Lone Star Outdoor News 040921 by Lone Star Outdoor News

Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004

April 9, 2021

Emergency trout rules in Laguna Madre

Migrant activity affects ranchers, hunters

Some midcoast anglers hope for the same By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News

Landowners feel forgotten

On April 1, under an Emergency Rule approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, speckled trout limits and size restrictions were changed in the Laguna Madre in response to the coastal freeze and fish kill in late February. The new regulations for spotted seatrout in the bays and beachfronts of the Laguna Madre include: • a three fish bag limit • a minimum size length of 17 inches • a maximum size length of 23 inches • no fish over 23 inches may be retained The changes are valid for up to 120 days, but may be extended another 60 days, if warranted. The Laguna Madre encompasses two bay systems, Upper and Lower Laguna Madre. It ranges from south of the JFK Causeway near Corpus Christi (including the adjacent beachfronts from Packery Channel) to the Rio Grande River. Robin Reichers, Texas Parks and Wildlife

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Landowners in parts of South and West Texas are reporting more damage to their properties as increased migrant activity continues from the United StatesMexico border. “We’ve been dealing with this in South Texas since it became illegal,” said Marko Barrett, whose ranch sits in Webb County. Barrett goes on to describe the pinch points in his area as “incredible.” “The drive-throughs (of fences) is terrible, guys are losing hundreds of yards of fence — and groups are cutting the fences and walking through. For guys on the highway, it happens 50 times a year.” But Barrett said he stays out of political discussions. “Moving for a better life is kind of the frontier spirit,” he said. “But with all of the safety concerns, people lose a lot of peace of mind and are looking over their shoulders and the shoulder of their wives and children.” In far West Texas, landowner Randy Wright said damage to water lines in the Chihuahuan Desert is costing millions of dollars a year in repairs, not to mention Please turn to page 5

Volume 17, Issue 15

Please turn to page 13

Despite emergency regulations limiting speckled trout to three fish, there may be some gold at the end of the rainbow. Laguna Madre anglers had been thinking nearly all the trout were dead, but plenty of reports of productive outings for speckled trout are coming in, although the big trout have been scarce. Photos by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

East Texans trailing deer with dogs approved Muzzleloader definition modified

Trailing wounded deer with dogs had been banned in 10 East Texas counties, but now it will be allowed. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Because of a history of illegal deer hunting with dogs dating back for decades, hunters in 10 East Texas counties had been prohibited from trailing deer with dogs. At its March meeting, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Com-

Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 15 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 19

commenting. The prohibition was completely removed in Angelina, Hardin, Nacogdoches, Orange, Shelby and Tyler counties. In four counties where deer hunting with dogs was most prevalent, the trailing of wounded deer was limited to no more than two dogs on a leash. Those counties are Jasper, Newton, Sabine and San Augustine. Please turn to page 6

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mission approved the practice in each of the counties. “The practice of illegal deer hunting with dogs has declined to the point where it is nonexistent,” said Alan Cain, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Whitetail Deer Program leader. “It’s not a concern any longer.” Cain said public comment was 76 percent in support of the change, with 38 people

HUNTING

FISHING

Turkey opens in north (P. 4)

Crappie hitting jigs (P. 8)

Breeding action delayed.

Action consistent.

Pronghorn season expands (P. 4)

Giant at Mega Bass (P. 9)

Experimental area to end.

Angler lands 15.47-pounder.

Page 2

April 9, 2021

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April 9, 2021

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Studying blue quail Continued from page 4

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scaled quail. “Overall, more than 50 percent had eyeworms and 98 to 100 percent had cecal worms,” she said. “The eyeworm totals were five to 15 per infected quail, and four to 12 percent for all quail. Infected quail had 40 to 80 cecal worms.” Although the highest totals, 79 eyeworms in a juvenile bird in Hudspeth County and 412 cecal worms in a bird in Culberson County, Bittner “didn’t find that many birds with a high sample.” “But more than 70 eyeworms is bad, and more than 300 cecal worms is bad,” she said. “Most had less than 50 cecal worms.” There were some seasonal differences. Infections of eyeworms were highest in fall and spring, and cecal worm infections were highest in winter. Bittner said most of the infections fell into the “mild” category, but eyeworm abundance was higher than in other western states. For example, 14 quail examined from New Mexico had no eyeworms, but 13 had cecal worms. Prior to Bittner’s research, other research had concluded eyeworms increase with increased precipitation (possibly due to the abundance of grasshoppers, an eyeworm host), and cecal worms increase with decreased precipitation. Bittner’s analysis showed the opposite, with the eyeworm load higher in dry regions and the cecal worm load higher in wet regions. “It was really weird,” she said. “I came up with the opposite conclusion of other research. It may have been because the Trans-Pecos is so dry already, and some areas may have been too dry for parasites to have high loads.” Finally, Bittner looked at parasites in environments with supplemental feeding, examining scaled quail from 21 properties, four of which had active supplemental feeding. “The eyeworm prevalence was similar at 66 percent,” she said. “And cecal worms were similar at 99 percent, although there were slightly more at the fed sites.” Bittner said her findings suggest that supplemental feeding does not increase parasite infections. “Given the harsh environment in the Trans-Pecos, I wouldn’t recommend pulling any feeders,” she said. Bittner is a Lockhart native who camped

Rachel Bittner, a graduate student at Sul Ross State University, examines a blue quail for parasites. Photo from Rachel Bittner.

in the Trans-Pecos as a youngster. “It helped me decide to get into wildlife,” she said. After graduating from Texas Tech University, she secured the quail research as part of her master’s, and will graduate from Sul Ross State University in May. “And we got to quail hunt for the project,” she said. Bittner said she has hunted birds before, but not big game. Doing part-time work for a taxidermist in Alpine, she is definitely interested. “I would like to hunt deer,” she said. Overall from her research, Bittner felt parasites play a part in the decline of scaled quail in the region, but she doesn’t believe they are a primary reason for population decline. “Back in the 1930s, there wasn’t the technology to focus on the parasites,” she said. “Cecal worms and eyeworms were probably around, but now people look in the eyes when they shoot a bird.” Still, Bittner felt landowners ought to be concerned about parasites. “Definitely keep it on the radar,” she said. “The greater concern, though, would be habitat. Sometimes, people like to look at things other than humans as the cause.”

Permits required Continued from page 4

Gray said the buck age structure and the sex ratio of pronghorns was impacted negatively in the areas. “Hunters liked the concept, but landowners did not,” Gray said. TPWD recommended canceling the experimental season due to excessive buck harvest, and the commission approved eliminating the experimental season. “Herd size declined in the experimental areas significantly, and more than in surrounding herd units,” Gray said. “And the average age of bucks harvested became younger.” As in most counties in the Panhandle, TPWD-issued permits will be required for all hunting. But the season length will be expanded, good news for hunters with scheduling conflicts for themselves or their children during the 9-day seasons of the past. The commission approved expanding the season to the 16 days beginning the Saturday nearest to Oct. 1 in the Panhandle, and the 16-day season will apply statewide.

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The commission said it would revisit those counties later if no deer hunting with dogs is reported. In other deer hunting-related changes, the commission added crossbows to the definition of lawful archery equipment to correct an oversight; and modified the muzzleloader definition to clarify that only the bullet or projectile and powder must be loaded through the muzzle. “The muzzleloader deer harvest is less

than 1 percent in the state,” Cain said. Some new muzzleloader technology is excluded under the definition. For example, Federal’s FireStick primer pockets, which take the place of the breech plug and are inserted into the chamber to set the powder charge, would not qualify. While better in wet conditions and easier for the shooter, the technology does not currently meet the muzzleloader definition in Texas.

