East Men's Magazine March 2013

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2 | EAST - March 2013

Eric Stephens, Owner

CONTENTS ///MAR2013

COVER PHOTO BY LISA CROW Stephanie Oliver President Beth Johnson editor@tjmag.com Managing Editor Kim Iribarren kim@tjmag.com Director of Sales Kevin McCarty kevin@tjmag.com Marketing Consultant Coran Fuqua office@tjmag.com Office Manager/Accountant Macy Haffey Layout and Design Lisa Crow lisacrowphotography@gmail.com Event Photographer CONTRIBUTORS Scott McElroy Joshua C. Milligan Gary Stallard

4

ON THE MOUND SEC Bound

7

XTRA INNINGS Becoming a Better Hitter

8

4-H The 411 on 4-H

10

BASEBALL DREAMS Hunter Jones

12

EASY LIVIN AC Baseball Coach Spreads His Wealth of Experience

15

PHOTOS

18

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE SFA Lumberjacks

20

IN THE WOODS March Madness

23

TROPHY ROOM Trophy Hunts

DISTRIBUTORS Lisa Crow Janet Glover Jared Thompson

CONTACT US: MAILING: P O B ox 1 5 0 5 37 L u f k i n , Texa s 759 1 5 P H YS I CA L : 1 1 5 E . S h e p h e rd L u f k i n , Texa s 759 0 1 936-634-7188 editor@eastmensmagazine.com facebook.com/tjmag twitter.com/tjmeast

eastmensmagazine.com /// 3

ON THE MOUND

SEC Bound.

W

hen the 2014 baseball and softball season kicks off next year in the NCAA Division 1A South Eastern Conference, East Texas will be well represented. Lufkin High School’s own Tyler Stubblefield will be joining the former Big XII Texas A&M Aggies, while Hudson softball standout Kelsee Selman begins her collegiate career in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the LSU Tigers.

Kelsee, a dominant right-handed pitcher, is already a State Champion as she led the Hudson Hornets to their first ever State Title last year with a 12 Strikeout performance. And Tyler, who will actually be splitting mound-time with his older brother, Gandy, in College Station next year, starred as the Panther’s starting quarterback this year, leading The Pack deep into the Texas 5A State Playoffs. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with these two to hear about their amazing journeys up to this point; how East Texas helps to shape their success, the role The Big Man up Stairs plays on their own fields, and, basically, how it feels to be SEC bound.

So, as I’m plotting my questions for Tyler and Kelsee before we sit down, I figured I’d get the real inside scoop on these two. An LSU-commit at Hudson and an A&M-commit at Lufkin means that these two have obviously heard of each other, and even likely, know one another. I’m thinking they’ve got to either be friends or sworn enemies, right? Yes, they’ve never played against each other, but between Hudson and Lufkin, and now A&M and LSU, there’s obviously only room for one such stud in our small neck of the woods. So I send Tyler a quick text, “Do you know Kelsee Selman from Hudson? She cool? She really that good?” And Tyler’s response set the stage for everything you’re about to read, “LOL. Yes and YES. Definitely.” Just a heads up for our lesstexting audience, “LOL” means Laugh Out Loud, but the point is, Tyler and Kelsee do know of one another and not only is there not a bitter rivalry in play, but they actually both admire and respect each other. Why wouldn’t they? And why would I hope for a double-interview full of built up tension between the two? That must just be the Longhorn in me.

Simply though, Tyler Stubblefield and Kelsee Selman are two extraordinary pitchers who have earned everything they’ve been offered on the diamond. I’m proud to have them represent our hometown. The two of them will go on to College Station and Baton Rouge to continue their successful journeys, but there’s no limit to where these two could end up. As two quiet, funny, driven, competitive, and humble students at the moment begin their senior seasons before embarking on the next chapter, we’re lucky enough, as fellow East Texans, to call ‘em our own. Here’s a glimpse into their great stories.

4 | EAST - March 2013

EAST: Kelsee, you’re a State Champion Hudson Hornet.

How does that feel and how does it affect your, now, senior season?

Kelsee: “It’s really tough to describe, actually. We worked so hard and it feels so good. It’s simply a very humbling experience, and coming into this year we definitely have high expectations. That creates a level of pressure, but that’s good, too. I like that type of pressure.”

EAST: Now, Tyler. Playing quarterback for a storied program like the Lufkin Panthers is a story in itself. How does that experience help you on the mound?

