S
A publication of the Fredericksburg Standard
A favorable outlook for new season
THE SEASON WHEN ORANGE IS ALWAYS IN FASHION
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Article Index Hunting season outlook............................................................. 5 Youth only hunting dates........................................................... 8 Operation Orphans ................................................................... 10 Jacob Krebs memorial hunt ................................................... 12 Wildlife Management ................................................................ 14 Operation Game Thief ............................................................. 17 Aging on the hoof .....................................................................18 Harper VFD Fish Fry, Turkey shoot....................................... 19 Wild Game Dinner...................................................................... 20 Things to do after the hunt..................................................... 22 Christian Bowhunters ............................................................. 24 Photo tips, newspaper submission...................................... 25 Preparing for the Hunt ............................................................ 26 TPWD app ................................................................................... 28 Hunters for the Hungry ........................................................... 29 Doss chili supper ...................................................................... 30 Sunrise, sunset times ............................................................... 30 *ABOUT THE COVER — Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post graphic artist Barney Kane produced the cover using a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo by Adan Alvarez.
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READY, SET, GO!
Hunting is one of Gillespie County’s big attractions in the fall and winter. White-tailed hunting’s general season starts Saturday, Nov. 7 and
ends Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. The outlook for early hunts looks good. — Standard-Radio Post file photo
Hunting outlook favorable I t’s hunting season in the Texas Hill Country. The 2020-21 big game season for white-tailed deer and other wild game such as turkey, quail and dove draw in hunters from around the United States for its notably successful harvests. Well distributed and timely precipitation across much of Texas in the spring, along with positive long-term growth among the state’s white-tailed deer population, has set the stage for a favorable 2020-21 hunting season. Spring rains allowed many regions of the state, including South Texas, Edwards Plateau and areas west to recover from last year’s very dry fall and winter, leading to an abundance of quality forbs and shrubs, both of which are critical for deer nutrition. These conditions have lent to a good start to antler growth and positive outlook for fawn recruitment numbers. “With any luck we’ll receive another rain in July solidi-
fying the good conditions and setting the stage for another favorable hunting season,” said Alan Cain, White-tailed Deer Program Leader at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). TPWD biologists estimate that the state’s deer population is around 5.5 million deer, or a density of 49.25 deer per 1,000 acres. However, that density is not uniform across the state and those areas with better habitat tend to support higher deer populations. TPWD data suggests that the hunter success rate in 2019 was estimated to be 60% and similar trends can be expected for the 202021 season. The Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers regions of Texas are forecast to have the highest deer populations. “From a statewide perspective, hunters might expect to HUNTING OUTLOOK8
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HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
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SEASON OUTLOOK
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see a higher proportion of bucks in the 6.5 to 8.5-year age classes as a result of above average fawn crop in previous corresponding years while other age classes reflect a more even distribution,” Cain said. “While doe harvest has been down slightly in the last couple of years, which is likely contributing to a widening ratio of does to bucks, the good news for hunters is that there should be plenty of carryover from previous years.” The archery-only season in the designated North Zone (to which Gillespie County belongs) for turkey and deer runs from Oct. 3-Nov. 6. General rifle season for turkey and deer starts Saturday, Nov. 7, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Youth-only hunting weekends, for those licensed hunters 16 years of age or younger, are planned on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, and Jan. 4-17, 2021. A special late season during which harvests are restricted to antlerless deer and spikes, runs simultaneously to the late youth-only season, from Jan. 4-17, 2021. Aside from whitetails, Gillespie County is also considered to be in the Central Zone for dove hunting. Dove season began Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 1, and
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then again from Dec. 18 through Jan. 14, 2021. The quail season across Texas will run Oct. 31 to Feb. 28, 2021. Information on bag limits, license requirements and other general information is available from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Outdoor Annual or at tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/. The Texas Hill Country also has an abundant amount of non-game wildlife such as armadillos, raccoons, hawks, opossums, coyotes and numerous other birds, not to mention an occasional porcupine and skunk. Among the factors accounting for the large populations of deer and other forms of wildlife in the Fredericksburg area is the rugged, hilly terrain, which affords plenty of cover, vegetation and water to sustain the animals year-round. In other parts of Texas, the terrain is flatter and less wooded, perhaps even converted to farmland. Also, the increasing development of housing and expanding city limits in other places has forced wildlife out of its natural habitat. Gillespie County values wildlife. Farmers, ranchers and residents hold animals in high regard not only because of their presence, but also because of their contributions to the area’s economy.
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Youth-only hunting set
Youth hunters in Gillespie County get a special season to bag bucks, turkeys and other game during the fall and winter. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has established statewide youth-only open seasons for deer, turkey, squirrel and waterfowl for hunters ages 16 and under in counties across the state, including Gillespie County. The early season for both white-tailed deer and turkey hunting runs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, with late seasons running Jan. 4-17, 2021 for both, as well. The purpose of youth-only open seasons is to provide young people with opportunities to learn about wildlife conservation through an enjoyable and memorable outdoor experience. It also gives parents and mentors an opportunity to introduce them to safe and responsible hunting, according to a spokesperson for the TPWD. The youth-only open season hunts are scheduled to occur at times when young outdoorsmen and women are out of school. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department encourages experienced hunters to seek out youth and provide the guidance to make the event both enjoyable and educational for the beginning hunter. A Youth Hunting License (Type 169) is required to hunt during this season, and costs $7. The license can be purchased at
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for 2020-21 calendar any one of TPWD’s 28 field offices, more than 50 state parks or at over 1,700 retailers across the state. Licenses may be purchased online through the TPWD website at www.tpwd.texas.gov/buy or by phone at 1-800-8954248. A $5 administrative fee is charged for each phone or online transaction. White-tailed deer The season is open in all counties where there is a general open season for white-tailed deer.