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April 9, 2021

Page 7

Turkeys still together Continued from page 4

gobbling well into the mid-morning hours, but they were usually with hens or flocked up,” he said. “This made for a pretty good show if you were able to get in front of the flock. Otherwise, you didn’t really have much action.” In Schleicher County, Josh Haese said the North Zone spring turkey season kicked off for him in similar fashion on the ranch he hunted near Eldorado. “We had more birds flocked up on the roost than I’ve ever seen before,” Haese said. “Mature gobblers were either with hens or found in large bachelor groups with several other toms.” Haese said this is different than what he normally sees during the spring season. “Last season, I hardly ever saw that many gobblers grouped up together,” he explained. “They had already split up by the time our seaHunters have encountered large flocks of birds with henned-up gobblers. son began.” Those able to get in front of the flocks have had success. Photo by Nate Haese noticed the Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News. birds were fairly talkative. “Our birds aren’t really gobbling that “They gobbled pretty well in the morn- much, and most of our gobblers are folings up until about noon,” he said. “After lowing big groups of hens,” he explained. that, they didn’t really make much noise Bledsoe was able to get out in front of a until late in the evening.” flock of turkeys that had a mature gobbler Just about every gobbler Haese was able following some hens. to get to come to a call was in a group. “I tried to stalk in close to them in order “I had one single bird close the distance to get a shot on the longbeard,” he said. on my calls, but the rest of them were in “I was able to get within about 40 yards, groups of at least four or more,” he said. but then I bumped a group of hens that Pennsylvania residents Jordan and Jesse I didn’t see in the brush. This ended up Bock made the trek down to South Texas spooking the bird I was after, and I instincrecently to chase Rio Grande turkeys for tively swung my shotgun and took a shot the first time. The brothers brought their as he was trying to leave the area. He imfather, Carl, in hopes of getting him his mediately dropped in his tracks.” first longbeard. They hunted with outfitThe gobbler Bledsoe harvested ended up ter Dilley Dove, and found large flocks of sporting a Texas Parks and Wildlife Departturkeys each morning during their 3-day ment leg band. adventure in LaSalle and Frio counties. Out west near Ozona, James Meissner The Bock crew ended up harvesting and Justin Bone also had gobblers hanging seven mature gobblers over the course of together in large groups. their hunt, and their dad scored not one, “On the first morning of our trip, the but two longbeards. They said the majority birds were extremely loud, and we ended of their action came during the morning up calling in 12 gobblers in two hours,” hours while interacting with large groups Meissner said. “After that, the property we of birds as they came off of their roosts. were hunting went silent. We didn’t see In Brooks County, Blake Bledsoe said the or hear a bird that afternoon or the next turkeys are still holding in large flocks as morning.” well.

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April 9, 2021

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FISHING More crabbing opportunities approved Red snapper, flounder reminders Lone Star Outdoor News

Opportunities to pursue blue crab will increase in the Aransas Bay system, thanks to new regulations. Egg-bearing crabs may not be kept, though. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

In Aransas Bay, previous regulations prevented shore-based recreational crabbers and waterfront homeowners

from setting crab traps. On March 25, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved allowing the recreational-only use of crab traps in areas of Aransas County. The change will go into effect Sept. 1, and will allow the recreational-only use of up to three crab traps

per license holder in currently restricted areas of Aransas County. The traps must be securely attached to fixed object such as docks, piers, or bulkheads. Red snapper The commission clarified red snapper bag limits when fishing in Texas and federal waters, me-

morializing the current rules that the federal bag limit counts as part of the state bag limit for red snapper, and that anglers may never have more than four red snapper in their possession while fishing. Flounder During the statewide fishing regulation pro-

cess in 2020, the Commission approved an annual Nov. 1–Dec. 15 closure of the flounder fishery but delayed the implementation of this regulation until 2021. That closure will take effect Nov. 1 and includes both the commercial and recreational sectors.

Crappie on the move Patterns vary lake to lake By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News Springtime crappie season is in session, and anglers are cashing in on the consistent action. Brush piles, rocky banks, docks, bulkheads, flooded timber and a variety of other structures are the best places to find them. Successful tactics across inland lakes have varied. Highland Lakes guide Jess Rotherham has been spending his recent efforts targeting crappie on Lake Buchanan. “The majority of the crappie on Buchanan are holding over shallow brush piles in 5 to 15 feet of water,” Rotherham said. “Some of the lake’s rocky banks have also held good numbers of fish.” Rotherham is mainly chunking jigs to produce the most strikes. The 1/8-ounce jigs with an orange and chartreuse color pattern have been producing best. “When targeting crappie over the brush piles, a traditional vertical presentation that allows the jig to hop and fall through the water column has been the ticket,” he said. “However, you have

to change it up when working along rocky banks.” Near rocky banks, rigging a jig about 2-3 feet under a cork is key. “Most of these fish are right up against the bank, and stretches that have a little bit of brush sticking up on the surface have been really good,” Rotherham said. Most of the Buchanan crappie have been up to 14.5 inches long. “The bite has been pretty consistent for the most part,” Rotherham said. “On cooler days, the afternoon bite tends to be better.” On Cedar Creek Lake, guide Chuck Rollins said most of the crappie action is taking place in and around boat docks. “Most of our fish are transitioning from the creek to the main lake,” Rollins said. “They are pretty much stacked up under the many boat docks that line the lake.” Rollins is using 1/16-ounce jigs on 6-pound test line to get under the docks where most of the crappie are staging. “The challenge is getting the jig in front of the fish,” he elaborated. “That’s the hardest part. The lake is really full right now, which makes it tougher to skip the jig up under the docks, due to the lack of space between the bottom of

Chuck Rollins said solid crappie are stacked up along the boat docks of Cedar Creek Lake. Photo from Chuck Rollins.

the docks and the surface of the water. If you can’t get your bait under the dock, you’re not going to get bit.” On good days when the fish are feeding aggressively, Rollins and his customers are finding

plenty of crappie just by targeting a handful of docks. On tougher days, he said he’s having to bounce around more to find fish that are willing to feed. “Calm, sunny days have by far been the best,” Rollins said.

“Cloudy days that have produced cooler weather have been more of a grind. The sun tends to make the fish stack up under the docks. When a cold front pushes through and produces cool, overcast weather, a lot of the crappie Please turn to page 11

Pre-front record cat By Lili Sams

Lone Star Outdoor News On March 24, Steve Andognini, along with Bob and Shawna Matteson, headed out to Eagle Mountain Lake. Matteson has been fishing for years and more seriously fishing for catfish since 2008. “I knew a storm was coming in,” Matteson said. “When it’s a pre-front, the fish always bite.” The group was hoping to catch some “eaters,” as they rarely keep fish in the freezer. When they feel like having catfish for dinner, they go out and catch some. “We caught a few nice

sized blue cats, then Bob caught a monster,” Shawna Matteson said. Bob Matteson said when he reached for the rod, it didn’t seem to be a hard bite, but as he got the fish closer to the boat he realized it was big. The scale onboard bottomed out at 50 pounds, so they needed to get a larger, certified scale. The group was fishing in a bass boat with a livewell meant for bass, not record catfish. They turned on the livewell at full blast, put the cat’s head in there and wrapped the rest of her body in a wet beach towel to stay

wet. Then they made a “mad dash” to get it weighed. They met up with Chad Ferguson, a local guide and friend who had a certified scale. The 45-inch long “monster” weighed in at 53.07 pounds, breaking not one but two records, the lake’s water body and catchand-release records. “To say I’m proud of him is an understatement,” his wife said. “He’s been an avid angler his entire life and I can’t think of another person that deserves this more than him.” After the weight and length was recorded and

photos were taken, Matteson released the big cat back into the lake. Not long after, the front blew in, bringing baseball-sized hail.

Bob Matteson caught this 53.07-pound blue catfish at Eagle Mountain Lake, a water body and catch-and-release record. Photo from Shawna Matteson.

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Fork produces 15-pounder at Mega Bass Lone Star Outdoor News Tanner Spurgin brought in a 15.47-pound largemouth from Lake Fork at the Bass Champs Mega Bass Tournament to win $15,000 plus a Skeeter boat, topping 1,700 other anglers on March 28. After seeing a bedding bass, pitching to it and losing a 6- or 7-pounder at the boat, Spurgin, a firefighter with the City of Rich- Tanner Spurgin won $15,000 plus a boat for this 15.47-pound largemouth he ardson, pitched right caught in the Mega Bass tournament. Photo from Bass Champs. back at the same bed and immediately hooked the giant just feet away from the boat. The fish was the largest bass brought in at a tournament on the lake. Nine “overs” (fish exceeding 24 inches in length on the slot-fish lake), were caught during the event. Other hourly $15,000 winners: Ryan Badders, of Diana Steven Moseley, of Taylor Chad Oneal, of Amity JD Foster, of Waxahachie Riley Gill, of Melissa Scot McDonald, of Celina

10.34 pounds 9.76 pounds 9.53 pounds 9.38 pounds 9.37 pounds 8.85 pounds

April 9, 2021

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Return of the red snapper for CCA Star Anytime that the summer winds start to calm and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico start to look more like a backyard pool than a washing machine, many Texas anglers break out the big rods and head out in search of one of the most popular recreational species — red snapper. When fisheries managers first identified that red snapper stocks were on the decline, CCA Texas put the fish first and removed snapper from STAR. The time has come that this beloved fish made its return to the Hoffpauir Offshore Division of the STAR Tournament with a liberal federal water season expected and results from the Great Red Snapper Count showing 23 million red snapper off the coast of Texas. In order to help conserve and maintain this fishery, STAR will have a 20-pound minimum for all red snapper weighed in. The lucky angler to catch the heaviest fish, will take home a 570 EFI Polaris Ranger in Pursuit camo and Big Tex trailer from Hoffpauir Polaris, and a special edition STAR trophy. -CCA STAR

