2019 August Lake Texoma Life Magazine- A publication of The Lake Texoma Association

Y O U R

G U I D E

T O

L A K E

L I F E

GEARING UP FOR

FALL HUNTS Get the right gear to pull off the perfect hunt

HAVE A REEL GOOD TIME ALONG THE

OKLAHOMA F I S H I NG TRAI L SEPT. 2019 • FREE

2 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

welc me ou’ve probably heard of us. Maybe you’ve seen our annual guide to Lake Texoma around town or at your favorite marina, or you’ve seen our Facebook posts featuring photos of our beautiful lake. But have you wondered who we are and what we actually do?

Lake Texoma Association was formed shortly after Lake Texoma was created in the 1940s. The folks in Marshall County wanted to be sure that they were being properly considered and protected as recreational venue planning around the lake was happening. Later, the state of Oklahoma built a lodge and resort in Marshall County, and eventually the association grew to represent the entire region, including both Oklahoma and Texas.

In the 70s, the Lake Texoma Association was instrumental in officially establishing and partially designating Lake Texoma as a recreational resource rather than simply power generation and flood control. And just a few years ago, we worked with legislators to properly change the way blue green algae is measured so the lake wouldn’t be “shut down” unnecessarily.

Our guide to Lake Texoma has been published annually for decades and is an established resource for all things in the Texoma region. Today, we print 50,000 copies and 20,000 of them are distributed throughout Texas and Oklahoma welcome centers. We hand-deliver most of the remaining 30,000 to area businesses and also partner with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to distribute our guides at various trade shows.

We receive some of our financial support from the state of Oklahoma through the OTRD (and it’s very helpful), but it’s only about 25 percent of our budget. We received an additional 10 to 15 percent from member dues, about 30 to 40 percent from ad sales in our guide, and hold a couple smaller fundraisers, including our annual Bash for Cash event at Tanglewood Resort.

Today, the mission of the Lake Texoma Association is to preserve and protect Lake Texoma and promote the greater Texoma region. We field inquiries through Facebook and other social media sites, and through our exceptional website, telephone calls and emails for information about businesses in our area - especially lake venues.

Even if your business isn’t a lake-related business, you are probably being impacted by what we do. When we are successful at our job, we help to contribute to everyone’s success. When we draw folks to the lake to recreate, they are going to spend their money in your stores, restaurants and hotels/motels. They may discover this is a great place to live and buy a lake house - or maybe even move here long-term, further contributing to the economy and tax base.

If you’re not involved with the LTA, please consider supporting us.

Membership is inexpensive, placing an ad in our guide will benefit your business, and attending one of our fundraisers is just plain fun. We would love to spend a little time with you and get to know you!

Y

TERRI WEIR LAKE TEXOMA ASSOCIATION

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LAKETEXOMAASSOCIATION INSTAGRAM: @LAKE_TEXOMA_ASSOCIATION TWITTER: @LTASSOCIATION WWW.LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM

The Lake Texoma Association is a group of stakeholders in the Texoma region that support the mission of the LTA to protect and preserve Lake Texoma, as well as promote the entire Texoma region. If something is in the best interest of our lake, then you can bet the LTA is behind that plan every step of the way, with the cooperation of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, regional Chambers of Commerce, and individual businesses and stakeholders. The Lake Texoma Association is very much like a chamber of commerce, but with one major difference: the very diverse membership. Not just an organization of businesses and business people, LTA is made up of all types of concerned individuals who want to keep Lake Texoma the superb recreational and business area it is today. Lake Texoma Life is a publication of the LTA, produced in cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Two thousand copies of Lake Texoma Life were produced at a cost of $1.50 each. Projected readership is 6,000.

