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LoneOStar Outdoor News
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February 14, 2014
Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
February 14, 2014
Volume 10, Issue 12
Big bass battle
HEADING OUT: Foreign consumers are buying large amounts of wild Texas pork, outpacing American markets for the delicacy. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Expork Lots of wild Texas hog meat heading overseas By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS
Diners in far-off locales such as Germany, Belgium, New Zealand and emerging markets in the Middle East and South Pacific are eating a lot of wild pork these days — much of it from Texas.
ELATION TURNS TO HEARTBREAK: It’s every anglers’ nightmare coming true. A big bass slams the single-hook spinner bait you have been slow rolling along the bottom for prespawn bass, with a big thump followed by line screaming off the reel. Before you even have time to react, the big bass flies out of the water, shaking her head and sending your lure flying into the air. It is over in mere seconds, but the memory will linger forever. Nothing left to do but cast again and hope for a better outcome. And anglers on Falcon International Reservoir are finding fish deep and shallow, with water temperatures in the low 50s in the mornings. Things heat up in the afternoon when water temps rise and fish move up to spawning flats. Try spinner baits in the afternoon in shallow water. On Sam Rayburn Reservoir, anglers are finding 50-degree water temps and bass biting lipless crankbaits along the edges of grass flats. Also try and fish around points and creeks with a football jig. Farther north on Lake Fork, anglers are finding low to mid-40s water temperatures and bass in prespawn positions. Jigs, spinner baits and crankbaits are all working in depths of 2 to 25 feet, depending on the day. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Hunter harassment increasing with Internet
Farm Bill passes In what is being described as a win for sportsmen, Congress passed the 2014 Farm Bill last week, sending it to the president’s desk, where it was signed on Feb. 7.
By Conor Harrison
See PASSES, Page 16
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When Texas hunter Corey Knowlton bought a black rhino hunt last month at the Dallas Safari Club convention, he had no idea the vitriolic backlash he would face. But Conservation Force’s John Jackson
had a pretty good idea. “The hunter isn’t the only one getting harassed,” Jackson said. “Lots of us are getting ugly, hateful emails — Dallas Safari Club, Conservation Force, potential bidders — they got threatening notes as well. The difference now versus in the past is the Internet.
I experienced this when we opened up elephant hunting and also with the polar bears. “(Anti-hunters) were literally burning me in effigy.” Jackson said the issue starts with misinformation and is fed by ignorance. But the Internet See HARASSMENT, Page 18
HUNTING
FISHING
School for hunters
Then there were six
Gathering support
Decisions, decisions
One of a kind course at Kansas State University offering outdoor business degrees. Page 4
Drug residue from prescribed antibiotics to be tested for deer. Page 4
With the state’s landowners battling the pesky porkers to stop damage to crops and land, trappers and buyers of live wild hogs have found an emerging market to ship their pork. And it isn’t only fine restaurants in Dallas or Houston. Think See EXPORK, Page 18
Switching gears Largemouth outing turns into fight with 44-pound striper When Army Master Sgt. John Riley left Fort Hood in late January with a friend about to ship off to Korea, he chose Lake Austin as a place where he thought the pair might catch a big largemouth bass. “My buddy was going to Korea for nine months, so I decided to take him bass fishing,” Riley said. “I used to fish Lake Austin a lot, and know there are some big bass in there. We were pitching to docks when we noticed some big fish
Six Texas anglers will compete in the Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 21-23 at Lake Guntersville, Ala. Page 11
TPWD moving forward with potential changes to trout, flounder regs. Scoping meeting dates to be announced soon. Page 9
Photo by John Riley. See STRIPER, Page 14
CONTENTS Classifieds . . . . . . . . Crossword . . . . . . . . Freshwater Fishing Report For the Table. . . . . . . Game Warden Blotter . . . Heroes. . . . . . . . . . Outdoor Datebook . . . . Products . . . . . . . . . Saltwater Fishing Report . Sun, Moon and Tide data .
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HUNTING
Research to shine light on drug residue in whitetails Three antibiotics most used in deer to be studied By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News A drug residue study to be conducted at Texas A&M University may answer a question that arose during last year’s Texas legislative session. One of several proposed bills related to the deer breeding industry would have lengthened the time between the release of a white-tailed deer and the date the deer could be hunted from 10 to 60 days. One of the reasons proponents cited was the possibility of residue from certain drugs, namely antibiotics, remaining in the deer and potentially passed to a consumer when the deer was eaten. The bill never made its way out of committee, but veterinarians, deer breeders and landowners are seeking an answer to the question through a drug-residue study to be conducted at Texas A&M University. “We always said any changes needed to be based on the science, and the science wasn’t there,” said Dick Cain, a former Texas A&M professor and deer breeder. SEEKING ANSWERS: Researchers are trying to determine the length of time it takes for deer to eliminate certain medications. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. See RESEARCH, Page 19
Changing tactics Hunting late-season does an exercise in adaptation By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
The big doe snapped her head to attention and stared hard back down the ranch road. The truck slowly eased out more than 200 yards away, but before the passenger could get out and maneuver for a shot, the doe bolted back into the brush. On a ranch where does stood
and looked at hunters weeks before, almost sensing they were safe as bucks dropped around them, the scene was very different this day. The ranch was under the Managed Lands Deer Permit program and hunters switched their attention to harvesting does for management purposes. But the does got wise very quickly — avoiding feeders and
heading for cover whenever a truck came down the road. A change of tactics was needed. On the ranch the does quit coming to feeders, forcing hunters to corn roads and senderos and set up ground blinds. This worked for a while, until the does caught on and became extremely skittish. By the end of the management hunt, hunters were walking back and forth between senderos that had
been corned earlier in the day, trying to catch a doe looking the opposite direction. Other tactics are used by seasoned hunters. “Where I hunt, we have that red sandy loam soil,” said Karl Kinsel of Kinsel Cattle Company. “When we get a little bit of moisture, you can track the does and see what pattern they are on. There might be 15 trails, but you can see the trails they are using. It doesn’t take much moisture; the dew in the morning is often enough.” Kinsel said when he figures GET OUT OF THE BLIND: Late-season hunting for wise does out which trails the does have can be a huge challenge, but changing tactics slightly can switched to because of hunting throw the deer a curveball and provide success for the See TACTICS, Page 16 hunter. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Higher learning New course at Kansas State focuses on hunting-business management By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
AUSTIN INGRAM
Austin Ingram knew from an early age he wanted to pursue a career that combined his interests of hunting and fishing in the outdoors with land and range management. When a representative from Kansas State University told Ingram during his sophomore year at Weatherford High School about a new program combin-
ing all of his passions, he jumped at the chance. “We traveled from Weatherford to Kansas State and met with Dr. Tom Warner (the program’s founder),” Ingram said. “He sat with us for two hours and told us all about it.” The first-of-its-kind program, Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management, began at Kansas State in 2009 after leading members of the See LEARNING, Page 16
GOING TO CLASS IS FUN: Students enrolling in Kansas State University’s Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management courses are prepared for a career combining business and hunting. Photo by Austin Ingram.
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February 14, 2014
Roraback named 2013 Texas Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year
GOING FOR A RIDE: Biologists get ready to move Panhandle pronghorn to the Trans-Pecos region as part of a multiyear transplant program. Photo by John Meyer, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Fences and worms hinder pronghorn recovery Biologists working to create herd stability By John R. Meyer
For Lone Star Outdoor News Sometimes, the odds are stacked against you before you even begin. But with persistence, those odds slowly start to swing in your favor. So it goes with pronghorn recovery in the Trans-Pecos region. A team from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Sul Ross University’s Borderlands Research Institute completed a capture and release of 96 pronghorn from healthy Panhandle herd units near Pampa to a release site southeast of Marfa. The three-day endeavor was the third of its kind in four years in the ongoing efforts toward restoration of Trans-Pecos pronghorns, still at long-term lows from years of drought and other environmental factors, including parasites. The project was the first in a planned series of five capture/releases funded by a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. “We successfully released 96 pronghorn (13 bucks and 83 does) in between Alpine and Marfa. A total of 67 were fitted with GPS and VHF collars,” said Shawn Gray, pronghorn program leader for TPWD. “The weather was great for translocating pronghorn, but pretty cold for us.” Gray was referring to temperatures as low as 11 degrees during the week. The BRI, based in Alpine, spent the year since 2013’s capture preparing a release
site with efforts focused toward fencing issues. More than 200 miles of fence were altered or removed to create a significantly larger release area. The method involves moving the bottom wire up to a clearance of 17-18 inches, according to Sul Ross graduate student Justin French. Trying to convince a rancher to raise up the bottom wire of his fence can be tricky business without solid evidence assuring cattle safety. “We’ve found 17 inches to be a good balance,” French said. “It doesn’t limit pronghorn movement, but the calves don’t get out.” To modify the fence, the bottom wire is untied or unstapled from the fence post. The wire is raised to the desired height then reattached. French said the modification takes about 10-15 minutes, adding that “one modification every half-mile of ten yards or so (of fence)” is sufficient for making an existing fence pronghorn-friendly. As with all wildlife management issues in Texas, building trust with landowners is the foundation for any effort. French is keenly aware of the economic investment in fencing as a whole and the importance of building a relationship with landowners before suggesting modification of traditional methods. “We try not to cut any wires,” he said. “You lose all of your fence tension. Landowners don’t like that. But we’ve had increased acceptance from landowners
in the last couple of years.” A drive through any historical pronghorn area will reveal plenty of low-strung wire and net fencing, often decades old and in remarkably good condition. Since one line of fence with a low bottom wire can singlehandedly fragment the best habitat by impeding the pronghorn movement, French and the BRI know their efforts to restore pronghorn in the Trans Pecos still have a long way to go. Though the Trans-Pecos herd has been reduced by multiple factors, biologists are ever vigilant for opportunities to add momentum to the pronghorn’s recovery. From 2007 to 2012, the population in the Trans Pecos went from more than 10,000 to less than 3,000, declining each year. The 2013 estimate showed the population stabilized and maybe even increased some for the first time since 2007. A year’s worth of fecal analysis confirmed a significant difference in animals from last year’s release which received an extended release wormer. Most notably, the parasite, haemonchus contortus, was well controlled in those animals. “Last year half got it (the wormer) and half didn’t,” French said. “This year, every animal got it.” The parasite, more commonly known as the barber pole worm, had been found in significantly increased concentrations in recent years in necropsies on animals from the struggling Trans-Pecos pronghorn.
Game Warden Daniel Roraback has been named the 2013 Texas Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Director Carter Smith presented the award to Roraback at the January meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Roraback began his career with TPWD when he graduated with the 54th cadet class at the Texas Game Warden Training Academy in 2009. He is currently stationed in Red River County in northeast Texas. As the president of the Pioneer Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Roraback organizes numerous Jake events for local schools, as well as organizing trips for local youth to experience turkey, waterfowl and deer hunting. As a warden in a county bordering Oklahoma, Roraback learned the various hunting and fishing laws of that state, and has teamed up with Oklahoma wardens on numerous occasions to enforce game and fish laws on the Red River. Roraback has also been involved with cases including a range of crimes involving aerial permit violations, criminal trespass and animal cruelty. He also makes numerous hunting cases annually and consistently maintains a high rate of conviction. — TPWD
Texas A&M CCMU aims high In the largest match of its kind in the history of the Scholastic Pistol Program, the Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit from Texas A&M took first place in Centerfire and Rimfire Divisions, and the award for top individual collegiate
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shooter in those two divisions was also awarded to members of the CCMU. The CCMU won the match Glock Championship Trophy for second year in a row shooting Glock 34 pistols. The CCMU Maroon Centerfire team took first place in College Centerfire and was the overall Match Champion with a record setting time of 207.11 seconds for the four-man team. Cadet Matthew Hawes, of Wylie, was awarded the individual award as the top Centerfire shooter with a match time of 50.23 seconds. The team also placed third at the Wounded Warrior Fundraiser Shoot in Snook. The CCMU squad was lead by Trap & Skeet Team Captain Erik Zani, of Danvers, Mass. Also shooting were senior team member John Lenderman, of Kennard, and freshman team members Matt Love, of Austin; G. Ricky Hill, of Cabot, Ark.; and Stephen Martinez, of Houston. — CCMU
Battenfield, Inc. acquires BOGgear BOGgear has been a leading manufacturer of monopods, bipods and tripods for shooting, photography and videography since 2006. “I couldn’t be more proud to have a company like Battenfeld acquire BOGgear; the brands are a perfect match,” said Kim Hicks, founder of BOGgear. “I look forward to working with them to take it to the next level. We are confident that the transfer of the BOGgear line of accessories into the Battenfeld group of brands will result in even better service to the industry.” Battenfeld Technologies Inc. is a manufacturer of shooting, reloading, gunsmithing and gun cleaning supplies. Battenfeld manufactures accessories under several popular brands. Battenfeld plans to move BOGgear operations to its facility in Columbia, Mo., immediately. There will be no interruption to delivery of BOG products. — Battenfield, Inc.
