November 11, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

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Mutant Hog Hunter takes pig with no ears.

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Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

November 11, 2011

Volume 8, Issue 6

Quality deer downed in ‘gun’ opener

Inside

New ‘greens’ blunt some feeder action

❘❚ FISHING

Coastal trout

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The Callahan County buck earned the nickname “Big 8”

for his tall tines, but he also had a roman nose and thick body mass — a very mature deer.

Jimmy Pitstick, of

Arlington, saw him on trail camera images and caught glimpses of him during bow See GUN, Page 15

Weather blamed, praised in fall speck fishing.

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Crappie biting now

Flounder gigging ‘phenomenal’

Anglers find success as water temperatures cool.

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❘❚ HUNTING

Prospects good for December

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Mule deer dilemma TPWD wants more research before issuing deer management permits for muleys.

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Kamikaze Texan startled as South Dakota pheasant nails windshield.

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Outdoor Datebook . . .

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❘❚ LSONews.com NEW DAY, NEW SEASON: The sun rose on a new general deer season Nov. 5 across Texas, but the opening weekend harvest was down from previous years, according to some hunters and wild game processors. A lot of healthy deer were spotted, but big mature bucks in some areas seemed to be delaying their debuts for the main rut. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Aransas Bay guide Capt. Bob “Red” Van thinks a state record flounder will be caught during the second split of flounder gigging season that begins Dec. 1.

“We are seeing some really big fish out there,” Van said. “I think you’ll see a record, if not this year, then definitely next year.”

Van is confident because of the big flounder he has seen throughout the month of October.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Van said. “I’ve limited out on 80 percent of my trips — 22 this month. The average size is larger (than last year), but there are just so many fish.

“A 6-pounder is my biggest.”

Van called the fishery “very healthy” where he gigs in Aransas and Mesquite bays.

The limit for flounder during the gigging season is five fish per gigger, down from 10 since September 2009. No gigging is allowed in November, when the daily bag limit drops to two fish per angler, and the flounder must be caught on rod and reel.

Capt. Mark Talasek said the flounder have rebounded from years past and have been running since the first cold snap in early October.

“I went out the other night and it took 15 minutes to get a 10-fish limit,” Talasek said. “I’ve been out eight or 10 times in October and I’ve focused on the diversion See FLOUNDER, Page 18

Alabama Rig gaining attention in Texas

By Alan Clemons FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

CRAZY RIG: Professional angler Paul Elias demonstrates the Alabama Rig, similar to an umbrella rig used in saltwater fishing. The rig is gaining popularity in Texas and other states. Photo by FLW Outdoors.

Even before the Alabama Rig found its way to Texas following Paul Elias’ win last month in an FLW Tour tournament on Guntersville

INSIDE ■ Popping corks with hooks: Page 8

Lake, the homemade versions already were being cut, molded, bent, connected and tried out.

The rig is neither new nor exclusive to Alabama. It’s a variation of an umbrella rig used by striped bass and saltwater fishermen.

But the name was coined by the comSee RIG, Page 18

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November 11, 2011

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November 11, 2011

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HUNTING

More research required before mule deer program permits issued Some landowners surprised, frustrated

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Trapping wild mule deer and mating them with prime breeder stock was approved this year by the Texas Legislature, but some landowners are frustrated they can’t do that sooner than they had hoped.

Senate Bill 460, signed into law last summer, extends the successful “deer management permit” program for whitetailed deer to mule deer.

But landowners have learned that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department won’t issue any permits until research has been completed on issues related to mule deer in captivity.

See MULE DEER, Page 30

A LONGER WAIT: State wildlife officials have called for more research before issuing deer management permits for mule deer. They also hope private citizens will fund the studies.

Photo by Texas Mule Deer Breeders.

FLYING HIGH: Good shoots were reported across much of Texas for the opening weekend of waterfowl season. Hunters who had good water reported lots of ducks. Public land hunters on WMAs had a harder time. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Lots of birds for the opener in areas with water

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Last season, Scott Keith, owner of Quack Shack duck calls in Dallas, had 300 acres of flooded timber on his hunting property near Combine.

This year, he has only about 80 acres of flooded timber.

That, however, didn’t stop Keith and his group from taking easy limits during the opening weekend of duck season, Nov. 5-6.

“Opening weekend, we probably saw as many ducks as we did all of last year,” Keith said. “We mainly shot gadwalls, but there were some wood ducks and a few greenheads, which I think were local ducks.

“We didn’t see any wigeon, which is unusual. But the gadwalls were thick.”

Keith said the hunting party saw more big flocks of ducks (20-30 birds) this year.

“Last year they were coming in twos and threes,” he said. “This year we had some nice flocks. Only about a third of the ducks we called came in and landed. We had a lot of lookers, but most of them circled a few times.

Time for ducks

“We shot a lot on the first low pass by the decoys.”

Keith said he and friends have scouted many of the bigger lakes in North Texas up to the Oklahoma border, and they found large flocks congregating on the bigger water bodies.

“Those lakes are holding literally thousands of mallards, pintails, teal and gadwalls,” he said. “The snow that they got in Kansas this past week really pushed a lot of birds down.

“It’s going to get better as the season goes on.”

Houston hunter Matthew Friedrichs said his group had good shoots opening weekend, with pintails dominating the bag on the Northern Katy prairie south of Hockley.

“There were good numbers of birds,” he said. “Lots of high birds. Along with the pintails, we shot some wood ducks, shovelers and wigeons. The first bird of the season was a banded pintail drake. It was a good start.”

Friedrichs said the group was split into five blinds, and he could see birds working spreads.

“A lot of the birds wouldn’t fully commit,” he said. “We would watch the ducks go from one spread to the other, circle a few times and then head back up toward the clouds heading south.”

Friedrichs said a friend was hunting on

See DUCKS, Page 16

FATHER AND SON: Joe Byrne, right, looks over the field where his 15-year-old son, Nick, shot a doe during the youth-only deer season. Photo by Chuck Aris.

Youth hunt successful in more ways than one Invite to lost friend’s son a ‘like’

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Law partners Joe Byrne and Chuck Aris were planning to take their sons to property south of Breckenridge for the youth hunting weekend Oct. 29-30.

A friend and former

partner, Jon Randall, of Grapevine, usually hunted at a different lease with his son, Jake.

But Randall became ill and died in February, leaving Jake without his favorite hunting buddy.

Byrne, of Dallas, gave the eulogy at Randall’s funeral and stayed in touch with

Jake. Byrne and Jake were Facebook friends, and Jake’s post a few weeks ago took Byrne aback.

“I would sure like to go deer hunting,” the post read.

Aris, of Waxahachie, a colonel in the National See YOUTH HUNT, Page 29

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

SAY WHAT? This hog shot a couple months ago by Jacob Thoele in Van Zandt County had no ears or ear canals.

Photo by Jacob Thoele.

a new .270 and I took a shot while the hog was running.

I knocked him down, but he started to get back up and I shot him in the head.”

As the pair was getting ready to take a picture, they noticed the pig had no ears.

“We thought it was strange that he didn’t even have any ear canals,” he said. “He also had no external ear flaps. I thought it was pretty neat. They are so ugly to begin with.

“I guess it would have been more of a shock if it had been a deer.”

Thoele said he didn’t examine the skull to see if the ear canals had been covered by skin, but he knows where they cleaned the animal and is going back to search for the skull to see if he can find evidence of the ear canals.

Thoele said he thought it was just a birth defect, but was surprised that the animal had reached the size it did without any sense of hearing.

According to experts, hogs can survive this type of birth defect because they travel in sounders (groups) and rely mostly on their sense of smell to detect danger.

“Some people said that maybe dogs had pulled his ears off, but that wasn’t the case,” he said.

Thoele said he will be working the opening weekend of deer season, but his girlfriend will get out to the woods.

“She’s rubbing it in,” he said.

Hear no evil Mutant hog shot by hunter had no ears or ear canals

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Jacob Thoele enjoys hunting hogs at night with his girlfriend’s brother on a large ranch near Wills Point in Van Zandt County.

But he and his friend got a huge sur-

prise in August when Thoele downed a boar with no ears or ear canals — a true mutant.

“The rancher enlists us to hunt hogs and predators,” Thoele said. “We have a normal routine where we hunt between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and we are always successful.”

On this evening, the 23-year-old from Tyler and his friend had searched most of the ranch and had come up empty-handed until they headed for the gate.

“As we were leaving, I looked to my right and saw a hog bobbling along in the pasture,” he said. “My buddy had

November 11, 2011

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Charges dropped in Kansas case involving Texans Charges have been dropped against two Texas hunters in the investigation of a Kansas camp where hunters paid thousands of dollars to kill deer illegally.

At the government's request, U.S. District Judges Eric Melgren and Monti Belot dismissed the misdemeanor charges in separate cases against James Donnan and Michael Scarber, both of Center.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said the dismissal stems from “technical issues” with the type of equipment allegedly used in the hunt.

Twelve hunters from Texas and Louisiana were charged in August with poaching-related misdemeanors connected to Camp Lone Star near Coldwater, Kan. Five pleaded guilty and seven pleaded not guilty.

Two other Texas hunters were indicted in July on felony charges.

The camp's owner and his brother were sentenced in June to prison terms.

— KWTX.com

Dallas Safari Club, newsletter form partnership for hunters The Dallas Safari Club and The Hunting Report, a news service catering to hunters who travel, are teaming up to improve information services.

The Hunting Report is a monthly printed newsletter, Web site and electronic news service. It reviews specific hunting areas, critiques outfitters and reports on poor governmental treatment of hunters worldwide.

DSC and the newsletter began sharing news reports and alerts in 2010, but now that partnership is expanding.

The Hunting Report has become a regular news contributor to the DSC member magazine, Game Trails, and provides alerts for the DSC Weekly Update delivered by e-mail, as well as immediate DSC Twitter and Facebook communications.

News and member updates from DSC are now being distributed through The Hunting Report’s E-mail Extra Bulletins and Web site.

Also, The Hunting Report editor and publisher, Barbara Crown, will attend the DSC convention and expo in Dallas, Jan. 5-8, 2012, with her publication’s extensive database of outfitter critiques. Subscribers attending the convention can visit her at booth 2649 and look up any hunt operator to see complaints and rebuttals from cases worldwide.

Crown has been mediating disputes between dissatisfied hunters and outfitters for 13 years. She will present a DSC convention seminar on the most common causes of bad hunting experiences..

— Dallas Safari Club

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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Kamikaze Texan startled as pheasant shatters windshield

INCOMING: San Antonio hunter Ozzie Barrett holds the South Dakota pheasant that smacked a windshield after being shot by friend and Kerrville hunter Andy Phillips. Photo by Andy Phillips.

Pheasant season in three counties may be eliminated The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission early next year will consider eliminating the pheasant season in Jefferson, Chambers and Liberty counties.

That’s not surprising, considering no pheasants have been seen there for many years.

The tri-county area, northeast of Galveston Bay, was stocked with ringnecks in the 1980s, so the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opened a special season there. This year it began Oct. 29 and will continue through Feb. 26.

“About 10,000 pheasants were stocked over 10 years in those counties,” said Robert Perez, TPWD's upland game program leader.

“They hung on for a while,” he added, “but over time they blinked out.”

Perez said the coastal pheasant season once included seven counties, but four of them were shut down in 2003.

Several Texas hunters got more than they bargained for on a recent pheasant hunt to South Dakota A meeting of the past presidents of Shikar Safari Club International, a worldwide hunting and conservation organization, was held in Chamberlain, S. D. — location of some of the finest wild pheasant hunting in the Midwest.

Ozzie Barrett of San Antonio, one of the past presidents, remained in a truck nursing a sprained ankle. He was enjoying watching his fellow hunters making a drive when a high-flying rooster chose a path over the hunting truck.

Close friend and fellow past president Andy Phillips, of Kerrville, made a passing shot on the bird, which folded and fell from altitude in an arc that carried the carcass straight into the windshield of the hunting vehicle.

Fortunately, Barrett was wear-

TPWD officials have said that a few remnant birds may have hung on in Jefferson, Chambers and Liberty counties, but no one can recall the last time any were killed there.

People have called TPWD inquiring about the season, but officials had to tell them not to bother.

Officials decided to finally see about scrapping it.

Congratulations, Emily! You can claim your Nikon 10x42 Trailblazer ATB binoculars at the Nikon Sport Optics dealer nearest you: Ray’s Hardware & Sporting Goods 730 Singleton Boulevard Dallas, TX 75212 (214) 747-7916

EMILY MADDEN, 10, of Frisco, recently went on her first dove hunt with family ar and friends ne ttle Paducah in Co e sh re He ty. un Co k ea br a takes ’s with her family y an itt Br l loya Spaniel, MAX.

ing his shooting glasses and, other than getting dusted with hundreds of particles of windshield safety glass, came through the experience unscathed.

“I saw the bird coming and just thought it would either miss or hit the roof,” Barrett said. “It was just a fluke that it hit just in the right spot. None of us expected that to happen. It was just your standard, 5-pound rooster.”

No one in the hunting party had ever had a rooster crash into a windshield before, so it was a big surprise for all involved.

The experience, Phillips said, proved once again the need to always be vigilant in exercising proper safety precautions when hunting or shooting.

“Never forget to practice proper safety precautions when in the field,” Phillips said. “You just never know what might happen!”

— Staff report

The commission was notified on Nov. 2 that TPWD staff would be presenting a recommendation to close the season. Perez predicted the measure would be approved in early 2012.

Meanwhile, real pheasant hunting in 37 Panhandle counties will run Dec. 3 through Jan. 1.

— Bill Miller

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Deer hunting could open 2012 in four urbanized Texas counties

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Deer hunting might be opened next year in three northeast Texas counties and one along the coast, if the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approves.

Hunting safety shouldn’t be overlooked With hundreds of thousands of Texans afield now that the general deer season is underway, it’s important to keep safety in the crosshairs.

“It looks like hunting accidents are headed for another record low this year, and we want to keep it that way,” said Terry Erwin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s hunter education coordinator.

Hunters born after Sept. 1, 1971, and hunting deer for the first time this year, must have completed a hunter education course or obtained a one-time deferral if they aren’t able to get into a course.

Erwin suggested cleaning rifles, checking for any mechanical problems and getting them sighted in, but there also are some basic safety tips to keep in mind.

“The big four,” he said, “are always making sure your rifle is pointed in a safe direction, always treat it like it was loaded, always make sure of your target before you shoot — use binoculars, not your rifle scope — and keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to pull it.

“You can’t call a bullet back, and it always has the right-of-way.”

Last year, four people died in 25 hunting accidents in Texas. All four instances involved gunshots — two self-inflicted, two by other hunters.

