2020 5 Sep_Oct TTHA Issue

[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

CEO'S LETTER September/October 2020 Volume 45, No. 5 www.ttha.com

Looking Forward

I

n our last issue of The Journal, I noted how I was “cautiously optimistic” that TTHA’s Hunters Extravaganzas would still be held, even in the midst of a pandemic-crazed world. As most of you know, that optimism was blown away with the surge of the virus in June and July.

In the midst of the chaos, though, I really have to commend the team here at TTHA. Together, we analyzed every possible opportunity, but in the end, there was no other option but to cancel the shows. Honestly, we spent a couple of days pretty much in mourning, but then picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and went back to the business of being “The Voice of Texas Hunting.”

Like most of you, I am always looking forward to hunting season, beginning on the last day of the prior season. I love getting out to my hunting property in the off-season, improving my blinds and stands, nurturing food plots, upgrading the lodging, and dreaming of the deer I think I’ll get to shoot this fall. In these wacky times, that’s been a large part of what has helped keep me sane in the middle of the weirdness these last few months.

In one sense, this year is no different. I’m definitely looking forward to getting out and hunting. What is different this year is just how badly I want to get out and go hunting. I can’t recall ever looking forward to any hunting season as much as I am this one. I am really craving the peace, the solitude, the experience of nature, and the adventure of hunting – not to mention, of course, that I also need to refill my freezer.

I’m hopeful, too—again, “cautiously optimistic”—that we’ll be able to experience the camaraderie of hunting camp with our friends outside of our immediate family.

What we refer to as the “Trophy Experience” here at TTHA is, to me, more important than any other aspect of hunting. I personally enjoy a hunt much more when I can spend time around the table or a campfire with family and friends that I don’t get to see more than a few times each year. In my extended family, hunting is the catalyst for most family gatherings. That is what I’m really looking forward to!

In the meantime, Texas hunting needs your support. Here are three ways you can do that: First, if you are not a member of TTHA, there’s no better time than now to join.

If you are a member and your membership is about to expire, please go to www.ttha.com and renew. If you join or renew between now and Oct. 31, 2020, you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing for a Kubota Sidekick UTV and an awesome Lone Star Beer-themed hunting blind from Texas Wildlife Supply.

Second, hundreds—if not thousands—of small businesses and nonprofits here in Texas support the hunting industry. Several of them will be featured in the November/December issue of The Journal. They need your support, so please send some business their way.

Third, renew your hunting license and get out there and hunt on, Trophy Hunter Nation!

Official Publication of The Texas Trophy Hunters Association, Ltd.

326 Sterling Browning Rd. San Antonio, TX 78232-1220 210-523-8500 • info@ttha.com

Founder Jerry Johnston Publisher Texas Trophy Hunters Association Chief Executive Officer Dave Keith 210-632-3413 •dave@ttha.com Editor Horace Gore Executive Editor Deborah Keene Field Editor Jason Shipman Associate/Online Editor Martin Malacara Graphic Designers Faith Peña Dust Devil Publishing/Todd & Tracey Woodard

Staff Writers Jim Heffelfinger, Dr. James C. Kroll, Will Leschper, Ted Nugent, Brandon Ray, Gary Roberson Contributing Writers John Goodspeed, Nick Hanslik, Judy Jurek, Lee Leschper, Alyssa Loth, Sheyanne Luckman, Paul Stafford, Tess Talley Director of Sales Christina Pittman 210-491-2126 • christina@ttha.com Sales Representatives Debra Copeland 210-430-0473 • dcopeland@ttha.com Tim Hinojosa 210-396-2160 • tim@ttha.com Advertising Production Deborah Keene 210-288-9491 • deborah@ttha.com Membership/Marketing Director Lauren Conklin 210-491-2133 • lauren@ttha.com Trade Show Director Christina Pittman Administrative Assistant/Event Coordinator Jennifer Beaman Accounting Assistant Sandra Pastran Hunters Extravaganza® is a registered trademark of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association®

To carry our magazine in your store, please call 210-491-2127 • deborah@ttha.com

Dave Keith, CEO Texas Trophy Hunters Association TTHA protects, promotes and preserves Texas wildlife resources and hunting heritage for future generations. Founded in 1975, TTHA is a membershipbased organization. Its bimonthly magazine, The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters®, is available via membership and newsstands. TTHA hosts the Hunters Extravaganza® outdoor expositions, renowned as the largest whitetail hunting shows in the South. For membership information, please join at www.ttha.com or contact TTHA Membership Services at (877) 261-2541.

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THE JOURNAL OF THE TEXAS TROPHY HUNTERS - The Voice of Texas Hunting®

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CONTENTS

[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

FEATURES 20 Dr. Deer’s Prescription

| By Dr. James Kroll

24 Biggest Winner of the TTHA Deer Contest

| By Jason Shipman

30 Is There A Perfect Texas Deer Rifle?

| By Horace Gore

48

44 Fall’s First Hunt

| By Judy Jurek

48 Hunting Season Forecast 2020

| By Will Leschper

58 Never Too Old to Change

| By Gary Roberson

76 2020 Riflescope Buyer’s Guide

76

94

| By John Goodspeed

84 High Plains Whitetails | By Brandon Ray

94 Pronghorn On Wide Open Spaces | By Jason Shipman

99 The Deer of Alaska Part II

| By Lee Leschper

112 Un-American Whitetails

| By Jim Heffelfinger

130

Up on a Stump

| By Horace Gore

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112 THE JOURNAL OF THE TEXAS TROPHY HUNTERS - The Voice of Texas Hunting®

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all new

PURSUIT SERIES

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[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

CONTENTS COLUMNS 10 Hunting Pioneers 14 Fence Posts

34 Beyond The Hunt 62 Nuge’s Soundboard

66 Must Haves 71 Jr. Trophy Hunters

Corner

54

90

124 134

The Draw

Texas Women in the Outdoors

136 Blast from the Past 137 Kamp Kitchen 139 Feeding Times & Moon Phases

124

134

140 Hunt’s End

ON THE COVER Photo By: Marty Berry

MEMBER STORIES 38 Legendary Slump Buster

| By Nick Hanslik

54 The Rut Is Real

| By Tess Talley

90 Staggering Strength of

104 Mountain Lion Hunt of a Lifetime

Whitetail season is just around the corner. We’ve all been cooped up long enough! Get a preview on page 48.

| By Sheyanne Luckman

118 Aoudad Roundup

| By Paul Stafford

Persistence and Patience

| By Alyssa Loth

The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters, 1982 ISSN-08941602, is published bimonthly (a total of 6 issues) by The Texas Trophy Hunters Association Ltd., 326 Sterling Browning Rd., San Antonio, TX 78232-1220, Phone (210) 523-8500. All rights reserved. Periodical postage paid in San Antonio, Texas 78232-1220 and Additional Mailing Offices. Subscriptions: $35 per year includes membership in TTHA. Phone (210) 523-8500. Advertising: For information on rates, deadlines, mechanical requirements, etc., call (210) 523-8500. Insertion of advertising in this publication is a service to the readers and no endorsement or guarantees by the publisher to are expressed or implied. Published material reflects the views of individual authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the association.

Contributions: should be sent via email to editor@ttha.com, or mailed to the Editor, Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters, 326 Sterling Browning Rd., San Antonio, TX 78232-1220. They must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope or return postage, and the publisher assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. Any material accepted is subject to revision as is necessary in our sole discretion to meet the requirements of our publication. The act of mailing a manuscript and/or material shall constitute an express warranty by the contributor that the material is original and in no way an infringement upon the rights of others. Photographs can either be RAW, TIFF, or JPEG formats, and should be high resolution and at least 300 dpi. All photographs submitted for publication in “Hunt’s End” become the sole property of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association Ltd. Moving? Please send notice of address change (new and old address) 6 weeks in advance to Texas Trophy Hunters Association, P.O. Box 3000, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9918. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters, Texas Trophy Hunters Association, P.O. Box 3000, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9918.

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WE ARE TTHA

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VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

TTHA Members Can Win BIG

oin or re-new your TTHA membership today and you JSupply could win a Kubota Sidekick ATV or a Texas Wildlife 5x7 Trailer Blind. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31, 2020, so don’t delay!

For more info, see pages 74/75 or visit TTHA.com.

Actual prizes may vary from images shown.

Did You Plan to Enter the Deer Competition at the 2020 Hunters Extravaganzas?

ue to circumstances beyond our control, the 2020 Hunters Extravaganzas were canceled, along with the Annual Deer D Competition we host in San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth every year. Were you planning on entering? Well, don’t worry. We will allow entries from both the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons in the upcoming 2021 contests.

Here are a few hunters that had their heart set on entering in 2020:

Alyssa Keene

Matt Helms

Knox Wilson

What’s YOUR Trophy Experience?

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September/October 2020 |

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LYNDON SCHATZ

By Horace Gore

L

Editor's note: This is the sixteenth in a series of pioneers to be recognized for their contributions, past and present, to Texas hunting.

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TPWD

Lyndon retired from Texas Parks and Wildlife in 2001, after 36 years of wildlife work with the department. He and Betty live in Victoria, where they have resided since they were married.

photo

yndon Schatz of Victoria is a pioneer of our hunting heritage. As a wildlife biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for over 36 years, Lyndon supervised and participated in the trapping and transplanting of thousands of whitetailed deer and Rio Grande turkey throughout much of Texas. A lot of deer and turkey hunters today can thank Lyndon for establishing the deer and turkey populations they hunt each fall and spring.

In addition to the whitetails and turkey, Lyndon and others on his team trapped hundreds of pronghorns and stocked them in West Texas counties, along with Eastern turkey and prairie chickens in East Texas and the Coastal Prairie. Several hundred mule deer were trapped in Terrell County and moved to the Panhandle. Some of the whitetailed deer were traded to Mexico for

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Schatz says a drop-net trap deployed from high poles on corners and center would catch 15 to 25 deer at a time.

www.TTHA www.

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the

photo

James Kroll

bighorn sheep from Baja California.

Wild Rio Grande turkey were traded to California for ring-neck pheasants for stocking on the Gulf Coast.

Lyndon grew up in a farming family in Washington County. He finished high school in Rosenberg, participating in the FFA Club, raising prize animals that helped pay for his college expenses. He graduated from Texas A&I, now Texas A&M-Kingsville, with a degree in animal science. After college, he went back to the farm near Rosenberg.

Soon afterward, Lyndon went to work with the old Game and Fish Commission in the Hill Country, helping census deer and trapping turkeys. Later, he entered the military in 1963, spending 18 months of his tour in Germany. After the Army, Lyndon went back to the farm and held a couple of jobs in town, along with his farm work.

In September 1965, Lyndon got the opportunity to go back to work for the newly-named Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, trapping deer on the Aransas Wildlife Refuge near Austwell.

When he wasn’t trapping deer, Lyndon worked on the Kerr Wildlife Area near Hunt.

In November 1966, Emit Smith, supervisor for Federal Aid Project W-28-D, Trapping and Transplanting of Game Birds and Animals, passed away from a heart attack and Lyndon took over the project, because he had been working with Emit on the Aransas Refuge. From that point on, Lyndon was responsible for all trapping and moving of birds and animals for TPWD. “During my first few years, we trapped deer in box traps, one deer at a time,” Lyndon said. “That was a slow way to trap, until Charles Ramsey on the Kerr Wildlife Area devised a drop-net trap using a large net dropped from high poles on corners and center with dynamite caps. This system would catch 15 to 25 deer at a time.”

Later on, the trappers used long nets across senderos to drive deer into with a helicopter. The final method they used was a 10x10-foot net shot from a

Pass

gun out of a helicopter. This method was good for catching individual deer.

“When stocking deer in a new area, we tried to put about 75 does and 25 bucks on each site,” Lyndon said. “With turkey, we used about 3-to-1 numbers for hens and gobblers. Through the years, I trapped over 6,000 deer.

Turkeys were trapped on 37 sites and transplanted to 41 new sites. A high percentage of the stocked areas were successful.”

In later years when trapping slowed down, Lyndon worked on the Oak Prairie Regulatory Project, which involved deer management, seasons and bag limits, and research projects involving whitetailed deer, pheasants, coyotes, and bald eagles on the Gulf Coast. Lyndon retired from Texas Parks and Wildlife in 2001, after 36 years of wildlife work with the department. He and Betty live in Victoria, where they have resided since they were married in 1968. Their two children are now grown and gone and Lyndon spends most of his time outside doing all sorts of odd jobs for himself and the neighbors. “I retired from the state in 2001 because all the work had gone to computers. I like being outside, working with my hands and getting dirty,” Lyndon said. “A farm boy doesn’t like to be hemmed up in an office, so I retired.”

So what does Lyndon, who is 80, do all day? “I don’t do anything in the morning,” he replied, “and I finish up in the evening what I didn’t do in the morning.”

I’ve known Lyndon for 55 years and worked with him from 1965 to 1971.

He is as straight as a string, and a fine American. His time with TPWD trapping game birds and animals and moving them to new places, along with all the work he has done with Coastal Prairie research projects, makes him a pioneer of our hunting heritage.

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Torch

Do your part to preserve our hunting heritage.

Share your passion with the next generation.

Pass the torch.

Photos courtesy of Michael Marbach, Christian Outdoor Alliance How do you pass the torch? Share your photos with us. Send them to editor@ttha. com. Make sure they’re 1-5 MB in file size.

September/October 2020 |

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lished in 1 9 37

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SUPPORT THE SAME MISSION

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Since 1937, volunteers have been the lifeblood of Ducks Unlimited. Over 60,000 of our volunteers help to raise more than $50 million dollars for North American wetlands each year. Additionally, becoming a DU volunteer is a

fun way to meet new people who share your passion for the outdoors and hunting heritage. Learn how to become a leader in wetland conservation by visiting ducks.org/volunteer.

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VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

HUNTING NEWS

FENCE POSTS

NEWS ABOUT HUNTING, GUN RIGHTS, AND LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act The U.S. Senate passed the historic Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422) in June, which represents the single greatest commitment to increasing public access and advancing conservation in a lifetime, on a strong bipartisan vote of 73-25. The Great American Outdoors Act will provide $9.5 billion over 5 years to

address the crumbling infrastructure on America’s public lands and waters. While the National Park Service will receive $6.5 billion in funding, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) led a successful effort to secure the inclusion of $3 billion to repair and maintain public land infrastructure overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),

Thankful for All Platinum Life Members When TTHA Founder Jerry Johnston opened up the Platinum Life Membership in the mid-1980s, several old friends of TTHA were eager to join the new fraternity. Mark Herfort (left) of Rosenberg became No.1, followed closely by Laura Berry (No. 2) of Corpus Christi (center). Owen West (right)

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September/October 2020

and U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which provides critically important recreational opportunities for America’s sportsmen and women.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds Senate passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. Today’s vote demonstrates the bipartisan support for advancing conservation and increasing access for hunters and anglers,” said

of San Antonio became the third Platinum Life Member and today there are hundreds of PLMs in Texas and elsewhere.

They stood in front when the organization needed funding, so all PLMs are to be commended for supporting Texas Trophy Hunters, “The Voice of Texas Hunting.”

On TTHA’s 45th anniversary, we want to recognize the hundreds of dedicated Platinum Life Members. A complete list of PLMs is on page 108.

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HUNTING NEWS CSF President Jeff Crane. “When signed into law, this bill will provide much needed support for public lands and waters and boost the already formidable outdoor economy. CSF extends our sincere thanks to the Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) members that voted to support these priorities.”

The inclusion of funding specifically for BLM, USFWS, and USFS lands and waters will ensure that Americans have the ability to access critically important hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities. Over 246 million acres, or 99%, of BLM lands are open to hunting and fishing while the USFS reports that 99% of the 193 million acres it administers are open to hunting and at least 99% of USFS administered rivers, streams, and lakes are open to fishing.

Collectively, BLM, USFWS, and USFS annually support more than 25 million hunting days and nearly 45 million fishing days, highlighting the importance of these lands for America’s sportsmen and women as well as the outdoor economy.

Additionally, funding for maintenance backlog will create over 100,000 employment opportunities.

The Great American Outdoors Act also provides full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million annually.

LWCF is one of the most successful and influential conservation programs in our nation’s history. As a testament to the impact of LWCF, the program has completed a conservation, recreation, or access project in every single county in the country. S. 3422 also secures $15 million annually to increase public access for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other forms of outdoor recreation.

The bill moves to the House for its consideration. — courtesy Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation

Texas Outdoor Annual Goes All-Digital for 2020-2021 In the latest change driven by the current public health situation, the Texas Outdoor Annual Hunting, Fishing and Boating Regulations will be going all-digital for the upcoming hunting and fishing license season, starting when licenses go on sale on Aug. 15. Due to www.TTHA www.

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VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

the economic impacts of the virus, the Outdoor Annual booklets will not be printed, but the 2020-2021 season regulations will be available online through the website OutdoorAnnual.com and the free Outdoor Annual mobile app.

“We are well aware that this change may be disappointing to some of our long-time outdoorsmen and women that have become accustomed to bringing the Outdoor Annual booklets on their hunting and fishing trips. Be assured, it is not going away and will still be accessible via the web and our special Outdoor Annual Mobile app,” said Carter Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “We are doing everything we can to ensure hunters, anglers and boaters are aware of this change and utilize the benefits of the digital Outdoor Annual during the upcoming seasons.”

Texas Monthly, long-time publisher of the Texas Outdoor Annual, made it possible for TPWD to provide regulations booklets and a mobile app. In recent years, an increasing number of hunters and anglers have turned to the website and mobile app to get the most up-todate information about regulations, including any changes in chronic wasting disease zones. Last year alone, more than 2.8 million users visited the Outdoor Annual website to access current regulations, significantly more than the 2.3 million printed copies distributed during the same time.

“Texas Monthly has enjoyed a decadeslong public-private partnership with TPWD which made it possible for the Texas Outdoor Annual print and digital versions to be produced using revenue from sponsors and advertisers,” said Scott Brown, president of Texas Monthly.

“2020 has presented our partnership and the world with a host of new challenges connected to COVID-19. Our shared goal is that hunters, anglers and boaters will find the Outdoor Annual website and the significantly enhanced mobile app to be user-friendly ways to get the most up-todate information and, on the mobile app, to access the regulations without needing internet connectivity.”

The Outdoor Annual mobile app provides interactive features not found in print, including the ability to view

regulations offline and in remote locations, and to carry a digital copy of one’s license. Additional app features include location-based functionality such as “Seasons and Regulations by Current Location,” “Where to Fish,” “Game and Fish Identification,” “Finding a Nearby License Retailer” and push notifications with useful information.

Hunters and anglers also have the ability to print copies of relevant portions of the Outdoor Annual before heading to the field. All hunting, fishing and boating regulations can be found in the online version of the Outdoor Annual.

The Outdoor Annual website and mobile app currently show the 20192020 regulations in effect through Aug. 31, 2020. The mobile app is available for download at www.outdoorannual.com/ app and will be automatically updated Aug. 15 with the new 2020-2021 regulations that go into effect on Sept. 1, 2020.

The 2020-2021 hunting season dates can now be found on the Outdoor Annual website for hunters ready to start planning next season’s hunting trips.

—courtesy TPWD

TPWD Announces Funding Opportunity for Streamside Landowners The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking to expand public access to fishing and paddling on Texas rivers through leased access agreements with streamside landowners. Private streamside properties are essential to achieving this goal, and TPWD is requesting applications from landowners for the River Access and Conservation Areas program.

“Texas has over 40,000 miles of freeflowing rivers and creeks, and with 95% of the land held in private ownership, it can be a real challenge finding safe legal access to these waters.” said John Botros, TPWD River Access Coordinator. “We are really excited about this opportunity to create more private-public partnerships while expanding public access to the exceptional fishing and paddling resources that Texas rivers and creeks provide.”

The objective for TPWD is to establish lease agreements with landowners, resulting in increased river access for both

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anglers and paddlers.

Since 2012, 24 public river access leases have been established with cooperating landowners. These agreements for access area use enabled or enhanced paddling and river fishing on more than 211 miles of 10 different rivers across Texas. Find out more informa-

HUNTING NEWS

tion and review descriptions of all the outstanding river access areas supported through the leased access program by visiting the TPWD River Fishing page.

River Access and Conservation Areas are funded by a combination of sources including donations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, sales of the

A Biologist Looks At CWD Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease that affects cervids—deer, elk, and moose—by slowly destroying the brain stem and brain of an infected animal. The malady was discovered in wild whitetails in 2002 near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, in a four-county area. The hunting community was driven into a frenzy by the publicity given to the emergence of this “disease.” It caused deer hunters to go berserk.

Texas Trophy Hunters TV sent Jerry Johnston, Horace Gore and Brian Hawkins to investigate and film for television, the public reaction to this erupting malady, and to record the outburst of anti-deer sentiment that had come from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the local news media. Upon arrival at Mount Horeb, we were soon in the company of Dr. James Kroll, who was also involved with the “new deer disease.” The TV show won the Golden Moose Award from the Outdoor Channel TV, similar to an Academy Award. Texas Trophy Hunters TV filmed a follow-up show in 2004.

As a wildlife biologist and witness to the excited frenzy surrounding the CWD outbreak in Wisconsin deer, I find it difficult to describe the reaction of the DNR and the public, and the outcry that “deer hunting was over, and whitetailed deer were doomed.” Hunters were allowed to kill deer year-round to bring to check stations, and the entire deer hunting community in Wisconsin was in disarray. There also appeared to be a keen interest in finding evidence of CWD in the few Wisconsin deer breeding facilities.

Wisconsin’s news media denounced deer hunting and eating deer meat. In the end, all of the hullabaloo about CWD went for naught, except Wisconsin spend $34 million trying to eradicate the malady with rifles and sharpshooters and lost a generation of young deer hunters. Wisconsin has yet to recover from the adverse publicity given by CWD in 2002.

After Wisconsin, all of the states with both whitetails and mule deer, including Texas, began to search for CWD and they found it in some 24 States. Apparently, CWD can be found anywhere, even the White Sands of New Mexico. The more you search, the more you find.

Millions of Texas dollars and exaggerated time and effort have been spent to eradicate or control this “deadly disease.” Interestingly enough, Texas whitetails have increased in both numbers and quality during the 18 years of this malady. I hesitate to call it a disease because CWD does not have the properties of a true disease.

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Texas Rivers Conservation License Plate, and grant awards through the U.S. Farm Bill and Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

For more information or to submit an application, please see the River Access Request for Applications on the TPWD Grants Page. Landowners are encouraged

To my knowledge, the efforts of TPWD have discovered less than a half-dozen wild whitetails that tested positive for CWD, out of a sampling of some 60,000 deer—a questionable effort. However, the program to eradicate or control CWD was necessary to satisfy a need to “protect” the turf of deer management in Texas. From a biological standpoint, wild white-tailed deer are very capable of resisting a slowemerging malady like CWD, which affects less than l ⁄10 of one percent of the deer, that are at the same time adding 40 to 60 percent recruits to the population. The average age of deer in Texas is less than three years, which tends to control any outbreak of at least 26 diseases that are constant to cervids in Texas.

Folks, it’s a numbers game. CWD does not have the properties to affect white-tailed deer numbers, in Texas or anywhere else. Today, deer habitats in Texas are saturated.

Whitetails have increased to some four million on 100 million acres of habitat. Recent research at UC San Diego has shown that CWD cannot affect humans, and hunters continue to bring home 15 million pounds of “America’s healthy red meat.” So, you can talk all day about the deadly nature of CWD, but when the sun goes down, CWD will have no effect on humans or the longevity of white-tailed deer in Texas.

CWD has been a thorn in the side of deer breeders, but has been good for researchers, veterinarians, TAHC, and even TPWD, who have been blessed with extra money and grants to study CWD, and with testing thousands of animals. However, CWD has probably been with us a very long time—maybe thousands of years. We simply have discovered it, since it is not likely that such a malady just showed up out of thin air.

In time, CWD will fall into the long list of diseases that affect Texas whitetails—when all of the state and federal agendas have been salved, and the money has been spent.

Such is the world of wildlife science and deer management.

Have you heard anything lately about “mad cow disease”?

The outdoor recreation of hunting whitetails is a Texas tradition. Deer herds are thriving and doing well. Hunting licenses bought by the 700,000 deer hunters remains the cornerstone of TPWD finances, so deer hunters do not need to be regularly cautioned about eating venison or handling deer during the hunt. Deer hunting should be celebrated, rather than being the constant subject of disease and false rumors.

A wise man would say, “Don’t mess with Texas whitetails!”

—Horace Gore

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HUNTING NEWS to apply at any time, however, to receive preference for 2021 funding cycle, applications should be received by September 30, 2020.—courtesy TPWD

Navajo Nation to Purchase Remington?

The Navajo Nation Council may be looking into resurrecting a deal to purchase Remington Arms Co. for $300 million. The Wall Street Journal reported late June the firearms manufacturer prepares for Chapter 11 protection for the second time since 2018, and is in talks again with the Navajo Nation.

According to the Navajo Times, in 2018, then-Speaker LoRenzo Bates of the Navajo Nation stated that a proposal to purchase Remington was brought forth by the Office of the Controller—under the Executive Branch—and presented to the Síhasin Fund Subcommittee, the Budget and Finance Committee, and members of President Russell Begaye’s Administration. According to Bates, the proposal was never finalized and there was no official offer to Remington. But at the time Begaye stated he first learned of the alleged $525 million cash proposal through a New York Times article, and said the Economic Council and the Division of Economic Development were unaware of any negotiations to purchase Remington. He wondered whether the Council had gone over the administration’s head to negotiate secretly with Remington, which Bates and others denied, the Navajo Times reported.

At the time President Jonathan Nez, who was Navajo Nation Vice President, said he was not aware of the deal or Begaye’s stance on it. Now two years later Remington is apparently back on the table and the discussion is still happening in secret. The Budget and Finance Committee, during a June 23 special meeting, tabled legislation 0133-20, sponsored by the committee’s chair Jamie Henio and cosponsored by Speaker Seth Damon, which may have to do with the sale.

The legislation approves a $300 million investment in an unnamed company, stating the deal was under a non-disclosure agreement, according to the paper.

The Master Investment Policy for the Navajo Nation specifically authorizes www.TTHA www.

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the Budget and Finance Committee to approve direct investments in non-public companies, either equity or debt bases.

The legislation was tabled in order to have a work session with the Investment Committee.

Although this legislation had gone through the five-day public comment period it did not specifically tell the public what company was under consideration.

There were no comments left and Budget and Finance has the final authority to approve the purchase, according to the paper.

When asked about the current purchase, Nez brought up the proposal from two years ago.

“The Remington proposal was first discussed among the Navajo Nation leaders a couple years ago and was done behind the scenes,” Nez said to the paper. “The Navajo public had legitimate concerns that they were not being made aware of the discussion and the transparency was lacking. Once again, the Navajo people demand that the committees who are discussing this proposal do so openly, and not in executive session, because it is the Navajo people’s money.”

According to AL.com, the state of Alabama cancelled some $3 million in incentives to Remington for failing to meet hiring and payroll target goals at its manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Remington still deals with ongoing litigation related to the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Families of victims filed suit against the company in 2014.

QDMA, NDA to Unify Seizing an opportunity to work more effectively for deer during a challenging period in wildlife conservation, the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) and the National Deer Alliance (NDA) will unify their two organizations into what will soon become a new supergroup in deer conservation. The venture will combine the strengths, resources and core initiatives of QDMA and NDA into a single, modernized outfit able to serve deer, hunters and the industry more effectively at a time when the need is greatest.

Boards of directors of the two organizations completed unanimous approval of unification in late June. Nick Pinizzotto,

President and CEO of NDA, will lead the new group.

“While there’s no question the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic has hit many organizations hard, we are turning the tables by using the situation, combined with the many challenges deer and hunters are facing, as an opportunity to become laser focused on delivering a mission that serves deer, hunters and industry effectively and efficiently,” Pinizzotto said.

Pinizzotto will unify the two teams through an immediate strategic planning process that will finalize the organization’s name and structure before the fall 2020 hunting season. Unification will be complete by the end of the year, providing a clear direction for work heading into 2021.—courtesy QDMA

Protections Upheld for Yellowstone Grizzly Bears On July 8, a federal court upheld a lower court decision reversing a Trump administration policy that eliminated protections for grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park. A three-judge panel agreed with a prior ruling that the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) acted contrary to the best available science in its determination that grizzly bears near the park would no longer be listed as a threatened species.

FWS delisted grizzlies in 2017, affecting about 700 bears in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. At that time, proponents said that increases in bear populations, conservation efforts and state protection policies justified delisting the creature. However, opponents said that threatened species protections were still necessary because it was too soon to tell if Yellowstone grizzlies had recovered.

“This is a tremendous victory for all who cherish Yellowstone’s grizzly bears and for those who’ve worked to ensure they’re protected under the Endangered Species Act,” said Andrea Zaccardi, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. However, Sen. John Barrasso (RWyo.), who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, called the decision “flat wrong” in a statement.

—courtesy The Hill

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COVID-19, Social Unrest and The Future of Hunting

By Dr. James C. Kroll

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y phone has been ringing off the proverbial wall the last few weeks because of people wanting my thoughts about how all this unrest and a worldwide pandemic will affect the future of hunting and the hunting industry. The majority fear it will mean the end of all we hold dear about the out-of-doors. So, I decided to present my analysis and predictions about the future. One thing I can say right off the bat is that my parents’ generation—the Greatest Generation—no longer have the monopoly on bad times.

Since March, Americans have been “locked down” at home, often scared to even venture out to buy groceries.

The media is awash with dire predictions about physical and economic dangers caused by the virus and riots, never once considering the intense emotional and physical harm being done to Americans. Frankly, I am tired of hearing the over-used phrase, “new normal.” What was “normal” before last spring?

I will get to the answers, but first I wish to explain what I have learned about society and myself in the last few months.

The “old normal,” in my opinion was a hectic, superficial world in which average Americans worked too hard and too long, sadly neglecting themselves and their families. It even spilled over into hunting and fishing. I have written many times about over-emphasis on “success” and the size of the antlers.

“Get there, get it done, and get home!” is the rally call.

Whereas, as a young man, the joy of hunting was in the experience itself. Hunting has become a competitive sport and the family gathering at the ranch or lease is a thing of the past. Friends are people we never have met, except on the internet.

The modern hunter often is alone, searching for that monster buck, so he can post photographs and videos on his or her favorite social media. The search commonly takes us to outfitters and guides, who have a reputation of getting the job done. Success rate has become a mandatory attribute of a good guide. To some international hunters, “hunting” is finding the right outfitter. The joy of being with family and

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friends has taken second fiddle to this pursuit.

Then it was as if God himself stepped in and said, “Enough, sit down and think!” And, we indeed have had lots of time to think at home with our families. The dinner table that once held piles of papers, magazines and unused toys from Amazon has been cleared and people actually sit around it, eat food cooked at home, and talk. We have gotten to know each other again, and yes, it will have a lasting impact on what we do in the future.

So, I guess there truly will be a “new normal.”

What do I see in the future for the hunting, fishing and the outdoor industry? It cannot be refuted there are international outfitters right now who will not be in business next year.

African outfitters in particular will hurt the most. Many of the hunts booked last winter will not happen. The world has become a scary place full of disease and danger. Just think about the number of physical interactions you would have on a trip to Africa, not to mention what you will face once you get there. What are the chances you will contract the dreaded virus, or the next yet to be discovered pathogen? What about cancelled flights and uncertain accommodations?

I have been intimately involved with the hunting and wildlife management industry the majority of my life. One of my joys has been to participate in the annual Hunters Extravaganzas in Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio, renewing old friendships with vendors and attendees. When I began my career, the hunting industry was comprised of “mom and pop” companies, who grew out of garages from a passion for creating solutions to hunters’ needs. In recent times, these family-owned businesses have been “aggregated” by huge companies, driven by improving the bottom-line, rather than a quality product.

This has taken most to China, where production is streamlined and unit cost reduced. Production costs were reduced, all right, but so was quality and little thought was given to vulnerability of the supply chain. As I write this, there are companies that have no idea whether or not they will be able

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Al Brothers (left), Horace Gore (center), and Dr. Kroll have more than 100 years of combined wildlife biology experience. They’ve seen the best and worst of times. Their advice: This too shall pass.

