Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
January 8, 2021
Volume 17, Issue 10
Quail hunts tough, but improving Test ranch for medicated feed showing results By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Joe Crafton and Rick Snipes hunt bobwhite quail on Snipes’ Stonewall County ranch. Photo from Joe Crafton.
Joe Crafton is excited about medicated feed for quail.
Hunting on the Snipes Ranch near Aspermont, one of the test sites for QuailGuard medicated feed, he said they averaged three large coveys per hour of hunting. “Not as good as some years but much better than the reports I hear from other ranches in the Rolling Plains,” he said.
But what he was most excited about was the lack of eyeworms in the birds harvested. “I am not a scientist, but for the past four years this ranch has been part of the approved FDA test for medicated feed being conducted by Dr. Ron Kendall at Texas Tech Wildlife Toxicology Lab,” Crafton Please turn to page 12
Rut in various stages Deer returning to feeders in many areas, on the move in South Texas By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Hunters across Texas are experiencing varying behaviors from white-tailed deer at the end of the season, now over in Texas’ North Zone but continuing through Jan. 17 in the South Zone. Some areas are still seeing signs of rut activity, while bucks in other locales are returning to feed. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department White-tailed Deer Program leader, Alan Cain, this season has been a good year for antler quality. “Overall, I believe folks have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of antlers that bucks have been sporting all over the state,” he said. Cain says the timing of the rut varies depending on the geographic portion of the state where hunters are pursuing deer. “The one thing that I’ve heard from hunters across the state many times this year, is that they did see some rut activity, but it wasn’t to their expectations,” Cain said. “A lot of folks look forward
to a peak week or two of rut activity, and many folks have reported they just didn’t experience it this year.” Cain believes that the cause of these reports has been the mild weather. “Yes, we’ve had some decent cold fronts, especially here at the end of the season,” he said. “However, the season has been full of mild weather, and I think that this lended deer movement to occur at nighttime. I don’t think rutting activity was less than it normally is, nor do I think it occurred at different times than normal, I just think some of the main rutting activity may have occurred at night due to warm temperatures. Hunters spending time in the stand during mild weather may not have seen the rut activity they may have seen had they hunted on a cooler day.” In South Texas, the rut was on during the second half of December and on through the New Year, according to Trinity Ranch owner David Sunderland. “We are now seeing bucks with considerable weight loss and a lot of broken antlers,” he said. “My guess is, that about 75 percent of the does have been bred.” Sunderland said his main concern across his ranch, that lies near Batesville, is the poor pasture conditions due to the drought. Please turn to page 6
Deer hunters across the state experience varying types of rut activity as the general season comes to an end. While the rut is mostly complete in North Texas, it is in full force in South Texas. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Bass strategies vary lake to lake By Nate Skinner
A host of different tactics are being used across Texas lakes as anglers pursue bass that are transitioning to winter patterns. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News. Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 19
INSIDE
CONTENTS
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For Lone Star Outdoor News The transition from fall to winter is taking place across Texas lakes, and productive bass fishing patterns differ greatly depending on the body of water anglers are targeting. Deep water is the key
on some lakes, while shallow water and everything in between has been holding more bass on others. Overall, a variety of tactics and strategies are bringing green fish to the boat. On Canyon Lake, fishing guide Barry Dodd said he’s been focusing on deep water. “The bass are pretty
scattered and still seem to be holding in a fall pattern, rather than stacked up in their winter haunts,” Dodd explained. “We caught some 3-pounders in 50 feet of water the other day, and then also caught some solid 2- to 2.5-pound fish in 25 to 35 feet of water. The fish are just all over the Please turn to page 13
HUNTING
FISHING
Minutes to spare (P. 4)
Holiday rainbows (P. 8)
Hunter gets buck before season closes.
Father-daughter and father-son head to river.
Lost hunter dies (P. 4)
Big specks (P. 8)
Man disappears in snow storm.
Port Mansfield producing.
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January 8, 2021
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HUNTING
Texas hunter dies in snowstorm By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News After a lengthy search, the body of Ronnie Craig, a 72-year-old man, was found on a neighboring ranch from where he had been hunting near Crowell in Foard County. Foard County Sheriff Mike Brown told Lone Star Outdoor News
that Craig had left his deer blind. “We don’t know if he got disoriented or confused,” Brown said. “He went missing Thursday night (Dec. 31) and was found early Saturday morning (Jan. 2). The weather was setting in and he wound up about 2 miles away on a neighboring ranch, where he was found.” One social media report said
Craig had shot a hog and left the blind to retrieve it. Country artist Casey Donahew, who had heard about the missing man from a friend, put the word out on social media that a search party was being assembled for Saturday morning. “My buddy’s father has been missing since 7 p.m. last night from a deer lease,” he posted.
“We had a hard time getting out here last night due to the winter storm. We made it around 3 a.m. and have been searching for him ever since.” Donahew requested 4-wheelers, utility vehicles and people to help. At 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, a crowd of volunteers had developed in the close-knit com-
munity, including a number of cowboys on horseback. “Thank God for first responders. I can’t say that enough,” Donahew posted after Craig’s body was found by a helicopter pilot. “They had boots on the ground, in the middle of a winter storm and searched all through the night in severe conditions. To the cowboys who showed up on Please turn to page 11
First sight of a dinosaur
Hunters are still enjoying sandhill crane hunts, but hope colder weather will bring more birds into the state. Photo by Blake Hagemeier.
Holiday sandhill crane hunts By Madison Scarborough For Lone Star Outdoor News
On the morning of Dec. 28, Leah Lemmons, a senior at Texas A&M University, headed out for her first crane hunt at the Gar-
wood Hunting Club, a waterfowl outfitter located on the Texas Coastal Prairie. Around 7:15 a.m., the first group flew over, circled, and then Lemmons shot her first bird. “I was surprised at how big the birds were. I felt like I was looking at dinosaurs,” Lemmons said. Guide Cole Stalnaker reported
the weather has been clear, calm, and not too cold on the prairie. The sandhills haven’t been consistently returning, but on the morning of the 28th with Lemmons, the birds decided to show up. The group of seven hunted over five dozen Deception decoys, all hitting their limit by 8:45 a.m.
The next morning, they only got 1 bird, showing the cranes’ inconsistent pattern. “The birds have stayed in the general area of the prairie, but they are near our field one day and gone the next,” Stalnaker said. Chad Huff, owner of Team Takeem, recently spent time hunt-
ing with Premier Sandhills in the Texas Panhandle. “Every morning we had a great hunt and did it right,” Huff said. They had good weather and the wind was decent, which led the crew to change spreads every morning based on how the wind was acting. Guide Sam Porter described the Please turn to page 6
Last hour buck Small ranch 10-pointer as season closes By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
Matt Farris harvested his 10-point buck on a small family ranch with less than an hour remaining in the general season in Texas’ North Zone. Photo from Matt Farris.
There was less than hour remaining in the general deer season in the North Zone. Matt Farris, of Stephenville, was sitting at the base of a pecan tree in a 50-acre wheat field on his aunt and uncle’s property near Perrin in Jack County. “I had been sitting under that pecan tree every Sunday all season,” Farris said. “It’s just a wheat field — no blind, no protein, no corn. Just old school.” The property is small, 100 acres, where his aunt and uncle run a few cows. “I shot a mature 8-pointer there last year,” Farris said. On Sun., Jan. 3, Farris was in his usual spot at about 4:45 p.m.
“I was just sitting on the ground watching what was going on,” he said. “I was thinking I might go ahead and shoot a doe if one came out. I was looking one direction and then saw this buck and a few other bucks coming out behind me at about 120 yards. I got the gun set up but he got behind a tree and I couldn’t see him for a minute.” When the buck stepped out and after another moved out of the way, Farris, who works at a fabrication shop and a gun store in Hico on the weekends, was ready with his .300 Win Mag. “He went 20 yards and piled up,” he said. Farris said he and his friend, Tyler Mitchell, who is a taxidermist, estimated the 10-point buck to be 5 years old. “After being there every Sunday since opening day, I was very happy and grateful to take a mature buck off our small family farm for the second year in a row,” he said.
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Deer take snow day
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Shortly following the Texas snowstorm of New Year’s Eve, most hunters saw a reduction in deer movement until late in the day as the snow was melting. Photos by Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Hunters were thrilled. Seeing a blanket of new snow on the ground to welcome in the new year, the landscape totally changed. Big Bend National Park closed after receiving two feet of snow. In the Delaware Mountains, it was reported the storm brought 16 inches. The deer will really move now, many hunters thought. Texas deer, though, are different. Not used to snow, except in the Panhandle, their initial response often is to shut down, at least for a while. South Texas hunters know it. A strong cold front that spurs movement elsewhere is a cause for sleeping in. ErathKid, from Stephenville, posted on the Texas Hunting Forum that he was watching his neighbor’s high-fenced property about a quarter mile away. “Not a single deer,” he said. “Usually there are 10 to 15. It’s deader than a door nail here. No deer on the wheat field. Not even a varmint or two.” Mule deer hunters in the Trans Pecos
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Following the rut Continued from page 1
Some deer, even in North Texas, were chasing does that hadn’t been bred during the initial rut. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
“Supplemental feed is going to be necessary to help the bucks recover from the effects of the rut,” he said. Atascosa County hunter Matt Ebrom said mature bucks are still chasing does on his lease near Campbellton. “I’m hardly seeing anything mature at feeders right now,” he said. “The mature deer may show up occasionally, but they don’t stick around long.” Drew Tackitt also hunts in Atascosa County, where he has been seeing a lot of bucks with broken antlers. “I’ve passed on a couple of deer late in the season that I probably would’ve pulled the trigger on, had they not been broken up,” Tackitt explained. In East Texas, Nathan Brooks has been hunting in Marion County, and said the bucks are no longer exhibiting rut activity.
