Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
January 14, 2022
Volume 18, Issue 10
Still chasing does
After a first-ever closure of red snapper fishing in state waters, anglers got back out after the start of the year. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
South Texas deer hunters are familiar with watching rutting activity after the new year, but it’s uncommon to see a buck with his nose in the air or another one chasing a doe once you move north. Whether it’s a late rut; the result of higher numbers of does failing to get bred in the initial estrus period; or finally a bout of cold weather after a hot month, hunters are witnessing more activity than usual this winter. Additionally, hunters are reporting seeing mature bucks they haven’t seen all season. Unfortunately, those who aren’t on Managed Lands Deer Permit properties will have to wait until next year, as the general season ended in the North Zone Jan. 2. The South Zone general season ends Jan. 16, and MLDP hunting continues until Feb. 28. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Red snapper after the break By Tony Vindell
For Lone Star Outdoor News After a month-anda-half long hiatus, red snapper fishing is back on track in state waters. The restart went into effect on Jan. 1, but due to a cold front that brought high winds, both recreational and headboat operators didn’t hit the waters of the Gulf of Mexico until Jan.4. It was the first time state waters closed under an agreement between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The federal agency concluded that Texas exceeded its annual catch limit in 2019 by about 62,000 pounds therefore calling for a payback.
Texas challenged the ruling in court, but the closure took place from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 of 2021. Area and out-of-state anglers were disappointed, but that was all put behind with the fishing resumption as the new year began. Anglers from the South Padre Island/Port Isabel and Port Mansfield areas could not wait to go after one of their favorite fights and favorite meals. On Jan. 4, some 20 fishing enthusiasts went on the IslandThunderbird, based belonging to Murphy’s Charter Services, and came back with their limit of four red snapper. Most of the fish caught were in the 15 to 18 inches in length Please turn to page 13
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Praying for ducks By Craig Nyhus
Duck hunters across the state have been waiting for more birds to arrive, wondering if cold fronts will ever bring more birds to their areas. In North Texas, Nic Drayovitch hunted the early morning of Jan. 8 before heading to the Dallas Safari Club Convention
near Lake Texoma’s Denison dam, and came back encouraged. “There was some green in the air,” he said. “We got seven mallards and two buffleheads. A friend in Bowie had a good pintail hunt the next day and they said more birds have shown up around Texoma even since we hunted, and green-winged teal and wood ducks are in the back
sloughs.” Hunters in the Wichita Falls area also have seen an increase in mallard numbers, giving them hope for the last few weeks of the season. Brent Karrington hunted near Sherman on Jan. 9 and reported a three-man limit of wigeon and gadwall in areas where they hadn’t been seeing many of the birds.
Emily Grace and her fiancé, Chad Shultz, attended their first duck hunt in Garwood. Photo from Emily Grace.
Please turn to page 5 Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 13 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 15 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Datebook . . . . . . . . . Page 18
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Too warm (P. 4)
Ivie lunkers (P. 8)
North Zone deer season ends before cold snap.
Several already caught.
Geese moving in (P. 4)
Speck limits may change (P. 8)
Best to the west, north.
Comment open for regulation revisions.