Lone Star Outdoor News 122520 by Lone Star Outdoor News

Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas

December 25, 2020

Volume 17, Issue 9

Winter dove falling By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News

Chris Kasper landed this largemouth while fishing on Falcon Lake. Photo by Jimmy Steed.

Falcon bass fat, full of eggs By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Jimmy Steed’s customers have been landing some big pre-spawn largemouths on Lake Falcon, and barring cold weather, he said to expect the spawn soon on the border lake. “I would say 90 percent of the fish we are catching are full of eggs,” he said. Water temperatures have been holding in the mid-60s for awhile. “If we don’t get any real cold weather, the spawn will come soon,” Steed said. For now, deep-diving crankbaits have been producing the best results. “The lake is putting out some fatties,” Steed said. “And we are still catching a few on plastics.” With the lake being so low (38 feet), the guide said this season’s spawn won’t be the typical event. “There’s no water in the creeks,” he said. “Here, the fish just kind of move a little more shallow from where they are and spawn — it’s more scattered and sporadic.” James Bendele of Falcon Lake Tackle said of all the baits there are to choose from, a deepdiving crankbait is catching more fish than Please turn to page 13

Hunters took to the fields for the second split of dove season. People reported a decent number of birds on grain fields in the mornings and stock ponds; cattle tanks worked best in the afternoon, just enough to keep their gun dogs busy. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

The opening of the second split of dove season greeted hunters with temperatures and conditions many may have argued were much more suitable for a deer blind or a duck blind, rather than a dove field. But, wingshooters willing to put on a jacket and contend with the elements had opportunities to sling some shells in certain areas across the state. Harvested grain fields produced decent morning shoots, while stock ponds and cattle tanks seemed to be the hub for afternoon action. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife biologist for Frio, Dimmit, and Zavala counties, Blaise Korzekwa, said South Texas dove hunters experienced average to above average hunts to kick off the winter season. “Harvested grain fields saw a good influx of dove feeding during the morning hours,” he said. “In Frio County, it seemed like sesame fields were holding the most birds, as well as pastures that still had some croton left standing from the fall. By mid-morning, the dove left the fields and didn’t really fly again until the afternoon.” Korzekwa said scouting is the key this time of year. “Winter dove can be a little more fickle with their patterns, and their behavior really depends on the weather conditions,” he said. “There’s also typically less hunting pressure on them, so they aren’t forced to move around near as much as they are during the fall season. Hunters who did their homework harvested half to full limits during opening weekend.” Please turn to page 17

Some have to turn away hunters By Nate Skinner

Deer hunters seemingly have been able

times, as they reached their operating capacity. Kuby’s Wild Game Processing, in Dallas, is a popular processing facility that reached its capacity for processing wild game earlier this month. The processor closed for 10 days at the beginning Please turn to page 13

CONTENTS

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to spend more time in the deer blind at their ranches or leases this season, resulting in a record number of deer being brought to many of the deer processing facilities across the state. Some processors have even had to turn hunters away at

Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 22

INSIDE

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

Deer processors see increase in traffic, animals

Kuby’s Wild Game Processing manager David Norman inspects some of the frozen orders of meat in their storage facility. His team is working hard to catch up after taking in so many deer and hogs this season. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

HUNTING

FISHING

Mule deer study (P. 4)

Specks at Galveston Bay (P. 8)

Antler peak size similar to whitetails.

Good numbers, size varies.

DSC going virtual (P. 5)

Santas on the water (P. 11)

City, county halt in-person event.

Tourney sets record.

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HUNTING

Waterfowl on the prairie

Adam Weatherby took this buck on the Guitar Ranches using his Mark V rifle. Photo from Weatherby.

Weatherby owner takes Texas buck By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Adam Weatherby left the Sheridan, Wyoming company headquarters to attend a field-to-table hunting event at the Guitar Ranches in West Texas. Weatherby provided the rifles for the event. “The hunters used the new Vanguard High Country in 6.5 Creedmore,” said Luke Thorkildsen, Weatherby’s marketing manager. “It has a painted stock, Cerakoted metal and suppressor threads.” Weatherby, though, shot the Mark V, 6.5 WBY RPM. “With ammo shortages, it was too hard to have enough ammo for everyone to shoot the RPM on the range,” Thorkildsen said. “Ammo availability is tricky now.” He said the Mark V shoots with higher velocities, helping it kill game more ethically.

Prairie ponds near Seadrift are producing good numbers of pintail, gadwall, wigeon and teal. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Midcoast marshes, ponds producing By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News Duck hunts on the prairie and the bays from Port O’Connor to Seadrift are going strong since the second split of the season opened Dec. 12. Many of the ducks being harvested on the bays are redheads, but hunters working their way to the backwater marsh areas are racking

up limits including several other duck species. Guide Spencer Lowery, with Low Tide Guide Service, has been running hunts on the middle coast bays and on the prairie out of Seadrift. “It’s been good since the second split opened,” he said. “Some of my best hunts are on the prairie where I’ve got flooded areas and ponds. But the bays have been good too. It’s just a matter of using an airboat to access the shallow flats

way off the beaten path. We’ve been getting a better variety of ducks on the prairie with most being gadwall, wigeon, teal and pintail.” Jim Stelle is a do-it-yourself waterfowler who has been hunting out of Port O’Connor on the bays and inland freshwater ponds. “We’re only hunting on the weekends,” Stelle said. “Usually on Saturday we’ll hunt on the prairie where we have access to several ponds. Then on Sunday

Please turn to page 19

we’ll switch over to the backwater lakes and flats on the bays. The thing about the prairie ponds is that you don’t want to pressure them too much. That will definitely run the birds off. The saltwater hunts have been best on pockets of water along the south shoreline of the bays. That’s where we’ll set up in a blind and put out several dozen decoys. Limits of redheads come easy on just about every hunt. But we’re also getting some bluebills, pintail and teal.” Please turn to page 19

Good buck arrowed on small South Texas ranch By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News

While most managers and hunters thought mule deer reached their peak antler size at an older age than white-tailed deer, researchers found the bucks reach their peak at about the same age. Photo from BRI.

Decade-long mule deer study Antler size peaks earlier than many thought By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Beginning in 2010, researchers at the Borderlands Research Institute

studied how mule deer antler scores change over a buck’s lifetime. What they learned about when a mule deer buck’s antler size peaks came as something of a surprise. The study, performed at the Apache Ranch near Van Horn, looked at wild, known-age deer, Please turn to page 17

Lee Sherman was on a hunt in Wilson County on a friend’s ranch that covers about 470 acres. But only a small portion of brush, scattered out across roughly 30 acres, holds deer. “It’s just a tiny area of brush that doesn’t get hunted that much,” said Carlos Fernandez, whose family owns the ranch. “This is the first year that Lee has hunted on it. But I have another friend that has hunted it for the past few years. Up until this season I think only two deer have been taken in that small area of brush.” Sherman was in an area of brush and on a tripod stand near a corn feeder when a huge 8-pointer appeared early one December morning. “I had been on stand since about 6 that morning,” Sherman said. “I had a few does at the feeder when that big 8-pointer showed up at 7:40. I heard him come in behind me. As soon as I saw him, I knew he was a shooter. It was just a matter of time to let him turn broadside so I could make a good shot.” Sherman, who is 50, was hunting with his bow that he’s had for 18 years, and a 100-grain broadhead with three blades. He’s been bow hunting for three decades and has taken around two dozen whitetails with his bow and crossbow, but most

Lee Sherman arrowed this buck on a small Wilson County ranch with only 30 acres of brush that typically holds deer. Photo by Ethan Sherman.

of his hunting prior to this season was in the Hill Country. “He was moving around a good bit and at one point was downwind of me,” Sherman said. “I had a carbon suit on to help mask my scent. I Please turn to page 13

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The overlooked game bird American woodcock moving through By Trey Johnson

For Lone Star Outdoor News While walking through the pine forests of East Texas, an old man was startled as a bat-like bird erupted at his feet. The bird chittered and fluttered erratically before it cleared the brushy understory and disappeared. Wearing a wry grin, the man finished his walk and returned home. That evening he described the event to his grandson and said simply “looks like the woodcock have arrived.” This year’s woodcock season began Dec. 18, and avid hunter Andrew Boatman, of Nacogdoches, headed to the woods but came home empty-handed. He had seen good numbers of the birds at dusk two weeks before the opener, but opening day was a bust. “We are going out again this afternoon and every day until we find them,” Boatman said. Boatman did have a few friends who

Brandon Overturf, a freshman at Stephen F. Austin University studying wildlife management, shot his first woodcock while hunting with his uncle, Andrew Boatman, in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Photo by Andrew Boatman.