Tyler: “Motivation, man. Football clearly requires a different mentality, so walking to the mound with that type of focus is definitely an advantage, I think. I love it.”

EAST: Being successful athletes at two neighboring schools, did you guys ever hear about each other through the grapevine? What did you hear? (Both) Tyler: “Well, we’ve actually known each other for a while.

We met at church (Carpenter’s Way Baptist Church) when we were younger and sports weren’t really on the table back then, so I just knew she was a Christian until a few years ago, when I learned she was a Christian who threw really hard, ha-ha.”

Kelsee: “Yea, I always just heard that he was a really good football and baseball player. We’ve known each other for a while.”

EAST: Awesome. Now, tell me about growing up an athlete in East Texas. Both of you visited a handful of different schools (Baylor, Illinois, Arkansas, etc.), so you’re obviously aware that Lufkin and Hudson are pretty unique. How has that upbringing helped you on the diamond?

Kelsee: “Honestly, I’ve just had so many great people there for me, especially from my church. Having such a support system has been huge for me, from my two sisters, Madison and Campbell, to my parents (Mark and Laurie Selman), and everyone in the community – it’s just amazing to have that, and I’m so grateful for the type of people that have been placed in my life.”

Tyler: “For me, I can just remember that everyone grew up playing baseball. Everybody. It’s just what I always wanted to do because all of my friends were doing it. And, as you get older, everyone becomes so competitive, and that’s definitely helped me succeed. I want to be good, and

By Scott McElroy | Photography by Jenna McElroy

I want to be the best. That really stemmed from just playing as a kid with my friends.”

EAST: And finally, tell me about your respective recruiting experiences?

Why LSU? Why A&M? Kelsee: “Well, actually, I initially really wanted to go to Baylor. Like, I had my heart set on Baylor, and when I went on my visit there, it just didn’t feel right, at all. Then I went to OU and Illinois, and those places were just too far away, because I knew I wanted to be close to home.

Luckily, Coach Eby (Head Coach and cool guy, Jim Eby) knew someone at LSU, so they came down to watch me and then I took a visit, and I knew I was home. After having my heart set on Baylor, I prayed and prayed and prayed about it, and finally, God brought me to LSU. He wanted me there.”

Tyler: “I just feel comfortable in College Station. Obviously, with Gandy there I’ve been able to meet a lot of people and build some relationships, so having that foundation really set the tone for me. I went to LSU, Arkansas and TCU, but A&M is simply where I knew I would always be. I’m excited to be there next season.”

EAST: Tyler, tell me how it feels to be joining your older brother at the collegiate level next year? That’s pretty special, right? What type of influence has Gandy had on your current position?

Tyler: “This question just makes me think about us in the backyard playing catch. Having him around, I always had someone to play with and compete against; he is definitely a large source of my motivation.

When I’m out there, he always knows what to say and how to say it; he gives me great advice. I’m excited to be at the next level and have him there. He deserves a lot of my credit; I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”

EAST: And Kelsee, you’ve spoken a lot on your church and God – is there any one moment where you can describe His impact on your softball career thus far?

Kelsee: “Without a doubt, I’ve never had a moment on the field like I did in the 5th inning of the State Championship last year. And it’s even weirder to think, I’ve committed to LSU, because when I was younger, I was very bad at pitching (laughs). Seriously, though, I wasn’t good at all, but as I got older, I got better and He’s been there the whole time. Last year at state, (Hudson had just taken a 4-0 lead headed into the 5th inning) I had two illegal pitches, walked a few batters, we had an error, and I ended up giving up four runs that inning to tie the score with only one out in the inning. Pretty shaken, I stepped off the mound and just prayed for a few minutes. I was in the biggest position I’d ever been in as a player and it was starting to feel overwhelming.

After praying, I ended up striking out the next two batters. We got out of the inning and went on to win. It’s crazy, but that prayer saved the game.” eastmensmagazine.com /// 5

Hitting Pitching Velocity Training Speed Agility Core Training

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BECOMING A BETTER HITTER

T

oo often I hear coaches yelling at their hitters, “Stop dropping your shoulder, you’re rolling over, stop flying open, etc.” If your hitter can’t feel when he/she is making these mistakes, how do you expect them to fix them? We use three easy steps to help a hitter actually feel these mistakes and make adjustments on their own.

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This is designed to help a hitter feel when his/her hands get away from their body causing them to roll over pitches.

