Texas Fall 2015 by American Outdoors Magazine

CONTENTS FALL 2015

EVENTS

One-Of-A-Kind events for the entire family to enjoy EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Arnold PROJECT MANAGER

Marissa Nalley

For customer service call 309.966.1098 www.americanoutdoorsmagazine.com

FISHING, CAMPING, HUNTING & LAKES MAP

Find exactly what your looking for

LET ’S GO CAVING

Explore Texas’ amazing caves

Survival skills just for backpacking

FIELD JUDGING WHITETAIL BUCKS & DOES

Everything you need to know

Examine some of the hurdles of hunting

TEXAS PARADES

WURSTFEST

EASY SURVIVAL SKILLS TO REMEMBER

Tips to keep you safe in the dark

Celebrate parades of the holiday season

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NIGHT FISHING FOR BASS

This is when fishing really gets good.

A 10-day festival

STALK A DEER LIKE A NINJA

BIG BASS FISHING IN COLD WATER

GULF COAST FISHING REGULATIONS

HUNTING SEASON DATES TO REMEMBER

CLASSIFIED AD SEC TION

GRUNT TAC TICS FOR WHITETAIL

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ADVERTISER INDEX

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTS

Action Realty————————————— 16

Jon the Handyman Can————————— 34

Shooting Bench USA—————————— 49

Adrenaline Rush Zip Line Tour LLC———— 14

K2 Steakhouse———————————— 39

Signature Cleaning Service——————— 39

Al Lind, Gunmaker——————————— 53

K-9 Clipz Grooming—————————— 18

Southwest Texas Hang Gliders—————— 19

Archery Innovations—————————— 30

Kelly’s Limit—————————————— 27

Spots and Specks, LLC————————— 41

Arluk Outfitters, Inc.—————————— 5

Living Waters Guide Service——————— 33

St. Alice Catholic Church———————— 44

Azteca Milling LP——————————— 49

LS Hunting LLC———————————— 39

Stillwell General Store & RV Park————— 21

B & D Gold Buyer——————————— 4

Lube Master Service Center——————— 36

Suntime Watersports—————————— 45

Bam Automotive——————————— 30

Matagorda Bay Fishing Charters————— 41

Superior Game Ranch————————— 44

Bearazinga RV Park LLC————————— 24

Matagorda Nursing & Rehab Center———— 54

Swisher Electric Corp., Inc.———————— 34

Beaufort Coastal Adventures—————— 42

Millenium Motor Sales Inc.——————— IFC

TDK Safaris, LLC———————————— 55

Benny’s Colville Inn—————————— 52

Montechema Firearms————————— 47

Texas Concrete Inc.—————————— 34

Big Woods Wilderness Outfitters————— 41

O’Bar Wrecker Service LLC———————— 36

Texas Integrity Septic & Waste—————— 37

Bowfishing Unlimited————————— 40

On The Cuff Embroidery———————— 37

Texas Quality Seamless Gutters————— 51

Buffalo Wild Wings——————————— 41

Pavur Outdoors———————————— 52

The Candy Store———————————— 49

Campbell-Huitt Insurance———————— 32

Permian Basin Gun Show———————— 16

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy————— 24

Centex Customs———————————— 35

Peterbilt——————————————— 48

Three Rivers Marine & Outdoors————— 26

CJ’s Bait Co.—————————————— 47

Pied Piper Animal Traps, Inc.——————— 48

TNT Hunting Co., LLC—————————— 43

Clint G Reeves————————————— 31

Pine Mountain Outfitters LLC—————— 43

United & Holland Mattress——————— 49

Dalhart Federal———————————— 4

Poco Playa Restaurant, Bar & Village———— BC

Vais Arms, Inc.————————————— 51

Dennis Cattle Co. Guided Hunts————— 31

Precision Reflex, Inc.—————————— 50

Valliance Bank———————————— 38

Earl’s Automotive, Diesel & Tractor Rep—— 16

Providence Title LLC—————————— 37

Wal-Mart - Denton, TX————————— 51

ESST Inc.——————————————— 32

Ragged Mountain Antler Chandeliers——— 52

Walmart -Odessa, TX(JBS PKWY)————— 52

Evalene’s Gifts & More————————— 48

Ray Ray’s Cafe————————————— 9

Walmart -Odessa, TX(WOODLOOP)———— 49

Extreme Watersports—————————— 42

Red Attack Charters—————————— 43

Wheaton’s-Chaparral RV Park—————— 44

E-Z Local Moving——————————— 32

Red Creek Nature Ranch———————— 43

White Hill Insurance Agency/IIAP————— 34

Farmers Financial Solutions LLC————— 18

Rental Tools Inc———————————— 34

Whitetail Candle Co., LLC———————— 51

First Bank—————————————— 35

Rip Griffin Travel Center————————— 43

Wild Bill’s Pawn Shop, Inc.———————— 27

RLM Auto Clinic———————————— 21

Wild Duck Marina LLC————————— 46

Robinson Painting——————————— 38

Window Genie Inc.——————————— 24

Rocket Aviation LP——————————— 38

Window On The Plains Museum————— 44

Roseville Bed & Breakfast———————— 24

X Steel Targets LLC——————————— 51

Salazar House Leveling & Roofing———— 32

Zimmatic by Lindsay/South Plains Irrig.—— 36

Get Hooked Charters LLC———————— 35 Gruene River Inn——————————— 42 Gurganus Guide Service———————— 24 H & B Forge—————————————— 47 Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton————— 41 Hewett-Arney Funeral Home—————— 34 Hometown Spa & Salon————————— 9

