January 25, 2013 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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January 25, 2013

Offshore variety Anglers catching tuna, other species.

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

January 25, 2013

Eye in the sky

Inside

By Mark England

Lone Star outdoor newS

❘❚ HUNTING

Big loss

Poacher shoots big buck, caught immediately.

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Capt. Jim Ranft loves to fly.

He enjoys the sensation of being thousands of feet above the ground. What he most enjoys, though, is what he can see up in the air. The veteran law enforcement officer with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department calls the agency’s aircraft “The Truthsayers.”

“They tell you what’s really going on,” said Ranft, who oversees the Waco-area district in Region 9.

TPWD using aircraft to find poachers He sums up the importance of aircraft to law enforcement with an analogy.

“Let’s say you’re a game warden in an average-size county,” he said. “Sitting on the highest hilltop, you can watch a stretch of road. But the longer you sit there, the more you wonder, ‘What’s going on See SKY, Page 15

FLYING HIGH: TPWD is using planes to target poachers using spotlights at night, while directing game wardens on the ground to their location. Photo by Chase Fountain, TPWD.

Duck season ending

The quest

Lots of ducks up north, coast not seeing as many.

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❘❚ FISHING

Hunter shoots 14-year-old buck after long pursuit Trevor Brittingham has been around big bucks his entire life.

And while he’s taken some really big bucks, one buck in particular managed to elude him for five seasons.

The buck, named Indigo, was first seen in 2003-04 on the Rancho Encantado where Brittingham hunts when the buck was already 5 years old.

“I’ve seen him on the hoof three times in the past five years,” Brittingham said, “and two of them were this past weekend when I finally got him. The other was when he was 10 and I had him in bow range. I recall thinking how old his face looked, but his body was small because of his age and he looked like that of a

Nice trout in Laguna Madre

Trophy fish not showing up in numbers yet, though.

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Recharging rains North, East Texas water levels rising.

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❘❚ CONTENTS

Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

Freshwater Fishing Report For the Table. . . . . . .

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes. . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook . . . .

Outdoor Business . . . .

Products . . . . . . . . .

Saltwater Fishing Report .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

. . . . . . . . . . .

Page 11 Page 20 Page 10 Page 20 Page 12 Page 18 Page 22 Page 18 Page 16 Page 14 Page 20

LIKE AN OLD FRIEND: Trevor Brittingham poses with Indigo, the buck he had been hunting hard for the past five seasons. The buck had been seen periodically on the ranch for at least 10 years. Photo by Trevor Brittingham.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

See QUEST, Page 17

End of the craze Alabama rig’s popularity waning 1 year later

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Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

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Volume 9, Issue 11

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

Granbury professional angler Cody Bird never understood what the fuss was all about.

Early last year, the Alabama rig — a multihook bait patterned to mimic schooling baitfish — took the fishing world by storm. Anglers and manufacturers hailed it as a miracle bait that would magically put fish LUSTER LOST? After a year that saw huge hype surrounding the Alabama rig, professional anglers and tackle manufacturers have said demand for the bait has slowed down. Photo by Steve Fogle.

in the boat.

And for a while it looked like they were right.

Then reality set in.

“Well, I never really cared for it,” Bird said.

“I get a three-day practice before a tournament and I never wanted to waste a day throwing the Alabama rig. It is more of a winter bait and there aren’t many tournaments in the winter.”

Bird said the rig became a headache for tournament directors who had to make sure every angler knew the rules regarding multiple hooks for whatever state the tournament was being held.

“It was a hassle for them and it never really played

a factor for me,” he said.

“I experimented with it on Amistad, but I never caught anything big with it. But my buddies in Oklahoma were killing them on it, so I guess it has its place.”

What began as a small craze in Alabama quickly spread to other parts of the country, and other bait manufacturers.

“We are a licensee, so we make the bait and sell it,” said Lanny Deal of Mann’s Bait Company in Eufala, Ala. “There are about 50 companies currently making them, so the bait is going to be around for years. The See CRAZE, Page 15

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January 25, 2013

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HUNTING

Big buck poached in South Texas

By Antonio Vindell

For Lone Star Outdoor News One of the biggest white-tailed bucks killed this season in Willacy County wasn’t bagged by a hunter, but by a man shooting in the dark of night on the outskirts of A SHAME: This buck, photographed alive during the season, was well-known to residents. He was poached one night last month.

Photo by Antonio Vindell, for LSON.

Port Mansfield.

The 12-point buck, described as perhaps the biggest among the scores of deer seen around the port, weighed more than 200 pounds and scored 177 1/4 Boone & Crockett.

The poacher shot the buck at about 11:15 p.m. on Dec. 29. Oscar Castaneda, a game warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, happened to be nearby after he spotted several

suspicious-looking pickup trucks around the area where the officer had spotted the same deer a few minutes earlier.

The accused poacher is from Buda and was staying at his brother’s house in Port Mansfield.

According to Casteneda, the man appeared to have been drinking the night he shot the buck.

The game warden said he was checking out the area and, after seeing the

trucks parked along the side of the road, waited to see what if anything would happen.

“I went to get some ice at the office and saw a deer behind a doe with its tongue out,” said Castaneda, an eight-year veteran warden. “The hunting season has been real slow, so I went to make a round that night.”

See POACHED, Page 7

Above-average year for deer hunters Regular deer season a success in most regions

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

After battling drought and poor antler quality the past two seasons, Texas deer hunters finally caught a break and, by most accounts, had a pretty successful year.

According to Alan Cain, white-tailed deer leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, antler quality was average to above average, especially in the Oak Prairie Region from Bastrop to Houston.

“That area has antler restrictions and the total number of harvested deer was down, but antler quality was really good,” Cain said. “We also had good antler quality in South Texas and the Hill Country. Harvest was highly variable, but nobody said it was a horrible year,” Cain said a tremendous acorn crop in East Texas was the best he has seen in 15 or 20 years.

“There are still acorns out there and the deer had no reason to come to feeders,” Cain said. “In the Hill Country, it picked up after Thanksgiving.”

Cain said lower numbers of harvested bucks bodes well for next year.

“It helps the young and middle-aged bucks get bigger,” he said. “It definitely helps down the road.”

Cain also said recent rains across much of the state will give deer, especially bucks, a head start on next season.

“We got good rain in South Texas and the Hill Country,” he said. “Even the Trans-Pecos region got some. It will help promote winter forbs, which is really helpful in the postrut. I hope that trend continues.”

Cain also said North Texas saw some tremendous bucks this season.

“There were a good number of 140- to 160-

inch deer killed up there,” he said. “And a couple of real big bucks from low-fenced places, also.”

In the Rocksprings area, TPWD biologist Ryan Schmidt said the deer harvest was way up over the past few seasons.

“Edwards and Val Verde County had harvest numbers that were up significantly,” Schmidt said. “There was a lot more age and antler weight. It was an average year for antler quality, but the deer are recovering from the drought, so that was predicted.

“But we did have some good deer come through.”

Internet reports on hunting forums saw a large number of hunters complaining about deer not coming to corn because of the abundance of acorns, but, overall, most were happy with the deer they were seeing.

In the San Angelo area, biologist John McEachern said overall quality was up in his area.

“I didn’t hear about any monster, native deer, but overall quality was up across the board,” he said. “Most hunters were pleased about what they saw. The deer didn’t rebound as much as people would have liked (from the drought), but antler quality was up and body weights were up.”

McEachern said the area received a couple of decent rains throughout the season, and hunters didn’t have to compete against mountains of acorns like some parts of Texas.

“We have pockets of live oaks out here, but not as many as parts of East Texas or the Hill Country,” he said. “Those rains did give a bump to winter forbs, though, and that did make it a little harder for hunters to draw deer to corn.”

GREAT SEASON IF YOU AVOIDED THE ACORNS: Hunters reported above-average racks this season in many parts of Texas, despite deer avoiding feeders because of an abundance of natural browse. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Duck season ending on high note for some

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Although it is just now getting cold enough in places like Colorado and South Dakota to push huge numbers of ducks into Texas, many hunters were reporting good shoots the weekend before the season closes on Jan. 27.

GREAT UP NORTH, NOT GOOD DOWN SOUTH: Hunters like these two in areas of North Texas saw lots of ducks as the season came to a close, although reports from the coast were less than stellar. Photo by LSON.

Lots of birds west of Metroplex, not as many in East Texas, coast In North Texas, guide Jeff Elder with Silver Creek Guide Service said this season has been great on the properties he hunts in Tarrant and Parker counties.

“We’ve seen a lot of ducks the

past three days,” Elder said, “especially gadwalls. There are quite a few grey ducks here, and more coming daily. The guys are going to be mad when the season closes, because ducks are still coming down.”

Elder said during most seasons, he can’t hunt a hole more than once a week because of the pressure causing ducks to move.

“This year, I have been hunting the same hole three times a week See DUCK SEASON, Page 7

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DSC announces lion position The Dallas Safari Club announced a formal position statement defining the ideal, huntable male lion.

“The ideal huntable male lion is at least 6 years of age and is not known to head a pride or be part of a coalition heading a pride with dependent cubs.”

DSC is encouraging safari operators and hunters across Africa to use this definition within their own conservation ethos.

For its part, DSC adopted a new club policy: “No DSC member will be eligible for any DSC recognition or trophy award unless the member’s lion trophy submission is a fully mature lion as determined in the sole discretion of the DSC awards committee.”

“Research shows that hunting male lions at least 5 years of age has no negative effect on populations,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director.

“We adopted a 6-year rule because we recognize the difficulties in judging age, especially in field conditions, and we chose to err on the side of caution. Hunters have always led the charge for conservation. This is one more example.”

DSC President Allen Moore also weighed in.

“DSC and conservation authorities across Africa are concerned about the developing possibility of reduced harvest quotas on lions,” Moore said. “If that happens, the resulting loss of revenue from lion hunters would be a significant setback for conservation, not only for lion populations, but also for other species such as buffalo and plains game.”

Urging hunters to self-impose harvest restrictions is seen as a better alternative.

— DSC

Common errors made by deer breeders The Exotic Wildlife Association released a statement on common errors made by deer breeders found by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in hopes that such errors will be eliminated in the future.

This first list of common errors includes both reporting errors and those frequently seen “on the ground” in the facilities by TPWD Wildlife Division and Law Enforcement staff.

• Not maintaining accurate, current, and complete records.

• Not activating transfer permits to move deer.

• Not completing transfer permits after they are activated.

• Not verifying the unique ID of deer that are transferred.

• Re-tattooing deer with a different unique ID instead of with the original unique ID assigned to the deer.

• Tagging deer in the facility by March 31st with correct and legible information.

