Unlocking the combination to the salt
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
The Texas coast continues to be inundated with freshwater runoff from unseasonably late summertime rains. Along the Upper Coast where freshwater inflow sources are most significant, anglers have been focusing on deeper areas where some of the saltiest wa ter is concentrated, as well as back lakes hold ing cleaner water.
Capt. Ryan Harrison, a Galveston Bay guide, has been focusing his efforts on struc ture near the Galveston Ship Channel around Seawolf Park and out to the rocks of the north and south jetties. He said the speckled trout bite has been steady despite the consistent rain events.
“Luckily, we’ve had some pretty large in coming tides during most of the rain events, so areas along our channels and passes have consistently held good numbers of trout,” Harrison said. “The best action for trout has been coming from live croaker, but live shrimp and soft plastics have been producing plenty of fish as well.”
Most of the trout have been in the 17-18 inch range, with plenty of sheepshead, black drum and some redfish mixed in.
“You really can’t go wrong fishing the Galveston Channel or the jetties right now,” he said. “The fish are stacked up and hungry.”
David Blackwell has been targeting rocks, flats, and marsh drains along the Intracoast al Waterway from the High Island area back down to Tiki Island and the mouth of Greens Lake in West Galveston Bay. He’s been catch ing plenty of redfish in all sizes around rocks and riprap while chunking crankbaits and spinner baits.
“I’ve also been finding some decent trout along the edges of the ICW in upper West Galveston Bay,” he said. “I had been search ing for redfish from the mouth of Greens Lake back toward Tiki Island around shell, rocks, and marsh drains, but couldn’t keep the trout
Kayak angler lands record Guadalupe bass
‘The kicker buck’
By Reis Ladd
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Long days, short nights, soaring temperatures and roaring axis bucks are indicative of a Texas Hill Country summer, but not necessarily on most people’s summer vacation radar. For Brian Knight, a Florida resident and tarpon fishing guide, his love for hunting brought him to the Lone Star State as soon as the busy season for the silver king tapered down.
Knight’s love for hunting led him to Texas, and this year he was chasing freerange rutting axis bucks with Texas Hunting Resources. Little did he know the magical concoction of timely rains and Mother Nature’s good fortune resulted in one of the best axis seasons on record for the region.
The first afternoon of Knight’s four-day hunt was designed to be more of a scouting session and quickly disclosed to the hunting party what was in store for the week.
“I was completely amazed at the sheer quantity of animals on the landscape, both axis and whitetails,” Knight said. In the first few hours of the hunt, Knight and his guide, Ky McNett, estimated they saw nearly 30 different bucks. One buck though was at the top of the list.
“I was fishing on Inks with my brother-in-law, Cornell H. Dixon II, and we were on our way back to the dock,” Barela explained. “It was early afternoon, and
Knight learned of a buck the landowner had seen, saying it was the biggest axis deer he had ever seen, and Knight wanted to see it in person. The landowner said the hunters would recognize the buck considering it had an exceptionally long extra point near the top of his left main beam.
While on foot after taking a closer look at a group of deer that first afternoon, Knight described an animal catching his eye during their march down an old caliche road back to the hunting rig.
“I noticed something skirting away from us about 150 yards off the road,” he said. “At first, I really wasn’t sure what I was looking at. It was bigger than anything I had ever seen, in life or on TV.”
“That’s him! That’s the buck!” McNett exclaimed.
After recognizing the buck, the hunter and guide gave chase. They pursued the
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
FISHING
Texas Olympians shine (P 4) Hancock wins fourth gold.
Aoudad with a bow (P 6)
Youngster crawls to within 8 yards.
Multiple marlin highlight tourneys (P 8)
Fish come in at Port Mansfield, Port O’Connor. Cats biting on Braunig, Calavaras (P 8)
Decreased power generation slows redfish.
Volume 20, Issue 24
Casting into deeper, saltier water has been a key to finding speckled trout and redfish. Anglers up and down the coast are reporting early morning and midday bites are good. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
After locating this big axis, Brian Knight was able to get close enough the next morning. Photo by Ky McNett.
On Inks Lake, Immanuel Barela landed and released a massive Guadalupe bass that topped 4 pounds. Photo by Cornell Dixon II.
FROM WORK TO PLAY
WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
HUNTING
Texas Olympic shooters win big
By Craig Nyhus Star outdoor newS
Vincent Hancock made history by winning his fourth gold medal in Men’s Skeet at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at France’s Chaterauroux Shooting Centre. Hancock, a native Georgian, now lives in Texas and coaches at the Northlake Shooting Range, in Northlake, just northwest of Roanoke.
Bringing harvested waterfowl back to life
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
In a few years, Kley Pruski has gone from a deer hunter to an award-winning waterfowl taxidermist.
Pruski grew up deer hunting with his dad and brothers in South Texas. While his passion for the outdoors continued to grow, he had no idea he would later fall in love with the sport of waterfowl hunting. He now owns and operates KP Waterfowl Taxidermy, in Floresville, not far from his Wilson County hometown of Kosciusko, and is dedicated to bringing harvested ducks and geese back to life through the mounts he crafts.
Throughout much of his life, Pruski said he hadn’t given the idea of waterfowl hunting much thought.
“We always had a deer lease in South Texas,” he said. “My brothers and I would dove hunt with our dad occasionally, and we fished a lot along the Cibolo Creek, but we didn’t hunt ducks and geese.”
Pruski attended and graduated from Texas A&M University before returning home to Wilson County to work for his family’s business. Then, about 4 years ago, he went on his first duck hunt in the El Campo area.
“Another company that we do a lot of business with had booked a hunt and invited us to join them, so my younger brother and I decided to go,” Pruski said. “We had no idea what to expect, but immediately became addicted to watching ducks work over decoys.”
Pruski said hearing the cupped wings of ducks cut through the calm, predawn air for the first time was something he will never forget.
“We only harvested a handful of ducks on that initial
Please turn to page 18
Hancock earned his first Olympic gold in Beijing 2008, his next in London 2012, and his third in Tokyo 2020.
Conner Prince, who lives in Fort Worth and works at his father’s machine shop in Burleson, started training with and being coached by Hancock in 2018 at Northlake Shooting Sports, making Hancock’s win more special. It was Prince’s first Olympic games and the silver was the first Olympic medal of his skeet shooting career. Prince
is a senior manufacturing and industrial management major at Tarleton State University.
Hancock and Prince’s double podium marked the first time the U.S. has earned more than one medal in Men’s Skeet at an Olympic Games.
Austen Smith, of Keller, won bronze in Women’s Skeet, her first Olympic medal, after finishing 10th at her first Olympic appearance in Tokyo in 2020. She also is
Loafing cover for bobwhite quail
Habitat practices can help bobwhite quail deal with heat and predators by emphasizing “loafing cover.”
Loafing cover refers to types of vegetation and its structural components that quail use to rest and avoid predators during nonfeeding periods. Ideal loafing cover for bobwhite quail typically includes dense, low-growing vegetation interspersed with areas of bare ground.
Dr. Dan Foley examined the importance of loafing cover, which provides respite from thermally adverse conditions (either hot or cold). During pe-
vides quail with vital protection and resources, which are critical for their overall well-being and population stability, he said.
The cover should be tall enough to provide concealment but open enough to allow quail to detect and escape predators, Foley said. Common vegetation types in the Rolling Plains include woody brush species like lotebush, wild plum, catclaw acacia, four-wing saltbush and taller forms of prickly pear cactus.
Loafing cover offers quail protection from avian and terrestrial predators. The dense vegetation allows quail to
Learning without sleeping at Buckskin Brigades
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
Chloe Matocha, 16, recently completed the North Texas Buckskin Brigade camp at the Warren Ranch in Santa Anna.
“Each day, we marched in the morning, and then for each subject, there was a lecture followed by going into the field for hands-on experience,” she said.
The topics studied included the anatomy of a deer, followed by a nec-
ropsy of an axis deer, spotlight surveys, aging deer using teeth, scoring deer, using a trap net, rattling, archery and shooting .22s and .243s.
“And plants,” Matocha said. “We learned a lot about plants, and what deer like and what they don’t like.”
The five-day camp was intensive, with little time for sleep from staying up late each night working on their projects and getting up at 5 a.m. each day.
How did she handle the lack of sleep?
“I didn’t,” Matocha said. “You reach a certain point where you’re too tired to be tired.”
Matocha chose to do her project on managing a ranch for deer.
When asked for her favorite part of the experience, Matocha replied, “All of it. Although I didn’t like the plants that much — it’s hard to remember the names when they’re in Latin.”
Her father, Chris, said there was an added benefit to the camp.
“She talked to me for two hours on the way home about it,” he said.
ground within the cover facilitates a rapid escape if a predator is detected. By having access to suitable loafing cover, bobwhite quail also can conserve energy that would be spent on avoiding predators or searching for adequate resting sites.
Foley said for wildlife managers and landowners, maintaining and enhancing loafing cover is a key component of quail habitat management. Practices such as limited grazing, controlled burning, selective brush management and the planting of native vegetation can help create and sustain optimal loafing cover.
Vincent Hancock won his fourth Olympic gold medal in Men’s Skeet, and two of his students, Conner Prince and Austen Smith, won medals. Photo by USA Shooting.
Kley Pruski operates KP Waterfowl Taxidermy in Floresville, where his goal is to bring harvested ducks and geese back to life. Photo from Kley Pruski. Protecting
predators is an important habitat practice. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Cadets at the Buckskin Brigade learn scoring of antlers as part of their camp experience. Photo from Buckskin Brigade.
HENRY LONG RANGER
The Henry Long Ranger delivers the accuracy and performance of a bolt-action with the speed of lever-action thanks to its geared action, rotary locking bolt face, and the free-floated blued steel barrel. From coyote to whitetail to elk, the Henry Long Ranger will take your hunt to the next level.
Long Ranger Express .223/5.56
Long Ranger Wildlife Editions
Long Ranger Deluxe Engraved Editions
Big axis
Continued from page 1
buck to a brush thicket, but with fading light and the buck having calmed since their initial sighting, the two decided to leave him for the morning.
That next morning they made their way to the zone where they left the big buck. As daylight broke, a big-bodied, heavy-horned buck became visible in a small meadow across from the hunters, about 300 yards away. The initial excitement was curtailed when they realized it wasn’t “the kicker buck.” Regardless, this buck was big enough the hunters decided he warranted a closer look and slipped within 150 yards. Upon further inspection, the buck’s antler was broken from fighting, and got a pass.
From their new location, Knight and McNett scanned for more deer but only tuned up one other: A different axis buck on the edge of the same meadow, but slightly obstructed by the brush line. After a few minutes the new buck revealed himself as none other than the buck from the evening prior. One broadside shot at 137 yards standing and off shooting sticks from Knight’s Bergara HMR Carbon in 7 PRC and the deed was done.
“As soon as the buck hit the ground Ky’s excitement shot through the roof,” Knight said. “Being a guide myself and watching Ky get as excited as he was, I knew we had just done something really special.”
