October 27, 2023
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 20, Issue 5
High tides keeping trout scattered By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Fall has greeted coastal anglers with elevated tides, keeping speckled trout scattered across numerous areas and hot spots. Those fishermen able to cover water and hone in on specific areas holding concentrations of fish have been catching
specks of all sizes on a variety of presentations. Lower West Galveston Bay guide Capt. Colin Peterson has been focusing his efforts for speckled trout in Christmas, Chocolate, and Bastrop bays. Higher tides have kept the fish spread out, as he’s been encountering water depths that are 1-2 feet deeper than normal.
“Stretches with mud and shell bottoms have been holding more specks than areas with sandy bottoms,” Peterson said. “I’ve been wading some flats that are typically only about knee deep that have waist deep water. Recent fronts have dropped water levels some, but they are still way above normal.”
Suspending twitch baits, topwater lures and mullet-imitation plugs have been drawing strikes from some larger trout in the 3-4 pound range. Also, drifting areas in 2-5 feet with live shrimp under a popping cork has kept the guide’s anglers hooked up with specks. “There are a lot of little trout biting,” he said. “You can catch Please turn to page 20
Riley Freese landed this trout at the mouth of a marsh drain when water levels dropped slightly. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Hunting the eclipse By Lane Moczygemba For Lone Star Outdoor News
When the skies darkened in the late morning hours of Oct. 14, people across Texas turned their faces to the sun, while wearing appropriate eye protection, to catch a glimpse of the ongoing annular solar eclipse. But some Texans had other things on their minds, like the pursuit of a mature axis buck in the case of a group of hunters guided by Marshall McFadden on the Sleepy B Ranch, near Mullin. The weekend started out like any other for McFadden. Rush out to the ranch to guide and entertain clients, try to get them up and into the blinds early Saturday morning, then hang out The annular eclipse on Oct. 14 resulted in some unusual animal activity. at the lodge for late morning coffee. Left photo by Lane Moczygemba, for Lone Star Outdoor News. Above, Mallory Powell took this axis in mid-day after the animals were moving Around 11:45 a.m. one of the hunters during the eclipse. Photo by Marshall McFadden. noticed it was darker than normal outside. This is when the group remembered the eclipse happening that morning, and it’s also when McFadden figured a midday hunt might be in the cards. “The deer were definitely up on their feet,” McFadden said when asked if he noticed any abnormal Please turn to page 6
By Tony Vindell
New rule proposals on spotted seatrout bags and size limits could be coming soon. At a series of public meetings along the Texas Gulf Coast, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials gathered input from anglers and those involved in the fishing industry regarding management of the popular fish.
Speckled trout have been at the center of coastal anglers’ concern since the 2021 freeze that killed thousands, if not millions, of fish in the Lower Laguna Madre and other areas up the coast. At stake is whether to leave the existing bag limit in place, to go back to an emergency measure that expired on Aug. 31, or a variation of regulations. Currently, the limit is five fish per day and a 15- to 25-inch slot limit, A light turnout in Port Isabel voiced their opinions in favor of a three-fish Please turn to page 21
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 20 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
INSIDE
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Debating the speckled trout limits
speckled trout limit. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
HUNTING
FISHING
Season’s over (P. 4)
Chasing the birds (P. 8)
Pronghorns down but hunters not out.
Reds, trout, birds following shrimp.
Ducks on the way (P. 5)
Smallmouth catch for big win (P. 8)
Hunters hope hurricane brings rains.
Texoma produces big smallie bags.
Page 2
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
INTRODUCING THE
BUCK 30
™
FIND THE RIGHT SILENCER FOR YOU
S U P P R E S S O R BY B A N I S H ® THE OFFICIAL SILENCER OF BUCK COMMANDER®
LET US HANDLE THE PAPERWORK 6.9″
ENJOY FRONT DOOR DELIVERY
SHOP NOW
13.8 oz
A high performance hunting silencer in an economical package, the BUCK 30™ by BANISH® works with rifle calibers from .17 to .300 Win Mag.
LEARN MORE 866.645.7166 S I L E N C E R C E N T R A L .C O M / B U C K30
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 3
FROM WORK TO PLAY WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
FIND YOUR NEW RIDE AT HOFFPAUIR
2114 US-84 GOLDTHWAITE, TX 76844
(855) 648-3341
Page 4
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
HUNTING Teen arrows anthrax survivor
Pronghorn season wraps up
Cade Thomas took this impressive buck with his bow in Kinney County on a ranch decimated by anthrax in 2019. Photo by David Price.
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Cade Thomas harvested a mature buck he had his sights on since before archery season began on the Horn Ranch & Rancho La Tinaja in Kinney County, where he and his father, Bobby, lease a spot. The deer was one of the few survivors left after anthrax plagued the property’s deer herd in 2019, and it scored 171.25 inches. According to ranch manager and landowner, David Price, the ranch lost an estimated 700 deer due to the outbreak in 2019, and Thomas’ buck was one that survived the event. “As a 3-year-old in 2021, the buck was an 8-point that showed signs of kickers and the potential to become a 10 point or better,” Price said. “Last year, he jumped up to a 150 class 10-pointer with kickers. This year as a 5 year old, the buck looked to be in the 170 class.” The 17-year-old Thomas sat with his father in the blind where the buck had been patterned according to trail camera photos. “We actually saw the buck on opening day, but he never would give me a good shot opportunity,” Thomas said. “Feeling his pattern would remain consistent, I decided it was best to wait for a better shot opportunity, rather than to rush it.” Thomas and his dad returned to the ranch the following weekend, but the buck did not show up. They paid careful attention to trail camera photos throughout the days that followed. “After seeing the buck back on camera after we had come and gone, we felt like he must be bedding nearby, and that we could have possibly been bumping him on our
Case Gatlin Jr. took an old pronghorn buck with scars from a mountain lion attack in Brewster County. Photo from Case Gatlin.
Population down, but good bucks found By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Mature pronghorn bucks were hard to find in Brewster County for Case Gatlin and his son, Case Jr. in early October. But they were rewarded by an old animal with some unique features. “My son and I were invited to the Straight-A Ranch south of Alpine that’s owned by a friend,” Gatlin said. The hunt involved a lot of driving, glassing and walking. “We walked all morning and scanned 15,000 acres and didn’t see any mature
bucks,” he said. “When we were going in for lunch, a half-mile from camp, we saw him.” The buck was looking for females, Gatlin thought. “He saw us but wasn’t interested in us,” he said. “It seemed like rutting behavior was just starting. We saw he was good sized with some extra points.” After getting closer, Case Gatlin Jr., 24, made a perfect shot and the buck was quickly recovered. “I’ve enjoyed hunting my whole life,” his father said. “I get a bigger kick being alongside others now. “What was interesting were the scars on his back, side and belly,” Gatlin said. “The cowboy with us was almost certain they
were mountain lion scars. It was a good, old animal, and the scars will make for great storytelling when my son’s shoulder mount hits the wall.” Shawn Gray, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Mule Deer and Pronghorn Program leader, said he is still receiving information on the pronghorn season, which ended Oct. 15. “Our harvest reporting deadline is Oct. 31, so I will have a better idea after that,” he said. “I’m still receiving teeth from harvested pronghorn and it seems about par from last year. I would think this year was better than last in terms of horn development, but numbers were probably down in most areas.”
Please turn to page 20
Success at Sisterhood hunt By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News At an all-ladies dove hunt hosted by Sisterhood of the Hunt, a group of 17 women hunted at the 501 Ranch in Uvalde with outfitter Speck Ops. Several hunters shot their first dove, while others bagged their first limit. According to Sisterhood’s coowner, Jaycey Stone, the event included 17 women from Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. A
handful of the ladies were new to dove hunting and/or shotgunning, and it was the first time for all of them to attend a hunt hosted by the group. “Almost all of the women had never attended an all-ladies hunt,” said Stone. “Most of the girls that did have hunting experience had previously only hunted with their dad, significant other or another male figure in their lives. It was awesome to see them get to experience time in the field with other women that are passionate about the out-
doors and hunting.” Stone said Sisterhood of the Hunt is dedicated to connecting women of all ages and experience levels in the outdoors. “We want to promote women who are passionate about hunting in a positive way, and nurture the next generation of female hunters,” Stone said. “You could really see this taking place during this all-women dove hunt.” During the event, the ladies were able to work on their shooting skills at the skeet range. Please turn to page 23
Seventeen women hunted dove in Uvalde County, organized by Sisterhood of the Hunt. Photo by Colin Starr.
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
Drought expected to impact duck season Lone Star Outdoor News Waterfowl hunters are hoping the lingering rains from Hurricane Norma fill ponds, tanks and add to lake levels. In Central and North Texas, many ponds are dry or very low, hampering the ability to attract ducks or to hunt. Heavy rains could turn a disastrous season into a productive one, though. Lingering drought conditions throughout much of Texas could present challenges as waterfowl hunters prepare for the start of the new season, TPWD said. The dry habitat conditions in many parts of the state are not ideal for ducks and duck hunters. However, weather Many tanks and ponds are low or even empty as the duck pattern changes, timely cold fronts season approaches. Remnant rains from Hurricane Norma may help. Photo by Erich Schlegel, for Lone Star Outdoor News. and significant rain could boost hunters’ prospects. “Unfortunately, our duck hunters are looking at a very dry state of Texas currently,” said Kevin Kraai, TPWD Waterfowl Program leader. “Much of Texas is experiencing extreme drought and are on the doorsteps of surpassing the drought record from 2010 and 2011. The exceptions are parts of deep South Texas and portions of the Texas Panhandle that received good rainfall this summer.” How could heavy, hurricane-type rains help? Reservoir levels in East Texas are very low. The silver lining is that this could turn into a positive when it starts to rain again. While lakes were low this summer, large amounts of vegetation that produce small seeds have grown along exposed shorelines. When water levels rise and the vegetation is flooded, it will provide a substantial increase in the foods available for wintering ducks. The Texas coast is beginning to see some improvements in water conditions, but significant rainfall is still needed for most of this region. Texas coastal marshes are very salty, many of the wetlands are dry and freshwater is limited going into the season. In addition, irrigation water restrictions will impact the available waterfowl habitat and the acres of rice agriculture along the Gulf Coast. The hunt clubs and leases fortunate enough to have access to water to flood rice fields or wetlands will have an advantage this fall if dry conditions persist. “Typically, when there is less water spread out across the landscape it concentrates birds in areas where hunters tend to be waiting and hunting success increases,” said Kraai. “However, ducks will be very intolerant of excessive disturbance and move on quickly after Please turn to page 21
October 27, 2023
Page 5
ARE YOU FED UP WITH DEERLESS DEER HUNTS? REASONS WHY TO HUNT WITH US: NEVER SPEND MONEY FOR NOTHING FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED RANCH DISCOUNT FOR EARLY BOOKING NO HIDDEN CHARGES MEALS & LODGING INCLUDED GUIDED HUNT Aoudad Hunts Now Available DON'T HAVE ANOTHER DISAPPOINTING HUNTING SEASON
NOT SURE IF YOUR CHILD WOULD LIKE HUNTING? ASK ABOUT OUR $250 CHILDREN’S HUNT WITH ANY TROPHY HUNT BOOKING
WildpointRanch.com WILDPOINT RANCH, SAINT JO, TEXAS CHRIS SCHEEL 972-922-4225 WILDPOINTRANCH@GMAIL.COM
Page 6
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
Tillerson to receive Lifetime Sportsman Award Lone Star Outdoor News
To Impress
THE HUNTED ranchkingblinds.com
Scan to browse Ranch King Blinds and Feeders online
Rex Tillerson will receive the 2024 T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award at the Park Cities Quail Coalition Annual Dinner & Auction on March 7, 2024 at SMU’s Armstrong Fieldhouse. Tillerson served as the Nation’s 69th Secretary of State from February 2017 to March 2018. Prior to being sworn in as Secretary of State, he concluded a career of more than 41 years in the petroleum industry, retiring as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation at the end of 2016. Tillerson was born in Wichita Falls and grew up in Vernon, Stillwater, Oklahoma and Huntsville with a love of the outdoors. His hobbies include quail hunting, flyfishing, horseback cattle drives, and crosscountry Harley rides with his friends. Rex enjoys raising and working cattle at his ranch in Wichita County. For many years, he and his wife, Renda, have enjoyed competing with and breeding their own cutting horses. They are very committed to habitat restoration and wildlife conservation on their ranch.
Comment sought on carcass disposal proposed rules Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public comment before its November Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on proposed changes to carcass disposal regulations. These proposed rules would apply when hunter-harvested deer are transported from the ranch of harvest to a final destination at another location (e.g., home, deer processor, taxidermist, etc.): • • • • •
Weatherford, Texas
THE TOUGHEST, MOST COMFORTABLE, WARMEST, MOST WICKING, MOST COMFORTABLE, LEAST STINKING, AMERICAN-MADE, MOST COMFORTABLE
SOCKS ON THE PLANET.