• Duplicating unique IDs. • Delinquent reporting (including facility closures).

• Not testing eligible mortalities for CWD. • Not entering the death date in the ODBS prior to submitting a CWD test result, or not including the unique ID on a See more at CWD test result.

LSONews.com — EWA

LoneOStar Outdoor News

January 25, 2013

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Groups join forces for quail

By John R. Meyer

For Lone Star Outdoor News Northern bobwhite quail don’t lack support from the general population; they have dedicated followers across the country.

The upland bird is nonmigratory, so conservation work has traditionally been put forth by local agencies and groups. The resultant efforts, just like quail habitat, end up fragmented.

Unfortunately, what Photo by LSON. these groups are working an example when he points out against in terms of quail obstacles are forces on more of a that, for decades, plants such as national scale. With continued bermuda and fescue have been declining numbers of quail over emphasized on a national level time, it became apparent that due to their popularity for catisolated, unconnected efforts tle. These aggressive, non-native plants are unsuitable for wildwere simply falling short.

In 1995, the Southeast life and have eliminated countAssociation of Fish and Wildlife less acres of prime quail habitat.

Agencies began a transforma- Alternatives are available that tional shift in philosophy to would provide necessary ingreaddress this insufficiency. That dients for both livestock and was the year they formed the quail benefit.

“We are not looking for total Southeast Quail Study Group to address the long-term decline conversion,” he said. “Across the of the northern bobwhite on a country we are looking for about regional level. a one-third pasture area converBy 2002, the SEQSG had sion to native forages. That can finalized their regional bob- only be fostered and enabled on white recovery plan in the the federal level.” form of the National Bobwhite Twenty-five core states encomConservation Initiative. passing the heart of northern “Many of the problems are bobwhite range are currently caused on a national level or involved with the NBCI. A halfcould be solved at a national dozen others with land on the level ... opportunities can also be periphery of the range particiseized in a big way on the [that] pate as well, along with the level,” said Don McKenzie, the Midwest and Northeast associacurrent NBCI director. tions of fish and wildlife agencies.

McKenzie uses grasslands as The Southeast Quail Study Group

eventually changed their name to the National Bobwhite Technical Committee to better reflect their impact on a national scale.

Texas is well represented due to both its amount of habitat as well as its high population of hunters. Well-established groups such as the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in Kingsville, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch near Roby, the North Texas Quail Corridor Initiative from the University of North Texas and Quail Tech Alliance at Texas Tech University are regular contributors to the NBCI. Texas Parks and Wildlife Farm Bill Coordinator Chuck Kowalowski is the chair elect of the NBTC. NBCI is driven by the idea of helping promote quail range health on a national scale by providing momentum and support for existing organizations.

The nature of NBCI’s function precludes individuals from actually joining as members, though.

McKenzie urges instead, that people align with an existing quail organization or take other actions to provide support.

“We need the support of quail hunters. I would like the average person in Texas to call Texas Parks and Wildlife and ask questions, express an interest,” he said as a way to bring more focus, and, ultimately, resources, to aid the plight of bobwhites.

McKenzie is energized by the sheer volume of potential quail habitat that is already out there.

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Contour camera fails to deliver in woods

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

The rutting buck came charging in, looking for the fight he had just heard.

When the buck was less than 20 yards from the two hunters, he stopped, antlers shining in the morning sun.

He wasn’t what we were looking for, so we decided to get some video of the deer before he bolted back into the brush.

Upon our return to the camp house, a quick look on the computer led us to disappointment. Even at 20 yards, the buck looked little bigger than a tan spot through the Contour model 1529 camera we were using.

Several follow-up tests confirmed this camera’s limits. It might be great for mounting on a helmet for mountain biking or attached to a fishing rod to record a fish pulling, but for serious hunters looking for a small, lightweight camera, this isn’t the one.

Our issues with this camera for outdoorsmen were several. First, the camera has an annoying (and loud) beep when it is turned on. Then it beeps twice in quick succession when it begins to record. When an animal is in range, this beep is clearly audible. You can supposedly turn this feature off by downloading an app from Contour’s website, but this wasn’t an option on a ranch in West Texas.

Second, there is no zoom feature. If you are videoing something at less than five yards,

this camera will work.

Farther than that, you are looking at a dot

where a deer should be.

Finally, battery life is not what we would consider adequate for long-term filming.

To be fair, Contour markets these cameras as helmet cams for bikers or mountain climbers, and they probably do an admirable job for those two disciplines. However, for filming wildlife at any distance, this camera doesn’t cut it.

On the positive side, this camera is very small, compact and lightweight. Contour sells a variety of mounts that lets the person filming attach it in a multitude of places.

The 270-degreee rotating lens is great when placed in a camera mount that isn’t flat and the camera has several high-definition modes for a clear picture.

In the right instance, this camera could work for someone. Videographers looking for a point-of-view camera or looking to shoot “B” roll material could very well find this camera useful. But in our experience, this isn’t a viable option for serious outdoor video.

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Poached

Duck season

Continued From Page 4

Continued From Page 4

TOUGH LOSS: The big buck’s demise was at the hands of a poacher. Photo by TPWD.

and we’ve been killing limits every time,” he said. “And I don’t mean one person limits, I’m talking three or four people.”

Elder said the hunting has been stellar on the west side of the Metroplex, but in talking to guides east of Dallas, they haven’t had the number of ducks they normally see during a good year.

“It has been slower in East Texas,” he said.

“I’ve talked to a lot of guys around Bonham and they don’t seem to have anywhere near the ducks they normally do.”

This was backed up the weekend before the season ended when several of the LSON crew hunted in Hopkins County and reported slow action, with only a few gadwalls taken.

Other LSON members hunted near Hubbard and had a great shoot with gadwalls, pintails, green-winged teal, wigeon and ringnecks all plentiful. Easy limits were taken and birds continued to fly after the shooting was done.

On the coast, the action has slowed down considerably since early in the season.

He said he went past a horse stable less than a quarter of a mile from the port, parked his truck and sat there for a while. A few minutes later, Castaneda saw a white pickup truck followed by another four-door white truck.

“I heard some talking and waited to see what would happen,” he said. “I heard a big loud bang and it lit up the vehicle.”

The game warden quickly approached the vehicle, where the apparent poacher admitted his mistake.

“I shot a deer,” the poacher said. “I shot a deer.”

Castaneda said the poacher’s nephews, who were with him in the truck, told him not to shoot the buck, but he did anyway.

Castaneda said the man shot the buck less than 25 yards away as the deer stood on a grassy area on the south side of Texas Highway 186.

The game warden took the man’s .30-06 rifle away and told him to sit on the grass. After talking to the two juveniles, he cited the hunter with multiple citations including shooting in a non-hunting area, shooting at nighttime, illegal discharging of a firearm and improper tagging of a deer.

The hunter gave a voluntary statement and Castaneda said the case is now pending.

Four years ago, a hunter killed a 195 B&C buck near a Texas airport and it cost the hunter more than $20,000 in fines and restitution, Castaneda said.

According to Castaneda, the deer killed in Port Mansfield will probably cost the man more than $12,000 in fines and restitution.

Castaneda said the monster buck the man killed caused a stir at the legendary El Sauz Ranch.

“They told me they have not seen a deer like this one at the ranch,” he said of the El Sauz folks, where hunters pay thousands of dollars in annual fees to be a club member. “They estimated the age of the deer was about 8 years old.”

Castaneda said he never thought the deer was that big until he saw the buck on the ground.

“The buck weighed 180 pounds field-dressed,” he said.

“That is a huge deer for this part of South Texas.”

He said his fellow game wardens are now calling the deer the “ice bag buck.”

“If it wasn’t for that bag of ice you went to get, this would never happened,” Castaneda has been repeatedly told.

“Probably nobody would have known or found out what happened that night if it wasn’t for that bag of ice.”

January 25, 2013

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weeks. We’ve taken a few redheads and a few bluebills, but that is about all.”

Radminsky said a lack of food was the culprit.

“I just don’t think we have enough food for them to stay,” he said.

“There just aren’t a lot of birds in this area.”

Elder said every north wind this season has pushed ducks down, no matter how insignificant the wind has been.

“I think the whole reason we saw a lot of birds this season is because every time a north wind blew, it might as well have been called a front,” he said. “It was banner shootBLIND WITH A VIEW: A lack of wind hurt hunting this past week, but plenty of ing for us each time the ducks are still around. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News. wind blew a little bit out of the north.

“I also think a bunch of “It has been really slow lately,” said Rockport-area guide Dillon Radminksy. “In birds pushed off of the Metroplex lakes and fact, I would actually call it poor the last few came this direction this season.”

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FISHING

TUNA BITE IS ON: After catching live bait, anglers braving the high winds to get offshore have been rewarded with lots of different catches, including yellowfin tuna. Photos by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Multiple species Offshore boats catching wide range of fish

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Offshore anglers are catching a multitude of species along the midcoast from between 30 and 50 miles offshore from Port Aransas.

According to Nancy Groening of Dolphin Docks, the fishing the past few weeks has been good when the weather allowed boats to get out.

“The fishing has been pretty good,” Groening said, “but it has been slow getting trips out because of

the weather. We did have three trips last week and they caught good numbers of kingfish, grouper, amberjack, African pompano and sharks.

“There was also some vermillion snapper, yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna.”

The baits of choice were cut mullet, squid and dead shrimp.

Groeing said the trips averaged running 45 miles offshore.

At Deep Sea Headquarters, Marsha Walker said the boats

have been catching limits of yellowfin and blackfin tuna on their 48-hour offshore trips.

“On the last 48-hour trip, they caught limits of amberjack, yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna,” Walker said. “On the last 24-hour trip, the group caught amberjack and more than 100 blackfin tuna.”

Walker said the boats are running to rocks and ledges from 30 to 50 miles offshore on the shorter trips.

“We are also catch-

ing vermillion snapper, kingfish and large sharks,” she said.

For tuna, the trips are running to rigs anywhere from 80 to 100 miles offshore.

At Fisherman’s Wharf, a manager said the wind has been blowing too hard to get out much the past several weeks, so they have been fishing state waters.

“Our private boats have been fishing in state waters and doing really well on red snapper,” he said. “Other than that,

we haven’t been out much.”

Online reports have the tuna bite going strong at places like Gunnison offshore from Freeport.

Anglers are having consistent action at night on top-waters and jigging.

The closer to the rigs the better when chunking for yellowfin tuna.

Several wahoo have also been reported trolling offshore, along with big red snapper, although all of the snapper caught outside of state waters must be released.

