Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
December 11, 2015
Volume 12, Issue 8
Mule deer production good By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Mule deer season opened in the TransPecos region of Texas, and hunters reported seeing fair numbers of good mule deer along with some rutting activity. A group of hunters spent most of last week in Culberson County hunting from sunup to sundown. “We spent all day each day driving, stopping and glassing headers of draws,” said Waylan Owens of Boerne. “As we drove, we found deer bedded under cedar trees, and other deer up and grazing. We saw an abundance of does and young bucks, and many of the does had twin fawns, and we saw limited rutting activity, usually in the morning
at first light.” The mature bucks weren’t showing themselves often, but Mike Holley of Columbus, Georgia, located a good buck and he stayed on him for two days. The last morning of the hunt, the buck’s does led him into Holley’s path. Holley’ buck was a 5x5 with a 22-inch spread. Larry Roberts of Katy shot his buck at 505 yards using a Nikon BDC scope, from a sitting position with the gun resting on shooting sticks. His buck had 164 5/8 inches of antler and 14 points. “We had some great stalks,” Owens said. “It was a great week with great people, and the quality deer was a bonus.” Previous hunters in the area dealt with snow and fog, but Owens’ group had cool and clear hunting. Please turn to page 16
SCENIC VIEW: Above, hunters glass for mule deer bucks in the deep draws in Culberson County. With Guadalupe Peak, Texas’ highest point in the distance, Waylan Owens, left and Larry Roberts admire Roberts’ first mule deer. Photos by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
CONTENTS
The better half
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 14
New lake effect
Duck hunters drawn to second split
Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 20 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 30
LSONews.com
Flooding causes short-term woes, long-term benefits
The first portion of the Texas duck season is over, and has been described by many experienced hunters as “weird.” Normal spots didn’t produce like in years past. The Texas coast saw birds early and very late in the first split, with a good push of birds coming in on the last day of legal hunting on November 29. Other areas are seeing birds trickling in. In the North and South
By Mark England
Lone Star Outdoor News
COME ON DOWN: Duck season resumes December 12 in most of Texas, and some areas are seeing an influx of birds, while most areas of Texas have an abundance of water, giving the birds plenty of options on where to feed and rest. Photo by LSON.
Flooding often results in loss. Memorial Day flooding in Texas washed away roads and homes were lost as well as lives. However, there were beneficiaries of the deluge: Texas lakes. Lakes expanded as floodwaters captured new habitat and vegetation. It’s resulting in what biologists call the “new
NO LAUNCH: Many boat ramps are closed again after recent rains. The lakes and the fish will rebound with new habitat and vegetation. Photo by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News.
lake effect,” comparing it to the productive first years of a new reservoir. “It’s for real,” said Dave Terre, head of management and research for Inland Fisheries at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Sud-
Please turn to page 19
INSIDE
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
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Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
Please turn to page 9
Finally
Pheasants on uptick
Hunter bags big buck after 40-year quest. Page 4
Numbers increase from previous years. Page 4
FISHING
Head to the coast
River trout
Anglers landing trout, reds, flounder. Page 8
Stockings taking place across state. Page 8