January 9, 2026
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 10
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Suppressor applications for hunters are now $200 less expensive. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Suppressor tax goes away Hunters will save $200, but expect delays Obtaining a suppressor for your hunting rifle became a bit less expensive. Until Jan. 1, the Federal Stamp (applicants are still required to obtain for owning a suppressor) would include a $200 fee for the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. As part of the Federal budget from the summer of 2025, the Federal Stamp fee has gone to $0 as of January 1, 2026. Suppressors are still part of the National Firearms Act, making them regulated by the ATF. This means you still must go through the entire process to apply for approval, go through the background checks and submit the Form 4 to buy a commercially made suppressor. But now, there will be no $200 fee to the government.
Shauna Kohleffel had a great experience recently on a scimitar-horned oryx hunt her husband, Nick, won in a raffle at the 2025 LSON Foundation Wild Game Supper. The entire family, including kids and grandparents, got to participate in the hunt. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
LSON Foundation oryx hunt a success By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
Boerne resident Shauna Kohleffel and her husband, Nick, have
both been supporters of the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation since the beginning. That’s why it brought a smile to everyone’s face when Nick was randomly picked and won the scimitar-horned oryx hunt raffle at the 2025 LSON Foundation Wild Game Supper held in
October at the Beretta Gallery in Dallas. Once the family arrived at the ranch north of Abilene, it didn’t take long to find the oryx the morning of Jan. 1. “It happened fast,” Shauna said. “We came out Wednesday and arrived New Year’s Eve. We
decided ahead of time to delay the first morning hunt to a little later so we could all celebrate that evening.” After the evening’s lingering effects had worn off, it was time to head afield and hunt mid-morning on the first. The group rode around checking wheat fields.
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Scattered flatties Anglers covering ground, still catching occasional larger fish By Nate Skinner
The flounder fishery reopened on December 15, allowing anglers to retain up to five fish per person, per day. The annual flatfish migration has slowed significantly, as most of the fish have already made their way to the deeper water of passes and the Gulf.
Please turn to page 11 Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
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However, anglers are still finding some larger stragglers in their typical haunts along the edges of channels and flats adjacent to deeper water. Those who have been persistent in targeting flatfish in these areas have been rewarded with quality catches. Tre’ White has been targeting flounder along the Galveston Ship Channel from the Pelican Island bridge to the Galveston ferry landing. Bulkhead walls and areas with various forms of hard structure have been holding the most fish. “The flounder are not near as stacked up in these areas as they were back in the fall
Capt. Devin Williams shows off a solid flatfish caught on a soft plastic grub in the Galveston Ship Channel. Photo from Capt. Devin Williams.
HUNTING
FISHING
Weird waterfowl (P. 4)
Strong bite on coast (P. 8)
Hybrids and other variations.
Coastal anglers finding success.
Still going strong (P. 4)
Early bite for whites (P. 8)
South Texas deer hunters still finding rutting bucks.
White bass spawning early in places.
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January 9, 2026
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January 9, 2026
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January 9, 2026
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HUNTING
High numbers and temperatures Quail hunters have found good numbers of birds when their dogs could get out and work on cooler mornings. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Quail hunting good when conditions allow By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Unseasonably warm weather conditions have made it tough for many quail hunters to successfully and safely run
their dogs to pursue birds so far this season. Those who have been able to hit the field during cooler conditions have been encountering plenty of birds, including both bobwhite and scaled quail. According to La Salle County Wildlife Biologist Reese Pennell, bobwhite quail numbers in Cotulla and the surrounding areas are looking really good. “There are plenty of birds on the ground
and hunters are encountering coveys of 10 to 15 birds or more,” Pennell said. “Areas that typically hold good populations of quail have been producing consistent wing shooting opportunities for hunters with good dogs.” Pennell said more and more, hunters are hitting the field and finding success now that weather conditions have finally cooled off some. He expects the Please turn to page 20
Still going
Many Texas hunters welcomed the new year in a blind and were greeted by a bright full moon for several nights. The moon had little impact on the deer, according to many hunters LSON spoke with. Deer movement was much more dependent on temperatures rather than moon phase, with many hunters reporting success. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Deer hunters continue enjoying exciting hunts down south By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Deer hunters in the southern portion of the state continue to enjoy exciting hunts
and close encounters with mature bucks. While rut activity has tapered off in most of the other regions of the state, many bucks in the south are still chasing does, covering ground, and responding to rattling sequences from hunters. Jonathan Barragan is a hunting guide on a private ranch, and until recently, he hadn’t harvested a buck himself in over a decade. That all changed in a matter of
seconds while hunting with his buddy, Miguel Morales, on a low fence property near Batesville. He was sitting in a homemade brush blind alongside Morales in pursuit of a specific buck, when a different mature whitetail that neither of them had seen before stepped out of the brush. Moments later, after some quick decision making and a well-placed shot, Barragan found himself admiring the deer. Not
only was it the first buck he had harvested in more than 10 years, the deer also became his new personal best whitetail buck to date. “We had rattled in a mature, mainframe 8-point buck on a previous sit while hunting along a road, but he never gave me a shot,” Barragan said. “So, we decided to make a brush blind near the edge of the road that would give us a good vantage Please turn to page 19
Weird waterfowl Hunters chase hybrids and anomalies each season By Reis Ladd
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Will Riddle shows the leucistic Canada goose he shot on a recent hunt in Texas. Photo from Will Riddle.
While the pinnacle for most waterfowlers is an ancient bird with a leg band, or an exotic species from some far corner of the globe, most agree in having a particular interest in waterfowl anomalies. Tanner Neill, Wildlife Manager/Hunting Guide out of Johnson City, struck waterfowl gold this year on a pond in deep south Texas. “I had a group of hunters coming in soon, so I made the rounds scouting for the coming week. When I found the bird,
I could tell he was something special but didn’t know what exactly. I went in the next morning with my shotgun looking for one bird and left with one bird.” Neill said. Neill’s drake sported a green head, chestnut chest, pointed tail, and blue bill, seemingly a combination of most every dabbling duck species. Tanner assumed it was a potential hybrid so sought out the insight of Ben Pierce, an industry leader in hybrid waterfowl with more than 30 years of firsthand experimentation hybridizing captive wild waterfowl in controlled licensed aviaries. Pierce confirmed Neill’s assumption and identified the hybrid as a mallard/wigeon cross. Pierce began working with hybrid water-
fowl when he was just 12 years old. Now 43, he has worked with at least 47 confirmed hybridized waterfowl combinations in his controlled aviaries. Institutions such as the University of Washington recruited Ben and his work to act as the control for their own hybrid duck study. “When I first got started, I read ‘Handbook of Waterfowl Identification: by Frank S. Todd.’ That book became my holy grail.” said Pierce. Since 2013 he has become one of, if not, the most respected expert for hybrid waterfowl research and will be coming out with his own book on the topic soon. Pierce urges anyone with a potential hybrid to send him a photo and he will identify the pairing. Please turn to page 20
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In favor
January 9, 2026
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Closes with a bang Dove season coming to an end in several zones By Cory Byrnes
For Lone Star Outdoor News More days to shoot does has been the overwhelming sentiment from hunters at TPWD scoping meetings in 21 counties. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Public wanting expansion of doe days in 21 counties By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News TPWD is considering the expansion of the current, 4-day antlerless season, or doe days, to a 16day antlerless season. If adopted, these expanded seasons dates would go into effect for the 2026-2027 deer season in 21 counties located in the Post Oak Savannah and South-Central Texas regions of the state. The bag limit for antlerless deer for the season would remain at two antlerless deer for all seasons combined, including youth only season, archery season, the 16-day antlerless season, and muzzleloader season. Deer hunters would still be required to complete mandatory antlerless harvest reporting in the Texas Hunt & Fish app or online, just as it is currently required in these 21 counties. Scoping meetings have been held for these coun-
ties to ensure that landowners, hunters, and the public have been informed of this proposal. Those who have attended these meetings have had the opportunity to provide their input about this proposal and ask questions to TPWD staff. According to the TPWD White-tailed Deer Program Leader Blaise Korzekwa, most folks who have attended the scoping meetings that have been held have been in support of the expansion of the antlerless season in the counties involved. “We have received an overwhelmingly amount of support for the proposal from the majority of the general public who have attended the scoping meetings,” Korzekwa said. “There are some people that have expressed their concern for the proposed expansion of the doe days in these 21 counties, with their main concern being the small amount of does they see on the properties where they hunt.” Korzekwa said the individuals who expressed their concern for the proposal said they see considerably more bucks than does at the feeders on the properties they hunt. Please turn to page 16
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Texas dove hunters have had one heck of a winter season, as birds have poured into Texas during December and early January. Captain Elliot Peters with A&E Outfitters said: “To be honest with you, I think (the Winter season dove hunters are finding lots of birds second split) has been and little pressure this January. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. better than the first half. We have got more birds than we know what to do with. It’s been good; really good.” He and his clients have been hunting out of the Abilene area in the Central Zone. “The first split was really good to us. September was insane,” he said. “Right now, it is really good. Before you can even throw another shell in your gun, you’re looking at another bird to shoot.” He and his clients had their best success during the afternoon hunts. “Typically, around here, our evenings are always better than mornings,” Peters said. “All the birds are on fresh seed and cut crops.” Birds are coming off water in the afternoon. This time of year, Peters and his clients hunt crane in the morning and dove in the evening. “The crane have been phenomenal this year. The ducks have been a little slow for us this year,” Peters said. In Big Wells, Bode Allan with Allan Brothers Outdoors reported the first half of the season was marginally better than now, but the birds are still flying. “It has been amazing. The dove have been flying good,” Allan said. The evening hunt has also been the most productive for Allan and his clients. “We have a lake the dove fly over, and they come in in the evening looking for water and a place to land,” Allan said. “The evenings have Please turn to page 19
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January 9, 2026
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DSC names Farnsworth winner of OHAA Dallas Safari Club announced Wayne F. Farnsworth, Jr. has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award. A dedicated outdoorsman whose hunting pursuits have spanned all six huntable continents over 36 years, Farnsworth embodies the spirit of ethical, fair-chase hunting and the commitment to personal challenge that the award represents. “Wayne’s record of achievement is built on respect — for wildlife, for the hunt, and for the people who make these adventures possible,” said DSC President Ray Mulholland. “His dedication to ethical, free-range hunting and his deep appreciation for the traditions of our sport make him a fitting recipient of this prestigious honor.” OHAA Chair Wilson Stout added, “The Photo from DSC Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the lifelong pursuit of ethical hunting. Wayne’s accomplishments — spanning continents, species, and extreme conditions — speak to a hunter who embraces challenge and honors the legacy of those who came before him.” Farnsworth expressed sincere appreciation for the award and those who contributed to his journey. “Knowing how hard the OHAA committee and associates work in making this award possible, how proud they are of it and how serious they are in scrutinizing all applicants to ensure the highest integrity — I’m more than honored to be selected as this year’s recipient of the Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award,” he said. “This is the most prestigious hunting award I’ve ever received. That makes it very special.” Throughout his career, Farnsworth has gravitated toward physically demanding mountain hunts, pursuing sheep and goats around the world. He also recalls his 2004 archery polar bear hunt as one of his most mentally challenging experiences — surviving a three-day blizzard on the ice with Inuit guides before ultimately taking a record-book bear. “Three days in a small tent, with Inuit guides that I would not have survived without them, is definitely a mental challenge.” he said. Farnsworth shared that he will miss having his father present to celebrate the award. The two enjoyed many years of fishing together on Lake Erie, where Wayne served as a U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain guiding walleye charters. “He was a major part of my success,” he said. “I wish he could be there when I receive the OHAA.” —DSC
No fee, still slow Continued from page 1
Suppressors have become widely recognized as safety and performance tools rather than novelty items. Hunters rely on them to protect hearing in the field. Recreational shooters appreciate reduced recoil and improved shooting comfort. Precision shooters value the consistency they bring to a system. Removing the tax stamp cost makes suppressor ownership more approachable for firsttime buyers and more practical for experienced owners. The process remains the same, but the value proposition improves dramatically. Applicants should be aware that delays are inevitable. The ATF is going to get hit with thousands of submissions in January. This is going to cause a backlog and a delay in getting approvals done. The ATF said they are going to move through the backlog as quickly as they can.