This is designed to help a hitter feel his/her hands get through the baseball as opposed to cutting off the swing and causing the hitter to lose power.

This is designed to prevent the hitter from finishing the swing too high and too quick, which will cause the hitter to slice the ball as opposed to hitting through the point and extending through a more level bat path.

LESS IS MORE!!! Don’t complicate hitting, simplify it. To learn more about these steps and drills used to help your hitter feel them throughout the swing, contact Joey Jara @ 936-208-2681, or visit our facebook page @ www.facebook.com/XtrainningsSportsComplex

eastmensmagazine.com /// 7

THE 411 ON 4-H brought to you by

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Lead by Anita Caraway and Sarah Vier Bottom Row (L-R) – Katie Ronaghan, Peyton Mathis, Carter Williams. Second Row (L-R) – Jennings Sanders, Nathan Socia, Charlie Arnold, Brennan Duncan, Harley Ledford, Meg Harris. Third Row (L-R) – Sara Kate Harris, Caroline Deaton, Kimberlin Arnold, Kendall Jackson, Hannah Grandgeorge, Callie Davis, Grace Grandgeorge, Corinne Caraway. Back Row (L-R) – Barrett Duncan, Noah Vier, Matt Smithhart, Cade Milligan, Will Chance, Jackson Vier, Preston Polk, Tanner Kassaw.

Grand Champion Hog: Hannah Grandgeorge, 4-H Horse

6th Place Broilers: Kimberlin Arnold, 4-H Horse Club

18th Place Broilers: Noah Vier, 4-H Horse Club

Best of Show Woodworking - Senior: Grace Grandgeorge, 4-H Horse Club

7th Place Rabbits: Jennings Sanders, 4-H Horse Club

Best of Show Cookies - Senior: Corinne Caraway, 4-H Horse Club

5th Place Steer: Mary Grace Polk, 4-H Horse Club

8th Place Hog: Margaret Harris, 4-H Horse

19th Place Goat: Jennings Sanders, 4-H Horse Club

5th Place Comm. Heifers: Mary Grace Polk, 4-H Horse Club

10th Place Steer: Preston Polk, 4-H Horse Club

Best of Show Yeast Breads - Junior: Kimberlin Arnold, 4-H Horse Club

5th Place Lamb: Peyton Mathis, 4-H Horse Club

Best of Show Cheesecakes - Pre Junior: Margaret Harris, 4-H Horse Club

Best of Show Quick Breads - Junior: Kendall Jackson, 4-H Horse Club

5th Place Rabbits: Benjamin Lowther, Diboll 4-H

Best of Show Cheesecakes - Junior: Cade Milligan, 4-H Horse Club

31st Place Goat: Corinne Caraway, 4-H Horse Club

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eastmensmagazine.com /// 9

T

he field of dreams. Regardless the age, a baseball field has always been the field of dreams for just about all who walk out and play. For one 9-year old, that is most certainly the case.

Hunter Jones has played the game of baseball since he started prep t-ball at the age of 3. Jones has moved up the ranks and played the various age levels offered. As he did, he gradually got better and better. Of course when he did, he really fell in love with the game.

His mom, Rhonda Jones, says, “If he isn’t doing homework, he is outside practicing on his own. Whether it is on his swing or something he and his coaches worked on at practice that week.”

At the age of 6, Hunter began playing select ball with a team known as the Lufkin Legends. They were a team that worked hard to compete against very high levels of baseball. The coaching staff eventually challenged the boys even more and would move them up in age bracket, where they were competing with boys older than they were.

10 | EAST - March 2013

Last fall, Hunter had a unique opportunity to play with a team called Texas Outlaw Black out of Houston. The team was going to compete in the Elite 32 World Series at ESPN World of Sports in Florida, and they wanted Hunter to move up the ranks of that tournament bracket.

Not long after that tournament, Ray Deleon from the Banditos organization called Keith and Rhonda Jones letting them know he was interested in looking at Hunter. Rhonda explains, “I had never really planned on this happening and was really honored that the Banditos wanted Hunter to play for them.

We went to the facility and liked what we saw and decided to make the commitment to the Banditos organization.”

Hunter began playing with the Banditos Organization this spring. Keith Jones says, “It’s a commitment from the whole family. We play a lot of baseball. Either his mother or I will take him to practice in Houston once a week on Wednesdays.

Then we compete in tournaments twice a month as well.”

