TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS MAGAZINE - Fall 2023

An encounter in the field at an early age triggers a young girls dream to be a Texas Game Warden. Now celebrating 20 years of service, she has never looked back.

Dove Hunters

Official Publication of the Texas Hunters Association TexasDoveHuntersMagazine.com

Publisher

TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS, LLC

Editor

SUSAN THORNTON

Graphic Design

STUDIO SYKES

Contributing Photographers

TERRY ALLEN

JEFF BONNER

DARE TO AIM PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH DOCKERY

CHASE FOUNTAIN

JAY SCHWISOW

JOSHUA CREEK RANCH

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE

DEPARTMENT

Contributors

BRIAN COOK

BAILEY DUNKS

MEREDITH KAY

REIS LADD

JEN SHUGERT

NATE SKINNER

Advertising Sales CINDY JENNINGS

Printing SHWEIKI MEDIA, SAN ANTONIO, TX

Cover Photo Courtesy

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE

DEPARTMENT © 2022, CHASE FOUNTAIN, TPWD

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TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS MAGAZINE is published bi-annually by Texas Dove Hunters, LLC (Publisher). Reproduction in any manner in whole or part is prohibited without the express written consent of the Publisher. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS MAGAZINE reserves the right to edit materials for clarity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS

MAGAZINE does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial, nor does the Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our office to be used subject to the discretion and review of the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. © 2023 Texas Dove Hunters, LLC.

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Dove Economics

Opening day generates millions of dollars in sales in the hunting industry.

Rachel Kellner

There are times when we start to question some of the things going on in our country, especially when it’s happening here at home in Texas. But amidst any political unrest, one thing many of us count on is when we can get to the field to hunt. Suddenly all is right with the world, and we forget about everything other than the game we pursue. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves how thankful and fortunate we are for our right to hunt. Not to talk politics, but your vote counts. When you vote, please take time to research the candidates to see where they stand on the 2nd amendment and where they stand when it comes to hunting.

As I get older, I become more sentimental. I often find myself thinking about my grandfather and his farm. Papa would take me dove hunting in the milo field, quail hunting in the pasture, turkey hunting down by the creek, and white-tail deer hunting in a handmade brushed-in blind. The farm is where I first learned to flyfish and set droplines for catfish. Papa introduced me to the joys and wonders of the pursuit of wildlife. With all of the attacks on the on the 2nd amendment, it saddens me to think it could end someday due to some unjust agenda. I, for one, will forever support all efforts to preserve our hunting heritage and outdoor activities.

It’s now August, and the hunting world is starting to come alive. Hunting tradeshows are happening, licenses go on sale mid-month, hunting supply stores are building displays, and you can find sales in many outdoor stores. August is by far the busiest month of the year for TDHA. Not only are we participating in tradeshows and outdoor events, memberships and TBBC entries are rolling in fast and furiously. We are also trapping and releasing 800 more banded Eurasian Collared Doves for the Texas BB Challenge. More than 4,600 birds have been banded and released since the program started. The data is becoming more telling, revealing results that are showing consistency from year to year. The Texas BB Challenge not only provides us with data on the Eurasian Collared dove, but is also fun for those who are entered in the contest. Each year we continue to grow in number of entrants and new prizes.

Finally, I want to extend a special thank you to our men and women in green, the Texas Game Wardens. They spend their days working to preserve the wildlife we love and enforcing laws meant to keep us safe. As an official State Police, a warden never knows what the day or night may bring. If a warden should enter your field while hunting, remember to treat them with the respect they deserve. If you’re obeying the laws, you have nothing to worry about.

Feeling optimistic about the 2023-2024 season.

Take a kid hunting, Bobby Thornton

Texas Dove Hunters Association promotes strong family unity through hunting and outdoor programs. We are committed to research, education and habitat conservation.

TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS ASSOCIATION CORPORATE OFFICE

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FOUNDER Bobby Thornton

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Myrna Hassfield

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER Christine Sykes

Texas Game Warden Not Just a Job, It’s a Way of Life

By Nate Skinner

Photo by DareToAim Photography

achel Kellner is serving her 20th year as a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) State Game Warden. Throughout her career and service, she has displayed an unwavering passion for her job, going above and beyond the call of duty to serve the community and its members, as well as the wildlife and natural resources of the Lone Star State.

Kellner grew up as an only child on what used to be known as the Katy prairie. The area has since succumbed to urbanization and become a part of the greater Houston area. She said that her dad treated her like both a son and a daughter, and introduced her to hunting and fishing early on in her childhood. Kellner’s family has a farm along the Brazos River in Waller County, where she was raised hunting, fishing, and recreating along the river as much as she possibly could.

At 12 years old I told my dad that I wanted to become a game warden.

“The outdoors became a huge part of my life at a very young age,” Kellner said. “I remember being about 12 years old on a goose hunt with my dad when a game

Kellner attended college at Texas A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Parks Tourism Science and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. During her senior year of college, she became an intern with TPWD, where she had the opportunity to shadow game wardens in and around College Station. Shortly after graduating from Texas A&M, Kellner was accepted into the Game Warden Academy and became a Texas Game Warden.

Until 2020, Kellner spent the majority of her career in Uvalde. It was here where she began her service after graduating from the Game Warden Academy, and the area has and will forever hold a special place in her heart.