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January 9, 2026
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FISHING
Very good bite Coastal fishing good up and down Texas By Cory Byrnes
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Kyle Smith with Texas Kayak Angler Adventures holds a 40-plus inch redfish he caught while searching with a top-water lure in Galveston. Photo from Kyle Smith.
Texas saltwater fishing statewide has been on fire lately in some areas. Patterns are similar from Sabine to East Matagorda Bay. “Fishing has been pretty good. Just different right now than years past because we are in such a warm month,” said Kyle Smith with Texas Kayak Angler Adventures. Smith and his clients have been having success targeting deeper water. “It’s (the warmer temperatures) not giving the fish any reason to go deep as far as temperature goes, but we have had some extremely low tides,” he said. “The low tides have been caused by a west wind and full moons. With all that, it’s about as low a tide as you’ll see all year. And that is forcing these fish into the main bayou that feeds the marshes.” For redfish, he has had success on both incoming and outgoing tides. “As long as you have good water movement, the fishing has been good,” Smith said. Stick to the drainages and channels during the low tides. During the high tide in the afternoon, you can find the fish moving up to the flats near deep water. “Because it’s not cold, these fish have no reason not to push up shallow. So, if there is an area that is next to deep water like a flat, that’s been good,” Smith added. Anglers are looking for anything with a 3 to 8 foot transition on days where it starts to cool. He reports it is particularly good if there is a mud and oyster mix on the flat. Baits like soft plastics with a jig head, popping corks, and some top-water lures have been productive. “Soft plastic is great working it kind of slow, the popping cork is still good because it is warm, and I use my top-water as a searching bait,” Smith said. Please turn to page 11
Early start
Concho Valley crappie strong
White bass and hybrids in staging areas By Cory Byrnes
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Graphic from TPWD
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists ended their crappie survey season with Lake Nasworthy and Twin Buttes Reservoir. The total number of fish caught was lower than previous surveys for both lakes; however, the fish were heathy, growing quickly, and there are still plenty of fish to be had for crappie anglers, according to biologists. Lake Nasworthy: TPWD observed white crappie up to 12 inches. The fish are reaching 10 inches in length in two years, which is considered good for the area. A sufficient number of harvestable-sized fish were found to be present in the lake. Twin Buttes Reservoir: Biologists observed white crappie up to 13 inches, with 10-inch fish reaching that threshold in 1.7 years, which is fast growth for the area. Although lower numbers of crappie were surveyed, this was likely due to low water level currently in the reservoir. Winter can be a great time of year to target crappie. For bank anglers, the Lake Nasworthy fishing pier is a great place to catch fish. In addition to the structure of the pier attracting fish, TPWD has placed more than 40 Mossback fish attractors around the edges of the pier. —Inland fisheries San Angelo-TPWD
White bass are being caught in their traditional staging areas earlier than normal this year. Anglers who normally wait until a bit later in the year should get their ultralight gear ready to go. In the DFW area, the fishing has been excellent. “Lately, we have been finding some white bass. They have been very scattered, but the reason we are finding them right now is because we haven’t really had wintertime conditions yet,” said Trevelyan Whitten. “A lot of males, not a lot of keepers, but we are finding a bunch in the mouth of the creek already. Like Rowlett Creek, go there with a Rooster Tail; you should catch some white bass there.” Whitten has been targeting pockets of water with depths of 8- to 15-feet of water with white Rooster Tails. “White Rooster Tails are just so efficient,” he said. Let them sink to the bottom and fish them low and slow to increase your chances of finding them in those pockets. For hybrids, Whitten is keeping to the local lakes right now. “We need warmer weather for them to run in the river,” Whitten said. Smith advised to stick to a Carolina rig with a white Rooster Tail. “It gives us a little more distance,” he said. “Once the season comes full swing, all we throw are white grub tails. Watch for consecutive warm days. You want a few days of 65 degrees. That’s enough to warm up the water a few degrees and get them fired up.” Near Horton on the Sabine River, the fishing has been good. “It’s been good fishing, but you have to have a duck boat
Anglers have been catching white bass in some areas typically reserved for later in the spring due to the unusual weather. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
or kayak; it’s like 2 miles upriver,” angler Austin Aaron said. “They’re biting pretty good.” He and his friends have been having success targeting the deeper water in the Sabine River. He credits Texas’ mild winter for causing the white bass to stack up in the pockets. “I have been catching sand bass earlier and earlier every year,” Aaron said. Most of his success has come on spinnerstyle baits like beetle bugs and Rooster Tails. “Really, anything with a spinner has been working,” he said. “On Lake O’ The Pines, the white bass are in the buckbrush. I wasn’t really looking for them, but I caught some, and they were good-size keepers. It normally kicks off the Please turn to page 21
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January 9, 2026
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Walking on water
COME HAVE A YARN We’re excited to share that Glen Dene Hunting & Fishing New Zealand will be exhibiting at the Dallas Safari Club Convention, held February 6–8, 2026 in Atlanta.
Find us at Booth #1442 Navy sailor Jesus Villanueva holds his biggest fish – this nice redfish, caught on a recent trip with his family. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Tony Vindell
For Lone Star Outdoor News For 19-year-old Navy sailor Jesus Villanueva, this past holiday season was a memorable one. While on leave, he spent Dec. 27 fishing in the Laguna Madre on a trip sponsored by one of his uncles, a veterinarian from the city of Primera. But little did Villanueva know he was going to end up catching the biggest fish of his life and a first for him. First, he and his group caught a couple of slot red drum while fishing north of Arroyo City. “I did not know how big these fish were until one got closer to the boat,” said Villanueva, two days after the memorable trip. “It fought pretty good. It was really nice to catch a fish like that.” He said his dad, Juan, started taking him fishing when he was 8 years old and he remembers catching smaller fish like whiting, piggie perch and catfish. He also went on several head boat trips from South Padre Island and fished off Arroyo City. The December trip was guided by Aaron Cisneros, a lures-only captain who knows the area like the back of his hand. But the trip, which included his dad and brother, Noah, was a little challenging. After tak-
ing off from a ramp at the Adolph Thomae County Park a little after 7 a.m. on the first day, the first hour of fishing only yielded a couple of hardhead catfish. It was not the start the group was hoping for. After several more casts with no drum action to show for it, Cisneros told the anglers to reel in their lines and took them to a couple of more spots. It was the next stop when they all hit the fishing jackpot. Having both experienced and inexperienced lure fishing anglers, the group started catching reds and speckled trout one after another. Some were keepers while others had to be let go, including a 24-inch long speckled trout. “What are you doing,” one of the brothers asked. “That was a good-sized fish.” But after a brief explanation about fish sizes and limits, they got the point. All in all, the four anglers ended the day with close to 20 fish, a pescado frito (fried fish) get together in the afternoon. Asked how he enjoyed fishing, the cadet who is stationed at the Joint Base San Antonio, said; “This is my biggest fish ever. I can’t wait to come back and try to do it again.” Villanueva’s father said he feels proud for his son’s accomplishments on land and in a fishing boat, and equally happy he now likes fishing more than ever before.