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Lone Star Outdoor News The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted multiple changes to the freshwater fishing regulations for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. Changes to length and bag limits for blue and channel catfish statewide and at specific locations. The changes also include minor modifications to passive gear float dimensions. The changes take effect Sept.1. “In our angler survey, most anglers want to protect catfish, but also want to keep fish,” said Ken Kurzawski, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries director. Statewide changes: The current statewide regulations for blue and channel catfish consist of a 12inch minimum length limit and a 25-fish daily bag limit that combines both species. The changes remove the minimum length limit (fish of any length could be harvested) and retain the 25-fish daily bag. However, of the 25 blue or channel catfish that could be harvested per day, anglers will be limited to harvesting no more than 10 fish that measure 20 inches or longer. “We believe removing the 12-inch minimum would have very little impact, although there were comments opposed to this,” Kurzawski said. Exceptions: Two new exceptions to the statewide regulations were adopted. The first category follows the no minimum length limit and 25-fish daily bag limit for blue and channel catfish from the approved statewide regulations but further limits the number of fish 20 inches or larger that could be harvested per day to five and limits the number of fish 30 inches or larger that could be harvested to one. A total of 12 locations were approved for this category. • Belton (Bell and Coryell counties) • Bob Sandlin (Camp, Franklin, and Titus counties) • Conroe (Montgomery and Walker counties)

Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News

• • • • • • • • •

• • • • •

• •

Hubbard Creek (Stephens County) Lavon (Collin County) Ray Hubbard (Collin, Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties). Lewisville (Denton County) Richland Chambers (Freestone and Navarro counties) Waco (McClennan County) Kirby (Taylor County) Palestine (Cherokee, Anderson, Henderson, and Smith counties). Tawakoni (Hunt, Rains, and Van Zandt counties) The final exemption category is a 14-inch minimum length limit and a 15-fish combined daily bag for blue and channel catfish. Locations for this category are: Braunig (Bexar County) Calaveras (Bexar County) Choke Canyon (Live Oak and McMullen counties) Fayette County (Fayette County) Proctor (Comanche County) Additionally, two reservoirs will be added to an existing blue and channel catfish regulation category: no minimum length limit and a 50fish bag limit with the additional restriction that no more than five fish of 30 inches or larger could be harvested per day. Those reservoirs are; Livingston (Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties) Sam Rayburn (Jasper County) A five-fish bag limit will apply on all community fishing lakes and lying totally within a state park.

w w w. d o a l u r e s . c o m 2/17/20 3:37 PM

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April 9, 2021

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 58 degrees; 5.39’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on crankbaits, spinner baits and plastic worms. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait, cut bait and stink bait. AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 45.05’ low. Largemouth bass are good in 6 feet or less on skinny worms with longer tails. Catfish are fair on chicken livers and stink bait. ARLINGTON: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 0.69’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, chatter baits and finesse worms. Crappie are fair near boat docks and timber on minnows. Catfish are fair on punch bait and live bait. ATHENS: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 0.47’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jerk baits, worms, crankbaits and skirted jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in standing timber, creeks and boat docks. Catfish are good on cut bait. AUSTIN: Water clear; 56 degrees; 0.74’ low. Largemouth bass are good on finesse jigs, spinner baits, brush hogs and shad-like lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on punch bait, chicken livers and earthworms. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 63 degrees; 0.29’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on plastic worms and jigs. Crappie are fair in timber on jigs. Catfish are good on cut and prepared bait. BASTROP: Water clear; 61 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on suspended jerk baits, crankbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on punch bait and live bait. BELTON: Water clear; 59 degrees; 0.77’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on stick baits and chatter baits. White bass are good on spoons, silver slabs and white swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on chicken liver, punch bait and cut bait. BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 1.47’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on poppers, crankbaits and jerk baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striped bass are fair on live bait. White bass are good on swimbaits and spoons. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 58 degrees; 0.24’ high. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, finesse jigs and skirted jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. BRAUNIG: Water lightly stained; 63-66 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, plastic worms, spinner baits and jigs. Striped bass are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on live bait and cheese bait. Red drum are good on live bait. BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 57 degrees; 3.15’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jerk baits, bladed spinner baits, crankbaits and skirted jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass and hybrids are good on spoons and swimbaits in the creeks. Catfish are good on punch bait, chicken livers and

cut bait. BUCHANAN: Water clear; 56 degrees; 6.95’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, finesse jigs and suspended jerk baits. Striped bass are good on live bait and swimbaits. White bass are good on silver spoons and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Channel catfish are fair on punch bait. Blue cats are good on cut bait. CADDO: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 1.66’ high. Largemouth bass are good on square-billed crankbaits, skirted jigs and drop shots. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait, chicken livers and cut bait. CALAVERAS: Water stained; 65-68 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, smaller crankbaits and topwaters. Hybrid striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait, chicken livers and cut shad. Red drum are good on live bait. CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 59 degrees; 5.98’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lizards, crankbaits, and shaky heads. Striped bass are good on live bait. White bass are good in creeks and wind-driven points on swimbaits, silver spoons and rooster tails. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.01’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, football jigs and lipless crankbaits. Hybrids and sand bass are good on swimbaits, slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs under boat docks. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. CHOKE CANYON: Water lightly stained; 66-68 degrees; 23.01’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on long-tailed jigs and plastic worms. White bass are fair on small crankbaits and plastics. Catfish are good on larger live bait, cut bait and stink bait. CONROE: Water stained; 64 degrees; 0.01’ high. Largemouth bass are very good on plastic worms and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Hybrid striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait and cut bait. COOPER: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.79’ high. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-diving crankbaits, spinner baits and skirted jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE: Water stained; 67 degrees; 8.23’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on soft plastic worms and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait and cheese bait.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water clear; 59 degrees; 1.87’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on creature baits, suspended jerk baits and jigs. White bass are good on swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on earthworms, cut bait and punch bait. FALCON: Water stained north and clearer south; 66 degrees; 42.72’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on soft plastics and spinner baits. Crappie are good on slabs. Catfish are excellent on live bait and stink bait. FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits and wacky worms. Catfish are fair on earthworms and cut bait. FORK: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits, jerk baits and curly-tailed worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. GIBBONS CREEK: Water stained; 66 degrees; 1.96’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, worms and top-waters. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on live shad. GRANBURY: Water clear; 62 degrees; 0.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, suspended jerk baits and finesse worms. Striped bass are good on live bait. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow. GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 0.46’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, chatter baits and white spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on small swimbaits and spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.75’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jerk baits, hair jigs, wacky worms and square-billed crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs and white swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.12’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on live and cut shad and boiled deer corn. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 59 degrees; 2.85’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and plastic worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on live and cut shad. JOE POOL: Water clear; 60 degrees; 0.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on football jigs, jerk baits, craws and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared baits and cut bait. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 1.42’ high. Largemouth bass

are good on crankbaits, jigs, top-waters and jerk baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait or punch bait. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.82’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, drop shots and lizards. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are excellent in the creeks on silver spoons, rooster tails and small swimbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait, nightcrawlers and punch bait. LBJ: Water clear. 61 degrees; 0.60’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on jigging spoons and slabs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 0.47’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, finesse worms, chatter baits and crankbaits. White bass are excellent on small swimbaits and spoons in creeks. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on chicken livers, cut bait and punch bait. LIVINGSTON: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 0.46’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged worms, spinner baits and jigs. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are excellent on small spinner baits and live bait. Catfish are fair on live bait. MEDINA: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 35.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. White bass are fair on spoons and small crankbaits. Catfish are fair on live bait, chicken livers and blood bait. MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 52 degrees; 0.33’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms, jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on live bait and liver-prepared baits. NACONICHE: Water lightly stained; 63-66 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged skinny plastic worms, spinner baits and smaller crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on dough balls, cut and live bait. NASWORTHY: Water murky; 60 degrees. 1.10’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits. NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 0.18’ high. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on small swimbaits and spoons in creeks. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. O.H. IVIE: Water clear; 59 degrees; 13.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, swimbaits and thick worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are

good on stink bait, live and cut bait. OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 4.22’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms and jigs. Crappie are fair on live bait under docks. Catfish are fair on trotlines, nightcrawlers, live bait and cut bait. PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.27’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, lizards and chatter baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on rooster tails, swimbaits and spoons in creeks. Catfish are good on earthworms, punch bait and cut bait. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 60 degrees; 0.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and small crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait, live sunfish and stink bait. PROCTOR: Water lightly stained, 57 degrees; 0.34’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, suspended jerk baits and skirted jigs. Hybrid stripers are fair on swimbaits and live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. RAVEN: Water stained; 64 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and spinner baits shallow. Sunfish are fair on cutworms. RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 57 degrees; 0.07’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, flukes and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 0.10’ high. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits, jerk baits, craws and football jigs. White bass are fair on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on flukes, red/white skirted jigs and silver crankbaits. White bass and hybrids are good on live bait, slabs and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait, punch bait and nightcrawlers. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.53’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, worms and top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in creeks. Catfish are good on live and stink bait. SOMERVILLE: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 1.96’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits and skirted jigs.White bass and hybrids are good on silver spoons and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water clear; 61 degrees; 0.23’ high.