Seven Meadows Archery———————— 15 Shipley Donuts———————————— 4 4

SAVE THE DATE

OCTOBER 23-25 OFFROAD ZOMBOREE: Marble Falls, at Hidden Falls Adventure Park. 1pm. Fish fry Sat night; raffle, camping. Benefiting CASA for the Highland Lakes Area. $45/vehicle for entire weekend. Annual event. Contact: 325-388-3440

23-25 KERR COUNTY FAIR: Kerrville, at Hill Country Youth Exhibit Center, Hwy 27 E. Includes parade through downtown Kerrville, carnival, contests, scholarship pageants, 4H & FFA livestock exhibits, food & drink, music, dancing, team roping and the exciting bull and barrel contest. Old-fashioned family fun with something for everyone! 830-792-8331

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While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this edition, American Outdoors Magazine or its advertisers will assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. American Outdoors Magazine makes no warranties regarding the information contained herein. All information provided herein is subject to change without notice.

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HUNTER’S NIGHT OUT & SPORTING GOODS SHOW: Wimberley, at VFW Hall, 6441 Jacob Wells Rd just off RR 12, about 4 miles north of Wimberley. 6pm. Annual event, BBQ dinner, adult beverages, 30+ gun raffle, auction. Hosted by Knights of Columbus.

23-25 WIMBERLEY ALIVE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: Wimberley, downtown. Two artists’ villages sponsored by WVAL, and 5 stages of live music. Many food vendors, demonstrations and fun for all.

31 Free annual event. Contact: Cathy Moreman, 5128472201, info@wimberley.org

24 DAIRY DAZE: Stonewall, at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. From 10am-3pm. Join us at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History farm to explore the many uses of milk on a 1915 German family farm. 830-644-2252

31 DONNER MUSIK FEST: Lampasas, at Chadwick Olive Groves & Villa, 6443 Hwy 190 E, Lampasas. 1pm-midnight. Live bands. Family friendly event. Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers. Come in Halloween costumes. Presale $20, at the gate $25; children 12 and under free. Contact: Kelly Chadwick, 512-589-5121 www.chadwickolivegroves.com

31 ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULL: Boerne, at Ag Heritage Museum, City Park. 102 City Park Road, Boerne. 10am-4pm. Tri-country Antique Tractor Pullers Association event with 40+ tractors all manufactured before 1960. $5 Children 12 and under free. Contact: Mike Coyne, 210-383-4618

HARVEST MOON CELEBRATION: Comfort, at Muleshoe Farm & Ranch Trust. 306 TX 87 (formerly in Boerne). Noon-9pm.Craft and food vendors, a children’s area, live music, livestock exhibits, and children’s storytelling. After dark, guests are invited to enjoy an owl walk led by an experienced guide. Contact: Roxana Orrell, 830-431-0259

31 HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT: Bee Cave, at the Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd. Bee Cave, TX 78738. 4-9pm. Bring the family for free trick or treating at the Hill Country Galleria’s stores & restaurants. Free face painting, free bounce houses, bungee jump, and of course trick or treating! Live music. Free annual event. Contact: Courtney Bunte, 512-402-9135, cbunte@ucr.com

31-Nov 1 TEXAS GUN & KNIFE SHOW: Fredericksburg, at Gillespie County Fair Grounds, 530 Fair Dr on TX 16, 2 mi S of town. Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Don or Janice Hill, 830-285-0575; tgka@live.com

31-Nov 1 LLANO GUN SHOW: Llano, Llano Event Center, 2200 RR 152. Sat: 9am-5pm. Sun: 9am-4pm. 817-296-7844

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NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

6-15 WURSTFEST: New Braunfels Salute to sausage. Good fun, great music, delicious food & special events. Texas version of Munich’s Oktoberfest. 800.221.4369

6 FREDERICKSBURG JAYCEES TURKEY SHOOT: Fredericksburg at Tivydale Shooting Range, 15.3 miles from FBG out Tivydale Rd (FM 2094). 10am to dusk. Annual fundraiser event, Prize drawings, live turkey head shoot, sight-in-range, bow & arrow, no hand guns. Food and refreshments. 830-456-2698

6 WELCOME HUNTERS STEAK DINNER: San Saba at Volunteer Fire House, 702 E Storey Street. 6-8pm. 325-372-5141

6 HUNTER’S BBQ & OUTDOOR EXPOSITION: Bandera, at Cattleman’s Barn at Antler Oaks Lodge.6:30-10:30pm. Live auction, gun raffle, live music. Also Annual Bloody Mary Party at River Front Motel.

6 HUNTERS’ WELCOME: Lampasas Chamber Web. See special Portal focus page on “Hunting & Fishing in the Hill Country” 512-556-5172

6 HUNTER’S APPRECIATION: Llano, Visitor Center, 100 Train Station Drive. 9am-6pm. Held on the eve of Opening Day of deer season the Chamber ushers in hunting season with free goody bags, information, hunting guides, food and

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14-15 drink for our incoming hunter population. Rifle raffle. 325-247-5354

6 HUNTERS’ LUNCH: Junction Chamber Junction. Fri: at West Bear Creek General Store; Sat: at Simon Bros-Roosevelt. Free annual event. 830-446-3190

6 HUNTER’S ROUNDUP: Uvalde, at County Fairplex. 6-12pm. Music, food for everyone to enjoy, vendor booths and exhibits, numerous community and civic group raffles and the Chamber’s own 30 gun Monster Raffle. 830-278-3361

11 VETERANS DAY MEMORIAL: Fredericksburg, at National Museum of the Pacific War, 500 E Austin. Honor all of those who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces. Annual free event. 830-997-8600 ext #204

