Lone Star Outdoor News 042321

Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004

April 23, 2021

Volume 17, Issue 17

Big cobia from jetty rocks

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News

Devin Leissner landed this 46-inch ling while fishing from the rocks on the South Jetty in Port Aransas. Photo from Devin Leissner.

Devin Leissner was greeted with a big surprise after he set the hook on a subtle bite while fishing from the rocks on the South Jetty in Port Aransas.

About 30 minutes after the bite, the San Antonio resident was posing with a 46-inch ling, something he wasn’t expecting to catch on the light tackle he was using.

“I started my morning off by fishing along the beachfront side of the South Jetty near the end,” Leissner

said. “The water was calmer on that side and I noticed right off the bat that it was really clear. I could see schools of sheepshead cruising up and down the rocks, but I couldn’t get them to eat. The only thing that would touch the live shrimp I was pinfish. After catching several of them, I began fishing my way back down towards the front of the jetty.”

Leissner was about two-thirds of the way out down the length of the jetty and decided to tie on a bottom rig to see if he could get a bite in deeper water, further away from the rocks.

“I cast a large live shrimp off the rock ledge on the beach-front side of the jetty, and minutes later I felt a subtle bite,” he said. “Then my line began to tighten up and move against the incoming tide, so I set the hook.”

Leissner could tell he had hooked into a larger fish, but he wasn’t sure what it was.

“The fish began cruising against the current, running parallel with the rocks, and I had to move down the rocks with her in order to keep up,” he said. “This was a difficult task to say the least, as the rocks had plenty of algae on them and were Please turn to page 15

Time for bass On beds at Athens, post-spawn down south

By Madison Scarborough For Lone Star Outdoor News

Four women learned everything from the basics of fishing to reeling in a big bass during a Dallas Stewards of the Wild led fishing outing on Lake Athens.

Katie Spurgin, along with her father, Joe, hosted the novice fishermen on April 10. The crew started fishing early and caught more than 40 bass.

Due to a rainstorm, Athens’ water was murky, so dark-colored lures produced the best results.

They were primarily fishing beds using plastic worms and tossing plastic frogs into shallow water.

Spurgin said the majority of

the bass were in 4-8 feet of water. She managed to catch a nice 8-pounder, which was well away from her bed when she spotted the flash of the bass’ belly.

On Lake Falcon, anglers are reporting the shad spawn is in full force, even though the bass spawn is all but over.

“Bait is running shallow, which is forcing the bass to stay and feed near the rocks,” said Robert Reissig, a guide on Falcon who expects bass to stay shallow for a while.

During his most recent trip, Reissig’s clients were catching largemouths on Senkos, crankbaits, square-bills, and spinner baits.

Reissig said Falcon’s postspawn bite is good at just about all times of the day.

Unlike other fisheries, the topwater bite isn’t great on Falcon, Please turn to page 14

Post-spawn largemouths are active in South Texas, while the spawn is ongoing in some North and Central Texas reservoirs. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

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Estimating numbers of deer on the ranch Model helps correct detection errors in helicopter surveys

By Craig Nyhus

Researchers are creating models to improve the accuracy of total deer counts during helicopter surveys. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 22

INSIDE

CONTENTS

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

Lone Star Outdoor News Helicopter surveys are common on ranches throughout Texas, but the toughest thing to determine is the total amount of deer on the ranch.

Why? Because of the numbers of deer that go unseen from the helicopter.

Pilots and observers usually estimate the percentage of the total number of deer they are seeing, based on habitat and cover conditions. Estimates too low can result in habitat issues from overpopulation, while estimates too high can result in overharvest.

Dr. Michael Cherry, the Stuart W. Please turn to page 6

HUNTING

FISHING

What to plant? (P. 4)

Big bluefin (P. 8)

Study examines food plot forage.

Angler lands potential state record.

Fawn success (P. 4)

Fishing shirt explosion (P. 8)

Drought could have impact.

Colors, styles show trend.

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April 23, 2021

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April 23, 2021

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HUNTING

Dry conditions a concern for fawning season

From guide to customer

The health of the doe is crucial for survival of her fawns. Drought can impact success, while food and water can improve the odds. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Habitat, supplemental feed keys to success

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News The weeks and months leading up to fawning time for white-tailed deer are crucial for a successful fawn crop.

“One of the most important factors that influences fawn crops is range conditions,” said Alan Cain, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s white-tailed deer program leader.

“Right now, things are looking fairly dry across the state, which is something that hunters, landowners and ranchers should all be mindful of.”

Cain said parts of East and North Texas received some moisture during the late winter and early spring, but that for the most part, the Hill Country, Rolling Plains, West Texas, Cross Timbers and South Texas regions of the state are lacking the moisture necessary to provide much more than average range conditions for does and their fawns.

“The dry conditions don’t necessarily mean that fawn crops will be lower than normal this year, it just means that folks need to do what they can to help their deer herds through this dry period,” Cain asserted.

Key habitat features for does and fawns during the summer months are extremely important. Cain said without them, does will be unable to have a healthy gestation cycle and become good, efficient mothers, and fawns will not be able to survive the threats from the harsh, summertime elements that lie ahead, as well as threats from predators.

The body condition of a doe has a direct effect on how successful of a mother she will be,” Cain said. “It all boils down to nutrition.”

Cain said does require a diverse mix of native brush and forb species in order to pack on body weight to aid them with gestation and lactation.

“When these habitat features are lacking during dry years like this one, landowners, hunters and ranch managers can help compensate by providing ample supplemental feed and water sources,” he said. “Healthy does make good mammas, and anything folks can do right now to help does maintain a quality body composition into the summer months will help increase the success of the fawn crops on their property.”

Premium habitat for fawns consists of tall grasses, cover and brush or trees that can provide shade.

“A fawn’s best defense is to blend in,” Cain said. “They will lie still and use trees and brush as a thermal shield from the sun, while using tall grasses as cover for concealment. This means it is extremely important for landowners and ranch managers to avoid overgrazing their pastures with cattle, and to not clear all of the brush or shred down all of the tall grasses in their pastures.”

Fawn survival rates can vary greatly among properties, depending on the habitat conditions, brush diversity and whether or not there are supplemental feeding programs in place.

“Neighboring properties can have extreme differences in fawn survival rates, based solely on how the land is managed,” Cain explained. “Fawn survival can average 30 percent or lower on unsupplemented properties with overgrazed or over-shredded native habitat, while it can be significantly higher on properties with areas of undisturbed native habitat and a supplemental feeding program.”

Foundation intern goes on scimitar hunt

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News While getting his degree in wildlife management from Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, Cole Farris, at the recommendation of his professor, Bob Zaiglin, interned for the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation at its Dimmit County lease in 2015 and 2016.

After years of guiding hunters, filling feeders and skinning deer, Farris now is employed at a chemical company in Eldorado, Arkansas and lives near Ruston, Louisiana. And now that he’s earning some money, he is buying hunts.

In early April, he headed to Stonewall County to hunt a specific animal, a scimitar-horned oryx bull with broken horns.

“They had some other bulls they wanted to breed the cows,” Farris said.

“But the broken horn bully wouldn’t let them near the herd.”

What some might think would be an easy hunt turned out to be quite the opposite.

“It was a really hard hunt,” he said.

“The first day, we saw the other two bulls — they were always near the herd but never got too close.”

Finally, they saw the broken-horn bull with the cows.

“We tried to put a stalk on him, but never got close,” Farris said. “He made a 1-second appearance and then was gone.”

The next day, Farris, guided by Lone Star Outdoor News’ founder David J. Sams, scouted the ranch the whole day.

“We saw the other two bulls,” he said. “We didn’t see the broken bull at all. It’s amazing how such big animals can be so hard to find.”

The next morning, Farris had to head

Cole Farris, a former intern and guide with the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation, hunted this broken-horned scimitarhorned oryx in Stonewall County. Photos

by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Please turn to page 15

Choosing what to plant Food plot forage studied

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Food plots in much of Texas involve difficult decisions. Landowners watch the sky, then hurry out to plants after a soaking rain, hoping what they planted will sprout.

Before they head to the feed store to buy seed, they wonder, what should we plant?

Jacob Dykes, Ph.D. candidate at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M-Kingsville, completed his master’s at Mississippi State University where they conducted an intensive food plot project.

“We planted 15 of the more popular food plot forages,” Dykes said.

“They were planted in equal-sized adjacent plots, and protected with fencing until all forages were established.”

Dykes described the study’s findings in a Natural Resources Univer-

White-tailed deer choose what plants they will eat out of a food plot based on their nutritional needs. Biologists recommend planting a variety to cover all the bases. Photo from Mississippi State University.

sity podcast, put on by Mississippi State University’s Deer Lab. “We used common food plot forages and even bought them at the local co-op,” he said. “We included cereal grains, clovers, turnips and winter peas. We had eight blocks, each containing the 15 different

plants. We randomized where the different plants were and had all of them adjacent to cover. To start a trial, we selected two blocks and completed a nutritional analysis on all forages, then we monitored deer use with trail cameras for two weeks. We completed a total of four trials over a Please turn to page 19

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Rifle setup for nighttime hogs

April 23, 2021

Page 5

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Delivered and setup anywhere in the U.S. Kyle Fernandez uses both night vision and thermal equipment to hunt feral hogs in the dark. Photo by Carlos Fernandez.

By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News Feral hog hunters are using tricked-out rifles to shoot wild pigs, particularly after the sun goes down.

By day, Kyle Fernandez works as a mechanical engineer. By night, he heads out and stalks pigs with his AR-10, chambered in .308 with a suppressor. The rifle is mounted with a scope that when properly set up allows him to see pigs out to about 2,000 yards.

“I can see them out that far at night, but can’t shoot them because there are cattle with small calves on the family ranch that I hunt on,” Fernandez said. “We also have deer out there, too. What I will do is see the outline of the animals and stalk up to within about 500 yards. That’s when I can

tell what we are after. Once it’s determined that we’re on pigs, we stalk them until we have a good shot.”

Fernandez specializes in night hunting, and the spot-and-stalk angle gives him a whole new level of hunting experience. He is 26 years old and has been into hunting hogs since he was in his teens. In fact, he went to the University of Texas at San Antonio so he could be closer to his ranch for more hog hunting.

His latest kill was a 170-pound boar during a nighttime hunt. He dropped the hog with a neck shot at 120 yards.

The basic specs of his rifle can get a little complicated. The barrel is 16 inches long. He opted for a shorter barrel due to choosing to suppress the rifle 99 percent of the time. The trigger is a 3.5 Geissele two-stage. The stock is a Magpul PRS. The Please turn to page 20

Axis, blackbuck take hit from storm Other exotics fare better

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News After the February freeze, reports started coming in of the exotics death toll, especially in the Hill Country and Edwards Plateau. Except on high fenced ranches, though, getting more specific information was difficult. Most reports from citizens came from urban areas, so little was known about the free-ranging axis deer and blackbuck antelope on the landscape.

At the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area, a 5,000-acre former exotic ranch now managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a research area, especially for exotic hoofstock, exact num-

bers were available.

Dr. James Gallagher, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s natural resource specialist at Mason Mountain, said employees kept track of numbers of exotics before and after the storm.

“Before the storm, we had 30 waterbuck,” Gallagher said. “We had 15 mortalities found, but there are now five to 10 left, so we didn’t find all of them.”

Gemsbok had difficulty from the storm.

The numbers were between 70 and 80, but 15 mortalities were found after the storm.

Now, though, there are between 30 and 40.

Gallagher estimated the gemsbok losses at 50 percent.

Scimitar-horned oryx, another member of the oryx family, fared better.

“Of between 70 and 80 animals, we Please turn to page 6

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April 23, 2021

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Exotics and the freeze Continued from page 5

found five mortalities,” he said. “Now there are between 50 and 60. While our losses were minimal, other folks reported higher losses.”

Axis deer were of concern to Gallagher and area landowners.