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“To everyone’s surprise, states where you have to apply for tags are reporting record applications. Every day, someone calls to ask if I know of a hunting lease here in Texas. I have had more inquiries about management assistance than ever before.” to deliver products this summer.

But, enough gloom and doom. I see change coming, and it already is happening. One of the most common questions I am asked is, what is going to happen to deer hunting this year?

Rumors abound concerning loss of hunters and fishers in almost every state. There is absolutely no truth to any of these.

To everyone’s surprise, states where you have to apply for tags are reporting record applications. Everyday someone calls to ask if I know of a hunting lease here in Texas. I have had more inquiries about management assistance than ever before.

Bass Pro Shops’ founder, Johnny Morris, recently reported sales of fishing equipment and boats are off the charts. Americans are coming home and heading to the woods and waters with family and friends. Sociologists are reporting people are not as inclined to go out to eat anymore. They have learned being at home can be far

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more enjoyable than some restaurant or bar, elbow to elbow with a crowd, and yelling at each other over the cacophony.

Some of the greatest benefactors of the epidemic have been farm and garden stores. Our Lowe’s and Home Depot both ran out of vegetable plants three times this spring. My feed store manager told me a lady came in and bought all of their sweet corn seed.

When asked about how much acreage she was planting, she said, “Just my backyard. And by the way, what is fertilizer?” It is safe to say, we now have some of the neatest landscapes in our neighborhoods than ever. The folks who call me about buying land, universally explain it is to create a family heritage that will last for generations.

In the future, outfitters who offer a family-oriented experience, not just a trophy, will be the real winners. This will require emphasis on providing a diversity of outdoor activities. Ones that produce lasting memories and family

relationships. This is one area I have to say, the Millennials have it right!

They place more stock in acquiring experiences than more stuff.

Manufacturers now are making short and long-term plans for dealing with uncertain supply chains. One of these folks recently told me, “We are working out a plan to make due with what we have coming from China, but while we do that, develop new supply chains here at home.” I predict marketing will emphasize quality and durability, rather than the gimmick. Americans are learning they don’t need a new shirt every month, rather a cherished garment that brings back the memories of life.

At Trophy Hunters, we always have been about experiences and family. That is what I love about our organization.

I have to admit, we have strayed a few times, but the central theme has not wavered. We, too, were a “mom and pop” company, created from a garage.

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Kyle Seipp won the random drawing at last year's Hunters Extravaganza shows for a whitetail hunt on the Hogan Wilderness Retreat. He shot this excellent buck there.

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T

he Annual Deer Competition at the Hunters Extravaganzas is a highly anticipated event providing quite the draw at the shows held every year in August. For members, it’s a chance to showcase their trophies and for onlookers it’s a chance to see some of the best deer taken each year. With firsthand knowledge, it takes quite a bit of work to host the event, but the excitement at the awards ceremony and display of awesome antlers really make it a special event to be a part of.

After all, it would be hard to have a proper deer hunting show without deer for everyone to see.

Each year, after the shows are over in August, two random drawing winners get selected from TTHA’s deer contest entries.

One winner is drawn from the youth entries and wins a hunt on the Rabke’s R Diamond Ranch. Another winner is drawn from the adult entries and wins a hunt on the Hogan Wilderness Retreat.

Kyle Seipp from Dripping Springs arguably may have been the biggest winner of last year’s deer contest. Awards are presented for a myriad of categories such as “People’s Choice” and “Best of Show.” Kyle placed respectably with his beautiful nine-point buck taken in Kansas the prior hunting season, but

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won big when he was chosen as the random drawing winner for the hunt at the Hogan Wilderness Retreat.

“I laughed it off as a joke when my dad called to tell me I had won the hunt,” Kyle said. “I guess he had seen it on social media somewhere.” Reality began to set in a few minutes later when Kyle received the call from Debbie Keene at the TTHA office. “She informed me that I’d won and the ranch would be in contact to set up the hunt,” he said. “I was so excited, and still really couldn’t believe it was happening!”

Kyle has entered TTHA’s deer contest several years running and has taken some respectable bucks. He works for the University of Texas at Austin in the office of management and administration. He enjoys the outdoors and hunts as often as his schedule will allow. “I have taken some nice whitetails and exotics and would really like to take a nice mulie,” he said. “My real passion is bowhunting.” His past experiences leading up to this point would help serve as preparation for what was yet to come.

A plan was in place and Kyle would soon arrive at the Hogan Wilderness Retreat for the scheduled hunt in early November.

He arrived late in the evening and met me and the ranch own-

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ers, Barry and Liz Hogan, before settling in at the lodge.

“The hunt would begin the following morning and I was excited with the anticipation of the hunt ahead of us,” Kyle said.

The next morning the hunt began early with an arrival to the blind concealed by darkness. “The first deer that showed up at daybreak was younger, but incredibly impressive,” Kyle said. “He had it all. A wide spread, great tine length, and long main beams. He was the kind of the buck that would buckle most any hunter’s knees!” Several other deer filtered through, including a brief encounter with a great eight-point that fit the bill for Kyle, but the morning hunt ended without firing a shot.

Having arrived to the ranch late the evening before, Kyle really had not had a chance to see the lay of the land.

A quick tour was in order before lunch and a midday rest.

“The ranch was absolutely stunning! Perhaps the best way to describe it would simply be serene,” Kyle said. After a tour and a quick rest, it was back to the hunting stand.

The afternoon hunt yielded a great display of bucks, both young and old, but no real opportunities for a buck for Kyle. At one point, all attention shifted to a new deer approaching and Kyle watched as a huge typical-framed buck made an appearance. “It was truly a sight to behold,” Kyle said. “If you have never had the pleasure or great opportunity to see true management come together, you Jacob Wilson with his entry from should put a hunt such as this on your bucket list right last year's Hunters Extravaganza now.” at Houston.

The sun disappeared on the horizon through the trees and gave way to darkness as he made the trip back to the lodge empty handed. “I was a bit nervous at that point,” Kyle said. “The morning hunt would be our last. We were JACOB WILSON’S YOUTH HUNT literally in the ninth hour of the hunt.” Nervous but still POSTPONED very optimistic, we made a decision to try a different area Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jacob Wilson’s youth hunt on of the ranch for the last hunt. the Rabke R Diamond Ranch near Willow City in Gillespie County The following morning began well ahead of daybreak for the 2019-20 season was postponed until October 2020. The in a new stand. “As the sun came up, you could see the hunt was originally scheduled for Jan 31-Feb 2, but was canceled topography of this blind setup was just optimum,” Kyle when Stan Rabke had surgery. The hunt was rescheduled for later in said. “It was basically a series of saddles and fingers all February, but Jacob caught the flu the day before the hunt. Jacob’s filtering into a meadow that we sat overlooking.” There sports schedule interfered with another date, so the hunt was was only one problem, and it was a rather big one. No postponed until this October, when Jacob will go to the R Diamond deer showed up.

Ranch for a management buck.

“With time getting short, we decided to get up and Jacob, who was 14 at the time, became eligible for the drawing on try a different spot,” Kyle said. “We drove for a bit and the R Diamond Ranch when he entered a nice buck in the Houston got a glimpse of a buck through the thick underbrush as contest. His buck grossed 1231⁄8 and netted 1161⁄8. He was the lucky we approached another blind. We got out of the truck draw winner from the youth entries in all three shows. and slipped through the brush to the edge of the clearThe Rabke family has hosted a variety of youth hunts for 12 ing coming out at the base of the blind.” The buck was years. They have hosted the youth hunt for the deer contest for unaware and on the opposite edge of the clearing, feeding several years, where young hunters age 17 and under have enjoyed away. some exciting times. Me, too! —Horace Gore I quickly instructed Kyle to climb up the ladder and prepare for a shot. He waited for what seemed like an eternity, but the big nine-point just kept feeding and walkup to him, I was absolutely blown away. He was a GIANT of ing away. The buck would pause from time to time, but would a nine-point, scoring 168 4⁄8,” Kyle said. “One of the greatest things about hunting is sharing the success when someone connever turn broadside. Knowing we needed to improvise, I nects on a great deer, and I felt that at the Hogan Wilderness grunted and the buck turned and gave Kyle a narrow window Retreat. I left the ranch with a great feeling of accomplishment for a shot opportunity. Kyle made the best of it, squeezing the and proud to have been connected with great people and such trigger of his rifle and dropping the buck in his tracks.

Kyle eagerly made his way up to the fallen buck. “As I walked a fine ranch.”

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The 7mm-08 may be the "perfect" Texas deer rifle.

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escribing the perfect Texas deer rifle is like describing the perfect Texas woman. It’s practically impossible, so I’ll leave women to Hollywood and write about something that I do know—a rifle that might be perfect for deer in the varied deer habitats of Texas. Of course, most deer hunters have already decided on the rifle of their choice, so we will give these words of advice to novice hunters who are still borrowing a rifle to hunt deer.

I’ll began by saying a whole host of rifles will kill a deer, from war relic .30-06s to the finest custom 6.5 Creedmoors. But shooting a rifle that fits your style is like dancing with someone who is overly pleasant that you keep returning to. Because most hunters are better off shooting the same rifle on every hunt, and because they are not likely to buy a variety of all the rifles on the shelf, I will try to help with a selection that my long hunting experience has shown to be close to the “best” for Texas deer.

I speak from experience, having hunted deer from Mexico to the bighorns of Wyoming. My deer rifles have included everything from the .224 TTH to the .300 Weatherby Magnum. I’ve killed more whitetails with a .30-06 and .270 Winchester than any other calibers because they are the ones I started with years ago.

For the last 30 years, I’ve had a lot of rifles to choose from, and my choices of late have diverted to some very good medium calibers that don’t ring your bell with recoil, yet put a deer on the ground in a hurry. So, after many years of chasing deer, here are my reasons for selecting the “perfect” Texas deer rifle.

First, a white-tailed deer is a thin-skinned, small animal that is not hard to kill. The key to bringing home the venison is bullet placement. Putting a good bullet in a spot where it does the most good, in a vital area that presents a big target.

My experience has shown two places to aim for on a whitetail: the area where the neck meets the shoulders, and midway behind the shoulder. These two areas present a 6-inch target that will put a deer down posthaste. The first will break the spine and the second will destroy the lungs, and neither will mess up much edible meat.

Second, bullet placement comes from practice with a rifle that fits you and is pleasant to shoot. To me, trigger pull is of utmost importance and most rifles THE JOURNAL OF THE TEXAS TROPHY HUNTERS - The Voice of Texas Hunting®

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need a little adjustment to get a 3-pound trigger. Stock length calibers of .24 and up will easily kill a Texas whitetail or mule is also important to your arm length. If you prefer a recoil pad, deer. Some are better than others based on velocity, recoil, bulthe length of pull should give your elbow plenty of bend with let size, and trajectory at 300 yards, although most Texas deer the pad. Small hunters should consider reducing the full length are killed at less than 100 yards. of the stock by 1 inch, including the pad, about 13 inches.

The weight of a rifle, coupled with bullet weight and velocNow comes the ity, will determine scope. Most Texans recoil. Many hunters “… a white-tailed deer is a thin-skinned, want a variable one, cannot handle recoil which is fine. The over 15 pounds, which small animal that is not hard to kill. The most popular scope would include the 7mm key to bringing home the venison is bullet in Texas is the 3-9X Magnum, featherweight variable, and the .30-06 and .270, and placement. Putting a good bullet in a spot latest variables can all of the .30 Magnums. be bought to fit your All are good for deer, where it does the most good, in a vital area cartridge and bullet but some will cut a rick velocity. For most of wood or knock your that presents a big target. My experience has shots, you won’t need cap off while killing the shown two places to aim for on a whitetail: anything over sixdeer. power, but the extra There are several the area where the neck meets the shoulders, calibers very good for power is good for viewing your game. deer and don’t have and midway behind the shoulder.”

If you use a variablethe heavy recoil. Such power scope, be sure calibers are .243/6mm, to keep the scope power no higher than six prior to any shot.

7x57 Mauser, 7mm-08, .257 Roberts, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308, Four power is better. A close-range buck is nothing but hair to name a few. All of these calibers are good for deer and are when the scope is on high power. pleasant to shoot, which allows for proper bullet placement.

Southpaws have less selection in rifles. Ruger and a few other Barrel length is important in a deer rifle. As a rule, most good commercial rifles have a top thumb safety. Remington makes deer rifles will sport a 22- or 24-inch barrel. Anything less will a left-hand rifle. If you shoot left-handed, be sure and select a cut bullet velocity about 50 feet per inch. The better rifles will rifle that fits you. shoot a bullet close to 3,000 feet/second and this means no Now we get to the better calibers for Texas deer. Most rifle ultra-short barrels.

Although the 7mm-08 may be perfect, a key to bringing home the venison, according to the author, is practicing with a well-fitted rifle.

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Bullet selection is important for deer hunters. In the light to medium calibers, bullets in the 100- to 140-grain weight are best. In the .30 calibers, 150-grain bullets are best. The bullet needs to open quickly after penetration. Today’s deer hunter has a good selection of bullets, so any good bullet of the suggested weight should do the trick.

We’ve discussed various points to consider when buying a Texas deer rifle: bullet placement, practice with a well-fitted rifle, scopes, calibers, recoil, and barrel length. Now, it’s time to put all this together and choose the “perfect” Texas deer rifle. We will consider all of the features listed above.

My choice of a “perfect” Texas deer rifle would be any of several makes and models of bolt actions with a 22-inch barrel. My choice of caliber is the 7mm-08, with a 3-pound trigger, topped with a 3-9X variable scope with crosshairs, kept on four-power.

I would sight the rifle in 21⁄2 inches high at 100 yards to shoot on the crosshairs up to 200 yards.

The rifle would weigh about 8¼ pounds and have an adjustable sling. I would shoot 139- or 140-grain rapid expanding bullets at 2,900 fps velocity with 12 pounds of recoil. Two of the best are the Barnes TSX and the Hornady SST. The Remington Core-Lokt comes in a close second.

This selection of the “perfect” Texas deer rifle would be good for any hunter who is after Texas whitetails in all situations, as well as West Texas and Panhandle mule deer. In the hands of a good shot, and with proper bullets, such a combination of rifle, caliber, and scope would also be good for pronghorn, elk, exotics, aoudad, wild hogs, and most anything else that you would find in Texas.

The author with the Winchester 7mm-08 that is a favorite of his daughter, Donna.

A Case for the 7mm-08

My daughter Donna has about 12 Texas whitetails to her credit, taken mostly in Goliad and Gonzales counties. She hunted for years out of Al Brothers’ camp near Berclair, using a Super Grade Winchester Model 70 in .243. She is a crack shot, and all of her bucks have been one-shot kills. Her ammo for the .243 was a handload with 100-grain Nosler bullets.

I thought that Donna would never part with her Winchester .243, but on a hunt in Gonzales County, I suggested she use my 7mm-08. The Winchester Featherweight had the same trigger pull, the same safety, and the same scope as her .243, so she took the 7mm-08 to the blind. She was shooting handloads with 139-grain Hornady bullets.

That hunt ended with a phone call from Donna. She said, “Daddy, come get me. He’s a pretty good eight-point with long brow tines.” When I got to the blind, she stood over her buck, looking at the rifle with its fine checkering and stock design.

“I like this rifle. That buck dropped in his tracks,” she said. “I think I want to keep this 7-08, too. It’s a perfect deer rifle.” She kept the rifle, and killed her last four bucks with it.

Awhile back, I sat on the porch of her house, looking out over the pasture toward a creek. At about 100 yards, a coyote stared in my direction, sitting on his haunches. I had heard Donna talking about the coyotes catching the chickens and that old “song dog” was looking for a laying hen.

I called to Donna and said, “Bring your rifle and kill this chicken-eating coyote.” I knew she kept the 7-08 loaded in her office. It didn’t take her long to get to the porch with the rifle, and get the crosshairs on the coyote. The rifle went boom and the coyote dropped like a rock. Donna’s “perfect” deer rifle is also perfect for coyotes.

Even though the .243 is good for Texas deer, I doubt Donna will ever use it again, as long as she has her 7-08. It shoots like a dream with a 3-pound trigger and four-power Leupold scope. —Horace Gore

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GULF COAST FLOUNDER FISHING

From Dec. 1-14, the daily bag limit is two fish and flounder may be taken by any legal means, including gigging. The possession limit is equal to the daily bag.

As a whole, flounder fishing in Texas remains good, and according to Texas Parks & Wildlife, there are indicators that resident populations are stable in numerous bay systems. It also should be noted, according to TPWD, that “studies have shown that between spawning migrations, flounder only move a short distance and typically return to the same bay they came from.”

The best flounder lures are often natural baits, such as live and dead shrimp or live and cut mullet. However, flatfish also will rise to take artificial lures such as a spoon with a paddletail trailer like this one the author caught in Redfish Bay.

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ow that regular Texas hunting season frameworks are underway, it’s time to fully focus on dove, deer, ducks and a host of other quarries for the coming months.

However, if you’re looking for another species to hunt, look no farther than the nearest honey hole on the coast for flounder. Flatfish always are a welcome addition to a daily bag limit when you’re wading during the muggy summer looking for tailing redfish and schooling speckled trout, but this time of year they’re a common sight in many areas if you know where to look.

Saltwater anglers in Texas as a whole enjoy healthy flounder bag limits for most of the year. One large alteration to flounder fishing—effective as of Sept. 1, 2020—is the minimum length requirement, which is 15 inches. The previous minimum was 14 inches and was changed after being adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in May. Anglers still are allowed to keep five fish and there’s no maximum size limit. It should be noted that there is a change to the bag limits in November and the first two weeks in December that coincides with the annual migration of flounder (“flounder run”) as they move to offshore waters during the peak of their spawning season. From Nov. 1-30, the daily bag limit is two fish and flounder may be taken only by pole and line only.

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By Will Leschper

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FLOUNDER MANAGEMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE If you’re looking for good intel on the current flounder fishery in Texas, you need look no further than what Texas Parks & Wildlife has to say about the history of flatfish in the past.

Here’s an excerpt from a TPWD report detailing the flounder in the Lone Star state: “Many fishermen can remember the old flounder runs and think that the runs now just aren’t what they used to be. It is true that flounder populations have decreased since the late ’70s measured by the catch per hour of flounder collected in Texas Parks and Wildlife gill net surveys. However, bag seine catch rates show that recruitment, or influx of young-of-the-year flounder, has been fairly steady over time.

“The decreasing population trend despite steady recruitment indicates that fishing mortality is most likely the cause of the population deThere are numerous rigs that can be counted on to supply regular catches of flounder, and if you know the contour and makeup of the bottom in areas where they congregate, and what they prefer in their diet, you’ll increase your odds of bringing home what many consider the best table fare on the Texas coast.

Juvenile founder eat small worms, small crustaceans and small fish, but as they grow larger, they turn to shrimp and small fish as their primary food source.

Knowing this, you can rely on a number of rigging and lure and bait options to find them. If you had to pick a single flounder-fishing rig for a number of conditions, you should look toward a tried and true bass fishing setup. The Carolina rig is a staple in the tournament bass fishing scene, allowing anglers to specifically target fish on the bottom of the water column. This rig is pretty simple, featuring a weight that’s fixed above some type of lure suspended below on a length of leader tied to a swivel. The weight allows the rig to sit on the bottom while the lure flutters and spins in the current, making it enticing to almost any hungry fish species that’s at or near the bottom.

This “fish-finder” rig can be tailored to any lure or natural bait offering for flounder. You can tie on curly-tail grubs, paddletails, Gulp! and other plastic lures or even use live or dead shrimp and live mullet or cut bait on a Carolina rig to entice even the most finicky flounder.

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crease. During the early 1980s red drum and spotted seatrout were given game fish status, which unfortunately also resulted in increased fishing pressure on flounder. Bycatch of young flounder in the shrimp trawl fishery has also had a negative impact on flounder populations.

“In order to try to counter declines in the flounder population, Texas Parks and Wildlife has implemented a number of management changes.

In the late 1980s, commercial netting was banned.

The shrimp limited entry program, started in 1995, should also reduce flounder bycatch and benefit flounder populations. Flounder size and bag limits were also implemented—with the latest occurrence in 1998. The flounder population has stabilized since these changes and has not experienced a significant decrease since then.

“While this is a good indication that flounder populations might be improving, Texas Parks and Wildlife will continue to assess flounder status.”

plan on letting flounder take the bait fully and essentially setting the hook themselves before you attempt to bring them in. Usually they’ll swallow whatever you present quickly, but they also may chew on your bait offering for a bit, resulting in a missed hookset if you jerk the bait from them.

While the Carolina rig is probably the easiest route for targeting the bottomdwelling species, there are plenty of other artificial options that will work, too. Despite the connotation that flounder simply lay on the bottom waiting for something to come by, they also will come up to the surface to lay siege to whatever they deem worthy. I’ve caught flounder on spoons dragged above sandy drop-offs and in a foot of water on DOA shrimp while I was targeting redfish.

Another common flounder approach across the Gulf is to free-line jigs and other artificial lures on the bottom tipped with a piece of shrimp. Another

good rule of thumb is to look for feeding birds and baitfish activity, especially near drains and sloughs. Flounder won’t be far behind, hoping to catch the remnants of anything that falls to the bottom. Flounder also will congregate along points and channels where tidal areas cinch down and have good current, and if you find one, keep fishing that area because there are sure to be more flatfish nearby.

Flounder also will hollow out sandy areas in places they find good for ambush so be wary and seek out those locales.

It’s tough to shift your focus away from hunting season, but if you do, you will find plenty of hungry fish and little boat traffic this time of year on the coast.

That’s a recipe for success in any angler’s book!

Fall brings some of the most exceptional fishing weather on the Texas coast, and if you can sneak away from hunting seasons, the boat traffic is a fraction of what it is during the busy summer months.

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Author Photos

STORY

Nick finally got the chance to take a trophy buck and have his father by his side at the same time. Nick waited 17 years for this particular moment to happen.

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Nick's brother, Brandon (left) and Nick's dad, Joe (center) were also successful on this family hunting trip.

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or the past 17 years, Dad and I have leased out a ranch in Garza County for whitetail deer. For those 17 years Dad and I have never been able to shoot a deer together. Numerous sits on very cold and windy mornings have never once resulted in success. Individually, we have regularly shot decent size bucks, and my younger brother has taken numerous bucks with Dad. In the fall of 2017, Dad had the opportunity to head up to Bitely, Michigan, and hunt monster whitetails. In all our combined years of hunting, we had never even seen a deer over 130 inches, much less put the crosshairs on one. For five days Dad was in the presence of some of the biggest whitetail bucks in North America. Upon his return and for the next 365 days, he raved about the experience, even hinting at the idea of returning the following year and taking me and my brother with him. With a 200-inch trophy as proof of the magnificence of this place, I was immediately sold and knew I had to make the trip.

The summer of 2018 seemed to be the longest and hottest of my life as we anxiously anticipated our late November trip to western Michigan. Due to the huge difference in size of the northern deer we would be hunting, compared to the Labrador-sized whitetails of West Texas, I added a little more firepower to my hunting arsenal in the form of a .300 Win. Mag. With a new rifle sighted in and the giddiness of a 5-year-old on Christmas morning, we were off to what www.TTHA www.

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would be the most incredible hunting experience of my life.

At the ranch, the owner and guides met Dad with firm handshakes and hugs like they had known each other for decades. For the next five days, my brother, Dad, and I would each be spending time in the blind, stalking on foot and glassing giant whitetails with our individual guides. Before this could take place, we needed to check our rifles and make sure the long flight from Texas hadn’t rocked or disrupted our scopes. After a few laughs we took off back to the cabin to gather our things and head to the stand for our first sit.

The first evening, my guide George and I climbed into the stand at a beautiful snowy location known as “Stripfield.”

Not being fully prepared for the magnitude of the deer size and knowing this was the first hunt, I chose to not even chamber a round. I wanted to sit back and bathe in the awe of the most incredible deer I had ever seen. I was on the quest for a “Management 1” type buck, which would be around 160-170 inches.

With 2,000 acres of forest to run and hide as they pleased, and age and antler restrictions, we would have to hunt hard to check all of the boxes for a shot. Not 30 minutes into our first sit, I laid my eyes on a 200-inch plus goliath for the very first time. I took the opportunity to watch him mingle with does and run off inferior bucks, further proving his dominance of the area.

The next morning, we sat in the

“Island Blind.” The air was chilly with a slight breeze. Ideal conditions for deer movement, but there was none. The only deer we saw in the first hour and a half was a small half-rack 300 yards away.

As boredom started creeping in, we decided to get out and trek through the snow to spot a shooter buck. As the snow began to fall, we found ourselves in the depths of the Northwoods stalking our prey. For three hours we trudged through the snow, knowing at any moment we could see a hit list buck. Exhausted and cold, we decided to head back to the lodge for a hot cup of coffee around the campfire to devise a plan for the evening sit.

The next two hunts went very much the same way. The bucks that were old enough were way too big and the ones that were big enough were too young. For three days no one in camp had even seen a buck in our class.

My dad was the first to draw blood as he smoked the massive buck that I had seen the first night. With a very impressive palmated left side on top of a 9-inch kicker off the front of his brow tine, this buck had everything. It more closely resembled a moose than the whitetail deer I was accustomed to. Now that Dad was tagged out, he had to decide which son he would sit with on the evening hunt.

I invited him to sit with me in the blind. But to say my optimism was at an all-time low would be an understatement. For all those years and for whatever reason, we never saw a shooter

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buck when we were together. Every dad wants to be there for his son’s first buck, but I was with my granddad when I took mine.

Despite our depressingly bad history and the fact we had not yet seen a buck in my class, Dad was filled with excitement for the opportunity to hunt with me. While he, George, and I climbed up the stand, I immediately started to wonder if I should have sent him with my brother instead. Being both 6-foot 2 and weighing over 240 pounds, the coziness of the blind felt like being in a sauna of squished sardines. Along with being uncomfortable, we had not seen a single deer for the first hour of the sit.

After a long sit, two does came out, but it was obvious they were bothered by something deep in the woods. I glassed in the direction of their caution and could see the small antler The Hansliks showing off their trophy mounts from this hunt. of a six-point clumsily walking in their direction. Convinced that was what they were worried about, I resettled in my seat to check in with my wife and kids back home in Texas. ing than pleasing your dad, and I had waited just as long to Within minutes George abruptly raised his binos to the right experience this moment with him. side of the field and I soon followed suit.

We loaded up the deer and headed back to camp to celebrate.

I saw an incredible main-framed 10-point with matching Later that evening my brother embarked on one of the most split G2s and unbelievable mass. George nonchalantly moved legendary stalks I have ever witnessed. A huge typical 12-point the shooting bag in front of me. Thinking he was just getting with an injured hoof took him and his guide on an epic 2-mile it out of his way for a better look, I relaxed back into my seat. adventure before he was able to crack off a freehand shot as the “Well, are you going to shoot him?” he asked. buck was running away. George and I were seated in a tower “Uh, are you going to let me?” I quizzically shot back. As Dad blind in front of “Clover Field” and were able to watch my fumbled for his video camera behind us, I began to fight off brother and his guide creep up on this buck for a shot. “buck fever” and steadied my rifle. Within seconds the buck Nothing in this world is more gratifying that sharing a love walked broadside at 86 yards in front of us, presenting an easy and a passion with your dad. I have been incredibly fortunate shot for me to put him on the ground. After a deep grunt from to have such a loving and God-fearing father mold me into the my guide, I squeezed off the 180-grain bullet from my rifle and man I am today. As much as I anticipate and eagerly want to be watched as the dominant buck ran a mere 30 yards before turnwith my son on his first deer hunt, if he pulls the trigger with ing 180 degrees and falling over into the snow. his “Pops” beside him, I will be just as ecstatic.

I couldn’t help but notice the genuine pride protruding from Dad’s eyes. Seventeen long years brought us to this moment and you could feel the beaming delight as clear as the chill from the northern cold. With a son of my own, nothing comes remotely close to the gratification you get from witnessing the success of your child. On the flip side, nothing is more satisfy-

Nick hopes to someday share a hunting experience like this with his own son.

He believes nothing in the world is more gratifying than sharing a passion with one's father.

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FALL’S FIRST HUNT

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By Judy Jurek

hat do hens and female dove hunters have in common? Before answering, I must state I mean no disrespect to chickens or my fellow huntresses. However, everyone knows men always compare a group of women talking to sounding like a bunch of cackling hens. So what’s the connection?

Lady dove hunters can cackle all they want, and shoot, talk, shoot, laugh, drink — don’t forget ice water in September — shoot, holler, quit for awhile, give advice, shoot, and talk more because doves don’t care.

In my opinion, dove hunting is the ultimate hunt for female participation because, as stated earlier, we ladies can cackle and shoot, then cackle some more. Women and girls participating in a dove hunt provide additional fun and interest for any and all males in the group. Guys shouldn’t think they’re the only good shooters. Be careful, men. A shotgun-toting gal might best you in a few short blasts.

Should the flight action be slow, men desire to blame something, or someone. So why not the ladies? Scent is not a problem, so gals can wear all the perfume they desire. If gnats, mosquitos or no-see-ums are bad, point at a nearby gal and say her perfume is the drawing card. Add an eye wink for good measure. Intense heat, heavy dew, high tailwind or whatever, someone will gripe about it.

There aren’t many men who wouldn’t chuckle at hearing a female screech because a spider is crawling up her leg, or worse, she has fire ants in her pants. Oh, it happens to men, too.

It’s wise to keep a keen eye open for all kinds of snakes. I’ve witnessed a few guys scream louder than a gal when encountering a ground crawler, especially if it buzzes. Many jokes and jousting can be had by all to help pass the time and keep the entertainment high.

Other than gunfire, noise doesn’t seem to affect doves. Movement will alert incoming doves, causing them to fly off, usually just out of shooting range. Sitting in shade or alongside large round hay bales, a tree line, or some sort of concealment helps, although hunters sitting in plain view in an open field might reach their limit just fine.

Ladies, hunting doves doesn’t involve much specialized gear: a shotgun, ammo, ear plugs, safety glasses, and insect repellent.

Snake boots make hunters feel safer. Comfortable, cool camouflage clothing definitely has benefits over white or vivid colors.

Add a hat to cover a shiny bald head — or bright red hair. A light folding chair for sitting and storing birds is nice. Don’t forget water for humans and canines.

Dove hunting is a very popular sport in the Lone Star state. But Texas weather can be great then lousy in the same day. Dove action may be high-speed furious or slower than a turtle traveling nowhere. A firecracker hunter might limit out

This Doberman proved a dog doesn’t have to be a well-known or popular hunting breed to retrieve doves. Zarr (deceased) found every bird for many seasons.

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Connie Ashley proudly displays her first doves of the season. She’s especially happy because she hadn’t picked up her shotgun in two years.

This large, mature 10 point has excellent brow tines. What else stands out for identifying him? Notably, he has antler bases larger than eyes. Other distinguishing marks include intense white patches under his eyes, a reverse widow’s peak at the nose and a very white chin.

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before others have warmed up. Or it might be a day when you can’t hit the Alamodome only 5 yards away.

The camaraderie dove hunting creates is truly unique. Shooting at fast-flying, darting, diving, delectable doves provides outdoor activity and great friendship among hunters and nonhunters alike. It’s a sport enjoyed by all ages and levels of marksmanship.

No one has to be a perfect shot because missing counts for much good-natured banter among everyone.

Memories make this sport so fun. Hunting with friends is pleasurable, but strangers can quickly become friends. Shouting, “Incoming birds!” or “Great shot, Sister,” or “Jerry, how’d ya miss that easy shot?” makes for much fun and laughter. It’s remarkable how a dove can dodge a lead barrage to escape unscathed.

Bring kids along to play bird dog. They’re our future hunters.

Safety is of the utmost importance. Hunting near a water hole, lined along brush or tree lines, or surrounding a grain field, each hunter needs to be aware of others all around. While it doesn’t hurt getting lightly rained on with lead from a distant shot, if it stings you’re hunting too close. Protect your eyes. Shooting glasses were designed for more than looks.

