Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
November 13, 2020
Volume 17, Issue 6
Rifle opener mild, hunting mixed By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Mariah Langston holds an East Matagorda Bay redfish she caught while drifting over mud and shell, using live shrimp. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Tides, water temperatures drop Fish returning to usual fall spots By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News After being plagued by high tides for weeks, Texas coastal bays are experiencing normal water levels once again. Northerly winds from frontal systems passing through at the beginning of the month drained estuaries, reduced water temperatures and increased activity from speckled trout, redfish and flounder. Anglers up and down the coast are taking advantage of the patterns these autumn conditions are producing. East Matagorda Bay angler Chris McKinley said the return of normal water levels significantly improved the fishing across his home waters. “In October, the water temperature was pretty warm and tides were super high, basically throughout the entire month,” he said. “We were wet-wading in areas that were a foot or more deeper than they usually are. This had our fish scattered and it made it tough to stay on them consistently.” McKinley said since the cold fronts that passed through at the start of November, birds have been working across East Matagorda bay over schools of
Some deer hunters watched bucks still in bachelor groups, while others saw more activity, indicating the rut won’t be far behind. Photo by Nate Skinner, Lone Star Outdoor News.
The opening weekend of the general rifle season for white-tailed deer greeted hunters with what most would consider less than ideal conditions. Patches of dense fog rolled in over certain areas during the morning hours, and the afternoons were definitely on the balmy side. The mild weather didn’t prevent deer hunters from flocking to their stands, however. Some found themselves in the right place at the right time, while others experienced slow hunts, void of activity from mature bucks. Dickinson resident Link Smith spent opening weekend at his lease in Coryell County along the Leon River, where he harvested a mature 8-point buck that scored a little over 150 inches. “I had set out to harvest this buck, and on the second morning of opening weekend, I was presented with my opportunity,” Smith said. “There were about eight to 10 doe at the feeder at the edge of the trees, and several more does in the field that I could see out of the side window of the blind. Then all of a sudden, all of the deer stopped grazing and started staring in my direction.” Smith said he was being real still and sitting near the back of the blind. “I thought to myself, surely these deer can’t see me,” he explained. “I finally turned around and saw the buck I was after about 60 feet behind me in the middle of the field. That’s what all those deer were looking at. I couldn’t believe it.” After about 20 minutes, the brute finally moved off to the right of the blind, and he was able to take him. “To harvest a 150-inch, 8-point buck is pretty special, especially in the Hill Country, and I am extremely proud of this deer,” Smith said. Farther west, Ed Mutch said the deer activity around his feeders on his lease
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Duck hunters head out in South Zone By Craig Nyhus
Many waterfowlers experienced good shoots when the South Zone season opened Nov. 7. Photo by David J. Sams, 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 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
Lone Star Outdoor News Coastal prairie duck hunters enjoyed a good opening weekend in Texas’ South Zone. While North Zone hunters waited for their opener the following week, waterfowlers in the Garwood Prairie found good numbers of shovelers, teal and pintail. At the Garwood Hunting Club, most of the groups bagged limits.
“I had two father-son pairs and the sons had never duck hunted,” said guide Randy Wheeler. “They took a lot of shots — but got their birds.” Wheeler said the ducks wanted to be out in the middle of the ponds at first light on opening day. “They decoyed better later in the morning,” he said. While shovelers and teal hung from most of the hunters’ straps, Wheeler said on Sunday his three hunters killed limits with no Please turn to page 15
HUNTING
FISHING
Quail, crane seasons open (P. 4)
Tuna trips (P. 8)
Early hunting reports trickle in.
Port A excursions bringing yellowfin, blackfin.
Collin County monster (P. 5)
River fishing (P. 8)
Buck taken on 25-acre tract.
Cool water for trout, bass.
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November 13, 2020
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HUNTING
Sandhill crane season off and running Shawn George,14, of Boerne, took a 30-yard shot after a long stalk while hunting the Delaware Mountain Ranch north of Van Horn. The mule deer was 23.5 inches wide. Photo from Perry George.
Teen arrows first muley By Lili Sams
Lone Star Outdoor News Shawn George, 14, experienced the majesty of West Texas while pursuing his first mule deer with a bow at the Delaware Mountain Ranch. Accompanied by his dad, Perry, and friend/guide Waylan Owens they arrived in Van Horn Friday and by Saturday morning the group was putting on a stalk, but this wouldn’t be the only stalk. It was one of three. Two bucks were spotted bedding at 40 yards, although on the smaller side, George decided to take a shot. “I got a little buck fever and missed,” George said. One of the muleys ran off, while the other gave George another opportunity. A misfire of the release caused George’s arrow to fall out of position, giving the buck enough time to get out of shooting range. They found him again at 60 yards, but by the time George was getting close, the buck winded him. The group headed back to the camp for lunch. On the way, they spotted a lone buck bedded with 20 doe about 150-200 yards out. He was a bigger buck than the others they saw that morning. George slid up the side of a hill, downwind from the muley. As he was about to go over the peak, he looked back to see his dad giving him direction to stay low.
Retrievers often are fitted with goggles to protect their eyes from the strong beaks of sandhill cranes. Hunts in West Texas have been good in the early season. Photo by Caleb Clark.
Birds hitting West Texas decoy spreads By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News The season for sandhill cranes opened in Zone A, or the western portion of the state, on Halloween. Most hunters reported plentiful shooting opportunities,
with limits of the migratory birds being harvested over decoys. Impressive numbers of both mature and juvenile sandhills were willing to give decoy spreads a close look. It seems that the cranes were concentrated by age class, as some hunters harvested mostly young birds, while others were covered up
with fully-grown sandhills. Hotspots included areas around Lubbock and Amarillo. Kyle Cokinos chased cranes on the opener with a group of buddies outside of Lubbock over a cut corn field, surrounded by milo fields. “Our intention was originally to hunt ducks and cranes in the field to take advantage of
both the crane opener and the two-day duck opener in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit,” Cokinos said. “The amount of ducks and cranes hitting the field during the few days leading up to opening day were absolutely incredible. Then, for whatever reason, the ducks did not want to land in the corn field;
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Rough start for many quail hunters By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News The bulk of quail hunters tend to wait until well after the Nov. 1 opener to head out, preferring the cooler conditions for their bird dogs that generally follows the deer season. Some, though, don’t want to miss any chance to head to the field. Predictions of bird numbers weren’t encouraging this year, with numbers down in South Texas, West Texas and the Rolling Plains regions. But some areas beat the odds.
however, the sandhills definitely made up for that.” Cokinos said they set up near a center pivot in A-frame blinds. “We used a decoy spread of both ducks and crane decoys, and the cranes flew low and decoyed perfectly,” he said. “If you would’ve asked me before the hunt, I would’ve
Brother-sister duo buys Chas-Mac Feeder, blind manufacturer to stay in Houston By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Some areas in South Texas and pockets in the Rolling Plains have fair to good numbers of quail, while dry conditions had hunters reporting fewer birds in other areas. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
In Live Oak County, Randy Glenn reported flushing 29 coveys near George West. John Nelson hunted near San Isidro in the Rio Grande Valley and his dogs flushed 22 coveys in 1 1/2 days. And in Refugio County, while hog hunting, David Jones saw four coveys of 16 quail each. “Hog dogs and hogs take you to parts of the ranch that you would
never normally go or even want to go,” he said. At the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area near Cotulla, where conditions have been much drier, on Oct. 31, 60 hunters bagged just 39 bobwhite and three scaled quail. The next day, 31 hunters bagged six bobwhite and one scaled quail. Robert Perez, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s quail program Please turn to page 17
Elaine and Charles Reneau started Chas-Mac, Inc. in 1983, and turned over the reins of the company to Shawnna and Kevin Duke in October. “We were customers,” Duke said. “We had our (sheet metal) manufacturing plant a block away. People had asked us to make deer blinds since we had access to so much sheet metal, and when we got our first one done, we took it to Charles, because his was the only opinion that mattered.” When discussing the blind, Reneau mentioned that Chas-Mac was for sale, and the Duke siblings offered to buy the company, keep the name, and keep it in Houston to preserve Elaine and Charles’ legacy. The legacy started in 1983 after the Reneau’s had been making deer blinds for themselves. “We decided to try to sell them,” Mrs. Reneau said. Please turn to page 6
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November 13, 2020
Collin County produces another big buck
Brandon Hughes took this buck in Collin County, an archeryonly county that re-opened to hunting in 2012. Photo from Brandon Hughes.
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News In 2012, deer hunters could hunt in Collin County, after the county was opened up to archery-only hunters. Seemingly each year since, at least one report of a big buck being taken has come in. This year is no different, as Brandon Hughes, in his third year of hunting in the same area, arrowed a giant. Hughes, who lives in Whitewright, hunts on a friend’s 25-acre property, but wasn’t sharing any more information on where he hunts in the popular county. “I do a bunch of work there and help clean stuff up,” the 33-year-old said. “They let me hunt it.” Hughes had seen this buck each year he has hunted the property. “It’s amazing the bucks that come out of this county,” he said. “Just being able to hunt whitetails here is great — it was closed for so long. It did nothing but help the potential of the deer to grow big.”
On Oct. 13, he went to the property for the first time in the season and in 15 minutes, saw deer movement. “It was windy but I didn’t want to just sit at the house,” he said. ‘There were little bucks sparring, and a doe and yearling bedded down right under my stand.” The next evening, he got off of his construction job a little early and headed back. “I got in, and I was at the right place at the right time,” he said. “At about 6:40, I watched him come in. I started shaking, thinking, this is really happening.” The buck came to wihin 32 yards and Hughes made the shot. “It was intense,” he said. “I saw him pile up 25 yards from where I shot him. It happened so fast, it was like a blur.” There were other deer around, so Hughes sat in the stand until dark. “I called a buddy to come and help me get the deer out,” he said. Hughes believes the deer was 5 years old, and the buck green-scored 216. “I’m still on cloud nine,” he said. “I look at him every day.”
