Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
December 28, 2018
Volume 15, Issue 9
Wooden fishing reel keepsakes San Antonio artist creates vintage replicas By David Sikes
For Lone Star Outdoor News Steven Garza has the eye of an artist, the hands of a crafts-
man and the meticulous patience of a watchmaker. And because this native Texan is the son of an artist who possesses the soul of an angler, he’s able to create the most impressive wooden replicas of fishing reels you’ve ever seen. From his well-organized San Antonio workshop, Garza spe-
cializes in piecing together 3050 wooden parts layered and inlaid into the exact shapes of vintage bait-casting reels. The detail and workmanship are what captures the attention of most people who see his creations, Garza said. Plus there is a nostalgic factor. This is particularly true of the
early bait-casting reels made by the likes of Shakespeare and Pflueger. But lately, the Navy veteran, who spent eight years aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, has expanded his craft to include classic spinning reels and even a few of the older closed-face reels by
Steven Garza uses 30 to 50 parts in making wooden replicas of vintage fishing reels. Photo by Mike Garza.
Please turn to page 13
Holiday harvest
Donated venison finds a home
Donated venison made its way to the kitchen of a New Braunfels family. Photo by Erich Schlegel, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Packages delivered to New Braunfels family
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
Deer hunters are still pursuing bucks as the New Year approaches. Many have seen the bucks locked down with does, and are hopeful the activity will pick up soon. The general deer season ends Jan. 6 in the North Zone and Jan. 20 in the South Zone. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Programs for hunters willing to donate venison to the less fortunate exist across Texas, but it’s when the meat reaches the home of those who need and appreciate it that is the most rewarding. With meat provided to the San Antonio Food Bank, some of it made its way to the Cavazos Please turn to page 7
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Farm Bill passage praised By Craig Nyhus
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Increased funding for CRP will help create additional habitat for wildlife. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill by the U.S. Senate resulted in the bill being sent it to President Donald Trump’s desk on Dec. 11. Trump signed the bill into law on Dec. 20. The bill received praise from hunting conservation groups, along with farming and ranching organizations. Notable provisions in the bill include:
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The Conservation Reserve Program will provide contracts for 27 million acres of private land by 2023, allocating around $2 billion annually for farmers to remove environmentally sensitive land from their agricultural production in order to improve the land quality. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program will provide $450 million
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per year (totaling $2.25 billion over five years) for financial assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands. The Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP) will include $50 million total to enable state/tribal governments to increase public access to private lands for recreational opportunities and enhance Please turn to page 15
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10
HUNTING
FISHING
Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12
Goose on the rice (P. 4)
Sabine bite strange (P. 8)
Coastal prairies action consistent.
Fresh water changes patterns.
Hunting aoudad (P. 4)
Fly-fishing surprise (P. 8)
Mobility a key.
Casting for trout, lands 10-pound bass.
Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 17 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 22
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