TPWD’s annual Hunting Accident Report for 2010 identifies the factors involved in reported hunting accidents. The No. 1 cause involved hunters swinging on game outside a safe zone of fire. One way to be recognized is to wear blaze orange clothing or hat.

“Blaze orange is not mandatory in Texas unless you’re hunting on public land, but it makes a lot of sense,” Erwin said. “Deer cannot see color, but other hunters can.”

Accidents in the field, however, are more likely to occur without a shot being fired, Erwin said.

“The most unreported of all hunting accidents are falls from elevated hunting blinds or tree stands,” Erwin said. “If you’re going to be hunting from a tree stand, make sure to use a Treestand Manufacturer’s Associationapproved tree stand and a TMA approved fall-restraint device.”

While tree stands see a fair amount of use in East Texas, many more hunters use elevated blinds or tripods accessible by ladder.

“Always keep in mind the threepoint position when climbing into your blind,” Erwin said. “That means having two hands and one foot on the ladder at all times, or two feet and one hand.”

Don’t try to carry your rifle while getting in or out of an elevated stand and make sure it is unloaded until safely seated.

“Use a haul line to bring your rifle up once you are safely in your blind, then, unload your firearm and lower it with the haul line before climbing down,” Erwin said.

— TPWD

Hunting regulations similar to archery-only Grayson County would be extended to Collin, Dallas, and Rockwall counties, according to the proposal.

And in Galveston County, the deer hunting regulations would mirror those of neighboring

Harris County that has seasons for archery, general firearms and muzzleloaders.

All four counties currently have no open deer seasons.

Opening them to hunting would also provide “a tool to deal with urban deer issues,” said Alan Cain, white-tailed deer program leader at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“Obviously,” Cain added, “those areas are urban for the most part, fragmented, but still with small but huntable pockets of deer.

“Bottom line is, there is no biological reason not to have a season in those counties.”

The archery-only Grayson County model for the three northeast counties does not allow hunting with firearms. During archery season, crossbows are allowed only for people with upper-limb

November 11, 2011

disabilities, but they can be used by anyone during the general gun season.

Galveston County would be opened to archery season and also a general season during which firearms would be acceptable. There also would be a muzzleloader season.

Also, Galveston County would have the same regulations as Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties that allow does to be harvested in the first part of the season. Managed Land Deer permits to harvest does would be required after Thanksgiving.

The commission was notified on Nov. 2 that a formal proposal would be made in January.

Commission members would likely vote on the changes in March, Cain said.

Trevor Tanner, a TPWD biologist in northeast Texas, said healthy

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deer populations have grown up near the Collin County communities of Anna, Melissa, Blue Ridge and around Lake Lavon.

The best deer habitat in the region is along main creek drainages, Tanner said.

“I’ve seen some trail cam pictures from the Lake Lavon area of some decent-size deer,” he said.

“There also have been some hit on (U.S.) 380. One actually ended up in the cab of an 18-wheeler.”

Hunting in these counties, Tanner said, could help control populations as urban areas expand.

“We don’t want to be the next Westlake in the Austin area or San Antonio and even the Conroe area that have very large deer populations,” Tanner said. He added that those herds got out of control “because there is no hunting allowed in those urban areas.”

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November 11, 2011

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FISHING

Popping corks with hooks Top-water with fluke trailer lands largemouths

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS For landing schooling bass or bringing them when casting over grass, one Toledo Bend guide combines saltwater and freshwater techniques — with a twist.

“I use a top-water lure, usually a Zara Spook,” said Daryl Lyons.

“And then add a leader with a fluke behind it. The top-water acts like a popping cork like the saltwater anglers use.”

The rig is similar to the popping cork set-up, but the cork can also catch fish.

“On the spook, I add a P-Line swivel because they are longer on the split ring,” Lyons said.

“Then I add a 12- to 18-inch leader with a 4-inch fluke behind it. That seems to work the best.”

Another option if tangles are a problem, he said, is to simply remove the rear treble hook from the spook.

Lyons uses the technique over the grass or if he notices the bass are schooling, but he said it’s not just a freshwater technique.

“We used a similar approach at the coast when I was a kid,” he

said. “We had a big MirrOlure — in red and white with some green on the side and a chrome back — as the cork when fishing for speckled trout. Then we tied on plastic, even plastic worms sometimes. We tried anything to catch more fish — and it worked.”

The freshwater approach has worked on Toledo Bend, which has more hydrilla now than in recent years.

“And you can play with what you drag behind it,” Lyons said.

“A light jig, a crankbait, whatever you want.”

Doubles aren’t that uncommon, either.

“Most often, one bass will hit the spook and carry it down into the school,” he said. “Then another will hit the bass bait trailing behind.”

Although several clients and other guides have seen the rig, only a few have adopted the technique.

“My son uses it quite a bit,” Lyons said. “And another guide here uses it for schooling white bass.”

To catch on, maybe the rig needs a clever name.

Daryl Lyons, (409) 787-3664

DOUBLE-TROUBLE: A trailer behind a top-water lure can land bass in two ways, and sometimes land two at the same time. Photo by LSON.

Where do the big reds go?

SURPRISING: Some anglers may be surprised to learn that redfish are an offshore species, spending the majority of their lives in deeper water relating to structure. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Weather fronts rattle coastal trout

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Feast or famine is an apt description of speckled trout fishing on the Gulf Coast in late October and early November.

A couple of cold fronts made anglers work hard to land big trout over 25 inches long.

Kyle Tomek of Katy fished sandy, grassy areas during a recent tourna-

ment in Matagorda Bay. “We found good redfish close to the shoreline, and we had a decent tide before the front came in,” Tomek said. “The trout were out deeper between waist and chest deep.”

Tomek threw soft plastics in chartreuse and plumb; success was fair.

“We caught better redfish,” he said. “We caught plenty of trout

but the size has been lacking — between 14 and 17 inches.”

SPECK: Randy Weaver of Deer Park presents the speckled trout he caught while wade fishing Nov. 2 in the Galveston area. He landed the 8.4-pound fish with a Wedgetail swimbait. It measured 28.5 inches long.

Photo by Randy Weaver.

See COASTAL TROUT, Page 27

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Every fall along the Texas coast, big redfish show up to spawn.

These “bulls” move in from the deeper Gulf waters to the passes leading into bays, where they fertilize eggs that float into bay systems.

But where do these fish live during the rest of the year?

Anglers might be surprised to learn that, although predominately known and caught in the bay systems, redfish spend most of their lives in open water.

“Well, in terms of redfish leaving, they’ll leave when they mature from a juvenile to an adult — about three years,” said Scott Walker, natural resource specialist at the CCA/CPL Marine Development Center. “The really large redfish (40-inches plus) live offshore.

That is their natural habitat.”

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, redfish spend those first three years in the bays or surf zones near passes.

Tagged fish have shown that redfish tend to stay within three miles of where they were born until they are old enough to head to deeper water. Spawning season is from mid-August to mid-October.

Walker raises redfish hatchlings to be stocked in freshwater lakes and saltwater bays. He said that when TPWD officials need brood stock, they head offshore with long lines to catch the big fish because they are guaranteed to be breeding-age adults.

“All of those fish are over the slot limit,” he said. “Offshore, the fish eat other smaller fish and crabs.”

When asked if the redfish prefer shallow or deeper waters offshore, Walker said relatively speaking, all of the Gulf of Mexico is pretty shallow.

“They can utilize as much of the water column as possible,” he said. “When TPWD catches them on long lines, they focus on the Benthic habitat (deeper depths).”

Anglers looking to catch offshore redfish should focus on structure, and the main structures located in Texas Gulf waters are oil rig platforms.

“They are predator fish, so they go where the baitfish are,” Walker said. “Those rigs offer some protection for the baitfish, which attracts the bigger, predator species.”

Redfish can live to 20 years in a natural environment, with the oldest recorded fish being 37-years-old.

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Take care to avoid harmful bacteria

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS It was nothing unusual for a fishing guide.

Todd Casey’s client was after redfish and trout last July off Port Mansfield, but hooked a hardhead catfish instead.

Casey, of South Padre Island, got busy trying to remove it.

“I was flipping him off the hook and it didn’t come off right and it hit me,” Casey recalled.

A fin made a tiny puncture in Casey’s arm. It didn’t hurt much and since he was busy, he soon forgot about it.

But when he awoke the next day, his arm had ballooned with swelling.

Casey got to a hospital where blood tests confirmed he was infected with vibrio.

The bacterium is found in coastal waters and seafood all over the world. It can sicken people through blood infections or by eating uncooked seafood.

People are especially susceptible if their immune systems are compromised by cancer, HIV, liver disease, diabetes or long-term steroid use for asthma or arthritis.

Skin infections happen when vibrio-laced water washes into a cut or an abrasion of a person swimming or wading on the coast.

If untreated, the redness and swelling can evolve into skin ulcerations.

How bad? Do a computer search on “vibrio vulnificus” and click on “images.”

Serious infections, left untreated, can lead to death.

“It got to where I couldn’t bend my wrist or elbow, kind of like a rattlesnake bite,” Casey said. “I thought a spider bit me, but then I remembered that catfish deal.”

Casey recalled doctors were surprised to see a vibrio infection.

“They said they hadn’t seen it in a long time,” Casey said.

Recent statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services show there were five reported vibrio infections and one death in 2008.

A year later, there were seven cases, including one death. In 2010, that number rose to 16, with three deaths.

Antibiotics are used to treat vibrio skin infections, but patients are frequently hospitalized and sometimes surgery is needed.

Prevention of the skin infections is pretty simple, said Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the department of state health services.

“Just stay out of the water if you have a cut or wound,” Van Deusen said.

But those who are cut in or near the water, like Casey, should immediately wash the wound with soap and water.

By November, Casey had moved inland to guide hunts, but he was still wearing an arm brace. He said time would tell if he would have permanent muscle or nerve damage.

“It’s just uncomfortable,” he said.

“It hurts a little when I crush a can, pick up a gun or cast a fishing rod.”

November 11, 2011

Page 9

Crappie bite is on

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Lake Livingston guide Simon Cosper loves winter fishing for crappie.

“The colder the better,” Cosper said.

“There are less people on the water so you don’t have to fight for your hole, and the fishing has been phenomenal.”

Cosper said he has been catching loads of crappie on 4- to 6-feet of water around stump heads and submerged brush piles.

“The water is low enough that you can see the stumps,” he said. “I’ve been using black and chartreuse or chartreuse and black jigs on a 1/16ounce head. I’ll try a 1/8-ounce if I’m fishing deep, but I mostly go with a 1/16.

“You can go too big for crappie but you can’t go too small.”

Cosper said the bite has been consistent throughout the day and no specific time JIG ‘EM: The crappie bite is on around Texas as the temperature cools down. Guides have has been better. The reported large catches by using vertical jigs held very still for the bigger fish. Photo by David key, he said, is to keep J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. moving until you find the bigger fish. until I find the bet- that you can sit in one “I keep moving from ter fish,” he said. “It’s place all day. You can, brush top to brush top a big misconception but you have to go See CRAPPIE BITE, Page 15

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November 11, 2011

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TEXAS FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

HOT BITES LARGEMOUTH BASS

COOPER: Good on shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms throughout the day.

GRANBURY: Good on shad-colored Rat–L–Traps and top-waters early and late.

FORK: Good on flipping jigs — concentrate on the wood cover near creek channel bends.

LEWISVILLE: Good on shallow-running crankbaits, Skinny Dipper swimbaits and swim jigs along the riprap near dam.

PROCTOR: Good on watermelon soft plastics and spinnerbaits.

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

AMISTAD: Striped bass are good on crankbaits, large top-waters, and large Red Fins.

BRIDGEPORT: White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs (best action midday).

CEDAR CREEK: White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

CONROE: Striped bass are good on live minnows.

RAY HUBBARD: White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in.

CATFISH

BRAUNIG: Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp and cheesebait near the intake. Blue catfish are good on cut bait.

SOMERVILLE: Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

STILLHOUSE: Channel and blue catfish are good on minnows and shrimp.

TAWAKONI: Excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.

CRAPPIE BASTROP: Good on minnows and blue tube jigs.

JOE POOL: Good on minnows and jigs.

LBJ: Good on chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows over brush piles.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 58–65 degrees; 7.23’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits, Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 7.43’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, crankbaits, jerkbaits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are good on crankbaits, large top-waters, and large Red Fins. Catfish are good on cheesebait, shrimp and nightcrawlers over baited holes.

ARROWHEAD: Water off-color; 56–67 degrees; 8.3’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters early, later switching to Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and weightless flukes. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Blue catfish are fair to good on juglines with cut shad.

Texas rigs and 3” swimbaits. White bass are fair to good on Little Georges. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers. plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. Channel and blue catfish are good on liver and nightcrawlers.

13.98’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and weightless flukes. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 15.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Channel catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 71–76 degrees; 3.28’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, shallow crankbaits and smaller jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 62–71 degrees; 7.33’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow- and mediumrunning crankbaits, shaky heads and

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 69–74 degrees; 12.81’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged crea-

HOT SPOT

ATHENS: Water clear, 71–78 degrees; 5.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, shaky heads and shallow crankbaits — main lake points have been best with schooling action early. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms near the jetty and dam. Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp and cheesebait near the intake.

Blue catfish are good on cut bait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 71–76 degrees; 12.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits in shad patterns and TN Shad Jackall ASKA 60SRs along main lake points. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs (best action midday).

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 71–75 degrees; 15.58’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon chatterbaits, Finesse worms, and craw-colored crankbaits. White bass are good on small Rat–L–Traps and perch-colored crankbaits off lighted docks at night. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs over brush piles and under lighted docks at night. Channel catfish are good on cut bait and stinkbait over baited holes in 10–20 feet. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with perch.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 31.29’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed Skip–N–Pop top-waters, wackyrigged watermelon Whacky Sticks, and crankbaits in creeks in 5–15 feet at first light. Channel catfish are good on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.

Yellow and blue catfish are good on live bait upriver.

CADDO: Water stained; 65–73 degrees; 1.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits around isolated cover. Shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits are producing numbers of fish. Yellow bass are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.

CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 68–74 degrees; 7.51’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texasrigged worms, shaky heads and finesse jigs around docks. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 70–74 degrees; 11.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft

PROCTOR: Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 7.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and spinnerbaits. White bass are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and shad.

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 69– 74 degrees; 6.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, square-bill crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Top-waters are producing early around riprap. Crappie are fair on minnows and Road Runners.

White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in.

Catfish are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 69–74 degrees; 4.79’ low. Largemouth bass are slow but being caught on Yum Dingers and traps in and around the grass. Crappie are good on minnows in brush in 20–25 feet of water.

