Hunting Guide by Fox Press

2023 BRUSH COUNTRY

H UNTING GUIDE Frio-Nueces Current

FRIO-NUECES CURRENT SPECIAL PUBLICATION NOVEMBER 2023

2 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

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Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Frio-Nueces Current

H UNTING GUIDE

Contents

4 8 10 12

HUNT THE RUT: Prime Time

CWD:

A Q&A with Amy

KYNLEE MAKAE: Little Big Shot

RED DIRT:

South Texas Soil

Current FRIO-NUECES

14 16 24 26

CRISP-CANALES: A Place in the South

FRANKIE AND MATT: Old Tales

MODERN HUNTER: Ain’t Elmer Fudd

LIVE LIKE LOGAN: One of a kind

Combining the Cotulla Record, Dilley Herald & Pearsall Leader USPS 424560

2023 BRUSH COUNTRY

Production Manager Lonnie Herrera .....................................(lherrera@fncnow.com) Business Manager Kasie Gonzales..........................................(kgonzales@fncnow.com) Editor Marc Robertson...........................................................(mrobertson@fncnow.com) Chief Staff Writer Breyana Segura ............................................(bsegura@fncnow.com) Managing Editor/Photographer Manuel Azocar III.......(mazocar@fncnow.com)

THE BRUSH COUNTRY HUNTING GUIDE IS A PRODUCTION OF THE FRIO-NUECES CURRENT

Welcome to Beautiful Frio County!

FRIO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT JAIL STAFF & DEPUTIES

502 S CEDAR ST, PEARSALL, TX 78061 • 830•879•3044

4 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Good season forecast for white-tailed deer hunting JESSICA DOMEL, TEXAS FARM BUREAU REPORTER

espite a hot and dry summer that led to drought conditions across much of the state, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is forecasting a good white-tailed deer season for hunters. “Deer season is looking to be in pretty good shape this year,” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Big Game Program director Alan Cain said. “That’s probably a surprise to most hunters considering how hot and dry it was this summer, but in reality, we had really good

rainfall this spring and going into early summer across the vast majority of the state.”

The mild and wet spring led to “fantastic” antler growth.

“We’re seeing that. I’m starting to receive photos from landowners who have cameras out, and they’re seeing good quality antlers this year,” Cain said. “That speaks volumes to the importance of moisture in the spring and good spring vegetation and how important it is to get bucks back into better body condition coming out of the rut.” Does are in good shape as well, which led to good fawn production. “I think the heat probably had a toll on some of those, and maybe we won’t recruit as many as we’re expecting in the fall, but we did have (See GOOD SEASON, Page 17)

Encourage The Bucks To Move...

HUNT THE RUT

BREYANA SEGURA

he phenomenon known as ‘the rut’ is the period when deer breed. People often ask biologists when the rut is going to occur. It’s a question biologists commonly hear in the fall. Many hunters want to make sure that they plan hunting vactions to include that magical time when bucks lose all caution and deer are moving. Can hunting the rut help? You bet. Anything that encourages bucks to move enchances the change of seeing one. Buck deer, like most male mammals, seem to lose a lot of their nautral caution whent he secnt of a receptive female is in the

air. One of the tips gained from this sudy is that rutting bucks can be foudn during most of hte hunting season in many regions of the state. Consistently successful hunters spend a lot of time in the field throughout the hutnign season, not just during the peak of the rut. Hunters and ranchers often encourage Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to move the seaon later to give deer a chance to breed. The study showed that no matter when the rut occurred, the cast majority of does were bred. Individual ranch and deer herd management are much more important than timing of the hunting season. The data will assist TPWD in determining

whether the number of bucks in an area has an effect on breeding season length and success. There are many interacting factors which affect breeding. The breeding study involved the examination of 2,436 does, the largest number of deer ever used in a Texas breeding study. The date of conception can be determined by looking at fetus length. An average of 200 days from conception was used to determine fawning dates. Biologists got as much information as they could from the does collected. They looked at the timing of the rut and at the breeding success on 16 study areas throughout Texas for three years. All years were combined

to produce the graphs that show the rut timing. In most areas the rut varied little from year to year. You can use the map and graphs to determine the tming of the rut in your area of interest. Will the information help with the planning of your hunt? You be the judge.

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

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6 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide Don’t end up with a ticket...

Obey the law this season BY KEVIN FRAZIER, TPW GAME WARDEN

eer Season is finally here. Much like hunters, Game Wardens look forward to this season all year long. Most deer hunters comply and follow the laws. However, every hunting season some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate game laws. Here are some of the most common deer hunting violations:

Hunter Education Violation: One of the most common hunting violations is hunting without proper hunter education. Texas requires hunters born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 to have passed a state-approved Hunter Education Training course. Texas allows those falling under the hunter education requirement to purchase, for $10, a one-time, one-year deferral of the requirement. Effective September 1, 2017, Peace officers, state and federal military, and retirees are exempt from Hunter Ed requirements. Hunt without Valid Hunting License Violation: The definition of “hunt” is to capture, trap, take, kill, and includes any attempt to capture, trap, take or kill. Anybody engaged in deer hunting is obligated to obtain a valid hunting license. Hunt in Closed Season Violation: The Closed Season is the period of time when hunting that species is not permitted. Note: There is no open season for any wild animal, wild bird, or exotic animal on public roads or the right-of-way of public roads. Untagged Deer Violation: After a deer is killed and before the deer is field dressed or moved, the appropriate hunting license tag or permit must be immediately filled out and dates cut out. Except for deer killed by MLD permit, LAMPS permit, TPWD Special Drawn Legal Deer Tag, U.S. Forest Service antlerless permit, or Big Time Texas Hunt, all deer must be tagged immediately upon kill in a secure manner

