June 24, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

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Prized bands Bands on dove overlooked as prizes for hunters.

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

June 24, 2011

Volume 7, Issue 21

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Striper action accelerating

Inside

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The shad are back, but the big stripers aren’t, at least not yet.

That has been the general sentiment of striped bass guides, as the summer season has started.

A significant shad kill in 2010 did not strike

❘❚ HUNTING

Deadly silence

STRIPER SUMMER: Striper fishing on Texoma has been good early in the mornings, but the bite has been tough after about 9 a.m. Most of the fish caught are between 16 and 22 inches. Photo by Jay Staley.

Sound suppressors effective on hogs.

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again this winter, at least on Lake Texoma, according to guide Jay Staley.

“We used to have to take an hour’s drive to Lewisville to get bait,” Staley said. “Now it’s completely different — there is bait everywhere.”

Staley even recounted an event a few days before where he came across hundreds of small shad, and the only reason he didn’t cast net was because of the large number of water moccasins in the area.

As always, it’s a numbers game on Texoma, as See STRIPER, Page 14

Breeder's saga Man pleads guilty to deer smuggling; herd euthanized by TPWD. Page 4

❘❚ FISHING

Fly anglers go offshore for challenge

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Sand bass Lots of fish and shad, but wind blunts action.

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Pond, tank, lake?

What’s the difference?

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‘Dead Zone’ Mississippi flooding could harm Gulf fisheries.

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❘❚ CONTENTS Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

Fishing Report . . . . . .

For the Table. . . . . . .

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes. . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook . . . .

Outfitters and Businesses .

Products . . . . . . . . .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

A 30-pound kingfish on conventional deep-water tackle can be a challenge.

But that same fish on a 10-weight fly rod is a unique adventure, said Casey Ryan of Dallas.

For Ryan, the unexpected nature of offshore fly-fishing is that you never know what you could hook into.

“It could be a 100-pound yellowfin or a sailfish, kingfish, little tunny or even a cobia — you never know what you’re going to find out there,” Ryan said.

Ryan, a veteran fly angler, was in search of a new challenge when he stumbled upon offshore trips. After fishing often with fellow angler and Lake Texoma guide Scott Bridgess, the two set out several years ago to take an offshore trip.

When rigging for offshore, Ryan See FLY ANGLERS, Page 14

. . . . . . . . . .

Page 25 Page 24 Page 10 Page 24 Page 12 Page 7 Page 22 Page 25 Page 20 Page 24

FLYING INTO THE DEEP BLUE: Fly anglers are quickly learning about the challenges and rewards that come with taking an offshore adventure. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for LSON.

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Vintage gun dealer teaches customers about big bores

RECOIL: Patrick WilloughbyMcCabe absorbs the recoil after shooting a .470 off shooting sticks. The gun dealer sells double rifles and shotguns from his Dallas store. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS On a quiet street in an upscale neighborhood north of downtown Dallas, close to one of seemingly a hundred area Starbucks, is a nonde-

script green building.

Inside is an unassuming middle-aged rare-book collector, who also is surrounded by racks of vintage double rifles and shotguns — all of them meant for hunting, not decoration.

Patrick WilloughbyMcCabe also is a gunsmith; the inside of his building smells like gun oil and fine wood.

It’s a little dark and slightly cluttered, but Willoughby McCabe & Co. specializes in rebuilding worldclass shotguns and some of the finest doubles in the world.

These guns are sold to an interna-

tional clientele.

“Double rifles are the whole reason I got into this business,” WilloughbyMcCabe said. “I read articles by Jack Lott and Elmer Keith, and my mentor, Thad Scott, was also my hero. I wouldn't be doing this without his help.”

The business focuses on double-barreled rifles and shotguns.

Willoughby-McCabe will work on bolt-action rifles, but not handguns.

“Gunsmithing,” he said, “is a huge part of our business.” But, he added, “We love the historical and quality aspect.

“It’s the history of the items we care about, and perpetuation of the sport.

See APPOINTMENT, Page 18

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June 24, 2011

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June 24, 2011

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June 24, 2011

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HUNTING

Powell pleads guilty to smuggling whitetails into Texas

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS An East Texas deer breeder has pleaded guilty to smuggling at least three dozen whitetails into Texas.

Billy Powell, 77, of Jacksonville entered his BILLY POWELL plea June 14 before a federal magistrate in Tyler. He declined to speak with reporters afterward.

His sentencing will be held at a later date, but his plea agreement with federal prosecutors calls for $1.5 million in fines and restitution, six months house arrest and three years probation.

The deal also calls upon Powell to cooperate with officials as they attempt to prosecute other people in the case.

“We think he’ll help in good faith,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble. “We expect there will be other charges against other individuals.”

During this probation, Powell will be barred from participating in all manners of commercial deer breeding, according to the plea agreement.

He is effectively out of the deer business.

Deer that were contained at his 5-P Farms were euthanized by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department “to facilitate testing for chronic wasting disease and bovine tuberculosis,” according to a news release from U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

“This process,” the release stated, “was necessary in order to provide an acceptable level of assurance that neither disease was prevalent in Powell’s deer breeding facility, nor in any deer breeding facility that had received deer from Powell’s facility.”

TPWD officials have said that illegal entry of white-tailed deer from other states poses a serious risk of introducing these diseases and others into Texas.

But they have also said there is no way to conduct the tests without removing brainstems from the deer, which kills them.

To date, no cases of either disease have

been detected in Texas deer.

According to federal court records, prosecutors believe the smuggling happened in October 2006, June 2007, November 2007 and June 2008.

A single deer called “Magnet” aka “Commander” was involved in the first shipment. The succeeding three shipments included six, seven and 23 deer, the records state.

Some of those deer were called “Fat Boy,” “Hit Man,” “Eagle Storm” aka “BJ,” and “Spikes.”

The records also state that in September 2010, Powell made false statements, both written and spoken, to Mike Merida, a senior special agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Powell, according to records, submitted lists identifying 35 deer, “knowing and believing that he had actually illegally imported” about 41 deer into Texas.

According to the plea deal, the $1 million fine will be deposited into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Lacey Act Reward Fund.

The $500,000 in community restitution will be paid to the Texas Parks and Wildlife

Foundation.

Of that sum, $400,000 will help pay for the construction of the Game Warden Training Center; $90,000 will go to the Operation Game Thief Fund; and $10,000 will help pay for TPWD’s tests of captive deer.

Also, Powell must forfeit any biological material derived from illegally imported deer, including any semen, antlers, mounts, and cloned deer.

He will, however, be allowed to sell any similar biological materials that came from legally obtained deer.

Powell has already ■ Lacey Act cases forfeited more than 1,300 straws of froPage 6 and 11 zen semen valued at approximately $961,500 to federal wildlife officials, Bales said.

He has reported that the fair market value of all of the illegally imported deer exceeded about $800,000 and that the value of the progeny exceeded approximately $290,000, Bales said.

SEE MORE

Suppressors popular with hog hunters Permit process lengthy to buy sound suppressors To legally own a sound suppressor, a buyer must complete a permitting process that includes approval from the chief law enforcement officer of the county where the purchaser lives.

Typically, that’s the sheriff, but in some counties they decline to offer that service, said gunmaker Brent Hemphill.

Alternatively, the purchaser can set up a trust to receive the suppressor. Once approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the shooter buys a $200 tax stamp, which is affixed to the permit.

Some suppressor manufacturers, like Hemphill’s, John’s Guns of Coleman, help customers prepare their paperwork.

They say the process, including a BATF background check, can take about four to six months.

The rules are set out in the National Firearms Act or NFA. For more information, go to http://www.atf.gov/firearms/nfa/.

—Bill Miller SNAP, NOT CRACK: Coleman gunmaker Brent Hemphill demonstrates a .308-caliber rifle with a suppressor that runs the full length of the 20-inch barrel. Its report is no louder than a BB gun, and recoil is unnoticeable. Photo by Bill Miller, Lone Star Outdoor News.

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Thwack.

It was the only sound heard by a sounder of feral hogs as something slammed into one of them, toppling it.

Then another went down. And another.

Gunmaker Brent Hemphill was systematically dropping hogs with a high-powered rifle fitted with a sound suppressor, also called a “silencer.”

“The most I ever got was six,” Hemphill said.

The growing feral hog populations of Texas, and their depredations on property, have spurred new markets for sound-suppressed firearms.

These muzzle-mounted tubes eliminate a gun’s deafening kapow that usually sends hogs scurrying for cover. The devices also deaden recoil.

Hemphill’s company, John’s Guns, makes an array of suppressors at his shop in rural Coleman County, about 40 miles south of Abilene.

But wait, only the military gets to use suppressors, right?

Actually, they’ve been legal for quite some time, although they require special permits under the National Firearms Act. Anyone willing to endure the lengthy permitting process of about four to six months — including a background check — and the costs of quality suppressors, can own them.

In Texas it’s not legal to use suppressors to hunt “game animals,” including deer, with a sound-suppressing device. But they can be used to hunt “non-game” animals like varmints, exotics and feral pigs.

Hemphill and his wife, Candys, operate the company, which in the future will be called Dark Horse Arms. It has customers all over the U.S., including police SWAT teams.

But a lot of customers, he said, want to use the devices on hogs.

“In Texas, that’s what everybody’s buying them for,” Hemphill said. “And I do a lot of educating on how they are legal.”

Dury’s Gun Shop in San Antonio sells Hemphill’s products. It also

orders from Phoenix-based AWC, AAC of Lawrenceville, Ga., and the flashlight maker, SureFire, of Fountain Valley, Calif.

“We’ve been carrying suppressors for almost five years now,” said Timothy Wallace, promotions manager at Dury’s. “The first thing was just the cool factor — just something new.

“It started slow because the thought process was that a suppressor was illegal. But we did some ad campaigns; knowledge is contagious, and then it really took off.

“Now I order sound suppressors sometimes 50 to 60 at a time.”

Wallace said suppressor prices range from $500 up to about $1,800.

For about $2,700, Hemphill

will sell a complete .308-caliber bolt-action rifle, built from a Remington Model 700, with a suppressor that runs the full length of the 20-inch barrel.

Lone Star Outdoor News recently test fired one of these rifles; the sound register seemed no louder than the snap from a classic “Red Ryder” BB gun. And the recoil was, well, unnoticeable.

Wallace noted, however, that a louder crack results from semiautomatic rifles fitted with suppressors.

He explained that AR-15s or AR-10s must use full-velocity ammunition to create sufficient “blowback” that helps eject spent casings.

See SILENCE, Page 6

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June 24, 2011

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Bands on dove an overlooked prize for hunters banded in Georgia and To a waterfowl hunter, was a whopping 31 years a duck band is a treasured old. find. Affixed to a duck call Mourning dove shot lanyard, these rare small in Texas come from 21 metal rings become testastates, including Texas, ments of the hunter’s skill with the most out-ofor luck and reinforce the state banded birds comconservation success story ing from Kansas, Iowa, they represent.

Oklahoma and South Banding is an integral Dakota. A few banded component for managebirds traveled all the way ment of all game birds from Pennsylvania and that travel across North Ohio.

America.

The oldest whiteBut not all bird bands winged dove ever are viewed as prizes. In recorded in Texas was 17 fact, the ones affixed to years old, and the oldest the migratory game bird whitewing ever recovered that gets the lion’s share was banded in Arizona of hunting attention in and was 21 years old.

Texas — dove — are not White-winged doves being viewed at all. banded in Texas have But, despite having more been recovered in four dove hunters than any states, including Texas, other state and harvesting four countries, and one in more birds than any other international waters (oil state, Texas has the lowest rig). The farthest recovdove band recovery rate in ered white-winged dove the nation. banded in Texas originated “I think most dove huntin Hidalgo County and was ers aren’t aware of the recovered in Nicaragua, banding effort,” said Corey 1,242 miles from the origiMason, Texas Parks and nal band site.

Wildlife Department’s For Texas, the implidove program leader. NATIONAL EFFORT: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is banding several thousand doves this summer as part of a larger national effort coordinated by cations of dove manage“Unlike with ducks, hunt- the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo by TPWD. ment are significant coners aren’t looking for bands White-winged dove will also be tabs on these dove populations is the ecology of this prominent sidering the Lone Star and because dove bands State boasts fall dove populations are only about the size of a bead banded across the state and TPWD becoming increasingly important. migrant. For instance: will be banding approximately Only three states are consistently Most banded mourning dove in in excess of 40 million birds and they don’t stand out.” banding white-winged dove, with Texas do not survive to see a sec- its 300,000 dove hunters harvest TPWD is now trapping and 3,000 whitewings.

