Colorado County Citizen | 2018 Fall Outdoor Hunting & Fishing Guide

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

FALL 2018

Hunting & Fishing Guide to Colorado County

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The Colorado County Citizen

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

2018-19 Hunting Season Forecast

BY MARK LANGE Texas Parks & Wildlife Biologist Forecasting the hunting season for this year may be as easy as looking at the weather forecast. A year ago we were scratching our heads and wondering how the wildlife faired after Harvey, this year we are wondering when we will start getting some beneficial rains at the landscape level and how the wildlife have weathered drought conditions. Just like corn crops and hay fields, wildlife populations rely on timely rainfall to sustain healthy populations. If we could place a rain order, it would definitely be for an amount somewhere between the totals from 2017 and 2018.

When looking at what to expect from an upcoming hunting season, it is smart to look

The Colorado County Citizen

back at recent history. Looking back over the last couple years, we had plenty rainfall which resulted in plentiful browse for the deer herd. That was evident when harvested doe were carrying excess fat, meaning that had plenty to eat that year. Having healthy doe carry through previous seasons leads to an increased ability to carry fawns and raise them through the heat of summer. In the perfect world, this summer would have been wetter and likely resulted in more fawns surviving the summer but the dry conditions likely led to increased fawn mortality due to lack of fawning cover. Many landowners reported seeing high fawn numbers earlier in the summer but as survey information has come in

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Since 1998

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n FORECAST, 9

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The Colorado County Citizen

4

Goose Hunting Regulations Light Goose Conservation Order During the Light Goose Conservation Order, the taking of light geese will be permitted by regulations established through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Conservation Order. Under the order, the following rules shall be in effect for the taking of light geese: ▪ No daily bag or possession limits.

▪ The use of electronic calls is legal.

▪ Unplugged shotguns holding more than 3 shells are legal.

▪ Shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset.

The take of any other species of migratory game birds during the conservation order is unlawful.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Migratory game bird license, permit information

Snow Goose and Ross’s Goose Identification ▪ White with black wingtips.

▪ Wingspan: 3 to 4 feet.

▪ Short legs.

▪ Rapid wingbeat.

▪ Flocks of 20 to hundreds.

Hunting Hours One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except during the Light Goose Conservation Order.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Hunting License All migratory game bird hunters must have a valid hunting license.

Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement Required to hunt any migratory game bird (waterfowl, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, dove, sandhill crane, and woodcock). A valid Federal Duck Stamp and HIP Certification are also required of waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older.

Harvest Information Program When you purchase a hunting license, indicate to the license clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions.

COLORADO COUNTY GOOSE HUNTING REGULATIONS Daily Bag Limit: 3 Canada geese, 2 white-fronted geese, 20 light geese in the aggregate.

Possession Limit: Dark geese three times the daily bag limit. Light geese no possession limit.

Early Canada Geese Season: Sept. 15 - 30, 2018 Light and Dark Geese: Nov. 3, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Light Geese (Conservation Order): Jan. 28 - Mar. 17, 2019 Light Geese (Conservation Order) Only: No bag limit, no possession limit.

License Requirements All migratory game bird hunters must have a valid hunting license. Non-residents under 17 years of age are designated as residents and may hunt with a resident license. Hunters 17 years of age or older must have a driver’s license or personal identification certificate (issued by the Department of Public Safety) on their person while hunting. Non-residents must have similar documents issued by the agency in the state or country of which the person is a resident that is authorized to issue driver’s licenses or personal identification certificates.

mit is required to hunt sandhill cranes.

▪ An upland game bird endorsement is required to hunt turkey, quail, pheasant, or chachalacas.

Permit Requirements A person is required to possess either an Annual Public Hunting Permit or a Daily Hunting Permit to hunt migratory game birds on certain state and federal lands and on private lands leased by the State for public hunting purposes. Youth under the age of 17 may hunt free of charge on these lands.

Harvest Information Program Requirements No person shall hunt migratory game birds in this state unless that person is certified in the Harvest Information Program (HIP) in Texas. When you purchase a hunting license, indicate to the license clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions.

The letters “HIP” should appear on your license to indicate that you have been HIP certified.

The Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a federally mandated program to improve information about the harvest of all migratory game birds. Anyone who purchases a hunting license or any migratory bird hunting endorsements will be asked a few simple questions about their migratory bird hunting activities. For additional information about HIP, you may consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, the Web page for H I P or call (512) 389-4505.

Endorsement Requirements A person 17 years of age or older must possess a migratory game bird endorsement receipt to hunt any migratory game bird in this state. Federal law also requires waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and over to have a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (commonly called a Duck Stamp; available at most post offices and TPWD offices).

▪ A migratory game bird endorsement is required to hunt any migratory game bird, including mourning doves.

▪ A Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Per-

Dove Leg Bands Please check doves you shoot for leg bands and report them. The bands are very small and easy to overlook. Previous studies indicated two-thirds of banded doves taken by hunters were never reported.

High reporting rates maximize return on hunting license dollars spent for needed management information.

Please report bands to www.reportband.gov.