“When I was 14 years old, my dad and I started hunting in south Texas,” Kellner said. “Instead of just hunting around our family farm for a few hours on any given day, I went with dad on trips that would last several days.

warden crossed over the rice fields on a fourwheeler to check us. Immediately, I asked my dad who was approaching us, as this was my very first encounter with a game warden.”

Kellner said tells how the warden checked their hunting licenses and visited with them for a few minutes.

“I was absolutely enamored by the fact that that’s what he got to do all day long for his job,” she said. “At 12 years old, it looked like he was just prowling around the outdoors, visiting with hunters and different folks. From that moment on, I told my dad that I wanted to become a game warden, and my affinity for the job has not wavered since.”

When I was 14 years old, my dad and I started hunting in south Texas.

The memories I made on those hunting trips with my Dad are extremely special to me, and they all took place in and around the Uvalde area and south Texas.”

Because of all of the great memories that she made with her dad in south Texas, Kellner put Uvalde at the top of her wish list for her preferred duty station upon graduating from the Game Warden Academy, and low and behold, she got stationed there.

“At the time, there had never been a female game warden in south Texas, and I stayed in Uvalde for 17 years,” she said.

While working in Uvalde, Kellner and her husband, Charlie, settled on their very own piece of south Texas property, where they could walk out and go hunting in their backyard. The property had a creek and tank, and her oldest son harvested his first deer there.

“I was seemingly working in the deer and dove hunting capital of Texas,” Kellner said. “Dove hunting was something that I always loved to do, and it was incredible to just be able to step outside of our home and go dove hunting whenever we wanted to during dove season.”

During the 17 years she served in Uvalde, Kellner felt it was important to commit to living there and being a part of the community.

“The Uvalde area was where I wanted to raise my kids,” she said. “It’s where we went to church as a family. I

really made an effort to become an integral part of the community and its school system.”

Kellner described working in Uvalde as her dream job. She was happy to go to work every day because she was outdoors doing the things that she loved.

“There were times that I got to take pictures with kids who had just harvested their first deer or caught their first fish,” Kellner said. “I also caught road hunters and other poachers. I was living the stories that game wardens before me had told, and it was just a very special time. I loved every minute of it.”

In Kellner’s opinion, the Uvalde area was a great place to raise her kids because they were exposed to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, every day. She and her husband have three children; two sons, Dixon, 15 and Kasen, 12 and a daughter, Callie who is 9.

“My kids were blessed to grow up with plentiful opportunities to spend time fishing and hunting on our own property where we lived, as well as on surrounding ranches and properties owned by other community members,” Kellner said. “Our house and property were in the south zone for dove season, but we always knew folks that had property just north of us, in the central zone, who would invite us out so that we could go hunting with our kids on September 1st for opening day.”

In November of 2020, Kellner was promoted from a field

game warden to Lieutenant and became a program coordinator, which prompted her and her family to move to the small town of Aleman, right outside of Hamilton. She now oversees the TPWD Game Warden Internship Program and the career development program, which consists of ride-alongs. Kellner is also in charge of game warden recruitment for the state, as well as diversity and inclusion.

Social media has become an important part of Kellner’s game warden recruitment efforts. She manages an Instagram page called Texas Game Warden Recruiting which showcases what cadet life looks like, what an internship entails, and what it takes to become a Texas Game Warden.

Kellner has always been passionate about community outreach, and getting women involved in the outdoors and nature. Before the pandemic in 2020, she along with four other women, started an organization called Women Who Wander. The organization held events that included kayaking, skeet shooting, fly fishing, and numerous other outdoor activities involving about 800 women participants.

Recently, Kellner helped organize the first Texas Game Warden Women’s conference with TPWD Game Warden and statewide recruiter Chelsea Bailey. This event included female game wardens

and other female law enforcement members and leaders.

Kellner is also involved with the TPWD game warden Critical Incident Team (CIT). Prior to her promotion to Lieutenant, she was the leader of this team and in charge of West Texas for many years. The Critical Incident Team provides peer support to other game wardens who are involved in life-changing incidents.

Her career as a game warden has been a huge part of Kellner’s life. She has been able to have a full circle experience, from being an intern to becoming a field game warden to now having a more administrative role where she can have a positive influence on policy and the future of Texas Game Wardens. She hopes to create positive changes within the program, that will better serve all future Texas Game Wardens.

It’s safe to say that the title of Texas Game Warden has not simply been an occupation or career for Kellner, but rather, it is who she is. And if you ask her, she’ll tell you that she’s dang sure proud of it.

THE TEXAS PHEASANT HUNT

By Reis Ladd

Maile was the first girl I ever loved. She came into my life in the early 2000s with the most beautiful blonde hair, spunky attitude, and a love for bird hunting that matched my own. I was in the second grade, and she was a yellow lab, my first bird dog. My dad recalls a story one afternoon in a dove field as Maile and I were headed off after a cripple into a milo stubble field. I had my 20 gauge Mossberg over my shoulder, and Maile was zig-zagging in front with her nose to the ground; a white barn to the east glowed a brilliant pink as it reflected the setting sun. Maile flushed the bird, and I made the follow-up shot. She delivered to hand, and my dad watched as we both made our way back to his position. All he could say was, “That was the most beautiful scene I could imagine. Almost like y’all were pheasant hunting.”

