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Late winter is a trying time for Texas hunters, as most general seasons are closed or closing soon. Fortunately, the somberness is diminished by the opportunity to chase many of the exotic species that call our state home.
The grassy ridgelines and oak covered bottoms of the Glass Mountains hold
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Offshore anglers able to take advantage of ideal weather windows have found an abundance of swordfish and wahoo, along with other species, in the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Certain water depths and temperature ranges have been more productive than others. Once the fish are located, the action can be as good as it gets.
Darby Wright and Neil Preston went on an offshore trip out of Port Mansfield with Capt. Stuart Richardson, and ended up landing an 11-foot, 550-pound swordfish about 70 miles out, after spending several hours trolling for wahoo to
no avail.
“It was the only fish we landed that day, but it sure was worth all of the effort,” Wright said. “We ran about 40 miles northeast to start our day, where we spent about three hours chasing wahoo. Richardson was marking fish on his electronics, but they were not feeding.”
With the wahoo having lockjaw, they decided to run about 30 miles farther in hopes of finding a swordfish.
“We were fishing in about 1,700 feet of water, and within about half an hour, there was a subtle strike on one of the baits we had dropped down near the bottom,” Wright elaborated. “Richardson
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some of the largest concentrations of free-ranging aoudad in the state. About one mile and a few hundred feet in elevation gain is all that separated Chad Pulsifer, of Pueblo, Colorado, and the aoudad ram he came to the region to pursue.
Pulsifer and three of his closest friends made the trek from Colorado in search of a mature ram for each of the men. As it turned out, Pulsifer would be
the last of the group still looking for his ram as the other men tagged out earlier in the hunt.
“I wasn’t worried at all truthfully,” Pulsifer said. “I wasn’t expecting the numbers of sheep, it was amazing.”
Around noon on the third day, Pulsifer and his group received word from the rest of the hunting party of a ram they had located near the top of the highest peak on the ranch. With half
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At first glance, it would appear O.H. Ivie Reservoir is putting out big bass by the day. While the lake has put out nine 13-pluspound lunkers since the New Year, anglers are quick to point out they spend hours on the lake, searching for a big bass on their sophisticated electronics, often not making a cast the entire day on the water. It paid off
for Jason Conn this month with the eighth-largest bass caught in the state, a 17.03-pounder, all captured on video.
Other lakes are bringing in lunkers, as well. Lake Alan Henry, once known for producing giant bass, returned with a 13.22-pounder caught on a crappie jig. Toledo Bend produced a 15.67-pounder, and it wasn’t enough to win the Bass Champs tournament, as the top team, Michael and Nathan Mitchell, of
Lake Charles, Louisiana, brought in 28.95 pounds, including an 11.58-pounder. The next week, at a Bass Champs event held on Lake LBJ, the big bass weighed 13.03 pounds.
Anglers are waiting for prime time for big bass at several other lakes, including Choke Canyon, Conroe and Fork. With water temperatures on the rise, those and some new water bodies may be joining the party soon.
Ryan O’Shaughnessy is the founder of West Texas Quail Outfitters, where he guides wingshooters interested in a unique, challenging and rewarding upland hunting experience for wild blue quail around Alpine and the surrounding regions of far West Texas.
The hunts are focused on pursuing coveys of scaled quail, but the occasional Gambel’s quail is mixed in.
“We hunt on private leases that span some 650,000 acres from Van Horn to Marathon,” O’Shaughnessy said. “Our hunts are challenging and rewarding, and take place in some beautiful, rugged country.”
Born and raised in South Africa, O’Shaughnessy’s family was in the safari business, but his passion for wingshooting began at an early age.
“I grew up hunting dove with my dad,” he elaborated. “Some of my earliest hunting experiences were with my dad pursuing dove over grain fields. There was an abundance of game birds to hunt in South Africa, and they got very little pressure because big game hunting was much more popular. In fact, when I went bird hunting, I never saw any other hunters.”
O’Shaughnessy moved to the United States in 2009, and then to Texas about 10 years ago from Illinois, after earning his Ph.D. in wildlife biology, to work as an Associate Professor and Assistant Provost of Research at Sul Ross State University. He spent seven years in academics, before deciding to focus on his passion of upland hunting.
“I had a couple of bird dogs, and one of the landowners who I got to know through the research we were doing at Sul Ross invited me to bring my dogs out and do some quail hunting with him,” O’Shaughnessy said. “About halfway through the hunt, I mentioned to the landowner that he must have folks reaching out to him all the time about wanting to come quail hunting on his property. I asked him if he had ever thought about raising some quail dogs, because he had extensive experience raising and training dogs for other hunting purposes. The landowner told me he just didn’t have the time, and that was the light bulb moment for me to step in and start running quail hunts.”
That took place in 2014 and began O’Shaughnessy’s first hunting season as a quail
surprising.
cated desert bighorns were GPS collared.
Of the 70, 28 were hard released into theleased into a 500-acre enclosure for three tion, habitat use and configuration and
As expected, the resident animals had the greatest 2-year survival. However, sheep hard-released into the habitatleased sheep were less likely to integrate with resident sheep, while hard-released
A new program will help veterans who have a desire to get involved in ranch life and seek a career on a hunting ranch.
The Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation is starting the Sporting Ranch Training Program — a 12-week program where veterans will learn skills to help them gain employment on a ranch guiding hunts, conducting wildlife and habitat management techniques and general ranch management.
Led by RPQRF wildlife biologist Dana Wright, courses in the program will include pesticide and herbicide application, prescribed burning, brush manage-
ment, wildlife biology, quail surveys, operating common ranch and farming equipment, and other hands-on activities to prepare individuals for working on a game ranch.
“The program is meant to give them hands-on experience working on a ranch and learning about wildlife management,” Wright said. “They also will learn general ranch stuff — like how to fix a fence and drive equipment. Then, we and others like the Quail Coalition will help them get placed for jobs on ranches.”
Wright said the impetus from the program stemmed from her 30-plus year career as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist.
“People lacked the field experience,” she said. “And it’s hard to find help in rural areas.”
Participants will live in the new Gordy Family Guest Lodge at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch and receive monthly wages and a food allowance for the duration of the program.
“The program is open only to veterans, and we plan on having three or four in the first class,” Wright said. “And we plan to get them certified for things like prescribed burning and pesticide application.”
Veterans interested in applying need to hurry. The program is slated to start May 15. To apply or receive a brochure, contact dwright@quailresearch.org.
If a youngster in your life (age 13-17) is looking for a camp experience this summer and has an interest in the out doors, one of the Texas Brigades camps is right up his or her alley. Prospective campers need to hurry, though, as the deadline for applications is March 15. Each camp involves a five-day, im mersive experience, designed to edu cate campers about more than just wildlife or fish — helping develop new conservation ambassadors.
The camps are:
Rolling Plains Bobwhite
Brigade
June 7-11
The 1687 Foundation, Rising Star
South Texas Bobwhite Brigade
June 24-28
Malek Buckhorn Creek Ranch, Mc-
Coy
Buckskin Brigade
South Texas Buckskin Brigade
June 11-15
Chaparrosa Ranch, La Pryor
North Texas Buckskin Brigade
July 23-27
Warren Ranch, Santa Anna
Ranch Brigade
South Texas Ranch Brigade
June 24-28
Duval County Ranch, Freer
North Texas Ranch Brigade
July 17-21
Warren Ranch, Santa Anna
Brigades campers receive intensive instruction over a fiveday period. Photo from Texas Brigades.
Bass Brigade
July 5-9
Warren Ranch, Santa Anna
Waterfowl Brigade
July 12-16
Pintail Hunting Club, Garwood
Coastal Brigade
July 25-29
Sea Star Base, Galveston
Each camp costs $500, and there are scholarships available. The application deadline is March 15.
guide. As he built a reputation as an outfitter who was a great steward of the land and the wildlife, O’Shaughnessy began to develop relationships with more and more landowners and gain access to additional large acreage ranches.
“Nobody else was guiding quail hunts in far West Texas, and all of a sudden, ranchers began reaching out and asking if I would be interested in leasing their properties for quail hunts,” O’Shaughnessy said. “I went from only having two properties to hunt on and operating with two bird dogs out of dog boxes in the back of my pickup truck in 2014, to a fairly extensive operation. We currently have a kennel of 27 dogs, four guides and five quail rigs.”
O’Shaughnessy takes pride in hunting what he refers to as 100-percent wild birds.
“These populations of quail are not supplemented with pen-raised birds, and they do not have access to feeders,” he said. “We don’t bait roads or trails either. We hunt completely wild, undisturbed coveys, and that’s something that a lot of die-hard quail hunters are looking for. It’s not uncommon to flush a covey of 20 or 30 birds.”
