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LoneOStar Outdoor News
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July 26, 2013
Big fish at Bastante Big marlin, tuna highlight Rockport tournament.
Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper
July 26, 2013
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Volume 9, Issue 23
Summer cats are purring
Inside
Fishing great across the state By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS
Lake Tawakoni catfish guide David Hanson is having one heck of a summer targeting channel catfish on his home lake.
❘❚ HUNTING
Rain is falling West Texas gets much-needed moisture. Page 4
Showtime
DAY OR NIGHT: Anglers have been catching summer catfish during the day and night at a variety of depths. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
“We are wearing the channel cats out,” he said. “We have been catching 125 to 150 fish per day, and most days by 10 a.m.” Hanson said he has been fishing since the spring in 27 to 30 feet of water and hasn’t had to change tactics because the fishing has been so good. “If you aren’t catching a limit out here,
something is wrong,” he said. “I have been fishing in those depths, but I’ve talked to guys who are fishing shallow under corks and they are catching a ton, also.” Hanson has been using punchbait to pull fish between 3 and 10 pounds. On Toledo Bend Reservoir, the summer catfish bite has also
been solid, according to guide Ed Snelson. “We tore them up several nights ago,” he said. “We caught 700 pounds in two nights. All of those fish were caught on river channel banks in 6 feet. The channels drop off into 30 feet or more, but there is no oxygen on the bottom.” Snelson said he was See CATFISH, Page 18
Hunting expos start the hunting year. Page 5
Let it Ride wins Poco
❘❚ FISHING
The right fly rod for saltwater What to buy depends on the fish.
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Cooler theft Crooks look for high-end boxes.
❘❚ CONTENTS
Classifieds . . . . . . . . Crossword . . . . . . . . Freshwater Fishing Report For the Table. . . . . . . Game Warden Blotter . . . Heroes. . . . . . . . . . Outdoor Datebook . . . . Products . . . . . . . . . Saltwater Fishing Report . Sun, Moon and Tide data .
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THE FIGHT IS ON: Anglers from the Over-Ride attempt to reel in a big blue marlin. They were successful and landed the 561.5-pound fish to take second place in the Poco Bueno tournament. Photo by Dave Matisons, Texas Charter Fleet.
The Let it Ride from Port Aransas took home top honors at the prestigious Poco Bueno tournament July 21 in Port O’Connor when they brought a 584.5-pound blue marlin to the scales. They took the winner’s share of the almost $2 million prize in the notoriously exclusive
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tournament. The meat pot alone reportedly paid more than $1 million. The 118-inch long fish beat out several other big blues for the top spot. “We were running on fumes so getting to the jetties was as big a victory as catching the See POCO, Page 14
WE HAVE A WINNER: This giant, 584.5-pound blue marlin, caught by Bryan Richter, brought home a first-place check in Poco Bueno for anglers aboard the Let it Ride, earning the boat a large chunk of the nearly $2 million in prize money. Photo by Dave Matisons, Texas Charter Fleet.
Holding strong Three antelope species alive and well in Texas after permit fiasco By Mark England
Lone Star outdoor newS
STILL HERE: After an initial rush to cull some herds due to federal regulations, scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle are still prevalent on many Texas ranches. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Herds of the scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle are rebounding in Texas after an initial “panic” when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced endangered species permits would be required to hunt the antelopes.
The decision came after a federal court ruling, and permitting went into effect April 4, 2012. “There was tremendous culling during the panic stage,” said Charly Seale, executive director of the Exotic Wildlife Association. “People were selling for pennies on the dollar.” A 2010 EWA survey esti-
mated there were 11,032 scimitar-horned oryx, 5,112 addax and 894 dama gazelle on EWA-member ranches. Seale believes those numbers are down at least 40 percent, through culling and sell-offs. One Texas game ranch sold discount hunts of $1,500 for a scimitar-horned oryx. As many See ANTELOPE, Page 15
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HUNTING
Summer storms a welcome sight Rainfall across portions of the state helping habitat, game By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
Texas Parks and Wildlife Lubbock biologist Sean Kyle had his bird dog out last week to run and stretch its legs. The 18-month-old puppy had some first-time experiences. “I think it was the first time he had ever seen moisture on the ground,” Kyle said. “It was a pretty new experience for him.” Kyle said the Lubbock area received 2.39 inches of rain the past week and 3.33 inches overall for the month of July — a big increase over last year. “We’ve also gotten a lot of rain at the Muleshoe Refuge,” he said. “Five inches in June alone. There are lots of forbs and grasses responding.” Kyle said it might be a little late See STORMS, Page 7
THUNDERSTRUCK: Rain has swept across much of Texas recently, providing grasses and forbs with a boost heading into late summer. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Landowners encouraged to report hog damage By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
A statewide program is now helping landowners report and deal with the damage caused by feral hogs. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service went statewide with a landowner assis-
tance program aimed to keep track of feral hogs, especially around watershed areas. According to Jared Timmons, an extension associate at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department, the program began with the Plumb Creek Watershed but has expanded. “There are two different ways to participate,”
COUNT THEM AND REPORT: A statewide effort by Texas AgriLife Extension offices is encouraging landowners and the public to document property damage caused by hogs and landowners’ removal efforts. Photo by James Richards.
Timmons said. “First, we have a section where landowners can create an account and enter monthly reports to give damage assessments, control methods they are using and number of hogs removed. Also, the public can log in with no account needed. Users can click on a Google map of the nearest stream or watershed and give the number of hogs observed, damage reports and provide any other information they want. “We use this information as the basis for our educational efforts.” Timmons said the program has had good participation in the short time it has been available, and user information is kept confidential by the Extension Service. “We’ve hired a new agent in the Gatesville area,” he said. “We already had good participation in the South-Central (Texas) area and Coastal Bend region. A lot of what we do is look at the reports and see where we need to provide technical guidance for control efforts.” Timmons said something that has become clear with the new system is the abundance of hogs in urban areas. “We are seeing a lot of urban feral hog problems popping up,” he said. “That has been a little surprising.” Timmons said hogs in watershed areas can create a public health problem. “The two main issues in the watershed are hogs will defecate in and around the streams,” he said. “The feces has E. coli bacteria in it that can be harmful. Also, hogs can’t sweat, so when they wallow in the steams to cool off, it can cause sedimentation issues.”
TPWD taking public comment on trailing deer with dogs Hunters could use dogs to trail a wounded deer in 12 counties in East Texas, a practice that has been prohibited in this area of the state since 1990, under a proposal being considered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A series of public meetings will be held to provide details of the proposal and give the public an opportunity to comment. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is expected to take action on the proposed change at its August 22 meeting. In 1990, TPWD adopted rules prohibiting the use of dogs to trail wounded deer in 34 East Texas counties. The rulemaking was necessary because the department determined that dogs were being used unlawfully to hunt deer, which was causing depletion of the resource. By 2000, TPWD determined that the practice of using dogs to hunt deer had declined to the point of being nonexistent in some counties and removed the prohibition in 10 of those counties. TPWD now believes the prohibition could be lifted in an additional 12 counties, including: Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Panola, Polk, Rusk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker. Details about the proposal, along with an opportunity to provide public comment, can be found online at tpwd. state.tx.us. Comment may also be made in writing to Robert Macdonald, TPWD Regulations Coordinator, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744, in person at any of the following public hearings or at the TPWD annual public hearing on Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. at the above address. — TPWD
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Outdoor shows on tap this fall By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
Fall is fast approaching, and Texas outdoor shows are a sure sign hunting season is close. Already, reports from the Texas Hunter’s and Sportman’s Expo in McAllen on July 19-21 showed record attendance. Below is a rundown of some of the major shows coming to the state in the next few weeks. Texas Trophy Hunters Association 2013 Hunters Extravaganza Aug. 2-4 Houston, Reliant Center Aug. 16-18 Fort Worth, Will Rogers Center Aug. 23-25 San Antonio, Alamodome Hours: Friday: 3-9 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Ticket prices: $10 for adults, $5 for kids, free for kids 12 and under, active military with identification, TTHA members on Friday and Platinum Life Members all weekend. Attractions: Joe Martin’s Snakes of Texas, Texas Junior Angler’s Catch Fish Tank, LSBA Youth Archery Shoot and Operation Game Thief’s Wall of Shame (San Antonio and Houston). Celebrities: Travis “T-Bone” Turner, Kevin Meacham (Fort Worth and San Antonio), Chris Ashley (Fort Worth and San Antonio), Keith Burgess (Fort Worth and San Antonio), David Blanton (Fort Worth) and James Kroll. Go to ttha.com for more information. Deer Fest Aug. 3 MPEC Exhibit Hall in Wichita Falls
Hours: 9 a.m.-Close Ticket Prices: $7 in advance, $10 adults and kids day of the show, free for kids 12 and under. Attractions: Ultimate Shootout Archery Trailer, Operation Game Thief’s Wall of Shame, Texas Junior Angler’s Catch Fish Tank. Celebrities: The Deer Fest girls, Stephanie Hayden and Kris Ford, from the TV show Sons of Guns, MMA fighter Robert “Bubba” McDaniel, Priefert Backwoods Team, 2013 Miss Texas International, Samantha Riddle. Go to deerfestwichitafalls.com for more information. Texas Hunting and Outdoor Classic Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Freeman Coliseum and Expo Hall, San Antonio Hours: Saturday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ticket Prices: $10 daily for adults and kids, kids 12 and under free. Attractions: 3-D Pop-Up Archery Range, Texas Jump Off Dog Dock Diving, Indoor ATV Demo Track, San Antonio Gun Show, Texas Big Game Awards. Go to huntersclassic.com for more information. Uvalde Dove Expo Aug. 31 Oasis Outback Sporting Goods Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Go to texasdovehunters.com for more information.
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Elections, awards at TWA convention By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News A contested election for the office of president of the Texas Wildlife Association may have been part of the reason the convention broke its all-time attendance record. The convention, held in San Antonio July 11-14, also met the financial goals set by the organization, said CEO Gary Joiner. The election of officers took place at the Annual Member and
Directors meeting held at the David Anderson of Houston convention. During the meet— treasurer. In addition, ing, former TWA president 67 individuals were elected and director emeritus Derry to a three-year term on the Gardner sought to amend the Texas Wildlife Association bylaws of the organization to Board of Directors. allow proxy votes to be considAwards presented ered in an election of officers. Greg Simons included the Sam Beasom Gardner also presented a floor Conservation Leader nomination whereby Award, presented to Dr. Mike Murski chalNeal Wilkins of San Antonio and lenged President-elect the Ray Murski Friend of Wildlife Greg Simons in the Award, presented to David Langford election for the office of Comfort. of president. Wilkins, a wildlife biologist and TWA bylaws allow wildlife conservation professional, is proxies when mempresident and CEO of the East Texas bers elect the direc- Marcus T. Barrett IV Wildlife Foundation. He was a protors, but do not when fessor of wildlife science and served directors elect officers, as the director of the Texas Joiner said. A&M Institute of Renewable The motion to amend the Natural Resources and the bylaws failed and the elecTexas Water Resources tion took place with directors Institute. He has more than present at the meeting, with 25 years of experience leadSimons winning decisively. ing research and conservaSimons, the owner of Wildlife tion efforts on private lands. Systems, Inc. in San Angelo, Dr. Louis Harveson Langford, the owner became the organization’s 15th of Western Photography president, succeeding Company, is a longtime Glen Webb of Abilene. TWA and natural resource conservaOther officers tion leader and proponent of private elected for a one-year lands stewardship. term were Marcus “David K. Langford has been a T. Barrett IV of San cornerstone in the natural resource Antonio — vice presconservation arena for almost three ident, Dr. Louis decades in Texas, said TWA Vice Harveson of Alpine — President Marcus T. Barrett IV. “He J. David Anderson second vice president has given tirelessly to TWA in many for Programs and J. ways.
