November 26, 2010 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

Upland slam Dallasite takes all 28 gamebirds in N. America

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

November 26, 2010

Volume 7, Issue 7

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To feed or not to feed?

Inside

Biologists weigh in on supplemental feeding to help bucks survive the post rut

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS With the rut fast approaching throughout North and Central Texas, and whitetail bucks just starting to become interested in does south of

❘❚ FISHING

Interstate 10, a hectic time for whitetailed bucks is about to begin across the state.

Big bucks almost completely ignore food throughout the rut, and studies See TO FEED, Page 22

SURVIVING: Good nutrition helps a buck restore his health following the rut. That can be achieved by supplemental feeding, but biologists say a well-managed range is critical. Photo by David J. Sams.

Redfish hot on coast Low tides and cold fronts making the difference.

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All fishing in HD World Fishing Network expands horizons.

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Flushing Coveys Quail season expected to improve as colder weather hits Texas

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Matador Historic West Texas ranch honored for balancing livestock, wildlife.

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Wardens survive plane crash Aircraft downed while searching for poachers.

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❘❚ CONTENTS Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

Fishing Report . . . . . .

For the Table . . . . . . .

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes . . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook. . . . .

Outfitters and Businesses Products . . . . . . . . .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

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Texas quail hunters haven’t enjoyed the best opening weeks this year.

But, unlike recent years when drought throughout the state dampened expectations, this season has a silver lining.

Due to abundant rains beginning last winter and continuing throughout the summer, bobwhite quail hunters expect the season to improve as it progresses and abundant ground cover diminishes.

In the Panhandle, quail hunter ■ Quail Coalition Mark Brewer, hits stride: Page 4 said a recent wet snowstorm helped knock down some of the cover, and late season should be better as the weather turns colder.

INSIDE

See FLUSHING COVEYS, Page 24

BETTER DAYS AHEAD: Many quail hunters across Texas say they’re waiting on colder weather to knock down vegetation, which ought to make it easier for their dogs to locate birds. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

❘❚ LSONews.com

Fishing buddies

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

Old friends continue producing world-class lures Lonnie Stanley and John Hale have been fishing together and against each other for the better part of three decades.

Stanley, the owner of Stanley Lures in Huntington, and Hale, who has held almost every job at the company since the early 1980s, have a partnership forged on lakes across Texas and in the company’s meeting rooms discussing new products.

“John started as sales manager,” Stanley said. “I’d come up with ideas and three days later we’d be fishing with it. He’s great at building the molds. We work really good together

— a great team.”

The pair’s fishing styles differ, though. Stanley likes to fish fast and cover more water, while Hale prefers to fish his baits slower.

But the teamwork has led to many innovations in the lure world that are still being used today.

“We know we do a good job because so many people copy us,” Hale said. “We invented fiber weed guards, rubber skirts, 60-degree-angle jig hooks and we brought needle-point hooks to the U.S. See FISHING BUDDIES, Page 24

DYNAMIC DUO: John Hale and Lonnie Stanley have been working together since the early 1980s developing worldclass fishing lures for Stanley Lures. The company, founded by Stanley, is based in Huntington. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

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HUNTING

Quail Coalition looks forward to successful second year 12 chapters keeping all proceeds in-state for quail research

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS After splitting from Quail Unlimited to keep more dollars in Texas to protect quail and other state upland game birds, Quail Coalition is beginning to hit its stride after a difficuilt first year.

The coalition’s 12 chapters have had to seek 501C-3 (tax-exempt) designations, which was a challenging process for some of them.

However, their banquets and other fundraisers were well-received.

“We’ve gone through the process (of getting 501C-3 recognition) on a chapter-bychapter basis instead of one parent organization,” said Tim Connolly of Wichita Falls, chairman of Quail Coalition.

But, he noted, “We’ve had a number of successful banquets, and the net result is 100 percent of the proceeds from the banquets goes to the chapters to dispense out to projects for local areas or cities.”

Connolly said money has gone to support research at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, the Texas Brigades and the Rolling Plains Research Ranch.

“It all stays in Texas,” he said. “We’re trying to go to an all-electronic membership (to reduce costs on things such as printing newsletters), which currently numbers around 3,000. That’s evolving as we have more banquets and get more e-mail addresses.”

Connolly said Quail Coalition finally is getting some “synergy” and the future looks bright.

“Ideally in the second year, every chapter will have a banquet or fund-raiser to fund projects on their areas,” he said.

The switch from Quail Unlimited has especially helped the Kingsville-South Texas Chapter headed by Bill Rauch, who also sits on the board of QC. “As a new QC chapter, we had our most successful banquet to date,” Rauch said.

“Overall, the attitude and support is there, and being a Texas organization helped draw some people there.”

Rauch said he supports Quail Unlimited and believes it has a place for improving quail habitat in the southeast.

He added, however, that there is a huge advantage to ensuring money raised by QC stays in Texas.

“This was a better deal for us,” he said.

“Quail decline isn’t a Texas issue or a southeast issue; it is a country-wide issue. We need to keep quail in the forefront, but we are happy with the switch.”

“Our final numbers were better than expected and better than any of the QU chapter banquets we had,” Rauch said. “We averaged about $100,000 for QU and we raised about $170,000 for our first QC banquet.

“Overall, we had some hiccups, which is expected for a brand new organization, but I don’t expect those moving forward.”

The Kingsville-South Texas Chapter had a See QUAIL COALITION, Page 6

Upland Slam Dallas hunter shoots all 28 upland game bird species of North America

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Growing up in central Wyoming, Dallas resident Jack Minter learned the joy of hunting pheasants and prairie chickens at an early age.

It was that beginning that led him to a lifetime of pursuing upland game birds.

And, as far as he knows, he is the first person to successfully take all 28 species of North American upland game birds. The threeyear quest ranged from Mexico to Alaska.

“I started hunting quail, and I thought it would be really fun to shoot all of the North American quail,” Minter said. “I got on the Internet, and found about 30 subspecies of quail. After digging, though, I ended up with six recognized species.”

Minter shot the bobwhite and scaled quail in Texas before traveling to Arizona to shoot Gambel’s

and Mearn’s quail. A trip to California completed the “quail slam” when Minter shot California and mountain quail.

He planned for a three-day hunt for the mountain quail, in California.

“They’re on mountains and get down in brushy canyons, real nasty stuff,” he said. “They walk downhill in the mornings to drink, and then they walk back up the mountain roads to dust. You sneak around the roads and try to catch them in the open.”

Minter said he was lucky and shot his on the first day.

After shooting all of the quail, Minter began to think about shooting all of the upland game birds, and prairie chickens were next on the list.

“It just kept expanding as I looked at galliformes,” Minter said.

See UPLAND SLAM, Page 6 RARE BIRDS: Jack Minter holds a mount of his Himalayan snowcock. Shot above 11,000 feet in the mountains above Elko, Nev., the Himalayan snowcock was one of the most challenging birds Minter hunted during his 3-year quest to bag all 28 species of upland game birds of North America.

Right: His six species of North American quail are on display at the Dallas Beretta Gallery. Photos by Conor Harrison, LSON.

Three game wardens survive plane crash Three Texas game wardens survived a plane crash Nov. 10 in the Franklin Mountains north of El Paso.

The pilot, Lt. A.J. Smith, along with two rookie wardens, Hallie Dacy and Kenneth Zuber, received minor injuries in the crash. All three had been released from University Medical Center in El Paso by Nov. 12.

The wardens were on a routine surveillance mission, looking for poachers, when the twin-engine Partenavia P68 Observer crashed.

Dacy was trapped for several hours in the wreckage before rescuers freed her with special equipment.

Col. Pete Flores, Law Enforcement Division director for

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, was flown to El Paso in the same aircraft just hours before the crash.

“It was a miracle they survived,” Flores said. “But, I think good training played a role in it, too.”

The cause of the crash was undetermined a week later.

Since there were no fatalities, the Federal Aviation Administration has told TPWD officials that it was OK for them to investigate the crash, said Mike Cox, TPWD spokesman.

Internal Affairs Capt. Joe Carter, who happened to be in West Texas on another case the day of the crash, immediately went to the scene and was leading the internal investigation, Cox said.

The six-seat airplane had been owned by the TPWD since 1984, and it had 361 hours in the air last year, according to Chief Pilot Lee Finch.

“We are sorry to lose a plane that’s played such an important part in our law enforcement efforts over the years, but it could have been much worse,” Flores said. “In a way, Thanksgiving came early for us this year.”

On the day of the crash, Smith flew Flores and Maj. Steve Whiteaker of San Angelo to El Paso.

See PLANE CRASH, Page 6

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

‘Mini’ still unmatched as native deer

STILL TOPS: No bigger deer has yet surfaced in Texas since Mark Barrett harvested “Mini” Oct. 2 on his Webb County ranch. The deer’s net score was 292 1/8. Photo by Marko Barrett.

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The net Boone and Crockett score of “Mini” may not have cracked 300, but it's hard to find a bigger deer in Texas — this year or in recent memory.

The Webb County buck was gross scored at 307 1/8 when San Antonio businessman Mark Barrett took it on Oct. 2.

That was during the early Managed Lands Permit season, so the big deer’s antlers still were in velvet.

Once the covering was stripped, his net score was 292 1/8.

But, a month and a half later, no bigger deer had yet surfaced in Texas; he still topped the high-fence division for the 25th Annual Los Cazadores Deer Contest.

