July 22, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

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Get your kayak on Experts describe right rigs for lakes or coast.

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

July 22, 2011

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Volume 7, Issue 23

Group takes aim at ‘canned’ hunting operations

Inside

Legislation would restrict transporting of exotics ❘❚ HUNTING

By Bill Miller

Drought busters

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Plenty of birds expected for dove season.

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Pronghorn problems Antelope season may see fewer tags.

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After infiltrating game ranches, including a Texas operation, an animal rights group hopes to gain traction for its agenda through a documentary that purportedly shows activists going undercover at what they call “canned hunts.”

“Animal Planet Investigates: Captive

Hunting Exposed,” shows activities with Action Outdoor Adventures near Hondo that were secretly videotaped by mem- PERSONAL DECISION: bers of the Humane Society of the United Hunting proponants States posing as clients. is up to the individual A promotional statement from the to set personal ethicable network Animal Planet says this is cal standards when “the dark side of hunting called canned pursuing game behind See TAKING AIM, Page 29

a high fence. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Corn prices climbing Bait corn costs almost as much as protein in some places.

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❘❚ FISHING

Gar fight Get ready to rumble while casting flies at prehistoric fish.

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To the brim Unlike most other Texas lakes, Livingston is 98 percent full.

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Nicholas bites back Young Fort Worth angler can’t be stopped, despite shark bite.

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JAMMING JETTIES: Anglers casting to or from jetties can work these rocky outcrops to catch all kinds of fish, like speckled trout and even tarpon. Fly-casters like Todd Fleming (above) and rod-and-reel anglers were all enjoying jetty action in mid July. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Jetty action stirred by confused baitfish

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS An incoming tide flowing along a jetty is like food being delivered to a buffet at lunchtime.

Hungry patrons line up, waiting in anticipation for their meals.

Insert game fish as the hungry patrons, but, in this context, they’re looking for disoriented baitfish congre-

gating along the jetties.

Anglers from boats, or the jetties themselves, can work these rocky outcrops to catch all kinds of fish, including speckled trout, redfish, tarpon,

sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and even kingfish.

Well-known jetty flycaster Todd Fleming hooked into a tarpon beneath a full moon July 16 on the North Jetty at Port Aransas.

“I wasn’t successful landing it,” he said, “but I got some jumps.”

Fleming, of the Alamo Fly Fishers in San Antonio, See JETTY ACTION, Page 14

Summer bass bite cookin’ But know when to switch tactics

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS It’s not too hot to fish in Texas.

The top-water bite, in particular, is where advantageous anglers have been landing largemouth bass in mid-July, if they’ve been willing to work structure and vegetation.

Guide Mike Wheatley said weeds and deep-water timber were holding most of the fish on Sam Rayburn.

For the action around the grass, Wheatley has had success on frogs and Yellow Magic popping lures.

But the lures’ position and action have been more important than color, Wheatley said.

“It is just really getting to the right grass bed and getting it in front of them,” he explained.

Wheatley said that, later in the

day, he likes to fish deep structure — sunken timber and even brush piles — with deep-diving crankbaits.

Again, Wheatley said color isn’t as important as an angler’s ability to work the bait around the structure.

Deep-diving crankbaits like the Norman DD14 and DD22 can be useful, and, as the day goes on, lure depth should increase as well, Wheatley said.

See BASS TACTICS, Page 14

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July 22, 2011

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July 22, 2011

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July 22, 2011

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HUNTING

Dove don’t mind drought Species adapts better than most

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Jo Ann Carroll, owner of the Texas Star Ranch in Divine, told her husband, Kelly, to get in the truck and go for a ride one evening several weeks ago.

“I told him there were doves everywhere and he needed to see it to believe it,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many birds.”

Carroll said the ranch received about 3.5 inches of rain in June, which filled the tanks and helped the milo fields already planted for dove season.

“We’ve trimmed the mesquite

trees to provide good roosts,” she said, “and we’ve never hammered our doves during the season, so there always are lots of birds.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department dove biologist Corey Mason said with more than 40 million resident mourning dove and many millions of resident whitewings, the drought isn’t affecting them as badly as other species such as turkeys or quail.

“Dove are a little more drought resistant than other species, especially the mourning dove,” Mason said. “You find them from east to west coast and all over the state. They can make a liv-

ing in all areas, and they can move from food sources if they need to.

“We might see a decrease in reproduction rates, but they will nest three or four times each season, so they compensate by having multiple nestings.”

Mason said baby dove get a huge advantage over other species because they rely on crop milk — regurgitated liquid — from their parents to start them off instead of foraging for themselves.

“These young birds already have a high mortality rate, but the crop milk gives them a head start,” Mason said. “If See DOVE, Page 7

PLENTY TO SHOOT AT: Despite the drought, hunters should have plenty of dove to shoot at this season. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Early numbers indicate fewer pronghorn permits to be issued for 2011 season

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS There will be pronghorn hunting Oct. 1-9 in Texas, but state biologists will probably issue fewer permits than in recent years.

Aerial surveys ought to be completed in August, but preliminary observations suggest that populations of these prairie antelope have slipped.

These estimates follow a project last winter that moved 200 pronghorn from the Panhandle to the Trans-Pecos region around Marfa.

Many of those animals died, but an estimated 30-40 percent of them — about 60 to 80 antelope — were still on the range in early July.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issued 447 pronghorn hunting permits last year and around 600 the year before that, said Shawn Gray, the agency’s pronghorn program leader.

“I’m willing to bet it will be less than that this year,” Gray said. “We’re going to have some hunting, but primarily in Hudspeth and Culberson counties.

“Maybe there will be a few around Alpine, but I’m not so sure we’ll have any around Marfa. It’s a possibility, but it’s not looking good right now.”

Gray added that the Panhandle has good populations, but “some of the fawn crops are pretty dismal.”

It’s easy to blame habitat-killing drought — the culprit for most other wildlife woes around the state — but challenges don’t stop there.

PRONGHORN: Many of the antelope that were moved last winter from the Panhandle to the Trans Pecos have died, but about 30 to 40 percent of them were still on the range in early July. Photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Texas gun dealers saddled with new regulations

Natural gas exploration no boom for hunters

By Bill Miller

NRA, NSSF threaten to sue ATF and Obama Administration

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Texas firearms dealers will be required to give the federal government the names of customers who purchase two or more semiautomatic rifles with detachable magazines, according to a new directive from the Obama administration.

The new rule requires dealers from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California to identify the gun purchasers on a form that is to be sent within five days to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The aim is to attempt to halt some firearms from illegally crossing the border into Mexico, including AK-47s and M-16/M-4type guns.

“Federal, state and foreign law enforcement agencies have determined that certain types of semi-automatic rifles — greater than .22 caliber and with the ability to accept a detachable magazine — are highly sought after by dangerous drug trafficking organizations and frequently recovered at violent crime scenes near the Southwest border,” said U.S. Deputy Attorney General James Cole.

But, the way the rule is written, it could affect people acquiring guns to hunt, including AR-15s, the civilian versions of the M-16, and even the Remington model 750, which has no resemblance to an assault-style rifle.

See GUN DEALERS, Page 21

See FEWER PRONGHORN, Page 29

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Happiness in South Texas, said guide Jerry Gonzalez, is a long-term hunting lease.

Otherwise, you’ll likely struggle to find somewhere to hunt.

Some ranchers are making good money on oil and gas production — so much so that they don’t have to lease to hunters.

A lot of that activity is on a large formation called the Eagle Ford Shale, which makes a sickle-shaped swath from East Texas to the Rio Grande River.

“It’s a huge boom

from Laredo to Cotulla to Catarina and Carrizo Springs,” Gonzalez said.

“And, yes, some of these oil companies are coming in and tapping into land that hunters had been leasing.”

The companies sometimes get exclusive use of the ranches by paying landowners what they would have earned from hunting leases.

“Who can blame them?” Gonzalez said.

“This is what some of those people live on.”

It’s a touchy subject with some hunters.

They don’t want to offend owners of the ranches they previously leased, hoping to eventu-

ally return there once gas production subsides.

There are at least two dozen companies operating in the Eagle Ford Shale, according to data kept by the Railroad Commission of Texas.

“They’re building pipelines and doing a lot of seismic work and pulling water from ponds,” Gonzalez said. “It has been going on for about two years.”

Gonzalez added that wealthy hunters from Mexico also add competition for South Texas leases because they feel safer there than south of the See NATURAL GAS, Page 29

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

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Corn prices continue to rise

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

SURVIVORS: Texas biologists fear drought has crimped fawn “recruitment” this year across the state. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.

Fawn survival might be low this year in Texas

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS It’s a report no hunter or wildlife manager wants to hear — mother deer leaving their fawns because they’re heat stressed, unable to produce milk.

Similar fears were realized in 2009 when fawn survival

or “recruitment” dipped below 10 percent in some South Texas counties.

As arid 2011 plods into midsummer, Texas deer managers aren’t just worried that mature bucks won’t have the right diet to produce big antlers this fall.

See FAWN, Page 21

The price for deer corn continues to rise.

According to checks done by Lone Star Outdoor News, the average price for a 50-pound bag of deer corn has risen from $6.65 to $9.87 — a 32-percent increase — since this time last year.

In the U.S., corn is the biggest cash crop, valued at $66.7 billion in 2010.

Animal feed manufacturers and biofuel producers have been warned that corn prices might go even higher.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, even a fifth consecutive record corn harvest will not meet global demand for the cereal grain.

An ever-increasing population and a sudden surge in biofuels production mean that corn consumption is set to rise by another 3 percent in the next market year.

Jean Bourlot, global head of commodities at UBS AG in London, said that external forces could push the price of corn even higher.

“There is a storm developing in agriculture,” he said. “If we have the

slightest disruption in any part of the world, the effect on the price will be considerable.”

Here in Texas, several storeowners who

sell corn said they couldn’t believe how much prices have risen in the past year.

“Might as well buy protein,” said one owner. “It costs the same.”

TPWD prepares to adjust services following 100 layoffs

By Mark England LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lost almost 170 positions when the Legislature reduced the state budget by $15

billion over the next biennium.

Through retirements and not filling job vacancies, TPWD will only have to let approximately 100 people go.

No one’s celebrating, though.

“We’ve had to let a lot of good and talented people go,” said

Clayton Wolf, director of the Wildlife Division. “It’s an experience I hope I never have to go through again.”

The Wildlife Division lost 22 people, Wolf said.

Their pain may be the state’s

gain, but Texas hunters and anglers will know the employees are gone, Wolf said.

“When you have cuts this significant,” he explained, “you just cannot provide the same level of service.”

The Public Hunting Program

will probably see a 15 percent reduction in leases next season.

That impact will be softened by a one-year grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service See LAYOFFS, Page 7

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

PERMIT DEBATE: The USFWS is now listening to public comments on how to proceed after a judge ruled in favor of anti-hunting groups in regards to three exotic antelope species — addax (pictured), dama gazelle and scimitar-horned oryx. Photo by Tom Holden, Kerrville Daily Times.

USFWS proposes to repeal exemption on three exotic antelope species

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Landowners with three species of exotic antelope are mobilizing against a proposal to repeal an exemption

that allows the animals to be bred and hunted without special permit.

The exemption for scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle is currently allowed under the

Endangered Species Act, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it wants to repeal it.

If approved, landowners and hunters would have to apply for individual permits to breed

or harvest the animals.

Members of the Exotic Wildlife Association, based in Ingram, are disappointed with the proposal and plan See EXOTIC ANTELOPE, Page 15

Deadlines approaching to apply for ‘drawn’ hunts

By Ryan O’Hanlon FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS An unseasonably warm and windy December day in South Texas couldn’t keep Pete Quintero and his son, Joshua, from enjoying

the son’s first deer hunt.

Being a single father, Pete doesn’t have the time to manage an annual deer lease, but he does enter Joshua in drawings for hunts on public land managed by the Texas Parks

and Wildlife Department.

For youth hunters and their accompanying guardians, the application and permit are free,

See DRAWN HUNTS, Page 21

FIRST BUCK: Joshua Quintero of Little Elm displays the young buck he harvested last season during a “drawn” public hunt at the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area - Arroyo Colorado Unit. Deadlines are approaching to apply for this year’s public hunts. Photo by Pete Quintero.

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Dove Continued From Page 4

there is a positive right now, it is very easy for doves to find seeds when there isn’t a lot of ground cover.

“Crops are down and surface water is down, but that isn’t a huge deal for dove.”

In a down year for crops, some outfitters are paying farmers to keep standing crops in their fields to help the hunting this year.

“Our dove are actually looking really good,” said Valerie

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Hernandez of Double H Outfitters in Frio County. “The drought has had an effect, but we are trying to keep crops in the field. We’ve been paying a little more money this year because we are paying the farmers not to plow.

“They are leaving strips of milo, wheat and sunflowers.

We sublease a lot of properties, so we already have a good relationship with a lot of the farmers in this area.”

Hernandez said farmers have been calling their business inquiring about keeping crops in the field

for hunting season because many crops didn’t produce optimal amounts for traditional markets.

“We have irrigation tanks and even have canals on some of the properties, so we are holding birds, which is a big plus,” she said.

Hernandez said some traditional fields are not producing crops right now, but they will move hunters to new properties to find birds this season.

“We planted a lot of sunflowers this year and the birds are swarming,” she said.

Layoffs Continued From Page 5

that TPWD will use to lease land for hunting as well as hire four temporary staffers.

Losing employees will probably mean less production at the state’s fish hatcheries, said Gary Saul, director of Inland Fisheries, which lost 10 people.

“We’re going to have to give up something,” he said. “We may have to reduce the number of ponds that we put fish in to make sure the fish we do have are fed.”

The Legislature’s elimination of the $750,000 aquatic vegetation control budget leaves TPWD hoping nature takes care of the problem.

“I’m thankful we’ve had some hard winters,” Saul said. “Giant salvinia was cut back significantly. But if we end up having strong growing years, it’s going to be difficult for us to treat it as people would like.”

The reduction in manpower is forcing TPWD to get creative.

For example, job losses at the Kills and Spills Team, which investigates fish kills and chemical spills, may require its management team to undergo hazardous chemical training in order to help respond to emergencies, Saul said.

Also, TPWD is negotiating with the Texas Wildlife Association to take over manage-

ment of the Youth Hunting Program.

“The coordinator who oversees the hunts and the hunt masters would be basically doing the same thing but as an employee for the Texas Wildlife Association,” Wolf said.

