Shin oak ridge outdoors, reduced size, 11 2015

Shin Oak Ridge Outdoors

A Seasonal Publication of THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT November 2015

A Guide to Hunting & the Outdoors in northwest Williamson and Burnet counties

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SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

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SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

Enjoy the great outdoors along the Shin Oak Ridge this fall

Shin Oak Ridge

Outdoors Published annually by THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT PO Box 1235 14251 W. SH 29, Suite B Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 778-5577

News@LHIndependent.com www.LHIndependent.com For Subscriptions or Advertising Rates, call (512) 778-5577

Welcome hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to our special place in the Texas Hill Country where the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets are daily reminders of the beauty that encompasses the growing Liberty Hill area.

Shin Oak Ridge Outdoors is a new seasonal publication intended to celebrate the totality of our home here in northwestern Williamson County.

In fact, it’s possible for newcom-

PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Shelly Wilkison ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Katie Amsler REPORTERS/CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christine Bolaños Lauren Jette Michael Schoeffel Macy Ledbetter Renee Morgan The entire contents of Shin Oak Ridge Outdoors, including editorial and advertising copy, is protected under the Federal Copyright Act. Reproduction of any portion of any issue will not be permitted without the express written permission of The Liberty Hill Independent.

ers to the greater Liberty Hill area to move here and not really know about the Shin Oak Ridge, where it is, what it is or even its significance to Texas.

The Shin Oak Ridge generally is described as being a part of what is now known as northwestern Williamson and eastern Burnet counties. The ridge borders with Leander, to the south; Briggs to the north; Florence to the northeast and Bertram to the west.

The actual ridge, named for the Shinnery Oaks native to this area, is rich in wildlife, but just as rich in vistas and history. The tree is a short thicket-forming tree that is a perfect cover for white-tailed deer and other wildlife native to the area.

Whether you came here to hunt, build a life or ride the ridge -- we welcome you to Liberty Hill and our home on the Ridge.

What’s Inside

Hunting outlook for Williamson/Burnet Hunters Creek offers one-stop processsing Chef Renee’s wild game, campfire recipes Shooting straight with A Texas Girl’s Guns Choosing best site for a deer blind

Liberty Buildings has a cabin for your hunting site Ledbetter keeping track of Texas wildlife American RV has hunters covered this fall Landowners should consider Managed Lands Deer Permit Controlling feral hogs

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Ideal habitat conditions produce abundant deer population in Williamson, Burnet

By MIKE SCHOEFFEL Hunters in Williamson and Burnet counties rejoice!

Experts agree that this year’s season could be one of the best in recent memory.

“Overall, it’s going to be fantastic,” said Macy Ledbetter, a wildlife biologist and owner of Spring Creek Outdoors in San Saba. “It could be one for the record books.”

Timely rains have created near ideal habitats, which have bred a substantial fawn crop, to the tune of 6570 percent on the low end and up to 90 percent on the high end. That translates to anywhere from six to nine fawn per doe. With such a high fawn survival rate, surplus animals will be in ample supply.

A tip from Ledbetter: “Fill your freezer with female deer.”

“We have so many new females coming into the herd, we need to go in and take out some of the older, perhaps less productive females,” he said. “We need to make room for the new and improved.”

Derrick Wolter, a wildlife biologist from Texas Parks & Wildlife District 4, which includes Williamson and Burnet counties, agreed with Ledbetter’s assessment.

“With the fawn crop up, herd sizes will

be substantially bigger this year,” he said.

“Hunters can expect to see a lot of action in the coming months.”

Another byproduct of mother nature’s timely precipitation will likely be bigger bucks. According to Ledbetter, there are three facets to the development of a trophy buck: age, genetics and nutrition. The near-perfect weather leading up to the season has created what Ledbetter called “wonderful habitats” for bucks to live in.

Thus, males will have a prime opportunity to reach their full genetic potential this year.

“If he has the genetics to be big, he’s going to be big this year,” said Ledbetter. “If he doesn’t have the genetics to be big, he’ll still be a very healthy deer.”

It’s these bucks, the healthy, but not exceptionally big ones, that Ledbetter advises hunters to target. For instance, a hunter spots a group of four healthy bucks in an open field. Three have 10 points while one only has seven. Ledbetter’s advice is to shoot the seven-pointer.

Why? Because that’s the buck with the weaker antler genetics. Since the habitat has been so excellent, poor nutrition as a cause of

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poor antler production can be ruled out. Thus it would behoove the wise-minded hunter to keep the big dandies around to grow and pass on their superior genetics.

“It makes curtailing undesirable antler traits easier than ever,” said Ledbetter. “Because the question of nutrition has already been answered by mother nature.”

Turkeys, too, will enjoy bountiful numbers this season. According to Ledbetter, a lot of turkeys either died or left the area during the historic drought of 2011. But with significant rain this year, turkeys will be back in full force. In fact, the Ashley Faurie, age 15, of Liberty Hill, snagged this buck turkey population has report- on Halloween in Burnet County. Youth hunting weekend edly doubled since last year. In are able to hunt the weekend prior to opening day Nov. 7. an average year, a hen will raise (COURTESY PHOTO) three or four poults. This year, around the turn of the decade, expect that number has risen, on average, to seven or eight, and in some abnor- them to return.

“It’s going to be an exciting year,” said Ledmal instances has jumped to 12.

In other words, if you had turkeys on better. “It’s going to be a busy year. There’s your property before those rainless years See FORECAST, Page 8

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SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

Hunters’ dollars make a difference in rural Texas

By CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS For the hunter, the act isn’t just a sport, but a way of life. It’s an opportunity to connect with the outdoors and share a passion with family and friends. It is also a strong economic industry that creates and supports jobs and conservation efforts.

According to National Shooting Sports Foundation, hunters supply “billions in funding, as well as on-the-ground effort to protect and improve critical habitat and wildlife for current and future generations to enjoy.”

Hunters also provide financial backing for thousands of jobs directly involved in manufacturing, sale or provision of hunting and outdoor products and services.

According to NSSF’s Hunting in America: Economic Force for Conservation, “when people travel to take part in hunting -whether it’s halfway across the country or just down the road -- they help support hundreds of thousands of jobs at local stores, restaurants, hotels, and manufacturers and other businesses as well.”

According to the report, hunters support businesses that generate almost $12 million annually in federal, state and local tax revenues.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, “13.7 million people aged 16 or older -- ap-

proximately 6 percent of the United States population -- went hunting that year and spent a whopping $38.3 billion on equipment, licenses, trips and more.”

The economic impact of hunting is also palpable at the state and local levels.

“Considering deer hunting alone has a $2.1 billion annual economic impact, it is a big deal in Texas and especially to rural communities that depend on it,” explained Steve Lightfoot, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department news team leader. “But Texas has a strong hunting heritage and that has not changed over the years.”

The department uses data found on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife study, which is completed every five years, as well as reports developed by Southwick and Associates. The last study was published in 2011.

Lightfoot predicts hunting will continue to be a strong economic industry in Texas.

“As more people look to reconnect with nature and the outdoors, hunting will continue to be an option,” he said. “It touches so many in the community from restaurants and hotels to the gas station and retail businesses that provide for hunters, all the way to landowners who provide opportunities through hunting lease access to their ranches.

“When you see those green camouflage-clothed hunters come to town they’re bringing in green of another kind

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…. green dollars,” Lightfoot explained.

He believes that without hunting and the economic benefits it brings to rural communities, businesses that tailor to these sportsmen would be adversely affected.

“It provides a staple source of income to many ranchers who lease hunting rights to their land and hunters in turn are helping maintain healthy populations of wildlife on those ranches, which ultimately benefits the rancher,” he added.

TPWD officials said the studies they use do not report on the county level so there is no way to track the economic impact of hunting in local counties such as Williamson and Burnet.

However, the number of businesses tailored to hunting season and hunters may give a hint of the industry’s economic impact.

“There’s no question that deer hunters boost the economy in small towns for the several weeks they are in the area, and local businesses are happy to see them arrive,” said Angie Beyer, office coordinator at Burnet Chamber of Commerce.