...DID WE MENTION MOST COMFORTABLE?
Find out more:
www.TheBuffaloWoolCo.com (817) 905-4584
Tillerson joined Exxon after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He became president of the corporation in 2004 and chairman in 2006. Rex Tillerson An Eagle Scout, Tillerson has had a longstanding involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. He is a former member of the group’s Executive Committee and served as the national president of the Boy Scouts from 2010 to 2012. “I have had the pleasure of attending several of the PCQC dinners and am honored to be recognized with such a distinguished group of sportsmen,” Tillerson said. “I have a deep love of quail hunting and I appreciate PCQC’s efforts to perpetuate this important pastime for future generations.”
Disposal of unused parts of a CWD-susceptible species (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, red deer, etc.) By transport, directly or indirectly, to a landfill permitted by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to receive such waste; Buried at a depth of no less than 3 feet below the natural surface of the ground and covered with at least 3 feet of earthen material; or Returned to the property where the animal was harvested for disposal. No person may transport a susceptible species harvested in a Containment Zone or Surveillance Zone from the respective zone to any destination unless it is first presented at the nearest department-designated check station. The check station shall provide a receipt that must remain with the animal until it reaches a final destination.
Those interested may comment online at the TPWD public comment page until Nov. 1; by phone or email to Dr. Hunter Reed (hunter.reed@tpwd.texas.gov; or in person at the Nov. 2 TPW Commission meeting. —TPWD
Eclipse behavior Continued from page 1
animal behavior. After checking with some of the other hunters and learning about a mature buck running with a group of does in a nearby pasture, they decided to make their move. The plan, as the seasoned guide tells it, was “to get set up on this oak motte across the pasture and have one of the other guides apply pressure in an attempt to push them toward us.” The axis moved exactly as planned, but the hunters were unable to get a shot before the herd got spooked, heading into a draw. Fortunately, McFadden The skies darkened in the middle of the day on Oct. 14. Photo by was able to locate the tree where Marshall McFadden. the group bedded up before they blended into the brush. The group of four was able to sneak in and put a large tree between them and the deer. “We set up and sat on those deer for three hours,” McFadden said. “The buck finally stood up and our shooter downed him.” The old buck measured 32 inches on one side and 34 on the other. “I don’t know if we would have had that success on a normal day,” McFadden said. “Maybe it wasn’t the eclipse, but I feel good giving it partial credit.” Farther south, between George West and Freer and in the direct path of the eclipse, a different group of hunters observed wildlife acting completely differently. “We didn’t see a single deer for the rest of the day,” one hunter claimed about the hours after the eclipse. “But we saw multiple groups of coyotes out in the open in the middle of the day. The eclipse definitely had them acting funky.” In North Texas, far from the primary path of the eclipse, another hunter claimed there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. “It was just another day,” he said. “We had an hour of practical darkness.” Texas has a total eclipse to look forward to on Monday, April 8, 2024. Spring turkey hunters may be in for an interesting day if this month’s annular eclipse was any indication.
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 7
BUILT RIGHT
the First Time to Last a Lifetime!
CP REGULATOR
CP GRAVITY FLOW PROTEIN FEEDER • 1000, 2000 & 3000# cap.
TOP GUN Heavy Duty Corn FeeDer
• High Output Solar Power Panel mounted on top with Timer Box inside a REINFORCED VARMINT CAGE • 600 & 1000# cap.
HALF-BACK DUALLY
DUALLY PROTEIN & CORN FEEDER Split hopper allows gravity-flow protein simultaneously with directional corn distribution controlled by “The Timer”. • 3 protein tubes standard • 1000, 2000 & 3000# total capacities
• 3 gravity-flow protein tubes • Directional corn spinner with eliminator plate • “The Timer” battery & solar panel incuded • 400, 600 & 1000# capacities
The Regulator has “The Timer” inside the gravity flow system allowing control of the feed amount while maintaining dispensed feed inside the feeder housing and tubes. You program to dispense feed up to 6 times/day at the rate of 2 lbs./ second & 360 lbs./day max.
OUTBACK DELIVERS MAXIMUM QUALITY! to your ranch!
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# capacities
CF with CORN FEEDER Solar Powered Timer
“
SHare-KroPPer” FiSH FeeDer
Half-Back Gravity flow
• 600, 1000, 2000 & 3000# cap.
Low ProFiLe SPinner FeeDer
Low ProFiLe DireCtionaL FeeDer
Half-Back Gravity flow Xt
spreads up to 360o
spreads heavier feed out to 50’ in a 20’ wide pattern
Half-Back reGulator
cHooSe froM
FLIPPER WATER • SAVE TIME TROUGH emptying & cleaning
360º Spinner or piStolero Directional
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.
• Place on pier, dock, bank or in truck bed • 24” tank diameter holds 175# floating fish feed or 300# corn • 54” tall & 3’x3’ at base • Works well with all types of fish feed, corn or milo
• Easily dumps in seconds • 25 gallon capacity
36”-40” TEXAS FIRE PIT • Features swivel grill, Dutch oven support, fire poker & ash pan
24” TAILGATER FIRE PIT E-Z CLEAN CART
Cleaning a deer doesn’t have to be a back breaking job!
GAME RACK
• Portable with 20-watt LED lighting & 4 winches (800 lb. capacity each)
SHOOTING BENCH
• Portable with swivel seat • Actual chair varies with availabilty, call for details
See all our ranch and hunting products! Contact us for a catalog or browse online at outbackfeeders.com or kickinbackkreations.com
903.734.4210 • 888.900.0304 • e-mail: rickmeritt@yahoo.com
• Includes fire poker
GREAT BALL OF FIRE Wildlife Scene Embellished FIRE PIT No two alike, each oNe a CUSTOM WORK OF ART! customized with your logo or iNitials, etc.
• 1400 degree high-temperature powder-coat finish • Fire poker & ash can included
Built witH priDe in aMerica witH top Quality aMerican MaterialS & craftSManSHip
Page 8
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
FISHING
Sabine Lake birds over reds, trout
Big day of smallies
Drew Sloan, left, and Nolan Jackson brought a limit of smallmouth bass to the scales at the Bass Champs Team Championship on Lake Texoma. Photo from Drew Sloan.
Lone Star Outdoor News The team of Drew Sloan, of Scurry, and Nolan Jackson, of Royse City, topped 251 other teams on Oct. 12-13 to win the 2023 Bass Champs Team Championship with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 39.41 pounds. For the win the team took home a Skeeter FSX20 with a Yamaha SHO motor and trailer. Sloan said the pair has been fishing together since early 2020, and it’s their fourth or fifth win in team tournaments. “We’ve had success on Texoma in the past, but the lake was full,” he said. “This was 3.5 feet lower. We figured we needed to cover as much water as possible and outwork the other teams.” They found some isolated stumps, rocks and stretches of bank that had some fish. Using a soft body swimbait, they caught seven keepers the first day of the event. “It was real windy and kind of a grind,” Sloan said. “We lost a 6-pounder and thought it might cost us the tournament.” The second day started with a struggle. “At 11:30, we had five fish totaling 8 pounds — not enough to win,” Sloan said. “We kept with the game plan and clouds rolled in after 11:30. When it got cloudy, the smallmouth turned on and went crazy. We culled all of the largemouth and had almost a 21-pound bag of smallmouth — a phenomenal day.” Nine of the team’s 10 keepers were smallmouth bass, highlighted by Sloan’s best smallmouth, a 5.56-pounder. Dean Alexander and Thomas Martens, both of Cedar Park, finished second with 32.06 pounds, winning a Skeeter ZXR19 with a Yamaha SHO motor. Don McFarlin and James Fennell, both of Gordonville,
Gulls feeding on shrimp are showing the way to redfish, speckled trout and black drum in Sabine Bay. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News Sabine Lake is a fall fishing favorite. Located just south of Beaumont, anglers are finding redfish and speckled trout the easy way, following gulls feeding on shrimp pushed to the surface by hungry fish. “It’s happening right now,” said guide Jerry Norris. “I don’t know of a better place to fish under the birds than Sabine Lake. “It’s easy fishing and will continue to be great until the first hard freeze hits. What’s happening is that the shrimp are moving from the marsh and bayous toward the Gulf.” Sabine Lake has an added benefit — it doesn’t get a ton of fishing pressure. “On the weekdays you won’t see too many boats chasing the birds,” said Austin Dishman, who has been fishing Sabine for decades. “That makes fishing a lot easier. The more boats you have on the water, the spookier the reds and trout will get.” The key is to ease up on a flock of feed-
ing gulls. “You want to keep the boat just within casting distance,” Norris said. “A lot of boats will run right up on the birds. That is guaranteed to run the birds off, and the fish. Making a long cast is the way to catch more trout.” Norris uses a 1/4-ounce jig head with a soft plastic. The color of the jig isn’t that important, but some of the proven colors are bone, chartreuse, red/white and LSU. A long cast to the middle of the area where the birds are working is the best approach. “Let the jig settle to bottom then begin working it back with a jerk, jerk, jerk retrieve,” Norris said. “The heavier trout will usually be below the smaller trout.” Dishman uses a Super Spook Jr early and late in the day for top-water action. A good pair of binoculars becomes a fisherman’s best friend. “Usually the first boat to the birds will get hooked up with more fish,” Norris said. “Plus, in that situation the trout will often be up close to the surface, and the
reds will be below the trout. With the binoculars you can find more birds and get to them before other boats get in on the action.” Ed Simmons has been fishing the birds on Sabine Lake for years. His advice is to fish the birds, and when they leave, stay in the area. “A lot of times the heavier trout will stay in the area and feed on shrimp,” he said. “That’s when you want to bump the jig on bottom.” Norris said when you see a few shrimp popping on the surface, it’s almost guaranteed that there are trout under them. “You might also look for reds schooling on the surface,” he said. “At times they will be following a school of baitfish. That’s when it will look like a boat wake moving across the surface. That’s a situation that calls for a trolling motor. You can keep up with the reds and not spook them. Another option is to use the wind and tidal movement to drift you into the action.”
Please turn to page 15
Access to Hill Country lakes tough Boat ramps closed on Travis, Buchanan By Lane Moczygemba For Lone Star Outdoor News
Low reservoir levels are no stranger to lake-loving Texans. But this summer’s water levels across Central Texas are in such dire conditions that over a dozen Lower Colorado River Authority boat ramps on Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis are currently closed. Each of these reservoirs feed and supply water to the other lakes downstream, all of which are constant level lakes. This means that “water levels on Buchanan and Travis have suffered, as they are con-
stantly being drained to supply the other lakes,” according to a park official. “A year ago in May, they started releasing water from Lake Buchanan,” an official said. “And as long as they need water down below, we keep releasing it. So all the boat ramps are closed. This lake could just dry up to the riverbed if the lakes below demanded it.” In the case of Lake Travis, some speculated that the influx of people to the Austin area has played a significant role in the low water level, in addition to the ongoing drought. With no significant relief to the drought in sight, it’s tough to predict when ramps might reopen for public use on these popular recreational and fishing reservoirs. Please turn to page 26
Many boat ramps are closed on Hill Country lakes, like Lake Travis. Photo by Erich Schlegel, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 9
Bite returns at POC back bays, jetties
Redfish are aggressively biting in back bays and at the jetties at Port O’Connor. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News The quality of fishing in Port O’Connor reached an all-time low throughout much of the summer months. One hundred-plus degree days heated up the water and slowed the bite to almost nothing. But with the current cooling weather, the tides are cooler and higher, which has delivered a red-hot redfish and trout bite, along with a good number of black drum. Guide Ron Arlitt recently had a remarkable day of fishing in the back bays. Along with a few other guide boats, he racked up easy limits of slot reds, well over 20 black drum and several nice sized trout. When the tides are lower, like just after a cool front moves through, Arlitt loads up customers and heads to the jetties. That’s where he’s been using a combination of live shrimp and Spanish sardines to box limits of reds, trout and the occasional black drum. His trick is to chum with the sardines, and fish live shrimp deep in the chum line. “To be successful at the jetties it’s just a matter of moving around until you find fish,” Arlitt said. “I move from one proven area to another. Usually when you catch
one red there will be a lot more in that spot. I like to use live bait like shrimp, when they are available. If not, I’ll use cut baits like Spanish sardines. Sardines will catch reds all day long when the tide is moving. The key is to fish the baits a foot of two off bottom.” This is the time of year when the bull reds are on the move. At Port O’Connor, guide Curtis Cash is fishing the jetties for slot reds. “The end of the jetties will be good for slots and bull reds,” he said. “But for the best bite for the big reds I like to fish the area of water at the mouth of the jetties on Matagorda Bay. Live croaker will work. So will big live shrimp. But on most days fresh cut mullet or a sardine will get the most bites. You can free-line the baits, or fish them on bottom.” Jeff Coffey specializes in fishing the back bays. On most days he’ll be fishing from his boat. But if his customers want to wade, that’s what he’ll be doing. Right now he’s using a lot of live croaker. But he’ll also use Spanish sardines. “The bite can change from one day to another,” Coffey said. “They can be on live croaker today, then on sardines the next. Please turn to page 24
Award winners for coastal efforts The Coastal Bend Bays Foundation announced the winners of the 2023 Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Awards, presented at the group’s annual Awards Banquet on Oct. 26 in Corpus Christi. WINNERS: President’s Award The City of Portland is being honored for its positive impact and commitment to improve the Coastal Bend’s environment through such actions as purchasing property assessed/ remediated under TCEQ’s Voluntary Cleanup, implementing a large project to stabilize the shoreline of Violet Andrews Park, complete renovation of Indian Point Pier as well as environmental work on a former gas well pad site at Sunset Lake. Coastal Steward Professional Dr. David J. Newstead, Director of the Coastal Bird Program at the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, has been leading CBBEP’s efforts to restore and protect coastal bird populations on the Texas coast for 20 years. Coastal Steward Volunteer Armon Alex has dedicated countless volunteer hours and energy to the preservation and conservation of the Coastal Bend’s natural resources, including his instrumental role in securing more than $4 million in sustainability funding for Corpus Christi’s 2024 budget. Coastal Community Texas State Aquarium’s Port Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue is being honored for not only being the largest coastal wildlife rescue program in Texas and one of the largest in the U.S., but also for its tireless efforts receiving/rescuing marine mammals, manatees, sea turtles, and birds.