Letting TWA assume management responsibility would save a position elsewhere in the Wildlife Division. Funding for the coordinator position would continue to come from the Pittman-Robertson Act, which distributes money raised from federal excise taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition.

Although TPWD officials are concerned about the reduction, it could have been worse, said Gene McCarty, the agency’s deputy executive director for administration.

A legislative rider, though, will save 60.3 positions if state parks bring in an additional $3 million in income, a revenue marker TPWD expects to hit.

Another rider will save two positions in the off-road trails program, but requires TPWD to raise the off-roading permit from $8 to $16 to take in an additional $170,000.

The job losses were spread across TPWD; law enforcement, however, was spared from layoffs by legislators, McCarty said.

July 22, 2011

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FISHING

Get low while selecting saltwater kayaks

Paddle perfect Anglers have options for choosing freshwater kayaks

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Kayak fishing guide Dean Thomas likes to keep his saltwater rigs simple and streamlined.

In terms of rigs, Thomas said that anglers should try out a variety of setups and see which ones work best with their body types.

Once they make their selections, Thomas said they should be aware of how far they will be paddling. Thomas spends several hours a day guiding out of a kayak.

“Down here on the flats we paddle long distances and we battle the wind and the chop, so low-profile boats with rudders and really good paddles are key,” Thomas said.

The water was low, but it still held fish.

And the fish were unpressured because many boats couldn’t get back into the small creek that held them.

That is, until the man with a kayak slid into the hidden pocket and spent the next two hours reeling in bass and sunfish on light tackle.

The scenario above happens all over Texas during the summer months when many lakes and rivers are low from lack of rain.

An angler on a kayak can fish many freshwater areas untouchable by bass boats or even jon boats with trolling motors.

But if you wanted to build the perfect freshwater fishing kayak, where would you start?

That depends on the type of water you fish — big lakes, fast-moving rivers or small streams — but consider, first, the length of the kayak.

See FRESHWATER KAYAKS, Page 20

OFFSHORE: Guide Dean Thomas recommends that Gulf Coast anglers select low-profile kayaks to better handle long-distance paddling in wind and chop. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

See SALTWATER KAYAKING, Page 20

Lake Livingston weathers current drought

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

FULL: Lake levels across Texas are down, which makes Livingston an anomaly for withstanding the drought. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Shrinking shorelines have been the complaints on many Texas lakes, as inflows have dwindled.

But Lake Livingston is not one of them.

Guide Simon Cosper said water levels have been stable this summer on Lake Livingston, 70 miles north of Houston.

“It’s definitely holding its own right now,” Cosper said. “It’s at normal pool and it hasn’t changed much

in the last few weeks.”

That’s because the lake is fed by the Trinity River.

When rain occurs in the northern part of the state, like the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the water runs into the smaller streams that feed the Trinity. Then that water flows south into Livingston.

“Inflows to Livingston have been low this year, but better than most other areas (and lakes),” said Samantha See LAKE LIVINGSTON, Page 22

Fort Worth angler, 12, recovering from shark bite

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The big bull shark bit into its prey and shook it wildly.

But this was no fish. It was the foot of a 12-year-old boy — an avid angler from Fort Worth.

Nicholas Vossler came with his family to Port O’Connor for sun, surf and fishing.

He would spend the succeeding days at a Houston hospital where he endured four surgeries to repair his foot.

“All of it was horrid and vivid and nothing you want to see,” said Cecil Vossler, the boy’s father. “When I wrapped up his foot it was bad, but that didn’t scare me as much as him going into shock.”

The vacation was an annual tradition that the family plans around the Fourth of July holiday.

The Vosslers are passionate about the outdoors, said Cecil, a Fort Worth plumber. They love to hunt deer and dove.

Nicholas, he added, started fishing with a pacifier in his mouth.

But the shark attack July 7 wasn’t the only scary incident that week.

Three days earlier, Nicholas and Cecil were fishing in Matagorda Bay when a plane flew overhead and hit the water, killing both men aboard (see story page 11). The Vosslers pointed their boat toward the wreckage, but there was nothing they could do.

“The wings were floating in the water and all their stuff was floating around,” Cecil said. “No one wants to see a

where,” Cecil said. plane crash and I had d to talk w to Nicholas about life and One of Mark’s sons ran ahead death. He saw it right ght in tto alert Cecil’s wife, Alisha, front of him.” who quickly enlisted a fishThe next few ing guide to ferry the group days, however, were back to Port O’Connor. glorious.

Capt.

David White’s “It was a perfect, ct, Shoalwater made the sprint perfect week for fi shing,” fishing,” THE BULL SHARK in about eight minutes, but Cecil said. “We madee a little ■ The bull shark, also called cub shark and Nicholas was very pale and offshore trip (and) caught ground shark, is one of the most common lethargic. Cecil feared he was some snapper.” shark species caught by Texas anglers anglers. going into shock.

Father and son got their The boy asked his mother limits on trout the morning of July 7, then ■ Bull sharks have heavy, wide heads and to pray with him. the Vosslers decided to join family friends at blunt, rounded snouts. They have gray “She was really strong,” Sunday Beach on Matagorda Island. bodies and white undersides.

Cecil said. “You can’t lose it Cecil was playing in the sand with his around your kids.”

10-year-old daughter, Natalie, as Nicholas From Port O’Connor, a ■ They are common on the Texas coast, swam along a sandbar. Then the big shark helicopter rushed Nicholas but, unlike most sharks, bull sharks can latched onto him. to the Houston hospital. live in fresh water and have actually been “We know, and the wildlife people know, it Nicholas may have to sit found many miles upriver from the Gulf. was a bull shark,” Cecil said.

— TPWD out football season as his “The way Nicholas describes it, the shark’s foot heals, but he told his dad head was a good 18-20 inches wide — a big that will allow more time for shark, probably a 5-footer.”

Cecil’s fishing buddy, Mark Constien, also of Fort Worth, dove hunting.

Cecil said he’ll have to fetch the birds his son shoots, but saw the struggle and reached for Nicholas. The shark he’s OK with that. retreated, but the boy’s foot was badly gashed.

“The outdoors,” he said, “are everything to us."

“I saw Mark carrying my son, with blood spewing every-

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July 22, 2011

Page 9

Tail-walking monster gar is angler’s second pending record in 2011

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

GAR GETTER: Angler Casey Smartt holds up one of the many fly concoctions he has developed over seven years of fly-fishing for longnose gar. The New Braunfels native spends much of his time drifting and casting for these fish on Choke Canyon Reservoir. Photo By Casey Smartt.

Be ready for a fight when casting fly at gar

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Toothy longnose gar may be an unlikely target for the fly-angler.

But there are a lot of them in Texas reservoirs and rivers, giving fly-casters ample chances at hard-fighting targets.

Casey Smartt of New Braunfels has spent the past seven years casting fly lines at longnose. He said the gar’s physical makeup is unlike any fish he has pursued.

“Longnose gar are very elusive on a fly,” he said. “It’s just because of the design of their mouths.”

They have a long, slender snout, much thinner than that of the alligator or shortnose gar.

Because of this jaw design, hooking one on a fly can be frustrating for an angler who is used to solid hook sets.

Rope flies give anglers an advantage. When a longnose bites into a nylon rope fly, the hook rate is close 100 percent, according to Smartt.

But Smartt doesn’t like rope flies.

“I found out that they are a big pain,” he said. “The gar gets incredibly tangled in the fibers and it’s hard See BE READY, Page 22

Out of the water like a tarpon and back in like a whale.

That’s the description Joseph Williams of Cleveland, Texas gave of the pending state record gar he caught July 4 while fishing the Trinity River below the Lake Livingston dam.

The 88-inch fish, caught on cut bait, survived the fight, qualifying it for consideration as the new state record for catch-andrelease gar on the Trinity.

“The fish did a tail walk about 10 times for us,” Williams said. “It came out of the water almost up to the end of tail.”

Once certified, it will be the

second state record achieved

by Williams this year.

In April he caught a 200-pound-plus gar, but it didn’t survive, so it became the Trinity’s rod-and-reel record.

Williams said that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimated the latest fish was between 180 to more than 200 pounds.

Although a fish that big can’t be easily weighed, its length and girth measurements are used to determine if it is a record.

Gar has been Williams’ main target for many years. He spends close to 30 weekends a year fishing out of a 14-foot aluminum flat-bottom boat.

“It really isn’t all that much better on the fish,” Williams said.

“The main thing is access because you can’t get a big boat in a lot of the places where the big fish are.”

William’s attributed his success to fishing on frequently overlooked waters.

He mostly uses cut bait (carp, smallmouth buffalo) on small treble or circle hooks. He likes to use a 60-pound test on reels with good drag systems because gar can pull out hundreds of yards of line.

Williams hooked into another huge fish earlier on July 4, but he was unable to land it.

He said that parts of the Trinity hold a lot of gar over 200 pounds, but finding them is tricky.

“I think the one I hooked the same day was possibly bigger,” Williams said.

LIKE A WHALE: Joseph Williams of Cleveland landed the new pending catchand-release state record for alligator gar July 4 on the Trinity River.

The fish was 88-inches long.

Photo By Ronny Smith.

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July 22, 2011

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TEXAS FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

HOT BITES LARGEMOUTH BASS

CHOKE CANYON: Good on black/ blue crankbaits, spinnerbaits and top-waters.

FALCON: Very good on watermelon and chartreuse jigs and crankbaits.

GRAPEVINE: Good on Texas-rigged worms, finesse jigs and medium crankbaits along main lake points — docks are productive as well.

O.H. IVIE: Good on spinnerbaits, Yum Dingers and Rat–L–Traps.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Good on topwaters early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits.

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

NAVARRO MILLS: White bass are excellent on silver dollars and slabs from the marina to the dam.

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

TAWAKONI: White bass are excellent on chartreuse and white SSS Slabs and tailspins.

CATFISH

CANYON LAKE: Yellow and blue catfish are very good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait.

SAM RAYBURN: Very good on trotlines baited with live bait.

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

CRAPPIE LIVINGSTON: Very good on minnows 12 feet deep in 22 feet. Blue catfish are good on shad.

NAVARRO MILLS: Very good on minnows over brush piles and sticks in 9–15 feet early.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 86–90 degrees; 3.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, jigs and Carolina rigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 82–88 degrees; 4.72’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits. Catfish are good on cheesebait, shrimp and nightcrawlers in 3–15 feet. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines, droplines and throwlines on live perch.

ATHENS: Water clear, 86–91 degrees; 2.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, jigs and medium crankbaits — midday concentrate on deeper brush piles. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

and watermelon top-waters along ledges in 5–15 feet. Crappie are fair to good on minnows over brush piles in 8–12 feet. Yellow and blue catfish are very good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait.

CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 86–90 degrees; 4.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, shakyheads and shallow square-bill crankbaits around docks — best action is in early morning with deep brush piles producing throughout the day. White bass are good on slabs.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 86–90 degrees; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, top-waters early and medium crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on prepared baits.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 84–89 degrees; 1.07’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, top-waters early and jigs later in the day off brush piles. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

HOT SPOT

BELTON: Water clear; 82–86 degrees; 5.35’ low. Largemouth bass are good on purple/black soft plastic crawdads on the bottom. Channel and blue catfish are good on summer sausage, stinkbait and frozen shad.

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 87–91 degrees; 5.50’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits and football jigs off ledges and in brush piles. Crappie are good on live minnows. White bass are good on Humdingers and top-waters. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines or juglines with Redneck’s Catfish Bait Soap.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms near the jetty and dam. Redfish are very good on perch, tilapia shad and silver spoons. Channel and blue catfish are very good on liver, shrimp and cheesebait near the dam.

Grapevine Lake Despite the heat and high water temperatures, bass fishing has been solid the past few weeks. Anglers have reported the best fishing has been along deeper lake points and around docks. Crappie and white bass have also been good on live minnows and small lipless crankbaits.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 86–90 degrees; 7.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium-running crankbaits and Texas-rigged LFT Hyper Worms along main lake points and deeper docks — weightless LFT Hyper Sticks are producing around vegetation in the river. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs.

Channel catfish are good on cut and prepared bait.

Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

Crappie are fair to good on minnows.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 13.41’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on watermelon and redbug buzzbaits, Rat–L–Traps and spinnerbaits over grass flats. Hybrid striper are good on shad. White bass are very good on Li’l Fishies and minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs.

Channel catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 76–79 degrees; 13.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs. Channel catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 77–80 degrees; 20.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse JDC Skip–N–Pop top-waters, Texas-rigged pumpkinseed worms and watermelon flukes along secondary points in 10–18 feet. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse Rat–L– Traps, Zara Spooks, and shad-colored crankbaits near the dam early and late.

Channel catfish are good on live bait and shrimp. Yellow and blue catfish are good on juglines and trotlines baited with goldfish and perch.

CADDO: Water stained; 87–90 degrees; 0.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and top-waters early, late switching to shallow crankbaits around isolated cover.

CALAVERAS: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are fair on chicken livers and shad. Redfish are fair on live perch and tilapia near the crappie wall. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are fair on cheesebait and shad. Blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 76–79 degrees; 5.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinnerbaits, soft plastic worms and crankbaits along banks in 6–14 feet early. Smallmouth bass are good on root beer soft plastics

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 77–80 degrees; 8.67’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue crankbaits, spinnerbaits and top-waters. Channel and blue catfish are fair on cut bait and shrimp. Yellow catfish are good on juglines baited with live bait.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 78–81 degrees; 3.31’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastics, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs over brush piles. Catfish are good on stinkbait and prepared bait.

FALCON: Water stained to clear; 87–91 degrees. Largemouth bass are very good on watermelon and chartreuse jigs and crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are excellent on cut bait, shrimp and shad.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 88–92 degrees; 4.53’ low. Largemouth bass are good on 3/4 oz. football head jigs with LFT Hyper Freak trailers and Carolina rigs in deeper water along main lake humps, drops and brush piles, deepdiving crankbaits and watermelon/ green pumpkin 1/2 oz. flipping jigs in 12–15 feet along creek channels.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 80–83 degrees; 2.71’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards with chartreuse tails. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse striper jigs.

White bass are fair on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows.

