Lone Star Outdoor News 052325

Post-spawn patterns dominating

By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS

Although there are still some late spawning fish up shallow, most largemouth bass are beginning to transition into a postspawn pattern. Anglers and fishing guides are finding fish in various water depths, using a variety of techniques and lure presentations. Covering water and focusing on areas with concentrations of baitfish seems to be working well for most.

Guide Duster Craven has been spending most of his time on Champion Creek Reservoir lately, where he said the bass are in a post-spawn pattern and chasing schools of shad.

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Quick trip to the lease pays off

By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS

When a late season cool front coincided with a window of free time, James Meissner made a quick trip to his low fence deer lease in Kinney County. He had low expectations other than to enjoy a couple of sits

with his bow in a tripod under what would likely be the last cool conditions until fall. To his surprise, a mature axis buck gave him a perfect, broadside shot opportunity at 25 yards.

“This was just one of those situations where I happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Meissner said. “I didn’t

have any cell cameras running, so it’s not like I had been patterning this axis buck and had plans of hunting for him or even seeing him. I just thought it would be nice to get away for a night out at the ranch, and figured I might as well take advantage of the cooler weather and make a couple of hunts

between filling feeders and setting trail cameras.”

Meissner chose to hunt an area that typically holds herds of axis during the late spring to early summer months. He stealthily walked into the area and got set up in a tripod shortly after arriving to the ranch in the afternoon.

Surf options getting better

By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS

It feels like summer on many days, and with it, the surf-fishing from the Texas coast is picking up.

At Port Bolivar, some recent conditions have been excellent with a light northern wind laying down the surf, and the Sargassum grass from the last month has cleared somewhat.

Patrick Hayes, who fishes on Jamaica beach, said it’s still a few weeks early for surf-fishing for redfish, sharks and jack crevalle, but said it’s better to be early than late.

On Galveston Island beaches, the trout haven’t been as active.

“The water temperature is still a little low,” Hayes said.

Red drum and shark fishing have picked up the slack on soaked baits.

Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004

Elites come to Texas (P 8) Events at Fork and Sabine River. Hungry reds (P 8) Anglers finding fish coastwide.

Volume 21, Issue 19

James Meissner was surprised when he had a shot at a personal best axis buck during a quick trip to his deer lease in Kinney County. Photo from James Meissner.

Anglers are finding bass out off the banks as their post-spawn patterns gain momentum. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Jason Makepeace, Patrick Hays and Derek Deyo worked the second gut at Jamaica Beach with twitch baits and soft plastics. Photo by Cory Byrnes, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

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HUNTING

Le Chasseur harvests Texas desert bighorn

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star outdoor newS

So far in 2025, only five desert bighorn sheep permits have been issued for hunters in the Lone Star State, and the most recent one was used by a hunter from France named Olivier. Olivier was under the guidance of the owner and founder of High West Outfitters Jim Breck Bean, and General Manager Jasper Klein. He ended up harvesting a 9-year-old ram that scored in the 160inch range on a ranch near Alpine.

According to Bean, he had laid eyes on this particular desert bighorn a couple of weeks prior to Olivier’s hunt.

“At the time, the ram was holding to a fairly predictable pattern with his herd, and I encouraged Olivier to fly in to Texas as soon as he could,” Bean said. “About a week or so went by, and we received word that Olivier would be arriving to Midland soon.”

Hoping the ram was still hanging out in the same area where he had been about two weeks prior, Bean and Klein set out to scout and try to lay eyes on the desert bighorn.

Despite their efforts, they did not locate the ram.

“That made us a little nervous to be honest,” Bean admitted. “I had to head to Midland to pick up Olivier, and Klein stayed on the ranch in Alpine to scout. He found some younger sheep, but never did lay eyes on the one we were planning to pursue.”

The Frenchman’s hunt began the following morning. After spending the entire first half of the day searching for the mature ram without success, they finally spotted the herd of sheep he was traveling with about

MB Ranch King leader dies

Mark Bogart, 49, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas on June 27, 1975.

Mark married Wendy Warrick on June 11, 2009, in Burleson, Texas. He was a member of the Chisholm Summit Community Church. Mark’s passion for hunting and fishing led him and his brother, Danny, to build MB Ranch King Hunting Blinds, BuckStop and MBRK Cabins. Bogart is survived by his wife, Wendy; sons Corbin Bogart, Mason Bogart and Dalton Parks.

In a tribute, MB Ranch King said its family lost not only our remarkable leader and innovator, but also a dear friend.

“More than his professional accomplishments, Mark will be remembered for his warmth, integrity, and the genuine care he showed to everyone around him,” the tribute read. “He inspired those of us who had the privilege to work alongside him, leading not only with determination but also with kindness and humility. Mark had an amazing gift for seeing the potential in people and putting good people together.”

Bogart’s friend and chief financial officer, Chris Elliott, will be the acting president of the companies with the help and support of the entire team.

The cause of death was an apparent suicide. Funeral services were held May 21 at The Heights Church in Joshua.

mid-afternoon.

“The sheep were hanging out in some of the lower country on the ranch, and we were able to stalk into the area undetected to get within shooting range,” Bean said. “We got set up for a shot about 170 yards from the group of sheep that were feeding through a patch of prickly pear. The mature ram we were after finally stepped off by himself and presented Olivier with a shot.” Since he was traveling abroad, Olivier was using Bean’s rifle chambered in 7PRC. He steadied his aim and pulled the trigger and

By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS

The New World screwworm is more than an old world problem, with the parasite being found less than 770 miles from Texas’ southern border and on the move. Borders can’t stop it and some expect its arrival in Texas by late summer.

According to Spring Creek Outdoors’ wildlife biologist Macy Ledbetter, the “gold standard” treatment for eradication is releasing sterile male flies.

“However, there are no such facilities in Texas or even the U.S. for such production and we may be out of time to create one,” Ledbetter said.

The screwworm is more than a livestock disease.

“The screwworms will negatively impact any animal that bleeds — all mammals — humans included,” Ledbetter said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal and can cause serious and often deadly damage. It can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds and in rare cases, people.

The last time screwworms were in Texas it took 700 million sterile male flies dropped from airplanes per

Lone Star outdoor newS

Jim Breck Bean and Jasper Klein of High West Outfitters guided a hunter from France, Olivier, right, and he harvested this mature desert bighorn ram near Alpine. Photo from Jim Breck Bean.

Mark Bogart, owner of MB Ranch King, Buck Stop and MBRK Cabins, died May 14. Photo from MB Ranch King.

Is live animal testing causing spread of CWD cases?

By Brian Dart CertiFied wiLdL Fe BioLogiSt

A sudden increase in the number of chronic wasting disease cases in Texas over the last few years correlates with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department mandate that requires captive breeding facilities to perform live testing on white-tailed deer before moving deer to other ranches or releasing them on the ranch where they already live.

Could the live testing be partially to blame? Research suggests that may be the case.

Live testing deer for CWD consists of removing a section of the rectum or pieces of tonsils from a sedated deer and sending it to a lab for analysis. When the section of the rectum or tonsil tissue is removed, it leaves an open wound that is directly connected to the lymphatic system, the system where CWD proteins (prions) accumulate and ultimately infect a deer.

Chronic wasting disease is caused when a deer comes into contact with an infectious amount of abnormal proteins, causing other proteins within the animal to become abnormal. These abnormal proteins can be found anywhere: water, soil, plants and across the landscape where other infected animals deposit them. Animals can interact with these proteins in low amounts on a daily basis without them causing any harm or infection, but animals that interact with these proteins on a normal basis and then have the protective barriers diminished are more likely to become infected by a lower

number of proteins at those open wound sites.

A deer that has been live tested and has already been interacting with a low level of abnormal proteins in its environment, could become infected by that same low amount of abnormal proteins moving across the open wound and directly into the lymphatic system. The duration of the development of this disease from exposed to infected can happen in as fast as a few months, with most of the potential positive deer testing positive for the disease around 12 months after live testing.