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DSC to recognize Brewer, Keck Lone Star Outdoor News Dallas Safari Club announced the winners of two of its most prestigious awards, the new Conservation Trailblazer Award, to be given to Clay Brewer; and the Capstick Award, to be given to Rob Keck. Conservation Trailblazer Award Clay Brewer has been selected as the inaugural winner of DSC’s Conservation Trailblazer Award. This award celebrates the contribution of wildlife professionals to the Clay Brewer field of game and non-game wildlife conservation, including wildlife and habitat management, applied research and policy. Brewer will be presented the award, plus a $10,000 contribution toward his work in wildlife conservation, at the Feb. 11 evening banquet during the 2021 DSC Convention. Brewer, who is the conservation director and bighorn sheep program lead of The Wild Sheep Foundation, was nominated for the award by Texas Bighorn Society President Dr. Sam Cunningham with support letters from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith, Wild Sheep Foundation President Gray Thornton and Texas Bighorn Society Board Member Emeritus Tommy Caruthers. “We would like to recognize his longtime dedication to the conservation and reestablishment of wildlife, especially bighorn sheep in the U.S. and Canada and desert bighorn sheep in the Southwest U.S., Texas and Mexico,” Cunningham wrote in his nominating letter. DSC Executive Director Corey Mason said Brewer’s career epitomizes what can be accomplished for wildlife and wild places through dedication, collaboration and selfless work. Brewer began his career at TPWD as a wildlife biologist in Central Texas and worked up the ranks to regional director. He built a solid partnership with many landowners recognizing that desert bighorns move across the landscape and that landowners are an integral part of desert bighorn management in Texas. These efforts were the benchmark in the reestablishment and continued conservation of the desert bighorn sheep in West Texas. At the Wild Sheep Foundation, Brewer
oversees wild sheep conservation, management and research activities in the western United States, Canada and Mexico. Capstick Award The DSC Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunting Heritage Award Committee selected Rob Keck as the award recipient. Keck will be presented with the award at the DSC Convention and Expo, Reflections, during the Saturday Rob Keck evening banquet on Feb. 13, 2021. To pay tribute to Peter H. Capstick, award recipients have shown long-term support and commitment to our hunting heritage through various avenues such as education, humanitarian causes, hunting involvement and giving. “Rob epitomizes what an individual with vision and purposeful work can accomplish for wildlife and our hunting heritage,” DSC Executive Director Corey Mason said. “He has guided and educated an untold number of people in his distinguished career.” Keck recently retired from the director of conservation position for Bass Pro Shops/ Cabela’s and is past Chairman of the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, and was the host of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Radio Show. For 27 years, as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Keck directed and fueled the return of the wild turkey in North America. While at NWTF, he oversaw the growth of the organization to more than a half-million members and developed a network of 2,400 chapters that completed habitat improvement projects on more than 4 million acres. As founder of the Families Afield initiative, he worked with the NWTF, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation to break down age-restrictive barriers that prevented kids from getting a hunting license and opened the door for mentored hunting for all ages. This program changed the law in 42 states, providing opportunities to more than 2.5 million new hunters. Keck also is a passionate big-game hunter who has hunted from above the Arctic Circle to the South Island of New Zealand. He has been a US Open and World Turkey Calling Champion and was the first hunter to take a wild turkey in every state.
Deer business bought Continued from page 4
Kevin Duke, left, and his sister, Shawnna, right, purchased ChasMac from Charles and Elaine Reneau. Photo from Shawnna Duke.
“Within a week, we were off and running.” Chas-Mac may be most well known for the hoist feeders they developed in 1985. “We were the first one to come out with them,” Mrs. Reneau said. “It still is our most popular product.” Duke made his mark in manufacturing, particularly in the air conditioning realm, designing systems for the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Hilton Downtown Houston and even New York’s Empire State Building. “We will incorporate their products with ours, so we’ll have a complete line, all born and raised by Houstonians,” the sister said. Chas-Mac’s current location is being converted into a showroom, while all of the manufacturing will take place down the street at the Duke’s current facility. “We’ve admired Charles and Elaine for years,” Duke said. “We’re honored to take over their legacy.”
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FISHING
Cedar Creek crappie over brush, under docks By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Crappie are a primary target of anglers on Cedar Creek Reservoir, often found under docks and in brushpiles. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Crappie fishing on Cedar Creek Reservoir used to be a well-kept secret. The lake, located about 50 miles southeast of Dallas, now teems with crappie anglers in the fall and winter months. Cedar Creek is the fourth largest
lake in Texas with more than 320 miles of shoreline, much of which is developed with lots of piers and boat docks. That shoreline structure is like a magnet for crappie and one of the best ways to fish them is to skip jigs. “I’ve never seen anything like the crappie fishing that we have on Cedar Creek,” said angler Ricky Cerrato.
“Especially if you’re looking for fun try catching them with jigs under the boat docks. On our last trip there, we fished with guide Chuck Rollins. We started skipping 1/16-ounce plastic jigs under the piers and boat docks. Within about three hours, three of us had limits of crappie. After that we bounced the same jigs off bulkheads Please turn to page 19
Trout, bass in rivers By Madison Scarborough For Lone Star Outdoor News
Seasons have changed in Texas, and so have feeding patterns of fish in various rivers. When navigating the Guadalupe, Colorado or Brazos, anglers switch tactics to gear up for the autumn bite. Anglers take into account river level, flow, temperature and speed to ensure a smooth trip. This time of year, fly anglers start to target holdover trout in the Guadalupe, and specific streamer patterns are gaining attention of the bass. In the Colorado River, crappie are swimming near brush piles while the largemouth bass head to the shallows, searching for warmer conditions; while on the Brazos, the baitfish are relocating, forcing bass in the river to follow. Austin resident Linda Leal has regularly fished the Guadalupe River for the past few years. Leal recently went in search of catching a holdover trout with guide Kelli Prescott. Prescott said “a holdover trout survives throughout the summer, and it is important not to fish for them until water temperatures stay consistently below 68 degrees.” Leal was sight casting in a deep hole and landed a nice 20-inch rainbow on the trip. Leal said “the Guadalupe is low this year,” and it is essential to find deep pools, ledges and shelves where trout will most likely be. Prescott said indicator nymphing has been working well this fall. When helping clients fish, she rigs up two or three flies with an indicator and instructs Please turn to page 19
Linda Leal caught and released this holdover trout in the Guadalupe River while fishing with guide Kelli Prescott. Photo from Kelli Prescott.
Targeting tuna out of Port Aransas Yellowfins, blackfins biting By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News Deep-water fishing trips aboard the fishing vessel La Pesca, out of Port Aransas, have zeroed in on catches of yellowfin tuna up to 130 pounds. Anglers aboard the charter boat are also boxing blackfin tuna, wahoo and dorado. And on one of their most recent trips, one lucky fisherman caught a white marlin.
“If you like catching big fish, this is definitely a trip you want to make,” said Robert Mason, who lives in Waco and has been making the deepwater trips with the Dolphin Dock boats for about 10 years. “It’s a pretty good run from Waco to Port A, but the tuna fishing this time of year along the lower Texas coast can’t be beat.” Capt. Michael Matthews runs the Dolphin Dock deep water fishing trips aboard the 80-foot La Pesca. It’s a fast boat that translates into more fish-
ing time. “Most of the time I’ll run 130 to 200 miles out,” Matthews said. “And we will be fishing in 3,000 to 10,000 feet of water that’s about 78 to 80 degrees. One of the places we fish is about six miles from Mexico. Our best fishing for big tuna is going on right now. It usually starts in October and runs through December. That’s when we’ll be catching yellowfin tuna up to about 150 pounds. The La Pesca can fish up to 28 people, but on most trips we’ll have about 22
fishermen.” The run out is not all down time. Matthews said they will be trolling top-water lures like poppers on the way out. When trolling, they will catch wahoo, dorado, tuna and the occasional blue marlin. “We mostly fish around the drill ships and platforms,” Matthews said. “That’s the only available light out that far in the Gulf, so that sets up some excellent night fishing. We’ll use both live baits and lures. Two of the best lures are diamond jigs and a Halco Please turn to page 19
Fishermen aboard the La Pesca had good catches of yellowfin and blackfin tuna on a 60-hour trip. Photo from Dolphin Dock Charters.
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New book goes beyond fly-fishing the Hill Country Focuses on lessons learned By Shannon Drawe
For Lone Star Outdoor News If Aaron Reed’s The Local Angler: Fly fishing Austin and Central Texas book, released earlier this year, can be considered a social reference guide to fly-fishing the Texas Hill Country, then the new book, Casting Forward - Fishing Tales from the Texas Hill Country, by Steve Ramirez, could be considered the spiritual guide through the same Texas Hill Country fly-fishing terrain. Ramirez’s book blends fly-fishing with vivid descriptions of the environment he finds himself in, and the environment inside himself. Casting Forward is a timely book for fly fishers who could be dealing with more time to think than they had before the pandemic. “I jokingly refer to myself as an imperfect Texan Buddha,” he said. “Fly-fishing is one of the best ways to practice living in the moment. Just as I practice my casting or fly presentation, I also practice peeling off the layers of other people’s baggage — and my own. I let go. I become freer and more at peace. Nature and fly-fishing teaches and heals us — if we pay attention.” Ramirez’ advice to himself; to stop, breathe, look and listen; is advice anglers can take for themselves when they are fishing anywhere, especially the Texas Hill Country river systems. Ramirez also weaves in very subtle descriptions of flies, access and times of year he goes to the tried-and-true rivers in the Texas Hill Country. It doesn’t hurt that he is also a Texas Master Naturalist, with the ability to describe the flora and fauna he comes across at these oasis. Through his travels, Ramirez also takes time to address what he sees happening to these fragile Texas gems. From illegally restricted river access, to a sweeping call to rethink the way the outdoor experience is presented to the citizens of Texas, his words include a call to action. He calls for support of organizations, “like Trout Unlimited, Nature Conservancy and Audubon and other organizations that focus on not only the single species, but the watersheds and habitats that support them.” Ramirez also sees the need to reconnect youth to the outdoors and nature, while at the same time, “making small differences in our own backyard.” “Everything we do in our yard ends up in our rivers,” he said. “Little things matter, when they all come together. I hope to help create a movement of people who profess to love the outdoors, to become evermore mindful of our need to move from sportsmen to participant in nature.” The Marine Corps veteran is not resting on his laurels. He submitted his sequel to Casting Forward on November 10. “(It’s) the Marine Corps birthday,” he said. It is an expansion upon the themes contained within Casting Forward via fly-fishing and outdoor adventure stories from across North America, and a focus on issues of the angler as a naturalist and catalyst for conservation, stewardship, building human resilience, and the idea and reality of living our best life, no matter the obstacles.” Ramirez’s writing is revealing, descriptive and poetic. The book is much more of a frontto-back read and less of a reference book. Along with Reed’s book, it makes a great bookend for a good year for books about fly-fishing the Texas Hill Country.