Rains help North, East Texas lake levels

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News East of I-35, Texas lakes reaped the benefits of heavy rains that blanketed much of North and Central Texas. But even though some areas received more than 5 inches of rain during the week of Jan. 7, most lake levels only inched up.

A few factors were cited in why lake levels didn’t rise faster.

“It has to do with the soil moisture content,” said Jamie Gudmestad, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. “A lot of the rain got absorbed by the soil, and also all of the plants were very dry and absorbed moisture.”

Smaller private lakes captured water as well — good news for ranchers and wildlife managers.

But a great deal of water didn’t

South and West still parched

FILLING UP: Anglers are enjoying the benefits of fresh rains replenishing ponds, lakes and rivers throughout the state. Photo by LSON.

make it to the larger reservoirs.

In North Texas, Lake Fork was down 4.51 feet before the rains.

On Jan. 21, it was 4.15 feet low.

Lewisville, Ray Hubbard and Grapevine rose more than a foot.

Richland Chambers, near areas that received the heaviest rains, rose almost 1.5 feet.

The next rains are expected to bring more rapid runoff.

“With the more moist soil conditions, the runoff will be better with the next rains, especially if they come soon,” Gudmestad said.

Farther east, lakes rose even more. Sam Rayburn Reservoir rose from 4.59 feet low to 3.12 feet below pool. Toledo Bend Reservoir rose more than 1 foot and stands less than 2 feet low.

To the west and south, though, fishermen and marinas are still

praying for rain. O.H. Ivie remains more than 34 feet below pool, Amistad is more than 39 feet low, Falcon is 35 feet down and Choke Canyon is more than 17 feet low.

Lake Travis remains in dire need of water at 49.17 feet low.

The U.S. Drought Monitor still shows most of Texas in some level of drought, but areas of extreme drought have been reduced, with areas in South Texas and the Panhandle remaining the driest. Nearly all areas west of I-35 remain in moderate or severe drought conditions.

Unfortunately, forecasters say this year could be a repeat of last, where lakes reached near-full levels in the winter, but lack of moisture throughout the rest of the year left them parched.

“We are expecting the next few months to be drier than normal,” Gudmestad said.

“So it could be a repeat of last year. We desperately needed the water we received, but it looks like we may be going back into a dry cycle.”

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A lot of action, just not a lot of big trout

January 25, 2013

Page 9

Garrie and Triana take Bass Champs on Sam Rayburn Bass Champs new, three-fish limit has been a success early in the tournament season.

Bass Champs kicked off the 2013 East Region on Sam Rayburn Jan. 19, and the Nacogdoches team of Jonathan Garrie and Wayne Triana won the inaugural event weighing in more than 20 pounds, which included a 10-pound kicker.

Thirty out of the 200 teams went home with a check.

According to Bass Champs, the team’s biggest bass was put on the scales and hit the double-digit mark at 10.01 pounds, taking the lead for big bass. As their other two fish were added, their total weight locked in at 20.23 pounds.

“We headed to a deep ledge that dropped from 12 to 50 feet by the main river channel,” Garrie said. “The morning bite was great — we had our biggest three fish by 8 a.m.”

This included their 10-pound kicker.

“When she took the bait, she nearly yanked the rod right out of my hand,” he said. “She didn’t want to come in easily. As I was working on getting her in, she jumped, tail danced, tried to throw the bait — she really gave us quite a show.”

For complete results, go to basschamps.com.

— Staff report

Permits needed on Devils River

BIG ONES ARE COMING: Bigger trout should be showing up in the Laguna Madre for anxious winter trout anglers. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for LSON.

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Capt. Ken Griffiths has been catching a ton of trout lately from his home near Port Mansfield.

Unfortunately, many of them have been of the smaller variety.

“There are lots of little trout,” Griffiths said. “I haven’t found any congregations of decent-sized trout. The bait is scattered but the water is in great shape, just a little chilly.”

Griffiths said water temperatures are in the low 60s. He recently returned from a day of fishing that

highlighted the recent action.

“On Friday morning, we caught between 300 and 400 trout,” he said. “But only a few big ones were caught. There were lots of 15-inch fish. One place did have lots of bait, but there were 30 boats stacked in that one spot.”

Griffiths said the bigger trout should be moving into the area, following the bait and smaller trout.

“Those smaller trout usually arrive a few days before the bigger ones,” he said. “Hopefully, they show up See TROUT, Page 15

Beginning Feb. 1, any paddler planning to put in or take out of the Devils River on public lands managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Val Verde County must first obtain a permit from TPWD. The new Devils River Access Permit is a key component of a pilot program designed to provide opportunities for responsible, resource-compatible public use of the Devils River, while respecting private landowner rights and protecting the ecological health of the river and its fragile ecosystem.

TPWD will issue up to 12 day-use launch permits and 12 overnight-use launch permits per day. Before launching a kayak or canoe on the Devils River, each paddler must obtain a permit, although the trip leader of a paddling group may obtain all permits for members of the group. Permits will cost $10 per person and may be obtained 11 months in advance.

Permits will be needed by any paddler planning to access the river at either of the two Devils River State Natural Area units, as well as Baker’s Crossing.

— TPWD

Hill Country Rivers Trout Days a success On Jan. 25, Hill Country Rivers hosted its Annual Trout Days Fishing Tournament at Park Chalk Bluff on the Nueces River.

Attendance was up this year, and the winners were: 1st Place youth — Tanner Bowman, Uvalde 1st Place spin cast — Prabir Chaudhuri, San Antonio 1st Place fly rod — David Beck, San Antonio — HCR

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Spoons on Travis

To contact Allen Christenson, call (512) 261-3644.

LAKE TRAVIS — Guide Allen Christenson said the white bass bite is going strong, along with a surprisingly good largemouth bite.

“The deep-water bite has been excellent for white bass on jigging spoons,” he said. “We’ve also caught some surprising largemouth bass. We caught a 6-pounder the other day. But mainly we are catching about 40 to 60 white bass per trip.”

Christenson said the white bass have all been good sized, up to 15 or 16 inches. He looks for balls of shad near the bottom on his sonar and moves to keep up with the bait.

“Silver and gold jigging spoons have been working, and the large minnows are also catching fish near the river channels,” he said. “There are some bass that hang out below docks in 12 to 20 feet of water. It isn’t huge numbers right now, but it is enough to keep the largemouth anglers happy.”

Christenson said green pumpkinseed plastic worms are catching good quality bass.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 48–56 degrees; 10.26’ low. Largemouth bass are slow.

Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 58–62 degrees; 39.29’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinner baits, crankbaits and soft plastic worms. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines and droplines baited with live perch.

ARROWHEAD: Water off-color; 49–54 degrees; 12.07’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on white crankbaits, spinner baits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Catfish are fair on prepared bait.

ATHENS: Water clear, 47–51 degrees; 2.90’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on football jigs and Carolina rigs along deeper points.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

BASTROP: Water lightly stained; 62–66 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and chartreuse jigs. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles.

BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 46–51 degrees; 5.36’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on lipless crankbaits and square bills. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on trotlines and cut bait.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinner baits, crankbaits and soft plastic worms. Striped bass are fair on liver and shad. Redfish are fair on tilapia, crawfish, perch and shad near Dead Tree Point.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 14.85’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on shaky heads with green pumpkin finesse worms around docks in 6–10’.

Drop shots with Xcite worms are working as well. Crappie are slow on minnows.

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 58–62 degrees; 10.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinner baits, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits over brush piles.

BUCHANAN: Water stained; 58–62 degrees; 27.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina-rigged watermelon lizards, Rattlin’ Rogues and blue flake Whacky Sticks on jigheads in 10–20 feet.

Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles in 12–18 feet.

CALAVERAS: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse crankbaits, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits near the dam. Striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits and chicken livers along the shoreline. Channel catfish are excellent on liver, shrimp and nightcrawlers. Blue catfish are good on stinkbait and nightcrawlers.

CANYON LAKE: Water lightly stained; 61–65 degrees; 8.68’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse hair jigs with Pebble Craw trailers, Carolina-rigged lizards and Texas-rigged blue flake worms along break lines and ledges. Striped bass are good on white striper jigs, Pirk Minnows and Spoiler Shads. Smallmouth bass are fair to good on smoke/ red flake tubes over rock piles in 10–20 feet.

CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 2.84’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shallow crankbaits around docks. Smaller black and blue flipping jigs are effective as well. Hybrid striper are good on live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 65–69 degrees; 17.37’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on heavy jigs and large crankbaits over grass. White bass are good on small spinner baits. Channel and blue catfish are good on punchbait.

COLEMAN: Water lightly stained; 62–66 degrees; 13.40’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse spinner baits and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on silver striper jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel catfish are fair on shrimp and liver.

Yellow catfish are slow.

COLETO CREEK: Water clear; 2.93’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse striper jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs.

Channel and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.

Yellow catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live perch.

COOPER: Water clear; 47–51 degrees; 6.75’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on lipless crankbaits and suspending

jerkbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs.

White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on live shad.

Catfish are fair on cut bait.

FALCON: Water murky; 65–69 degrees; 34.70’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse spinner baits and lipless crankbaits.

FORK: Water clear; 46–51 degrees; 4.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on black/blue jigs along channel bends. Deep-water bite sporadic on football jigs. Yellow bass are slow on jigs. Crappie are good on minnows around the bridges.

FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 47–54 degrees; 11.16’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, Texas rigs, jigs and spinner baits. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are good on silver/blue lipless crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp and liver.

GRANBURY: Water stained; 56–60 degrees; 5.12’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, spinner baits, crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows.

GRANGER: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. . Blue catfish are good on prepared baits and on juglines baited with cut bait and soap.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 6.01’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on football jigs around main lake points. Texasrigged soft plastics and finesse jigs are best later in the day.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut shad.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water offcolor; 47–54 degrees; 20.1’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on top-waters, shadpattern crankbaits, Texas rigs and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.

Calling the crappie CADDO LAKE — The crappie bite is going strong as the water levels rise on Caddo Lake, according to guide Dennis North.

“The rain we had two weeks ago brought the lake up 18 inches, so the bass bite has been a little off, but I expect that to stabilize and get back to being good here shortly,” he said. “The crappie have been real good on 16-ounce jigs in electric chicken and black/chartreuse colors.”

North said to focus in the river down from Johnson’s Ranch and near the Pine Island Pond in 7 to 12 feet of water for crappie.

He said jigs and wacky worms were working for largemouth bass.

To contact Dennis North, call (903) 930-5460.

— Staff report

Crappie are good on minnows.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 47–51 degrees; 8.69’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow on black/brown jigs around cover.

Some deeper fish being caught off main lake points on football jigs. White bass are fair on slabs.

Catfish are good on cut shad.