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Case solved Huge Southlake buck hit by car recovered after LSON article By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
A months-old case being investigated by Texas game wardens came to a successful conclusion after the Fort Worth office was flooded with calls and tips after an article appeared in the Jan. 24 issue of Lone Star Outdoor News. The tips lead investigators to the whereabouts of a set of deer antlers that had been cut from a road-killed buck in Southlake in October. “Last Tuesday after the story
came out, we got some leads in the morning,” said Maj. David Murray. “We had our hands on (the rack) that evening. (LSON) had a lot to do with that. Our phone started ringing and we had an avalanche of calls.” One person that called the office said he knew the guy who had the antlers. Game wardens paid the man a visit that afternoon. According to Murray, the man knew what he had done and cooperated fully with investigators.
No jail in shooting death A teenager who shot and killed his friend during an evening hunting coyotes on a ranch in Montague County will not face jail time after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide. Michael Bryce Underwood, 18, received five years of probation with an automatic twoyear prison term if he violates his probation. As part of the deal, MICHAEL UNDERWOOD Underwood can not drink alcohol or take any drugs, must complete high school and speak at gun safety classes. Underwood’s friend, Nathan Maki, 18, died after being shot with a .22-caliber rifle while the pair, along with two female friends, were reportedly hunting coyotes on Underwood’s
“We made contact with the individual and he was very cooperative,” Murray said. “We did what we had to do and issued a citation for illegal possession of a deer because the deer was not taken by legal means. It was the best case we could make.” Murray said although the individual who took the horns didn’t hit the deer, a citation was necessary to prevent the targeting of big bucks. “People would start targeting deer with their trucks,” he said.
family land near Bowie. The deal was offered to Underwood by Montague County District Attorney Paige Williams. Underwood was initially arrested at the scene and charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor, a Class C misdemeanor. He paid a $500 bond and was released on Sept. 1. He was indicted by a grand jury in October. — Staff report
Waterfowl decoy sells for huge amount Considered a “rare and important Eider drake decoy,” one hand-carved waterfowl decoy was sold this month at auction at Sotheby’s for $767,000, making it one of the most expensive decoys ever sold. Originally from the collection of Houston businessman Dr. James M. McCleery, the decoy did not go on sale when McCleery sold his original collection in January 2002.
BUSTED: Within days of an LSON article appearing, TPWD officials had their hands on this buck’s antlers and charges had been filed. Photo by TPWD.
“It was just one of those things and we can’t tolerate that.” According to the TPWD report, Capt. Neil Bieler was the first to receive a call about the deer.
Tarrant County Game Warden Clint Borchardt conducted an investigation and interviewed the suspect, receiving the confession and antlers of the 170-class nontypical buck.
According to Sotheby’s, century in Maine. “This singular decoy was “Created by an unknown part of the incomparable carver on a small, rocky collection of the late Dr. Maine island 12 miles out James M. McCleery, which to sea, this unique decoy is also included classic works an extremely sophisticated by such acclaimed carvers work of American sculpas John Blair Sr., William EXPENSIVE PIECE OF ART: This decoy ture that exudes majesty, Bowman, Hucks Caines, recently fetched $767,000 at auction. power, refinement and quiet Nathan Cobb Jr., Elmer Photo by Sotheby’s. elegance. The bird’s genCrowell, Lothrop Holmes, tly rounded and reductive Joseph Lincoln, Obediah Verity, Lem and body form, the flowing lines of its deceptively Steve Ward, and Gus Wilson. Dr. McCleery, simple carving and paint, and the gorgeous who is widely considered the greatest of all negative space described by the throat of its decoy connoisseurs, considered this particuinlet head combine in a proud and graceful lar decoy the finest he owned, and, because masterpiece. Although it was made as a huntof his devotion to it, the McCleery family er’s tool, this is an unsurpassed expression withheld it from the auction of his collecof intuitive aesthetic genius, a bird portrait tion by Guyette and Schmidt and Sotheby’s as expressive as the best of Audubon and a in January 2000. It has never been offered work of art worthy of comparison with any publicly before.” American painting or sculpture.” According to Sotheby’s, the decoy was probably made around the turn of the 20th — Staff report
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FISHING
Trying to rebound The decline of the bass club in Texas By Brian Hughes
For Lone Star Outdoor News This year marks the 20th anniversary of fishing’s Francis Ouimet moment. Ouimet, of course, won the United States Open golf tournament in 1913, becoming the first and only amateur to do so. Eighty years later, in 1993, Brian Kerchal qualified for his first Bassmaster Classic. At the time, this was the biggest tournament in fishing and, although Kerchal lost his first Classic (he finished last), the next year he was the top stick and took home the crown as the best bass fisherman in the nation — the first and only amateur to do so. And what really put him in the spotlight was the near-miracle story of an angler qualifying through his local bass club, and a program offered by B.A.S.S. called the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. By being an affiliated club, members could fish local tournaments with their bass club, and then qualify for regional, state and national tournaments, which would eventually put an angler into the Classic. This, by the way, is remarkably similar to the U.S. Open format. When asked, Ray Scott, founder of B.A.S.S. said, “That’s just a coincidence, but I like the comparison!” The Kerchal period, in the early ‘90s, was undoubtedly the zenith of bass club popularity in Texas, and saw as many
as 1000 bass clubs organized across the state. Texas Association of Bass Clubs Vice President Ed Parten remembers when the association had more than 400 member clubs. “We knew of other organizations that had that many member clubs as well.” he said. Many clubs had 200 members or more. While bass clubs began as a place for likeminded fishermen to compete on a friendly, local basis, the groups as a whole quickly developed a conservational conscience. “We have a great habitat-restoration program,” said Denton County Bass Club President Wayne Randall. “Giving back to the resource is very important to us as a club.” Now TABC is down to 23 clubs, and those once impressive membership numbers are dwindling, also. “A lot of different elements factor into the decline,” Randall said. “The economy, for one. It’s not cheap to fish bass tournaments with lakes so far apart and gas at $3-plus per gallon, not to mention the price of a new boat, rods, reels and so forth.” He also laments the lack of involvement by today’s youth. “We as a group are aging out,” he said. “The youngsters today have so many things to do and so little patience; it’s a challenge to bring them into the sport.” It’s a challenge most clubs are embracing. At a recent meeting, Randall revealed his club’s See BASS CLUB Page 16
GOOD BITE: Anglers are reporting a good trout bite up and down the coast, with some guides putting clients on a few trophies in the 30-inch range. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Cold water, solid trout bite Winter cold fronts can bring great fishing to portions of the lower coast. Last year, the trophy trout bite occurred later than normal for many anglers. This year, captains along the coast are reporting a good winter bite for big trout in February. According to Baffin Bay Capt. Kevin Cochran on 2coolfishing.com, “customer Jeremy Rhodes caught a personal best 30-inch, 8.75-pound and 29-inch, 8-pound (trout) today. I had a 31-inch, 10-pounder and a 28-inch, 7.25-pounder. The 30 and the 28 bit soft plastics on 1/16-ounce heads, the 10 bit a chartruese/gold Catch 5 and the 29-inch trout liked a pumpkinseed/chartruese Original Corky.” Also on 2coolfishing.com, Trinity Bay Capt. Derek Lechler said, “We started fishing a bit before daylight. The tide was super high and falling and the water was 47 degrees. We started catching fish as soon as the sun came up, and as the water heated up so did the bite. We ended the day with 35 trout up to 7 pounds.” Farther south, Capt. Romey Garza has been fishing the Port Mansfield area and reported a solid trout bite, although the average size was smaller than other areas. “We are averaging about 20 to 21 inches on our trout right now,” he said. “Nothing really big yet. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. I’ve been fishing the East Cut area and we’ve picked up some trout and some nice reds.” Garza said both artificials and live bait have worked, along with some top-water action in the mornings. — Staff report
White bass run stirring down south By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
LACK OF PARTICIPATION: Bass clubs in Texas are trying new things to entice a younger generation to get involved at the local level. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
The annual white bass run is beginning in some areas of South and East Texas, with males showing up in many areas, along with some females. Along the Neches River near Chandler, angler Jarett Stephenson of Creekside Sports said the run has not begun along Highway 31 north of Lake Palestine, but he expects it to start in the next few weeks with a little warm weather. “It always starts real quick,” he said, “and I expect it to just pop one day soon. We are hearing reports of a few here and there when we get a warm day.” Stephenson said his shop is running three-day tournaments throughout the white bass run for cash prizes. “We are having a big fish pot,” he said. “Come by the store and pay $10, and the payout is every three days. At 6 p.m. on day three, we will see what the biggest fish was and they get the money.” Internet reports from the Nueces River indicate an improving bite, but not full-speed ahead as of yet. The bite has consisted of small males near the Highway 59 Bridge, with some females being caught near Lake Corpus Christi. Trolling small lipless crankbaits, along with jigs, and fishing the deeper holes with live minnows has caught fish. Reports from Choke Canyon indicate the bite has not turned on, with anglers waiting on more water to flow from the rivers and creeks. According to guide Simon Cosper, who fishes north of Lake Livingston on the Trinity River and tributaries, the bite has been outstanding the past few weeks, especially on warmer days. “I am reeling in a big white bass as we are speaking on the phone,” Cosper
BEGINNING OF THE MARATHON: White bass are starting to run up rivers in areas in the southern portion of the state. Photo by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News.
said when contacted by LSON. “We are smacking them. It is good and getting better every day.” Cosper said he was fishing the main river channel, with water temperatures at 50.1 degrees. “These fish are suspended right now,” he said. “We are fishing a 1/2-ounce RatL-Trap and also a 1/4-ounce jig with white grubs. The
big females are just sitting there waiting. When the water temperatures hit 55 degrees, the spawn will be on, but the big females are here and ready to go.” Farther north, white bass are still being caught in deep water in Lewisville Lake and Lake Tawakoni. The run seems to be up to a month out for the northern locations.
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Photo by TPWD.
Lake Athens produces another huge bass The second huge catch of the season for Lake Athens came Jan. 25, when Athens resident Frank W. Kirk caught a 13.67-pound bass that was 26.75 inches long and 21 inches in girth. Kirk was fishing in 15 feet of water near the dam using an Alabama rig, which resembles a school of small fish. The water temperature was 47 degrees at the time of the catch, 1:30 p.m. — TPWD
Public hearings coming for possible trout, flounder regs Plans are underway to hold public hearings on proposals to lower the daily bag limits for two popular saltwater fishes: speckled trout and flounder. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will vote this March on a proposal reducing the bag limit for trout from 10 to five from East Matagorda Bay to the Upper Laguna Madre. Only the Galveston Bay and
Sabine Lake areas would be excluded. Currently, the five-trout bag limit applies only to the Lower Laguna Madre. Commissioners will also consider extending the twoflounder bag limit during November into the first two weeks of December. “We’re finalizing dates and locations,” said Jeremy Leitz, a TPWD regulations coordinator. “The public hearings will be held in 23 locations across the state. An online comment page will be set up, too.” No emergency fueled the proposed regulations, said Mark Fisher, TPWD marine science director. “Neither fishery is overfished. There’s no crisis we’re trying to solve.” However, officials are trying to improve both fisheries. “You reduce the bag limit, you reduce the harvest,” Fisher said. “The result is there is more trout and larger trout. We’ve seen that in the Lower Laguna. The whole point of the flounder regulations is that an extra two weeks allows extra protection for the species when the runs are light.” Coastal Bend Guides Association’s president told LSON that its members can “live with” the proposed flounder regulations. “Our guys were scared of getting shut down the entire month of December,” Chuck West said. “Who wants to go a month without pay?” — Staff report
Minnesota angler wins on Amistad Minnesota angler Andy Young topped the hardcharging Stephen Browning
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to win the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open presented by Allstate on Lake Amistad by a mere 1 ounce. The day started with Young in second place behind Shreveport, La., angler Randy Allen, who has a ranch 25 miles north of Del Rio and frequently fishes Amistad. “I thought I was fishing for second,” said Young. “The local hammer (Allen) had 18 pounds each day, and I was about 11 pounds behind. I just went out and did the best I could.” The best he could do ended up being a 13-pound, 10-ounce limit that gave Young the winning total of 39.6. While Allen caught only one keeper and dropped to third place with 37.12, Browning, of Hot Springs, Ark., caught the heaviest limit of the day (14-6) and climbed into second with 39.5. — B.A.S.S.
Shook and Iles win on Sam Rayburn The team of Brian Shook and Danny Iles took the Bass Champs East Region win on Sam Rayburn reservoir with a total weigh-in of 23.71 pounds, including a 10.20pound kicker that missed the big bass of the tournament by .49 pounds. They bested 179 other teams to take the top prize. The team caught their first keeper around 8:30 a.m., and “seven or eight” bass throughout the remainder of the day while fishing at 15to 20-foot depths and using 6th Sense crankbaits. The team caught their last keeper around 1:30 p.m. — Bass Champs
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Timing and the right spot SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR — According to guide Lynn Atkinson’s fishing reports on samrayburn.com, the largemouth bass fishing is turning on as the best time of year approaches. “The fish will be using the grass a lot as they move in on the points and creek channels,” he said. “The cold weather came in early this year so we should have a lot fish come in early. We have been catching a few nice fish in the staging areas this week. The bite has been slow but hooking a 5- to 6-pound fish can be a dream for some people. We had several females that have been just bulging at the seams.” Atkinson said the crappie bite is slow until the fish start to bunch up, and the white bass are traveling up the river and good days in between fronts means limits for all on small spinner baits. To contact guide Lynn Atkinson, call (979) 220-0251.
