June 26, 2015 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas

June 26, 2015

Volume 11, Issue 21

Catfish calendar girls Business showcases sport of noodling

By Jillian Mock

FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Jennifer Drake has always been driven to find success in life.

A college athlete and successful Dallas real estate agent, Drake is naturally drawn to other strong women in business.

That was one of the reasons she founded the Bare Knuckle Babes, a group of female noodlers best known for their calendar of beautiful women in bikinis holding giant catfish.

The group has drawn skeptical attention from hunters, anglers and laymen across the country. However, this tight-knit group of women is much more concerned with bringing attention to the sport of hand fishing and supporting community causes in North Texas than with drawing attention to themselves.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Drake first started Please turn to page 22

SNAKE BOOTS OR NOT? Rattlesnakes in Texas don’t always make their presence known until it’s too late.

Experts recommend always knowing what is around your boots. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Peace of mind

Snake boots, chaps offer protection

By Craig Nyhus

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

THE REAL DEAL: Bare Knuckle Babe Alicia Clark holds a big fl athead catfi sh as she poses for the 2015 BKB Calendar. The girls are actual noodlers and not just models, something founder Jennifer Drake learned was a priority early on. Photos by Ben Garrett.

CONTENTS . . . . . . . . .

Page 28 Page 22 Page 10 Page 22 Page 12 Page 18 Page 26 Page 14 Page 20

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Young hunter killed in accident

Stocked

By Conor Harrison

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

A family hunting trip turned tragic on the morning of June 13, when 9-year-old Callen Little was shot by his grandfather, Jim Bob Little, in what is being called a horrible accident by authorities.

Callen Little, along with his parents and family friends, were hunting released pheasants on the family-owned 9 Bar Ranch in Wise County.

According to Sheriff David Walker, Little was next to his grandfather in a hunting blind when the young boy somehow left the blind without his grand-

HABITAT LOOKING GOOD: TPWD stocked Medina Lake with 204,000 largemouth bass fi ngerlings on June 16, the fi rst stocking of the lake since 2005. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Medina Lake gets fish

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Professional bass angler and guide Debra Hengst has a special place in her heart for Medina Lake.

Hengst grew up near the lake and developed her love of chasing big bass within the limestone walls of the Hill Country lake. Hengst, like many

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INSIDE

Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

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

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes. . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook . . . .

Saltwater Fishing Report .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

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HUNTING

FISHING

Hogs loving greenup Teaching leadership South on Sabine With floods, hunters seeing more hogs, but numbers remain steady.

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Bobwhite Brigade students learn about more than just quail.

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Dean Russell went snake hunting in March near San Angelo, and got the surprise of his hunting life.

“I was hunting with my son and we were walking around a rock pile looking for snakes,” he said. “The snake was lying in the grass and I stepped right on him. It wasn’t real smart, we were going real slow and expected to see the snakes.”

When he instinctively moved away, the rattler hit his boot.

Although he was snake hunting, he wasn’t wearing snake boots.

“I was wearing shorts and regular lace-up hiking boots that come up over your ankles,” Russell said.

Fortunately for Russell, the bite didn’t penetrate.

“He hit it on the lace strap, which is the thickest part of the boot,” he said.

After several drought years, snakes are spreading out geographically with more being observed by humans, but that doesn’t mean there are more snakes, according to Dr. Michael Forstner, a herpetologist and professor at Texas State University in San Marcos.

“After years of drought, the numbers of rattlers are almost normal,” Forstner said. “With the rains, the snakes aren’t all huddled up and have washed out and can move on the landscape, so there are increased encounters.”

Forstner isn’t a snake boot wearer, though.

“We deal with snakes every day and are seldom surprised by one,” he said. “I teach our students to always know what is around your hands and feet. For me, the high boots are too awkward and too hot. I did wear them when I was a teenager because my mother made me.”

The heavy leather on most hunting boots will stop the snake’s fangs from penetrating to the skin, but the uppers are where the danger arises.

“Most people have no appreciation for how sharp the hypodermic fangs of a rattlesnake are, nor the power,” Forstner said. “I have been hit in some rubber boots, and it felt like a very strong Please turn to page 7

Toledo Bend #1

Reservoir voted best bass lake in America Anglers having success in channel and by for 2015. jetties near Sabine Pass.

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HUNTING

Higher visibility

Wildlife intensive leadership development

Hogs becoming more visible after floods, good range conditions could lead to more

Camp about more than just quail

By Craig Nyhus

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Operating on just a few hours of sleep each night doesn’t appeal to most teenagers, but the cadets at the Bobwhite Brigade camp don’t seem to mind.

A day filled with marching at sunup, classroom activities where they learn about conservation, quail habitat and plants, field activities such as capturing and studying transmitter-wearing birds, dog training and shotgun shooting keeps the young men and women busy throughout the day at the five-day camp.

Trivia contests, room inspection reports and other classroom activities keep them busy at night.

THERE SEEMS LIKE MORE: All forms of hog control in the state of Texas remove about 30 percent of the entire population each year, well short of the 66 percent needed to keep the population at current numbers. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

POUNDING IN LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Cadets at the Bobwhite Brigade learn the importance of choosing words carefully after pounding nails into a board that they later remove. Even though the nails are removed, they always leave a mark. Photo by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News.

But that’s not all. A “project” involving research and writing is to be completed before the camp’s end.

“The only time there is time to work on them is at night,” one of this year’s 33 cadets said. “Most of us are up until 2 in the morning.”

What the youngsters learn, though, is more than about quail.

Leadership is the goal, and the 13to 17-year-old cadets return home quite different from when they arrived.

“My hands were shaking when I had to introduce myself to the group and tell about myself,” one cadet commented.

A few days later, the same cadet was giving mock radio and television interviews, talking about wildlife and habitat conservation.

In a training session on journalism, the cadets were asked to write down what activity or event at the camp had the most impact on them.

“I never thought so many expectations could be placed on me, or that I could do it.”

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With the onset of torrential rains during the past month, many Texas hunters and ranch managers are seeing more hogs and wondering, will the improved range conditions mean more of the invasive porkers?

“It’s an interesting question,” said Dr. John Tomecek with the Texas Agrilife Extension office in San Angelo. “There won’t be a pig explosion, but the rains will help keep that food resource on the ground and that helps all animals, including pigs.”

Tomecek said the rains have pushed some hogs out of their favorite habitat along the river and creek bottoms, and that is making them more visible, even if their numbers have yet to increase.

“We won’t lose as many piglets as we might normally with the range conditions,” Tomecek said. “They can still physically only have three litters per year, so the sows won’t have more litters.

But, some of the sows that might have been in poor physical condition might now be healthier and will breed more.”

Sows can have up to 15 piglets in each litter, and those little ones can breed at 12 months old.

Tomecek, who called hogs “ecological terrorists,” said hunters and ranchers should redouble their efforts to maintain hog numbers this summer, especially with the hogs more visible and easier to trap or shoot.

“They are stealing food from other wildlife and damaging property and crops,” he said. “If we tried to keep hog levels at the same number they have been year-to-year, we need to kill two-thirds of the population each year. Right now, we harvest about 30 percent of the population annually, which is great, but doesn’t come close to keeping their numbers steady.”

Tomecek said he is hearing from ranchers in the Rolling Plains and far West Texas about pigs showing up this year when they have never seen them before.

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Hunting for credits Tarleton State fall semester to add course on hunting and fishing

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

SHOOTING FOR SCHOLASTICS: Students at Tarleton State University in Stephenville can earn two credit hours by taking a new hunting and fi shing course. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

The Department of Kinesiology’s outdoor activity program on the campus of Tarleton State University in Stephenville has a new course this fall — Hunting and Fishing 101.

According to the course instructor Andy Wolfe, the hunting and fishing course is one of 15 new classes offered for the fall semester, but it might be the most fun for students.

The syllabus reads, “This course is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Students will learn fundamental firearm safety, fishing rules and regulations, hunting rules and regulations, environmental recognition (aquatic life, wild-game species and gender identification), license and permit procedures, general outdoors law, seasonal guidelines and conservation methods. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Outdoor Annual Hunting and Fishing Regulations will serve as the foundation for this course.”

Wolfe said he began researching the possibility of a hunting class and contacted a game warden friend, who put him in touch Please turn to page 18

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Long-range confidence

Study looks at annual venison harvest

Field test no easy feat to set up

A study launching in 2015 will measure the actual amounts of venison and other wild protein harvested annually in North America. Researchers will assess the nutritional, cultural and economic values of this harvest, as well as the ecological costs of replacing this food through standard agriculture and domestic livestock production.

Dallas Safari Club is the founding sponsor of the project, pledging $200,000 over the next two years. DSC officials hope other sponsors will come aboard to help advance the study.

“This research isn’t just fascinating. It’s critical to help modern society understand the full scale of hunting on this continent, and of the natural, organic, sustainable food that today’s hunters provide for their families,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “Additionally, this research will help all of us understand the hidden costs when hunting traditions are eroded — or attacked.”

Every year, some 40 million citizens in the U.S. and Canada harvest protein sustainably from forests and fields, streams and lakes. The study will show just how much wild protein the two nations provide annually, and its real value to society.

The study, named “Wild Harvest Initiative,” will be conducted under the direction of research biologist Shane Mahoney, founder and CEO of Conservation Visions, Inc. “The harvest and consumption of wildlife has been an integral part of the human story throughout the entirety of our existence,” Mahoney said.

“Agricultural and technological progress have certainly altered our direct dependence and engagement in this process, but in many regions of the world, including the U.S. and Canada, human populations continue to rely on wild harvest for a significant part of their diet.”

Harvest research will enable better understanding of the economic effects of resource management approaches, validate policy and governance structures, and empower best practices for providing sustainable use of wild protein to as many people as possible.

By Craig Nyhus

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

TAKING AIM: While Booner Beck watches through the spotting scope, a shot is taken at the target he set up. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

The call came to Lone Star Outdoor News from Tom Mansell of Beck & Associates Marketing.

“We want you to come and test the Vortex scopes and the Legendary Arms Works rifles,” he said.

The dates were arranged, but the work was just beginning for Mansell and Booner Beck, his boss.

During the late afternoon, Beck and Mansell arrived back at the house at Mansell’s ranch in Stephens County. Beck was covered in dirt and sweat.

“I rolled the 24x24-inch steel plate about 100 yards from the truck and we set it up at 1,000 yards from the shooting bench,” Beck said. “It’s a good thing it wasn’t round, it would have rolled down the hill.”

Mansell looked clean and unscathed.

“I was supervising,” he said. “Plus, I built the targets and it was Beck’s job to install them.”

Another 12x12-inch target was placed at 500 yards.

“That one was easier to set up,” Beck said.

Then it was time to take the guns and dial in the scopes — no easy task for long-range shots.

“We measure the wind, and that was more difficult since it is gusting,” Beck said. “Then we set the scopes for the distance and the wind with the adjustable turrets.”

The 500-yard shots were taken first, using a Legendary Arms Works Professional model chambered in .308 and a Vortex Viper scope.

David J. Sams shot first, followed by Craig Nyhus, and both shot 3.5-inch groups off the bench, using a sandbag rest near the stock and bipod near the barrel’s end.

“That’s really good,” Beck said, “well under 1 minute of angle (an angular measurement meaning 1/60th of a degree, or 1.047 inches at 100 yards). Let’s go to 1,000 yards.

Mansell decided to go first, and promptly hit the bull’s-eye painted on the steel target, using an S&S Precision rifle chambered in 6.5x47 Lapua with the Vortex Razor Gen 1 scope.

“I’m done,” he said while raising both arms, “whether or not it was good shooting or dumb luck.”

— DSC

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匀一䰀䔀䜀䄀䰀⸀䌀伀䴀

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Hogs more visible Continued from page 4

“I talked to a rancher in Amarillo who told me the range conditions are great, and he is seeing more pigs this year than ever before, and in places where they haven’t been,” Tomecek said.

Dr. Billy Higginbotham, a professor and AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist in Overton, said the increase in rainfall will lead to more people seeing pigs, but not necessarily more pigs overall.

“They do need water on a regular basis,” he said, “and the drier it is, the more they will be tied to water. As you move from East Texas to West Texas, the more tied to those riparian areas they will be.”

Higginbotham said pigs are good swimmers, and he believes the population is increasing and densities are rising, but not because of extra rain.

“In the drought of 2011, we trapped a lot of pigs,” he said.

“I was amazed that I never saw what I would consider to be a pig in very poor condition.

They were making a living when everything else was struggling.

They are the perfect eating machine, but they didn’t take a hit in the drought like a lot of native species.”

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U.S. destroys ivory, DSC concerned More than one ton of confiscated elephant ivory was crushed in New York’s Times Square in an event attended by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. The ivory crushed included both raw and carved ivory tusks and statues.

The ivory crush was cited by the Administration as a message to poachers and declaring that poachers should take notice, while other groups, including the Dallas Safari Club, weren’t so sure.

“Today’s ivory crush serves as a stark reminder to the rest of the world that the United States will not tolerate wildlife crimes, especially against iconic and endangered animals,” Jewell said.

An op-ed by Dallas Safari Club’s Executive Director Ben Carter said the antipoaching effort in crushing more than $3 million worth of ivory into dust may be well intended, but it may be equally counterproductive.

“Will Asian consumers, by far IS THIS HELPING? Some of the large collection of ivory that was crushed in Time Square last week included these statues. Conservationthe biggest market for ivory, see a ists argue the destruction of the ivory was a publicity stunt and will do little to help solve the issue of elephant poaching. Photo by Lili Twitter post about Times Square Sams, Mashable. and suddenly rethink the mateend the scourge of wildlife trafficking and the devastation it brings to rial values of a thousand-year-old culture?” Carter wrote. “Will the cartel traffickers have an abrupt change these animals.”

Much of the ivory destroyed was confiscated from the Philadelphia, Pa., of heart? Will African triggermen decide to blow off tonight’s profits?

“To me, the real message is loud and clear: Now more elephants must die store of Victor Gordon, an art and antiques dealer who, in 2012, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to smuggling African elephant ivory into the U.S. to replenish the ivory stocks that we just destroyed for a publicity stunt.”

Carter proposed another possible solution, taking advantage of the milCarter said the money could have been better spent.

“More funding, instead of more unintelligible message sending, would lions of dollars worth of confiscated ivory.

“Basic supply-and-demand principles suggest poaching would slow if have been meaningful. Law enforcement efforts funded by hunters are ivory stockpiles were used to flood, rather than deny, the Asian markets,” among the best tools for sustaining wildlife populations against poachers.”

According to USFWS, expenses for permits, the use of Times Square and he wrote. “If that happened today, some experts believe, Africa could prothe crusher were donated. USFWS expenses included $60,000 for produc- duce enough ivory to meet world demand forever.

“Imagine African nations, with cooperation from the U.S. and Chinese tion, plus travel expenses and staff time for planning and preparation.

The Administration has promised additional funding to antipoach- governments, effectively managing, regulating, harvesting, profiting from — and thus ensuring the future of — renewable natural ing efforts in nation with elephant populations.

“Regardless of their country of origin, we all lose if elephants, rhi- resources. Sounds a lot like conservation.” nos, tigers and other iconic animals disappear,” Ashe said. “The only — Staff report way we will save them is together through a concerted global effort to

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Snakes and boots Continued from page 1

person punched me in the calf.”