LBJ: Water clear; 60–64 degrees; 0.29’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin tubes and pumpkinseed drop-shot worms along docks and seawalls. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good on Spoiler Shad and silver Pirk Minnows near the power plant. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 5.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads around marinas and football jigs along main lake points. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait and cut shad.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 60–64 degrees; 0.49’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on black/silver spinner baits and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on white striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs.

MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 62–83 degrees; 3.44’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits around shallow cover. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are slow on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait and cut shad.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 48–52 degrees; 0.62’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics and black and blue jigs around stumps.

Square-bill crankbaits are good midday. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 47–51 degrees; 1.93’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Texas-rigged soft plastics. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 57–61 degrees; 0.27’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon lipless crankbaits.

White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on chartreuse tube jigs at the marina. Channel and blue catfish are fair on liver and stinkbait.

Yellow catfish are slow.

LAKE O' THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 47–52 degrees; 3.18’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and bladed jigs around grass and shallow cover.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 48–54 degrees; 34.46’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on lipless crankbaits, Texas rigs, chatterbaits and shaky heads.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.

OAK CREEK: Water stained; 48–53 degrees; 17.46’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on chrome lipless crankbaits, Texas rigs, shad-pattern crankbaits and shaky heads.

Crappie are good on jigs and live minnows over brush piles. Catfish are good on chartreuse (use Worm–Glo) nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water clear; 46–51 degrees; 0.95’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on black/blue jigs and shaky heads around docks.

Finesse worms in watermelon blue are best. Crappie are good on minnows. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 49–54 degrees; 9.81’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on shallow-running crankbaits, Texas rigs, jigs and drop-shot rigs. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are fair on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 47–52 degrees; 3.07’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged plastics around deep rocks. Football-head jigs and deep-diving crankbaits are effective as well. Catfish are good on cut shad.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 3.78’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastic baits along edge of grass lines.

Carolina rigs are effective as well.

Crappie are good on minnows.

White bass are slow on slabs.

Catfish are fair on prepared bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water clear; 47–51 degrees; 3.81’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on weightless soft plastics and shaky heads around docks. White bass are fair on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on prepared bait.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 60–64 degrees; 3.51’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows

SEE MORE

n Saltwater fishing reports: Page 14 and blue tube jigs. Bream are good on worms. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp and stinkbait.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 58–62 degrees; 5.64’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastic worms and spinner baits. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

TAWAKONI: Water stained; 48–52 degrees; 4.34’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on white bladed jigs and California 420-color flipping jigs around docks — midday bite has been best. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are slow on slabs. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

TEXOMA: Water clear; 46–50 degrees; 5.57’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on medium-diving crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits along main lake points.

Good numbers of fish reported on lipless crankbaits as well.

TOLEDO BEND: Water lightly stained; 60–64 degrees; 2.01’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon and chartreuse spinner baits and crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs over brush piles. Bream are good on worms.

Channel and blue catfish are good on liver and stinkbait.

TRAVIS: Water clear; 57–61 degrees; 49.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chrome spoons, black worms and chartreuse crankbaits in 20–35 feet. Striped bass are fair on shad crankbaits in 30–50 feet. White bass are good on minnows and white grubs in 30–50 feet.

WHITNEY: Water lightly stained; 57–61 degrees; 8.44’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow.

Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and pet spoons. Catfish are good on frozen liver, nightcrawlers and stinkbait.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

January 25, 2013

Boat sales on the rise The U.S. recreational boating industry began to see the tide turn for new power boat sales with an estimated 10 percent increase in 2012, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

Early projections indicate the industry will see additional increases in 2013 by as much as 5-10 percent. This level of growth in 2013 will depend on a number of factors including continued improvement in economic conditions that impact recreational boating — namely consumer confidence and the housing market — and sustained increases in Americans’ participation in outdoor recreation.

“Improving economic conditions and what seems to be a resurgence in Americans’ love for the outdoors, helped fuel steady growth in new power boat sales in 2012,” noted Thom Dammrich, president of NMMA. “A 10 percent boost at retail in 2012 is significant, as this is the first time since the recession we saw healthy growth across the powerboat market, which will create momentum in 2013.”

Another factor that’s contributing to new boat sales is the creation of innovative, more versatile and accessible boats that appeal to a variety of interests and budgets and fall within the 15-26 foot range.

In 2011, boating participation increased 10 percent to 83 million – the largest proportion of adults (34.8 percent) who went boating since 1997 (35.8 percent).

— NMMA

State-Fish Art Contest open for applications Aspiring artists from kindergarten through high school should get ready to draw some fish.

The 2013 Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, is open to all students in public, private or home schools. Entry deadline is March 31.

Contest rules, guidelines, entry information and details about the contest can be found at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishart.

The Texas first-place winner in grades 10-12 wins $1,000; second place $750; third place $500. Prizes in the 4-6 and 7-9 grade levels are $100 for first; $75 for second; $50 for third.

Funding from the Toyota Texas Bass Classic also provides a travel allowance for first-place Texas winners and their families to attend the national State-Fish Art Expo, which will be held July 12, at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry, Georgia. Texas winners will compete with winners from other states for national awards at the Expo.

One outstanding piece of artwork each year is selected for the Art of Conservation Award, and a commemorative stamp featuring the artwork is produced for sale.

Proceeds from sales of the stamp are used to fund conservation projects.

Educators who wish to have their students enter the contest can download the free “State-Fish Art Contest Lesson Plan” at www.statefishart.com.

— TPWD

Edward Parten named to TFFHF Another big name in Texas bass fishing will take his place among the legends on June 1.

Edward Parten of Kingwood has been selected as the 2013 inductee into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

He will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens on June 1.

“I am extremely honored and humbled at receiving this prestigious award,” Parten said of his selection for induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. “It has been my great pleasure to be allowed to work with some of the greatest fisheries people in the country to help protect our environment, air and water quality, preservation of habitat, fisheries and leave behind a legacy for those generations of people who will follow us.”

— TPWD

Page 11

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Page 12

January 25, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER FRIENDLY CONVERSATION LEADS TO ADMISSION OF VIOLATION Polk County Game Warden Ryan Hall was having dinner at a local restaurant when a resident approached and struck up a conversation. Hall asked if he had any luck on his property this deer season. The man replied that he had already killed two pretty good bucks, a 10-point and an 8-point on his property, both of which had inside antler spreads greater than 13 inches. The man failed to realize his mistake and was cited for exceeding the annual bag limit in Polk County.

Case pending.

SHORTCUT TO MEXICO BRINGS TROUBLE At the Pecos River High Bridge boat ramp, Val Verde County Game Wardens Isaac Ruiz and Aaron Willoughby watched a vehicle with a boat trailer. At 11 a.m., an airboat occupied by three subjects pulled up to the ramp. It was determined the subjects were hunters who that took a shortcut to the Mexican ranch where they were hunting. A quartered deer was located in an ice chest.

After meeting with U.S. Customs at the Del Rio point of entry, the hunters were found to be in violation of multiple import and declaration rules. The wardens issued citations for illegal import of wildlife from Mexico, and the case was turned over to Customs and Border Protection for further investigation.

HUNTING ACCIDENT WHILE CROSSING FENCE Presidio County Game Warden Zachary Moerbe responded to a ranch where a nonfatal hunting accident had occurred. Moerbe learned that the hunter had been in the process of crossing over a fence when his loaded shotgun fell from its rest and discharged, resulting in the injury.

The 21-year-old victim had not taken a hunter education course, which is

SEVERED DEER HEAD IN TRUCK BED A DEAD GIVEAWAY A ranch foreman called Garza/Lynn County Game Warden Drew Spencer regarding a headless white-tailed buck that had been dumped alongside a two-track road inside the ranch. As Spencer was responding to the area, the foreman called again and said that he believed it to have been shot by one of the hunting lease holders and that the carcass was no longer at the initial site. Spencer arrived on the ranch, and after a short search, found the initial dumpsite and carcass at a second location. Spencer loaded the deer, drove the unfortunate since this very scenario is covered as part of that course.

MULE DEER HUNTERS FORGOT SEASON WAS OVER Val Verde County Game Wardens Tyler Stoikes and Allison Hatten checked a hunting camp that had three mule deer hanging. The wardens informed the campers that the mule deer season ended Dec. 9 and that mule deer does were by permit only. Cases are pending and restitution filed.

MORE MULE DEER MISHAPS Cottle/Motley Game Warden Matthew Cruse received a call from a man who was looking at a ranch that was for sale. While riding the back fence on a four-wheeler the man found two gut piles, a mule deer buck’s head with the antlers cut off and a full-body, skull-caped mule deer buck. Cruse found out who had been hunting the property earlier in the week and caught up with the hunters. After checking one of the hunter’s legal white-tailed deer, Cruse discovered in the bed of a Polaris Ranger a skull-capped 7-point set of mule deer antlers and two sawed-off antlers that appeared to have been cut off of a young mule deer buck. The man soon confessed that he and another man killed the

ranch in search of the hunter, and found him shortly thereafter. Spencer spoke with the man, a previous wildlife rules violator, at the back of the man’s truck. A severed deer head was in the bed of the truck with an incompletely filled out tag on its antlers. The man was then led to the back of Spencer’s truck. Spencer lowered his tailgate, revealing the wasted carcass. Without provocation, the man asked, “Unless you’re making hamburger, do you realize how hard it is to cut up all that meat?” Multiple citations were issued.

two mule deer bucks earlier in the week and dumped the bodies, wasting the meat. Also, two white-tailed bucks were taken off the property illegally. A total of four men were cited for multiple violations.

PRANK PLACING DEER AT SCHOOL DOORS A POOR CHOICE Nolan County Game Warden Jake Simmering received a call from the Roscoe Chief of Police stating a deer had been propped up against the doors at Roscoe High School.

Simmering located the deer and observed a clean, pass-through bullet wound on the 9-point buck. The elementary school principal had found the deer earlier that morning and provided Simmering with pictures of the deer when he found it.

The deer had numerous beer bottles outlining it, a can of Copenhagen on its shoulder, and a cigarette in its mouth. The next day, Simmering received information about the three subjects involved. Simmering, and Fisher/Stonewall County Game Warden George Pasley interviewed two of the subjects. They stated that another man on a ranch had killed the deer and given it to the uncle of the one of the subjects. The uncle then gave it to his nephew to process. The nephew had then tried to give the deer to his peers at work.

No one had wanted the deer, so the subjects decided to play a prank and put it at the high school. The subject who originally ended up with the deer still had the tag with him. Upon receiving the tag, Simmering recognized the name of the individual who killed the deer. After advising the person who had killed the deer of what happened, he was extremely upset that the subjects had wasted the meat. Several cases and restitution filed.