K-12 Education Martha McLeod, with Rockport-Fulton ISD, for her response to the devastating decline in bird population, Fulton 3-5 Learning Center (FLC) within the RFISD, formed a youth birding program approximately 15 years ago that has educated almost 200 students directly, plus their families, staff, and community members. Higher Education Dr. Christopher Biggs, lead instructor and organizer for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute’s Semester by the Sea, has exemplified exceptional dedication and effectiveness in educating Texans about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend region. Non-Profit Organization Friends of Redhead Pond and Environmental Stewardship Association originated as a collation of individuals with the intent of restoring Redhead Pond Wildlife Management Area in Flour Bluff, providing farsighted stewardship over the Coastal Bend’s natural resources and leadership in enhancing the Coastal Bend’s environments. Industry (port related) Gulf Coast Growth Ventures earns top nods for prioritizing the need to be a responsible environmental operator through their investment of over $1 billion in process safety and environmental protection. Business (non-port related) JT Van Zandt Fly Fishing, operated/owned by JT Van Zandt who is an ardent conservationist and fights hard to preserve Coastal Bend waters from development, overharvest and harmful environmental practices. —CBBF
NEED TO FILL YOUR FREEZER?
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FALL/WINTER TRIPS
361-749-5448 WWW.FISHERMANSWHARFPORTA.COM
Page 10
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 70 degrees; 4.43’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair in 16-23 feet of water on minnows. AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 77 degrees; 52.02’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jerkbaits, spinner baits, Texas-rigged worms, jigs and top-waters. Striped bass are fair on crankbaits, swimbaits, underspins and spoons. Channel catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. ARLINGTON: Water lightly stained; 75-85 degrees; 4.74’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits. White bass are fair on top-waters and live minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait. ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 8.51’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and chatterbaits. Crappie are good over brush piles and near the oil derricks on minnows. Blue catfish are good on cut bait. ATHENS: Water clear; 70-75 degrees; 1.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on frogs, buzzbaits and white flukes. Crappie are good on jigs. AUSTIN: Water lightly stained; 79 degrees; 0.59’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads, swimbaits, underspins and small crankbaits around isolated shade and cover. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.11’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on small crankbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastics. BASTROP: Water lightly stained; 91 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on jerkbaits, shaky heads, Texasrigged trick worms, crankbaits and jigs. BELTON: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 19.12’ low. White bass are good down-rigging pet spoons, and on jigs and slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair on pet spoons, jigs and slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. BENBROOK: Water stained; 75 degrees; 13.86’ low. All ramps are closed due to low water levels. BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 70 degrees; 1.55’ low. Bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on white slabs. Catfish are good on cheese bait. BRAUNIG: Water stained, 85 degrees. Redfish are fair on live tilapia, cut shad and frozen shrimp. Catfish are good on worms and frozen shrimp. BRIDGEPORT: Water stained; 78 degrees; 15.10’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are
good on jigs and slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 73-75 degrees; 8.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, shaky heads, crankbaits and frogs. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on crankbaits and small jigs. Catfish are slow. BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 73-78 degrees; 25.77’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texas-rigged worms, flukes and top-waters. White bass are fair on top-waters and jigging spoons. CADDO: Water stained; 73 degrees; 0.25’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, drop shots, crankbaits and jerk baits. CALAVERAS: Water lightly stained, 83 degrees. Redfish are good on gold spoons, swimbaits and live tilapia. Catfish are good on cut shad and frozen shrimp. CANYON LAKE: Water clear to lightly stained; 75-80 degrees; 19.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and crankbaits. CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 77-81 degrees; 4.00’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters and shaky head jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on silver slabs. CHOKE CANYON: Water stained; 75-80 degrees; 26.90’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are fair on deep brush piles on minnows and small jigs. COLEMAN: Water slightly stained; 75 degrees; 8.61’ feet low. Bass are fair on soft plastics and jigs. Hybrids are good on top-waters and crankbaits. Channel catfish are fair on cut bait. CONROE: Water stained; 77 degrees; 1.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, lizards and craws. Catfish are good on punch bait, liver, worms and shad. Crappie are good on jigs. CORPUS CHRISTI: Water stained; 76 degrees; 6.95’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Alligator gar are good on cut carp. Catfish are good on dip baits, cut carp and live perch. CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 70 degrees; 1.26’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cheese bait.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 9.00’ low. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Crappie are fair on jigs. Blue catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. FALCON: Water stained; 80 degrees; 43.28’ low. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Largemouth bass are good on Senkos, power worms and crankbaits. Channel catfish are good on stink bait and shrimp. FAYETTE: Water stained; 80 degrees. Largemouth bass and catfish are slow. FORK: Water stained; 74 degrees; 2.53’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and shaky heads. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 73 degrees; 6.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits and crankbaits. Hybrids are good on crankbaits and live shad. Crappie are fair on jigs and live minnows. Catfish are good on shad and cut carp. GRANBURY: Water lightly stained; 70-75 degrees; 1.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass are fair on live shad, down-rigged jigs and Alabama rigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 3.53’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and top-waters. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are slow. Blue catfish are good on shad. Yellow catfish are good on live perch. GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 73 degrees; 5.14’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and swimbaits. White bass are slow. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water clear; 71 degrees; 2.26’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, shaky heads and wacky worms. Crappie are good on minnows. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 75 degrees; 11.50’ low. White bass are good on slabs. Blue catfish are good on cut bait. JACKSONVILLE: Water clear; 68-73 degrees; 2.00’ low. Largemouth bass are good on frogs, soft plastics and jigs. JOE POOL: Water clear; 73 degrees; 2.25’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.89’ high. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cheese bait.
LAVON: Water lightly stained; 84-86 degrees; 5.50’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chatter baits and spinner baits. White bass are fair on slabs and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on liver, cut bait and punch bait. LBJ: Water stained; 79 degrees; 0.33’ low. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 72-73 degrees; 5.43’ low. White bass are fair on slabs, jigs and live bait. Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut shad and chicken breasts. LIMESTONE: Water clear; 71 degrees; 4.07’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on silver jigging spoons. Catfish are fair on cut bait. LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 82 degrees; 3.85’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on slabs. Striped bass are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 3.93’ low. Largemouth bass are good on red bug worms and frogs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. MEREDITH: Water stained; 69 degrees; 44.81’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on minnows and artificials. White bass are excellent on minnows and slabs. Walleye are good on minnows, grubs and crankbaits. Catfish are good on minnows, chicken liver and frozen shad. MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 75 degrees; 9.18’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and topwaters. White bass are fair trolling slabs or spoons. Blue and channel catfish are good on cut bait. NACOGDOCHES: Water clear; 75 degrees; 3.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. NACONICHE: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 1.50’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and drop shots. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow. NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 77 degrees. 0.44’ low. Bass are fair on white chatter baits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and stink bait. NAVARRO MILLS: Water
lightly stained; 74-78 degrees; 2.35’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shad and crankbaits. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 80 degrees; 29.35’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 82 degrees; 15.46’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on stink bait and punch bait. PALESTINE: Water stained; 66-73 degrees; 2.42’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 70-78 degrees; 3.12’ low. Striped bass are good on live bait. White bass are fair on small slabs, small shad and small jigs. Catfish are good on cut or live shad. RAVEN: Water clear; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 72-75 degrees; 4.41’ low. White bass are good on lipless crankbaits, tail spinners, jigs and inline spinners. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 73 degrees; 2.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, spinner baits and swimbaits. White bass are good on slabs and jigs. Blue catfish are fair on cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water clear; 76 degrees; 2.99’ low. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on shad and punch bait. SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 5.62’ low. Bass are fair on top-waters, crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. SOMERVILLE: Water clear; 75 degrees; 5.27’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on shad and cut bait. SQUAW CREEK: Water stained; 95 degrees; 0.74’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Channel catfish are good on cut bait. STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 19.52’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft
n Guide reports Page 20
n Saltwater reports Page 20
plastics in natural colors. White bass are good on jigs and down-rigging pet spoons. TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 1.87’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, shaky heads and top-waters. White bass and stripers are good on slabs and swimbaits. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut shad. TEXANA: Water stained; 72 degrees; 4.20’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait and live bait. TEXOMA: Water stained; 86-88 degrees; 3.53’ low. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair on swimbaits. Striped bass are good on live bait. Catfish are good on cut shad. TOLEDO BEND: Water clear; 70 degrees; 4.23’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, spinner baits and chatter baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on crankbaits. TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 78 degrees; 53.34 feet low. Largemouth bass are good on speed craws, top-waters, crankbaits and drop shots. TYLER: Water stained; 72 degrees; 2.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, black finesse worms and trick worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and stink bait. WACO: Water stained; 75 degrees; 11.94’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair to slow on minnows and jigs. WHITNEY: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 8.26’ low. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Striped bass are good on live bait, jigs, flutter spoons and umbrella rigs. WORTH: Water stained; 72 degrees; 3.22’ low. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Crappie are fair to good on jigs. Blue catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 70 degrees; 3.71’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows or jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and stink bait. —TPWD
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Every year, DSC hosts its annual Convention that raises funds for grants in conservation, education, and advocacy. The four-day 2024 DSC Convention is open to the public and will fill over 800,000 square feet with 1,000 exhibitors featuring outfitted hunts, firearms, gear, wildlife art and much more.
Mark your calendars! DSC 2024 Convention – January 11-14
Page 11
Page 12
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
GAME WARDEN BLOTTER HOOP NETTING FISH ON FALCON While Texas game wardens from the Zapata District were patrolling Falcon Lake, wardens found eight hoop nets on the Texas side of the river, containing bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, freshwater drum, common carp and Rio Grande cichlid. Wardens seized and destroyed the nets and returned the fish to the water alive and well. ILLEGAL OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL Texas game wardens conducted commercial oyster inspections on three restaurants in Lubbock that were suspected of ordering illegal oysters from an unlicensed dealer. The inspections were part of a statewide investigation. Two cases of illegal oysters were seized. Citations and warnings were issued. TAKING FEE FOR DUMPING TRASH, HEADING TO THE CREEK A Smith County game warden received a call from a landowner about materials dumped along a bridge and creek on his property. While the materials included mostly sheetrock, housing trim and lumber, the warden found a box with a bar code that allowed him to trace the materials to a local store and, ultimately, the owner of the credit card used for the purchase. The warden
SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWOFFS CAUGHT After injuring a 4.5-foot alligator on the Neches River, a suspect jumped into the river to retrieve the alligator. Two others assisted in dispatching it by stabbing it with a knife before the trio began taking pictures and a video to post on social media. After an anonymous call, game wardens from Anderson, Henderson and Smith counties found the alligator, which had been shot with a compound bow behind the Lake Palestine Spillway. Eventually, the two accomplices left the scene with the alligator while the shooter remained behind and was discovered by two of the wardens. The shooter initially swam
interviewed the cardholder, who had just completed a home remodel for his family. He told the warden someone familiar with his family had offered to haul off the unused materials for a small fee. The suspect kept the money and dumped the trash onto private property. Along with Smith County Sheriff’s Office environmental deputies, the warden served a warrant for felony commercial dumping over 200 pounds. When arrested, the suspect’s truck was loaded with additional building materials and trash.
to the other side of the river, but ultimately returned to the wardens. After interviewing the suspect, the wardens pieced together a timeline of events and gathered enough evidence to file appropriate charges against the shooter. However, their attempt to locate the alligator and the second and third suspects proved unsuccessful until the shooter provided video to the Anderson County warden better identifying the individuals. As a result of the wardens’ investigation, multiple cases were filed including hunting alligator during a closed season and hunting without a license.