The banding started June 1 and the Texas banding program being ond year and extremely few live about 6 million birds annually or attaching tiny metal leg bands on past three years of age. The oldest roughly 30 percent of all doves several thousand mourning dove concludes Aug. 15. To report leg the most comprehensive.

Dove band recoveries are reveal- mourning dove ever recovered in taken in the United States. as part of a larger national effort bands, call 1-800-327-BANDS. As whitewings continue to ing extensive travel records and Texas was 9 years old, and the oldcoordinated by the U.S. Fish and — Texas Parks and Wildlife Wildlife Service. expand across the state, keeping offer interesting insight into est mourner ever recovered was Department

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in Webb 09 on a ranch old buck in 20 ne showed fi e es th ag w im sa a t rs er KER of Elgin fi later, trail cam EL ar VO ye ld hunter N A . r-o TO ot ea AY sh KL good time, the 12-y couldn’t get a llet on the hoods, but, this bu or n hb ai County, but he ig gr ne 0d 11 ge hadn’t chan , delivered a the 10-pointer in .257 Roberts e, chambered rifl s Hi y. ad re d. was ars ol s aged at 7½ ye deer, which wa

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June 24, 2011

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Quail Coalition to grow with Dallas Safari Club Long known as a premier annual event for big-game hunters at home and abroad, the Dallas Safari Club convention and expo will expand in 2012 to include attractions focused on quail and other upland birds.

The expansion is part of a new partnership between DSC and the Quail Coalition, a Texas-based organization focused on upland bird conservation.

Slated for Jan. 5-8 at the Dallas Convention Center, the 2012 DSC convention and expo will feature a section called “Upland Country,”

Texas man sentenced in Kansas poaching case A Texas man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to felony charges of conspiracy, wildlife trafficking and obstruction of justice related to the illegal sale of guided deer hunts in southern Kansas.

James B. Butler, 42, of Martinsville, Texas was sentenced June 21 in a U.S. district court in Wichita, Kan. He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine.

His brother, Marlin Butler, 36, also of Martinsville, also pleaded guilty in the case. He was to be sentenced a few days later, but that had not happened by press time.

The investigation of the brothers was called “Operation Cimarron,” and is considered “the largest case in the history of wildlife law enforcement in Kansas,” said an investigator for the U.S. Fish and

sponsored by the Quail Coalition.

Planned highlights include exhibits, dog-training demonstrations, conservation seminars

by Dr. Dale Rollins, and appearances by noted quail enthusiast and the National Hunting and Fishing Day’s honorary chairman, T. Boone Pickens.

The quail group is a volunteer organization with no paid staff.

All money raised is devoted to upland bird research, habitat improvement and public education in Texas.

— Staff report

Wildlife Service.

According to documents filed in the case, hunters guided by the Butler brothers killed deer in excess of annual bag limits, hunted deer without permits or with permits for the wrong deer management unit, killed deer using illegal equipment, and hunted using prohibited methods such as spotlighting.

In their guilty pleas, the Butlers acknowledged that they conspired to violate the Lacey Act, the federal law that prohibits the interstate transport of any wildlife taken in violation of state regulations — in this case, antlers and capes.

James Butler also acknowledged he obstructed justice in April 2009 by ordering an employee at High Roller Whitetails, a deer operation in Center, Texas, to get rid of approximately six whitetailed deer mounts after wildlife officers began conducting interviews in Texas in relation to the federal investigation.

—Staff report

LEGAL ON HOGS: Sound suppressors can be used in Texas to hunt “non-game” animals like varmints, exotics and feral pigs. It’s illegal, however, to use them on “game animals,” including deer. Photo by Bill Miller, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Silence Continued From Page 4

The trade-off is a report that is similar to a .22-caliber rifle, but that’s OK with a lot of hog hunters who enjoy ARs. On the other hand, a suppressed bolt-action rifle can handle quieter “subsonic” rounds, which are less powerful than full-velocity ammo, but still

deliver deadly 150-grain bullets within 100 yards.

With the audibility of an air rifle and virtually no recoil, hunters aren’t rushed while trying to hit multiple targets.

Wallace said the only question concerning follow-up shots is, “how many would you like?”

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June 24, 2011

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HEROES

VADA JANAK, 9, of Orange Grove shot her first buck, an eightpointer, last season.

DAWN FREDERIKSEN, 15, of New Braunfels, reeled in this 9.13-pound string recently while fishing with her “Opa” at a Texas Bass Couples Tournament on Lake Dunlap.

The MCCLURE FAMILY of Argyle had a busy Fall 2010. BAILEY, 15, right, went on a Colorado pheasant-chukar hunt, sponsored by the Dallas Ecological Foundation. The hunt was her reward for building wood duck nesting boxes at Argyle High School.

She is shown here with dad, Scot McClure. Sister BERKLEY, 12, above, shot her first deer, an eight-point buck, in Coryell County.

The 150-yard shot was made with a .243-caliber rifle.

JUDY AND HARRISON RHODES of Dallas enjoyed some successful sandhill crane hunting last season near Littlefield.

Hunting on his family’s Real County lease last season, JOSHUA DRIESBACH, 11, of Schertz, dropped this first buck — an eight-pointer. Said dad, Brandon Driesbach, “I don’t A shaky head Senko helped DAN PHIFER of Grapevine catch know whose smile was bigger, this 5-pound largemouth in May on Lake Grapevine.

Joshua's or mine!”

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June 24, 2011

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FISHING

Choppy water blunts sand bass action But young bass, shad thriving on Grapevine

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Blue herons stood like sentinels early one mid-June morning on the south shore of Lake Grapevine.

And then, one by one, they stretched their massive wings and darted for open water.

“You got to watch those birds,” said fishing guide Ken Sisk of Lewisville. “See that blue heron circling right now? That tells me there are schools of fish over there. The surface action is not hard to see.”

Sisk piloted his boat into the freshwater smorgasbord, where herons went after fish, and young sand bass were jumping for newborn shad.

“We’re in a window right now when the little bitty shad are easy pickings,” Sisk said.

“Now the baby shad are young.

“The sand bass get

underneath them and push them toward the surface and they just gorge themselves.”

And lots of these plump little bass were willing to bite onto fake shad — the Rooster Tail lures that Sisk and his guest cast from spinning reels with 10-pound test lines.

Problem was, these sand bass were all less than 10 inches — too small to be legal.

It was time to switch tactics, and location.

Sisk explained that the bigger sand bass — also called white bass — congregate on the north side of this lake, which straddles Tarrant and Denton counties, just north of the city of Grapevine.

The north end, he explained, “has more humps and points — better structure.”

And, he added, summertime winds are priAGAINST THE WIND: Guide Ken Sisk unhooks a Rooster Tail from one of the many juvenile sand bass he had to toss back recently on Grapevine Lake. A stiff wind See SAND BASS, Page 16 hampered fishing that morning. Photo by Bill Miller, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Record-size ‘dead zone’ possible off Texas coast

By Darlene McCormick Sanchez FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The largest “dead zone” ever recorded could be lurking off the coast of Texas this summer.

If that sounds a bit like a horror show — well, it could be if you’re a Gulf Coast angler.

A group of scientists in Louisiana and Michigan predict the Gulf of Mexico’s hypoxic zone — an oxygen-depleted area deadly to fish — will be between 8,500 and 9,421 square miles this year because of extreme flooding of the Mississippi River this spring.

If it reaches that size,

it will be the largest since dead zone monitoring began in 1985. The U.S. Geological Survey bases the forecast on Mississippi River nutrient inputs compiled annually.

Hypoxia is caused by excessive nutrient pollution, often from activities such as agriculture, which results in too little oxygen to support

Graphic by NOAA

most marine life in water near the bottom of the Gulf.

The hypoxic zone off the coast of Louisiana and Texas forms each summer and averages about 6,000 square miles. It threatens commercial and recreational Gulf fisheries.

In 2009, the dockside value of commercial fisheries in the Gulf was $629 million. Nearly three million recreational fishers also contributed more than $1 billion to the Gulf economy by taking 22 million fishing trips, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Pond, tank, lake: Differences not so clear

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS One landowner’s pond might be another person’s tank.

But which term is correct?

Experts have no answer.

“Even in our field that’s a question,” said Robert Mauk, a biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Wichita Falls. “Where I’m from (Iowa), the term ‘tank’ isn’t even used.

“Everything is a pond up there, but it would seem to me that ‘pond’ and ‘tank’ are interchangeable.”

Jason Chapman, field manager for Lochow Ranch Lake Management, had a different theory.

“The word ‘tank’ seems to be used a lot more with cattle ranchers because its primary purpose is a holding tank of water for their cattle and wildlife,” Chapman said. “It seems like out in West Texas, you

hear them call it a tank.”

But Craig Bonds, TPWD’s regional director for inland fisheries management in Tyler, said he has worked all over the state, and the word tank is used in every corner.

“A stock tank is what folks in rural areas — farmers and ranchers — use to water their livestock,” Bonds said. “In urban areas, they’re called ponds.”

But when does a tank or pond qualify to be a lake?

“Some places they’ve tried to put size or acreages to it,” Mauk said, “but there’s no hard-and-fast rule.”

Chapman agreed.

“Lakes less than five acres are sometimes considered ponds,” he said. “Some say it is three acres; some say 10.”

The best definition, Bonds said, may be rooted in geology.

“The true definition of a lake is a natuSee POND, Page 16

Grandkids catch records, quality time with grandpa

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Seven months ago, Glenn and Maezell Bird, of Votaw, didn’t set out to break any fishing records. But, their six grandchildren sure did.

Last November, 7-year-old grandson, Brandon Boone,

landed a 1-pound, 8-ounce blue catfish. That turned into a quest for his other five grandchildren (all from Votaw).

In order for a catch to be certified as a water body record by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, it must be properly weighed, measured and photographed. With categories for all

Texas rivers and lakes, anglers of all ages are able to participate.

Winners then receive a certificate marking their accomplishments.

Brandon’s catfish, an 18 3/4-incher, was caught on live shad below the Lake Livingston dam.

See GRANDKIDS, Page 16

LUCKY 6: Glen and Maezell Bird, of Votaw, pose with their six grandchildren, who proudly display their Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lake record certificates. All six have successfully recorded a lake record, with the most recent coming this past May. Photo by Carissa Munson.

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Bassmaster Classic field has five Texans in lineup Five Texans have made roster for the Bassmaster Classic event in February 2012.

A few spots still remain open for the tournament on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La., but anglers still have the remainder of the year to qualify.

Alton Jones of Waco led the way for Texans in terms of points. For Jones, the February event will be the 14th of his career.

Todd Faircloth of Jasper led all Texans in 2011 Classic with a No. 8 finish.

This will be Faircloth’s tenth Classic appearance. Eight-time Classic participant and one-time champion Takahiro Omori, of Emory, also qualified for the tournament.

Keith Combs, of Huntington, will compete in his second Classic event after finishing 2011 in the No. 22 spot. Matt Reed, of Madisonville, will make his third Classic appearance.

Angler Kelly Jordon, of Mineola, was just shy of the necessary points to qualify.

But, with only 38 spots set as of June 24, there are still seven tournaments left for a few more anglers to qualify. There are five Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open tournaments and two Central Opens left.

—Staff report

Future fish populations at risk when lake levels are down

GETTING LOWER: Fish biologists are concerned about diminished habitat because of drought. Photo by Jason Hook, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

By Nicholas Conklin LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Fishing across the state is great, unless you can't get your boat into the water because the water doesn't reach.

The effect of water levels on the fish population can become severe, and if drought patterns continue

over several years, fish populations can begin to decline.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the effect of low water levels in Texas reservoirs (like current conditions) is yet undetermined.

“Our data suggests that there is a noticeable impact,” said Dr. Dan Daugherty, a biologist at TPWD’s Heart

of the Hills Fisheries Science Center at Mountain Home.

“But,” he added, “we haven’t quite got to the point where we can say ‘this much percent loss,’ or ‘this much fish loss in a given year’ when we experience low water levels.’”

See FUTURE FISH, Page 21

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TEXAS FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

HOT BITES LARGEMOUTH BASS

AMISTAD: Excellent on topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, Senkos, frogs and soft plastics.

GRAPEVINE: Good on Texas-rigged worms, finesse jigs and mediumrunning crankbaits.

O.H. IVIE: Good on weightless 5” Senkos, shallow-running shad-pattern crankbaits, Rat–L–Traps and Texas rigs.

TRAVIS: Good on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards, chrome topwaters, and white grubs in 6–20 feet.

