Lone Star Outdoor News 102320 by Lone Star Outdoor News

Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas

October 23, 2020

Volume 17, Issue 5

Record goldfish Angler lands giant at college pond By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News After eight months, the goal of Finley Miller was finally realized. The avid angler and Irving resident landed a likely state record goldfish

that weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces. “The fish was first caught in February by a good friend of mine,” Miller said. “He thought it was a koi, and got some pictures of it and released it. When I studied the pictures, I told him it was a goldfish, and probably the state record goldfish.” The pair have been chasing the

Finley Miller fish ever since. targeted a big “We hit up that place as much as goldfish after his we could,” Miller said. friend caught That place is a pond on the camthe fish, thinking pus of Richland College (now called it was a koi. The Dallas College Richland Campus). fish weighed “There are two ponds there, and 8 pounds, 12 some pretty good bass too,” Miller ounces and is said. “It’s an interesting place.” likely the state Miller only started fishing a few record. Photo from Finley years ago, and is a carp-fishing Please turn to page 15

Miller.

Big deer early MLD ranches putting out big bucks By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News

Dry conditions in South Texas have made bucks more likely to come to feeders in the month of October. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Scrolling through South Texas’ oldest and largest deer contests’ leaderboards, Muy Grande and Los Cazadores, would seem to suggest there are a lot more big deer being taken early in the Managed Lands Deer Program season, which opened to rifle hunters Oct. 1. They might be right, according to Bailey Dunks of Los Cazadores in Pearsall. “We’re seeing more deer than usual — we’re having a good start to the season,” she said. “Our numbers are up from last year, but not by a crazy amount.” Dunks said she thinks people were ready to get out of the house

and hunt, and added, if people had their eyes on a big deer, they “don’t want it to break anything off.” Daniel Kunz, a technical guidance biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said several reasons could be in play why so many big deer are coming in early. “Rainfall across South Texas was really spotty this summer,” he said. “The big deer I’ve heard about on the eastern side of South Texas, I would attribute that to better habitat conditions. On the western side, it’s pretty parched, so the poor conditions could have the deer coming out in the open to feed.” Kunz said Zavala County is in the third year of a drought, and even areas on the eastern side of South Texas, like George West and Alice, had dried up pretty quickly. Please turn to page 20

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

Shrimp boat sunk for habitat By Tony Vindell

The EMR Captain Berry goes underwater to become habitat for red snapper and other marine species. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

The Rio Grande Reef off the coast of South Padre Island received a new vessel that will serve as additional habitat for red snapper and other fish and marine species. The boat, the EMR Capt. Berry, was sunk on Wed., Oct. 15, on top of the artificial reef located about 8 miles east of the island.

The 96-foot vessel is the third and largest one now forming the huge underwater bank that is becoming one of the hottest spots for recreational anglers, particularly those going after red snapper. It took about an hour for the old dismantled boat to be submerged after it was filled with water. Bubbles and a white foam were all that remained after the boat went underwater. Please turn to page 16

HUNTING

Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 18 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 20

INSIDE

CONTENTS

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

For Lone Star Outdoor News

Social media bullying (P. 4) The Hunting Consortium targeted by Facebook, Instagram.

Big buck, small ranch (P. 5) Hunter succeeds on 50-acre pecan farm.

FISHING

Action on Whitney, PK, Bridgeport (P. 8,9) Multiple species biting.

Customized landing nets (P. 8) Austin man finds his niche.

Page 2

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

ABSOLUTE ACCURACY. EVEN WHEN YOUR HEART’S

BEATING OUT OF YOUR CHEST.

Every riflescope in our whitetail hunting line follows in the footsteps of our most proven, battle-tested products. Otherwise, it wouldn’t ® be a Trijicon riflescope. Expect absolute precision, brilliant clarity from sunup to sundown, and extreme durability so you can hunt with confidence.

THE NEW

Trijicon Huron

™

Trijicon Credo HX

Trijicon AccuPoint

™

See what it takes to make a brilliant aiming solution at Trijicon.com.

4533_20TRIJ14464_GoBigNew-LSON.indd 1

12/23/19 4:09 PM

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Page 3

Page 4

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HUNTING

A tough predicament Hunting outfitter, consultant banned from social media platforms By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Censorship of hunting-related content on social media is becoming more common. Scrolling through your feed you might find a post from a hunter, guide or outfitter had a photo attached, but the photo is missing, replaced by a message identifying it as “inappropriate content.” For The Hunting Consortium, one of the world’s largest international hunting

outfitters, the attack and online censorship from social media giants Facebook and Instagram since July are getting more severe. “The Hunting Consortium has recently fallen victim to the censorship issue that has been plaguing the hunting community for some time now,” said Vice President Rob Kern. “In July, we experienced a censorship issue greater than anything we, or any of the experts we have talked to, have encountered.” According to Kern, between 1,000 and 1,500 photos were removed from the agency’s Facebook page. But that wasn’t all. Links to the agency’s website were banned on both sites, including on Ins-

tagram direct message and Facebook messager. The Hunting Consortium also cannot write text in an Instagram post, and any message on Instagram containing its website is blocked. “We have suffered a devastating blow with this censorship and have been in touch daily with some of the biggest hunting organizations and advocacy groups in the world,” said Kern. “We will not take this lying down and will fight to have Facebook and Instagram remove the censorship of our page.” Kern continued, “Although we do see posts within the hunting community that could be considered sensitive, it is not fair, ethical, or moral that a social media user Please turn to page 6

Conservation groups are fighting back the censorship of outfitter The Hunting Consortium. Photo by Lili Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Young hunters achieve success By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News The second weekend of the Managed Lands Deer Program season saw temperatures skyrocket across much of the state, creating tough conditions for deer hunters sitting in blinds. The heat, however, didn’t stop two youth hunters from making successful harvests while attending a hunt put on by the Texas Youth Hunting Program in Coryell County. Their shot opportunities were few and far between, but when the right moment presented itself, they made it count. 11-year-old Aryan Bairamadgi, of San Antonio, was able to harvest a whitetail doe during his

first sit of the weekend. “It was pretty warm when we climbed into the blind that afternoon, and we didn’t see any deer until late in the evening when the sun started going down,” he said. “All of a sudden a couple of young bucks walked out, and then a group of does followed them.” The youngster said the deer weren’t interested in the corn that had been broadcasted by the feeder out in front of the blind. Instead, they were grazing on oats behind the blind. “The doe finally made their way to an area of the oat patch that was about 100 yards away,” Bairamadgi said. “I picked out the

Aryan Bairamadgi, 11, harvested this whitetail doe during hot conditions on a Texas Youth Hunting Program hunt in Coryell County. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

heaviest looking one and waited for her to turn broadside. It took a few minutes, but she eventually gave me a good shot opportunity and I took it.” The deer ran about 30 yards be-

fore crashing. “When I saw her fall over, I was immediately overcome with excitement, because I knew I had made a great shot,” he said. The young hunter’s father, Raj

Bairamadgi, was sitting in the blind with him, alongside their guide. “I think I was more nervous than he was,” said the dad. “My heart was pounding, and I was so Please turn to page 20

Texas snakes will keep you on point By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News

Tim Wilkinson came upon 23 rattlers while working on West Matagorda Bay. Photo from Tim Wilkinson.

Texas has no shortage of snakes and unfortunately many of them are venomous, and often found where a lot of folks hunt and fish. You never know when and where you’ll have a chance encounter with a venemous snake like a water moccasin, copperhead, rattler or even a coral snake. Victor Randazzo has hunted and fished for the better part of 50 years in Texas. One evening, he was sitting in a chair and taking it easy on the back porch at his family home located off of a creek in Lake Jackson. “I was just sitting there enjoying a quiet evening,” said Randazzo. “I went to reach for my drink and happened to look down and saw about a 3-foot long coral snake between my legs. Talk about a stroke-out moment, that was it. Fortunately, I got out of there without getting whacked.”

And then there is the confrontation of a diamondback rattler during a quail hunt, on a cold winter day northwest of Waco. “It was a Saturday afternoon in February, the wind was blowing and it was very cold,” said Denny Copeland. “Two of us were moving along a barbed wire fence. I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye and spotted a huge rattler coiled up by a fence post, about two feet from my right foot. I just about came unglued. I picked up a rock and hit the snake in the head, and that’s when it took off, right at me. That’s when I popped it in the head with a single shot from a Remington 870. That snake was just over 6 feet long.” Jim West has been a fishing and hunting guide for more than 40 years. Most of his hunts are on the Bolivar Peninsula prairie, where there definitely is no shortage of water moccasins and copperheads. “I’ve had lots of run-ins with venemous snakes, and only had one bite me,” West said. “That was a moccasin. It didn’t make

me real sick, that’s mainly because it didn’t hang on and get a lot of venom in me. But it definitely slowed me down for a few days. I was treated with four vials of antivenom at a cost of $8,000 a pop.” West said he sees the most moccasins and copperheads during teal and dove hunts. “One day I was fixing up a duck blind with cane — I had been working on it for about 30 minutes,” he said. “I looked over and there was a water moccasin about shoulder high in a wad of cane. It was about a foot from me. That was a close one.” Tim Wilkinson, an Audubon coastal warden on the 75-acre Bird Island sanctuary on West Matagorda Bay, has the most bizarre snake story from the island dotted with “no trespassing” signs. He and Calvin “Jack” Jackson were clearing some brush on the island. “I was pulling a brush hog and hit something,” Wilkinson said. “It turned out to be Please turn to page 6

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Short hunt, after lots of preparation Opening day buck arrowed on small ranch By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News John Ven Huizen bought a 50acre ranch in Lampasas County 5 years ago, and on the opening morning of archery season, he realized the dream of taking a nice buck from his own place. He described the ranch as a 50acre pecan farm. “We bought it just before the county became popular,” Ven Huizen said. “We looked for land for two years. We manicured the place for bowhunting. The neighbors rifle hunt but don’t bow hunt. We try to limit ourselves to taking one good buck each year, and there are plenty of does and spikes. And we’re eaten up with pigs.” As opening day approached, Ven Huizen said he figured the deer season would be “garbage just like everything else” this year. But when he arrived at the ranch the evening before the opener, he scouted his front pasture, and right before dark, a big buck he didn’t recognize cruised through. “I knew I had a target worth chasing for the season,” he said. That night, he thought about his bowhunting beginnings. “I had drawn an alligator tag

Sheep Show becomes Sheep Week

about 7 years ago and bought a crossbow for that,” he said. “Then, a buddy from Rockport was buying a new bow and sold me his PSE Pro Series. It had survived in his attic when his house was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey.” The trail the buck was one was near on of the ground blind setups on the property, so on opening morning at 4:30 a.m., Ven Huizen was in that blind. “When the sun came up there was no wind and no movement for an hour,” he said. “I had a group of hogs come by but I didn’t shoot because I didn’t want to compromise my position.” At 8:15, the buck crossed the pasture and headed to the pecan bottoms. “I started shaking,” Ven Huizen said. “He was 250 yards away but John Ven Huizen arrowed this buck on his ranch in Lampasas County. Photo from John Ven Huizen. was on the right trail.” An hour later, the wind picked up and the zen said. “Then I saw him. He young bucks needed to be moved deer started to move. locked in on the small bucks on along. “A bachelor group of young his trail and came in to run them “He got to 30 yards and started bucks came off the trail to my off. He hung up at 45 yards and to posture to the other bucks,” hand corn and milled around just stared at my blind for about Ven Huizen said. “He then for a while fighting with each 5 minutes.” dropped his head to eat some other and goofing off,” Ven HuiFinally, the buck decided the corn.” Please turn to page 17

no maintenance wood-grain

metal

exterior

Please turn to page 5

proudly made in texas Custom floorplans for every cabin. Delivered and setup anywhere in the U.S.

visit

Hunting Lodge Weekend Getaway Family Retreat Guest House Mother-in-Law Suite Man Cave SheShack Sh Ofﬁce Space

www.mbrkcabins .com today to look at custom ﬂoorplans, online brochure, and photo gallery.