BASEBALL DREAMS

HUNTER JONES Hunter says he has enjoyed the transition and the new opportunity. “Being on the Banditos is a lot of fun. I have learned a lot about baseball. I play catcher, pitcher, 3rd and 1st base. They teach me a lot about those positions and my batting. It has been fun getting to know the other players and make new friends. I have gotten used to the driving.

I usually do my homework on the way to practice and sleep on the way home.”

One of Hunter’s most memorable baseball memories so far has been winning the Winter National Championship in Dallas. There, he received his first Championship ring at that tournament and the Legends were crowned National Champions.

For Hunter, he hopes to play baseball for a long time. “My dream is to play Major League Baseball one day and play for the Longhorns.”

Jones knows he has a long road ahead, but he is enjoying every minute of it. He looks to learn more and more about the sport and continue on to reaching his goals.

eastmensmagazine.com /// 11

EASY LIVIN

I

f Jeff Livin were the type to keep a brag book, it would probably come in several volumes.

Naturally, there would be photos of his family. His wife, Cindy, is a teacher in Lufkin. His daughters Cassidy and Jessie have both been athletes for the Lufkin High School team, and his 13-year old son Tanner shares his dad’s passion all things outdoors.

There would also be plenty of fish pics. An avid fisherman who prefers sitting atop a kayak in the Gulf of Mexico, Livin would certainly want to offer proof of his trophy catches.

But the bulk of Livin’s brag book would contain the numerous baseball players he’s managed to influence in his 17 years as the AC skipper.

Start with the bigger names: Livin currently has three of his protégés and former Roadrunners on major-league rosters, including Clay Buchholz of the Boston Red Sox, Josh Tomlin of the Cleveland Indians and Andrew Cashner of the San Diego Padres.

There are the up-and-comers, former ‘Runners on their way up to the show. Luis DeJesus, Bear Bay, Kody Hinze, Matt Purke, Jason Gurka, Jacoby Almaraz, Kenny Allison and a number of others are working their way through MLB’s minor leagues at this moment.

Add to those names the number of players who left AC on their way to various colleges and universities. Bobby McCormack is at Baylor University; Ian Gardek is pitching for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Grant Clyde was on the North Carolina State team playing in the College World Series in 2012. Chase Greening and Zach Marberry – both former Lufkin High School and AC players – are at Stephen F. Austin University. That, too, is a list too long for a single article.

Angelina College head baseball Coach Jeff Livin, now in his 17th year at AC, has built a reputation as a source of baseball knowledge, with current major leaguers often traveling to Lufkin to pick his brain.

Photo by Gary Stallard

Perhaps the biggest testament to Livin’s influence lies in the fact that just because those guys no longer wear Roadrunner orange and blue doesn’t mean they’re not still part of the AC family. Buchholz makes regular stops in Lufkin on his way to spring training to fine tune mechanics with Livin. Purke, on his way to rookie ball last year, also made the trip to pick Livin’s brain. Other players schedule time at Roadrunner Field, whether in the bullpens or in the batting cages, to take advantage of Livin’s lifetime love of the game.

However, Livin’s book won’t just contain the names of the big boys.

The coach and his long-time sidekick, AC assistant coach Rich Martinez, have a reputation for offering tips to youngsters of every age interested in the grand old game – and Livin says he gets as much out of it as the kids.

“To me, as a coach, working with the younger players reinforces what we sometimes take for granted as far as fundamentals,” Livin says.

12 | EAST - March 2013

By Gary Stallard

Angelina College Baseball Coach Spreads His Wealth of Experience “When we’re working from the ground up on the basics, it’s a reminder of what some older players have forgotten. Those advanced skills are great, but not if you forget the basics. It’s a refresher for me.

of the Year honors in the Sooner Athletic Conference in 1995.

He’s now in his 17th season leading the Roadrunners, and a little icing on his career cake: In 2008, he was inducted into the Clarinda (Iowa) A’s Hall of Fame.

“On the other side, working with players who have been in the big leagues for several years keeps your mind open so you don’t get stagnant. We take turns picking one another’s brains, and it’s beneficial to all of us.”

Getting him to open up his brag book a little is a chore, especially this time of year, when his Roadrunners are battling fellow Region XIV baseball teams for a shot at the conference tournament in May. Tracking him down usually involves stationing one’s self next to the bullpen, as Livin works with yet another young player with big dreams.