SEPTEMBER 2019

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

3

TRAILS AROUND LAKE TEXOMA AND IN THE TEXOMA REGION ARE PERFECT FOR HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING OR GEOCACHING. [COURTESY PHOTO]

4 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF AQUAFLY; CLOCKWISE: PHOTO BY BRAD L. VIA YELP; COURTESY PHOTO/EXTREME SANDBOX; COURTESY PHOTO/LAKE TEXOMA ADVENTURES]

GET HOOKED

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IF YOU’VE GOT A ROD AND REEL, THE OKLAHOMA FISHING TRAIL OFFERS THE PERFECT SPOT TO CATCH A FISH

DISC GOLF

08

FORGET THE CLUBS + GRAB A DISC INSTEAD BEFORE HEADING OUT TO THESE LOCAL DISC GOLF SPOTS

HIDDEN TREASURE

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IF YOU CAN’T FIND SUNKEN TREASURE ON LAKE TEXOMA, HEAD BACK TO LAND + TRY YOUR LUCK GEOCACHING

HIT THE TRAILS

GONE FISHIN’

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SADDLE UP AND HIT THESE LOCAL TRAILS FOR SOME WESTERN-STYLE FUN HORSEBACK RIDING

TIPS ON REELING IN THE PERFECT CATCH IN THIS MONTH’S FISHING REPORT

CELEBRATE LABOR DAY

FALL HUNTS

15

22

CHECK OUT THESE FOUR EVENTS TO HELP SPARK UP YOUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND PLANS

GEAR UP FOR UPCOMING HUNTING SEASONS WITH THESE TIPS + PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

HOLE IN ONE

CALENDAR

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HIT THE LINKS FOR SOME LAID-BACK FUN + FRIENDLY COMPETITION ON ONE OF TEXOMA’S MANY GOLF COURSES

in this issue

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26

FOLLOW THE FUN WITH OUR EVENT GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE TEXOMA AREA

N

ote: Portions of this article were originally published in The Norman Transcript

With more miles of shoreline than the East and Gulf coasts combined, Oklahoma is an angler’s dream when it comes to finding the perfect place to cast a line. Thanks to a recent collaboration between the state’s tourism and recreational department and the Oklahoma Department of Wild-

get hooked

BY AUDREY LOVE & CALEB SLINKARD

life Conservation, the Oklahoma Fishing Trail helps anyone with a rod and reel seek out the ideal lake or river for their next fishing adventure.

Established in June 2019, the trail consists of 39 locations on six loops, representing six regions throughout the state to direct aspiring and experienced anglers alike to the best fishing spots, with each loop organized by lake and species. Anglers can attempt

the state’s Grand Slam Challenge (and earn a special decal) by catching a bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish and any of several “bonus” species like paddlefish or rainbow trout. Locally, the South Central loop encompasses Lake Texoma as well as Lake Murray, the Blue River and Lake of the Arbuckles— locations prime for trout, crappie, catfish, largemouth bass and striped bass or “stripers.”

“This is about fun, getting kids

and young adults outdoors. This is also about increasing tax revenue for cities and counties across the state of Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. and secretary of tourism Matt Pinnell. “Fishing is big business, tourism is big business.”

An interactive map featured on the trail’s website, FishinOK. com, allows users to select by lake or by one of six loops, listing the type of fish found at each location, where to gear up, where

6 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COURTESY PHOTOS; L DUCK PHOTOGRAPHY; OKLAHOMA TOURISM]

ANGLERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS CAN ENJOY CASTING A LINE AT ANY ONE OF OKLAHOMA’S LAKES AND RIVERS WITH HELP FROM THE OKLAHOMA FISHING TRAIL, AN ONLINE RESOURCE THROUGH OKLAHOMA TOURISM THAT ORGANIZES THE STATE INTO SIX DIFFERENT REGIONS (OR LOOPS), WITH INFORMATION ON FISH, WHERE TO FIND GEAR, LOCAL GUIDES AND MORE.

F I N D YO U R P E R F E C T F I S H I N G S P OT O N T H E

OK L A HOM A F ISH IN G T R A IL to find a local fishing guide, local lodging and eateries, and other recreational activities or “fun stuff” nearby. Other key resources such as information about Oklahoma fishing regulations, fishing and size limits, how to obtain a fishing license and a complete list of the state’s fish species is also available on the trail’s website.