Page 5

The Wild Sheep Foundation will hold its online Sheep Week event on Jan. 11–16, 2021. “We’ve been talking all summer about a virtual alternative to the 2021 Sheep Show,” said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of WSF. “Being online is nothing new for us, but moving exclusively online has taken some time to build what we believe will be a best-inclass experience for our members, attendees, exhibitors, agency and conservation partners, and sponsors.” Thornton said the only difference will be, “instead of having to come to us, we’ll come to your computer or mobile device.” Sheep Week, The Experience will feature all the elements of a Sheep Show convention, including interactive exhibitor booths where registered attendees can communicate with companies to purchase everything from their next hunting adventure to the latest gear and equipment, to sporting art and taxidermy services. There will be opportunities to learn and interact through seminars, Zoom chats, sportsmen’s lounges and forums and build points to win an unrivaled amount of gear, hunts and other prizes. Sheep Week also will offer raffles and live online auctions, including the chance to be the winning bidder for one of nearly 40 special state, federal, provincial, and tribal agency wild sheep and other big game conservation permits. —WSF

Page 6

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Funds approved to combat CWD Lone Star Outdoor News Funds have been approved for research into predictive genetics in white-tailed deer to reduce chronic wasting disease, along with indemnity funds for producers impacted by the disease. On Oct. 15, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it is providing nearly $2.8 million to 17 states and one tribe to conduct research and management activities to combat CWD. More than $2.4 million will be awarded to 15 different state departments and one Tribal Nation. Texas was included in the listing of states receiving assistance. APHIS also used $200,000 to continue funding work on validating the use of predictive genetics in white-tailed deer. Also, $1.26 million was allocated for indemnity payments to producers to assist state agricultural agencies in controlling CWD by removing infected herds or exposed cervids. Patrick Tarlton, Texas Deer Association’s executive director, called the announcement a huge win. “Our industry owes each and every one of the USDA team members an extremely large “Thank you” for their work to secure, assess, and distribute these funds for our producers impacted by this disease,” he said.

300# GALVANIZED BROADCAST FEEDER

600# STAND & FILL BROADCAST FEEDER WITH CORN SHIELD

Texan wins UTV in national sweepstakes

Chon Martinez, of Anderson, won a Federal branded Kubota Sidekick utility vehicle and gear in the 2020 Federal Kubota Sweepstakes. The price package was worth more than $23,000. Martinez and his family picked up the keys to the new Sidekick on Saturday following a ceremony at the WC Tractor dealership in Navasota. Martinez, a farmer and rancher, said the Sidekick will be used on his country property for transportation, grounds care, hauling and hunting and he expects to trailer it as well for additional hunting purposes. —Federal Cartridge Company

Targeting outfitters

Follow the Mumme’s Facebook page for info on the latest items and special sales!

For prices and information call 1-800-221-6398 or visit us online at www.mummesinc.com

830.426.3313 830.334.3323 830.931.2215 Hondo, TX

www.mummesinc.com

120 Hwy 173N

Pearsall, TX

1845 Business I-35N

Rio Medina, TX 10195 FM 2676

Mon-Fri: 8-5:30 Sat: 8-5:00 Closed Sunday

We ship anywhere in the continental United States. Call for Quantity Discounts on select feeders. Feeder Capacity Determined by corn weight.

AGUA VIDA RANCH White Tail Special

3000

1 White Tail Doe 1 White Tail Buck up to 149” Lodging, Meals and 1-1 Guide

Contact Joe: 281.960.5864 joe@aguavidaranch.com

22402 N HWY 55 Rocksprings, TX 7880 www.AGUAVIDARANCH.com

Continued from page 4

can witness a human being violently assaulted or even murdered, yet hunting related content is removed.” Facebook has refused to respond. In the past, in response to another hunting post censorship, it said: “We remove reported content that promotes poaching of endangered species, the sale of animals for organized fight or content that includes extreme acts of animal abuse.” However, no one has contended The Hunting Consortium posts or photos contained information that promoted poaching, endangered species or any of the other Facebook-prohibited content. Safari Club International, after attempting to contact Facebook since July, wrote Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg on Oct. 7, calling for Facebook and Instagram to immediately halt the company’s deliberate and ongoing censorship of The Hunting Consortium Inc. “Furthermore, conflating illegal poaching with legal hunting is a dangerous tactic that undermines the wildlife conservation benefits brought by legal hunting as recognized by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and many other global and state specific conservation groups,” the letter said. The Hunting Consortium’s dilemma reminds companies and marketers not to put too many eggs in the Facebook/Instagram basket. No matter how big a person’s or company’s following is, they don’t own it or have any control of what happens on the platform. “We use it, but we don’t control it,” said

Kevin Rank, an information technology management and marketing professional. “Social media is owned by the companies that run them. We rent space on them.” The reach of a particular social media post has decreased over the years, often to less than 5 percent of “followers.” To increase the reach, businesses have to spend money on boosting the posts. And paying for eyeballs on posts doesn’t necessarily translate into customers. “If you depend too much on them and they change their algorithms, you can be completely out of luck,” Rank said. Kern said as of Oct. 16, The Hunting Consortium has received no response from Facebook or Instagram. “They did bring back some of our posts, but they still can’t be shared and links to our website are still banned,” he said. Kern is relying on email lists and other marketing and advertising avenues. “But we lose that collaboration with our clients,” he said. “Now is the time to reach people and say everything is OK.” Kern said he is all for restricting inappropriate posts, including some posted by hunters. “There is inappropriate stuff that should be dealt with,” he said. “But in Facebook’s community standards, hunting is accepted.” The complete lack of response frustrates Kern. “We haven’t gotten anything from them,” he said. “There is no appeal option. We have used that with success on some ads that were initially denied. One employee there can ban you and it seems like there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Rattler encounters Continued from page 4

a piece of metal sticking out of the ground. I got off the tractor and tried to pry out what turned out to be the remains of a 55-gallon drum. It was full of bees that had a very bad temper. They were all over me, and I took off running to the water.” They returned the next day with stuff to kill the bees and clear out the debris. But living with the bees were rattlesnakes — lots of them. “We went to pull out the drum and I saw a snake inside,” Wilkinson said. “I had a Judge .410 pistol with me. I shot one, and then another. We ended up killing 23 adult rattlers.” He felt the rattlers probably came from nearby Matagorda Island. Once there, they established a thriving population that lives off of bird eggs and small rats.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Page 7

Page 8

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

FISHING

A tailored experience

Bull reds under a drone

Dustin Scott uses several types of wood to make specialized landing nets. Photo from Dustin Scott.

Austin craftsman’s handmade, customized landing nets By Madison Scarborough For Lone Star Outdoor News

Scents of sawdust and whiskey wood fill up the room of Heart Wood Trade’s shop in southwest Austin. Five years ago, Dustin Scott started selling handmade landing nets for people wanting a tailored fishing product. It hasn’t always been a tradition for fly-fishing legend Flip Pallot to use a net, but when he was choosing to bring one on his trip to the Rockies, he was happy to have one from Heart Wood Trade. Pallot said he is “thrilled with the craftsmanship,” appreciating attention to detail and the creative process that’s been brought to bear. “It’s not what’s done; it’s the way it’s done,” he said. Scott enjoys hearing other people’s stories and connecting with people he wouldn’t have typically met. He can make a net for people that want different types of woods that resemble a part of their lives. “For example, walnut wood because it reminds someone of their first shotgun, and olive wood because it reminds someone of their relationship with their spouse,” he said. The story behind the nets started with Scott’s father, who passed down the art of woodworking, hunting and fishing. Most trips, the duo would travel to Rockport and the Frio River to fish or hunt various public lands when they had successful draws with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. After graduating college and well into his career as an independent motion graphic designer, Scott got invited on a fly-fishing trip to Arkansas. He decided to make a net for the trip, which eventually sparked his idea to start Heart Wood Trade. Since the company’s creation, Scott has handled every aspect of the business. He manages marketing and scheduling, and is the only person who controls the nets before they reach an owner’s hands. Scott “likes a challenge,” and explained that working with wood requires multiple adjustments because of the property’s organic nature. Scott uses three tiers of woods, including domestic, exotic and reclaimed whiskey barrel. After creating a solid base for one of the six different types of nets he offers, Scott finishes the wood with a robust concoction that seals the wood and prevents fading from sun exposure. Not only is the woodworking procedure carefully thought out, each box that is shipped out includes a handwritten note, stickers and information on how to take care of each product. Thoroughness has been Scott’s driving factor in creating an individualized experience for every customer.

Andy Bogan uses a golf cart to get to his fishing spot, and a drone to get the bait out into the surf. Photo from Andy Bogan.

By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News Andy Bogan has been catching bull reds for decades. He lives in Beaumont, and also has a beach house on Bolivar Peninsula. For the past few weeks, he’s been spending a lot of time fishing for big reds out of his golf cart, with a drone and cooler full of ice-cold drinks. The golf cart is used to reach some of the proven spots along the surf. The drone is used to transport a baited hook 200 to 300 yards offshore. And the cold beer is there to beat the heat. “I don’t like to get my feet wet,” Bogan said. “So instead of using a kayak to take my baits out in the surf, I’ve

started using a drone. I’m on my second one this year. I started out by attaching an outrigger clip to the bottom of the drone. I would attach my leader with a hook and weight to the outrigger. Once I launch the drone, we will feed out line off the reel. When it’s far enough out I pop the line and it’s released from the clip. That’s when I place the rod in a holder and pop the top on a cold beer. The first drone had a malfunction and crashed into the surf. Now I’ve got one that has a clip on the bottom, and when the bait is where I want it to be I just press a button and the drone drops the bait.” Bogan uses a 12/0 circle hook on a 3-foot section of 40-pound test braided

steel leader. To keep the bait on bottom in a strong current, he uses an 8-ounce sand digger weight. The heaviest bull red he’s caught lately weighed 45 pounds. Now is the best time of the year to get tight with a big fish, and that’s what a lot of fishermen are doing along the entire Texas coast. This is when you can soak a hunk of dead bait on the bottom at the mouths of passes, the jetties and the surf for a good chance that you’ll hook up with reds in the 20- to 40-pound class. Guide Nathan Beabout, based out of Port O’Connor, said the bull red run will last through about the middle of November, with October being the Please turn to page 15

Striper action hot on Whitney By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News Temperatures may be cooling off with the onset of autumn, but the striped bass bite on Lake Whitney is about as hot as it gets. Guides have been scoring limits of the hard-pulling fish for their customers, and some trophy-sized specimens have

been in the mix. Live baits have been the ticket for catching stripers weighing double digits, as well as numbers of fish. Guide Pat Small said the cooler fall water temperatures are keeping the stripers pretty aggressive along flats and channel ledges in 23-30 feet of water. “Twenty seven feet has kind of been the magical depth Please turn to page 17

Guillermo Guerrero landed this 34-inch striper on a live bluegill while fishing with Lake Whitney guide, Pat Small. Photo from Pat Small.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Page 9

Oyster farming and fishing By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Texas has officially become the last Gulf state to allow oyster farming. In the most recent legislative session, the legislature granted authority to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop an off-bottom oyster mariculture program using enclosed cages. Basically, oyster aquaculture involves obtaining a small number of adult oysters from natural waters, spawning the oysters in a land-based hatchery, and growing them to market size in cages or bags in the natural waters.

