deer hunting
the stage is set
texas Annual 2017
Old reliable, the buck that is always there
Advertising Section
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deer hunting
the stage is set
texas Annual 2017
deer hunting texas
Old reliable, the buck that is always there
Advertising Section
About the Cover: Annual 2017
Big Red was a regular at the All Seasons Feeder. After losing the lease, the hunters wonder what happened to him. (See story on Page 32) David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News
Advertisers: AG-PRO/JOHN DEERE………………… 2
LEUPOLD……………………………… 3
ALL SEASONS FEEDERS………… 10
LONE STAR AG CREDIT…………… 19
AMERICAN SHOOTING CENTERS… 34
LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS FOUNDATION……………………… 25
BAIT CORN COMPANY, THE……… 27 B&B TAXIDERMY…………………… 22 CHAS-MAC…………………………… 30 CHICKEN EXPRESS………………… 30 CHOICE AMMUNITION…………… 16 CHRISTIAN CAMO COMPANY…… 30 COAST………………………………… 4 COLLECTOR’S COVEY………………… 8 COUNTY LINE CONTAINERS……… 28 CRAZY ABOUT OUTDOORS……… 31 DEER BLIND WINDOWS…………… 14 DEER BREEDERS CORP…………… 26 ELECTRONIC SHOOTING PROTECTION/ESP…………………… 6 EVOLVED BALLISTICS……………… 15 FAMILY TRADITION TREESTANDS…18 FILSON……………………………… 13 FORMEX……………………………… 21 FREER DEER CAMP………………… 29 GAME GUARD OUTDOORS………… 29 GREYSTONE CASTLE……………… 23 HALL & HALL………………………… 6 HECKLER & KOCH…………………… 9 HOFFPAUIR………………………… 33 KT COOLERS………………………… 31
LYSSY & ECKEL…………………… 12 MCKENNA QUINN…………………… 9 NIKON……………………………… 36 PALOMA PACHANGA……………… 35 PERSONALIZED DRINKWARE…… 14 POND KING………………………… 21 PUMA KNIVES……………………… 30 REATA RANCH……………………… 29 REDNECK BLINDS…………………… 7 ROCKY MOUNTAIN TIMBERLANDS… ……………………………………… 34 RUGGED GEAR………………………… 7 RUSSELL MOCCASIN……………… 27 STEALTH CAM……………………… 11 SWIFT LIFT………………………… 32 TEXAS FARM STORE……………… 16 TEXAS HUNTER PRODUCTS………… 5 TRINITY RANCH LAND…………… 28 TROPHY BLINDS…………………… 15 TRUGLO……………………………… 15 VORTEX……………………………… 17 WALKER’S…………………………… 27 WILDPOINT WHITETAILS………… 16 YOUR TARGET……………………… 31
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CONTACT OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS TO DISCUSS OUR MENU OF REAL ESTATE AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
MONTE LYONS
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 $2, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2017 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 email them to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
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DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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Go platinum with new Redneck Blinds Redneck Blinds has introduced the Platinum series of its wildly popular 6X6 Buck Palace and 5x6 Predator Fiberglass hunting blinds. The Buck Palace 6X6 Platinum 360 Blind and the Predator 5X6 Platinum 360 Blind includes the Redneck Blind Gear Console, a new high-density removable foam mat under the carpet and vertical windows that now come with a silk screening black camo look. The Redneck Blind Gear Console is a convenient and handy storage shelf that comes preinstalled in every Platinum Series Blind. The new high-density foam floor covering greatly improves the sound control on the floor and adds insulation to help keep your feet warm on those cold winter days. The industry’s tallest vertical tinted tempered automotive glass corner windows will now include a black camo silk screening on the lower half of the window to hide movement inside of the blind, keeping you concealed until you get the opportunity for a trophy shot. The Redneck Platinum 360 Series Blinds also include acoustical foam for the walls above and below the windows for enhanced sound control, an improved window hinge system, the Redneck easy horizontal window opener system, a new ceramic
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insulation coating in the ceiling and a new and improved door lock mechanism. The Platinum 360 Series Blinds are 100-percent fiberglass construction with a fiberglass floor and bottom with a marine grade gel-coat finish. Redneck also has a complete line of heavy-duty black powder-coated steel stand options in 5-, 10- and 15-foot heights, and a stand designed to mount on a 2-wheel trailer or a ground sled. Buck Palace 6X6 Platinum 360 Blind: $2,599. Predator 5X6 Platinum 360 Blind: $2,149.