Pinnell said the idea was sparked by a conversation with Oklahoma angler Tom Kimball, and following conversations with legislators and state employees, the trail was a reali-

ty just six months later. With tourism and fishing already big business — about $1.8 billion is spent on fishing annually, supporting more than 15,000 jobs — Pinnell hopes the Fishing Trail will incentivize both.

“We want Oklahoma to be a top 10 tourism state, and we believe the way to do that is through the great outdoors,” Pinnell said. “We have most diverse fishing in the entire country. You can do it all in Oklahoma when it comes to fishing.”

The initiative is also aimed at working with Oklahoma

SEPTEMBER 2019

schools to teach children how to fish, according to B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director Gene Gilliland.

“As our population has become more and more urbanized across the country, we’ve lost connection with the outdoors,” Gilliland said. “A fishing trail can help bring that back. We want to get kids and their families involved. It’s a wholesome activity that people can do for a lifetime.”

For more information on the Oklahoma Fishing Trail, visit www.fishinok.com.

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

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O F F E R S C H A N G E O F PAC E FOR THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST

BY RICHARD A. TODD There’s more than one kind of golf for the outdoor enthusiast to enjoy around Lake Texoma. Disc Golf is one of many outdoor activities to experience in the region.

The three largest cities in the area— Sherman, Denison and Durant— all have their own disc golf options, and the diversity of courses provides a range of different experiences for different skill levels.

The disc golfer who ventures into Sherman can find a course at the city’s Pecan Grove West park.

Built in 2017, the park features a

wooded, mostly flat terrain. The 18hole course, constructed along the southwest section of the park, has a combined throwing distance of about 7,800 feet and par is 65.

H.B. Clark, who has designed about 80 courses throughout the southern United States, designed the Sherman course. Clark said he put in hundreds of hours in creating the course, and designed it to provoke thinking and to encourage players to take different shots and approaches to the holes.

An 18-hole disc golf course can be

found a short drive north of Sherman in Denison. There, at Munson Park, sits a modern 18hole, par 65 course featuring hills and elevated greens, among its other amenities. Built in 2011, it is one of the oldest disc courses in the region.The Denison Parks and Recreation Department rents discs for players to use the court.

Across the Red River and a short drive into Oklahoma takes the disc golf enthusiast to Durant, where the course at Carl Albert Park is ripe for playing. The 18-hole course alongside Brookside Creek features a rolling park space and is described as a slightly hilly and wooded terrain.

For those looking to take the sport to the next level, there is the Red River Disc Golf Association, one of the organizations who helped to establish new courses in the area.

8 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COURTESY PHOTO]

MICHAEL STAPLEFORD, OF BONHAM, THROWS A DISC TOWARDS HOLE 10 AT PECAN GROVE WEST PARK IN SHERMAN. [ALEX MAXWELL / HERALD DEMOCRAT]

SEPTEMBER 2019

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

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GEOCACHING HUNTING FOR TREASURE AT LAKE TEXOMA

BY RHEA BERMEL

Although fishing, boating and hiking provide plenty of fun at the lake, embarking on a real-life treasure hunt at Lake Texoma might be the most fun you’ll have all year.

Geocaching is an activity enjoyed by people worldwide involving the hunt for hidden items using GPS technology.

This outdoor adventure has been embraced by the Texas Parks and Wildlife department, with easy access to information on their website. According to the Texoma Connect website,

Eisenhower State Park is no exception, with a number of treasure hunt locations in the park, along with locations on the islands, marinas and neighborhoods around the lake and even more treasure hunt locations found at www.geocaching.com, which also ranks hunts by level of difficulty. New geocaching adventurers should begin their excursion with a relatively easy hunt, progressing as their skill level and experience with local terrain allows.

All that is needed to get start-

ed is a GPS-enabled device such as your smartphone, along with the appropriate gear needed for your adventure. Recommended gear includes water, sunscreen, a map and a pen or pencil. Once you’ve found a hunt you would like to embark on, enter the GPS coordinates into your device and get caching. After following your map and potentially doing a bit of digging or searching, depending on the level of difficulty of your hunt, you should uncover a small container of some sort, placed there by fellow

10 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

geocachers.