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“We are starting to see bucks we haven’t seen since the early part of the season return to our feeders,” Brooks said. Gonzales County hunter Bryan Maley said the rut has ceased in his neck of the woods as well. “Mature bucks are hitting the feeders once again, and we are even seeing deer come out to feed that we’ve never seen before,” Maley said. Tim Young has been seeing some signs of a slight second rut across the ranch he manages in Coryell County. “The older bucks are still showing up to the feeders and looking around,” he said. “It seems like most of the mature does have been bred and that the bucks are looking for any younger does or yearlings willing to breed.”
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past week in the Panhandle as “up and down” for crane hunting. A mild cold front brought more winds which was good for hunters in the area. Because the cranes are migrating off weather patterns, Porter and his crew have been shooting at the same birds since early December. He said the Panhandle “needs new birds to migrate in and spice things up.” Right before Christmas, Porter’s groups shot limits using different tactics. “We have been hunting an A-style frame, setting up layout and coffin blinds, hiding in tumbleweed, and laying out big crane spreads and hiding in ghillie blankets in the middle of the spread,” Porter said.
Leah Lemmons harvested her first sandhill crane on a hunt with a group of seven hunters in the Coastal Prairie. Photo by Cole Stalnaker.
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FISHING
Holiday traditions on the Guad
Ethan Wu landed this trout on the fly while fishing with his dad on the Guadalupe River for their Christmas Day fishing trip. Photo by Odom Wu.
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News The holiday season presents a perfect opportunity to spend quality time out-of-doors with family members. Avid angler and hunter Kamiryn DeTiege has developed a tradition of fly-fishing with her dad, Michael Winters, around the holidays. The two anglers recently celebrated Christmas and the New Year by spending some time pursuing trout on the Guadalupe River outside of New Braunfels. “My dad has gotten back into
fly-fishing over the past four years, and so have I,” DeTiege explained. “Both of our schedules seem to mesh the best around Christmas and New Year’s, so we have made it sort of a new tradition to go fishing together around that time.” DeTiege said they caught a few trout in some deeper pools, but most of their success came in sections with swift-moving runs. “We were indicator fishing, and the majority of our bites came as we let our flies drift downcurrent,” she said. “A double-drop
fly rig under the indicator produced the most strikes.” The father-daughter pair landed seven rainbow trout between the two of them in the 16-20 inch range. “It was a fun day with my dad, for sure,” DeTiege said. “We fished pretty hard and the fish were definitely finicky.” DeTiege said there was a lot of angler traffic along the river. “It seems like there are more people fishing the river this year,” she said. “I think the increase in pressure is why the fish were
tougher to catch than they have been in previous years.” Ethan Wu, 13, also celebrated the holidays with his dad, Odom Wu, by fly-fishing on the Guadalupe River. “This was our third year in a row to go fishing together on Christmas Day,” Wu said. “It has become a tradition that I look forward to spending with my dad every year. It works out well, because he is off of work and I am off from school.” The tradition started after Wu asked his dad if he wanted to go
fishing with him as a part of his Christmas present. “Ever since then, we have made a point to go fishing together on Christmas,” he explained. While fishing the Guad on Christmas Day, Wu said the best action came from using various weighted nymphs in areas that had fast-moving water. “We caught several trout in the 18- to 20-inch range,” he said. “Some of the fish came out of a deep pool that was surrounded by trees, which made it difficult to cast. We caught most of the trout Please turn to page 11
Treetops, humps key for Buchanan stripers
Chasing winter trout in the LLM
By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News The striped bass bite is consistent on Lake Buchanan during the winter months, and fish in the 18- to 27-inch range are filling coolers for anglers willing to get on the water. Located about 60 miles northwest of Austin in the Texas Hill Country, Buchanan covers just over 22,000 acres with a maximum water depth of 132 feet. “The fishing for stripers here is good year-round,” said guide Ray Williamson, with Ray’s Striper Guide Service. “During the winter months I’ll be putting my fishermen on stripers that weigh from 3 to 5 pounds.” Williamson said finding the live shad is key. “We’ll be fishing the treetops and humps with live shad,” he said. “But there is always the option of trolling with downriggers pulling Road Runner jigs in yellow and white. But for the most part you’ll catch most of the stripers on live shad.” Please turn to page 13
Port Mansfield is putting out some big speckled trout, and anglers are using a slow retrieve on soft plastics. Photo by Ruben Garza.
By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Anglers on Lake Buchanan are landing some good-sized stripers, primarily on live shad. Photo from Ray Williamson.
Winter is the right time to be in the hunt for big speckled trout on the Laguna Madre, and one of the top areas to fish are the flats out of Port Mansfield. That’s where some of the best trout fishing guides on the Texas coast meet their custom-
ers with hopes of catching big trout. “It’s game on right now,” said Eric Sauls, who has been working as a guide out of Port Mansfield for the past 13 years. “As long as we have a decent day of good weather you never know what that next cast is going to deliver.” Water temperatures are in Please turn to page 12
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Salty Fly-fishing action
Anglers on the coast have had success fly-fishing in the New Year. Left, Jennifer Matsu, of Houston, caught this 23-inch red while sight-casting. Photo by Rob Schumske. Middle, Mark Williamson, of South Padre Island, landed this red drum in 7 inches of water in the Laguna Madre. Photo by Ernie Juarez. Right, Capt. Travis Glidden, of Port O’Connor, rang in the New Year fishing. Photo from Travis Glidden.
By Lili Sams
Lone Star Outdoor News “We were skunked on New Year’s Day,” Jennifer Matsu, of Houston, said. “The water has been ‘gin clear’ in Galveston Bay recently, but the redfish have moved deeper.” Matsu, who has been sight-casting for reds with her boyfriend, Rob Schumske, said they have been able to spot mud puffs in the deeper water but can’t seem to hook the fish. “The tide was so low and now it has come back
in,” she said. Matsu did manage to hook a 23-inch red on Jan. 2 in West Galveston Bay in approximately 2 feet of water. She used a Flexo Crab hand-tied fly on a Hardy Zephrus 8-weight rod. Matsu hasn’t been fishing for long, but her passion runs deep. She was inspired by a friend and booked a trip for permit in Mexico a few months out, giving herself time to learn the skills needed. She said her lessons and training with the goal of completing the trip in October helped get her through quarantine.
“I’ve been saltwater fly-fishing for a little over a year. Sight-casting is what I love,” Matsu said. Mark Williamson, of South Padre Island, fished the Laguna Madre on Dec. 22 with Shay and Leonard Hoffman on the polling platform. Williamson had good luck on the water. He caught a 28-inch redfish in 8 inches of water and a 28.5-inch trout in about 10 inches of water. On Jan. 3, Williamson made it back out to the Laguna Madre with Ernie Juarez and caught a nice red drum in about 7 inches of water.