MOURNING DOVE GALORE DURING WHITEWING ZONE HUNT A Karnes County game warden received a call from someone asking if dove season was open because their neighbors were shooting excessively. When the warden arrived at the location, he could hear shooting. Making his way to the back of the property, he witnessed several subjects hunting dove and found they were over their bag limit of mourning dove, as Karnes County is in the Special White-Wing Dove Zone. Additionally, two of the hunters did not have valid hunting licenses, nor had they taken
hunter’s education classes. The warden issued citations, seized and donated 29 dove. NONRESIDENT HUNTING WOES A landowner notified a Hays County game warden of a person who killed a white-tailed doe out of season. The shooter, who paid a fee to hunt hogs that day, was visiting from Maryland with his son. The landowner found out about the doe after he received pictures from the hunter and his son posing with their harvest and asking for a ride back to their truck. The hunters became irate after the game
SPONSORED BY:
warden told them it was not deer season. The landowner provided the game warden the signed liability waivers from the hunters, which only mentioned hog hunting. The hunters said they were never told they needed hunting licenses and that they should have been provided with certain services like a hunting guide, verbal education on hunting regulations and signage around the site stating hunting laws. They also assumed that, like Maryland, they didn’t need a hunting license and could hunt anything on private property. The hunters said after a day without services and no animal sightings, they became upset with the landowner. During a phone conversation, the landowner told them, “everything is open.” The hunters interpreted the landowner’s statement as every animal on the property is open to be killed, when instead, the landowner was referring to every blind and stand being open for the hunters to use. The game warden issued citations for hunting and possessing white-tailed deer in a closed season and not having a nonresident hunting license.
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
CHEERS
Great TO THE
OUTDOORS! ®
W I N ES · S P I R I TS · F I N E R FO O DS
The Fun Starts Here!
®
SHOP YOUR WAY! Offering Curbside, In-Store Pickup & Delivery Not responsible for typographical errors. Store selections vary.
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
PRESTIGE NEVER GOES OUT OF ST YLE. SPA NDAU PR EMIER Meticulously cr afted to defy the norm and impress the senses, the Premier Over/Under Shotgun deliver s a r are combination of hand-finished elegance and premium performance.
SpandauArms.com
A FREE AND INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF TEXAS WAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED ON MARCH 2, 1836. The all-new, limited-edition Republic of Texas 1911 from Tisas USA honors this pivotal moment in our nation’s history.
TISASUSA.COM Available exclusively at these retailers
Carters Country
Glick Twins Inc.
Superior Outfitters
Crazy Gun Dealer
Gritr Sports
281-443-8393
956-787-4291
903-617-6141
817-790-0235
800-486-7497
BTO Range
Circle Star Firearms
Winchester’s Outfitters
Gunmaster
Adelbridge & Co.
936-588-3333
936-873-2055
903-759-0638
972-423-0121
210-265-1146
Copendero Indoor Range
Gun Warehouse
The Outdoorsman
Abilene Gun Range
BPS Outfitters
936-935-9521
512-986-7330
325-947-8859
325-698-4224
903-892-2227
Modern Pawn & Gun
Timber Ridge Firearms
Gibsons Sporting Goods
Sharpshooters
Apache Rifleworks
361-993-9390
936-899-6250
817-594-8711
806-791-1213
210-972-3607
Page 13
Page 14
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
HEROES
Darby Wright, of New Braufels, took this grizzly on a hunt near the Revelation Mountains in southwestern Alaska. Victor Salinas of the San Antonio Police Department caught this 35-inch, 20-pound redfish on Calaveras Lake while fishing with guide Manny Martinez.
Roberto Gonzalez, of Mercedes, caught this 43inch red drum while fishing with BDS Outfitters in Port Mansfield.
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.
Darren Ash, of McKinney, caught this smallmouth bass at Lake Texoma while fishing with his family.
Morgan Tyler shot this mule deer in western Kansas. The beautiful buck has 212 7/8 inches of antler.
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
Oklahoma angler wins on Fork Lone Star Outdoor News During the first hour of Day 2 at the 18th Annual Berkley Big Bass Tournament on Lake Fork, Collin Carroll, of Luther, Oklahoma, brought in an 8.67-pound largemouth. The fish would hold on to top more than 1,100 other anglers, and win Carroll a Skeeter boat, Yamaha SHO motor and trailer, plus the $1,000 prize for winning the hour. Carroll, who fished with his father and uncle, is formerly from the Fort Worth area and said he had fished Lake Fork six or seven times. “We had trouble finding a pattern Saturday, but finally found some bass suspended off some rock,” he said. “We got into a few fish and came back on Sunday morning.” Carroll threw a Herring spinner bait and the fish hit in the first hour of fishing. Collin Carroll landed this 8.67-pound largemouth to win “We got it in and went straight to the the Berkley Big Bass tournament on Lake Fork. Photo from weigh-in,” Carroll said. “It was a long Collin Carroll. day of waiting after that.” Carroll plans to keep the new boat and fish with it. “I want to get it on the water as soon as possible,” he said. Carroll’s fish was the only “over” weighed in at the two-day event on the slot-limit lake where fish between 16 and 24 inches cannot be retained and brought to the scales. Ricky Wyatt, of Brownsboro, also won a boat and trailer for his 2.86-pound fish, the largest “under.”
October 27, 2023
texas dove hunters Growing The Next Generation of Hunters and Wildlife Ambassadors
JOIN TODAY!
PHOTO BY JAY SCHWISOW
2023 Texas Banded Bird Challenge SPONSORS
Bass Champs winners Continued from page 8
finished third with 28.48 pounds, winning $6,000. In fourth place was Trevor Romans, of Celina, and Matt McMillan, of Fort Worth, with 25.48 pounds. However, including a Classic Arlington cash bonus and a Skeeter bonus, the team won $11,000. The team of Larry Bench and Hi Hillburn brought in the largest bass, at 6.48 pounds, winning $750.
Page 15
texasdovehunters.com
Page 16
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases Houston
Full
Last
New
First
Oct 28
Nov 5
Nov 13
Nov 20
Solunar Sun times Moon times Dallas
2023 Oct/Nov
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. Minor Major
SUN Rises Sets
MOON Rises Sets
2023 Oct/Nov
A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
4:16 10:28 5:03 11:16 5:55 ----6:51 12:37 7:52 1:38 8:54 2:40 9:55 3:41 10:53 4:40 11:46 5:34 12:10 6:23 ----- 6:07 12:36 6:46 1:12 7:22 1:47 7:57 2:22 8:32
4:41 10:53 5:28 11:41 6:21 12:08 7:19 1:05 8:20 2:06 9:22 3:08 10:22 4:08 11:19 5:06 ----5:58 12:34 6:46 12:17 6:28 12:56 7:07 1:32 7:42 2:07 8:17 2:42 8:52
07:29 06:39 07:30 06:38 07:31 06:37 07:32 06:36 07:32 06:35 07:33 06:35 07:34 06:34 07:35 06:33 07:36 06:32 07:36 06:31 06:37 05:31 06:38 05:30 06:39 05:29 06:40 05:29 06:41 05:28
6:00p 6:07a 6:35p 7:14a 7:13p 8:22a 7:56p 9:30a 8:44p 10:36a 9:37p 11:37a 10:33p 12:33p 11:31p 1:21p NoMoon 2:02p 12:30a 2:37p 12:27a 2:08p 1:23a 2:37p 2:17a 3:03p 3:10a 3:29p 4:04a 3:56p
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
4:22 10:34 5:09 11:22 6:00 ----6:57 12:43 7:57 1:43 8:59 2:45 10:00 3:47 10:58 4:45 11:52 5:39 12:16 6:29 12:02 6:12 12:42 6:52 1:18 7:28 1:53 8:03 2:27 8:38
4:47 10:59 5:34 11:47 6:27 12:14 7:25 1:11 8:26 2:12 9:27 3:13 10:28 4:14 11:24 5:11 ----6:04 12:40 6:51 12:23 6:34 1:02 7:12 1:38 7:48 2:13 8:23 2:48 8:58
07:39 06:41 07:40 06:40 07:40 06:39 07:41 06:38 07:42 06:37 07:43 06:36 07:44 06:35 07:45 06:34 07:46 06:34 07:47 06:33 06:48 05:32 06:49 05:31 06:49 05:30 06:50 05:30 06:51 05:29
6:04p 6:15a 6:37p 7:23a 7:13p 8:33a 7:54p 9:43a 8:41p 10:51a 9:34p 11:53a 10:30p 12:48p 11:29p 1:35p NoMoon 2:15p 12:29a 2:49p 12:28a 2:19p 1:25a 2:45p 2:20a 3:10p 3:16a 3:35p 4:11a 4:00p
San Antonio
Amarillo
2023 Oct/Nov
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
2023 Oct/Nov
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. Minor Major
SUN Rises Sets
MOON Rises Sets
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
4:29 10:41 5:16 11:28 6:07 ----7:04 12:50 8:04 1:50 9:06 2:52 10:07 3:53 11:05 4:52 11:58 5:46 12:23 6:35 12:08 6:19 12:48 6:59 1:25 7:35 1:59 8:09 2:34 8:44
4:53 11:06 5:41 11:54 6:34 12:20 7:31 1:18 8:32 2:18 9:34 3:20 10:34 4:21 11:31 5:18 ----- 6:11 12:47 6:58 12:30 6:41 1:09 7:19 1:45 7:55 2:19 8:29 2:55 9:05
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
4:42 10:54 5:29 11:42 6:21 12:10 7:17 1:03 8:18 2:04 9:20 3:06 10:21 4:07 11:19 5:06 ----- 6:00 12:36 6:49 12:22 6:33 1:02 7:12 1:38 7:48 2:13 8:23 2:48 8:58
5:07 11:19 5:54 ----6:47 12:34 7:45 1:31 8:46 2:32 9:48 3:34 10:48 4:34 11:45 5:32 12:12 6:24 1:00 7:12 12:43 6:54 1:22 7:33 1:58 8:08 2:33 8:43 3:08 9:18
08:02 06:58 08:03 06:57 08:04 06:56 08:05 06:55 08:06 06:54 08:07 06:53 08:08 06:52 08:09 06:51 08:10 06:50 08:11 06:49 07:12 05:48 07:13 05:47 07:14 05:46 07:15 05:45 07:16 05:45
6:22p 6:37a 6:53p 7:48a 7:28p 8:59a 8:08p 10:11a 8:54p 11:20a 9:46p 12:22p 10:43p 1:17p 11:43p 2:04p NoMoon 2:43p 12:43a 3:15p 12:44a 2:43p 1:42a 3:08p 2:40a 3:32p 3:36a 3:55p 4:33a 4:19p
