HUNTING
R F
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SUTTON COUNTY
THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS | HUNTING GUIDE
Nails Time
Complete & Professional Nail Care - Waxing 325-413-1099
Appt. & Walk-Ins Welcome Gift Certificates Available
801 N. Crockett Sonora, TX 76950
Old Sonora • Ice House
Ranch Museum
206 S Water Avenue • Sonora, Texas 76950 • 325-387-3754 00788_01_AdR2.pdf
1
9/22/17
10:36 AM
Located at 601 US-277 take exit 400 off of I-10
Breakfast starting at 6am
Stoney Harris 325-650-1777 Mason Surber 432-631-4572 2 • NOVEMBER 2019
Rafael Alviso, Jr 325-206-3209
Breakfast Tacos 2/$5
2 Big Slices for $6 Whole Pie for $9.99
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Can-am Defender NOVEMBER 2019 • 3
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Derek Rogers Texas Game Warden
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Wishing you BIG BUCKS this hunting season!
325-387-2593 229 Hwy. 277 North, Sonora, TX 76950 www.thebankandtrust.com NOVEMBER 2019 • 7
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DECEMBER 2019
JANUARY 2020
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Anthrax Outbreak Drops White Tailed Deer Herds
By Kimberley Meyer, Editor The Devil’s River News While hunters prepare for the 2019 deer season, some are already dealing with a devastating threat in the West Texas hot zone also called, “The Triangle of Death”. The triangular area in southwestern Texas includes parts of Sutton, Crockett, Edwards, Kinney, Maverick, Uvalde and Val Verde counties. Weather and soil conditions were right this year for one of the most severe outbreaks of anthrax since 2005, especially in Sutton County. As a result, hundreds of animals have died throughout Sutton and surrounding counties, this past summer, where the deadly bacteria is common. Although anthrax can and has occurred throughout the state, this area seems to have one or more confirmed cases year after year. Some years are worse than others. Aside from livestock produced in the area, anthrax has taken a toll on the local whitetail deer populations as well. This is not good news for hunters or landowners. Anthrax kills deer in masses. The triangular area of West Texas where anthrax is common is also known for white-tailed deer ranching and hunting. Some depend on the seasonal sport for annual economic gain. And, although it is a very real threat to the counties affected, most outside of the triangle of death are not aware of it. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Biologist Mary Humphrey put it into perspective. Since the beginning of summer, areas in the anthrax zone have realized a significant loss of white-tailed deer. As efforts continue to collect data within an area of approximately 5 million acres, it is already estimated that as much as 80 percent of the deer 16 • NOVEMBER 2019
have been lost. It may take years to regain the numbers. This is a huge loss because of the size of the area affected, according to Humphrey. There is no way to put an exact number on deer that died due to anthrax. But, the absence of deer herds is evident enough to consider it a significant loss.
dried out, anthrax spores were exposed threatening livestock and wildlife commonly found in this area of Texas. Anthrax in Texas livestock is notable nationwide not for the numbers of affected animals but for the location. So far this year, the total number of premises with con-
This situation poses a big challenge for hunters this year making it more difficult, if not impossible, to find enough deer to enjoy their sport. In an August update by the Texas Animal Health Commission, Sutton county had 10 confirmed cases of deaths in animals due to anthrax on properties in the Southwest, South east and Northeast parts of the county. The affected animals include horses, cattle, goats, deer and antelope. Anthrax, a spore forming bacteria can survive in the soil for decades. Heavy rain or construction related disturbance can bring them to the surface where grazing animals inhale or ingest them. This past September, Sonora experienced historic flooding just before the cold winter months. Additional rain in the spring kept the ground wet until the first official days of summer. As temperatures heated up and the ground
firmed cases of anthrax is 20, in the 5 southwest Texas counties well known for outbreaks, according to the TAHC. These counties and numbers include: Sutton – 10, Crockett – 5, Kinney – 1, Uvalde – 3, and Val Verde – 1. Discovery of the bacteria in most of Sutton county marks the most severe outbreak in 14 years. Before the 2005 outbreak, Sutton County hadn’t had a severe occurrence in more than 20 years. According to the World
Organization for Animal Health, West Texas experienced heavy losses of deer and cattle in 1997 as well. Animals that die from anthrax should be properly disposed of. TAHC recommends incinerating carcasses to stop the spread of anthrax spores and possibly infecting more animals. Hunters and nature enthusiasts are cautioned to just avoid contact with animals’ carcasses if possible. Though transmission to human is rare, it is possible to become infected by the bacteria. Texas Parks and Wildlife officials maintain Anthrax outbreaks among grazing animals like the one experienced in West Texas this year should not alarm visitors to the area. This includes hunters. As with hunting any wildlife, use good sense and take precautions to stay safe and avoid spreading anthrax bacteria spores. Animal parts contaminated with anthrax spores add to the spread of the bacteria from property to property. It also puts humans at risk from handling contaminated animal parts. While it may be tempting, do not pick up antlers or other animal parts such as old bones found on the ground. Only take-home deer collected while hunting this year.