Big winter cats LEWISVILLE LAKE — The big cats are biting, according to reports by guide Tom Gravely. He put clients on fish last weekend — many of them in the 60-pound class.
ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 39–46 degrees; 13.3’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and lipless crankbaits. AMISTAD: Water fairly clear; 54–58 degrees; 35.30’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, crankbaits and soft plastic worms. Catfish are fair on shrimp, nightcrawlers and cheesebait. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines and droplines baited with live perch. ATHENS: Water clear; 47–50 degrees; 0.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. BASTROP: Water clear; 54–58 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles in 15–20 feet. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stinkbait and liver. BELTON: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 9.29’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows at night. Channel and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with frozen shad. BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 48–51 degrees; 3.70’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and white spinner baits. White bass are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad and trotlines. BONHAM: Water stained, 46–49 degrees; 1.95’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on jigs. Catfish are good on chicken liver along Timbercreek Channel down to about 20’. BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits, and lipless crankbaits near the dam. Redfish are fair on tilapia, crawfish, and shad near Dead Tree Point. Channel and blue catfish are fair on liver, shrimp, and shad in 20–30 feet. BRIDGEPORT: Water clear, 46–50 degrees; 20.77’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on square-billed crankbaits and smaller spoons. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 50–54 degrees; 10.15’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on
pumpkinseed jigs, small crankbaits and watermelon red 4” worms over brush piles. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies and watermelon red crankbaits under lighted docks at night. BUCHANAN: Water stained; 53–57 degrees; 30.74’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red curl tail grubs, blue flake worms and drop-shot worms along ledges in 12–25 feet. Striped bass are good drifting live shad and on Pirk Minnows in 20–28 feet. CADDO: Water stained; 48–52 degrees; 0.59’ high. Largemouth bass are good on weightless Flukes and white spinner baits. Catfish are fair on trotlines and cut shad. CALAVERAS: Water clear. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on chicken livers and shad along the shoreline. Redfish are fair on live perch, shad, tilapia and crawfish. CANYON LAKE: Water murky; 54–58 degrees; 7.92’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on Texas-rigged red shad drop-shot worms and Brush Hogs along bluffs in 10–15 feet. Striped bass are fair jigging Pirk Minnows and trolling Shad Raps on downriggers in 40–60 feet. White bass are fair but small on blade baits along main lake bluffs. Smallmouth bass are fair on smoke drop-shot worms along main lake points and bluffs. CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 3.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, bladed jigs and shallow crankbaits. Hybrid striper are good on minnows. Crappie are good on white jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad and trotlines. CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 64–68 degrees; 23.35’ low. Largemouth bass are good on heavy jigs, crankbaits and large soft plastic lizards in the grass. White bass are fair on minnows upriver. Drum are fair on live worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait. COLEMAN: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 15.83’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon crankbaits and spinner baits.
Crappie are fair on minnows. COLETO CREEK: Water clear; 68 degrees at hot water discharge; 4.24’ low. Largemouth bass to 5 pounds are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits, lipless crankbaits and soft plastics. CONROE: Water stained; 54–58 degrees; 1.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits in 15–25 feet. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on stinkbait, nightcrawlers and frozen shrimp. COOPER: Water clear; 61–65 degrees; 12.57’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on bladed jigs and shallow crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and chartreuse jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. FALCON: Water clear; 58–62 degrees; 25.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits and soft plastics. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and cut bait. FAYETTE: Water stained. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics, crankbaits and spinner baits. Channel and blue catfish are fair on liver and shrimp. FORK: Water clear; 48–51 degrees; 4.49’ low. Largemouth bass are good on suspending jerkbaits, umbrella rigs and lipless crankbaits. Yellow bass and white bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs near bridges.
“(We) fished Friday afternoon in the snow with JP and weighed in eight fish for 254 pounds,” he said. “Fished Saturday with two great guys from Oklahoma and weighed in 18 fish for 594 pounds, with the three biggest 60, 50 and 60. Fished Sunday with Joe and Fred, two local guys on a half-day instructional trip in the fog and light winds. “Weighed in six fish for 204 pounds and the biggest was another 60-pounder.” The time for trophies is now at Lewisville, with water temperatures in the mid-40s. Anglers are catching big catfish on cut shad and stinkbait. To contact guide Tom Gravely, call (214) 535-5893.
Crappie bite decent LAKE O’ THE PINES — The crappie bite has been good, despite the cold water and air temperatures, according to multiple Internet reports. Anglers reported getting a late start is no problem, as the fishing has been better once the water temps warm up a little bit. Crappie have been biting near the dam in 30 to 45 feet of water. Small jigs in chartreuse and white and pink have caught fish, along with black and blue. Water temps have been between 47 and 51 degrees. — Conor Harrison
bass are slow. Blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with shad and cut bait in 10–20 feet. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 0.11’ high. Largemouth bass to 3 pounds are fair on blue worms, jigs and lipless crankbaits in 8–16 feet. JOE POOL: Water clear; 45–49 degrees; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on weightless Senkos and Scroungers with Flukes. Catfish are good on trotlines and prepared bait. LBJ: Water stained; 54–58 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue jigs and pumpkinseed tubes off docks. LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 53–57 degrees; 0.23’ high. Largemouth bass are good on silver/black spinner baits and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits. White bass are fair on lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with shad and cut bait. MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 68–72 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on square-billed crankbaits in shad patterns. Crappie are good on white jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines. MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 55–60 degrees; 0.88’ high. Largemouth bass are good on black and blue flipping jigs and creature baits around stumps. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.
GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics, spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp and liver.
NAVARRO MILLS: Water murky; 51–55 degrees; 0.12’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on black/chartreuse jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on liver and shrimp.
GRANBURY: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 9.28’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, spinner baits, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on pet spoons. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.
O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 39–45 degrees; 42.63’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows.
GRANGER: Water clear; 53–57 degrees; 0.35’ high. Largemouth
OAK CREEK: Water stained; 38–44 degrees; 21.12’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to
good on cut bait and nightcrawlers. PALESTINE: Water clear; 45–49 degrees; 0.18’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on red lipless crankbaits and Xcite crankbaits in natural shad in the Kickapoo area. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. White bass are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared bait and chicken livers.
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n Saltwater fishing reports: Page 14
POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 39–44 degrees; 12.25’ low. Largemouth bass are fair. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers.
degrees; 9.15’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on green pumpkin flipping jigs, Rapala Shad Raps and white spinner baits. Umbrella rigs are effective later in the day near the dam. White bass are good on slabs. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on slabs.
PROCTOR: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 8.04’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on Charlie slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows.
TEXOMA: Water clear; 45–49 degrees; 8.52’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on shaky heads and drop-shot finesse worms near deeper points. Striped bass are good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad and trotlines.
RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 45–49 degrees; 7.07’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on suspending jerkbaits and deep-diving crankbaits. Crappie are slow on jigs. White bass are slow on slabs and minnows. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on trotlines and cut shad. RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 45–48 degrees; 7.63’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on suspending jerkbaits and weightless Senkos near points in 6–10’. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Catfish are slow on cut shad. SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 53–57 degrees; 2.79’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are fair on shad. White bass are fair on pet spoons. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp. STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 10.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on pumpkinseed spinner baits and watermelon soft plastics. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and nightcrawlers. SWEETWATER: Water murky; 38–43 degrees; 22.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait. TAWAKONI: Water stained; 45–49
TOLEDO BEND: Water murky; 52–56 degrees; 3.15’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon and chartreuse spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles. Bream are good on worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on liver, nightcrawlers and stinkbait. TRAVIS: Water murky; 54–58 degrees; 52.94’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on brown jigs and green pumpkin worms in 28–40 feet. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse striper jigs. White bass are good on silver jigging spoons and white grubs. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on minnows and fresh cut bait in 30–45 feet. WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers. WHITNEY: Water stained; 51–55 degrees; 11.10’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red spinner baits, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on shrimp, nightcrawlers and stinkbait. — TPWD
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Six Texans vying for Classic win I actually like his chances to win it all. He fishes to win, finds ways to shut out distractions and knows how to measure success — with trophies and big paydays.”
TRYING TO BREAK THROUGH: Texas angler Todd Faircloth will attempt to win his first Bassmaster Classic later this month. He will be joined by five other Texans, including two past champions. Photo by Seigo Saito, B.A.S.S.
It’s the biggest prize in bass fishing. And this year, Texas will be represented by six anglers who all have a legitimate shot at winning the Bassmaster Classic Feb. 22 on Lake Guntersville in Alabama. The odds and comments were compiled by B.A.S.S. Senior Editor Ken Duke. Todd Faircloth of Jasper Odds of winning 28:1. “Only those who follow the sport closely have any idea how good Faircloth is or how close he is to breaking through with a big title like AOY or the Classic. When he wins one of those — and he will — he’ll finally get the attention and fan support he deserves. Will it happen in 2014 on Guntersville? It might, but a couple of things stop me from making him a favorite. First, his history on the lake is uneven — three pretty good finishes and three pretty bad finishes. Second, his worst two finishes were both in February. I’d like his chances much better on a tougher venue. Still, his talents are too considerable to give him odds any worse than 28:1 — which means he has twice the chance of winning of the average Classic qualifier.” Keith Combs of Huntington Odds of winning 48:1. “The likeable Texan had an outstanding 2013 in the Elite Series, winning one event and earning a check in every tournament but one. If that’s a foreshadowing of things to come then he has AOYs and Classic trophies in his future. Combs is a bit of a dark horse in this Classic at 48:1, even though those odds are a little better than average.
Alton Jones of Lorena Odds of winning 24:1. “The 2008 Classic champ not only knows what it takes to win the world championship, but he has a strong track record on Guntersville — three top 12 finishes in his last six appearances here. His odds would be much better but for two mediocre performances on the lake the only two times the pros competed there in February. Still, expect him among the leaders and don’t be surprised if he takes his second Classic trophy in 2014.” Yusuke Miyazaki of Forney Odds of winnign 64:1. “Miyazaki has three top 20 finishes on his Guntersville résumé. He also has three bombs, so it’s tough to know what to make of him in this Classic. One thing is certain, though. He’s getting better as a B.A.S.S. pro. This is his second consecutive appearance in the championship and his second straight year in the top 22 of the AOY standings. Only 11 other anglers were in the top 22 for each of the past two seasons. He’s putting it all together in a way that few anglers ever do.” Takahiro Omori of Emory This will be the 10th anniversary of Omori’s 2004 Classic victory. Odds of winning 42:1. “For Omori, the 2004 Classic champ, I’d really love to know more about the weather before setting the line. If it’s going to be really cold and a jerkbait or football jig bite, his odds get longer. If it’ll be relatively warm and the bass are hitting lipless crankbaits, swim jigs and swimbaits, his chances gets better.” Gary Klein of Weatherford Odds of winnings 22:1. “If you’re looking for a sentimental favorite who could win the whole thing, look no further than Gary Klein, who will be fishing his 30th championship in 2014. (Only Rick Clunn has fished more Classics, 32.) — Staff report
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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER TEENAGE PRANK OF DUMPING DUCKS GOES AWRY Wharton County Game Warden Chris Bird received a call from the El Campo Police Department concerning an incident that took place in an El Campo department store parking lot. Bird made contact with the officer who had four dead ducks in his possession. Earlier that night, three teenagers threw a whole duck carcass on the windshield of a car and threw three more whole duck carcasses in the parking lot. Bird received the license plate of the truck and reviewed the store security video. With help from Victoria County Game Warden Jon
DEER DUMPERS LEAVE BLOOD AFTER WASHING OUT TRUCK BED Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger received information about two white-tailed deer dumped on the side of the road. Both deer had the backstraps removed. Stautzenberger found fresh blood that seemed to be washed out of the bed of a pickup truck at a nearby residence and found a hidden ice chest with four backstraps under ice. After a lengthy wait, two Arkansas women who are currently working in the oil field admitted to taking the two deer at night and dumping them. SCOPE RING ABOVE EYE GOOD EVIDENCE OF SHOOTING FROM ROAD While driving to meet a ride-along to work night hunters, Red River County Game Warden Daniel Roraback received a call saying a truck had shot two times from the road. Roraback saw the vehicle and attempted to pull it over. Backup was called to assist, and both occupants of the truck admitted to shooting two hogs from the road. The driver who admitted to shooting one of the hogs was a convicted felon. The driver had a bleeding laceration in the perfect shape of his scope just above his eye. Charges were filed for hunting from a public roadway, discharging a firearm from a public road, no hunting license and felon in possession of a firearm. BIG BUST OF TOO SMALL FISH Galveston County Game Warden Jennifer Provaznik received a call about a group of people keeping 30 undersized red drum. Provaznik and fellow Game Warden Travis Fountain located the individuals in Brazoria County. During the inspection of their catch, it was discovered the group was in possession of 80 undersized fish consisting of 43 red drum, 16 black drum, 14 sheepshead and seven flounder. Multiple citations issued. WHY WON’T THAT DEER DROP? Just before dark, Red River County Game Warden Daniel Roraback put out “SureFire,” the decoy deer, for its debut of the season in an area where he had caught two different groups of spotlighters. No more than 10 minutes had passed, and an Oklahoma truck came through. One subject fired a total of eight rounds at the decoy before Roraback made contact. The subject was taken to jail and charged with hunting from a public road, no hunting license and discharging a firearm from a public road. The decoy was hit five times. Case pending.