At left, unting instructors review gun safety procedures with young hunters before shooting practice. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has established statewide Youth Only open seasons for deer, turkey, squirrel and, with cooperation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, waterfowl. The purpose of these Youth Only open seasons is to provide youth with an enjoyable and memorable outdoor experience and allow parents and mentors to introduce them to safe and responsible hunting. The Youth Only open seasons hunts are scheduled to occur at times when youth are out of school. — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department file photo
All legal hunting means and methods are allowed. Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall counties require an archery endorsement. For much of the state, including Gillespie County and the remainder of the Hill Country, the bag and permit requirements are the same as for the general season in the county. Hunters may take no more than five white-tailed deer and no more than two bucks (all seasons combined) in one license year. Turkey A youth-only spring season on March 13-14, 2021 and May 8-9, 2021, gives young shooters and archers another chance to hunt turkeys. Only licensed hunters 16 years of age or younger may hunt turkey during this season with the bag limit as specified by the general fall turkey season. The annual bag limit for turkey, in the aggregate for all counties, is four, no more than one of which may be an Eastern turkey. For more information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s youth-only hunting seasons, as well as other
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Operation Orphans teaches life lessons through hunting Over 19,000 boys and girls who live in child residential and foster homes have not only participated in hunting and fishing but have helped address the overpopulation of deer in the Hill Country by taking part in the “Take a Child Hunting Program” hosted by Operation Orphans. “Operation Orphans is a non-profit organization that provides children with unique and wonderful outdoor experiences by sponsoring hunting and fishing trips in the Texas Hill Country, since 1960,” according to the event website. “In many cases, this is the first real such experience these children have been able to do.” Dates selected for the 2020Gene Ashby 21 season are Oct. 31, Girls’ Hunt No. 1; Nov. 21, Boys’ Hunt No. 1; Dec. 5, Boys’ Hunt No. 2 and Jan. 9, 2021, Boys’ Hunt No. 3. Operation Orphans, Inc., based at Camp Gene Ashby, in Mason County along the Llano River, has taken kids who are wards of the state hunting since 1960. Gene Ashby was the brainchild behind the free hunts. The Texas Game Warden worked with local ranchers to allow orphans to hunt on their lands. How it works The groups come to Camp Gene Ashby on designated dates
and hunt on area ranches. The ranches use this program as a way to harvest excess animals, usually whitetail does. They also assist in educating these underprivileged youngsters on the joys and responsibilities of hunting. The children’s homes use the meat in their facilities or in their outreach programs. Each child will have at least one guide who will spend the day with them. During the girls’ hunt, each girl will have a woman or a man and woman team to serve as guides. Individuals who volunteer as guides will have successfully completed the Hunter Safety Course and will have been subject to a background check. How this helps This all began when a local Texas game warden, Ashby, saw the need to do something to address the overpopulation of deer in the area. Left unchecked, many of the animals would starve and suffer. It was also known at the time that many orphan homes and child residential facilities were struggling financially. By offering those youngsters an opportunity to hunt and harvest deer, the facilities would benefit from the meat obtained, thus lowering their food costs. It would also offer these kids who often felt unwanted or who had suffered so much, a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Local individuals joined the cause and ranches opened their places for the kids to come and harvest antlerless deer. Where it happens Camp Gene Ashby became the headquarters for Operation Orphans. Today Camp Gene Ashby can house and feed over 250 people. In 1994, an orientation/recreation building, the Milton and Janie Jordan Building, was constructed. It includes a clothing room which allows the kids to obtain new and gently used
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post items they may need for the hunt or for school. “None of this would have happened without the many caring individuals and groups who have donated time, money and talents toward this endeavor throughout the years,” said a spokesperson for the event. Operation Orphans, Inc. can provide the children, guides, and food for the activity. Who is sponsoring Some landowners offer their ranches to hunt, while others guide or prepare lunch for the attending groups. Most ranches allow doe hunting only, while others may allow the harvest of spikes or management bucks. Feral hogs may be also harvested. Each landowner specifies what animals are allowed to be harvested. While hunting may be the planned activity, it is not the main objective.
Last year, youth enjoyed an Orphans, Inc. hunt with their guide. — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department file photo
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All the programs When Operation Orphans, started in 1960, only boys participated. In 1980, a girls’ hunt was added. In 2004, boys’ and girls’ fishing days started. Just as with the hunting, the youngsters fish on area ranches in ponds, tanks and rivers. The fishing is catch and release unless the landowner states otherwise. To date, over 1,000 boys and girls have enjoyed the “Take a Child Fishing” activities. To further assist children who have participated with Operation Orphans, Inc., the Eddie Argo Scholarship was established. Argo had attended the “Take a Child Hunting” program as a youngster in a home and later became a volunteer and director of Operation Orphans, Inc. He died in 2008, but his memory lives on. Kids who have participated in the hunting or fishing program are able to apply to receive financial assistance with their education. How to help Operation Orphans, Inc. is a non-profit organization made up of a board of directors whose sole purpose is to serve less fortunate youngsters by offering them a positive outdoor experience. Additional information, videos and sign up forms may be found on the Operation Orphans, Inc. website: www. operationorphans.org. Contact camp supervisors, Lyla or Jerry Crouch, phone at 325-347-6745 or by email at operationorphans@yahoo.com.
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Veterans’ children hunt in the Harper ‘Super 8th’ After months of staying indoors due to coronavirus concerns, the Harper Wildlife Management Association (HWMA) still plans on hosting its annual Youth Hunt in memory of Jacob Krebs, Jan. 15-17, 2021. Called the “Super 8th” because this will be its eighth year in existence, hunt organizers said they may have to make a few changes this year. Typically, the hunt hosts 25 veterans’ children ages 9-17 to give them the opportunity to participate in youth and hunting activities. This year hosts may drop the number to six depending on federal, state and local guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “While we believe memories and experiences the youth and their veterans gain at the hunt outweigh any risk, we will still follow health and safety guidelines,” said William Krebs, the hunt organizer. “It’s more important than ever to do this for the veterans,” said William Krebs, Jacob Krebs’ father. “They’ve been cooped up with their kids and they might want to get outdoors and burn off some energy.” This January, the HWMA, Fredericksburg Salutes our Wounded Warriors and the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) will co-sponsor the Harper WMA Youth Hunt in memory of Jacob Krebs. The hunt is not only designed to harvest a deer but provides educational awareness of hunter safety, land management, conservation and stewardship. “TYHP gives young Texans the opportunity to participate in youth hunting activities safely, legally and ethically, while learning about the valuable role landowners and hunters play in wildlife conservation,” said a spokesperson for the hunt. This event honors a local youth, Jacob Krebs who drowned on March 26, 2013 while training for his Navy SEAL contract.
“Jacob loved the outdoors and loved his country,” said William Krebs last year. “He was very adamant about honoring all soldiers, specifically wounded warriors.” Krebs was a volunteer for the Texas Youth Hunting Program and the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA). He participated in many youth hunts and eventually became a Youth Hunter Education Instructor. He was also an Eagle Scout and truly believed in “doing a good turn daily.” Fredericksburg Salutes our Wounded Warriors provides scholarships to many children and their parents who attend. For more information about the upcoming hunt Jan. 15-17, contact William Krebs at krebslaser@yahoo.com or 830-8892860, visit tyhp.org or follow Harper WMA Youth Hunt in memory of Jacob Krebs on Facebook.
The Harper annual youth hunt, which was established in the memory of Jacob Krebs, who is pictured cleaning a deer, takes place in January of every year. — Submitted photo
“Supporting Agriculture, Youth Education and Rural Living in the Texas Hill Country” Saturday, November 21, 2020 Doors Open 5:30 P.M. Dinner Served until 8:30 P.M. Gillespie County Fair Grounds Hwy 16 South, Fredericksburg, Tx.
LIMITED ADMISSION Pre-Purchased Dinner/Event Tickets - $25 each Prize Drawing Tickets $5 each or 6 for $25 For more Information: GCWildGameDinner@gmail.com
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Wildlife management groups promote good land stewardship
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Cave Creek WMA With approximately 60 members, the Cave Creek Wildlife Management Association covers the eastern part of Gillespie County.
Officers include Kade Burrow, president; Keven Eckhardt, vice president; Carol Birmingham, secretary, and Larry Ahrens, treasurer. The organization meets three to four times a year. All meetings are open to the public and individuals wanting more information or to join are encouraged to contact any of the officers. Members conduct three spotlight census surveys and collect data for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “By counting the number of females, males and fawns, we are able to get an idea of the buck-to-doe ratio and fawn crop,” Burrow said. Due to the abundance of acorns last year, hunting was hard and deer were not forced to move from the bedding grounds. “We could possibly see a slight increase in population this year,” Burrow said. The Cave Creek WMA will be hosting a meal, prize drawing and social on the Friday night before the opening weekend of hunting season. Social distancing and wearing of masks will be in place. During opening weekend, the Cave Creek WMA will have
2021-2020
Promoting good stewardship of the land and natural resources while improving the quality of white-tailed deer is the mission of four wildlife management associations in Gillespie County. The four wildlife management associations include Cave Creek, Cherry Spring, Doss and Harper. The associations are under the umbrella of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Gillespie County. Along with their efforts to help manage the deer population, all four groups have sponsored youth hunts to expose children to hunting and the outdoors. However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the groups have canceled their youth hunts. The Cave Creek WMA was the first in the state to offer such a program. Following is information on the four groups:
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a big buck contest, cull buck contest, and a doe pot for members and hunters. All entries will be weighed and aged. The winners will be determined on Sunday night at 8 p.m. Cherry Spring WMA Covering about 22,872 acres in the north-central part of Gillespie County is the Cherry Spring WMA. The group has a membership of 50 people. Wilfred Crenwelge is the president of the organization. Other officers include Ruben Sagebiel, vice president, and Alice Klein, secretary/treasurer. Meetings, which are open to the public, are held in February, August and October. Anyone in the north-central part of Gillespie County can join the Cherry Spring WMA by paying the yearly dues. Currently, dues are $25. Most meetings include a potluck dinner and presentations by speakers, including representatives from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Members conduct three deer counts in August, September and the first two days of the white-tail hunting season. The association also hosts a youth hunt in January with voluntary participation by landowners. Members also participate in Kerr and Mason wildlife areas. One of the goals of the group, according to Crenwelge, is to provide guidance in wildlife management and related resources. Another goal is to help landowners produce high quality and healthy wildlife. A reason to join the group, Crenwelge said, is to help landowners develop best management practices for improving wildlife and to help landowners achieve the same goals and management practices as their neighbors. Doss WMA The Doss Wildlife Management Association (WMA) was started in the early 1980s by a group of local ranchers, wildlife biologists and extension agents, and includes northwest Gillespie County/South Central Mason County. Currently, there are 129 members encompassing 95,421 acres.
Landowners in the Texas Hill Country produce healthy wild game like the jackrabbit above. — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department file photo
Officers are Cory Brandon, president; Eddie Kramer, vice president, and Lance Feuge, secretary-treasurer. The association holds an annual meeting in late October and a membership sign-up in late August. Meetings are open to the public. Individuals interested in joining are invited to attend the membership sign-up meeting in August, the annual meeting in October or by contacting any of the officers. Annual membership dues are $25, which includes a lease permit. The Doss WMA includes six census lines that perform three separate spotlight counts in September. The census line counts provide data which is used by wildlife biologists to determine harvest recommendations for the fall whitetailed hunting season. Doss Wildlife Management Association strives to bring landowners together to ensure a healthy and stable deer population. The organization’s goal is to share ideas, techniques, and experiences that will enable all members to have a successful hunting season for both themselves as well as their hunters; while maintaining a balanced doe to buck ratio. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT16
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HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
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“Hunting is both a great pastime as well as an economic boost for our community,” Brandon said. There will be not a youth hunt this year due to COVID-19. Harper WMA The Harper Wildlife Management Association (HWMA) is one of four wildlife management associations in Gillespie County committed to successful game management practices, including habitat management, providing population data through various census techniques, recommending harvest levels based on deer censuses, maintaining accurate harvest records and recommending supplemental or enhanced food supplies. Membership is open to any landowner, land manager, hunter or any other interested individuals owning property, operating property, living in or hunting in the area defined by the boundaries of the Harper Independent School District. Cooperation of members is on a voluntary basis in an area-wide effort to achieve the goals of balancing whitetail deer populations with the carrying capacity of the habitat, increasing body weight of white-tailed deer in the area, improving the overall antler characteristics, increasing fawn survival, promoting ongoing education among members and promoting community interest in wildlife management in
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general, explained Michelle Brangenberg, president of the Harper WMA. The Harper WMA holds three meetings annually which are open to members and visitors. Meetings are held in July, October and January or February. The Harper WMA will sponsor its Annual Youth Hunt in cooperation with the Texas Youth Hunting Program this season. The youth hunt is being held in memory of the late Jacob Krebs and is primarily for children or grandchildren of wounded warriors. For more information or to apply for the youth hunt, visit www.tyhp.org. In addition to Brangenberg, other officers of the Harper WMA include Will Krebs, vice president, and Pam Ransleben, secretary/treasurer. Directors are Richard Cowie, Brian Haschke and Steve Holekamp. Joyce Moore of TPWD serves in the capacity of Technical Guidance Biologist in the Western Edwards Plateau Region. Contact Brangenberg by email at mlbrangenberg@aol. com with any questions or comments related to the Harper WMA. There are four Wildlife Management Areas in Gillespie including Cave Creek, Cherry Spring, Doss and Harper. Wildlife Management Areas are working laboratories for learning about wildlife and habitat. For more information, visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/.
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Eyes, ears of Texas game wardens Wildlife trafficking is a multibilliondollar transnational industry that affects every part of the world, including Texas. In the Lone Star State, mature whitetailed bucks are killed on midnight runs, then beheaded for bragging rights. Various freshwater and saltwater fish are caught with illegal nets in large quantities, without regard for size or bag limits. Shrimp and oysters are harvested in illegal quantities and from areas closed to harvest. Even birds, snakes, turtles, mussels and protected plants fall prey to unscrupulous operators. This is why Operation Game Thief (OGT) was legislated into existence in 1981, in order to help curtail the poaching. The non-profit group helps the enforcement arm of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by offering cash rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of wildlife crime.
To date, OGT has paid out $195,000 in rewards. The group also provides $25,000 in financial support to the families of every game warden and park police killed in the line of duty. They have also given $600,000 to the TPWD for purchasing specialized technological equipment for game wardens. Funding also goes toward outreach and education across Texas to protect natural resources and private property rights, through programs like its Wall of Shame traveling exhibit. OGT is dependent on financial support from the public through the purchase of memberships, merchandise, donations, sponsorships and gifts. Reporting People who have information on lawbreakers are asked to call (800) 792-GAME (4263). The reward hotline is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit the OGT website at www.ogttx.com.
The Wall of Shame exhibit helps educate Texans about illegal hunting and fishing activity and can be requested for an event or function by emailing Marcia.Morgan@ tpwd.texas.gov or calling Operation Game Thief at 512-389-8801. — Photo courtesy Operation Game Thief
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Harper to host opening weekend events Two events are planned in Harper to coincide with the opening of the 20202021 big game season. The Harper Turkey Shoot is set for Friday, Nov. 6, while members of the Harper Volunteer Fire Department and EMS will host their annual benefit fish fry on Saturday, Nov. 7. Turkey Shoot tentatively set for Friday, Nov. 6 Sponsored by Harper American Legion Post 650, the turkey shoot is tentatively planned for 10 a.m. to around 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the rodeo grounds in the Harper Community Park. Offered will be archery targets and rifle targets. Cost is $5 per shot. Shots are 100 yards and shooters can win a turkey or a ham. Persons are asked to bring their own weapons and ammunition. Children 12 and under can use a support to shoot but adults must stand. There will also be a paddle wheel with a large selection of prizes for the winners. The Harper American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary will be offering food and drinks for sale throughout the day. Persons can also purchase tickets for a prize drawing. Tickets for the drawing are $1 each or six for $5, and are available at the shoot. The winning tickets will be drawn at the end of the day of the shoot.