O’Shaughnessy loves the tradition and sport of upland hunting.
“The history of quail hunting with bird dogs in Texas is special,” he said. “From a covey rise, to a dog on point or the camaraderie between hunters in the field, it’s the little moments that make quail hunting the classic sport that it is. Those are the things that we love to see our hunters experience and enjoy, and that’s why we put in the work to chase these wild birds over this challenging terrain.”
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animals were more likely to integrated into resident social groups and use similar habitat.
“While many argue soft-release methods permit animals to acclimate to their new environment, our results indicate they actually hindered acclimation by preventing social integration with resident individuals and learning from them,” BRI said in a description of the research. “Translocated desert bighorn sheep were more likely to integrate with resident herds and survive when hard released.”
BRI advised avoiding soft release methods when resident sheep are present, favoring hard-release methods.
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the group staying back to keep eyes on the ram and his ewes, Pulsifer and his guide, Jon, began making their way toward the wide-framed, long-chapped ram.
“The ram was big and impressive,” Pulsifer said. “The anticipation of getting there in time was killing me. We actually spooked a group of mule deer on the stalk and I thought we were done.”
After an hour-long stalk, Pulsifer set up for a 399-yard cross canyon shot and made it count. Known for their toughness, the old ram required a couple follow up shots from the 6.5 PRC and quickly expired. With more than 31 inches of horn per side and aged at 12 years, the ram was a true monarch of the mountain.
“The ram was everything I wanted and the hunt was super exciting,” Pulsifer said.
While the mountains of West Texas draw those in search of aoudad, many hunters head for the South Texas Brush Country to pursue nilgai. South Dakotan Matt Kranz and three of his hunting partners pursued the blue bull near Raymondville the second week of February.
“The amount of game was incredible, the nilgai were seemingly everywhere,” Kranz said.
Timing their trip during the rut and being fortunate with great weather, the Kranz group saw nilgai each day.
“We covered a lot of country and focused our efforts near water holes,” Kranz said. “It had been dry in the area we were in so it was only a matter of time. The nilgai were plenty spooky but there were just so many animals it was almost hard to believe.”
built himself, the group took home four nilgai bulls and two nilgai cows.
“The shots ranged from 100 to 300 yards and each animal only took one shot,” Kranz said. “It was an awesome experience.”
Blackbuck are also a favorite this time of year for Texas hunters like Darian Shelton. Having received the hunt from her father as a wedding present, Shelton began her hunt targeting axis on the Choctaw Ranch outside of Freer, but circumstances changed like they so often do when hunting.
“We were initially targeting axis, but were having a hard time finding the herd,” she said. “Day two of the hunt the landowner asked what I thought about hunting a blackbuck instead. I said ‘Heck ya!’ because I have always wanted a good blackbuck.”
That same afternoon, Shelton and her hunting party made their way to an open wheat field hoping to catch a mature blackbuck on his feet. Not having reached the field, their plans changed once again as they encountered a small group of nice blackbuck on the edge of a sendero.
“When we found the buck, he actually laid down at the edge of the brush,” Shelton said. “I began stalking forward when he stood up aware of our presence. I took my shot and he only went 30 or 40 yards.”
Shelton’s buck sports nearly 20 inches of horn per side and had an exceptionally dark coat, both great indicators of maturity. A great wedding present for any Texas hunter.
Late winter and early springtime winds can provide challenges for anglers, especially those pursuing fish on the fly. Texas rivers provide protected waters and excellent fisheries, giving those longing to cast a fly rod good opportunities to hook up with a variety of species. Bass are holding in a late winter pattern on the Brazos River, while plenty of trout are still being caught on the Guadalupe.
Ben Tabor, of Fatties on the Fly, said the Brazos River below Lake Granbury has rewarded anglers willing to put in the time with some decent-sized bass.
“The bass bite has been changing from day to day with the varying weather conditions, but there are plenty of fish to be caught, especially in the 2- to 3-pound range,” Tabor said. “Larger, baitfish fly patterns and crawfish fly patterns rigged on sinking line have been producing the most strikes.”
Tabor said the stretches of warmest water on the river is where bug hatches will take place, and phytoplankton and zooplankton will be hanging on one side of the river where the wind is blowing these hatches.
“That’s where the baitfish and crawfish will go to feed, and then of course the bigger fish like bass will follow,” he elaborated. “Therefore, banks facing into the prevailing wind that receive the most sunlight on any given day, will become the best areas to fish, especially if they have some sort of structure and depth change along them.”
Tabor said the key is to keep your fly down deep in these areas, or to allow it to fall naturally down ledges along dropoffs. Along with bass, there has also been decent action on the fly from drum and carp.
On the Guadalupe River, fly-fishing guide Ryan Schaper said indicator nymphing has been the best tactic for keeping his clients hooked up with solid trout.
“There’s a ton of fish in the river right now, and if you can figure out how to get them to bite, you can have an awesome day,” Schaper said. “They can be a little picky at times, but the fishing has been really good.”
A key to staying hooked up with trout on the Guadalupe is keeping your flies as close to the bottom as possible.
“The trout are lazy, and they are not going to move very far, most of the time, to eat,” Schaper said. “They are mostly hanging tight to the bottom, regardless of what depth they are in. If your fly is not hanging up or bumping the bottom while it is drifting through the current, then you are not going to get many bites.”
Most of trout have been in the 12-16-inch range, with some pushing 20 inches or more.
“On sunny days, the fish seem to be hanging out more in deeper pools, while on cloudy days, they are willing to feed in shallower water,” Schaper said.
Guide John Shank said his anglers are getting lots of bites each day on the Guadalupe River.
“The trout are biting extremely quick,” he said. “If you don’t have a feel for it or have never fly fished for them before, you may get several bites before you actually hook one. It’s that subtle of a strike.
The guide said the most important thing fly anglers
Some anglers stay off the water in winter, and even fewer fly-anglers head out this time of year. But fly-fishing for reds and black drum can be an excellent option when the weather cooperates.
Capt. Kyle Hodson runs winter fly-fishing trips out of a lodge in Seadrift, and you can find him on the flats anywhere from Port O’Connor to Seadrift to Rockport.
“This time of year the cold winter weather sets up some really nice fishing for reds and black drum,” Hodson said. “The water gets to be really clear. It’s easy to
see the target fish, and when you make a good presentation, reds will jump all over it.”
For the past two years, the lodge has working on a flyfishing program that has attracted anglers from across the nation.
“It’s working out really well,” Hodson said. “We take not only experienced anglers, but the ones who are just interested in learning how to fly fish. We have all the gear and miles upon miles of clear water flats.”
Hodson started fly-fishing out of the well-known Redfish Lodge in Rockport. And he’s among the most experienced fly-fishing guides on the Texas coast. During the summer months, he’ll be catching trout and flounder,
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The winter months can be some of the best for going offshore out of Galveston. And one of the most sought-after fish is a grouper — a big game fish that can grow up to 600 pounds. They are not always the easiest fish to find and catch, but there are a few anglers that target these hard fighting fish. One is Capt. Bill Platt.
Platt runs a 37-foot Freeman powered with four 300-horsepower outboards.
“Sometimes we make some long runs to deep water to find grouper,” he said.
Not all grouper are the same. There are 10 different types of grouper along the Texas coast. They are the black grouper,
comb, goliath, marbled, misty, red, snowy, yellowedge, yellowfin and yellowmouth. The heaviest is the goliath. The state record for a goliath is 551 pounds. That particular grouper is now catch and release only.
One spot that Platt likes to fish is at the Flower Gardens located about 110 miles out of Galveston. That’s an area of rocks and crevasses that attract and hold grouper. Some of the best fishing is in water that’s 250- to 300-feet deep.
“You need some really good electronics to find the right structure and stay of top of it,” Platt said. “The heaviest grouper I’ve ever caught weighed 150 pounds, but we’ve broken off some much bigger ones. The thing about grouper is that they
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There will be fewer public fishing and hunting opportunities available in Freestone County.
Fairfield Lake State park includes two boat ramps and a fishing pier, and has received an average of 80,000 visitors per year. Popular activities included horseback riding, family reunions, paddling, fishing, camping and hiking. Last year, Bryan Allen, of Conroe, landed a 24.5-inch largemouth from the lake.
The park closed for two sets of drawn hunts for antlerless/spike deer each year, with 20 permits for adults and 40 for youth hunts. More than 1,400 adults and 300 youth applied for the hunts.