White bass are good. Slabs in chartreuse/white bounced in 30–35 feet of water on deep humps and ridges.

BASTROP: Water clear; 71–74 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and minnows.

Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and live bait.

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 72–77 degrees; 8.79’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on black/blue jigs, shaky heads with finesse worms and shallow-running crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows. White bass are good on Humdingers and top-waters. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines or juglines with Redneck’s Catfish Bait Soap. Barefoot Bay and Titus County Park are the only usable ramps.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 68– 75 degrees; 6.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good early on top-waters, later switching to shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. Jig bite around docks improving. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

BOLIVAR Guides have reported big flounder in the passes, along with quality catches of trout, black drum and redfish in Rollover Pass. Drifting shell with soft plastics has produced keeper trout and anglers are still reporting bull reds being caught on the beachfront with cut bait.

Photo by LSON.

chatterbaits. Striped bass are good on live minnows.

COOPER: Water lightly stained; 64–72 degrees; 12.48’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms throughout the day. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair to good on Sassy Shad and live shad.

Catfish are good on prepared bait and cut bait.

FALCON: Water murky; 74–78 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, top-waters and deep-running crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 74–79 degrees; 7.45’ low. Largemouth bass are good on flipping jigs — concentrate on the wood cover near creek channel bends. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 68–72 degrees; 4.13’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad-colored Rat–L– Traps and top-waters early and late. Catfish are good on stinkbait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers.

GRANGER: Water stained; 71–74 degrees; 5.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and white spinnerbaits upriver around timber. Blue catfish are good on juglines baited with shad and cut bait.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 5.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, finesse jigs, and top-waters along main lake points. Baitfish are concentrating at mouths of creeks and pockets. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on top-waters and Rat–L–Traps. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water clear; 75– 78 degrees; 3.58’ low. Largemouth bass to 4 pounds are good on blue worms, top-waters, and shad-colored deep-diving crankbaits near the islands early and late. Channel and blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with perch in 13 feet.

HUBBARD CREEK: 57–65 degrees;

ture baits, top-waters and square-bill crankbaits. The shallow bite is good early. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns.

Catfish are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

LBJ: Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 0.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon top-waters, large buzzbaits, and wacky-rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks around brush early and late. Striped bass are fair on live bait at night. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies and small spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows over brush piles in 10–20 feet.

Channel catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 68–73 degrees; 6.71’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits, Skinny Dipper swimbaits and swim jigs along the riprap near dam. White bass are good on slabs.

Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and Sassy Shad. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 71– 74 degrees; 3.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Striped bass are good but small on Zara spooks and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfish are good on juglines baited with shad.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 76– 88 degrees; 0.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, chatterbaits and Texas-rigged worms around deeper creek channels later in the day. Flipping jigs around shallow wood cover is producing as well.

The shallow bite is best early in the morning with occasional schooling reported. No reports on crappie.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 73–76 degrees; 4.30’ low. Channel catfish are good on nightcrawlers from the banks. Blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 58–70 degrees; 36.7’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Rat–L– Traps, shallow-running crankbaits,

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water fairly clear; 68–73 degrees; 8.04’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texasrigged worms, shaky heads and creature baits around docks. Square-bill crankbaits are producing numbers.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 68–72 degrees; 13.50’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms with chartreuse tails in 20–30 feet.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 10.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows at night. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 69–73 degrees; 15.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastic worms and chrome Tiny Traps. White bass are good on chartreuse roadrunners and Li’l Fishies.

Channel and blue catfish are good on minnows and shrimp.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 69–75 degrees; 7.08’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters early, later switching to black/blue Firewater 1/2 oz. jigs, Texas-rigged blue fleck worms and square-bill crankbaits.

White bass are excellent on white SSS Slabs and tailspins — schooling on points early and late. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on 4” to 6” white or shad-pattern Sassy Shad.

Catfish are excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.

TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 70–73 degrees; 53.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon worms, chartreuse top-waters and large buzzbaits. White bass are good on white jigging spoons and live minnows in 30–40 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers and minnows in 25–35 feet.

WEATHERFORD: Water fairly clear; 69– 74 degrees; 7.16’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, shaky heads and Texas rigs — dock bite is improving. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 68–72 degrees; 15.90’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwaters early. Catfish are fair on shrimp, liver, and live bait.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 68–74 degrees; 2.71’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on Texasrigged worms, shallow crankbaits and chatterbaits along main lake points early. Football heads jigs have also been productive. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and prepared bait.

SALTWATER SCENE NORTH SABINE: Trout are good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics. Redfish and flounder are good in the marsh on shrimp. Flounder are good on the falling tide on the muddy shorelines.

SOUTH SABINE: Trout are good under birds and pods of shad. Redfish are good at the jetty on live bait and cracked crabs. Flounder are good on Plastics in the bayous.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels.

Trout are good under birds on soft plastics.

Redfish are good at the Spillway on shrimp and Plastics.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout and large Gulf trout are good for drifters working deep shell on plastics and fresh shrimp. Redfish and flounder are fair to good in the marsh around drains on shrimp. Trout and redfish are good under the birds.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Bull redfish and flounder are good at San Luiss Pass on shrimp and shad. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Trout are good under the birds in the afternoon over deep shell.

TEXAS CITY: Bull redfish are good in the channel on shrimp and crabs. Gulf trout are good in the channel on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout are good on reefs on shrimp and DOA Shrimp under corks.

Redfish are fair to good on the reefs in Christmas Bay and Bastrop Bay. Bull redfish are good on the beach.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are good for drifters on live shrimp mp p over humps and scattered shell.

Trout and flounder are fair to good on muddy shorelines horelines h li on soft ft plastics l ti tipped with shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and top-waters. Redfish are good on live shrimp at Shell Island, Oyster Lake, Crab Lake and Mad Island. Flounder are good in the Diversion Channel on plastics.

PORT O’CONNOR: Bull redfish are good at the jetty on crabs, mullet and shad. Trout are fair to good on the reefs in San Antonio Bay on live shrimp. Flounder are fair to good in Saluria Bayou on plastics and jigs tipped with shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair in St. Charles Bay on Corkies while working reefs. Redfish are good in Redfish Bay on mullet and crabs. Bull redfish, black drum and flounder are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on shrimp and mullet.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair at Shamrock on top-waters and plum soft plastics.

Bull redfish are good at the jetty and on the beachfront on natural baits. Offshore is good for tuna, kingfish and dolphin.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Bull redfifish are good in the surf on mullet and shrimp. Trout are fair for waders working mud and grass on plastics and top-waters. Redfish are good in the channels on natural baits.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good on top-waters and plum plastics around rocks and grass. Trout are good while drifting deep rocks on plum plastics. Redfish are fair to good on plum plastics around spoil islands.

PORT MANSFIELD: Redfish are good while drifting potholes on top-waters and soft plastics under a popping cork. Trout and redfish are fair to good on the spoils on small top-waters and black/chartreuse plastics.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout are fair to good while drifting grass and mud on plastics and live shrimp.

Redfish are good in Airport Cove and around the causeway on Plastics and DOA Shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are good at Laguna Vista and Holly Beach on plum and black plastics. Snook and mangrove snapper are good in the Brownsville Ship Channel on DOA Shrimp and live shrimp.

Bull redfish are good along the channel near the causeway.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Page 11

A tie? Now what?

Combs takes TTBC in fish-off

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Keith Combs of Huntington is a new member to the Bassmaster Elite crowd, but when it comes to catching big fish in Texas, he’s no surprise.

At the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, Oct. 28-30 at Lake Conroe, the former Amistad guide held onto the lead the first two days with giant bags of 28 pounds, 8 ounces (including a 10-pound, 8-ounce

largemouth) and 27 pounds, 4 ounces.

Looming behind, though, was Mike Iaconelli, of Pittsgrove, N.J., in second place after Day Two with 51 pounds, 12 ounces.

And Ike had another great day, landing 25 pounds even.

Combs, coming in with 55 pounds, 12 ounces, needed 21 pounds, 1 ounce to win. He caught 21 pounds even, all in the last two hours of the day.

A tie.

Tournament emcee Dave Mercer gave the puzzled anglers the news.

“We’re going fishing again,” he told the crowd.

“A sudden death fish-off.

The one who catches the first legal fish (at least 14 inches) wins.”

They returned to the water, each hoping for a quick catch. And this time, size didn’t matter as long as it was a keeper. But no quick catch came, and 45 minutes of the one-hour allotted time passed.

Then the $100,000 fish hit.

“I went to the place where I caught all my fish in the last hour with a crankbait, but they weren’t there,” Combs said. “They were gone. I went to a new spot and on the third cast, there he was.

“When I hooked it, I knew it was a keeper — I was trying to decide whether to net it or swing it in. I swung it in — his fin poked me right in the finger but I didn’t feel a thing.”

Unique scoring system with real-time results

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

LIFE CHANGER: Former Lake Amistad Guide Keith Combs won $100,000 plus a boat and motor after winning the Toyota Texas Bass Classic in a sudden death fish-off. Photo by TTBC.

The scoring system used at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic brings the best of both worlds to the conservation-minded event: instant information for tournament officials and a near 100 percent fish survival rate.

The system, modified for the tournament by www.fishhound.com, allows information from the water to be delivered to tournament officials.

How does it work? When the professional angler lands a fish, a judge in the boat weighs and measures the fish. The angler confirms the recorded weight and then releases the bass.

The judge, using an iPhone, sends the information (including photo, if

desired) to the secure site for officials.

The software has more benefits, according to VP of Operations Rick Patri.

“We get a GPS reading from the phone,” he said. “The TV guys use that to get to the hot angler.”

Dave Terre, inland fisheries chief of management and research for Texas Parks and Wildlife, touted the conservation aspects of the system.

“With a 99 percent survival rate, we think this type of system could become the way future tournaments are handled,” Terre said.

Could the system be used for smaller tournaments that don’t have judges on the boats or TV crews?

Members of the Seven Coves Bass Club thought so.

“We have had paper tournaments

where if the boater catches a fish, the non-boater weighs and records the results,” one of the club members said. “It’s basically the same thing, but the director would have all the results when the fishermen got to the dock.”

Patri said some simple modifications would make it work for small events.

“Closed groups may be set up on our system,” he said. “Scoring and reporting information could be collected within the group in much the same way. And an individual angler can use it as a personal catch diary — kept private or he can make it public if he wants.”

And with the GPS component, he’ll know exactly where he caught them.

Fishhound.com launched in 2010, primarily as a real-time fishing report site.

Page 12

November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER MILO BRINGS IN THE DOVE During the South Zone dove opener, Dimmit County Game Warden Eugene Fernandez and Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger cited several individuals at two different locations for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area and placing bait to attract migratory game birds, along with hunting without licenses and hunting with illegal (unplugged) shotguns. The following morning, Fernandez cited more individuals for the same violations. Three separate baited areas were discovered. None of the individuals checked admitted to placing the milo in the fields.

TRIP HAZARD TORTOISE An elderly lady called Val Verde County Game Warden Isaac Ruiz regarding a turtle that had taken up residence in her backyard. She stated that even though the turtle was not doing anything destructive, her fear was that it was creating a tripping hazard for her. Ruiz removed and relocated the Texas tortoise.

TRESPASSERS PURSUING SQUIRRELS COME BACK WITH DEER Upshur County Game Warden David Pellizzari received a call concerning individuals hunting without consent. Pellizzari located a vehicle and waited until the subjects came out of the woods from squirrel hunting. A quick call to the landowner confirmed that the men did not have permission to hunt the property. One subject did not have his wallet or license and had blood on his clothing. A search of the area revealed the front leg of a freshly killed deer. The subject denied killing the deer and stated he found a doe on the back of the property, even though the meat was still warm and had fresh blood on it. The subject maintained that somebody else must have shot it that morning. The subject finally admitted to killing the deer, cut-

THIS PUNISHMENT MIGHT BE MILD ONCE THE CAPTAIN FINDS OUT Game Wardens Justin Valchar and Brandt Bernstein were contacted by Fort Hood game wardens who said that they had stopped a suspicious vehicle on post, with two soldiers inside the vehicle. The two men were in possession of four recently killed white-tailed deer that had been skinned and quartered. One suspect said that he shot the deer two nights earlier on a property where he keeps his horses. One of the men told Valchar that he was the one who shot the four deer because they were eating his horses’ hay. The wardens received consent to search a suspect’s home for the deer meat and weapon used. The wardens seized one rifle and the deer meat in the freezer. The deer meat was not fully ting off the front leg and backstraps, and to not having a hunting license.

Cases pending.

SPEARS USED TO TAKE LOW-WATER GAMEFISH McLennan County Game Warden Jason Campbell apprehended a group of fishermen in Falls County. The subjects were using spears to take several different species of game fish from a local river, where the fish were unable to move due to the low-water conditions. One yellow cat weighed more than 25 pounds. Cases pending.

TAKE HEED OF FRIENDLY WARNINGS On Oct. 7, Zapata County Game Warden Carson Wardlow was off-duty and fishing from the bank on Falcon Lake when a man approached and asked if the area was open for the public to fish. Wardlow informed the man it was a public area. The man stated his semi-truck was parked up the road but he would be back shortly with his pole. When the man returned, it was discovered that he was from California and didn’t have a Texas fishing license.

Wardlow warned, “You need to go get a license before you start fishing because the game wardens patrol this area.” The man stated that he would “take his chances” and began

frozen and there was still water in the bag. Bernstein spoke with the wife of one of the suspects. She advised that three other men had gone hunting with her husband, provided their names and said each had shot a deer from the highway. The husband then admitted to hunting at night, shooting at approximately 14 to 16 deer and killing and taking seven deer. Bernstein and Valchar retrieved search warrants and arrest warrants for the three other soldiers and charged them with hunting white-tailed deer at night and hunting from a vehicle. All deer meat from two houses was seized and .50-caliber and .30-06-caliber rifles were seized in connection with the shootings.

fishing for catfish. Not wanting to blow his “cover,” Wardlow discreetly called his partner, Game Warden Shane Bailey, who was in the area and on-duty. Bailey arrived and the California man denied that he was fishing; after a few questions, the man admitted he was fishing and received a citation. After Bailey left, the man informed Wardlow that he had received a ticket and now he had to leave and buy a license. Wardlow replied, “I tried to warn you.”

HUNTING ACCIDENT SOUNDS FAMILIAR Somervell County Game Warden Joni Kuykendall responded to a report of a hunting accident that had occurred at a local private bird hunting area. Two bird hunters were hunting quail with 12-gauge shotguns. While walking through the field, one hunter swung and shot at a bird that was flying toward the other hunter. The other hunter was peppered with birdshot. Both hunters were hunter education certified.