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DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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Peace of mind with Leupold’s VX-6HD Marketing won’t save your hunt. But the Leupold VX-6HD just might. Most of us don’t get to hunt as much as we’d like. More rare are those epic hunts; the ones you spend years thinking about and months planning. You analyze every detail down to what shoelaces to wear. You lay out your kit and triple-check everything for a week straight. Then the moment arrives. The dew is heavy. Red and yellow leaves fill the landscape. The topo lines from a well-studied map finally become the mountainside under your boots. Your epic moment is at your fingertips. This is when a lifetime guarantee becomes more than a marketing ploy — when you’re miles from nowhere and just minutes away from needing to make the shot of a lifetime. This is when fogging inside your scope is unacceptable; when there’s no store around to replace a loose reticle; when you don’t have time to exchange a scope that couldn’t hold up to the altitude changes from the plane ride. When your epic moment is staring you in the face, no detail should be left to chance. That’s why we do what we do. The VX-6HD, like all Leupold optics, is purpose built for the wild — for situations where second chances are not an option. Its elite optical performance and rugged reliability mean it’s ready for any hunt, anywhere, at any time. The VX-6HD’s 6:1 zoom ratio gives you multiple magnification ranges for countless hunting situations. You can crank it down to two or three power while you pound the timber and up to 18
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power once you hit the open ridgeline. Leupold’s Twilight Max HD Light Management System provides crisp edge-to-edge clarity during the day while helping you see brighter, more distinct definition at dusk and dawn; when the animals are the most active. To top it off, the Guard-ion lens coatings keep debris, water, and fingerprints from fouling up your field of view no matter what weather you wake up to. To make accuracy easy, Leupold’s two-turn zerolock custom dial system (CDS) takes all of the guess work out of long-range shots. You give us your specific ballistic information, and we give you a custom dial that compensates for bullet drop at almost any distance. Simply range the target, turn the dial to the right distance, and aim dead-on. And if that’s not easy enough, Leupold’s FireDot Reticle Technology allows for quick target acquisition and precise shot placement when light is it a premium. The FireDot Reticle also acts as an internal leveling system, so you can ensure every shot is straight and true. At the end of the day, warranties are easy to promise, but the wilderness doesn’t care about marketing taglines. While some companies offer a lifetime of replacements, Leupold offers a lifetime of performance. If your scope bears a gold ring, we won’t let you down, even in the toughest conditions. We are 700 American craftsmen putting in the work every single day. You won’t outlast us. You won’t outperform us. We are Leupold. We’re American to the core.
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
LEUPOLD leupold.com
Lone Star Outdoor News
10/10/17 2:43 PM
STRIKER-FIRED VP9 FROM H&K In development for more than four years, the VP9 is Heckler & Koch’s latest handgun and the first strikerfired HK since the renowned P7 series pistols were introduced in the 1980s. Experience gained by HK engineers with the recent P30 pistol had a direct influence on the design of the VP9. The VP9 integration of a unique striker firing system with an enhanced HK “light pull” trigger results in trigger quality unequaled in any production striker-fired handgun. The superior trigger sets the VP9 apart. It has a short, light take-up with a solid, single-action-type break followed by a short positive reset. The VP9 accommodates all hand sizes, and molded finger grooves in the front of the pistol’s grip also instinctively position an operator’s hand for optimal shooting. Only HK handguns have such a customized grip. All controls are completely ambidextrous. Slide releases are present on both sides of the frame and the magazine release can be easily activated by left- or right-handed shooters.
The VP9 uses the proven P30 steel magazine (15 and 10-round capacity). The VP9’s proprietary captive flat recoil spring helps reduce the recoil forces effecting the operator and the handgun, improving shooter control during rapid firing and prolonging component service life. HK’s famous cold hammer forged barrel — made from canon grade steel — ensures long service life. “My first 9 millimeter handgun was the VP9,” said Lone Star Outdoor News Executive Editor Craig Nyhus. “I took it out, picked the perfect grip and fired 75 rounds through it in just a few minutes. I was amazed at its smoothness, accuracy and operation."
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DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
VP Tactical Model 9 mm or .40 S&W
Lone Star Outdoor News
www.hk-usa.com • 706-568-1906
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ULTRA HD 4K VIDEO FROM STEALTH CAM Stealth Cam, continuing their innovative dominance on the trail camera market, announces the first trail camera featuring a whopping 30MP resolution and Ultra HD, 4K Video technology. Grand Prairie-based Stealth Cam is committed to producing products capable of providing the clearest images and the DS4K has every feature to help deliver these expectations. It is loaded with premium features, which include dual image sensors for optimal day and night high-resolution images, 42 NO GLO IR emitters for 100FT true invisible nighttime illumination, split-second trigger speed and adjustable IR range. The 30 megapixel high resolution game camera has a 16:9 wide image ratio, manual shot capability and an SD card slot up to 64GB to house multiple images and videos when needed most. The DS4K uses Matrix Advanced Blur Reduction and Retina low-light sensitivity improving the quality of low-light pictures. Stealth Cam delivers yet another product to set market standards that will give users the most realistic images and videos available. Lone Star Outdoor News CEO David J. Sams tested the HD 4K at his lease and was impressed with the low-light images. “The light balanced well between a lighter sunset and dark foreground,” Sams said. “Older cameras would have shown you nothing but black.”
Stealth Cam DS4K features: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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4K Ultra HD video 30 MP Ultra Hi Res performance Dual Image Sensors Day resolutions – 30MP/16MP /8MP/4MP Night resolutions – 14MP/8MP/6MP/2MP Range control - Adjustable PIR Security mode (rewrite SD memory) Reflex trigger < .4 seconds 42 NO GLO IR Emitters Intuitive backlit menu programming Matrix Advanced Blur Reduction Retina low-light sensitivity 16:9 wide image ratio Quick Set preprogrammed option
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Burst mode 1-9 images per triggering 5-59 sec / 1- 59 min recovery time out Time/Date/Moon Phase/Temperature/ Name stamp GEO-TAG GPS tagging Manual shot capability Secure Lock password protection SD Card slot up to 64GB Test mode Video & USB output Operates on 8 AA batteries External power jack for 12V battery box Active time setting Multilingual (English/French/German/ Spanish) Preset time & date (CST) MSRP: $299.99
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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STEALTH CAM
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DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
Lone Star Outdoor News
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FILSON ADDS PLANO STORE Founded in 1897 by C.C. Filson to outfit prospectors for the Klondike Gold Rush, Filson opened its 2,500-square-foot store, located in the Legacy West development in Plano. The store features a full assortment of iconic Filson products, such as Tin Cloth Cruisers, Rugged Twill Luggage, along with field-tested gear for hunting and fishing and a full women’s collection, and are all backed by the company’s ironclad guarantee. “We are excited to be able to serve our long-standing customers in the DallasFort Worth area, as this is a key market for Filson,” said Steve Bock, Filson CEO. “Texans can rely on our commitment to quality and customer service, and we look forward to outfitting them with products that can be used in the field and the city.” For the last 120-years, outdoor men and women have come to rely on Filson’s goods that are developed in the rugged landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Acknowledging their timber industry roots, centered within the space is a 4-ton timber trellis constructed from fallen tree rounds. Millwork of Northwest Douglas Fir was sourced for all the casework and wall paneling. Historic artwork adorns the walls, showcasing the imagery of the various industries that built the west along with scenic outdoor environments. Filson’s other Texas location is at Domain NorthSide in Austin.
