Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
December 8, 2017
Volume 14, Issue 8
Spearfishing monster yellowfin tuna By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Deer beer Two new brands feature deer-related themes
Adventurous divers have been spearfishing anything from red snapper to ling in the Gulf of Mexico for decades, but just recently 39-year-old Clay Likover took it to a new level when he speared a 229-pound yellowfin tuna while free-diving in about
100 feet of water. Generally, spear fishermen find a shrimper that’s culling, put on free-dive fins, a mask and snorkel, grab a spear gun and jump in the water. The only glitch is that with a load of bycatch being shoveled into the green Gulf of Mexico it’s a sure-fire thing that plenty of sharks will be in a feeding frenzy, along with an assortment of othFree divers seeking yellowfin tuna often deal with numerous sharks behind a culling Please turn to page 23 shrimp boat. Photo from Clay Likover.
Sniff, scrape, lick, repeat
By Julia Bunch
For Lone Star Outdoor News Hunting, one of the world’s oldest pastimes, often comes with a lot of reflection and storytelling — often fueled by a cold beer after the hunt. “Hunting is a time that you reflect on a lot of things in life. While you’re reflecting, having a beer to put you in the right mood, well that just goes hand-andhand,” said Booner Beck of Beck and Associates. Prudent beer brewers have realized that connection, and two Texas breweries have created deerthemed beers, perfect for enjoying after the hunt. Last September, Blanco craft brewery Real Ale Brewing Co. launched Axis IPA. “We looked at our portfolio, and we didn’t have a hop-forward IPA that embraced this new approach of having aromatic quality,” said Brad Farbstein, president of Real Ale. The beer is what Farbstein calls a Texan’s IPA because, unlike traditional India pale ales, Axis has a truffle fruit characteristic, making it a great beverage for those who do not necessarily love or know much about craft beer. “With each beer, we try to relate back to the area where we’re from,” Farbstein said. “We felt
Lone Star Outdoor News Bucks over much of Texas are rutting, and many hunters, especially in the Hill Country, feel the rut started a little earlier this season. According to wildlife biologist Macy Ledbetter, the buck will identify an overhanging branch or limb, paw the debris out of the way, eat or break off vegetation, wet the limb and rub the limb with his preorbital gland (by the buck’s eyes) and also between his antlers. Of course, he will then pee on the area and walk off. The timing of the full moon may be a part of the answer. Last year, the full moon was Dec. 12, while this year it was Dec. 3. Biologists say the rut timing is set by day length and other factors, but hunters feel the moon phase adjusts the pattern to some degree. Maybe next year can confirm their theory. The full moon will be Dec. 7, four days later than this year.
Please turn to page 13
Photo by Scott Hohensee.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Hunting the Hagerman NWR Public drawn hunt worth the extra effort By Craig Nyhus
Hunters drawn to hunt on the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge are allowed to scout before they begin their hunts. Photo by Phil Lamb.
For archery hunters without family land, a ranch or lease, the drawn hunt at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge offers a unique opportunity — if you’re lucky enough to be drawn.
Please turn to page 17
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10
HUNTING
Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12
Old archery club hit by Harvey (P. 4) Small lakes, big crappie (P. 8)
Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 26
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Lone Star Outdoor News
“Friends of mine who are bowhunters told me about it,” said Phil Lamb, a Dallasite who works as the development director for the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch. “The refuge runs the hunts, and it only costs $5 to apply.” Lamb said he was told it generally took three years to get drawn. “I was drawn on my third year,” he said. “I entered in May and was notified I was drawn in June.” Hagerman requires each drawn hunter pay
FISHING
Floods in two straight years.
Two Fannin County lakes worth the trip.
T. Boone’s ranch for sale (P. 6)
Jetties, flats producing reds (P. 9)
Mesa Vista Ranch listed for $250 million.
Fish schooling in shallows.