You’re sitting in your deer stand one cold, foggy morning when a movement at the edge of visibility catches your eye. Too small to be a deer, the movement takes shape as a well-spotted bobcat. Quickly you train your rifle and make the shot on the bobcat, which is so attractive that you intend it to be a lifesized mount in your office.
Unknowingly, you may have just entered the world of international trade in endangered species.
To be clear, bobcats aren’t an endangered species. Because of their abundance in Texas, they are classed as nongame with no closed season or bag limits. While a hunting license is required to take a bobcat, they may be taken opportunistically, such as while
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Teenager lands trout of a lifetime
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
At 18 years old, Tristan Banda landed a speckled trout that most anglers spend their entire lives pursuing. While wade-fishing out
of Getaway Lodge in Port Mansfield with Capt. Ruben Garza Jr., he caught and released a 30-inch speckled trout that weighed 10 pounds. His dad, Magdaleno Banda, and his uncle, John Banda, were wading alongside him.
“We left early that morning with Capt. Ruben and spent the entire day fishing north of the harbor,” Banda said. “The wind was blowing pretty hard, and the water was sort of off-color from the steady breeze. It was one of
those days where you had to grind for every bite.”
The group spent most of the morning wading in knee- to thigh-deep water, throwing topwater lures to the scattered fish.
“We would catch a redfish
Bass in the skinny
By Nate Skinner Lone Star outdoor newS
It’s that time of year for bass fishermen. The spawning season persists, as fish continue to move in and out of the shallows, depending on the stage of the spawn. Anglers are finding fish shallow or just off the bank.
Andrew Morgan and Lonnie Townsend recently spent a day on Bois d’Arc Lake, where they caught over 30 bass, with their
best five fish accumulating for a total of 21 pounds.
“We caught the majority of the bass in 2 to 7 feet of water around timber,” Morgan said.
“Our biggest fish were in the 5.5 pound range and seemed to come from deeper water. The smaller fish were in as shallow as 2 feet.”
Morgan said trees with branches extending out, barely below the surface of the water, held the most fish.
“Most of our strikes came on the fall, as the fish seemed to be suspended just under the surface, regardless of the water depth,” Morgan said. “Texasrigged soft plastics worked well during the morning hours when it was cloudy. Flukes and wackyrigged worms produced more strikes later in the day.”
On Sam Rayburn, Capt. Hank Harrison said the bass have been spawning in waves and moving in and out of the shallows.
A bobcat or its hide, if being taken out of state, needs a CITES tag, even though the animal is not endangered. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Tristan Banda caught and released this 10-pound speckled trout while wade-fishing out of Getaway Lodge in Port Mansfield.
Photo by Capt. Ruben Garza Jr.
Anglers can find fish along the bank and on secondary points adjacent to the bank as bass move in an out of the shallows. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
FROM WORK TO PLAY
WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
HUNTING
Young archers flock to state tourney
Lone Star outdoor newS
More than 5,000 students from 150 Texas schools competed at the National Archery in the Schools State Bullseye Tournament at Belton’s Cadence Bank Expo Center March 25-26. At the first state championship in 2006, there were 126 competitors. Participants have a chance to contend for scholarships, awards and qualify for the National Archery in the Schools Program National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.
For those competing, college scholarships will go to the top five male and top five female high school archers, along with trophies, medals and new bows and arrows in all categories. TX-NASP awarded nearly $55,000 in continuing education scholarships at the tournament.
Competitors represent schools that teach TX-NASP archery as part of in-school curriculum and shot a preliminary score in the state qualifying tournament to compete in the annual March tournament. The qualifying tournament was held in January.
First place teams in each division automatically qualify to attend the national tournament. Additional teams may attend with qualifying team scores, and 1st-10th
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North Zone toms stuck with hens
By Nate Skinner outdoor newS
Turkey hunters found large flocks of birds with tight-lipped gobblers during opening weekend of the North Zone spring turkey season. The toms were hard to pull away from the hens, but some were lucky enough to score mature
Jason Chancellor and his 13-year-old son, William, headed to their family property in Jack County. After a bit of a cat-andmouse game, the teen was able to tag a mature longbeard during an afternoon calling session, his first
“We got out to the property at about 2 in the afternoon and got set up near the edge of a pipeline clearing along a creek,” the teenager explained. “Then, we made some calls and sat for a while, but didn’t hear any gobbles or see any
After sitting for an hour or so, the father-son duo took a quick snack break. While walking back toward the area where they planned to hunt the rest of the evening, they made one call.
“Immediately we heard some birds gobble in response to our call,” William said. “We rushed down to our spot to get set up.”
His dad quickly got a hen decoy out and they tucked into the brush. They made a call, and some gobblers responded. Two hens came out in front of them, and three toms followed in full strut.
“We could hear them drumming,” William said. “They were basically in our lap. It was intense.”
The birds walked into view, and William was able to pick one out and make a great shot with his .410 shotgun.
Rob Watson spent opening weekend hunting with his son, Austin, in Schleicher County where he said the birds were in a typical early season pattern.
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TV host’s new ranch burns to ground
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
Keith Warren, host of “The High Road with Keith Warren” television show, has been a fixture in the Texas outdoor scene for decades. Recently, he and his wife, Mary, moved to a 500-acre ranch they purchased near Luther, Oklahoma, to live out their dream.
“As a native Texan, I never thought I’d ever leave Texas,” Warren, who has been vocal about the treatment of deer farmers by state agencies, said. “But I also didn’t think that the state would find me as an enemy either. Or target me and my family to the point that it was impossible for me to tolerate any longer. Destroying deer herds does nothing to remedy the problem. What it does is take away the incentive landowners have to cooperate with their agency. Sensible regulations are what drew us to Oklahoma, and we have been welcomed with open arms.”
While in the process of completing the move on March 14, tragedy struck. One of the 130 wildfires in Oklahoma came through.
“We drove up to Oklahoma and unloaded a trailer full of antique furniture,” Warren said. “Mary (his wife) went into town for supplies and I wanted to take a nap after traveling for two weeks.”
At some point, Warren’s phone rang. It was Mary calling.
“Get out of the house,” Mary told him.
“I thought maybe she brought ice cream for me and she
Students from elementary school through high school at the National Archery in the Schools State Bullseye Tournament in Belton. Photo from Kemp ISD.
William Chancellor, 13, harvested his first longbeard during the opening weekend of the North Zone spring turkey season while hunting with his dad, Jason, in Jack County. Photo by Jason Chancellor.
After buying and moving into a 500-acre ranch in Oklahoma, Keith and Mary Warren were met with a wildfire that destroyed the entire ranch and buildings. Photos from Keith Warren.
Guide’s wife bags first turkey
By Nate Skinner
As the wife of a hunting guide, Katie Montalvo has heard many stories about exciting and successful turkey hunts, but she had never been able to make one of those stories her own. That changed when she took her first tom on an afternoon hunt with her husband, Zach.
Moments after she pulled the trigger, Zach took another gobbler that had come within shotgun range, and the couple doubled up on boss birds.