One Frio County hunter came into the Dilley Feed & Grain Wildlife Supply store and purchased a pair of Chippewa snake boots before going on an opening-day dove hunt in 2014.

“He didn’t think he needed them but his buddies talked him into buying them,” said store manager Jason Surles.

“They came in later and told me the story.”

The hunter’s boot was struck by a rattler during the hunt, and the snake’s fangs became stuck in the nylon Cordura fabric on the side of the boot.

“They said he was jumping around like a jackrabbit,” Surles said.

The good thing about rattlesnakes, Forstner said, is they are very attentive.

“They know you are there before you know they are there,” he said. “And they will let you know they are there.”

A contractor demonstrating how snake boots work wasn’t so lucky. Testing a pair of Rocky “Silent Hunter” Rubber Snake Boots, the bite penetrated the boot and the man was struck, although the man was reported to be fine.

The incident was embarrassing for Rocky, though, as 1,800 pairs of the boots were recalled and the company offered replacement boots that had been tested success-

Tragedy befalls hunting family

fully.

Several posts messages on hunting forums suggest leather boots may be enough, as hunters describe being hit more than once without incident. But some snakes strike higher up the leg.

Andrew Garcia, the coordinator at the San Angelo Nature Center studied snakes at a New Mexico wildlife refuge, tracking rattlesnakes with telemetry equipment daily.

“They will lie in the grass,” he said. “They can be under a ledge, under a 2-foot bush, but since they are so large they are usually visible. I was usually only a few feet away before they would start to rattle.”

Garcia carries snake-proof chaps in his bag, and puts them over his leather boots when necessary.

“I would recommend snake boots if you are walking through tall grass where you can’t see the ground,” he said. “If I’m in rocks and short grass where I can see at least five feet in all directions, I go without. But I was trained to look for snakes.”

For a hunter’s peace of mind, wearing them all of the time might be an option.

“You never know, they can surprise you,” Garcia said.

CLOSE CALL: After a rattler strike on his hiking boot, the snake’s venom remained but the fangs didn’t penetrate through the leather. Photo by Dean Russell.

PERFORMANCE Runss I Run In n

THE FAMILY.

Continued from page 1

Up to Callen Little

father realizing it. As the grandfather swung his shotgun on a bird, Callen stepped in front and was accidentally hit.

Little was transported by EMS to Wise Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead upon arrival.

“The little boy got out of the stand, maybe to go to the bathroom or something,” Walker said.

“They released the birds and he unknowingly shot his grandson while trying to hit a bird. It’s a horrible, horrible accident. It has affected the family, friends and the emergency responders who were there.”

Little’s aunt set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for funeral expenses, and the page had garnered $43,825 by press time.

“There is nothing more heartbreaking than the death of a child,” Callen’s aunt said on the page. “It is unfair that our Callen was taken away from us after only nine short years, but here we are today with great sadness that we say goodbye to our LITTLE MAN. There is no easy way for me (us) to say goodbye. We can’t dwell on the sadness or keeping asking the question ‘Why?’ We will never find a reason why such a smart, cheerful and beautiful child was taken from our lives at an age of only 9.

Instead, we should focus on how happy he made us when he was in our lives and the impact he had on all of us. We will miss Callen forever and will always remember his smiles, dimples and for the young man he was.”

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FISHING

By Mark England

Rains both float and sink boat sales

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Does a rising tide lift all boat sales? What about rising lake levels?

Like everything in Texas, it just depends.

“After we got all the water in May, our sales have been up,” said Erik Ruiz, sales manager at Austin Boats and Motors. “It’s been a huge influx, but it’s hard to quantify at this point as we’re busy trying to keep up with deliveries to our customers. The past two weekends have been wonderful. We may run out of boats.”

May rains led to flooding that didn’t spare Austin.

Lake Travis rose 22 feet in one week. Unlike lakes in other parts of Texas, though, Lake Travis ended up about 12 feet below full pool.

“We got enough water to fill up Travis, but we didn’t get too much water,” Ruiz said. “And the timing was great.”

That wasn’t the case in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,

where nonstop rain filled local lakes and then some.

Two lakes (Grapevine Lake and Lewisville Lake) were even closed to boaters for a while.

And more storms hit last week as Tropical Depression Bill blew through Texas.

Again, though, Austin got lucky. Most of the city only experienced light rain as the brunt of Bill passed to its east. Dallas-Fort Worth and East Texas, however, got pounded with several inches of heavy rains.

Perpetual downpours doused what started out as a roaring sales year, said Greg Ray, whose family owns Plano Marine in Plano and Longview.

“Over last year, our (sales) numbers were up about 20-25 percent,” Ray said. “It was shaping up to be an absolutely great year. There was a lot of pent-up demand after the drought. Then the floods came.

As a result, a lot of people never found that moment where they could say, ‘Things are perfect. I’m going Please turn to page 19

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING: Boat sales in Texas were heading upward until fl ooding brought much of the momentum to a halt. Photo by Erich Schlegel, for LSON.

Toledo Bend on top Reservoir ranked first in top 100 bass lakes by Bassmaster Magazine

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

WE’RE NUMBER 1: Anglers on Toledo Bend had a huge spring catching loads of big bass, and the rest of the country has taken notice.

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

The rest of the country will soon find out what many Texas anglers have known for a while — Toledo Bend Reservoir is fishing great.

Bassmaster Magazine agreed, and voted the lake as the best bass lake in the country for 2015.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir was chosen as the #5 lake, and Texas had nine out of the top 100 overall.

According to the magazine’s editor, James Hall, a host of factors went into the rankings.

“We held off from May, when we usually put out this list, so we could look at all of the results from the spring,” Hall said. “The real tale of the tape comes each spring, and Toledo Bend was shouting loudly.”

Hall said the process of choosing the top 100 takes about two full months, but he realized at the Bassmaster Classic in February that Toledo Bend would be at or near the top.

“I talked to about 15 anglers who were fishing the Classic, and asked them what is the best lake you’ve fished recently.

Most of them had Toledo Bend in their top five. We also go to each state’s fisheries biologists and get them to rate the lakes in their state. We look at big

bass programs, and we talk to our Federation anglers from all over the country. We get a pretty good idea which lakes are fishing well now, and which ones might be off.”

Hall said another big aspect of the rankings are tournament results.

“We get hard numbers from the tournament data,” he said.

“If two lakes are equal, those tournament numbers are a good way to separate them. We also take into account some special features, like is the lake exceptionally beautiful? Is it really fun to fish? Some of that plays into it.”

Hall is a native Texan, and said a Texas lake really has to stand out and pass the tests to be in the top five, so people don’t question his loyalty to home lakes.

“I don’t want people calling me a homer,” he said, “but everything is bigger in Texas.”

As for the other Texas lakes on the list, Hall said Lake Fork is such an anomaly because of how good it continues to be.

“For as much pressure as that lake gets, it is still so steady,” he said. “We can’t wait to see how the lake fishes now that it has water again. I expect Fork to be near the top again next year.”

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Pressure high on south Sabine Most boats fishing the channel where water still salty

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Fishing remains good in parts of Sabine Lake.

The only problem is most of the anglers are fishing the same areas in search of big trout and quality redfish.

“The fishing is good,” said Capt. Randy Foreman.

“The channel on the south end on the reefs in the morning on an incoming tide has been the best.

I am catching trout in water between 8 and 35 feet deep in the channel, and it has been that way for about three weeks now. But, there are way too many boats and I am actually having to be a little mean to keep them from bumping my boat.”

Foreman said the upper end of Sabine Lake has

been almost entirely fresh water since heavy rains dumped huge amounts of water into the river systems flowing into Sabine.

“For the past few weeks, the water has flushed out the lake,” he said. “We’ve had to go to the channel and the jetties. The fish will still be in the channel, especially on the bottom where the salinity levels are higher.”

Foreman said Tropical Storm Bill brought high tides and pushed some salt water back into the lake, which should bring some trout back into the lake.

“It had affected the lake fishing, but we are still catching 20 to 40 trout per day up to 6 pounds,” he said. “The flounder fishing has also picked up GOOD IN THE CHANNEL: Anglers fi shing on Sabine have headed to Sabine Pass for the best Please turn to page 21

fi shing this month because the lake is full of fresh water. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

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June 26, 2015

Good for the bays

Page 9

Red snapper fight ongoing The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved Sen. Richard Shelby’s (RAla.) proposed Fiscal Year 2016 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill. The bill included a number of provisions that attempt to address the management of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery that has resulted in the current 10-day season for private recreational anglers.

The appropriations bill funding the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State and related agencies includes language secured

by Sen. Shelby that: • Increases the role of state fisheries managers in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas by expanding state waters to nine miles.

• Dedicates additional funding to alternative approaches to data collection and assessments.

• Recognizes the disparity created by current Gulf red snapper management decisions and urges NOAA Fisheries to provide 80 percent of all increases in total allowable catch to recreational anglers for the purpose of increasing days on the water.

— American Sportfishing Association

Nominations sought for Texas Freshwater Fishing HOF FLOWING IN: Huge amounts of fresh water have drained into bays along the Upper Coast, but anglers say the fi shing is still good when the weather lets them get out.

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

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Call it short-term pain for long-term gain.

Anglers in the Galveston Bay system have seen a massive influx of fresh water the past month, which has made finding fish tougher.

However, the long-term benefits to the bay far outweigh any inconvenience it might be causing anglers as they have to head to different spots to find fish.

“Right now, the fishing is not very good with all of the fresh water gushing into the bays,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Upper Coast leader Glen Sutton. “A lot of species will move nearshore or into the surf where it is salty, but

that is only temporary. They will start coming back in soon.

The place to be for anglers right now is the surf — look for the clearer water. If you can get past the turbid water in front of the jetties, the water just beyond that has a higher salinity level and that is where the fish will be hanging out.”

Sutton said the fresh water is great for flushing out the bays and allowing prey species to propagate.

“This fresh water will protect a lot of the juvenile crabs and shrimp,” he said. “Once it all settles down, this will be a very good thing. This will promote a lot of good algae growth, which provides food for the small invertebrates on the bottom, which in turn will provide a boost of food for the fish returning back into the bays. There are a bunch of little men-

Individuals or organizations that have made a lasting contribution to freshwater fishing in Texas may be nominated through Nov. 1 for induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

The nominee must be a Texan or Texas organization. Individuals may be either living or deceased. Selection will be made by an independent committee; induction will take place during the annual Hall of Fame banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

The most recent additions to the Hall of Fame are fishing guide Mark Stevenson and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

— TPWD

Please turn to page 21

WAKE THE CRANK

UP! NEW

ANK WAKE-CR APPROVED BY

BRANDON PALANIUK

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Page 10

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Crappie biting CEDAR CREEK RESERVOIR — The crappie bite around boat docks has been very good this month on Cedar Creek Reservoir, according to multiple anglers.

“The crappie are still underneath the docks in 7 to 10 feet of water,” said angler Ferris Bavousett. “We just shot the docks with a solid chartreuse grub. They loved it.”

Bavousett was fishing with Chuck Rollins of bigcrappie.com, who said the fishing has been good all month.

Along with limits of crappie, the sand bass bite has also been good, with Bavousett reporting big sand bass when the crappie slowed down. White bass have been good on small inline spinner, grubs and live minnows.

The hybrid striper bite has also been steady on live bait and white curly-tailed grubs.

Water temperatures remain in the 78- to 81-degree range.

To contact guide Chuck Rollins, call (903) 288-5798.

Cats up shallow LAKE RAY HUBBARD — The north end of the lake has been hot for channel catfish in the flooded vegetation between 2 and 8 feet of water, according to multiple anglers on Internet message boards.

Most of the fish being caught are

ALAN HENRY: Water stained; 73–82 degrees; 1.47’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, Senkos and medium-running shad-pattern crankbaits. Crappie are fair to good on jigs and minnows.

Catfish are fair on chartreuse nightcrawlers.

AMISTAD: Water murky; 73–77 degrees; 28.10’ low.

Largemouth bass are very good on top-waters, crankbaits and soft plastics.

Striped bass are fair on Red Fins, crankbaits and Pencil Poppers. White bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are slow.

ATHENS: Water stained; 79–83 degrees; 0.59’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on hollow-body frogs and football jigs fished in deep water.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

BASTROP: Water stained; 74–78 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are good.

BELTON: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 15.77’ high.

Largemouth bass are slow.

Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are slow.

BOB SANDLIN: Water murky; 78–82 degrees; 0.5’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on buzz frogs and bladed jigs.

Some fish being caught on deeper brush piles. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on minnows and slabs.

BONHAM: Water stained, 79–84 degrees; 0.13’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, top-waters, flipping jigs and soft plastics.

Crappie are fair on minnows around bridges.

BRAUNIG: Water stained.

Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and dark soft plastics. Redfish are fair on perch, shad and silver spoons. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp, cheesebait, cut bait and liver.

BROWNWOOD: Water murky; 76–80 degrees; 0.73’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow.

White bass are excellent on swimbaits, Pop–R’s, crankbaits, and spinner baits in 2–6 feet. Channel catfish are excellent on trotlines baited with cheesebait and cut shad.

BUCHANAN: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 20.95’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, watermelon Whacky Sticks, and white/ chartreuse spinner baits in 8–12 feet at first light.

Striped bass are fair on topwaters and lipless crankbaits.

CADDO: Water stained to muddy; 79–84 degrees; 1.70’ high. Largemouth bass are slow on bladed jigs, square-billed crankbaits and hollow-body frogs.

CALAVERAS: Water stained.

Largemouth bass are fair on dark soft plastic worms and spinner baits. Striped bass are fair on spoons and striper jigs.

CANYON LAKE: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 10.33’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on tomato red JDC grubs, watermelon red Whacky Sticks on shaky head jigs, and Texasrigged watermelon red finesse worms along bluff ledges in 10–18 feet.

CHOKE CANYON: Water murky; 72–76 degrees; 19.89’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon lipless crankbaits, crankbaits, soft plastic lizards and spinner baits.

COLETO CREEK: Water murky; 85 degrees in

under 15 inches, but a few decent-sized fish up to 5 pounds have also been caught.

Chicken livers and stinkbait are working to put channels in the boat.

Anglers have also been catching cats at the rail bridge riprap.

For blue cats, try live and cut perch during the nighttime hours. Anglers reported catching big blue cats up to 25 pounds, along with a few smaller flatheads.

Mixed bag of panfish CIBOLO CREEK — Even though the rain has retarded the Rio Grande cichlid bite, other panfish are being caught in good numbers in Cibolo Creek, according to anglers.

“Creek fishing continues to be very good,” said Charles Dewey. “With a lot of fresh water and good currents, the bite has been great and the fish are full of fight. The water was stained in some spots and clear in others. The current was good. Most of the vegetation along the bank had been washed away and there is only a nice rock bank. We caught a lot of longears, bluegills, bass and a few Rios. Caught a lot of small fish, but we also caught some nice ones as well. Fish were caught using both float and bottom techniques. Fish were in 3 to 6 feet of water holding by logs and brush piles. A lot of them are still on the nest.”

— Conor Harrison

main lake, 95 at hot water discharge; 0.36’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and spinner baits over grass beds.

CONROE: Water murky; 72–76 degrees; 0.13’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon lipless crankbaits and pumpkinseed Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics and crankbaits.

FALCON: Water murky; 73–77 degrees; 18.07’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, spinner baits and shallow-running crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are fair on cut bait.