In May, the commission adopted rules for the program. Until now, the Texas commercial oyster fishery has relied upon harvest from natural reefs in areas approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. But overfishing, coupled with natural disasters, like Hurricane Harvey, have significantly impacted oyster supplies in Texas waters. According to the Harte Research Institute, prior to Harvey, the oyster industry contributed $20 billion in tourism dollars, $54 billion in restaurant sales, and contributed to the wages of 1.2 million workers, annually. Harvey disrupted nearly every oyster-pro-

ducing region in Texas. Under the new program, farms will be leased on a case-by-case basis. “Farmers propose a site based on water depth, current and salinity — things that influence how oysters grow and taste,” said TPWD Natural Resources Specialist Emma Clarkson. “We analyze it to make sure farms aren’t going in areas that impact fish, wildlife or habitat like seagrasses and bird nesting areas.” Jennifer Pollack with HRI said fishing wasn’t likely to be impacted by the oyster farms. “The aquaculture is targeted toward the half-shell market and

the wild harvest is targeted toward the shucked oyster market,” she said. “Aquaculture could have the potential to alleviate some of the harvest pressure from natural reefs if some of the current fishermen shift into becoming oyster farmers instead.” Clarkson said the first applications have come in, and several people are working on about five applications. “It will be at least a year before we see oysters coming in,” she said. Julie Hagen, TPWD’s coastal fisheries information specialist, said the permits would not likely affect oyster harvest on natural

Possum Kingdom, Bridgeport producing variety

Made i n U SA

C.A.L. 5” Swim Bait C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News Freshwater anglers who like to pursue a plethora of species should make plans to get out on the water on Possum Kingdom Lake or Lake Bridgeport. Both bodies of water are providing plenty of action from crappie, catfish, white bass and hybrid stripers. Artificial and natural baits are both producing strikes. Guide Kolby Kuhn said crappie have been his main target on Lake Bridgeport in Wise and Jack counties. “The crappie bite on Bridgeport has been pretty steady,” he said. “They are stacked up over brush piles and rock piles in 18 to 43 feet of water. The fish have been moving around a lot and covering a lot of ground throughout the water column.” Live minnows have been drawing the most strikes from crappie. “The action on jigs has just not been consistent lately,” Kuhn explained. Kuhn’s customers have been catching 30-75 crappie each day, Bryleigh Mullins caught this catfish while fishing on Possum Kingdom Lake. Photo from Kolby Kuhn. with a few fish pushing to 15 inches in length. Kuhn also has been spending some time on Possum Kingdom Lake where he’s been catching catfish, crappie and white bass. “For catfish, I’ve been targeting main lake points,” he said. “Most have been concentrating in 18 to 30 feet of water and the best bite has been on punch bait. There has been a good mix of both blue and channel cats. Some fish have been weighing up to 5 pounds, but the majority of them are just good solid keepers.” The crappie on PK have been staging along timber, and the sand bass have been schooling out in open water. “Every day is different, and targeting a variety of species has helped us stay on the fish, day in and day out,” Kuhn said. Lake Bridgeport guide Keith Bunch has been chasing sand bass and hybrid stripers. “The hybrids have been mixed in with the sandies, and they seem to just be rolling through in packs,” he said. “We don’t have as many hybrids in Bridgeport as we did in the past; however, the ones that we do have are big.” Most of the hybrid stripers that he’s catching are in the 8- and 9-pound class. “The tricky thing is that the hybrids have only been hanging out under the boat for three or four minutes at a time,” he elaborated. “They’re really moving around a lot.” Bunch said sand bass up to 15 inches have been on the move as well, and they are only sticking around a few minutes longer than the hybrids once they’ve been located. “I fished 14 different areas the other day,” Bunch said. “Right now you just have to cover water to catch hybrids and sandies on Bridgeport.” Bunch’s customers have been catching most of the fish on slabs. “Some fish are on the flats, some are suspended, and some are staging over humps,” he said. “The pattern varies each day.” Possum Kingdom guide Brent Butler said there has been some consistent action from striped bass on live bait, but that most of the fish are pretty small. “We are catching some sand bass mixed in while targeting stripers, and on certain days, the sandies are pretty aggressive,” Butler said. “Most of my customers just want to come catch stripers. They like battling these strong fish.” Butler said the white bass on PK have been schooling sporadically. “They’ll school up on top in open water for two or three days, and then disappear for a couple of days,” he explained.

reefs. “Shellfish harvest areas will continue to be monitored by TPWD and appropriate recommendations will be made based on the health of those reefs,” she said. Recreational fishing shouldn’t be impacted, Clarkson said. “There is some literature to support that mariculture farms can serve as fish aggregating devices; in some states, anglers will actually target areas near farms,” she said. We have been very meticulous with our program design to ensure the new farms do not negatively impact any fish habitats or restrict angling access.”

C.A.L. 4” Shad Tail C.A.L. 4” Jerk Bait C.A.L. 5.5” Jerk Bait C.A.L. Curl Tail C.A.L. Paddle Tail

201596_DOA_2.17_Tx Outdoor Journal_CAL ad_5.125x3.75.indd 1

w w w. d o a l u r e s . c o m 2/17/20 3:37 PM

Page 10

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear 68 degrees; 2.98’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters early, plastic worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait, cut bait and stink bait. AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 81 degrees; 44.66’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina-rigged worms and square billed crankbaits. Catfish are fair on shrimp, chicken livers and stink bait. ARLINGTON: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 4.19’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jerk baits, jigs and plastic worms. Crappie are good near boat docks and timber on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait. ATHENS: Water clear; 74 degrees; 0.26’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on shad-colored crankbaits, and Texas-rigged plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows in standing timber and boat docks. Catfish are good on prepared baits. AUSTIN: Water lightly stained; 81 degrees; 0.73’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, crankbaits and wacky worms. Catfish are good punch bait and shrimp. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and spinner baits. Sunfish are fair on jigs and crickets. Catfish are good on cut and prepared baits. BASTROP: Water lightly stained; 77 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, small crankbaits, brown or green craws and drop shots. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and live bait. BELTON: Water clear; 76 degrees; 0.05 low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, jigs and Carolina-rigged plastic worms. White bass are excellent on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 76 degrees; 4.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, jigs and plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait and live bait. BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 74 degrees; 0.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, crankbaits and long Texas-rigged plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. BRAUNIG: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, jigs and plastic worms. Red drum are slow. Catfish are good on live bait, cut bait and cheese bait. BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 78 degrees; 1.86’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, jigs and plum or green Carolina-rigged plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tipped jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on jigging spoons and slabs. Catfish are good on shrimp and cut bait. BUCHANAN: Water slightly

stained; 75-78 degrees; 3.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, white skirted jigs and crankbaits. Striped bass are good along the river channel on live bait. White bass are excellent on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. CADDO: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 0.47’ high. Largemouth bass are good on poppers, skirted jigs and Texasrigged plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on prepared baits and nightcrawlers. CALAVERAS: Water stained; 78-80 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair to good on topwaters, jigs and bigger plastic worms. Red drum are fair on lipless crankbaits and live bait. Hybrid striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait, chicken livers and cut shad. CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 78 degrees; 3.74’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and wacky-rigged worms. Striped bass are good on live bait. White bass are excellent on chartreuse or white slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are excellent on prepared baits and cut bait. CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 73 degrees; 0.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, jerkbaits and plastic worms. Hybrids and white bass are fair on slabs and live bait. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. CHOKE CANYON: Water lightly stained; 79-81 degrees; 21.08’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are fair on live bait and cheese bait. CONROE: Water stained; 75 degrees; 1.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, spinner baits and topwaters. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait, live bait and dough balls. COOPER: Water clear; 76 degrees; 3.24’ low. Largemouth bass are good on dark Carolina-rigged plastic worms, crankbaits and skirted jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits. CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE: Water stained; 80 degrees; 6.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, buzzbaits and top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and cheese bait. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 1.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, wacky worms and lipless crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait and punch bait. FALCON: Water lightly stained

to clear; 79 degrees; 37.18’ low. Largemouth bass are fair in rock piles, brush piles and larger rocky structures on large plastic worms, plastic crawfish and square-billed crankbaits. Crappie are excellent on minnows. FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 79 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on chatterbaits, jigs and topwaters. Catfish are good on punch bait. FORK: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 1.83’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads, finesse worms and skirted jigs. White and yellow bass are fair in deeper water on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait. GIBBONS CREEK: Water stained; 76 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, spinner baits and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on live bait. GRANBURY: Water slightly stained; 73 degrees; 0.03’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad-colored crankbaits, spinner baits and Texasrigged plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs, small crankbaits and swimbaits. Striped bass are good on live bait or trolling with swimbaits. GRANGER: Water clear; 75 degrees; 1.20’ low. Black bass are fair on Texas-rigged plastic worms and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and live bait. GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 73 degrees; 0.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texas-rigged worms and spinner baits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on shad and dough balls. JOE POOL: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 0.84’ low. Largemouth bass are good on wacky worms, crankbaits and jerk baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.25’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms, spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 1.35’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on craws, wacky worms and jerk baits. Crappie are good on minnows and minnow-tipped jigs. White bass are good on slabs and heavy spoons. Catfish are good on prepared baits. LBJ: Water slightly stained; 78 degrees; 0.69’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on

finesse worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on white or chrome slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait. LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 0.41’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, plastic worms or craws and bladed jigs. White bass are excellent on white or chartreuse slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on live bait and prepared baits. LIVINGSTON: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, plastic worms, jigs and crankbaits. Striped bass are good trolling live shad. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait and stink bait. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 76 degrees; 1.99’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, crankbaits and Texasrigged worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on punch bait. MEREDITH: Water stained; 73 degrees; 50.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on creature baits and plastic worms. Walleye are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs. Channel catfish are fair on stink bait. NACONICHE: Water slightly stained; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, plastic worms and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on dough balls, cut and live bait. NASWORTHY: Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.90’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, spinner baits, jigs and plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits. NAVARRO MILLS: Water clear; 75 degrees; 0.22’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits and finesse worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. White bass are good on slabs and jigging spoons. O.H. IVIE: Water clear; 71 degrees; 12.69’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait, live and cut bait. OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 72 degrees; 3.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, worms and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers, live bait and cut bait. PALESTINE: Water clear; 75 degrees; 0.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, silver spoons and small swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows or jigs tipped with minnows. White bass are fair on slabs, swimbaits and jigging spoons. Catfish are fair on punch bait, chicken liver and cut bait.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 71 degrees; 0.18’ low. Largemouth bass are on soft plastic worms, jigs and crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad at night. PROCTOR: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, jigs and crankbaits. Hybrid stripers are good on live bait. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 1.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, crankbaits and football jigs. White bass are good on chrome slabs and white jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 0.51’ low. Largemouth bass are good on purple or dark blue Texasrigged worms, crankbaits and white spinner baits. White bass are good on white or chartreuse slabs and white bladed jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 72-76 degrees; 0.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, crankbaits and finesse worms. White bass and hybrids are fair on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and small jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and live perch. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 3.49’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, spinner baits and plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs, mainly under vegetation. Catfish are good on live bait and stink bait. SOMERVILLE: Water lightly stained; 76-80 degrees; 1.96’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged plastic worms, shad crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on live minnows. Catfish are good on earthworms. STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water lightly stained; 76 degrees; 2.87’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jigs and drop shots. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 73-76 degrees; 1.43’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, plastic worms and swimbaits. White bass and hybrid stripers are excellent on live bait and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are excellent on punch bait and cut bait. TEXANA: Water stained; 81 degrees; 0.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, worms and buzzbaits. Crappie are excellent on jigs in lighter colors. Catfish are good on stink bait, cut bait and live bait.

n Saltwater reports Page 11 TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 3.42’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged plastic worms and crankbaits. Striped bass and white bass are excellent on live bait, slabs and top-waters. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 74-76 degrees; 3.51’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigging spoons, worms with a weighted leader and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stink bait. TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 84 degrees; 19.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-water plugs, drop shots, and jigs. White bass are good on jigging spoons and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits. TWIN BUTTES: Water stained; 71 degrees; 11.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits. WACO: Water clear; 75 degrees; 0.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, jigs and drop-shot plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on punch bait. WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained; 76 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and plastic worms. Hybrid stripers are fair on live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits. WHITNEY: Water clear; 73-76 degrees; 2.12’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, smaller crankbaits and silver spoons. White bass are excellent on jigging spoons and slabs. Stripers are good trolling swimbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows near creek channels and brush piles. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 3.97’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and finesse worms. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and earthworms.

—TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair to good on soft plastics and shrimp. BOLIVAR: 78-80 degrees. Speckled trout are fair over reefs on soft plastics. Redfish are good in the grass on soft plastics and shrimp. TRINITY BAY: 76-78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good around the grass flats on shrimp and soft plastics behind a popping cork. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 78 degrees. Speckled trout are fair to good on shrimp and soft plastics. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 78-79 degrees. Bull redfish are good on fresh shad. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp behind a popping cork. TEXAS CITY: 77 degrees. Bull redfish are good near the dike on fresh cut mullet. Redfish and speckled trout are still excellent along the shoreline on soft plastics and shrimp under a popping cork.

FREEPORT: 77 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair to good in the back lakes and bays on live shrimp or mullet. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 78 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair to good on the flats on shrimp or mullet. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 78 degrees. Redfish are good on the north shoreline on live shrimp and mullet. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics in the grass flats.

The annual CCA STAR tournament ended Sept. 7 on the Texas coast. Entries for the summer-long tournament that began May 23 set records, as nearly 59,000 people registered for the tournament. Fishing categories included speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, gafftop, dorado, king mackerel and ling (cobia). There is also a special tagged Redfish Division in which the first five winners received a complete boat and truck combo. Final polygraph results came in and the winners are below.

STAR FINAL STANDINGS REDFISH DIVISION Jake Bozeman Marilyn Monroe Thomas Bosse Bettina Mathis Jacob Goodwin SPECKLED TROUT UPPER COAST 8 pounds, 11 ounces Lee Wright

PORT ARANSAS: 83-84 degrees. Bull redfish are good on live shrimp and mullet. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live shrimp. CORPUS CHRISTI: 81 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics. Flounder are good around the docks and channel edges on soft plastics. BAFFIN BAY: 86-87 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good in deeper water on top-waters, soft plastics and mullet. PORT MANSFIELD: 81-82 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair to good on willow tails, top-waters and gold spoons. SOUTH PADRE: 82-83 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on shrimp under a popping cork and mullet. Speckled trout are good along the shoreline and on soft plastics. PORT ISABEL: 81 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp along the edges of the grass. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp under a popping cork. Black drum are good on blue crab. —TPWD

SPECKLED TROUT MIDDLE COAST 9 pounds Justin Aguilar

THE PAPER YOU LOVE

INSHORE DIVISION FLOUNDER 6 pounds, 8 ounces William Hicks

SPECKLED TROUT UPPER COAST 7 pounds, 14 ounces Lillie Larson

SHEEPSHEAD 9 pounds Jerry Mills

SPECKLED TROUT MIDDLE COAST 8 pounds, 13 ounces Niklas Schatz

GAFFTOP 8 pounds, 2 ounces Michael Fesco STAR KIDS SCHOLARSHIP DIVISION (ages 6-10 only) -$50,000 scholarship

SPECKLED TROUT LOWER COAST 10 pounds, 9 ounces Danys Perez

FLOUNDER 5 pounds, 11 ounces Mason Blalock

KINGFISH 57 pounds, 6 ounces Clifford McCrummen

SHEEPSHEAD 8 pounds, 1 ounce Wyatt McKissack

DORADO 35 pounds Teague Mize

GAFFTOP 7 pounds, 1 ounce Rowdy Hanks

LING 70 pounds, 3 ounces Reese Conner

STARTEENS SCHOLARSHIP TROUT DIVISION (ages 11-17 only) 6 lb. min. - $25,000 scholarship

NAME

1 YEAR 24 issues

ADDRESS

$35

STARTEENS SCHOLARSHIP INSHORE DIVISION (ages 11-17 only) 6 lb. min. - $25,000 scholarship FLOUNDER 6 pounds, 3 ounces Seth Minjarez SHEEPSHEAD 6 pounds, 6 ounces Kyleigh McKissack GAFFTOP 7 pounds, 5 ounces Addison Tullos

CITY/STATE/ZIP

CUT OUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION FORM AND MAIL TO: LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS P.O. BOX 551695 DALLAS, TX 75355 SUBSCRIPTIONS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE OR BY PHONE.

$65 3 YEARS 72 issues $95 LIFETIME $500

PHONE CREDIT CARD NO. EXP. DATE CVV BILLING ZIP CODE SIGNATURE

FOR A 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION

SPECKLED TROUT LOWER COAST 8 pounds, 2 ounces Samuel Carrizales

TEXAS' LARGEST HUNTING & FISHING NEWSPAPER SINCE 2004

2 YEARS 48 issues

$35

Page 11

CCA STAR winners

PORT O’CONNOR: 78-79 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good around sand near drop-offs and potholes on top-waters and shrimp. ROCKPORT: 81-82 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp, soft plastics and top-waters around the flats. Speckled trout are good in the grass on shrimp.

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE THE BEST HUNTING AND FISHING NEWS DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX

October 23, 2020

ALL THE NEWS YOU NEED FROM THE SOURCE YOU TRUST.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS CALL (214) 361-2276

LSONEWS.COM

NEW GIFT RENEWAL MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS.

Page 12

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER SEED RICE FOR DOVE While on patrol near Sanderson, Terrell County game wardens discovered a large amount of seed rice placed to attract dove. An interview of the hunters resulted in migratory bird baiting cases filed. GOOD DEED BY WARDEN PUNISHED On Lake Tawakoni, Hunt County game wardens contacted a vessel displaying improper lighting and discovered that there were young children onboard not wearing PFDs while the vessel was underway. A citation was issued, but the operator had an outstanding warrant for DWI. Due to the young children present, wardens allowed the operator to return the vessel to the marina so that the children could leave with the mother. While at the marina, the wanted individual entered the backseat of his vehicle and an unknown person drove away from the wardens at a high rate of speed. Warrants were secured for the individual. Later, the wife of the wanted person posted a picture of herself and the fugitive at a football game at a local high school stadium, even tagging the fugitive by name. The warden drove to the stadium and located the fugitive’s vehicle. The fugitive arrived at the vehicle 10 minutes later and was taken into custody.

SPONSORED BY:

SMUGGLING IN ILLEGAL FISH A Texas resident was caught with 20 pike crocodile fish (which are on Texas’ invasive species list) shipped into DFW Airport. The individual is a fish dealer and had a customer waiting for the fish to

BRINGING IN THE DOVE A large group of dove hunters had dumped large quantities of milo on a field in Nacogdoches County. Numerous citations were issued for hunting dove over bait and including no hunting license. Cases pending. THEFT RING DISCOVERED, CAUGHT A Kilgore-area cattle rancher advised a Gregg County game warden that various farm equipment and hunting rifles were recently taken from the ranch. That morning, the warden witnessed a suspicious pickup entering the property and conducted a vehicle stop as it attempted to exit the ranch. During the stop, a second individual operating the rancher’s just-stolen utility vehicle loaded with farm tools and equipment sped around the warden in an apparent attempt to flee the area. After a brief pursuit, the warden received

be delivered to him. However, the pike crocodile are illegal to import, export, possess or be sold in Texas. Appropriate charges were filed.

assistance from the rancher in detaining both vehicles and individuals. The pickup was confirmed stolen one day prior out of Tyler. An ongoing investigation is spanning multiple counties prosecuting additional theft ring actors and recovering items and equipment. Both individuals were arrested for multiple charges including felony theft and transported to the Gregg County Jail. SPOTLIGHTING HOGS, KILLED A DEER An Angelina County game warden was contacted by a complainant who said one of his friends had posted a picture of a deer in the back of a utility vehicle on Facebook. After several hours of tracking down individuals and numerous interviews, two individuals were charged. It was discovered that five individuals had gone hog hunting on private property. The individuals were using a spotlight, and when

they shined a deer one of the men held the light while the other shot the deer with a .30.30 rifle. BLINDS WERE A GREENHOUSE FOR POT In Houston County, game wardens entered a tract of land and observed an open field with what at first appeared to be deer blinds close to a tripod feeder. At the “blinds” the warden smelled marijuana. The “blinds” were improvised grow houses for many large marijuana plants. The wardens also noticed a car parked behind some bushes in front of a dilapidated house and could hear an air conditioner running. Further inspection around the house led to more plants being discovered. The wardens arrested the suspect. Upon inspection of the house, it was confirmed that it was a grow house complete with lights, fertilizer, surge protectors, timers, air filters, humidifiers and

water. The suspect in the house had served time for murder and transporting two kilos of cocaine across the southern border. He was also in possession of a shotgun and a pistol. The pistol was reported as stolen. SPOTLIGHTERS IN KNOWN SPOT Game wardens from Sabine and San Augustine counties worked a set late into the night in an area prone to illegal night hunting. They observed a truck race by, turn around, and proceed to shine the entire roadway with a 52-inch LED light bar after which it drove on. Shortly thereafter the truck came back by shining the entire field with a spotlight. The wardens made contact and found a spotlight along with a loaded .22 long rifle and a loaded .270 rifle on the front middle console of the truck. The driver was cited for hunting from a public roadway and hunting in closed season.

REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000. CALL OPERATION GAME THIEF AT (800) 792-4263

A N AMERIC AN LEGEND RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

E n t e r t h e b e r e t ta

New York & Dallas gallery Bespoke Shotguns Custom Gun Fitting Gunsmith Services Private Event Space Personal Shopping Services Custom Planned Client Events Personalized OutďŹ tting and Travel Corporate Gifts and Accessories Outdoor Apparel for Men & Women Decorative Home Furnishings

Page 13

Page 14

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HEROES

Daniel Gonzales, of Bandera, caught this 23-inch redfish near Pink Shack Cove during a family fishing trip to Port Aransas.

Kayla Hellen, 15, of Tomball, with a wild boar she shot in Lampasas County.

Kelton Hebert, 6, landed this striper on a flutter spoon while fishing on Lake Whitney.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE

n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Email them with contact and caption information to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com. High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

Braylon McDonald, 6, landed this crappie on Lake Bridgeport.

FIELDPRO Complete Feeders â&#x20AC;˘ Digital Timers â&#x20AC;˘ Solar Panels

For More Information Call or Contact Us fieldprofeeders@coxinet.net

800-330-0017

www.fieldprofeeders.com

Lauren Daniel harvested her second deer with a crossbow near Comstock.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Record goldfish

Bull reds

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 8

fanatic. “I learned to fish by fishing for carp,” he said. “Carp, goldfish and koi are underappreciated. Wherever they are, I won’t be far behind. The hunt for the giants is what keeps me going.” On Oct. 10, Miller was fishing the pond for carp with a hair rig. “I caught three carp under an overhanging tree,” he said. “Then I hooked this fish, and as it came closer, I recognized it. My adrenaline went through the roof — I was shaking until I got it in the net. Once I got her in the net, I started calling everyone I knew immediately.” Miller said he knows

how to tell the difference between a carp, a koi and a goldfish, although he said goldfish can hybridize with carp. “You look for barbels (whiskers by the mouth),” he said. “If there are no barbels, it’s a goldfish. And you count the scales along the lateral line of the fish. A goldfish has 27 to 29. A carp has 35 to 39.” Miller’s catch had 29 scales along the lateral line. “It’s a pure goldfish,” he said. The only larger goldfish caught that he knows of is the world record caught in California. Miller’s fish, which will top the state record by several pounds

LIFETIME NEW!

U.S. PATENTS 8201520, 7370605, 6920841, D575908, D599503, D602649, D603104, D603105, D604017, D603566, D624706, D624708, D622453, D624707, D636942, D629572, D629976, D629975, D624709, D630802, D630653, D647253, D642750, D681883, 9278813, 9554555 • OTHER PATENTS PENDING • U.S. TRADEMARKS 3629190 & 3625066

half-back Gravity flOw

half-back reGulatOr half-back Gravity flOw xt

TOP GUN

heAVY dutY Corn feeder

Capacity is split evenly: ½ corn and ½ protein • Three gravity-flow protein tubes • Directional corn spinner with eliminator plate • “The Timer” battery and solar panel incuded • 400, 600 and 1000# capacities

• High Output Solar Power Panel mounted on top with Timer Box inside REINFORCED VARMINT CAGE • 600 & 1000 lb. capacities

half-back series

3 models - in 3 sizes: 400#, 600# and 1000# capacities: Half-Back Gravity Flow is the shortest Half-Back Gravity Flow XT is 6” taller - allowing for more antler clearance Half-Back Regulator lets you control how much feed is dispensed at your specified times

•

645 C.R. 105 - MORAN, TX 76464

ChooSe from 360º SPinner or PiStoLero direCtionAL

Get Outback’s MaxiMuM Quality in these sMaller sizes 42” height 600 lb. cap.

36” height 400 lb. cap.

Shown with Pistolero 42” height 600 lb. cap.

42” height 1000 lb. cap.

“BABY-BACK” SerieS VerY Low ProfiLe feederS • 360o corn distribution or up to 50 feet in one direction via Outback’s “Pistolero” directional unit • 400, 600 & 1000 lb. capacities

“

ShAre-KroPPer” fiSh feeder Low ProfiLe direCtionAL feeder

spreads heavier feed out to 50’ in a 20’ wide pattern

• • • •

Low ProfiLe SPinner feeder spreads up to 360o

54” tall & 3’x3’ at base Works equally well with all types of fish feed, corn or milo Can be placed on a pier, dock, bank or in truck bed 24” tank diameter holds 175 lb. floating fish feed or 300# corn

CF CORN FEEDER

CP GRAVITY FLOW PROTEIN FEEDER

• 1000, 2000 & 3000 lb. capacities

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

M ore o utback Q uality P roducts : Q uail F eeders • T urkey F eeders • W aTer T roughs • B ulk F eed T railers , h oppers & B ins a lFalFa F eeders • F eeder p ens • h og T raps • g ame C leaning C arTs • g ame l oaders g ame r aCks • s hooTing B enChes • F ire p iTs • m iCroWave g rills

Bobwhite Flight • (325) 660-7869

how strong the current is, he’ll use a 4- to 8-ounce barrel weight on a Carolina rig. Guide Steve Reed also fishes the Port O’Connor jetties and the surf around Pass Cavallo. His go-to bait is half of a Spanish sardine, rigged on a 5/0 hook with a 2-ounce weight on a 30-pound test leader. “I like to fish in 15 to 20 feet of water,” Reed said. “A bottom drop rig with a sardine is tough to beat.”

HALF-BACK DUALLY

Cedar Park team captures Bass Champs title

Strong Wild Beautiful

Anglers enjoy catching and releasing bull redfish in October. Photo from Steve Reed.

the fIRST TIME to LASt A

Andy Villarreal, of San Antonio, won the 2020 Hobie Owners’ Corpus Christi tournament, winning a prize package worth $7,099. Villarreal’s two redfish weighed 14.18 pounds. He landed the fish on a 1/8-ounce jig head with a New Penny scented shrimp behind a popping cork. His best redfish measured 27.5 inches. Poco Cedillo, 39, of Corpus Christi, finished second with a pair of redfish weighing a combined 13.14 pounds, winning a package worth $3,750; and Nathaniel Hutchinson, 28, also from Corpus Christi, placed third with 11.75 pounds, winning $3,269. The event drew 150 kayak anglers, with 120 fish being measured. —Hobie

—Bass Champs

prime month to target the hard-fighting fish. This is mainly a catch-and-release affair. After taking a couple of photos, most anglers release the bulls to finish their spawning activities. But if you want to box one, you can tag it. Bull reds feed on bottom and three of the best baits are a chunk of a fresh mullet, half of a fresh dead blue crab and Spanish sardines. On the middle Texas coast are the Port O’Connor jetties, one of the top spots to catch lots of bull reds. Beabout has been using fresh dead blue crabs to catch 10 to 15 bulls per trip. “I like to catch big reds,” he said. “And half of a fresh dead blue crab will catch the big ones. Lately, we’ve been catching reds that weigh 40-pounds-plus. The water temperature has been holding in the upper 70s. That’s perfect for the bull red run.” Beabout fishes the crab on a 12/0 circle hook with a 3-foot-long, 50-pound test monofilament leader. Depending on

BUILT RIGHT

Villarreal tops kayak field

Dean Alexander and Thomas Martens, both of Cedar Park, won the 2020 Bass Champs Championship on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. The team weighed in 10 bass totaling 26.17 pounds in the two-day event. Their largest bass weighed 5.55 pounds. For the win, they took home a new Skeeter boat with a Yamaha motor. Also winning a boat and motor for second place, Keith Bryan and Jeremy Lambert, both of Decatur, finished with 25.69 pounds. Ricky Madole, of Many, Louisiana, and Ronnie Madole, of Shreveport, Louisiana, followed in third with 25.61 pounds, winning $6,000. A total of 193 teams competed in the event. Two-day, five fish limits were obtained by 51 teams.

once confirmed, came just a few ounces shy of the besting Miller took the fish to Bass Pro Shops in Garland to be weighed, and he donated the fish to the store, where it still swims in the store’s waters. “My buddy and I decided if we catch it, we would donate to be on display,” he said. “We want to increase awareness for carp fishing.” Will he get a replica made? “At some point,” he said. “But I don’t have a lot of money. But it was a fish of a lifetime.” The current state record is 5.63 pounds and was caught in Denton.

Page 15

See all our products! Contact us for a brochure or see online at outbackfeeders.com or kickinbackkreations.com

903.734.4210 • 800.396.6313 • e-mail: rickmeritt@yahoo.com

OUTBACK DELIVERS MAXIMUM QUALITY! to your ranch!

Page 16

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

INDUSTRY

LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 22

Field & Stream, Outdoor Life acquired by digital firm

Fiocchi acquires Italian shotshell maker, hires sales VP

North Equity, a digital media equity firm, acquired several media brands from Bonnier Corporation, including Popular Science, Outdoor Life and Field & Stream.

Fiocchi, with manufacturing facilities in Lecco, Italy, and Ozark, Missouri, acquired Italian shotgun ammunitions make Baschieri & Pellagri. The company also hired Michael Halleron as its new vice president of sales.

ATA cancels in person show for 2021 The Archery Trade Association board of directors announced the in-person ATA Trade Show, scheduled for Jan. 7-9, 2021, has been canceled and the show will take place virtually.

Blunck promoted to CFO at DU Darin Blunck, Ducks Unlimited’s director of conservation programs, was named the new chief financial officer.

Public relations position Swanson Russell is seeking a public relations professional to assist its hunting and shooting brands. ACROSS 1. The young quail 3. A sunfish species 6. A camouflage manufacturer 8. A coastal fishing town (two words) 12. The hook’s curve 13. A shark species 14. An elk organization 15. Longview’s county 17. A shorebird species 18. A hook manufacturer 20. A Central Texas reservoir 22. A mountain range in West Texas 23. Modified or full 24. Quiet way to communicate between deer blinds 25. Feathers on the arrow 27. A spaniel breed 30. A deer feed 32. Maker of saltwater lures 33. A county where crossbows are illegal during archery season 34. An illegal fishing device 35. Late summer target at South Padre 36. Type of arrowhead

DOWN 1. A shotgun brand 2. The smaller rabbit 4. Amarillo’s county 5. Time to stop shooting at ducks 6. A shotgun type 7. Good to wear while duck hunting (two words) 9. A grouper species 10. A Texas bay 11. Emotion during long bowhunting sets 12. A European hunting destination 16. The boneless piece of fish 17. A grouse species 19. An owl species (two words) 21. The bowhunters’ month in Texas 26. Circular water movement in river 28. An African game species 29. An often-ignored gamebird 30. A salmon species 31. Holds the BB Challenge

SIG expands facilities SIG SAUER is relocating and expanding its New Hampshire operations in Rochester.

Jobs at S&W Smith & Wesson is seeking a consumer marketing manager and product managers for pistols/revolvers and rifles.

OTF teams up with Arkansas The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation is partnering with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to make its Outdoor Adventures program available to middle and high schools across the state.

Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News

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

Clean out your freezer duck gumbo 6 – 8 large ducks split in half Chicken or beef broth 6 tbsps. Old Bay Seasoning 2 tbsps. garlic powder 1 tbsp. oregano 1 tbsp. salt 3 tbsps. filé powder 5 bay leaves 4 large yellow onions - coarsely chopped 4 red bell peppers - coarsely chopped 1 cup olive oil 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 20 ozs. frozen cut okra - thawed 2 lbs. shelled large shrimp 1 1/2 lbs. Andouille sausage

Place ducks in a large pot, cover with water, bring to a boil and simmer for 5-6 hours or until meat can be easily removed from the body. Pull meat from the body, roughly chop and set aside. Strain liquid into another large pot over medium heat, adding additional chicken or beef broth to make 3 quarts of liquid. Add Old Bay Seasoning and next 7 ingredients. Simmer until onions are translucent. While simmering, heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in flour, stirring constantly until mixture (roux) is chocolate brown, but not burnt. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before stirring roux into the pot. Add reserved duck, okra, shrimp and sausage and stir. Simmer for 10 minutes. Best served over rice. — Scott Leysath, thesportingchef.com

Expanding the reef Continued from page 1

A trio of divers with Friends of the Rio Grande Reef and several fishing boats witnessed the sinking of the boat. The divers went underwater to check if the boat landed upright and to release a huge balloon used as stabilizer as it went down. Rick Kline, a FRGVF advisor and marine biology professor at the University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley, said the vessel was donated by a business that operates at the Port of Brownsville shipyard. He said it took about six months to gut the boat. “This is going to help build more habitat for the reef,” Kline said. “This boat is a lot larger than the two sunken before.” Kline said the reef is relatively close to the Island and people with smaller boats can get there in less than an hour. The shrimp boat sinking took place under clear skies and with little wind. A Breakaway Cruises catamaran took the divers and reporters to the site. The 1,650-acre reef has been dubbed as the largest of its kind and it’s currently made up of more than 100,000 tons of material like concrete railroad ties and cinder blocks donated by a number of businesses. He estimated more than $1 million have been spent in the reef project. Gary Glick, the FRGVR’s president, said sunken boats provider refuge and habitat for apex predators. “The RFV Reef is unique in having the first industrial scale nursery in the world,” he said. “It will carry multiple species of fish through all of their life stages.”

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Page 17

Long prep, short hunt Continued from page 5

Ven Huizen took the shot at 31 yards, and placed the arrow “right in the armpit.” “I heard him crash within seconds,” he said. “I waited 90 minutes, but he had gone 40 yards and fell over dead.” Ven Huizen said after checking the deer out and comparing old trail camera images, he bePhoto from John Van Huizen lieved he let the same buck walk three years ago. “I never saw him again and figured he was shot by a neighbor or run over,” he said. Later, mostly out of curiousity, Ven Huizen measured the buck, and the tape stretched beyond 150 inches. “I’ve shot a few decent deer with my bow but this is by far the biggest,” he said. “And he was old, at least 6. He was gray and had a big, saggy belly. “My archery season lasted about three hours. Now, I can focus on getting my daughter (who is 11) a deer.”

SANTA ANNA HUNTING AREA SANTA ANNA, TEXAS

SANTA ANNA HUNTING AREA (SAHA) IS A FAMILY-RUN SHOOTING PRESERVE. WE HUNT ON 600 ACRES OF THE PRESERVE FOR PHEASANT, CHUKAR, HUNGARIAN PARTRIDGE AND QUAIL HUNTS.

Whitney stripers Continued from page 8

lately,” Small said. “With that being said, they can change on you from day to day. You have to be flexible and change with them in order to consistently be successful.” Most of the action is coming on live shad and live bluegill. “Flutter spoons have also been producing some ferocious strikes,” Small said. The stripers are in large schools some days, and on other days, they seem to be in smaller pods. Carolina rigs with a 2-ounce barrel sinker have been Small’s go-to option for keeping baits in the strike zone. “Most of the stripers we are catching are averaging anywhere from 20 to 27 inches in length,” he said. “We are landing a lot of fish in the 5- to 8-pound range, and the largest fish that we’ve been seeing are running 10 to 12 pounds. There are a few days where all we can catch is 5- to 8-pounders, and then all of a sudden we’ll have three days in a row where we catch at least one double-digit fish.” Lake Whitney guide Cory Vinson said he’s been using large gizzard shad to coax strikes from double-digit striped bass. “The bigger the bait that you use, the bigger the fish, it seems,” Vinson said. “Shad as large as your hand or bigger really seem to get the larger stripers’ attention.” Vinson has been drifting various flats in about 23-28 feet of water while bouncing shad along the bottom. “We are really just covering a lot of water,” he said. “We aren’t encountering any monster schools of stripers. They are moving around a lot.” Vinson said the last couple of weeks on Whitney have been absolutely lights out. “We are catching limits of fish on a daily basis,” he said. “A good portion of these

THE BEST FLYING BIRDS IN TEXAS

WWW.SAHAINC.COM | 325-348-9267

Guide Cory Vinson with a striper caught on Lake Whitney. Photo from Cory Vinson.

fish have been around 6- to 8-pound range, and it’s not been uncommon to land at least one over 10 pounds each trip. We are landing a lot of fish pushing the 30-inch mark in length as well. The heaviest striper that we have caught so far this month weighed in at a little over 18 pounds.” Guide Blake Stritz confirmed Whitney is wall-to-wall with striped bass right now. “There’s a ton of stripers feeding and the action can be nonstop,” he said. “The obstacle has been weeding through the smaller fish in order to catch keeper-sized striped bass. There are a bunch of undersized fish out there right now, but they are still fun to catch. Plus that means that the future for stripers on Whitney is looking pretty good.”