Photo by State of Massachusetts.
Easy tick removal Most everyone who has spent time in the outdoors knows dealing with ticks can be a headache. But now, there is a new, easy, painless way to remove the little biters. Tick bites, if left untreated, can lead to Lyme disease, which can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system. According to Lauren Allen, who just completed her undergraduate degree with a double major in communication media studies and journalism from DePaul University, and writing for RadioMD.com, “you can have a tick (or three) burrowed in your skin without even feeling a thing.” She notes that ticks are usually most active from April until September. But she also reveals that removing ticks, once an onerous task using tweezers (which often did not remove the tick and was impossible to use for some parts of the body) is now a swab of cotton balls away. Her advice: • Apply a dime-sized dollop of dish or hand soap onto a damp paper towel, tissue or cotton ball. • Cover the tick with the soap-saturated tissue or cotton ball, and hold in place for a few seconds (15-20). • The tick will come out all on its own and will be stuck on the towel or cotton ball when you lift it away. Look for tick bites under arms, behind ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between legs, around the waist and through hair. Also make sure to check any gear that was taken along, including clothing. A helpful tip is to put clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least an hour. It’s also a good idea to shower as soon as possible. Ticks are small but they can cause big problems, so be vigilant when walking in outdoors and take the proper precautions. — Radio MD
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Storms Continued From Page 4
for the rains to substantially impact nesting habitat for quail and pheasants, but the rains will bring good residual ground cover for next year. “I don’t expect much in the way of pheasants,” he said. “I have run into a few of them and some may get off some late clutches, but they are pretty much done crowing. The game birds have taken a beating lately. No rain means no forbs which means no bugs which means no broods. “That has been the case the past few years.” Kyle said the playa lakes have gotten some water, and ground cover is being helped along fencerows and corners where birds like to hide. “Near the CRP fields, a lot of the seedheads are popping up,” he said. “I’ve seen sideoats, weeping love, milk-vetch and the asters are going crazy. There are also lots of forbs.” Kyle said the sandhills area had also seen moisture and were responding with sunflowers and greenery in many places. Farther north near Pampa, Pheasants Forever Field biologist Curtis Greene said the rainfall has varied in his region, with the average in Pampa being about 2 inches. “We got pretty good moisture early in the year,” Greene said. “Some of the early birds might have gotten a hatch. It’s a little late now, but some could still take advantage
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and nest again.” Greene said the caprock country was pretty bare, with forbs and grasses not yet responding to the recent rains. “The grasses won’t see a full recovery,” he said. “This rain wasn’t a drought buster; more of a drought helper. The insect crop was great this year for the birds and we are seeing a few chicks.” In the Hill Country, most areas saw upward of two inches, although it was scattered. “We’ve had some; not a lot,” said TPWD Uvalde biologist David Rios. “Our year-to-date has been 11.7 inches but our month-to-date has been .7 inches. But almost any rainfall is important, especially with the drought.” Rios said brush cover in the western Hill Country was good all winter long and, coupled with a mild spring, the deer and game birds came into the summer in pretty good shape. “We haven’t been real wet but the rains have been timely,” he said. “It has been much better than the last couple of years. I expect the deer quality to be better, although it is a little early to tell, yet.” Rios said forbs that help deer are mostly spring forbs, so summer rains will be more beneficial to quail. “Ragweed, sunflowers and bristle grass will be helped,” he said. “The quail can possibly have another hatch. I’ve heard lots more calling this summer than in the past. There has been more rain to the north, south and east of Uvalde, so those ranches could be in even better shape.”
Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
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FISHING
Second annual Bastante tournament a hit with anglers, charities Winning blue marlin brought to the docks in Rockport By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
CEMENTING A LEGACY: The winning crew from Legacy stands beside their winning catch — this 561-pound blue marlin. Photo by Larry Doonan.
The second John Uhr Memorial Billfish Tournament “Bastante” held July 10-13 in Rockport was a huge success, capped off by a 561-pound blue marlin arriving at the dock. According to Tournament Director Tami Noling, it was an incredible tournament. “We had fewer boats than last year, but more money,” she said. “I’m trying to find out if there has ever been another 21-boat tournament that had $420,000. It was very cool. There were a lot of big boats and the fishing was good.” Noling said six blue marlin, five white marlin and around 20 sailfish were caught, including the 561-pound blue. “Thanks to the Legacy Fishing Team, the first blue marlin to ever be weighed at Rockport Harbor happened late Friday night,” Noling said. “A crowd of about 200 showed up to cheer the Legacy on as she backed up to the brand new weigh scales and hoisted a 561-pounder. Capt. Kevin Deerman and crew were all smiles as the fish was deployed.”
The team took first place in the Blue Marlin category and third place overall, winning $28,372. More than $40,000 was donated to local charities. First place overall went to Locomia for catching and releasing two blue marlin. They also placed 2nd in the tuna division for a total cash payout of $51,912.50. Second place overall went to Wildcatter for catching and releasing one blue marlin and three white marlin. They also placed first in the tuna division for a total cash payout of $79,492. Mucho Mas won the dolphin category with a 36-pounder, winning $11,250. Island Time won the wahoo category by catching a 27-pound wahoo worth $22,252. The event was founded by Noling after one of her best friends, Capt. John Uhr, lost his battle with cancer in 2010, just a few days shy of his 49th birthday. He was wellknown around the world in the sportfishing community as he competed and won several prestigious sportfishing tournaments throughout his career. His first offshore boat was named Bastante, which is the Spanish word meaning “a lot or more than enough,” so he was promptly nicknamed “Johnny Bastante” by most who knew him.
Giant salvinia engulfing Caddo Lake By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
Caddo Lake angler Aaron Yohn headed out for a fishing trip a few weeks ago and was dismayed at what he saw on the lake he grew up on — giant salvinia growing everywhere, clogging boating lanes and covering many of his best fishing holes. “It’s scary bad,” he said. “Pretty much anything not on the main lake is covered in that stuff. A lot of places I couldn’t even see the water. It’s choking out a lot of spots. I can’t even get to some spots where I’ve caught 10-pound bass in the past. “It is sad to see.” The salvinia is covering more of the lake this summer because of a mild winter that did not freeze and kill the plants, according to Lucas Gregory, project manager at Texas A&M University’s Water Resource Institute. “I don’t know if it is worse than it ever has been, but it is very bad because of the mild winter,” Gregory said. “There were 2,000 to 3,000 acres already covered coming out of winter. There’s probably double that now. “It’s thick.” Removing the salvinia without a major rain event to push it downstream out of the lake or a freeze is tricky, but Gregory is heading a project to introduce salvinia weevils — small, grub-looking insects that lay eggs in the salvinia that eventually hatch and eat their way out, effectively killing the plant. See SALVINIA, Page 18
CHOOSE WISELY: Saltwater fly anglers should take care to pick the right setup for the fish they plan to pursue. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Right rod makes a difference The correct choice for a saltwater trip is path to success By Nicholas Conklin For Lone Star Outdoor News
Almost every fly-angler has a fantasy saltwater trip on their fishing bucket list. But what happens when it comes time to select a rod? Should the angler go inexpen-
sive or high-end? Should they purchase a variety of weights and lengths? Or, stick with one, do-it-all type rod? Larry Haines of the Salty Fly Shop in Port Isabel suggested that those new to salt, or even doing a short-term trip, should keep their rod purchases as inexpensive and convenient (inclusive) as possible. “The ideal rod for inshore/ coastal fly-fishing is something inexpensive,” Haines said. “As you fish the salt more, gain more experience, you can upgrade to something with higher modulus graphite,” Haines said. The first thing an angler needs to figure out is their target species.
Most experienced freshwater anglers will likely have a rod sufficient for most saltwater species. A 5- or 6-weight rod can be perfect for fishing for 1- to 2-pound fish around marina boats or under dock lights. If fishing inshore or the flats along the Texas coast for redfish, speckled trout and snook, a 7- or 8-weight rod is ideal. It will have enough power to deliver flies and heavier, salt-specific fly lines. It may also be wise to keep a 10-weight rod rigged on the skiff in case an encounter with big black drum or a jack crevalle is possible.
Rod action or flex is only important as long as it is something that aids the angler in casting and is enjoyable to throw, Haines said. Dave Hayward of Swan Point Landing said rod action is something that is often overemphasized when it comes to purchasing a saltwater rod. “We get way more questions about it than we should,” Hayward said. “In reality, the most ideal rod action is medium, because it can cover up a lot of mistakes made by beginners and even average casters.” See FLY ROD, Page 14
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July 26, 2013
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Flounder fishing hit or miss By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
Photo by LSON.
A new twist on bass tourneys It might seem unusual, but the new Platinum Team Trail is taking a creative approach to team bass tournaments — higher entry fees and higher payouts. The trail will be run by USA Bass Trails, LLC, which also operates the Bud Light Trail, Bass ‘N Bucks and Crappie Bucks trails. “We were approached by several anglers a few years ago,” said Charlie Davis, who owns the business with his two sons, Bryan and Chris. “They wanted a trail they could fish when the Elite and FLW events weren’t going on. We challenged them to find some anglers and they did.” The first event will be held at Sam Rayburn Reservoir Dec. 7-8, and three events are already set for 2014. Entry fees are $500 per person based on twoperson teams. Fields will be limited to 100 teams, although alternates may add three to five additional teams. Top payouts based on a 100-team field will be $30,000 for first place, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Anglers can expect 95 percent payouts at all tournament. Davis said the plan is to take the trail beyond just Texas and add open tournaments and individual tournaments. “We want it to be something that does more than just fill in the gaps,” he said. — Staff report
Flatfish seem to be a forgotten species along the Texas coast this summer. While consistent trout and redfish action has been common, anglers aren’t targeting Texas flounder nearly as much as the other two, and those that are have been having a tricky time catching many. “It’s been a little slow on flounder,” said Sabine and Galveston Bay complex Capt. Lindy Hebert. “I caught a few last week in the Kemah area of the Galveston Bay complex.” Hebert said he was seeing more flounder than he’s ever seen until about a month ago, then they shifted. “The flounder are there, especially in the rivers, canals and cuts,” he said. “If I was targeting them, I would throw live shrimp or scented plastics. In Sabine right now there are a lot of shad and mullet, which work well and are cheaper with a cast net than shrimp.” Hebert said his most recent success came on scented plastics in cuts near shorelines.
Farther south, Capt. Lynn Smith in Port O’Connor said the flounder fishing has been tough this summer. “It has been slow on flounder,” Smith said. “I don’t know why. Everyone I’ve talked to has said it has been slow. Even the commercial guys said it has been tough. They haven’t done super well, either.” Smith hypothesized that hotter water in the bays around Port O’Connor has pushed some of the flounder out of the area, or at least slowed the bite. “I think that has a lot to do with it,” he said. ‘We’ve had a little cold spell here the past week and I expect it to pick up.” More flounder action farther down the coast has been reported, but the majority of the flatfish being caught were a bycatch while fishing for redfish or trout. Scented plastics and live shrimp under popping corks put some flounder in the boat. Most captains and anglers are waiting for the weather to cool down water temperatures before they seriously start to target big flounder.
HARD TO FIND: Flounder have been tougher to catch throughout the month of July. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Big stringers TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR — The lake is in good shape with water temperatures in the low 90s, according to Holly Park Marina. Crappie are still biting good in baited holes from 16 to 20 feet deep. White bass and yellow bass are biting on spoons in 20 feet of water. Largemouth bass are a little harder to find although the Bass ‘N Bucks Tournament brought in some big stringers on the lower end of the lake this past weekend. The winning string was 37 pounds, with some 7-pound bass caught. They were mostly caught on jigs and monster worms. They are being caught in 8 feet of water, with some deeper. To contact the Holly Park Marina, call (409) 625-4424.