Photo courtesy of Joshua Creek Ranch

History and Hunting

When most think of pheasant hunting, the states of the Great Plains harbor most of the conversation. South Dakota, in particular, has ingrained the ring-neck pheasant so much so into their culture they have pinned it as their state bird. Originally from Asia, the ring-necked pheasant was first introduced into the Willamette Valley of Oregon in the 1880s. Since then, dozens of states across the country have done the same, including Texas. In the 1930s, pheasants were introduced into the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge along the Texas coast. Unfortunately, this population failed, but in the decades following, wild birds from Oklahoma and Kansas, coupled with private stocking efforts, made their way to the Texas Panhandle and established a thriving population.

The first Texas pheasant hunting season was established in 1958 in Dallam County of the Panhandle. Since then, bag limits, season durations, and counties open to pheasant hunting have varied. In 1976 Texas Parks and Wildlife even opened a season in 7 counties across the Coastal Bend after once again attempting to

restock the area. Over the next several decades, TPWD released over 17,000 birds in the area, but the habitat eventually proved incompatible, and the last of the coastal counties were closed to pheasant hunting in 2012.

Today 37 Texas counties remain open to pheasant hunting, all of which reside in the Panhandle and Southern Plains region of northern Texas. The daily Bag limit is 3 roosters with a possession limit of 9 roosters, and hunters must obtain the Upland Game Bird endorsement.

Wild pheasant harvest and hunters peaked in the late 1980s, but due to a combination of changes in habitat and drought, unfortunately, numbers have trended down ever since.

John McLaughlin, Upland Game Bird Program Leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife, said the following, “The Texas pheasant has been in survival mode for the last 4-5 years due to ongoing drought, excessive heat, and loss of cover. We really need 2-3 years of above average or at least average rainfall.”

Hopes are high, though, as the beginning of 2023 has been promising for the colorful cackling pheasant.

“The general conversation now is one of encouragement because of the recent rain in the spring of 2023. I would expect elevated production this year,” said McLaughlin.

Even though populations have decreased in recent years for the wild Texas pheasant, the hunting and conservation culture centered around the bird still runs deep. Dustin McNabb, Regional Representative of Texas for Pheasants Forever, was born and raised on the Southern High Plains and has been hunting pheasants in the area since 1998. McNabb confirmed populations may not be what they used to be. His outlook is not one of doom and gloom, but rather persistence and passion.

“There is still a wild population in Texas. If a hunter is committed to reaching out for permission and ready for some hard walking and hard hunting, they can be successful. The birds haven’t left, they have just moved!” said McNabb.

The pheasant hunting culture in this region of Texas is such that historically multiple towns even hosted their own guided pheasant hunts through their Chamber of Commerce. The town of Olton, Texas still hosts their annual guided pheasant hunt today and has since the mid-1980s.

Fortunately for the avid upland hunter, the Panhandle is not the only region of Texas one can go to satisfy their pheasant hunting addiction.

Joshua Creek

Joshua Creek Ranch is a world-renowned wing shooting lodge located just outside Boerne, Texas.

Since 1990 Joshua Creek Ranch has primarily focused on offer-

ing some of the best upland bird hunting one can find. Hunters can choose between a traditional walk up style hunt for pheasants, quail, and chukar or a driven hunt. Traditional walk up style hunts are typically over 6-8 highly trained dogs of various breeds, a sight most hunters can’t help but proclaim. Hunters are also given the option to bring their own dogs.

The driven hunt enables hunters to remain stationary and in larger groups with high volumes of birds coming to them. Additionally, this year Joshua Creek is enhancing their driven shooting program by introducing a more traditional and exclusive high-volume European-style driven shooting experience.

While the hunting at Joshua Creek is second to none, the preserve is best known for its complete experience. Kevin Welborn, Managing Director at Joshua Creek Ranch stated the following:

“The whole package is what we are best known for. Hunting is as good as it gets on Earth, with Five-Star lodging, incredible food, and lots of activities like sporting clays and fishing. It truly is the end-to-end experience.”

The evolution of an upland bird hunter seems to progress in a few directions, one of which is an infatuation with the ringnecked pheasant. But why? What is it that possesses a hunter to potentially walk miles on end for three birds a day in often less-than-ideal conditions?

Undoubtedly, their striking coloration, excellent table fare, and exciting explosive cackling flush are reasons, but Danny Glenn, member of the High Plains chapter of Pheasants Forever, potentially said it best.

“There’s nothing better than watching a good dog work and the fellowship back at camp. After you have hunted with a good dog, that you may have trained, and they flush and deliver to hand that big beautiful bird, it’s like the grand slam home run.”

Maile girl is long since gone, but that scene of a mock pheasant hunt is one I plan to duplicate with my now 5 year old yellow lab, Jack. This time over the real thing and in my home state.

DOVE ECONOMICS

By Reis Ladd

Opening day for any sportsman or outdoorsman carries with it a palpable anticipation. One can almost taste it or seemingly run their fingers through it like a hill country creek. The dove season opener is the opener of all openers, marking not only the first day of dove season but also the “New Year’s Day” of the upcoming hunting seasons to follow.

Growing up, the dove opener was a holiday in the Ladd household. It was so much so that teachers at my small elementary school eventually stopped asking where I was going on September 1st. Instead, they started wishing me luck and asking for pictures upon my return. Every year, Dad and I would roll into the field on opening day after-

noon and start unloading all of the neatly organized gear in the back seat. Never once did I think about where it all came from, when it got there, or how much it cost.

