Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
December 14, 2018
Volume 15, Issue 8
Mule deer antler restriction tested Goal of reduced harvest met By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News An experiment to help the mule deer population
in six Panhandle counties appeared to have achieved its first-year goals. The restriction in Briscoe, Childress, Cottle, Floyd, Hall and Motley counties prohibited the
harvest of any mule deer buck with a main beam outside spread of less than 20 inches. “The doe to buck ratio within the counties is highly skewed towards does, indicating a very
high buck harvest in the past,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Natural Resource specialist Sam Harryman. “With a more conservative buck harvest due to the antler restriction, the doe to
buck rations should become more balanced in time.” Matthew Cruse, a Texas game warden in the area, said the harvest reduction was significant. “We had a huge Please turn to page 15
Border to border chasing Most hunters found some pheasants over opening weekend in the Texas Panhandle, but reported overall numbers were down. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Wind, snow greet pheasant hunters By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News A windy weekend welcomed 120 pheasant hunters at the Olton Chamber of Commerce Pheasant Hunt during the opening weekend Dec. 1 and 2. “It was a fair opener,” said Adrienne Synatschk of the Chamber in Lamb County. “A storm blew through on the opening day and it was extremely windy — the wind blew 40 miles per hour with gusts to 60.” Synatschk’s husband, Alton, guided a group of hunters on some of the 15,000 acres made available for the event.
Rutting activity is still going on in North Texas, with bucks seen chasing does in most areas, although the rut is winding down. To the south, it’s just getting started, as several hunters reported young bucks chasing and coming to the rattling antlers. Some mature bucks also are participating. Photo by Dick Davis.
Please turn to page 17
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Big rainbows on the Guad By David Sikes
Guides and anglers are landing big trout in the Guadalupe River, especially where Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited stocked larger fish along 12 miles of the river. Photo by David Sikes.
Thomas Schwab works at Reel Fly in Sattler near Canyon Lake, and said now is the time for fly-anglers to head to the river. “Despite the fairly quick flows, it’s been pretty good fishing,” he said. “Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited has stocked their fish, and they are huge. The river is wadeable.” Many longtime Texans hold fond memories of the Guada-
lupe River’s more indiscreet traditions. Floating Texas’ most celebrated stream is still a supreme rite of passage for teens. The Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake remains one of the more impressive and popular landscapes of Texas. Certainly, one to enjoy when cool waters complement a hot Texas day. And then there’s winter on the Guadalupe, when youthful squeals and robust flows are replaced by the reverence of a solitary fly-angler wading knee-
deep in a current too slight to carry inner tubes. River guides such as Chris Jackson, who owns Action Angler fly shop on River Road, sell this atmosphere, which pairs well with the lightest of tackle. They come wearing chest waders to guard against chilly waters released for the pleasure of anglers from the depths of Canyon Lake. Did you know the Guadalupe is listed as America’s southernmost trout stream? This tradition began in 1966, Please turn to page 11
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10
HUNTING
FISHING
Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12
Hunting for dad (P. 4)
Big, but in slot (P. 8)
Son shoots buck for ailing father.
Double-digit reds.
Preserving land (P. 4)
Lake-record cat (P. 8)
Conservancy turns 20.
Blue caught from bank near McLane Stadium.
Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 25 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 26
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