Now, the park could end up as part of a golf course and high-end development. The 2,400-acre lake, the largest private lake in the state, along with acreage bringing the total to 5,025, was listed for sale in 2021.
Now under contract by Vistra, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was notified the land lease was terminated due to the impending sale of the property.
According to reports, Todd Interests and Luminant/Vistra told TPWD and Legislative leadership that the state park lease will not be continued, as the property and lake will be developed and marketed as a private, gated lakefront community with exclusive access to the lake.
The lake was built in 1969 when the Texas Power and Light Company constructed
a dam on Big Brown Creek that served as a cooling reservoir for the Big Brown Power Plant. The lake became a popular fishery for largemouth bass, redfish and blue tilapia, which survived in the lake’s warm waters. The power plant was retired in 2018.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department leased the property in 1971 and opened Fairfield Lake State Park on the property in 1976.
The state park will permanently close to the public Feb. 28. TPWD was officially notified that the land lease for Fairfield Lake State Park was terminated due to the impending sale of the property to the new owner, Todd Interests.
“Losing Fairfield Lake State Park would represent a significant step backward in our efforts to expand outdoor recreational opportunities for Texas’ booming population,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Arch “Beaver” Aplin III. “Rest assured Commissioners remain committed to working with Todd Interests to maintain this important public asset and grow outdoor recreation in Texas.”
“This is an unprecedented loss of a state treasure for Texans,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. “The demand for outdoor recreation exceeds supply in Texas, so losing even one state park is a setback for all of us who enjoy publicly accessible lands. We have worked diligently to find a solution that would allow TPWD to purchase part, or all of the property, and it is unfortunate that an agreement could not be reached at this time with Vistra or the buyer.”
TPWD said it will continue to work to buy and potentially expand the park.
ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 46 degrees; 10.44’ low.
Largemouth bass are fair on live bait and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.
AMISTAD: Water stained; 54 degrees; 35.96’ low.
Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged plastics and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are fair on cheese bait and cut shad.
ARLINGTON: Water lightly stained; 51 degrees; 0.46’ high. Largemouth bass and crappie are slow.
ATHENS: Water stained; 50-53 degrees; 0.66’ high. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on Carolina rigs. Crappie are slow.
AUSTIN: Water clear; 60 degrees; 0.80’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Ned rigs and small swimbaits. White bass are fair on white jigging spoons.
B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.84’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on craw-patterned lipless crankbaits and weightless flukes.
BASTROP: Water clear; 59 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on flukes, shaky head trick worms and shallow crankbaits.
BELTON: Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 13.79’ low. White bass are fair on white bladed slabs. Catfish are excellent drifting fresh cut bait.
BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 50 degrees; 2.06’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow.
BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 52 degrees; 0.07’ high. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are slow.
BRAUNIG: Water stained; 67 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and black soft plastics. Red drum are fair on cut shad and frozen shrimp.
BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 50 degrees; 8.94’ low. White bass and hybrids are good deadsticking flukes. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.
BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 53 degrees; 8.35’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Alabama rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are slow.
BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 17.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, crankbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastics.
Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. Striped bass are fair to good vertically jigging live bait.
CADDO: Water stained; 45-52 degrees; 2.18’ high.
Largemouth bass are slow to fair on spinner baits and lipless crankbaits.
CALAVERAS: Water slightly stained; 65 degrees. Red drum are slow to fair on shrimp. Channel catfish are good from the on cut bait, cheese bait and shrimp. Blue catfish are good on cut bait.
CANYON: Water clear; 53 degrees; 10.90’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits and drop shots. Striped bass are good on white swimbaits.
CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 53-56 degrees; 0.79’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on lipless crankbaits, square bills and chatter baits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White and hybrid bass are excellent deadsticking slabs.
CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 58 degrees; 24.33’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on Carolina rigs.
CONROE: Water stained; 55 degrees; 0.02’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on drop shots, jigs and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striped bass are good deadsticking slabs. Channel catfish are slow. Blue catfish are fair to good on cut gizzard shad.
CORPUS CHRISTI: Water stained; 62 degrees; 4.03’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on jigs and live minnows. Catfish are good on cheese bait cut shad, and worms.
CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.88’ high. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 47 degrees; 3.83’ low. White bass are fair deadsticking spoons. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Blue catfish and channel catfish are fair to good on punch bait and shad.
FAIRFIELD: Water slightly stained; 50 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, Carolina rigs and chatterbaits.
FALCON: Water stained; 65 degrees; 40.99’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on deep crankbaits and footballd jigs. Crappie are excellent on minnows and plastic grubs. Catfish are good on fresh cut bait.
FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 1.00’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on shad crankbaits, Texas rigs, top-water frogs and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on punch bait and chicken liver.
FORK: Water stained;
56-59 degrees; 2.51’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina rigs, spinner baits and small soft plastics. Crappie are fair on hand-tied jigs and soft plastics.
FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 44-47 degrees; 6.84’ low. Catfish are good drifting cut gizzard shad.
GRANBURY: Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 1.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics near creek entrances. Striped bass are fair to good on swimbaits and flukes. White bass are good on small grubs and slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and hot dogs.
GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.01’ low. Largemouth bass are fair upriver on jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Blue catfish are good on juglines baited with shad.
GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 50 degrees; 1.66’ high. White bass are good deadsticking jigs and small slabs on stinger hooks.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 51 degrees; 0.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jerkbaits, Ned rigs and shaky heads. Crappie are fair on minnows.
JACKSONVILLE: Water lightly stained; 54 degrees; 0.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, swimbaits and shaky heads.
JOE POOL: Water slightly stained; 52 degrees; 2.15’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged soft plastic worms and jigs.
LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 52 degrees; 2.05’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair drifting with minnows or jigs. White bass are good on white jigs.
LAVON: Water lightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.68’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut gizzard shad on Santee rigs.
LBJ: Water stained; 51 degrees; 0.33’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and square-billed crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs. White bass are good on white jigging spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait.
LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 51 degrees; 0.23’ low. White bass are good on flukes, small swimbaits and live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good drifting cut shad or chicken breasts.
LIMESTONE: Water clear; 50 degrees; 3.05’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless
crankbaits and finesse jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on silver jigging spoons. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.38’ high. Crappie are good in creeks on minnows and jigs. White bass are good in creeks on white curly-tailed grubs and small spoons. Catfish are good drifting cut bait.
MARTIN CREEK: Water slightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.11’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on lizards, brush hogs and craws.
MEREDITH: Water stained; 48 degrees; 54.97’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and curly tailed grubs. Walleye are slow. Catfish are slow.
MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 52 degrees; 5.77‘ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas or Carolina rigs, football jigs and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows or small jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and cheese bait.
NACOGDOCHES: Water stained; 54-58 degrees; 0.05’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are slow.
NACONICHE: Water lightly stained; 50 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on Alabama rigs, underpins and chatterbaits. Catfish are slow.
NASWORTHY: Water slightly stained; 50 degrees. 0.89’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on white chatterbaits. Crappie are good on chartreuse and black crappie jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
NAVARRO MILLS: Water stained; 51 degrees; 0.42’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on small minnows and jigs.
O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 53 degrees; 23.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared baits, cut bait and live bait.
OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 56 degrees; 11.11’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.
PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 48-51 degrees; 0.92’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are excellent on noodles, trotlines and juglines with cut bait, live minnows or perch.
POSSUM KINGDOM: Water lightly stained; 47-50 degrees; 5.91’ low. Striped bass are very good on live
shad and deadsticking white and chartreuse soft plastics. White bass are good on small live shad, white and chartreuse jigs and flukes. Catfish are fair on small cut shad or buffalo.
PROCTOR: Water stained; 55 degrees; 9.17’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Catfish are slow.
RAVEN: Water clear; 52 degrees; 0.00’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bluegill and catfish bubblegum.
RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 45-47 degrees; 0.12’ low. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on cut shad.
RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 48 degrees; 0.82’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair deadsticking with small slabs with a fly above.
RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water clear; 48-52 degrees; 2.86’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass and hybrids are fair on slab and jig combinations, punch bait. Catfish are good on punch bait. SAM
RAYBURN: Water stained; 55-58 degrees; 0.22’ low.
Largemouth bass are good on jerkbaits, Carolina rigs, Alabama rigs and jigs. White bass are good upriver on small lipless crankbaits and roadrunners. Catfish are fair to good on stink bait, cut bait and minnows.
SOMERVILLE: Slightly stained; 50 degrees; 2.47’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on craw jigs and shad crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows, jigs and worms. White bass are slow. Channel catfish are slow. Blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with shad.
SPENCE: Water stained; 50 degrees. 44.76’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina and Texas rigs and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair drifting with cut bait.