TWO BIG BUCKS POACHED The week before Christmas, Grayson County Game Warden Michael Hummert received information on two bucks that were possibly killed on a 20-acre property without the landowner’s permission. Hummert was able to identify the two suspects. Hummert, along with Fannin County Game Warden Randolph McGee, met with one of the suspects. The suspect admitted to killing the deer on the property in question, stating the farmer of the property had given him permission. Hummert contacted the farmer, who stated he had not given anyone permission to deer hunt the property. On Christmas Day, Hummert met with the second suspect, who also admitted to killing a deer on the property. Two deer, a nontypical 23-point buck with a 194 2/8-inch gross score and a 13-point buck with a 152 4/8-inch gross score, were seized. Cases and civil restitution are pending. BULLET HOLE BELIES POACHER’S CLAIM OF FINDING DEER HUNG IN FENCE Gillespie County Game Warden Scott Krueger received a tip regarding a convicted felon with no hunting license who had shot a deer at his residence. Krueger located the skinned, headless carcass in a shed on the subject’s property. When asked about the deer, the man claimed to have found it hung in a fence and killed it by hitting it in the head with a rock. Krueger dug through the gut pile and pulled out the head, which had a small hole behind the ear. When asked what caliber rifle was used, the man admitted to using a .222. Cases pending. NO TEXAS LICENSE RESULTS IN LOSS OF NICE BUCK Zapata County Game Warden Carson Wardlow was checking deer camps when he came upon a large buck in the bed of a pickup on a MLD ranch. After contacting the hunters in the lodge, it was discovered the California hunter who had killed the buck earlier that morning did not possess a Texas nonresident hunting license. The 15-point buck, scoring 166, was seized and a citation issued. Case and restitution pending. ARROWING DEER IN CITY LIMITS ON NEIGHBOR’S LAND Atascosa County Game Warden Derek Iden received a call about a suspected deer hunter in the city limits of Pleasanton. A resident saw a man dragging a deer across another resident’s 5-acre lot and confronted the subject, who quickly dropped the deer and left the area. Iden spoke with the witness and
Kocian, Bird located the parents and phone numbers of the teenagers. Bird met the teenagers in the same parking lot and received a full confession of the duckdumping incident, along with two more confessions of putting a dead duck in the sporting goods department of the store on Christmas Eve, and then throwing another duck carcass after leaving a fast food establishment parking lot that same morning. Citations for failure to keep the waterfowl in edible condition are pending, along with civil restitution for the wasted game.
within an hour had a confession from a subject a few houses down for killing a doe with a crossbow. Iden located the crossbow, seized the deer and issued citations. Cases and civil restitution pending. ILLEGAL BUCK DRAGGED INTO THE WAITING HANDS OF JUSTICE Jim Hogg County Game Warden Carlos Maldonado received a call for assistance from retired Game Warden Matt Robinson regarding possible trespassers. Robinson and retired Capt. Chris Huff were along a fence line and discovered two sets of footprints that entered the property from the highway. After a few hours of waiting, a gunshot rang out and came from the direction of the suspected trespassers’ location. After dark, the poachers were observed dragging a 122 B&C buck. Two subjects were arrested and charged with hunting without landowner consent. CHECKING FEEDERS, FINDING POACHERS Wharton County Game Warden Chris Bird received a call from a local landowner who had made a morning trip with his grandson to his property to fill deer feeders and found two poachers and two dead, antlerless white-tailed deer shot under his feeder. Bird traveled to the property, where he found the two suspects who claimed to have been given permission to hunt a property nearby, but crossed several fences in the dark to sit at the deer feeder. One suspect had felony warrants for child molestation out of Wharton County. The poaching suspect was placed under arrest for the felony warrants and turned over to the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office. Charges for hunting without landowner consent and hunting antlerless deer during closed season, untagged deer and no hunting license are pending. Two hunting rifles were seized and civil restitution for the two antlerless whitetailed deer is pending. DEER PROCESSORS CITED FOR FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS Game Wardens Craig Hernandez, Oscar Henson, Trent Marker and Capt. Mike Hanson assisted local and state health inspectors at two processing facilities. The wardens had received public complaints regarding deer processed at these locations. The Texas Department of Health Food Safety Inspectors detained a large number of deer between the two locations. The owner opted to dispose of the deer when given the option by the Department of Health Inspectors, to either prove the meat as edible before a
review board in Austin or dispose of the deer. A total of 82 Class C charges were filed. TRAIL CAM, FACEBOOK PHOTOS HELP IDENTIFY TRESPASSER Runnels County Game Warden Lane Pinckney received a call regarding a man who was caught on a ranch trespassing. The caller gave a description of the man and the vehicle, but upon Pinckney’s arrival, the suspect was gone. The complainant said the trespasser had mentioned the name of an individual who was related to a local landowner. Pinckney located a hog trap with a game camera on it and was able to get pictures of a suspect from the camera that fit the description of the trespasser. He then identified the suspect by accessing the Facebook pages of the owner of the hog trap. He found pictures of deer that were harvested and the suspect’s vehicle matching the caller’s description. Cases for no hunting license, Class A trespassing, and four-time felon in possession of a firearm are pending. WHITETAIL BUCK ARROWED FROM GARAGE WINDOW ENDS UP IN NEIGHBOR’S FRONT YARD Comal County Game Warden Michael McCall was dispatched to a home in the Bulverde area where a homeowner had found a large dead buck in his front yard. McCall examined the deer carcass and noticed a slight blood trail leading back to a heavily wooded creek bottom on an adjacent lot. In the wooded area, he found a deer feeder, a trail cam and an arrow covered in blood. While McCall was documenting his findings, the resident of a nearby home came out and made contact with him. When asked about the hunting setup, the resident said the equipment was his and that the blood-covered arrow was from a doe deer that he had shot the previous evening. The resident said he would shoot at deer from the window in the home’s garage. The resident continued to claim that he had shot a doe. McCall showed the resident the wound in the buck deer carcass and compared the wound to the point on the arrow. The arrow had a 3-bladed hunting point and the wound in the deer was from a 3-bladed arrow point. The resident then admitted to shooting the buck. The resident was cited for hunting deer during closed season and for failing to retrieve game and keep the game in edible condition. The 9-point buck scored 119 1/8 B&C. Cases and restitution pending.
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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Black drum, whiting
good fish in the winter, as it provides cover for the predator fish to ambush unsuspecting mullet swimming with the tides. While mullet imitations like the Corky and Skitter Walk are excellent choices, don’t forget about how much trout and reds feed on sand eels in the winter, which brings a need for a straight-tailed soft plastic lure in your arsenal. This time of year sleeping in can be a good choice as the afternoon bite has been better on many occasions. We are having success in East Bay and upper Galveston Bay both wade fishing and drifting out of the boat. Right now is the best time to go for that personal best speck.” To contact Capt. Blake Sartor, call (832) 385-2012.
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PIRATE’S LANDING FISHING PIER — Reports from the popular Port Isabel fishing pier have been slow recently, with cold weather keeping many anglers at home, according to a manager at Pirate’s Landing. According to his fishing report, anglers are catching at least one oversized black drum every day, with other catches consisting of some whiting and a few sheepshead. Not much else is being reported. All of the fish have been caught on frozen shrimp. To contact Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier, call (956) 943-7437.
Eels for bait
Find the mud EAST BAY — According to Capt. Blake Sartor’s fishing report on texasfishingforum.com, the speckled trout bite is going strong in the Galveston Bay Complex. “Well, we have a cold winter at hand which makes me think of one thing — mud. It keeps those big trout warm enough to eat our lures. Along with a muddy bottom, oyster shell is another key piece of structure to hold
NORTH SABINE: Trout and redfish are fair while drifting mud and shell. Waders have taken better trout on the Louisiana shoreline on slow–sinking plugs. SOUTH SABINE: Redfish are fair on the edge of the channel on mullet. Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on slow–sinking plugs. Black drum and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. TRINITY BAY: Trout are fair for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on soft and scented plastics. Redfish are good at the spillway on crabs and mullet. EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good on the north shoreline on Corkies and MirrOlures. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair on the
mud and shell on twitchbaits in the afternoon. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. TEXAS CITY: Whiting and sand trout are fair to good on shrimp from the piers. Redfish are fair in Moses Lake on the falling tide on crabs and shrimp. FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Redfish are fair to good at San Luis pass on cracked blue crabs. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on soft plastics and live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good on the south shoreline in the guts and bayous. Trout are fair in the guts for waders
PORT O’CONNOR — Internet reports indicate a good redfish bite along shorelines facing the Intracoastal Waterway. Multiple angler reports from the area indicate redfish hammering 1/8-ounce jig heads with Sand Eels and other soft plastics imitating eels. Look for areas with flowing water on falling or rising tides going into and out of marshes. The flounder bite has also been decent on days when anglers brave the weather and make it out. — Conor Harrison
tossing plastics and Corkies. PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are fair on soft plastics on the edge of muddy channels. Redfish are good at the mouths of drains. Sheepshead are good at the jetty on shrimp. ROCKPORT: Trout are fair on the edge of the ICW on glow DOA Shrimp. Redfish are fair to good in the holes on the Estes Flats on mullet and shrimp. PORT ARANSAS: Sheepshead are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Redfish and black drum are good in the channels on crabs. CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair on the King Ranch shoreline on scented and soft plastics. Redfish are good in the Humble Channel on crabs and table shrimp. BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and grass on Corkies and MirrOlures. Trout are fair to good in the guts along shorelines on Cork-
ies. Redfish and black drum are good in the Land Cut on shrimp and crabs. PORT MANSFIELD: Redfish are fair to good on plastic shrimp and scented plastics under a popping cork around grass holes. Trout are fair to good on mud along the edge of the ICW on Corkies and MirrOlures. SOUTH PADRE: Trout and redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on scented plastics. Redfish, black drum and mangrove snapper are fair to good in the channel on shrimp. PORT ISABEL: Sheepshead are good around the causeway on shrimp. Trout are fair on the edge of the flats on soft plastics under popping corks. — TPWD
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Striper Continued From Page 1
hitting bait behind us.” Riley saw a small striped bass surface after the baitfish and was surprised they were even in Lake Austin. “I told my buddy, ‘Man, I didn’t even know they had stripers in here,’” he said. “I saw there were some big fish hitting on the bait school, as well.” Riley threw his 5-inch swimbait where a big fish had just made a
huge wake chasing bait below the surface. “Right after I threw it latched on,” he said. “My reel just started singing. I had 14-pound test on with 150 yards of line and it doubled the rod over and took off. I thought it was going to spool me. I kicked the trolling motor into high and started chasing it.” The big fish went from the shallow end of Lake Austin straight for deeper water, where the anglers followed. “It was about a 10-minute fight,” Riley said. “Once or twice I could kind of see some color as it came up to the surface, but I didn’t realize how big it was. When it finally came up to the boat, I couldn’t believe it.” The pair managed to hoist the massive striper into the boat, although it destroyed a net in the process. “I had a digital scale that came out to 44.02 pounds,” he said. “We took a quick picture of it and had a few highfives before putting it back in the water. We resuscitated it and she righted herself and swam off. Another boat came over and was flashing us a thumbs-up — it was pretty crazy.” Riley turned to his friend and told him, “This is why I tell the
old lady that I need to go fishing.” The pair continued on fishing for another 30 minutes or so, before curiosity got the better of Riley’s friend and he began looking up the lake record on his phone. “I knew there were some big stripers in Texas, but I don’t really bother with records,” Riley said. “My buddy looked it up and told me the current lake record is 43.55 pounds, which puts it number eight in the state. I thought that was way more impressive.” Along with catching a new lake record, which can’t be confirmed, Riley was more excited to have another record. “My friend’s 6-pound bass had been the biggest fish caught on my boat,” he said. “And he let me know about it a lot. I now have my boat’s record and good luck beating it. He might catch a big catfish, but this one will be hard to top.” Riley said he has no regrets about releasing the fish. “I have already ordered a replica mount,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m happy I was dumb and naive about the record. I didn’t want to kill that fish.” — Staff report
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Hunting with the world’s first .300 Win Mag AR Possibly the most talked about rifle at the recent SHOT Show in Las Vegas earlier this month was the first .300 Win Mag ever featured on an AR platform. The Nemo Omen Match 2.0 is a military-grade AR that shoots a heavy bullet chambered in .300 Win Mag. Lone Star Outdoor News’ Founder David J. Sams, along with friend Jason Phillips from Owens Outdoor Sales in Boerne, had fun with a prototype of the gun in South Texas. The pair sat back and watched deer feeding down a sendero between 300 and 400 yards away. “I took a 342-yard shot and watched the 180-grain Fiocchi bullet go right over the deer’s back,” Sams said. “I lowered the point of aim and shot again in less than one second. The deer dropped in his tracks.” Sams said he knew of the controversy that surrounds hunting with modern sporting rifles as opposed to the traditional bolt-action rifles, and he didn’t want to form an opinion until he had experienced it for himself. “I like to experience new types of hunting,” he said, “so when a controversy arises, I can always fall back on my personal experiences. These rifles can be looked down upon by traditional hunters, but until you try one, how do you know? I don’t think I will buy one to add to my personal hunting gun collection, but I really enjoyed shooting the rifle at the range and in the field. “It looks like a sniper rifle, and we felt like snipers shooting deer at long range with this gun.” Sams said the rifle had a two-stage trigger, which took some getting used to at the range before heading afield. “It had very low recoil,” he said. “I could look through the Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x50 BDC Scope during each shot and not lose sight of the deer. It is very loud because of the muzzle break, but we were wearing ear
February 14, 2014
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Program to highlight Texas deer research
Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
protection like always. As a hunter, I black gun. This model has a camouflage had to get used to the Geissele twoaction that makes stage trigger.” it perfect for the Sams said he didn’t mind the South Texas brush. weight of the gun — 10.9 pounds — and Nemo Omen Match 2.0 Specifications: said it came in handy 7075 Billet Aluminum Machined Receivers when steadying the Custom Tiger Stripe Hard Anodize Finish gun in the blind with 22” .300 Win Mag Fluted 416 Stainless Steel a solid rest and helps Barrel with Nitride Finish with 1:8 Twist with recoil. The total Nickel Boron Barrel Extension and Feed Ramp length of this gun was Nickel Boron Bolt Carrier Group with Recoil Reduction a little unwieldy in System the blind, though. Billet Machined High-strength Steel Side Charge Handle However, the Nickel Boron Bolt Release smooth action of the Geissele SSA-E 2-stage Trigger gun impressed Sams. MAKO Adjustable SSR-25 Sniper Stock, Black “Shooting most Hogue Overmolded Pistol Grip, Black ARs, you can feel the Nemo Integrated Free Floated Customizable slide coming back Handguard with Hard Black Anodize Finish in between shots,” 2 Detachable Handguard Accessory Rails with Built-in he said. “I had no QD mounts feeling of that with Nemo Adjustable Gas Block Nemo A-10 Muzzle Brake with Nitride Finish this rifle. It was very 2 Nemo 14 Round Polymer Magazines smooth to shoot.” Custom Drag Bag Sams commented Length: 45.5” that he still has not Weight: 10.9 pounds shot a deer with a
Outdoor television producer Keith Warren has announced plans to produce a special edition of Deer & Wildlife Stories to highlight the all-new whitetail deer research program at Texas Tech University. Airing on the Pursuit Channel during the 2014 season, and online at HighRoadHunting. com, the new show will showcase research efforts that could impact deer hunters and sportsmen across the country. Researchers at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University recently received a startup grant from Deer Breeders Corporation to study the transmission of insect-borne disease in whitetail deer, such as epizootic hemorrhagic disease. EHD is an acute, infectious, often fatal disease with an ability to cause large scale outbreaks in wild and farm-raised deer populations. “Thousands and thousands of deer die every year from insect-borne diseases, such as EHD, so this is an important issue that impacts sportsmen all across America,” Warren said. “Whitetail deer are the most popular big game animal in North America, yet we still know very little about them and the diseases that take such a devastating toll on their population. I’m very excited to see the deer industry partner with Texas Tech University in establishing a world-class research program dedicated to finding healthy solutions for these magnificent animals.” The new research program is also expected to mark the start of a long-term partnership between Texas Tech University and Deer Breeders Corporation that will strengthen and promote a growing deer industry. Keith Warren’s Deer & Wildlife Stories airs four times a week on Sundays at 5 p.m.; Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.; and Thursdays at 4 p.m. Warren’s other program, The High Road with Keith Warren, airs four times per week on Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; Mondays at 2 p.m.; Wednesdays at 11 p.m.; and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Both shows run on the Pursuit Channel. — Staff report
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February 14, 2014
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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NATIONAL Louisiana poachers caught A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent arrested two Louisiana men on Jan. 31 for alleged hunting violations on the Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge. The agents were patrolling the NWR when they observed Duell S. Moreland, 23, of Monterey, walking down a trail shining a headlight in a searching manner. The agents identified Moreland and learned that he is awaiting trial for the illegal killing of a black bear in Concordia Parish. The agents then went back to a nearby camp on private property where Moreland originated his illegal hunt and found Ronnie Mason,
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Many outdoor organizations are lauding the bill as a great step for sportsmen. “This bill includes proactive and common sense conservation programs that will help deter wetland and other habitat loss, incen-
43, of Jonesville. After further investigation, agents revealed that Mason is a convicted felon who was also illegally in possession of a firearm at the camp. — LDWF
More legislation on tap In a show of cooperation, Sens. Kay Hagan (N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) have introduced a bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, which includes the reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Both senators had previously introduced their own individual sportsmen’s packages in this Congress. The bipartisan act (S.1996) is a compilation of bills that focus
tivize habitat conservation and keep working farmers and ranchers on their land,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall. “DU is thankful to Chairwoman (Debbie) Stabenow, (D-Mich.), and ranking member (Thad) Cochran, (R-Miss.), for never losing sight of these end goals. This farm bill is the best for conserva-
on wildlife habitat conservation, including the reauthorization of NAWCA, and increasing public-land access for sportsmen and women. — DU
World’s largest shed hunt announced Each year, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts enter America’s fields and timber looking for antlers shed by white-tailed deer. For years, their findings could only be shared with a few friends. Thanks to social media, the time has come for that to change. Now it’s time for America to shed hunt together. For more information about the #ShedRally, visit Facebook.com/ WhitetailProperties. — Whitetail Properties
tion that we’ve seen in many years, and that is due in large part to our conservation champion, Chairwoman Stabenow.” The 2014 Farm Bill includes the conservation and sporting community’s top priorities of recoupling conservation compliance to crop insurance and a “Sodsaver” program affect-
Bass club
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outdoor business community in Kansas approached the school about a niche that needed to be filled regarding the outdoor business industry. The program is the first Bachelor of Science degree to train professional operations managers for hunting/shooting preserves and resorts, game bird production companies, fishing resorts and outdoor experience companies. The program prepares students for the private sector. According to Dr. Peg Althoff, assistant professor for the program, the students take courses in wildlife and fisheries management, although the program is not the traditional wildlife and fisheries biology program. “To create professional managers, this program incorporates a series of business, hospitality management (e.g., food safety, alcohol law), and natural resources courses with training in outdoor skills,” Althoff said. “Our skills classes are comprised of Principles and Practices of Big Game Hunting and Guiding; Upland Game Bird, Turkey, and Waterfowl Hunting and Guiding; and many more. Additionally, our students gain knowledge in natural resources management (soils, water, grasslands, forests, wildlife and range management).” The program traces its roots directly back the outdoor business owners that are hiring graduating students. “This program was spawned by the owner of Flint Oak Ranch,” said Keith Houghton,
line,” he said. “When we get some winter moisture, the does prefer to feed on weeds instead of corn. We don’t move stands, we’ll just take two pieces of cattle panels and cut them into 4-foot sections and tie them together. Then put a shade cloth in front of it for a barrier and it makes a great ground blind.” LSON posed the question about changing tactics to some readers on Facebook. “Same tactics,” said reader Billy White. “Just be sure and bring a heater with you.”
Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing, was named “Sportsman of the Year” during the 2013 Sportsman Choice Awards. “At Hornady, we’re always honored to be recognized by our efforts to improve the experiences of hunters and shooters,” Hornady said. “But to be chosen by and from such an impressive field of industry greats is beyond anything I could have imagined. I accepted this award on behalf of everyone who works at Hornady Manufacturing, as it is their efforts that continue to take our company to new levels of success.” — Hornady
ing the top duck producing states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. “The successes in conservation and wildlife management we have been able to achieve in America this past century have been anchored by key pieces of legislation, and none have been more valuable than the
Tactics pressure, he drops a little corn where the activity is highest. “In the late season, we go to the does, not the other way around,” he said. “They tend to stay away from the feeders later in the season because the bucks are feeding in the postrut and dominating the feeders.” Kinsel said some hunters will even bring a broom and sweep trails clear so they can clearly see recent activity when they return to hunt. “The trails are nearly always along some sort of fence-
Steve Hornady voted Sportsman of the Year
plans for youth development, which include volunteering to host kids’ fishing events. “We have to do whatever we can to bring the youth of today into our sport while they are young,” he said. “If we wait, we will lose them to other sports, video games and the Web.” Other reasons for the decline in membership come from technology. While 20 years
Farm Bill. Members of the Boone and Crockett Club have a long history of working on past Farm Bills, as well as this most current bill. We are pleased that this new bill targets conservation to key forest, grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats,” said William (Bill) Demmer, president of the club. — Staff report
ago, bass clubs were a great place to learn the art of bass fishing, today on the World Wide Web an angler can search a technique like “drop-shotting for bass” and get an almost endless online tutorial, with videos, about the method. “Today’s angler has so many more places to go for information than they did before,” Randall said. “Television, radio and the Web are full of fishing and fishing tips.” It’s not all bad news for bass clubs, however. Many compa-
came with us.” Upon graduation, Avery returned to Ringneck Ranch as an employee. “I grew up on a farm and was a bird hunter all my life,” Avery said. “I was in the first class at K-State. I was pursuing a wildlife biology degree, but ran into a professor in a duck marsh of all places and learned about the program. It was very hands-on with the classes — we learned about food plots, sportFROM THE FIELD TO THE CLASSROOM: Learning in the Kansas State program entails ing clays, building more than memorizing textbooks. Photo by Kansas State University. ranges — everything in the hunting industry. owner of Ringneck Ranch, a high-end “I learned a lot and was enjoying what I upland bird-hunting lodge in Kansas. “He was learning.” identified a definitive need. When he went Althoff said the program takes trips to see looking for employees, he found he needed the outdoor industry in action. people with a specific academic background “For the above skills, we take our students and there weren’t any. I was used as a sound- to the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, ing board for the curriculum. The program N.M., for their rifle and pistol certification,” is very well-rounded because it covers all she said. “While there, they also receive their aspects of the outdoors — fly-fishing, big range construction, maintenance and opergame, upland bird hunting in Kansas and ations courses. We also take our students to the Dakotas and others. meet with Larry Potterfield at MidwayUSA. “(The students) have an interest in this He spends most of the morning and afterand with this academic background, it noon with them discussing successful manmeets a need.” agement policies and procedures, provides Each student is required to perform an them lunch, a tour of the factory and the internship before graduating. behind scenes area where he films his show. “In fact, the very first intern we had, Ben He has been an astonishing supporter of our Avery, is standing at our front counter right program and we feel very privileged to have now,” Houghton said. “He graduated and him share his time and business expertise.
nies and individuals are carrying the bass club banner, and some clubs are growing. Fun N Sun Boat sales in Hurst is one such company. “We believe bass club members are the backbone of the fishing industry, not the guys you see on TV,” said Monte Reagan, manager. “We want to help and support the regular Joe out there fishing the weekend.” Only time will tell if bass clubs can make a comeback. Another miracle story sure would help.
He was also very instrumental in developing the WOEM curriculum. During spring and fall semesters we also take our students to tour and meet with managers at Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Ringneck Ranch and Flint Oak Ranch. “They gain valuable knowledge on how they run a successful business and they have the opportunity to develop relationships with business managers that could help them supply outdoor needs.” Admission to the course is highly competitive. Last year, approximately 80 students applied for 50 spots. “Program faculty reviews perspective candidates to select the highest qualified applicants,” Althoff said. “Students admitted to the program will be handling and firing firearms, therefore, each student must pass a drug test. Because we hold our students to a higher level, we also have a dismissal policy that each must sign, informing them that if they fail the drug tests, are convicted of a felony and/or violating federal or state fish and wildlife laws they will be dismissed from the program. The university has a policy in place that they must also meet the academic standards or face dismissal.” It is a program that suits students like Ingram. “There are so many options,” he said. “I enjoy that aspect. I won’t be limited to being just a wildlife manager. I am starting accounting and hospitality classes this year. It is very interesting and gives a different aspect to the business side of things. I didn’t realize how everything was connected. “My ultimate goal is to come home to Texas managing ranches for wildlife and hunting resorts.”