n Saltwater reports Page 11 Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, skirted jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Channel catfish are fair on earthworms and chicken livers. Blue cats are good on fresh cut bait. TAWAKONI: Water stained; 56 degrees; 0.70’ high. Largemouth bass are good on buzzbaits, lizards and jerk baits. White bass and hybrid stripers are good on swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Blue catfish are excellent on fresh cut bait. Channel catfish are good on punch bait. TEXANA: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 1.08’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on soft plastics and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait, cut bait and live bait. TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 2.11’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, lipless crankbaits and finesse worms. Striped bass are good on swimbaits and live shad. White bass are good on swimbaits, rooster tails and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. TOLEDO BEND: Very clear south, stained north; 58-62 degrees; 2.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait. TRAVIS: Water clear; 61 degrees; 22.49’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, top-water plugs and lizards. White bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits. WACO: Water lightly stained; 58 degrees; 0.42’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, lipless crankbaits and chatter baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. WORTH: Water clear; 58 degrees; 1.95’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on finesse jigs, lipless crankbaits, craws and chatter baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on live bait and punch bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 7.80’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, lizards and finesse worms. White bass are good on swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on chicken livers, punch bait and live bait.

—TPWD

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 66 degrees. Speckled trout are fair to good near mullet on a paddle tail under a popping cork. Redfish and black drum are good on shrimp. BOLIVAR: 67 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp. Black drum are good on crab or shrimp. Flounder are fair around the rocks on mud minnows. TRINITY BAY: 68 degrees. Speckled trout are fair over scattered shell and mud on shrimp or mullet. Redfish are good on shrimp. Black drum are good on crab and shrimp. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 68 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp. Redfish are fair to good on shrimp under a cork. Black drum are good near San Luis Pass on shrimp or crab. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 68 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair over shell on shrimp or plastics. Black drum are good on shrimp and crab.

TEXAS CITY: 67 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and shrimp. Black drum are excellent on shrimp. FREEPORT: 67 degrees. Speckled trout are fair near the ICW on live bait. Redfish are fair along banks on soft plastics. Black drum are excellent on dead shrimp. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 68 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair around the ICW on top-waters. Black drum are good on shrimp. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 68 degrees. Redfish and black drum are fair over the deep rocks on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp or top-waters.

April 9, 2021

Page 11

Photo by Nate Skinner

PORT O’CONNOR: 67 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp. Flounder are good around the rocks on shrimp. ROCKPORT: 67 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are on shrimp and will be in the deep cuts, drop-offs, and near the flats and reefs. Catch and release encouraged for speckled trout. Black drum are good on shrimp and crab.

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PORT ARANSAS: 67 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live bait near the jetty. Black drum are good on shrimp and crab. CORPUS CHRISTI: 66 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are good around Bob Hall pier on shrimp. BAFFIN BAY: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair shallow on shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are good around structure or vegetation on crab or shrimp. PORT MANSFIELD: 67 degrees. Redfish are good on paddle tails in red and white. Speckled trout are slow. SOUTH PADRE: 69 degrees. Black drum are fair on shrimp. Speckled trout and redfish are fair in the Laguna Madre flats on shrimp. PORT ISABEL: 68 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair to good on live bait. Black drum are good in the Land Cut on crab and shrimp. —TPWD

Chasing crappie Continued from page 8

seem to pull out away from the docks.” Rollins said there are a lot of large crappie to be caught on Cedar Creek Lake. Most of the fish he’s seeing are topping 1 pound, with many pushing 1.5 pounds, and each trip is bringing a few crappie right at or just over 2 pounds. “The fish are feeding so good right now, that a jig’s color pattern really hasn’t been an issue,” he said. “They’ll eat just about any color of jig, as long as an angler can get it in the strike zone.” On Lake Granger, the crappie are beginning to move all over the lake. “There’s been a lot of crappie holding in about 10 feet of water over brush piles, and we are starting to see more and more moving up shallow along the banks with the continued warming trend,” said guide Justin Newsom. Over brush piles, Newsom said various jigs have been producing strikes. Along the bank, minnows or jigs rigged about 2 feet under a bobber are working well. “Anywhere there’s brush and flooded timber along the bank on Granger can be pretty good right now,” he said. “There’s plenty of 10 to 14 inch fish out there, you just have to find them. They are really on the move with the current springtime transition.”

Brayden Rotherham, 10, left, and Brynli Rotherham, 6, landed these crappie while fishing with their dad, Jess Rotherham on Lake Buchanan. Photo by Jess Rotherham.

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER FROM TRASH DUMPING TO LIST OF CRIMES An illegal dumping complaint at a local restaurant was reported to a Gregg County game warden. The restaurant owner reported numerous rancid bags of trash, accompanied by a decaying white-tailed doe carcass missing only its backstraps, piled around their business and dumpster. Information gathered matched an individual who the warden was already investigating on unrelated hunting violations. The warden and local officers responded to the subject’s residence where he and fellow tenants advised they had deemed the spoiled doe inedible via damages from a vehicle vs. deer incident. An impromptu necropsy suggested otherwise, prompting a confession of how the doe was shot out of season and allowed to waste. During that interview, an additional confession was also collected regarding the warden’s original hunting investigation. That individual confirmed the illegal harvest of two other bucks found with antlers entangled from sparring along a late-night roadway. Exhausted and struggling to flee danger, both deer were stabbed by the individual. Civil restitution and multiple subjects were charged.

HUNTING NEXT TO THE INTERSTATE In the Tony Housman Wildlife Management Area, an Orange County game warden observed a vehicle driving along the right-of-way in a construction zone. A shotgun was located on the dashboard. The warden exited the interstate at the state line and made his way back along the right-of-way to investigate. As he approached the vehicle, he observed a male subject carrying a shotgun coming from the woods, which is a closed area of the WMA. During the contact, the subject claimed

BUCK TAKEN OUT OF SEASON, ALLOWED TO SPOIL A Travis County game warden received a call from a processor reporting a man with a deer intact (not gutted) and most likely spoiled. The individual stated to the processor, “I guess I’ll go dump this then.” The warden was unable to find a local address for the suspect but was able to call him while he was returning to Houston. The individual said his friend shot an 8-point buck the previous afternoon. The warden contacted

he was hunting hogs and was looking for a stand that his friend had erected next to the interstate. The warden found the stand erected on the WMA property within just a few feet of the interstate. The subject was issued citations for no annual public hunting permit and no hunting license. Two wardens followed up with the friend who had illegally placed the stand. That subject confessed to placing the stand in the closed area of the WMA and was cited.

the landowner, who shot the deer, and informed him he faced a waste of game charge for leaving the buck for more than 24 hours in temperatures exceeding 70 degrees. The warden also made the landowner aware that the general season ended two weeks prior and the buck was taken illegally. The violator then responded with an expletiveladen statement indicating his guilt. The warden seized the antlers from a taxidermist. Charges and civil restitution pending.

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COOPERATING SPOUSES A DeWitt County game warden received a complaint about a person suspected of taking a deer out of season. When the suspect was contacted, her husband’s tag was on the deer. The husband initially claimed to have shot the deer. After interviewing both individuals, it was determined the wife had shot the deer. It was not taken out of season, but it was taken without a license. When all was said and done, violations included hunting without a license, hunting under the license of another, allowing another to hunt under one’s license, no proof of sex, and no hunters education. The deer was seized and donated.