SPEEDING TO FEED PET GATOR The Galveston Police Department stopped a speeding driver. When asked why he was in such a hurry, the driver replied that he needed to get home and feed his pet alligator. Game Warden Jaime Pendlebury was notified, responded to the location and seized a baby alligator. Case pending.

DIESEL SPILL AT MARINA UNDER INVESTIGATION A fishing guide reported a diesel spill at a Lake Texoma marina to Grayson County Game Warden Dale Moses. Moses made contact with Grayson County Game Wardens Michael Hummert and Colt Gaulden, who were on the lake at the time. The wardens did not find evidence of any injured wildlife. Moses contacted Grayson County's environmental officer. The operations manager of the marina contacted Moses and advised him that they’d lost 10 gallons of fuel, but the report of 10 gallons did not match the product in the water. TCEQ investigated and found that 693 gallons were lost.

TCEQ and the Corps of Engineers are investigating.

BAG OF CORN NOT THE RIGHT HIDING PLACE Starr County Game Warden Dennis Gazaway checked two men leaving a dove hunting area. While inspecting their game, Gazaway noticed several empty sacks and one sack halffull of corn in the bed of the truck.

Under the corn the warden found four quail. Cases pending for possession of quail in closed season.

BAD TIME FOR A SPEEDING TICKET A police officer stopped a vehicle containing two .22-caliber rifles, a spotlight, three deer antlers, and blood/hair on the tailgate. The officer contacted Liberty County Game Warden Adam Broll. The driver admitted to shooting three white-tailed deer at night off a pubic road, as did two of his friends. Liberty County Game Warden Daniel Diaz came to assist in the investigation. After three interviews, the wardens learned that the subject and one of his friends had been hunting the night before and killed another white-tailed deer and a red stag. The meat from these two animals was seized and donated to people in need. The original three deer that were killed had been dumped on the side of the road and were not able to be salvaged. All five individuals involved were cited and will pay civil restitution for the deer.

BRAGGING BRINGS ATTENTION TO VIOLATOR, DAUGHTER GIVES HIM AWAY Orange County Game Warden Clint Caywood received information about a man who had taken two small whitetailed bucks and was bragging about them at work. The man had a history of several violations including hunting without consent. Caywood found out when the man was hunting and was hiding near the lease gate when the man came to the road. No tags were missing from the man’s license.

The man denied having taken any deer but agreed to let Caywood search his home. While Caywood and two Orange County sheriff's deputies were looking inside the man’s freezer, his daughter stated, “Daddy shot a four-point and a six-point a couple of days ago.” Upon further searching of the grounds outside, it was determined he had taken two small bucks and had failed to tag both of them.

One buck had a spread of 5 inches and the other of 8 inches. The meat and antlers were seized. Cases and restitution pending.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Page 13

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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CONSERVATION take or attempt to take any aquatic life by any means in an affected area during a freeze.

The agency will hold public meetings to scope both items along the coast before the Jan. 25-26 commission meeting in Austin, and will also take comments via the TPWD Web site.

The staff will make proposals for commission consideration at the January meeting.

If approved by the commission, the proposal will be published in the Texas Register and the item will be considered for final adoption at the March 28-29 commission meeting.

— TPWD

Input sought on more seagrass protection Scoping meetings on designating a new state scientific area to protect seagrass near the JFK Causeway in Nueces County will be held this winter, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

This coastal issue is part of possible statewide hunting and fishing regulation changes for 2012.

It will not become an official proposal until January. After that, there will be more statewide meetings and comment opportunities before the TPW Commission considers new rules in March.

Shallow-water seagrass meadows are among the world’s most productive marine habitats, next to coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.

Seagrass meadows serve as nurseries for juvenile game fish, crabs and shrimp.

The JFK Causeway proposal would form a new 15,500-acre protected area similar to the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area created in 2000.

Redfish Bay was the state’s first scientific area for education, scientific research and preservation of flora and fauna of scientific or educational value.

A key goal was to give submerged seagrasses time for recovery from extensive damage caused by outboard motor propellers, and prevent further harm to the delicate aquatic plants.

When the Redfish Bay area came up for five-year renewal in 2005, TPWD enacted a rule to prohibit seagrass uprooting in the scientific area.

At that time, TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division launched a comprehensive outreach and education campaign about the new rule and the importance of seagrass, emphasizing a “Lift, Drift, Pole, Troll” message.

Game warden named 2011 top wildlife officer

SEAGRASS: Shallow-water seagrass meadows are important habitat for juvenile game fish and baitfish. State wildlife officials want to designate an area near the JFK Causeway for special seagrass protection. Photo by LSON.

In 2010, the TPW Commission voted to indefinitely extend the “no uprooting seagrass with a boat propeller” law in the Redfish Bay area.

Scientific studies demonstrated the Redfish Bay rule has helped seagrasses recover.

Using transect surveys and aerial photography, coastal fisheries biologists found the number of boat propeller scars in Redfish Bay decreased 45 percent from 2005 to 2009. Preliminary data suggest seagrass propeller scars may recover faster than was previously thought.

In the wake of this success, the TPW

Commission subsequently directed staff to explore expanding seagrass protection on the Texas coast.

— TPWD

Freeze rules to protect coastal fish to be clarified The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to clarify rules to protect fish during prolonged freezing weather on the Texas coast.

For example, on Feb. 2, the agency

issued a temporary closure to saltwater fishing at specified areas or thermal refuges along the Texas coast.

Texas has about two million acres of bays and estuaries susceptible to freeze.

There were three major freezes during the 1980s, including one in 1989 when the temperature at Brownsville dropped to 16 degrees and an estimated 11 million fish were killed.

The existing rule says no one can fish with a hook and line, pole and line, or throw line in an affected area during a freeze closure.

The proposed rule change for 2012 makes clear that no one may

The Shikar Safari Club International has named Game Warden Michael J. Hanson as the organization’s 2011 Texas Wildlife Officer of the Year.

This marks the 31st year this award has been presented to a Texas game warden.

Hanson has served as a warden in Shelby County for 18 years, his only station since he graduated from the Game Warden Training Academy.

The award he received noted his recent involvement in “Operation Cimarron,” an extensive assignment spanning several years.

During this investigation, Hanson worked closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents and Kansas wildlife agents to build what is regarded as the largest white-tailed deer poaching case in Kansas history.

Hanson and colleagues’ work resulted in the seizure of more than 100 trophy deer and federal charges filed for conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and obstruction of justice on two brothers from Texas.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Gun

Crappie bite

Continued From Page 1

Continued From Page 9

season. But he decided to let the big deer walk.

That is, until he could get his 15-year-old son, Pierce, out to the lease in North Central Texas for the “gun” season opener Nov. 5-6.

The Pitstick family adventure was one of many played out across the state during opening weekend, which, according to some, didn’t see anticipated action at feeders.

“I saw him during bow season but I thought, ‘Man, I want Pierce to take this buck,’” Jimmy said.

“Every year we rotate who gets to shoot the big buck on the lease, and this year was his year.”

A big deer appeared at one of the feeders in the dim pre-dawn light Sunday morning; the silhouette of the antlers exposed him as the Big 8.

“It all happened really fast,” Pierce said. “I just put the crosshairs on his shoulder and took it.”

The .243-caliber rifle connected; Big 8 went another 30 yards and dropped.

But not every corn feeder had that kind of action opening weekend, although a lot of hunters expected otherwise, considering the drought.

October rains helped sprout some weeds and also nourished wheat and rye — all favored by white-tailed deer.

In West Texas, Jack Graves, owner of J’s Processing in San Angelo, said bowhunters had reported seeing 20-30 hungry deer around feeders, but then came about 5 inches of rain two weeks before the start of gun season.

Suddenly the ground was yielding “green stuff,” Graves said.

“It scattered them, that’s for sure,” Graves said.

He added that opening weekend was windy in the Concho Valley and “deer were laid up everywhere.”

“We only had 80 deer come in this weekend, which was 101 off of last year,” Graves said.

And while a few big-bodied deer were brought in, bucks with really big antlers were still on the range.

“Time will tell, probably around the third and last week of November,” Graves said. “When the rut starts, that is when we will judge the big deer coming in.”

Rain had not been as generous in Menard, about 65 miles southeast of San Angelo, but the range was still helped by the light showers, said Max Stabel, owner of Ranch House Meat Company.

Hunters, he said, reported that a lot of deer were coming to feeders, but not all of them.

“We got a little shower that dropped a half to 2 inches of rain,” he said. “There have been a few winter weeds, but I’m not too sure anyone would consider that to last much longer. As December rolls along and it gets colder, they’re going to be hungry.”

Stabel and Graves both reported seeing healthy deer with good amounts of body fat, as did David Poteet, owner of C&D Game Processing in Kemp, east of Dallas.

Poteet said hunters told him deer have been coming to feeders, but they were also in local fields of winter wheat and rye.

“The rain wasn’t enough,” he said. “It didn’t fill the stock tanks, but the deer are fat and healthy. I don’t see any signs of a famine on those animals.”

Some hunters in South Texas reported deer at feeders, while others said that activity was light.

In Victoria County, Darryl Hester said deer are coming to feeders and young bucks were chasing does, especially along the banks of the Guadalupe River.

But Hester, who operates Victoria All Sports Center, said

“the big bucks haven’t taken hold.”

“We’re seeing a lot of bucks, but they’re young,” he explained.

Hester said cold weather would help stir big deer, but temperatures were expected to be in the low 80s the second weekend of the season.

BIG 8: Pierce Pitstick of Arlington got this mature buck the second day of the general “gun” season at his family’s lease in Callahan County. The deer’s rack earned him the nickname, “Big 8.” Photo

by Jimmy Pitstick.

Page 15

through a lot of smaller fish.

“I have places where I can catch 200 to 300 fish in a short time, but a lot of them are 9 inches. I like those big slabs.”

Cosper said a tip for catching more crappie is holding the jig still in the water.

“Big crappie like a still bait,” he said. “Ease it down and don’t move it too much.”

According to fishing reports from Ray Roberts guide Cliff Spindle, of Spindle Guide Service, the crappie bite is good right now.

“Crappie are starting to get on their winter pattern,” the report said. “The crappie are holding to deep structure from 22 to 40 feet. The best bait now is minnows to get good numbers.”

Other reports from Ray Roberts Lake agreed crappie are on their winter pattern and holding on deeper structure. Minnows and jigs are the best baits.

Reports from Lake Texoma stated that the crappie bite was slow with the bigger fish holding tight to cover and only hitting jigs that were perfectly still.

Positive reports have also emerged from Lake Fork.

Fishing has been picking up under the bridges and on brush tops.

Page 16

November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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Ducks Continued From Page 4

FETCHING DUCKS: Many retrievers, like the one pictured, picked up plenty of ducks during the opening of waterfowl season. Lots of birds continue to move into the state as temperatures get colder to the north. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Lake Livingston, and reported it was “like early teal season with all of the green-winged teal.”

He said thousands of teal were on the lake opening day.

Some reports from the coast were favorable.

Lots of ducks were killed in the Rockport area, where hunters on private land reported good numbers of birds, with gadwalls, teal, redheads and pintails making up the majority of the bag.

But not all coastal reports were good.

Matt Nelson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s director of coastal Wildlife Management Areas, said hunters on pub-

lic land near the coast did not have a good opening weekend.

“On the Justin Hurst WMA, 29 hunters shot an average of .8 birds,” Nelson said.

“Guys at Mad Island did a little bit better, with 43 hunters shooting an average of 2.2 birds, and that went up to 3.8 birds Sunday morning.

“Our coastal marshes are in bad shape.

Hunters need to call the WMA before they come and hunt because we are so limited on spots to hunt.

“We’d hate to have to turn a big group away because we just don’t have room this year.”

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Anything you can imagine (and then some)

WHO WANTS THIS STUFF? Outdoorsmen looking for good deals on used and new sporting goods should check Craigslist. Just be aware that some things aren’t always what they seem.

Photos by Craigslist.

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Depending on what you use it for, the popular online garage sale known as Craigslist can bring deals on anything from a used car to male/female companionship for an evening to hunting and fishing gear.

The prices range from great deals to the totally ridiculous.

The hunting and outdoor section has a plethora of items: old stands, taxidermy work, blinds, feeders, bows, camouflage clothing, hunting properties and camp vehicles.

Listings in Texas have their share of interesting items for sale, including a pair of duck hunting “mud shoes” for $60.

“Ever gotten bogged down in mud when walking to your favorite duck hunting spot or putting out decoys?” the ad asked. “Put these on and your walk just got 10 times easier. They will keep you from sinking in the mud and help you hunt places where others can’t. Get away from the crowds!”

The mud shoes were a pair of new snowshoes.

But, with a little imagination, they could be used in the mud.

Need a deer stand?

Check out this $200 beauty from Fort Worth.

“Perfect deer stand, 6 foot, has gun rail rest, or camo and would make a great bow stand,” the ad said.

For the hunter who wants a

6-foot ladder on rollers from a warehouse, he’s found his perfect “deer stand.”

Want a hog trap?

For the bargain price of $100, you can get a “nice animal trap that works fine and would be perfect for fairly small hogs or large coyote, bobcat or mountain lion,” according to the ad.

The ad goes on to say the seller is letting it go for cheap because it is made of different metals. The accompanying picture looks like the “trap” was thrown together from chain link fencing and chicken wire and has been sitting in the elements for 20 years.

But hey, if you want to trap small hogs, it might be for you.

November 11, 2011

Page 17

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

THE NEW THING: The Alabama Rig resembles schooling shad and is getting the attention of anglers and copycats. Photo by FLW Outdoors.

Rig Continued From Page 1

pany’s founder, Andy Poss, who lives in northeast Alabama near Pickwick Lake. He has been fishing with it, tinkering with it, promoting it and selling it for more than a year.

Whether the Alabama Rig secures a long-term lifespan is unknown. But it’s getting a look from the top pros to the weekend angler. More than a few pros were throwing the rig during the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, on Oct. 28-30, at Lake Conroe (See related story Page 11).

“I have one and I’ve tried it,” said Bassmaster pro Gerald Swindle of Alabama. “It looks crazy… but you better believe I have one.”

The rig’s wire snap clips can hold spinnerbaits, swimbaits, crankbaits or other lures. It could also be used for crappie or white bass, with smaller jigs or swimbaits.

For now, the door is wide-open for experimenting before next year’s tournament seasons begin.

Poss is at least five weeks behind production, according to his

company’s Web site. He offers it in seven head colors for $24.95.

Some tackle shops in Alabama have limited purchases to two rigs per angler and have waiting lists.