FORK: Water lightly stained; 79–83 degrees; 0.30’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on deep-diving crankbaits, football jigs and soft plastic swimbaits. Some fish being caught shallow on hollowbody frogs.

FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 73–81 degrees; 13.17’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on jigs and minnows.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse/gold flake soft plastics, lipless crankbaits, and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs.

GRANBURY: Water murky; 72–76 degrees; 0.51’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits.

GRANGER: Water clear; 75–79 degrees; 6.21’ high.

Largemouth bass are slow.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs tipped with Berkley Crappie Nibbles in 4–12 feet.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 84–88 degrees; 0.10’ high. Largemouth bass

to 4 pounds are good on blue soft plastic worms, and on watermelon red and chrome crankbaits near the dam and off piers.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water offcolor; 75–83 degrees; 20.35’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on top-waters early, later switching to Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair to good on jigs and minnows.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained to muddy; 79–83; degrees; 7.95’ high.

Largemouth bass are slow on black buzzbaits and hollowbody frogs.

LBJ: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 0.32’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon top-waters and weightless watermelon red Texas-rigged Whacky Sticks in 6–12 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and white crappie jigs over brush piles in 12 feet.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 73–77 degrees; 1.12’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on perch-colored lipless crankbaits and crankbaits.

MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 82–88 degrees; 0.04’ high.

Largemouth bass are slow on weightless Senkos. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.

White bass are slow on minnows.

MONTICELLO: Water clear to stained; 86–94 degrees; 0.65’ high. Largemouth bass are slow on deep-diving crankbaits and drop-shot worms.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 17.47’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on red/black soft plastic worms. White bass are fair on minnows.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 75–83 degrees; 43.08’ low.

Largemouth bass are good

on Yellow Magics early, later switching to Texas rigs, Senkos and crankbaits.

OAK CREEK: Water stained; 74–81 degrees; 20.14’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on buzzbaits early, later switching to Texas rigs and crankbaits.

PALESTINE: Water stained; 77–81 degrees; 0.40’ high.

Largemouth bass are slow on Texas-rigged creature baits and finesse jigs.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 76–83 degrees; 1.15’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on spinner baits, Texas rigs, jigs and medium-running crankbaits.

Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs.

PROCTOR: Water murky; 69–73 degrees; 12.66’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits and watermelon soft plastics.

Striped bass are fair on white striper jigs.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 78–82 degrees; 05’ high. Largemouth bass are slow on swim jigs and Carolina-rigged worms. White bass are fair on minnows.

SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 8.61’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics and crankbaits. White bass are fair on minnows, hellbenders and pet spoons.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 17.82’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on shad-colored lipless crankbaits and spinner baits.

STILLHOUSE: Water murky; 72–76 degrees; 0.53’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on shad-colored lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass are fair on minnows and pet spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows.

■ ■ Saltwater reports: Please turn to

Page 14 TAWAKONI: Water stained; 0.38’ high. Largemouth bass fishing is fair on spinner baits and Yellow Magic top-waters early. Some bigger fish caught during midday on brushpiles near flooded shorelines.

TOLEDO BEND: Water murky; 71–75 degrees; 0.20’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms, spinner baits and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on white bucktail jigs.

TRAVIS: Water murky; 71–75 degrees; 11.50’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards, chrome top-waters and white grubs in 6–20 feet.

WALTER E. LONG: Water murky. Largemouth bass are fair on shad- and perch-colored spinner baits. Hybrid striper are fair on shad.

WHITNEY: Water murky; 71–75 degrees; 14.39’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon and pumpkinseed Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics and lipless crankbaits.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained to muddy; 80–84 degrees; 21.45’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on hollow-body frogs and bladed jigs near shallow cover.

Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow on trotlines.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Page 11

First time since 2005

TPWD catfish plan for review

anglers, were sad to see the lake in such decline when drought drained the lake to 3 percent of its normal size earlier this year. However, recent rains brought the lake up by more than 70 feet to 60.2 percent full.

“It was just a big mudhole,” she said. “It was only 3 percent full, but it is a great lake. I think of it as a little Amistad without the grass. I’ve caught some very big bass in there.”

Last week, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department decided to put 204,000 fingerling, Florida largemouth bass into the lake; the first stocking of any kind since 2005.

With continued rainfall, TPWD plans additional stockings with hybrid striped bass in the future for Medina.

“The lake levels rose after the initial rains, and we got another good amount in the lake this past weekend,” said TPWD biologist Randy Myers. “This was a pretty heavy stocking — twice what we would normally stock in a lake this size, but Medina’s habitat is so good, we went ahead and did it. We are also stocking 60,000 channel catfish (on June 23).”

Although the fry did not come from a bass spawned

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s draft catfish management plan is now available for public review and comment.

The document details the department’s overall plans for expanding and enhancing the state’s secondmost popular fishery. It may be viewed at TPWD’s website.

“We invite the public to give us feedback on the goals outlined in the plan,” said John Tibbs, a TPWD fisheries biologist who is one of the plan’s authors. “Our vision is to improve catfishing for all anglers in Texas, and we are open to ideas on how to best accomplish that.”

Tibbs said the plan was developed in response to changing population demographics, findings of TPWD fisheries studies and the needs of Texas’ catfish anglers.

— TPWD

Continued from page 1

in TPWD’s big bass program, they were 100-percent Florida-strain largemouth bass.

The fingerlings, originally scheduled to go to Falcon and Amistad International reservoirs, instead got rerouted to Medina when the lake came up.

Hengst said although she never saw any evidence of it, the lake had to have lost a bunch of fish to a fish kill when the oxygen levels became so low during the height of the drought.

“The lake had no forage,” she said. “I’m hoping the lake will make a big comeback. I’ve seen lots of bait out there the past week — balls of gizzard shad, minnows and such. The forage for these bass are coming back.”

And there are still some big fish in the lake. Last month, an angler caught a reported 13-pound bass from the dock at Joe’s Marina. Although marina staff encouraged the man to release the fish, he took it home to eat.

“Hopefully, we’ll be catching fish like that in a few years,” Hengst said.

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Page 12

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER PERMISSION TO HUNT WAS FOR COYOTES AND HOGS, BUT MEN SHOOT THREE DEER At a rural residence in Waller County, Harris County Game Wardens Mark Bane and Hennie Volschenk found two men who had been given permission to hunt hogs and coyotes, but had killed a yearling buck instead. The landowner claimed to have heard three shots in rapid succession. The investigating wardens found a backpack with various items, including a knife scabbard without the knife.

The wardens also found two hunting rifles and a pistol inside the hunter’s vehicle. The subjects were taken to the Waller County Jail with misdemeanor charges. Later in the day, Waller County Game Warden Michael Blevins went to the residence to gather GPS and photographic evidence. He discovered two more deer had been shot, one being a doe pregnant with twins. The missing hunting knife was also located. A felony charge was added for taking game without landowner’s permission.

KAYAKER LEGAL EXCEPT FOR PENDING WARRANT At Lake Austin for a water safety media event, and while waiting for camera crews to arrive, Travis County Game Wardens Jeff Hill, Theron Oatman and Capt. Scott Jurk checked a kayak fisherman at the ramp for compliance. The fisherman had the required fishing license and safety equipment, but unfortunately an active warrant was pending on the man. He was transported to Travis County Central Booking.

CAST NETTERS LAND NUMEROUS GAME FISH At Calaveras Lake, Bexar County Game Wardens Johnny Jones and Kathleen Stuman cited a subject for

HUNTING DOGS CROSS PROPERTY LINES Williamson County Game Warden Turk Jones received a call late at night that a man was running his hunting dogs through other landowners’ properties. Jones received updates while en route to the location. By the camp house, there were several vehicles parked and three people sitting at a table.

Jones continued down the county road about two miles. He soon heard the dogs south of his location and headed that direction, stopping and listening periodically. A vehicle was soon spotted on the same county road heading toward the warden. As the vehitaking game fish with illegal means and methods. The subject had a 9-foot cast net and had caught 11 catfish, one largemouth bass, one redfish and several tilapia.

GATOR HUNTERS CLAIM THEY WERE TROTLINING, NECROPSY TELLS OTHERWISE An alligator was shot and killed on the Lampasas River, and the event was reported to Bell County Game Warden Bryan Dulock. At the location, two men explained they were checking their catfish lines when they saw a large alligator on their line. They claimed self-defense for shooting and killing the alligator.

The two men and Dulock boarded a canoe and paddled to the location of the incident. Once on scene, a large alligator was found dead on the bank of the river on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ property. Since it was getting dark and there was an impending storm, Dulock told the men to go back to their vehicle and they would be contacted later. The next morning, Bell County Gmae Warden Chris Wilson and Milam County Game Warden Buck Burchett loaded the 11-foot alligator onto a boat and took the gator back to the TPWD office. A necropsy was performed and a large hook and

cle passed, Jones recognized the vehicle as the same one he had stopped more than a year ago for hunting from a public road. Jones pulled the driver over, and the driver said his grandfather had turned the dogs out to chase coyotes, raccoons, pigs and other wildlife. There was a rifle on the passenger seat, so the driver was instructed to vacate the vehicle. With consent to search, Jones found a 9mm handgun, a .308 rifle with a scope and flashlight mounted on it, 200 rounds of ammunition, four marijuana pipes and a container of marijuana.

a whole chicken breast were found in the stomach. There was also more than 25 feet of braided line attached to the hook, and the men said there was at least 8-9 feet still attached to the tree it was attached to. All told, at least 35 feet of line was out, which is not normal for catfish lines.

A warrant was issued and the two men were arrested and evidence was seized. Almost a week later, a witness came forward who said she had text messages about the incident from the girlfriend of one of the suspects. One of these texts stated the girlfriend was going with one of the suspects to check the gator traps.

WARDEN SAVES A BAD DAY FOR FAMILY While returning home, Kerr County Game Warden Kenny Lee came upon a vehicle that had a rock come through the windshield and strike a 9-year-old girl in the face.

The rock weighed approximately 3 pounds and gave the girl a very bloody gash. The mother of 10 children was quite upset because she had just picked up her father from the hospital and was trying to get him home before his oxygen tank went empty. An ambulance came for the girl and a friend picked up the dad. Both turned out to be fine.

FISHING WITHOUT LICENSE, REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER JAILED At Lake Pflugerville, Travis County Game Warden Natali Marez issued a citation to an individual for no fishing license. The driver’s license return revealed the man was a registered sex offender.

Travis County Game Warden Jeff Hill learned the man had not reported properly where he lived and a third degree felony arrest warrant was obtained. The man was contacted and turned himself in to the Travis County jail.

GROUP CAUGHT SNAGGING CATS DURING NOODLING TOURNEY Van Zandt County Game Warden Grant Moore, Wood County Game Warden Derek Spitzer and Smith County Game Warden Chris Swift were working a noodling tournament on Lake Tawakoni when Swift received a tip about a group of snaggers. The four suspects were interviewed later that night and confessed to snagging catfish. Multiple citations were issued, including catching fish with illegal means and methods and violating the hand fishing law. The wardens seized four snag poles and fish.

SHOOTER OF HAWK OFF POWER LINE WAS BEING WATCHED A red-tailed hawk was shot off a power line and Shelby County Game Warden Nathan Skeen responded.

Skeen discovered the hawk, and interviewed a witness who said he saw a vehicle come to a stop, heard the shot, saw the hawk fall and watched as the vehicle sped away.

A few miles down the road, a vehicle matching the description was found parked at a residence. The rifle was also found, still in the vehicle. Cases and restitution pending.

CAST NETTERS CAUGHT WITH SNOOK, DRUM AND SHEEPSHEAD While returning home from Hidalgo County, Cameron County Game Warden Colby Hensz received a call from Cameron County Game Warden Luis Sosa. Sosa had received a call from a citizen who witnessed several men fishing illegally. Hensz was close to the area and stopped to see if he could make contact with the fishermen. After searching the area, he found a pair of blue jeans, two pairs of boots and a 5-gallon bucket half-full of undersized sheepshead and other fish hidden in the brush. Hensz waited approximately two hours before the subjects arrived on a pontoon boat.

The five men got dropped off on the bank and walked back to their vehicle, and Hensz saw one subject holding a large cast net. None of the other subjects had any fishing rods or any other fishing gear. Multiple violations were found for no fishing license, illegal net, exceeding bag limits, and possession of undersized snook, sheepshead and black drum.

The 19-foot cast net was seized.

REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.

CALL (800) 792-4263

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Page 13

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June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Green water ROLLOVER PASS — The pass has been fishing well this month, with salinity levels still high at the pass and the trout have been biting.

Trout up to 18 inches are being caught in good numbers, according to multiple coastal anglers.

Soft and scented plastics are working, especially 5-inch paddletails.

The best bite has been early in the morning before the winds pick up and muddy the water. Once the muddy water moves in, the bite has slowed. Some green water has been reported before the winds push it back offshore.

Numbers in Baffin BAFFIN BAY — The bite has continued to be very good in Baffin Bay this month, according to anglers and guides.

Daily Limit Guide Service reported a strong summer-pattern bite in Baffin this week, with the best bite coming over scattered sand and grass.

NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics. Redfish are good in the marsh on small top-waters. Trout are good in the river on shad.

SOUTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good under birds, slicks and pods of shad.

Trout are good at the jetty on live bait and top-waters. Redfish are good on the Louisiana shoreline on shad and scented plastics.

BOLIVAR: Trout are good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and top-waters.

Trout, sand trout and redfish are good at Rollover Pass on live bait.

TRINITY BAY: Redfish are fair around the spillway on shrimp. Most of the bay is off-colored and fresh from Trinity River runoff.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good for drifters working deep shell on limetreuse and plum plastics. Trout are good on the south shoreline on top-waters and live

“The bite has been very consistent with full limits and big girls as well. Fishing should continue to stay great throughout the rest of summer,” a guide said.

Along with the good trout numbers, some redfish at Yarborough are being caught on gold spoons, as well as a few flounder.

To contact Daily Limit Guide Service, call (361) 649-6509.

Offshore snapper still going 25 TO 75 MILES OFFSHORE — The red snapper bite has been good up and down the coast, according to multiple reports from charter captains, who can still legally catch red snapper through July 14.

According to the boats, there are still plenty of red snapper holding on offshore structure. Federal waters start nine miles off the Texas coastline.

Deep-dropping live and cut bait, as well as some jigging on oil rigs have produced red snapper up to 30 pounds. Some of the nearshore rigs have been fished out for snapper following the 10-day season for recreational boaters, but charter boats still report a good bite for kingfish, grouper and amberjack.

— Conor Harrison

bait. Trout and redfish are good at the jetty.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good at the jetty on shad and croakers.

Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs.

TEXAS CITY: Trout are fair to good along the Ship Channel on live shrimp and croakers. Redfish and sheepshead are fair around the rocks on shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp and MirrOlures. Trout and Spanish mackerel are good in the surf on live bait. Trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. Red snapper and kingfish are good offshore.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are good for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are fair on Brown Cedar Flats on mullet. Trout are good while wading reefs.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are good on

sand and grass humps on Bass Assassins, Down South Lures, Gamblers, croakers and top-waters. Redfish are fair on top-waters and live shrimp in Oyster Lake.

PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are good on top-waters and live bait over sand, grass and shell in San Antonio Bay. Trout are good at the jetty and in the surf on croakers and live shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair to good in the guts and channels on free-lined shrimp.