anywhere on the deer, with an appropriate license tag with the month and date cut out. Improperly Tagged Deer Violation: If required, the tag from the hunting license of the person who killed the deer must be correctly and legibly completed (including name of property and county) and must: * be used on a specific type of deer (for example, buck tags must be used only on buck deer, antlerless tags on antlerless deer, etc.). * have the month and date of kill CUT OUT * It is against the law to use: * a tag taken from the license of another person or allow your tag to be used by another person. * a tag more than one time (or on more than one deer). * an incorrect tag on a deer (example: mule deer tag used on a white-tailed deer, etc.) Harvest Log Violation: if a hunting license tag is used, then the Hunting License Harvest Log must be legibly completed. Immediately upon kill of a white-tailed deer the hunter must complete the log, in ink, on the back of the hunting license. Completion of the log is not required for mule deer, or for white-tailed deer lawfully taken under an

MLD permit. Illegal Dumping: a person commits an offense if the person disposes or allows or permits the disposal of a dead animal at a place that is not an approved solid waste site, including a place on or within 300 feet of a public highway, on a right-of-way, on other public or private property. If the carcass weighs more than five pounds the violation is a Class B misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to 2,000, or both. Unplugged Shotgun Violation: If you plan to hunt migratory birds make sure that your shotgun has a plug in it. Federal and state regulations limit shotguns used to hunt migratory game birds to holding no more than three shotshells. In most pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns, this requires a wooden or plastic plug be secured inside the firearm’s magazine to limit that magazine to holding no more than two shotshells. Exceeding the Daily Bag Limit Violation: The daily bag limit on doves is 15. That’s a daily bag limit, not a trip limit. Each year, hunters are caught “double-dipping” – meaning, taking a limit of doves in a morning hunt, and then returning to the field for

an afternoon hunt. Hunting over a Baited Area Violation: A baited area is an area where bait has been directly or indirectly placed, exposed, scattered or distributed to serve as a lure or attraction for harvesting migratory birds. A hunter may be cited for hunting over bait, which can include salt, grain or other feed, even if they didn’t know it was there. A baited area is considered to be baited until 10 days after all the bait has been removed. However, a hunter may hunt migratory game birds over standing crops, standing flooded crops, flooded harvested crops, and at any time over natural vegetation that has been manipulated, where seeds or grains have been scattered as a result of normal agricultural planting, harvesting or post-harvest manipulation. Most of these violations are Class C misdemeanors, punishable by a fine of from $25 to $500 plus court costs. Also, when resources are seized, the department can seek civil restitution for the value of any game confiscated. Game Wardens urge hunters to review an Outdoor Annual of rules and regulations to ensure they act within the law and that they recognize when others violate the hunting regulations and related laws. Outdoor Annuals are available where licenses are sold. TPW encourages hunters to protect the future of their sport by hunting responsibly and reporting hunting violations to their local Game Warden.

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

What’s in your bag?

New products, practical goods for the hunter...

BREYANA SEGURA

BOW QUIVER: An understated tool, but your hunter would love how the quiver allows your archer to keep attention on accuracy. Available in a variety of designs, bow quivers offer a unique combination of benefits that meet a variety of preferences and requirements for your hunter. In archery, convenience is your friend and precision is everything. Quivers come in many types including hip, tube, back, recurve, costume and bowmounted. MOJO DOVE FLOCK-A-FLICKER: Functioning as a long range attractor and finisher pulling

doves, the Flock A Flicker uses a spinning wing concept but with several small wings with varying intermittent flashes scattered throughout the decoys. The device brings the same game attracting ability to dove hunting in a smaller package specifically designed to set on the ground in the dove field. A set of four pre-programmed units costs $50. PERSONALIZED LEATHER SLING: Have a hunter who is just impossible to shop for because they have everything they need or want? Take it to the next level with a personalized leather gun sling. The sling can be as simple as your hunter’s initials or as elaborate as

tooling a decorative pattern and colorful designs into the leather. BINOCULARS: Every year your hunter may find an excuse to get a new ‘pair of eyes.’ The new Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD binoculars may be just worth the buy. Available in four different sizes, these binoculars are perfect for any big-game hunting, especially South Texas whitetail. These particular binoculars are appealing because they offer Leupold’s elite optical system, with edgeto-edge clarity, superb light transmission, glare reduction and excellent lowlight color balance. They are worth the clarity.

SMART HUNTING WATCHES: A watch specially designed with GPS, climate, weather forecast and compass competencies, which can assist with navigation. WiFi connectivity is also built into some discreet-looking watches, allowing hunters to send text messages or make phone calls. POCKET KNIFE: They’re simple, small and fit right in your front pocket or sheath. But they’re a must have for any hunter. Case knives are well-crafted knives that are customizable, stylish, made from premium-quality stainless and non-stainless steels. Offering custom imprinting, the Case brand transforms these knives into a cherished keepssake for any occasion.