Please turn to page 19

DSC in-person 2021 convention shuttered by city, county By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News The Dallas Safari Club annual convention, after already moving its dates from January to February 2021 was a go despite a pandemic, mask-wearing requirements and restrictions on crowd numbers. Until Dec. 11, when city and county officials, claiming they would be unable to meet contractual obligations after recommendations of the County Health Authority, said the live convention would not be taking place. After an emergency board meeting on Dec. 11, the DSC board made the official decision to reposition the 2021 convention to a modified, virtual event. DSC President Mark Little told Lone Star Outdoor News that alternative plans have been in the works for months in the event a change was required, and the virtual convention is planned for the same scheduled dates, Feb. 11-14. All deposits made by the club to the convention center are being returned, and

sponsors, exhibitors and members are being contacted with the news. Also, according to City of Dallas sources, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will become the area’s headquarters for coronavirus vaccine storage and distribution, including 24-hour manned security. While sources believed the vaccine effort could prohibit further conventions, Rosa Fleming, the director of convention and event services for the City of Dallas, said that was not the case. “We still will be able to host events in the convention center,” she said. “The reason we’re closed now is because the (positive coronavirus) numbers are high and we are acting on the recommendation of health officials.” Fleming said the vaccine storage will only use a small portion of the center’s space. “If the numbers dropped, we could still host a full complement of conventions,” she said.

Police officer dies preparing for duck hunt The body of Sgt. Robert Ramsey, A University Park police officer, was found in Lake Tawakoni Dec. 17. Ramsey was reported missing Dec. 16 after going duck hunting at the lake and not returning at his scheduled time According to police officials, Ramsey was launching his boat at a public boat ramp. Investigators found Ramsey’s boat drifting about five miles from the boat ramp, but it’s unclear how he ended up in the water. Divers found Ramsey’s body the next morning. Ramsey joined the department in 2008. He served as the department’s firearms and defensive tactics instructor. He was also a Highland Park resource officer. In 2018, Ramsey was the city’s employee of the year and had recently been promoted to sergeant. “I have known and worked with Robert since the 1990s when we worked together on joint assignments in the twin cities of Texarkana. An avid hunter, Robert loved the outdoors,” said University Park police Chief Greg Spradlin in a written statement. Ramsey was married with two daughters and a stepson. —Staff report

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Austin businessman named Boone & Crockett Club president Lone Star Outdoor News

on the football team that won the 1974 Southwest Conference Championship title. He founded Arnold Oil Company of Austin in March of 1977 at age 24. Arnold and his wife, Rhonda, live in Austin but have a ranch in South Texas, where they have hosted Wounded Warrior and youth hunts. Arnold also is a Boone and Crockett Wilderness Warrior as well as a Safari Club Life Member and an SCI Hunter Legacy Member. In addition, he participates

At the Boone and Crockett Club’s recent annual meeting, James F. (Jim) Arnold was elected as president and began a two-year term that will end in December 2022. Arnold is the president and chief executive officer for Arnold Oil Company in Austin. Arnold grew up in New Braunfels and attended Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business and played

with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Association as well as the Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Wild Sheep Foundation. At the Boone & Crockett Club, he was the vice president of administration from 2011 to 2016 and the executive vice president of administration from 2016 to 2020.

Jim Arnold. Photo from Boone & Crockett Club

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FISHING

Winter specks mixed in Galveston Bay

Speckled trout are feeding in numerous areas across the Galveston Bay Complex as winter patterns set in. Anglers are either finding undersized fish in numbers or solid-sized fish, depending on the water they are targeting. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Numbers good, size varies By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News Anglers in search of quality speckled trout across Texas’ largest estuary have been finding fish in similar size classes schooled together. They’ve either been catching plenty of solid trout in the 2- to 4-pound range or they’ve been landing nothing but undersized fish. The schools of fish have been concentrating in specific regions of the Galveston Bay Complex. In the northernmost reaches,

Capt. Thomas Francis said Trinity Bay has been full of salty water and specks. “So far we’ve had one of the best starts to the winter season in Trinity that I’ve seen in several years,” Francis said. “The salinity is right where we like it to be all the way up to the mouth of the Trinity River, and there are trout feeding in a lot of places.” Some of the best fishing is taking place in both Jack’s Pocket and the Anahuac Pocket. “There are trout staging up shallow over mud and shell in 2 to 3 feet of water, and there are also some specks staging out deeper in 5 to 8 feet under rafts of mullet,”

Francis explained. Trout in the 2- to 3-pound range have been pretty easy to come by when wading or drifting in areas with plenty of baitfish. “We still have a lot of birds working over schools of trout in Trinity as well, but most of those fish are undersized,” he said. Other areas holding schools of solid speckled trout include the satellite bays that lie upstream off of the San Jacinto River. Galveston Bay anglers Jay Welch and Bill Richards targeted stretches of deep oyster shell near Eagle Point recently, where they

found plenty of trout feeding. Most of these fish were pretty small and under the minimum 15-inch length limit. “There are usually some decent fish at this time of year in the areas that we fished, but we only managed to land one keeper trout,” Richards said. “All of the specks that we were catching were tiny compared to what we are used to catching during cool weather conditions in that part of the bay system.” In the lower portion of the Galveston Bay complex, Capt. Kurt Pless and Capt. Ryan Battistoni have been landing some Please turn to page 17

Rainbows at Garner State Park

Indoor crappie fishing By Craig Nyhus Inside the Hi-Line Lake Resort crappie house on Lake Buchanan, anglers can stay warm while fishing under the lights during cooler nights. Photo from Hi-Line Lake Resort.

Crappie houses, barges good for cool weather By Lili Sams

Lone Star Outdoor News The Lewisville Fishing Barge has been operating since 1957 and is located off Lake Park Road on Lake Lewisville. Mike

Goforth said they are catching plenty of crappie from the barge. Goforth said they are mainly catching slabs on minnows and jigs. Sometimes the bite is slow but is usually fairly steady. The best bite is from right when it gets light until mid-morning, then again from 4 p.m. until dark. “We have people here all day Please turn to page 20

Lone Star Outdoor News It was a family outing after rainbow trout were stocked at Garner State Park. Cara Matocha, Lone Star Outdoor News’ Design Editor, went to the park with her husband, Chris, daughter, Chloe, sister and mother on Dec. 18. “It was really fun,” Matocha said. “Chris, Chloe and I caught our limit. My sister caught three and my mom caught one.” The group even got a visit from the game warden. “We learned we didn’t need a fishing license to fish in the state park,” she said. “We didn’t know that one.” People across the state watch the dates for trout stockings at their favorite park, river or pond. Often, when the stockings happen, the fishermen follow. See page 11 for trout stocking dates.

Chris Matocha brings in a rainbow trout from the bank of Garner State Park. Photo by Cara Matocha.

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East Texas Baptist earns top collegiate title The Tiger Bass Fishing team at East Texas Baptist University was named the 2020 Tackle Warehouse School of the Year by FLW. The title annually goes to the school with the highest year-end point total at the completion of the regular college fishing season. ETBU ended the season as the top team. ETBU placed in the top 10 in all four of the team’s qualifying tournaments this season, and first in the FLW Qualifier on the Ouachita River. —FLW Fishing

Records on hold

Tom Haddock landed his first redfish on fly after finally making a rescheduled trip to Louisiana. Photo from Tom Haddock.