PLACING DEER BLOOD ON TRUCK A BAD IDEA As Garza/Lynn County Game Warden Drew Spencer was refueling at a gas station, he saw a pickup with a large white-tailed deer rack sticking out of the bed. The truck had blood across the hood, down the fenders and bed rails. The truck passed by and immediately turn into a residential area. Spencer quickly stopped the pump and followed. The truck eventually circled the block, giving Spencer the impression that they wanted to parade the deer back by him. Spencer saw the two men act disappointed when they returned to not find the game warden, but surprised when they saw him in their rear view mirror. After checking the licenses, deer, and tags, multiple citations were issued. Spencer asked

the men why they had splattered and poured blood all over their truck. The men said that they thought it would look cool. The men also received a lesson in hunting ethics.

TRESPASSERS TAKE A BIG “DUCK” Titus County Game Warden Jerry Ash responded to a trespass call on a large ranch. Two hunters from the neighboring ranch were located and admitted to trespassing and said that they were jumping ducks on the area ponds. One hunter stated that they had only shot one duck while trespassing. Ash asked for the duck and was told that it was not retrieved because it fell over the high fence inside the deer breeder pens. The bird was recovered from the pens and discovered to be a cormorant.

Citations were issued for hunting a protected waterfowl, criminal trespass, shooting across property lines and no hunter’s safety.

ROAD SHOOTER SENDS BULLETS AROUND HUNTERS Capt. Pat Canan received a call from a hunter who had been shot at in Archer County. The individual doing the shooting was shooting at a pig from the road as the hunter observed the bullets hitting all around him. The hunter provided a description of the vehicle and the individual. After calling landowners, Canan determined the identity of the shooter and contacted Archer County Game Warden Richard Key and Wichita County Game Warden Luett McMahan. Key knew who the suspect was and contacted the local police to look for the vehicle, while Key went to the suspect’s ranch. Key interviewed the suspect and McMahan met with the hunter and found and collected the casings. The suspect admitted to shooting from the road. Key arrested the individual for deadly conduct and booked him into the Archer County Jail. Case pending.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

January 25, 2013

Page 13

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January 25, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

Black drum run INDIANOLA FISHING MARINA — With the cold fronts coming in the black drum have been running. Several have been reported from 30 to 50 inches weighing up to 50 pounds whiting, sheepsheads and redfish also are being caught on dead shrimp, crab and mullet. Anglers have not seen to many trout though.

The tides have been their normal low in the past weeks but are getting higher. The north wind is blocked by the store building, so fishing off the deck is awesome. The pier is excellent for fisherman of all ages to have a great time out of the sun or rain with the covered deck, with a bathroom just steps away. Reports of flounder have been good all month, with anglers getting their limits.

To contact Indianola Fishing Marina, call (361) 552-5350.

Reds abound SEADRIFT — Extreme low water conditions have bunched up the redfish on shorelines near Seadrift, according to Capt. Kris Kelley’s report on 2coolfishing.com.

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.

Lures and bait were bringing in the fish.

“Just look for a big push of humped-up water coming down the shoreline like a freight train and that’s them,” he wrote.

Other reports are also solid around the San Antonio Bay area, with good catches of redfish and trout being reported. Scented plastics and shrimp are eliciting bites.

To contact Capt. Kris Kelley, call (361) 648-3474.

Oversized drum at night CORPUS CHRISTI — The black drum have been biting at night, according to Cos Cavazos at Cos Way Bait & Tackle.

“They have been catching a lot of black drum, both keepers and oversized, at night on the falling tide,” Cavazos said.

During the day, the catch has been limited to whiting and sand trout.

“The anglers are catching sand trout during the day pretty heavy and a few whiting along with it, but that is about it,” he said.

For bait, dead shrimp has been the ticket, along with Fish Bites.

“Live shrimp is also working, but it has been really tough to get,” Cavazos said.

To contact Cos Way Bait & Tackle, call (361) 939-7513.

— Conor Harrison

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. Redfish are fair to good at the mouths of drains on scented plastics and shrimp.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on slow– sinking plugs. Black drum and redfish are good at Rollover Pass.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair on the shorelines in the afternoon on slow–sinkers. Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal and at the mouths of drains on scented plastics and jigs tipped with shrimp.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are fair for drifters working pods of shad and mullet, and better in the channels. Redfish are good at the spillway on crabs and mullet.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good on the south shoreline in the guts and bayous. Trout are fair on shell on soft plastics and finger 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 in the mud and shell on MirrOlures and Corkies in the afternoon. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs.

TEXAS CITY: Redfish are fair to good in Moses Lake on natural baits. Sand trout and redfish are fair along channel drop–offs on shrimp.

PORT O'CONNOR: Trout and redfish are fair on Corkies over soft mud in waist–deep water in San Antonio Bay. Redfish are fait at the mouths of drains on shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair on the edge of the ICW on glow DOA Shrimp. Redfish are fair to good in California Hole on mullet and shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair to good on the ledges of the channel on mullet. Sand trout are good on shrimp in the channel.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Redfish are good in the Humble Channel on crabs and table shrimp. Trout are best on the edge of the flats on live shrimp, scented plastics and DOA Shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and grass on Corkies and Catch 2000s. Trout are fair to good in the guts along the King Ranch shoreline on Corkies. Redfish are fair around spoils on live bait.

PORT MANSFIELD: Redfish are fair to good on DOA 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 DOA Shrimp and scented plastics. Redfish, black drum and mangrove snapper are fair to good in the channel on shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: Trout are fair on the edge of the flats on soft plastics under popping corks. Redfish are good in the holes and guts on scented plastics and shrimp.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

January 25, 2013

Sky

Craze

Trout

Continued From Page 1

Continued From Page 1

Continued From Page 9

elsewhere?’ It’s a crapshoot being there. By comparison, I can make three trips across a county in an airplane, and I’ve covered most of it in a limited time. I don’t have to wonder.”

Asst. Chief Lee Finch heads Air Operations. He said TPWD has five pilots, two helicopters and “two and a half” airplanes — two Cessna 206s and a Partenavia P68.

The Partenavia P68 needs two new engines, which Finch estimated will cost almost $200,000.

At a time when legislators are boasting they’ll cut taxes — despite whacking most state agencies’ budgets the previous two legislative sessions — it’s not likely the third plane will be flying anytime soon.

TPWD uses its aircraft to do everything from wildlife surveys to checking for hydrilla in lakes and Red Tide in the Gulf to search and rescue operations.

Whether a helicopter or airplane is used depends on what’s being done, Finch said.

“If we want to know how many bald eagles are living in Texas, that pretty much calls for an airplane,” said Finch. “Eagles are at the top of the food chain. They aren’t easily intimidated. We can slow down, drop the flaps, and tell you whether there’s one egg in the nest or two.

“Mule deer live in a rougher habitat. If we want to check on them, that requires a helicopter.

If we used a plane, we’d never get into the breaks because we’d always be climbing trying to miss the hills on the other side.”

Sophisticated technology helps keep game wardens in the air on course — day or night.

“If we’re using night vision (which magnifies reflected light) and a GPS, we can follow the road system like everyone else.”

Night vision also lets TPWD track culprits on foot in the dark.

“If they’ve been walking, they’ve beaten down the grass,” Finch said. “It’s a different color.

It reflects light differently. I’ve followed people’s trails for miles. It just takes a little knowing.”

Ranft isn’t a pilot, but Finch calls him one of the best wingmen in the department.

“He’s as savvy as they come in the use of aircraft in law enforcement,” Finch said.

Like Finch, Ranft believes you need all the experience you can muster in the air. Flying at night particularly makes it easy to get turned around.

“You’re going east at 5,000 feet and 30 seconds later you’re going west,” Ranft said. “Meanwhile, you’ve got one game warden on the ground going south and another going north. And both want you to tell them where to go.”

Even so, flying has become a vital part of Ranft’s crime-fighting arsenal.

Aircraft are invaluable in detecting illegal hunters, he said.

Once Ranft and Finch spotted a small car with two men driving suspiciously in an area known for spotlighting. Night hunters usually employ trucks in order to load up poached animals quickly.

On a hunch, the two game wardens followed the car.

“We watched and one of them went into a field,” Ranft said. “We could see his spotlight, but he didn’t shoot. There was no flash.

We gave their coordinates to game wardens on the ground. It turned out they were two convicted felons. That’s why they were using a car rather than a truck. They didn’t think anyone would figure out what they were doing.”

While an ambassador for putting crime fighters into aircraft, Ranft has one inviolate rule: Don’t fly with him if you don’t like flying.

“It’s like grade school up there,” he said. “If one person hurls, everyone’s going to. And I might not be too happy when we get on the ground.”

craze has died down, because so many people are making them and selling them.”

Deal said the rig is meant to be thrown in the winter or the dead of summer.

“Fish are on the same pattern twice each year,” he said. “This bait isn’t meant to be thrown all year long. It is primarily a fall/winter bait. We’ve added to it with some new models with three big spinner baits on it. We also have models for walleye and salmon.”

Locally, Texas bait shops said they have seen a big slowdown in anglers looking for the Alabama rig.

“No, we haven’t

Photo by Steve Fogle.

sold nearly as many as we did last year,” said Robin Johnston of Needmore Tackle near Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

“We sell three different varieties and the fever is over, in my opinion.

It’s a good bait, but it’s not a miracle bait, which is what everyone believed.”

Johnston said guides on the lake don’t use it a lot, either.

“I am personally not aware of any guides who are super hot on it,” she said. “There was a lot of hype around it, but you’ve got to work it into your tackle box.

“It also has to be the right time, conditions and fishing style, like any other bait.”

Page 15

on (Jan. 24), which is when I have my next trip.

They should have been here now.”

Griffiths said the big trout will move in from the deeper channels to feed on active baitfish.

“They haven’t made a move yet because of the lack of bait,” he said. “It will be in the 70s all week, which should get some bait active.”

Angler John Ramirez fished the Laguna Madre recently near Port Mansfield and reported good action throwing scented plastics.

“The trout bite was good and I caught a couple of decent-sized fish,” he said. “The biggest went about 24 inches. The really big fish have been tough to come by, but I think it will start picking up soon.

“The wind has been blowing a little bit, but the fish are biting when I’ve gotten out.”

Internet reports have indicated that chatterbaits and scented plastics thrown into muddy water are getting bites. Most anglers are saying something similar — lots of good trout, with the occasional big fish, but they are few and far between right now.