Livin’s baseball pedigree started when he was old enough to figure out on which hand his glove was supposed to go. Following a collegiate playing career at Southwestern University, Livin got the draft call in the 15th round and spent four years in the Houston Astros organization. From there he moved on as an assistant coach at Southwest Texas State and Southwestern University before landing the head spot at Wayland Baptist, where he earned Coach

“When you’re a teacher, you do it because you like teaching,” Livin says. “Working with these guys can offer real, tangible results, and it’s rewarding.”

Gary Stallard’s e-mail address is garylstallard@yahoo.com

Front row, L-R: Caleb Henry, Zach L. Smith, Jarrid Garcia, Joe Champion, Allen Cook, Sam Kohler, Greg Belton, Alberto Sanabria, Jameson Gutierrez, Chase Weaver. Middle row, L-R: Dylan Bates, Matt Ortega, Halden Maynard, Zach J. Smith, Cody Oliver, Derrek Steffek, Nick Velasquez, Jesse Hoover, Colton Walla, Josh Oller, Cole DeBerry, Jerrett Pickens. Back row, L-R: Assistant coach Richard Martinez, Matt Roberts, Caleb Kroon, Matt Sinclair, Tanner Griggs, Garrett Cooper, Chris Thompson, Dillon Knebel, Dylan Gaffney, Ben Distefano, Asa Shiflett, head coach Jeff Livin. eastmensmagazine.com /// 13

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THE MAN CAVE PHOTOS

L

ynda Kendrick Greer’s family grew up in the home originally located on Raguet Street. Lynda and Robert Greer purchased the home from the Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches. They moved the home to the family farm in 2002. The home has been fully restored. Now the large extended Kendrick Family of about 60 family members and friends enjoys family get-togethers there. This die-hard baseball family loves a family friendly competitive game of baseball every Easter. This tradition will surely continue for many years to come.

eastmensmagazine.com /// 15

PHOTOS

AGGIE MOM BINGO

16 | EAST - March 2013

ANGELINA COUNTY YOUTH FAIR PHOTOS eastmensmagazine.com /// 17

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

C

oach Johnny Cardenas is a native of Amarillo, Texas. “Just as many kids do, I played many sports and started out when I was 5 years old. I was a three sport athlete all growing up, playing football, baseball, and basketball.”

He continued to play all sports up until High School where he felt like he needed to decide on which sport he wanted to play. “I decided to play baseball and basketball.”

After High School, he was given a scholarship to junior college in Kansas where he played baseball for 2 years.

Cardenas then received a scholarship to TCU to play. Once his time was completed playing baseball, he was drafted in1994 in the 46th round by the Seattle Mariners.

He was then traded to the White Sox after a couple years. In 1996, he was traded to the Texas Rangers where he played in the major leagues for a couple weeks before being sent back down. In 1997, he was traded again to the White Sox. It was then he decided he was ready to be a coach. Coach Cardenas went to Oklahoma to coach a High School baseball team; then onto Greenville, Texas to coach High School Baseball.

In 1995, when SFA brought back the baseball program after a 13 year hiatus, the head coach and Cardenas’ former coach, Donnie Watson asked Cardenas to come and be an assistant coach. He was Coach Watson’s assistant coach until he left when he was given the opportunity of Head Coach.

18 | EAST - March 2013

SFA LUMBERJACKS 2009 the SFA Lumberjacks had an uphill battle. “We had a lot of good players but a tough year. We had our work cut out for us. There was a lot that needed to be done to change our persona and the mentality of our program. We needed to become part of the community and more active members.”

Today, Cardenas feels he has the team moving in the right direction. “We have made every post season tournament since I have been head coach. Which says a lot because we are in a tough conference. 2011 was our best season capping off with 38 game wins. Out of a 56 game schedule, that is the most any baseball team has ever won in the history of SFA.” This season is off to a slow start only because they have stacked the early schedule with tough teams. They are currently 4-7. “I expect us to move in the right direction and be in the top half of our conference. Once we get warmed up and winning it will get the ball rolling for the team and good things will start happening.”

More than baseball, the sport and juggling being a student athlete is always a life lesson. “I want to teach my athletes the whole package. To first be a good student, then a good athlete. Not everyone gets the opportunity to play collegiate ball. They need to enjoy it while they can because the lessons learned here will carry over in their careers, their day jobs, and their families.”

eastmensmagazine.com /// 19

IN THE WOODS

By Joshua C. Milligan

T

MARCH MADNESS here’s just something about the month of March. If you are a farmer, then you are spending your time praying that you will have a wet summer. If you are in college, then you might be planning your Spring Break trip to Panama. If you are a hunter, then March just might be the beginning of a whole new season of hunting to which many people don’t pay attention.