07:41 06:52 07:42 06:51 07:43 06:50 07:44 06:49 07:44 06:48 07:45 06:48 07:46 06:47 07:47 06:46 07:47 06:45 07:48 06:45 06:49 05:44 06:50 05:43 06:51 05:43 06:51 05:42 06:52 05:41
6:14p 6:20a 6:49p 7:26a 7:27p 8:34a 8:10p 9:42a 8:59p 10:48a 9:51p 11:49a 10:48p 12:44p 11:46p 1:32p NoMoon 2:14p 12:44a 2:49p 12:41a 2:20p 1:36a 2:49p 2:30a 3:16p 3:23a 3:42p 4:17a 4:09p
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 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 2:41 AM 2:59 AM 3:15 AM 3:28 AM 12:01 AM 12:59 AM 1:18 PM 2:14 PM 12:25 AM 1:10 AM 12:33 AM 12:47 AM 12:58 AM 1:07 AM 1:14 AM
Height 1.77H 1.75H 1.74H 1.73H 1.60L 1.71L -0.05L 0.10L 1.84H 1.80H 1.74H 1.68H 1.63H 1.58H 1.55H
Time 8:56 AM 9:36 AM 10:16 AM 10:58 AM 3:30 AM 3:07 AM 10:56 PM
Height 0.34L 0.04L -0.17L -0.27L 1.73H 1.73H 1.88H
3:17 PM 3:25 PM 4:32 PM 7:34 AM 7:13 AM 7:16 AM 7:33 AM
0.26L 0.39L 0.51L 1.10L 0.92L 0.68L 0.43L
Height 2.01H 2.10H 2.13H 2.10H -0.27L -0.19L
Time 9:30 PM 10:21 PM 11:10 PM
Height 0.99L 1.23L 1.43L
7:56 PM 9:15 PM
2.03H 1.94H
11:41 AM 12:48 PM 1:42 PM 2:29 PM
1.28H 1.39H 1.51H 1.63H
5:31 PM 6:22 PM 7:07 PM 7:49 PM
0.62L 0.74L 0.87L 1.00L
Time 4:08 PM 5:14 PM 6:13 PM 11:04 AM
Height 2.13H 2.27H 2.34H -0.09L
Time 10:15 PM 11:25 PM
Height 1.22L 1.45L
7:15 PM
2.34H
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 3:00 AM 3:12 AM 3:23 AM 12:26 AM 11:44 AM 12:26 PM 1:11 PM 2:04 PM 3:07 PM 12:56 AM 12:31 AM 12:53 AM 1:08 AM 1:17 AM 1:17 AM
Height 1.75H 1.73H 1.74H 1.65L -0.14L -0.09L 0.04L 0.20L 0.37L 2.00H 1.92H 1.83H 1.74H 1.67H 1.63H
Time 9:03 AM 9:41 AM 10:22 AM 3:31 AM 8:26 PM 9:36 PM 10:41 PM 11:52 PM
Height 0.64L 0.31L 0.06L 1.78H 2.29H 2.23H 2.15H 2.08H
3:15 PM 4:33 PM 7:09 AM 7:15 AM 7:29 AM 7:46 AM
0.53L 0.67L 1.32L 1.14L 0.92L 0.68L
Height 1.71H 1.61H 1.58H 0.01L -0.04L 0.01L 0.11L 0.25L 0.38L 2.10H 0.66L 1.86H 1.72H 1.59H 1.49H
Time 8:38 AM 9:02 AM 9:35 AM 7:02 PM 8:18 PM 9:38 PM 10:42 PM 11:39 PM
Height 0.71L 0.39L 0.15L 2.45H 2.41H 2.35H 2.28H 2.19H
10:41 AM 12:43 PM 1:54 PM 2:56 PM
1.41H 1.49H 1.61H 1.75H
5:45 PM 6:38 PM 7:25 PM 8:17 PM
0.81L 0.95L 1.12L 1.29L
Time 3:45 PM 4:59 PM 6:01 PM
Height 2.12H 2.31H 2.43H
Time 10:24 PM 11:55 PM
Height 1.28L 1.48L
Time 2:15 AM 2:24 AM 2:30 AM 10:13 AM 10:56 AM 11:40 AM 12:29 PM 1:24 PM 2:27 PM 12:25 AM 3:26 PM 12:21 AM 12:34 AM 12:37 AM 12:32 AM
2:28 PM
0.52L
11:58 PM
1.98H
7:22 AM 7:17 AM 7:17 AM 7:21 AM
1.22L 1.08L 0.90L 0.69L
10:18 AM 12:01 PM 1:12 PM 2:15 PM
1.31H 1.42H 1.56H 1.73H
4:41 PM 6:10 PM 7:12 PM 8:17 PM
0.82L 0.96L 1.10L 1.23L
Height 0.91H 0.98L 0.29L 0.21L 1.30H 1.30H 1.29H 1.27H 1.22H 1.17H 1.09H 1.00H 0.90H 0.83H 0.82H
Time 11:02 AM 2:19 AM 10:59 PM
Height 0.62L 0.99H 1.26H
Time 8:04 PM 11:39 AM
Height 1.05H 0.43L
Time
Height
9:44 PM
1.17H
1:45 PM 2:35 PM 3:32 PM 4:38 PM 5:45 PM 5:41 PM 6:25 PM 6:58 PM 7:23 PM 10:19 AM 10:05 AM
0.18L 0.19L 0.23L 0.27L 0.31L 0.36L 0.43L 0.52L 0.63L 0.61L 0.47L
11:19 PM
0.88H
Height 0.44L 0.20L 0.71H 0.79H 0.83H 0.83H 0.80H 0.75H 0.70H 0.64H 0.59H 0.51H 0.47H 0.46H 0.49H
Time 6:02 AM
Height 0.50H
Time 1:26 PM
Height 0.33L
2:31 PM 3:09 PM 4:11 PM 5:48 PM 7:20 PM 8:43 PM 9:56 PM 9:53 PM 10:36 PM 10:46 AM 11:25 AM 11:56 AM 12:17 PM
0.11L 0.06L 0.06L 0.07L 0.09L 0.08L 0.08L 0.09L 0.14L 0.49L 0.39L 0.28L 0.17L
Port O’Connor Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 3:29 AM 12:16 AM 12:19 PM 1:00 PM 12:15 AM 1:56 AM 3:18 AM 4:12 AM 4:53 AM 4:22 AM 4:38 AM 4:37 AM 4:11 AM 3:01 AM 1:15 AM
Time 2:17 AM 1:59 PM 1:48 AM 3:07 AM 3:53 AM 4:38 AM 5:29 AM 6:30 AM 7:40 AM 7:43 AM 1:44 PM 7:48 AM 5:50 AM 5:15 AM 3:25 AM
Time 01:17 AM 02:28 AM 03:41 AM 02:58 PM 03:36 PM 03:47 AM 04:51 AM 05:34 AM 06:07 AM 05:20 AM 05:00 AM 04:53 AM 04:52 AM 04:44 AM 04:24 AM
San Luis Pass Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 2:43 AM 2:47 AM 2:53 AM 10:55 AM 11:35 AM 12:19 PM 1:07 PM 12:25 AM 1:18 AM 1:54 AM 1:12 AM 1:19 AM 1:20 AM 1:16 AM 1:05 AM
Height 0.91L 1.15L 1.37L 0.01L -0.00L 1.76H 1.76H 1.73H 1.68H 1.61H 1.54H 1.46H 1.38H 1.30H 1.24H
Time 6:16 AM 6:19 AM 6:15 AM 11:40 PM
Height 1.44H 1.43H 1.44H 1.77H
Time 1:36 PM 1:59 PM 2:27 PM
Height 0.61L 0.33L 0.12L
Time 7:52 PM 9:17 PM 10:23 PM
Height 1.54H 1.66H 1.75H
4:23 PM 5:30 PM 6:43 PM 7:41 PM 7:31 PM 8:21 PM 9:14 PM 12:12 PM 11:55 AM 11:55 AM
0.06L 0.15L 0.22L 0.28L 0.36L 0.46L 0.59L 0.89L 0.70L 0.49L
4:24 PM 5:35 PM 7:01 PM
1.05H 1.14H 1.26H
10:06 PM 10:59 PM
0.74L 0.92L
Height 1.44H 1.43H 1.46H 0.11L 0.08L 0.12L 0.21L 1.80H 1.73H 1.65H 1.56H 1.47H 1.38H 1.31H 1.26H
Time 9:12 AM 9:42 AM 10:17 AM 8:03 PM 9:32 PM 11:10 PM
Height 0.68L 0.42L 0.23L 1.90H 1.88H 1.85H
Time 4:27 PM 5:40 PM 6:49 PM
Height 1.71H 1.82H 1.89H
Time 10:37 PM 11:54 PM
Height 1.18L 1.36L
2:00 PM 2:59 PM 3:06 PM 4:24 PM 7:53 AM 7:44 AM 7:46 AM 7:51 AM
0.33L 0.45L 0.57L 0.67L 1.12L 0.99L 0.83L 0.64L
10:33 AM 12:29 PM 1:53 PM 3:02 PM
1.15H 1.19H 1.27H 1.38H
5:41 PM 6:45 PM 7:43 PM 8:42 PM
0.77L 0.87L 0.98L 1.10L
Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 3:10 AM 3:09 AM 1:05 AM 12:48 PM 12:02 AM 1:43 AM 3:12 AM 4:04 AM 4:44 AM 4:12 AM 4:25 AM 4:05 AM 2:51 AM 2:07 AM 1:46 AM
Height 0.89H 0.90H 0.91L 0.43L 0.97H 0.94H 0.90H 0.86H 0.81H 0.75H 0.69H 0.64H 0.60H 0.58H 0.57H
Time 10:35 AM 11:20 AM 3:05 AM
Height 0.66L 0.56L 0.92H
Time 5:27 PM 9:26 PM 12:04 PM
Height 0.93H 0.95H 0.48L
Time 11:53 PM
Height 0.86L
10:47 PM
0.97H
1:34 PM 2:25 PM 3:28 PM 4:48 PM 6:07 PM 6:04 PM 6:45 PM 7:17 PM 9:01 AM 9:03 AM 9:20 AM
0.41L 0.41L 0.42L 0.43L 0.42L 0.41L 0.40L 0.42L 0.51L 0.44L 0.36L
1:37 PM 2:59 PM 4:09 PM
0.56H 0.56H 0.58H
7:47 PM 8:18 PM 8:59 PM
0.45L 0.49L 0.55L
Height 1.30H 1.33H 1.38H 0.22L 0.19L 0.21L 0.28L 1.61H 1.54H 1.46H 1.37H 1.26H 1.19H 1.16H 0.66L
Time 8:29 AM 9:04 AM 9:44 AM 9:03 PM 10:42 PM 11:48 PM
Height 0.73L 0.50L 0.33L 1.64H 1.67H 1.65H
Time 3:24 PM 4:46 PM 6:05 PM
Height 1.53H 1.59H 1.63H
Time 9:59 PM 11:17 PM
Height 1.15L 1.31L
1:42 PM 2:34 PM 2:30 PM 3:39 PM 7:34 AM 7:09 AM 7:04 AM 2:05 PM
0.38L 0.48L 0.58L 0.68L 1.10L 0.98L 0.83L 1.25H
9:57 AM 11:28 AM 12:50 PM 7:40 PM
1.13H 1.15H 1.19H 1.05L
5:00 PM 6:05 PM 6:55 PM 11:52 PM
0.77L 0.85L 0.94L 1.18H
Height 1.64H 1.64H 0.32L 0.15L 0.07L 0.08L 0.15L 0.27L 2.01H 1.93H 1.84H 1.73H 1.64H 1.58H 0.88L
Time 8:13 AM 8:45 AM 6:30 PM 8:02 PM 9:34 PM 10:48 PM 11:48 PM
Height 0.89L 0.57L 2.20H 2.21H 2.19H 2.14H 2.08H
Time 3:38 PM 5:05 PM
Height 2.00H 2.13H
Time 9:50 PM
Height 1.49L
2:13 PM 2:13 PM 3:17 PM 4:25 PM 7:05 AM 6:44 AM 2:16 PM
0.41L 0.58L 0.76L 0.94L 1.27L 1.10L 1.72H
11:34 AM 1:01 PM 7:44 PM
1.47H 1.59H 1.44L
5:34 PM 6:39 PM 11:33 PM
1.12L 1.29L 1.54H
Port Aransas
Nueces Bay Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
East Matagorda
Freeport Harbor Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
High Island
Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 1:41 AM 1:53 AM 2:05 AM 10:27 AM 11:13 AM 12:02 PM 12:52 PM 12:51 AM 1:54 AM 1:46 AM 2:13 AM 1:47 AM 12:20 AM 12:00 AM 7:12 AM
South Padre Island
3:18 PM 4:55 PM 6:48 PM
0.55H 0.50H 0.48H
Time 9:30 PM
11:08 PM 11:29 PM 11:27 PM
Height 0.66H
0.22L 0.32L 0.43L
Date Oct 27 Oct 28 Oct 29 Oct 30 Oct 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10
Time 1:43 AM 1:36 AM 9:22 AM 10:03 AM 10:46 AM 11:33 AM 12:23 PM 1:17 PM 12:38 AM 1:18 AM 12:45 AM 12:52 AM 12:30 AM 12:06 AM 6:50 AM
Texas Coast Tides
Time 3:50 PM 4:51 PM 5:51 PM 6:51 PM 11:41 AM 12:27 PM
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 17
Funding for coastal projects More than $3 million has been awarded to project teams at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to conduct collaborative Gulf of Mexico research on waterbird nesting and oyster reefs. Developing an Ecosystem-based Conservation framework for Oyster Reefs Across Texas Estuaries received $1,996,417 in funding. The project is being led by Simon Brandl of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, with a project team consisting of Dr. Jennifer Pollack, Dr. Keisha Bahr and Dr. Daniel Coffey. This project will quantify the effects of oyster reef closures and other drivers on oyster reef functioning to help managers decide when and where reefs may benefit from being closed or managed using alternative solutions. “This project will provide important information to help evaluate and inform conservation and management actions aimed at maintaining sustainable oyster habitats and harvests in Texas,” Pollack said. Also, Dr. Dale Gawlik, HRI Chair for Conservation and Biodiversity, will lead the The Colony Island Network Design and Implementation: a prioritization tool to rehabilitate the colony islands along the Texas coast, which received $2,000,453 as part of the program funding. This project will develop a prioritization tool that incorporates biogeophysical constraints on waterbird nesting and economic considerations to help managers prioritize a network of colony islands in Texas. “I am thrilled to see these projects funded, as they all will have valuable implications for how we study and manage important Gulf of Mexico resources,” said Dr. Greg Stunz, HRI Senior Executive Director. The teams began their projects on Oct. 1 and will receive up to five years of funding. —HRI
For home or office delivery, go to LSONews.com, or call (214) 361-2276, or send a check or money order to the address below. Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2023 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Executive Editor
Craig Nyhus
Design Editor
C2-Studios, Inc.
