000, holding up two of the sweetest bass he’d ever caught. It was part of a 22-pound, 1-ounce, five-fish limit that was the second heaviest stringer pulled from the Red River on the final day of the Bassmaster Classic. Against the best in the world, Schmidt finished sixth out of 51 and just 3 pounds, 12 ounces behind champion Skeet Reese. “I just wanted to finish in the top 25,” Schmidt said after that event. “It’s safe to say I overachieved.” The Federation Nation not only gave Schmidt, of Olney, the opportunity to fish the Classic, but he said it prepared him to hold his own on the biggest stage. Schmidt’s results may not be typical, but Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation President Charles Harkless said being in a bass club — Federation Nation or otherwise — will make you a better angler, no matter what your current skill set might be. “You get the opportunity to fish with guys who have differ-
ent styles and think differently than you,” said Harkless, who oversees the more than 100 Texas clubs affiliated with the federation. “Most the anglers have no problem sharing what they know, and you can learn a lot just by being in a boat with a guy for a day.” Jon Harshbarger, an avid weekend angler, joined the Century Bass Club out of Dallas in 1986 when he was in his IN THE CLUB: Anglers across Texas credit their bass clubs for helping them become good mid-20s. He said it didn’t enough to guide or even fish professionally. Jon Harshbarger, above, said he was taught take long to see how well by experienced members of the Century Bass Club out of Dallas. He's earned the being in a club would club’s top angler title five out of the last six years. Photo by Century Bass Club. help him as an angler. tent trying to improve his skills Harkless said if you join “Before I joined, I pretty much just fished Lake by fishing for fun, and compet- a club in the Federation Fork,” Harshbarger said. “All ing in as many club tourna- Nation hoping to fish the Classic like Schmidt the sudden I was fishing differ- ments as he had time. And it worked. Since join- or win Angler of the Year ent lakes with different types of cover. It got me out of a rut.” ing the Century Bass Club, titles like Harshbarger, you Harshbarger said watching Harshbarger, 47, has won the might be disappointed. But if you want to and learning from some of the club’s Angler of the Year title more experienced members of six times, including five out of become a better angler, you’ve come to the right the club helped him become a the last six years. “I’m a guy who’s going to place. more complete angler. He had “You can’t beat the some success in local tourna- be out on the water no matments and took a brief shot at ter what, but a club gives you camaraderie and knowlfishing professionally in the a reason to get out and fish and edge you’ll find at a club early 1990s before realizing sometimes learn from other tournament,” he said. “It’s that fishing to pay the mort- guys doing the same thing,” your responsibility to take gage wasn’t for him. Harshbarger said. “There’s what you’ve learned and Like most anglers, no substitute for that kind of practice it, but there’s not Harshbarger said he was con- experience.” a faster way to get better.”
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Fishing Brief ‘State of the Gulf’ documentary airs in February A one-hour documentary “The State of the Gulf — America’s Sea” will air in late February on Texas public television stations. The program, produced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will take “a broad look at the Gulf of Mexico” following the Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill in April 2010. The program will air at 8 p.m. central time, Thursday, Feb. 24 on most Public Broadcasting Service stations in Texas. KUHT in Houston will run it the following weekend. “The State of the Gulf — America’s Sea” will explore the Gulf’s flora and fauna and habitats such as marshes and sea grasses. It will also look at various forces that threaten Gulf ecosystems, from hypoxia zones to hurricanes and oil spills. The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 crew members and caused the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The Friends of Harte Research Institute, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and the San Antonio Bay Foundation sponsored the documentary. Other support came from the Nature Conservancy, the Apache Corporation, Ducks Unlimited, Wells Fargo, San Antonio River Authority, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Monthly, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Wildlife Association. PBS TV stations in Dallas, Lubbock, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Midland-Odessa, Harlingen, Killeen, Waco and Austin will air the documentary at 8 p.m. Feb. 24. Stations in College Station and El Paso will air the program at 9 p.m. that evening. KUHT-TV in Houston will air it at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 and 4 p.m. Feb. 27. — TPWD
Bowfishing heats up as hunting season winds down By Conor Harrison
6-feet long appears out of the murk. At first it looks like a submerged log. Then it moves. The shooter pulls the bowstring and waits for the large alligator gar to turn broadside. An arrow is released. It slices through the water and connects with the fish, which immediately takes off like a bullet. The fight is on.
For many bowhunters such as Glenn Smith of Freer, the excitement of bowfishing is a great way to pass the months before deer The boat creeps slowly through the shalseason. low, murky water as the shooter positioned “You’ve got to stay alert, keep an arrow up front and the guide in back scan the surnocked and be ready to shoot,” Smith said. face for any hint of movement. “When you shoot a trophy gar, you have to Suddenly, a dark shadow approximately get another arrow into it quickly, drop the bow and pull the line in. “It’s like roping a wild horse.” Smith’s biggest gar measured just less than 8 feet in length and weighed 264 pounds. “I had it mounted and the meat is delicious also,” he said. “We also shoot a lot of tilapia because they are great to eat and there is no limit. That kind of action is driving more and more hunters to discover what bowfishing is about — great action. “Bowfishing is the fast shooting action of dove hunting combined with the thrill of big game hunting,” said Mark Malfa, longtime bowfishing guide and owner of Big Fish Bowfishing Texas. Malfa guides throughout the state, and said the sport has exploded the past four or five years. “I fish both day and night,” he said. “It depends on the body of water and whatever gets ACTION-PACKED: When big game hunting slows down during the spring and summer, bowfishing heats up with incredible action across the best shot opportunithe state. Alligator gar, like the one pictured, can reach up to 250 pounds. Photo by Mark Malfa, bigfishbowfishingtexas.com. ties. The nights typically
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get into more species of fish.” The main species that bowfishermen target are alligator gar, grass carp, buffalo and tilapia. “Pound for pound, the grass carp puts up the best fight,” Malfa said. “They can get up to 100 pounds, but anything over 60 pounds is big. Buffalo are a lot of fun, and on the coast we shoot sting rays.” Jack Thatcher, guide and owner of Extreme Bowfishing, said the sport has made huge leaps in the past decade. “When we started doing this nine years ago, we went to (archery) manufacturers and tried to get them to make bows for the sport,” Thatcher said. “Eventually, some manufacturers like Browning produced bows that were inexpensive — around $300 for the entire setup. “That was a huge jump to help people get started.” The sport is great for women and children because archers don’t have to pull heavy poundage to shoot fish. Generally, 30 to 40 pounds works fine. Thatcher said he provides bows for his clients and gets them comfortable shooting before he takes them on the water. Arrow weight is one big difference between normal bowhunting and bowfishing. Much heavier arrows are needed to penetrate the water and arrow weights start around 1,500 grains and go up from there for bigger fish. Spring is the best time to bowfish when fish are spawning in the shallows between April and June, although hunting continues through the fall. “The easiest time to shoot a big fish is in the spring when they are spawning because they are very lethargic,” Malfa said. “But anytime between mid-March and November you can find 100-pound fish in Texas.” The newest bowfishing opportunities are happening offshore, where Malfa said he has shot dorado and barracuda. “I don’t go offshore anymore without my bow,” Malfa added.
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January 14, 2011
Lone✯Star Outdoor News
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TEXAS FISHING REPORT Sponsored by
HOT BITES LARGEMOUTH BASS
AMISTAD: Good on camo, green pumpkin, and watermelon football head jigs. CANYON LAKE: Good on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics in creeks in 8–20 feet, and on green pumpkin Scoundrel worms on shaky head jigs on main lake flats. LBJ: Very good on chartreuse buzzbaits, chrome Rat–L–Traps, and wacky-rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks in 5–12 feet. SAM RAYBURN: Good on tequila sunrise shallow running crankbaits and topwaters.
WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER
BELTON: Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. CANYON LAKE: Striped bass are good on Spoiler Shads and Red Fins, and vertically jigging Pirk Minnows in the lower end of the lake. RAY ROBERTS: White bass are good on main lake humps and ridges in 30–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs.
CATFISH
BRAUNIG: Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad. Blue catfish are good on cut bait. CALAVERAS: Channel and blue catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad. WHITNEY: Catfish are good on shrimp, nightcrawlers, and stinkbait.
CRAPPIE BROWNWOOD: Good on minnows and Li’l Fishies over brush piles. CONROE: Good on minnows. WEATHERFORD: Good in the fishing barge and boat slips on minnows and green/chartreuse with pink head jigs.
ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 48–52 degrees; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows over brush piles. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers. AMISTAD: Water clear; 60 degrees; 0.61’ high. Largemouth bass are good on camo, green pumpkin, and watermelon football head jigs. Striped bass are good on jigging spoons in 30–60 feet. White bass are good on jigging spoons in 30–60 feet. Catfish are good on minnows and cut bait in 60 feet. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch in 18–30 feet. ATHENS: Water fairly clear, 50–58 degrees; 1.8’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on 4” Yum Dingers, chatterbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on Redneck’s Catfish Bait. BASTROP: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow. BELTON: Water clear; 61 degrees; 3.58’ low. Largemouth bass are good on topwaters early and late. Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. White bass are fair trolling Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are good on minnows under lights at night. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait and summer sausage. BOB SANDLIN: Water off-color; 52–58 degrees; 3.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on wacky rigs, Rat–L–Traps and spinnerbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around the Hwy 21 bridge columns a few cranks off the bottom. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut bait. BRAUNIG: Water clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Redfish are fair on live perch, shrimp, and shad near the dam. Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad . Blue catfish are good on cut bait. BRIDGEPORT: Water fairly clear; 51–57 degrees; 3.04’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chrome/blue back Rat–L– Traps, crankbaits and jigs. Catfish are fair on stinkbait and cut shad. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and minnows. Crappie are slow. BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 58 degrees; 9.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on black/blue jigs and redbug and watermelon red Persuader crankbaits, in 10–20 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies and minnows under lights at night. Crappie are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies over brush piles in 10–25 feet. Channel catfish are fair on cut bait and punchbait over baited holes. Yellow catfish are slow. BUCHANAN: Water clear; 60 degrees; 10.69’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chrome/chartreuse Rat–L–Traps, Texas-rigged pumpkinseed soft plastic worms, and black/blue curl tail grubs in 8–18 feet. Striped bass are good on dark Rat–L–Traps, Li’l Fishies, and live minnows in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on Tiny Traps and small spinnerbaits in the river channel. Crappie are fair on crappie jigs and minnows over brush piles. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live perch. CADDO: Water murky; 49–57 degrees; 0.06’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, white spinnerbaits and Texasrigged Senkos (with a light weight). Crappie are excellent on red/white or red/green jigs in the pads along deeper creeks. White and yellow bass are good on small spoons and tail spinners. CALAVERAS: Water clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on redbug soft plastics and shallow-running crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Redfish are fair on live perch, shad, and spoons. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad. Yellow catfish are slow.