SAXET GUN SHOW: Dripping Springs, at Ranch Park, 29339 RR 12. Dealer Setup: Fri: 10am-10pm, Show Hours: Sat: 9am-6pm; Sun: 9am-5pm. 361-289-2256

Courthouse with Christmas ornaments and holiday crafts for purchase. 830-868-7684

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LIGHTED HOOVES & WHEELS PARADE: Johnson City, at Courthouse Square. Clickety Cloggers will start of the second night of Lights Spectacular with a performance in the street in front of the Courthouse on the Square at 5:30pm. Lighted Hooves and Wheels Parade at 6:30pm and pictures with Santa in Memorial Park on Main Street. Chuck Wagon Food Court will be open. Carriage rides and hayrides will be available. 830-868-7684

KID N’ EWE FIBER FESTIVAL: Boerne, at Kendall County Fairground, 1307 River Rd, East on TX 46. Annual event for spinners, knitters, weavers, felters and other fiber arts enthusiasts. Great shopping & innovative workshops, there is something for everyone. 832-584-4695

20 WALKWAY OF LIGHTS: Marble Falls, at Lakeside Park. 6-10pm. 1 million + lights on 130 sculptures at park at Lake Marble Falls. Santa visits. 800-759-8178

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WINE & WASSAIL WALK: San Marcos, at Downtown Square. 5:30-8:30pm. Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer that includes a progressive tour of retail businesses serving a variety of wines, homemade wassail, and paired hors d’oeuvres. $25. 512-393-8430

SANTA’S BIG NIGHT & “STARRY STARRY NIGHTS”: Llano, at Badu Park on the Llano River. Begins Fri after Thanksgiving. Trail of lights celebrates the Christmas Season from 6-10pm. Located on the North side of Llano River just W of the Bridge off of Legion Dr. Every Fri and Sat night until 8pm, live entertainment and Santa Claus will be on hand. Sat: Snow Day, for kids of all ages, tube down a snow hill. 325-247-5354

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27-Jan 1

BARBEQUE COOK-OFF: Bertram. Annual Lonestar Barbeque Society sanctioned event. Games, booths, raffle, live music. Smokin’ at the Ranch. Harvey Gebhard, 512-756-8248 harvjean@aol.com or lonestarbbq@aol.com

HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING & GERMAN TRADITIONS: Stonewall, at LBJ State Park & Historic Site, and Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, Visitor Complex, at 199 Park Rd 52. 10am-3pm. Get into the holiday spirit at LBJ State Park and Historic Site. Cookie decorating, wreath making, candle making & more. Free nnual family event. 830-644-225

WASSAILFEST: New Braunfels, at downtown. 6-9pm. Sample free wassail, live music, see holiday lights, and taste yummy festival food. 830-221-4350 LIGHT THE NIGHT CHRISTMAS PARADE, LASER SHOW & AFTERGLOW: Fredericksburg, at Main Street, Marktplatz. Parade 6:30pm; After Glow Market 3-10mp. Activities begin at 6:30pm with a 12-minute laser light show on Marktplatz. “Afterglow” open on Marktplatz from 3-10pm. when children’s activities and holiday vendors will be featured. Free to the public. CHRISTMAS ON MERCER, CAR SHOW & TOWN TREE LIGHTING: Dripping Springs, along Historical Mercer Street. 10am-5pm. Free annual event. Live music, children activities, food, Santa, gift tour, lighting of tree. 512-858-4740

5-6 BUDAFEST: Buda, downtown. Christmas parade, carnival, artisans, crafts, antiques, parade, carnival, food & drinks. 512-422-7863

6 CHRISTMAS PARADE: Llano, at Courthouse Square. 9am-9pm. www.llanomainstreet.com. Hosted by Llano Main Street. Vendors will be selling handmade items, gifts, antiques, baked goods, jewelry and more. Live Music throughout the day and a lighted parade at 6:15pm. Free admission. Contact: Brenton Lewis, 325-247-4158, blewis@cityofllano.com

31 NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION: Luckenbach, at the Dance Hall. 8pm-midnight. Music, champagne. $35pp. No reservations, first come first serve. 830-997-3224

LIGHTS SPECTACULAR-HILL COUNTRY STYLE: Johnson City. Let There Be Lights! The entire town is bathed in lights with 100,000 lights twinkling on the Blanco County Courthouse. Hayrides and carriage rides are available throughout the season. Each weekend, the Garden Club fills the

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OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA MAP TEXAS

FISHING 1

Del Rio Lake Del Rio

Braunig Lake San Antonio

Toledo Bend Zwolle, LA

Caddo Lake Marshall

5 6 7 8

Bob Sandlin Lake Pittsburg Cedar Creek Gun Barrel City Ray Roberts Pilot Point Texoma Lake Sherman

CAMPING

HUNTING

1 Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area 109 S Cockrell, Alpin

2 Big Bend Ranch State Park 1900 South Saucedo

2 Big Bend National Park 103,127acres Black Gap Rd

3 Old Tunnel State Park 10619 Old San Antonio Rd, Fredericksburg 4 Lake Corpus Christi State Park 23194 Park Rd 25, Mathis 5 Lake Livingston State Park 300 State Park Rd 65, Livingston 6 Dinosaur Valley State Park 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose 7 Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway 100 Park Rd 71, z Mineral Wells

7 #709 Granger PHL 10,888acres Hill County

8 Lake Arrowhead State Park 229 Park Rd 63, Wichita Falls

8 #501 Ray Roberts WMA 41,303acres Pilot Point

5 4

6 11 2

LAKES 1

Kirby Lake

3 Toledo Bend Lake

Lake Colorado

Lake Arrowhead

4 Corpus Christi Lake

Balmorhea Lake

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3 5

5 #755 Gene Howe WMA Hemphill 6 # 903 Bannister WMA 25,658 acres Nacogdoches

3 Lake Colorado City State Park, 140 acres #1096 Lake Colorado City 4 # 713 James E. Daughtery WMA 26, 26,153acres Calliham