Copy Editor
Carl Ellis
OUTFITTERS BLINDS & FEEDERS, DEER CORN, PROTEIN, ACCESSORIES, DELIVERY & SETUP AVAILABLE
Reporters
Nate Skinner Robert Sloan Tony Vindell Operations Manager Mike Hughs Billing & Accounts Payable Website
Lea Marsh 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
(361) 774-2442 VISIT C4 RANCH OUTFITTERS IN CORPUS CHRISTI
5001 Allen Place Corpus Christi, TX 78411
CHECK THIS OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST!
mccoys.com
Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm | Saturday 7am - 5pm | Always Closed on Sundays
Page 18
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 26
LSONews.com
INDUSTRY Sales manager position at TFO
Senenfelder joins SCI
Temple Fork Outfitters is seeking a consultative sales manager to interface between the customer, engineering and manufacturing.
Safari Club International hired Tia Senenfelder as the organization’s director of marketing and communications.
Bordelon buys Pursuit Media
Vista sells off ammo holdings
The Bordelon Group, led by President and CEO Rock Bordelon, has acquired a majority ownership stake in Pursuit Media.
Vista Outdoors will sell its sporting products group to Czechoslovak Group a.s. (CSG) in an all-cash deal valued at $1.91 billion. The outdoor product group, now known as Revelyst, includes CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer ammunition brands.
Promotion at Taurus Taurus USA promoted Caleb Giddings to general manager of marketing.
New president named AGM Global Vision named Mark Tarakanov as its new president.
Opportunities at Leica Leica Sport Optics USA is hiring regional managers in the western U.S., the southeastern U.S. and the TALO (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma) regions.
ACROSS 1) The white-fronted goose 6) Fishing rod brand 8) West Texas lake 10) Sinker type 11) Rifle brand 12) DFW-area lake (two words) 14) A duck food 17) Small rapid in a stream 19) Amarillo’s county 22) Fishing line brand 23) Houston-area lake 25) Fishing reel brand 27) An African antelope 28) Van Zandt County’s seat 29) Shackelford County’s seat 32) Hunting TV host 34) One of the labs 35) Trout species 36) One of the gar 37) Target of the skeet shooter 38) Muley-hunting state 39) South Africa’s capital 40) Texas mountain range
Lin joins Capstone Capstone Precision Group hired Kenneth Lin as marketing manager for U.S. operations.
Agency for Rock Ridge Rock Ridge Outdoors retained FergusonKeller Association as its sales agency for the upper Midwest.
DOWN 2) African game species 3) Fishing hook brand 4) Thermal optics brand 5) Ammo brand 7) Hooked, but not in the mouth 8) Rio Grande City’s county 9) Central Texas lake 10) Shotgun muzzle measurement 13) The greenhead 15) Binocular brand 16) Shotshell brand 18) The Hungarian hunting dog 19) Fort Stockton’s county 20) South Texas lake 21) The female elk 23) The king of ducks 24) Safari destination 26) One of Leopold’s tools 28) An outdoor retailer 30) Favorite game bird for fly-tiers 31) It holds the line on the reel 32) Hunting boot brand 33) Coastal bay
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Ducks in peach sauce 2 ducks, bone out breast meat 1 lb. bacon, cut into thirds 1/3 cup peach brandy 2 tbsps. peach syrup 1 tsp. ground cloves
Cut meat into bite-sized pieces. Wrap each in a piece of bacon and place in foil-lined Dutch oven. Mix brandy, syrup and cloves. Pour over duck pieces. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. —Oklahoma Wildlife Department
Cheesy bluegill bake 10 ozs. fresh asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 1/2 lbs. skinless bluegill fillets 1/4 cup margarine 1 medium onion, chopped 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup milk 1 1/3 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 cup crushed crackers
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread asparagus evenly over bottom of 10×6 inch baking dish, then arrange fillets on top of asparagus. In a separate saucepan, melt 3 tbsps. margarine over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3-5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Blend in milk, cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Remove mixture from heat. Stir cheese until melted, then spoon evenly over fish fillets. In saucepan, melt remaining margarine over medium heat. Remove from heat and add cracker crumbs and stir. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over cheese sauce. Bake 40-45 minutes until fish begins to flake with a fork. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. —West Virginia DNR
LSONews.com
TEXAKAUSHI FARMS
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
VERSACARRRY
Page 19
Page 20
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 86 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good along the Intracostal Waterway on shrimp under a popping cork. Flounder are fair on shrimp under a popping cork. BOLIVAR: 80 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp under a popping cork, top-waters and gold spoons along grassy shorelines. Black drum and bull reds are good on cut bait in the surf. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp along the north jetty. TRINITY BAY: 70 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics and top-waters under the birds along the northern end of the bay. Redfish are fair on shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastics over shallow flats with clam shell. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 72 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastics under working birds and over shell reefs. Redfish and flounder are good on live shrimp along shorelines and bayous. GALVESTON BAY: 66 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on live shrimp around the gas wells. Speckled trout are good on shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastics along shorelines around Eagle Point. Flounder are fair on live bait and soft plastics along shorelines. Redfish are good on live shrimp along the rocks of the south jetty. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 71 degrees. Redfish and flounder are good on shrimp under a popping cork and gold spoons along shorelines and back lakes. Speckled trout are good on top-waters and soft plastics under working birds and over grass beds along the north shoreline.
TEXAS CITY: 72 degrees. Bull redfish are fair on fresh halved crabs and cut bait along the Texas City Dike. Flounder are fair on live mullet in the Galveston channel. Trout are fair on soft plastics and shrimp under a popping cork along the levee and over shell reefs. FREEPORT: 73 degrees. Speckled trout, redfish and flounder are good on shrimp under a popping cork. Bull redfish are good in the surf on cut bait. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 68 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good along shorelines and under birds on soft plastics, twitch baits and shrimp under a popping cork. Flounder are good on soft plastics near the mouths of drains and bayous.
High tide trout Continued from page 1
WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 68 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good under bird activity and along shorelines with grass beds or shell on shrimp under a cork and soft plastics. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics in the Colorado River. Flounder are fair along the mouths of bayous and marsh drains on shrimp and soft plastics. PORT O’CONNOR: 75 degrees. Redfish and bull reds are good at the ends of the jetties on Spanish sardines, cut bait and dead shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on live croaker or shrimp where the surf and jetties meet. Flounder are fair on live bait in the ship channel.
ROCKPORT: 74 degrees. Speckled trout are good in 2-4 feet of water over grass and sand on live bait, top-waters and soft plastics. Redfish are very good along flats around the islands and marsh inlets on scented plastics and cut bait. Black drum are good on dead shrimp and Fishbites. PORT ARANSAS: 67 degrees. Slot redfish and bull redfish are good along the ends of the jetties on cut crab, cut perch, and live or cut mullet. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds with sand pockets. CORPUS CHRISTI: 67 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp at the gas wells. Redfish are good on shrimp in the potholes surrounded by grass beds. BAFFIN BAY: 70 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on top-waters, soft plastics and mullet imitation plugs over grass beds and sand pockets. Black drum are fair on shrimp over rocks and structure. PORT MANSFIELD: 80 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on top-waters and soft plastics. Speckled trout are good on soft plastic jigs. SOUTH PADRE: 75 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp under a popping cork along the edges of the Intracoastal Waterway. Black drum are good on fresh dead shrimp on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway along the shacks. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp under a popping cork along gas well flats. Redfish and trout are fair in South Bay on fresh cut mullet in channels. PORT ISABEL: 75 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp under a popping cork along flats. Redfish are good on cut mullet in potholes surrounded by grass flats. —TPWD
Surprising buck Continued from page 4
way into the blind,” Thomas’s father said. “So we came up with a new plan.” The father and son returned to the ranch for the third weekend of the season, but this time they split up. After their arrival, Thomas walked into his hunting area for an evening sit from a location about 500 yards away, while his father stayed far away from the area and went to sit in a different blind. “I tried to be as quiet and as stealthy as I could possibly be,” Thomas said. “I got settled in, and the wait began.” It was a warm evening, and Thomas didn’t observe any deer movement until closer to sunset. Finally, the buck he was after showed up alongside a smaller buck and some other deer. “It was obvious the flies were bothering the deer because they were constantly moving around as the pests swarmed them,” Thomas said. “My target buck kept jumping in and out in front of me, making it difficult for me to get a shot.” Thomas had to come out of full draw a couple of times, as the buck would not stand still. But the deer never spooked. Finally, Thomas predicted the buck’s movement and timed his draw, so when the
LSONews.com
deer turned broadside, he was ready. “I hovered the pin on my bow sight over his vitals and let my arrow fly,” Thomas said. “The buck ran straight away from me into the brush. I saw his large rack wobble, right before I lost sight of him, unsure if he had fallen right there or kept going.” Thomas called his dad to tell him he had shot the buck, but poor cell service prevented them from being able to communicate clearly. “I was pretty worked up and felt like I was going to have a heart attack, knowing my son had arrowed that deer and I couldn’t get any more information about what had happened due to poor service,” the father said. The two were finally able to converse, and Thomas waited for his father to come help him track the buck. By the time they got on the trail, it was dark. Thomas had a pretty good idea of where the deer went into the brush, and it wasn’t long before they recovered him, just 70 yards from where he was shot. “I feel extremely blessed to have been able to harvest this incredible buck,” Thomas said.
During the passage of cool fronts, top-water and mullet-imitation plugs have been fooling larger trout for wade-fishermen. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
some decent fish in the 17- to 22-inch range, but there are a ton of fish just under 15 inches mixed in. The high water has really made targeting larger trout tough.” In East Matagorda Bay, angler Riley Freese, has been battling super high tides as well. The best action he has encountered has taken place during the passage of cool fronts, when north winds help to drop the water levels. “Even though the fronts that we’ve had so far have only dropped water levels slightly, it’s been enough to create good action in front of the mouths of marsh drains,” Freese said. “As the tide starts to fall, the trout have been stacking up in the mouths of drains and feeding pretty consistently.” Freese has been catching specks up to 5 pounds or so keying on concentrations of mullet, with the majority from 17-23 inches, on surface plugs, soft plastics and slow-sinking and suspending twitch baits. In Baffin Bay, Capt. Dom Lopez has been using the higher water levels to his advantage by targeting trout pushed up tight to main bay shorelines. “A lot of the baitfish are hanging out
tight to the shorelines with the elevated tides, and the specks have been ambushing them near the bank,” Lopez said. “Flats with grass beds and muddy bottoms have been the most productive.” Lopez has been catching trout up to 27 inches, but the majority he and his anglers have been landing have ranged from 19-23 inches. Wade-fishing with soft plastics and suspending twitch baits has worked the best. Port Mansfield’s Capt. Todd Grubert has been catching trout both wading and drifting along the east side of the Lower Laguna Madre, north of East Cut. While drifting, flats in 3 feet of water with plenty of grass and potholes have been producing some keeper trout on soft plastics. Grubert said the larger trout have been caught while wade-fishing, with fish from 24-27 inches being caught. “I had an angler stand in one spot during a wade-fishing trip recently, and catch four trout that were 24 to 25 inches long,” Grubert said. “There’s really been nice trout biting lately, in thigh- to waist-deep water.”
FISHING REPORTS FROM THE GUIDES White bass in good numbers on Cedar Creek: Chuck Rollins of bigcrappie.com reports the white bass fishing is excellent entering the fall. Most of his clients’ limits are being caught on main lake points and humps in 10-18 feet of water. There hasn’t been a lot of surface activity yet, so he said the transition to early fall has him putting his clients on fish by casting or jigging small slabs or spoons in silver, white or chartreuse and letting the lure slowly sink to the bottom. It’s also possible for anglers to troll some areas where the water is still warm enough to use a diving bait, including hellbenders or deep-diving crankbaits. “The best advice I’d give is to be on the water at daylight, set up on a main-lake point and look for some activity for about 10-20 minutes. If you have electronics, you’ll see these fish traveling in big groups, so don’t stay in one place too long if you don’t see anything.” Working deep for Fayette County bass: Rick Denton of Rick Denton Guide Service said that the bass fishing on Fayette County Reservoir has been slow because of two major turnovers. Still, he is catching 99 percent of his fish on drop-shot rigs worked in 15-25 feet of water. The bite is light, and the fish are near bottom, suspended and scattered. The best choice for baits are ones with smaller presentations. “The bright sunshine is keeping the fish deep, but it’s going to pick up in the next two weeks though because the water temperature is getting cooler. The fish will be moving to humps, rocks, hydrilla and points.” Good size, numbers of Calaveras redfish: Manny Martinez of fishingwithmanny. com reports good numbers of bull reds being caught on Calaveras by both boaters and bank fishermen. His clients have been casting to catch redfish up to 20 pounds on a variety of 1-ounce, retrievable lures in silver and gold, including spoons, slabs, lipless crankbaits and plastics in green, gray and white. He said bank fishermen are having success on cut shad, cut tilapia, live tilapia and ribbon bait. “The weather has been really comfortable for fishermen on the lake.”