Capt. Ken Griffiths, (713) 817-6244

Page 16

January 25, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

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Colors include Carbon Black, Lost Camo or Vista Camo. MSRP is $79.99 for the 6.5 inch and $89.99 for the 9.5 inch.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Quest Continued From Page 1

4-year-old buck, so I didn't shoot.”

Brittingham videoed the deer and took it to the ranch manager, Cade Green, who looked through the archived footage and found him as a 5-year-old (during the 03/04 season) feeding in the same field.

“His sheds that were picked up when he was 7 are two of the most unique antlers I've ever seen,” Brittingham said.

“And while they are certainly his, you'll see why I was confused as to which deer he was. His antler configuration changed from when he was 7 to when he was 10.”

The deer disappeared for several years, but late this season, Brittingham got word the buck was still alive.

“I planned to come down at the earliest weekend available after hearing that Cade’s father watched him skirt the far brush line across the field at 530 yards for over 20 minutes,” he said. “I drove down Thursday night and hunted twice on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday evening, he did exactly what Cade’s dad described.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t prepared for that long of a shot. During the middle of the day on Saturday, I switched rifles and dialed in Cade's Remington Sendero .25-06 with Burris BDC optics for 500 yards. After three successive hits on the gong at that distance, I was ready to try him again.

“He didn’t show Saturday evening, so it was down to

WAVY HORNS: Like many old deer, Indigo grew strange wavy horns in his older years. Photo by Trevor Brittingham.

Sunday.”

Brittingham snuck into the same blind Sunday evening, but time was quickly running out to find the old buck.

“At that time, I gave up on the idea that I’d get a shot at Indigo and turned around to the feeder 100 yards east of the tower blind,” he said. “There were several bucks at the feeder and a few bucks and does nearby in the field, but no sign of Indigo.

“I waited until the last few minutes of legal shooting light, and then I packed my camera and binocs into my pack, and started to unload the gun.”

Brittingham glanced back

into the field and caught the outline of a buck walking 10 yards inside the food plot's fence line.

“I could only tell he was a buck by the way he walked and bobbed his head aggressively,” he said.

“I felt as if his movements were surprisingly similar to how Indigo had postured and moved while chasing doe fawns around this exact blind five seasons ago. I dug the binoculars out of my bag and tried to get my eyes to focus in the dimming twilight. I wasn’t able to see much in the fixed 10-power binocs, but as he crossed in front of me, I caught the reflection of light off of his

extremely curved G2’s.”

Things quickly sped up for Trevor, including his heart rate.

“At that point my heart rate spiked, and I grabbed for the rifle,” he said. “I stopped him at 50 yards with a grunt call and watched as the crosshairs danced around and across his vitals. Unable to calm myself down from the chance to finally shoot the elusive Indigo, I jerked the trigger harder than I ever have before. Luckily, Cade’s Sendero had been upgraded with a Jewel Trigger set at roughly 5 ounces, and the bullet had left the barrel as my finger was still tightening on the rifle.

“However, I could have sworn that I pulled low and either missed or grazed the buck. I watched his dark figure spin 180 degrees and run back where he had come from.”

Brittingham began beating himself up for blowing the shot.

“My heart sank to the floor and I began kicking myself for blowing a 50-yard rifle shot on the buck I’ve been after for five years,” he said. “On any average buck, I could have made that shot with my bow, but here I was, convinced that I had lost any chance of ever getting my hands on Indigo. I scrambled for my headlamp and an extra bullet and nearly fell out of the blind trying to rush down to where he stood during the shot.”

Brittingham found a little bit of blood, and at least knew he had hit the deer.

“At the very beginning of his trail, I found a little drop

of dark red blood smaller than a dime,” he said. “I was certain now that I grazed him. I knew I would never see him again and that my quest was over. I followed the tracks and minimal blood in the darkness for 75 yards, when I looked up to see the faint shape of an object in the field that was too big to have been there before. I looked a little closer and saw what appeared to be two white cheeks and a black tail separating them.”

To say there was some relief would be an understatement.

“I ran the last 30 yards to the downed buck and, the second I saw him, I began saying over and over, ‘Oh my God, it’s him. It’s really him.’

I just couldn't believe it. It didn’t seem real to me that I had just taken this 14-yearold ghost, who I’ve chased for so long. I sat down in the dirt next to him thanking God and crying tears of joy.”

Brittingham found he had hit the deer well, but also noticed another hole in the old buck’s side.

“I was confused at first because he had a large bloody spot the size of my hand on the left side of his belly,” he said. “After further inspection, he had just come from a fight where he took a tine to the stomach and was bleeding significantly.”

Brittingham grabbed Cade to go look at the oldest buck either one of them had ever seen.

“When Cade walked up on Indigo in the headlights, his first comment was, ‘Wow, I’ll never see a deer this old again in my lifetime.’”

— Staff report

Win Nikon 10x42 PROSTAFF 7 binoculars See a full selection of Nikon products at

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(281) 879-1466 www.CartersCountry.net

Page 17

January 25, 2013

This picture sh ows 8-year-old HUDSON HARR shot north of Ho IS’ first buck. ndo in Medina It was County at his took it with hi Poppi’s ranch. s .243 Remingt He on he got for hi was a 6.5-year s birthday. The -old mainfram bu e ck 10-pointer with able points. He a total of 16 sc was guided by orehis dad, Chad be able to shoo , who said he t another buck will not like that again until he is 16!

Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Managing Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Website Bruce Soileau

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Newsstand copies are $2, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2013 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Page 18

January 25, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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HEROES COLE WAYNE DIVIN, 8, of Magnolia, harvested his first deer while hunting with his Paw Paw in Uvalde. The big 9-point was taken with one shot at 160 yards.

San Antonio angler KATHY HESS caught this 38-inch, 17-pound redfish near the JFK Causeway on North Padre Island.

KONNER SMITH took this rutted-up mule deer buck in Floyd County with his great-grandfather’s old rifle, a Savage model 99E .243 — the same rifle his dad, Kyle, used to shoot his first deer.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE

n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?

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

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

HUNTER SCHMIDT, 14, of Bulverde took this limit of ducks on the youth hunting weekend with his dad, Chris, and grandfather, Rocky Goodman, near Baffin Bay.

Coppell hunter CAITLYNN HARGROVE, 8, took this springbok while hunting with her dad, Tom, in Namibia.

DFW-area hunter TRACY CROISANT headed to the Vernejo Park Ranch on Nov. 17, where he harvested this trophy mule deer.

Nine-year-old REESE WILSON took her first deer, an 8-point buck, with her dad, Shane, and little sister, Taylor, at her Paw Paw’s ranch in Medina County.

OUTDOOR BUSINESS

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

January 25, 2013

Page 19

Page 20

January 25, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides Texas Coast Tides Sabine Pass, north Date Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 31 Feb 01 Feb 02 Feb 03 Feb 04 Feb 05 Feb 06 Feb 07 Feb 08

Time 12:48 AM 1:24 AM 2:03 AM 2:46 AM 3:36 AM 4:33 AM 12:01 AM 12:54 AM 1:51 AM 2:52 AM 3:54 AM 4:55 AM 5:53 AM 6:49 AM 12:24 AM

Height 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 0.9H 0.2L 0.0L -0.2L -0.4L -0.5L -0.7L -0.8L -0.9L 1.2H

Time 8:14 AM 8:50 AM 9:25 AM 10:00 AM 10:36 AM 11:14 AM 5:42 AM 7:06 AM 8:48 AM 10:37 AM 12:06 PM 1:11 PM 1:59 PM 2:40 PM 7:41 AM

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Time Jan 25 12:10 AM Jan 26 12:54 AM Jan 27 1:39 AM Jan 28 2:28 AM Jan 29 3:23 AM Jan 30 4:31 AM Jan 31 5:55 AM Feb 01 12:16 AM Feb 02 1:16 AM Feb 03 2:20 AM Feb 04 3:27 AM Feb 05 4:32 AM Feb 06 5:34 AM Feb 07 6:32 AM Feb 08 7:26 AM

San Luis Pass

Date Time Jan 25 12:40 AM Jan 26 1:24 AM Jan 27 2:09 AM Jan 28 2:58 AM Jan 29 3:53 AM Jan 30 5:01 AM Jan 31 12:18 AM Feb 01 1:12 AM Feb 02 2:12 AM Feb 03 3:16 AM Feb 04 4:23 AM Feb 05 5:28 AM Feb 06 6:30 AM Feb 07 7:28 AM Feb 08 12:25 AM

Freeport Harbor Date Time Jan 25 8:05 AM Jan 26 8:37 AM Jan 27 1:34 AM Jan 28 2:30 AM Jan 29 3:31 AM Jan 30 4:37 AM Jan 31 12:02 AM Feb 01 12:37 AM Feb 02 1:23 AM Feb 03 2:19 AM Feb 04 3:23 AM Feb 05 4:30 AM Feb 06 5:35 AM Feb 07 6:37 AM Feb 08 7:34 AM

Height 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H 1.0H 0.9H 0.9H 0.0L -0.3L -0.5L -0.7L -0.9L -1.1L -1.1L -1.1L

Time 7:53 AM 8:23 AM 8:53 AM 9:25 AM 9:57 AM 10:31 AM 11:08 AM 7:35 AM 9:26 AM 11:16 AM 12:45 PM 1:44 PM 2:28 PM 3:05 PM 3:38 PM

Height -0.6L -0.6L -0.6L -0.5L -0.3L -0.1L 0.9H 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H -0.8L Height -0.9L -0.8L -0.8L -0.6L -0.4L -0.2L 0.1L 0.8H 0.9H 1.1H 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H

Time 4:06 PM 4:27 PM 4:49 PM 5:12 PM 5:35 PM 5:58 PM 11:54 AM 12:38 PM 1:31 PM 2:38 PM 4:04 PM 5:28 PM 6:32 PM 7:23 PM 3:16 PM Time 4:21 PM 4:42 PM 5:05 PM 5:27 PM 5:48 PM 6:07 PM 6:23 PM 11:48 AM 12:35 PM 1:38 PM 3:26 PM 5:35 PM 6:29 PM 7:09 PM 7:50 PM

Height 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 1.0H 0.1L 0.3L 0.6L 0.8L 0.9L 0.9L 0.9L 0.8L 1.3H Height 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 0.4L 0.7L 1.0L 1.2L 1.3L 1.3L 1.2L 1.0L

Time 8:43 PM 9:13 PM 9:48 PM 10:29 PM 11:13 PM

Height 0.8L 0.7L 0.6L 0.5L 0.3L

6:20 PM 6:42 PM 7:08 PM 7:44 PM 8:41 PM 9:57 PM 11:14 PM

1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H

8:10 PM

0.7L

Time 7:57 PM 8:28 PM 9:06 PM 9:48 PM 10:33 PM 11:22 PM

Height 1.0L 0.9L 0.8L 0.7L 0.5L 0.3L

6:36 PM 6:48 PM 7:05 PM 7:44 PM 9:08 PM 10:37 PM 11:55 PM

1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H

Height 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.6H 0.6H 0.2L 0.0L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.6L -0.7L -0.7L 0.9H