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Too many crappie Recently, a Tyler County Game Warden was listening for duck hunters when he heard a boat traveling up the Neches River. The warden walked through the woods and observed three anglers actively fishing for approximately two hours. Before the boat departed, the warden contacted the vessel from the bank and conducted a resource and water safety inspection. The anglers were found to be in possession of 118 crappie — 43 more than the legal limit — and multiple undersized fish. They were also unable to produce required safety equipment, including life jackets, a fire extinguisher, or a certificate of number. Each angler received citations for exceeding the daily possession limit and possession of undersized crappie. Warnings were issued for the multiple water safety infractions and for failure to show a fishing license when requested and failure to present identification. The crappie were released back into the Neches River. —TPWD
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January 9, 2026
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: 52 degrees; 4.85’ low. Crappie are good on minnows. AMISTAD: Water stained; 58 degrees; 61.09’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics and crankbaits. Catfish are fair on cut bait. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. AQUILLA: Water stained; 55 degrees; 1.12’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on jigging spoons. Catfish are good on prepared baits. ARLINGTON: Water slightly stained; 61 degrees; 0.32’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits. White bass are good on jigs and spinners. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and shad. ARROWHEAD: Water stained; 47 degrees; 2.55’ low. Catfish are good on freshly-cut shad and punch bait. ATHENS: Water stained; 54 degrees; 0.45’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics on Texas rigs, drop shots, Carolina rigs, and umbrella rigs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. AUSTIN: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.51’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on drop shots and Texas-rigged soft plastics. BASTROP: Water stained; 60 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and crankbaits. BELTON: Water stained; 59 degrees; 0.50’ high. White bass and hybrid striped bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on fresh shad. BENBROOK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 1.76’ low. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Hybrids are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on stink bait and cut bait. BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 56 degrees; 1.29’ low. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. BOIS D’ARC: Water stained; 47 degrees; 2.25’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and jerk baits. Crappie are slow. BRADY: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.11’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. BRAUNIG: Water stained; 65 degrees; Redfish are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait. BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 50 degrees; 4.48’ low. Crappie are good on jigs. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Alabama rigs, and swimbaits. White bass and hybrids are fair on slabs and trolling with deep crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait and chicken liver. BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 52 degrees; 2.65’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are slow. BRYAN: Water stained; 60 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. BUCHANAN: Water slightly stained; 59 degrees; 1.12; low. Stripers are good on live bait and slab spoons.
White bass are fair on jigging spoons. Hybrids are good on jigging spoons and live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad. CADDO: Water stained; 52 degrees; water level at 168.88. Largemouth bass and white bass are good on Rat-L-Traps, underspins, swimbaits, crank baits, spoons, and Alabama rigs. CALAVERAS: Water stained; 68 degrees; Redfish are fair on shrimp and Fishbites. Catfish are good on punch bait. CANYON LAKE: Water stained; 60 degrees; 20.08’ low. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are good on finesse jigs and weightless plastic worms. Striped and white bass are good on jigging spoons and heavy underspins. CEDAR CREEK: Water slightly stained; 55 degrees; 3.27’ low. Hybrid striped bass and white bass are good on spinnerbaits and slabs. Catfish are good on cut gizzard shad. CISCO: Water stained; 59 degrees; 16.27’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits and squarebilled crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. COLEMAN: Water stained; 55 degrees; 3.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on small finesse worms. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. COLETO CREEK: Water stained; 62 degrees; 3.06’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. COMANCHE CREEK: 68 degrees; 0.45’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Catfish are good on prepared baits. CONROE: Water stained; 59.8 degrees; 1.01’ high. Largemouth bass are good on deep-diving crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Stripers are fair on slabs, spoons, large minnows, and shad. Catfish are good on liver, worms, and punch bait. COOPER: Water stained; 53 degrees; 3.86’ low. Crappie are slow. CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.81’ low. Crappie are good on jigs. DUNLAP: Water stained; 63 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, and crankbaits. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 56 degrees; 1.98’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. White bass are fair on slabs. Perch are good on nightcrawlers. Carp are fair on manufactured bait. Catfish are good on cut shad and live perch. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. FALCON: Water stained; 62 degrees; 47.14’ low. Catfish are good on cut bait and stink bait. FAYETTE: Water slightly stained; 66 degrees; full pool. Largemouth bass are fair on Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, and dropshots. FORK: Water stained; 51 degrees; 2.74’ low. Large-
mouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 55 degrees; 5.22’ low. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Hybrids are fair on jigs and shad. Catfish are fair on shad. GEORGETOWN: Water stained; 60 degrees; 9.18’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on shad-imitation baits, top-waters, and spinnerbaits. White bass are fair on slabs and jigs. GRAHAM: Water stained; upper 60 degrees; 3.84’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass and hybrids are good on jigs and crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut shad. GRANBURY: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on live bait and jigs. Crappie fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on slabs and spinnerbaits. GRANGER: Water stained; 54 degrees; 0.49’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on jigs and spinners. Catfish are good on shad, Zote soap, and live bait. GRAPEVINE: Water slightly stained; 53 degrees; 0.02’ low. White bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. GREENBELT: Water stained; 44 degrees; 51.14’ low. White bass are good on minnows. Crappie are slow. HAWKINS: Water slightly stained; 52 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on small poppers. HOUSTON: Water clear; 59 degrees; 0.02’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs and crankbaits. Catfish are fair on fresh shad. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.09’ high. Largemouth are fair on reaction baits. HUBBARD CREEK: Water Stained; 55 degrees; 14.10’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. INKS: Water stained; 57 degrees; 0.85’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on drop-shot rigged finesse worms and jigs. JACKSONVILLE: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.08’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, soft plastics, and Alabama rigs. JOE POOL: Water stained; 57 degrees; 0.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics on Texas and Carolina rigs, and crankbaits. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.17’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow. LAVON: Water stained; 51 degrees; 2.12’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, jigs, jerkbaits, and soft plastic minnows.
Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs, swimbaits, and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. LBJ: Water stained; 52 degrees; 0.29’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Alabama rigs, underspins, and minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.03’ low. Hybrid stripers and white bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad. LIMESTONE: Water clear; 54 degrees; 1.77’ low. feet below pool. Largemouth bass are fair on chatterbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and Texas rigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait. LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.04’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics. White bass and hybrid stripers are fair on slabs, spoons, and live bait. Catfish are good on punch bait, cut bait, and worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. MARBLE FALLS: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.67’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and topwaters. MARTIN CREEK: Water slightly stained; 55 degrees; 1.87’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, chrome rattle traps, and Texas rigged worms. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slab spoons. Catfish are good on live and cut bait. MEREDITH: Water stained; 46 degrees; 43.77’ low. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and white bass are good on top-waters, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits. Crappie are slow. Bluegill and perch are good on worms and corn. Walleye are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on frozen shad and stink bait. MILLER CREEK: Water stained; 47 degrees; 3.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and buzzbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. MURVAUL: Stained; 57 degrees; 0.73’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on minnows and jigs. NACOGDOCHES: Water stained; 51 degrees; 1.94’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs and deep diving crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are slow. NACONICHE: Water stained; 59 degrees; full pool. Largemouth bass are good on square-billed crankbaits, jerkbaits, glide baits, topwaters, and deep-divers. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow. NASWORTHY: Water slightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.90’ low. Largemouth bass are fair flipping soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait. NAVARROW MILLS: 57 de-
grees; full pool. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad. O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 54 degrees; 19.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on deep-diving crankbaits, underspins, swimbaits, and Alabama rigs. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and Alabama rigs. Catfish fair on shad. OAK CREEK: lightly stained; 57 degrees; 22.42’ low. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. PALESTINE: water stained; 50 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on swimbaits. Catfish are good in on cut shad. PALO PINTO: Water stained; 52 degrees; 0.34’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are slow. PINKSTON: Water stained; 52 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are slow. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 55 degrees; 2.35’ low. Stripers are slow. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut shad. PROCTOR: Water stained; 53 degrees; 2.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrids are fair on slabs and live bait. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait. RAY HUBBARD: Water stained; 52 degrees; 1.34’ low. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water slightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.94’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swim jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on live bait and slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water slightly stained; 57 degrees; 2.12’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits. White bass and hybrid bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. SAM RAYBURN: Water muddy; 54 degrees; 9.23’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Alabama rigs, Carolina rigs, dropshots, and crankbaits. SOMERVILLE: Water stained; 59 degrees; 2.85’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on minnows and punch bait. Bluegill are slow. SPENCE: Water stained; 55 degrees; 51.14’ low. Catfish are good on punch and cut bait. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. STAMFORD: Water stained; 58 degrees; 1.35’ high. Crappie are good on jigs. Largemouth bass are good on square-billed crankbaits. Catfish are fair on shad. STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 59 degrees; 1.10’ high. White bass are good on slabs and jigs. TAWAKONI: Water lightly
n Saltwater reports Page 19
stained; 52 degrees; 1.65’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas- or Carolinarigged soft plastics, and crankbaits. Hybrid stripers and white bass are good on swimbaits and flukes. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on fresh cut gizzard shad. TEXOMA: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.31’ high. Stripers are fair on live bait and swimbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait. TOLEDO BEND: 56 degrees; 4.10’ low. Largemouth bass are good on squarebilled and lipless crankbaits, swim jigs, Carolina rigs, and spoons. TRAVIS: Water stained; 64 degrees; 12.97’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics and jigs. TWIN BUTTES: Water stained; 53 degrees; 35.27’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch and cut bait. TYLER: Water stained; 55 degrees; 1.30’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits and trick worms. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. WACO: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.42’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are slow. WALTER E. LONG: Water stained; 63 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jerkbaits, Texasrigged worms, and creature bait soft plastics. WEATHERFORD: Water stained; 50 degrees; 5.55’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow. WELSH: Water stained; 61 degrees. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. WHITE RIVER: Water stained; 65 degrees; 18.82’ low. Walleye are fair on cut carp. WHITNEY: Water stained; 56 degrees; 1.44’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Striped bass are good on live bait and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on punch bait. WORTH: Water normal; 58 degrees; 1.84’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 53 degrees; 3.31’ high. Crappie are good minnows and jigs. —TPWD
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
Flounder
Page 11
Coast action
Continued from page 1
when the season was closed,” White said. “However, there are still some larger fish scattered along the Galveston Ship Channel. You have to be willing to fish hard to catch good numbers of them since they aren’t stacked up, but the ones I’ve been catching have been worth the effort.” White said most of the flatfish he’s been catching have been in the 17.5- to 20-inch size range, with some larger flounder mixed in. Soft plastics, natural looking shrimp imitation lure presentations, scented shrimp, and live finger mullet have all been producing strikes. White has been starting with artificial offerings and switching to live mullet when he can’t get a bite on lures. “Most of the fish have been staging right up against bulkheads or rocks and rip rap along the bank, out to about 25- to 30-feet off of the bank,” White said. “When the tide is up, the flounder have been feeding tighter to the bank and structure. During low tide, the fish have been further out near the channel ledges and drop-offs.” Fishing guide Capt. Devin Williams has also been fishing for flounder along the Galveston Ship Channel, where he said flats adjacent to deep water have been producing the most action. “Bulkheads, rocky areas, and stretches with sand bottoms are where I’ve been catching the most flounder,” Williams said. “Soft plastic grubs rigged on a quarterounce jig head have been the ticket.” Williams said he has achieved success by targeting shallow stretches along the banks of the ship channel first, and then gradually working his lure presentation out deeper until he finds the depth the fish are staging in. Most of the flounder he has been catching have been in 2- to 6-feet of water. “All of the flounder that we’ve been catching in the Galveston Channel lately have been 20 inches or longer,” Williams said. “It seems all of the smaller fish have already migrated to the Gulf.” Marsh drains along the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as cuts or channels leading to back lakes, have also been holding scattered numbers of flounder in the Freeport area, according to Williams. “Main bay shorelines and flats in lower West Galveston Bay, Christmas Bay, and Chocolate Bay are also producing scattered action from flounder,” Williams said. “They aren’t stacked up by any means, but you can catch a handful of them if you cover enough water. Most have been 18 inches or longer in length.”