After Elias, of Laurel, Miss., caught more than 102 pounds in four days to win the FLW event on Guntersville, and then Dan Morehead, of Paducah, Ky., used it to win the EverStart Championship two weeks later on Kentucky Lake, orders have poured in.

As expected, knockoffs already have made their ways to the market.

From garage tackle junkies using crankbaits and wires to companies putting out their near-similar versions, it has taken on a life similar to the ChatterBait vibrating jig or Senko soft plastic stickbait. Both of those were viewed skeptically until they were proven on the water, and then became part of the tackle industry’s stable.

Swindle said because swimbaits are arguably the pre-

ferred bait to use on the rig, it could be more successful in seasonal applications. In the FLW events on Guntersville and Kentucky lakes, bass were following autumn migrations of shad and keying on them, which in turn made the rig, and swimbaits used on it, shine.

Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., another TTBC competitor on Conroe, caught 8- and 9-pounders during practice and said he would “give it a shot if I think the time and location’s right.”

Mike Hughs, operations manager for Lone Star Outdoor News, who fished the Century Bass Club championship on Lake Bob Sandlin, also Oct. 29 and 30, said he knew of three anglers using the rig in that tournament.

“One threw it about 50 times and caught two keeper bass,” Hughs said. “Another guy threw about 20 times and lost his rig.

And the final guy threw it less than 10 times and gave up, but ended up coming in third or fourth in the tournament.”

Hughs noted, however, that the rig is “intriguing.”

“Its design mimics a small group of baitfish,” he explained.

“But it needs to be used in specific situations. It’s good for fish suspended, grouped up around bait.”

The rig is legal in Texas but some states restrict the number of baits with hooks or size of hooks that may be used at one time. Tournament organizations are evaluating the Alabama Rig’s use for future events.

Whether it’s permitted, it’s impossible to argue with the rig’s success or appearance as a fish-catching technique.

“I’ve thrown it in the swimming pool and it looks good,” said Bassmaster pro Terry Butcher of Oklahoma. “I put Yum Money Minnows on it and they’re like a little swarm of shad swimming together. It looks wild, but it looks pretty darn good, too.”

LSONews.com

Flounder Continued From Page 1

tion should be focused on commerchannel in Matagorda.”

Talasek said the bigger females are cial fishermen rather than guides.

“I can take a person out and he using the diversion channel right now and he gets several 3- to 5-pound can gig five flounder, and then run fish each outing. He also said numer- into a fish market and get 50 of ous fish in the 4- to 5-pound range them,” he said. “They lowered the have been gigged near the inlets as limit (for commercial fishing) from 60 to 30, but I think more regulathey come out of the bays.

“Last year it was tough,” he said. tion could be done.

“I am seeing a bunch of small “We had trouble sticking limits. But flounder out there, but the comthe fish have really rebounded.

“I don’t know if that is due to the mercial people play a much bigger different conditions this year or the role (in flounder population) than lower limit, but something is work- the guides.” ing. I expect it to be just as good in December, unless it gets really cold Capt. Bob “Red” Van, (361) 727-0045 like last year.”

Capt. Mark Talasek, (979) 479-1397 Along the upper coast, Greg Capt. Greg Berm, (409) 739-8526 Berm with H20 Adventures agreed that the flounder gigging was outstanding in October.

“We’ve been doing great,” he said. “We had three people out the last night of the season and they had their 15-fish limit by 10 p.m.”

Berm said he focused his gigging trips in Galveston Bay, west of the causeway.

“If the weather stays mild, December should be great as well,” he said. “I usually get my biggest flounder in December.

The numbers aren’t always as high, but we usually see bigger flounder then.”

Berm said he thinks lowering the limit STICKING THEM: October was a good month for flounder gighas helped the pop- gers. Many think December will be just as good, with bigger ulation a bit, but he fish often showing up later in the season. Photo by David J. thinks the real atten- Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

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November 11, 2011

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HEROES GOLDEN MADRIGAL of San Antonio was 10 when he downed his first buck last season on a ranch in Atascosa County. A 100-grain bullet fired from a .243-caliber Rossi dropped the nine-point buck, which scored 150.

TERRY MIKESKA of San Angelo (below) attended a National Wild Turkey Federation banquet last year and put down the winning bid on a South African hunt donated

by Xomaqua Safaris. Joining him on the adventure last June was son, CHANDLER, 18, (above) who just graduated from high school.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE ■ Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?

E-mail them with contact and caption information to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com. High-resolution original jpegs only.

Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

BILL DAVIDSON of Highland Village recently boated his first bonita while trolling two miles offshore from Palm Springs, Fla. It put up a 20-minute fight and made three passes under the boat. The 35-pound fish was baited with ballyhoo on a 30-pound test line.

DYLAN DRY, 4, of Plano recently hooked this bluegill while fishing with his family at West Lakes in Wood County.

MATT BRYARLY of Dallas recently caught his first mahi-mahi on the Pacific side of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The fish was estimated at 10 to 15 pounds.

TONY FAZZINO was 11 last season when he dropped this buck in Robertson County.

SPENCER GEORG 15, of Comal County recently took this nine-point buck with his Mathews Craze. The buck was so close, Spencer could hear it crunching on corn.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

DATEBOOK November 14 Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Editor Bill Miller Associate Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Web site Bruce Soileau

National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager

Coastal Conservation Association Fishsticks Golf Tournament Wildcat Golf Club, Houston (713) 884-8100 ccatexas.org

November 15 Ducks Unlimited Harlingen Dinner Longhorn Cattle Company (956) 245-2463 ducks.org/texas

Founder & CEO David J. Sams

Contributors Kyle Carter Alan Clemons David Draper Wilbur Lundeen John Meyer Aaron Reed Erich Schlegel David Sikes Scott Sommerlatte Chuck Uzzle Ralph Winingham

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com (214) 361-2276

Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Ducks Unlimited Longview Dinner Maude Cobb Activity Center (903) 748-5488 ducks.org/texas Coastal Conservation Association West Houston Chapter meeting Molina’s Mexican Restaurant (281) 772-0132 ccatexas.org National Wild Turkey Federation Special informational meeting Cabela’s, Fort Worth (903) 372-5355 nwtf.org

Coastal Conservation Association Austin Angler’s Night Out Abel’s on the Lake (512) 904-0570 ccatexas.org

Ducks Unlimited Whitesboro Banquet Don’s Bar-B-Que (903) 814-5826 ducks.org/texas

November 17 Dallas Safari Club Monthly meeting Omni Hotel (972) 980-9800 biggame.org Ducks Unlimited Corsicana Banquet Star Hall (903) 654-7704 ducks.org/texas Delta Waterfowl Alba Dinner AJ’s Firehouse (903) 638-1426 deltawaterfowl.com Ducks Unlimited Aggieland Dinner Brazos Center, College Station (972) 921-5655 ducks.org/texas Ducks Unlimited Weatherford Dinner Weatherford National Guard Armory (817) 907-3403 ducks.org/texas

November 16 Ducks Unlimited Dallas Banquet Crown Plaza Suites (214) 282-3000 ducks.org/texas

November 19

Bass Pro Shops Grand Opening Harlingen (956) 291-5200 basspro.com

Delta Waterfowl College Station Dinner Brazos Center (979) 680-5569 deltawaterfowl.com

December 8-9 November 22 Ducks Unlimited Austin Banquet Double Tree Hotel (512) 370-3237 ducks.org/texas

November 26 Kimble County Wild Game Dinner Coke Stevenson Memorial Center (325) 446-3190 junctiontexas.net

December 1 Delta Waterfowl Fort Worth Dinner Elks Lodge #124 (817) 475-9796 deltawaterfowl.com

December 3 Deerfest Crockett County Fairpark ark Ozona (325) 392-3737 deerfest.org

December 8 Dallas Woods and Waters Club Christmas Party Orvis Store, Dallas (214) 570-8700 dwwcc.com

Texas Gun and Knife Show Amarillo Civic Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshow.com

December 10 Annual Inshore Fishing Expo Houston (281) 481-6838 fishingtackleunlimited.com

December 13 Houston Safari Club Christmas Party Cadillac Bar (713) 623-8844 houstonsafariclub.org

December 15 Austin Fly Fishers Meeting, NW Rec Center (512) 346-0592 austinflyfishers.com

January 5-8 Dallas Safari Club Out of the Wild Convention Dallas Convention Center (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

January 13-15 Houston Safari Club New Horizons Convention The Woodlands Waterway Marriot (713) 623-8844 houstonsafariclub.org

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Page 23

NATIONAL and it is only fitting that Ron and Jackie’s conservation legacy be tied to it.”

The Grand Bayou project restored hydrology on approximately 3,255 acres of coastal marsh habitat through the installation of water control structures and levee work.

In addition to enhancing public hunting opportunities on one of the most popular areas in the state, the work enables Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries managers to restore and maintain coastal marsh vegetation and salinity levels that support migratory waterfowl, shorebird and neotropical songbird populations, resident mottled ducks and myriad other marsh-dwelling species.

— DU

RMEF defends wolf plan in Idaho

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation plans to help defend the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s authority to manage and control wolves as part of a state-approved plan.

Oregon wildlife officials recently announced the agency would use lethal means to stop two wolves known to habitually kill livestock in Wallowa County. Animal rights and wolf activist groups sued the state, claiming that any loss of wolves could cause “irreparable harm” to wolf recovery in Oregon. That argument was rejected in a previous lawsuit heard in a Montana federal court. But an Oregon court granted a temporary stay to stop the search for the two wolves until the legal merits of the case can be considered.

RMEF has filed a motion to enter an amicus PRIME HABITAT: The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is taking steps to help defend the wolf managecuriae brief opposing the plaintiff groups.

Improve how conservation programs are delivment plan in Oregon. Meanwhile the group is planning its next convention. The 2011 Elk Camp, Feb. If the motion is granted, RMEF documents out- 2-4 in Las Vegas, will raise money for more elk habitat, like the vast area shown in this photo. See ered to agriculture producers, ranchers and lining the need for science-based, state-regulated related story on page 27. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON. landowners. wolf management will be considered as part of That’s the goal of Pheasants Forever and Quail or either-sex 2011 Nebraska elk-hunting permit have shot a bull. the court’s final ruling.

Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program, which has, in just nine Twenty-seven cow elk have been harvested this year to date, “Our organization has over 15,000 members in Oregon, years, accounted for more than 2 million acres of habitat and the cow elk season closes Dec. 21 for every unit but including hunters, ranchers and other conservationists. being created or improved for wildlife.

Boyd, which has six cow permits and is open until Dec. 31 for Together we endorse the efforts of the Oregon Department of The Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate Fish and Wildlife to manage and control wolves alongside other both cows and bulls. farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation wild species as part of an approved plan,” said David Allen, There were a record 2,544 elk applicants this year, with 294 programs, and continue helping landowners after programs RMEF president and CEO. “We support the agency’s work to permits issued. All available permits were sold for the second year have been implemented. balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of citizens.” in a row because of statute changes that allow landowners to draw Pheasants Forever first employed four biologists in 2003, RMEF attorneys also continue to respond to legal wrangling by a cow tag without affecting preference points for bull permits. but now there are 90 of them in 15 states — Colorado, Idaho, animal rights and wolf activist groups contesting management — NGPC Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North plans in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Great Lakes states.

Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington In some areas, such as the northern Yellowstone in and Wisconsin. Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and conMontana and the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, elk calf sulted with more than 60,000 landowners, resulting in the survival rates are now too low to sustain herds for the future. improvement of more than 2 million acres of land for wildlife.

Representatives of Ducks Unlimited and several partner — RMEF “We’ve designed our Farm Bill Biologist program as the organizations gathered in early November at Pointe-Auxbest possible resource for conservation information; we call Chenes Wildlife Management Area to celebrate the it the ‘One Stop Shop’ for anything conservation and wildlife completion of a $1.2 million coastal restoration project in related,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever southeast Louisiana and to dedicate it to Ron and Jackie Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator. “Our Farm Bill biologists Bartels of Schriever. possess the necessary knowledge of federal, state and local “Ducks Unlimited is pleased to recognize the Bartels’ The bull elk-hunting season closed Oct. 23 for the majorconservation programs. More importantly, they are making unyielding commitment to conservation by dedicating the ity of the state, with a record number 91 bulls harvested, the local contacts and promoting programs on a personal basis.

Grand Bayou Unit project to them,” said DU Executive Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reported.

“That formula helps landowners find the right conservation Secretary Dan Thiel. “Pointe-Aux-Chenes WMA is one of the programs to meet their personal habitat and land-use goals.”

Only the Boyd Unit, where three bull permits were issued, — Pheasants Forever remains open. So far, 80 percent of the hunters who had a bull most popular public lands for waterfowl hunting in the state,

Pheasants Forever Farm Bill helps improve habitat

DU celebrates new Louisiana WMA

Nebraska sees record bull elk harvest

Page 24

November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

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For dealer information, visit: browning.com

ENDEAVOR SPOTTING SCOPE: Vanguard has unveiled a spotting scope that is sure to appeal to hunters. It delivers bright, clear, high-contrast images even in low-light conditions. The scope’s advanced optical system offers high-resolution, fully multi-coated lenses and a BaK4 prism. A dual-focus wheel system enables easy and fast fine-tuning focus adjustment. The Endeavor is 100-percent waterproof and fogproof to perform in challenging weather conditions. Plus, its durable and lightweight magnesium construction features rubber armor for shock resistance. Available in four models — two with a straight eyepiece and two with an angled eyepiece — the spotting scope sells for about $500 to $600. A digital camera adaptor for digiscoping is sold separately.

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NIGHT HAWK HYBRID: With an eight-hour charge and three gallons of gas, this hybrid off-road vehicle from Stealth will go for up to 80 miles. And, with an insulated and muffled motor, the four-wheel drive hybrid is both quiet and quick. Features include a customized auxiliary power unit (APU) that creates and supplies current; a 30-horsepower electric motor; and 130 ft-lbs. of peak torque. Its cargo bed, with a “3-in-1” dump feature, can transport a couple of buddies into the field or a trophy out of the field. The vehicle also offers a portable power station. With a total towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, this durable hybrid vehicle was designed for the outdoorsman. It retails for about $18,000 and higher, depending on options. $18

A-5 SHOTGUN: Yes, Browning’s new recoil-operated shotgun has that iconic humpback-shaped receiver. Hunters will also appreciate the reliability of this firearm that is described by the company as “the fastest-cycling, best-performing, and softest-shooting recoil-operated autoloader on the planet.” Features include an ultrareliable “Kinematic” drive system, lengthened forcing cones, a new invector-DS choke tube system, and an Inflex II recoil pad. The shotgun costs about $1,400.