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 54 degrees; 4.27’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait, cut bait and stink bait. AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 58 degrees; 43.44’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on plastic worms, crankbaits and spinner baits. Catfish are fair on chicken livers and stink bait dough balls. ARLINGTON: Water stained; 54 degrees; 3.68’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair near boat docks, brush and timber on minnows. Catfish are slow. ATHENS: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.41’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, suspended jerkbaits and red/brown skirted jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on punch bait. AUSTIN: Water clear; 54 degrees; 0.72’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.26’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged worms and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut and prepared baits. BASTROP: Water clear; 54 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in brush piles and standing timber. Channel and blue catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. BELTON: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees;1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on slabs, jerkbaits and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait. BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 2.66’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Hybrid striped bass and white bass are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait. BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.75’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits, black/blue jigs and drop shots. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 2.88’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 6.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on football jigs and blue or purple drop shots. Striped bass are good on live bait and trolling striper jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Channel catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. Blue catfish are good on cut bait. CADDO: Water stained; 52 degrees; 0.66’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on pearl jigs, finesse worms and paddle tail plastics. Crappie are good
on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. CALAVERAS: Water stained; 60-62 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on jigs and Carolina-rigged worms. Red drum are slow. Hybrid striped bass are good on spoons. Catfish are good on stink bait, chicken livers and cut shad. CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 61 degrees; 5.32’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on suspended jerkbaits, jigs, Carolina-rigged plastic worms and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on live bait. White bass are fair on white slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 1.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on stick baits, silver or chrome crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits. Hybrids and white bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. CHOKE CANYON: Water lightly stained; 58-61 degrees; 22.16’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on jigs, plastic worms, spinner baits and crankbaits. Catfish are good on larger live bait, cut bait and stink bait. CONROE: Water stained; 59 degrees; 1.66’ 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 lightly stained; 50 degrees; 4.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on brown or red Carolina-rigged plastic worms, crankbaits and skirted jigs. White bass and hybrids are fair on live bait and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE: Water stained; 58 degrees; 7.24’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms. Crappie are good at night on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and cheese bait. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 2.08’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. FALCON: Water lightly stained north and clear south; 59 degrees; 38.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms. Crappie are good on minnows. FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on red Carolina rigs, shad crankbaits and jigs. Catfish are fair on
punch bait and cut bait. FORK: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 2.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green-blue blade baits, spoons, crankbaits and football jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. GRANBURY: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shad crankbaits, suspended jerkbaits and brown/orange flipping jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. White bass are fair on white or chrome slabs and jigging spoons. GRANGER: Water clear; 55 degrees; 1.52’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkin, orange or green craws and plastic worms, crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 0.46’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shad crankbaits, blue or black drop shots, grubs, and pearl swimbaits. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 59 degrees; 0.11’ high. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. White bass are fair to slow on jigs and spoons. Catfish are good on live and cut shad and stink bait. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 53-56 degrees; 2.40’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged worms, crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on points. Catfish are fair on live and cut shad. JOE POOL: Water stained; 54 degrees; 1.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad paddle tails, brown/red football jigs, shad crankbaits and purple drop shots. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on prepared baits. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 51 degrees; 0.11’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are slow. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 2.13’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on deep-diving crankbaits, flutter spoons and brown finesse worms. Crappie are fair on minnows andd jigs. White bass are fair on slabs and heavy spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. LBJ: Water clear; 56 degrees; 0.67’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on purple drop shots, suspended jerkbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are slow. Catfish are slow. LEWISVILLE: Water lightly
stained; 52 degrees; 1.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on red/black football jigs, suspended jerkbaits, shad swimbaits and spoons. 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; 58 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged plastics, crankbaits and jigs. Striped bass are good on shad. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on live bait. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 2.74’ low. Largemouth bass are good on brown and red skirted jigs, jerkbaits, shad crankbaits and paddle tails. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 48 degrees; 0.02’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait and blood bait. NACONICHE: Water lightly stained; 59-62 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on dough balls, cut and live bait. NASWORTHY: Water stained; 54 degrees. 0.94’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, worms and spinner baits. Crappie are fair to good on jigs. White bass are fair on small crankbaits. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits. NAVARRO MILLS: Water clear; 53 degrees; 0.70’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on flukes, jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. White bass are slow. O.H. IVIE: Water clear; 54 degrees; 13.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, crankbaits and buzzbaits. Crappie are good on jigs at night. Catfish are good on stink bait, live and cut bait. PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina-rigged worms, skirted jigs and crawfish crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrid stripers are fair on live bait. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on prepared baits and cut bait. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 54 degrees; 0.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on jigs, slabs and spoons. Striped bass are fair trolling live shad. Catfish are good on cut bait, live sunfish and stink bait. PROCTOR: Water clear; 55 degrees; 0.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on small
crankbaits, skirted jigs and drop shots. Hybrid stripers are fair on live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait. RAVEN: Water stained; 60 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair to good on light-colored Carolina rigs, crankbaits and spinner baits. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 1.86’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on football jigs, Carolinarigged plastic worms and crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 51 degrees; 1.05’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 51 degrees; 1.71’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on white finesse worms, pearl swimbaits, football jigs and crankbaits. White bass and hybrids are fair on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 59 degrees; 3.98’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits and weighted plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on live bait and stink bait. SOMERVILLE: Water clear; 55 degrees; 2.71’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green/ pumpkin craws, jerkbaits and football jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on live bait, white or chrome slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs tipped with minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and live bait. STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 1.26’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Channel catfish are fair on punch bait. Blue catfish are good on cut bait or live bait. TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 1.79’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texasrigged soft plastics, crankbaits, football jigs and swimbaits. White bass and hybrid stripers are fair on live bait and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Blue catfish are good on live bait and fresh cut bait. Channel catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. TEXANA: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 0.08’ low. Largemouth bass are good on buzzbaits, jigs and tubes. Crappie are good under structure and over brush on minnows. Catfish are good on
n Saltwater reports Page 11 stink bait, cut bait and live bait. TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 50-52 degrees; 0.73’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, deep-diving crankbaits and flutter spoons. Striped bass and white bass are fair on live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait and punch bait. TOLEDO BEND: Mostly clear; 60-64 degrees; 3.94’ low. Largemouth bass are good on wacky rigs, brush hogs, spoons and weighted worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stink bait. TRAVIS: Water clear; 59 degrees; 22.10 low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, dark blue/white skirted jigs and drop shots. White bass are fair on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and prepared baits. WACO: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 1.78’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on brown, black and red skirted jigs, suspended jerkbaits and paddletail swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on drop shots, crankbaits and spinner baits. Hybrid stripers are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. WHITNEY: Water clear; 54 degrees; 2.78’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on suspended jerkbaits, crankbaits, black or purple drop shots and black/red skirted jigs. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and slabs. Striped bass are good on live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 51 degrees; 4.33’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait and live bait.
—TPWD
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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 59 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live bait and top-waters. Redfish are fair over shell on mullet-imitating lures. BOLIVAR: 63 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair in the surf on shrimp. Flounder are good near rocks on mud minnows. TRINITY BAY: 60 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp under a popping cork. Redfish are fair in the marsh on mullet, soft plastics and top-waters. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 59 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and live finger mullet. Flounder are fair around the rocks on mullet. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 59 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp in the back lakes and marshes. TEXAS CITY: 59 degrees. Redfish and flounder are good on shrimp and mullet. Black drum are good around the bayou on shrimp and crab. Speckled trout are fair to good under the birds over shell or in the marsh on shrimp and artificials.
FREEPORT: 61-62 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good in the bay on mullet and shrimp. Black drum are fair on blue crab. Flounder are good along the drains on mullet or mud minnows. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 62 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp or mullet over shell. Flounder are good on mud minnows or mullet. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 62 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp or cut mullet along the south shoreline. Flounder are good around the jetty on mullet.
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PORT O’CONNOR: 65 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp and crab in the shallow sand bars. Redfish are good in back bays on live shrimp. Flounder are good on mullet in the shallow grass flats. ROCKPORT: 62 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp and top-waters. Flounder are good on mullet. Black drum are good around Copano Bay on crab.
PORT ARANSAS: 63 degrees. Redfish, black drum and speckled trout are fair to good on live shrimp and cut mullet. CORPUS CHRISTI: 62 degrees. Speckled trout are fair in the flats on shrimp and cut mullet. Black drum are excellent on crab or shrimp late in the afternoon. BAFFIN BAY: 65-67 degrees. Redfish are good in the flats on top-waters and live bait. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp. PORT MANSFIELD: 66 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair to good on shrimp under popping cork and soft plastics. SOUTH PADRE: 69-70 degrees. Redfish are good in the flats on cut bait. Speckled trout and flounder are good around the jetties on live mullet. Black drum are good on shrimp. PORT ISABEL: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp. Flounder are fair on mullet. Black drum are good on crab and shrimp. —TPWD
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
Dec. 11
Feb. 5
Dec. 23
Feb. 19
Jan. 8
Mar. 5
Jan. 22
ASCARATE EL PASO Dec. 2 Jan. 19
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Rainbow trips
RAINBOW TROUT STOCKING
Dec. 17
January 8, 2021
MESQUITE CITY LAKE
Kamiryn DeTiege shows a nice rainbow trout she caught while fly-fishing with her father on the Guadalupe River to celebrate the holidays. Photo by Michael Winters.
in two other stretches where the current was pretty strong. This kept our flies moving quickly, which gave the fish little time to react, and they engulfed our offerings.” The father and son rotated through several nymphs until they found which pattern the fish seemed to want the most. “Overall, it was a great day of fly-fishing with my dad, and an awesome way to celebrate Christmas,” Wu said.
Storm takes hunter Continued from page 4
horses, the pilots who showed up with choppers and planes and the volunteers who showed up to search on foot, 4 wheelers and ATVs. To the cooks and all of you who brought supplies. The amount of help and support that came when we asked was truly amazing.” Sheriff Brown said Craig likely succumbed to hypothermia. “He was an experienced outdoorsman,” Brown said. “He had hunted in Colorado and it was his second year on the lease here. The country on the ranch is rough, thick brush. It’s even hard to ride a horse through it.” Craig, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, owned Craig’s Auto Sales in Granbury “It’s just very unfortunate, even the best outdoorsman in the world can get disoriented,” Brown said.