Knight’s buck measured 36 inches on his typical side and 34 on his nontypical side, with his tell-tale 14-inch extra point protruding off the side of his left main beam. The landowner did get to see the buck in person, and the group agreed to have a replica shoulder mount made to display at the ranch and keep “the kicker buck’s” legacy alive.
Medal winners
Continued from page 4
coached by Hancock at Northlake Shooting Sports.
On Aug. 5, the coach and student, Hancock and Smith, competed in Skeet Mixed Team, reaching the Gold Medal Match against the Italian team of Gabriele Rossetti and Diana Bacosi.
Hancock and Smith fell one target short, winning silver, while the Italians took home the gold.
By Miguel Morales For Lone Star outdoor newS
Eight yard shot
In July, Todd Grigsby arrived at El Tesoro Ranch with his wife Ainsley, and his youngest son Oliver. They would be dropping off Oliver to work for the next week and a half after Mike Moran’s son, Thomas, had been working there for the past week and gained some great experience.
The boys learned how to irrigate food plots, set cellular game cameras, fix PVC leaks, and do other general ranch work that keeps the place running smoothly. After seeing some incredible animals, the boys were intrigued and got the green light to spot and stalk some exotics on an archery hunt the upcoming weekend.
Thomas Moran decided to set out the first morning in pursuit of a Transcaspian uriel or an oryx. After a failed stalk on a group of uriel, a herd of oryx was spotted. After a 400-yard stalk, Moran and his guide got to 120 yards undetected, then crawled to 46 yards. Suddenly a broken horned bull saw something he didn’t like. After a stare-down that seemed to last an eternity, he spooked and took the group with him.
Later that afternoon, the 17-year-old Oliver was up to bat, and he was primarily interested in an aoudad or an oryx. On the search, they bumped into a lone oryx bull and had no luck.
“Let’s go check out Square Tank,” Oliver said, talking about a nearby water body. About 250 yards downwind of the tank, the stalk began. A group of whitetail were on the opposite end along with a herd of blackbuck does. As Oliver inched closer to peek around a nearby brush motte, the guide spotted movement about 90 yards away.
“Aoudad, two shooters,” his guide said.
There was a group of six aoudad rams, two of them mature trophies. Oliver and his guide began their stalk, and the wind began to pick up as the aoudad grazed slowly to the opposite side of the brush motte.
Oliver slowly crept in to 80 yards, then crawled inch by inch. Once at 15 yards, one ram glanced his way.
“He’s staring at us” Oliver mouthed the words to his guide.
Then, the aoudad calmed and some bedded down.
“They were calm and content, but we were frozen and there wasn’t much cover between us and them,” Oliver said.
The next few minutes dragged on. Finally, Oliver saw one of the nicer rams take a few steps into an opening. He slowly took a knee, drew his bow back, aimed, and took his shot. The arrow met its mark, striking the ram right behind the shoulder.
The distance was stepped off from the shot to the animal — 10 steps, or about 8 yards. After some time, Oliver and his guide followed the slight blood trail when they came to a Y in the trail.
“You go right, I’ll go left,” his guide said.
About three steps later, Oliver’s jaw dropped as he spotted the ram, which had fallen about 60 yards away.
Oliver Grigsby, right, stalked to less than 10 yards of this aoudad ram, and then made the shot with his bow. Photo by Dale Moehlmann.
Outfitter with management mindset
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
James Bray was born and raised in a family passionate about the outdoors. So it only made sense that years later as an adult, he would decide to make the outdoors his career by owning and operating an outfitting company called Lone Oak Adventures.
Bray grew up in the San Antonio area and cut his teeth hunting white-tailed deer in West Texas, near Comstock and its surrounding areas, with his dad and grandfather.
“I was about 6 years old when I first started going to deer camp,” Bray said. “At 8 years old, I harvested my first deer, and I’ve been eaten up with the outdoors ever since.”
Bray attended college at Sul Ross State University, where he obtained a degree in Wildlife Conservation and Management. After graduating, he returned to San Antonio where he dabbled in various types of work before working as an independent hunting guide for buddy of his.
“Guiding made me fall in love with the idea of building a career in the outdoor industry,” he said. “I spent a couple of years doing contract work as a guide, and decided I was ready to start my own business. That was the beginning of Lone Oak Adventures.”
Bray spent many brain storming sessions with his wife, and the two of them worked to market Lone Oak Adventures and build a client base. He continued to pursue contract work as an independent guide, which helped him foster relationships with landowners and expand his network within the outdoor industry.
“I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Sam Syring by a buddy of mine, Curt Alexander, who I met through guiding on a ranch,” Bray explained. “Alexander was the ranch manager for Syring’s ranch, near Pleasanton, and I was given the opportunity to outfit deer hunts for them. Syring had eight white-tailed deer hunts he wanted to sell for that season, and I was able to sell all eight.”
Bray said his opportunity with the Syring Ranch was a pivotal moment for Lone Oak Adventures and his career.
“They really helped kick start my career as an outfitter, and they have been one of our main ranches that we partner with ever since,” he said.
Soon Bray developed a reputation for taking good care of the ranches and landowners he worked with, and his business began to grow.
Fast forward more than 15 years later, and Lone Oak Adventures outfits hunts with nine landowner partners across 14,000 acres in south central Texas, from Hondo to Pleasanton to San Antonio. They offer hunts for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, dove and about 30 species of exotic game.
The package hunts include lodging, meals and a number of customizable options. Lone Oak Adventures also offers all-inclusive fishing trips on San Antonio-area lakes.
Bray said bringing his managing partner, Daniel Bristow, on board was another key moment for the business.
“Bristow is a professional hunter and also has a Wildlife and Fisheries degree,” Bray said. Both having been educated in wildlife management has been key to their success. They pride themselves in making management-minded decisions that will benefit their landowner partners and the future of the wildlife on the properties they hunt.
“We aren’t just there on these properties to harvest animals,” Bray said. “Our goal is to improve their wildlife and herd of game animals.”
Bray and Bristow’s mission is to deliver a memorable, one-of-a-kind experience to their hunters and customers.
“Seeing the pure excitement from our clients and watching them thoroughly enjoy their experience is what we live for,” Bray said. “That’s what we love about our jobs and that’s why we do what we do.”
Camp for deer, leadership
“That’s more than she’s talked to me all summer. And I think she liked learning about the plants more than she says, since now as we’re driving she’s pointing out the plants that deer really like.”
Matocha, who will be a junior at Utopia High School, is involved as a District Officer in the local FFA chapter, and plans to attend Texas A&M-Kingsville to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in wildlife biology.
Despite the multiple leadership activi-
Matocha’s team, Jack Axis, spent time out in the field to study plants and grasses. Photo from Buckskin Brigade.
ties, she still wasn’t crazy about the public speaking aspect of the Brigades.
“When I like and know the subject it’s OK,” she said. “But they forced us to talk about embarrassing stuff.”
Matocha also plans on attending the Bass Brigades next summer — and she got an added surprise when deer season arrives.
“We had someone drop out of our deer lease in Dimmit County,” Chris said. “Now she has her own spot on the lease and won’t have to hunt as a guest.”
James Bray
Daniel Bristow
FISHING
Storms don’t slow Port M tournament anglers
By Tony Vindell For Lone Star outdoor newS
The 2024 Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament went on as scheduled, but a surprise here and there caught the eyes of many anglers.
A waterspout was reported each of the two days of fishing, along with several quick downpours that blanketed areas in the bay and Gulf.
Reds slower, cats hotter on San Antonio’s twin lakes
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
Anglers chasing redfish on Braunig and Calaveras lakes near San Antonio have been experiencing a much different pattern than during the usual summer. Normally, large concentrations of reds are stacked up in the shallows by now, due to warm water temperatures resulting in higher oxygen levels in shallower depths.
Baitfish like tilapia fry are usually found swarming around the reeds and banks of these lakes during the month of August, taking advantage of the most oxygenated water. The reds are typically hot on their trail, schooling and feeding in the shallows. This year, that pattern seems to be running behind, due to milder than normal summertime conditions and frequent rain showers that have kept water temperatures lower.
Guide T.J. Whitworth said the power plants on these lakes have not been running 24/7 like they usually are during the late summer.
“I’m assuming this is because it hasn’t really been super-hot so far, so folks are using less energy,” Whitworth said. “We haven’t had a single week with air temperature highs reaching 100 degrees every day so far. The milder temperatures have made the fishing more difficult.”
Whitworth is usually chasing reds with live tilapia right now, but so far this year that pattern hasn’t started. He’s been trolling in 15-30 feet of water to catch numbers of redfish.
“There just isn’t a bunch of small tilapia up in the shallows yet,” he explained. “The ones we are seeing are still really small. The shallow water bite won’t kick off until these swarms of tilapia get to be about 3 inches long.”
Whitworth has been spending most of his time on Braunig, where he said the power plant hasn’t been cranking up until the afternoon hours.
“Mornings have been tough lately,” Whitworth said. “Once the power plant kicks on during the afternoon, the bite has been picking up. I’m finding schools
For many, the highlight was a white dolphin that swam back and forth in the harbor, which raised the eyebrows of those working at or attending the event.
In the end, the tournament went well even though attendance was down by about 50 anglers, due to the weather.
A Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce staffer said she
was bombarded by people asking or wanting to know if the tournament was going to be canceled. But she repeatedly told them the show would go on.
In the bay division, anglers brought redfish, speckled trout and flounder for the weigh-in. But offshore results caught the most attention.
“There is a white marlin coming in,” Tom “Tackle
Box,” Floyd said on the tournament’s second day, Saturday, July 27, “and some yellowfin tuna.”
One boat, the Semper Fish of South Padre Island, arrived within the last minutes of the weigh-in.
And as soon as it pulled toward the deck, everyone on the newly covered area rushed toward the water side of the veranda to take a look
Lone Star Shootout team finds blue marlin
By Robert Sloan
The Lone Star Shootout tournament, held the last weekend of July, was one that will go down as one of the best ever for catching blue marlin, and one Capt. Chris Wood will never forget.
“It was the single best tournament I’ve ever been in,” Wood said. “We had 15 bites in two and half days. On Friday we had two bites, on Saturday we had 12 and on Sunday we had one. I believe that’s the most blue marlin ever caught from one rig.”
Wood said he had never fished that rig before this tournament, mainly because it was so far out. It was a 220mile run one way out of Port O’Connor. Called the Auger rig, it’s in around 3,000 feet of water. It took the 60-foot Spencer sportfisher, named The Edge, about 8 hours to get to the rig, and the team had the rig to themselves.
“We fished nothing but live baits like bonito, blackfin and yellowfin tuna,” said Wood, whose home port is in Florida. “We bump-trolled the entire time.”
The seas were relatively calm, but the team did have some storms to contend with. When returning on Sunday, the seas were 4-5 feet.
One reason they fished this particular rig is that it had good current and water clarity. To determine those two factors, they used Hilton charts. While trolling they
Shark tourneys help families battling cancer
By Logan Johnson For Lone Star outdoor newS
At the “Take a Bite out of Can cer” shark and redfish tourna ment, the permitted range of fish ing spanned the surf stretching from Sabine Pass to Matagorda Bay.
With over 23 feet in total length from the top three sharks, more than $23,000 in cash and gear was awarded, and $13,000 raised for the two cancer patient beneficiaries.
“This year the hurricane really hurt,” said Nick Fuller, organizer and director of nonprofit Shark at the Moon. “Last year we raised $20,000 and had 216 participants.”
This year, 135 entries helped raise $13,000 for the beneficiaries.
“Our issue was that so many
people still suffered from power outages,” Fuller explained. “We put up a vote to postpone or fish, and 57 said fish, 54 said postpone. So, the tournament was a go.”
Hurricane Beryl impacted the water, dumping freshwater into the bay and churning up the Gulf. But Fuller said the conditions turned out favorable for the tournament.
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Kirsten Kinney caught this yellowfin tuna in the Port Mansfield Fishing Tournament.
Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Redfish on Braunig and Calaveras lakes have been feeding in deeper water instead of along the reeds and banks, due to lower than normal water temperatures. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
A long trip to a rig led to great blue marlin fishing for one team in the Lone Star Shootout. Photo by Capt. Chris Wood.
Travis Spencer placed third in the shark division with his 90-inch bull shark. Photo by Zach Wolk.
One billionth saltwater fish stocked
Top picks from ICAST
By Alan Clemons
For Lone Star outdoor newS
The 67th annual ICAST Show was a buzzy, busy week in July with hundreds of companies putting their new, updated and existing fishing gear on display for buyers and outdoors media.
“Fishing gear” includes everything from ice fishing micro jigs to trolling motors, kayaks and tackle. Some of it is new, some is refreshed with new colors or mild tweaks, and much of what’s on display is the existing lineup. Buyers get ideas, place orders for the coming year, and a lot of networking goes on during the week-long show.
Here are some top picks from the show that will be in stores or online soon.
Yak-Ease Power Pak Pro
Connect-Ease created a one-stop networking unit for kayak fishing with the new Yak-Ease Power Pak Pro. It allows users to rig and connect multiple graphs, forward-facing sonar, trolling motor, navigational lights, fishing lights or other accessories. This self-contained system is a “plug and play” design and works with any lithium battery that fits in the case.
Benchmade Water Collection
During its design and refinement, the new Benchmade Water Collection has been put through the wringer on everything that swims in saltwater and freshwater. These American-made tools are created with corrosion-resistant CPM-MagnaCut stainless super steel. They have been tested on commercial and recreational boats for filleting fish, prepping baits, cutting lines and rope and more. These come in six models including 7- and 9-inch trailing point fillet knives.
Tsunami Shield II 4000
Tsunami Fishing updated the Shield II saltwater spinning reels, which come in 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 8000 sizes. They are IPX5 water-resistant with 12 internal seals to blunt the elements. A proprietary, sealed anti-reverse bearing keeps the guts churning smoothly, and all sizes have a machined gear drive train for tough situations inshore or off.
Gravel Shield
Protecting your boat hull from rocks, bolts and other garbage flying up from the road is easier with
the Gravel Shield by AquaTraction. It’s a fully customizable deflection guard that folds down to 35 inches for easy storage when not in use. Gravel Shield is constructed with premium stainless steel and aluminum materials and components, along with AquaTraction shields to block gunk from your vehicle’s rear tires. AquaTraction also has a wild number of colors, designs, logos and patterns.
Smith’s De-Hooker
Whether you need to remove a hook from a bass or trout, or perhaps vent a snapper caught in deep water off the coast, the new 7.25-inch Smith’s De-Hooker gets the job done. It helps remove hooks easily and quickly, and the retractable but locking vent needle assists with barotrauma situations on deeply-caught fish. The unit is corrosion resistant, saltwater safe and has an ergonomic handle with a TPE-textured nonslip grip.
3700 Tackle Bag
Looking for a new lure- and gear-hauler for the lake or surf? Check out the 3700 Tackle Bag from frogg toggs. It’s created from tough ripstop fabric and has corrosion-resistant plastic zippers and non-slip rubber feet to prevent sliding. A bait-binder pocket system holds extra gear. The side pockets have grommets so you can spool line onto reels easily (a great idea). A clamshell design offers easy access, and the neoprene
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Coastal Fisheries Division released the billionth hatchery-produced fingerling into Texas coastal waters.
The fish was raised by TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Enhancement Program as part of a decades-long effort by the department to ensure coastal fisheries are sustainable and abundant for generations to come.
Billie the Billionth, a name suggested and voted on by the public in anticipation of the achievement, was released along with thousands of other fingerlings at an event at a boat ramp on Christmas Bay in Freeport. The billionth fish was a red drum fingerling (1-2 inches).
This milestone, four decades in the making, was made possible thanks to the sustained beneficial partnerships with the Coastal Conservation Association, Dow Chemical, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the S.E.A., Phillips 66, anglers who’ve purchased their saltwater fishing licenses in Texas and funding from the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program.
“Coastal Fisheries staff have been stocking saltwater fish into Texas bays since the 1980s to revitalize historic fisheries and speed up the recovery of overfished stocks,” said Robin Riechers, Coastal Fisheries Division director.
The Coastal Fisheries Enhancement Program consists of three marine hatcheries, the Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station located in Palacios, the Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi, and Sea Center Texas located in Lake Jackson. Fingerlings are stocked coastwide. Species stocked include red drum, spotted seatrout and southern flounder.
Finding the right water
Continued from page 1
away.”
Some birds have been working over schools of trout not far from the ICW near Greens Lake. Flounder have been in the mix, and he recently caught some nice ones while fishing the mouth of marsh drains on scented shrimp soft plastics.
Tim Young has been finding redfish and trout in back lakes and near structure located along the ICW in the Freeport area. He said there were areas within certain back lakes where there was fresh water flowing across lowlying portions of marsh grass as it overflowed from nearby freshwater ponds and ditches.
“A lot of the areas where I could see this water spilling into back lake marshes from nearby freshwater ponds and ditches were holding clean water, along with plenty of active bait and feeding redfish,” Young said. “The best areas in the back lakes that I’ve been fishing have been where small oyster shell reefs are located.”
Speckled trout from 15-20 inches also have been feeding around the edges of rocks along the ICW near Freeport. The fish have been striking top-water baits, spinner baits and crankbaits, with some redfish in the mix.
The ICAST show in Orlando, Florida, featured companies promoting new or improved products, like the Gravel Sheild, designed to protect boats when on the road. Photo from Gravel Shield.
TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 82 degrees; 0.90’ low. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.
AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 85 degrees; 69.81’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on deep-diving crankbaits, Texas-rigged senkos, swimbaits, and Ned rigs. White bass are good on blades, small crankbaits, swim jigs and spoons. Stripers are fair on jigs, flutter spoons and Alabama rigs.
ARLINGTON: Water stained; 88 degrees; 1.00’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait.
ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 85 degrees; 4.52’ low. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad.
ATHENS: Water stained; 90 degrees; 0.36’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs.
AUSTIN: Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.93’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on big worms and jigs.
B A STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and top-water frogs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on juglines.
BASTROP: Water stained; 90 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads with trick worms and small Carolina-rigged flukes.
BELTON: Water stained; 87 degrees; 0.91’ high. White bass are good on spoons and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait, live perch and shad.
BENBROOK: Water stained; 80 degrees; 1.05’ low. Crappie are good on minnows. Hybrid bass are good on shad and minnows. Catfish are good on chicken liver, worms and live bluegill.
BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 86 degrees; 0.31’ high. Largemouth bass are good on deep-diving crankbaits, drop shots and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on stink bait and cut bait.
BOIS D’ARC: 85 degrees; 0.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, spinner baits and chatter baits.
BRAUNIG: Water stained, 89 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and jigs. Redfish are fair on live bait, shrimp and spoons trolling. Catfish are good on cheese bait and liver.
BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 85 degrees; 2.69’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 84 degrees; 10.78’
low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters and soft plastics. Striped bass and white bass are fair on live shad or trolling with downriggers. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on shad or punch bait.
CADDO: Water stained; 80 degrees; 1.25’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, drop shots and Texas rigs.
CALAVERAS: Water lightly stained, 88 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Redfish are fair on live bait, shrimp, soft plastics and spoons. Catfish are fair on cheese bait and cut bait.
CANYON: Water stained; 86 degrees; 24.84’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, neko rigs and Texas rigs.
CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 86 degrees; 0.42 ‘ low. Hybrids and white bass are good on spinners and slabs. Crappie are fair on small jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait.
CHOKE CANYON: Water stained; 86 degrees; 29.97’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastic worms and flukes. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.
CONROE: Water lightly stained; 89 degrees; 0.24’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits. Hybrids and white bass are good on live shad and large minnows. Catfish are good on prepared baits.
COOPER: Water stained; 83 degrees: 2.00’ low. Hybrids and sand bass are good on spoons and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on shad.
CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 91 degrees; 0.31’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, crankbaits, drop shots and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on stink bait.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 84 degrees; 2.00’ low. White bass are good on slabs with teaser flies. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait.
degrees; 0.11’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on frogs, flukes, Carolina rigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared bait.
FT PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 80 degrees; 7.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters. Hybrid stripers are good on live shad. White bass are fair trolling with crankbaits and live shad.
GRANBURY: Water stained; 89 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and soft plastics. White bass are fair on slabs and spinners. Striped bass are good on live bait and trolled Alabama rigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait.
GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 85 degrees; 1.53’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slab spoons. Catfish are good on shad.
GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 85 degrees; 7.59’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. White bass are slow.
GREENBELT: Water stained; 80 degrees; 47.95’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows. Sand bass are good on jigs. Catfish are good on minnows and worms.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.24’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Sunfish are good on worms. Crappie are slow.
HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 80 degrees; 12.88’ low. White bass are fair on jigs and slabs. Catfish are fair on live bait or cut carp.
JACKSONVILLE: Water stained; 88 degrees; 0.14’ high. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics.
FALCON: Water stained; 85 degrees; 45.68’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Alligator gar are good on cut carp and tilapia. Catfish are good on fresh cut or live bait.
FAYETTE: Water stained; 95 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and underspins. Bluegill are good on nightcrawlers.
FORK: Water stained; 81
JOE POOL: Water lightly stained; 88 degrees; 0.62’ high. Crappie are fair on minnows.
Catfish are fair on shad.
LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 90 degrees; 0.79’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, jigs and wacky rigs.
LAVON: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 1.11’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, crankbaits, Carolina rigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on slabs.
LBJ: Water stained; 86 degrees; 0.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on
wacky-rigged and Texasrigged worms, swimbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.
LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 85 degrees; 2.37’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on slabs, jigs and live bait. Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
LIMESTONE: Water lightly stained; 88 degrees; 0.50’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, Texas rigs, swim jigs, and Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on spoons. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 88 degrees; 0.52’ low. White bass bite are good on slabs.
MARTIN CREEK: Water stained; 92 degrees; 0.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on weightless senkos and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait.
MEREDITH: Water stained; 81 degrees; 47.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on minnows and artificials. White bass are good on jigs. Walleye are good on minnows, grubs and other artificials. Catfish are fair on crawlers, minnows, chicken liver and frozen shad.
good on lipless crankbaits and poppers. Catfish are fair on cut shad and shrimp.
OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 17.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on large plastic worms and creatures. Crappie are good on live bait. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp, chicken liver and punch bait.
PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 87 degrees; 0.17’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs. Catfish are good on shrimp and punch bait.
POSSUM KINGDOM:
Water stained; 88 degrees; 0.20’ low. Stripers are fair on live bait. White bass are slow. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
PROCTOR: Water stained; 85 degrees; 2.57’ low. Catfish are good on cut bait.
RAVEN: Water lightly stained; 83 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and artificial grubs. Catfish are fair on worms.
RAY HUBBARD: Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.12’ low. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
RAY
ROBERTS:
are good on punch bait and dip bait.
TEXANA: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.04’ low. Catfish are good on cut shad.
TEXOMA: Water stained; 75 degrees; 1.76’ high. Striped bass are good on live bait, swimbaits and slabs. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait.
TOLEDO BEND: Water lightly stained; 91 degrees; 1.80’ low. Laremouth bass are fair on top-water baits, chatter baits, spinner baits and Texas rigs. Crappie are slow.
TRAVIS: Water stained; 85 degrees; 46.40’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spoons, swim jigs, craws, worms and shaky heads.
TWIN BUTTES: Water stained. 87 degrees; 37.04’ low. Crappie are slow. White bass are good on slabs and spoons. Catfish are fair on cheese bait and fresh cut bait.
NACOGDOCHES: Water stained; 87 degrees; 0.12’ low. Largemouth bass are good on deep-diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs and drop shots. Crappie are good on live minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live minnows.
NACONICHE: Water stained; 89 degrees; 0.50’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, underspins and top-waters. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are slow.
NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 87 degrees. 0.48’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, spinner baits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.
NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 6.94’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crawfish jigs. White bass are good on chartreuse slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.
O H IVIE: Water lightly stained; 87 degrees; 30.85’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters and swimbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are
Water lightly stained; 83 degrees; 2.00’ high. White bass are good on jigs and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and small jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait.
RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 87 degrees; 0.32’ high. White bass are fair on slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on shad and punch bait.
SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 83 degrees; 3.58’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on frogs, spinner baits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and prepared bait.
SOMERVILLE: Water lightly stained; 86 degrees; 1.10’ high. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut shad or punch bait. White bass are good on spoons and shad. Hybrids are fair on cut bait.
SPENCE: Water stained; 85 degrees. 49.40’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp.
STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 87 degrees; 2.23’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on pet spoons.
TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 86 degrees; 0.10’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters. Hybrid stripers and white bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. Catfish
TYLER: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.24’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, plastic worms and top-water frogs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and liver.
WACO: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.98’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs. White bass are good on small slabs, small crankbaits and small spoons. Catfish are good on cut bait and live shad.
WALTER E LONG: Water stained; 84 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on worms and frogs. Stripers are good on spoons.
WHITNEY: Water stained; 88 degrees; 0.09’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are fair on small jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad.
WORTH: Water stained; 87 degrees; 2.11’ low. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait.
CARBON ON CARBON FOR WHEN EVERY OUNCE COUNTS
A PLACE TO SHOOT SAN ANTONIO, TX
ALPINE RANGE FORT WORTH, TX
APACHE RIFLE WORKS COMFORT, TX
BUCKS & DOES SAN ANTONIO, TX
CARTERS COUNTRY SPRING, TX HOUSTON, TX PASADENA, TX
DEFENDER OUTDOORS FORT WORTH, TX
FIELD AND STREAM SAN ANGELO, TX
THE COMFORT OF CARRYING IT IS ONLY MATCHED BY THE COMFORT OF SHOOTING IT.
At only 6.2 pounds you’ll be amazed a rifle this light can pack in so many features. Starting with the strength and rigidity of the monocoque carbon fiber stock, it has a built in cheek rest and QD sling swivel mounts. Topped off with our Cure™ Carbon Barrel you’ll get the weight savings and accuracy needed for the most demanding of hunts. With the Crest Carbon your backcountry hunts will never be the same.
AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL RETAILER:
FUN GUNS WACO, TX
GLICK TWINS PHARR, TX
HOFFPAUIR FARM & RANCH LAMPASAS, TX BURNETT, TX
LOS CAZADORES STONEWALL, TX PEARSALL, TX BUCHANAN DAM, TX
MCBRIDES AUSTIN, TX
MODERN PAWN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
NAGELS GUN SHOP SAN ANTONIO, TX
NATIVE OUTDOORS HEATH, TX
OASIS OUTBACK UVALDE, TX
PORTERS FLINT, TX
PRACO PAWN WACO, TX
SHARP SHOOTERS LUBBOCK, TX
SPORTSMANS FINEST BEE CAVE, TX
SUPERIOR OUTDOORS LONGVIEW, TX
TEXAS GUN EXPERIENCE GRAPEVINE, TX
THE OUTDOORSMAN SAN ANGELO, TX
VICTIORIA ALL SPORTS VICTORIA, TX
WILKERSONS GUNS BOERNE, TX
B-142 Crest Carbon
FROM WORK TO PLAY
WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
Remember when a hunter was measured by how well he shot, and not how much he spent? When memories were measured in curly tails, not dollar bills? We do. And that is why we created the Spandau S2. A reliable, extremely well balanced waterfowl gun built around the Inertia operating system for unmatched performance at a price that shows that you still know the true measure of a hunter.
HUNTING texas
standards are high standards are high standards are high
When your Last Name is
18 Million 4,600 30,000 annual events du volunteers acres conserved
THE SLX 600 BLACK TRIFECTA
FINE ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP AND QUALITY AT AN UNBEATABLE PRICE
The Italian Firearms Group and the Italian gun manufacturer Fabbrica Armi Isodoro Rizzini are excited to bring the new SLX 600 Black “Trifecta” to the American hunting market. Now, upland hunters can quickly switch to their preferred sub-gauge chambering, all on the same precision receiver.
The SLX 600 Black Trifecta, imported exclusively by the Italian Firearms Group, is a testament to fine Italian craftsmanship and quality, offering upland hunters the ultimate in versatility at an unbeatable price.
The key highlight of this offering is the inclusion of a complete three-barrel set, encompassing 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410. Each barrel set is crafted with precision and expertise at the state-ofthe-art production facility of F.A.I.R. in Marcheno, situated in the Lombardy Region of Italy.
“We are thrilled to introduce the SLX 600 Black Trifecta to the American hunting community,” said Chris Sherman, general manager at the Italian Firearms Group. “This shotgun represents the perfect synergy between Italian heritage, precision engineering, and practical versatility. It allows hunters to elevate their shooting experience with the unmatched quality and adaptability that F.A.I.R. is renowned for.”
The SLX 600 Black Trifecta is meticulously engineered and designed to meet the highest standards of performance, combining cutting-edge technology with the timeless elegance of Italian craftsmanship. From the steel-shot tested 20 gauge barrels to the gold inlay and engraved monobloc receiver, each component reflects the dedication to precision and quality that defines F.A.I.R.’s legacy. Features such as the Sporting Schnabel forend, fine-pitch laser-checkering, and a gold single selective trigger round out this elegant and functional platform.
F.A.I.R. is the second most prolific Italian over-and-under manufacturer and the largest Italian manufacturer of side-by-side firearms.
SLX 600 Black Trifecta
Barrels:
• Steel-shot tested (20 gauge only), trialloy, chrome-lined barrels with X-CONES
• Fiber optic front sight
Receiver:
• Bright black bluing
• Engraved and gold inlay
• Monobloc design
Mechanical:
• Coil springs and hammer with a double safety notch
• Fret-worked top lever
• Gold single selective trigger with autosafety on the tang Stock and Forend:
• Sporting Schnabel forend, European walnut of superior quality
• Sporting stock with bright oil finish, select European walnut
Checkering:
• Fine-pitch, laser-checkering with double grip
• Black Bakelite base plate
Additional Features:
• Ejectors
• Barrel Length (BBL): 28” (Optional: 26” or 30”)
• Length of Pull (LOP): 14.5”
• Overall weight: 6.83 lbs.
MSRP: $4,725.00
F.A.I.R./ITALIAN FIREARMS GROUP
☎ (800) 450-1852
ITALIANFIREARMSGROUP.COM/FAIR
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HUNT?
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
The perfect hunt for you may be night-and-day different from the choice of your best hunting friend.
It might be a trip to a large South Texas ranch to pursue a trophy white-tailed buck, an excursion to the mountains of West Texas for mule deer or pronghorn, or lying in a West Texas field, anticipating the incoming flight of sandhill cranes.
For some Texas hunters, the dream involves international hunting like a plains game hunt in Africa, a red stag or dove hunt in Argentina, an ibex hunt in Spain, a New Zealand stag or tahr hunt or one of the western states for elk, or to Alaska to pursue black bear or one of the wild sheep.
For others, the dream is less exotic, involving an outing where an animal, regardless of size or sex, can be harvested, skinned, butchered and taken home and prepared for the family.
Finally, for some, the dream is for the opportunity of the first hunt, regardless of species, and a friend, spouse or family member to share it with.
At each of the dream adventures, one thing remains consistent — the relaxation, camaraderie and conversations at the campfire, referred to in Africa as “The Bush TV,” where stories are shared, gratitude given and, especially, the next dream hunt planned. Even if you’re alone, you’ll soon find your common interests with someone around the fire, often learning how small the world is when you learn the person sitting next to you has hunted with an outfitter you’ve met or someone you know.
At a recent South African campfire, during a casual conversation with a man who had just arrived, the man mentioned he used to live in Australia. When one of the other hunters described a water buffalo hunt, and who he hunted with, the man said, “He is my best friend in Australia.” Soon they were all communicating through WhatsApp.
What is your dream hunt?
David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News
Banded bird challenge Promotes research With a
Texas Dove Hunters Association has been a true hunter’s organization since it began in 2012, promoting strong family unity through hunting and the outdoors.
A membership organization committed to research, education and habitat conservation, TDHA developed the Texas Banded Bird Challenge in 2018 as an extensive field study on the Eurasiancollared dove, an invasive species in Texas. TDHA has since built an extensive database centered on where these birds are trapped, banded and released, compared with where they are found or harvested. TDHA studies the habitat in all three locations, looking at directional travel, age and distance over time.
This year will mark the seventh year of the study and some 5,400 birds having been banded and released. More and more wingshooters are entering the Texas BB Challenge each year in hopes that they will harvest a Eurasian-collared dove with an orange TDHA band on its leg. The top prize is a new truck provided by Hoffpauir Auto Group. If a Texas BB Challenge entrant reports a band that matches a pre-determined number, they win the new truck. All entrants who report a band will win from among some of the best hunting contest prizes around, thanks to Banded Bird sponsors and supporters.
From a Polaris Ranger, exotic hunts, trophy trout fishing trip, Argentina dove hunt, leather products, a lifetime TDHA membership, gun accessories and targets, feeders, Poncho shirts and more, your $20 TBBC entry could pay off big.
The TDHA release team has already started banding and releasing some of the 800 Eurasian-collared dove for the 2024 TBBC. As the contest continues to gain momentum and popularity for the prizes being won, it also continues to generate some exciting insight into the habits and migratory instincts of these invasive birds in Texas.
This season’s TBBC results, winners and interesting data points will be recapped in the Spring 2025 Texas Dove Hunters Magazine — which is mailed to TDHA members and distributed to hunting and outdoor stores across the state.
Join or renew your TDHA membership today and enter the Texas Banded Bird Challenge.
TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS ASSOCIATION ☎ (210) 764-1189 TEXASDOVEHUNTERS.COM
MUST ENTER BY AUGUST 31, 2024
Open to all hunters with a Texas hunting license to harvest a Eurasian Collared Dove with a TDHA band on its leg. Every band reported provides data for the TDHA Eurasian Collared Dove research project.
The Block Ranch contains 48,894±
Warren Ranch
5,770.6± acres | $35,00,000 | Coleman and Brown Counties, Texas
A
of creeks
through the
all ultimately draining into Jim
which flows in total approximately five miles through the center of the property. Other impressive water features include three lakes that are all over eight surface acres at capacity. Several of the larger ponds are over two acres in size, and there are countless smaller ponds. The ranch is a hunting paradise. Trophy whitetail are in abundance. Approximately 40% of the ranch is under high fence, being four separate pastures, each with its own individual MLDP program in place. The remaining 60% of the property is low-fenced, also under MLDP to ensure an exceptional hunting experience. The improvements on the ranch are exceptional and are highlighted by a two-story lodge and annex, a beautiful two-story main house, horse barns, pens, and various ranch houses.
15,941± deeded acres • 9,208
A special property that boasts a 24-acre lake and features Pillar Bluff Creek stretching 2 miles through the ranch. With historic rock formations like Pillar Bluff and Owl Bluff, the landscape is rich and varied. The terrain varies from gentle slopes to fertile fields. The ranch includes great hunting opportunities for deer and turkey, plus fishing in the lake and stock tank. This historic ranch has been in the same family since 1929. 700± acres | $10,500,000 | Burnet County, Texas
A unique property that features an 11,000 sq. ft. insulated shop/barn with concrete floors, electricity, water, and horse stalls. A 1-bedroom, 1-bath hunter’s cabin is located nearby. Water features include two ponds and an excellent water well. Excellent fencing with a high fence along threes sides. An ideal hunting property for white-tail deer, turkey, dove, quail, and wild hogs. $26,000 per acre.
Borden County Guilliams Ranch
2,745.4± acres | $3,294,480 | Gail, Texas
sheep, quail, dove, turkey, coyotes, bobcats, and wild pigs. $1,200 per acre.
2,160± acres | $9,500,000
An outstanding hunting ranch with a wide variety of native wildlife and a brand-new lodge. The 4-bedroom, 3-bath lodge offers an open floor plan with a one-of-akind kitchen, a huge fireplace, covered porches, and an attached garage. Very well watered with 8 earthen tanks, 5 concrete troughs, and a water well. Excellent opportunities for hunting dove, quail, and turkey as well as an abundance of ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes. $4,398 per acre.
1,805± acres | $4,512,500 | Cottle County, Texas
electricity. Very well-watered with rural water, surface water, river water, and numerous springs. 9 ponds with 2 being spring fed and stocked with fish. $2,500 per acre.
1,940± acres | $5,900,000
An exceptional ranch that boasts a beautiful home, guest quarters, bunkhouse, several livestock barns, sheds, and two large shop buildings. Topography is diverse, with scenic and rugged breaks giving way to level and productive flats. 8-10 ponds are scattered across the ranch, many stocked with fish. There are multiple hunting blinds, wildlife feeders, and food plots on the property. $3,041 per acre.
1,458± acres | $3,637,710 | Crosby/Garza Co., TX
An outstanding cattle, hunting, horse, and recreational ranch within close proximity to Lubbock, Texas. The ranch offers excellent improvements, great views, highway frontage, excellent grass turf, improved pastures, and quality hunting opportunities. Game species include whitetail deer, dove, quail, hogs, turkey, and waterfowl. $2,495 per acre.
Stevenson Ranch
Ritter Creek Ranch
Burdett River Ranch
Solo Uno Mas Ranch
200± acres | $5,200,000 | Blanco County, Texas
Bar V Ranch
Pillar Bluff Lake Ranch
YOUR TEXAS HUNTING, SPORTING DESTINATION
Perched atop a mesa just west of Fort Worth, Greystone Castle is a sight to behold. With four turrets peeking above the tree line, this majestic sight is one to be remembered. From its awardwinning wingshooting program to trophy whitetail and exotics, world-class bass fishing and our National Champion Sporting Clays instructor, there is something for everyone at Greystone Castle.
The Gold Medal whitetail deer program offers an all-inclusive package based on the opportunity to hunt the opening weekend of the season. Not restricted by score, it is an exclusive chance to hunt for the whitetail of your dreams. This year’s results include a giant 493-inch deer taken by rifle.
As evidenced by being named the Orvis 2015 Wingshooting Lodge of the Year, Greystone has mastered the art of bird hunting. The ever-popular mixed bag hunt includes quail, pheasant, chukar and Hungarian partridge. This upland walking hunt allows guests to experience great pointing dogs working over rolling terrain specially farmed for optimal bird habitat. The European pheasant hunt is a great way to get lots of shooting action and watch Labradors do what they do best — retrieve birds! The mallard hunts offer a great chance to improve your skills over water while the fast-flying dove hunts offer an adrenaline rush every hunter craves.
If you are looking for something different, you will find it in the exotic pasture full of animals from around the world. Species from Africa, Asia, South America and Europe roam the Texas plains and thrive in the southern climate. Breeding herds of axis deer, aoudad, blackbuck antelope, sika and fallow deer mean there are plenty of trophies to be taken.
For those looking to relax and enjoy the water, Greystone offers more than 120 acres of stocked
bass lakes. From small private lakes to the 80-acre Thurber Lake, every type of fishing opportunity exists. From fly-fishing to spincasters or simple hook and bobbers, there is a method for everyone. Kayaks and paddleboards let you go off on your own adventure or you can jump on a pontoon boat to sneak to the honey holes.
Two championship sporting clays courses, two 5-stands, a training course and a wobble deck challenge every level of shooter. Our new 400-yard rifle and pistol range offers steel targets at a variety of distances. Hone your skills on the new archery course featuring a tri-level static range and a 3-D walking course. Or just enjoy the scenic hiking and biking trails.
What appeals to Greystone visitors is its topof-the-line accommodations and gourmet meals. Guests enjoy 26 private rooms, gourmet dining from an executive chef, conference facilities and a swimming pool with a hot tub and a steam room. Along with this is the 2,600 square-foot pavilion facility with a custom bar, large seating areas, 65-inch TVs, carved limestone fireplace, Laser Shot, billiards and an overlook terrace with a custom outdoor fire pit.
The ownership and staff are dedicated to creating one of the finest sporting experiences found anywhere in the world. Long-term habitat improvements and wildlife management have made Greystone an extraordinary hunting venue.
GREYSTONE CASTLE
☎ (800) 399-3006
GREYSTONECASTLE.COM
NAVIGATING THE TRAVEL CHAOS
By Craig Nyhus utdoor newS
The advice was given to one hunter in a group of six heading to South Africa.
“Tell yourself, the travel isn’t part of the trip,” David said well before the flight to Atlanta followed by the 15-hour flight to Johannesburg.
A recent trip to South Africa for a group of six challenged that theory.
Taken at the height of the recent global IT outage that grounded thousands of flights worldwide, apparently caused by an update from an anti-virus company, travel woes almost resulted in four of the six hunters abandoning ship and staying home.
Craig traveled from Minneapolis to Atlanta for the connection to Johannesburg. The flight was delayed several times while nearly all other flights at neighboring gates canceled. Only after a crew of flight attendants were given a special exemption to work the flight, since their time in the airport had exceeded limits established in their collective bargaining agreement, did the flight board and leave.
The flight got to Atlanta and, thanks to delays in the connection to Johannesburg, the trip continued.
For another, getting from San Antonio to Atlanta was the challenge. The flight from San Antonio was canceled, so the hunter hopped on Southwest Airlines and got to Dallas. From there, delays to Atlanta were the issue, but he finally made it to Atlanta just before his friend for the more than half-empty flight to South Africa.
For two other hunters starting in Dallas, it was even more adventurous. Phil, at Love Field, learned his Atlanta flight was canceled and, after making his way to DFW Airport, there became no way to get there in time. David, already at DFW Airport, met the same fate, but his luggage was already checked. While waiting to retrieve the luggage an hour later, he called his daughter, who got on her computer and said, “Go to Qatar Airlines, they have a flight to Doha and then to Johannesburg, but there’s a 12-hour layover.”
The two stayed in touch with the two hunters already in
Atlanta and, when confirming they had boarded, pulled out their credit cards and headed on a much different route, even passing nearly over Baghdad, Iraq, and other territories which made them slightly nervous. They made it to Johannesburg’s Afton Safari Lodge about 15 hours after the first two hunters arrived.
The final twosome, David and Bill, came from Louisiana, first driving to New Orleans, where their flight to Atlanta was promptly canceled. Unable to make the flight to South Africa, they were faced with a decision.
“We’re coming,” David said. “We’re on the road, driving to Atlanta, and we’ll make tomorrow’s departure.”
David and Bill arrived a few hours after the hunters traveling through Qatar, and the trip was almost set to begin.
To save time and avoid the 4-plus-hour drive to the hunting area, they hopped on a commuter airline the next morning, and, after a 45-minute flight, were taken directly to the field, a little worn out from lack of sleep. But they were hunting, and no hunts were missed on the planned trip. Sleep came later, and worries about the trip back home were put on the back burner.
The entire group learned that, as travelers, they needed to adapt to the unusual circumstances and take charge of their trip, rather than relying on airlines or travel agents.
“I kept telling myself the travel isn’t part of the trip like you said,” Phil commented. “But it almost cost us the trip.”
After a change of plans, the sun sets over the Qatar Airways wing as the plane files over an area near Baghdad, Iraq. Right, the Qatar Airways flight tracker showed the airliner’s flight path.
David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News
In 1949, Ernest Hemingway, one of America’s most celebrated authors and an avid hunter, purchased a Beretta SO3 shotgun, serial number 5991. This 12-gauge, double-trigger shotgun was Beretta’s premier over-and-under model. Hemingway used it for duck hunting in Venice, Italy, and later for hunting guinea fowl in Africa and pigeons in Cuba.
In 1963, the SO3 was sold at auction by Abercrombie & Fitch and later reacquired by Beretta in the late 1990s. Today, it is displayed at the Beretta Gallery on Madison Avenue in New York.
Beretta has reimagined this legendary shotgun, creating a modern version based on their current top-of-the-line model, the SO10. The new SO10 is a 20-gauge with a 28-inch barrel, adorned with updated engravings that include roses, little faces, and the historic Pietro Beretta (PB) logo.
Priced at $115,000, the SO10 pays homage to “Papa Hemingway.”
For more information or to inquire about additional SO10 models, please call the Beretta Gallery in Dallas’s Highland Park or visit berettagalleryusa.com.
PERFORMANCE BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED
19-21 JULY 2024
TEXAS HUNTERS & SPORTSMAN'S EXPO
BOOTH NUMBER # 1105D
2-4 AUG 2024
HOUSTON, TEXAS (HUNTERS EXTRAVAGANZA 2024)
NGR CENTER
BOOTH NUMBER # H1023
9-11 AUG 2024
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (HUNTERS EXTRAVAGANZA 2024)
CONVENTION CENTER
BOOTH NUMBER # F329
16-18 AUG 2024
SAN ANTONIO TEXAS (HUNTERS EXTRAVAGANZA 2024)
FREEMAN COLISEUM EXPO
BOOTH NUMBER # S1524
J&L HUNTIN’ STORE
At J&L Sales, your needs for hunting gear can be met at one place. With stores in Cross Plains, Cisco and Brownwood, J&L has been meeting hunters’ needs with high-quality feeders, blinds and gear for more than 30 years.
At J&L Huntin’ Store, your needs for hunting gear can all be met at one place! With stores in Cross Plains, Cisco, Abilene, Lindale and Brownwood, J&L has been meeting hunters’ needs with high-quality feeders, blinds and gear for more than 30 years. The company started small but has grown to become an industryleading retailer.
With J&L being a dealer for All Seasons, Atascosa Wildlife Supply, Bitter Creek, Dillon, GreenGo Feeders, Longhorn Outdoors, Outback, Texas Hunter Products and Texas Wildlife Supply, we offer a tremendous selection of blinds, towers, windows, feeders and feeder accessories, hog traps, targets and target stands, as well as quality feed such as Double Down and Purina for wildlife and livestock.
J&L is a full-service retailer for Texas hunters and beyond. Curbside pickup and/or delivery is available to help shorten your time from the store to the field.
This year, J&L is featuring the Huntin’ Store Game Camera. These cell cameras are available with green or red lights, PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) and recording features — all for just $300, which includes one year of free data.
Based in Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand
THE BEST SOCKS, GLOVES FROM THE AMERICAN BISON
The American plains bison survives in some tough conditions, from blazing heat to minus 60-degree cold.
How do they do it? It’s all about the undercoat in the animals’ fur.
“Mother Nature has given them the perfect clothing to keep them comfortable year-round in all kinds of conditions,” said The Buffalo Wool Company owner Ron Miskin. “It’s because of the “down” or fine soft undercoat they grow out in winter and shed out in spring.”
Each huge bison only has 6-8 ounces of the undercoat.
“That’s all it takes to keep the bison completely comfortable,” Miskin said. “The downy fiber has a natural crimp to it that helps it trap more dead air than any other fiber. Dead air is a fantastic insulator and provides a great buffer against the cold.”
Most people have seen photos of bison completely crusted over with ice and snow, and their body heat doesn’t escape through the amazing insulation.
But what about the Texas heat, especially for those with sweaty feet?
Bison undercoat is also an ideal material when it comes to keeping your feet cool, as the fine, itch-free fibers act
better than wool, keeping your feet dry.
Miskin and his wife, Theresa, developed socks, gloves and much more from the bison undercoat, along with the difficult task of locating enough to produce in larger quantities, a decadelong process.
“Our supply chain brings together bison ranchers, small independent mills and local manufacturers,” Miskin said. “We work with ranchers all over the U.S. to get their hair. You only get a few pair of socks off of one bison.”
It only takes a few wears to realize these are best socks and gloves made.
“Bison wool is soft enough to wrap a baby in, and tough enough to keep a mountain man warm in a blizzard,”
Miskin said. “The fiber has a micron count of about 15, comparable to a good cashmere.”
Each pair is warm, lightweight and super-tough. Iditarod mushers who used to pack up to 25 pairs for the long journey, pack just five pair of Buffalo Wool socks.
“The socks wick stronger,” Miskin said. They keep you comfortable at real cold temps, and when it’s hot, they are better than cotton socks.”
The Miskin family has been raising
bison for decades, along with many ranchers who raise the animals for meat. The many styles of Buffalo Wool’s products all come with a 100-percent guarantee. The family, though, hopes to
achieve a greater purpose.
“We believe that by working together, we can preserve America’s national mammal,” Miskin said.
Maintain Your Lodge or Home
We Get it Cleaned Right
Our team of highly trained professionals can help keep your hunting lodge or home beautiful with our services specifically catered to your needs.
• Wood Floor Cleaning
• Stone Refinishing
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Head to Big Country outpost’s grand opening
The Grand Opening of Big Country Outpost, located at 6530 W. Hwy 180 in Albany, is set for the day before the dove opener on August 31, and you won’t want to miss it.
There will be food, drinks including margaritas and beer, drawings for door prizes, vendors on hand to explain their products and a 10-percent discount from now through the Grand Opening on blinds and feeders.
The event will be from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Big Country Outpost (BCO) is being remodeled to showcase the firearms, knives, camo, archery, coolers, optics, ammo, feeders and blinds the store carries, along with all of the other products and accessories. Albany is Big Country’s second location, with the first opening in Hamlin in 2019.
The Chamber of Commerce will do a ribbon cutting around 11 a.m., and others will be on hand with displays of hunting related services, including taxidermists, processing companies and guides.
BCO is a three-member L.L.C. partnership, consisting of J. Chris Allen as the managing member; Ty Underwood and David Byerly.
Allen said there will be some great day-of sales at the Grand Opening, including a package consisting of a blind, tower and feeder for a super low price.
As a licensed Buck Stop retailer, Allen said the store can sell any Buck Stop products, but also carries a full array of firearms, bows and arrows, knives, thermal optics, Silencio suppressors and more. Big Country will also sell feed, including alternatives like cottonseed, halved peanuts and black-eyed peas.
Brands carried by BCO include Benelli, CZ-USA, Franchi, Stoeger, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Montana Rifle Co., Kahr, Cooper, American Tactical, Benchmade, Case, Meopta, Pulsar, AGM, GameGuard, MB Ranch King and South Texas Tripods and Feeders.
210-736-1821
Call and Schedule an Appointment Today! aladdincleans.com
Joshua Creek Ranch
sunrise/sunset 2024-2025
2
REVOLUTIONIZING NIGHT HUNTING IN HIGH RESOLUTION
For predator and hog hunters, the evolution of night hunting technology has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the years, thermal optics have seen significant advancements, with resolutions improving from 256 to 384, and then to 640. A few years back, InfiRay Outdoor, in collaboration with iRayUSA (the US distributor of InfiRay Outdoor products, based here in Texas), introduced the first commercially available 1280x1024 resolution thermal optic. While groundbreaking, its $15,999 price tag placed it out of reach for most hunters.
In an exciting development, the latest advancements in thermal optics have made 1024-resolution devices more accessible and affordable — giving hunters nearly the resolution of the 1280, at less than half the cost. The TX60C thermal weapon sight, announced and displayed at the NRA Annual Meeting in Dallas, in May, represents the next leap forward in hunting technology. Unlike other options that offer 1024x768 resolution, the TX60C stands out with its superior 1024x1024 resolution, providing hunters with even sharper and more detailed imaging.
Priced at $6,999, the TX60C boasts advanced features that enhance the hunting experience, ensuring clearer and more precise targeting. It also offers an optional laser rangefinder accessory and an onboard ballistics calculator function, further elevating its utility in the field. The BOLT TX60C is now in stock and shipping from several retailers in Texas and across the nation.
As night hunting technology continues to progress, hunters can look forward to even more innovative and accessible solutions in the future. With the TX60C, hunters are equipped with the best in thermal imaging, making every night hunt more successful and enjoyable.
IRAY/INFIRAY OUTDOOR ☎ (800) 769-7125 IRAYUSA.COM
As industry innovators, we brought the first 1280x1024 thermal weapon sight to the commercial market. Everyone loved the image quality, but we wanted to push it even further with increased magnification and a user-friendly battery system. Other brands attempted high-resolution models, but failed to hear customers ask for an increased base magnification.
We listened. We’re proud to introduce the BOLT TX60C thermal weapon sight with a high-resolution 1024x1024 thermal sensor, ≤18 mK sensitivity (NETD), a sharp 2560x2560 circular AMOLED display, onboard ballistics, rangefinder compatibility, and a powerful 3-16 zoom range.
THE ULTIMATE BIRD VEST FROM DOVE GEAR
Texas
DOVE DOVE HUNTING HUNTING
WHERE CENTRAL MEETS SOUTH ZONE
CENTRAL MEETS SOUTH ZONE
days 9/1 and 9/14
It takes an avid dove shooter to know exactly what you need for a comfortable and successful hunt, and Terry Koehler has been one for more than 60 years.
His Rockport-based company — Dove Gear — has been earning a following for half a decade, as their Ultimate Bird Vest delivers just about everything you could want in a topquality dove hunting vest.
Its skeletal strap design and mesh construction is the coolest field option we’ve seen, and the spacious shell pockets have flaps that can be secured inside when the shooting is fast and furious. Behind those are spring-closure security pockets for your phone, keys, glasses or other valuables. A water bottle holder up to 32 ounces is handy for you or your dog, and a rear pouch for your empties lets you leave the field as clean as you found it.
Crafted of quality materials and built to last a lifetime, the vest features Dove Gear’s unique six-way size adjustability to fit any size shooter, from youth to XXXXL.
Even after you upgrade to a new HK VP9, with its best-in-class trigger pull and ergonomic, customizable grip, you’re not quite done yet. You still need a couple of important accessories. And we’re not talking about holsters, lights and optics either. Training and Practice – They are two different things and we all need more of both. Look into it … and go do the work!
www.hk-usa.com • 706-701-5554
When you set out to exceed the limits of what is expected of hunting ammunition, you don’t do it by guessing what should happen. You test, evaluate and refine until you arrive at Hornady® Precision Hunter® ammunition, loaded with our ballistically advanced ELD-X® bullet with Heat Shield® tip. Engineered specifically to deliver match accuracy and lethality at all practical ranges, Hornady® Precision Hunter® ammunition is the best ALL-RANGE hunting ammunition.
Showing new stuff
carry handle and adjustable shoulder strap make transport more comfortable.
Quantum Myth Quantum Fishing returns this year with a blast to focus specifically on saltwater, which is what The Myth inshore rod series is for. These rods start with Quantum’s proprietary HSX30 carbon fiber blank, and have Seaguide guides with abrasionresistant Zirconia inserts, Fuji DPS reel seats and cork handles. Ten rods come in the most popular lengths, powers and actions.
Whisker Seeker 60 Series Pro Cat masters may get a big smile about the Whisker Seeker Tackle 60 Series Pro round baitcasting reel. Designed for the rigors of wrangling big and small cats, the
one-piece machined aluminum frame is lightweight yet tough. The reel has four stainless-steel ball bearings, centrifugal and magnetic braking systems, a 5.3:1 gear ratio and a tough carbon fiber drag system. Reeling is easier and more comfortable with the oversized handle.
Bates Salty Hundo 100
New from Bates Fishing is the Salty Hundo 100, a low-profile baitcaster weighing just 5.8 ounces yet designed for tough fishing. It has a one-piece anodized bar-stock aluminum body, adjustable dual-brake system, maximum drag of 15 pounds, and brass, ceramic and stainless steel guts that say “Nope” to saltwater. The reel has gear ratios of 7.1:1 and 8.1:1.
For home or office delivery, go to LSONews.com, or call (214) 361-2276, or send a check or money order to the address below. Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2024 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Competing in Port M
at a 60-pound, 5.7-foot white marlin caught by Therman Humphreys.
The Island resident said it took him about a half hour to land the fish caught some 70 miles offshore.
“I feel real good,” he said. “I usually work the boat but this time I reeled it in.”
Other notable catches included a yellowfin and a blackfin tuna and dorado caught by Kirsten Kinney, who was declared the tournament Offshore Grand Champion.
The yellowfin weighed 52.2 pounds and the blackfin and dorado weighed 15.8 pounds and 7 pounds, respectively.
Nathan Ballard, of Port Mansfield, brought in the biggest red snapper in the adult division, weighing 15.6 pounds. But
Giant Guad
we had been fishing since daylight. We had caught several nice fish throughout the day, and I decided to make one stop on our way in.”
Barela said they pulled up to a point along a retainment wall that usually holds some fish.
“The spot can be a little tricky to fish, but if you can cast your lure at the right angle, you can usually get a bite,” he said. “I told Cornell to make a cast, but it was really windy and he wasn’t able to get into position to cast his lure at the right angle in relation to the point. So I decided to try.”
Barela chunked the swimbait past the point and quickly retrieved it at an angle toward the retainment wall. As soon as his lure crossed the point in front of the wall, a fish crushed it.
“I saw a big swirl as soon as I felt the strike,” Barela said. “I set the hook, and started fighting the fish while also fighting the wind that was blowing my kayak around. I finally landed it, and realized
the heaviest snapper caught, albeit in the junior division, was brought in by 10-yearold Holt Gregson, fishing with his grandpa, Bill Gregson. It weighed 15.95 pounds. And his older brother, Roan, caught another weighing 13.5 pounds.
In the bay division, David Garza and Michael McLelland took the Overall Grand Champion spot, also winning the Calcutta and Flounder Artificial category.
Team Getaway Lodge, made up of Elizabeth Kohutek, Sandra Garza, Michelle Frazier, Erika Carpio and Capt. Mike Sutton, fared well, winning first place in the Redfish Artificial division. Kohutek landed the second place redfish in the Women’s Artificial division.
it was a Guadalupe bass. I knew I had just landed a special fish.”
Barela couldn’t believe he had landed a Guadalupe bass of that size.
“I’m not one that really keeps up with records, but I knew this fish was worth documenting,” he said. “I took all of the appropriate and necessary photos before releasing it, and then filled out the paperwork and sent it all in.”
Because his scale was not certified, the fish only qualified Barela for the catch-andrelease waterbody state record for Inks Lake, which is measured by length. The previous waterbody record Guadalupe bass for Inks by weight is a fish that weighed 3.60 pounds and measured 18.25 inches. The state record is 3.71 pounds.
“The Guadalupe bass is the Texas state fish, and it’s just a really awesome feeling to be able to hold a record for the state fish as a kayak angler,” Barela said. “I’ve caught a handful of Guadalupe bass in Inks before, but none like this one.”
GAME WARDEN BLOTTER
GIRLS FOUND AT PARK AFTER GETTING LOST
At Cooper Lake State Park, a man said his teenage daughter and her friend had gone for a walk but had not returned. He said the girls left before dark but were only supposed to be gone a few minutes because he was cooking dinner. At the site, a camper reported seeing the girls with four teenaged boys. A state park officer had seen the girls near the fishing pier 20 minutes earlier. During the search, the girls were located near the rest room facility and were headed back to the campsite. The girls reported they had walked to the shoreline to watch the sunset. They boys had left. When the girls were walking back as it was getting dark, they got lost, and decided to stay at the rest room where there was light.
HORSE RIDER IN STATE PARK DIES AFTER PARADE
After a group of horseback riders finished doing their maneuvers at the Fort Richardson parade grounds, a man and two others returned to the campsite and were dismounting their horses while putting them on the tether. A witness saw a man walk around the tent with his horse. After a short
DIVERS RESCUED AFTER 36 HOURS AT SEA
Two divers were reported missing about 15 miles offshore from Matagorda. The divers were last seen surfacing in unfavorable weather conditions, and not seen after conditions cleared. A Coast Guard helicopter and an aircraft were launched, along with a response boat. After the search covered 1,656 square miles over 36 hours, the aircraft aircrew spotted a flashing light in the water while searching, and vectored in the location to the boat crew. The divers were located and transported to Coast Guard Station Freeport and were last reported to be in stable condition.
period, the witness went around the tent and observed the man laying on the ground. The witness called 911 and another member of the Troop who is an ICU nurse began providing aid and CPR. The witness assumed the victim had been bucked off his horse, but when he went to secure the horse he observed the horse had been secured in the proper manner. The victim was not breathing, unconscious and had no pulse before beginning CPR. A park officer began providing compres-
sions for CPR while the off-duty nurse provided breaths utilizing a CPR mask. The horses were moved to a safe distance and the area was cleared of civilians until Care Flight arrived. A defibrillator was used to apply shocks. The victim was taken by ambulance to a Jacksboro hospital. At the hospital, the man was declared deceased.
WARDEN SAVES SYMBOL OF FREEDOM
Over the July 4th holiday, Gregg
Shark event
Continued from page 8
“The surf was flat with little wind”, he said. “And there was a ton of bait in the surf.”
The shark division champions presented a menacing triad of bull sharks all measuring 7 1/2 feet or more, with the first prize fish measuring in at nearly 8 1/2 feet.
The tournament produced more honorable mentions including Evan Lund’s 47-inch bull red, women’s division champion Pj Dixon’s 70.5-inch blacktip and kids’ division champion Angel Urrutia’s 5 1/2 foot bull shark.
County Game Warden Todd Long responded and aided an injured juvenile bald eagle, transporting it to Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center for emergency care and then to a permitted facility for rehabilitation and eventual release.
REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000. CALL OPERATION GAME THIEF AT (800) 792-4263
Fuller said the third-place team caught more than 40 sharks over 4 feet each, accredited to the influx of bait and tranquil weather.
The annual tournament is organized by the Spring-based nonprofit, Shark at the Moon.
Founder Nick Fuller began the charity in 2017 when his big sister was diagnosed with cancer. Having lost his dad to pancreatic cancer at age 15, Fuller was no stranger to the fighting that lay ahead, so he set out to arm his sister and family with community support that would ultimately be fueled by the passion of anglers, young and old.
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT
SABINE LAKE: 86 degrees. Redfish are good on soft plastics and live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp.
BOLIVAR: 85 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair to good on soft plastics. Croaker, sand trout, sheepshead and black drum are good on shrimp. Black drum are good on mullet and croaker.
TRINITY BAY: 87 degrees. Black drum and redfish are fair on live shrimp. Speckled trout are slow.
EAST GALVESTON BAY: 86 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp. Black drum and redfish are fair on live shrimp.
GALVESTON BAY: 86 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp. Black drum and redfish are fair on live shrimp.
WEST GALVESTON BAY: 86 degrees.
Speckled trout are good on croaker. Black drum and redfish are fair on live shrimp.
TEXAS CITY: 85 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish and flounder are fair on live mullet.
FREEPORT: 84 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on top-waters and soft plastics.
EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 84 degrees. Speckled trout are good on croakers. Flounder are good for those gigging at night.
WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 84 degrees. Speckled trout are good on croaker and live shrimp. Black drum are good on fresh dead shrimp. Redfish are fair on gold spoon and top-waters.
PORT O’CONNOR: 86 degrees. Speckled trout are for on live croaker and live shrimp. Bull redfish are fair on live piggy perch and
Spanish sardines. Slot redfish are fair on Spanish sardines and blue crab. Black drum are slow.
SAN ANTONIO BAY: 88 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on croakers. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp. Flounder are good for those that are gigging at night.
ROCKPORT: 84 degrees. Speckled trout are good on croaker. Redfish are fair on shrimp, cut skipjack and mullet. Black drum are good on live or dead shrimp and fish bites.
REDFISH BAY: 86 degrees. Black drum are good on dead shrimp. Speckled trout are good on piggy perch. Redfish are fair on cut mullet.
PORT ARANSAS: 84 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp and cut bait. Speckled trout are good on croaker or shrimp. Kingfish are at the first rigs and are good on ribbonfish.
CORPUS CHRISTI: 81 degrees. Black drum are good on dead shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on piggy perch. Redfish are fair on cut mullet.
BAFFIN BAY: 86 degrees. Flounder are good on scented soft plastics. Speckled trout are good on top-water plugs. Redfish are good on gold spoons.
PORT MANSFIELD: 92 degrees. Redfish are good on soft plastics and natural baits. Specked trout are good on artificials. Flounder are fair on soft plastic jigs.
SOUTH PADRE: 84 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp. Flounder are good on soft plastics.
—TPWD
Corey Benick, 14, caught this 42-pound black drum at Goose Island State Park using a jig and a fish bite.
Doug Jones caught this tarpon at Port O’Connor.
Brian Barrera holds a 50-plus pound rooster fish caught just off the coast of Los Barriles, Mexico, with Baja Fishing Adventures.
Ryan Neumann, 13, shot this 28-inch wide Nyassaland wildebeest while on safari with his dad, Aaron, in Tanzania, in July.
Chuck Ayers caught this 40-inch black drum in Copano Bay on July 6. It was successfully released.
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES
Nueces
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER
3) Turkey hunters’ org.
5)
Worm rigging style
Grob named president of KGM
KGM Technologies, a suppressor manufacturer based in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, appointed Kyle Grob as president and Jeff Andrews to executive vice president.
Big changes at Vudoo Gun Works
Vudoo Gun Works announced a change in the ownership and the appointment of Jacob Herman as the new chief executive officer, Heather Miller as vice president of sales and marketing, and Jack Oliver as chief operating officer.