“We started our hunt early in the afternoon on a property in Bandera County that just seemed to be dead and void of action,” Montalvo said. “We covered a lot of ground and never saw or heard a bird. Our plan was to wait the birds out, in hopes that they would start talking later in the afternoon. Then, my husband got a text from his partner with 4-C Outdoors, who had put some eyes on some gobblers on a different place where they hunt in Medina County. So we packed up and headed that
way.”
They arrived to the next property with high hopes.
“We walked into an area where we thought the birds would be within earshot, and Zach blew a crow call,” Montalvo said.
“Immediately, several gobblers sounded off in response. My heart started pounding, as we eased in closer and got set up along the edge of a sendero. We put out a strutter decoy and tucked into the brush.”
Zach started calling, and soon a hen started yelping back in response.
“I finally got to see him in his element,” she said. “I hear stories about this type of thing all the time, and I hear him practice his turkey calls around the house, but I’ve never had the opportunity to see him in action. It was like he was having a full-on conversation with this hen.”
The hen finally went silent, and about 10 minutes or so passed by. Then a group of about 10 hens showed up and walked by.
“Zach leaned over and told me to get ready, as he was almost certain some toms would be following the hens,” Montalvo
Lone Star Land Steward winners named
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the 2025 Lone Star Land Steward Ecoregion Award winners.
Edwards Plateau — Hershey Ranch, Gillespie County
The Hershey Ranch, operated by Andy and Nona Sansom, comprises restored Hill Country oak savannahs on limestone soils rich with native grasses. Springs and riparian corridors have been protected and excluded from grazing to maintain the integrity of the stream side banks. This included using natural materials such as rocks and trimmed brush to stabilize the soil and stream banks. Additionally, numerous groups are allowed access to the property for recreation.
High Plains — Little Las Vegas Ranch, Lamb County
The 2,200-acre Little Las Vegas Ranch, owned by John S. Roley, sits on the eastern edge of the Yellowhouse Draw. The property is home to numerous quail, Texas horned lizards, mule deer and white-tailed deer. The property is grazed on an as needed basis to manage the periodic regional droughts and is leased for hunting. The first 380 acres acquired were planted back to native grasses and wildflowers with funds intended to help preserve the lesser prairie chicken population in the area. More than 1,000 acres of native habitat has been restored. Pineywoods—Scrappin Valley Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Cooperative, Newton County Crest Natural Resources, Rufus and Marianna Duncan, and Scott Duncan formed a cooperative to manage the almost 14,000-acre Scrappin Valley Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Cooperative. By implementing measures to restore long leaf pine, managing existing stands of pine savannahs with selective thinning and frequent prescribed fire, the management team has not only restored the ecosystem, but also the historic Scrappin Valley lodge.
South Texas — Running V Ranch, Atascosa County
The 5,600-acre Running V Ranch, owned by Suzanne and Pat Schuchart, covers South Texas brush country property that has been managed by the same family since 1916. Over the last century the family has invested in water infrastructure, cross fencing, aerial application of herbicide for brush control and mechanical brush treatments to maximize forage and plant diversity for their cattle operation and wildlife, including white-tailed deer, quail, Rio Grande turkeys, mottled ducks and waterfowl.
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Katie Montalvo harvested her first gobbler while hunting with her husband, Zach, and he harvested another tom moments later. Photo from Zach Montalvo.
Tagging bobcats
Continued from page 1
deer hunting, or they may be taken through predator calling, use of hounds or trapping. Texas bobcats are especially attractive, with well defined spots on both the belly and the back of most cats. As such, they make attractive mounts or hides tanned and hung on the wall.
The Convention in Trade of Endangered Species is an international agreement formed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature which went into effect in 1975. The U.S. is a party to CITES and abides by the rules and regulations. While Appendix I of the treaty lists those species actually endangered, and thereby needing control of trade and monitoring, Appendix II of the treaty includes all cats (other than those listed on Appendix I) because of a “similarity of appearance” clause in the treaty. Bobcats were listed on Appendix II in 1977 because of this clause.
CITES requires the member countries to monitor these species, but because resident wildlife is managed by the states in the U.S., individual states collaborated to come up with a permanent tagging system that allows them to monitor harvest while still allowing the trade and movement of bobcats and their pelts.
In Texas, a locking CITES tag must be fixed on any bobcat pelt sold or traded and for
any bobcat moved out of state. Tags are free and can be obtained from any Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Office or a licensed dealer. A complete, mounted animal does not require a tag to be moved out-of-state.
Which brings us back to the bobcats taken by hunters or trappers. If that bobcat is going to an out-of-state taxidermist, a CITES tag must be put on the cat or hide before it leaves the state. Additionally, anyone other than a dealer who is transporting or shipping the bobcat out of state must “… complete, sign and submit an Out-of-State Shipping or Selling report within 20 days of when the pelt is shipped.” Forms are available online as well as instructions on where to submit them.
If your cat is going to an in-state taxidermist, then the taxidermist will complete any necessary paperwork and may have the bobcat tagged if they send it to an out-ofstate tannery.
Because bobcats are largely nocturnal and exist in lower densities than other furbearers, we rarely see them. For most sportsmen, taking a bobcat is a special event. Knowing the legal ways to move one will keep you out of trouble and allow you to memorialize that trophy cat.
Archery state champs
Continued from page 4
place male and female individual winners in each division qualify to attend.
3316 Austin Kealing 3315 Dallas Highland Park 3296
Austin Magellan International School 3284 Grand Prairie Ronald W. Reagan 3248 Mabank 3237
Eustace 3237
Austin Lamar Team 2 3220
Weatherford Peaster 3217
First turkey
Continued from page 5
said. “Just a few moments later, a tom came running in toward the strutter decoy.” Montalvo finally got a clear shot on the longbeard and took it. The bird folded immediately. Several other birds gobbled as her shotgun blast went off. She started to get up to go get her gobbler, but her husband stopped her.
“He started calling aggressively again, and another tom came into view at about 35 yards,” she said. “Zach picked up his shotgun and dropped the bird. It was an exhilarating experience, and it all happened so fast.”
FISHING
Last hour wahoo wins 3-month tourney
By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS
The Texas Coastal Wahoo Extravaganza ended its 3-month run with a nail-biter on its last day. Billed the largest wahoo tournament on the Texas coast, the Freeport-based tournament ran Jan. 1–March 31. All para fish.”
The director speculated the migration pattern was a little different than usual this winter, but even with the odd migration pattern, the teams were able to bring in a combined 1,545 pounds.
“You’re pretty much fishing with the best of the best,” Capt. Alvarez said.
Capt. Brandon Marek of Team Aquaholic
Fish on the move after downpours
By Nate Skinner newS
Torrential rains hammered stretches of the Texas coastline from the Coastal Bend south to lower coastal bays at the end of March. Anglers and guides found good numbers of redfish and speckled trout on the move, as the fish have been pushed around by the influx of freshwater run-
Portions of the Rio Grande Valley received the largest amounts of precipitation, with totals anywhere from 10-20 inches over a 2-day span.