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8 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Chronic Wasting Disease: What is it? CONTRIBUTOR: AMY DUGOSH

Q: Is CWD in Texas? A: Yes. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was first discovered in a free-ranging mule deer in West Texas in 2012. Since then, 508 positive tests have been confirmed, according to the TPWD website through June 2023. Of those 508, 79 positive tests were confirmed from January through June of 2023. Of the 79 positive tests, 40 were from one breeding facility that was depopulated, leaving only 39 out of the 5 million head

of deer in Texas testing positive for 2023. That is 0.00078% of the deer population. (tpwd. texas.gov/cwd) Q: What is CWD? A: CWD is a disease that belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). They are believed to be to be caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that disrupt the nervous system of the host (tpwd.texas.gov/ cwd.) The diseases are invariably fatal and there is currently no known

cure, much like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep. However, BSE and scrapie have been mostly bred out of the animals by genetic selection. Q: Does CWD affect humans? A: No. There has never been a case of CWD from deer affecting humans in the world, confirmed by both the Centers for Disease Control and World Health

Organization. (tahc.texas. gov.) Q: Do all deer that have CWD, die from CWD? A: No. CWD is a slow and progressive disease. Deer can live many years as a carrier of the disease while (Continued next page)

Texas bird hunting season outlook:

Despite unrelenting summer heat, dove season expected to have soaring numbers

cool and rainy spring means that despite above-average summer temperatures, Texas hunters could encounter significantly increased dove populations as the 2023 season opens Sept. 1. Spring surveys conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff found an estimated 28.3 million mourning doves in Texas, a 44 percent increase from 2022. White-wing dove populations have increased 20 percent, tying the record high with an estimated 11.7 million this year. “This spring was about as perfect as it could be, with

may be feeding earlier and steady rains and cool weathlater than normal to avoid the er,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, mid-day heat. In areas where TPWD Dove Program Leader. agriculture has suffered from “Given the population increasthe heatwave, look for stands of es this year and the excellent common sunflower, croton and breeding season conditions that 2023-24 DOVE SEASON CALENDAR other native perannual sisted North Zone: Sep. 1 - Nov. 12 & Dec. 15 - Dec. 31 through Central Zone: Sep. 1 - Oct. 29 & Dec. 15 - Jan. 14 forbs and the first South Zone: Sep. 14 - Oct. 29 & Dec. 15 - Jan. 21 grasses. half of Texas is home to seven the summer, hunters should species of native doves and expect to see a lot more birds pigeons, including the three on the landscape this Septemlegal game species- mourning, ber.” white-winged and white-tipped As daily temperatures top doves. Texas accounts for 30 100 degrees with no relief in percent of the total mourning sight, hunters will likely find larger concentrations of birds doves and 85 percent of the total white-winged doves harat watering holes, and doves

vested in the U.S. each year, far more than any other state. TPWD officials remind hunters to prepare for the extreme heat and make sure they are packing all the essentials for a day in the field. They should bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and take measures to stay cool in a shaded area. The same is true for canine hunting partners. “If this extreme heat persists, think twice about bringing your dog out in the early season,” Fitzsimmons said. “Temperatures this high can be dangerous for dogs, particularly when they’re excited and running hard after birds. (See SOARING, Page 19)

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

(From previous page)

TPWD check station within 48 hours of harvest. Hunters must check each animal harvested and receive a CWD receipt before taking any part of that animal from the CWD zone, including quarted meat. Frio County has two required testing zones and has designated Mesquite Creek Taxidermy as a check station.

it is dormant in them and generally only visible signs appear right before death (tahc.texas.gov.) Deer are more likely to die from a horn infection, pneumonia or by the hands of a hunter or a car than from CWD. Q: How many deer are tested annually in Texas for CWD? A: On average, less than 1% of the entire deer population has been tested annually (estimated 17,000 tested in 2023 of 5 million.) (tpwd.texas.gov) *On Sept. 1 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is mandating that any white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and red deer harvested in a designated CWD zone are required to bring their animals to a

This trophy buck was captured by a ranch owner late last month in the far western corner of Frio County.

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10 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide A girl’s time with Daddy is precious indeed....

Call her ‘Little Big Shot’ unloaded in a gun safe. “My dad has a lot of ost days you guns,” she says. “He has will find knives and a bow. You nine-yearknow what, Daddy has a old Kynlee on a softball lot of hunting stuff. He field or on the volleyball even has these rubber court, but the sporty turkeys.” young girl wouldn’t miss This is their time. an opportunity to sit in a A time for them to blind, practice shooting strengthen their bond, or casting a line wiht her find out how each of their daddy. weeks had been and just It doesn’t matter the to hang out. level of exhaustion from No animal is off limits an all-day tournament in the south Texas for the pair. Kynlee has gone along for heat, because when her daddy says, ‘let’s turkey, dove, hog and coyote hunts. go,’ she is anew. A father-daughter bond like none Last year for her eighth birthday her other; these two not only share a passion only request was a Case pocket knife and for hunting by character traits alike. She a sheath so she could wear it proudly on looks at him with these eyes beaming her hip. with admiration; she wants to eat jerky And boy, she does. from Granzin’s and pickle sunflower Kynlee is the middle child and of the seeds just like her most favorite person three girls she is the most affectionate, does. thoughtful and caring. She understands In that moment, nothing matters why people hunt and appreciates any and except their bond. all alone time she can get with her dad. For the young hunter, the Great Following in her big sister Hayden’s Outdoors is equal to adult business footsteps, Kynlee was not even out of because it gives a child the first taste of diapers yet when she posed by her first being pitted against nature. There will buck or caught her first fish. It is what be trails to blaze and campfires to sing they both love doing with their daddy: around. There must be ammo to check, outside stuff. On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, on the Nueces knives to clean, sandwiches to stuff, Unlike her older sister, Kynlee is out of River, Kynlee appreciates the beauty of South flashlight batteries to replace, blankets bed by 3 a.m. with her cup of coffee, yes Texas before casting her reel. to pack, ice chests to load - to each his or she drinks coffee, because afterall that is her own, thank you - and first aid kits to what her daddy does. She wants to make refill. Into the bag go the spare socks and sure she is prepared and ready to get in a all those necessaries. Loading the truck blind before the deer start moving. is a job to do together. After all, you Recently, the duo made an afternoon pack what you carry. Checking the map dove hunt and Kynlee came back a little is important, too. Every Daddy needs a more excited than normal. navigator, right? “We shot rifles and pistols,” she says Quality time between parent and child proudly. “And it was so fun because I got is hard to find these days. We spend to spend time with my dad.” so many hours of the day being busy at “Also Daddy was showing me how to being busy that the years will slip away hit targets and those orange clay things.” before we know it. For Kynlee and her Kynlee, just like her sister, knows all Daddy, these are precious hours that about hunter education and safety; her could never be recaptured if it weren’t for Daddy has taught her how to handle a that quality time. gun. She knows that you are not allowed “It is so much fun,” she says for the Practice makes perfect, something Kynlee is to touch a firearm unless there is an millionth time. “We ride around on the learning as she begins to learn to shoot her dad’s adult around and guns must be kept fourRuger 10/22 International. (Continued next page) BREYANA SEGURA