It is well known that in the state of Texas that you can hunt hogs anytime of the year, anytime of the day, by any means possible. Such freedom is provided since they are a non-native invasive species that compete with our native wildlife for resources, not to mention their propensity to create an immense amount of damage across the state, tearing up the properties of both public areas and private landscapes. Even though you can hunt hogs all year, going after these creatures in March is a whole new ball game.

In this month, hogs are seemingly much more active. They can be easier to find, because they come out more often and hang out for longer periods of time. This makes it easier to bait pigs and keep them coming to a central location, making it less difficult to pinpoint where to hunt them. Here are a few tips on hunting hogs in the spring and how to make your outings much more successful:

BAITING When we take out our camera crew to film bow hunts for hogs for our own use, we try to be sure to make the best of our time. The single best way to ensure that hogs will be there is to bait and bait properly. If you were to get on Google and look up ways to bait hogs, you might find yourself staying up all night, reading thousands of ideas and never knowing which one to implement. Personally, we’ve tried Pig Liquor, Pig Out, Black Gold, diesel soaked towels, corn, powdered Jell-O packets, deer feeders, protein blocks, spoiled milk, outdated food, beer left in the sun, and you name it. The best we have ever used personally was leaving corn in a 5 gallon bucket, mixing it with milk, beer, Jell-O, diesel and water and then accidentally forgetting about it for 6 months, only to find it in the heat of July after my dad asked me what was in the buckets behind his shop. That was an interesting experiment that turned out disastrous after it spilled in the bed of my truck. I can honestly say that I have never smelled anything like that before and do not plan to ever again! But it definitely brought the hogs in, mainly because they were wondering what in the world that foul smell was.

In reality though, if you want to be economic and efficient when it comes to consistently bringing in hogs, our experiences have shown us that nothing works like Hog Wild. Hog Wild is a sweet smelling aroma of crushed berries that has an intense smell which can be picked up by your own nose from a long ways off. Many people claim that the best baits for wild pigs are the ones that smell terrible, but if you think about it, when was the last time you walked through the woods and smelled spoiled milk and hot beer? Hogs like to eat a vast variety of foods including berries and many other sweet types of pears that are natural to their environment. Using a sweet smelling product like Hog Wild, that is strong enough to be smelled from a great distance, is one of the best ways to attract hogs.

Using Hog Wild alone is not enough, though. We have tried the product by itself and have been able to bring in hogs with it, but they have a tendency to smell of it, lick at it, and then walk off. Hogs like to eat, so mixing Hog Wild with corn is the perfect combination. We like to dig two 3’ deep holes in the ground with a posthole digger, filing it up a third of the way with the mixture and then packing a thin layer of dirt on top, followed by filling another third of the hole the same way. Do this until you reach the top, then pack dirt down hard, followed by scattering the mix on top and all over. We do this for both holes and have seen great results. Burying the mix in this fashion makes it more difficult for hogs to get to all of the bait in one night, keeping them coming back for more. Usually, if you bait in the right spot, hogs will hit it up in no time, giving you almost instant results.

Hog Wild is readily available and can typically be found in your local feed supply stores or places like Wulf Outdoors and Academy for less than $10.00. If you are looking for a way to revamp your hog hunting or are even start out for the first time, it is strongly suggested that you try out this product and use this method of dispersal to get the best results possible.

20 | EAST - March 2013

PROPER PLACEMENT Baiting is only effective if you put it in the right spot. You cannot kill a bear if you’re not hunting in bear habitat, and the same rule applies for hogs.

Scouting around for current hog sign is crucial if you want to be successful.

Start by looking for low lying areas that retain moisture and stay cooler. Creeks, water holes and just plain muddy areas are the first places you should look.

Look for mud rubs on trees where hogs have scratched, and search for beaten down trails with fresh tracks that let you know they’ve been there recently.

Keep an eye out for large wallows in fresh mud and places that have been mutilated by rooting pigs. The most heavily torn up and beat down areas are where you want to bait.