This container should hold within it a logbook and occasionally a few token items. Part of the fun of the treasure hunt is signing the logbook and returning the geocache to where

you found it for other hunters to later find. You may also swap out the item within the container for another small item of your choosing.

There are a multitude of online communities for those that

SEPTEMBER 2019

enjoy geocaching. These communities may hold competitions or outings that can allow you to meet new people and enjoy new adventures.

Geocaching can also add a sense of real adventure to your hiking trips. By seeking out cache locations along your hiking route, you can enjoy more than one of Lake Texoma’s outdoor activities at once.

Always use common sense and keep safety in mind on your outdoor adventure.

Caches may be hidden underwater or along a particularly difficult hike. These more challenging hunts should only be undertaken by those with the health and experience to do so.

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

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SADDLE UP + EXPLORE LAKE TEXOMA

BY DREW SMITH

If you’re looking to explore Lake Texoma by horseback, there are two great ways to saddle up and hit the trail.

ROCKIN’ A RANCH For the past 20 years, Rockin’ A Ranch has welcomed riders to Pottsboro.

The ranch offers hourly rates for guided rides on shaded trails and through open pastures. Owner Andy Morris says riders can show up for a solo ride or join a group as large as 10, and the experience

goes well beyond the trail time.

“When you get back from horseback riding we’ve got several other things for you to do,” says Morris. “We have a bonfire and roast marshmallows. We dress people up in old-timey clothes, let them take pictures, and play horseshoes. For larger groups we do ranch games like egg toss, broom toss and potato-sack races.”

Morris says the Rockin’ A Ranch regularly draws interests from DFW residents and weekend lake-goers, but has also

HIT THE

TRAILS

“I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO’VE NEVER BEEN ON A HORSE BEFORE. BUT WHEN THEY GET BACK, THEY ALWAYS SAY THAT THEY’VE HAD A GREAT TIME.” seen visitors from Japan, China and the United Kingdom. All skill levels are welcome.

“I have a lot of people who’ve never been on a horse before,” says Morris. “But when they get back, they always say that they’ve had a great time.”

For riders age 13 and up, the adult hourly rate is $30. For riders age 12 and under, the children’s rate is $20 per hour. Some extra activities are provided free of charge.

Rockin’ A Ranch is located at 95 Tanglewood Boulevard in Pottsboro and reservations can be made by calling 903-337-5590.

PLATTER FLATS EQUESTRIAN

by the U.S. Army Corps of Engi-

CAMP

neers — offers lakeside views and

If you’ve got a horse of your own

shady miles through post and

and want to explore the lake, Plat-

blackjack oak trees. Deer, turkey,

ter Flats Equestrian Camp outside

bobcats, hawks, waterfowl and

Calera offers 40 miles of trail and

songbirds are abundant around

a place for you and your steed to

the lake.

stay the night. The campground

A day-use, group-picnic shelter

is open from May to September

with electricity is available for res-

and offers 26 family campsites

ervation. Other campground ame-

with electrical-water hookups, 35

nities include restrooms, showers

equestrian sites with hookups,

and drinking water. A dump sta-

and three equestrian tent sites

tion, boat ramp and dock are also

without hookups.

located on site. Nightly rates range

The campground sits on the eastern side of Lake Texoma. And

from $16-$50.

To make a reservation visit

the nearby riding trail — situated

www.recreation.gov

just to the north and mainatined

“Platter Flats.”

SEPTEMBER 2019

and

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

search

13

W HIL E SO M E WANT TO SPEND LABOR DAY W E E KE N D AT A BARBECUE WITH FAMILY, MA N Y M AY BE LOOKING FOR AREA EVENTS TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. TEXOMA HAS OFFERS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN BOTH CATEGORIES. HERE ARE FOUR EVENTS TO BRING A LITTLE LIFE TO THE FIRST WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER.