Trout are fair over sand and grass on live croakers. Redfish are good on mullet on the Estes Flats on top-waters and scented plastics under a cork.

PORT ARANSAS: Trout, redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp and croakers. Trout are good in the surf on top-waters and croakers. Red snapper, ling and kingfish are good offshore.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plas-

tics and live shrimp. Redfish are good in the potholes on shrimp. Trout are good in the surf on croakers.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are good on topwaters around sand and grass. Redfish are fair to good while drifting pot holes on shrimp, scented plastics and small topwaters. Offshore is good for red snapper and kingfish.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout are good while drifting spoils on live bait in South Bay and on the flats near the causeway.

Redfish are good on the sand and grass on scented plastics under a popping cork.

Trout, redfish, tarpon and Spanish mackerel have shown at the jetty.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good at Airport Cove on top-waters and soft plastics. Trout are good on the edges of the flats on top-waters, DOA Shrimp, scented plastics and live shrimp.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Page 15

Page 16

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Teaching leaders Continued from page 4

“I hit the clay bird on my first shot ever. It exploded — that was the coolest.”

“I held a quail in my hand and could feel its heart beating.”

“I reached into the brush for a quail, and I got stung in the hand by a wasp.”

“I like learning about all of the plants. Maybe I’ll be a botanist.”

Instructors and volunteers included personnel from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Campers may choose from the Bobwhite Brigade, Buckskin Brigade, Waterfowl Brigade, Ranch Brigade and Bass Brigade. The camps are supported by numerous corporate and individual donors, and partners in the camps are the Texas Wildlife Association, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“It’s amazing to see the kids arrive and see how much they have changed and grown by the time they leave,” said volunteer Carol Hayward. “It is quite a transformation and makes staying up until all hours worthwhile.”

Shea Self wins North American Helice Championship The Dallas Gun Club was host to the first ever North American Helice Championship held June 10-14. This was an international event sponsored by the United States Helice Association in partnership with FITASC, the international governing body of Helice. Participants from Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Peru and Belgium joined the United States shooters for five full days of competition culminating in the North American Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

LSONews.com

The winners were as follows: Overall/Main

1st place: Shea Self (USA) 2nd place: Rick Mein (USA) 3rd Place: Aden Lassiter (USA) Ladies 1st place: Shea Self (USA) 2nd place: Sophie Lienard (Belgium) 3rd place: Mimi Wilfong (USA) Junior 1st place: Jacob Freuden thal (USA) 2nd place: Gavin Scott (USA) 3rd place: Tyler Biesterfeld (USA) Team Gold: USA Silver: Great Britain

Rogers Hoyt Jr. elected first VP of DU During Ducks Unlimited’s 78th annual convention held recently in Milwaukee, Texas native Rogers Hoyt Jr. was elected first vice president of the country’s largest nonprofit waterfowl conservation organization.

“For the past two years, Rogers has led the Membership Committee, and under his watch, Ducks Unlimited reached a milestone of almost 700,000 total members,” said George Dunklin, DU’s chairman of the board.

— DU

— U.S. Helice Association

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LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Tournament time

Page 17

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Offshore captains and anglers are gearing up for the summer tournament season up and down the Texas coast.

Many anglers know where they want to fish, but haven’t put too much pressure on the areas before it is time to win big money.

Tami Noling, director of the John Uhr Memorial Billfish Tournament “Bastante,” said she hopes another state record will fall at this year’s tournament after the Legacy team caught the state record blue marlin at last year’s tournament.

“I sure hope so,” Nolan said when asked about the possibility of another record. We should have lots of boats this year if the weather is good. I have lowered the entry fee this year, and registration is July 8.”

Nolan said the fishing has been good off Port Aransas, with one boat, Perdido, catching seven blue marlin last week in one day.

“They went back out the next day, the wind had shifted, and they didn’t catch a single one,” she said. “That is how fast conditions can change out there.”

Bastante kicks off the summer season along the coast early next month.

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Page 18

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HEROES

Austin G. Jones, 17, of Harlingen, caught this 43-inch redfish off the northern shore of South Padre Island on June 5.

Waco angler Al Haskett recently caught this 8-pound largemouth bass on Lake Fork.

Brooke Trevino, 15, shot her first deer this past season on the family ranch in Rocksprings.

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

Email them with contact and caption information to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

Carley Gibson with her first deer on the last day of youth season.

Katin Duff with his first buck, taken with a 93-yard shot.

Julio Morales of Flower Mound boated this bull mahi mahi caught while trolling south of Key West in March.

Hunting class in college Continued from page 4

BIG COUNTRY BLINDS BITTER CREEK BLYNDS TEXAS HUNTER PRODUCTS THE BLYND

with contacts at the TPWD Educational Program.

“They gave me some good leads and that led me to Scot McClure with the Dallas Ecological Foundation,” Wolfe said. “My oldest brother, Albert, is an active member with the Dallas Safari Club, and he told me I needed to find Scot.”

Taking parts of the basic hunting and fishing curriculum currently taught in many Texas high schools through the DEF program, Wolfe said the first order of business will be getting any students who haven’t previously passed a hunter’s education course to get certified.

“We will also be taking pieces of the Explorer Bowhunting Course and incorporating that,” he said. “We will be teaching trap and skeet shooting with a shotgun, where to set up blinds, and practical applications where we will have maps and aerial photos and have the students pick a stand site to put a blind. Then we will go to the property, have the students construct their blind and sit in it for the length of class and record what they see.”

Wolfe said he is trying to arrange mentors to take the class hunting at the end of the semester.

“We’d love to go on a hunting trip for a weekend at the end of the semester, camp out and let the students actually go hunting,” he said.

So far, 14 students have signed up for the course, which is capped at 17 students.

“One of the goals of the activity program was to reach out to students in the entire student body, not just Kinesiology majors,” Wolfe added. “In regards to that, only four of the 14 who have signed up are in the Kinesiology department.”

The students will utilize a 1,200-acre ranch the school owns near the campus, where many of the 4H and agribusiness programs conduct classes.

“We will utilize that farm for a lot of the activities,” Wolfe said. “I’m excited to get started.”

McClure said this is the first-of-its kind program in a Texas university, and he hopes ths start of many more.

“We saw a need to create instructors to teach these outdoor adventures programs, and also to teach college-aged students how to hunt,” McClure said. “This is really neat and (Wolfe) was surprised it filled up so quickly.”

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— Park Cities Quail

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Page 19

Boat sales up and down Continued from page 8

to buy a boat.’ I think we’ll still have a good year. It just won’t be the one we would have had if conditions had been normal.”

Thankfully for many dealers, their service departments aren’t in the same boat.

They’ve been doing a booming business in rebuilding carburetors and replacing cracked fuel lines. That’s because rising lake levels are letting some owners get to their boats to perform maintenance for the first time in years.

“A lot of the homeowners out this way had their boats in slings, and when the lake levels dropped, they couldn’t get their boats out for two years,” said Fred Barthold at Diamond Sports Marine in Yantis. “Mainly down at Lake Fork and Tawakoni. If they didn’t get their boats out soon enough, they were basically dry-docked.”

Texas traditionally ranks second to Florida in boat sales, with the two states leaving the other 48 in their wake.

Florida, though, has seen a steady growth in boat sales since 2010, going from a little over $1 billion in sales that year to $2.3 billion in 2014, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s annual U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract (which also lumps engine and trailer sales into its figures).

The going has been rockier for Texas.

Offshore tourneys Continued from page 17

Boating sales dropped almost $100 million from 2009 to 2010. After picking up again, boating sales dropped 2 percent in 2013, going from $1.19 billion to $1.17 billion.

Many boat dealers blame the drought.

“All the public ramps (at Lake Travis) were closed, not because the water was high but because it was so low,” Ruiz said. “So, yeah, it was terrible. People were getting out of boating completely. Selling their boats. Now, people are showing up wanting to get back into boating. So, it’s all good.”

One sales category that has remained steady come drought or high water is the sale of bass boats, according to several boat dealers.

“The diehard fisherman who spends money on a boat will buy it and trailer it wherever he has to go to go fishing,” Barthold said. “The casual boater who just wants to go out on the lake is not going to do that.”

To do well, though, boat dealers need both categories of consumers, Ray told LSON. “The reality is that we need not only the bass fishermen, who are going to get on the water no matter what, but, also, those who are new to boating or who have been out of it for a while,” he said. “We’ve gone from one extreme to the other very quickly. Both will deter the average boater.”

BUMPY RIDE FOR DEALERS: Texas boat sales have been up and down with the weather patterns this year. Photo by LSON.

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Page 20

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases Houston 2015 June-July

A.M. Minor Major

P.M. Minor Major

26Fri 27Sat 28Sun 29Mon 30Tue 01Wed 02Thu 03Fri 04Sat 05Sun 06Mon 07Tue 08Wed 09Thu 10Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed

1:22 2:03 2:44 3:29 4:16 5:08 6:03 7:02 8:03 9:04 10:04 11:02 11:57 12:23 1:12 2:00 2:47 3:35 4:24 5:13

1:44 2:26 3:09 3:54 4:43 5:36 6:31 7:30 8:30 9:31 10:31 11:28 ---12:49 1:39 2:27 3:14 4:02 4:50 5:39

7:33 8:14 8:57 9:41 10:30 11:22 ---12:48 1:49 2:50 3:51 4:49 5:44 6:36 7:25 8:13 9:01 9:48 10:37 11:26

7:56 8:38 9:21 10:07 10:57 11:49 12:17 1:16 2:17 3:17 4:17 5:15 6:10 7:02 7:52 8:40 9:28 10:15 11:03 11:51

Full

New

Last

July 1

First

July 15

July 8

July 23

Solunar Sun times Moon times SUN Rises Sets

6:22 6:22 6:23 6:23 6:23 6:24 6:24 6:24 6:25 6:25 6:25 6:26 6:26 6:27 6:27 6:28 6:28 6:29 6:29 6:30

8:24 8:24 8:24 8:24 8:25 8:25 8:25 8:25 8:24 8:24 8:24 8:24 8:24 8:24 8:24 8:23 8:23 8:23 8:23 8:22

Dallas

MOON Rises Sets

3:26p 4:20p 5:16p 6:13p 7:09p 8:04p 8:57p 9:46p 10:33p 11:17p NoMoon NoMoon 12:41a 1:23a 2:06a 2:50a 3:38a 4:27a 5:20a 6:13a

2:20a 2:58a 3:38a 4:22a 5:11a 6:05a 7:03a 8:05a 9:09a 10:13a 11:18a 12:21p 1:24p 2:26p 3:28p 4:28p 5:27p 6:22p 7:14p 8:01p

2015 June-July

A.M. Minor Major

P.M. Minor Major

26Fri 27Sat 28Sun 29Mon 30Tue 01Wed 02Thu 03Fri 04Sat 05Sun 06Mon 07Tue 08Wed 09Thu 10Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed

1:28 2:08 2:50 3:34 4:22 5:13 6:09 7:08 8:08 9:10 10:10 11:08 ---12:28 1:18 2:06 2:53 3:41 4:29 5:19

1:50 2:32 3:15 4:00 4:49 5:41 6:37 7:36 8:36 9:37 10:36 11:34 12:02 12:55 1:44 2:32 3:20 4:07 4:55 5:44

7:39 8:20 9:02 9:47 10:35 11:27 ---12:53 1:54 2:56 3:56 4:54 5:49 6:41 7:31 8:19 9:06 9:54 10:42 11:31

8:01 8:43 9:27 10:13 11:02 11:55 12:23 1:22 2:22 3:23 4:23 5:21 6:16 7:08 7:57 8:46 9:33 10:21 11:09 11:57

SUN Rises Sets

6:20 6:21 6:21 6:21 6:22 6:22 6:22 6:23 6:23 6:24 6:24 6:25 6:25 6:25 6:26 6:27 6:27 6:28 6:28 6:29

8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:37 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:35 8:35 8:35

MOON Rises Sets

3:34p 4:30p 5:27p 6:24p 7:21p 8:16p 9:08p 9:56p 10:41p 11:24p NoMoon 12:05a 12:46a 1:26a 2:08a 2:52a 3:38a 4:28a 5:20a 6:14a

2:24a 3:00a 3:39a 4:23a 5:11a 6:05a 7:04a 8:06a 9:11a 10:17a 11:22a 12:27p 1:31p 2:35p 3:38p 4:39p 5:38p 6:34p 7:25p 8:12p

San Antonio 2015 June-July 26Fri 27Sat 28Sun 29Mon 30Tue 01Wed 02Thu 03Fri 04Sat 05Sun 06Mon 07Tue 08Wed 09Thu 10Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed

A.M. Minor Major 1:35 7:46 2:15 8:27 2:57 9:09 3:41 9:54 4:29 10:42 5:20 11:34 6:16 12:06 7:15 1:00 8:15 2:01 9:17 3:03 10:17 4:03 11:15 5:01 ---- 5:56 12:35 6:48 1:25 7:38 2:13 8:26 3:00 9:13 3:48 10:01 4:36 10:49 5:26 11:39

P.M. Minor 1:57 2:39 3:22 4:07 4:56 5:48 6:44 7:43 8:43 9:44 10:43 11:41 12:10 1:02 1:51 2:39 3:27 4:14 5:02 5:51

Major 8:08 8:50 9:34 10:20 11:09 ---12:30 1:29 2:29 3:30 4:30 5:28 6:231 7:15 8:04 8:53 9:40 10:28 11:16 12:04

SUN Rises 6:35 6:36 6:36 6:36 6:37 6:37 6:37 6:38 6:38 6:38 6:39 6:39 6:40 6:40 6:41 6:41 6:42 6:42 6:43 6:43

Sets 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:36 8:35 8:35 8:35 8:34 8:34

MOON Rises Sets 3:38p 2:34a 4:33p 3:11a 5:29p 3:51a 6:25p 4:36a 7:22p 5:25a 8:17p 6:19a 9:09p 7:17a 9:59p 8:19a 10:45p 9:23a 11:29p 10:27a NoMoon 11:31a 12:12a 12:34p 12:54a 1:37p 1:36a 2:39p 2:19a 3:41p 3:04a 4:41p 3:51a 5:39p 4:41a 6:35p 5:33a 7:26p 6:27a 8:14p

Amarillo 2015 June-July 26Fri 27Sat 28Sun 29Mon 30Tue 01Wed 02Thu 03Fri 04Sat 05Sun 06Mon 07Tue 08Wed 09Thu 10Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed

A.M. P.M. Minor Major Minor 1:48 7:59 2:10 2:28 8:40 2:52 3:10 9:23 3:35 3:54 10:07 4:20 4:42 10:56 5:09 5:34 11:48 6:01 6:29 12:19 6:57 7:28 1:14 7:56 8:29 2:15 8:56 9:30 3:16 9:57 10:30 4:17 10:57 11:28 5:15 11:54 ---- 6:10 12:23 12:49 7:02 1:15 1:38 7:51 2:05 2:26 8:39 2:53 3:13 9:27 3:40 4:01 10:14 4:28 4:50 11:03 5:16 5:39 11:52 6:05

Major 8:22 9:04 9:47 10:33 11:23 ---12:43 1:42 2:42 3:43 4:43 5:41 6:36 7:28 8:18 9:06 9:54 10:41 11:29 12:17