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>>

BVK REEL: Temple Fork Outfitters’ popular BVK rod has met its match. The company now offers a series of reels to complement these lightweight, affordable rods. The BVK super large arbor reels are precision-machined from bar stock aluminum. The clear silver anodized frames and spools are ported to eliminate excess weight. Designed for both fresh and salt water, the large arbor design provides fast line pick up and helps the maintenance-free drag system work at a more constant pressure than standard arbor reels. The reel utilizes stainless stacked discs to make the drag smooth and a one-way clutch bearing for instant engagement and quick left-to-right hand conversion. The reels, which are available in several models, cost about $130 to $250.

MIRAGE REVOLUTION II: Hobie Cat, which earned ICAST’s Best of Show in the Boat Category for the Mirage Revolution 11 (pictured) and its companion paddle model, the Quest 11, designed these models for anglers who want a compact, lightweight and maneuverable fishing kayak to ease through shallow, fast-moving water. The Mirage Revolution 11 is powered by the company’s MirageDrive pedal system while the Quest 11 accommodates those who prefer to paddle. With the same angler-friendly design, these shorter, lighter models are fast and nimble, track straight and have a sharp turning radius. Both models are offered in a variety of colors and are constructed of seamless molded polyethylene hulls and are designed with open-deck construction. They both come with two-piece paddles. The 11-foot, 6-inch Revolution II will cost about $1,750 while the 11-foot, 1-inch Hobie Quest II sells for about $950.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Bass Pro plans grand opening An all-star cast that reads like a who’s who in the world of sports, entertainment and the great outdoors will help Bass Pro Shops celebrate a spectacular Evening for Conservation, Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

On hand will be Bass Pro Shops #1 Sprint Cup Series NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray and Bass Pro Shops/RCR #3 Truck Series driver Austin Dillon. Special celebrity guests appearing include former Dallas Cowboy, five-time Pro Bowler Jay Novacek, billiard’s star, Jeanette Lee (the Black Widow) and Miss Texas USA Brittany Booker.

Professional anglers scheduled to appear include legendary angler and TV host Jimmy Houston, host of Jimmy Houston Outdoors, 11-time Bassmaster Qualifier Edwin Evers, 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year Ott DeFoe and Tournament Series Pro Angler Pedro Sors.

RedHead Pro Hunting Team members also appearing include John Paul Morris, Jerry Martin, Jim and Angie Ryan and their grandson, Hunter, and History Channel’s 2011 Top Shot Chris Reed.

For every $1 spent during the Evening for Conservation, 50 cents will be donated to the “More Fish” campaign of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to save fish and their habitats. The foundation offers a variety of grant programs aimed at a variety of geographical and species-specific goals so that local conservation entities may apply for grants for local fish habitat efforts.

The actual Grand Opening Celebration begins Thursday, Nov. 17 and will continue through Sunday, Nov. 20. The store will open at 8 a.m. Thursday and at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. The celebration includes special exhibits, store-wide savings and fantastic giveaways.

— Staff report

Plink Fest to raise funds for wounded vets With a goal of helping wounded veterans relive outdoor experiences they may have thought were lost to them, “plinkers” are expected to come out in force Dec. 10 at San Antonio’s National Shooting Complex for a .22-caliber “Plink Fest.”

The event to raise funds for the Combat Marine Outdoors organization will feature knockdown action plates and self-setting high quality polymer Varmint Targets on six different stages at the NSC pistol and rifle range in western Bexar County.

Designed for the average “plinker” who likes to go out and hone his or her small game hunting skills or who just likes to spend some quality time on the range, there will be three stages for .22-caliber pistols and three stages for .22-caliber rifles. Targets will be set up at various ranges to test the shooting skills of both beginner and veteran shooters.

The event will also mark the first major showcase of the Varmint Targets, made in Texas that feature a motorized self-healing

polymer prairie dog target that falls and resets itself when it has been hit.

An entry fee of $75 per person covers the entire course of six stages, including loaner firearms and ammunition if needed, with winners of each stage and the high overall winner to receive donated prizes or gift cards.

Proceeds from the “Plink Fest” will help Combat Marine Outdoors provide wounded veterans with the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities such as donated hunting and fishing trips.

Based in Houston, CMO began in 2005 by offering wounded veterans at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio an opportunity to accelerate their recoveries through outdoor activities.

Registration for the “Plink Fest” will start at 8 a.m.; shooting starts at 9 a.m.; prizes will be awarded after all participants have completed the course.

Further information and e-mail preregistration is available by contacting Dan Moseley at nraprogun@outdrs.net or by calling (210) 867-3467.

— Staff report

November 11, 2011

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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TEXAS BIG BITES STATE RECORD: Rory Starling of El Campo caught the state record swordfish on electric rod and reel. The big fish, boated on July 9, was 89.75 inches long. It weighed 353 pounds.

The electric rod and reel qualified under the "other methods" category.

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BUSINESS BRIEFS

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Page 27

Coastal trout Continued From Page 8

RMEF to pitch 2012 Elk Camp in Las Vegas The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation brings its annual Elk Camp convention and expo to the Las Vegas Convention Center and Riviera Hotel Feb. 2-4.

The event is new to Las Vegas.

RMEF officials expect a fresh energy unlike any in Elk Camp history.

“We’re really looking forward to Las Vegas,” explained RMEF President and CEO David Allen, “because it’s a new market for us with plenty of local sportsmen and out-of-town visitors to enjoy our show.”

For 27 years, RMEF has relied on Elk Camp to build on previous momentum and set the tone for the year ahead.

In 2011, following the annual convention and expo in Reno, Nev., the organization passed the 6-millionacre mark for habitat conserved and enhanced nationwide.

It also supported elk restoration efforts in Maryland and Missouri, helped mitigate the effects of historic wildfires in Arizona, and much more.

Event highlights this year include fund-raising auctions, gala banquets and entertainment from Clint Black and Craig Morgan.

There also will be attractions, displays and activities for the whole family, plus 450 booths filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities, art, gear, firearms and everything elk.

As always, Elk Camp 2012 will feature the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships. Preliminary rounds are Feb. 3; championship rounds are Feb. 4.

For booth information, contact service@SportsExpos.com or 800545-6100.

For more details, agendas and more information, visit www.rmef.org.

— RMEF

USFWS fisheries program supports 68,000 U.S. jobs The fisheries program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pumps $3.6 billion into the nation’s economy and supports 68,000 jobs across the country, according to a new report.

“The report confirms once again that fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreational activities are an economic engine for our country,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Overall, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation contribute an estimated $730 billion to the U.S. economy each year, Salazar noted.

One in 20 U.S. jobs are in the recreation economy — more than there are doctors, lawyers or teachers.

The report, Conserving America’s Fisheries, An Assessment of Economic Contributions from Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation, shows that each dollar invested in the Service’s Fisheries Program, combined with its partners, generates about $28 in economic contributions and value.

The economic contributions generated are evidenced at sporting goods stores, marinas, guides and outfitter services, boat dealerships, bait shops, gas stations, cafes, hotels, and many other enterprises.

The report also shows the USFWS’s National Fish Hatchery System alone generates $900 million in industrial output and $550 million in retail sales.

Meanwhile, the National Fish Passage Program works with partners to reopen an average of 890 miles of river habitat annually, which has an economic value of $483 million and supports 11,000 jobs.

That is more than $542,000 in economic benefit per stream mile restored, according to the report.

—USFWS

Tomek said he knew of a few large trout being caught on the Mid Coast, but they have been “random.”

Other reports from Matagorda also put trout at fair to good over grass humps and on soft plastics.

“The big trout aren’t showing up like we’re used to seeing,” Tomek said.

He wondered if the harsh freeze in February and the ongoing red tide along the coast made larger dents than originally thought.

An estimated 4 million fish have died from red tide this fall, but fisheries experts have said the damage isn’t the worst they’ve seen.

Farther down the coast, trout were also fair to good with soft plastics over mud and grass at

Port Mansfield, South Padre Island and Port Isabel.

Gary Farmer said one of his clients caught a 25-inch trout off Port Isabel.

“It was in real close to the old causeway,” he said. “A couple other guides were in there, and we drifted, drifted, drifted to get just a few fish.”

Farmer said his client’s big fish was caught with a Norton Sand Eel in avocado with chartreuse tail and a light-red Mansfield Mauler popping cork.

The best report came from Upper Coast.

Tournament angler Randy Weaver of Deer Park went fishing with friends Nov. 2 in the Galveston Bay area. Together they caught eight trout over 25 inches and one over 28 inches.

The fronts, it seemed, gave them a slight advantage.

“Two strong northers came in and blew all the water out of the marshes,” Weaver said. “The bait, you could see it floating by you as it was getting flushed out of the marshes.

“Well, the fish are just sitting at the mouths of the marshes waiting on all that baitfish and the fishing has just been ridiculous.”

Any of the bays connected to marshes have had great action, including Christmas Bay, Chocolate Bay and West Bay, Weaver said.

He also had success wading.

“The water temperatures are getting into the high 60s and the low 70s,” Weaver said, “and my rule is, if I’m wearing waders, I’m going to be fishing on mud to

mud/shell mix bottoms.”

He explained that muddier areas warm up quicker, and that’s where fish like to go.

Weaver’s go-to lures have been Wedgetail swimbaits. But, he added, with cooler water, it’s finally time to break out the Corkies because trout are responding to suspended baits.

“I don’t throw a Corky unless I’m wearing waders,” he said. “So now it’s Corkies until the end of April.”

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSON FULL 11/11/11

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November 11, 2011

Page 29

Dalhart’s Jessop wins chance to fish in Bassmaster Classic

Youth hunt Continued From Page 4

“It took us about a second to invite Jake,” he said.

Byrne brought his 15-year-old son, Nick.

Jake, who will turn 16 this month, knows Nick but they hadn’t hunted together.

“Jon and I were on a lease in Jack County, and we brought some other families into it,” Byrne said. “It was like a mob of fourth graders having a blast. Nick and Jake got to be buddies riding the four-wheelers and doing kid stuff.”

This year’s hunt allowed Nick and Jake to renew their friendship.

“They hadn’t hung out in five or six years,” Byrne said. “When they got together it was just like old friends getMORE FUN THAN FACEBOOK: Jake Randall took this feral hog after be- ting together again.” ing invited to hunt by friends of his late father. Photo by Chuck Aris.

The hunting was good, too.

Rains Guard, had just returned hunt with his 12-yearallowed the wheat field from a year in Iraq, and old son, Matthew, since to come up and feeders provided supplethis was to be his first the dove opener of 2010.

Tournament angler Tom Jessop of Dalhart has won the chance to compete at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic in February.

Jessop, who operates a Panhandle cattle business, topped the Central Division at the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship, held Nov. 3-5 on the Ouachita River in Louisiana.

He was among six Federation Nation anglers whose performances on Ouachita won them the opportunity to compete in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.

The Classic is the pinnacle of bass tournaments, drawing the nation’s best anglers. It will be held Feb. 24-26 on the Red River in Louisiana.

In June, Jessop advanced to the Federation Nation championship after winning a spot at the Central Division Championship on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

He finished the championship on Ouachita with a catch of 15 fish weighing a total of 27 pounds, 7 ounces.

— Staff report

mental corn. Nick shot a doe and Matthew downed his first buck on Saturday afternoon.

“Matthew was grinning ear-to-ear,” Aris said. “We were gutting and cutting up deer; it was 10:30 by the time we got around to eating our steaks.”

The next morning Jake shot a hog.

Each of the young hunters made perfect shots, Aris said, and no searching or blood trail work was required.

“They all got blood on their hands,” Byrne said. “And the day after we got back, Jake posted his picture with his pig and the ‘likes’ and comments started flowing in — that made me feel good. I expect he’ll be a hunting buddy for life.

“And now my 16-year-old daughter has taken an interest in hunting — that’s even better.”

‘Drought Survival Kit’ includes tips for wildlife Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s new Drought Survival Kit includes tips for helping wildlife in times of extreme dryness.

It is posted online at www.texasthestateofwater.org.

According to the information on this site, 30 percent of municipal water is used on lawns and outdoor landscaping, but a homeowner can reduce that amount by planting drought-friendly native plants that use less water.

Those plants also provide shelter for wildlife. However, the site also advises homeowners that feeding wildlife like deer and raccoons only causes problems.

— TPWD

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November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

For example, a recently appointed Mule Deer DMP task force met Oct. 5 Continued From Page 4 in Alpine, and identified diseases as a research topic.

TPWD also wants to study the appropriate sizes of pens, how long deer can be kept, and how often they can be rotated among pens.

Smith called the task force an “all-star cast” of veterinarians, ranchers, hunting guides, biologists and even some breeders — a nobetter group “to help us thoughtfully think through these issues.”

The Texas Wildlife Association called for

By Conor Harrison the research while SB LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS 460 was being crafted.

The TDA, a deer advoWest Texas mule deer hunters can expect two things cacy group, countered this season: dry country and bucks that probably aren’t that there already was going to reach last season’s lofty standards. sufficient research.

According to guides in the Trans-Pecos region, the “I could not disagree drought has been hard on the deer and antlers are sufmore strongly,” Smith fering. But there could be a silver lining on ranches that said. “Right now that supplement with protein feeding. science doesn’t exist.”

“I’ve spent $50,000 a month on protein,” said Hunter TDA members thought Ross, owner of Desert Safaris based in Jeff Davis, Pecos the research amendment and Brewster counties. “I have 42 feeding stations and DROUGHT AFFECTING ANTLERS: Mule deer guides said the bucks they’ve seen supported by TWA had we have seen some really nice bucks. The fawn crop was have taken a slight hit this year due to the ongoing drought in West Texas. Photo been defeated. down about 70 percent, but the adults held their own.” by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Nowhere in the bill, Ross said ranches that didn’t feed protein had a fawn 887 words, is there any The bill was signed by Gov. recruitment around 10 percent.

Rick Perry on June 17, and reference to research.

“The fawns were killed by the heat,” he said. “There was no cover for them to get TDA members questioned became law immediately. out of the sun.”

Gilbert Adams III, a how TPWD could go forward Ross said he has been hunting Aoudad on his 104,000-acre ranch, and has seen Beaumont lawyer and pres- with studies without clear several bucks in the mid-180s and a 200-class typical monster. ident of the Texas Deer language in the bill calling “We killed a 211 last year and put about 25 bucks in the Texas Big Game Awards Association, said he has for research. last year,” he said. “We had two of the top five typicals.”

“It is confusing,” Adams heard it could be at least a Guide Troy Calaway, of TWC Hunt Co. in Culberson and Brewster counties, said couple more years before per- said, “and it must be frusthe areas where he conducts free-range hunts are bone dry and the deer have suffered. trating to those landowners mits are available.