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

BRAUNIG: Striped bass are very good on liver and perch off points.

CEDAR CREEK: White bass are good throughout day on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

LIVINGSTON: White bass are excellent on pet spoons, troll tubes and slabs.

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

SOMERVILLE: Hybrid striper are good on shad off points. White bass are good on shad and Li’l Fishies.

CATFISH

BRAUNIG: Channel and blue catfish are excellent on liver, shrimp, cut bait and cheesebait near the dam.

CALAVERAS: Channel catfish are excellent on liver, bait shrimp, cheesebait and shad.

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

TAWAKONI: Excellent and spawning shallow on riprap.

CRAPPIE BUCHANAN: Good on minnows and crappie jigs over brush piles.

FALCON: Good on pink crappie jigs under bridges.

RAY ROBERTS: Very good on small jigs and minnows in brush in 20–25 feet.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 79–86 degrees; 3.04’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, jigs and Caroline rigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 76–79 degrees; 3.54’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, Senkos, frogs and soft plastics. Striped bass are fair on Red Fins and topwaters. White bass are fair on crankbaits, grubs and live minnows.

Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on cheesebait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers under popping corks in 3–9 feet.

ATHENS: Water clear; 82–87 degrees; 1.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, jigs and medium-running crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

CALAVERAS: Water clear. Striped bass are good on spoons and striper jigs near the dam and the crappie wall.

Redfish are excellent down-rigging silver and gold spoons in 10–20 feet, and on live perch, tilapia and crawfish near the power lines. Channel catfish are excellent on liver, bait shrimp, cheesebait and shad. Blue catfish are good on liver and cut bait near 181 Cove.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 75–78 degrees; 4.11’ low. Largemouth bass are good on tomato red grubs,

spinnerbaits, crankbaits and Rat–L– Traps in 10–20 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and shad in 10–15 feet.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 83–88 degrees; 3.83’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs with Jackall Sasuteki Craws and watermelon/green pumpkin jigs in 12–15 feet along creek channels. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 79–82 degrees; 1.57’ low. Largemouth bass

HOT SPOT

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 82–88 degrees; 4.52’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and football jigs. Crappie are good on live minnows. White bass are fair on slabs and Little Georges. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines or juglines with Redneck’s Catfish Bait Soap.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms near the dam.

Striped bass are very good on liver and perch off points. Redfish are fair on perch, shad, tilapia, crawfish and silver spoons. Channel and blue catfish are excellent on liver, shrimp, cut bait and cheesebait near the dam.

BRIDGEPORT: Water lightly stained; 82–88 degrees; 5.34’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Jackall SK–Pop Grande topwaters and flipping jigs in 3/8 oz. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on live bait. Channel catfish are good on cut and prepared bait.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 12.12’ low. Largemouth bass are good on GrandeBass Baby Rattle Snakes, crankbaits and plastic worms along the shoreline in 2–8 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies and crankbaits off lighted docks. Crappie are very good on Li’l Fishies and jigs along the shoreline in 1–5 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait over baited holes. Yellow catfish are fair on trotlines baited with perch.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 70–74 degrees; 15.18’ low. Largemouth bass are good on weightless wacky-rigged green pumpkin Whacky Sticks with chartreuse tails, watermelon Skip–N– Pop topwaters, and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits along lake and creek points and at Apple Head in 8–12 feet at first light. Striped bass are fair on topwaters and Rat–L–Traps, and drifting live bait in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair trolling Shad Raps and jigging Pirk Minnows and Tiny Traps over rock piles in 20–30 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and crappie jigs over brush piles in 12–15 feet.

Channel catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. Yellow and blue catfish are very good on juglines and trotlines baited with goldfish and minnows.

CADDO: Water murky; 82–86 degrees; 0.12 low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and topwaters early, later switching to shallow crankbaits around isolated cover. White bass are fair on Road Runners and minnows.

Yellow bass are good on minnows.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 81–87 degrees; 29.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on weightless 5” Senkos, shallowrunning shad-pattern crankbaits, Rat–L–Traps and Texas rigs. White bass are good on Rooster Tails. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 83–88 degrees; 2.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texas-rigged blue fleck LFT Worms and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait and chartreuse nightcrawlers.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 79– 86 degrees; 2.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on topwaters early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and Little Georges. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

BASTROP: Water clear; 78–81 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows over brush piles.

Channel and blue catfish are good on cheesebait and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.

BELTON: Water stained; 79–83 degrees; 3.97’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits and dark soft plastic worms in coves. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows under lights at night in 30 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on bacon.

degrees; 79.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and DT 10s. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on Road Runners. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

Lake Tawakoni Guides have reported limits daily on stripers the past few weeks.

The fish are in the main lake and in large schools. Catch one, and you’ll probably have every pole in the boat bending toward the water.

Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

watermelon red Whacky Sticks on shaky head jigs, and Texas-rigged watermelon red finesse worms along bluff ledges in 10–18 feet.

Smallmouth bass are good on smoke/ red tubes on ball jigheads, and on root beer/green curl tailed grubs and craws. Yellow and blue catfish are very good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait.

CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 83–88 degrees; 3.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, swimjigs and shallow-running square-bill crankbaits around docks. White bass are good throughout day on slabs.

Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 74–78 degrees; 8.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon Rat–L–Traps, crankbaits, soft plastic lizards and spinnerbaits. Channel and blue catfish are good on punchbait.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 73–76 degrees; 12.75’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Hybrid striper are good on live shad near the park. Crappie are good on minnows at night. Channel catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch.

COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 2.52’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on minnows and perch-colored Rat– L–Traps. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on small spinnerbaits.

Crappie are fair on minnows and green tube jigs.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 77–80 degrees; 2.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shad-colored Rat–L–Traps, and on pumpkinseed Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on minnows and silver striper jigs.

Catfish are good on stinkbait, shrimp and nightcrawlers.

FALCON: Water clear to stained; 79–82 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon magnum flukes, jigs on ledges and drop-offs and crankbaits in 8–12 feet. Crappie are good on pink crappie jigs under bridges. Channel and blue catfish are excellent on cut bait and frozen shrimp.

FAYETTE: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on shad-colored

are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are good on stinkbait, nightcrawlers and frozen shrimp.

GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 81– 87 degrees; 0.36’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, finesse jigs and medium-running crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

JOE POOL: Water lightly stained; 81–86 degrees; 0.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, topwaters early and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and prepared baits.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 82–88 degrees; 0.31’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, topwaters early and jigs later in the day. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

LAVON: Water stained; 83–88 degrees; 2.72’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, topwaters and mediumrunning crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns. Catfish are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

LBJ: Water fairly clear; 79–82 degrees; 0.26’ low. Crappie are good on minnows and white crappie jigs over brush piles in 12 feet. Channel catfish are good on minnows and dipbait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch and carp.

LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 83– 88 degrees; 0.65’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, finesse jigs and Texas-rigged soft plastics.

White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait and chartreuse nightcrawlers.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 83–86 degrees; 0.03’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass to 25 inches are good on Zara spooks. White bass are excellent on pet spoons, troll tubes and slabs. Blue catfish are good on cut bait and shad.

MACKENZIE: Water stained; 79–86

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 82–86 degrees; 1.6’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, finesse jigs and hollow-belly swimbaits. White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 81–85 degrees; 1.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Pop Rs early, later switching to Carolina rigs and Texas rigs dragged around deep rocks and creek channels. Crappie are very good on small jigs and minnows in brush in 20–25 feet. White bass are good and schooling early on most main lake points (mostly smaller fish). Catfish are good on punchbait over baited holes.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 83–88 degrees; 3.42’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, crankbaits and topwaters.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 76–79 degrees; 8.60’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics and crankbaits. White bass are fair on minnows, hellbenders and pet spoons. Catfish are good on trotlines baited with live bait.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 78–82 degrees; 3.86’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are good on shad off points. White bass are good on shad and Li’l Fishies.

TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 81–85 degrees; 1.56’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texas rigs and topwaters. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Striped bass are good on live shad and large Road Runners.

Catfish are good on cut and live shad.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 75–79 degrees; 8.67’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red soft plastic worms in 10–20 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs over brush in 10–20 feet.

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

TRAVIS: Water stained; 77–81 degrees; 32.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards, chrome topwaters, and white grubs in 6–20 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on white grubs and minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish to 6 pounds are fair on fresh cut bait and nightcrawlers in 25–40 feet.

WHITE RIVER: Water stained; 81–86 degrees; 17.95’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on square-bill crankbaits, jigs and Texas rigs. Catfish are fair on prepared bait.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 75–79 degrees; 11.51’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp and liver.

SALTWATER SCENE NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics.

Redfish are good under rafts of shad on topwaters. Trout are good while working deep shell on plastics.

SOUTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good under birds and pods of shad. Trout are good at the jetty on live bait and topwaters. Red snapper are good offshore.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Sand trout are fair to good on shrimp in the Intracoastal. Trout are good at Rollover Pass on live bait.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on Bass Assassins, TTF plastics and Sand Eels. Trout, redfish and flounder are good at the spillway on live bait.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good on the south shoreline on topwaters and plastics.

Trout are good in the channel on croakers.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout, sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Redfish ack lakes. Tarpon are beginare good in the back ning to show on the beachfront. Red snapper, dorado and kingfish are good offshore.

TEXAS CITY: Trout are fair to good on the reefs and in the channel on live shrimp and croakers. Redfish and sand trout are fair to good in Moses Lake on shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout, redfish and Spanish mackerel are fair to good on shrimp at the jetties.

Trout, redfish, sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. Trout and redfish are fair to good at San Luis Pass on live bait.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are good for mp p drifters on live shrimp over midbay reefs.

Redfish are fair on the edge of the ICW on live shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair to good on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and topwaters. Redfish are fair on topwaters and live shrimp in Oyster Lake. Red snapper is good offshore.

PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are good on topwaters and live bait over sand, grass and shell in San Antonio Bay. ROCKPORT: Trout are fair to good in the guts and channels on free–lined shrimp. Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp.

Redfish are good on mullet in the deep guts on the outgoing tide.

PORT ARANSAS: Trout, redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp and croakers.

Red snapper, kingfish and ling are good offshore.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on soft plastics and live shrimp. Redfish are good in the potholes on shrimp. Trout are good in the surf on croakers.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good on topwaters worked over shallow rocks. Trout are good on for waders working plastics over sand and grass. Redfish are good on the flats early in the morning on small topwaters.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are good on topwaters on the edge of the channel and around sand and grass. Redfish are fair to good while wading shallow flats on small topwaters and Gulps.

Offshore is good for red snapper, kingfish and ling.

SOUTH PADRE: Redfish are fair as Well Flats and South to good around Gas Bay on shrimp and DOA Shrimp. Tarpon are showing at the pass. Trout are good on TTF Flats Minnows behind spoils.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good on the flats on live shrimp. Trout are good on the deeper edges and flats in Laguna Vista and Airport Cove on topwaters and live shrimp. Redfish are fair to good on DOA Shrimp in Cullen Bay and South Bay.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Hybrid fishing solid across much of state

EASY RIGHT NOW: Hybrids are schooling right now across the state’s lakes, making them easy to catch if you can locate the large schools.

Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Lake Conroe guide Chris Edwards said this year has been the best he can remember for catching large numbers of big hybrid stripers.

“Our average fish has been weighing about 7.5 pounds,” Edwards said. “We’ve had a few over 11 pounds and numerous 10-pounders.”

Edwards said the fish are schooled up right now and feeding on the high points in the middle of the lake.

“I know of at least three

different schools,” he said.

“The hotter it gets, these fish tend to spread out and not feed as much. But, when it’s on, it’s on.”

Edwards said he’s catching fish in the main lake, not the feeder creeks like earlier in the spring.

“Most are being caught in 15 to 25 feet of water,” he said. “We’ve been catching them on artificials, depending on how schooled up they are, but live shad also works great this time of year.”

Big baits are the ticket to bigger fish. Edwards said he’s

fishing shad up to 10 inches to target trophy hybrids.

“Big baits work right now,” he said.

The hybrid bite has not been as consistent on what many consider the best hybrid lake in the state — Tawakoni.

“We’re catching lots of fish but the hybrid fishing has been a little up and down,” said Tawakoni guide Joe Read. “The past few weeks, they’ve come off of a spawning pattern, but they are getting more consistent.

“The hybrid fishing overall is good.”

Read said last year was a banner year for hybrids on Tawakoni, and this year could be better.

“With the stockings from TPWD and the Lake Tawakoni Sportsmen’s Association, who just put in 50,000 fingerlings, the hybrid numbers are awesome and getting better.”

Read said the fish are schooling right now in the cooler, deeper waters of the lake.

“These fish can be caught early and late in shallow water,” Read said. “Then they go deeper in the middle of the lake and suspend in about 20 to 25 feet of water. I’m using all artificials — 1-ounce slabs and 4-inch Sassy shad on a 1-ounce jighead.”

Lewisville, Ray Roberts and Bridgeport had hybrid action going strong, with live bait producing more numbers than artificials, according to reports.

Three accused of smuggling alligator gar Three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly trying to smuggle and ship alligator gar from East Texas to Japan.

U.S. Attorney John M. Bales of the Eastern District of Texas announced the indictments of the men — two from Florida, one from Indiana — June 15.

Included are Loren Willis, 62, of Eminence, Ind.; Gerard Longo, 46, of Greenacres, Fla.; and Michael Rambarran, 55, of Miami.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

According to the indictment, on July 26, 2010, the men allegedly “conspired to develop a scheme to transport fish, specifically alligator gar, harvested from the Trinity River in East Texas for the purpose of selling them in Japan.”

Gar reportedly are popular additions to aquariums in Japan.

Each man was charged with violating the U.S. Lacey Act in an alleged conspiracy to submit a false label for fish transported in interstate commerce.

They’re also accused of conspiracies to transport and sell fish, both in interstate commerce and in violation of state law or regulation.

If convicted, they each face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Special Operations Unit and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating this case.

—Staff report

June 24, 2011

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER KAYAKING WARDENS FIND JUGLINE VIOLATOR While on kayak patrol, Game Wardens Trey Sparkman, Dustin Barrett, Matt Adams and Scott Holly checked an unmarked jug line with a largemouth bass used as bait on the Devils River. The wardens located a man in a camp downriver who confessed to catching the undersized bass and using it as bait. Cases pending.

WARDENS WINDY RESCUE Game Wardens John Thorne, Logan Griffin, Dustin Balfanz and Shawn Smith received a call from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office about a small boat that had capsized shortly before dark.

The four passengers (including a 4-year-old boy) were on top of the overturned vessel in the middle of the lake at night in extremely windy conditions. Balfanz and Smith were able to locate the boat and rescue all of the passengers and safely return them to their families on shore.

NOODLING NOT LEGAL YET Van Zandt County Game Warden Steve Stapleton and Rains County Game Warden Nathan Wilson apprehended fish grapplers on Lake Tawakoni. The wardens caught the two in the act of catching catfish with their hands near a submerged bridge.

Noodling had not yet been legalized.

BOAT CAPSIZED BUT CATFISH LANDED While patrolling for water safety violations on Lake Proctor, Game Wardens Mike Alexander and Vance Flowers received a 911 call from Comanche County Dispatch regarding a boat that had capsized. The wardens responded to the area and found a pontoon boat next to a 14-foot aluminum V-hull boat that was upside down in the water. The occupants had been fishing, and one of the party had shifted his weight while trying to land a channel cat.

JOINT EFFORT RESULTS IN RESCUE OF FISHERMEN, DOGS Calhoun County Game Warden Robert Dominguez and Lavaca County Game Warden Kerry Peterson responded to a 911 call to the Sheriff’s Office from an individual and his wife whose jon boat was taking on water on Lavaca Bay. An elderly man and woman had launched a small flat-bottomed boat with a 4.5HP outboard from the beach beside the Highway 35 causeway.

While the couple was fishing in protected waters, they drifted into exposed waters, facing high winds, and were unable to start their outboard. Dominguez and Peterson launched their patrol vessel and began the search. The Port Lavaca Fire Department arrived with a vessel and launched as well. On the way to launch the patrol boat, Peterson phoned District 5 Game Wardens Travis Haug and Philip Bird and asked them to respond in their direction. Wharton County Game Warden Chris Bird was trailering a patrol boat near Caranchua Bay, heard the sheriff’s office radio traffic, and responded to the causeway. The 30 mph winds and heavy seas made it difficult for searchers. After looking in the rough bay for some time, Peterson spotted two dark objects in the water at a distance, and the wardens maneuvered their patrol vessel, locating a flat-bottomed boat overturned with two dogs sitting on the top. An elderly man and woman were holding on to the vessel with difficulty.

Peterson found the man barely holding his head above The boat capsized, dumping the occupants and all of their possessions in about 8 feet of water. The occupants were uninjured, and the wardens assisted them in uprighting their boat and recovering their property. One rod and reel combo was lost, but all other items were recovered, including the channel cat.

SEVERAL AXIS TAKEN BY PICKUP TRUCK After a two-week investigation, Gillespie County Game Wardens Sam Harris and Scott Krueger filed hunting exotic animal from public road charges on four teenagers. The four used a pickup to take five axis deer from county roads. The head of a large axis buck was taken, as well as the backstraps of three. The rest of the five deer were left on the side of the road.

water and tangled with rope and fishing equipment of the vessel. The victim’s life jacket was not fastened around his shoulders and affixed with only one snap.

Peterson was able to pull the man’s life jacket around his shoulders and snap the buckles for better flotation. Dominguez pitched Peterson the Type IV device that was subsequently thrown to the female victim to add to her flotation. Dominguez maneuvered the vessel near the male victim and both wardens reached for the man, who was distressed and unresponsive. The wardens were able to grab hold of the man and pull him over the low gunwale of the patrol vessel and roll him on his back. The victim was still unresponsive and aspirating large amounts of swallowed saltwater. Then, the wardens reached the female victim and loaded her in the patrol vessel. Dominguez ran the patrol vessel to shore where EMS was waiting. After Dominguez and Peterson were en route to shore with victims, Haug, Bird, and fire department arrived at the overturned vessel. Haug and Bird righted the vessel, pulled the plug, and secured the bow rope to pull it ashore. Port Lavaca FD loaded the dogs. After reaching shore, the male victim became more responsive. After he recovered, the man said that he was weak from swallowing large amounts of saltwater and was about to let go of the vessel and give up when the wardens approached.

DEER SHOT TO QUIET BARKING DOGS Morris County Game Warden Michael Serbanic received a call from the local animal rehabilitator regarding an injured deer in Cass County. The deer was found lying in a yard with a wound in the neck. Upon further investigation, the wound was determined to be from a .22 bullet.

The individual who notified the rehabilitator later confessed to shooting the deer with his .22 magnum rifle because the dogs wouldn’t stop barking at the deer. Citations issued.

HOG DOG KILLED, OPERATOR OF STOLEN ATV LIKELY CULPRIT Anderson County Game Warden Karen Gray received a call from local hog hunters reporting that their hog dog had crossed over a property

line while they were hunting, and was shot and killed. While investigating the area, Gray found an ATV that was still warm. After checking the HIN number to try to locate the owner, she discovered that the ATV had been reported stolen. Gray and Henderson County Game Warden Shawn Smith went back to the property and seized the stolen ATV. The investigation is ongoing.

SWAP SHOP SELLER GETS A SHOCK The staff at the Mt. Pleasant TPWD office received a call about a person advertising baby deer for sale on the local radio swap shop. Titus County Game Warden Jerry Ash called the seller posing as a potential buyer and learned that the seller had baby gear, not baby deer, for sale.

CAST NETTERS CAUGHT WITH COOLER FULL OF FISH Travis County Game Warden Jeff Hill observed several men removing fish from a cast net at Lake Walter E. Long. Over a period of time, more fish were placed on stringers and anchored offshore to avoid detection. Contact was made as the men carried a large cooler to their vehicle. In addition to dozens of bluegill, there were several bass and a large channel catfish. Cases pending.

FACEBOOK NABS GATOR HUNTERS Wharton County Game Warden Chris Bird received a report of the illegal harvest of an American alligator. Bird was advised to check the Facebook profiles of the suspects.

Displayed on the “Wall” of one of the suspects was a photograph with a caption of “this is what we do when we’re bored.” The photograph showed a suspect stabbing a 5-foot alligator with a bowie knife. Bird received full confessions from two individuals. One man admitted to killing the gator with a .22-caliber rifle before posing for the picture with the Bowie knife. Case and restitution pending.

GROUP TRIES TO HIDE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES Austin County Game Warden Sonny Alaniz was patrolling Lake Somerville when he spotted five subjects in the water off Welch Park. One subject was using a cast net and the others would huddle around him removing any fish caught. They would keep the fish under the water while removing them so no one would see. One subject took an ice chest to the other subjects before they got out of the water. Alaniz waited until the subjects got back to their campsite before making contact. The subject who had the cast net claimed that he was not fishing and the group claimed to have no fish. Then Alaniz checked inside an ice chest that one of the subjects was sitting on. Citations were written.

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June 24, 2011

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and chartreuse are mainstays.

Bridgess said there hasn’t been any reason yet to deviate from those colors. Size 1/0 or 2/0 hooks are standard.

“Any type of weighted fly — when you strip it — you will get a jigging type of pattern to it,” Bridgess said.

The difference in the offshore technique, said guide Capt.

Chip Meyers, is in how the anglers cast and retrieve flies.

“You’re really kind of lobbing it out,” Meyers said.

“With line that heavy, you can’t really cast it. So you lob it maybe 20-30 feet out there.

“But as you drift you’re letting out line. So, by the time we’re over the line, they may have out 90 feet of line.”

Meyers, based in Spring, will hang a frozen bag of chum off the back of the boat to help attract fish to the area. Once the slack is taken up, anglers will strip flies up through the chum line.

Despite the growing popularity of offshore fly-fishing, the cost keeps most fly anglers from trying it, Meyers said.

UNWELCOMED VISITOR: Sharks often appear while fly anglers target offshore species.

“The downside is it is expenCasey Ryan of Dallas holds one of the unlucky little tunny that were partially eaten by sive,” he said. “A trip with me is sharks during a recent trip out of Freeport. Photos by Scott Bridgess. $750 plus gas, and gas is going to run $300-$400, so it can be an $1,100-$1,150 day.”

The added cost is partially Continued From Page 1 because most fishing occurs between 40-60 miles offshore. and Bridgess use between 8-10 heavier sinking lines — about But Bridgess said the action of weight rods, with heavy sink- two to three weights heavier an offshore fish far surpasses anying lines. Because they need to than what’s recommended for an thing he has experienced on the get flies down between 50-70 8-weight reel. bays and jetties. feet, a 600-grain Rio Leviathan Wire leaders are key because “It is addictive if you like to sinking line is a necessity. there is an added challenge of battle hard-fighting fish on a Ryan likes to use a 10-weight sharks attacking hooked fish. fly rod,” Bridgess said. “People set-up, with a reel that has at “They can cut those fish in half think a bonefish runs hard. They least 200 yards of backing on it. so quick and so fast you wouldn’t haven’t seen anything until they He said fish will easily run deep know it,” Bridgess said. “Most of get a tunny on a fly rod.” into the backing. the time you won’t even feel it.”

Bridgess prefers a lighter Clouser-style flies with heavTo contact Capt. Chip Meyers, call 8-weight rod, but still uses ily weighted eyes in white, grey (281) 350-6708

Fly anglers

LSONews.com

Striper Continued From Page 1

Staley said the hardest thing is staying on schools long enough to catch fish — something that has been difficult thus far because of the sporadic movements of the schooling shad.

Guide Kenny Toney said that most action on the lake has been in a one- to two-hour window early in the morning.

“They’ll feed sporadically throughout the day, but nothing like they will in the first morning bite,” Toney said.

Toney reported a drastic change in depths, going from 60 feet two weeks ago to the current depth of around 20 feet. But live shad is still the go-to bait, as the topwater action has not yet begun.

The early morning bite on Lake Whitney has also been hot, according to guide Bert Brunett, who has been catching them between 5 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

“There is one large school that is working for about a half-mile then it just stops, and they’re chasing bait.

You just have to get ahead of them and all your rods go over,” Brunett said.

Guide Jerry Moore said that anglers on Lake Buchanan should key on the area from midlake up to the dam if they want to land good numbers of fish. Targeting between 30-35 feet of water should find anglers with 5-10 pound stripers throughout the rest of summer.

All guides said that the afternoon has been the least productive, as stripers haven’t been chasing and feeding as aggressively.

To contact guide Jay Staley, call (469) 471-6335 To contact guide Kenny Toney, call (903) 786-6331 To contact guide Bert Brunett, call (254) 694-2450 To contact guide Jerry Moore, call (512) 756-7333

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

Page 15

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June 24, 2011

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Sand bass

Pond

Continued From Page 8

Continued From Page 8

marily out of the south-southwest, which pushes the bigger shad to the north side.

“They’re not going to mess with the littler shad,” he said of the adult sand bass. “They’d rather have one big one, rather than 50 little ones.

On this day, however, the wind hindered more than it helped. The speeds reached 15-20 mph at times, which made for a choppy ride up to the north end.

The wave action also disrupted surface activity.

Undaunted, Sisk switched to a bait-casting rod-reel combo, with 15-pound test line that was double-rigged with a simple jig, first, and a slab at the end. Both baits were chartreuse.

He dropped the line straight to the bottom, about 27 feet HEALTHY: Young sand bass are thriving in Lake down. Then he jerked the tip Grapevine, and anglers can catch a lot of them. up and down in a vertical pre- The daily bag limit is 25 for fish 10 inches or sentation. longer. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON. This “jigging” technique replicated an injured minnow more, see Texas Fishing Report, trying to push itself off the bottom. Page 10.)

It worked. Sisk hooked a small Despite the blowout, Sisk liked crappie and a keeper sand bass what he saw that morning. about 15 inches long.

The massive “balls” of shad visiBut the wind just wouldn’t quit; ble on the fish finder, and the abunSisk and company headed back to dance of young sand bass pointed the ramp. to an excellent fishery, now and in “The wind is really an enemy to the future. what we’re doing today,” Sisk said.

“The reason I like sand bass is “I don’t remember a year as bad as because you can catch a lot of this one, with the wind blowing all them,” he said. the time.”

The daily bag limit is 25, but on White bass on slabs were good a good day, anglers can easily catch to excellent on lakes Lavon, Cedar 100 to cull from, Sisk said.

Creek, Livingston, Lewisville, “And you can catch them all Palestine and Bridgeport, accord- summer, so get out there, especially ing to reports. if you have kids,” Sisk said. “When White bass on Amistad were you get into them, they’re just one fair on crankbaits, grubs and min- right after another.” nows. Fair on minnows also was To contact guide Ken Sisk, call (972) the report from Sam Rayburn. (For 567-7869.

ral water body, not man-made,” he said.

By comparison, he added, a reservoir is dug or impounded by men.

“The northern U.S. has a ton of lakes formed by old glacial activity,” Bonds said. “In the southern states, most natural lakes are formed in lowlands, like oxbows off an old channel.”

But in Texas, that definition isn’t exactly perfect.

For example, school children are taught that Caddo Lake on the Louisiana border is the only natural lake in Texas.

But, Bonds said, that doesn’t account for the thousands of “playa lakes” in the Texas High Plains. These shallow, circular-shaped depressions provide habitat for wintering waterfowl that travel the Central Flyway.

Ultimately, Chapman said, it doesn’t really matter what a water body is called.

“What’s important is how you manage it,” he said. “Really, when it comes down to it, you can grow big fish in ponds, just like lakes.”

Chapman’s company, and others like it, provide a wide range of services, including fish stocking, pest and plant control and water quality analysis.

“If you manage it the right way, “ he said, “you can get good results.”

STEWARDSHIP: Experts say a small body of water — call it a pond or a tank — can grow big fish just as well as a big lake.

Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

And Bonds agreed with that.

“These small impoundments are such neat assets for people who own them or who have access to them,” he said. “But they can also be headaches, like a home or a boat.

“You can’t just walk away from them and expect them to be in perfect shape at any given time.

“Fish and plants can get out of balance, and they can require attention of the owner, and the attention of the owner’s pocketbook.”

Grandkids Continued From Page 8

After a quick check of the water body records for junior anglers (under 17) on that lake, Bird knew that Brandon had something special. Bird said that because it bested the previous record, they recorded it and sent it to TPWD. “When that certificate came in the mail it caught the eyes of the other grandkids, being that 7-year-old Brandon was prancing around showing it off and bragging of what a great fisherman that he was,” Bird said.

“Now the other five grandkids wanted to know when I could take each one of them to catch their own records.”

Bird didn’t have to wait long

for the next record, as 13-yearold Kristen Boone caught a 1-pound, 4-ounce white crappie on Dec. 21 on Lake Livingston.

In March, 13-year-old Ricky Lucas joined the list, when he landed a 2-pound, 8-ounce white bass from the Trinity River.

The fourth record would also be taken from the Trinity River, but this time by the youngest of the six. At only 3 years and 11 months at the time, Audie Lucas, landed a 1-pound, 14-ounce white bass.

Bird said this may have been one of the most exciting of the records, as nearby anglers cheered as Audie landed the 13-inch fish with a cane pole.

“It was during a white bass run, and when the other people saw, they started cheering him on,” Bird said.

“They realized it was a good show.”

Two more records would come from Lake Livingston, as Sheridan Lucas, 6, and Emily Boone, 14, caught two winning catfish. On April 2, Sheridan landed a half-pound, 13-inch blue catfish, while Emily landed a 1-pound, 3-ounce channel cat.

Bird said the sizes of the fish may not be impressive to other anglers, but they are to him and his wife.

“It’s a good deal for the kids,” he said. “It has really got the kids excited about fishing and the desire to catch a record fish.”

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

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June 24, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Appointment Continued From Page 1

“That is what we focus on.”

A lot of his rifles, he said, were made during the early 20th Century “and from relatively unknown makers.”

The inventory, however, also includes the works of classic gunmakers like Holland & Holland, Westley Richards and Purdy. To say they are “high-end” is an understatement; check the prices on his Web site.

But Willoughby-McCabe said he doesn’t like shiny guns that don’t get shot. And when he shoots, he tries to replicate real-life scenarios.

During a recent visit to a Dallas-area range, he shunned bench shooting at fluorescent targets. Instead, he fired from shooting sticks at strips of black tape.

“Not many animals have white or orange dots to aim at,” he said. “And I’ve never been walking through the woods and come upon a bench rest and an animal standing broadside at 100 yards.

“This is much more realistic.”

His favorite gunmaker is Westley Richards, and A REAL GUN RACK: Guns for sale at the Willoughby McCabe store in Dallas. his favorite caliber is the Access to the shop is by appointment only. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON. .450/.400.

He uses it on deer, which, strongest actions ever made.” shoot than I shoot, and I he said, is “great practice for But Willoughby-McCabe still shoot twice a week,” he going to Africa.” It makes a wants his customers to shoot said. “I’d rather my customgood-size hole, he said, but the guns he sells them, and ers shoot more and buy less. the shock drops the animal shoot them properly. He Take the damn things out where it stands. especially wants them ready and shoot them!

“I’m a huge proponent for safari.

“Wear them out.” of Westley Richards,” he To that end, he takes them said. “They have a very clear to the range to ensure they The shop is open by appointvision for their company understand the basics of ment only.

To contact and the best research and shooting large, double rifles.

Willoughby McCabe & Co., call development. It’s one of the “I watch more people (469) 759-6146.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

Page 19

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June 24, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

PRODUCTS SURVIVAL BRACELET: These wider bracelets from Survival Straps contain even more paracord than the skinnier versions. In an emergency situation, it doesn’t come unraveled; instead, unravel the bracelet to deploy the 24 feet of paracord. Whether hiking in the woods, trekking up a mountain, or wherever the hunt may lead you, take this 550-pound test paracord along. The bracelet is available in many color options, including a two-toned bracelet that is made from two shorter pieces of paracord rather than one longer piece. This ingenious accessory features an adjustable stainless steel shackle closure and a breakaway pin designed to shear off and break away from the wrist when a significant force is applied. It sells for about $28.

(888) 727-6687 www.underarmour.com

>>

(888) 738-8370 www.irishsetterboots.com

(510) 732-9229 www.davisnet.com

>>

STICKY BAG: Davis Instruments makes it easy to organize everything and keep a boat in “shipshape.” The company offers three organizers (the Sticky Bag, Sticky Pockets and DeckHand Boating Pouch) designed for quick and easy storage. Sticky Bags are for larger storage needs, such as fishing or diving gear, ropes, clothes or drinks. The bag is held in place with suction cups capable of holding up to 8 pounds while a shock cord keeps contents secure. Sticky Pockets keep smaller items such as sunglasses, keys, or maps organized while the DeckHand Boating Pouch offers numerous small compartments that will securely hold plenty of life’s essentials. The organizers are made of UV-resistant polyportex mesh, which won’t scratch surfaces. The mesh also is sun and mildew resistant. The organizers sell for about $22 to $26.

>>

>>

KVD DRIFT FISHING SHOES: Professional bass angler Kevin VanDam has partnered with Irish Setter to develop comfortable performance fishing shoes that meet his exacting standards. The Drift fishing shoes have quickdry, breathable air-mesh panels with wavelike leather accents and excellent traction.

The shoes’ “Pod Grip” sole is designed to channel water with each step and offers more contact points for great traction on wet decks. Plus, the shoes’ EVA midsoles provide durable cushioning for long days on the water. Additional features include water-resistant leather; non-metallic construction to keep rust at bay; a lace-up closure system for great fit; and rubber-armored toe and heel for improved durability. The fishing shoes cost about $90.

>>

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(800) 971-3360

CAMO EVO BUTTON-UP SHIRT: HIRT: Under Armour’s newest hunting shirt is built for comfort. Available le in Realtree AP camo, the super er soft shirt is made from a doublebleknit fabric that pulls moissture away from the body to keep wearers warm and dry. Also, the fabric contains ArmourBlock, an anti-odor technology that will give hunters an edge out in the field.

The button-down shirt sells for about $85.

J WAYNE FEARS SURVIVAL KNIFE: Here’s a great knife to keep close at hand on that next hunting or fishing trip. This 9 3/4-inch full tang knife from Pro Tool Industries is strong, easy to re-sharpen, and small enough to easily slip into a backpack. It is made from powder-coated, easy-to-sharpen high carbon steel and has a 4 ¾-inch nonslip ergonomic orange plastic handle. Use this knife for cleaning game, digging or whatever other need arises. It sells for about $150 and comes with a sheath.

(800) 708-5191 www.protoolindustries.net

LSONews.com

TEXAS BIG BITES

It’s a freedom thing What do four Dallas friends who have just graduated high school do to celebrate?

Go fishing, of course.

That is what Colleen Hoofard and three of her friends did last week when they headed to the coast for a little relaxation and a day of offshore fishing aboard a private charter out of Galveston.

“We went down to hang out because we just graduated,” said Colleen Hoorfard. “It was a freedom thing. It was a full day and we had a great time.”

Hoorfard said the group ran 70 miles offshore and caught red snapper and kingfish.

“I am the epitome of a non-fisherman,” she said. “Only one of us had been fishing before.

We all had the patches to not get seasick, and only one of us did, but she still caught fish.”

The group — Hoorfard, Anne-Marie Dunson, Grace Meyer and Sophia Wilson — caught their limit of red snapper and several nice kings.

—Conor Harrison

Future fish Continued From Page 9

Amistad Reservoir in West Texas has experienced a decline in median storage of 51,000 acre-feet since April 2010, according to the Texas Water Development Board. Amistad typically has a storage capacity of 1,840,849 acre-feet, but it was holding only 1,784,000 acre-feet of water before the drought.

Lake Fork in East Texas has also experienced similar issues, but on a smaller scale, as the lake currently sits 3 1/2 feet below average.

Currently holding about 515,245 acre-feet, Fork has seen a slight drop of 5 percent, or 2,682 acre-feet as of May. Rainfall and inflows are cited as culprits to the low levels, according to Samantha Hen an information specialist with TWDB. But for anglers and guides on shrinking lakes, the lower water levels have had only a minor effect upon their fishing.

“It is a hazard for some people; we’ve had a few people lose lower units,” Lake Amistad guide James Burkeen said. “So far we haven’t had a negative effect on the fishing yet. Now, it could hurt us; we just don’t know yet.”

In a recent three-fish tournament on Amistad, Burkeen reported anglers catching 15- to 17-pound stringers of bass.

Despite quality fish still being caught on Fork and Amistad, the growth and reproduction of fish may become an issue if the drought continues.

Biologist Paul Fleming, also of Heart of the Hills Center, said that fish populations often have to battle drastic yearly changes in weather.

But extended drought periods over a number of years can be detrimental to reproduction.

“Texas has always been a boomor-bust deal,” he said, adding that a good, wet year can by followed by two more years of drought.

“Sometimes longer,” he said.

Natural fish reproduction occurs best when water levels are high and natural vegetation and environment remain intact.

But when water levels shrink, silt accumulates, causing reductions of natural bedding and spawning areas, Daugherty said.

Although largemouth bass and catfish can survive in low water, others like white bass and panfish become more susceptible to predators, thus reducing the survival rates of their spawn.