Houston Fishing Show founder dies David Holder, who launched the Houston Fishing Show 45 years ago, died on Oct. 24 after a short battle with cancer. He was 78. Holder was born in Fort Worth, where his love of hunting and fishing began, and continued when they later settled in Midland. He eventually worked for a fishing tackle rep firm that eventually bore his name, Dave Holder & Assoc. He launched the Houston Fishing Show in 1975. Holder’s passion was fishing at Jamaica Beach, Port O’Connor and Toledo Bend Reservoir, and hunting at various leases. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Blanch, their four daughters and their families, and his labradoodle, Molly. —Staff report
Texans perform on Fork Keith Combs amassed a total of 75 pounds, 2 ounces at the Texas Bassmaster Texas Fest on Lake Fork. Normally, for the Huntington native, his pattern of fishing ridges with a chartreuse/blue crankbait could have been enough to win. Except for South Carolina’s Patrick Walters, who dominated the field with a four-day total weight of 104 pounds, 12 ounces to win the $125,000 top prize. Walters took the lead on Day 2 of the event and never looked back. He went into the final day with a 25-pound lead, and that lead grew to more than 29 pounds. Walters caught his fish on a trio of jerkbaits; a Rapala Shadow Rap, a Megabass Vision 110+1 and a Duo Realis bait. Combs won $40,000 for his second-place finish. Clark Wendlandt, of Leander, finished 28th at the event, but it was enough to win the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year title and its $100,000 prize. —B.A.S.S.
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 60 degrees; 3.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits near rocks. Crappie are good on jigs at night. Catfish are fair on live bait, cut bait and stink bait. AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 72 degrees; 44.15’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on square-billed crankbaits, top-waters and Carolina-rigged worms. Catfish are fair on shrimp, chicken livers and stink bait. ARLINGTON: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 3.99’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits and plum or raspberry finesse worms. Crappie are fair to good near boat docks and timber on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. ATHENS: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 0.31’ high. Largemouth bass are good on perch-colored crankbaits, spinner baits and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and small jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. AUSTIN: Water clear; 64 degrees; 0.66’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, finesse worms and flutter spoons. Catfish are good punch bait and cut bait. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on cut and prepared baits. BASTROP: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits, brown or orange craws and drop shots. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and earthworms. BELTON: Water clear; 67 degrees; 0.48’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, jigs and buzzbaits. White bass are excellent on slabs and swimbaits. Hybrid stripers are good on live bait. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 4.19’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on square-billed crankbaits, jigs and finesse worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on white or chartreuse slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 0.73’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad crankbaits, silver bladed spinner baits and wacky worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait. BRAUNIG: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms and jigs. Red drum are slow. Striped bass are fair trolling with live bait. Catfish are good on live bait, cut bait and cheese bait. BRIDGEPORT: Water slightly stained; 66 degrees; 3.24’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits and green/pumpkin finesse worms. Crappie are good on minnows.
White bass are excellent on chartreuse or white slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits. BROWNWOOD: Water slightly stained; 69 degrees; 2.25’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits and dark skirted jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on jigging spoons and slabs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. BUCHANAN: Water slightly stained; 62-66 degrees; 5.85’ low. Largemouth bass are good on skirted jigs, green or orange craws and perch-imitating crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. CADDO: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 0.29’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jerk baits, white spinner baits and skirted jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait, live bait and nightcrawlers. CALAVERAS: Water stained; 70-73 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, large worms and crankbaits. Red drum are slow. Catfish are good on stink bait, chicken livers and cut shad. CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 64 degrees; 4.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, blue or black skirted jigs and pumpkin finesse worms. Striped bass are good on live bait. White bass are excellent on white slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait. CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 64 degrees; 0.57’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on top-water plugs and jerk baits. White bass are good on slabs, swimbaits and live bait. Crappie are excellent on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. CHOKE CANYON: Water lightly stained; 72-75 degrees; 21.49’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on top-waters, plastic worms and crankbaits. Catfish are fair on live bait and cheese bait. CONROE: Water stained; 69 degrees; 1.89’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, spinner baits and top-waters. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Hybrid striped bass are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on cut bait, live bait and dough balls. COOPER: Water clear; 65 degrees; 3.56’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on plastic worms, crankbaits and skirted jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on live bait, white or silver slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp. CORPUS CHRISTI: Water stained; 72 degrees; 6.49’
low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina-rigged worms, buzzbaits and top-waters. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and cheese bait. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water lightly stained; 66 degrees; 1.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on jigs, purple or blue worms and crankbaits. White bass are good on chartreuse slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait and punch bait. FALCON: Water lightly stained; 78 degrees; 37.73’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina-rigged worms. Crappie are good on brush piles on smaller bass rigs. Catfish are excellent on live bait and stink bait. FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on jerkbaits, spinner baits and finesse worms. Catfish are good on punch bait. FORK: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 2.02’ low. Largemouth bass are good on dark jigs, green or blue crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. GRANBURY: Water slightly stained; 64 degrees; 0.01’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits and flipping plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs, small crankbaits and swimbaits. Striped bass are good on live bait or trolling swimbaits. GRANGER: Water clear; 66 degrees; 1.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on square-billed crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait and earthworms. GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 0.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits, wacky worms and silver bladed spinner baits. White bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 69 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms. Catfish are good on shad and dough balls. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 63 degrees; 1.78’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on live and cut shad. JOE POOL: Water lightly stained; 66 degrees; 1.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good fishing shad crankbaits, dark skirted jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait, cut bait and chicken liver. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 61 degrees; 0.02’ high. Largemouth bass are
good on finesse worms, skirted jigs and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait or live bait. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 1.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows or jigs. White bass are good on slabs and heavy spoons. Catfish are fair to good on punch bait and cut bait. LBJ: Water slightly stained; 67 degrees; 0.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on dark finesse worms and shallowdiving crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on white or chartreuse slabs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 0.41’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on jerk baits, shad swimbaits and bladed jigs. White bass are excellent on white or chartreuse slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are excellent on cut bait and punch bait. LIVINGSTON: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 0.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on shad. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on live bait and stink bait. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 2.42’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, crankbaits and finesse worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 54 degrees; 0.32’ high. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits and worms. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are fair on live bait and slabs. Catfish are fair on live bait and blood bait. NASWORTHY: Water stained; 62 degrees. 0.98’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows around bridges. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits. NAVARRO MILLS: Water clear; 72 degrees; 0.39’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chatterbaits, jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. White bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. O.H. IVIE: Water clear; 64 degrees; 13.04’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on minnows, jigs and plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait, live and cut bait. OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 3.50’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on plastic worms, spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on small spinner baits. Catfish are fair on trotlines, nightcrawlers, live bait and cut bait.
PALESTINE: Water clear; 63 degrees; 0.27’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on craws, jigs and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs and jigging spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait, chicken liver and cut bait. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 61 degrees; 0.35’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are good on spoons. Striped bass are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on cut shad, dough balls and stink bait. PROCTOR: Water clear; 63 degrees; 0.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Texas-rigged worms, skirted jigs and crankbaits. Hybrid stripers are good on live bait. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on shrimp and cut bait. RAVEN: Water stained; 72 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Sunfish are fair on cutworms and crickets. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 66 degrees; 1.44’ low. Largemouth bass are good on pumpkin craws, silver crankbaits and jigs. White bass are good on slabs and white jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 66 degrees; 0.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and small jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 1.07’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad crankbaits, skirted jigs and spinner baits. White bass and hybrids are excellent on slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on minnows or jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and live perch. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 69 degrees; 3.94’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, jigs and crankbait. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on live and stink bait. SOMERVILLE: Water slightly stained; 67 degrees; 2.14’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on wacky worms, silver or chrome crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass and hybrids are good on white slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs. STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 2.37’ high. Largemouth bass are fair to good on spinner baits, jerk baits and brush hogs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on punch bait. TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 63-67 degrees; 1.35’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, Texas-rigged
n Saltwater reports Page 19 plastic worms, football jigs and light-colored swimbaits. White bass and hybrid stripers are excellent on live bait and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. TEXANA: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.79’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait, cut bait and live bait. TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 2.69’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on plastic worms and jerkbaits. Striped bass and white bass are good on live shad and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait. TOLEDO BEND: Mostly clear; 66-70 degrees; 3.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on 5-inch wacky rigs. Crappie are excellent on jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stink bait. TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 20.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jerkbaits, swimbaits and black and white jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits. WACO: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 0.88’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on jigs, jerk baits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on punch bait. WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and buzzbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp. WHITNEY: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 2.31’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on plastic worms, shad crankbaits and skirted jigs. White bass are excellent on jigging spoons and slabs. Striped bass are good on live shad. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 4.11’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on square-billed cranks and spinner baits. White bass are good on chartreuse jigging spoons and slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and earthworms.
—TPWD
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
First bucks on opening weekend
November 13, 2020
Page 11
Bubba Wood to receive T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award
The rush of harvesting your first animal is second to none. Making it even better? Taking the deer during the season opener. These youngsters took to the stands, ground blinds and fields and got it done. Have a favorite hunting memory you want to share? Send us your hunting (or fishing) photos to LSON for a chance to be featured. Email editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com with a high resolution photo and caption information.
Peyton Land, 5, of Van, shot his first deer with his dad, Wes, near Eldorado. Land used an AR .300 Blackout and took a 100-yard shot. “Daddy, my heart is going to bust out of my chest, feel it,” Land said. Another hunter in camp used his finger and wrote in the dust of Van’s dad’s tailgate “I am 5 years old. Honk, I killed my first buck.” He heard honks from other drivers the whole trip home.
Bubba Wood will receive the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award at the Park Cities Quail Coalition banquet in March. Photo from Park Cities Quail.
A prolific hunter, fisherman, sporting art dealer, world-champion skeet shooter and conservationist, Bubba Wood is an all-around sportsman. Since founding Collectors Covey in Highland Park Village in 1978, Bubba used his keen eye for sporting art to earn a national reputation as a purveyor of beautiful paintings, sculptures, apparel, and home furnishings. During his 40 years at Collectors Covey, he published 14 sporting books and countless wildlife prints. Bubba also created the Texas Duck Stamp program which was responsible for over $7 million in royalties to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Bubba has been critical to the success of many conservation non-profits and every Park Cities Quail Coalition dinner. In 2008, Bubba convinced his close friend, T. Boone Pickens, to join the PCQC cause, which propelled the organization to stratospheric levels. Over his 80 years, Bubba has befriended some of the legendary sportsmen across the country who have shared his company and his love for wingshooting. Iconic outdoor writer Gene Hill said it well: “Bubba, at least in my book, was about as fine a man with a 20 bore side-by-side as I have ever had the pleasure to gun with. In about the toughest country I know to stand out as a quail expert, he was a commonly acknowledged master.” The award will be presented March 4 at the Park Cities Quail Coalition 15th annual dinner and auction. —PCQ Photo by Nate Skinner
Celeste Boyd, 11, of Converse, snagged two big deer on her first deer hunting trip. She was hunting with her dad, Chris, and Chase Anderson at the Anderson’s family ranch in Hunt.
Capt. Ryan Battistoni knows he can trust the Mullet Jr to deliver on his next inshore fishing trip.