SQUAW CREEK: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.18’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics Channel catfish are very good on punch bait, minnows cut bait and hot dogs.
STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 11.80’ low. White bass are fair on bladed slabs and small soft plastics.
TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 1.29’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid stripers and white bass are slow to fair on swimbaits and roadrunners.
n Saltwater reports Page 19
Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on gizzard shad.
TEXANA: Water stained; 52 degrees; 0.06’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and swimbaits. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow.
TEXOMA: Water stained; 65 degrees; 1.04’ low. Striped bass are good on Alabama rigs and deadsticking flukes. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair drifting cut shad.
TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 50-56 degrees; 0.39’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on football jigs, Carolina rigs, crankbaits and deepdiving stick baits. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on punch bait, shrimp and prepared baits.
TRAVIS: Water clear; 60 degrees; 41.21’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on orange or shad crankbaits and football jigs.
TWIN BUTTES: Water stained; 51 degrees; 22.59’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are slow. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow catfish are fair on big minnows.
TYLER: Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.21’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are slow.
WACO: Water stained; 55 degrees; 11.26’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are very good on soft plastics and hand-tied jigs.
WALTER E. LONG: Water clear; 55 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.
WHITNEY: Water lightly stained; 50 degrees; 6.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Striped bass are good on shad swimbaits and flukes.
WORTH: Water stained; 47 degrees; 2.39’ low. White bass are fair to good deadsticking spoons. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfish and channel catfish are fair on cut bait, shad and punch bait.
WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 50 degrees; 11.32’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Catfish are good drifting with cut bait.
—TPWD
Hunters and shooters new to the world of suppressors might think buying one is complicated, scary and time-consuming. With a little bit of research and help from the right dealer, however, you’ll see that the purchase isn’t complicated, it’s far from scary, and it doesn’t have to be time-consuming.
At Silencer Central, it’s in our best interest to make sure you have the smoothest purchasing experience possible, so we’ll bend over backwards to get that silencer to you as easily as possible.
Buying from Silencer Central is the easiest way to buy a silencer, and it’s the closest you can get to “click-and-ship” online buying.
You no longer need to run down to the gun shop to pick up your approved suppressor. With Silencer Central, your suppressor will come right to you! We can do this because we have FFLs set up in every state where suppressors are legal. Once all of the approval forms come back to us, we will mail your suppressor right to your front door.
With more than 15 years’ experience in the industry, Silencer Central is the nation’s largest silencer dealer. We are also the only one licensed in all 42 suppressor-legal states that can sell, process and ship your new suppressor directly to your front door.
Silencer Central carries models for everything from pistols and centerfire rifles to highcaliber rifles and shotguns, helping to protect the hearing of shooters and hunters alike. Suppressors have been shown to provide protection below the threshold for most hearing protection commonly worn in or over the ears. And, if you hunt with dogs, it protects their hearing, too.
HERE’S A PREVIEW OF THE STEPS YOU’LL NEED TO TAKE IN ORDER TO PURCHASE AND RECEIVE YOUR SUPPRESSOR:
• Select the suppressor that’s right for you.
• Buy your silencer and tax stamp.
• Let us handle the paperwork and submit your eForm.
• Let us help you set up a FREE NFA Gun Trust.
• Use our eZ-Pay for it while you wait.
• Get your silencer shipped to your door upon approval.
SILENCER CENTRAL ☎ (866) 477-2309
SILENCERCENTRAL.COM
NO INTEREST | NO FEES | PAY WHILE YOU WAIT WE SHIP IT TO YOUR FRONT DOOR ONCE APPROVED
The wild hog epidemic has been a topic of conversation for more than a decade, but nowhere has been hit harder with this ever-growing problem than South Texas. An interesting documentary was recently filmed on the famous Kenedy Ranch along the Texas Coast. This particular 30,000-acre pasture had not allowed nighthunting in more than 30 years to protect an endangered species of cat, the ocelot. The absence of night-hunting has allowed the hog population to explode into unimaginable numbers. Producers of the documentary interviewed ranch managers and biologist to evaluate the impact of this hog population on the land and the results were overwhelming.
The crew was issued a special permit to conduct a three-night hunt, spot-andstalking these wild pigs with a bow and arrow. The documentary crew brought together five companies that specialized in night-hunting tactics and put together a plan of attack to harvest on-film as many wild hogs as they could.
Slow Glow Hunting Lights were placed around the ranch at eight different hunting sites, providing the crew enough light to spot and stalk these hogs in complete darkness. Raging Boars Bait Attractants were spread at each bait-site to bring them in, and WiseEye cellular trail cameras were placed at each bait-site to notify the crew remotely when hogs were at the bait.
All archery shots were captured in stunning 4k-video-resolution by a professional film crew, and you could see every shot in slow motion as Lumenok’s were on every arrow to trace the shot in complete darkness. The entire series is free to watch on YouTube, and is every bit as entertaining as it is educational. It’s easily the highest quality production of night hunting ever captured, and we encourage you to give it a watch. Just search “Shot In the Dark Hog Hunting” on YouTube and watch the fourpart documentary series for free.
WHATEVER YOUR ADVENTURE IS, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED.
On a nearly 1,000-acre high fenced West Texas ranch, six boars were viewed on game cameras in the middle of the night, despite consistent efforts to remove hogs from the property.
Several sow hogs were removed by helicopter hunting each year, but each year the ranch was flown, the boars weren’t seen. The best hog dogs in the county, along with their owner, came to the ranch. The dogs couldn’t smell or track the boars.
Finally, one was found dead in the summer of 2022.
Later in the fall, two were shot at feeders when the weather was cold and rainy. Before Thanksgiving, a solid black hog was shot, with the impact and squeal being heard, but the hog wasn’t recovered. The shooter announced a $100 bounty for anyone who could finish the job. Later in the weekend, another big black hog made the mistake of coming to a feeder and was shot. It wasn’t the solid black hog, though, as it had white on its legs.
The boars continued to evade hunters. This winter, several young adults went out at night, making several rounds while using Fusion Thermal scopes. They saw lots of animals, but not
During the New Year’s weekend, a boar passed by, not stopping at a feeder but being noticed by a hunter in the blind. A shot was taken, the hunter thought he hit the hog, but it wasn’t recovered either. He thought it was the big black one and added another
Then, during the February freeze with freezing rain falling, a hunter was checking the fenceline and a boar appeared at 375 yards. The truck was eased to 220 yards as the hog was facing away and the white spot on his rump was a dead giveaway that this was not the solid black boar. The hunter considered a Texas heart shot, but just as he was ready to shoot, the boar turned broadside, and was shot just behind the ear.
Not likely. The solid black hog may be still at large, even though it has supposedly been shot twice. The tracks of a large hog walking along the fence line have definitely been observed. And there is probably at least one more out there, despite all of The boars taken were big, to say the least. One bottomed out a 350-pound (uncertified) scale, while another weighed 280
Now, after being outwitted and outsmarted, removing the last of the big boars has become a mission with a $200 bounty up
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star outdoor newS
It’s that time of year, with predator contests dotting the landscape. The contests vary from small, community events to the biggest of all with giant payouts. More contests are on the way throughout February and March.
Two recent contests covered the gamut, the Stonewall Predator Contest, operated by Los Cazadores, and the massive West Texas Big Bobcat Contest.
At The Stonewall Predator Contest, the heaviest coyote weighed 32.4 pounds.
Category team winners:
Heavy coyote
32.4 pounds
Dylan Burg, Derek Hohmann, Tanner Blaker, Mark Reeh
Heavy bobcat
18.2 pounds
Clint Vogt, Clayton Schroeder, Tyler Stalling
Most fox
Brad Sivells, Jim Sivells, Tristan Sivells, Riley Barker
Most rabbit
Cody Pape, Keagan Crouch
Most raccoon
Ryan Keith, Tricia Keith, Owen Keith, Whitney Liesmann
Overall winners:
1st Place (124 total points)
$3,808
Brad Sivells, Jim Sivells, Tristan Sivells, Riley Barker
2nd Place (117 total points)
$1,088
Bruce Williams, Nathan Elliot, Kieth Bowles
3rd Place (81 total points)
$544
Korey Kunc, Justin Yonker, Kolby Yonker, Tanner Geidsweidt
At the West Texas Big Bobcat Contest, 630 teams com peted in what is thought to be the world’s largest preda tor contest. Payouts suggest they are correct, with teams winning $144,000 in prize money. A total of 45 qualifying bobcats were brought in, with five topping 30 pounds.