“In fact, I read an article that stated hunting and fishing support over twice as many jobs in Texas as Dell Computer, Lock-

heed Martin, Electronic Data Systems and Dow Chemical Company combined,” Beyer said. “There is a definite economic stimulus when hunters come to Burnet and we welcome and appreciate their arrival!”

Williamson County is home to a number of gun retailers, including A Texas Girl’s Guns in Liberty Hill where licensed professional instructors also teach Hunter Education and other gun safety classes year round.

However, according to shop owner Judith Baker, the shop does not have a way to determine how much revenue can be attributed to hunting.

“Some caliber guns are used for multiple purposes such as hunting, competition and just long-range shooting,” she explained. “In addition, some hunting products can be used for different or multiple purposes.”

Annually, area bow hunters look forward to weekend hunts at River Ranch County Park, part of the Williamson County park system in Liberty Hill. The County seeks qualified bow hunters for weekend hunts at the undeveloped park located on County Road 282.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

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Hunters Creek is one-stop shop for processing needs

By LAUREN JETTE While most people wouldn’t relish the job of processing a freshly killed deer and butchering the meat, Hunters Creek Processing owner Cole Stevens loves doing exactly that.

“I love what I do, the guys (who work here) love what they do. If you don’t have a good attitude, you don’t work here. It’s just another day in paradise,” Stevens said.

“This facility is built to process deer. The people that run it are built to process deer.

It’s not for everybody.”

In its fifth year, Hunters Creek Processing offers hunters a place to drop off their deer, where it will be skinned, washed, deboned and butchered into whatever kind of meat the customer wants, Stevens explained.

“We have tons of different things that people can order, so if we’re butchering that deer, we pull the amount of meat out that they need and make their specialty item and we’ll make that once we’re done butchering,” he said.

Specialty meats offered include link sausage, breakfast sausage, summer sausage, jerky, fajita meat, filets and more.

Stevens said the top selling items are the jalapeño cheese link sausage, of which they produced 21,000 pounds of last season, and the breakfast sausage.

“It’s a versatile deal,” Stevens said.

“You can use breakfast sausages in casseroles, in quesos, in your eggs, for your tacos. We have a lot of people who use our breakfast sausage as regular hamburger.

They’ll put it in spaghetti, in enchiladas or whatever.”

Stevens sees the role of his business as helping people put food on the table.

“It’s a good feeling to me, to know that I’ve put so much on people’s plates,” Stevens said.

“It’s a very broad spectrum of people I service and it doesn’t matter to me, as long as all of them are taken care of. They’re eating something that’s quality, healthy and affordable. That’s what’s important to me.

That’s why I’m in it. I can’t count the number of meals we’ve put on the table for people.”

Hunters Creek Processing maintains a high standard of cleanliness and service.

The loading dock where deer are skinned and cleaned is washed and sterilized each night. A state of the art pulley system keeps deer off the floor and makes it easier for employees to move them around, and all the equipment is top of the line.

“The equipment we have helps us in what we do. When we built the facility, we brought everything brand new. We keep it maintained, we keep it oiled, we keep it efficient,” Stevens said.

“We are a state-inspected facility,” he added.

“Even though there’s no real licensing involved in this industry, we volunteer ourselves to be inspected. We also play by the rules as far as state law says you can harvest so many deer, only certain kind of female and buck deer. We work hand in hand with game wardens. Anything they need, we provide it.”

Hunters Creek Processing only employs five people, but they have plenty of experience in what they do.

“We not only work in the community, we employ people in the community,” Stevens said.

“Between four cutters, we’ve got 57 years of cutting experience. These guys are all licensed butchers. Everything that comes out of this facility is inspected and cut by somebody that’s licensed.”

Since opening five years ago, Hunters Creek Processing has seen an increase in the number of animals they process, and they hope to continue to build on that growth.

“We do a lot. We’re hoping to beat last year’s numbers, close to 3,000 this year.

That’s a lot of animals to do in three and a half, four months,” Stevens said.

“That’s why it’s important that we have See TAXIDERMY, Page 8

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(ABOVE) Butchers at Hunters Creek Processing are all licensed and have more than 50 years experience combined. (BELOW) Owner Cole Stevens, left and his employees are happy to process your deer and put food on the table this winter.

LAUREN JETTE PHOTOS

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SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

General Rifle Season in Williamson & Burnet counties Nov. 7, 2015 - Jan. 3, 2016

West of IH 35: Bag Limit 5 (no more than 2 bucks, all seasons combined).

Antler Restrictions do not apply on properties for which Level 2 or Level 3 MLDPs have been issued. For the seasons listed above, a legal buck is a buck deer having at least one unbranched antler, or an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. The inside spread requirement does not apply to any buck that has an unbranched antler. Not more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater may be taken.

Quail Season Oct. 31 - Feb. 28, 2016 Turkey Season Nov. 7 - Jan. 3, 2016 Dove Season Dec. 18 - Jan. 1, 2016 Duck (Regular) Nov. 7-29; Dec. 12 - Jan. 31, 2016 www.TPWD.texas.gov

Determining age of deer in the field Hunters can determine the approximate age of a deer by looking at various characteristics.

Wildlife Biologist Macy Ledbetter notes a yearling buck (above left) has a long pointed nose and a shallow face, sharp facial features and tight skin.

When compared to a five-year-old buck (second from left), the older buck has full skeletal features, including a wide forehead, deep face, a decent antler mass and a shortened nose.

“Note the physical features of the beginnings of gray hair in his face between his nose and eyes, and between his eyes and antlers,” Ledbetter said. “And his skin is not

stretched tight, but appears comfortable.”

Post mature females and bucks have wide foreheads and increased gray hair.

“This post mature female (top right) looks tired to me,” he said. Her gray hair is obvious, her skull is very wide, her ears are heavy-looking and she just looks old and tired. Note the gray hair between and below her eyes and blunt muzzle.”

The post mature buck (right) “has a very wide forehead, very deep face and blunt nose, overall a very large skull. Note his gray and pitted and potted coat and how loose his skin appears to be,” Ledbetter said.

“Once you see the minor variations, it

WWW.SPRINGCREEKOUTDOORS.COM PHOTOS

becomes much easier to age deer on the hoof and in the field,” he said. “It takes time and practice, but is very possible to do.”

Forecast

Taxidermy

going to be a lot going on out there.”

Unfortunately, there’s going to be some bad, too. Predators have thrived off ideal habitat conditions, just like turkey and deer. So feral hog and coyote numbers will be up. Also, too, somewhat surprisingly, will quail numbers.

“Quail respond rapidly to improved habitat conditions,” said Wolter. “I’ve heard more people than ever say that they’re seeing for the first time in five, 10 years this year.”

According to Ledbetter’s records, it’s the best year for quail since 1987. And while Ledbetter said there may not be enough to hunt, he acknowledged that “you’ll certainly have enough to sit out and enjoy their calls in the evening and morning.”

No matter what type of hunting you’re planning on doing -- deer, turkey, rabbit, quail, squirrel -- this season should be a bountiful one.

“Most ranches are setting some kind of record, like biggest buck ever produced, most quail seen,” said Ledbetter. “There are a lot of daily records being made and it’s all good. Everybody’s happy.”

“It’s going to be a very fun year,” he added.

our stuff together. We are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. We’re always here. Our phone’s always on, we’re always answering. Beyond that, we do have a walk-in cooler that’s accessible by anybody. It’s convenient for the hunter.”

Stevens is also a taxidermist, and works on projects in another building next door to Hunters Creek Processing.

“We don’t just stop with the processing.

If you harvest an animal and you want a display for your wall and it’s a memory you want to make last forever, we can taxidermy it,” Stevens said.

Cole Stevens Taxidermy is one of the largest taxidermies in the state now, and has worked on projects with animals from all over the world, Stevens said.

“This industry is seasonal for a lot of people, but for me, I don’t look at it that way anymore. I know that there’s deer season and I know that there’s taxidermy season for me. There’s always something to do.

Always.”

Hunters Creek Processing is located at 4892 N. US Highway 183, 5 miles north of Seward Junction. For more information, visit www.hunterscreekprocessing.com.

Continued from Page 5

Continued from Page 7

WWW.SPRINGCREEKOUTDOORS.COM PHOTOS

Wildlife Biologist Macy Ledbetter says 2015 will be the year of the hunter. Record-setting fawn survival rates are being reported statewide, quail numbers are higher than in the past 15 years, and turkey poults “are counted on two hands per hen. Quality animals are roaming statewide.”

Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

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SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

with Chef Renee Morgan

Enjoy the outdoors, and comforting food flavors of fall Ah, fall! The changing leaves, the pumpkin carving, jumping in piles of leaves (it could happen if I weren’t such a control freak), sitting on the front porch wrapped in a blanket sipping on a little juiced up hot apple cider. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s only been in the last week or so that we haven’t been baking alive. But it’s coming.

Mark my words….. Fall is truly my favorite time of year. I love the colors, the eventual cooler temperatures, flannel and boots, and most importantly; the food flavors of fall. They’re just so much richer and more comforting.

This is the time of year I go just a little teensy, weensey bit overboard making soups and stews and chilis. I think we might have just finished the last of what I made and put in the freezer last year.

One of my favorite things about fall is enjoying a variety of game meat, hard won from hunting trips. I really know my hunter friends love me when they bring me some of their spoils to cook up.

I love all kinds of wild game….pheasant, venison, fish, rabbit, duck, wild boar, you name it. Since we are soon headed into the bulk of hunting season, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite camping and venison recipes and tips.

Truthfully, game, especially venison, can be among the healthiest and most sustainable meats that we can consume.

Wild game free ranges on berries, acorns, grasses, natural herbs and nuts, all without harmful chemicals, antibiotics and hormones. Venison, in particular, is rich in healthy Omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and it’s naturally very lean and low in cholesterol.

Yeah, but it’s dry, it’s tough, it’s gamey, some say. Nothing could be further from the truth…so long as it’s prepared properly.

The first thing to remember about preparing venison is that it’s extremely lean, and even though it’s sort of beef-like, it’s not beef and can’t be prepared like beef.

This means that if you’re a “well done” sort of person, you’re gonna need to back off a bit.

Well done meat (or as chefs like to call it - burnt), typically registers 165 degrees on the meat thermometer. Venison should never be cooked more than 145 degrees,

at the very most, preferably more like 135. The longer you cook it, the drier and tougher it will become.

Here are a few other ideas on venison processing and prep that I have found helpful over the years:

Tips on venison preparation

1. If you are taking your harvested deer to a processor, ask them to wet or dry age the meat. You will be pleased with how much more tender it will be.

2. Trim any fat off the venison before cooking it. I know that seems counterintuitive since fat usually equals flavor. However, what little fat there is on a deer is quite unpleasant, doesn’t help to tenderize or flavor the meat at all, and will coat the tongue when eaten. Yuck!

3. That being said, you can help the meat retain moisture in several different ways.

COURTESY PHOTO

Try adding a fatty meat, such as bacon or port belly, with your venison dish. You can also help the meat to retain moisture by using dry or wet rubs or marinades and also by brining the meat.

To create a brine, boil enough water to cover the meat, along with salt, sugar or brown sugar, maybe a little cider vinegar, and any other spices you like. Allow the mixture to cool, pour it over the meat to

completely cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Discard the liquid before cooking.

4. I don’t really think deer has a particularly “gamey” taste. It just tastes like meat that has a more natural diet. However, if you feel like you need to curb that flavor, you can soak the meat for a while in milk

skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils for 1 minute. Add the venison back to the skillet, turning them to coat in the sauce. Transfer the tenderloins

to a serving platter and pour the sauce over the meat. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before thinly slicing.

See FOOD WISE, Page 11

Venison Loin with Honey Mustard Molasses Sauce

Serves 6 2 Venison tenderloin 1/2 cup molasses 1/4 c cider vinegar 1/4 apple juice 2 tablespoons honey + 2 tablespoons mustard, mixed 2 garlic cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1. In a large bowl or gallon zip type bag, combine the venison, molasses, vinegar, apple juice, honey mustard, garlic, ginger, nutmeg and rosemary. Turn the meat to coat with marinade on both sides. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

2. Remove the venison from the marinade, pat the meat dry and reserve the marinade. Heat a medium cast iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the oil to the skillet and allow to heat until shimmering. Add the venison to the pan and sear, turning to cook evenly on all sides, until evenly browned, about 8 minutes. Remove the tenderloins from the pan and set aside.

3. Pour the reserved marinade into the

COURTESY PHOTO

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Food Wise

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

Page 11

Continued from Page 10

or buttermilk to help abate it.

5. All cuts of venison are not created equal. The shoulders and neck should be used for stews and braises, where they will be cooked low and slow. The tenderloin and hindquarter is very tender and can be used for steaks. The rib meat is good to make ground meat for hamburgers and such.

I’ve included two of my favorite deer meat recipes here and also a favorite camping recipe that uses turkey and sausage meatballs (which I like to make ahead), but you could easily use ground venison in that recipe also. I hope you enjoy and happy hunting!

Italian Style Hobo Bundles

Serves 6 About 5 tbsp. olive oil, divided 1/3 cup dried Italian-style bread crumbs 1/3 cup milk 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus shredded parmesan for serving 3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus whole leaves for serving 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus whole leaves for serving 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon pepper, divided 1/4 tsp. cayenne, plus more for serving 1 pound ground turkey (preferably thigh meat) 1 pound ground Italian sausage 2 pounds small red potatoes, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-in. chunks or halves 1 large onion, cut into slim wedges 4 medium carrots, sliced diagonally 4 teaspoons cornstarch 1. In a fire pit, build a wood fire about as wide as the cooking grate. Let it burn to low flames and embers (1 to 1 1/2 hours; or use charcoal); fire is ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grate only 5 to 7 seconds. Cut six sheets of heavy-duty foil into 18-in. squares. Brush or rub center of each with a little oil; set on work surface.

2. In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, milk, grated parmesan, chopped parsley and basil, 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper, and the cayenne. Add ground turkey and sausage (squeeze it from casings if it’s in links). Stir until well blended, then shape into 18 balls, setting on parchment paper or plates.

3. Put three meatballs in the center of each foil sheet, then divide potatoes, onion, and carrots among sheets. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup oil, 1/3 cup water, the cornstarch, and remaining 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper; spoon over

ingredients on foil, stirring sauce as you go.

4. On each bundle, bring two opposite sides of foil together across the middle and fold to make a seam 1 inch wide. Fold seam on itself again, then fold it flat on packet. Fold ends on themselves about 1 inch, then repeat to seal securely.

5. Set bundles on grill and cook, turning over with tongs every 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender and meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes (to check, open with a knife).

6. Open packets (or snip off ends of foil with scissors) and scoop food onto plates, being careful to prevent burns to your hands. Snip whole parsley and basil leaves on top and serve with more cayenne and shredded parmesan.

Chef Renee’s Cooking Tip: Freeze meatballs (step 2) on baking sheets lined with parchment paper until solid, then transfer to resealable plastic bags, double-lined with parchment. Pack frozen in your cooler and thaw before cooking (takes 1 to 2 days). You can also chill packets (through step 4) in cooler up to 6 hours.

COURTESY PHOTOS

(ABOVE) Hobo bundles are delicious alternatives to traditional camping foods. Just wrap your ingredients in heavy-duty cooking foil, carefully seal it and place over the campfire burning at low flames. (BELOW) Try Chef Renee’s recipe for Venison Chili.

Venison Chili

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 chipotle peppers, chopped 2 pounds ground venison 2 teaspoons seasoned salt 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons black pepper 1 cup beer 1 serving hot chocolate mix 1 1/2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from chipotle peppers) 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce 1 tablespoon cumin 2 teaspoons oregano 1. Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and chipotle peppers; cook until onion is translucent.

Add the venison and cook until done. Add seasoned salt, chili powder, red and black pepper, beer, chocolate mix, adobo sauce, Worcestershire, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin and oregano and allow to simmer for about an hour. Add beer or water if mixture gets too thick.

Chef Renee Morgan is a regular columnist for The Liberty Hill Independent.

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Page 12

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

A Texas Girl’s Guns is full-service gun shop

By DANA DELGADO After 12 years in the business including their last five years in Liberty Hill, Judith and Dennis Baker -- owners of A Texas Girl’s Guns -- have developed a diverse following not only for their full line and ready supply of firearms and accessories, interactive classes, and quality service, but trust.