BAD TIME TO GET STUCK When responding to a trespassing call from a landowner, a McLennan County game warden came upon a subject stuck in the mud. The warden discovered that the man in the vehicle had also burglarized a vehicle while trespassing. The landowner identified the stolen property and it was returned. The suspect was arrested for burglary of a vehicle and criminal trespass.

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Rules on specks Continued from page 1

Gillnet surveys will give officials a better picture of the extent of the speckled trout kill in Texas bays. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Department’s Director of Coastal Fisheries, told the commission the changes would result in a 27-percent increase in the spawning stock biomass over current limits, although it takes two years to accomplish those results. “The changes would help keep fish in the water through the spawning season (late April through September),” he said. The emergency action will be reevaluated once additional data is gathered by Coastal Fisheries biologists during the spring sampling season. This information will provide a better indication of the freeze impact to fish populations. “I am confident that our spring sampling will help us get a better picture of the impacts to fish populations since the February fish kill event,” Reichers said. After the announcement of the changes, questions began pouring in from anglers and fishing guides. Many asked if the changes could be made permanent. Reichers told Lone Star Outdoor News not under the Emergency Rule, and changes beyond the Emergency Rule 120-day period, plus possibly a 60-day extension, would have to go through the normal regulatory process, which includes public comment periods, public meetings, and normally takes at least 90 days. Midcoast anglers and guides from the Matagorda bay systems to Port Aransas were disappointed the Emergency Rule didn’t apply to their areas. “As we look at our assessment, the lower coast was impacted at the highest magnitude,” Reichers said. “Under emergency rule authority, the bar is higher, and we need impending risk to a population. That’s why we recommended the Laguna Madre.” Could the spring gillnet surveys cause the department to reconsider midcoast areas? “They absolutely could,” Reichers said. “By July, we’ll have a better picture of what the full impacts were to the different bay systems. We will know the overall trend and abundance, and we’ll have information about size classes. At that point, the suite of different ways to make rule-making would still be available.” The gillnet surveys will begin in midApril and end in early June. Early estimates used for the size of the fish kill were based on a phased approach including the geographic extent and distribution of fish and

a rapid assessment to determine rough estimates of the number of fish killed and species impacted based on American Fisheries Society guidelines for sampling. “We have used this type of approach internally for years for things like red tide,” Reichers said. Since the freeze was so impactful, Reichers said the department wanted to share the estimates with the public. The assessment of 3.8 million fish killed compares with 6.2 million in the December 1989 freeze, 11.3 million in the February 1989 freeze and 14.4 million in the 1983 freeze. “We believe (the 3.8 million) is a minimum estimate,” Reichers said. While 3.2 million of the estimate was nongame fish like silver perch, hardhead catfish, pinfish, bay anchovy and striped mullet, Reichers said the impact was important. “The nongame fish are a foundation for the ecosystem,” he said. One angler asked on Instagram, “Will the fish be starving due to the lack of baitfish since the kills were so large?” Reichers didn’t think so. “Upper predators are good at what they do,” he said. “They will find fish. The reason is solely to keep more fish in the water during the spawning period, accelerate recovery. In our biggest events, we have had a 2- to 3-year recovery.” Recovery doesn’t mean the trophy-sized fish will be back that quickly, though. “Recovery means gillnet levels get back to what they used to be,” Reichers said. “Size is a different factor.” Reichers told the commission that several items will be assessed in dealing with future freeze events, including the requesting of voluntary suspension of barge traffic operations. “They were very cooperative for the most part,” he said. Other efforts will include expanding the use of citizen science; assessing the timing and size of closures and whether closures should be extended to allow fish to leave their thermal refuge areas; and increasing hatchery production. “We will produce as many trout as we can this year and next,” Reichers said. “Normally we do about 3 million. We hope to beat those numbers.”

April 9, 2021

Page 13

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April 9, 2021

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HEROES

Doug Maile caught this black drum in Corpus Christi Bay. Waylon Colt Davis, 13, of Mission, shot his first doe on the Papalote Ranch in Zapata.

Anthony Bond, 10, shot his first hog with a .243.

Carson McKinney, 13, took this wild hog in Gregg County using an 8mm Mauser.

Braden Trott, of Fort Worth, took his first buck with a bow in Tarrant County at the Brants Ranch near Eagle Mountain Lake.

Will Stryker caught this bass while fishing with Clifford Wiedman and his grandfather, Lonnie Stanley.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 9, 2021

Page 15

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases

New

First

Full

Last

Apr 11

Apr 20

Apr 26

May 3

Solunar Sun times Moon times

Houston

Dallas

2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Apr Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri

4:07 10:18 4:46 10:56 5:25 11:35 6:05 11:51 6:48 12:38 7:35 1:24 8:24 2:12 9:16 3:04 10:09 3:57 11:04 4:51 11:58 5:45 12:25 6:38 1:16 7:29 2:04 8:17 2:50 9:03

4:29 5:06 5:45 6:26 7:09 7:57 8:47 9:40 10:34 11:30 ----12:51 1:42 2:30 3:15

10:39 11:17 11:55 12:15 12:59 1:46 2:35 3:28 4:22 5:17 6:11 7:04 7:55 8:43 9:28

07:01 06:59 06:58 06:57 06:56 06:55 06:54 06:53 06:52 06:51 06:50 06:49 06:48 06:47 06:46

07:43 07:44 07:45 07:45 07:46 07:46 07:47 07:48 07:48 07:49 07:50 07:50 07:51 07:51 07:52

6:02a 5:48p 6:32a 6:42p 7:00a 7:35p 7:28a 8:28p 7:58a 9:23p 8:30a 10:18p 9:05a 11:13p 9:45a NoMoon 10:29a 12:08a 11:18a 1:01a 12:11p 1:53a 1:10p 2:41a 2:12p 3:25a 3:16p 4:06a 4:21p 4:44a

4:13 10:24 4:52 11:02 5:30 11:40 6:11 12:01 6:54 12:43 7:40 1:29 8:30 2:18 9:22 3:10 10:15 4:03 11:10 4:57 ----- 5:51 12:31 6:44 1:22 7:35 2:10 8:23 2:56 9:09

4:34 5:12 5:51 6:31 7:15 8:02 8:53 9:46 10:40 11:35 12:04 12:57 1:48 2:36 3:21

10:45 11:22 12:01 12:21 1:05 1:51 2:41 3:34 4:28 5:23 6:17 7:10 8:01 8:49 9:34

07:04 07:03 07:02 07:01 06:59 06:58 06:57 06:56 06:55 06:53 06:52 06:51 06:50 06:49 06:48

07:51 07:52 07:53 07:53 07:54 07:55 07:56 07:56 07:57 07:58 07:58 07:59 08:00 08:01 08:01

6:11a 5:52p 6:38a 6:48p 7:05a 7:42p 7:32a 8:37p 8:01a 9:33p 8:31a 10:29p 9:05a 11:26p 9:43a NoMoon 10:27a 12:22a 11:15a 1:16a 12:09p 2:07a 1:09p 2:54a 2:12p 3:38a 3:17p 4:17a 4:24p 4:53a

San Antonio 2021 Apr

A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri

4:20 10:30 4:58 11:09 5:37 11:47 6:18 12:07 7:01 12:50 7:47 1:36 8:36 2:25 9:28 3:16 10:22 4:10 11:16 5:04 ----- 5:58 12:37 6:51 1:28 7:41 2:17 8:30 3:03 9:15

4:41 10:52 5:19 11:29 5:57 12:07 6:38 12:28 7:22 1:11 8:09 1:58 8:59 2:48 9:52 3:40 10:47 4:34 11:42 5:29 12:11 6:24 1:04 7:17 1:54 8:07 2:42 8:55 3:28 9:41

07:13 07:12 07:11 07:10 07:09 07:08 07:07 07:06 07:05 07:04 07:03 07:02 07:01 07:00 06:59

07:56 07:56 07:57 07:57 07:58 07:58 07:59 08:00 08:00 08:01 08:01 08:02 08:03 08:03 08:04

6:15a 6:01p 6:44a 6:55p 7:13a 7:48p 7:41a 8:41p 8:11a 9:35p 8:44a 10:30p 9:19a 11:25p 9:59a NoMoon 10:43a 12:20a 11:32a 1:13a 12:26p 2:04a 1:24p 2:52a 2:26p 3:37a 3:30p 4:18a 4:34p 4:56a

Amarillo

2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Apr Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

09 Fri 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri

4:33 10:44 5:12 11:22 5:50 ----6:31 12:21 7:14 1:04 8:00 1:49 8:50 2:38 9:42 3:30 10:35 4:23 11:30 5:17 12:00 6:11 12:51 7:04 1:42 7:55 2:30 8:43 3:16 9:29

4:55 5:32 6:11 6:52 7:35 8:22 9:13 10:06 11:00 11:56 12:24 1:17 2:08 2:56 3:41

11:05 11:43 12:21 12:41 1:25 2:11 3:01 3:54 4:48 5:43 6:37 7:30 8:21 9:09 9:54

07:22 07:21 07:20 07:18 07:17 07:16 07:15 07:13 07:12 07:11 07:10 07:08 07:07 07:06 07:05

08:13 08:14 08:15 08:16 08:17 08:17 08:18 08:19 08:20 08:21 08:21 08:22 08:23 08:24 08:25

6:33a 6:12p 7:00a 7:09p 7:25a 8:05p 7:51a 9:01p 8:18a 9:58p 8:47a 10:55p 9:20a 11:53p 9:58a NoMoon 10:40a 12:50a 11:29a 1:44a 12:23p 2:35a 1:23p 3:22a 2:28p 4:04a 3:35p 4:42a 4:43p 5:17a

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 Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 2:46 AM 3:37 AM 4:24 AM 5:08 AM 5:51 AM 6:34 AM 7:21 AM 12:31 AM 1:16 AM 11:06 AM 3:08 AM 4:14 AM 5:21 AM 6:25 AM 12:46 AM

High Island Height 1.59H 1.65H 1.69H 1.72H 1.74H 1.74H 1.73H 0.18L 0.20L 1.66H 0.27L 0.29L 0.30L 0.32L 1.52H

Height 0.43L 0.59L 0.76L 0.92L 1.07L 1.21L 1.33L 1.70H 1.67H

Time 3:49 PM 4:03 PM 4:14 PM 4:21 PM 4:23 PM 4:16 PM 4:05 PM 1:18 PM 2:07 AM

Height 1.52H 1.48H 1.45H 1.43H 1.42H 1.42H 1.44H 1.44L 0.24L

Time 9:23 PM 9:47 PM 10:14 PM

Height 0.80L 0.63L 0.47L

11:16 PM 11:51 PM

0.24L 0.19L

3:54 PM

1.48H

12:33 PM 1:20 PM 1:48 PM 2:08 PM 7:23 AM

1.68H 1.70H 1.70H 1.68H 0.38L

7:46 PM 7:33 PM 2:26 PM

1.35L 1.17L 1.65H

10:50 PM

1.38H

7:58 PM

0.90L

Time 4:09 PM 4:26 PM 4:36 PM 4:39 PM 4:37 PM 4:38 PM

Height 1.38H 1.32H 1.29H 1.28H 1.29H 1.31H

Time 9:43 PM 10:07 PM 10:32 PM 10:59 PM 11:26 PM 11:57 PM

Height 0.77L 0.59L 0.42L 0.27L 0.15L 0.07L

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 2:50 AM 3:52 AM 4:46 AM 5:33 AM 6:18 AM 7:09 AM 8:12 AM 12:30 AM 1:08 AM 1:54 AM 2:49 AM 3:48 AM 4:56 AM 6:13 AM 12:06 AM

Height 1.44H 1.53H 1.60H 1.66H 1.70H 1.71H 1.72H 0.03L 0.03L 0.07L 0.11 0.17L 0.22L 0.29L 1.37H

Time 9:23 AM 10:18 AM 11:06 AM 11:48 AM 12:28 PM 1:16 PM

Height 0.41L 0.57L 0.72L 0.88L 1.04L 1.19L

9:20 AM 10:23 AM 11:33 AM 12:50 PM 1:35 PM 2:03 PM 2:25 PM 7:21 AM

1.73H 1.73H 1.73H 1.74H 1.73H 1.70H 1.65H 0.38L

Height 1.36H 1.45H 1.54H 1.62H 1.68H 1.73H 1.76H 1.78H 0.09L 0.09L 0.11L 0.14L 0.18L 0.23L 1.21H

Time 9:11 AM 10:02 AM 10:51 AM 11:45 AM 12:52 PM 11:10 PM 11:40 PM

Height 0.42L 0.60L 0.78L 0.95L 1.08L 0.14L 0.10L

9:48 AM 10:58 AM 12:01 PM 12:49 PM 1:26 PM 1:54 PM 6:58 AM

1.80H 1.82H 1.85H 1.85H 1.82H 1.75H 0.32L

Height 0.52H 0.51H 0.25L 0.13L 0.04L -0.01L -0.03L -0.03L -0.02L -0.01L -0.01L -0.02L -0.02L 0.02L

Time 11:27 AM 12:15 PM 8:04 AM 9:38 AM 10:55 AM 12:25 PM 2:51 PM 3:36 PM 4:14 PM 4:50 PM 5:24 PM 5:57 PM 6:24 PM 6:39 PM

Height 0.64L 0.54L 0.42L 0.31L 0.22L 0.16L 0.14L 0.15L 0.16L 0.17L 0.17L 0.16L 0.17L 0.20L 0.29L

Time 4:13 AM 8:02 AM 9:58 AM 6:31 PM 4:48 PM 5:10 PM 5:39 PM 6:13 PM 6:52 PM 7:36 PM 8:22 PM 9:01 PM 9:21 PM 8:58 PM 8:28 PM

8:22 PM 2:43 PM

1.20L 1.59H

8:24 PM

0.99L

Time 3:30 PM 3:38 PM 3:45 PM 3:50 PM 3:46 PM

Height 1.37H 1.28H 1.22H 1.18H 1.16H

Time 9:35 PM 9:51 PM 10:07 PM 10:25 PM 10:45 PM

Height 0.74L 0.58L 0.43L 0.30L 0.21L

Time 2:12 AM 3:18 AM 4:16 AM 5:09 AM 5:59 AM 6:50 AM 7:43 AM 8:41 AM 12:17 AM 1:03 AM 2:00 AM 3:09 AM 4:26 AM 5:44 AM 12:00 AM

8:51 PM 2:17 PM

1.11L 1.63H

8:31 PM

0.95L

Height 0.19L 0.31L 0.55H 0.61H 0.66H 0.69H 0.72H 0.74H 0.76H 0.78H 0.79H 0.79H 0.75H 0.67H

Time 7:14 PM 5:20 PM 1:02 PM

Height 0.47H 0.42H 0.43L

Time 11:38 PM

Height 0.38L

4:01 PM

0.47H

Height 0.66H 0.62H 0.64H 0.74H 0.85H 0.93H 0.98H 1.00H 1.01H 1.00H 1.00H 0.99H 0.95H 0.89H 0.82H

Time 2:05 PM 2:38 PM 2:59 PM

Port O’Connor Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22

Time 02:21 AM 5:41 AM 12:03 AM 12:29 AM 12:55 AM 1:21 AM 1:48 AM 2:18 AM 2:56 AM 3:49 AM 5:04 AM 6:22 AM 7:29 AM 8:32 AM

Time 1:56 AM 2:26 AM 3:05 AM 3:45 AM 4:24 AM 5:02 AM 5:39 AM 6:17 AM 7:00 AM 7:51 AM 8:49 AM 9:48 AM 10:41 AM 11:26 AM 12:05 PM

San Luis Pass Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 2:31 AM 3:47 AM 4:54 AM 5:54 AM 6:54 AM 7:59 AM 9:18 AM 12:34 AM 1:19 AM 2:10 AM 3:07 AM 4:11 AM 5:23 AM 6:38 AM 12:05 AM

Height 0.87L 0.71L 0.52L 0.34L 0.17L 0.07L 0.02L 0.05L 0.12L 0.19L 0.24L 0.26L 0.26L 0.27L 1.03L

Time 6:10 AM 7:18 AM 8:29 AM 9:30 AM 10:26 AM 11:25 AM 12:27 PM 4:56 PM 5:18 PM 5:40 PM 6:04 PM 6:27 PM 6:39 PM 6:41 PM 4:14 AM

Height 1.21H 1.23H 1.27H 1.31H 1.35H 1.39H 1.40H 1.39H 1.39H 1.38H 1.37H 1.36H 1.34H 1.30H 1.12H

Time 1:55 PM 2:39 PM 3:19 PM 4:03 PM

Height 0.30L 0.50L 0.73L 0.96L

Time 7:53 PM 7:48 PM 7:36 PM 7:12 PM

Height 1.06H 1.02H 1.01H 1.04H

11:59 AM

0.33L

6:39 PM

1.26H

Height 1.10H 1.13H 1.16H 1.19H 1.22H 1.25H 1.28H 0.15L 0.15L 0.16L 0.18L 0.22L 0.25L 0.31L 1.09H