(From previous page) wheeler or the gator. We load up on snacks and ride around some more to see what other animals we can see.” Time slows down for the busy youngster who has a busier social life than her own parents when you are out in the wild. The worries and the stress of the workday, the hassles of practices, they all slip away in the evening light. Gone are the noise and bustle of the town, and gone are the petty differences of a life filled with decisions and opinions. There is no television to argue over; there is (See LITTLE BIG SHOT, Page 18)

“We load up on snacks and ride around some more to see what other animals we can see.”

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12 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

“There is something about that red dirt..”

Soil: Key to growing good deer BREYANA SEGURA

ne of the most important natural resources in Texas is its soil. Couple the rich South Texas red dirt with supplemental feed and hunters will have trophy bucks to harvest year after year. When it comes to deer nutrition, it is all about the soil. Soil consists of varying levels of organic material, organic matter and rock particles derived from the subsoil rock layer. Frio County sits mainly on the Northern Rio Grande Plain soil, which extends from Uvalde to Beeville. The landscape is nearly level to rolling and is brush-covered with slow to rapid surface drainage providing optimal conditions for cropland. Therefore, the cotton, corn and small grains that make up the major crops attract wildlife such and deer and dove. To the south, La Salle County sits on the Northern Rio Grande Plain and Western Rio Grande Plain soils providing landowners with the perfect combination. Brush management does play a crucial role in maintaining deer densities within the carrying capacity of the habitat. Landowners should have sound livestock grazing management and maintain a In January, a game camera in south Frio County captured this buck which is believed to quality habitat for deer. have no means to supplemental feeding and nurished off the natural habitat. The nutrient rich, red dirt supports a strong Do not find yourself limiting your thinking to foundation the native brush that provides a nutrition food plots and planted fields when it comes to deer foundation. It is important to understand factors nutrition. It is important that you remember deer when considering wildlife management; factors consume plenty of food not grown in food plots. include hunting logistics, such as the density Native vegetation. and height of vegetation in a hunting area, food According to Simon Dougherty, a land management abundance, deer nutrition, antler growth and disease specialist, studies have shown that areas high in spread. agricultural production, roughly 60% of what a deer Due to food abundance wild game are found in high (Continued next page) numbers in agriculture areas. SALSA VERDE VENISON ENCHILADAS

INGREDIENTS: 1lb ground venison burger (substitute ground elk, antelope, turkey or beef) 28oz green enchilada sauce, mild

1 1/2 cup salsa verde, mild 1 white onion diced 2 cloves garlic minced 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded 8 flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat large pan overmediumhigh heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion and garlic and saute until onion becomes translucent about 4-5 minutes. Add green enchilada sauce and the salsa verde to the pan. Reduce heat to low and stir sauces and onion together. Using a separate skillet, add remaining oil and heat to medium-high. Add ground venison and continue to cook until done. While cooking add cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat. Mix the two cheeses together and add 1 1/2 cups to the

cooked venison burger. (Save remaining cheese for adding to the top of the enchiladas.) With a large spoon fill venison mixture in the center of each flour tortilla. Roll up the tortilla and place seam side down in a 12x8x2 inch baking dish. Pour the enchilada salsa verde sauce over the tortillas and top with remaining cheese. Cover loosely with tinfoil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until all cheese is 100% melted. Roughly 10 minutes. Top with diced green onion, red chilies, cilantro and sour cream. Serve alone or with beans, rice or a side salad.

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

2023-24 Hunting Season Dates DOVE North Zone: Sep. 1 - Nov. 12 & Dec. 15-31 Central Zone: Sep. 1 - Oct. 29 & Dec. 15 Jan. 14 South Zone: Sep. 14 - Oct. 29 & Dec. 15 Jan. 21 Special White-Winged Dove Days South Zone: Sep. 1-3 & Sept. 8-10 JAVELINA North Zone: Oct. 1 - Feb. 25 South Zone: Sep. 1 - Aug. 31 MULE DEER General Panhandle: Nov. 18 - Dec. 3 Trans-Pecos: Nov. 24 - Dec. 10 Archery: 59 of 254 counties: Sep. 30 - Nov. 3 QUAIL Regular Statewide: Oct. 28 - Feb. 25

TURKEY Rio Grande Turkey Fall Season North Zone: Nov. 4 - Jan. 7 South Zone: Nov. 4 - Jan. 21 Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg & Willacy counties: Nov. 4 - Feb. 25 Archery-only: Sep. 30 - Nov. 3 Fall Youth-Only: North Zone: Oct. 28-29 & Jan. 8-21 South Zone: Oct. 28-29 & Jan. 22 - Feb. 4 Spring Season North Zone: Mar. 30 - May 12 South Zone: Mar. 16 - Apr. 28 Spring Youth-Only North Zone: Mar. 23-24 & May 18-19 South Zone: Mar. 9-10 & May 4-5 Eastern Turkey Spring Season East Texas: Apr. 22 - May 14