“There are deer that are killed that are genetically enhanced by breeding,” said Barrett’s son, Marko, who manages the family’s Las Raices Ranch, where the buck was shot.

“This deer,” he added, “is a Texas deer, so he doesn’t have any northern influences. He’s just a pasture, native deer.”

But with so much antler mass, one might question how this trophy got the nickname “Mini.”

The story goes back to 2007 when Marko

made headlines by taking a deer that had 36 points and a drop tine. It scored 268 6/8 in the Los Cazadores contest.

At the same time, a younger buck was catching the Barretts’ attention.

It was estimated to be about 4.5 years old, with 24 points and a possible gross of about 225.

The Barretts compared the two deer, Mark Barrett said.

“We had called Marko’s deer the ‘Multi-Pointed’ deer, so we named this deer ‘Mini-Multi,’” he said.

“We realized that ‘Mini’ was about 10 percent bigger than Multi at the same age.

“This knowledge put us on notice.”

The Barretts spent the next three years taking multiple photos of Mini. A video titled “The Age Progression of Mini” is on Lone Star Outdoor News Web site www.lsonews.com.

“We were concerned for several years that he may have peaked early,” Mark said, “but this year, due in large part to timely rains, he amazed us by ‘blowing up’ nearly 100 inches.”

Mark said the family decided to finally take Mini this year ■ LSONews.com as he reached age 7.

They feared he would be “gored in the rut, get pulled down by coyotes, or suffer some other natural mortality due to injury or illness,” Mark said.

Hunting the big deer, however, was challenging, even though the 4,200-acre ranch is high fenced.

“When he came out, there were 30 deer with 60 eyes and ears waiting for us to make a mistake,” Mark said. “He fiddled around for 20 or 30 minutes and, with the anticipation building, (he) finally came into the lane where I took my shot.

“Fortunately it all worked out and I was able to make a clean kill on a magnificent animal.”

The ranch wasn’t always high fenced, Mark said.

“Not until 1998 did our neighbor to the north build a high fence of 4.5 miles that closed the circuit of high fence around the property and completely enclosed us,” he said. “Before that time the ranch had already produced five B &C bucks under two different owners.

“The deer still have the same opportunity to evade that they did pre-fence. These are wild deer in a wild setting, not pen deer.”

See Mini video

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Landowners reminded to display hunt lease licenses

By Bill Miller LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Law-abiding Texans should know they must carry state-issued licenses while hunting, but what about ranch owners?

Each September, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues a press release reminding landowners that they must get a “hunting lease license” if they are charging people to hunt on their property.

These licenses can be bought anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold. They also resemble the sporting licenses because they are printed in the same format, and on the same print stock, said Scott Vaca, assistant chief of wildlife enforcement.

The licenses must be renewed each year, and most landowners understand that.

But there may be some confusion over the rule stating that the lease license must be displayed on the property.

“To be frank, the license shall be displayed on the hunt lease,” Vaca

said. “But there are no guidelines.

“I’ve had quite a few calls from landowners and I explain it to them.”

A lot of landowners put the licenses in ziplock bags that are put in mailboxes at the gate or taped to a cleaning rack, Vaca said.

Some may keep the license in an envelope inside the ranch house, but that’s not preferred, Vaca said.

“If a game warden comes up and asks if you have a hunt lease license and you say ‘Sure do, stand by,’ and you run inside and you produce it, I guess that’s OK,” Vaca said.

But, he added, that issue won’t be clearly settled if the license is stashed at the property, but the land owners aren’t there and the hunters don’t know where to find it.

“The letter of law says it shall be displayed,” Vaca said, “so wouldn’t it be better to stick it on a peg board in the kitchen?”

Doing so, he said, “just eliminates that as an issue.”

“We’ve been asked if it’s OK to keep the original safe and to put a copy of it up, and we say ‘yes,’” Vaca said.

There are three types of lease

licenses: hunting lease; hunting cooperative; and wildlife management association.

Fees vary for the licenses, depending on acreage. For example, a rancher with more than 1,000 acres pays $252 for a hunting lease license, while a rancher with fewer than 500 acres pays $79.

Violations for not having a lease license, and properly displaying it, are a Class C misdemeanor, which can carry a fine ranging from $25 to $500.

A lot of these violations result in a simple warning, Vaca said.

“Typically it’s handled as an educational item, so there is not a high number of citations,” he explained. “But, after that’s done, and the landowner continues to ignore it ... well, each time a paid customer comes onto the land to hunt, it’s a violation.”

And, at a maximum $500 fine for each violation, when the most expensive license is $252 for 1,000 acres, “it makes no economic sense,” Vaca said.

BETTER TO POST IT: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Code states that hunting lease licenses must be displayed on the property. A landowner may get by with putting it in a drawer inside the ranch house, but wardens prefer to see it posted prominently, like on a peg board in the kitchen. Photo by Bill Miller, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Quail coalition

Upland slam

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trap shoot, in April.

He expects a good turnout.

“We had 125 members at the last Quail Unlimited banquet,” he said.

“We should have more than that in the future, even if it’s guys just sharing stuff about quail hunting in the area.”

As the organization moves into its second year, QC will try to work with politicians HARVEST: Hunters say they don’t expect this will be a banner season for quail, but it ought to be better than recent years which were hampered by drought. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON. to keep quail and other upland game birds relevant. very successful banquet, and its spending money,” he said.

Connolly said the group membership totals more than Thomas said money raised lobby the Texas 350 members, Rauch said. would go to habitat improve- would In East Texas, Lewis Thomas ment in the area and a shoot- Legislature to release $14 million of the Marshall-Cypress Bayou ing range where local 4-H that have yet to be allocated.

The money is primarily from Chapter said the group secured school kids can come and its nonprofit designation and shoot, something he said his hunters purchasing upland game bird stamps, and Connolly was planning its first banquet area lacks. in March.

The Amarillo-Panhandle believes the money should be “We’re organizing again,” he Chapter also is gaining spent on habitat improvement and other wildlife issues. said. “We kind of fell apart after momentum.

“We’re very interested in Quail Unlimited, but we are fix“We move at a little differing to have our first banquet.” ent pace up here,” said Mark having Texas sportsmen underThomas said the chapter cur- Brewer. “We do have more stand that these funds haven’t rently has 150 members and people that are real interested been allocated,” Connolly the switch to QC has helped because of the switch, but we said. “It’s difficult to get the garner more local interest. haven’t had a lot of input or Legislature’s attention to focus “Anytime you can keep the direction yet.” on the needs of wildlife over money local, people don’t mind Brewer said the organiza- issues like schools and illegal as much coming to an event and tion will hold its first event, a immigration.”

Hunting Brief Amsterdam airport officials confiscating broadheads Bow hunters traveling through Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on their way to destinations in Africa and other parts of Europe are being warned that Netherlands police are actively searching bow cases and luggage for broadheads and folding knives.

Travelers who bring such equipment through that airport risk fines and jail time for possessing “contraband,” according to the online edition of “The Hunting Report” newsletter (www.huntingreport.com).

Police recently told three hunters that broadheads were considered illegal contraband, according to the report.

Consequently, $2,500 worth of custom broadheads were confiscated from one of the hunter’s luggage, the report stated.

The hunters said police told them it did not matter that they weren’t clearing customs and only transitioning through the country.

Currently, there is no way to acquire a transit permit, unlike permits that are available for guns and ammo, according to the report.

The European Bowhunting Federation issued a warning stating it, “cannot recommend any hunter using bow and arrow to arrange a flight with a stopover in Holland at this point until this policy has been changed.”

The report recommended immediately changing any flight plans that stopped in the Netherlands, as authorities are taking a hardnosed approach to the issue.

—Staff report

“I made the list and just started going to places.”

Minter shot greater prairie chicken in Nebraska and lesser prairie chicken in Kansas.

“For the prairie chicken, I got cammoed up and laid down in a ditch in a field,” Minter said. “I managed to shoot one and it was a hen, so I got back down in the ditch and eventually shot a cock. I got lucky.”

Four of the species Minter shot were non-native: the Chinese pheasant, Hungarian partridge, chukar and Himalayan snowcock, which Minter killed high in the mountains above Elko, Nev. Minter said to hunt the snowcock, he woke up at 3 a.m. and walked up a mountain, surrounded by big mule deer, bighorn sheep and goats. The birds only live above 11,000 feet, and Minter shot his at it flew from a rocky cliff above the spot where he was seated.

The birds at either extremes of continent provided Minter with some of his most unique hunting.

Three species of ptarmigan, the willow, rock and white-tailed ptarmigan, all lived in Alaska, and Minter shot all three on one trip. He hunted from snowmobiles and walking on snowshoes.

“The ptarmigan are cool because they change color, and I wanted all white,” he said. “The white-tailed ptarmigan near Valdez, Alaska, was a tough hunt.”

Minter said his guide had seen birds on previous hunts for other game, and the pair had to walk on snowshoes to

get to the area the guide previously had seen birds.

“I got lucky and the bird popped out of a bush and I hit it,” he said. “It was all white and blended into the snow.

We chased it for a long time and it ended up about 800 feet (in elevation) above where we started. It was hard to see and stayed way up high on the mountain. That hunt was challenging and a lot of fun. I ended up getting a couple more of them and got all three ptarmigan in three days.”

Far from Alaska, Minter hunted in the forests around Campeche, Mexico for the chachalaca and ocellated turkey.