Dove hunters need to remember a few things. A migratory game bird stamp endorsement is required to hunt doves and all migratory birds. Check your shotgun. If it’s used for quail or skeet shooting before dove season, you may not have put the plug back in. When hunting migratory birds, your shotgun can only hold three shells. Carry your hunting license and identification on you, not back in your vehicle or motel room.

Know the county and where you’re hunting to ensure the seaNicely camouflaged and surrounded by milo, Debbie Wood smiles as she settles for an afternoon dove hunt.

MORE INFO

Today’s smart phones offer multiple free apps to enhance your hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Download Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Outdoor Annual for hunting, fishing and boating regulations so the rules and laws are literally at your fingertips. Add a sunrise/sunset timetable to ensure you know when legal shooting hours begin and end. A weather app is advisable, too, to keep you abreast of changing weather conditions.

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son has actually opened. Texas is unique with three dove zones.

A highway, river or county line may be the designated boundary.

On one side the season is open, but on the other side it’s closed.

Shooting hours begin 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

During the Special White-winged Dove Season, legal shooting time is noon to sunset. It’s up to you to know the precise sunrise/sunset time in your area. Understand daily bag and possession limits. On the season’s very first day, you can only possess one day’s limit. It’s illegal to “double dip” — killing your limit in the morning then more doves that same afternoon.

There’s no season or limit on collared Eurasian doves or common pigeons, often called rock doves. It’s recommended plumage be left on these Brooke Jones wasn’t birds for clear identification ready to shoot doves should they be in your posherself, but she proved session. A further reminder: to be an able and eager bird girl for her dad and Baiting is against the law. You friends. cannot hunt at or near a deer feeder.

One “Restricted Method” law is often overlooked. Texas Parks and Wildlife hunting regulations state: “It is unlawful to knowingly discharge a firearm causing a projectile to cross a property line, unless the person owns both sides of the property line or has obtained written permission from the owner of any land crossed by the projectile.”

In other words, don’t shoot where your lead falls on the other side of a property line.

This especially comes into play while hunting near a residence, subdivision, etc.

A dove down across a fence may incur trespass laws. Obtain permission to retrieve.

However, not attempting to pick up your game may result in a charge of wanton waste of wildlife. It’s wise staying far enough away from property lines that neither lead nor doves land on the other side.

Ladies, gents, and youngsters, don a camouflage shirt, grab gear and ice water, gather your friends, and go dove hunting. Don’t forget dove decoys, as they work wonders at bringing birds into shooting range, sometimes only feet away. Enticement adds to the flavor and camaraderie, especially if someone shoots a decoy, but that’s another story.

Cackle all you want, my fellow huntresses and others, while enjoying the outdoors making memories of fall’s first hunt — a dove-hunting adventure. Have fun, be safe, and good luck, too!

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ALLIGATOR

QUAIL

22 Counties & special properties: Sep 10 — 30, 2020 All Other Counties: Apr 1 — June 30, 2021

DOVE NORTH ZONE

Sep 1 — Nov 12, 2020 & Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021 CENTRAL ZONE

Sep 1 — Nov 1, 2020 & Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 14, 2021 SOUTH ZONE

Regular season: Sep 14 — Nov 1, 2020 & Dec 18, 2020 — Jan 23, 2021 Additional days for Special White-winged Dove season: Sep. 5, 6, 12, 13 (special regulations apply)

DUCK

NORTH ZONE

Regular season: Nov 14 — 29, 2020 & Dec 5, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021 Youth-only: Nov 7 — 8, 2020 SOUTH ZONE

Regular season: Nov 7 — 29, 2020 & Dec 12, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021 Youth-only: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 HIGH PLAINS MALLARD MANAGEMENT UNIT (HPMMU)

Regular season: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 & Nov 6, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021 Youth-only: Oct 24 — 25, 2020

GOOSE

SANDHILL CRANE

Early Canada goose: Sep 12 — 27, 2020 Light & dark geese: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021 Light goose conservation order: Feb 1 — Mar 14, 2021 WEST ZONE

Light & dark geese: Nov 14, 2020 — Feb 14, 2021 Light goose conservation order: Feb 15 — Mar 14, 2021

Zone A: Oct 31, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021 Zone B: Nov 27, 2020 — Jan 31, 2021 Zone C: Dec 19, 2020 — Jan 24, 2021

SQUIRREL

East Texas: Oct 1, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021 & May 1 — 31, 2021 Other Open Counties: Sep 1, 2020 — Aug 31, 2021 Youth-Only Season: Sep 26 — 27, 2020

TEAL

Sep 12 — 27, 2020

TURKEY

RIO GRANDE TURKEY

EAST ZONE

Statewide: Oct 31, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021

FALL SEASON

North Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021 South Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 17, 2021 Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties: Nov 7, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021 Archery-Only: Oct 3 — Nov 6, 2020 FALL YOUTH-ONLY

North Zone: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 & Jan 4 — 17, 2021 South Zone: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 & Jan 18 — 31, 2021 SPRING SEASON

North Zone: Apr 3 — May 16, 2021 South Zone: Mar 20 — May 2, 2021 One-turkey counties: April 1 — 30, 2021 SPRING YOUTH-ONLY

North Zone: Mar 27 — 28 & May 22 — 23, 2021

South Zone: Mar 13 — 14 & May 8 — 9, 2021 EASTERN TURKEY

SPRING SEASON

JAVELINA

WHITE-TAILED DEER

North Zone: Oct 1, 2020 — Feb 28, 2021 South Zone: Sep 1, 2020 — Aug 31, 2021

MULE DEER

GENERAL SEASON

Panhandle: Nov 21 — Dec 6, 2020 SW Panhandle: Nov 21 — 29, 2020 Trans-Pecos: Nov 27 — Dec 13, 2020 ARCHERY SEASON

Oct 3 — Nov 6, 2020

PHEASANT

Panhandle: Dec 5, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021

PRONGHORN

Oct 3 — 11, 2020

East Texas: Apr 22 — May 14, 2021 GENERAL SEASON

North Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 3, 2021 South Zone: Nov 7, 2020 — Jan 17, 2021 SPECIAL LATE SEASON

North Zone: Jan 4 — 17, 2021 South Zone: Jan 18 — 31, 2021 YOUTH-ONLY SEASONS

Early Season: Oct 31 — Nov 1, 2020 Late Season: Jan 4 — 17, 2021 ARCHERY SEASON

Oct 3 — Nov 6, 2020

MUZZLELOADER-ONLY SEASON

Jan 4 — 17, 2021

Hunting Season Forecast 2020

Contributed Photo/Bryan O’Neal

The Texas white-tailed deer outlook is shaping up to be good this fall and winter.

There should be no shortage of quality bucks like this one the author observed on a low-fence tract in the Edwards Plateau.

Bryan O’Neal’s monster whitetail buck highlights how smaller tracts can harbor huge deer. The buck was taken on a 400acre tract in Smith County. The typical frame grossed 184 7⁄8 (Boone & Crockett) and netted 178.

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By Will Leschper

T

exas hunters face an unprecedented hunting season this fall and winter amid the COVID-19 pandemic that took root in the spring across the country and led to mass shutdowns in the Lone Star State and beyond. The one silver lining to the coronavirus and its lingering effects is that outdoor pursuits remain relatively unscathed, considered “essential” even during the most stringent of closures that hit public and private entities. While talk of another wave of COVID-19 continued during the beginning of summer — and its effects won’t truly be known until fall — the overall Texas hunting outlook remains solid as a whole.

While state officials and wildlife biologists continued to urge caution for the population in general moving through summer, they touted that hunting opportunities for multiple species would remain open and on schedule in 2020-21 as in other years untouched by such a global event. With that in mind, here is your annual forecast for some of Texas’ most sought-after species for upcoming fall and winter hunting seasons.

On a high note, all of these pastimes can be enjoyed while practicing social distancing — and for some, having a face covering is actually a way of upping your odds!

Author Photo

White-Tailed Deer

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The Texas deer hunting outlook has never been better for both quantity — we’ve got the nation’s largest population at roughly 4.5 million animals — and for quality, with whitetail management becoming more practiced and nuanced at the statewide level.

Heading into the early summer, the forecast looked above-average in some locales such as South Texas (where I live) and right on average in other hot spots like the Hill Country. That being said, even an “average” whitetail outlook bodes well for every variety of hunter out there.

Alan Cain, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department whitetail program leader, said that range conditions overall were comparable to other good seasons though inconsistent moisture remained something to watch in some notable hunting hot beds.

“Some areas had decent winter condi-

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Doves As with Texas deer hunting, dove hunting in the Lone Star state is the best of the best. TPWD estimates fall figures of more than 40 million birds from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande and the long-term average has more than a few hundred thousand hunters harvesting roughly 10 million doves each year.

That’s a lot of shotgun shells when you figure the average is anywhere from six to eight shots per bird taken!

This year’s mourning dove and whitewing frameworks will again allow a liberal season full of opportunity to bring home tasty table fare. For the third year in a row, the south zone regular dove season opens Sept. 14. Before 2018, federal frameworks allowed the south regular season to open on the Friday 50 |

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Author Photo

tions and deer were coming off the rut in good shape, and other areas were dry. We got good moisture levels in early summer in places like South Texas and the Edwards Plateau but we’ll just have to wait and see how those trends play out,” he said. “I think we’ll have a good year especially for folks who are looking to fill tags and also for those hunters who are focusing on land management practices and hoping to find a better buck.”

Cain noted that more landowners and hunters are doing their part to protect the health of their herds and to improve habitat for whitetails.

“There has definitely been an increase in deer management in recent years as more and more hunters and landowners take an interest in it, which is a great thing for deer. It also benefits the other species you’ve got in most cases, too,” Cain said. “Our harvest data from our surveys in recent seasons shows that the majority of bucks harvested (about 40% statewide) is composed of bucks that are in the 3½- or 4½-year-old age classes.

If you look at the harvest figures and antler data for bucks that are 5½ years old and above, that makes up roughly 15% of the total. I think what that shows is that more hunters aren’t shooting younger bucks or the first buck they see and letting them walk. We’ve also got antler restrictions across many counties (in East Texas and Central Texas) so hunters are doing their part and following those regulations.”

Cain noted that hunter participation in Texas remains stable (hovering at 700,000+ on average for the past decade) while the deer population has experienced a gradual uptick, providing for plenty of opportunities. TPWD added hunting dates to more than a dozen counties in the area between Austin and the Gulf Coast last season and that should bump up the overall harvest figure. Cain noted that TPWD is always analyzing data to make the best decisions on when and where to open future hunting frameworks to the public.

While it’s tough to predict exactly how any deer season is going to play out, Texas’ longstanding history as the preeminent whitetail locale in the country makes it the best destination for almost any hunter. That being said, we residents have it good.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we’ll have another good hunting season for whitetails,” Cain said. “I would encourage hunters to stay safe and vigilant out there in the field, but all signs are pointing to the typical hot spots remaining that way this fall and winter. Hunters will have plenty of chances to fill their tags and have a shot at some really nice bucks, too.”

TPWD estimates fall figures of more than 40 million birds from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande, and the long-term average has more than a few hundred thousand hunters harvesting roughly 10 million doves each year.

closest to Sept. 20, but on a date no earlier than Sept 17. TPWD worked with U.S. Fish & Wildlife to adjust federal regulations to allow the earliest opening date in decades (Sept. 14) to open up more of early September for south zone hunters. That came after other federal alterations, including expansion of the special white-winged dove area to include the entire south zone in 2017 and lengthening of the season from 70 days to 90 in 2016.

“The opening-day change actually started a couple of years back, but Sept. 14 falls on a Monday this year so people are starting to notice,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, dove program leader for TPWD. “These recent changes are huge for our hunters. By fixing the opener on the 14th every year and using our four special white-winged days, south zone hunters now have guaranteed hunting opportunity every weekend in September.

It’s not the Friday opener most are accustomed to but given that over 80% of dove harvest occurs the first few weeks of the season, it’s important to us to try and give south zone hunters as much opportunity in September as possible.”

Fitzsimmons noted that dove production remains exceptional, especially during wetter years, and to expect another excellent crop of mourning doves and whitewings. When it comes to dove hunting, access is key, especially for hunters in metro areas such as San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas who now don’t have to drive as far to get into good shoots.

When it comes to whitewings, the Rio Grande Valley still remains king for that larger dove species. However, the birds continue to expand their range.

“With the overall population expanding at the rate it has been, we’re getting pretty close to having every county in Texas on the whitewing map,” Fitzsimmons said. “If you look back a

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few decades, they were really just a Valley species. Now they’ve expanded their range in every direction, including mostly into urban areas. Because they are such an urban nester, they provide a great hunting opportunity on public lands near larger towns. You don’t have to go as far to find good whitewing hunting in Texas.”

One welcome addition to dove hunting in the past decade has been the rise of collared doves, which aren’t regulated as a game bird by TPWD. They’re also larger than the other dove species and TPWD estimates the breeding population to be roughly 4 million statewide.

“We estimate more than a half-million Eurasian collared doves taken by hunters annually,” Fitzsimmons said. “Those doves represent another opportunity for hunters to get out and hunt what’s near them. (TPWD) recommends that hunters leave a wing on so they’re identifiable if you were to be checked.”

Waterfowl The COVID-19 pandemic threw duck and goose hunting for a lurch in the spring and the overall outlook is somewhat murky.

For the first time in its 65-year history, the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service and state and regional partners was canceled due to coronavirus restrictions.

The spring survey and its data are used to estimate breeding populations and guide harvest management decisions for waterfowl species across the country, including the Central Flyway and Texas. The cancellation of the survey will create a one-year gap in the estimates and overall long-term data was used in its place to make harvest management decisions.

Among changes affecting waterfowl enacted by the TPW Commission for upcoming seasons are decreasing the daily bag for scaup from three to one in all zones, decreasing the daily bag for light goose from 20 to 10 during the regular season in both zones and shifting goose seasons (and the light goose conservation season) in the western zone one week later.

Kevin Kraai, TPWD waterfowl program leader, noted that when it comes to the waterfowl outlook and estimates, hunters

should understand just how varied the ecosystems are within the state.

“Texas is about as diverse a landscape as there is in the country for waterfowl hunting,” Kraai said. “The range of habitat from playa lakes up in the Panhandle to the river bottoms in East Texas to the bay systems along the Gulf Coast is extraordinary. That’s why it’s important to have different data points that we can compare for each distinct place to hunt.”

Kraai said that in looking at the state midwinter waterfowl survey conducted annually by Texas biologists, several things stand out.

“Overall, the good news is that it was our third-highest midwinter estimate for ducks in 24 years. So as a state, we had a whole lot of ducks within our boundaries. We kind of knew that going in conditions were good for waterfowl around the state. We had a roughly 17% increase in the overall state duck estimate from the previous year; the overall duck estimate was about 4.5 million,” Kraai said. “When you’re talking about the percentage of Central Flyway ducks being counted in Texas, that figure has been increasing for the past 24 years. The only species that haven’t been on an increasing trend making it into our state are mallards and light geese.”

Kraai noted that the Gulf Coast has remained the No. 1 player in the state when it comes to the most prevalent winter habitat with an estimate of about 1.7 million of the midwinter total.

“The only negative to that number is it’s being driven almost entirely by one species, which is redheads,” Kraai said. “A little over half of the birds detected on the survey there were redheads.”

One area that many hunters often overlook is the South Texas brush country. However, Kraai noted, that area is desirable to waterfowl, especially if manmade water sources like stock tanks and stock ponds are holding water.

“We talk a lot about human disturbance in traditional duck hot spots so in places like the Gulf Coast, it’s a really easy flight for ducks that are being pressured in the bay systems to move into areas like the vast ranches in South Texas that are mostly utilized for deer and quail hunting and cattle ranching,” Kraai said. “The same can be said for areas up in the Rolling Plains and the Panhandle that are near large agricultural fields that the birds can easily access if they get hunting pressure elsewhere. We’re certain birds change their distribution in response to landscape changes as well as human disturbance.”

Author Photo

The COVID-19 pandemic threw duck and goose hunting for a lurch in the spring, and the overall outlook is somewhat murky. For the first time in its 65-year history, the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian Wildlife Service and state and regional partners was canceled due to coronavirus restrictions.

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Author Photos

STORY

Tess had the time of her life during the deer rut, as well as being mesmerized by sighting and eventually taking this trophy buck.

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A

t 3:30 a.m. my alarm blared. Any other day I’d hit the snooze button, but not today. The opening day of rifle whitetail season in Texas arrived. I would finally hunt on my new deer lease for the first time, the Glass Ranch, located in West Texas.

In preparation for the season, I’d been checking my cameras often, and I knew I had what you would consider a couple shooter bucks ready to go. The temperature outside was great— frigid for Texas—and not my favorite for anything except hunting. But it was the perfect weather to get the deer up and moving. As I sat in my blind, I watched the sunrise, listened to the birds awaken, and I watched an owl perched in the neighboring tree.

I was peaceful as I sat and listened to the amazing sound of them communicating with one another far off in the distance.

But when the sun came up, I became anxious while waiting and I had myself all worked up, ready to see any deer movement.

When mid-morning came and went, I still hadn’t seen a thing.

No movement.

I wasn’t sure what went wrong. According to the game cameras, these deer are always in this area. They never miss a meal. So of course, opening day rolled around and they decided to skip out. Go figure.

After a quick break for lunch and a reboot, I got myself back to my blind around three in the afternoon. I couldn’t get back to my blind fast enough. Since the deer didn’t come in for the early morning feeding, I checked my camera while at lunch only to find they’d eaten all night. The dang deer pulled an allnighter and didn’t show up for my morning hunt.

I hadn’t lost hope. It was a cool, crisp day and the deer could stroll through here midday or in the evening. Anything is possible. Plus, I brought my leftover pumpkins from home for the deer this time around.

All afternoon I kept hearing gunshots on properties all around me and had mixed emotions. As excited as I was for the other hunters, I felt discouraged at the same time. When 6 p.m. rolled around, the feeder went off, but still had no deer in

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my sights. I’ve heard a lot about the rut going on in other areas, and I thought there was no way it could have hit here with such a lack of activity.

Boy, was I wrong. From out of nowhere a doe appeared and minutes later, a spike showed up on her tail. Slowly, as a little time passed, more deer moved in. My gun still remained propped up in the corner and my heart started beating as fast as if I was about to attempt to take my first deer.

For the last 3 months I had one doe and her two yearlings on my camera. As I sat, I counted seven does and yearlings prancing around where I could see them. Where had they been all this time? The bucks found their way into the area as well.

With their necks stuck out, noses to the ground, and moving at a steady pace, they strategically placed themselves around the does. Like teenagers with raging hormones, these does couldn’t stay in one spot very long before being chased around by a buck. The rut was on. Every doe and pretty much every yearling were being tailed.

Even if I wanted to get a shot off, I couldn’t. It was pure chaos. I was staring at a circus at the feeder. Two does were on their rear feet fighting by the feeder, I could hear the thumps from their hooves hitting each other.

Bucks were keeping the other ones on their toes and moving around as well. They would run out of sight for a few minutes, and I would worry that they were gone for good. Then a bit later a doe would come running back into view being chased by a buck. This went on with every deer there for about an hour.

With dusk approaching, I could barely see a rack and a thick neck in the distance. I had spotted a decent buck making his way in. In order to better see what I was looking at, I grabbed my binoculars. This buck was a fatty.

I watched him slowly make his way closer. It was like this buck knew the sun was going down and it would soon be too dark for me to hunt. Continuously watching his every move with binoculars, he got distracted on his way to the feeder when he found a doe to chase. He went from moving at his own pace to a ping-pong ball within two minutes.

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I had seen this buck on camera since he was in velvet. His body was huge and his antlers had amazing mass, in my opinion, but they weren’t symmetrical, or typical on both sides. I thought he was a fantastic buck, but on the other hand, did his genetics really need to be carried on? That was all the thought process I needed.

Waiting for this beast to calm down for just a minute felt like an eternity. He was too focused on his trail, and I had difficulty focusing on him. I tried my best to keep my eyes on him, but the other deer kept getting in the way. Before I knew it, I had a yearling about 20 yards from my blind, a ground blind mind you.

I knew I could spook the buck with one wrong move or sound. That meant the rest of the deer might notice and run away, too. I knew I had to be extra careful while moving around, and be extremely quiet doing so. Challenge accepted.

All I could hear was my heart beating. It was beating me to death at this point. Trying to set up my shot for the first opportunity I got, I had to take the yearling in front of my blind into consideration. I had to make sure this little deer would NOT get in the line of fire.

With my finger on the trigger, I watched him at 150 yards away. The buck I had been waiting to take for a while finally came to a stop for a split second. Thankfully missing the yearling standing right in front of my blind, my shot placement on the buck could not have been better. All of a sudden, my body shook and my heartbeat seemed louder, like it was echoing across the entire ranch.

I watched the buck run a few steps and then fall. The buck didn’t try to get back up and he didn’t struggle. Hallelujah! I

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stayed in the blind to give him some time to expire.

I slowly pulled myself together to get out of my blind to go check out my buck I just shot. I never expected these other deer to stick around after hearing the loud gunshot. I couldn’t get out of my blind fast enough. These deer would have to take this party someplace else. I was so excited, I could barely contain

myself. Getting my hands on that buck was a long time coming.

He was beautiful, massive, and so unique. He was a boss. To others he was a cull, and to some, he was a trophy. But to me, out of the 15 trophies prancing around the field, I picked the best one for me.

I shot a buck on a hunt that would always stick out in my mind. I had the time of my life in that blind watching the deer rut, feeling the excitement of what could still come wandering in, the shock of his first sighting, and being mesmerized by his swollen neck and other characteristics from a distance. Seeing that he was an older buck who had served his whole purpose in life, he will now be serving my family and myself. This deer hunt is a story I’ll share with many for years to come.

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Author

photos

The author doesn’t think hunters can respect a coyote’s nose too much, thus the use of coyote lures. He has had coyotes get downwind of the caller, and rather than turn on a dime and blow out, they would stop as if trying to decide what they smelled. This “confusion” usually buys him a couple of seconds to make a shot.

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Never Too Old to Change

P

By Gary Roberson

hil Lyne and I often joke about our Okie friend, Larry Symes, being a little hard headed and set in his ways. I must admit that years of doing things a certain way makes one wonder why those things should change, if what you were doing was effective. While I have learned it’s rarely a good idea to do the opposite of a proven technique, slowly testing a new product or idea can be productive.

Those of you who have read my articles and stories over many years know when I set up to call a critter, I’m extremely concerned about wind direction. Especially when I’m trying to lure a coyote into gun range. I have passed on thousands

of possible calling stands because the wind blew into the area where I hoped to lure a predator.

For the last two years, I have been experimenting with coyote lures and finding myself having excellent success tricking what I consider to have the best nose in the field, a coyote. I’m making calls that I would have passed on because the wind was not blowing in the right direction to take advantage of an opening, the sun, and cover.

As mentioned earlier, rather than totally change a proven hunting tactic, I slowly began testing various lures and cover scents. I would spray the product downwind of the electronic caller so the responding coyote would smell it when trying to pick up scent from the distress sound. In order to have more room to study the coyote’s reaction, I would place the electronic caller in an opening, with most of that opening downwind, and call into a crosswind.

If a little of the stinking stuff is good, why wouldn’t more be better? Using scents, the author has begun making calls with the wind at his back by liberally spraying around the caller, his path from the caller to where he is sitting, and then on the grass or bushes around him to keep the scent up in the air.

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Years ago, I used pure skunk essence extracted from a skunk.

I carried it in a 1-ounce glass bottle with a plastic screw-on lid. I never poured any, but simply removed the lid and placed it downwind within arm’s reach of where I sat. Once I was finished on the stand, I carefully replaced the lid and returned it to my pocket. While the skunk scent did nothing to attract a coyote, I believed it did stink worse than me and did cover my odor to some degree. Unfortunately, after killing a couple of coyotes from a low hill on the Donnell Ranch in McMullen County in 1994, I walked away and left my little bottle of skunk scent.

Since that date, I have found myself being more concerned about wind direction when setting up to call. I don’t think you can respect a coyote’s nose too much, but then came along all these coyote lures. When I started using these products, I would spray a couple of blasts downwind of the electronic caller because I didn’t want to waste it. I had coyotes get downwind of the caller and rather than turn on a dime and blow out, they would stop as if trying to decide what they smelled. This “confusion” would usually buy me a couple of seconds, giving me time to execute a shot at a standing coyote rather than a running one.

After observing these positive reactions, I decided if a little of this stinking stuff was good, why wouldn’t more be better?

I found myself making calls I would have never attempted in the past. I have begun to make calls with the wind at my back by liberally spraying around the caller, my path from the caller to where I am sitting, and then on the grass or bushes around me to keep the scent up in the air. I also spray downwind of any other hunters or my cameraman, Steve.

Recently, I killed the biggest trophy a coyote hunter could take when I called up and killed an old female that had only nubs for teeth in her bottom jaw. She was so old that she did not have pups for the last couple of years and was very small in stature. Her haircoat was thin and showed scars of having survived the mange. Calling her up and killing her is a greater trophy than taking a 180-inch, low-fenced whitetail buck to a coyote hunter.

From where I sat, I first saw her jumping over grass and weeds at a little over 100 yards, directly in line with the ultrasonic caller. The wind blew from slightly behind me and to the right, so I readied myself to take a shot on the righthand side of the caller. There was just enough grass and short brush that she disappeared from sight and did not reappear until she was within 15-20 steps of the caller, approaching fast.

As I attempted to acquire my target, she whirled about five steps from the caller, directly downwind. She retreated approximately 15 steps, turned broadside to look back at the caller and the turkey tailfeather and squatted to mark her territory.

Needless to say, that was the last time she marked the South Texas landscape because the Hornady V-Max bullet found its mark. In almost 60 years of calling coyotes, I have never seen a coyote, especially an old female, stop and mark her territory after getting downwind of my caller.

There is absolutely no doubt what led to the demise of the smartest critter in South Texas. It was the ultrasonic caller producing realistic sounds and the stink of coyote lures. So, you are never too old to change.

The biggest trophy a coyote hunter can hope for is fooling an experienced song dog. To the varmint hunter, calling up and killing a veteran coyote is a greater feat than taking a 180inch low-fenced whitetail buck.

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Wolves At The Door

By Ted Nugent

I

love animals. They’re delicious! And of course beyond that pragmatic self-preservation edict, I truly love everything about God’s miraculous nature.

I live it!

Well, I love pretty much everything about nature, but I’m not so very fond of fire ants, skunks or porcupines.

And I could do without rattlesnakes, brown recluse spiders and a handful of other cantankerous, bothersome, if not downright life-threatening nuisance critters. Being that as it may, I would like to pledge my undying love for my fellow predators of the wild, like the mighty cougar, bears, coyotes, foxes, wolverines and many others, but mostly how I admire and revere the incredible wolf. All God’s creatures have their place, and in the real world, co-existing with mankind, a healthy, survival based balance must be struck to maintain viable populations of all predators and prey alike.

The jury is not still out on what that balance should and must look like, which is why we don’t, or at least, shouldn’t, allow populations of dangerous predators to live in our neighborhoods.

We love the wild creatures, but we love our children and families even more. I find it simply amazing that anybody could possibly be so disconnected and outright stupid as to not understand why there are no cougars, bears and wolves in their hometown neighborhoods. For those denial cultists so embarrassingly removed from reality, allow me to explain.

Wolves and neighborhoods cannot co-exist. Wolves and schoolyards and children’s playgrounds cannot coexist. Wolves and cityscapes cannot co-exist, and wolves and healthy big-game populations cannot co-exist, all

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of which is why the pioneers of this country wiped out the wolves and bears and cougars wherever we cleared our expanding civilization to make sure dangerous animals would not kill us, our children and kill our livestock and kill off our big-game animals.

Yet more fascinating than this example of selfimposed ignorance is the insanity of people living in regions where wolves have already been wiped out, trying to force other people to live with dangerous animals. “Do as I say, not as I do” has always been the hallmark of soulless, pompous, arrogant, uncaring hypocrites that just must think their lives are more important and more worth saving than others.

Which brings us to the wolf dilemma and threat in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah.

There’s a reason for a regulated wolf-hunting season all across Canada and Alaska, and that reason is safety. Wildlife value management and proven scientific sustain yield harvest responsibilities to keep wolf numbers in check in order to maintain a balanced wildlife bio-diversity. Wolves don’t buy hunting licenses or have game killing seasons or bag limits on the amount of big game they kill. And the long-held nonsense that wolves only kill the weak and sick is borne from clueless, Bambi-brainwashed city kids who have never stepped foot in wolf country.

Wolves are hardcore opportunity killers and they kill mostly healthy deer, elk, moose, bison and other critters based solely on random right place, right time convenience. American hunters have proudly brought back thriving herds of deer, elk, moose,

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“All God’s creatures have their place, and in the real world, co-existing with mankind, a healthy, survival-based balance must be struck to maintain viable populations of all predators and prey alike. The jury is not still out on what that balance should and must look like, which is why we don’t, or at least, shouldn’t, allow populations of dangerous predators to live in our neighborhoods. We love the wild creatures, but we love our children and families even more.” pronghorn, turkey, bison, wild sheep, mountain goats, bears and cougars by demanding an end of the indiscriminate marketing slaughter and investing gazillions of dollars to pay for scientific research and sound science based regulatory game law enforcement.

Without these thriving populations of big-game animals and the American hunting families’ dollars, there would be no money to pay for such management and critical enforcement.

Remember, wolves will not pay for game wardens and scientific research to keep game populations in good shape. Left to their own devices, wolves kill indiscriminately and the results have always been devastating to not just wildlife populations, but overall wild ground conditions.

Google Isle Royal in Northern Michigan if you want to see the politically correct, self-inflicted abject waste that such a hands-off policy guarantees.

Hunting and managing wolves, just like all big-game animals, is a win-win-win all around with wildlife in the asset column.

Hands-off protection of wolves and other predator species is a guaranteed lose-lose-lose horror story, putting the animals squarely in the liability column, every time. Don’t ask the residents of Minneapolis or Detroit what we should do with wolves. Ask the families who actually live in wolf country what really goes on with wolves in their lives. www.TTHA www.

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Right now, wolves are in the liability column wherever they are unnecessarily protected and unmanaged. Conversely, wherever a sound regulated hunting season exists for wolves, they are in the asset column and doing just fine, thank you. Entire regional economies go boom or bust, based on predator management. Predators don’t buy groceries, food, lodging, gas, supplies, ice, land, buildings, dogs, bait, sporting goods, guides, outfitters, permits, fees, licenses or hire butchers or taxidermists. True conservationists must unite to demand wolf management to put this magnificent big-game animal in the asset column where it deserves to be.

Please visit HunterNation.org to see the sound science we are pushing into policy. If you cherish and demand healthy, thriving wildlife in the asset column, please get involved and let us demand that wolves be managed responsibly.

Wolves are not threatened or endangered and we must demand that they are delisted immediately and that regulated hunting seasons begin in all regions where the wolf population needs managing.

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MUST-HAVES

[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

1. CuddeLink

1

The CuddeLink Gen 2 provides complete control over your Cuddeback trail camera system. You can view and change the settings of home and remote cameras from any web browser, which includes a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Cuddeback has also increased the CuddeLink capabilities from 16 linked cameras to 24 linked cameras, allowing you to cover even more ground on your hunting property. CuddeLink Gen 2 provides up to 50% faster performance and 50% more images sent per day. This equals up to 1,500 images per day when cameras are one or two links from the home camera. CuddeLink Gen 2 is compatible with all previously deployed CuddeLink cameras when they are updated to firmware version 8.0.0 or later. To update your non-Gen 2 cameras, visit cuddeback. com and click Gen 2 Firmware in the upper right.

2. The Locker

2

Scent Crusher’s “The Locker” provides an easy and effective way to eliminate the odors on clothing and equipment, so you are ready for the next hunt. The new digital generator emits chemical-free ozone that destroys most odors within 30 minutes. It includes heavy-duty zippers, metal shelves, outside pockets, and a weather-proof lined base to resist moisture. Rechargeable, the generator can operate 4+ hours on a single charge so you can take it with you. It’s easy to assemble and tough enough with heavy-duty shelves to suit all your storage needs.

Visit scentcrusher.com.