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Sun | Moon | Tides Texas Coast Tides Sabine Pass, north Date Time Feb 14 2:11 AM Feb 15 2:49 AM Feb 16 3:30 AM Feb 17 4:16 AM Feb 18 5:08 AM Feb 19 12:01 AM Feb 20 12:50 AM Feb 21 1:45 AM Feb 22 2:45 AM Feb 23 3:48 AM Feb 24 4:51 AM Feb 25 5:51 AM Feb 26 6:47 AM Feb 27 12:40 AM Feb 28 1:46 AM Mar 01 2:48 AM
Height 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 0.1L 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.5L -0.6L 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H
Time 9:03 AM 9:36 AM 10:10 AM 10:43 AM 11:18 AM 6:09 AM 7:24 AM 8:57 AM 10:39 AM 12:01 PM 12:58 PM 1:41 PM 2:18 PM 7:41 AM 8:32 AM 9:21 AM
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Time Feb 14 2:43 AM Feb 15 3:23 AM Feb 16 3:55 AM Feb 17 4:28 AM Feb 18 5:15 AM Feb 19 12:16 AM Feb 20 12:59 AM Feb 21 1:43 AM Feb 22 2:32 AM Feb 23 3:42 AM Feb 24 5:03 AM Feb 25 6:01 AM Feb 26 6:51 AM Feb 27 12:28 AM Feb 28 2:11 AM Mar 01 3:26 AM
San Luis Pass
Date Time Feb 14 2:17 AM Feb 15 3:05 AM Feb 16 3:56 AM Feb 17 4:51 AM Feb 18 5:55 AM Feb 19 12:17 AM Feb 20 1:04 AM Feb 21 1:59 AM Feb 22 3:01 AM Feb 23 4:09 AM Feb 24 5:17 AM Feb 25 6:22 AM Feb 26 7:22 AM Feb 27 12:48 AM Feb 28 2:02 AM Mar 01 3:12 AM
Freeport Harbor Date Time Feb 14 1:49 AM Feb 15 2:40 AM Feb 16 3:30 AM Feb 17 4:24 AM Feb 18 5:22 AM Feb 19 6:30 AM Feb 20 12:17 AM Feb 21 1:04 AM Feb 22 2:02 AM Feb 23 3:10 AM Feb 24 4:21 AM Feb 25 5:30 AM Feb 26 6:34 AM Feb 27 7:35 AM Feb 28 1:16 AM Mar 01 2:27 AM
Rollover Pass
Date Time Feb 14 1:39 AM Feb 15 2:09 AM Feb 16 2:32 AM Feb 17 2:42 AM Feb 18 3:02 AM Feb 19 3:44 AM Feb 20 4:40 AM Feb 21 5:56 AM Feb 22 7:18 AM Feb 23 8:29 AM Feb 24 9:29 AM Feb 25 1:06 AM Feb 26 2:22 AM Feb 27 3:36 AM Feb 28 12:13 AM Mar 01 12:46 AM
Height -0.3L -0.2L -0.1L 0.0L 0.2L 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H -0.5L -0.4L -0.2L
Time 4:18 PM 4:37 PM 4:57 PM 5:17 PM 5:36 PM 11:55 AM 12:37 PM 1:28 PM 2:37 PM 4:06 PM 5:25 PM 6:24 PM 7:14 PM 2:52 PM 3:25 PM 3:58 PM
Height 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 0.4L 0.6L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.0L 0.9L 0.8L 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H
Time 9:22 PM 9:57 PM 10:35 PM 11:16 PM
Height 0.6L 0.5L 0.4L 0.3 L
5:52 PM 6:09 PM 6:32 PM 7:12 PM 8:25 PM 10:03 PM 11:28 PM
1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H
8:01 PM 8:48 PM 9:35 PM
0.6L 0.5L 0.3L
Height 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 0.1L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.4L -0.5L -0.5L 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H
Time 9:28 AM 10:02 AM 10:34 AM 11:07 AM 11:42 AM 7:22 AM 8:29 AM 9:38 AM 11:02 AM 12:07 PM 1:02 PM 1:56 PM 2:41 PM 7:47 AM 8:48 AM 9:42 AM
Height -0.3L -0.2L -0.1L 0.1L 0.3L 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H -0.4L -0.3L -0.1L
Time 4:36 PM 5:00 PM 5:18 PM 5:12 PM 5:13 PM 12:22 PM 1:03 PM 1:37 PM 2:09 PM 4:53 PM 5:57 PM 6:39 PM 7:27 PM 3:17 PM 3:49 PM 4:18 PM
Height 1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 1.0H 0.5L 0.7L 0.8L 1.0L 1.1L 1.1L 1.0L 0.8L 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H
Time 10:06 PM 10:32 PM 11:02 PM 11:36 PM
Height 0.6L 0.5L 0.4L 0.2L
5:31 PM 5:59 PM 6:44 PM 7:33 PM 8:20 PM 9:21 PM 11:00 PM
1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H
8:27 PM 9:22 PM 10:07 PM
0.6L 0.4L 0.2L
Height 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.6H 0.1L 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.4L -0.4L 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H
Time 9:34 AM 10:02 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:33 AM 7:10 AM 8:37 AM 10:14 AM 11:50 AM 1:05 PM 1:56 PM 2:35 PM 3:08 PM 8:18 AM 9:11 AM 10:02 AM
Height -0.3L -0.2L -0.1L 0.0L 0.2L 0.6H 0.6H 0.7H 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H -0.4L -0.3L -0.2L
Time 4:54 PM 5:14 PM 5:35 PM 5:54 PM 6:10 PM 12:08 PM 12:47 PM 1:33 PM 2:36 PM 4:18 PM 6:03 PM 6:59 PM 7:45 PM 3:39 PM 4:08 PM 4:36 PM
Height 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.3L 0.5L 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.8L 0.8L 0.7L 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H
Time 9:41 PM 10:16 PM 10:54 PM 11:34 PM
Height 0.5L 0.4L 0.3L 0.2 L
6:21 PM 6:26 PM 6:29 PM 6:43 PM 7:41 PM 9:46 PM 11:26 PM
0.7H 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H
8:31 PM 9:18 PM 10:07 PM
0.6L 0.4L 0.2L
Height 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 1.0H 0.1L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.5L -0.5L -0.5L 1.2H 1.3H
Time 9:00 AM 9:29 AM 9:57 AM 10:27 AM 11:00 AM 11:39 AM 7:48 AM 9:18 AM 10:51 AM 12:11 PM 1:09 PM 1:56 PM 2:35 PM 3:08 PM 8:32 AM 9:27 AM
Height -0.2L -0.1L 0.1L 0.2L 0.4L 0.6L 1.0H 1.1H 1.2H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H -0.4L -0.2L
Time 4:18 PM 4:36 PM 4:53 PM 5:10 PM 5:25 PM 5:38 PM 12:31 PM 2:11 PM
Height 1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 0.8L 0.9L
Time 10:27 PM 10:41 PM 10:55 PM 11:13 PM 11:40 PM
Height 0.7L 0.6L 0.5L 0.4L 0.2L
5:44 PM 5:18 PM
0.9H 1.0H
8:37 PM 8:53 PM 3:38 PM 4:03 PM
1.0L 0.8L 1.3H 1.2H
11:58 PM
1.1H
9:17 PM 9:47 PM
0.7L 0.5L
Height 0.6L 0.5L 0.4L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H 0.6L 0.5L
Time 4:32 AM 5:27 AM 6:23 AM 7:24 AM 8:32 AM 9:50 AM 11:26 AM 10:20 PM 10:59 PM 11:55 PM 8:14 PM 10:24 AM 11:15 AM 12:04 PM 4:47 AM 5:56 AM
Height 0.7H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H -0.5L -0.5L -0.4L 0.9 0.9H
Time 1:01 PM 1:23 PM 1:45 PM 2:11 PM 2:38 PM 3:03 PM 3:13 PM
Height -0.4L -0.3L -0.2L -0.1L 0.1L 0.2L 0.4L
Time 8:55 PM 8:41 PM 8:47 PM 9:00 PM 9:15 PM 9:31 PM 9:52 PM
Height 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.7H
10:34 PM 7:56 PM 7:44 PM 7:45 PM 12:51 PM 1:39 PM
0.8L 0.8H 0.8H 0.7H -0.3L -0.2L
11:09 PM 11:41 PM
0.8L 0.7L
7:45 PM 7:50 PM
0.7H 0.6H
OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen ACROSS 1. A part of a snare 7. A bass 10. A bear scent lure 11. A term in shooting contests 12. Shoulder hides on deer 14. Used to wash out gundog’s eyes 15. Bowfish or ___fish 16. Deer tail is ___ when running 18. The female dall 19. A freshwater fish 22. Doe having young 25. Name for some old gobblers 26. A very rare species of animal 29. A stance when ready to shoot 31. A deer lure, scent ____ 32. Part of a bow 36. The change in flight of bullets, arrows 38. A salmon 39. A fish swimming aid
40. Used for bird hunting 41. The _______ catfish DOWN 1. To take game illegally 2. Term for a shredded antler
Solunar | Sun times | Moon times
Moon Phases Full
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.
First
Mar. 1
Feb. 22
Mar. 8
Houston
Port O’Connor
Date Time Feb 14 1:06 AM Feb 15 2:30 AM Feb 16 4:00 AM Feb 17 12:16 AM Feb 18 1:03 AM Feb 19 1:51 AM Feb 20 2:41 AM Feb 21 3:38 AM Feb 22 4:43 AM Feb 23 5:55 AM Feb 24 7:09 AM Feb 25 8:17 AM Feb 26 9:19 AM Feb 27 10:16 AM Feb 28 1:09 AM Mar 01 3:29 AM
Rockport
Date Time Feb 14 3:08 AM Feb 15 3:58 AM Feb 16 4:58 AM Feb 17 2:03 AM Feb 18 2:03 AM Feb 19 3:20 AM Feb 20 4:22 AM Feb 21 5:21 AM Feb 22 6:20 AM Feb 23 7:20 AM Feb 24 8:22 AM Feb 25 9:23 AM Feb 26 12:07 AM Feb 27 1:13 AM Feb 28 2:25 AM Mar 01 3:47 AM
Port Aransas
Date Time Feb 14 2:57 AM Feb 15 1:52 AM Feb 16 2:47 AM Feb 17 3:45 AM Feb 18 4:47 AM Feb 19 5:56 AM Feb 20 7:16 AM Feb 21 12:52 AM Feb 22 1:55 AM Feb 23 3:08 AM Feb 24 4:22 AM Feb 25 5:30 AM Feb 26 6:32 AM Feb 27 7:29 AM Feb 28 12:35 AM Mar 01 1:48 AM
Height 0.1H 0.1H 0.0H -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.4L -0.4L -0.5L -0.5L -0.5L -0.4L 0.3H 0.2H
Time 11:34 AM 12:08 PM 12:42 PM 5:37 AM 7:13 AM 8:58 AM 6:04 PM 5:53 PM 6:08 PM 6:48 PM 7:43 PM 8:58 PM 11:05 PM
Height -0.5L -0.4L -0.4L 0.0H 0.0H 0.0H 0.1H 0.2H 0.2H 0.3H 0.3H 0.3H 0.3H
11:08 AM 11:56 AM
-0.4L -0.2L
Height -0.1H -0.1H -0.1H -0.2L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L 0.0H 0.0H 0.0H 0.0H
Time 12:31 PM 12:59 PM 1:23 PM 6:18 AM 8:07 AM 10:33 AM 8:20 PM 8:41 PM 9:18 PM 10:08 PM 11:05 PM
Height -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.2H -0.2H -0.2H -0.1H -0.1H 0.0H 0.0H 0.0H
10:20 AM 11:12 AM 11:57 AM 12:31 PM
-0.3L -0.3L -0.2L -0.2L
Height 0.7H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.2L 0.9H 0.9H
Time 8:56 AM 9:25 AM 9:49 AM 10:10 AM 10:31 AM 10:53 AM 11:10 AM 5:28 PM 4:05 PM 4:14 PM 8:16 PM 2:45 PM 2:58 PM 3:11 PM 8:23 AM 9:14 AM
Height 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 0.5L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 1.4H 1.4H
Height 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.3L 0.2L 0.2L 0.1L 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.5H 0.5H 0.4H
South Padre Island Date Time Feb 14 12:11 AM Feb 15 1:31 AM Feb 16 2:42 AM Feb 17 3:52 AM Feb 18 5:05 AM Feb 19 6:24 AM Feb 20 12:20 AM Feb 21 1:09 AM Feb 22 2:07 AM Feb 23 3:13 AM Feb 24 4:22 AM Feb 25 5:30 AM Feb 26 6:34 AM Feb 27 7:34 AM Feb 28 2:33 AM Mar 01 2:04 AM
East Matagorda Date Time Feb 14 1:19 AM Feb 15 2:32 AM Feb 16 3:40 AM Feb 17 4:20 AM Feb 18 2:23 AM Feb 19 2:20 AM Feb 20 2:39 AM Feb 21 3:17 AM Feb 22 5:37 AM Feb 23 5:59 AM Feb 24 6:25 AM Feb 25 7:02 AM Feb 26 9:05 AM Feb 27 12:16 AM Feb 28 12:55 AM Mar 01 1:52 AM