Shallow, deep doesn’t matter FALCON INTERNATIONAL RESERVOIR — Summer patterns are all over the map right now, according to Falcon Lake Tackle. “Some fish are being caught flipping, some caught cranking and some fish caught on a
ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 82–88 degrees; 12.81’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on buzzbaits early, later switching to Texas rigs, weightless flukes and shaky heads. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and prepared bait. AMISTAD: Water stained; 81–85 degrees; 59.19’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics and perch-colored lipless crankbaits. White bass are good on top-waters and slabs. ARROWHEAD: Water off-color; 81–87 degrees; 13.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Zara Spooks, Texas rigs and shallowrunning shad-pattern crankbaits. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait and nightcrawlers. ATHENS: Water clear, 81–87 degrees; 3.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters early then switching to Texas-rigged green pumpkin Baby Brush Hogs. Catfish are good on trotlines. BASTROP: Water clear; 84–88 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait. BELTON: Water stained; 82–86 degrees; 8.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 81–86 degrees; 5.78’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged worms in green pumpkin. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad. BONHAM: Water stained, 81–85 degrees; 0.84’ low. Largemouth bass are good in flooded vegetation, cattails, around boat docks and on points. Crankbaits, soft plastics, jigs and top-waters are all working well — the key is to cover water. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows around bridges and brush piles in 12’–15’. Catfish are good on minnows along the bank in the park area. BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms in reeds. Redfish are good on perch, tilapia,
and shad. Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp and cut bait. BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 78–83 degrees; 18.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs green pumpkin worms — some topwater fish are being caught early. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 83–87 degrees; 12.77’ low. Largemouth bass to 3 pounds are good on watermelon seed, green pumpkin, and redbug soft plastic worms, white flukes, and crankbaits around docks in 8–10 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and white Li’l Fishies over baited brush piles in 5–15 feet. BUCHANAN: Water stained; 83–87 degrees; 29.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on white crankbaits, watermelon top-waters, and purple flake Whacky Sticks in creeks in 10–20 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and watermelon tube jigs over brush piles. Yellow and blue catfish are very good on juglines and trotlines baited with goldfish and perch. CADDO: Water stained; 81–86 degrees; 0.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics in California 420. CALAVERAS: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon lipless crankbaits and soft plastic worms. Striped bass are good on spoons and striper jigs near the dam. Redfish are very good down-rigging silver and gold spoons near the crappie wall. Channel and blue catfish are very good on liver, cheesebait and shrimp. CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 81–85 degrees; 9.77’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red worms, Texas-rigged watermelon Whacky Sticks, and white crankbaits off points. Smallmouth bass are good on green pumpkin grubs and tubes on main lake points. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows over brush piles. CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 79–84 degrees; 4.71’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads around deeper docks and deep-diving crankbaits on brush piles. Some top-water action noted early. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad and trotlines.
COLEMAN: Water clear; 80–84 degrees; 15.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms and perch-colored crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait. CONROE: Water lightly stained; 83–87 degrees; 2.89’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Catfish are good on prepared bait, liver, and shrimp. COOPER: Water clear; 80–85 degrees; 9.39’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shad-pattern wakebaits. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad. Catfish are good on cut bait and trotlines. FAYETTE: Water stained. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse crankbaits and lipless crankbaits early. FORK: Water clear; 81–86 degrees; 5.02’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged creature baits and crankbaits in soddy blue on main lake points. Yellow bass and white bass are good on minnows. Catfish are good on trotlines. FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 82–88 degrees; 12.05’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on top-waters early, later switching to lipless crankbaits, Texas rigs and watermelon/red flukes. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait. GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin lipless crankbaits and soft plastic worms with chartreuse tails. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are very good on doughbait, cut bait, and frozen shrimp. GRANGER: Water clear; 85–89 degrees; 0.90’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits in flooded willows upriver. Crappie are good on marabou jigs in 4–12 feet. Blue catfish are good on shad and prepared bait in 4–10 feet. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait upriver. GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 79–85 degrees; 6.94’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged craw baits and finesse jigs near rocky points. Some fish being caught on deeper brush piles.
spinnerbait,” said owner James Bendele. “The dam got a lot of attention but that is not where the heavy stringers came from, but, like usual, it did put out some fish.” Bendele wrote that fish are being caught in all depths. “There is no such thing as too shallow or too deep right now,” he said. “I have heard of quality fish coming from water as skinny as 2 feet, and as deep as 30 feet. “So I believe that anyone out there should fish their favorite kind of water and methods.” To contact Falcon Lake Tackle, call (956) 765-4866.
Not dried up LAKE MEREDITH — Anglers have been reporting a slow largemouth bass bite on the West Texas lake. Water temperatures have been above 85 degrees, and anglers are having moderate success fishing big baits slowly in deeper water. The smallmouth bite has been decent in shallower water early and late, especially in the shadows. Drop-offs and deep channel bends are producing some fish on deep-diving crankbaits and soft plastics. — Conor Harrison
White bass are good on slabs.
good on prepared bait.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 87–91 degrees; 1.06’ low. Largemouth bass to 5 pounds are good on watermelon and purple worms with red tails early and late, and on top-waters around grass beds. Crappie are good on live minnows in 10 feet. Bream are good on live worms off piers and over grass beds. Channel catfish to 3 pounds are good on trotlines baited with live bait.
MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 80–85 degrees; 0.10’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shad-pattern square-billed crankbaits and bladed jigs in baitfish patterns — the frog bite is consistent in areas with lily pads. Catfish are good on cut shad.
HUBBARD CREEK: Water off-color; 83–88 degrees; 23’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Yellow Magics early, later switching to Texas rigs and Senkos. Crappie are good on live minnows. JOE POOL: Water clear; 79–84 degrees; 1.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics along brush piles in 10’–12’. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 80–85 degrees; 2.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on wacky-rigged worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 81–86 degrees; 8.37’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Texasrigged creature baits. Catfish are good on trotlines. LBJ: Water stained; 84–88 degrees; 0.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon top-waters, chartreuse Whacky Sticks, and Bleeding Shad lipless crankbaits in 5–15 feet. LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 78–83 degrees; 5.64’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on shaky heads and finesse jigs around larger submerged rock. White bass are good on jigs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad. LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 84–88 degrees; 0.52’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin spinner baits and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on slabs, pet spoons and troll tubes. White bass are good on troll tubes, pet spoons and slabs. Crappie are very good on minnows in 20 feet. MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 81–85 degrees; 2.94’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swim jigs and hollow body frogs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are
NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 85–89 degrees; 1.74’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon shallow-running crankbaits near the dam. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs off docks in Liberty Hill Park. Channel catfish are good on stinkbait over baited holes. O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 82–88 degrees; 38.8’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Zara Spooks early and late, midday switching to Texas rigs, Senkos and dropshot rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. OAK CREEK: Water stained; 81–87 degrees; 18.42’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on top-waters early, Texas rigs and shaky heads. Crappie are good on jigs and live minnows. Catfish are good on chartreuse nightcrawlers and prepared bait. PALESTINE: Water clear; 79–84 degrees; 0.54’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads and weightless Flukes. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 82–88 degrees; 11.02’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters early, later switching to Yum Dingers, shallow-running crankbaits, drop–shot rigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait and nightcrawlers. PROCTOR: Water stained; 86–90 degrees; 5.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin crankbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass are good on live shad. Crappie are good on minnows and pearl tube jigs.
SEE MORE
■ Saltwater fishing reports: Page 16 degrees; 4.78’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Carolina-rigged soft plastics along main lake points in 12–15’. Deep-diving crankbaits in shad patterns are effective as well. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water clear; 79–84 degrees; 7.60’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on medium crankbaits near brush piles in 8–10’. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 83–87 degrees; 7.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin soft plastics and crankbaits. SWEETWATER: Water murky; 83–89 degrees; 20.83’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Senkos, Texas rigs and wacky rigs. TAWAKONI: Water stained; 81–86 degrees; 6.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on flipping jigs and Texas-rigged soft plastics around shallow cover. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and trotlines. TEXOMA: Water clear; 78–83 degrees; 0.19’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics. Catfish are good on trotlines. TRAVIS: Water clear; 86–90 degrees; 56.11’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon top-waters, green pumpkin soft plastic worms, and smoke grubs in 15–30 feet. White bass are good on pearl grubs, top-waters, and chrome jigging spoons. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers and fresh cut perch.
RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 84–86 degrees; 3.81’ low. Largemouth bass are good on football jigs along points. White bass are good on slabs and minnows.
WHITNEY: Water stained; 82–86 degrees; 10.43’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin soft plastics and crankbaits. White bass are good on white Li’l Fishies. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.
RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 80–85
— TPWD
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Crooks target high-end coolers Manufacturers offer tips to deter thieves By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News A barbeque cook-off team had their meat in big expensive coolers locked inside their specially equipped trailer in Concan this summer. After staying up late to prepare for the cooking, they finally headed to their tent. In the morning, the coolers and the meat were gone — thieves had broken into the trailer just for the coolers. Prints from the thieves “Crocs” were visible where they climbed in through a small opening. Across the state, a fisherman at Lake Austin had his expensive cooler cable-locked to the dock. After a trip up to the house, when he returned the cable was cut and the cooler was gone. Police departments along the Texas coast receive repeated reports of thefts from boats and vehicles. A scan of hunting and fishing forums across the country reveals a growing trend of high-end cooler theft. “It’s a big problem out there and it seems to be getting worse,” said Stephen Holderness of HP Coolers, the distributor of Icey-Tek coolers. “Unfortunately, if someone really wants to take it, they will.” Holderness knows the Texas tradition of keeping coolers in the bed of pickup trucks, but doesn’t recommend it. “Coolers weren’t designed to be in the back of trucks exposed to the sunshine,” he said. “It’s 140 degrees on the face with ice inside.” A quick payoff seems to be the reason for the cooler grabs. “The law enforcement people tell us that pawnshops are accepting the coolers from 16-17-yearolds when it’s clearly not their product,” Holderness said. “Most people that young aren’t buying coolers that cost from $250-$400.” Pawnshops aren’t the only destination for missing coolers, though. A quick search of eBay revealed 243 high-end coolers of various brands for sale, while craigslist showed 44 on its Dallas site alone. Knowing the Texas tradition of coolers in pickup beds will continue, manufacturers say there are a few things you can do to help minimize the threat. “There are two types of thieves,” Holderness said. “One type makes a quick grab when they see an opportunity. The other has given it some thought and will take extra steps to get that cooler. “About the only way to stop them is to have the cooler where they can’t get at it.” Denise Smith, marketing project manager for Yeti Coolers, said there is one fail-safe tip. “The number one way to keep opportunists from stealing your Yeti is to keep it inside your house or garage,” she said. If the cooler is being kept in the truck bed, keeping it out of sight is at the top of the list. “Make sure to hide or cover it,” she said. “You can also personalize it by adding your initials or covering it with stickers. That way if it’s ever recovered, you’ll be able to identify it.” Owners of coolers have become creative in personalizing their coolers, with some burning a brand into the side or top while others use identifiers numbers like their driver’s license number. “In most cases, though, if it’s gone, it’s gone,” Holderness said.