14 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

EVEN TS TO SPA R K U P

LABOR DAY

IN TEXOMA

BY FUTURE BROWN

BATTER UP FOR A CAUSE DURA NT, OK

1

The annual Tim McClure Memorial Tournament will be held Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 1, at the Durant Sports Complex. The baseball and softball tournament will benefit the Tim McClure family and there are still spaces available for individuals looking to play. For more information, call 580-916-5223.

MAY 2019

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

15

SHERMAN, TX

2

[SARA CARPENTER]

HOW ABOUT SOME FOOTBALL?

Th e an n u al S h e r man /De n is on r ivalr y game, th e B attle of th e Ax, is s ch e du le d for Au g. 30 at 7 :30 p. m. at B e arcat Stadiu m in S h e r man . De n ison will be wor k in g to con tin u e its win n in g stre ak , an d

if th e te am take s n u mbe r seve n , th e city will match its lon ge st u n be ate n stre ak in th e compe tition ’s h istor y.

ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS TE XO M A R E G I O N Th ou s a n d s o f a rea re s i d e nt s and g ue st s make th e ir way to are a par k s an d

3

h ower St ate Pa r k i n De ni s o n and L ake Texoma Par k in Kin gston , O k lah oma. Also wor th a vi si t are Tis h o m ing o Nat i o nal Wi l d l i fe Re fu ge in Tis h omin go, O k lah oma, an d H age r man

Nati o n a l Wild life Re f ug e i n S he rm an. Af ter spr in g an d e ar ly s u mme r floods, both wildlife re f u g es u n d er wen t re p ai rs and are now o pe n to th e pu blic. Th e Tis h omin go site is still u n de r con st r u c t io n as t he wal l s o f t he new admin istration bu ildin g h ave take n for m.

EISENHOWER STATE PARK

16 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COURTESY PHOTO]

attract io n s for t he ho l i d ay we e ke nd . N o t a ble are a state par k s in clu de E ise n-

BENZ AND BILLS DU RA NT, OK

4

For those interested in spending their Labor Day weekend at the slots, there will be an opportunity to win big over the holiday weekend. Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant will have its Benz and Bills Giveaway that weekend, with mu ltiple drawings Friday and Saturday nights and more than $1.8 million given away along with a new Mercedes Benz. You must be 18 or older to play and not all players will be winners. For more information, visit www.ChoctawCasinos.com.

SEPTEMBER 2019

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

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hole in one

BY JASON DELLA ROSA, WILLIAM C. WADSACK, TONY VENEGAS

18 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COURTESY PHOTOS; FUTURE BROWN]

GOLFING IN TEXOMALAND

If you would rather have a golf club in your hand than a fishing pole, a trip to Texoma will offer you the opportunity to take some time away from the lake and let you hit the links — and not have to go very far to do so.

CHICKASAW POINTE GOLF CLUB The Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club in Kingston, Oklahoma, has been around since October 1999, but saw new holes added within the last few years.

The club is a 7,011-yard championship layout course with Bermuda fairways and Champion Ultra Dwarf greens. Its website states the course is ranked in the top three in Oklahoma public access courses.

STONE CREEK GOLF CLUB A short drive from Lake Texoma in Sherman, Texas, golfers can play at the Stone Creek Golf Club, which boasts a 7,428-yard, 18-hole championship course that opened in January 2009. The course was designed

by Cal Olson,

who has been putting together challenges for golfers since 1979.

WINSTAR GOLF COURSE Anyone looking for more variety in their rounds can try the WinStar Golf Course, which is located just east of the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The property expanded to 36 holes in 2017 and was divided into two different 18-hole courses, the Redbud course and the Scissortail course. The public course offers options for players of all skill levels with five sets of tees that can extend the course from around 4,900 yards to more than 7,200 yards.

TISHOMINGO GOLF AND RECREATION CLUB For those looking for a different kind of challenge, or just a shorter outing, the Tishomingo Golf and Recreation Club in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, offers a nine-hole regulation length course that is said to reward good shots. The 3,187-yard course is located next to Pennington Creek and has a number of hills.

TANGLEWOOD RESORT The golf course at the Tanglewood Resort, located at 290 Tanglewood Circle in Pottsboro, Texas,

SEPTEMBER 2019

was designed by one the legends of the game, Arnold Palmer, and renowned architect Ralph Plummer nearly 50 years ago.