Catfish are good on stinkbait, chicken livers and frozen shrimp.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 86–90 degrees; 4.70’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, top-waters and medium crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns. Catfish are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 86–91 degrees; 1.81’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium-running crankbaits, shakyheads and Texas-rigged plastics on main lake points in 10–15 feet.

White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 85–88 degrees; 0.52’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Striped bass are good but small on slabs, troll tubes and pet spoons. White bass are good on pet spoons, troll tubes and slabs. Crappie are very good on minnows 12 feet deep in 22 feet. Blue catfish are good on shad.

MACKENZIE: Water stained; 84–90 degrees; 79.58’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and striped bass are good on live bait and Rat–L–Traps.

Smallmouth bass are good on live bait and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits.

Catfish are good on live bait.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water stained; 87–90 degrees; 1.36’ low. Largemouth bass are good on red/black soft plastic worms and topwaters. White bass are excellent on silver dollars and slabs from the marina to the dam. Crappie are very good on minnows over brush piles and sticks in 9–15 feet early.

Channel catfish are good on stinkbait.

Blue catfish are good on trotlines and juglines baited with perch and shad.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 85–89 degrees; 29.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, Yum Dingers and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on Rooster Tails. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 87–90 degrees; 3.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texasrigged blue fleck LFT Worms and black/blue jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs, Sassy Shad and live shad. White bass are fair to good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 83–89 degrees; 2.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on topwaters early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs and deepdiving crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and Little Georges.

Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 86–91 degrees; 2.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, finesse jigs and hollow belly swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and Road Runners. White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 81–86 degrees; 2.02’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Zell Pop’s and Spooks early, later switching to Texas-rigged Gene Larew El Salto Grande Worm in Montezuma’s Revenge and 3/4 oz. Revenge football head jigs dragged around deep rocks and pond dams in 15–25 feet.

Crappie are good on jigs and minnows in brush in 20–25 feet. White bass are excellent on slabs — schooling early on most main lake points and flats in 30–35 feet. Catfish are good on punch bait over baited holes.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water fairly clear; 86–91 degrees; 4.03’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, crankbaits and topwaters.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 78–81 degrees; 9.52’ low. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs over brush piles. Catfish are very good on trotlines baited with live bait.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 87–91 degrees; 3.68’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-water early, later switching to black/blue jigs, soft plastics and medium-diving crankbaits. White bass are excellent on chartreuse and white slabs and tailspins — schooling on points early and late. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on 4” to 6” white- or shad-pattern Sassy Shad.

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

TEXOMA: Water fairly clear; 86–90 degrees; 3.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium-running crankbaits in shad patterns, Texas-rigged finesse worms, shakyheads and top-waters.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Striped bass are good on live shad.

Catfish are good on cut and live shad.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 77–80 degrees; 9.31’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon spinnerbaits and crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs.

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

TRAVIS: Water stained; 77–81 degrees; 36.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms, white grubs and chartreuse top-waters in 8–18 feet. Striped bass are slow.

White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and stinkbait.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 77–80 degrees; 13.07’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinnerbaits and crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs.

Catfish are good on shrimp, stinkbait, and nightcrawlers.

SALTWATER SCENE NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good on the Louisiana shoreline on top-waters and Corkies. Flounder are fair on jigs tipped with shrimp around marsh drains.

SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good around Lighthouse Cove and around the jetty rocks on topwaters.

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

Croakers are good on dead shrimp in the channel and around the pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on soft plastics. Trout are fair to good at the wells on live bait and plastics. Redfish and trout are fair to good at the spillway on shrimp.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good while working the edges of reefs on soft plastics and top-waters.

Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. Trout are good on croakers in the Ship Channel.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters working shell on live shrimp.

Trout, sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp. Tarpon are showing on the beachfront. Kingfish, ling and red snapper are good offshore.

TEXAS CITY: Trout are good on the channel on croakers. Reefs and wells have held good trout on live bait.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Trout and sand trout are good at the jetties on shrimp and DOA Shrimp.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters on live shrimp over humpss and d scattered tt d shell. h ll Redfish are fair to good d on the h edge d off the h Intracoastal on crabs and mullet.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good on the edge of Oyster Lake on shrimp and crabs. Trout are fair on sand and grass on soft plastics. Trout are good in the surf when the wind allows.

PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are good on croakers on the reefs in San Antonio Bay. Trout and redfish are fair at the mouths of bayous on the outgoing tide.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair in Big Bayou on free–lined shrimp. Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp. Redfish are good on the edge of the ICW on mullet.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair to good at East Flats on shrimp. Redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp. Offshore is good for red snapper, ling and kingfish.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on Gulps and live shrimp.

Trout are good in the sand and and grass holes and humps on croakers and shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair in mud and grass on Corkies and top-waters. Trout are fair to good in the Land Cut on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good while drifting with top-waters at Rocky Slough.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are good on topwaters around sand and grass and pods of mullet. Redfish are fair to good while drifting potholes and while working shallow water on the sand flats.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout are good around the spoil islands, channel edges and color changes Shrimp. hanges on DOA Shrimp Tarpon, snook, trout and Spanish mackerel have been solid at the jetty on live bait.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good at Gas Well Flats on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good around the channel edges by the causeway on shrimp under a popping cork.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

Page 11

CCA Texas STAR Tournament in full swing

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Port Lavaca resident Paul Resendez could give you five or six reasons why he shouldn’t be the lucky angler who caught a redfish several weeks ago near Port O’Connor and will walk away with a new boat and truck from the Coastal Conservation Association Texas STAR Tournament.

The avid summer redfish tournament fisherman would tell you he shouldn’t have even been fishing near the spot where he hooked the fish.

The only reason he was there was because he and friends, Bubba Massey and Joey Cox, had engine troubles on their boat and couldn’t get to the spot they had planned to fish. They didn’t want to waste the bait they’d bought earlier, so they decided to wade-fish near Indianola Fishing Marina.

Resendez would probably tell you he was the only one not catching any redfish until he tried a new lure his cousin had given him — a Stanley Wedgetail Mullet.

“I was just playing with it to see how it swam,” he said. “My first cast, I hooked up, as did my two buddies. My redfish swam by my friend and he said it was a little one.”

He’d probably tell you he almost threw it back, but decided to keep the fish because he thought it was just big enough to be legal.

“I still hadn’t seen a tag and I just put it on my stringer,” he said. “Ten or 15 minutes later, I lost my stringer. I didn’t think too much of it — just backtracked and found it and put it back on my belt.”

Resendez would then say how the knot holding the fish onto the stringer slipped as he was hauling the fish to the boat. Luckily, he noticed the untied knot before any of the fish could float away.

“I was laying the fish on the boat to take a few pictures, and I finally noticed a tag,” he said. “I didn’t know what they looked like; it just looked like a small green leader.

“I cleaned off the green slime and started reading ‘CCA tournament tag.’ I started shaking because I knew what it was.”

Resendez had to give the tag to his friend to read the date to confirm it was from this year and not a previous year’s tournament.

“He came to the back of the boat and just started smiling,” Resendez said. “He said, ‘Dude, you just won a boat and a truck!’

“I jumped into the bay and swam on my back yelling.”

After confirming with Texas Parks and

Wildlife Department that the fish was legal, Resendez said he would receive his prize at the conclusion of the tournament in October.

“I was the only one of the three of us that had registered,” Resendez said.

“I’m going to have that little 20 1/8-inch redfish mounted with the tag in it.”

The current leaderboard for the CCA Texas STAR Tournament follows: REGULAR DIVISION ■ Flounder (18"min. length): 6 pounds, 10 ounces, Clint Auer.

■ Sheepshead: 9 pounds, 4 ounces, Ramon Zapata.

■ Gafftop: 8 pounds, 4 ounces, Jerome Ard. ■ Speckled trout (Upper Coast):9 pounds, 3 ounces, David Elmore.

■ Speckled trout (Middle Coast): 8 pounds, 14 ounces, Michael Leach.

■ Speckled Trout (Lower Coast): 9 pounds, 10 ounces, Nolan Casey.

■ Kingfish (30 pound min): 55 pounds, 7 ounces, Barry Shaneyfelt Jr. ■ Dorado (20 pound min): 44 pounds, 12 ounces, Darrell Rittiman.

■ Ling (cobia): 84 pounds, Robert Kirschner.

STARKIDS SCHOLARSHIP DIVISION (AGES 6-10 ONLY) ■ Flounder (18"min. length): 3 pounds, 11 ounces, Dylan Gill.

■ Sheepshead: 8 pounds, 7 ounces, Aven Campos.

■ Gafftop: 7 pounds, 7 ounces, Camden Ritchey.

ACADEMY SPORTS & OUTDOORS STARTEENS SCHOLARSHIP TROUT DIVISION (AGES 11-17) ■ Speckled Trout (Lower Coast): 8 pounds, 6 ounces, Carter Goyen.

STARTEENS SCHOLARSHIP INSHORE DIVISION (AGES 11-17) ■ Flounder: 3 pounds, 12 ounces, Terri Martin.

■ Sheepshead: 8 pounds, 15 ounces, Robbie Laskoskie.

■ Gafftop: 6 pounds, 11 ounces, Brittany Leatherwood.

TAGGED REDFISH DIVISION -10 Caught, 3 winners, 7 did not qualify. All winners are in order of the date of catch: ■ 1st Truck/Boat Package Winner: David Holt Tag TA329, caught on 6/2/11.

■ 2nd Truck/Boat Package Winner: Paul Resendez Tag TA263, caught on 6/4/11.

■ 3rd Truck/Boat Package Winner: Zach Crawford Tag TA326, caught on 6/11/11 Results are as of July 18. For more information, including a list of weigh-in stations and registration locations, visit www.ccatexas. org. Proceeds from STAR go to CCA Texas and its conservation programs.

Plane crash kills Austin anglers returning from coast

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Two anglers from Austin died July 3 when the airplane they were in crashed in West Matagorda Bay. Texas game wardens and other public safety officials recovered the bodies of pilot Lyle Koen, 68, owner of the

plane, and David Eddington, 42.

Koen's wife, Pat, told the Austin American-Statesman that the two men were fishing buddies who met at the airplane hangar where Koen kept his Laser/Lancair IVP. Eddington worked there as a mechanic.

The newspaper reported that the crash happened at about 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, July 3 as the two men were returning home after a brief fishing trip.

Wardens used side-scan sonar to help a Texas Department of Public Safety dive team find the wreckage, according to a report from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Eddington’s body was recovered from the wreckage; wardens found

Koen’s body the following day, about a mile from the crash site.

The cause of the crash was still under investigation the following week.

Koen attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and served in Vietnam, his wife told the American-Statesman.

He later went to medical school and became an ophthalmologist.

He was semiretired but continued to perform flight physicals for pilots, his wife said.

Koen also enjoyed hunting and scuba diving.

Eddington, a native of Long Beach, Calif., also was licensed pilot, but he was working toward a commercial license with jet rating, according to his obituary.

Page 12

July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER FISH SHOCKERS SHOCKED BY WARDENS Madison County Game Warden Dornell Crist and Walker County Game Warden Anthony Corcoran observed three men on the Trinity River using an electric shocking device to take game fish. Cases pending.

TRAPPER OF DOVES MADE TO SET THEM FREE Travis County Game Warden Christy Vales responded to a call advising of a man illegally trapping doves and made contact with a man at his residence.

Vales located a large cage containing approximately 40 white-winged doves and two Inca doves. Citations issued and Vales had the man set the birds free. Cases pending.

WARDEN HELPS LOCATE FUGITIVES Garza/Lynn County Game Warden Drew Spencer assisted with the search and capture of two 17-yearold men who escaped from the juvenile correctional facility in Post. During the search, Spencer observed the two fugitives hiding behind a bush. Both were captured without incident. Upon capture, one of them was found to be in possession of a controlled substance.

TROUT FROM JETTY DIDN’T MEASURE UP Brazoria County Game Warden Jason Richers responded to a complaint about jetty fishermen near Freeport. Richers located an individual fishing from the Quintana jetties, and found 16 undersized speckled trout in the person’s possession. Cases pending.

WARDENS HAVE FRIENDS, TOO Friends of Hockley County Game Warden Jay Oyler called him after observing a deer in the back of a pickup in July. The tailgate was down, giving the friends a good

WARDENS ASSIST IN ARMED STANDOFF Houston County Game Wardens Zak Benge and Eddie Lehr were called out to assist the Houston County Sheriff's Office with a standoff. A suspect had shot numerous times into a house across the road. As the officers responded, they drew fire. The six officers and nine civilians took refuge in the house and called for backup. Since the house was on the lake, the wardens were called in to extricate the people from the look. The friends agreed to follow the vehicle in case it turned off the highway. Oyler contacted Hockley County dispatch and asked for any officer to stop the vehicle if seen, and contacted Lamb County Game Warden Lance May to see if he could find the vehicle. With help from the Littlefield Police Department, May arrived and issued a citation for illegal possession of the small whitetailed buck. The violator admitted he ran over the deer early in the morning in San Antonio, causing damage to the front end of the vehicle.

RUNAWAY BOATER FORGOT THAT WARDENS KNEW WHO HE WAS Game Wardens John Kohleffel and Dan Waddell were patrolling Lake Wood in Gonzales County.

They received a complaint of a possible intoxicated boat operator. After checking several vessels traveling upriver from the lake, the wardens spotted the suspect boat and stopped it. While performing an inspection, the wardens saw several beer cans in the boat and decided to check the operator. The suspect was transferred to the wardens’ boat and Kohleffel drove the suspect vessel to shore. Upon reaching the ramp, the suspect jumped off Waddell’s boat, ran up the ramp and continued running upriver. Kohleffel and Waddell

residence. As the wardens arrived, the individuals from the house were led through the woods along the edge of the lake with the wardens providing cover from the vessel. The wardens then went in with the Texas Rangers and secured the perimeter of the house until the DPS SWAT team arrived from Austin. The suspect surrendered and was transported to the Houston County Jail on numerous charges.

gave chase, but the suspect dove back in the water, swam to the other side of the slough and disappeared into the brush on the other side.

Knowing the ID of the suspect, Waddell obtained a warrant. Four days later, the suspect turned himself in to the warden at the Gonzales County Jail. Cases pending.

OFF TO AN EARLY START Guadalupe County Game Warden Tracy Large received a call concerning possible dove hunting in a closed season. When Large arrived on scene, he found one individual who had been hunting doves, and charges were filed for hunting in closed season.