Yeti offers a security cable lock and bracket for truck beds to deter thieves, and most of the more expensive coolers of all brands design ways to lock the cooler down in the bed of the truck. “The locking bracket slips into the tie-down points and allows you to use a wide variety of locks, chains or other security devices,” Smith said. “It’s our
number one seller behind the coolers.” Another option may not stop the person determined to take your cooler, but could leave the owner with a slight sense of satisfaction. Many manufacturers provide locking mechanisms that are bear proof to the corners of the coolers. “That’ll leave those crooks nothing but frustrated,” Smith said.
PREY FOR PLUNDERERS: Expensive coolers have been stolen from boats in Texas coastal and fresh waters, and from the truck beds of hunters and fishermen. Photo by HP Coolers.
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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER MARINE THEFT UNIT PAYING OFF Lubbock County Game Warden Mallory Brodrick received a call from the Region 1 Marine Theft Investigator and Moore/Sherman counties Game Warden Ryan S. Hunter about two separate suspects who had falsified their boat marine tax affidavit and failed to transfer title. Hunter set up times for the suspects to come in to the Lubbock office to give a voluntary statement. Brodrick interviewed both suspects separately and received two confessions and two signed affidavits. Hunter has filed three criminal cases related to tax fraud/evasion and boat titling against one of the suspects. WARDEN HAD A GOOD MEMORY Mitchell County Game Warden David Hopkins was patrolling Lake Champion when he came across a large group of people on the shoreline. Hopkins recognized one of the subjects and his vehicle from a previous encounter. He began a casual conversation with the subject. The subject quickly changed the conversation and began discussing the last encounter. Previously, when Hopkins had contacted the individual at the lake, he didn’t have a valid license or identification, his vehicle inspection and registration stickers were more than two years old and he was cited for fishing without a valid fishing license. Hopkins stepped around to the front of the truck to check the registration and inspection stickers to see if they had been corrected. When his light hit the window, he observed a large glass pipe with a white powdery substance inside. The rest of the vehicle and camp were searched. The white powder tested positive for methamphetamine. The subject was arrested on possession of controlled
A BUSY 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY FOR WARDENS At Eagle Mountain Lake, Tarrant County Game Wardens Clint Borchardt and John Padgett responded to a PWC accident in which a teenage male was thrown from a tube and then run over by the PWC. The teen was transported to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. The operator was cited for boating under the influence by a minor. The wardens also arrested a man for BWI. A warrant was obtained after the operator refused to give a sample. The suspect had to be held
substance and cited for drug paraphernalia. LIVEWELL HELD MORE UNDERSIZED CATFISH Travis County Game Wardens Christy Vales and Natali Mejia were patrolling Decker Lake and stopped a vessel occupied by several fishermen. The wardens asked if they had any fish on board. The fishermen said yes and held up one single catfish from their livewell. When asked if they had any more fish in the livewell, the fishermen appeared nervous and confused. Vales boarded their vessel and discovered several undersized and dead catfish. The wardens issued a citation for undersized catfish and filed civil restitution. Cases pending. HOSTILE MOTORIST CHALLENGES WARDEN, SPEEDS AWAY Gonzales County Game Warden Dan Waddell stopped to assist a motorist on the highway while towing a boat on his way to Lake Gonzales. A passenger in the vehicle was upset and crying. When Waddell asked about the passenger, the motorist began pacing and cursing and became verbally hostile toward Waddell. When Waddell attempted to check the welfare of the passenger, the man ran at Waddell and screamed at him and
down to retrieve his blood. When returning to the lake, the wardens responded to a drowning call. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a shooting of fireworks in an apartment complex. When the sheriff’s deputy approached the subject, the subject ran down a pier, jumped into the water and never surfaced. The wardens assisted the TPWD dive team in recovering the subject. Later in the weekend, another man was arrested for BWI. A warrant was obtained and blood was drawn.
the passenger, challenging Waddell to draw his pistol. Waddell, fearing the man was high on narcotics and fearing for the safety of his passenger, called for backup and informed the motorist that he was not free to leave. Another vehicle stopped and a man gave the motorist a gas can. The motorist put the gas in the vehicle’s tank and sped away. Waddell was able to ascertain the identity of the suspect and applied for and received four arrest warrants, including felony evading charges. The suspect was arrested the next morning without incident. Cases pending. STRANGE HUNTING METHODS CATCH WARDENS’ EYES On Palo Duro Creek, Hemphill/ Lipscomb counties Game Warden Mark Collins and Ochiltree/Hansford counties Game Warden Mike Wheat observed what they believed to be bank fishermen. As the wardens watched, they observed two men beating the brush with sticks, then a third man rise up from the brush and shoot. After a short while, the vehicle near the three men drove approximately one mile up the creek, leaving the three men behind. The wardens circled around and approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver. Five men were observed near it, but when the war-
dens neared, three of the five ran away and threw a rifle into the brush. Collins chased, caught the men and retrieved the rifle. There was a language barrier with the men of Asian descent, but an inspection of the SUV resulted in several game birds and some non-game birds. Another rifle was also recovered. Three of the men remained missing. After the citations were issued, the wardens patrolled to the main route returning to Oklahoma. After about an hour, the SUV belonging to the men came along, on the way back to Oklahoma. A traffic stop was conducted, and the original three who thought they had eluded the wardens were identified. Three additional rifles were found, but no other wildlife resource. Cases pending. FISHERMAN REPORTS OTHERS KEEPING SMALL BASS Edwards County Game Warden Scott Holly was patrolling the Nueces River when he was stopped by a vehicle. The driver stated that a group of people were about to leave the river from fishing and that one of them had kept an undersized black bass. Holly drove to the location, found the vehicle getting ready to leave and stopped them. Holly cited one individual for being in possession of an undersized black bass (12.5 inches).
WARDEN PUTS OUT GRASS FIRE, HELPS TRUCKER Edwards County Game Warden Scott Holly was in route to a call in Real County and noticed an 18-wheeler pulled off the road. He then noticed smoke down the road from the rig. Holly was able to put out a grass fire the 18-wheeler had started from a broken front wheel. Holly was able to get the driver assistance and on his way. COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN CAUGHT NETTING CATS Liberty County Game Warden Randy Button was patrolling the Trinity River around 6:50 a.m. and inspected a local commercial fisherman who was in possession of several illegally taken blue catfish, channel catfish, one flathead catfish and a hoop net. After a short interview, Button and the violator traveled to an undisclosed location and recovered another hoop net in the river. Numerous citations pending. MAN SWIMS TO AVOID CHECK FROM WARDEN Travis County Game Wardens Jeff Hill and Natali Mejia were checking the low water crossing below Mansfield Dam on Lake Austin when one of the anglers they planned to check at the end of the bridge disappeared. After checking under the crossing and in the immediate area, they could not locate the fisherman. A man was then spotted sitting on a rock 100 feet from shore. Once located, the subject took off swimming to the other side of the lake and was greeted by Mejia. Coming out of the water the man asked, “Can’t anyone go anywhere without being hassled by law enforcement?” The subject admitted to fishing without a fishing license. Case pending.
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IS HE THE ONE? All of the boats and anglers were hoping to catch a big blue marlin like this one to claim their share of the prize money, but more importantly, bragging rights for the next year. Photo by Joey Mahmoud.
Poco Continued From Page 1
big fish,” said Bryan Richter, who reeled in the catch for more than two hours, told the Victoria Advocate. “We were worried. It was up and down.” Over-Ride, which brought in a 561.5pound, 110.5-inch marlin Friday night, finished second, and First Choice came in third
with a 414.5-pounder measuring 101 inches. The tuna category was won by Sun Doll, with an 81-pounder. Bimini Babe won the mahi category with a 47.5-pound fish and the biggest wahoo, 53 pounds, was caught by Double Oak South. — Staff report
Fly rod Continued From Page 8
As you move up to larger species like tarpon and jack crevalle, a 10- or 12-weight rod has sufficient backbone and fish-fighting power. On the coast, 12-weight rods can be perfect because of the physical geography of the sea floor. “A 10- or 12-weight rod is suggested for fishing for larger tarpon off jetties and even the flats, because of the fact that fish have a much larger water column (12 to 25 feet) in which to run in,” Hayward said. For bluewater fishing around structure and oil rigs, something with a stout
butt typically made from a combination of S-glass material and graphite is ideal. In deep water, rods in 12 to 14 weights are advised for fighting fish that will sound such as tuna, amberjack and billfish. They will have extended grips allowing for better hand placement easing the strain while combating hard-charging pelagic fish. “Some of the really hardcore billfish guys will often fish the 14-weight rods, but that is typically only a small number of guys per year,” Hayward said. Hayward also said that rod
length becomes important in this style of fly-fishing. Much shorter rods — 8 to 8 1/2 feet long — are standard, along with ceramic guides to limit the friction generated by line movement. These rods are generally designated by a line grain window, instead of a rod-weight rating. Most fly lines manufactured for this style of fishing will be made ranging from 300 to 1000 grains. Regardless of your target, being properly equipped for a trip can make the difference between time well spent and a day of getting sunburned and skunked.
Texas student wins national fish-art award Fifth-grader Erin Werner of Santa Fe had her drawing of an invasive lionfish picked as Wildlife Forever’s National Silent Invader category winner. Erin beat out entries from across the country after placing first in the Texas State Fish Art Competition. “Erin is not only an extremely talented artist, but her entry, of a red lionfish swimming in waters with channel bass, spotlights the battle we are facing with invasive species.” Wildlife Forever said in a press release. “We are very excited to have her as our Invader Crusader to help with the critical task of introducing kids to the nationwide epidemic of invasive species in our rivers, lakes and streams.” Erin’s art will be used on highway billboards by Wildlife Photo by Erin Werner. Forever’s Threat Campaign, alerting boaters to “clean, drain and dry” when leaving any body of water to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. — Staff report
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Antelope Continued From Page 1
as 75 of the ranch’s 200 animals were taken. “It was something we had to do and it was the time to do it,” a ranch employee told LSON. “Everyone wanted one.” Zack Thompson of Anahuac said the permitting hubbub led him to book a hunt for a scimitarhorned oryx last year. He took a 40-inch female at La Coma Ranch in South Texas. “I didn’t know how it would affect prices and whether the hunting would be more limited,” Thompson said. “The speculation definitely influenced me to jump on it when I did.” Scimitar-horned oryx trophy fees are now as high as $4,500 plus. The other two species cost more, with dama gazelles fetching up to $7,000. Fear of the permitting process didn’t lead every ranch to thin its herds. The 27,000-acre YO Ranch west of Kerrville increased its number of antelopes. General Manager Alex Tradd fondly calls the scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle “the three amigos.” “At the end of the day, we support the conservation of these animals,” Tradd said. The permitting process hasn’t compromised herd management. “The herds I’m aware of are thriving,” Tradd said. “We’ve had good rain, which is to say some rain, and we’ve got babies, which is the biggest indicator the herds are doing well.” The USFWS requires game ranches to have two permits to hunt the three antelopes, almost extinct in their native Africa. Ranches first need a Captivebred Wildlife Registration permit. The $200 processing fee remains in effect for five years. Also needed
PRICES ARE UP: Even though good numbers of scimitar-horned oryx remain, prices to hunt the animals have increased during the past year. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
is an Endangered Species Take and Interstate Commerce (cull) permit. The $100 annual processing fee doesn’t limit the number of animals taken, as long as the take is for herd management. Approximately 140 Texas ranches have both permits, according to the USFWS. Getting them takes 60 to 90 days, if there are no problems. A fee is also charged on each animal taken, which goes to nonprofit organizations (such as the EWA) reestablishing the three species in their native lands. The fee isn’t set, although it’s
usually 10 percent of the gross. “If someone wants to give one percent, we’d probably ask what level of benefit that would provide to the animals,” said Tim Van Norman, chief of USFWS’ Branch of Permits. “If they want to give 50 percent, we’d say, ‘Great.’” Some ranchers think the panic over permitting was overblown. “People were afraid by how complicated they thought the permitting would be,” said Glenn Munal, La Coma Ranch manager. “Don’t get me wrong, there is a little complexity to it, but it’s not terrible.