“We had 30 axis before the storm,” he said. “We found three mortalities, and we have between 15 and 25 left. Some landowners reported 50-percent losses, though.”

Mason Mountain only had one blackbuck on the property, and it survived the storm.

“Producers reported losses up to 80 percent,” Gallagher said.

Free-ranging axis and blackbuck struggled to survive, Gallagher said.

“What I have heard regarding axis and blackbuck is that losses were estimated to be 50 to 80 percent in free-ranging herds, especially in areas with the highest densities,” he said.

Gallagher said most people reported they lost a very large percentage of the young and old animals, with very few fawns surviving.

“I did hear about one property in Sutton County that reported losing most of the mature male blackbuck, though,” he said.

Gallagher said getting accurate numbers for free-ranging herds is difficult.

“We will continue to hear about extreme examples that lost large numbers, I’m sure,” he said.

The native white-tailed deer handled the storm just fine.

“I don’t think we lost any,” Gallagher said. “Some areas with high densities had some losses.”

And, of course, feral hogs thrived.

“We had a lot before the storm, and we have more now,” Gallagher said. “There were no mortalities. They are the most adaptive exotic species we have.”

Gallagher shared a message for those who bring in numbers of animals from other parts of the world.

“You need extended shelter and feed,” he said. “The native creatures deal better with the extreme cold.”

John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas’ state climatologist, said the storm was unusual, not so much for how cold it got, but for how long it stayed that way.

“The cold air just sat there due to the jetstream pattern,” he said. “The cold air was not carried away to the east. That was the problem with this event.”

How many deer are there?

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Stedman Chair for White-tailed Deer Research at Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, along with colleagues at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, are trying to make the estimates more reliable.

The researchers developed a sightability model to correct counts of white-tailed deer observed during surveys, providing a framework for improving estimates derived from aerial surveys.

Surrogates, or 3-dimensional archery targets, were placed at assigned locations in different areas under different conditions, like varying vegetative obstructions, differing light conditions and different distances from the transect flown by the chopper. In 2019, they flew a study area on a large cattle ranch in Central Florida.

The model indicated that distance from the transect (the path the chopper is flying) and vegetative obstruction negatively affected detection of the 3-D targets.

At the study site, detection probability numbers were determined for the different conditions.

Using formulas developed by the model on three different units, population estimates were 26 percent higher than those derived from uncorrected counts.

Observers also recorded live deer during operational flights, and 60 percent of deer groups were observed while stationary.

How do you use this model in Texas?

“We would create a different model using the same approach,” Cherry said. “You could set out 3-D targets in different places and even cluster them together if you have deer hanging in groups. You would put them in open areas and in brushy spots. You have to record in what type of situation (in the open, etc.) you saw each deer.”

After the flight, the data would get reviewed.

“You would analyze the percentage of the surrogates you saw in the different areas,” Cherry said. “Then you could develop more informed count data and come up with a correction of the actual detections you got.”

Cherry also said deer behavior is a significant factor, especially in South Texas when it comes to helicopter flights.

“You have to consider whether the deer are habituated to helicopters,” he said.

While 3-D targets can be used to develop region specific models to account for imperfect detection of white-tailed deer, they aren’t one size fits all.

“They would be very regionally specific,” Cherry said. “Vegetation types change and detectability changes. Models are great on the ranch where you build them. They are pretty good on a similar ranch. They are not so good on a completely different ranch.”

Cherry said helicopter surveys excel in certain areas.

“When it comes to the age structure of the deer and the buck-to-doe ratios, they are really good,” he said. “When it comes to absolute counts of the number of deer on the ranch — that’s what we’re trying to improve.”

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Upper coast redfish found both deep, shallow

Troy Lancaster, after a 9-hour battle, landed this 876-pound bluefin tuna offshore from Port Aransas. The fish is a pending state record. Photo from Capt. Justin Drummond.

Giant bluefin tuna heading to the record books Angler lands 876-pounder after 9-hour battle

By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News On Wednesday April 14, the anglers aboard Quantified, a 64-foot Spencer sport fisher, were about 150 miles offshore from Port Aransas when the live skipjack they were trolling with got eaten by a pending state record bluefin tuna that weighed 876 pounds.

It took angler Troy Lancaster nine hours to reel in the fish. They were hooked up at 9:20 a.m. and didn’t have it in the boat until 6:20 p.m.

“I won’t be forgetting that battle any time too soon,” Lancaster, who has fished all over the world but never tangled with anything like this monster tuna, said. “At the hook up she was on or close to the surface for about two hours, then she went down and that’s when we almost got spooled not once but three times.”

The reel he was battling the tuna with was a Shimano 80-wide and was spooled with about 900 yards of line. They were trolling with two live baits — a skipjack and a blackfin tuna. They had caught live bait on the way out by trolling jigs and spoons deep.

After they had enough live bait in the tuna tubes, Capt. Justin Drummond headed out to an oil and gas production platform in 8,000 feet of water.

They were near the Perdido, the world’s deepest spar, and the second-deepest oil and gas production rig.

Drummond, 38, has been running offshore fishing boats for 18 years. This is his heaviest catch so far.

But on past trips he has hooked up with and landed bluefin tuna up to about 600 pounds. When the 876-pounder was caught recently he had the same group of anglers on board that he put on five blue marlin to 500 pounds in two days of fishing last year.

“He is one heck of a good captain,” said Tony Coberley, who is part of that fishing crew. “Last year he put us on the blue marlin, and this year we caught what is a pending state record. We got all the paperwork filled out so it should be a new state record.

During the fight this fish dragged us five miles. And while we had it on a huge blue marlin came up behind the boat and was blasting through baitfish on the surface.”

The existing state record bluefin weighed 808 pounds and was caught on May 4, 1985 by Trina Isaacs.

Last April, Lone Star Outdoor News reported an 820-pound bluefin caught on the Rock Mama. While that fish would have been a state record, the captain did not have the required permit from NOAA and the fish was not eligible for the record, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Award program.

The mate on the Quantified, Cameron Plaag, was also the mate on the boat that caught the blue marlin state record weighing 972.70 pounds. That huge billfish was caught on July 11, 2014 by Richard Richardson Jr., with live bait.

Please turn to page 19

Anglers are landing red drum in a variety of locations and water depths across the upper Texas coast. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News Springtime patterns for redfish are in full force along the upper Texas coastline. From Matagorda to Sabine Lake, anglers are tangling with the bronze brutes in a variety of locations and water depths. Swarms of red drum have been chasing baitfish in surrounding shallow back lake marshes, and schools are also starting to show up in the deeper, open water stretches of these bay systems. The jetties, Intracoastal

Waterway and main bay shorelines also are producing a consistent redfish bite.

Matagorda-area angler Chris McKinley said East Matagorda Bay has been holding good numbers of mid-slot reds along main bay shorelines in 2-3 feet of water.

“The eastern portion of East Matty seems to have the most redfish right now,” McKinley said. “I’ve been catching most of my fish on top-water plugs and soft plastic jigs while drifting stretches of streaky water with a lot of baitfish present.”

McKinley also has been catching reds over shell along portions of the ICW between Matagorda and Sargent.

“The key to fishing these areas is knowing exactly where the shell is along the ICW,” he explained. “Some people just drive right over these areas and don’t realize how many fish they are passing up.”

While fishing the ICW, McKinley has been chunking scented soft plastics rigged on heavy jig heads.

“Depending on how hard the current is moving, I’ve been using a 3/4Please turn to page 19

Trends in fishing apparel bring fashion, function Several new lines at Houston Fishing Show

By Shannon Drawe

For Lone Star Outdoor News If you’re looking to add a little color to your fishing shirts, it will be a lot easier than in years past. The old blue, white or yellow cotton fishing shirts have been pushed to the back of the closet by up-and-coming designers using the latest synthetic fabrics, in bright colors and often with their own artwork emblazoned on them.

Some of the new fishing fashions, like Billy Jo Raney’s Reel Wicked Apparel, out of Please turn to page 17

Jared Esley, left, and FishHide owner Bryan Barnard show shirts that blend in or stand out, with synthetic shirts that include a safety stripe under the arm so you can be seen signaling to friends or warning away flats boats.

Photo by Shannon Drawe, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

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Development torpedoes urban oxbow fishing spot

April 23, 2021

Page 9

Flounder gigging a nighttime blast

By Robert Sloan

For Lone Star Outdoor News

Fly-angler Matthew Clemons fears clear-cutting around his favorite fishing spot, on the Clear Fork of the Trinity River in Fort Worth, will ruin water quality and the fishing. Photo by Shannon Drawe, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

By Shannon Drawe

For Lone Star Outdoor News Fort Worth fly-fisher and arborist Matthew Clemons always made the small limestone and gravel oxbow off the original Trinity River a stop he could count on to catch fish, or to impress his friends who never knew such a place existed inside Fort Worth city limits.

Clemons learned to fly fish in 1991 on a backpacking trip in Colorado with his grandfather, and once he came home, the oxbow was a place he could always head to catch fish.

“This was my main stop,” he said.

“When things go dead in summer or win-

ter, the fish retreat to the oxbow. If you struck out everywhere, you could come here and catch a fish. This oxbow is one of the last places where the clear water comes from.”

The oxbow has perfect clear-water habitat — white limestone, gravel and springfed waters.

A development project has been in the works for years, but Clemons was surprised when he learned of the activity around his favorite fishing spot.

“A month and a half ago, I was giving an arboriculture speech about this very spot, making plans to fish, and the following Monday I saw footage that it had been clear-cut,” he said.

Flounder gigging trips on the middle Texas coast are good — not great, but good, said Port O’Connor-based guide Shawn Harvey.

“We still don’t know how many flounder were killed by the big freeze,” he said. “They don’t have swim bladders, so instead of floating they sink. But based on the numbers of flounder we’ve been getting lately, it seems like there are still lots of them being gigged.”

Harvey, who has been running flounder trips for 10 years, said the months of March, April and May are usually pretty good.

That’s when the incoming tides are warming the bays and backwater areas, and there is a good supply of baitfish.

“For the past four or five weeks, our flounder gigging trips have been good, but we’re not getting limits every night like we were this time a year ago. The freeze has slowed the migration of glass minnows. They are just now starting to Youngsters enjoy the age-old Texas tradition of gigging flounbunch up on the flats along some der at night. Photo from Shawn Harvey. of the islands. That usually begins way before now.”

The flounder limit is five per person with a 15-inch minimum.

“A whole lot of the flounder we’re seeing are 13 to 14 inches long,” Harvey said. “We are passing up a lot of the flounder we see. The average size that we gig is 15-1/2 inches, that size fish will weigh about 2 pounds. But there are nights when we’ll get into some really solid flounder in the in the 3- to 4-pound class.”

Harvey said the phase of the moon is really not a factor, like a lot of people think.

But with a full moon, flounder can be very skittish on the clear flats. The trick for a successful night of gigging is to determine what direction the wind is blowing and set up Please turn to page 19

Please turn to page 19

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April 23, 2021

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 61 degrees; 5.85’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on crankbaits, spinner baits and plastic worms. Crappie are fair on jigs.

Catfish are fair on live bait, cut bait and stink bait.

AMISTAD: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 46.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, soft plastic worms, crankbaits and smaller spinner baits. Catfish are fair on deep points on chicken livers and stink bait dough balls.

ATHENS: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 0.39’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on jerk baits, frogs, crankbaits and football jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait.

AUSTIN: Water clear; 64 degrees; 0.65’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on top-waters, jigs, craws and shad lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on punch bait, chicken livers and earthworms.

B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 67 degrees; 0.89’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut and prepared baits.

BASTROP: Water clear; 66 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in creeks.

Channel and blue catfish are good on punch bait and live bait.

BELTON: Water clear; 65 degrees; 0.90’ low. Largemouth bass are good on floating jerk baits, spinner baits and chatter baits. White bass are excellent on spoons, silver slabs and white swimbaits. Hybrid stripers are good on swimbaits and live bait. Catfish are good on chicken livers, punch bait and cut bait.

BENBROOK: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 1.32’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on top-water poppers, crankbaits and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on swimbaits and spoons in the creeks, channels and humps. Catfish are fair on punch bait or cut bait.

BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 63 degrees; 0.01’ high.

Largemouth bass are excellent on top-waters, finesse jigs, chatter baits, frogs and skirted jigs. Crappie are excellent on minnows and chartreuse jigs.

Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait.

BRAUNIG: Water lightly stained; 65-68 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms, spinner baits and jigs.

Red drum are good on live bait.

Catfish are good on live bait and cheese bait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 62 degrees; 4.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good on finesse worms and square-billed crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on swimbaits and silver spoons.

Catfish are good on cut bait, chicken livers and prepared bait.

BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 64 degrees; 3.37’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, spinner baits, crankbaits and skirted jigs. Crappie

are good on minnows. White bass and hybrids are excellent on spoons and swimbaits.

Catfish are good on punch bait, chicken livers and cut bait.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 66 degrees; 7.33’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on crankbaits, finesse jigs, jerk baits and Texas-rigged plastic worms.

Striped bass are good on live bait and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Channel catfish are good on punch bait. Blue catfish are excellent on cut bait.

CADDO: Water clear; 63 degrees; 1.07’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, square-billed crankbaits, skirted jigs and flukes. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are fair on punch bait, chicken livers and cut bait.

CALAVERAS: Water stained; 68-70 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Red drum are good on live bait. Hybrid striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait, chicken livers and cut shad.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 65 degrees; 6.29’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on lizards, crankbaits and shaky heads. Striped bass are good on live bait and swimbaits. White bass are excellent in creeks on swimbaits, silver spoons and rooster tails. Catfish are good on prepared baits and cut bait.

CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 62 degrees; 0.07’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, football jigs, top-waters and lipless crankbaits. Hybrids and white bass are good on swimbaits, slabs and jigging spoons. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait.

CONROE: Water stained; 66 degrees; 0.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Hybrid striped bass are good on lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on stink bait and cut bait.

COOPER: Water stained; 61 degrees; 0.06’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shallow-diving crankbaits, soft plastics and skirted jigs. White bass and hybrids are good on slabs and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water clear; 64 degrees; 2.25’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on creature baits, jerk baits, jigs and spinner baits. White bass are fair on swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are fair on earthworms, cut bait and punch bait.

FALCON: Water stained north and clearer south; 68 degrees; 43.73’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms with dipped tails. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are excellent on stink bait and cut bait.

FAYETTE: Water clear; 67 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads, crankbaits, spinner baits and wacky worms. Catfish are good on earthworms and cut bait.

FORK: Water lightly stained; 60-64 degrees; 0.37’ low.

Largemouth bass are very good on spinner baits, crankbaits, plastic frogs and skirted jigs.

Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water stained; 67 degrees; 2.04’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, plastic worms and top-waters. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on live shad.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 65 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, floating jerk baits, lizards and football jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Striped bass are good on live bait and swimbaits. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait.

GRANGER: Water clear; 65 degrees; 0.38’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on jerk baits, chatter baits and spinner baits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in creeks and shallow channels.

White bass are good on small swimbaits and spoons. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait.

GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 0.15’ high. Largemouth bass are good on jerk baits, crankbaits and lizards. White bass are good on slabs and white swimbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.05’ high. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, Carolina rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on live and cut shad.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 62 degrees; 3.04’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and plastic worms.

Crappie are fair on minnows.

Catfish are fair on live and cut shad.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 64 degrees; 0.98’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on football jigs, jerk baits, craws and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared baits and cut bait.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 0.36’ high. Largemouth bass are excellent on soft plastics, square-billed crankbaits, jigs and top-waters in shallow water. Crappie are excellent on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and chicken livers.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 0.02’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, top-water plugs and lizards. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on silver spoons, rooster tails and small swimbaits. Catfish are good on cut

bait, nightcrawlers and punch bait.

LBJ: Water clear; 62 degrees; 0.72’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on swimbaits, topwaters, tubes and crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on jigging spoons and slabs.

Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait.

LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 0.01’ high. Largemouth bass are good on swim jigs, lizards, poppers and crankbaits. White bass are excellent on small swimbaits and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on chicken livers, cut bait and punch bait.

LIVINGSTON: Water lightly stained; 67 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged worms, spinner baits and jigs. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on small spinner baits and live bait. Catfish are fair on live bait.

MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stained; 66 degrees; 0.04’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, tubes, crankbaits and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and live bait.

MEDINA: Water lightly stained; 69 degrees; 37.16’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are good in the vegetation on minnows. White bass are fair on spoons. Striped bass are slow.

Catfish are fair on live bait, chicken livers and blood bait.

MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.60’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on plastic worms, jigs and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair off points on minnows. Catfish are fair on live bait and blood bait.

NACONICHE: Water lightly stained; 65-68 degrees.

Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged plastic worms, spinner baits and smaller crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on dough balls, cut bait and live bait.

NASWORTHY: Water murky; 62 degrees; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 0.05’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, spinner baits and crankbaits. White bass are good on small swimbaits and spoons.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait.

O.H. IVIE: Water clear; 63 degrees; 13.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are good on stink bait and cut bait.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 0.14’ high. Largemouth bass are good

on top-waters, skirted jigs, lizards and chatter baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs White bass are good on rooster tails, swimbaits and spoons.

Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water clear; 62 degrees; 0.76’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and small crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs.

White bass are fair on Alabama rigs. Striped bass are slow.

Catfish are good on cut bait, live sunfish and stink bait.

PROCTOR: Water lightly stained, 62 degrees; 0.69’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, swimbaits, crankbaits and craws. Hybrid stripers are fair on swimbaits and live bait. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and punch bait.

RAVEN: Water stained; 67 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms and spinner baits.

RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 63 degrees; 0.01’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, suspended jerk baits, and lipless crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows.

Catfish are good on shrimp, cut bait and punch bait.

RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, swimbaits, craws and football jigs.

White bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on chicken livers and cut bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 0.25’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on top-waters, soft plastics, skirted jigs and crankbaits. White bass and hybrids are excellent on live bait, slabs and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait, punch bait and nightcrawlers.

SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 66 degrees; 0.08’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, plastic worms and top-waters. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are good on live bait and stink bait.

SOMERVILLE: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 2.05’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on frogs, spinner baits and top-waters.

White bass and hybrids are good on silver spoons and swimbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait.

STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: Water clear; 64 degrees; 0.04’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on plastic frogs, chatter baits and skirted jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Channel catfish are fair on earthworms and chicken livers.

TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.26’ high. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, craws and jerk baits. White bass and

n Saltwater reports Page 11 hybrid stripers are excellent on swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Blue catfish are excellent on fresh cut bait.

Channel catfish are good on punch bait.

TEXANA: Water lightly stained; 70 degrees; 1.47’ low.

Largemouth bass are very good on soft plastics and spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs.

Catfish are good on stink bait, cut bait and live bait.

TEXOMA: Water lightly stained; 59 degrees; 2.01’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on swim jigs, lipless crankbaits, poppers and chatter baits.

Striped bass are excellent on large white swimbaits and crankbaits. White bass are excellent on swimbaits, rooster tails and spoons. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are excellent on punch bait and cut bait.

TOLEDO BEND: Very clear south, stained north; 61-65 degrees; 1.87’ low. Largemouth bass are good on thicker worms and crankbaits. Crappie are excellent on jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.

TRAVIS: Water clear; 65 degrees; 23.35’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on crankbaits, top-water plugs, chatter baits and lizards. White bass are good on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared baits.

WACO: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 0.59’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs, lipless crankbaits, frogs and swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are excellent on punch bait and cut bait.

WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees.

Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and finesse jigs.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and live bait.

WORTH: Water clear; 68 degrees; 2.02 low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters, finesse jigs, craws and chatter baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on live bait and punch bait.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 64 degrees; 2.55’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, lizards and frogs. White bass are good on swimbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on chicken livers, punch bait and live bait.

­—TPWD

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 67 degrees. Redfish are good around the jetty on crankbaits. Speckled trout are good around the jetty on jigs.

Black drum are good on shrimp.

BOLIVAR: 72 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp. Black drum are good on crab and shrimp. Flounder are good around the rocks on shrimp.

TRINITY BAY: 73 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on shrimp and mullet. Redfish are good on shrimp along the shoreline. Black drum are good on crab and shrimp.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: 71 degrees. Speckled trout are good on shrimp. Black drum are good near San Luis Pass on shrimp and crab. Redfish are fair in the back lakes and over mud shell bottoms on shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: 71 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good in the flats over shell on shrimp. Black drum are fair on shrimp and crab.

TEXAS CITY: 70 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp around the dike. Black drum are good on shrimp around the dike and around vegetation or structure.

FREEPORT: 70 degrees. Redfish are fair along the back lakes and marshes on shrimp under a popping cork. Speckled trout are good near the ICW on live bait close to the rocks. Black drum are good on shrimp.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 72 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on top-waters and shrimp under a cork. Black drum are good on bass assassins.

April 23, 2021

Page 11

Busy weeks at Bass Champs events

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 72 degrees. Redfish and black drum are are fair to good on live shrimp under a popping cork. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp.

PORT O’CONNOR: 69 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on shrimp. Flounder are good around the rocks on shrimp.

ROCKPORT: 72 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on shrimp. Black drum are good on shrimp.

Fishing alone, Terry Peacock, of Royse City, topped the field of 257 teams at Lake Ray Roberts in the Bass Champs North Region event on April 10. Peacock landed 26.48 pounds, including a 10.02-pounder to seal the win and the $20,000 prize.

Buster Johnson, of Krum, and Zach Parker, of Denton, finished second with 25.98 pounds, winning $10,500. The team was followed by Craig Dowis, of Dallas, and Michael Vasquez, of Temple, with 25.06 pounds to win $4,500.

On April 17 and 18, the South Region had a double-header on Lake Amistad of sorts after the postponement of a previous event.

On Saturday, Logan McDonald, of Carsbad, and Jerry McDonald, of Coleman, won $20,000 with 18.48 pounds, including a 8.03-pound kicker.

Randall Edwards and Cory Whisman, both of Midland, finished second with 18.16 pounds, winning $3,300; and Mike Reid and Michael Reid, both of Andrews, came in third with 17.78 pounds, winning $1,800.

The next day, Charlie Forster, of Center Point, and Mike Bingham, of Kerrville, topped the feld with 21.12 pounds, winning $20,000.

Wayne Jackson, of Rio Frio, and Jason Schneemann, of D’Hanis, followed with 20.12 pounds, winning $3,000; and Forrest Wilson, of Spring Branch, and Derick Kuyrkendall, of Bergheim, finished third with 19.64 pounds, winning $3,500 with incentive bonuses.

The double header had 144 teams on Saturday and 129 on Sunday.

—Bass Champs

PORT ARANSAS: 72 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish good on shrimp. Black drum are good on shrimp and crab.

CORPUS CHRISTI: 71 degrees. Black drum are good on shrimp. Redfish and speckled trout are good on shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: 77 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp in the shallow water and along the ICW. Black drum are good on shrimp.

Speckled trout are fair on shrimp.

PORT MANSFIELD: 74 degrees. Speckled trout are slow. Redfish are fair on ball tails in red and white and live shrimp under a popping cork.

SOUTH PADRE: 72 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good in the flats on shrimp.

Black drum are fair to good on shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: 71 degrees. Black drum are good on crab and shrimp. Speckled trout and redfish are fair to good on live shrimp.

Made i n U SA

C.A.L. 5” Swim Bait C.A.L. 3” Shad Tail

C.A.L. 4” Shad Tail C.A.L. 4” Jerk Bait C.A.L. 5.5” Jerk Bait C.A.L. Curl Tail

­—TPWD

C.A.L. Paddle Tail

201596_DOA_2.17_Tx Outdoor Journal_CAL ad_5.125x3.75.indd 1

Photo from North Texas Municipal Water District

New reservoir filling up Bois d’Arc Lake, the first major reservoir in Texas in nearly 30 years, is now filling. The North Texas Municipal Water District began impounding, or capturing, water on the 16,641acre lake.

“We are excited to reach this major milestone that brings us one step closer to additional water supplies for the growing population NTMWD serves,” said Rodney Rhoades, NTMWD interim executive director. “Bois d’Arc Lake will be a reliable water source for generations and will also provide economic and recreational benefits to Fannin County.”

Impoundment began when workers closed the lower gates at the raw water intake structure, cutting off the flow of water through the structure and allowing the reservoir to hold water. The 110-foot-tall structure sits inside of the lake footprint and pulls water from the reservoir for treatment. The remaining gates at the intake structure will stay open until the lake fills to a higher level. NTMWD will release water from the lake as required by permit in order to keep water flowing downstream in Bois d’Arc Creek.

The amount of rainfall in the Bois d’Arc Lake watershed will determine how long it will take the lake to fill and be ready for recreation.

NTMWD expects nearly all construction at the Bois d’Arc Lake dam area to be complete by the end of 2021. Last year, workers completed and opened 11 miles of county and state roads, including 6.2 miles of FM 897 and its accompanying bridge.

Bois d’Arc Lake is located northeast of Bonham in Fannin County.

—NTMWD

w w w. d o a l u r e s . c o m 2/17/20 3:37 PM

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April 23, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER MISSING WADE-FISHERMEN RESCUED ON BAFFIN BAY The Coast Guard located two overdue boaters in Baffin Bay. Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received a report from the Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office after they were notified by a family member of two boaters who didn’t return to the Kaufer-Hubert Boat Ramp. A Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew were launched to conduct a search. The MH-65 aircrew located the 21-foot vessel with no signs of anyone aboard and continued to search the area. The aircrew located the two boaters and vectored in a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boat crew to recover both boaters. The boaters were returned to the boat ramp. The boaters had been stranded since noon the prior day after their vessel drifted away from them while they were wadefishing. There were no reports of injuries.

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wardens are seeking the public’s help with any information regarding the incident.

K9 FINDS TRESPASSERS AFTER PARKING NEXT TO NO TRESPASSING SIGN At Calaveras Lake Park, Bexar County game wardens observed a truck parked at the very end of the park property, next to a fence that had multiple “No Trespassing” signs posted. A warden deployed his K9 partner, Tito, around the vehicle.

K9 Tito picked up on human odor and began

ALLIGATOR SHOT WITH PELLET GUN, POACHERS SOUGHT Texas game wardens are seeking information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the persons responsible for the illegal killing of an alligator on Lake Livingston near Kickapoo Creek just north of Hwy. 190 in Onalaska.

Wardens discovered a dead alligator floating in the water. Further inspection revealed the alligator had been shot in the eye with a pellet gun.

A FAMILY AFFAIR A landowner contacted a Cass County game warden regarding an individual he observed on his game camera. The subject was carrying two rifles. Recognizing the person, the warden contacted the suspect’s brothers to confirm the location of the suspect. Wardens interviewed the suspect, who admitted to hunting from the roadway and shooting a pig. The pig ran onto a hunting lease and the suspect admitted to searching for the pig on the lease.

tracking the individuals, which continued through a locked pipe gate. K9 Tito tracked two individuals approximately 0.7 mile inside CPS property.

The subjects were located and escorted off the property and were issued citations for agriculture trespass and no fishing licenses.

LONG LINE HELD 17 SHARKS Game wardens assigned to the Marine Tactical Operations Team removed illegal fishing gear from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The team removed two miles of illegal long line and successfully released 17 sharks, one red drum, two eels, and one sea turtle.

Mexican lancha boat crews engaged in illegal fishing in federal waters off the coast of southern Texas.

The Coast Guard crews consisted of air support and four boat crews.

Two lanchas with nine individuals aboard were engaged in illegal fishing. Approximately 100 pounds of red snapper and shark were seized.

ILLEGAL FISHING WITH 100 POUNDS OF SNAPPER Coast Guard law enforcement crews detected and interdicted four

GATOR SHOT OFF OF HIGHWAY BRIDGE An alligator was shot off of the Hwy. 7 bridge at the Attoyac River in Nacogdoches County. Game

REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.

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April 23, 2021

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HEROES

Jackson Bell, 8, of Haslet, took his first deer with a .243 in Archer County with Chad Potts.

Michael Shelton, of Spring Branch, caught this 41inch black drum in Rockport.

Landry “LJ” Bassham, 7, shows a drake gadwall on his first duck hunt at the family farm in McCulloch County.

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. High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

Mia Eason, 13, took her first buck while hunting with her father, Mike Eason, and Uncle Jay on Jay’s deer lease in Gillespie County.

Briley Eason, 15, took her first buck while hunting with her father, Mike Eason, and Uncle Jay on her grandparents’ ranch in Fayette County.

Springtime bass Continued from page 1

Helena Hernandez caught this bass while learning the basics of fishing during the Dallas Stewards of the Wild women’s fishing trip on Lake Athens. Photo by Katie Spurgin.

leaving Reissig to find where the bass are feeding on shad near rocky points with a steady current.

Hydrilla hasn’t had a chance to grow abundantly on Falcon due to water levels constantly fluctuating up and down, Reissig said. In terms of relative water transparency, the south end of Falcon is murky while the north end remains pretty clear.

On Lake Amistad, Kurt Dove said about 65 percent of bass have concluded spawning.

Dove recently guided the Gentry family where two young boys pulled out some nicesized bass.

“For the bass still on beds, using a Texas rig or Carolina rig in up to 12 feet of water works great,” he said.

The post-spawn fish on the reservoir are starting to eat top-waters, but walking baits have been the most productive. Also, Dove said there is a morning reaction bite provoked by using fast-moving jerk baits or lipless crankbaits. In the afternoons, a Neko rig is bringing the most bites.

With temperatures up to 100 degrees in West Texas last week, the top-water bite fish improved, and Dove said the hydrilla is beginning to grow.

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Page 15

Ling from the jetty Continued from page 1

quite slippery.”

When the fish came to the surface, Leissner thought he was hooked up with a shark.

He soon realized this was not the case.

“A gentleman was walking down the jetty with a net and I asked him if the fish I was fighting looked like a ling,” Leissner said.

“He agreed, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The individual offered to let me use his net to land the fish, but at that time, she was nowhere near ready to give up the fight.”

Jetty angler Kevin Loper saw Leissner fighting the beast, grabbed the net and immediately climbed down to the water’s edge to provide assistance.

“It was clear Loper was an experienced jetty fisherman,” said Leissner. “He hopped around in ankleto knee-deep water on the rocks below me like he had done this a million times.

On several instances, the fish would turn or dart in another direction, and he would duck to get out of the way of my line. He even used the handle of the net to lift my line above the edge of the rocks when the fish dove one time, in order to keep it from breaking.

The entire battle with this fish was tiring and nerve racking. I’m still not sure how my line didn’t break.”

After about a 30-minute struggle, Leissner was able to tire the cobia and bring it

in close enough for Loper to get its head in the net. The net wasn’t near big enough for a fish of that caliber, but they made it work.

“What’s wild is, I landed that ling using 30-pound braid with a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader, and on a 1/0 octopus hook,” Leissner said. “I was catching small pinfish on that same hook just before I hooked into the cobia.”

Leissner was thankful for the help from his new friends.

“What I really thought was cool was how willing these other anglers were to lend a hand,” he said. “It was like they were just as excited as I was.”

Brokenhorned oryx Continued from page 4

back before noon to get home for work.

“We were kind of depressed,” he said. “I didn’t think it was going to happen — we were already discussing coming back and trying again.”

As Sams was describing another guide who always had a positive attitude no matter how tough the hunting was, Farris saw one of the other two bulls.

“Then the broken-horn bull appeared out of nowhere,” he said.

“Within seconds, I got ready and made the shot. I hit him good, and he folded at first and then ran off.”

After a short wait, they headed to where the bull was. Brooklyn, Farris’ girlfriend, spotted some blood.

“We tracked him about 100 yards,” Farris said. “Then Sams spotted him — he was dead.”

After posing for photos, his old job made a return.

“I wanted to gut, skin and quarter him,” Farris said. “Those animals are big — it took me a lot longer than a deer.”

On the way home, the more than 300 pounds of meat was delivered to a processor and the horns to a taxidermist to be repaired.

Farris has more plans for Texas hunting.

“We’re going to come back and try to get Brooklyn a decent whitetail buck,” he said. “Those are tough to find in Louisiana.”

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Page 16

April 23, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases

Full

Last

New

First

Apr 26

May 3

May 11

May 19

Solunar Sun times Moon times

Houston

Dallas

2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Apr/May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Apr/May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 01 Sat 02 Sun 03 Mon 04 Tue 05 Wed 06 Thu 07 Fri

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 01 Sat 02 Sun 03 Mon 04 Tue 05 Wed 06 Thu 07 Fri

2:50 9:03 3:35 9:47 4:19 10:32 5:07 11:21 6:00 ----7:00 12:45 8:06 1:50 9:14 2:58 10:22 4:07 11:27 5:12 12:01 6:12 12:52 7:04 1:39 7:50 2:20 8:31 2:58 9:08

3:15 4:00 4:45 5:34 6:29 7:30 8:36 9:45 10:53 11:56 12:25 1:17 2:02 2:42 3:18

9:28 10:12 10:58 11:47 12:15 1:15 2:21 3:30 4:38 5:41 6:39 7:29 8:13 8:52 9:29

06:46 06:45 06:44 06:43 06:42 06:41 06:40 06:39 06:38 06:37 06:36 06:36 06:35 06:34 06:33

07:52 07:53 07:53 07:54 07:55 07:55 07:56 07:57 07:57 07:58 07:59 07:59 08:00 08:00 08:01

4:21p 4:44a 5:27p 5:20a 6:33p 5:55a 7:43p 6:32a 8:54p 7:11a 10:07p 7:55a 11:18p 8:45a NoMoon 9:40a 12:24a 10:41a 1:23a 11:44a 2:13a 12:47p 2:56a 1:49p 3:33a 2:48p 4:06a 3:44p 4:35a 4:38p

2:56 9:09 3:40 9:53 4:25 10:38 5:13 11:26 6:06 ----7:06 12:51 8:11 1:56 9:20 3:04 10:28 4:13 11:33 5:18 12:07 6:18 12:58 7:10 1:45 7:56 2:26 8:37 3:04 9:14

3:21 4:06 4:51 5:40 6:34 7:36 8:42 9:51 10:59 ----12:31 1:23 2:08 2:48 3:24

9:34 10:18 11:04 11:53 12:20 1:21 2:27 3:36 4:43 5:47 6:45 7:35 8:19 8:58 9:34

06:48 06:47 06:46 06:45 06:44 06:43 06:42 06:41 06:40 06:39 06:38 06:37 06:36 06:35 06:34

08:01 08:02 08:03 08:04 08:04 08:05 08:06 08:07 08:07 08:08 08:09 08:10 08:10 08:11 08:12

4:24p 4:53a 5:32p 5:27a 6:41p 6:01a 7:52p 6:35a 9:05p 7:13a 10:20p 7:55a 11:32p 8:43a NoMoon 9:38a 12:38a 10:38a 1:37a 11:42a 2:26a 12:47p 3:08a 1:50p 3:44a 2:50p 4:15a 3:48p 4:43a 4:43

San Antonio

Amarillo

2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Apr/May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

2021 A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Apr/May Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 01 Sat 02 Sun 03 Mon 04 Tue 05 Wed 06 Thu 07 Fri

23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 01 Sat 02 Sun 03 Mon 04 Tue 05 Wed 06 Thu 07 Fri

3:03 9:15 3:47 10:00 4:32 10:45 5:20 11:33 6:13 12:03 7:13 12:58 8:18 2:03 9:27 3:11 10:35 4:20 11:39 5:25 12:14 6:24 1:04 7:17 1:51 8:03 2:33 8:43 3:10 9:20

3:28 4:12 4:58 5:46 6:41 7:42 8:49 9:58 11:05 ----12:38 1:29 2:14 2:54 3:31

9:41 10:25 11:10 ----12:27 1:28 2:33 3:42 4:50 5:54 6:51 7:42 8:26 9:05 9:41

06:59 06:58 06:57 06:56 06:55 06:54 06:53 06:52 06:51 06:50 06:50 06:49 06:48 06:47 06:46

08:04 08:05 08:05 08:06 08:06 08:07 08:08 08:08 08:09 08:10 08:10 08:11 08:12 08:12 08:13

4:34p 4:56a 5:40p 5:32a 6:46p 6:08a 7:55p 6:45a 9:06p 7:24a 10:19p 8:09a 11:30p 8:59a NoMoon 9:54a 12:36a 10:55a 1:34a 11:58a 2:25a 1:01p 3:08a 2:03p 3:45a 3:02p 4:18a 3:57p 4:48a 4:51p

3:16 9:29 4:01 10:13 4:45 10:58 5:33 11:47 6:26 12:17 7:26 1:11 8:32 2:16 9:40 3:24 10:48 4:33 11:53 5:38 12:27 6:38 1:18 7:30 2:05 8:16 2:46 8:57 3:24 9:34

3:41 4:26 5:11 6:00 6:55 7:56 9:02 10:11 11:19 ----12:51 1:43 2:28 3:08 3:44

9:54 10:38 11:24 ----12:41 1:41 2:47 3:56 5:04 6:07 7:05 7:55 8:39 9:18 9:54

07:05 07:04 07:02 07:01 07:00 06:59 06:58 06:57 06:56 06:55 06:54 06:53 06:52 06:51 06:50

08:25 08:25 08:26 08:27 08:28 08:29 08:30 08:30 08:31 08:32 08:33 08:34 08:35 08:35 08:36

4:43p 5:17a 5:52p 5:49a 7:03p 6:21a 8:16p 6:54a 9:31p 7:30a 10:47p 8:11a NoMoon 8:58a NoMoon 9:52a 1:07a 10:52a 2:05a 11:56a 2:54a 1:02p 3:34a 2:06p 4:08a 3:08p 4:38a 4:07p 5:04a 5:04p

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 Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 12:46 AM 1:59 AM 3:02 AM 4:03 AM 5:02 AM 6:02 AM 12:33 PM 12:16 AM 1:12 AM 2:13 AM 3:22 AM 4:36 AM 5:52 AM 1:01 AM 2:10 AM

High Island Height 1.52H 1.70H 1.89H 2.05H 2.16H 2.21H 1.46L -0.41L -0.31L -0.14L 0.06L 0.26L 0.44L 1.46H 1.56H

Time 7:23 AM 8:17 AM 9:09 AM 9:59 AM 10:49 AM 11:40 AM 4:20 PM 8:14 AM 9:32 AM 10:58 AM 12:13 PM 1:05 PM 1:42 PM 7:01 AM 8:01 AM

Time 2:26 PM 2:43 PM 3:00 PM 3:19 PM 3:39 PM 4:00 PM

Height 1.65H 1.61H 1.60H 1.60H 1.62H 1.65H

Time 7:58 PM 8:31 PM 9:10 PM 9:52 PM 10:36 PM 11:24 PM

Height 0.90L 0.58L 0.25L -0.05L -0.28L -0.41L

1:35 PM

1.58L

4:36 PM

1.67H

7:47 7:57 2:08 2:27

PM PM PM PM

1.23L 1.05L 1.62H 1.55H

11:29 PM

1.37H

8:13 PM 8:31 PM

0.86L 0.66L

Time 2:43 PM 3:00 PM 3:16 PM 3:32 PM 3:50 PM 4:06 PM

Height 1.59H 1.52H 1.48H 1.46H 1.47H 1.52H

Time 8:24 PM 8:41 PM 9:13 PM 9:54 PM 10:39 PM 11:25 PM

Height 0.99L 0.71L 0.38L 0.05L -0.22L -0.40L

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 12:06 AM 1:53 AM 3:12 AM 4:23 AM 5:26 AM 6:27 AM 7:36 AM 12:12 AM 1:04 AM 2:04 AM 3:13 AM 4:31 AM 6:02 AM 12:43 AM 2:09 AM

Height 1.37H 1.53H 1.73H 1.94H 2.12H 2.22H 2.24H -0.46L -0.38L -0.21L 0.02L 0.25L 0.46L 1.39H 1.50H

Time 7:21 AM 8:20 AM 9:25 AM 10:40 AM 11:48 AM 12:53 PM

Height 0.38L 0.51L 0.70L 0.92L 1.15L 1.36L

8:51 AM 10:02 AM 11:08 AM 12:16 PM 1:09 PM 1:45 PM 7:18 AM 8:16 AM

2.21H 2.13H 2.02H 1.90H 1.78H 1.66H 0.64L 0.81L

Height 1.21H 1.41H 1.64H 1.88H 2.08H 2.22H 2.28H 2.26H -0.36L -0.23L -0.05 0.16L 0.36L 1.23H 1.36H

Time 6:58 AM 8:08 AM 9:20 AM 10:34 AM 12:00 PM 10:46 PM 11:36 PM

Height 0.32L 0.45L 0.64L 0.85L 1.06L -0.34L -0.41L

9:49 AM 11:04 AM 12:07 PM 12:52 PM 1:20 PM 6:59 AM 8:09 AM

2.19H 2.08H 1.94H 1.79H 1.63H 0.55L 0.74L

Height 0.10L 0.51H 0.56H 0.67H 0.77H -0.15 -0.22L -0.24L -0.21L -0.16L -0.10L -0.03L 0.06L 0.18L 0.44H

Time 6:34 PM 10:46 AM 12:05 PM 11:44 PM

Height 0.55H 0.22L 0.36L -0.02L

10:51 AM 12:27 PM 2:45 PM 3:58 PM 4:45 PM 5:18 PM 5:35 PM 5:37 PM 5:21 PM 9:50 AM

0.84H 0.88H 0.90H 0.90H 0.87H 0.81H 0.73H 0.63H 0.54H 0.32L

Height 0.29L 0.69L 0.54L 0.38L 0.24L 0.14L 0.10L 0.10 0.12L 0.15L 0.18L 0.22L 0.28L 0.38L 0.50L

Time 8:28 PM 4:20 AM 8:19 AM 6:06 PM 5:52 PM 5:22 PM 5:31 PM 6:06 PM 6:49 PM 7:36 PM 8:19 PM 8:50 PM 8:58 PM 7:47 PM 7:07 PM

Height 0.82H 0.71H 0.68H 0.88H 0.98H 1.08H 1.14H 1.16H 1.14H 1.10H 1.05H 0.98H 0.91H 0.84H 0.81H

7:42 7:56 2:12 2:34

PM PM PM PM

1.27L 1.10L 1.56H 1.48H

10:35 PM

1.35H

8:16 PM 8:37 PM

0.91L 0.72L

Time 2:17 PM 2:36 PM 2:52 PM 3:03 PM 3:07 PM

Height 1.63H 1.49H 1.34H 1.23H 1.18H

Time 8:31 PM 8:35 PM 8:55 PM 9:25 PM 10:02 PM

Height 0.95L 0.71L 0.40L 0.10L -0.16L

Time 12:00 AM 01:31 AM 2:47 AM 3:56 AM 5:03 AM 6:10 AM 7:19 AM 8:33 AM 12:32 AM 1:36 AM 2:51 AM 4:16 AM 5:41 AM 12:04 AM 1:38 AM

7:57 PM 1:36 PM 1:47 PM

0.99L 1.48H 1.37H

8:09 PM 8:26 PM

0.80L 0.59L

Time 10:44 PM 5:44 PM 3:18 PM

Height 0.49L 0.43H 0.40H

Time

Height

Port O’Connor Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 9:36 AM 2:03 AM 5:41 AM 7:56 AM 9:30 AM 12:27 AM 1:14 AM 2:06 AM 3:07 AM 4:21 AM 5:41 AM 6:53 AM 7:54 AM 8:51 AM 4:37 AM

Time 12:05 PM 1:54 AM 2:14 AM 2:46 AM 3:26 AM 4:13 AM 5:06 AM 6:05 AM 7:09 AM 8:15 AM 9:20 AM 10:18 AM 11:06 AM 11:47 AM 12:18 PM

San Luis Pass Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 12:05 AM 1:43 AM 3:14 AM 4:34 AM 5:47 AM 6:59 AM 8:18 AM 12:20 AM 1:16 AM 2:18 AM 3:28 AM 4:49 AM 6:17 AM 12:20 AM 1:59 AM

Height 1.03L 0.86L 0.62L 0.36L 0.10L -0.10L -0.21L -0.21L -0.13L -0.01L 0.09L 0.19L 0.29L 0.92L 0.75L

Time 4:14 AM 5:30 AM 6:39 AM 7:54 AM 9:01 AM

Height 1.12H 1.20H 1.30H 1.43H 1.55H

Time 11:59 AM 12:55 PM 1:54 PM 2:52 PM 4:00 PM

Height 0.33L 0.47L 0.66L 0.87L 1.08L

Time 6:39 PM 6:39 PM 6:43 PM 6:50 PM 6:52 PM

Height 1.26H 1.21H 1.18H 1.16H 1.16H

11:06 AM 12:22 PM 1:57 PM 4:57 PM 5:25 PM 5:38 PM 5:48 PM 4:30 AM 5:42 AM

1.67H 1.64H 1.57H 1.52H 1.46H 1.38H 1.29H 1.10H 1.19H

11:40 AM 12:47 PM

0.41L 0.57L

5:58 PM 6:04 PM

1.21H 1.13H

Height 1.09H 1.15H 1.25H 1.37H 1.48H 1.57H 1.62H -0.20L -0.17L -0.07L 0.07L 0.22L 0.37L 1.03H 1.06H

Time 7:48 AM 8:52 AM 9:57 AM 11:09 AM 12:33 PM 11:29 PM

Height 0.39L 0.51L 0.67L 0.85L 1.01L -0.15L

Time 3:13 PM 3:05 PM 3:05 PM 3:14 PM 3:26 PM

Height 1.15H 1.09H 1.07H 1.07H 1.10H

Time 8:57 PM 9:09 PM 9:33 PM 10:06 PM 10:45 PM

Height 0.86L 0.66L 0.42L 0.18L -0.02L

9:45 AM 11:06 AM 12:11 PM 1:03 PM 1:40 PM 2:03 PM 7:36 AM 8:43 AM

1.64H 1.62H 1.56H 1.46H 1.35H 1.23H 0.52L 0.67L

8:15 8:27 2:14 2:19

0.99L 0.88L 1.13H 1.07H

10:17 PM

1.01H

8:48 PM 9:09 PM

0.74L 0.60L

Height 0.08L 0.32H 0.33H 0.34H -0.01L -0.07L -0.10L -0.10L -0.08L -0.06L -0.03L -0.00L 0.03L 0.09L 0.26H

Time 4:59 PM 10:06 AM 10:55 AM 11:45 AM 10:22 AM 3:44 PM 3:26 PM 3:20 PM 3:48 PM 4:19 PM 4:47 PM 5:10 PM 5:19 PM 4:41 PM 9:36 AM

Height 0.32H 0.14L 0.22L 0.30L 0.37H 0.43H 0.46H 0.48H 0.49H 0.48H 0.47H 0.44H 0.39H 0.35H 0.16

Time 10:30 PM 3:57 PM 3:41 PM 3:41 PM 12:33 PM

Height 0.25L 0.31H 0.33H 0.36H 0.37L

10:49 PM 3:28 PM

0.22L 0.34H

Height 0.22L 0.90H 0.96H 1.04H 1.11H 1.16H 1.20H 1.23H -0.34L -0.26L -0.12L 0.05L 0.21L 0.34L 0.78H

Time 2:46 PM 8:24 AM 9:21 AM 10:23 AM 11:31 AM 11:04 PM 11:59 PM

Height 0.79H 0.34L 0.49L 0.66L 0.83L -0.28L -0.34L

Time 8:27 PM 1:42 PM 1:55 PM 2:13 PM 2:30 PM

Height 0.68L 0.77H 0.79H 0.84H 0.91H

12:05 PM 1:38 PM 2:41 PM 3:20 PM 1:30 PM 1:34 PM 8:00 AM

1.21H 1.17H 1.10H 1.00H 0.89H 0.83H 0.47L

8:22 PM 8:31 PM 1:20 PM

0.68L 0.55L 0.81H

Height 0.31L 1.22H 1.37H 1.54H 1.71H 1.82H 1.87H 1.87H -0.42L -0.31L -0.13L 0.08L 0.30L 0.51L 1.03H

Time 2:35 PM 7:57 AM 9:10 AM 10:33 AM 9:44 PM 10:32 PM 11:26 PM

Height 1.21H 0.48L 0.68L 0.90L -0.20L -0.38L -0.45L

Time 8:00 PM 2:15 PM 2:03 PM 1:54 PM

Height 0.98L 1.08H 1.01H 1.01H

10:55 AM 12:03 PM 12:53 PM 1:24 PM 1:34 PM 1:29 PM 7:34 AM

1.84H 1.76H 1.64H 1.49H 1.33H 1.20H 0.71L

8:20 PM 8:10 PM 1:19 PM

0.91L 0.73L 1.12H

PM PM PM PM

Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 9:19 AM 2:56 AM 4:23 AM 5:42 AM 12:08 AM 12:48 AM 1:29 AM 2:14 AM 3:07 AM 4:14 AM 5:35 AM 6:50 AM 7:52 AM 8:45 AM 3:16 AM

Time

Height

10:56 PM 11:30 PM

0.16L 0.07L

3:44 PM

0.40H

10:57 PM

0.15L

Port Aransas

11:02 PM 4:18 PM

0.40L 0.47H

10:38 PM 11:07 PM

10:50 PM

0.33L 0.14L

0.26L

Nueces Bay Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 1:12 AM 1:11 AM 1:22 AM 1:39 AM 2:02 AM 2:29 AM 3:03 AM 3:44 AM 4:43 AM 6:09 AM 7:32 AM 8:58 AM 10:28 AM 12:30 AM 12:45 AM

East Matagorda

Freeport Harbor Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 7:26 AM 12:52 AM 2:16 AM 3:37 AM 4:56 AM 6:28 AM 8:18 AM 10:03 AM 12:53 AM 1:48 AM 2:49 AM 4:04 AM 5:37 AM 6:58 AM 1:29 AM

Time

Height

8:33 PM 8:51 PM 9:25 PM 10:12 PM

0.49L 0.27L 0.04L -0.14L

11:14 PM

0.76H

8:42 PM

0.41L

Time

Height

8:00 PM 8:24 PM 9:00 PM

0.71L 0.39L 0.07L

11:18 PM

0.97H

8:15 PM

0.55L

South Padre Island Time 12:37 PM 12:51 PM

Height

Time

Height

0.42L 0.59L

7:55 PM 6:29 PM

0.77H 0.80H

Date Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 26 Apr 27 Apr 28 Apr 29 Apr 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7

Time 6:45 AM 12:49 AM 2:28 AM 3:54 AM 5:12 AM 6:29 AM 7:55 AM 9:30 AM 12:23 AM 1:24 AM 2:29 AM 3:40 AM 4:58 AM 6:19 AM 1:22 AM

Texas Coast Tides

Height 0.38L 0.49L 0.65 0.85L 1.07L 1.29L 1.67H 2.10H 1.99H 1.90H 1.82H 1.76H 1.69H 0.60L 0.75L

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 23, 2021

Page 17

Fishing shirt trends Continued from page 8

Rockport, are created with the festive Texas Gulf Coast parties that go on after a hard day on the saltwater flats in mind, more than they are for hiding from wary redfish. The Raneys, along with several other functional and fashionable fishing clothing companies exhibited their wares at the Houston Fishing Show which ended April 18.

“I try to create fun styles and colors that I would wear,” Billy Jo Raney said. “They’re slimmer fitting for women, are breathable and SPF 40 synthetic fabrics.”

Reel Wicked was established in 2013, and Raney has owned the brand since 2020. The bright designs and patterns come in kids sizes as well.

Fishing fashion quickly changes to function, thanks to the thinking of Port O’Connor’s FishHide Sportswear’s owner, Bryan Barnard.

“I was wearing an OD [olive drab] green shirt one day, and almost got run over by a boat on the flats,” Barnard said. “He never even saw me from 5 feet away. After trying highway safety vests that scared fish away, “I started thinking, there has to be a way to be seen and blend in.”

Barnard got to work creating his line of shirts based on his needs. His FishHide wading shirts have a safety color stripe that runs from the palm of the hand to under the arm, concealed by fishing with arms down, but creating a bright indicator when you raise your arms.

“You can signal your friends who are wading with you,” he said. “Or you can lift your arms to be seen by boats and when your arms are down, the bright colors are hidden from fish.”

The shirts are SPF 30, have thumb holes, two pockets, a lens cloth, kill switch loop and a builtin sun collar to pull up over your face.

The fishing clothing business has a number of new companies that are blending ethnic themes with classic fish images to create saltwater fishing clothes with a wide Texas appeal.

Capt. David Teran and his wife, Mardi, founded Prime Gancho clothing, and his popular designs, based on the cards used in the Hispanic game, “Loteria,” came to him after a day of fishing on the salt.

“It was the end of the day, I was looking forward to coming back in and playing Loteria with my friends, and as I was looking at the cards, I realized they were a good starting point for fish art,” he said.

At the end of 2020, Teran pre-sold his first shirts based on the designs, and expected mostly his friends to buy them, but the response was so big, he invested in more inventory and started selling in bigger quantities.

“We use breathable synthetics and the printing is dye-sub so that the artwork actually sinks into the fabric, and doesn’t lay on top, cutting off air circulation,” he said.

Dagon fishing apparel, owned by Corby Robertson and established in 2016, is known for its fit and finish.

“We spend a lot of time thinking about how to make the clothing function for the fisherman,” Robertson said. “A more athletic fit is important, and we spend time thinking about pockets and access to pockets. We can spend a year working on a design — from the time we have the concept, to the time it goes into production.”

The newest Texas fishing apparel business, Mi Vida Costa, 3 days old at the time of the convention, is owned by Jesse Rodriguez and Joe Martinez. The two sell graphic shirts designed by Rodriguez, who spent many years doing graphic designs for Fortune 500 companies, then decided to switch gears and design his own line of coastal clothing based on graphics and unique lettering.

“Business has been great, we’re selling out of some styles,” Rodriguez said.

From style to function, the fashion landscape of fishing clothing is experiencing major changes that offer just about any fisherman or woman clothing that will fit a particular need or make a style statement. Texas fishing apparel companies are experiencing growing sales and expect the trend to continue as more Texans rediscover of fishing and recreation along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Above, Suzie Leighton, Reel Wicked Apparel’s marketing manager, shows new colors and styles of fishing shirts. Below, Capt. David Teran, owner of Prime Gancho, shows two technical fishing shirts designed with hardcore fishermen in mind. Photos by Shannon Drawe, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

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April 23, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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INDUSTRY

LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER

Marketing director position at Benelli

Solution on Page 22

Leupold sells Redfield

Benelli USA is seeking a director of marketing to expand its department.

Lyman founder dies

Fischer named sales VP

James F. “Mace” Thompson, the founder of Lyman Products Corp, died April 3 at the age of 79.

Arcus Hunting appointed JohnPaul (JP) Fischer to vice president of sales.

DU names brand officer

Two RMEF positions

Doug Barnes was named the chief brand officer of Ducks Unlimited. Barnes will develop and execute DU’s communications and marketing activities.

New head at UTS Bob Plaschke was named chief executive officer of United Tactical Systems.

MDF position

DOWN 1. Prevailing wind along Texas coast 2. An East Texas river 3. State in Prairie Pothole Region 6. A Texas lake with redfish 8. The poor-tempered furbearer 9. A catfish bait (two words) 10. Wear on the turkey hunt 11. The top alligator state 13. A Trans-Pecos county 14. A safari destination 15. An ammo brand 17. A salmon species 19. The young tom 22. A crab-eating coastal fish (two words) 24. State with Merriam’s turkeys (two words) 26. A shotshell brand 27. A turkey’s defense mechanism 28. Slang for the crappie (two words) 31. One of the oaks 32. Cousin of the redfish, used for bait 33. Maker of choke tubes 34. An archery-only county for deer 36. The male elk 38. A food plot grain

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is seeking candidates for regional director positions in Northern California and Nevada.

Agency for BuckStik Providence Marketing Group was named BuckStik’s marketing agency of record.

Chapuis acquired by Benelli Benelli USA acquired French shotgun and rifle manufacturer Chapuis. Current Uberti USA Brand Manager Tom Leoni will oversee the Chapuis USA brand.

The Mule Deer Foundation is seeking a regional director for the state of California.

ACROSS 4. The goose’s sound 5. A tuna species 7. A bow manufacturer 8. TDHA’s annual dove contest 9. A reel manufacturer 12. A bass boat brand 16. An African game species 18. A falcon species in Texas 20. Harlingen’s county 21. The gobbler’s weapons 23. Gobblers with the group, ____ up 25. A shark species 29. Crappie anglers cast under these 30. A good crappie lake 32. A West Texas river 33. Name for the catfish whiskers 35. Bait for black drum 37. A mule deer hunter’s org.

39. A jig manufacturer 40. A rod manufacturer

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., sold the Redfield brand to Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News

FOR THE TABLE

*email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Grilled marinated tuna with herb butter Herb Butter 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 tbsps. minced green onion, including tops 2 tbsps. minced fresh parsley 1 tbsp. minced fresh tarragon

Tuna Steaks 8 tuna steaks 1/2 cup canola oil 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. lemon zest 1/2 tsp. minced fresh garlic 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

In small bowl, combine margarine, mustard, onion, parsley and tarragon. Set aside for flavors to blend.

Prepare herb butter as outlined above and set aside. In a small bowl, combine oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, zest, garlic and pepper, reserve 1/3 cup. Place tuna steaks in a single

layer in a shallow baking dish. Pour remaining marinade over them.

Marinate in the refrigerator for 45 minutes, turning once. Place steaks in a well-greased hinged wire grill.

Cook about 4 inches from heat until done on one side, about 6 minutes. Baste top side with reserved marinade and turn. Cook until done, about 6 minutes. Place on serving dish and spread with herb butter.

—Mariner’s Menu, courtesy of North Carolina Sea Grant

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Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2021 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 23, 2021

Page 19

Plantings for deer Continued from page 4

few months’ time.”

What did they find?

“The deer didn’t continuously select a certain forage,” Dykes said. “The plants’ nutrient compositions changed with each trial as they grew and matured and deer changed selection of plants based on their need to avoid or seek out specific nutrients.”

Plants thriving on the ranch also affect what the deer will select from a food plot.

“The availability of certain nutrients in the naturally occurring plants affect which food plot forages deer may favor, or avoid, and

this depends on the time of year, and from place to place,” Dykes said.

The deer selected forages based on what nutrients they needed.

“There’s no perfect forage,” Dykes said. “Deer nutritional requirements are a moving target.

The only way to meet the demand of the animal is to give them the ability to choose. They mix and match forages depending on what nutrients they need. Different life events such as fawning can change a deer’s nutritional needs.

Also, all properties offer different compositions of nutrients in the

naturally occurring forage.”

His recommendation?

“Put a buffet out there,” Dykes said. “With diversity, deer can pick and choose what they need.

Give the animals a chance to choose.”

Just as importantly is managing the habitat on the ranch.

“Manage your property to reach its full potential. Promote diversity and enable deer to select what they need. Then supplement with food plots,” Dykes said.

In a separate experiment, some forage plots received fertilizer and those plants increased in phos-

phorus concentration. Deer responded by selecting those plants over plants that did not receive fertilizer.

“The deer were selecting plants with increased phosphorus concentration which we created by amending the soil. This likely indicates our soil was deficient in phosphorus,” Dykes said.

What does that mean for your ranch?

“Get the soil tested,” Dykes said. “The test will cost you about $10. The test results will have recommendations on how to amend the soil — they will tell you exact-

ly what to do. Amending the soil will help your food plots reach their full potential.”

As an example, Dykes gave a possible mix that could work in much of Texas.

“Use a mixture of cereal grains, clovers and brassicas to provide a diverse mix of nutrients and extend the life of your food plot,” he said. “Mother Nature can’t be controlled but by following a few simple steps you can do your part to increase chances for a successful food plot.”

Chasing reds Continued from page 8

or 1-ounce jig head to keep my lures on the bottom and on top of the shell where the fish are staging,” McKinley said.

“The best action has been occurring at the tail end of the outgoing tide.”

Galveston Bay tournament angler Jacob Sumney has been encountering pods of upper-slot reds in marshes and back lakes.

“Mud boils and nervous looking baitfish scurrying across the surface have been the signs of where the redfish have been concentrating,” Sumney said. “The fish have been somewhat finicky, and I’ve been catching more on soft plastics rigged on a rattling jig head. Soft plastics rigged under a popping cork also have been working pretty well, especially when I haven’t been able to sight cast to any fish due to poor visibility from cloud cover.”

Houston resident Adam LaFleur took his 7-year-old son, Colin, on his first saltwater fishing trip with Sabine Lake guide Capt. Randy Foreman, and the youngster landed several keeper-sized redfish all on his own.

“The morning started off with a pretty steady bite, and then there was a lull in the action during the mid-morning hours,” LaFleur said. “The action picked up again later on, and my son had a blast catching redfish for most of the day.

There were definitely a lot of memories made on this trip.”

Foreman said the father-son duo found the best action while using live shrimp under a popping cork along the banks of the ICW on the west side of Sabine Lake.

Capt. Chris Phillips said he recently started seeing large schools of redfish cruising the open waters of Sabine.

“These reds have been showing up during the midday hours when the winds are light, about a mile or so off of the Louisiana shoreline out in front of Johnson’s Bayou in the mid-lake region,” Phillips said. “A lot of these fish have been oversized, stretching to 30 inches or more.”

The Louisiana shoreline has also been holding plenty of reds.

“Areas near the mouths of bayous and stretches of bank with oyster shell or clam shell have been loaded,” Phillips said. “Top-water baits, soft plastics and live shrimp have all been producing strikes.”

Allen Parker said there are hoards of redfish feeding along the rocks of the Sabine Pass jetties.

“A lot of the reds at the jetties are staging right up against the rocks,” Parker said. “There are quite a few bull reds out there and catching one in the slot can be somewhat difficult.”

Big tuna

Gigging flatfish

Continued from page 8

Continued from page 9

Colin LaFleur, 7, landed his first redfish while fishing with his dad and Capt. Randy Foreman in the ICW near Sabine Lake.

Photo by Randy Foreman.

Construction by the river Continued from page 9

Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News

Photo from Fisherman’s Wharf

“It’s tough to beat a live bait when you are targeting bluefin tuna and blue marlin,” said Drummond. “The odds of catching one of these big fish goes way up with live bait. The best times to be out there for bluefin is April through May. That’s when they are spawning.

When we hooked this bluefin we were trolling at 2.5 miles per hour.”

One problem with catching gigantic fish is getting them in the boat. They had this one gaffed, and then got it on a tail rope, but still couldn’t get it into the boat. It took all hands on deck to get it in. Then the bluefin wouldn’t fit into a fish bag, so the crew used a blanket to cover the iced-down trophy for the long ride home.

accordingly. Too much wind will muddy up stretches of shoreline that were recently holding easy limits.

“Flounder will move out to deeper water during the day, then move back up shallow as the sun sets,” Harvey said. “That’s where they will be feeding on glass minnows and mullet. With a high tide they will move up into the marsh grass to feed. On a recent trip, I set up on the bay side of Blackberry Island and we had limits within a couple of hours.”

Harvey looks for clear water at drains, with sand, mud or shell.

Some of the best areas on a falling tide is a drain at the mouth of a bayou or the entrance to one of the backwater lakes like Contee or Pringle.

He likes to leave the dock at

sunset, run to a chosen area and set up just as it’s beginning to get dark.

“When I turn on the lights and set my customers up with gigs on the bow of the boat they really get pumped up,” he said. “We’ll usually get a limit in three to four hours. After about 2 or 3 a.m. they start to get tired, especially the kids. That’s when we’ll head back in.”

Harvey said his customers can gig black drum, sheepshead and scoop up blue crabs.

“The kids really get into it,” he said. “The water is usually crystal clear and they get to see all sorts of marine life. During the summer months, it’s cool on the water and nobody gets too hot. They just have a good time and look forward to the next trip out.”

The arborist said the wooded parcels of inflow made the waters clear.

“Hence the name “Clear” Fork of the Trinity,” he said.

Clemons contends a high concentration of large trees clarified the water in a shallow area of the Trinity that is 2- to 3-feet deep. Clemons said when the water clarity goes away, the Acme Hole downriver, where the Tarrant Regional Water District’s Flyfest competitions have been held each year, will be affected.

Some of the trees removed had historical significance.

“That is a black walnut, one of the few that was not pirated in the 1960s and ’70s, and it was here during the Civil War,” he said while pointing to a large, downed tree.

Hines Waterside, LLC has a planned shopping center on the site next to the oxbow and worked with the City of Fort Worth, including providing drainage and flood studies as well as erosion and sediment control plans before receiving a grading permit allowing for tree clearing.

Clemons, though, is concerned. At the edge of the construction site, only two 10-foot trees remain. One tree stump was so large it appeared the dozers were having trouble moving it.

“What’s going to happen now, aside from all that wildlife they’ve displaced, is the sediment will hit this waterway, it will fill in with silt, and will be totally mudded in by 2024,” he said.

Page 20

April 23, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

NATIONAL

Pigs in the dark Continued from page 5

primary optic is an Accufire Technology 2.5-20x FFP rifle scope with a 34mm tube on an American Defense 34mm QD mount. He uses a thermal clip-on that is an Accufire Incendis. The silencer is a Sig Sauer SRD 762 Ti QD. “That particular rifle is a very capable precision hunting setup,” Fernandez said. “I am able to obtain a precise zero with the regular optical rifle scope, and with the clip-on thermal unit it essentially converts the scope to a thermal scope. This provides a huge advantage to a stand-alone thermal scope, in which the precision of your zero is limited to the resolution of the sensor of your particular thermal unit. Though not ideal, with a stand-alone thermal unit I am typically satisfied with a deadon shot at 100 yards. With a clip on thermal, and the ability to obtain a zero like a regular day at the range, I can use my daytime scope until it gets dark and just put the clip on when needed due to having an integrated mount. It also doubles as a spotting monocular.”

As hogs continue to grow in numbers, and as they learn more about human activity (and how to avoid it), it only makes sense that Fernandez’ tools also get smarter.

“A few years ago, I invested in my first night vision scope,” he said. “No pun intended, it truly was a day and night change, as I quickly learned how much activity I had been completely unaware of at night. Roughly a year and a half ago, I then moved into thermal territory.

I would say the switch to thermal was just as much of a change.”

LSONews.com

NORTH DAKOTA

Bighorn numbers up North Dakota’s bighorn sheep population was up 11 percent from 2019 and 13 percent above the 5-year average, the Game and Fish Department said in reporting results from its 2020 bighorn sheep survey.

The survey, which is completed by recounting lambs in March, tallied a record 322 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota, surpassing the previous record of 313 bighorns in 2008.

Biologists counted 97 rams, 170 ewes and 55 lambs. Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and bighorns recently introduced to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

—NDGFD

LOUISIANA

Three springtime deer poachers caught Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News

Fernandez likes the advantage of having both systems.

“Night vision has its purpose,” he said. “It retains significantly more detail and resolution than thermal does.

It is much easier to identify your target with night vision, which can really help with making sure it’s a coyote and not a neighbor’s loose dog in your field, or a calf and not a hog at distance. But with night vision you must know where to be looking, whereas thermal is as simple as a quick scan and anything living will quite literally be highlighted for you.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three Slidell men on April 16 for allegedly taking a deer during a closed season.

Agents cited Dalton S. Bond, 18, Evan A. Cedotal, 19, and Kandencelee Morse, 18, for taking a deer during a closed season and from a public road. Agents received information about shots that were fired off of Davis Landing Road. The complainant observed three young men in a truck retrieving and loading up a deer into the bed of a pickup truck.

Agents were able to identify and make contact with the three men and they admitted to taking an antlerless deer from the road. Agents seized the deer meat and a .45 caliber Glock 41 pistol.

Taking deer during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting from a public road carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. The men may also face civil restitution totaling $1,624.

—LDWF

TENNESSEE

All-girls DU high school chapter The St. Agnes Academy Ducks Unlimited Varsity Program chapter is unique. One of many high school chapters across the country, it is the only all-girls committee.

“These young ladies continuously exceed all my expectations,” says DU Regional Director Jimbo Robinson. “They have a passion for the outdoors, and they embrace the opportunity to be leaders in conservation and pave the way for other women who want to make a difference.”

The committee raised more than $15,000 and had more than 120 attendees at its spring event in 2019. With the help of another local chapter, a unique item was added to the committee’s live auction: a DU T-shirt and flag signed by Taylor Swift.

“I hope that being the only all-girls high school chapter will motivate others to be involved in DU,” said St. Agnes Area Chair Sophie Cervetti. “I want other girls around the country to look at our chapter as a leading example and a role model for future all-girls chapters.”

—DU

NEW YORK

Survey shows Second Amendment support A new survey by McLaughlin & Associates, a polling firm based in Blauvelt, New York, showed overwhelming public support for the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, and a clear majority belief that more gun control laws would not have prevented recent mass shootings.

According to the survey results, 52.2 percent of the public thinks better enforcement of existing gun laws is the right approach to reducing violent crime, and 55.5 percent want politicians to focus on current laws rather than enact more laws. Also, 58.1 percent of Americans believe any proposed firearm policies should be debated and enacted through a democratic process, while only 31 percent think the president should enact policy by executive order.

—Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation

WYOMING

Pronghorn licenses reduced The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is proposing to reduce antelope license quotas for the 2021 hunting season. In many hunt areas, the proposals cut the quota due to impacts from persistent drought conditions and the record-breaking 2021 spring blizzard. The license reductions should be short-term, according to wildlife managers who believe the conservative proposals for each herd will stabilize pronghorn populations and allow them to bounce back.

Fluctuations of the number of pronghorn licenses Game and Fish offers is not uncommon, said Doug Brimeyer, Game and Fish deputy chief of wildlife. In 2019, Game and Fish increased quota by 3,400 licenses; in 2020, the number was reduced by 6,675.

For the 2021 season, managers are recommending a reduction of 3,650 any-antelope licenses and 5,775 doe/fawn licenses.

Brimeyer said this year’s reductions are due to environmental conditions. Over the last several years, Wyoming has experienced below average precipitation levels in the spring and summer time, when it is most crucial for greening up shrubs, forbs and grasses, the primary food sources for antelope.

—WGFD

IDAHO

Snake River named most endangered American Rivers named the Snake River America’s No. 1 Most Endangered River of 2021, pointing to perilously low returns of Snake River salmon and steelhead.

Once the largest salmon producer in the Columbia River Basin, Snake River salmon and steelhead runs are at the brink of extinction.

Removing four dams on the lower Snake River in eastern Washington has been proposed. It is estimated that by 2080 the Snake River Basin will provide two-thirds of the coldest, most climate resilient stream habitats for salmon and steelhead in the contiguous United States. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) has proposed a $33.5 billion framework to remove the dams, recover salmon and steelhead and revitalize the region’s infrastructure and economy.

“Over the last 40 years, we have tried every other solution, including spill, hatcheries, barging and predator control,” Greg McReynolds, the Northwest region director for Trout Unlimited said. “Despite all this, our salmon and steelhead numbers continue to fall.”

The Snake River is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, flowing more than 1,000 miles from its headwaters in Wyoming to the confluence with the Columbia at the Tri-Cities in Washington. The lower four Snake River dams do not provide any flood control and they generate only 1,000 megawatts of electricity per year, mostly during spring runoff when the power is not needed.

—American Rivers

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

PRODUCTS

April 23, 2021

DATEBOOK APRIL 29

>>

ULTRATREK HOODIE FISHING SHIRT: Pelagic Inc.’s fishing shirt for women offers a UPC 50 plus rating for sun protection for those long sunny days on the water. It is made from a comfortable four-way stretch fabric that drys fast and repels stains and water.

Available in nine colors and small to extra large sizes, it costs $59.

HOUSTONIAN HOTEL 2nd Annual Outdoors Dinner Grande Ballroom of the Houstonian Hotel Celebrations@Houstonian.com houstonian.com OUTDOORS TOMORROW FOUNDATION Benefit Concert and Auction Gilley’s Dallas (817) 410-5054 gootf.org PORTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Anchor Management Fishing Tournament Joe Burke Pavilion Portland (361) 777-4650 business.portlandtx.org

MAY 1

STEWARDS OF THE WILD DALLAS Crawfish Boil Tailwaters Dallas facebook.com/StewardsoftheWildDallas

MAY 5

ALLEN DUCKS UNLIMITED Cinco de Mayo on the Bayou Two Rows Allen ducks.org

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION South Plains Banquet Four Bar K, Lubbock rmef.org

MAY 8

MAY 20

APRIL 30- MAY 1

BOYSVILLE INAUGURAL FIESTA CLAY SHOOT Joshua Creek Ranch (210) 262-6298 boysvilletexas.org

>>

MAY 7

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION Houston Banquet (281) 389-0488 rmef.org

APRIL 30

TIME & MOTION EASY-RIDER TURKEY VEST: This lightweight vest by Drake Waterfowl is designed for turkey hunters. With a quick-draw slate call pouch, three quickdraw Magnattach striker sleeves, call box pouches, easy-access mesh mouth call pockets, a blood-proof rear game bag, and about 17 built-in pockets, this vest can carry a ton of gear. It also includes a padded rear seat cushion for those long waits for a gobbler. The vest costs about $130.

Page 21

NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION LoneStar Longbeards Banquet Brazos Expo Center, Bryan (979) 219-0286 nwtf.org

MAY 21-23

GALVESTON COUNTY FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPO Galveston County Fair & Rodeo Grounds Hitchcock gotfishexpo.com

MAY 22

WHITETAILS UNLIMITED Blackland Prairie Deer Camp I.O.O.F. Event Center, Corsicana whitetailsunlimited.com

JUNE 3

PARK CITIES QUAIL COALITION Dinner and Auction Armstrong Fieldhouse, SMU parkcitiesquail.org

JUNE 11-12

PORT MANSFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Kayak Kick-off Fishing Tournament portmansfieldchamber.com

MAY 6

JUNE 25-27

DUCKS UNLIMITED Fredericksburg Dinner The Barn at Swallows Eve (830) 456-2256 ducks.org

DUCKS UNLIMITED DUX: Ducks Unlimited Expo Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth duckexpo.com

>>

Submit turkey records online

BAT MASTERSON COLT: Cimarron Firearms describes its army-style, singleaction, laser-engraved Frontier .45 Colt pistol as fancy on the outside and all business on the inside. The 5.5-inch pistol pays homage to Old West legend Bat Masterson and his favorite firearm, and this replica offers such details as the elegant engraved pattern, three-line patent date, and squared-off front sight. Equally at home as a hunting sidearm or collector’s piece, it costs about $975.

GUNSITE COUNTER POINT 1 FOLDING KNIFE: Cold Steel’s new folding knife, with the Gunsite Raven logo across its blade, is built around a secure and safe Tri-Ad locking mechanism.

It offers a four-inch stiletto-inspired spear point blade. Made of 3.5-mm thick stainless steel alloy, the knife is corrosion-resistant. It also has an integrated thumb stud for smooth and quick blade deployment and a “GrivEx’’ handle that offers a secure grip even with wet hands. It costs about $130.

>>

Applications for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wild Turkey Records Program can now be submitted digitally.

The program began in 1982 and has accumulated more than 27,000 registered birds.

NWTF members will be able to record their bird’s beard length, weight and spur size on the online form. Once approved, a score will be awarded, and the turkey will be accounted for on NWTF’s interactive map, allowing individuals to see how their wild turkey ranks among others in their county, state and throughout the country. It also allows users to search for the highest-scoring turkeys ever registered.

“The NWTF Wild Turkey Records Program houses some of the greatest birds ever harvested,” NWTF Chief Information Officer Jason Burckhalter said. “We are excited to streamline the submission process. We also recognize some folks prefer the traditional submission process, and we will continue to accommodate them.”

For those seeking to complete any of the Wild Turkey Slams, birds must be registered through the program.

—NWTF

*CHECK

TPWD

FOR

ADDITIONAL

REGULATIONS

AND

SPRING TURKEY HUNTING SEASON DATES 2021

>>

FINESSE EYEZ JIGHEAD: The precisely balanced and sleekly sculpted anatomy of Z-Man’s jighead will accommodate an angler’s favorite ElaZtech soft plastic baitfish. The pairing will provide a compelling strike target for predatory gamefish, who will be attracted by its oversized white-to-black eyes and the buoyant way it rides the water. The jig’s contours include a grooved chin that adds balance and stability while channeling waterflow and keeping it tracking true at all retrieve speeds. Its concave underside and refined “wings” make it glide slightly as it descends. Equipped with 1/0 or 3/0 black nickel hooks in 1/12-, 1/8-, 3/16-, 1/4- and 3/8-ounce weights and four colors, the jighead costs about $6 per three-pack.

ElaZtech soft plastic lures are sold separately.

rio grande turkey | north zone April 3 - May 16

rio grande turkey | south zone Mar. 20 - May 2

One-turkey counties Apr. 1-30

EASTERN turkey | East Texas

Apr. 22 - May 14

YOUTH-ONLY | NORTH zone YOUTH-ONLY | SOUTH zone Mar. 27-28 & May 22-23

Mar. 13-14 & May 8-9

BAG

LIMITS

Page 22

April 23, 2021

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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QUAIL HUNTING

Guided-Self Guided-Training 700 yard RANGE PoetryShootingClub.com (214) 728-2755 QUAIL LEASE ALL SEASON

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Feeders feed at noon.

After trophy buck slots filled, all day.

17 miles East of Matador 16,600 acres S side of Pease River 3 spots - 2 guest privileges - $5,066 3-bedroom house, fully furnished, sleeps 8 Buy-In - $2,352.95. If you get off the lease, you lose the house Buy-In. Dog pens (817) 296-3427

TDHA - JOIN TODAY Texas Dove Hunters Association TexasDoveHunters.com (210) 764-1189

EXOTICS + WHITETAIL Several species Trophy and meat hunts Owner guided Very reasonable Let’s have fun!

(325) 475-2100 ANTLERS WANTED Buying all species, all conditions.

Looking for large quantities Call Del (830) 997-2263 DUVAL COUNTY South Texas Dove Hunting 65 acres, Lodging RV Power Available Huntershilton.com for more info (361) 244-0544 or (361) 443-9330 ARGENTINA DOVE SHOOTING 5 Star Lodge – Hosted by Owner 4 Days/3 Nts/6 Shoots - $1320/person (972) 769-8866

NEED ARCHERY RANGE? www.TexasArchery.info

AXIS HIDES Tanned axis hides Axis pillows gbroach@ktc.com (830) 896-6996

$1

ARGENTINA DUCK HUNTING Lots of Birds!!! Hosted by Owner Partridge & Dove Shoots Included 5 Days/4 Nts/8 Shoots - $4250 Includes everything but shells and tips dagaradventures.com (972) 769-8866 SASKATCHEWAN WATERFOWL & UPLAND HUNTING

Come and experience some of the world’s best waterfowl and upland hunting.

We offer ducks, snow geese, dark geese and cranes with the added experience of partridge, sharptail and pheasants.

Fully guided experience with private lakeside lodge and catered meals.

Offering 3/4/5/6 day hunts available.

Call Woody at (306) 450-5904 QUAIL AND CHUKAR HUNT Year round near San Antonio $300 guaranteed limit opportunity texasuplandoutfitters.com (830) 584-3334 WANTED Old Fishing Tackle, Hunting Gear & Ammo Boxes (512) 366-2474

FISHING BAFFIN BAY ADVENTURE Offshore, Nearshore Fishing and Bay fishing at its best! Come enjoy the beauty of Baffin Bay and surrounding areas. Reasonable prices and family oriented!

(361) 371-1857 BAY FISHING 6 Hour Trip from $275 Port Isabel, TX (956) 551-1965

JOBS LEARN TO BECOME AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER https:onlinemediatraining.now.site PART-TIME DELIVERY JOB 2 days a month Text Paul (361) 877-6028

REAL ESTATE/ LEASE

STOCKERBUCK.COM Call now to order Texas Trophy Bred does and stockerbucks or check us out online at stockerbuck.com Call Jay (505) 681-5210

CLASSIFIEDS (PER WORD)

STILL HAVE “HIP POCKET” LISTINGS In Brown and Coleman counties tom@txsportingproperties.com Call honest Tom (214) 207-8871

ADD A PHOTO/LOGO $25 ALL BOLD LETTERS $15 2 ISSUE MINIMUM

HUNTING CABIN BROOKESMITH Located about halfway between Brownwood and Brady on bluff overlooking 275 feet of clear creek is this sturdy 3bdr house, a metal roof, secure 2 car garage and outdoor storage buildings on two large lots in this safe and sleepy town. Asking $30K. Also ask about my “hip pocket listings” those properties not yet to market that include hunting ranches from 100 to 2,500 acres.

Broker # 434919 (214) 207-8871 BUILD YOUR PERFECT WEEKEND ESCAPE 2 Acres Whitney, near lake $10,000 (210) 607-0483 RANCH FOR SALE $665,000 - 2000 acres Coahuila, Mexico Big Deer, Quail, Water, Houses Beautiful Sierra Madre Valley (504) 236-8069

VEHICLES HUNTING JEEP 1995 Wrangler 4.0L, 6 Cylinder, Fully Loaded Many Extras, Automatic Transmission Winch and New Tires (361) 541-8420 WE BUY CARS, TRUCKS, SUVS, CARGO VANS Running or not We pay cash, pick up same day Call Rickie (281) 610-2858

2 EASY OPTIONS: CALL THE OFFICE (214) 361-2276, OR E-MAIL: LSONACCT@GMAIL.COM

July 10-14, 2021

Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation Sinton, TX Apply by May 1, 2021 wildlifecampdirector@gmail.com

For more information visit: www.wildlifecamptx.org

FIELDPRO Puzzle solution from Page 18

Complete Feeders • Digital Timers • Solar Panels

For More Information Call or Contact Us fieldprofeeders@coxinet.net

800-330-0017

www.fieldprofeeders.com

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 23, 2021

Page 23

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

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