Time 9:50 AM 10:40 AM 11:29 AM 12:21 PM 1:24 PM 11:55 PM

Height 0.43L 0.58L 0.73L 0.87L 0.99L 0.18L

Time 4:10 PM 4:11 PM 4:12 PM 4:12 PM 4:13 PM

Height 1.02H 0.99H 1.00H 1.02H 1.04H

Time 10:08 PM 10:23 PM 10:36 PM 10:55 PM 11:22 PM

Height 0.71L 0.57L 0.45L 0.33L 0.24L

10:42 AM 11:50 AM 12:49 PM 1:43 PM 2:31 PM 3:03 PM 3:16 PM 7:48 AM

1.32H 1.36H 1.38H 1.38H 1.35H 1.30H 1.23H 0.39L

8:58 PM 3:13 PM

1.00L 1.15H

8:57 PM

0.86L

Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 3:15 AM 4:34 AM 12:02 AM 12:26 AM 12:52 AM 1:19 AM 1:49 AM 2:22 AM 3:03 AM 4:00 AM 5:21 AM 6:40 AM 7:41 AM 8:32 AM 9:19 AM

Height 0.32H 0.31H 0.14L 0.07L 0.02L -0.01L -0.02L -0.01L 0.00L 0.02L 0.03L 0.03L 0.03L 0.04L 0.08L

Time 10:55 AM 11:40 AM 5:51 AM 4:27 PM 4:15 PM 4:01 PM 4:04 PM 4:22 PM 4:46 PM 5:12 PM 5:38 PM 6:00 PM 6:11 PM 6:00 PM 4:59 PM

Height 0.10L 0.18L 0.31H 0.38H 0.40H 0.43H 0.44H 0.45H 0.45H 0.45H 0.44H 0.43H 0.40H 0.36H 0.32H

Time 4:45 PM 4:32 PM 12:17 PM

Height 0.31H 0.32H 0.25L

Time 11:43 PM

Height 0.21L

4:30 PM

0.35H

10:30 PM

0.25L

Height 0.86H 0.87H 0.88H 0.90H 0.91H 0.94H 0.99H -0.02L -0.05L -0.05L -0.02L 0.03L 0.09L 0.14L 0.22L

Time 9:04 AM 9:53 AM 10:40 AM 11:28 AM 12:18 PM 1:10 PM

Height 0.31L 0.44L 0.57L 0.69L 0.79L 0.87L

Time 3:24 PM 3:00 PM 3:03 PM 3:16 PM 3:27 PM 3:16 PM

Height 0.79H 0.77H 0.80H 0.83H 0.86H 0.89H

Time 9:33 PM 9:52 PM 10:13 PM 10:36 PM 11:03 PM 11:36 PM

Height 0.55L 0.43L 0.31L 0.21L 0.11L 0.04L

10:31 AM 1:21 PM 2:35 PM 3:26 PM 4:08 PM 4:44 PM 5:08 PM 2:46 PM

1.03H 1.06H 1.09H 1.10H 1.09H 1.02H 0.91H 0.79H

8:50 PM 8:27 PM

0.81L 0.68L

11:22 PM

0.85H

Height 1.13H 1.19H 1.26H 1.34H 1.41H 1.46H 1.50H 1.53H -0.01L -0.00L 0.02L 0.05L 0.11L 0.19L 0.31L

Time 8:44 AM 9:38 AM 10:35 AM 11:41 AM 10:25 PM 10:58 PM 11:36 PM

Height 0.50L 0.67L 0.83L 0.97L 0.16L 0.07L 0.02L

Time 3:25 PM 3:15 PM 3:09 PM 3:02 PM

Height 1.14H 1.08H 1.06H 1.06H

Time 9:17 PM 9:25 PM 9:39 PM 9:59 PM

Height 0.78L 0.61L 0.44L 0.29L

11:25 AM 12:38 PM 1:38 PM 2:24 PM 2:53 PM 2:56 PM 2:35 PM

1.57H 1.60H 1.61H 1.58H 1.50H 1.37H 1.21H

8:00 PM

0.98L

Port Aransas

Nueces Bay Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 1:57 AM 2:11 AM 2:21 AM 2:29 AM 2:42 AM 3:01 AM 3:26 AM 3:56 AM 4:41 AM 5:55 AM 7:12 AM 8:25 AM 9:52 AM 11:02 AM 1:12 AM

East Matagorda

Freeport Harbor Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 1:38 AM 3:08 AM 4:19 AM 5:22 AM 6:33 AM 8:02 AM 9:26 AM 12:13 AM 12:53 AM 1:37 AM 2:26 AM 3:26 AM 4:49 AM 6:19 AM 7:26 AM

South Padre Island Height 0.32L 0.44L 0.59L

Time 9:10 PM 8:41 PM 7:37 PM

Height 0.63H 0.63H 0.66H

Date Apr 9 Apr 10 Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23

Time 1:34 AM 3:03 AM 4:17 AM 5:18 AM 6:14 AM 7:11 AM 8:23 AM 9:57 AM 12:20 AM 1:11 AM 2:07 AM 3:09 AM 4:18 AM 5:31 AM 6:45 AM

Texas Coast Tides

Time 9:01 AM 9:42 AM 10:19 AM 10:53 AM 11:27 AM 12:02 PM 12:38 PM 8:16 AM 9:28 AM

Page 16

April 9, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 18

LSONews.com

INDUSTRY Promotions at Delta Waterfowl

NASP president named

Delta Waterfowl promoted Joel Brice to chief conservation officer; Jason Tharpe to chief development officer; and Becky Sicble to vice president of operations.

Longtime National Archery in the Schools Program champion, Dr. Thomas G. Floyd, has been named president of the organization.

Sales growth at Buck Knives

Agency for Gill Fishing

Connor Slepikas and Anthony (Tony) Tekansik joined Buck Knives to oversee sales activities for the western and eastern United States and Canada.

Jeff Robles & Associates was named the sales agency for Gill Fishing.

PR group for historical firearms company

Sako centennial

Taylor & Company retained Joel Harris of Harris Global Marketing & Communications for its public relations and media needs.

New HQ for Silencer Central Silencer Central acquired a new building for its Sioux Falls, South Dakota headquarters.

Position at UrgeMedia UrgeMedia, Inc., based in Eagle, Colorado, is looking for a director of sales and marketing. ACROSS 2. Makes a cordless electric fillet knife 4. The duck’s sound 7. The furbearer hard on the nose 9. An eagle in Texas 11. An ammo brand 12. Luckenbach’s county 15. Province in Prairie Pothole Region 17. The mouth call 18. A Trans-Pecos county 20. The gobbler’s neckwear 21. River where George Strait learned to swim 22. A turkey’s favorite food 25. An elk hunter’s org. 26. A rod manufacturer (two words) 32. A popular fish along coast 36. A sunfish species 37. A bow manufacturer 39. The tom’s chest hair 41. Check for these after the turkey hunt 42. One of the oaks 43. An East Texas river 44. He or she make the mounts

DOWN 1. Put on before the turkey hunt 3. A casting technique 5. County where deer are archery-only 6. A safari destination 8. A salmon species 10. A plastic worm brand 13. A good crappie lake 14. ____ your shotgun before the turkey hunt 16. The top pronghorn state 19. An oryx 23. A Texas bay 24. Sanderson’s county 27. Texas lake with redfish 28. Popular river for white bass run 29. A North Texas river 30. Used to catch catfish 31. Birds hunted on northern migration (two words) 33. A shorebird 34. A bass boat brand (two words) 35. The male mallard 38. Texas’ most populated county 40. Deer droppings

Beretta-owned rifle and cartridge manufacturer Sako Ltd. is celebrating its 100th birthday.

Sales manager position at Krieghoff Krieghoff International, Inc. is seeking an account manager for the Sales Department in its office in Ottsville, Pennsylvania.

No turkey calling Super Bowl The National Wild Turkey Federation cancelled the Grand National Calling Championships for 2021.

Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News

FOR THE TABLE

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

BBQ bourbon chipotle butter grilled oysters 1 lb. (four sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup bourbon 2/3 cup peeled garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 10-oz can of chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, chopped 50 oysters Chipotle butter In a medium bowl, dissolve the brown sugar into the bourbon. Combine the butter, brown sugar/bourbon mixture, and other ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well, though it will remain a bit lumpy in texture. You can use a food processor if desired. Set down a piece of parchment paper, and pile butter along the center, working to form a ‘log’. Wrap butter, folding into a log-shape, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

The finished roll should be the dimension of a cube of butter, only longer (about a foot). Note: while the butter log makes for ease of use when cooking, storing the butter in the mixing bowl and scooping it out by the spoonful is just as effective. Grilled oysters When ready to BBQ, fire up your grill to medium hot. Shuck the oysters and remove butter from the fridge, cut butter into thin pats, about 1/4 inch. Place a pat of butter on each shucked oyster and place the oysters on the grill. Wait for the butter to melt and start to bubble. Watch the oysters sizzle, for about one minute. Once the oysters and butter have bubbled remove them from the grill. Let cool for a brief moment and enjoy! —Hog Island Oyster Company

For home or office delivery, go to LSONews.com, or call (214) 361-2276, or send a check or money order to the address below.

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. Executive Editor

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Managing Editor

Lili Sams

Design Editor

C2-Studios, Inc.

Copy Editor

Hannah Bush

Products Editor

Mary Helen Aguirre

Operations Manager

Mike Hughs

Website

Bruce Solieu

National Advertising Mike Nelson Founder & CEO

David J. Sams

Advertising: Call (214) 361-2276 or email editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com to request a media kit. For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com • (214) 361-2276

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 9, 2021

Page 17

NATIONAL MICHIGAN

IDAHO

A Grand Rapids man was arraigned on charges stemming from a March 20 automobile crash. Devinci Osiris Dumas, 21, is accused of kicking a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer in the head numerous times, while attempting to escape custody. The officer credits two passersby with saving his life. Conservation officer Josiah Killingbeck was dispatched to respond to a report of a vehicle in a swamp. Killingbeck arrived to find that a Saturn Vue had gone airborne for a short distance and was situated about 150 feet off the north side of the intersection. Dumas and Hannah Marie Holcomb, 19, of Dorr were found in the vehicle. Neither were injured. After an initial investigation, Killingbeck placed Dumas under arrest for open intoxicants in a vehicle and providing false information to a peace officer. Dumas was put into the front passenger seat of Killingbeck’s patrol truck. He was handcuffed behind his back. The seat belt was secured around him. When driving to the Lake County Jail, Dumas freed himself from the safety belt and began to attack Killingbeck by turning himself in the seat so he could deliver multiple kicks to the conservation officer. Two passersby stopped at the scene and helped Killingbeck restrain Dumas. —MDNR

The application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts began April 1 and run through April 30. Moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts remain unchanged for nonresident hunters, who can still apply, and are limited to no more than 10 percent of the tags. To apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts, each applicant must possess a 2021 Idaho hunting or combination license. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $16.75 for residents and $45.75 for nonresidents. Moose, sheep and goat hunt applicants must pay the tag fee along with the application fee when they apply. The total application fees for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are: • Residents under Price Lock: $183.50 • Residents without Price Lock: $216.50 • Nonresidents: $2,672.50 Moose, sheep and goat drawing results will be online in early June. Tag fees will be refunded to those who did not draw, but not the hunting license or application fees. —IDFG

Conservation officer assaulted

Big game applications open

MISSOURI

First bear season set Missouri’s first black-bear hunting season is slated for this fall, Oct. 18–27. The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval of the season framework, permit and harvest quotas, and other related regulations. The approved regulations limit bear hunting to Missouri residents and restrict bear hunting to designated areas of southern Missouri. Missouri residents will be able to apply during May for the Oct. 18-27 hunt with permit selection by July 1 through a random drawing of applicants. Missouri’s estimated 800 (600–1,000) black bears are found south of the Missouri River, and primarily south of Interstate 44. —MDC

WYOMING

Green River trout thriving Recent assessments of the Green River trout fishery by Wyoming Game and Fish Department biologists indicate the trout population is at or near an all-time high. Every year, biologists monitor the status of the fishery by completing an electrofishing assessment within a designated reach of the river. In the upper Green River (above Fontenelle Reservoir), six different reaches are monitored on a three-year rotation, with two reaches monitored each year to maintain a robust dataset going back several decades. Work conducted within the “Forty-Rod” reach in Sept. 2020, generated an estimate of trout greater than any estimate ever obtained within this section of the river. A total of 719 trout/mile were estimated to inhabit the river with brown trout accounting for more than 80 percent of the population. This was the first time in over 20 years that the number of trout in the Green River exceeded 700/mile in this section. This section of the river is popular among anglers and supports some of the highest angler-use in the region. Future seasons are not as promising, as persistent drought conditions and low flows could damage fish populations. —WGFD

NEW MEXICO

Roadblocks for hunters, anglers The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during hunting and fishing seasons to collect harvest data and to detect wildlife law violations. The 2021-2022 hunting and fishing season begins April 1. Hunters and anglers can expect roadblocks throughout the spring and summer. At roadblocks, conservation officers will check for compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act. Drivers of vehicles hauling wood products will be asked to produce documentation as required by the Forest Conservation Act. —NMDFG

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UTAH

Experienced hunter ed instructors Utah’s Hunter Education Program, launched in 1957, and two residents have been serving as instructors for the program almost since it began. Albert Orton and Norman Beers have volunteered their time and expertise for almost 60 years. The men were certified just days apart in May 1961 and both actively taught classes until 2019. Orton said he grew up hunting and became a hunter education instructor because he wanted to pass along that love of the outdoors and wildlife to others. During his nearly 60 years as an instructor, he has taught three generations of one family. Beers said he competed in shooting sports in high school and in college and has always been a huge advocate of firearm safety. When the Hunter Education program began, the state had one of the highest rates of hunting incidents in the U.S. That year, there were 165,081 licensed hunters in Utah, and a reported 126 hunting incidents, 22 of which ended in fatalities. In 2019, Utah had 448,271 licensed hunters, and only saw three hunting-related incidents and no fatalities. —UDWR

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April 9, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

DATEBOOK APRIL 9

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION Sonora Banquet Rough Creek Taxidermy rmef.org

APRIL 9-11

DUCKS UNLIMITED Fort Worth Raffle Night Wild Acres Brewery fortworthdu.com GUPPY BLADE BAIT: FishLab describes its lure as one of the most lifelike blade baits on the market. With an exaggerated belly, it produces a heavy vibration and is perfect for making long casts. Available in three sizes and seven colors, it costs about $9.

MAY 6

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MAY 8

APRIL 17

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MAY 20

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION LoneStar Longbeards Banquet Brazos Expo Center, Bryan (979) 219-0286 nwtf.org

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GRAND SLAM BOX CALL: Sure-Shot’s deluxe-styled box call has one side for making the call of the tom and one side for making the call of the hen. Constructed from black walnut, it offers finger inlays for ease of use when wearing gloves. The call costs about $38.

MAY 22

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HYDRAULIC DRY PACK: Whether heading toward water or out to the field, Sea to Summit’s super heavy duty dry pack offers the features outdoorsmen appreciate for getting their gear to base camp. Fashioned from a laminated waterproof and UV-resistant fabric, the pack has welded construction for sealed seams and a non-wicking roll-top closure. Its EVA foam and air mesh removable harness delivers comfort and airflow for small or large loads. Available in four sizes and three colors, the pack costs about $170 to $270, depending on size.

ACTIVETARGET LIVE SONAR SYSTEM: Lowrance has launched a high-resolution sonar system, which reveals live-action views of fish moving in and around structures as they respond to lure presentations. With such immediate feedback, anglers can adjust the presentation to trigger a strike. Offering three viewing options, ActiveTarget can be set to forward, down or scout mode. Forward and down views allow anglers to track fish in front of or below the live sonar transducer while scout mode delivers an ultra-wide, overhead view of structure and fish activity in front of the transducer. The technology provides live sonar connectivity and functionality to a wide range of displays and systems, to include the HDS LIVE Ultimate Fishing System and the Elite FS display. ActiveTarget, complete with black box module and transducer, has an MSRP of $1,499.99.

Page 18

LEAFY PULLOVER: This Mossy Oak 3-D Diffusion by North Mountain Gear breaks new ground by combining comfort with quiet, leafy concealment for hunters who just want to disappear. Available in Bottomland, Green Leaf or Obsession, pictured, this garment is constructed from fabric imbued with a moisture management technology that keeps wearers cool and comfortable. Available in three men’s sizes, the hooded lightweight pullover costs about $95.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 9, 2021

Page 19

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Page 20

April 9, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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Articles inside

Freshwater Fishing Report

Game Warden Blotter

Saltwater Fishing Report