New
Last
Feb. 14
Page 17
February 14, 2014
Time
Height
9:17 PM 1:16 PM 1:47 PM 2:11 PM
-0.1H -0.3L -0.2L -0.1L
7:57 PM
0.1H
10:52 PM
0.0L
Time
Height
Time
Height
9:06 PM 1:45 PM 2:00 PM 1:55 PM
-0.2H -0.3L -0.2L -0.2L
Height -0.2L -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.2L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H -0.1L 0.0L
Time 4:21 PM 4:14 PM 4:24 PM 4:42 PM 4:59 PM 5:13 PM 5:22 PM
Height 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.7H
6:53 PM 7:20 PM 7:55 PM 3:19 PM 3:28 PM
0.8L 0.7L 0.6L 0.7H 0.7H
9:55 PM 11:19 PM
0.9H 0.9H
8:36 PM 9:21 PM
0.5L 0.4L
Time 9:00 AM 9:33 AM 10:07 AM 10:41 AM 11:16 AM 11:52 AM 7:55 AM 9:53 AM 2:23 PM 2:37 PM 2:58 PM 3:15 PM 3:28 PM 3:40 PM 8:31 AM 9:26 AM
Height 0.2L 0.3L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7L 0.9L 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.4H 0.2L 0.3L
Time 5:02 PM 4:58 PM 5:03 PM 5:10 PM 5:14 PM 5:12 PM 12:27 PM 12:53 PM
Height 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.0L 1.2L
Time 9:49 PM 10:12 PM 10:37 PM 11:05 PM 11:39 PM
8:01 PM 8:24 PM 3:51 PM 4:02 PM
1.3L 1.2L 1.3H 1.2H
10:40 PM
1.4H
8:56 PM 9:34 PM
1.0L 0.8L
Time 10:20 AM 10:40 AM 1:36 PM 2:13 PM 7:49 AM 12:13 PM 12:47 PM 1:31 PM 3:00 PM 3:52 PM 10:30 PM 11:38 PM 5:56 PM 9:38 AM 9:55 AM 10:15 AM
Height 0.1L 0.1L 0.2L 0.2L 0.3H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.5H 0.4H 0.5H 0.4H 0.0L 0.1L 0.1L
Time
Height
Time
Height
7:36 PM 2:34 PM 2:32 PM
0.3H 0.3L 0.3L
7:57 PM 6:09 PM
0.3H 0.3H
9:43 PM 7:02 PM 7:37 PM 4:55 PM
0.4L 0.4H 0.3H 0.3H
9:31 PM 9:48 PM 10:17 PM
0.3 L 0.3L 0.2L
Solution on Page 19
3. Very good breed of hunt- 7. A type of fly lure 8. An action in a gun ing dogs mechanism 4. Letters for a shotgun 9. To lessen recoil model shock 5. These are shot off many 13. Fish to be turkeys 15. A male duck 6. A good fish bait 17. A boar 19. Distribution of shot pellets 20. Grooves in the bore of a rifle 21. A group of fish in one spot 23. A type of arrow, _____head 24. Putting wildfowl to flight 27. Procedure of igniting a shell 28. An insect-like fish lure 30. Game trail markings 33. A very good walleye bait 34. A large animal of the plains 35. Wild ones are found in the Rockies 37. A part of an antler
Time
Height
7:30 PM -0.1H 6:54 PM -0.1H 6:11 PM 0.0H
8:30 PM -0.2H 8:17 PM -0.2H 8:14 PM -0.1H
Time 9:16 PM 9:35 PM 9:59 PM 10:32 PM 11:12 PM 11:58 PM
Height 0.5L 0.4L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 0.1L
2014 Feb-Mar 14 Fri > 15 Sat F 16 Sun > 17 Mon > 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri Q 22 Sat Q 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu > 28 Fri > 01 Sat N 02 Sun > 03 Mon > 04 Tue 05 Wed
A.M. Minor Major 4:28 10:39 5:12 11:22 5:57 ----6:44 12:33 7:34 1:22 8:25 2:13 9:18 3:06 10:13 4:00 11:09 4:55 ----- 5:50 12:30 6:45 1:24 7:39 2:16 8:31 3:09 9:23 4:01 10:15 4:55 11:08 5:50 11:33 6:47 12:34 7:45 1:32 8:42 2:29
Dallas 2014 Feb-Mar 14 Fri > 15 Sat F 16 Sun > 17 Mon > 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri Q 22 Sat Q 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu > 28 Fri > 01 Sat N 02 Sun > 03 Mon > 04 Tue 05 Wed
A.M. Minor Major 4:33 10:44 5:17 11:28 6:03 ----6:50 12:39 7:39 1:28 8:31 2:19 9:24 3:12 10:19 4:06 11:14 5:01 ----- 5:56 12:36 6:50 1:29 7:44 2:22 8:37 3:14 9:28 4:07 10:21 5:00 11:14 5:56 11:39 6:53 12:40 7:50 1:37 8:48 2:35
San Antonio
5:09 PM 5:07 PM
Height 1.1L 1.0L 0.9L 0.7L 0.6L 1.2H 1.2H
2014 A.M. Feb-Mar Minor Major 14 Fri > 4:40 10:51 15 Sat F 5:24 11:35 16 Sun > 6:10 ----17 Mon > 6:57 12:46 18 Tue 7:46 1:35 19 Wed 8:38 2:26 20 Thu 9:31 3:19 21 Fri Q 10:26 4:13 22 Sat Q 11:21 5:08 23 Sun ----- 6:03 24 Mon 12:43 6:57 25 Tue 1:36 7:51 26 Wed 2:29 8:44 27 Thu > 3:21 9:35 28 Fri > 4:14 10:28 01 Sat N 5:07 11:21 02 Sun > 6:03 11:46 03 Mon > 7:00 12:47 04 Tue 7:57 1:44 05 Wed 8:55 2:42
Amarillo
2014 A.M. Feb-Mar Minor 14 Fri > 4:54 15 Sat F 5:38 16 Sun > 6:23 17 Mon > 7:10 18 Tue 8:00 19 Wed 8:51 20 Thu 9:44 21 Fri Q 10:39 22 Sat Q 11:35 23 Sun 12:02 24 Mon 12:56 25 Tue 1:50 26 Wed 2:42 27 Thu > 3:35 28 Fri > 4:27 01 Sat N 5:21 02 Sun > 6:16 03 Mon > 7:13 04 Tue 8:11 05 Wed 9:08
Major 11:05 11:48 12:12 12:59 1:48 2:39 3:32 4:26 5:21 6:16 7:11 8:05 8:57 9:49 10:41 11:34 12:03 1:00 1:58 2:55
P.M. Minor 4:50 5:33 6:19 7:06 7:56 8:49 9:43 10:39 11:37 12:05 1:00 1:53 2:46 3:37 4:29 5:22 6:16 7:13 8:10 9:08
Major 11:01 11:52 12:08 12:55 1:45 2:37 3:31 4:26 5:23 6:19 7:14 8:08 9:00 9:51 10:43 11:35 12:03 1:00 1:58 2:55
SUN Rises 7:01 7:00 6:59 6:58 6:57 6:57 6:56 6:55 6:54 6:53 6:52 6:51 6:50 6:49 6:48 6:46 6:45 6:44 6:43 6:42
Sets 6:08 6:09 6:10 6:11 6:12 6:12 6:13 6:14 6:15 6:15 6:16 6:17 6:18 6:18 6:19 6:20 6:20 6:21 6:22 6:22
P.M. Minor Major 4:55 11:06 5:39 11:58 6:24 12:13 7:12 1:01 8:02 1:51 8:54 2:42 9:49 3:36 10:45 4:32 11:42 5:28 12:10 6:25 1:05 7:20 1:59 8:14 2:51 9:06 3:43 9:57 4:34 10:48 5:27 11:41 6:22 12:09 7:19 1:06 8:16 2:03 9:13 3:00
SUN Rises 7:11 7:10 7:09 7:08 7:07 7:06 7:04 7:03 7:02 7:01 7:00 6:59 6:58 6:57 6:55 6:54 6:53 6:52 6:51 6:49
MOON Sets Rises Sets 6:10 6:15p 6:40a 6:11 7:09p 7:14a 6:12 8:03p 7:46a 6:13 8:58p 8:19a 6:13 9:54p 8:53a 6:14 10:52p 9:29a 6:15 11:52p 10:08a 6:16 NoMoon 10:51a 6:17 12:52a 11:39a 6:18 1:53a 12:33p 6:19 2:52a 1:33p 6:20 3:48a 2:37p 6:20 4:40a 3:45p 6:21 5:27a 4:54p 6:22 6:11a 6:02p 6:23 6:52a 7:09p 6:24 7:32a 8:15p 6:24 8:12a 9:19p 6:25 8:53a 10:21p 6:26 9:34a 11:21p
P.M. Minor Major 5:02 11:13 5:46 ----6:31 12:20 7:19 1:08 8:09 1:58 9:01 2:49 9:56 3:43 10:52 4:39 11:49 5:35 12:17 6:32 1:12 7:27 2:06 8:21 2:58 9:13 3:50 10:04 4:41 10:55 5:34 11:48 6:29 12:16 7:26 1:13 8:23 2:10 9:20 3:07
SUN Rises 7:13 7:12 7:11 7:11 7:10 7:09 7:08 7:07 7:06 7:05 7:04 7:03 7:02 7:01 7:00 6:59 6:58 6:57 6:56 6:54
MOON Sets Rises Sets 6:21 6:25p 6:44a 6:22 7:17p 7:19a 6:23 8:10p 7:53a 6:24 9:04p 8:27a 6:24 9:59p 9:02a 6:25 10:55p 9:39a 6:26 11:54p 10:20a 6:27 NoMoon 11:04a 6:27 12:53a 11:53a 6:28 1:53a 12:48p 6:29 2:52a 1:47p 6:30 3:49a 2:51p 6:30 4:41a 3:57p 6:31 5:30a 5:05p 6:32 6:16a 6:11p 6:32 6:59a 7:17p 6:33 7:40a 8:21p 6:34 8:22a 9:23p 6:34 9:03a 10:24p 6:35 9:46a 11:22p
P.M. Minor 5:16 5:59 6:45 7:32 8:22 9:15 10:09 11:05 ----12:31 1:26 2:19 3:12 4:03 4:55 5:48 6:42 7:39 8:36 9:34
Major 11:27 ----12:34 1:21 2:11 3:03 3:57 4:52 5:49 6:45 7:40 8:34 9:26 10:17 11:09 12:01 12:29 1:26 2:24 3:21
SUN Rises 7:34 7:33 7:32 7:31 7:30 7:29 7:27 7:26 7:25 7:24 7:23 7:21 7:20 7:19 7:18 7:16 7:15 7:14 7:13 7:11
Sets 6:27 6:28 6:29 6:30 6:31 6:32 6:33 6:34 6:35 6:36 6:37 6:38 6:39 6:40 6:40 6:41 6:42 6:43 6:44 6:45
MOON Rises 6:12p 7:04p 7:57p 8:51p 9:46p 10:43p 11:41p NoMoon 12:41a 1:41a 2:40a 3:36a 4:29a 5:18a 6:03a 6:46a 7:27a 8:09a 8:50a 9:33a
MOON Rises 6:34p 7:29p 8:24p 9:20p 10:17p 11:16p NoMoon 12:17a 1:18a 2:19a 3:18a 4:14a 5:05a 5:51a 6:34a 7:14a 7:53a 8:31a 9:11a 9:52a
Sets 6:32a 7:06a 7:40a 8:14a 8:49a 9:26a 10:06a 10:51a 11:40a 12:34p 1:33p 2:37p 3:44p 4:51p 5:58p 7:04p 8:08p 9:10p 10:11p 11:10p
Sets 7:04a 7:36a 8:08a 8:40a 9:12a 9:47a 10:26a 11:08a 11:56a 12:50p 1:49p 2:54p 4:03p 5:13p 6:22p 7:31p 8:37p 9:42p 10:46p 11:46p
FOR THE TABLE Karl’s famous unfeathered bird Ruffed grouse or other game bird, breasted, no bones Cream of Celery soup Swiss cheese Sliced carrots Dill weed Croutons — About a cup for four breasts (optional) Put breasts in square cake pan. Slice Swiss cheese and cover each breast with 2-3 slices 1/8- to 1/4inch thick. Sprinkle lightly with dill
weed. Grate or thinly slice baby carrots until the color orange is brilliant across the cheese and grouse breasts. Paint the bird breasts with large dollops of cream of celery soup (unmixed soup, straight from the can). Bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour covered with foil. Remove foil and add croutons. Bake for final 1/2 hour. Serve over rice. Garnish with cranberries. — NSSF
Pan seared salmon with jalapeño-pineapple relish Combine first six ingredients in a medium bowl; stir in 1/4-teaspoon salt. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Combine remaining 1/4-teaspoon salt, chili powder, and black pepper, stirring well; sprinkle evenly over fish. Add fish to pan, skin side up; cook 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with pineapple mixture. — myrecipes.com *email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
2 cups chopped pineapple 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice 2 tsps. sugar 1 finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper 1/2 tsp. salt, divided Cooking spray 1 tsp. chili powder 1/4 tsp. black pepper 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
Page 18
February 14, 2014
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
HEROES SHARE AN ADVENTURE n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?
Email them with contact and caption information to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com. Highresolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.