Time 8:49 AM 9:19 AM 9:49 AM 10:21 AM 10:53 AM 11:27 AM 6:25 AM 8:05 AM 9:56 AM 11:46 AM 1:15 PM 2:14 PM 2:58 PM 3:35 PM 8:22 AM

Height -0.5L -0.5L -0.5L -0.4L -0.3L -0.1L 0.5H 0.5H 0.6H 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H -0.7L

Time 4:51 PM 5:12 PM 5:35 PM 5:57 PM 6:18 PM 6:37 PM 12:04 PM 12:44 PM 1:31 PM 2:34 PM 4:22 PM 6:31 PM 7:25 PM 8:05 PM 4:08 PM

Height 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.7H 0.6H 0.1L 0.3L 0.4L 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.8L 0.7L 0.9H

Time 8:53 PM 9:24 PM 10:02 PM 10:44 PM 11:29 PM

Height 0.6L 0.6L 0.5L 0.4L 0.3L

6:53 PM 7:06 PM 7:18 PM 7:35 PM 8:14 PM 9:38 PM 11:07 PM

0.6H 0.6H 0.7H 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H

8:46 PM

0.6L

Height -0.5L -0.4L 0.9H 0.9H 0.8H 0.8H 0.3L 0.2L 0.0L -0.2L -0.4L -0.6L -0.7L -0.7L -0.7L

Time 4:16 PM 4:37 PM 9:08 AM 9:38 AM 10:11 AM 10:47 AM 5:53 AM 7:20 AM 8:59 AM 10:44 AM 12:18 PM 1:27 PM 2:19 PM 3:02 PM 3:38 PM

Height 1.4H 1.3H -0.4L -0.3L -0.1L 0.0L 0.8H 0.9H 1.0H 1.1H 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H

Time

Height

Time

Height

11:11 PM 4:57 PM 5:16 PM 5:35 PM 5:54 PM 11:29 AM 12:20 PM 1:35 PM

0.8L 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H 0.3L 0.5L 0.8L

11:20 PM 11:27 PM 11:39 PM

0.8L 0.7L 0.5L

6:11 PM 6:26 PM 6:36 PM

1.0H 1.0H 0.9H

9:35 PM

0.9L

LSONews.com

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases Full

Jan. 27

Port O’Connor

Date Time Jan 25 10:48 AM Jan 26 11:27 AM Jan 27 1:09 AM Jan 28 2:23 AM Jan 29 3:41 AM Jan 30 1:16 AM Jan 31 2:09 AM Feb 01 2:59 AM Feb 02 3:53 AM Feb 03 4:53 AM Feb 04 6:00 AM Feb 05 7:10 AM Feb 06 8:19 AM Feb 07 9:23 AM Feb 08 10:21 AM

Rockport

Date Time Jan 25 1:49 AM Jan 26 2:29 AM Jan 27 3:08 AM Jan 28 3:48 AM Jan 29 4:38 AM Jan 30 5:56 AM Jan 31 3:22 AM Feb 01 4:36 AM Feb 02 5:34 AM Feb 03 6:31 AM Feb 04 7:29 AM Feb 05 8:29 AM Feb 06 9:29 AM Feb 07 10:28 AM Feb 08 12:56 AM

Feb. 18

Houston Height -0.7L -0.7L 0.1H 0.1H 0.0H -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.5L -0.6L -0.7L -0.7L -0.7L -0.7L

Time 11:57 PM

Height 0.1H

12:03 PM 12:36 PM 1:07 PM 5:07 AM 7:10 AM 7:03 PM 6:59 PM 7:03 PM 7:24 PM 8:07 PM 9:09 PM 10:30 PM

-0.6L -0.6L -0.5L -0.1H -0.1H -0.1H 0.0H 0.1H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H

Height -0.1H -0.1H -0.1H -0.2H -0.2H -0.2H -0.3L -0.3L -0.4L -0.4L -0.4L -0.5L -0.5L -0.5L -0.1H

Time 11:54 AM 12:30 PM 1:01 PM 1:30 PM 1:56 PM 2:17 PM 8:10 AM 8:58 PM 9:00 PM 9:24 PM 10:06 PM 10:58 PM 11:56 PM

Height -0.4L -0.4L -0.4L -0.4L -0.4L -0.3L -0.3H -0.2H -0.2H -0.1H -0.1H -0.1H -0.1H

11:21 AM

-0.4L

Height -0.9L -0.9L -0.9L 0.6H 0.5H 0.5H 0.6H -0.1L -0.3L -0.5L -0.7L -0.9L -1.0L -1.1L -1.1L

South Padre Island Date Time Jan 25 7:42 AM Jan 26 8:15 AM Jan 27 8:47 AM Jan 28 9:20 AM Jan 29 1:55 AM Jan 30 3:24 AM Jan 31 5:03 AM Feb 01 12:20 AM Feb 02 1:09 AM Feb 03 2:06 AM Feb 04 3:07 AM Feb 05 4:10 AM Feb 06 5:12 AM Feb 07 6:11 AM Feb 08 7:07 AM

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

Feb. 10

Feb. 3

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier Date Time Jan 25 7:43 AM Jan 26 8:16 AM Jan 27 8:48 AM Jan 28 1:05 AM Jan 29 2:26 AM Jan 30 3:51 AM Jan 31 5:28 AM Feb 01 12:32 AM Feb 02 1:21 AM Feb 03 2:16 AM Feb 04 3:16 AM Feb 05 4:17 AM Feb 06 5:17 AM Feb 07 6:14 AM Feb 08 7:08 AM

New

Last

Height -0.4L -0.4L -0.3L -0.2L 0.9H 0.8H 0.8H 0.2L -0.1L -0.3L -0.6L -0.7L -0.8L -0.9L -0.8L

Time 4:44 PM 4:59 PM 5:11 PM 9:21 AM 9:55 AM 10:33 AM 11:14 AM 7:26 AM 9:50 AM 12:01 PM 1:13 PM 2:03 PM 2:45 PM 3:20 PM 3:49 PM

Height 0.9H 0.9H 0.8H -0.7L -0.5L -0.2L 0.1L 0.6H 0.8H 1.1H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.2H

Time 5:08 PM 5:20 PM 5:27 PM 5:33 PM 9:55 AM 10:34 AM 11:16 AM 7:00 AM 9:26 AM 12:01 PM 1:31 PM 2:24 PM 3:07 PM 3:40 PM 4:06 PM

Height 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H -0.1L 0.1L 0.3L 0.8H 0.8H 1.0H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H

Time

Height

10:23 PM 1:34 PM 1:55 PM

-0.1H -0.4L -0.3L

Time

Height

9:45 PM 2:24 PM

-0.2H -0.3L

Time

Height

10:30 PM 5:21 PM 5:30 PM 5:37 PM 5:41 PM 12:02 PM 1:10 PM

0.5L 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.4L 0.8L

Time

Height

8:28 PM -0.1H 7:47 PM -0.1H

Time

Height

2013 Jan-Feb 25 Fri > 26 Sat > 27 Sun F 28 Mon > 29 Tue > 30 Wed 31 Thu 01 Fri 02 Sat 03 Sun Q 04 Mon 05 Tue 06 Wed 07 Thu 08 Fri > 09 Sat > 10 Sun N 11 Mon > 12 Tue > 13 Wed >

A.M. Minor Major 3:31 9:43 4:17 10:28 5:03 11:15 5:51 ----6:41 12:29 7:32 1:20 8:24 2:12 9:18 3:05 10:13 4:00 11:09 4:55 ----- 5:50 12:31 6:46 1:25 7:40 2:19 8:34 3:12 9:27 4:05 10:19 4:58 11:11 5:51 11:34 6:44 12:32 7:37 1:25

Dallas 9:13 PM -0.2H

Time

Height

10:48 PM 11:15 PM 11:50 PM

0.4L 0.3 L 0.1L

5:40 PM 5:29 PM

0.8H 0.9H

2013 Jan-Feb 25 Fri > 26 Sat > 27 Sun F 28 Mon > 29 Tue > 30 Wed 31 Thu 01 Fri 02 Sat 03 Sun Q 04 Mon 05 Tue 06 Wed 07 Thu 08 Fri > 09 Sat > 10 Sun N 11 Mon > 12 Tue > 13 Wed >

A.M. Minor Major 3:37 9:49 4:22 10:34 5:09 11:20 5:57 ----6:46 12:35 7:37 1:25 8:30 2:18 9:23 3:11 10:19 4:05 11:15 5:01 ----- 5:56 12:36 6:51 1:31 7:46 2:25 8:39 3:18 9:32 4:11 10:24 5:03 11:16 5:56 11:40 6:49 12:37 7:42 1:31

San Antonio

Time

Height

10:40 PM 5:37 PM 5:38 PM 5:38 PM 12:03 PM 1:02 PM

0.9L 1.0H 0.9H 0.9H 0.5L 0.8L

8:32 PM

1.1L

Time

Height

11:05 PM 11:38 PM

0.7L 0.4L

5:33 PM 5:19 PM

0.8H 0.9H

10:59 PM

1.1H

2013 A.M. Jan-Feb Minor Major 25 Fri > 3:44 9:56 26 Sat > 4:29 10:41 27 Sun F 5:16 11:27 28 Mon > 6:04 ----29 Tue > 6:53 12:42 30 Wed 7:44 1:32 31 Thu 8:37 2:25 01 Fri 9:30 3:18 02 Sat 10:26 4:12 03 Sun Q 11:22 5:08 04 Mon ----- 6:03 05 Tue 12:43 6:58 06 Wed 1:38 7:53 07 Thu 2:32 8:46 08 Fri > 3:25 9:39 09 Sat > 4:18 10:31 10 Sun N 5:10 11:23 11 Mon > 6:03 11:47 12 Tue > 6:56 12:44 13 Wed > 7:49 1:38

Amarillo

2013 A.M. Jan-Feb Minor 25 Fri > 3:57 26 Sat > 4:43 27 Sun F 5:29 28 Mon > 6:17 29 Tue > 7:06 30 Wed 7:57 31 Thu 8:50 01 Fri 9:44 02 Sat 10:39 03 Sun Q 11:35 04 Mon 12:02 05 Tue 12:57 06 Wed 1:51 07 Thu 2:45 08 Fri > 3:38 09 Sat > 4:31 10 Sun N 5:24 11 Mon > 6:17 12 Tue > 7:10 13 Wed > 8:03

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen ACROSS 1. Grouse hunters are ____ shooters 4. A trout 8. The wolf predator 9. A type of camp fireplace 11. An underwater growth 13. Used for hunting fish at times 14. A deer’s domain marking 16. Worn to keep pebbles out of shoes 18. A Northern flatfish 20. A wood used in arrow shafts 21. Stream fishermen do this 25. Angler’s name for a large perch 27. Wild turkey sound 29. Good item for the kit 32. When lure gets stuck on a log 34. An insect or illness 35. The archers’ ammo 39. This boat can be folded up

40. A game pathway 41. Color worn by hunter for safety 42. Appendages on turkey feet 43. The dall is one DOWN 1. A type fly lure 2. A burrow dweller 3. Loner is a term for a very ___ gobbler 4. Term for fish that spawn upstream 5. A name for the chinook salmon 6. To analyze a track for freshness 7. Should do this to hunting routes 10. Oil keeps gun parts from getting _____ 11. Worn by stream fishermen 12. Large on the muley 15. Act of fish hitting a bait 16. A Florida hunter’s prey 17. A cover for small game

19. A very good walleye bait 22. To point at a target 23. Good item to have in a blind 24. Brings a catch into the boat 25. A young gobbler 26. A dinghy 28. Old gobblers that

Solution on Page 22 31.