3. Stand & Fill Feeders

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Texas Hunter Product’s convenient, low-profile Stand & Fill Feeder design makes filling easy. It’s 100% varmint proof according to an independent research study by Texas A&M University-Kingsville. It locks feed inside until dispensed by Texas Hunter’s Premium Digital Timer with 5-year warranty. Their patented highvelocity directional air-blower system projects feed up to 50-feet in one direction with a 30-foot wide wedgeshaped pattern. Available in three capacities: 300 lb., 400 lb. and 500 lb. Built in America. Learn more and watch the video at TexasHunter.com or call 800.969.3337.

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MUST-HAVES

[ THE JOURNAL]

VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

4. Shooting Chairs The G100 Shooting Chair is perfect for ground blind hunting during any season. With adjustable tripod legs, a folding design and full-back seat with a height adjustment of between 13-18 inches, the G100 gives hunters a combination of comfort, quiet and excellent positioning. The G200 chair meets all the special needs of tower stand hunters. It has a folding seat that also reclines, independently adjustable feet for leveling, and an adjustable seat height of 18-23 inches that allows a hunter to choose the best height for visibility from the stand. Each chair features a ComfortMAX seat design.

Visit millenniumstands.com.

4

5. Fine-Tuned Whiskey Whether neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail, Rebecca Creek Distillery’s Fine Texas Blended Whiskey is the perfect choice for those wanting to introduce their significant other to their one true love—namely, quality Texas whiskey. Beginners and connoisseurs alike give Rebecca Creek’s flagship whiskey top ratings: “Becky” is pleasant and sweet with hints of light vanilla. She’s a light-bodied whiskey that finishes ultra-smoothly with minimal heat. And the distiller has teamed up with Drizly.com to ensure 60-minute home delivery to most cities across Texas—an ingenious way to finish all of your (grownup) holiday shopping in minutes without leaving home.

Visit rebeccacreekdistillery.com/products/ rebecca-creek-whiskey.

5

6. Outdoor Pest Control Spray the outdoor furniture, yourself, the kids, Fido and your gear with Permethrin. Highlights include: • Repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, spiders, chiggers, mites, and more than 55 other kinds of insects • Effective against the Yellow Fever Mosquito, which can transmit the Zika virus • Effective against Lyme disease carrying ticks • Great for outdoor furniture, pets and more • Treat socks and shoes to be 70 times less likely to get bitten by a tick • 100% odorless after drying • A single application lasts for 6 weeks or 6 washings • Non-toxic and registered for use by the U.S. EPA Safeguard your skin with Picaridin, too. Highlights include: • Protects against mosquitoes, ticks, and even biting flies • Family friendly and safe for use during pregnancy • An effective alternative to DEET • Great for adults and kids • Lotion is effective for up to 14 hours; spray is effective up to 12 hours Learn more at sawyer.com. www.TTHA www.

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MUST-HAVES

[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

7. VIP Broadhead

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With the Combat Veteran broadhead, VIP has created a hybrid category thanks to Momentum Management Technology. With this design, they’ve eliminated the limitations commonly experienced by both fixed and mechanical broadhead users. It’s a flawlessly performing 4-blade broadhead. The broadhead features a heart stopping 1.25” x 2” cutting width for unmatched straight-line, passthrough performance.

Visit veteranip.com.

8. Waterproof Tackle Backpack The Plano Z-Series Tackle Backpack is made from a rugged, coated waterproof PVC fabric with welded seams. The padded shoulder straps are comfortable and adjustable. The top of the bag opens and closes with a roll-top design, secured by buckles. The backpack features a quick access sleeve pocket as well as an expandable side pocket, each being ideal for a water bottle, keys, wallet, fishing license, or cell phone. Even with these quick access pockets, the main compartment remains 100% waterproof, keeping your interior gear dry and safe.

Visit planomolding.com.

9. Electric UTV

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The “stealth-smooth” 72-volt power of the HuntVe Game Changer Electric 4x4 UTV comes equipped with dual direct drive motors—38 HP—meaning no chains or belts to wear and make noise. Also, the double wishbone front and rear independent suspension delivers an industry-best ride. Other models available.

Visit HuntVe.com

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MUST-HAVES 10. Gun Magnet The Sofhold American Patriot Gun Magnet has 50 pounds of pulling force so it can secure even heftier guns. Hand made in the USA, it’s covered with soft premium leather that won’t scratch your gun. The magnetic gun mount can be mounted anywhere and is compatible with most guns including Glock, Colt, Beretta, Browning, Keltec, Remington, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson and more.

For more info, visit sofhold.com.

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VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

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11. Truck-bed Shooting Chair Briscoe’s High Tower Shooting Chair fits most pickup beds and has adjustable width. It provides you with a 10- to 12-foot line of sight off the ground and has 360-degreee swivel. With only three component parts, it’s easy to install and can accommodate lights for predator hunting. Available in one or two-chair models.

Visit briscoeshightowershootingchair.com.

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12. Knife Sharpener System Precision knife sharpening is important for anyone who uses a knife. The ViperSharp Diamond Knife Sharpener System will assure you a perfect edge every time. A sharp knife is safer than a dull tool that may slip or require more effort than needed for the job.

The ViperSharp system will make sure you get the exact angle you desire on every pass. No more messy edges. No more sloppy systems. Just the perfect edge you desire fast and easy. The perfect professional sharpening system.

Visit vipersharp.com.

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The Axis Rut

M

y favorite time of the year has always been November through January, as I love chasing white-tailed deer all over Texas. However, a close second is May, June, and July when the summer axis bucks really get moving. It is this time of the year when the summer bucks are rutting and they are extremely vocal and visible as we venture through the ranches we hunt. Over the past decade, the axis have become extremely popular to hunt and the meat from these animals is second to none.

As a side note, I’ve discovered when following hunters on social media these days, the axis rut has become so popular with hunters that they have dubbed it “Axis Season.” As an outfitter, I have sold hunts for these majestic and beautiful creatures for two decades. Most of my hunters have been Texans who would come to hunt whitetails and find the axis extremely appealing. It was at that point a good many of our winter axis would leave in the back of a truck for the processor and taxidermist.

Most of the hunters who came to hunt with us in the Hill Country were opportunistic. Seeing the large main beams of a big axis buck was hard for them to turn down. Especially when you start thinking of all the great venison for the table.

We started learning early we were missing a fantastic opportunity that we needed to start sharing with our clients. As this will be our 19th summer of our youth summer camp program at the Christian Outdoor Alliance, we have been taking full advantage of hunting these creatures from June to August during our summer camps. We were mostly hunting axis does, as we used the meat to feed the kids each week.

What a blessing that has become.

It is especially rewarding on the last night of our

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Mr. and Mrs. Austin Hill.

Anthony Carchesio.

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Brian Sagraves.

Elija Madrid.

Dennis Herd.

Garrett Hawes.

Gus Sagraves.

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camp when we have our wild game dinner and axis backstrap is always on that menu. Our kids’ camps are for ages nine to 16. It goes without saying, but the bottomless pit we call early adolescent stomachs can be hard to fill up. Axis backstrap is the favorite.

Over the past decade we have been promoting our summer axis hunts. We really push for people to come from May and through July, but the entire summer and into October are very good hunting. It has opened up an entire herd of axis for people to hunt that we refer to as summer bucks. We had lots of people in the woods during the winter months and very few during the summer months, which meant more axis were being taken in the winter when the summer bucks were drawing a pass because their antlers were still growing out. Over the last few years, we have seen a lot of people take advantage of the summer hunt and take some great animals. It has become so popular we are getting more and more out-of-state hunters contacting us to come out and enjoy the axis rut.

According to Ernest D. Ables, in his book, The Axis Deer in Texas: “The axis deer, or chital (Cervus axis Erxleben), is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is considered to be the most beautiful of deer, with a bright reddish coat marked with rows of white spots that persist throughout life. Antlers of males are large but simple, usually with only three points. Adult males weigh up to 200 pounds and females (weigh) 35 percent less.

“The axis deer was first introduced into Texas in the 1930s and now occurs in at least forty-five counties.

Largest numbers occur on the Edwards Plateau, where the semi-open, dry scrub forest vegetation resembles that of its native habitat in India. Essential habitat components include water, woody vegetation for cover, and open areas for feeding. This deer is primarily a grazer, but its food habits are very general, and it can exist quite easily on forbs and woody browse.

“In contrast to the white-tailed deer, which typically eats only a few foods, the axis deer eats small quantities of a large variety of plant species. This broadspectrum diet gives it an advantage in competition with other deer. The reproductive activity of the axis occurs year-round, but most breeding occurs in June and July. Single fawns are born the following spring after a 7½-month gestation period.

“During the breeding period males bellow loudly and wander in search of receptive females. Females mature sexually and first breed at fourteen to seventeen months of age. Males are probably capable of breeding as yearlings but must achieve adult size to compete for females.”

If you pick the right locations to hunt axis, it can be very similar to an elk hunt, as we do lots of spotand-stalk. Because they are very vocal, it gives us some great opportunities to listen and move to their location. You have to move slowly because they are

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Larry Marlatt.

herd animals and you will have lots of eyeballs to overcome on your stalk. If you are looking for the ultimate challenge, then you should try your hand at bowhunting an axis.

The success level takes a huge dive on the bell curve. These animals are not easily tricked into close range. It is a lot of fun to pack a rifle and sit on top of hills as you glass the axis herds moving in and out of the oaks and juniper.

I highly recommend you look into an axis hunt soon and get you and your family out to enjoy these beautiful creatures. You will be very thankful when you put

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Sky Hawes.

the meat on the table for your friends and family. I am all into sharing, but this delicacy may need to be hidden in the back of the freezer for special occasions.

Michael Marbach is the CEO of the Christian Outdoor Alliance, www.mycoa.org; 210-827-9802.

COA’s mission is to guide youth and outdoorsman to a relationship with Jesus Christ through experience in God’s great outdoors.

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2020 RIFLESCOPE BUYER’S GUIDE

By John Goodspeed TRIJICON PHOTO

T

he latest riflescopes offer a wide range of choices, from close-in shooting to long range, including one designed for shots of a mile or more. More reticle choices abound, including MOA, mil-dot and those that match holdovers to specific cartridges. Zoom power choices multiply, too, including four, five, six and eight and one with a whopping 10-50X60.

While one manufacturer returns a classic line with budget prices, another — Nikon — reportedly will discontinue producing riflescopes.

Prices below are manufacturers’ suggested retail prices. Retail stores and websites often offer discounts off MSRP on some products.

Bushnell Outdoor Products l www.bushnell.com l Prime 3-12X40 Multi-Turret, $229.99 Compact at 12 inches long and weighing 17 ounces, this scope comes with a second focal plane multi-x reticle, standard MOA turret and six BDC turrets calibrated for .17 HMR, .22 LR, 250- and 300-grain two-pellet muzzleloader and 20 gauge, 250- and 300-grain three-pellet muzzleloader and 12-gauge, 350-grain three-pellet muzzleloader and .450 Bushmaster. The side parallax adjusts from 10 yards to infinity. It sports a 1-inch tube and 3½ inches of eye relief. The multicoated optics feature ultra-wide band coatings. EXO Barrier bonds to exterior lenses and repels water, oil, fog, dust and debris.

It comes with a lifetime warranty.

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics l www.zeiss.com/sports l Conquest V4 6-24X50, $1,099 The V4 series gets updates for this model and for the 4-16X44 ($949) including a number of second-focal-plane illuminated reticles, new turrets and configurations that total 11 between the two. The options can increase prices upwards of $150. For extended ranges there are two new MOA-based reticles for either scope, which both feature 30mm tubes. The thin-line reticles cover only a small area of the target. Also available are new quickly adjustable turrets and an external locking windage turret. Other options are traditional turrets protected by caps. Bolder engravings are easier to read. The V4 line comes equipped with T* (T star) multi-layer coating, which ZEISS says provides 90 percent light transmission.

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GPO (German Precision Optics) l www.gpo-usa.com l PASSION 5X 3.5-18X56i, $1,179.99 The PASSION 5X line gets two new five-power, second-focal-plane models, the one shown here and the 1-5X24i ($879.99). The new microfiber optic dot iCONTROL illumination system can be adjusted in a wide range of brightness. The dot offers precise close and long-range shooting.

The system powers down when stationary for more than three hours and alerts when the battery has 15 percent power remaining. Both models feature 30mm tubes, GPObright high-transmission lens coatings, PASSIONdrop hydrophobic exterior lens coatings and double HD glass objective lenses. The 3.5-18X56i weighs 26.4 ounces and is 15.4 inches long. Eye relief is 3½ inches. FOV is 32 to 6 feet. Both are covered by a lifetime warranty.

Leica Sport Optics l WWW.leica-sportoptics l PRS 5-30X56i, $2,699 This model is Leica’s first riflescope with a six-power zoom. It comes with a choice of three first-focal-plane illuminated reticles more than 100 MOA of adjustment for the same price—the more traditional L-4A, Ballistic, which features hold marks and an illuminated scale, and PRB, designed for long-range shooting with “Christmas tree” hold marks and fine crosshairs. Turrets provide well-defined clicks with a zero stop that can be turned off. The optical system provides more than 90 percent light transmission, according to Leica. FOV is 9-1.42 yards. Eye relief is 3½ inches. The tube is 34mm. It weighs 36.3 ounces and is 14.37 inches long.

Leupold & Stevens l www.leupold.com l VX-3i 4.5-14X40 Side Focus CDS-ZL, $844.99 This model with a 30mm tube is one of four introductions in the VX-3i line. All feature the ZeroLock CDS dial, which prevents unintended adjustments and ensures a fast return to zero. They are the first models with ZeroLock at a price point below the VX- 5HD. The CDS, or Custom Dial System, is an elevation dial to match a load, velocity and average atmospheric conditions. One is included with each scope. Another with a 30mm tube is the 4.5-14X50 Side Focus CDS-ZL ($974.99). The other two, which have 1-inch tubes and no side focus, are the 3.5-10X40 CDS-ZL ($649.99) and VX-3i 4.5-14X40 CDS-ZL ($779.99). Duplex and Wind-Plex reticles are available. They come with a lifetime guarantee.

Maven Outdoor Equipment Co. l www.mavenbuilt.com l RS.3 Long Range Riflescope 5-30X50, $1,600 The RS line’s flagship, this model sports a wide magnification range, ED glass, a lockable zero stop and a light weight for such a powerful scope, 26.9 ounces. The lens system and coatings paired with 50mm objective lens and a 30mm tube provide 90 percent light transmission, according to Maven. Options for the first-focal-plane reticle are MOA-2 with a floating dot or SHR-W, or Simplified Holdover Reticle with windage measurements. Elevation can be adjusted up to 80 MOA and windage 50 MOA. FOV at five power is 22.2 feet and 3.7 feet at 30 power. The Wyoming-based company sells high-end, Japanese-made optics directly to consumers.

Meopta USA Sport Optics l www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/ l Optika5 4-20X50-RD, $549.99

MARTIN ARCHERY PHOTO

This model with an illuminated red dot sits atop the new Optika5 series that offers six riflescopes — two 2-20X42s including one rimfire, a 3-15X44, a 4-20X44 and two 4-20X50s.

The 4-20X50-RD is the only illuminated model. Prices range from $349.99 to $549.99.

These one-inch tube models compliment the 30mm Optika6 series introduced last year.

The Optika5 line features a five-power zoom, zero-reset turrets, rear-facing magnification display for easy viewing, a throw lever for quick adjustment and a choice of reticles in the second focal plane. Lenses are coated with the anti-reflective MeoBright, abrasion-resistant MeoShield and MeoDrop, a hydrophobic film that repels rain, dust and grease. www.TTHA www.

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Riton Optics l www.ritonusa.com l X7 Conquer 3-24X50, $2,249.99 This model features a whopping eight-power zoom ratio, a 34-mm tube and a first-focal-plane illuminated reticle. Its high density (HD)/extra-low dispersion (ED) glass is said to deliver 99.5 percent light transmission and enhanced color spectrum. Proprietary lens coatings feature scratch resistance and anti-reflection and low-light enhancement. A throw lever helps navigate that wide zoom. The zero-stop turrets provide 130 MOA of adjustment in ¼-MOA clicks. The side parallax adjusts from 20 yards to infinity. The eye relief is 3½ inches. It weighs 34.1 ounces and is just over 13¾ inches long. The lifetime warranty requires no proof of purchase.

Sig Sauer l www.sigoptics.com l SIERRA6BDX 3-18X44, $1,299.99 The new six-power zoom line features Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) matched to a variety of ammunition and rifles. Others are the 2-12X40 ($1,169.99) and the 5-30X56 ($1,689.99). They feature the HDX hightransmission and high-definition optical design with up to 95 percent light transmission, thinner Digital Focal Plane BDX-R2 hunting reticle with 194 LEDs with wind holds and Bluetooth connection to BDX rangefinders. New features of BDX 2.0 include nine Ballistic Drop Compensation (BDC) reticles and QuickBOND, which allows pairing of BDX rangefinders and scopes without a smartphone app. They also use LevelPlex, an internal digital level to eliminate cant.

Sightron l www.sightron.com l SVSSED 10-50X60ZSIRMOA-H, $2,899 While this model is designed for long-range target shooting, it can double for hunting, too, especially for faraway critters. The 34mm tube with an ED glass objective lens allows 70 MOA elevation and 60 MOA windage adjustments. The elevation turret provides 10 MOA per revolution in 1⁄8 -MOA clicks. It also features the Sightron Zero-Stop and F.A.S.T — or Fine Adjustment Sight Tuner — focusing system for precise adjustments with a coarse dial and a fine dial for parallax correction. The ExacTrack system promises accurate return to zero. Zact-7 Revcoat provides improved resolution and light transmission. FOV ranges from 9.6 feet to 2.2 feet. Eye relief is 3.8 inches to 4½ inches. It is 16½ inches long and weighs 42.7 ounces.

Simmons Optics l www.simmonsoptics.com l Whitetail Classic 4-12X40, $99.99 Simmons brings back its Whitetail Classic line of riflescopes that was discontinued in the early 2000s in six configurations covering short to long ranges at budget prices. The 4-12X40 shown here features a FOV of 29 and 10 feet at the magnification ranges, which all sport 3.3 inches of eye relief. Click values are ¼ MOA with 30 MOA of adjustment. The rest of the models, which all feature Truplex reticles and a BlackGranite textured finish, are 4X32 ($49.99), 1-4X20 ($69.99), 2-7X32 ($79.99), 3-9X40 ($89.99) and 6-24X50 ($119.99).

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Styrka l www.styrkastrong.com l S5 4.5-14X44 SH-BDC, $519.95 This is one of three 4.5-14X44 models in the S5 line. It features Styrka’s SH-BDC reticle for bullet drop compensation with MOA holdover and windage points. It can be paired with the company’s free ballistic calculator download. The others are equipped with standard Plex and Mil-Dot reticles. All feature 1-inch tubes, allow parallax adjustment and 50 MOA of windage and elevation in ¼-MOA clicks. FOV for the SH-BDC model ranges from 23.4 to 7½ feet. Eye relief is 3.46 inches.

It is 13.44 inches long and weighs 19.1 ounces. Each model comes with a neoprene cover and a Spudz lens cloth. Covered by a lifetime warranty, the riflescopes can be sent annually to Styrka for a cleaning and tune up.

TRACT Optics l www.tractoptics.com l TORIC 4.5-30X56 Extreme Long-Range Riflescope, $1,694 This model is built for shots of a mile or more with a sloped base and such cartridges as the 6.5mm Creedmoor, .338 Lapua Magnum or a .50 BMG. The new first-focal-plane illuminated reticle is a Christmas tree design with 0.2 mil windage and elevation holds and quickreference marks every 0.5 mil. The 0.04 MRAD Floating Center Dot does not obscure the target. Click value is 0.1 mil. The 34mm tube scope allows 30 mils of elevation adjustment. Features include Schott HT glass, ED lens and side parallax adjustment. FOV ranges from 24.7 to 3.7 feet. Eye relief is from 3.6 to 3.8 inches. It is 14.4 inches long and weighs 41½ ounces. TRACT sells directly to the consumer.

SIG SAUER PHOTO

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Trijicon l www.trijicon.com l Huron 2.5-10X40, $699 The new Huron series designed for deer hunters includes the model shown here and a 1-4X24 ($650), 3-9X40 ($699) and 3-12X40 ($699).

All use 30mm tubes except the one-inch 3-9X40. The 2.5-10X40 features 70 MOA of adjustment in ¼-MOA clicks, 2.4-3.3 inches of eye relief and FOV of 40.2-10 feet. It is 12.55 inches long and weighs 18.2 ounces.

Trijicon says the scopes are built with the same military-grade construction and premium glass that earned the company a world-class reputation. The scopes offer a choice of second-focal-plane Standard Duplex, German No. 4 and the new BDC Hunter Holds reticles. An anti-scratch film is included on the multi-coated lenses.

Vanguard Sporting Opticsl www.vanguardworld.com l Endeavor RS IV 1.5-6X42, $539.99 This close-in hunting model with a four-power zoom factor features a 30mm tube and a German No. 4 illuminated reticle with 11 settings. Zero-reset windage and elevation knobs adjust up to 108 MOA in ¼-MOA clicks. Hoya ED glass features Multiguard coatings on outer lenses to improve resolution, clarity, color fidelity and light transmission. The side parallax adjustment can be locked. FOV ranges from 70½ to 15.6 feet depending on the magnification level. Eye relief is 4.11 to 5.34 inches. Covered by a lifetime warranty, it is 11.93 inches long and weighs 22.22 ounces. It comes with flip up lens covers and a neoprene protective cover.

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Author Photos

Brandon shot this split brow tine buck in October 2019. The hunt for this buck is described in the opening paragraphs.

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T

he date was Oct. 20, 2019. I was hidden in a natural brush blind near the banks of a Panhandle creek.

Towering cottonwood trees with yellow leaves rattled in the fall breeze. Three does milled around my hideout early. It wasn’t until sunset when the bucks appeared.

First was a broken-racked eight-point. He was young. A perfect decoy to let the older bucks feel safe. At 7:10 p.m., the big buck I was after came at a steady pace from the south. The main-framed eight-point buck’s rack had good mass, long beams and distinctive split brow tines. His body size was impressive, close to 200 pounds. I’d followed him for three years, mostly in trail camera pictures. This was my first up-close view of him in 2019. The split brow tines made him as recognizable as if he were wearing a nametag.

As I settled my 20-yard pin, the big buck took a step just as I touched the release. My arrow hit the broadside buck too far back. I recovered the arrow and it smelled like guts. At dark, I slipped out quietly to return the following morning.

The next day, my friend Steven Tisdale and his tracking dogs, “Jaeger” and “Hoyt,” found the buck stone dead. The arrow hit too far back on the entry side, but angled forward into the liver and one lung on the exit side. He only made it 150 yards before expiring. The 5½-year-old buck’s dagger-like brow tines were covered in freshly shredded, green mesquite bark. His right main beam was just shy of 24 inches and his outside spread was 21 inches. Counting his split brows, his rack carried about 150 inches of bone. It was one of many memorable deer hunts I’ve experienced in the Texas Panhandle.

will do well to be mobile, carry a tripod-mounted spotting scope and shooting sticks, and go to the deer instead of always waiting for the deer to come to you.

Jeff Bonner, my friend and Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist in Pampa, shared the following information on Panhandle deer: “Whitetail numbers are definitely growing everywhere in the Panhandle. They’re back to pre-drought densities (2011-2012) and well beyond in some locations. The highest densities are in the eastern Panhandle—from Hemphill south to Childress and even around the corner to Wilbarger—along wooded creeks and rivers. In these riparian zones it can be as high as 5 acre/ deer in some localized areas. But most riparian systems will be somewhere around 15-20 acre/deer. Those densities will drop dramatically if you start walking away from the wooded bottoms and out into the more open country. Walk just a few miles and the density drops to 50-75 acre/deer.”

Weather is extreme at the top of Texas. Summers are hot, and 100-degree days are common. In years of drought, the ground will crack and the wind will feel like a blow dryer on hyper blast. Winter brings bitter north winds, snow and ice. Tempera-

Top of Texas Hunting The various ecological regions of Texas offer different landscapes to hunt deer. East Texas means bucks in the pines. Hill Country deer hunting means oaks and mesquites. Where the northern reaches of Texas transition from the Rolling Plains to the High Plains of the Panhandle means A close-up of the split brow tines on Brandon's October 2019 Panhandle buck. diverse habitat types. In some locations deer live in steep canyons. In other places miles of prairie are dotted with ag fields and islands of cottonwood trees or winding tures can drop to single digits in deer season with the wind creeks. Throughout most of the High Plains, deer densities chill something more likely to be found at the North Pole. This are lower than what you might encounter in Central or South is no place for powderpuffs that like an easy hunt.

Texas. The highest densities in the Panhandle are found in the There isn’t a specific county or region of the Panhandle that eastern-most counties. The farther west you go, deer densities is best for big bucks. Ranch management, habitat of a given drop. The reality of such things for a deer hunter is this: You property, and hunting pressure from neighboring properties, will see fewer deer on an average “sit” in the Panhandle than in will all influence the quality of bucks more so than the county other parts of the state. Also, hunting tactics might differ. In big name. Look at the list of whitetail entries for Region 2 in the country, glassing from a high vantage point and making a stalk 2019 Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA) and you’ll see many difmight make more sense than guarding a feeder. Rifle hunters ferent counties. While a few big bucks come from the western-

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Lisa Armbruster shot this wide 8-point in November 2016 in the northeastern Texas Panhandle.

Sunset behind a windmill on the High Plains.

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most counties of the Panhandle, most entries are from the eastern counties.

Bucks on the Rolling Plains and High Plains get as big as bucks anywhere. Given the chance to reach maturity, and especially in a year with good moisture, some bucks will score 170-200 inches plus. Need proof? The top typical entry last year from Region 2, a giant buck taken in random Dawson County by Lowell Boswell, grossed 1954⁄8 and netted 1875⁄8 inches. The top-scoring non-typical from Region 2 was taken in Potter County by Jordan Pinkston and grossed 2211⁄8 and netted 2131⁄8. Both of those bucks would easily surpass the Boone and Crockett all-time minimums of 170 inches typical and 195 inches nontypical respectively. I know of several other giant Boonerclass bucks taken in recent years by hunters that prefer to remain anonymous.

So when should you hunt the top of Texas? I get serious in late October. Look for fresh rubs on mesquites and cedars to tell you where bucks hang out. In late October, cold fronts start getting mature bucks more active in daylight.

Bucks are also starting to seek does with the rut gaining momentum. Being a bowhunter is a definite advantage as you get a month-long head start on rifle hunters. I’ve taken numerous big bucks in late October, but even on the years I don’t get my buck in October, that knowledge I gained on a specific deer in October always increased my odds of getting him in November. Calling and rattling can be effec-

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tive. November means bucks are rutting and responsive to calls.

Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA) Region 2 Whitetails Way back in 2006, I glassed a buck with The following are the top three typical and non-typical whitetails entered wide antlers chasing does down a Panhandle from the 2019 season for Region 2, the Panhandle. The top-scoring typical is creek at sunrise. I’d seen the buck in previfrom Dawson County, cotton country near Lamesa and the top non-typical is ous days from a distance through my spotting from Potter County, Amarillo area. There’s a lesson there somewhere. Somescope, but he was always on the neighboring times the biggest bucks are in the most unlikely places. property. Now, he was on fair ground. The buck and three does disappeared into a small 2019 Top Three Typicals, Region 2 island of trees along the creek at 8 a.m. More Name of Hunter County Gross Net than a half-mile separated us. I took off at a trot to cut the distance. When I thought I was 1. Lowell Boswell Dawson 1954⁄8 1875⁄8 inside 150 yards of the buck, I climbed a mesa 2. Larry McLaughlin Cottle 1717⁄8 1667⁄8 near the creek. From there I glassed, but could not see the buck through the thick brush. So 3. Barry Saladino Childress 1713⁄8 1661⁄8 I grunted a few times on my grunt call and rattled my shed antlers together. Almost im2019 Top Three Non-Typicals, Region 2 mediately, I saw the buck come charging out Name of Hunter County Gross Net of some trees towards my position. I shot him 1. Jordan Pinkston Potter 2211⁄8 2131⁄8 on the move at less than 50 yards with my scoped rifle. The date was November 19. That 2. Cody Babcock Gray 1944⁄8 1896⁄8 5½-year-old buck’s rack was over 24 inches 3. Joey Pope Stonewall 1932⁄8 1876⁄8 wide with 14 points and he grossed 177 inches non-typical. Being mobile paid off. Jeff Bonner shared this tidbit on when he would hunt and rattle. “Generally, if I had to pick an extended weekend to go hunting, I’d pick the weekend do. She worked the rifle’s bolt and fired a second shot, dropping prior to Thanksgiving.” the mature buck in an easy spot to retrieve him with the truck.

That mature Panhandle buck had been a regular at Kurt’s blind

By December, a lot of bucks will have broken and damfor several years. Every year his eight-point rack had unique, aged racks, but not all of them. I shot a fine buck last year on squiggly tines and acorn-like tips on one or more of his antlers.

December 29 with my bow near a corn feeder. That 150-class, Coyotes howled as I snapped photos of Lisa gripping the ant10-point buck’s rack was still in perfect condition. The buck lers of her special buck. We were an hour from the closest gas had obviously lost weight from earlier in the season due to the station or motel, but we didn’t care. We were all alone in wild stress of the rut. Post rut look for bucks visiting corn feeders or country with a fine, old buck at our feet. That pretty well sums wheat fields. up why I love deer hunting at the top of Texas. It’s deer hunting the way it should be.

A Remote Buck for Lisa Another element of Panhandle hunting that I find appealing is the isolation. This is big country where towns are often many miles apart. That translates into less hunting pressure on bucks in remote locations and deer acting more like deer should than deer reacting to pressure and acting paranoid. Yes, deer numbers are lower at the top of Texas, but so is the hunting pressure.

The year was 2016. Lisa Armbruster had a new Browning .243 topped with a Leupold scope. My friend, Kurt Stallings, had a wide eight-point buck he nicknamed “Squiggles” coming to a corn feeder with some degree of regularity. The hunting grounds were in the northeastern Panhandle. The terrain was rolling prairie, rocky mesas and the mighty Canadian River was not too far away. Cottonwood trees surrounded that stand site while the sandy ground made four-wheel drive a necessity.

It was after sunset when the wide-antlered buck made his appearance. He scattered a few does, scent-checking each one, before standing broadside. It was November after all and he was acting like bucks should act in November.

A fresh rub on a mesquite Lisa’s bullet hit the buck low in the chest. The big-bodied tree in a Panhandle creek prairie buck ran 50 yards and stopped. Lisa knew what to bottom. www.TTHA www.

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Author Photos

Alyssa met this challenging African hunt head-on. She successfully overcame self doubt to earn her trophy.

STORY

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I

have had a love for the outdoors and a passion for trophy hunting for all of my 21 years. Trophy hunting is a bit different for me, however, because I face the obstacle of being legally blind and completely colorblind.

Being completely colorblind makes hunting difficult because I won’t always see the animal first. I can spot movement pretty quickly, but I have to use binoculars to determine what exactly it is I’m looking at. Usually I will limit myself to shoot about 100 yards just because that’s what I am comfortable with, and I will have someone with me to help watch which direction an animal will run after a shot.

Last summer, I decided to go out on a limb way beyond my comfort zone. I took an opportunity to go on a plains game hunt in South Africa. I was very excited for this trip, although I was pretty scared at the same time.

I had never hunted with people besides my family, who knew my obstacles, my comfort zones, and my limits when it came to hunting.

Hunting in South Africa is all spot-andstalk style. There was a lot to consider when coming into this being legally blind. First of all, I’m clumsy. So, watching my feet and cautiously stepping while hiking through the Africa bushveld was a task in itself.

Second, when doing spot-and-stalk you have to be aware of your surroundings. These animals have no reason to stick around. If they spot you or if they’re suspicious, they’re gone. You have to keep yourself aware with what you’re watching and what’s watching you in order to not spook anything.

Third, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to spot something in the scope fast enough. When scanning with a scope, it’s difficult for me to see if something isn’t moving. If something is www.TTHA www.