WHITE-TAILED DEER General Season North Zone: Nov. 4 - Jan. 7 South Zone: Nov. 4 - Jan. 21 Special Late Season North Zone: Jan. 8-21 South Zone: Jan. 22 - Feb. 4 Youth-Only North Zone: Oct. 28-29 & Jan. 8-21 South Zone: Oct. 28-29 & Jan. 8-21 Archery Season: 252 of 254 counties, Sep. 30 - Nov. 3 RABBITS AND HARES Regular Statewide: No closed season

(From previous page)

eats is comprised of native vegetation. It is not coincidental that in these areas generally produce the

best deer habitat and the most trophy-class bucks because the nutritional plain in these areas is higher.

Good Luck To All Area Hunters! Hope you bag that trophy!

it am em orm CD ce !ss. ucig to SB Visit visitus usatatswtjc.edu swtjc.edu

830-334-5004

Understanding the soil beneath our feet and how it determines the habits in which we passionately strive to conserve is one

of the many important factors that contribute to our unified goals – harvesting a trophy buck.

14 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

CRISP-CANALES: A RANCH WITH DIVERSITY BREYANA SEGURA

estled in the far southwestern corner of La Salle County, in the most prolific trophy buck producing zone in the Wintergarden, sits the Crisp-Canales Ranch. It is a low-fence native whitetail deer ranch that prides itself on producing all-natural deer that are not altered genetically, yet hunters are harvesting trophy bucks each season. “There is something about the dirt,” ranch owner and manager Marcus Canales says as he drives his off-road four-wheeler through the thicket. The nutrient-rich red dirt supports a strong base of native brush that provides a nutrition foundation. This

coupled with the years of corn cropland are what Marcus says are the reason the ranch produces the deer that hunters strive to harvest. Since the 1930’s the ranch has been owned and operated by the Crisp family. Early on, the land was dedicated to corn production which attributed to George D. Crisp earning the title, “Broom Corn King.” The ranch is dedicated to range management practices

that are

you come here you are not

just a number going through reliable “But when you solely the ranch. When you leave on native you are getting a grassland and come here you natural water here, Christmas card.” The relationships Marcus This are not just a sources. builds with his hunters is has allowed evident in the rapport he has land to with a group of dove hunters remain in its number going the on an evening outing. virgin state Prior to his gig on the with mature, through the diverse and family ranch, Marcus worked full-time in the oil and gas desirable ranch...you are dense brush industry and used his free time to guide hunts in Frio for whitetail getting a County. When the oil boom and turkey slowed, the outfitter decided and open to get his captain’s license fields for Christmas card.” dove. and guided fishing trips out For the past eight years, Marcus has served as the ranch manager and has guided hundreds of hunts on the family land. “I still run hunts for other ranches,” he says. “But when

of Baffin Bay. After ten years, Marcus found his way to the Crisp-Canales Ranch. “Grandpa taught me so much,” he says. “I can now manage cattle and deer, work the big machines and

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

do everything I need to do to make this run smoothly.” The ranch, which sits in what Marcus calls “the box,” has seen some obstacles over the years but the most recent includes the on-going humanitarian crisis – undocumented immigrants crossing into the country illegally. “It has been rough this last couple of years,” he says grimly. “There has been so much foot traffic. You constantly have this uneasy feeling and you just do not ever know. It is like your head is on a swivel.” Marcus tells stories of hunters having face-to-face encounters with groups of illegal immigrants. “It becomes a safety thing,” he says. “My daughter would be here alone and we would check people on the cameras. Or my hunters losing out on a trophy buck because a group of undocumented immigrants scared off the animals.” As the evening deepens, the dove begin fly and a sense of excitement overcomes Marcus. The ranch manager says the season has been slow due to the drought conditions. However, the recent cold front and rains have pushed the birds south, creating an exceptional weekend for his group of hunters. “You know we are all natural here, so we have dove weed, wild sunflowers and more, but the drought really put a damper on things,” he says. The recent drought has not just affected dove season but the fawn crop as well. “We harvest about three to four trophy bucks a year,” he says. “We also kill about fourteen for management purposes, but this year I am

unsure due to the low fawn crop.” There are no fancy helicopter surveys on the ranch; Marcus and his family keep it old-school and do deer stand surveys. On top of the everyday tasks that come with land and wildlife management, the family land is also used to run a cattle operation. The sun sets on a warm day in the South Texas late summer, and as the shadows grow longer the Crisp-Canales Ranch is bathed in the deep orange and pink of the day’s final light. South Texas hunting has been affected by a host of factors that would have dissuaded the hunter from venturing out into the brush this year, not least of which has been the drought. Nevertheless, there are trophy bucks out there for the bagging, and the dove seem unfazed by any activity on the ground. The years have been good to the Crisp-Canales Ranch, and the time has come for the ranch to be good for its visitors.

“There has been so much foot traffic... it is like your head is on a swivel.”

16 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide Old Matt kept on barking...