Observing & Evaluating Whitetails New Updated Edition By Dave Richards & Al Brothers

Order the New Edition Now at RichardsOutdoorPhotography.com or order by phone (800) 839-9453

Only $29.99 Now contains 470 + color photographs with NEW bucks added! "I learn something new every time I open my copy of OEW, not to mention being enthralled by the fabulous photography. Simply a must have!" -Larry L. Weishuhn, Wildlife Biologist/ Outdoor Writer

MOUNT UP TO 2 CAMERAS PER MOUNT. EASY SET UP, NO TOOLS REQUIRED. FIND US ON EBAY OR CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR STORE LOCATIONS NEAR YOU. RETAILERS WELCOMED. TEXASHOGBLOCKER.COM STEPHENVILLE, TX 254-631-9883 MIKE.ROGERS1967@YAHOO.COM

T-POST MOUNT

Page 18

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases

First

Full

Last

New

Oct 23

Oct 31

Nov 8

Nov 14

Solunar Sun times Moon times

Houston

Dallas

2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Oct/Nov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 31 Sat 01 Sun 02 Mon 03 Tue 04 Wed 05 Thu 06 Fri

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu

12:02 6:13 12:52 7:05 1:40 7:52 2:22 8:33 3:01 9:11 3:37 9:47 4:13 10:23

12:26 6:40 1:18 7:31 2:04 8:15 2:44 8:55 3:22 9:32 3:57 10:08 4:33 10:43

07:36 07:37 07:38 07:39 07:39 07:40 07:41

30 Fri

4:50 11:00

5:10

07:42 06:37 6:28p

31 Sat 01 Sun 02 Mon 03 Tue 04 Wed 05 Thu 06 Fri

5:30 6:13 6:00 6:51 7:45 8:42 9:39

5:51 ----6:35 12:24 6:23 12:12 7:15 1:03 8:10 1:58 9:08 2:55 10:05 3:52

----- 6:07 12:47 6:59 1:34 7:46 2:17 8:28 2:55 9:06 3:31 9:42 4:07 10:17 4:44 10:55 5:24 11:35 6:07 ----5:54 ----6:45 12:33 7:39 1:27 8:36 2:23 9:33 3:20

12:20 1:12 1:58 2:39 3:16 3:52 4:27 5:05 5:45 6:29 6:17 7:09 8:05 9:02 10:00

6:34 7:25 8:10 8:50 9:26 10:02 10:37 11:15 11:55 12:18 12:06 12:57 1:52 2:49 3:46

07:27 07:28 07:28 07:29 07:30 07:31 07:31 07:32 07:33 07:34 06:35 06:35 06:36 06:37 06:38

06:42 06:41 06:40 06:39 06:38 06:37 06:37 06:36 06:35 06:34 05:33 05:32 05:32 05:31 05:30

2:35p 3:18p 3:56p 4:29p 4:59p 5:28p 5:56p 6:25p 6:55p 7:28p 7:05p 7:47p 8:33p 9:25p 10:21p

12:08a 1:08a 2:07a 3:04a 3:59a 4:52a 5:44a 6:36a 7:29a 8:23a 8:18a 9:14a 10:10a 11:03a 11:55a

11:40 12:02 ----12:39 1:33 2:29 3:26

11:21

07:43 07:44 06:45 06:46 06:46 06:47 06:48

06:45 06:44 06:42 06:41 06:40 06:39 06:38 06:37 06:36 05:35 05:34 05:33 05:32 05:31

2:48p 12:07a 3:30p 1:07a 4:07p 2:08a 4:38p 3:06a 5:07p 4:02a 5:34p 4:57a 6:01p 5:50a 6:57p 7:29p 7:05p 7:45p 8:31p 9:23p 10:19p

6:44a 7:38a 8:34a 8:30a 9:27a 10:23a 11:17a 12:08p

San Antonio

Amarillo

2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Oct/Nov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 31 Sat 01 Sun 02 Mon 03 Tue 04 Wed 05 Thu 06 Fri

12:09 6:19 12:59 7:12 1:47 7:58 2:29 8:40 3:08 9:18 3:44 9:54 4:20 10:30 4:57 11:07 5:37 11:47 6:20 12:09 6:07 ----6:58 12:46 7:52 1:39 8:48 2:35 9:46 3:32

12:33 6:47 1:25 7:37 2:10 8:22 2:51 9:02 3:28 9:39 4:04 10:14 4:40 10:50 5:17 11:27 5:57 ----6:42 12:31 6:30 12:18 7:22 1:10 8:17 2:05 9:14 3:01 10:12 3:59

07:39 07:40 07:40 07:41 07:42 07:43 07:43 07:44 07:45 07:46 06:46 06:47 06:48 06:49 06:50

06:55 06:54 06:53 06:52 06:51 06:50 06:50 06:49 06:48 06:47 05:46 05:46 05:45 05:44 05:43

2:47p 3:30p 4:08p 4:41p 5:12p 5:41p 6:09p 6:38p 7:09p 7:42p 7:19p 8:01p 8:47p 9:39p 10:35p

12:22a 1:22a 2:21a 3:18a 4:13a 5:05a 5:57a 6:49a 7:42a 8:35a 8:31a 9:26a 10:21a 11:15a 12:07p

12:22 6:33 1:13 7:25 2:00 8:12 2:42 8:53 3:21 9:31 3:57 10:08 4:33 10:43 5:10 11:21 5:50 ----6:33 12:22 6:20 12:09 7:11 12:59 8:05 1:53 9:02 2:49 9:59 3:46

12:46 1:38 2:24 3:05 3:42 4:18 4:53 5:31 6:11 6:55 6:43 7:35 8:31 9:28 10:26

7:00 7:51 8:35 9:16 9:52 10:28 11:03 11:41 12:00 12:44 12:32 1:23 2:18 3:15 4:12

07:59 08:00 08:01 08:02 08:03 08:04 08:05 08:06 08:07 08:08 07:09 07:10 07:11 07:12 07:13

07:02 07:01 07:00 06:58 06:57 06:56 06:55 06:54 06:53 06:52 05:51 05:50 05:49 05:48 05:47

3:15p 3:57p 4:31p 5:02p 5:29p 5:55p 6:21p 6:47p 7:15p 7:45p 7:20p 8:00p 8:45p 9:37p 10:34p

12:21a 1:22a 2:24a 3:23a 4:21a 5:17a 6:12a 7:06a 8:02a 8:59a 8:56a 9:54a 10:51a 11:45a 12:36p

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

Sabine Pass, north Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 3:59 PM 1:00 AM 1:44 AM 2:15 AM 2:37 AM 2:54 AM 3:06 AM 3:16 AM 3:22 AM 2:25 AM 2:24 AM 2:22 AM 2:22 AM 2:24 AM 12:55 PM

High Island Height 0.18L 1.97H 1.92 1.85H 1.78H 1.71H 1.66H 1.63H 1.60H 1.59H 1.59H 1.59H 1.61H 1.63H 0.10L

Time 5:11 PM 8:37 AM 8:40 AM 8:47 AM 8:57 AM 9:14 AM 9:35 AM 10:02 AM 9:31 AM 10:04 AM 10:40 AM 11:19 AM 12:04 PM 10:04 PM

Height 0.32L 1.31L 1.17L 1.01L 0.83L 0.64L 0.46L 0.30L 0.18L 0.10L 0.05L 0.04L 0.06L 1.76H

Time 11:55 AM 1:15 PM 2:17 PM 3:09 PM 3:54 PM 4:36 PM 5:15 PM 4:54 PM 5:35 PM 6:23 PM 7:23 PM 8:40 PM

Height 1.43H 1.50H 1.57H 1.64H 1.70H 1.75H 1.78H 1.80H 1.81H 1.80H 1.77H 1.75H

Time 6:18 PM 7:17 PM 8:06 PM 8:47 PM 9:23 PM 9:56 PM 10:28 PM 9:59 PM 10:32 PM 11:08 PM 11:50 PM

Height 0.45L 0.58L 0.71L 0.85L 0.98L 1.11L 1.23L 1.33L 1.43L 1.51L 1.59L

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Time 3:39 PM 12:35 AM 1:18 AM 1:52 AM 2:18 AM 2:37 AM 2:52 AM 3:03 AM 3:10 AM 2:13 AM 2:18 AM 9:54 AM 10:27 AM 11:08 AM 12:01 PM

Height 0.44L 2.60H 2.49H 2.36H 2.23H 2.12H 2.03H 1.97H 1.92H 1.90H 1.88H 0.21L 0.21L 0.24L 0.30L

Time

Height

5:14 PM 8:14 AM 8:22 AM 8:40 AM 8:59 AM 9:13 AM 9:23 AM 9:38 AM 8:59 AM 9:25 AM 6:28 PM 7:26 PM 8:41 PM 9:55 PM

0.59L 1.54L 1.38L 1.20L 1.02L 0.83L 0.64L 0.47L 0.34L 0.25L 2.46H 2.45H 2.45H 2.48H

Time 11:51 AM 1:09 PM 2:11 PM 3:06 PM 3:55 PM 4:39 PM 5:20 PM 4:59 PM 5:41 PM

Height 1.69H 1.84H 1.99H 2.12H 2.23H 2.33H 2.41H 2.45H 2.47H

Time 6:35 PM 7:39 PM 8:31 PM 9:15 PM 9:54 PM 10:31 PM 11:06 PM 10:51 PM

Height 0.73L 0.86L 1.00L 1.15L 1.31L 1.46L 1.61L 1.74L

Time 3:36 PM 12:50 AM 1:30 AM 1:56 AM 2:11 AM 2:23 AM 2:33 AM 2:43 AM 2:49 AM 12:03 AM 9:26 AM 9:54 AM 10:27 AM 11:07 AM 11:56 AM

Height 0.32L 2.19H 2.07H 1.94H 1.82H 1.71H 1.64H 1.58H 1.53H 1.44L 0.33 0.27L 0.23L 0.21L 0.22L

Time

Height

4:59 PM 6:15 PM 8:27 AM 8:38 AM 8:53 AM 9:10 AM 9:26 AM 9:44 AM 1:48 AM 5:56 PM 6:48 PM 7:45 PM 8:46 PM 9:45 PM

0.46L 0.60L 1.30L 1.14L 0.97L 0.80L 0.65L 0.52L 1.50H 2.08H 2.10H 2.12H 2.14H 2.15H

Height 0.87H 0.82H 0.75H 0.67H 0.58H 0.51H 0.50H 0.55H 0.62H 0.69H 0.74H 0.77H 0.80H 0.83H 0.86H

Time 6:12 PM 7:20 PM 8:19 PM 9:13 PM 10:05 PM 11:42 AM 11:51 AM 12:08 PM 12:28 PM 11:49 AM 12:12 PM 12:39 PM 1:14 PM 1:59 PM 2:56 PM

Height -0.09L -0.03L 0.05L 0.15L 0.28L 0.31L 0.19L 0.09L 0.01L -0.04L -0.07L -0.09L -0.11L -0.12L -0.12L