MESQUITE
Feb. 3
Dec. 23
Mar. 2
Jan. 22
COMANCHE TRAILS PARK ODESSA Jan. 7
Feb. 19
Made i n U SA
POSSUM KINGDOM TAILRACE GRAFORD
Feb. 7 Mar. 3
GUADALUPE RIVER (CANYON TAILRACE) NEW BRAUNFELS
Dec. 18
Feb. 12
Dec. 30
Feb. 26
Jan. 15
WATERLOO PARK POND
Dec. 11
Jan. 8
Dec. 18
Jan. 15
DENISON
Dec. 23
Jan. 22
Dec. 17
Dec. 31
Jan. 29
Jan. 10
C.A.L. 4” Shad Tail C.A.L. 4” Jerk Bait C.A.L. 5.5” Jerk Bait C.A.L. Curl Tail
Feb. 7
*FOR MORE LOCATIONS AND DATES VISIT TPWD.TEXAS.GOV
C.A.L. 5” Swim Bait C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail
Jan. 29
Feb. 28
C.A.L. Paddle Tail
201596_DOA_2.17_Tx Outdoor Journal_CAL ad_5.125x3.75.indd 1
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January 8, 2021
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
GAME WARDEN BLOTTER BAITING FOR DUCKS Liberty County game wardens wrapped up an investigation that included surveillance on an area that had been heavily baited for waterfowl. The wardens contacted a group of five hunters, one of whom admitted to placing the bait, and found them to be in possession of 31 ducks. All ducks were seized and charges were filed. JOINT EFFORT ON SOUTHERN COAST Texas game wardens assigned to the Marine Tactical Operations Group completed a two-day joint patrol with United State Coast Guard Station South Padre, focused on the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal waters of the Rio Grande River. The patrol resulted in the seizure of multiple illegal fishing gear and the release of numerous species caught on such gear. REWARD FOR POACHERS OF TAGGED DEER During a 7-day period from Oct. 25-Nov. 1, three white-tailed bucks disappeared from the LHK Ranch in Berclair, Goliad County. The three deer were all tagged, one with a red tag in the right ear, one with a black tag in the left, and the third with a green tag in the right ear. All three bucks measured around 200 inches. An Operation Game Thief reward is available for information
SPONSORED BY:
DREAM TRIP FOR YOUNGSTER BATTLING CANCER A Calhoun County game warden and trooper made a dream come true for a young man who has been battling a rare form of pediatric cancer since 2017. The 16 year old has been living in Houston for treatment. From Alabama, he loves everything about the outdoors. One of his wishes was to have
leading to the indentification, arrest and convection of the person(s) responsible. NO FISHING LICENSES, PLENTY OF BIG BLACK DRUM Jefferson County game wardens checked two fisherman who were found to be fishing without a valid Texas fishing license. The fishermen were in possession of 27 black drum, 20 of which were oversized. All fish were seized and donated. Cases and restitution pending. OPERATION HALF SHELL RACKS UP CASES Between Dec. 14 and 18, Calhoun and Aransas County game wardens
the opportunity to go on a duck hunt by airboat. The dream came true when he rode shotgun in the front of an airboat with his father and two close friends for a youth hunt. A few redheads were bagged.
led a multi-agency law enforcement surge operation targeting illegal commercial oyster harvest and possession along the Coastal Bend. “Operation Half Shell” consisted of patrols by wardens in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, Calhoun County Sherriff’s Office and the Aransas County Sheriff’s Office. The operation resulted in more than 70 criminal cases and numerous warnings over four days. In total, 436 sacks of oysters, approximately 47,960 pounds, were returned to the bay. Many of the violations were for possession of undersize oysters that the state’s reef ecosystems require for sustainability and for future harvests. Wardens made 12
arrests for possession of undersized oysters from oystermen who had two prior convictions on the same violation. Game wardens also issued 42 citations for possession of undersize oysters, adding up to 34 percent of the cases. Other arrests included unlawfully selling molluscan shellfish and possession of marijuana.
large portion of the state, including Sterling County game wardens, who assisted with a jackknifed tractor trailer and helped a local rancher after a motorist went through his fence, and a Terrell County warden who assisted a family that went off the road. TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF DRUG STASH A Webb County game warden, at a traffic stop, called for assistance from other wardens after suspecting drug activity. The driver gave consent to search the vehicle. The wardens found substances believed to be heroin, crack cocaine, Xanax pills and drug paraphernalia. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transported to the Webb County Jail. The other two occupants were cited and released. All charges are pending.
WARDENS HELP AFTER BIG SNOWSTORM IN TRANS PECOS Texas game wardens, as part of the state’s emergency response team, coordinated through the Texas Department of Emergency Management, assisted with the impacts from severe weather over a
REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000. CALL OPERATION GAME THIEF AT (800) 792-4263
A N AMERIC AN LEGEND RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE
Rolling Plains quail Continued from page 1
said. “Rick is using one feeder for every 300 acres and feeds (the medicated feed) only two times per year (in March and in early fall).” Based on his firsthand observations, Photo from Joe Crafton Crafton feels the medicated feed is working. “Before the test, 70 percent of the birds I harvested in 2017 had visible eyeworms — they had very high levels of infection. Yesterday, I checked nine birds and only one had one visible eyeworm.” Awaiting approval for the medicated feed from the Federal Drug Administration has been a long process, now going on six years. Dr. Kendall’s staff is documenting the findings to support the application to the FDA. Snipes said he estimates the ranch has about three times the numbers of birds it had last year. “On one of our all-day hunts we pointed six coveys in the morning and nine that afternoon, with a three-hour break for lunch and naps,” he said. “Our harvest so far has been 90 percent juveniles.” Dr. Dale Rollins, executive director of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, said in his monthly newsletter there is some more “good” news on the quail front. “Our November helicopter counts were up 15 percent and our trapping-banding effort showed a 20 percent increase,” he said. While hunting reports from the Rolling Plains weren’t great, a good rainfall year could help the numbers rebound. At the Matador Wildlife Management Area, Manager Chip Ruthven said hunters with good dogs have been “pleasantly surprised.” “The better reports have been seven to eight coveys a day,” he said. “Hunters are averaging about half a bird per day, which is close to double from last year.” In Fisher County, Paul Melton said this season has been an improvement from last year, saying bird numbers are 35 to 40 percent higher. “I hunt almost exclusively in the last 2.5 hours of the afternoon,” Melton said. “I am finding three to five coveys per hour, and covey size is larger than I anticipated.”
Port M specks Continued from page 8
the lower 60s, and the guides said that’s pretty much where it’ll stay throughout the winter months. “The exception will be when cold fronts move through and lower the water temperatures a few degrees for a couple of days,” Sauls said. When it comes to catching cold water trout, Sauls said three of his top lures are a Kelly Wigglers with a willow tail, a 6-inch Hogie paddle tail and a suspending bait like a Paul Brown’s Soft-Dine XL. His go-to colors are purple, chartreuse, jalapeno pepper and Mansfield margarita. With the Hogie paddle tail jig he’ll opt for one that is green and brown with a white tail. With the SoftDine, silver with a black back is the slow sinker he prefers. But he’ll also fish an Original Corky in black, pink or red/white. “That green and brown Hogie paddle tail is the ugliest lure I’ve ever seen,” Sauls said. “But it catches Photo by Capt. Ruben Garza big trout. Usually, I’ll fish the lures with a slow twitching retrieve, kind of like a walk-the-dog action. On sunny days I’ll often speed up my retrieve with soft plastics.” Ruben Garza Jr. has been fishing the Laguna Madre out of Mansfield for decades. His personal best trout measured 30-3/4 inches. That trout was caught on a Kelly Wigglers ball tail, one of Garza’s go-to lures for winter trout. His top colors are Mansfield margarita, Getaway jalapeño pepper, and green with a white tail. “When I’m fishing tails in cold water for winter trout, I’ll more than likely rig them on a 1/8-ounce Kelly Wigglers screw lock jig head,” Garza said. “I don’t think the color of the head is that important. A plain lead head is good, and so is white.” Garza said the best areas to get the most bites will be over grass or potholes. “The main thing is to look for mullet,” he said. “Just one single mullet can often be the key to catching a big trout. Usually when a mullet jumps out of the water it’s being chased by something. Right now I’ll be wading in waist-deep water just about every day, with mid-morning to mid-afternoon being the prime hours to be on the water. We’re doing lots of wading now, but we’ll also do some drift fishing. It’s always good to fish areas with close access to deep water.” One thing to keep in mind is to move slowly and be on point with every cast. “The water is cold and the trout are lethargic,” Garza said. “They have a soft bite. If your line comes tight, set the hook.” Both Garza and Sauls spool their reels with 20- to 30-pound test PowerPro braided line and 20-inch Fluorocarbon leaders.