The Colorado County Citizen

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

5

Migratory game bird general hunting rules Valid Sep. 1, 2018 through Aug. 31, 2019.

Documentation All harvested migratory game birds not in the immediate possession of the person who killed them must be tagged with a wildlife resource document until the birds reach the possessor’s personal residence and are finally processed. If a hunter’s personal birds have been finally processed at a cold storage or processing facility and the hunter transports someone else’s birds, then a WRD must accompany those birds until they reach the possessor’s permanent residence. A person may give, leave, receive or possess (e.g. cleaning or storage) any species of legally taken migratory game birds, or parts of birds, that are protected by a bag or possession limit, if the birds are accompanied by a WRD. Processing of Migratory Game Birds Except for migratory game birds processed at a cold storage or processing

facility, or doves, one fully feathered wing or head must remain attached to dressed waterfowl while being transported between the place taken and the personal residence of the hunter, the personal residence of another person receiving the dressed birds or a migratory bird preservation facility.

Migratory game birds may be dressed for immediate cooking at a place other than a permanent residence (e.g., hunting camp).

This does not include placing dressed birds in a cooler/refrigerator for later consumption while at a place other than a permanent residence. With the exception of mourning dove, white-winged dove, and white-tipped dove, hunters are encouraged to leave plumage on all doves (e.g., exotic collared-dove) for species identification.

One fully-feathered wing or head must remain attached to all migratory game birds imported from Mexico.

Shipping When shipping migratory game birds,

COLORADO COUNTY DUCK HUNTING REGULATIONS NORTH ZONE North of IH 10

SOUTH ZONE South of IH 10

Duck Daily Bag Limit with Gun 6 in the aggregate. Including no more than: 5 mallards (only two may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, and 1 “dusky” duck (Mottled duck, Mexican like duck, black duck and their hybrids). For all other species not listed, the bag limit shall be 6. The season for “dusky” ducks is closed the first five days of the season in each zone.

Duck Daily Bag Limit with Gun 6 in the aggregate. Including no more than: 5 mallards (only two may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, and 1 “dusky” duck (Mottled duck, Mexican like duck, black duck and their hybrids). For all other species not listed, the bag limit shall be 6. The season for “dusky” ducks is closed the first five days of the season in each zone.

Merganser Daily Bag Limit 5 in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.

Coot Daily Bag Limit 15 birds Possession Limit with Gun Three times the daily bag limit

Merganser Daily Bag Limit 5 in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.

Coot Daily Bag Limit 15 birds Possession Limit with Gun Three times the daily bag limit

Youth-Only Regular Season

“Dusky” Duck

Falconry

Youth-Only Regular Season

“Dusky” Duck

Falconry

Nov. 3 - 4, 2018 Nov. 10 - 25, 2018 Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Nov. 15 - 25, 2018 Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019

Daily Bag Limit by Falconry 3 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

Possession Limit by Falconry 9 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

Oct. 27 - 28, 2018 Nov. 3 - 25, 2018 Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Nov. 8 - 25, 2018 Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019

Daily Bag Limit by Falconry 3 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

Possession Limit by Falconry 9 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

the package must be marked with the name and address of the sender, the name and address of the persons to whom the birds are being shipped and the number of birds of each species contained in the package.

Importation Limit It is illegal to import into the United States migratory game birds belonging to another person. The number of migratory game birds imported from Mexico may not exceed the export limit set by the Mexican state from which they were taken. See USFWS Game Bird Hunting In Mexico.

Public Hunting Waterfowl hunters utilizing public water are encouraged to contact a local TPWD Law Enforcement office or reservoir controlling authority for information on rules or permit requirements before hunting. On public hunting lands owned, administered, or leased by TPWD, a person is required to possess both a valid hunting license and Annual Public Hunting Permit to hunt migratory game birds. Licensed supervised youth under the age of 17 may hunt free of charge on these lands. For more information, check the TPWD Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet available at all TPWD offices, or visit the public hunting website.

Emergency Rule Changes These rules may be modified to make them consistent with federal regulations or to protect the wildlife resource through emergency action by the TPWD executive director.

Hunting Hours One-half hour before sunrise to sunset except during the Light Goose Conservation Order. During the Special White-winged Dove Season: noon to sunset. See Sunrise/ Sunset Computations Species Identification Except for migratory game birds processed at a cold storage or processing facility, or doves, one fully-feathered wing or the head must remain attached to migratory game birds while the birds are being transported between the place where taken and the permanent residence of the pos-

sessor. Note: Migratory game birds may be dressed for immediate cooking at a place other than a permanent residence (e.g., hunting camp). This does not include placing dressed birds in a cooler/refrigerator for later consumption while at a place other than a permanent residence. Hunters are encouraged to leave plumage on all doves other than mourning dove, white-winged dove and white-tipped dove (e.g., exotic collared-dove) for species identification. One fully feathered wing or head must remain attached to all migratory game birds imported from Mexico. See Dove regulations for identification information.

Wanton Waste A reasonable effort must be made to retrieve any killed or wounded birds and any wounded bird retrieved must be immediately killed and made a part of the bag limit. After retention, the birds must be kept in an edible condition.