A nighttime tale of Brush Country animals BREYANA SEGURA

As re-told by Bud Mattingly of Dilley n South Texas there is an area called the Brush Country, where the low hills are covered with native brush that does not get over ten feet high. The growth is very dense and hard to get through except on game trails and lanes cut with bulldozers. Many varieties of animals live in these thickets. It is the habitat of the wiley bobcat that is hunted with dogs. Frankie Caddell was a dedicated cat hunter. He would not allow his hounds to chase any other game but his best cat dog had been trained on raccoons and this dog never forgot it. Any time that he could not find a cat he would look for a coon. Frankie called this dog, Old Matt, even though he was a young dog. Early one moonlit evening, Frankie loaded up his cat dogs and went to the woods. When he reached the hunting area, Frankie let all the dogs loose. He sat on the hood of his pickup enjoying the pleasant evening. Several dogs came back and jumped in the pickup. They all returned except Old Matt. Frankie closed the dog box and began to drive slowly down a lane through the brush. He drove about a mile before he heard Ol Matt barking on a trail. The

Frankie Caddell was an avid bobcat hunter and prankster, one of his favorite story to tell is the time hr took his best dog, Old Matt, out to hunt hogs and they ran up on a tom cat.

He reasoned that they had seen or smelled a cat.... other dogs didn’t pay much attention to Matt’s barking, so Frankie thought that Matt was working on a coon trail again. He hollered at him and told him what he was going to do if he didn’t leave that

coon alone. Old Matt continued to ignore Frankie. If anything, he began to bark louder and more often. Suddenly, Matt began to bark at a tree. The dogs in the box got excited and

wanted out. Frankie let them out; he knew that they wouldn’t run a coon. He reasoned that they had seen or smelled a cat. All the dogs went straight to the tree that Matt was barking at. Frankie started to the barking dogs, but before he got there the dogs began (See OLD MATT, Page 22)

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Good season

(Continued from Page 4)

decent numbers,” Cain said. “For example, in South Texas where it’s been extremely hot and dry, [some individuals] are reporting upwards of 50-70% fawn crops on some of those ranches. Obviously, that depends on habitat conditions.” If a property is overgrazed, fawn survival is down, and antler quality declines. “For the most part, everything across the board is going to be better than it has been in the last several years—maybe even a little bit above average this year as far as antler quality goes,” Cain said. Deer populations vary across the state. “The Texas Hill Country — that area around Fredericksburg, Llano, Mason and Kerr County — has the highest

deer population in the state with a couple million deer,” Cain said. “Moving back toward the east and southeast between San Antonio and Houston, the Post Oak Savannah region generally holds a pretty good deer population.” South Texas also has good deer numbers. “It’s a bit harsher down there. You don’t always have the large fawn crops or the densities that you see in the Hill Country,” Caiun said, “partly because people often manage for trophy quality deer. They try to keep the deer population at a level that can be supported by that native habitat so they can take advantage of all that nutrition and maximize that on an individual deer basis.” East Texas has a healthy deer population as well.

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The Texas Panhandle, from Lubbock up to Amarillo, typically has lower deer densities than other parts of the state. “There are good deer numbers where you have some habitat and always great body condition and body size up in that particular part of the state,” Cain said. In areas like the Texas Hill Country where deer numbers are higher, one deer to every four or five acres, hunters may consider taking a doe this year. “Hunters should definitely consider harvesting anterless deer this year,” Cain said. “That’s an important part of deer management because the females are the reproductive segment of that population. Controlling those numbers helps control

growth.” Having too many deer in one area can cause over-browsing on some shrubs and woody plants, which Cain said can impact the deer population and other animals that rely on the native habitat. Some parts of the state have “doe days” to help landowners manage the population. Hunters are encouraged to check the TPWD Outdoor Annual or OutdoorAnnual. com for full deer hunting regulations, information on chronic wasting disease zones and mandatory harvest reporting. The general deer season for the North Zone is November 4 through January 7. In the South Zone, the general season is November 4 through January 21.

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18 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Cotton as feed...

A game camera on a ranch in Frio County captured two bucks fighting in late September. Behind the duel stands a panel fenced feeder filled with cotton seed. The seed inside cotton has proven to be the best supplement, from a nutritional standpoint, for deer. For years, farmers have used cotton seed as a supplement for protein for their livestock. The seed contains about 40 to 44 percent total protein per seed. The portein content seems to be higher in plants that have had plenty of moisture during the growing season. A deer requires a protein diet around 16 percent to maintain its body weight. Deer will typically obtain the protein they need by eating brush, as it provides a higher protein content than grass. However, supplemental feed is used quire frequently in South Texas due to the ongoing drought weather conditions. The supplemental feed poses a few difficulties, like the convenience of obtaining ita nd the distribution. The cotton is difficult to feed; it doesn’t auger well or flow through a feeder int he way that corn will. The seed has to be dispersed with a shovel, front-end loader or in buckets. Many landowners have constructued feeding bins made of wire panels, which are set up next to protein feeders. The seed can be stored on the ground because cotton hairs on the outside of the seed help shed moisture from the outer shell. The seed also provides an excellent source of energy; the oils that are naturally in cottonseed are the primary source of the high energy level. The seed improves the overall quailty of the deer due to the high protein which makes the does’ milk fat content higher.

Little Big Shot

“Every hunter knows when opening day is... but doesn’t know his anniversary or his wife’s birthday.”

(Continued from Page 11)

no Internet to feed with gossip. Father and daughter can breathe the cool air of twilight together and watch the shadows reaching across the brush. It is a magical time. Their bond over a shared love of nature and the tranquility of the woods will last them a lifetime.

At a young age Kynlee learned the importance of getting to the blind early, remaining quiet and waiting for the right deer to bag.

An early morning hunt last season with her dad, Wayne.

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Drought

(Continued from Page 8)

If you do bring them, try to limit the hunts to early mornings or late evenings.” For the third straight year, there will be six Special White-Winged Dove Days, Sept. 1-3 and 8-10. The aggregated bag limit in South Zone’s regular season is 15 with no more than two whitetipped doves. During the Special Whitewinged Dove Days in the South Zone, hunting is allowed only from noon to sunset and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. All updated hunting regulations for this year’s hunting season can be found in the Texas Outdoor Annual

mobile app or online at OutdoorAnnual.com. In addition to a hunting li-

cense, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training

course to hunt legally in Texas. The TPWD Hunter Education certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states and provinces. Hunters can find more information or print a replacement at no cost online. A Migratory Game Bird Endorsement (Stamp) and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification are also required to hunt dove. HIP certification involves a brief survey of previous year’s migratory bird hunting success and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased. Information courtesy: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

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20 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide Crumpled ear tips a sure sign of distress

Don’t be too quick to step in and help wildlife BREYANA SEGURA

ound a wild animal in distress while you are out for a stroll down a dirt road, walking through the brush looking for that perfect spot to set up and hunt? Or maybe a wounded animal has strolled into your backyard. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) biologists advise that in most cases it is best to leave the wild game alone. Biologists suggest you spend time observing the animal from afar in order to determine whether the animal is truly injured or orphaned. Staying too close may deter the mother from returning and by interfering too soon you may do more harm than

good. With deer fawning beginning in early to midMay in South Texas, fawns are hidden from predators by their mottled coat and their mother’s care. However, as they begin to mature and gain adult color, fawns become attractive to predators and even well-meaning people. Does begin to leave their fawns for hours at a time as the summer months go by, therefore they may be seen lying alone in brushy areas. The fawn may be perfectly fine just awaiting its mother’s return. Should the young animal show signs of distress such as injury, sickness or being orphaned, that is the

time one should seek the help of a wildlife rehabilitator. Durant Animal Rescue Alliance Rehabilitator Lori Owens says she first tells the concerned individual to look at the fawn’s ears. “Are they straight or crumpled?” she questions. “If they are straight, was the deer laying down or standing up?” Owens says that every deer they have taken in this year, so far, has been standing up, crying with crumpled ears. “The crumpled ear tips mean that the fawn is dehydrated and the mom has left,” the woman says. The wildlife rescuer stresses that crumpled ears is a ‘for-sure’ sign of distress

and if you are unable to get the fawn to a rehabilitation center right away to only feed the deer unflavored Pedialyte. Most wildlife rehabilitators work out of their homes and volunteer their time due to the lack of state funding available for animal caging, veterinary care, medicine or food. TPWD staff advise the general public not to handle or attempt to transport injured, sick or orphaned wildlife. In order to possess or transport any indigenous wildlife in Texas, a permit is required by law. The department encourages the general public to contact a local veterinarian, in the event they are unable to reach a rehabilitation center, to see if the facility is willing to give immediate care. TPWD warns that an attempt to care for an injured or abandoned deer, or any wildlife, without necessary training and supplies can be dangerous and result in a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. According to the TPWD, there are six wildlife rehabilitation centers in Bexar County some 60 miles north of Frio County that offer services.

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Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

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22 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Old Matt

(Continued from Page 16)

whining and yelping. Matt kept right on barking at the tree. Frankie rushed back to this truck and got his pistol then ran to the dogs. He found that a herd of javelinas had been attracted to the barking dogs. The javelinas had already cut two of the dogs very seriously and some of the other dogs were bleeding. Frankie fired his pistol in the air several times. He did not want to injure any of the javelinas because that would have created a more serious problem. The javelinas ran off and Frankie called his dogs. The dogs that were able to walk came to him, except for Matt, who kept barking at the tree. Frankie picked up one of the wounded dogs and carried him to the truck. The

He shone his light up into the tree and it picked up Old Matt up there...the dog was looking up toward the top of the tree and still barking. There at the very top, sat a great, big tom cat. others followed, except the seriously injured dog and Old Matt. Old Matt kept on barking. Frankie returned for the other wounded dog. He called Old Matt, but he wouldn’t come. He kept on barking. Frankie carried the second wounded dog to the truck then went back to the tree where Old Matt was still

barking. He could hear Old Matt but he could not find him. He shone his light up into the tree and it picked out Old Matt up there. The dog was looking up toward the top of the tree and still barking. Frankie shone the light higher. There, in the very top, sat a great big tom cat.

Frankie persuaded Old Matt to come down from the tree. This was one time that he did not fuss at him for climbing a tree. Frankie led Old Matt to the truck and left the cat to be chased again. He took the other dogs to he vet where the remainder of the night was spent sewing up dogs.

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Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

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24 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide We don’t carve spears anymore...

The modern hunter sure ain’t Elmer Fudd Gadgets have replaced experience, genetics have replaced nature BREYANA SEGURA

unting has evolved gradually since the early days when men carved their own spears. Over the past twenty years, however, it has undergone a radical change. Have hunters lost sight of what hunting is all about? Can they age a track, trek through leaves and brush to scout the deer; do they know what a deer bed looks like; or have technology and guided tours replaced all of this? Gadgets have replaced experience. Genetics have replaced nature. In years past, men traveled the land to find ruts, scratched trees and nests. They knew every inch of the land they hunted. When it was time to hunt, they would venture out into the woods using nothing more than landmarks they had discovered over time. They knew the land, where the mountains and hills were, and the overall terrain. Hunters were able to sneak through crunchy leaves, giving themselves an advantage deer were easier to hear and see. Nowadays, modern hunters will use a hand-held navigation device to guide them through the uncharted woods. The costly devices allow hunters to mark a stand site, down maps and even show uncharted hunting areas. But what happens when the battery dies or the technology fails? The modern hunter is at the mercy of Mother Nature, lacking the skills of knowing the land because of a little problem. There was a time when a

hunter would scout his land looking for disturbed terrain or scrapes on a tree that showed signs of a buck trail. Not only did the hunter look for the trail, but he considered the wind. Deer are sensitive to smell and noise, making them very aware of their environment. The hunters were trained to sit in silence for hours at a time, stalking their respective kill. Today’s hunters seem to be in a rush. There is no time to ride the trails or scout the land, so instead they install cameras. The cameras are normally attached to a feeder or fence near a feature, giving the hunter an idea of where the animals are approaching from and their size. A hunter will normally watch one deer, taking notes as he sheds his antlers and learning his habits. Today, cameras help the hunter set up prime locations to construct blinds, making the kill inevitable. Modern-day hunters often lose sight of what else the woods have to offer. Deer have keen senses, and the older they are the less likely they may be to be subject to photographs. But how would the hunter know this, if he is simply relying on a camera attached to a feeder? Perhaps Elmer Fudd paints the best picture of the traditional hunter. He is a man dressed in a red plaid shirt, wearing a simple brown hat carrying a single shotgun. Such was the hunter’s attire, back in the day, plus an orange neon vest as a safety precaution. It was simple. If it was cold, the hunter

found himself wearing a set of longjohns and taking a thermos of coffee. Today, there are sprays to mask the human scent and more camouflage print than one can ever begin to imagine, with names like Waterfowl, Timber, Blaze, Snow, South Texas, Army, Hardwood... the list goes on. Clothing has also become waterproof and made to slim down the hunter. It’s all about fashion. It’s fair to say it even goes back to the brand. There was a time when the hunter was on his own, when the hunter left his own element and entered the wild to track and bring home the animal with whom he had engaged in a battle of wits, a game of deception. The time has come

when a hunter can rely on navigation, heat-seeking technology, predetermined patterns of animal movement, heated stands, electronically timed feeders, specially formulated supplements for animal development, highfence enclosures, specific camouflage for varying terrain and weather, wireless communication, highresolution lenses, laser scopes and hired help to bring the harvest home. There was a time when men carved their own spears. Those men didn’t have to be back at the office first thing Monday morning. And a deer is still a deer, and the venison still tastes just as great. Happy hunting, y’all! We’ll see you at the dinner table.

How to determine if your target is working: Set up to shoot at exactly 100 yards. Shoot five rounds, aiming at the bullseye. Score the ring in which all five shots strike; this ring identifies your effective range. Knowing your effective range is crucial to making a one-shot kill. A staggered ring target has been designed using complicated differential mathematics to determine the progressive spacing of the concentric, staggered rings.

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

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26 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

“He was one of a kind...”

Live Like Logan BREYANA SEGURA

roken hearts abound in Pearsall as the community mourns the loss of one of its own, Logan Cash Elizondo. Two months shy of his eighth birthday, Logan, a feisty, strong-spirited, outdoorloving youth, lost his four-year battle with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). On Sunday, October 15, the Elizondos announced the passing of their ‘on-the-go, rambunctious, disc-jockey, seven-year-old little boy who bravely fought cancer for more than half his life’. Despite having his foot and then leg amputated due to the disease returning, Logan spent any free time he had at the family ranch in Frio County. He loved riding his four-wheeler, shredding the fields, barbecuing, driving the tractor, sitting in the blinds with his dad and grandpa, helping haul hay, baiting and casting his own lines and most of all, enjoyed life while overcoming numerous odds. “Logan’s soul was content at the ranch,” his mother Janet says. “He was one of a kind. I only just shared the good and it honestly outweighed the bad. The cancer ravaged my son’s little body.” Logan left an impact on anyone he met or spent time with, including his classmates. The brave young boy would attend school intermittently due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but when he did attend, he was bound and determined to do all the things his classmates did.

“Logan, a courageous second-grade student, left a lasting impression on all who knew him,” Pearsall ISD Superintendent Dr. Nobert Rodriguez said the day following Logan’s passing. Staff and students wore camouflage in remembrance of the young boy. Logan’s wardrobe was probably 90 percent camouflage and the other ten percent was comprised of Houston Texans, Texas Rangers and Pearsall Mavericks gear. That’s who he was, a little boy who had dreams of owning a ranch and becoming a ballplayer like his big brother, Derek. The family’s road has been plagued with obstacles, long nights and uncertainty, but they have found solace in their faith and the fact that Logan found the good in every day. Logan loved his family and the memories made are indelible. Logan truly loved the outdoors and always wanted to be on his ranch surrounded by family. He enjoyed every moment in nature and cherished it with the people around him. He never showed sadness or weakness and appreciated every

moment. Two days before succumbing to the cruel disease, his sister Jaydin spoke during a pep rally honoring those who were suffering from cancer. “Logan is truly one of a kind,” she said through tears. “He is definitely the strongest kid I know. I hope Logan’s story can continue to encourage others who are battling with cancer and remind them to keep pushing through the difficult times. Live Like Logan!”

Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

LA SALLE COUNTY

SHERIFF ANTHONY ZERTUCHE OFFICERS & STAFF

Wish you a safe & successful hunt

830•879•3044

28 Frio-Nueces Current Hunting Guide

Hunting Safety For Everyone As another season begins, we ask local hunters to pay extra attention to the rules of hunting. SAFETY RULES 1. Obtain specific permission before hunt- 3. Always wear distinctive hunter’s orange clothing. ing on private property. Use current maps and pay careful attention to boundaries so 4. When storing a gun, always unload it as not to intrude on populated areas. first. It’s the extra effort on our part that 2. To be extra safe, unload guns while makes the season safer for everyone. traveling to and from the hunting site.

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