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January 8, 2021
Winter largemouths
Stripers on shad
Continued from page 1
place.” Dodd said smaller bait presentations used on drop-shot rigs have been working well, along with wacky worms. Natural colored baits under 5 inches in length have been his choice. “Suspending jerk baits have also been producing consistently for us lately,” he said. “My bread-and-butter has been focusing on points and drop-offs with cover. A lot of the fish are suspended near these areas.” An average day is producing 10-20 bass, depending on the skill level of the anglers Dodd has been guiding. “There has been a lot of bass schooling off of points and the edges of creek channels chasing small fry,” he said. “You just have to throw small baits to catch them.” Caddo Lake guide, Paul Keith, said the bass bite has been extremely hit-and-miss. “One day you’ll go catch a mess of really nice fish, and the next day you’ll go back to the same exact spot and they won’t bite,” Keith explained. “It’s been a little perplexing. They’re feeding patterns have just not been consistent.” On the days the fish have been willing to feed, Keith said he’s been catching plenty of bass between 4 and 8 pounds. “There’s a lot of chunky fish to be caught right now, it’s just about whether or not they will cooperate ,” he said. “The early morning hours have rendered the most action.” Keith said there have been some bass schooling sporadically on the flats adjacent to nearby creeks in 2-4 feet of water. Lipless crankbaits and chatterbaits have been the ticket when the fish are found schooling. Fishing guide Kenneth Morris said the bass on O.H. Ivie have been holding in deep water from 18-24 feet. “Points, rock banks, and drop-offs have been holding the most fish,” Morris said. “Vertical presentations have been the most effective. I’ve been using Senkos with a 1/2-ounce weight.” Square-billed crankbaits also have been producing strikes when anglers are targeting rock banks. “The average size of fish on O.H. Ivie has been pretty
Page 13
Continued from page 8
Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News
good lately,” Morris said. “I caught nine bass the other day and only one was under 18 inches long. Most of the fish we are catching right now are in the 3- to 5-pound range, and every now and then someone catches an 8- or 9-pounder.” On Lake Travis, guide Bryan Cotter said the best action is coming from Texas-rigged soft plastics in watermelon and green/pumpkin colors. “Creature baits and craw worms are also doing the trick right now,” Cotter said. “The top-water bite has been decent early in the mornings around deep drops close to the shore. Crankbaits worked around the edges of ledges are also producing plenty of strikes.”
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The guide said finding shad to net can be difficult in winter. “They are usually easy to catch with a cast net,” he said. “But there are days when they can be scarce. Most of the time I’ll be on the lake at about 4 a.m. to catch enough shad for a day of fishing. They can often be found under the lights on piers and boat docks. When a front moves through, the big schools of shad will move to deeper water. But within a day or two after a front we’ll find them in the coves.” The lake is currently 5 to 6 feet low. “That’s just right for winter fishing,” Williamson said. Williamson uses his electronics to find the shad in the treetops. “The shad are suspending in the treetops and that’s where we’ll find most of the stripers,” he said. “I’ll also use topographic maps that show humps and ridges. One of the best winter patterns is to work the treetops in water that’s around 60 feet deep. For example, if I’m fishing a tree in 60 feet of water the shad and stripers could be suspended in the treetop anywhere from 20 to 40 feet deep.” The key to finding stripers and catching them is to use the right size of shad. Some days the stripers will prefer a shad that’s 2 inches long. On other days, they will be on 4-inchers. “One of my go-to shad fishing tactics is to use a Carolina rig,” Williamson said. “I’ll use a 3-foot, 20-pound test monofilament leader. Above the leader I’ll have a 1-ounce weight. I like to use a No. 2 Kahle hook. To keep the shad alive I’ll slip the hook through the nose of the bait to keep it alive longer. You want to use a weight that’s heavy enough to keep the shad on bottom or near the structure. If you don’t use enough weight the shad will swim towards the surface and away from the stripers.” Another tactic the guide uses is to anchor his 25-foot Boston Whaler and fish six to eight rods with live shad in water that’s 18 to 20 feet deep. That’s when he’ll be fishing over humps and ridges. “The trick is to fish the shad about 3 feet off bottom,” Williamson said.
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Page 14
January 8, 2021
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
HEROES
Abbey Caudill, 15, harvested this 10-point Hill Country buck and donated the meat to Hunters for the Hungry.
Henry Beckman, 14, of Dallas, caught and released this 18-pound redfish while fly-fishing in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, guided by Texas-based Tailwaters Fly Fishing.
Fourth generation deer hunter Luke Patterson, 13, carried on the tradition with his first buck shot on his Uncle Roger’s farm in Falls County. Patterson made a perfect shot on the 14-point buck at 100 yards with his grandfather’s 25.06.
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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 Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.
Paul Moser and Andrew Beckman caught 16- and 22-pound redfish on a double hook-up while fly-fishing near Venice, Louisiana.
Duncan Bauer shot his first buck in Runnels County.
Photo by Nate Skinner
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Page 15
PRODUCTS
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GLOW-IN-THE-DARK BLADEBAITS: SteelShad has added five glow-in-thedark patterns to its heavy (1/2 ounce) and mini (1/4 ounce) bladebait series. These hard-working lures use tight, reverberating action to draw vicious strikes from bass, crappie, stripers and perch in freshwater plus snook, jacks and blues in saltwater. The bladebaits, available in Glow White, Glow Yellow, Glow Silver, Glow Orange and Glow Green in the two sizes, will cost about $8.
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LASER 50 RANGEFINDER: Nikon’s new high-performance laser rangefinder equips hunters with the versatility they need in the field, to include the option of four measurement display modes: horizontal distance and angle mode; actual distance and angle mode; horizontal distance and height mode; and actual distance and height mode. Featuring a premium ergonomic build with magnesium alloy construction and the measurement capability of up to 2,000 yards, the rangefinder offers a highly visible red internal display with an auto-adjustment function for optimal brightness. Its measurement response is stable and speedy regardless of the distance to the target. Other features include a target priority switch system for measuring overlapping subjects, a 6x monocular with multilayer coating for clear images, and a large ocular for easy viewing. The weathersealed, water-proof rangefinder costs about $450.
CURADO 300 HG REEL: Shimano introduces a new reel series (to include two models each in right-and left-hand retrieve) with the power and line capacity to fish swimbaits, big crankbaits and umbrella rigs with ease. The 300HG model, pictured, offers a 6.6:1 gear ratio that enables anglers to aggressively work lures that are more effective with a faster retrieve. The reel incorporates a large capacity deep spool for use with heavy-pound line and offers the ability for extra-long casts. It features a long handle with wide-grip knobs to provide anglers with the extra power needed when battling big fish. Other features include a compact low-profile design and lightweight aluminum frame body; the “X-Ship” technology that keeps the pinion gear in precise alignment with the drive gear; and a variable brake system for cast control. The reel’s MSRP is $199.99.
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Page 16
January 8, 2021
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases
New
First
Full
Last
Jan 12
Jan 20
Jan 28
Feb 4
Solunar Sun times Moon times
Houston
Dallas
2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Jan Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Jan Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
12:37 6:50 1:25 7:39 2:15 8:30 3:10 9:25 4:07 10:22 5:06 11:21 6:06 11:48 7:03 12:51 7:58 1:46 8:49 2:38 9:37 3:26 10:21 4:11 11:03 4:53 11:44 5:34 12:03 6:14
1:03 7:17 1:53 8:07 2:45 9:00 3:40 9:55 4:37 10:52 5:35 11:50 6:33 12:19 7:29 1:16 8:21 2:10 9:11 3:00 9:57 3:47 10:41 4:31 11:24 5:14 ----- 5:55 12:25 6:36
07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:17 07:16 07:16 07:16 07:16 07:16 07:15 07:15
05:37 05:37 05:38 05:39 05:40 05:41 05:42 05:42 05:43 05:44 05:45 05:46 05:47 05:48 05:48
2:31a 1:45p 3:39a 2:29p 4:48a 3:20p 5:55a 4:16p 6:57a 5:17p 7:53a 6:21p 8:42a 7:25p 9:23a 8:27p 9:59a 9:26p 10:31a 10:22p 11:01a 11:15p 11:29a NoMoon 11:58a 12:08a 12:28p 1:01a 1:00p 1:55a
12:42 6:56 1:30 7:45 2:21 8:36 3:16 9:31 4:13 10:28 5:12 11:27 6:11 11:54 7:09 12:56 8:04 1:52 8:55 2:44 9:43 3:32 10:27 4:17 11:09 4:59 11:50 5:40 12:09 6:20
1:09 1:59 2:51 3:46 4:43 5:41 6:39 7:34 8:27 9:17 10:03 10:47 11:29 ----12:31
7:23 8:13 9:06 10:01 10:58 11:56 12:25 1:22 2:16 3:06 3:53 4:37 5:19 6:01 6:42
07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:29 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:27 07:27 07:27
05:36 05:36 05:37 05:38 05:39 05:40 05:41 05:42 05:43 05:44 05:45 05:46 05:47 05:47 05:48
2:41a 1:46p 3:51a 2:29p 5:01a 3:18p 6:09a 4:14p 7:11a 5:15p 8:07a 6:20p 8:54a 7:25p 9:34a 8:28p 10:09a 9:29p 10:39a 10:26p 11:07a 11:21p 11:34a NoMoon 12:01p 12:16a 12:30p 1:10a 1:01p 2:05a
San Antonio 2021 Jan
A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
12:49 7:02 1:37 7:51 2:28 8:43 3:22 9:37 4:20 10:35 5:19 11:33 6:18 12:04 7:16 1:03 8:11 1:59 9:02 2:51 9:49 3:39 10:34 4:24 11:16 5:06 11:57 5:46 12:16 6:27
1:16 7:29 2:06 8:20 2:58 9:13 3:53 10:08 4:50 11:05 5:48 12:03 6:46 12:32 7:41 1:28 8:34 2:22 9:23 3:13 10:10 4:00 10:54 4:44 11:36 5:26 ----- 6:07 12:38 6:49
07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:28 07:27 07:27 07:27 07:26
05:50 05:51 05:52 05:52 05:53 05:54 05:55 05:56 05:57 05:57 05:58 05:59 06:00 06:01 06:02
2:44a 1:59p 3:51a 2:43p 5:00a 3:34p 6:07a 4:30p 7:09a 5:32p 8:05a 6:35p 8:53a 7:39p 9:35a 8:41p 10:12a 9:39p 10:44a 10:35p 11:14a 11:28p 11:42a NoMoon 12:11p 12:21a 12:41p 1:13a 1:14p 2:07a
Amarillo
2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Jan Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
1:03 7:16 1:51 8:05 2:41 8:56 3:36 9:51 4:33 10:48 5:32 11:47 6:32 12:18 7:29 1:17 8:24 2:12 9:15 3:04 10:03 3:52 10:47 4:37 11:29 5:19 ----- 6:00 12:29 6:40
1:29 2:19 3:11 4:06 5:03 6:01 6:59 7:55 8:47 9:37 10:23 11:07 11:50 12:10 12:51
7:43 8:33 9:26 10:21 11:18 12:16 12:45 1:42 2:36 3:26 4:13 4:57 5:39 6:21 7:02
07:56 07:56 07:55 07:55 07:55 07:55 07:55 07:54 07:54 07:54 07:54 07:53 07:53 07:52 07:52
05:50 05:51 05:52 05:52 05:53 05:54 05:55 05:56 05:57 05:58 05:59 06:00 06:01 06:02 06:03
3:06a 2:03p 4:17a 2:44p 5:29a 3:33p 6:37a 4:28p 7:40a 5:29p 8:34a 6:34p 9:21a 7:41p 10:00a 8:45p 10:33a 9:47p 11:02a 10:46p 11:29a 11:42p 11:54a NoMoon 12:20p 12:38a 12:47p 1:33a 1:17p 2:30a
Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.