Closed Areas Unless otherwise specified, there are no open seasons on state wildlife preserves and sanctuaries, public roads and highways or their rights-of-way. More restrictive federal regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting.

Closed Seasons It is a violation to hunt a migratory game bird or possess a freshly killed migratory game bird listed in these rules at any time other than as provided in the “OPEN SEASONS, BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS” section. If no season is listed for a species, the season is closed.

Violation and Penalty Violation of state migratory game bird regulations also is a violation of federal regulations. A person who violates any state migratory game bird regulation is subject to: 1. a criminal penalty from $25 to $500 for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; 2. civil restitution fee for each bird unlawfully taken or possessed; and 3. license suspension or revocation.

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The Colorado County Citizen

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

2018-2019 fishing license, fishing info

BY TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE Any person who takes or attempts to take fish, mussels, clams, crayfish or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas must have a current Texas fishing license with the appropriate endorsement. A saltwater endorsement is required to fish in coastal waters; a freshwater endorsement is required for inland waters. For details and exceptions, see license fees and packages.

A hunting license is required to hunt non-protected turtles and frogs.

Game Fish Includes hybrids and subspecies of listed fish. Game fish may be taken only by pole and line, except as otherwise provided in this guide.

▪ Bass: Alabama, Guadalupe, largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, striped, white, yellow ▪ Catfish: blue, channel, flathead ▪ Cobia ▪ Crappie: black, white ▪ Mackerel: king, Spanish ▪ Marlin: blue, white ▪ Pickerel ▪ Red drum ▪ Sailfish

▪ Seatrout, spotted ▪ Sharks ▪ Snook ▪ Spearfish, longbill ▪ Swordfish, broadbill ▪ Tarpon ▪ Tripletail ▪ Trout: brown, rainbow ▪ Wahoo ▪ Walleye Unlawful Activities It is unlawful to: ▪ Take, kill, or disturb sea turtles. Species found in the Gulf of Mexico include Green,

Loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, Leatherback and Hawksbill. If you accidentally catch a sea turtle, immediately call (866) 887-8535 for information on how to help without injuring yourself or causing further injury to the animal.

▪ Take, kill, or disturb any endangered or threatened fish species (paddlefish, shovel-nosed sturgeon, sawfish and others).

▪ Take or kill diamondback terrapin or marine mammals such as porpoises, dolphins or whales. Immediately call (800) 962-6625 (800-9-MAMMAL) to report a stranded marine mammal.

n FISHING, 7

FRESHWATER & SALTWATER FISHING BAG LIMITS FRESHWATER FISHING Statewide regulations apply to all public fresh waters except for locations noted in the Exceptions to Statewide Freshwater Harvest Regulations. For freshwater fishes not listed, there are no statewide daily bag or length limits. For saltwater finfish species caught in the public fresh waters of this state, saltwater bag, possession and length limits apply.

Possession Limits ▪ Twice the statewide daily bag limit.

▪ The only exceptions to the statewide possession limits in fresh water are for striped bass from Lake Texoma and alligator gar from Falcon Reservoir.

▪ Please note that on lakes Caddo, Kirby, Livingston, Palestine, Toledo Bend and the Sabine River below Toledo Bend where some daily bag limits are larger than the statewide daily bag, the possession limits remain twice the statewide daily bag limits listed above.

▪ Fish stored by a person at their residence do not apply to their possession limit.

▪ See definitions of daily bag and possession limit.

Bass The combined daily bag limit for any combination of largemouth, smallmouth, Alabama, Guadalupe, and spotted bass is 5 fish.

Largemouth & smallmouth Minimum Length: 14 inches Spotted, Guadalupe & Alabama

No Minimum Length Striped & hybrid striped (also known as Palmetto or Sunshine bass) Daily Bag: 5 in any combination Minimum Length: 18 inches White bass Daily Bag: 25 Minimum Length: 10 inches Yellow bass Daily Bag: No limit No Minimum Length Catfish Channel, blue, their hybrids & subspecies Daily Bag: 25 in any combination Minimum Length: 12 inches Flathead Daily Bag: 5 Minimum Length: 18 inches Crappie White, black, their hybrids & subspecies Daily Bag: 25 (in any combination) Minimum Length:10 inches Gar, alligator Daily Bag: 1 No Minimum Length Certain areas may be temporarily closed to alligator gar fishing when optimum spawning conditions occur. Also see notes on Lawful Archery Equipment.

Paddlefish No harvest allowed Saugeye Daily Bag: 5 (only 2 can be less than 16 inches in length) No Minimum Length Shad Gizzard and threadfin

Daily Bag: No limit; however, starting April 13, 2017, a person who collects shad for personal use and transports those fish from a public water body in a container or containers that total 82 quarts or more in volume will be required to get a Permit to Possess or Sell Nongame Fish Taken from Public Fresh Water.

No Minimum Length

of this state, statewide freshwater limits apply.