FILSON
☎ (469) 217-4440 filson.com
LYSSY & ECKEL
KEEPING EVERYTHING BIGGER IN TEXAS. Let us serve your needs this season. Stop by one of our convenient locations, visit our website to find local dealers, or check out facebook for our latest offers. POTH 111 E Westmeyer Street Poth, TX 78147 830-484-3314 12 |
GEORGE WEST 101 Leona Street George West, TX 78022 361-449-2218 DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
HONDO 2005 19th Street Hondo, TX 78861 830-426-3351 Lone Star Outdoor News
LEFEEDS.COM LLANO 105 E Young Street Llano, TX 78643 325-247-4147
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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Misconceptions
about the whitetail rut
By Ray Sasser
For Lone Star Outdoor News When asked, years ago, about the best time to bag a trophy whitetail, Murphy Ray summed it up succinctly. “I’ll take the rut,” he said. “You can have everything else.” Ray was co-author, with Al Brothers, of “Producing Quality Whitetails.” First published in 1975, it’s the foundation of white-tailed deer management. Experienced deer hunters know what Ray means. Trophy bucks are mature bucks. The longer they survive, the more adept they become at avoiding hunters. Except during the rut, which is the whitetail breeding season. That’s the brief window when mature bucks come out in broad daylight and do things that could be considered downright suicidal. Like standing in the middle of a ranch road with a glassy-eyed stare directed at a truckload of hunters scrambling to load their rifles. Rutting bucks eschew eating for traveling and move around so much they lose as much as 20 percent of their weight. They are on a mission to spread their genes by breeding as many does as possible. James Kroll, aka Dr. Deer, has written a book of his own, “A Practical Guide to Producing and Harvesting White-tailed Deer.” He disagrees that the rut is prime time to bag a big buck. The rut is when mature bucks are roaming out of their home ranges, looking for does, Kroll said. That makes them unpredictable. He much prefers the pre-rut, when bucks are in a predictable pattern or the combat phase, when aggressive bucks can be rattled up. There are many misconceptions about the whitetail rut, particularly in Texas. In some areas, deer start breeding as early as September. Breeding continues well into January in other areas. “One of the biggest misconceptions,” said Alan Cain, “is that cold weather triggers the rut. That’s false. Photoperiod (day length) triggers hormonal events in deer that ultimately bring about seasonal reproduction.” Cain is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s white-tailed deer program leader. The rut occurs at the same time every year, he said. Cold weather results in more daytime rutting activity. That’s what hunters see and that’s why they believe that weather is a factor in the breeding season. When it’s hot, the chasing behavior that hunters associate with the rut occurs at night. Kroll said most hunters are confused about what scent a buck is following when he trails a doe. It’s
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David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News
not estrus scent from urine, he said. “A buck approaches a doe giving behavioral postures suggesting she might be approaching estrous (breeding receptivity),” said Kroll. “She takes off and the buck decides to follow. He’s trailing her, alright, but using scent from her interdigital glands that are unique to her.” Does are only in estrous for a short time (24 to 36 hours), Cain said. If they are not bred during the initial cycle, they come back into estrus about 28 days later. A buck can breed anytime he is in hard antler. To further confuse matters, doe fawns may come into estrous late in the season but only in very healthy deer herds. Kroll said all he hears about these days is “lock down,” when all the mature bucks are supposedly somewhere in seclusion with estrous does. There is no lock down, he said. “What happens is a buck bumps into a doe giving off clues that she is approaching estrous,” Kroll said. “The doe coyly runs off with the buck in pursuit. This starts a cross-country chase that picks up steam and attracts other bucks. Picture a running battle
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
Lone Star Outdoor News
across the landscape with the dominant buck in hot pursuit, stopping only to fend off rivals. “To the hunter, half a mile away, the bucks have disappeared and must be locked down. Since the does in a specific area tend to reach estrus at about the same time, it will take days for things to settle down.” A good hunting tactic during the rut is to hunt where you see the most does. A buck that’s with a hot doe will follow her anywhere she goes and she often returns to her home territory and her family. Even if the buck does not eat, he will follow an estrous doe to a feeder or a wheat field. Another misconception, according to Cain, is that mature bucks do all the breeding. Bucks 1 1/2 years old are not only capable of breeding, they are often successful, he said. “Research conducted by the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute indicated that about 30 per cent of 1 1/2- to 2 1/2-year-old bucks sired fawns, even in a deer herd with a well-balanced buck age structure,” he said.