Report by Carl Ellis, Lone Star Outdoor News
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 21
Well-known fishing guide dies Lane Palmer, a fishing guide and the owner of DFW Outdoors and Constant Pursuit, died Oct. 18. According to his obituary, Palmer died at Lake Whitney while preparing to launch his boat and take a couple crappie fishing. Palmer was 36. Palmer graduated from high school in Joshua and graduated from Texas Christian University in 2005. In 2010, he began his career as a fishing guide at Cedar Creek Lake. He also guided anglers in both fresh and saltwater. He is survived by his wife, Dani, and four children. —Staff report
Speckled trout regs
Praying for rain Continued from page 5
hunting begins if habitat conditions don’t improve.” TPWD staff estimated that the 73,200 duck hunters in Texas harvested 1.06 million duck’s last season, more than any state in the country. Texas hunters account for 54 percent of all the ducks harvested in the Central Flyway. The youth-only/active-duty military duck season in the South Zone is Oct. 2829 and the North Zone is Nov. 4-5. Regular duck season in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit opens Oct. 28, in the South Zone on Nov. 4 and the North Zone on Nov. 11. Light and dark goose season starts Nov. 4 in the East Zone and West Zone.
Continued from page 1
which remains in effect through Aug. 31, 2024. The regulation also allows an angler to keep one oversized trout within the bag limit. Under the emergency measure, the bag limit was reduced to three fish with 17- to 23inch slot, and no oversized fish allowed. The consensus by the people who attended the Oct. 18 workshop in Port Isabel was to go back to the emergency measure, with no oversized fish allowed, and an even narrower slot limit. They asserted the speckled trout has not fully recovered from the February 2021 freeze and need more time to return to the days when trout were abundant in numbers and sizes. Ernest Cisneros, a veteran fishing guide from Brownsville, said fishing is not what it used to be compared to years past. “I fish all over the country and overseas,” he said. “Catching fish is getting harder and harder.” Cisneros and several others at the meeting proposed the three fish limit with a 15- to 20inch slot and no oversized trout. The angler considers himself a conservationist as he only uses artificial lures and has been instructing his customers to put back any oversized fish before going out on fishing trips. Kaplan Robinson, a Port Isabel resident, said he remembers the days when speckled trout could be seen anywhere in the Laguna Madre. The workshop included a presentation by Inland Fisheries staffers providing an extensive view of the freeze impact, trout recovery and management. Jason Ferguson, a natural resources specialist, said the purpose of the meeting was to gather information for potential regulatory action on the speckled trout. He said the 2021 freeze lowered the trout population by an estimated 3.8 million fish. Asked if anglers have expressed the idea of introducing a tag system for an oversized trout, similar to the regulation for redfish in which anglers are allowed to keep a tagged red, Ferguson said the idea has been brought to their attention. A few attendees supported the idea of the tagged trout, although the majority at the Port Isabel meeting were opposed.
SINCE 1960
BUYING, SELLING AND TRADING GUNS
Used and new firearms, ammunition, knives, and optics for all of your hunting, shooting and personal protection needs.
123 Carroll Rd, Wharton, TX 77488 F o l l o w us
(979) 532-3175
c a r r o ll s _ h u n t i n g _ f i s h i n g
844-782-COLD (2653)
howdy@carrollsgunshop.com C a r r o ll ' s G u n S h o p
Page 22
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
NATIONAL
ADVERTISEMENT
Celebrate Freedom in the Woods with Patriot Mobile
LSONews.com
NORTH DAKOTA
Record velvet bull moose
As the leaves change and the crisp, autumn air fills our lungs, there’s no better time to celebrate the freedoms that make our nation great. Patriot Mobile is proud to stand with you in the spirit of independence and the Second Amendment as we kick off this hunting season. As America’s only Christian conservative wireless provider, Patriot Mobile provides dependable nationwide wireless 4G and 5G coverage on all three major networks, ensuring you get the same coverage you’ve been accustomed to. We offer consumer and business plans to fit all your wireless needs, 100% US-based customer support, and discounts for NRA members, teachers, veterans, military, and first responders. Our commitment to your freedom goes beyond providing excellent wireless service. We believe in upholding the principles that our forefathers fought for, including the right to bear arms. With Patriot Mobile, you’re not just connecting; you’re supporting a company that shares your values. With every call you make and text you send, you’re contributing to the cause of freedom. We proudly support the Second Amendment and donate a portion of every dollar earned to organizations that defend this cherished right. So, as you head into the woods or fields for the opening of hunting season, know that Patriot Mobile has your back. Stay connected, stay safe, and enjoy the liberty to pursue your passions. Wishing you a successful and safe hunting season! Visit us at patriotmobile.com or call 972-PATRIOT.
Taxidermist and hunter Trace Armstrong had been buying tickets for the North American Game Warden Museum’s moose license raffle fundraiser for five years. With 5,000 tickets sold, the odds of winning were slim. That changed Sunday, June 18 – Father’s Day – when Armstrong, of Rolette, learned he’d won the raffle for the statewide 2023 North Dakota moose license. Armstrong harvested a massive bull Sept. 1, the opening day of archery season, with his bow while hunting near Powers Lake. If the score holds, the rack will be the Pope & Young Club’s new world record for a moose in velvet, a category that’s only been around for a few years. Certified measurer Jason Zins of West Fargo, measured the rack last weekend, tallying a gross green score of 187 2/8 inches and a net score of 182 inches after deductions. The bull had been spotted in a canola field but eluded the hunter opening morning. That afternoon, it was spotted again, 250 yards away. A two-hour stalk through crunchy canola in 90-degree heat got them within 35 yards when the bull stood up in the field, and Haase made his shot. The bull was estimated to weigh between 1,600 and 1,700 pounds. —Staff report
ARKANSAS
Record size brook trout Megan Gray landed a brook trout approaching the 5-pound state-record mark from the Little Red River in Central Arkansas. The fish was caught in the catch-andrelease area below Greers Ferry Dam, and an official weight could not be recorded, so Gray and other anglers took photos alongside her fly-fishing rod to measure its length and estimated its girth from that measurement. The fish measured 17.4 inches from nose to tail and an estimated 15.3 inches around. —AGFC
NEBRASKA
Explosion at Hornady plant kills one An explosion at the Hornady Manufacturing Company claimed the life of one employee and left two others injured Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. According to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency, the Cairo Fire Department, the first to arrive on the scene, found the explosion to have taken place within the PVE West Building. Grand Island resident Adriana Alvarez, 32, an employee of Hornady, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other employees sustained injuries during the incident, one transporting themselves to the hospital and the other being taken by ambulance. Both injured employees were treated and released on the same day. After an investigation, authorities determined that the explosion was accidental and occurred during the mixing process of the primer compound. —Staff report
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Surveys shows hunting, fishing participation
slowly light up over 6,000 sqft when triggered by motion
www.slowglow.com
The 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation showed that U.S. residents over the age of 16 took over 1.7 billion trips in 2022 to participate in outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, recreational boating and target shooting. In doing so, outdoor enthusiasts spent an estimated $394 billion on equipment, travel, licenses, and fees last year alone. The 2022 survey, released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, offers a snapshot view of participation rates and found that 148 million U.S. residents watched wildlife in 2022 while 40 million went fishing and 14.4 million hunted. Roughly 57 percent of Americans 16 years of age or older participated in wildlife
watching, 15 percent fished and 6 percent hunted last year. Looking at the hunting portion of the survey, of the 14.4 million hunters, 2.8 million of them hunted migratory birds, which includes dove hunters. An estimated 11.5 million hunters pursued big game such as deer, elk, bear and wild turkey. Meanwhile, 5.3 million hunters took to the woods and fields for small game, defined as rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, grouse and quail. About 2.3 million hunters sought other animals, such as raccoons, feral hogs, groundhogs, coyotes and fox. According to the survey, 77 percent of hunters are male and 22 percent are females. The largest age segment of American hunters is 2.8 million people from 35 to 44, with 2.6 million hunters from age 55 to 64, and another 2.4 million age 65 or older. People aged 45 to 54 comprise 2 million hunters. Hunting participation rates are highest in area with smaller populations. In cities of more than 1 million or more people, about 4 percent hunt. In areas with 10,000 to 50,000 residents, hunting participation is 10 percent, while 8 percent of people who live in areas with 50,000 to 250,000 residents are hunters. —Staff report
LOUISIANA
Wetland restoration grants Two North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants will enhance and restore 4,960 acres of coastal wetlands near Terrebonne Parish’s Raccourci Bay and south of Creole in Cameron Parish. The areas of the Raccourci Bay Marsh Enhancement II project are in the Terrebonne Basin of coastal Louisiana, which has a high wetland loss rate. This second phase of the project will build on previous wetland restoration enhancements, adding an additional 1,645 acres of coastal wetlands to help offset Louisiana’s dramatic coastal wetland loss. These improved wetlands will provide quality habitat for numerous bird species and other wetland-dependent wildlife. Ducks Unlimited’s partners on this project include ConocoPhillips, Apache Louisiana Minerals, and Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The primary objective of the Creole Marsh III project is the enhancement and protection of coastal marshes in Cameron Parish. This project will maintain and increase marsh diversity and provide quality habitat for numerous bird species and other wetland-dependent wildlife. This project will build on habitat from two previous stages of conservation work and includes 3,315 acres of wetland enhancement. —DU
MONTANA
Elk, grouse and woodcock groups join forces Help is on the way for elk, ruffed grouse, woodcock, turkey, whitetail deer and many other wildlife species across the Great Lakes and Appalachian states. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society entered into a 3-year conservation agreement to maintain and enhance habitat within priority areas across Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin, while improving hunting opportunity. “This agreement allows two long-time, hunter-based conservation organizations to pool our combined energy and resources to carry out meaningful and measurable conservation work,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president. RMEF will supply annual grant dollars to be used as private match funding for RGS & AWS forest management work. RMEF’s Eastern Elk Initiative seeks to grow elk populations by conserving and enhancing habitat for elk and other wildlife while opening or improving greater public access. It further aims to support elk hunting opportunities throughout the eastern states. RGS & AWS efforts focus on active forest management to improve wildlife habitat. —RMEF
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 23
Hunting with friends Continued from page 4
When it came time for the hunt, the mourning dove did not disappoint, and provided plenty of opportunities over milo fields and tanks. Stone said it was neat to see the ladies cheer each other on, or take pride in the excellent shots they made. “Some girls were able to harvest their first dove, while others had the opportunity to harvest their first limit,” Stone said. “There were a lot of firsts and a lot of victories in a nonjudgmental or nonintimidating environment that made them feel comfortable and confident in their experience levels.” Several of the event’s attendees commented about how the atmosphere was welcoming and made learning new skills easy and fun. “Nobody judged us based Sisterhood of the Hunt hosted an all-ladies dove hunt where female on our experience or the lack hunters were able to learn and sharpen their shooting skills surof it,” said Miranda Bridges. rounded by other women. Photo by Hannah Burchfield. “There were no negative remarks made about the type of gear or shotgun any of us were using, and everyone was willing to answer questions and help us become better bird hunters. It was great to see how things can be approached differently and still have a successful outcome.” Abigail Gutierrez said the event introduced her to many other like-minded women. “I’m really excited to see what will happen as these friendships continue to grow,” she said. Chelsea Volling said she enjoyed the peace, excitement and challenges the hunt provided. “It helped me develop a new level of appreciation for nature and the things that God has created, and it was awesome to experience that with other women in the field,” Volling said. For more information about Sisterhood of the Hunt and its events, visit huntsisterhood. com or on Instagram @sisterhoodofthehunt
Professionally guided fishing trips
FOR CRAPPIE, CATFISH, SAND BASS AND STRIPER
CRAPPIE FISHING TRIPS ON CEDAR CREEK LAKE
BOOK NOW FOR OUR FANTASTIC FALL CRAPPIE BITE! SERVICING CEDAR CREEK LAKE, AQUILLA, LAKE WHITNEY, PAT CLEBURNE, EAGLE MOUNTAIN AND BENBROOK.
FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED | 817-266-9811 | WWW.DFWOUTDOORS.COM
300# GALVANIZED BROADCAST FEEDER
®
600# STAND & FILL BROADCAST FEEDER WITH CORN SHIELD
®
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.
Page 24
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
Reds biting again Continued from page 9
One thing that I’ve been doing lately is fishing with small piece of a sardine and a Fishbite. Those are two baits that put out a lot of scent. I also used the Fishbites without a sardine.” Some of best days lately are fishing around the islands where there is plenty of shell. “I’ve got a number of spots that consistently hold slot reds,” Coffey said. “When I hit the right hole, it’s game on with easy limits of slot reds and a few black drum. That makes for an exciting day of fishing.” The backwater lakes have been holding good numbers of reds. Those lakes are especially good on high tides.
Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNT EXOTICS ★ IN TEXAS! ★ Looking to hunt something special this year?
Texas Hunt Co has a wide variety of beautiful exotics just waiting to adorn your trophy room! From Axis Deer to Aoudad Sheep, we’ve got something to suit your fancy, all year-round! Contact us for a full Exotics list & pricing. Full Accommodations & Meals Are Included!
806-786-4976 806-335-0051 info@txhuntco.com
Like & follow us on &
Axis Deer Aoudad Sheep Blackbuck Antelope Fallow Deer & many more...
3/2
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
Page 25
On the hunt for the best news in Texas?
LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS STRIVES TO DELIVER THE MOST COMPELLING STORIES AND RELIABLE HUNTING AND FISHING REPORTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS WITH ITS TWICE MONTHLY PRINT NEWSPAPER.
$35 FOR A 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
ALL THE NEWS TEXANS NEED FROM THE SOURCE THEY TRUST.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS CALL (214) 361-2276
CUT OUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION FORM AND MAIL TO: LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS P.O. BOX 551695 DALLAS, TX 75355
LSONEWS.COM
NEW GIFT RENEWAL
NAME
CREDIT CARD NO.
ADDRESS
EXP. DATE
CITY/STATE/ZIP
CVV
BILLING ZIP CODE
PHONE NUMBER
SIGNATURE
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS.
1 YEAR 24 issues
$35
2 YEARS 48 issues $65 3 YEARS 72 issues $95 LIFETIME $500
Page 26
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
DATEBOOK
Closed ramps Continued from page 8
NOVEMBER 2
Boat ramps and their lakes currently experiencing closures include:
DUCKS UNLIMITED Corpus Christi Banquet Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds Robstown (361) 232-9846
Arkansas Bend Lake Travis Bob Wentz at Windy Point Lake Travis Camp Creek Park Lake Travis Cypress Creek Lake Travis Gloster Bend Recreation Area Lake Travis Jones Brothers Park Lake Travis Mansfield Dam Lake Travis Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area Lake Travis Narrows Recreation Area Lake Travis Pace Bend Collier Cove Lake Travis Pace Bend Tatum Cove Lake Travis Pace Bend Tournament Point Lake Travis Sandy Creek Lake Travis Buchanan Dam Park Lake Buchanan Cedar Point Recreation Area Lake Buchanan Llano County Park Lake Buchanan
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB Women’s Shooting and Social Mission Ridge Range & Academy Plano (972) 980-9800 biggame.org MULE DEER FOUNDATION Alpine Beer-4-Deer Spicewood Restaurant (432) 290-4563 muledeer.org
Boat ramp closures aren’t limited to Hill Country lakes. Closures have been reported at Benbrook Lake, Lake Proctor and other lakes to the south and west of the DFW Metroplex.
>>
NOVEMBER 11-12
TEXAS GUN & KNIFE SHOWS Kerrville Expo Hall (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com
NOVEMBER 14
DUCKS UNLIMITED The Woodlands Banquet Twin Peaks, Shenandoah (832) 381-7901 ducks.org
NOVEMBER 16
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB Member Hunt Night DSC Headquarters (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED Dallas Dinner On the Levee (214) 673-9636 ducks.org
NOVEMBER 3-4
UVALDE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Hunters Roundup and BBQ Cookoff Uvalde County Fairplex (830) 278-3361 uvalde.org
NOVEMBER 7
DUCKS UNLIMITED Johnson County Dinner Cleburne Conference Center (817) 357-2665 ducks.org
NOVEMBER 9
Puzzle solution from Page 18
STEWARDS OF THE WILD Dallas State of Conservation Dinner Dallas Arboretum tpwf.org/sotw
DUCKS UNLIMITED Victoria Banquet Victoria Community Center (361) 571-0717 ducks.org
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION Rio Grande Valley Night Out & Gun Bash University Draft House, McAllen (956) 453-6966 ccatexas.org
NOVEMBER 25
KIMBLE COUNTY CHAMBER Wild Game Dinner Coke Stevenson Center junctiontexas.com
DECEMBER 7
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB Store Sale and Packing Party DSC Heaquarters (972) 980-9800 biggame.org HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION Christmas Party The Barn, Cypress (713) 623-8844 hscfdn.org
CLASSIFIEDS HUNTING
DUBOSE RANCH Trophy hunts in South Texas for 30+ years Duboseranch.com (830) 391-7905
RED RIVER TRACT IN COOKE COUNTY Corps. land and rare boat ramp access. $495K, will finance. (214) 463-2217
TEXAS TROPHY WHITETAILS Axis, Blackbuck, Hogs Free range whitetail and exotic hunts in Sonora, TX HuntTexasWhitetails.com (717) 512-3582
DUVAL COUNTY South Texas Dove Hunting 65 acres, Lodging RV Power Available Huntershilton.com for more info (361) 244-0544 OR (361) 443-9330
HOG HUNTING 45 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DALLAS (972) 743-2256
DEER HUNTERS
C4 RANCH - WHITETAIL & EXOTIC HUNTS Cull, Management & Trophies up to 300” Duval County, TX High Fenced & MLD Managed 10+ Years Vernon Carr (361) 774-2442
Used Deer Blinds for sale 4x6 fiberglass with 10-foot towers Three available, $1850 each Free barrel feeder w/ purchase (need motor/ timer) Text for photos Located 1 hour north of Abilene (214) 695-2950
MID-TEX LAND SERVICES LLC Land Clearing, Mulching, Rock Milling, Roads, Excavation Professional and insured MidTexland.com (254) 595-1696
DOS HERMANOS RANCH Trophy Whitetails & Exotics On 4000 acres near San Angelo, TX doshermanosranch.com Jake at (208) 477-9065
QUAIL LEASE ALL SEASON 19,000 acres on Pease River 17 miles East of Matador See nesting report Rolling Plains Quail Research “a record one” 5 spots, 2 guest privileges $5,220 3 bedroom house, fully furnished, sleeps 8 Share electric bills and supplies. Can hunt 28 corn feeders after Jan 1. Call Pat Latham (817) 371-4340
TROPHY DEER LEASE Comal County high fence, 65 acres $15,000 5 deer, no more than 2 bucks. Dennis (210) 602-6360
$1 CLASSIFIEDS (PER WORD)
WANT TO WORK FOR THE BEST? Join Beretta Gallery Dallas Counter Sales position available Call Cory Mays (214) 559-9800 NEED ARCHERY RANGE? TexasArchery.info
9,600-ACRE RANCH FOR RENT IN MEXICO Mostly surrounded by Amistad Lake. Incredible views, great for fishing, White-tailed deer and Sonora mule deer hunting. Dove and Duck potential hunting, just 45 minutes across from Del Rio, TX border. For more information,send an email to bernardo@mhgroup.com.mx
NEW INSULATED DEER BLINDS
FISHING CRAPPIE. CATFISH. SAND BASS. STRIPER. Guided Hunts and Offshore Adventures. DFWOutdoors.com Call Capt. Lane Palmer at (817) 266-9811 2010 HAYNIE 24 HO Mercury 225 Pro XS 580 hrs Bob’s Jack Plate Minkota troll motor 24v with spot lock WetSounds sound system Hummibird Solix 15 PowerPole CoastLine Aluminum trailer Full Canvas USA cover Many more options In Corpus Christi Call David (806) 438-3048
D L O S JOBS
S&M Hunting Equipment 4x6: $2,300 5x7: $3,150 5ft Tower Included Comederos.com.mx (210) 329-2959
ADD A PHOTO/LOGO $25 ALL BOLD LETTERS $15 2 ISSUE MINIMUM
PART-TIME DELIVERING LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Rio Grande Valley and El Campo/Wharton Areas (214) 361-2276
2 EASY OPTIONS: CALL THE OFFICE (214) 361-2276, OR EDITOR@LONESTAROUTDOORNEWS. COM
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
October 27, 2023
UPGRADE YOUR EQUIPMENT AND YOUR SKILLS Even after you upgrade to a new HK VP9, with its best-in-class trigger pull and ergonomic, customizable grip, you’re not quite done yet. You still need a couple of important accessories. And we’re not talking about holsters, lights and optics either. Training and Practice – They are two different things and we all need more of both. Look into it … andYour go doLocal the work! Visit Texas HK Premium Dealer to Learn More! A Place to Shoot San Antonio, 210-628-1888 Abilene Indoor Gun Range Abilene, 325-698-4224 Able Ammo Huntsville, 936-295-5786 AJC Sports Clute, 979-265-4867 Ally Outdoors Midland, 972-332-3700 Richardson, 972-332-3700 Alpha Armory Houston, 888-932-7660 Alpine Shooting Range Ft Worth, 817-478-6613 Americana Arms, LLC Beeville, 361-362-3673 Athena Gun Club Houston, 713-461-5900 BPS Outfitters Sherman, 903-832-2227 BTO Range Conroe, 936-588-3333
Buck & Doe’s Mercantile, LLC San Antonio, 830-980-3637 C.A.C Tactical Southlake, 888-211-8191 Caroline Colt Company LLC Abilene, 325-232-7501 Carroll’s Gun Shop Whaton, 979-532-3175 Carter’s Country Houston, 713-461-1844 Houston, 281-879-1466 Pasadena, 713-475-2222 Spring, 281-443-8393 DFW Shooting Sports Bedford, 817-285-0664 Champion Firearms College Station, 979-693-9948 Collectors Firearms Houston, 713-781-5812 Danny's, Inc. McAllen, 956-687-4692 Defender Outdoors Fort Worth, 817-935-8377
DFW Gun Club Dallas, 214-630-4866 Dury's Gun Shop San Antonio, 210-533-5431 Field & Streams Sporting Goods San Angelo, 325-944-7094 Fun Guns Waco, 254-755-0080 Gibson’s Weatherford, 817-594-8711 Glick Twins Pharr, 956-787-429 GRITR Sports N. Richland Hills, 817-200-7470 Grabagun.com Coppell, 972-552-7246 Guard & Defend Firearms Silsbee, 409-201-9468 Guns Warehouse LLC Cedar Park, 512-986-7330 Hoss Arms, LLC New Braunfels, 830-609-8891
John Doe Investigations, LLC Lewisville, 214-773-0129 Kirkpatrick Gun & Ammo Laredo, 956-723-6338 Marksmen Firearms Mansfield, 817-453-8680 McBride's Guns Austin, 512-472-3532 Misson Ridge Range & Academy San Antonio, 210-504-9000 Mister Guns LLC Plano, 214-901-7429 Modern Pawn & Guns Corpus Christi, 361-993-9390 Nagel's Gun Shop, Inc. San Antonio, 210-342-5420 Nardis Gun Club San Antonio, 210-369-9199 Omaha Outdoors Rosenberg, 713-703-4648 Past & Blast Antiques & Firearms Whitesboro, 903-564-5444
www.hk-usa.com • 706-701-5554 Point Blank Sporting Goods Pharr, 956-992-8799 Primary Arms Houston, 713-344-9600 Ranger Firearms of Texas Inc. San Antonio, 210-822-4867 Ray's Hardware & Sporting Goods Dallas, 214-747-7916 Red’s Indoor Range - North Pflugerville, 512-251-1022 RifleGear The Colony, 972-292-7678 SK Arms Flowermound, 972-628-6200 Midland, 432-704-5127 Sharp Shooters Knife & Gun Inc Lubbock, 806-791-1231 Southwestern Firearms, Inc. Midlothian, 972-617-7056 Sportsman's Finest Austin, 512-263-1888 Spring Guns & Ammo Spring, 832-299-1950
Superior Outfitters Longview, 903-212-2200 Tyler, 903-592-4006 Texas Gun Club Stafford, 832-539-7000 Texas Gun Expierence Grapevine, 817-285-5664 Texas Ranch Outfitters Yantis, 903-383-2800 The Arms Room Dickinson, 232-226-5252 Wheeler Feed & Outfitters Boerne, 830-249-2656 Xtreme Guns & Ammo Richmond, 832-363-3783 Visit Your Local Texas HK Premium Dealer to Learn More!
Page 27
Page 28
October 27, 2023
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com