Lower Laguna Madre guide Capt. Mike Mahl said speckled trout and redfish have been constantly on the move, staying ahead of the influx of freshwater runoff as it flows from the Arroyo Colorado into the bay system.
“The floods really flushed out the upper reaches of our estuary and pushed a ton of bait and shrimp out of the Arroyo’s watershed,” Mahl said. “If you can stay ahead of the freshwater, you can catch a lot of fish. They just aren’t staying in one spot, because the line of salty and fresh water is constantly changing. Every day is different
Mahl said the redfish were less affected by the runoff, and can be found even in the murkiest stretches of water, wherever there is concentrations of baitfish.
“Most of the trout have stacked up out in front of the hotels and other infrastructure along South Padre Island, over grass beds and sand pockets in about 3 feet of water, in the cleanest and saltiest water that they can find,” Mahl said. “Once you find where the fish are concentrated,
Shad spawn triggers hybrid bite
By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS
Where the shad are spawning, the hybrids aren’t far behind. Lakes in Central Texas are experiencing a hot bite, while to the north anglers are anticipating the better bite soon.
On Lake Buchanan, the shad spawn is in full swing.
“It’s been really good,” said guide Seth Hobbs. “They’re moving pretty good in the shallows and biting anything we threw at them.”
He and his clients have been having success using live bait and big slabs in a shad color.
“Right now, the shad spawn is going on,” Hobbs said. “It’s been an unprecedented bite we haven’t seen in a long time.”
In the early morning hours, there is a short
window for a top-water bite, but most of his clients’ fish have been at around 20 feet. Anglers can also run into stripers mixed in with the hybrids.
On Lake Somerville, the hybrids have started to turn on, with the best bite in 10-12 feet of water.
“We run those jet divers with a spoon behind them,” said guide Harvey Abke. “The shad spawn is just now kicking off with the hybrids beginning to feed on them. They will start schooling soon; when they do, we will switch to a slab.”
On Lake Tawakoni, the hybrids are spread out as the shad spawn is nearing.
“Right now, the creeks are really full, so they are scattered,” said guide Keith Parks. “Most people are having luck out in the main lake with
you can catch a bunch of them pretty easily.” Bryson Keylich and his dad recently targeted redfish in Baffin Bay with their family friend, Chris Varney, where they found slot and oversized reds scattered across grass beds with sand pockets in 1-3 feet of water.
“We were able to sight-cast to quite a few of the fish with soft plastics,” Keylich said. “They weren’t really in large schools. Most of the reds were cruising in small pods of two to three fish. If you were able to put the lure right in front of their face, they would chomp it.”
They also caught a handful of speckled trout from 17-18 inches over areas with deeper grass.
“Shallow grass flats held the cleanest water,” Keylich said. “The water was off-colored and dirty in deeper, main bay areas.”
In the Rockport area, Capt. Aerich Oliver said the few inches of rain that the Coastal Bend received didn’t seem to affect the fishing action much at all.
“The rain actually seemed to improve the redfish bite,” he said. “After the storms cleared, the reds in the Aransas Bay complex were feeding pretty hard. Grass beds in thigh-deep water with plenty of baitfish have been holding plenty of redfish from 20 to 27 inches. Soft plastics, topwaters and suspending twitch baits have all been producing strikes.”
The trout have been in stretches with deeper sand pockets surrounded by grass beds, Oliver said. Suspending twitch baits and paddletail soft plastics have been the most productive.
“There have been some larger trout in the 21to 26-inch range caught and released recently as well,” he said.
Team Aquaholic
2 0 shows the last fish of the day that helped them win the Wahoo Extravaganza.
Photo from Capt. Gus Alvarez.
Bryson Keylich cast to this redfish with a soft plastic while fishing over a grass flat with sand pockets in about 3 feet of water in Baffin Bay. Photo from Bryson Keylich.
Mike Warren, Breyden Buetell, Michael Sandoval and David Jackson show some of their hybrids caught on Lake Buchanan. Photo from Seth Hobbs.
Okie wins Mega Bass with 9.88-pounder
Lone Star outdoor newS
Lorne Smith, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, took home a Skeeter ZX200 Yamaha boat and trailer, along with $15,000 for the top hourly prize, for his 9.88-pound largemouth caught in the Classic Arlington Mega Bass 2025 tournament at Lake Fork. A total of eight “overs” were caught on the slot lake, representing bass measuring more than 24 inches. More than 1,300 anglers fished the event.
Hourly winners, each received $15,000:
8 a.m. Ross Moorman-Hahn Springtown / 7.93 pounds
9 a.m. Brian Millwood
West Monroe, Louisiana / 8.90 pounds
10 a.m. Robert Brooks
Ardmore, Oklahoma / 6.20 pounds
11 a.m. Tony Hill
Glenwood, Arkansas / 9.32 pounds
Better late than never
Oklahoma angler lands 16.39-pounder
Lone Star outdoor newS
Lindsay, Oklahoma resident Cullie Beveal was fishing with guide Kyle Hall on O.H. Ivie Reservoir on April 2, after the time to turn in fish had expired in the ShareLunker program.
He threw a big swimbait at a fish, located by forward-facing sonar while on a bed, and landed what became the 20th heaviest largemouth bass caught in the state, at 16.39 pounds.
Beveal’s fish will be able to be seen at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, though. According to the Center, Beveal reached out and offered to donate the fish for display in the new aquariums being installed and the center agreed. The fish also will be used in the Center’s stocking program.
The fish is the first of the year in the category called Lew’s Legend Class for bass 13 pounds or heavier caught outside the January–March season.
His fish bumped a 16.17-pound bass caught by Keith Burns at Caddo Lake in 2010 out of the Top 20.
A taste of fishing
Youngsters reel in more than 100 fish
By Tony Vindell
For Lone Star outdoor newS
A group of young beginners got the perfect taste for fishing at the Port Mansfield jetties. The group of six youngsters caught their limits of sheepshead plus a few other species during a saltwater trip sponsored by the Texas Youth Hunting Program on March 22.
The group, ages 9-17, fished along with their parents and volunteers as part of the program’s mission to introduce and educate them on the wildlife resources of the Lone Star State.
About 100 keeper fish were brought onboard the four participating boats. The majority were sheepshead, plus several pompano, speckled trout, whiting and even a ribbonfish.
Among the fishermen was Luke Hankie, a 9-year-old from Rockville, the youngest of the bunch. His parents, Justin and Jackie, said they were more than happy to have the opportunity to take their son to a day like this one.
“It was amazing,” she said. “It wasn’t just about fishing, but about safety, sharing stories and having fun.”
Hankie said they all stayed in the pavilion of Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce Friday and Saturday night where they were treated to several meals and were assisted by the many volunteers who participated in
Luke Hankie caught this
boat captains, including Steve Morris, of Kingwood, John Cumberland, of Kingsville and Homer Land, of Houston.
Volunteer Andrew Butler said the event was supported by the local chamber and from The Bait Shop owners, Jorge Martinez and Toni Chochran, who donated some of the bait used for fishing.
The program was set up initially to offer youth hunting opportunities among other things and it started adding fishing trips in the last two years.
sheepshead while being assisted by volunteer Jordan Butler. Photo from TYHP.
Cullie Beveal caught the 20th largest largemouth bass in Texas on April 2, while fishing on O.H. Ivie Reservoir with Kyle Hall. Photo from TPWD.
Photo by Bass Champs
TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 64 degrees; 1.63’ low. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.
AMISTAD: Water stained; 63 degrees; 66.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. White bass are fair on crankbaits, shad and swimbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on live bait and punch bait.
ARLINGTON: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.43’ high. Largemouth bass are good on creatures, chatter baits, spinner baits and topwaters.
ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 5.95’ low. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on fresh cut shad.
ATHENS: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.37’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, wackyrigged senkos and chatter baits. Crappie are slow.
AUSTIN: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.66’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lizards, creature baits and shallow crankbaits.
BASTROP: Water stained; 72 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and crankbaits.
BELTON: Water stained; 63 degrees; 2.95; low. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait.
BENBROOK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 1.11’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait.
BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.28’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged creatures, jigs and soft jerkbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
BOIS D’ARC: Water stained; 59 degrees; 3.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits. Crappie are good on jigs.
BRAUNIG: Water stained; 67 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Redfish are fair on crawfish and shrimp. Catfish are fair on cheese bait.
BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 0.33’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on glide baits, squarebilled crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are good on crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait and chicken liver.
BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 19.18’ low. Largemouth bass are good on brush hogs, buzz baits and spinner baits. Stripers and white bass are fair on
jigs and crankbaits. Hybrids are fair on live bait. Crappie are good on jigs.
CADDO: Water stained; 67 degrees; 0.94’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, swim jigs, chatter baits and flukes.
CALAVERAS: Water lightly stained; 66 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Redfish are slow. Catfish are good on shrimp and cut bait.
CANYON: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 30.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, buzz baits and senkos. Stripers are fair on top-waters.
CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 61 degrees; 0.16’ low. Hybrid and white bass are fair on slabs and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on fresh shad.
CHOKE CANYON: Water stained; 65 degrees; 34.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.
COLETO CREEK: Water stained; 68 degrees; 2.01’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastic lizards and craw worms.
CONROE: Water stained; 63 degrees; 0.01’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Hybrids are fair on jigs and live bait. Catfish are good on punch bait.
COOPER: Water stained; 60 degrees: 2.00’ low. Crappie are good on jigs.
CORPUS CHRISTI: 60 degrees; 14.22’ low. Catfish are fair on shad.
CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.46’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, jigs and soft jerkbaits. Crappie are good on jigs.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 64 degrees; 4.85’ low. White bass are fair on swimbaits and inline spinner baits. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and shad.
FALCON: Water stained; 70 degrees; 46.34’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and Texas-rigged power worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait and live bait.
mouth bass are good on Texas rigs, chatter baits and wacky-rigged senkos. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.
FT PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 60 degrees; 7.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on creature baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.
GRANBURY: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics and spinner baits. Striped bass are good on live shad. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and live shad.
GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.14’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and worms. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on shad.
GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 63 degrees; 0.17’ high. White bass are good on slabs.
HOUSTON COUNTY:
Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.24’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina rigs and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.
HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 13.88’ low. Largemouth bass are good on creature baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.
INKS: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.75’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, soft plastics, jigs, and spinner baits.
JACKSONVILLE: Water stained; 67 degrees; 0.17’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics, swimbaits and swim jigs.
JOE POOL: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.
LAKE O’ THE PINES:
Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.41’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas- rigged creature baits, jigs and soft jerkbaits.
FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on underspins, lipless crankbaits and spinner baits.
FORK: Water stained; 62 degrees; 0.32’ low. Large-
LAVON: Water lightly stained; 53 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are good on inline spinners and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad, carp and drum.
LBJ: Water stained; 67 degrees; 0.31’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs.
LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 59 degrees; 1.85’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass are fair on jigs, slabs and live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
LIMESTONE: Water stained; 62 degrees; 1.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on rooster tails and beetle spins. Catfish are fair on cut bait and minnows.
LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 64 degrees; 0.10’ high. White bass are good on spinners.
MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 69 degrees; 0.05’ high. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, swimbaits, and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slab spoons and underspin jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait.
MEREDITH: Water stained; 47 degrees; 47.51’ low. White bass are good on jigging spoons and artificial grubs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Walleye are good on minnows, bottom bouncers and soft plastics.
PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 0.18’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, chatter baits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on chicken liver and cut shad.
POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.61’ low. Stripers are slow. White bass are fair on small jigs and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut shad.
PROCTOR: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.06’ high. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait.
RAVEN: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on worms, chatter baits, drop shots, and wacky rigs.
RAY HUBBARD: Water stained; 56 degrees; 0.04’ low. White bass are good on jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on stink bait.
RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.75’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.
NACOGDOCHES: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.19’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-water frogs and weightless senkos. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on stink bait and cut bait.
NACONICHE: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.50’ high. Largemouth bass are good on glide baits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are slow.
NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees. 0.43’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.
NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
O H IVIE: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 23.41’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, chatter baits and Texas-rigged creatures. White bass are good on jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait.
OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 19.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on bladed jigs, shallow running crankbaits, and topwater frogs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.
RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.05’ high. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and shad.
SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 69 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
SOMERVILLE: Water stained; 65 degrees; 2.12’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on spoons. Hybrids are slow. Catfish are fair on cut shad and punch bait.
SPENCE: Water stained; 58 degrees. 47.11’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass are fair on spinner baits and spoons. Catfish are good on cut bait and dough baits.
STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 63 degrees; 3.73’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. White bass are fair on slabs.
TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass are good on square-billed crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Hybrid stripers and white bass bite are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are
n Saltwater reports Page 19
good on fresh cut gizzard shad and drum.
TEXOMA: Water stained; 55 degrees; 2.96’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, chatter baits and swimbaits. Striped bass are fair on live bait and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on shad.
TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 63 degrees; 1.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lizards, brush hogs and wacky worms. Crappie are fair on jigs.
TRAVIS: Water stained; 62 degrees; 44.72’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, swimbaits, topwaters and creature baits.
TYLER: Water stained; 67 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on chicken liver.
WACO: Water stained; 65 degrees; 2.06’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on roadrunners and jigs. Catfish are good on shad.
WALTER E LONG: Water stained; 65 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits, spinner baits, jerkbaits and Alabama rigs.
WHITNEY: Water stained; 59 degrees; 0.12’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Striped bass are good on live bait. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait.
WORTH: Water stained; 64 degrees; 2.62’ low. White bass are fair on paddle tail swimbaits and inline spinners. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and shad.
WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 60 degrees; 4.66’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
Spawning bass
“There are a lot of fish up along the banks on beds in the bushes and along the hay grass, and there are also schools of fish staging along shallow, secondary points that are adjacent to the shoreline,” Harrison said. “Flooded bushes, trees, and grass along the bank have been excellent for those wanting to flip soft plastics. Top-waters have been good out on the secondary points, just off the bank.”
Harrison said there are so many bass up shallow spawning, just leaving the shallows and entering a post-spawn pattern, or in a pre-spawn stage and about to move shallow, that you can almost choose how you prefer to fish.
“There are a lot of males up shallow, with the occasional big female mixed in,” he said. “You can cover water and find fish in all stages of the spawn, and eventually catch a big one. We have been catching fish of all sizes. At any second you could flip a lure into a bush and catch a doubledigit bass.”
Rick Cruz and Louie Cruz fished Kaufman Lake recently, and found chunky bass in the 2-5 pound range, up shallow. Most of the fish were feeding in 1-2 feet of water. Their best action came on flukes in a black and blue flake color pattern.
Double-digit speck
Continued from page 1
here and a trout there, but we could never really seem to get on a steady bite as we bounced around from spot to spot throughout the morning,” Banda said. “Around noon or so, we made a move to what we decided would be our last stop of the day.”
As they got out of the boat to make their last wade, Banda made the switch from a top-water to a soft plastic. On his first cast, he hooked up with a small speckled trout right by the boat. He landed the fish and released it.
“On my next cast, I felt a small thump,” Banda said. “I was still very close to the boat, as I had literally just gotten into the water and had only made two casts so far. At first I thought the subtle bite was going to be another small trout, but when I set the hook, it felt like I had hooked a log. At first there was just dead weight.”
Then, the dead weight that Banda hooked began to peel drag. The fish came to the surface, shaking its head, and he realized he was hooked up with the caliber of fish he had been hoping for all day long.
“Immediately, my nerves hit me all at once,” Banda explained. “I saw the trout surface again
and could see the lure in its mouth, which gave me a gut-wrenching feeling. I just knew she was going to throw that lure from her mouth any second.”
Banda’s dad and uncle both waded toward him to help him land the fish thrashing at the surface. His dad was able to net the fish and they all quickly realized just how big of a trout he had just landed. Garza helped them get a weight and measurement, and the celebration began.
Banda posed for photos with the fish, before releasing her.
Banda’s new personal best trout topped his dad’s and uncle’s best.
“They both have caught trout pushing 29 inches in length, but never one as big as this one,” Banda said. “They both were quick to let me know that they had spent their entire lives in pursuit of a fish like that.”
Garza said in his 20 years of guiding, he had seen several fish hooked by clients pushing 10 pounds or more, but this was the first one that had ever been successfully landed that weighed in at double digits.
Yahoo for last wahoo
Continued from page 8
to weigh in, so we made a move to the North Baker rig to just make three more passes,” Marek said.
The move paid off, as they hooked up while fast-trolling. Deckhand Clint Reyder was working to bring in the other lines when they had a bite on a floating bait. The last-hour fish weighed 75 pounds.
“We got lucky with the last fish of the day,” Marek said.
The fish put Team Aquaholic 2.0 ahead of Team Hot Spot by less than 2 pounds.
Team Hot Spot, out of Corpus Christi, received the second-place payout after having the lead until the last hour. In a show of good sportsmanship, Capt. Burns met Marek at the dock and helped unload the fish and watched it get weighed in.
“It was a pretty good moment,” Burns said. “You’re happy for the guy even though you know he got first.”
Team Hot Spot took home the biggest fish with an 84-pound wahoo they caught earlier in the tournament. Team Hot Spot’s total weight was 216.5 pounds.
Plans are underway for next year’s tournament. The two top-placing teams said they plan to return to hopefully battle it out again.
Lonnie Townsend caught this largemouth while fishing around timber on Bois d’Arc Lake. Photo by Andrew Morgan.
Two new fishing spots by canoe, kayak
Two new leased river access sites have been opened through the River Access and Conservation Area program.
The sites are private streamside properties where Texas Parks and Wildlife Department eases public river access from voluntary landowners who want to support river angling and paddling. The two newest RACA sites are on the Brazos River below Lake Granbury, in Somerville County, and on the San Marcos River, near Fentress in Guadalupe County.
Brazos River Site
Located at 1855 County Road 319 in Cleburne, the Rio Libros site offers complimentary parking for leased access users, and access to excellent fishing and paddling opportunities. Rio Libros is a popular site for wade-fishing.
The site is open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for bank or wade fishing and launching non-motorized boats, canoes, kayaks or other floatable devices for the purpose of fishing or paddling. Visitors are asked to contact Rio Libros at trespeacock@sbcglobal.net at least 24 hours in advance of arrival to ensure availability of space. TPWD leased access users must sign a liability form before using the property.
San Marcos River Site
Located at 218 River Grove Road, in Kingsbury, River Grove Get In site offers a complimentary parking area and access to approximately 200 feet of river frontage on the San Marcos River for bank or wade-fishing. This access site also serves as a take-out point for a 9.6-mile float from Staples Dam.
It is open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for bank or wade fishing and launching paddlecraft for the purpose of fishing or paddling. Visitors are asked to text (956) 792-6845 at least 24 hours before arrival to acquire the correct gate code and to ensure there’s availability of space.
—TPWD
Chasing hybrids
large slabs.”
Bucktail jigs in chartreuse and white also have been effective. Early in the day, the hybrids have been in the shallows. As the day progresses, they move out to 15-20 feet of water.
On Cedar Creek Lake, guide Brent Herbeck said hybrid striped bass are on the move, with some being caught 15-25 miles north up the creek.
“Some of them have come back,” he said. “We have been catching them on mid-lake humps in 20 feet of water. It seems they are scattered throughout the lake.”
Herbeck and his clients have had success using jig heads with paddle tails, spinners and crankbaits. Also, targeting the dock lights in the evening has been productive with a curly tail jig.
“Once the shad spawn starts, look for them early morning along the sea walls, and for the birds on the shore,” he said.
OUTDOOR BLOTTER
THAT’S A BIG GATOR
A Jasper County game warden assisted in relocating a 10-foot, 1-inch alligator that had wandered close to Hwy 96 south of Buna. While alligators are a common sight in the area, this gator appeared to be moving into the path of oncoming traffic, creating a potential hazard for motorists and the animal.
RED SNAPPER, BOATS SEIZED
The Coast Guard detained eight Mexican residents engaged in illegal fishing in federal waters. Boat and air crews located two lanchas and took the men into custody. Approximately 150 pounds of red snapper were seized, along with the two lanchas. The men were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
WINDS, FIRES AND FLOODS
Game wardens assisted during multiple weather events at the end of March and in early April. In the Texas Panhandle, wardens responded to multiple vehicle accidents
caused by extreme winds and assisted with wildfire reponses in Gray County. In the Rio Grande Valley, wardens assisted with evacuation calls after heavy rains and flooding in the area, and utilized aerial footage from the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program to locate those in need. In northeast Texas, the Search and Rescue Team helped evacuate and rescue residents impacted by flooding and tornadoes. They also checked on residents whose homes were damaged and assisted local authorities with clearing debris from roadways.
NUECES COUNTY WARDEN HONORED
Nueces County Game Warden Welden Rappmund was recognized as CCA Corpus Christi Game Warden of the Year and Texas Brush Country Chapter-Safari Club International Game Warden of the Year. Rappmund began his career in Maverick County in 2016 before moving to Nueces County in 2021, where he is currently stationed.
DOM INATE
The all-new ZXR SE—crafted to elevate your fishing experience without elevating your expenses. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, part of a high school or college fishing team, or simply chasing your passion, the ZXR SE is designed to deliver exceptional performance in a streamlined package. Redefining what “entry-level” can be, with a spacious front deck, generous storage capacity, and ergonomic performance seats, the ZXR SE isn’t just budget-friendly, it’s boundary-breaking –proving that greatness doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. ZXR SE. Simplicity, performance, and purpose—refined. Visit your nearest dealer to discover your future on the water today!
• Skeeter Built ® Trailer w/ Tongue
ENGINEERED LIKE NO OTHER
SHARE AN ADVENTURE
n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?
Email them with contact and caption information to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com. Highresolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Grip & Grin, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.
GRIP & GRIN
John B Collier VI, 14, took this mature tom on opening morning in Erath County. The tom came in from behind and got within 7 feet before John spotted him and shot him running away.
Charlie Humphreys, of Dallas, with an early morning bass from Lake Fork.
Chris Tymeson, Deputy Director of Advocacy for SCI, took this Rio Grande turkey near Hondo.
Ector Garcia caught the new white crappie water body record at Archer City Lake. The fish measured 15 3/4 inches and weighed 2.85 pounds.
Landon Carper shot this triple-bearded tom at 20 yards in Childress County with a Remington 1100, No. 4 shot.
“They were in pretty large flocks of about 30 birds or so, and the gobblers were basically following the hens wherever they went,” Austin Watson said. “The gobblers would gobble on the roost early in the mornings but were pretty much quiet during the daytime hours. They wouldn’t respond to calls really at all.”
The pair set up in the path the birds wanted to take coming off their roosts on opening morning, and Austin was able to harvest a longbeard. Then about two hours later, they were lucky enough to find themselves in the right place at the right time, and Austin scored a second mature gobbler.
“A cold front pushed through and dropped temperatures on the second day of the season, and seemed to shut the birds down,” Watson said.
Tyler Whiteley spent opening weekend hunting turkey with his bow in Wheeler County, with his 2-year-old son in tow. After two full days without having a longbeard come into the decoys, he finally arrowed a gobbler on the third morning of the season, all while his little boy was asleep next to him in the pop-up blind.
“On opening morning, the birds were very talkative coming off of the roost,” Whiteley said. “However, the gobblers would not leave the hens to close the distance on my calls.”
On the last morning, Whiteley was able to call in a mature bird.
The tom closed the distance quickly,” he said. “By the time he gobbled three times, he was nearly on top of me. I saw his shadow coming from the left as he approached the decoys. As soon as he came into view through the window of the blind, I let my arrow fly. The gobbler flopped right where he was standing.”
His son slept through the whole ordeal, and got to wake up to a longbeard on the ground.
Austin Watson shows off one of two gobblers he took during the opening weekend of the North Zone spring turkey season while hunting with his dad, Rob, in Schleicher County. Photo by Rob Watson.
14
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES
Freeport Harbor
Port O’Connor
Nueces Bay
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER
Solution on Page 20
ACROSS
5) Brady’s river (2 words)
7) Hunting boot brand
10) A turkey call
11) A Great Lake
13) One of the cats
14) The male canvasback
15) A crappie hangout
17) Big Spring’s county
18) McLennan County’s seat
21) Benjamin’s county
22) A deer favorite
24) An African antelope
25) Hill Country lake
26) Texas’ turkey
27) Hunting TV host
29) Turkey hunters’ org.
33) A duck favorite
36) Shotgun brand
37) Fishing knot
38) Border lake
40) Skin hanging over tom’s beak
41) Texas crime stopper org.
42) Lake near Eastland
43) Rifle brand
44) Texas state dog, blue ___ DOWN
1) Bass ambush spots 2) One of the hawk, red ____
Sinker type 4) A turkey sound 6) Shotgun type (2 words) 8) Organ eaten by turkey hunters 9) Corpus Christi’s baseball team 10) One of the divers
12) Rockwall County lake, Ray ___
13) Alpine’s county
15) The G1
16) Feature at the springtime boil
17) Ammo brand
19) Freestone County’s seat
20) Salmon species
23) Coastal bay
28) Fort Worth’s county
30) Where the oscillated turkey lives
31) Carthage’s county
32) Hutto’s team name
34) Coastal anglers’ org.
35) Watch for these on the turkey hunt
39) Shot size used by turkey hunters
Positions at Silencer Central
Silencer Central is looking to add an email marketing specialist and a digital marketing specialist at its headquarters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Agency for Rossi, Heritage
Swanson Russell announces new partnerships with firearms manufacturers Rossi and Heritage, two brands under Taurus Holdings, Inc.
Yoern joins BKK Hooks
BKK Hooks hired Casey Yoern as its new director of marketing.
Three boat businesses for sale
BRP announced it would sell its Alumacraft, Manitou and Telwater (Quintrex, Stacer, Savage and Yellowfin) marine businesses.
Marketing head at C&H C&H Precision appointed GW Ayers as vice president of sales and marketing.
Greenworks retains Idea Ranch
Idea Ranch was retained as the advertising agency for Greenworks Commercial, a leader in battery-powered outdoor power equipment.
Marketing jobs at Leupold Leupold & Stevens is seeking a partnership marketing specialist – hunting and a channel marketing specialist – shooting.
Fleming named CEO WOOX named Ben Fleming as its new chief executive officer and vice president of sales.
2 catfish fillets
1/2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tbsp. chopped
Season the catfish with salt, pepper, paprika, and oil. Place the fish in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cook time. Serve and drizzle fish with lemon juice and garnish with parsley. —Ohio DNR
In a 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apple slices, sherry and raisins. Cook 5 minutes, or until apples are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; set aside. In small saucepan, combine sugar, brandy and apple cider. Cook over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Set syrup aside. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add steaks and
cook about 5 minutes, or until meat is browned, turning steaks once. Drain. Pour syrup over steaks and bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat to low. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes or until desired doneness. To serve, place steaks on platter. Spoon apple slices and raisins around steaks. Strain cooking liquid through a mesh sieve. Spoon half of liquid over meat and apples. Serve remaining on the side.
—Pennsylvania Game Commission
parsley
Paprika Salt and pepper
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT
SABINE LAKE: 67 degrees. Redfish and black drum are good on live shrimp. Speckled trout and flounder are fair on soft plastics.
BOLIVAR: 70 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp. Black drum are good on shrimp and halved crab. Sheepshead are good on live shrimp.
TRINITY BAY: 68 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics. Redfish are fair on soft plastics. Sheepshead and black drum are good on live shrimp.
EAST GALVESTON BAY: 69 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics and live shrimp. Redfish are fair on imitation shrimp and soft plastics under popping corks. Oversized black drum are fair on halved crab.
WEST GALVESTON BAY: 68 degrees.
Oversized black drum are fair on halved crab. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are slow.
TEXAS CITY: 66 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp. Oversized black drum are good on halved crab. Sheepshead and keeper black drum are good on live shrimp.
FREEPORT: 68 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on live shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastics. Sheepshead and black drum are good on live shrimp.
EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 70 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on soft plastics and top-waters.
WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 70 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on soft plastics and top-waters.
PORT O’CONNOR: 68 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics.
Slot redfish are fair on shrimp and sardines. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp. Oversized black drum are good on blue crab.
SAN ANTONIO BAY: 68 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp. Redfish are fair on cut mullet. Sheepshead are good on dead shrimp.
ROCKPORT: 65 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are good on shrimp and cut mullet. Black drum are good on live or dead shrimp and fish bites.
REDFISH BAY: 70 degrees. Redfish, black drum and sheepshead are good on dead shrimp.
PORT ARANSAS: 65 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp. Oversized redfish are good on cut crab and mullet. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp.
CORPUS CHRISTI: 70 degrees. Redfish, black drum and sheepshead are good on dead shrimp.
BAFFIN BAY: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and top-waters.
PORT MANSFIELD: 77 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and top-waters.
SOUTH PADRE: 70 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on live shrimp under a popping cork. Black drum are good on shrimp. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are good on live shrimp.
Rolling Plains — Ribelin Ranch, Stonewall County
Brad and Melissa Ribelin own and operate 1,940 acres of Rolling Plains grassland that they have worked diligently to improve over the last decade, primarily for the benefit of bobwhite quail and quail research. Extensive brush control with aerial spraying and mechanical removal has improved the condition of the ranch by allowing sunlight to reach the ground increasing the forb diversity and grass density on the property. In turn, once the brush was made manageable the diligent use of prescribed fire is utilized to maintain their brush control efforts in the long term.
Trans Pecos — Bar O Land and Cattle, Jeff Davis and Culberson Counties
Bar O Land and Cattle, owned and operated by Tim and Lou Edwards, goes from the heights of Gomez Peak in the Davis Mountains and stretches into the lowlands of the Delaware Basin 1,800 vertical feet below. Their 20,000 acres in this dry landscape harbor vistas, stretches of desert grassland mixed with creosote bush and rocky hillsides that feed the ranch’s extensive water distribution system. Mule deer, elk and aoudad inhabit the property.
The Lone Star Land Steward Award recognizes private landowners in Texas for their exemplary contributions to land, water and wildlife stewardship.
The winning landowners and properties will be recognized May 21 at the annual Lone Star Land Steward Award banquet.
PENNSYLVANIA
Deer harvest up 11 percent
Pennsylvania hunters harvested about 11 percent more deer in the 2024-25 hunting seasons than they did the year before, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates.
The statewide 2024-25 harvest is estimated at 476,880 deer, 175,280 of them antlered deer and 301,600 antlerless. The statewide 2023-24 harvest was estimated at 430,010 deer.
The 2024-25 buck take was up 2 percent over the year before, and 9 percent over the most recent 3-year average. The antlerless harvest increased 17 percent over the year before and 21 percent over the 3-year average. —PGC
FLORIDA
Boater loses his cool
MICHIGAN
Guarding the sturgeon run
Sturgeon For Tomorrow gathers volunteers mid-April through early June to stand guard as mature lake sturgeon head upstream to their spawning sites along the Black River. The Black Lake Chapter of Sturgeon For Tomorrow is working in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and various tribes to protect the fish from illegal harvest during the six-week spawning season. Volunteers are assigned shifts along the river to stand watch and report suspicious activity to the DNR conservation officers patrolling the area. The program also uses aerial surveillance for additional monitoring.
30,000 Acres Cotulla Area • Lots of Gobblers • Fed Blinds ' Hunt 20 Miles of Prime Nueces River Bottom
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2 Day Hunt for $1,050 / One Turkey/ One Hog
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Tariffs don’t apply to animal trophies
A confrontation between two boaters turned violent and resulted in one man’s arrest. The incident, captured on video, stemmed from a different confrontation that occurred two days prior and became viral on the internet.
The confrontation, which took place under the Barron Collier Bridge, involved a 40-yearold charter captain, Brock Horner, and a young man alone on his boat.
3 Day Hunt for $1,450 /Two Gobblers/ One Hog
The investigation revealed a history between Horner and the victim. On March 30, near the Gilchrist Bridge, Horner allegedly drove his vessel dangerously close to the victim’s, resulting in a heated exchange. Horner reportedly became aggressive, finally jumping onto the young man’s vessel and grabbing him by the shirt. The young man said he considered jumping off his own boat to get away.
Horner was arrested and faces charges of burglary with assault or battery.
—Staff report
Personal sport-hunted trophies shipped to the United States are exempt from the new tariffs on imported goods, according to Safari Club International. Relevant information is in the 2025 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (Revision 6) of the United States released by the U.S. International Trade Commission. Trophy importations for U.S. citizens and residents are classified in the tariff schedule as 9804.00.55 in Section XXII Chapter 98, which states that all game animals (including birds and fish) killed abroad by a returning U.S. citizen/resident after traveling abroad and imported by him/her for noncommercial purposes do not incur any duty fees. Chapter 99 also notes that most of the exempted goods listed in Chapter 98, including hunting trophies, are exempt from any additional tariffs. Other items hunters might include in a shipment with their trophies may not be exempt from tariffs. That includes curios, art, furniture, or other purchased goods, as well as trophies or items made from animals they purchased but did not hunt themselves.
Puzzle solution from Page 18
From paradise to ashes
wanted me to come outside,” Warren said. “She said, ‘No, get out now, it’s a fire.’”
Mary had driven against traffic fleeing the fire to get home.
“We were surrounded by the fire and trapped for three hours — the winds were incredible,” Warren said. “I grabbed a few guns and she grabbed her jewelry box. That’s it — everything else is gone. The whole 500 acres is scorched. Deer that survived are sick from smoke inhalation. Guns, equipment, furniture, we didn’t even have a toothbrush.”
What about things in the gun safe?
“There’s no gun safe that can withstand that kind of heat,” Warren said. “Everything inside melted.”
After the fire, the worst in history in that part of the state, Warren was encouraged that the first visitor to the site was an insurance representative, but said the insurance and cleanup wheels still don’t turn very quickly.
“We rented a house in Edmond, about 30 to 40 minutes away,” he said. “Everything closer was full — there were 50 other families displaced by the fire.”
Since the fire, the Warrens have been astounded at the help received from friends, sponsors and especially people in the deer industry.
“People want to help,” he said. “My initial instinct is to say I’ll take care of things myself, but Mary reminded me of the joy we get when we help others, and not to steal others’ joy. It’s been amazing — I’ve learned a lot from this experience.”
The family received clothes from sponsors and help from neighbors and friends, but it was an offer from Amish deer farmers, many from states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, at the National Deer Farmers Association the next week in Indianapolis, that really took
them aback.