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NIGHT FISHING

FOR BASS

TIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE IN THE DARK

If the crowds of daytime anglers have you longing for a cool, solitary and productive spot of your own, consider night fishing. Often pushed to the fringes, night fishing is now enjoying a surge in popularity. It’s thought that in warm water, largemouth bass become most active during the late evening, increasing the chance of a great catch. With the chance to snag an enormous bucket mouth before the sun comes up, it’s no wonder that night fishing is becoming a major activity. But nocturnal fishing can be fraught with unfamiliar dangers and has a few safety rules of its own that are worth knowing before you go.

with you to make contact in the case of an emergency and make sure your boat is in tip-top shape before venturing out. The last thing you want is to breakdown on a lonely stretch of water, in complete darkness. Whether you’re in motion or anchored, keep your lights on and stay visible to other boats around you. Stay aware of your surroundings and keep a sharp eye out for any weather changes. Regardless of how familiar you are with the area you’re fishing, remember that the darkness will cause disorientation. BE CAUTIOUS

Due to reduced visibility, fishing at night presents the very real risk of an accident. Minimize this risk by moving carefully at all times. Be particularly cautious when it comes to dealing with hooks and sharp objects, noting their positions well. Limit the number and variety of items you bring along such as rods, nets and tackle to lower the chances of stumbling over a piece of equipment in the pitch-black. Bring with you only the bare minimum and keep things as basic as possible. Never head out without key safety essentials like a flashlight and extra batteries, a good light that you can clip on to the bill of your cap and emergency flares that can help searchers pinpoint your location in the inky darkness. Warm clothing may seem unnecessary but even the hottest summer months can produce a

chilly evening or two so save yourself the disappointment of shivering all night. Once you’ve completed all of your preparations, you’ll find that the results of a night fishing trip more than make up for the inconvenience. Largemouth bass tend to feed well in the nighttime, due to their superior night vision and you have may have a better shot at hooking one in the darkness than you would on an average summer day. Bass can be attracted by light so if you don’t have good bright moonlight during your trip, you can employ artificial lights to lure the fish out. Also, remember to focus primarily on shallow water when night fishing bass. This is particularly true when it comes to bodies of water that see a lot of boat traffic during the daytime. This traffic pushes bass to move into deeper water during the day and return to shallow water in the evenings, when the traffic subsides. Don’t be discouraged if the area you’re fishing seems to be fruitless. Patience is key when it comes to fishing bass and nighttime fishing, with its relaxed pace and complete solitude, is the perfect method to help you hang in there until your big catch. Armed with a little specialist knowledge and a good dose of caution, you can turn your next summer fishing trip into a late night, bass snagging success.

When it comes to night fishing, preparation is crucial. It’s preferable to go out with a fishing buddy, particularly if you’re new to the activity. If you choose to go it alone, make a point of letting someone know where you’re going and when to expect you back. Keep a method of communication 8 | American Outdoors Magazine

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Of all the outdoor activities you can do in Texas (kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing, and the list goes on), most people don’t think about one unique past time that could steal your heart forever. Caving. Caving is an experience like none other, and once you get hooked, there’s no turning back. Let’s explore a few of the more popular caves in Texas, and then you can go do a little exploring for yourself! You don’t have to be a skilled spelunker to explore one of the many caves of Texas. You’ll find tours that cater to almost every skill level and interest. And if it tickles your fancy, you may even do a little ghost hunting in one of the spookiest places imaginable. Who needs a haunted house when you have a real bat-filled cave that’s open all year round? COLORADO BEND STATE PARK

LET s go caving DO A LITTLE EXPLORING OF AMAZING TEXAS CAVES

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If you want to explore what lies beneath the canyon lands of Colorado Bend, you are in luck! There are wild cave tours that can help you dip your toes into the waters of caving without the risk of going it alone. But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to crawl, slide and climb through small spaces and vast chambers. The tours are about two hours and include a 1.5 mile round trip hike. If you’re a little more advanced or a lot more adventurous, you may want to explore nearby Gorman Falls on your own. This is a three-mile hike over rugged terrain. Be sure to bring the proper gear, including headlamps. You don’t want to get stuck out there on your own with only a cell phone to light your way. Colorado Bend State Park is located West of Lampasas in Bend, Texas, just over an hour from Austin. DEVIL’S SINKHOLE

This one sounds rather scary, doesn’t it? But for those who have adventure in their hearts, it may be just the thing to get your adrenaline pumping. And if you aren’t quite the thrill-seeker, don’t worry,

there’s still plenty for you to do. This National Landmark may very well be the largest single chamber cavern in all of Texas, and it is home to one of the state’s largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats. Devil’s Sinkhole is located just west of Kerrville in Rock Springs, Texas. KICKAPOO CAVERN

If you’re a fan of formations, head to Kickapoo Cavern for the afternoon tour and get up close and personal with the caves. Here, you’ll find the largest formations in all of Texas. The tour is moderately strenuous, so be sure you are fit enough to navigate large boulders and make steep ascents and descents. This is a wild cave and there are no paths or handrails. You will be required to wear a helmet, but one will be provided for you. Kickapoo Cavern is located off of U.S. Highway 90 in Bracketville, Texas. LONGHORN CAVERN

Most people visit Longhorn Cavern for its geological magnificence, but others are drawn to the many stories and legends that surround these caves. Regardless of why you go, it’s a worthwhile trip. Here you may partake in any of the standard walking or wild cave tours, which are sure to be entertaining, but if you want a unique look at what makes Longhorn Cavern stand out, you may want to take the paranormal tour! If you opt to go this route, bring a flashlight (of course) and any paranormal detection equipment you may have. This can include video cameras, voice recorders or more advanced equipment. Longhorn Caverns are located about an hour and a half northwest of Austin in Burnet, Texas.