Height 0.75H 0.71H 0.69H 0.17L 0.21L 0.29L 0.39L 0.22L 0.16L 0.68H 0.72H 0.74H 0.74H 0.73H 0.72H

Time 10:17 PM 11:22 PM

Height 0.16L 0.16L

3:55 PM 5:45 PM 7:51 AM 7:22 AM 10:36 PM

0.69H 0.66H 0.45H 0.45H 0.64H

1:58 2:24 3:06 4:21 5:47 7:02

0.12L 0.10L 0.09L 0.09L 0.07L 0.04L

Time

12:18 PM 1:40 PM 2:46 PM 3:42 PM 4:33 PM 5:21 PM 9:03 AM

Height

1.50H 1.60H 1.71H 1.82H 1.91H 1.98H 0.42L

Time

Height

7:20 PM 8:18 PM 9:10 PM 10:02 PM 10:57 PM

0.75L 0.90L 1.05L 1.20L 1.33L

5:07 PM

2.04H

Port Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 5:00 AM 5:32 AM 5:54 AM 6:04 AM 5:58 AM 5:20 AM 3:52 AM 2:53 AM 2:07 AM 1:20 AM 12:54 AM 1:29 AM 2:02 AM 2:33 AM 3:04 AM

Time 8:13 AM 11:20 AM 2:03 PM 12:17 AM 1:05 AM 1:51 AM 2:40 AM 1:58 PM 2:32 PM 1:45 AM 2:40 AM 3:19 AM 3:54 AM 4:32 AM 5:19 AM

Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 1:01 AM 1:54 AM 2:32 AM 2:52 AM 3:02 AM 3:07 AM 3:10 AM 3:11 AM 3:13 AM 12:05 AM 10:05 AM 10:41 AM 11:23 AM 12:12 PM 1:07 PM

Time 7:58 PM 9:23 PM 10:48 PM 1:27 PM 1:34 PM 6:43 AM 6:41 AM 6:28 AM 6:04 AM 10:31 PM

Height 0.33L 0.42L 0.50L 1.21L 1.08L 1.47H 1.41H 1.38H 1.41H 1.64H

2:24 3:03 4:02 5:19

0.15L 0.18L 0.22L 0.26L

Height 1.75H 1.68H 1.58H 1.47H 1.38H 1.32H 1.29H 1.29H 1.30H 1.23L 0.31L 0.26L 0.23L 0.24L 0.26L

Time 4:09 PM 5:37 PM 7:00 PM 9:04 AM 9:22 AM 9:39 AM 9:50 AM 9:58 AM 10:12 AM 2:18 AM 7:03 PM 8:28 PM 10:03 PM 11:11 PM

Height 0.37L 0.49L 0.59L 1.12L 1.01L 0.89L 0.77L 0.63L 0.51 1.31H 1.50H 1.52H 1.55H 1.56H

Height 0.45H 0.43H 0.40H 0.36H 0.32H 0.32H 0.33H 0.35H 0.34L 0.38H 0.00L 0.41H 0.42H 0.43H 0.44H

Time 6:14 PM 7:25 PM 8:25 PM 10:34 AM 10:36 AM 10:50 AM 11:08 AM 11:29 AM 3:28 AM 11:17 AM

Height 0.03L 0.05L 0.08L 0.28L 0.23L 0.18L 0.13L 0.08L 0.36H 0.02L

12:21 PM 1:04 PM 1:57 PM 3:07 PM

-0.00L 0.00L 0.01L 0.02L

Height 1.13H 1.07H 0.98H 0.88H 0.82H 0.80H 0.81H 0.85H 0.88H 0.90H 0.91H -0.04L -0.07L -0.07L 1.11H

Time 3:32 PM 4:54 PM 6:17 PM 8:37 AM 8:44 AM 8:48 AM 9:00 AM 9:17 AM 9:38 AM 9:04 AM 9:38 AM 10:07 PM 10:59 PM

Height -0.04L 0.09L 0.20L 0.69L 0.59L 0.48L 0.37L 0.27L 0.17L 0.08L 0.01L 1.03H 1.08H

12:33 PM

-0.05L

Height 2.12H 2.03H 1.90H 1.77H 1.64H 1.56H 1.50H 1.48H 1.48H 0.44L 0.34 0.27L 0.23L 0.21L 0.22L

Time 3:05 PM 4:19 PM 5:37 PM 8:52 AM 8:42 AM 8:41 AM 8:44 AM 8:54 AM 9:13 AM 5:38 PM 6:46 PM 8:20 PM 9:45 PM 10:47 PM 11:36 PM

Height 0.38L 0.54L 0.70L 1.32L 1.19L 1.04L 0.88L 0.72L 0.57L 1.79H 1.83H 1.87H 1.92H 1.95H 1.96H

PM PM PM PM

Time

4:37 5:46 1:46 1:56 2:04 2:15

Height

PM PM PM PM PM PM

1.31H 1.36H 0.91L 0.72L 0.53L 0.36L

Time

Height

12:44 PM 2:10 PM 3:24 PM 4:27 PM 5:22 PM 6:11 PM 9:35 AM

1.24H 1.27H 1.31H 1.35H 1.39H 1.43H 0.40L

Time

Height

11:53 PM

0.61L

6:56 PM 8:16 PM 9:23 PM 10:20 PM

1.40H 1.46H 1.54H 1.59H

Time

Height

8:06 PM 9:00 PM 9:45 PM 10:27 PM 11:10 PM

0.69L 0.81L 0.93L 1.04L 1.15L

6:02 PM

1.47H

Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 4:15 AM 4:51 AM 5:20 AM 5:30 AM 4:07 AM 3:29 AM 3:28 AM 3:31 AM 12:31 AM 2:11 AM 11:47 AM 1:30 AM 2:06 AM 2:41 AM 3:13 AM

Time

1:38 PM 3:36 PM 4:52 PM 6:20 PM 10:01 PM 11:52 AM 11:18 PM

Height

0.29H 0.30H 0.31H 0.32H 0.35H 0.04L 0.40H

Time

9:18 PM 10:08 PM 10:57 PM 11:45 PM

Height

0.12L 0.18L 0.24L 0.29L

Port Aransas Time

6:49 PM 8:54 PM

Height

0.46H 0.55H

Time

10:55 PM 11:44 PM

Height

0.41L 0.53L

Nueces Bay Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

San Luis Pass

Height 1.84H 1.79H 1.72H 1.63H 1.55H 0.76L 0.95L 1.15L 1.34L 0.23L 0.16L 1.67H 1.70H 1.70H 1.69H

East Matagorda

Freeport Harbor Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 5:28 AM 5:53 AM 6:10 AM 6:24 AM 6:36 AM 12:53 AM 1:48 AM 2:36 AM 3:22 AM 1:31 PM 1:54 PM 3:12 AM 3:46 AM 4:11 AM 4:27 AM

Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 3:41 AM 2:09 AM 2:07 AM 1:54 AM 1:42 AM 1:56 AM 2:15 AM 1:33 AM 1:35 AM 10:18 AM 11:01 AM 11:46 AM 12:10 AM

Time

11:36 AM 1:16 PM 2:46 PM 3:51 PM 4:44 PM 5:37 PM 5:46 PM 9:27 PM

Height

0.78H 0.78H 0.81H 0.83H 0.86H 0.89H 0.93H 0.98H

Time

7:21 PM 8:09 PM 8:48 PM 9:25 PM 10:05 PM 10:58 PM 11:06 PM

Height

0.31L 0.42L 0.53L 0.64L 0.73L 0.81L 0.88L

South Padre Island

PM PM PM PM PM PM

Time

12:25 PM 1:17 PM

Height

0.41L 0.31L

Time

7:36 PM 9:08 PM

Height

0.64H 0.63H

Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

Time 12:39 AM 1:26 AM 1:58 AM 2:12 AM 2:11 AM 2:04 AM 1:59 AM 1:55 AM 1:49 AM 8:38 AM 9:10 AM 9:46 AM 10:28 AM 11:15 AM 12:08 PM

Time

11:33 AM 1:16 PM 2:41 PM 3:52 PM 4:51 PM 5:44 PM

Height

1.38H 1.41H 1.48H 1.57H 1.65H 1.73H

Time

6:45 PM 7:43 PM 8:35 PM 9:28 PM 10:31 PM

Height

0.85L 1.00L 1.15L 1.29L 1.41L

Texas Coast Tides

Date Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

Page 19

PRODUCTS

FG350 WINTER FISHING JACKET: Gill Fishing’s newest cold-weather technical fishing gear includes this waterproof jacket, which utilizes an advanced breathable insulated two-layer fabric with a waterrepellent finish. The waterproof fabric is fully taped and pressure tested at every seam. The jacket offers a Vortex hood with a high facemask to ward off icy winds. Other features include a pair of roomy utilitarian chest pockets for essentials like smartphones and fishing tools; a watertight adjustable cuff; and an integrated drawcord at the waist. The Graphite jacket comes in men’s sizes extra small to 4XL and costs about $325. Matching bibs (about $250) also are available.

RATTLIN’ PUPPET MINNOW: Northland Fishing Tackle has added rattles to its popular minnow. This new lure’s glass rattle and acoustics carry through the water. The sound, coupled with the minnow’s vibration and trademark darting action, promises to trigger strikes. It has a heavy zinc frame with balanced-style jigs plus a wide gap back hook for better sets and hooking retention. The quarter-ounce lure, available in 12 hues, costs about $8.

X BUCK 110 FOLDING HUNTER PRO KNIFE: Filson’s newest knife pays homage to the classic Buck favorite, the 110 Folding Hunter. This Pro version retains all the features of the original but with an updated look. The clip point blade is Cerakote black-coated 420HC steel while the handle is olive Micarta with brass bolsters. The knife costs about $130.

Z8I RIFLESCOPE: This beautifully designed riflescope by Swarovski Optik redefines performance with its 8x zoom and outstanding optics. The scope offers optimum detail recognition via its high magnification, image definition across the whole field of view, and facilitating rapid target acquisition. The slim 30-mm central tube blends seamlessly with any hunting firearm. Its ergonomic illumination unit and large operating features make it quick and reliable to handle. The Z8i line, which includes five models to suit any hunting scenario, is versatile, thanks to the flexible, easily attachable ballistic turret; the switchable reticle; and the powerful 8x zoom. The light and compact 3.5-28x50 P riflescope, pictured, has an MSRP of $3,877.

ARE YOU FED UP

WITH DEERLESS DEER HUNTS? REASONS WHY TO HUNT WITH US:

COLORADO GTX BOOTS: These Crispi boots equip hunters to traverse backcountry miles in search of big game. The uppers are made from water-repellent suede and highresistance fabric with a Gore-Tex lining. Optimum ankle support allows for treacherous side hilling and heavy pack outs. Maneuverability in the trickiest terrain is further enabled by the duel density polyurethane Vibram sole, which provides comfort in the nastiest of conditions. And, the polyurethane-coated leather rand is triple stitched around the base of the boot to protect the foot from external impacts. The boots, which come in men’s sizes 8 through 14, cost about $360.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

NEVER SPEND MONEY FOR NOTHING ALWAYS GET THE ANIMAL YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED RANCH 20% OFF HUNTS FOR EARLY BOOKING NO HIDDEN CHARGES MEALS & LODGING INCLUDED GUIDED HUNT

DON'T HAVE ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING HUNTING SEASON NOT SURE IF YOUR CHILD WOULD LIKE HUNTING? ASK ABOUT OUR $250 CHILDRENS HUNT WITH ANY TROPHY HUNT BOOKING

WILDPOINTWHITETAILS.COM

Page 20

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

More big MLD bucks Continued from page 1

“When you look back six or seven years, we had a pretty good fawn crop, so there may be more deer to choose from,” Kunz said. “And our spring rainfall was good, which is really important for antler growth in South Texas.” Tompall Glaser with the Texas Buck Registry said a surprising amount of nice bucks were added to the registry over the first week of the MLD season. “I’d have thought the warm temps would have slowed everything down, but that didn’t seem to be the case,” he said. Gary Broach with Rhodes Bros. Taxidermy in Kerrville, said the shop is seeing a higher number of good deer coming through the doors. “We’re seeing more good deer early this year, both from MLD ranches and from archery hunters,” he said. “And they are coming from South Texas and from the Hill Country.” David Sunderland of Trinity Ranch, near Batesville, said he has noticed the uptick in

early big bucks. “Around here, it’s so dry that the big deer are hitting the feeders,” he said. “Especially on ranches that have exotics or cattle that put extra pressure on the natural food resources.” Sunderland said he noticed something else about all of the big deer. “I was pleasantly surprised to see all of the photos of youngsters and women with big bucks,” he said. “A lot of us are having trouble marketing all of our hunts this year, and people have these mature bucks, so maybe it’s a daughter or granddaughter sometimes. It’s good to see.” Dunks said one other factor could be in play. “We’ve really amped up our social media this season,” she said. “We’re posting pretty much every deer that comes in.” Sunderland agreed. “People also are a lot better at posting what’s happening,” he said.

