Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
March 8, 2019
Volume 15, Issue 14
Plenty of mature toms, fewer jakes Conditions good for spring turkey opener Turkey hunters will head out soon hoping they can see a tom coming through the tall weeds growing rapidly in South Texas. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Dry conditions in the spring and early summer of 2018 for much of the state affected tur-
key production in many areas. This means turkey hunters may encounter fewer jakes this spring, but there are plenty of mature gobblers remaining to pursue the hens. Blaise Korzekwa, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist for Frio, Zavala and Dimmit
counties said reproductive success for turkeys was low in 2018 in South Texas. “We had above-average recruitment in 2015 and 2016, and we had average recruitment in 2017,” Korzekwa said. “Even though there are not large numbers of jakes running around, Please turn to page 6
White bass running for some Others still waiting for the rush By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News While the white bass run is winding down in South Texas, it’s close to being in full swing on the Sabine River. Many other anglers who make a habit of hitting the rivers each spring are still waiting. The Sabine River above Toledo Bend Reservoir has been producing big white bass for the past few weeks, and another wave of fish is expected to move up soon. Anglers reported having to search for the sandies, though, as the fish are moving around daily with the stronger currents. Guide Jane Gallenbach at River Ridge on the Sabine said they started fishing Feb. 8. “The river has been up, the river has been down and now it’s up again,” she said. “We Please turn to page 11
Creeks and rivers bring out the people each spring hoping to land a stringer of white bass during the fish’s annual spawning run. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Craig Nyhus
Ray Hodge, of Fort Worth, had a new poly coating placed on his airboat and picked the boat up on Feb. 22. “We had helped out when the hurricane came through North Carolina,” he said. “It gets really torn up.” Hodge, with his wife, 10-year-old daughter and her friend, the plan was
to go fishing in Lake Charles. “The weather was bad so we stayed in Winnie,” Hodge said. “The next day we went to Anahuac to teach the girls how to shoot a bow-fishing bow.” Hodge didn’t know the name of the location at the north end of Trinity Bay, but learned he went through what is called Jack’s Pass. “There were some tank batteries there,” he said. “We took some pictures
Harris County Sheriffs Office and the Baytown Dive Team searched through the debris from the crash of a large cargo jet in Trinity Bay. Photo by Chambers County Sheriffs Department.
Please turn to page 21
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
Lone Star Outdoor News
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10
HUNTING
FISHING
Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 11
Snow geese in spring (P. 4)
Trout fanatic (P. 8)
Some areas good when conditions right.
Longtime angler prefers fishing on top.
Twins head across the pond (P. 4)
Crappie spawn on hold (P. 8)
Raise money for their trip with their parents.
Fronts, rains cause delays.
Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 20
INSIDE
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210
Bow-fishing family at site of cargo jet crash
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March 8, 2019
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HUNTING
Twins in Africa Boys fund part of trip By Lili Sams
Lone Star Outdoor News
Brothers Ashton and Brennan Moore made their first trip to South Africa with their parents. After saving and earning money to help with expenses, Ashton took a springbok and Brennan a warthog. Photos from James Moore.
The Moore family taught their twin sons Ashton and Brennan the value of money at a young age. The boys, 12, have been hunting for as long as they can remember. Their father, James, started taking them hunting when they were 2
years old and has included them on every hunting trip since. The Moores, of Corsicana, decided it was time for their first trip to Africa. They bought the safari with Ubathi Global Safaris, at their local Ducks Unlimited banquet auction nearly two years ago. The Moores were transparent in the realities of the cost of the trip and taught the boys how fortunate they
were to be able to travel. The boys were eager to earn money to fund part of their trip. “We have always taught the boys that a person has to work for what they want,” their father said. They planned the trip for almost two years. Once the trip had been booked, they researched the different animal species and the costs. Brennan and Ashton had their eyes set on the certain Please turn to page 12
Conservation goose hunts either hero or zero Fog, stiff winds help bring results By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Under favorable conditions, goose hunters have been enjoying plenty of decoying action during the conservation season for light geese that runs through March 17. However, when clear skies and calm winds have prevailed, their straps have been barren. Outfitter and operator of Rocky Creek Retrievers Team Waterfowl, Steve Biggers, said his hunters experienced some excellent shoots as well as some slow ones along the rice prairies near El Campo. “Our best hunt resulted in 61 geese hitting the ground, but we also had a hunt in which only one goose was harvested,” Biggers said. “You’ve got to have the right conditions in order for the birds to work a spread. Some people think you can just turn on the electric call during this extended season and the geese will flock in your direction. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t happen like that.” Biggers said unless there is a heavy sky, stiff winds or a dense fog, hunters are going to have a tough time getting geese to decoy. “We’ve had nothing but old, mature birds on the prairie all year long,” he said. “These geese are smart. You have to set up where they want to be and have the perfect weather in order to fool numbers of them.” In the western portion of the state, hunting Please turn to page 23 Snow geese have moved into areas of northeast Texas on their return trip north. Hunting has been best in strong winds and fog. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Price tag for CWD testing in Texas tops $1 million By Mark England
Lone Star Outdoor News Texas Parks and Wildlife Department tested more than 10,000 deer at a cost of $1.45 million last year for Chronic Wasting Disease amid growing national interest in the condition now present in 24 states. The program’s annual budget, which includes salaries and equipment, actually decreased from the previous two year: 2017 ($1.57 million) 2016 ($1.55 million). Private deer breeders tested an additional 4,559 animals. And 72 animals – primarily white-tailed deer, 64, but also mule deer, 7, and one elk – tested positive in the 2018-19 sampling season for CWD, a neurological disease found in members of the deer family.
Testing has ramped up since 2015. At that time, TPWD was averaging testing slightly more than 2,000 animals annually. In 2016, 9,830 animals were tested for CWD. In 2017, 10,034 were tested. And in 2018, 10,356 were tested. Animals tested included white-tailed deer, mule deer, exotic deer and elk. “I do think our efforts have been effective in providing confidence that we’ll be able to detect the disease where it exists,” said Mitch Lockwood, TPWD’s Big Game director. TPWD’s testing comes at a time of rising concern about CWD and headlines in publications such as USA Today and Time warning of “zombie deer.” That moniker may be laughable, but TPWD reports that research suggests that hunters won’t visit areas known to have large numbers of CWD-infected animals. Please turn to page 23
Some far West Texas check stations didn’t see many deer to be checked, while others kept busy. Since 2016, about 10,000 deer have been tested each year with total cost of $4.57 million. Photo from TPWD.
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Veterinarian bags first nilgai New hunter gets his bull By Tony Vindell
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Two duck callers qualify for world championship Lone Star Outdoor News Glen Niebaum and Seth Fields will be making a trip to Stuttgart, Arkansas this November to participate the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest. Niebaum qualified by winning the James “Cowboy” Fernandez Memorial Texas State Open Duck Calling Championship on the weekend of March 2. Fields won the Southern Central Flyway Regional Duck Calling Contest, punching his ticket to the World’s. Duck and goose calling contests were held at the Trevor Lee Chesson Memorial Marsh Fest in Winnie March 2-3. Other Marsh Fest activities included BBQ and wild game cook-offs, vendors and live music. The Winnie Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Marsh Fest to provide memorial scholarships to area high schools, including East Chambers, Hamshire-Fannett and High Island, and to support the fishing teams for East Chambers and Hamshire-Fannett. Results: James ‘Cowboy’ Fernandez Memorial Texas State Open Duck Calling Contest 1. Glen Niebaum 2. Kyle Dennis 3. Derrick Moore Southern Central Flyway Regional Duck Calling Contest 1. Seth Fields 2. Derrick Moore 3. Brandon Howard Youth Duck Calling Contest 1. Reis Faulk 2. Teal Kraehnke 3. Trayce Walker
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A California veterinarian with little experience hunting big game took a nilgai-hunting trip on a South Texas ranch with two friends. Jeremiah Nichols, a graduate student of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, saw more than a dozen nilgai bulls and several cows on the trip. After trying to sneak behind one of two bulls, Nichols tried his luck on another of this non-native species brought from India decades ago. Nichols and his friend, who is also a veterinarian, walked behind a mesquite tree after they spotted the bull about 200 yards across a pond. “We crouched down toward a mesquite tree,” Nichols said. “I saw it standing but couldn’t get a clear Jeremiah Nichols, a California veterinarian, came to Texas and hunted his first nilgai. Photo from Tony Vindell. shot.” Seconds later, the animal moved and he fired a shot, hit the antelope The veterinarian, who is an amateur calf in the neck — but the bull didn’t move. roper, had no idea how much meat he was Nichols fired two more shots at his going to get from the nilgai, but was adfriend’s advice, and the animal went down. vised to buy a freezer if he had not gotten Nichols was as happy as he could be, and one already. was jumping with joy. The nilgai bulls are in full rut this time “I have never seen a nilgai in real life,” of year. he said. “In fact, this is my second time Nichols said his South Texas hunting trip hunting. This time, I got a trophy.” is one for his books. Nichols said the bull he shot wasn’t as “Everything is so different down here big as the two larger bulls they saw earlier — the terrain, the vegetation and the mesbut he is more than happy with the animal quite trees,” he said. “It was a perfect day.” that he got. ‘I am going to get it mounted on some kind of pedestal,” he said. “For me, this was an amazing time.”
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Turkey season soon Continued from page 1
—TPWD
there are still strong numbers of mature gobblers available.” Korzekwa said with the onset of the current vegetation green-up in the South Texas region, hunters can expect to have to compete with hens in order to harvest a tom during the early part of the season. “With the recent high production of forbs, there is going to be plenty of breeding activity when the season commences,” he said. Actually seeing the birds may be an issue, though, as the green-up has stretched the weeds to more than waist-high in many parts of the state, and heavy morning moisture may keep birds out of some areas. Hunting guide Clayton Roth guides spring turkey hunts along farm properties in South Texas surrounding Dilley. He claims there are a ton of birds gobbling
and on the move in Frio County, including plenty of mature longbeards. A little farther to the east, avid turkey hunter Clay Wiatrek said he’s seeing decent numbers of gobblers along fields in Karnes County. “Gobbling and strutting activity is in full force, and the warmer weather really seems to have the birds fired up,” Wiatrek said. “This should make for some exciting hunts with good responses to calls to kick off the season.” According to TPWD’s Turkey Program Leader Jason Hardin, vegetation in the Hill Country is already greening up as well due to winter rains and mild temperatures. “These conditions have hens in great shape and ready for nesting season,” Hardin said. “Some hens will be laying and incubating eggs before the season opens, but
the majority of hens will be in full breeding mode at the beginning of the season. This means that hunters will have some competition. They may have better success hunting during the late morning and midday hours rather than early in the morning and late in the evening.” Hardin said turkey in the Hill Country have had little reproduction success in the past two years, due to below-average moisture during the spring and summer. Because of this, he said hunters will encounter few jakes across the landscape. “Wise, old toms will be the norm this year, and there are good numbers of them out there,” he said. “Some of the best hunting for these mature birds will occur in the middle of the season when most of the hens begin to spend more of their time sitting on nests.”
Owner and operator of Heart of Texas Bowhunting, Kevin Burleson, said he is seeing decent numbers of mature gobblers on the properties he hunts near Putnam in Callahan County. “There’s not a lot of pressure on these birds so we might have some fast-paced hunts,” Burleson said. “These turkeys have not heard a ton of calls from hunters like they have in other areas of the state.” TPWD Natural Resource Specialist Dana Wright said there has been an early vegetation green-up in the Texas Panhandle. “This has prompted turkeys to break up from their wintering roost sites,” Wright said. “Breeding activity will be in full force throughout the region during the early portion of the season.”