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Liam Kohleffel, 6, got to experience his first opening weekend at the deer lease and took his first deer. He practiced with his dad, Nick, and a couple hundred rounds with a .22. They were hunting outside Doss. “Hold it steady and squeeze,” Kohleffel’s father whispered. Within seconds and those adrenaline nerves running through his body, Liam exclaimed “Yes! I shot her.”
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November 13, 2020
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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER TRESPASSING AND BAITING Shooting was heard on the Nacogdoches/San Augustine County line. Wardens responded and observed a group of individuals on a well location. The group was hunting over milo. Numerous citations were issued. SUCCESSFUL ESCAPE, BUT TOLD WARDENS WHERE HE PARKED On the San Jacinto River, Harris County game wardens encountered an individual fishing in a canoe. Upon making contact with the subject and recognizing him as a possible wanted person from a previous contact, dispatch was contacted and the subject had warrants out of Harris County. While the warden was on the phone with dispatch, the subject leaped into the river and swam to the shore and escaped in the thick vegetation. However, the subject had mentioned where he launched his canoe and that he had hauled the canoe to the launch site with his ATV. The wardens located the four-wheeler along the riverbank, still connected to a boat trailer, and ran it through dispatch. The four-wheeler returned as stolen in Onalaska in Dec. 2019. The four-wheeler, trailer, and canoe were impounded. Warrants and charges pending.
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four individuals who were checked at camp with 68 cleaned mourning dove. The hunters claimed to have hunted near two tanks on a mowed roadway on the ranch. Wardens checked the area and discovered there was very little evidence of hunting in the area. The wardens discovered tracks leading to a field with a deer feeder converted to a milo feeder next to a water trough. Evidence of hunting was discovered there. The wardens returned and confronted the group. One of the hunters wanted to see the evidence for himself and led the wardens back to the field. He then confessed to hunting mourning dove over the baited area. Cases and civil restitution are pending.
A BAD BUTT DIAL After an Operation Game Thief complaint reporting two individuals shrimping in nursery waters, a Harris County game warden witnessed the individuals leaving the scene in a white boat. After watching the individuals stop at a dock on the Channelview side of the waterway, the warden learned the identities of the individuals from their relatives who owned the dock. The white boat was again located farther up the channel, when the female occupant received a phone call and then both individuals pulled a shrimp trawl into nearby brush on an island before jumping back in the boat and fleeing the area. The warden attempted to contact the female by phone, and she hung up
SHOOTING EARLY, LOSING BIRDS Shotgun blasts were heard north of Freer in Duval County prior to legal shooting hours. A game warden located four hunters shooting dove before legal shooting hours. The initial encounter resulted in four citations, two warnings and 10 birds were seized. After further investigation, the hunters admitted to hunting over bait that morning and the previous day. This resulted in an additional four citations and 30 birds seized. The birds were donated. Cases and civil restitution pending.
the telephone. The complainant gave the warden a boat ride to the island to retrieve the shrimp trawl and the several undersized fish that were in it. The female suspect later called the warden by accident and a private conversation between the two was overheard. The individuals discussed dragging the net into the brush and said “maybe the game warden didn’t see us.” Later, both individuals were located and the white boat was trailered in the front yard. Multiple citations and cases of civil restitution were issued for shrimping in closed waters, failure to possess individual bait shrimp trawl license, and the undersized fish.
TEAL VIOLATIONS During the opening weekend of teal season in Nacogdoches County, citations were issued including possession of lead shot, hunting wood ducks during closed season, no hunting license, rallying birds and insufficient number of PFDs. DROPPING BIRDS ON THE ROAD The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department contacted a game warden regarding individuals shooting over the roadway at one of the public hunting lands. The warden parked along the roadway and observed two
subjects shooting at a flock of dove flying directly over the roadway, and hitting two dove that landed on the roadway. Contact was made with the hunters and citations were issued for discharging a firearm across a property line.
ILLEGAL DUMPING ON HUNTING CLUB At a hunting club in Houston County, some of its members had driven upon a sewage disposal truck dumping its contents on their property. With a description of the driver and a picture of the truck, game wardens located the truck and driver a few hours later. Samples and pictures were taken. Cases pending.
NOT HUNTING WHERE THEY CLAIMED In La Salle County, game wardens issued several citations for over the limit of mourning dove, hunting mourning dove over bait, and no hunting licenses. A total of 114 mourning dove were confiscated and donated. One case included
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Coastal fall fishing Continued from page 1
trout and reds that are pushing swarms of shrimp to the surface. “This has been taking place because the shrimp finally left the back lakes when tides fell out,” McKinley said. “Now, drift-fishing in East Matty can be real productive.” When it comes to wading the flats, McKinley said he’s donning waders and finding fish stacked up where they traditionally are, rather than scattered. “Flounder are stacking up in guts at the mouths of marsh drains along shorelines, and trout and redfish are chasing baitfish along the flats adjacent to these guts,” he said. Mariah Langston drifted over stretches of mud and scattered shell recently in East Matagorda Bay, where she landed several mid-slot reds and keeper-sized specks. “I caught most of the fish on live shrimp rigged about 3 feet under a popping cork,” she said. “There was plenty of bird activity across the bay as well.” Texas City resident Noel Skinner said he’s been fishing over oyster shell in 5-6 feet of water in upper Galveston Bay and catching plenty of speckled trout. “There are a lot of small specks mixed in with keepers in the 15- to 22-inch range,” he said. “The best bite has come from soft plastics rigged on a 3/8-ounce jig head, and on hard plastic sinking twitch baits.” Capt. Caleb Sumrall has been wading along reefs in Nueces and Oso bays to catch limits of specks. “Tides have definitely dropped since last month, and soft plastics in plum color patterns, along with slow-sinking twitch baits, have been my go-to bait presentations lately,” Sumrall said. “Most of the action has occurred while standing in waist-deep water and casting out into deeper water off the edges of reefs.” Down south, Capt. Josh Garza, said the water levels out of Port Mansfield along the Lower Laguna Madre have returned to normal as well. “The recent cold fronts pretty much brought everything back to normal,” he
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Chris McKinley landed this flounder while wade-fishing along the south shoreline of East Matagorda Bay. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
said. “This has kick-started fall patterns and the action has been pretty consistent.” For speckled trout, Garza has been starting out wading in waist-deep water and working towards shallower water along banks and shorelines. “Most of the larger trout seem to be holding in the deeper water,” he said. “I think this is because tides were high for so long, that the fish just decided to stay in deeper water, even after the flooding tides receded.” Garza said he has been consistently finding trout in the 5-6 pound range. Fish heavier than that have been scarce. “The best area for me has been along the portion of the west shoreline that is north of the Port Mansfield harbor,” he explained. “Stretches of water with small baitfish and shrimp have been holding the most fish.” Garza also has been finding redfish schooled up in various depths, from waistto knee-deep water. He has been catching most of his fish on KWigglers ball tail shad soft plastics in natural colors.
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November 13, 2020
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HEROES
Carson McCreary, 11, of Terrell, took this buck with a .260 in Childress.
Tim Harrison, of Hollywood Park, shows a redfish he caught near Rockport.
Tim Gafford, of Lubbock, took this bison at the T Lazy S Ranch east of the 6666 Ranch.
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.
Judd McKlesky, 6 months old, got started early managing hog populations with his grandpa, Jimmy Morris, and dad, Garrett, in Comanche.
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Dude Elsberry harvested this 8-point melanistic whitetail in Caldwell County.
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
Time in the deer blind Continued from page 1
in Menard County was pretty steady. “Does and bucks were coming to corn and alfalfa to feed,” Mutch said. “The does would move off when bucks showed up, but it didn’t seem like the bucks were interested in chasing them just yet. Most of them were hammering feed, almost as if they were gearing up for the rut by stocking up on nutrition. In Schleicher County near Eldorado, Randy Leissner said activity in the morning hours on his lease during opening weekend was pretty low. “The afternoons were definitely more action-packed, even though they were warm,” Leissner said. “The bucks were definitely on the move, and only ate a few bites of corn around the feeders as they passed through.” Nick Dancsak spent some time in a blind on opening weekend at his buddy’s property in Robertson County near Franklin, where the conditions were tough. “It was so foggy during the morning hours that it was difficult to see the feeder until a few hours after sunrise,” he explained. “I did see several does, but I think the bucks were moving mostly at night with how warm it was.” In south central Texas, Lane Moczygemba’s hunts in Wilson County during opening weekend were decent. “We had plenty of does visiting the feeders, along with a few bucks,” Moczygemba said. “A few decent bucks made quick appearances. The bucks seem to still be in bachelor groups.” Ryan Welch hunted on his family ranch in Shelby County during opening weekend, where the deer activity was pretty inconsistent. “The bucks that we did see seemed to be cruising and somewhat looking
for does, but it didn’t seem like they were in full blown rut mode yet,” Welch said. “We mostly saw does, fawns and young bucks, and on some sits we didn’t see anything. I think the hunting was slow mostly due to the mild weather and the dense fog that occurred during the morning.” Another East Texas hunter, Wade Goodale, hunted in Lamar County where he said morning hunts were slow Jordan Burchett harvested this mature eight point buck on opening and the evening weekend at her family’s ranch in McCullouch County. Photo from Jordan action was bet- Burchett. ter. “I saw does, ity in Colorado County on opening fawns, and one young buck, and I did weekend was fairly consistent. not witness any rut activity,” he said. “The best action occurred right beJordan Burchett harvested a mature fore sunset in the evenings,” he said. 8-point buck on her family’s ranch “The deer were hitting the feeders outside of Brady in McCullouch regularly.” County on opening weekend. Hardy harvested a 9-point buck on “Our ranch has always been leased opening day. to a group of deer hunters, until this In Blanco County, Kendra Masters season,” she said. “My dad listed the said the bucks were chasing does hard ranch for sale this year, and I was told during opening weekend. I could harvest a trophy buck this seaAccording to the owner and operason, as our time on the ranch is quick- tor of Texas Buck Registry, Tompall ly coming to an end. I harvested my Glaser, around 20 bucks were added first deer when I was 8 years old and to the database throughout opening have waited 20 years to take a mature weekend. buck, and it finally happened.” Grant Hardy said the deer activ-
November 13, 2020
Page 15
South Zone ducks Continued from page 1
Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News
spoonies. “Normally, all of the guides put $20 in the pot to see who got the most spoonies,” he said. “We had wigeon, teal including a cinnamon teal, and a few pintail. John Adolph is from Dallas, but is a Houston native, and hunted the Garwood Prairie. “We crushed them pretty well,” he said. “Those rice fields are pretty solid. We had seven guns and limited by 8 a.m. on Saturday. It was like a dove hunt with all of the teal flying around.” Near Port Lavaca, Garwoodie reported a good hunt on the Texas Hunting Forum. “Three of us got a limit the first day,” he said. “Teal and pintail with one spoonie and one bluebill. The second day the group bagged 12 birds. Out of Lake Jackson, Jorge Sakai said the hunts were fast and furious, with lots of shoveler, blue- and green-winged teal. Along the coast, Aerich Oliver of Redfish Charters in Rockport said the bluebird skies didn’t stop the hunt from being as it was supposed to be. “Four people got eight redheads, four teal and two buffleheads,” he reported. Coastal hunters at Port O’Connor reported good numbers of redheads, with hunters each filling their two-bird limit, along with a smattering of pintail, teal and wigeon. Following the theory that hunting pressure in the coastal prairies sends some of the ducks to the coast, hunters saw more bird traffic Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning than opening morning, according to coastal outfitters. The Lower Laguna Madre had good numbers of pintail along with redheads and teal, and hunters reported good shoots.