However, he said the ranches he hunts that feed protein still hold nice bucks, just “It took us by surprise,” who want to immediately implement this bill.”

Adams said. not as nice as last year.

But Smith said the Carter Smith, TPWD execu“During antelope season I saw two nice deer on one of the places we hunt that tive director, said the research Texas Parks and Wildlife is critical for protecting the Commission has the authorSee DOWN, Page 34 state’s mule deer resource. ity to call for the research.

Mule deer down this season

Mule deer

Ranches that provided supplemental feed have better bucks

LONE STAR MARKET

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or e-mail him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

LSONews.com

He referred to a section of the bill that says, “A permit issued under this subchapter is subject to conditions established by the commission.”

State Rep. Kel Seliger, the bill’s author, agreed.

“It is in their executive authority and responsibility that they do programs based on sound science,” said Seliger, a Republican from Amarillo.

But Adams pointed out that TPWD apparently has no money budgeted for the research.

That’s true, said Smith.

TPWD could issue “scientific research permits” for a “pilot” mule deer DMP program that would conduct the research.

Smith said he did not know how much that would cost, but he hoped mule deer “stakeholders” would want to fund it.

According to estimates, there are between a halfdozen and 20 landowners or breeders who want DMPs for mule deer.

“The bottom line is, we’re looking for reliable partners who have legitimate interests to carry this out,” Smith said.

Chase Clark, a breeder from Three Rivers and a member of the task force, said he preferred issuing DMPs immediately and conducting research “along the way.”

Although other members disagreed with him on that point, Clark said the group is poised to do some important work. He added, however, that he’s concerned the price tag is not yet known for a pilot project.

“If significant costs are involved, it might put a damper on the number of people who will want to be involved,” he said.

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November 11, 2011

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Sun | Moon | Tides

Full

Height 2.7 H 2.7 H 2.7 H 2.9 H 2.9 H 0.2 L 0.5 L 0.9 L 1.8 L 1.3 L 0.5 L 0.0 L -0.5 L -0.9 L -1.1 L

Time Height 8:20 a.m. 0.2 L 8:52 a.m. 0.0 L 9:27 a.m. 0.0 L 10:05 a.m. 0.0 L 10:47 a.m. 0.2 L 8:51 p.m. 2.7 H 9:21 p.m. 2.7 H 9:42 p.m. 2.5 H 8:54 a.m. 2.0 H 10:56 a.m. 2.1 H 12:23 p.m. 2.5 H 1:33 p.m. 2.9 H 2:33 p.m. 3.2 H 3:30 p.m. 3.2 H 4:25 p.m. 3.2 H

Time Height 4:38 p.m. 3.0 H 5:22 p.m. 3.0 H 6:13 p.m. 2.9 H 7:09 p.m. 2.9 H 8:05 p.m. 2.9 H

Time 8:59 p.m.

9:20 p.m.

9:46 p.m.

10:21 p.m.

Height 2.5 L 2.5 L 2.7 L 2.7 L

2:44 p.m.

4:09 p.m.

5:33 p.m.

6:46 p.m.

7:46 p.m.

8:36 p.m.

9:19 p.m.

1.3 L 1.6 L 2.0 L 2.1 L 2.3 L 2.5 L 2.5 L

9:59 p.m.

10:15 p.m.

10:32 p.m.

10:53 p.m.

11:19 p.m.

11:51 p.m.

2.3 H 2.3 H 2.3 H 2.5 H 2.7 H 2.7 H

Time Height 5:25 p.m. 2.4 H 6:09 p.m. 2.4 H 7:00 p.m. 2.3 H 7:56 p.m. 2.3 H 8:52 p.m. 2.3 H

Time 9:25 p.m.

9:46 p.m.

10:12 p.m.

10:47 p.m.

Height 2.0 L 2.0 L 2.1 L 2.1 L

Last

Nov 12

Time Height 1:08 a.m. 2.1 H 1:16 a.m. 2.1 H 1:24 a.m. 2.1 H 1:34 a.m. 2.3 H 1:48 a.m. 2.3 H 12:00 p.m. 0.1 L 12:53 p.m. 0.4 L 1:55 p.m. 0.7 L 4:40 a.m. 1.4 L 4:55 a.m. 1.0 L 5:29 a.m. 0.4 L 6:09 a.m. 0.0 L 6:53 a.m. -0.4 L 12:06 a.m. 2.1 H 12:38 a.m. 2.1 H

Time Height 8:46 a.m. 0.1 L 9:18 a.m. 0.0 L 9:53 a.m. 0.0 L 10:31 a.m. 0.0 L 11:13 a.m. 0.1 L 9:38 p.m. 2.1 H 10:08 p.m. 2.1 H 10:29 p.m. 2.0 H 9:41 a.m. 1.6 H 11:43 a.m. 1.7 H 1:10 p.m. 2.0 H 2:20 p.m. 2.3 H 3:20 p.m. 2.6 H 7:39 a.m. -0.7 L 8:27 a.m. -0.9 L

3:10 p.m.

4:35 p.m.

5:59 p.m.

7:12 p.m.

8:12 p.m.

4:17 p.m.

5:12 p.m.

1.0 L 1.3 L 1.6 L 1.7 L 1.9 L 2.6 H 2.6 H

10:46 p.m.

11:02 p.m.

11:19 p.m.

11:40 p.m.

1.9 H 1.9 H 1.9 H 2.0 H

Time Height 5:55 p.m. 1.5 H 6:39 p.m. 1.5 H 7:30 p.m. 1.4 H 8:26 p.m. 1.4 H 9:22 p.m. 1.4 H

Time 10:21 p.m.

10:42 p.m.

11:08 p.m.

11:43 p.m.

4:06 p.m.

5:31 p.m.

6:55 p.m.

8:08 p.m.

3:50 p.m.

4:47 p.m.

5:42 p.m.

11:16 p.m. 1.1 H 11:32 p.m. 1.1 H 11:49 p.m. 1.1 H

9:02 p.m. 2.0 L 9:45 p.m. 2.0 L

Time 9:42 a.m.

10:14 a.m.

10:49 a.m.

11:27 a.m.

12:09 p.m.

10:08 p.m.

10:38 p.m.

10:59 p.m.

10:11 a.m.

12:13 p.m.

1:40 p.m.

2:50 p.m.

7:49 a.m.

8:35 a.m.

9:23 a.m.

Height 0.1 L 0.0 L 0.0 L 0.0 L 0.1 L 1.3 H 1.3 H 1.2 H 0.9 H 1.0 H 1.2 H 1.4 H -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.5 L

0.6 L 0.8 L 0.9 L 1.0 L 1.5 H 1.5 H 1.5 H

Height 1.2 L 1.2 L 1.3 L 1.3 L

9:08 p.m. 1.1 L 9:58 p.m. 1.2 L 10:41 p.m. 1.2 L

Time Height 12:30 a.m. 1.8 H 12:38 a.m. 1.8 H 12:46 a.m. 1.8 H 12:56 a.m. 2.0 H 1:10 a.m. 2.0 H 11:57 a.m. 0.1 L 12:50 p.m. 0.3 L 1:52 p.m. 0.5 L 4:37 a.m. 0.9 L 4:52 a.m. 0.6 L 5:26 a.m. 0.3 L 6:06 a.m. 0.0 L 6:50 a.m. -0.3 L 7:36 a.m. -0.5 L 12:00 a.m. 1.8 H

Date Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25

Houston

Time Height 11:47 a.m. 0.3 L 12:21 p.m. 0.3 L 12:18 a.m. 1.3 H 1:28 a.m. 1.4 H 2:26 a.m. 1.3 H 3:14 a.m. 1.3 H 3:54 a.m. 1.2 H 4:18 a.m. 1.1 H 3:35 a.m. 0.9 H 12:45 a.m. 0.9 H 8:34 a.m. 0.5 L 9:04 a.m. 0.2 L 9:46 a.m. 0.0 L 10:33 a.m. -0.1 L 11:21 a.m. -0.2 L

Time Height 10:59 p.m. 1.3 H 12:57 p.m.

1:36 p.m.

2:15 p.m.

2:55 p.m.

3:33 p.m.

4:06 p.m.

4:07 p.m.

8:57 a.m.

9:04 p.m.

9:20 p.m.

10:09 p.m.

11:12 p.m.

0.2 L 0.2 L 0.3 L 0.3 L 0.4 L 0.5 L 0.7 L 0.7 L 1.0 H 1.2 H 1.3 H 1.3 H

Time

Height

10:24 p.m.

0.9 H

Time

Height

Time

Height

Date Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25

Time Height 2:10 a.m. 0.67 H 2:45 a.m. 0.67 H 3:24 a.m. 0.66 H 4:04 a.m. 0.65 H 4:42 a.m. 0.64 H 5:16 a.m. 0.62 H 5:41 a.m. 0.58 H 4:29 a.m. 0.54 H 2:10 a.m. 0.50 H 1:07 a.m. 0.49 H 12:25 a.m. 0.50 H 12:03 a.m. 0.54 H 12:09 a.m. 0.57 H 12:37 a.m. 0.60 H 1:21 a.m. 0.61 H

Time Height 12:44 p.m. 0.32 L 1:29 p.m. 0.31 L 2:15 p.m. 0.29 L 3:00 p.m. 0.28 L 3:43 p.m. 0.28 L 4:23 p.m. 0.28 L 4:58 p.m. 0.30 L 5:24 p.m. 0.33 L 5:32 p.m. 0.37 L 8:51 a.m. 0.39 L 9:19 a.m. 0.31 L 10:00 a.m. 0.23 L 10:46 a.m. 0.17 L 11:36 a.m. 0.12 L 12:29 p.m. 0.10 L

Time

Height

Date Time Height Nov 11 1:01 a.m. 1.7 H Nov 12 1:09 a.m. 1.7 H Nov 13 1:17 a.m. 1.7 H Nov 14 1:27 a.m. 1.8 H Nov 15 1:41 a.m. 1.8 H Nov 16 11:39 a.m. 0.1 L Nov 17 12:32 p.m. 0.2 L Nov 18 1:34 p.m. 0.4 L Nov 19 4:19 a.m. 0.8 L Nov 20 4:34 a.m. 0.5 L Nov 21 5:08 a.m. 0.2 L Nov 22 5:48 a.m. 0.0 L Nov 23 6:32 a.m. -0.2 L Nov 24 7:18 a.m. -0.4 L Nov 25 12:31 a.m. 1.7 H

Time Height 8:25 a.m. 0.1 L 8:57 a.m. 0.0 L 9:32 a.m. 0.0 L 10:10 a.m. 0.0 L 10:52 a.m. 0.1 L 9:31 p.m. 1.7 H 10:01 p.m. 1.7 H 10:22 p.m. 1.6 H 9:34 a.m. 1.3 H 11:36 a.m. 1.4 H 1:03 p.m. 1.6 H 2:13 p.m. 1.8 H 3:13 p.m. 2.1 H 4:10 p.m. 2.1 H 8:06 a.m. -0.5 L

Time Height 8:43 a.m. 0.1 L 9:15 a.m. 0.0 L 9:50 a.m. 0.0 L 10:28 a.m. 0.0 L 11:10 a.m. 0.1 L 9:00 p.m. 1.8 H 9:30 p.m. 1.8 H 9:51 p.m. 1.7 H 9:03 a.m. 1.4 H 11:05 a.m. 1.5 H 12:32 p.m. 1.7 H 1:42 p.m. 2.0 H 2:42 p.m. 2.2 H 3:39 p.m. 2.2 H 8:24 a.m. -0.5 L

Time Height 4:47 p.m. 2.1 H 5:31 p.m. 2.1 H 6:22 p.m. 2.0 H 7:18 p.m. 2.0 H 8:14 p.m. 2.0 H

Time 9:22 p.m.

9:43 p.m.

10:09 p.m.

10:44 p.m.

Height 1.3 L 1.3 L 1.4 L 1.4 L

3:07 p.m.

4:32 p.m.

5:56 p.m.

7:09 p.m.

8:09 p.m.

8:59 p.m.

4:34 p.m.

10:08 p.m.

10:24 p.m.

10:41 p.m.

11:02 p.m.

11:28 p.m.

.6 H 1.6 H 1.6 H 1.7 H 1.8 H

0.6 L 0.8 L 1.0 L 1.1 L 1.2 L 1.3 L 2.2 H

9:42 p.m. 1.3 L

Date Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25

Time 8:23 a.m.

8:54 a.m.

9:29 a.m.

10:07 a.m.

10:50 a.m.

11:38 a.m.

12:31 p.m.

1:33 p.m.

4:48 a.m.

4:46 a.m.

5:12 a.m.

5:48 a.m.

6:30 a.m.

7:16 a.m.

8:05 a.m.

Height 0.2 L 0.1 L 0.1 L 0.1 L 0.2 L 0.3 L 0.5 L 0.7 L 1.3 L 0.9 L 0.5 L 0.1 L -0.3 L -0.6 L -0.7 L

Time Height 5:57 p.m. 2.0 H 6:44 p.m. 2.0 H 7:32 p.m. 2.1 H 8:16 p.m. 2.1 H 8:54 p.m. 2.1 H 9:21 p.m. 2.1 H 9:39 p.m. 2.0 H 9:46 p.m. 1.8 H 8:39 a.m. 1.4 H 11:28 a.m. 1.5 H 1:16 p.m. 1.7 H 2:37 p.m. 1.9 H 3:45 p.m. 2.1 H 4:48 p.m. 2.2 H 5:49 p.m. 2.2 H

2011 Nov 11 Fri F 12 Sat > 13 Sun > 14 Mon 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri Q 19 Sat 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tue 23 Wed > 24 Thu > 25 Fri N 26 Sat > 27 Sun > 28 Mon > 29 Tue 30 Wed

A.M. Minor Major 4:52 11:04 5:44 11:56 6:38 12:25 7:34 1:21 8:30 2:18 9:26 3:13 10:19 4:07 11:10 4:57 11:58 5:45 12:19 6:31 1:04 7:17 1:50 8:04 2:40 8:55 3:36 9:51 4:36 10:52 5:41 11:21 6:46 12:32 7:50 1:36 8:50 2:37 9:44 3:32

P.M. Minor 5:17 6:09 7:03 8:00 8:56 9:51 10:44 11:34 ----12:44 1:30 2:18 3:10 4:06 5:08 6:12 7:16 8:18 9:15 10:08

Major 11:29 ----12:51 1:47 2:43 3:38 4:31 5:22 6:10 6:56 7:43 8:32 9:25 10:22 11:23 ----1:01 2:04 3:03 3:56

SUN Rises Sets 06:41 05:28 06:42 05:27 06:43 05:27 06:44 05:26 06:44 05:26 06:45 05:25 06:46 05:25 06:47 05:24 06:48 05:24 06:49 05:23 06:50 05:23 06:50 05:23 06:51 05:22 06:52 05:22 06:53 05:22 06:54 05:22 06:55 05:21 06:55 05:21 06:56 05:21 06:57 05:21

MOON Rises 6:05p 6:52p 7:44p 8:39p 9:36p 10:35p 11:36p NoMoon 12:37a 1:40a 2:44a 3:51a 5:01a 6:11a 7:19a 8:22a 9:19a 10:09a 10:52a 11:30a

Sets 7:25a 8:19a 9:10a 9:59a 10:44a 11:26a 12:05p 12:42p 1:18p 1:55p 2:34p 3:16p 4:04p 4:57p 5:56p 6:58p 8:02p 9:05p 10:06p 11:04p

Dallas

Time Height 5:18 p.m. 2.0 H 6:02 p.m. 2.0 H 6:53 p.m. 1.8 H 7:49 p.m. 1.8 H 8:45 p.m. 1.8 H

Time 9:04 p.m.