“Trust has become a big thing,” said Judith Baker, an experienced and certified instructor with a unique military background. “That’s who we are. We take our time to serve and really help our customers. They know that they can always come back for help and support and that is valuable.”

The gun shop, located at 137040 W. State Hwy 29, Suite 6 at the intersection of RR 1869, continually amazes its diverse customer base that not only includes hunters, but families and individuals of all ages interested for a variety of reasons including protection and sport coming from as far away as Houston and Corpus Christi.

“We are a full service gun shop,” said Mrs. Baker. “We have such a large inventory that it always surprises our customers.”

Among its extensive stock, the one-stop gun shop carries suppressors or silencers for several types of firearms including

shotguns and pistols and new night vision and thermal vision riflescopes.

“They are starting to become more popular because they are more affordable,” she said. “Two years ago, the suppressors became legal to hunt game animals. The advantages are that you don’t need hearing protection and you don’t spook the herd.

They are very cool.”

The shop also carries a variety of sporting rifles, which Dennis Baker said have been modified to accommodate various needs and are easier to maneuver with while hunting.

Also available are pistol concealment products, cleaning supplies, speed loaders, range bags, tactical gear and ammunition among numerous other items.

There is also a well-stocked reloading section that has become an integral part of the shop.

In addition, the store sells hunting and fishing licenses, and has added a line of ladies western purses and boots, and has built a reputation for its quality classes.

Despite the store’s name, the business is not a novelty gun shop that is exclusive to the needs of women. It has an appeal to individuals from all walks of life and all ages, genders and interests. While men still

DANA DELGADO PHOTO

Judith Baker of A Texas Girl’s Guns is certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety and is a former military firearms instructor. She teaches several firearms training courses including Texas Concealed Handgun License and Texas Hunters Education. dominate the customer base, the business has seen a steady increase in women and couples along with extended family members to attend training sessions together.

“As an FFL (Federal Firearms Licensed) and

Class III Dealer, we specialize in supporting the shooting enthusiast, law enforcement, military, hunter and gun collector,” she See GUN SHOP, Page 20

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

Page 13

Hunters give back to their communities

COURTESY PHOTOS

RYLOND SOWELL, age 9, from Liberty Hill, killed this 11pt deer in Liberty Hill during youth-only hunting weekend last week.

MICHAEL REININGER, 16, of Liberty Hill, harvested this 8pt white tailed buck on Oct. 31 in Burnet County.

Share your photos of successful hunters with us.

All animals pictured must have been harvested legally according to Texas regulations. The hunter who shot the deer should appear in the photo. The animal’s carcass must be attached to the head - no head-only photos. Submit photos to us by email at news@LHIndependent.com. Be sure to provide the following information: name of hunter, location where deer was harvested and date of kill.

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By CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS Central Texas hunters use the sport as more than just a time to spend outdoors with loved ones. They give back by donating food to the hungry.

Hunters for the Hungry, a statewide hunger relief program run by Feeding Texas, provides healthy protein to Texans in need.

According to officials at the organization, Texas Hunters for the Hungry has provided more than 2 million pounds of meat to hungry Texans. Last year alone, sportsmen donated more than 100,000 pounds of venison to the program.

“Hunters for the Hungry provides a great opportunity for sportsmen to give back to their communities and help hungry Texans in need,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texans. “Venison is an excellent source of protein for the families we serve, and is one of the items that is least donated.”

According to Hunters for the Hungry officials, one in six Texas families, including more than 4 million Texans, struggle to afford a nutritious diet, which can lead to hunger, diet-related illness or unacceptable choices between basic needs such as food and medicine.

H4TH combats hunger and malnutrition

by distributing donated venison to needy Texans while promoting environmental responsibility.

H4TH partners with meat processors, food assistance providers, landowners, hunters and state agencies to make its cause a success. Via the program, hunters can donate their legally tagged, field-dressed deer at participating meat processors across Texas.

A hunter contributes about $40 to cover processing costs. Meat processors then prepare and package the venison and contact local food assistance providers to distribute it to needy families and individuals.

H4TH officials say venison is among the best protein sources due to its healthy and low-fat content. Venison also proves economical with a cost of $1 per pound to process and distribute. H4TH also helps landowners manage deer populations.

The program was established 20 years ago.

Cole said Hill Country Fine Meats in Marble Falls is the only processor in the area that has registered for the program this year.

For more information or to donate call (512) 590-0659.

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Page 14

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

‘Think like a deer’ when choosing site for deer blind

By MACY LEDBETTER Spring Creek Outdoors Blind placement is one of the most overlooked segments of deer hunting. When selecting a suitable location, don’t think like a human, but like that of a deer. Oftentimes, placing the blind for convenience is much different than placing it where it may offer the best chance for success.

Deer, particularly mature bucks, use travel corridors -- edges, drainages, creeks, tree lines and other screening covers to get from one place to the next. Outside of the rut and the accompanying brief lapse of intelligence, mature bucks stick close to these landscape features to offer maximum concealment as they travel.

A well-placed blind will be able to ob-

WWW.SPRINGCREEKOUTDOORS.COM PHOTOS

Choose deer blind location wisely, considering deer movements and being courteous to neighboring land owners.

serve these corridors, perhaps more than one simultaneously, at a safe enough distance to avoid detection by the quarry yet offering a high percentage shot distance.

Placing the blind too close to travel or feeding locations such as feeders or food plots will disrupt the animal’s daily routine and minimize success significantly.

Feeders should offer protective cover as animals travel to and from them as well.

Feeders in the wide open offer no such protection and create deer activity only under the cover of darkness.

Obviously, prevailing wind direction must also be taken into consideration. Cross or down wind from travel and feeding areas will ensure the best chance of success and such locations must only be hunted when the winds are favorable. Hunting these locations when the winds are “not right” will only educate the animals and make them more wary of the area.

Outside of the rut, most mature bucks will approach a feeding location downwind to scent-check the area for danger and for hot does before exposing themselves. If your blind is too close to the feeder, the buck will approach downwind of your location as well as the feeder, and you will be busted.

If your blind is too far, you may be unable to make an accurate shot. Since “how far is

Your Outdoor

too far” is highly variable, try to take into account your actual abilities and place the blind at as far away from the feeder as you can confidently make the shot.

An often overlooked part of deer blind is anchoring it to the ground. The winds are not always calm in Texas, so making sure your blind will be there next hunting season is a must. Tie-downs, anchors, guy wires, concrete posts and t-posts are required to not only keep your blind upright, they will also help keep the blind steady when the moment of truth arrives and you have to make the shot.

There is an unwritten rule among ethical hunters and landowners that states that no hunting blinds will be placed along property lines. The appropriate distance requires common sense based on topography, habitat, line-of-sight and shooting direction.

The same holds true for feeder placement. No neighboring landowner should be able to see your feeders or blinds and you should not be able to see theirs. If your property is small and irregular shaped, hunt only the center and perhaps a tower blind is not for you. If your property is large, concentrate on travel corridors away from the boundary line and out of sight of See BLIND, Page 17

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

Page 15

Liberty Buildings offers hunters a home away from home

DANA DELGADO FILE PHOTOS

Located at 10280 State Highway 29 West in Liberty Hill, Liberty Buildings has cabins, storage buildings and much more to make your hunting lease more comfortable. Owner Don Bebee says customization is available, and pricing includes delivery and set up.

By LAUREN JETTE The only thing better than hitting up the deer lease this season, is being able to stay on the lease in the comfort of a cabin.

Liberty Buildings has hunters covered, with a variety of storage buildings, cabins, barns and carports ready to be delivered and set up.

“We have portable storage buildings, we have metal buildings, barns, carports, RV covers,” said owner Don Bebee.

“In the portable storage buildings, we have the utility buildings, the vaulted barn buildings. One of the things that we have is cabins. We’re basically the innovative leader in this business. We can customize their buildings, put windows and doors and porches wherever they want them.”

The cabins prove to be popular throughout the year, and especially around hunting season, and are available in a range of sizes, Bebee said.

“The cabins, the biggest we can haul down the road is 16 (feet) wide, 52 (feet) long. You can buy any of those buildings to store things in or to stay in, or lease, so we have everything from say 10x16 up to 16x52. We can build any of our buildings on site.”