Focus on young hunters Continued from page 4

proud that he made an excellent shot.” Christian Robertson, 13, of Houston, harvested his first deer during his second to last sit of the trip. After not encountering any deer at all, a red deer hind showed up at the food plot he was overlooking right as the sun was setting. “It took her awhile to get into my comfortable shooting range,” Robertson said. “She came within about 80 yards of the blind and was facing us for what seemed like forever. She finally turned broadside and I took a shot.” The red deer kicked and then ran about 45 yards before piling into the brush, where he later recovered her. “I was pretty nervous while I was shoul-

dering my gun, and I was pumped up to harvest my first deer,” Roberston said. “It made it even more awesome that it was a red deer, because that’s a huge animal.” Robertson’s father, Chad Robertson, was in the blind with him and a guide when he harvested the deer, and said it was extremely special to share that moment with his son. “Christian has been asking me when we can go hunting again, every day, since the hunt,” Chad said. “I didn’t grow up hunting, but I am already looking into finding more opportunities to get him back out there. This is going to be something that we do together from now on, for many years to come.”

CLASSIFIEDS HUNTING TEXAS TROPHY WHITETAILS Axis, Blackbuck, Hogs Free range whitetail and exotic hunts in Sonora, TX www.HuntTexasWhitetails.com (717) 512-3582 STOCKERBUCK.COM Call now to order Texas Trophy Bred does and stockerbucks or check us out online at stockerbuck.com Call Jay (505) 681-5210 HUNTING CABIN BROOKESMITH Located about halfway between Brownwood and Brady on bluff overlooking 275 feet of clear creek is this sturdy 3bdr house, a metal roof, secure 2 car garage and outdoor storage buildings on two large lots in this safe and sleepy town. Asking $30K. Also ask about my “hip pocket listings” those properties not yet to market that include hunting ranches from 100 to 2,500 acres. Broker # 434919 (214) 207-8871 ANTLERS WANTED Buying all species, all conditions. Looking for large quantities Call Del (830) 997-2263 DUVAL COUNTY South Texas Dove Hunting 65 acres, Lodging RV Power Available Huntershilton.com for more info (361) 244-0544 or (361) 443-9330

QUAIL HUNTING

NEED ARCHERY RANGE? www.TexasArchery.info

FISHING Guided-Self Guided-Training 700 yard RANGE PoetryShootingClub.com (214) 728-2755 ARGENTINA DOVE SHOOTING 5 Star Lodge – Hosted by Owner 4 Days/3 Nts/6 Shoots - $1320/person (972) 769-8866 ARGENTINA DUCK HUNTING Lots of Birds!!! Hosted by Owner Partridge & Dove Shoots Included 5 Days/4 Nts/8 Shoots - $4250 Includes everything but shells and tips dagaradventures.com (972) 769-8866 EXOTICS + WHITETAIL Several species Trophy and meat hunts Owner guided Very reasonable Let’s have fun! (325) 475-2100 TDHA - JOIN TODAY Texas Dove Hunters Association TexasDoveHunters.com (210) 764-1189 AXIS HIDES Tanned axis hides Axis pillows gbroach@ktc.com (830) 896-6996

BAY FISHING 6 Hour Trip from $275 Port Isabel, TX (956) 551-1965

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL LOOKING FOR TEXAS MULE DEER LEASE No need for lodging and dining accommodations, I prefer to camp and hike. No antler size restrictions; will follow all agreed upon rules. Hoping to lease for one week of the season. Hunting industry references available. Call Carson (907) 460-4313

REAL ESTATE/ LEASE

VEHICLES

DUCK LEASE WANTED Four hunters looking for ponds that hold ducks Prefer north of Dallas References available (214) 632-5417

HUNTING JEEP 1995 Wrangler 4.0L, 6 Cylinder, Fully Loaded Many Extras, Automatic Transmission Winch and New Tires (361) 541-8420

SOUTH TEXAS DEER LEASE Duval County Low Fence 740 Acres 4-6 Hunters (361) 701-4711

1952 JEEP C-J3 Willys 1-owner (956) 642-6132

RANCH FOR SALE $665,000 - 2000 acres Coahuila, Mexico Big Deer, Quail, Water, Houses Beautiful Sierra Madre Valley (504) 236-8069 WANTED PREMIUM FAMILY DEER LEASE 4 to 5 Experienced Trophy Hunters Year round–MLDP–2 hours max from Waco. Call Jim (254) 716-6227

CLASSIFIEDS (PER WORD)

JOBS LEARN TO BECOME AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER https:onlinemediatraining.now.site

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 21628300, 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 2020 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com. Executive Editor

Craig Nyhus

Managing Editor

Lili Sams

Design Editor

C2-Studios, Inc.

Copy Editor

Hannah Bush

Products Editor

Mary Helen Aguirre

Operations Manager

Mike Hughs

Website

Bruce Solieu

National Advertising Mike Nelson Founder & CEO

David J. Sams

Advertising: Call (214) 361-2276 or email editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com to request a media kit. For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com • (214) 361-2276

PART-TIME DELIVERY JOB 2 days a month Text Paul (361) 877-6028

ADD A PHOTO/LOGO $25 ALL BOLD LETTERS $15 2 ISSUE MINIMUM

2 EASY OPTIONS: CALL THE OFFICE (214) 361-2276, OR E-MAIL: LSONACCT@GMAIL.COM

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 23, 2020

DSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to ensure the conservation of wildlife through public engagement, education and advocacy for well-regulated hunting and sustainable use.

JOIN US!

DSC Convention February 11-14, 2021 info@biggame.org I www.biggame.org I

C O N S E R VAT I O N

Dallas Safari Club I (972) 980-9800

E D U C AT I O N

ADVOCAC Y

Page 21

Page 22

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Bird banding hits century mark Lone Star Outdoor News This year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory. The lab, now based at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland, was established in 1920 to study and help protect North American birds. The USGS laboratory issues permits for banding in the U.S., distributes aluminum bands — about 1 million a year — to participating scientists in the U.S. and Canada, and is a central repository for banding records in both countries. Established in 1920, the bird-banding laboratory has recorded data on millions of ducks and other birds throughout North America.

The first records of bird banding in North America are those of John James Audubon in 1803. He tied silver cords to the legs of young phoebes near Philadelphia and verified two of the nestlings returned to the site of their birth the next year. In 1902, Paul Bartsch began the first scientific system of banding using voluntary band returns to identify where a group of black-crowned night herons had traveled. By 1909, the American Bird Banding Association had been formed. It was later taken over by the Bureau of Biological Survey (now the USGS) and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Laboratory staffers manage more than 77 million archived banding records and more than 5 million bird encounter reports, with an average of nearly 1.2 million banding

records and 100,000 encounter reports submitted each year. Biologists use the information in making decisions on migratory bird seasons, focal areas for conservation efforts and critical components of legislation to protect endangered or threatened bird species. Bird-banding records played a critical role in identifying the devastating effects of the pesticide DDT on some wild birds. The lab’s research uncovered a decline in some falcon species and bald eagles, sparking scientists at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and elsewhere to investigate. This research helped lead to the ban of DDT in the United States more than 40 years ago. USGS scientists are currently involved in

a banding project to track the migration patterns of blue-winged teal, which are among the waterfowl vulnerable to avian influenza. The research focuses on bluewinged teal due to their widespread distribution and suspected role in spreading avian influenza viruses. Bird banding also was critical in recognizing the recovery of wood ducks and allowing a third bird in the daily bag limit for duck hunters. Because these birds nest and congregate in flooded hardwoods with overhead cover, their breeding populations were not able to be accurately reflected through aerial surveys. Banding records have allowed biologists to bolster their data and relax the daily bag limit to reflect current population trends.

NATIONAL MARYLAND

captured in less than three years. The wildlife dealer received as much as $213,800 in gross illegal proceeds. —FWC

Beretta is expand its nationwide footprint with the opening of several pop-up retail locations across the country. The pop-up retail stores are open for a limited time (90 days) in Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall, the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver, Colorado. —Beretta

MINNESOTA

Beretta opens pop-up stores

FLORIDA

Flounder reg changes proposed Texas anglers might notice the familiarity in draft changes to the management of Florida’s flounder fishery. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved draft changes, which will be considered for final determination in December. A recent stock status update suggested that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend in recent years and is likely overfished. Draft rule changes include increasing the minimum size limit from 12 to 14 inches; reducing the recreational bag limit from 10 to 5 fish per person; closing the season from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30; and limiting the allowable catch and modifying the bycatch limits for commercial fishermen. —FWC

Monster python caught Members of the Python Action Team captured an 18-foot, 9-inch Burmese python. Ryan Ausburn and Kevin Pavlidis, who make their living selling products made from snakeskin leather, caught the snake. The removal of the pythons is an effort to reduce predation on native wildlife, which has been dramatic since the snakes began multiplying in the Everglades some 20 years ago. The giant snakes have been found to prey on water birds, small mammals and occasionally on alligators and deer. The snake weighed 104 pounds. —FWC

Flying squirrel trafficking

Puzzle solution from Page 16

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrested seven suspects and charged them with racketeering and other felonies. The subjects were illegally trapping flying squirrels, a protected species, and selling them internationally in the pet trade. The squirrels were illegally captured by poachers and then sold to a wildlife dealer and were laundered through the licensed business of this dealer, who claimed they were captive bred, not wildlife. As many as 3,600 flying squirrels were

Black bear harvest up Bear hunters in Minnesota had killed 3,065 bears with a week remaining in the season, the most since 3,172 in 2007. The harvest already is up 32 percent over the total from 2019. The wild food crop in the woods was poor this year due to drought across much of the black bear range in northern Minnesota. With less food in the woods, bears were more likely to hit hunter bait stations. This year’s total will be way up from the last seven years, when harvests ranged from a low of 1,672 in 2014 to a previous high of 2,633 in 2016. —MDNR

SOUTH CAROLINA

NWTF 2021 convention going virtual The National Wild Turkey Federation announced its 45th annual Convention and Sport Show will be held virtually in February. The NWTF will be conducting its popular annual convention online in a format that will be announced at a later date. The NWTF’s 2020 Convention and Sport Show drew more than 57,000 people to Nashville’s Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “The show’s scope makes limiting audience sizes and implementing social distancing measures in compliance with government guidelines extremely difficult,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “Even if guidelines change and restrictions are eased by February, it is not feasible for us to quickly adjust an event of this magnitude.” —NWTF

TENNESSEE

Purina recognized for conservation efforts Nestlé Purina was awarded the Ducks Unlimited Corporate Conservation Achievement Award at this year’s virtual Ducks Unlimited National Convention. Purina supports several key initiatives that preserve critical ingredients and conserve soil, water and wildlife habitat. Purina joined the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Program which keeps working ricelands healthy, preserves wetlands and creates habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. Purina also partners with DU to improve wetlands and lakes across Iowa’s Prairie Pothole Region to help restore and protect 1,600 acres of wetland and grasslands across the state. —DU

Nomad TX Print Ad_Final Ad.pdf

Page 24

CMY

8/5/20

11:35 PM

October 23, 2020

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Lone Star Outdoor News 102320

Articles inside

Heroes

Classifieds

Products

Game Warden Blotter

Freshwater Fishing Report

Saltwater Fishing Report