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STALK A DEER LIKE A NINJA! Most would quickly deny any stalking habits, but in the world of deer hunting it is quite a remarkable talent. The ability to sneak up on a deer in their own environment is truly a big deal.

We will examine some of the hurdles a hunter must overcome in order to get closer to the wily whitetail. We will also try and use some of a deer’s defense mechanisms to our advantage. NINJA SKILLS

Traditionally, deer hunting has involved sitting completely still or making noise to push or drive deer into a specific area. We as humans are busy bodies and must find a happy medium between these two methods in order to stalk. How do you become proficient at moving with stealth and focus? Practice makes perfect, and small game offers ample opportunities to hone your “ninja skills” afield before taking on deer. Squirrel hunting is a great way to practice stalking and if unsuccessful,

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well, you don’t feel as disappointed if you don’t connect. Consider terrain before attempting stalking. If hunting in wide open fields or areas with sparse cover, know that you are going to stick out like a sore thumb. Look for areas that offer obstacles and cover that can complement how we as upright walking Homo sapiens can relate to. Big timber and tall patches of grass that allow you scan ahead and break your outline are good bets. If the woods are covered with dry leaves, silence is not an option. Make use of rainy days to muffle your sounds as you slowly move about the forest. Logging roads are a great way to move around transition areas for whitetails. STALKER DETAILS

Wear the right clothing. Consider temperature, and how much you plan on moving. If you plan to stay mobile and keep the blood flowing, don’t dress for treestand duty. Wear boots or shoes that provide water protection but allow you to feel your way across the forest floor. Keep your head covered but also keep a clear field of view.

vision as us, a nose that dwarfs our scent capabilities, and hearing that makes us literally seem deaf. Not to mention they can move stealthy through dry, crunchy leaves on four legs and can escape at speeds over 30 mph. With all these natural abilities in the forest, this animal still has one central idea controlling its mind: that something is going to eat it. It’s hard to believe we could even sneak up on a hamburger, yet here we are attempting to sneak upon a deer. Slow down. Use cover to break your outline as you scan for tail flips and ear twitches of a whitetail. With practice you will learn what terrain lends itself to productive stalking. The rewards of this method of hunting are indescribable, along with the failures being deeply depressing. Stalking is the equivalent to a soap opera in the woods, without the Botox and theme songs.

Pay attention to the wind. All day, and not just on the morning weather report, it tends to change. No matter how confident you feel a deer will be a certain place or area, play the wind. It’s good to have a plan, but Mother Nature tends to flip flop on prevailing winds and it’s best to just go with her mood, the deer certainly will. TURN THE TABLE

Remember, paranoia is your friend. You must think about the animal you pursue, and they are certainly paranoid! Move as if a deer is always watching, which is usually the case anyways. We as humans move about as we are the only one in the world and it’s no different in the woods, but we need to take into account our “jumpy” quarry. This is an animal that has twice the peripheral 14 | American Outdoors Magazine

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Tex as As a Texan, you’re probably always getting the question, “Is everything really bigger in Texas?” Well, when it comes to parades, parties and fiestas, you can surely bellow a big, loud yes!

Parades

You see, here in Texas, we like to celebrate just about everything. And there’s nothing more we like to celebrate than being Texan, so you can expect to see a little lone star flair in every one of our big fiestas. If we were to list every parade that goes on in this massive state, we’d be here until next year. Instead, we’re going to focus on the parades of the holiday season, so you can start planning now. NOVEMBER

Of course, there’s the H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston. This tradition dates back to 1949 when Santa arrived at Union Station and shimmied his sleigh all the way down to Foley’s downtown. It really is a sight to behold, with more than 200 thousand parade goers lining the streets. There is always bleacher seating available for a 16 | American Outdoors Magazine

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limited time, but as you can imagine, those tickets sell out fast. Some would argue that this parade rivals the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, but you’ll have to see both and report back. Watching a parade on television is nice, but it will never live up to seeing those enormous floats in person! But if you can’t make it to Houston for the holiday, you can find your celebratory fix in El Paso with the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade. This parade actually began in 1936, but it wasn’t a Thanksgiving tradition until 1978. Originally, the Sun Bowl Parade was nothing more than a prelude to the Sun Bowl, which is held on New Year’s Day. If you live in West Texas or New Mexico, you’re probably familiar with the Sun Bowl Parade because it is THE premier event of the year, drawing more than a quarter million visitors! The Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Festival kicks off the holiday season for Central Texas on the day after Thanksgiving as thousands of lights illuminate the Riverwalk and decorated floats wind down the river. DECEMBER

And if you are in scenic Grapevine, Texas for the holidays, you may want to make a point of visiting the Parade of Lights in downtown historic Grapevine. This is the largest lighted Christmas

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parade in all of North Texas. Here you’ll see more than 100 lighted floats with Santa bringing up the rear in a stunning finale. Ford isn’t done with festivities just yet. Every weekend from the 4th through the 20th of December this year, you can experience the Ford Fiesta de Luminarias. More a festive, relaxing stroll than a parade, but still worth the trip! You’ll see more than six thousand luminarias lining the walkways of the Riverwalk to symbolize the “lighting of the way” for the Holy Family. To ring in the holiday season in proper parade style, head to Dallas for the 28th annual Dallas Children’s Health Holiday Parade. Much like the Thanksgiving parades, this one features marching bands, larger-than-life balloons, famous characters and magical floats. It is one of the largest parades in the country, drawing more than 400 thousand spectators every year. And if you’re looking for a more intimate gathering, consider attending the Bryan-College Station Christmas Parade in early December. This small-town parade still embodies the “bigger in Texas” mentality with more than 30 thousand in attendance each and every year. This year marks the 89th year that this parade has been running, so we can probably expect to see something extra special for their 90th anniversary next year.