Each year between 300,000 and 400,000 dove hunters take to the field in Texas alone, producing an economic impact of over $300 million across the state. Second only to the white-tailed deer hunter in numbers, dove hunting efforts in Texas support a bolstering tourism scene and bring millions of dollars to rural communities every year. These costs are distributed amongst all facets of a dove hunt such as travel and access, but arguably the most interesting and nuanced is gear. Certain sects of hunters self-classify as “Gear Junkies” and acquire their necessities sporadically

throughout the year, while others take a more “just in time” approach. Coincidentally these two usually hunt together. Regardless, our hunting supply stores must plan for both.

TIMING

Unlike my dad, who is seemingly never under-supplied for a dove hunt, I am usually picking up shells just before the stores close the night before the hunt begins. This brings about the question of when our hunting supply stores actually begin stocking shelves with dove hunting gear.

Lance Coté, Wildlife Specialist for Mumme’s in Hondo, claims that although they begin stocking dove hunting gear in early August, the majority of their business comes later. “Yes, we start ramping up in August, but truthfully 75% of our dove hunting sales come the day of the hunt,” said Coté.

Bailey Dunks with Los Cazadores informed me that their ramp-up for dove season begins August 1st in preparation for opening day.

“Dove is the opener for our fall seasons, but we can’t even call it a soft launch. We are super busy!” said Dunks.

Neil Tyler has been a Hunting Manager at Scheels in The Colony, Tx since 2021 and stated the following.

“We generally roll out our dove hunting gear in the middle of June just around Father’s Day and will sell a few items that early. Our biggest push though, is the week right before the season begins.”

Interestingly this is Scheels only location in Texas, but it is the company’s largest store in the nation.

SUPPLY CHAIN

In today’s day and age, there is still a looming concern of lingering supply chain issues, and for good reason. In the years post pandemic, the outdoor industry experienced general difficulties acquiring goods, especially ammunition. Shot shells for dove hunting were no exception.

“Although we ramp up our dove hunting gear in August, shotshell buying is 365 days a year. The supply chain has definitely gotten better in the last couple of years, but it’s still not back to what it was pre-Covid,” said Coté

Jason Hendrick, General Manager of Hoffpauir’s Ranch & Supply in Lampasas said, “we have ammo on hand yearround, but we pre-book large amounts of shotgun shells in February of each year and put up our dove hunting displays the first week of August.”

TOP SELLERS

While not often as technical as the majority of big game hunts, the Texas dove hunting culture undoubtedly takes pride in their favorite pieces of gear. Seemingly regardless of the size or location of the hunting supply stores across our state, the top five pieces of gear dove hunters buy from year to year trend as follows:

1. AMMUNITION

12 gauge, 20 gauge, and 28 gauge shot shells seem to be most popular among dove hunters today. 12 gauge is often readily available, but hunting supply stores are finding it difficult to keep 20 gauge and 28 gauge in stock.

2. MOTION DECOYS

The MOJO dove revolutionized the dove hunting market over 20 years ago and to this day, it, and others like it, remain one of the top-selling pieces of dove hunting gear.

3. DOVE BELT/VEST

Although probably not bought every year, the dove belt, or vest, ranks near the top. With all the customization options and designer brands available today, the dove belt or vest is the dove hunter’s chance to flaunt their fashion.

4. DOVE BUCKET/STOOL

From the 2 in 1 insulated pivoting bucket seat of the early 90s to the ergonomic options available today, dove chairs can range from as low as $10 to upwards of $200.

5. CLOTHING

More likely a result of the “might as well while we are here” mindset. Dove hunters continue to add to their camouflage repertoire year in and year out come the dove season opener.

Given the various pieces of gear potentially coupled with the excitement for the opener of the much anticipated hunting seasons, on average, the Texas dove hunter spends around $500 per year purchasing gear from the local hunting supply stores.

My father, the “Gear Junkie,” and I, “the just in time” purchaser may be in two different camps, but the questions remain, which is more common? Which is better?

Overwhelmingly, from stores as large as Scheels to locally owned brick-and-mortars Hoffpauir’s Ranch & Supply, Los Cazadores and Mumme’s, the vast majority of sales pertinent to dove hunting take place the week before the season opener. Additionally, many hunters find themselves in the store the day of their hunt grabbing last minute shells or gear they recently realized needs replacing. The current state of the market allows Texas dove hunters to find, at least, ammunition throughout the year, but if looking to replace any of the other top sellers in one’s dove hunting setup, mid-summer is a good time to start looking.

There is nothing quite like waltzing into the local hunting supply store in August and noticing the changing tides from summer heat to the impending dove season. Flats of shotgun shells displayed throughout the store, and dove stools standing in the place where the beach chairs once were. Whether you are a member of my dad’s camp and have been stocking up since last year’s close or are waiting until the day of like I so often find myself doing, the opener is finally here and it’s time to head to the dove field together.

Which is better? I hope to keep arguing with my Dad about it for many seasons to come.

Every year, DSC hosts its annual Convention that raises funds for grants in conservation, education, and advocacy. The four-day 2024 DSC Convention is open to the public and will fill over 800,000 square feet with 1,000 exhibitors featuring outfitted hunts, firearms, gear, wildlife art and much more.

Mark your calendars! DSC 2024 Convention – January 11-14

Los Cazadores Deer Contest

What

does it mean to be “the Hunter?”