The cabins make a great option for hunters, as they are well built and have windows, doors and a porch.

Another reason Liberty Buildings is the place to go for portable buildings, is because of all the options available to customers.

Although the buildings Liberty Buildings have on site have the windows and doors already in place, if the customer orders a building, they can place the windows and doors wherever they want them. The customer also gets to choose different stain or paint colors for the exterior of their building.

“If Liberty Buildings does not have what the customer needs on the lot, the customer is in control and can customize their building order with their own choices of

window, door and porch placement,” Bebee said.

Also, a painted building is the same price as a treated building, and a metal roof is the same price as a shingled building.

Those options for customers put Liberty Buildings above the rest, Bebee said.

“We have a lot of options and features, particularly with our portable storage buildings that other companies don’t even offer. We’re the innovative leader in customizing these storage buildings.”

Bebee said delivery and set up is built into the cost of each building, and there is no credit check.

“Most of the time it’s pretty simple,” Bebee said.

“The price includes delivery and set up, and unless the gate is too narrow and the trees are too low, or the slope is too steep, (but) most of the time the customer has taken care of all of that. We unload them, bring them in and level them up.”

And just like that, customers can begin enjoying their portable building. Thanks to some of the best warranties in the industry, customers’ purchases are also protected.

“We have the best warranties in the industry on materials. We have the best manufacturer’s warranties in the industry,” Bebee said.

“We’re made in the USA and Texas as well.”

Liberty Buildings has been in business for almost eight years now, and offers easy payment options.

“On the rent to own, we do the 36-month rent to own, or if the building is over $5,500, a 60-month rent to own. You can put additional money down and lower your payment. You can pay them off early, with no pre-payment penalty,” Bebee said.

For more information about products offered by Liberty Buildings, see www.libertybuildings.net or call (512) 548-6374.

Liberty Buildings is located at 10280 Highway 29 West in Liberty Hill.

STOCK UP BEFORE THE BIG HUNT! Deer Corn • Beer • Tobacco • Beef •Jerky Snacks • Firewood • Charcoal • Gas 10990 Highway 29 W | Liberty Hill 78642 | 512-778-5512

Page 16

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

Ledbetter keeping track of Texas wildlife

By MIKE SCHOEFFEL Macy Ledbetter was born to be a wildlife biologist.

Before he founded the widely popular wildlife consulting firm Spring Creek Outdoors, years before he became one of the most respected wildlife authorities in Texas, he was just a youngin’ in San Saba County, putting two fingers in his father’s belt loop and trotting behind him out to the hunt.

It was on those father-son hunting trips that Ledbetter developed what he calls a “captivation” with whitetail deer. That captivation sparked his career in wildlife and remains as fervent today as it was in childhood.

Ledbetter grew up living next to a game warden. He recalls wanting to become one himself. But as he grew older, he discovered that game wardens mainly deal with lawbreakers and, as he put it, “dead wildlife.” The thought discouraged him.

He had a desire to work with wildlife, but he wanted to dedicate himself to its positive aspects, not the negative. So when he discovered the job of wildlife biologist, his niche was found, his course charted.

“That got my attention,” he said. “It was everything I was looking for in a career.”

From that point forward, it’s been pretty much a straight shot up the career ladder for Ledbetter.

As he put it: “I’ve never wavered in my life, never had second thoughts. I’ve always known this is exactly what I want to do.”

Ledbetter is a true anomaly, a rare type of person whose passion for and knowledge of a particular subject are at exceedingly high, and essentially even, levels. Combine those characteristics with his preternatural sense of focus, and the end result is a genuine expert, perhaps even a genius, on Texas wildlife: that’s all Texas wildlife, from “pronghorn on the upper panhandle plains, to mule deer in the Davis Mountains, to everything and everywhere in between,” as he put it.

“As long as I was old enough to realize I could do this for a career, it’s what I’ve done,” he said.

“I do consider it a calling. I don’t take it lightly, and I try to give back as much as I can.”

Ledbetter graduated from Texas A&M in 1992 with a degree in wildlife biology. Of the 50 graduates in his field, only two had jobs waiting for them after school. Ledbetter was one of them. He worked on a ranch in the western Hill Country, a “hands-on job that I really loved,” for a year and a half after graduation. His dream, though, was to work as a wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. In 1995, he got that

WWW.SPRINGCREEKOUTDOORS.COM PHOTOS

Macy Ledbetter counts deer and other wildlife for land owners across the state from the seat of a low-flying helicopter. chance, and at 24, he became the youngest wildlife biologist ever hired by TPW at the time. He worked out of Three Rivers, covering five counties in the southern part of the state.

“There I was at 24 years old and I had already realized my lifelong goal,” he said.

“I thought: ‘Wow, that was fast. That was spooky fast.’”

Ledbetter spent 10 years at TPW before life interrupted. His father passed away in his hometown of San Saba, prompting Ledbetter to consider moving back home so his two kids could spend more time with their grandparents. At 34, he retired from TPW, relocated back to his family’s ranch (which has been in the family for more than 100 years), built a house, and started his own wildlife consulting business known as Spring Creek Outdoors, named after the community where four family generations are buried.

“I started that business mainly out of necessity and because I wanted to stay

focused on wildlife management for my career,” he said.

The venture has worked out pretty well for him.

Nowadays, Ledbetter has his hands in a little bit of everything. Working as a wildlife biologist and ranch real estate agent for Spring Creek Outdoors, a company he’s grown to statewide acclaim, Ledbetter’s role varies on a seasonal basis. Starting in January, he helps ranch owners stock their property with the right type of wildlife, genetically speaking.

Said Ledbetter: “It’s like selling your cows and getting a new batch of cows because you want new genetics. Same idea.”

Ledbetter works with his former employer, TPW, which is in charge of the wildlife permitting process, to make sure all rules and regulations are met. Then he hops in a helicopter and flies out to capture genetically superior deer with a net gun.

“We chase these deer into an open field, shoot the net over it, and boom, we’ve got

him, or her,” he said. “A lot of the females we catch are pregnant, so we take her genetics from “Ranch A” to “Ranch B.”

By March, the deer capturing season draws to a close and Ledbetter settles down in front of a computer to don his data analyst hat. He takes harvest data submitted by clients (i.e. weight, age, antler measurements, and more, for all deer killed during the season) and summarizes them in myriad ways, from charts to graphs to Excel documents. For essentially the entire month of March, for 8-10 hours per day, he combs through reports to digest and retain as much information as possible.

The purpose? To discern the health of a particular habitat. After all, the health of wildlife on a particular plot can paint a fairly comprehensive picture about what’s going on in their environment.

“The animals that are harvested off the land speak volumes about what’s going on in the habitat,” he said. “It’s like a mirror image.”

From the spring and into the summer, Ledbetter slips into his role as a ranch real estate agent.

Potential clients contact him with requests: they’re looking to buy a ranch for recreational hunting, or bass fishing, or any number of reasons. The requests range from the specific to the general, and vary wildly in price range, but whatever the case may be, Ledbetter utilizes his vast network of connections and deep well of knowledge to locate just the right piece of land.

“The perfect ranch isn’t going to take two weeks. It might take two months, two years, but I’ll find that ranch. And when I do, come buy it, and we’ll hit the ground running,” he said.

Ledbetter differs from an average real estate agent in one key facet: since he’s also a wildlife biologist, ranch owners often hire him to keep tabs on their property.

Thus the agent-client relationship often extends far past the point of sale. In fact, Ledbetter said many of his clients have become close, lifelong friends.

“I’ve worked with some clients for 23 years. I’ve watched their kids grow up, watched them get married, go to football games with them,” he said. “It’s a personal, long-term relationship. That’s what keeps me going.”

By the time September rolls around, it’s back to the chopper to capture deer on camera (instead of with a net gun). It’s surveying season, which typically runs through the end of December, and during this time you’ll find Ledbetter flying 3550 feet off the ground in a door-less See LEDBETTER, Page 17

Thursday, November 5, 2015

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Page 17

WWW.SPRINGCREEKOUTDOORS.COM PHOTOS

In the weeks prior to hunting season, Macy Ledbetter surveys ranches, using a low-flying helicopter to flush deer, feral hogs and other wildlife from cover so they can be identified. In 2014, he surveyed 134 ranches across the state.