LONG-RANGE SHOOTING WITH FIRST SHOT ACCURACY Long-range shooting is more than a trend. It pursues perfection in firstshot accuracy in hunting situations. With precision rifles from Evolved Ballistics, you will get the whole package. The company uses Proof Research rifles and barrels for extreme precision. Then, Evolved will configure your new rifle for your long-range application, developing the ideal load for your rifle that is specific to your needs, whether hunting or target shooting, and referring you to a custom loading service to obtain custom loads on demand. “As of March, using our rifles, loads and with us shooting them, our client rifles are averaging under .25 MOA,” said Dale H. Robinson of Evolved Ballistics in Boerne. The next step is creating a precise ballistic profile and validating the data and rifle out to 1,060 yards. That data is provided to the customer to be used with the customer’s ballistic calculator. Finally, there is the training provided by Evolved Ballistics. “We teach you to achieve precision and long-range accuracy,” Robinson said. “Our range and field course are designed for hunters to make that first
shot, with targets out to 1,060 yards. The first shot is the most important.” The combination results in supreme confidence to make the shot at the buck of a lifetime. Evolved Ballistics also offers Nightforce optics with its precision rifles, along with other accessories. You really can have a rifle that is lightweight with light recoil, rugged durability and match-grade precision.
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Lone Star Outdoor News
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YOUR BEST CHOICE HAND-LOADED AMMUNITION
Choice Ammunition Corporation is making a huge impact in the shooting world by offering 100-percent handloaded ammunition in stores across the country. With the tightest tolerances in the industry, Choice Ammunition emulates the same process passionate loading experts do in their own loading rooms — producing unmatched performance and reliability compared to “factory-loaded” ammunition. Choice Ammunition features most rifle calibers in Nosler, Barnes, Berger, Swift and Hornady bullets — using only the finest new loading components and powders. They are also manufacturing a full line of handgun ammunition ranging from target, defense and Cowboy Action rounds. “With the evolution of premium firearms and optics these days, our goal is to complete the package with premium hand-loaded, competitively priced ammunition to the consumer,” said Choice Ammunition President/ CEO Jon Wemple. “If shooters do not load their own ammunition for whatever reason, our ammo is a great option for them.”
Developed by avid hunters, Choice Ammunition products are designed and built to perform flawlessly each and every time you take that critical shot. Whether your passion is to hunt varmints, deer, hogs, moose and elk, dangerous game, or a once-in-a-lifetime species, such as stone sheep or kashmir markhor — Choice Ammunition’s passion and personal responsibility is to provide ammunition you will rely on and turn to, each and every time you take to the field. “If we as hunters carefully examine our overall expenses in a year of hunting, we realize that ammunition may be the smallest investment of the season,” Wemple said. “If you are not one of those talented handloaders spending countless hours in a loading room — you can now rely on Choice Ammunition to handload for you! Based in Victor, Montana, Choice Ammunition is expanding its dealer presence across the region, so ask for it at your local sporting goods store or place orders online.
CHOICE AMMUNITION
☎ (844) 446-2666 choiceammunition.com
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DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
Lone Star Outdoor News
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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LOOK TO LONE STAR AG CREDIT FOR RURAL FINANCING In today’s fast-paced world, it’s no wonder that people want to escape to the country for a breath of fresh air and the thrill of the hunt. And when they do, Lone Star Ag Credit, the expert in financing rural real estate, can help. Just ask Lone Star Ag Credit member Monty Montgomery. He stumbled on a listing for a 640-acre property in southwest Oklahoma. “It was perfect,” said Montgomery, who moved to Fort Worth in 1994 and works in the oil and gas industry. After visiting the property, he took the idea of buying the ranch to a group of buddies. They agreed to partner up and make an offer. There was just one hitch — financing. “We looked into traditional banking relationships,” he said. And then a friend and longtime landowner suggested they talk to Lone Star Ag Credit, a Texas rural lending cooperative. Montgomery and his partners soon had their financing and their ranch. “It was a game changer,” he said. Even better, because Lone Star is owned by its borrowers, Montgomery and his partners are privy to Lone Star’s patronage program, which sets it apart from other lenders. As a borrowerowned cooperative, it shares its earnings with its customers.
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In addition to financing rural land and recreational property, Lone Star finances rural homes, agribusinesses, livestock, agricultural equipment and operating expenses. It is part of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of rural lending cooperatives established in 1916. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has been the backbone of rural land ownership in America, ensuring that farmers and ranchers have access to credit. Through this System, Lone Star obtains its funding through the sale of highly rated government-backed Farm Credit bonds that are sold to investors in the system. Lone Star Ag Credit serves 48 Texas counties and is headquartered in Fort Worth. The coop has credit offices in Abilene, Cleburne, Corsicana, Denton, Fort Worth, Hillsboro, Lampasas, Mount Pleasant, New Boston, Paris, Round Rock, Sherman, Stephenville, Sweetwater, Temple, Waco and Weatherford.
LONE STAR AG CREDIT
☎ (800) 530-1252 lonestaragcredit.com
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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“I finally have my place in the country. Lone Star Ag Credit helped me finance my piece of Texas.” CHARLES GREEN | 5G LAND & CATTLE CO. Member Since 1998
Visit LoneStarAgCredit.com to connect with a loan officer near you.