While there, Minter also shot a crested gaun, tinamou and cracidae.

In-between trips to Alaska and Mexico, Minter managed to shoot all of the species of grouse in the western U.S. “Some of the grouse aren’t real fun to shoot,” he said. “The spruce grouse just don’t fly, and they taste terrible — like spruce. I flew to Washington for a one-day hunt for a sooty grouse. That was one of the last ones.”

The final birds Minter had to collect were the turkeys; Osceola, Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s and Gould’s.

He accomplished that in one spring.

All told, it took Minter nearly three years to complete his “grand slam” of upland game birds. Besides the turkeys, Minter shot all of his birds with a .410 shotgun, which makes his feat even more impressive.

“It gives the birds a chance,” he said when asked why he used the .410.

“Plus, I wanted to mount them and didn’t want to blow them up with a 12-gauge.”

Plane crash Continued From Page 4

Next, the pilot took the two newly commissioned wardens up to look for poachers on Franklin Mountains State Park, Cox said.

Dacy and Zuber both are assigned to El Paso County.

“This time of the year,” Flores explained, “it’s not uncommon for people to slip onto the park through federal Bureau of Land Management land on the New Mexico side and illegally hunt mule deer or aoudad sheep.

“We wanted our new wardens to become familiar with this area from

above as well as to look for any intruders that morning.”

The plane went down over the Franklin Mountains, about 16 miles northwest of El Paso, just inside the New Mexico line.

Flores and Whitaker rushed from El Paso to the crash scene.

The colonel praised first responders from Texas and New Mexico who helped rescue the downed wardens.

“It was family helping family,” Flores said.

— Staff report

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FISHING

Cool weather spurs catfish craze at Calaveras

By Ralph Winingham FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

COOL WEATHER, HOT FISHING: A channel cat tipping the scales at 4.5 pounds is a good catch for Dan Moseley of San Antonio who recently took advantage of cool weather catfish action at Calaveras Lake near San Antonio. Photo by Ralph Winingham.

The morning chill evaporated in the blink of an eye as soon as Dan Moseley set the hook on a chunky channel catfish that thought it had found an easy meal at the bottom of Calaveras Lake.

“There was a little chill in the air, but it is gone now,’’ Moseley said as he reeled in a healthy 4.5-pound channel cat.

“This reminds me of when I was a kid,’’ he added.

Although the air temperature was about 50 degrees, the water temperature of the CPS Energy power plant cooling reservoir hovered at a relatively toasty 74 degrees — just right for firing up cool weather catfish into a feeding frenzy.

“This is the time of year when the catfish really turn on,’’ said veteran fishing guide Manny Martinez, of Cibolo, who specializes in putting anglers on limits of cats when he is not cruising the lake in search of big redfish and stripers.

“It is not unusual to limit out on channels weighing from 2-4 pounds in a couple of hours. You just have to be able to find them,’’ Martinez said.

The guide’s technique for hauling in limits of 25 catfish per person per day is simple. After dunking a No. 6 treble hook into a very pungent tub of Danny King’s Catfish Punch Bait with a pair of needle-nosed pliers, Martinez molds a ball of bait about the size of a peach pit around the hook.

Fishing at depths of 15-25 feet near channels and drop-offs, the baited hook is lowered to the bottom. Hungry channel cats often grab the baits in non-stop action.

“I can’t think of a better way to spend a

day,’’ said the 62-year-old Moseley, who took home a bag full of tasty catfish fillets after spending about four hours on the water with Martinez.

One of the veteran guide’s tricks is to scatter a couple pounds of horse and mule feed at certain spots known to attract cats and then visit those spots after the fish have been given the chance to sample a free meal.

“Sometimes you have to wait for about 30 minutes for the bite to start, but when it does you can catch them one after another,’’ he said.

As evidence of the popularity of catching catfish at Calaveras, a creel survey conducted last year showed that 53,625 catfish were taken out of the lake from June 1, 2009, through May 31, 2010.

Only 3 percent of those fish were blue cats.

“That’s a whole bunch of catfish,’’ said Randy Myers, biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“Most of the anglers (at Calaveras) target catfish and anytime the water temperature is in the 70-80 degree range is prime time. The lake does such a good job of providing a highly fertile environment with all kinds of bait that the catfish do very well,’’ he said.

The success rate at the lake is about .84 catfish caught every hour, with an average of about 17 fish harvested per acre at the 3,624-acre reservoir.

“That is a very good rate of success,’’ Myers said.

Anglers looking to land a few cool weather cats at Calavares also should note that the lake record of a 6.2 pound, 25-inch long channel catfish was caught on Dec. 21, 2007, by Chuck Dewey of San Antonio.

Like Martinez, the record holder used Danny King’s Catfish Punch Bait to entice his chunky cool cat.

“Catching catfish like this when it is cool is just 100 percent more fun,” Martinez said.

Arroyo Colorado: The little river that could Hidden river in deep South Texas hosts tropical fishery

By Aaron Reed FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS The little river defies both logic and expectations.

The Arroyo Colorado’s headwaters, near Mission in Hidalgo County, stream from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The last 22 miles flow through a dredged barge canal into the Laguna Madre about midway between Port Mansfield and Port Isabel.

Along the way, this ancient channel of the Rio Grande carries irrigation returns from cotton, sugar cane, corn and citrus fields, natural drainage from more than 700 square miles of the Nueces-Rio Grande Coastal Basin and more wastewater.

Many first-time visitors are surprised that the 90mile-long stream even exists. It’s not, after all, the Guadalupe or the Brazos or even the San Jacinto — Texas rivers that loom large in terms of recreational or economic importance.

They may be even more surprised to discover that a stream listed as “impaired” by the Environmental Protection Agency is a haven for rare birds and other wildlife, including tarpon and snook.

“It’s probably the closest thing we have to a tropical-looking, riverine snook and tarpon area, where you have heavily vegetated shorelines with a mix of woody plants and the water drops off pretty quickly,” said Capt. Eric Glass, a South Padre Island fishing guide and owner of the South Texas Fly Fishing Co. “There have been a bunch of little tarpon up there for the last several years. We’ve had days where we’ve hooked 18 tarpon in a morning.”

Those fish, silver princes at best, go from a poundand-a-half to 20 pounds, with the average between 3 and 10 pounds, Glass said. And though they’re not likely to set any records, some anglers say they’re a See ARROYO COLORADO, Page 27

SECRET SPOT: Three fishermen cast to the south shore of the Arroyo Colorado River near Arroyo City recently. The river is a haven for rare birds, young tarpon and snook. Photo by Aaron Reed.

New security devices help deter boat burglary frenzy

By Alan Clemons FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

THIEF TARGET: Texas has seen a rash of burglaries from boats. New security technologies may help deter or even nab the thieves. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Thieves don’t discriminate among anglers when it comes to stealing rods, lures, electronics or other gear from boats or vehicles at ramps and hotels.

From the Joe Lunchbucket angler who gets pilfered at a ramp while fishing a few hours in the evening to tour-

ing professionals at major events, robberies can occur anywhere.

Veteran anglers Skeet Reese and Takahiro Omori were robbed this year while practicing for tournaments in Alabama and Florida.

Reese lost all his rods and reels in Florence, Ala., at Pickwick Lake last spring when someone rolled back his boat cover, undid the

storage boxes and cleaned him out. Omori was practicing at Okeechobee when a burglar broke into his RV and took his laptop and tackle worth more than $10,000.

Bobby Reed of Mineola experienced that same gutchurning anger in midSee BOAT BURGLARIES, Page 29

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Groups working to bring snook back to Texas

SNOOK: Fans of snook fishing say the game fish is increasing on the Texas coast, but scientists don’t yet understand why. Aaron Reed caught this snook in mid October at the far end of the Brownsville Ship Channel, using a glow-in-the-dark plastic worm. Photo by Erich Schlegel.

By Art Chapman FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS They hide in the shallow grasses of the Laguna Madre, among the structure and along the channels. When they attack their prey, they do it with the ferocity of big-shouldered redfish.

When hooked, they run side-to-side, dance on the water and fight with all their enormous strength.

Their most ardent supporters say they are arguably, pound-for-pound, the most exciting game fish in Texas bays.

They are snook, a well-known fish in southwest Florida and a commercial mainstay along the Mexican Gulf coast.

But here in Texas, they are hardly recognized.

It hasn’t always been that way; there was once a large commercial fishery for snook in Texas. But more than 20 years ago the commercial fishing was stopped, banned by the state because there just wasn’t enough fish left. The snook were gone.

Now they are making a comeback and no one is quite certain why.

What is known is that a snook revival could mean millions of dollars for cities and towns along the Coastal Bend from Port O’Connor to Port Isabel.

The Texas Snook Alliance, a non-profit organization established to promote and develop snook fishing in the state, estimates that snook bring $1 billion in revenue to the state of Florida through guide fees, hotels, restaurants and all the associated activities.

In Mexico, the country’s National Commission on Aquaculture and Fishing figures that fishermen in Mexico earned more than $25 million for landing about 8,000 metric tons of snook in 2008, making it the country’s eighth most important aquatic product in terms of value.

Snook, it turns out, is one of Mexico’s most popular restaurant menu items.

Scientists in Mexico are trying to find ways of increasing the snook population in their waters. Because of the economic importance, a number of U.S. researchers have joined in the studies, which are partially funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development through its AquaFish Collaborative Research Support Program, headquartered at Oregon State University.