Ledbetter

Continued from Page 16

helicopter, flushing deer from cover so they can be identified. The schedule is more grueling than that of a world-famous rock band. Last year, Ledbetter surveyed 134 ranches in just 120 days. Thus, efficiency is key. He starts in the panhandle, works his way down to central Texas, then moves out west before ending the tour down south.

A typical day might go something like this: wake up at 4 a.m., drive two-anda-half hours to meet a helicopter in southwest Texas, spend six-and-a-half hours surveying the land from above, drive back to home base, perhaps do a telephone interview, then spend three hours putting all the collected data into the computer. Then wake up and do the same thing again tomorrow because “it’s simply the nature of the season.”

Even with such a daunting schedule, Ledbetter said he’s never been burnt out.

“I certainly get physically tired, but I can honestly say I’ve never burned out,” he said. “I don’t even classify what I do as a

job. I love it so much that it never really feels like work.”

Even when he’s not technically working, he still spends a lot of time within the wildlife community. He’s a member of the advisory board for Combat Marine Outdoors, a program that “provides hunting opportunities for wounded warriors.” He coauthored a book entitled The 21st Century Landowner Guide: Texas Model. He attends conventions, gives speeches, and frequents the State Capitol to, among other things, inform legislators about wildlife issues. He’s won numerous awards, including the Hunter Heritage Foundation’s Private Property Protector of the Year Award and the Texas Deer Association’s President’s Appreciation Award.

What it boils down to is this: Ledbetter wants to use his passion for wildlife to make as big a difference as possible.

“My life motto,” he said. “Is ‘I want to leave it better than I found it.”

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Blind

Continued from Page 14

the neighbors.

Common sense and blind location not only makes hunting a safer and more enjoyable sport, but makes for much better neighbors as well.

Other helpful hints when selecting blind locations: • Sunrise and sunset facing blinds are obviously limiting, so place blinds to look north or south or realize hunting such sun-facing locations may only be hunted when the sun is at your back (and the wind is right).

• Take into account human traffic such as highways, walking/hiking trails, fishing areas, farmhouses and other high-use areas that may be dangerous to shoot towards.

Deer may or may not be scared of these areas, but hunters must be cognizant of the bullet’s flight path at all times.

• How will you access your hunting blind?

Walking past the feeder or through the food plot is not wise. You need to enter the blind into the wind and with the least amount of disturbance as possible.

• Placing the blind below the crest of the hill, not on top, will keep you from being silhouetted while traveling to and from the blind.

• Sit in the back or corner of the blind and do not allow yourself to be silhouetted against the sky behind you. Sit in front of the latched door, use dark curtains, or completely cover the window behind you.

• Use comfortable seats that are the correct height to shoot out of the windows.

• Staying quiet and still only increases your chances of success.

• The windows should be only tall enough to get your scoped rifle easily through without banging the frame. Large windows allow for your movement to be seen from the outside and allows for more scent to escape.

• Make the blinds large enough to safely and comfortable hold all the hunters and their gear. If youth or guiding hunters are planned, bigger is always better. Cramped quarters create more noise and less comfort.

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Page 18

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

American RV Specialists have hunters’ needs covered this fall

American RV Specialists has a variety of deer blinds and feeders to welcome the start of deer season Nov. 7. Fire pits (below right) make fall and winter evenings more enjoyable, whether at the campsite or in the backyard.

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By LAUREN JETTE Hunters no longer need to venture all the way into Austin to find equipment for the hunting season now that American RV Specialists offers deer blinds and feeders along with all their other services.

“We’re all big hunters here,” explained owner Scott Smith.

“That’s kind of why I got into the deer stands and stuff because everybody asks me. They are sick and tired of buying junk from everybody else and they want some good stuff.”

American RV Specialists offers a variety of sizes and types of blinds and feeders.

“They are 5x7 blinds. They come with shades, they come with gun rests in them.

You can get them anywhere from a ground blind all the way up to 14 foot. The company I buy them from, they do offer delivery and set up. They charge for that, but they will come set them up, just like the one I have out front that’s set up. It’s kind of a turnkey deal, which makes it nice,” Smith said. “(The blinds) are double-wall insulated.

They’ve got good windows in them, the doors lock, so they’re good solid blinds.

I’ve got one that I’ve had for seven years and it still looks as good as the day I put it out there.

“The deer feeders are the same way, they are just very well built. They come complete with the solar panels, the raccoon cage, the timer 12-volt system with the battery. You set it up and go. It’s ready to go. You put corn in it and feed,” he said.

Smith said he has only been selling the feeders and blinds for about three months now, but has already sold quite a few of both, which is a testament to the convenience of the product.

“You go anywhere else and they want to sell you the feeder and then you have to set up the thing and then you have to go find a battery for it and then you got to put a solar panel on it. This is just ready to go.

Set it up and you’re done,” Smith said.

In addition to the feeders and blinds, Smith said he can get just about anything else a hunter might need.

“We’ve got road feeders, regular feeders, protein feeders. They have ones that you can put in the

back of your truck where you can drive around and just walk up to your feeders and fill them,” Smith said.

“I can get all that stuff. They have cleaning stations that are portable. Anything that you want hunting-wise, we can get.”

“We do sell smokers and fire pits, it’s all made by the same company,” Smith added.

“If they want to order a big blind, we can ship it straight to them from Brady, or if it’s one out here, we can load it up and take it away.”

Another factor that makes these products so appealing is the low cost.

“There is a little bit of shipping (costs) on everything out there, but it’s because it’s coming from Brady. But I’m still selling them cheaper than other suppliers are,” Smith said.

American RV Specialists also service the RVs hunters take out to their deer leases, and even vehicles and trailers.

“We do horse trailers, regular trailers, cars, trucks motorcycles, four wheelers, everything,” Smith said. “We do spray in bedliners for trucks, we’ve sprayed whole vehicles with bedliners, paint, body, everything. It’s a full-service place.”

That makes American RV Specialists the all-inclusive stop for hunters this season.

“We work on our RVs as well as the deer stands and stuff because (hunters) get out there and all of them have an RV and they all stay in one. It’s not like they go to a cabin. I try to work with them as long as they give me enough notice. I’ve got 12 people working here so we can get it done.”

For more information about what all American RV Specialists offers, call (512) 260-0776 or go see them at 14700 W. State Highway 29 in Liberty Hill.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

Page 19

Facts about Deer you might not know Compiled by MACY LEDBETTER Spring Creek Outdoors - White-tailed deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, elk, axis deer, fallow deer, and moose all belong in the Family Cervidae. This family of deer is characterized by an absence of a gall bladder, feet are actually four toed (dew claws count as toes), all have 32 teeth (except the elk), and the males grow antlers.

- There are 30 different subspecies of white-tailed deer in North, Central, and South America. White-tailed deer are also ungulates, which means they have a hoofed foot as well as ruminants, which means they have a four chambered stomach and chew their cud.

- A deer’s eyes are large and set on the sides of their head to give them a 310 degree field of vision. They also have a tapetum lucidum, which is a reflective layer of pigmented specialized epithelial cells in the back of their eyes that collects available light to allow deer to see better at night and is responsible for the “eye shine” present in many nocturnal animals.

- Deer have pilo erector muscles in the skin that raise the hair coat up, much like humans get “goose bumps”. This is to increase air space for insulation and also used in behavorial posturing (primarily among bucks).

- Deer deposit fat first in bone marrow, kidney and pelvic areas. Fat is deposited last over the ribs, brisket and tail head and deer lose fat in the reverse order.

- Deer have approximately seven glands that are very important in their daily lives.

The forehead gland is most active on bucks during the rut, but also used as a business card of sorts for identification purposes.