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Boars in the brush By David J. Sams A solitary boar fed on a string of corn under the canopy of huge mesquite and oak trees near the Hondo Creek in Frio County. Our pickup truck cruised past a narrow dirt road and stopped. The boar kept feeding. I locked the breach on the new Lewis Machine and Tool Texas Edition and started a short stalk back to where we saw the boar down the road. Taking advantage of a huge oak, I snuck up to within 75 yards and peered around the trunk. The boar looked up in my direction and then went back to eating. I put the cross hairs on his right ear and let a 120-grain bullet fly. The 6.8 SPC cracked the still air and the boar went down. Many Texas hunters are using modern sporting rifles for hog and predator hunting and manufacturers rep Dave Richards confiscated one of the first production
rifles from the NBS (Nations Best Sports) show display where they debuted the new gun. Known for their military rifles, LMT wants to get more hunters using their modern sporting rifle platforms, and they developed this gun for Texas hunters looking for a fast, dependable semi-auto that could take down a hog and also work on predators all in the same day. They enhanced the appearance of the cerakoted gun with a laser-engraved Texas flag on the lower. It’s designed to be the strongest upper receiver in the industry. Made out of a single forging, the entire upper receiver and hand guard area is one solid piece of aerospace aluminum, removing all the standard failure points. With most modern sporting rifles the recoil is low. I watched the bullet hit the hog and felt no recoil as the gas action worked its magic. The Hornady 120-grain SST bullet travels at 2,460 fps from a 16-inch barrel. We continued our drive checking other feed spots on the ranch. I saw a group of about five hogs running alongside us, about 50 yards in the thick white brush. I asked Mark Barth, our guide, if he thought they would cross in front of us and about that time they did — ripping across the 40-foot gap in the brush in a flash. I commented, “That would have been a real good test with this gun, being able to shoot so fast as they ran in a line.” We all agreed and talked about the beauty of the semi-auto on a group of hogs. LMT makes all of their own parts for their guns. Triggers, selectors, bolt carriers, barrels, receivers, grips, stocks and tubes. This gives LMT a huge advantage in quality control, ensuring each of their Photos by Dave Richards
guns is of the highest quality when it ships out of the factory. They are American-made in Illinois and LMT is opening a new factory in Iowa later this year. On the way back to camp, we saw a group of raccoons feeding on some of the corn, and Mark spotted a single boar just past them right at the edge of the headlights. In perfect Texas style, I opened the truck door and settled the rifle on the open window. My hunting partners asked if I could see the boar and I told them I had a clear view with the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 scope. An amazing amount of light was transmitting through the scope as I waited for the pig to turn for a good shot. One of the curious coons was standing on his back legs steamily watching the hog as the bullet flew right over his head and hit the hog. The 6.8 performed excellently, dropping the boar in his tracks. LMT modern rifles have several benefits. Modularity is definitely one of them. The barrel can rapidly be changed to a different caliber in 30 seconds in the field if the hunter desires to. So you can switch from hunting big-bodied game like hogs in the 6.8 SPC to a .224 Valkyrie for coyote hunting. Another great feature is the Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System, with complete ambidextrous controls: selector, magazine catch, bolt catch and release, and charging handle so a right- or left-handed hunter is comfortable with this gun in a matter of minutes. And with me being a left-handed shooter, this was very helpful. The 20” 6.5 Creedmore retails for $2,699 and the 16” 68 SPC retails for $1,999. It will be available mid-April at select LMT dealers across Texas.
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FISHING
A man all about catching one more trout By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News “I just like to catch trout,” said Maurice Estlinbaum as he was putting one on his stringer. “I’ve been after them since 1973 and it’s been a good run.” Some of Estlinbaum’s best days were back when there were no limits. That’s when the fishing on East Galveston Bay was absolutely incredible. “It was the same thing on West Galveston Bay. It was all good. Still is. Except now we have good fishermen on the water, and lots of them. Fishing on the weekends is tough. That’s why I try to fish during the week.” Estlinbaum is 78 years old, retired from the auto parts business, and is considered to be one of the best trout fishermen ever to wade the Texas coast. He’s still at it, and averages about three days a week on the water. The one thing he doesn’t really care for is fishing from a boat. Wading is his game. “Wade-fishing is so much more relaxing,” he said. “You are right there in the action. These days more and more people don’t want to get out of the boat. A lot are afraid of getting Vibrio, that flesheating disease. Or getting bitten by a shark. That stuff doesn’t bother me.” Estlinbaum was not always a hard-core saltwater angler. For years he was into bass fishing and tournaments on lakes like Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. And then one day, he went to Galveston and caught a box full of big trout. “Back in 1973 a friend took me fishing and we used lures to catch a whole lot of trout,” he said. “I went home and told the wife I was going to sell the bass boat, and it’s been saltwater wade-fishing ever since. I also like to wade for snook in Florida. Estlinbaum mainly fishes with
While fishing in Brazil for peacock bass, Bob Hardy discovered a lure that has worked well for speckled trout in Texas. Photo by Phil Brannan.
New lures a hit along coast Idea stems from peacock bass trip By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News An ailing shoulder and days of casting heavy top-water lures for peacock bass in Brazil led Bob Hardy to an all-new lure that is quietly racking up numbers of trout along the Texas coast. Longtime trout fishing pros in Galveston and on over to Matagorda are now armed with these lures, and up until recently kept it kind of quiet. Called Lele’ lures, they are part of the Borboleta line of artificial baits that are handmade in Brazil. Some sink and some float. They are built tough, and withstand the rigors of being used to catch specks and reds. “About four years ago, some buddies and I went down to Brazil to catch peacock bass,” said Hardy, 66, who is retired and lives in Galveston. “I had been having problems with one of my shoulders and ask the outfitter if there were some smaller lures we could use. He came up with a box of lightweight lures that caught lots of peacock bass.” Hardy started using the Lele’ lures on East and West Galveston bays. “They were murder on trout,” he said. “Then some of the guides caught on to what I was using. I got some for them and everybody wanted in on the action. Since then, we’ve used them to catch trout from Lake Calcasieu to the Laguna Madre.” Hardy now has a full line of the lures for sale in about nine tackle shops along the coast, and they are being discovered at a rapid pace. Phil Brannan found out about them several months ago. He fishes in Port O’Connor and found the lures at Jeco’s tackle. “I started out with two, because they coast about $15 each,” he said. “But after catching some good stringers of trout and reds on them, I went to buy more before they sold out.” Brannan’s best luck has been with the Lele’ floater. “It’s 3-inches long, and has two treble hooks and a great rattle chamber,” he said. “What I do is cast the lure out, pop it twice with the rod tip, then hesitate as the lure slowly floats up to the surface. Both trout and reds will whack it as it’s coming to the surface. It’s a pretty exciting lure to fish.” James Helm works at Jeco’s. “We sell a lot of custom-made lures in our store that specializes in premium tackle,” he said. “The line of Lele’ lures has become popular very fast.” Some of the top colors are black/silver with a white belly, chartreuse/silver sides and pink with silver sides. Brannan said the one with a black back/gold sides and orange belly has Please turn to page 15
Please turn to page 15 Maurice Estlinbaum has been fishing the Galveston Bay system for more than 40 years, and is considered one of the top trout anglers in the area. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Crappie spawn delayed by cold fronts, rains Expected to kick into gear any day By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News Crappie fishermen are gearing up for the annual spawn of these tasty panfish, but the double shot of steady cold fronts and lots of runoff from rainfall has kept these fish in a holding pattern. The overall situation on most lakes is that crappie are staging
in 6 to 10 feet of water, but getting close to moving up shallow to spawn. That will more than likely happen with our next extended warm spell, according to Lake Fork guide Seth Vanover. “Last week the water temperature here was anywhere from 48 to 52 degrees,” Vanover said. “If we can get four or five days of sunshine and no front the water temperature will inch up into the mid-50s, that will move a lot of crappie up to spawn in 3 to 5 feet of water.” Please turn to page 21
On many Texas lakes, crappie are staging and preparing to move to shallow water to spawn, but cold water temperatures are keeping them from coming in. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
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Teams tie, split firstplace prize on Fork Lone Star Outdoor News One team landed one legal fish. Another brought in a five-fish limit. In the end at the Bass Champs North Region tournament on Lake Fork, the two teams were tied. Justin Woolard, of Bedford, and Robert Smith, of North Richland Hills, brought just one fish to the scales, but the fish weighed 10.28 pounds. Meanwhile, Scott Barnett, of Mansfield, and Brian Clark, of Haltom City, brought in their limit, and it came to exactly the same weight. Tournament rules call for a one-hour fish-off to determine the winner. The day was cold with a light rain toward the end of the event, and the two teams agreed on a decision. They decided to forego the fish-off and split the winnings. “We didn’t know we had that option until they told us,” Barnett said. “We all figured everyone would be better off, Photo from Justin Woolard plus there was a pretty good swing between first and second place.” The $20,000 first-place prize and $5,000 second-place prize became $12,750 for each of the teams, and Woolard and Smith received an additional $1,000 for the biggest bass of the event. The team of Zach Park, of Denton, and Heath Moody, of Southlake, finished third with 10.10 pounds, all from one fish, winning $4,500. They were followed by Kent Sikes, of Roanoke, and Darrell Campbell, of Alba, with a five-fish total of 10.04 pounds. The team won $3,500.