Reynaldo Patiño, the leader of the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Texas Tech University, was one of the researchers involved in the project.

He worked with the program at the Autonomous Juarez University of Tabasco in Mexico where they were attempting to use wild fish as broodstock for a farm-raised population that could take some of the pressure off the original fishing grounds. The number of snook in those areas appears to be on the decline.

Patiño said that Tech’s funding has run out on the project, but there is still an interest in what’s going on with the snook population.

“I worked on that project for about three years,” he said, “and we still don’t have enough information to understand exactly what is happening.”

He wonders if the decline in the Mexican population and the increase in the Texas population simply means there has been a migration, but not necessarily a growth in numbers.

Snook, he said, are very temperature sensitive. He wondered if the shift could be because of warmer water along the Texas coast.

Or, he added, could the number of snook actually be on the increase?

“Our sampling indicates that the population is increasing, and has been over the last 10 to 15 years,” said Mark Lingo, a fisheries biologist and the Lower Laguna Madre ecosystem leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“Patiño is correct,” he said. “There just is not enough research yet, but the indications here are that they are not just coming in, and then going back to warmer waters to spawn.

“We are seeing them in all stages of life and it indicates they are spawning here.”

The numbers have increased to the point that there are now many sport fishermen who target the snook. They are popular among flyfishermen, and there are now several guides who offer trips that are snook specific.

“They have a certain allure,” Lingo said of the snook. “They used to be a rarity and they are exciting to catch because you didn’t see them very often.

“They do fight well, sometimes jumping and zipping from side to side. They run hard and fast, kind of like a souped-up ladyfish, only bigger.”

And all of this interest, he said, is for a fish that has very stringent bag limits.

Anglers are limited to only one snook, and it has to be between 24 and 28 inches.

Rick Kline, a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, has been working for years on ways to raise snook in captivity. He also believes the snook population is growing in Texas waters and that scientist and conservationists need to find ways to stabilize that new population and capitalize on the enormous economic potential.

The snook nurseries are important, he said, because you need to be able to restock when you have unseasonably cold weather like they had earlier this year in Florida where thousands of snook died.

Building up the snook fishery in Texas is a huge project, everyone agrees. And the end isn’t yet in sight.

But the payoff, as one member of the Texas Snook Alliance put it, is “a gold mine waiting to be discovered.”

November 26, 2010

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November 26, 2010

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

HOT BITES LARGEMOUTH BASS

BELTON: Good on dark soft plastic worms.

BOB SANDLIN: Good on buzzbaits early, layer switching to Rat–L–Traps, Texas rigs and jigs.

LBJ: Good on tequila sunrise and gold Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics around structure.

LIVINGSTON: Good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics.

SAM RAYBURN: Good on watermelon and watermelon red soft plastics, buzzbaits, and crankbaits.

TOLEDO BEND: Good on watermelon red soft plastic worms, topwaters, and buzzbaits.

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

AMISTAD: Striped bass are good on slabs and crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs and crankbaits.

BELTON: Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. White bass are good on minnows and white Riversides.

TOLEDO BEND: Striped bass are fair on live bait and green striper jigs.

White bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

CATFISH

BASTROP: Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

CALAVERAS: Channel and blue catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and shad in 181 Cove.

MEREDITH: Channel catfish are good on minnows and cut baits.

SOMERVILLE: Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp, liver, and nightcrawlers.

TAWAKONI: Good on cut and prepared bait.

CRAPPIE WHITNEY: Good on minnows and green tube jigs.

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 58–63 degrees; 0.92’ low. Black bass are fair on chartreuse/white spinnerbaits, crankbaits and watermelon seed jigs.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are fair on live baits.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 73 degrees; 0.12’ high. Black bass are good on topwaters, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Striped bass are good on slabs and crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs and crankbaits. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers, shrimp, and cheesebait in 10–30 feet. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines and droplines baited with live perch.

ATHENS: Water fairly clear, 61–65 degrees; 1.74’ low. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits, Rat–L–Traps and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs fished over brush piles. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad.

BASTROP: Water clear. Black bass are fair on crankbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

BELTON: Water clear; 73 degrees; 2.86’ low. Black bass are good on dark soft plastic worms. Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. White bass are good on minnows and white Riversides.

Crappie are good on minnows under lights at night. Channel and blue catfish are excellent on stinkbait, hot dogs, and Vienna sausages. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch and snails.

BOB SANDLIN: Water off color; 60–66 degrees; 3.17’ low. Black bass are good on buzzbaits early, layer switching to Rat–L–Traps, Texas rigs and jigs (jigs have been very productive around stumps). White bass are fair to good on slabs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs under the bridges.

Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

BRAUNIG: Water clear; 75 degrees. Black bass are fair on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms near the dam. Striped bass are good on shad and silver spoons near the dam. Redfish are good on shad, shrimp, and tilapia. Channel catfish are good on shrimp and cheesebait near the dam. Blue catfish are fair on cut bait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water fairly clear; 60–65 degrees; 1.48’ low. Black bass are fair on small crankbaits, Rat–L–Traps and Texas rigs. White bass are fair on Road Runners.

Catfish are fair to good on cut bait.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 72 degrees; 8.90’ low. Black bass are fair on topwaters, soft plastics, and deep running crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on chartreuse striper jigs. White bass are fair on pet spoons and hellbenders.

Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are fair on shrimp and liver. Yellow catfish are slow.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 71 degrees; 10.31’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon red buzzbaits and spinnerbaits, and on chartreuse soft plastics in creeks in 10–20 feet. Striped bass are good on silver spoons, dark soft plastics, and live bait near drop-offs in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on green/black Senkos. Crappie are fair on chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows.

Channel catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on live perch.

CADDO: Water murky; 59–66 degrees; 0.67’ low. Black bass are fair on topwaters, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows.

White bass are fair to good on minnows and Little Georges. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

CALAVERAS: Water clear; 75 degrees.

Black bass are fair on dark spinnerbaits and crankbaits near the dam. Striped bass are fair on live bait and Rat–L– Traps. Redfish are good on live bait near the dam in 15–25 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and shad in 181 Cove. Yellow catfish are slow.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 70 degrees; 0.56’ low. Black bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged green pumpkin flukes over brush in 10–20 feet. Striped bass are fair on shad colored Rat–L–Traps and live minnows on main lake points. White bass are fair on Pirk Minnows and hellbenders.

Smallmouth bass are good on watermelon and watermelon red soft plastic worms and lizards. Crappie are good on minnows and blue/black tube jigs.

Channel catfish are fair on shrimp and cut bait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on trotlines and juglines baited with live perch and goldfish.

CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 61–65 degrees; 2.39’ low. Black bass are fair on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs and Rat–L–Traps. White bass are fair to good on Rooster Tails and slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair over brush piles. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 73 degrees; 5.04’ low. Black bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms and lizards. White bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink/white tube jigs. Drum are fair on live worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp, stinkbait, and minnows. Yellow catfish are slow.

COLEMAN: Water fairly clear; 71 degrees; 10.10’ low. Black bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps.

Hybrid striper are fair on chartreuse striper jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and green tube jigs. Channel catfish are fair on stinkbait, liver, and shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.

COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 74 degrees (89 degrees at discharge); 0.61’ low. Black bass are fair on chartreuse/ blue soft plastics and Senkos. Striped bass are fair on live bait. White bass are fair on pet spoons and hellbenders.

Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stinkbait, hot dogs, and shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 1.43’ low.

Black bass are fair on tequila sunrise soft plastics and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are fair on live minnows and green striper jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Catfish are fair on punchbait and liver.

FALCON: Water clear; 75 degrees. Black bass are good on watermelon 10”–12” Texas-rigged worms, spinnerbaits and deep diving crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp.

Yellow catfish are slow.

FAYETTE: Water fairly clear; 74 degrees.

Black bass are good on dark soft plastic worms and watermelon deep-running crankbaits. Red ear perch are fair on worms Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and stinkbait.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 60–65 degrees; 2.68’ low. Black bass are fair to good on jigs, spinnerbaits, spoons, Texas rigs and shallow- to medium-running crankbaits.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.

Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 60–66 degrees; 0.29’ low. Black bass are fair to good on buzzbaits early, later switching to Texas rigs, medium- to shallow-running crankbaits and wacky rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs.

Catfish are fair to good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water clear; 65 degrees; 0.94’ low. Black bass to 5 pounds are good on silver flake minnows in 10–15 feet. Crappie are good on live minnows in creek channels.

Bream are good on live worms. Channel and blue catfish are fair on trotlines

baited with cut shad.

JOE POOL: Water off-color; 61–66 degrees; 0.06’ low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, Rat–L–Traps and shaky head jigs with a finesse soft plastic. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs.

Catfish are fair to good on prepared baits and cut shad.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 59–65 degrees; 0.11’ low. Black bass are fair on chatterbaits, Texas rigs, flukes and wacky rigs. Crappie are good on minnows over brush piles. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

Bream are fair to good on red wigglers.