You have to document that you have the proper facilities for the animals, that sort of thing. It took some time, but it wasn’t impossible to do.” Tradd called the permits “a fact of life.” “It’s tedious, but is it a dealkiller? No. Is it going to bring the world to an end? No. Would I rather not do it? Yes. Being in this business, though, we have to comply with the spirit and letter of the law all the time.” The EWA, however, will continue fighting to exempt the ante-
lopes from the designation of endangered species. “What I’ve heard from producers is that they don’t want the federal government telling them what they can do with their own property,” Seale said. Thompson said as a hunter he’s not opposed to the permitting, at least for now. “There were a lot of animals taken in the months leading up to the permits,” he said. “The herds definitely need a few years and some kind of restrictions to let them recover.”
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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Jacks on top-waters
Sponsored by
PACKERY CHANNEL — Corpus Christi Caller-Times outdoor writer David Sikes had this report on his Facebook page: “Went to north Packery this morning. Wind was blowing harder than I expected but water clarity was good. Sargassum was spotty in the channel. About a half-dozen anglers were catching 3- to 4-pound jacks on the surf side on top-waters. That lasted more than an hour. Then two or three folks free-lining live shrimp in the channel started catching 17- to 20-inch trout. “There were a bunch of guys at the end that were trying to catch kings, but I didn’t see any landed.”
24 inches caught, also on live shrimp and perch.” Garcia said several eating-sized black drum have also been pulled up. “Last night a 24-inch black drum was caught and this morning we had two; 20 and 25 inches,” he said. “That is about it from the pier. No sharks right now.” To contact Red Dot Pier, call (361) 937-5347.
Yak attack
RED DOT PIER — The fishing has been a little slow, according to Red Dot Pier manager Hector Garcia. Trout, redfish and black drum are making up the majority of the catch. “Anglers are catching speckled trout between 15 and 26 inches,” Garcia said. “They are using live shrimp and perch to catch the trout. There have also been some nice redfish up to
CHRISTMAS BAY —The fishing is heating up, according to kayak guide George Young. Posting on 2coolfishing.com, Young said he fished Christmas Bay recently from his kayak and found favorable conditions on the south shoreline of the bay. “Sight-casting to schooling redfish has been the ticket to getting our line stretched,” he wrote. “We caught most of our fish using soft plastics swim shads in Truce Goose and Space Guppy color combinations.” Young said he also threw top-water skitterwalks but couldn’t entice any big reds to take the topwaters. To contact guide George Young, call (713) 501-0636. — Conor Harrison
NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics. Redfish are good in the cuts and drains leading to the marsh on shrimp and scented plastics. SOUTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good while drifting the reefs on live shrimp and topwaters. Drifters have been working slicks and pods of shad on the Reef on the south end. Trout are good at the jetty on live bait and top-waters. BOLIVAR: Trout are good on the south shoreline on soft plastics, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Black drum, sand trout and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. Deep shell has produced trout on the outgoing tide. Trout are good in the surf on live bait. TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working wells and shell pads on shrimp, croakers and plastics. Redfish are good on live bait around the reefs and at the spillway. Redfish have been showing in the middle of the day. EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good for drifters working deep shell on limetreuse and plum plastics. Whiting and sand trout are
WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and top-waters and live bait. Redfish are fair on top-waters and live shrimp in Oyster Lake and Crab Lake. PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are fair on top-waters and live bait over sand, grass and shell in San Antonio Bay. Trout are fair to good in the surf and at the jetty on croakers. Redfish are fair on the shorelines and running with jack crevalle. ROCKPORT: Trout are fair in the guts and channels on free–lined shrimp. Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp. Redfish are good on mullet on the Estes Flats and around Mud Island. PORT ARANSAS: Trout, redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp and croakers. Trout are fair to good in the surf on top-waters and croakers. Offshore is good for dorado, kingfish and ling. CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plastics and live shrimp. Redfish are good in the potholes
Slow fishing
good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. Trout are good on the Ship Channel on croakers and plastics. WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good at the railroad bridge on live shrimp. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Offshore is good for tarpon, kingfish, dorado and ling. TEXAS CITY: Trout are fair to good on the reefs on live shrimp and croakers. Solid trout have come from the edge of the Ship Channel on croakers and shrimp. FREEPORT: Trout are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp and twitchbaits. Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. Trout, Spanish mackerel and sand trout are good at the jetties on live bait. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet. Trout are fair to good in the surf on live bait and top-waters.
on shrimp. Trout are fair to good at Emmord’s Hole on croakers and piggy perch. BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good over grass in the Land Cut. Trout are good on top-waters around rocks and grass. Trout are fair to good on the King Ranch shoreline on croakers, top-waters and scented plastics. PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are good on top-waters around sand and grass. Redfish are fair to good while drifting potholes and on live bait. Offshore is good for ling and kingfish. SOUTH PADRE: Redfish and trout are good in the shallows of South Bay and Mexiquita Flats on shrimp and plastics under rattling corks. Tarpon are showing at the pass. Snook are fair on top-waters and shrimp. PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good on the flats on live shrimp and scented plastics under a cork. Redfish are good on top-waters and live shrimp under a cork. Trout are good on live bait on the edge of the channel drop–offs. — TPWD
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July 26, 2013
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Salvinia Continued From Page 8
“The weevils are doing really good,” Gregory said. “We’ve released about 34,000 of them, but we probably need about 34 million. But we don’t have the capability to grow that many of them.” The past several years, biologists have released an average of 125,000 weevils into Caddo, which has helped minimize the salvinia impact. “The weevils are showing great promise.
Our facility at Caddo is for growing weevils and research, with research being the main focus,” Gregory said. “If we can get enough, the research has shown weevils to be effective. We need 20 weevils per kilogram of salvinia.” However, Gregory said without a cold winter or a flood to push the salvinia out, things “could get ugly.” “Eradication is not in the plans,” he said. “We’re never going to get rid of all of it.”
Catfish Continued From Page 1
Photo by David J. Sams, LSON
using cut perch for bait. Yellow cats have been slower on Toldeo Bend, but channel and blue cats have also been caught on live bait, stinkbait and livers. Another good report came from Central Texas. “We drove over to Hubbard Creek (Reservoir) and caught 60 fish, and Saturday we caught 50 fish and left by 2 p.m.,” wrote Greg Pavur on Texas Fishing Forum. “We fished from 2 to 10 feet of water and the fishing was awesome. The blues were acting like bass when you caught them. When a rod would go down, a lot of times, the blue cat would jump clear out of the water. The quality of the fish was even better. Most fish were from 6 to 9 pounds. We had five fish between 11 and 16 pounds. “We did some night fishing but the fish were biting best during the middle of the day.” Guide Cliff Hill also reported a good bite on Lake Calaveras near San Antonio in 3 to 12 feet on cut shad and cheesebait. Down south on the border lakes, blue and channel catfish have been good to great, depending on who you ask. Frozen shrimp, stinkbait, punchbait and nightcrawlers are all catching fish.
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Two anglers place winning bids for GLO fishing cabins Two serious fishermen won exclusive rights to fishing spots along the Texas coast, earning the school children of Texas $68,651 in the process. The School Land Board voted to accept the top two bids for two General Land Office fishing cabin sites along the Texas coast. The cabins, located on islands built by dredge materials, are known among coastal outdoorsmen as some of the finest, most secluded fishing spots anywhere along the Texas coast. By law, the number of available sites is strictly limited, making opportunities to bid on them a rare treat. “Serious fishermen and duck hunters know the value of these sites and the bids can get pretty high — little bits of paradise like this don’t become available every day,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. “But the school kids of Texas are the real winners today.” One permit site — on the upper Texas coast on Moody’s Island, just between Christmas Bay and West Bay — went for $16,000. The site is only accessible by boat via Titlum Tatlum Bayou. The winning bidder must tear down and haul off an old and decrepit cabin on the site and even then won’t own the cabin he will have to build. The other permit site — located in Kenedy County in the Land Cut area of the Laguna Madre — went for $52,651. It also is only accessible by boat. The permit site is located on uplands originally created by the dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway. The area is still an active dredge disposal site if needed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is only the fourth time the General Land Office has offered cabin permits on a sealed bid basis. — GLO
More snapper in October In a special meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in New Orleans, La., the council voted to increase the 2013 red snapper total quota from 8.46 million pounds (mp) to 11 mp. This means a 2013 commercial quota of 5.610 mp and a recreational quota of 5.390 mp. The 11 mp quota is the highest catch level the council could set without having to possibly decrease the quota in subsequent years. The council also agreed that, if NMFS determines that unused recreational quota is available, a supplemental season will open Oct. 1 and run continuously until the quota is met. Preliminary estimates indicate that the supplemental season will be approximately 21 days long. However, this estimate will be reevaluated when the June recreational landings data become available in mid-August. — Staff report
Houston County warden receives Officer of the Year award Eddie Lehr, a Texas game warden in Houston County, was named the 2013 Officer of the Year by the Eddie Lehr Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers. Lehr’s patrol area includes the Davy Crockett National Forest and the Neches and Trinity River systems. He has apprehended several groups of violators that were illegally netting water resources and others that were using electricity-producing devices to take fish from the rivers. Another investigation resulted in the seizure of eight deer that were illegally taken by one hunting party. — Staff report
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July 26, 2013
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HEROES Friends BAYRO CRUZ and ALFONSO DELACRUZ caught these bull reds on June 8.
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■ Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?
J.R. RODRIGUEZ, JESSIE GARCIA and MARK CANTU took these ducks last fall near Port Mansfield.
Email 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.
ZACH LONG, 13, of Austin harvested his first axis buck in Stonewall on June 14 with a .270 Remington.
Murphy hunter BETTE CARTER took this tom with an 11-inch beard on April 29 in northwest Texas.
DALTON PERRY caught this 8-pound bass on a Father’s Day fishing trip with his dad, Steve.
ANDREW SILVA harvested his first rabbit with a .22 at 35 yards at a deer lease in Rio Grande City with his dad, Frank.
Dallas Safari Club youth member SKYLAR FAIN, 11, caught this trout measuring 30 1/4 inches near Corpus Christi in June.