March 8, 2019
Pending record channel catfish A pending state-record channel catfish was caught March 2 at Lake Tawakoni. Angler Josh Garcia of Midland caught a 47-pounder while fishing with guide Noel Ibarra of Michael and Teri Littlejohn’s Guide Service. If confirmed, Garcia’s channel catfish would shatter the current state record of 36.5 pounds caught in 1965 on the Pedernales River. Garcia’s channel catfish would also smash the record for Lake Tawakoni: a 31-pounder caught by From left to right: Josh Garcia, guide Noel Ibarra Jerry Smithey on a trotline in 2001. and Chris Garcia, Josh’s father, pose with Josh’s “Josh was doing his thing fishing for blue catfish pending record channel cat. Photo from Michael and then this thing showed up” said Michael Little- Littlejohn. john. “I’d never seen any that size. The biggest I’d ever seen was about 13 pounds at Lake Fork. This is kind of unheard of.” Garcia and Ibarra didn’t realize what they had initially, Littlejohn said. Fishing with fresh gizzard shad heads, Garcia was chasing a blue catfish. “And that’s what he thought he had,” Littlejohn said. “It wasn’t until he reeled it in that Josh saw the head was different. Noel was confused too. It had the color of a blue catfish, but also there were rays on the anal fin.” The channel catfish was weighed at Trot Line Bait & Tackle in West Tawakoni, an official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department weigh station. A fin was clipped so TPWD can do a DNA test to determine if the catfish is a true channel catfish or a hybrid. And, then, the pending record channel catfish was released back into the lake, Littlejohn said. —Staff report
Deep Bite wins on Travis A change of tactics led Paul Stokes and David Hogge to a runaway victory at the Texas Team Trail opener at Lake Travis. The team fished deeper water to target prespawn bass after water temperatures dropped to around 55 degrees, and weighed at 5-bass limit of 23.84 pounds. The winners fished the Pace Bend area and caught all of their fish on a ledge that dropped from 20 feet down to about 50. Most of their bites came in the 20- to 35-foot range on a variety of lures, including a Carolina rig, a shaky head and a football jig. Stokes and Hogge won a boat and motor and their total payday was $35,105. Brandon Brossett and Kevin Allen weighed in 17.81 pounds to finish second, winning $7,224. They landed three fish on rocks near the mouth of a creek, including two 6-pounders. Ryan Warren and Jason Derrick brought in a third-place sack of 17.47, earning $4,640. Their first stop was an area of flooded bushes where they had caught a good fish last year in another event. —TXTT
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear main lake, stained up the river; 46-59 degrees; 5.68’ low. Black bass are slow. Crappie are slow to fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair on cut and live bait. AMISTAD: Water murky; 58-62 degrees; 23.60’ low. Black bass are fair on jigs, crankbaits, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are good on white grubs and jigging spoons up the Rio Grande. White bass are good on slabs and white grubs up the Rio Grande. Catfish are good on shrimp, liver and cheese bait over baited holes. ARROWHEAD: Water stained; 48-57 degrees; 0.18’ low. Black bass are slow. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait and nightcrawlers. ATHENS: Water clear; 50-54 degrees; 0.54’ high. Black bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, Texas-rigged creature baits and shad-pattern swim jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on trotlines. AUSTIN: Water lightly stained; 51-62 degrees; 0.67’ low. Black bass are slow. Sunfish are slow. Catfish are fair on cut or live baitfish and nightcrawlers. BASTROP: Water stained; 5660 degrees. Black bass are fair on watermelon/red soft plastics, spinner baits and crankbaits. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on stink bait and shrimp. BELTON: Water murky; 54-58 degrees; 1.03’ high. Black bass are good on green/pumpkin crankbaits, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are good on light blue jigs. Crappie are good on minnows under lights at night in 25 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers and hot dogs. BENBROOK: Water stained; 4852 degrees; 0.42’ high. Black bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 50-53 degrees; 0.53’ high. Black bass are fair on shakyhead worms, bladed jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. BONHAM: Water stained; 4851 degrees; 0.08’ high. Black bass are fair on Texas-rigged craws, spinner baits and shakyhead worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on trotlines. BRAUNIG: Water murky. Black bass are good on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms in the reeds and near the jetty and dam. Striped bass are good on liver and shad at Dead Tree Point and near the pier. Redfish are slow. Channel catfish are fair on liver, shrimp, cheese bait and cut bait near the spillway. Blue catfish are good on cut bait in 15-20 feet. BRIDGEPORT: Water lightly stained; 48-52 degrees: 0.13’ high. Black bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Catfish are slow. BROWNWOOD: Water murky; 52-56 degrees; 0.16’ high. Black bass are good on char-
treuse jigs and watermelon soft plastics in 10-30 feet. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are fair on stink bait, minnows and frozen shrimp. BUCHANAN: Water murky; 53-57 degrees; 2.49’ low. Black bass are fair on Carolina-rigged black/blue lizards and blue flake wacky rigs along ledges in 10-20 feet. Striped bass are fair trolling white/chartreuse striper jigs and Rattlin’ Rogues. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows over brush piles in 12-15 feet. Catfish are slow. CADDO: Water lightly stained; 50-54 degrees; 1.80’ high. Black bass are good on Texasrigged craws, swim jigs and bladed jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. CALAVERAS: Water murky. Black bass are good on dark soft plastic worms, spinner baits and crankbaits near the dam. Striped bass are fair on chicken livers and shad along the shoreline. Redfish are slow. Channel and blue catfish are fair on liver, shrimp and cheese bait. CANYON LAKE: Water murky; 55-59 degrees; 0.36’ high. Black bass are fair on pumpkin hair jigs, Carolina-rigged lizards and Texas-rigged blue flake worms along break lines and ledges. Striped bass are good trolling white striper jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs upriver. Catfish are slow. CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 49-52 degrees, 0.02’ high. Black bass are good on shaky-head worms and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are slow. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. CHOKE CANYON: Water murky; 57-61 degrees; 13.96’ low. Black bass are good on pumpkinseed soft plastic worms and lizards, and flipping jigs in the grass. White bass are good on small spinner baits. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers. COLEMAN: Water murky; 56-60 degrees; 0.18’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon/red soft plastics and chartreuse lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on silver spoons. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles. Channel catfish are fair on liver and frozen shrimp. COLETO CREEK: Water stained; 55 degrees in the main lake, 87 degrees at the hot water discharge, 67-71 degrees in main lake; 0.24’ high. Black bass are good on pumpkinseed soft plastics and crankbaits. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live perch in 8-15 feet. CONROE: Water murky; 55-59 degrees; 0.02’ high. Black bass are fair on pumpkinseed worms and lizards. Striped bass are fair on chartreuse striper jigs. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. COOPER: Water stained;
50–54 degrees; 0.49’ high. Black bass are fair on bladed jigs, Texas-rigged craws and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Hybrid striper and white bass are fair on slabs. CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE: Water off-color; 61-66 degrees; 0.19’ high. Black bass are fair on drop-shot rigs, Texas rigs and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and live shad. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water lightly stained; 48-51 degrees; 0.13’ high. Black bass are good on suspending jerkbaits, spinner baits and Texas-rigged craws. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. FAIRFIELD: Water lightly stained. Black bass are fair on Texas-rigged craws, shallow crankbaits and spinner baits. No report on other species. FALCON: Water murky; 56-60 degrees; 25.35’ low. Black bass are good on chartreuse soft plastics, jigs, and slow-rolling spinner baits off ledges in 15-25 feet, and in pockets in 5-10 feet. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp, nightcrawlers, stink bait, liver and cut bait. FAYETTE: Water murky. Black bass are fair on chartreuse lipless crankbaits, spinner baits and soft plastics. Channel and blue catfish are slow. FORK: Water lightly stained; 49-53 degrees; 0.19’ low. Black bass are fair on black and blue jigs, spinner baits and bladed jigs. White and yellow bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 48-58 degrees; 0.43’ high. Black bass are slow. Crappie are slow to fair on live minnows around deeper structure. Catfish are good on live and cut bait. GIBBONS CREEK: Water murky. Black bass are good on chartreuse lipless crankbaits. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and hot dogs. GRANBURY: Water murky; 52-56 degrees; 0.02’ low. Black bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on frozen shrimp and stink bait. GRANGER: Water murky; 51-55 degrees; 0.33’ high. Black bass are slow. White bass are fair on spoons upriver. Crappie are slow. Blue catfish are good on juglines baited with shad. GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 48-50 degrees; 0.47’ high. Black bass are slow. White bass and hybrid bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water murky; 53-57 degrees; 0.25’ high. Black bass are good on spinner baits and soft plastic worms and lizards. White bass
are slow. Crappie are good on live minnows. Bream are slow. Channel and blue catfish are slow. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 49-57 degrees; 0.05’ high. Black bass are slow to fair on jigs and shaky heads. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on live and cut bait. JOE POOL: Water stained; 49-52 degrees; 0.64’ low. Black bass are fair on square-billed crankbaits, Texas-rigged creature baits and shaky-head worms. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 51-55 degrees: 1.96’ high. Black bass are good on bladed jigs, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines. LAVON: Water stained; 49-52 degrees: 0.52’ high. Black bass are slow. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines. LBJ: Water murky; 54-58 degrees; 2.06’ low. Black bass are slow. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 48-51 degrees; 0.27’ high. Black bass are fair on suspending jerkbaits and shaky-head worms. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines. LIVINGSTON: Water stained; 55-59 degrees; 0.63’ high. Black bass are fair on crankbaits and watermelon soft plastics in the creeks. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and spec rigs upriver. Crappie are good on minnows in the creeks. Blue catfish are good on shad. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 72-82 degrees; 0.10’ low. Black bass are fair on Texas-rigged craws, spinner baits and shallow crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on trotlines. MONTICELLO: Water stained; 49-52 degrees; 2.09’ low. Black bass are fair on bladed jigs, spinner baits and Texas-rigged craws. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on trotlines and prepared bait. NAVARRO MILLS: Water murky; 53-57 degrees; 0.38’ high. Black bass are good on chartreuse crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on watermelon tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and minnows. O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 49-58 degrees; 16.31’ low. Black bass are slow to fair on shaky heads, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair on cut and live bait. OAK CREEK: Water stained; 4857 degrees; 0.20’ high. Black bass are slow. Crappie are fair
on live minnows. Catfish are fair on live and cut bait. PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 49-53 degrees; 1.11’ high. Black bass are good on shaky-head worms, spinner baits and bladed jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Hybrid striper are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 47-59 degrees; 0.04’ high. Black bass are slow. Crappie are fair on live minnows. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are fair on live and cut bait. PROCTOR: Water murky; 56-60 degrees; 0.24’ high. Black bass are fair on chartreuse lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows in 15-18 feet. Channel and blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with shrimp and shad. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 49-51 degrees; 0.05’ low. Black bass are fair on spinner baits, Texas-rigged craws and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. RAY ROBERTS: Water stained: 48-51 degrees; 0.11’ high. Black bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, bladed jigs and white spinner baits. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 48-52 degrees; 0.09’ high. Black bass are slow. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines. SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 57-61 degrees; 7.56’ high. Black bass are fair on watermelon/red soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. White bass are fair on live minnows and white spinner baits. Crappie are slow. Bream are fair on worms. Catfish are good on liver and nightcrawlers. SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 57-61 degrees; 1.34’ high. Black bass are slow. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on spoons. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. SPENCE: 36.38’ low. Black bass are slow. No report on crappie. Catfish are fair on cut bait and nightcrawlers. STAMFORD: Water stained to muddy; 52-63 degrees; 0.60’ high. Black bass are slow. Crappie are slow to fair on live minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Blue catfish are fair on cut and live bait. STILLHOUSE: Water murky; 5660 degrees; 0.68’ high. Black bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair. TAWAKONI: Water stained to muddy; 49-52 degrees; 0.84’ high. Black bass are slow. White
n Saltwater reports Page 11 bass are good on slabs and minnows. Hybrid bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on trotlines and prepared bait. TEXANA: Water stained; 60-66 degrees; 0.15’ low. Black bass are slow to fair on stick worms, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut bait. TEXOMA: Water stained; 48-51 degrees; 1.25’ low. Black bass are fair on suspending jerkbaits, shaky-head worms and mediumdiving crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Striped bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 56-60 degrees; 0.68’ low. Black bass are fair on dark red soft plastics, white spinner baits and crankbaits. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bream are fair on worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on live bait, frozen shrimp and stink bait. TRAVIS: Water murky; 53-57 degrees; 0.71’ high. Black bass are good on green/pumpkin worms, chrome spoons and firetiger crankbaits in 15-35 feet. Striped bass are fair on shad crankbaits and chrome spoons in 30-50 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and blood bait. WALTER E. LONG: Water murky. Black bass are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and green soft plastic worms at the gravel pit and the hot water outlet. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are fair on crickets and shrimp at the gravel pit. WEATHERFORD: Water stained; 47-50 degrees; 0.13’ low. Black bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines. WHITNEY: Water murky; 54-58 degrees; 0.54’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon and redbug soft plastics, spinner baits and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on silver spoons. White bass are fair on minnows and white striper jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on frozen shrimp and stink bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 51-54 degrees; 6.56 high. Black bass are fair on Texas-rigged craws, lipless crankbaits and bladed jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines.
—TPWD
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
March 8, 2019
Page 11
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good on the Louisiana shoreline on Down South Lures and Corkies. Flounder are fair on jigs tipped with shrimp around marsh drains. SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good around Garrison Ridge on Bass Assassins and Corkies.
BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and plugs. Black drum and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. TRINITY BAY: Trout are fair while drifting the upper end of the bay. Redfish are good in the marsh on shrimp. EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good on the south shoreline on Soft Dines and Corkies.
Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. Black drum are fair to good in the Ship Channel on crabs. WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters working shell on live shrimp. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Redfish are good in the back lakes on shrimp and scented plastics. FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay. Black drum are good at the jetties on cracked blue crabs. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are good while drifting deep reefs with scented plastics, D.O.A. Shrimp or live shrimp. Trout are fair on the south shoreline on top-waters. Redfish are good on the spoil banks on the north shoreline. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good in Oyster Lake on shrimp and crabs. Black drum and redfish are fair to good at the jetty on crabs. Redfish and black drum are
Spawning sandies Continued from page 1
fair to good at Shell Island on shrimp. PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are fair on soft plastics over soft mud. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp. ROCKPORT: Trout are good while wading with Gamblers and Custom Corkies on the shorelines. Black drum are fair to good in Morris-Cummings Cut on free-lined shrimp.
PORT ARANSAS: Black drum are good in the Shrimpboat Channel on crabs and finger mullet. Redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp. CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plastics and
live shrimp. Black drum and redfish are fair to good in the Packery Channel on crabs. BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good on Gamblers around rocks and sand and grass. Black drum are good in the Land Cut on crabs. Trout are fair to good in the Land Cut on Bass Assassins and Gamblers. PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on Corkies around sand and grass along the Kenedy shoreline. Redfish are fair to good while drifting potholes on scented plastics and live shrimp. Black drum and redfish are good on crabs at East Cut. SOUTH PADRE: Trout are good around the spoil islands, channel edges and color changes on D.O.A. Shrimp and scented plastics in 3-4 feet of water. Black drum, redfish and sheepshead are good at the jetty on shrimp. PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good at Gas Well Flats on live shrimp. Redfish are fair on D.O.A. Shrimp and live shrimp on the edge of the ICW. —TPWD
Catfish action for keepers, trophies By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News
managed to catch limits each time we’ve been out.” Psycho0819 said on the Texas Fishing Forum that limits were being caught on creeks, sandbars and larger eddies on the outside of bends in the river. On a three-day trip, the group of three anglers found the fish in the creeks, but that bite slowed as the trip went on. “I noticed the guides getting off of the water a bit later than on previous days,” he said, noting the creek bite was best at the beginning of their trip. Rebecca Creek, which runs into the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake, is another favorite spot for anglers, but Jedidiah Mazour reported the weekend of March 1 that the white bass weren’t up the creek, but they were catching bedding largemouth bass. The Trinity River above Lake Livingston, according to Shadslinger on 2coolfishing, is seeing the white bass spawning “and hard at it.” The angler reported three-man limits with 90 percent of the fish being big females. “Everybody was slaying them,” he said. Along the Neches River near Chandler, many fishermen make trips by the large parking lot on Highway 31 to see if the run has started. While a few vehicles have been there each day, only some smaller fish have been reported. “I guess it’s a little bit early but it was nice to get out,” said Huntman31. “From talking to other people, they were doing the same.” Txmudder said he had been fishing the river since the early 1990s. “I’ve never seen a year this slow before,” he said. Denton Creek above Lake Grapevine also draws crowds, where the run is in full swing by March 1 during some years. This year, though, anglers report the water is just too cold, and they expect a mid-March run.
Anglers are catching keeper-sized catfish in the 2- to 4-pound range as well as trophy-sized cats pushing 60 pounds or more on lakes Waco, Conroe and Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir. Central Texas fishing guide, Jason “Spud” Barton of Cattin’ Around Adventures said the catfish bite on lakes in the central portion of the state is on fire. Barton has been spending most of his time on Lake Waco where he and his clients have been catching plenty of blue cats topping 20 pounds. “The catfish action has been phenomenal,” Barton said. “We are actually catching most of our bigger fish up shallow in 5 to 10 feet of water.” Barton has been focusing his efforts on the northern portion of Lake Waco along mud flats near the edges of creek and river channels. “The layer of silt and mud along the bottom in these areas is much warmer than the lake water above it, and that’s why the fish are congregating there,” he said. “The catfish will wallow down in this mud to stay warm and wait for an easy meal to swim by.” Barton’s preferred presentation has been a live shad or perch hooked on a Santee-Cooper style Carolina rig with a Whisker Seeker Ultra Chub. “This set-up floats the bait just off the bottom and produces a ton of strikes from trophy-sized cats,” he said. At Lake Conroe, Darrell Taylor of Catfish Killer Catfish Guide Service said the best catfish bite has been occurring in 15-20 feet of water between the arrival late season cold fronts that have continued to push across the state. “The best window for action has been taking place a few days after a front hits up through the day before the next front arrives,” Taylor said. “The fish seem to have lockjaw during the days immediately following the passage of a front.” Taylor and his clients have been catching their fish on Catfish Killer cheese bait. Also at Conroe, Brad Doyle of Bradley’s Guide Service reported his crews of anglers have been catching 50-70 catfish per day in the 3-pound range. “There are plenty of eating-sized fish to catch, and I know there’s been some fish pushing 60 pounds caught recently,” he said. Doyle’s success has come from fishing with Catfish Bubblegum dough bait in 16 feet of water along the edges of channels. Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir isn’t widely known for having a tremendous catfish fishery, but guide Bob Maindelle of Holding the Line Guide Service said his customers have been unintentionally catching catfish over 5 pounds on every outing while jigging for white bass. “The fact that we are unintentionally catching solid catfish on a regular basis while targeting other species proves that the cats are beginning to thrive on Stillhouse Hollow,” Maindelle said.
Guide Darrell Taylor landed this 26-pound blue catfish while fishing in 20 feet of water on Lake Conroe. Photo from Brad Doyle.
Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News
Danielle Smith, of Belton, (left) and Nicole Waggoner, of Waco, landed this 48-pound blue cat on Lake Waco. Photo from Jason Barton.
Page 12
March 8, 2019
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER DUMPING DUCKS NEXT TO TRASH CAN An off-duty Camp County game warden received a complaint about four unbreasted ducks laying on the ground next to a trash can. A Titus County game warden contacted the hunter, who admitted to throwing the ducks away four days before because he had forgot to clean them after the hunt. The man claimed he threw the ducks into the back of his pickup and did not remember them until a couple of days later. He claimed he placed the ducks into his trashcan, but the trash collector removed the ducks from the trashcan and placed them on the ground before hauling off the trash. WADING WATER RESCUE A call was made to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office about a stranded boater. A person in a vehicle could see a boat flipped over and a man clinging to it and screaming for help. A Jasper County game warden responded along with a volunteer fireman. They were able to wade out to the 76-year-old man and get him to shore. Fortunately, the man was wearing his lifejacket and only sustained minor injuries, hypothermia and cuts from sawtooth briars. DEER HEAD BEHIND THE CHURCH A lady in a Bexar County subdivision found three deer heads
HOW DID YOU GET THAT TAG? A Williamson County game warden noticed a small white piece of paper in his front yard and recognized it as a tag from a Texas hunting/fishing license. The tag was for a buck or antlerless white-tailed deer for the 2018-2019 season. The hunter, who lived in the neighborhood, completed the ranch name and county of harvest but had failed to cut out the date and month of kill. The hunter confirmed he had shot a small 7-point buck at the ranch stated on the back of the tag and showed him the skull mount. He had filled out the harvest log on his license, but
behind a church property. A Bexar County game warden found a deer tag that happened to match a person living two houses down from the church. The resident admitted to dumping the deer heads and was issued a citation and warnings for not properly tagging the deer, harvest log not filled out and illegal dumping. HURRIED ATTEMPT TO BUY LICENSE TOO LATE During a processor inspection, a Dewitt County game warden found a valid tag used by the person. However, it was determined that the license was purchased the same afternoon the deer had been brought to the processor. Based on the location of the kill, the time the deer was checked in, and the fact that the deer had been
had checked antlerless instead of buck. He also gave the warden his redfish tag, since when he killed the deer, he initially completed the redfish tag and cut out the date of the kill but realized his mistake and then completed the white-tailed deer tag but failed to cut the date out. When the warden asked where the tag was for the deer, the man said he thought it was inside his house. The warden then showed him that he had the tag. The man was issued a warning and was left puzzled how the warden had his tag.
brought in deboned, the warden suspected that the license had been purchased after the kill. When confronted with the timeline, the individual admitted to hunting without a license. DRIVER INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR A landowner near Abilene alerted a game warden about a vehicle spotlighting and shooting from a county road. The warden quickly responded and located the suspected vehicle. After following the vehicle for a distance, the warden observed gunshots coming from the passenger compartment. Upon making a traffic stop, the warden asked the three occupants what they were doing. A female subject stated that she and her boyfriend were teaching her son how to drive while they were drinking and
shooting feral hogs off the road. Drug paraphernalia and a small bag of methamphetamine were located next to where one subject was sitting. One subject was taken to jail for possession of controlled substance and another received a citation for open container and hunting from a public roadway. ONE DRUNK AFTER ANOTHER Game wardens were patrolling Van Zandt County when they observed a vehicle parked in the middle of the public roadway. The wardens contacted the vehicle and detected the odor of alcohol coming from both occupants. The operator said she was trying to take her intoxicated friend to his residence, but he was too drunk to give her directions. When the wardens had the operator exit the vehicle,
they noticed several Jello shots on the driver side floorboard. The driver admitted to drinking alcohol and taking multiple medications that would impair her ability to operate a motor vehicle. She was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated, and wardens allowed her passenger to call a friend to come pick him up at the scene. When the passenger’s friend arrived on scene, wardens made contact and determined that the operator of this vehicle had also been consuming alcohol. After failing standard field sobriety tests, the driver of the second vehicle was also arrested for DWI. WRONG TYPE OF LICENSE Two MLD tags for deer at a processor indicated the hunters were nonresidents with 5-day special licenses, which are not valid for white-tailed deer hunting. The log at the ranch matched the deer taken and the hunters. When contacted, the two admitted to killing the deer without valid licenses. Cases and restitution pending.
REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000. CALL OPERATION GAME THIEF AT (800) 792-4263
Muy Grande Deer Contest Boys’ safari wraps up Continued from page 4
Lone Star Outdoor News The 54th Annual Muy Grande Deer Contest officially ended March 3rd. The contest, founded by Leonel “Muy” Garza in 1965, is considered one of the oldest deer contests in the world. Gary Wetzel, of Covington, won the Men’s AllAround Division with a deer he harvested in Duval County. The deer scored 318 gross with a total of 506 4/8 Muy Grande points. Laura Berry, of Corpus Christi, swept the Women’s All-Around Division with 467 3/8 Muy Grande points. Her deer, taken at the Gloriosa Ranch in Live Oak County, scored 268 2/8 gross. In the Youth All-Around Division, Danielle Esquibel, of Devine, finished first in the girl’s category. Her deer, taken at Flores Ranch Whitetails, scored 146 gross and 352 total Muy Grande points. The winner of the boy’s category was Hefner Appling, III, of Port Aransas. He hunted his 168 7/8-gross scoring deer on the Retamosa Ranch in La Salle County. The buck scored 323 7/8 total Muy Grande points. The contest hosts more than 100 categories, and the Muy Grande Awards Ceremony will be held in Freer on June 22.
Gary Wetzel, Men’s All-Around Division
Danielle Esquibel, Youth Girl’s All-Around Division
Laura Berry, Women’s All-Around Division
Hefner Appling III, Youth Boy’s All-Around Division
species and then got to work. “We started thinking about where we could get the money from,” Ashton said. They mowed lawns, weeded gardens and tended flower beds. The big money maker was picking up and selling pecans. “Anytime they had a free moment, they were going out and picking up pecans,” their mother, Monica, said. In lieu of gifts for their birthday or Christmas, the boys asked for money that they could put into their savings. By saving and working toward the trip “we learned we can do stuff by ourselves,” Brennan said. After all was said and done, when the Moores boarded the plane from DFW to Johannesburg, each of the boys had earned about $2,000. “They really had a sense of accomplishment after this trip,” James said. For their first taste of Africa, the Moores traveled to the Limpopo province of South Africa. “It’s really something to remember,” Monica said. “It leaves you wanting more. There’s something about Africa that fills your soul.” The trip wasn’t just about hunting; it was about experiencing Africa and everything it has to offer. The boys befriended René, Earnard one of the owners of Ubathi Global Safaris, who taught them words and phrases of Afrikaans each morning before breakfast and the day’s hunt. Ashton shot a springbok and
Ashton and Brennan Moore picked up and sold pecans to help fund part of their trip to Africa. Photos from James Moore.
red hartebeest. Brennan took a warthog, steenbok and blesbok. Ashton had his heart set on a hartebeest. After his 150-yard shot, the trackers rubbed the blood on his cheeks saying, “Welcome to African hunting.” “I can’t even put in to words how it felt,” James said. “I was just overrun with emotion.” In between hunts, “one of the trackers took a stick and taught us how to draw different African animals in the sand,” Brennan said. “He made me a warthog out of mud which we got to bring back,” Ashton said. Brennan’s warthog took three days of scouting to find the right one. Brennan walked over to his trophy and grabbed its tusks and said, “Look dad, this thing came with dragon handles.” The family is currently planning their next trip to Africa.
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
March 8, 2019
Page 13
WHETHER YOU’RE DEFENDING FREEDOM OR ENJOYING IT,
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Page 14
March 8, 2019
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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HEROES
Ryan Mitchell with his first buck, a 10-pointer with a 16 1/2–inch inside spread taken near Meridian. Waylon Herrell, 3, of Caldwell County, reeled in this bass on a family pond. Danny Petrie, of Bergheim, used a .300 WSM 180gr Accubond CT Winchester bullet during a spot and stalk elk hunt southeast of Marathon. The elk had 381 inches of antler.
SHARE AN ADVENTURE
n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Email them with contact and caption information to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com. Highresolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.
Bill Smalley, 67, of Breckenridge, took this mule deer near Salida, Colorado. He shot the deer with a .270.
Pat Quick caught and released this nice bass while fishing on her private lake in Jack County. She caught the bass on a piece of bacon.
Hunter Education Course Happening Saturday. The Aspirin Buster Frank Addington, Jr.
(Must sign up online, contact us on how.)
Fetch N Fish “High Flying Retriever Dog Show” Jason Reynolds
JUNE 21, 22, & 23, 2019 - MIDLAND, TX The Horseshoe Pavilion • 2514 Arena Trail
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
PRODUCTS
March 8, 2019
Page 15
Fishing veteran Continued from page 8
HDR JAKE: This decoy by Avian-X is sized slightly smaller than a live turkey to prevent it from looking intimidating to an approaching tom. However, it is blow-molded in a quarter-strut posture and with bristling subdominant feathers to trigger aggression from a nearby gobbler. Hunters can alter this ultra-realistic decoy’s attitude by switching out the heads: one design features a curled, aggressive posture and another head is designed to project submission. The durable decoy is built to withstand the wear and tear of carrying it in and out of the field as well as repeat beatdowns from aggressive gobblers looking to maintain the pecking order. The decoy costs about $150.
>>
>>
ATLAS 600 CAMPING LANTERN/ CHARGER: HybridLight’s waterproof lantern/charger offers a bright light that can be adjusted from 25 to 600 lumens. It will give outdoorsmen up to 100 hours of light on one full charge from the 4000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The USB port allows users to charge their mobile devices while using the light. The lantern, which also has a built-in solar panel, costs about $50.
WASP HAVALON HV BROADHEAD: Wasp Archery has paired with Havalon Knives to offer bowhunters a surgically sharp fixed-blade broadhead. It is designed for deep penetration through bone and hide and features an ultra compact aerodynamic aluminum ferrule to provide field point accuracy and easy tuning. The .35-inch thick stainless steel blades combine for a 1 3/16inch cutting diameter. Each pack comes with three broadheads and six replacement blades. The MSRP is $44.99.
>>
Maurice Estlinbaum prefers to wade-fish using top-water lures for speckled trout. Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
top-waters and slow-sinking mullet imitation baits. “My favorite top-water lure is a Super Spook Jr.,” he said. “That’s a lure that will catch trout all day long, and big ones, too. One of the main things about fishing, and catching fish, is to use a lure that you have confidence in. The Super Spook Jr. is my go-to lure any time of the year.” His favorite colors are chartreuse, chrome or blue/chrome. “If I had to pick one lure to fish for big trout, that’s it,” Estlinbaum said. “And when it comes to catching big trout, East Galveston Bay is at the top of my list. West Galveston Bay is a close second.” One thing you won’t find Estlinbaum fishing with is a soft plastic jig or live bait. “I don’t fish worms; it’s not very exciting,” he said. “What’s exciting is seeing a trout or red tear into a top-water. I used to fish with a gold spoon to catch reds. That was the lure of choice for Rudy Grigar. When we fished the Chandeleur Islands that’s about the only thing Rudy would fish with. We caught a ton of fish with spoons. But these days I’ll almost always
be fishing on top or with a slow sinker.” Needless to say, fishing has changed along the Texas coast over the years. “These days we have a lot of guides on the bays,” Estlinbaum said. “And those guides are teaching a lot of people how to fish. I think we have a lot of very good fishermen along the Texas coast. Some use lures, other use live bait like croaker. It used to be that I would triangulate to locate shell reefs. These days everybody can find them with GPS numbers.” What are his thoughts on the proposed regulation that would reduce the daily limit of trout from 10 to five? “I’m not sure why they want to do that,” Estlinbaum said. “TPWD says we have more trout than ever before.” The angler says he’s still old school. “I still use monofilament line and don’t need a leader,” Estlinbaum said. “I keep it simple. I don’t pay any attention to the major and minor times to fish. I go when I can go. And most of the time, I’ll be fishing a top-water lure all day long.”
New trout lure Continued from page 8
RED EYE SHAD TUNGSTEN 2 TAP: This lipless crankbait by Strike King has a single tungsten rattle that emits a unique sound that entices bites. Available in a multitude of colors and two sizes, the crankbait offers realistic paint schemes, treble hooks and 3-D eyes. It costs about $8.
>> Photo by Robert Sloan, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
>>
G45NGMAX TRAIL CAMERA: Stealth Cam’s newest camera features next generation, high-resolution night imaging technology that produces 26MP crisp, still photos across the camera’s 100-foot flash range. It also offers an intuitive menu and an easy-to-see backlit LED programming interface that allows the user to set numerous still and video capture parameters, to include HD video recording from five to 180 seconds and a burst mode that can take from one to nine stills per trigger event. The camera will log such data as time and date, moon phases, temperature, GPS information, and game activity. Other features include an SD card slot, password protection, an external jack, and more. The trail camera costs about $200.
produced solid trout for him while wading the flats at Port O’Connor. “I recently fished with guide Charlie Paradoski on East Matagorda Bay, and we had a heck of a day wade- and drift-fishing,” Hardy said. “We had easy limits. I was using both the Lele’ and the Hot Rod that’s shaped sort of like a shad and is a sinking bait. I would let it sink almost to bottom then work it in with a stop-and-go retrieve.”
CREDITORS BEWARE Monarch Hunting Products Their account with Lone Star Outdoor News is $6,900 past due and attempts to collect have failed.
Page 16
March 8, 2019
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases
First
Full
Last
New
Mar 14
Mar 20
Mar 27
Apr 5
Solunar Sun times Moon times
Houston
Dallas
2019 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Mar Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
2019 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Mar Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu
6:28 12:17 7:14 1:04 9:03 2:52 9:53 3:41 10:46 4:33 11:40 5:27 12:12 6:22
6:49 12:38 7:36 1:25 9:25 3:14 10:16 4:05 11:10 4:58 ----- 5:53 12:36 6:50
06:46 06:45 07:44 07:42 07:41 07:40 07:39
15 Fri
1:02 7:17
1:32
7:47
07:37 07:34 1:49p
3:22a
16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
1:58 2:52 3:46 4:39 5:32 6:26 7:21
2:28 3:23 4:16 5:07 5:59 6:52 7:46
8:43 9:38 10:30 11:22 ----12:39 1:33
07:36 07:35 07:33 07:32 07:31 07:29 07:28
4:21a 5:16a 6:07a 6:52a 7:34a 8:12a 8:49a
6:22 12:12 7:08 12:58 8:57 2:46 9:47 3:36 10:40 4:27 11:34 5:21 12:06 6:16 12:57 7:11 1:52 8:07 2:46 9:02 3:40 9:55 4:33 10:47 5:26 11:40 6:20 12:07 7:15 1:02
6:43 7:30 9:19 10:10 11:04 ----12:30 1:26 2:22 3:17 4:10 5:02 5:53 6:46 7:41
12:33 1:19 3:08 3:59 4:52 5:47 6:44 7:41 8:37 9:32 10:25 11:16 ----12:33 1:28
06:39 06:38 07:37 07:36 07:34 07:33 07:32 07:31 07:30 07:29 07:27 07:26 07:25 07:24 07:23
06:24 06:25 07:25 07:26 07:27 07:27 07:28 07:28 07:29 07:30 07:30 07:31 07:31 07:32 07:33
8:02a 8:23p 8:33a 9:17p 10:06a 11:12p 10:41a NoMoon 11:19a 12:09a 12:03p 1:08a 12:53p 2:09a 1:50p 3:09a 2:53p 4:09a 4:00p 5:04a 5:09p 5:56a 6:19p 6:43a 7:27p 7:26a 8:33p 8:06a 9:38p 8:44a
8:13 9:07 10:01 10:53 11:46 12:12 1:08
06:28 06:29 07:30 07:31 07:31 07:32 07:33 07:34 07:35 07:36 07:36 07:37 07:38 07:39
8:08a 8:29p 8:38a 9:24p 10:09a 11:21p 10:43a NoMoon 11:21a 12:20a 12:03p 1:20a 12:53p 2:21a 2:52p 4:00p 5:11p 6:22p 7:32p 8:39p 9:46p
San Antonio 2019 Mar
A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
6:35 12:24 7:21 1:10 9:09 2:58 10:00 3:48 10:52 4:40 11:47 5:33 12:18 6:28 1:09 7:24 2:04 8:19 2:59 9:14 3:53 10:07 4:46 11:00 5:39 11:52 6:32 12:19 7:27 1:14
6:56 7:42 9:31 10:23 11:17 ----12:42 1:39 2:35 3:29 4:22 5:14 6:06 6:59 7:53
12:45 1:32 3:20 4:11 5:05 6:00 6:56 7:53 8:50 9:44 10:37 11:28 ----12:45 1:40
06:51 06:50 07:49 07:48 07:47 07:46 07:44 07:43 07:42 07:41 07:40 07:39 07:37 07:36 07:35
06:37 06:37 07:38 07:39 07:39 07:40 07:40 07:41 07:42 07:42 07:43 07:43 07:44 07:45 07:45
8:15a 8:36p 8:46a 9:29p 10:19a 11:24p 10:54a NoMoon 11:33a 12:21a 12:17p 1:21a 1:07p 2:21a 2:04p 3:21a 3:07p 4:20a 4:14p 5:16a 5:23p 6:08a 6:32p 6:55a 7:40p 7:38a 8:46p 8:18a 9:50p 8:57a
Amarillo
2019 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Mar Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
08 Fri 09 Sat 10 Sun 11 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat 17 Sun 18 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri
6:48 12:38 7:34 1:24 9:23 3:12 10:13 4:02 11:06 4:53 ----- 5:47 12:32 6:42 1:23 7:37 2:18 8:33 3:12 9:28 4:06 10:21 4:59 11:13 5:52 ----6:46 12:33 7:41 1:28
7:09 7:56 9:45 10:36 11:30 12:00 12:56 1:52 2:48 3:43 4:36 5:28 6:19 7:12 8:06
12:59 1:45 3:34 4:25 5:18 6:13 7:10 8:07 9:03 9:58 10:51 11:42 12:06 12:59 1:54
07:08 07:06 08:05 08:03 08:02 08:01 07:59 07:58 07:57 07:55 07:54 07:52 07:51 07:50 07:48
06:47 06:48 07:49 07:50 07:51 07:52 07:52 07:53 07:54 07:55 07:56 07:56 07:57 07:58 07:59
8:29a 8:50p 8:58a 9:47p 10:28a 11:45p 11:00a NoMoon 11:37a 12:44a 12:19p 1:46a 1:08p 2:48a 2:04p 3:49a 3:08p 4:48a 4:16p 5:43a 5:28p 6:32a 6:41p 7:16a 7:52p 7:56a 9:01p 8:33a 10:09p 9:09a
Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.
Sabine Pass, north Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 4:01 AM 4:50 AM 6:46 AM 1:14 AM 2:04 AM 2:59 AM 4:01 AM 5:05 AM 6:09 AM 7:10 AM 12:51 AM 2:06 AM 3:12 AM 4:17 AM 5:21 AM
Rollover Pass Height 1.28H 1.27H 1.27H 0.23L 0.12L 0.01L -0.10L -0.20L -0.29L -0.35L 1.50H 1.62H 1.71H 1.75H 1.76H
Time 10:30 AM 11:05 AM 12:42 PM 7:52 AM 9:14 AM 10:53 AM 12:28 PM 1:36 PM 2:24 PM 3:02 PM 8:07 AM 9:01 AM 9:53 AM 10:43 AM 11:32 AM
Time 5:03 PM 5:16 PM 6:24 PM 1:23 PM 2:12 PM 3:18 PM 4:52 PM 6:23 PM 7:14 PM 7:55 PM 3:35 PM 4:07 PM 4:37 PM 5:06 PM 5:35 PM
Height 1.21H 1.18H 1.16H 0.80L 1.00L 1.16L 1.27L 1.29L 1.25L 1.14L 1.57H 1.55H 1.52H 1.48H 1.44H
Time 10:50 PM 11:30 PM
Height 0.46L 0.34L
6:28 PM 6:33 PM 6:46 PM 7:20 PM 9:00 PM 11:18 PM
1.17H 1.20H 1.25H 1.29H 1.32H 1.39H
8:36 PM 9:20 PM 10:05 PM 10:51 PM 11:39 PM
0.97L 0.76L 0.53L 0.32L 0.15L
Time 10:10 PM 10:48 PM
Height 0.58L 0.41L
6:13 PM 5:39 PM 5:06 PM
1.35H 1.44H 1.57H
8:10 PM 8:51 PM 9:36 PM 10:24 PM 11:12 PM
1.38L 1.10L 0.80L 0.49L 0.23L
Time 10:42 PM 11:12 PM
Height 0.44L 0.31L
6:33 PM
0.89H
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 4:05 AM 5:05 AM 7:15 AM 12:29 AM 1:15 AM 2:10 AM 3:13 AM 4:23 AM 5:35 AM 6:43 AM 12:19 AM 1:46 AM 3:02 AM 4:16 AM 5:29 AM
Height 1.43H 1.41H 1.41H 0.24L 0.07L -0.08L -0.21L -0.32L -0.42L -0.47L 1.78H 1.89H 1.98H 2.03H 2.05H
Time 9:55 AM 10:27 AM 12:02 PM 8:34 AM 10:03 AM 11:36 AM 1:00 PM 2:02 PM 2:47 PM 3:23 PM 7:45 AM 8:43 AM 9:37 AM 10:30 AM 11:24 AM
Height 0.29L 0.53L 0.79L 1.44H 1.53H 1.66H 1.79H 1.89H 1.92H 1.90H -0.44L -0.32L -0.09L 0.23L 0.60L
Time 5:07 PM 5:20 PM 6:25 PM 12:42 PM 1:30 PM 2:38 PM
Height 1.37H 1.34H 1.33H 1.07L 1.33L 1.55L
7:40 3:53 4:21 4:46 5:11 5:34
PM PM PM PM PM PM
1.58L 1.84H 1.76H 1.68H 1.62H 1.58H
Height 1.04H 1.06H 1.08H 0.18L 0.05L -0.07L -0.17L -0.25L -0.32L -0.36L 1.14H 1.25H 1.37H 1.48H 1.56H
Time 10:43 AM 11:34 AM 1:36 PM 7:55 AM 10:20 AM 11:47 AM 12:50 PM 1:46 PM 2:35 PM 3:17 PM 7:49 AM 8:52 AM 9:51 AM 10:53 AM 12:01 PM
Height 0.21L 0.39L 0.58L 1.10H 1.19H 1.32H 1.44H 1.53H 1.57H 1.56H -0.36L -0.28L -0.13L 0.10L 0.37L
Time 4:47 PM 5:00 PM 6:17 PM 2:48 PM
Height 1.00H 0.95H 0.92H 0.76L
Time 3:49 AM 4:42 AM 6:40 AM 12:45 AM 1:25 AM 2:12 AM 3:06 AM 4:10 AM 5:24 AM 6:40 AM 12:11 AM 1:27 AM 2:42 AM 3:55 AM 5:06 AM
9:44 3:52 4:20 4:43 5:01 5:16
1.04L 1.50H 1.40H 1.27H 1.15H 1.05H
9:46 PM 9:56 PM 10:17 PM 10:45 PM 11:19 PM
0.98L 0.84L 0.64L 0.41L 0.21L
Height 0.42L 0.34L 0.26L 0.18L 0.12L 0.06L 0.00L -0.05L -0.09L -0.10L -0.09L 0.72H 0.67H 0.63H 0.31L
Time 4:35 AM 6:42 AM 9:50 AM 11:46 AM 5:40 PM 5:55 PM 6:43 PM 7:49 PM 9:00 PM 10:20 PM
Height 0.49H 0.48H 0.50H 0.54H 0.64H 0.72H 0.78H 0.81H 0.82H 0.79H
Time 12:27 PM 12:48 PM 2:09 PM 2:07 PM
Height 0.27L 0.35L 0.43L 0.53L
Time 7:22 PM 6:02 PM 6:22 PM 5:57 PM
Height 0.47H 0.47H 0.50H 0.56H
11:51 AM 12:38 PM 1:22 PM 7:19 AM
-0.03L 0.07L 0.20L 0.60H
Height 0.17L 0.10L 0.03L -0.04L -0.11L -0.15L -0.18L -0.19L -0.19L -0.17L -0.12L 0.55H 0.47H 0.37L 0.27L
Time 8:26 AM 11:26 AM 9:11 PM 8:48 PM 8:26 PM 8:50 PM 9:29 PM 10:14 PM 11:00 PM 11:46 PM
Height 0.23H 0.23H 0.39H 0.46H 0.53H 0.59H 0.63H 0.65H 0.64H 0.60H
2:41 PM 2:44 AM 8:20 AM 10:21 AM
-0.04L 0.46L 0.47H 0.46H
PM PM PM PM PM PM
Port O’Connor Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 12:22 AM 12:44 AM 1:12 AM 02:47 AM 3:36 AM 4:46 AM 6:10 AM 7:31 AM 8:45 AM 9:55 AM 10:57 AM 12:56 AM 3:09 AM 4:57 AM 12:32 AM
Time 4:10 AM 4:37 AM 6:02 AM 6:33 AM 7:14 AM 8:09 AM 9:23 AM 10:44 AM 11:56 AM 12:58 PM 1:52 PM 4:20 AM 12:38 AM 3:30 AM 4:18 AM
San Luis Pass Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 4:07 AM 5:05 AM 7:16 AM 1:38 AM 2:23 AM 3:13 AM 4:08 AM 5:11 AM 6:21 AM 7:30 AM 12:24 AM 1:47 AM 3:06 AM 4:20 AM 5:32 AM
Height 0.60L 0.49L 0.37L 0.25L 0.15L 0.07L -0.01L -0.09L -0.17L 1.07L 1.04L 0.95L 0.81L 0.65L 0.47L
Time 7:00 AM 8:02 AM 10:12 AM 11:36 AM 1:49 PM 7:26 PM 7:51 PM 8:22 PM 8:48 PM 2:29 AM 3:52 AM 5:07 AM 6:19 AM 7:30 AM 8:43 AM
Height 0.85H 0.84H 0.82H 0.81H 0.83H 0.99H 1.09H 1.15H 1.15H 1.11H 1.16H 1.20H 1.23H 1.24H 1.23H
Time 2:01 PM 2:26 PM 3:51 PM 4:09 PM 3:52 PM
Height 0.13L 0.30L 0.48L 0.66L 0.82L
Time 8:37 PM 8:47 PM 10:01 PM 10:16 PM 10:28 PM
Height 0.83H 0.82H 0.82H 0.85H 0.89H
11:42 AM 12:34 PM 1:23 PM 2:11 PM 3:02 PM 3:56 PM
-0.21L -0.20L -0.12L 0.03L 0.23L 0.47L
8:55 8:46 8:41 8:40 8:41 8:43
1.11H 1.05H 0.97H 0.91H 0.87H 0.86H
Height 0.79H 0.78H 0.78H 0.16L 0.06L -0.03L -0.10L -0.15L -0.18L -0.19L 1.01H 1.06H 1.11H 1.16H 1.18H
Time 11:01 AM 11:47 AM 1:45 PM 9:17 AM 11:49 AM 1:25 PM 2:42 PM 3:42 PM 4:21 PM 4:42 PM 8:33 AM 9:33 AM 10:31 AM 11:30 AM 12:33 PM
Height 0.21L 0.36L 0.52L 0.81H 0.90H 1.01H 1.09H 1.14H 1.14H 1.10H -0.16L -0.09L 0.03L 0.21L 0.41L
Time 5:26 PM 5:34 PM 6:44 PM 3:12 PM
Height 0.77H 0.76H 0.76H 0.68L
Time 11:16 PM 11:56 PM
Height 0.39L 0.28L
6:53 PM
0.77H
9:43 4:51 4:58 5:08 5:21 5:37
0.93L 1.04H 0.98H 0.93H 0.90H 0.88H
9:54 PM 10:12 PM 10:38 PM 11:14 PM 11:56 PM
0.86L 0.73L 0.57L 0.39L 0.23L
Height 0.24L 0.19L 0.14L 0.10L 0.06L 0.03L 0.00L -0.02L -0.03L -0.02L 0.40H 0.40H 0.39H 0.22L 0.15L
Time 4:29 AM 5:43 AM 9:11 AM 5:47 PM 5:07 PM 5:17 PM 5:50 PM 6:35 PM 7:26 PM 8:12 PM 10:25 AM 11:16 AM 12:03 PM 5:08 AM 6:19 AM
Height 0.31H 0.30H 0.30H 0.36H 0.40H 0.43H 0.44H 0.44H 0.42H 0.39H 0.00L 0.04L 0.10L 0.37H 0.35H
Time 12:06 PM 12:27 PM 1:38 PM
Height 0.18L 0.23L 0.28L
Time 5:40 PM 5:36 PM 6:21 PM
Height 0.32H 0.33H 0.34H
10:24 PM 8:37 PM 8:24 PM 5:24 PM 12:44 PM 1:21 PM
0.38L 0.35H 0.30H 0.30H 0.17L 0.24L
10:54 PM 11:37 PM
0.34L 0.28L
5:27 PM 5:33 PM
0.32H 0.34H
Height 0.88H 0.86H 0.84H 0.29L 0.18L 0.09L 0.03L -0.02L -0.06L -0.09L -0.07L 1.04H 1.08H 1.09H 1.09H
Time 10:42 AM 11:30 AM 1:15 PM 7:25 AM 2:48 PM 3:27 PM 4:09 PM 4:51 PM 5:34 PM 6:19 PM 7:05 PM 8:59 AM 9:58 AM 10:58 AM 11:58 AM
Height 0.38L 0.49L 0.62L 0.83H 0.90H 1.02H 1.10H 1.14H 1.12H 1.05H 0.92H -0.01L 0.11L 0.27L 0.44L
Time 4:05 PM 4:26 PM 5:38 PM 1:57 PM
Height 0.82H 0.81H 0.81H 0.76L
Time 10:40 PM 11:17 PM
Height 0.51L 0.40L
5:20 PM
0.82H
9:19 PM 9:07 PM 4:13 PM 3:47 PM 4:03 PM 4:26 PM
0.98L 0.90L 0.82H 0.78H 0.78H 0.79H
11:34 PM
1.00H
9:20 PM 9:48 PM 10:37 PM 11:31 PM
0.76L 0.59L 0.40L 0.23L
Height 1.10H 1.08H 1.07H 0.21L 0.01L -0.16L -0.31L -0.41L -0.48L -0.48L -0.41L 1.25H 1.29H 1.33H 1.35H
Time 10:04 AM 10:42 AM 12:30 PM 8:00 AM 9:50 AM 11:44 AM 1:10 PM 2:12 PM 3:01 PM 3:39 PM 4:05 PM 8:27 AM 9:25 AM 10:22 AM 11:20 AM
Height 0.38L 0.52L 0.68L 1.09H 1.17H 1.30H 1.45H 1.56H 1.60H 1.57H 1.46H -0.27L -0.05L 0.21L 0.50L
Time 4:31 PM 4:21 PM 5:07 PM 1:40 PM
Height 0.97H 0.90H 0.87H 0.84L
Time 10:02 PM 10:32 PM
Height 0.60L 0.41L
4:38 PM
0.88H
9:02 4:21 4:28 4:29 4:26
1.18L 1.29H 1.13H 0.99H 0.93H
9:06 PM 9:31 PM 10:07 PM 10:49 PM
0.97L 0.69L 0.39L 0.11L
PM PM PM PM PM PM
PM PM PM PM PM PM
Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 12:08 AM 12:38 AM 1:14 AM 2:58 AM 3:54 AM 5:07 AM 6:24 AM 7:31 AM 8:32 AM 9:30 AM 1:24 AM 2:54 AM 4:03 AM 12:20 AM 1:01 AM
Port Aransas
9:32 PM 8:33 PM 2:06 PM
0.47H 0.38H 0.34L
11:42 PM
0.45L
5:39 PM
0.41H
Time 2:23 PM 1:59 PM
Height 0.14L 0.22L
Time 9:06 PM 8:20 PM
Height 0.27H 0.32H
Nueces Bay Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 2:16 AM 2:28 AM 3:56 AM 4:37 AM 5:33 AM 6:49 AM 8:20 AM 9:40 AM 10:45 AM 12:18 AM 12:34 AM 12:54 AM 1:18 AM 1:49 AM 2:26 AM
East Matagorda
Freeport Harbor Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 3:09 AM 4:03 AM 6:04 AM 12:54 AM 1:32 AM 2:17 AM 3:11 AM 4:24 AM 5:51 AM 7:02 AM 8:02 AM 1:00 AM 2:17 AM 3:30 AM 4:41 AM
South Padre Island
6:06 AM 4:04 PM 4:40 PM
0.50H 0.21L 0.35L
3:24 PM 9:57 PM 8:36 PM
0.07L 0.38H 0.43H
Date Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 13 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 16 Mar 17 Mar 18 Mar 19 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 22
Time 3:03 AM 4:11 AM 6:28 AM 12:09 AM 12:54 AM 1:49 AM 2:53 AM 4:03 AM 5:15 AM 6:23 AM 7:27 AM 12:03 AM 1:51 AM 3:22 AM 4:48 AM
PM PM PM PM PM
Texas Coast Tides
Height 0.23L 0.40L 0.60L 1.27H 1.28H 1.33H 1.42H 1.50H 1.56H 1.58H -0.35L -0.28L -0.12L 0.11L 0.38L
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
March 8, 2019
Page 17
Page 18
March 8, 2019
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER
LSONews.com
INDUSTRY SIG wins NBS award
Solution on Page 22
Nation’s Best Sports presented SIG SAUER, Inc. with the NBS Vendor of the Year Award during the 2019 NBS Spring Semi-Annual Market at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Sales manager positions Smith & Wesson is seeking candidates for district sales manager positions in its southwestern and southeastern regions.
Utah show sets records More than 54,000 people attended the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (Hunt Expo) at the Salt Palace Convention Center, a nearly 9 percent increase in attendance.
Washmon Sales awarded ACROSS 1. Document needed when giving game to another to transport (two words) 7. A group of crows 8. A maple tree that grows in Texas 9. Most common seagrass in Texas 12. A Central Texas river 13. Another name for the dorado (two words) 15. Insects imitated by fly-tiers 17. The traditional fly-fishing cast 18. When this tree blooms, it’s time for the white bass run 21. One of Leopold’s tools 22. It holds the boat in place 24. Spring break destination, sometimes for fishing (two words) 26. TV show featuring game wardens (three words) 30. The shortest day (two words) 31. Recently nominated to head Dept. of Interior 32. A fundraising method at banquets (two words) 33. San Antonio’s county
DOWN 2. The red setter 3. To remove the ammo 4. The mud bug 5. A grouse species 6. The other bass at Lake Fork 9. The wild turkey’s weapons 10. State park known for white bass fishing (two words) 11. Speckled trout limit at Corpus 14. A bullet manufacturer 15. It holds the bullets 16. World-record Rocky Mountain bighorn came from this state (two words) 19. Henderson’s county 20. Texas’ state flower 23. A toxic flowering shrub 25. A favorite food for bluegill 27. A Central Texas lake 28. Slang for the white bass 29. Rabbit of the coastal marshes
Washmon Sales Group, based in Rockwall, was named Streamlight Inc.’s 2018 Sales Rep Agency of The Year for the Sporting Goods market.
Sheehan joins MDF board Greg Sheehan, the former principal deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and wildlife biologist Kelli Poole were named new board members of the Mule Deer Foundation.
Hamberlin named SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin, longtime member of Safari Club International, has been named SCI’s chief executive officer, effective April 1. He succeeds Richard M. Parsons, who will serve as his deputy during a transition period.
Arnold joins The Outdoor Group The Outdoor Group hired Riley Arnold as regional sales manager in the northwest region.
Davidson’s receives honors Firearms wholesaler Davidson’s received the 2018 Premium Partner Award from Federal Ammunition and the 2018 Top Performer Award from Savage Arms.
FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Grilled javelina backstrap over truffle mashed cauliflower and prickly pear balsamic reduction
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
Grilled javelina Javelina backstrap cut in half Paprika Ancho chili powder Cumin Sea salt Black pepper Olive oil 3-4 smashed garlic cloves Mashed cauliflower 1 head of cauliflower, chopped Truffle powder Garlic powder Heavy cream 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Chives or scallions, chopped for garnish Prickly pear balsamic reduction 1/2 cup of prickly pear jelly or other preserves Aged dark balsamic vinegar
Marinate backstrap in a bowl with olive oil, garlic cloves and spices. Prep the grill. Boil cauliflower until done (about 6 minutes) and drain thoroughly. Add to a food processor with parmesan, garlic and truffle powder. Add small amounts of heavy cream and pulse until creamy consistency. Add salt if needed. Sear backstrap on the grill, turning every 2 minutes. Cook until internal temp is between 145 and 150. Let it rest. Add preserves to a small saucepan and reduce. Add a dash of balsamic. Bring to a slight boil, stir until smooth and heated through. — Kristin Parma, Anxious Hunter Blog
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
March 8, 2019
Page 19
NATIONAL MONTANA
Public access along Madison River Advancing the Trump Administration’s priority of increasing public access to the American outdoors, the Bureau of Land Management has finalized the purchase of more than 4 miles of land along the Madison River for public use. The 307.57-acre purchase was completed using funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and lies 23 miles south of Ennis. —Dept. of Interior
FLORIDA
Seatrout regulation changes due to red tide Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced changes to conserve spotted seatrout impacted by the prolonged red tide in southwest Florida. Currently, anglers may harvest a single spotted seatrout per day that is larger than 20 inches. After Feb. 22, recreational anglers will no longer be allowed to harvest any spotted seatrout over 20 inches total length when fishing in state or federal waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line south to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This rule change will remain in effect through May 10. Red drum and snook are catch-and-release only in this region through May 10.
Former Bagley Bait owner dies
—FWC
Bill Stuart, a former owner of Bagley Bait Company and co-author of the book “Florida Lure Makers and Their Lures,” died at his home in Bartow, Florida. He was 82. Stuart became president of Bagley in August 1988 and took over ownership of the company from founder Jim Bagley later that year. His tenure lasted until 1994. Bill Stuart had a deep appreciation for the Bagley brand and after acquiring the company, he worked hard to manufacture and deliver quality products to fishermen everywhere,” said Bagley Bait Company President Don Hultstrand. “He added considerably to the legacy of the Bagley with his enthusiasm and commitment to the company and the fishing industry.” —Staff report
IGFA inductees into Hall of Fame The International Game Fish Association named five individuals to the 2019 class of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. The inductees include IGFA World Record holder and marine conservationist Terri Andrews; former President George H.W. Bush; fisheries policy advocate Robert Hayes; pelagic game fish researcher Dr. Julian Pepperrell; and tackle industry leader and conservationist Yasuhiko Tsunemi. —IGFA
PENNSYLVANIA
Big crowds at Great American Outdoor Show A record 179,000 people attended the sixth annual Great American Outdoor Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 2-10. —National Rifle Association
LOUISIANA
Whooping crane shot Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents are looking for leads regarding an endangered whooping crane that was shot in Acadia Parish.
The crane was found with a wounded wing on Nov. 2, 2018. The crane was taken to a vet where it had to be put down due to its injuries. The crane was then sent in for a necropsy where it was determined to have been shot in the wing. Up to $7,500 is being offered by various groups for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the illegal shooting of this whooping crane.
MISSOURI
—LDWF
State-record brown trout Paul Crews, of Neosho, hooked a staterecord brown trout on Lake Taneycomo using a rod and reel. The trout weighed 34 pounds, 10 ounces, beating the previous state-record by 6 pounds and 2 ounces. Crews was fishing with 4-pound test line and a marabou jig. Crews and his partner were fishing in the Vince Elfrink Memorial Trout Tournament when he caught the fish. Missouri Department of Conservation staff verified Crews’ record-weight fish using a certified scale. Crews took pictures and got the dimensions of the fish to make a replica, and then released the fish. —MDC
ARIZONA
Commissioner’s elk tag brings $240K At the Arizona Mule Deer Organization fundraising banquet held in Phoenix on Feb. 9, a coveted Commissioners’ Elk Tag sold for $240,000 during the event’s live auction. Organizers felt the selling price was due in part to the wet weather and snow pack experienced in Arizona this off-season. Moisture is a significant contributor to antler growth in elk. —Arizona Mule Deer
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MINNESOTA
Giant sturgeon landed through the ice Darren Troseth, of Jordan, pulled a 78inch sturgeon through the ice from the St. Croix River last weekend, a fish he estimates weighed 120 pounds. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources certified the fish, now the biggest documented fish ever caught in the state. Troseth and nearby ice-fishermen drilled five additional holes through the ice after hooking the fish to be able to land the fish, before measuring and releasing it back into the river. —Staff report
State-Fish Art Contest deadline The deadline for students across the U.S. and internationally to submit their illustrations of their chosen fish from a state-fish list is March 31. A one-page essay, story or poem based on behavior, habitat and/or conservation also is required. Winning contestants will be honored in four grade categories. —Wildlife Forever
NEW MEXICO
Conservation officer positions The Department of Game and Fish is seeking qualified men and women to join the next generation of conservation officers, who protect and conserve New Mexico’s wildlife. Applications will be accepted until April 16. —NMGF
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Page 20
March 8, 2019
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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Crash in Trinity Bay Continued from page 1
and the kids practiced shooting the bow at a water bottle.” Hodge soon noticed a change in the weather pattern. “The bottle drifted northwest,” he said. “Then, all of a sudden the temperature dropped 10 to 15 degrees and the bottle was moving southeast. We decided it was time to go.” Earmuffs on, the group headed back to the ramp. “When we got there, there were fire trucks and people coming to the ramp,” Hodge said. “Someone asked if I could help as a passenger jet had gone down. A fireman asked if I knew where Jack’s Pass was.” Hodge learned that was where he had been and, after dropping of the kids and his wife, he headed back out with three firefighters. “We saw something white,” he said. “Then we were into where the wreckage was. It was devastation, and I wondered how anyone could survive this. We were looking for bodies, but we were seeing shoes but nothing with them and we pulled up life vests with nothing attached to them. We found a red bag with tons of Amazon stuff in it. Then someone called the firemen and confirmed it was a cargo jet with three to four people.” While Hodge and the firefighters continued to search for signs of bodies, he noticed where much of the debris came from. “The debris was exactly where we came
from minutes earlier,” he said. The cargo jetliner with three people aboard went down in water 5 feet deep, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Department. Some human remains were recovered. The twin-engine Boeing 767 was operated by Atlas Air, Inc. on behalf of Amazon Prime, and was traveling from Miami to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at the time of the crash. There was nothing intact of the airplane, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said. Hodge, who has participated in rescues across the country as part of a group of airboat owners associated with the Bowhfishing Association of America, said this event was tough on him. “You go in after hurricanes and help people,” he said. “Here, there was no one to save.” Faron Floyd, the vice president of American Airboats, said the Texas-made boats are used in rescues across the country. “Last week, there were rescues in the floodwaters in Illinois,” he said. “At every national weather event, these boats are serving — we’re proud of it.” Hodge was simply happy he left the area when he did. “That little front was gone when I was asked to take the firefighters out,” he said. “It had completely warmed back up.”