LAVON: Water stained; 60–65 degrees; 5.43’ low. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Rat–L–Traps and Texas rigs. White bass are good on slabs and Rooster Tails. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs over brush piles. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

LBJ: Water stained; 71 degrees; 0.43’ low. Black bass are good on tequila sunrise and gold Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics around structure, and on chartreuse buzzbaits and spinnerbaits in creeks. Striped bass are good on Spoiler Shads and white grubs at night. White bass are good on minnows and shad colored swim baits. Crappie are good on live minnows and green tube jigs over brush piles. Channel catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on trotlines and juglines baited with live perch.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 59–65 degrees; 0.5’ low. Black bass are fair on weightless flukes, Texas rigs, chatterbaits and wacky rigs. White bass and hybrid striper are fair to good on slabs, live shad and Little Georges. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good drifting cut shad.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 73 degrees; 0.35’ high. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with cut bait and shad. Yellow catfish are slow.

MACKENZIE: Water lightly stained; 55–61 degrees; 77.3’ low. Black bass are fair on Rat–L–Traps, spinnerbaits and Texas rigs worked around stickups and rocky points. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on minnows and Rooster Tails. Smallmouth bass are fair on shad pattern crankbaits. Walleye are fair on minnows and Suspending Rogues.

Catfish are fair on live baits.

MEREDITH: Water lightly stained; 54–61 degrees; 88.75’ low. Black bass are fair on shad pattern crankbaits and spinnerbaits along secondary points and grass lines.

Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.

White bass are fair on slabs and live bait.

Smallmouth bass are good on live bait and black/chartreuse jigs around rocky points.

Walleye are fair on live baits and shallow running crankbaits. Channel catfish are good on minnows and cut baits.

O.H. IVIE: Water lightly stained; 57–61 degrees; 25.93’ low. Black bass are fair on shad pattern shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits, jigs and Texas rigs worked along timber and points. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on live bait and Road Runners. Channel catfish are fair to good on live bait.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 61–65 degrees; 2.07’ low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, jigs, chatterbaits and chrome/black Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. Hybrid striper and white bass are fair to good on slabs and Little Georges.

Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 58–63 degrees; 1.15’ low. Black bass

are fair to good on spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and chrome crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs over brush piles. White bass are good on slabs and Little Georges.

Striped bass are good on live shad below the dam. Catfish are good on live shad and cut bait along the river channel on the North End. RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 60–65 degrees; 3.01’ low. Black bass are fair on crankbaits, chatterbaits, Rat–L–Traps and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs over brush piles.

White bass are good on Rooster Tails in the shallows. Hybrid striper are fair on 4” swim baits in the shallows. Catfish are fair to good drifting cut shad in 20–25 feet.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 60–64 degrees; 0.74’ low. Black bass are fair on shallow-running square bill crankbaits and Gene Larew Biffle Bugs in the backs of creeks. Crappie are good on jigs over Corps of Engineers brush piles and around standing timber in 18–20 feet. White bass are excellent on main lake humps and ridges in 25–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs. No reports on catfish.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water off color; 59–64 degrees; 1.38’ low. Black bass are fair on medium-running crankbaits, Rat–L–Traps and jigs. White bass and hybrid striper are fair to good on Rooster Tails and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over deep brush piles.

Catfish are good on cut bait, prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees; 8.51’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon and watermelon red soft plastics, buzzbaits, and crankbaits. White bass are good on chartreuse topwaters and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on live minnows and blue tube jigs. Bream are fair on worms. Catfish are good on liver and punchbait.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 73 degrees; 1.69’ low. Black bass are fair on Rat–L–Traps and small spinnerbaits.

Hybrid striper are fair on minnows and green striper jigs. White bass are slow.

Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp, liver, and nightcrawlers. Yellow catfish are slow.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 60–65 degrees; 2.75’ low. Black bass are fair on Texas rigs, jigs and shaky head-rigged worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs.

Striped bass and hybrid striper are fair on live shad and slabs. Catfish are good on cut and prepared bait.

TEXOMA: Water off-color; 58–64 degrees; 1.65’ low. Black bass are fair to good on crankbaits, Texas rigs, Rat–L–Traps and Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Striped bass are good on live shad and slabs. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers, prepared bait and cut shad.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 74 degrees; 7.86’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon red soft plastic worms, topwaters, and buzzbaits. Striped bass are fair on live bait and green striper jigs. White bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs.

Bream are good on nightcrawlers. Channel and blue catfish are good on cut bait and shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.

TRAVIS: Water fairly clear; 70 degrees; 12.24’ low. Black bass to 3 pounds are good on silver/white Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics. Striped bass are fair on live bait. White bass are fair on chrome jigging spoons and white spinnerbaits in 20–40 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs in 10–20 feet.

Channel and blue catfish are fair on cut bait and live bait. Yellow catfish are slow.

WHITNEY: Water murky; 7.27’ low. Black bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwaters. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver slabs.

White bass are good on pet spoons and Charlie slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and green tube jigs. Catfish are fair on shrimp and stinkbait.

SALTWATER SCENE NORTH SABINE: Trout are good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics. Redfish and flounder are good in the marsh on shrimp.

SOUTH SABINE: Trout are good under birds and pods of shad. Redfish are good at the jetty on live bait and cracked crabs. Flounder are fair at the mouths of the bayous on a falling tide.

BOLIVAR: Trout, black drum, sand trout and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. Trout are fair to good while drifting shell on plastics. Trout are good under the birds around the pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Trout are good under birds on the upper end of the bay and around the spillway.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good under the birds. Trout and are good for drifters working deep shell on plastics and fresh shrimp.

Redfish and flounder are fair to good in the marsh around drains on shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Bull redfish and flounder are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp and shad. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs.

TEXAS CITY: Redfish are fair to good in Moses Lake on crabs and shrimp. Gulf trout are good in the channel on fresh shrimp. Croaker are good on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Bull redfish are good around Surfside and at the Quintana jetty on crabs, shrimp and mullet. Trout are good in Christmas Bay on live shrimp over the reefs.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Trout and redfish are good under the birds on soft plastics.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and topwaters. Redfish are good on live shrimp at Shell Island, Mad Island and Oyster Lake.

PORT O’CONNOR: Redfish are best in the back lakes on shrimp and mullet. Bull redfish are good at the jetty on crabs, mullet and shad. Trout are fair to good on the reefs in San Antonio Bay on live shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Trout are good on reefs on live bait. Redfish are good in Redfish Bay on mullet and crabs. Bull redfish are good in the channel on shrimp and crabs.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair at Shamrock Cove and Pelican Island on topwaters and Gulps. Bull redfish are good at the jetty and on the beachfront on natural baits. Offshore is good for tuna and red snapper.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Bull redfish are good in the surf on mullet and shrimp. Trout are fair for waders working mud and grass on small topwaters and Corkies. Redfish and black drum are good in the Humble Channel on live bait.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good over deep rocks on plum Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Redfish are fair to good in the Land Cut on shrimp and crabs. Trout are good in the Land Cut at night under lights.

PORT MANSFIELD: Redfish are fair to good while drifting pot holes on topwaters and soft plastics under a popping cork. Redfish are good around East Cut on Gulps and crabs.

Trout are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on plastics.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout are good on plastics under a popping cork over mud and grass.

Redfish are fair to good on the Gas Well Flats on DOA Shrimp and TTF Flats Minnows.

Snook are fair to good on shrimp and DOA Shrimp in the Brownsville Ship Channel.

PORT ISABEL: Trout are good while drifting grass on plastics under popping corks.

Redfish are fair at Airport Cove on shrimp and DOA Shrimp under popping corks.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Redfish hot along Texas coast

By Nicholas Conklin FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Cold fronts and low tides have been crucial lately while angling for redfish along the Texas coast.

The ability to spot shallow pools and guts created by the outgoing tides has been the key to finding reds from Galveston Bay down to South Padre.

Capt. Charles Newton in Rockport has seen recent high numbers of redfish the past two weeks following a cold front that blew into the area. According to Newton, the key is waiting on the tides and picking a good spot.

“When we get a low tide when a front comes through, they have got to come off that skinny water,” said Newton. “When the water falls they have to follow that water out, and DIFFERENT STROKES: Capt. Scott Sommerlatte has been catching good numbers of red drum on a fly rod this month. Many days his clients are catching 30 plus fish on flies. Photo by they drop off into little channels or David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. into a hole.”

Newton has been catching limits of On one trip last week, Newton and right time it works,” Newton said. reds while using live mullet, cracked two clients were able to catch their “You might hit 10 spots or more and crabs and pin perch. Newton said that limits within 40 minutes. Newton then, suddenly, it’s that tide.”

The redfish action also has been almost all of his fishing is on live bait, said that involved searching several as he rarely uses artificial lures during different locations for fish.

“If you’re in the right spot at the the cold weather months.

See REDFISH HOT, Page 27

All fishing, all the time — and in HD World Fishing Network covers all things angling

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS With some networks cutting back on outdoor programming, at least for fans of fishing shows, one is growing.

The World Fishing Network began operations in 2005, and is expanding with increasing availability to viewers across the country.

The network sports fishing shows 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“You don’t have to hunt around for one-half hour of fishing programming,” said Mark Rubinstein, president and CEO. “It’s always on — we live, breathe and sleep fishing.”

The all-HD programming currently airs on the DISH Network (Channel 394), AT&T and Verizon cable networks — usually as part of a sports and lifestyle package of channels.

And for Texas Time Warner customers, they hope to be coming soon.

“We hope to launch with ■ WFN Theme Nights: Time Warner by the end of Big Bass Monday March, 2011,” Rubinstein said.

Fly Fishing Tuesday But the deal isn’t done — yet.