Page 16
November 13, 2020
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases
New
First
Full
Last
Nov 14
Nov 21
Nov 30
Dec 7
Solunar Sun times Moon times
Houston
Dallas
2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Nov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Nov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun 16 Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri
13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun 16 Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu
3:00 3:50 4:46 5:47 6:53 8:01 9:06
20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri
2:55 9:08 3:44 9:58 4:40 10:54 5:41 11:22 6:47 12:32 7:55 1:40 9:01 2:46 10:01 3:48 10:56 4:44 11:44 5:33 12:05 6:16 12:44 6:54 1:20 7:30 1:55 8:05 2:30 8:40
3:21 9:34 4:12 10:26 5:09 11:24 6:12 ----7:18 1:03 8:25 2:10 9:29 3:15 10:28 4:15 11:21 5:08 ----- 5:55 12:26 6:37 1:04 7:15 1:40 7:50 2:15 8:25 2:51 9:01
06:44 06:45 06:45 06:46 06:47 06:48 06:49 06:50 06:50 06:51 06:52 06:53 06:54 06:55 06:56
05:26 05:25 05:25 05:24 05:24 05:24 05:23 05:23 05:22 05:22 05:22 05:22 05:21 05:21 05:21
4:48a 4:36p 5:58a 5:17p 7:09a 6:04p 8:21a 6:55p 9:29a 7:53p 10:32a 8:53p 11:27a 9:56p 12:15p 10:57p 12:55p 11:57p 1:31p NoMoon 2:02p 12:53a 2:31p 1:47a 2:59p 2:40a 3:27p 3:31a 3:57p 4:24a
9:14 10:04 11:00 11:28 12:38 1:46 2:52
3:27 4:18 5:15 6:18 7:24 8:31 9:35
9:40 10:32 11:30 12:02 1:09 2:16 3:21
10:07 3:54
10:34
4:21
07:01 05:23 12:27p 10:57p
11:02 11:50 12:11 12:50 1:26 2:01 2:36
11:27 ----12:32 1:10 1:46 2:21 2:57
5:14 6:01 6:43 7:20 7:56 8:31 9:07
07:02 07:03 07:04 07:05 07:06 07:07 07:08
4:49 5:38 6:22 7:00 7:36 8:11 8:46
06:55 06:56 06:57 06:58 06:58 06:59 07:00
05:26 05:26 05:25 05:25 05:24 05:24 05:23 05:22 05:22 05:22 05:21 05:21 05:21 05:20
4:56a 6:08a 7:21a 8:34a 9:43a 10:46a 11:41a
4:39p 5:19p 6:03p 6:54p 7:51p 8:51p 9:54p
1:07p NoMoon 1:40p NoMoon 2:10p 12:56a 2:38p 1:52a 3:04p 2:45a 3:31p 3:39a 3:59p 4:32a
San Antonio 2020 Nov
A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun 16 Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri
3:07 9:20 3:57 10:11 4:52 11:07 5:54 11:35 7:00 12:45 8:07 1:52 9:13 2:59 10:14 4:00 11:08 4:56 11:57 5:45 12:18 6:28 12:57 7:07 1:33 7:43 2:07 8:17 2:43 8:53
3:34 9:47 4:25 10:39 5:22 11:36 6:24 12:09 7:31 1:15 8:38 2:23 9:42 3:27 10:41 4:27 11:33 5:21 ----- 6:08 12:39 6:50 1:17 7:27 1:52 8:02 2:27 8:37 3:03 9:14
06:55 06:56 06:57 06:58 06:59 07:00 07:00 07:01 07:02 07:03 07:04 07:05 07:05 07:06 07:07
05:39 05:39 05:38 05:38 05:37 05:37 05:37 05:36 05:36 05:36 05:35 05:35 05:35 05:35 05:34
5:01a 4:49p 6:10a 5:31p 7:22a 6:17p 8:33a 7:10p 9:41a 8:07p 10:44a 9:08p 11:39a 10:10p 12:27p 11:11p 1:07p NoMoon 1:43p 12:10a 2:14p 1:07a 2:44p 2:00a 3:12p 2:53a 3:40p 3:44a 4:10p 4:36a
Amarillo
2020 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Nov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
13 Fri 14 Sat 15 Sun 16 Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri
3:21 9:34 4:10 10:24 5:06 11:20 6:07 11:48 7:13 12:58 8:21 2:06 9:27 3:12 10:27 4:14 11:22 5:10 ----- 5:59 12:31 6:42 1:10 7:20 1:46 7:56 2:21 8:31 2:56 9:06
3:47 4:38 5:35 6:38 7:44 8:51 9:55 10:54 11:47 12:10 12:52 1:30 2:06 2:41 3:17
10:00 10:52 11:50 12:23 1:29 2:36 3:41 4:41 5:34 6:21 7:03 7:41 8:16 8:51 9:27
07:20 07:21 07:22 07:23 07:24 07:25 07:26 07:27 07:28 07:29 07:30 07:31 07:32 07:32 07:33
05:42 05:41 05:40 05:40 05:39 05:39 05:38 05:38 05:37 05:37 05:36 05:36 05:36 05:35 05:35
5:19a 4:58p 6:32a 5:36p 7:47a 6:19p 9:01a 7:08p 10:11a 8:04p 11:14a 9:05p 12:08p 10:09p 12:54p 11:13p 1:32p NoMoon 2:04p 12:15a 2:33p 1:14a 2:59p 2:11a 3:25p 3:06a 3:50p 4:01a 4:17p 4:56a
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 Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 1:05 AM 1:27 AM 1:50 AM 2:14 AM 2:37 AM 2:55 AM 12:20 PM 1:19 PM 2:24 PM 3:34 PM 6:50 AM 12:15 AM 12:35 AM 12:50 AM 1:01 AM
High Island Height 1.64H 1.64H 1.66H 1.67H 1.66H 1.62H -0.37L -0.15L 0.07L 0.28L 0.86L 1.49H 1.42H 1.37H 1.34H
Time 7:34 AM 8:15 AM 8:59 AM 9:45 AM 10:34 AM 11:25 AM 9:06 PM 10:18 PM 11:11 PM 11:48 PM 11:04 AM 6:53 AM 7:02 AM 7:18 AM 7:38 AM
Height 0.04L -0.29L -0.52L -0.64L -0.65L -0.54L 1.77H 1.70H 1.63H 1.56H 1.08H 0.67L 0.46L 0.25L 0.05L
Time 2:33 PM 3:33 PM 4:31 PM 5:31 PM 6:36 PM 7:48 PM
Height 1.89H 2.01H 2.06H 2.04H 1.97H 1.87H
4:45 PM 12:25 PM 1:28 PM 2:19 PM 3:02 PM
0.46L 1.18H 1.29H 1.39H 1.47H
Time 8:07 PM 8:59 PM 9:50 PM 10:41 PM 11:39 PM
5:49 6:44 7:29 8:08
PM PM PM PM
Height 0.91L 1.11L 1.28L 1.42L 1.51L
0.62L 0.76L 0.88L 0.99L
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Time 1:08 AM 1:28 AM 1:45 AM 2:00 AM 12:10 AM 10:42 AM 11:37 AM 12:43 PM 2:03 PM 6:41 AM 6:13 AM 6:33 AM 12:10 AM 12:25 AM 12:36 AM
Height 1.99H 1.90H 1.85H 1.85H 1.82L -0.36L -0.13L 0.15L 0.42L 1.35L 1.15L 0.92L 1.85H 1.75H 1.69H
Time 7:16 AM 7:50 AM 8:28 AM 9:09 AM 2:12 AM 7:31 PM 8:46 PM 9:56 PM 10:49 PM 8:44 AM 11:03 AM 12:23 PM 6:56 AM 7:16 AM 7:32 AM
Height 0.37L -0.01L -0.31L -0.48L 1.86H 2.67H 2.50H 2.36H 2.23H 1.37H 1.48H 1.66H 0.69L 0.47L 0.27L
Time 2:30 PM 3:30 PM 4:28 PM 5:25 PM 9:54 AM
Height 2.56H 2.80H 2.92H 2.93H -0.49L
Time 8:34 PM 9:37 PM 10:44 PM
Height 1.21L 1.44L 1.65L
6:25 PM
2.83H
3:36 5:04 6:16 1:25 2:19 3:05
PM PM PM PM PM PM
0.66L 0.85L 1.02L 1.84H 2.00H 2.14H
11:25 PM 11:51 PM
2.10H 1.97H
7:18 PM 8:12 PM 9:02 PM
1.17L 1.30L 1.41L
Height 1.56H 1.46H 1.42H -0.27L -0.32L -0.26L -0.12L 0.07L 0.29L 0.51L 1.04L 0.85L 0.65L 0.46L 1.34H
Time 7:19 AM 7:51 AM 8:29 AM 5:45 PM 6:52 PM 8:01 PM 9:08 PM 10:05 PM 10:47 PM 11:13 PM 9:57 AM 11:48 AM 1:09 PM 2:11 PM 7:25 AM
Height 0.45L 0.14L -0.11L 2.41H 2.37H 2.27H 2.15H 2.01H 1.86H 1.71H 1.19H 1.30H 1.45H 1.61H 0.28L
Time 2:27 PM 3:34 PM 4:39 PM
Height 2.04H 2.25H 2.37H
Time 8:55 PM 10:24 PM
Height 1.15L 1.33L
Time 12:52 AM 1:06 AM 1:12 AM 9:12 AM 10:00 AM 10:51 AM 11:47 AM 12:49 PM 1:59 PM 3:19 PM 6:22 AM 6:30 AM 6:46 AM 7:05 AM 12:07 AM
Height 0.50H -0.06L -0.18L -0.25L -0.27L 0.93H 0.92H 0.90H 0.84H 0.76H 0.67H 0.59H 0.54H 0.56H 0.03L
Time 9:49 AM 8:48 PM 10:02 PM 11:32 PM
Height 0.10L 0.77H 0.86H 0.90H
