Late fall on the coast
Patterns holding
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star outdoor newS
With the lack of frequent cold fronts, and above average air and water temperatures, fall patterns have been somewhat delayed along coastal estuaries and marshes. Tides have been well above normal, and conditions, as well as fish behavior, have resembled those usually experienced a month or so prior.
Capt. Chris Phillips has been finding the best concentrations of fish along the edges of the channel in Sabine Pass. He said this pattern has remained relatively the same since the late summer months.
“There are some birds working over schools of trout in the mouths of bayous and in Sabine Lake, but most of these fish are very small,” Phillips said. “The most consistent bite has been in the channel, which is really more of a summertime pattern than a fall pattern. Things are definitely running behind this year.”
Phillips’ anglers have been catching quite a few trout, along with a few
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Heavy Halloween buck
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
A lucky ticket had Sidney Junek’s number on it at the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation Wild Game Night in early October, when he won the deer hunt at a Stonewall County ranch.
On Oct. 30, he headed to a Managed Lands Deer Program ranch for his prize. The Canyon Lake resident has hunted all his life, including in Africa, but has only taken a few white-tailed deer.
After watching does and young bucks the evening before, on Halloween morning it had cooled with a light north wind. After watching some other deer, an old, big-bodied 11-pointer moved the other deer away and hung around for more than an hour.
His guide, Lone Star Outdoor News’ founder David Sams, was no stranger to Junek. They had duck hunted together for several years on a Comanche County lease, and they both bird hunted in South Africa this summer.
“You know, if I got to shoot that deer, it would be the biggest deer I’ve ever shot,” Junek told his guide.
“Well, get your gun out the window and shoot when you’re ready,” Sams replied. An incoming doe got the attention of the buck and he walked within 45 yards of the blind. Junek made a good shot on the buck, which weighed 230 pounds (live weight) and had lots of fat on him. After some time for photos and then gutting and skinning the buck, Junek said it was nice to have some time to relax.
“It was finally nice to be out on a cool morning with a little rain in the area — it was in the 50s with a light north wind,” Junek said. “I ended up with a very nice, heavy buck. It was a good day — and I slept really well that night.”
On Nov. 1, after watching a few nice bucks from the blind in the morning, he was headed home, planning a stop in New Braunfels at the processor with his venison.
Duck hunts begin
South and High Plains zones open
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
South Zone waterfowl hunters opened their season on Nov. 2, and some were pleasantly surprised at the numbers of birds around — especially the teal remaining in prairie rice ponds.
Aidan
Flores, Delta Waterfowl’s R3 program coordinator, hunted
saltwater near Port Aransas.
“It was slow on opening morning but it was good for redheads,” he said. “With some good scouting and patience we were able to harvest a few early-migrating redheads and pintail in the Texas heat. The birds are starting to trickle in and the next front should push us a fair number of birds.”
Flores took out a first-time duck hunter, Haley McPhaul.
“She shot two redheads,” Flores said. “She said she had been deer
hunting a few times, but this was her first time shooting a shotgun and bird hunting.”
McPhaul took to the new hunting experience like a duck to water.
“It was a blast, and I’ll be back in the marsh soon to chase some more ducks,” she said.
Teal were still around for hunters in the coastal prairies.
At the Pintail Hunting Club in Garwood, the hunters had limits of bluewings, along with a few shovelers, pintail and wigeon.
Capt Chris Elliott caught and released this 7.5-pound speckled trout while wading grass beds with potholes in Baffin Bay. Photo from Chris Elliott.
Sidney Junek won a raffle hunt from Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation and, on Halloween at an MLDP ranch, took this 230-pound, 11-point buck. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
The South Zone duck opener wasn’t a barn-burner along the coast, but teal were plentiful on inland ponds. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
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HUNTING
Cutting class for first buck
By Nate Skinner Lone Star outdoor newS
Evalynn Masters began this deer season with a goal of harvesting her first buck. The 9-year-old wanted to use her crossbow and had been watching a particular 8-pointer on camera on a property where she and her dad hunt together in Wilson County.
The buck disappeared for a few weeks when acorns started falling, but recently started
Old banded Eurasian dove comes in
Lone Star outdoor newS
According to the Texas Dove Hunters Association, October was one of the best dovehunting months in recent memory.
“Agency and outfitter reports are unanimously confirming the birds showed up later this season, and plentiful,” TDHA reported in its newsletter, The Coo.
In the organization’s Banded Bird Challenge, the bands on Eurasian-collared dove are pouring in this year, including a banded bird from 2018. The dove was harvested in Alice 2,260 days later. Previously, the longest time from when a bird was banded was 1,225 days from 2020 to 2023.
So far this year, 55 banded birds have been reported, with one from 2018, one from 2021, three from 2022, four from 2023 and 46 from 2024. Of the 55 hunters, just four were signed up for the Banded Bird Challenge and are set to win prizes once the contest is completed on Dec. 31.
This season’s harvest count is the second highest in the history of the contest, with 62 banded birds reported in 2021.
Lone Star outdoor newS
showing up and patterning regularly. Masters’ parents let her skip school in the middle of the week in order to pursue the deer, and she made a perfect shot with her crossbow to accomplish her goal.
“My daddy always says the best time to hunt a big buck is when he is showing up,” she said. “So when he came home from work and told me that the buck had started showing back up on camera every morning that week, I asked my mom if
I could stay home from school the next morning and go hunting with my dad. She said it would be OK to miss just this one time.”
Masters and her dad got up early the next morning and snuck into the elevated bow blind in the dark.
“My dad threw out some hand corn where we wanted the buck to hopefully stand for me to get a shot,” Masters said.
“As the woods began to wake up with the sounds of birds
chirping, the deer began to slowly filter in.”
In the gray light of dawn, Masters finally noticed that one of the deer walking their way was the buck she was hoping to get a shot at.
“Dad told me to be patient and sit quietly,” she said. “We wanted to let him come in and get comfortable. After what seemed like forever, the buck was standing broadside and my dad asked me if I was ready to take my shot.”
BITTEN BY THE DUCK-HUNTING BUG
Three youngsters got a taste of the duck-hunting life during a youth weekend duck hunt in Port O’Connor. Hunting with Cayce Causey, his son Connor, 9, and friends Lane Tilger, 10, and Casen Scism, 7, helped build, paint and brush the blind, and then hunted with two of the dads sitting behind them, providing support. “The redheads came in for them,” Cayce Causey said. “A few pintail and teal came in before shooting time.” The boys took five redheads, and now “won’t shut up about it,” Causey said. A week later, they headed to the 3S Ranch in El Campo for the regular season opener, where Causey and his son shot limits of teal and a few shovelers in 25 minutes.
Photos by Cayce Causey.
Hattner to receive OHAA award
The Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award Committee selected John Hattner as the 2025 Award recipient.
Hattner will be presented with the award at the Saturday evening banquet at the 2025 DSC Convention and Sporting Expo in Atlanta on Jan. 11.
Hattner qualified in multiple categories for the award by completing his DSC African 32, of which 20 are record class; Spiral Horned Antelope of Africa: 15 species, of which nine are record class; and Wild Oxen and Buffalo of the World: 10 species, of which seven are record class.
Hattner started his hunting career
following in his dad’s footsteps in the snow in the upper Midwest, mainly hunting small game.
“We ate all the small game we hunted,” he said. “Mostly rabbits, squirrels, pheasants and ducks. My dad and I were very close and always had a rabbit hunt the morning of all the winter holidays. Unfortunately, I lost my dad at a young age when my son was just a year old.”
After a life review, Hattner decided he was getting back into hunting and committed himself to teach his son, Johnny, what hunting was about.
“Fortunately, Johnny took to hunting like a duck to water, as well as fishing, and we were able to spend a large amount of time together hunting,”
Hattner said. “Since he was mostly limited to summers for hunting, we traveled to a number of southern hemisphere countries (mostly Africa) where we started hunting big game. Johnny harvested a large number of animals and won the Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award.”