A round at the private championship course can provide a challenge to golfers of any skill level, covers 7,000 yards and features lush Bermuda fairways. Seven of the holes involve water of some kind coming into play. The fairways can be narrow, but on most of the holes you can see the flag. If you are looking to avoid bunkers, they are around the greens, so make sure your approach shot is true.

BUNCOMBE CREEK GOLF COURSE Sue and Quentis Brumley are the owners of Buncombe Creek Golf Course, a nine-hole course that was a peanut farm 20 years ago. First open for play in 2001, the old farm sits one mile away from the Willis Bridge in Oklahoma and has turned into a popular place for locals and tourists to go play.

The Brumleys take pride in the fact that the course keeps much of the natural landscape in place.

While not visible from the course itself during the summer, Buncombe Creek sits less than 400 yards away from the edge of the property and provides a peaceful getaway for all.

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

19

fishing report

BY BILL CAREY

LAKE TEXOMA Closing out summer fishing season

IT’S BEEN A GREAT SUMMER FISHING SEASON AT L A K E T E X O M A and lots of happy anglers have come this season. We are now in August, our last month, and striper fishing is good to excellent right now. The fish are moving from the deep water up the ledges and onto the flats with plenty of medium-sized fish. One to three pounders are surfacing every morning. You can load up on these fish with Pencil Poppers, Chug Bugs and 4-inch Coho soft plastics.

There are some Texoma Sand Bass running in these schools. The bigger stripers are holding on deep structure like humps and river ledges. Stripers up to 10 pounds are common.

We also vertically bump slabs (a lead spoon) on the bottom in depths from five to 25 feet. We drop them over

20 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COURTESY PHOTO/STRIPER EXPRESS]

the side of the boat and let them fall to the bottom, and turn the handle one turn to raise and lower the slab.

Keep a tight line to feel the fish strike and set that hook, and always be ready with your top water plugs. On the flats, stripers can surface anytime in the shallower water depths.

We board and depart early at 6:00 a.m. and ask all customers to be on time so we can go get it done. This is fast and furious summer action and normally over by 10 a.m. You will be catching fish and at about 10 o’clock-ish the fish take a “siesta” and are through feeding. When it’s unanimous, get some wind in your face, laugh it up and head back to the marina.

Your guide will clean your catch, then shake hands and find some air conditioning. Your body acclimates to the sunrise and you won’t know it’s hot until you hit land. This is fast and fun fishing.

Now that school is starting, we

SEPTEMBER 2019

will have the lake more to ourselves. If you are looking for some great fishing, come to Lake Texoma and catch some sassy striped bass. If you would like to book a fishing charter, give us a call at 903-786-4477 or visit our website at www.striperexpress.com.

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

21

GEARING UP FOR

FALL HUNTS

GE T TH E RIG HT GE AR TO PU LL OF F

THE PERFECT HUNT

As summer turns to fall, outdoors enthusiasts across the Red River Valley will turn their attention away from the fish-filled waters of Lake Texoma and towards the game-rich bottomlands, uplands and rolling prairie that surrounds the 89,000-acre reservoir.

Why? Because from the beginning of dove season on Sept. 1 to the arrival of whitetail archery season in early October, to the first November duck hunts, camouflage will soon be king as hunting seasons arrive across Texomaland.

With that in mind, here are a few pieces of essential gear to help make your fall hunting trips more successful across the Red River Valley.

DOVE HUNTING To bag a limit of mourning doves — or a few white-winged doves or invasive Eurasian collared doves that are occasionally found in local fields — there are several key items to consider.

First, a good shotgun is central to any wingshooting success, either a classic double gun (an over-and-under or a side-byside), a lightweight, fast pointing 12-gauge or 20-gauge pump or semi-autoloader “bird gun.” Whatever shotgun you prefer, you’ll want to shoot either #7 1/2, #8 or even #9 shot, using either an improved cylinder or a modified choke at the end of your scattergun.

After that, you’ll want to wear proper safety gear (protective shooting glasses and ear protection are a must) and some light-

BY LYNN BURKHEAD

WHEN DOVE HUNTERS TAKE TO THE FIELD IN SEPTEMBER, THEY’LL NEED A GOOD SHOTGUN, SOME DOVE SHOTSHELL LOADS, CAMOUFLAGE, AND SOMETHING TO SIT ON. [LYNN BURKHEAD / FOR LAKE TEXOMA LIFE]

weight camouflage clothing that blends into your surroundings.

You’ll also want to have a shooting stool or spinning seat bucket, a MOJO style spinning wing dove decoy, a camouflage shell vest or a King Ranch-style game bird belt, a water bottle, a small knife, game processing shears and some Ziploc bags. Be sure to follow all regulations concerning processing and transporting dove breasts to your final destination.

WATERFOWL HUNTING While the duck and goose hunting around Lake Texoma isn’t quite as good as it was during the glory days of local peanut farming, it’s still good enough for savvy hunters to bag limits consisting of mallards, gadwalls, wigeon, green-winged teal and the occa-

sional Canada goose.

Shotguns are key here, with many area waterfowlers opting for a heavy duty magnum semi-automatic like a synthetic Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 or a Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus. Others — myself included — like a Remington 870 shotgun, the most popular and best selling workhorse pump action scattergun of all time.

Whichever shotgun you prefer, a screw-in choke system featuring either an improved cylinder or a modified choke are necessary to get good patterns on #2, #3 or #4 non-toxic or steel shot loads by manufacturers like HEVI-Shot, Remington, Federal Premium Ammunition, Winchester or Kent.

Next, you’ll want two or three dozen duck decoys — Avian-X Topflight and Avery Greenhead Gear mallards, pintails and green-

SEPTEMBER 2019

winged teal are preferred by many local hunters — that feature Texas-rigged weights attached to the keels. Set the decoys out using a good set of waders, either LaCrosse Brush Tuff Xtreme or Sitka Gear Delta Waders.

Once in your blind, Drake Waterfowl parkas or jackets in either Mossy Oak or Realtree camo will help keep you concealed from ducks checking out the decoy spread, as well as protected from the elements thanks to Gore-Tex waterproof/windproof membranes and Thinsulate insulation.

Finally, you’ll want a good sounding duck call to send greetings and feed chuckles towards overhead ducks, something like the Sure-Shot Yentzen One2 duck call made by Charlie Holder and his talented call-making staff down in southeastern Texas.

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

23

DEER HUNTING Texomaland can produce some huge trophy whitetail bucks each fall as the record listings of the Boone and Crockett Club, the Pope and Young Club, the Texas Big Game Awards Program and the Oklahoma Cy Curtis Awards program can all attest to.

During archery season, many hunters shoot either a Mathews, BowTech, Hoyt or PSE compound bow, the kind sold at Orvie Cantrell, Jr.’s Big O’s Archery Shop in Sherman. Crossbows are becoming more widely used with each passing year, with models by Ravin, PSE, Carbon Express, TenPoint, Barnett and Mission proving popular with hunters.

In counties around the lake where modern firearms seasons are open, a bolt-action rifle in 30.06, .270 or 7mm-08 are good caliber choices, with Remington, Browning, Winchester, Mossberg, Savage, Tikka and Kimber models proving popular.

When muzzleloader season is open, many hunters use a 50-caliber smokepole models from Thompson Center, Traditions or CVA. After your preferred deer hunting weapon choice is settled, you’ll need some good hunting clothes and boots to keep you quiet, warm and dry. Look for options in Mossy Oak, Realtree or Optifade camo patterns from manufacturers like LaCrosse, Danner, Drake’s Non-Typical, Sitka Gear, Scent-Lok and Nomad.

Rounding out the deer hunting equipment list, you’ll want one or two good tree stands, ladder stands or even a ground blind

FROM CALLS TO NON-TOXIC SHOTGUN SHELLS TO DECOYS, DUCK HUNTING IN TEXOMALAND IS A GEAR LOVER’S DREAM. [LYNN BURKHEAD / FOR LAKE TEXOMA LIFE]

to hunt various wind directions.