1:33 PM 2:31 PM 3:35 PM 4:38 PM 5:34 PM 6:21 PM 12:34 PM 9:46 AM 9:53 AM 10:03 PM
-0.26L -0.21L -0.14L -0.05L 0.06L 0.19L 0.35L 0.24L 0.12L 0.71H
Height 0.36L 0.49L 0.59H 0.66H 0.68H 0.67H 0.63H 0.57H 0.51H 0.43H 0.34H 0.29H 0.27H 0.28H -0.12L
Time 3:48 AM 3:29 AM 1:59 PM 2:54 PM 4:04 PM 5:18 PM 6:29 PM 7:36 PM 8:39 PM 9:34 PM 9:39 AM 10:25 AM 11:09 AM 11:50 AM 11:54 PM
Height 0.43H 0.51H -0.11L -0.13L -0.13L -0.12L -0.11L -0.10L -0.09L -0.05L 0.33L 0.21L 0.09L -0.03L 0.44H
4:41 5:58 7:10 8:19 3:02
PM PM PM PM PM
0.71L 0.88L 1.03L 1.15L 1.74H
Time 7:24 PM
Height 0.65H
11:31 PM 11:44 PM 11:56 PM
1.58H 1.48H 1.40H
9:31 PM
1.24L
Time
Height
Port O’Connor Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 1:04 AM 10:25 AM 11:07 AM 11:52 AM 12:41 PM 1:25 AM 2:22 AM 2:58 AM 3:20 AM 3:29 AM 3:28 AM 3:11 AM 2:10 AM 12:39 AM 10:12 AM
Time 12:27 AM 1:15 AM 1:30 AM 2:24 AM 3:09 AM 3:56 AM 4:47 AM 5:44 AM 6:42 AM 10:28 AM 7:12 AM 4:46 AM 4:32 AM 3:26 AM 12:26 PM
Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 1:04 AM 1:19 AM 1:37 AM 9:49 AM 10:35 AM 11:27 AM 12:24 PM 1:28 PM 2:39 PM 4:03 PM 12:13 AM 12:24 AM 12:31 AM 12:33 AM 12:32 AM
Time 12:14 PM 4:56 AM 5:01 AM 9:47 PM 11:17 PM
Height 0.36L 1.40H 1.39H 1.66H 1.65H
Time
Height
7:41 PM 8:42 PM
1.53H 1.62H
4:16 PM 5:37 PM 6:43 PM 7:48 PM 11:11 AM 11:13 AM 11:26 AM 11:39 AM 4:00 AM
-0.05L 0.04L 0.14L 0.28L 0.89L 0.71L 0.51L 0.30L 1.11H
0.94H 1.00H 1.08H 1.18H 0.11L
9:02 PM 10:13 PM 11:28 PM
0.44L 0.63L 0.83L
8:21 PM
1.29H
Height 1.20H 1.20H 1.22H -0.20L -0.23L -0.18L -0.07L 0.08L 0.24L 0.40L 1.20H 1.11 1.05H 1.02H 1.01H
Time 7:59 AM 8:30 AM 9:07 AM 6:27 PM 7:45 PM 9:15 PM 10:32 PM 11:24 PM 11:56 PM
Time 3:07 PM 4:16 PM 5:21 PM
Height 1.43H 1.55H 1.62H
Time 9:22 PM 10:39 PM
Height 0.98L 1.12L
7:15 7:28 7:44 7:58 8:08
0.79L 0.65L 0.51L 0.36L 0.22L
10:38 AM 12:30 PM 2:03 PM 3:19 PM 4:14 PM
0.86H 0.90H 0.96H 1.04H 1.12H
5:31 6:44 7:45 8:40 9:37
0.54L 0.66L 0.78L 0.88L 0.96L
Height 0.34H 0.37H -0.07L -0.09L -0.08L 0.48H 0.47H 0.46H 0.43 0.40H 0.35H 0.34H 0.35H 0.36H 0.37H
Time 9:30 AM 10:13 AM 10:02 PM 11:02 PM
Height 0.04L -0.03L 0.46H 0.48H
Time 4:43 PM 8:55 PM
Height 0.38H 0.42H
Time 10:37 PM
Height 0.35L
1:18 PM 2:16 PM 3:27 PM 4:47 PM 5:55 PM 8:46 AM 8:42 AM 8:55 AM 9:13 AM 9:32 AM
-0.06L -0.02L 0.02L 0.06L 0.11L 0.24L 0.19L 0.14L 0.09L 0.05L
11:11 AM 3:24 PM 5:15 PM
0.25H 0.27H 0.30H
6:49 PM 7:35 PM 8:15 PM
0.16L 0.23L 0.29L
Height 0.18L 0.88H 0.95H -0.33L -0.37L -0.33L -0.23L -0.09L 1.07H 0.96H 0.65L 0.53L 0.40L 0.28L 0.16L
Time 2:11 PM 7:49 AM 8:32 AM 6:24 PM 9:18 PM 10:24 PM 11:26 PM
Height 1.05H -0.04L -0.22L 1.21H 1.23H 1.21H 1.15H
Time 8:34 PM 3:32 PM 4:50 PM
Height 0.71L 1.13H 1.19H
Time
Height
9:42 PM
0.87L
2:04 PM 3:17 PM 9:30 AM 11:48 AM 1:22 PM 2:36 PM 3:32 PM
0.08L 0.26L 0.70H 0.72H 0.77H 0.83H 0.89H
11:22 PM 4:45 PM 5:56 PM 6:45 PM 7:25 PM 8:03 PM
0.88H 0.41L 0.54L 0.65L 0.74L 0.83L
11:27 11:13 11:12 11:29 11:50
PM PM PM PM PM
0.83H 0.83H 0.86H 0.90H 0.94H
Height 0.49L 0.17L -0.09L -0.25L -0.30L -0.25L -0.13L 0.06L 0.27L 0.49L 0.70L 0.84L 0.66L 0.48L 0.31L
Time 2:25 PM 3:46 PM 5:02 PM 6:24 PM 7:52 PM 9:13 PM 10:14 PM 10:56 PM 11:21 PM 11:29 PM 11:26 PM 11:43 AM 1:32 PM 2:54 PM 3:54 PM
Height 1.76H 1.92H 2.02H 2.06H 2.05H 2.00H 1.91H 1.79H 1.65H 1.51H 1.39H 1.06H 1.18H 1.31H 1.43H
Time 8:38 PM
Height 1.24L
Time 11:49 PM
Height 1.35H
5:08 PM 6:27 PM 7:43 PM
0.89L 1.04L 1.17L
11:20 PM 11:15 PM 11:08 PM
1.31H 1.27H 1.25H
AM AM AM AM AM
Time 6:25 PM 12:37 PM 1:04 PM
Height 1.40H 0.11L -0.08L
2:13 PM 4:00 PM 5:12 PM 6:44 PM 11:52 AM
Height 0.37L 0.12L -0.08L 1.65H 1.62H 1.57H 1.50H 1.40H 1.30H
PM PM PM PM PM
Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 1:23 AM 1:27 AM 10:57 AM 11:42 AM 12:28 PM 12:14 AM 1:28 AM 2:18 AM 2:51 AM 3:10 AM 2:57 AM 12:53 AM 12:49 AM 12:55 AM 12:58 AM
Port Aransas
3:49 PM
0.37H
6:58 PM
0.34L
11:27 PM
0.63H
Time 12:33 PM 1:14 PM
Height 0.07L -0.04L
Time 8:55 PM
Height 0.53H
1:37 3:57 6:07 9:51
0.37H 0.34H 0.33H 0.37H
10:24 PM 11:11 PM 11:57 PM
0.02L 0.12L 0.24L
Nueces Bay Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
San Luis Pass
Height 1.42H 1.13L 1.30L -0.19L -0.21L -0.15L 1.62H 1.59H 1.53H 1.46H 1.38H 1.30H 1.22H 1.15 1.00L
East Matagorda
Freeport Harbor Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 4:48 AM 1:01 AM 2:16 AM 1:37 PM 2:16 PM 3:06 PM 3:07 AM 3:39 AM 3:48 AM 3:49 AM 3:56 AM 4:07 AM 4:14 AM 4:14 AM 12:58 AM
Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 7:16 AM 12:21 AM 12:42 AM 9:23 AM 10:18 AM 11:15 AM 12:10 PM 1:05 PM 12:28 AM 1:15 AM 6:56 AM 7:00 AM 7:02 AM 7:09 AM 7:24 AM
South Padre Island
PM PM PM PM
Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Time 6:47 AM 7:23 AM 8:06 AM 8:53 AM 9:44 AM 10:38 AM 11:35 AM 12:32 PM 1:32 PM 2:35 PM 3:47 PM 6:46 AM 6:41 AM 6:44 AM 6:55 AM
Texas Coast Tides
Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
Date Nov 13 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
Cranes out west Continued from page 4
November 13, 2020
Page 17
Silovsky named wildlife division director John Silovsky has been selected as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Division director. Silovsky began his career with TPWD in 2014 and served as the district leader for the Post Oak Savannah Wildlife District before being promoted to the Wildlife Division’s deputy director position in 2019. He has been serving as the acting director of the division since July 2020. “With more than 30 years of leadership in wildlife management and conservation across Kansas and Texas, John brings an exceptional breadth of applied and pragmatic experience to his new role as the Department’s Wildlife Division Director,” said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. Silovsky said on the surface it appears that TPWD is very deer-centric, but when one looks at the bigger picture, many would be astonished at the diversity and volume of wildlife conservation conducted by the Wildlife Division. —TPWD
Sandhills have been decoying into harvested grain fields in West Texas. Photo by Kevin Poirier.