January 9, 2026
Continued from page 8
Tre’ White caught his limit of flounder recently along the Galveston Ship Channel near the ferry landing on soft plastic shrimp imitation lures and live mullet. Photo from Tre’ White.
Anglers wade fishing for speckled trout in East Matagorda Bay reported scattered numbers of flounder near the mouths of marsh drains along the south shoreline. The best bite has occurred during an outgoing tide on soft plastics and slow sinking mullet imitation baits. In Port O’Connor, anglers fishing the south jetty are still catching a few flounder on live shrimp. Most of these fish have been larger females over 18 inches in length. Port Mansfield anglers have been finding flounder scattered over grass flats with potholes in 2- to 3-feet of water. Most have been caught on paddle tail soft plastics.
Whiteta & Exotic Hunting
When targeting flounder this time of year, he has been fishing the same areas he has for redfish. Smith changes tactics by sticking to paddletail fishing, slow on the bottom, and popping corks when he thinks a flounder is in the area. When targeting trout, “I am fishing a lot of reefs, but we are talking main bay reefs in a little bit deeper water. I am trying to target reefs where there is flow around the reef,” Smith said. He has been sticking mainly with soft plastics. Smith recommends anglers change their tactics as the fronts move in. “I am going to focus on the channels and slow down my presentation in the deeper water,” Smith said. During a warm-up, he noted the fish have been going to the flats but are more spread out. Anglers should take the opportunity to sleep in and hit the water during the warmer afternoon tides for the most productive fishing. In the lower half of the coast near Padre Island, Lower Laguna Madre, and Port Isabel, the fishing has also been good. “Honestly, it has been great all year really,” Eddie Rodriguez said. “I think I have had maybe three bad days.” Rodriguez targets redfish primarily. His most productive lure has been a gold spoon thrown up against the grass. Soft plastics like KWigglers have also been producing good redfish for him. “In windy conditions and dirty water, I use purple and chartreuse, and if the water is a little clearer, I use their red and white color,” Rodriguez said. “The kind of fishing I love to do is sight-cast to them for the most part. I am about one to one-and-a-half feet of depth or as shallow as I can drift.” He said keep moving to find the most active flats. “If I see some moving, I will stop and drift that area,” Rodriguez said. If it is too shallow, he will get out and wade the shoreline. “For the days that have been cooler, I have more success later in the afternoon when they move up to warm up.” During the cold fronts, anglers should target slightly deeper water pockets with flats nearby in the afternoon. During warming trends, you can stay shallow and work the edge of the grass.
Page 12
January 9, 2026
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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GRIP & GRIN
Relying on preseason scouting, friends Morgan Greenlee, right, from Rockwall and Randy Fox from Combine, each harvested a buck in East Texas on opening day.
Mandy Rich caught these two bass on Dec. 27 and beat her personal best twice in one day.
SHARE AN ADVENTURE
n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Email them with contact and caption information to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com. High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Grip & Grin, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.
Will Shagets, of Dallas, with a Colorado Shiras moose he took while hunting with his dad, Frank, on October 2.
Angler Jeff Rice and guide Tony Pennebaker with a giant catfish from Lake Tawakoni.
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January 9, 2026
100% MADE IN ITALY
FABARMUSA.COM
Fabarm USA is located on the eastern shore of Maryland, a region that is steeped in the history of water fowling. We have a very high standard for our equipment that goes all the way back to the days of market hunting, when your gun was a piece of equipment used to make a living. That is why we manufacture the Chesapeake to a level of precision and craftsmanship few can match. We don’t cut cost by making lots of plastic parts or having components made in Asia. If you wan’t to know how your gun is made, pull off the fore-end and it will become obvious that not all shotguns are made the same. How does an eastern shore waterman know what type of camo pattern your gun has? What TV show it was featured in? He doesn’t care.
AVAILABLE AT THESE AUTHORIZED AREA DEALERS Abilene Gun Works Abilene, TX 79601 325-704-5174
Baker Outdoors Lubbock, TX 79424 806-516-5700
Cole Gunsmithing San Antonio, TX 78253 210-906-0857
Gordy & Sons Outfitters Houston, TX 77007 713-333-3474
K-5 Arms Exchange Trophy Club, TX 76262 682-237-7908
Sharp Shooters Lubbock, TX 79407 806-791-1231
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Clay Shooters Supply San Antonio, TX 78253 210-610-2999
Gray’s Shotgun Cache Amarillo, TX 79118 806-622-8142
Lone Star Guns Weatherford, TX 76087 817-599-9275
Superior Outfitters Tyler, TX 75703 903-617-6141
Ally Outdoors Midland, TX 79705 432-203-3661
BPS Outfitters Sherman, TX 75090 903-892-2227
Defender Outdoors Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-935-8377
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Cajun Gun & Gear Lafayette, LA 70508 337-999-0373
Elite Shotguns San Antonio, TX 78253 210-741-9940
KB House of Guns Boswell, OK 74727 580-566-1400
Rocky Creek Outdoors Texarkana, AR 71854 903-278-8780
Wilkerson’s Gun Shop Boerne, TX 78006 830-388-7205
Page 13
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January 9, 2026
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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INDUSTRY
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 22
Conroe Taxidermy sponsors HSC Meisel named president of CA Conroe Taxidermy, founded in 1972 by Mike Simpson, has been named the official Lanyard Sponsor for the 2026 HSCF Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention scheduled for January 23–25, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.
Christensen Arms announced Shane Meisel’s appointment as President effective Jan. 1, 2026. Meisel, an industry veteran, will lead the precision firearms manufacturer through its next growth phase, succeeding interim president Matt Fleming.
Two new Blaser shooters
Yamamoto Baits adds lure
Blaser announced a partnership with competitive clay shooting champions Karen and Gebben Miles, who will compete with the Blaser FBX shotgun. Karen is a 3x World Champion and 2x U.S. Open Champion, while Gebben is a World FITASC Championship winner
Yamamoto Baits has expanded its popular Hinge Minnow line with three new sizes (3-, 5-, and 7-inch) and introduced the Uni, an urchin-style bait featuring bulbed appendages and custom TPE formula for enhanced action and buoyancy.
RentAGun.com launches rental site RentAGun.com launched the industry’s first fully ATF-compliant online firearm rental platform designed to support brick-and-mortar FFLs.
FS Holdings adds Twiss as VP FS Holdings announced the appointment of Lynn Twiss as vice president of marketing, bringing over three decades of industry experience from roles at Kimber, Leupold & Stevens, and SIG SAUER Electro-Optics.