Offshore Wednesday “We’re asking Time Warner Inshore Thursday customers to call their local Freshwater Friday provider and request WFN,” World Fishing Saturday Rubinstein said. “Based on the ■ Web site: numbers of e-mails we received worldfishingnetwork.com from Texas fishermen who get WFN and those that want to get it, we’re sure if people will check it out, they’ll like it.”

Theme nights concentrate shows relating to specific interests for two prime-time hours, like Big Bass Monday.

Popular shows include the destination-related “Hookin’

INFO

Up” with Mariko Izumi and bass-fishing shows like “Lost Lake,” that features an angler who is taken to an unknown lake to fish for a day without any preparation, said Corey Russell, VP of programming and production. “‘Classic Patterns’ and ‘The Scott Martin Challenge’ also film a significant portion of their shows in Texas,” Russell said.

The Bass Champs Series also airs on WFN, following the popular Texas tournament trail.

WFN staffers are equally excited about the network’s online presence in the fishing community, sporting 300,000 visitors per month.

“It’s a separate experience from the TV content,” Rubinstein said. “We’re re-launching the site in a few weeks, and it will have more video content focusing on gear, instruction and travel, plus it will be searchable by geographical area or fish species.”

The site will produce regional content across the U.S. and Canada with video, blogs, reports and tips.

“And you can get it Texas-specific,” Rubinstein said.

The final twist is also coming in December — with mobile device apps designed to help the anglers while fishing.

“Not only will you be able to get the Web site on your device,” Rubinstein said, “but also specific content designed for the PDA.” Tools like maps, tide charts and fishing logs are planned.

“We want fishermen to be able to use their phone as a tool to help them have a better experience on the water — all in one place.”

Rubinstein and Russell hope the multi-faceted approach will not only increase awareness of WFN, but also help anglers.

“We’re one-stop shopping for all things angling,” Rubinstein said. “From content and video to news and information — we put all the tools in one place.”

November 26, 2010

Page 11

Faster moving baits bringing fall bass success

By Kyle Carter FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Typical late-fall bass fishing patterns were becoming effective as the first wave of cold weather crept into Texas, although at least one popular lake has been disappointing.

Moving baits — Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits — were working in mid-November in and around the grass on most lakes as bass moved up with the cooler water temperatures.

Lake Ray Roberts Dannie Golden, with Get Bit Guide Service on Ray Roberts, said a recent run of cold weather in North Texas has turned the fish on.

“We’re catching more numbers than size, but we’re catching a lot,” Golden said.

As is typical for Ray Roberts this time of year, Golden said anglers were having the most success with moving baits in the backs of creeks and on a few rock piles.

“You definitely want to

see some bait activity,” he said. “There are some creeks that aren’t holding fish, but they look like they should be.

Then you’ll pull into the next pocket that looks the same and catch seven or eight. It’s all about being around the baitfish.”

With water temperatures already in the 60s, Golden said it was time to get out on the lake. The bite won’t be that good again until things warm up in the spring.

“Our lake has never been a really good winter lake, so things will be wrapping up here in the next couple weeks,” he said. “When it gets too cold, you won’t catch many, but the ones you do catch are big, so it’s a trade-off.”

O.H. Ivie Reservoir The state’s latest trophy hot spot has not been living up to its reputation since July, according to Jerry Hunter, who manages the marina at Elm Creek Village.

See BASS SUCCESS, Page 21

HEATING UP: Anglers are catching good numbers of medium-sized bass, like the one pictured above, on Lake Ray Roberts as colder weather moves into the area. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER MAY NOT WIN FATHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Harris County Game Warden Tim Holland received a tip that a father/ son team were trespassing and hunting on Port of Houston Authority property. Holland and fellow warden Jennifer Inkster encountered the pair on an ATV returning from checking their feeders. The men admitted to killing a doe with a .22-caliber rifle.

Neither had hunting licenses, permission to hunt and it was out of season.

Cases pending.

NO, HE DID IT The Bandera County Sheriff’s Department advised Game Warden Mark McQuery of a freshly killed whitetail doe in the back of a truck after responding to a disturbance call. There were two subjects at the scene, both with blood on them, and both claiming the other shot the deer with a .22 under a security light in the front yard of another residence about a mile away. Multiple cases were filed on the subjects.

DUCK IDENTIFICATION CLASS WOULD BE HELPFUL On the last day of teal season, Wood County Game Warden Derek Spitzer checked a group of duck hunters on Lake Fork when three black-bellied tree ducks flew over and disappeared into the fog. Moments later, a shot rang out and two of the tree ducks flew back over. After a 30-minute hike, Spitzer located the two hunters and the missing duck. Cases pending for hunting ducks in a closed season.

BUZZARD SHOOTING RESULTS IN ACCIDENT Comal County Game Warden Brent Satsky investigated a bizarre accident involving two men. The men had been illegally shooting at buzzards from a steep cliff when one fell 5 to 10 feet down the cliff and dropped his shotgun and landed on a large cactus plant. The man’s shotgun, which was

BOARD, POCKETKNIFE USED TO ILLEGALLY TAKE DEER Kimble County Game Warden Lee Morrison received a call regarding a deer that had been killed illegally. With the help of Menard County Game

Warden Clint Graham, they traveled to the ranch and learned the rancher had live-feed cameras hidden on the ranch and caught the violators kill-

loaded and ready to fire, landed just above wedged in a pile of brush. When the man’s friend went retrieve the shotgun, he grabbed it by the muzzle and pulled it toward him, and the shotgun discharged, striking him. The cactusriddled subject assisted his friend to their vehicle and drove to the front gate of the property to wait on EMS. VIOLATIONS LEAD TO CITATION, LOST LEASE A landowner advised Anderson County Game Warden Oscar Jaimez about a lease member shooting a doe, taking only the backstrap, and disposing of the carcass in a creek.

The subject was confronted and confessed to shooting the doe in the front leg and removing the backstrap and the majority of the hind quarters. It was determined that the hunter did make all efforts to take all edible meat with him but he failed to tag the doe with an MLD tag and report the harvest to the camp. Additionally, three days after the incident, the hunter failed to place an MLD tag on the meat after taking the meat out of the deer lease. The subject was issued a citation for untagged deer and was advised to remove his equipment from the deer lease by the landowner. Case pending.

HAND ON TREE LOOKED LIKE SQUIRREL Upshur County Game Warden David Pellizzari was notified of a hunting accident. Pellizzari met the victim and shooter at the hospital where they were transported by ambulance. The

ing the white-tailed deer.

The three violators were working for the rancher building a new house. The video revealed that the deer was illegally taken

victim stated that he had stopped to rest and was leaning up against a tree when his friend shot him. The shooter was only able to see the victim’s hand on the tree and thought it was a squirrel. The injuries were non-life threatening, and it was determined that no charges would be filed.

NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE RULES Anderson County Game Wardens Karen Gray and Oscar Jaimez conducted inspections on fishermen in Anderson County. One individual had a total of 15 undersized game fish. He was issued a citation and all fish were released back into the creek. He told the wardens that much had changed since he fished as a kid.

SILENCE MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOLDEN Travis County Game Warden Jeff Hill observed an angler place a fish in a cooler. Upon contact, the fisherman emphatically denied possessing any fish. When asked about the cooler with the fish, he admitted he caught a freshwater drum. His female companion exclaimed, “Don’t forget the largemouth bass under the ice.” Case pending.

PIRANHA-LOOKING FISH LANDED Jackson County Game Warden Kevin Stancik was contacted by a local fisherman who had caught a strange fish in the Lavaca River that looked like a piranha. Stancik took pictures of it and sent them to Harris County Game Warden John Rao. Rao advised that the fish was a red-bellied pacu, a cousin of the piranha and a popular aquarium

with a 2x4 board and a pocketknife. None of the three violators could produce a valid hunting license. Citations were issued and deer seized.

fish. The fish was probably released by someone who had it in an aquarium.

The pacu was about 12 inches long and weighed about 2 pounds.

ANOTHER FATHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Shots were heard near a catfish farm by Jackson County Game Warden Kevin Stancik. Stancik observed and watched a vehicle shining a spotlight in the ponds and someone shoot a large bird. Stancik stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver and the shooter in the back of the truck, who were father and son. The father and son advised they were shooting depredating birds on a federal permit issued to the farm. After checking the federal permit, Stancik determined the permit had expired, did not list either of the two men as permitted to take depredating birds, and the species of bird killed, a black-crowned heron, was not listed as a species to be taken. Charges for taking protected nongame birds and restitution on the heron are pending.

RESTROOM BREAK A LITTLE TOO LONG While checking fishing guides on Lake Texoma, Grayson County Game Warden Dale Moses followed a guide to his dock. The guide told Moses that he needed to use the restroom and would be back in a minute. Moses checked the customers and noticed the guide didn’t come back to the dock. Moses had another man call and learned the guide had gone home. The guide returned and was cited for no fishing guide license and expired registration.

Cases pending.

NOT VERY NEIGHBORLY A landowner's hog trap was found tripped with no hog inside, blood around the trap, drag marks and blood near the fence line. The landowner called and Webb County Game Wardens Colt Gaulden and Mark Nelson responded. The wardens took pictures, collected blood on both sides of the fence and recovered a newly fired .22-caliber casing. The landowner had seen an ATV close to the fence line on his neighbor’s property.

The wardens found the tracks and followed them along with the blood trail to a ranch hand’s house on the property, where the ATV was located with blood on it. Two individuals admitted crossing the fence line and killing two hogs. A .22-caliber rifle and two hogs were seized. Charges pending.

DOVE SEASON TOO SHORT FOR SOME Runnels County Game Warden Lane Pinckney caught three suspects extending the Central Zone dove season. When Pinckney asked if they knew the dove season was closed, they stated they did not. When asked why they threw the birds in the brush when they saw the game warden coming, one of them replied, “We’ve heard about you.”

LOST YOUNGSTERS MORE CONCERNED WITH GETTING IN TROUBLE Game Warden Mark McQueary responded to a request for assistance from the sheriff’s office in a search-and -rescue operation for two 14-year-olds in the rugged canyons of Bandera County.

GPS coordinates were utilized in directing a DPS helicopter to a remote cabin where the boys were headed. The helicopter finally located the 14-year-olds around 2 a.m. by thermal imaging of a campfire they had built. When the helicopter returned to the location, the campfire had been put out and the 14-year-olds were hiding because they thought they were in trouble for having a fire. The deputy followed the smoke trail and eventually located the youths.

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CONSERVATION

Second-generation Texas warden recognized for special ops the Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers.

Doggedness is what makes Chappell It’s not hard to see deserving of the honor, said his supervisor, Capt. Greg Williford. why a regional associa“He’s the most tenacious investigation for game wardens tor I’ve ever seen,” Williford said. “If recently honored Bradley you were going to make a game warChappell. den robot, and that’s one of the qualThis second-generation ities you wanted to put in there, you Texas game warden has could take a piece of Brad’s DNA. conservation law enforce“If he gets on your trail, you might ment in his genes.

Bradley Chappell as well just admit you’re guilty.”

Chappell, a 23-year Chappell was presented the honor Nov. 4 veteran, is a sergeant investigator assigned to the Special Operations Unit for Texas Parks and at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Wildlife Department. He has participated in some meeting in Austin.

His parents, Wayne and Frankie Chappell, of its most challenging cases, including some were there. involving the black-market deer trade in Texas.

Perhaps Chappell’s tenacity comes from his His dedication has earned him the 2010 Texas Midwest Officer of the Year award from father, who was wounded by buckshot while

By Lance Murray

FOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

pursuing deer poachers shortly after becoming a game warden in 1964.

He recovered, returned to duty and eventually retired as a captain in 1992.

Chappell’s and Williford’s fathers worked together as wardens.

Williford said Chappell is the first Texas warden to win “officer of the year” awards from both the Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers and the Shikar Safari Club International.

Chappell received the Shikar award in 1999, and his father won it in 1987.

The Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers has 28 member agencies across North America and is involved in wildlife law enforcement training and research.

The Shikar Safari Club International is a conservation organization that each year honors an outstanding wildlife law enforcement officer in

all 50 states and the 10 Canadian provinces.

Chappell, his wife, Charmaine, and son, J.W., live on a Panola County farm in far East Texas. He said wildlife law enforcement was always his goal.

“By the time I became a freshman at Mineral Wells High School, all of my friends had a good idea that I would become a Texas game warden,” Chappell said.

As a member of the Special Operations Unit, Chappell investigates violations of the Lacey Act, which outlaws, among other things, the selling of fish, wildlife and plants that are illegally harvested or transported.

Chappell declined to discuss his cases, because some are still under investigation and others are headed for trial.

“He’s all business — really a fine fellow,” Williford explained about his sergeant. “He’s a lot like his father.”

Deer and hog collisions now cost more than $1 billion annually As the rut revs up in Texas, hunters should be careful not to take deer with their trucks before ever reaching their leases.

There are an estimated 1.5 million collisions between vehicles and deer each year in the U.S., according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

That amounts to nearly $1 billion in damages to vehicles.

But chances for collisions increase during the rut, said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, wildlife specialist for the extension service.

“November and December mark the breeding season for (whitetailed) deer for most of the state of

Texas,” he said. “It can run through Christmas in deep South Texas.

“This is the time of year when drivers need to be particularly vigilant as they drive in rural areas or any area that has high deer populations.”

Higginbotham said that during the rut bucks “throw caution to the wind” in their quests for female encounters.

That’s why drivers may see a doe cross the road safely ahead of them, but then they collide with the buck following her in blind pursuit.

The peak of the breeding period varies from one region of Texas to another.

Higginbotham said there’s one sure way to know when it’s happening in a particular area.

“Check with the local auto-body shops,” he said. “That’s when the number of deer accidents usually top out.”

Deer aren’t the only large mammals apt to cross against traffic.

Feral hog collisions are more likely in late summer or late winter as they cross rural roads in search of food, Higginbotham said.

Research has shown hog-vehicle collisions may occur at an average See DEER AND HOG, Page 29

COSTLY COLLISION: For every 1 million hogs in the U.S., there are about 10,000 hogvehicle collisions each year. Photo by Robert Burns, Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

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Former state senator joins TDA’s legislative team

MATADOR: Mule deer bucks and a few does clear a fence on the Matador Ranch, which was recently honored for balancing livestock and wildlife operations. The ranch spans portions of five counties on the Rolling Plains of West Texas. Photo by Reed Andrus.

Historic Matador Ranch honored for balancing livestock, game operations The Matador Ranch on the Rolling Plains of West Texas has been honored for its efforts to balance wildlife and livestock operations.

The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association held a convention recently in Odessa, during which the ranch received the group’s highest honor for conservation.

The Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship award entitles the ranch to compete for the regional stewardship award sponsored by the National Cattleman’s Beef Association and Dow AgriSciences, LLC and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“Matador Ranch is clearly a leader in many areas,” said Jeff Goodwin, rangeland management

specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “The ranch team has developed a sustainable approach to rangeland management that mutually benefits the land, the water, the wildlife and the livestock operation.”

The ranch’s history dates back to the late 1870s with a small herd managed from a vacated buffalo hunter’s dugout in Motley County.

Today it’s a 130,000-acre working cattle ranch that covers parts of Motley, Cottle, Dickens, Floyd and Crosby counties in the Rolling Plains of Texas.

It has also been under an active game management program since 2000 involving a deer-breeding program, supplemental protein

feeding and food plots.

In 2008, Matador Ranch expanded its commercial hunting operation and added a controlled area used for improving the deer genetics on the ranch.

It now offers hunts for white-tailed deer, mule deer, turkey and quail.

Bob Kilmer, the Matador’s manager, said the award was an honor for the ranch and its employees.

“Our ranch has a strong tradition and history, yet we are focused on marrying that with the innovations of the 21st century,” Kilmer said. “Our branding patterns may be rooted in 1900, but our management systems employ the best information and technologies available.”

—Staff report

we’ve been seeing on Kim Brimer, a forthe game camera.” mer state senator, has Brimer said deer joined the Texas Deer like that are huge ecoAssociation’s team of nomic draws in Texas. lobbyists.

“My background Brimer, 65, reprein the Legislature sented southeast Tarrant has always been in County for 14 years economic developin the Texas House of ment,” he said, “and Representatives, and for Kim Brimer deer (hunting) is one six years in the Senate.

He was not re-elected in 2008, of the main economic drivers in and he has spent the past four little towns like Hico.

“In all these small towns, the years managing a family ranch folks will hang banners over the in Palo Pinto County.

TDA, founded in 1999, works main street welcoming hunters for healthy deer herds and deer opening weekend of the season.

“That’s what Texas needs, and hunting in Texas. It also promotes game management tech- Texas leads the nation in quality niques for both high- and low- white-tailed deer.”

TDA is preparing its agenda fence ranches.

“We’re quite fortunate to have for the next session of the him,” said Gilbert Adams III, a Legislature, which begins in Beaumont lawyer who chairs the January.

“The membership is being TDA’s legislative committee.

Adams said Brimer “is an polled at this time to decide what avid outdoorsman” who “has a issues are important to them,” mutual interest in TDA and what Brimer said. “It’s a very widewe’re doing for the state of Texas open process.”

Adams said the TDA has proand deer enthusiasts.”

Brimer said he worked with TDA moted causes that improve hunting access in Texas, and that will while he was in the Legislature.

“It’s a great organization,” he continue.

“We want to enhance opporsaid. “As a ranch owner, I practunities for sportsmen to conticed their principles.

“I have a low-fence operation, tinue enjoying Texas as the but I have seen some definite haven that it is for white-tailed improvements in the health of deer,” Adams said.

He also noted that the TDA the deer, so I know their princiwould promote issues concernples are on point.”

Brimer said he started a sup- ing mule deer hunting, which is plemental feeding program and gaining popularity in Texas.

“We’d like Texas to be considcompleted some earthwork to improve habitat on the ranch. ered for mule deer along with “I’ve seen genetics really pick Colorado and some other states,” up,” he said. “We’ve got two to Adams said. three beautiful 10-pointers that —Staff report

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NO ONE BEATS OUR DEALS, NOT NOW, NOT EVER!

Page 18

November 26, 2010

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Page 19

NATIONAL before leaving the launch area.

• Disinfect live wells, especially when moving between bodies of water.

-— Staff report

GPS system on rhino horns may deter poaching Five rhinos in South Africa have been fitted with global positioning systems to help protect them from poachers, according to a recent report from BBC News.

The devices are being tested in the Mafikeng Game Reserve in South Africa’s North West province.