March 16-17 Amarillo Civic Center UPDATED
March 23-24: Abilene Convention Center April 13-14: Kerrville Event Center
May 18-19: Abilene Convention Center Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM | Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM
Waiting for crappie spawn Continued from page 8
Runoff from rainfall has been moving crappie out of the shallows and back into deep water at the mouths of creeks. “As soon as things settle down we’ll have lots of crappie moving up into the north ends of creeks like Mustang, Burch and Glade,” Vanover said. “They usually spawn up until the third week of April. Until the spawn really gets going, I’ll do lots of slow trolling. With that technique, if I catch one, there are usually lots more in that same area.” Vanover uses Thermocline Lures (made locally) and 1/4-ounce Mr. Crappie Thunder baits for spawning crappie. Color isn’t much of a factor. On Sam Rayburn, the water temperature was about 55 degrees last week, and guide Lynn Atkinson reported crappie are staging in water that’s less than 12 feet deep. “As the water begins to warm they will slowly move up to the shallows at the backs of coves in small pockets,” Atkinson said. “We’re a little behind in the spawn. Normally, lots of crappie would already be on the beds. For the next two to three weeks I think we’ll have some excellent fishing for good-sized crappie.”
Atkinson plans to fish in 3 to 4 feet of water with a live minnow below a cork. “I’ll also be fishing 1/8-ounce Road Runners and mini Clacker baits in chartreuse and white,” he said. On Lake Conroe, guide Butch Terpe said he’s already catching crappie shallow, but that the cold fronts moving through move them back out into deeper water. “They are trying to move up to shallow water along natural bank cover,” Terpe said. “The water temperature has been holding around 60 to 62 degrees. If we can get into a warm spell and get the water temperature up around 65 to 68 degrees, the spawn will really take off. Overall, the lake is in good shape — we’ll probably be catching them on the beds for the rest of this month.” Terpe uses live minnows year-round. During the spawn, he’ll fish them on thin wire 1/0 gold hooks under a float. Good places to find spawning crappie currently are the Frio River on Choke Canyon Lake, and the upper end of Lake Corpus Christi has been giving up good catches of spawning crappie on micro spinners.
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Page 22
March 8, 2019
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
DATEBOOK MARCH 9
Tarrant Regional Water District TRWD Flyfest Clear Fork Trinity River Fishing Area, Ft. Worth trwdflyfest.com Right To Bear Arms Auction Company LLC Gun Auction 710 S. State Hwy 101, Chico (940) 644-0053 r2baauctions.com
MARCH 9-10
Junction’s Predator Calling Contest 2nd Annual Calling Contest Coke Stevenson Center, Junction (325) 446-3190 junctiontexas.net
MARCH 14
Ducks Unlimited San Antonio Evening of Conservation Mays Family Center- The Witte Museum ducks.org
MARCH 15-16
Texas Bighorn Society Water guzzler work project Black Gap WMA texasbighornsociety.org
MARCH 16
Bass Champs 11th Annual Mega Bass Tournament Lake Fork basschamps.com
MARCH 21
Ducks Unlimited Fort Worth Spring Gun Bash Rahr & Sons Brewery, Fort Worth (817) 223-8386 ducks.org Dallas Safari Club Annual General Meeting Bent Tree Country Club, Dallas (972) 980-9800 biggame.org
MARCH 22-24
Houston Safari Club Foundation YO Ranch Weekend (713) 201-9119 hscfdn.org
MARCH 23-24
Great Outdoors Expo 3rd Annual Expo Civic Center, Lubbock (806) 253-1322 goetx.com Texas Gun and Knife Show Gun and Knife Show Youth Exhibit Center, Kerrville texasgunandknifeshows.com
MARCH 27
Houston Safari Club Foundation Night at 11 Below Brewery 11 Below Brewing, Houston hscfdn.org
APRIL 6
North Texas Chapter of Safari Club International 24th Annual Dinner, Banquet & Auction Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel scinorthtexas.com Texas Team Trail Fishing tournament Jones Brothers Park, Lake Travis texasteamtrail.com
State Fair of Texas Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic Dallas Gun Club bigtex.com
Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association Spring 2019 Rendezvous Expo Center of Taylor County, Abilene ttfha.com
APRIL 13
Houston Safari Club Foundation Annual Sporting Clays Tournament Greater Houston Gun Club hscfdn.org
Texas Wildlife Association An Evening with TWA Ranching Heritage Center, Lubbock texas-wildlife.org
APRIL 12
APRIL 12-13
Hoffpauir Expo Spring Outdoor Expo Hoffpauir Ranch 10296 W FM 580 hoffpauirexpo.com
APRIL 25
Texas Wildlife Association Hunt to Table Dinner Rain Lily Farms, Austin texas-wildlife.org
MARCH 28
Christian Outdoor Ministry Wild Game Feast and Benefit Auction First Baptist Richardson christianoutdoorministry.eventbrite.com
MARCH 29
Rinehart R100 3D Archery circuit Challenge Cinnamon Creek Ranch, Roanoke r100.org CASA of Tarrant County 3rd Annual Pull for Kids Clay Shoot Alpine Shooting Range, Fort Worth casaclayshoot.org
APRIL 3
Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation 4th Annual Rendezvous fo the Guardians Banquet and Fundraiser Westin Galleria, Dallas (972) 504- 9008 goof.com
Puzzle solution from Page 18
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March 8, 2019
Page 23
Check stations and disease testing Continued from page 4
“That’s one of the things we worry about,” Lockwood said. The director of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute said Texas officials are seeking to avoid what may be happening in parts of Colorado, where CWD first appeared in the ’60s, and Wyoming. “The disease takes a long time to show in an individual animal,” David Hewitt said. “Typically, it takes years for a deer to die. And it takes decades for CWD to get prevalent enough to cause problems. There are places in Colorado and Wyoming where there is evidence it’s been around long enough to start seeing population declines.” Testing is mandatory for hunter-harvested deer in areas designated either a CWD containment zone, where the disease has been confirmed, or a CWD surveillance
Foggy patrol While patrolling a foggy Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Coast Guard and Texas game wardens teamed up to stop a vessel from Mexico that was fishing U.S. waters illegally. The four crew members, the vessel and catch were brought to USCG Station SPI for processing. Two other vessels were also apprehended by the USCG. In total, the three vessels had approximately 4,655 pounds of red snapper and shark on board. —Texas Game Wardens
Snows in the spring Continued from page 4
guide Evan Botsford of Crooked Wing Outfitters said the geese have pretty much been following suit with the same pattern along wheat and milo fields around Lubbock. “We had an outstanding hunt resulting in our hunters strapping 74 geese on a foggy and windy morning, but most of our other hunts have been very inconsistent,” Botsford said. “The whole conservation season has been extremely hit-or-miss.” Some of the most consistent action for light geese has been occurring in northeast Texas where the folks from MF Waterfowl have been hunting winter wheat fields in Lamar and Fannin counties outside of the small community of Tigertown. Heath Humphrey guides hunts for the outfit and said their success has been a product of lots of scouting combined with good conditions. “We’ve been scouting in the afternoons and basically watching where the birds are concentrating at right before sunset,” Humphrey said. “Then we’ve been doing our best to set up as close to that area as possible on the following morning.” During their best hunt, seven hunters harvested 284 geese. “There was a dense fog that morning and we seemed to set up right on the X,” Humphrey said. “Just about every hunt when we’ve had fog and steady wind has produced great results.” The outfitter’s hunts have been averaging about 20 birds per person. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have tremendous concentrations of geese on the properties we hunt during the conservation season, and it’s been one for the books for sure,” he said.
zone, where animals are believed to be at risk to CWD. TPWD also collect samples from hunters who voluntarily submit animals for testing. Samples are also sought from hunters at meat processors, WMAs, state parks and private ranches. TPWD samples road kill as well. Check stations in the El Paso-area CWD zones include Cornudas, Van Horn and the Pine Springs rest area near the New Mexico state line. Two are in the South Texas CWD zones: Hondo and Tarpley. And two are in the Panhandle CWD zones: Dalhart and Vega. Test samples collected in the seven check stations in CWD zones totaled 2,187 last year. By far, South Texas’ check stations had the most samples. Hondo collected 1,418 test samples and Tarpley chipped in 252. No other check station in a CWD zone
submitted more than 188 (Dalhart). The fewest CWD test samples were collected at the El Paso-area check stations. While Van Horn had 141 mule deer samples, 28 mule deer samples were collected at Cornudas and only 20 mule deer samples at Pine Springs. TPWD’s goal is to collect between 60 and 433 CWD testing samples in each deer management unit, depending on the DMU’s relative risk for the disease. “The more samples we collect per DMU, the more confidence we have that we’d find the disease,” Lockwood said. “For example, 433 ‘Not Detected’ results for a given population would give us 99 percent confidence that we would detect the disease if one in 100 deer was infected.” Texas funds the bulk (75 percent) of its testing through monies from the Pittman–
Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Deer breeders pay out of pocket to test their animals. “The other 25 percent is a state match,” Lockwood said, “which includes revenue generated from the white-tailed deer conservation license plate.” The lab fees for performing the CWD tests for 10,356 deer in 2018 were almost $300,000, according to TPWD. Scary headlines aside, most scientists believe that once CWD gets into an environment, it can’t be eradicated. Lockwood, though, doesn’t see TPWD’s efforts as hopeless. “Disease management doesn’t have to involve eradication,” he said. “If we can contain CWD, I think that would be quite a success.”
Page 24
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FREE + BLACK-SERIES MOUNT! **
$144.95 † VALUE
YOUR CHOICE** (with purchase of eligible BLACK FX1000 Riflescope)
BLACK Cantilever Mount◊ #16403
BLACK Cantilever Mount◊ (20 MOA CANT) #16405
BLACK Precision Mount MSR◊ #16404
BLACK Precision Mount Medium◊ #16406
• First Focal Plane • Fully Multicoated Optics • 30mm main body tube • Return-To-Zero Stop • Directional Indicators • High-Speed Windage & Elevation Turrets • Side Focus Parallax Adjustment • Choice of Glass-Etched FX-MOA or FX-MRAD Reticle • Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof
4-16x50SF Matte IL
6-24x50SF Matte IL
FX-MOA or FX-MRAD
FX-MOA or FX-MRAD
FX-MOA or FX-MRAD
$
• No-Fault Repair/ Replacement Policy ◊
LIFETIME REPAIR/REPLACEMENT
4-16x50SF Matte
50
$
INSTANT SAVINGS*
50
INSTANT SAVINGS*
INSTANT SAVINGS*
◊
Nikon No-Fault Repair/Replacement Policy excludes lost or stolen products and intentionally caused damage, and also excludes Nikon Rangefinders, Reflex Sights, Red Dot Sights, StabilEyes Binoculars & Specialty Optics.
*
Participating Nikon authorized dealers and resellers only. Instant Savings amount deducted from dealer or reseller’s selling price. Offer valid for new eligible products only that are sold between February 3, 2019 and March 17, 2019 to retail customers by a Nikon authorized dealer or reseller within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Void where prohibited by law. All products are subject to availability. For eligible products and further details, please visit www.nikonpromo.com.
** Participating Nikon authorized dealers and resellers only. Offer valid for new eligible products only that are sold between February 3, 2019 and March 17, 2019 to retail customers by a Nikon authorized dealer or reseller within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Void where prohibited by law. All products are subject to availability at your dealer. For eligible products and further details, please visit www.nikonpromo.com. †
Price shown is the manufacturer’s published suggested retail price as of January 22, 2019. Actual selling price is determined by the dealer or reseller at the time of sale. All Nikon trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation.
1055 TEXAS AVE. SO. STE 104 | COLLEGE STATION (979) 695-2807
HOUSTON NORTH: (281) 443-8393 | WEST: (713) 461-1844 SOUTHWEST: (281) 879-1466 | PASADENA: (713) 475-2222
60
$
(800) 486-7497