You’ll certainly want a safety harness and a lifeline if you’re going to be hunting up in a tree, along with a hunting pack, deer grunt call, rattling bag, a bottle of scent-eliminating spray and a bottle of doe-in-estrous deer urine scent to attract bucks during the November rut.

Finally, you’ll want a way to field dress your whitetail for the freezer, as well as getting the cape and antlers to the taxidermist. That means a set of shoulder-length field-dressing gloves, a sizable YETI-style cooler to chill down and store cuts of venison (follow all state regulations concerning processing and transportation of venison, capes and

antlers) and of course, a good, sharp hunting knife like those made in Denison at Charles Allen’s Knives of Alaska and DiamondBlade cutlery making companies.

While none of this gear will guarantee that your freezer gets filled this fall or that you have to make a trip to the taxidermist, these equipment items certainly won’t hurt.

Editor’s Note: Be sure to check Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (www.tpwd.texas.gov) and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (www.wildlifedepartment.com) regulations for all hunting season dates, bag limits, and rules.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

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calendar

SEPTember 05

NEWSIES THE MUSICAL A THEATRICKS PRODUCTION HONEY MCGEE PLAYHOUSE, SHERMAN 7 P.M. - 9 P.M.

BRYAN COUNTY FAIR

SEPT. 6-8, 13

BRYAN CO. FAIRGROUNDS, DURANT SEPT. 5-7 BEGINNING AT 10 A.M. DAILY

FIRST FRIDAYS DOWNTOWN DURANT 5 P.M. - 8 P.M.

06

MARSHALL CO. FAIR

FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH

WILLIAM RAY MEMORIAL PARK, MADILL, OK

ENJOY LATER SHOPPING HOURS, LIVE MUSIC ON SIDEWAYS THROUGHOUT DISTRICT + SPECIAL THEME EACH MONTH

SEPT. 6-8

Boutique/Gift Shop * A/C Rental Units * RV Sites Propane * Launch Ramp

Fuel Pier & Store ATM ** Fishing Licenses Groceries & Supplies 26 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019

07

DOWNTOWN DENISON FARMER’S

MOVIE NIGHT ON THE LAWN

MARKET

BRYAN COUNTY COURTHOUSE LAWN, DURANT

EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH OCT. 26

FREE ADMISSION, CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE

BEGINNING AT 9 A.M.

MOVIE WILL BEGIN AT DARK, TYPICALLY AROUND 9:00 P.M.

700 W. MAIN, DENISON DENISON FALL FESTIVAL DURANT FARMER’S MARKET MARKET SQUARE, DOWNTOWN DURANT 8 A.M. - NOON

OCT. 5 - HERITAGE PARK, DENISON BEGINNING AT 9 A.M. ARTS & CRAFTS BOOTHS, FOOD VENDORS, GAMES & CARNIVAL RIDES + MORE

EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH OCTOBER WWW.DURANTMAINSTREET.ORG

FISH BOWL BASS & STRIPER FISHING TOURNAMENT CATFISH BAY MARINA PRESENTED BY THE TOBY KEITH FOUNDATION

14

HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL SHERMAN MUNICIPAL GROUNDS, SHERMAN LIVE MUSIC, FOOD VENDORS, AND A CELEBRATION OF TEXOMA’S HISPANIC HERITAGE

21

PARK(ING) DAY 9 A.M. - 6 P.M., DENISON CLAIM A PARKING SPOT AND MAKE A MINI PARK FOR THE DAY. HOSTED BY DENISON LIVE AND DENISON MAIN STREET

28

BREWS & BRASS 903 BREWERY, SHERMAN FUNDRAISER SUPPORTING THE SHERMAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RAFFLE ITEMS, HORS D’OEUVRES, BEER & WINE FOR PURCHASE, DANCING, MUSIC BY THREE RIVERS JAZZ TICKETS: $25

SEPTEMBER 2019

LAKE TEXOMA LIFE

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28 LAKE TEXOMA LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019