The live test result will show the disease is not detected due to the fact that the deer was not exposed to an infectious amount of the abnormal proteins until the moment the skin barrier was removed during testing.

In a study published in the Journal of Virology in 2011, Dr. Nathaniel Denkers at Colorado State University and researchers orally exposed laboratory mice to CWD material after creating oral lesions in half of them. All (100 percent) of the mice with oral lesions tested positive for CWD while the other half of the mice with no lesions all tested not detected through the duration of the study.

“While environmental contamination almost surely plays a role in CWD transmission, prion (abnormal protein) concentrations in excretions, soil, and the environment are very low,” the study concluded.

“The results of the present study may help explain how low concentrations of environmental prions may be able to transit

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DSC Big Bore Shootout

Lone Star outdoor newS

The annual DSC Big Bore Shoot was a booming success this year at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds near Decatur.

The weather was wet and windy during Friday’s setup, but the storms blew through and the day dawned bright blue and sunny. A little mud on the shooting course only added to the realism of the event as shooters shot three rounds for score after a practice round at full-sized Cape buffalo targets.

The first round, shot off shooting sticks at 70 yards at stationary targets, saw some excellent marksmanship. One point was awarded for shots in the heart/lung area, while two points were awarded for each shot in the brain.

The second round was shot off-hand at 30 yards. The final test of the day was to try to place a shot or two on a moving target as a buffalo silhouette was moving from left to right, simulating a real-life hunting scenario.

With a minimum caliber of .375, the big guns literally came out to play. Shooters were bringing .375s, .416s and .458s to the table, with the double rifles having a slight advantage during the moving target portion of the competition.

When the smoke had cleared, a shoot-off for top position was needed. Members Will Cook and Bence Close were tied after shooting perfect scores during the three rounds. Will Cook took home top honors after placing his final moving shot dead center in the vitals. Gary Weaver also shot well and placed third.

After the shooting had concluded, guests were treated to a catered lunch provided by Fossil Pointe.

Hunting accidents increase slightly

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas experienced an increase in hunting accidents, with 18 nonfatal hunting accidents and one fatality reported in the 2024 Texas Hunting Accident Report.

Some accidents were avoidable with standard safety practices, TPWD said. For example, in Bell County, a hunter fired at a low-flying, wounded dove outside of his safe zone and ‘peppered’ his hunting companion with shot pellets. A dozen pellets struck the victim from head to legs. And while scouting for ducks in Bowie County, a hunter hung a loaded shotgun in a tree while checking for leaks in his waders. The trigger caught and discharged, sending pellets into his upper thigh.

Texas’ highest record to date occurred in 1968 when the state saw 37 fatal hunting-related accidents. Since the creation of Hunter Education, Texas’ hunting accident rate has steadily decreased. Only a single fatality has been reported for each of the last six years.

Taking advantage

“The tripod I was in was tucked in a tree about 50 or 60 yards away from a feeder at the edge of a sendero,” he said. “I put out some hand corn about 25 yards from my stand and got settled in.”

Several whitetails came out first, but during the last hour of light, Meissner noticed a couple of nice axis bucks show up around the feed pen out in front of him.

“One was definitely older and more mature than the other,” Meissner said. “I waited patiently and hoped he would come my way and into bow range.”

Both of the axis bucks ended up funneling down the sendero toward him, and stopped to eat some of the corn he had thrown out. The larger of the two bucks turned broadside, providing him with a textbook shot opportunity. He drew his bow and let an arrow fly.

“As soon as I released the arrow I could tell it was one of those times when I was fortunate enough to make an excellent shot,” Meissner said. “The axis buck only ran about 30 yards before he crashed and expired. I was elated. I had no real intentions of shooting an axis on this trip, and ended up harvesting my personal best.”

—TPWD

Shooters took aim at stationary and moving targets at DSC’s Big Bore Shoot. Photo from DSC.

Will Cook

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FISHING

Redfish cooperating coastwide

From the jetties to the back lakes, anglers and guides are catching consistent numbers of redfish in a variety of locales and hot spots up and down the Texas coast. Both natural and artificial baits have been producing, with most of the fish feeding near some sort of structure or depth change where they can ambush baitfish and crustaceans.

Rockport and Port Aransas area guide

anywhere from 10 inches to 2.5 feet of water.

“A lot of the redfish have been hanging tight to the mangroves or hunkered down in thick grass beds,” Regini said. “We’ve been catching limits of fish, and they have been in all shapes and sizes from 21 to 28 inches in length.”

Regini’s anglers have been having the most success using fresh cut shad for bait.

In the Matagorda area, Capt. Chris McKin-

Tucker Smith hits home run on Fork

Each of the top 10 anglers who made the final day at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork topped 100 pounds in total weight for the four days.

Elite Series rookie Tucker Smith, of Birmingham, Alabama, led the onslaught with 127 pounds, 8 ounces. His best daily total came on day four with 34 pounds, 14 ounces.

For those who watched the television coverage of the event, it was apparent that forward-facing sonar was the key for most to locate and target their fish. Coverage showed anglers winding through timber and over structure, watching their screens looking for fish, mostly in deeper water.

Smith edged his roommate and fellow rookie Paul Marks, of Cummings, Georgia, by 13 ounces, after finishing second to Marks by 14 ounces two weeks earlier at Georgia and South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.

Smith hit a variety of offshore spots from 6-40 feet deep, from clay points and saddles with hard spots to remnant pond dams. He caught his fish on a jighead minnow and on a football jig.

Marks finished second with 126 pounds, 11 ounces, targeting suspended fish over offshore hard spots with a 7 1/2-inch fluke.

Trey McKinney, of Carbondale, Illinios, finished third with 122 pounds, 3 ounces, including the event’s largest bag on day four at 38 pounds, 2 ounces. McKinney, who won the 2024 Elite at Lake Fork, caught fish on a glidebait, crankbait, a jighead minnow and a jig.

“I’ll probably never beat today as long as I fish,” he said.

ley said solid numbers of redfish have been feeding over flats along the edges of the Intracoastal Waterway between Sargent and Matagorda Harbor. Areas with drains and structure, like rip rap and shell, have been good.

“Stretches of the ICW that are holding lots of finger mullet have been littered with redfish,” he said. “The most consistent action has been on soft plastics, but some fish are being caught on top-waters.”

Rocky banks along the ICW between

Covering water key to Sabine River contenders

Star

Pat Schlapper topped the field at the Bassmaster Elite at the Sabine River, with a total weight that may have brought chuckles a week earlier at Lake Fork.

The week before, the Wisconsin angler’s 62 pounds, 11 ounces garnered 32nd place. At the Sabine River, out of Orange, he won $101,000 with a total four-day weight of 38 pounds, 12 ounces.

Schlapper beat Patrick Walters by 2 pounds, 4 ounces to win the title.

Teams battle at Shallow Sport tourney

By Tony Vindell For Lone Star outdoor newS

The Shallow Sport Owners Tournament is not just held to brag about what boat anglers have or who caught the biggest red, trout or flounder.

It’s an event that contributes to the conservation of those species that inhabit the Laguna Madre and all along the Texas Gulf Coast.

The one-day fishing tournament, which marked its 25th anniversary this year, resulted in the release of fish anglers hooked and kept alive for the weigh-in.

“We estimate several hundred fish will be released,” a tournament volunteer said as he let fish after fish go at the end of a dock at Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island. “This is about conservation.”

In addition, other anglers tagged and released fish, and each received special recognition.

A group of participating anglers with a team named Bottom Got Them, caught a number of fish and kept three alive which were turned over to the Coastal Conservation Association Texas.

“We were practically done before 9 a.m.,” said Casey Wooldridge as he stood next to a large cooler and what appeared to be an oxygen tank on top of the ice chest. “We kept them alive for nearly 5 hours.”