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just standing still, I can scan right over it because the colors may blend into the surroundings. On top of my fears coming into this experience, I sprained my ankle while touring South Africa two days before I was supposed to hunt. But I didn’t sit on a 23-hour flight to come to South Africa and not take my opportunity to hunt.

I had my sights set on a spot-and-stalk for a Kudu bull. I explained my situation to Mark Ivy, the owner of Ivy Safaris, and he decided to guide me himself. We set out at 6 a.m. the very next morning. That day we walked for eight miles through the bush.

We had a few close calls, but I couldn’t spot the animal inside the scope fast enough before it spotted us. The next morning, we set out bright and early again to hopefully shoot my Kudu bull. We trekked in and out of creeks and tall grasses and we would get very close to a few. But by the time we got set up, they would move along.

On the third morning of my four-day hunt, I came to Mark and told him about a couple more animals I would be willing to shoot if a Kudu was too difficult, or if we came across those animals first. This day, I began to doubt myself. I wondered why I thought I could do such an intensive hunt, and why I thought this would be possible for me with my low vision. Soon after these thoughts flooded my head, we came across an impressive impala.

Because I had so many close calls before this, I was anxious. I just knew this animal would run off if I gave it time to do so. It could be another strike at my confidence as a hunter. I went against every bit of hunting ethic I was ever taught and I took an uncomfortable, rushed shot.

I completely missed, of course. As embar-

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rassing as it was, I trekked behind Mark, tearing up, thinking I had flown to Africa just to come to the realization that I really can’t do everything I put my mind to because of my disability. I thought having another animal getting away was going to knock me down a peg, but missing an animal was even worse.

On the very last morning of my South Africa visit, I had no hope to shoot anything.

But I added a couple more animals to my list for Mark so I could maximize my opportunity on the last day. As soon as we set out that morning, we came across a mature blesbok. I agreed to shoot it if I got the opportunity.

As expected, it took off as soon as we got near. Then suddenly, Mark took off. We were jogging through the bush and I was so worried I would trip or step in a hole and hurt my ankle more. I wasn’t even looking up beyond Mark’s tracks.

He stopped to immediately set up the shooting sticks. He stood behind the sticks with his hand out behind him, giving me the “don’t move, we’re being watched” signal. I stood directly behind him, not even sure what we were looking at. He stepped to the side and nudged me towards the sticks.

I set up the rifle and began my process to find what we were looking at. He pulled the butt of the gun towards me and had me directly on the animal, then told me to shoot.

It happened so fast, I didn’t have time to be anxious or doubt myself and my shooting abilities. I didn’t even have time to see what I was shooting at!

The way the sun casted a shadow on the animal, I would’ve told you it was the blesbok. But as we went to track my trophy, one of the spotters said, “Congrats, you got your Kudu bull that you came for.” I made a heart shot on a mature Kudu bull at 160 yards—my farthest shot ever—after hiking 26 miles in three days on a sprained ankle. I wasn’t really sure how I pulled it off in the end. But if there’s anything I learned in the African bushveld, it’s that the greatest pleasure in life is doing what everyone, sometimes even yourself, believes you can’t do.

Alyssa with her guide. This hunt taught her the greatest pleasure in life is doing something others believe you can't do.

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Pronghorn

On Wide Open Spaces

By Jason Shipman

Author Photos

Contributed Photo/Bryan O’Neal

Jason’s monster pronghorn had it all — excellent length, mass, and huge prongs. His Wyoming hunt was a rewarding and memorable experience.

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W

ide open spaces encompassing plains, valleys, and rugged badlands are home to the fastest land mammal in North America, the pronghorn antelope. When it comes to hunting out West, the pronghorn is often highly underrated.

Pronghorn rely on keen eyesight, followed by a fleet-footed and swift departure from perceived threats, reaching speeds upwards of 60 mph. This combination of challenging terrain and adept senses make the pronghorn a uniquely attractive game animal.

American pronghorn, or Antilocapra americana, interestingly enough are not really antelope at all, but instead the only living members of the family Antilocapridae. Pronghorn are endemic to North America, ranging across the western half of the United States. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Wyoming all produce exceptional quality animals each year. In terms of sheer num-

bers, Wyoming is a great bet for pronghorn where populations there have flourished and hunting opportunities abound.

I’ve had the great fortune to hunt many of the Western states for a variety of game including mule deer, elk, and pronghorn.

For several years running, I have hunted with a good friend of mine, Brittain Griffith, and we have made several trips to Wyoming. The focus has always been big mulies, but last year we decided to go after trophy pronghorn. Time spent during our insatiable pursuit of mulies had given us a glimpse of the quality of pronghorn in the area and the unique hunting opportunity presented. We had seen some great pronghorn in the past and knew our chances of taking a legitimate trophy would be good if we put in the work and hunted hard. As an added bonus, we would still have the opportunity to see plenty of mule deer.

Upon arrival at the ranch in Wyoming, we settled in at the

Glassing herds of antelope for potential prospects is a meticulous process when in search of record-book-quality animals.

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lodge before sighting-in our rifles and heading out to the field for a look around. It was great to be back amongst friends and good company and we were all enjoying the camaraderie. As we made our way around, we were telling stories, laughing, and cutting up quite a bit. We were having a good time and while I’ll admit, we might not have seemed very serious about hunting, our intentions were clear about trophy pronghorn.

We spent the next couple of days covering as much ground as possible. They were long days in the field and we looked at a lot of country without retracing our tracks. We glassed herds of pronghorn for potential prospects and meticulously picked apart bucks in search of record book quality animals. We saw plenty of nice ones, just not exactly what we were after. We were hunting for the kind of animal that you don’t have to take long to judge, when you reach for your gun and instinctively shoot before you realize what just happened.

The wind never stops in Wyoming and after a couple of days in the field of non-stop hunting, we were wind burned and blurry-eyed from glassing. When you’re seeing a lot of game though, it’s hard to stop hunting. Every hill you come upon gives you a glimmer of hope that the one you’re looking for will be just on the other side. Turns out there are a lot of rolling hills in Wyoming and I think we covered them pretty well.

About mid-morning on the third day, we drove through quite a bit of rough country, obviously more suitable for big mule deer, before finally making it to a long, narrow valley. We could see pronghorn ahead in the distance at more than 1,000 yards.

We followed our normal protocol and stopped to set up the spotting scopes for a closer look. We were weary, our eyes tired from hours of glassing as the wind whipped about, constantly reminding us that it was still there.

The pronghorn had not seen us, and fed contentedly as we fumbled about before finally getting the glass on them. They were a long way off, but we had excellent glass, which is a must when hunting out West. Upon getting a closer look, we confirmed about a dozen does and one buck in the group. As The author first spotted his big pronghorn at more than 1,000 yards. Excellent glass is a must when hunting out West.

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The author’s first shot with his .25-06 was high at about 350 yards. He sent his first shot right over the top the giant buck’s back. He made the most of his second chance.

the old saying goes, “It only takes one,” and this was clearly the one. We decided to close the distance for a better look.

Using the rolling hills of the valley floor, we eased up without being detected and set up the spotting scopes again. The pronghorn fed and milled about. The big buck was preoccupied with his does as we looked them over. Simply put, the buck was huge to the point that his horns looked out of proportion.

We didn’t have to think about it long before making a plan for a stalk to get within shooting range.

Again, using the small rolling hills, we began our stalk.

We duck-walked until we ran out of cover and crawled as we crested the last hill between us and the feeding pronghorn. I was up for the shot and eased into position on the shooting sticks. The distance was about 350 yards as I eased the safety off my .25-06.

I held a little high to compensate for the distance as I squeezed the trigger. That was a big mistake. I sent my first shot right over the top the giant buck’s back.

Not realizing what had just happened, the startled group of pronghorn trotted over the hill and out of view. We quickly moved forward and as we crested the next hill the pronghorn came into view again. They were milling about nervously and I felt my opportunity slipping by. The distance was about the same as before and I quickly got back into position with the shooting sticks. Making the most of my second chance, there was no mistaking the “THWACK!” as the bullet found its mark.

The big pronghorn went down out of view and we watched as the does crested the next hill.

Shaken and excited by what had transpired, we walked up the hill as time seemed to stand still. We made it to top and there just on the other side, laid the fallen trophy. We walked up in admiration of the monster pronghorn. Truly one for the record books, he had it all. Excellent length, mass, and huge prongs. The hunt had been such a rewarding and memorable experience and we were living in the moment. Good Lord willing, we will be back in Wyoming next season looking for another giant for Brittain.

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Raspberry Island Lodge Photos

Giant elk of the Roosevelt subspecies populate the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago.

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Author Photos

f you know your deer, you know Alaska has more different species of native deer than any place in the world.

This includes the biggest of all deer, Alaska moose which can push 1,500 pounds, the majestic caribou, a robust population of Roosevelt elk in the Kodiak Archipelago and the wonderful Sitka blacktailed deer throughout Southeast Alaska and Kodiak Island.

And the good news for nonresidents, as well as anyone who loves venison, is that all are available with do-it-yourself hunts. There are no guarantees in Alaska, except that you’ll invest a heavy toll in blood sweat and tears, but the payoff can be www.TTHA www.

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incredible. In Part I, we covered moose and caribou (see the JulyAugust Journal). For Part II we’ll discuss elk and Sitka blacktails.

Alaska’s Elk

The author says you have to go to the high country to reach the bulls that love to hide in dark, dense timber.

Elk? Yes, Alaska has a robust herd of big forest elk. These are the Roosevelt elk that populate the Kodiak Archipelago. They are descendants of the giant Roosevelt elk that populate the Pacific Northwest.

They have significantly larger bodies and relatively smaller, heavier antlers than those of Rocky Mountain elk. A lot of Alaskans think this elk hunt is physically harder and mentally tougher than even mountain goats and Dall sheep. First, it’s a THE JOURNAL OF THE TEXAS TROPHY HUNTERS - The Voice of Texas Hunting®

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The Best Hunt Several decades ago on a hunt at the Y.O. Ranch, a former president of the Safari Club was with us. Sitting around the campfire, he reflected that hunting Alaska Sitka black-tailed deer was his favorite hunt in the entire world. And until I had hunted a little deer, I was skeptical.

Now it’s also one of my favorite hunts.

They are an incredibly fun and relatively inexpensive species to hunt.

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Authro Photos

limited draw hunt, so you have to win a tag through the state’s annual lottery.

Then getting to Kodiak is just the jumping-off point to Raspberry and Afognak islands, where most of the elk are.

The islands are vertical rain forest choked with timber, alder thickets, aptly-named devil’s club, and 60-degree slopes. And forget ice. The slickest surface on Earth is the island’s dense grass and brush, which is constantly wet and conspiring to break ankles.

Like most Alaska hunting, 95 percent of the battle is getting to the animals. You start at sea level, normally dropped off by a Zodiac or a float plane. Herds of mostly cows will appear closer to shore during late season, when snow may drive them down. But you have to go high to reach the bulls that love to hide in dark, dense timber Once you get to the high country where the bulls are, especially during early season, it’s a matter of glassing until you spot a herd or one bull, often already in range. Bugling is not much a part of these hunts, which are traditionally held after the rut. So, it’s a matter of finding your bull and then that rare opening to make one accurate shot. But getting your animal back to the beach can be a several-day project, again, through that vertical timber country where no vehicle or four-wheeler can travel. With several hundred pounds of meat and the legal requirement to keep the quarters intact, you can plan several backpack trips with loads of 80 to 100 pounds each.

Oh, and the country between the elk and the beach is usually filthy with brown bears that love to eat elk, and to take elk away from elk hunters. It is an absolute necessity to carry a bear tag along with your elk ticket, just in case 10 feet of fur, fangs and claws tries to take possession. But if you love elk, and a rugged hunt, it is among the most unique elk hunts in America.

Top to Bottom: Remington 700 BDL in .30-06 with Hogue stock and NIkon 3-9X scope; Remington 700 BDL in .300 Win. Mag. with Shilen custom barrel, factory stock, KDF muzzle brake and 3-10X50 Leupold scope; Browning ABolt in .375 H&H Magnum with Leupold 3-9X scope and factory muzzle brake.

Picking your Alaska arsenal

While any centerfire cartridge from .243 up will kill a blacktail deer, caribou or frankly most moose, we hunt them with stout cartridges, .338 or larger, because of the real prospect of a bear trying to take your deer. By law in Alaska, you can’t kill a bear just because it takes your deer. You can kill it in defense of your life or property, but in the alder hills, with rain and dark, it’s sometimes hard to know the difference.

I’ve taken about equal numbers of Alaska critters with my ancient .30-06 and its big brother .300 Win. Mag. They’re Remington 700s, not stainless, heavy and absolute tack drivers. The .300 in particular weighs 10.5 pounds with a long barrel and 3-10X50 Leupold, but anywhere I’m not climbing mountains, I have great confidence it its accuracy and power. With 180 grains Nosler Partitions, I’ve shot lots of holes clean through big bears with both those rifles.

But my Alaska arsenal also includes two other all stainless thumpers. My mountain rifle is a 6-pound Kimber 84 .270 for climbing into the nosebleed seats. The .270 is deadly accurate with Hornady 145-grain ELDX bullets and anywhere bears are unlikely, it’s my favorite. And I wouldn’t feel under gunned if a bear wanted to fight.

The “heavy” is a Browning Stainless A-Bolt in .375 H&H. With a muzzle brake and a great trigger, it’s frankly too accurate for so big a gun. But with 270-grain Partitions or 260-grain Barnes, I’d feel well prepared for anything that walks in Alaska, or probably on Earth.

Brown and grizzly bears are incredibly tough, pain-resistant, hard to kill animals. Hit wrong they go forever, often in your direction. But a friend in Fairbanks has killed four of them with a recurve bow, the last with a flint broadhead. He’d pick his shots, from a tree stand, and one well-placed shot was all it took. That’s a good example to follow regardless of what you’re carrying.

Blacktails are stocky, shortly legged, foxred deer with much smaller antlers than Texas whitetails. Alaskans accustomed to moose call them the “little deer,” but a mature buck will dress over 200 pounds and will carry only four or six points. An eight-point is always a trophy.

Blacktails are also some of the tastiest venison in the world. I think they’re far superior to Texas whitetails. And the bag limit, depending on the area, is three to

six deer per season. You can also hunt blacktails in Southeast Alaska, from Prince of Wales Island to Haines and Skagway. This is the lush, thick lower coastal timber of the Tongass, the largest temperate rain forest in the world. It’s a magical place to hunt unique and lovely deer.

Hunting these little ghosts can be a unique challenge. They tend to be less spooky than whitetails, in that they

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Black-tailed deer on Kodiak Island and in Southeast Alaska are an abundant, fun and tasty quarry.

United States and while there are fabulous hunts and rich wildlife populations in some places, there’s also a lot of empty country—millions of square miles that have game at only certain times of year or not at all.

The good news is there’s vast information available online and the wildlife officers in each regional office are generally pretty helpful at providing basic information. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game website is a great start.

Alaska transporters, who deliver hunters to a hunting area by float plane or boat, can provide detailed Information to a specific drainage or region to base your hunt. They can’t help you hunt or point out individual animals or really do anything other than transport you to and from by law, but they can be an invaluable and moderately inexpensive way to get into good country.

And even flying into a good area with a great operator at the right time of year is no guarantee of success. Keep Alaska’s feast or famine nature in mind no matter what you do here. Also allow yourself twice as much time as you expect for your hunt because of the potential of really bad weather grounding you, delaying your arrival, delaying your departure, or both.

While even for an Alaskan, taking all four deer species in a single year is a difficult if not impossible dream, it’s very possible to combine moose and caribou, or elk and deer, or on Kodiak Island, deer and caribou on a single trip.

And that’s a deer hunter’s dream!

won’t leave the country if they detect you. But they hold tight to cover, having learned they’re safer hiding than running from the big bears.

Think the deer version of a ring-necked pheasant or cottontail rabbit, except their hiding spot is an alder thicket or dark timber. They evolved to hide because they live every day with monstrous bears that can and will kill them with one swipe of a giant paw and are fast enough to chase them down.

So blacktails hold very tight.

Early season—which opens August 1 in much of their range—will find them above the tree line in the alpine meadows. It’s a spirited hike up to them, but the hunt and weather is glorious, in the spirit of alpine mule deer. Packing your buck back down a few thousand feet is part of the adventure too.

On Kodiak, the best tactic is being above open benches or parks at first light to catch deer and glass. If you don’t find the deer you want, sneaking slow through alders can often bring you within slingshot range of a buck hiding like a fat cottontail.

It can also bring you face-to-face with old Ursus arctos middendorffi / horribilis, the Kodiak brown bear.

And if you don’t find a bear while you’re looking for a Kodiak deer, he’s likely to come looking for you when your shot promises an easy venison meal.

Bears always brings up the whole favorite topic of what firearm to carry.

You want the biggest rifle you can shoot well, in a stainless, rustproof platform. You also need to practice differently for Alaska hunting. Distances will be unknown, from 6 feet to 600 yards, often on moving game. A lifetime of hunting from a deer stand won’t prepare you for shooting live game here. So, practice a lot from all positions and ranges. Learn to shoot fast and with confidence or stay home.

It’s important to remember that, before buying a plane ticket to Anchorage, you really need to do your homework.

Lee dragging a Kodiak black-tailed buck while Alaska is half the size of the entire keeping an eye open for any bears.

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Author Photos

Sheyanne (far right) sharing the triumph of her mountain lion hunt in Utah with her parents.

STORY

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A

t 4 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2019, my dream hunting trip was about to start. Growing up hunting in South Texas, I always dreamed about going mountain lion hunting, and Panguitch, Utah, was the spot. My hunt wouldn’t really start until Feb. 28, because it was a two-day drive and my family and I wanted to make several stops along the way. We drove about half way and stopped in Farmingville, New Mexico to rest for the night. The morning of the 27th we were up early to finish our drive. We arrived in Panguitch about 6 p.m., contacted our outfitter and got ready for the next morning’s hunt.

I didn’t get much sleep that first night. Everyone woke up at 4 a.m. to meet Jesse Hatch and his brother Heath of Lost Lake Outfitters, and begin our hunt. I rode with Jesse in a side by side the first morning. In fact, it would be that way every morning.

Mom and Dad went with Heath and covered the other side of the mountain, with each of us looking for lion tracks. We were hunting in the Panguitch Unit, which covers about 100 square miles. That unit was the closest to town and had two big toms that Jesse and Heath had seen once a week for the past two weeks. I never hunted cats before, so I really didn’t know what to expect.

The roads were all snow covered. Sometimes they were covered so deep we would get stuck. The first morning we found a two-day-old deer kill. Jesse believed the cat was finished with it and wouldn’t come back for it.

The second day was much like the first, driving some 80 miles, seeing lots of elk and deer but no lion tracks.

So when the third day rolled around, we discussed our options and decided to hunt in the Panguitch Unit one more day. A female cat had been killed on the mountain, leaving two more cats to be taken in that particular unit.

So we struck out across a 5-mile road, the upper road, and at about 11 a.m. we saw a lion track.

Jesse said it looked old, but we should put the dogs on it.

To our surprise, the dogs took to the old track then took off fast. They covered the first 500 yards in about 5 minutes.

Jesse kept saying this would be the cat we were looking for.

My heart rate doubled from excitement.

As we sat on the road watching the dogs on the GPS, Mom and Dad were trying to make their way toward Jesse and me.

I was the only one with a lion permit, so Dad told Jesse that if the dogs treed a cat, then don’t wait for him. Jesse said the dogs had treed the cat.

We had to figure out the best way to reach the dogs and my cat. Jesse talked on the CB with Heath. They decided we should

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try coming in from the 5-mile road, so we started our hike down the mountain.

The air at 9,000 feet took its toll on me. I fell behind but I did the best I could. I had been working out for months before the trip, but it didn’t seem to help. Jesse moved through it like he lived on the mountain.

We could hear the dogs as we closed in on the lion. Jesse said we were within 100 yards and we heard what no one wants to hear on public hunting land—a shot. Someone else had shot our lion. I was totally devastated.

Another outfitter had heard our dogs and put out his dogs.

They simply beat us to the tree. They came in from the 3-mile road, which was below and an easier route to get to the cat.

After we got back to our vehicle we decided to backtrack down the mountain to find our three dogs.

This is when and how we knew it was our cat. Two trucks were parked at the base of the mountain, and those people were loading dogs and carrying one of our dogs with a giant tom mountain lion. They tried to make small talk with us, but Jessie was having no part of it. He was very upset and it showed.

We gathered up “Ace,” and returned to the mountain to find the other dogs. We would spend the next two hours only finding “Tex.” A local returned “Deets,” the third dog, two days later at Jesse’s house. That night, however, was a big downer.

Sheyanne and her guide finally came across a mountain lion track on the third day of the hunt.

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Our biggest problem: it would get very cold at night but very warm during the day, so the snow would melt and then refreeze, allowing the cats to walk on top of the snow without leaving tracks. The third day of the hunt, my dad was so emotional. He knew how much this hunt meant to me. On Sunday we got up and hunted our butts off, but had no results.

While we visited about our plans for the fifth and last day of my hunt, we checked the Utah Fish and Game website and realized the quota of 12 cats had been reached in the Panguitch Unit. That meant that three cats, including the one we had up a tree on Saturday, had been killed in that Unit since Friday when the season had opened. After a long silence, Heath said we should go to the Boulder Unit. He said more cats are there, but they’re usually smaller and a lot more are female. It was the last day of the hunt so this didn’t matter. We would need a last-day cat.

We awoke Monday morning to 6 new inches of fallen snow, 28 degrees and clear skies. Like clockwork, Jesse and Heath arrived at our rental house at 5 a.m. A couple problems cropped up that morning. One: the drive to the Boulder Unit was about 35 miles and the roads were bad. Two: Heath was taking the snow mobile to cover more ground so that meant my parents had to stay behind until we found lion tracks.

Jesse and I went to the backside of the Boulder Unit and started driving. Heath started on the south side of the Boulder Unit. My dad and mom were OK with staying behind. It didn’t take long to receive a text from Heath.

He had cut a fresh track and instructed us to get our butts on the mountain as fast as we could. In Utah, you can’t put dogs out until the hunter is present. I was the hunter and I was 1½ hours away. Heath then called my parents and told my dad, “You had better head this way. It looks good.”

He said his truck was stuck about 3 miles in, but he had unloaded the snow mobile and cut a track about a mile up the mountain valley. As luck would finally have it, we arrived at the entrance to the park at the same

It took Sheyanne a bit longer than she thought, but she finally got herself a trophy.

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time. No one had been on the mountain or down the road except Heath. The snow didn’t look real. It was so pristine.

We hurried to unload the vehicle and get underway. We headed out while Heath loaded my mom on the snow mobile and led us to the track. This lion had never crossed a road, but Heath had seen this lion’s tracks coming down the side of the mountain.

He told us it looked like a medium-size male or a big female cat.

Jesse put the dogs out, and in a matter of minutes, Tex and Ace had jumped the cat and put him up a large cedar tree. All I remember is Jesse and Heath saying they got him. We think the lion crossed the valley, went up high on the south slope and was sunning on a large rock. We spent a few minutes making a plan and while we were loading our gear, Heath went to pick up my dad.

We could see and hear the dogs, but it was very steep and most steps were in 2 feet of snow. As we neared the tree you could almost feel the dog’s breath. The howls were so loud, but suddenly, the cat bailed out of the tree and began to run. I could hear my mom and dad below, yelling like they could help.

In a matter of minutes the dogs had this cat up the second tree, but it was another 300 yards across the mountain. I remember Jesse saying, “Take your time; we got him now.” I kept thinking, “What if he jumps again, goes over the mountain, gets in a cave and we never see him again?” I never wanted anything so much in my life.

As we made it to the second tree, I tried to gather my breath and composure. Finally, we were under the tree. The dogs were all there howling. Heath was filming and said it looked like a big female.

I just stood there. I didn’t know what was happening and then I heard Heath say, “Look, Sheyanne. It’s a great big female, probably 7 or 8 years old, and a good one to shoot.

You came all the way from Texas to shoot a lion, so shoot the lion.”

I got my wits about me and raised my AR .223 caliber and fired. I hit her behind the shoulder but she stayed in the tree. Jesse said to shoot again so I fired the second shot but it hit a tree branch. Then the cat bailed out of the tree, but was bleeding. She ran right by Heath, almost knocking him down, and piled up about 40 yards away. My dream had come true.

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Mark Herfort............................ Rosenberg, TX Laura Berry.........................Corpus Christi, TX Owen West............................San Antonio, TX Kirk Templin........................... Sugar Land, TX Alexander Jumonville ...........Baton Rouge, LA Brian H. Welker...................... Sugar Land, TX Milton Schultz, Jr.....................Glen Rose, TX Don Saunders........................San Antonio, TX Al Brothers.................................. Berclair, TX Jimmy Yarborough..........................Alpine, TX Shelby Fischer..............................Victoria, TX D.H. Braman, III............................Refugio, TX Dr. James A Twaite....................New York, NY Dr. C. Richard Stasney ................Houston, TX Jack Carmody.............................. Leander, TX Skipper Bettis...............................Remus, MI Jim D. Young............................Redmond, WA Jorge Legrand........................San Antonio, TX Bob Zaiglin....................................Uvalde, TX Steve Bedowitz.......................... Carrolton, TX Wes Pinkerton...................... Ben Wheeler, TX James G. Brooks, Jr. M.D................Dallas, TX Cliff Reiss............................. Wadsworth, OH Troy Grimes.............................. Cedar Hill, TX Mark J. Belisle...............................Austin, TX Mike Pennington.............................Austin, TX David Low........................................Ennis, TX Larry Ramming............................Houston, TX Willis M. Marburger.....................Houston, TX Greg Williamson...................... Fort Worth, TX Steven Futch......................... Bossier City, LA John Wilson................................. Bullard, TX William Carl Young................ Georgetown, TX Nolan Ryan.......................................Alvin, TX Jim Christ...................................Houston, TX Mark Bonnet..................................Uvalde, TX Don Myers................................ Grapevine, TX Christopher Davis.......................Pearland, TX Bryan Hollier............................Nederland, TX Guinn Crousen........................... Arlington, TX

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Garry Isom.................................... Ingram, TX Billie Marek, M.D......................... Mission, TX Robert James, Jr..........................Houston, TX Gregory B. Edwards.........................Austin, TX Ray Murski.................................Meridian, TX Mike Murski...................................Dallas, TX Manuel P. Lastra, M.D..................McAllen, TX Bart Umphrey...........................Beaumont, TX Roger M. Sutton.......................Sunnyvale, TX Scott Garrett...............................Houston, TX Elmer E. Lich...............................Comfort, TX Steve Kotzur...................................Hondo, TX Steve Skinner.................................Austin, TX Craig Becker............................. Kingsville, TX Micheal Redmon........................Kingwood, TX Dr. Larry Redmon......................... Overton, TX Dr. Alberto “Champi” Nava.............Laredo, TX Horacio “Bacho” Hinojosa..............Laredo, TX Dan Offield........................................Azle, TX Ron Fash.....................................Houston, TX Tracy Lee Widle...........................McAllen, TX Tod Fields....................................... Plano, TX Don Keller...................................Big Foot, TX Johnny Mack Pursell....................Refugio, TX Daniel Kutscher............................Staples, TX Moe Bergeron............................. Baytown, TX Dr. James E. Bauerle..............San Antonio, TX Vance W. Johnston, II ...........San Antonio, TX Jonathan W. Delmer..............San Antonio, TX Jimmy Reeves........................... Kirbyville, TX Randall Welsh....................................Arp, TX Jack Brittingham...........................Athens, TX Ronnie Howell............................ Hubbard, TX Randy Garrett.............................Anthony, NM George “Maverick” Wills..... Farmers Branch, TX John D. Sloan, Jr....................... Longview, TX Sid Terry......................................Houston, TX Tommy Hammond................ Wichita Falls, TX Michael S. Burton....................Spicewood, TX Petar Bubalo.............................. Franklin, NJ

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100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120

Mark Murphy.................................. Plano, TX Dodd L. Hackman.........................Houston, TX Clarence Kahlig, II.................San Antonio, TX Alan L. Lee, II................................. Nemo, TX Alan L. Lee.................................Hillsboro, TX Harry Dugas.............................New Iberia, LA George Kostohryz, Jr./La Mansion De Sarita................................. Fort Worth, TX Roger Garcia, J.D.........................Houston, TX Dickie Tillman............................ Lakeway, TX Wesley Kyle.............................Pipe Creek, TX Jime Hale Miller...........................Lometa, TX Gary Rose....................................Rosanky, TX Ron Snider...................................Rosanky, TX Dan L. Duncan.............................Rosanky, TX Bo Elizondo............................... Kingsville, TX Robert Scherer............................Houston, TX Stewart Frederic..................... Pascagula, MS Carey R. Durst...................Fredericksburg, TX Willie Hinz, Jr.......................Missouri City, TX Ricky Ramsey................................ Louise, TX Bill Glendening...................... Round Rock, TX Rick Cantu.................................. Bellaire, TX William J. Miller.................. Grand Prairie, TX Robert I. Kelly.................................Austin, TX Anthony J. Mihalski...............San Antonio, TX James P. O’Neill, Jr.........................Cocoa, FL F.E. Knapp, Jr..........................Brownsville, TX Norma Guzman Kresta....... New Braunfels, TX Michael Read........................... Bridgeport, TX Gregory Kimmel....................... Fort Worth, TX Gus E. Young, Sr....................... Fort Worth, TX David Johnson.........................Spicewood, TX Robert Cornish................................Perrin, TX Danny Hurtt........................... Duncanville, TX Harold Coates.....................Corpus Christi, TX John W. Valentine, II.....................Coppell, TX Ron Ingram...................................Tuscola, TX Stephen Scott Clayton.................Houston, TX Dr. Juan Cantu Garza Garcia, ..............NL, MX

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John Wright...................................Vernon, TX Stan Hickey................................Crawford, TX Robert Randal Martin.................. Marquez, TX Jack W. Matthiessen...........San Antonio, TX Rick Knape...............................La Grange, TX Rick Payne.....................................Austin, TX Robert J. Villarreal................Port Aransas, TX Gary Reynolds.............................Marshall, TX Jim Shrieve...................... The Woodlands, TX Carl Beeler..................................Houston, TX Tommy Gillaspie..........................Houston, TX David R. Smith................................ Cuero, TX Paul Yates............................ Winterhaven, FL Dan Verrips....................................Adkins, TX Larry Grimland................................Dallas, TX Jim C. Epps.................................Houston, TX C.D. Shackelford.......................... McLean, TX Sidney Baldon, II..........................Houston, TX Jason Montague................ New Braunfels, TX R. Vern Garling, Jr............................Ovilla, TX Leonard Philipp........................... Bastrop, TX Freddie H. Bailey, Sr.....................Houston, TX Duane E. Dycus....................... Richardson, TX David Z. Mafrige...........................Houston, TX Randy Wyatt..........................San Antonio, TX Micheal Traugott....................San Antonio, TX Andy “Tipps” Gilley....................... Kilgore, TX Doug Harrison.......................... Kennedale, TX Bobby Schmidt...............................Austin, TX Chuck Davis..................................Killeen, TX Denis Kuchta.......................... Jamesburg, NJ Michael A. Burgess................San Antonio, TX Carrol Beene.............................. Pittsburg, TX Jason Davenport..........................Houston, TX Phil Lamey........................................Katy, TX Connard E. Barker................. Montgomery, TX Ed Kuempel...................................Sequin, TX George Fore..................................El Paso, TX Robert Saunders.......................La Grange, TX Buck Alambar..................................Waco, TX