Sabine Pass, north Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 5:16 AM 6:04 AM 6:51 AM 7:39 AM 12:28 AM 1:14 AM 1:59 AM 2:45 AM 3:35 AM 12:37 AM 1:47 AM 2:50 AM 3:41 AM 4:25 AM 5:05 AM
High Island Height -0.56L -0.85L -1.06L -1.18L 1.20H 1.20H 1.17H 1.09H 0.97H 0.69L 0.53L 0.33L 0.12L -0.09 -0.28L
Time 1:04 PM 2:07 PM 3:01 PM 3:50 PM 8:27 AM 9:14 AM 10:00 AM 10:46 AM 11:30 AM 4:37 AM 6:19 AM 8:43 AM 10:54 AM 12:31 PM 1:35 PM
Time 5:47 PM 6:58 PM 7:54 PM 8:38 PM 4:37 PM 5:23 PM 6:08 PM 6:51 PM 7:31 PM 12:15 PM 1:01 PM 1:52 PM 2:59 PM 4:41 PM 7:11 PM
Height 0.79L 0.92L 0.99L 1.03L 1.39H 1.32H 1.23H 1.14H 1.05H -0.28L 0.01L 0.28L 0.52L 0.70L 0.80L
Time 10:27 PM 11:02 PM 11:43 PM
Height 1.05H 1.10H 1.16H
9:16 PM 9:56 PM 10:40 PM 11:33 PM
1.02L 0.98L 0.91L 0.82L
8:07 8:39 9:06 9:29 9:46 9:55
PM PM PM PM PM PM
0.98H 0.91H 0.86H 0.82H 0.81H 0.82H
Time 9:58 PM
Height 1.04H
11:50 PM
1.00L
7:47 8:20 8:45 9:00 9:01 8:54
PM PM PM PM PM PM
1.09H 0.99H 0.91H 0.85H 0.81H 0.82H
Time
Height
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 5:29 AM 6:12 AM 6:56 AM 7:42 AM 8:31 AM 9:22 AM 2:04 AM 3:02 AM 12:21 AM 1:12 AM 2:12 AM 3:05 AM 3:54 AM 4:40 AM 5:21 AM
Height -0.40L -0.72L -0.95L -1.09L -1.12L -1.06L 1.17H 1.11H 0.88 0.73L 0.56L 0.36L 0.14L -0.07L -0.28L
Time 1:29 PM 2:38 PM 3:35 PM 4:21 PM 5:03 PM 5:43 PM 10:10 AM 10:54 AM 3:56 AM 4:51 AM 6:10 AM 8:42 AM 10:43 AM 12:47 PM 2:07 PM
Height 1.25H 1.46H 1.59H 1.63H 1.58H 1.48H -0.94L -0.75L 1.01H 0.87H 0.72H 0.64H 0.69H 0.84H 1.01H
Time 7:05 PM
Height 0.94L
11:28 PM 6:25 PM 7:07 PM 11:34 AM 12:15 PM 12:59 PM 1:51 PM 3:11 PM 5:54 PM
1.09L 1.34H 1.21H -0.51L -0.25L 0.03L 0.31L 0.56L 0.73L
Height -0.28L -0.56L -0.77L -0.90L -0.94L -0.90L -0.77L -0.58L -0.35L 0.79L 0.61L 0.41L 0.21L 0.02L -0.15L
Time 1:03 PM 2:15 PM 3:16 PM 4:10 PM 5:01 PM 5:46 PM 6:25 PM 6:56 PM 7:19 PM 4:27 AM 6:12 AM 8:08 AM 10:23 AM 12:38 PM 1:43 PM
Height 1.42H 1.66H 1.80H 1.85H 1.81H 1.70H 1.56H 1.40H 1.25H 0.82H 0.73H 0.71H 0.81H 1.00H 1.20H
Time
Time 4:51 AM 5:37 AM 6:26 AM 7:18 AM 8:09 AM 8:58 AM 9:46 AM 10:31 AM 11:13 AM 2:13 AM 2:32 AM 2:58 AM 3:29 AM 4:03 AM 4:39 AM
Height 0.01L -0.11L -0.20L -0.26L -0.29L -0.29L 0.92H 0.87H 0.79H 0.68H 0.20L 0.36L 0.23L 0.13L 0.05L
Time 8:41 PM 8:53 PM 9:35 PM 10:32 PM 11:45 PM
Height 0.76H 0.85H 0.92H 0.94H 0.94H
12:39 PM 1:21 PM 1:58 PM 2:30 PM 10:47 PM 8:59 AM 9:03 PM 8:14 PM 7:57 PM
-0.26L -0.20L -0.09L 0.05L 0.54H 0.37H 0.59H 0.66H 0.73H
Height 0.10H 0.18H -0.62L 0.28H 0.28H 0.26H 0.24H 0.20H 0.15H 0.07H -0.04H -0.06H -0.04H -0.43L -0.50L
Time 10:46 AM 11:33 AM
Height -0.50L -0.58L
1:17 PM 2:18 PM 3:19 PM 4:15 PM 5:04 PM 5:47 PM 6:25 PM 6:47 AM 7:49 AM 8:42 AM 10:16 PM 10:06 PM
-0.63L -0.63L -0.63L -0.62L -0.59L -0.53L -0.44L -0.07L -0.20L -0.33L 0.09H 0.16H
11:53 AM 12:34 PM 1:24 PM 3:32 PM
Height
-0.08L 0.20L 0.48L 0.73L
7:36 PM 7:50 PM 8:00 PM 8:05 PM
1.11H 1.00H 0.91H 0.86H
Port O’Connor Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 7:26 AM 8:16 AM 9:12 AM 10:09 AM 11:04 AM 11:54 AM 12:59 AM 1:53 AM 2:22 AM 1:06 AM 2:46 PM 6:39 AM 6:34 AM 6:59 AM 7:31 AM
Time 12:30 AM 12:01 AM 12:22 PM 12:25 AM 1:29 AM 2:38 AM 3:54 AM 5:30 AM 7:01 AM 8:20 AM 2:34 AM 1:47 AM 1:17 AM 9:30 AM 10:14 AM
San Luis Pass Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 5:43 AM 6:23 AM 7:06 AM 7:53 AM 8:41 AM 9:31 AM 10:22 AM 11:12 AM 1:39 AM 2:25 AM 3:15 AM 4:00 AM 4:35 AM 5:01 AM 5:26 AM
Height 0.73H -0.70L -0.80L -0.85L -0.84L 1.02H 0.97H 0.89H 0.80H 0.74H 0.69H 0.64H 0.60H 0.57H -0.45L
Time 9:34 AM 9:40 PM 10:24 PM 11:16 PM
Height -0.52L 0.95H 1.03H 1.05H
1:33 PM 2:22 PM 3:09 PM 3:57 PM 4:45 PM 7:18 AM 7:34 AM 7:53 AM 8:16 AM 8:50 PM
-0.81L -0.75L -0.64L -0.50L -0.31L 0.32L 0.10L -0.12L -0.30L 0.79H
Height -0.39L -0.61L -0.78L -0.87L -0.89L -0.84L -0.73L -0.58L 0.58L 0.46L 0.32L 0.16L 0.01L -0.14L -0.27L
Time 2:39 PM 3:44 PM 4:32 PM 5:15 PM 5:58 PM 6:41 PM 7:22 PM 7:56 PM 3:47 AM 4:45 AM 6:01 AM 9:09 AM 8:47 PM 4:07 PM 4:13 PM
Height 0.78H 0.94H 1.03H 1.05H 1.00H 0.92H 0.81H 0.70H 0.61H 0.49H 0.36H 0.27H 0.50H 0.53H 0.66H
Height -0.03L -0.09L -0.12L -0.13L -0.12L -0.10L -0.07L 0.44H 0.39H 0.34H 0.20L 0.17L 0.11L 0.06L 0.03L
Time 5:43 PM 7:09 PM 8:22 PM 9:24 PM 10:23 PM 11:32 PM
Height 0.42H 0.46H 0.49H 0.49H 0.49H 0.47H
1:04 1:44 2:14 9:21 9:24 9:24 6:25 6:52
-0.02L 0.05L 0.12L 0.33H 0.35H 0.37H 0.38H 0.41H
Height 0.09L -0.13 -0.29L -0.39L -0.41L -0.35L -0.25L -0.11L 0.98L 0.86L 0.73L 0.59L 0.45L 0.30L 0.17L
Time 3:40 PM 4:13 PM 5:04 PM 6:15 PM 7:32 PM 8:38 PM 9:32 PM 10:15 PM 2:40 AM 3:34 AM 4:50 AM 9:14 AM 7:56 PM 3:56 PM 4:06 PM
Height 1.01H 1.15H 1.23H 1.25H 1.24H 1.19H 1.11H 1.01H 1.00H 0.89H 0.77H 0.68H 0.84H 0.89H 0.98H
Height -0.25L -0.52L -0.73L -0.85L -0.88L -0.83L -0.71L -0.54L -0.33L -0.08L 0.61L 0.41L 0.21L 0.03L -0.14L
Time 1:48 PM 3:15 PM 4:21 PM 5:21 PM 6:17 PM 7:07 PM 7:46 PM 8:06 PM 8:05 PM 7:56 PM 4:43 AM 7:48 AM 7:26 PM 3:04 PM 3:12 PM
Height 1.15H 1.35H 1.48H 1.52H 1.50H 1.41H 1.29H 1.15H 1.00H 0.89H 0.63H 0.55H 0.77H 0.85H 1.01H
Time 9:17 PM
Height 0.80H
Time
9:59 AM 12:32 PM 3:34 PM 8:56 PM
0.37H 0.32H 0.43H 0.64H
5:23 PM 5:48 PM 5:59 PM
Height
Time
Time
11:58 AM 12:40 PM 1:11 PM 1:22 PM
-0.41L -0.21L -0.01L 0.19L
8:19 8:36 8:47 8:52
PM PM PM PM
Height
-0.09L 0.16L 0.39L
Height
0.62H 0.55H 0.52H 0.50H
Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 7:16 AM 7:59 AM 8:47 AM 9:39 AM 10:35 AM 11:29 AM 12:19 PM 2:16 AM 2:53 AM 1:53 AM 1:50 PM 6:12 AM 6:26 AM 6:48 AM 7:11 AM
PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM
Time
Height
9:37 PM
0.31H
Time
Height
Time
Height
Time
Height
Port Aransas Time
Height