T.J. Dement, 7, of Boerne took his first-ever deer on Thanksgiving evening hunting with his grandfather ‘Pop.’
BDS Outfitter’s J.R. Rodriguez with a 25-inch trout caught and released while fishing in Port Mansfield.
Wylie hunter Nathan Daun harvested this big 6-pointer near Palestine in 24-degree weather.
Hagan McGlothlin, 9, caught this black drum just after Christmas measuring 44 inches and weighing more than 50 pounds.
Kobe McAdoo, 11, shot his first buck, this 9-pointer, Thanksgiving weekend while hunting with his father on family land outside of Winnsboro.
Eric Morris of Black Wolf Hunting Club took this 125inch deer on opening day in Coryell County.
Expork
Harassment
Continued From Page 1
Continued From Page 1
more along the lines of Sydney, Auckland and Berlin. “I own a hog buying business in East Texas, said Phillip Swallows of Hogs Gone Wild. “A lot of people are eating wild hog. It is a leaner meat without as much fat as farm-raised pigs. The American market is actually the fastest growing market right now for free-range wild hogs — it has really jumped in the past two years, especially in the Northeast, but the foreign market larger.” Swallows, who buys trapped hogs from trappers and landowners across the state at one of his 15 buying stations, said “free-range” is the term for wild Texas pork, not “organic.” “The hogs do eat in fields with pesticides or corn,” he said. He said the foreign market is still
emerging, and Texas is meeting that demand by far outpacing any other state for wild pork production and exports. “Europe is a big buyer,” he said. “Those countries love wild hog meat. It is a volume thing. They have hogs over there, but sometimes they can’t get the volume they need or like. Some countries that order wild Texas pork don’t have access to wild pork in their own countries, though.” Swallows said he has sent wild pork to exotic places such as Egypt and Palestine. “We’ve sent whole container loads to Egypt,” he said. “And Texas pork is what they want. Not Oklahoma, not Louisiana — it’s all about Texas.” Swallows said the animals he buys from trappers must be humanely treated — mud and water in each pen, real dirt for the pigs to walk on and no hotshots. “We don’t want people pulling up and seeing hurt or damaged animals,” he said. “We have a lot of documents and red tape with the U.S. Department of Agriculture side of things. A blood test is done on every pig to ensure food safety. “All of the meat is USDA inspected.” Swallows said China could be an emerging market, and he is looking at the possibility of opening up the Texas market to ship to China. “We have been looking into it, but nothing has been executed at this time,” he said. “China is a very difficult
market to get into.” Swallows said each country likes their hogs prepared a certain way. “Vietnam wants the hide left on, hair off, with entrails still inside for food consumption,” he said. “Europe wants the hide off and particular cuts for consumption.” Once Swallows has bought hogs at one of his buying stations, he transports the pigs to one of several processing plants in the state for butchering and shipping. So far, the business has not been extremely profitable, but Swallows said he has learned a lot and nobody is doing what he is doing on a large scale. The average price for a wild hog on the hoof is between 35 and 40 cents. Dr. Billy Higginbotham of the Texas AgriLife Extension office, said landowners have seven days once they trap a live pig to decide what to do. “There are only two options,” he said. “You can take them to a buying station and get money based upon the size of each hog, or sell the boars to a TPWD-certified ranch for hunting. But the sows must be killed.” The latest data on wild hogs is from 2004-2009, when approximately 460,000 wild pigs were inspected and processed in Texas. “Since 2009, I think there has been a big increase in trapping and buying,” Higginbotham said. “I would think the numbers have increased.”
attacks and death threats are something Jackson, who is a licensed attorney, and others are looking for prosecution. “We researched federal criminal law that makes it a felony to threaten someone with bodily harm,” he said. “People are being prosecuted for making these threats over the Internet, and the FBI is watching the threats that came from the rhino auction. There probably will be prosecutions that come from those.” Jackson said he is working to put together a coalition of attorneys to go after organizations making the threats. “They can be prosecuted,” he said. “Conservation Force has researched both civil and criminal responsibilities. When the antis misrepresent the facts with malicious intent to damage a hunter, there are legal remedies. Letters to your business customers or supporters with misrepresentations is certainly actionable misconduct prohibited by law in almost every state. In some states, intentional torts entitle the victim to triple damages.” According to Conservation Force, any of the traditional legal remedies should provide protections. The first would be defamation (misrepresentation with malice), which can be both a criminal offense and also provide for injunction and monetary compensation in civil law. A second is civil liability for tortious interference with a contract or business relations, as when the offender writes those with whom you do business. A third tort in civil law is intentional infliction of emotional distress. The wrong-
Eight-year-old Zachary Wasson harvested his first deer using a Tikka .243 on a hunt near Del Rio on November 30.
ful conduct may also violate your state’s Unfair Trade Practices Act or state and federal anti-racketeering laws, RICO. In fact, at this time a number of animal rights organizations are being sued for their campaign against the Ringling Bros. circus. One group settled a year ago for nearly $10 million dollars, Feld Entertainment, Inc. v. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, et al. However, don’t look to Texas’ hunter harassment laws to provide relief from Internet attacks on hunters. According to Lt. Brad Guinn of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, hunter harassment has to take place in the field while the hunter is actively hunting. “(The threats) would be the jurisdiction of local law enforcement,” he said. “Even though it is hunting related, it is not in the act of hunting.” Jackson agreed, saying that most states’ hunter harassment laws only result in misdemeanor charges. “I wouldn’t expect a lot (of recourse),” he said. “It is only a misdemeanor offense.” The Texas hunter harassment law reads, “No person may intentionally interfere with another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife. No person may intentionally harass, drive, or disturb any wildlife for the purpose of disrupting a person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.” Harassment of hunters, trappers or anglers is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2000 and/or 180 days in jail.
LSONews.com
Research Continued From Page 4
Dr. Don Davis, associate professor at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine, will lead the study where 90 to 100 deer will be tested in three groups to determine residue amounts at 10, 20 and 30 days after administration of the three most commonly used antibiotics in deer, one anti-inflammatory and one wormer. “A blood sample will be obtained at the beginning of the study for a baseline,” Davis said. “We will then take tissue samples from the deer at 11, 21 and 31 days.” Deer from at least five different areas will be donated by members of the Texas Deer Association and the group, along with others, will help fund the study. TDA is seeking support from other groups and
Puzzle solution from Page 17
LoneOStar Outdoor News
individuals to help fund the effort, the total cost of which is expected to exceed $100,000. “This is a stakeholder issue,” said TDA Executive Director Karl Kinsel. “It’s not a TDA study.” TDA, however, is taking the lead in seeking support from other associations and individuals for the effort. “We’re looking for partners from other associations,” said TDA President Chase Clark. Warren Bluntzer, a wildlife biologist and instructor on chemical immobilization for Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, is confident the study will get off the ground within six months, and said bystanders and even critics of the deer industry should line up to support the effort. “We’re going to find out how long it takes for deer to eliminate the drugs,” he said. “And some may not like the answers.” Texas Wildlife Association
was recently asked to support the study financially, and it is under consideration. “We want to support the research effort and we’re looking into it,” said CEO Gary Joiner. Veterinarians will benefit from the results, since there are no FDA guidelines for prescribing medications for cervids, including whitetailed deer. “All prescriptions for deer are extra-label usage,” Davis said. “This will give vets the confidence to give this drug at this dose, knowing that the meat is safe to eat after a certain number of days.” Other deer veterinarians praised the effort. “We’ll be setting a milestone,” said Burnet veterinarian Dan McBride. “This is the first time this has ever been done — it will have a great foundational effect for veterinarians.”
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PRODUCTS
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CITORI 725 SHOTGUN: Browning has expanded its Citori 725 line to include nimble new 20-gauge models that offer reduced weight. Features include a Fire Lite mechanical trigger system, a full-width hinge pin and tapered locking bolt design, an Inflex II recoil pad, and an Invector-DS choke tube system. The new Citori 725 20-gauge will be offered in a field model (pictured) and a sporting model. The 725 20-gauge field model has a silver nitride finish receiver accented with high relief engraving of game bird scenes and a gloss oil finish stock and forearm cut from walnut. Available with 26-inch or 28-inch barrels, it will sell for about $2,470. (800) 322-4626 www.browning.com
30 MM MONARCH 7 BINOCULARS: Nikon Sport Optics has added two scaleddown models to its hunter-friendly Monarch 7 binocular line. The new models, available in 8x30 and 10x30, feature a 4.7-inch-long by 4.8-inch-wide compact body design. The binoculars are made from fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin and fitted with rubber armoring, making them rugged enough to use in any terrain. The binoculars offer a field of view of 435 feet at 1,000 yards for the 8x30 model and 351 feet for the 10x30 model. Other features include extra-low dispersion glass to compensate for chromatic aberration, and dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coatings to provide hunters with brighter images and colors by ensuring superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range. They also feature more than 15mm of eye relief to ensure a clear field of view for all users, even those wearing glasses, as well as multi-click turn-and-slide rubber eyecups to easily find the correct eye point. The MSRP is $379.95 for the 8x30 models and $399.95 for the 10x30 models.
800) 847-8269 www.wildgameinnovations.com
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(800) 645-6687 www.nikonsportoptics.com
30 DUCK COMMANDER LIGHTSOUT CAMERA: Wildgame Innovations’ newest trail cam is for scouting ducks. Described by the company as the first of its kind, the camera seeks to revolutionize the way hunters scout ducks. Featuring 720p video and Migration Mode technology, the camera will monitor ducks’ movement from dawn until dusk to provide hunters a heads-up as to the high-flying birds’ location. The scouting camera sells for about $150.
XLXH SPLIT RING PLIERS: Texas Tackle has introduced an extra large, extra heavy model to its line of split ring pliers. These blue handle pliers (model No. SR-5XLXH) are designed for the tuna split rings used to battle giant blue fin tuna weighing up to 800 pounds. The rugged and strong pliers feature high quality surgical stainless steel, box joint construction, a hardened and polished wedge for smooth operation, and spring-loaded handles. The pliers sell for about $23.
SWIM BENTO: Lunkerhunt’s newest soft lure — which has evolved from the highly popular Bento lure — is the Swim Bento. This lure features a lively keeled tail, a holographic core, and biologically correct detailing. All of these elements are incorporated into a soft, yet durable, body construction that enables the Swim Bento to come to life with the slightest movement. The swim bait, which will cost about $8, is available in 3-inch and 4.5inch lengths and in five color patterns: Dace, Ghost, Parrot, Perch and Sassy Shad.
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For information, call: (800) 437-3521
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Nikon will send your 10x42 ProStaff 7 binoculars. You can check out the entire line at the nearest dealer: See a full selection of Nikon products at:
Nagel’s
6201 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 345-5420 www.NagelsGuns.net
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CHRISTOPHER MOTT, 9, was hunting with his grandfather on a ranch near Comfort when he took his first big game animal — this blackbuck — on Oct. 20. The big blackbuck scored 62 5/8 SCI, which made it a silver medalclass animal, and 221.6 on the TGR scale.
For information, visit: www.lunkerhunt.com
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DATEBOOK February 15
Hill Country Chapter SCI 2014 Campfire Memories Annual Fundraiser Hanger Hotel, Fredericksburg (830) 928-4344 texashillcountrysci.org Texas Team Trail Sam Rayburn Reservoir Tournament (210) 788-4143 texasteamtrail.com
February 15-16
Texas Gun and Knife Show Fredericksburg Gillespie County Fairgrounds (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com
February 19
Central Texas Chapter, Safari Club International Wildlife Legacy Gala Crown Plaza Hotel, Austin (512) 773-5674 centexsci.org
February 20
Dallas Safari Club Monthly Meeting Lakewood Country Club (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
February 21
National Wild Turkey Federation Cass County Longbeards Banquet Mattie Lanier Richey Center, Atlanta (903) 691-9055 nwtf.org
February 21-22
Rudy’s Texas Redfish Series Harbor Walk Marina, Hitchcock redfishseries.com
February 21-23
Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited Troutfest 2014 (210) 287-1300 grtutroutfest.org
February 22
Kayak Angler Tournament Series Lake Wood (512) 396-2386 fishkats.com Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Texas Hill Country Chapter Big Game Banquet, Georgetown (512) 771-6190 rmef.org
February 28
Dallas Woods and Waters Foundation 35th Annual Dinner and Benefit Auction Plano Centre (214) 570-8700 dwwcc.org
February 28-March 2
Texas Dog Hunters Association Wild Hog Roundup Wilbur Baber Complex, Hallettsville (210) 264-6650 tdha.org
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Greater Texas Hill Country Chapter Annual Banquet Fredericksburg (830) 895-5533 rmef.org
March 1
March 5-9
National Wild Turkey Federation Llano Estacado Upland Game Chapter Banquet Bailey County Electrical Cooperative Office, Muleshoe (806) 787-9217 nwtf.org
Texas Dove Hunters Association Shooting for Scholarships Fundraiser National Shooting Complex, San Antonio (210) 764-1189 texasdovehunters.com
LONE STAR MARKET
To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or email him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Houston Fishing Show George R. Brown Convention Center Houston houstonfishingshow.com
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