bass are good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and cut bait. CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 57 degrees; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics in creeks in 8–20 feet, and on green pumpkin Scoundrel worms on shaky head jigs on main lake flats. Striped bass are good on Spoiler Shads and Red Fins, and vertically jigging Pirk Minnows in the lower end of the lake. White bass are slow. Smallmouth bass are fair on watermelon curl tail grubs and pumpkinseed jigs along ledges in 10–25 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and green crappie jigs upriver. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on live bait. CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 50–57 degrees; 3.16’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, spoons and Texas rigs. White bass are fair to good on chartreuse/white slabs. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on live shad and Sassy Shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad. CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 61 degrees; 5.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon and June bug soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits in 10–20 feet. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Drum are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait and shrimp in 2–10 feet. Yellow catfish are fair on live perch. COLEMAN: Water fairly clear; 58 degrees; 10.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin and chartreuse soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Channel catfish are fair on stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and frozen shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow. COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 63 degrees (82 degrees at discharge); 0.99’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics and Rat–L–Traps in 10–20 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with shrimp and perch. Yellow catfish are fair on trotlines baited with perch. CONROE: Water fairly clear; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are good on pumpkinseed spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are good on minnows and chartreuse striper jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on stinkbait and live bait. FALCON: Water clear; 64 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are excellent on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are good on live bait. FAYETTE: Water fairly clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on redbug, watermelon red, and plum Carolina-rigged soft plastic worms, and on topwaters over grass. Channel and blue catfish are fair on live bait. FORK: Water fairly clear; 49–56 degrees; 3.37’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on slow-rolled spinnerbaits, spoons and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on prepared baits and nightcrawlers. GRANBURY: Water clear; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver spoons. White bass are fair on minnows and spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs. Catfish are good on shrimp, stinkbait, and liver. GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 51–57 degrees; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, drop-shot rigs and finesse jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs and Humdingers. Catfish are fair on cut bait and chartreuse (use Worm–Glo) nightcrawlers. JOE POOL: Water off-color; 52–58 degrees; 0.19’ low. Largemouth bass are good on
drop-shot rigs and crankbaits in 6–10 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around bridge columns and brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared baits. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 51–57 degrees; 0.66’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and black/ blue Power Worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet (December 1st thru February 28th anglers keep their first 25 crappie regardless of size). Catfish are good on bloodbait. Bream are slow to fair on cut nightcrawlers. LAVON: Water stained; 52–57 degrees; 5.64’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and Texas-rigged worms fished around riprap. Crappie are good on minnows in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on white/chartreuse slabs fished vertically on main lake points in 15–25 feet. Catfish are fair to good drifting fresh shad around main lake points. LBJ: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.17’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on chartreuse buzzbaits, chrome Rat–L–Traps, and wacky-rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks in 5–12 feet. Striped bass are fair on live bait and watermelon crankbaits. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on green Curb’s crappie jigs and live minnows over brush piles in 12–20 feet. Channel catfish are fair on shrimp under crappie docks. LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 52–58 degrees; 0.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chrome Rat–L–Traps, crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair to good drift fishing cut and live shad. LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 61 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass to 3 pounds are fair on soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows in creeks. Blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with shad. Yellow catfish are slow. MACKENZIE: Water lightly stained; 49–54 degrees; 78.11’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Texas rigs, chatterbaits, jigs and slow–rolled spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Smallmouth bass are fair on drop-shot rigs. Walleye are fair on minnows and jigs with a nightcrawler. Catfish are fair on prepared bait. MEREDITH: Water lightly stained; 50–55 degrees; 89.2’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow to fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Smallmouth bass are fair dropshot rigs and live shad. Walleye are fair on live bait. Channel catfish are fair on prepared and cut baits. MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 68–85 degrees; 0.6’ low. Largemouth bass are good on topwaters early, later switching to wacky rigs, Rat–L–Traps and chatterbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs over brush piles. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers. O.H. IVIE: Water lightly stained; 49–57 degrees; 27.16’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Rat–L–Traps, Texas rigs and chatterbaits. Crappie are fair on live minnows. No reports on white bass. Channel catfish are fair to good on prepared bait. PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 51–57 degrees; 2.59’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Carolina-rigged watermelon lizards, chatterbaits and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet around brush piles and creek channels. Catfish are fair on trotlines with live perch. Bream are slow. Hybrid striper and white bass are fair on shad and slabs. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 52–58 degrees; 1.51’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows over brush piles. White
RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 52–58 degrees; 3.28’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, Carolina rigs and Rat–L– Traps. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on chartreuse (use Worm–Glo) nightcrawlers. RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 49–51 degrees; 1.19’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on jigs and crankbaits around rocky points. Crappie are slow. White bass are good on main lake humps and ridges in 30–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs. Catfish are fair drifting cut shad around main lake humps. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water off-color; 50–58 degrees; 2.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits, Texas-rigged purple worms and jigs. White bass and hybrid striper are fair to good on live shad and white/chartreuse slabs on main lake humps. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around deep–water trees. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers, prepared bait and liver. SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 8.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on tequila sunrise shallow-running crankbaits and topwaters. White bass are fair on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bream are fair on worms. Catfish are good on shrimp and hot dogs. SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 61 degrees; 2.03’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and cut shad. TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 52–57 degrees; 3.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, flukes and black/blue jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs and live minnows. Striped bass and hybrid striper are fair on live shad and topwaters. Catfish are fair on prepared baits. TEXOMA: Water off color; 49–57 degrees; 0.96’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chrome crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs. Striped bass are good on slabs, Sassy Shad and live shad. TOLEDO BEND: Water fairly clear; 61 degrees; 8.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon shallow-running crankbaits, topwaters, and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and silver jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Bream are fair on worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on live bait. Yellow catfish are slow. TRAVIS: Water fairly clear; 59 degrees; 14.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon crankbaits, soft plastics, and jigs in 12–30 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on silver spoons and minnows in 20–30 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and liver. Yellow catfish are slow. WEATHERFORD: Water lightly stained; 51–57 degrees; 2.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on finesse worms, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits around docks and on rocky points. Crappie are good in the fishing barge and boat slips on minnows and green/chartreuse with pink head jigs. Channel catfish are good on minnows and dough bait. Yellow catfish are good on live sunfish. White bass are good on minnows and slabs. Bream are good on worms. WHITNEY: Water stained; 9.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green/ black spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver spoons. White bass are fair on minnows and roadrunners. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Catfish are good on shrimp, nightcrawlers, and stinkbait.
SALTWATER SCENE NORTH SABINE: Redfish are fair to good along the drains on the outgoing tide. Black drum are fair around rock groins. Sand trout are good in the deep holes on shrimp. SOUTH SABINE: Redfish are good in the deep holes and drains along the Louisiana shoreline. Bull redfish are good at the jetty on crabs. Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. BOLIVAR: Sand trout are fair to good in the ICW on shrimp. Black drum and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. TRINITY BAY: Redfish are fair to good in the bayous for waders tossing plastics on the incoming tide. Redfish are good at the Spillway on crabs and mullet. EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair over deep mud and structures on MirrOlures. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair for waders in the n MirrOlures and Corkies mud and shell on Corkies. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. TEXAS CITY: Redfish are fair to good in the holes in Moses Lake on crabs and Gulps. Sand trout are fair to good on peeled shrimp. FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Redfish are good in Cold Pass and San Luis pass on cracked blue crabs. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are fair on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair on the south shoreline in the guts and bayous. d piers i and d Sheepshead are fairr around t h ddi d iin th rocks on shrimp. W Water has muddied the Colorado River from recent rains. PORT O’CONNOR: Redfish are fair on Corkies over soft mud and drop–offs near reefs on plastics. Redfish are fair at the mouths of drains on soft plastics and gold spoons. Trout are fair to good on Gulps under popping corks over reefs in San Antonio Bay. ROCKPORT: Redfish are fair to good at California Hole on shrimp. Trout are fair on the edge of the ICW on glow DOA Shrimp. Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Estes Flats on mullet and shrimp. PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the channel on Gulps and mullet. Sand trout are good on shrimp in the channel. Redfish are good on the flats on the incoming tide. CORPUS CHRISTI: Redfish are fair good in the Humble Channel and around Emmords p Trout are fair Hole on crabs and shrimp. to good on the edge of the flats on live shrimp and DOA Shrimp. BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and rocks on Corkies, Catch 5s and Catch 2000s. Redfish are fair on the edge of the Land Cut on plastics tipped with shrimp. Trout are fair to good on the spoils on soft plastics. PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on DOA Shrimp around grass holes. Trout and redfish are fair on muddy shorelines and on the edge of the ICW on Corkies and Gulps. SOUTH PADRE: Trout and redfish are fair on the edge of the Intracoastal on DOA Shrimp and Gulps. Redfish, black drum and mangrove snapperr are fair to good in the channel on shrimp. PORT ISABEL: Trout are fair on the edge of the flats on soft plastics and Gulps. Redfish are fair in the deep holes and along the edge of the channel on Gulps and jigs tipped with shrimp.
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January 14, 2011
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Texas boat show season underway with new products, better deals By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS
on hand to provide information on their products, as well as demonstrations. Texas products are what make this show so popular each year, Foley said. “Texas-built boats seem to be the rage for our area,” Foley said. “I think that this year we have just about every Texas-built boat (coastal boat) in our show.” Foley said the average attendance for this event usually averages between 6,000 to 10,000 people — a number she expects to see this year as well. One advantage to this show, Foley said, is the low-key atmosphere, which allows attendees to browse the event without feeling pressured to purchase anything. The Dallas Market Hall will host the Dallas International Boat show beginning Feb. 4. This event will feature boat manufacturers from across the state and country. LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Boat shows, like the event pictured here in Houston, frequently offer better pricing, betWrapping up the show season will be the ter financing incentives and extended warranties. The Texas boat show season runs through April. Photo by Texas International Boat show at the Corpus Houston Boat Show. Christi Marina, beginning on April 7. This show will highlight the newest nautical products, latest fishing boats, cabin cruisers, catamarans, yachts and sailboats from around the world. In its fifth season, this year’s show will take place outdoors for a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience. Because of the outdoor venue, the event will include a wake boarding competition, powerboat racing and live music.
Remember the excitement of shuffling through the line at a large stadium and wandering into the bright lights and bustling sounds of your first boat show? Well for many Texans it is the time of year to relive those old feelings, as stadiums and convention halls open their doors to display the newest in boating and fishing products. According to Carol Foley of Coastal Bend Marine in Port O’Connor, the early season shows offer consumers distinct advantages that cannot be found elsewhere. The shows also offer displays of recreational vehicles, fishing products, and even financing and insurance options. “Boat shows always offer better pricing, better financing and usually longer terms,” Foley said. “In addition to that, the manufacturers may also offer incentives and extended warranties.” The show season began Jan. 7 in Houston at Reliant Center. In its 55th year, the Houston Boat Show scheduled 300 vendors, and included a daily giveaway of a Seadoo 150 Sportster. Boat building for children and several seminars on flounder and winter bass fishing kicked off the event. The final day is Sunday, Jan. 16. Mark Cohen, of the Houston show, said that although the economy across the country has been lagging, his event has not faltered. “The Houston boat show has held its own and has attracted pretty good crowds and pretty good sales in even the tough times,” Cohen said. Jan. 7-16 Attendance for the event is Houston Boat Show expected to number close to 100,000 Reliant Center this year, according to PR specialist Mon – Fri, 1 to 8 p.m., Weekends, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Margot Dimond. $10 for adults, $4 for kids under 12 The Austin Convention Center will play host to the next show starting on Jan. 20-23 Jan. 20. Austin Boat, Sport, and Outdoor Show This show features a kid’s catfishing Austin Convention Center tank and a boater education course Thu – Fri, noon to 9 p.m., Weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for kids on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for kids, kids under 4 free p.m. Tickets for the education course can be purchased for $13, and include Jan. 27-30 admission to the show. San Antonio Boat and RV Show The following weekend, San Alamo Dome Antonio will play host to the 2011 Thu – Fri, noon to 9 p.m., Weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. edition of the San Antonio Boat $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for kids, kids under 4 free and RV show. Gates open at noon on Thursday at the Alamo Dome. Jan. 28-30 Children are invited to participate in Coastal Bend Marina Boat Show the boater education course that will American Bank convention center, Corpus Christi be offered at this show as well. The Fri, 1-8 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun, 11a.m. to 5 p.m. education course and event admis$7 for adults, $3 for kids under 11 sion also will be $13. For those in South Texas, the 54th Feb. 4-13 annual Coastal Bend Marina Boat Dallas International Boat Show Show will take place in Corpus Christi Dallas Market Hall over the weekend of Jan. 28-30. Mon – Fri, 3-8 p.m., Sat and Sun, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The gates at the American Bank $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 13 Center will open on Friday and will feature several seminars from local April 7-10 fishing guides with tips and techTexas International Boat Show niques for fishing the Gulf Coast. Corpus Christi Marina This event will feature various Thu – Fri, noon to 6 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun, noon to 6 p.m. Texas-made boats and boating prod$10 for adults, $7 for seniors/military, $3 for kids, kids under 6 free ucts. Local boat manufacturers will be
Boat show schedule:
Bay-user conflicts debated By David Sikes FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS About 99 percent of the folks who attended a recent Corpus Christi workshop on bay-user conflicts believe these issues are growing concerns that should be addressed. But fewer people at the workshop said it was necessary to create new laws or regulations when it comes to people-to-people conflicts. The nonprofit Coastal Bend Bays Foundation and other organizations spearheaded the workshop, Jan. 7-8. Its goal was for people representing diverse interests to compile a list of concerns and possible solutions that will be presented to state officials. Eventually, the recommendation list will be prioritized
by the group and given to TPWD officials or legislators for consideration. About 95 people showed up at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. They represented numerous interests, including airboat operators and organizations, duck hunters and outfitters, fishing guides, fly fishers, weekend anglers, boaters and kayak anglers. Included was Texas Wade, Paddle and Pole — a group of coastal anglers best known for their desire to create lowimpact fishing areas, or LIFAs, within sensitive shallow flats. A LIFA, according to the group, would be a designated space open to all fishing methods, but closed to running motorized craft.