FINANCING FO R: RECREATIONAL PROP E RTY | RURA L HOM E S RU R AL R EAL ESTATE | EQ UIPMENT | FA RM OR RA NCH
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Lone Star Outdoor News
10/18/2017 12:50:55 PM | 19
Whitetail anticipation By Larry Weishuhn
For Lone Star Outdoor News Three bucks to our immediate right were munching Tecomate’s Monster Mix. One was a great 10-pointer with beams spread beyond his ear tips. His tines surpassed the length from his eye to the end of his muzzle. I turned to look at Chris Treiber, sitting to my left behind a screening of live oak and cedar limbs we added to the Nature Blinds Stalking Shield used as the base for our ground blind. Slowly, he raised index finger to lips, then pointed to our extreme left. He formed a rack with his hands, then narrowed the distance between thumb and index finger, indicating a decent buck, but one that was very close. I moved nothing but my eyes as I watched the buck stride into view. Thankfully, all his attention was on the three bucks to our right. He passed within less than 6 feet of where we were hiding. The slight breeze blowing from the buck to us brought with it the sweet, musty odor of a rutting buck. The near buck, a very nice wide and massive 8-pointer, dropped his head, grunted several times and made an “airplaning” run at a doe. Immediately the three bucks stared in his direction and they, too, joined in chasing the doe. The four bucks chased the doe into the adjoining oak and cedar creek bottom. “It’s starting,” whispered Trelber, the hunt/wildlife manager for the Sandstone Mountain Ranch near Llano. I smiled and nodded approvingly. The afternoon before, I had rattled in five bucks aged from yearling to 3 or 4 years of age. I love rattling in
From Larry Weishuhn Outdoors
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Lone Star Outdoor News
bucks — to me rattling is the most fun way to hunt whitetails. I had my Rattling Forks at my side. After the bucks chased the doe off of the food plot, I tickled them softly. Within less than 15 seconds, two 3-year-old bucks appeared from opposite sides of the food plot. They stared hard at each other, cocked their heads upward, and laid their ears down alongside their rut swelled necks, hair standing on end they approached each other. The buck from the left, a big-bodied 8-pointer snort-wheezed a loud ‘Fit,fit,fit,ffffeeeeeeee.” The buck on the right a smaller bodied though bigger antlered 10-point, immediately turned, hair on his back slicked down and walked away. The big-bodied 8 point was the dominant buck. For the next hour, we watched six bucks and six does feed on the food plot; all were absolutely beautiful, but none tempted us. Our goal was to take at a buck 5 years or older. If he had big antlers, so much the better. When deer movement slowed, we backed out of our ground blind to head toward camp, there to see how my co-host with “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” and Brian Dungan had fared. On the drive, we spotted a wide, at least 24 inches, buck chasing a doe. We jumped out of the ATV and ran to a brushy knoll in hopes of seeing the buck before he disappeared in the creek bottom. I wish I could tell you I spotted him, got a good rest with my Ruger rifle and sent a Hornady Precision Hunter round his way. But it did not happen. “I want to hunt that deer,” I announced to Chris. “And so we shall!” he replied.
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The perfect hunting destination Perched atop a mesa just west of Fort Worth, Greystone Castle is a sight to behold. With four turrets peeking above the tree line, this majestic sight is one to be remembered. From its awardwinning wingshooting program, to trophy whitetail and exotics, world-class bass fishing and our National Champion Sporting Clays instructor, there is something for everyone at Greystone Castle. The Gold Medal whitetail deer program offers an all-inclusive package based on the opportunity to hunt the opening weekend of season. Not restricted by score, it is an exclusive chance to hunt for the whitetail of your dreams. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s results include a giant 493-inch deer taken by rifle. As the Orvis 2015 Wingshooting Lodge of the Year, Greystone has mastered the art of bird hunting. The ever-popular mixed bag hunt includes quail, pheasant, chukkar and Hungarian partridge. This upland walking hunt allows guests to experience great pointing dogs working over rolling terrain specially farmed for optimal bird habitat. The European pheasant hunt is a great way to get lots of shooting action and watch labradors do what they do best, retrieve birds! The mallard hunts offer a great chance to hone your skills over water while the fast flying dove hunts offer an adrenaline rush every hunter craves. If you are looking for something different, you will find it in the exotic pasture full of animals from around the world. Species from Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe roam the Texas plains and thrive in the southern climate. Breeding herds of axis deer, aoudad, blackbuck antelope, sika and fallow
deer mean there are plenty of trophies to be taken. For those looking to relax and enjoy the water, Greystone offers more than 120 acres of stocked bass lakes. From small private lakes to the 80-acre Thurber Lake, every type of fishing opportunity exists. From fly-fishing, spincasters or simple hook and bobbers, there is a place for everyone. Kayaks and paddleboards let you go off on your own adventure or pontoon boats sneak you to the honey holes. Two championship Sporting Clays courses, two 5-stands, a training course and a wobble deck challenge every level of shooter. Our new 400-yard rifle and pistol range offers steel targets at a variety of ranges. Hone your skills on our new archery course featuring a tri-level static range and a 3-D walking course. Or just enjoy our scenic hiking and biking trails. What appeals to all visitors to Greystone are its top-of-the-line accommodations and gourmet meals. Guests enjoy 26 private rooms, gourmet dining from our executive chef, conference facilities and a swimming pool with hot tub and steam room. Along with this is the 2,600 square-foot pavilion facility with custom bar, large seating areas, 65-inch TVs, carved limestone fireplace, Laser Shot, billiards and an overlook terrace with a custom outdoor fire pit. The ownership and staff are dedicated to creating one of the finest sporting experiences found anywhere in the world. Long-term habitat improvement and wildlife management has made Greystone an extraordinary hunting venue.
GREYSTONE CASTLE
â&#x2DC;&#x17D; (800) 399-3006 greystonecastle.com
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Texas Hospitality in an Extraordinary Setting Texas Hospitality in an Extraordinary Setting
Whether you are looking for world class Bird Hunting, Trophy Whitetail Deer or excellent Exotic opportunities, Greystone CastleTrophy combines luxurious Whether you are looking for world class Bird Hunting, Whitetail Deer or super Exotic opportunities, Greystonein Castle combines luxurious accommodations with Texas hospitality an extraordinary setting. accommodations with Texas hospitality in an extraordinary setting. Contact us today for more information regarding our rates and packages. Contact us today for more information regarding our rates and packages.