SUN Rises 6:34 6:34 6:35 6:35 6:35 6:36 6:36 6:36 6:37 6:37 6:38 6:38 6:39 6:39 6:40 6:41 6:41 6:42 6:42 6:43

Sets 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:04 9:03 9:03 9:03 9:03 9:02 9:02 9:02 9:01 9:01

MOON Rises Sets 3:58p 2:42a 4:55p 3:18a 5:52p 3:56a 6:50p 4:39a 7:47p 5:27a 8:42p 6:21a 9:33p 7:20a 10:21p 8:23a 11:05p 9:29a 11:47p 10:36a NoMoon 11:42a 12:27a 12:48p 1:06a 1:54p 1:45a 2:59p 2:26a 4:02p 3:09a 5:05p 3:55a 6:04p 4:44a 7:00p 5:36a 7:51p 6:30a 8:37p

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

Sabine Pass, north Date

Time

Jun 26 1:47 AM Jun 27 2:34 AM Jun 28 3:13 AM Jun 29 3:48 AM Jun 30 4:21 AM Jul 01 4:56 AM Jul 02 5:32 AM Jul 03 6:10 AM Jul 04 6:49 AM Jul 05 12:08 AM Jul 06 12:58 AM Jul 07 1:53 AM Jul 08 2:55 AM Jul 09 4:07 AM Jul 10 12:53 AM

Height 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.7H 1.7H 1.7H 1.7H -0.2L 0.0L 0.3L 0.6L 0.8L 1.4H

Time

6:08 AM 7:16 AM 8:09 AM 8:50 AM 9:26 AM 10:01 AM 10:39 AM 11:23 AM 12:13 PM 7:29 AM 8:09 AM 8:49 AM 9:30 AM 10:13 AM 5:31 AM

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty

San Luis Pass

Date Time Jun 26 1:57 AM Jun 27 3:01 AM Jun 28 3:52 AM Jun 29 4:30 AM Jun 30 5:03 AM Jul 01 5:34 AM Jul 02 6:05 AM Jul 03 6:41 AM Jul 04 7:20 AM Jul 05 7:53 AM Jul 06 12:41 AM Jul 07 1:43 AM Jul 08 3:06 AM Jul 09 5:07 AM Jul 10 1:27 AM

Freeport Harbor Date Time Jun 26 1:45 AM Jun 27 2:39 AM Jun 28 3:24 AM Jun 29 4:03 AM Jun 30 4:37 AM Jul 01 5:10 AM Jul 02 5:43 AM Jul 03 6:18 AM Jul 04 6:54 AM Jul 05 7:31 AM Jul 06 12:29 AM Jul 07 1:29 AM Jul 08 2:40 AM Jul 09 4:44 AM Jul 10 1:06 AM

Rollover Pass

Date Time Jun 26 6:33 AM Jun 27 7:08 AM Jun 28 7:48 AM Jun 29 8:33 AM Jun 30 12:28 AM Jul 01 1:10 AM Jul 02 1:53 AM Jul 03 2:36 AM Jul 04 3:20 AM Jul 05 4:03 AM Jul 06 4:47 AM Jul 07 5:37 AM Jul 08 12:51 AM Jul 09 3:12 AM Jul 10 5:35 AM

Time

1.1L 1.1L 1.2L 1.2L 1.2L 1.2L 1.2L 1.1L 1.0L 1.6H 1.6H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.0L

11:36 AM 11:58 AM 12:21 PM 12:48 PM 1:22 PM 2:02 PM 2:48 PM 3:41 PM 4:42 PM 1:10 PM 2:12 PM 3:17 PM 4:19 PM 5:17 PM 10:56 AM

Height

Time

Height

1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H 1.4H 1.4H 0.9L 0.7L 0.5L 0.2L 0.0L 1.4H

6:42 PM 7:17 PM 7:54 PM 8:32 PM 9:11 PM 9:52 PM 10:36 PM 11:21 PM

0.1L -0.1L -0.2L -0.4L -0.5L -0.5L -0.5L -0.4L

5:58 PM 7:34 PM 9:29 PM 4:19 PM

1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 0.2L

6:11 PM -0.2L

Height 1.1H 1.3H 1.4H 1.6H 1.7H 1.7H 1.8H 1.7H 1.7H -0.3L 0.0L 0.2L 0.5L 0.8L 1.3H

Time 6:07 AM 7:02 AM 7:45 AM 8:35 AM 10:04 AM 10:52 AM 11:27 AM 12:07 PM 12:56 PM 8:14 AM 8:48 AM 9:15 AM 9:35 AM 9:51 AM 5:26 AM

Height 1.0L 1.1L 1.2L 1.3L 1.3L 1.3L 1.2L 1.1L 1.0L 1.7H 1.6H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.1L

Time 10:26 AM 10:54 AM 11:35 AM 12:20 PM 1:02 PM 1:48 PM 2:56 PM 4:04 PM 4:57 PM 1:49 PM 2:36 PM 3:23 PM 4:18 PM 5:31 PM 10:15 AM

Height 1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 0.8L 0.6L 0.4L 0.2L 0.0L 1.4H

Time 6:49 PM 7:20 PM 7:54 PM 8:34 PM 9:23 PM 10:12 PM 10:56 PM 11:39 PM

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

5:54 PM 8:09 PM 9:51 PM 11:23 PM

1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H

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

Time 6:45 AM 7:38 AM 8:39 AM 8:37 PM 9:13 PM 9:52 PM 10:31 PM 11:11 PM 1:22 PM 2:12 PM 8:22 AM 8:51 AM 9:20 AM 9:50 AM 6:31 AM

Height 0.9L 0.9L 1.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L 1.0L 0.9L 1.1H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 0.9L

Time 11:07 AM 11:18 AM 11:07 AM

Height 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H

Time 7:06 PM 7:36 PM 8:05 PM

3:36 PM 4:40 PM 3:01 PM 3:53 PM 4:52 PM 5:46 PM 10:21 AM

1.1H 1.0H 0.8L 0.6L 0.4L 0.2L 1.0H

Height 1.2H 1.4H 1.5H 1.7H 1.8H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H 1.8H 1.7H 0.0L 0.3L 0.6L 0.9L 1.4H

Time 6:37 AM 7:01 PM 7:30 PM 8:04 PM 4:37 AM 9:20 PM 10:02 PM 10:46 PM 2:04 PM 2:36 PM 8:08 AM 8:43 AM 9:16 AM 9:45 AM 6:51 AM

Height 1.1L 0.0L -0.2L -0.3L 1.8H -0.5L -0.5L -0.4L 1.1L 1.0L 1.5H 1.4H 1.3H 1.2H 1.1L

Time 9:55 AM

4:02 PM 5:14 PM 3:08 PM 3:44 PM 4:25 PM 5:12 PM 10:11 AM

1.1H 1.1H 0.8L 0.6L 0.3L 0.1L 1.2H

Height 1.0H 1.5H 1.3H 1.3H 0.0L -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.2L 0.3L 0.5L 1.0H 1.0H 1.2H

Time 10:21 AM 11:43 PM 12:54 PM

Height 1.0L 1.2L 1.1L

Time 2:08 PM 2:36 PM 3:07 PM

Height 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H

Time 10:41 PM 11:13 PM 11:49 PM

Height 0.3L 0.1L 0.1L

9:22 AM 10:10 AM 10:54 AM 11:29 AM 11:46 AM 11:50 AM 11:58 AM 12:09 PM 6:59 AM 9:04 AM 10:38 AM

1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 0.7L 0.9L 1.0L

5:49 PM 6:21 PM 6:55 PM 7:31 PM 12:22 PM 12:35 PM 12:51 PM

1.0L 0.9L 0.8L 0.6L 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H

8:02 PM 9:24 PM 11:00 PM

1.1H 1.0H 1.03H

Height 1.2H

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11:52 PM

0.0L

6:04 PM 8:54 PM 11:51 PM

0.9H 0.8H 0.9H

6:32 PM

0.0L

Time 6:36 PM

Height 0.1L

11:35 PM -0.3L 6:50 PM 9:09 PM 11:22 PM

1.0H 1.0H 1.2H

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8:13 PM 8:59 PM 9:41 PM

0.4L 0.2L 0.3L

Port O’Connor Date Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 Jul 01 Jul 02 Jul 03 Jul 04 Jul 05 Jul 06 Jul 07 Jul 08 Jul 09 Jul 10

Time 10:23 AM 9:47 AM 9:13 AM 9:36 AM 10:13 AM 10:53 AM 12:07 AM 12:49 AM 1:31 AM 2:11 AM 2:50 AM 3:26 AM 3:50 AM 9:58 AM 9:44 AM

Rockport Date Jun 26 Jun 27 Jun 28 Jun 29 Jun 30 Jul 01 Jul 02 Jul 03 Jul 04 Jul 05 Jul 06 Jul 07 Jul 08 Jul 09 Jul 10

Time 12:18 PM 12:31 PM 12:50 PM 1:15 PM 1:46 PM 12:28 AM 1:14 AM 2:00 AM 2:43 AM 3:22 AM 3:52 AM 4:07 AM 3:43 AM 11:09 AM 11:21 AM

Port Aransas

Date Time Jun 26 10:21 AM Jun 27 4:50 AM Jun 28 4:27 AM Jun 29 5:05 AM Jun 30 5:44 AM Jul 01 6:21 AM Jul 02 6:51 AM Jul 03 7:12 AM Jul 04 7:15 AM Jul 05 7:21 AM Jul 06 12:11 AM Jul 07 12:54 AM Jul 08 1:39 AM Jul 09 2:26 AM Jul 10 1:41 AM

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

East Matagorda Date Time Jun 26 4:01 AM Jun 27 4:31 AM Jun 28 7:01 AM Jun 29 6:23 AM Jun 30 7:26 AM Jul 01 8:04 AM Jul 02 12:07 PM Jul 03 12:21 PM Jul 04 11:22 AM Jul 05 1:27 AM Jul 06 2:01 AM Jul 07 2:29 AM Jul 08 3:01 AM Jul 09 8:29 AM Jul 10 3:30 AM

Height -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L

11:30 AM 11:56 AM 12:10 PM 12:18 PM 12:04 PM 10:55 AM 10:36 AM 7:24 PM 9:44 AM

0.6H 0.6H 0.5H 0.4H 0.4H 0.3H 0.3H -0.2L 0.4H

Height 0.2H 0.2H 0.3H 0.3H 0.3H -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.2H 0.2H

Time 9:36 PM 10:17 PM 10:59 PM 11:43 PM

Height 0.0L 0.0L -0.1L -0.1L

2:23 PM 3:05 PM 3:51 PM 4:39 PM 5:31 PM 12:46 PM 11:45 AM 11:16 AM 8:29 PM 11:21 AM

0.3H 0.3H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.1H 0.1H 0.1H -0.1L 0.2H

Height 0.7H 0.7H 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H -0.1L 0.0L 0.2L 0.4L 0.6H

Time 6:55 PM 7:51 AM 7:59 PM 8:29 PM 9:00 PM 9:33 PM 9:04 AM 9:43 AM 10:40 AM 11:53 AM 7:41 AM 8:07 AM 8:36 AM 9:05 AM 5:29 AM

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

Height 0.7H 0.8H -0.3L 1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 0.9H -0.2L 0.0L 0.3L 0.5L 0.8H

Time 6:39 PM 7:24 AM 7:40 PM 8:15 PM 8:53 PM 9:34 PM 10:17 PM 11:02 PM 11:48 PM

Height -0.1L 0.7L -0.4L -0.5L -0.6L -0.6L -0.6L -0.6L -0.4L

8:32 AM 8:44 AM 8:55 AM 9:01 AM 5:22 AM

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

South Padre Island Date Time Jun 26 9:59 AM Jun 27 4:22 AM Jun 28 7:08 PM Jun 29 5:30 AM Jun 30 6:09 AM Jul 01 6:49 AM Jul 02 7:23 AM Jul 03 7:49 AM Jul 04 8:06 AM Jul 05 8:19 AM Jul 06 12:36 AM Jul 07 1:25 AM Jul 08 2:20 AM Jul 09 3:31 AM Jul 10 2:05 AM

Time 8:41 PM 9:17 PM 9:57 PM 10:40 PM 11:24 PM

Time

Height

Time

5:55 PM 6:35 PM

0.1L 0.0L

10:22 PM

0.1H

Time

Height

Time

Height

6:51 PM 7:41 PM

0.1L 0.0L

10:52 PM

Height

0.1H

Time

Height

Time

Height

7:51 AM

0.7L

7:28 PM

0.0L

1:30 PM 2:29 PM 3:34 PM 4:48 PM 1:47 PM 3:15 PM 4:21 PM 5:20 PM 9:36 AM

0.9H 0.9H 0.8H 0.7H 0.5L 0.3L 0.1L -0.1L 0.7H

10:09 PM -0.4L 10:47 PM -0.3L 11:28 PM -0.3L 6:17 PM 7:58 PM 10:11 PM

0.6H 0.5H 0.5H

6:14 PM -0.2L

Time

Height

Time

9:42 AM

0.8H

0.9H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8L

2:51 PM 3:33 PM 4:20 PM 5:09 PM 8:59 AM

0.5L 0.3L 0.0L -0.2L 0.8H

6:17 PM 8:46 PM 11:19 PM

Time 6:12 AM 6:34 AM 9:42 AM 10:09 AM 10:16 AM 10:05 AM 10:48 PM 11:32 PM

Height 0.3L 0.3L 0.3L 0.4L 0.4L 0.4L 0.0L 0.0L

Time 12:16 PM 11:28 AM 11:47 AM 12:13 PM 12:39 PM 12:54 PM

Height 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H

Time 6:51 PM 8:44 PM 9:21 PM 9:35 PM 9:52 PM 10:17 PM

11:41 AM 12:04 PM 12:20 PM 8:09 AM 6:19 PM 5:43 AM

0.4H 0.4H 0.3H 0.4H 0.1L 0.3L

Height

7:08 PM -0.3L

0.6H 0.5H 0.6H

5:58 PM -0.4 L

Height 0.1L 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L

3:05 PM 5:14 PM 5:50 PM

0.3L 0.2L 0.1L

6:12 PM 7:43 PM

0.3H 0.3H

11:41 AM

0.4H

6:44 PM

0.0L

Texas Coast Tides

Date Time Jun 26 1:19 AM Jun 27 2:21 AM Jun 28 3:30 AM Jun 29 4:16 AM Jun 30 4:51 AM Jul 01 5:26 AM Jul 02 6:03 AM Jul 03 6:45 AM Jul 04 7:32 AM Jul 05 12:24 AM Jul 06 1:14 AM Jul 07 2:07 AM Jul 08 2:55 AM Jul 09 3:48 AM Jul 10 12:48 AM

Height

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Head south on Sabine Continued from page 8

and we are catching them on the short rigs on either side of the jetty. The flounder fishing has actually been some of the best we’ve had recently. The reds went dormant when the fresh water came in, but they are beginning to pick back up.”

Foreman said there is a tremendous amount of bait in the south end of the lake, with shrimp, pogies, mullet and shad all in abundance.

“This should open up some bird fishing for us,” he said. “We are in much better shape than Galveston.”

Foreman has been catching fish on Down South lures in glow chartreuse and Z-Man Baits 3 1/2-inch smoking shad color.

“I’ve been using smaller baits,” he said.