By Bailey Dunks General Manager, Los Cazadores

Los Cazadores is currently considered the world’s largest deer contest, showcasing well over 100 categories and divisions that span the current hunting interests around the Lone Star State. Founded in Cotulla, Texas in 1986 by Darwin Avant, the Los Cazadores Big Buck Contest is known to hone in some of the best White-tailed deer the Golden Triangle has to offer. As the contest has grown in fame, it has attracted the likes of celebrities such as George Strait, an avid hunter in South Texas, along with many more die-hard deer hunters who wanted the title of winning the “Los Cazadores” Big Buck Contest.

Thousands of deer are entered each year and the contest has quickly become a deep-rooted family tradition in South Texas. Still thriving in the culture today, Los Cazadores has

expanded far beyond just South Texas. Many current contest participants have religiously been entering deer since the contests inception which has led to including the incoming generations of family and friends keeping the fun and tradition of the deer contest alive.

Los Cazadores takes pride and care in preserving the traditions of the hunter and the hunting industry. So, what does it mean to be “The Hunter?” This is a broad question as almost everyone could answer this differently. For a lot of us, hunting is something we had the pleasure of growing up with. Maybe your dad or grandfather instilled an interest of all things outdoors in you at a very young age and that has led to some of your favorite memories. Maybe you didn’t grow up in a hunting family and discovered it on your own and it has certainly led to some of the best times in your life. Either way, the hunter’s passion for the outdoors is unwavering, to say the least.

A healthy mix between primal and pleasure is usually the concoction needed to produce an avid outdoorsman. Why is it so painfully hard to wake up before the crack of dawn for any general activity such as work or obligations, but so blissfully exciting to wake up before the sun knowing that you’re going to get to watch the sunrise and wake up with nature? Do you ever wonder why coffee smells and tastes so much better when drinking it in a deer blind? Or why those branches 250 yards away just might have you convinced it’s the biggest buck you’ve seen all season? Every rustle of the bush or sound of what might be something coming in, gets your blood pumping in a way that you could never explain to someone who has never experienced that feeling.

“The hunter” is someone who embodies what it means to have true “primal passion.” I often wonder if our ancestors felt the same way when hunting. Did our great, great, great grandpar-

ents experience what is widely known as “buck fever?” Was the feeling different then, knowing that getting a deer on the ground meant your family could eat versus today, where most hunting is considered a passion hobby, or way of life? I have to believe the moment you pull that trigger or release that arrow, the feeling that takes over your body and mind is the same instinctively primal feeling that took over someone 1,000 years ago, but now it’s evolved for modern-day reasons.

For Los Cazadores participants, harvesting a deer probably goes something like this;

PHASE ONE: “Buck Fever” takes over you as you line up the crosshairs to where you want to hit. You exhale, pull the trigger, and the deer goes down. More buck fever, make sure deer is actually down, the deer is, in fact, actually down. Approach with caution, relish in the excitement, take initial photos and send to your buddies. Then load up, gut your deer, pose and take more photos.

PHASE TWO: Take deer to Los Cazadores for scanning and scoring and submitting to the contest. Then you decide on the specifics of your meat processing order and taxidermy pose.

PHASE THREE: Your deer gets on the leaderboard for the contest. You win a famous Los Cazadores jacket and prizes. You come to celebrate your award-winning harvest at the Annual Awards Banquet with friends and family, you sign up for the upcoming seasons’ contest, and repeat. This has been a tradition for over 35 years and will continue for many more to come. This is what it means to be

For more information on the deer contest, visit loscazadores.com

This article is dedicated to the loving memory of my Grandfather, Jimmy Dunks, devoted customer of Los Cazadores and inspiration for “The Hunter.”

“Los Cazador” AKA, “The Hunter."

NORTH ZONE

That portion of the state north of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; thence north along FM 1088 to State Highway 20; thence west along State Highway 20 to State Highway 148; thence north along State Highway 148 to Interstate Highway 10 at Fort Hancock; thence east along Interstate Highway 10 to Interstate Highway 20; thence northeast along Interstate Highway 20 to Interstate Highway 30 at Fort Worth; thence northeast along Interstate Highway 30 to the TexasArkansas state line.

CENTRAL ZONE

That portion of the state between the North Zone and the South Zone.

SOUTH ZONE

That portion of the state south of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge in Del Rio; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 277 Spur to U.S. Highway 90 in Del Rio; thence east along U.S. Highway 90 to State Loop 1604; thence following Loop 1604 south and east, then north, to Interstate Highway 10; thence east along Interstate Highway 10 to the Texas-Louisiana Line.

2023-2024 DOVE SEASON DATES & REGULATIONS

North Zone

September 1 – November 12, 2023

December 15, 2023 – December 31, 2023

Central Zone

September 1 – October 29, 2023

December 15, 2023 – January 14, 2024

South Zone

September 14 – October 29, 2023

December 15, 2023 – January 21, 2024

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

TDHA Banded Bird, If harvested call 210-764-1189

Federal Banded Bird, If harvested: Report at reportband.gov

Public Hunting: tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public

Operation Game Thief: Witness a Violation, call 800-792-4263

Special White-Winged Dove Days

September 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10, 2023 (SWWDD shooting hours noon to sunset)

Shooting Hours: Unless otherwise noted, one-half hour before sunrise to sunset

Daily Bag Composition*

15 mourning, white-winged and white-tipped (white-fronted) doves in aggregate, to include not more than 2 white-tipped (white-fronted doves. *No more than two Mourning doves and two white-tipped doves during Special White-Winged Dove Days

Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Migratory game Bird Stamp & HIP Certification required.