THE PREACHER MADE ME DO IT Harris County Game Warden Kevin Malonson was patrolling the San Jacinto River for water safety and fishing compliance. As Malonson approached a vessel with a fisherman aboard, he was given an extensive welcome and thanks for the great job that state game wardens do. After checking the water safety equipment, Malonson inquired several times whether there were any fish caught. The fisherman stated that he caught a few, and after inspecting the cooler, Malonson discovered four undersized largemouth bass. The boat

operator said that he has never violated any game laws, but the reason he did so this time was because a friend of his, a preacher, wanted some fish. Case pending.

SHOULDER MOUNTS IN VEHICLE BRINGS COMPLAINT Tarrant County Game Warden Clint Borchardt responded to a call concerning two dead deer in the back seat of a Honda Civic. After talking with the complainant and not getting very descriptive details of what she saw, the warden decided to check the vehicle out just in case. Upon inspection of the vehicle, two shoulder mounted deer heads were located.

When the warden made a follow-up call to the complainant, she stated that she swore she saw hooves.

TRESPASSING FISHERMEN FINALLY NABBED Approximately 30 minutes before sunset, Game Warden Calvin Christian received a call from a landowner that two or three individuals had trespassed onto his property to go fishing. Game Warden Colt Gaulden had previously responded to a similar call on the same ranch, where the landowner's jon boat had been used and a large hoop net was found and pulled from the lake.

However, no suspects were ever

identified. Upon arriving at the private lake, Christian met with the landowner's son, an off-duty peace officer, and the two apprehended five adults and one juvenile as they were packing up to leave. The subjects have been charged for fishing without landowner's consent. Other cases are pending for criminal trespass with a deadly weapon and illegal dumping.

RUNNING FROM FISHING LICENSE CHECK DOESN’T PAY Titus County Game Warden Ash had a man run from him after attempting to check his fishing license at Town Lake in Mount Pleasant. The next day Ash located the subject and arrested him for no fishing license, evading arrest, and for a parole warrant out from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

TRAGEDY ON IVIE TAKES A LIFE Coleman County communication received a call of a stranded boat on Lake Ivie at 12:55 a.m. A boater and his family had been fishing and had returned to the Kennedy Park boat ramp. The operator and two of his children, ages 11 and 15, had exited the boat to retrieve the boat trailer and vehicle. A female passenger and the operator's 7-yearold were still in the boat when high winds caused the boat to be blown off the shore, setting the boat afloat.

The operator of the boat tried to wade/swim out to catch the boat.

The operator was unable to swim and was last seen by the passengers and children going under the water approximately 20 yards from shore. The passengers were picked up by game wardens from across the lake where they had drifted and returned to the Kennedy Boat Ramp area. Wardens recovered the victim at 4:30 a.m.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

Page 13

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July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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Bass tactics Continued From Page 1

But, he cautioned, anglers still need to work hard to catch fish.

“You’re not just going to go out and throw a crankbait on every stump and catch a bunch of fish,” Wheatley said.

“We’re having to work for them.”

A similar top-water bite was reported at Caddo Lake where guide Peter Daniels said anglers were catching 4- to 8-pound fish.

“This time of year I prefer fishing around the lily pads,” Daniels said.

“In 4 to 5 feet of water is where you’re going to get a chance of catching bigger fish around 4 to 8 pounds.”

Most of Daniels’ top-water lures are Ribbit frogs in natural colors, and SPRO frogs in midnight walker or rainforest black.

Daniels said the top-water bite is something anglers can work throughout the day and, if they fish around cypress trees, they will catch fish.

To contact Guide Peter Daniels, call (318) 422-0426 To contact Guide Mike Wheatle, call (409) 382-9166

TO AND FROM: Wind, water clarity and tides are all factors that anglers heed, whether fishing to or from jetties (above). The action accelerates when disoriented batfish congregate along the rocks (below). Photos by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Jetty action Continued From Page 1

was casting a weighted red-andwhite seducer-type fly, about 4 inches, from a 10-weight rod.

“I did land a 31-inch redfish and two speckled trout, 24 inches and 21 inches,” Fleming said. “I had a couple fish break off; my leader got cut on the rocks, but that’s just part of it. It’s a thrill to have something get your line and take off like a bus. It’s a big jolt, keeps us coming back.”

The club’s next trip to the jetty will be the evening of Aug. 13, another full moon.

Guide Chad Hartman said Galveston’s north and south jetties can provide a lot of fish if anglers focus on four keys.

“Well, the first thing we look for is wind,” he said. “The best wind we could have is 5-10 mph out of the southeast.” That’s because it stirs the action.

The second key is water clarity — typically a clear, green color,

which allows game fish to spot bait easier.

The third key is tide. Hartman said that tide may be the most important, as he prefers an incoming tide to force baitfish along the edges of the jetties. This current acts to confuse baitfish along the rocks and send them into a frenzy.

A slow-to-medium current produced by the tide’s contact with the rocks is good, according to guide Mike Segall. He said this will get the bait moving; then anglers can fish areas where baitfish are jumping.

“You want to key on mullet and other bait that will be splashing,” Segall said. “Then you can anchor up and throw a popping cork up by the rocks.”

Segall said that he likes to fish shrimp, croaker and mullet on a No.8-10 treble or circle hook under a popping cork.

He typically runs a 2-foot fluorocarbon leader of 25-30 pound test.

Conversely, Hartman will use a much lighter 12-pound line, with

no leader in order to disguise the bait presentation.

The final key is a boat’s proximity to the rocks while anchored.

Hartman said that on numerous occasions, he has outfished other anglers just because of where his boat was anchored.

The use of electronics to find underwater structure and guts that hold fish is crucial, according to both guides.

“It’s knowing how to anchor up your boat,” Hartman said, “because you could be sitting 5 feet from me and we could be catching them and you won’t catch a thing because you’re off too far.

“Knowing those rocks and what’s underneath them is everything.”

To contact Guide Chad Hartman, call (281) 827-0704 To contact Guide Mike Segall, call (281) 808-1310

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

Page 15

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

AIDAN FLANNERY of Plano caught his first largemouth last spring on a top-water frog.

Aidan, 6, was fishing with his dad, Scott, on a private lake near Canton.

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.

BENNY AND BRANDON RODRIGUEZ of Dale journeyed to the Big Bend country last season to hunt mule deer. On a ranch near Terlingua, Brandon, 15, shot his first deer, a nine-point buck, and Benny got a seven-pointer.

ABRAM BOOTH, 7, of Spring continued a family tradition last season when he took his first buck in Edwards County.

The eight-point deer was taken with one shot at 75 yards with the same .222-caliber Savage that Abram’s great grandfather, Nubbin Booth, used to take his last deer shortly before his death in 1973. Joining Abram were grandfather Bryan Booth, not shown, and his dad, Buck Booth, left.

In the Marine Corps they say “every man a rifleman,” and CAPT. JOHN HUNT of Waco proved it last deer season in Hidalgo County.

Hunt, who has completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan, downed this buck on New Year’s Day.

TOM PENNINGTON of Fort Worth hooked this blackfin tuna recently while trolling with artificials in blue water about 40 miles off Port Aransas.

Exotic antelope Continued From Page 6

but indicated that it didn’t go far enough. to fight the new regulations, if implemented.

A 30-day period for public comment on the “Obviously, we are disappointed but we knew this day was coming,” said EWA proposal has begun and will run until Aug. 8.

Seale said he is encouraging members to Executive Director Charly Seale. “(USFWS) haven’t put out any proposed rule changes yet. contact the USFWS and comment on the pro“Depending on what they do with the posed change to the current rule.

“I have submitted comments on what I permitting, we are taking a wait-and-see think the permitting system should look like approach.”

According to a USFWS news release, cap- moving forward,” Seale said. “This is only tive breeding in the U.S. has contributed to one more step in the proposed process.”

Seale said the EWA, the survival of the scimalong with Safari Club itar-horned oryx, addax International, sent and dama gazelle worldthe USFWS an “intent wide “by rescuing these to sue” if the rules are species from near extincchanged. tion and providing the “That doesn’t mean founder stock necessary that we will sue,” Seale for reintroduction.” said. “It just means And, even though the statute of limitathese species were tions was going to run declared endangered out on Sept. 2, and by under the ESA in 2005, giving a 60-day writUSFWS granted a special ten notice, it resets the exemption “that allowed statute of limitations owners of these animals for us. to continue carrying out “We’ve also asked breeding and other activfor an extension of the ities, including hunting 30-day commenting for herd management, without issuing an indi- EXOTIC: Scimitar-horned oryx have been brought period — the reasoning being that a lot of back from the brink of extinction thanks to vidual permit.” game ranchers' efforts in Texas.

Photo by Tom people are out of town But four years later, sevright now.” eral animal rights groups, Holden, Kerrville Daily Times.

Seale said that if the including the Friends animals were put on a permitting system, of Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, challenged the exemption in similar to the one currently in place for barasingha deer and red lechwe, it would be a blow federal court.

On July 6, USFWS announced it would seek to herd managers and hunters.

“I talked to a ranch owner yesterday and a repeal of the exemption. The move would put the three species back under the same sta- he said it took him three years to go through the permitting process for barasingha and red tus as other endangered animals.

“In general, the ESA prohibits the import lechwe,” Seale said. “You can’t plan for that or export of any listed species, or its parts or and you can’t manage a herd like that.” products, as well as sale in interstate or foreign commerce, without a permit,” according to To comment on this issue, go to www.regulations.gov the USFWS news release. and follow the instructions for submitting comments The Humane Society praised the proposal on Docket No. FWS-R9-IA-2010-0056.

Page 16

July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Waterfowlers excited about reports of nearrecord duck numbers It may be dry in Texas, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s preliminary report on breeding ducks and habitats indicates wet and favorable conditions on the far reaches of the North American continent.

Officials for Ducks Unlimited praised the report, especially the part that described total duck populations were estimated at 45.6 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area — an 11 percent boost over last year’s estimate of 40.9 million birds.

“The FWS has reported nearly unprecedented waterfowl habitat conditions and breeding duck population levels for 2011— the best in several years for some areas,” said Dale Humburg, DU’s chief scientist.

“Full wetlands and good upland cover will likely support a strong breeding effort, particularly in the prairies this year.”

If these wet conditions continue, according to DU, prospects going into the winter and possibly into spring 2012 will be favorable as well.

Of the 10 species traditionally reported, eight were similar to or increased in numbers from 2010.

Northern shovelers and bluewings reached

record highs (4.6 and 8.9 million, respectively), and northern pintail numbers surpassed 4 million for the first time since 1980.

Scaup numbers were similar to 2010 and remain below their long-term averages.

Only three species — scaup, northern pintail and American wigeon — remain below North American Waterfowl Management Plan population goals.

“In light of a very favorable breeding ground report, it’s still quite a while before we can put out the decoys,” Humburg said. “We will have to monitor how broods fare this summer and what impact summer flooding has on many migration and wintering areas before we get better insight into what to expect this fall.”

The FWS spring surveys provide the scientific basis for many management programs across the continent including the setting of hunting regulations.

The four flyway councils will meet in late July to recommend and adopt the season structure and bag limits for 2011-12.

Individual states will make their specific selections within a federal framework of season length, bag limit and outside dates.

—Staff report

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

Page 17

Page 18

July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

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But because it has the strength of solid wire, this Dawg really moves in the water, displaying plenty of belly flash.

The Pro Dawgs have printed patterns with a flexible clear coat that protects the paint and keeps their 3-D eyes intact. Available in Magnum (about $19) and Super Magnum (about $27) sizes, these soft plastic lures are available in six color combinations.

MACHETE MODEL 481: This 16.5-inch machete by Woodman’s Pal is designed for such outdoor tasks as pruning, splitting, chopping or blazing trails. Its 6-inch hardwood handle fits comfortably in the user’s hand.

And its blade — high carbon steel, 1/8-inch thick by 10 1/2 inches high — is balanced from the grip to the edge of its sickle hook to create natural momentum for efficient and accurate motion. The blade is hardened to Rockwell C47 for strength plus flexibility in cold weather. A resin-bonded fluorocarbon coating helps prevent cracking and corrosion.

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MODEL 70 FEATHERWEIGHT COMPACT RIFLE: Winchester Repeating Arms has revised the classic “Rifleman’s Rifle” for smallerframed shooters or those who want a lightweight compact rifle. It features a 20-inch barrel, a 13-inch length of pull, overall length of 39 1/2 inches and weighs just 6 1/2 pounds. The rifle action has the Pre-1964 Controlled Round Feeding, an easy-to-use three-position safety, and a jeweled bolt body with a knurled bolt handle. The rifle also uses the MOA trigger system that is easily adjusted. The stock is a satin-finished checkered walnut. Available in 22.250 Remington, 243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, and .308 Winchester calibers, the rifle sells for about $900.

(800) 945-5237 www.winchesterguns.com

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

Page 19

Page 20

July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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Freshwater kayaks Continued From Page 8

THE RIGHT BOAT: Choosing the right length kayak for your style of fishing is key when searching for the perfect freshwater kayak. Photo by Casey Smartt.

“For larger lakes, I would start with a longer, sit-on-top kayak,” said Roland Jimenez, director of marketing for Austin Canoe and Kayak.

“For rivers, you want a boat that allows for more maneuverability — not a 14-foot boat.

“Something 12 feet and under is ideal, but you do lose a little bit of cargo space if you are planning on overnight trips.”

Jimenez said kayaks like the Commander 120 and Native Watercraft Ultimate 12 are good choices; both are stable, with ample cargo space.

“Choosing the perfect boat is a personal decision, but a 12-foot sit-on-top is great,” he said.

Once the boat is matched to the type of fishing an angler does most, it is time to accessorize.

Several features are critical on a fishing kayak, including rod holders, rod leashes and lights.

“Flush-mounted rod holders are very popular,” Jimenez said. “They are great, easy to install and sell for about $12 each.”

Anglers searching for more security can consider holders that lock rods in place.

“We recommend getting rod leashes to tie down rods while paddling,” Jimenez added. “I like the mounted rod holders, too. I can easily get a rod in and out and don’t have to worry about losing them when I am paddling.”

A new feature on the market is the Wildcat Lighting System, which has several LED lights mounted on the sides of the kayak for easy visibility at night. It sells for about $100.

“They are great for night fishing,” Jimenez said. “(The green lights) allow you to attract minnows to the boat, and there is a little yellow light inside the boat that provides light for the angler. We’ve also heard the lights repel mosquitoes.”