Big Bobcat
First Place
33 pounds, 3 ounces $44,000
Richard Long, Coy Smithhart
Second Place
31 pounds 14 ounces $25,100
Bryant Taylor, Austin Taylor, Shane Taylor
Third Place
31 pounds, 7 ounces $18,800
Toby Kiker, Brady Watson
Fourth Place
30 pounds, 9 ounces $12,500
Cuatro Wardlaw, Weston Fisher
Fifth Place
30 pounds $6,200
Aidan Acosta, Logan Acosta, Logan Locklar
Dilligent Defense Co. –
20th Place Suppressor Winners
21 pounds, 7 ounces
Martin Childress, Jacob Childress, Brian Scott, Caleb Webb
SilencerCo –Smallest Bobcat
Suppressor Winners
6 pounds, 8 ounces
Terry Ware, Raymond Gregory, Rylee Gregory, Emory Geye
Heaviest Fox
12 pounds, 6 ounces $18,900
Bryant Taylor, Shane Taylor, Austin Taylor
Jackpots (Each Paid $6,300)
Most Cats Taylor Burkett, Bradley Burkett, Justin Gilcrest
Most Grey Fox
Jake Whitten, Chris Miller, Taylor Brands
Fusion Thermal’s thermal optics combine power, accuracy and ease of use. The Avenger 55XR and Avenger 40 utilize the company’s T3 Three Button Control System, along with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) menu.
“The ease of use is a big deal,” said Cameron Savaggio of Owens Outdoor Sales. “You don’t want to have to look up in the dark to see what button you’re hitting, especially when you’re hog hunting.”
What hunters will find in the new thermal series is highend features with a “simplicity first” design.
Thermal sensors require lots of power, and the Avenger Series has ample power with the 18650 battery design, run in parallel, providing an industry- leading, 8-hour run time.
The Avenger series utilizes aircraft-grade aluminum housing, while most other brands use plastic.
“Thermals create a lot of heat, and the aluminum housing allows it to escape,” Salvaggio said. “Plastic holds in the heat and can degrade the sensor and core over time, which negatively affects image quality and overall clarity.”
Recently at a precision rifle expo, Salvaggio shot with all of the main brands in the thermal industry. Two steel targets were set up, one at 200 yards and one at 500 yards. Both had a heating pad on the back of the target.
“Right before the night shoot started, the 500-yard target went out, so it was unheated,” he said. “There was very little differential in heat between the air, the berm and the target.”
Each brand had their own bay to shoot, and consumers took turns going to each bay and testing out each thermal. Out of all of the brands, the Fusion Thermal was the only
brand that consumers could see and shoot the 500-yard target, Salvaggio said. All of the other brands stuck to the 200-yard target because they couldn’t see the longer, cooler target.
“One consumer, who shot an $18,000 scope, said you would think for 18K, you would be able to see the 500 yard target like you can with the Fusion Thermal,” Salvaggio said.
Angel Padilla, of Johnny’s Sport Shop in Eagle Lake, works full-time at the shop and also guides hog hunters at night with Sandy Creek Outfitters, and both sells and uses the Fusion Thermal products.
“The units perform really well in humidity and fog, which a lot of other brands struggle with,” Padilla said. “You can still see the animals in high humidity. And I like the three button system because you never have to look up to see where your fingers are.”
Hunters like to record their nighttime hog hunts, and the Avenger series includes a full medial package, including photo, video and audio capabilities, along with Fusion Thermal’s HeatSync App to make connectivity a snap.
The Avenger series is both top quality and affordable
in the thermal scope world. The 55XR costs less than $6,000 and the Avenger 40 is around $4,000. And they come with an industry-leading 5-year transferable warranty.
Able's Sporting Goods
Huntsville |936-295-5786
Ally Outdoors
Midland |432-203-3661
Alpine Range Fort Worth |817-478-6613
Apache Rifle Works Comfort |830-995-3894
Ark-La-Tex Guns & More
Gilmer |903-680-4867
Athena Gun Club Houston |713-461-5900
BPS Outfitters Sherman|903-892-2227
BTO Range & Training Center
Conroe|936-588-3333
Burdett and Son Outdoor College Station |979-695-2807
Carroll's Gun Shop Wharton |979-532-3175
Clay Shooters Supply Dallas |214-347-4913
Collectors Firearms Houston |713-781-1960
Defender Outdoors Fort Worth|817-935-8377
Dury's Guns San Antonio |210-533-5431
East Texas Pawn
Lufkin |936-639-3322
Fehner & Son Gonzales |830-672-3710
Field & Streams Sporting Goods San Angelo |325-944-7094
Fun Guns Waco |254-755-0080
Gordy & Sons Outfitters Houston |713-951-0100
Guard & Defend Firearms Silsbee |409-201-9468
Hootens Emory |903-473-8788
Johnny's Sport Shop Eagle Lake |979-234-3516
Magnolia Hunting Supply Magnolia |281-766-1045
McBride's Gun Austin |512-472-3532
McQueeney Gun Club New Braunfels |830-609-8891
Modern Pawn & Gun Corpus Christi |361-993-9390
Mumme's Hondo |830-426-3313
North Texas Piggin Products McKinney |214-837-1994
Oakwood Outfitters
Oakwood |903- 545-2825
Oasis Outback Uvalde |830-278-4000
Outdoorsman San Angelo |325-947-8859
Parker County Gibson Products
Weatherford |817-594-8711
Ray's Hardware & Sporting Goods
Dallas |214-747-7916
Riflegear The Colony |972-292-7678
SK ARMS
Flowermound |972-628-6200
Midland|432- 704-5127
Sportsman's Finest
Austin |512-263-1888
Spring Guns & Ammo
Spring |281-288-7000
Superior Outfitters Longview |903-212-2200
Tyler |903-617-6141
Texan Guns and Gear Stephenville |254-965-9099
Texas Gun Experience
Grapevine|817-285-0664
Texian Firearms
Houston|346-775-8363
Trinity Armory
Cleveland|281-659-2800
Wings & Whitetails
Carthage|903-693-6129
Xtreme Guns & Ammo Richmond|832-363-3783
The best-selling HK pistol just got even better. All HK VP9 pistols now include the following upgrades.
• 17-round magazines replace previous 15-round versions
• Improved iron sights, with high-visibility front sight and clean black rear
• Optional optics-ready mounting system
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to an HK, now is the time.
A Place to Shoot
San Antonio, 210-628-1888
Abilene Indoor Gun Range
Abilene, 325-698-4224
Able Ammo
Huntsville, 936-295-5786
AJC Sports
Clute, 979-265-4867
Ally Outdoors
Midland, 972-332-3700
Alpine Shooting Range
Ft Worth, 817-478-6613
Americana Arms, LLC
Beeville, 361-362-3673
Apache Rifle Works
Comfort, 830-995-3894
Athena Gun Club
Houston, 713-461-5900
Boyert Shooting Center
Katy, 281-693-4867
Buck & Doe’s Mercantile, LLC
San Antonio, 830-980-3637
Burdett & Son Outdoor Advntr College Station, 979-695-2807
C.A.C Tactical
South Lake, 888-211-8191
Caroline Colt Company LLC
Abilene, 325-232-7501
Caroline Colt Company LLC
Abilene, 325-232-7501
Carroll’s Gun Shop
Whaton, 979-532-3175
Carter’s Country #2
Houston, 713-461-1844
Carter’s Country #3
Pasadena, 713-475-2222
Carter’s Country #4
Houston, 281-879-1466
CDNN Sports
Abilene, 800-588-9500
Champion Firearms College Station, 979-693-9948
Collectors Firearms
Houston, 713-781-5812
Danny's, Inc.
McAllen, 956-687-4692
Defender Outdoors, LLC
Aubrey, 817-935-8377
DFW Gun Range
Dallas, 214-630-4866
Dury's Gun Shop
San Antonio, 210-533-5431
Fun Guns
Waco, 254-755-0080
Glick Twins
Pharr, 956-787-429
Grabagun.com
Coppell, 972-552-7246
Guard/Defend Firearms
Beaumont, 409-201-9468
Guns Warehouse LLC
Cedar Park, 512-986-7330
Hoss Arms
New Braunfels, 830-609-8891
Jess Briley Manufacturing
Houston, 713-932-6995
$849
John Doe Investigations, LLC
Lewisville, 214-773-0129
Kirkpatrick Gun & Ammo
Laredo, 956-723-6338
Marksmen Firearms One, LLC
Mansfield, 817-453-8680
McBride's Guns
Austin, 512-472-3532
Misson Ridge Range & Academy
San Antonio, 210-504-9000
Mister Guns LLC
Plano, 214-901-7429
Modern Pawn & Guns
Corpus Christi, 361-993-9390
Nagel's Gun Shop, Inc.
San Antonio, 210-342-5420
Nardis Gun Club
San Antonio, 210-369-9199
Omaha Outdoors
Rosenberg, 713-703-4648
Past & Blast Antiques & Firearms
Whitesboro, 903-564-5444
Primary Arms
Houston, 713-344-9600
Ranger Firearms of Texas Inc.
San Antonio, 210-822-4867
Ray's Hardware & Sporting Goods
Dallas, 214-747-7916
Red’s Indoor Range - North
Pflugerville, 512-251-1022
RifleGear.com
Plano, 949-292-7678
SK Arms
Midland, 432-704-5127
Sharp Shooters Knife & Gun Inc
Lubbock, 806-791-1231
Southwestern Firearms, Inc.
Midlothian, 972-617-7056
Sportsman's Finest
Austin, 512-263-1888
Sportsman Outfitters
Longview, 903-759-0638
Spring Guns & Ammo
Spring, 832-299-1950
Superior Outfitters
Tyler, 903-592-4006
Superior Outfitters
Longview, 903-212-2200
Texas Gun Club
Stafford, 832-539-7000
Texas Gun Expierence
Grapevine, 817-285-5664
Texas Gun Shop
San Angelo, 325-949-0020
The Arms Room
Dickinson, 832-226-3248
Weby Corp
Arlington, 800-851-9329
Xtreme Guns & Ammo
Richmond, 832-363-3783
VISIT WWW.HK-USA.COM
Game-changing
AVENGER 40
WAVE12 384 Sensor
9+ Hour Runtime
MSRP: $4099
AVENGER 55XR
WAVE12 640 Sensor
7+ Hour Runtime
MSRP: $5989
Available at fine retailers all across the Great State of Texas
Getting your target into focus quickly and easily is a must, and you won’t find a better system than our Micro Click Focus. Our tactile focus knob is conveniently located on top of the front lens, and unlike the dog collar design used by our competitors you won’t need to perform a circus act just to focus your scope. Plus, you’ll always get your best shot as the micro click adjustments put you on the perfect focus point every time.
The single most expensive component of a well-crafted thermal is its germanium lens. If you skimp here, you’re not even in the game. Our high purity ArcLight Ultra HD Germanium Lens is the crowning jewel of our technology package. It perfects the task of collecting and funneling infrared energy into the thermal sensor unhindered by distortion. This clean transition results in an infrared energy dump that unleashes the full potential of our WAVE thermal sensor delivering a user experience well beyond expectations.
We think you’re really going to like our menu; it uses words, English words. Written for Americans by Americans. That’s why we called it KISS. You’ve heard the phrase, and at Fusion Thermal it’s the reason we can make the industry’s boldest statement: Our operating system is so easy to use you’ll likely never read the instructions.
Don’t Let Your Fingers Get Lost in the Dark
Our highly intuitive three button control system with center tower makes using your scope simple and easy. Every command is at your fingertips, and the Center Tower evenly splits the control panel, so you’ll never be confused about what button you’re going to press. We thought this a particularly good idea since you’ll be using it in the dark most of the time.
Is it possible for one thermal scope to dramatically outperform everything else in its class? Yes, so don’t make the mistake of shopping by specifications alone or you just might get burned. Our WAVE thermal sensors push the limit of what is technically possible and set the standard for image quality, ruggedness, and long life. So, before you plop down your hard-earned cash make sure you do a side-by-side to any similarly priced competitive alternative. We think you’ll find the difference to be clearly obvious.
Plastic is for toys. Metal is for tools. It’s a fact, thermals produce heat, and heat is the enemy of all thermal devices. If you don’t get the heat out operational performance will degrade, and long-term internal damage is a certainty. Our XGEN (Next Generation Alloy Body) shields your expensive investment in a metal clad of armor, and our high-end AL6082 Conductive Structural Alloy displaces heat at an astounding 71,900% better than plastic. You don’t think of your thermal as some cheap plastic toy. Why should it be built like one?
The Coast Guard rescued three people from the water after their boat capsized near Laguna Vista. Notfication was received of a 15- to 20-foot capsized boat with three men aboard. The three boaters were holding on to the overturned vessel’s hull. A 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat crew was launched to respond. The boat crew arrived on scene and removed the three men from the capsized vessel’s hull. The crew then transported the boaters to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at Station South Padre Island.
A group of Texas game wardens traveled to Arizona for education and training on wildlife-human interaction and response training for predators native to the southwest. Wardens took part in forensic investigation and evidence collection, tracking and trapping. The experience gained will support wardens as they coordinate with biologists
Seven Texas game wardens were given service awards for 30 years with the department. Each of the wardens graduated from the 43rd Cadet Academy in 1993 and have served across the state since. Service awards went to:
Capt. Marco Alvizo Crockett, Sutton, Schleicher, Terrell and Val Verde counties
Calvin B. Harbaugh Fayette County
Capt. Michael Hanson Henderson, Limestone, Freestone, Anderson, Cherokee and Leon counties
David Janssen Matagorda County
Robert Kana Galveston County
Sgt. Robert Waggett Jr. Special Operations
Dyke McMahen Wilbarger County
and ranchers to ensure the conservation of these animals.
RAFT
The Coast Guard rescued six people after their vessel started taking on water near Freeport. Notification was received of a 32-foot vessel with six people aboard stating his vessel was taking on water 5 miles south of the Brazos River near
Freeport and their three dewatering pumps were not keeping up with the flooding. The six people abandoned the sailing vessel and got into a life raft. A 45-foot Response Boat was launched, along with a helicopter crew. The boat crew arrived on scene, took aboard the six people from the life raft and transported them to Station Freeport.
YOUTH HUNT FOR SPECIAL OPS
CHILDREN
Texas game wardens and the Texas Youth Hunting Program took part in the 9th annual Jacob Krebs Memorial Youth Hunt in January. The hunt honors the late Jacob Krebs, son of Mary and Will Krebs of Harper. Jacob’s dream was to become a Navy Seal and he had enlisted in the U.S. Navy to pursue it. Jacob was scheduled to ship
SPONSORED BY: RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE
out to begin training, but tragically drowned before reporting for training. The youth hunt is geared towards children ages 9-17 of wounded or fallen warriors of the Special Operations community.
CLAYSTOPPERS SHOOTS SET
Operation Game Thief announced the dates of this year’s Claystoppers Events. The first event will take place on June 9 at Hog Heaven in Dripping Springs; the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio will have its shoot on September 8; and the final shoot will be held at Texas Premier Sporting Arms, in Sealy, on September 22. Each shoot includes food, prizes, raffle items and a live auction.
REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000. CALL OPERATION GAME THIEF AT (800) 792-4263
Continued
like to hold on wrecks and rocks. And they are very strong and tough. So when you hook one, you have to act fast to get it away from the structure.”
Curtis Thorpe used to make regular runs offshore out of Sabine Pass.
“One of our favorite places to find grouper was about 58 miles out,” he said. “That’s where we caught a number of grouper. The heaviest one we ever found was while diving around a sunken shrimp boat. There was a grouper that lived in the wheel house of that boat. It must have weighed close to 200 pounds.”
Platt said the two best baits to catch grouper are squid and blue runners. But at times he will use piggy perch and sardines.
“The live perch and blue runners are usually the best baits,” he said. “We’ll catch the blue runners on the way out around the rigs. A foot long blue runner is tough to beat.”
Platt rigs the baits on a 7/0 circle hook or even larger.
“Using enough weight to get to bottom in a strong current is very important,” he said. “I’ll use weights from 16 to 32 ounces. Most of the time the grouper we catch are on bottom. But sometimes they will be suspended over rocks and in wrecks.”
While grouper are known as one of the best tasting fish in the Gulf, Platt said the smaller ones, from 15-to-25-pounds, are the best when grilled.
Continued from page 8
as well as reds and black drum. Now, the fishing for big black drum is good with some being in the 35-pound class. But the star of fly-fishing Texas flats is the redfish.
“Winter is my favorite time to be fishing the flats,” Hodson said. “It’s mostly sight fishing, and some of the best times are just after a front moves through. We’ve had some spectacular days during post frontal conditions.”
One of his top flies is an EP Peanut Butter, a 2/0 fly, and the best color pattern is chartreuse and white.
“That particular fly is easy to cast, very streamlined and looks like a baitfish,” Hodson said. “I don’t use spoon flies and poppers a whole lot. If I’m not using an EP, I’ll more than likely be in real clear water where the reds are being very finicky. In that situation a shrimp fly can be good.”