“That smoking shad color has a sparkle in it, and the trout will not bite unless it sparkles and looks like a pogy.”

Capt. Lindy Hebert said the while the boat parade has been clogging the channel, he has moved to the jetties, where he has been catching good trout and jacks.

“The lake can’t possibly be more fresh than it has for the past month,” Hebert said. “Sabine Pass to the jetties have both been good, though. I’ve been fishing from the LNG Plant to the Lighthouse Cove on both sides and been doing well.”

Hebert said when you find the trout, it doesn’t much matter what you throw — they’ll bite.

“Artificials like Bass Assassins and lipless crankbaits are working better than live GOOD NUMBERS: Anglers on South Sabine have found the shrimp,” he said. “We are averaging about 16 trout in deeper channels where the salinity is still high. to 18 inches on trout, with a few up to 21. I Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News. haven’t caught a redfish in three weeks. All of “We drove around the lake and fished the trout moved into the redfish areas.”

Hebert said the trout are stacked in the the same stretch of ship channel that the deep waters of the channel, and when you whole world is fishing, and we caught a lot of nice trout in a very short period of time,” find one, you’ve found them all.

“You might as well head to the pass and Colburn said. “We caught all of our fish on forget about the lake for another two weeks,” Sea Shads and Lil’ Johns. We caught no redhe said. “But in another two weeks, the lake fish, released two flounder over 4 pounds and kept two limits of trout in the 17- to will be good again.”

Capt. Dickie Colburn said much the same 20-inch class. We also released a couple of very nice trout.” thing.

Nine Texas lakes in top 100 Continued from page 8

June 26, 2015

Page 21

Lower Laguna Madre catch rates consistent Study looked at trout, redfish, black drum, flounder

SURVEY SAYS: The average catch rates for spotted seatrout have changed little over the long haul in the LLM. Graph by TPWD.

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Catch rates have stayed remarkably consistent in the Lower Laguna Madre when it comes to the size of redfish and spotted seatrout during the past 30 years, according to survey data conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The data was comprised by TPWD Lower Laguna Madre fisheries biologist Jason Ferguson.

“We looked at resource data for redfish, flounder, black drum and seatrout,” Ferguson said. “We used gill nets to assess adult and subadult populations for two, 10-week periods each spring and fall, and we have 45 nets for each Please turn to page 23

Fresh water flowing into bays Continued from page 9

Lake Conroe came in a surprising 50th, even though some people don’t consider it a great bass lake.

“It surprised me, as well,” Hall said. “The numbers as we were doing our research were shocking. I thought it was a tougher lake to fish but the numbers kept jumping out. Just because a lake is on the list, doesn’t mean it is always easy to fish. The results we found on Conroe told us it was a good lake.”

One lake that tumbled from a top 10 lake last year to out of the rankings this year was Lake Austin.

“Lake Austin was a top 10 lake last year,” Hall said. “I made a lot of calls on that lake and when the grass carp were introduced several years ago, it eliminated all of the grass in the lake. That lake is a desert now and isn’t producing near the quality of fish it has in years past.”

According to Toledo Bend guide Joe Joslin, the lake is up and the bass have remained shallow longer than normal.

“On the south end of the lake there is a submerged grassline in depths of 10 to as deep as 22 feet in a few places,” Joslin said. “This submerged grass has given bass structure to relate to and allows the angler to target these areas. There’s still a good population of fish in 10 to 15 feet depending on conditions. We did catch more bass the past two weeks in 18 to 24 feet than we have this spring, but after all it is mid-June. However, on cloudy days with the submerged grass, it is still possible to catch fish in fairly shallow to mid depths all day long. However, if you target points with grass for a couple of hours and don’t find some fish, it might be time to fish deeper points with deep-diving (crankbaits), Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, Stanley football jigs or drop-shot rigs.”

BASSMASTER Magazine’s 10 Best Bass Lakes (2015) 1. Toledo Bend, Texas/Louisiana 2. Sturgeon Bay (Lake Michigan), Wisconsin 3. Lake St. Clair, Michigan 4. California Delta, California 5. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas 6. Lake Guntersville, Alabama 7. Green Bay (Lake Michigan), Wisconsin 8. Thousand Islands (St. Lawrence River), New York 9. Clear Lake, California 10. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota Other Texas lakes in the top 100: 15. Lake Fork 31. Lake Ray Roberts 42. Falcon Lake 50. Lake Conroe 62. Fayette County Reservoir 73. Lake Texoma 86. Squaw Creek Reservoir

BENEFICIAL: Lots of prey species like shrimp and blue crabs will benefi t from a freshwater fl ushing of the bays.

Photo by Joseph Richards.

haden up to 2 inches in the bay right now, and that will quickly draw in the game fish.”

Sutton said the northern portions of the bay are currently filled with small alligator gar and buffalo, and saltwater species will return soon.

“The red drum will come back into the areas quickly,” he said. “They aren’t as affected by the low salinity levels as the trout are. If anglers are fishing at the jetties, fish deeper. The fresh water will run over the salt water and the higher salinity levels will be at the bottom.”

Galveston Capt. Alan Pereyra said the fresh water has affected the Trinity and West Bay systems, but he is still finding plenty of trout in East Bay. “It’s been excellent,” Pereyra said. “It’s just a matter of getting good weather days.

Besides all of the boat traffic, I really can’t complain.”

Pereyra said live croaker and soft plastics are both working equally well to put good numbers of trout in the boat.

“We’ve caught a few reds here and there, but the trout have been so good, we really haven’t been targeting reds,” he said.

Page 22

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Calendar girls Continued from page 1

noodling after she and some friends saw a video on YouTube of people sticking their hands in underwater holes and bringing enormous catfish to the surface.

“We said we have to go see these crazy people do this,” Drake said.

After attending and watching their first tournament in Oklahoma, Drake and friends decided to try hand fishing for themselves. After a few competitions, Drake noticed all the booths and sales opportunities at these tournaments were lacking in one specific area.

“There (was) absolutely nothing there that had to do with fishing or noodling,” Drake said.

And so, the BKB Calendar was born.

Drake quickly learned that authenticity was important in the noodling world. For that reason, the women in the calendar really are passionate about hand fishing and have become expert noodlers who travel to, and often win, hand-fishing contests.

“When I started, I wanted to use real noodlers but didn’t have the contacts,” she said. “I had professional models at the first event and it was horrible. Everyone was so mean because none of the girls were actual noodlers. They wanted to see authenticity — it was demeaning.”

Through social media, Drake found a roster of real noodlers who wanted to be a part of the project.

“We also converted a few of the models,” she said. “Each year (since 2013) our calendar sales have increased, and we now have people from Australia, South America and Europe that have contacted us.”

One thing Drake won’t do is make a fool out of herself or her girls.

“We’ve had about 40-something television producers contact us wanting to do a television show, but they wanted to make it hokey and focus more on the girls than on the sport,” Drake said. “But, we are a group of educated professionals and we are not going to make a few dollars to make a fool of ourselves.”

One of the BKB’s featured in the 2015 calendar, Alicia Clark, a licensed physical therapist assistant, has an obvious passion for all things outdoors, but noodling especially.

“I’m not an adrenaline junky, but I guess that’s why I do it — for that adrenaline rush,” Clark said.

While Clark gushes about noodling with her sister and father, her favorite part of the sport is sharing it with others.

“Now I’m to the point that I like taking new people more than I like taking myself,” she said.

Spreading the word about noodling — and more importantly the fact that women are capable of wrestling these 40- to 50-pound giants — has become a top priority for the BKBs. “The goal originally was for it to be a moneymaker,” Drake said about the BKB line of merchandise. “But, basically, it has funded this sorority to go and have a good time. We have also heard from a lot of men that after their wife or daughter saw the calendar, they realized noodling wasn’t just for men. We’ve built some family bonds.”

The sales from the BKB calendars, along with hats and apparel, generate enough revenue to cover the cost of entering in and traveling to tournaments.

There is also a small but growing community service element in the BKB portfolio. Last year, the group took friends and family on guided noodling trips and then donated the money they earned to the Trinity River Audubon Center at the First Annual Big Gus and the Swampadelic Catfish Tournament, which the babes cosponsored. The effort raised $25,000 for the Center.

Drake hopes they can give away a similar prize at the second annual tournament coming up on June 27. This time, the money will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Rockwall County and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.

All things considered, Drake considers the BKBs to be a success.

“We are promoting the sport, promoting women in the sport, and promoting water safety,” she said. “(That’s) our biggest accomplishment as a group.”

On the group’s Facebook page, many of the comments were complimenting the girls on their looks and their ability to catch big fish.

“Now that is a real woman,” said Charles Justice.

NOT JUST A PHOTO SHOOT: BKB girl Sammy Jo Norris poses with a big fl athead catfi sh for the “I want to go fishing with these girls,” said 2015 BKB Calendar. Photo by Ben Garrett.

Scott Tyree.

OUTDOOR PUZZLER ACROSS

1. Used to keep objects afloat 4. A species of geese 6. A good time to hunt whitetails 8. To remove a spent shell 9. Special locale of active fish 10. Large groups of animals 12. A wingshooter’s prey 13. A grouping of fish in one spot 15. A very popular fish 18. Act of doe having young 21. Brown or polar 22. A female pheasant 24. Reading tracks for freshness 25. A deerhunter’s spring activity 30. A buck’s mating rituals

FOR THE TABLE

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

31. Code for a type bullet 32. An oak to be 33. A diving duck 37. Prevents rust on gun parts 38. A male pheasant 39. A camp stove fuel 40. The male Dall DOWN

1. To clean meat from carcass 2. Trapped for the pelt 3. A part on a bow 4. A game bird 5. A valued fur bearer 6. Preparing tent area for rain runoff 7. Brookies are caught here 11. Good wood for arrow shafts 12. Term used in shooting contests

Pheasant pot pie 2 pheasants 4 cups water 1 medium onion, quartered 1 celery rib, quartered 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tbsps. lemon juice 1 1/4 tsps. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. Worchestershire sauce 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 jar whole onions, drained 1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots 1 jar (2 ounces) sliced pimentos, drained Pastry for a single-crust pie

By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen Solution on Page 26

14. It is said fish can do this 16. A major deer food 17. Large one is the dorsal 18. Name for the Arizona whitetail 19. Main feeding time for bucks 20. Anglers’ name for really large bass 23. A game lure, _____ rag 26. A camper’s food supply 27. A method of deer hunting 28. Stream fishermen wear them 29. Area anglers fish at times 34. Field area quail are found 35. A type of open gunsight 36. A group of decoys 37. Found in the boathouse

Kansas crappie

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, place pheasants, water, quartered onion, celery and garlic; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 60 minutes or until tender. Remove meat, cool. Debone and set aside. Strain broth, discarding vegetables.

Measure 3 1/2 cups broth and place in a saucepan.

Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, Worchestershire sauce and nutmeg. Remove 1/2 cup and stir in flour. Bring broth in saucepan to a boil. Add flour mixture; boil 1 minute or until thickened and bubbly. Add the whole onions, peas, carrots, pimentos, and pheasant; mix well. Spoon into a 2 1/2 quart baking dish. Roll pastry to fit dish; place over meat mixture and seal edges to dish. Cut small steam vents in crust. Bake at 425 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or golden brown.

— backwoodsbound.com

Crappie fillets Seasoned salt Lemon pepper Italian dressing Wash crappie fillets in cold water and sprinkle with lemon pepper and seasoned salt. Place in a large bowl and soak with Italian dressing. Cover bowl and place in refrigerator overnight or 4 hours before cooking. Drain excess Italian dressing and heat cooking oil to 350 degrees. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Place on a paper towel to drain and serve.

— crappie.com

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

CCA STAR leaders

Catch rate study

Junior anglers catching big crappie

10-week season. We also take 20 samples per month from bag seines to assess juvenile shrimp and crabs.”

The study found: Redfish — population stable and healthy; four consecutive years of high juvenile abundance should translate into more catchable fish for next few years.

Flounder — good number of juveniles the last two years and stricter regulations from 2014 should lead to increased number of fish available in 2015 and 2016.

Black drum — juvenile and adult population has been on the rise in recent years, very good alternative fishery when more popular species are not cooperating.

Spotted seatrout — population healthy with plenty of trophy fish available, abundant number of juveniles found in 2013/14 should lead to an above-average years in 2015/16.

The average catch rates remained remarkably consistent for all species, with the exception of flounder, throughout the 30-year timeframe.

“Things are looking pretty good,” said TPWD lower coast leader Perry Trial. “From what I have seen, the redfish and trout have rebounded. In general, a straight line (the average) is good as long as it is at a high level.”

The Crappie Anglers of Texas held its Annual Junior Angler Tournament on Cedar Creek Lake June 13.

A total of 18 junior anglers showed up for a great day of fishing, fun, fellowship and plenty of excitement. The kids could weigh in a total of five crappie. All of the kids caught fish, and the tournament was loaded with smiles, fun and good food.

Local merchants donated drinks, hot dogs, cookies and other treats for the kids to enjoy.

First place went to Tatum Standley with a five-fish stringer weighing 5.25 pounds.

Standley also had the biggest fish of the tournament — 1.32 pounds.

Wyatt Standridge won second place with his stringer of five fish that weighed 5.23 pounds.

Bailey Soukup took home third place with her stringer of five fish weighing 5.12 pounds.

— CAT

Continued from page 21

Starkids Scholarship Division Flounder: Clayton Manning (7), 3 lbs. 3 ozs.

Sheepshead: Rylan Basci (6), 7 lbs., 10 ozs.

Gafftop: Laken Bellanger (9), 6 lbs., 6 ozs.

Starteens Trout Scholarhsip Division Upper Coast: None Middle Coast: Waylon Johnson (13), 6 lbs., 10 ozs.

Lower Coast: Collin Dziuk (15), 7 lbs., 12 ozs.

Scholarship Inshore Division Flounder: Freddie Velez (14) 5 lbs., 3 ozs.

Sheepshead: Tyler Maresh (15), 7 lbs., 12 ozs.

Gafftop: Colton Carrier (14), 6 lbs., 6 ozs.

2014 Main Division Speckled Trout (upper coast): Kelly Flores, 8 lbs., 14 ozs.

Speckled Trout (middle coast): Harvey Kramer Jr., 9 lbs., 14 ozs.

Burns brothers take TXTT on Palestine Rob Burns, of Plano, and Mike Burns, of Lucas, walked away with a prize package worth over $48,000 for winning the championship event of the 2015 Texas Team Trail presented

by Cabela’s on June 14.

With more than 60 years of combined competitive fishing experience, the team expected a shallow bite for this event and concentrated their efforts on the north end of the lake.

“We fished the shallow pond weed, milfoil and stumps around 5 to 8 feet with frogs and crankbaits,” Rob Burns said.

The anglers brought in 17.62 pounds on day one and sat in 13th place. Day two proved to be more fruitful for the anglers, which brought in a heavy bag of 23.94 pounds, rocketing them into first place with a combined total of 41.56 pounds.

“It was a great event and is always run well,” Rob Burns said. “We missed a big fish but still had enough to win.”

Second-place finishers Tim H. Wilcoxson, of Edgewood, and Tim P. Wilcoxson, of Rockwall, weighed in a two-day total of 40.9 pounds.

— TXTT

— Conor Harrison

Speckled Trout (lower coast): Lee Roy Navarro, 9 lbs., 2 ozs.