Texas Dove Hunters Association 210-764-1189

SAFETY TIPS & HUNTING ETIQUETTE

n Always wear ear & eye protection.

n Snake boots or leggings are recommended.

n Keep your gun vertical for safety when around others.

n Double check that your gun is empty before leaving the field.

n Be cautious of your distance between other hunters being mindful to avoid cutting off their flight pattern.

n If not an over & under or a side by side, all guns MUST have a plug allowing no more than three shells.

n Observe shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset (except on special white-winged dove days which are noon to sunset.)

n Only keep one gauge of shells in your bag or vest.

n Look closely for snakes and kick around the area before reaching for your downed dove.

n When not in the field, keep breech open on a double barrel and action open on semi-autos & pumps.

n Abide by all TPWD rules and regulations.

n Refrain from shooting at birds on the ground or off of highlines.

n Pick up your trash.

n Properly dispose of harvest remains after cleaning your birds.

n Close all gates behind you.

n Always pick up your empty shells, plus one!

Premier Dove Hunting

Day hunts and corporate packages available Lodges in Cotulla and Uvalde BOOK TODAY!

CHARLES HERNDON: 830.900.4766 • INFO@DOVEHUNTTEXAS.COM

• Corporate and Group Package Hunts

• All Hunting Packages include Meals and Lodging

• Lodging for 12 at Each Location

• 7 Stand Skeet Range

AN UNPARALLELLED EXPERIENCE

Guided Sandhill Crane, Goose,

and Dove hunts Lubbock and surrounding areas

FULL THROTTLE OUTDOORS (214) 263-4604 Jacob@fullthrottlehunting.com

210-264-8518

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Locations: Castroville & Brackettville Central & South Zones

• Sunflower, Milo Fields, Water Holes

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• Trophy Whitetail, World Class Exotics, Turkey

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Texas’ finest white-wing and mourning dove hunting in south zone flight corridors.

Weekday

White Winged and Mourning Dove Hunts

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2 lakes surrounded by mesquite trees

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Getting Women Outdoors

One Adventure at a Time

By Meredith Kay

When a “girls’ trip” includes rifles, shotguns, fishing gear, tents, and camo, you can bet that the girls on the trip are going to be adventurous and ready for anything. And more than likely, they are going to be from Texas.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Texas Women’s Outdoors (T.W.O.), an organization bringing together women of all ages and ethnicities with one steadfast thing in common, a love of the outdoors. What started as a simple Facebook post to see if there were any women interested in an all-female camping trip to Lake Whitney in 2021 during post-pandemic restlessness, Texas Women’s Outdoors has grown into a thriving organization that has attracted over 1,700 women across Texas, and beyond.

The group was started by Kelly Godfrey, who lives in Comanche with her husband, Jayme, and their two children, Johnathan, (5) and Katherine (3). Kelly was born in Katy and moved around the state with her family until settling in Comanche. She graduated from Tarleton State with a bachelor of science in Wildlife Management and Biology. Her love of the outdoors led to her career as a park ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers before deciding to stay home to care for her kids while her husband advanced in his career with Union Pacific Railroads, which often took him out of town.

Kelly feels it’s important to teach kids about the outdoors, conservation, and sustainable skills, but she missed the special camaraderie that comes from sharing outdoor adventures with other women. So, she reached out on social media, never imagining that the idea would spread so quickly and so positively. From that first camping trip, Kelly started a Facebook group and saw the membership continue to grow. When the group grew to several hundred ladies interested in communal outdoor adventures, Kelly made Texas Women’s Outdoors, L.L.C. official and started to charge registration fees to cover the costs of organizing outdoor adventure trips that are now open to any woman 18 years and older.

Texas’ finest white-wing and mourning dove hunting in south zone flight corridors.

We offer options to customize your hunt, whether you are out for the day with close friends and family, or need to organize a corporate hunt. We will work with you to create the perfect hunt.

Day hunts and corporate packages available • Lodges in Cotulla and Uvalde

BOOK TODAY!

Kelly says, “T.W.O. is a sisterhood of women with similar interests in outdoor activities. We all start an adventure as strangers, but in fellowship, nature brings us together, and we leave as friends, better for meeting one another and learning a little more than we knew when we started. We may come from different backgrounds and we may do things differently, but in the end, we are all the same.”

As the group has grown and word of mouth has spread across the state about the amazing and diverse adventures available through Texas Women’s Outdoors, so have the types of organized trips offered by the group. In 2022, T.W.O. sponsored mentored deer hunts for experienced lady hunters and those who may have never held a gun in their lives. All of the trips are designed to include educational instruction on safety, conservation, proper outfitting for an adventure, survival skills, and even harvesting and processing a kill. Every adventure sponsored by T.W.O. utilizes the skills and experiences of the ladies within the group, as everyone brings her own unique skill set that can be shared with others.

Texas Women’s Outdoors is proud of its leadership team, and together these ladies have created a force to be reckoned with. The group is made up of several dynamic ladies who, like Godfrey, are committed to creating memorable experiences for Texas women who crave outdoor life.

Trips are targeted to specific outdoor interests such as wild game and bird hunting (both firearms and bow hunting), camp-

ing and hiking, fresh water, and deep sea fishing, and even firearms sports, led by Brandy Elrod, a competitive para-trap and certified shotgun and archery instructor.

In 2023, some of the outdoor adventures have included a gator and teal duck hunt, just south of Beaumont, a wild ram hunt in South Texas, a kayaking and camping trip at Caddo Lake, and even an airboat fishing trip in Aransas Pass. Godfrey is excited to announce each new outdoor trip and is already planning big adventures for 2024. Included in next year’s calendar is a large group retreat in the Texas Hill Country featuring survival skills, a tanning class, cooking demonstrations, yoga and Pilates, and other activities that will bring women together in support of one another.

The growing success of T.W.O. solidifies the fact that women crave outdoor adventure as much as men do. In coming together to share a common love of nature, knowledge can be gained, friends will be made, and confidence in oneself can be achieved by learning from other women who may have the same concerns, struggles, and fears as we do. It is truly an amazing organization that may just start a viral movement of outdoor sisterhood across the country.

For a list of upcoming events and the T.W.O. leadership, go to texaswomensoutdoors.com

PHOTO BY JAY SCHWISOW

Insure Your Firearms to Protect Your Investment

By Meredith Kay

Whether you hunt for sport or sustenance, keep guns on hand for security reasons, collect antique guns as a hobby, or engage in shooting sports competitively, the firearms you purchase become valuable assets that should be protected. Most of us know that we need to insure our homes, our vehicles, our health, and our lives, but did you know that it is also important to have separate insurance coverage for your firearms?

Most hunters, collectors, and shooting sports enthusiasts will often have a collection of firearms, and hopefully, they are stored and secured properly to avoid unfortunate accidents and theft. However, unexpected life events do happen, so it’s important to be prepared and to protect your collection just as you would anything else that you consider a valuable asset. Firearms insurance is a specialty insurance product that covers individual, high-value individual firearms, and collections. Policies may cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen firearms, repair specialty guns, and some policies may even cover the cost to transport firearms in certain situations.

Coverage is valid worldwide in most cases, and the values are calculated according to the type of firearm insured. Firearms are valued for insurance purposes in the following ways:

n Actual Cash Value is determined by taking the replacement value for modern firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and rifles.

n Scheduled Value is the amount that you declare for each firearm or collection as you list it on the insurance application or policy. However, be aware that fluctuating values of collectible firearms, and sudden increases in market values could put you in an unfavorable position if your policy allows loss recovery only up to the amount shown for each firearm on the original policy schedule. It is important to audit, and possibly update, your policy periodically.

n Fair Market Value is simply the value of your firearm at the time of loss. This is the most common type of coverage valuation. If you are insuring a collectible gun, and the value increases over time, then the insured value will increase as well.

Some insurance policies will require the applicant to list and describe each firearm separately, especially if an individual gun is valued over $10,000. However, if your gun collection is smaller, or made up of several less-expensive firearms, then you may apply for blanket coverage up to the total value of your entire collection. In addition, most policies will automatically include coverage for any newly acquired

firearms for a set amount of time. This allows the gun owner time to add the new purchase and update the policy.

Mike Cook and Bo Winston, owners of Cook Winston & Company in Boerne, Texas, specialize in fine sporting arms, appraisals, and firearms insurance. They evaluate your firearms inventory, provide an estimated value, and recommend the right insurance product to effectively protect your investment.

According to Cook, “Protecting your firearms investment is very important, and the cost to purchase insurance should always be factored into any buying decision. Whether you collect antique firearms, or you have a small arsenal of hunting and sporting arms, you’ll want to make sure that your assets are well-protected at all times.”

It’s important to note that while some homeowner’s insurance policies will cover the theft or loss of firearms stored in your home to a certain extent, coverage is usually minimal, with limits ranging between $1,000 and $2,500, depending on your policy. Therefore, it makes sense to acquire additional insurance from a company that specializes in firearms policies. This will ensure that you’ll find the right coverage for your collection that offers the most comfortable deductible and premium option for your budget.

To obtain firearms insurance, a gun owner will need to find a licensed insurance agent or company and fill out an application that details the types of firearms in the collection, the value of individual guns worth over $10,000, where the guns to be covered are located, how they are secured, and a description of the security surrounding the collection to be insured. There are also territorial restrictions that may limit how much coverage can be obtained, based on where the guns are stored, along with limitations regarding travel restrictions for covered firearms excluding certain territories and countries where possession is prohibited.

Quality firearms are always a great investment. Responsible gun owners take pride in their collections, so it only makes sense to protect that investment with insurance. You’ll find peace of mind knowing that the value of your assets is as secure as the safety latches on the guns you cherish.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A GAME WARDEN

By Jen Shugart, Outreach Program

Specialist Texas Game Wardens

Photos courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

For a law enforcement agency with roots in the 1890s, Texas Game Wardens seem to never go out of style. While other organizations struggle with recruitment, retention, and enthusiasm to join the ranks of conservation enforcement holds steady.

It could be due to recent Hollywood backed projects like the reality series “Lone Star Law” and crime drama “Joe Pickett.” Maybe it’s the result of a dedicated recruitment team traveling the state discussing the incredible opportunity that awaits future wardens in the outdoors and in their community. Or perhaps, it’s the wardens themselves. More than 550 Texas Game Wardens interact with hunters, anglers, school kids and recreators 365 days a year.

On cadet applications and in job interviews, those daily interactions are usually the most referenced reason for pursuing a path to become a Texas Game Warden. A warden’s visit to the elementary school, the hunter’s education course they taught, the baseball team they coached or their yearly kid fishing event at the local pond are all examples of day-to-day engagement that continues to entice countless people into the coveted role of “my local game warden.”

So, how does the average citizen become a game warden? Thankfully, the roads leading to the title are as varied as wardens themselves. There is no right geographic area or school or background. What counts most is the applicant’s interest in community building, passion for conservation and appreciation for everything outdoors.

A few requirements must be confirmed before an application can be submitted to the Texas Game Warden Training Center: ensuring proof of US citizenship, a valid driver’s license and a bachelor’s degree.

Before applying, consider the commitment the job requires. Texas Game Wardens are considered among the most pres-

tigous conservation enforcement in the nation; their training reflects that integrity.

Nestled in the rolling ranch hills of Central Texas, the Game Warden Training Center (GWTC) is a sophisticated facility equipped for intense training with all the amenities of home. Dorm rooms, cafeteria and modern classrooms provide ‘roundthe-clock support for the 33 weeks (1,200 hours) of training required to become a probationary game warden. To better understand life as a cadet or the GWTC expectations, the recruiting team continually uploads exciting and informative content to their Instagram page.

When someone is still on the fence about life as a game warden, there are many helpful experiences interested candidates may utilize to add to their knowledge of the job duties or support their standing in the interview process.

Candidates are always welcome to reach out to the wardens in their community. Requesting time for coffee or a ride along with a warden to better understand the duties and common issues of Texas Game Wardens can help candidates decide if this is the appropriate career. Even better, local wardens often connect and assist local enthusiasts with internships and mentorships before the application process begins.

Volunteering and developing strong ties within your community is critical to a game warden’s role. The sooner candidates identify a need in their community through a non-profit, religious group or school and assist in their own unique way, then better suited they will be to take on the responsibilities of a Texas Game Warden.

Of all the guidance and tips you’ll hear on how to become a game warden, the most critical one is: go outside!

Not everyone has the means to hunt dove or white-tail during the season. Experience as an avid hunter or angler is not a necessary part of the job. What is necessary is an enthusiasm for the outdoors that results in a lifelong learning adventure with the natural world and commitment to protect it.

Visit tpwd.texas.gov/warden for details on requirements, the application process and additional opportunities. For questions, there is a link to “Contact a Recruiter” where applicants may email a recruiter directly.

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TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS ASSOCIATION STORE

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Short Sleeve TDHA T-shirts 50% Polyester/25% Cotton/25% Rayon Relaxed Fit

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DOVE BUN BOA

Holly Hearn

Game Girl Gourmet

INGREDIENTS:

1 package of frozen steam buns

15 doves breasted (30 breasts)

1 tbsp avocado oil

For the marinade:

1 cup of soy sauce

3- 4 tbsp of brown sugar

2 tsp of fish sauce

2 tsp toasted sesame oil

1 pinch of chili flake

For garnish: cilantro, black and white sesame seeds, red chili thinly sliced

INSTRUCTIONS:

1 Take the ingredients for the marinade and combine in a small bowl. Taste the marinade to ensure the level of spiciness and sweetness is to your liking. Adjust with brown sugar and red pepper flakes accordingly. Once you have your marinade to your liking, add your dove breast and set aside for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

2 To cook the dove, place avocado oil (or another high temp oil) in a skillet over medium high heat. Lightly sear the dove breast on each side, 30 seconds to a minute per side. Set aside your cooked doves and reduce your marinade.

3 In a separate pan, reduce the leftover marinade over medium low heat until thickened, about 3-7 minutes.

4 Once your marinade has thickened prepare your steam buns according to the package directions and begin assembling your buns.

5 Dunk your dove breast back into your sauce and place inside the bun (sometimes I use two breasts depending on the bird). Add in any accoutrements you see fit, I like to add a homemade Asian inspired pickle, but that’s a recipe for another day. Garnish with cilantro, sesame seeds, and a thin slice of red chili for heat.

RELENTLESS OUTDOORS

By Brian Cook, Founder

Relentless Outdoors Foundation started in 2020 with one goal in mind. We wanted to give young men and women who have been recently affected by childhood cancer, a dream opportunity to go on a Texas hunting or fishing dream trip.

When I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In my young mind, the only thing worse than undergoing chemotherapy and radiation was that my doctor wouldn’t let me go down to my family’s ranch. I had always loved hunting, fishing, or any chance to spend time in the outdoors. Seven months later, I was in remission, and the first thing I did was head to South Texas with my dad.

I was, and still am, very fortunate to have a place to do what I love. I was also extremely blessed to have such amazing support from friends and family. It was the support and encouragement of so many wonderful people during this difficult time that inspired me to want to give back. I knew that I couldn’t be the only sick kid who just wanted to get away and spend time outdoors. So Relentless Outdoors Foundation was born.

Over the last 3 years, we’ve had the opportunity to put together some incredible hunts for childhood cancer survivors. Our goal is not just the hunt, but getting these kids and their families, who have gone through so much, an opportunity to get away and enjoy the outdoors. We’ve had support from some amazing ranches who have partially or fully donated hunts and accommodations. We couldn’t do it without them!

Relentless Outdoors is always on the lookout for young men and women who have recently gone into remission or may still be in the fight. Giving them a chance to get away from it all and spend time in the outdoors is why we are here. For more information on how to recommend a child or to support our mission, go to relentlessoutdoorsfoundation.com.

“He comes alongside us during hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times, so that we can be there for them, just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following Jesus, but no more than the good times of his healing comfort. We get a full measure of that too.”

2 Corinthians 1: 4 - 5