If there is one piece of equipment that shouldn’t be overlooked, it is a good paddle.

According to Jimenez, the average kayaker makes 1,000 strokes each hour, making a proper-fitting paddle a must-have for serious anglers.

“Really focus on the paddle,” he said. “It makes a big difference. Spend a little bit more on the paddle and you will be happy you did.”

THE ESSENTIALS: A good kayak, good paddles and solid rod holders are must-haves for the kayak angler.

Photo by LSON.

Saltwater kayaking Continued From Page 8

A light paddle, he said, puts less strain on arms. A leash is also important; quality paddles can run as high as $200-$300.

Thomas said that new anglers tend to add unnecessary gadgets to a kayak, which he said, just gets in the way of paddling and fighting fish.

However, Thomas does

like rod holders, which are often mounted on all sides of the boat.

Other components include a lightweight anchor (so you can leave the boat and wade) and safety gear. VHF radios, cell phones and GPS units can be important in case of foul weather or other emergencies.

Once they get on the water,

Thomas suggested anglers stow gear behind them and away from the front of the boat.

“The fish always try to dart and hide under the boat, so I don’t add anything to the bow,” he said. “I like it to be streamlined and I keep everything behind my seat.”

To contact guide Dean Thomas, call (361) 758-0463.

Anglers and guides suggested items for saltwater kayak rigs: ■ PERSONAL KIT: - Proper clothing: Cap, buff, sunglasses, long sleeve shirt - Fishing pants - 50+ SPF sunblock for hands and feet - Live bait in minnow bucket or aerated tank - Fresh cut bait on ice - Lures: spoons, jigs, cranks, swim baits - Knife tethered to body or jacket

■ ON KAYAK: - Paddle leash - Pliers tethered to yak - Rag or golf towel - Extra flotation inside kayak (old life vest, pool noodles, boat bumpers, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, inflatable toys) - Flag, loud whistle, good life vest, 360 white light & headlamp - Extra paddle, just in case - Sonar, GPS, VHF radio - Lip grippers, pole spear or gaff

- 2 Knives: 1 tethered to kayak, other to crate - Basket or crate with rod and gaff holders - Big cooler or fish bag with ice blocks or frozen water bottles - Anchor trolley - Anchor with floating anchor line - 20-foot emergency paracord attached to crate - Rod leashes for re-entry - Dry box for keys and wallet - Dry-Pak for cell phone

LSONews.com

Fawn Continued From Page 5

Low fawn recruitment means there will be fewer deer, trophy or otherwise, three to seven years in the future.

Biologists will know more in August when data arrives from annual spotlight surveys conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Other statistics will come from members of the state’s wildlife cooperatives.

Meanwhile, Alan Cain, whitetailed deer program leader for TPWD, said he hadn’t yet heard any reports of fawn abandonment, but the potential is very real.

“Does it happen? Sure,” he said.

“If a doe is stressed, which can happen in times like now, there will be a point when she abandons her fawn.”

Cain noted, however, that while

Drawn hunts Continued From Page 6

making it a very attractive opportunity for many families.

Joshua was 10 when he was drawn last year to hunt at the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area — Arroyo Colorado Unit. The property is way down on the Texas Gulf Coast about 600 miles from the Quintero home in Little Elm, north of Dallas.

“This would be quite a long drive for what was basically a 24-hour hunt,” Pete said. “Nevertheless, we knew we were fortunate to be drawn, so when the time came, we made the trip.”

They arrived on Dec. 11 to find the WMA staff ready to “prepare and coach” them.

The staff informed them that their target animal would be a younger “cull” buck, but it would be tough hunting.

The rut had not yet started and the forecast called for wind and heat — about 90 degrees. But father and son eagerly got into their blind and began a waiting game that would last eight hours.

At around 4:50 p.m., the wind had died down and a doe approached their blind, sauntering up a trail from the right.

Joshua had been challenged all day by heat and boredom, but his father nudged him to get ready.

As the doe fed on corn, the waning daylight signaled the approaching end of legal shooting time, but there still was no sign of a buck.

Pete told his son to be patient because “bucks will hide out of sight and let the doe eat for a while.”

“Well,” he added, “wouldn’t you know, that is exactly what happened.”

With just 20 minutes of enough light to shoot, a young buck — the kind that the biologists wanted to cull — stepped from the brush, and directly faced the blind.

Pete said it seemed like “forever” before the deer finally turned and presented a broadside target.

The eager father told his son to take the shot. Joshua squeezed the trigger on the .257-caliber rifle. The buck went down, then got up and staggered into the brush.

The rules required biologists to look for the deer, Pete said. They found it, then brought it back to a check station where they helped Pete field dress the animal.

“All in all it was a great experience,” Pete said. “My son learned valuable lessons about patience and perseverance.

“The youth hunts are free and, in my opinion, a valuable resource offered by the state to all hunters.”

Now is the time for people to start planning for “drawn” hunts, said Kelly Edmiston, who oversees public hunts for TPWD. He said deadlines are Aug. 11 to apply for archery hunts and Sept. 1 for the gun hunts.

Booklets describing the program are available at any TPWD office or state park in Texas. Also people can go to the agency’s Web site, click on “hunting” and then find the link for “drawn hunts.”

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

the whole state is dry, the Edwards Plateau and Trans Pecos might be hit the worst. Some locations there were still sooty from wildfires last spring.

“It’s stressed all over the state,” Cain said, “but those areas are semi-desert anyway. And then you throw something like this out there … it can be a concern.”

And it’s a concern for other species, said Shawn Gray, TPWD’s mule deer and pronghorn program leader.

“I’m not real hopeful on mule deer fawn recruitment either,” Gray said.

He explained that when range conditions are poor, mother deer might reabsorb fetuses, or give birth to frail babies. Abandonment can follow.

Some observers are repeating the mantra that “a rain with a name” — meaning a hurricane, one without severe damage — can

help turn things around.

But there are other glimmers of hope.

Landowners who supplemental feed and manage for drought can expect higher fawn recruitments, Cain and Gray said.

“When you have good vegetation and cover, (deer) are going to survive better,” Cain said. “But I’ve been on some places where they’re supplemental feeding and having good habitat. They are expecting 50 percent recruitment.”

Cain also said that 2011 is a critical year for landowners to work very hard at reaching deer harvest goals to ease competition for available food.

Consider that an adult doe, about 80 pounds, eats 4 to 6 pounds of food each day.

A young buck, about the same weight, will eat just as much, and a larger mature buck will stomach as much as 7 pounds.

July 22, 2011

Gun dealers Continued From Page 4

It is unknown if this would affect any hunters because it’s unclear how many of them actually buy more than two semi-auto guns at the same time.

Cole said the new rule is “tailored to focus only on multiple sales of these types of rifles to the same person within a five-day period.”

He added that it would improve ATF’s ability “to detect and disrupt the illegal weapons trafficking networks responsible for diverting firearms from lawful commerce to criminals and criminal organizations.”

The rule comes on the heals of “Operation Fast and Furious” — a sting conducted by ATF that was intended to help build cases against Mexican crime groups suspected of illicit gun purchases.

Page 21

Critics, however, claim the operation backfired when agents allowed 2,000 guns to be released into Mexico, the majority of which are now unaccounted for.

One, however, has been linked to the shooting death of a Border Patrol agent last December in Arizona.

The National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation called the move illegal and threatened to sue as soon as the official notice was sent to gun dealers.

However, one Texas congressman assailed the measure.

Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, predicted that it “won’t stop drug cartels from getting weapons.”

He added that, “It is the height of hypocrisy for the Obama administration to restrict the gun rights of border state citizens, when the administration itself knowingly and intentionally allowed guns to be trafficked into Mexico.”

Page 22

July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Lake Livingston Continued From Page 8

GAR ON FLY: Angler Casey Smartt of New Braunfels holds one of the many big gar he has caught on the fly rod.

Smartt said that gar in the 4- to 6-foot range tend to put up the best fights and will often tail walk on the water.

Photo By Casey Smartt.

Be ready Continued From Page 9

to pick them all out.

“A lot of the time you injure the gar doing it and you’ll tear up their teeth or crack their bill.”

That is why Smartt started designing his own flies.

There was a lot of trial and error. He started with rubber tubing from an auto parts store; the result was a long tube fly with a 4/0 hook. He has stuck to popular colors — white chartreuse, white and gray — to replicate baitfish.

Dave Speer of Austin, however, said a rope fly is the best way to catch a longnose gar, despite the hefty challenge that comes with untangling the fish from the nylon fibers.

“Gar are sight feeders,” Speer said. “So if something swims by them, and is animated, they believe it’s a fish

and will strike at it.”

Speer’s rope fly rig includes a 10-weight rod and a fly about 6 to 8 inches long, which can be hard to cast with lighter rods.

He mainly used floating lines, but he noted that sinking lines in the summer work well because anglers need to target longnose at greater depths.

Smartt prefers intermediate to fast sinking lines because he targets gar down to 60 feet.

Both anglers suggested a simple approach to leaders because a gar isn’t shy about leader material.

But, because of their teeth and sharp scales, a fluorocarbon leader from 50- to 60-pound test is required to avoid breakoffs.

Wire leaders aren’t in the

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tackle bags of either angler; Smartt said they are just too bulky and tend to bunch when casting.

Landing gar is another challenge, as they will thrash, hurting themselves and the angler.

Smartt mostly fishes from a kayak, which is easier for him to position the fish alongside and wait until it’s fully exhausted before boating it.

“The trick,” he said, “is when you get it into the boat. Then what do you do?

Because now you have a halfway dangerous situation.”

Heavy gloves, a Boga grip or other jaw spreader is a necessity when handling these fish.

Speer said that because of his technique, he likes to have at least another angler with him while landing gar.

Heng, a biologist for the Texas Water Development Board.

Heng explained that because of Livingston’s connection to the Trinity, the lake’s water levels tend to remain steady, regardless of drought elsewhere in the state.

Data from the water in mid-July showed that Livingston held about 1,738,000 acre-feet of water — down from the lake’s normal capacity of 1,741,000.

This slight drop of 3,867 acre-feet may seem high since there was no decrease in acre-feet from April to May of this year, meaning the lake level stayed at full pool for two months.

But other lakes of similar size (1 million or more acre-feet) have lost between 24,000 and 211,000 acre-feet since April.

Two of the most dramatic examples are: Toledo Bend (down 863,202 acrefeet) and Richland Chambers (down 149,189 acre-feet).

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Of the eight lakes of that size in Texas, Livingston is at the highest capacity with 98 percent.

For anglers, that reliable water level has helped keep fishing productive, said guide David Cox. Cox and Cosper both reported that all boat launches and marinas on the lake are easily accessible. Largemouth bass, catfish and crappie have all benefited from these steady levels.

“The fishing has been better because the lake hasn’t been volatile, as it hasn’t been going up and down too much,” Cox said.

“There is plenty of room for people to get into the water,” Cosper said.

“You don’t have to fight for spots. It’s all accessible and I don’t know of a boat ramp that you cannot launch at.”

To contact guide Simon Cosper, call (936) 355-2889.

To contact guide Dave Cox, call (936) 291-9602.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

Page 23

CONSERVATION

Desert bighorn permit fetches record $152,000 in TWA auction

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Webb elected TWA’s new president

History was made July 9 when a permit to hunt a Texas desert bighorn sheep fetched $152,000 during the grand auction of WildLife 2011, the annual convention of the Texas Wildlife Association.

“I’m told it is the highest amount paid for a Texas bighorn permit,” said Gary Joiner, the TWA’s CEO. “We are very blessed and fortunate to have been able to offer it.”

The previous record was $115,000, Joiner said.

The auction was held during the TWA’s state convention at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. Bidding was spirited, Joiner said, with three “proxy” bids phoned in from out of state.

The CEO said the group chose not to publicize the names of bidders, although he did say that the winner of the permit is a Texan and TWA member who is deeply committed to bighorn sheep conservation in Texas.

Joiner said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department donated the permit to the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation for the auction.

In turn, the TWAF is donating 90 percent of the permit auction proceeds to the TPWD desert bighorn sheep program. The remaining 10 percent will go toward the foundation’s charitable, scientific and educational programs.

A lawyer and rancher from Abilene is the new president of the Texas Wildlife Association.

Glen Webb was elected to a one-year term, July 8, at the TWA’s convention in San Antonio. He succeeds Tina Y. Buford of Harlingen, who served two one-year terms.

The San Antonio-based group advocates for wildlife and natural resource conservation at local, state, and national levels. It proGLEN WEBB motes the ethical use of land and wildlife. It also promotes hunting and hunter rights.

Webb is the 14th president in TWA’s 26-year history. He previously served as treasurer for two years and as secretary for two years.

“To represent you as the president of this organization is a true honor,” Webb told fellow members at the convention. “Therefore, please know: I realize I have been given a great gift. I recognize my covenant, and I promise I will be a good steward.”

Webb, an Abilene native, earned a bachelor of arts degree from Texas A&M University, a master’s of business administration from Texas Tech University, and his law degree from Southern Methodist University.

With his mother, Becky, and brother, Russell, Webb owns 2 Diamond W Ranches in Throckmorton County.

As a member of TWA’s executive committee, he wrote the group’s amicus brief to the Texas Supreme Court in the case Guitar Holding Co., LP vs. Hudspeth County Underground Water District.

Webb and his wife, Misti, have two children, William Gentry and Ella Grace.

The TWA Board of Directors also re-elected Neal Wilkins, of College Station as TWA vice president and elected Greg Simons of San Angelo as secretary and Marcus T. Barrett IV of San Antonio as treasurer.

—Staff report

PRICEY TROPHY: A Texas hunter paid $152,000 for a chance to shoot a desert bighorn sheep like the ones pictured earlier this year at Elephant Mountain WMA, where the auctioned hunt will take place. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

The permit is valid for one desert bighorn ram at the Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Brewster County.

This WMA was donated in 1985 to TPWD specifically for restoration,

conservation and management of desert bighorn sheep.

Twenty-five bighorn hunts have been conducted there since 1996, resulting in 16 Boone and Crockett record book rams.

Monitor pond’s oxygen levels, even if it’s full

POND AID: Though a pond may stay full, even during drought, landowners must make sure that fish populations don’t exceed available oxygen in the water. The consequence: fish kills. Photo by Robert Burns.

Dropping oxygen levels can be a problem during a hot Texas summer, even when there's normal rainfall.