Harper Volunteer Fire Department and EMS will be serving up fried fish with all the trimmings on Saturday, Nov.7, beginning at 11 a.m. at the fire station. — Standard-Radio Post file photo
For more information, contact Jim Bisson at 830-864-5761. Benefit Fish Fry Saturday, Nov. 7 Then on Saturday, Nov. 7, Harper Volunteer Fire Department and EMS will host their annual benefit fish fry at 11 a.m. at the HVFD station. The cost for a plate of food, including all of the trimmings, is by donation. The menu includes fried American catfish, hush puppies, potato salad, beans, bread and dessert. The meal will be drive-thru or picnic style due to COVID-19 precautions. Masks and social distancing protocols
will be followed. A prize drawing will also be held. Among the many prizes will be 25 guns, knives, hunts, sporting equipment, jewelry and more. Tickets for the prize drawing are $5. In advance, prize drawing tickets are available from department members as well as at Waldo’s, Bode’s and Dauna’s, all in Harper. Prize drawing tickets are also available the day of the fish fry and from any Harper VFD member. There will also be a live auction. “We appreciate the support our community gives us,” said Kim Long, vice president and fish fry chairman.
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BURG’S CORNER
Peach preserves for your toast and Peach Cider for your early morning breakfast departure to the hunting blind. Pecans and sweets for your quiet time in the blind. Located at 15194 US Hwy. 290 E., Stonewall, TX - 830-644-2604
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Hope you bag the BIG ONE this season!
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HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
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Wild Game Dinner back with different look for 2020 event
New prizes will be featured during the live auction at this year’s Wild Game Dinner. — Standard-Radio Post file photo
The Gillespie County Wild Game Dinner is back for its 14th year at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds on Saturday, Nov. 21, but it will look a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the food, drinks and events will be there with the exception of no silent auction. “The live auction, prize drawing and games will have even better-quality prizes than past years,” said Board Member Charlie Wilson. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and food will be served until 8:30 p.m. The event will wrap up around 10 p.m. Ticket sales are limited and will not be sold at the gate. Tickets may be purchased online. Follow the Gillespie County Wild Game Dinner Facebook page for ordering details at https://www.facebook.com/Gillespie-County-Wild-GameDinner-324931300854836. As a new feature, for those who want to contribute but prefer to stay home, they can bid online, buy prize drawing tickets, or donate to the cause. For details, follow the Gillespie County Wild Dinner Facebook page and look for more articles in the
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post this November. “Volunteers, our many sponsors, donors, business owners, out-of-town hunters and patrons who attend the event are key in helping raise money for our kids,” said Board Chairman Lester Meier. All of the funds raised — nearly $1 million since 2007 — goes to support youth agricultural education. Events where local students benefit from these donations are Gillespie County 4-H and FFA Youth Livestock Show and Sale, the Hill Country District Livestock Show in Kerrville, Rodeo Austin and participants in other out-of-area contests. The Wild Game Dinner also funds equipment and projects for Gillespie County 4-H AgriLife, the YALL — Youth Agriculture Lifetime Leadership — Program, Fredericksburg FFA, Harper FFA and Heritage horticulture programs and greenhouses, Harper FFA metal arts equipment, NRCS Range Management Schools, Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing Association, custom livestock trailers for Fredericksburg FFA, and Gillespie County Fair and Festivals show barn improvements. “As always, we promise good food and a really good time,” said Board Member Chris Schoessow. For more information, call Shawn Lehne at 512-567-4682 or Charlie Wilson at 830-990-4917.
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HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
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Plenty to do after the day’s hunt After a successful day in the field, hunters can wind down, stretch their legs and enjoy all that Fredericksburg and Gillespie County has to offer. Live entertainment Live music of all styles and eras fills the Fredericksburg air every weekend as musicians entertain visitors and locals, alike, with styles ranging from soothing to up-beat, classical to rock and roll and everything in between. On weeknights and weekends, dozens of clubs, restaurants and dance halls feature live entertainment. There are also special theater productions, festivals and concerts that happen throughout the year. The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post features a weekly listing of live music in the “It’s On” section of the newspaper. The list is compiled by the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor
Bureau. Fredericksburg Theater Company Fredericksburg Theater Company will stage several events during hunting season, including “Nuncrackers.” The production will be presented Dec. 11-20, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The FTC will also have a special presentation of “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 20-22. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $29 for adults and $12 for kids ages 17 and under. Rockbox Theater Located “99 steps off Main Street,” the Rockbox Theater is a 392-seat indoor venue at 109 N. Llano St. that offers a wide assortment of live music,
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bands and tribute shows. Set on stage during hunting season are various events. The venue will be hosting a show called “Vinyl Radio: A Tribute to the 70’s.” It will feature some of the best Rock n’ Roll hits from that decade. This performance will be presented on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. They will also be hosting a piano show, titled “Howl-Oween: Howl at the Moon On Stage.” The performance will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Costumes are optional. More information and tickets are available at www.rockboxtheater.com.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Fredericksburg Theater Company typically hosts a variety of performances during the hunting season, such as “A Christmas Carol.” The venue will have a special presentation of “The Nutcracker” from Nov. 20-22. — Standard-Radio Post file photo
• Experience a gun show by Texas Gun and Knife Shows at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. Events are subject to change. Call Janice Hill at 830-285-0575 for up-to-date information. • Take a ghost tour with Fredericksburg Ghost Tours, www.fred-
Young’s
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ericksburgghosts.com. • Take friends and family to enjoy a large menu, live music and a full bar at Hondo’s on Main, located at 312 W. Main St. Call 830-997-1633 to see who is playing. • Buy propane supplies at Vapo Propane, 1201 E. Main Street. • Stock up on deer corn and other
2022 Sidney Baker Kerrville, TX (across from YO Hotel)
830-257-3663
We Buy & Sell: •
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hunting supplies at Allied Ag, 255 Loring Street, Stonewall. • Get hunting licenses, guns, ammo and camping supplies at Biedermann’s Ace Hardware, 1102 E. Main St., Ste. B or 830-997-7611. • Enjoy fresh meats, cheeses and sandwiches or pick up sausage-making supplies at Dutchman’s Market, Inc. at 1609 East Main St.