Time
Height
11:57 PM
0.59H
1:11 PM
0.34L
9:49 PM
0.54H
Time
Height
Time
Height
6:58 PM 7:11 PM
-0.31L -0.17L
Nueces Bay Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 1:19 AM 10:11 AM 10:53 AM 11:43 AM 12:39 PM 12:08 AM 1:00 AM 1:52 AM 2:02 AM 12:29 AM 12:28 AM 12:31 AM 12:27 AM 12:03 AM 8:45 AM
East Matagorda
Freeport Harbor Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 5:11 AM 5:54 AM 6:39 AM 7:26 AM 8:15 AM 9:09 AM 10:04 AM 10:58 AM 12:24 AM 12:50 AM 1:25 AM 2:10 AM 3:04 AM 3:58 AM 4:44 AM
11:47 AM 12:29 PM 1:01 PM 12:47 PM
0.06L 0.24L 0.42L 0.59L
10:40 PM 8:38 PM 8:17 PM 7:40 PM
0.89H 0.81H 0.78H 0.80H
South Padre Island 11:37 PM
0.25H
9:55 AM 1:55 PM 11:45 PM
-0.04H -0.10H 0.01H
Date Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Jan 21 Jan 22
Time 4:22 AM 5:10 AM 6:01 AM 6:54 AM 7:47 AM 8:40 AM 9:31 AM 10:20 AM 11:05 AM 11:46 AM 2:12 AM 2:23 AM 2:46 AM 3:17 AM 3:54 AM
Time
12:24 PM 12:57 PM
Height
Time
Height
0.17L 0.42L
7:48 PM 7:42 PM
0.82H 0.78H
Texas Coast Tides
Height 1.16H 1.32H 1.41H 1.43H -1.20L -1.13L -0.99L -0.79L -0.55L 0.81H 0.66H 0.60H 0.67H 0.82H 0.97H
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 19
January 8, 2021
INDUSTRY Bass Pro buys Sportsman’s Warehouse Great American Outdoors Group — the parent company of Bass Pro Shops, will acquire Utah-based big box retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse in a deal valued at approximately $800 million. Sportsman’s Warehouse operates 112 stores nationwide. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s operate 169 stores. In addition to Cabela’s, the Great American Outdoors Group also owns Tracker Boats, Ranger Boats, Nitro Performance Fishing Boats, Triton Boats, Mako, Tahoe and Sun Tracker.
Henderson joins Livengood Livengood Feeds hired Roy Henderson, of Uvalde, as district sales manager and wildlife specialist.
MLF event moves to Lake Palestine REDCREST 2021, the MLF Bass Pro Tour Championship, has been shifted to Lake Palestine. Originally scheduled to be held Feb. 23-27, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the dates have also shifted to Feb. 21-25.
ACROSS 6. Attaches the feathers to the duck 7. A food plot grain 9. A good crappie lake 12. Can delay getting to the deer blind (two words) 14. A trout species 16. A binocular brand 18. An owl species (two words) 20. Wood used in lure-making 21. An arrow manufacturer 22. An African game species (two words) 25. Type of turkey call 28. Exotic that carries cattle fever ticks 29. A deer favorite 31. A quail predator 34. Goldwaithe’s county 36. An archery-only county for deer 39. The rare teal in Texas 40. A good rainbow trout bait 41. A Hill Country river 42. Calling in the bucks 43. Some hunters eat this goose organ 44. A turkey sound
DOWN 1. A good hybrid striped bass lake 2. A shorebird species 3. A favorite quail feed 4. A favorite venison dish 5. The saltwater catfish with a large dorsal fin 8. A safari destination 10. A wild sheep species 11. A favorite bass food 13. The G1 15. A West Texas reservoir (two words) 17. The male mallard 19. A shotshell brand 20. Good for killing time in the deer blind 23. A reel manufacturer (two words) 24. A game bird in Africa 25. A spinner bait manufacturer (two words) 26. The sprig 27. The dove in Mexico 30. The noisy cork 32. Sheepshead’s favorite bait 33. A Texas bay 35. Used by free-divers to fish 37. A sea duck 38. Carrizo Springs’ county 41. Fishing line type
Page 17
Shooting, training range acquired Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc. acquired the Peacemaker National Training Center in Glengary, West Virginia.
New PR firm Eric Suarez, a former public relations manager for Remington Arms, announced the creation of Red Cell Media, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.
Scent companies join Odin’s Innovations acquired Hunter’s Kloak, a synthetic scent manufacturer.
Young retires at Pheasants Forever Rick Young, the vice president of field operations with Pheasants Forever, retired after a 34-year career.
Reese gets Pioneer Award Springfield Armory co-founder and CEO Dennis Reese was awarded the Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award for excellence and innovation in the shooting sports industry from NRA Publications.
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Flounder with orange sherry wine sauce 1 cup all-purpose flour Pinch of salt and pepper 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 4 6-ounce flounder fillets Sauce: 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1/4 cup sherry 1 cup dry white wine 2 tbsps. orange juice and zest from 2 oranges 1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves Torn basil leaves
Season flour with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge the fillets, shaking off excess. Heat olive oil in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove fillets and place on paper towels. For sauce, add olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and tomatoes and saute for 1 minute. Add sherry, deglazing the pan. Add wine, orange juice and zest. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally. When liquid reduces by half, stir in butter and cook another 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and basil. Plate fillets and spoon over sauce, allowing it to spill around the fish. —NOAA Fisheries
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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 2021 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 editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com.
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Page 18
January 8, 2021
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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NATIONAL IDAHO
OREGON
State record carp
SERVING SPORTSMEN SINCE 1969
Taxidermists
On Dec. 20, 2020, Alex Veenstra landed a 30-pound, 4-ounce common carp while fishing on the Snake River above Upper Salmon Dam. He was using a crankbait. The fish set the rod and reel state record, beating the previous record by 10 pounds. Veenstra’s fish was a mirror carp, an unusual variant of the common carp. —IDNR
214-350-2551 2931 Irving Blvd. Ste. 105 Dallas, Texas 75247
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Permits for cormorant management
www.theflagggroupinc.com
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule and final environmental impact statement to responsibly manage conflicts associated with double-crested cormorants in the United States. The final rule establishes a new special permit for state and federally recognized tribal wildlife agencies in the contiguous 48 United States to undertake additional cormorant control activities when permissible under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. States and tribes must use nonlethal methods before resorting to lethal control. The activities allowed under the special permit include controlling cormorants to help reduce conflicts with wild and publicly stocked fisheries within state or tribal jurisdictions. States also will have additional flexibility to manage cormorants at state or tribal-owned hatcheries and release sites. —USFWS
MARYLAND
Deer harvest up
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Hunters harvested 31,571 deer during the two-week firearms season from Nov. 28–Dec. 12. The harvest was 16 percent higher than last year’s official count of 27,121. Hunters reported taking 11,623 antlered deer during the two-week season, up 13 percent from last year’s total. The antlerless harvest increased 18 percent from 16,863 last year to 19,948 this year. Sika deer represented 460 of the total antlered harvest and 556 of the total antlerless harvest. —MDNR
MISSOURI
First elk season results Missouri’s first elk-hunting season ended with all five of the hunters selected for permits harvesting bull elk during the firearms portion Dec. 12-20. An archery portion ran Oct. 17-25 with no harvests. The five Missouri hunters were selected for elk-hunting permits through a random drawing of more than 19,215 permit applications, including 33 for one resident-landowner antlered-elk permit and 19,182 for four general permits.
Steelhead limits stay reduced Fishery managers extended reduced daily bag limits for hatchery steelhead in the Snake River and tributaries. The bag limit of two hatchery steelhead (the adipose fin between the dorsal fin and the tail is removed on hatchery fish) per day remains in effect from January 1 to April 30, 2021. The intent of the measures is to ensure hatchery broodstock goals are met and reduce angling pressure on wild steelhead. Snake River fishery managers estimate just over 35,000 hatchery steelhead returned to the basin this year, which is 38 percent of the 10-year average Wild steelhead are returning at a better rate. About 19,000 wild steelhead have returned to the Snake Basin, which is 70 percent of the 10-year average. —OFWD
ARIZONA
Regulating trail camera use The Arizona Game and Fish Commission proposes to amend rules within Article 3, Taking and Handling of Wildlife, to regulate the use of trail cameras for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife. The proposed regulation includes the following language: “A person shall not use a trail camera, or images from a trail camera, for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife, or locating wildlife for the purpose of taking or aiding in the take of wildlife.” Public comments about the proposed rulemaking can be submitted through Feb. 1, 2021.The final rule will be presented to the five-member commission for consideration at the March 19, 2021 commission meeting. Several hunting groups oppose the proposed regulation, and a petition at change. org has been instituted. —Staff report
CONNECTICUT
Record gun sales numbers According to the adjusted NICS background check numbers from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, gun sales continue to set records. The numbers in December 2020 rose 22.7 percent over 2019, with a total of 1,906,916 NICS checks. In the quarter including October, November and December, NICS numbers were up 40.6 percent from 4,001,455 in 2019 to 5,625,610 in 2020. For the year, there were 21,083,643 checks, an increase of 59.7 percent. —NSSF
—MDC
HAWAII
Axis deer dying from drought
EVERY DEER BLIND NEEDS ONE! online: LSONews.com phone: 214- 361- 2276 mail: PO BOX 551695 Dallas, TX 75355
Surveys and investigations by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff suggest that recent instances of axis deer dying on the island of Molokai are due to severe drought conditions. DOFAW received reports of deer being found both on roadways and on private lands in West Molokai. The animals appear to be dying of starvation due to the extreme drought that the island experienced over the summer. Axis deer are not native to Hawaii and due to the lack of natural predators, can rapidly increase to high numbers, said Scott Fretz, the DOFAW Maui branch manager. Deer on Maui and Molokai can be hunted daily, yearround, with no bag limits. —DOFAW
VERMONT
Archery deer harvest sets record The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimated the total deer harvest will be around 18,000, the second highest total since 2000. The archery season harvest, close to 5,800 deer, will be a new all-time record for that season. In 2020, a longer season and allowing the use of crossbows by all archery hunters, and an increased bag limit contributed to the increased harvest. Firearm and muzzleloader deer harvests were close to average for the past decade. —VFWD
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January 8, 2021
Page 19
CLASSIFIEDS HUNTING TEXAS TROPHY WHITETAILS Axis, Blackbuck, Hogs Free range whitetail and exotic hunts in Sonora, TX www.HuntTexasWhitetails.com (717) 512-3582
QUAIL HUNTING
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STOCKERBUCK.COM Call now to order Texas Trophy Bred does and stockerbucks or check us out online at stockerbuck.com Call Jay (505) 681-5210
ARGENTINA DOVE SHOOTING 5 Star Lodge – Hosted by Owner 4 Days/3 Nts/6 Shoots - $1320/person (972) 769-8866
ANTLERS WANTED Buying all species, all conditions. Looking for large quantities Call Del (830) 997-2263
VINTAGE GUN WANTED Looking for a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 6.5 x 55 Swede Please call Adam Ahlers (217) 419-2090
DUVAL COUNTY South Texas Dove Hunting 65 acres, Lodging RV Power Available Huntershilton.com for more info (361) 244-0544 or (361) 443-9330
TDHA - JOIN TODAY Texas Dove Hunters Association TexasDoveHunters.com (210) 764-1189
ARGENTINA DUCK HUNTING Lots of Birds!!! Hosted by Owner Partridge & Dove Shoots Included 5 Days/4 Nts/8 Shoots - $4250 Includes everything but shells and tips dagaradventures.com (972) 769-8866
AXIS HIDES Tanned axis hides Axis pillows gbroach@ktc.com (830) 896-6996
$1
QUAIL AND CHUKAR HUNT Year round near San Antonio $300 guaranteed limit opportunity texasuplandoutfitters.com (830) 584-3334 EXOTICS + WHITETAIL Several species Trophy and meat hunts Owner guided Very reasonable Let’s have fun! (325) 475-2100
NEED ARCHERY RANGE? www.TexasArchery.info
REAL ESTATE/ LEASE HUNTING CABIN BROOKESMITH Located about halfway between Brownwood and Brady on bluff overlooking 275 feet of clear creek is this sturdy 3bdr house, a metal roof, secure 2 car garage and outdoor storage buildings on two large lots in this safe and sleepy town. Asking $30K. Also ask about my “hip pocket listings” those properties not yet to market that include hunting ranches from 100 to 2,500 acres. Broker # 434919 (214) 207-8871
CLASSIFIEDS (PER WORD)
WANTED PREMIUM FAMILY DEER LEASE 4 to 5 Experienced Trophy Hunters Year round–MLDP–2 hours max from Waco. Call Jim (254) 716-6227 SOUTH TEXAS DEER LEASE Duval County Low Fence 740 Acres 4-6 Hunters (361) 701-4711 CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE FRONT HOME Furnished, garage/shop, sheds, fenced, RV capable. Yard equipment, boat, trailers. On leased lot to be transferred with sale. 3 miles to I-37. $32,000 (888) 642-6064 RANCH FOR SALE $665,000 - 2000 acres Coahuila, Mexico Big Deer, Quail, Water, Houses Beautiful Sierra Madre Valley (504) 236-8069 LOOKING FOR TEXAS MULE DEER LEASE No need for lodging and dining accommodations, I prefer to camp and hike. No antler size restrictions; will follow all agreed upon rules. Hoping to lease for one week of the season. Hunting industry references available. Call Carson (907) 460-4313
ADD A PHOTO/LOGO $25 ALL BOLD LETTERS $15 2 ISSUE MINIMUM
DOLPHIN COVE RV PARK Country setting campsites, monthly rates, hunting, fishing, minutes from the gulf, Palacios. Visit us at dolphincovervpark.com (815) 599-5690
FISHING BAY FISHING 6 Hour Trip from $275 Port Isabel, TX (956) 551-1965
VEHICLES HUNTING JEEP 1995 Wrangler 4.0L, 6 Cylinder, Fully Loaded Many Extras, Automatic Transmission Winch and New Tires (361) 541-8420
JOBS LEARN TO BECOME AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER https:onlinemediatraining.now.site PART-TIME DELIVERY JOB 2 days a month Text Paul (361) 877-6028
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Puzzle solution from Page 17
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