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GRUNT TACTICS FOR

WHITETAIL

Grunt calls are getting increasingly popular as more outdoor television personalities use them and hunters see their effectiveness. Calling deer is a relatively new concept for deer hunters. Grunting wasn’t unheard of but store shelves and catalogs weren’t stocked with dozens of different calls ten years ago. Grunt calls are getting increasingly popular as more outdoor television personalities use them and hunters see the effectiveness for themselves. If you’ve never used one, I highly recommend trying a grunt call. The good news for novices is grunt calls are easy to use and learning buck language isn’t like studying Mandarin. The most important thing to consider is volume. Deer will grunt loud and they grunt softly. Many hunters are afraid to grunt loudly out of fear of scaring deer. Unless you grunt very loud with a deer right under your tree, you’re not going to scare a deer. In fact, a loud grunt will help bring deer in from further distances. The second most commonly asked question about grunting is how often should you grunt. My answer is always, “it depends.” If you’re blind calling, calling in the hopes of attracting distant deer to your location, I would call about every 20 minutes. Two or three one note grunts will do the trick. If a deer is in the area and in the mood, they will be there in a hurry. I have watched bucks nearly sprint across a field to my location after a grunt. If you’re hunting deeper

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in the woods they generally move swiftly but cautiously. Keep in mind I have also called at bucks I could see and they act like they don’t even hear it. Sometimes you can do everything right and they just won’t react to calling. My philosophy may be different from others but if I see a buck I won’t call to them unless I believe they won’t make it to my location unless I call them. Bucks can pinpoint the location of a sound with uncanny precision. Last fall I grunted in a buck from several hundred yards away. He walked to within 20 yards of my tree without ever calling at him again. If I spot a buck and he is walking or feeding toward me, I’ll let him move naturally to my location. But if he starts moving away, I’ll give him one or two soft grunts, whatever is necessary to get his attention. Usually, they will raise their head up to look for the buck that grunted at them. From there it depends on the mood. I’ve never had one run away. They usually continue along the route they were already on or come toward me. Either way, nothing lost. A lot of hunters are afraid a grunt will “mess up” their hunt. In my experience it either does nothing or it brings a buck in. Bucks are used to hearing grunts. It won’t scare them. If you’re really worried about it practice on smaller bucks that you plan to pass up. Even if you don’t shoot, it’s fun to get their attention.

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The waters may be getting colder, but that doesn’t mean you have to hang up your fishing pole for the season. In fact, some would argue that this is when the fishing really gets good! The reason temperature matters is because bass behave differently in cold versus warm water. But if you want to truly understand your prey and have a successful outing, you’ll need to know more than that. WHEN ANGLING GETS SHALLOW

big bass fishing IN COLD WATER THIS IS WHEN FISHING REALLY GETS GOOD!

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Just like the geese you’ll see overhead and the snowbirds moving from New York to Florida, Texas bass are also moving for the weather. When the water begins getting cooler, bass return to the shallows. This period typically begins in early fall, but the exact time can vary based on the weather in any given year. You may think they are headed to the shallows for warmer temps heated by the sun, and this is in part true, but the real reason behind their migration is food. By fall, predators have all but ravaged the food supply in deeper waters and this drives bass to the shallows in search of sustenance. Because the water is cooler, they can stick around for longer than they would even during a spring spawning season. This makes it easier for anglers of all skill levels to find success. But don’t get too comfortable. As soon as the weather chills the top layer of water to lower temperatures than in the deep, the bass will begin getting sluggish and migrate back. If you’re going cold water bass fishing, look for them in the shallows when the water temperatures are 50 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. If the water temps are below 40 degrees, you may want to find something else to occupy your time for the afternoon. Bass will be almost impossible to catch. The only exception may be right after a big freeze. Many ice fishermen have reported success

at this time, but it quickly wanes if the weather continues getting colder. Still, one of the great things about having unpredictable weather in most of Texas for the winter is that you’ll have your cold days and your warm ones. All you need are a few warm days to bring the bass back to the shallows. TAKING THE BAIT

If you’re fishing in the clear Highland Lakes, jerkbait is a popular choice. Since bass are focused on shad, try suspending your jerkbait around a vertical structure, like a bluff or bridge. Let it sit longer than you would in warmer temperatures, but as always, adjust your technique based on how the bass are responding. Keep in mind that bass can be sluggish in colder temperatures as you hone in on your technique. Many anglers rely on a jig-and-pig in these conditions and work it around sunny banks and heavy cover. If you aren’t having any luck, look for low-hanging or fallen trees. These give bass a variety of depths, so you may find them at the deep end early when the weather is cooler and in the shallow parts when the weather is warmer. Try slow rolling a spinner bait around the trees to see if any will bite. Regardless of where you fish, understand that temperature matters more than just about anything. When we’re experiencing a particularly cold front and even the roads are icy, it’s probably best to wait around for the weather to change. This is Texas after all. If the bass don’t like the weather, just wait a few days. Sunny and warm temps will be right around the corner.