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HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
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Feeding the body, soul Groups donate processed wild game to help those in need
The Christian Bowhunters of America and Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry are both feeding the body and the soul. The purpose of these groups is to assist local and area communities by paying for the processing of wild game to help fill the need in local churches, families and food pantries. The meat is delivered in vacuumsealed packages that include a printed gospel message in both English and Spanish. The recipients are getting nourishment for the body and soul, said organizer Danny Bezet. To help continue their mission of providing meat year-round, the group needs help and support from the community. They are seeking legally harvested deer and or monetary donations to help with expenses. For more information, visit their website at huntforchrist.com or their social media pages on Instagram at: Christianbowhuntersoftexas, Facebook and YouTube at: Christian Bowhunters of Texas. Information is also available by contacting Bezet at 210-669-4543 or email him at dannybezet@yahoo.com. Anyone who has animals to donate or who would like to get involved is encouraged to contact him. “The incentive is that hunters will be
Danny Bezet delivers packages of processed and frozen wild game to local communities to help feed the needy through churches and food pantries. — Submitted photo
able to use their extra tags to harvest animals that will help feed hungry
families, and at no cost to the hunter,” Bezet said. “This places farmers and hunters back into their traditional roles as food providers in the community instead of the government. If you can’t afford to donate monetarily, just give us your deer, that’s all we ask!” Bezet said that the organization has donated approximately 4,300 pounds of packaged meat so far this year. The group’s annual goal is 8,000-plus pounds every year. According to Bezet, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr and Bandera counties can each use 300-600 pounds of processed wild game each month. Because of the continuous need for meat, the program accepts donations of any kind, including legally harvested wild game year-round. One processed animal can result in about 200 servings, Bezet said. The local chapter is a formal non-profit organization, Christian Bowhunters of Texas, Inc. that distributes wild game meat, bibles, Christian literature and Christian Bowhunter Magazines. They are partners with the Christian Bowhunters of America and The Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. “We are all blessed and have a responsibility to our communities to do whatever God is calling us to do for His glory and purpose,” Bezet said.
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
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Ready to share the success of the hunt? Newspaper offers guidelines for submitting deer photos for publication
The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post has set guidelines for 2020-2021 hunting season photo submissions for print. To qualify for free publication, photos must meet the following criteria: • All animals pictured must be legally-harvested following all Texas regulations; • Either the animal or the hunter must be from Gillespie County; • Only the hunter who shot the deer may appear in the photo with the animal — no exceptions; • Each hunter may submit no more than one photo per season — no exceptions; • The animal’s entire carcass must be present and attached to the head. (No caped out or head-only/antler-only photos will be accepted.) • Pictures of does or spikes will not be accepted; During regular business hours — Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — available staff photographers will take photos of those stopping in at the newspaper office, 712 West Main Street. (Such images are in digital format and reprints will be made available for purchase through the newspaper’s online site, found at: www.fredericksburgstandard.smugmug.com.) Submit a photo Hunters may submit color photographs by emailing original, unedited images as separate .jpg attachments to: fbgnews@freder-
icksburgstandard.com. Digital submissions should be 300 pixels per inch or higher in resolution. Pictures of low resolution or otherwise poor quality in regard to lighting, framing and sharpness, will not be accepted. Photos printed on home printers and taken with older cell phones are generally not acceptable. Complete and include the following information: 1. Name of the hunter and the city in which they live. 2. If the hunter is a youth, include his/her age, parents’ names and their cities of residence, if this was the hunter’s first buck and who was accompanying the youth while hunting. 3. Daytime contact phone number. 4. Specific location the deer was harvested (i.e. property or ranch name and general location in the county). 5. Time and date of the kill. 6. Number of points on the buck. (Newspaper staff will not be responsible for counting points, so that number must be provided before publication will take place.) 7. Measurements of the antlers, including width and height, and, if applicable, a Boone & Crockett score. 8. Field-dressed weight of the deer, if available. All photos from the 2020-2021 season will be published no later than the Feb. 3, 2021 issue. Any hunters wishing to see their photos in print should submit them in a timely manner so the photo may be processed properly in time prior to the cut-off date.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