Human safety also is a concern.

More than 148 boating accidents during a three-year period (2007-2009) involved people being ejected from boats that hit submerged or fixed objects.

Jeff Parrish, TPWD’s assistant chief for marine law enforcement, urged boaters to watch for rocks, tree stumps and other objects that normally are submerged, but could be right below the surface when water levels drop.

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

MARK WATSON of Fort Worth was night fishing recently on Joe Pool Lake near Grand Prairie when he hooked a pair of largemouths — one 8.46 pounds, the other 9.1 pounds. He caught them in 20 feet of water on Carolina-rigged Stanley Sidewinders.

GRADUATION FISHING: Four recent high school graduates display their catch on a fishing trip to the coast. Pictured here are Sophia Wilson, left, and Anne-Marie Dunson.

Photo by Grace Meyer.

Page 21

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June 24, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

DATEBOOK Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Editor Bill Miller Associate Editor Conor Harrison

June 24

July 9

July 21

Texas Deer Association San Angelo Chapter, Sportsmen’s Banquet (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com

Texas Deer Association Austin Sportsmen’s Banquet Driftwood (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com

Coastal Conservation Association Sam Houston Chapter Banquet (936) 291-6469 Www.ccatexas.org

June 25

July 14

Texas Boater Education Course Cabela’s Conference Center Fort Worth (817) 923-3547 americassouthsea@yahoo.com

Dallas Woods and Water Club Monthly meeting and dinner Sheraton North Dallas Hotel www.dwwcc.org (214) 570-8700

June 25-27

July 15

Ducks Unlimited Texas State Convention Omni Marina Tower Corpus Christi (512) 694-6585 Www.ducks.org

Texas Deer Association Southeast Texas Chapter Sportsmen’s Banquet Beaumont (210) 767-8300 www.texasdeerassociation.com

July 22

Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Web site Bruce Soileau

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 22-24

July 15-17 Texas State Championship Duck Calling Contest Bass Pro Shops, Katy (713) 385-3622 www.texasstateduckcallingcontest.com

July 7-10 TWA Wildlife Convention JW Marriott, San Antonio www.texas-wildlife.org

Texas Trophy Hunters Association 2011 Hunter’s Extravaganza Alamodome, San Antonio www.ttha.com Ultimate Summer Boat and Outdoors Show Dallas Market Hall (469) 549-0673 www.letsgetoutdoorstexas.com

July 16-17 July 8 Dallas Safari Club Wine Pairing Dinner Chamberlain's Steak and Chop House Addison www.biggame.org (972) 980-9800

Texas Gun and Knife Association Amarillo Show, Amarillo Civic Center (830) 285-0575 www.texasgunandknifeshows.com

July 17-23 Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society Wildlife Conservation Camp Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton www.tctws.org

Ultimate Summer Boat and Outdoors Show Dallas Market Hall (469) 549-0673 www.letsgetoutdoorstexas.com Texas Hunter’s and Sportsman’s Expo McAllen Convention Center (956) 664-2884 www.texashunterassociation.com

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

July 29-30 Deer Breeder Co-Op 4th Annual DBC Convention Montgomery

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

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

Page 23

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Academy opens online storefront Academy Sports + Outdoors has launched an online shopping service at academy.com.

The Web site features an inventory of 100,000 items available, and customers can purchase any of them with just a few clicks.

“Our customers have been asking for it, and we’re thrilled to give them the opportunity to shop our great selection of high quality products online,” said Rodney Faldyn, company president.

The new service went into operation earlier this spring, but company officials did not announce it until June 1 because they were testing it.

Also June 1, Academy launched a comprehensive multi-media marketing campaign featuring professional racecar driver Danica Patrick and incorporating academy.com, social media networks, Academy stores and promotional events.

It has been a busy time for the Katy-based retailer.

He’s done it again Kevin VanDam was crowned the 2011 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award this weekend — his seventh title and fourth consecutive.

KEVIN VANDAM Not even the legendary Roland Martin, holder of nine Angler of the Year titles through 1985, strung together more than three in a row.

VanDam also became the first pro to land AOY and Bassmaster Classic titles in the same season for two seasons running.

“This one means as much if not more to me. Winning never gets old when you’re competing against these guys,” said VanDam of his fellow Elite Series pros. “I’ve been out to win Angler of the Year since the first cast of the first tournament of the season.

“Every pro wants to win Angler of the Year because it is our sport’s highest award. It shows you’re at the top of your game and it rewards consistency.

I haven’t won a regular-season tournament this year — although I’m trying to change that here on Wheeler.”

VanDam won his first Angler of the Year crown in 1992 when he was still the 24-year-old “Kalamazoo Kid.” The road to the Angler of the Year was much different in the early 1990s, VanDam said.

“It’s harder now to win,” he said.

“And when I won that first one, I really didn’t understand the magnitude of what it meant to win an Angler of the Year title.”

He had to work four more years for his second title in 1996. He won for the third time in 1999. Then he started stacking the crowns: 2008, 2009, 2010 and now 2011.

Since his first Bassmaster tournament in 1987, VanDam has won $5.2 million — more than the second- and third-place money winners combined — on the B.A.S.S. circuit.

—Staff report

Texas wins grant for private land improvements Texas has been awarded $813,068 for the first year of a potential three-year federal grant to improve public access to wildlife recreation on private land.

The grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, or VPA-HIP. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will administer it.

Under the two-year-old VPA-HIP program, TPWD will expand the available acreage of the state’s current small game hunting lease program.

New property leases are expected around major metropolitan areas and interstate travel corridors. The grant will also allow TPWD to increase the availability of public big game hunts and establish additional river access points for fishing, paddling and wildlife viewing.

—Staff report

On May 31, the company announced the investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co was purchasing it.

Academy began in 1938 as a San Antonio tire shop. Today it operates 131 stores throughout the southeastern U.S. and Texas.

—Staff report

Mossy Oak Properties opens Gainesville office Mossy Oak Properties has opened a new division office in Gainesville, about two hours north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Jared Groce, a native of that region, is the division’s JARED GROCE manager.

Mossy Oak, the producer of a popular hunting camouflage, entered the real estate business in 2003 when it launched Mossy Oak

Properties, based in West Point, Miss.

It has grown to 60 offices in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Groce said he learned the value of customer relations while working 20 years in his family’s retail business.

“My dad taught me not only how to run a successful business, but how to put the clients’ needs first,” Groce said. “That is the same approach I use in real estate.”

Steve Baxter, president of Mossy Oak Properties of Texas, said the counties north of the Metroplex “represent a stronghold for rural and recreational property with strong demand.”

—Staff report

Fort Worth added to WFN’s reach Fort Worth anglers now can watch fishing

from the comfort of their own homes 24 hours each day, thanks to Charter Communications.

The cable company has added WFN — World Fishing Network, North America’s only 24-hour fishing lifestyle channel — to cable systems serving five of North Texas’ most avid angling communities.

WFN is now available on Charter’s Sports View Plus tier on channel #292 in Duncanville, Fort Worth, Rockwall, Waxahachie, and Montgomery County. Charter and WFN are offering a free preview of the channel through July 1.

“We are delighted that Charter cable systems all across America continue to recognize WFN as the best option to satisfy the underserved community of sport and leisure fishing enthusiasts in these fishing hotbeds,” said Mark Rubinstein, president of WFN. Charter customers can call 1-888-GET CHARTER (1-888-438-2427) for more information regarding WFN. —Staff report

Page 24

June 24, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides

Last

Time 5:34 p.m.

6:15 a.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:01 p.m.

7:34 p.m.

8:09 p.m.

8:46 p.m.

9:32 a.m.

10:04 a.m.

10:52 a.m.

11:52 a.m.

12:59 p.m.

7:42 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

8:16 a.m.

Height 0.2 L 1.8 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.7 L -0.9 L -0.9 L 2.1 L 2.1 L 2.0 L 1.6 L 1.3 L 2.1 H 2.1 H 2.1 H

Time

Height

9:30 a.m.

2.0 H

12:20 p.m. 2.3 H 1:20 p.m. 2.3 H 2:27 p.m. 2.1 H 3:53 p.m. 2.0 H 5:52 p.m. 1.6 H 2:06 p.m. 0.9 L 3:08 p.m. 0.4 L 4:05 p.m. -0.2 L

Time

Height

6:01 p.m. -0.2 L

9:25 p.m.

10:05 p.m.

10:46 p.m.

11:28 p.m.

-0.9 L -0.9 L -0.5 L -0.2 L

8:09 p.m. .6 H 10:27 p.m. 1.6 H

New

June 24

Time Height 10:14 a.m. 1.6 H 3:21 a.m. 1.6 H 3:48 a.m. 1.7 H 4:14 a.m. 1.9 H 4:42 a.m. 2.0 H 5:12 a.m. 2.0 H 5:44 a.m. 2.0 H 6:17 a.m. 2.0 H 6:49 a.m. 2.0 H 7:19 a.m. 1.9 H 7:45 a.m. 1.9 H 8:09 a.m. 1.7 H 12:38 a.m. 0.3 L 1:25 a.m. 0.7 L 2:23 a.m. 1.1 L

Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

Time 6:00 p.m.

6:41 a.m.

6:56 p.m.

7:27 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

8:35 p.m.

9:12 p.m.

9:58 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

11:18 a.m.

12:18 p.m.

1:25 p.m.

8:29 a.m.

8:47 a.m.

9:03 a.m.

Height 0.1 L 1.4 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.6 L -0.7 L -0.7 L 1.7 L 1.7 L 1.6 L 1.3 L 1.0 L 1.7 H 1.7 H 1.7 H

Time 6:56 p.m.

7:37 a.m.

7:52 p.m.

8:23 p.m.

8:56 p.m.

9:31 p.m.

10:08 p.m.

10:54 a.m.

11:26 a.m.

12:14 p.m.

8:15 a.m.

8:39 a.m.

8:59 a.m.

9:17 a.m.

9:33 a.m.

Height 0.1 L 0.9 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.4 L 1.0 L 1.0 L 0.9 L 1.1 H 1.0 H 1.0 H 1.0 H .0 H

Time 5:57 p.m.

6:38 a.m.

6:53 p.m.

7:24 p.m.

7:57 p.m.

8:32 p.m.

9:09 p.m.

9:55 a.m.

10:27 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

12:15 p.m.

1:22 p.m.

7:51 a.m.

8:09 a.m.

8:25 a.m.

Height 0.1 L 0.9 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.5 L 1.1 L 1.1 L 1.0 L 0.8 L 0.6 L 1.5 H 1.5 H 1.5 H

Time

Height

10:17 a.m.

1.6 H

1:07 p.m. 1.9 H 2:07 p.m. 1.9 H 3:14 p.m. 1.7 H 4:40 p.m. 1.6 H 6:39 p.m. 1.3 H 2:32 p.m. 0.7 L 3:34 p.m. 0.3 L 4:31 p.m. -0.1 L

Time

Height

6:27 p.m. -0.1 L

9:51 p.m.

10:31 p.m.

11:12 p.m.

11:54 p.m.

-0.7 L -0.7 L -0.4 L -0.1 L

8:56 p.m. 1.3 H 11:14 p.m. 1.3 H

Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

Time Height 10:44 a.m. 0.9 H 3:51 a.m. 0.9 H 4:18 a.m. 1.0 H 4:44 a.m. 1.1 H 5:12 a.m. 1.2 H 5:42 a.m. 1.2 H 6:14 a.m. 1.2 H 6:47 a.m. 1.2 H 7:19 a.m. 1.2 H 7:49 a.m. 1.1 H 12:08 a.m. -0.3 L 12:50 a.m. -0.1 L 1:34 a.m. 0.2 L 2:21 a.m. 0.4 L 3:19 a.m. 0.7 L

Time

Height

Time

10:47 a.m.

0.9 H

7:23 p.m. -0.1 L

1:37 p.m. 1.1 H 2:37 p.m. 1.1 H 3:44 p.m. 1.0 H 1:14 p.m. 0.8 L 2:21 p.m. 0.6 L 3:28 p.m. 0.4 L 4:30 p.m. 0.2 L 5:27 p.m. -0.1 L

10:47 p.m. -0.4 L 11:27 p.m. -0.4 L

Time Height 9:36 a.m. 1.4 H 2:43 a.m. 1.4 H 3:10 a.m. 1.5 H 3:36 a.m. 1.6 H 4:04 a.m. 1.7 H 4:34 a.m. 1.7 H 5:06 a.m. 1.7 H 5:39 a.m. 1.7 H 6:11 a.m. 1.7 H 6:41 a.m. 1.6 H 7:07 a.m. 1.6 H 7:31 a.m. 1.5 H 12:35 a.m. 0.2 L 1:22 a.m. 0.5 L 2:20 a.m. 0.7 L

Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

Height

5:10 p.m.