CLASSIFIEDS FISHERMAN’S DREAM ARROYO CITY Dock / Pier. 2 Acre Waterfront. $215,000. Pride Of Texas Realty. Broker: Lenny Cavazos (956) 874-5890 TROPHY DEER HUNT $700 2 days. Free DVD. Wife or child 1/2 price. Brackettville. www.Double-JJ-Ranch.com (830) 563-2658 STOCKER BUCKS FOR SALE 140”-200” B&C. 2, 3 & 5 years old. Texas Sales Only. Ready for delivery. Call Jay: (505) 681-5210 UTAH, NEVADA HUNTING Deer, Elk, Sheep, Mountain Lion, Antelope, Moose, Mountain Goat. Bow, Rifle, Muzzloader. Guaranteed permits. Private & limited draw hunting areas. (435) 623-2744 (435) 681-0560
RANCHES FOR SALE SOUTH TEXAS 150 up to 2,600 acres. El Sendero Properties. Call agent: (956) 330-5408 SOUTH PADRE FISHING Reds, Trout, Flounder, Snook. Everything supplied but food and licenses. Multiple trip discounts. Call Capt. Thomas for details or CDCT12005@aol.com (956) 551-1965 TROPHY WHITETAIL BUCK HUNTS Guided hunts, 780 acre high fence ranch, intensive management program, lodging provided. w w w. h a t t o n r a n c h . c o m (940) 362-4219 LEASE WANTED Looking for a year round hunting lease. Fishing included. Camp house is needed. North, Central or West Tx. (214) 361-2276
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Sun | Moon | Tides Texas Coast Tides Sabine Pass, north Date Time Jul 26 12:29 AM Jul 27 1:20 AM Jul 28 2:16 AM Jul 29 3:27 AM Jul 30 12:50 AM Jul 31 2:09 AM Aug 01 3:03 AM Aug 02 3:42 AM Aug 03 4:10 AM Aug 04 4:32 AM Aug 05 4:50 AM Aug 06 5:08 AM Aug 07 5:27 AM Aug 08 5:48 AM Aug 09 6:08 AM
Height 0.2L 0.5L 0.8L 1.1L 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.5H
Time 7:19 AM 7:55 AM 8:31 AM 9:08 AM 5:25 AM 8:11 AM 6:57 PM 9:54 AM 9:55 AM 9:47 AM 9:54 AM 10:16 AM 10:47 AM 11:23 AM 12:03 PM
Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Time Jul 26 12:07 AM Jul 27 12:56 AM Jul 28 1:48 AM Jul 29 3:03 AM Jul 30 1:44 AM Jul 31 3:08 AM Aug 01 3:54 AM Aug 02 4:24 AM Aug 03 4:43 AM Aug 04 4:55 AM Aug 05 5:08 AM Aug 06 5:25 AM Aug 07 5:44 AM Aug 08 6:04 AM Aug 09 6:23 AM
San Luis Pass Date Jul 26 Jul 27 Jul 28 Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05 Aug 06 Aug 07 Aug 08 Aug 09
Time 1:03 AM 1:52 AM 2:44 AM 3:59 AM 2:14 AM 3:38 AM 4:24 AM 4:54 AM 5:13 AM 5:25 AM 5:38 AM 5:55 AM 6:14 AM 6:34 AM 6:53 AM
Freeport Harbor Date Time Jul 26 12:28 AM Jul 27 1:24 AM Jul 28 2:33 AM Jul 29 4:27 AM Jul 30 1:06 AM Jul 31 2:25 AM Aug 01 3:12 AM Aug 02 3:48 AM Aug 03 4:16 AM Aug 04 4:40 AM Aug 05 5:00 AM Aug 06 5:19 AM Aug 07 5:37 AM Aug 08 5:55 AM Aug 09 6:12 AM
Height 0.2L 0.6L 1.0L 1.4L 1.6H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H
Time 7:31 AM 8:00 AM 8:26 AM 8:50 AM 5:43 AM 6:12 PM 6:55 PM 7:33 PM 8:07 PM 9:17 AM 9:16 AM 9:38 AM 10:12 AM 10:50 AM 11:30 AM
Height 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.4H 1.2L 1.3L -0.1L 1.3L 1.3L 1.3L 1.2L 1.1L 1.0L 0.9L 0.7L
Time 1:27 PM 2:27 PM 3:27 PM 4:26 PM 9:47 AM 10:30 AM
Height 0.5L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 1.3H 1.3H
Time 7:38 PM 9:18 PM 11:07 PM
Height 1.3H 1.2H 1.3H
12:09 PM 12:55 PM 1:37 PM 2:18 PM 3:00 PM 3:45 PM 4:35 PM 5:31 PM
1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H
7:39 PM 8:18 PM 8:55 PM 9:30 PM 10:05 PM 10:39 PM 11:14 PM 11:50 PM
-0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.3L 0.4L
Height 1.7H 1.7H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L 1.7L 1.6L 1.5L 1.4L 1.2L 1.1L
Time 1:22 PM 2:28 PM 3:32 PM 4:31 PM 9:11 AM
Height 0.7L 0.4L 0.2L 0.0L 1.6H
Time 7:36 PM 9:22 PM 11:26 PM
Height 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H
12:47 PM 1:38 PM 2:28 PM 3:21 PM 4:18 PM 5:26 PM
1.8H 1.8H 1.7H 1.7H 1.6H 1.5H
8:37 PM -0.2L 9:07 PM -0.2L 9:35 PM -0.1L 10:04 PM 0.1L 10:34 PM 0.3L 11:05 PM 0.5L
5:21 PM 0.0L 6:11 PM -0.1L
5:25 PM -0.1L
Height 0.1L 0.4L 0.6L 0.8L 1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H
Time 8:01 AM 8:30 AM 8:56 AM 9:20 AM 6:39 AM 7:08 PM 7:51 PM 8:29 PM 9:03 PM 10:13 AM 10:12 AM 10:34 AM 11:08 AM 11:46 AM 12:26 PM
Height 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 0.9L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L 1.0L 1.0L 0.9L 0.8L 0.7L 0.6L
Time 2:18 PM 3:24 PM 4:28 PM 5:27 PM 9:41 AM
Height 0.4L 0.3L 0.1L 0.0L 1.0H
Time 8:06 PM 9:52 PM 11:56 PM
Height 0.9H 0.8H 0.9H
1:17 PM 2:08 PM 2:58 PM 3:51 PM 4:48 PM 5:56 PM
1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 1.0H 0.9H 0.9H
9:33 PM -0.1L 10:03 PM -0.1L 10:31 PM 0.0L 11:00 PM 0.1L 11:30 PM 0.2L
Height 0.2L 0.5L 0.8L 1.1L 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.5H 1.4H
Time 7:16 AM 7:35 AM 7:51 AM 8:03 AM 5:07 PM 6:00 PM 6:49 PM 7:34 PM 8:15 PM 8:51 PM 9:24 PM 11:57 AM 12:09 PM 12:19 PM 12:30 PM
Height 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.1L -0.1L 1.1L 1.0L 0.9L 0.8L
Time 1:42 PM 2:27 PM 3:18 PM 4:12 PM
Height 0.6L 0.4L 0.2L 0.1L
Time 7:15 PM 8:55 PM 10:54 PM
Height 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H
2:31 PM 3:29 PM 4:28 PM 5:32 PM
1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H
9:54 PM 10:23 PM 10:53 PM 11:26 PM
0.0L 0.1L 0.3L 0.4L
6:21 PM -0.1L
Solunar | Sun times | Moon times
Moon Phases Last
Aug 20
Houston
Time 2:31 AM 2:48 AM 8:42 AM 8:22 AM 8:33 AM 8:51 AM 9:12 AM 9:32 AM 9:54 AM 10:17 AM 10:34 AM 10:26 AM 12:27 AM 1:01 AM 1:33 AM
Rockport Date Jul 26 Jul 27 Jul 28 Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05 Aug 06 Aug 07 Aug 08 Aug 09
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.
Full
Aug 14
August 6
Port O’Connor Date Jul 26 Jul 27 Jul 28 Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul 31 Aug 01 Aug 02 Aug 03 Aug 04 Aug 05 Aug 06 Aug 07 Aug 08 Aug 09
First
New
July 29
Time 2:43 AM 2:22 AM 9:27 AM 9:45 AM 10:15 AM 10:55 AM 11:41 AM 12:32 PM 1:23 PM 2:12 PM 12:08 AM 12:43 AM 1:14 AM 1:40 AM 2:01 AM
Height 0.0L 0.1L 0.4H 0.5H 0.5H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.6H 0.5H -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L
Time 9:52 AM 9:11 AM 5:44 PM 6:37 PM 7:29 PM 8:19 PM 9:06 PM 9:50 PM 10:32 PM 11:12 PM 11:51 PM
Height 0.3H 0.3H -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L
10:19 AM 10:22 AM 9:49 AM
0.5H 0.5H 0.4H
Height 0.0L 0.0L 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L
Time 9:53 AM 9:26 AM 6:27 PM 7:20 PM 8:09 PM 8:59 PM 9:49 PM 10:39 PM 11:26 PM
Height 0.1H 0.1H 0.0L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L
2:58 PM 3:43 PM 4:31 PM 5:37 PM 9:49 AM
0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.1H
Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier Date Time Jul 26 6:57 AM Jul 27 12:38 AM Jul 28 1:26 AM Jul 29 2:25 AM Jul 30 1:15 AM Jul 31 2:34 AM Aug 01 3:23 AM Aug 02 4:04 AM Aug 03 4:38 AM Aug 04 5:07 AM Aug 05 5:28 AM Aug 06 5:42 AM Aug 07 5:51 AM Aug 08 5:58 AM Aug 09 6:03 AM
Height 1.3H 0.4L 0.8L 1.1L 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H
South Padre Island Date Time Jul 26 6:54 AM Jul 27 12:40 AM Jul 28 1:23 AM Jul 29 2:05 AM Jul 30 6:42 AM Jul 31 3:21 AM Aug 01 4:00 AM Aug 02 4:36 AM Aug 03 5:07 AM Aug 04 5:32 AM Aug 05 5:50 AM Aug 06 6:00 AM Aug 07 6:05 AM Aug 08 6:07 AM Aug 09 6:08 AM
Height 1.0H 0.3L 0.6L 0.9L 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H
Time 3:52 PM 4:49 PM
Height 0.1L 0.0L
Time 9:05 PM
Height 0.2H
2:55 PM
0.3L
6:45 PM
0.3H
Time 3:57 PM 5:26 PM
Height 0.0L 0.0L
Time 9:01 PM
Height 0.1H
2013 July-Aug 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29 Mon 30 Tue Q 31 Wed 01 Thu 02 Fri 03 Sat 04 Sun 05 Mon > 06 Tue N 07 Wed > 08 Thu > 09 Fri > 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed Q
A.M. Minor Major 9:18 3:06 10:13 4:01 11:05 4:53 11:55 5:43 12:18 6:30 1:03 7:15 1:47 7:59 2:30 8:42 3:12 9:24 3:55 10:07 4:38 10:50 5:22 11:33 6:07 11:52 6:54 12:43 7:43 1:31 8:33 2:21 9:25 3:13 10:18 4:06 11:13 5:00 ----- 5:54
Dallas
3:11 PM
0.1L
Time 1:01 PM 7:06 AM 7:10 AM 7:06 AM 4:36 PM 5:33 PM 6:26 PM 7:15 PM 7:57 PM 8:35 PM 9:09 PM 10:49 AM 10:55 AM 11:14 AM 11:41 AM
Height 0.6L 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L 1.2L 1.1L 1.0L 0.9L
Time 6:36 PM 1:49 PM 2:42 PM 3:38 PM
Height 1.1H 0.4L 0.2L 0.1L
1:04 PM 2:19 PM 3:30 PM 4:45 PM
1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H
Time 12:49 PM 6:59 AM 7:02 AM 7:00 AM 4:38 PM 5:36 PM 6:29 PM 7:17 PM 7:59 PM 8:36 PM 9:09 PM 9:40 PM 10:53 AM 11:09 AM 11:34 AM
Height 0.4L 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.2L -0.2L -0.1L 0.0L 1.1L 1.0L 0.8L
Time 6:30 PM 1:42 PM 2:39 PM 3:38 PM
Height 0.9H 0.2L 0.0L -0.1L
1:50 PM 3:04 PM 4:21 PM
1.2H 1.1H 1.1H
7:30 PM
0.1H
Time
Height
8:32 PM 10:53 PM
1.1H 1.2H
9:41 PM -0.2L 10:11 PM 0.0L 10:43 PM 0.2L 11:17 PM 0.5L Time
Height
8:27 PM 10:54 PM
0.9H 0.9H
10:10 PM 10:42 PM 11:17 PM
0.1L 0.2L 0.3L