P.O. BOX 158
P.O. BOX 158
MINGUS, TX 76463
MINGUS, TX 76463
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800.399.3006
800.399.3006 | 23
WILD GAME SUPPER FOR A CAUSE
Tim Sharp
The Lone Star Outdoor News’ Wild Game Supper took place Oct. 4 at the Beretta Gallery in Dallas, and more than 300 of our friends came to help support the mission of the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation. With live music from Ole G, wild game prepared by Cinnamon Creek Wild Game Processing, free beer from Adlebert’s Brewery, free wine; the people kept busy with a number of hunts, including deer, duck and dove hunts, and fishing trips to Lake Fork and Rockport available. Dakota, the Lone Star Outdoor News’ newsroom dog, was on hand to greet all who came by, and Laura and Brie from the Texas Premier Agency kept busy selling tickets and describing the available items. A Beretta Xtreme A400 12-gauge was up for grabs, and was won by Mark Kielwas-
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DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
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ser, who graciously donated the shotgun back to the foundation to be auctioned, where it was purchased by Nic Drayovitch, raising even more money for the foundation. Thanks to all that came out, more than $17,000 was raised to help support the mission of “creating hunters for a lifetime” by providing hunting and fishing opportunities to people who have the desire but have lacked the opportunity. Three people at the event had never deer hunted. At least one will be selected for a future hunt with the foundation this season. Please check out and support all of the sponsors on the ad on the next page, and thank you from Lone Star Outdoor News to all who supported and attended the event! We’ll see you next year!
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sunrise/sunset 2017-2018 OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
DAY
RISE
SET
RISE
SET
RISE
SET
RISE
SET
RISE
SET
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
7:20 7:20 7:21 7:22 7:22 7:23 7:24 7:24 7:25 7:26 7:27 7:27 7:28 7:29 7:30 7:30 7:31 7:32 7:33 7:33 7:34 7:35 7:36 7:37 7:37 7:38 7:39 7:40 7:41 7:42 7:43
7:12 7:10 7:09 7:08 7:07 7:05 7:04 7:03 7:01 7:00 6:59 6:58 6:56 6:55 6:54 6:53 6:52 6:50 6:49 6:48 6:47 6:46 6:45 6:44 6:43 6:42 6:41 6:40 6:39 6:38 6:37
7:44 7:44 7:45 7:46 7:47 6:48 6:49 6:50 6:51 6:52 6:53 6:54 6:55 6:55 6:56 6:57 6:58 6:59 7:00 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:04 7:05 7:06 7:07 7:07 7:08 7:09 7:10
6:36 6:35 6:34 6:33 6:32 5:32 5:31 5:30 5:29 5:29 5:28 5:27 5:27 5:26 5:25 5:25 5:24 5:24 5:23 5:23 5:22 5:22 5:22 5:21 5:21 5:21 5:21 05:2 5:20 5:20
7:11 7:12 7:13 7:13 7:14 7:15 7:16 7:17 7:17 7:18 7:19 7:19 7:20 7:21 7:21 7:22 7:23 7:23 7:24 7:24 7:25 7:25 7:26 7:26 7:27 7:27 7:27 7:28 7:28 7:28 7:29
5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:20 5:21 5:21 5:21 5:22 5:22 5:22 5:23 5:23 5:23 5:24 5:24 5:25 5:26 5:26 5:27 5:27 5:28 5:29 5:29
7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:29 7:28 7:28 7:28 7:27 7:27 7:27 7:26 7:26 7:25 7:25 7:24 7:24 7:23 7:23 7:22
5:30 5:31 5:31 5:32 5:33 5:34 5:35 5:35 5:36 5:37 5:38 5:39 5:40 5:41 5:42 5:42 5:43 5:44 5:45 5:46 5:47 5:48 5:49 5:50 5:51 5:52 5:53 5:54 5:55 5:56 5:57
7:21 7:21 7:20 7:19 7:18 7:18 7:17 7:16 7:15 7:14 7:13 7:13 7:12 7:11 7:10 7:09 7:08 7:07 7:06 7:05 7:04 7:02 7:01 7:00 6:59 6:58 6:57 6:56
5:58 5:59 6:00 6:01 6:02 6:03 6:04 6:05 6:06 6:07 6:08 6:08 6:09 6:10 6:11 6:12 6:13 6:14 6:15 6:16 6:17 6:17 6:18 6:19 6:20 6:21 6:22 6:22
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Deer Season Dates
Times given above are for Dallas. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of Dallas, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of Dallas. The table below gives adjustments for some Texas cities. Information provided is the longitudinal distance from Dallas and the time adjustment for sunrise and sunset. Abilene / 165 miles west / + 14 minutes Alpine / 405 miles west / + 24 minutes Beaumont / 160 miles east / - 13 minutes Corpus Christi / 35 miles west / + 3 minutes Austin / 55 miles west / + 5 minutes Del Rio / 235 miles west / + 20 minutes El Paso / 555 miles west / - 23 minutes Houston / 170 miles east / - 5 minutes Laredo / 160 miles west / + 14 minutes Lubbock / 280 miles west / + 24 minutes San Angelo / 215 miles west / + 18 minutes San Antonio / 95 miles west / + 8 minutes Tyler / 75 miles east / - 6 minutes
DEER HUNTING TEXAS ANNUAL 2017
WHITE-TAILED DEER General Season North Zone South Zone Special Late Season North Zone South Zone Youth-Only Seasons Early Season Late Season Archery Season Muzzleloader-Only
Nov. 4 - Jan. 7 Nov. 4 - Jan. 21 Jan. 8 - 21 Jan. 22 - Feb. 4 Oct. 28 - 29 Jan. 8 - 21 Sep. 30 - Nov. 3 Jan. 8 - 21
MULE DEER Archery Only Statewide General Season Panhandle (40 counties) Southwestern Panhandle (14 counties) Trans-Pecos (16 counties) Brewster, Pecos, Terrell Counties
Sept. 30 - Nov. 3 Nov. 18 - 26 Nov. 18 - 26 Nov. 24 - Dec. 10 Nov. 24 - Dec. 10
*Check TPWD for additional seasons, bag limits
Lone Star Outdoor News