NEW PLATINUM LIFE MEMBERS

161

Randy Gene Rice, II

Juan Menchaca

Jeff Southern

Kyle Lehne

Harry Zboril...............................El Campo, TX Barrett Thorne............................ Amarillo, TX 163 Clint Croft................................ Deer Park, TX 164 Terry Owen....................................Sonora, TX 165 Billy Jack Lloyd..............................Manor, TX 166 Will Clark................................Prairieville, LA 167 Casey Harrison........................ Kennedale, TX 168 Mark Winklemann.......................... Taylor, TX 169 Rob Hall........................... Carrizo Springs, TX 170 Phillip G. Harrison.......................Houston, TX 171 Mike Lemker............................. Magnolia, TX 172 Chip Wagner............................ Fort Worth, TX 173 Cheryl Thompson-Draper.............Houston, TX 174 John Thomas Draper....................Houston, TX 175 Reid Ryan.........................................Alvin, TX 176 Jim Retz.................................. Fort Worth, TX 177 Ted McKnight............................. Lakeway, TX 178 Jefrey R. Smith.............................. N.R.H., TX 179 Aaron Thomison...............................Hutto, TX 180 Zeev Nederman......................San Antonio, TX 181 Walter H. Snider, III.....................Houston, TX 182 Keith Prince................................ Garland, TX 183 Mark Johnson...................................Tolar, TX 185 Don Smelser.......................Clenton Twsp., MI 186 Jerry Y. Alvarez...............................Hondo, TX 187 Bo Stover........................................Hutto, TX 188 Rich Lander...........................San Antonio, TX 189 Marty Berry........................Corpus Christi, TX 190 Kenneth Ray Everett............... Jourdanton, TX 191 Jeff Scrivener...........................Jonesville, TX 192 Scott Lemke................................Houston, TX 193 Drake McLean........................San Antonio, TX 194 David Bippert.........................San Antonio, TX 195 Monty Montgomery.................. Lago Vista, TX 196 David Lee Bollmeyer....................Houston, TX 197 Wade Grimes...................................Ovilla, TX 198 Rodney J. Dunn.......................... Arlington, TX 199 John S. Spencer.................................Katy, TX 200 Tom Evans........................................Alvin, TX 201 Joseph Bandeaux..............................Vidor, TX 202 Steve Boone....................................Irving, TX 203 Gib Vela-Cuellar............................Laredo, TX 204 David L. Merchant.............................Alvin, TX 205 Gene Riser............................George West, TX 206 Randy Gortney..........................Texarkana, TX 207 Kenneth Lewis...............................Conroe, TX 208 Edgar G. Pereda.........................Coronado, CA 209 Ivan D. McNab, Jr............Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 210 Mark Chesnutt..........................Beaumont, TX 211 John Holt................................. Deer Park, TX 212 John M. Decker....................... Fort Worth, TX 213 David Archibald............................... Mexia, TX 214 Bobby Weaver...............................Warren, AR 215 Stephanie............................. Montgomery, TX 216 Jeremy Rutenschroer.............Weatherford, TX 217 Kontomitras..........................Los Angeles, CA 218 Herman Ford..........................San Antonio, TX 219 Philip Robers............................... Blanket, TX 220 Robert John..........................George West, TX 221 Lt. General Leroy Sisco..................Boerne, TX 222 Ken Ewald...............................Martindale, TX 223 Larry Tschirhart.......................Castroville, TX 224 Trey Moore........................College Station, TX 162

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Rodger Ruiz.......................................APO, AE James Patrick........................... Rockwall, TX Joe Sakulenski............................ Mission, TX Ricky Howard............................El Campo, TX Fred E. Wiedenfeld.................San Antonio, TX H. D. Houghton..................... Stephenville, TX Larry H. Hipsh, Jr....................Gulf Breeze, FL Bryan Berger...............................Flatonia, TX Eddie Pierce............................ Fort Worth, TX Jason Moore............................. Bessemer, AL Christopher Wardlaw.......................Waco, TX Justin Deorsam.............................Uvalde, TX Steve Holland................................Conroe, TX Doug Gray..................................Pasadena, TX Brad Hatcher..................................Dallas, TX Randy Lake...............................Lampasas, TX Randy White......................... Ponchatoula, LA Nick Patronis.........................Panama City, FL Warren Montague.............. New Braunfels, TX Temple Ramming.........................Houston, TX Russell Russell...........................Houston, TX Mark Saxon...................................Adkins, TX James Rodgers..............................Sunset, TX Juan J. Hernandez................... Floresville, TX Robert Brett Smith.......................Stafford, TX Price D. Chambers............................ Post, TX Cody Hamilton..................College Station, TX Travis Hamilton.................College Station, TX William D. Goglas......................Kingwood, TX Walter English.......................San Antonio, TX Jerry Lee Villarreal.............Corpus Christi, TX T.J. Wills..................................Pensacola, FL Jimmy Hasslocher.................San Antonio, TX Bill Lyons..............................San Antonio, TX Larry White.............................. Fort Worth, TX Ignacio Villarreal.................. Canyon Lake, TX Kevin Mitchell...........................McKinney, TX James Soefje........................Wixon Valley, TX Michael Gallagher........................Houston, TX Jason Gregory...................................Tyler, TX Tom Whitten.............................Texarkana, TX Gary W. Holzhaus.....................Castroville, TX Lamar Strong............................... Mission, TX Cole Stinson...............................Pearland, TX Ron Garison..................................Doyline, LA Mike Johnson........................ Whitehouse, TX Kelly Chancelor....................... Fort Worth, TX Horace Gore................................Gonzales, TX Joe Swann.................................. Lubbock, TX Chuck Gregory..................................Tyler, TX Danny Tilson.............................. Arlington, TX Randy Cupp................................ Roanoke, TX Chris Henry........................ Mineral Wells, TX Justin Rogers.................................Dallas, TX Billy Cowsert.........................San Antonio, TX William D. Bineham...............San Antonio, TX Dr. Leighton Wier...................San Antonio, TX Randy Costa.........................Missouri City, TX Hunt Allred.....................................Dallas, TX Mark Clark................................ Theodore, AL Kenneth Crockett................. Friendswood, TX Claude Sims..........................Dawsonville, GA Donald Cosper............................Burleson, TX

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Dwight Conway...........................Brenham, TX Joe Hausberger.........................Highlands, TX Eric Meyers.............................. Corsicana, TX Christopher Centafont................... Dothan, AL Matthew Skipper..................... Fort Worth, TX Gary Majewski.............................Houston, TX Jerry Majewski............................Houston, TX Chuck Walther............................... Milton, FL Pat Wilson.....................................Boerne, TX Debbie Chisholm..................... Pleasanton, TX Tommy Keasling.......................... Humble, TX Marc Manning...............................Burton, TX Ralph Bullard.............................. Addison, TX Raymond Haselip.................... Garberville, CA CC Bar Whitetails...................... Redwater, TX J.H. Quinn, III ............................... Elaine, AR Michael McGee .................................Katy, TX Ken Archibald ........................... Rockwall, TX Tina Kahlig............................San Antonio, TX Larry A. Mazziotta.................... Slatington, PA Frank Leyendecker.........................Laredo, TX Wil Drash..............................San Antonio, TX Matt Mills..........................Spring Branch, TX Kyle Adkinson............................. Garrison, TX Lucas Bryant...................................Tioga, TX Daniel Dain.........................Corpus Christi, TX Paul Miller..................................Houston, TX Paul Phillips.............................. Arlington, TX Lee Hoffpauir............................Lampasas, TX Salim Ahmed...............................Houston, TX Don Wood..................................... Odessa, TX Vernon Hampton.............................. Buda, TX Leo Butler.........................Fredericksburg, TX Russ Thomsen.............................Mabank, TX James Leininger....................San Antonio, TX Randy Pretzer................................Teague, TX Bill Hollingsworth.........................Carlton, TX Gary Shumate............North Richland Hills, TX J.B. Tinney..................................Houston, TX Shawn Lyons................................Coppell, TX Edward McDowell................. Montgomery, TX Christi J. McDowell............... Montgomery, TX Bubba Catt........................... Hattiesburg, MS Scott Brown.................................Moulton, TX Leonard Busby, III......................... Laurel, MS Robert Harvey.............................Watuaga, TX Steve Golla....................................Adkins, TX Mike Masters............................ Converse, TX Ed Carroll..................................Pasadena, TX Ryan “Rhino” Haecker....... New Braunfels, TX Bill Gray......................................Bandera, TX Thomas Balke..............................Houston, TX Tommy R. Fogle...........................Houston, TX Dwayne Jone..............................Kempner, TX Thomas Natusch....................Weatherford, TX Nick Kerksieck.......................... Arlington, TX Mark Hoard...................................Killeen, TX Art Mowdy.................................. Oatmeal, TX Peter De La Garza...................... San Juan, TX Chris Farmer............................. Corsicana, TX Michael Hooser...........................Granbury, TX Derek Hoelscher......................... Alvarado, TX Larry C. Davis.......................... Fort Worth, TX

352

Carroll L. Bagley............................Dayton, TX Robert Rountree............................Conroe, TX 354 Greg Holmes....................................Waco, TX 355 Dion Alvarez.............................Greenville, TX 356 Teri Alvarez...............................Greenville, TX 357 Terry Ray................................Brownsville, TX 358 Johnny Cavazos.....................San Antonio, TX 359 Andy Wright...................... The Woodlands, TX 360 Larry Santos...................... New Braunfels, TX 361 H.D. Crissey....................................Dallas, TX 362 Scott Harris..................................Abilene, TX 363 J. Jones.................................. Fort Worth, TX 364 J. Mark Hicks............................... Denton, TX 365 Ricardo Munoz...............................Zapata, TX 366 Willis...........................................Abilene, TX 367 Eric Lindstrom...............................Dayton, TX 368 Jesse Beckett............................... Cotulla, TX 369 Dallas Munroe.............................Houston, TX 370 Waldine Schnautz........................Pearsall, TX 371 Kelt Gibson.................................... Gunter, TX 372 Dan Boren............................... Muskogee, OK 373 Raymond J Strohmeyer...................Gretna LA 374 Paul F Montealegre......................Houston, TX 375 Colton King.......................... Canyon Lake, TX 376 David Scrivener.......................... Longview ,TX 377 Stuart C. Stauffacher........................ Katy, TX 378 Wayne Williams.................... Bay Minnete, AL 379 Sarge Walters......................... Lumberton, NC 380 Charlie Hawn.................................Athens, TX 381 Jason Cross............................ San Angelo, TX 382 Robert Jordan.............................. Hockley, TX 383 Ryan S. O’Neal............................ Amarillo, TX 384 Paul O’Brien.......................Corpus Christi, TX 385 Murray Touchette.........................Houston, TX 386 Coralina Ranch....................... San Angelo, TX 387 Ryan Bartula..............................Granbury, TX 388 James Dorsey................................Conroe, TX 389 Mario Reyna................................Houston, TX 390 Joe Betar...............................San Antonio, TX 391 Scott Kramer...............................Houston, TX 392 Dwayne Spann.............................La Porte, TX 393 Collin Bosworth........................... Tomball, TX 394 Gilbert Joines..............................Houston, TX 395 Austin Owens...............................Comfort, TX 396 Tony Bandiera.................................Dallas, TX 397 Frank Stegient......................... Fort Worth, TX 398 Terry Martin...............North Richland Hills, TX 399 Howard Pena........................... Fort Worth, TX 400 Glen Bullard....................................Aledo, TX 401 Patricia Bullard...............................Aledo, TX 402 Ronald W. Williamson...................Coppell, TX 403 Marko Barrett........................San Antonio, TX 404 Timmy Latiolais......................Breaux City, LA 405 Misty Schnautz..............................Devine, TX 406 Bob Holig.............................Long Prairie, MN 407 John Hughes, JW Hughes Excavation Inc... Hico, TX 408 Bradley James Humphries............ Decatur, TX 409 Eddie G. Mann, Jr..................... Fort Worth, TX 410 Matt Slape................................Levelland, TX 411 Bo Faber......................................Pearland TX 412 Hip Zamora, Jr...........................El Campo, TX 413 Danny Webb..........................San Antonio, TX 414 Joe Inman...................................Stafford, TX 353

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Rocky Foley.................................... Mexia, TX James B. Shrieve...........................Conroe, TX Carl Smith..................................... Terrell, TX Jon Prather.................................. Manvel, TX Gary Lux............................... Schulenburg, TX Kyle Poulson........................... Fort Worth, TX Jason Vanderbrink........................... Nixa, MO Anthony Acitelli............................ Anoka, MN Matthew Merritt.............................Austin, TX James Alpha..................................Conroe, TX Val Cooper.................................. Lubbock, TX Richard Jonas...............................Helotes, TX Terry Kemp.................................... Haslet, TX Michael Halleron.......................... Anoka, MN Bryan Medve.............................Richmond, TX Grayson Gieser...........................Burleson, TX Carter Smith...................................Austin, TX David Caldwell.........................Fort Smith, AR Ted Allen Trout.............................Houston, TX Syd Dyer, M.D...................... Lake Charles, LA Chris Reynolds............................. Tomball, TX Richard Smith...................................Katy, TX Don Criss....................................Santa Fe, TX Dallas F. Munroe..........................Houston, TX Rick Duff........................................ Plano, TX Feddie Duke Brooks Jr...................Conroe, TX Danny Darwin................................Sanger, TX Jeff Gorski..................................Houston, TX JD Woods..........................................Katy, TX Cita Wardell................................Houston, TX Bob Hood ................................ Fort Worth, TX Walter Hill.................................... Corinth, TX Archie T. Parker..........................Cleburne, TX Daniel B. Hastings, Jr....................Laredo, TX Donnie Kamp...........................Lumberton, TX Jack Allen.....................................Burnet, TX Byron Burris.................................Victoria, TX Gardner G. Welch.........................Bandera, TX Duane Ondruch..................... Schulenburg, TX Daryl Allen.................................Pearland, TX Clark Jordan...............................Pearland, TX Greg B. Vest..................................Dayton, TX Paul Brown.................................. Cypress, TX Rudy Garcia.................................Houston, TX Brett Holden.............................Richmond, TX Billy E. Key.............................Normangee, TX Chris Lillis...................................Midland, TX Bill McDonald............................ Magnolia, TX Steve Munz............................... Wildwood, FL Randy Wilson...............................Abilene, TX Kash C. Hanson.....................San Antonio, TX Danny Justice............................ Magnolia, TX Justin Knee.................................Houston, TX Peter Villarreal............................Houston, TX Luke Gorski................................ Houston, TX Ricky Burnett...........................Livingston, TX Matthew Allen.............................. Canton, TX AJ Downs......................................Conroe, TX Robert Taylor.................................Aubrey, TX Randy Willmon.........................Livingston, TX James Sladecek.......................... Holland, TX Travis Buckner............................Sherman, TX Ronnie D. Cole.............................. Kilgore, TX Murry Burnham.......................Spicewood, TX Ron Widup.......................................Irving, TX PJ Doyle..........................................Llano, TX Howard Schwerdtfeger.................... Marfa, TX Ray Homeyer... .......................Coldspring, TX Dr. James Parsons......................Pearland, TX Matthew Burke............................Freeport, TX Chuck Scianna........................... ... Waller, TX Rick Sargent.................................. .Rome, GA

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Ruthie Wagener............................. Gillett, TX James Moore...........................Port Arthur, TX Elton Hollis III......................... .. Baytown, TX Jason Wheeler............................ Lovelady, TX Ronald Owens........................Whitewright, TX Carlos Hasette................................Tilden, TX John Lynch............................San Antonio, TX Mike Lynch............................San Antonio, TX Thad Steele..................................El Paso, TX Raymond Skelton....................... Magnolia, TX Ronnie Gibson.....................Universal City, TX William Alford....................Corpus Christi, TX Dr. Robert Gershon........................ Denton, TX James Fahrenthold................San Antonio, TX Lawrence Berry............................Houston, TX Kagan Bosworth.......................... Tomball, TX Marty Logan...................................Dallas, TX Timmy Schuelke..................Lake Jackson, TX David Krajca....................................Ennis, TX Bill George.................................. Garland, TX Booger DeChaume......................Crawford, TX Randy Bailey............................... Garland, TX Michael McFerrin.......................Kingwood, TX Tom Snyder...........................San Antonio, TX Ignacio Sauceda..........................Houston, TX Kenneth Courteau................ Orchard Park, TX Darrell Palmer............................ Houston, TX Hil Stroup...................................... Austin, TX Gary W. Hall...............................Bulverde, TX Terry L. Booker........................Shelbyville, TX Mark Lee..................................... . Crosby, TX Jim Whitley...............................Ledbetter, TX Waylan Langford............................. Wylie, TX Eddie Lynch...........................San Antonio, TX Alfredo Guajardo...................... Fort Worth, TX John P. Gaddis.......................... Galveston, TX Joseph L. Harcrow Sr................ Cleveland, TX Brad Barone............................. Picayune, MS Jay Treadaway..........................Monahans, TX Robby Winstead.............................Sandia, TX Eric Wieser, MD..............................Dallas, TX Collier Pennington Jr...................Midland, TX Chris Keese.............................Liberty Hill, TX Clayton Johnson................................Inez, TX Joe R. Jones..............................Kingwood, TX Jeff Jones.................................Kingwood, TX Dare Johnson..........................Shreveport, LA Chris Solomon........................ Cedar Park, TX Kenneth Witt...............................Midland, TX Robert Bierstedt...........................Helotes, TX Jeffrey Bearden.............................Conroe, TX Perry Sooter............................... Perryton, TX Betsy Lechow..........................Liberty Hill, TX Brooks Jordan..............................Silsbee, TX Will Oliver...................................Houston, TX Mike LaMar................................ Guymon, OK Rick Shepherd.............................La Porte, TX Rocky Rakocy.............................Loranger, LA David Smith..................................Tomball, TX Morgan S. Nalty........................... Metarie, LA Cody Lancaster............................ Tomball, TX Simmie C. DeVille Jr...................... Spring, TX Shawn Calhoun.............................. Spring, TX Rocky Pavia.............................. Beaumont, TX Les Setters Jr. .......................... Pearland, TX Gray Frye.....................................Bandera, TX Jeremy Boltinghouse.................... Kenedy, TX J.D. Villa....................................Rockport, TX Philip Frey.........................Fredericksburg, TX Brian Steffek............................Colleyville, TX Kris Pavia................................. Beaumont, TX John R. Survil.................................Argyle, TX

David Humphreys......................Fort Worth, TX Daniel Copp..............................Ewa Beach, HI 571 Alisa Dean.....................................Sandia, TX 572 Richard Phipps.........................Monahans, TX 573 Thomas Scott.................... New Braunfels, TX 574 Bret Ferguson..........................Castroville, TX 575 Jason Ferguson...................... Pleasanton, TX 576 Chad J. Jones............................ Magnolia, TX 577 Adam Mize..................................Cleburne, TX 578 Bruce Champion.......................... Abilene, TX 579 Shelby Stewart.......................... La Vernia, TX 580 Trey Spencer................................Midland, TX 581 Riley LeClair....................................Irving, TX 582 Ashley Nelson.............................. Tomball, TX 583 David Podany............................ Cedar Hill, TX 584 Larry Bartek.................................. Poteet, TX 585 Christopher Garner.....................Longview, TX 586 Timothy James.................................Alice, TX 587 Josh Leininger................... Spring Branch, TX 588 Russell G. Weatherly...................Fordyce, AR 589 Shawn Wyatt.....................New Braunfels, TX 590 Ryan Wyatt.......................... San Antonio, TX 591 Cody Johnson................................. Willis, TX 593 Cody Nicholson..................... Montgomery, TX 594 Michael D. Harper Jr..............San Antonio, TX 595 Josh Harendt......................... Forth Worth, TX 596 Larry Autrey.................................Brenham, TX 598 AC Ranch........................ Mountain Home, TX 599 William Hardisty.............................. Avoca, IA 600 Ruben Gomez............................. Rockport, TX 601 Jim Masters, Jr. ....................San Antonio, TX 602 Chris Johnson...........................Richmond, TX 603 Dwayne Collier.............................Stafford, TX 604 Glenn Carline..........................Morgan City, LA 605 Luis Arce................................San Antonio, TX 609 Brandon Grenier........................... Houston, TX 610 Jackson Craft............................. Baytown, TX 611 Kevin Wood................................... Conroe, TX 612 Rex Taylor..................................Cleveland, TX 614 Bob Helms........................ The Woodlands, TX 617 Kathy Countiss.............................Medina, TX 618 Dan Countiss................................Medina, TX 619 Trevor Truesdale........................ La Vernia, TX 620 Garry R. Alexander.................Montgomery, TX 621 Vincent K. Ney........................San Antonio, TX 623 David Tamplin............................ Wimberly, TX 624 Daniel S. Mulligan, Sr......................Irving, TX 625 Alton Stefan................................ Tomball, TX 628 Billy Smith...................................Bastrop, TX 629 Greg Tompkins................................Boling, TX 630 Britt Barwise........................ Port Aransas, TX 631 Matthew Gomez..............................Pettus, TX 632 Glen Kusenberger........................... Cibolo, TX 633 Brittain Griffith.............................Hockley, TX 634 Shawn Scoggins........North Richland Hills, TX 635 Tracy Shrader............................ LaGrange, TX 637 Ryan Hunter Jones.....................Kingwood, TX 647 John F. Webre.............................. Bedford, TX 650 John C. Husbands.......................... Conroe, TX 651 Steven Wayne Kocurek, Jr.......San Antonio, TX 652 Kevin Borowski.............................Hockley, TX 655 David Canfield...................Fredericksburg, TX 656 William K. Brown........................... Spring, TX 657 Heath Bures................................. Ganado, TX 666 Michael Hodgkins.................Lake Charles, LA 669 Troy Lancaster.................... Corpus Christi, TX 670 Dr. James Simpson.........................Spring, TX 675 Charles “Butch” Thurman........Bridge City, TX 676 Charles “Bubba” Thurman.......... Rockwall, TX 689 Alvin Prause.............................Beaumont, TX 697 Lewis G. Penrod............................ Warren, TX 700 Brant Hawkins......................... Bridgeport, TX 569

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Jimmy Paul McMahon.............. White Oak, TX Brian Lemley...................... Mineral Wells, TX 703 Jeff Cook..............................Missouri City, TX 704 Lance Johnson.................College Station, TX 705 Keith G. Bailey.......................... Deer Park, TX 706 Landon Wright........................... Magnolia, TX 707 Phil Egbert.................................Kempner, TX 708 Dave Wilcox...........................San Antonio, TX 710 Shawn Gerlach............................ Mission, TX 711 Tim Masek..................................Flatonia, TX 712 Ryan Murphy..............................Paradise, TX 714 Jim Butcher...........................San Antonio, TX 717 Icehole, LLC..................................Kerville, TX 737 Michael F. Joseph.....................McQueeny, TX 738 Larry Herwig...................................Dallas, TX 739 James McCoy....................... Stephenville, TX 750 George Mercer.......................Willow Park, TX 751 Frank Santibanez................ Mineral Wells, TX 752 Rusty Russell........................Weatherford, TX 753 Tommy Wilkins.................................Elgin, TX 754 Del Flores.....................................Helotes, TX 762 Rusty Clark..........................Missouri City, TX 764 Harold Greer................................Houston, TX 765 Tom Lyne, III..................... College Station, TX 767 James D. Autry............................ Houston, TX 768 Ross Jackson................................Golden, CO 772 Anthony Ghillowe................Corpus Christi, TX 777 Tommy Merritt........................... Longview, TX 778 Michael Wieck...........................Waupaca, WI 788 Conrad Charles Wilder...........San Antonio, TX 789 Preston Lee Jones.................San Antonio, TX 790 Paul Armstrong...........................Houston, TX 793 Randall Palmer.................... Orange Grove, TX 800 Kevan Fowler......................Spring Branch, TX 812 Eric M. Hunke.........................San Antonio, TX 815 Atlee Parr...........................Corpus Christi, TX 816 Michael Olien.................................Cibolo, TX 825 Jeffrey Wayne Triplett II..............Pearland, TX 829 Skip Priess............................. San Angelo, TX 831 JRANCH............................... Lake Charles, LA 832 Trey Bonner............................League City, TX 833 Heith Denney........................... Fort Worth, TX 834 Travis Hunter.................................Marion, TX 835 Russell Harder................... New Braunfels, TX 836 Mark Svane.....................................Tioga, TX 863 J.L. Bearden...........................League City, TX 865 Ronnie Hatfield....................Lake Jackson, TX 872 Keith Jordan........................... Cedar Park, TX 888 Baker Wardell............................. Houston, TX 897 Brian P. Wood.............................Bulverde, TX 898 Elvin Chamorro............................La Porte, TX 899 Javier Olivarez............................Edinburg, TX 900 Jerry Burks........................... Montgomery, TX 901 Joe Taylor............................ Orange Grove, TX 909 Christopher Charles Clark.................. Taft, TX 910 David L. Rumley..................Corpus Christi, TX 911 David H. Rude, Jr.........................Houston, TX 912 Col. Brad Hildreth..........................Ponder, TX 913 Carter Finnell...................... Chesterfield, MO 914 Brian Huntley........................ Buffalo Gap, TX 917 Joshua LaRue............................ Decatur, TX 918 Mark Wilson.....................Corpus Christi, TX 920 Jeff Huckaby............................. Humble, TX 921 Brad Hildebrand.........................Houston, TX 922 Edgar I. Cabello.....................Rio Grande, TX 925 Mark E. Starkey.......................... Del Rio, TX 926 Pat Sparks.......................................Katy, TX 930 Gary Lott, Jr.................................Dayton, TX 939 Jacob Trim............................San Antonio, TX 950 Joseph Robbins........................Ingleside, TX 955 Donald Covarrubio.................. New Caney, TX 961 Louis Bazan.................................Boerne, TX 702

962 TSD................................................Mico, TX 965 966 967 968 972 990 996 997 998 999

1000 1001 1002 1003 1010 1011 1012 1013 1015

1019 1020 1022 1025 1026 1029 1030 1043 1053 1055 1060 1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073 1074 1075 1076 1077 1078 1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 1086 1087 1105 1111 1115 1117 1120 1129 1130 1138 1139

1201 1203 1205 1209 1211 1213

Marcie Heidrich............. ..New Braunfels, TX Allen Heidrich................ ..New Braunfels, TX Gene Johnson.......................... ..Hockley, TX Ryan LeBlanc......................Johnson City, TX Clent Rawlinson....................... Magnolia, TX Patrick F. Taylor.........................Houston, TX Bryan K Harlan..............................Dallas, TX Hunter Oglesby................. Corpus Christi, TX Danny Cantrell............................. Spring, TX Sean Murphy................................Dallas, TX Charles Floyd.............................Houston, TX Larry Garza................................Houston, TX Heath Payne........................San Antonio, TX Bill Carter.................................... Spring, TX Rick Butcher.........................Pflugerville, TX Robert Eugene Stevens, Jr............ Crosby, TX Hawk Bennett............................Pearsall, TX Fred Johnson............................... Spring, TX David Pascal Law................. Washington, TX Eddie Aguilar.......................San Antonio, TX Justin May.......................................Katy, TX Klint Myers..............................Hamshire, TX Javier Jimenez...........................Houston, TX Jake Leissner.............................Houston, TX Ted Hogan.................................. Odessa, TX Nathan Word......................... Colleyville, TX Matthew C. Hagee .......................Boerne, TX Mia Perez............................. Pleasanton, TX Bearett Saffel................................. Rice, TX Anthony Aaron Alvarado.......San Antonio, TX Chad Allemond......................... LaVernia, TX Nicholas L. Zinsmeyer............Castroville, TX Christopher Whootton...........League City, TX Darin Hollis...................................Diana, TX Damon Hills............................. Longview, TX Gricelda Mendietta................. Robstown, TX Chuck Wilson.........................Livingston, TX William Plauche.......................Sherman, TX Sheyanne Jean Luckman....... Pleasanton, TX Jordan Symon............................Houston, TX Chad Jones..............................Princeton, TX Tommy Simmons....................... Bedford, TX Joshua Hernandez...................... LaCoste, TX Javiel Mendietta..................... Kingsville, TX Buster Horlen......................San Antonio, TX Neal A Hahn........................Chappell Hill, TX Wayne Wagner.................... Canyon Lake, TX Cameron David Hall..................Needville, TX Tyler Daniels...............................El Paso, TX Mike Reynolds.................. El Dorado Hill, CA Chester Loth................................Humble,TX Lance Spruiell..................... San Marcos, TX Richard L. Gotshall.........Fort Lauderdale, FL Juan Menchaca............................Laredo, TX Kyle Lehne.................................Houston, TX Austin Beckner ............................Frisco, TX Anthony Rast .......................... Carrolton, TX David Blaylock........................... Decatur, TX Jeff Southern................................Lufkin, TX Michael D. Dagenhart...............McKinney, TX Hal Gahm............................San Antonio, TX David Trim............................San Antonio, TX Sidney B. Baldon, III......................Crosby, TX Eric Lipar......................................Spring, TX Ian Cockrell..............................Granbury, TX Strait Allen Clark..............................Taft, TX Randy Gene Rice, II...................Pearland, TX Jett Cramer......................... ...Mansfield, TX Richard Delgado, Jr...............San Antonio, TX Darell Hoffer............................ El Campo, TX

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Mark Beaman.......................San Antonio, TX Bobby Cortez, Jr......................Rosenburg, TX 1217 David Nicholas Newberry.......Springtown, TX 1218 Atkinson.................................Beaumont, TX 1230 David Stoddard..........................Kerrville, TX 1233 Bill Bolton...................................Canton, TX 1257 Tex Reginald Horton............... Arthur City, TX 1269 Kathleen Hoffer.......................El Campo, TX 1272 Forrest Montealegre...................Houston, TX 1278 Derek N. Jacob.............................Austin, TX 1313 Jeremy Ballew..........................Granbury, TX 1320 David Jose Moya, Jr..........Corpus Christi, TX 1352 J Andrew Venables....................Brenham, TX 1412 Julian Shane Garcia..................... Crosby, TX 1427 Mike Flanagan...............................Wylie, TX 1444 Quint Greenville....................League City, TX 1514 Clifton Love...............................Houston, TX 1515 Chris Azure.................................. Presto, PA 1525 Jason A. Smith.........................Brenham, TX 1616 Dwayne Marcantel................... Magnolia, TX 1717 Matt Hughes............................. Hillsboro, IL 1776 Brian Gilroy..........................San Antonio, TX 1873 Kenley Williamson....................... Mullin, TX 1900 Louis P. Robles...............................Kirby, TX 1901 Shawn Strouse...........................Midland, TX 1911 Steven Flax....................................Krum, TX 1925 Dennis W Robles...........................Austin, TX 1931 Peggy “LB” Davis.................. Cedar Park, TX 1940 G.D. Farrell, Sr............................ Cotulla, TX 1948 Kenneth Musgrove...........................Katy, TX 1953 Tom Cusick..................................Boerne, TX 1954 Chaise Cooper....................... Springtown, TX 1955 Kelsey Carr..............................Kingwood, TX 1956 Richard Salinas.........................McAllen, TX 1957 Clay Walker...............................Houston, TX 1959 Ricky Meyer............................Columbus, TX 1965 Brent Beck................................Midland, TX 1961 Britt Barnard.......................... Colleyville, TX 1964 Mike Biggs............................ Fort Worth, TX 1968 Lloyd K Perrin ...............................Brady, TX 1970 Teresa Boyer.................................. Allen, TX 1971 Lance Beckner.........................McKinney, TX 1972 Nathan Argueta..........................Houston, TX 1973 Brett Matthews........................... Linden, NC 1974 Buck Boyer.................................... Allen, TX 1976 M. Brandon Smyrl................Friendswood, TX 1979 Robert Pittman.....................San Antonio, TX 1980 Jorge Luis Alvarez Jr............ Santa Elena, TX 1987 Edgar Tovar................................Bandera, TX 1996 Clay Pope.................................Sante Fe, TX 1997 Brandon Cowart...........Tennessee Colony, TX 2001 Jan Daniec...........................San Antonio, TX 2005 Rey Garza....................... Rio Grande City, TX 2006 Governor Rick Perry......................Austin, TX 2007 M.Max Yzaguirre............................Austin, TX 2009 Donnie Mordecai.......................... Waller, TX 2011 John Hall.......................Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 2013 Margaret McDowell.......................... Iola, TX 2019 Ovidio Cerda................................Bishop, TX 2021 Travis Bartniski ......................... Cypress, TX 2071 Erik R. Lacy.............................. Oakdale, CA 2100 David Williams.........................Kingwood, TX 2106 Oscar Hernandez..................San Antonio, TX 2244 Brad Peterson........................Brookshire, TX 2255 Chad Potts............................. Fort Worth, TX 2315 Amos Ross.............................Fort Worth, TX 2357 Mike Rizkal................................ Prosper, TX 2452 Butch Amlong.........................Jacksboro, TX 2459 Randy Councill.............................Conroe, TX 2531 Alex R. Jasso................................Austin, TX 2715 Bradley Matthys............................. West, TX 1216