A pond may be well constructed with a clay base, but pond owners must still pay attention to fish management and water oxygen levels.

If the pond is too heavily stocked, fish can run into an “oxygen debt,” said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, Texas AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist.

“As water temperatures increase, the ability of that water to hold oxygen decreases, so, typically, the hot summer months are when oxygen depletions are most likely to occur,” Higginbotham said.

He added that it’s best to avoid trying to carry more than a thousand pounds of fish per surface acre during the warm months.

“Small ponds that are intensively managed for high-standing crops of catfish at or above 1,000 pounds per surface acre are going to be among the first ponds to experience oxygen shortages as water levels drop,” he said.

But many pond owners overestimate the

surface acreage of their ponds by a factor of two or three, Higginbotham said.

There are simple methods to determine the size of a pond, he said.

If the pond is more or less rectangular, the simplest way to determine its size is to measure the length and width in feet, then multiply one measurement by the other to get surface area in square feet.

Divide that number by 44,000 to get the approximate area in acres.

As an example, a relatively square pond measuring about 200 feet on each side will have 40,000 square feet of surface area, or about one acre.

Calculating a round pond’s size is a little more complicated. Divide the distance across the pond by two, square the result, and then multiply that number by 3.14.

Once the approximate surface area is determined, the next step is to determine the pounds of fish in the pond, Higginbotham said.

“By catching a few fish and weighing them, an owner can estimate the total pounds of fish in the pond,” he said.

Pond owners who suspect low oxygen concentrations should monitor their ponds closely, even if their stocking levels are 1,000 pounds per acre or less, Higginbotham said.

“Visit the pond shortly after daybreak,” he said. “If fish are crowded up at the surface at first light, that's a pretty good indication that you’ve got low-oxygen levels.”

If this is the case, pond owners should either immediately harvest fish to reduce the stocking level or aerate that water, Higginbotham said.

“Aerate with a pump or boat motor just to get over the hump and through the immediate emergency in order to raise the oxygen levels, so you don't lose an entire pond of fish,” he said.

— Robert Burns, Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Page 24

July 22, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides

Last

Time 7:40 a.m.

4:26 p.m.

5:07 p.m.

5:48 p.m.

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7:09 p.m.

8:09 a.m.

8:12 a.m.

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Height 2.0 H 0.0 L -0.2 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.7 L 2.1 L 2.1 L 2.1 L 1.8 L 1.4 L 1.1 L 0.7 L 2.1 H 2.3 H

Time Height 3:44 p.m. 0.4 L

Time

Height

10:21 a.m. 2.3 H 11:53 a.m. 2.3 H 1:08 p.m. 2.3 H 2:24 p.m. 2.3 H 3:46 p.m. 2.1 H 5:17 p.m. 2.0 H 7:00 p.m. 2.0 H 1:22 p.m. 0.2 L 2:27 p.m. -0.2 L

7:49 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

9:11 p.m.

9:53 p.m.

10:35 p.m.

11:18 p.m.

-0.9 L -0.7 L -0.7 L -0.4 L 0.0 L 0.5 L

Time Height 4:10 p.m. 0.3 L

Time

8:54 p.m. 2.0 H 10:59 p.m. 2.1 H

New

July 22

Time Height 12:47 a.m. 1.0 L 8:18 a.m. 1.6 H 5:56 a.m. 1.7 H 4:24 a.m. 1.9 H 4:14 a.m. 1.9 H 4:33 a.m. 2.0 H 4:55 a.m. 2.0 H 5:17 a.m. 2.0 H 5:39 a.m. 2.0 H 6:00 a.m. 1.9 H 6:20 a.m. 1.9 H 6:39 a.m. 1.7 H 6:57 a.m. 1.7 H 12:29 a.m. 0.9 L 1:18 a.m. 1.3 L

Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

Time 8:27 a.m.

4:52 p.m.

5:33 p.m.

6:14 p.m.

6:54 p.m.

7:35 p.m.

8:35 a.m.

8:38 a.m.

9:13 a.m.

9:58 a.m.

10:49 a.m.

11:45 a.m.

12:45p.m.

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7:29 a.m.

Height .6 H 0.0 L -0.1 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.6 L 1.7 L 1.7 L 1.7 L 1.4 L 1.1 L 0.9 L 0.6 L 1.7 H 1.9 H

Time 8:57 a.m.

5:48 p.m.

6:29 p.m.

7:10 p.m.

7:50 p.m.

8:31 p.m.

9:31 a.m.

9:34 a.m.

10:09 a.m.

10:54 a.m.

11:45 a.m.

12:41 p.m.

7:27 a.m.

7:44 a.m.

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Height 0.9 H 0.0 L -0.1 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.3 L 1.0 L 1.0 L 1.0 L 0.9 L 0.7 L 0.5 L 1.0 H 1.0 H 1.1 H

Time 7:49 a.m.

4:49 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:11 p.m.

6:51 p.m.

7:32 p.m.

8:32 a.m.

8:35 a.m.

9:10 a.m.

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10:46 a.m.

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Height 1.4 H 0.0 L -0.1 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.4 L 1.1 L 1.1 L 1.1 L 0.9 L 0.7 L 0.5 L 0.4 L 1.5 H 1.6 H

Height

11:08 a.m. 1.9 H 12:40 p.m. 1.9 H 1:55 p.m. 1.9 H 3:11 p.m. 1.9 H 4:33 p.m. 1.7 H 6:04 p.m. 1.6 H 7:47 p.m. 1.6 H 1:48 p.m. 0.1 L 2:53 p.m. -0.1 L

8:15 p.m.

8:56 p.m.

9:37 p.m.

10:19 p.m.

11:01 p.m.

11:44 p.m.

-0.7 L -0.6 L -0.6 L -0.3 L 0.0 L 0.4 L

Time Height 5:06 p.m. 0.2 L

Time

Height

11:38 a.m. 1.1 H 1:10 p.m. 1.1 H 2:25 p.m. 1.1 H 3:41 p.m. 1.1 H 5:03 p.m. 1.0 H 6:34 p.m. 0.9 H 1:41 p.m. 0.3 L 2:44 p.m. 0.1 L 3:49 p.m. -0.1 L

9:11 p.m.

9:52 p.m.

10:33 p.m.

11:15 p.m.

11:57 p.m.

-0.4 L -0.3 L -0.3 L -0.2 L 0.0 L

Time Height 4:07 p.m. 0.2 L

Time

Height

10:30 a.m. 1.6 H 12:02 p.m. 1.6 H 1:17 p.m. 1.6 H 2:33 p.m. 1.6 H 3:55 p.m. 1.5 H 5:26 p.m. 1.4 H 7:09 p.m. 1.4 H 1:45 p.m. 0.1 L 2:50 p.m. -0.1 L

8:12 p.m.

8:53 p.m.

9:34 p.m.

10:16 p.m.

10:58 p.m.

11:41 p.m.

-0.5 L -0.4 L -0.4 L -0.2 L 0.0 L 0.3 L

9:41 p.m. 1.6 H 11:46 p.m. 1.7 H

Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

Time Height 1:43 a.m. 0.6 L 8:48 a.m. 0.9 H 6:26 a.m. .0 H 4:54 a.m. 1.1 H 4:44 a.m. 1.1 H 5:03 a.m. 1.2 H 5:25 a.m. 1.2 H 5:47 a.m. 1.2 H 6:09 a.m. 1.2 H 6:30 a.m. 1.1 H 6:50 a.m. 1.1 H 7:09 a.m. 1.0 H 12:40 a.m. 0.3 L 1:25 a.m. 0.5 L 2:14 a.m. 0.8 L Time Height 12:44 a.m. 0.6 L 7:40 a.m. 1.4 H 5:18 a.m. 1.5 H 3:46 a.m. 1.6 H 3:36 a.m. 1.6 H 3:55 a.m. 1.7 H 4:17 a.m. 1.7 H 4:39 a.m. 1.7 H 5:01 a.m. 1.7 H 5:22 a.m. 1.6 H 5:42 a.m. 1.6 H 6:01 a.m. 1.5 H 6:19 a.m. 1.5 H 12:26 a.m. 0.5 L 1:15 a.m. 0.8 L

Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

8:17 p.m. 0.9 H 10:11 p.m. 0.9 H

Aug 12

Time 8:38 a.m.

7:58 a.m.

8:08 a.m.

8:39 a.m.

9:19 a.m.

10:05 a.m.

10:56 a.m.

11:54 a.m.

12:31 a.m.

1:09 a.m.

1:43 a.m.

2:12 a.m.

2:28 a.m.

2:10 a.m.

7:50 a.m.

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

Time 6:41 p.m.

7:40 p.m.

8:38 p.m.

9:32 p.m.

10:22 p.m.

11:08 p.m.

11:51 p.m.

Height 0.15 H 0.18 H 0.19 H 0.21 H 0.22 H 0.23 H 0.24 H -0.14 L -0.13 L -0.11 L -0.07 L -0.01 L 0.05 L 0.17 H 0.22 H

Time 7:16 p.m.

8:02 p.m.

8:49 p.m.

9:38 p.m.

10:29 p.m.

11:19 p.m.

Height -0.1 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.6 L

1:07 p.m. 0.6 H 2:52 p.m. 0.5 H 4:58 p.m. 0.4 H 10:21 a.m. 0.2 H 8:54 a.m. 0.2 H 8:07 a.m. 0.3 H 5:19 p.m. -0.3 L

Time

Height

1:25 p.m. 0.1 L 2:55 p.m. 0.0 L 4:07 p.m. -0.1 L

Time

Height

7:02 p.m. 0.3 H 9:27 p.m. 0.2 H

Time 9:58 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

10:42 a.m.

1:18 a.m.

12:01 p.m.

12:46 p.m.

1:31 p.m.

12:07 a.m.

12:51 a.m.

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2:02 a.m.

2:23 a.m.

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8:38 a.m.

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Height -0.07 L -0.1 L -0.12 L -0.13 L -0.14 L -0.14 L

2:16 p.m. 0.23 H 3:03 p.m. 0.22 H 3:56 p.m. 0.19 H 5:14 p.m. 0.15 H 10:16 a.m. 0.11 H 9:08 a.m. 0.13 H 5:44 p.m. -0.04 L 6:38 p.m. -0.09 L

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time Height 12:26 a.m. 0.5 L 8:11 a.m. .3 H 5:49 a.m. 1.4 H 4:17 a.m. 1.5 H 4:07 a.m. 1.5 H 4:26 a.m. 1.6 H 4:48 a.m. 1.6 H 5:10 a.m. 1.6 H 5:32 a.m. 1.6 H 5:53 a.m. 1.5 H 6:13 a.m. 1.5 H 6:32 a.m. 1.4 H 6:50 a.m. 1.4 H 12:08 a.m. 0.5 L 12:57 a.m. 0.7 L

Time 8:20 a.m.

4:31 p.m.

5:12 p.m.

5:53 p.m.

6:33 p.m.

7:14 p.m.

8:14 a.m.

8:17 a.m.

8:52 a.m.

9:37 a.m.

10:28 a.m.

11:24 a.m.

12:24 p.m.

7:07 a.m.

7:22 a.m.

Height 1.3 H 0.0 L -0.1 L -0.2 L -0.2 L -0.3 L 0.9 L 0.9 L 0.9 L 0.8 L 0.6 L 0.5 L 0.3 L 1.4 H 1.5 H

9:03 p.m. 1.4 H 11:08 p.m. 1.5 H

Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

Time Height 12:39 a.m. 0.7 L 6:20 a.m. 1.0 H 5:16 a.m. 1.1 H 4:28 a.m. 1.2 H 4:38 a.m. 1.3 H 4:59 a.m. .4 H 5:23 a.m. 1.5 H 5:45 a.m. 1.5 H 6:04 a.m. 1.5 H 6:17 a.m. 1.4 H 6:23 a.m. 1.2 H 6:24 a.m. 1.1 H 6:19 a.m. 1.0 H 12:42 a.m. 0.6 L 1:36 a.m. 0.9 L

Time 6:51 a.m.

4:13 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

5:48 p.m.

6:34 p.m.

7:20 p.m.

8:04 p.m.

8:49 p.m.

9:34 p.m.

11:05 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

11:52 a.m.

12:34 p.m.

6:09 a.m.

5:52 a.m.

Height 1.0 H 0.0 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.6 L -0.6 L -0.5 L 1.1 L 0.9 L 0.6 L 0.3 L 1.0 H 1.0 H

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3:18 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

0.08 L 0.02 L

7:51 p.m. 0.1 H

Time Height 3:49 p.m. 0.2 L

Time

Height

11:01 a.m. 1.5 H 12:33 p.m. 1.5 H 1:48 p.m. 1.5 H 3:04 p.m. 1.5 H 4:26 p.m. 1.4 H 5:57 p.m. 1.3 H 7:40 p.m. 1.3 H 1:27 p.m. 0.1 L 2:32 p.m. -0.1 L

7:54 p.m.

8:35 p.m.

9:16 p.m.

9:58 p.m.

10:40 p.m.

11:23 p.m.