The preorbital glad is located in front of the eyes and is used primarily to deposit scents for territorial marking. The interdigital glands are located between the two larger hoofs and are used for tracking each other or communicating to a large group of deer (a buck follows a doe’s scent via this way or when a deer stomps its feet to warn others of danger). The metatarsal glands are located between the knee and foot along the inside of the rear legs and thought to be used in circulatory and thermoregulation purposes. The tarsal gland is located along the inside of the hind legs just inside the knee area and is used to identify individual deer, express dominance and breeding conditions, and other smelly responses. The gland actually reacts to the urine when deposited on the hair to produce the musky odor that most hunters are so familiar with. The vomeronasal glands are located within the nostrils and upper palate of the mouth and are used

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for taste and smell and the receptors are sensitive to non-volatile compounds so that they can gauge a deer’s reproductive status. The pineal gland is located in the brain and detects changes in day length, or photo period. This gland influences the pituitary gland to produce hormones that influence not only antler growth, shedding of velvet and the hardening of the antlers, but also male and female reproductive cycling.

- The four-chambered stomach of a deer includes the reticulum, rumen omasum and abomasum. The reticulem is the first compartment of the stomach, a honeycomb looking thing that simply holds and collects swallowed material. The reticulum is the fermentation vat with the large papilla (hair looking things) on the wall to increase absorptive and mixing surface area. The omasum absorbs fluids with its

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many folded pouches (which increase surface area and grinding ability) and the abomasums is considered the true stomach where glands produce acids which finally digest the contents. Beyond the stomach, the small intestines are where the primary nutrient absorption occurs and the fluids are finally absorbed in the large intestine.

- The liver produces bile since there is no gall bladder, and digests the fats and detoxifies any substances such as toxins that are eaten from certain plants.

- Deer are seasonally polyestrous, meaning they only cycle during certain times of the year and usually come into estrus (heat) on 28-day cycles.

- Gestation period is 199-201 days.

- Males are only fertile when they have hardened antlers, infertile the remainder of the year.

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Gun Shop

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

Continued from Page 12

said. “We offer several firearms training courses including Texas Concealed Handgun License and Texas Hunters Education.”

The Texas Hunters Education course is required for any individual born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 who is seeking their hunting license. The Bakers offer a field trail course in the Liberty Hill area and encourage parents to take the course as well.

Also offered are a Pistol Training Course and Firearms Maintenance Training and a Reloading Course described by Judith Baker as a very unique class. Instruction is generally provided at the gun shop’s onsite classroom but the shop also utilizes the Best of the West Outdoor Shooting Range.

As an additional service to customers, the shop offers onsite repairs and service and assists interested individuals in getting legal guidance from a gun-trust attorney who works exclusively with A Texas Girl’s Guns. According to Mrs. Baker, a gun trust provides more extensive coverage for use of Class 3 items such as suppressors, and is transferable.

Judith Baker is certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety and is a former military firearms instructor who has taught hundreds of students over the past eight plus years. She gained in popularity from her reputable teaching and was requested to provide training by military units across the state. In addition to being

business in Liberty Hill as well as the intriguing name - a tribute to her trailblazing nature. Initially, A Texas Girl’s Guns got its start at various gun shows.

Ironically, Mrs. Baker grew up in a military family with little interest in firearms.

In marriage, she finally relented to her husband’s persistent pleas to become involved with firearms; although her initial experience firing a shotgun was a jolt that only disinterested her further.

Mrs. Baker said she was in the banking business in Fort Worth for several years before her children were born.

“Children changed my life and I never went back to work again until they were in their teens,” she said.

She established herself as an adept teacher at her children’s schools as well as her church. The experience would serve her well when she became a firearms instructor in the military and in her business.

DANA DELGADO PHOTO In their desire to be a community busiDennis and Judith Baker check out night vision and thermal vision riflescopes at their ness, the Bakers proudly participate in the Liberty Hill gun shop, A Texas Girl’s Guns. After 12 years in the business including their annual Wild Game Dinner with the Liberty last five years in Liberty Hill, the Bakers have developed a diverse following not only for Hill United Methodist Church. The store their full-line and ready supply of firearms and accessories, interactive classes, and qual- also serves as an official food drop off for ity service, but trust.

Operation Liberty Hill, and takes part in an experienced firearms trainer, she is a after initially ordered to the Superdome the yearly Stonewall Ranch Community Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer who is in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Fall Fest at Bill Burden Elementary School very knowledgeable about pistols.

She is the only female in Texas to provide with Hill Community Church.

Mrs. Baker served eight years in the Texas firearms training to active duty soldiers “Take it and run” may have been Mrs. BakGuard garnering much experience from in Texas. She still teaches Texas National er’s call to excel in the military, but it has her deployment during Hurricane Rita Guard and Texas State Guard soldiers. She also been her rallying cry in her business also was the first engineering specialist in and personal life. the Texas Guard.

Interestingly, the couple recently joined Mrs. Baker got a major push into firearms SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), a training from a General at Camp Mabry in national organization with a chapter in Austin when he directed her to take charge Marble Falls that is a competitive yet soof the firearms training program and “run cial group where members compete in with it.” Shocked at first by the directive, full western regalia while shooting at paMrs. Baker revamped the entire program per targets through windows of recreated and despite some early reservations, won western stages or facades. As members, the respect of soldiers as well as her supe- they adopt and compete under their disriors for her leadership, determination and tinctive character names like Lefty Wilson innovation. and Black Buck Doe (aka Dennis and Judith “I didn’t expect it (success), but I like chal- Baker). lenges, breaking boundaries,” she said. “I A Texas Girl’s Guns is open from 12 Noon built my knowledge and skill with the fire- to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, and from 10 arms courses and realized I was changing a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Learn more at lives. I enjoyed it.” www.ATEXASGIRLSGUNS.com.

Encouragement from fellow soldiers was Mrs. Baker’s inspiration for opening the

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

Page 21

Area landowners may consider Managed Lands Deer Permit Program

By MACY LEDBETTER Spring Creek Outdoors The Managed Lands Deer Permit program was created in the late 1990’s by landowners desiring to more aggressively manage their deer herd through efficient and effective harvest methods.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department responded by creating a permit with three different levels of participation that allows landowners involved in a formal management program to have more flexible seasons and individual bag limits to best meet their goals and objectives. The program is incentive based and habitat focused.

Participation in the program begins with an approved written Wildlife Management Plan (WMP). Anyone may write the management plan but the local TPWD biologist for your area must approve it.

There are three distinct levels of the program and each level has more stringent requirements. There is no fee for the MLDP program; however, some of the requirements may involve costs depending on the particular situation. MLDP permits are printed in Austin and mailed to the landowner or agent, so pre-printed permits are used instead of hunting license tags. In a nutshell, MLDP enrollment allows landowners extended hunt dates and flexible bag limits by allowing rifles to be used during any open deer season dates and removes the individual county-wide hunter bag limits and antler restrictions.

Here is a brief overview of the different levels included: Level 1 offers liberalized antlerless only harvest opportunity for landowners in counties with restrictive antlerless harvest regulations or ranches with severe over-abundance of antlerless deer. County and statewide antlerless bag limits do not apply to individual hunters. Because bucks are not included under Level 1, all bucks harvested on the property must be tagged with appropriate hunting license tags and are restricted to the standard county-wide dates, bag limits and antler restrictions.

Requirements of Level 1 include the approved WMP, current year deer survey data and submission of standardized harvest data at the close of the hunting season.

Level 2 offers additional harvest flexibility, but requires active habitat and population management history. With Level 2 permits, landowners are allowed to harvest antlerless deer and spike bucks with any lawful means, including modern firearms from Sept. 27 through Feb. 28, 2015.

Forked antlered bucks are still restricted to standard county-wide season and bag limits and archery stamps are not required

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Texas Parks & Wildlife offers a permit with three participation levels for landowners involved in a formal deer management program.

The program offers more flexible seasons and bag limits that vary to meet goals and objectives. while completion of the hunting license log and special antler restrictions do not apply.

Requirements of Level 2 include the approved WMP, proceeding years’ survey data and standardized harvest data and the current year survey data and collection of standardized harvest data. The property must also identify at least two habitat management practices to be conducted on the property.

Level 3 offers maximum harvest flexibility for landowners and requires more habitat and herd management history. With Level 3 permits, landowners are allowed harvest of antlerless and any buck deer with any lawful means from Sept. 27 through Feb. 28, 2015. Completion of the hunting license log, county-wide bag limits, special antler restrictions and archery stamps do not apply.

Requirements of Level 3 include the approved WMP, two proceeding years of survey data and standardized harvest data in addition to the current years’ survey data and collection of standardized harvest data. The property must also identify at least four habitat management practices to be conducted on the property.