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Rylan C. Holub........................... Tomball, TX Dan H. Meeker....................... Fort Worth, TX 3201 Dr. Scott D. Kimble .............. Karnes City, TX 3297 Luther Bierwirth...............................Katy, TX 3333 Stephen Gillaspie ......................Houston, TX 3455 Rickey Redmon......................New Iberia, LA 3473 David B. Gill................................ .Godley, TX 3484 John R. Rain............................. Amarillo, TX 3579 Michael Seals..................................Katy, TX 3587 Reed LeBlanc........................Port Neches,TX 3588 Derek M. Adams.........................Houston,TX 3811 Gary Mobley.................................. Bryan, TX 4098 Mike Bock.......................... Montgomery, TX 4124 Rylan Campbell.............................Aledo, TX 4304 Terry A. Porter......................... Magnolia, TX 4343 Cory Kennedy............................ Poolville, TX 4444 Samuel Gillaspie........................Houston, TX 4516 Travis Zatopek...................... Round Rock, TX 4570 Dustin R. Haney.................. Montgomery, TX 4603 Marvin Thornton ......................... Gilmer, TX 4747 Michel P. Wilty.....................Birmingham, AL 5047 Brandt Wells.................................Center,TX 5257 Cliff O’Rear.............................. Arlington, TX 5354 On Target Shooting Outfitters , LLC.Mabank, TX 5552 Brad Sheffield...........................Marshall, TX 5256 John T. Motes........................... Live Oak, TX 5646 David Bell...............................Splendora, TX 5682 Lonie V. Selsor................. St. Martinville, LA 6169 Wayne Phillips...........................Denison, TX 6401 Robert Glynn Underwood............Houston, TX 6466 Burt Parnell...................................Aledo, TX 6576 Hubert Guillotte..................... Brookshire, TX 6709 Mark A. Haney.......................Woodlands, TX 6969 Todd Krenek............................. Garwood, TX 7060 Walleck Ranch..................... Karnes City, TX 7111 John P. Thompson, Jr....................Dallas, TX 7366 Reno Puente.........................San Antonio, TX 7411 Thomas Grant......................Montgomery, TX 7565 Rio Rojo Ranch..........................Bagwell, TX 7673 David McLamb..............................Argyle, TX 7727 Richard Otto Allerkamp Jr............Seguin, TX 7774 Dan W. Mayes, III......................... Hardin, TX 7777 Dale Wofford............................. Cypress, TX 8357 Matt McCallum........................ Rockwall, TX 8570 Jasper Jones.............................Midland, TX 8888 Marcus Barrera................. Corpus Christi, TX 9104 Cecil Dalton.................. Highland Village, TX 11757 William C. Shiver.....................Pearland, TX 12911 Scott W. Kroll..................Corpus Christi, TX 21110 Todd Bassett..........................Palestine, TX 31274 Mindy Richardson.................... Baytown, TX 31298 Keith Hancock, II.............. Grand Prairie, TX 32718 David Sanchez, Jr.............Corpus Christi, TX 42502 J.P. Hooser.................................Killeen, TX 62417 Tyson Johnson...............College Station, TX 65284 Lane Hunter McGaughey.....Hallettsville, TX 71511 Merced A Hernandez...................Laredo, TX 72011 David Sommer.........................Brenham, TX 72816 Darren Mackie........................Palestine, TX 76475 Roscoe Sparks............................Strawn, TX 77777 Leonel Hernandez II....................Laredo, TX 81612 Stephen Crowley.................Waxahachie, TX 92113 Larry P. McDougal, Jr............... Fulshear, TX 3006

TTHA Texas A&M Platinum Life Members 0 L. Justin Gayle, M.D. ........College Station, TX 1 Scott W. Bugai, DVM......................Seguin, TX 2 Jesse Beckett............................... Cotulla, TX 3 Ronald J. Carroll....................... Mansfield, TX 4 Galen Pahl........................College Station, TX 5 Jack Allen.....................................Burnet, TX

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Robert Moseley .........................Palestine, TX Allan G. Willis............................Caldwell, TX 8 Jason Fischer................................Seguin, TX 9 Michael Nibert..................College Station, TX 10 John Ellisor...............................Kingwood, TX 11 Mike Gary....................................Red Oak, TX 12 Joel M. “Ford” Scott.................... Humble, TX 13 Mason E. Hale................................ Bryan, TX 14 Cody Ulmer.....................................Dallas, TX 15 J.D. Hill....................................... Garland, TX 16 Jennifer R. Lee..................................Katy, TX 17 Jason Watson...................College Station, TX 18 Micheal Doering...............................Anna, TX 19 Gavin Saldivar..................................Chico, TX 20 Margaret M. McDowell ......... Montgomery, TX 21 Manuel “Manny” Sanchez DVM....Missouri City, TX 22 Holly A. McDowell................ Montgomery, TX 23 Cliff Carroll................................. Bedford, TX 24 Jared Cochran............................. Tomball, TX 25 Jarrod Carroll.......................... Fort Worth, TX 26 William Smith......................... Texarkana, AR 27 Ben Rumbaugh............................ Tomball, TX 30 Kyle Sells......................................Adkins, TX 32 Hunter Mc Conathy..........................Aledo, TX 54 W.R. Griffin................................. Bellaire, TX 63 Scott M. Pierce, DO...................Greenville, TX 71 John C. MacNeill.................... Sugar Land, TX 72 Robert Rogers.....................Spring Branch, TX 75 Daniel B. Quinn.............................Cypress, TX 81 Dr. J. Manuel Gonzalez, Jr..............Laredo, TX 88 Charles Brodrick..............Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 89 Blas M. Martinez Jr........................Laredo, TX 90 Jerry L. Newcomb............. The Woodlands, TX 93 Edmund Meier, Jr. DVM..........San Antonio, TX 94 Gus B. Smith...............................Houston, TX 100 Chad Hale.................................... Tomball, TX 1129 Nathan Olien................................Cibolo, TX 1329 Kevin Oates..................................Cibolo, TX 1369 Diamond A Whitetails...................Seguin, TX 1992 Andy Iverson..............................Midland, TX 1994 Susan Meier........................San Antonio, TX 2010 Abbey Lea McDowell........... Montgomery, TX 2011 David Sakulenzki....................... Mission, TX 2013 Jonathan Sakulenzki.................. Mission, TX 2014 Jeremy Sakulenzki..................... Mission, TX 4444 Robert Simmons.................. Round Rock, TX 8808 Jacob Brice Espinoza..................Houston, TX 9507 Chasen H. Doyal......................... Cypress, TX 51408 Kevin C. Mills............................... Lucas, TX 7

Texas Tech Platinum Life Members 1 Darin Gray.....................................Burnet, TX 2 Larry Anders...................................Dallas, TX 3 Leland L. Fellows III.................... Lubbock, TX 4 Jason Moorman.............................Snyder, TX Sam Houston State Platinum Life Members 1 Michael W. Murray......................... Spring, TX 2 Philip S. Karasek..................East Bernard, TX 16 Brandon Marcantel......................Houston, TX Stephen F. Austin Platinum Life Members 1 Sam Permenter Jr...........................Lufkin, TX 2 Blake Wilcox........................ Montgomery, TX Texas State Platinum Life Members 1 Aaron Jones...................................Austin, TX Texas Christian Platinum Life Members 1 Holden Harrison....................... Fort Worth, TX 2 Giacomo (Jack) Conte................Galloway, OH

Need to update your membership information? Please call Lauren at (210) 491-2133 or email at lauren@ttha.com

Un-American Whitetails

This is one of six whitetails in Minneapolis bound for Finland in 1948 with Governor Luther Youngdahl (kneeling), the manager of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Frank Blair, and stewardess Lorraine Ellefson.

Contributed Photo/Bryan O’Neal

By Jim Heffelfinger

Photo by Walter H. Wettschreck, courtesy of Perttu Matero/The Hunting Museum of Finland

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W

e Americans love our white-tailed deer. Whitetails are by far the most popular big game animals in the country with about three million bucks and another three million does taken last year. Six million deer killed each year would make about two billion bacon cheeseburgers for our Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day picnics. We are proud of our freedoms and self-reliant nature, making deer hunting about as American as it gets. Each year, more than 700,000 Texans tag a halfmillion deer and take them home. With that kind of popularity and abundance it should come as no surprise that Americans are willing to share some.

As we shall see, the idea of moving whitetails is not a recent one. The first record of a whitetail transplant in North America comes from the days when pirate ships sailed the Caribbean.

It was not unusual for ships in that era to drop off deer, pigs, goats and similar edible animals onto remote islands in the hope they would establish there and provide fresh meat at some future visit or “unexpected stay” on a deserted island.

Other whitetail translocations came as gifts to hunting groups in other countries to provide another animal to pursue or were unintentional escapes from captive facilities.

The adaptability of the white-tailed deer has been proven here and abroad as they thrived in new areas that were rugged, brushy, or remote enough to protect them from overharvest. Where they have failed, it was mostly due to the lack of protection and enforced game laws that we have developed in America. The thought of whitetails in the Czech Republic forces us to think about exotic animals from the other end of the shipment.

Through extensive research and correspondence, I have uncovered the details surrounding the original release of whitetails in faraway lands, as well as their current status. One can never know about all deer movements because pirates and hundreds of other early entrepreneurs didn’t leave us with annual progress reports, but the most significant whitetail movement experiments in other lands are known and discussed here.

Photo courtesy of Perttu Matero/The Hunting Museum of Finland

The first whitetail harvested in Finland, 1960.

Whitetails were released in Czechoslovakia in the mid-1800s and now number about 800 total.

Photo by Ludek Bartos

Finland Minnesotans of Finnish descent wanted to share the North American deer they enjoyed so much, so in 1934 they captured and donated three male and four female fawns to the Public Finnish Hunters Association. These deer were sent by train from Minnesota to the East Coast where they were loaded on a ship headed for Helsinki, Finland. Only one male and four females survived the two-week voyage with two of the bucks dying during a storm in the Baltic Sea. Upon arrival, the lone buck was near death, but after some nurturing he recovered and was released with the does into an 8.5-acre enclosure on the Laukko Estate. One of the females was blind, never produced a fawn, and was later killed by a golden eagle. The other does successfully reproduced and served as the source of the Finnish white-tailed deer herd.

In 1937, four additional deer—two males, two females—were sent from New York and placed in a Finnish zoo to be released into the wild the next spring, but there are no records of that ever happening. All deer from the original translocation eventually escaped from the Laukko enclosure and the population grew steadily, but there was a concern that all deer born in Finland descended from one buck breeding only three does. www.TTHA www.

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Late in 1948, six more white-tailed deer—three male, three female—were flown from Minnesota to Helsinki and placed in the Laukko enclosure where two males quickly died.

The next spring, one buck and three does were released to join the growing population of about 100 deer in the area. The population continued to do very well and in 1960 the first hunting season was established and nine bucks were taken.

Last year a record 60,500 white-tailed deer were killed in Finland and they are now more abundant than the iconic moose.

Whitetails occupy the southern one-third of the country and have reached the Swedish and Russian borders. Some Finnish whitetails were captured and sold to Bulgaria in 1977, but they never successfully established a population in that country.

British Isles One vague reference to white-tailed deer being released on

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try, eight deer were moved to an enclosure in northern Czech Republic and two others to a small pen in Slovakia. The deer in northern Czech Republic were accidentally released into the wild in 1965 and are still hanging around in the Dobris forest.

The current population of whitetails in the Czech Republic is considered stable at about 800 deer.

Photo

by

Paul Peychers

Serbia and Croatia

The ever-adaptable whitetail introduced to New Zealand makes seaweed a “normal” part of its diet.

the Scottish Isle of Arran in 1832 marks the earliest release of this species into a wild setting in Europe. These deer are said to have thrived for a time before dying out sometime after 1872.

Woburn Park in northern England has a long history of captive deer and deer conservation. It was the 11th Duke of Bedford who saved the Père David’s deer from extinction in the 1880s by holding and propagating them in his park. Detailed inventory records were kept of the deer at Woburn since the late 1800s, but there is some confusion because several different common and scientific names were used for white-tailed deer throughout their 125 years of record-keeping. The records show they brought in 140 whitetails starting in 1894 and had 44 born on the property, but only 38 remained by 1905. For some reason the highly adaptable white-tailed deer did not fare well in Woburn Park, but when released out of the enclosure, they established a small population in the nearby woods until troops occupying those areas during World War II soon exterminated them. By 1947, there were no records of wild whitetailed deer anywhere in the British Isles.

Establishment of white-tailed deer in the former Yugoslavia, now several different countries, is a more recent accomplishment. Twenty-one deer from the eastern and southern United States formed the basis of this effort in the early 1970s. By spring 1975, the captive populations were doing so well, they were used as source stock to increase their distribution, including east of Belgrade near the Romanian border and the Island of Brac in the Adriatic Sea. Hunters started hunting them in 1980 and the population increased to at least 150 deer by 1983, but then declined to only about 40 by 2007. Deer management was not a high priority during the 1990s with the terrible war in Bosnia and Serbia and the economic turmoil with the break-up of Yugoslavia.

New Zealand New Zealand never had any native land mammals, unless you count the three species of bats. Since the arrival of Captain Cook in 1769, at least 50 mammal species have been introduced into New Zealand and of these, eight non-native deer species have become established. White-tailed deer were first introduced with two bucks and two does from Kansas in the Takaka Valley in 1901. Four years later, 19 more were released with some going to the South Island and Stewart Island. From these releases both the Lake Wakatipu and the Stewart Island population have become established. New Zealand whitetails increased steadily and soon became very abundant until a hunting season was established. As early as the 1920s it was obvious that hunting wouldn’t limit the population and all restrictions on harvest were lifted.

The release on Stewart Island was wildly successful and deer quickly spread throughout the island’s steep slopes and ridges

Austria

Photo by Carrie Stengel, Virgin Islands NP

In 1870 a small group of white-tailed deer were translocated from the United States to the Grafenegg Castle in lower Austria.

After five years, some of those deer were then moved to an enclosure near Weidlingau and then to Vienna in 1910, but all deer disappeared during the turmoil of World War I.

Czech Republic and Slovakia Some sketchy records place the earliest releases of whitetailed deer in the Czech Republic around 1840, but we know from more complete records that in 1853, seven whitetails were released in what was then Czechoslovakia, but it probably wasn’t until 15 more deer, mostly from Canada, were released in 1892 and 1893 when the population really became established. These deer were released into an enclosure within the forest at Dobris, a town near Prague, Czech Republic. Sixteen more deer were added to this population in 1906 to boost the numbers. During the chaos of World War I, the Dobris forest enclosure was destroyed and the deer escaped their pen, with most remaining in the area.

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An early colonial document in 1790 mentions five whitetailed deer being released on St. Croix around that time; today they are overpopulated and damaging the habitat.

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U. S. Virgin Islands Christopher Columbus first documented and named the Virgin Islands in 1493, but there were no whitetails living on any of the four main islands: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island. An early colonial document in 1790 mentions five white-tailed deer being released on St. Croix around that time. By the time the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from the Danish in 1917, there was an estimated 3,000 white-tailed deer well-distributed throughout St. Croix Island.

In 1854, some of the St. Croix deer were moved across the open sea to St. Thomas. Later, a few of those deer swam through shark-infested water to populate St. John. More deer were reportedly brought from Texas and the Carolinas in the 1920s until there were 1,000 deer estimated to be living on St. Croix and 600 on St. Thomas in 1979. There are currently no deer on Water Island, the fourth largest of the Virgin Island complex. However, whitetails on the other islands have increased in number and distribution to the point of destroying the native vegetation and disrupting the island ecosystem. Others around the world are finding out you can have too much of a good thing.

Puerto Rico White-tailed deer were also introduced to the Puerto Rican island of Culebra in 1966. This island is only 12 miles west of St. Thomas and 18 miles east of Puerto Rico. Whitetails are still present on Culebra, mostly on the east end of the island, and on two small islands nearby.

Cuba It has been thought for some time that the whitetails in Cuba were released around 1850 from either Mexico or the United States. Recent genetic analysis indicates Cuban whitetails are not from nearby Florida, the southeastern United States, or even Mexico. Although the issue is not settled yet, they seem to be more closely related to those in northern South America.

Whitetails currently occupy many of the forested and mountainous areas throughout Cuba, but are more common in the eastern and western portions and a few locations in the central part of the island. Sometimes they have to be lethally removed from our naval station at Guantanamo Bay to protect aircraft from collisions on the runway. There is no open hunting season for Cuban whitetails, but poaching and widespread forest clearing have www.TTHA www.

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Photo courtesy of Dage Blixt and David Bergman, USDA-APHIS-WS

covered by thick forest and scrub habitat. This, and the lack of predators, provided conditions for such rapid population growth that not only were protections lifted, but a bounty was paid for every deer tail brought in. Today, Stewart Island is a popular whitetail hunting destination with 35 hunting leases around the perimeter of the island and unlimited hunting in the central area where deer are much less common.

New Zealand white-tailed deer are smaller than their source stock in New Hampshire, with weights averaging 120 pounds for bucks and 90 pounds for does. Interestingly, because these northern hemisphere deer are living in the southern hemisphere, their annual cycles have adjusted to be exactly the opposite of their homeland. The peak of rut is April-May (autumn in the southern hemisphere), the antlers are dropped July-August, and fawns are born during summer in DecemberJanuary. The ever-adaptable whitetail in New Zealand has found seaweed, such as kelp, an important source of nutrition.

Whitetails currently occupy many of the forested and mountainous areas throughout Cuba, but are more common in the eastern and western portions.

caused populations to decline. Since white-tailed deer are strong swimmers, they have populated some of the nearby islands.

Jamaica White-tailed deer were also not on Jamaica in 1494 to greet Christopher Columbus. Whitetails became established by accident on this 4,400 square mile island. Hurricanes Allen in 1980 and Gilbert in 1988 damaged a captive facility near Sommerset Falls on the island’s northeastern coast and freed the captive deer. It is not known how many escaped in 1980, but three bucks and three does found freedom in 1988.

Jamaica is dominated by mountains rising to more than 6,300 feet and covered with lush forest full of rare plant species, so there is concern white-tailed deer will over-populate the island and cause damage to native plants and small farms.

There could be as many as 6,000 now on the island. Some local farmers are starting to organize deer hunts to reduce crop damage and one community leader reports that more than 300 whitetails were killed in the last three to four years.

There’s no place like home Humans have moved animals around for various reasons for a very long time. There is even some evidence of deer translocations a few thousand years ago on an island off the South American coast. Today’s methods of deer capture and transport are much easier on the animal than lashing their legs together and throwing them in a dugout canoe or the wooden deck of a pirate ship, although, pirates didn’t have all the government paperwork and permits to worry about. In some cases, whitetails are doing very well in the strange places they were moved to and have adapted well as long as they had some measure of protection from over-harvest, either by law or rough terrain.

It is always interesting to see “our” white-tailed deer living in faraway places and to witness just how incredibly adaptable this animal is. Although I don’t think we’ll have a “World Whitetail Slam” anytime soon, they can be hunted in New Zealand and Finland. Regardless, they continue to serve as our ambassadors to the world, highlighting our great success in wildlife management that allows for the wildlife abundance we enjoy.

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TTHA is proud to announce its continued partnership with Reata Insurance Group, Inc. and Philadelphia Insurance Company, offering an endorsed insurance program. Mike & Chase Pennington, the endorsed insurance agents for TTHA members, have used their extensive industry knowledge to put together an insurance program with Philadelphia Insurance Company, to provide superior protection for TTHA members. Philadelphia Insurance Company has over 25 years of underwriting experience focused on the hunting and shooting sports industries. This program will provide the most complete and comprehensive coverage for hunting leases, lodges, guides and other outdoor recreation operations.

For more information contact:

Mike Pennington or Chase Pennington mike@reatatx.com chase@reatatx.com Office: 512-420-9333 www.reatainsurance.com

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Author Photos

Paul had the opportunity to go on an aoudad hunt. He took full advantage and succeeded in taking another "wall hanger."

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STORY

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s I waited for my instructor at the Apple Store for my latest go-round of iMac lessons, my cell phone rang. Freddy called to tell me he had filled several protein feeders. Dennis, on his way in from doing ranch chores, told him he had seen aoudads at Percyville. He told me to come out and see if I could take one, because they don’t want them on the ranch. This happened Monday morning, and I hadn’t been to the ranch recently, because the previous weekend I’d been invited on a West Texas blue quail hunt with Jon’s former boss

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when he worked with Exxon. That was the last decent weather we had in the area, and it was a rewarding trip. But that’s another story.

So I thanked him for calling, finished my lesson, and returned to Kerrville. We were expecting a colder change in the weather, so I gathered my gear and headed to the ranch.

Although it was cold and windy, I was all set to crank up my Mule and head for Percyville. But I discovered the Mule came up lame. The right rear tire was flat as a 6-acre field. I signed up on the board as I always do, loaded the Avalanche, and set out for my destination. On arrival, I parked in the crevice created by the excavator during road improvements two years ago. It’s a perfect spot about 75 yards south of the blind, and an easy carry for all the gear I lug around.

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The day had 24 mph winds with 37 mph gusts out of the southwest, but with sun and 57 degrees. It definitely wasn’t the best conditions at this location because the wind quartered across my back. So I settled in, got my camera ready, loaded my .30-06, put my noise suppressors on, and waited.

I noticed with my binocular that protein and a considerable amount of corn was on the ground—very likely blown down from the spinner plate. At 3:40 p.m., I settled in for a long wait by reading a book to partially occupy my time. Some 45 pages later, to my surprise, the corn feeder went off, requiring my attention. I watched more intently, but saw nothing. I kept reading and kept looking around every once in a while. As I checked the weather on my GPS, I noticed legs moving through the cedars. At 5:09 p.m., an aoudad ewe and two lambs appeared, then a larger one. I wondered if the fourth one was a ram. They were very cautions and remained in the brush, centered between the protein and corn feeders, about 150 yards away. Minutes passed, but finally, “papa” arrived.

He stood a good 20 yards away, in the clearing but facing me head-on. He didn’t present a good shot, so I remained patient.

A few minutes went by, but finally, the ewe stepped forward, nipped a cedar tree, and looked as though they all could proceed to their banquet table. But a gust of wind spooked them, and they bolted out of sight. Disappointed, but not discouraged, I remained determined to wait. Perhaps a hog or two might also appear.

Even with earmuffs on, I heard the rumble of a four-wheeler approaching. It was Dennis coming from the Carrot Canyon, Rock Springs Pasture gate. I was pleased when I realized the aoudad didn’t wind me, but it might have heard Dennis and winded him.

I’m no longer careless. I donned my Scent-Lock jacket over my down vest, pulled on my hood and facemask, kept all windows closed and continued my constant vigil around me. As I peered out the window, the only movement I saw was a few doves fluttering to the ground. But I detected movement in the bush again. I saw one, then two small deer, as they appeared.

The first was a spike with 6-inch antlers, then a smaller deer sporting hard bone of no more than 1 inch.

The largest one milled about, ignored the corn, and eventually went into the protein enclosure. The other one remained in a statuesque pose, eyes fixed in the direction from which they came. This went on until the fantastic sunset.

I was mesmerized by the small deer constantly watching his rear, and then moved towards the Percyville sign where he joined his brother. Suddenly, I detected more movement.

This time I saw a very nice 10-point buck that didn’t hesitate to enter the enclosure for his share of the feed. As he poked his nose into the opening—repeatedly—the aoudads could no longer dispute the safety of the area with my live decoys, luring them in.

First, the largest ewe, then the mama with her two kids.

The papa sent the females and children out again first, as he watched head-on from a distance. But this time, he couldn’t resist letting the old broads get all the corn, so he rushed in to join them.

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open up and raise my rifle.

Naturally, the ram stood behind the ewes, but was broadside, so I was patient.

At 6:58 p.m., the rifle spoke with a flash from its barrel in the twilight of the evening.

When the smoke cleared, the ewes and kids remained, but I didn’t know what happened to the ram. I only had a hint of his departing direction by the gaze of the ewes.

A half-hour later, I got into my vehicle, drove to the scene, and used my headlights to look for blood. I didn’t find a drop.

How did I miss such a clean shot when I so methodically prepared for the moment? I began searching for him, looking directly in front, then ahead, then side to side. On my second look to my right, there he lay, with his head erect and tapetum reflecting my headlights. I quickly removed the light from his eyes, retreated a few steps, chambered a round into my Kimber 1911 .45 ACP, and shot him in the neck. Without the help of Jonathan holding the light for my clumsy field dressing to lighten the load, the ram would still be laying there.

Later, I took the ram to the taxidermy studio. At approximately 280-300 pounds with a right horn measuring 31½ inches and left horn measuring 31 inches, the old ram was estimated at 8½ years old by the man in charge of skinning and mounting. And thanks to an excellent job by Carey Hancock, the ram now joins my other trophies collected over the years at Cherry Creek Ranch.

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PLENTY OF PORK

Texas is like hog heaven for bowhunters

F

By Brandon Ray

rom the canyon rim with my unaided eyes, I thought it was a stray cow. The distant animal was a reddish color, feeding on the valley floor in broad daylight. My watch said it was 4:30 in the afternoon. Through 10X binoculars it looked more like a sand-colored aoudad sheep. It wasn’t until I cut the distance to a quarter mile that I could tell it was neither

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a cow nor an aoudad. It was an odd-colored hog. And a big hog!

A careful stalk through a patch of prickly pear cactus set up a 25-yard shot. The big boar was totally unaware of my presence, his nose plowing up dirt for a snack and the wind steady in my The author shot this red-colored boar in April 2020. A midafternoon stalk set up a 25-yard shot.

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favor. My 450-grain arrow tipped with a 4-blade Wasp Dart broadhead found the boar’s heart and he only made it 40 yards.

I never got him on a scale, but I think 300 pounds was a fair estimate of his size. It was an unexpected encounter on an April afternoon when I was supposed to be scouting for turkeys.

The author shot this jumbo-sized boar in June of 2017. He ambushed the big boar at sunset and recovered him in the dark. The shot was close from a short tripod stand over a windmill’s runoff pond baited with corn. A 2-blade Silver Flame broadhead was used for the one arrow kill.

Millions of Hogs

The good news? Hogs might be the perfect animal for bowhunters. Unlike big deer that bring top dollar in Texas, many landowners will grant trespass rights to hunt hogs for little or no money. Hogs are smart and challenging to hunt. Wild pork is tasty.

A giant boar’s skull or shoulder mount always garners attention in a man cave. Getting within bow range requires skill.

Their eyesight is average, but their hearing is good and their nose is incredible. I’ve tried every bottle, suit, machine and gadget available and nothing fools a hog’s nose inside bow range. A steady wind is your best bet to get close.

Thirty years ago in that same Panhandle canyon there were no wild hogs. Today, they are common. You find them in the canyon breaks, creek bottoms and on level ground in wheat and milo fields. Farmers hate them as they destroy crops.

Hogs spook deer, eat supplemental feed intended for deer, raid turkey nests and root and destroy habitat. They are mostly nocturnal, so any daylight sighting is a rarity. Like so much of Texas, hogs are now in places they weren’t years ago.

Texas has lots of feral hogs. In fact, Texas has more wild hogs than any other state. The most recent data I could find put the current statewide estimate at 2.6 million animals. In Texas, you can hunt feral hogs year-round with no bag limit with bow or gun.

It is legal to hunt day or night, with bait, with traps, with dogs and even from aircraft. Despite the friendliest hunting rules ever to try to curb hog numbers, their range is still expanding and their numbers are growing. It’s literally war on feral hogs.

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Hunting Hogs Step one is to look for their sign. A herd of hogs leaves lots of evidence. Look for blunt-toed tracks around waterholes. Wallows on the edge of the pond might be as small as a car tire or as big as a bathtub depending on the size of the hog.

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Hogs require water daily for consumption and to regulate their body temperature. Anywhere in Texas that water is limited or in times of drought, a water source is an ideal ambush spot. Droppings are round and tubular, not pelleted like a deer.

Trees and fence posts near windmills or creek bottoms will be smeared with mud from hogs scratching an itch or marking their territory. At fence crossings, look for wiry hairs snagged in barbed wire. Such a fence crossing is a perfect spot for a trail camera to get an idea of what time of day hogs use that trail.

The average adult feral hog is probably about 100-150 pounds. However, some mature hogs can weigh over 300 pounds. Their hide is tough, thick, caked with mud and on the biggest males it is a true test to punch an arrow through to the vitals. For this reason, consider medium to heavy weight arrows with sturdy fixed-blade broadheads. I prefer arrows with a finished weight of at least 450-500 grains.

Arrows with a high FOC (front-of-center) aid with deep penetration. My arrows have a 95-grain stainless steel insert combined with a 100-grain broadhead, so almost 200 grains up front. A few quality broadheads I’ve used on big hogs in recent years include the Wasp Dart, Iron Will, Solid, Slick Trick, NAP Hellrazor, Silver Flame and G5 Montec. Out of my stickbows, I prefer even heavier, 500-600 grain arrows tipped with filesharpened Zwickey or Bear Razorhead broadheads.

Study hog anatomy photos. Their heart sits very low in the

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The author shot this average-sized hog in 2018 with a longbow and a file-sharpened Bear Razorhead broadhead. The hog died in the creek, making recovery and photo taking interesting!

chest. Wait for a broadside or slight quartering away angle aimed at the heart and lungs and avoid the stout front shoulder.

In the summer, I have good luck hunting hogs at windmill ponds. Mostly, their visits are past sunset or in the dark. A trail camera over scattered corn at the water’s edge tells me when to wait. Waiting for a steady wind is essential. Hogs have no patience for human stink.

My night rig includes a bow rigged with a single pin, green fiber optic sight and a sight light. I limit shots to 20 yards or less in the dark. A flashlight mounted in my stabilizer bushing with a red lens works best. I’ve tried white, green and red lights and red seems to spook pigs the least. I wait until the target hog gets settled down, feeding or drinking at close range.

I draw my bow with the light on the lowest setting and point the bow at the sky, slowly bringing the bow down and illuminating the pig. A button on the bow’s grip lets me increase the brightness of the light if necessary. The red light combined with a sight light and green pin with a large diameter peep works best for me. Lighted arrow nocks help pinpoint hit location. Look at Texas’ own Elusive Wildlife Technologies for all

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Hogs will rub on trees and fence posts close to creeks and near ponds. These muddy rubs are a sure indication hogs are in the area.

Beat-down trails like this one at a fence crossing are prime locations to set a trail camera. Hogs might be using the trail only after dark or in daylight; the camera will tell you which.

kinds of lights and a great bow-mounted light called the Piglet for archery night hunting.

Hogs Eat Cows?

Hogs are omnivorous. That means they eat both plant and animal matter. Most of us think of hogs eating corn from timed feeders or raiding crops like wheat, milo or peanuts. But they eat eggs from ground-nesting birds, small animals and they feed on carcasses.

I remember years ago trailing a gut shot 10-point whitetail buck. I shot him at sunset the night before, but waited until the following morning to trail him. When I found that buck in

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that creek bottom after trailing blood about 100 yards, a herd of hogs was eating his carcass. This year, and it’s happened more than once now, I stalked hogs in a very unusual circumstance.

I glassed the herd of 15 hogs wandering down a wooded Panhandle creek. It was late afternoon, the sun was sinking, and I was stalking in a crosswind trying to get close. I could just see the tops of several black hog’s backs near the creek. About six hogs were huddled together, obviously tugging at something, squealing and grunting, fighting with each other.

When I peeked over the creek bank at 30 yards, I realized the hogs were mostly inside the body cavity of a large, deceased cow carcass. As I prepared for the shot, the gentle breeze shifted for just a moment. The lead sow snapped her head up, grunted loudly and charged across the creek, taking the entire mob with her. I’ve since seen hogs at that same rotting cow carcass multiple times.

Texas has lots of hogs. Sure, they are a nuisance to most, but they are darn-near heaven for a bowhunter.