The most challenging animal on the way to the OHAA award was a North American giant.
“I was challenged to obtain my Western Canadian moose,” John said. “It took me three trips over a 10-year period and a brand-new set of titanium knees before I was finally able to harvest my moose.”
Evalynn Masters skipped school in the middle of the week to go hunting with her dad when the buck she was after showed back up on camera. She harvested her first buck using her crossbow. Photo by Dustin Masters.
John Hattner will receive the Dr. Bob Speegle Outstanding Hunting Achievement Award at the 2025 DSC Convention and Sporting Expo in Atlanta. Photo from DSC.
Trappers, fur hunters gather
By Mike Bodenchuk
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Despite years of low fur prices, more than 150 trappers assembled at the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association Fall Rendezvous in Gatesville, held Oct. 18-19. Fashioned after the historic gatherings of the mountain men, this year’s Fall Rendezvous included educational demonstrations on trapping techniques, trap supply vendors offering the best of equipment and supplies, and games for kids and adults.
TTFHA is the one statewide organization representing trappers. Affiliated with both the National Trappers Association and the Fur Takers of America, the TTFHA is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to education and outreach. The trapping demonstrations are an example of the education available through the rendezvous.
At the event, experts from four states provided information on predator and feral hog control, calling and trapping educated coyotes, managing nest predators to protect wildlife, beaver and bobcat trapping and basic trapping skills for youth. An online trapping event was held to showcase trap location and placement in realworld conditions.
Vendors were available from multiple states, bringing trap lures, traps and other equipment for sale. Some trappers brought used equipment, which was offered for sale at affordable prices for new trappers just starting out.
The TTFHA also received traps and drags from the family of a long-time member who passed away. This donated equipment was also available for sale, with the proceeds going to support the organization. One of the big advantages of onsite buying is the ability to handle each trap or other piece of equipment. Often, several trappers will be shopping together, combining their knowledge to select the best available traps.
Games available during the rendezvous included a ladies skillet toss and adult and youth speed trap setting. The fund-raising event included a benefit auction, a bead game and a card raffle for prizes.
The TTFHA holds a fall and a spring rendezvous each year. The next event will be in Childress April 25-26, 2025.
Several education seminars took place at the TTFHA Rendezvous, including tips on feral hog control. Photo by Mike Bodenchuk, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Warm weekend for young deer hunters
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
A week before the open ing weekend of the general season for white-tailed deer, the three-day youth-only season took place, and a few young hunters took nice bucks.
Unseasonably warm tem peratures prevailed, and most young hunters were met with less-than-ideal conditions for sitting in a blind. While some experi enced sporadic deer move ment with most buck ac tivity taking place at night, others found themselves in the right place at the right time.
Jarrett Watson, 6, harvested his first deer, an 8-point buck, during a morning hunt on his family’s property in Medina County, while
Baseball star’s ranch listed
A 1,600-acre ranch one hour west of San Antonio hit the market for more than $12 million. The ranch, owned for 20 years by former Houston Astros star Craig Biggio, is described as a true hunting ranch which is intensely managed for trophy white-tailed deer.
Listed by Mark Matthew and Jeff Boswell of Republic Ranches, the description said the ranch includes elevation changes across its mostly untouched land, and 2 miles of Sabinal River frontage. Buildings include barns, a walk-in cooler, plus a barndominium that provides three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a bunkroom.
Biggio is a member of Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame, and spent his entire 20-season playing career with the Astros. He is the only Astros player to join the 3,000 hit club.
hunting with his dad, Will. He shot the buck with the same
Remington rifle that his dad used to shoot
Jarrett Watson, 6, harvested his first buck on his family’s property in Medina County on the youth-only weekend, using the same rifle his dad used to take his first deer. Photo by Will Watson.
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Bass patterns unsettled
By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS
After a couple of cold snaps early in October, the bass started moving. But then the heat returned and the largemouth settled back into a more traditional transition pattern.
“The fishing on Caddo has been good as the weather has begun to change,” said Mark Allen, with Mark Allen Guide Service.
Allen said his anglers are having suc-
cess with lipless crankbaits, spinner baits and chatter baits in natural colors.
“Target the hydrilla and hard bottoms,” he said. “The fish are scattered so you will need to move from spot to spot.”
Allen also advised caution on Caddo, as water levels are down, exposing more stumps than expected.
Caddo Lake recently hosted the Bassmaster Kayak tournament in late October. The winner, Gene Jensen, caught 198.5 inches of bass that weekend, indicating how well the lake is fishing.
The largemouth are schooled up a little more on Nacogdoches Lake. Guide Cal Cameron has seen good numbers of fish from the 2- to 5 1/2-pound range. Cameron has seen success with drop shots and Carolina rigs in bright colors.
“Try targeting hard bottoms from 12 to 18 feet,” he said. “You’ll catch five in five casts before they get smart, and then you will have to move on. Then you can come back in about an hour or so and you will get a few more.”
On O.H. Ivie, the fishing has been a
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First wade
Girl, 8, lands redfish limit
By Nate Skinner one Star outdoor newS
Ashton McKinley has been begging her dad, Chris, to take her wade-fishing. The 8 year old has caught numerous speckled trout, redfish and flounder from a boat, but has been wanting to try her hand at wading, knowing that it was her father’s preferred way to cover the flats.
She recently made a morning trip with her dad in East Matagorda Bay, and caught her first redfish while standing in the water. In fact, she ended up out-fishing her father.
McKinley said she got up before the sun, put on her waders and was ready to jump out of the boat and stalk some redfish in the shallow water when they arrived at the first spot at sunrise.
“The water was clean, the wind was calm, and there were baitfish everywhere,” she said. “We were wading a sand flat at the mouth of a cove along the south shoreline, and the water was barely above my knees. I was throwing a soft plastic and it wasn’t long before I got my first bite.”
McKinley made a long cast and was bouncing the soft plastic jig along the bottom when she felt a hard thump. She set the hook and drag started to peel off her
“My dad had already caught a small redfish, and I couldn’t let him catch more fish than me, so I was excited when this fish hit,” she said. “It ran around me for a while, and we were finally able to net it. The redfish was about 23 inches long.”
Shortly after, the youngster caught another redfish in the same size range.
“I actually fell down in the water at one point,” McKinley said. “I was fighting the fish and it made a big run. Somehow I lost my balance, and ended up falling. But I got back up and landed it.”
McKinley said she really enjoyed standing in the water with the fish that she was pursuing.
“It was so much different from fishing in the boat,” she said. “The best part of the trip was catching more fish than my dad, and then reminding him the rest of the day that he got beat by an 8 year old.”
South Bay defended by anglers
SpaceX proposal on treated wastewater discharge brings controversy
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
A request by SpaceX to discharge up to 200,000 gallons of treated wastewater per day into South Bay is causing a stir in the Rio Grande Valley.
The aerospace company has made a request and application with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to discharge the treated wastewater near its launch site in Boca Chica. SpaceX officials said the sewage would be fully treated ac-
cording to state and federal environmental standards before being released.
The request has created concern among fishermen, local residents and conservation groups — not so much because it is treated wastewater — but because of the hypersalinity of the bay and the bay’s shallow water.
“We are committed to complying with all environmental regulations, and the treated water would pose no harm to the ecosystem,” said a SpaceX spokesperson in a statement.
Local groups cited concerns about the potential damage to South Bay’s delicate habitats. The area is part of the Lower Laguna Madre, a hypersaline lagoon that is home to a rich diversity of fish, shrimp and wildlife.
The Save RGV environmental organization argued that even treated wastewater would disrupt the water quality and marine life, with long-term consequences for both wildlife and local industries.
Residents also expressed concerns.
“People come here to fish and enjoy the natural beauty. If that’s damaged, it won’t be easy to fix,” said Manuel Flores, a fishing guide from Port Isabel.
Tony Reisinger, a marine biologist who now lives in Port Isabel, said there are other alternatives to discharge wastewater.
“It could be dumped straight into the Rio Grande,” he said. “Not in South Bay, a shallow area with a high salinity content.”