The MLDP program is both flexible and generous for those properties wanting to take their management to the next level.

The program allows managers to remove bucks with undesirable antler traits before breeding and provides extended time to remove the surplus numbers required to protect and enhance the habitat.

Landowners may start at any level and progress through the levels as time and requirements are met. Survey data collection may include the extensive use of trail cameras supplemented with daylight ob-

servations, a designated spotlight route performed at least three different nights or a helicopter survey.

Harvest data is collected throughout the season on standardized forms and must be submitted after the hunting season and before the stated deadline. The property may be high or low fenced and there are no acreage minimums, just as long as the property meets the requirements.

This program is very popular throughout the state and offers progressive landowners the maximum flexibility to manage the deer herd on their property.

Due to the popularity, there are some changes coming down the line for 2017 to make it even easier to participate. The results of the program have greatly enhanced not only the deer herds, but more importantly, the habitat that supports them.

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The Liberty Hill Independent

Feral hog control efforts under way across central Texas

By MACY LEDBETTER Spring Creek Outdoors Aerial hog hunting is extremely popular and effective in helping to control their growing numbers. Recently, some central Texas landowners have joined forces to try and slow the explosive growth of the exotic, invasive and destructive feral hog.

Because of the federal Airborne Hunting Act, landowners are allowed to use helicopters to help gain better control and management over exotic and select predatory animals. Feral hogs, coyotes, bobcats and grey fox are allowed to be harvested from the air, with landowner permission of course, and the technique is proving successful.

I have been coordinating efforts lately within my county of San Saba on large acreages to help control these critters with some success.

Farmers, ranchers, hunters, cattlemen and range specialists all have vested interests in controlling feral hog numbers. Current laws allow for a wide range of techniques to help get the job done. Trapping, shooting during both daylight and darkness, using dogs, no seasons or bag limits and now aerial shooting are all valid techniques used in the battle. But only the aerial shooting option offers such ranch-wide instant--albeit possibly short -- control.

The technique involves one or possibly two shooters in the helicopter with the pilot. The low flying helicopter hovers over known bedding areas to flush the animals into more open areas. Sometimes you get lucky and catch the hogs in a field or along the water’s edge but more likely than not, you find them bedded in the thickest of brush possible.

A skilled pilot can direct the animals into a straight line into openings where the shooters can then have their way with them. Because the feral hogs are considered exotic -- and not subject to game animal regulations -- they do not have to be retrieved for human consumption. Don’t get me wrong, feral hog meat is wonderful and delicious, but when harvesting large quantities and sometimes in very rugged terrain, meat retrieval is not always practical or possible.

The two most common firearms used for this task include the AR-style rifle or the shotgun. The AR-type rifles are very pop-

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From a low-flying helicopter, hunters harvest feral hogs in central Texas. The hogs are not subject to game animal regulations. ular but not always practical for this application, especially when the brush is thick.

Trying to thread a little bullet through the quick-passing trees and brush and into the hog’s pump house is much easier said than done! It does not take long to realize that a magazine full of expensive bullets do not last long when a pack of hogs are encountered!

Personally, I recommend and use the 12 gauge tightly choked shotgun. The double 00 buckshot is recommended, as feral hogs are tough and resilient critters while the shotgun pattern gives you improved success of hitting a fast moving target.

Shotguns may be unplugged and the assault-type shotguns seem to work very well.

I use an open sight Benelli Super Nova pump shotgun with a lower hand grip ac-

cessory with excellent results. This gun allows for eight shots, quick eye recovery and packs a punch that typically eliminates the largest of hogs with one well-placed shot.

I recommend the pump shotgun over the automatic simply for safety reasons and to force shooters to concentrate with each shot. When the AR-style rifles are used, most folks have various scope or sight arrangements and sometimes way too many bells and whistles hanging off the gun. A shell bag or deflector is mandatory to tame the hot spent brass. Mature feral hogs can take multiple direct hits from these rifles and still continue running as it is rare that a single bullet does the job effectively.

Safety is always paramount for this type of activity. Things happen quickly -- the wind is blowing against you, the seatbelt is stretched tight, the pilot is reacting to

a constantly and quickly moving target and shooters must be ready and proficient when the green light is given to shoot only in a safe direction.

Aerial gunning is not for the weak of stomach or questionable inner ear. If you have ever been sea sick or suffer from motion sickness, you will not enjoy the experience. I have seen many tough and crusty men leave the helicopter on their knees -- white as a bed sheet -- as they crawl into the brush seeking relief. A heavy breakfast is not recommended the morning of the hunt!

Aerial hog hunting is exciting and effective. If you are a landowner and needing the service or an interested person wanting to have the experience, send email to Macy.Ledbetter@gmail.com for more details. Time and space is limited.

SpringCreekOutdoors.com

Thursday, November 5, 2015

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

Page 23

Youth Hunting Weekend trophies

Charles Randal, age 7, of Liberty Hill, killed this first buck of the season in Mills County on Halloween.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Madison Hodges, age 13, of Liberty Hill, made this shot in Williamson County on Nov. 1.

NEWS from Texas Parks & Wildlife

Free admission to Texas State Parks Nov. 8 in honor of Veterans Day

In honor of both veterans and active military, daily entrance fees at Texas State Parks will be waived for all visitors on Sunday, Nov. 8.

“We are so appreciative of the service that veterans and active military personnel have dedicated to our country,” said Brent Leisure, director of the State Parks Division for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “This is our way to give thanks and we hope that everyone will make Texas State Parks part of their celebration.”

Parks statewide will be having guided hikes, bird walks and other programs going on throughout the day. For a full list of events, visit: http://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar . Camping and special activity fees will still apply.

Predictions for Texas deep population

So what can hunters expect with regards to deer numbers and quality?

For starters the 2014 statewide deer population estimate was 3.95 million deer, the highest estimated population since 2005. Statewide population trends indicate a slow but steady growth in the deer population during the last 10 years.

“Although these numbers are from 2014, I would predict the deer population to be about the same if not break the 4 million deer mark for 2015, so hunters should experience a quarry-rich hunting environment this year,” predicted Alan Cain, TPWD whitetailed deer program leader, citing above average fawn production this year.

He also suggests hunters take advantage of opportunities to harvest antlerless deer this season in order to offset high fawn production.

“Folks need to keep deer numbers at a level the habitat can sustain during lean years,” said Cain.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Texas deer hunters wishing to assist with the statewide chronic wasting disease (CWD) monitoring effort this fall can do so by voluntarily taking their harvested deer (or the head of the harvested deer) to a location where TPWD wildlife biologists will be collecting tissue samples for testing.

A list of collection sites and times is available at www.tpwd.texas.gov/cwd .

In addition to those established collection locations, biologists will also be conducting localized sampling at various sites throughout the season to meet sampling objectives.

For additional information regarding localized CWD sampling efforts during this deer season, go to tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/technical_guidance/biologists/ .

Prospects Bright for Quail Season

Thanks to timely rainfall and cooler temperatures this year, Texas quail hunters can anticipate hearing more bobwhites during the upcoming season, which started statewide Oct. 31.

Bobwhite quail could provide the best indicator of how timely rainfall has benefited wildlife in Texas this year. The combination of spring and summer rainfall and lower-than-average temperatures across most of the summer has resulted in a flush of vegetation and insects and an extended window of opportunity for nesting, a combination for success that quail have not enjoyed for many years.

Reports from South Texas sound the most dramatic, according to Robert Perez, TPWD’s quail authority, with broods being observed all summer long, multiple age classes and large brood size (good chick survival).

Quail season runs through Feb. 28, 2016. The daily bag limit for quail is 15, with 45 in possession. Legal shooting hours for all non-migratory game birds are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The bag limit is the maximum number that may be killed during the legal shooting hours in one day.

According to Perez, the forecast for quail hunting in many areas of Texas is good to excellent this year. Looking forward, climatologists are predicting an El Nino year which may bring another mild wet winter and excellent breeding conditions heading into the 2016 season.

A regional breakdown of this year’s TPWD quail index survey, including highlights and prospects, is available online at http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/planning/quail_ forecast/forecast/ .

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Page 24

SHIN OAK RIDGE OUTDOORS

The Liberty Hill Independent

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