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Wurstfest ~

“It was the best of times, it was the wurst of times.” Enjoy this 10-day festival of tradition, celebration and — of course—sausage. This was part of the mayor’s speech at the Wurstfest in 1961. Only back then, it wasn’t called Wurstfest. It was the Sausage Festival, a modest sausage-making competition, and then Wurst Week before it became the Wurstfest we know and love today. And what is Wurstfest all about? It’s a 10-day festival of tradition, celebration and—of course— sausage. It’s a place to enjoy great food, music and dancing, carnival rides and games, and a blend of German and Texan culture. This year, Wurstfest takes over New Braunfels from November 9th through the 15th. 24 | American Outdoors Magazine

THE WURSTFEST EXPERIENCE

You won’t want to miss the opening ceremonies that include the ceremonial biting of the sausage. Actually, it’s the biting of a string of locally-made sausages. Hosts will also tap a symbolic keg of beer and share it with the audience – to kick off Wurstfest with the spirit of sharing and comradery. From here, you’ll have your choice of events that take place, sometimes simultaneously, in one of five festival sections. In 2014, Stelzenplatz was added to accommodate the growing crowd. This expansion brings even more food, beer, shopping and –most importantly– more space! The biggest draw of Stelzenplatz is its market. Here you’ll find 15-20 vendor booths selling Bavarian merchandise, clothing and food. This will be a www.AmericanOutdoorsMagazine.com | 25

mix of old and new vendors, so if you’ve been to Wurstfest before, you shouldn’t skip this section. And naturally, there’s a Biergarten and a music stage that you can enjoy before or after heading to the carnival. From Stelzenplatz, you’ll be able to take in scenic views of the Comal River and its waterfall from a bridge and overlook area. So grab your sweetheart and a beer and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival, if only for a moment. Wie romantisch! DETAILS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Wurstfest is a 10-day festival, but you don’t have to attend all 10 days. Many people only attend for a day or for the weekend. And if you’re really ready to partei (that’s party in German), feel free to attend the entire event. You’re sure to have loads

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of fun and make friends with similar interests while you’re there. This almost goes without saying, but you may not bring your own food or beverages. The festival is all about celebrating German food and drink, so be ready to immerse yourself in the culture with the help of the festivals many food vendors. There will be seating in all entertainment areas and the grounds are handicap accessible. Unfortunately, you’ll have to leave Fido at home unless he happens to be a service animal. The event will take place rain or shine, so if the forecast is for rain, bring your umbrella and be ready to have some fun!

PARKING AND SHUTTLES

There is a parking area adjacent to the festival grounds, but parking is limited. Unless you arrive before the festival opens, there’s a good chance this will be full. There is also free parking at the Comal County Fairgrounds through a park and ride service. The Wurst Wagen is less crowded, but more expensive option. The Wurst Wagen will pick you up from most hotels and there are two park and ride options, but the ride fare is $20. Wurstfest is a non-profit corporation with a mission of promoting local commerce while preserving the community’s heritage. So, if you want to have a great time and support local Texas businesses, grab your ticket to Wurstfest. Prost, und hab’ Spasz!

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EASY

SURVIVAL SKILLS TO REMEMBER

Survival skills just for backpacking? Why not? For ultralight backpackers, skills replace gear, and therefore weight. If you spend any time in the wilderness, it also just feels good to know you can deal with whatever comes up. Survival means staying warm and dry, hydrated, uninjured, and finding your way out of the wilderness. Of course, eating is nice too, but not crucial if the situation is just for a few days. Here are some survival skills you can learn easily. EASY SURVIVAL SKILLS 1.

Put dried moss or milkweed fuzz in your pocket as you walk, so you’ll have dry tinder to start a fire, just in case it’s raining later. Cattail fuzz works well too, and you can experiment with different materials.

If it looks and tastes like a blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry – it is. There is no berry in North America that looks like a blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry, and can hurt you from one taste. Take a taste, and just spit it out completely if it doesn’t taste right.

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Make a pile of dry leaves and dead grass to keep warm in an emergency. People have slept warmly without a blanket, in below-freezing weather, in a pile of dry grass. Put a stick upright in the ground, and mark the tip of the shadow. Mark it again fifteen minutes later. Scratch a line between the first and second marks, and it will be pointing east. Techniques like this can save you when your compass is lost. Clouds form in the Rocky Mountains just before the afternoon storms in summer. Lightning in Colorado regularly kills hikers. Birds often fly lower before storms. Learning to read the sky and the behavior of animals can keep you out of trouble.

The biggest wilderness killer is hypothermia, and getting wet is the biggest cause. Get in the habit of watching for ledges or large firm trees to stand under when you think that rain may be coming. Learning to stay dry is one of the more important survival skills.

To stay warmer, sleep with your head slightly downhill. It takes some getting used to, but it works.

Get in the habit of filling water bottles every chance you get, and you won’t have such a hard time with any long dry stretches of trail. Drink up the last of your water right before you fill the bottles too.

Break a “blister” on the trunk of a small spruce or fern tree, and you can use the sap that oozes out as a good antiseptic dressing for small cuts. It also can be used to start a fire, and will burn when wet.

10.

Bark from a white birch tree will usually light even when wet. In a jam, you can also use it as a paper substitute if you need to leave a note in an emergency.

The above are just a few tips and techniques you can easily learn. But here are many more, and they can make backpacking not only safer, but more interesting. Why not practice one or two of these survival skills? www.AmericanOutdoorsMagazine.com | 29

FIELD JUDGING

WHITETAIL BUCKS & DOES

2.5-year old bucks

3.5-year old bucks

4.5-year old bucks

• Relatively thin waist and shoulders

• Thickly muscled neck during the rut, although there is still a distinct junction between the neck & shoulders

• Fully muscled neck blends into the shoulders, and waist is deep as chest

• Fully muscled neck blends into the shoulders, and waist is deep as chest.