Fishing guide Ernest Cisneros said he has
been noticing that the water in South Bay has been getting murkier every time he goes there.
The Texas Fly Caster podcaster was more direct.
“Dumping fresh water in hypersaline water does not work,” host Shannon Drawe told Lone Star Outdoor News. “It could be drinking water, and it would change the balance. Dumping treated sewer water into that shallow bay is a death sentence for the fishery.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and CCA-Texas are expected to express any concerns prior to a Nov. 14 public meeting, to be held at the Amigoland Events Center in Brownsville.
Three anglers found a school of bass on Nacogdoches Lake and scored a triple while fishing with guide Cal Cameron. Photo by Cal Cameron.
Ashton McKinley shows her first redfish caught while wade-fishing. Photo by Chris McKinley.
Fly-fishing the surf Texas style
Casting a fly in the surf may not be commonplace in Texas, but plenty of fly-enthusiasts wade out to catch one of any number of fish species. Wind, waves, currents, and simply getting out far enough to make the cast all have to be considered.
“Texas surf-fishing with a flyrod requires you to understand currents and the underwater structure to have any chance of success,” said LSON contributor Mike Bodenchuk, who recently fly-fished the surf at South Padre Island. “There’s always wind and you need to be able to punch a cast out to the fish, but if you’re in the wrong place it really wouldn’t matter.”
Surf-fishermen know fish concentrate in the deeper troughs, known as “guts” which parallel the beach. Waves break as they approach shallower water, so a fly-caster needs to stand at the edge of a gut closest to the beach — right where the waves are breaking — to reach the deeper water in the gut.
Also, the currents in the guts rarely follow the wind or the waves. On this trip, Bodenchuk noted that the currents were essentially south to north, paralleling the beach.
“Once you get the fly in the water, you still need to fish it correctly to get it in front of the fish,” he said.
Bodenchuk used a heavy fly to stay close to the bottom and swung the fly similar to fishing a trout stream. Strikes, when they came, were frequently at the end of the swing.
On perfect days, with calm, warm water and little wind, trout and redfish are available just as they are to spin or bait fishermen.
“But if you wait for those days, you’re not going to go fishing very often,” Bodenchuk said.
On this day, the target fish were small jack crevalle and ladyfish. At one point, a school of Spanish mackerel moved in and every hookup resulted in a cut leader.
“I could have used a wire leader, but I kept expecting them to move on” Bodenchuk said. “After losing a few flies, I just went back to the beach, sat in a chair and waited. There are worse ways to spend the afternoon.”
Another productive way to fly fish the beach is to drive the sand and look for feeding birds.
“Schools of feeding fish attract gulls and a mobile fly fisherman can get ahead of the birds and cast to the fish when they get in range,” Bodenchuk said. “After they pass, you can jump in the truck and race down the beach to get ahead of them again.”
From Minnows to Marlin
Adventures of a big fish angler
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
Sometimes you read a book about someone’s life and think, “I want to live a life like that.”
That’s the feeling avid anglers may get when reading the adventures and escapades of author Larry Walker in “From Minnows to Marlin.”
The book chronicles Walker’s adventures, covering more than 55 countries, in search of trophy fish. From catching minnows with his father to sell to bait shops across Texas, to owning a dirt-floor bait shop in Grand Prairie, then expanding to sporting goods stores and marinas, Walker finally began his fishing trips on a trip to Honduras with a lure representative — and the adventures began.
Bass, snook and tarpon fishing in Honduras. An attempt at bringing fishing tourists into Cuba. Sailfishing in Mexico. Shrimping in Colombia.
Near-death thrills from storms, dealing with heavily armed “acquaintances” and not-so-near death experiences from bar fights dot the pages.
And then Walker turned 19 years old.
Many more fishing adventures followed — for peacock bass, golden dorado, barramundi, offshore tournaments around the world, African tigerfish, Russian rainbows and Australian and African giant trevally. But what readers may like the most are the stories of friends made around the world, escapades in foreign lands that might land someone, more so now, in jail, maybe never to return.
What permeates throughout the 155 pages is Walker’s passion for fishing for just about any fish species — and his fishing ability. His family was in the fishing industry for 78 years — and Walker took full advantage of every fishing opportunity.
“I never met a fish I didn’t like,” he said.
He’s caught 189 largemouth bass topping 10 pounds, and he caught two ShareLunkers in 10 days on O.H. Ivie. He’s fished for bass on most Texas lakes, in Mexico, and on private lakes, and shared a piece of advice with other bass junkies.
“Never fall in love with one lake,” he wrote.
The book is not all sunshine and roses, though. From a lavish lifestyle in the 1970s and 80s, to marrying a Honduras Miss Universe contestant and moving to the country, to eventually three divorces and four marriages, along with facing angry locals whether from gambling or failures in commercial fishing ventures, Walker faced his share of misguided decisions and struggles.
One thing remained the same throughout the book, available at fromminnowstomarlin.com and on Amazon — his love for catching big fish.
“I want to catch a marlin when I’m 100 years old,” he said.
Lone Star outdoor newS
Fly-fishing the Texas surf requires attention to waves, wind and currents. Photo by Mike Bodenchuk.
TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT
ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 73 degrees; 0.46’ high. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.
AMISTAD: Water stained; 82 degrees; 65.74’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on frogs, buzzbaits, flukes and squarebilled crankbaits. White bass are good on spoons, crankbaits and Alabama rigs. Striped bass are fair on bucktail jigs and flutter spoons.
ARLINGTON: Water stained; 75 degrees; 7.25’ low. Crappie are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on cut bait.
ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 6.60’ low. Catfish are good on fresh cut shad.
ATHENS: Water stained; 77 degrees; 1.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms and weightless flukes. Crappie are slow.
AUSTIN: Water stained; 72 degrees; 0.46’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on flukes and senkos.
B A STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.21’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, top-waters and frogs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on juglines.
BASTROP: Water stained; 80 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on soft jerkbaits, shallow crankbaits and topwaters.
BELTON: Water stained; 78 degrees; 1.99’ low. White bass are good on slabs and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and live bait.
BENBROOK: Water stained; 80 degrees; 3.34’ low. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are fair on chatter baits and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are good on live minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad.
BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 85 degrees; 1.10’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on stink bait and chicken liver.
BOIS D’ARC: Water stained; 85 degrees; 3.14’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on square-billed crankbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastics.
BRAUNIG: Water stained; 88 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Redfish are slow. Catfish are slow.
BRIDGEPORT: Water lightly stained; 77 degrees; 12.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters. Sand bass and hybrids are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait.
BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-water frogs, swimbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on crankbaits. Catfish are fair
on shad and liver.
BUCHANAN: Water stained; 76 degrees; 13.65’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, jigs and Texasrigged soft plastics. Stripers are fair on jigs, slabs, spoons and live shad. White bass are fair on jigs and slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait.
CADDO: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.28’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on flukes, swimbaits, crankbaits and drop-shot rigs.
CALAVERAS: Water lightly stained; 88 degrees. Redfish are fair on live bait, soft plastics and spoons. Catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp.
CANYON: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 26.19’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and dropshot rigs. Stripers are good on top-waters and swimbaits.
CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 72 degrees; 3.04’ low. Hybrids and white bass are good on spinners and slabs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
CHOKE CANYON: Water stained; 80 degrees; 31.98’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on spinner baits and spoons.
CONROE: Water stained; 79 degrees; 1.31’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are slow. Hybrids and white bass are fair on slabs and swimbaits. Catfish are good on worms, liver and punch bait.
COOPER: Water stained; 75 degrees: 2.00’ low. Hybrids are good on live shad and jigging spoons. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on shad.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 70 degrees; 6.64’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait.
FALCON: Water stained; 80 degrees; 45.30’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Catfish are good on fresh cut shad and tilapia.
FAY-
ETTE: Water stained; 88 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and shaky heads. Perch are slow.
low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Hybrid stripers are fair on live shad and jigs.