33.

36.

37.

38.

39.

stay to themselves An action on a repeating gun A type of deer drive to hunters A good bear trap bait The female bear To treat a hide A good lure color to attract fish

Major 10:09 10:54 11:41 12:06 12:55 1:46 2:38 3:31 4:26 5:21 6:16 7:12 8:06 9:00 9:53 10:45 11:37 12:04 12:58 1:51

P.M. Minor 3:55 4:40 5:26 6:14 7:03 7:55 8:48 9:43 10:39 11:37 12:05 1:01 1:55 2:49 3:41 4:32 5:24 6:15 7:08 8:00

Major 10:07 10:52 11:38 12:03 12:52 1:43 2:36 3:30 4:26 5:23 6:20 7:16 8:11 9:04 9:55 10:46 11:37 12:03 12:56 1:49

SUN Rises Sets 07:14 05:51 07:13 05:52 07:13 05:53 07:12 05:54 07:12 05:55 07:11 05:56 07:11 05:57 07:10 05:58 07:10 05:58 07:09 05:59 07:08 06:00 07:08 06:01 07:07 06:02 07:06 06:03 07:06 06:04 07:05 06:04 07:04 06:05 07:03 06:06 07:02 06:07 07:02 06:08

MOON Rises 4:53p 5:48p 6:43p 7:39p 8:36p 9:33p 10:32p 11:34p NoMoon 12:37a 1:41a 2:44a 3:45a 4:42a 5:33a 6:20a 7:01a 7:40a 8:17a 8:53a

Sets 5:55a 6:36a 7:14a 7:50a 8:25a 9:00a 9:36a 10:14a 10:56a 11:42a 12:34p 1:31p 2:33p 3:37p 4:43p 5:49p 6:52p 7:53p 8:52p 9:50p

P.M. Minor Major 4:01 10:13 4:46 10:58 5:32 11:43 6:20 12:08 7:09 12:57 8:00 1:49 8:53 2:41 9:48 3:36 10:45 4:32 11:42 5:28 12:11 6:25 1:06 7:21 2:01 8:16 2:54 9:09 3:46 10:01 4:38 10:51 5:29 11:42 6:21 12:09 7:13 1:01 8:06 1:54

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:25 05:51 4:53p 6:06a 07:25 05:52 5:49p 6:46a 07:24 05:53 6:46p 7:23a 07:24 05:54 7:43p 7:58a 07:23 05:55 8:41p 8:32a 07:22 05:56 9:40p 9:05a 07:22 05:57 10:41p 9:40a 07:21 05:58 11:43p 10:17a 07:20 05:59 NoMoon 10:57a 07:20 06:00 12:48a 11:42a 07:19 06:01 1:53a 12:33p 07:18 06:02 2:57a 1:30p 07:17 06:03 3:58a 2:32p 07:17 06:03 4:54a 3:37p 07:16 06:04 5:45a 4:44p 07:15 06:05 6:29a 5:51p 07:14 06:06 7:10a 6:56p 07:13 06:07 7:47a 7:58p 07:12 06:08 8:22a 8:59p 07:11 06:09 8:57a 9:58p

P.M. Minor Major 4:08 10:20 4:53 11:05 5:39 11:50 6:27 12:15 7:16 1:04 8:07 1:56 9:00 2:48 9:55 3:43 10:52 4:39 11:49 5:35 12:18 6:32 1:13 7:28 2:08 8:23 3:01 9:16 3:53 10:08 4:45 10:58 5:36 11:49 6:28 12:16 7:20 1:08 8:13 2:01

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:26 06:04 5:06p 6:07a 07:25 06:05 6:01p 6:48a 07:25 06:06 6:56p 7:26a 07:24 06:07 7:52p 8:03a 07:24 06:08 8:49p 8:38a 07:23 06:09 9:46p 9:13a 07:23 06:10 10:45p 9:49a 07:22 06:11 11:46p 10:27a 07:22 06:11 NoMoon 11:09a 07:21 06:12 12:49a 11:56a 07:20 06:13 1:53a 12:47p 07:20 06:14 2:57a 1:45p 07:19 06:15 3:58a 2:46p 07:18 06:16 4:54a 3:51p 07:18 06:17 5:46a 4:57p 07:17 06:17 6:32a 6:02p 07:16 06:18 7:14a 7:05p 07:15 06:19 7:53a 8:06p 07:15 06:20 8:30a 9:05p 07:14 06:21 9:06a 10:02p

P.M. Minor 4:21 5:06 5:52 6:40 7:29 8:21 9:14 10:09 11:05 ----12:31 1:27 2:21 3:15 4:07 4:58 5:50 6:41 7:34 8:26

SUN Rises 07:50 07:50 07:49 07:48 07:48 07:47 07:46 07:46 07:45 07:44 07:43 07:42 07:42 07:41 07:40 07:39 07:38 07:37 07:36 07:35

Major 10:33 11:18 ----12:29 1:18 2:09 3:02 3:56 4:52 5:49 6:46 7:42 8:36 9:30 10:21 11:12 12:03 12:29 1:22 2:14

Sets 06:06 06:07 06:09 06:10 06:11 06:12 06:13 06:14 06:15 06:16 06:17 06:18 06:19 06:20 06:21 06:22 06:23 06:24 06:25 06:26

MOON Rises 5:09p 6:06p 7:04p 8:03p 9:02p 10:02p 11:04p NoMoon 12:08a 1:13a 2:19a 3:24a 4:25a 5:20a 6:10a 6:54a 7:33a 8:09a 8:43a 9:16a

Sets 6:32a 7:11a 7:47a 8:21a 8:54a 9:26a 9:59a 10:35a 11:14a 11:59a 12:49p 1:46p 2:48p 3:54p 5:02p 6:09p 7:15p 8:19p 9:21p 10:21p

FOR THE TABLE Blackened striper 6 striper fillets (about 1/2- to 3/4pound each), skinned 2 cups unsalted butter 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 2 tbsps. dried thyme 2 tbsps. dried basil 1 1/2 tbsps. coarse ground black pepper 2 tsps. red pepper flakes Salt to taste Chopped fresh parsley (garnish) Lemon wedges Melt the butter in a medium-size saucepan. Stir in the lemon juice, thyme, basil, black pepper, red pepper and the salt. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a shallow dish. Dip both sides of each fillet into the butter mixture

to coat thoroughly. Place the fillets on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour. (The success of this technique depends on having well-chilled fish and a very hot skillet. Be prepared for smoke.) Reserve any remaining butter mixture. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until a drop of water sizzles in the pan. Place 2 fish fillets in the skillet and cook quickly on each side to blacken, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining fillets. When all the fillets are cooked, add any remaining butter mixture to the pan and scrape up the browned bits stuck to the pan. Spoon over the fish fillets and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

— Easyfishrecipes.com

Smoked goose breast 2–3 goose breasts, skinned Coriander Cumin Cayenne pepper Sea salt Fresh ground black pepper Mrs. Dash seasoning, yellow label Hickory or mesquite chips Wash and dry the goose breasts. Place

the skinned side up. Season to taste with the spices. Put on a nice even coat. Place in smoker on low for 1 hour.

Turn smoker up to 200 degrees and smoke another 5-6 hours or until cooked to medium. Make sure to keep the smoke even throughout. Remove from smoker and slice into thin slices. Serve with cheese and cracker.

— Backwoodsbound.com

*email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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January 25, 2013

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January 25, 2013

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DATEBOOK January 24-27

San Antonio Boat and Travel Trailer Show The Alamodome (512) 494-1128 sanantonioboatshow.com

January 25

Hallettsville Knights of Columbus Big Buck Contest, Wild Game Supper and Outdoor Show Hallettsville Knights of Columbus Hall (361) 798-2311

January 25-27

East Texas Outdoor Expo Maude Cobb Activity Center, Longview (903) 237-4000 easttexasoutdoorexpo.com

January 26

Kayak Angler Tournament Series Decker Lake (512) 203-9849 fishkats.com

January 31-February 2

Wild Sheep Foundation 2013 Sheep Show Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno (307) 527-6261 wildsheepfoundation.org

February 2

Ducks Unlimited Mexia Dinner (254) 625-1111 ducks.org

February 7

Dallas Safari Club YPG Happy Hour Dave and Busters (972) 980-9800 biggame.org Ducks Unlimited Tomball Dinner Tomball VFW (713) 724-2639 ducks.org

February 9

Delta Waterfowl Flower Mound/ Highland Village Dinner 2380 FM 407 (214) 929-1996 deltawaterfowl.org

February 15-17

Troutfest 2013 Guadalupe river (512) 413-3301 grtutroutfest.org

February 16-17

Texas Gun and Knife Show Gillespie County Fairgrounds, Fredericksburg (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshow.com

February 21-24

Austin RV Expo Austin Convention Center (512) 404-4000 austinrvexpo.com

LONE STAR MARKET

Puzzle solution from Page 20

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

February 23

Dallas Woods and Waters Club 34th Annual Banquet and Fundraiser Plano Centre (214) 570-8700 dwwcc.org Kayak Angler Tournament Series Lake Bastrop (512) 203-9849 fishkats.com

February 28

Dallas Safari Club Monthly Meeting Royal Oaks Country Club (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

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January 25, 2013

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January 25, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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