TWPP does, however, endorse allowing motorized access within these areas during duck season. Run lanes to allow motorized ingress and egress within a LIFA could be included depending on geography, depth and habitat conditions of a specific area. Internet message boards and rumors leading up to the event indicated a suspicion that it would be nothing more than a vehicle to create LIFAs. Ultimately, that concept was conspicuously missing from the whittled down list of recommendations, but not from the debate. It simply did not have enough support. See CONFLICTS, Page 16
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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER LANDOWNER CITED FOR NO HUNTING LEASE LICENSE Crockett County Game Warden Mark Blount, with the help of Game Warden Chris Amthor, recently filed charges for no hunting lease license on an individual who owns 100 acres inside a subdivision in northwest Crockett County. The man, who was running a sizeable day hunting operation, claimed he wasn't charging a fee to hunt, but was allowing people to hunt and camp for free. It was determined during a weeklong investigation that the man was charging hunters $300 per weekend, $500 for holiday weekends, and would allow up to five hunters at once. Case is pending.
KANSAS TAGGING VIOLATIONS BRING BIG FINES Kaufman County Game Warden Eric Minter and Van Zandt County Game Warden Trent Herchman received information from Wise County Game Warden Chris Dowdy and Game Warden Brian Bearden along with Kansas wardens regarding a man who had hunted in Kansas and may have killed a deer illegally there. The hunter shot a mule deer and tagged it with the landowner’s
tag and then killed a white-tailed deer and tagged it with his own permit. The man was issued nine citations from Kansas for violations that included hunting mule deer without a permit, exceeding the bag limit for a non-resident, hunting in the wrong unit, for hunting under the license of another, along with other permit violations and citations from 2007 and 2008 for hunting without
a license. The landowner in Kansas will be cited for allowing another to hunt under his permit. Fines exceeded $4,000, and restitution will be assessed at $3,000. The man surrendered his rifle, and will be allowed to purchase it back for $1,000. He has agreed to pay taxidermy fees and shipping fees to send the antlers for the white-tailed deer and mule deer back to Kansas.
tion was issued for hunting from the public roadway. Case is pending.
a road by Game Warden Brian Srba and Jasper County Game Warden Chris Fried was noticed by a man traveling home with his son in the back seat. They then turned around and came back for a second look. On the second pass, the man pulled over, exited the truck, and fired a round at the decoy using a pistol. Cases pending.
he again lacked a sufficient number of personal flotation devices. Citation issued.
STRANGE TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARREST FOR MURDER State Trooper Aaron Hampton assisted by Hudspeth County Game Warden Tyler Reed made a traffic stop during which the driver said that the officers were about to have to arrest him. The officers asked why, and he nonchalantly said that the Saturday before he had killed his grandmother in The Woodlands. At that point, the driver was detained and taken to the Hudspeth County Jail where he was questioned by Texas Rangers. He confessed to the entire incident and is being charged with first degree murder. Case pending.
GROUP CAUGHT TAKING 19 DEER FROM ROAD Palo Pinto County Game Warden Cliff Swofford observed a pickup stopped on a road in Erath County. One of the occupants shot from the road. Erath County Game Warden Zack Havens arrived to assist. After a brief conversation with the three men in the truck, two of whom had blood on their clothes, Swofford and Havens went to their home to locate the deer. After five hours, the wardens determined that 19 deer had been shot from the road, all during daylight hours. Several citations were issued and deer antlers were seized for scoring purposes for restitution value. Cases pending.
MOUFLAN RAM TAKEN FROM ROAD, WITNESSED BY LANDOWNERS Val Verde County Game Warden Dustin Barrett received information on an illegally killed mouflan that had been shot without consent on a ranch near Del Rio. Contact was made with the two landowners who witnessed the event. The violator admitted that he shot the ram from the road. A written confession was obtained and a cita-
DEER DECOY STRIKES AGAIN In Sabine County, Game Wardens Sam Smith and Henry Alvarado worked a deer decoy. A truck passed by the decoy, then turned around and began to approach slowly. The driver stopped 50 yards from the decoy and shot a single round from a 7mm-08 rifle. After the shot, the suspect accelerated toward the decoy and ran over it. In Newton County, a decoy placed near
SHOULD HAVE JUST GONE FISHING At a popular boat ramp, an individual loaded his boat and then pulled out his rifle and started shooting squirrels in the neighboring RV park. Harris County Game Warden Tim Holland cited the man for hunting without permission and failing to have a hunting license. SOMETIMES IT’S BEST TO KEEP QUIET Game Wardens Derek Iden and John Palacios checked several duck hunters by boat on Choke Canyon Reservoir. One duck hunter asked on behalf of his hunting partner why game wardens give less time to contact a court compared to city police. The wardens clarified the issue and learned that the inquisitive hunter had previously been cited for not having enough life jackets. A complete water safety inspection revealed that
SPOTLIGHTERS CLAIM OF SHOOTING AT RABBIT FOILED Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger stopped a vehicle on a county road after observing the vehicle spotlighting a spinach field. The occupants admitted to hunting off the road and to having shot at a jackrabbit and a bird. Stautzenberger found fresh blood and deer hair in the bed of the pickup. The subjects denied killing a deer that night but complied with the warden's request to go to the driver's house to take a look. Stautzenberger located a freshly killed doe in a canoe covered up by towels in the subject's backyard. Charges filed. RAID FINDS MORE THAN ILLEGAL DEER TPWD, the Roma and Rio Grande City police departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a raid on a residence. Starr County Game Warden Dennis Gazaway Jr. arrived and was advised of a deer head that was located in the freezer. The deer was improperly tagged and was seized. In addition, approximately 4,895 pounds of marijuana, one stolen
vehicle, radios, a shotgun, a bulletproof vest and $250,000 were seized. Charges are pending. BAITING LATE SEASON DOVES GETS EXPENSIVE A group hunting doves had sacks of bird feed and milo in the back of the truck when checked by Uvalde County Game Warden Javier Fuentes. Grain also was scattered in the field and around a water tank. Fuentes seized 107 mourning doves. Cases and civil restitution pending. TRASH NEAR DUMPED DEER CARCASS LEADS TO CITATION Hardeman County Game Warden Matt Thompson came upon deer carcasses that were dumped on the side of the highway. There was some trash close by, and he was able to tie the deer to a man who said he was unaware that you had to keep all the meat in edible condition. HOWDY, NEIGHBOR An axis deer was shot on a golf course in Bandera County. The shooter happened to live across the street from Bandera County Game Warden Jeff Carter. Case pending. CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITION A game processor was concerned about increased competition in his area, and his nephew and an employee stole two hind quarters from a white-tailed deer from their shop. They took the meat to one of the new competitors in an effort to see why they were losing business and to compare the quality of work and prices. The owner of the new store alerted Hidalgo County Game Warden Will Plumas. Plumas contacted the processor and told him of his nephew's and employee's antics. The nephew received citations.
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Post-rut bucks
Location
Continued From Page 1
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LATE ACTION: Rutting activity still is being reported on the colder mornings in South Texas. Across the state, many hunters reported a better-than-average secondary rut. Photo by Lili Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
“We’ve put quail in our freezer, but having the land to hunt and knowing where they are is the key,” Berg said. “Most people up here have been hunting waterfowl and pheasants.” Robert Cantrell, of Texas Outdoors sporting goods in Fort Worth, was still struggling the first week of January to find a good place to hunt bobwhite quail. “Between customers and friends, and everyone else, I don’t know anyone who has quail,” Cantrell said with a good-natured chuckle. “I’m fixing to get a report out of Stinnett. “Supposedly this guy has quail.” The dwindled bobwhite population of the U.S. is now an old story. Numerous factors have been blamed, from fire ants to hawks to bad deer corn. While all of those may well happen, experts agree that the biggest reason for less quail is the loss of habitat because of urbanization and overgrazing. Hunters and conservationists have been working to promote range management techniques that restore habitat, including the reintroduction of native grasses for cover. Maybe that’s paying off in South and Southeast Texas, where multiple coveys similar to years past were reported the first week of January. Numerous coveys of bobs and blue quail were spotted by a crew from Lone Star Outdoor News that was hunting deer New Year’s Day weekend on an 8,000-acre ranch, south of Laredo, in southern Webb County. The quail trooped in beneath corn feeders each morning; there were about 18-20 birds in each covey. Timely rainfall in the summer and early September should get credit for growing dense cover for the little birds. Grass on this ranch was about a foot tall. Great cover and strong coveys were also reported in counties north of Laredo, including Frio, Atascosa and Medina. “We’ve had reasonable populations of quail and the predators haven’t hit them too hard,” said Mike Petter, a land management consultant in Pleasanton. “Generally, we’re seeing coveys with 12 to 14 birds in the them. “And I’ve noticed blue quail have expanded their range. Places I haven’t seen blues before, I’ve seen them this year.” Jim Willis of Cat Spring in southeast Texas said he has hunted in North and West Texas this season, but seeing few birds disappointed him. He returned home to the Coastal Prairie and became “pleasantly surprised” while hunting on a neighbor’s land in Austin County. “I put up five coveys in one hour,” he said. That’s significant, Willis said, because although 2010 was wet, the previous two years had drought. Willis, also a consultant, helps clients find ways to improve quail habitat on their land. Some area landowners have been working to establish a “wildlife corridor” to the nearby Atwater Prairie Chicken National Refuge. “I’m really proud of my neighbors,” Willis said. “God bless them for not trying to overgraze during those drought periods.”
post-rut hunting for white-tailed deer can be a frustrating experience. Bucks, sore and rundown from weeks of chasing does, retire to secluded spots to rest and regain strength for the coming winter. About four weeks after the main rut, the secondary rut heats up as does that weren’t bred during the main rut cycle back into heat and some yearling does come into estrus. In South Texas, the rut started off strong during the middle of December but seemed to wane as the month progressed. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. biologist Daniel Kunz, bucks were chasing does during the week before Christmas. “The landowners I talked to said it fizzled out after that,” Kunz said.
“I don’t know if it was the moon, warm weather or a combination of the two.” Kunz said the antlers coming out of South Texas have been outstanding due to good rainfall last spring. “It’s been a heck of a year,” he said. “The habitat was tremendous — just like the 2004 season. But there were some holes in the rainfall like around the Zavala area. But overall, we had tremendous forb growth.” Kunz said hunters still were seeing fair rutting activity into early January, especially on colder mornings. “They’re still trailing,” he added. “I talked to a rancher today and he’s seeing some action on the colder mornings.”
Although the season to shoot bucks in the Hill Country ended in early January, bucks hit the secondary rut around Christmas and rutting activity was reported in several locations. Reports of outstanding secondary rut activity during the last few weeks of the season surfaced from Motley County in the Panhandle. Nathan Daun, who hunted the Canyon Ranch the last few days of December, said bucks were chasing does. “What’s cool about it is that it was the first time I have ever experienced the secondary rut,” Daun said. “Bucks were running wild, just like the regular rut. We shot two bucks, two does and four pigs — awesome hunt.”
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daily bag limit for speckled trout from 10 to five, mirroring the bag limit for the Lower Laguna Madre that began Sept. 1, 2007. Since then, catch rates there have gone up overall, and the average size of harvested trout also has increased slightly. But biologists say they fear that could be due to culling, rather than bigger fish in the bay. “I don’t think anybody needs more than five trout in one trip,” said longtime Rockport angler Eric Scott. “I don’t even think it would hurt the guiding. “Five trout can feed three or four people. I think it’s a good idea.” Speckled trout limits have been controversial in years past, and the latest proposal has its critics. Jim Leavelle, a Corpus Christi-based fishing guide, said that lowering the bag limit
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from 10 to five “is not a conservation solution.” He favored keeping the 10-fish bag limit, but lowering the minimum length from 15 to 14 inches. “The males generally do not get over 15 inches,” he said. “But if you drop it to 14 inches, a greater amount of the fish taken will be males, not females. “Then we’d recommend adopting a slot limit that would make you throw back all the fish between 20 and 25; that would include the productive females. “That way you’re protecting your brood stock.” It was only seven years ago that a 30-year high in the relative abundance of speckled trout on the middle coast was recorded by gill net samplings conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Through 2009, those numbers fell by 60 percent. As of 2010, they still were about
40 percent below the historic average for the species. “We know the bays have the potential to hold many more trout than what we currently see on the middle coast, though it does appear to be bouncing back,” said Dr. Mark Fisher, TPWD’s director of Coastal Fisheries Division Science. The why behind the crash is an open question, but a current baby boom of juvenile sea trout should bolster the fishery in coming years. “It’s mid-coast bays and multiple years so we can rule out a string of bad luck,” Fisher said. Older fish, however, will join predators in taking some toll on the younger ones. It turns out that trout like trout just as much as humans. “They’re known cannibals,” Fisher said. “We see that in our hatcheries.” Perhaps most noteworthy is the fishing public’s readiness to discuss such a measure. The proposal in early
State scopes lower bag limits to address mid-coast sea trout concerns Speckled trout regulations history in Texas: 1978: 1984: 1990: 2003:
12-inch minimum, 40 fish daily bag 14-inch minimum, 10 fish daily bag 15-inch minimum, 10 fish daily bag Anglers limited to one fish over 25 inches and boat limits imposed for guided trips 2007: 5 fish daily bag limit for the Lower Laguna Madre only
Current regulations in other Gulf states: La: 12-inch minimum, 25 fish daily bag Miss: 13-inch minimum, 15 fish daily bag Ala: 14-inch minimum, 15 fish daily bag Fla: 15-20-inch reverse slot with one fish over 20 inches per person per day; daily bag of 4 or 5 fish depending on region, seasonal harvest closures. 2007 to manage the Lower Laguna Madre’s trout fishery separately initially sparked a wave
We know the bays have the potential to hold many more trout than what we currently see on the middle coast, though it does appear to be bouncing back. - Dr. Mark Fisher
of public outrage, predictions of economic collapse and even rumors of impending lawsuits. “Ten years ago we would have been lynched for even mentioning this,” said Fisher. “This change in bag limits is coming from the public. There’s been such talk about it … It’s time to go out and discuss that in a public forum.”
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Conflicts Continued From Page 11
A lesser measure also was narrowly defeated after a spirited discussion. It would have recommended the creation of mandatory idle zones or no-wake zones in areas of the bay with limited sight distance, such as the maze of channels through mangroves known as Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trails. People on both sides of this debate did agree that, even at current traffic levels, collisions between motorboats and kayaks are inevitable unless something is done. They just could not agree on a solution. What did make the list of recommendations is a standardized system of tide-level indicators to guide boaters into safe waters and away from waters too shallow to run safely or without damaging habitat. This recommendation included a caveat that the measure would be non-regulatory and for informational purposes only. Perhaps highest on the group’s list of recommendations was a mandatory boater safety course — along with a required boat driver's license — that would include lessons in boating safety, etiquette and habitat conservation. Other recommendations included various safety measures to make kayaks more visible, better signage to protect nesting birds and finetuning of laws regarding angler disturbances in crowded situations. The group also decided to develop a standardized set of ethical behaviors for the bays. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens urged workshop participants to provide as much evidence as possible when reporting a violation and to be willing to appear in court as a witness. Videotaping could be a useful legal tool in this regard. But when it comes to seagrass violations in the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area, where uprooting seagrass with an outboard propeller is prohibited, actual seagrass roots from the site should be collected. TWPP spokesman Ben Frishman said this was a valuable outcome of the workshop. “This should give anglers the tools and initiative necessary to help game wardens enforce existing laws,” he said.
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NATIONAL Officials probe deaths of birds, fish in Arkansas
Delta Waterfowl Launches ‘First Hunt’ Program
“Blunt force trauma” is believed to have killed an estimated 5,000 red-winged blackbirds on New Year’s Eve near Beebee, Ark., according to reports. That was the finding of a preliminary test released Jan. 5 by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. “It appears unusually loud noises, reported shortly before the birds began to fall, caused the birds to flush from a roost,” Arkansas Game and Fish officials said in a news release. “Additional fireworks in the area,” they added, “may have forced the birds to fly at a lower altitude than normal and hit houses, vehicles, trees and other objects. “Blackbirds have poor night vision and typically do not fly at night.” The USGS report supported preliminary findings released Jan. 3 by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission. The tests revealed internal hemorrhaging and no presence of a harmful pesticide, but officials were still checking to see if any toxins or diseases might have caused the deaths. Meanwhile, the investigation continued into the deaths of 83,000 fish on the Arkansas River near the community of Hartman. About 99 percent of the dead fish were freshwater drum. A few yellow bass, white bass and sauger were found in sampled areas, but may be unrelated to the drum kill. The fish samples are being analyzed, but it could take up to 30 days for full test results, officials said. Several days later, another bird death was reported near Baton Rouge, La. About 500 blackbirds were found dead along a highway. Officials speculated the birds could have hit power lines or vehicles in the dark. A group of dead birds found in Upshur County, Texas appeared to die of natural causes and did not appear to be linked to the deaths in Arkansas and Louisiana. “To my knowledge, there are no bird kills in Texas related to the Arkansas situation,” said Tom Harvey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman. —Staff report
Delta Waterfowl has begun a new program designed to tackle declining hunter participation. “First Hunt” is intended to recruit and retain waterfowl hunters in the United States and Canada, where waterfowl-hunter participation has been declining for years. “The continued loss of duck habitat and the continued loss of duck hunters are the two greatest challenges facing our waterfowling heritage,” said Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson. “First Hunt focuses our attention squarely on hunters and their recruitment.” Olson said Delta’s mentored hunts, totaling about 120 annually across North America in recent years, have had great success recruiting youth and adults, especially through the organization’s special youth, women and university hunts. “Running these mentored hunts for more than a decade has taught us that we need more volunteer mentors, plain and simple,” Olson said. He noted that new mentors bring fresh ideas and energy to First Hunt. “You can’t impact hunter recruitment, to say nothing of retention, without a growing mentorship base,” he said. “One of the primary goals of First Hunt will be to connect mentors with anyone who wants to learn to hunt. “What we’ve also learned is that new hunters who prepare and eat what they kill are far more likely to understand the need to conserve our natural resources, including ducks, for the next generation and beyond.” Olson said the dramatic declines in waterfowlhunter participation in the U.S. and Canada is a crisis for conservation, particularly for chronically at-risk waterfowl habitat on the prairie breeding grounds. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. waterfowl-hunter numbers from 2001 to 2006 dropped 27 percent. “If hunter numbers continue to decline, the funding that protects and restores wildlife habitat in and outside the duck factory will also disappear,” Olson said. — Delta Waterfowl
CWD tests on the elk samples were conducted by the New Bolton Center, which is the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary diagnostics laboratory. Under a contract with Penn State University, the elk samples also were tested for brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis and found to be free from those diseases. New Bolton Center also is conducting the CWD tests on the deer samples. Results are expected later this spring. —Staff report
Kids Gone Hunting Foundation launches Web site CWD FREE: Samples from 41 elk, like this bull, harvested recently by hunters in Pennsylvania have come back negative for Chronic Wasting Disease and tuberculosis, officials said. Photo by Jake Dingel, Pennsylvania Game Commission.
No CWD found in Pennsylvania elk harvested by hunters Samples taken from the during the state's 2010 hunting season have all tested negative for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and tuberculosis, officials said. Dr. Walt Cottrell, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s wildlife veterinarian, announced the test results. He noted that sample collection was greatly facilitated by the tremendous cooperation of the elk hunters and taxidermists. He added that the Game Commission still was awaiting the results of CWD testing for the hunter-killed deer samples collected during the 2010 rifle deer season, and will announce those results once received. "Currently, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of CWD-infected deer or elk in Pennsylvania," Cottrell said. "We obviously need to keep a watchful eye on our wild and captive deer and elk.”
The Kids Gone Hunting Foundation Inc. officially has launched a Web site to promote the positive effects that the outdoors and hunting has on kids and their relationships with their parents. The Web site (www.kidsgonehunting.com) was developed in conjunction with a panel of youth ages 7-17 and includes an online channel of hunting videos done by kids. The videos are from the first release of the Kids Gone Hunting DVD that was distributed free in 2010. The Web site is intended to be a social network for young hunters, a place for them to share stories of hunts, fishing trips and other outdoor adventures and to connect with other kids with similar interests or new hunters who need hunting and outdoor tips. Recent research has shown that the benefits of outdoors skills education are a valuable contributor to personal health and well-being, according to the foundation. The research also showed that when young people are able to connect with the outdoors regularly, profound positive outcomes could result. “It's in that spirit that Kids Gone Hunting was founded and continues to strive to take this positive message to kids everywhere,” foundation officials said in a news release. “With the new Web site and videos, Kids Gone Hunting hopes to secure new sponsorships to help take the organization to the next level,” the officials said. —Staff report
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Predators Continued From Page 6
SUCCESS: Hunters sit atop their truck, above, and wait for predators to respond to the sound of a dying rabbit. Right: Two happy Texas hunters show off their predator trophies after an afternoon hunt. Photos by Alan Clemons, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
the distance it’s more exciting.” Numerous ranches and lodges across the state offer predator hunts as part of their packages. Feral hogs and javelinas are often part of the mix. “We have a lot of our off-season hunters who pursue hogs and varmints,” said Jeremy Williams with 5J Hunting Ranches in Cameron, about 70 miles northeast of Austin. “We have some ranches we lease for predator hunting and have a few folks who come in. “Coyotes are pretty tough and are a whole lot smarter than people give them credit for, too. Foxes aren’t like that. You can just about call one of them right into your lap. Coyotes are so much more wary. They’ll stay on tree
lines and maybe run out, but they use the available cover when possible.” Firearms options span the gamut from .17 HMR to .243s, and big calibers aren’t necessary for the small-bodied and thinskinned predators. Proper shot placement on coyotes is key, however, for a quick kill. Bloodworth uses a Savage .223 during the day and a .243 at night, with a Hornady 58-grain V-Max bullet. Williams also uses a .223 — a flat-shooting caliber that delivers good knockdown power for predators. “The .223 is fast and we use it for prairie dogs when we go out west,” Williams said.
“The ammo is fairly inexpensive, too.” Bloodworth said he and his friends have access throughout the state, from the Panhandle down to Weatherford, and farther west around the Davis Mountains and else-
where. “We’ll go wherever anyone gives us access,” he said. “Things are about to start heating up pretty good with winter having arrived and the contests all starting up.”
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HEROES Heroes Sponsored by
The Future of Duck & Duck Hunting TODD MOORE of Houston caught this speckled trout in Baffin Bay.
For more information go to
Deltawaterfowl.org Check out Delta Waterfowl’s
CLAIRE CHASE, 12, of Waco downed her first duck in Bosque County.
MICHAEL HORAK, 14, of Haslet took this 154-class white-tailed buck in Mills County.
Photo Contest & Membership Opportunities
MADELINE MADRIGAL, 9, of Katy, bagged her first hog with a 7mm-08 rifle on a lease in Coryell County.
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Share an adventure Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Send them to us with contact and caption information.
editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, PO Box 551695, Dallas, TX, 75355
ANNABELLA SHANDLEY, 8, harvested her first deer with her dad. The 7-point whitetail deer was taken in Real County.
Congratulations, Kyler! You can claim your Nikon 10x42 Trailblazer ATB binoculars at the Nikon Sport Optics dealer nearest you: Johnny's True Value 914 W Tyler Ave Harlingen, TX 78550 956-428-4011 , 6, of San Be KYLER DE LEON lfurias. their lease in Fa
first turkey nito, killed his
while hunting
with his dad at
Page 20
January 14, 2011
Lone✯Star Outdoor News
Sun | Moon | Tides
Full
Height 1.6 H 1.8 H 1.8 H 1.8 H 1.8 H 1.8 H -1.4 L -1.3 L -0.7 L -0.2 L 0.4 L 1.3 H 1.4 H 1.6 H 1.8 H
Time
6:48 p.m. 7:12 p.m. 7:52 p.m. 4:37 p.m. 5:01 p.m. 5:23 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 6:06 p.m. 12:43 p.m. 2:32 p.m.
Height
1.6 L 1.6 L 1.4 L 1.6 H 1.6 H 1.4 H 1.4 H 1.4 H 0.9 L 1.3 L
Time
Height
10:19 p.m. 1.8 H 11:30 p.m. 1.8 H 8:41 p.m. 9:38 p.m. 10:41 p.m. 11:49 p.m.
1.3 L 0.9 L 0.4 L 0.0 L
6:26 p.m. 1.4 H 6:44 p.m. 1.4 H
Date Jan14 Jan15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28
Feb. 4
Jan. 28
Time 7:56 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 9:32 a.m. 10:18 a.m. 11:01 a.m. 11:43 a.m. 12:31 a.m. 2:11 a.m. 4:06 a.m. 12:56 a.m. 2:32 a.m. 3:50 a.m. 5:04 a.m. 6:18 a.m. 7:30 a.m.
Houston Height -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.6 L -0.7 L -0.7 L -0.7 L 0.6 H 0.5 H 0.3 H 0.0 L -0.1 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.6 L -0.6 L
Time Height 7:51 p.m. 0.5 H 8:31 p.m. 0.6 H 9:18 p.m. 0.6 H 10:12 p.m. 0.6 H 11:15 p.m. 0.6 H 12:22 p.m. -0.7 L 12:57 p.m. -0.6 L 1:25 p.m. -0.4 L 6:06 a.m. 0.2 H 8:33 a.m. 0.1 H 7:31 p.m. 0.3 H 7:37 p.m. 0.4 H 7:58 p.m. 0.5 H 8:29 p.m. 0.6 H
Time
Height
9:42 p.m. 0.1 H 1:41 p.m. -0.2 L 1:23 p.m. 0.0 L
Time
Height
8:24 p.m. 0.1 H 7:46 p.m. 0.2 H
Rockport
Time 2:28 p.m. 2:58 p.m. 3:29 p.m. 4:01 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 8:19 a.m. 9:03 a.m. 9:48 a.m. 10:33 a.m. 11:20 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 9:14 a.m. 11:21 a.m. 1:11 p.m. 2:20 p.m.
Height 1.3 H 1.4 H 1.4 H 1.4 H 1.4 H -1.3 L -1.1 L -1.0 L -0.6 L -0.1 L 1.0 H 1.0 H 1.1 H 1.3 H 1.4 H
Time 2:58 p.m. 3:28 p.m. 3:59 p.m. 4:31 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:59 a.m. 10:44 a.m. 11:29 a.m. 5:58 a.m. 7:45 a.m. 9:44 a.m. 11:51 a.m. 1:41 p.m. 2:50 p.m.
Height 0.8 H 0.9 H 0.9 H 0.9 H 0.9 H -0.8 L -0.7 L -0.6 L -0.3 L 0.7 H 0.6 H 0.6 H 0.7 H 0.8 H 0.9 H
Time 1:50 p.m. 2:20 p.m. 2:51 p.m. 3:23 p.m. 3:52 p.m. 4:20 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:17 a.m. 6:37 a.m. 8:36 a.m. 10:43 a.m. 12:33 p.m. 1:42 p.m.
Height 1.1 H 1.2 H 1.2 H 1.2 H 1.2 H 1.2 H -0.7 L -0.6 L -0.4 L -0.1 L 0.9 H 0.9 H 1.0 H 1.1 H 1.2 H
Time
Height
7:14 p.m. 7:38 p.m. 4:58 p.m. 5:24 p.m. 5:48 p.m. 6:10 p.m. 6:32 p.m. 12:10 p.m. 1:09 p.m. 2:58 p.m.
1.3 L 1.3 L 1.4 H 1.3 H 1.3 H 1.1 H 1.1 H 0.3 L 0.7 L 1.0 L
Time
Height
Time
Height
11:06 p.m. 1.4 H 8:18 p.m. 9:07 p.m. 10:04 p.m. 11:07 p.m.
1.1 L 1.0 L 0.7 L 0.3 L
6:53 p.m. 1.1 H 7:13 p.m. 1.1 H 7:31 p.m. 1.1 H
Date Time Height Jan 14 8:28 a.m. -0.37 L Jan 15 9:17 a.m. -0.40 L Jan 16 10:08 a.m. -0.43 L Jan 17 12:22 a.m. -0.04 H Jan 18 1:06 a.m. -0.03 H Jan 19 1:52 a.m. -0.04 H Jan 20 2:40 a.m. -0.06 H Jan 21 3:32 a.m. -0.09 H Jan 22 4:35 a.m. -0.14 H Jan 23 6:18 a.m. -0.21 H Jan 24 4:02 a.m. -0.29 L Jan 25 5:20 a.m. -0.36 L Jan 26 6:20 a.m. -0.41 L Jan 27 7:17 a.m. -0.45 L Jan 28 8:15 a.m. -0.47 L
Time Height 11:02 p.m. -0.06 H 11:40 p.m. -0.05 H 11:00 a.m. 11:50 a.m. 12:36 p.m. 01:18 p.m. 01:53 p.m. 02:17 p.m. 02:19 p.m. 09:43 a.m. 08:40 p.m. 09:05 p.m. 09:48 p.m. 10:40 p.m.
-0.45 L -0.46 L -0.47 L -0.45 L -0.42 L -0.37 L -0.31 L -0.26 H -0.14 H -0.11 H -0.08 H -0.07 H
Time
Height
Time
Height
8:10 p.m. 0.8 L 8:34 p.m. 0.8 L 5:28 p.m. 0.9 H 5:54 p.m. 0.8 H 6:18 p.m. 0.8 H 6:40 p.m. 0.7 H 12:16 p.m. -0.1 L 1:06 p.m. 0.2 L 2:05 p.m. 0.4 L 3:54 p.m. 0.6 L
Time
Date Time Height Jan 14 4:28 a.m. -0.3 L Jan 15 5:08 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 16 5:49 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 17 6:31 a.m. -0.6 L Jan 18 7:14 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 19 12:10 a.m. 1.1 H Jan 20 1:18 a.m. 1.1 H Jan 21 2:29 a.m. 1.1 H Jan 22 3:49 a.m. 1.0 H Jan 23 5:21 a.m. 0.9 H Jan 24 7:08 a.m. 0.8 H Jan 25 1:03 a.m. -0.2 L Jan 26 2:13 a.m. -0.4 L Jan 27 3:21 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 28 4:25 a.m. -0.5 L
Height
11:36 p.m. 0.9 H 9:14 p.m. 0.7 L 10:03 p.m. 0.6 L 11:00 p.m. 0.4 L 7:02 p.m. 7:23 p.m. 7:43 p.m. 8:01 p.m.
0.7 H 0.7 H 0.7 H 0.7 H
Time 2:21 p.m. 2:51 p.m. 3:22 p.m. 3:54 p.m. 4:23 p.m. 7:58 a.m. 8:42 a.m. 9:27 a.m. 10:12 a.m. 10:59 a.m. 11:49 a.m. 9:07 a.m. 11:14 a.m. 1:04 p.m. 2:13 p.m.
Height 1.0 H 1.1 H 1.1 H 1.1 H 1.1 H -0.7 L -0.6 L -0.5 L -0.3 L -0.1 L 0.2 L 0.8 H 0.9 H 1.0 H 1.1 H
9:18 p.m. -0.22 H 1:22 p.m. -0.27 L
8:40 p.m. -0.19 H
Time
Height
6:53 p.m. 7:17 p.m. 4:51 p.m. 5:17 p.m. 5:41 p.m. 6:03 p.m. 6:25 p.m. 6:46 p.m. 12:48 p.m. 2:37 p.m.
0.7 L 0.7 L 1.1 H 1.0 H 1.0 H 0.9 H 0.9 H 0.9 H 0.4 L 0.5 L
Time
Height
10:59 p.m. 1.1 H 7:57 p.m. 8:46 p.m. 9:43 p.m. 10:46 p.m. 11:54 p.m.
0.6 L 0.5 L 0.4 L 0.2 L 0.0 L
7:06 p.m. 0.9 H 7:24 p.m. 0.9 H
South Padre Island
Freeport Harbor Time
Height
7:11 p.m. 7:35 p.m. 8:15 p.m. 4:46 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 5:32 p.m. 5:54 p.m. 12:07 p.m. 1:06 p.m. 2:55 p.m.
0.8 L 0.8 L 0.7 L 1.1 H 1.1 H 1.0 H 1.0 H 0.2 L 0.5 L 0.6 L
Time
Height
10:28 p.m. 1.2 H 11:39 p.m. 1.2 H 9:04 p.m. 0.6 L 10:01 p.m. 0.5 L 11:04 p.m. 0.2 L 6:15 p.m. 1.0 H 6:35 p.m. 1.0 H 6:53 p.m. 1.0 H
Date Time Height Jan 14 4:15 a.m. -0.3 L Jan 15 5:00 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 16 5:46 a.m. -0.6 L Jan 17 6:32 a.m. -0.8 L Jan 18 7:19 a.m. -0.8 L Jan 19 8:06 a.m. -0.8 L Jan 20 8:53 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 21 9:40 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 22 2:34 a.m. 1.0 H Jan 23 4:28 a.m. 0.9 H Jan 24 12:13 a.m. 0.2 L Jan 25 1:05 a.m. -0.1 L Jan 26 2:02 a.m. -0.4 L Jan 27 3:03 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 28 4:06 a.m. -0.8 L
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Time Height 3:19 p.m. 1.2 H 3:34 p.m. 1.3 H 4:02 p.m. 1.4 H 4:34 p.m. 1.5 H 5:04 p.m. 1.5 H 5:29 p.m. 1.5 H 5:45 p.m. 1.4 H 5:54 p.m. 1.2 H 10:27 a.m. -0.3 L 11:15 a.m. 0.1 L 6:33 a.m. 0.8 H 9:04 a.m. 0.9 H 4:45 p.m. 1.0 H 2:03 p.m. 1.2 H 2:53 p.m. 1.3 H
Time
Height
10:56 p.m. 5:56 p.m. 5:52 p.m. 12:03 p.m. 12:53 p.m.