GRANBURY: Water stained; 80 degrees; 1.34’ low.
Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics. White bass are good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live bait and trolled jigs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared baits.
GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 85 degrees; 0.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on spoons. Catfish are good on live bait.
GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 72 degrees; 1.96’ low. White bass are good on jigs and slabs. Catfish are fair on shad.
GREENBELT: Water stained; 80 degrees; 50.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on minnows and worms.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.32’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Sunfish are good on nightcrawlers. Crappie are slow.
HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 77 degrees; 14.74’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on live bait and cut carp.
JACKSONVILLE: Water stained; 72 degrees; 0.44’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged worms and shaky heads.
JOE POOL: Water stained; 80 degrees; 0.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, square-billed crankbaits and top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 90 degrees; 0.60’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on bladed jigs. Crappie are good on minnows.
FORK: Water stained; 81 degrees; 2.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, lipless crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.
FT PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 77 degrees; 8.09’
LAVON: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 3.75’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, Texas rigs and Carolina rigs. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on spinners and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait, liver and fresh chunks of shad.
LBJ: Water stained; 72 degrees; 0.36’ low. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.
LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 73 degrees; 2.49’
low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, spinner baits and crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs, jigs and live bait. Hybrid stripers are fair on jigs and live bait. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
LIMESTONE: Water lightly stained; 72 degrees; 2.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on moving baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good swimbaits and spinners.
LIVINGSTON: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees; 1.68’ low. White bass are fair on slabs.
MARTIN CREEK: Water stained; 80 degrees; 2.19’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on live or cut bait.
MEREDITH: Water stained; 70 degrees; 48.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on minnows and artificials. White bass are good on spoons and jigs. Walleye are good on minnows, grubs and other artificials. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers, minnows and frozen shad.
MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 75 degrees; 2.13; low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on perch and shad.
stained; 80 degrees; 17.63’ low. White bass are fair on spoons and slabs. Crappie are fair on jigs.
PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 76 degrees; 1.52’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Hybrids are good on live minnows and spoons. Catfish are good on live minnows, cut bait and shrimp.
POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 74 degrees; 2.25’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, Carolina rigs, and jigs. Stripers are fair trolling with downriggers. Sand bass are slow. Catfish are good on cut shad and stink bait.
PROCTOR: Water stained; 85 degrees; 0.27’ high. Hybrids are good on slabs and jigs. Catfish are good on juglines.
RAVEN: Water stained; 79 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on flukes, worms and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bluegill are fair on worms and hotdogs. Catfish are fair on worms and stink bait.
NACOGDOCHES: Water stained; 70 degrees; 1.94’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs and deep-diving crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live minnows.
NACONICHE: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; full pool. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, square-billed crankbaits and chatter baits. Crappie are good jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow.
NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 80 degrees. 0.41’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, spinner baits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.
NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 0.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad and perch.
O H IVIE: Water slightly stained; 72 degrees; 26.69’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on frogs, Whopper ploppers, creature baits, and chatter baits. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on rattletraps and Alabama rigs. Catfish are good on stink bait.
OAK CREEK: Water lightly
RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 79 degrees; 2.96’ low. White bass are fair on spinner baits and top-waters. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad.
RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 83 degrees; 1.20’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are slow.
RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 74 degrees; 1.78’ low. White bass are slow. Hybrid stripers are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.
SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 77 degrees; 2.00’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and top-water frogs. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and minnows.
SOMERVILLE: Water stained; 72 degrees; 1.89’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on spoons. Hybrids are slow. Catfish are fair on cut shad or punch bait.
SPENCE: Water stained; 85 degrees. 45.74’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are good on spoons and inline spinners. Catfish are slow.
STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 78 degrees; 0.51’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics.
TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 82 degrees; 2.18’ low. Largemouth bass are
26
good on top-waters and spinner baits. Hybrid stripers and white bass are good on slabs, slab-spinners and swimbaits. Catfish are good on cut gizzard shad.
TEXANA: Water stained; 80 degrees; 2.79’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Catfish are good on cut bait.
TEXOMA: Water stained; 68 degrees; 2.14’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Stripers are good on live bait, swimbaits and A-rigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut and whole shad.
TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 80 degrees; 4.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, chatter baits, Texas rigs and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.
TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 73 degrees; 41.85’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on craws, drop shots, crankbaits and top-waters.
TYLER: Water stained; 75 degrees; 1.37’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait, liver and nightcrawlers.
WACO: Water stained; 80 degrees; 1.54’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Hybrids are good on swimbaits and spoons. Catfish are good on cut bait and live shad.
WHITE RIVER: Water stained; 75 degrees; 23.37’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
WHITNEY: Water stained; 82 degrees; 0.92’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.
WORTH: Water stained; 70 degrees; 3.09’ low. White bass are good on slabs with teaser flies. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait.
WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 80 degrees; 3.60’ high. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait.
OUTDOOR BLOTTER
NEW GAME WARDEN COLONEL NAMED
Ron A. VanderRoest was named the colonel of Texas game wardens. Col. VanderRoest has almost 25 years of law enforcement and leadership experience with the agency.
As the Law Enforcement Division Director, VanderRoest will oversee and represent a force of more than 550 game wardens, 135 non-commissioned field staff and 28 law enforcement offices across the state, providing a vision and setting the tone for law enforcement “off the pavement.” Additionally, he will contribute to the overall leadership of the agency and partner with other conservation agencies, first responders, state emergency
MAN MEDEVACED FROM CRUISE SHIP
After receiving a medevac request of a 71-year-old man who presented symptoms of a heart attack while aboard the Carnival cruise ship Jubilee, the Coast Guard launched a response boat and crew and coordinated with the Galveston Fire Department to assist. The crew arrived on scene, embarked the passenger and transported him to Station Galveston and into the care of emergency medical services personnel.
management and key constituents within and beyond TPWD to further the mission and contribute to public safety for the people of Texas.
“Col. VanderRoest will oversee an almost 130-year-old conservation law enforcement division as we enhance the expertise of our Texas game wardens through specialized training and advanced technology,”
TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz said.
VanderRoest graduated from the
47th Texas Game Warden Academy in 2000 and has served in various law enforcement roles during his almost 25-year tenure with the agency. First stationed in Denton County, he held multiple leadership roles within TPWD including his tenure as a captain in College Station and a major in Lubbock. He also served as adjunct faculty at Texas Tech University, instructing students in conservation law and leadership.
VanderRoest was instrumental in
developing the Field Training Officer Program and the Captain Mentor Training Program, among other accomplishments. In 2019, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
VanderRoest grew up in West Texas and has enjoyed hunting, fishing and exploring the outdoors, and has always been dedicated to helping people. VanderRoest holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Tarleton State University and served as a Texas A&M AgriLife Ex-
tension agent before joining TPWD. He is also a graduate of the National FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
LONGLINES FOUND IN GULF
On Oct. 21, the Coast Guard interdicted a lancha, illegally operating in U.S. waters — resulting in the crew’s arrest and seizure of the vessel. The next day, Texas game wardens with the Marine Tactical Operations Group patrolling the same area discovered 11,000 feet of illegal long-line fishing gear. The gear indiscriminately catches marine species.
STOLEN BOAT FROM MARINA
A boat was stolen from a North Point Marina slip on Belton Lake on Oct. 29 or 30. At this time, it is unknown whether the Triton 206 Allure V-hull ski style vessel has left the lake. Please contact Bell County game wardens or the Bell County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information or see the vessel.
PERFORMANCE BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED
Austin Owens took this kudu in South Africa. He used his Christensen Arms in 7mm PRC rifle to make the shot.
Hayes Ledger, 10, caught this snook in Little Bay in Rockport. He used a MirrOlure Lil John to hook the fish.
In June, Marilyn Deuell, 72, who has multiple sclerosis and is a novice hunter, hand-and-knee crawled and butt-scooted the Nez Perce mountains to take this black bear with the help of guide Andrew Sealy of the Flying B Ranch in Kamiah, Idaho.