Ready for opening day? Every great hunter knows that success throughout the season is more likely when not left to luck alone. Making sure to develop a game plan early will pay off in the late-autumn rut. Opening day for deer season began for bow hunters in 252 Texas counties on Oct. 3 and runs through Nov. 6. Rifle season follows and spans from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3 in the North Zone and Jan. 17 in the South, with a special South Zone late season lasting through Jan. 31. John Tomecek, Ph.D., is no stranger to this process. As a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist and an avid hunter and gamesman himself, Tomecek knows that when hunting, preparation is key. Ensuring that preparations are complete and everything is ready to go is half the battle, and half the fun, for many hunters looking to head out on opening day. “Good planning makes all the difference,” Tomecek said. “Planning should occur at the individual, party and property level. Individuals should know their goals and limitations and make a plan for achieving their goals during the season.” Making a game plan The best way to prepare is to scope out land and plots and talk with landowners to begin developing a plan. If they aren’t already, trail cameras should be set, and hunters should review footage — early and often — to pattern movement. Hunters should also take time to head out to their trails to clear brush and any debris that might have built up to pave the way for a clean shot and ensure easy access in and out of land around their stand or blind. This also includes having the foresight to check blinds for any damage and survey for unwelcome critters like raccoons, mice, bird or insect nests. This helps take care of unwanted surprises and alleviates any burden or time constraints hunters might run into if they
Hunters will be looking for their opportunity to take a shot when deer season opens. — Texas A&M AgriLife Extension photo
push it too close to opening day. “Nothing dulls the excitement of opening day more than discovering unexpected guests — like yellowjackets or black widow spiders — and having to make a rapid, noisy exit from your blind,” Tomecek said. While food plots should already be underway, making sure to monitor and maintain them through mowing, spraying, weeding and fertilization is a neverending task. Hunters should also make sure to routinely visit their plots before opening day to check for any signs of deer. All of this information will be helpful to hunters as they start to determine where to hunt and what times of day usually see high activity. While there is never any guarantee, keeping detailed notes about deer movement between now and opening day is a smart, easy way to increase the likelihood of a successful hunt. Routine gear inspection Strategizing is a good start, but at the end of the day it comes down to execution of that plan, which starts with making sure gear and equipment are ready to go. When it comes to hunting, there is plenty of equipment involved. From blinds to clothing, harvesting tools and rifles or bows, each piece of gear plays
an important role in hunting readiness. “Many hunters pull their gear out of storage right before the season begins, but hunters ought to spend time all year maintaining their gear and practicing their marksmanship,” Tomecek said. Smaller field-equipment preparations like checking batteries in flashlights and rangefinders are often overlooked steps, but ones that can have a big impact on ease of experience the first morning of the hunt. While clothing may not initially register as equipment, for deer hunters, ensuring that clothing is appropriate for weather and environmental hazards is a must. Folks should also take care to properly clean and treat clothing to eliminate odors. Deer have over 297 million olfactory receptors in their nose, making them incredibly sensitive to surrounding scents. Ultimately, Tomecek said at a minimum, bows and rifles should be inspected for safety and accuracy. Taking the time to sight in bows and rifles gives hunters plenty of time to find the right setup and adjustments that work for them, to assist in a quick, clean shot. Plus, it never hurts to get in a little extra target practice. Practice makes perfect, and hunting is definitely no
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post exception. Hunting is a sport of safety, and safety should go farther than responsible management of weaponry. For those in stands, returning home safely starts with double-checking access and safety equipment like ladders, climbing sticks, platforms, straps and harnesses for any rust, damage or breakage and replacing anything that raises concern. A proper, legal harvest A successful hunt is a safe and legal hunt. Before hitting the blinds on opening day, hunters should brush up on regulations enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, including those relating to licenses and permits, bag limits, tagging and chronic wasting disease. These regulations are put in place to ensure the long-term management of white-tail deer populations in Texas, and it is critical that hunters are familiar with them. “Always, check your Outdoor Annual for the areas in which you’re hunting. If you don’t carry the paper version, there’s a mobile application that works great, all available through Texas Parks and Wildlife,” Tomecek said. “Some general regulations apply everywhere. Check for special regulations in the county of harvest and be diligent at your recordkeeping.” Valid hunting licenses are required of Texas residents to hunt on public or private lands and can be purchased online or through various local retailers, along with tags and other permits. In the event of a successful harvest under a hunting license, one should be prepared to tag the animal and log the
hunt, immediately. The tag from the hunter’s license must be filled out with information pertaining to the type of deer and date of kill prior to field dressing. As long as evidence of tagging and proof of sex is ensured, deer can be transported. As a preparation for by-the-book field dressing, hunters should ensure that equipment used for field dressing is in good shape and easily accessible prior to opening day, either in the field, back at base or at a hunter’s residence. Knives and replacement blades should be sharpened and cleaned, and hunters should take time to pack disposable gloves. When it comes to processing the meat, Tomecek said those looking to butcher their own game should do research ahead of time. “Online resources make this far easier than it once was,” he said. “Otherwise, there are many quality professional game processors across the state.” A final consideration for hunters in CWD Containment and Surveillance Zones is following protocol for reporting of Chronic Wasting Disease, a contagious, deadly disease in deer that causes a variety of somatic and neurological symptoms and poses a threat to conservation of deer in Texas. Deer harvested in these localized zones, must be taken to check stations managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department within 48 hours. A greater appreciation Hunting is as much a sport as it is a livelihood for individuals, families and local communities.
“For many, opening day is the return to familiar places, smells and sights,” Tomecek said. “The air is electric with the promise and excitement of the coming weeks. It can be very busy in communities where hunting is a cornerstone of the local economy, as a kind of nature tourism.” It’s this very draw to nature that sends thousands of residents and visitors to the field. “Hunting is not all about harvesting an animal, it’s about interacting with the natural world around you in a very basic way — being a part of the ecosystem,” Tomecek explained. He cited documented evidence, which promotes that time spent outdoors increases personal health and teaches hunters, young and old, a variety of critical skills. It also puts food on the table for thousands of Texans each year, while helping manage the white-tailed deer population statewide. Harvesting of deer comes with great reward, but also great responsibility. Key to assuming this responsibility as a hunter is being informed and prepared prior to opening day. “Hunting is a tradition that requires a great deal of learning and time in the field,” Tomecek said. “I would suggest that folks seek out an experienced hunter as a mentor. There’s no shortage of folks glad to help a new hunter. These mentorships serve as a great reminder that even the best hunters didn’t become an expert overnight.” Visit Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Outdoor Annual page for more information on hunting restrictions and regulations of white-tailed deer in Texas.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
Two apps that can make hunting season easier Texas hunters and anglers may be familiar with the printed Outdoor Annual booklet that has been a staple of tackle boxes and glove compartments for years, they may not be aware that the Outdoor Annual is now available as a mobile app. TPWD’s two free mobile apps give customers more choice in how they access information on important regulations. My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile app offers • Harvest reporting opportunity of eastern turkey, white-tailed deer and alligator gar harvest; • Registration for public hunting sites through the Annual Public Hunt Permit (APH); • Quick mandatory harvest reporting of all antlerless deer harvest (which are required to be reported within 24 hours of harvest) in Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Waller, Washington, and Wilson counties. Counties also included in that change are Goliad, Jackson, Victoria and Wharton counties north of U.S. Highway 59 and Comal, Hays and Travis, east of IH-35. • The My Texas Hunt Harvest app at tpwd.texas.gov/myhunt or by going to a cell phone download app store and typing in My Texas Hunt Harvest and downloading the app. Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app offers • Updated hunting, fishing and boating regulations for the new
Hunting is one of Gillespie County’s big attractions in the fall and winter. White-tailed deer hunting’s general season starts Saturday, Nov. 7 and ends Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. — Standard-Radio Post file photo season; • Access to TPWD free hunting guide; • Access to offline access to regulations once the app is downloaded; • Access location-based information on hunting seasons and freshwater fishing locations (including water body specific regulations, access points and fishing reports); • Ability for a hunter to view his or her license within the app; • The Texas Outdoor Annual app in app stores, at OutdoorAnnual. com or by texting TPWD OA to 468-311 to receive a download link.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Hunters for the Hungry helps those in need Hunters who want to help others and not see their sport go to waste this season can donate the meat they harvest to a program that helps the needy. “Hunters for the Hungry” is a statewide program associated with Feeding Texas, formerly the Texas Food Bank Network. The program helps ease hunger in the state through donated meat. Since its inception in 1997, the program has provided more than 2.6 million pounds of meat — over 10 million servings — to hungry Texans. Last year, food banks distributed more than 145,093 pounds of meat or 580,372 servings to the hungry. The program connects a hunter with participating deer/meat processors and the meat is distributed through food banks. Although it doesn’t donate to individuals, those in need of food should call 211, visit www.211texas.org or contact a food assistance provider directly. Gillespie County processors accepting
donations for this season include: • Rabke’s Table Ready Meats, 3875 Eckert Road, Willow City; 830-6853266. Other participating processors in the Hill Country area include one in Kerr County: • Milton Bernhard Meat Processing, 2920 Junction Highway, Ingram; 830367-2995. For a complete list of Texas processors, visit the website of the Hunters for the Hungry sponsor, the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc., (TACAA) at: www.feedingtexas.org/get-involved/hunt and click on the hyperlink “participating meat processors.” To donate deer for the Hunters for the Hungry program, hunters should bring their legally tagged and field dressed deer to a participating meat processor. There is no processing fee this year as meat processors are reimbursed through donations from hunters who donate when purchasing hunting and
fishing licenses or through online donations. The participating meat processor will then prepare the meat and get it to a local food assistance provider. Other wild game will not be accepted by processors for this program. Hunters for the Hungry cannot accept meat that has already been processed, but can help find a food assistance provider who may be able to accept it directly. Another Hill Country processor participating in a similar program is Schneider’s Deer Processing. Owner Greg Schneider processes about 20-25 deer that are donated and once processed, donates the meat to the Fredericksburg Food Pantry and other area churches. Schneider’s is located at 731 Mustang Street in Fredericksburg. Call 990-0420 for more information. More information about the Hunters for the Hungry program is available by calling 512-527-3613 or email hfth@ tfbn.org.
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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Doss groups cancel annual chili supper, bake sale Doss Community Improvement Club will not host its annual Chili and Tamale Supper at the Doss Community Center this year. The chili supper is normally held on the first
Saturday of hunting season, will not be held in 2020 due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. St. Peter Lutheran Church Women’s bake sale has also been canceled this year.
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830-257-4486 416 Earl Garrett • Kerrville, Texas 78028 www.heartothehillstaxidermy.com
HILL COUNTRY HUNTING
Sunrise, sunset The times given below are the general times of sunrise and sunset for Gillespie County, Texas, for the general hunting season (in the northern zone) — Nov. 7 through Jan. 3, 2021. Texas is in the Central Standard Time Zone. Nov. 7, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021 Day
A.M. P.M. Rise Set
NOVEMBER 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
6:52 5:44 6:53 5:43 6:53 5:42 6:54 5:42 6:55 5:41 6:56 5:41 6:57 5:40 6:57 5:40 6:58 5:39 6:59 5:39 7:00 5:38 7:01 5:38 7:01 5:37 7:02 5:37 7:03 5:37 7:04 5:36 7:05 5:36 7:06 5:36 7:06 5:36 7:07 5:35 7:08 5:35 7:09 5:35 7:10 5:35
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7:10 5:35
DECEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
7:11 5:35 7:12 5:35 7:13 5:35 7:13 5:35 7:14 5:35 7:15 5:35 7:16 5:35 7:16 5:36 7:17 5:36 7:18 5:36 7:18 5:36 7:19 5:36 7:20 5:37 7:20 5:37 7:21 5:37 7:22 5:38 7:22 5:38 7:23 5:38 7:23 5:39 7:24 5:39 7:24 5:40 7:25 5:40 7:25 5:41 7:26 5:41 7:26 5:42 7:27 5:42 7:27 5:43 7:27 5:44 7:28 5:44 7:28 5:45 7:28 5:46
JANUARY 1 2 3
7:29 5:46 7:29 5:47 7:29 5:48
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