THE NEXT GENERATION OF DEER CORN Now in its second year with the 40-pound bag, The Bait Corn Company is showing hunters and dealers what sets it apart. The corn, in five flavors, brings in the deer. “Many people are trying to make the cheapest product possible,” said Bait Corn developer Robert Champion. “We’re trying to make the best.” The key is that they make their own attractant. “We use an oil-based coating at proper concentrates,” Champion said. “Most of the other flavored corn on the market uses less expensive water-based or powder coatings.” All of the Bait Corn is processed in Texas at the El Campo facility, and the corn is placed in 40-pound, easy-open bags. “I get the cleanest, healthiest corn I can find, then spray on the attractant. We only use the best ingredients.” Champion said. “Bait Corn takes corn to a whole new level.” This year, before the season began, the amount of sales exceeded last year, and Bait Corn has doubled the number of dealerships statewide. “Customers are starting to realize that Bait Corn can be used in a feeder,” Champion said. “They are filling their feeders with it and seeing more action.” Champion encourages people to go to
The Bait Corn Company Facebook page, where he is able to interact with his customers and they can learn how other people are using Bait Corn. “They are our best testers,” he said. Bait Corn currently comes in five flavors: Persimmon, Peanut Butter, White Oak Acorn, Green Apple and Red Delicious Apple. And watch for Vanilla in the future. “In testing, we’re having really good success with the new Vanilla,” Champion said. Each 40-pound bag costs $8.99, and the company’s website provides a list of dealers and one of the strongest guarantees in the industry.
THE BAIT CORN COMPANY
☎ (844) 367-3836 baitcorn.com
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BOOK YOUR TEXAS ELK ARCHERY HUNT At Reata Ranch, elk hunts are available again this season at a super special rate. The hunter may hunt the biggest bull in the herd, with a minimum of 6x6, for $4,500. Glenda Bullard took her first elk at the young age of 82 at the ranch near Glen Rose. The greatgrandmother had endured two hip replacements, so a trip in the mountains wasn’t an option. Her son, Glen, and her grandson, Tyler, accompanied her on the Reata Ranch hunt. Glenda used a crossbow with a CO2 cartridge that allows it to cock automatically, and made the successful shot at 35 yards. Those who haven’t been to Glen Rose will marvel at the rugged, scenic beauty. The ranch house balcony overlooks a pond with a view for miles of hilly Texas country, where wild turkeys and white-tailed deer often stroll below. The hunt will be guided by ranch owner Roy Washburn, and includes a night’s stay, lunch, dinner and bass fishing in the stocked pond. Cow hunts, using either bow or rifle, also are available. Call Roy and book your hunt!
REATA RANCH
☎ (214) 543-5069
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CAMO WITH A MESSAGE Christian Camo Company, a faith-based company, stemmed from an idea and, in 2014, began in West Texas with Charlie Kirkpatrick, Beth Lynn Kirkpatrick, Len Redmon and Eli Garcia. Charlie had an idea of developing a camo pattern using Christian symbols. Garcia took the idea to the computer, and the two came up with the pattern for the original tan-colored camo. At first, it was about making camo for Christian-minded hunters and fishermen to wear in the outdoors, but it has become more about the message than the clothing. In July of 2016, Christian Camo received its patent and the owners were ready to introduce the pattern to the public. Based in Gardendale, by that August, the first clothes were ready in the original tan color; T-shirts, polo-style shirts, caps and tube bandanas. They were ready to set up at the gun shows. In August of 2016, pink was added for the ladies. Since then, a cinch sac has become a big seller and now everything is available in black. “We have grown quickly and are always looking for new items to create,” Charlie said. It’s the people they meet that keep the owners of Christian Camo going. “We travel to gun shows and expos pulling our 18-foot trailer that is wrapped in the black camo pattern,” Charlie said. “We are still growing and are proud of what we accomplished. We know that God is directing us and we are growing in our faith and sharing His word as we show and sell our products.”
CHRISTIAN CAMO COMPANY
☎ (432) 413-8210 christcamo.org
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Old
Reliable
David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News It happens at many ranches and deer leases. That one buck, sometimes a nice buck, prefers hanging around a feeder to roaming around, chasing does or fighting yearling bucks. This buck, nicknamed Big Red, was one of those deer. As the 3-year-old, he was a regular at the new All Seasons Stand-and-Fill feeder placed on the Dimmit County lease. The feeder went off right on time each morning and evening, and Big Red was there. When hunters drove in to fill the feeder, he didn’t wander far off. Even when another deer was taken near the feeder, he stayed, only moving off a short distance when the deer was retrieved, and then returning to his favorite spot. On hot days, he stood in the shade of the feeder waiting for it to go off. As a 4-year-old, Big Red’s behavior didn’t change much, although he was seen chasing does, leaving hope that he bred a doe or two, although he still shied away from confrontation. His antlers grew, though, as did his body. During slow times in the blind 110 yards away, hunters headed to that blind, called the Strip Blind, as years ago the area had been used for growing vegetables. The hunters knew if no deer were moving or coming to feeders, Big Red would be there to watch. Then, as often happens, the hunters lost the lease and a new group moved in. “What happened to Big Red?” the hunters still wonder. “Did they let him grow to maturity?” “Did the first hunter at the tower blind near the feeder take him?” “Did the new group, recognizing Big Red’s docile nature, let him live out his life and get their enjoyment from watching him?” I guess we’ll never know.