ACROSS 1. Historical site near Menard 5. Season opened in December 8. A flowering shrub 9. Boundary river in TX 10. Also called Grey ducks 11. World’s biggest antelope 12. Occurs in waterfowl and wildebeest 14. NW Texas often called this 15. Hunter’s tool for spotting game 16. Comes with age in the animal world 18. Short Texas season for these birds 19. Texas has too many 22. Common redfish lure 24. Also called the silver king 26. South Texas exotic from India 28. Offshore tasty bottom fish 29. Opposite of high tide 30. Good for bait or to eat 32. Common safari destination 33. Non-native game 34. Duck “highways” from N to S 35. TX bass program turning 40 36. Western US mountain range
SCI adds Mehall-Phillips as VP Safari Club International announced Karen Mehall-Phillips as vice president publications, overseeing all SCI and affiliated publications.
Beretta wins award The Beretta 1301 Tactical C has been named 2025 Ballistic’s Best Defensive Shotgun by Athlon Outdoors’ Ballistic’s Best awards.
DOWN 1. Ammo manufacturer 2. Declining populations in the west 3. STX bird meaning yapper 4. Common snapper species 6. Hunters look forward to this each spring 7. Port in Texas 9. Common name for crappie 12. Texas’ southern neighbor 13. Later duck and dove seasons 14. Fastest North American antelope 17. Common gun rest when stalking 20. Winter is the time for big ones 21. Famous deer hunting area 23. Common fresh and saltwater lure 25. Gemsbok, scimitar-horned 27. Well-known US gun maker 31. 27-mile strip of TX Coast
Puzzle by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News
FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Beer battered white bass 1 pound white bass fillets, deboned, skinned 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference) 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder 1/2 Tbsp. paprika 1 tsp. seasoned salt 3/4 cup beer 1 large egg Pinch of salt and pepper, to taste Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (2-inch depth)
Heat oil in a deep-frying pan to 375°F — ideal temperature for crispness. Pat the fillets dry, then season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and seasoned salt. Add the egg and beer; mix until a smooth, slightly thin batter. Carefully place fish into the batter, and then gently into hot oil. Fry each piece for about 3 minutes, or until golden brown and drain briefly on paper towels. —Staff report
Jerk quail 8 whole quail Lime wedges Marinade: 4 Tbsps. of vegetable oil and extra juice of 2 limes 2 Tbsps. of red wine vinegar 4 green onions, minced 1 Tbsp. of ground allspice 1 serrano chili pepper, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. of minced fresh ginger, peeled 2 Tbsps. of brown sugar 1 tsp. of fresh thyme leaves, minced 1⁄4 tsp. of ground cinnamon 1 tsp. of kosher salt
Cut each quail down the back and flatten with your palm to spatchcock. Place birds into a gallon-size zip-top bag and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. Marinate and refrigerate quail 4 to 8 hours, flipping the bag halfway through. Remove quail from the marinade and lightly brush with vegetable oil. Cook quail on the grill until slightly charred and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the breast. If quail are charring too quickly on the outside, move birds to the cooler area of the grill to finish cooking. Serve quail with lime wedges and sides. —Staff report
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January 9, 2026
FEEDYour PASSION
Page 15
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January 9, 2026
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Foundation hunt
Doe days
“Our guide strategically placed us in the perfect spot,” Shauna said. “The herd was there and there was a herd bull that stood off to the side like he was presenting himself to us.” Shauna got into position behind shooting sticks and her Christensen Arms Ridgeline 7mm Backcountry rifle, before squeezing off the 140-yard shot and sending a Federal bullet to its mark. “I had not shot this rifle before, but when we cranked the scope up, (the oryx) looked huge. The wind was blowing steadily into our faces, making me tear up. My eyes were watering. I got settled, took a deep breath and shot into the shoulder.” The bull took off, obviously well hit, when he ran a big semi-circle, falling behind a big cedar. “We walked toward it and it was Liam who found it,” Shauna said. “He did great. He yelled, ‘Mom! It’s over there.’ It was really
“While these observations may be true, they are more of a misconception than they are a representation for the doe-to-buck ratio across the landscape in these areas,” Korzekwa said. “Deer cover hundreds of acres within their range. Just because someone isn’t seeing large numbers of does on their specific property or in the area they hunt, doesn’t meant that there aren’t plenty of does around.” High numbers of does have prompted hunters to be in favor of more hunting Korzekwa said days targeting them. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News. the 21 counties involved in the proposal have an average doe to buck ratio of 4 to 1, meaning on average, there are 4 does to every one buck in regards to the sex ratio for the deer population in each county. Others have expressed concern for the proposal because they remember back in the 1970s and 1980s when the white-tailed deer population in Texas was much smaller. “We’ve come a long way from back then,” Korzekwa said. “In the 70s and 80s, we roughly only had a couple of million white-tailed deer in our statewide population, whereas now, we have roughly 5 million white-tailed deer in Texas. On top of that, landowners and ranch owners collectively across the state, manage their properties for white-tailed deer as well. That wasn’t taking place back in the 70s and 80s either.” According to Korzekwa, of the total number of attendees that have been present at the scoping meetings held for the proposal, approximately 75 percent overall, have been in support of the expansion of the doe days. “Some counties have had as much as 100 percent of the scoping meeting attendees in support of the proposal, as was the case with Karnes and Wilson counties,” Korzekwa said. “Meetings in some other counties have had less than 75 percent of the attendees in support of the proposal.” Mathew Demmer attended the scoping meeting for Karnes and Wilson counties and said all of the folks who attended were not only in favor of the proposal, but most wanted the expansion of the antlerless season to be greater than 16 days. “There wasn’t a single person at the meeting who was against the proposal,” Demmer said. “We are all hoping it comes to fruition for next season.”
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 5
The entire Kohleffel family got in on the action at a recent hunt hosted by the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
shocking to see the height of the horns and the body size. Walking up to an animal with your kids is more exciting. I had the shakes for a few minutes.” Kohleffel said the animal was gorgeous, and she hasn’t had a chance to hunt many exotics, so this ranks high on her all-time trophy list. After caping and cleaning her animal, the group set out to knock back some of the ranch’s doe population, something Liam was more than happy to accomplish. The family spent a great weekend together afield, which is what the LSON Foundation is all about — providing opportunities. Shauna said it was a wonderful memory with the group, but one small issue remains. “Now, we are going to need more wall space.” For more information go to lsonfoundation.org.
Info@BrokenBottleArcade.com call today: (903) 571-6536
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
January 9, 2026
Page 17
Page 18
January 9, 2026
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases Houston
Last
New
First
Full
Jan 10
Jan 18
Jan 25
Feb 1
Solunar Sun times Moon times Dallas
2026 Jan
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. Minor Major
SUN Rises Sets
MOON Rises Sets
2026 Jan
A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri
10:20 4:09 11:03 4:52 11:44 5:33 12:03 6:14 12:44 6:56 1:26 7:39 2:11 8:24 2:57 9:10 3:46 9:59 4:36 10:49 5:27 11:11 6:18 12:06 7:09 12:58 8:00 1:49 8:50 2:39
10:40 4:30 11:23 5:13 ----5:55 12:25 6:37 1:07 7:19 1:51 8:03 2:36 8:49 3:23 9:36 4:12 10:25 5:02 11:14 5:52 ----6:42 12:30 7:32 1:21 8:22 2:11 9:12 3:01
07:17 05:37 07:17 05:38 07:17 05:39 07:17 05:40 07:17 05:40 07:17 05:41 07:17 05:42 07:16 05:43 07:16 05:44 07:16 05:45 07:16 05:46 07:16 05:47 07:15 05:47 07:15 05:48 07:15 05:49
NoMoon 11:20a 12:16a 11:48a 1:11a 12:17p 2:08a 12:49p 3:05a 1:25p 4:03a 2:06p 4:58a 2:53p 5:51a 3:46p 6:40a 4:43p 7:24a 5:44p 8:03a 6:46p 8:37a 7:47p 9:09a 8:47p 9:39a 9:47p 10:08a 10:47p
09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri
10:26 4:15 11:08 4:58 11:50 5:39 12:09 6:20 12:50 7:01 1:32 7:44 2:17 8:29 3:03 9:16 3:52 10:05 4:42 10:55 5:33 11:17 6:24 12:12 7:15 1:04 8:05 1:54 8:56 2:45
10:46 4:36 11:29 5:19 ----6:01 12:31 6:42 1:13 7:25 1:57 8:09 2:42 8:55 3:29 9:42 4:18 10:31 5:07 11:20 5:58 ----6:48 12:36 7:38 1:26 8:28 2:17 9:18 3:07
07:29 05:36 07:29 05:37 07:29 05:38 07:29 05:39 07:29 05:40 07:29 05:41 07:29 05:42 07:29 05:43 07:28 05:43 07:28 05:44 07:28 05:45 07:27 05:46 07:27 05:47 07:27 05:48 07:26 05:49
NoMoon 11:24a 12:24a 11:50a 1:22a 12:18p 2:20a 12:48p 3:19a 1:23p 4:17a 2:03p 5:14a 2:50p 6:07a 3:42p 6:55a 4:41p 7:38a 5:42p 8:15a 6:46p 8:48a 7:49p 9:18a 8:51p 9:46a 9:53p 10:13a 10:55p
San Antonio
Amarillo
2026 Jan
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
2026 Jan
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. Minor Major
SUN Rises Sets
MOON Rises Sets
09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri
10:32 4:22 11:15 5:05 11:57 5:46 12:15 6:27 12:56 7:08 1:39 7:51 2:23 8:36 3:10 9:23 3:59 10:12 4:49 11:01 5:40 11:23 6:31 12:19 7:22 1:10 8:12 2:01 9:02 2:51
10:53 4:43 07:28 05:51 NoMoon 11:33a 11:36 5:25 07:28 05:51 12:28a 12:01p ----6:07 07:28 05:52 1:24a 12:30p 12:38 6:49 07:28 05:53 2:20a 1:02p 1:20 7:32 07:28 05:54 3:17a 1:39p 2:03 8:16 07:28 05:55 4:14a 2:20p 2:49 9:02 07:28 05:56 5:10a 3:07p 3:36 9:49 07:28 05:56 6:03a 4:00p 4:25 10:38 07:28 05:57 6:51a 4:58p 5:14 11:27 07:28 05:58 7:35a 5:58p 6:04 ----- 07:27 05:59 8:14a 7:00p 6:54 12:43 07:27 06:00 8:49a 8:01p 7:44 1:33 07:27 06:01 9:21a 9:00p 8:34 2:23 07:27 06:02 9:51a 10:00p 9:25 3:14 07:26 06:03 10:21a 11:00p
09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri
10:46 4:35 11:29 5:18 ----- 5:59 12:29 6:40 1:10 7:22 1:52 8:05 2:37 8:49 3:23 9:36 4:12 10:25 5:02 11:15 5:53 11:37 6:44 12:32 7:35 1:24 8:26 2:15 9:16 3:05
11:06 4:56 11:49 5:39 12:10 6:21 12:51 7:02 1:33 7:45 2:17 8:29 3:02 9:15 3:49 10:02 4:38 10:51 5:28 11:40 6:18 12:05 7:08 12:56 7:58 1:46 8:48 2:37 9:38 3:27
07:56 05:50 07:55 05:51 07:55 05:52 07:55 05:53 07:55 05:54 07:55 05:55 07:55 05:56 07:54 05:57 07:54 05:58 07:54 05:59 07:53 06:00 07:53 06:01 07:52 06:02 07:52 06:03 07:51 06:04
NoMoon 11:43a 12:48a 12:08p 1:47a 12:34p 2:46a 1:03p 3:47a 1:36p 4:46a 2:16p 5:43a 3:02p 6:36a 3:55p 7:24a 4:54p 8:06a 5:57p 8:41a 7:02p 9:13a 8:06p 9:41a 9:10p 10:07a 10:13p 10:33a 11:17p
Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.