Hodson mostly uses 7, 8 and 9 weight rods, with a 7wt. being his favorites. His leaders are made of 40-pound test, down to 30 and then 20, plus a 12- to 16-pound test tippet.
“One thing that I’ve noticed during the past two years are the number of people who come to us and just want to learn how to fly fish,” Hodson said. “It’s an intriguing sport one that lots of people are getting into. And we have the perfect location for them to learn the basics and then go catch fish. We have lots of return customers.”
In the Feb. 10 issue, the article entitled, Sheepshead on a feed at jetties, incorrectly stated the daily bag limit is 15 fish. The daily bag limit is five fish. We regret and apologize for the error.
Whether you’re looking to take your very first turkey or need to check one off your Grand Slam,Turkey Hunt Co has got a gobbler for you! We are committed to providing you with the highest quality turkey hunting experience and can offer you some of the finest Rio Grande spring turkey hunting trips in the country, all on our private hunting ranches across the Great State of Texas!
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Solution on Page 18
Tracy named VP
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit named Mark Tracy as vice president.
Agency acquisition
Urge Media was acquired by Tamarack Outdoors, LLC and relocated to Kentucky.
Mike Lowney was named president of Delta Defense.
Position at S&W
Smith & Wesson is seeking a national account manager for distributor and big box retailer accounts.
SIGHTRON partnered with BCE Marketing for its sales representation in the Midwest.
Continued from page 8
Moultrie Mobile hired Ryan Holm as its vice president of marketing.
REDARC named Peter Favilla as the president of Mobile Power & Connected Vehicles.
Dan Dement was named brand and product marketing director for Franklin Armory, Inc.
Burris Company is seeking candidates for the position of vice president of operations at its Greeley, Colorado headquarters.
should consider is how their fly is moving with the current down the river.
“You want your fly to look as natural as possible, and you need to mend your fly line from time to time in order to achieve that,” Shank explained. “Find a leaf or a piece of debris floating on the surface in the portion of the river where your fly is located and try to get it to drift at the same rate. If it is moving faster or slower than the object you are observing, then mend your line until it is moving at a similar pace.”
DOWN
1) Material in old-time rods
2) River fishing town
3) Deer-hunting state
5) Northwest Texas lake
9) Safari destination
10) Rifle brand
12) One of the shorebirds
13) Makes the A400
14) Freshwater shrimp
16) Redfish limit in Texas
18) Monaghan’s’ county
20) Thermal scope brand
21) Smith County’s seat
22) Spinner bait blade named after a state
23) The big African cat
24) East Texas lake near Carthage
30) Rockport’s county
32) A Texas bay
36) Salmon species
37) The fish right after the hatch
39) Shotshell brand
Set-ups with multiple flies rigged under an indicator will draw the most strikes. “Presentation is key,” he said. “They’ll eat a lot of different types of flies, as long as they look natural in the water.”
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1⁄2 cup chopped white or yellow onion
2 medium cloves garlic, chopped
1⁄3 cup olive oil, plus more for the baking pan
1 tbsp. dried oregano or marjoram
1⁄4 tsp. salt, or to taste
1⁄4 tsp. black pepper
1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tsps. capers
2 large sea trout fillets (about 2 pounds)
Place the tomatoes in a food processor and pulse to chop coarsely. Do not purée. Heat 1/3 cup olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Cook,
stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to give up their juice and the onions are soft. Add the oregano or marjoram, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and capers. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat the bottom of a baking dish with a little olive oil. Place the fish in the dish, skin-side down. Spoon the tomato sauce over the fish, making sure to cover it completely. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the fish flakes and is done.
—NC Marine Fisheries
4 6-oz. pieces venison loin or roast
3/4 cup fine breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups tomato sauce
24 ozs. diced tomatoes
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Place each piece of venison between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Flatten each with a meat mallet to approx. 1/4 inch thickness. Combine breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Dip venison in beaten egg and
coat with breadcrumbs. Place on baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 10 minutes. Remove from refrigerator and sauté in oil on medium heat 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove venison from skillet and place in baking dish. Spoon sauce and diced tomatoes over venison. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over venison pieces. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly. Serve over noodles.
—NA Deer Farmers
Continued from page 1
Kevin Van Dam announced he would retire as a professional angler at the end of this season.
“Family has supported me through it all,” he said in a video release. “Being on tour is tough. Spending so much time on the road, it’s hard for family. I’ve done it for a really long time, and I have so many great memories.”
The Kalamazoo, Michigan native spent most of his career, 28 years, fishing the Bassmaster Tournament Trail. During that stretch, he won the Bassmaster Classic four times, was the Angler of the Year with Bassmaster seven times, once with FLW and once more with Major League Fishing. He won 25 B.A.S.S. tournaments during his career.
VanDam began his career at 23 years old in 1990 and racked up 121 finishes in the top 10 and 183 finishes in the top 20.
“This being my 33rd season as a touring pro, at the age and my place in life and career, I have decided I can be more impactful in the industry I love very much,” VanDam said. “I still have a lot to give back to the sport.”
—Staff report
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents cited three men for alleged commercial fishing violations on Feb. 7.
Agents cited Thanh Dang, 45, and Khai Bui, 62, both of Biloxi, Mississippi and Phong Thai, 53, of Gautier, Mississippi, for taking commercial fish without a commercial fisherman’s license.
Agents were on patrol when they boarded a vessel with the three subjects on board in the Mississippi River for a commercial license and turtle excluder device inspection. The captain, Dang, produced commercial fishing licenses for another person who was not on board the vessel. Agents also found that none of the men possessed nonresident commercial licenses for the 2023 fishing year.
Agents cited the men for taking commercial fish without a commercial fishing license and seized 28,876 pounds of shrimp.
—LDWF
An annual ice fishing tournament on Lake Champlain was canceled after the deaths of three fisherman on the lake.
Wayne Alexander from Grand Isle, Vermont, died after falling through the ice, according to Vermont State Police.
Additionally, two brothers died after their utility vehicle broke through the ice.
The Islands Ice Fishing Derby would have been the 43rd annual event.
GEORGIA
—Staff report
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative contributed more than $500,000 in grant awards for 2022, satisfying a commitment made in honor of National Public Lands Day. The final funding cycle provided support to projects from California desert cleanup and state-wide riding trail maintenance in Washington to multiuse bridges and trail resurfacing — making public lands sustainably accessible for motorized and outdoor recreation.
“The response from the outdoor community to our call for quality projects the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative can fund is the reason we were able to fulfill our 2022 pledge,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s motorsports marketing manager.
—Yamaha Motor Co.
ALABAMA
Don Corkran, who guided the grass-roots membership of B.A.S.S. for most of two decades, passed away on Feb. 10, in Montgomery.
Corkran became an assistant tournament director in April 1990. In May 1991, he was promoted to Federation Nation director. He served in that capacity until June 2000, and then from July 2003 to 2005. He filled in again to manage the program from May 2007 to January 2009. He came out of retirement in 2011 to assume the job again.
During all that time, he led the B.A.S.S. Nation in its largest growth cycle, when it nearly doubled in size to more than 45,000 members belonging to 2,500 clubs in 47 states and several foreign countries. He was also involved in the expansion of competitive fishing programs for high school students and other youngsters.
—B.A.S.S.
Tyler Rivet, of Raceland, Louisiana, won the SiteOne Bassmaster Elite at Lake Okeechobee and $100,000 with a four-day total of 86 pounds, 15 ounces.
Rivet found his hot location by crappie fishing in the Kissimmee River before the tournament, when he noticed bass on his electronics, catching several on a jerkbait.
Leander pro Clark Wendlandt placed second with 83 pounds, using a junebug Strike King Cut-R Worm and a Thunder Cricket with a Blade Minnow trailer.
—B.A.S.S.
said swordfish often short strike a bait before eating it, and instructed us to pull the bait away from the fish in order to make it eat it. We pulled the bait through the water, and the fish immediately attacked it. From there, the battle was on.”
Wright and Preston took turns fighting the beast. After a 2-hour, 20-minute fight, and nu merous runs and dives under the boat, the fish finally came boat side for them, Richardson, and a deckhand to land it.
Tyler Hass recently ran south out of Free port with some buddies to the 60-mile weather buoy, where they tried to find some wahoo without success.
“From there we ran out farther south another 30 miles to about the 90-mile mark, where we found a steady swordfish bite,” Hass said. “We ended up landing three swords in the 90- to 150-pound range in about 1,600 feet of water.”
Strip baits fished about 100-200 feet off the bottom did the trick.
“We were making half-mile drifts and the action was pretty good,” he said. “We also ran into some schools of blackfin tuna.”