-0.4 L -0.3 L -0.3 L -0.2 L 0.0 L 0.2 L

Time Height 3:27 p.m. 0.1 L

Time

9:34 p.m. 1.3 H 11:39 p.m. 1.4 H

1:37 p.m. 1.2 H 3:25 p.m. 1.1 H 5:09 p.m. 1.0 H 7:02 p.m. 1.0 H 1:24 p.m. 0.0 L 2:20 p.m. -0.3 L

Height

10:19 p.m. -0.3 L 11:06 p.m. -0.1 L 11:53 p.m. 0.2 L 9:17 p.m. 1.0 H

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OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen

Solution on Page 26

41. A game pathway 42. Fish breathing organs 43. Term for parts of a stag's antlers DOWN 1. A fish cleaning tool, _____ knife 2. Number of fish allowed in a day 3. The formation flyers 4. Some anglers like to fish here 5. A method of sport fishing 6. Preys on game, wildfowl 7. The small arms 13. Name for a quickto-erect type tent 14. The expert fisherman's title 16. The most elkpopulated State 18. Stream fishermen are doing this 19. Bucks will to warn of danger 22. A trout and bear species 24. He flushes and fetches

A.M. Minor Major 2:56 9:09 3:44 9:57 4:31 10:44 5:18 11:30 6:05 ----6:51 12:40 7:36 1:26 8:21 2:12 9:07 2:57 9:52 3:42 10:38 4:27 11:25 5:13 ----- 6:01 12:37 6:50 1:27 7:42 2:19 8:34 3:13 9:28 4:08 10:23 5:04 11:18 6:00 -----

P.M. Minor 3:22 4:10 4:56 5:42 6:27 7:12 7:57 8:41 9:26 10:12 10:59 11:48 12:13 1:04 1:56 2:49 3:43 4:38 5:32 6:27

MOON Rises 5:58p 6:47p 7:30p 8:08p 8:42p 9:13p 9:42p 10:10p 10:38p 11:07p 11:40p NoMoon 12:16a 12:58a 1:48a 2:45a 3:48a 4:57a 6:08a 7:19a

Sets 3:23a 4:17a 5:13a 6:10a 7:06a 8:01a 8:54a 9:46a 10:38a 11:31a 12:25p 1:22p 2:20p 3:21p 4:21p 5:20p 6:14p 7:04p 7:48p 8:28p

P.M. Minor Major 3:28 9:41 4:15 10:28 5:02 11:14 5:47 11:59 6:33 12:22 7:18 1:07 8:02 1:52 8:47 2:37 9:32 3:22 10:18 4:08 11:05 4:54 11:54 5:42 12:19 6:32 1:09 7:23 2:01 8:16 2:55 9:10 3:49 10:04 4:43 10:58 5:38 11:52 6:33 12:47

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises 06:33 08:32 6:13p 06:33 08:31 7:00p 06:34 08:30 7:43p 06:35 08:30 8:19p 06:35 08:29 8:52p 06:36 08:28 9:21p 06:37 08:28 9:49p 06:37 08:27 10:15p 06:38 08:26 10:41p 06:39 08:26 11:10p 06:39 08:25 11:40p 06:40 08:24 NoMoon 06:41 08:23 12:16a 06:41 08:22 12:57a 06:42 08:22 1:45a 06:43 08:21 2:42a 06:43 08:20 3:46a 06:44 08:19 4:56a 06:45 08:18 6:09a 06:46 08:17 7:22a

Sets 3:20a 4:15a 5:11a 6:09a 7:07a 8:03a 8:58a 9:51a 10:45a 11:39a 12:35p 1:33p 2:33p 3:35p 4:36p 5:34p 6:27p 7:15p 7:58p 8:36p

P.M. Minor Major 3:35 9:48 4:22 10:35 5:09 11:21 5:54 ----6:40 12:29 7:25 1:14 8:09 1:59 8:54 2:44 9:39 3:29 10:25 4:15 11:12 5:01 ----- 5:49 12:26 6:39 1:16 7:30 2:08 8:23 3:02 9:17 3:56 10:11 4:50 11:05 5:45 11:59 6:40 12:54

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises 06:47 08:31 6:10p 06:47 08:31 6:59p 06:48 08:30 7:42p 06:48 08:30 8:20p 06:49 08:29 8:54p 06:50 08:29 9:25p 06:50 08:28 9:54p 06:51 08:27 10:22p 06:51 08:27 10:51p 06:52 08:26 11:20p 06:53 08:25 11:53p 06:53 08:25 NoMoon 06:54 08:24 12:30a 06:54 08:23 1:12a 06:55 08:23 2:02a 06:56 08:22 2:59a 06:56 08:21 4:02a 06:57 08:20 5:11a 06:57 08:19 6:22a 06:58 08:19 7:33a

Sets 3:37a 4:31a 5:27a 6:24a 7:20a 8:14a 9:07a 9:59a 10:51a 11:43a 12:37p 1:34p 2:33p 3:33p 4:33p 5:32p 6:26p 7:16p 8:00p 8:41p

P.M. Minor 3:48 4:35 5:22 6:08 6:53 7:38 8:23 9:07 9:52 10:38 11:25 ----12:39 1:30 2:22 3:15 4:09 5:04 5:58 6:53

SUN Rises 06:48 06:49 06:49 06:50 06:51 06:51 06:52 06:53 06:54 06:54 06:55 06:56 06:57 06:57 06:58 06:59 07:00 07:01 07:01 07:02

Major 9:36 10:23 11:09 11:54 12:16 1:01 1:47 2:31 3:16 4:02 4:49 5:36 6:26 7:17 8:10 9:04 9:59 10:53 11:47 12:41

SUN Rises Sets 06:34 08:19 06:34 08:19 06:35 08:18 06:35 08:18 06:36 08:17 06:37 08:17 06:37 08:16 06:38 08:16 06:38 08:15 06:39 08:14 06:40 08:14 06:40 08:13 06:41 08:12 06:41 08:11 06:42 08:11 06:43 08:10 06:43 08:09 06:44 08:08 06:44 08:07 06:45 08:07

2011 July-Aug 22 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat > 25 Sun > 26 Mon F 27 Tue > 28 Wed > 29 Thu 30 Fri 31 Sat 01 Sun 02 Mon Q 03 Tue 04 Wed 05 Thu 06 Fri 07 Sat 08 Sun > 09 Mon > 10 Tue N

A.M. Minor Major 3:01 9:15 3:49 10:02 4:37 10:49 5:24 11:36 6:10 ----6:56 12:46 7:42 1:32 8:27 2:17 9:12 3:02 9:57 3:47 10:43 4:32 11:30 5:19 ----- 6:06 12:42 6:56 1:33 7:47 2:25 8:40 3:19 9:34 4:13 10:28 5:09 11:24 6:05 -----

San Antonio 2011 A.M. July-Aug Minor Major 22 Thu 3:08 9:22 23 Fri 3:56 10:09 24 Sat > 4:44 10:56 25 Sun > 5:31 11:43 26 Mon F 6:17 12:06 27 Tue > 7:03 12:53 28 Wed > 7:49 1:39 29 Thu 8:34 2:24 30 Fri 9:19 3:09 31 Sat 10:04 3:54 01 Sun 10:50 4:39 02 Mon Q 11:37 5:26 03 Tue 12:02 6:13 04 Wed 12:49 7:03 05 Thu 1:40 7:54 06 Fri 2:32 8:47 07 Sat 3:26 9:41 08 Sun > 4:20 10:35 09 Mon > 5:16 11:31 10 Tue N 6:12 -----

Amarillo

JOIN US TODAY

ACROSS 1. Nature's cover for fawns 6. An action on a repeating shotgun 8. A food fish 9. It clings to fish to eat on 10. Line grommets on a fish rod 11. Type habitat deer hide in 12. Parts of antlers 14. To point weapon at a target 15. Many pheasants have had this shot off 17. The muskie will attack from here 20. A hunter's quarry in the Rockies 21. To analyze a game track 23. A lure, scent ____ 25. Hunting weapons 26. Name for the deer's tines 30. Cause of arrows to drift in flight 34. A food source for the trout 35. Term for the handle section of a bow 37. A type of fishing lure 38. Pack catch in this to take home 39. It is said deer can distinguish this

2011 July-Aug 22 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat > 25 Sun > 26 Mon F 27 Tue > 28 Wed > 29 Thu 30 Fri 31 Sat 01 Sun 02 Mon Q 03 Tue 04 Wed 05 Thu 06 Fri 07 Sat 08 Sun > 09 Mon > 10 Tue N

Dallas

South Padre Island

Freeport Harbor Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

Full

Aug 5

July 29

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier

San Luis Pass Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

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

Rockport

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

First

Port O’Connor

Sabine Pass, jetty Time Height 12:21 a.m. 1.3 L 7:31 a.m. 2.0 H 5:09 a.m. 2.1 H 3:37 a.m. 2.3 H 3:27 a.m. 2.3 H 3:46 a.m. 2.5 H 4:08 a.m. 2.5 H 4:30 a.m. 2.5 H 4:52 a.m. 2.5 H 5:13 a.m. 2.3 H 5:33 a.m. 2.3 H 5:52 a.m. 2.1 H 6:10 a.m. 2.1 H 12:03 a.m. 1.1 L 12:52 a.m. .6 L

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases

Texas Coast Tides Date July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05

LSONews.com

2011 A.M. July-Aug Minor 22 Thu 3:22 23 Fri 4:10 24 Sat > 4:57 25 Sun > 5:44 26 Mon F 6:31 27 Tue > 7:17 28 Wed > 8:02 29 Thu 8:47 30 Fri 9:32 31 Sat 10:18 01 Sun 11:04 02 Mon Q 11:51 03 Tue 12:15 04 Wed 1:03 05 Thu 1:53 06 Fri 2:45 07 Sat 3:39 08 Sun > 4:34 09 Mon > 5:30 10 Tue N 6:26

Major 9:35 10:23 11:10 11:56 12:20 1:06 1:52 2:37 3:22 4:07 4:53 5:39 6:27 7:16 8:07 9:00 9:54 10:49 11:44 -----

Major 10:02 10:48 11:34 ----12:42 1:27 2:12 2:57 3:42 4:28 5:14 6:02 6:52 7:43 8:36 9:30 10:25 11:19 12:13 1:07

Sets 08:57 08:56 08:56 08:55 08:54 08:54 08:53 08:52 08:51 08:50 08:50 08:49 08:48 08:47 08:46 08:45 08:44 08:43 08:42 08:41

MOON Rises 6:41p 7:28p 8:09p 8:45p 9:16p 9:44p 10:10p 10:35p 11:01p 11:28p NoMoon NoMoon 12:32a 1:12a 2:00a 2:56a 4:01a 5:12a 6:26a 7:40a

Sets 3:35a 4:29a 5:27a 6:25a 7:24a 8:21a 9:17a 10:12a 11:07a 12:02p 12:59p 1:59p 3:00p 4:02p 5:04p 6:02p 6:54p 7:41p 8:22p 8:59p

FOR THE TABLE Caribbean spiced red snapper 6 Red snapper or mangrove snapper fillets, about 6 ounces each 1 large tomato, peeled and chopped 2 green onions, chopped (including the tender green tops) 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp. Louisiana Hot Sauce 1 sprig fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. of dried thyme leaves 1/2 tsp.of salt 1/3 cup olive oil 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1 lemon, cut in half 6 cups hot steamed or boiled white rice, to serve

Mix tomato, green onions, garlic, hot sauce, thyme and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet, setting heat to medium flame. Cook the fillets and squeeze with lemon. Ladle the tomato mixture over fish and cover well. Cook for about 10 minutes.

Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until fillets are flaky.

Serve over freshly steamed or boiled white rice.

Makes 6 servings.

— fishrecipes.org

Doves with Piquant sauce

Part of fishing gear A type habitat Term for a type of fly Hunter _____ his scouting routes 32. A very valuable fur bearer 27.

28.

29.

31.

33. A major deer food 36. Garters worn to keep ____ out of boots 37. Method of float fishing in a lake 40. Fish eggs

10 dove breast fillets 1/4 cup flour 1/2 tsp. garlic salt 1/4 tsp. paprika 1/8 tsp. pepper 2 tbsp. shortening Piquant Sauce 1 med. onion, sliced 1 tbsp. shortening 2/3 cup water 2 tsp. cornstarch 2 tsp. soy sauce Place flour, garlic salt, paprika, and pepper in a plastic or paper bag; add dove breasts and shake

until meat is coated well. Heat shortening in medium skillet and brown breasts on both sides.

Remove meat to platter and keep warm while preparing sauce.

Cook and stir onion until crisptender in same skillet used for doves. Blend water, cornstarch and soy sauce and pour into skillet.

Cook and stir constantly until sauce thickens and boils. Continue stirring and allow to boil for one minute.

Add doves to sauce, heat through, and serve on bed of cooked rice.

— wildgamerecipes.org

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Grass Carp Shoot on Lake Conroe More than 20 teams competed at the Lake Conroe Grass Carp Shoot July 9, and 59 shooters managed to take 221 grass carp out of the lake.

Ron Gunter, assistant state conservation director, said 93 anglers and more than 20 bow fishing teams helped thin the lake of grass carp, which have been eating beneficial native grass in the lake after being introduced to help battle invasive hydrilla.

There also was a tournament for rod and reel anglers.

For that division, Keith Caka took home top honors with 28 carp brought to the weigh station.

“All participants expressed how they had a great time at the event,” Gunter said on the Texas Fishing Forum. “Some understood the philosophy behind the event and were out there to help, but most were excited to be a part of a 'fish' tournament for their very first time.

There were a lot of amped-up fishing folks who brought grass carp to the scales all throughout the day.”

“We weren't quite sure what to expect as we sent both novice and accomplished anglers out on Conroe to do battle with the carp on rod and reel. Similar harvesting tournaments in other lakes in the past had yielded very low success results, but our folks were able to bring in nearly 300 mature grass carp for a total weight of close to 3,000 pounds.”

Robert Peebles of Team Mudkat, which finished third, said the tournament was a success and he hopes to do it again next year.

“I think (the tournament) was a good thing,” Peebles said. “It was tough because the lake was so muddy because of the lack of grass.

Conroe has never been known for clear water, and bow fishermen can’t shoot what they can’t see.

“We managed 29 fish, and we lost a lot of fish, unfortunately.”

Peebles said Texas Parks and Wildlife officials were pleased with the turnout and, while nothing is certain, they were talking about planning another tournament for next year.

“We’ll definitely do it again if they let us,” Peebles added.

Lake Conroe Grass Carp Shoot – July 9, 2011 1st Team PSE – 376 points, 36 grass carp. Walter Blackburn, Robert Blackburn, Dave Roberts.

2nd Garquest – 338 points, 33 grass carp. Marty McIntyre, Tim Jackson, Robert Stillwagon.

3rd Mudkat – 310 points, 29 grass carp. Kyle Kleb, Robert Peebles, Mike Howse.

4th Kelley – 241 points, 23 grass carp. Ryan Kelley, Bubba Usher, Justin Bennett.

5th ScaleBusters – 231 points, 21 grass carp. Cody Cryer, Justin Wiley, Daniel Kirwin.

Texas launches mandatory boater education A new state law from the recent legislative session will require mandatory boater education for more people in Texas starting Sep. 1, a move that supporters say will save lives and make crowded waters safer.

According to a legislative report by the state’s Advisory Panel on Boating Safety, the primary cause of boating deaths nationally is drowning, with 543 in 2009, of which 385 were not wearing lifejackets, usually in rough weather or on hazardous water.

Changes to Texas laws targeting boating safety include mandatory boating safety education certification for anyone born on or after Sept.