2013 July-Aug 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun 29 Mon 30 Tue Q 31 Wed 01 Thu 02 Fri 03 Sat 04 Sun 05 Mon > 06 Tue N 07 Wed > 08 Thu > 09 Fri > 10 Sat 11 Sun 12 Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed Q
A.M. Minor Major 9:24 3:11 10:19 4:06 11:11 4:59 ----- 5:48 12:23 6:35 1:08 7:20 1:52 8:04 2:35 8:47 3:18 9:30 4:00 10:12 4:44 10:55 5:28 11:39 6:13 12:02 7:00 12:49 7:48 1:37 8:38 2:27 9:30 3:18 10:24 4:11 11:18 5:05 ----- 6:00
San Antonio
2013 A.M. July-Aug Minor Major 26 Fri 9:31 3:18 27 Sat 10:26 4:13 28 Sun 11:18 5:06 29 Mon ----- 5:55 30 Tue Q 12:30 6:42 31 Wed 1:15 7:27 01 Thu 1:59 8:11 02 Fri 2:42 8:54 03 Sat 3:25 9:37 04 Sun 4:07 10:19 05 Mon > 4:51 11:02 06 Tue N 5:35 11:46 07 Wed > 6:20 12:09 08 Thu > 7:07 12:56 09 Fri > 7:55 1:44 10 Sat 8:45 2:34 11 Sun 9:37 3:25 12 Mon 10:31 4:18 13 Tue 11:25 5:12 14 Wed Q ----- 6:07
Amarillo
2013 A.M. July-Aug Minor 26 Fri 9:44 27 Sat 10:39 28 Sun 11:31 29 Mon ----30 Tue Q 12:44 31 Wed 1:29 01 Thu 2:13 02 Fri 2:55 03 Sat 3:38 04 Sun 4:21 05 Mon > 5:04 06 Tue N 5:48 07 Wed > 6:33 08 Thu > 7:20 09 Fri > 8:08 10 Sat 8:59 11 Sun 9:51 12 Mon 10:44 13 Tue 11:39 14 Wed Q 12:10
OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen 22. A female pheasant 24. Reading tracks for freshness 25. A deerhunter’s spring activity 30. Bucks’ mating rituals 31. Code for a type bullet 32. An oak to be 33. A game bird 37. Prevents rust on gun parts 38. A male pheasant 39. A camp stove fuel 40. The male dall
ACROSS 1. A floating marsh wetland 4. A species of geese 6. Said to be best time to hunt whitetails 8. To remove spent shell 9. Special locale of active fish
10. Large groups of animals 12. A wingshooter’s prey 13. A grouping of fish in one spot 15. A popular fish for frying 18. Act of doe having young 21. Brown or polar
DOWN 1. To clean meat from carcass 2. Trapped for the pelt 3. A part on a bow 4. A game bird, ___ rail 5. A valued fur bearer 6. Preparing tent area for rain runoff 7. Brookies are
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Solution on Page 26 caught here 11. Good wood for arrow shafts 12. Term used in shooting contests 14. It is said fish can do this 16. A deer food 17. Large one is the dorsal 18. Name for the Arizona whitetail 19. Usual feeding time for bucks 20. Angler’s name for really large bass 23. A game lure, _____ rag 26. A camper’s food supply 27. A method of deer hunting 28. Stream fishermen wear them 29. Area anglers fish at times 34. Field area quail are found 35. A type open gunsight 36. A group of decoys 37. Found in the boathouse
Major 3:32 4:27 5:19 6:09 6:56 7:41 8:25 9:07 9:50 10:32 11:15 11:59 12:22 1:09 1:57 2:47 3:39 4:32 5:26 6:20
P.M. Minor 9:43 10:37 11:29 ----12:42 1:27 2:11 2:53 3:36 4:18 5:01 5:45 6:30 7:16 8:05 8:55 9:48 10:43 11:39 12:08
Major 3:31 4:25 5:17 6:06 6:54 7:39 8:23 9:05 9:48 10:30 11:13 11:56 12:19 1:05 1:54 2:44 3:36 4:31 5:26 6:22
SUN Rises 6:36 6:37 6:37 6:38 6:38 6:39 6:40 6:40 6:41 6:42 6:42 6:43 6:43 6:44 6:45 6:45 6:46 6:46 6:47 6:47
Sets 8:17 8:17 8:16 8:15 8:15 8:14 8:13 8:13 8:12 8:11 8:10 8:10 8:09 8:08 8:07 8:06 8:05 8:05 8:04 8:03
P.M. Minor Major 9:49 3:36 10:43 4:31 11:35 5:23 12:00 6:12 12:47 6:59 1:32 7:44 2:16 8:28 2:59 9:11 3:41 9:53 4:24 10:35 5:07 11:18 5:50 12:02 6:35 12:24 7:22 1:11 8:10 1:59 9:01 2:50 9:54 3:42 10:49 4:36 11:45 5:32 12:14 6:28
SUN Rises 6:35 6:36 6:37 6:37 6:38 6:39 6:39 6:40 6:41 6:42 6:42 6:43 6:44 6:44 6:45 6:46 6:46 6:47 6:48 6:49
MOON Sets Rises Sets 8:29 11:04p 10:55a 8:28 11:40p 11:56a 8:28 NoMoon 12:56p 8:27 12:18a 1:53p 8:26 12:56a 2:49p 8:25 1:37a 3:42p 8:25 2:21a 4:33p 8:24 3:07a 5:21p 8:23 3:56a 6:05p 8:22 4:47a 6:47p 8:21 5:40a 7:25p 8:20 6:34a 8:01p 8:19 7:29a 8:35p 8:19 8:25a 9:08p 8:18 9:21a 9:41p 8:17 10:18a 10:15p 8:16 11:16a 10:51p 8:15 12:16p 11:31p 8:14 1:18p NoMoon 8:13 2:21p 12:16a
P.M. Minor Major 9:56 3:43 10:50 4:38 11:42 5:30 12:07 6:19 12:54 7:06 1:39 7:51 2:23 8:35 3:06 9:18 3:48 10:00 4:31 10:42 5:14 11:25 5:57 12:09 6:42 12:31 7:29 1:18 8:17 2:06 9:08 2:57 10:01 3:49 10:56 4:43 11:52 5:39 12:21 6:35
SUN Rises 6:49 6:50 6:50 6:51 6:52 6:52 6:53 6:53 6:54 6:55 6:55 6:56 6:56 6:57 6:57 6:58 6:59 6:59 7:00 7:00
MOON Sets Rises Sets 8:29 11:12p 11:02a 8:29 11:50p 12:01p 8:28 NoMoon 12:59p 8:27 12:29a 1:55p 8:27 1:09a 2:50p 8:26 1:51a 3:42p 8:25 2:35a 4:33p 8:25 3:21a 5:21p 8:24 4:10a 6:06p 8:23 5:01a 6:48p 8:22 5:53a 7:27p 8:22 6:46a 8:04p 8:21 7:40a 8:40p 8:20 8:34a 9:14p 8:19 9:28a 9:49p 8:18 10:24a 10:24p 8:17 11:21a 11:02p 8:17 12:19p 11:43p 8:16 1:20p NoMoon 8:15 2:22p 12:29a
P.M. Minor 10:09 11:03 11:55 12:20 1:08 1:53 2:37 3:19 4:02 4:44 5:27 6:11 6:56 7:42 8:31 9:21 10:14 11:09 ----12:34
Major 3:57 4:51 5:43 6:32 7:20 8:05 8:49 9:31 10:14 10:56 11:39 12:22 12:45 1:31 2:20 3:10 4:02 4:56 5:52 6:48
SUN Rises 06:51 06:52 06:52 06:53 06:54 06:55 06:55 06:56 06:57 06:58 06:58 06:59 07:00 07:01 07:02 07:02 07:03 07:04 07:05 07:05
Sets 08:54 08:53 08:53 08:52 08:51 08:50 08:49 08:49 08:48 08:47 08:46 08:45 08:44 08:43 08:42 08:41 08:40 08:39 08:38 08:36
MOON Rises Sets 10:59p 10:49a 11:37p 11:49a NoMoon 12:46p 12:16a 1:43p 12:56a 2:37p 1:37a 3:30p 2:21a 4:20p 3:08a 5:08p 3:56a 5:53p 4:47a 6:36p 5:40a 7:15p 6:33a 7:52p 7:27a 8:27p 8:21a 9:01p 9:15a 9:36p 10:11a 10:11p 11:08a 10:49p 12:07p 11:30p 1:08p NoMoon 2:10p 12:15a
MOON Rises 11:24p NoMoon NoMoon 12:35a 1:13a 1:54a 2:37a 3:23a 4:12a 5:03a 5:57a 6:52a 7:48a 8:45a 9:42a 10:40a 11:39a 12:41p 1:44p 2:47p
Sets 11:17a 12:19p 1:19p 2:18p 3:14p 4:08p 4:59p 5:47p 6:31p 7:12p 7:50p 8:24p 8:57p 9:29p 10:01p 10:35p 11:10p 11:49p NoMoon 12:33a
FOR THE TABLE Ginger glazed mahi mahi 3 tbsps. honey 3 tbsps. soy sauce 3 tbsps. balsamic vinegar 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger root 1 clove garlic, crushed or to taste 2 tsps. olive oil 4 (6-ounce) mahi mahi fillets Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp. vegetable oil In a shallow glass dish, stir together the honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, ginger, garlic and olive oil. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper, and place them into
the dish. If the fillets have skin on them, place them skin side down. Cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes to marinate. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove fish from the dish, and reserve marinade. Fry fish for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, turning only once, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. Pour reserved marinade into the skillet, and heat over medium heat until the mixture reduces to a glaze consistently. Spoon glaze over fish, and serve immediately. — allrecipes.com
Old-time easy deer steaks 1 side deer backstrap 1/2 gal buttermilk 6 tbsps. garlic powder Flour, optional Salt and pepper, optional Cut backstrap into 1-or 2-inch thick slices. Place meat in casserole dish. In a bowl, mix enough buttermilk that will cover steaks with the garlic powder. Pour over steaks.
Cover and refrigerate 1–2 days. Flip if necessary.Remove steaks from buttermilk and drain. Grill 2-inch thick steaks over medium heat until medium doneness. If cooking 1-inch thick steaks, bread with flour seasoned with salt and pepper and fry in a little oil in a skillet. Turn as needed until cooked medium. — backwoodsbound.com
*email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
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PRODUCTS
(800) 447-3700 www.costadelmar.com TOUGH SERIES CLEANERS: Gunk’s new line of cleaners is a godsend to outdoorsmen whose SUVs and trucks accumulate the dirt and detritus associated with fishing or hunting trips. The LSON crew tested the Gunk Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner on a patch of dried blood in the back of an SUV. After the stain sat in the heat and cold for six months, the Gunk cleaner removed the stain completely. The products range in price from about $4 to $10 each.
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MISS BRITT SUNGLASSES: Costa describes its new polarized sunglasses for women as the perfect blend of world-class performance technology and on-trend styling. This model, named after legendary offshore captain Ray Rosher’s boat, offers female anglers a large square frame and, of course, the company’s 580 lenses, which block harsh, yellow light while enhancing color images. Anglers can opt for hard-coated, optically-ground glass or super lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses in gray, copper, amber, and blue-and-green mirror. Frame colors include light blue, coral, tortoise and gray. The sunglasses cost just under $130. Prescription sun lenses are also available.
POWERSYNC SOLARWRAP 400: Whether it’s a week spent at a hard-to-reach honey hole or in the backcountry for a hunt, outdoorsmen are taking their electronic devices with them. Inevitably, during these lengthier off-grid adventures, these electronic devices will need to be charged. Bushnell Outdoors’ has introduced a line of portable solar chargers that will power those electronics via a simple plug-and-play USB port. The line includes the SolarWrap 400, a lightweight flexible solar panel that rolls up in a protective case so it can be easily packed. The 11-ounce SolarWrap features a durable, rubber-armored case that protects the solar panel and high-capacity lithium-ion battery. It is outfitted with advanced amorphous silicon thin film solar technology that performs in less than full sunlight. Redundant wiring throughout the solar panel allows each cell to collect energy independently, meaning a damaged cell won’t diminish the overall performance. The SolarWrap 400 sells for about $215.
(877) 464-4865 www.gunk.com
(800) 423-3537 www.bushnell.com
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(800) 333-3288 www.winchesterguns.com
MONARCH 5 BINOCULARS: Nikon’s newest edition of Monarchs weighs almost an ounce less than its predecessor because of a lighter rubber armor material. And, the binoculars deliver sharp, high-contrast views thanks to the extra-low dispersion (ED) glass lenses, which effectively compensate for chromatic aberrations to provide images of superior contrast and outstanding resolution. The eco-glass lenses are fully multicoated to provide maximum light transmission. Other features include a high-eyepoint design that provides a clear field-of-view and long eye-relief; turn-and-slide rubber eyecups that make it easy to find the correct eye positioning to see the full field-of-view; and a smooth central focus knob that makes it easy to bring objects into focus for fast viewing. Available in a black finish, these go-to binoculars for outdoorsmen are offered in 8x42, 10x42 and 12x42 magnifications. The MSRP for the fully waterproof and fogproof binoculars ranges from $299.95 to $349.95.
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SUPER X PUMP MARINE DEFENDER: Winchester Repeating Arms’ newest firearm is ideal for shooting while on the water. The matte hard chrome plating on the barrel and magazine tube offers excellent protection against the elements while the synthetic stock’s textured gripping surfaces provide a more secure hold. The SXP has an 18-inch barrel and uses the Invector-Plus choke system. A cylinder choke is installed, allowing the SXP to shoot anything from slugs to buck shot. Features include an inertia-assisted action for faster cycling of shells; a drop-out trigger group that allows for easy cleaning; and a removable fiber-optic front sight. The gun is drilled and tapped for scope bases. The SXP sells for about $400.
(800) 645-6687 www.nikonhunting.com
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Poachers busted in online sting Scores of illegal wildlife traffickers face federal and state charges for selling protected species online last summer. The cases resulted from a coordinated undercover law enforcement operation conducted simultaneously by Texas game wardens, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, other states and federal agencies, and three Asian countries. Operation Wild Web, a coordinated effort between the USFWS and the other participating agencies, resulted in more than 150 arrests involving federal wildlife crimes. Wildlife and wildlife products seized in Texas during Operation Wild Web included a Russian Amur leopard pelt, Hartmann’s mountain zebra skin, hawksbill sea turtle, Texas tortoises (a threatened species), invasive freshwater stingrays, and numerous illegal and non-native invasive snakes. “We are proud Texas played a vital role in this operation; we assigned 30 game wardens and led the nation in charges
Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Managing Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Website Bruce Soileau
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Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 21628300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $2, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2013 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
filed, including 61 state and federal cases,” said Grahame Jones, TPWD Law Enforcement chief of special operations. That included 20 cases in Houston, 16 in Austin, and 25 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “Texas game wardens, includPhoto by TPWD. ing our covert unit, have been steadily increasing their use of the Internet and technology in general to solve wildlife crimes and I am extremely proud of their work,” Jones added. “This week, CNN reported the western black rhinoceros has officially become extinct. Unfortunately, that’s a very poignant example of why our officers focus on the sale of protected wildlife and wildlife parts. These are global problems that require team coordination with every state and nation.” — TPWD
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NATIONAL Colorado town wants to hunt drones The small Colorado town of Deer Trail is considering an ordinance that would create drone-hunting licenses and offer bounties for hunters who shoot down an unmanned aerial vehicle. “We do not want drones in town,” said Phillip Steel, a resident in town who drafted the ordinance and submitted it for approval by the town board. “They fly in town, they get shot down.” Officials admit they have never seen a drone plane on the Eastern Plains, but they want to make a statement that they think using unmanned surveillance planes to spy on people in the United States is wrong. They say the ordinance is mostly symbolic. They also recognize it’s against federal law to destroy federal property. “This is a very symbolic ordinance,” Steel told the Denver Post. “Basically, I do not believe in the idea of a surveillance society and I believe we are headed that way.” — Staff report
Oklahoma stocks record number of bass Over a three-week period this spring, the Fisheries Division of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation released a record-setting 2.22 million Florida-strain largemouth bass into 44 Oklahoma lakes. This year’s exceptional FLMB production at three of the state’s fish hatcheries doubled what would be expected in an average year, said Cliff Sager, a senior biologist with the wildlife department. “We had a good situation this year by having so many fish,” Sager said, which resulted in many more lakes being stocked than would have been stocked in an average year. “Being able to stock 44 lakes, to give so many lakes a shot in the arm with the Florida genetics, that just increased the potential for trophy bass production for years to come.” — ODWC
RMEF grants helping Colorado elk The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will fund 18 projects that positively affect nearly 6,000 acres of Colorado elk habitat and also assist with research efforts, a wounded veterans’
Nikon will send your 10x42 ProStaff 7 binoculars. You can check out the entire line at the nearest dealer: See a full selection of Nikon products at:
McBride’s Guns
2915 San Gabriel St. Austin, TX 78705 mcbridesguns.com (512) 472-3532
elk hunt and several hunting heritage outreach gatherings. RMEF grants for 2013 total $260,769 and directly affect 19 counties. Two additional projects have statewide interest. “This latest round of grants further solidifies our longstanding commitment to elk and elk country in Colorado,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “These projects will improve habitat by treating noxious weeds, using prescribed burns and thinning to improve forage, decommissioning old logging roads, and collaring elk to better determine their seasonal movement patterns to assist wildlife managers in dealing with conflict areas.” From 1985 to 2012, RMEF and its partners completed more than 570 different conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Colorado with a combined value of more than $147 million. — RMEF
Arkansas names new Game and Fish commissioner Gov. Mike Beebe has named Ken Reeves of Harrison as the newest commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “Ken grew up hunting and fishing in the natural beauty of north Arkansas, and has experienced our entire state’s outdoor destinations that need to be both enjoyed and conserved. His lifetime of legal experience will also serve him well as matters come before the commission requiring thoughtful and objective review.” Reeves, 65, is a vice president and general counsel for FedEx Freight in Harrison. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. A fisherman on Bull Shoals Lake since childhood, Reeves is also an avid turkey hunter, and enjoys hunting duck, deer, squirrel and quail. — AGFC
Mule Deer Foundation gives $50,000 to Wyoming The Mule Deer Foundation recently pledged $50,000 to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Platte Valley Habitat Partnership. The PVHP was formed to establish partnerships and work collaboratively to improve habitat for mule deer and other
IV Webb (7 years old) took his first whitetail — this great Hill Country buck — in Comfort. It was an incredible hunt enjoyed by three generations — Nathan D. Webb, Jr. (Buddy), III (Trey) and IV. “I am a blessed man and can’t thank my dad enough for the times we have shared together in the field,” said Trey. “Now I am getting to do the same with my boys and my father.”
wildlife in the area, as well as to address declining numbers of mule deer in the Platte Valley. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department approved $500,000 seed money for establishment of the partnership, even while dealing with millions of dollars of cuts to their 2014 budget. It is anticipated that the seed money will trigger matching dollars, a projected $4 million, from private landowners, land management agencies, and conservation groups. MDF President and CEO Miles Moretti said, “We feel the Platte Valley is important to Mule Deer Foundation members and Wyoming hunters, so we want to partner with this group to make sure projects in the region move forward.” — WGFD
Louisiana accepting bids for mooring sites The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is accepting bids through July 31 for 40 percent of the available houseboat mooring sites at Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area in St. Mary Parish. The remaining sites will be awarded through a lottery at a later date. Successful bidders will be awarded a five-season lease agreement, allowing houseboat mooring from Sept. 1 to March 15 for the duration of the lease. LDWF will provide mooring pilings at the designated lease site on the WMA. Houseboat permits will be issued to allow for outdoor opportunities at the WMA. Houseboats can be used for hunting (deer, ducks, hogs, rabbits, etc.), fishing, boating, and other activities. The permits will allow for mooring on the WMA from teal season through the end of rabbit season. — LDWF
Angler capsized by big tuna A 54-year-old man was rescued from his capsized vessel approximately 10 miles southwest of Port Allen, Kauai, Friday. Anthony Wichman was fishing in the area when he hooked a 230-pound Ahi that subsequently capsized his boat. When his boat capsized, his leg was caught in the fishing line and he was dragged underwater. After freeing himself, he was able to get on top of the hull and call his wife for help. — USCG
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DATEBOOK July 26-27
Deer Breeders Corporation 6th Annual Convention and Auction Westin La Cantera, San Antonio (972) 289-3100 dbcdeer.com
July 27
Rudy’s Texas Redfish Series Freeport tournament redfishseries.com
August 1
Dallas Safari Club DSC 100 Meeting Open House DSC Office (972) 980-9800 biggame.org Ducks Unlimited Allen Dinner Swingin’ D Ranch, Parker (214) 455-3082 ducks.org/texas
August 2-4
Texas Trophy Hunters Association Houston Hunters Extravaganza Reliant Center (210) 523-8500 ttha.com
August 3-4
Texas Gun and Knife Show Abilene Civic Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com Premier Gun Shows Mesquite Rodeo Gun Show (817) 732-1194 premiergunshows.com
August 3
Coastal Conservation Association Galveston Chapter Annual Banquet Moody Gardens, Galveston (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Lee County Bull Busters Big Game Banquet Dime Box (512) 217-3608 rmef.org Deer Fest MPEC Exhibit Hall, Wichita Falls (940) 704-2984 deerfestwichitafalls.com
August 7
Houston Safari Club Monthly Meeting Houston Racquet Club (713) 623-8844 houstonsafariclub.org Quail Coalition Park Cities Quail Check Presentation Ceremony Collectors Covey, Dallas (214) 534-4122 parkcitiesquail.org
August 8
Dallas Woods and Waters Club Summertime Happy Hour Bass Pro Shops, Garland (214) 570-8700 dwwcc.org
August 17
Quail Coalition Greater Houston Chapter Annual Banquet River Oaks Country Club (214) 534-4122 quailcoalition.org
Crappie Anglers of Texas Lake Lavon tournament (903) 887-0334 crappieanglersoftexas.com
August 9-11
Arabia Shrine Sportsmen 2013 Shriners Shootout American Shooting Center, Houston (936) 672-3103 arabiashrinesportsmen.com
SPI Chamber Ladies Kingfish Tournament (956) 761-4412 spichamber.com
August 10
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation North Texas Chapter Annual Big Game Banquet Embassy Suites Grapevine (972) 964-5292 rmef.org
Through Sept. 2
Coastal Conservation Association 2013 STAR tournament (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org
August 15
Dallas Safari Club Monthly Meeting Hilton Dallas/Park Cities Hotel (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
Puzzle solution from Page 21
August 16-18
Texas Trophy Hunters Association Fort Worth Hunters Extravaganza Will Rogers Center (210) 523-8500 ttha.com
August 16
Operation Game Thief Claystoppers Shootout Rio Brazos Hunting Preserve, Simonton (512) 389-4381 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo 2013 Boots ‘N Shoot Sporting Clays Tournament National Shooting Complex (210) 255-5851 sarodeo.com
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