Capt. Blake Buell of CAT Sportfishing in Port Aransas has been putting his anglers on wahoo consistently. Recently he and his crew went 20 for 21 on catching wahoo in just a short twohour span, while fishing out of Port A.
“We were about 60 miles out to the south of Port Aransas when we found all of those fish, but honestly, every day has been different lately,” Buell said. “I’ve been focusing my efforts in areas with water temperatures ranging from 68 to 72 degrees that have good water clarity.”
Buell said any type of structure in 200-300 feet of water with the preferred temperature range and clarity has been holding plenty of wahoo.
“The best action has occurred early in the morning, while trolling diving baits and swimbaits at sunrise,” Buell explained. “Our average fish size recently has been in the 40-pound range, with some pushing 50 pounds or more.”
Buell said the wahoo bite turns on and off like a switch.
“The other day when we landed 20, we had three, back to back, quadruple hook ups,” he said. “Then all of a sudden the bite ended as quickly as it started.”
At Port Aransas’ Fisherman’s Wharf, one of their recent 56-hour private tuna trips resulted in a catch of 28 yellowfin tuna in the 80-100 pound range.
Continued
FEBRUARY 25
DELTA WATERFOWL
Lamar County Banquet
Love Civic Center, Paris (903) 249-2380 deltawaterfowl.org
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
Hill Country Banquet
Pedrotti’s Ranch, Helotes (210) 854-5093 rmef.org
MARCH 1-5
HOUSTON FISHING SHOW
George R. Brown Convention Center houstonfishingshow.com
MARCH 2
SAN ANTONIO SCI
Chapter Banquet
Aggie Park Brant Center San Antonio info@scifsanantonio.com
MARCH 2-5
EXOTIC WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION
Membership Meeting
Embassy Suites San Marcos info@myewa.org (830) 315-7761 myewa.org
MARCH 3
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Abilene Dinner
201 Mesquite Event Center (325) 668-2722 ducks.org
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Brazos Valley Banquet
Brazos Center, Bryan (979) 220-1738 ccatexas.org
MARCH 4
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
South Texas Banquet Pedrotti’s Ranch, Helotes (210) 854-5093 rmef.org
DUCKS UNLIMITED
Kerrville Banquet Hill Country Youth Event Center (830) 460-0696 ducks.org
MARCH 9
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
Corpus Christi Banquet American Bank Center (361) 882-5199 ccatexas.org
MARCH 10
DUCKS UNLIMITED Conroe Dinner Montgomery County Fairgrounds (936) 537-1561 ducks.org
MARCH 11
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
Greater Hill Country Banquet Gillespie County Fairgrounds Fredericksburg (210) 240-0214 rmef.org
MARCH 11-12
TEXAS GUN AND KNIFE SHOW
Amarillo Civic Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com
MARCH 17
MULE DEER FOUNDATION
Greater San Antonio Banquet
Leading Edge Archery, Boerne (817) 565-7121 muledeer.org
COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
San Antonio Hooked on Clays National Shooting Complex (210) 863-7288 ccatexas.org
MARCH 17-19
NATIONAL FISHING EXPOS
Fishing Expo, Fort Worth Will Rogers Memorial Center nationalfishingexpos.com
MARCH 18
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
Cowtown Banquet
Cinnamon Creek Ranch, Roanoke (817) 694-6671 rmef.org
MARCH 25
PARK CITIES QUAIL 17th Annual Dinner & Auction SMU Field House, Dallas parkcitiesquail.org
MARCH 25-26
KIMBLE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Predator Calling Contest Junction (325) 446-3190 junctiontexas.com
APRIL 1
DSC SOUTH TEXAS CHAPTER Annual Gala Pedrotti’s Ranch, Helotes dscsouthtexas.org
SABINE LAKE: 58 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp under a popping cork. Speckled trout and black drum are fair on shrimp under a popping cork and chartreuse swimbaits.
BOLIVAR: 59 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on artificials and shrimp under popping corks.
WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 60 degrees. Speckled trout are slow. Redfish are fair to slow on cut mullet.
PORT O’CONNOR: 59 degrees. Speckled trout are good at the jetties on live shrimp and artificial shrimp. Redfish are good on sardines and dead shrimp.
ROCKPORT: 60 degrees. Speckled trout are fair to good on suspending artificials and live shrimp. Redfish are slow. Black drum are good on dead shrimp.
PORT ARANSAS: 58 degrees. Speckled trout are slow. Redfish and black drum are fair on live shrimp.
TRINITY BAY: 58 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on live shrimp.
EAST GALVESTON BAY: 60 degrees. Speckled trout are fair to good wading with soft plastics and mullet imitation plugs. Redfish are fair on shrimp and soft plastics.
WEST GALVESTON BAY: 60 degrees. Speckled trout, redfish and black drum are fair drifting with live shrimp under popping corks and dark-colored soft plastics.
TEXAS CITY: 60 degrees. Large black drum and bull redfish are fair at the Texas City Dike on live crab. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on shrimp under a popping cork.
FREEPORT: 59 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair to slow on live shrimp.
EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 60 degrees.
Speckled trout and redfish are fair wadefishing later in the day on soft plastics and shrimp.
CORPUS CHRISTI: 58 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair to good on live shrimp under a popping cork.
BAFFIN BAY: 65 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are slow to fair on live shrimp with a slip weight.
PORT MANSFIELD: 70 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on ball tails and soft plastics under a popping cork.
C4 RANCH - WHITETAIL & EXOTIC HUNTS
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USYF GUN/OUTFITTER/ FISHING/HUNTING SHOW El Campo, TX Civic Center April 29-30, 2023 USCguns.com
599-5690
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5 day guided hunts, luxury lodging and meals.
Trophy and management packages available. (210) 748-9392
SOUTH PADRE: 65 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp.
PORT ISABEL: 65 degrees. Speckled trout are fair at the south jetties on shrimp.
—TPWD
TEXAS TROPHY WHITETAILS Axis, Blackbuck, Hogs Free range whitetail and exotic hunts in Sonora, TX www.HuntTexasWhitetails.com
(717) 512-3582
WHITETAIL + HOGS Brush country whitetail bucks! Doe, management bucks and hog hunts
All-inclusive guided hunts zacatehunts.com (325) 446- 6716
ANTLERS WANTED Buying all species, all conditions. Looking for large quantities Call Del
(830) 997-2263
DOS HERMANOS RANCH
Trophy Whitetails & Exotics On 4000 acres near San Angelo, TX doshermanosranch.com Jake at (208) 477-9065
QUAIL HUNTING
Guided-Self Guided-Training 700 yard RANGE PoetryShootingClub.com (214) 728-2755
EXOTICS + WHITETAIL Several species Trophy and meat hunts Owner guided Very reasonable Let’s have fun! (325) 475-2100
DUVAL COUNTY South Texas Dove Hunting 65 acres, Lodging RV Power Available Huntershilton.com for more info (361) 244-0544 or (361) 443-9330
TDHA - JOIN TODAY Texas Dove Hunters Association TexasDoveHunters.com (210) 764-1189
NEED ARCHERY RANGE? www.TexasArchery.info
AXIS HIDES Tanned axis hides Axis pillows / gbroach@ktc.com
(830) 896-6996
ADD
23FT FORMULA CUDDY CABIN DEEP V I/O
Excellent condition Stored indoors, Fully equipped and ready to go as is $5,599.00 rustynailranch7599@outlook.com (903) 390-5466
BAY FISHING
6 Hour Trip from $275 Port Isabel, TX (956) 551-1965
BAFFIN BAY ADVENTURE Offshore, Nearshore Fishing and Bay fishing at its best! Come enjoy the beauty of Baffin Bay and surrounding areas. Reasonable prices and family oriented! (361) 371-1857
GUN/ACCESSORIES FOR SALE
Weatherby Vanguard bolt-action 270 Win. Pelican Vault Single Gun Case Vortex Viper HS Scope Call David (214) 909-2747
SKID STEER BRUSH CUTTING / HYDRO AX
All your clearing needs, right-of-ways, senderos, creek & river bottoms, fence lines etc. South Texas Call Frank (512) 699-5381
LAWN BOY TILLER 5HP Briggs & Stratton Runs Great $250 (830) 708-7160
THE CHIMNEY
LIKE NEW 2014 NEWWATER showroom condition, stored indoors, 9 ft. T-Top, Front & rear casting platforms, Raised Console, Livewell, 90 HP Yamaha 4 stroke motor, less than 40 hrs. Located in Port Mansfield. Make an offer. Call Capt. Steve (956) 492-8472