• Show ‘attitude’ in the presence of other bucks

• Show ‘attitude’ in the presence of other bucks.

• Activity more nocturnal

• Limited neck swelling during the rut

BUCK AGE & ANTLER GROWTH

Average antler characteristics for whitetail bucks increase rapidly from 1.5 to 4.5 years of age, with additional increases in some areas between 5.5 and 7.5 years of age. Bucks like this one from New York

BUCK BODY CHARACTERISTICS BY AGE CLASS

(above) and this one from Mississippi (below) are good examples of what can be achieved when bucks are allowed to reach at least 4.5 years of age in high quality habitats.

• Chest appears deeper than the hindquarters giving the appearance of a well-conditioned racehorse

JUDGING ANTERLESS DEER (DOES & FAWNS) Fawns • Short nose & forehead • Ears appear larger in comparison to its head • Head similar in shape to an 8-oz drink bottle

Adults • Longer nose & forehead • Head similar in shape to a 16-oz drink bottle

Separating buck fawns from doe fawns Buck Fawn: • Look for presence of developing antlers • Head appears flatter and less rounded Doe Fawn: • No developing antlers • Head appears rounder

Helpful tips: • Never harvest a lone antlerless deer. Often these are buck fawns. Wait unti several antlerless deer are present before making a harvest decision • Never harvest antlerless deer in low light, at long distances, or where a positive identification cannot be made

BEAM LENGTH • • •

A relatively good predictor of age, but difficult for most hunters to judge. Best determined by a side view. A mature buck’s antler tip will typically extend beyond the eye. Beams extending to the tip of the nose are generally 20 or more inches in length.

• Always use binoculars when determining the sex and age of antlerless deer • Always give the animal the benefit of the doubt if there is any uncertainty regarding sex or age

In areas with extended fawning and hunting seasons, hunters may encounter fawns ranging from 2-7 months of age. The fawn in photo A is approximately 1-2 months old; B 2-3 months old; C 4-5 months old D 6-7 months old. Despite the differences in size, the overall body shape (square) and short head and snout are still evident in each photo.

ANTLER SPREAD • Yearling bucks rarely have outside antler spreads greater than 14 inches. • Tip-to-tip distance between the ears in a relaxed or semi-alert position is about 13 to 14 inches for yearling and 2.5-year-old bucks and about 15 inches on bucks 3.5 years old and older.

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OFFICIAL HUNTING SEASON DATES

GULF COAST FISHING REGULATIONS SPECIES

POSSESSION LIMIT

MIN. SIZE

WATER BODY

For the hunters who need to plan in advance, here is a list of when you can hunt particular animals during their allotted hunting season. This list is not the Game & Wildlife Code or its attendant regulations and should not be considered final on legal interpretation.

SPECIES

GAME ZONE

SEASONS

SPECIAL NOTES

LIMITS

Aligator Gar

1 per day

None

Statewide

Black Drum

14” min/30” max

Statewide

Blue Marlin

No limit

131” minimum

Statewide

Catfish (Channel, Blue & their hybrids and subspecies)

12 Inches

Statewide

Dove (falconry) All game zones Nov 7 - Dec 13

Crappie (White, Black & their hybrids and subspecies)

10 Inches

Statewide

Mule Deer All game zones

Oct 3 - Nov 6 (Archery) Nov 21 - Dec 6 (Panhandle) Nov 21 - 29 (Southwest Panhandle) Nov 27 - Dec 13 (Trans-Poco)

5 Only 3 bucks

Flounder

5 except from Nov 1-30 & Dec 1-14 when the limit is 2

14” minimum

Statewide

Pronghorn

All game zones

Oct 3 - 11

Permit Req.

5/day

Quail

All game zones

Oct 31 - Feb 28

Upland Game Bird Stamp Req.

15/day

Goliath Grouper

0 (catch & release only)

No limit

Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted and Guadalupe)

None Statewid

Paddlefish

No harvest

N/A

Statewide

Saugeye

18 Inches

Sunfish (Bluegill, Redear, Green, Warmouth & Longear)

No limit

None

Trout (Rainbow & Brown)

Walleye 5

Sept 10-30 April 1 - June 30

1/person

Migratory Game Bird Stamp & HIP Certification Required

Turkey All game zones

Nov 7 - Jan 3 (North) Nov 7 - Jan 17 (South)

Rabbit

Year-round

No limit

Oct 3 - Nov 6 (Archery) Migratory Game Stamp Req. Nov 7 - Jan 3 (Gen Season North) Only 3 bucks Nov 7 - Jan 17 (Gen Season South) Jan 4 - 17 (Muzzleloader)

Statewide

White Tailed Deer All game zones

Statewide

Woodcock

All game zones

Dec 18 - Jan 31

Migratory Game Stamp Req.

3/day

Duck

South zone

Oct 24 - 25 (Youth only)

Migratory Game Stamp Req.

6/day

Duck South zone

Oct 31 - Nov 29 Dec 12 - Jan 24

Migratory Game Stamp Req.

6/day

Duck (Falcony)

Feb 1 -14

Migratory Game Stamp Req.

3/day

Statewide

None Statewide Only 2 can be less 16 Inches

Aligator All game zones

All game zones

Statewide South zone

For all deer regulations please see the state DNR

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SERVICES

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SERVICES

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SERVICES

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PLACES TO VISIT

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PLACES TO VISIT

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PLACES TO VISIT

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PLACES TO VISIT

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RETAIL AND BUSINESS

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RETAIL AND BUSINESS

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