Quail opener Continued from page 4
thought that the ducks were going to be easier to pursue than the sandhills, but it actually turned out to be the opposite. The 12 of us had our limits of cranes before 9 in the morning. Every single bird that was harvested seemed to be pretty young or a juvenile.” Guide Evan Stabolitis, of Tornado Country Outfitters, also had plans to hunt ducks and sandhills during the opening weekend for both sandhills and ducks in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit. Stabolitis was hunting a playa in the Panhandle, north of Amarillo, and the cranes in the area were stacked in thick. “There had to be 5,000 to 6,000 cranes in the area,” Stabolitis said. “They came into our spread of both duck and crane decoys, and paid no mind to our panel blinds.” Lubbock area guide Kevin Poirier, of Fowl Plains Outfitters, said crane hunting has been good since the season began. “We’ve been focusing on harvested grain fields in close proximity to water that the sandhills have been feeding in daily, and limits have been easy to come by,” he ex-
plained. “The birds are decoying in pairs, all the way up to groups of 50. Twentyyard shot opportunities have been the norm, and most of the birds have been juveniles.” Outfitter Nathan Zuniga, of Full Throttle Outdoors, also said the sandhill crane hunting in the Lubbock region has been dynamite since opening day. “Most of our success has come while hunting over a mix of full-body decoys and silhouettes out of A-frame blinds in grain fields,” he said. “The cranes have been decoying great, and we’ve been harvesting limits almost every hunt.” Zuniga also said he’s been seeing mostly younger birds. Lubbock area guide Evan Botsford, of Crooked Wing Outfitters, said he’s been seeing above average numbers of cranes along the peanut and corn fields that he’s been hunting. “We’ve been harvesting mostly mature cranes, and most of our groups have had ample opportunities to bag their limits of sandhills,” Botsford said.
leader, said areas of South Texas showed promise. He said the coastal sand plain, including Kleberg, Kennedy and Brooks counties, are encouraging in terms of range conditions, bobwhite activity and reportedly had good chick production; and reports from Hebbronville and Brooks Counties suggested summer and hurricane rainfall buoyed quail populations. The hunts were tough in the Rolling Plains and in West Texas, where by midsummer, drought-like conditions settled in and most nesting activity was curtailed. In Dickens County, Tim Boatman reported few birds and very small coveys, although scent conditions were poor for the dogs. “The coveys we found were so small, I hated to shoot any,” he said. Near Matador, Chris Cain said it was very dry and he only found a few coveys, although a group with six dogs found more birds. Near Paducah, Geoff Sterner said part of the ranch he hunts received more moisture, and he kicked up three good-sized coveys going to and from deer blinds. Sterner said he won’t be quail hunting until mid-December. In West Texas, Steven Morse found four coveys in five hours of hunting near Midland; and Jerry Smith said he is planning for a tough year in the area. And west of Odessa, David Meyers said three hunters with one dog saw 40 birds in two days of hunting. “It’s been the driest six months ever,” Smith said. Keith Carpenter, hunting in Tom Green County, may have one of the pockets of property that fared better. He saw 33 coveys in three days, with 10-15 birds per covey.
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Page 18
November 13, 2020
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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INDUSTRY
New president at Brunswick
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER
Aine Denari was named president of Brunswick Boat Group.
Solution on Page 21
Great American Outdoor Show canceled The National Rifle Association announces the cancellation of the 2021 Great American Outdoor Show originally scheduled for February 6-14, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Blaser changes in Canada Blaser Group USA is now overseeing sales and marketing operations in Canada for the Blaser, Mauser and Sauer brands.
Lew’s Holdings name change After the merger of Lew’s and Strike King in 2017 and the acquisition of Fox International in 2019, Lew’s Holdings Corporation has changed its name to Rather Outdoors. ACROSS 3. A Trans-Pecos county 5. A duck with red eyes (two words) 8. A shotshell brand 9. A hearing protection manufacturer 12. A shark species 13. The young deer 16. The bow’s projectile 17. A fishing lure manufacturer 18. African animal poached for horns 19. The baldpate 20. Duck with the shortest wingspan 23. Lufkin’s county 26. Home of the reindeer 27. A salmon species 28. The fastest animal on four legs 30. An owl species 31. A hook manufacturer 32. The stinky furbearer 33. Mr. Whitetail in Texas 34. A deer and bird feed 35. A dove-hunting destination
DOWN 1. An archery-only county for deer 2. Some hunters eat this deer organ 4. A shorebird species 5. A trout species 6. A turkey hunter’s organization 7. A sunfish species 10. One of the firearms used in cowboy action shooting 11. A South Texas reservoir (two words) 14. A good striped bass lake 15. The deer’s strongest sense 17. The small whitetail in Texas 20. Lever- or bolt-action 21. Dalhart’s county 22. A good crappie lake 24. Used to mark a favorite fishing spot 25. Deer hunters like this in their face 27. Rabbit found in southern wetlands 29. Popular fishing shirts 30. A rifle brand
Leath named ED The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports named Dr. Steven Leath as its executive director.
RMEF seeks marketing director The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for the position of managing director of marketing after Steve Decker was promoted to chief revenue officer.
MarineMax acquires SkipperBud’s MarineMax acquired SkipperBud’s and its affiliate, Silver Seas, adding 20 locations.
Promotions at Swanson Russell Lisa Lorraine, Katie Sands and Tony Sattler were promoted to executive vice presidents at the Nebraska-based public relations firm Swanson Russell.
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Spicy dove on tomato 20 dove breast halves, boneless with skin removed 2 -3 tbsps. olive oil 3 tbsps. Hi-Mountain Fajita Seasoning 1 4 oz. can diced fire roasted chilies 7 medium-sized firm tomatoes 1 1/2 cups shredded jack cheese Toss doves in olive oil and then season liberally with Hi-Mountain Fajita seasoning. Heat a heavy duty pan on high heat until very hot. Add dove breasts and cook on each side until well-browned, but not
cooked past rare to medium-rare. Remove the dove from the pan and allow to cool. Slice tomatoes into 20 slices. Place cooked dove on tomato, top with diced chilies and jack cheese. Place under a preheated broiler until cheese is melted and slightly browned. —Scott Leysath, The Sporting Chef
Longtime Express-News columnist dies Ron Henry Strait, of New Braunfels, a U.S. Navy veteran and writer who was the outdoor columnist at the San Antonio Express-News from 1998-2009, died Nov. 6. He was 73. —Staff report
Former SCI, HSC president dies Ralph S. Cunningham Sr., a hunter, conservationist, former president of Safari Club International and Houston Safari Club and Weatherby Award winner, died Nov. 7 at the age of 80. —Staff report
Archery muley Continued from page 4
George crept to a nearby cedar tree. He could see the antlers, but wanted to get closer. “He was facing me,” George said. “I knew he would see me.” He got to about 30 yards when the buck stood up perfectly broadside and began to graze walking straight into George’s shooting lane. The arrow was flung and after a short 30-yard run, George’s first mule deer, not to mention first mule deer with a bow, was down. “He had never been out in West Texas, so the whole thing was awesome,” Perry said. The muley had a 23 1/2 inch spread and they estimated he was 5 years old.
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FREEPORT: 68 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good in the back lakes and marshes on live shrimp under popping corks. Flounder are good on mullet. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 75 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good around the shell reefs on shrimp. Black drum are fair on Bass Assassins. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 75 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics. Redfish are good along the north shoreline on live shrimp.
Page 19
Fall crappie
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 67-68 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics. Redfish are fair to good in bayous and at the jetties on soft plastics. BOLIVAR: 78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp. Black drum are good on crab. Flounder are good through the pass on mud minnows. TRINITY BAY: 69 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good around the bayou on shrimp under a popping cork. Flounder are fair around rocks on mud minnows. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 68-69 degrees. Speckled trout are good on small top-waters around the reefs. Bull redfish are good on cut mullet. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 69 degrees. Speckled trout are good on small top-waters and soft plastics. Redfish are good on shrimp under a popping cork. Flounder are good in the ship channel on mullet. TEXAS CITY: 70 degrees. Bull redfish are good around the dike on mullet. Redfish and speckled trout are good along the shoreline on shrimp under a popping cork.
November 13, 2020
Continued from page 8
PORT O’CONNOR: 68 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp. Black drum are good on crab. ROCKPORT: 69 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp, soft plastics and top-waters. Speckled trout are good around vegetation on shrimp under a popping cork. PORT ARANSAS: 78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp or soft plastics. Bull redfish are good around the
jetties. Flounder are good on mullet around the jetties. CORPUS CHRISTI: 77 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp under popping corks. Flounder are good on soft plastics or mud minnows. Black drum are good on crab. BAFFIN BAY: 72 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp under a popping cork. Redfish are good on mullet and shrimp. PORT MANSFIELD: 72 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp under a popping cork, ball tails and top-waters. Redfish are good on paddle tails, gold spoons and topwaters. SOUTH PADRE: 73 degrees. Redfish, speckled trout and flounder are good on artificials or cut bait. Black drum are good on crab. PORT ISABEL: 79 degrees. Speckled trout are fair to good on shrimp. Redfish are good on shrimp around shallow sand flats. Black drum are good on crab and shrimp around grass. —TPWD
River fishing Continued from page 8
people to let the setup flow through seams and currents. Prescott has been putting the first fly about 2 feet from the indicator and then adding more flies. “The largemouth are hitting on small streamers and crawfish patterns,” Prescott said. “Fishing depth in the river is always changing, and it is essential to switch up your rig if the fish aren’t biting or your flies keep on getting snagged on the bottom.” Covering around 800 miles, the Colorado River is continually adapting with its connected watershed systems, making fishing more approachable when honed in on a particular area. Chris Mokry works at Thomas Bait Shop in Marble Falls and frequently fishes near Lake LBJ on the Jeff Spangler has been finding largemouth bass willing to take flies in Colorado River. creek channels on the Brazos River above Lake Whitney. Photo from He reports the crappie Jeff Spangler. bite on the Colorado River has picked up. “I have been throwing a jig or minnow near brush piles,” Mokry said. “With these cold fronts coming in, I am now focusing on fishing depth.” On the Brazos River above Lake Whitney, Dallas resident Jeff Spangler and a few buddies caught a handful of largemouth bass on their recent excursion. “The fish are moving up into the shallows in search of warmer water in the Brazos,” he said. When fall is in full swing, Spangler said he can always count on the migration of shad into creeks, and he looks for structure where the bass will be waiting to ambush those shad moving up creek channels. Any baitfish streamer pattern will work well on this stretch of the Brazos. He emphasized it was beneficial to “throw frog patterns around cover” to get some reaction strikes, and then target bass in “feeding mode” before the winter temperature dips.