John B Collier VI, 14, with his 130-inch, 9-point buck. He also shot a 150-pound hog and a doe within 10 minutes of each other while hunting opening morning of the youth season in Erath County.
CARBON ON CARBON FOR WHEN EVERY OUNCE COUNTS
THE COMFORT OF CARRYING IT IS ONLY MATCHED BY THE COMFORT OF SHOOTING IT.
At only 6.2 pounds you’ll be amazed a rifle this light can pack in so many features. Starting with the strength and rigidity of the monocoque carbon fiber stock, it has a built in cheek rest and QD sling swivel mounts. Topped off with our Cure™ Carbon Barrel you’ll get the weight savings and accuracy needed for the most demanding of hunts. With the Crest Carbon your backcountry hunts will never be the same.
A PLACE TO SHOOT SAN ANTONIO, TX
ALPINE RANGE FORT WORTH, TX
APACHE RIFLE WORKS COMFORT, TX
BUCKS & DOES SAN ANTONIO, TX
CARTERS COUNTRY SPRING, TX HOUSTON, TX PASADENA, TX
DEFENDER OUTDOORS FORT WORTH, TX
FIELD AND STREAM SAN ANGELO, TX
FUN GUNS WACO, TX
GLICK TWINS PHARR, TX
HOFFPAUIR FARM & RANCH LAMPASAS, TX BURNETT, TX
LOS CAZADORES STONEWALL, TX PEARSALL, TX BUCHANAN DAM, TX
MCBRIDES AUSTIN, TX
MODERN PAWN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
NAGELS GUN SHOP SAN ANTONIO, TX
NATIVE OUTDOORS HEATH, TX
OASIS OUTBACK UVALDE, TX
PORTERS FLINT, TX
PRACO PAWN WACO, TX
SHARP SHOOTERS LUBBOCK, TX
SPORTSMANS FINEST BEE CAVE, TX
SUPERIOR OUTDOORS LONGVIEW, TX
TEXAS GUN EXPERIENCE GRAPEVINE, TX
THE OUTDOORSMAN SAN ANGELO, TX
VICTIORIA ALL SPORTS VICTORIA, TX
WILKERSONS GUNS BOERNE, TX
B-142 Crest Carbon
Buck Contest. Hunters brought in their bucks to be scored, and prizes were awarded to opening day winners in the adult and youth divisions.
In Uvalde, hunters headed to the Hunters Roundup & BBQ Cook-Off at the Fairplex Rodeo Arena.
Poteet resident Ruben Pizana Jr. hit the jackpot, harvesting a nice buck on the first day of the archery season, another buck later in archery season, and a third on opening day of the general season.
All three bucks — a 9-, 10- and 12-pointer — were
ing quite a few bucks at the lease near Zapata, adding one of the hunters spotted as many as 20 doe in one
partment biologists said they expect deer hunters nities to fill their freezers. Much of the state received drought-quenching rain in the spring, which allowed for excellent habitat growth during the initial part of
Additionally, the improved habitat conditions earlier this year helped keep fawns healthy enough to survive their first few months. With the summer drought, hunters may encounter deer as they search for native and supplemental food sources.
One South Texas hunter agreed the deer were healthy. In Willacy County, Frank Torres bagged what he and the hunters at the family-owned place said was one of the heaviest bucks taken there in 5 years.
West Texas aoudad focus of documentary
By Craig Nyhus Lone Star outdoor newS
The aoudad of West Texas have become something of a cash crop. In the new documentary video series episode, “Connecting the Dots — West Texas,” Blood Origins creator Robbie Kroger, a native of South Africa, examines the impact of hunting, particularly aoudad hunting, on far West Texas ranches and communities.
The area is home to large, expansive cattle ranches and smaller West Texas towns that rely on tourism, including hunting for their economies.
In the 43-minute film, available on YouTube, Kroger conducts indepth interviews with rancher Wendy Roderick of the Nail Ranch, residents from Alpine, Marfa and Presidio and Tom Davis, the ranch manager of Cibolo Creek Ranch, along with West Texas guide Wes Mundy.
Ranchers shared that while cattle ranching pays the bills, the volatile industry has its ups and downs. Hunting, especially aoudad hunting, creates a cushion to make it through the tough years and provide a profit in the lean cattle years.
“Cattle take care of the day-to-day stuff,” Roederick said. “Hunting is the sweets.”
Davis and Mundy said the hunting raises the importance of the conservation of and connection to the land.
“We need to control the aoudad population, they compete with cattle and other animals for food,” Davis said. “But the hunting is drought-proof. The aoudad will live whether it’s raining or not.”
Townspeople agreed the communities all benefit from hunters, as the towns have the greatest needs when it comes to economic development, with every slice of the pie playing a pivotal role in the survival of that community. Hunting is described as an important slice of that pie.
Hunters found this blind full of wasps, for an opening morning surprise.
Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Duck season is here
ers who headed out with five captains on five airboats on opening day shot limits, but only
The hunters saw plenty of redheads, although Garst said there weren’t any big groups yet. “We don’t have the duck numbers like last year yet,” he said. “A lot of the birds are in the fresh water on the ranches. We just need a front to push some birds down and hopefully this The season in the North Zone opens Nov. 9.
Haley McPhaul took two redheads on her first duck hunt near Port Aransas. Photo by Aidan Flores.
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TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES
Nueces
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER
ACROSS
4) Taylor County’s seat
6) Shot size used by duck hunters
7) Hunting rifle brand
11) Webb County’s seat 12) Common oak in the Hill Country 13) A Great Lake
White bass lure 18) One of the cats 19) Decatur’s county 21) Central Texas river, San ___
Ammo brand
Shotgun brand 26) Turkey hunters’ org. 27) Shotshell brand
29) Belton’s county
30) Favorite venison part
31) Crankbait type
33) Group of feral hogs
38) Goose species
40) Junction’s county
41) Central Texas lake 43) Bass ambush spot 44) Coastal bay 45) Safari destination 46) DeWitt County’s seat
Month for deer, duck hunters
Oldest fishing hook material
Hunting boot brand
Worm rigging style, ___ shot
Bonham’s county
14) An African antelope 15) Border lake 16) Ancient fishing line material 17) A goose favorite 20) Common South Texas wind direction 23) East Texas bass lake
25) A deer favorite
27) One of the eagles
28) Andy’s fishing partner
30) Turkey call type
32) Group of porcupines
34) They live in towns, ___ dogs
35) Fishing line type
36) Fishing, hunting wader brand
37) Four-time Classic winner
39) The female deer
42) Sinker type
Agency for GAIM
GAIM Immersive Technology Group, creator of virtual training simulators for firearms users, retained Gunpowder, Inc. as its public relations agency.
Sales groups for
St. Croix
St. Croix Rod hired Redband Sports Group and Wisco Outfitters to represent the company’s fly-fishing brand in key fly-fishing regions of the U.S.
Pure Fishing refinances debt
Pure Fishing Inc. announced it closed a deal to refinance its outstanding debt in a 5-year, $750 million lien with a consortium of lenders.
Acquisition for Garmin
Garmin Ltd. acquired Lumishore, a company that manufactures above and underwater LED lighting systems for boats.
Hornady recognized
Hornady was recognized as Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers.
BRP selling off marine businesses
BRP Inc. announced it is initiating a process for the sale of its marine businesses, namely Alumacraft, Manitou and Telwater.
New division at Fusion Thermal Fusion Thermal LLC created a new corporate division, Wave Infrared, which will offer next-generation thermal devices with military features at competitive prices.
Northland Tackle acquired
GSM Outdoors announced the acquisition of Northland Fishing Tackle. Northland produces jigs, live bait rigs, spinnerbaits and spoons for a variety of freshwater fish.
Marinade
1 1/2 cups wine
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp. horseradish
1 tsp. garlic powder
Dish
1/3 cup oil
Stir-fry vegetable mix
1 tsp. minced garlic
10-ounce can chicken broth
Black pepper
1/2 to 1 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup white wine
3 tbsps. soy sauce
3 tbsps. cornstarch
Marinate wild turkey breasts overnight. Preheat 12-inch Dutch oven with 1/3 cup oil. Will take about 9 charcoal briquettes. Remove turkey from marinade and cook in hot oil until meat changes color. Add prepared stir-fry mix. Cover and simmer until vegetables tender. Add remaining ingredients. Cook for additional 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve with rice. —Oklahoma DWC
2 cups oysters, drained, coarsely chopped, liquid reserved
2 sleeves saltine crackers, crushed
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green onions, including tops
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter, add onion, green onions, celery and lightly sauté. Remove from heat. Add cream, thyme, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine crushed crackers and vegetable mix. Add oysters and toss lightly. Add reserved oyster liquid until stuffing is moist, about 1/4 cup. Place in shallow greased baking pan. Bake until done through and crusty on top, about 30 to 40 minutes.
—NOAA Fisheries
NORTH DAKOTA State-record bullhead
Daniel Wegener, of Fort Totten, caught a 4-pound, 9-ounce bullhead Sept. 27 on Devils Lake. The bullhead, which measured 19 inches, broke a state record for the species that’s been in the books for more than 35 years.
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department confirmed the record.
The previous record of 4 pounds, 1 ounce was set in 1988 by Riley Zavada, also at Devils Lake.
—NDGF
Policy department at Delta Waterfowl
Delta Waterfowl announced the launch of the Delta Waterfowl Center for Policy and Legislative Affairs — a new organization directly aligned with the Delta Waterfowl Foundation.
FLORIDA
Sunglass promotion with DU
Bajio Sunglasses has teamed up with Ducks Unlimited and Mossy Oak to raise funds to protect and preserve the wetlands that ducks and fish rely on. For each sale of Bajio’s limited edition duck kits, they’ll donate $30 per kit to Ducks Unlimited. This kit includes the choice of one of four sunglass models, a gift box, drawstring and cap, and will be available while supplies last.
—Bajio Sunglasses
VIRGINIA
Sportfishing awards
From spearheading essential conservation measures in the Farm Bill to advocating for the repeal of Sunday hunting bans and fighting for expanded public access nationwide, Delta Waterfowl’s policy team works closely with state and federal legislators to protect the interests of duck hunters.
With the establishment of the new Center for Policy and Legislative Affairs, Delta Waterfowl is poised to elevate its efforts for duck hunters across the nation.
—Delta Waterfowl
MONTANA
Two mule deer bucks poached
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens continue to look for information on two mule deer bucks that were poached east of Florence earlier this month. The potential cash reward for tips was increased to $2,000 thanks to a private donation.
The first deer was discovered on Oct. 4 and the other was found in the same location on Oct. 8. Both deer were shot and left to waste.
—MFWP
MINNESOTA
Big numbers in clay target league
A total of 15,823 student athletes participated in USA Clay Target League programs this fall. Those athletes are competing on 873 high school, college and homeschool teams nationwide.
Every year, 95 percent of non-graduating students return to participate in the League’s programs, and more than 13,000 new athletes joined the League this year through their school’s teams.
With more than 52,000 participating athletes in 2024, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country. The League is the safest sport in school, with not one reported injury since the inception of the League in 2001. Each athlete must complete firearm safety certification before participation.
—USACTL
The American Sportfishing Association delivered three awards to leaders in the sportfishing industry. Dan McDonald, President and CEO of Yakima Bait Company, received the Outstanding Leadership Award; Pat Neu, Executive Director of the National Professional Anglers Association, was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award; and Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations at the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, was honored with the inaugural Inspire Award. —ASA
ALABAMA
No entry fees in Elite Series
B.A.S.S. announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series, heading into its 20th season, will no longer require entry fees. In 2025, competitors will no longer fish for their own money, saving qualifying anglers $45,000 per year.
“We have been looking at this model for quite some time,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “But, we wanted to make sure that when we flip this switch, which we believe will change the face of professional bass fishing, that the concept is sustainable for the future.”
—B.A.S.S.
INTERNATIONAL Grawshay’s zebras moved
Gorongosa National Park requested the translocation of around 40 zebra from Coutada 11 in the Zambeze Delta. This is a particular subspecies of zebra, known as the Crawshay’s zebra, which has a relatively small range spanning eastern Zambia, southeastern Tanzania and Mozambique.
The Zambeze Delta’s zebra population has recovered dramatically from near extirpation post-war to an estimated 1,456 based on the most recent aerial survey. In contrast, the zebras in Gorongosa have not fared as well, with only an estimated 50-100 individuals remaining.
They were captured using a helicopter to coerce them into the catching area and on to the trucks. From the capture site, the animals were moved by trucks to the park. They arrived safely with their veterinary team fitting collars on a few individuals to track their postrelease movements.
In exchange for the zebra, ZDC will be receiving a coalition of two lion males which will help to further diversify the genetics of the lions that were reintroduced there.
—Cabela Family Foundation
Patterning trout, reds
Continued from page 1
oversized redfish along the ledge of the Sabine Pass channel on live shrimp. Most of the trout have ranged from 14-19 inches.
“There have not been big schools of bull reds running through the pass or feeding along the jet ties or the beachfront like we typically see in the fall,” Phillips said. “We have been finding some slot redfish in the lake along the Louisiana shore line, and there are quite a few fish to be caught up in the Neches River.”
Phillips said large numbers of shrimp, baitfish and game fish are still hanging out in the back reaches of marshes with the above average tide levels.
Capt. Chris Elliott said the most productive pat tern along the flats in Baffin Bay has been almost identical to what was working for him during the summertime. Wade-fishing grass beds with pot holes in thigh- to waist-deep water with soft plas tics has produced the most success for his anglers.
“Conditions have been extremely warm and mild,” Elliott said. “The fish don’t have a calendar — they’re not going to move until the water tem perature really starts to drop and we get more cold fronts on a consistent basis.”
Elliott’s anglers have been catching very few redfish, and most of the trout have been concentrated along the bottom in potholes and sand pockets between grass beds. The majority of the specks have been in the 16-23-inch range, with a handful of trout pushing 7.5 pounds.
“We usually encounter schools of bull reds consistently during the fall along the Laguna Madre as well, and that’s something that we just haven’t seen yet this year,” Elliott said. “I will say, that the trout seem to be putting some weight on, but they really haven’t moved far from their typical summertime haunts just yet.”
At Getaway Lodge at Port Mansfield, Capt. Steve Ellis, said fall patterns along the Lower Laguna Madre have been delayed as well.
“There have been virtually no schools of bull redfish to speak of,” Ellis said. “You may catch an oversized fish here and there, but we aren’t seeing schools of them like we normally do in the fall. We do have some decent sized schools of mid-slot redfish roaming around, but they are in different areas, seemingly each day. You’ve got to cover water to find them.”
Ellis said there are plenty of slot reds to be caught over stretches with oyster shell, as well as over sand flats and large grass beds.
“The trout bite has been consistent, too, especially over deep grass beds in about 4 feet of water near color changes,” he said. “The fish seem to be hunkered down in thick seagrass beds, rather than around smaller, broken grass beds with sand pockets mixed in.” Ellis added he has not seen the water in Port Mansfield as high as it is for this long of a period in quite a while.
Brandon Rust caught and released this 21-pound bull redfish while fishing out of Getaway Lodge at Port Mansfield. Photo by Capt. Steve Ellis.
Targeting largemouths
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT
SABINE LAKE: 85 degrees. Speckled trout are good on gold spoons and soft plastics. Redfish are fair on live shrimp under a popping cork.
BOLIVAR: 77 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp. Speckled trout, black drum and large croaker are good on live and natural baits.
TRINITY BAY: 75 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics under the birds. Redfish are good on soft plastics and live shrimp. Black drum are fair on live and dead shrimp.
