Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
January 26, 2018
Volume 14, Issue 11
Studying coveys
A good-sized covey of bobwhite quail erupts at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Roby, where Dr. Dale Rollins’ dogs pointed 39 coveys on Jan. 16. Photo by Phil Lamb.
Field research through hunting By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News The covey of bobwhites busted into the air in a blur, after being pointed by two English setters.
The shots had to be quick and accurate on a cold and breezy January day at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Roby. When a ranch is managed totally for quail, even when conditions aren’t optimal, remarkable results can be produced. At the RPQRR, the focus has been quail for more than a de-
cade. All of the habitat manipulation, mesquite and prickly pear removal and prescribed burns are designed to better the odds for quail reproduction and survival. The brainchild of the ranch’s executive director, Dr. Dale Rollins, with much of the research funding coming from Park Cities Quail and the Rolling Plains
Quail Research Foundation, the wild quail are extensively counted, trapped, studied and examined. Research into every aspect of a quail’s life is conducted, from habitat to predators to diseases and parasites. This particular hunt, one of few hunts conducted at the ranch, was labeled “field research” by
Rollins and Ranch Manager Lloyd LaCoste. Lone Star Outdoor News had the privilege to participate in the research, where the numbers of coveys were counted, the birds were examined for bands to determine whether the birds shot had been previously trapped, the birds were aged and examined for disease, injury and eyeworms. Please turn to page 15
Learning the basics of fishing
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Deep, cold bass By Robert Sloan
By Tony Vindell
With freezing temperatures during the first two weeks of January across Texas, the water temperatures on lakes have plummeted by about 15 to 20 degrees, and that has led the way to some slow fishing for largemouth bass on East Texas lakes. But the bite is still on. Sam Rayburn guide Will Kirkpatrick says the water temperature as of Jan. 19, has dropped from the mid-50s to the
For Lone Star Outdoor News
A jig is a favorite of anglers targeting winter bass in the depths. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Parents and children attended the first annual “Take Me Fishing” hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. The family camp, held Jan 13 at the Bahia Grande was organized
Please turn to page 11
Please turn to page 9
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Several youngsters learn to cast at the first fish camp held at the Bahia Grande in the Rio Grande Valley. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Family pheasant hunt (P. 4)
Why here? (P. 8)
Three generations take to the field.
Boats’ steering wheels on the right.
My turn (P. 4)
Tournament season (P. 9)
Hunter gets buck with LSONF.
Several series underway.