Sunfish Various species including bluegill, redear, green, warmouth & longear Daily Bag: No limit No Minimum Length

Catfish Channel and blue, their hybrids and subspecies Daily Bag: 25 (in any combination) Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 12 - No limit Flathead Daily Bag: 5 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 18 - No limit Gafftopsail Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 14 - no limit

Trout Rainbow and brown Daily Bag: 5 in any combination No Minimum Length Walleye Daily Bag: 5 (only 2 can be less than 16 inches in length) No Minimum Length Exotic Aquatic Species There are special requirements associated with the harvest of harmful or potentially harmful exotic species and transport of exotic aquatic species (tilapia, grass carp).

SALTWATER FISHING Bag and length limits apply to listed saltwater species. There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game or nongame fish, except as listed in this guide.

See definitions of daily bag and possession limits.

For freshwater finfish species caught in the public salt waters

Amberjack, greater Daily Bag: 1 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 38 - No limit Bass Striped, its hybrids and subspecies Daily Bag: 5 (in any combination) Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 18 - No limit

Cobia Daily Bag: 2 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 37 - No limit Drum Black drum Daily Bag: 5 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 14 - 30 No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag limit and possession limit.

Red drum Daily Bag: 3 Length in Inches (Minimum - Max-

imum): 20 - 28 During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tag or a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section.

Flounder All species, their hybrids and subspecies Daily Bag: 5/2 (see below) Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 14 - No limit Daily bag is 5 fish except from Nov. 1-30, when the daily bag limit is 2 fish and flounder may be taken only by pole-and-line; and from December 1-14, when the daily bag limit is 2 fish and flounder may be taken by any legal means, including gigging. Possession limit is equal to the daily bag.

Gar, alligator Daily Bag: 1 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum) No limit - No limit Certain areas may be temporarily closed to alligator gar fishing when optimum spawning conditions occur.

Grouper Black grouper Daily Bag: 4 Length in Inches (Minimum - Max-

imum) 24 - No limit Gag grouper Daily Bag: 2 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 24 - No limit Goliath grouper (formerly called Jewfish) Daily Bag: 0 (catch and release only) Nassau grouper Daily Bag: 0 (catch and release only) Mackerel King Daily Bag: Increased to 3, effective March 16, 2018 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 27 - No limit Spanish Daily Bag: 15 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 14 - No limit Marlin Blue marlin Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 131 - No limit White marlin Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 86 - No limit Mullet All species, their hybrids and subspecies Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): No limit - 12 (see below) May not take from public waters, or possess on board a boat, mullet over 12 inches during October, November, December, and January. No limits apply during other

months.

only)

Sailfish Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 84 - No limit

Sheepshead Daily Bag: 5 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 15 - No limit

Seatrout, spotted Daily Bag: All waters north of FM 457 in Matagorda County – 10; All waters south of FM 457 - 5 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 15 - 25 No more than one spotted seatrout over the stated maximum length may be retained per person per day and counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit.

Snapper Lane Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 8 - No limit Red Daily Bag: 4 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum)L 15 - No limit Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than a circle hook when using natural bait.

Sharks Note: the daily bag limit is 1 fish for all allowable shark species including Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, and bonnethead.

Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, bonnethead Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 24 - No limit Hammerhead (smooth, great, scalloped) Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 99 - No limit Other allowable shark species Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 64 - No limit Prohibited shark species Atlantic angel, Basking, Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef, Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, and White.

Daily Bag: 0 (catch and release

Vermilion Daily Bag: No limit Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 10 - No limit Snook Daily Bag: 1 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 24 - 28 Tarpon Daily Bag: 1 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 85 - No limit Triggerfish, gray Daily Bag: 20 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 16 - No limit Tripletail Daily Bag: 3 Length in Inches (Minimum - Maximum): 17 - No limit

By Texas Parks & Wildlife

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Fishing Continued from 6 ▪ Place any game fish into public waters, other than the body of water where the fish was caught, without a valid permit issued by TPWD. This includes fish caught by pole and line. To apply for a permit to place fish into public waters (no fee required), download an application form or call (800) 792-1112 (menu 4) or (512) 389-4742.

▪ Use any vessel to harry, herd or drive fish including, but not limited to, operating any vessel in a repeated circular course, for the purpose of or resulting in the concentration of fish for the purpose of taking or attempting to take fish.

▪ Uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom in this state by means of a propeller. See additional information regarding seagrass regulations.

▪ Use any game fish or part of a game fish as bait.

Tagging Fish Although it is legal to place an identification tag (use caution as tags can damage fish) on the exterior of a fish and release it back into public waters, it is unlawful to release a fish with a device or substance implanted or attached to produce an audible, visual, or electronic signal used to monitor, track, follow, or in any manner aid in locating it.

The Colorado County Citizen

7

Waste of Fish It is unlawful to leave edible fish or bait fish taken from the public waters of the state to die without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait.

Special Areas and Restrictions ▪ It is a violation to move, remove, deface, alter, or destroy any sign, depth marker, or other informational signage placed by the department within, or to delineate boundaries of the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area.

▪ It is a violation to anchor or moor a vessel, barge, or structure for a period exceeding two consecutive days within the area in Cedar Bayou between a department sign erected where Mesquite Bay flows into Cedar Bayou and the department sign erected near the point where the pass empties in the Gulf of Mexico.

▪ It is a violation to leave unattended for any period of time or anchor a barge, boat, or fishing platform in the Trinity River below Livingston Dam in an area 1,000 feet from the dam to a point 1,500 feet downstream from the dam:

° for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period without moving 100 feet or more during that time, or

° for five or more consecutive days, whether or not it has been moved; ▪ Portions of the Rio Grande adjacent to the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area are designated as a “Wild and Scenic River.”

Special federal rules apply to fishing, boating and other uses in these areas. For more

information concerning these rules and boundaries, call the Big Bend National Park at (432) 477-2251 (menu 3, option 3).

Possession of Fish Taken from Public Water Fish caught and immediately released are not considered to be in possession.

Any fish that are retained by using any type of holding device such as stringer, cooler, livewell, or bucket are considered in an angler’s possession and must adhere to established length and bag limits. While fishing, it is illegal to be in possession of more fish than the daily bag limit or fish that are within a protected length limit.

In order to verify length and species, a fish caught may not have the head or tail removed and may not be filleted until an angler finally lands the catch on the mainland, a peninsula, or barrier island not including jetties or piers and does not transport the catch by boat. For broadbill swordfish and king mackerel, the head OR tail may be removed but the remainder of the carcass must remain intact and may not be filleted. For sharks, ONLY the head may be removed. The remainder of the carcass (including the tail) must remain intact and may not be filleted.

n FISHING, 9

DEER PROCESSING EQUIPMENT Save lots of money! Do it yourself!

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The Colorado County Citizen

8

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

HUNTING SEASONS COLORADO COUNTY TEXAS ALLIGATOR Non-core General Season: Apr. 1 - June 30, 2019 Bag Limit: 1 per person per year DOVE Central Zone North of IH 10 Regular Season: Sept. 1 - Nov. 4, 2018 Dec. 21, 2018 - Jan. 14, 2019 Daily Limit: 15 white-winged, mourning and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 white-tipped Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit Falconry: Nov. 17 - Dec. 3, 2018 Daily Bag Limit: 3 in the aggregate Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit South Zone South of IH 10 Regular Season: Sept. 14 - Oct. 30, 2018 Dec. 14, 2018 - Jan. 21, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: 15 white-winged, mourning and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 white-tipped Possession Limit Three times the daily bag limit Special White-winged Dove Days: Sept. 1 - 2, 2018 Sept. 8 - 9, 2018 Daily Bag Limit: 15 white-winged, mourning and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 mourning and 2 white-tipped doves.

Possession Limit Three times the daily bag limit.

Falconry: Nov. 17 - Dec. 3, 2018 Daily Bag Limit: 3 in the aggregate Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit DUCK North Zone North of IH 10 Duck Daily Bag Limit: with Gun 6 in the aggregate. Including no more than: 5 mallards (only two may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, and 1 “dusky” duck (Mottled duck, Mexican like duck, black duck and their hybrids). For all other species not listed, the bag limit shall be 6. The season for “dusky” ducks is closed the first five days of the season in each zone.

Merganser Daily Bag Limit 5 in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.

Coot Daily Bag Limit: 15 birds Possession Limit: with Gun Three times the daily bag limit Youth-Only: Nov. 3 - 4, 2018 Regular Season: Nov. 10 - 25, 2018 Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 “Dusky” Duck: Nov. 15 - 25, 2018 Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Falconry: Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019 Daily Bag Limit by Falconry: 3 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

Possession Limit by Falconry: 9 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

South Zone South of IH 10 Duck Daily Bag Limit: with Gun 6 in the aggregate. Including no more than: 5 mallards (only two may be hens), 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, and 1 “dusky” duck (Mottled duck, Mexican like duck, black duck and their hybrids). For all other species not listed, the bag limit shall be 6. The season for “dusky” ducks is closed the first five days of the season in each zone.

Merganser Daily Bag Limit: 5 in the aggregate, to include no more than 2 hooded mergansers.

Coot Daily Bag Limit: 15 birds Possession Limit: with Gun Three times the daily bag limit Youth-Only: Oct. 27 - 28, 2018 Regular Season: Nov. 3 - 25, 2018 Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 “Dusky” Duck: Nov. 8 - 25, 2018 Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Falconry: Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: by Falconry 3 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

Possession Limit: by Falconry 9 migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.

GOOSE East Zone Daily Bag Limit: 3 Canada geese, 2 white-fronted geese, 20 light geese in the aggregate.

Possession Limit: Dark geese three times the daily bag limit. Light geese no possession limit.

Early Canada Geese Season: Sept. 15 - 30, 2018 Light and Dark Geese: Nov. 3, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 Light Geese: (Conservation Order)Jan. 28 - Mar. 17, 2019 Light Geese: (Conservation Order) Only No bag limit, no possession limit.

JAVELINA No Open Season Regular Season QUAIL Regular Season: Oct. 27, 2018 - Feb. 24, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: 15 Possession Limit: 45 Mearns’ (Montezuma) Quail: No open season.

RABBITS AND HARES Regular Season No closed season Bag Limit: None RAILS, GALLINULES AND MOORHENS Regular Season: Sept. 15 - 30, 2018 Nov. 3 - Dec. 26, 2018 Daily Bag Limit: 15 King and Clapper Rails in the aggregate. 25 Sora and Virginia Rails in the aggregate.

Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit Falconry: Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: 3 in the aggregate Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit SANDHILL CRANE Regular Season: Dec. 15, 2018 - Jan. 20, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: 2 Possession Limit: 6 TEAL September Teal Only Season: Sept. 15 - 30, 2018 Daily Bag Limit: 6 in the aggregate Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit

TURKEY Rio Grande - Special 1 Turkey Bag Limit Bag Limit 1 turkey.

Bag Composition: Gobblers only Spring Season: Apr. 1-30, 2019 WHITE-TAILED DEER Bag Limit: 4 deer, no more than 2 bucks, and no more than 2 antlerless, all seasons combined.

Antler Restrictions: The bag limit in this county is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. A legal buck deer is defined as a buck deer with: at least one unbranched antler; OR an inside spread of 13 inches or greater (does not apply to a buck that has an unbranched antler). A hunter may also take ONE buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater in a different county with antler restrictions, and not to exceed that county’s bag limit.

MLDP If MLDP buck tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all bucks must be tagged with a MLDP tag. If MLDP antlerless tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all antlerless deer must be tagged with a MLDP antlerless tag. The landowner or designated agent are responsible for providing MLDP tags to the hunters on MLDP properties.

Archery Only: Sept. 29 - Nov. 2, 2018 Antlerless Deer: No MLDP tag is required to hunt antlerless deer unless MLDP tags have been issued for the property.

General Season: Nov. 3, 2018 - Jan. 6, 2019 Antlerless Deer: Antlerless deer may be taken by MLDP tag only.

Early Youth-Only Season: Oct. 27 - 28, 2018 Late Youth-Only Season: Jan. 7 - 20, 2019 Antlerless Deer: Antlerless deer may be taken by MLDP tag only.

Muzzleloader: Jan. 7 - 20, 2019 Antlerless Deer: Antlerless deer may be taken by MLDP tag only.

WILSON’S SNIPE (COMMON SNIPE OR JACKSNIPE) Regular Season: Oct. 27, 2018 - Feb. 10, 2019 Daily Bag: Limit 8 Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit WOODCOCK Regular Season: Dec. 18, 2018 - Jan. 31, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: 3 Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit Falconry: Jan. 28 - Feb. 11, 2019 Daily Bag Limit: 3 Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit

The Colorado County Citizen

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Fishing Continued from 7 Any fish taken from public water and landed by boat or person in Texas must adhere to the length limits and daily bag and possession limits established for those fish in Texas regardless of the state or country in which they were caught.

The bag limit for a guided fishing party is equal to the total number of persons in the boat licensed to fish or otherwise exempt from holding a license minus each fishing guide and fishing guide deckhand multiplied by the bag limit for each species harvested.

Transfer and Importation of Wildlife and Aquatic Resources A person may give or receive any legally taken wildlife or aquatic resource, or part of the resource, that is required to be tagged or that is protected by a daily bag / possession limit if the resource is accompanied by a Wildlife Resource Document (WRD). A person may use the downloadable form or a handwritten doc-

ument that includes the same required information. A properly executed WRD must accompany the resource until it reaches the possessor’s permanent residence or a cold storage/processing facility, EXCEPT, no WRD is required if a person receiving the wildlife resource does not exceed the possession limit (or bag limit if in the field) and is lawfully licensed or possesses the applicable license.

It is unlawful to import a wildlife or aquatic resource into this state or possess a resource taken outside this state unless: ▪ the person possesses a valid hunting, fishing, or other applicable license, endorsement, tag, permit, or document for the state or country in which the resource was legally taken; and ▪ a person produces, upon request of a game warden, a valid driver’s license or personal identification certificate.

A person may possess an animal legally obtained outside of Texas that is listed as threatened or endangered in Texas if they have proof that the animal was lawfully obtained. Proof consists of bill-of-sale, license tag, permit or notarized affidavit.

RESERVOIR BOUNDARIES FOR BAG, POSSESSION AND LENGTH LIMITS ▪ Buchanan Reservoir in Burnet, Lampasas, Llano and San Saba counties comprises all impounded waters of the Colorado River from Lake Buchanan dam upstream to the U.S. Hwy. 190 bridge.

▪ Caddo Lake in Marion and Harrison counties comprises all impounded waters of Big Cypress Bayou from the Texas-Louisiana border upstream to the State Hwy. 43 bridge.

▪ Canyon Reservoir in Comal County comprises all impounded waters of the Guadalupe River from the Canyon dam upstream to the U.S. Hwy. 281 bridge.

▪ Lake Conroe in Montgomery and Walker counties comprises all impounded waters of the West Fork of the San Jacinto River from the Lake Conroe dam upstream to FM Road 1791 bridge.

▪ Cooper Lake (Jim L. Chapman Lake) in Delta and Hopkins counties comprises all waters within the Corps of Engineers lands on Cooper Lake upstream from State Hwy. 19/154 and downstream from FM Road 71.

▪ Falcon International Reservoir in Starr and Zapata counties comprises all impounded waters of the Rio Grande from the Falcon Dam upstream to the Zapata/Webb County line.

▪ Lake Georgetown in Williamson County comprises all impounded waters of the North Fork of the San Gabriel River from the Lake Georgetown dam upstream to U.S. Hwy. 183 bridge.

▪ Gibbons Creek Reservoir in Grimes County comprises all waters within the Texas Municipal Power Agency property boundaries.

▪ Inks Lake in Burnet and Llano counties comprises all impounded waters of the Colorado River from the Roy Inks dam (Inks Lake dam) upstream to the Lake Buchanan dam.

▪ Lake Limestone in Leon, Limestone and Robertson counties comprises all impounded waters of the Navasota River from the Lake Limestone dam upstream to the Fort Parker State Park Lake dam.

▪ Lake Livingston in Leon, Houston, Madison, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker counties comprises all impounded waters of the Trinity River from the Lake Livingston dam upstream to the lock and dam near State Hwy. 7.

▪ Lake Lyndon B. Johnson in Burnet and Llano counties comprises all

impounded waters of the Colorado River from the Alvin Wirtz Dam (Lake Lyndon B. Johnson dam) upstream to the Roy Inks dam (Inks Lake dam) including the Llano River upstream to the State Hwy. 16 bridge and Sandy Creek upstream to the State Hwy. 71 bridge.

▪ Lake Marble Falls in Burnet County comprises all impounded waters of the Colorado River from the Max Starcke dam (Lake Marble Falls dam) upstream to the Alvin Wirtz dam (Lake Lyndon B. Johnson dam).

▪ Lake Murvaul in Panola County comprises all impounded waters of Murvaul Creek Bayou upstream from the Lake Murvaul Dam and Murvaul Creek Bayou downstream from the dam to FM Road 1970 bridge.

▪ Lake O’ The Pines in Camp, Marion, Morris and Upshur counties comprises all impounded waters of Big Cypress Creek from the Ferrell’s Bridge Dam (Lake O’ The Pines dam) upstream to U.S. Hwy. 259 bridge.

▪ Lake Palestine in Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Smith and Van Zandt counties comprises all impounded waters of the Neches River from the Blackburn Crossing dam (Lake Palestine dam) upstream to FM Road 279 bridge including Kickapoo and Flat Creeks in Henderson County.

▪ Lake Pat Mayse in Lamar County comprises all impounded waters of Sanders Creek from Pat Mayse Lake Dam upstream to County Road 35610.

▪ Purtis Creek State Park Lake in Henderson and Van Zandt counties comprises all waters within the Purtis Creek State Park boundaries.

▪ Lake Somerville in Burleson, Lee, Milam and Washington counties comprises all impounded waters of Yegua, East Yegua and Middle Yegua Creeks upstream from the Lake Somerville dam.

▪ Toledo Bend Reservoir in Newton, Panola, Sabine and Shelby counties comprises all impounded waters of the Sabine River from Toledo Bend Dam upstream to the Texas-Louisiana state line in Panola County.

▪ Lake Travis in Burnet and Travis counties comprises all impounded waters of the Colorado River from the Mansfield dam (Lake Travis dam) upstream to the Max Starcke dam (Lake Marble Falls dam) including the Pedernales River upstream to the Hammetts Crossing-Hamilton Pool Road bridge.

Forecast Continued from 3 the fawn crop seems to be average at 35-40 percent countywide. Antler quality is also somewhat dependent on nutrition found in vegetation as well as age and genetics. The dry conditions resulted in less availability of first choice browse plants which likely led to deer relying on second choice browse which is lower in nutritional content, but still beneficial. I have no reason to think that overall antler quality will be below average this year, but it is likely that deer have moved in to areas that have maintained higher soil moisture like creek/river bottoms where vegetation had higher access to moisture.

Quality bucks are being seen throughout the county so I am certain this upcoming hunting season will produce bucks that anyone would be proud of.

Interestingly in this area, higher rainfall amounts often have a negative impact on grassland nesting birds like turkey and quail which is opposite than most other regions of Texas. When we get large amounts of rain in a short period of time nests often flood. If these birds attempt to lay another nest, they commonly do it on higher ground and then

Birds Continued from 5 No person may import into this state or possess a migratory game bird taken outside this state, unless the person possessing the migratory game bird produces upon demand by a game warden a valid hunting license, endorsement, tag, permit or document for the state or country in which

9 become subject to nest predators as nests are typically congregated in smaller areas. So the silver lining of a dry year is that grassland nesting birds, in good range conditions, should have higher nest success.

Waterfowl are obviously dependent on surface water availability. Anybody that hunted waterfowl in this area in 2011 is sure to remember that waterfowl were congregated on the Colorado River due to drought and resulted in unbelievable hunting opportunity. This year hasn’t been that bad, but if availability of surface water is low during waterfowl season then hunting success should be high in areas that have water and quality feeding opportunities for waterfowl.

We have already seen some early migrant teal showing up but as temperatures start to cool off more waterfowl with make their way to this region of Texas.

Although conditions over the summer could have been better, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the 2018-2019 hunting season. Some timely fall rains and cooler temperatures will get resident animals moving and also bring in migrating animals.

Fall is an extremely exciting time as a wildlife professional and also as a sportsman. I hope everyone has a productive, enjoyable, and most importantly safe hunting season.

the migratory game bird was legally taken.

A person possessing a migratory game bird under this section must produce, upon demand by a game warden, a valid driver’s license or personal identification certificate.

In lieu of the requirements set forth in this subsection, a statement from the United States Customs Officer at the port of entry showing that the migratory birds were brought from Mexico is satisfactory.

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The Colorado County Citizen

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

What to do after killing a deer or pronghorn antelope Tags or Permits After a deer or pronghorn antelope is killed and before the deer is field dressed or moved, the appropriate hunting license tag or permit (MLDP, etc.) must be immediately filled out and dates cut out.

View how to properly tag a deer.

Additionally, if a hunting license tag is used, then the Hunting License Harvest Log (White-tailed deer only) must be legibly completed.

A hunter may transport a deer or pronghorn antelope to a final destination, provided it is tagged and proof of sexaccompanies the deer or pronghorn antelope.

CWD Check Stations Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal deer disease that has been discovered in white-tailed deer and mule deer in localized portions of Texas. In order to detect and manage this disease, the department has designated CWD zones within which the intact, unfrozen head of any whitetailed or mule deer harvested by a hunter must be presented at a TPWD-designated check station within 48 hours of harvest.

See check stations and view CWD zones.

Additional regulations may apply and additional zones may be established without prior notice anywhere in the state upon discovery of CWD. The department will make every effort to publicize the designation and location of CWD zones and check stations, as well as any special regulations that may be adopted following the publication of this notice. For additional or updated information visit the CWD information website, call any TPWD office or call 1-800-792-1112.

Processing of Game Animals A deer and pronghorn may be skinned and quartered (two forequarters, two hindquarters, and two backstraps) for transport, provided the quartered deer or pronghorn is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the deer or pronghorn. See Cold Storage or Processing Facility, below, for exceptions. The four quarters and two backstraps are the only parts of a deer required by law to be kept in edible condition.

Tagging and proof-of-sex requirements continue to apply until the wildlife resource reaches a final destination AND is quartered.

Deer or pronghorn may only be processed beyond quarters at a location that qualifies as a final destination.

While in camp you may remove and prepare a part of a wildlife resource if the removal and preparation occur immediately before the part is cooked or consumed; however, all tagging and proof of sex regulations apply to remaining parts until the parts reach a final destination.

Transporting and Transferring Deer or Pronghorn IMPORTANT: Special regulations may apply within designated CWD zones. See the map of check stations and CWD zones.

A person may transport a deer or pronghorn to a final destination, provided the carcass is tagged and proof of sex accompanies the carcass.

If any part of a carcass is transferred to another person before it reaches a final destination, then the transferred parts must be accompanied by a WRD. The parts retained by the person who killed the deer or pronghorn must be accompanied by a tag until the carcass reaches a final destination.

TPWD ANNOUNCED WHITE TAIL HUNTING REGULATIONS ▪ Texas Parks and Wildlife has announced the following restrictions for the hunting of white tail deer: ▪ Bag Limit: 4 deer, no more than 2 bucks, and no more than 2 antlerless, all seasons combined.

▪ Antler Restrictions: The bag limit in this county is two legal bucks, but only ONE may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.

A legal buck deer is defined as a buck deer with: at least one unbranched antler; OR an inside spread of 13 inches or greater (does not apply to a buck that has an unbranched antler). A hunter may

also take ONE buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater in a different county with antler restrictions, and not to exceed that county’s bag limit.

▪ MLDP: If MLDP buck tags have been issued for a property, harvest is

by MLDP tag only and all bucks must be tagged with a MLDP tag. If MLDP antlerless tags have been issued for a property, harvest is by MLDP tag only and all antlerless deer must be tagged with a MLDP antlerless tag. The landowner or designated agent are responsible for providing MLDP tags to the hunters on MLDP properties.

COLORADO COUNTY WHITE TAIL DEER HUNTING SEASON Archery Only: Sept. 29 - Nov. 2, 2018 Antlerless Deer: No MLDP tag is required to hunt antlerless deer unless MLDP tags have been issued for the property.

General Season: Nov. 3, 2018 - Jan. 6, 2019 Antlerless Deer: Antlerless deer may be taken by MLDP tag only.

Muzzleloader: Jan. 7 - 20, 2019 Antlerless Deer: Antlerless deer may be taken by MLDP tag only.

Youth-Only Early Youth-Only Season: Oct. 27 - 28, 2018 Late Youth-Only Season: Jan. 7 - 20, 2019 Antlerless Deer: Antlerless deer may be taken by MLDP tag only.

The Colorado County Citizen

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

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The Colorado County Citizen

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

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