If you want to shoot them closer to daylight hours, then spend time searching for bedding areas. These can be found in thick brush in cooler areas that help sleeping hogs beat the heat. Look for grass that has been pushed down where hogs have obviously been laying. You might even jump hogs out of their beds during the day when scouting, which is okay because it won’t scare them off permanently and gives you confidence that they are indeed bedding there. If that happens, leave the area alone for several days and then plan your attack.

If you don’t mind hunting them in the dark, which can be a huge adrenaline rush, then hunting the areas above will work to your advantage.

TRAIL CAMS AND BLINDS If you decide to get serious about hunting this species of wild ungulates, then put out trail cams near your baited holes to determine the average time they arrive. Make sure to get to your spot before the earliest time they have ever arrived so you don’t bust them out before you get into position.

Once, I was guiding my dad on a hog hunt where the hogs typically came right after sunset, but had once or twice come earlier. We got in the blind 20 minutes before the sun went down and no sooner than we sat down, the whole group came in. We got lucky and he stuck one, but 5 minutes later and it wouldn’t have happened.

If you have trees around your hole, hunting them out of tree stands tend to be easier because just like when deer hunting, your scent is higher. The added height also makes it easier to move without getting busted. If you want a real thrill, set up a pop-up blind and brush it in real well with natural brush, making it look as least out of place as possible. Go ahead and open up the windows

to the ground blind and leave it there a week or so before you hunt it to allow them to get used to it. I prefer to be on the ground when hunting these creatures because there’s just something about having a group of screaming boars right next to you that adds to the thrill of the hunt.

SPRING HOG HUNTING Hog hunting in March and even in to June can provide for a thrilling experience that helps to hone your overall hunting skill and prepare you for the challenges of the upcoming seasons. Going after them this time of the year, before the heat hits and slows them down, can generate more success and give you a major rush. It’s a rather cheap addiction that not only can provide tasty meat and trophy tusks, but it helps to cut down on the number of hogs running around in your immediate area. Using sweet baits, hunting the right spots and taking the time to properly set up your stands or blinds can help you to pinpoint feral hogs time after time. If you really want to attack your hog population, trapping this time of the year can provide more success than other times, as well. Be sure to take advantage of March and the opportunities it provides for an exciting hunting experience.

Joshua Milligan is a senior studying Business and Forestry & Wildlife Managment at Stephen F. Austin State University. He recently became the owner of Broken Pine outfitters. BPO is a film company that captures your once in a life time hunting excursions.

For more information, visit http://www.brokenpineoutfitters.com/ Joshua C. Milligan Owner/Cinematographer at Broken Pine Outfitters Hunting Film Crew 972-921-2810 brokenpineoutfitters@gmail.com

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22 | EAST - March 2013

TROPHY HUNTS TROPHY ROOM

Send a photo of your trophy hunt & information to photos@tjmag.com.

Submissions are free of charge.

Eagle on Sam Rayburn Lake

James Dykes, Sam Rayburn Lake

Meagan Patterson

Hardy Brown, 3, making sure his daddy’s buck was “super dead.”

Garret Dykes, Sam Rayburn Lake

The 10U Texas Legends won 1st Place in the Winter War Tournament in Longview, TX on February 23-24, 2013. Front Row: Spencer Alexander, Kail Wagoner, Asa Dawson, Kaden Reep, Julio Flores. Middle Row: Reid Hensley, Carter Murray, Kolton Koonce, Reid Boyett, Hank Warren. Top Row: Coaches Clint Warren and Brad Boyett. Not Pictured: Coach Chris Koonce.

The 9U Texas Legends won 1st Place in the Winter War Tournament in Longview, TX on February 23-24, 2013.

Front Row: Spencer Alexander, Kail Wagoner, Asa Dawson, Kaden Reep, Julio Flores. Middle Row: Reid Hensley, Carter Murray, Kolton Koonce, Reid Boyett, Hank Warren. Top Row: Coaches Clint Warren and Brad Boyett. Not Pictured: Coach Joey Jara. eastmensmagazine.com /// 23

Riley Smith Hudson High School

Riley Smith is a senior pitcher for the #15 state-ranked Hudson Hornets. Pitcher of the Year for District 18-3A in 2012, Smith looks to continue his domination on the mound in the 2013 season. Hard work, determination, a positive attitude, and a 92 mph fast ball are just a few of the many factors contributing to Smith's success.

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CMC Recycling buys appliances, iron, aluminum cans, car bodies, copper, and brass. Industrial container services are also available.

Interested in selling your scrap metal?

Visit your local CMC Recycling facility at

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