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SIMPLIFY YOUR HUNT WITH NIKON’S RANGEFINDING BINOCULARS A deer has stepped into view, and it’s a nice one. How far away is he? There’s no more need to fumble around, looking for that rangefinder that may have fallen out of your pocket or is still in your backpack. And there’s no more need to hang a rangefinder from your neck to avoid that issue. It’s in your hand and you are looking through it — the Nikon LaserForce Rangefinding Binocular. Nikon Sport Optics’ LaserForce 10×42 binocular comes with a built-in, 1900-yard laser rangefinder. “I tried the prototype and ranged out to 2,100 yards,” said Waylan Owens of Owens Outdoor Sales, who represents Nikon. What is unique about the LaserForce? The glass, brightness levels, speed, size/weight, warranty, and, especially, the price. “This little thing has four brightness levels — you can see the readings any light and with any background,” Owens said. “And its reaction time is three times faster.” LaserForce features a laser capable of ranging distances from 10-1,900 yards with instantaneous readouts on a crisp OLED display that offers a four-step brightness adjustment, making it easily readable under any light conditions and against various objects.
Featuring Nikon’s ID (Incline/Decline) Technology to compensate for the effects that slope has on trajectory, LaserForce provides hunters and shooters with the compensated range necessary to make the shot, whether uphill, downhill or on level ground. The glass is top quality at a better price, using ED (extra-low dispersion) Glass. This superior glass corrects chromatic aberration that causes color fringing for high-resolution, contrast-rich images. The long eye relief design combined with turn-and-slide rubber eyecups facilitate a custom fit for users’ individual viewing needs, with or without eyeglasses. The new LaserForce rangefinder binocular combines superior optical quality, ergonomic single-hand control, technologically enhanced features and a 100-percent backing with Nikon’s No-Fault Policy. “A lifetime electronic warranty is unheard of,” Owens said. “The European models cost three times as much and don’t provide it.” And it is smaller and lighter than the competition. “It is 30 percent shorter in height and weighs 30 percent less,” Owens said. “It’s a game-changer in rangefinding technology.”
BEAUTIFUL PROPERITES AND HUNTING FROM THE EYES OF A THIRD GRADE GIRL My daughter wrote this story for her school newspaper a few years back. I thought it was good enough to share. “My dad and my grandpa and I went hunting at Sarpy Creek. We got up at 5 in the morning and we packed for two hours. Each one of us had two pairs of clothes, one pair of pajamas and two pairs of socks. I chose my green fuzzy jammies so the critters wouldn’t see me. I’m good at hiding, but the orange vest dad made me wear made it tricky. We needed tennis shoes because of the stickers. There wasn’t any snow. In the late afternoon, my dad shot a buck with his bazooka! We cut the guts out and dragged it 200 miles back to the truck. Then we drove to the cabin. Dad turned the deer into some steaks for dinner. We got beans too! When we got home, we made some jerky. We are saving some for Thanksgiving and taking it to my grandma’s house. My grandma has a pet squirrel and it loves to eat deer meat, too.” Have you dreamed about buying land in Wyoming or Montana? Land sales specialist Rocky Mountain Timberlands offers land for sale in each state, including 20-plus acre tracts with owner financing at $179/month O.A.C. Rocky
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Mountain Timberlands Inc. is your Wyoming or Montana real estate agent with that special property for sale. We will be glad to assist in finding the perfect Montana property. How awesome would it be to wake up on your own ranch land and watch the glistening sunrise in the east over the stunning plains and at the end of the day sit on your porch at night and watch the sun set over the breathtaking mountains?
—Justin Joyner
ROCKY MOUNTAIN TIMBERLANDS, INC.
☎ (800) 682-8088 rmtland.com
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NIKON SPORT OPTICS
☎ (800) 645-6687 nikonsportoptics.com
WHITETAIL, AXIS, BLACK BUCK, & UPLAND HUNTS AVAILABLE - LODGING & MEALS INCLUDED 10,000 acre ranch in La Pryor, Texas | 210-865-1423 | www.PalomaPachanga.com
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NEW 1900 YARD RANGEFINDER BINOCULAR With split-second ranging capability out to 1,900 yards* and the optical prowess to bring the farthest targets to focus, the new LaserForce 10x42 is your single optic solution for serious hunting and shooting. — ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass
for high contrast viewing — ID Technology Compensates for
Incline/Decline Shot Angles — OLED display offers 4 brightness levels — Waterproof, fogproof and
shock resistant
ONE MILE
All Nikon trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation.
*FOR REFERENCE. UNDER NIKON’S MEASUREMENT CONDITIONS.
OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION
Become Inseparable. Built and Backed for a lifetime of performance.
1800gunsandammo.com (800) 486-7497 FIELD AND STREAMS Friendswood • (281) 488-0796 Katy • (281) 574-3456
NikonSportOptics.com
CARTER'S COUNTRY North Houston • (281) 443-8393 West Houston • (713) 461-1844 Southwest Houston • (281) 879-1466 Pasadena • (713) 475-2222 carterscountry.net
BURDETT AND SON College Station • (979) 695-2807 burdettandson.com
WHEELERS Boerne • (830) 331-2975
OASIS OUTBACK Uvalde • (830) 278-4000
MARBURGERS Seabrook • (281) 474-3229
MCBRIDES Austin • (512) 472-3532 mcbridesguns.com
OUTDOORSMAN San Angelo • (325) 947-8859
ABLE’S Huntsville • (936) 295-5786
GLICK TWINS Pharr • (956) 787-4291
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