2019 Anthrax Confirmations Texas County Confirmation(s) Received 1. Sutton 2. Crockett 3. Uvalde 4. Kinney 5. Val Verde
10 5 3 1 1
Total:
20
C
CR
1 CR 12
CR1 17
Pe
Rio G ra n de
CR
Riv
25
90 £ ¤
40 9
407
7 10
1024
2009
1973
CR
6 10 163
163
2002-2011
Crockett County Val Verde County
CR
2083
CR
403
Ozona
16 Miles
Updated: 8/16/2019
Del Rio
Cienegas Terrace
202 CR
CR
CR
2001-2005
1
CR 316
1691
Sonora
Laughlin AFB
Val Verde Park
100
277
£ ¤
2009 Text
277 £ ¤
05 CR 4
189 Sutton County Val Verde County
Lake View
r ve
102
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CR
11 0
22 0
26 CR
377
£ ¤
CR
2
CR 214 CR
10 § ¦ ¨
Junction
2013
1 61
Brackettville
CR
377
£ ¤
35 CR
2012 & 2015
55
Rocksprings
CR 2
Edwards County
0 CR 12 Kimble County
50
CR
R
!
CR 4
Uvalde Sources: Esri, USGS, NOAA
Knippa
CR 101
Leakey
Real County Uvalde County
Camp Wood
50
Kimble County Kerr County
11
7 Texas Animal Health 0 Refer30to CR 41 7 C 1 0 R Commission for the extent of 5 CR laboratory confirmed cases. 2 4
72
Areas highlighted include confirmed CR and suspect death loss. 2
Edwards County Kinney County
3
2
CR 50 00
Based on reports to Texas Parks Menard County Kimble County 370 and Wildlife Department. CR
CR
Estimated Anthrax Boundary 45
Sutton County Edwards County
CR 101
55
CR
Schleicher County Sutton County
Eldorado CR
CR
¯
10 § ¦ ¨
10 8 CR
TPWD makes no representations or warranties regarding the CR10 accuracy or the completeness of the information depicted 3 Box on this map or its suitability to any particular use. This map Canyon-Amistad is not suited for navigational purposes and does not claim to depict the surveyed boundaries of private or public lands.
2019
C
e o u r re nt l l y
Pre 2015
349
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290
304
CR 4 05
Sheffield !
CR 32
408
Crockett County Schleicher County Crockett County Sutton County
Pecos CR County Terrell County
CR 116
1 CR 19
CR 404
CR 120
CR
CR 31 4
CR
Terrell County Val Verde County
CR
CR 41 0
Schleicher County Menard County
Sutton County Kimble County
CR 10 9
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CR 122 CR 27
s co
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CR
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101 CR
CR
614
40 8
204 CR
CR 60 5
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206 CR
CR
CR 261
Edwards County Kerr County
CR 305 CR
Real County Kerr County
3 30 CR
CR
Real County Bandera County
301 CR 0 21
CR
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306 CR
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Precautions for hunters and landowners Generally the onset of cooler weather lessens the chance that anthrax is present during hunting season. However, hunters and landowners need to take precautions, especially during the summer months. • Do not handle or open carcasses or collect antlers, skulls or other body parts from dead animals during or following a known anthrax outbreak. • If you encounter wildlife that you suspect has died from anthrax leave it alone and contact your local Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist. For livestock contact your local veterinarian or Texas Animal Health Commission. • Always wear disposable gloves when field dressing game and handling meat. • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and disinfect knives and other tools after handling carcasses and meat. • Do not consume meat from an animal that has a sick appearance. • Thoroughly cook all meat to kill the bacteria. • Use insect repellant to avoid fly bites • There are no proven effective means to control or prevent anthrax in free ranging wildlife at this time. Some things that might help: Keeping wildlife and livestock numbers at or below carrying capacity to help avoid grazing close to the ground. Avoid creating areas that stand water and then produce dusty conditions like under feeders and around water troughs. Move feeders or put material under them to avoid the “wallow” created.