0.9 L 1.0 H 0.9 H 0.4 L 0.8 L
Time
Height
11:29 p.m. 0.6 L 5:43 p.m. 0.9 H 5:26 p.m. 0.9 H
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Solution on Page 26
P.M. Minor 12:36 1:24 2:13 3:05 3:58 4:54 5:50 6:47 7:44 8:41 9:39 10:36 11:32 ----12:50 1:41 2:29 3:16 4:02 4:47
Major 6:49 7:37 8:27 9:19 10:13 11:08 ----12:33 1:31 2:29 3:26 4:23 5:18 6:12 7:04 7:54 8:43 9:29 10:14 10:58
SUN Rises Sets 07:17 05:41 07:16 05:42 07:16 05:43 07:16 05:44 07:16 05:45 07:16 05:46 07:16 05:46 07:15 05:47 07:15 05:48 07:15 05:49 07:14 05:50 07:14 05:51 07:13 05:52 07:13 05:53 07:13 05:54 07:12 05:54 07:12 05:55 07:11 05:56 07:11 05:57 07:10 05:58
MOON Rises 1:03p 1:50p 2:43p 3:43p 4:47p 5:55p 7:03p 8:11p 9:17p 10:23p 11:28p NoMoon 12:34a 1:39a 2:42a 3:41a 4:35a 5:23a 6:06a 6:44a
Sets 2:19a 3:17a 4:16a 5:13a 6:07a 6:57a 7:42a 8:22a 9:00a 9:37a 10:14a 10:53a 11:34a 12:20p 1:11p 2:05p 3:01p 3:59 4:57p 5:54p
2011 Jan-Feb 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon > 18 Tue > 19 Wed F 20 Thu F 21 Fri > 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed Q 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat 30 Sun 31 Mon 01 Tue > 02 Wed >
A.M. Minor Major 12:17 6:29 1:03 7:16 1:51 8:05 2:41 8:56 3:35 9:49 4:30 10:45 5:27 11:41 6:25 12:12 7:24 1:11 8:21 2:09 9:19 3:06 10:15 4:02 11:10 4:56 ----- 5:50 12:28 6:42 1:18 7:32 2:08 8:21 2:56 9:09 3:43 9:55 4:29 10:40
P.M. Minor Major 12:42 6:54 1:29 7:42 2:19 8:33 3:10 9:25 4:04 10:19 4:59 11:13 5:55 ----6:52 12:39 7:49 1:36 8:47 2:34 9:44 3:31 10:41 4:28 11:37 5:24 12:04 6:17 12:56 7:10 1:46 8:00 2:35 8:48 3:22 9:35 4:07 10:20 4:52 11:04
SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:29 05:40 1:02p 2:31a 07:29 05:41 1:47p 3:31a 07:29 05:42 2:40p 4:30a 07:28 05:43 3:40p 5:27a 07:28 05:44 4:46p 6:20a 07:28 05:44 5:55p 7:09a 07:28 05:45 7:05p 7:52a 07:27 05:46 8:14p 8:31a 07:27 05:47 9:23p 9:07a 07:26 05:48 10:30p 9:42a 07:26 05:49 11:38p 10:17a 07:25 05:50 NoMoon 10:54a 07:25 05:51 12:45a 11:34a 07:24 05:52 1:52a 12:19p 07:24 05:53 2:56a 1:08p 07:23 05:54 3:55a 2:02p 07:23 05:55 4:49a 2:59p 07:22 05:56 5:36a 3:58p 07:21 05:57 6:18a 4:57p 07:21 05:58 6:55a 5:55p
P.M. Minor Major 12:49 7:01 1:36 7:49 2:26 8:40 3:17 9:32 4:11 10:26 5:06 11:20 6:02 ----6:59 12:46 7:56 1:43 8:54 2:41 9:51 3:38 10:48 4:35 11:44 5:31 12:11 6:24 1:03 7:17 1:53 8:07 2:42 8:55 3:29 9:42 4:14 10:27 4:59 11:11
SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:28 05:54 1:17p 2:31a 07:28 05:55 2:03p 3:29a 07:28 05:56 2:57p 4:28a 07:28 05:57 3:57p 5:25a 07:28 05:58 5:01p 6:19a 07:28 05:59 6:09p 7:09a 07:27 06:00 7:17p 7:54a 07:27 06:00 8:24p 8:35a 07:27 06:01 9:30p 9:13a 07:26 06:02 10:35p 9:50a 07:26 06:03 11:41p 10:27a 07:26 06:04 NoMoon 11:06a 07:25 06:05 12:47a 11:48a 07:25 06:06 1:52a 12:34p 07:24 06:07 2:54a 1:24p 07:24 06:08 3:53a 2:18p 07:24 06:08 4:47a 3:15p 07:23 06:09 5:35a 4:13p 07:22 06:10 6:18a 5:10p 07:22 06:11 6:56a 6:07p
P.M. Minor 1:02 1:50 2:39 3:31 4:24 5:19 6:16 7:12 8:10 9:07 10:05 11:02 11:57 12:24 1:16 2:06 2:55 3:42 4:28 5:12
SUN Rises 07:55 07:55 07:54 07:54 07:54 07:53 07:53 07:53 07:52 07:52 07:51 07:51 07:50 07:49 07:49 07:48 07:47 07:47 07:46 07:45
San Antonio 2011 A.M. Jan-Feb Minor Major 14 Fri 12:24 6:36 15 Sat 1:10 7:23 16 Sun 1:58 8:12 17 Mon > 2:48 9:03 18 Tue > 3:42 9:56 19 Wed F 4:37 10:52 20 Thu F 5:34 11:48 21 Fri > 6:32 12:19 22 Sat 7:31 1:18 23 Sun 8:28 2:16 24 Mon 9:26 3:13 25 Tue 10:22 4:09 26 Wed Q 11:17 5:03 27 Thu ----- 5:57 28 Fri 12:35 6:49 29 Sat 1:25 7:39 30 Sun 2:15 8:28 31 Mon 3:03 9:16 01 Tue > 3:50 10:02 02 Wed > 4:36 10:47
2011 A.M. Jan-Feb Minor 14 Fri 12:37 15 Sat 1:23 16 Sun 2:11 17 Mon > 3:02 18 Tue > 3:55 19 Wed F 4:51 20 Thu F 5:48 21 Fri > 6:46 22 Sat 7:44 23 Sun 8:42 24 Mon 9:39 25 Tue 10:35 26 Wed Q 11:30 27 Thu 12:00 28 Fri 12:48 29 Sat 1:39 30 Sun 2:28 31 Mon 3:16 01 Tue > 4:03 02 Wed > 4:49
Major 6:50 7:36 8:25 9:16 10:10 11:05 ----12:32 1:31 2:29 3:26 4:22 5:17 6:10 7:02 7:53 8:42 9:29 10:16 11:01
Major 7:15 8:03 8:53 9:45 10:39 11:34 12:02 12:59 1:57 2:55 3:52 4:48 5:44 6:38 7:30 8:20 9:09 9:55 10:40 11:24
Sets 05:55 05:56 05:57 05:58 05:59 06:00 06:01 06:02 06:03 06:04 06:05 06:06 06:07 06:08 06:09 06:10 06:11 06:12 06:13 06:14
MOON Rises 1:17p 2:02p 2:55p 3:55p 5:02p 6:12p 7:23p 8:34p 9:44p 10:53p NoMoon 12:02a 1:11a 2:19a 3:23a 4:23a 5:16a 6:03a 6:44a 7:19a
Sets 2:57a 3:58a 4:57a 5:55a 6:47a 7:35a 8:17a 8:54a 9:29a 10:02a 10:36a 11:11a 11:50a 12:34p 1:23p 2:17p 3:14p 4:13p 5:13p 6:13p
FOR THE TABLE Marinated snow goose
ACROSS 1. A member of the weasel family 6. Camo slip-ons for a bow 9. A method of fishing 10. Term for a bass species 11. A shot that misses 12. A very good walleye bait 13. Of the mouth of the bass 16. Also called a bowfin 19. To debone a fish 21. Doe having young 23. Letters for grain merasurement of a shell 24. Polar, brown, grizzly 26. The female pheasant 28. Reading the freshness of a track 29. A deer hunter's spring activity 34. The buck mating periods 35. Code for a type bullet 36. A deer food source 37. A game bird 41. Used on gun parts 42. A male pheasant 43. A substance for stove fuel 44. The male Dall DOWN 1. Also called a dogfish 2. Consider this when fishing 3. Large on the muley 4. Home of the brookie 5. A species of bass 6. Collection of the catch 7. A very tasty panfish 8. To firm a hook
A.M. Minor Major 12:11 6:24 12:57 7:10 1:45 7:59 2:36 8:50 3:29 9:44 4:25 10:39 5:22 11:36 6:20 12:07 7:18 1:05 8:16 2:03 9:13 3:00 10:09 3:56 11:04 4:51 11:58 5:44 12:22 6:36 1:13 7:27 2:02 8:16 2:50 9:03 3:37 9:50 4:23 10:35
Amarillo
Mail to Lone Star Outdoor News, PO Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355. For fastest service, call (214) 361-2276 or visit LSONews.com.
OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen
2011 Jan-Feb 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon > 18 Tue > 19 Wed F 20 Thu F 21 Fri > 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed Q 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat 30 Sun 31 Mon 01 Tue > 02 Wed >
Dallas
Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier
San Luis Pass
Date Time Height Jan 14 4:46 a.m. -0.4 L Jan 15 5:26 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 16 6:07 a.m. -0.6 L Jan 17 6:49 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 18 7:32 a.m. -0.8 L Jan 19 8:16 a.m. -0.8 L Jan 20 12:47 a.m. 1.2 H Jan 21 1:58 a.m. 1.2 H Jan 22 3:18 a.m. 1.1 H Jan 23 4:50 a.m. 1.0 H Jan 24 12:12 a.m. 0.0 L Jan 25 1:21 a.m. -0.2 L Jan 26 2:31 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 27 3:39 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 28 4:43 a.m. -0.6 L
New
Jan. 21
Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.
First
Port O’Connor Time 1:41 p.m. 2:11 p.m. 2:42 p.m. 3:14 p.m. 3:43 p.m. 4:11 p.m. 8:37 a.m. 9:22 a.m. 10:07 a.m. 10:54 a.m. 11:44 a.m. 8:27 a.m. 10:34 a.m. 12:24 p.m. 1:33 p.m.
Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty
Date Time Height Jan 14 5:45 a.m. -0.3 L Jan 15 6:25 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 16 7:06 a.m. -0.6 L Jan 17 7:48 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 18 8:31 a.m. -0.8 L Jan 19 12:47 a.m. 0.9 H Jan 20 1:55 a.m. 0.9 H Jan 21 3:06 a.m. 0.9 H Jan 22 4:26 a.m. 0.8 H Jan 23 12:03 a.m. 0.2 L Jan 24 1:11 a.m. 0.0 L Jan 25 2:20 a.m. -0.2 L Jan 26 3:30 a.m. -0.4 L Jan 27 4:38 a.m. -0.5 L Jan 28 5:42 a.m. -0.6 L
Last
Jan. 14
Sabine Pass, jetty
Date Time Height Jan 14 4:49 a.m. -0.6 L Jan 15 5:29 a.m. -0.9 L Jan 16 6:10 a.m. -1.0 L Jan 17 6:52 a.m. -1.1 L Jan 18 7:35 a.m. -1.3 L Jan 19 12:17 a.m. 1.4 H Jan 20 1:25 a.m. 1.4 H Jan 21 2:36 a.m. 1.4 H Jan 22 3:56 a.m. 1.3 H Jan 23 5:28 a.m. 1.1 H Jan 24 12:15 a.m. 0.0 L Jan 25 1:24 a.m. -0.3 L Jan 26 2:34 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 27 3:42 a.m. -0.9 L Jan 28 4:46 a.m. -1.0 L
Solunar | Sun times | Moon times
Moon Phases
Texas Coast Tides Date Time Height Jan 14 4:23 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 15 5:03 a.m. -1.1 L Jan 16 5:44 a.m. -1.3 L Jan 17 6:26 a.m. -1.4 L Jan 18 7:09 a.m. -1.6 L Jan 19 7:53 a.m. -1.6 L Jan 20 12:38 a.m. 1.8 H Jan 21 1:49 a.m. 1.8 H Jan 22 3:09 a.m. 1.6 H Jan 23 4:41 a.m. 1.4 H Jan 24 6:28 a.m. 1.3 H Jan 25 12:58 a.m. -0.4 L Jan 26 2:08 a.m. -0.9 L Jan 27 3:16 a.m. -1.1 L Jan 28 4:20 a.m. -1.3 L
LSONews.com
1 snow goose Crushed red pepper Crushed black pepper Onion salt Lemon pepper 2 tbsps. poultry seasoning ½ cup teriyaki sauce ½ cup Italian dressing ½ cup white wine 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 large onions 1 can mushroom soup 1 can chicken broth 8 strips bacon Rub inside of goose with peppers and onion salt. Rub outside with lemon pepper. Combine teri-
yaki, dressing, wine, Worcestershire and poultry seasoning and pour over goose in a heavy plastic bag. Seal and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning several times. Remove goose from bag. Place onions and soup in body cavity. Cover breast with bacon. Place in oven baking bag with marinade and chicken broth, seal bag and bake at 325 degrees for two hours. Open top of bag and cook until tender, basting every 10 minutes with marinade. Serve with marinade as sauce. — South Dakota Healthy Hunter program from the South Dakota Department of Health
Asian honey trout 14. A deer food source 15. Common name for the brook trout 16. Term for a really small bass 17. The trapper's interest 18. A nuisance fish for trotlines 20. Code for a type bullet 21. Term for the Arizona whitetail 22. Usual feeding time for bucks 25. Code for a type bullet
27. Deer have four sets of these glands 30. The outdoorsmen's food 31. A method of hunting 32. Stream fishermen wear these 33. An area for some fishing 38. Field area preferred by quail 39. Term for an open sight 40. A group of decoys 41. Propels the boat
4 fillets 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained 1/3 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup honey 3 tbsps. soy sauce 2 tbsps. Hoisin sauce — found in Oriental section at grocery store 2 tbsps. lime juice 2 tbsps. white wine or apple juice 2 tsps. grated & peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsps. cornstarch 2 jalapeno chilies, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped Mix all ingredients except fish. Stir well. Set aside. Place fish in a baking dish and pour sauce over the fillets. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve over hot steamed rice. — Colorado Division of Wildlife
LSONews.com
Lone✯Star Outdoor News
January 14, 2011
Page 21
Lifejacket stowed, kill switch off, but angler survives frigid water By Aaron Reed
and 15-month-old daughter, Emory, Pope watched the second hand of his life grind to a near-standstill. He was sinking fast. It was a harrowing way to begin 2011, and to nearly end it. But then his toes hit something solid. He locked his knees Sunday, Jan. 2 was sunny but chilly in North Texas. At about and thrust his face toward the sky, standing in water just 4:30 p.m., Brandon Pope finished tending his brush piles for shallow enough to allow him to breathe —as long as he crappie on Lake Arlington. He then piloted his 18-foot G3 tun- didn’t slouch. nel-hull at high speed toward the middle of the lake. Meanwhile, anglers Ricky Jennings of Arlington and Keith The 36-year-old lifelong angler from Bettis of Justin heard the motor on Pope’s runArlington leaned toward the stern to away boat and realized something was wrong. stretch his back, but the steering wheel They found the boat and then they saw spun left. Pope’s face sticking out of the water about 150 The sudden motion pitched Pope, a feet farther away. biology teacher and father of two, into “We hollered at him and he actually holdeep, 48-degree water. lered back at us,” Jennings said. The kill switch should have been Pope said he remembered being hauled over attached to him, but it was clipped tidily the transom like a gaffed tuna. to the engine key. A lifejacket was stowed Doctors later told Pope that his core body under the front deck. temperature had fallen to 88 degrees. “As cold as that water was, I knew “That is pretty significant hypothermia,” I didn’t have much time, so I tried to said Dr. Darrin D'Agostino, of the University quickly run through all the things I of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort needed to do,” he said. “My first priorWorth. ity was to get out of the way of the boat, In 48-degree water, loss of consciouswhich was coming back around. I swam ness could occur in as little as 10 minutes, backwards as fast as I could.” D'Agostino said. Pope knew that an area of shoals in the “He was not only lucky, he also had enough lake sometimes became an island when common sense to allow him to survive,” water levels dropped. He swam toward HAPPIER MOMENT: Brandon Pope, D'Agostino said of Pope's decision to swim to the area as best he could in his sodden 36, of Arlington, fishes with his son shallower water. “He did good.” Blake, 9, on Lewisville Lake the week winter clothing. Game Wardens John Padgett and Capt. Neal But moments later, his arms and legs before his Jan. 2 bout with hypother- Bieler caught the call and initially thought mia. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON. became difficult to control — a symptom they were going to Arlington to recover a body. of hypothermia, in which the core body “It could happen to anyone, and it could temperature dangerously drops below 98 happen anywhere,” Bieler said. “It’s best to use degrees. the equipment on the boat whether you like it or not.” Vital body organs subsequently shut down, causing death. That’s advice Pope has heard from his wife and from Finally, all feeling gone from his extremities, Pope’s legs countless friends. began to sink behind him. “I definitely learned a lesson,” Pope said. “Kill switch. “I thought: ‘Okay, this is it. I’m going to die,’” Pope recalled. Lifejacket. Got it.” BEFORE THE PLUNGE: Brandon Pope, a biology teacher from Arlington, “I told myself: ‘Just don’t die scared.’” And, he added, it’s good he learned the lesson at age 36. unhooks a crappie on Lewisville Lake the week before his near-fatal boating Then, with his mind on his wife, Patty, 9-year-old son, Blake, “At 56 or 66 or 76, I might not have made it.” accident Jan. 2 on Lake Arlington. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.
FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS
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PRODUCTS
>> AIR FRESHENER: In 1903, the original Hoppe’s No. 9 gun solvent was created. Since then, the scent has been evoking memories of great hunts in generations of outdoorsmen. Now, that nostalgic scent is available in a new air freshener. Hang it in the man cave during the off-season so at least it will smell as if you are hunting. It sells for just under $4.
APPRENTICE: Pflueger’s spinning combo is for young anglers who are ready to step up from their first rod and reel. The 5-foot, 10-inch graphite rod has a custom-sized cork split grip, stainless steel guides, and a lightweight graphite reel seat. It is paired with a spinning reel with such features as three stainless steel ball bearings, instant anti-reverse bearing, a graphite body and rotor, plus machined aluminum spool. This 2010 ICAST show winner in the kids’ tackle category sells for about $60.
(800) 423-3537 www.hoppes.com
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(800) 554-4653 www.pfluegerfishing.com
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NANO SILVER FOOD STORAGE KIT: Hunters and anglers will appreciate InterCon Marketing’s new containers that promise to keep stored game or fish fresher up to three times longer than conventional plastic storage. The nano silver process incorporates micro-sized bits of silver that either cover the surface or are ssuspended in the material. These nanos, which are about the size of six atoms lined up together, prevent bacteria and infections. The BPA-free plastic kit includes 14 containers in a vag riety of sizes that can be refrigerated, frozen and microwaved. The set sells for about $40. (941) 355-4488 www.contoure.com or www.interconmktg.com
DOCK LIGHTS: Aqualuma’s bright outdoor lights are designed for in-water, dock use. The curved design has six, high-output LEDS, which are housed in a high-tech, patented polymer to help withstand environmental forces. Drawing less than 1.3 amps at 12V DC, the dock lights emit virtually no heat and operate on 12 or 24V DC. The lamp comes with a fiberglass mounting post, injection-molded, reinforced bracket, stainless steel mounting pins and 16.2 feet of tinned cable. Its pivot bracket enables easy cleaning and can be piggybacked to install two lights on one pole. The dock light is available in blue, green and white. It sells for about $777, with piggyback units available for $642.
(877) 798-9686 www.redfield.com
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61-7-551-94555 (Australia) www.aqualuma.com
REVOLUTION RIFLESCOPES: Redfield’s affordable line of riflescopes comes in 2-7x33 mm, 3-9x40 mm, 3-9x50 mm and 4-12x40 mm models, each with a black matte finish and either a 4-Plex or Accu-Range reticle. The riflescopes’ premium lenses have vapor-deposition multi-coatings for bright, crisp imaging and superior light transmission in low-light conditions. Other features include an Accu-Trac windage and elevation adjustment system with resettable precision stainless steel ¼-MOA finger click adjustments and a Rapid Target Acquisition lockable eyepiece. The riflescopes cost about $130 to $220, depending on model.
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PRODUCTS EXPLORIST 310 GPS: Magellan’s waterproof handheld GPS receiver includes a premium world map and the ability to upload detailed topographic maps. Anglers can record hundreds of waypoints, tracks, and routes, including all their favorite fishing spots. Features include a 2.2-inch transflective color screen and a highly sensitive GPS chipset providing 3-5 meters of accuracy. Two AA batteries provide up to 18 hours of continual outdoor use. It sells for just under $200. (800) 707-9971 www.magellangps.com
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CLASSIC BAIT SHEARS: Berkley Fishing’s shears with their curved serrated stainless steel edge will cut through the toughest of bait, even if frozen. The shears will withstand harsh salt and marine environments. And its sure-grip black and red ergonomic handle will ensure a comfortable grip when tackling the toughest — and messiest — of fish-cutting chores. It sells for just under $10.
>> STRIPER PFD/VEST: Extrasports’s combination personal floating device and fishing vest is perfect for the angler fishing off a boat. The fishing vest’s seven pockets can handle plenty of gear while the mesh shoulders and side keep the wearer cool and ventilated. The front-zip vest also features a “GlideFit” shoulder adjustment system and an adjustable neoprene-covered waist belt for just the right fit. The sand-andblack vest sells for about $100. (800) 852-9257 www.extrasport.com
STAMINA LINE: Stren describes its premium saltwater fishing line as being the perfect balance between power, shock-resistance, and recovery. This abrasion-resistant 10- to 50-pound test line is available in Clear or Hi-Vis Gold. The spool sells for just under $10. (866) 447-8736 www.stren.com
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For retailers, visit www.berkley-fishing.com
DAKOTA CARRY-ON CASE: Fishpond’s 31-inch by 9-inch by 5-inch rod and reel case is large enough to hold up to four rods. In addition to the padded compartment for the rods, the case also has adjustable, padded removable interior dividers for reels. Three mesh interior pockets hold favorite baits and other fishing gear while three laminated see-through outside mesh pockets are handy for such items as keys, airplane tickets and cell phone. The case sells for about $160. (970) 468-7883 www.fishpondusa.com
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CONSERVATION
Legislature to look at several outdoor bills By Mark England LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Texas legislators have other things on their minds than hunting and fishing, judging by the few bills filed related to the outdoors. “The big fat issue is the budget,” said Tom Harvey, spokesman for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Texas faces as much as a $20 billion budget shortfall and state agencies have been asked to reduce their budget requests for the 2012-2013 biennium by 10 percent. Plus, the Legislature, which began its 140-day session Tuesday, will take another whack at congressional redistricting. Still, there are several outdoor bills worth following. The most controversial, so far, is a Texas Senate bill that would revamp the procedure for denying permits to deer breeders and destroying deer. The bill comes in the wake of TPWD’s shooting of 70 breeder deer last month in Hunt County after ranch operators could not prove the deer came from a state free of Chronic Wasting Disease. The bill by Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, would require the state to identify the deer to be destroyed; give the date for their destruction, which can be no more than 10 days after the deer breeder is notified; and give a detailed reason for the deer destruction. However, a TPWD spokesman said the biggest impact of the bill would be on the state’s ability to deny deer breeder permits. The bill would grant applicants the right to a hearing con-
ducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, even if they’ve been convicted of violating state or federal wildlife laws. “It’s not as expeditious as the way we’re currently doing it,” said David Sinclair, chief of staff for TPWD’s Law Enforcement Division. “Under this, it could be six months to a year before there’s a hearing.” Other bills affecting hunters and anglers are two House bills that would make weapons, including handguns, carried on boats subject to the same laws as weapons carried in automobiles. A bill by Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, would make it a Class A misdemeanor to sell or attempt to buy a boat with an altered or removed hull identification number. A bill that has raised eyebrows would redo the prohibition of hunting on public roadways to allow the capture, trapping or hunting of reptiles, amphibians and insects. But Mark Langford, communications director for Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, said the bill isn’t a joking matter to West Texas hotels and restaurants that claim to have lost 20 percent of their business. “Basically, it’s an economic development issue,” Langford said. “Collectors want to get the law back to what it was, and we’re glad to sponsor it because it will benefit businesses in West Texas.” Sinclair said game wardens were frequently called out for possible night hunting before the ban was extended to nongame animals. “That’s really slowed down,” he said. “That’s the way we like it, rather than rushing out at 3 in the morning to find someone’s shining a light in the middle of the roadway trying to collect snakes.”
Group aims to relocate Panhandle pronghorns to Trans-Pecos By Mary Helen Aguirre LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The Trans-Pecos Pronghorn Working Group is hoping to move up to 200 pronghorn antelope in February or, at the latest, March, from the Panhandle into the Trans-Pecos region, where the native pronghorn population has been in decline for the last several years. But, first, the group needs to raise the money to pay for the relocation. The organization, made up of landowners, hunters, wildlife biologists and other concerned people, is scrambling to raise $100,000. In addition to seeking donations from private donors, the group also has organized a fund-raiser for Saturday, Jan. 29 in Alpine. Dr. Louis Harveson, group member and Director of Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University, said that depending on the amount of private funds raised, the group would also seek additional state and federal grants of up to $150,000 through matching fund programs. The money is expected to pay for the trapping and transfer of 200 pronghorn antelope this year and 200 next year, plus the GPS collars and equipment required to monitor the animals in their new habitat. A private helicopter service — selected through a bid process — and experienced trappers will capture the antelope, Harveson said. The team will deploy nets from the helicopter, trap the animals, and fly them in bags to a designated area before gently lowering the animals to awaiting ground crews. The veterinarians and wildlife biologists on the ground will evaluate the animals and fit them with GPS collars before transporting the animals in trailers to their new home.