9:25 p.m.

9:51 p.m.

10:26 p.m.

Height 1.1 L 1.1 L 1.2 L 1.2 L

2:49 p.m.

4:14 p.m.

5:38 p.m.

6:51 p.m.

7:51 p.m.

8:41 p.m.

5:05 p.m.

0.5 L 0.7 L 0.8 L 0.9 L 1.0 L 1.1 L 2.1 H

10:39 p.m.

10:55 p.m.

11:12 p.m.

11:33 p.m.

11:59 p.m.

1.5 H 1.5 H 1.5 H 1.6 H 1.7 H

Height

Time

9:24 p.m. 1.1 L

South Padre Island

Freeport Harbor Date Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25

Dec 4

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier

San Luis Pass Date Time Height Nov 11 1:38 a.m. 1.3 H Nov 12 1:46 a.m. 1.3 H Nov 13 1:54 a.m. 1.3 H Nov 14 2:04 a.m. 1.4 H Nov 15 2:18 a.m. 1.4 H Nov 16 12:56 p.m. 0.1 L Nov 17 1:49 p.m. 0.3 L Nov 18 2:51 p.m. 0.4 L Nov 19 5:36 a.m. 0.9 L Nov 20 5:51 a.m. 0.6 L Nov 21 6:25 a.m. 0.3 L Nov 22 7:05 a.m. 0.0 L Nov 23 12:10 a.m. 1.2 H Nov 24 12:36 a.m. 1.3 H Nov 25 1:08 a.m. 1.3 H

First

Nov 27

Nov 20

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

Rockport

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25

New

Port O’Connor

Sabine Pass, jetty Time 12:21 a.m.

12:29 a.m.

12:37 a.m.

12:47 a.m.

1:01 a.m.

11:34 a.m.

12:27 p.m.

1:29 p.m.

4:14 a.m.

4:29 a.m.

5:03 a.m.

5:43 a.m.

6:27 a.m.

7:13 a.m.

8:01 a.m.

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases

Texas Coast Tides Date Nov 11 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25

LSONews.com

Time

2:49 p.m.

4:25 p.m.

6:28 p.m.

1.0 L 1.3 L 1.4 L

Height

9:45 p.m. 1.7 H 9:35 p.m. 1.5 H 9:07 p.m. 1.5 H

2011 Nov 11 Fri F 12 Sat > 13 Sun > 14 Mon 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri Q 19 Sat 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tue 23 Wed > 24 Thu > 25 Fri N 26 Sat > 27 Sun > 28 Mon > 29 Tue 30 Wed

A.M. Minor Major 4:58 11:10 5:49 ----6:44 12:31 7:40 1:27 8:36 2:23 9:31 3:19 10:25 4:12 11:15 5:03 ----- 5:51 12:24 6:37 1:09 7:22 1:56 8:10 2:46 9:01 3:41 9:57 4:42 10:58 5:46 11:27 6:52 12:37 7:56 1:42 8:55 2:43 9:50 3:38

P.M. Minor Major 5:22 11:34 6:14 12:02 7:09 12:56 8:05 1:52 9:01 2:49 9:56 3:44 10:49 4:37 11:40 5:27 12:03 6:15 12:49 7:02 1:36 7:49 2:24 8:37 3:15 9:30 4:12 10:27 5:13 11:29 6:17 12:02 7:21 1:07 8:23 2:09 9:21 3:08 10:13 4:02

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 06:52 05:28 6:03p 7:38a 06:53 05:27 6:50p 8:32a 06:54 05:26 7:42p 9:24a 06:55 05:26 8:37p 10:12a 06:56 05:25 9:36p 10:56a 06:57 05:25 10:36p 11:37a 06:58 05:24 11:38p 12:15p 06:59 05:24 NoMoon 12:50p 07:00 05:23 12:41a 1:25p 07:01 05:23 1:46a 1:59p 07:01 05:22 2:52a 2:37p 07:02 05:22 4:01a 3:17p 07:03 05:21 5:12a 4:03p 07:04 05:21 6:23a 4:56p 07:05 05:21 7:32a 5:54p 07:06 05:20 8:36a 6:56p 07:07 05:20 9:32a 8:01p 07:08 05:20 10:21a 9:05p 07:09 05:20 11:03a 10:08p 07:10 05:19 11:39a 11:07p

P.M. Minor Major 5:29 11:41 6:21 12:09 7:16 1:03 8:12 1:59 9:08 2:56 10:03 3:51 10:56 4:44 11:47 5:34 12:10 6:22 12:56 7:09 1:43 7:56 2:31 8:44 3:22 9:37 4:19 10:34 5:20 11:36 6:24 12:09 7:28 1:14 8:30 2:16 9:28 3:15 10:20 4:09

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 06:53 05:41 6:18p 7:38a 06:54 05:40 7:06p 8:31a 06:55 05:40 7:58p 9:22a 06:56 05:39 8:52p 10:11a 06:56 05:39 9:50p 10:56a 06:57 05:38 10:49p 11:38a 06:58 05:38 11:49p 12:17p 06:59 05:37 NoMoon 12:55p 07:00 05:37 12:50a 1:31p 07:01 05:36 1:53a 2:08p 07:01 05:36 2:57a 2:47p 07:02 05:36 4:04a 3:29p 07:03 05:35 5:13a 4:17p 07:04 05:35 6:23a 5:11p 07:05 05:35 7:31a 6:09p 07:06 05:35 8:35a 7:12p 07:06 05:35 9:32a 8:16p 07:07 05:34 10:21a 9:19p 07:08 05:34 11:04a 10:20p 07:09 05:34 11:42a 11:17p

P.M. Minor 5:43 6:35 7:29 8:25 9:22 10:17 11:10 ----12:24 1:10 1:56 2:44 3:36 4:32 5:34 6:38 7:42 8:44 9:41 10:34

SUN Rises 07:17 07:18 07:19 07:20 07:21 07:22 07:23 07:24 07:25 07:26 07:27 07:28 07:29 07:30 07:31 07:32 07:33 07:34 07:34 07:35

San Antonio 2011 A.M. Nov Minor Major 11 Fri F 5:05 11:17 12 Sat > 5:56 ----13 Sun > 6:51 12:38 14 Mon 7:47 1:34 15 Tue 8:43 2:30 16 Wed 9:38 3:26 17 Thu 10:32 4:19 18 Fri Q 11:22 5:10 19 Sat ----- 5:58 20 Sun 12:31 6:44 21 Mon 1:16 7:29 22 Tue 2:03 8:17 23 Wed > 2:53 9:08 24 Thu > 3:48 10:04 25 Fri N 4:49 11:05 26 Sat > 5:53 11:34 27 Sun > 6:59 12:44 28 Mon > 8:03 1:49 29 Tue 9:02 2:50 30 Wed 9:57 3:45

Amarillo 2011 A.M. Nov Minor 11 Fri F 5:18 12 Sat > 6:10 13 Sun > 7:04 14 Mon 8:00 15 Tue 8:56 16 Wed 9:52 17 Thu 10:45 18 Fri Q 11:36 19 Sat 12:00 20 Sun 12:45 21 Mon 1:30 22 Tue 2:16 23 Wed > 3:06 24 Thu > 4:02 25 Fri N 5:02 26 Sat > 6:07 27 Sun > 7:12 28 Mon > 8:16 29 Tue 9:16 30 Wed 10:10

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen

Solution on Page 34

FOR THE TABLE

ACROSS 1. A type of bait 4. A cousin to the weasel 9. Buck's mating rituals 10. A task of the birddog 11. To analyze freshness of tracks 14. A tent area need for rain runoff 15. This expels a fired casing 17. Action on a repeating gun 19. A food fish 21. Prevents easy removal of an arrow 22. Hunter gives this TLC 23. A popular fish bait 25. A game bird 28. Sage, ruffed, spruce 30. The bowhunter's ammo 31. A large cottontail 32. A buck's usual feeding time 34. An animal resting place 35. Name for the Arizona whitetail 36. Boat that can be folded and carried

4. The trapper's interest 5. A bass species 6. Said to be best lure color for fishing 7. A pheasant food source 8. Holds the rifle barrel 12. Arrow and shells 13. Angler's term for a really large bass 16. A young elk 18. A dog's foot 20. Fur seeker's gear 21. A game bird 23. Venison 24. Act of reading track's freshness 26. A type of gun sight 27. The basket that carries a day's catch 29. Native American name for deer 33. The hunting area 36. A salmon species 37. Sound made by wild turkeys 38. Very large on the muley A bow scope protector To construct a fly lure A large member of the deer family A female elk

Delightful dove bites

39. Color bands on arrows 43. Name for a type fly lure 44. The quick-to-erect type tent 45. Name for a camp-type fireplace

DOWN 1. Some bullets have a _____ jacket 2. A bear scent 3. Outdoorsmen's supply packet

39.

40.

41.

42.

Major 11:30 ----12:51 1:47 2:44 3:39 4:33 5:23 6:11 6:57 7:43 8:30 9:21 10:17 11:18 11:47 12:57 2:02 3:03 3:58

Center cut bacon Dove — cut off bone Dried apricots halves Fresh jalapenos seeded halves Cream cheese Bollner’s Fiesta fajita seasoning — (Tony Chachesery is a great alternative.)

Toothpicks to hold the appetizer together Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

On baking sheet, cook bacon until halfway cooked. Cool.

Fill jalapeno halves with cream cheese, sprinkle with Fiesta seasoning.

Major 11:55 12:22 1:17 2:13 3:09 4:04 4:57 5:48 6:36 7:22 8:09 8:58 9:51 10:48 11:49 12:22 1:27 2:30 3:29 4:22

Sets 05:44 05:43 05:42 05:42 05:41 05:40 05:40 05:39 05:39 05:38 05:38 05:37 05:37 05:36 05:36 05:35 05:35 05:35 05:35 05:34

MOON Rises 6:19p 7:06p 7:57p 8:53p 9:52p 10:54p NoMoon NoMoon 1:01a 2:07a 3:15a 4:25a 5:38a 6:50a 8:00a 9:03a 9:59a 10:47a 11:27a 12:02p

Sets 8:05a 8:59a 9:51a 10:39a 11:22a 12:02p 12:39p 1:13p 1:46p 2:20p 2:55p 3:35p 4:20p 5:11p 6:09p 7:12p 8:17p 9:22p 10:26p 11:26p

Now top filled jalapenos with apricot, dove and bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the individual bites on a cooling rack, then place the cooling rack on a foil-lined cookie sheet for cooking. This will allow better heating. Cook for at least 20 minutes.

At 20 minutes, start checking them to make sure they are done. You may have to cook a little longer. Remove from oven, and place on serving tray.

Cool for a few minutes before serving.

— Adrienne Sams

Coconut lime flounder fillets 6 Eggs 2 cups coconut milk 4 1/2 cups fine breadcrumbs 3 cups flaked unsweetened coconut 2 tbsps. lime zest, minced 12 flounder fillets Salt to taste Ground black pepper to taste Mustard Lime Sauce 1 1/2 cups reduced calorie mayonnaise 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 3/4 cups lime juice Whisk together ingredients until smooth.

Next combine egg and milk in a shallow dish. Set aside.

Combine breadcrumbs, coconut and lime in a separate shallow dish and set aside.

Lightly season fillets with salt and pepper, dip into egg mixture, then dredge in coconut mixture.

Arrange fillets on a lightly greased parchment-lined sheet pan.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes until fish flakes easily.

Serve each fillet with approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of mustard lime sauce.

— aboutseafood.com

*E-mail LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Page 33

OUTDOOR BUSINESS

Outdoor Business Order Form 3 Easy Options: Mail this form, Call the office (214) 361-2276, or E-mail; LSONacct@gmail.com. Please e-mail any photos, clip art and logos.

$

60

per issue per unit or

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Wording for ad:

LSON 11/11/11

Unit sizes: 1 Unit 2 Units 4 Units

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Page 34

November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

SOON TO BE CHASING: Bucks should start chasing does as the month of November heads into the later season.

Despite the drought, some nice archery bucks have already been seen and taken, especially on properties that have fed their deer protein this year. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Down Continued From Page 30

Puzzle solution from Page 32

would have gone in the mid-180s,” he said.

“That’s about as much as you can expect this year on free range. It’s rough.

“All of West Texas is in bad shape right now.”

Calaway said he has been honest with his clients, telling them not to expect the same caliber of deer they shot with him last year.

He hunts in the Alpine and Van Horn areas.

“Body condition is not nearly what it should be,” he said. “On one of the ranches that feeds protein, we had about a 5 percent fawn crop, if that. And those deer have been getting everything from the feeders.”

Last year, Calaway’s hunters killed five bucks that averaged 195 inches.

Guide Ken Burton, of Burton’s Hunting Service in Pecos County, said an archery hunter he guided earlier this season took a 150-class buck, and the bucks on his lowfenced ranch are down a little, despite protein feed.

“They’re off a little,” he said. “This buck should have been a 160-inch deer. We do feed protein year-round, but they also need the stuff from Mother Nature.

“Overall, my deer are in pretty good shape.”

Burton said he has seen several deer in the 160 class, and is sure there are bucks on the property that will push into the 170s this year.

“Last year we saw some bucks in the 170s,” he said. “In a normal year, those deer would jump into the 180s, but I’m sure they will still be in the 170s despite the drought.”

The regular season for mule deer begins Nov. 19 in the Panhandle (38 counties) and Southwest Panhandle (10 counties) and Nov. 25 in the Trans Pecos (19 counties).

Guide Hunter Ross, (210) 264-1745 Guide Troy Calaway, (830) 879-5956 Guide Ken Burton, (325) 347-2815

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

November 11, 2011

Page 35

Page 36

November 11, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com