Sabine Pass, north Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 2:43 AM 3:38 AM 4:25 AM 5:07 AM 5:47 AM 6:27 AM 7:06 AM 7:45 AM 8:23 AM 12:29 AM 1:16 AM 2:07 AM 3:05 AM 4:17 AM 12:28 AM
Height 0.23L -0.01L -0.22L -0.40L -0.54L -0.65L -0.74L -0.80L -0.83L 1.08H 1.08H 1.05H 0.98H 0.89H 0.32L
Time 9:02 AM 11:09 AM 12:50 PM 1:58 PM 2:46 PM 3:24 PM 3:56 PM 4:24 PM 4:50 PM 9:00 AM 9:37 AM 10:14 AM 10:52 AM 11:31 AM 5:46 AM
Time 1:58 PM 3:15 PM 5:54 PM 5:27 PM 6:48 PM 7:48 PM 8:07 PM 8:50 PM 8:55 PM 5:15 PM 5:39 PM 6:01 PM 6:21 PM 6:38 PM 12:13 PM
Height 0.35L 0.63L 0.81L 0.91L 1.04L 1.13L 1.16L 1.01L 0.98L 1.15H 1.12H 1.09H 1.04H 0.99H 0.01L
Time 8:46 PM 9:09 PM 9:22 PM 9:08 PM 9:36 PM 10:25 PM 11:44 PM 11:39 PM 9:27 PM 9:22 PM 10:01 PM 10:46 PM 11:36 PM 8:20 PM 6:51 PM
Height 0.91H 0.87H 0.85H 1.07H 1.12H 1.19H 1.31H 1.04H 1.09L 0.93L 0.85L 0.72L 0.55L 0.97H 0.95H
Time 8:45 PM 8:46 PM 8:33 PM
Height 0.93H 0.91H 0.92H
11:41 PM 11:59 PM
0.82L 0.64L
7:05 PM
0.93H
Time 7:47 PM 7:21 PM
Height 0.68H 0.64H
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 2:51 AM 3:44 AM 4:34 AM 5:18 AM 5:57 AM 6:34 AM 7:11 AM 7:48 AM 8:27 AM 9:06 AM 9:43 AM 2:21 AM 3:21 AM 4:26 AM 12:37 AM
Height 0.33L 0.08L -0.15L -0.35L -0.51L -0.64L -0.72L -0.78L -0.80L -0.80L -0.75L 1.01H 0.95H 0.86H 0.41L
Time 8:56 AM 10:56 AM 1:04 PM 2:26 PM 3:19 PM 3:57 PM 4:27 PM 4:54 PM 5:18 PM 5:41 PM 6:03 PM 10:17 AM 10:50 AM 11:23 AM 5:44 AM
Height 0.79H 0.85H 1.01H 1.18H 1.30H 1.37H 1.38H 1.37H 1.33H 1.27H 1.21H -0.66L -0.51L -0.28L 0.76H
Time 2:04 PM 3:48 PM 6:18 PM
Height 0.44L 0.72L 0.88L
11:34 PM 6:22 PM 6:39 PM 6:53 PM 12:00 PM
0.94L 1.14H 1.07H 0.99H 0.02L
Height 0.13L -0.09L -0.28L -0.43L -0.56L -0.67L -0.77L -0.85L -0.90L -0.91L -0.88L -0.78L -0.60L 0.53L 0.30L
Time 8:29 AM 10:50 AM 12:36 PM 1:39 PM 2:35 PM 3:24 PM 4:02 PM 4:34 PM 5:03 PM 5:27 PM 5:46 PM 6:00 PM 6:10 PM 4:09 AM 5:28 AM
Height 0.56H 0.69H 0.89H 1.05H 1.17H 1.25H 1.29H 1.31H 1.30H 1.26H 1.19H 1.10H 0.99H 0.65H 0.61H
Time 1:34 PM 2:57 PM
Height 0.32L 0.60L
Time 2:47 AM 3:18 AM 3:52 AM 4:35 AM 5:23 AM 6:07 AM 6:46 AM 7:23 AM 7:59 AM 8:36 AM 9:14 AM 9:51 AM 10:30 AM 12:39 AM 12:46 AM
Height -0.17L -0.33L -0.46L -0.56L -0.62L -0.66L -0.69L -0.73L -0.76L -0.77L 0.29H 0.24H 0.15H 0.02L -0.13L
Time 9:28 AM 8:14 PM 7:39 PM 7:36 PM 8:04 PM 8:45 PM 9:33 PM 10:23 PM 11:16 PM
Height -0.15H 0.07H 0.15H 0.22H 0.27H 0.29H 0.30H 0.31H 0.31H
12:22 PM 12:50 PM 1:16 PM 3:29 AM 5:33 AM
-0.76L -0.70L -0.60L 0.03H -0.10H
Height -0.08H -0.07H -0.55L -0.64L -0.68L -0.71L -0.72L 0.11H 0.12H 0.14H 0.13H 0.09H 0.01H -0.08H -0.12H
Time 7:35 AM 8:33 AM 9:20 PM 9:49 PM 10:33 PM 11:27 PM
Height -0.27L -0.43L 0.04H 0.08H 0.09H 0.10H
1:01 PM 1:39 PM 2:16 PM 2:54 PM 3:30 PM 4:05 PM 4:33 AM 5:34 AM
-0.74L -0.76L -0.77L -0.76L -0.70L -0.59L -0.10L -0.23L
11:11 AM 11:59 AM
-0.35L -0.04L
6:20 PM 6:31 PM
0.87H 0.77H
Time 1:30 PM
Height -0.17L
Time 9:04 PM
Height -0.00H
10:55 PM 1:39 PM 1:55 PM
0.04H -0.46L -0.30L
10:06 PM 8:49 PM
-0.05H -0.08H
Time 1:54 PM 10:18 PM
Height -0.11H -0.03H
Time 6:20 PM
Height -0.16L
7:36 AM 9:54 AM
-0.07H -0.15H
4:35 PM 4:55 PM
-0.45L -0.28L
Port O’Connor Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 5:46 AM 6:01 AM 6:34 AM 7:12 AM 7:57 AM 8:48 AM 9:42 AM 10:32 AM 11:15 AM 11:51 AM 12:11 AM 1:10 AM 2:13 AM 1:21 AM 2:24 AM
Time 12:55 AM 12:01 AM 9:26 AM 10:15 AM 11:00 AM 11:42 AM 12:22 PM 12:24 AM 1:18 AM 2:09 AM 2:59 AM 3:54 AM 5:29 AM 1:33 AM 12:18 AM
Time 12:11 AM 12:06 AM 8:24 AM 8:56 AM 9:34 AM 10:18 AM 11:05 AM 11:56 AM 12:46 PM 12:33 AM 12:59 AM 12:38 AM 3:12 PM 5:36 AM 5:55 AM
San Luis Pass Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 3:19 AM 4:01 AM 4:41 AM 5:18 AM 5:54 AM 6:31 AM 7:09 AM 7:48 AM 8:28 AM 9:07 AM 9:46 AM 10:25 AM 11:04 AM 1:04 AM 1:20 AM
Height 0.51H 0.47H -0.50L -0.62L -0.69L -0.73L -0.77L -0.82L -0.87L 0.77H 0.74H 0.67H -0.60L 0.26L 0.01L
Time 7:33 AM 7:58 AM 8:26 PM 8:40 PM 9:11 PM 9:54 PM 10:51 PM 11:48 PM
Height -0.10L -0.33L 0.56H 0.68H 0.74H 0.77H 0.78H 0.78H
Time 1:06 PM 3:51 PM
Height 0.23H 0.37H
1:29 PM 2:06 PM 2:39 PM 11:15 PM 8:21 AM 9:57 AM
-0.89L -0.87L -0.77L 0.50H 0.35H 0.28H
Height -0.15L -0.35L -0.53L -0.68L -0.79L -0.87L -0.93L -0.97L -1.00L -1.00L -0.97L -0.89L -0.75L 0.14L -0.06L
Time 9:02 AM 7:58 PM 3:18 PM 3:50 PM 4:25 PM 5:01 PM 5:37 PM 6:13 PM 6:43 PM 7:01 PM 7:11 PM 7:15 PM 7:13 PM 4:04 AM 5:43 AM
Height -0.37L -0.48L -0.56L -0.62L -0.65L -0.68L -0.69L -0.70L -0.71L -0.22H -0.21H -0.21H -0.24H -0.31L -0.36L
Time 5:58 PM 6:02 PM
Height 0.11L 0.35L
11:57 PM
0.58H
3:47 PM 4:34 PM
-0.36L -0.10L
10:43 PM 10:37 PM
0.45H 0.43H
Height 0.12H 0.28H 0.39H 0.51H 0.58H 0.62H 0.62H 0.61H 0.58H 0.54H 0.48H 0.41H 0.34H 0.19H 0.10H
Time 1:43 PM
Height 0.00L
Time 8:12 PM
Height 0.27H
11:45 AM 12:30 PM
-0.55L -0.31L
7:08 PM 7:06 PM
0.28H 0.24H
Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 5:31 AM 5:59 AM 6:28 AM 6:59 AM 7:34 AM 8:14 AM 9:01 AM 9:52 AM 10:41 AM 12:20 AM 1:34 AM 2:27 AM 3:19 AM 1:05 AM 2:19 AM
Time 8:42 PM 4:37 PM 5:21 PM 6:16 PM 7:25 PM 8:33 PM 9:37 PM 10:46 PM
Height -0.25H -0.24H -0.21H -0.21H -0.22H -0.23H -0.23H -0.23H
Time
Height
Time
Height
11:25 AM 12:03 PM 12:37 PM 1:08 PM 4:23 AM 6:29 AM
-0.71L -0.69L -0.64L -0.57L -0.28H -0.32H
10:27 PM 1:33 PM 1:39 PM
-0.29H -0.47L -0.37L
9:01 PM 7:45 PM
-0.30H -0.27H
Height 0.03L -0.15L -0.31L -0.44L -0.54L -0.62L -0.67L -0.70L -0.71L -0.70L -0.66L 0.52H 0.45H 0.37H 0.11L
Time 8:12 AM 6:55 PM 3:54 PM 4:08 PM 4:39 PM 5:18 PM 6:13 PM 7:56 PM 9:42 PM 10:50 PM
Height 0.22H 0.35H 0.45H 0.54H 0.59H 0.61H 0.60H 0.59H 0.59H 0.57H
Time 1:05 PM
Height 0.12L
Time 7:14 PM
Height 0.32H
9:57 AM 10:39 AM 11:20 AM 4:37 AM
-0.58L -0.47L -0.30L 0.27H
6:00 PM 5:56 PM 11:57 AM
0.32H 0.30H -0.11L
11:33 PM
0.28L
5:58 PM
0.29H
Height 0.43L 0.20L -0.01L -0.20L -0.36L -0.49L -0.59L -0.66L -0.69L -0.67L -0.60L -0.47L -0.28L 0.79L 0.57L
Time 8:02 AM 11:27 AM 3:46 PM 3:10 PM 3:50 PM 4:32 PM 5:14 PM 5:56 PM 6:35 PM 7:08 PM 7:27 PM 7:19 PM 6:45 PM 2:48 AM 4:50 AM
Height 0.73H 0.83H 1.00H 1.12H 1.19H 1.22H 1.23H 1.22H 1.21H 1.19H 1.15H 1.07H 0.99H 0.83H 0.76H
Time 1:09 PM 1:49 PM
Height 0.56L 0.81L
Time 7:11 PM 6:32 PM
Height 0.87H 0.90H
11:12 AM 12:00 PM
-0.04L 0.24L
6:31 PM 6:24 PM
0.92H 0.86H
Port Aransas
Nueces Bay Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
East Matagorda
Freeport Harbor Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