CCA had representatives at the tourney who spread the word about the upcoming CCA Texas Star Tournament, set to begin May 24 and run through Labor Day weekend.

Ryan Towns, a CCA assistant director, encouraged the anglers to participate in the tourney.

“We are going to release 120 tagged fish along the coast,” he said. “We are releasing 30 caught in this tournament.”

As one of the few teams that caught the Texas Grand Slam, Ganchados members said fishing was pretty much done at about 8:30 a.m. on tournament day May 10.

The only exception was catching a flounder — something which took them several more hours of fishing until they caught one. The flatfish earned a second-place prize.

“It was a really nice morning,” said team member Angel Mendiola. “Better yet, we did not go that far.”

Lone Star outdoor newS

Lone

outdoor newS

Tucker Smith landed more than 34 pounds on the final day at Lake Fork to win the Bassmaster Elite event. Photo by B.A.S.S.

Pat Schlapper had an unusual observer during his victory at the Sabine River tournament. Photo by B.A.S.S.

Team Sick Monkeys, captained by Chad Kinney, won the Grand Champion Guided title at the Shallow Sport Owners Tournament at South Padre Island. Photo from Chad Kinney.

The red drum action has been consistent up and down the coast in both shallow and deep water. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Women take over the bays

By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS

The 26th annual Babes on the Bay all women’s tournament on May 17 was met with difficult conditions.

“The wind was pretty high and the tide had dropped so it was hard for a lot of the teams,” said tournament director Jen Blaha.

That did not stop the 900 or so competitors from pulling in some big numbers of redfish, though.

“We had just under 260 teams,” Blaha said.

The tournament is a 4-fish limit per boat, catch and release only. Anglers report their catches through the Chaos app with a photo. The redfish must be within the slot of 2028 inches in order to count toward the stringer. The longest stringer in each of the seven

Arroyo City tourney all about the fun

By Tony Vindell

For Lone Star outdoor newS

Coastal towns from Galveston to South Padre Island hold fishing tournaments, some known by anglers from all over the country. But the unincorporated village of Arroyo City, which sits on the banks of the Arroyo Colorado and has a population of about 700 permanent residents, also has its little-known event.

The invitation-only event has been going on and off since 2007 after a Weslacobased family started having it just for the fun of it. It’s called The Original Bait Bay Anglers Invitational Fishing Tournament.

“We held our first tournament with 12 teams,” Jennifer Garza said. “We now have 18 and hope to increase it to about 20 or so.”

As it’s name implies, competing anglers get invited for the one-day event set up on the family property. It starts early in the morning and ends at 3 p.m.

A team pays a fee to enter and competes for the first three spots that give monetary prizes as rewards. Other places get different awards, including fishing gear, coolers and other things sought by anglers.

The latest tourney took place on Saturday, May 17.

After the fishing, a DJ played a variety of songs while the smell of meats from local

business Bar-B-Cutie permeated the air.

The first team arrived a few minutes after the weigh-in began at 1 p.m. It brought two redfish and one flounder, the only two species allowed.

From then on, team after team started showing up until 3 p.m., some with two redfish and most with three.

In the end, a team named Mullet Patrol took the top honor as its three fish weighed a combined 18.6 pounds, followed by Team Bar-B-Cutie, with 17.99 pounds and Team Triple Tail with 16.68 pounds.

James Rodriguez, one of four anglers with Mullet Patrol, said they fished all the way to the Port Mansfield Cut.

“We started at about 6:15 a.m. and finished about 2:25 p.m.,” he said. “We did not catch a lot but ended up with two big reds and a flounder.”

Garza and son, Richie, said the tournament will continue as long as people respond to their invitations.

Because of the prizes given out, the tourney follows the same rules its bigger counterparts do, such as having a licensed weighmaster on board as well as having a person in charge of administering polygraph tests.

“We started having it for the fun of it,” Richie Garza said. “This is a tournament held for the benefit of the anglers. All the money goes right back to them.”

Left to right, Rebecca Bailey, Lyné Donovan and Kelli Vaughan with team Rockport Blondes battled tough winds and finished in 56th place. They used blue crab and cut mullet. Photo by Capt. Brian Donovan.

Team Mullet Patrol members display their winning fish at Arroyo City Invitational. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT

ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 71 degrees; 1.13’ low. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.

AMISTAD: Water stained; 72 degrees; 68.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs and crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait.

ARLINGTON: Water stained; 70 degrees; 1.46’ high. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and soft plastics.

ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 1.65’ low. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

ATHENS: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.95’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, wacky-rigged senkos, and chatter baits. Crappie are slow.

AUSTIN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.47’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on drop shots, shaky heads and small swimbaits.

BASTROP: Water stained; 80 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, worms and crankbaits.

BELTON: Water stained; 73 degrees; 2.66’ low. White bass and hybrid striped bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait.

BENBROOK: Water stained; 71 degrees; 2.02’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and plastic worms. Hybrid bass are good on live bait. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 72 degrees; 1.04’ high. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait.

BOIS D’ARC: Water stained; 67 degrees; 0.08’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, flukes and Texas-rigged creature baits. Crappie are good on minnows.

BRAUNIG: Water stained; 78 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Redfish are fair on crawfish, shrimp and soft plastics. Catfish are fair on cheese bait.

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 0.46’ high. Largemouth bass slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are good on crankbaits. Catfish are slow.

BUCHANAN: Water lightly

stained; 69 degrees; 19.12’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits and crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs. Stripers are good on live shad. Catfish are good on live or cut shad.

CADDO: Water stained; 67 degrees; 1.79’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on senkos, swimbaits, frogs and topwater plugs.

CALAVERAS: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees. Redfish are fair on crawfish, shrimp, soft plastics and spoons. Catfish are good on cheese bait and shrimp.

CANYON: Water lightly stained; 73 degrees; 31.28’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and soft plastics. Striped bass and white bass are good on swimbaits and jigging spoons.

CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 73 degrees; 0.38’ low. Hybrid striped bass and white bass are good on slabs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad.

COLETO CREEK: Water stained, 70 degrees; 1.79’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastic lizards and craw worms.

CONROE: Water stained; 77 degrees; 0.41’ high. Largemouth bass are good on moving baits and soft plastics. Hybrids are fair on slabs, spoons,and live minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared bait.

COOPER: Water stained; 60 degrees: 2.00’ low. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on shad.

CORPUS CHRISTI: 70 degrees; 14.07’ low. Catfish are fair on cut shad.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 69 degrees; 1.08’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on punch bait and shad.

FALCON: Water stained; 79 degrees; 46.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, senkos and power worms. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on stink bait and cut bait.

73 degrees; 0.73’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-water frogs, flukes, swimbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait.

FT PHANTOM HILL:

Water stained; 70 degrees; 5.40’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on creature baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.

GRANBURY: Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and soft plastics. White bass are good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad and trolled umbrella rigs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait.

GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 2.05’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are fair on slab spoons. Catfish are good on shad.

GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 68 degrees; 1.60’ high. White bass are good on slabs.

HOUSTON COUNTY:

Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.92’ high. Lagemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 70 degrees; 12.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and chatter baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

INKS: Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.84’ low. Largemouth bass are good on craws, flukes, crankbaits and top-waters.

JOE POOL: Water stained; 68 degrees; 2.00’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.

LAKE O’ THE PINES:

Water stained; 72 degrees; 4.49’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina rigs and brush hogs. Crappie are fair on minnows under a slip cork.

FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, soft plastic worms, lipless crankbaits and Carolina rigs.

FORK: Water stained;

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 3.71’ high. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are fair on swimbaits and slabs. Catfish are good on punch bait, chicken liver and cut shad.

LBJ: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs, flukes and crankbaits. Crappie are good

on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 70 degrees; 1.78’ low. White bass are good on jigs, slabs,and live bait. Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

LIMESTONE: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 71 degrees; 1.41’ high. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

MARTIN CREEK: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.28’ high. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

MEREDITH: Water stained; 61 degrees; 46.86’ low. White bass are good on silver spoons and artificial grubs. Crappie are good on minnows. Walleye are good on minnows, jerkbaits and slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait and frozen shad.

stink bait and chicken liver.

OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 18.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-water baits and frogs. Crappie and white bass are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow.

PALESTINE: Water stained; 74 degrees; 1.25’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair to good on jigs. Catfish are good on shad.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 72 degrees; 0.84’ low. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait.

PROCTOR: Water stained; 70 degrees; 1.56’ low. Hybrids are fair on top-waters. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.

RAVEN: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, chatter baits, drop shots and wacky rigs.

MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 65 degrees; 1.50’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are slow.

NACOGDOCHES: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.88’ high. Largemouth bass are good on bladed jigs and shallow crankbaits.

NACONICHE: Water stained; 77 degrees; 0.50’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on jerkbaits, drop shots and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow.

NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 79 degrees. 0.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.

O H IVIE: Water lightly stained; 71 degrees; 22.85’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and chatter baits. Crappie are slow. White bass are good on lipless crankbaits and swimbaits. Catfish are good on

RAY HUBBARD: Water stained; 71 degrees; 0.44’ high. White bass are fair on swimbaits, tail spinners and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 2.84’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chatter baits, weightless flukes and white swim jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are good on moving baits. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 73 degrees; 0.75’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs, flukes and football jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair on live bait. Catfish are fair on punch bait.

SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 73 degrees; 0.90’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

SOMERVILLE: Water stained; 73 degrees; 1.11’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on shad and ghost minnows. Hybrids are good on cut bait or mussels. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait.

SPENCE: Water stained; 60 degrees. 47.36’ low. Largemouth bass are good on creature baits. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on stink and dough baits.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 73 degrees; 3.11’ low. White bass are good on slabs.

TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 1.24’ high. Largemouth bass are good on frogs and smaller trick worms. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Hybrid stripers and white bass are good on slab spoons and swimbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait.

TEXANA: Water stained; 74 degrees; 4.09’ low. Catfish are good on shad.

TEXOMA: Water stained; 62 degrees; 10.32’ high. Striped bass are good on slabs.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 72 degrees; 0.56’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, frogs and swim jigs. Crappie are slow.

TRAVIS: Water stained; 72 degrees; 45.00’ low. Largemouth bass and white bass are fair on top-waters and swimbaits.

WACO: Water stained; 74 degrees; 0.78’ low. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on rooster tails and live minnows.

WALTER E LONG: Water stainrf; 78 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, spinner baits and Alabama rigs.

WHITNEY: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 2.84’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Striped bass are good on live bait and top-waters. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stainrf; 71 degrees; 8.49’ high. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

Reliable red drum

once the sun was up all the way and found success.

“It has been better in the marshes and lagoons,” Hayes said. “Stay on the move until you find them.”

difficult to fish,” said Nick Meyer, who posts YouTube videos of his adventures. He recommends you plan your trip on days where the winds are below 20 knots while the weed is in the surf.

Rollover Pass and Sabine Lake also have been holding consistent numbers of reds. Most of these fish have been in the 4-5 pound range, with a handful of larger slot reds mixed in. Gary McElduff fished along this stretch of the ICW and had the most success chunking crankbaits along the edges of the rocks.

“Every once in a while, you would see a redfish cruising along the surface near the edge of the rocks,” he said. “If you were quick enough, you could sight cast to these fish and get them to strike a soft plastic or spinner bait. None of them were bigger than about 5 pounds, but there were definitely a lot of them.”

Anglers able to venture out to the Texas Jetty in Sabine Pass have been able to hook up with plenty of redfish. Some of the fish have been in the 5-7-pound range, while others have been well over 28 inches in length.

Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and bladed jigs have all been producing strikes along the Sabine jetty rocks. The key has been to focus on washouts and areas where the water is flowing over or through the rocks. Most of the reds have been hanging tight to the granite.

Marshes, satellite bays and back lakes up and down the coast have been loaded with redfish when tides have been high. The fish have been following the bait and pushing to the back reaches of these areas as the water rises. When the tide is falling, the mouths of back bays have been the best bet for finding concentrations of red drum.

Local fisherman JR Webster uses a SwellPro Fisherman Max drone to drop his baits out.

“I always try to stagger my baits between the sandbars,” he said. “The second gut has been good for bull reds and sharks.”

Webster has found most of his success on stingrays for shark and mullet for bull reds.

“The best time to fish is when the tides are changing,” he said.

Webster believes the fishing will continue to improve.

“The fresher the bait you can catch out of the Gulf will always be key to catching fish,” he added.

“Top-waters are getting good action on lighter wind days,” Meyer said.

He also uses a small spoon, 1-2 ounces, which are effective around the weeds.

“Top-waters are exceptional for trout — it’s the right time of year for them,” Meyer said. “The weed line holds a lot of life. Watch for birds and be ready to keep moving until you find them.”

Meyer said the long stretch of 60 miles of beach helps to deal with any tidal shifts.

“What you are looking for is high pressures over the Gulf,” he said. “The high pressure brings the water out and has a greater effect on the tides.”

Marshes and back lakes have been loaded with redfish when tides are high. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Anglers cast to the second gut on Jamaica Beach, hoping for bites from trout, redfish, sharks or jack creavalle. Photo by Cory Byrnes, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

OUTDOOR BLOTTER

THE K9’S NOSE KNOWS, MISSING ELDERLY MAN FOUND

Texas game wardens from Palo Pinto, Parker, and Archer counties joined the Palo Pinto County Sherriff’s Office and other first responders in the search for a 94-year-old man with dementia who had gone missing from his home near the Brazos River. With river levels elevated due to recent rains and water being released from Possum Kingdom Lake, time was critical. Sgt. Kirkpatrick and K9 Lola also responded to assist — and within minutes, K9 Lola picked up the trail. She tracked through thick brush and located the man about a quarter of a mile from his home near the riverbank. Game wardens guided EMS to the scene and assisted until the man was safely transported to a local hospital. He is now recovering.

SPLIT-SECOND RESCUE

A 911 caller reported he was trapped in a vehicle submerged in floodwaters in Central Texas. McLennan and Falls County game wardens responded. The wardens were able to break out a window and pull the man to safety seconds before the vehicle was swept downstream.

BIOLOGISTS, STAFFERS RESCUE KAYAKER

Coastal Fisheries crew and staff were in Aransas Bay collecting spring bottom-longline samples when they came upon a sinking kayaker. The longline crew encountered the kayaker a mile offshore of Malaquite Beach,

and observed his kayak had taken on water and was sinking. They rescued the man and his kayak from the water and delivered the weary kayaker to Packery channel boat ramp, where staff from Aransas Bay met them, picked up the kayaker and drove him back to his truck on the beach. The crew returned to the bay to resume collecting a second longline.

ASSIST DURING STORMS

WARDENS

Following strong recent storms, Texas game wardens in the Jim Wells County area were on the ground helping residents and working with local emergency personnel to support recovery efforts.

SNAPPER SEIZURE TOTALS 450 POUNDS

The Coast Guard interdicted and detained four Mexican fishermen engaged in illegal fishing and seized approximately 450 pounds of fish in federal waters. A South Padre Island boat crew and Corpus Christi aircrews detected the group engaged in illegal fishing north of the Maritime Boundary Line in the Gulf of America. After interdicting the lancha, Coast Guard crews took the fishermen into custody, brought them ashore, and transferred them to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel for processing. Coast Guard personnel also seized approximately 450 pounds of red snapper, along with fishing gear and equipment found on board the vessels.

the mature ram dropped immediately. What seemed like it was going to be a tough hunt changed in a matter of seconds, and the French hunter harvested his Texas

sheep on the first full day of his hunt.

Olivier topped off his West Texas experience by getting to watch Bean and Klein do some roping.

“He said he had always heard of Texas rodeoing, and wanted to be able to experience first-hand what that was like,” Bean said. “Something that was just a regular chore for us on the ranch became the icing on the cake for his story about his trip to Texas. He was an awesome guy, and it was great to see him excited about his adventure here in the West Texas mountains.”

desert bighorn

The Frenchman harvested this desert bighorn sheep in West Texas. Photo by Jim Breck Bean.

This land can satisfy many ambitions. Whether you need it to expand your farm or ranch operation, for recreational purposes or as a future homesite, we can help you make it yours. For more than 100 years, we’ve been in the business of helping Texans get the loans they need for land like this. That’s because no one knows rural Texas better than us. After all, that’s our purpose.

Jeffrey Patton, of Dallas, shot his first turkey and it surprised him with two beards, 9.5 and 6 inches. He took the tom with his grandfather’s Browning A5 humpback at 45 yards. Patton said the bird gobbled for an hour and a half before coming near his hen

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.

decoy.

Julie Williams reeled in a 29.25-inch redfish caught with live shrimp to win biggest catch at the Port Bay Club tournament.

Michael Norgard, retired medical school professor from Plano, caught this 20.5-inch brown trout on a light tan elk hair caddis pattern while fly-fishing on the upper Delaware River near Hancock, New York.

Capt Ernest Cisneros found reds schooled up under birds for Steve Hudson, shown, and his friends while fishing from Port Mansfield.

FROM WORK TO PLAY

WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

EXOTIC hunting texas

TOP LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES FOR TEXAS RANCH OWNERS

Texas ranchers face ongoing challenges with land management, including fencing upkeep, predator threats, soil erosion, invasive species and water conservation. There are practical solutions, like rotational grazing, secure boundary control, and sustainable pasture management to preserve land and livestock.

These problems can be solved with expert installation of durable fencing, custom gates and property-specific solutions tailored to Texas terrain. From predator-proof barriers to water-source protection and boundary enforcement, our team delivers long-lasting infrastructure that supports both productivity and conservation.

Whether improving livestock containment or preventing trespassing, Fred Nuncio Fencing, based in Brady, provides the experience and craftsmanship needed to safeguard your investment and maintain your ranch’s long-term value. Let us help you build a better, more secure ranch.

NEW

Lone Star outdoor newS

HB 135, the “tax bill,” has passed the Texas House, the Texas Senate and has been signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, to be effective immediately.

Leadership from the Exotic Wildlife Assciation was informed in a 2024 meeting with the Texas Comptroller’s office, that the sale of exotic animals was not exempt from state sales tax, even though it had never been collected. At that time the comptroller was auditing an EWA member and expected to collect the tax going back 7 years.

The application of sales tax would have sent ripples through the exotics industry, especially if sales taxes were applied to past years.

EWA leadership sought a legislative solution. HB 125, introduced by Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson), amended the existing tax law to exempt the sale of exotics from state sales tax.

THE BEST SOCKS, GLOVES FROM THE AMERICAN BISON

The American plains bison survives in some tough conditions, from blazing heat to minus 60-degree cold.

How do they do it? It’s all about the undercoat in the animals’ fur.

“Mother Nature has given them the perfect clothing to keep them comfortable year-round in all kinds of conditions,” said The Buffalo Wool Company owner Ron Miskin. “It’s because of the “down” or fine soft undercoat they grow out in winter and shed out in spring.”

Each huge bison only has 6-8 ounces of the undercoat.

“That’s all it takes to keep the bison completely comfortable,” Miskin said. “The downy fiber has a natural crimp to it that helps it trap more dead air than any other fiber. Dead air is a fantastic insulator and provides a great buffer against the cold.”

Most people have seen photos of bison completely crusted over with ice and snow, and their body heat doesn’t escape through the amazing insulation.

But what about the Texas heat, especially for those with sweaty feet?

Bison undercoat is also an ideal material when it comes to keeping your feet cool, as the fine, itchfree fibers act better than wool, keeping your feet dry.

Ron Miskin and his wife, Theresa, developed socks, gloves and much more from the bison

undercoat, along with the difficult task of locating enough to produce in larger quantities, a decadelong process.

“Our supply chain brings together bison ranchers, small independent mills and local manufacturers, Miskin said. “We work with ranchers all over the U.S. to get their hair. You only get a few pair of socks off of one bison.”

It only takes a few wears to realize these are the best socks and gloves made.

“Bison wool is soft enough to wrap a baby in, and tough enough to keep a mountain man warm in a blizzard,” Miskin said. “The fiber has a micron count of about 15, comparable to a good cashmere.”

Each pair is warm, lightweight and super-tough. Iditarod mushers who used to pack up to 25 pairs for the long journey, pack just five pair of Buffalo Wool socks.

“The socks wick stronger,” Miskin said. “They keep you comfortable at real cold temps, and when it’s hot, they are better than cotton socks.”

The Miskin family has been raising bison for decades. The styles of products and by-products of many ranchers raising bison for meat have a greater purpose.

“We believe that by working together, we can preserve America’s national mammal,” Miskin said.

Red stag, exotics in the perfect setting

Do you dream of hunting a big red stag? At the Reserve Ranch, you can achieve your dreams right here in Texas.

According to owner John Ed Stepan, mature red stags are a key focus at the ranch.

“I started breeding them with New Zealand genetics, and we have some outstanding trophies to offer,” Stepan said. “A large, multi-tined stag is a sight to behold.”

Through a strategic relationship and years of breeding from some of the top bloodlines in the world, Reserve Ranch offers world-class red deer hunting at the expansive ranch north of La Pryor, about an hour and a half from the San Antonio International Airport, where you’ll see stags ranging from 300 to 500-plus inches.

Stepan, a lifelong hunter who also operates Ranch Investments, began guiding exotic game hunts in the early 1980s in the Texas Hill Country, and purchased his first hunting ranch in 1993, building it from the ground up. In 2000, he purchased 3,300 acres in South Texas, and added another 3,800 acres two years later, all of which he managed for big game.

Fatherhood eventually took priority in Stepan’s life, leading him to sell the ranches to focus on his growing children.

However, a decade later when his children were off to college, the Reserve Ranch property became available once again. Stepan, with his avid hunting wife, Debra, purchased the ranch with the goal of turning it into the premier hunting ranch in Texas. The Reserve Ranch encompasses 5 square miles

of some of the best habitat in South Texas and is bordered by 2 1/2 miles of one of the best stretches on the Nueces River.

In addition to white-tailed deer, more than 20 species of exotics are managed on the ranch, and dove and upland bird hunting is available, too.

“Our dedication is to the preservation of big game animals through the funds generated by hunting,” Stepan said. “This is a proven method of game management utilized by governments and private nature reserves around the world.”

The Hacienda

The Stepans had a vision to create a destination in South Texas that embraces both the roots of the Spanish culture along with the dreams exemplified by so many Texans. Styled after the Historic Mission at Goliad, the Hacienda, with its inviting colonnade, courtyards and fountains takes you to another place in time — Texas in the 1800s. Massive, ancient pecan trees draw you toward the lawn, flanked by the swimming pool and veranda before entering one of the 10 private guest rooms. Also, off the colonnade sits an expansive trophy room displaying more than 250 species from around the globe, a card room and 25-seat theater. The dining hall seats 30, and sports a grand, vaulted ceiling and bar, welcoming guests to a gourmet meal coupled with a “Texas flair” after a day in the field, followed by a relaxing evening by the fire pit to share tales of the hunts. Serving individuals, families and corporate groups.

Polaris® Ranger Crew XD 1500 Nor thStar Ultimate

JOINING THE EXOTICS MOVEMENT

By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS

Two kinds of owners dominate the exotics industry — those who breed animals, and a growing number of landowners who want to have them on their property for personal or commercial purposes.

Sales of animals vary widely, depending on whether the buyer is looking for top genetics to produce trophy animals, or good representative animals to have on their ranch, hoping to develop a small herd and hunt the mature bulls or bucks eventually.

Exotics have advantages. You can hunt them year-round. They add enjoyment in wildlife viewing. For most, there are fewer regulations, which many landowners and former deer breeders are seeking to avoid. You can help save animal species from extinction. Finally, they can help your ranch’s bottom line.

At the Y.O. Ranch Spring Exotic Game Sale, held on April 25, sales prices ranged widely. At the sale, most animals weren’t billed as having super genetics, just good animals for your ranch.

Most sales of the hundreds of animals ranged between $1,000 and $6,000 for animals such as scimitar-horned oryx, kudu, blackbuck, axis, fallow deer, addax, dama gazelle and sable.

The list expanded to species less abundant in Texas, like blesbok, impala, red lechwe, waterbuck, zebra and even peacocks and kangaroos.

Hunt prices help show the demand for a long list of exotic species, ranging from as low as $1,000 for an axis doe to more than $20,000 for a roan, sable or black wildebeest.

A few examples of hunt prices and live purchase prices for trophy-sized animals are as follows:

G2 Ranch Hunting Price Live Purchase Price Statewide

Addax

Axis

Blackbuck

Bongo

Eland

Gemsbok

Kudu

Nyala

Sable

Scimitar-horned oryx

Waterbuck

$10,900

$7,400

$5,800

$48,000

$11,500

$10,900

$23,000

$16,500

$24,900

$9,500

$10,800

$3,000 bull / $3,500 cow

$3,000 buck / $600 doe

$2,500 buck / $600 doe

$20,000 bull / $90,000 cow

$4,500 bull / $3,700 cow

$4,500 bull / $6,000 cow

$10,000 bull / $31,000 cow

$5,000 bull / $25,000 cow

$10,000 bull / $35,000 cow

$2,500 bull / $2,500 cow

$4,000 bull / $3,500 cow

*Prices are volatile and change daily

The Exotic Wildlife Association, North America’s oldest and most successful organization of nonnative wildlife breeders and managers, represents both breeders and owners of exotic animals and promotes a “Conservation through Commerce” model, whereby the value of the animals help save species.

The process has worked in saving species already extinct or near-extinct in their native ranges, like the scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle and addax. These species are now thriving in Texas.

Even investment groups have been getting involved. WildLife Partners, based in Boerne, says it marries the desire to do good for exotic species with economic incentives and has helped with breeding, development and sales of hundreds of millions of dollars for oftenendangered exotic species.

“When it is accentuated by for-profit motives, outsiders that would otherwise not participate, join the fight to save species from extinction,” Wildlife Partners said.

Dave Richards

GROW YOUR OPERATION WITH DROPTINE STUDIOS

At Droptine Studios, we live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle. Our team comes from the same world you do: whitetails, exotics and everything in between. We’re not just another marketing company. We’re a group of creatives who know the industry because we’ve worked in it, managed operations and built our own brands from the ground up. That’s what sets us apart.

We understand your day-to-day and what it takes to make a name for yourself in this space.

With more than a decade of experience and more than 40 years of combined knowledge in the exotics and whitetail sectors, we bring a deep understanding of your market, your challenges, and your audience. Whether you’re running a high-fence hunting operation, managing a breeding program, or launching a new ranch, we’re here to help you tell your story in a way that resonates and delivers results.

We’ve worked with more than 200 clients across the country, including more than 150 ranches, and have helped them stand out with powerful visuals, branding that speaks volumes, and websites that drive real engagement. Our services are tailored to ranches and rural

From logo design and brand identity to web design, photography, and video production, we offer everything under one roof. We also handle custom printing and marketing collateral, so your brand stays consistent from the gate sign to your business card.

What makes us different is how hands-on we are. We come out to your property, get to know your operation, and capture content that reflects the quality of what you’ve built. Our photos and videos don’t just look good. They connect with the people you’re trying to reach, whether it’s buyers, breeders, hunters, or landowners.

We’re not here to sell you a package and walk away. We build long-term relationships with our clients and serve as an extension of your team. We care about your success just as much as you do, and it shows in the work we produce. When you partner with Droptine Studios, you’re getting more than media. You’re getting a team that’s invested in your legacy.

If you’re ready to grow your operation and make your brand stand out in a crowded market, we’re ready to get to work. Let’s tell your story the way it deserves to be told.

ADMIN@DROPTINESTUDIOS.COM DROPTINESTUDIOS.COM

Ken Moody Safaris

THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE HUNTING RIFLE

The Ruger American ® Rifle Generation II is an update to the American-made rifle that has been the benchmark for accuracy, durability, and performance in bolt-action rifles for over a decade. Designed with customer feedback in mind, the Ruger American Rifle Generation II is available in a variety of calibers and is sure to become the first choice for hunters and firearms enthusiasts.

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES

LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER

Solution on Page 20

ACROSS

1) Border lake

6) A spaniel

Not yet a tom

19) Shotgun brand

21) Upshur County’s seat 23) Delta County’s seat 24) A turkey sound

29) A duck favorite

30) Exotic in Texas

31) Minnow species

32) Callahan County’s seat

33) Bass ambush spot

36) Hemphill’s county

38) Houston’s county

40) Presidio County’s seat

41) East Texas lake

42) Abilene’s lake

CFO job at Rambo Bikes

Rambo Bikes is seeking a chief financial officer at its Centerville, Iowa headquarters.

Kulivan to lead

Daniel Defense foundation

Daniel Defense named David Kulivan as executive director of The Double D Foundation, its philanthropic arm.

New leadership at CZ-USA

CZ-USA named Petr Pistelak as president, Tom Taylor as chief marketing officer and John Dain as executive vice president, commercial sales.

Shidler joins Suzuki

Suzuki Marine USA hired Susan Shidler as department manager of advertising and marketing.

Agency for ZeroTech

ZeroTech Optics USA retained Elite Outdoor Sports as its sales agency in several states.

Sales groups for Thompson/ Center

Thompson/Center Arms partnered with four sales representative agencies: Precision Sales & Marketing, ProActive Sales & Marketing, Ken Jefferies & Associates and BCE Marketing.

Rep group for Faxon Firearms

Faxon Firearms added Precision Sales Unlimited as its manufacturer’s representative group in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.

Ammo company investing in Oklahoma

CBC Global Ammunition will create a new facility in northeastern Oklahoma, adding 350 jobs.

THOR thermal recognized

ATN Corp’s THOR thermal scope series was named “Favorite New Product” by Shooting Sports Retailer.

8 red snapper fillets with skin on Kosher salt

Cracked black pepper

1/4 tsp. chipotle powder

6 ounces olive oil

2 1/2 beefsteak tomatoes, quartered

5 garlic cloves, peeled

2 whole shallots, peeled

1/8 tsp. black pepper

3/4 tsp. kosher salt

5 tsps. tomato powder

1 quart water

3/4 tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsps. chicken base

1 1/4 tbsps. modified food starch

1 ounce olive oil

16 prigs cilantro leaves

Cut the snapper fillets in half. Season both sides with cracked black pepper, salt and chipotle powder. Set aside. Place tomatoes, garlic, shallots and pepper in a saucepan. Sauté with olive oil until well caramelized. Add the water, salt, tomato powder, sugar and chicken base. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Add the food starch and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain. Sear the snapper in the sauté pan on both sides, until the fish is cooked. Place 2 ounces of the broth on the bottom of each bowl. Place two 4-ounce pieces of fish in the broth. Garnish with cilantro.

—NOAA Fisheries

8 dove breasts, bone out 1 lb. bacon, sliced 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

egg yolks

tsp. paprika Salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Reserve 3 tbsps. of bacon drippings to the side. Sauté dove breasts in bacon drippings left in the skillet until browned. Set aside and drain remaining drippings. Beat egg yolks with cream and reserved bacon drippings. Pour mixture back in cooled skillet and cook over low heat to thicken, stirring constantly and making sure mixture does not boil. Place dove breasts over bacon, cover with egg mixture and sprinkle paprika, salt and pepper over the top.

—Arkansas GFC

Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT

SABINE LAKE: 70 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on live shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastics. Sheepshead are fair on live shrimp.

BOLIVAR: 70 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp, live croaker and soft plastics. Redfish are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are good no live shrimp. Flounder are fair on soft plastics and live finger mullet.

TRINITY BAY: 76 degrees. Redfish are fair on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp, live croaker and soft plastics.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: 80 degrees. Redfish are fair on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on live croaker, live shrimp and soft plastics.

GALVESTON BAY: 80 degrees. Redfish are fair on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on live croaker, live shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are good on live shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: 80 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live croaker, live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are fair on live shrimp. Black drum are good on live and dead shrimp.

TEXAS CITY: 75 degrees. Speckled trout, redfish and black drum are fair on live shrimp and live finger mullet. Sheepshead are fair on live shrimp.

FREEPORT: 81 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp under a popping cork and cut mullet. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live croaker and soft plastics.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live croaker and soft plastics.

PORT O’CONNOR: 78 degrees. Bull redfish and jack crevalle are fair on shad. Redfish are good on blue crab and Spanish sardines. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp.

SAN ANTONIO BAY: 80 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp under a popping cork. Redfish are good on shrimp and cut mullet.

ROCKPORT: 80 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp, piggy perch and croaker. Redfish are good on shrimp, mullet, pin perch and menhaden. Black drum are fair on live and dead shrimp.

REDFISH BAY: 76 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are good on shrimp and cut mullet. Black drum are good on live shrimp, dead shrimp and fish bites.

PORT ARANSAS: 80 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp, finger mullet and shad. Oversized redfish are good on cut crab and mullet. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp.

CORPUS CHRISTI: 80 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live croaker. Redfish are fair on pin perch.

BAFFIN BAY: 83 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on soft plastics, topwaters and live croaker.

PORT MANSFIELD: 80 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and top-waters. Flounder are fair on soft plastics.

SOUTH PADRE: 81 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp and ballyhoo. Redfish are fair on live shrimp. Mangrove snapper are good on live shrimp. Flounder are fair on live mullet and soft plastics.

divisions wins. The tournament grand champion has the greatest overall

for the

The event shifted away from speckled trout after the

of 2021.

“We just knew it was the right thing to do” Blaha said. “The last few years everyone has really gotten the hang of it.”

The annual tournament is hosted by the CCA

Blaine Donaldson shows a nice slot redfish she landed for her team, Caroline’s Casters. Photo from Drew Donaldson.

MONTANA License fees increase for ponds

Montana requires a fee to either build or renew a private pond, and now the fees to do so have increased by leaps and bounds.

House Bill 74 raises the cost of the application fee from $10 to $600, the renewal fee from $10 to $250 and requires a transfer fee of $250.

The new licenses are good for 10 years, and the term of the license remains if the license is transferred.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said the application fees are to help cover the costs for environmental assessments and program administration.

The new law also affects people who sell fish, eggs or fry. People selling these items must be licensed and are now required to provide a $2,500 corporate surety bond, maintain detailed records of species and quantities sold or purchased and submit an annual report with a $250 renewal fee.

—Staff report

MISSOURI Turkey harvest best since 2006

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation showed turkey hunters checked 46,562 birds during Missouri’s 2025 regular spring turkey season, April 21-May 11.

Young turkey hunters also harvested a nearrecord 4,449 turkeys over the spring youth weekend, April 12 and 13, bringing the overall 2025 spring turkey harvest to 51,011.

Biologists attributed the 8-percent increase to a great production year in 2023, which resulted in a large population of adult gobblers.

The harvest was the largest since 2006. Last year, the total harvest was 47,119. —MDC

ARKANSAS

Early efforts by individual agencies were fragmented. Workshops on “do-it-yourself” trapping, boots-on-the-ground removal services and trap-loan programs were scattered and lacked a unified, statewide approach.

The task force leveraged federal funds to hire full-time trappers through county conservation districts and the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services.

By 2024, the efforts were showing results. The Feral Swine Control Project, operating in 12 counties, assisted on 483 properties covering about 500,000 acres. More than 13,000 feral hogs had been removed, with nearly 4,500 removed using conservation district resources. Landowners reported more than $2.5 million in damages caused by feral hogs on these properties.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation Incentive Program, funded by the Arkansas General Assembly in 2023, established a cost share with private landowners for feral hog traps. By the end of the program, 224 applicants had been awarded funding, resulting in hundreds of landowners purchasing approved trap systems.

The approach of full-time trappers working across the state and providing landowners with the right tools, such as reliable trap systems, provides a framework for eradicating feral hogs from large areas of the state.

CALIFORNIA

Kayaker dies in tourney

Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail confirms the passing of kayak angler Ryon Mora, 38, during the BAM Kayak Series event held at Lake Almanor on May 17.

Feral hog eradication program showing progress

The Arkansas State Legislature established the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force in 2017. This unfunded task force, which consisted of 20 federal, state and nongovernment agencies, was charged with developing an eradication plan.

The day had cloudy skies and a 3–4 mph breeze. At 6:37 a.m. Tournament Director Michael Bray received an urgent call reporting an unmanned kayak on the lake. Staff immediately responded to the GPS location provided and located Mora in the water at approximately 6:42 a.m. Mora, who was wearing his personal flotation device, was pulled into the BAM media boat and found unresponsive. 911 was called immediately, and CPR was initiated. Paramedics were met at a nearby dock at approximately 6:47 a.m. and worked for more than 45 minutes to revive Mora.

The cause of death is currently under investigation by the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department.

Age-old tactics win

Continued from page 8

“I caught my fish a few different ways,” Schlapper said. “I think one of the biggest reasons I outfished a lot people in the area is that I was fishing a lot faster. I was just covering as much water as I could.”

Schlapper had success using a buzzbait on foundations holding a set of elevated pipes that crossed a canal, and fishing grass, wood and points along banks while using a homemade finesse jig, a drop shot and a Texas-rigged creature bait.

Walters, of South Carolina, finished second with 36 pounds, 8 ounces, finishing strong on the final day.

Walters said he had confidence in his baits and covered a lot of water until he found fish. He caught most of his fish on a spinner bait.

Japan’s Kyoya Fujita finished third, also with 36 pounds, 8 ounces, but lost in the tie-braker to Walters, who had a heavier single-day weight.

Fujita, who placed fourth a week earlier at Lake Fork, caught his fish on a Texasrigged shrimp and a Neko rig.

“I did not catch my fish on forward facing sonar,” he said. “I caught all of my fish power fishing — speed is important.”

Shallow Sport winners

Continued from page 8

The team members said they stayed between the Causeway and South Bay. By contrast, other anglers said they went as far as Port Mansfield. Some came back with good catches while others said they hardly caught a keeper.

The tournament took place with the participation of 250 entries and each team was allowed to enter no more than three fish in each division as a conservation measure.

It also gave $17,000 in scholarships to area students — the most in its history.

In the end, a Port Mansfield team named Sick Monkeys grabbed the first spot with 14.1 pounds of fish caught altogether while Prop Scar took the Amateur prize.

Sick Monkeys?

“It’s a dumb name we made up years ago,” said Capt. Chad Kinney.

Results: Grand Champion Guided Sick Monkeys

Grand Champion Amateur Prop Scar

Guided Open Bait — Redfish

Live testing issues

Continued from page 5

the mucosal barrier to initiate infection in foraging cervids and perhaps in other species.”

The majority of new cases of CWD in Texas deer are within captive breeding facilities that have never been exposed to other CWD positive animals. Within that group, new CWD positive animals have been live tested and disease not detected within the previous 12 months, indicating the proteins most likely entered the system after or at the time the section of rectum or tonsil was removed. The abnormal proteins then had enough time to replicate and accumulate in the lymph nodes and/or brain to be able to be detected by lab testing after death indicating a positive deer.

The first CWD positive, captive deer in Texas was found using standard testing protocols, which required a sample to be removed from a percentage of deer that died in captivity and sent to the lab for testing. This protocol worked. Since then, additional testing requirements, including

mandated live animal testing, have been adopted.

Mandated live animal testing could be having unintended repercussions, research suggests. If creating wounds in the lymphatic system is causing infection in animals that wouldn’t have been infected otherwise, we must evaluate the benefits of live animal testing. What is the solution, since the other approved testing method involves killing the deer to find out whether it has the disease or not?

The answer could come through less invasive live testing methods, particularly blood tests. However, these are still in the development stage and not yet approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Following the science is imperative in this process, and wildlife management decisions at all levels must be based on this real science and data if we are going to learn to live with and manage CWD in Texas.

Plenty of fish records in 2024

Anglers across Texas set fishing records through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program (ARP) in 2024. Joan Swartz of Austin enjoyed one of the most notable catches, setting multiple fly-rod records on Oct. 15.

Swartz, president of the Texas Women Fly Fishers, reeled in a smallmouth buffalo on the Brazos River that weighed 27.95 pounds and measured 34.25 inches long. She earned a Big Fish Award, Water Body Record, State Catch and Release Record and a Water Body Catch and Release Record.

Anglers set a combined 58 new state records and 500 waterbody records during the calendar year.

Notable catches in 2024:

Ernst Toepfer V, of Corpus Christi, the program’s youngest Elite Angler, used a jug line to catch a record-breaking alligator gar out of the Nueces River Sept. 22. The gar weighed 90.06 pounds and measured 73 inches. Ernst picked up a Big Fish Award, Junior Water Body Record and Junior State Record for this catch.

While fishing with her dad Feb. 23, Rayleigh Crews caught a 14.85-pound blue catfish out of Bob Sandlin on a rod and reel. She earned an Outstanding Angler Award and a Jr. Water Body Record for her catch.

Antonio Montoya, of Medanales, New Mexico caught a red drum Nov. 27 out of the Lower Laguna Madre using a mullet as bait. The fish weighed 27.7 pounds and measured 43.31 inches long. Montoya garnered a Big Fish Award and a Junior Water Body Record for his catch.

Cassandra Tutt, of Abilene caught a 8.4-pound freshwater drum out of Hubbard Creek reservoir on May 25 using shad as bait. Tutt received a Water Body Record and Outstanding Angler Award for her catch.

Jamie Meaux, of Brenham, has more than 200 catches in the program. One of his catches, a 15.2-inch white bass from Jerdelle Creek, earned Meaux a Water Body Catch and Release Record and a Big Fish Award.

Oliver Pope, of Austin, caught a common carp out of Lady Bird Lake March 9 using a rod and reel that weighed 39.2 pounds. Pope earned a Big Fish Award, Junior State Record, Junior Water Body Record and a Water Body Catch and Release Record for the massive catch.

On Sept. 2, Kian Feizy, of Plano, caught a 5.48-pound bowfin out of Lake Athens using a rod and reel, earning the Junior Water Body Record. On Oct. 13, he caught a 6.76-pound bowfin out of the same waterbody, breaking his own Junior Water Body Record and earning the overall Water Body Record.

Jarrett Jenkins earned his Saltwater Elite Angler Award in record time in 2024. In just over a month, he earned a Big Fish Award for a southern flounder, gafftopsail catfish, black drum, sheepshead, and a red drum, all caught from Galveston Bay.

The ARP, housed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, in Athens, features multiple award categories, including rod and reel, fly fishing, bow fishing and the new state record all-tackle category.

Parasite preparation

Continued from page 4

week for 20 years to eradicate them.

Other suggested options include adding the medications Ivermectin, Cydectin and Dectomax to wildlife feed.

Ronald Eckel, with Lyssy & Eckel Feeds, said the sterile insect technique isn’t a viable solution at this time.

“The USDA facility in Panama, established to create a barrier for the screwworm to move from South America northward, is the only facility producing sterile flies,” he said. “Early implementation is most effective, and outbreaks expand quickly without the technique.”

Federal legislation, called the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act is being introduced by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23).

“As a life-long resident of Texas, this one hit home for me,” said Corey Mason, Wild Sheep Foundation’s Executive Vice President of Conservation. “I recall the horror stories from the last outbreak back in the 1960s.”

The Act would authorize funds for and direct USDA to begin construction on a new sterile fly production facility to combat the outbreak.

Eckel also recommends a quick push to add medications, called macrocyclic lactones, and specifically Ivermectin, cydectin and dectomax.

“Ivermectin is effective at killing early-

stage larvae of the screwworm fly once they infest a host. Ivermectin is absorbed and concentrated in skin and tissues, which helps kill larvae feeding on the host,” he said.

According to a study published by the National Institute of Health in 1985, protection lasts about 1 to 2 weeks in cattle, depending on the dose.”

“Cydectin can provide protection for over 3 weeks,” Eckel said.

Eckel believes Texas livestock feed manufacturers can help provide a solution.

“We have used a dry Ivermectin premix in the past,” he said. “My proposal is to add an Ivermectin premix to all forms of livestock and wildlife feeds.”

There is one problem. A dry Ivermectin premix is not available to feed manufacturers in the United States. The USDA has access to a dry premix for their fever tick control program, but this premix is not available commercially.

“We need prompt FDA and USDA authorization to use the dry premix to take a critical step forward in protecting our livestock and wildlife,” Eckel said. “Widespread use of Ivermectin can reduce survival rates of larvae, limiting new adult flies from emerging. Broad use of Ivermectin in livestock and wildlife may help reduce the population of the New World screwworm fly, but on its own, it is unlikely to completely break the life cycle or eradicate the fly. Nonetheless, it is our most effective tool at this time.”

After the spawn

Continued from page 1

“Most of the fish are concentrated out along extended points in 10 to 20 feet of water,” Craven said. “Anywhere you can find balls of shad around a point has been productive. Crankbaits, Texas-rigged soft plastics and jerkbaits have been the ticket for staying hooked up.”

Craven said the bass have been in small pods of four to six fish. Most of the largemouths have been in the 2-4-pound range with some smaller and larger fish mixed in. Austin area guide Ander Meine said the key to catching fish on Lady Bird Lake lately has been current.

“If they are letting water through the dams and generating some current across the lake, the bite has been lights out,” Meine said. “When this isn’t happening, the action has been a little bit more inconsistent.”

Bridges, creek mouths and channel swings in 12-25 feet of water have been holding the most bass. Some fish can be found in a little deeper water.

“Targeting the abundant submerged vegetation in these areas has been the most productive approach,” he said. “Drop shotrigged finesse worms and Texas-rigged stick worms have been drawing the most strikes.”

Rick Cruz has been chasing bass on Lake Ray Hubbard, where he said the action has been pretty steady.

“The bass bite has been good on Ray Hubbard, and I know several anglers that have caught 30 to 50 fish in a single day,” Cruz said. “Many of these fish have been in the 6to 8-pound range.”

Cruz said the best action has been taking place along rocky banks and near marinas and docks. Creature baits and various soft plastics worked slowly have been catching the most bass.

On Falcon Lake, guide Ram Reyes said bass are feeding in 3-15 feet of water over stretches with hard bottoms. Crankbaits, senkos, power worms, and spinner baits are all producing bites.

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