EAST GALVESTON BAY: 74 degrees. Speckled trout and sand trout are good on soft plastics under flocks of working birds. Redfish and black drum are good on live shrimp.
GALVESTON BAY: 75 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are fair on live shrimp.
WEST GALVESTON BAY: 76 degrees. Black drum, redfish and speckled trout are good on live shrimp.
TEXAS CITY: 75 degrees. Bull redfish and black drum are fair on cut crab and cut shad. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live shrimp and live mullet.
and speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and top-waters.
PORT O’CONNOR: 84 degrees. Bull redfish are fair on blue crab and Spanish sardines. Slot redfish are fair on live shrimp. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp. Black drum are good on live shrimp.
SAN ANTONIO BAY: 80 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on live shrimp. ROCKPORT: 84 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on croaker and piggy perch. Redfish are good on shrimp, piggy perch, cut skipjack and mullet. Black drum are fair on live or dead shrimp and fish bites.
REDFISH BAY: 83 degrees. Black drum are good on piggy perch, cut skipjack and cut or live mullet. Redfish are fair on shrimp and cut mullet. Speckled trout are slow.
PORT ARANSAS: 84 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp, cut mullet and cut skipjack. Speckled trout are good on croaker, piggy perch and live shrimp. Black drum are fair on shrimp.
CORPUS CHRISTI: 83 degrees. Redfish, speckled trout and black drum are fair on live shrimp under a popping cork.
little tougher than normal. Unlike many other lakes, Ivie is up 7 feet, said guide Brett
“The lake is turning over,” he said. “With the higher water, the shallow fish are up Cannon’s best success has come when using swimbaits in shad colors. “It’s the calm before the storm right now,” he said. “The fish will start to group up as it gets colder.”
FREEPORT: 85 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastic jigs. Redfish are good in the surf on live or cut mullet. Black drum, sand trout and big croaker are fair on live and dead shrimp.
EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 85 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on soft plastics and top-waters.
WEST MATAGORDA: 85 degrees. Redfish
BAFFIN BAY: 80 degrees. Redfish are good on spoons and soft plastics. Speckled trout are fair on top-waters, soft plastics and slowsinking twitch baits.
PORT MANSFIELD: 80 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics and twitch baits. Redfish are fair on top-waters and soft plastics.
SOUTH PADRE: 80 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp. Redfish and black drum are fair on shrimp. Mangrove snapper are good on shrimp. —TPWD
Brett Cannon landed this 8-pound largemouth at O.H. Ivie Reservoir while dealing with higher water levels.
Photo from Brett Cannon.
Operation Orphans girls’ hunt
“No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child”
That’s the motto of Operation Orphans’ Camp Gene Ashby, where on Oct. 25, 32 girls ages 6-17 and six nonhunters from six child residential and foster homes gathered to enjoy a few days of fun, and especially a deer hunt.
The girls, counselors, volunteers and guides stayed in the newly renovated bunk rooms with, among other things, a new cooling and heating system and windows that were donated by the Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth. The SCFW has been supporting Operation Orphans since the camp’s inception in 1960. When a few of their directors visited the camp, they learned that the 64-year-old facility had never had air conditioning in the bunk as well as many other buildings on the premises.
The participants were from homes located in Hockley, Stephenville, Houston, Lubbock, and Baytown.
Many of the youngsters had never hunted or been in the outdoors. The girls and their counselors began with an orientation meeting where they learned about gun safety and were shown how to properly use a firearm and the expectations for the following day. They then were assigned sleeping bunks, visited the clothing room where each kid was supplied a new pair of boots and warm clothing for them to keep.
After dinner was served, the young ladies were treated to a haunted hayride through the camp’s game pasture where besides getting to observe wild animals in their habitat, they saw ghouls, ghosts and a haunted cemetery. After the hayride, they enjoyed S’mores by the campfire and then it was off to bed.
It was time for the hunt. The girls were awakened at 3:30 a.m., and after breakfast they left with counselors and guides for their hunts on several ranches in the surrounding area. These area ranchers allow the hunters to take whitetail does, bucks and a few exotics to let the children harvest meat that they take back with them, as well as teaching them about managing wildlife populations on their ranches.
Many of the young girls have never had the advantage of spending time with and experiencing nature.
They learned that with a little patience, they could harvest an animal, help process the meat and take it back with them to feed others at home, thus giving them a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
At the end of the day, the young ladies had harvested 23 does, three bucks, one spike, two aoudad sheep, and three axis deer. Thirty-two girls harvested 32 animals, spent a day with people that cared about them, and learned a lesson in how satisfying it is to provide food for themselves and others.
After returning to Camp Gene Ashby, the girls helped the volunteers process their meat and prepare for the trip back on Sunday morning. The young ladies gathered for dinner and shared their stories with each other and the volunteers. It was a great experience for all involved, and new friendships were made that will hopefully last well into the future.
Weatherford woman wins Free Deer Hunt
You may have seen the ad for a Free Deer Hunt at 3 Amigos Ranch in the pages of recent issues of Lone Star Outdoor News. On Nov. 2, a random, computerized drawing from all of the email addresses received took place, and the winner was Amber Kuhn.
Kuhn, of Weatherford, responded to her selection almost immediately.
“Myself, my husband and our 6-year-old daughter went to the Texas Trophy Hunters Extravaganza in Fort Worth back in August where I entered my email into the giveaway,” she said. “When I got the email saying I won I was shocked and am beyond excited. We spend the majority of our time at our deer lease in Eastland County where we dove, turkey, duck and deer hunt. Last year, on opening weekend I shot my first 10-pointer and he scored 125 inches.”
Kuhn said her daughter shot her first pig, doe and 9-point buck last season at 5 years old.
“We can’t wait to share our love for the outdoors with our son who is scheduled to arrive early next year,” she said. “I can’t wait to go hunt!”
Lone Star outdoor newS
Thirty-two young girls harvested 32 animals at the Operation Orphans Girls Hunt, headquartered out of Camp Gene Ashby in Mason County. Photo from Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth.
Taking the youngsters
Continued from page 6
his first deer at the same age.
The youngster said they were sitting in a blind where they could see two feeders. The buck his dad wanted him to shoot actually showed up at the opposite feeder than the one they were facing, so they had to get turned around in the blind and switch seats in order for Jarrett to get a shot.
“We had to wait a long time for him to get clear from the other deer and turn broadside for me to get a good shot,” Watson said. “He was standing at about 80 yards when I final ly got my chance.”
Watson found his aiming point and squeezed the trigger, and the deer fell in its tracks.
“I was so excited walking up to my first buck with my dad,” Watson said.
The 6-year-old went out to a different fam ily property in Uvalde County with his dad that evening, and harvested his second deer, another 8-pointer.
Eight-year-old Mason Pawlik shot a 10-point buck while hunting during the evening with his dad, Wes, on his family’s property in Wilson County. The buck scored approximately 154 inches — the biggest buck that they have killed on their family property.
“We had to sneak into the blind that afternoon, because there were already does out when we were walking in,” the youngster explained. “It was really hot and my dad and I were both dripping sweat in the blind.”
Some more does showed up, and then the buck came out. Pawlik said they had seen the deer the last couple of seasons, and they had been watching him on camera over the weeks leading up to this season.
“We hadn’t seen him on camera for about a week and a half,” he said. “I was super pumped when I realized it was him.”
The buck came in toward the feeder they were overlooking from the left. He pushed around a couple of the does before turning broadside at about 70 yards.
“I aimed right behind his shoulder with my .223 rifle and pulled the trigger,” Pawlik said. “The buck jumped and then took off running into the brush.”
Fortunately, the deer only ran about 30 yards.
“I was shaking when I was aiming at him and my heart was beating really fast, but my dad was shaking more than me,” Pawlik said. “As we were walking up to him, the buck just kept getting bigger and bigger.”
Excused absence
Continued from page 4
The buck was standing at about 15 yards from their blind, as Masters took a steady aim with her crossbow. She held the crosshairs tight to his shoulder, just like she had practiced, and squeezed the trigger.