“An Amish group of deer farmers told me they were coming to help clean up the mess,” he said. “I told them there was nowhere for them to stay and they said, ‘We’ll worry about that when we get there.’”
Warren said they definitely plan to rebuild on the property.
“We have ourselves and we’re keeping our chins up and have a good attitude,” he said. “No matter how bad we have it, someone else has it worse. We thought all of the decisions
we made were working out perfectly — we sold our Texas ranch and found a beautiful place in Oklahoma. But you have no idea when you wake up in the morning what’s going to happen.”
Meanwhile, the Warrens have a pressing issue.
“I’m taking Mary bear hunting in Canada at the end of the month,” Warren said. “We’re going to have to prove we are who we say we are to get new passports quickly.”
Paddling trails with fishing in mind
A new paddling trail adjacent to the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area and State Park near Port O’Connor opened April 5, giving anglers and paddlers access to 26 miles of shoreline and marshland habitat.
The trail has four segments, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Boggy Bayou Trail covers protected marsh and goes across a seagrass-filled lake and over oyster beds; The Matagorda Shoreline Trail traverses the shoreline of the future state park to historic Indianola; the Powderhorn Lake Loop Trail heads around Powderhorn Lake; and the Coloma Creek Trail is a remote water body with shallow mud flats, similar to a shallow bay, that narrows down and enters a second lake.
Anglers along the trail can target spotted seatrout and flounder, and hopefully sight-cast to tailing redfish.
The great room in Keith and Mary Warren’s new home contained many mounts and artifacts, all of which were lost after a strong wildfire came through. Photo from Keith Warren.
Lone Star outdoor newS
DATEBOOK
APRIL 12
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB
Oklahoma Chapter Banquet
Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City dscok.org
APRIL 17
WHITETAILS UNLIMITED
Brazos Valley Deer Camp
Brazos Center, Bryan whitetailsunlimited.com
APRIL 19
MULE DEER FOUNDATION
North Texas Banquet
Knights of Columbus Hall, Keller (325) 277-6770
muledeer.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Matagorda County Banquet
Bay City Civic Center (979) 216-6818 ducks.org
APRIL 25
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Ellis County Dinner
Waxahachie Civic Center (214) 673-7264 ducks.org
APRIL 26-27
TEXAS GUN & KNIFE SHOWS
Kerrville Happy State Bank Expo Hall (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com
APRIL 26
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
Bell County Banquet
Cadence Bank Center, Belton (254) 707-0081 rmef.org
MAY 1
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
San Antonio Banquet
Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall (210) 289-8821 ccatexas.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Seguin Banquet
Geronimo Community Center (830) 660-5602 ducks.org
MAY 3
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
Permian Basin Banquet
Bush Convention Center, Midland (432) 770-2217 rmef.org
QUAIL COALITION
Sooner State Dinner & Auction Oklahoma History Center Museum Oklahoma City quailcoalition.org
Lone Star Longbeards Banquet Brazos Center, Bryan (979) 219-0286 nwtf.org
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Austin Banquet Palmer Events Center cherylccaaustin@gmail.com ccatexas.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Comal County Banquet New Braunfels Civic Center (210) 215-5573 ducks.org
MAY 9-10
SHALLOW SPORT
Shallow Sport & SCB Tournament South Padre Island (956) 233-9489 shallowsporttournament.com
MAY 9
DELTA WATERFOWL
Deep East Texas Dinner Nacogdoches County Civic Center (936) 556-1474 deltawaterfowl.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED Boerne Banquet The Cana Ballroom (281) 684-1858 ducks.org
MAY 13
DUCKS UNLIMITED Granbury Dinner La Bella Luna (817) 219-5246 ducks.org
MAY 16
ROLLING PLAINS QUAIL RESEARCH FOUNDATION RPQRR Annual Field Day Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch Roby (806) 346-7409 quailresearch.org
MAY 17
DELTA WATERFOWL Cen-Tex Dinner Riesel Lion’s Club (254) 412-9742 deltawaterfowl.org
MOBILE SPORTING CLAYS FOR HIRE!
Fundraisers, Corporate, Parties! Sales/Service all Traps! 40+ Years Experience! (817) 999-1395
4,900-ACRE STONEWALL COUNTY HUNTING LEASE: Trophy whitetail deer, dove, hogs. On historic JD Patterson Ranch in northwest TX with 20+ years in TPWD management program. Also MLD participant. $12 per acre. Low fence. One-year provisional lease. Option to extend based on responsible stewardship of native wildlife/habitats. ButchN@Caprock-Spur.com (806) 543-4215
HUNTING. EXOTICS, WHITETAIL. BEST PRICES. NO MIDDLEMAN. LETS HAVE FUN. (830) 928-0370
TEXANS ARCHERY CLUB Network of Archery Ranges For One Membership! TEXASARCHERY.INFO
Bloodlines For Details Call (830) 324-6690
SOUTH AFRICAN PLAINS GAME HUNTS
5 days, 4 animals. Includes Taxidermy, shipping, meet and greet and transfers LONESTARAFRICA.COM/ HUNTING-PACKAGES/
AUSTRALIAN WATER BUFFALO HUNTS
Come see us at the DSC Summer Expo July 17-19 Grapevine, Texas Graham Williams BUFFALO577.COM BUFFALO577@HOTMAIL.COM
HOG HUNTING Rocksprings, TX 4 Blinds and Feeders. Nice Cabin for 3 People. 3 Hunters $500 Each RON: (612) 723-1323
GALVANIZED COTTON SEED FEEDERS
300# Capacity: $275
1,000# Capacity: $1,200 Sunrise Fabrication Mathis, TX (361) 362-3283, ask for Harry
LEARN TO BECOME AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER AdjustingOnline.com Enhance your Resume Consultation: INFO@ADJUSTINGONLINE.COM
PROFESSIONAL BOOKKEEPING SERVICES From a name, you know and trust Contact Lea Marsh Accounts payable/receivable/payroll Small business, nonprofit or personal Let me handle your numbers CALL (970) 580–8254
Based in Texas and in Africa, LONE STAR AFRICA offers traveling hunters a unique service. With partners in Africa, yet based in Texas, we bring you Africa with absolute peace of mind. Based on our media knowledge, understanding of every element of the safari, it is time to take care of hunters, from A-Z.
How it works
• A unique ‘End-to-End’ service, where traveling is about enjoying the safari and us taking care of every detail. We take care of:
• Booking flights through an agent who specialises in this.
• Arranging the Joburg airport meet and greet, gun permits if you need, overnight accommodation with Afton Safari Lodge
• Transfers to and from the game lodge.
• On the ground, 24/7 contact, while in Africa, giving you ‘in-country’ peace of mind.
• Offering the most affordable ALL-IN safari pricing using trusted and qualified outfitters.
• Ensuring the taxidermy & trophy shipping - of your trophies is efficient, superior quality and the most affordable solution. From the salt on the game farm to your trophy room, finished and processed, this turnkey A-Z, one point of contact service; is what we call taking care ‘after the hunt.’