7:09 p.m.

9:26 p.m.

11:44 p.m.

0.9 H 0.8 H 0.8 H 0.8 H

Time

Height

July 15

Time 9:56 a.m.

8:42 a.m.

8:53 a.m.

9:26 a.m.

10:09 a.m.

10:57 a.m.

12:02 a.m.

12:41 a.m.

1:19 a.m.

1:55 a.m.

2:27 a.m.

2:54 a.m.

3:08 a.m.

2:42 a.m.

9:21 a.m.

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

Time 8:55 p.m.

9:27 p.m.

10:03 p.m.

10:42 p.m.

11:22 p.m.

Height 0.24 H 0.26 H 0.27 H 0.28 H 0.28 H 0.28 H -0.10 L -0.11 L -0.11 L -0.10 L -0.08 L -0.04 L 0.01 L 0.06 L 0.20 H

Time 8:41 p.m.

9:23 p.m.

10:06 p.m.

10:51 p.m.

11:37 p.m.

Height -0.1 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.5 L

Time

11:50 a.m. 0.7 H 12:46 p.m. 0.7 H 1:44 p.m. 0.6 H 2:42 p.m. 0.6 H 3:43 p.m. 0.4 H 5:05 p.m. 0.3 H 11:06 a.m. 0.2 H 9:57 a.m. 0.2 H 7:16 p.m. -0.3 L

Height

5:11 p.m. 0.0 L 6:16 p.m. -0.1 L

Time

Height

8:25 p.m. 0.1 H

Time 11:20 a.m.

11:31 a.m.

11:52 a.m.

12:21 p.m.

12:57 p.m.

1:38 p.m.

12:25 a.m.

1:11 a.m.

1:56 a.m.

2:36 a.m.

3:11 a.m.

3:37 a.m.

3:43 a.m.

2:41 a.m.

10:20 a.m.

Height 0.01 L -0.03 L -0.06 L -0.08 L -0.09 L

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time Height 10:07 a.m. 1.3 H 3:14 a.m. 1.3 H 3:41 a.m. 1.4 H 4:07 a.m. 1.5 H 4:35 a.m. 1.6 H 5:05 a.m. 1.6 H 5:37 a.m. 1.6 H 6:10 a.m. 1.6 H 6:42 a.m. 1.6 H 7:12 a.m. 1.5 H 7:38 a.m. 1.5 H 8:02 a.m. 1.4 H 12:17 a.m. 0.2 L 1:04 a.m. 0.4 L 2:02 a.m. 0.6 L

2:21 p.m. 0.28 H 3:03 p.m. 0.27 H 3:45 p.m. 0.26 H 4:24 p.m. 0.23 H 4:59 p.m. 0.18 H 12:38 p.m. 0.14 H 11:17 a.m. 0.13 H 10:36 a.m. 0.16 H 8:06 p.m. -0.09 L Time 5:39 p.m.

6:20 a.m.

6:35 p.m.

7:06 p.m.

7:39 p.m.

8:14 p.m.

8:51 p.m.

9:37 a.m.

10:09 a.m.

10:57 a.m.

11:57 a.m.

1:04 p.m.

8:22 a.m.

8:40 a.m.

8:56 a.m.

Height 0.1 L 0.8 L -0.2 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.4 L -0.4 L 0.9 L 0.9 L 0.8 L 0.7 L 0.5 L 1.4 H .4 H 1.4 H

Time

Height

9:39 a.m.

1.4 H

12:29 p.m. 1.6 H 1:29 p.m. 1.6 H 2:36 p.m. 1.5 H 4:02 p.m. 1.4 H 6:01 p.m. 1.1 H 2:29 p.m. 0.5 L 3:31 p.m. 0.2 L 4:28 p.m. -0.1 L

6:24 p.m. -0.1 L

9:48 p.m.

10:28 p.m.

11:09 p.m.

11:51 p.m.

-0.5 L -0.5 L -0.3 L -0.1 L

8:18 p.m. 1.1 H 10:36 p.m. 1.1 H

Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

Time Height 8:26 a.m. 1.0 H 7:25 a.m. 1.0 H 4:21 a.m. 1.1 H 4:45 a.m. 1.2 H 5:15 a.m. 1.3 H 5:47 a.m. 1.4 H 6:20 a.m. 1.5 H 6:51 a.m. 1.5 H 7:19 a.m. 1.5 H 7:41 a.m. 1.4 H 7:55 a.m. 1.3 H 8:00 a.m. 1.2 H 12:37 a.m. 0.0 L 1:25 a.m. 0.4 L 2:17 a.m. 0.7 L

Time 5:21 p.m.

5:55 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:06 p.m.

7:43 p.m.

8:22 p.m.

9:01 p.m.

9:42 p.m.

10:24 p.m.

11:07 p.m.

11:51 p.m.

2:07 p.m.

7:59 a.m.

7:51 a.m.

7:33 a.m.

Height 0.0 L -0.2 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.7 L -0.7 L -0.8 L -0.8 L -0.7 L -0.5 L -0.3 L 0.7 L 1.0 H 1.0 H 1.0 H

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

24 issues for $30

6:41 p.m. 0.05 L 7:22 p.m. -0.03 L

11:34 p.m. 0.06 H

Time

Height

10:10 a.m.

1.3 H

1:00 p.m. 1.5 H 2:00 p.m. 1.5 H 3:07 p.m. 1.4 H 4:33 p.m. 1.3 H 6:32 p.m. 1.0 H 2:11 p.m. 0.4 L 3:13 p.m. 0.2 L 4:10 p.m. -0.1 L

Time

Height

6:06 p.m. -0.1 L

9:30 p.m.

10:10 p.m.

10:51 p.m.

11:33 p.m.

-0.4 L -0.4 L -0.2 L -0.1 L

8:49 p.m. 1.0 H 11:07 p.m. 1.0 H

Time

Height

5:14 p.m. 0.8 H 2:33 p.m. 0.4 L 3:14 p.m. 0.0 L 4:02 p.m. -0.3 L

Time

Height

7:55 p.m. 0.7 H 10:57 p.m. 0.8 H

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OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen

Solution on Page 26

do this at times 38. The basket for the catch 40. Act of fish hitting a bait 41. Used on some fishrods 42. Part of fishing gear 43. The salmon DOWN 1. The _____mouth 2. To move to new area in search of food 3. The buck's mating period 4. Wild turkey sounds 5. Fish said to bite well during this 6. A bear scent 7. Very good walleye bait 8. Another sound made by the turkey 13. A fishing lure 15. Common name for the brook trout 16. Preparing tent area for rain runoff 17. Species of an American deer 18. Very large member of the deer family

A.M. Minor Major 3:59 10:13 4:50 11:03 5:42 11:55 6:35 12:22 7:27 1:15 8:17 2:06 9:06 2:55 9:52 3:42 10:36 4:27 11:19 5:09 ----- 5:51 12:22 6:33 1:05 7:17 1:49 8:02 2:37 8:51 3:28 9:43 4:24 10:39 5:23 11:38 6:23 12:09 7:24 1:11

P.M. Minor 4:26 5:17 6:08 7:00 7:50 8:39 9:27 10:12 10:56 11:40 12:02 12:45 1:29 2:16 3:05 3:58 4:55 5:53 6:53 7:52

Major 10:40 11:30 ----12:47 1:39 2:28 3:16 4:02 4:46 5:30 6:12 6:56 7:41 8:29 9:20 10:13 11:10 12:08 12:38 1:38

SUN Rises Sets 06:21 08:24 06:22 08:24 06:22 08:24 06:22 08:24 06:23 08:24 06:23 08:25 06:23 08:25 06:24 08:25 06:24 08:25 06:24 08:25 06:25 08:24 06:25 08:24 06:26 08:24 06:26 08:24 06:26 08:24 06:27 08:24 06:27 08:24 06:28 08:23 06:28 08:23 06:29 08:23

MOON Rises 7:10p 8:03p 8:50p 9:32p 10:09p 10:41p 11:11p 11:39p NoMoon 12:07a 12:36a 1:07a 1:41a 2:21a 3:08a 4:02a 5:04a 6:11a 7:22a 8:33a

Sets 4:35a 5:28a 6:23a 7:21a 8:18a 9:14a 10:08a 11:01a 11:52a 12:45p 1:38p 2:35p 3:34p 4:36p 5:38p 6:39p 7:37p 8:29p 9:16p 9:57p

2011 June-July 24 Thu 25 Fri > 26 Sat > 27 Sun F 28 Mon > 29 Tue > 30 Wed 01 Thu 02 Fri 03 Sat 04 Sun Q 05 Mon 06 Tue 07 Wed 08 Thu 09 Fri > 10 Sat > 11 Sun N 12 Mon > 13 Tue >

A.M. Minor Major 4:04 10:18 4:55 11:09 5:48 ----6:40 12:28 7:32 1:21 8:23 2:12 9:11 3:01 9:58 3:48 10:42 4:32 11:25 5:15 ----- 5:57 12:28 6:39 1:10 7:22 1:55 8:08 2:42 8:57 3:34 9:49 4:29 10:45 5:28 11:43 6:29 12:14 7:30 1:16

P.M. Minor Major 4:32 10:45 5:22 11:36 6:14 12:01 7:05 12:53 7:56 1:44 8:45 2:34 9:32 3:22 10:18 4:08 11:02 4:52 11:45 5:35 12:07 6:18 12:50 7:01 1:34 7:47 2:21 8:34 3:11 9:25 4:04 10:19 5:00 11:16 5:59 12:14 6:58 12:43 7:58 1:44

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 06:19 08:37 7:25p 4:32a 06:19 08:37 8:17p 5:24a 06:20 08:38 9:04p 6:21a 06:20 08:38 9:44p 7:19a 06:20 08:38 10:20p 8:17a 06:21 08:38 10:51p 9:15a 06:21 08:38 11:19p 10:11a 06:21 08:38 11:46p 11:05a 06:22 08:38 NoMoon 11:58a 06:22 08:38 12:12a 12:52p 06:23 08:37 12:39a 1:47p 06:23 08:37 1:09a 2:45p 06:24 08:37 1:42a 3:46p 06:24 08:37 2:20a 4:49p 06:24 08:37 3:06a 5:52p 06:25 08:37 3:59a 6:54p 06:26 08:36 5:01a 7:51p 06:26 08:36 6:09a 8:42p 06:27 08:36 7:21a 9:26p 06:27 08:36 8:34a 10:06p

P.M. Minor Major 4:39 10:52 5:29 11:43 6:21 12:08 7:12 1:00 8:03 1:51 8:52 2:41 9:39 3:29 10:25 4:15 11:09 4:59 11:52 5:42 12:14 6:25 12:57 7:08 1:41 7:54 2:28 8:41 3:18 9:32 4:11 10:26 5:07 11:23 6:06 12:21 7:05 12:50 8:05 1:51

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 06:35 08:36 7:22p 4:48a 06:35 08:36 8:15p 5:41a 06:35 08:36 9:02p 6:37a 06:36 08:36 9:44p 7:35a 06:36 08:36 10:21p 8:32a 06:36 08:36 10:54p 9:27a 06:36 08:36 11:24p 10:21a 06:37 08:36 11:52p 11:14a 06:37 08:36 NoMoon 12:05p 06:38 08:36 12:20a 12:57p 06:38 08:36 12:49a 1:51p 06:38 08:36 1:20a 2:47p 06:39 08:36 1:55a 3:46p 06:39 08:36 2:35a 4:48p 06:40 08:36 3:22a 5:50p 06:40 08:36 4:16a 6:52p 06:41 08:35 5:18a 7:49p 06:41 08:35 6:25a 8:41p 06:41 08:35 7:36a 9:28p 06:42 08:35 8:46a 10:09p

P.M. Minor 4:52 5:43 6:34 7:26 8:16 9:05 9:53 10:38 11:22 ----12:28 1:11 1:55 2:42 3:31 4:24 5:21 6:19 7:19 8:18

SUN Rises 06:34 06:34 06:34 06:34 06:35 06:35 06:35 06:36 06:36 06:37 06:37 06:38 06:38 06:39 06:39 06:40 06:40 06:41 06:41 06:42