Kingfish: Chad Treybig, 51 lbs., 13 ozs.

Dorado: Thomas Overstreet, 36 lbs., 7 ozs.

Ling: Nathan Crowe, 85 lbs., 9 ozs.

Flounder: Erik Thomas, 8 lbs., 3 ozs.

Sheepshead: Lionel Gonzales, 10 lbs., 3 ozs.

Gafftop: Taurik Abuzinada, 6 lbs., 14 ozs.

Tagged Redfish Division 1st: Scott Hajovsky 2nd: Michael Gibbs 3rd: Cuong Nguyen (Results as of June 21) The contest runs until Sept. 7.

Go to startournament.org for more information.

— Staff report

Brand New “The Doc” R

U.S. PATENTS 8201520, 7370605, 6920841, D575908, D599503, D602649, D603104, D603105, D604017, D603566, D624706, D624708, D622453, D624707, D636942, D629572, D629976, D629975, D624709, D630802, D630653, D647253, D642750, D681883 • OTHER PATENTS PENDING • U.S. TRADEMARKS 3629190 & 3625066

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CP REGULATOR has “The Timer” inside the gravity flow system to control feed amount while maintaining dispensed feed inside the feeder housing and tubes. Program to dispense feed up to 6 times/day at rate of 2 lbs./second & 360 lbs./day max.

CF CORN FEEDER with Solar Powered Timer • 600, 1000, 2000 & 3000 lb. cap.

• Optional Fold-up Cage • Optional 4-Tube Adapter on TM Tube

outback

36” height 400# cap.

QUAIL FEEDER • 600 & 1000 lb. capacity

TURKEY-QUAIL COMBO FEEDER • 600 & 1000 lb. capacity

Outback feeders has paired up with ADD-Vantage Delivery System to bring you “The Doc” a dual purpose 600# or 1000# protein feeder.

“The Doc” allows you to use it as a normal gravity flow feeder and also allows you to apply a liquid continuously and uniformly to a feed with a new state-of-the-art method at the rate of 20 ml. of liquid per 2-1/2 lbs. of feed on demand. The liquids can be: feed supplements, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, flavorants, medications, etc.

features the timer 12-volt control unit with 5 year warranty

Thomas wins Skeeter tournament on Lake Fork Alba angler Walter Thomas won the Skeeter Owners Tournament on Lake Fork presented by Bass Champs when he caught a 10.66-pound largemouth to claim the win.

Thomas’ bass was the biggest caught during the two-day event, but it didn’t come without some anxious moments for the local angler.

“I know my side of the lake pretty well, but I haven’t done a lot of fishing recently — just a few times crappie fishing with my son or friends,” Thomas said. “I fish three main creeks on my side of the lake and I caught her around 1 p.m. using a swimbait.”

“I was fishing in about 35 feet of water and she was suspended in about 15 feet,” he said. “I didn’t realize she was as big as she was. I had the drag all the way down when she went on a run. The first thing I thought was I needed to lighten the drag, but she headed for cover and I was able to get her turned. It actually helped to have the drag set where I did.

“If she would have gotten to the cover, I would have lost her for sure.”

Page 23

outBaCk oFFers Quantity and delivery disCounts

42” height 600# cap.

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Shown with Pistolero 42” height 600# cap.

New “BABY-BACK” Series

QUAIL CENTRAL FEEDER & WATER STATION collects rainfall & condensation • 600 & 1000 lb. cap. • 8 gal. water reservoir

360o corn distribution or up to 50 feet in one direction via Outback’s “Pistolero” directional unit

See our many other hunting & ranching products at

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office 903.734.4210 • 800.396.6313 • shop 903.734.6774 • cell 903.790.1071 • e-mail: rickmeritt@yahoo.com • 5197 FM 2685 • Gilmer, TX 75645

Custom outdoor retreat Furnishings

BARSTOOLS • Swivel and Rock

GREAT BALL OF FIRE WILDLIFE SCENE EMBELLISHED FIRE PIT No two alike, each one a work of art!

• 1400 degree hightemperature powder-coat finish • Fire poker & ash pan inc.

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4 & 8 SEAT TABLE COMBOS • Octagonal 31” ht. (shown), Octagonal Pub 40” ht., or 8 Seat Picnic Table • Table seats are tractor seats that swivel

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Page 24

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

NATIONAL Colt Arms files Chapter 11 Colt Defense, the famous American gun manufacturer, has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The Connecticut-based company announced the move earlier this month.

Colt, which has supplied the US military, law enforcement officers, and the gunowning public with high-quality firearms for over a century (albeit under different names), aims to rapidly sell its assets in the United States and Canada.

“Colt’s current sponsor, Sciens Capital Management LLC, has agreed to act as a ‘stalking horse bidder’ and has proposed to purchase substantially all of Colt’s assets and assume secured liabilities and all liabilities related to existing agreements with employees, customers, vendors, and trade creditors,” said a press release put out by the company detailing the filing.

— Colt

Possible state record bull shark in Alabama

HER BIGGEST BAY CITY, TEXAS KILLED TAYLOR HOLLAND,12, OF Y, IN FRIO COUNTY. WITH HER UNCLE, LARR BUCK WHILE HUNTING

Nikon will send your 10x42 ProStaff 7 binoculars. You can check out the entire line at the nearest dealer:

Birmingham angler Jeff Moore was trying to catch red snapper in 100 feet of water on June 7, but ended up catching a 448-pound bull shark instead.

“It felt like a Volkswagen bus sitting on the bottom of the ocean,” Morre told al.com. “I just remember at the end it was pretty painful. I was glad it was over.

I’m still sore today and I caught it seven days ago.”

Moore’s shark officially measured 7 feet, 6 inches from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail and 8 feet, 10 inches overall. It had a 63-inch girth around the stomach.

Florida holds the record for the biggest bull shark from the Gulf of Mexico at 517 pounds. The Texas record bull shark was caught by angler Randall Rickerson in Aransas Bay on May 18, 2007.

“We couldn’t believe that it beat the old record by 112 pounds,” Moore said.

— Staff report

Atchafalaya Basin bass limit to change See a full selection of Nikon products at:

Carroll’s Gun Shop 123 Carroll Road Wharton, TX, 77488 (979) 532-3175 carrollsgunshop.com

On June 20, largemouth bass regulations on the Atchafalaya River Basin will be consistent with statewide regulations — no length limit with a 10-fish daily creel. Impacted waterbodies include the Atchafalaya River Basin, Lake Verret, Lake Palourde Complex and Lake Fausse Point/Lake Dauterive Complex.

In June 2013, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved the removal of the 14-inch minimum length, and as a temporary transition measure reduced the daily creel limit from 10 to seven bass for a two-year period. This restriction has now expired.

— LDWF

input received from hunters. Game and Parks urges hunter participation at each step of the way so changes reflect hunter preferences.

In order to provide feedback on proposed changes for 2016-2017, hunters can visit OutdoorNebraska.org, and then click on the “Hunting” tab, then “Waterfowl.” On the waterfowl home page, hunters will find descriptions of the proposed changes, maps of the current and proposed duck and goose zones and an input form for providing feedback.

Hunters who wish to provide feedback can print the form, fill it out and mail it to the address listed on the form by July 31.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows changes to duck zone boundaries every five years.

— NGPC

Florida kayak angler lands 550-pound grouper In May, Jon Black was fishing with his friend Ben Chancey.

Their mission was to catch a giant goliath grouper from a kayak for an episode of their online show. They succeeded.

With the camera rolling, Jon Black didn’t know what he was in for when the fish hooked up.

“I knew it was big, but I didn’t know it was that big,” the fisherman said.

The fish turned out to be the largest known goliath grouper ever caught from a kayak.

Despite breaking the angler’s fishing rod, Black was able to land and measure the fish — which was 83 inches long with a 73-inch girth. Calculations put the fish at 552 pounds. The grouper was released unharmed.

— Chew on This TV

Montana bighorn herd to be eliminated Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to go ahead with a plan to depopulate the diseased Tendoy Mountains bighorn sheep herd using public hunting as the primary tool. The herd suffers from chronic pneumonia. The area would then be restocked with healthy bighorns.

The proposed hunt format is similar to that used in unlimited bighorn license areas, although a quota would not be established as the goal is to eliminate the entire herd of approximately 40 bighorns.

Any remaining bighorns not taken by hunters would be removed by FWP. On June 11, the Fish and Wildlife Commission put out for public comment the proposal to sell licenses to accomplish the depopulation and is taking public comment until 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015. The commission will make a final decision in July and, if adopted, licenses would be offered in early August.

— MFWP

Oklahoma record pronghorn certified A new Oklahoma-record pronghorn has been certified by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Cy Curtis Awards Program.

The new record holder is Todd W. Bradley of Kismet, Kansas. His buck pronghorn taken in Cimarron County in 2006 scored 85 points.

— ODWC

Nebraska considering waterfowl changes The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking additional input on proposed changes to the 2016-2017 season duck zone and goose unit boundaries.

The proposed changes are based on

INTERNATIONAL

Bahamas to charge fly anglers The minister of agriculture and marine resources, the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, said the Bahamian government is seeking to bring into force rules and regulations to govern the sports fly-fishing sector.

A draft bill proposes $10 to apply and $20 a day to fish on the flats.

“The Government of The Bahamas fully recognises the importance of this sector (fly-fishing) of the fishing industry, particularly as a component of the tourism product of The Bahamas,” Gray said.

“This industry provides employment and income for fishing guides, lodge operators, taxi drivers and other businesspersons throughout the Islands of The Bahamas.”

— Bahamas.gov

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Page 25

Hitting targets at 500 yards and beyond Continued from page 5

“Nice shot, now do it again,” Beck said.

Three more shots hit the mark.

“It looks like your group is good, just right of the bull’s-eye,” Beck said.

Sams was next and also missed the target with his first shot.

“You’re left-handed, just that little change can make the difference,” Beck said, making some adjustments. After a few more misses, Beck noticed Sams was shooting when the wind was more calm.

“Wait to shoot while the wind is gusting; we’re calibrated for the higher wind,” Beck said.

Sams connected on the next three, with a group left of the DIALING IN: To accomodate for gusting winds, bull’s-eye.

Booner Beck makes adjustments to the Vortex A stopwatch was used to measure the time from the shot to Viper scope for a long-range shot. Photos by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. the time the sound of the bullet hitting the target returned to the shooters, with all of times being near 4.7 seconds.

The trip to the target took awhile, as the truck meandered through the brush and up the large hill, spooking several hen turkeys with upward of 30 one-foot-tall poults along the way.

Both shooters’ groups were around 8.5 inches, still below one minute of angle (MOA).

While the distance may have been beyond the two shooters’ comfort range, the experience boosted confidence in the longer shots, as long as they were equipped with a gun and scope up to the task.

And the reward of hearing the “clang” after each anxious 4.7-second wait was even better.

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June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

DATEBOOK JUNE 26

Texas Wildlife Association Wildlife 2015 Annual Convention J.W. Marriott, San Antonio (210) 826-2904 texas-wildlife.org

Texas Deer Association Sportsmen’s Night Out Falls City Community Center (830) 391-1591 texasdeerassociation.com

Dallas Safari Club Wine Pairing Dinner Chamberlain’s, Dallas (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

Joshua Creek Ranch Hill Country Shooting Classic and Sporting Expo (830) 537-5090 joshuacreek.com

Ducks Unlimited Midland Chapter 30 Gun Raffle Night Green Tree Country Club (432) 664-9559 ducks.org/texas

Texas Wildlife Association Texas Big Game Awards Celebration McNease Convention Center, San Angelo (210) 236-9761 texas-wildlife.org

JULY 11

DIVA WOW Kids Clinic Circle T Ranch, Westlake (972) 896-9838 divawow.org

Mule Deer Foundation Lone Star Austin Chapter Banquet Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center (720) 879-7112 muledeer.org

JUNE 28

Bass Champs North Region #4 Lake Fork (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

Bass Champs Texas Shooutout Sam Rayburn Reservoir (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

JULY 9

JULY 11-12

Coastal Conservation Association Greater Woodlands Chapter Annual Banquet The Grand Palace (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org

John Uhr Memorial Billfi sh Tournament “Bastante” Offshore Rockport (361) 205-0789 rockporttournament.com

Ducks Unlimited San Antonio Metro District Meeting Longhorn Cafe (830) 221-8046 ducks.org/texas

JULY 10

JUNE 27

JULY 9-11

JULY 13

Texas Gun and Knife Shows Amarillo Civic Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com

Dallas Safari Club Monthly Meeting Doubletree Hotel, Dallas (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

JULY 16

Dallas Safari Club Monthly Meeting Doubletree Hotel, Dallas (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

JULY 17-19

Texas Hunters and Sportsman’s Expo McAllen Convention Center (956) 664-2884 texashuntersassociation.com

Puzzle solution from Page 22

JULY 18

Tejas Bowmen Independence Shooting Tournament (361) 774-7059 tejasbowmenarcheryclub.com

JULY 18-19

Texas Gun and Knife Shows Hill Country Youth Event Center, Kerrville (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com

JULY 24-25

Trophy Game Records of the World Awards Banquet Omni Hotel, San Antonio (830) 367-7761 myewa.org

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

Advertisement

Texas Hunters and Sportsman’s Expo Can you believe it has been 25 years? Well, it has! It is that time of year again when hunters and outdoorsmen from across Texas head south to the McAllen Convention Center between July 17-19th to experience one of the best outdoor shows in the country — the Texas Hunters and Sportsman’s Expo.

“We have had solid crowds over the past 24 years and the show’s attendance continues to grow each year,” said show codirector Chris Curl. “This three-day weekend event is expected to draw several thousand hunting and fishing enthusiasts and visitors from both sides of the border.”

Exhibits for everyone, including women and children, and all types of retailers representing all price levels will be on hand for attendees to check out.

Another 75 booths have been added this year, making this one of the largest and best-attended shows in Texas. “We are renting the whole McAllen Convention Center,” Curl said.

“Another thing we want to focus on this year is the fact that we are going to have items for everyone, as usual, and a variety of exhibits to enjoy,” Curl said. “We will have smaller exhibits with more affordable items for everyone, as well.”

Want to go on a great hunt? The Texas Hunters & Sportsman’s Expo is recognized as the highestquality hunting and fishing show in South Texas, with outfitters from across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Africa booking hunts for white-tailed deer, big game, exotics, bear, moose, elk, mule deer, turkey, quail, dove, pheasant and waterfowl.

Is fishing more your thing? Come and speak with trophy guides for bass and saltwater game fish. Also, a huge display of boats, motors, rods, reels, fishing lights, tackle and more are waiting for you this year.

Manufacturers and dealers will also be on hand offering special show prices on hunting blinds, ATVs, camouflage clothing, ranching equipment, tractors, hunting accessories, supplies and more.

“This is a show the entire family can enjoy,” Curl said. “There is something here for everyone.

Wildlife art, hand-crafted rustic furniture, Bar-B-Q pits, smoked meats, gourmet foods and exotic and silver jewelry, are just a few of the exhibits and attractions. Another crowd-pleasing favorite is the free samples of the latest homemade jellies, jams, beef jerky and wild game jerky and roasted almonds that are handed out to visitors throughout the weekend. One thing that is honestly surprising is the fact that this show is for women as much as it is for the guys — booths and booths of ladies stuff. We keep the ladies shopping, so the men can shop too.”