Dozens of Texans reeled in record breaking fish in 2019. There were 47 new state fishing records and 434 waterbody records. Wondering how 2020 stacked up? The results are going to be delayed. A representative from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division said the department was backlogged due to shutdowns from COVID-19, and they are still getting caught up from April. They also noted the website will be updated once they have the final results and records broken. —Staff Report

Adapting time and time again Fly-fishing trip finally happens By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Dallas pediatrician Dr. Tom Haddock had a Louisiana trip planned where he hoped to take a break from being masked up while seeing patients, and catch his first redfish on a fly rod. Work, a virus and a hurricane followed. “We were supposed to fish in October, but the trip (with Yellow Dog Fly Fishing in Hopedale), canceled because of Hurricane Eta,” Haddock said. “My three friends and I couldn’t find a time to reschedule.” On Dec. 5, things changed. The outfitter reached out and said a group of six canceled for the next week due to COVID-19 issues. Haddock and a friend jumped at the chance. Then, on Dec. 10, the friend texted and said, “I don’t feel right, I’m going to get tested.” Four hours later, he texted again. “I am positive.” Haddock found another fly-fisherman, Bill Dossett, a friend he used to hunt with in Mississippi, to take the trip. “Bill had already had COVID,” Haddock said. “He wasn’t a fly-fisherman but he fished with a spinning rig and was very respectful of our fly-fishing. I was casting from the front and he threw from the back.” On the first day, each angler landed a few big reds.

“The guides were tying 50-pound tippets on the fly rigs,” Haddock said. “My first bull red broke me off after a 15-minute fight. My guide said that one might have been a fly-fishing record.” The next day, the wind blew 20-plus miles per hour. “Needless to say, it was cold,” Haddock said. “The fishing went to nothing and we were back at the lodge by 2 p.m.” Day three was nicer, but after the front the fishing was still slow, with just a few reds caught. “After looking at the forecast for light winds and 70 degrees, the guide said the next day could be epic,” Haddock said. “We each called our wives. Mine (LeAnn) said, ‘”What’s one more day.”’ They were glad they did. “We went with guide Adam Debris who had had all of his trips cancel for the week. The reds were tailing and shrimp were jumping in front of them,” Haddock said. “He poled us in and out of small inlets in the marsh. I landed a nice black drum and four really nice bull reds. I even had a redfish hammer a popper. Bill did the same, and we boated a double, which was a big thrill.” After the great day on the water, the anglers were thankful — for their decision to stay another day, and for their wives who put up with them and agreed they could stay another day and fish. “It was a great trip,” Haddock said.

Two game wardens honored Aransas County Game Warden Justin Solis received the Texas Wildife Officer of the Year from Shikar-Safari Club; and Victoria County Game Warden Jon Kocian received the Midwest Officer of the Year from the Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers. Solis was a graduate of the 58th Game Warden cadet class in 2013 and began his career in Webb County. In 2016, he transferred to his hometown of Rockport, in Aransas County. Solis organizes a yearly kid fish event, called “Go for fish, not drugs.” He also partnered with Flatsworthy, a local conservation chapter, to help design a watercraft that would allow increased patrols to far reaches of the bays in Aransas County while conserving sensitive bay bottom habitat. Solis’ feedback led to the creation of a “flats” boat that was donated to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Solis is a member of the Law Enforcement Region 8 Fisheries Team that is dedicated to the enforcement of fisheries laws via coordinated patrols in areas of high commercial activity. Kocian graduated from the 48th Game Warden cadet class in 2003 and has served in Victoria County for more than 17 years. Kocian holds a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and is a licensed Texas Master Peace Officer. Kocian was awarded the TPWD Director’s Life Saving Citation in 2016 for rescuing and saving the lives of two women kayakers when their kayaks overturned due to swift water in the Guadalupe River. In 2019, Kocian led Operation Tres Bahias which spanned over five counties and involved 25 game wardens. During the operation, Kocian briefed the team of wardens before each operational day on the specifics for alcohol detection on the water and provided support to wardens during the operation that resulted in 140 vessel contacts, 11 warnings, 16 citations, 8 boating while intoxicated arrests and the recovery of a stolen boat. In 2020, Kocian was instrumental in the update and launching of the new Field Training Officer program for both Texas game wardens and State Parks police officers. —TPWD

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 56 degrees; 4.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, craws and plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait, cut bait and stink bait. AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 43.37’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on Carolina-rigged worms and crankbaits. Catfish are fair on chicken livers and stink bait dough balls. ARLINGTON: Water stained; 56 degrees; 4.17’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair near boat docks, brush and timber on minnows. Catfish are fair on punch baits and cut bait. ATHENS: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.43’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, finesse worms and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait. AUSTIN: Water slightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.62’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Catfish are slow. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 62 degrees; 0.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged worms and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut and prepared baits. BASTROP: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and live bait. BELTON: Water clear; 56 degrees; 0.97 low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on slabs, jerkbaits and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are slow. BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 3.06’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are fair on punch bait. BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 56 degrees; 0.72’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits, jigs and green craws. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. BROWNWOOD: Water slightly stained; 57 degrees; 2.73’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass and hybrids are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. BUCHANAN: Water slightly stained; 56 degrees; 6.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on hair jigs, shaky heads and crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Channel catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. Blue catfish are good on cut bait. CADDO: Water stained; 54 degrees; 0.80’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, crankbaits, finesse worms and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait. CALAVERAS: Water stained; 63-66 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits, spinner baits and Carolina-rigged worms. Red drum are slow. Hybrid striped

bass are good on spoons and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait, chicken livers and cut shad. CANYON LAKE: Water slightly stained; 59 degrees; 5.10’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged plastic worms and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on live bait. White bass are fair on white slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. Crappie are slow. CEDAR CREEK: Water slightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.87’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits and suspended jerkbaits. Hybrids and white bass are fair on slabs, swimbaits and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and live bait. CHOKE CANYON: Water lightly stained; 64-66 degrees; 21.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on buzzbaits, jigs, plastic worms and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are fair to good on larger live bait, cut bait and stink bait. CONROE: Water stained; 64 degrees; 2.18’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, spinner baits and buzzbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striped bass are fair on jigs and shad. Catfish are good on stink bait and cut bait. COOPER: Water slightly stained; 53 degrees; 4.36’ low. Largemouth bass are good on brown or amber Carolina-rigged plastic worms. White bass and hybrids are fair on live bait and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows on brush piles. Catfish are good on cut bait and in punch bait. CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE: Water stained; 65 degrees; 7.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits and plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows at night. Catfish are good on cut bait and cheese bait. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 1.99’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. FALCON: Water lightly stained north and clear south; 62 degrees; 38.34’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits and crankbaits. Catfish are fair on live bait and stink bait. FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina rigs and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. FORK: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 2.24’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on grubs, spoons, crankbaits and shaky heads. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. GIBBONS CREEK: Water stained; 63 degrees. Largemouth bass are good in timber and warm water on Carolina-rigged soft plastics and buzzbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good

on live bait and liver-flavored prepared bait. GRANBURY: Water clear; 59 degrees; 0.23’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait or punch bait. White bass are good on white or chrome slabs and jigging spoons. Striped bass are slow. GRANGER: Water clear; 54 degrees; 1.59’ low. Largemouth bass are good on amber craws or brush hogs and pumpkin jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 0.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, drop shots and swimbaits. White bass are fair on silver slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 64 degrees; 0.08’ high. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on smaller minnows. Catfish are good on live and cut shad and stink bait. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 55-59 degrees; 2.27’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs in creeks. Catfish are fair on live and cut shad. JACKSONVILLE: Water lightly stained; 58 degrees; 0.13’ high. Largemouth bass are good on white spinner baits, brush hogs, jigs and jerkbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait. JOE POOL: Water stained; 56 degrees; 1.59’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad flukes, football jigs and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on prepared baits. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 54 degrees; 0.04’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 2.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on deep-diving crankbaits, jerkbaits and finesse worms. Crappie are fair on minnows or jigs. White bass are fair bouncing slabs and heavy spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. LBJ: Water clear; 57 degrees; 0.65’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 0.89’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on football jigs, suspended jerkbaits, shad swimbaits and bladed jigs. White bass are good on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are

fair on cut bait and punch bait. LIVINGSTON: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 0.18’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged plastics, crankbaits and jigs. Striped bass are good on spoons and shad. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on spoons. Catfish are fair on live bait. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 2.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, shad crankbaits and craws. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. MEDINA: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 30.98’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jerkbaits, crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live bait. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on live bait, chicken livers and blood bait. MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 48 degrees; 0.11’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, crankbaits and worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live, blood and liver prepared baits. NACONICHE: Water slightly stained; 63-66 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on dough balls, cut and live bait. NASWORTHY: Water stained; 57 degrees. 0.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms, crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair to good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits. NAVARRO MILLS: Water slightly stained; 54 degrees; 0.60’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on flukes, jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. O.C. FISHER: Water stained; 56 degrees. 41.66’ low. Largemouth bass are fair, deep on Texas-rigged worms, crankbaits and jigs. Catfish are fair on stink bait, live and cut bait. O.H. IVIE: Water clear; 56 degrees; 13.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms, crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs at night. Catfish are good on stink bait, live and cut bait. OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 3.83’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines, nightcrawlers, live bait and cut bait. PALESTINE: Water stained; 54 degrees; 0.04’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on craws, finesse worms, skirted jigs and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on prepared baits and cut bait. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 57 degrees; 0.53’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair to slow on jigs and minnows. White bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on live shad and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait, live sunfish and stink bait. PROCTOR: Water clear; 56 degrees; 0.57 low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid stripers are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait. RAVEN: Water stained; 63 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina rigs, crankbaits and spinner baits. Sunfish are fair on cutworms over crickets. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 1.90’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on football jigs, flukes and crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair near bridges, brush piles and submerged timber on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.94’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and small jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 53-56 degrees; 1.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on wacky worms, pearl swimbaits, football jigs and crankbaits. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and live perch. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 62 degrees; 4.20’ low. Largemouth bass are good along ledges on crankbaits, weighted worms and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on live bait and stink bait. SOMERVILLE: Water slightly stained; 56 degrees; 2.68’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on brown or pumpkin craws, chatterbaits and football jigs. White bass and hybrids are fair on live bait, white or chartreuse slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 1.51’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on punch bait. SULPHUR SPRINGS: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 3.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, brush hogs and crankbaits. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut shad and punch bait. TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 1.61’ low. Largemouth bass are good on blue or purple Texas-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits, football jigs and swimbaits. White bass and hybrid stripers are fair on live bait and slabs. Crappie

n Saltwater reports Page 11 are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. TEXANA: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.00’ low. Largemouth bass are good on smaller jerkbaits, worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on stink bait, cut bait and live bait. TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 54-56 degrees; 1.00’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, deep-diving crankbaits and spoons. Striped bass and white bass are fair on live shad. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait and punch bait. TOLEDO BEND: Mostly clear; 61-64 degrees; 3.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on wacky rigs, jigging spoons and square-billed crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs deep. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stink bait. TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 21.77’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on red crankbaits, skirted jigs, and drop shots. White bass are fair on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and prepared baits. WACO: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 1.56’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, wacky worms and paddle tail swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, jigs and spinner baits. Hybrid stripers are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and prepared baits. WHITNEY: Water slightly stained; 57 degrees; 2.66’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on drop shots and skirted jigs. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and slabs. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. WORTH: Water stained; 55 degrees; 1.84’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 53 degrees; 3.94’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and live bait.

—TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

December 25, 2020

Page 11

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 62 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair along the drains and around the ship channel on top-waters and shrimp. Flounder are fair in the ship channel at Sabine Pass on mud minnows and jigs. BOLIVAR: 68 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair in the surf on shrimp. Black drum are good on crab. Flounder are good near Rollover Bay or near the rocks on mud minnows. TRINITY BAY: 61-62 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp and 4-inch chicken on chain plastics. Redfish are good in the marsh on live mullet, soft plastics and top-waters. Flounder are fair on mullet. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 62 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 59-62 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp under a popping cork. TEXAS CITY: 62 degrees. Redfish and flounder are good on shrimp and cut shad. Black drum are good around Campbell Bayou or Swan Lake on shrimp or crab. Speckled trout are good under the birds on shrimp.

FREEPORT: 64-65 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good in the bay on mullet or shrimp. Black drum are fair on blue crab around the reefs. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 67 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastics around shell reefs. Redfish are good on plastics and live shrimp. Flounder are good on minnows. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 67 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastics. Redfish are good in the marsh or along the shoreline on

live mullet, soft plastics and top-waters. PORT O’CONNOR: 67 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp or crab in the shallow sand bars. Redfish are good in back bays on live shrimp. Flounder are fair on mullet. ROCKPORT: 55-60 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on top-waters and shrimp under a popping cork. Flounder are fair to good on mullet. PORT ARANSAS: 65 degrees. Redfish, black

drum and speckled trout are fair to good on live shrimp or cut mullet. CORPUS CHRISTI: 66 degrees. Speckled trout are fair to good in the flats on shrimp under a popping cork. Redfish are fair on cut mullet. Black drum are fair on crab or shrimp. BAFFIN BAY: 60 degrees. Redfish are good in the flats on top-waters and live bait. Flounder are good on jigs and mud minnows. Speckled trout are fair on slow-sinking artificials. PORT MANSFIELD: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on willow tail and paddle tail plastics. SOUTH PADRE: 69-70 degrees. Redfish are good in the flats on shrimp and mullet. Speckled trout and flounder are good around the jetties on shrimp and mullet. Black drum are good on shrimp and crab. PORT ISABEL: 73 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp. Black drum are fair on crab and shrimp. —TPWD

Fishing Santas

RAINBOW TROUT STOCKING

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT STOCKS THOUSANDS OF RAINBOW TROUT IN 185 PONDS, LAKES AND RIVERS. SOME OF THE FAVORITES ARE: (DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER)

AMERICAN LEGION PARK POND

MARY JO PECKHAM PARK

MISSOURI CITY

KATY

Jan. 20 Feb. 18

ASCARATE LAKE EL PASO Jan. 19 Feb. 3

Dec. 23

Feb. 5

Jan. 8

Feb. 19

Jan. 22

Mar. 5

MESQUITE CITY LAKE MESQUITE

Mar. 2

Dec. 23 Jan. 22

COMANCHE TRAILS PARK ODESSA Jan. 7

POSSUM KINGDOM TAILRACE GRAFORD

Feb. 7 Mar. 3

GUADALUPE RIVER (CANYON TAILRACE) NEW BRAUNFELS

Nearly 300 anglers dressed as Santa Claus took to the water as part of the World’s Largest Santa Claus Bass Tournament, a one-day event at North Carolina’s Lake Norman. Participants, who were provided neck gaiters designed to look like Santa’s beard, also donated toys, exceeding $15,000 in value, to Toys for Tots to benefit children in the area. Photo from Gunpowder Inc.

Feb. 19

Dec. 23

Jan. 22

Dec. 31

Jan. 29

Dec. 30

Feb. 12

Jan. 15

Feb. 26

Jan. 29

WATERLOO PARK POND DENISON

Jan. 8

Jan. 10

Jan. 15

Feb. 7 Feb. 28

*FOR MORE LOCATIONS AND DATES VISIT TPWD.TEXAS.GOV

Page 12

December 25, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER WIFE GOES ALONG WITH BOTCHED PLAN Henderson County game wardens were conducting an inspection on a local processor when they came across a license that did not have an archery endorsement. During the inspection, wardens found out the deer was harvested the same day the license was purchased, but the license was bought by the individual later in the evening. The wardens visited the man and learned that the deer was harvested under the license of another individual. After further questioning, it was discovered that the man asked his wife to go buy a hunting license the same day he harvested the deer so he could use her tag to harvest another buck. After denying the incident, the wardens used cell phone photos to put together a timeline proving the deer was harvested before the license was purchased by his wife. To support the false claims that his wife had harvested the deer, the man had her pose for photos with the deer, which wardens found on the phone. Cases pending. CROSSBOW ROAD HUNTING Two Trinity County game wardens received a call from the local sheriff’s office about an individual who had just shot a buck in a yard from a vehicle. The landowner thought a

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Page 16

December 25, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases

Full

Last

New

First

Dec 29

Jan 6

Jan 13

Jan 20

Solunar Sun times Moon times

Houston

Dallas

2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Dec/Jan Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun 28 Mon 29 Tue 30 Wed 31 Thu 01 Fri 02 Sat 03 Sun 04 Mon 05 Tue 06 Wed 07 Thu 08 Fri

1:18 7:28 1:55 8:07 2:36 8:48 3:20 9:33 4:09 10:22 5:01 11:15 5:57 ----6:55 12:42 7:53 1:40 8:50 2:38 9:45 3:33 10:37 4:25 11:27 5:15 ----- 6:02 12:37 6:50

1:39 7:50 2:18 8:29 3:00 9:12 3:45 9:58 4:35 10:48 5:28 11:42 6:24 12:11 7:22 1:09 8:19 2:06 9:15 3:03 10:09 3:57 11:01 4:49 11:51 5:39 12:15 6:28 1:03 7:17