High Island
Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 2:31 AM 3:21 AM 4:08 AM 4:50 AM 5:28 AM 6:05 AM 6:41 AM 7:18 AM 7:56 AM 8:35 AM 9:15 AM 12:23 AM 1:57 AM 3:15 AM 12:22 AM
South Padre Island Date Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22 Jan 23
Time 2:10 AM 2:44 AM 3:22 AM 4:03 AM 4:46 AM 5:31 AM 6:16 AM 6:59 AM 7:42 AM 8:23 AM 9:04 AM 9:45 AM 10:27 AM 12:09 AM 12:25 AM
Texas Coast Tides
Height 0.69H 0.79H 0.95H 1.08H 1.17H 1.20H 1.20H 1.18H 1.16H -0.83L -0.79L -0.68L -0.51L -0.28L 0.81H
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT REDFISH BAY: 66 degrees. Redfish are are fair on cut mullet. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp. SAN ANTONIO BAY: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live shrimp. Flounder are good on live mullet and live shrimp. SABINE LAKE: 60 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics. Flounder, sheepshead, black drum, and redfish are fair on live shrimp. BOLIVAR: 60 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on finger mullet and mud minnows. Flounder are fair on finger mullet, mud minnows, and live shrimp. TRINITY BAY: 60 degrees. Speckeld trout are good on soft plastics, suspending baits, and topwaters. Redfish are good on soft plastics and live or imitation shrimp. Black drum and sheepshead are fair on live shrimp. Flounder are fair on soft plastics paddle tails and live shrimp. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 62 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics. Redfish are good on imitation shrimp lures and soft plastics under popping corks. Flounder are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics. GALVESTON BAY: 63 degrees. Flounder are fair on soft plastics and live mullet. Redfish are good on soft plastics. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics.
WEST GALVESTON BAY: 55 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics. TEXAS CITY: 60 degrees. Bull redfish and black drum are fair on cut bait and large shrimp. Speckled trout and flounder are fair on live mullet. Whiting and sheepshead are fair on live shrimp. FREEPORT: 61 degrees. Speckled trout, sand trout and redfish are good on soft plastics, live shrimp, imitation shrimp, and live mullet. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics
and suspending twitch baits. Gigging for flounder is good. PORT O’CONNOR: 72 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp. Sheepshead are fair on live shrimp. Oversized and slot redfish are fair on blue crab and large dead shrimp. ROCKPORT: 66 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp, piggy perch, and soft plastics. Redfish are good on shrimp, mullet, and perch. Black drum are good on live and dead shrimp.
PORT ARANSAS: 66 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp, cut mullet, and silver spoons. Oversized redfish are good on cut crab and cut mullet. Speckled trout and pompano are fair on live shrimp. Sheepshead are fair on live shrimp. CORPUS CHRISTI: 65 degrees. Redfish, black drum, pompano, speckled trout, and whiting are fair on live shrimp and live mullet. BAFFIN BAY: 64 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and suspending mullet imitation twitch baits. PORT MANSFIELD: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on top-waters, soft plastics, and suspending mullet imitation twitch baits. SOUTH PADRE: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on top-waters, soft plastics, suspending mullet imitation twitch baits, and flies presented from fly anglers. PORT ISABEL: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on top-waters, soft plastics, suspending mullet-imitation twitch baits, and flies presented from fly anglers. —TPWD
January 9, 2026
Ongoing rut down south Continued from page 4
point in the area the buck had come from.” Barragan said they snuck in and corned the road and got settled into the makeshift blind early in the morning. They had several deer, including a couple of bucks and some does, eating corn along the road at sunrise. “I looked down to adjust my jacket, and when I looked up, I saw an impressive buck to our left, about 80 yards away,” Barragan said. “He had just barely stepped out of the brush and was looking right at us. I nudged Morales and told him I could see what appeared to be a mature buck to our left. He only had a small window in the brush that he could see out of to our left from where he was sitting. This wasn’t the buck we were after, but as soon as he saw him, he immediately told me to take the deer.” Barragan said the buck ran across the road and then ran up the road from their brush blind, before turning broadside. He squeezed the trigger of his 7 PRC, and the buck dropped in its tracks. “I hadn’t harvested a buck since I was 10 years old,” Barragan said. “The little boy in me immediately came out. I cheered with excitement, and the celebration began.” Barragan said the deer scored right at 138 inches. He has successfully guided hunters for much larger bucks this season, but he said this moment was the most exciting and memorable of them all for him. In Atascosa County, Morgan Sekula said she and her husband were still seeing quite a bit of rut activity. “Bucks are still covering a lot of ground and are being seen all over the ranch from one day to the next,” she said. “There’s been no real pattern to the deer we have been pursuing, as most seem to be looking for hot does rather than coming to feeders.” Gilbert Leal reported that bucks continue to respond to rattling efforts in Starr County. He said he rattled in a mature buck on a quick hunt recently, that showed up shortly after he knocked a pair of antlers together. Christian Garza has been hunting near La Gloria and said he has seen quite a few bucks still chasing does.
Final days Continued from page 5
been excellent. The mornings have been a little slow.” During the morning, he has been hunting fields with natural forage for dove. There are a few days left in the Central (Jan. 14) and South Zones (Jan. 22). Public land hunters in the South Zone should key in on natural forage in the morning and focus on water in the evening. In the Central Zone, look for cut crops or fields with wild forage. The birds have been flying heavier in the evening, so sleep in and plan for an afternoon hunt.
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January 9, 2026
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Quail numbers
Odd ducks
remainder of the season to be productive for all who are able to get out and pursue quail in south Texas. Ryan O’Shaughnessy of West Texas Quail Outfitters said bird numbers in the Rolling Plains for both bobwhites and scaled quail have been excellent. “The Aspermont and Clairemont areas have been holding tremendous numbers of bobwhite quail,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Out west in the Alpine region, scaled quail populations are up compared to the last couple of seasons.” O’Shaughnessy said the hunting has been great for quail hunters north of Interstate Highway 20, as well as in the Panhandle in areas that were not affected by the Smokehouse Creek fire. The majority of coveys have consisted of bobwhites, but the western panhandle has held a fair number of blues as well. “The hunts we have been running around the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch have been averaging three to four coveys per hour,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Further north, hunters have been moving as many 6 or 7 coveys per hour. Most of these coveys have held 15 to 25 birds.” O’Shaughnessy said the unseasonably warm weather this season has limited the number of days many diehard quail hunters have been able to hunt with their dogs. “We’re still seeing rattlesnakes out and about in some areas we are hunting, and that is usually unheard of at this time of year,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Early morning hunts have been the focus, with many afternoons having been too hot to run dogs.” O’Shaughnessy said the reports he’s heard from outfitters and hunters in the southern portion of the state have been incredible.
One hybrid is rare, but three blue wing/cinnamon teal hybrids within a span of five years and all within a 10mile radius is something more than rare. Devin Cryer is a duck hunting guide, boat captain, ranch manager, and all around avid waterfowler from Southeast Texas. Cryer’s knack for adding an anomaly to the duck strap could be luck, or it could be the result of passion, knowledge and anecdotal experience. “I have been part of 30-plus bands with 11 being mine personally. In all my hunting I have taken five hybrids, with three of those being blue wing teal/cinnamon teal. The teal have all come from within 10 miles of one another,” said Cryer From professional to recreational, Cryer’s whole world revolves around habitat, conservation and his love for duck hunting. “All of those birds came from almost the exact same type of habitat and, as awesome as they are, my favorite duck Hunter Tanner Neill holds a unique hybrid is the next duck. I stole that saying mallard/wigeon cross he took duck hunting this year. from Ramsey Russell,” said Cryer with a Photo by Tanner Neill. chuckle. As fascinating and rare as hybrids are, there is little information about the actual number of hybrid waterfowl compared to the general population. However, some outfitters claim to see and/or harvest about the same number of banded birds per year as hybridized, suggesting comparable frequency within the population. Leucism, on the other hand, is a different story. In mid-December of 2025 Will Riddle of Crooked Wing Outfitters out of Lubbock, harvested a leucistic lesser Canada goose — 1 in 30,000 odds, according to biologists. “It was a bright sunny day, and we had the sun at our backs that really lit up the spin. When the sun hit him, he looked like a ghost among his buddies,” Riddle said. “That’s the first I have ever seen in the field or on the wing, special bird.” Leucism is a genetic anomaly resulting in a lighter colored individual than what is typical within the species, similar to albinism. Crooked Wing specializes in goose hunting around Lubbock, and it is no stretch for each of the seven guides to encounter thousands of birds in a day. With the one and only Riddle has seen, to say a leucistic goose is a waterfowl anomaly may not encompass the rarity. Whether a mallard/wigeon hybrid, blue wing teal/cinnamon teal hybrid, or leucistic lesser Canada goose they hold a special place in a waterfowler’s heart.
Continued from page 4
Continued from page 4
“I’ve heard that hunters in the Hebbronville, Falfurrias, and Kingsville areas have been moving as many as 26 coveys or more over the course of 3 or 4 hours,” O’Shaughnessy said. “When folks have been able to run their dogs down south, they have been finding birds everywhere. The numbers down there have been offthe-chain.” Avid quail hunter Bennett Cook has been pursuing quail east of Lubbock in Garza, Dickens, and Crosby counties, as well as northwest of Lubbock in Lamb County. “We’ve been moving as many as 25 coveys in a day,” Cook said. “There’s been a solid mix of bobwhites and blue quail. The coveys have been large, consisting of 20 to 45 birds.” Cook said success in the field has been extremely dependent on the weather. “Even with the amount of birds that we have on the properties I’m hunting, windy conditions with low humidity can make it tough for the most seasoned of gun dogs to find the birds,” Cook said. “Cooler days with some moisture have produced the best action.” Bird movement has also been dependent on the weather, according to Cook. “If it’s hot and windy, the birds just don’t move like they do when it’s cold and there is a little bit of moisture on the ground,” he said. Cook said he’s heard good reports from friends hunting in Cochran and Yoakum counties. They’ve been harvesting fairly easy limits of bobwhite quail when good weather conditions have prevailed. “Most dedicated quail hunters that I’ve talked to in west Texas have been enjoying awesome hunts when the conditions have been ideal,” Cook said.
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NATIONAL FLORIDA
Bear hunt numbers in The Florida black bear hunt began Dec. 6 and concluded Dec. 28. FWC officials say the hunt was carefully regulated based on years of conservation and population data. Through a random drawing, a total of 172 permits were issued, and each permit allowed the harvest of one bear, according to the FWC. Anti-hunters drew approximately 30 percent of the tags and did not participate in the hunt. There were 52 bears harvested (30-percent success rate) during the 2025 bear hunt, which FWC said is a hunter success rate very close to other states with similar hunt parameters. “The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young in the release. “The limited number of permits issued in areas with the largest bear populations and other components of the hunt prioritized a conservative approach that ensures the longterm health of bear populations in Florida, while providing opportunity for hunters.” —FWC
MICHIGAN
New hunting course The Michigan Senate has unanimously passed House Bill 4285, a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation priority bill that brings hunter education and firearm safety into schools as a credit toward graduation. This groundbreaking legislation is now on the Governor’s desk, just one step away from becoming law. What does this mean? 1. Students will gain access to a standardized curriculum on firearm safety and hunter education, crafted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Department of Education. 2. The course will not only count toward graduation but also fulfill the classroom requirement for earning a Michigan hunting license. This initiative introduces young people to the great outdoors, teaches self-reliance, and highlights the critical role sportsmen and women play in wildlife conservation. —CSF
OKLAHOMA
New state record elk
The trophy elk was taken Sept. 28, 2025, on Fort Sill by archery hunter Zane Scrivner, a Claremore native who was serving in the U.S. Army at the time of the hunt but recently moved to Idaho. As it turns out, Scrivner’s 411 1/8 score would place in the top five Boone and Crockett all-time records for about a half-dozen western states. The former Oklahoma-record nontypical elk scored 390 1/8, taken in 2024 by Jame Evans in Dewey County. The Oklahoma-record typical elk was taken in 2016 by Olivia Parry in Dewey County, scoring 377 6/8. —ODNR
MISSOURI
New deer regulations The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced major updates to the 2026-27 hunting seasons and Chronic Wasting Disease management strategies. Key Updates: • Removal of the CWD Management Zone and the CWD portion of firearms deer season • Statewide elimination of antler point restrictions • A pause on targeted deer removal efforts, as announced by MDC Director Jason Sumners These updates reflect MDC’s data-driven approach to balancing hunter input with the need to manage CWD’s impact on Missouri’s deer population. Hunters will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed season dates starting in January 2026. —MDC
MINNESOTA
THE ORIGINAL DEER BLIND WINDOW CO.
(flip open)
DNR recognizes officers The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division recently recognized nine conservation officers for their lifesaving efforts in the past few months. The COs receiving lifesaving awards are: • Matt Brodin, Brainerd area • Levi Brown, Staples area • Nick Bruesewitz, Karlstad area • Emily Douvier, Morris area • Coby Fontes, Warroad area • Jake Homan, Alexandria area • Danielle Reuss, Benson area • Jamus Veit, Bemidji area • Brice Vollbrecht, Blackduck area —MDNR
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For the first time, an Oklahoma-killed elk has officially measured more than 400 inches and is now the new nontypical state record after scoring 411 1/8.
Whites, hybrids Continued from page 8
second week of January.” Aaron switches his tackle up to a 3- or 2.5-inch swimbait when fishing the buckbrush. “I have been finding them in 6- to 8-feet of water right now. They aren’t fully committed to the shallows yet,” Aaron said. “If you’re there during the right time of the year, you’ll catch them pitching the brush. That’s them spawning.” On Cedar Creek Reservoir, the fishing has been excellent, according to Brent Herbeck with Herbeck Lonestar Fishing. He has been focusing on hybrid and white bass. “Traditionally, this time of year, when the water temperature gets to 55 to 60 degrees, the fish tend to go out to deeper water and suspend and feed on bait,” Herbeck said. He and his clients have been focusing on these fish dead-sticking jigs with plastics in 22- to 28-feet of water. The most productive colors have been shad and chartreuse. “We are hitting the bottom of the boat
and using a splasher to get them to group under the boat,” he said. “It’s best when it’s in the 50s and drops down to the 30s. There is also a shallow water bite that is working well.” He reports that anglers are occasionally catching them with slabs in 14-feet of water. Anglers going out to catch white bass need to focus their efforts on deeper pockets in the creeks where they traditionally stage and fish low and slow. Watch for warming trends; you want 3 or 4 days of temperatures in the 65-plus range, just enough to warm the water a few degrees to make the fish more active. If a cold front comes through, the fish will turn off in those creeks. Anglers should focus on the lakes in deeper water near brush and humps. The hybrid are still in the lakes in their normal winter haunts. They won’t turn on really until water temperatures come back up to 65-plus degrees.
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