“I watched as the bolt hit him right where I was aiming,” she said. “He jumped and mule kicked, and then took off running.”
Masters and her dad watched as the buck ran about 40-45 yards before crashing just out of view.
“We waited about 15 minutes, and then got down out of the blind to find my arrow,” Masters said. “There was a steady blood trail to where he fell down and before I knew it, I was standing next to my very first buck.”
The 8-pointer had a 17-inch spread and was estimated to be 5 or 6 years old.
“I was shaking with excitement,” Masters said. “It was such an amazing feeling to make a good shot and see all of my hard work and practice come together in this moment with my dad.”
Masters returned to school the next day with a printed picture of her with her buck. On the back of the photo, her dad wrote an excuse note for her absence to her teacher that read:
“Please excuse Evalynn Masters’ absence. The acorns were raining, the bucks were moving, and the Good Lord blessed her with the opportunity to kill her first buck. Thank you for understanding.”
Mason Pawlik took this 154-inch 10-point buck on his family’s property during the youth-only weekend. Photo by Wes Pawlik.
Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing launches the Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400
Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing, a leading premium firearms retailer, is excited to introduce the Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400. This exclusive model is a masterpiece of craftsmanship that brings together the best of modern performance with the timeless beauty of vintage firearms.
The receiver, finished in matte black cerakote, provides both durability and a perfect canvas for intricate laser-engraved designs. The exclusive Baroque floral motifs and scroll patterns add an air of old-world elegance, creating a striking contrast against the dark, modern finish. These engravings are inspired by the ornate firearms of yesteryear, giving the A400 Grand Luxe a truly distinctive and classic feel.
The premium walnut stock and forend pairs beautifully with the classic Beretta 391-style metal forend flange, adding a nostalgic flair reminiscent of the beloved 391 series. Every detail has been considered to evoke the refined aesthetics of traditional semi-auto shotguns, showcasing Cole’s commitment to craftsmanship. The result is a shotgun that not only performs flawlessly but also stands out as a work of art.
Cole Gunsmithing performs a precision trigger job for a crisp, clean and consistent pull. An action polish for smooth and effortless cycling and installation of a matching oversized operating handle and bolt closer for enhanced control and ease of use. Lastly, Cole Gunsmithing installs its Cole Precision OBHP extended chokes which are designed and manufactured for performance shooting.
“We are thrilled to continue our tradition of creating exclusive, elite shotgun models with our partners at Beretta,” said Rich Cole, Owner of Cole Gunsmithing. “This collaboration represents our shared commitment to providing professionals and enthusiasts alike with unparalleled customer service and excellent craftsmanship. The Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400 is a must-have, combining the utmost quality you expect from Beretta and Cole Fine Gunsmithing.”
Available in gold or silver filled engraving options, the Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400 offers options to suit the preferences of every customer. The Grand Luxe also includes three Cole precision OBHP extended chokes in black or silver, a Cole reel style choke wrench, a choke tube case and a Cole pro hardshell case.
Cole Fine Guns has a long-standing reputation for providing top-quality firearms and exceptional customer service. With this new launch, the company continues to uphold its commitment to offering the finest firearms available on the market.
For more information about the Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400 and other premium firearms offered by Cole Fine Guns, visit colefineguns.com or contact the sales team at (800) 650-2653.
Lone Star outdoor newS
The Cole Pro Grand Luxe Beretta A400 is available in gold or silver filled engraving options. Photo from Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing.
DATEBOOK
NOVEMBER 9-10
TEXAS GUN & KNIFE SHOWS
Kerrville Expo Hall (830) 285-0575
texasgunandknifeshows.com
NOVEMBER 13
DELTA WATERFOWL
Houston Banquet Lodge 88 (713) 591-1771 deltawaterfowl.org
NOVEMBER 14
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Corpus Christi Banquet
Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds (361) 290-0017 ducks.org
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB
Brackish Member Event Brackish, Dallas (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
NOVEMBER 16
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
Texas State Rendezvous Venatura Excursions, Hondo (832) 655-3180 rmef.org
NOVEMBER 21
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Weatherford Dinner
Parker County Sheriff’s Posse (817) 597-0652 ducks.org
DECEMBER 3
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB
Store Sale and Packing Party
DSC Headquarters (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
DECEMBER 5
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB
DSC 100 Volunteer Party
Southwest Gallery (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
DELTA WATERFOWL
Southeast Texas Banquet
Bowers Civic Center, Port Arthur (409) 273-1792 deltawaterfowl.org
HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION
Christmas Party The Barn, Cypress (713) 623-8844 hscfdn.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED
DUVAL COUNTY South Texas Dove Hunting 200 acres, Lodging (RV Power Available) Huntershilton.com For more info (361) 244-0544 or (361) 443-9330
MOBILE SPORTING CLAYS FOR HIRE!
Fundraisers, Corporate, Parties! Sales/Service all Traps! 40+ Years Experience! (817) 999-1395
RENO EQUIPMENT/ RIO GRANDE PIPE
Our companies sell structural pipe in several sizes, from small pipe for gates, to standard sizes for fencing, on up to the larger sizes for H-braces, barn legs and even culverts. We stock pipe sizes from 1” to 20”, we even have heavy weight and thick wall pipe in several sizes for heavy duty projects. We also sell an assortment of other equipment, currently we have some surplus tanks (8400gal, steel, 12’w x 7’h), some tinhorn/culvert material (from 4’dia x 6’-10’L to 16’dia x 10’-20’L), 18’ & 20’ gooseneck tandem single trailers, and some cattle guards. Contact Josh Brown at (505)-366-3428, or Cody Hudson at (575)-441-1186.
SOUTHWEST RANCH SALES
463+/- Acres, Stilwell, OK. Like new, furnished barndominum, metal shop, metal storage building. Excellent whitetail deer, turkey, wild hog hunting. Asking $1,265,000. MOTIVATED! SWRANCHSALES.COM (972) 542-8511
SOLDOUT
Cigar, Whiskey and Ugly Sweater Night
Harlem Road BBQ, Richmond (713) 471-8854 ducks.org
DECEMBER 14-15
TEXAS GUN & KNIFE SHOWS
Amarillo Civic Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com
1,760 ACRES FOR SALE HUNTING AND CATTLE RANCH LOCATED IN SW OK, NEAR WELLINGTON, TX STACEY GREB (580) 678-0662 UNITED COUNTRY HEARD AUCTION & REAL ESTATE
HUNT SOUTH TEXAS
All native game 350 acres near Freer Fully equipped ranch house with satellite TV Prices start at 150.00 per person per day Your choice of trophy buck, 2500.00 References (361) 947-0584
CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER PUPPIES New litter. Champion Bloodlines Best Hunting Dog for Duck & Geese All Health Clearances. Located in Texas. (281) 352-9294
OUTDOORS CHIROPRACTIC DOCTOR Dr. Hunter Fritz, D.C. Serving North Texas Call or Book Online Hunter@kineticcentre.com (214) 618-0324, (214) 546-7613
Ringing in at the range
By Darlene McCormick
Sofia Sanchez, 26, and her boyfriend Brett Gillean, 35, like spending time at the gun range practicing shooting ARs and handguns.
So when Gillean decided to pop the question, he knew it had to be Texas-style.
With the help of his sister, Gillean designed and printed a special poster with a bull’s-eye under the words, “Will you marry me?”
Sanchez’s father and mother got to the Small Groups Rifle Range near Commerce ahead of the couple on Nov. 3. They hung the poster 100 yards away, so it couldn’t be read except through a scope.
While Gillean got ready with the ring, Sanchez sat down to shoot her rifle, looking through the scope at the target.
“What!” she said in surprise after reading the message. She spun around to find Gillean on one knee with the ring ready.
She happily agreed to marry him as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
To make it official, she took a shot at the target’s bull’s-eye marked with the word “Yes,” hitting the 10 ring.
The newly engaged couple were all smiles as they walked down the range together, ready to give marriage their best shot.
Sanchez
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Photo by Bobby Sanchez.