GSM sold
Gridiron Capital announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell its controlling interest in Good Sportsman Marketing Outdoors (GSM) to Platinum Equity. GSM CEO Eddie Castro and the management team will continue to lead GSM post-transaction.
Mercury Marine cutting production
After reducing the workforce at its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, facility by nearly 300, Mercury Marine announced that it is reducing its production schedule that will affect around 1,700 hourly employees.
Xpress Boats
marketing
director
Mark Copley was named the director of marketing at Xpress Boats.
Peters to lead production
Outdoor America named August Peters as its new vice president of production.
Rep group for ATN
ATN Corp retained Proactive Sales as its manufacturers rep group in the outdoor and tactical equipment industry.
Power plants and redfish
Continued from page 8
of aggressive fish when the plant is running.”
According to Inland Fisheries San Antonio District Supervisor, Mitch Nisbet, red drum activity is typically lower when the power plants on Braunig and Calaveras lakes are not as active.
“You could compare it to the winter months when the plants are running less, and many of the local fishing guides switch their focus to catfish,” Nisbet said. “When the plants are running, water circulation is at its peak, as water is being pumped in and discharged from the plant. This leads to more active populations of both red drum and their forage species.” Nisbet also said that changes in barometric pressure as a result of frequent rainstorms can also impact redfish feeding activity and their distribution across the lakes.
“Rain impacts the temperature and oxygen profile of these lakes,” Nisbet said. “As the rain cools the surface water, it becomes more dense and drops lower in the water column, changing where the highest levels of oxygen are distributed. This can also cause the fish and their prey to concentrate in deeper areas.”
San Antonio-area guide, Harry Lamb, said channel catfish have been more active than usual on the lakes due to the cooler than normal water temperatures.
Shotshell brand
The rounded side of the bow
Group of sharks
Floresville’s county
26) Holds the extravaganzas 27) Livingston’s county 30) A border lake 32) Shotgun brand 33) One of the cats 34) Rifle brand 37) Central Texas lake 38) A goose favorite 40) Rains County’s seat 43) Henderson’s county
Sinker type
“Rock lines on both Calaveras and Braunig are holding plenty of channel cats right now,” Lamb said. “Cut bait and cheese bait have been working well for those wanting to catch a mess of channel catfish.”
THE TABLE
olive oil for frying Wash fish with lime juice. Marinate fish in seasoned coconut milk with salt, pepper and Scotch bonnet pepper. Place fish in egg wash, coat with coconut and panko breadcrumbs. Pan fry fish in olive oil in hot skillet until golden brown on each side.
each turkey breast lengthwise into
about 1/2 inch–1 inch thick. Place each cutlet between two sheets of plastic wrap and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Pound with the flat side of a meat tenderizer until 1/4-inch thick. Mix the flour and salt together and coat each cutlet generously. Dip each cutlet into the lightly beaten egg. Leave the cutlets to rest 10
minutes, covered completely with the lightly beaten egg. While the cutlets are resting, prepare breadcrumbs on a plate. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Set a cooling rack over the lined baking sheet. Air dry schnitzel for 5 minutes. In a Dutch oven or deep pan, add enough oil to allow the schnitzel to just float. Heat oil to 360 degrees. Pick up one cutlet from the egg bath. Slowly lower the schnitzel coated with breadcrumbs into the oil and fry for 2-3 minutes. Remove with long tongs and move schnitzel to the rack. Repeat the process until all of the schnitzels are fried and dried. Serve with a single thin lemon slice and a few pieces of roughly chopped parsley.
—National Wildlife Federation
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
—Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources
NATIONAL
FLORIDA Scheme uses pen-raised turkeys to resemble osceolas
On July 24, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission charged four individuals involved in a fraudulent scheme to defraud hunters seeking Osceola turkey hunts. Larry William Collins, David Preston Mills, Paul Neil Beckham and Vernon Robert Flowers were charged with multiple felonies, including organized fraud, conspiracy to commit organized fraud, cheating and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Investigators and forensic scientists revealed that Collins and his co-conspirators advertised and provided fraudulent nonwild Osceola turkey hunts to unsuspecting victims through the Razzor Ranch website. Victims were led to believe they were paying for a genuine Osceola turkey hunting experience but were instead guided to hunt pen-raised turkeys bred to resemble the Osceola species. Collins accepted money for the hunts and then coordinated with his hunting guides (coconspirators Beckham and Mills) to guide the unsuspecting victims to hunting locations to hunt a nonwild, pen-raised turkey. The penraised nonwild turkeys were bred and raised by Collins to appear as Osceola turkeys.
The scheme involved Collins, who operated the Razzor Ranch Blanket Hunting Preserve in Hardee County, and Mills, who managed a game farm in Charlotte County where the nonwild turkeys were raised. Mills and Beckham acted as guides, leading the hunts, while Flowers, owner of Skins and Scales Taxidermy, mounted the fraudulent turkeys for the victims. Collins received kickbacks from Flowers for referring taxidermy business.
—FWC
NEW YORK State-record largemouth
Jim Britenbaugh, of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, landed a 12-pound, 6-ounce Cayuga Lake largemouth bass while practicing for a bass tournament on July 11. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed the catch as the new state record on July 22.
Cayuga Lake was ranked No. 8 in the northeast region In the 2024 Bassmaster Magazine 100 Best Bass Lakes.
—NYDEC
LOUISIANA
Duck Hunters Expo welcomes 23,000
Delta Waterfowl’s third-ever Duck Hunters Expo welcomed 23,167 people and more than 200 exhibitors to the Baton Rouge’s Raising Cane’s River Center.
“It was an excellent, fun weekend celebrating all things ducks and duck hunting,” said Brad Heidel, Delta’s senior director of corporate relations. “Families and people of all ages showed up to talk about duck hunting, meet industry pros and see the latest gear.”
On Saturday night, 850 people attended the sold-out Duck Hunters Grand Banquet, and a field of 18 talented duck callers took to the stage for the inaugural Delta Grand Na tional double-reed calling competition, won by Seth Roussel, of Shreveport, Louisiana, taking home the title of “Delta Grand National Champion.”
The Delta Waterfowl Callmakers Champion ship crowned Dax Piper, of Pinckney, Illinois, as overall champion, taking home the Butch Richenback Cup.
ARKANSAS
Lower turkey fees for nonresidents
One state sought to reduce nonresident hunting costs while nearly all others are rais ing nonresident fees to unprecedented levels.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commis sion reinstated a $100 nonresident turkey permit that can be purchased by holders of a Nonresident Annual Hunting License. The Commission adopted a separate $325 Non resident Turkey Hunting License in May to allow hunters only interested in turkey hunt ing to save money compared to purchasing a $410 annual license and $100 turkey permit.
The previous permit was accidentally stricken from the code, but the action reinstated it, allowing nonresidents two options for turkey hunting licenses in Arkansas. —AGFC
Marlin frenzy
caught some smaller fish like yellowfin tuna in the 30- to 40-pound class.
During the tournament they were allowed to fish two and half days. During that time they caught six blue marlin that weighed from around 300-600 pounds, and that put them in first place.
For most boats in this tourney, the best baits were blackfin tuna fished on bridle rigs. Woods said they kept their baits alive in tuna tubes.
AUGUST 9-11
SPI CHAMBER OF
SPI Convention Center (956) 761-4412 spichamber.com
DATEBOOK
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Lake Ray Roberts Dinner
Lone Star Lodge and Marina
Pilot Point (619) 654-1341 ducks.org
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
TEXAS TROPHY HUNTERS ASSOCIATION
Fort Worth Extravaganza Fort Worth Convention Center huntersextravaganza.com
AUGUST 10
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
North Texas Banquet Embassy Suites, Grapevine (214) 693-8523 rmef.org
AUGUST 15
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
Golden Crescent of Texas Banquet
Victoria Community Center (361) 676-7433 gcnwtf.org
AUGUST 16-17
TEXAS DEER ASSOCIATION
Annual Convention
JW Marriott Hill Country Resort
San Antonio (512) 499-0466 texasdeerassociation.com
AUGUST 16-18
TEXAS TROPHY HUNTERS ASSOCIATION
San Antonio Extravaganza
Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall huntersextravaganza.com
AUGUST 17
DELTA WATERFOWL
Longview Banquet
Maude Cobb Convention Center (903) 235-7296 deltawaterfowl.org
LONE STAR QUAIL FOREVER
Dove Hunters Skeet Challenge Northlake Shooting Sports lonestarquailforever.org
Blackland Prairie Banquet
Knights of Columbus Hall, West (254) 855-2902 nwtf.org
AUGUST 17-18
TEXAS GUN AND KNIFE SHOWS
Abilene Convention Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com
AUGUST 22
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB
DSC 100 Kickoff Party
DSC Headquarters (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
AUGUST 23
DELTA WATERFOWL
Alamo Chapter Banquet
Aggie Park, San Antonio (210) 289-2152 deltawaterfowl.org
AUGUST 24
DUCKS UNLIMITED Celina Dinner
3R’s Ranch, Prosper (972) 822-8549 ducks.org
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION
East Texas Chapter Banquet
The Cain Center, Athens (918) 637-8860 nwtf.org
AUGUST 31
BIG COUNTRY OUTPOST Grand Opening Albany (325) 309-0190 bigcountryoutposttx.com
Focus on ducks, geese
Continued from page 4
hunt, but the experience definitely captured my interest,” he said.
For the next couple of seasons, Pruski began to become more and more enthralled with waterfowl hunting. He booked hunts with guides and outfitters on the coast, and started getting a few of his birds mounted by other taxidermists.
“After spending some money with other taxidermists, I decided I ought to give waterfowl taxidermy a try,” he said. “I did a bunch of research and spent hours watching YouTube, bought some supplies, and gave it my best shot with some of my ducks. I mounted my first bird at the beginning of 2023, just after the season ended.”
Pruski continued to perfect his craft while working out of the garage at his house.
“I had buddies who were duck hunters, and they would bring me birds to practice on,” he said. “One thing led to another, and by November of 2023, I had quite a few friends, family members and acquaintances asking me to mount birds for them.”
From there, Pruski created his business and an Instagram page, and slowly started to build a local clientele base. He also had another taxidermist in the area reach out and contract him to do some work.
“My goal was to complete 40 birds from the 2023-2024 hunting season,” he said. “At the time, my wife and I had two boys and a third on the way. I was working on birds at all hours of the night after work, after my kids went to sleep.”
Once he finishes the few birds that he has left from clients from last season, he will have mounted more than 100 birds in his first year practicing waterfowl taxidermy.
Pruski said he has enjoyed talking with local waterfowl hunters, and realizing how many hunting opportunities there are in the area where he grew up.
Pruski recently attended the annual Texas Taxidermy Association Competition, where he won three awards in the professional division.
“I’m excited to take what I learned at the competition and apply it to my work,” he said. “I absolutely love bringing these beautiful birds back to life and preserving memories for my clients.”
Puzzle solution from Page 16