07:14 07:14 07:15 07:15 07:15 07:15 07:16 07:16 07:16 07:16 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17

05:27 05:28 05:28 05:29 05:29 05:30 05:31 05:31 05:32 05:33 05:34 05:34 05:35 05:36 05:37

2:29p 3:10a 3:03p 4:04a 3:41p 5:01a 4:25p 5:57a 5:15p 6:54a 6:09p 7:48a 7:08p 8:39a 8:10p 9:26a 9:13p 10:08a 10:16p 10:46a 11:19p 11:22a NoMoon 11:56a 12:21a 12:30p 1:25a 1:06p 2:31a 1:45p

1:23 7:34 2:01 8:12 2:42 8:54 3:26 9:39 4:15 10:28 5:07 11:21 6:03 ----7:01 12:48 7:59 1:46 8:56 2:44 9:51 3:39 10:43 4:31 11:33 5:21 ----- 6:08 12:42 6:56

1:45 2:24 3:06 3:51 4:41 5:34 6:30 7:28 8:25 9:21 10:15 11:07 11:57 12:21 1:09

7:55 8:35 9:18 10:04 10:54 11:48 12:17 1:14 2:12 3:09 4:03 4:55 5:45 6:34 7:23

07:27 07:27 07:27 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29

05:26 05:26 05:27 05:27 05:28 05:29 05:29 05:30 05:31 05:32 05:32 05:33 05:34 05:35 05:36

2:30p 3:19a 3:03p 4:15a 3:41p 5:13a 4:24p 6:11a 5:13p 7:08a 6:07p 8:02a 7:07p 8:53a 8:10p 9:39a 9:14p 10:19a 10:19p 10:56a 11:23p 11:30a NoMoon 12:02p 12:28a 12:35p 1:34a 1:09p 2:41a 1:46p

San Antonio

Amarillo

2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Dec/Jan Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun 28 Mon 29 Tue 30 Wed 31 Thu 01 Fri 02 Sat 03 Sun 04 Mon 05 Tue 06 Wed 07 Thu 08 Fri

1:30 7:41 2:08 8:19 2:48 9:00 3:33 9:45 4:21 10:34 5:14 11:27 6:10 ----7:08 12:54 8:06 1:53 9:03 2:50 9:58 3:45 10:50 4:38 11:39 5:27 12:02 6:15 12:49 7:02

1:51 2:30 3:12 3:58 4:48 5:41 6:37 7:34 8:32 9:28 10:22 11:14 ----12:28 1:16

8:02 8:42 9:24 10:11 11:01 11:54 12:23 1:21 2:19 3:15 4:10 5:02 5:52 6:40 7:29

07:25 07:26 07:26 07:26 07:27 07:27 07:27 07:27 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28

05:41 05:41 05:42 05:42 05:43 05:44 05:44 05:45 05:46 05:46 05:47 05:48 05:49 05:49 05:50

2:42p 3:22a 3:16p 4:17a 3:55p 5:13a 4:39p 6:09a 5:29p 7:06a 6:23p 8:00a 7:22p 8:51a 8:24p 9:38a 9:27p 10:20a 10:30p 10:59a 11:32p 11:34a NoMoon 12:09p 12:34a 12:43p 1:38a 1:19p 2:44a 1:59p

1:44 7:54 2:21 8:33 3:02 9:14 3:46 9:59 4:35 10:48 5:27 11:41 6:23 12:10 7:21 1:08 8:19 2:06 9:16 3:04 10:11 3:59 11:03 4:51 11:53 5:41 12:16 6:28 1:03 7:16

2:05 2:44 3:26 4:11 5:01 5:54 6:50 7:48 8:45 9:41 10:35 11:27 ----12:41 1:29

8:16 8:55 9:38 10:24 11:14 ----12:37 1:35 2:32 3:29 4:23 5:15 6:05 6:54 7:43

07:53 07:54 07:54 07:54 07:54 07:55 07:55 07:55 07:55 07:55 07:56 07:56 07:56 07:56 07:56

05:39 05:40 05:41 05:41 05:42 05:43 05:43 05:44 05:45 05:46 05:46 05:47 05:48 05:49 05:50

2:47p 3:44a 3:19p 4:41a 3:55p 5:39a 4:38p 6:38a 5:26p 7:36a 6:21p 8:30a 7:21p 9:20a 8:25p 10:05a 9:31p 10:45a 10:37p 11:20a 11:43p 11:52a NoMoon 12:23p 12:49a 12:54p 1:57a 1:27p 3:06a 2:03p

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 Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 6:33 AM 7:02 AM 12:04 AM 12:12 AM 12:26 AM 12:49 AM 1:18 AM 1:46 AM 2:30 AM 12:21 AM 1:33 AM 2:40 AM 3:36 AM 4:27 AM 5:16 AM

High Island Height -0.24L -0.43L 1.01H 1.04H 1.08H 1.12H 1.14H 1.16H 1.11H 0.91L 0.73L 0.46L 0.13L -0.22L -0.56L

Time 2:20 PM 3:00 PM 7:33 AM 8:06 AM 8:41 AM 9:19 AM 9:57 AM 10:39 AM 11:23 AM 3:29 AM 5:00 AM 7:26 AM 9:58 AM 11:45 AM 1:04 PM

Height 1.13H 1.21H -0.58L -0.69L -0.77L -0.81L -0.82L -0.80L -0.69L 1.00H 0.84H 0.71H 0.76H 0.95H 1.16H

Time 7:17 PM 7:59 PM 3:35 PM 4:08 PM 4:43 PM 5:20 PM 6:09 PM 6:53 PM 7:34 PM 12:09 PM 1:00 PM 1:59 PM 3:08 PM 4:26 PM 5:47 PM

Height 0.81L 0.88L 1.27H 1.30H 1.31H 1.30H 1.29H 1.25H 1.20H -0.50L -0.26L 0.03L 0.33L 0.59L 0.79L

Time 11:55 PM

Height 1.00H

8:29 PM 8:54 PM 9:19 PM 9:49 PM 10:27 PM 11:16 PM

0.94L 0.98L 1.00L 1.01L 1.05L 1.01L

8:10 PM 8:41 PM 9:08 PM 9:33 PM 9:59 PM 10:27 PM

1.14H 1.08H 1.03H 1.01H 1.02H 1.05H

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Time 6:26 AM 6:48 AM 7:12 AM 7:39 AM 8:10 AM 8:42 AM 9:17 AM 10:36 AM 11:14 AM 11:56 AM 12:44 PM 3:38 AM 4:07 AM 4:46 AM 5:29 AM

Height -0.08L -0.27L -0.42L -0.55L -0.65L -0.71L -0.73L -0.73L -0.63L -0.45L -0.20L 0.65L 0.32L -0.04L -0.40L

Time 2:19 PM 3:04 PM 3:42 PM 4:15 PM 4:47 PM 5:19 PM 6:00 PM 7:28 PM 8:06 PM 8:36 PM 8:58 PM 7:28 AM 9:46 AM 12:00 PM 1:29 PM

Height 1.73H 1.87H 1.96H 2.02H 2.04H 2.04H 2.03H 1.45H 1.38H 1.29H 1.20H 0.78H 0.81H 1.00H 1.25H

Time 8:18 PM

Height 1.18L

Time 11:01 PM

Height 1.27H

1:42 2:54 5:24 7:05

PM PM PM PM

0.11L 0.45L 0.75L 0.94L

9:16 9:31 9:45 9:58

PM PM PM PM

1.11H 1.04H 1.02H 1.04H

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Time 2:25 PM 3:09 PM 3:48 PM 4:26 PM 5:04 PM 5:42 PM 6:27 PM 7:03 PM 7:35 PM 8:03 PM 8:28 PM 7:19 AM 9:35 AM 11:31 AM 1:03 PM

Height 1.41H 1.54H 1.64H 1.70H 1.73H 1.73H 1.73H 1.68H 1.59H 1.47H 1.32H 0.79H 0.90H 1.14H 1.42H

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time 6:16 AM 6:43 AM 7:12 AM 7:42 AM 8:14 AM 8:47 AM 9:23 AM 10:03 AM 10:45 AM 11:31 AM 12:22 PM 3:33 AM 3:41 AM 4:11 AM 4:51 AM

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Time 9:19 PM 9:31 PM 10:01 PM 10:40 PM 11:31 PM

Height 0.74H 0.79H 0.83H 0.86H 0.88H

12:24 PM 1:07 PM 1:48 PM 2:30 PM 3:10 PM 3:46 PM 9:46 PM 9:03 PM 8:41 PM

-0.23L -0.26L -0.21L -0.12L 0.03L 0.21L 0.53H 0.64H 0.76H

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Time 11:31 AM

Height -0.40L

12:39 PM 1:14 PM 1:55 PM 2:46 PM 3:43 PM 4:45 PM 5:32 PM 6:14 PM 6:50 PM 8:47 AM 9:22 AM 10:03 AM 10:46 AM

-0.49L -0.51L -0.52L -0.54L -0.56L -0.60L -0.59L -0.53L -0.42L -0.07L -0.23L -0.38L -0.50L

1:26 PM 2:59 PM 5:29 PM

0.21L 0.55L 0.81L

Time

Height

8:49 PM 9:05 PM 9:15 PM

1.17H 1.03H 0.95H

Port Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 9:05 AM 9:32 AM 10:02 AM 10:34 AM 11:09 AM 11:45 AM 12:29 AM 1:28 AM 2:10 AM 2:38 AM 2:20 AM 1:17 AM 6:24 AM 6:46 AM 7:26 AM

Time 1:01 AM 12:06 PM 12:01 AM 12:47 AM 1:34 AM 2:21 AM 3:07 AM 4:01 AM 4:37 AM 4:48 AM 4:05 AM 3:14 AM 2:34 AM 12:54 AM 12:30 AM

Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 7:06 AM 7:22 AM 7:44 AM 8:13 AM 8:48 AM 9:27 AM 10:10 AM 10:57 AM 11:45 AM 12:34 PM 1:23 PM 4:20 AM 4:40 AM 5:08 AM 5:43 AM

Time 9:15 PM 9:57 PM 10:48 PM 11:39 PM

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1:26 PM 2:12 PM 3:06 PM 4:01 PM 4:55 PM 5:38 PM 8:06 AM 8:31 AM 9:01 AM 9:34 AM

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Time 4:23 PM 4:46 PM 5:12 PM 5:42 PM 6:20 PM 7:09 PM 8:27 PM 9:26 PM 9:54 PM 9:58 PM 9:47 PM 7:16 AM 10:21 AM 12:52 PM 2:39 PM

Height 0.79H 0.87H 0.93H 0.97H 0.98H 0.96H 0.95H 0.90H 0.83H 0.75H 0.66H 0.42H 0.42H 0.58H 0.78H

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12:53 PM 1:41 PM 2:31 PM 3:27 PM 9:24 AM 11:51 AM 4:18 PM 5:43 PM

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Time

Height

Time

0.42H 0.42H 0.58H 0.80H

6:11 PM 6:31 PM 6:34 PM

Time

Height

Time

Height

2:17 PM 3:34 PM 6:11 PM

0.03L 0.28L 0.48L

9:33 PM 9:32 PM 9:39 PM

0.60H 0.58H 0.59H

Time

Height

11:24 AM 1:47 PM 4:08 PM 9:17 PM

Height

-0.03L 0.26L 0.53L

Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 8:29 AM 8:50 AM 9:15 AM 9:48 AM 10:29 AM 11:15 AM 12:03 PM 1:56 AM 2:52 AM 3:26 AM 12:56 AM 5:27 AM 5:59 AM 6:36 AM 7:16 AM

Time

Height

11:28 PM 4:33 PM 5:51 PM 7:12 PM

0.32H 0.18L 0.27L 0.35L

10:27 PM 10:08 PM 9:56 PM

0.31H 0.33H 0.36H

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Time 7:17 PM 8:01 PM

Height 0.89L 0.95L

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Height 0.95H 0.98H

12:36 PM 8:15 PM 8:52 AM 11:45 AM 3:40 PM

0.19L 0.80H 0.74H 0.85H 1.01H

9:49 PM

0.82H

1:42 PM 5:25 PM

0.60L 0.80L

8:33 PM 8:55 PM

0.83H 0.88H

Time 3:45 PM 4:26 PM 5:08 PM 5:52 PM 6:41 PM 7:31 PM 8:29 PM 9:08 PM 9:32 PM 9:30 PM 9:05 PM 5:32 AM 9:19 AM 11:45 AM 1:48 PM

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Time

Height

Time

Height

1:30 PM 2:41 PM 4:48 PM

0.17L 0.49L 0.78L

8:41 PM 8:25 PM 8:04 PM

0.85H 0.80H 0.84H

Port Aransas Time

Height

11:35 PM

0.50H

Time 11:17 PM

Height 0.22H

Time

Height

11:08 AM 3:39 PM

-0.06H -0.08H

7:17 PM 6:51 PM

-0.27L -0.12L

Nueces Bay Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

San Luis Pass

Height -0.26L -0.40L -0.50L -0.56L -0.59L 1.14H 1.12H 1.08H 1.03H 0.95H 0.87H 0.81H 0.77H 0.74H 0.73H

East Matagorda

Freeport Harbor Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 10:31 AM 10:53 AM 11:21 AM 11:57 AM 12:41 PM 12:31 AM 1:32 AM 2:49 AM 3:06 AM 2:34 AM 1:42 AM 1:19 AM 1:13 AM 1:16 AM 1:19 AM

Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 6:22 AM 6:46 AM 7:14 AM 7:44 AM 8:19 AM 8:59 AM 9:43 AM 10:30 AM 11:15 AM 11:58 AM 12:35 AM 1:11 PM 3:41 AM 4:26 AM 5:11 AM

South Padre Island Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

Time 5:44 AM 6:09 AM 6:40 AM 7:16 AM 7:56 AM 8:37 AM 9:21 AM 10:07 AM 10:53 AM 11:42 AM 12:33 PM 3:19 AM 3:11 AM 3:40 AM 4:22 AM

Texas Coast Tides

Date Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

December 25, 2020

Page 17

Learning about muleys Winter specks Continued from page 4

was described at length in an article written by researchers and published in Texas Wildlife Association’s magazine. Researchers compared continued measurements of individual bucks over time to those of other individuals. This allowed researchers to examine how attributes of the individual and changes in their environment affect antler progression. A total of 93 mule deer bucks between 2011 and 2014 were captured and ear tagged, and 55 known-aged bucks on the Apache Ranch from 2011 to 2019 were monitored. Only fawns and yearling bucks were captured for the study because they are the only age classes that could be aged reliably. Using trail cameras placed at feeder stations from 2011 to 2019, antler progression in mule deer bucks was monitored up to 8.5 years of age. The average mule deer buck reached an estimated peak score of 172 inches in their fifth year. While it has been suggested that mule deer reach their peak antler size later than white-tailed deer, data from the study suggested the pattern for both is quite similar. Justin French, one of the researchers and the lead author of the study, said that finding went against what he had been hearing since his youth. “I had heard growing up that mule deer bucks peak much older than whitetails,” he said. “My grandad, who hunted in Utah and Colorado, always said that. But when we looked at it, there wasn’t much of a basis for what led people to think that.” Although the finding surprised him, French said nothing comes as too much of a surprise. “In research, we expect things not to pan out like we might think,” he said.

Continued from page 8

The dominant pattern in the study showed that some bucks have larger antlers throughout their lives than others. Ratings on this pattern represented the “Lifetime Potential” of each buck. That pattern accounted for 71 percent of the total variation in antler progression. Culling and antler size: A crap shoot The study also looked at varying selective harvest strategies and if they work. Researcher found if spikes would have been culled, there was a 45-percent chance that the decision would have been incorrect as it pertained to future antler size. Culling 3-pointers would have been incorrect 34 percent of the time; and letting a 4-plus point yearlings walk would result in the wrong call 46 percent of the time. Overall, at least on the Apache Ranch, culling spikes and 3-pointers would result in a 42 percent chance of culling a deer that was actually above average over the course of its lifetime — barely more reliable than a coin flip. French said these findings came as less of a surprise to him. “I grew up hearing about the spike debates,” he said. “But most people just think about the average, not what’s around the average.” One area of selective harvest would have produced better results — culling 4.5-yearolds that lack one or both G4s. Based on the deer studied, this strategy would achieve the management objective of culling a below-average buck 99 percent of the time it is applied, suggesting it is wise to let deer mature before making a ruling on their future.

impressive numbers of speckled trout in the 2-4 pound range. “Every now and then, we are catching a fish that weighs 5 pounds or more,” Battistoni said. “We aren’t catching a bunch of fish that we would consider trophies, but we are definitely seeing a lot more solid fish caught than we have in the past several years.” Pless said most of their success has occurred while wading and drifting over shell near the mouths of marsh drains in the eastern portion of Chocolate Bay during an outgoing tide. Tournament angler Kyle Holmes also has been spending time in Chocolate Bay. Holmes has been wading more in the western region of Chocolate over mud and shell, where he’s been catching good Wading and drifting with soft plastics have attracted speckled trout in Galveston Bay. Photo by Nate numbers of 2- to 3-pound trout. Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Winter dove hunting Continued from page 1

FIND. SIGHT. SHOOT. Late-season dove have been staging near grain fields and heading to stock tanks for water. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Getaway Lodge owner Mike Sutton said fields south of Port Mansfield are swarming with dove. “You never know what cold fronts might do to these birds, but we’ve got a bunch of them in the fields we hunt right now,” Sutton said. “Consistent shot opportunities and fun hunts have been the norm at the start of the winter season.” Cody Koehler said a lot of the tanks around the Karnes City area are only about half full, with clean, bare ground around their edges, and that the dove are taking full advantage of it. “For whatever reason, the dove like to land around the tanks when there’s bare dirt near the water’s edges, and there’s a lot of tanks like that this winter,” he explained. “Evening hunts around these small bodies of water have been fairly consistent.” Gabe Korzekwa manages a ranch in Gillett where he is seeing good concentrations of birds around cattle tanks.

“An afternoon hunt around the right tank could be lights out,” he said. Roger Roewe of Roewe Outfitters said harvested grain fields in Haskell County have an average number of birds on them. “We usually have stellar dove hunts to kick off the winter season, but this year we just don’t have as many birds,” Roewe admitted. “There’s still enough birds to make it worth hunting, hunters just have to put in the time in order to harvest a limit.” Bobby Mumme of Stone Yard Dove Hunts said dove hunters focusing on flyway zones east of Hondo were able to harvest half limits on average during the second split opener. “Our whitewings recently just showed back up on our properties and most of them are flying really high,” Mumme said. “We are hoping the hunting will improve as winter wears on. There’s still a lot of season left.” See page 6 for dove season dates.

T3 Compact Thermal Imager

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Page 18

December 25, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 22

LSONews.com

INDUSTRY Agency for Blackfire Blackfire retained Chevalier Advertising & Public Relations as its official agency of record.

Boat shows acquired Lost Paddle Media acquired the Kansas City Boat and Sportshow, Chicagoland Fishing Travel & Outdoor Expo, Suffern New York’s World Fishing & Outdoor Expo and the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Edison, New Jersey from the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Shepherd honored Jim Shepherd, founder of the Outdoor Wire Digital Network, received The Second Amendment Foundation’s Global Leadership Award for 2020.

NRA show in Houston delayed The National Rifle Association’s 2021 Annual Meetings and Exhibits will be held Sept. 3-5, 2021. Originally scheduled for mid-May, the event will remain in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

ACROSS 3. A grouse species 7. Where the river mixes with the ocean 8. A shorebird species 9. A swan species 10. Some hunters eat this deer organ 12. Color worn by pheasant hunters (two words) 14. A sunfish species 18. The turkey’s weapons 23. Laredo’s county 25. A dove-hunting destination 28. Cotulla’s county 29. The male elk 30. A reel manufacturer 31. An owl species 32. A favorite venison cut 35. A salmon species 36. A fishing line type 40. A Texas bay 41. Flounder limit after Dec. 14 42. The smallest of a litter 43. A coastal fishing town (two words) 44. A favorite quail plant

DOWN 1. An oryx species 2. A Trans-Pecos county (two words) 3. A shark species 4. A deer fawn predator 5. A good flounder bait 6. A good striped bass lake 11. A deer favorite 13. The older deer 15. The Czech donut 16. An African game species 17. Type of goose call 19. Required to hunt on another’s property 20. A favorite for kids in the blind 21. A sheep species 22. The big woodpecker 24. A crankbait manufacturer 26. Good for killing time in the deer blind 27. Arrowhead with a flattened point 33. The deer family 34. A favorite bass food 37. Deer droppings 38. A West Texas reservoir 39. A food plot grain

Execs at Christensen Arms Christensen Arms named Stephen Graham as senior vice president of marketing and David Farrell as director of national sales.

McCreary leads DU in western U.S. Jeff McCreary was named the director of operations for Ducks Unlimited’s nine-state Western Region.

Dammrich CEO at CSP Dr. Thom Dammrich was named the chairman of the board of directors of the Center for Sportfishing Policy.

Matthews heads area for Rapala Rapala USA named Bill Matthews as a territory manager covering 13 western states.

Powell receives Woman of the Year award Linda Powell, the director of media relations for Mossberg, received the Firearm Industry Woman of the Year award from NRAWomen.com.

Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News

FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Alaska king crab and shrimp risotto 1/2 medium-sized onion, diced 2 tbsps. olive oil 1 cup Arborio rice 1/2 bottle pale ale 14 ounces chicken stock, hot 7 ounces water, hot 1 cup shrimp, cooked 1 king crab leg, cut into quarter inch rounds, cooked 1 tbsp. tarragon, chopped 1 tbsp. chives, chopped 2–3 tbsps. butter 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

In a medium-sized pan over medium heat, sauté onion in olive oil until soft and translucent; season with salt and pepper. Add the rice and stir to coat; cook and stir until the grains turn opaque. Add the beer and continue stirring for 1 minute to allow alcohol to evaporate. Add hot chicken stock to the pan until it just covers the rice and stir with a wooden spoon until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid. Continue adding the stock in small increments. When all of the stock has been absorbed, begin adding small amounts of hot water until the risotto reaches the desired consistency (slightly firm but creamy). Fold in king crab, shrimp, chopped herbs, butter, and parmesan cheese. —Chef Stefani Marnon, Alaska Chef, 2005 Great American Seafood Cook-off

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Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2020 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to news@ lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

December 25, 2020

Prairie ponds

Brush busting for woodcock

Continued from page 4

Continued from page 5

Stelle said it can be a mistake to head in too early. “On the bay hunts it’s usually best to hang in there until other hunters call it a day around 10 a.m.,” he said. “When the airboats crank up is when the birds will begin moving pretty good.” Lowery said on his prairie hunts on shallow ponds, he’s still hunting in big box blinds. But he adds that as birds become more wary, he’ll switch over make-shift brush blinds. “The brush blinds are the best because you are more concealed,” he said. “The key is to always bring fresh brush along. If I’m hunting where most of the surrounding vegetation is brown, I’ll bring in brown brush. But a mix of brown and green brush will work, too.” Lowery said hunting on the prairie ponds can be tricky. You don’t want to have too much water. He said the best depth is usually just deep enough to float the decoys. That’ll bring in lots of quality birds like gadwall, pintail, wigeon and plenty of spoonies. “Ducks will use the ponds to rest on, and they will also feed on the moss and duck weed,” he said. “The key is to not over hunt a pond. I might make two hunts on a certain pond during a week, then move to another one, or hunt on the bay.” Lowery generally puts out around 60 decoys. But one little trick that works really well is the use of a pintail Mr. Wonder Duck decoy. “It’s a decoy that will really pull in the ducks,” he said. “That’s especially true on days with very little wind. It’s a battery-powered motion decoy with flapping wings and paddling feet.” Calling also is important when hunting on the prairie ponds. “It’s not all about how good you call, but when to call,” Lowery said. “I like to get ducks coming to the decoys, then tone it down. If they begin to veer off, I’ll hit them with a mallard call and a whistle. The whistle is really good for bringing in wigeon and pintail.”

hunted the Angelina National Forest with some success, shooting the few birds they saw. On the Texas Hunting Forum, a few die-hards shared their hunts for the hard-to-find birds. Nogalus Prairie’s German shorthair, Jenny, held four points for four birds about five minutes into their hunt. “No woodcocks were harmed,” he said. Other hunters posted photos of torn clothing and boots, along with bloody arms and hands from walking through the thorny brambles. SmokyBear said he and his son bagged a few birds on the second day of the season. “We’re headed home for a blood transfusion,” he posted. The American woodcock is a yellow and brown, medium-sized shorebird. They can be found migrating from Canada to Florida during the fall months. Throughout the eastern United States, woodcock are among

the most popular game birds to pursue. Hunters have affectionately given them nicknames like “timberdoodle,” “bog sucker,” or even “Labrador twister.” Despite their popularity out east, the woodcock is often overlooked in the Lone Star State. In Texas, woodcock can be hunted statewide from Dec. 18 through Jan. 31. National Forests in East Texas and some Texas Parks and Wildlife Department managed properties are open to public hunting for this species. While you won’t fill a freezer, hunting these birds can provide much enjoyment for the avid wingshooter. Jacob Locke, of Center, hunted multiple weekends at the Angelina National Forest last season. He managed to bag a few birds each time but said there was a learning curve. “First things first, always trust your bird dog,” he said. “You will not be able to see woodcock on the ground so your dog’s nose is your most valuable asset.”

Page 19

Locke said to start by looking for dense pockets of brush growing within older timber stands. But that is when the real challenge begins. Woodcock hold tight for dogs and hunters. In the air, they flit around in a seemingly random manner until they clear the brush and vanish. “They are wildly unpredictable in flight, which can make for tough wingshooting,” Locke said. “You will probably miss a few birds throughout the day. But not to worry, if you find one woodcock, you will likely find more.” Woodcock migrate in groups, called flights. The flights will scatter loosely across an area when they stop to rest. “This usually provides an opportunity at a redemption shot,” Locke noted. “And after harvesting just one of these birds, you will have a newfound appreciation for the American woodcock.”

From Wyoming to Texas Continued from page 4

“It shoots real flat,” Thorkildsen said. “With a 140-grain bullet, it travels at 3,000-3,100 feet per second as compared with 2,700 with the Creedmore. Out to 300 yards, you don’t have to give it much thought.” Weatherby took his deer and a hog. “His buck went zero yards,” he said. “Mine went 20.”

Will there be any new rifles from Weatherby this winter? Thorkildsen said new products from gun and ammo manufacturers will largely be pushed back to mid-2021, but they have plenty of new things in the works. “It’s been an interesting year,” he said. “We have to fill backorders before introducing new stuff.”

Page 20

December 25, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Fishing in comfort Continued from page 8

and night,” he said. There was a temporary order that limited fishing to outdoors only, but the indoor fishing has opened back up. Masks required, of course. On Lake Weatherford, Justin Hawthorne said there’s not really a bite right now and it’s been super slow. “It’s been wishy-washy with the changing weather and very few are being caught,” he said. “You get one good day out of the week, when it’s cooler, then it’s back to inconsistent catches.” When they are catching crappie, Hawthorne said Bobby Garland jigs or handtied jigs work the best. The best time of day to catch them? “If they are there, they are there and it doesn’t matter what time of day,” Hawthorne said. The fisherman noted a lot of new peo-

ple have been coming to the marina to try out the crappie house, and thinks once the weather starts getting consistent the bite will pick back up. The manager of the Hi-Line Lake Resort at Lake Buchanan, Stacy Gavin, said the crappie have been more active at night than they have been in the morning. Anglers have been hooking them on minnows. Gavin noted many people are catching catfish on the outside of the crappie house even with the low water. The resort’s crappie house has heaters for the anglers and new improved lights to spot the fish at night. Other spots include: Lynn Creek Marina fishing barge on Joe Pool Lake, Rocky Creek fishing barge on Lake Benbrook and Juniper Cove Marina on Lake Whitney.

LSONews.com

NATIONAL FLORIDA

MICHIGAN

Examining dorsal spines may be an alternative to otoliths (ear bones) and scales in aging largemouth bass. Summer Lindelien, a fish biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and her colleagues completed a six-waterbody study to refine the efficacy of reading age rings on dorsal spines. The researchers caught wild bass known to be hybrids of largemouth and Florida bass, 36 fish in all, varying size from 12 to 22 inches long. Six bass each were acclimated in six tanks and three from each tank where randomly picked to have three dorsal fin spines extracted with surgical scissors and snips cut flush with the bass’s back. The fish were then monitored for injury and mortality for 35 days. —FWC

Before the northern Lower Peninsula was heavily lumbered in the 1800s, Arctic grayling were the dominant salmonid species found in cold-water streams. Habitat degradation, largely due to timber harvest practices, led to the extirpation of the species from Michigan streams. As part of the Arctic Grayling Initiative, on Sept. 17, roughly 10,000 eggs collected from the Chena River, a tributary to Alaska’s Yukon River, were brought to Michigan. The fish will be cared for by the Marquette State Fish Hatchery staff until they are ready to produce eggs, normally at 4 to 6 years of age. Also, two additional year-classes of eggs will be retrieved in Alaska in 2021 and 2022. The program, modeled after successful efforts in Montana, calls for stocking eggs into remote site incubators that will be placed in the streams where it is hoped the fish will thrive. The goal of the initiative is to restore selfsustaining populations of Arctic grayling to streams in Michigan where they historically existed. —MDNR

Aging fish through dorsal spines

Arctic grayling to be reintroduced

Changes to flounder regs The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved changes to the management of Florida’s flounder fishery. Changes effective March 1, 2021 include extending all FWC flounder regulations into federal waters; increasing the minimum size limit from 12 inches to 14 inches; reducing the recreational daily bag limit from 10 to five fish per person; and establishing an Oct. 15–Nov. 30 recreational closed season.

MISSOURI

—FWC

First black bear season approved The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the state’s first black bear hunting season framework. The approved framework limits any future bear hunting to areas of southern Missouri and restricts bear hunting to Missouri residents only. According to MDC, over the last 50 years bear numbers in Missouri have increased significantly and today the state is home to between 540 - 840 black bears and the population is increasing each year by approximately 9 percent. —MDC

INDIANA

Agency recognized by CSF The Indiana Department of Natural Resources was given the State Agency of the Year Award by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. The award recognizes the agency’s work hosting the first Legislative Rendezvous at Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area. This event was an opportunity for legislators, conservation partners, and agency staff to participate in recreational shooting at the Atterbury Shooting Complex while sharing the DNR’s work to ensure conservation and recreational access. —CSF

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On Dec. 17, it became unlawful to take or possess the cisco species of fish, as the fish was listed as a state-endangered species. Cisco is a cold-water species that requires exceptional water quality to thrive. The glacial lakes of northern Indiana represent the southernmost extent of the species’ range in North America. The listing of cisco as state endangered will prioritize and incentivize conservation actions in areas near lakes containing cisco to protect existing water quality. —IDNR

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Drugs from refuges

Federal wildlife officers seized 13,615 pounds of illegal narcotics on national wildlife refuges in 2020. The street value of the seizures was $43 million — 17 times more than in 2019, which was $2.5 million. The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the Service, is the nation’s largest network of public lands dedicated to wildlife conservation. “Under the Trump Administration, our law enforcement has been effective in protecting wildlife and habitat and making refuges safe places for staff and visitors while preventing illegal narcotics from further afflicting communities across this nation,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “I am proud of the Service’s federal wildlife officers and the incredible work they are doing on the ground to combat illicit drug activities on national wildlife refuges.” —FWS

IDAHO

Cutthroat doubles state record

Jordan Rodriguez, of Meridian, was ice fishing for trout on Grassmere Reservoir on Dec. 12 when he landed a 20-inch Lahontan cutthroat trout. The 2.27-pound cutthroat was big enough to set a new certified weight record, passing the previous 1.17-pound record set by Hayleigh Urban earlier in September. While not native to Idaho, Lahontan cutthroat trout are originally native to the Lahontan Basin of northern Nevada, northeastern California and southeastern Oregon. They have been stocked in several remote high desert lakes in southwestern Idaho. —IDFG

INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTICA

Drones used in penguin count Accurate tallies more than 600,000 Antarctic penguins used to take scientists two days. Now, drones programmed with a new flight-path algorithm have been able to speed up the census dramatically. The GPS-based system flies multiple drones independently and in three dimensions across Antarctica’s rugged contours in the most efficient patterns, which reduces survey time to three hours while improving accuracy and doing away with the cost and hazard of helicopters. —Staff report

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

December 25, 2020

Page 21

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