1, 1993 to operate a vessel with a motor of more than 15 horsepower or a wind-blown vessel measuring more than 14 feet in length.

While all boaters are encouraged to take boating safety education, those born before Sept. 1, 1993, are exempt from required certification.

— Staff report

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

July 22, 2011

SAVING THE BEST FOR FIRST: Ryan Olson of Abilene caught the new lake record bass July 2 while fishing Kirby Lake, east of Wylie. The 10-pound, 8-ounce fish was the first fish of the day for Olson. He caught it on a lightly weighted artificial worm. Olson went on to catch another half-dozen fish that day, with the next largest weighing 7 pounds. Photo by Ryan Olson.

LIGHT TACKLE, BIG FISH: Angler David Standridge of Venus caught this 12-pound, 3-ounce bass while fishing July 4 at Lake Waxahachie.

Pending confirmation by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the bass could be the next lake record on Waxahachie. Standridge caught the bass while crappie fishing with a 1/4-ounce jighead with an artificial grub. The bass measured 27 inches long with a 21-inch girth. The previous lake record was 10 pounds, 7 ounces and was caught in 2008.

Photo by David Standridge.

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July 22, 2011

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DATEBOOK July 22 Texas Deer Association Corpus Christi Chapter Sportsmen’s Banquet U.S.S. Lexington (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com

July 22-24 Ultimate Summer Boat and Outdoors Show Dallas Market Hall (469) 549-0673 www.letsgetoutdoorstexas.com

Gulf Coast Waterfowl Festival Pasadena Convention Center Pasadena (713) 429-1950 www.gulfcoastwaterfowlfestival.com

Purina Wildlife Series Event Ark County Country Store Waxahachie (972) 935-8602 www.wildlife.purinamills.com

August 3-7

August 13

72nd Annual Texas International Fishing Tournament South Padre Island (956) 943-8438 www.tift.org

Coastal Conservation Association Aransas Bay Chapter Banquet Paws N’ Taws Fulton (800) 626-4222 www.ccatexas.org

Editor Bill Miller

August 5-7 Texas Hunters and Sportsman’s Expo McAllen Convention Center (956) 664-2884 www.texashunterassociation.com

Texas Trophy Hunters 2011 Hunters Extravaganza Reliant Center Houston (210) 523-8500 www.ttha.com

July 28-31 37th Annual Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament (956) 944-2354 www.portmansfieldchamber.org g

July 29-30 Deer Breeders Co-Op 4th Annual DBC Convention La Torretta Del Lago Resort Montgomery www.deerbreeders.com

July 30 Deer Fest Wichita Falls (940) 704-2984 www.deerfestwichitafalls.com

Executive Editor Craig Nyhus

AAugust 6 Park Cities Quail Snake Avoidance Clinic Rice Ranch Bartonville (214) 696-1762 www.parkcitiesquail.org

August 9 Purina Wildlife Series Event Livingston Farm and Feed Livingston (936) 327-8853 www.wildlife.purinamills.com

August 10-14

Texas Big Game Awards Banquet College Station (210) 826-2904 www.texasbiggameawards.org

Texas Deer Association 13th Annual Convention and Fundraiser JW Marriott San Antonio (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com

July 30-31

August 11

Lake Fork Sportsmen’s Association 3rd Annual Yantis Catfish Classic Lake Fork (903) 763-2191 www.lakeforksa.com

Coastal Conservation Association San Gabriel Chapter Banquet United Heritage Conference Center Round Rock (800) 626-4222 www.ccatexas.org

Associate Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan

August 13-14 Houston Safari Club HGC-SCI’s 7th Annual Youth Hunter Education Course Houston Farm and Ranch Club www.scihouston.org

August 19 Big Brothers Big Sisters Sporting Clay Shoot Elm Fork Shooting Range Dallas (817) 905-4653 www.bigclayshoot.com

Web site Bruce Soileau

National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager Classified/Outfitters Blazing Paths Media Advertising Intern Nicholas Conklin Founder & CEO David J. Sams

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

August 19-21 Texas Trophy Hunters 2011 Hunters Extravaganza Will Rogers Center Fort Worth (210) 523-8500 www.ttha.com

August 24 Dallas Safari Club Monthly meeting Rough Riders Baseball Game, Frisco sco (972) 980-9800 www.biggame.org

August 26-28 Texas Hunting & Outdoor Classic Freeman Expo Hall San Antonio (210) 226-1177 www.huntersclassic.com

Puzzle solution from Page 24

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

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

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

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July 22, 2011

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July 22, 2011

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Cabela's stores to host events in late July Cabela’s stores in Fort Worth, Buda and the new one in Allen will be closing July with busy schedules.

The Allen store is sponsoring a seminar July 28 with FLW professional anglers Gary Dobyns and Mark Pack.

The event starts 6 p.m., and the last session starts 9:30 p.m. at the Marriott in The Village of Allen, U.S. 75 at Stacy Road.

Refreshments will be served.

Dobyns, of Yuba City, Calif., also has a rod company and Pack, of Mineola, is guide on Lake Fork. They will cover several topics, including deep-water fishing and simple approaches to catching bass.

To RSVP, call the Allen Cabela’s at 214-383-0502. If calling on behalf of a bass club, tell the operator how many people from the club will be attending.

The outdoors retailer will hold archery events July 29-31 at all three Texas stores.

Speakers in Fort Worth include Texas hog hunter Brian “Pig Man” Quaca, host of a Sportsman Channel’s television series, from 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 29.

Mike and Bonnie McFerrin, cohosts of the “Legends of the Fall” television show on the Outdoors Channel, will be on hand Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Renowned bowhunter Chuck Adams will be at the Allen store, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., July 30-31. On the same days in Buda, Jon and Gina Brunson of “Addicted to the Outdoors” will appear 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

(See advertisement, Page 17.)

—Staff report

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Taking aim Continued From Page 1

or captive hunting — where tame, exotic and sometimes endangered animals are shot at close range in enclosed areas.”

Other ranches in the show were in the state of New York.

But Animal Planet claims half of these operations nationwide are “in Texas.”

Timing of the documentary coincides with the reintroduction of the Humane Societybacked “Sportsmanship in Hunting Act” (H.R. 2210), which would ban the interstate transport of exotic animals for canned hunting.

Representatives of Action Outdoor Adventures were unavailable for comment.

But when the Humane Society talks about “enclosed areas,” does that include any high fence, like the ones on hundreds of Texas ranches?

“We don’t split hairs on the issue,” Page said. “We say any animal trapped behind a fence is a canned hunt.”

Kirby Brown of the Texas Wildlife Association said he has no use for the Humane Society, but he did acknowledge the existence of what he called “putand-take” hunting operations.

“If you want to shoot a longhorn or a chicken, someone will make that available to you,” Brown said. “We don’t want to see that and we’re strongly opposed to these short-term takings of animals.”

Brown is TWA’s vice president of public policy. The group formed in 1985 to promote wildlife conservation on private lands. It also advocates hunting and fair chase ethics.

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Brown said he “But as far as the (B&C) believes fair chase can record books go, it doesn’t be achieved behind matter how big it is.” high fences, espeThe club, which scores cially on high-acreage North American game ranches. trophies, will not rec“You have to look ognize animals taken at this in a reasonfrom behind high fences. able way,” he said.

Wallace said that’s largely “The animal has to because the club doesn’t be able to get away have the resources to send and basically be in a staffers around the counwild state. You can try inspecting high fences. have that with a high ETHICS QUEST: Ben Wallace of Corpus Christi, president of “A lot of Texans don’t fence. Some ranches the Boone and Crockett Club, said a recent Animal Planet like that because they in Texas are huge in documentary is a reminder that anti-hunting groups are want to have their deer that regard.” in the book, and I undercovertly monitoring sportsmen. Hunters, therefore, should The Humane Society mind their ethics. Photo by Ben Wallace. stand that,” said Wallace, a isn’t just against high Corpus Christi lawyer. fences. It also opposes But, he added, a high plicated in the modern technohunting out of a blind near a logical era with its numerous fence can be a legitimate manfeeder, possibly the most com- baits, calls and other devices agement tool. For example, he mon method used by Texas available to hunters. described a Hill Country ranch deer hunters.

But, Posewitz wrote, “cap- overrun by free-ranging exotics “It violates any definition of tive” hunting operations where that were outcompeting native fair chase,” Page said. “a person with a gun is guar- white-tailed deer for food.

The most basic definition of anteed an animal to shoot” is “I personally don’t mind fair chase states that a game “alien to any consideration of hunting behind a high fence,” animal must have a clear ethical hunting.” he said, “as long as everything chance to escape.

“The thing we’d like to is OK behind the fence. And Without that, said author encourage is, that, the more then the questions become: Jim Posewitz, you’ll be miss- natural the circumstances, the Are you a land steward? Are you ing what Theodore Roosevelt more valuable the hunting,” overstocked? called “the sturdy pleasure of Posewitz said in a recent inter“Are you providing animals on the chase.” view. “The animal under any your ranch with enough cover to Posewitz, a retired wildlife circumstance has got to have escape? I think it’s just a matter biologist in Helena, Mont., some opportunity to escape.” of the individual’s morals.” founded Orion-The Hunter’s Wallace said the Animal Ultimately, Posewitz wrote in Institute in 1993 to define fair the book, “Deciding what is fair Planet documentary is a chase ethics and promote them. is a personal responsibility.” reminder that anti-hunting His book, “Beyond Fair But defining “fair” can be a groups are covertly monitoring Chase: The Ethic and Tradition moving target in Texas if the sportsmen. of Hunting,” was published question becomes: How much “We need to show that we go in 1994. At 118 pages, it is rec- acreage behind a high fence gives in ethically, take game legally, ommended reading for hunter animals sufficient chance to flee? we process it and we eat it,” he education instructors across “It is a complex issue at best,” said. “And we need to get the the nation. said Ben Wallace, president of word out there with the nonIn the book, Posewitz wrote the Boone and Crockett Club hunting public that we are that an ancient hunter with and, by the way, a Texan. “If you doing it right. a spear was “well within the talk to a guy who has 10,000 “We need to be careful that bounds of fair chase.” acres, he’ll say it’s 10,000. A guy we do not present ourselves as The definition becomes com- with 3,000 acres will say 3,000. providers of canned shoots.”

Natural gas Continued From Page 4

border, infamously known for drug cartel violence.

But these issues are decades old.

Officials with the Texas Wildlife Association say hunters are displaced whenever there is a petroleum boom, and not just in South Texas.

The TWA officials have seen similar situations in recent years with the Barnett Shale formation in North Texas, which, according to some geologists, holds one of the largest natural gas fields in the U.S. Wind farms, according to the TWA, have also displaced Texas hunters.

“It’s a pretty common problem,” said Justin Dreibelbis, the TWA’s conservation program coordinator. “The Eagle Ford development definitely has changed some things.

“Our big deal is that it’s strictly up to the landowner, and we are pro-landowner.

But we are reminding people that it always helps to have people help you control wildlife populations.”

Dreibelbis added that responsible hunters eagerly help with other stewardship issues and they can be “boots-on-the-ground” monitors for absentee landowners.

Fewer pronghorn Continued From Page 4

The pronghorn’s range in Texas stretches across the Trans Pecos, High Plains, Rolling Plains, and Edwards Plateau — a landscape that is characteristically dry.

Predators and disease add to the harsh environment.

As many as 17,000 West Texas antelope were counted in the mid-to-late 1980s, but by 2000 there were only 5,200 of them.

The translocation project last winter had a two-pronged goal to bolster the Trans-Pecos herd while helping researchers figure out what caused population declines.

The Panhandle pronghorn were trapped by helicopter, and then transported in truckdrawn trailers 500 miles south to their new homes in Presidio County. But there was a tense moment on the trip.

One of the vehicles broke down between

A conference on how to balance oil and gas production with hunting and other issues will be explored at the South Texas Wildlife Conference, Sept. 28-30 in Victoria.

TWA, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are sponsoring the conference.

“People from both sides will be there, including oil and gas producers and landowners,” Dreibelbis said.

Registration deadline is Sept. 14.

For information, call Courtney Brittain at 210-826-2904 or by e-mail, cbrittain@texas-wildlife.org.

Seminole and Andrews, and it was about 80 degrees — dangerously hot for the alreadystressed antelope, Gray said.

But, he added, firefighters from Seminole came and hosed the trailer down, cooling it.

That saved some of the animals, although nine died.

A total of about 25 percent died within a month of relocation, and predators killed a few more on the new range, Gray said.

Then, he added, in late May and early June, “We had a bunch die, 10 or so.”

Two were sent to a lab at College Station, where tests showed they died from the parasite Haemonchus, due to drought.

Biologists are doing more sampling to see if the parasite is prevalent in other Panhandle pronghorn; if not, they’ll know it’s a Trans-Pecos issue.

This project, Gray said, has been a “huge success” scientifically.

“But,” he added, “as far as restoration goes, maybe not so much. And we’re coupled with record drought, so that’s not helping at all.”

July 22, 2011

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DSC helps future African game wardens Poaching, habitat loss and the complexities of managing Earth’s most diverse collection of game species — all on a continent stressed by civil war, humanitarian crises and corruption — are among the issues awaiting a new generation of wildlife officers in Africa.

An ambitious new class of future wildlife officers now receiving formal education in Tanzania includes four students sponsored by The Dallas Safari Club.

“Our club is very proud to help shape the future of conservation in Africa,” said DSC Executive Director Ben Carter. “There are many challenges, but I’m confident that with enough education and appreciation of the benefits that hunting brings to Africa, the challenges can be conquered.”

DSC is partnering with the Friedkin Conservation Fund to help fund the students’ education.

This fund helps the Tanzanian government with the conservation and preservation of more than 9 million acres of that nation’s protected areas.

The DSC-sponsored students include Jacquelin Jordan, Julius Makarot, Veronica Mollel and Frank Riziki. They attend the College of African Wildlife Management, in Moshi, Tanzania.

Coursework includes law enforcement, wildlife management, biology, tourism management and more.

In a letter to DSC and the Friedkin fund, Makarot expressed what scholarships mean to him, his people and the wild resources of his country.

“The knowledge I am getting will help my Maasai community and Tanzania to be able to take care of the wildlife for future generations,” he wrote.

“Also, my education will help young Maasai men to have desire to continue with their studies as I will be a role model for them.

“This will all bring a big change among Maasai towards development of conservation.”

—Staff report

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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July 22, 2011

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