Other feature attractions for the July Show, include the following: • Wildlife artist Don Breeden • La Coma Ranch Inc. Trophy Exotic Exhibit • Trophy Whitetail Displays for the first time in the Valley • Hourly giveaways (fishing & hunting trips, gear and more) compliments of The Texas Hunters & Sportsman’s Expo • CCA boat raffle — Tickets will be on sale at the show for a chance to win this boat at the CCA banquet • Atascosa Wildlife Supply Deer Blinds • Texas Hunter Products, Lehman H Feeders, and much more • Joe Martins Live Rattlesnake Pit, compliments of Bert Ogden • Operation Game Thief wildlife trailer Conroe Taxidermy will have a trophy room display on hand. The famous Hibler Taxidermy from Kingsville will also have a huge trophy display on hand.

Hunters, Bushlan Camouflage is back! Bigger and better than ever. They will be on hand with a huge option of camouflage clothing all on sale. Bottom line — if you love to hunt and fish or just love the outdoors, then don’t miss this event.

For more information, call (956) 664-2884, or go to texashunterassociation.com.

June 26, 2015

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June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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CLASSIFIEDS HUNTING LONGHORN RIVER RANCH High-fenced hunting packages, All lodging and guides included.

Hunts start at $495.

Whitetail, axis, fallow, blackbuck, elk, oryx, addax, aoudad, rams, red sheep, hogs and more.

Between Austin and San Antonio 9 blinds, yearround feeding, lodges from 4-20 people.

Free catch and release fishing Now booking August, Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. Special: Your choice axis hunt, 2 days, 1 night with a guide, only $1,995.

Call Jesse, (210) 722-8936 TDHA - JOIN TODAY TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS ASSOC. TexasDoveHunters.com (210) 764-1189 NEW MEXICO MULE DEER HUNTS

Unit 39. Includes permit, guide service, lodging and meals Nov. 7-11 or Nov. 21-25. $3,995 (830) 928-7007 FINE GUNS Patrick Willoughby-Mccabe has opened his new store in Albany, Texas Stop by and see what it has to offer 140-144 S. Main Street Albany.

Call for an appointment (469) 759-6146

RANCH PROPERTIES Looking for a ranch or want to sell one?

Contact Chris Susilovich, Agent, Hortenstine Ranch Company Chris@HRCRanch.com (903) 503-5961

TDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Executive Director position In efforts to continue to grow and maintain a progressive organization, the Texas Deer Association is now accepting applications for the Executive Director position. The position would require the ability to office out of the new TDA Primary Office in Austin. Candidates need to have previous management experience and leadership qualities conducive to running a statewide association. Experience working for or with nonprofit organizations is desired. Be an integral part of Texas’s leading authority on all things deer and private property rights. Please forward your resume to TDA Secretary Bob Price by email: TDAEXECAPP@ MAIL.COM

NEW MEXICO ELK HUNTS Unit 34 Guaranteed Permits.

Hunt Dates, Bow Sept. 1824, Muzzleloader Oct. 17-21 Rifle Oct. 24-28.

All inclusive $9,800 Texas Mule Deer Presido County. Hunt dates Dec. 2-7 and Dec. 9-13. Only two hunters per hunt date.

All inclusive $4,500 Other Hunts, New Mexico Mule Deer and Antelope.

Steve Jones, Backcountry Hunts stevejones@backcountryhunts.com (575) 361-1053

25,000 PRIME HUNTING ACRES 7 miles north of Dryden Tx on SH349 Whitetails, Mule Deer, Level 3 MLD, 40 Blinds with feeders.

Great corporate lease, Public airport 2 miles away, Midland Airport 140 miles away 2 houses plus Main Lodge with a 20-person combined sleeping capability Ranch will put out feed Contact: Lloyd W. (432) 836.4419

COTTONSEED FOR SALE Approx 200, 50-lb. bags stacked in barn. Must pick up, no delivery.

5 miles south of Carrizo Springs.

Call (214) 361-2276 Ask for David.

SO

LD

NAMIBIA HUNTING

Chapungu-Kambako Hunting Safaris PH Herman Coetzee will guide you to your next plains game or dangerous game trophy.

Herman@chapungukambako.com chapungu-kambako.com

SPANISH IBEX CAPE Full body Southeastern Spanish ibex cape for sale.

Replace your old mount with a rare, hard to find, perfect condition cape.

Call Gary at Rhodes Brothers Taxidermy (830) 896-6996

DALLAS SAFARI CLUB MEMBERS Are you 21 to 40 years old?

Join the new Conservation Society (a young professional group) We are a fun group and want you to learn about us.

Contact Crystal at (972) 989-9800 or Crystal@biggame.org dscconservationsociety.org

TROPHY WHITETAIL BUCK HUNTS Intensive Management Program. Lodging included.

(940) 362-4219

SOUTH AFRICA EASTERN CAPE 7 Days/All-inclusive 4 star lodge 6 trophy fees included Kudu, Gemsbok Wildabeest, Blesbok Impala, Warthog Only $3,995 All-in! discountafricanhunts.com Call (727) 434-0840

SOUTH AFRICAN LEOPARD HUNT A client has canceled and I have a leopard tag available in South Africa.

The Leopard hunt will take place in the Mpumalanga Province, about 2 hours drive from our lodge at Lion Creek Safaris.

Email: WKNOX@LIONCREEKSAFARIS.COM

BASS FISHING TOURNAMENTS Century Bass Club, Since 1976… Accepting new members anytime.

Boater and Non-Boater draw format.

Monthly tournaments: East Texas Lakes.

B.A.S.S. Nation Affiliate.

CenturyBassClub.com 214-507-7435 LEASED FISHING ACCESS Brazos River downstream from Lake Whitney Located on the east bank of the Brazos River in northern McLennan County near the town of Gholson, approximately 6 miles downstream of the FM 2114 bridge crossing.

Phone: (254) 290-0029 This 120-acre property offers 2,051 feet of river frontage for bank fishing and serves as a day-use and camping area for canoe and kayak anglers that launch upstream.

There is no road access to this area; paddlers can reach it only from the river. Call (254) 622-8364 for more information.

1.23.15TPWD

MASON COUNTY High Fenced Package Hunts: 3 days fully guided with accommodations and meals included. Trophy, management, and doe hunts available. Father and Son packages encouraged. Spring turkey semi-guided with lodging Call Ranch Branch Ranch (830) 981-4225

BOATS 2012 SKEETER FX 20

1.23.15 JCOC

FISHING BASS FISHING on 6,000-acre ranch, 5 lakes, R+B boats, trolling motors, tackle Call Bill Whitfield (210) 494-6421

SOUTH PADRE FISHING Reds, Trout, Flounder, Snook. Everything supplied but food and licenses.

Multiple trip discounts. Call Capt. Thomas for details or CDCT12005@aol.com.

CustomSportsAnglers.com (956) 551-1965 SABINE LAKE FISHING Trout, flounder, reds.

Captain Randy’s Guide Service running multiple boats.

Check for specials at www.fishsabine.com (409) 719-6067

TROPHY STRIPERS Lake Texoma Guided fishign trips and cabins available.

Complete packages also available.

Visit CFAFISHING.COM

COLORADO RIVER FISHING Located in east Austin on the north bank of the Colorado River, Latitude: 30.256179 Longitude: -97.634178 1-acre leased-access fishing, boating, and camping area. It offers 225 feet of bank access and serves as a boat launch, and overnight campground.

Call for rates (512) 2890750.

1.23.15TPWD

MISC. ARROWHEADS AND ARTIFACTS I buy and sell authentic Texas artifacts. Please call Nick.

(210) 557-9478 DECOYS WANTED WOODEN Duck and Goose. Top prices paid. Ask for David.

(214) 361-2276 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS & MAPPING RANCH & HUNTING, AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL, 2014 IMAGERY AVAILABLE BalboaMapCompany.com (806) 777-8840

VEHICLES LOOKING FOR A FORD F-150 OR F-250 SUPER DUTY? I’m a lifelong hunter and can help you hunt for your next truck.

Call Bobby at Rockwall Ford, (214) 632 7963.

I have a great selection of preowned trucks, as well.

2013 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4x4, 46, 834 miles- 28,999. Stock #DFC05803 2014 Ford F 150 SuperCrew 4x4, 28,138 miles- $32,500. Stock # EKE89860

Dual 8’ Power Poles.

Two Lowrance HDS 8 Gen 2.

Motorguide 36V Trolling Motor.

Yamaha 250 SHO. Call/Text Dustin For More Info (316) 655-8788

2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4x4, 13,596 miles- $38,999.

Stock # Fl523511

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Page 29

The BEST Deer Auctions in Texas • Grand auction • Casino night • Antler contest • Golf tournament Venison Chili Cook-off • Poker tournament • 200+ Exhibitors • Seminars • Raffles • Photo contest • Dinner banquet Canvas painting • Silent auction • Wine Tasting & Ladies Marketplace • Round table discussions Meet fellow deer enthusiasts • Educational youth activities • And much, much more!

For more information visit us online at www.TexasDeerAssociation.com or call the Texas Deer Association office at 210.767.8300 www.TexasDeerAssociation.com | 403 East Ramsey, Ste. 204 | San Antonio, TX 78216 | P: 210.767.8300 | F: 210.767.8401

LIKE US ON

Page 30

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

PRODUCTS

>>

evolved.com

HUNTER GUIDE WATERPROOF BOXES: Plano’s airtight and waterproof boxes, which are fully submersible for 30 minutes at a depth of a meter, will help hunters protect their gear against the elements. Whether it is optics, smartphones, GPS units or nonelectronic items such as wallets, matches, etc., there is some gear that just shouldn’t get wet. The boxes, which come in small, medium, large and extra large, feature DriLoc O-ring seals, triple cam-action latches and beefy hinges. Molded from heavy-duty ABS, these boxes possess remarkable impact and mechanical strength plus a soft and clingy slip-resistant rubber pad that provides additional protection to the contents inside the box. The MSRP on this box will range from $12.99 to $49.99, depending on size. The smallest box is 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches by 2.13-inches and the largest box is 14 inches by 9 inches by 5 inches.)

>>

RAISIN CANE: Evolved Habitats’ new attractant, which draws deer by its taste, scent and appearance, is a blend of roasted soy meal, raisins and other proprietary attractants.

High in protein, the attractant combines GloCote UV enhancement technology to create a longrange attractant that appeals to a whitetail’s eyes and nose. Feeds and attractants treated with GloCote have the advantage of being visual attractants allowing them to be located from 360 degrees, regardless of wind direction. A 5-pound bag sells for about $14.

(727) 234-4999

(800) 226-9868 planomolding.com

WILLOW RIVER WADERS: These women’s waders from Redington feature three-layer waterproof, breathable, DWR-coated fabric, reinforced knees, high-density neoprene booties, and a fl eece-lined pocket for the ultimate in comfort and durability. The waders will cost about $160.

>>

>>

PRO SERIES FPS HUNTER ARROWS: BloodSport’s arrows are designed to help hunters better judge distance to the target.

Their fl at-shooting, standard-diameter shafts allow shooters to use fewer sight pins and eliminate misses due to yardage differences. The arrows are constructed from a rugged wrap construction process that creates a thicker carbon wall to create a hunting projectile with an incredible combination of speed, accuracy and toughness. The arrows come pre-fl etched with 2-inch blazer vanes and are available in sizes 300 (9.1 grains per inch), 350 (7.9), 400 (7.4) and 500 (6.5). The arrows cost about $55 for a six-pack.

(855) 378-9420

TEXAS LAND FOR SALE THROCKMORTON COUNTY, TX - 214.29 ac m/l. intensely game managed, seasonal creeks run through property, rolling hills, mesquite, live oaks, 5 stock tanks, 2 stocked with fish, mobile home, 900 sq ft, 2 bed/2bath, water and electricity, barn with electric - $588,500.

Call Jackie Webb (940) 521-1110 .

REAL COUNTY, TX - 301.45 ac m/l. Great hunting property with whitetail deer, exotics, hogs, turkey, Diverse terrain, 4 blinds, 3 feeders, 3 portable troughs, Large oaks, Exotics include axis, black buck, sika, fallow, hogs, Ag exempt taxes - $780,000. Call Rolando Balli (512) 944-6769.

KERR COUNTY, TX - 97 ac m/l. 3,870 sq ft custom home with 3,530 sq for custom barn.

Hills with views, deep draws, seasonal creek and lots of wildlife. Just a few miles outside of Kerrville - $1,739,000. Call Blake Farrar (903) 530-5804 or Joey Bellington (979) 204-6311.

BURNET COUNTY, TX - 321 ac m/l. 1000 sq ft. stone home built 2004, two car garage, Gently rolling terrain, cleared of cedar, 4 stock tanks, 1 stocked with fish, two wet weather creeks, multiple out buildings, good perimeter fencing - $1,489,000. Call Mason Harlow (512) 658-8787 .

to view these properties and hundreds more go to

WHITETAILPROPERTIES.COM Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC | dba Whitetail Properties | In the State of Nebraska DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC. | Dan Perez, Broker - LIC in IL, IA, KS, KY, MO, NE, OK |Jeff Evans, Broker - LIC in AR, CO, GA, IL, MN, TN | John Boyken, Broker - LIC in IN | Kirk Gilbert, Broker - LIC in OH | Johnny Ball, Broker - LIC in AR | Bob Powers, Broker - LIC in TN | Brandon Cropsey, Broker - LIC in MI | Chris Wakefield, Broker - LIC in TN | Sybil Stewart, Broker - LIC in AL, MS, LA | Joey Bellington, Broker - LIC in TX

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

June 26, 2015

Page 31

Page 32

June 26, 2015

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HOT DEALS ON ELIGIBLE AR RIFLESCOPES 6/28/15 thru 8/8/15

RIFLESCOPES

RIFLESCOPES

RIFLESCOPES

• 4x zoom

• 100-yd. Parallax Setting

• 50-yd. Parallax Setting

• ARD Technology (except 16300, 16301)

• Quick Focus Eyepiece

• Compatible with Spot On Custom Turrets

• Snap-Up Instant Zero-Reset Turrets

• 3x zoom

• Precise, 1/4" at 50-yd. Target-Style

• Compatible with Spot On Custom Turrets

• Compatible with Spot On Custom Turrets

• Limited Lifetime Warranty/No-Fault Policy◊

• Limited Lifetime Warranty/No-Fault Policy◊

3 -12x42 SF Matte BDC 600

399

was: 459.99

99

SAVE

60

$

4 -12x40 BDC 800

199 was: 249.99

99

Hand-Turn Adjustments • Limited Lifetime Warranty/No-Fault Policy◊

2-7x32 Matte BDC 150

SAVE

50

$

149

was: 179.99

99

SAVE

30

$

Selection and prices vary by store./ Prices good June 28 - August 8, 2015.

◊Nikon No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy and Limited Lifetime Warranty for Binoculars, Riflescopes and Fieldscopes. For full details of the Nikon No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy and Limited Lifetime Warranty, visit NikonSportOptics.com *Participating Nikon authorized dealers and resellers only. Instant Savings amount deducted from dealer or reseller’s selling price. Offer valid for new eligible products only that are sold between June 28, 2015 and August 8, 2015 to retail customers by a Nikon authorized dealer or reseller within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Void where prohibited by law. All products are subject to availability. For eligible products and further details, please visit www.nikonpromo.com.

All Nikon trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation.