March 22, 2013 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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March 22, 2013

Bass bonanza TX high school anglers compete.

Faircloth wins B.A.S.S.

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

March 22, 2013

Volume 9, Issue 15

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South Zone toms responding quietly to calls

Inside

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

The big toms were out there for many opening weekend South Zone hunters, but lots of hunters complained about henned-up

❘❚ HUNTING

birds or toms that wouldn’t respond to calling.

“Well, the birds were there in full force,” said Junction hunter Rob Lawson. “Loud gobbles in the morning, but we could not get responses to our

SLEEP-IN: Hunters had a tough time calling toms during the morning hunts on opening weekend of the spring turkey season. Photo by LSON.

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call. I'm guessing they were pretty henned-up — when we finally saw them, there were 20 hens to one tom.”

Reports of afternoon activity and better hunting after lunch were heard from several hunters throughout See TOMS, Page 17

Ammo shortages will affect hunters this year.

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Filling the void Trinity Oaks Foundation helping needy groups with venison.

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Spring break moments

Gone too soon Greg Rodriguez, well-known Texas hunter, TV host, killed in Montana.

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❘❚ FISHING

Preserving rigs Artificial Reef Program working to save old rigs, ecosystems.

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Copper blades Redfish anglers like the flash of the hardto-find color.

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❘❚ CONTENTS

Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

Freshwater Fishing Report For the Table. . . . . . .

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes. . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook . . . .

Outdoor Business . . . .

Products . . . . . . . . .

Saltwater Fishing Report .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

Page 28 Page 21 Page 10 Page 21 Page 12 Page 22 Page 26 Page 24 Page 28 Page 14 Page 21

I’VE GOT 'EM: This is what 7-year-old Andy Hampton shouted as he reached out to net a black drum for his bother Ashton, 8, during a spring break fishing trip with their grandfather, Alan Skrobarcek, last week near Rockport. The two boys have learned well from the seasoned fishing guide and begged him to take them out after his daily fishing trips. The bite for drum and reds was very good right at sundown on dead shrimp and crabs. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Anglers chasing speckled trout Midcoast bite inconsistent

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By Jacob Longoria

By Jacob Longoria

Lone Star outdoor newS

NET THIS: Good trout have been caught over soft muddy bottoms on cloudy, windy days. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Bassers waiting for full moon Lone Star outdoor newS

The month of March produced a streak of cold fronts that made for a tricky trout bite along the midcoast.

“It hasn’t been spectacular,” said Rockport Capt. Tommy Barnard. “We need less fronts and higher temperatures.”

Barnard said he has seen better days on the water than what the past few weeks have produced. One day the wind is in his favor and the next few days the wind picks up again.

But Barnard works around the weather to find his trout. When he can find days with favorSee TROUT, Page 17

Texas anglers are watching the moon and waiting for bass to make their run into the shallow beds.

On Lake Palestine, anglers are waiting for the largemouth bass to start their spawn.

Guide Tom Mayne found prespawn bass biting in shallow water up to 6 feet deep on soft plastics and creature baits. The water temperature See BASS, Page 23

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March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

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HUNTING

Well-known Texas hunter Gregory Rodriguez killed in Montana

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Photo by HSC.

The Texas hunting community lost one of its members recently when Sugar Land hunter, and host of the Sportsman Channel show “A Rifleman’s Journal,” Gregory Rodriguez, 43, was shot and killed by 41-year-old Wayne Bengston in northwest Montana.

Rodriguez was a past president and current board member of Houston Safari Club.

W. Gene Human, HSC's current president, expressed the organization's sadness.

“Greg was one of our board members and a friend to all of us," Human said. "He'll be sorely missed and we wish nothing but the best for Lisa (his wife) and the kids."

Rodriguez was the winner of the 2013 Houston Safari Club International Hunter of the Year.

Besides appearing on TV, Rodriguez was the founder and CEO of Global Adventure Outfitters. He also was an editor at Shooting Times Magazine and a contributing editor at Petersen's Hunting, Guns & Ammo and Dangerous Game.

According to police reports,

Rodriguez was visiting Bengston's wife, with whom he had met at a trade show and had a business relationship with. After killing Rodriguez, Bengston then beat his wife, took his 2-year-old son to a relative’s house and drove to his home about 25 miles away in West Glacier, where he killed himself, Whitefish police said.

See RODRIGUEZ, Page 16

No end in sight Ammo shortages continue, may reach popular hunting calibers

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News

SKINNING FOR A CAUSE: Chuck Byrge, plant manager for Trinity Oaks Foundation, helps process a deer that will go to dozens of organizations and people helping to feed the less fortunate. Photo by Craig Nyhus, LSON.

A mission to serve

Ammunition buyers are finding themselves looking at a lot of empty shelves.

Reasonable supplies of most of the popular hunting calibers exist for now, but some varmint hunters, along with .223 and .22 shooters, are scrambling. Big box retailers are limiting amounts than can be purchased — if customers can find any at all.

And there does not appear to be an end in sight, to the point where manufacturers are recommending you buy your hunting ammo now, even though you may not need it until fall.

A recent trip to Bass Pro Shops showed a distinct dividing line between the AR (.223) and .22 area and the more traditional hunting calibers, like 30.06, 7mm-08 and .300 Win Mag. Sufficient supplies of the larger caliber bullets lined the shelves, while a search for .22, .223 and .308 came up empty. The .243 and .270 bullets were in supply, but weren’t as ample.

“It’s like Black Friday madness every day of the week,” said Phil Lamb of Dallas. “I’ve been looking for a 60-grain, .223 round designed for shooting feral hogs and varmints.

I was able to find it last year but this year, I can’t find it stocked anywhere.”

At Cabela’s in Allen, 75 customers waited for the doors to open one weekday, hoping more of their favorite caliber had been received.

“Usually, they go home emptyhanded,” Lamb said.

Handgunners are having little luck finding ammo for practice or Concealed Handgun License courses.

One Grapevine resident is scheduled for his CHL course next month, but has been looking for weeks for either 9mm or .45 caliber bullets, and is worried he won’t find the ammo needed

to complete the course. Shooting teams are scrambling to find bullets for practice and their events.

Should hunters be concerned about finding ammunition for next hunting season?

Yes, said Fiocchi Marketing Director David Shaw.

“We are sold out for 2013 of everything,” he said. “That’s what’s happening with the other companies as well. We’re producing like crazy, but as it is produced it is shipped.

We’re sold out for rimfire and centerfire rifles; we’re even sold out of bullets for cowboy guns.”

Shaw attributes much of the problem to people buying and holding ammo.

“People are hoarding,” he said.

“They are buying ammo they don’t even have the guns for.”

Attendants at gun shows are seeing the result with available ammo, especially .22 and .243, priced sky high.

“Prices are going up, not from the manufacturers,” Shaw said. “People are buying at retail and reselling.”

Hornady issued a press release addressing the rumors regarding available ammo.

“We’ve been steadily growing our production for a long time, especially the last five years,” the release said. “We’ve added presses, lathes, CNC equipment, people and space.

“We are producing as much as we can; much more than last year, which was a lot more than the year before, etc.”

Both Fiocchi and Hornady said they don’t know when things will get better.

“We don’t know when the situation will improve, so please bear with us a little longer,” Horady’s release said.

At Fiocchi, “we’re thinking about 2014,” Shaw said.

Processor feeds thousands at no charge

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Retired U.S. Army sergeant Chuck Byrge overheard Tom Snyder during a conversation after church one Sunday more than three years ago, and the result has improved the lives of thousands of South Texas and northern Mexico residents.

“I overheard him talking about processing meat to give away,” Byrge said. “I said out of

hand, why don’t you let me do your processing?”

Snyder agreed.

“We were doing youth hunts and ended up paying for all of the processing,” he said. “Chuck told me, ‘Why are you paying for it, we can do it ourselves?’”

That began Trinity Oaks Foundation’s meat processing efforts.

“We had one small walk-in cooler,” Byrge said. “And we made a meat room out of a

workout room that his employees weren’t using.”

The foundation, started by Snyder and his wife, Nora, aims to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor experiences to war heroes and terminally ill children as well as mentoring school groups, underprivileged kids and physically-challenged youth.

The privately owned nonSee MISSION, Page 16

LOOKING SPARSE: The rifle ammo shelves at Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine show some rounds are extremely hard to come by. Photo by LSON.

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March 22, 2013

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NRA coming to Houston The National Rifle Association has announced this year’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from May 3-5.

More than 65,000 attendees are expected at this year’s Annual Meetings and Exhibits, making this one of the largest in NRA’s 142-year history. Leading firearm manufacturers will display the firearm industry's latest and greatest products. Guides and outfitters, various hunting and shooting accessories, and an extensive private collection displayed by NRA-affiliated gun collector clubs will fill acres of convention space.

The NRA-ILA Leadership Forum will take place on Friday, May 3, from 1-3 p.m.

Confirmed speakers include Gov. Rick Perry, former congressman Asa Hutchinson, La. Gov. Bobby Jindal, Sen. Ted Cruz, former Sen. Rick Santorum and more.

— NRA

Ten Texas DU chapters recognized The President’s Elite are among Ducks Unlimited’s most prestigious volunteer chapters throughout the nation.

Every year, the list is reserved for the chapters that raise $100,000 or more for DU’s habitat conservation work.

Ten Texas DU chapters made the list as some of the organization’s best fundraising chapters over the last year. The Texas chapters recognized for their impressive fundraising success include Houston, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Galveston, San Antonio, Mexia, Midland, Navasota, Big Thicket and Sabine.

“These fundraising events are the backbone of DU’s habitat conservation efforts, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the grassroots force making a difference for North American waterfowl populations,” said DU President John Newman. “It takes a great deal of effort to achieve the President's Elite level, and these chapters deserve to be congratulated by every person who enjoys the outdoors.”

— DU

Texan named to Mule Deer Foundation board Brian Fienhold of Houston was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Mule Deer Foundation, a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat Ryan Bronson, the director of conservation for Federal Premium Ammunition in Minnesota, was also named to the board. Federal has been involved with MDF as a corporate sponsor for years.

Fienhold became involved with MDF several years ago when he attended a few events in Houston that piqued his interest. He helped charter the Fort Bend chapter and acts as captain chair for their fundraiser.

“It’s a real privilege and pleasure to work with the different folks involved with the Mule Deer Foundation,” Fienhold said. “And it’s an easy group to get behind because I think MDF has a great story to tell.”

— MDF

GUEST OF HONOR: A.V. Jones Jr., left, accepts the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award from T. Boone himself at the Park Cities Quail Banquet earlier this month. Photo by Park Cities Quail.

More than $1 million Park Cities Quail event nets major cash

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News Park Cities Quail held its 2013 Dinner and Auction March 7 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, and the big winner was Texas quail.

Nearly 1,000 attendees met before dinner to have a cocktail or two, view the silent auction items, see old friends and make some new ones.

As the guests settled in to a steak and grilled quail dinner, T. Boone Pickens introduced the night’s guest of honor — A.V. Jones Jr., who received the T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsmen Award.

Past winners include Ray Murski, Ted Turner and Ray Sasser.

The Albany oilman gave a heartwarming speech about growing up chasing quail in Shackelford County.

“He called his grandkids the names of his birddogs,” said one of Jones’ grandchildren in the intro-

duction video. “We always knew where we stood with him by which of the dog’s names he used.”

Jones said when he was a young boy, he thought the quail would be around forever.

“I hunted Shackelford County as a kid,” he said.

“God created Shackelford County as he wanted it and put a covey of birds under each bush. I thought it would be that way forever. I was wrong.

“I am honored to represent quail hunting everywhere and we are concerned.”

Proceeds from the auction will go toward conservation programs throughout Texas to help struggling quail numbers, which received a big boost when one attendee paid $140,000 for a three-day quail hunt with T. Boone Pickens on his ranch. The hunt was auctioned a second time and went for another $140,000.

More than $1 million was raised during the event.

In the past six years, PCQ has raised more than $2.7 million for Texas quail.

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March 22, 2013

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Proposed bill seeks to extend release dates for breeder deer

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News A bill introduced in the Texas Legislature has created a rift between Texas hunting organizations.

H.B. 2433 and the identical S.B. 1412 aim to change what has been the longstanding 10-day rule that applies to Texas deer breeders. Currently, breeders must release whitetailed deer 10 days or more before the beginning of any legal hunting season.

The bills seek to change that to 60 days, or Aug.1, although the change would take place incrementally over a three-year period.

Rep. John E. Davis, Houston, sponsored the bill in the Texas House.

“The Texas Wildlife Association brought it to me and I agreed to file it,” Davis said.

“I have since learned it has been an issue for some time.”

Davis, who lives in Houston and hunts on a family ranch in Menard County, said he is looking forward to hearing the testimony and asking questions dealing with both sides of the issue.

“I don’t have a specific dog in the fight,” he said.

TWA supports the change, and conducted meetings this winter with groups across the state to gather information regarding the release dates.

To some of its members, it’s a matter of perception.

“White-tailed deer is the emerald species in Texas,” said veterinarian Dan McBride. “It is a public trust animal, and to some there is a perception it is being manipulated.”

Warren Bluntzer is a director of TWA and is an emeritus board member of the Texas Deer Association, and was opposed to TWA’s initial suggestion of a release deadline at the end of May each year.

“I am for moving the date,” he told members of the deer breeder groups. “But I’m not for a spring release.”

While TWA cites reasons such as the perception of hunting deer a short time after release and preserving the hunting heritage in Texas, deer breeder groups argue the proposed legislation is a direct attack on their members’ private property rights and ignores the health issues pertaining to the deer.

“We need to ask the question, ‘Which is better for the deer?’” said Dick Cain, a former Texas A&M professor and TDA board member. “It’s a matter of animal husbandry.”

Breeders contend releasing the deer in the heat of summer following the rut will bring about unintended consequences and the loss of animals.

“There are no scientific or biological reasons to support the bill,” said Karl Kinsel, TDA’s executive director.

Other breeders believe the proposal is more about control of the breeders than the reasons cited in support.

“They don’t like our deer antler size,” Robert Williams, president of DBC said of the bill’s proponents. “It’s not about the welfare of the deer; the 60-day rule they propose is not safe for the deer.”

The bill was filed just before the Legislature’s filing deadline and is currently before the Culture, Recreation and Tourism committee.

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SPREADING IT AROUND: A recent study concluded that rainfall has a much greater impact on forbes and shrubs than deer do. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Extensive deer study reveals surprising results Nature’s rotation system protects vegetation

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News A nine-year study of white-tailed deer at two large Texas ranches might be the most extensive study ever conducted — at least in the South.

The Comanche-Faith study, named for its two host ranches, sought to determine the “best combination of deer density and supplemental feed that will maximize antler production without damaging habitat,” said Charles DeYoung, research scientist and professor emeritus at the Caesar Kleberg

Wildlife Research Institute in Kingsville at a presentation of the initial findings in San Antonio on March 7.

In the unprecedented study, wild but eartagged deer were placed in 200-acre enclosures, six at each ranch. Deer in half of the enclosures received supplemental feed while the others were unfed. Deer density was varied at 10 deer per acre, 25 and 40 in both the fed and unfed enclosures. Water sources were constant and trail cameras placed to See DEER STUDY, Page 25

March 22, 2013

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FISHING

Todd Faircloth takes Elite Series Sabine River Challenge Todd Faircloth used his local knowledge to storm back on the final day of the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series Sabine River Challenge on March 17 to overtake Dean Rojas and win the event with a total weight of 49 pounds, 6 ounces.

The Jasper native’s win was his fourth Elite Series title and qualified him for next year’s Bassmaster Classic.

“It means a lot to me to win here,” Faircloth told B.A.S.S. “I won one in Texas in Amistad, but that’s not real close to my home. Winning here in front of my home crowd is special. I’ve got a lot of family and friends here, and a lot of people I grew up fishing with and against.”

Rojas, from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., held the lead by 3 pounds, 9 ounces going into the final day, but Faircloth

came on strong on the last day, weighing a five-bass limit for 14 pounds, 9 ounces.

“I’ve got the Classic made now, so I’m not worried about points to qualify,” he said. “I can kind of roll the dice if needed — maybe gamble. I’ve never been in this position in my career.”

According to B.A.S.S., Faircloth slowed his presentation down on the final day to elicit bites, targeting an area he described as a “bayou off a bayou” in the Trinity River. Most of the fish he caught were on beds, although stained water made it tough to see them.

“It’s a vast, wide-open area, and the fish were scattered throughout it,” he said. “I marked my trails on my GPS, and if I didn’t get bit, I wouldn’t work that trail again.”

He said he caught most of his fish on a 5-inch Strike King Swim’n Caffeine Shad, a soft jerkbait in the pearl-blue/ glimmer-back color, or watermelonred with sparkles. He used a 1/16ounce weight to Texas rig the bait.

The top ten: Todd Faircloth, 49.6 Dean Rojas, 42.12 Terry Scroggins, 41.1 Ishama Monroe, 40.0 Bill Lowen, 38.3 Bobby Lane, 35.3 Jeff Kriet, 35.0 Alton Jones, 32.9 Mark Davis, 32.6 Brandon Card, 31.1 — Staff report

HOMETOWN WIN: Jasper native Todd Faircloth took home the top prize and $100,000 by winning in front of his hometown crowd on the Sabine River. Photo by Siago Saito, B.A.S.S.

Copper blades the rage for redfish

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

HERE THEY COME: As the temperature warms, white bass are heading slowly up creeks with moving water for their annual spawn. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

White bass slowly moving up midstate creeks

By Jacob Longoria Lone Star outdoor newS

White bass in the central portion of the state are running a little late this year, according to area guides and anglers.

“It seems like a late run for the white bass,” said

Lake Waco guide James Tucker.

Tucker fished Lake Waco trying to find the hungry swarms ready for spawning. Tucker says they are way up in the rivers. The whites he has been catching have not been schooling and have been scattered out.

See WHITE BASS, Page 11

Lots of fishing products were on display recently at the Houston Fishing Show.

What anglers had trouble finding, though, could be a new trend in coastal fishing — copper blades for saltwater spinner baits and jigs.

“I was hanging out in my booth and a couple of redfish tournament guys stopped by and wanted some spinner baits with copper blades,” said Chad DeJohn, owner of Double D Lures in Baytown.

“I had a lot of gold, but I got on the phone and got them delivered to the guys. I’ve never seen them. I normally use gold because it doesn’t tarnish and puts out a good flash.

LIKE A NEW PENNY: Redfish tourna“Several other guys ment anglers say copper blades are stopped by later asking winning tournaments, like this pair about them.” from Double D Lures in Baytown.

DeJohn said he designs Photo by Double D Lures. his own spinner baits, and allows others to customize their orders.

“I think they are something different that redfish haven’t seen,” he added.

Conroe angler Leon Robinson fishes most of the major redfish tournament trails from Florida to Texas and uses the copper blades to target reds come tournament time.

“We use them but they are hard to get,” Robinson said. “I don’t know what it is that the redfish like about them, but I’ve thrown copper spoons for a long time and they work really well in places like the Laguna Madre.

I started throwing copper blades on my spinner baits and it has worked really well.

“It gives a different flash in the water.”

Robinson said he doesn’t know of many lure manufacturers that currently produce them, but was happy to get some from Double D. “We’re having to put a lot of them together by ourselves,” he said.

And the copper blades don’t just work in Texas, according to Robinson.

“In the Mississippi Delta, we were sight-fishing and those redfish liked them,” he said. “We got a bunch on copper blades.”

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Kayakers rescued off Galveston A Coast Guard rescue boatcrew saved two kayakers who were stranded south of Galveston on March 12.

The kayakers contacted watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston with their cell phone after tying their kayaks to an oil rig seven miles south of Galveston at 11:20 a.m.

Watchstanders diverted a Station Galveston 45-foot response boat and rescue crew at 11:45 a.m.

The rescue crew arrived on scene at 12:05 p.m. and transferred both kayakers aboard the rescue boat. They were taken to Station Galveston and were released to their mother.

“These young men were lucky enough to have a cell phone with them and after they contacted us, we were able to get their GPS location and send our boatcrew out to rescue them,” said Elvie Damaso, a watchstander at Sector HoustonGalveston. “The Coast Guard would like remind mariners to always have the proper equipment with them before going out in open water. That gear could help save your life.”

— U.S. Coast Guard

Four Texas lakes named to Top 50 crappie lakes Want to land some bragging-size crappie?

Maybe even break a current record?

You'd be wise to fish the lakes rated by Fishhound.com as the best in the country for oversized slabs.

Texas was well-represented on the list, with four bodies of water being named — Toledo Bend Reservoir, 23, Lake Texoma, 26, Lake Fork, 34, and Lake O’ The Pines, 49.

The number one lake was Grenada Lake in Mississippi.

— Staff report

LoneOStar Outdoor News

March 22, 2013

Early morning rising

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Palestine to catch his hybrids.

The hybrids on the lake have been biting the best in the mornings.

“The hybrids bite harder when it is dark,” he said.

Wheat has seen the hybrids being caught everywhere from the dam to Highway 155, but the bite dies in midafternoon. Wheat is using slabs and soft plastics in 25 to 30 feet of water to target the hybrids on main lake points where the bottoms vary, letting the hybrids have a safe place to attack passing shad.

“The best way to catch them is to use slabs for the hybrids stacking on humps,” Wheat said.

Jeff Bond, a Lake Texoma guide, wakes up at 3 a.m. every morning to castnet shad for bait for his daily trips.

“Early bird gets the worm,” he said. “For us, the early bird gets the shad and then the fish.”

Bond has been finding hybrids stacked about halfway to the surface in 60 feet of water near the dam. He HUNGRY FOR BREAKFAST: The hybrid bite has been strongest early in the morning, with the bite becoming more inconsistent uses his freshly caught shad, after lunch. Photo by LSON. which he believes works the best to get a hybrid bite.

“It gets better and better everyday,” said The water clarity has been good for Bond, Schiele.

Schiele and two customers went out and but he said the water is clearer on the east caught 100 fish on a recent trip. Currently, side of the lake and murky on the west side he is finding hybrids feeding on shad over due to the harsh winds. main lake humps.

Bond said that the lake hasn’t gotten a lot “The hybrids are staging to spawn,” said of rain, and the water temperature has been

By Jacob Longoria Schiele “Some are even trying to spawn.”

Lone Star Outdoor News too low for the best possible fishing. Bond Schiele used slabs in 28 to 30 feet of stained said he wants the temperatures to reach the Anglers have to set their alarms extra early water on the main lake area of Lewisville.

60s to get the fish moving, but he has been in order to be as active as the hybrids are in The water temperature was 58 degrees, and Texas lakes.

Schiele said that the upcoming weekends working around the conditions to catch his hybrids.

Guide Steve Schiele looks forward to tak- look good for catching hybrids. ing customers out fishing on Lewisville Lake In Central Texas, the routine is much the Jeff Bond, (903) 819-1840 because plenty of hybrids are being caught same. off his boat. Schiele and his customers are Guide Mike Wheat has to wake up right Mike Wheat, (903) 271-3716 limiting out on hybrids. as the sun comes up and and head to Lake Steve Schiele, (214) 629-1628

Start early for hybrid action

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March 22, 2013

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Blue skies, blue cats CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR — The water on Choke Canyon has been steadily warming up, which has the blue catfish moving toward the shallows.

Guide John Brosig and his anglers have been catching limits of blue cats on their trips. Brosig has been targeting the Hog Island and the Possum Creek areas. He said he has been catching blues in 16 feet of water using cheesebait.

The catfish are measuring 14 to 18 inches, but Brosig knows there are bigger ones out there.

Brosign likes that the weather has started to get warmer, but he knows it can quickly change.

“Give it 5 minutes and the weather changes again,” he said.

Brosig is hoping for more rain to help fill the lake, which currently sits 20 feet lower than what it should be. When the lake is low, Brosig recommends anglers pay close attention to stumps when driving their boats.

To contact guide John Brosig, call (361) 449-7144.

Late to the party AMISTAD INTERNATIONAL RESERVOIR — The bass should be spawning in the shallows right now on Lake Amistad, but anglers are finding out they are a little behind. Angler Russell Roland has found it tough to catch fish right now, but is waiting for that big wave to happen.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 52–61 degrees; 10.69’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow to fair on spinner baits, jigs and drop-shot rigs. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows.

ATHENS: Water clear, 53–57 degrees; 2.60’ low. Largemouth bass are good on white spinner baits and Texas-rigged soft plastics.

Catfish are good on cut shad.

BASTROP: Water clear; 60–64 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse/white soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait, shrimp, and chicken livers.

BELTON: Water clear; 58–62 degrees; 7.10’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. White bass are good on light blue jigs.

Crappie are good on minnows.

Channel and blue catfish are good on hot dogs, shrimp and stinkbait at night.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and lipless crankbaits near the jetty and dam. Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp, cheesebait and cut bait near the discharge.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 52–65 degrees; 15.25’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on crankbaits around main lake points. Drop shots are good around docks on the main lake. Crappie are good on minnows.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 10.67’ low. Largemouth bass are good on craw and black/ blue jigs, crankbaits and Trickster worms over brush piles. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies, spinner baits and crankbaits off lighted docks.

BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 58–62 degrees; 28.31’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on pumpkin/chartreuse tailed Whacky Sticks, white/chartreuse spinner baits and watermelon soft jerkbaits along drop–offs of points and pockets of creeks in 4–8 feet.

Striped bass are fair to good tight lining live bait and vertically jigging

silver Pirk Minnows in 25–35 feet.

White bass are good on lipless crankbaits, 2-inch Spoiler Shads, and live minnows in the upper end of the lake. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel catfish are good on live bait.

CALAVERAS: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms and crankbaits near the dam. Striped bass are fair on silver spoons and jigs near the dam, and on cut perch and shad along the shoreline. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers, shrimp and cheesebait.

CANYON LAKE: Water lightly stained; 59–63 degrees; 9.18’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on white spinner baits, pumpkin Whacky Sticks, and albino soft plastic jerkbaits along stickups in 5–10 feet. Yellow and blue catfish are good on juglines.

CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 53–57 degrees; 3.19’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows.

Catfish are good on prepared bait.

COLEMAN: Water lightly stained; 58–62 degrees; 13.94’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are good on chartreuse striper jigs. Channel catfish are good on stinkbait and cut bait.

CONROE: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 3.02’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits.

Catfish are very good on stinkbait, cut bait, and nightcrawlers.

COOPER: Water clear; 53–57 degrees; 7.41’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on lipless crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

FALCON: Water stained; 63–67 degrees; 28.98’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon spinner baits and shallow-running crankbaits. Channel and blue catfish are very good on shrimp, stinkbait and cut bait under cormorants.

FAYETTE: Water stained.

Largemouth bass are good on green

pumpkin Carolina-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits and Wacky Worms in reeds. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and shad.

FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 50–58 degrees; 11.47’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chatterbaits and Texas rigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin soft plastics and crankbaits. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp, nightcrawlers and stinkbait.

GRANGER: Water stained; 58–62 degrees; 0.17’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on spinner baits upriver from Circleville. Crappie are good on minnows upriver at night. Blue catfish are good on stinkbait.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 52–56 degrees; 5.61’ low. Largemouth bass are good on football jigs and finesse rigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 60–64 degrees; 0.03’ high.

Largemouth bass to 9 pounds are very good on green pumpkin and watermelon soft plastic worms, jigs, drop shots and Senkos.

Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles and near the dam.

Catfish are good on perch.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water offcolor; 53–62 degrees; 21.07’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on medium-running shad-pattern crankbaits, Texas rigs and jigs.

Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 52–55 degrees; 1.82’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics in 5–10 feet (green pumpkin has been the most productive color). White bass are good on slabs and jigs.

LAKE O' THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 54–58 degrees; 2.68’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits around shallow cover. Crappie are good on minnows.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 53–

“The spawn is happening on the Mexican side but not on the American side,” he said.

Roland said that the bass are in a transition mode to their spawning areas. He expects a new wave of fish to spawn soon with the full moon. Roland was able to catch 10 bass on his last trip, switching between a Carolina rig and a Texas rig with a Senko lure. His bass measured between 12 to 20 inches, but he was disappointed not to get any over 3 1/2 pounds.

Crappie have been good on live minnows in the Devil's River near trees.

On the beds LAKE FORK — Due to warm nights with temperatures in the mid-60s, the bass are traveling to the shallows for spawning on Lake Fork. Guide Jason Hoffman has been finding spawning bass in the beds on both arms of the upper ends of the lake.

“Repeat casting and slow presentation,” said Hoffman, describing how he caught his bass. The weather has stayed consistent the past week, helping Hoffman key on specific patterns. Hoffman has been catching bass in the 5-to-6 pound range on soft plastics in 3 feet or less of water.

Hoffman has noticed stained water but it isn’t throughout the whole lake. He said his best fishing is on Long Branch and Running Creek on Lake Fork.

To contact guide Jason Hoffman, call (903) 456-3691.

— Jacob Longoria

57 degrees; 8.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on bladed jigs and spinner baits around shallow cover.

White bass are good on slabs.

Crappie are good on minnows.

LBJ: Water clear; 60–64 degrees; 0.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin Whacky Sticks, blue/white spinner baits and soft plastic jerkbaits in 3–10 feet. Crappie are good on blue tube jigs and live minnows. Channel catfish are good on live bait.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 52–56 degrees; 5.13’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads and spinner baits in the marinas.

Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs and jigs.

Hybrid striper are good on slabs.

Catfish are fair on prepared bait and cut shad.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 58–62 degrees; 0.05’ high.

Largemouth bass are very good on watermelon crankbaits, spinner baits and soft plastics. Blue catfish are good on shad.

MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 63–82 degrees; 1.59’ low. Largemouth bass are good on bladed jigs around shallow cover — deepwater bite has been good on Carolina-rigged lizards. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 53–59 degrees; 0.41’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on Texasrigged green pumpkin soft plastics and jigs around stumps. Catfish are good on cut bait.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 56–60 degrees; 0.45’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin crankbaits near the dam.

Crappie are good on white tube jigs and minnows. Channel catfish are good on stinkbait. Blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with goldfish and shrimp.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 54–62 degrees; 35.91’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads, jigs, lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs.

Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs.

OAK CREEK: Water stained; 52–61 degrees; 18.09’ low. Largemouth

bass are fair on spinner baits, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs and live minnows over brush piles. Catfish are good on chartreuse nightcrawlers and prepared bait.

PALESTINE: Water clear; 52–57 degrees; 0.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue jigs and shaky heads around docks — smaller baits working best. Spinner baits around shallow cover are effective as well. Crappie are good on minnows. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

SEE MORE

n Saltwater fishing reports: Page 14 SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 58–62 degrees; 1.90’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are good on silver/blue striper jigs.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 53–62 degrees; 10.02’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on medium-running crankbaits, dropshot rigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs.

STILLHOUSE: Water lightly stained; 57–61 degrees; 6.29’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows near Long Bridge. Crappie are good on minnows near Long Bridge. Channel and blue catfish are good on live bait.

PROCTOR: Water lightly stained; 55–59 degrees; 5.44’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are good on chartreuse striper jigs. White bass are good trolling watermelon crankbaits.

TAWAKONI: Water stained; 54–58 degrees; 4.81’ low. Largemouth bass are good on bladed jigs, Texas rigs and spinner baits. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on slabs.

RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 53–57 degrees; 3.44’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Texas-rigged soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on 1-oz. slabs. Hybrid bass are excellent on slabs as well.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 52–55 degrees; 4.09’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and white spinner baits. Carolina rigs are working along deeper points near channels. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water clear; 56–55 degrees; 4.73’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 57–61 degrees; 2.06’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red soft plastics and spinner baits. Catfish are good on frozen shrimp, live minnows, and stinkbait.

TEXOMA: Water clear; 52–65 degrees; 5.42’ low. Largemouth bass are good on mediumdiving crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits. Striped bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait.

TOLEDO BEND: Water lightly stained; 56–60 degrees; 2.98’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse/black soft plastics, spinner baits, and crankbaits. Bream are good on worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on frozen shrimp, cut bait, and stinkbait.

TRAVIS: Water clear; 58–62 degrees; 50.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits, smoke grubs and Baby Brush Hogs. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs.

WHITNEY: Water lightly stained; 55–59 degrees; 8.79’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. White bass are fair on small spinner baits and minnows.

Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs.

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White bass Continued From Page 8

Tucker has been catching females on Lake Waco, but is hammering males in the Navasota River.

Soon, they will meet in the spawning areas. Tucker says there has been a lack of rainfall but the temperatures have stayed just right.

He is catching his fish on rooster tails, white or chartreuse roadrunners, and blue Lil Fishies in 4 to 5 feet of water.

The water temperature has been in the 50s.

Tucker is anticipating that spawning will pick up right before the next full moon.

Clancy Terrill noticed the white bass he is catching are ready to make the journey to the shallows at Lake Buchanan.

“They are full of eggs on the back part of the lake,” he said.

Terrill is catching them on live bait or jigs in 20 to 28 feet, if the winds stay low.

The wind has not helped Terrill out in the white bass hunt — it has been staining the water and pushing algae, causing it to bunch up.

Terrill said the white bass will be on the upper end of the lake near the river very shortly.

Central Texas Guide Barry Dodd also hasn’t see a lot of white bass being caught, but he does see them staging in the mouth of the river, but not moving up yet.

“Currently there isn’t water flow in the rivers,” he said. “The white bass like that freshwater flow pushing them into the rivers.”

Dodd has caught his bass near the bottom in 30 to 40 feet of the water.

He starts his trips using live minnows, but switches accordingly to slabs or lipless crankbaits.

Dodd said the farther you go up the rivers he currently fishes, the clearer it gets.

Barry Dodd, (210) 771 0123 James Tucker, (254) 495-6726 Clancy Terrill, (512) 633-6742

LoneOStar Outdoor News

March 22, 2013

Page 11

Fishing duo wins Texas High School State Championship by 2 ounces

By Jacob Longoria Lone Star outdoor newS

The tension was tight, not just one but twice, as the 2013 Student Angler Federation hosted their state championship this past weekend on Lake LBJ in Marble Falls.

A mere 2 ounces separated the first and second place winners.

Then the judges had to break a second place tie.

Colin Mitchell and Dallin Bishop from Leander Rouse won the prize with three bass that

totaled 15 pounds, 13 ounces, including a 7-pound, 11-ounce kicker.

Mitchell actually spotted the monster bass on a bed earlier that day, but initially the fish showed no interest and “spooked off.”

The team would return an hour later to take another shot at the fish.

Mitchell was throwing a jig, but it was Dallin who would coax the fish to bite on a worm.

“Lucky for us it swam out into open water rather than under a nearby dock,” Mitchell said. “It

Some positive, some negative for Possum Kingdom The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries office in Wichita Falls recently completed fall electrofishing and spring gillnet surveys on Possum Kingdom Reservoir.

Possum Kingdom has periodically been affected by fish kills caused by golden alga, but the last major kill occurred in spring of 2010. Surveys indicate that fish populations have done relatively well since then.

While the largemouth bass catch rate for young bass 10 inches and less in length was down from 2010, the catch rate for legal length bass was up.

“To help the bass population, we have developed a plan to increase habitat in the Cedar Creek area,” said fisheries biologist Robert Mauk. “The plan includes sinking cedar trees along the shoreline to increase fingerling bass survival. Native vegetation plantings and sunken constructed habitat structures will aid adult bass and congregate them for anglers. We also have requested that the reservoir be stocked with Florida largemouth bass this year. The last stocking occurred in 2011.”

Spring gillnetting found the catfish populations to be in good shape, and the survey showed low numbers of striped bass; sizes ranged from 22 to 26 inches in length.

“Their catch rate was the lowest we have seen, though this is not

was pulling drag, then it jumped a couple times, but we got it in the net.”

The pair’s next stop will be Lake Texoma Oct. 19 for the 2013 FLW/TBF Southern Conference Championship. The duo each received a $1,000 scholarship.

Two teams tied for second — Knox Kronenberg and Richie Pusateri from Austin Westlake and Wyatt Frankens and Clay Nash from Corrigan Camden.

The event had 66 boats competing for the championship.

Mark Gintert, National TBF

youth director, encourages the students in the competition to get an education through fishing. Gintert wants the students to know about fishing safety as well as boater safety.

The SAF has hosted five championships, with the winners qualifying to their respective conference finals. The top teams then compete in the national finals for more than $10,000 in scholarships.

For more information, go to highschoolfishing.org.

surprising since the last stocking occurred in 2010 after a major fish kill caused by golden alga,” Mauk said. “Striped bass have been requested annually, but the hatcheries have not been able to produce enough to meet the state’s needs. This year we hope to get some stocked into the reservoir.”

— TPWD

Castledine and Howell win Bass Champs on Sam Rayburn

Anglers from all over Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi converged on Sam Rayburn, taking off from the Umphrey Pavilion in flights at safe light.

First place ultimately went to Todd Castledine and Billy Howell with their three-fish limit weight of 23.57 pounds, more than 4 pounds ahead of the rest of the teams.

“Our day started out horrible,” Castledine said. “We didn’t have three in the boat until nearly 11 a.m. We started catching them good after 10:30, but most of them were ‘cruisers.’”

The pair caught most of their fish on a bait from Kicker Fish called a Tail Slapper.

The big bass of the tournament was caught by the team of Allen Shelton and Rick Scott. The big kicker weighed 10.54 pounds, helping the team to a second place finish.

— Bass Champs

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March 22, 2013

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER WARDENS RESCUE BUCK CAUGHT IN NET Kerr County Game Warden Mark Chapa received a call from a citizen about a young white-tailed buck that was caught in a drop net.

Chapa arrived at the location to find a 6-point buck with antlers and jaw tangled in a net set for catching exotics. The net was up, but one side had loosened and was only about 2 1/2 feet above the ground. Game Wardens Kenny Lee, Sam Harris and Mark McQueary came to assist. The four wardens held down the buck and were able to saw off the buck’s antlers and remove the net from the deer’s jaw. The deer ran off with only a few scratches.

THE WORD IS OUT, WARDEN IS AROUND In February, Karnes County Game Warden Chad Moore was busy patrolling the San Antonio River in Karnes County. With the influx of oil field workers, violations for water safety on the river and violations of no PFDs, no fishing license and Class C drug paraphernalia rose. Moore also checked some legal fishermen who said they had just purchased their licenses the same day since they had heard that Moore seemed to just pop up out of the brush and they never knew when he'd be about.

SHOOTERS TARGET HAWK, REWARDED WITH CITATIONS Game Warden Kevin Mitchell received a call from the San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office about two men who had possibly shot a redtailed hawk. When Mitchell arrived, he saw an injured hawk and the neighbors confirmed the story about the individuals shooting the hawk.

Mitchell made contact with the individuals who shot the hawk, and they said they were shooting skeet and maybe they had shot the hawk. The neighbors said the individuals were

DRUNK DRIVER NEARLY HITS WARDEN TWICE When Palo Pinto County Game Warden David Pellizzari entered an intersection in Mingus, he observed a pickup traveling toward his driver’s side door at a high rate of speed. Pellizzari accelerated as the truck ran a stop sign and narrowly avoided a collision. The truck

then turned and appeared to be accelerating toward Pellizzari’s passenger side door. The truck then hit a cable from a telephone pole and snapped it before Pellizzari was able to get his truck in reverse. The delay caused by hitting the cable allowed Pellizzari to avoid another collision.

The truck overcorrected and was on two wheels before getting back on the roadway and sliding to a stop.

Pellizzari made contact with the driver, who appeared to be highly intoxicated. The driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated third or more. Cases pending.

shooting at the hawk when the hawk was flying by. The hawk was taken to The Ark in Port Aransas to be rehabilitated. Cases are pending.

They stated they did not. Simmering stopped by the Nolan County Sheriff's Office to give the dispatcher the license plate number from the vehicle so they would have record of it being stuck in the lakebed. The next morning, Simmering learned the vehicle from the lake had been reported stolen out of Fisher County. The subject was found guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

landowner’s property. Clark was also able to obtain a confession from the shooter. Charges and civil restitution are pending for the two bucks.

TRESPASSERS LOCK UP GEAR, GET LOCKED UP Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger found signs of trespassing on a ranch where a boat, motor and fishing gear were left behind and were chained-locked to a tree. Stautzenberger called Frio County Warden John Palacios to assist. The wardens set up in brush until the trespassers showed up. Two subjects, armed with handguns, were apprehended and arrested for criminal trespass.

CAR THIEF WENT MUDDING, GOT STUCK, REFUSED WARDEN’S AID Nolan County Game Warden Jake Simmering testified in on a case involving an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle stemming from July 2012. Simmering was patrolling Lake Trammel for fishing violations when he noticed a vehicle buried in the mud.

An angler told him there had been two men in the truck, and they were “mudding” when they got their truck stuck.

Shortly after this, the men returned with another vehicle to attempt to pull the stuck vehicle out. After several unsuccessful attempts, Simmering made contact with them and asked if they wanted a wrecker to come get them out.

WARDEN DISPATCHES RABID FOX A rabid grey fox was reported in a residential area. TPWD fisheries biologist Bruce Hysmith was notified and contacted Grayson County Game Warden Dale Moses. Moses responded to the location and found an adult gray fox hiding underneath a pickup displaying the classic symptoms of rabies. The fox was dispatched.

MAN BUSTED FOR SHOOTING CALF, TWO BUCKS Capping a month-long investigation, Smith County Game Warden Brad Clark obtained arrest warrants for two individuals for hunting deer at night.

The investigation began with a phone call from retired Game Warden Larry Hand, who had received an anonymous call regarding two men shooting and butchering a local rancher’s calf during the winter of 2011-2012. The subject finally admitted to killing the calf and to being involved in the shooting of two bucks at night on a separate

FACEBOOK FOILS SNAKE SELLER, ILLEGAL DUCK HUNTER Ellis County Game Warden Jeff Powell received a call about a subject offering game fish and exotic snakes for sale on his Facebook account. The caller told the subject on Facebook that it was illegal to sell game fish, at which time the subject removed the caller’s post. Powell accessed the subject’s account and verified that he was in fact in possession of exotic snakes without permits and that he was also offering to sell nongame. While reviewing the subject’s page, Powell noticed pictures of the subject with ducks and a shotgun in his hand with the caption, “The Duck Slayer,” with time stamps of Feb 3, 2013.

Powell was able to confirm that the subject did not purchase a hunting license or required permits. Powell and Dallas County Game Warden Sergio Bazaldua made contact with the subject, who had multiple violations including no hunting license, no migratory stamp endorsement, hunting ducks in closed season, no exotic snake permit, no nongame collection/dealer permit, etc.

Multiple cases pending.

WARDENS RIGHT CAPSIZED BOAT TO SAIL AWAY Mason County Game Wardens Cody Hatfield and Randall Brown were patrolling Lake LBJ on a very windy day when they received a call that a boat had capsized and at least one occupant was in the water. They rushed over and found a capsized sailboat and one occupant on top of the boat. They helped the subject turn the boat over and watched him sail away unharmed.

SHEEPSHEAD TOO SMALL Brazoria County Game Warden Jason Richers and Fort Bend County Game Warden Michael Weiss were patrolling the Brazos River for fishing and water safety violations. Richers observed an individual on the bank pulling an ice chest in a hurry to get back to his vehicle. Upon reaching the bank, Weiss approached and found the subject to be in possession of 17 undersized sheepshead, three undersized black drum and one redfish. The subject also had an expired fishing license. The next boat that was checked had a 35-inch untagged redfish. Cases pending.

TEXAS STUDENTS BUSTED FOR NJ VIOLATIONS Taylor County Game Wardens Roy Johnson and James Cummings were contacted by New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife regarding possible violations by some young men who attended college in Abilene.

The men had killed deer illegally in New Jersey and posted the pictures on social media. N.J. Conservation Officer Christopher Wren asked the two wardens to interview the parties involved. Wardens Johnson and Cummings obtained confessions from the students and seized two sets of white-tailed deer antlers and two New Jersey white-tailed deer tags in a third party’s name.

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March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

An 8.5 out of 10 PORT ISABEL — Guide Cliff Fleming gives the fishing in the Port Isabel area an 8.5 out of 10 right now.

Fleming has been limiting out on speckled trout and redfish every trip. Redfish have been biting well for Fleming in 10 inches of water. He has seen the female redfish coming into the grass in 3 to 5 feet of water and being caught in the pot holes on artificial lures.

When the weather is good Fleming is catching trout on artificial lures.

“When the trout are eating well and the weather is warm, the trout bite is good,” he said.

The weather has been consistently in the 90s, which has been has been to the advantage of Fleming and his anglers.

To contact guide Cliff Fleming, call (956) 346-0140.

waters weren’t full of other boats during the few days he fished last week between fronts.

“The wind has turned the anglers off,” Harrison said.

He added the water on Copano Bay is dirty and has produced waves unfriendly to anglers. The trout have been biting on soft plastics at high tide. The redfish and black drum were biting on dead shrimp and cracked crab in 1 1/2 feet of water.

Lots of traffic, fish

ROCKPORT — The month of March has been a heavy-winded month, causing stained waters and angry anglers.

San Antonio angler Tim Harrison expected more anglers on the bay during spring break, but the

BOLIVAR PENINSULA — Spring break brought in a lot of boat traffic to the Bolivar Peninsula the past few weeks. The redfish are grouping up during low tide, making the fishing a bit easier for anglers.

Guide Jim West is fishing 3-inch plastic shads in the shallows to catch good numbers of redfish.

West said on a high tide the redfish spread out.

The trout bite has also been good for West. He used Corkies to catch most of his trout. West said he wants to use top-water lures for trout, but he is going to wait for the temperatures to heat up before he does. West doesn’t fish for flounder, but he has seen them all around and is confident anglers can catch them.

“If you fish for flounder, you can catch them right now,” he said.

To contact guide Jim West, call (409) 996-3054 — Jacob Longoria

NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good in the river on live shad. Redfish are good in the marsh on small top-waters and Stanley Ribbits. Flounder are good on jigs tipped with shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good in Oyster Lake on shrimp. Trout are fair on shell and grass on soft plastics and top-waters. Black drum are fair to good at the jetty on crabs.

Wind keeping anglers at bay

SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are fair around the Reef on live shrimp. Redfish are good in the Bessie Heights marsh on shrimp.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and plugs. Black drum and redfish are good at Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on the north end of the bay. Redfish are good at the spillway on crabs and mullet.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good while drifting shell and mud on red shad and plum plastics. Whiting and sand trout are good on

the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp. Black drum are good in the channel on blue crabs. Trout are fair to good for waders working muddy shorelines on top-waters.

TEXAS CITY: Sheepshead and sand trout are good around the piers on shrimp. Redfish are fair to good on shrimp and crabs in Moses Lake.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Black drum are good at San Luis pass on cracked blue crabs. Redfish are fair to good on the reefs in Bastrop Bay on the incoming tide.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters in the afternoon on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are fair to good in Lake Austin and Boggy on shrimp.

PORT O'CONNOR: Trout and redfish are good on Corkies over soft mud in San Antonio Bay. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters working the drains of the back lakes with live shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Black drum are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on crabs. Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: Black drum are good in the Shrimpboat Channel on crabs and finger mullet. Redfish and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plastics and live shrimp. Black drum are good in the Humble Channel at night on crabs and table shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good on the King Ranch shoreline on Corkies and top-waters.

Black drum are good in the Land Cut on crabs. Redfish are fair from the spoils.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on topwaters around sand and grass holes. Redfish are fair to good while drifting pot holes on shrimp and scented plastics.

SOUTH PADRE: Black drum, redfish and sheepshead are fair at the jetty. Trout and redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on DOA Shrimp and scented plastics. Sheepshead are fair on shrimp around the rocks. Redfish are fair at the Drum Hole.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good in South Bay on live shrimp. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are fair around the causeway on shrimp. Trout are fair around Three Island on live shrimp.

— TPWD

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March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Rodriguez

Mission

Continued From Page 4

Continued From Page 4

LEGACY: Greg Rodriguez received this year's HSC Outstanding International Hunter of the Year Award weeks before his death.

Photo by Bill Honza.

“We at Global Adventure Outfitters, Inc. and One Shot Multimedia, Inc. are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder, CEO, and dear friend Greg Rodriguez,” the company said in a press release. “Greg worked tirelessly to create a legacy for him and his family. We intend on continuing that legacy; while we can never return to business as usual after our tragic loss, GAO and OSMM will continue to operate at their fullest.”

Rodriguez is survived by his wife and two children.

A fund has been set up to help the children with their education. For more information, contact James Jeffrey at James@GAOhunts.com.

profit accepts and processes animals free of charge, and relies heavily on volunteers to assist.

“For the first several years, we did the work at night,” Byrge said. “But it grew so fast that wasn’t enough.”

Snyder convinced him to leave his construction job and become Trinity Oak’s only full-time employee.

And people kept bringing animals, to staggering totals. More coolers were added, along with freezers, smokers and other equipment.

In February, the Texas Deer Association brought in 37 deer after several days of hunting.

“We processed 187 animals that month; mostly deer but also hogs and nilgai, totaling 5,102 pounds,” Byrge said. “Our goal in 2013 is 50,000 pounds.”

The meat, ground with 10 percent beef fat added, goes to individual families, ministries and groups for wounded veterans, among others, with some of the meat crossing the border.

“With all the trouble in Mexico, some of the orphanages lost all of their support and couldn’t feed the children,” Snyder said.

“We work with churches and I deliver it to them and they take it across the border.”

Other deliveries go to people serving the hungry in their community.

“It’s a ministry, but we don’t have ties to any spe-

cific church,” Byrge said.

“If someone has a ministry, for example, serving meals to groups of people, we’ll look at it,” Byrge said. “One lady serves 100-plus people every week — we get her 30 pounds of meat each week.”

Todd and Abbie Glasgow run the Community Table Project in San Antonio, and meat from Trinity Oaks has helped feed thousands.

“Trinity Oaks made our ministry possible with the growth that we have had,” Todd Glasgow said. “We now serve four meals and 300 people per week, and we receive 65 to 75 pounds of meat each week. The meat is the most expensive part of the meal.”

Community Table Project feeds those in need with an

LSONews.com

emphasis on people dining with each other at large, community tables, and diners enjoy the venison lasagna, meatloaf and other dishes. “‘No one goes hungry and no one eats alone’ is our motto,” Glasgow said.

Byrge runs the facility with the expected military precision and eye for cleanliness, and keeps the only key to the freezers.

“The health department has been by and conducted an inspection — we got a 96,” he said. “I would put our facility up against any other private or commercial facility.”

Byrge credits the volunteers with the facility’s growth and success.

“We couldn’t do this

without their help,” he said. “We have wounded veterans, girls come and help, guys with their kids — and we have stations where people in wheelchairs can work.”

There are perks for the volunteers, though, as Byrge is always cooking, whether it be nilgai backstrap, whitetail sausage or pulled wild pork.

The growth of the facility is expected to continue, and Snyder is happy to accept more donations of meat, along with support to run the operation.

“We’re always looking for ranches with excess game, organizations that do doe kills and individuals that have game they would like to donate,” he said.

Photo by LSON.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

March 22, 2013

Toms

Trout

Continued From Page 1

Continued From Page 1

the South Zone.

“They would move around 6 p.m. every night in large groups,” Lawson said. “I saw two different groups over three days — always 20-plus hens with one tom.”

Lawson said individual toms are being seen on his game cameras, but none responded to his calling opening weekend.

Speaking with one guide who places hunters on ranches in George West and the Hill Country, he rated the opening weekend hunts a 7.5 out of 10.

“In the George West area on opening morning there was little gobbling,” the guide said. “The morning hunts the entire weekend weren’t as successful as the afternoon hunts, which were very successful. Some of the groups of toms were henned-up, but it was mixed.

“We saw older birds henned-up on some places, but not with hens on others. The birds were hard to locate, but after we scouted throughout the mornings and located them, we hammered them.”

Reports of birds being more vocal in the Victoria area came into LSON, with those toms doing lots of gobbling and strutting.

The guide said everything in South Texas is very brown right now, with hunters needing to go to brown camouflage instead of their traditional spring green.

“It is very dry down here,” he said. “The birds are responding to some calling, especially in the afternoon, but they are not very vocal.”

able winds, he uses soft plastics in 6 feet of water. The water is a “trout green” color and 65 degrees.

“The weather can change; you go from hero to zero real quick,” he said.

Capt. Marvin Engel has seen the trout biting at a later time of day than usual.

“I have seen a very late bite,” Engel said. “Sometimes they don’t start coming out until 11 a.m.”

Engel has been catching his trout on live shrimp in 2 feet of water.

The water has been clear when it is not affected by hard winds.

Engel said he doesn’t like dark, stained water, but prefers clear or shaded to have his best day of fishing.

“Off-color water is to your advantage,” he said.

The strong winds from the north have caused some darker

Irion student receives “GROW” award from Texas Ag department Courtney Jasik, a junior from Irion County High School in Mertzon, who was named the winner of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s monthly GROW award, presented

by Agricultural Commisioner Todd Staples. The award recognizes middle and high school students who demonstrate leadership and excellence inside and outside the classroom.

Jasik performed at the top of her class academically while balancing a long list of extracurricular activities. She serves as FFA chapter president and vice president of the Concho District FFA, has earned top honors at local and district levels in the 4-H Shooting Sports program and is a member of Texas Brigades, a wildlife-focused leadership development program for high school youth. Through Texas Brigades, Courtney has worked with youth and civic organizations to teach others about wildlife conservation. In August 2011, she shared her testimony about the Texas Brigades program with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Jasik plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in Natural Resources Management. Upon earning a degree, she wants to work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

— Texas Department of Agriculture

No spring break The USA Shooting athletes are currently in the spring break mecca of Acapulco, Mexico, but they aren’t there to party.

US athletes have had three topsix finishes in the season-opening International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup. Diana, Texas shooter Miranda Wilder finished a respectable fifth place in the women’s trap division.

Wilder made it to the semifinal with 73 hits. Wilder, a four-time National Junior Olympic champion, has finished runner-up at the past two USA Shooting National Championships and was the 2010 Junior World Champion.

One Texas shooter, Dakotah Richardson from Godley, had bad luck, suffering a bad performance without the use of his trusty Beretta — the result of a customs incident.

He wound up borrowing two different guns, but his scores reflected the change of guns. He wound up shooting a score of 101 over the five rounds.

— Staff report

WEAR BROWN: Hunters should breakout brown camo for the early season. Photo by LSON.

Page 17

shades of water that affect the way trout move around the Port Aransas area. Engel said that the trout are currently in a transition period, but by mid-April, he will see and catch more.

Capt. Robert Brooks fished the Aransas Bay and has been fighting nature during his recent trips.

Brooks would like the water temperature to be 70 and above.

“When the water temperature goes up, they eat more and then they move to their spawning rows,” he said.

Brooks has recently caught a lot of female trout in his spots. He said they are building up body fat until spawning time.

Brooks used live shrimp and soft plastics in wading areas. The water has been slightly off-color, with windy days turning the bay a “chocolate brown” color.

Page 18

March 22, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Game cam makes cover shots With our hectic lives, how can you be in so many places at once?

Put out game cameras.

I put out two Minox DTC-500’s on my deer lease this year and captured some great images from two locations at the same time.

Out of the box this camera looks and feels rugged. The OD green color also fits my outdoor style.

I stuffed in eight AA batteries and in seconds I was navigating through the menu with ease.

One of the best features on this unit is the ability to format the SD card in the field. Using this camera, I can also format cards from my other branded cameras that don’t allow for formatting.

I set my unit to take still images at 3 megapixel capture because I want the maximum number of images out of the 8 gig cards I installed.

I can get about 6,500 images, which is a ton to look at. I also set it to capture two-image bursts, one second apart.

It takes a few cocktails to get through all the images at night.

A lot of times the animal, mostly deer, will jump at the first image and blur, but when the second picture is taken, they are usually frozen.

One morning during the rut, I watched an old buck walk up to the camera and stare right into the lens while it took a few images.

A younger buck came up next and spooked when the camera went off. He came right back.

I had just placed the camera under a corn feeder the night before and they had never seen this. It looked to me that the slight noise the shutter made had no effect on my deer, and it was interesting to see the images this camera produced and the time the images

You can claim your Nikon 10x42 PROSTAFF 7 binoculars at the Nikon Sport Optics dealer nearest you: See a full selection of Nikon products at:

Wheeler's Feed & Outfitters 32450 IH 10 West Boerne, Texas 78006 www.WheelersFeed.com

(888) 249-2656

r on her dad for her first dee eeler was hunting with out. She made d Boerne hunter Jessica Wh ppe ste k buc t oin 8-p n this fine s the afternoon of Jan. 5 whe The 13-year-old hunter’ del 700 Remington .243.

Mo her h wit t sho .” at ries gre mo a of me the hunt “sure made a lot uncle, Morris Rice, said

were taken.

I really like placing the camera at a very low angle to the ground; it makes the images more dramatic and we even used one on the cover of Lone Star Outdoor News, along with many more inside the issues to illustrate stories this season.

The shutter lag time seems to be pretty standard with other models on the market. I wish it were faster, because you can drive an ATV right past and all the camera captures is a dust cloud.

I don’t use the provided web strapping for mounting because they are hard to adjust and seem to slip all over when tightening. I use zip ties and mount the camera on a T-post hammered into the ground. Make sure you cut the camera off of the post before hammering because the energy will transfer to the camera — I had part of the casing break because of this.

One fault I found with this camera is when you open the camera to retrieve the SD card, the batteries can fall out if you shake the unit. So, either be very steady or hold your hand over the battery compartment when you open the door.

— David J. Sams

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Sturgeon inhabit Red River Rare species not targeted by anglers

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Ravenna angler Jeremy Murphy loves fishing his home waters of the Red River just down from Lake Texoma.

But a recent catch caught him by surprise, and ignited an interest in a new species.

Murphy said he and his uncle were at the river recently when his uncle tried to snag a snake with a treble hook. He missed, but accidently hooked something else — a shovel-nosed sturgeon.

“After that, we knew they were in there,” Murphy said.

Having no idea how to catch sturgeon, Murphy continued to fish the river with nightcrawlers looking for bass and panfish.

“We actually ended up catching a sturgeon that was about 12 inches long,” Murphy said. “We were fishing again the next weekend and my girlfriend caught one. Over the course of a month, we caught seven.”

Murphy returned all of the fish back into the river.

Murphy called a biologist in Oklahoma, since the Red River where he fishes is considered part of the Sooner State.

“He had no idea that there were that many in the river,” Murphy said. “He told us he had only seen about three his entire life, so he was kind of shocked when we told him we had caught seven of them.”

But Dave Terre, management and research chief for TPWD’s Inland Fisheres Division, said it is against the law for anglers to keep or target shovel-nosed sturgeon in Texas waters because they are on the threatened list.

“We are aware that there is a small population in the Red River,” Terre said. “They are threatened and only known to occur below Lake Texoma. This is maybe a good indicator that some are reproducing.

“That is the last remaining population of sturgeon close to Texas waters.”

Murphy said the fish is prehistoric looking, with spines on their backs and movements like a shark.

“They just don’t grow very big here in the river,” he said. “The biologist said he really didn’t want anyone to target them while fishing. I think that area is a breeding ground. We are just excited that they are in there.”

PREHISTORIC: A small, but possibly growing, population of shovelnosed sturgeon inhabit the Red River below Lake Texoma. Photos

by Jeremy Murphy.

March 22, 2013

Page 19

Page 20

March 22, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides Texas Coast Tides Sabine Pass, north Date Time Mar 22 12:11 AM Mar 23 1:12 AM Mar 24 2:03 AM Mar 25 2:51 AM Mar 26 3:38 AM Mar 27 4:26 AM Mar 28 5:16 AM Mar 29 6:10 AM Mar 30 7:08 AM Mar 31 12:51 AM Apr 01 1:48 AM Apr 02 2:52 AM Apr 03 4:01 AM Apr 04 5:14 AM Apr 05 6:24 AM

Height 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H -0.2L -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.3L

Time 6:55 AM 7:44 AM 8:27 AM 9:08 AM 9:49 AM 10:29 AM 11:09 AM 11:50 AM 12:34 PM 8:15 AM 9:32 AM 10:57 AM 12:13 PM 1:07 PM 1:48 PM

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Time Mar 22 6:35 AM Mar 23 12:28 AM Mar 24 1:36 AM Mar 25 2:38 AM Mar 26 3:37 AM Mar 27 4:36 AM Mar 28 5:36 AM Mar 29 6:38 AM Mar 30 7:44 AM Mar 31 12:13 AM Apr 01 1:11 AM Apr 02 2:18 AM Apr 03 3:35 AM Apr 04 4:57 AM Apr 05 6:15 AM

San Luis Pass

Date Time Mar 22 7:31 AM Mar 23 12:58 AM Mar 24 2:06 AM Mar 25 3:08 AM Mar 26 4:07 AM Mar 27 5:06 AM Mar 28 6:06 AM Mar 29 7:08 AM Mar 30 12:17 AM Mar 31 1:09 AM Apr 01 2:07 AM Apr 02 3:14 AM Apr 03 4:31 AM Apr 04 5:53 AM Apr 05 7:11 AM

Freeport Harbor Date Time Mar 22 6:41 AM Mar 23 12:22 AM Mar 24 1:31 AM Mar 25 2:32 AM Mar 26 3:29 AM Mar 27 4:25 AM Mar 28 5:22 AM Mar 29 6:22 AM Mar 30 7:27 AM Mar 31 12:13 AM Apr 01 1:10 AM Apr 02 2:16 AM Apr 03 3:34 AM Apr 04 5:00 AM Apr 05 6:22 AM

Height 0.2L 0.2L 0.3L 0.3L 0.5L 0.6L 0.8L 0.9L 1.1L 1.7H 1.7H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H

Time 2:43 PM 3:00 PM 3:17 PM 3:34 PM 3:53 PM 4:12 PM 4:33 PM 4:56 PM 5:21 PM 1:22 PM 2:22 PM 3:48 PM 5:31 PM 6:41 PM 7:27 PM

Height 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.2L 1.3L 1.4L 1.3L 1.1L 1.0L

Height 0.2L 1.6H 1.6H 1.7H 1.9H 2.0H 2.1H 2.1H 2.1H -0.3L -0.2L -0.1L 0.0L 0.2L 0.3L

Time 2:45 PM 7:21 AM 8:03 AM 8:43 AM 9:22 AM 10:03 AM 10:45 AM 11:28 AM 12:13 PM 8:56 AM 10:14 AM 11:32 AM 12:36 PM 1:23 PM 1:57 PM

Height 1.6H 0.3L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7L 0.9L 1.1L 1.4L 1.6L 2.1H 2.1H 2.1H 2.0H 2.0H 1.9H

Time 7:48 PM 3:02 PM 3:18 PM 3:33 PM 3:48 PM 4:03 PM 4:17 PM 4:33 PM 4:49 PM 1:04 PM 2:15 PM

Height 1.4L 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.7H 1.7H 1.8H 1.8L 1.9L

6:31 PM 6:54 PM 7:25 PM

Height 0.1L 0.9H 1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H -0.1L -0.2L -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.2L

Time 3:15 PM 8:17 AM 8:59 AM 9:39 AM 10:18 AM 10:59 AM 11:41 AM 12:24 PM 8:14 AM 9:26 AM 10:44 AM 12:02 PM 1:06 PM 1:53 PM 2:27 PM

Height 1.0H 0.2L 0.2L 0.3L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7L 0.8L 1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H

Height 0.2L 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.7H 1.7H 1.8H -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L -0.1L 0.1L 0.2L

Time 2:28 PM 7:34 AM 8:23 AM 9:10 AM 9:57 AM 10:47 AM 11:42 AM 12:46 PM 2:15 PM 8:38 AM 9:55 AM 11:13 AM 12:20 PM 1:10 PM 1:47 PM

Height 1.4H 0.2L 0.3L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7L 0.8L 1.0L 1.2L 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H 1.7H 1.6H 1.5H

Time Height 7:56 PM 1.0L 8:15 PM 0.9L 8:42 PM 0.7L 9:14 PM 0.5L 9:50 PM 0.3L 10:29 PM 0.1L 11:12 PM 0.0L 11:59 PM -0.1L 5:51 PM 6:31 PM 7:41 PM 9:57 PM 11:50 PM

1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.5H

Time

Height

7:52 PM 1.2L 8:12 PM 1.0L 8:41 PM 0.7L 9:14 PM 0.5L 9:52 PM 0.2L 10:34 PM 0.0L 11:21 PM -0.2L 5:06 PM 5:22 PM

1.9H 1.9H

1.7L 1.5L 1.3L

9:04 PM 11:13 PM

1.7H 1.7H

Time 8:44 PM 3:32 PM 3:48 PM 4:03 PM 4:18 PM 4:33 PM 4:47 PM 5:03 PM 1:09 PM 2:00 PM 3:11 PM

Height 0.8L 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.0L 1.1L 1.1L

Time

Height

8:48 PM 9:08 PM 9:37 PM 10:10 PM 10:48 PM 11:30 PM

0.7L 0.6L 0.4L 0.3L 0.1L 0.0 L

5:19 PM 5:36 PM 5:52 PM

1.1H 1.1H 1.1H

7:27 PM 7:50 PM 8:21 PM

1.0L 0.9L 0.8L

9:34 PM 11:43 PM

1.0H 1.0H

Time 9:03 PM 2:49 PM 3:08 PM 3:26 PM 3:43 PM 3:59 PM 4:14 PM 4:26 PM 4:26 PM

Height 0.9L 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H

Time

Height

7:48 PM 8:02 PM

1.1L 1.0L

9:06 PM 0.9L 9:12 PM 0.7L 9:23 PM 0.6L 9:42 PM 0.4L 10:09 PM 0.2L 10:43 PM 0.0L 11:25 PM -0.1L

10:48 PM 12:30 AM

1.2H 1.3H

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases Full

New

Last

Mar. 26

Apr. 12

Apr. 3

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

First

Apr. 19

Houston

Port O’Connor

Date Time Mar 22 9:17 AM Mar 23 10:15 AM Mar 24 1:59 AM Mar 25 4:20 AM Mar 26 5:54 AM Mar 27 7:37 AM Mar 28 12:06 AM Mar 29 12:48 AM Mar 30 1:35 AM Mar 31 2:30 AM Apr 01 3:32 AM Apr 02 4:44 AM Apr 03 6:05 AM Apr 04 7:27 AM Apr 05 8:45 AM

Rockport

Date Time Mar 22 12:44 AM Mar 23 1:43 AM Mar 24 2:50 AM Mar 25 4:13 AM Mar 26 6:01 AM Mar 27 12:04 AM Mar 28 1:11 AM Mar 29 2:12 AM Mar 30 3:12 AM Mar 31 4:13 AM Apr 01 5:16 AM Apr 02 6:20 AM Apr 03 7:22 AM Apr 04 8:19 AM Apr 05 9:09 AM

Height 0.0L 0.1L 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.6H 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L 0.2L

Time 7:35 PM 7:28 PM 11:08 AM 11:59 AM 12:50 PM

Height 0.5H 0.5H 0.1L 0.2L 0.3L

9:31 AM 11:04 AM 12:40 PM 3:21 PM 4:44 PM 5:43 PM 6:27 PM 6:28 PM 6:00 PM

0.6H 0.7H 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.8H 0.7H 0.7H

Height 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.2H 0.1L 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L 0.1L 0.1L

Time 9:57 AM 10:38 AM 11:16 AM 11:51 AM 12:24 PM 8:19 AM 4:24 PM 4:39 PM 5:27 PM 6:34 PM 7:49 PM 9:07 PM 10:26 PM 11:47 PM

Height 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L 0.1L 0.1L 0.2H 0.2H 0.3H 0.3H 0.3H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier Date Time Mar 22 6:16 AM Mar 23 7:06 AM Mar 24 12:43 AM Mar 25 1:59 AM Mar 26 3:07 AM Mar 27 4:13 AM Mar 28 5:20 AM Mar 29 6:30 AM Mar 30 7:47 AM Mar 31 12:03 AM Apr 01 1:00 AM Apr 02 2:04 AM Apr 03 3:14 AM Apr 04 4:28 AM Apr 05 5:41 AM

Height -0.1L -0.1L 1.0H 1.1H 1.3H 1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.8H -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.2L -0.2L 0.0L

South Padre Island Date Time Mar 22 6:07 AM Mar 23 6:59 AM Mar 24 12:21 AM Mar 25 1:42 AM Mar 26 2:54 AM Mar 27 4:03 AM Mar 28 5:13 AM Mar 29 6:26 AM Mar 30 7:46 AM Mar 31 9:14 AM Apr 01 12:52 AM Apr 02 1:57 AM Apr 03 3:07 AM Apr 04 4:21 AM Apr 05 5:35 AM

Height 0.3L 0.3L 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H -0.5L -0.4L -0.3L -0.1L 0.1L

Time 2:43 PM 2:52 PM 7:53 AM 8:40 AM 9:28 AM 10:20 AM 11:18 AM 12:27 PM

Height 1.1H 1.1H 0.1L 0.2L 0.5L 0.7L 1.0L 1.2L

9:11 AM 10:35 AM 11:46 AM 12:38 PM 1:15 PM 1:41 PM

1.9H 1.9H 1.8H 1.7H 1.6H 1.4H

Time 2:47 PM 2:52 PM 7:48 AM 8:37 AM 9:28 AM 10:23 AM 11:24 AM 11:04 PM 11:55 PM

Height 1.3H 1.3H 0.4L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7L 0.8L -0.3L -0.4L

10:42 AM 11:56 AM 12:47 PM 1:20 PM 1:41 PM

1.6H 1.6H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H

Time

Height

Time

Height

10:04 PM 7:29 PM 6:17 PM 4:49 PM

0.5L 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H

10:22 PM 10:53 PM 11:28 PM

0.4L 0.3L 0.2L

Time

Height

Time

Height

5:43 PM 5:10 PM 12:47 PM

0.1H 0.2H 0.2L

Time 8:14 PM 8:09 PM 3:00 PM 3:07 PM 3:13 PM 3:17 PM 3:16 PM 3:07 PM

Height 0.9L 0.8L 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H

10:39 PM

0.1L

4:42 PM

0.2H

Time 11:03 PM

Height 0.9H

8:24 PM 0.6L 8:47 PM 0.5L 9:16 PM 0.3L 9:50 PM 0.2L 10:29 PM 0.0L 11:13 PM -0.1L

2013 Mar-Apr 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Mon > 26 Tue > 27 Wed F 28 Thu > 29 Fri > 30 Sat 31 Sun 01 Mon 02 Tue 03 Wed Q 04 Thu 05 Fri 06 Sat 07 Sun 08 Mon > 09 Tue > 10 Wed N

A.M. P.M. Minor Major Minor Major 2:09 8:20 2:32 8:44 2:50 9:02 3:13 9:25 3:31 9:43 3:54 10:06 4:13 10:25 4:37 10:48 4:57 11:09 5:21 11:33 5:45 11:57 6:10 ----6:38 12:24 7:04 12:51 7:36 1:22 8:04 1:50 8:38 2:24 9:07 2:53 9:43 3:28 10:13 3:58 10:48 4:33 11:18 5:03 11:50 5:36 ----- 6:05 12:20 6:34 12:48 7:03 1:14 7:28 1:41 7:55 2:03 8:16 2:29 8:42 2:48 9:0 1 3:13 9:25 3:31 9:43 3:55 10:06 4:13 10:25 4:36 10:48 4:57 11:08 5:20 11:31 5:42 11:54 6:06 12:18

Dallas 2013 Mar-Apr 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Mon > 26 Tue > 27 Wed F 28 Thu > 29 Fri > 30 Sat 31 Sun 01 Mon 02 Tue 03 Wed Q 04 Thu 05 Fri 06 Sat 07 Sun 08 Mon > 09 Tue > 10 Wed N

A.M. Minor Major 2:14 8:26 2:56 9:07 3:37 9:48 4:18 10:30 5:02 11:15 5:50 ----6:43 12:30 7:41 1:27 8:44 2:29 9:49 3:34 10:54 4:39 11:56 5:41 12:26 6:40 1:20 7:33 2:09 8:22 2:54 9:06 3:37 9:48 4:19 10:30 5:02 11:14 5:48 -----

San Antonio 7:33 PM

0.9L

11:38 PM

1.1H

Time 8:20 PM 8:05 PM 2:57 PM 3:00 PM 3:02 PM 3:01 PM 2:55 PM

Height 1.1L 1.0L 1.2H 1.1H 1.0H 0.9H 0.9H

Time 10:27 PM

Height 1.2H

8:17 PM 0.9L 8:38 PM 0.6L 9:07 PM 0.4L 9:40 PM 0.1L 10:19 PM -0.1L

7:13 PM

1.0L

11:27 PM

1.2H

2013 A.M. Mar-Apr Minor Major 22 Fri 2:21 8:33 23 Sat 3:03 9:14 24 Sun 3:44 9:55 25 Mon > 4:25 10:37 26 Tue > 5:09 11:22 27 Wed F 5:57 ----28 Thu > 6:50 12:37 29 Fri > 7:48 1:34 30 Sat 8:51 2:36 31 Sun 9:56 3:41 01 Mon 11:01 4:46 02 Tue ----- 5:48 03 Wed Q 12:33 6:47 04 Thu 1:27 7:40 05 Fri 2:16 8:29 06 Sat 3:01 9:13 07 Sun 3:44 9:55 08 Mon > 4:26 10:37 09 Tue > 5:09 11:21 10 Wed N 5:55 -----

Amarillo

2013 A.M. Mar-Apr Minor 22 Fri 2:35 23 Sat 3:16 24 Sun 3:57 25 Mon > 4:39 26 Tue > 5:23 27 Wed F 6:11 28 Thu > 7:04 29 Fri > 8:02 30 Sat 9:04 31 Sun 10:09 01 Mon 11:14 02 Tue ----03 Wed Q 12:46 04 Thu 1:40 05 Fri 2:29 06 Sat 3:14 07 Sun 3:57 08 Mon > 4:39 09 Tue > 5:22 10 Wed N 6:08

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen ACROSS 1. Quick-to-erect tents 4. Good dog breed for pheasant hunting 7. A popular food fish 8. A group of pheasants 9. Stream fishermen’s gear 10. Camo slip-ons for a bow 12. Act of fish hitting a hook 14. A buck’s mating ritual 15. Good to have in strange areas 16. To reel in a fish rapidly 18. The largest bass 19. A cousin to the weasel 20. A protection from gun rust 22. The hunt and fish permit 25. Used for bait at times 27. Deer domain markings 28. Good item to have in a blind 31. Worn to keep pebbles out of shoes 32. A grouse species 33. Duck hunter’s cover 34. The ewe is this to the ram

35. Handle sections on a bow 36. To construct a fly lure 37. A term in a shooting contest, _____ fire DOWN 1. He treats hides 2. A small game

Page 21

March 22, 2013

Solution on Page 28 3. The energy of a shell charge 4. A scope on a bow 5. Another name for the chinook salmon 6. A buck’s usual feeding time 10. The fur seeker’s gear 11. An underwater weed growth 12. Game’s resting places 13. A cloth used to sharpen hooks 16. A northern lake food fish 17. A _____ brook trout 18. Another trout species 21. Hunting and fishing tackle 23. Very old one is called a loner 24. Small ones used to catch bigger ones.

26. The main fin on a fish 28. A game behavior pattern 29. A good scent lure for bear trap 30. A sea duck 31. The formation flyers 32. Code for a type bullet 34. Handy item to have in the kit

Major 8:46 9:28 10:09 10:51 11:35 ----12:50 1:48 2:49 3:54 4:59 6:02 7:00 7:54 8:42 9:26 10:09 10:51 11:34 -----

SUN Rises Sets 07:22 07:33 07:21 07:33 07:20 07:34 07:18 07:35 07:17 07:35 07:16 07:36 07:15 07:36 07:14 07:37 07:12 07:38 07:11 07:38 07:10 07:39 07:09 07:39 07:08 07:40 07:06 07:40 07:05 07:41 07:04 07:42 07:03 07:42 07:02 07:43 07:01 07:43 07:00 07:44

MOON Rises 3:21p 4:17p 5:14p 6:12p 7:13p 8:15p 9:19p 10:24p 11:29p NoMoon 12:32a 1:30a 2:23a 3:11a 3:54a 4:34a 5:11a 5:47a 6:22a 6:59a

Sets 4:06a 4:44a 5:21a 5:57a 6:33a 7:11a 7:52a 8:37a 9:26a 10:20a 11:18a 12:19p 1:22p 2:25p 3:27p 4:27p 5:26p 6:23p 7:21p 8:17p

P.M. Minor Major 2:38 8:49 3:19 9:31 4:00 10:12 4:42 10:54 5:27 11:39 6:16 12:03 7:10 12:56 8:09 1:55 9:13 2:58 10:18 4:03 11:23 5:08 ----- 6:11 12:54 7:08 1:47 8:00 2:34 8:47 3:18 9:30 4:00 10:12 4:42 10:54 5:25 11:37 6:11 1 2:23

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:27 07:39 3:22p 4:17a 07:26 07:39 4:20p 4:53a 07:25 07:40 5:18p 5:29a 07:23 07:41 6:18p 6:03a 07:22 07:41 7:20p 6:38a 07:21 07:42 8:23p 7:15a 07:19 07:43 9:29p 7:54a 07:18 07:43 10:35p 8:38a 07:17 07:44 11:41p 9:26a 07:15 07:45 NoMoon 10:19a 07:14 07:46 12:44a 11:17a 07:13 07:46 1:43a 12:19p 07:12 07:47 2:35a 1:22p 07:10 07:48 3:22a 2:26p 07:09 07:48 4:04a 3:30p 07:08 07:49 4:42a 4:31p 07:06 07:50 5:17a 5:31p 07:05 07:50 5:52a 6:31p 07:04 07:51 6:26a 7:29p 07:03 07:52 7:02a 8:27p

P.M. Minor Major 2:45 8:56 3:26 9:38 4:07 10:19 4:49 11:01 5:34 11:46 6:23 12:10 7:17 1:03 8:16 2:02 9:20 3:05 10:25 4:10 11:30 5:15 12:03 6:18 1:01 7:15 1:54 8:07 2:41 8:54 3:25 9:37 4:07 10:19 4:49 11:01 5:32 11:44 6:18 12:30

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:34 07:45 3:34p 4:19a 07:33 07:46 4:30p 4:57a 07:32 07:47 5:27p 5:33a 07:31 07:47 6:26p 6:09a 07:30 07:48 7:25p 6:46a 07:29 07:48 8:27p 7:24a 07:27 07:49 9:31p 8:05a 07:26 07:49 10:36p 8:50a 07:25 07:50 11:41p 9:40a 07:24 07:50 NoMoon 10:34a 07:23 07:51 12:44a 11:32a 07:21 07:52 1:42a 12:33p 07:20 07:52 2:36a 1:36p 07:19 07:53 3:24a 2:39p 07:18 07:53 4:07a 3:40p 07:17 07:54 4:46a 4:40p 07:16 07:54 5:23a 5:39p 07:15 07:55 5:59a 6:36p 07:13 07:56 6:35a 7:33p 07:12 07:56 7:12a 8:30p

P.M. Minor 2:58 3:39 4:20 5:02 5:47 6:36 7:30 8:29 9:33 10:39 11:44 12:16 1:14 2:07 2:55 3:39 4:21 5:02 5:46 6:32

SUN Major Rises Sets 9:10 07:47 07:59 9:51 07:46 08:00 10:32 07:45 08:01 11:14 07:43 08:01 11:59 07:42 08:02 12:23 07:40 08:03 1:17 07:39 08:04 2:16 07:38 08:05 3:1 9 07:36 08:05 4:24 07:35 08:06 5:29 07:33 08:07 6:31 07:32 08:08 7:28 07:31 08:08 8:21 07:29 08:09 9:08 07:28 08:10 9:51 07:27 08:11 10:32 07:25 08:12 11:14 07:24 08:12 11:57 07:23 08:13 12:43 07:21 08:14

MOON Rises 3:40p 4:38p 5:38p 6:39p 7:42p 8:47p 9:53p 11:01p NoMoon 12:07a 1:11a 2:09a 3:01a 3:47a 4:28a 5:04a 5:39a 6:12a 6:45a 7:20a

Sets 4:41a 5:17a 5:51a 6:25a 6:59a 7:34a 8:13a 8:55a 9:42a 10:35a 11:33a 12:35p 1:39p 2:44p 3:48p 4:51p 5:53p 6:53p 7:52p 8:51p

FOR THE TABLE Salt-baked white bass 4 whole white bass, gutted but not scaled Salt 2 egg whites Preheat the oven to 400°F. Mix the salt with the egg whites and put a thin layer in the bottom of a roasting tin. Place the fish on the salt and

cover completely with the remaining salt. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven. Crack the salt crust with the back of a heavy knife and remove completely. Remove the flesh from the fish (it should fall off the bone) and serve.

— easyfishrecipes.com

Texas turkey balls 1 turkey breast, cut into 1-inch cubes Bacon Soy sauce 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 tbsps. chili powder Tooth picks Cut the bacon into pieces big enough to wrap around the turkey cubes.

Wrap cubes with bacon and secure with tooth picks. Place the cubes in a large bowl and cover with soy sauce. Let set about half hour. In a bowl, combine the brown sugar and chili powder together. Take each cube and roll it in the sugar mixture.

Grill over medium/low heat until bacon is cooked.

— Backwoodsbound.com *email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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March 22, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HEROES SHARE AN ADVENTURE

n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?

E-mail 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.

While hunting in Montague County with his Pawpaw, Charles Henry, young ELI ELIZALDI, 7, harvested these two jakes on Dec. 8.

WILLIAM KEY, from El Campo, caught a sheepshead while fishing in Matagorda Bay.

NICLAS ALEJANDRO, 14, harvested his first buck on the youth opening weekend on his family ranch in Menard County.

Boerne hunter CODY PHILLIPS took this big axis on a recent hunt.

JAIME QUIROGA, from Santa Rosa, landed this flounder measuring 16 inches while fishing the Lower Laguna Madre and flats near Arroyo City.

Falfurrias was the area where JARROD VEGA took his first buck this past season.

A day of fishing between dad PHILLIP ARKOOS and his daughter, CAITLYN, produced this stringer of crappie from Lewisville Lake.

MARCUS LOREDO, 8, took this 10-point buck this past season in Encino while hunting with his dad.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

Ladies Day Out April 6 at Texas Cabela’s

Bass Continued From Page 1

With more than 5 million women participating in shooting sports, an increase of 46.5 percent since 2001, women make up an important group in sustaining the outdoor way of life.

All three Texas’ Cabela’s will celebrate the growing number of women enjoying the outdoors with Ladies Day Out, April 6, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This growing demographic will enjoy classes such as: • Defensive Firearms – with airsoft range time • Archery Basics – with range time • Towing 101 – with time to drive the trailer For women seeking to expand their knowledge and expertise in other areas, such as outdoor cooking, fly-tying, orienteering and wilderness survival, classes will include: • Fly-Tying – hooks or earrings • Camping Basics • Barbequing Classes will be taught by local experts and are free of charge.

— Staff report

Photo by LSON.

has varied from 52 to 58 degrees, which slowed the bite, according to Mayne. Even so, he has caught a few bass on beds using jigs.

“We caught 10 to 30 bass in the 3- to 9-pound range,” Mayne said of a recent trip.

Mayne is looking forward to the spawning season, when he knows that bigger bass will be found in their spawning beds.

On Lake Fork, guide J.W. Peterson is looking forward to the next full moon, which occurs March 27.

“The full moon and higher water temperatures will get the bass to the beds,” Peterson said.

Peterson has noticed a few bass in and around the beds, but they weren’t as big as they will be when the spawn hits full swing. Due to recent fronts, the water temperatures have gone down, slowing the bite. The water temperatures have been between 50 to 52 degrees on Fork. Peterson prefers the water 58 degrees and up to get the bite where he thinks it should be.

“Fronts come in and bring bad cold nights,” he said. “When we get warm nights, the bass will start biting again.”

Still, Peterson has been battling the cool conditions to find bass. He is fishing soft plastics slowly, along with lipless crankbaits in 6 to 10 feet of water.

Farther south, the spawn has already played itself out.

“They are pretty spawned out down here,” said Guide Dan Schoonveld, about the largemouth bass on Falcon Reservoir.

Schoonveld has had good luck catching big bass fishing from the ramp to the dam everyday.

Currently, the lake is 4 feet low this week, and Schoonveld hopes anglers take their time to know how deep they are at all times.

“Safety is a big issue on the lake,” he said.

Schoonveld calls Falcon Lake a “spot lake.” He said you have to know where the spots are to find the fish. He has caught bass on crankbaits, spinner baits and jigs in depths 3 to 20 feet.

Schoonveld has been catching 15 to 30 bass on each of his trips, depending on conditions.

Recently he pulled a 13-pound bass out of the lake.

“The big fish are out there,” he said.

J.W. Peterson, (214) 236-3320 Dan Schoonveld, (318) 305-8571 Tom Mayne, (903) 279-9083

March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

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NATIONAL Miller’s fish breaks a state record set less than a year ago on Cedar Lake when Benny Williams Jr. of Poteau reeled in a 14-pound, 12.3-ounce largemouth on March 23.

— ODWC

New Mexico strengthening poaching penalties New Oklahoma largemouth record Cedar Lake in southeast Oklahoma has produced its second state record largemouth bass in less than one year.

The new record was caught March 13 by Dale Miller of Panama, Okla., and weighed 14 pounds, 13.7 ounces.

Miller caught the bass at 11:30 a.m. on a Hawg Hunter Bait Co. rod set up with an Abu Garcia Revo reel and an Alabama rig. The fish measured 26 1/8 inches in length and 23 inches in girth.

“Last month I bought a fishing license, and this month I have the state record for the largemouth bass,” Miller said.

Miller said when the fish first hit his line and he set the hook, he called for help from his brother, Vonnie, who was fishing with him.

He said Vonnie questioned whether there was really a fish on the line.

Miller said they “both about passed out” when they saw the size of the fish. Using their own scales, they weighed the fish, then stopped fishing and began the process of contacting the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to determine if it would officially certify as a state record.

New Mexico’s House of Representatives recently approved a bill allowing Photo by ODWC. increased hunting and fishing license revocations for poachers convicted of killing trophy animals, passing Senate Bill 73 on a 68-0 vote.

The bill now will advance to Gov. Susana Martinez for signature.

Sponsored by Sen. George Munoz of Gallup, SB73 amends Chapter 17 Article 1 NMSA 1978 to allow the State Game Commission to revoke hunting and fishing license privileges for more than the three years currently in state statute. Due to the habitual nature of many poachers, it’s hoped that this bill will provide a greater deterrent against those who regularly kill animals and take only the trophy heads, leaving the meat to rot in the field.

— NMGF

Federal agents bust paddlefish poaching ring Over the course of March 13 and 14, approximately 85 conservation agents of the Missouri Department of Conservation, 40 special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and wildlife officers from other states contacted more than 100 suspects in Missouri and eight other states to issue citations, execute arrest warrants, conduct interviews and gather additional information

regarding a paddlefish-poaching investigation.

The effort led to eight individuals being indicted for federal crimes involving the illegal trafficking of paddlefish and their eggs for use as caviar. Other states involved were Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Through the undercover operation, agents were able to identify suspects engaged in wildlife violations involving the illegal purchase, resale and transport of paddlefish and their eggs, document other violations of the Missouri Wildlife Code in addition to the core investigation, and determine that paddlefish eggs harvested in Missouri were being illegally transported out of the state for redistribution.

Identification of suspects in violation of state wildlife charges is pending legal filings.

— MDC

RMEF crowns 2013 World Elk Calling Champions It was a good day to be the defending pro champion, and an even better day to be a member of the Jacobsen family at the 2013 RMEF World Elk Calling Championships presented by Leupold in Las Vegas. The RMEF’s “First Family of Elk Calling” took home three first-place finishes, two seconds, one third and one sixth.

“It was kind of a party down there for us,” said Corey Jacobsen of Boise, Idaho.

Jacobsen finished a mere one point behind Bryan Langley of McMinnville, Ore., who successfully defended his 2012 championship in the Professional Division.

Corey Jacobsen won the inaugural Champion of Champions, an invitational competition sponsored by Leupold that featured previous winners in the Professional Division from the first 25 World Elk Calling Championships. To do so, he had to edge out his father in two different tiebreakers.

In addition to his runner-up status in the Champion of Champions, Corey’s father,

Rockie, also finished in third among the pros.

Corey's sister, Misty, took top honors in the Women's Division while his sons Isaac and Sam finished first and sixth, respectively, in the PeeWee Division.

— RMEF

Latest tests show no CWD in Indiana The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife reports that lab tests failed to detect chronic wasting disease in any of the 1,031 tissue samples collected in 2012 from hunter-harvested white-tailed deer in Indiana.

DFW biologists collected the samples at check stations across the state during last fall's deer hunting season. The samples were submitted to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at Purdue University for analysis.

Since the Indiana DNR began active CWD monitoring in 2002, more than 15,800 samples have been collected with no sample testing positive.

— IDNR

Colt heads to Conn. capital Colt Manufacturing Company has operated in the state of Connecticut for 175 years, but a new package of gun control bills may threaten the company’s future in the state.

Colt President Dennis Veilleux made the decision last week to shut down the Colt factory for a day so more than 600 employees could make their voices heard at a public hearing at the state capital. The group waved signs that said “Save our jobs.”

“These are the faces of the jobs at Colt,” Veilleux said. “Each of these people represents other people in the state. They represent he community and, in a lot of cases, they’re the breadwinners of their families. And more and more, manufacturing jobs are hard to come by.”

Representatives from the NRA and other gun groups also testified at the hearing.

— Staff report

OUTDOOR BUSINESS

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

Deer study Continued From Page 7

identify the deer.

One of the items studied was the affect of deer density on the available vegetation.

“We expected to see a decline in the palatable plants and an increase in the plants unpalatable to deer as the density increased,” said Dr. Tim Fulbright, research scientist at CKWRI. “If so, that would indicate habitat degradation with increased deer density.”

What the study revealed, however, differed from expectations.

“In the forbs and half-shrubs, there was no effect on the plants from supplemental feeding,” he said. “There was a lot of variation with drought, though.”

In areas where no supplemental feeding took place, “the canopy was hit hard regardless of density,” Fulbright said.

Woody plants showed no material effect, nor did standing crops of browse

Cedar Bayou receives funding Ongoing funding efforts to restore Cedar Bayou have received a significant boost with a $250,000 commitment from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a $100,000 contribution from the Building Conservation Trust, CCA’s national habitat program. The funding will go to support the work being done by Aransas County, Coastal Conservation Association Texas and other partners to open the pass between Matagorda and San Jose Islands.

“The commitment of Aransas County and its partners to raising necessary funding to accomplish both the initial dredging and subsequent maintenance of Cedar Bayou is another example of the ways the region has invested in the well-being of our coastal resources for present and future generations of Texans,” stated Carter Smith, executive director of TPWD, in a letter to Aransas County Judge C. H. “Burt” Mills.

— Katy News

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Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 21628300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues.

Newsstand copies are $2, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2013 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 news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

and forbs with different densities or whether the deer received feed.

Fulbright sought to examine why the results were unexpected.

We picked five of the important plant species,” he said. “Bush sunflowers were affected — deer love them, and deer density did have an effect on kidneywood.

The other species showed no effects.

There was no habitat degradation of either the palatable or unpalatable forbs or browse.”

The study supported several theories for the unexpected findings.

“Rainfall impacts the vegetation a whole lot more than the deer do,” Fulbright said. “And the vegetation adapts to the deer.”

Since deer browse during certain times of year, turn to forbs in the spring and mast, like mesquite pods, in summer, less pressure is placed on other plants.

“It’s nature’s rotation system,” Fulbright said.

March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

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DATEBOOK March 23

Kayak Angler Tournament Series Lake Fayette (512) 203-9849 fishkats.com

National Wild Turkey Federation East Texas Dinner Arabella Manor, East Mountain (903) 736-3683 nwtf.org/texas

Coastal Conservation Association 2013 Prairie Chapter Annual Banquet Cat Springs Hall, Cat Springs coleman@ccatexas.org ccatexas.org

April 13-14

Dallas Safari Club YPG hosted fly-fishing trip Gruene (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

National Wild Turkey Federation Palo Pinto County Dinner Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Posse Building (940) 325-5142 nwtf.org/texas

April 5-13

Bass Champs Central Division #2 Lake LBJ (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

National Wild Turkey Federation Texoma Banquet Tanglewood Resort (903) 436-1571 nwtf.org

Houston Safari Club Annual HSC Crawfish Boil Floyd’s Cajun Seafood and Steakhouse (713) 623-8844 houstonsafariclub.org

Safari Club International North Texas Chapter 2013 Outdoor Expo Embassy Suites Outdoor World, Grapevine (940) 612-1928 scinorthtexas.com

National Wild Turkey Federation Tri-County Longbeards Banquet Seaton Star Hall, Temple (254) 773-5508 nwtf.org

Ducks Unlimited Bowie Dinner Bowie Community Center (940) 872-3262 ducks.org/texas

5th Annual Trooper Scott Burns Memorial Big Bass Tournament Crip’s Camp, Caddo Lake (903) 240-9151 cripscamp.com

March 27

April 2

Coastal Conservation Association Northeast Houston Chapter General Meeting Cedar Landing Restaurant (713) 898-8594 ccatexas.org

March 28

Whitetails Unlimited North Texas Deer Camp Myers Show Barn, McKinney (972) 345-8265 whitetailsunlimited.com

March 30

Wulf Outdoor Sports 3rd Annual Wild Hog Roundup East Texas counties (936) 598-8310 wulfoutdoorsports.com

April 5

Ducks Unlimited SMU Dinner Hilton Dallas/Park Cities (713) 515-3868 ducks.org/texas

April 6

Texas Team Trail Ray Roberts Tournament (210) 788-4143 texasteamtrail.com

April 6-7

Cinnamon Creek Ranch Rinehart R100 Shoot (817) 439-8998 cinnamoncreekranch.com

Ducks Unlimited Lamar University Dinner Courville's Restaurant, Beaumont (409) 782-6657 ducks.org/texas

Texas Gun and Knife Show Abilene Civic Center (830) 285-0575 texasgunandknifeshows.com

April 4

Dallas Woods and Waters Club Monthly Meeting and Dinner Sheraton Dallas North (214) 570-8700 dwwcc.org

Coastal Conservation Association Bay Area Chapter Annual Banquet Bay Area Community Center cweber@ccatexas.org ccatexas.org

April 11

Big Bass Extravaganza Lake Conroe bigbassextravaganza.com

April 13

Bass Champs East Division #3 Sam Rayburn Reservoir (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

April 19-20

Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association Spring Rendezvous Hunt County Fairgrounds, Greenville (512) 756-4609 txtrappers.com Taxidermy King Big Game Trophy Mount and Western Auction Will Rogers Memorial Center, Ft. Worth (512) 451-7633 taxidermykind.com

April 19-21

World Predator and Wild Hog Expo Waco Convention Center (404) 732-5658 scurryoutdoorssouth.com

April 20

Kimble County Annual Outdoor Women Gone Wild Junction (325) 446-2622 junctiontexas.net

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March 22, 2013

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March 22, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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PRODUCTS BOAT BAG: Fishpond’s new Westwater collection includes various products using welded fabric construction, including this 1,400-cubic-inch boat bag. With such features as a Velcro divider system, three clear interior zippered pouches, and a molded top and bottom, anglers will appreciate this well-designed bag. It also has four heavy-duty boat lash tie-down points to ensure that contents stay safe no matter the water conditions as well as attachment points for accessories a fisherman needs to have close at hand. The boat bag sells for about $220.

(303) 534.3474 www.fishpondusa.com

>>

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(800) 423-3537 www.bushnell.com

DRONE: Ol’ Man Outdoors’ climber provides hunters with a safe and fast way to level a treestand while climbing. With a simple twist of the wrist, users can extend or retract up to 5 inches of cable. Fluorescent cable heads allow for easy assembly in the dark. The climber has built-in accessory holders on either side to hold range finders, binoculars, rattling horns and other gear. The Drone features a shooting rest, straight bar, foot rest, and a quiet and comfortable net seat.

It offers a standing platform of 18 inches by 32 inches. Rated for 300 pounds, the climber sells for about $400.

1

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(800) 624-5988 www.tinks.com

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Puzzle solution from Page 21

B-TECH HAIR AND BODY SOAP: Tink’s utilizes Byotrol technology, which the company says is scientifically proven to target bacterial odors that instinctively alert wild game, specifically deer. B-Tech destroys more than 300 odor-causing compounds produced by the human body, including those caused by perspiration. It also is effective against smoke and food odors. B-Tech does not contain bleaches, metal salts, or other chemicals that can irritate a hunter’s skin. A 10-ounce travel size sells for about $11.

>>

(888) 656-2606 www.olmanoutdoors.com

>>

REDZONE BREATHABLE WADERS: Banded’s new waders are described as light, comfortable, practical and bad-to-the-bone breathable. The waders are constructed from fused optimal fabrics with a breathable and waterproof laminate.

The insulated models also feature a heat-absorbing retention system. These durable waders will perform in the extreme conditions that waterfowlers commonly encounter. The waders’ features include taped seams for waterproof performance, reinforced knees and seats, a Thinsulate insulated boot, and articulated knees for maximum range of motion.

The waders, which offer bibfit styling, are available in Realtree MAX-4 and Realtree AP. The uninsulated waders sell for about $300 and the insulated waders sell for about $350.

(888) 992-6299 www.banded.com

FIRST STRIKE REFLEX ELECTRONIC SIGHT: Bushnell Outdoor Products has introduced a versatile electronic red dot sight. Lightweight and compact, this point-andshoot sight allows hunters to quickly acquire targets. With unlimited eye relief, the First Strike Reflex is a highly adaptable sighting system that easily mounts on such firearms as handguns, turkey guns and modern sporting rifles. The sight features a 5 MOA dot with an automatic brightness adjustment for variable light conditions. Fully waterproof and designed to withstand heavy recoil, the high-performance electronic sight features a built-in mounting system that attaches to Weaver-style bases or Picatinny rails. The First Strike Reflex has an MSRP of $219.95.

REAL CO. HUNTING 59+ acres. Electric, water, owner terms #24, $208,745.

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Exotics and native, stock tank, 2 mobiles (#75) $1,082,396.

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Pioneer Real Estate, Shirley Shandley, Broker. www.hillcountryrealestate.net.

(830) 232-6422 BIG CUTTING BOARDS 24"x48" Cutting Boards for hunters and fishermen. Made in the U.S.A. BigCuttingBoards.com BUSINESS OWNER CREDIT CARD PROCESSING 1.69%.

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(435) 623-2744 SOLAR GENERATOR ENCLOSED TRAILER MOUNTED 3500 Watt. 6000 Watt surge. Larger sizes available.

Plenty of gear storage room inside. Sales@solartyme.com.

(512) 789-9667 TURKEY HUNTING Great South Texas turkey hunting in Carrizo Springs, TX. Meals and lodging included. Deerdown.com.

Call Mark.

(210) 422-3210 SOUTH PADRE FISHING Reds, Trout, Flounder, Snook. Everything supplied but food and licenses.

Multiple trip discounts. Call Capt. Thomas for details or CDCT12005@aol.com (956) 551-1965

LOOKING FOR DEER? Great Deal Native Whitetail Trophy and Management Hunts near Brady. Meals and lodging at Highpoint Ranch and exotics hunts are also still available. Brand new lodge and some of the best home cooking you will ever have.

I’ll send you some game cam photos of our bucks. Like us on Facebook. Call Sawyer Wright.

(254) 485-7069

SUPER DEER - DOVE HUNTING RANCH 154 high-fenced acres, Medina County, 20 miles west of San Antonio. Fishing tank, 2 water wells, public water, improved whitetail, axis, fallow deer, 6 whitetail breeder pens, Alsatian rock cabin, mixture of fields and brush, one-quarter minerals, $4950 acre. Owner-Broker.

(830) 796-0520

SHIP-IT ASAP Equipment, Gun Safes, Antiques, Furniture, Vehicles, Boats. One Call Does All. info@ship-It.com (972) 934-7036

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NEW MEXICO PRIVATE RANCH Mule deer and Elk. Hunting lions year round, bear starting in August. w w w . e l k o u t f i t t e r. c o m (505) 321-8202 DEER HUNTING LEASE AVAILABLE 6,500 acres located 25 miles on FM 1472, Old Mines Road, NW Laredo, TX, Webb County. $11.00 per acre. 15 guns. Low Fences. Water & electricity available. High fence around camp site. May be divided into 2 pastures.

2,350 acres & 4,150 acres.

Contact Leroy Krueger.

(830) 570-0660 STATE WATERFOWL STAMP/PRINT COLLECTION FOR SALE 32 total signed and numbered state prints and stamps from around the country 12 state first; Louisiana, Vermont, Arizona,Kansas, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Connecticut, Idaho, Virginia, Nebraska, Canada, Australia. 10 from South Carolina. All unframed.

Great art work for any water fowlers office wall or hunting camp. Call and ask for David.

(214) 361-2276

FOR SALE 1992 Ranger Comanche with 150 Yamaha ProV, Motor Guide Humminbird, Ranger trailer.

Good condition. Pictures available. $8995. In Wyoming.

(307) 683-2354 DISCOVER ARCHERY TEXASARCHERY.INFO BUSINESS OWNER LOW COST POWER RATES www.EasyPowerTexas.com KABA 3D SHOOT KERRVILLE ARCHERY AND BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION 3-D Archery Tournaments, 11:00am-2:00pm. March 24, April 14, May 5, May 26, June 9. Center Point, TX 78010. www.kabatexas.org (830) 634-2878 RECRUITING/SEEKING Nationwide and Statewide distributors and dealers for unlimited-projects inventory software designed to document ALL of your assests including home and business. Great profit, modest investment. Ask for Sherry.

(512) 321-1590

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

March 22, 2013

Page 29

Artificial Reef Program working hard to save idle rigs

By Jacob Longoria Lone Star outdoor newS

The Artificial Reef Program is hard at work to preserve every idle oil rig waiting to be capped.

After the start of the “Idle Iron Policy” on Sept. 15, 2010, rigs idle for more than five years have been scheduled to be cut, capped or moved to prevent leaks.

The Artificial Reef Program strives to keep these structures where they are to maintain the ecosystems that depend on them.

Robin Riechers, director of TPWD’s Coast Fisheries Division

which oversees the Artificial Reef Program, and his team have recently been approved for two zones off the coast of Corpus Christi for artificial reefs. This will make it easier to for the artificial reef team to get decommissioned rigs into the program, according to Riechers.

One of the goals of the Artificial Reef Program is to eliminate towing rigs. They prefer to work on rigs that have not been altered.

When a rig is moved, the ecosystem which it contains is disrupted by the towing. Riechers and his team handle each rig on a case-

by-case basis to eliminate concentrated damages along the coast.

“If the rigs have to be towed, there are additional costs for the oil companies,” Riechers said.

There are three ways the rig is altered in the Idle Iron removal process.

The first type of removal consists of cutting the wells 15 feet below the mud line, leaving only the jacket (petroleum production platforms) of the rig. The second is by cutting the tops off the rigs 85 feet below the water’s surface. The jacket of the rig is then left for further reef projects. The final option

is to completely sever the entire rig below the mud line before towing the structure to shore. Heavy cutting and/or explosives are used to do all the alterations.

The most common option is the “explosive severance.” The explosion is designed to cut the rigs bottom components. An explosive charge is deployed from above the water surface inside a target and set 15-25 feet below the seabed.

The detonation produces a shock– wave and acoustic energy that can kill marine life.

As of September 2012, there have been 420 platforms removed

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Old oil rigs are home to an entire ecosystem, including corals, game fish and predators, like sharks and this barracuda. Photo by Chris Ledford, TPWD.

in the Gulf of Mexico that have been converted into artificial reefs — 103 are offshore Texas.

“Our goal is to take over as many structures are we can,” said Dr. Brook Shipley-Lozano, chief scientist with the Texas Artificial Reef Program.

Shipley-Lozano and her team are working hard to preserve all the rigs.

According to Shipley-Lozano, the artificial reef team has built a good working relationship with oil companies by showing them that saving the rigs can save money and help the ecosystem. Some rigs have been donated to the program as a result.

“If the rigs become idle, we hope the oil companies will give them back to us,” she said.

There are 24 rig removals scheduled for the next year off the Texas coast. Shipley-Lozano said she would like all 24 rigs to come under the Artificial Reef Program banner.

But Shipley-Lozano says that just because a structure is idle doesn’t mean the rig will soon be cut or removed. She said that some idle rigs can be bought by other oil companies with plans on making them functional again.

Shipley-Lozano has seen firsthand that game fish are attracted to theses structures.

“A lot of game fish live under the structures, like big red snapper and hammerhead sharks,” she said.

Shipley-Lozano did announce that her team has recently saved a rig located 90 nautical miles off the coast of Galveston. The rig is one of the bigger rigs off the Texas coast, going down 659 feet deep.

Page 30

March 22, 2013

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Scenes from Caddo Lake

A WORLD UNTO ITSELF: LSON Editor Conor Harrison recently took a kayak trip to Caddo Lake and was amazed at the scenery and wildlife inhabiting what has to be the most unique body of water in Texas. Huge bald cypress, Spanish moss, canvasback ducks, herons and egrets make this maze of swamps and bayous a true sportsmen’s paradise. And the fishing isn’t bad, either. The white bass were running in the channels and largemouth anglers were having success ripping crankbaits near flooded timber. Photos by Conor Harrison, LSON.

LONE STAR MARKET

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or email him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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March 22, 2013

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

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