FUND-RAISING: The Trans-Pecos Pronghorn Working Group currently is raising funds to relocate pronghorn from the Panhandle to the Trans-Pecos region. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
The helicopter service alone is projected to cost $80,000 per year, said Harveson. However, it is perhaps the least stressful way to capture the wild animals. “Through the years, our profession has evolved. We used to sedate them but we have realized that physically restraining the animal is less stressful than using drugs,” said Harveson. He added that the helicopter crew is expected to get the job done in about a week. Harveson said the plans calls for mostly pregnant does to be moved from a yet-to-be-determined site in the northern Panhandle, where the pronghorn population is plentiful and healthy and has been known to graze on many a farmer’s crops. Those pregnant does will be released on the Marfa Plateau in Far West Texas. The region, which experienced a drought from part of the 1990s until the early 2000s and again in 2008, has seen its native pronghorn population drop in the last few decades. For landowners in that area of Texas, a dwindling population signals the potential loss of a majestic animal that for generations survived and thrived in the Chihuahuan desert. A decline in the number of pronghorn antelope also means fewer hunting permits and less revenue from hunters for those landowners.
Autopsies on hunted antelope in the Trans-Pecos region revealed that a vast percentage of them were infected with bloodworms. The parasitic worm poses a danger to an animal that is in a weakened state. Just what is weakening the pronghorn, however, remains a mystery. Harveson points to the habitat and nutrition, or lack thereof, as possible culprits. Wildlife researchers will continue to investigate the issue. For now, the group is betting that the stronger, healthier antelope will be able to ward off whatever is afflicting the native population and that the introduction of the pregnant does will jumpstart the recovery of the Trans-Pecos pronghorn population. To attend the fund-raiser: A benefit dinner and dance will take place at the historic Granada Theatre in Alpine on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 and include dinner followed by entertainment by Craig Carter and the Spur of the Moment Band. To purchase tickets, call (432) 837-8488 or visit www.sulross.edu/brinrm/pronghorn.htm
Drought Continued From Page 1
Hermine in early September were among the last significant showers seen in many parts of the state. By early January, the National Integrated Drought Information System had declared that most of Texas was too dry. “The Panhandle and areas along the Red River are about the only areas that have escaped drought so far,” said John Nielsen-Gammon, the Texas State Climatologist. Deluges from Hermine flooded some areas on its track along the Interstate 35 corridor, but East Texas and much of West Texas didn’t get any rain from it. “It was dry in parts of East Texas all year,” said Nielsen-Gammon, a professor at Texas A&M University. “Some folks in Nacogdoches County said that they received less than 25 inches for all of 2010, and 48 is normal.” Farther west in Central Texas, the range was “fine through September,” Nielsen-Gammon said. But, he added, the region had “less than 2 inches of rain since the first of October, and normal should be around 10.”
ing severe dryness, similar to the harsh drought of 2009, Nielsen-Gammon said. “How bad remains to be seen,” he said. “But, if we don’t get it turned around, we won’t have much moisture in the ground when the warmer months approach. That will make us more vulNO CRISIS — YET: Landowners hope drought conditions in Texas don’t get as bad as 2009 when this nerable at the root photo was taken on a ranch near Cuero. La Niña conditions are expected to produce dry weather in level.” Texas at least through February. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON. The consequences for wildlife could The culprit, Nielsen-Gammon Drought Outlook called for La Niña be dire, and South said, is the ocean-atmospheric phe- conditions through the end of Texans know that all too well. They February. nomena La Niña. were hit hard in 2009. As of Jan. 4, 158 of the state’s 254 It happens when sea surface temFawn recruitment in Goliad peratures in the parts of the Pacific counties had issued outdoor burn County, for example, was estimated Ocean are cooler than normal, bans to hedge against wildfires, at less than 10 percent. which causes warm, dry conditions according to the Texas Forest Service. “Every rancher I talked to didn’t An Arctic cold front blew through remember it being that dry for that across the southern U.S., including Texas Jan. 9, and brought snow and long,” said Josh Turner, a bioloTexas. Dan Huckaby, a National Weather showers to North and East Texas. gist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Service meteorologist in Fort Worth, But, if more rain doesn’t come later Department. reported that the U.S. Seasonal this winter, the state might be facTurner, who works in Goliad and
DeWitt counties, said, “there was no grass, no nesting cover for quail or turkey, and no fawning cover for deer.” And drought is also bad for fish: it purges habitat from Texas waters — a killer of bass and other species. John Tomerlin, vice president of the Bee County Wildlife Management Association, operates an 840-acre high-fence breeding operation. He said he normally puts out a ton of protein every three weeks, but during the summer of 2009, it was a ton a week. His fawn recruitment was only 30 percent. Members of his wildlife association hope they don’t see that again for a very long time. “Everybody wants rain right now,” Tomerlin said. “The tanks have all dropped down. The ground is dry, but I don’t see any cracks or anything yet.” Turner agreed that crisis mode had not yet arrived in early January, but landowners will be watching. “Once springtime comes, that will be the telling part,” he said. “If we get some rain here, we could be fine.”
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DATEBOOK January 14-16
January 28-30
February 10-12
Houston Safari Club Show Convention The Woodlands www.houstonsafariclub.org
Coastal Bend Marine Dealers Boat Show The American Bank Convention Center, Corpus Christi (361) 991-0369 www.ccboatshow.com
Big Country Celebrity Quail Hunt Abilene (325) 677-6815 www.driabilene.org
January 15-16 Texas Gun and Knife Association Show Abilene Civic Center Abilene (830) 285-0575
January 20-23 Austin Boat, Sport, and Outdoor Show Austin Convention Center (512) 494-1128 www.austinboatshow.com
January 22 Texas NWTF Awards Banquet Eight Seconds Club Mesquite (903) 573-4570 Eagle Lake Ducks Unlimited Fund-raiser Eagle Lake Community Center (979) 758-4103 www.ducks.org
January 26 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Public Meeting TPWD Headquarters, Austin (800) 792-1112 www.tpwd.state.tx.us
January 26-29 Safari Club International Annual Convention Reno, Nevada www.showsci.com
January 27-30 San Antonio Boat and RV Show The Alamodome (512) 481-1777 www.sanantonioboatshow.com
January 29 Ducks Unlimited Big Thicket Dinner Cleveland Civic Center (281) 593-9118 www.ducks.org
Texas Wildlife Association Wildlife, Land and Livestock Seminar Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (512) 551-3004 www.texas-wildlife.org
February 3 Tomball Ducks Unlimited Dinner Tomball VFW Hall (832) 303-9464 www.ducks.org
February 4-5
Editor Bill Miller Associate Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England
February 11 Texas Deer Association Whitetail Workshop San Antonio Stock Show/Rodeo Auction Barn (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com
February 14-15 Pronghorn Restoration Benefit Granada Theatre, Alpine (432) 837-8488 www.sulross.edu
Executive Editor Craig Nyhus
Texas Wildlife Association Boots on the Ground Event AT&T Center, Austin (210) 826-2904 www.texas-wildlife.org
February 18
Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Web site Bruce Soileau
National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager Classified/Outfitters Blazing Paths Media Advertising Intern Nicholas Conklin Founder & CEO David J. Sams
Contributors Kyle Carter Alan Clemons David Draper Wilbur Lundeen Aaron Reed Erich Schlegel David Sikes Scott Sommerlatte Chuck Uzzle Ralph Winingham
Ducks Unlimited Pearland Dinner Epiphany Lutheran Church (713) 907-4264 www.ducks.org
February 19-20 Texas Gun and Knife Association Show Gillespie County Fairgrounds Fredericksburg www.texasgunandknifeshows.com
Texas Hill Country Chapter SCI Campfire Memories Banquet Inn of the Hills Resort, Kerrville (830) 928-4344 www.texashillcountrysci.org
February 26
February 4-6, 9-13
March 3
Dallas International Boat Show Dallas Market Hall (469) 549-0673 www.dallasboatshow.net
National Wild Turkey Federation Alamo Chapter Banquet The Alzafar Center, San Antonio (210) 213-5339 www.alamochapternwtf.org/banquet.htm
North Texas Chapter SCI Meeting Embassy Suites Outdoor World (940) 612-1928 www.scinorthtexas.com
Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.
For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com (214) 361-2276
Lone Star Outdoor News, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
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LONE STAR MARKET
Puzzle solution from Page 20
To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or e-mail him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
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Fishing guides
Results
Continued From Page 8
Continued From Page 4
He cut the number of giveaway trips he offered nonprofits and others. And before the recession he would turn down double bookings, but during the past two years he has fished mornings and afternoons on the same day whenever possible. He has also taken more clients per trip. “Before they would ask for two boats,” Buitureira said. “Now they’re crowding onto one boat just so they can afford it. These are regulars I’m used to putting in two boats.” Yoskowitz agreed that people are looking for ways to stretch a dollar. “While they still want the experience, they’ll give up some level of comfort to get the experience,” he said. Capt. Chuck West, president of the 85-member Coastal Bend Guides Association, said the recession has forced some midcoast guides to expand services and seek new marketing opportunities. “A number of our guides have participated in the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau wildlife guide certification pro- LOOKING BRIGHTER: Guides along the Texas coast said as the economy continues to improve, people are once gram,” West said. “I’m again spending money on guided fishing trips. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON. sure it will get those people some trips.” time in front of a computer, especially in a recession. You’ve Capt. Chris Martin, owner of Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift, has doubled advertising got to do something to stay in front of people.” The good news, Yoskowitz said, is that the worst of the expenditures from 2009 to 2010. With nine full-time guides and a 36-bed, full-service lodge, he averages about 600 guests per recession may have passed. “All indications are that the future looks bright,” he said. month. “It gave us a 17-percent increase in sales,” he said. “We were “We’ve had 11 months of solid job growth across the country basically flat in 2009 and I didn’t want to continue that flat run. and that’s just going to translate into more discretionary income “The average fishing guide or lodge owner better spend a lot of that people are going to start spending on fishing again.”
identified proposed additions to the protocol. The measures don’t require approval from the TPWD Game Commission or the Texas Legislature, Lockwood said. All that is needed, Lockwood said, is a signature of approval from TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith. That had not yet happened at press time. One addition calls for the posting of an independent wildlife veterinarian at future operations like the one in Hunt County, Lockwood said. The veterinarian, Lockwood explained, would evaluate proposed techniques for the operation and offer opinions on whether they are humane. Another addition would be the option of putting deer in quarantine facilities paid for by the breeders. But first, breeders would have to confirm with documents or DNA samples that their deer were born in Texas or another state that is clear of CWD. Lockwood said the current protocol doesn’t require him to ask for DNA records, but he plans to start requesting them to avoid future problems. He noted, however, that DNA might not answer every question. “While DNA can prove relations, it does not prove where a deer has been,” Lockwood said. “But if it does prove that we are dealing with a legitimate breeder deer, it’s possible we can offer a quarantine option.” It will be up to breeders to determine if they can afford quarantines. An acceptable holding facility will be costly, with high fences, Lockwood said. Quarantine expenses might be necessary for the life of the deer in question, or until testing for CWD can be done on a live deer. Current test samples are taken from a deer’s brainstem, which can’t be examined without killing the animal. But, Lockwood said, breeders still could make money from a quarantined buck, if its semen is used for artificial insemination. CWD can’t be transmitted through semen, he said. Although the TDA assailed TPWD’s actions at the Anderton ranch, its executive director praised the proposed additions to the protocol. “The main thing now is Texas gets the gold medal for the work the state agencies and stakeholders are doing together,” said Karl Kinsel, who attended the meetings. “Other states are not that way.”
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