San Antonio 2011 A.M. June-July Minor Major 24 Thu 4:11 10:25 25 Fri > 5:02 11:16 26 Sat > 5:55 ----27 Sun F 6:47 12:35 28 Mon > 7:39 1:28 29 Tue > 8:30 2:19 30 Wed 9:18 3:08 01 Thu 10:05 3:55 02 Fri 10:49 4:39 03 Sat 11:32 5:22 04 Sun Q ----- 6:04 05 Mon 12:35 6:46 06 Tue 1:17 7:29 07 Wed 2:02 8:15 08 Thu 2:49 9:04 09 Fri > 3:41 9:56 10 Sat > 4:36 10:52 11 Sun N 5:35 11:50 12 Mon > 6:36 12:21 13 Tue > 7:37 1:23

Amarillo

JOIN US TODAY

ACROSS 1. An eel-like creation 5. Part of a stag's racks 9. A deer lure, scent ____ 10. Color worn by hunter for safety 11. Appendage on a turkey foot 12. To throw out a line 14. The largest antelope 17. A deer species 19. Add to lake water for safe drinking 20. A very rare deer species 21. Gun part that ignites the charge 22. Electronic device on a gundog 25. For some fish you have to fish here 26. The dall 28. The ____tailed pheasant 30. The practice shooting area 34. A salmon species 35. Trout species in mountain streams 36. Nuisance fish that tangles trotlines 37. Northern hunters

2011 June-July 24 Thu 25 Fri > 26 Sat > 27 Sun F 28 Mon > 29 Tue > 30 Wed 01 Thu 02 Fri 03 Sat 04 Sun Q 05 Mon 06 Tue 07 Wed 08 Thu 09 Fri > 10 Sat > 11 Sun N 12 Mon > 13 Tue >

Dallas

South Padre Island

Freeport Harbor Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

Full

July 8

July 1

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier

San Luis Pass Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

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

Rockport

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

First

Port O’Connor

Sabine Pass, jetty Time Height 9:27 a.m. 2.0 H 2:34 a.m. 2.0 H 3:01 a.m. 2.1 H 3:27 a.m. 2.3 H 3:55 a.m. 2.5 H 4:25 a.m. 2.5 H 4:57 a.m. 2.5 H 5:30 a.m. 2.5 H 6:02 a.m. 2.5 H 6:32 a.m. 2.3 H 6:58 a.m. 2.3 H 7:22 a.m. 2.1 H 12:12 a.m. 0.4 L 12:59 a.m. 0.9 L 1:57 a.m. 1.4 L

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases

Texas Coast Tides Date Jun 24 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 July 01 July 02 July 03 July 04 July 05 July 06 July 07 July 08

LSONews.com

2011 A.M. June-July Minor 24 Thu 4:25 25 Fri > 5:16 26 Sat > 6:08 27 Sun F 7:01 28 Mon > 7:53 29 Tue > 8:43 30 Wed 9:32 01 Thu 10:18 02 Fri 11:02 03 Sat 11:45 04 Sun Q 12:04 05 Mon 12:48 06 Tue 1:30 07 Wed 2:15 08 Thu 3:03 09 Fri > 3:54 10 Sat > 4:50 11 Sun N 5:49 12 Mon > 6:49 13 Tue > 7:50

Major 10:38 11:29 ----12:48 1:41 2:32 3:21 4:08 4:52 5:35 6:17 6:59 7:43 8:28 9:17 10:09 11:05 ----12:34 1:36

Major 11:06 11:56 12:21 1:13 2:04 2:54 3:42 4:28 5:12 5:55 6:38 7:22 8:07 8:55 9:46 10:39 11:36 12:34 1:04 2:04

Sets 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:04 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:03 09:02 09:02 09:02 09:01

MOON Rises 7:53p 8:45p 9:31p 10:10p 10:45p 11:15p 11:42p NoMoon 12:07a 12:32a 12:58a 1:26a 1:58a 2:36a 3:20a 4:14a 5:16a 6:25a 7:38a 8:52a

Sets 4:46a 5:39a 6:35a 7:34a 8:34a 9:32a 10:29a 11:25a 12:19p 1:14p 2:11p 3:10p 4:12p 5:16p 6:20p 7:22p 8:18p 9:08p 9:51p 10:29p

FOR THE TABLE Venison in beer marinade 2 large onions, sliced 2 carrots, sliced 2 stalks celery, diced 2 cloves garlic, diced 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon pepper, fresh ground 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon cloves, allspice, and basil 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1 quart vinegar 1 quart water 1 pint beer 1/2 cup salad oil Sauté onions, carrots and cel-

ery in oil for 10 minutes; add remaining ingredients. Simmer 30 minutes, then chill.

Place in large earthenware bowl or crock and add 3 to 4 lbs. of venison, cut in 2-inch pieces (shoulder, neck, breast or other tough portions).

Let stand in refrigerator for one to two days, turning several times.

Place meat and marinade in large kettle; bring slowly to boil.

Cover and cook over low heat for two hours.

Thicken liquid for gravy if desired.

— TPWD

Pan seared red snapper

19. A bear scent lure 23. The hunt and fish permit 24. Teeth reveal this of some game 25. Angler's term for a really large bass 27. Preys on game and

wildfowl 29. Angler's term for a really small bass 31. Name for the Hawaiian goose 32. A breed of setter 33. Worn to keep pebbles out of

shoes 34. The recoil from a shotgun 37. Term for a really large crappie 39. A flightless bird 41. Code for a type bullet

2 (4-ounce) fillets red snapper 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 lemon, juiced 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1 teaspoon ground ginger Rinse snapper under cold water, and pat dry. In a shallow bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon juice,

rice wine vinegar, mustard, honey, green onions, and ginger.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Dip snapper fillets in marinade to coat both sides, and place in skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Pour remaining marinade into skillet. Reduce heat, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

— Allrecipes.com

LSONews.com

TOURNAMENT BRIEFS

Bird finishes FLW on Kentucky Lake in eighth; Fukae wrecks Angler Cody Bird of Granbury finished eighth at the FLW tournament on Kentucky Lake, Ky. His four-day total was 54 pounds, 13 ounces.

The winner was Chad Grigsby, of Maple Grove, Minn., with 73-3.

Angler Shinichi Fukae of Palestine, was involved in a one-boat accident during the tournament.

According to Tennessee Wildlife Officer Steve Brewer, Fukae suffered a cut and bruising on his forehead requiring stitches when his boat struck the concrete pillar of a nearby bridge.

The accident occurred when Fukae decided to move to a different spot.

“They had left Standing Rock Creek, which is where they were fishing, and they were headed north towards the highway 79 bridge,” Brewer said. “The front pedestal seat was laying in the floor between them (Fukae and cameraman Robert Gulley), and they were both looking down, trying to get a hold of this seat. When they looked up, they were at the bridge, and Shinichi tried to turn to the left and impacted one of the concrete pillars.”

Fukae was treated at an emergency room at Henry County Medical Center. Gulley, of Tupelo, Miss., was seriously injured, suffering what appeared to be broken ribs, and cuts and bruises on his face. He was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville Sunday and currently is in ICU, according to Brewer.

Brewer said the boat was wrecked beyond repair. He said the incident is still under investigation, but he does not expect any charges to be filed against Fukae. The speed of the boat at the time was not mentioned in the report, and an exact speed was not released.

Despite Fukae missing Sunday's weigh-in, he finished the tournament with 15 bass for a total weight of 45 pounds, 2 ounces, good enough for tenth place.

Successful anglers said that they targeted fish in depths of 19-21 feet with artificial baits on shaky head jigs.

Killeen couple takes Bass Champs event Craig and Carla Gilbert of Killeen won first place in the Bass Champs tournament on Lake Belton.

The husband-and-wife team beat 173 other anglers with a final weight of 19 pounds, 9 ounces. The Gilberts finished 7 pounds ahead of second-place finisher Tim Mabray.

Mabray, from Belton, fished the event solo, but ended the weekend with a 12-pound, 8-ounce total.

Mabray fished mostly with a fluke bait in about 10-15 feet.

The father-son team of Dustin and Mickey Perry finished third with 12 pounds, 2 ounces. The Perrys fished mostly jerkbaits and flukes, targeting fish in about 8 feet of water.

The team of Randy Hibler of Marble Falls and Randall Christian of Burnet caught the “Big Bass” of the event. The 6-pound, 2-ounce fish won the team an extra $1,000 and put them in the No. 7 spot.

Jessup earns fourth trip to championship Angler Tom Jessup of Dalhart earned his fourth trip to the B.A.S.S Federation National Championship after taking first place in the Federation Nation Central Divisional at Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

Jessup won the event with 15 fish totaling 47 pounds, 7 ounces. He fished a creature bait on a shaky head.

Jason Buchanan of Burnel finished ninth with a 15-fish total of 37 pounds, 11 ounces. Spring native Casey Ross Sobczak finished with 32 pounds, 9 ounces, good enough for the No. 15 spot. The No. 19 spot went to Tony McBride of West, with a 31-pound, 5-ounce bag.

—Compiled by Nicholas Conklin

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

June 24, 2011

Page 25

Page 26

June 24, 2011

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LONE STAR MARKET

Puzzle solution from Page 24

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

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Tourney to target Lake Conroe grass carp

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

through the 2011-2012 contest was announced at the recent banquet.

Steven Eakins, 28, of San Antonio is an Air Force veteran who is married with two small children. He too, suffered a traumatic brain injury and needs continual care.

—Staff report

A grass carp removal tournament will be July 9-10 on Lake Conroe.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Bowfishing Association and the Texas BASS Federation Nation will sponsor the event.

Triploid grass carp were introTOP WARDEN: Texas duced to Lake Conroe as part of Game Warden Ryan Hall a pest management approach has made 65 arrests for Two anglers drowned the weekend to control the invasive exotic boating while intoxicated. of June 18-19 — one on Lake O.H. aquatic plant, hydrilla.

His conviction rate is Ivie, the other on Lake Texoma.

Now that the plant has been nearly 100 percent.

The first happened around successfully controlled, fewer For that, the eight-year 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18 grass carp are needed, according veteran has been named when Bryor Brown, 12, of Denton, to TPWD. fell into a deep hole at Big the 2011 Texas Marine The TBA bowfishers will be Mineral Marina on Texoma.

Safety Officer of the Year. fishing from 8 p.m. Saturday, July Brown had been fishing with Hall is stationed in Polk 9 until 8 a.m. Sunday, July 10. friends at the marina, east of County.

Photo by Chase Also, TBFN will host a rod-andGordonville and just north of the A. Fountain, TPWD. reel grass carp tournament from 7 Hagerman Wildlife Refuge. a.m. to 3 p.m. July 9.

Game Warden Capt. Neal For more information, call Bieler told the Denton RecordWalter Blackburn, TBA, (210) 818-8447 or Ron Chronicle that people in the area tried but Gunter,TBFN, (936) 524-4413. were unable to save the boy.

—Staff report Thunderstorms forced the search to be

Two anglers drown on Texas reservoirs

Freer Deer Camp annual contest helps wounded warrior Freer Deer Camp and Sportsman’s Taxidermy in Freer concluded its annual “Venado Macho” Deer Contest recently with a banquet and a donation to help Texas soldiers wounded in combat.

Army veteran Brad Thomas of Lake Jackson received $23,000 to help pay for his medical bills.

Thomas, 24, was wounded by an improvised exploding device while serving in Iraq. The attack caused a traumatic brain injury, and Thomas now requires 24-hour care.

The contest has three main categories: best deer taken in a high fence environment; best free range deer; and best archery buck.

Participation is $25 and proceeds help wounded soldiers.

Category winners get their harvests honored at the banquet and they receive prizes from the sponsors.

The service member who will be helped

suspended Saturday night. The boy’s body was finally recovered around noon Sunday, the newspaper reported.

Brown would have been a seventh-grader this fall at Strickland Middle School in Denton.

Also Sunday, Destri Atchley, 47, of Abilene, drowned while trying to swim after his boat, which became adrift on O.H. Ivie.

Game Warden Malcom Wilkes said Atchley had apparently beached the boat Sunday evening near Elm Creek Village Marina after fishing that afternoon.

He left it to retrieve the trailer with his two older sons, while his girlfriend and 7-year-old stayed on the boat.

But, when he returned, he saw that it had become untied and had drifted back onto the lake.

“The victim tried to go after the boat,” Wilkes said. “He wasn’t able to and he went under and drowned.”

Wilkes said the man’s girlfriend couldn’t help him because she was unable to operate the boat.

According to an e-mail sent from the Elm Creek Marina, Atchley and his family had stayed at the Elm Creek Village the weekend of the accident.

—Staff report

June 24, 2011

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June 24, 2011

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