and caught a box full of hybrid stripers. It was crazy fun.” Rollins said the good crappie fishing on Cedar Creek is at its best from October through December. “The fishing here used to be a secret,” Rollins said. “But not anymore. The word has slowly leaked out over the years. We run eight boats and stay pretty busy. I have a 31-foot Twin V that can fish 10 people. Most of Jigs have worked best for Cedar Creek crappie under docks, while live our other boats are 24- minnows have produced better above brush piles. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News. foot center consoles, and we have a couple of smallused to be that our winter catches of craper boats for fishing the creeks.” pie were slow. But with the LiveScope, we For the most part, Rollins catches crap- can clearly see where the fish are located pie off of brush tops scattered all over the and how deep. It makes catching them lake. much easier during the winter months. “I’ve been fishing here for 18 years,” he We’ve been using them for about three said. “Fishing live minnows in the brush years. It’s precise fishing that gives our is good year-round. But, what’s really fun boats a big advantage.” is skipping jigs under the boathouses and Rollins said the one thing that can slow piers. The key is to shoot the jig about fishing is a cold front. 20 feet back and let it sink about 10 feet “Sometimes they have a big impact on deep. If you don’t feel a thump on the the numbers of crappie we’ll catch,” he fall, slowly work the jig back in. We use said. “With a rise in the barometric pres1/16-ounce soft plastic jigs.” sure, the fish just won’t eat. The day beWhen fishing the open lake brush tops, fore a front, the fishing can be great. But Rollins said it’s usually best to use live after a front moves through, it’ll take a minnows. His go-to rig starts with a 1 1/2 day or two for the bite to get back to norto 2-inch minnow rigged on a thin wire mal. When a front moves through we can 1/0 gold Aberdeen hook. A small split see crappie on the LiveScope and drop shot is placed about 10 inches above the minnows right on them, and they won’t minnow. Both the jigs and minnows are touch them.” fished on 6-pound-test line. Rollins also said catches of hybrid “The best thing that we have ever used striped bass, weighing 3 to 6 pounds, are to locate crappie on a daily basis is the good on chartreuse or yellow plastic jigs. Garmin Panoptix LiveScope,” he said. “It
Heading offshore Continued from page 8
Max 130. The diamond jigs weigh 4 to 10 ounces. Two of the best colors are silver or glow, and they are fished about 200 feet deep.” The Halco Max 130 is a lipless minnow that can be used for jigging, casting or trolling. “That’s a lure that will catch big yellowfins,” Matthews said. “My most productive colors are blue or black/purple. I’ll cast it out, wait 10 seconds then reel it in with a straight retrieve. It’s surprising how much power a yellowfin has on the strike. And they don’t give up easily. I fish with a Shimano 8000 Saragosa reel. It’s spooled with 65-pound test Power Pro braid, connected to an 18-inch, 60-pound test Fluorocarbon leader.” When using bait, they’ll use fresh dead blackfin tuna for chunk baits to catch yel-
lowfins. “Under the lights at night you never know what’s going to bite next,” Matthews said. “It might be a big dorado, blackfin or yellowfin tuna. A good dead bait is a cigar minnow. The best live bait is a flying fish that can be caught with a net.” On his last trip, customers landed 43 yellowfin tuna to 125 pounds. On one trip, they decked 400 blackfin. There is no limit on blackfin tuna. With the yellowfins, it’s three fish per angler. On the 60-hour trip the boat leaves the dock at 6 a.m. on Friday, and returns on Sunday evening. It has A/C, heat, and the meals are included in the price. Bunks are also included. You can bring your own tackle, or use the tackle that’s provided on the boat.
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201596_DOA_2.17_Tx Outdoor Journal_CAL ad_5.125x3.75.indd 1
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November 13, 2020
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NATIONAL NEVADA
SHOT Show, SCI conventions off Two of the hunting industry’s largest events won’t be happening in Las Vegas in January and February 2021. The SHOT Show, originally scheduled for Jan. 19-21, was called off by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show,” the organization said in a release. “While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show.” Also, Safari Club International’s convention, set for Feb. 3-6, was canceled by the organization. SCI cited Las Vegas’ latest guidance, which would limit events to 250 people, which in some cases could be maximized to 1,000 people; along with uncertainties about international travel as reasons for the decision. —Staff report
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Gray wolf delisted The delisting of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act is being touted by conservation groups as an ESA success story. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge that state and tribal wildlife management agency professionals will resume responsibility for sustainable management and protection of delisted gray wolves in states with gray wolf populations, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitors the species for five years to ensure the continued success of the species. “Today’s action reflects the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to species conservation based on the parameters of the law and the best scientific and commercial data available,” said Sec. Bernhardt. “After more than 45 years as a listed species, the gray wolf has exceeded all conservation goals for recovery. Today’s announcement simply reflects the determination that this species is neither a threatened nor endangered species based on the specific factors Congress has laid out in the law.” In total, the gray wolf population in the lower 48 states is more than 6,000 wolves, greatly exceeding the combined recovery goals for the Northern Rocky Mountains and Western Great Lakes populations. “Today is a win for the gray wolf and the American people,” said Aurelia Skipworth, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I am grateful for these partnerships with States and Tribes and their commitment to sustainable management of wolves that will ensure the species long-term survival following this delisting.” Gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, where a healthy and sustainable population roams across Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and eastern portions of Oregon and Washington, were previously delisted. These states have since managed this delisted population effectively and responsibly. Wolves have even expanded into western Oregon, western Washington, northern California and most recently in northwest Colorado. The Western Great Lakes wolf population in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the largest outside Alaska, is also strong and stable. —Staff report
NORTHEAST
Menhaden take reduced The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board voted to reduce the Atlantic menhaden quota by 10 percent, establishing a quota of 194,400 metric tons for the 2021 and 2022 fishing years. Atlantic menhaden are a primary food source for numerous
sportfish populations, especially striped bass. In August, ASMFC unanimously adopted a new ecological management system — which considers the needs of predator species and is set up to help rebuild the striped bass population. —NMMA
CONNECTICUT
Gun sales skyrocket In October, the NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System totaled 1,769,553, an increase of 60.1 percent compared to the 2019 adjusted total of 1,105,335. The unadjusted October 2020 FBI NICS figure of 3,268,909 reflects a 40.5 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,327,252 in October 2019. The year-to-date total of 17.2 million background checks shattered the previous complete annual record of 15.7 million background checks set in 2016., with two months of sales still remaining. —NSSF
MICHIGAN
New hunter license sales jump 95 percent Hunting license sales for first-time hunters surged 95 percent since March. “We have seen a record increase in license sales that we haven’t seen in 20 years,” Shannon Lott, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said. The DNR reports that 440,780 people purchased a hunting license through Oct. 12. More than 64,000 of those buyers were first-time hunters — 31,000 more new hunters than at the same point last year. People ages 10-16 drove a 144-percent increase in license sales across all hunting species, while the number of female hunters has risen nearly 25 percent. —MDNR
INDIANA
Online college course on hunting, conservation Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is teaming with Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow and the Max McGraw Foundation on a new online course that delves into the cultural, biological, economic and policy aspects of hunting. The course, called Hunting for Conservation, provides a detailed look at the unique North American system of public lands and wildlife resources, their management as a public trust resource and hunting’s place in a system that sustains wildlife diversity. Purdue wildlife majors take Hunting for Conservation as part of their major’s requirements. But the new online version is being made available to colleges and universities around the country. —Purdue University
IOWA
NASGW awards The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers, the association representing shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers, and their trade partners, announced the winners of its annual Appreciation Awards. The NASGW Expo, which brings together wholesalers and manufacturers within the shooting sports industry to get a first look at new products and plan sales for the upcoming year, was canceled in 2020. NASGW Appreciation Awards: Firearm Manufacturer of the Year: Glock Optics Manufacturer of the Year: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year: Hornady Accessory Manufacturer of the Year: Magpul Industries Importer of the Year: Aguila Innovator of the Year: Hornady —NASGW
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November 13, 2020
Page 21
Granbury pro wins Central Open
For home or office delivery, go to LSONews.com, or call (214) 361-2276, or send a check or money order to the address below. Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 21628300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2020 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com. Executive Editor
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Cody Bird, of Granbury, won the Bassmaster Central Open on Alabama’s Neely Henry Lake with a three-day total of 34 pounds, 1 ounce. It was Bird’s first B.A.S.S. win. Bird finished third on Day 1 with a limit of 13 pounds, 1 ounce, and moved into the Day 2 lead after adding 11 pounds, 9 ounces. On the final day, he turned in a limit of 9 pounds, 7 ounces and earned the $35,000 top prize. Fishing fast to cover lots of water, Bird covered a 15mile stretch up the Coosa River. He made upwards of 100 stops, making approximately 1,000 casts each day. Bird targeted areas of moving current and found fish off of stumps. He landed most of the fish on Lucky Craft RC 1.5 squarebills, custom-painted in bright chartreuse patterns. —B.A.S.S.
Texas Team Trail champions Kyle Rowe and Ted Pate caught a two-day limit of 50.98 pounds to win the Texas Team Trail Championship on Oct. 25 on Choke Canyon Reservoir. The anglers won a boat and motor package valued at $50,090. Rowe and Pate went into the championship counting on leveraging big Florida-strain largemouth bass to their advantage. “It doesn’t matter where you go in South Texas — Amistad, Falcon, Choke — those Florida strain bass do not like cold fronts,” Rowe said. “It may only change the temperature (a few degrees), but it will affect them.” After dialing in a morning top-water bite in the mid-lake region, Rowe and Pate started Day 1 pursuing this pattern. But a cool front caused them to change plans. Flipping Texas-rigged brush hogs into mats, the team amassed 19.95 pounds, putting them in 13th place. The team of Danny Iles and Brian Shook led after the first day with 27.57 pounds. Returning to their grass beds on the second day, Rowe and Pate correctly assessed the front’s impact, reaching far into the mats to sack up 31.03 pounds. The team edged Isles and Shook by 7 ounces for the win. Isles and Shook finished second with 50.91 pounds, earning Team of the Year honors in addition to a prize package worth $54,004. —TXTT
Puzzle solution from Page 18
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Page 22
November 13, 2020
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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COTTONWOOD 1/2 ZIP TOP: Nomad’s Cottonwood Collection — including its 1/2 zip top — is engineered to keep hunters warm during mid- to late-season hunts. This garment’s fleece construction and windproof technology also ensure hunters stay quiet in the field while awaiting that big buck. Made from 100-percent Polyester and heavyweight Berber, it features a windproof liner and a Sherpa fleece-lined hood. The side-zip entry makes it easy to slip the 1/2 zip top on or off, while several pockets on the chest, mid and lower body and a kangaroo pouch provide plenty of accessible storage space for small gear. It costs about $180.
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ROCK62 KNIFE: WOOX’s latest knife utilizes X-Grip Technology for a superior grip in any weather. Inspired by Pirelli tires, the technology uses grooves and threads that help fluids naturally and quickly flow away from the handle. Fluids such as water and blood, as well as mud and other liquids get displaced fast, thus, a better grip. The knife also features Sleipner steel, custom-fitted screws, and German Micarta handle. Available in two colors, black and gray, the knife costs about $200.
PRO SUNNY B LURE: Bagley’s larger “pro-sized” fast-action balsa wood bait is a precision-weighted lure that casts easily and consistently gets to a 5- to 6-foot running depth. It has a higher body profile with tremendous buoyancy and tighter action for when fish are more docile. It is equipped with a square lip so anglers can work it in heavy cover and around laydowns where big bass tend to hang out. The 3-inch lure comes in seven color patterns and costs about $10.
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HANGTIME DAY PACK: This seven-compartment pack by Tenzing has a rigid EVA-molded shell, which holds its shape when hung open in a treestand. Bow hunters will appreciate the pack’s two quiver attachment points for right- or left-handed use and its removable bow carrier. The hunting pack offers 1,600 cubic inches of overall storage. In addition to its large main compartment, there are multiple smaller compartments, a removable utility box, and many pockets for storage of optics, game calls, cell phones, etc. The pack costs about $200.
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
November 13, 2020
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
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