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35 th Anniversary
JUNCTION, TEXAS
Saturday, November 30, 2019 HHH Over 30 Guns Raffled and Other Prizes with Values of $100 or More
Held Annually the Saturday after Thanksgiving
6:30 p.m. – Stevenson Center – Hwy. 83 North $10.00 Donation for Entry, Meal, and a Chance at Grand Prize
GRAND
PRIZE:
H A Half Hex Blind on 5 ft. Metal Stand w/stairs H
HHH
A $2,500 value
SPONSORED BY:
PRIZE RAFFLE TICKETS ONLY
JUNCTION, TX
AND
$1.00 EACH! CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
VIP TABLES AVAILABLE
Call
325-446-3190
H L A D I E S O N LY R A F F L E – A $1,500 value H “Pistol Packin’ Mama Package”SPONSORED ● Walter 380 Handgun & Leather Embossed Pistol Case BY: ● Brahmin Embossed Hobo Bag & Matching Wallet ● $200 Gift Card
H SUPER COMBO PRIZE – A $4,000 Total Value H Hunting Rifle AND $3,000 Trophy Axis Hunt at Whitetail Junction Ranch, Junction, TX ●
SPONSORED BY:
●
H HIGH
LIVE AUCTION:
SPONSORED BY:
LIVE AUCTION: “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere”
Yeti Cooler Full of Liquor $1,000 Value
ROLLER RAFFLE:
1 Ticket Wins Prize: 2 Guns – A $2,000 value H AND
LIVE AUCTION Argentina Dove Hunting Package for 4 – $11,000 Value And Other Fabulous Hunts/Trips to be determined S P O N S O R E D BY:
JUNCTION, TX
S P O N S O R E D BY
R.D. Kothmann InsuRance
JUNCTION, TX
*Liquor Purchased Spurs Liquor, Junction, TX
Junction Warehouse Co., Junction, TX
MASON, TX
JUNCTION, TX
4th Annual Kimble County Wild Game Dinner
Commemorative Rifle
PLASTIC SURGERY
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Come to Junction Texas, where the North, South, and Main Llano Rivers, and the Path of Totality for the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024, intersect! SM
S P O N S O R E D BY:
COLUMBIA, SC
Fort Worth Dallas
Trophy Exotic Hunt for 1 Hunter in West Texas/Texas Hill Country with Pope Brothers Guide Service $3,500 Value
Limpopo Valley South African 10 Day Hunt for 2 Hunters and 2 Non-Hunters – $18,000 Value
SPONSORED BY:
Including Daily Fees, Trophy Fees for 1 Gemsbok & 1 Wildebeest for each hunter, Transportation from Johannesburg International Airport to Select Safaris Camp outside Lephalale & Return to JIA at end of Safari, Chalet Accommodations with Meals and Open Bar, Daily Maid & Laundry Service. Can upgrade to include more animals: Kudu, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Impala, etc. Does Not Include Airfare to South Africa & Tips. Must be taken in 2020 or 2021. Day Excursions may be added for fees.
El Paso
10
Junction
35 San Antonio
37
Houston Corpus Christi
Laredo
For information contact:
Kimble County Chamber of Commerce & Junction Visitor Information 402 Main • Junction, TX 76849 • 325-446-3190 email: junctiontx@cebridge.net
www.JunctionTexas.net
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FARRIS Taxidermy
325-262-2151 601 S. Divide St. Eldorado, TX 76936 Open 7 days a week during hunting season! 23 • NOVEMBER 2019
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“Ranch cowboys, rodeo cowboys or just cowboys at heart are all invited. No steeples and stained glass, nor pews and a fancy pulpit, just a group of caring folks coming together to help and encourage each other.”
Sunday Mornin’s Cowboy Coffee @ 10am Gatherin’ @ 10:30am
11 miles North of Sonora on Hwy 277 @ the “Red Barn” FMI: 254-485-2089
Wednesdays Meal @ 6:30pm Bible Study @ 7pm
“Ridin’ brush for the Master!” 25 • NOVEMBER 2019
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WiFi
31 • NOVEMBER 2019
Shooting Safety
HUNTING GUIDE | THE DEVIL’S RIVER NEWS
Texans love to hunt. Nature beckons. There’s suspense and excitement and escape from the daily routine.
Here are the “ten commandments” of shooting safety: • Always point the muzzle of your gun in a safe direction. • Treat every firearm or bow with the same respect you would show a loaded gun or nocked arrow. • Be sure of your target. • Unload firearms and unstring conventional bows when not in use. • Handle firearms, arrows and ammunition with care. • Know your safe zone-of-fire and stick to it. • Control your emotions when using weapons. • Wear hearing and eye protection.
STRAIGHT SHOOTING ON SAFETY
• Don’t consume alcohol or drugs before or while handling firearms or bows. • Be aware of circumstances that require added caution or safety awareness.
If you practice these rules, you’ll help to ensure safety for everyone.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE This public service message is brought to you by Southwest Texas Electric Cooperative.
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