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The 629 Ranch is an ideal combination hunting and cattle ranch with approximately 15% being in productive fields and the balance in dense wildlife habitat. The property is well located halfway between Burnet and Lampasas less than 5 minutes off of Highway 281. Paved road frontage, water well and electricity. The ranch is home to Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Feral Hogs and Varmints. The property has been well managed and only three bucks taken in the last three seasons with the best scoring 140 points Boone & Crockett gross taken by a bow hunter. $3995 per acre

The Jackson Ranch is located approximately 13 miles West of Lampasas, Texas on FM 580. The Historic Ranch has 1.82 miles of Colorado River frontage, elevations vary from 200′ high cliffs overlooking the river and views to the West, to low sloping grassy banks sheltered by pecan trees. The terrain is hilly to rough with a substantial portion on the west being rocky hills, ridges and canyons. Outstanding hunting on this large, low fenced ranch. $3150 per acre

A rare opportunity to own a large tract (over 7 Square Miles) within an hour of Austin located halfway between Burnet and Marble Falls. This beautiful Hill Country Ranch offers 40 mile views the spacious high mesa’s to beautiful bottom land, lush with grasses and dotted with Live Oaks. Ma ny of the draws are running water from numerous springs, all topped off with a 28 acre Lake. Game fenced and managed for years, this is a true Legacy Ranch for the discriminating buyer to seriously consider. Improvements include a spacious Main House on the high mesa, a foreman’s house, barn and multiple water wells. Listed for $6250 per acre

505 Acres located in Mills County, South of Goldthwaite. Conveniently located 175 miles from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, 105 miles from Austin. This historic ranch encompasses a prominent geographic feature the San Saba Peak. A recently remodeled 2000 s.f. ranch house, fully enclosed Barn with walk in cooler, blinds and feeders. Wildlife on the ranch include Wild Turkey, Whitetail Deer, Axis Deer, Red Stag, Blackbuck Antelope, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Aoudad and Iranian Red Sheep. Turn-Key, this ranch is ready to enjoy. Listed for $2,500,000

The heart of the Texas Hill Country this 460 acre Llano County ranch is the ideal recreation and homestead property. Located South of Llano off of Highway 16, this very desirable area has easy access to Llano or shopping and dining in Fredericksburg. Huge Live Oaks, Post Oaks and Elm trees are scattered across the ranch offering outstanding wildlife habitat. Improvements include a threebedroom, two bath main residence plus two guest cabins and an ATV garage.

A spacious covered pavilion for outdoor entertainment along with a covered shooting pavilion. A recently constructed all metal barn complete with working pens and chutes is located in the center of the ranch. Excellent hunting for Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Feral Hogs and some free-range Exotics. Listed for $4,250,000

WHY TEXANS HUNT It’s about the chase, camaraderie, and camp.

By Horace Gore “When gas, oil and coal are gone there will still be electricity. But where is the miracle of science that can restore an extinct bird or animal or devise means of rejuvenation for man such as is found only in the chase.” Anonymous

H

unting is a Texas tradition stemming from the very nature of our being—the challenge of pursuing a wild bird or animal and subduing it, or chasing a deal. We are all hunters, and later on I’ll tell you why.

I’ve hunted since I was 10 years old, borrowing a neighbor’s Stevens “Crack Shot” single shot .22 rifle until my grandmother bought me a single shot .22 when I was 12. It cost $6.15 from the Sears Roebuck catalogue. My main victims of the hunt were cottontail rabbits and fox squirrels. I learned how to skin a rabbit, cut it up, and fry it at an early age. Making the cream gravy was the most difficult part, and I remember making my first skillet-full that would not come out of the spoon.

My first successful deer hunt occurred when I was a student at Texas A&M University in the fall of 1958. As a county school bus driver, I had daily contact with kids who lived in the country. One of the boys suggested that we could go deer hunting on his family’s small farm if I would furnish him with a deer rifle. I had two rifles—a 7.7 caliber Japanese army rifle that I had customized, and a 1917 Enfield .30-06 military rifle that was also re-stocked as a sporting rifle. I let the kid hunt with the Japanese rifle, which had a good Weaver scope.

Several deer had been coming into a small oats patch just before dark, so we selected some strong branches and climbed up into two live oak trees that bordered the field. We were about 200 yards apart. As the sun slowly sank in the west on that Saturday afternoon, a lone deer came into the field some 130 |

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distance away. I had a small Weaver J 2.5 scope on the .30-06 and couldn’t make out whether the deer was a buck or doe.

The boy using the 7.7 Japanese rifle with a 4-power scope could see the small antlers, and he fired and missed. When he fired, I knew he could see antlers, so I quickly put the crosshairs of the J 2.5 scope on the deer and pulled the trigger.

The .30-06 roared, nearly knocking me

‘‘Hunters for the most part are most concerned with the chase. If they don’t bag something, well, for most of them, it’s no big deal. They did what they set out to do—hunt. They just didn’t get anything.’’ off the limb.

The deer went down, but kept moving on the ground. I immediately put another bullet in him for the coup de grace. We made our way down from the live oaks and gutted the buck. He was a yearling five-point with antlers that would go into

a feed store cap, but I was on top of the world! I had killed my first deer, and I have been an avid deer hunter ever since.

Although killing may be the irrefutable heart of hunting, most Texans will tell you that they hunt for many reasons other than killing. Webster defines “hunt” as: to kill or catch for food or sport; to try to find; to chase. Hunters for the most part are most concerned with the chase. If they don’t bag something, well, for most of them, it’s no big deal. They did what they set out to do—hunt. They just didn’t get anything.

Most hunters will admit that successful hunting is a violent act. You won’t get any argument about that. But not all Texans hunt for the sole purpose of killing something, even though they want to. The majority of hunters involve themselves in the process of the hunt—getting the gear, shooting the guns or bows, packing, traveling, getting away from the city and the crowds, the job. Some men want to get away from women for a while, and “let their hair down.”

The whys are twisted up in confused layers, but status is a major aspect of hunting. Hunters want their counterparts to know they are able physically and economically to hunt, and that they have the macho desire for the chase. Some hunters prefer to hunt in groups—to escape to places where there are no social restraints. Others like to hunt alone and challenge a worthy adversary on its own turf—a form of sporting competition. Also competitive is the fact that some hunters want to compete with other hunters by killing a buck with the largest antlers, or more quail or doves.

Many hunters simply want the heightened awareness that hunting brings—reading the terrain, fine-tuning hearing and eyesight as they search for game, enduring adversity such as weather or physical danger, sensing the presence of an animal. So, why can’t the average

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Jason Shipman

photo

The author (left) with his friend Marty Berry. Most hunters will admit that hunting-camp atmosphere is the best part of hunting. It is a rite of passage, which some hunters enjoy all their lives. When they are old, and through with hunting, they end up as camp cooks—just to be there.

hunter tell you why they hunt? Most can’t—or won’t. They are virtually mute about the subject.

As a life-long hunter, I am not so mute. I love hunting as an escape valve. I instinctively open the valve of civilization and pursue my real role in life—being a hunter. Yes, it’s hard to be a good hunter without killing, and I do kill. But it’s not that I dislike animals and want to destroy them, although I like to eat them.

Killing is simply the end result of the chase. Actually, as a wildlife biologist, I love birds and animals. I’ve studied their www.TTHA www.

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habits, their lifestyles, and what makes them tick. I know the birds and animals of Texas as well as I know my friends, maybe even better. But when I pull the trigger, there is no animosity toward the creature. I’ve simply won.

And then there’s camp. Hunters say for whatever reason, they enjoy hunting camp. Hunters usually live well when they go afield—one of the reasons for being a hunter. They live together in the place that always has the same name—camp. Camp means camaraderie.

Hunters eat together, endure each other’s

stories, snoring and pain. Even without a kill, camp makes for memorable hunts.

Hunters are more themselves in hunting camp. They drink, play poker, eat more than normal, curse, belch, forget their diets, tell testy jokes—in short, everything they don’t do—or can’t do—at home. Group fun may be the best part. Most hunters will admit that hunting camp atmosphere is the best part of hunting. It is a rite of passage, which some hunters enjoy all their lives.

When they are old, and through with hunting, they end up as camp cooks— just to be there.

The costs of hunting can be tremendous—not to mention the time required to become a good hunter.

There are long drives to the hunt, the expense of the lease, guns, ammo, clothes, ATVs, and the like. Most hunters have thousands of dollars tied up in their sport. However, they don’t like to discuss the costs of hunting. It’s simply a necessity of life.

Hunters can’t explain why they spend so much time and money chasing deer, turkey, ducks, quail and doves over hill and dale, to endure heat and cold, to rub aching legs at night after stalking their quarry all day, sometimes in a failed attempt to win the chase. It is a challenge that simply must be met.

There is also a challenge in determining why hunters enjoy what they do. They’ll do anything to throw you off the trail. They’ll double back, they’ll circle, they’ll hide—just to keep you from finding out why they are hunting. The truth is, we are all hunters.

Some of us hunt for game, some hunt for money, some hunt for sex or fame or power. But we all hunt for something.

The motivation of Texas hunters is very much like the motivations of bankers or real estate brokers—to make a killing. We are all hunters—we simply use different tools.

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Women Outdoors TEXAS

in the

It Just Comes Natural

Young huntress comes from a game-warden pedigree

By Judy Jurek

I

t just comes natural for Blaine Johnson. Her love for the outdoors and hunting is in her DNA. For 12-year-old Blaine, her hunting heritage comes from game wardens.

Her father, Game Warden Tommy Johnson, Jr., is currently assigned to Mason County after working several years in Matagorda County. Blaine’s late grandfather, Tommy Johnson, Sr., retired from game warden duties after 35 years.

From the time she could talk, Blaine begged to go hunting with her dad. “I told her when she was potty trained she could go hunting but not until (then). It didn’t take her long to accomplish that and I had to fulfill my end of the bargain,” chuckled Johnson.

Older sister Kally, 19, became a huntress before Blaine arrived on the scene. Now a college freshman at Wharton County Junior College with plans to switch to Texas A&M, Kally doesn’t hunt as often as in the past, but the sisters have enjoyed numerous hunts together.

“Kally has killed many deer over the years, so it was natural Blaine wanted to follow in her big sister’s footsteps. We’ve had a lot of great times together,” Johnson said.

At age six Blaine took her first whitetail, a doe, with the same gun her older sister used, a 218B rifle. Today Blaine shoots a Mossberg youth model .243 with a 50mm Vortex scope. “She’s a good shot,” her father bragged.

“Blaine’s first buck was a ratchet head and, of course, she wanted it mounted,” Johnson said. “I did a European mount and surprised her when she got home from school.” Shaking his head, Johnson added, “She was SO mad at me, saying ‘I wanted the fur on it,’ she didn’t speak to me for a week.”

“My favorite buck is a 12-point I killed when I was seven,” she said. “Some of my deer are stuffed and some are just antlers.

I really enjoy wildlife and processing. No, I don’t clean them but I watch. Dad usually does, but I’ll help hold and wash it,” she added.

Her best buck to date is a typical 10-point scoring 132 B&C. Last seaon on their Menard County lease, Blaine took a cull whitetail stag still in velvet. She said, “I liked it because of the velvet. It’s really cool. But that buck needed to be removed.”

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Blaine Johnson proudly poses with her velvet stag taken in Menard County last season. This young lady takes game management seriously.

“This lady is getting selective. We’re holding out for a particular buck that keeps giving us the slip,” Johnson said.

“Blaine now understands game management. She’s getting good at aging deer on hoof, recognizing young bucks and the importance of letting them walk.” With a chuckle, he added, “Although it’s sometimes hard when she sees one like last

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year, a young 10-point with an 18-inch spread.”

Blaine’s mother Rachael is not a hunter, but that doesn’t dampen her daughter’s spirit and outdoor desire. “I love hearing her stories, especially when she’s so excited about the deer she shot. And I love deer meat, sausage, and jerky,” Rachael said. “Her dad and I have the best of both worlds with her. She can be girly and can shoot her own buck!”

Ready to go on a moment’s notice, Blaine has taken axis and hogs in addition to whitetails. A .22 Hornet rifle gifted from an aunt and uncle helped her take her first fox and several raccoons. Blaine also loves to fish as much as enjoying hunts with her sister, dad, and stepmother Kellie. “I like fishing Matagorda Bay for redfish and trout,” Blaine said. Memories are always being made.

“We recently discussed the differences between Mason and Matagorda counties,” Johnson said. “She and I like both areas and it was fun for me to see that she recognizes the diversities of each. Blaine loves to fish, too, and of course the coast offers more fishing opportunities, but coastal mosquitos are something neither of us miss.”

So what’s it like for Blaine to hunt with her dad and his duties as a game warden?

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Tommy Johnson

Clad in pink with a pink camo rifle, Blaine’s skillful shooting dropped this nice Texas Hill Country buck on a cool morning. Her dad taught her to be a steady shot.

Father-daughter time is important and hunting is a great way to spend it while making memories. Two axis does filled their freezer this day.

“He’s taught me to be quiet and be a steady shot. He tells me rules and laws. But sometimes he’s the loud one! He tells jokes and we laugh and the deer run off,” Blaine said. “It’s cool when he walks into school in his uniform. The kids don’t mess with me.”

Not just a hunter, Blaine helped her dad take several wounded warriors on a hunt. She assisted by putting them in stands while advising them what to watch for and where deer and hogs would appear. Afterwards, she would pick up the hunters and their game. This young lady got a taste of what it’s like to be a guide.

Blaine is currently a sixth grader at Boerne Middle School South. She’s active in volleyball and becoming interested in tennis. She likes to draw, too. When asked what she may want to do when she grows up, Blaine replied, “I want to be a photographer or chef. I like to cook deer sausage and redfish.”

As far as the future goes, it may yet be too soon to tell. But for now, hunting and fishing with Dad and family rate at the top of this young lady’s priority list. Best of luck to you, Blaine Johnson. Keep on doing what just comes natural.

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HARD TIMES BACKSTRAPS “The truth, and only the truth, is often boring.”—Goreism

’ve had some good friends through the years, and one of the best was Capt. John Wood of Brownwood. John’s father was game warden in Brown County for years, and when he died, John left Texas A&M University and became the Brown County game warden to replace his dad. I’m not sure of the date, but it had to be in the late 1940s. John went on to become a captain in the force and for several years, he headed up the game warden school in Austin.

As a young wildlife biologist, I was stationed in Brownwood from 1961 through 1965 and officed with Capt. Wood. He was known far and wide as a fair warden, but strict enough to “give his mother a ticket.” As you might expect, he was well thought of in the community, as well as the Hill Country where he was district supervisor.

In about September 1963, I was driving my state pickup back home to Bangs just before dark when an old doe ran out of the ditch and into my headlights. The front fender hit her head, knocking her off the road. I stopped and went back to look at her. She was dead.

I didn’t want to waste the meat, so I loaded her up and took her home. I knew Capt. Wood would give the deer to the sheriff to feed prisoners in the jail. I hung the doe, gutted and skinned, and covered her in a “buck bag.” I then called Capt. Wood and told him I had a doe for the sheriff. “Bring it in to the office in the morning,” he said.

The next morning, I checked the doe to make sure the flies had not gotten through the bag. As I looked at the deer, my 7-year-old daughter, Donna, said, “Daddy, are we going to eat this deer?” She was looking at the doe with Joey and the twins, and had watched me skin deer many times. At that time, we practically lived on deer and other wild game.

I thought of how good the backstraps would be fried up with some biscuits and gravy. Soon, my

Capt. John Wood

Author Photo

I

Buck knife was out, as I peeled up the buck bag, and cut out both backstraps. “Take these to your mother,” I told Donna. Then, I sealed the buck bag and loaded the doe in the truck.

John was waiting for me at the office, and we took the deer over to the jail. The jailer met us, and took the deer out of the truck. As the doe lay on the sidewalk in the buck bag, John bent over and looked closely at the carcass.

“Well, what is this?” queried the captain, as he felt through the bag where the backstraps had been. “First time I ever saw a deer without backstraps,” he said as he straightened up and looked at me. “I know that the prisoners will enjoy this fresh deer meat, and I guess they won’t mind if the backstraps are missing.”

As we walked back to my truck, John said, “I guess times are hard around Bangs for someone who works for the state, and is feeding four little kids.” I didn’t say anything. I just looked at the ground. “Let’s go get a cup of coffee,” John said with a big smile, and we drove toward the Yellow Wagon Café.

—Horace Gore

Editor’s Note: The farther along we crawl through the 21st century, the more we crave just a little bit of nostalgia. If you would like to share some vintage hunting photos (anything before 1960) with our readers, please send them our way, along with a brief description or story.

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GOLDEN DEEP-FRIED DOVES

INGREDIENTS • 12-16 dove breasts • 2 cups flour • 2 medium or large eggs • Louisiana hot sauce (optional) • salt and pepper • deep fry cooker, 3-4 inches deep with peanut or corn oil, heated to 400 degrees (Can be any deep fryer; fish fryer, or deep iron pot.)

DIRECTIONS

Wash dove breasts in cold water and pat dry. Cut ½-inch slit lengthwise to bone on each side of breast. Put 3 drops of Louisiana hot sauce in each slit. Season doves to taste with salt and black pepper.

Put flour in shallow dish or pan, then dredge dove breast in flour. Beat eggs in a bowl, and dredge floured dove in eggs. Dredge breast again in flour. Put as many doves in fryer that will easily cook at one time.

Cook until dove breasts float, then remove quickly into bowl lined with paper towels. Eat doves with cream gravy, hot biscuits, and any sides that go with dark meat. A spoonful of tart plum jelly or peach jam makes the doves taste even better. Serves four adults.

This recipe is good for sandhill crane and duck breasts, too. Meat should be cut in 1½- x 4-inch pieces. Make deep cuts in meat for Louisiana hot sauce. Cook until pieces float and remove immediately.—HG

Do you have a favorite Wild Game recipe that you would like to share with our readers? If so, please type or print recipe and send to: Texas Trophy Hunters Association ATTN: Editor 326 Sterling Browning Road San Antonio, TX 78232 www.TTHA www.

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Fish and game move in search of food in cycles relative to the moon’s location to the Earth. The time spans listed are the prime or major period times to start each day and along each time zone meridian of longitude 75° (Eastern), 90° (Central), 105° (Mountain) and 120° (Pacific). To determine the feeding cycle time for fishing and hunting in the area you plan to fish or hunt, advance the sum of 4 minutes for each degree west and back up 4 minutes for each degree east. The next prime feeding cycle (not listed on the calendar) will be approximately 121/2 hours later. There are minor periods that occur between the prime or major periods. The moon’s phases are shown as New, First Quarter (FQ), Full and Last Quarter (LQ). The feeding times are not a cure-all. Weather and other environmental conditions affect wildlife feeding activity.

SE P T E M BER 2 0 2 0 1 2 3 4 5

FULL

10:35A–3:35P 11:20A–4:20P 12:15P–5:15P 1:15P–6:15P 2:05P–7:05P

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 LQ

2:55P–7:55P 3:45P–8:45P 4:30P–9:30P 4:45A–9:45A 5:30A–10:30A 6:20A–11:20A 7:15A–12:15P

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 FQ

2:00P–7:00P 3:00P–8:00P 4:00P–9:00P 4:35A–9:35A 5:30A–10:30A 6:20A–11:20A 7:05A–12:05P

27 28 29 30

7:50A–12:50P 8:30A–1:30P 9:15A–2:15P 10:05A–3:05P

O C T O BER 2 0 2 0 1 2 3

FULL

11:00A–4:00P 11:50A–4:50P 12:35P–5:35P

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 LQ

1:20P–6:20P

2:05P–7:05P

2:50P–7:50P

3:35P–8:35P

4:20P–9:20P

4:45A–9:45A

5:30A–10:30A

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 NEW

6:20A–11:00A 7:10A–12:10P 8:00A–1:00P 8:50A–1:50P 9:45A–2:45P 10:45A–3:45P 11:45A–4:45P

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 FQ

12:45P–5:55P 1:45P–6:45P 2:40P–7:40P 3:35P–8:35P 4:30P–9:30P 5:05A–10:05A 6:00A–11:00A

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

FULL

6:50A–11:50A 7:35A–12:35P 8:15A–1:15P 8:50A–1:50P 9:25A–2:25P 10:05A–3:05P 10:45A–3:45P

BEST

GOOD

FAIR

POOR

OCTOBER SEPTEMBER

NEW

8:10A–1:10P 9:00A–2:00P 9:45A–2:45P 10:30A–3:30P 11:15A–4:15P 12:05P–5:05P 1:00P–6:00P

Annual vest pocket books, which show all the major and minor periods, can be ordered by sending a check or money order for $19.95 per book. For shipping and handling, please add $4.95 to an order of 1 to 4 books. Make check or money order payable to Feeding Times. Send to Feeding Times, P.O. Box 2240, Covington, GA 30015. After October 1, please indicate book year in your order. For questions or comments, call 404-373-7151.

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N

Sept 17 FQ

Sept 23 F

Sept 02 LQ

Sept 10

N

Oct 16 FQ

Oct 23 F

Oct 01&31 LQ

Oct 09

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WILL VOIGTMAN: axis with 26¼-inch inside spread scoring 1575⁄8 B&C taken 5/14/20 in Edwards County.

GEAR: .270 Remington, .270 ammo, Leupold scope.

OUTFITTER: Dad (Crazy 8 Ranch).

MYLES MCNAB: whitetail eight-point (first buck) with 14-inch inside spread taken 12/25/19 in Atascosa County.

GEAR: Savage rifle, .243 ammo, Weaver 3-9X scope.

OUTFITTER: Granddad (7F Ranch).

MACI MARONEY: Whitetail nine-point (first buck) with 17-inch inside spread scoring 132 B&C taken 1/18/20 in Webb County.

GEAR: 6.5 Grendle, Hornady 123-grain ammo, 3-9X Leupold scope.

OUTFITTER: Dad.

JACK DANIELS: whitetail 10-point (first buck) taken 11/16/19 in Real County.

GEAR: .243 Browning, Leupold scope.

OUTFITTER: family ranch.

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BLAKE & BYRON BAKER: whitetail 12-point taken 1/3/20 in Live Oak County.

GEAR: Remington 7mm, Leupold scope.

OUTFITTER: BK Ranch.

CHRISTOPHER STANLEY: whitetail 10-point with 14-inch inside spread taken 11/2/19 in Coryell County.

GEAR: DPMS GEN 2 Recon, Federal Fusion MSR .308 165-grain ammo, Barris scope.

OUTFITTER: self.

D.J. HAWTHORN: whitetail nine-point with 204⁄8-inch inside spread scoring 1394⁄8 B&C taken 11/30/19 in Tom Green County.

GEAR: Mathews bow, 75-grain Grim Reaper broadhead, TruGlow 3 pin.

OUTFITTER: self.

ERN VILLARREAL: whitetail nine-point with 17½-inch inside spread taken 1/16/19 in Brooks County.

GEAR: Remington .243 Model 700, 100-grain ammo, Redfield scope.

OUTFITTER: La Esquerda Ranch.

SEND US YOUR HUNTING PHOTOS! NOTE: Only members of Texas Trophy Hunters Association or immediate family may submit photos. Out of fairness to all members, only one photo of each family member will be accepted each year. Do not paperclip or staple photos as this can damage them. Prints must be no larger than 4x6 inches and printed on photo-quality paper. No photos will be returned. Photos may also be e-mailed to HuntsEnd@ttha. com. If sent by e-mail, please make sure to include all information from the form below and limit your photo size to less than 5MB. Send a separate e-mail for each entry.

NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED UNLESS THIS FORM IS COMPLETED PROPERLY. Hunter’s Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Member’s Name (if different): ________________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________

Please Circle One:

Youth

Adult

Member ID Number: ___________________________

Species Taken: _______________________________ Number of Points: ________________

Date Taken: __________________________ Inside Spread: _______________________ Net or Gross B&C Score (if known): _______________________ Phone Number: (___________)__________________________________

State or County: _________________________

Projectile: _________________________ Sighting System: _________________________ Weapon: ________________________________________

Outfitter: ___________________________________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________

Send To: Hunt’s End, 326 Sterling Browning Rd., San Antonio, Texas, 78232-1220

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[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

THE ROUND-UP

Texas Trophy Hunters Association Round-Up ads provide excellent exposure at a minimal cost. For more information on placing your ad in the Round-Up, please contact Debbie Keene at 210-288-9491 or deborah@ttha.com.

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CLASSIFIED

[ THE JOURNAL ]

VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

“MEMBERS ONLY” Benefit!

Don’t forget to use your free classified ad!

It’s once per year and you must have an active membership in good standing. Send to:

TTHA Classified 326 Sterling Browning Road, San Antonio, TX 78232-1220 You may fax your ad to (210) 523-8871, Attn: Debbie Keene or e-mail to Deborah@ttha.com Send your ad in by September 10 to run in the next issue!

FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING!

Available to current members of Texas Trophy Hunters Association only! Limit 25 words per ad. Each member may run 1 FREE ad in one issue per year. 25 word ads after FREE issue are $40 each. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OR REFUSE ANY AD.

HONDO TX BIG DROP Ranch lodge available for lease for the 2020 Dove Season. Lodge has 12 beds and sleeps up to 16 guests. Large outdoor patio, pool, and fire pit. Contact for more info sheldon@ texasranchsalesllc.com - 830-741-8906.

WILDLIFE REMOVAL TECHNICIAN Professional and affordable predator control available. 30+ years experience . References available upon request. Willing to travel. Call Chris 256-613-2089.

S.M. FENCING, Welding & Dozer Work.

Game fencing, net wire, barbed wire, custom welding & bulldozing. No job too large or small. Satisfaction Guaranteed! Contact Shawn Mangham at 325-451-7120.

MEXICO RANCH 8,500 ac. Available for group of 4 or 5 hunters. Trophy Whitetail, hogs, birds. 4-1/2 mi. of flowing river. 4 BR house w/ electricity, blinds, feeders – Hunt Ready! 210-379-7510, email jharlan29@ gmail.com.

RUSTY HINGE RANCH For Lease. Deer, Hogs, Predators & Fishing. Available June 2020 thru June 2021. $900 per hunter. Big thicket national preserve area. 713-823-7139.

SPOTTY OR NO internet? Call Blake Ragsdale at Rountree Towers 254-424-8124 or email: blake@rountreetowers.com. Bringing internet to farms and ranches across Texas!

WILDLIFE & HABITAT Consulting.

Commercial hunts available. Contact Certified Wildlife Biologist Jason Shipman 210-508-8447 or jasonashipman@gmail.com.

28 YR. OUTFITTER in search of more land to outfit and hunt in Central TX. Looking for high fence with deer from 150-200”. We are outgrowing ourselves! Will also consider So. TX. Call Dale 325-642-7596 SDWhitetails.com.

TEXAS HUNTER FISH FEEDERS create ‘feeding zones’ that make catching fish fun for the whole family. Project fish feed up to 45ft. into the water to feed fish on a regular basis which helps you grow bigger fish faster. Call 800-969-3337 or www.TexasHunter.com.

222 AC. AG EXEMPT for sale at $5900/acre.

Outstanding hunting, income producing. 3 water wells, electricity, creek runs through property. Contact Jennifer at 281-923-4998.

SHOW ME BIRDS Hunting Resort America’s Largest Pheasant resort. Some years 70,000 birds & 5000 hunters! Come see why! 30 yrs in business. 5.5 hrs from Dallas.Traditional Field hunts, Huge European Shooting program, 3 clay ranges, 4 fishing ponds, more! 620-674-8863 or showmebird@ckt.net www.showmebirds.com.

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PREDATOR CONTROL Service. 25 yrs. experience. Specialized in removal of Coyotes, Bobcats and Feral Hogs. Contact Ronnie 830-739-5336.

ALL SEASONS HAY Feeders for sale – used in great condition, sell new for $389, asking $175. Call Steve 325-668-2638.

BECOME A TAXIDERMIST - Lone Star State School of Taxidermy is booking classes for 2019! Located in Llano, TX, the deer capital of Texas! Call 325-423-0521 or visit www. texastaxidermyschool.com for more info!

EXCALIBER CROSSBOWS for sale.

Complete line of crossbows and accessories.

Sureshot Crossbows. Stockdale, TX 78160.

830-305-1931.

THE LONE STAR Bowhunters Association.

Preserving and Promoting bow hunting in Texas since 1974. Join today at www. lonestarbowhunter.com. Take a kid hunting.

S & D WHITETAILS – Limited hunts avail.

Booking 2020 now. All native S TX deer from 140-230 class. Deer & Dove hunts Central TX. Over 7500 ac. 24-yrs experience. 5 Star rating. 325-642-7596.

RANCH MAPS - Get the highest quality, fully customizable aerial maps of your property, today! Large Maps, Field Maps, CoolerTop Maps, etc. www.MapMyRanch.com (713) 302-2028.

AOUDAD HUNT! Hunt free ranging aoudad in Llano County. Hunts begin in late August thru late October, 2020. Nice accommodations.

For additional info, email darrellsteffek@ gmail.com.

TROPHY WHITETAIL near Lampasas.

Includes meals, lodging, guides. Special price up to 180. $4500. Super prices over 180 up to 400+. References available. Rodney 512-540-0382.

HELP FEED THE HOMELESS – donate excess game animals to feed the homeless, orphans, and needy families. Go to www. trinityoaks.org “contact us” tab.

RANCH FOR SALE $665,000 2000 acres.

Coahuila, Mexico. Big Whitetail Deer, Quail.

Good Water, Houses, Solar, Beautiful Sierra Madre Valley. Javelina, Puma, Black Bear.

504-236-8069.

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[ THE JOURNAL ] VOLUME 45 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

AD INDEX

JOURNAL ADVERTISERS FEATURED ADVERTISERS IN THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE

Atascosa Wildlife Supply..........................28, 29

Henna Chevrolet.........................................8, 9

Spypoint........................................................123

Berry Whitetails..............................................19

Hornady..........................................................57

Tag Safari....................................................... 142

Briscoe-Cochina & Catarina........................ 107

Hunt for the Cure.......................................... 116

Texas Hog Blockers....................................... 142

Briscoe’s High Tower Shooting Chair, LLC....18

Jason A. Shipman..........................................121

Texas Hunter Products.................................... 41

Bruton Trailers................................................33

Jerry Johnston.................................................23

Texas State Rifle Association......................... 116

Buck Knives.....................................................5

Kubota..........................................................1, 3

The-Remote................................................... 117

Capital Farm Credit........................................83

Lone Star Ag Credit.......................................103

Tina Kahlig & Associates................................98

Carters Country Ranches...............................37

Lyssy & Eckel................................................129

Trijicon............................................................27

Case IH Agriculture...................................... 48a

Martin Archery...............................................52

TTHA Bucks & BBQ Save The Date 2021.... 107

Central Texas Processing.............................. 142

Original Shooting Bar..................................... 47

TTHA Gear............................................. 43, 102

Charco Marrano Ranch................................127

Outback Feeders...................................132, 133

TTHA Junior Trophy Hunters Membership...73

Christian Outdoor Alliance............................70

Rack Revolution............................................ 142

TTHA Member Discount Program...........88, 89

CobraTec Knives........................................... 142

Ranch Investments........................................128

TTHA Membership Military Discount.........123

Cola Blance Big Buck Contest.........................53

Ranch King Blinds..................................13, IFC

TTHA Membership...................................64, 65

Cuddeback...................................................... 81

Reata Insurance Group................................. 117

TTHA Membership Lone Star Beer Member

Double T Outfitters....................................... 142

Rebecca Creek Distillery.................................97

Give-Away....................................................... 74

Ducks Unlimited.............................................12

Shirley Ranch................................................102

TTHA Membership Kubota Give-Away..........75

Dullnig Ranch Sales........................................82

Skull Hooker...................................................18

TTHA Platinum Life Membership................108

Family Tradition Treestands...........................36

Slow Glow....................................................... 47

TTHA PLM Listing....................... 109, 110, 111

G2 Ranch........................................................93

Sofhold..........................................................102

West Texas Feeder Supply............................. BC

Grainger Ranch Recruiting........................... 107

Sonoran Desert Institute...............................122

West Texas Feeder Supply............................IBC

HB Hunting Products.....................................61

South Texas Tripods & Feeders.................... 142

Headwaters Ranch..................................42, 138

Speer Ag..........................................................80

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