These GPS chips were fitted into the rhinos’ horns by drilling a small hole in the dead part of the horn.

Also, alarm systems alert game wardens of unusual movements or if a rhino is outside of the park.

“It’s basically a satellite system which connects with the cell phone system and we can monitor the animals on whatever time delay we want,” said Rusty Hustler, head of security for North West Parks Board.

“There are,” he added, “a number of alarms WATCHING RHINOS: GPS chips fitted in rhino horns are designed to curb poaching in South Africa. Photo by LSON. that can be programmed: one for excessive Target Communications. “Now we’re stepping The virus’ reappearance was announced movement, so if the rhino starts running, and up our efforts with this new focused area to betrecently by biologists with the Virginia another that goes off if the rhino sleeps for lonter serve the female segment of our audience.”

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. ger than six hours, which is abnormal.”

The expos will be held next year in Michigan, Researchers from Virginia, West Virginia and According to reports, more than 200 rhiIllinois, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Maryland have identified the virus in routine nos had been slaughtered in South Africa “Nearly 25 percent of our expo attendees, testing of bass populations in the past 10 years, in 2010 and “there is a high demand for year after year, are female, and they are outdoor although no kills had been reported before the rhino horn, a prized ingredient in traditional participants,” Helgeland said.

“They need huntdie-off in Virginia.

Chinese medicine.” ing boots that are warm, light and strong. They The virus poses no risks to humans, the bioloHustler said the GPS devices in the future want gloves designed for the female hand. gists said. might also be used to help track rhino horns “Women don’t see any particular need to sufPennsylvania biologists also have found that were taken by poachers. the virus in young smallmouth bass in the — Staff report fer while they are deer hunting, unlike men.

“Men tend to think you need an icicle hangSusquehanna River, according to reports. ing from your nose to know you’re enjoying your LMBV spreads by fish-to-fish contact, through hunt.” the water, and by bass-eating infected prey.

For information on the mid-west expos, go Biologists blamed the virus on largemouth www.deerinfo.com. bass losses in the late 1990s in southern and — Staff report mid-western states.

A new “Garb & Gear” section of women’s Those fisheries took three to four years to hunting apparel and related gear, including guns recover for major episodes of the virus, bioloand archery equipment, will highlight 2011 gists said. deer and turkey hunting expos produced in the Anglers can take a few steps to stop the Midwest by Target Communications. spread of LMBV, biologists said.

“Female hunters are the only growing segFor example: Recent fish kills at Virginia’s Kerr ment of the hunting community,” according to a • Never transfer live fish from one body of Reservoir and Briery Lake have been linked news release from Target Communications that water to another. to largemouth bass virus, which hasn’t been appeared recently on The Outdoor Wire.

• Never discard fish parts into the water. known to be deadly for nearly a decade, state “We have emphasized family participation • Drain water from the live wells on boats wildlife officials said. for years,” said Glenn Helgeland, president of

Garb, gear for women new focus at expos

Largemouth bass virus reappears in Virginia

Pennsylvania game warden killed in the line of duty David L. Grove, a Pennsylvania game warden, was fatally shot by a poacher on Nov. 11 in a rural area near the Eisenhower National Historic Site outside Gettysburg.

According to reports, Grove, 31, witnessed a suspect hunting illegally with a spotlight before stopping the man around 10:30 p.m. Grove called in the license plate before attempting to handcuff the man.

While placing the suspect, 27-year-old Christopher Lynn Johnson, in handcuffs, a “ferocious exchange of gunfire” erupted, killing Grove and wounding Johnson, according to reports.

Johnson and a passenger fled the scene, and Johnson was apprehended 11 hours later at a hunting camp. He had a bullet wound in his hip, officials said.

Grove was shot four times, with the fatal round entering his neck.

Johnson abandoned his truck and flagged down a motorist, who drove him to the hunting camp, where police were waiting. On the way to the hospital, Johnson reportedly told police he shot Grove with a .45-caliber handgun.

“He advised that he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and did not want to go back to prison,” the investigating troopers wrote.

Adams County District Attorney Shawn Johnson said he likely would seek the death penalty against Johnson.

The passenger in the truck, 19-year-old Ryan Laummann, has been cooperating with police.

Laummann told police he left the scene with Johnson before repeatedly asking to be let out of the truck.

Grove is the first Pennsylvania game warden to be killed in the line of duty in nearly a century. The last was Carbon County Warden Joseph McHugh on Nov. 7, 1915.

-— Staff report

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<— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — Clip for your camp ✄ — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — >

2010-11 Season Dates DOVE North Zone and Central Zone Sept. 1-Oct. 24 and Dec. 25-Jan. 9 South Zone Sept. 17-Oct. 31 and Dec. 25-Jan. 18 Bag limit: 15 birds and not more than two white-tipped doves.

Special White-winged Dove Area Sept. 4-5, 11-12, Sept. 17-Oct. 31, Dec. 25-Jan. 14 The daily bag limit in the SWWDA during the first two weekends is 15 doves in the aggregate, to include no more than 4 mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15.

EARLY TEAL-ONLY

Sept. 11-26

ALLIGATOR 22 counties & special properties Remainder of the state

Sept. 10-30 (by permit only) Apr. 1-June 30

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE (By permit only)

Oct. 2-10

WHITE-TAILED DEER Archery-Only Season Special Youth Season* General Season Late Antlerless and Spike Muzzleloader (55 counties)

MULE DEER Archery-Only Season General Season

Oct. 2-Nov. 5 Oct. 30-31, Jan. 3-16 North Texas (208 counties) South Texas (30 counties) North Texas (106 counties) South Texas (30 counties) Jan. 3-16

Oct. 2-Nov. 5 Panhandle (39 counties) SW Panhandle (11 counties) Trans Pecos (19 counties)

JAVELINA Northern (43 counties) Southern (50 counties)

Oct. 1-Feb. 27 Sept. 1-Aug. 31

PHEASANT Panhandle (37 counties) Chambers, Jefferson & Liberty counties

Dec. 4-Jan. 2 Oct. 30-Feb. 27

Nov. 6-Jan. 2 Nov. 6-Jan. 16 Jan. 17-30 Jan. 18-31

Nov. 20-Dec. 5 Nov. 20-28 Nov. 26-Dec. 12

SQUIRREL Special Youth Season** East Texas (51 counties) Other Open counties

Sept. 25-26 Oct. 1-Feb. 6, May 1-31 Sept. 1-Aug. 31

LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN No open season for lesser prairie chicken.

QUAIL Statewide (all counties)

Oct. 30-Feb. 27

RIO GRANDE TURKEY Archery-Only Season Fall Season Special Youth Season* North Zone (122 counties) South Zone (26 counties) Brooks, Kenedy, Kleberg, & Willacy counties Spring Season North Zone (101 counties) Special Youth Season* South Zone (54 counties) Special Youth Season* 1-Turkey Bag Limit (11 counties)

Oct. 2-Nov. 5 Oct. 30-31, Jan. 15-16 Nov. 6-Jan. 2 Nov. 6-Jan. 16 Nov. 6-Feb. 27 Apr. 2-May 15 Mar. 26-27, May 21-22 Mar. 19-May 1 Mar. 12-13, May 7-8 Apr. 1-30

EASTERN TURKEY+ Spring-Only Season East Texas (43 counties)

Apr. 1-30

CHACHALACA Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties

Oct. 30-Feb. 27

RABBITS and HARES No closed season.

In addition to a hunting license, a migratory game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt any migratory game bird, including mourning dove (a Federal Sandhill Crane Permit also is required to hunt sandhill crane). An upland game bird stamp endorsement ($7) is required to hunt turkey, quail, pheasant or chachalacas. See County Listings in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual for specific county regulations and more detailed information. *In all counties that have an open season for those species. ** In all counties that have an Oct. 1-Feb. 6 and May 1-31 open squirrel season. + Rio Grande and Eastern Turkey may be hunted in these counties.

DOWNLOAD Charts for season dates, sunrise and sunset may be downloaded at LSONews.com.

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November 26, 2010

DATEBOOK November 30

December 3

December 9

January 14-16

Sam Houston State Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Walker County Fairgrounds (832) 790-7203

Rita Blanca Quail Coalition Fundraiser Dalhart Coliseum (806) 268-1397

Dallas Safari Club Holiday party Dallas Petroleum Club (972) 980-9800

Houston Safari Club The Woodlands www.houstonsafariclub.org

December 2 Fort Worth Delta Waterfowl Fundraiser Elk’s Lodge (817) 475-9796 Sealy Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Fridick Catholic Community Center (281) 259-9638 Park Cities Quail Christmas Party Berretta Gallery Highland Park Village quailmail@parkcitiesquail.org

Bass success Continued From Page 11

Hunter said fishing has been difficult, partly because of pressure brought on by the lake’s success, but also because it’s at a near-historic low of 26 feet. The record low is 30 feet.

“It’s usually really good this time of year, and you could go out there and have fun,” Hunter said.

“Right now it’s a struggle just to catch a few.”

Those who are catching bass are pulling them out of the grass and hydrilla near the banks with RatL-Traps and crankbaits. Hunter said it’s still not good, but it does seem to be getting better. The cooler temperatures are having the usual effect on the lake, just not to the extent to which anglers are accustomed.

“We feel like since the water has started cooling down it’s starting to turn the corner, but it’s still not doing what we feel it should be doing,” he said. “I think we’re still a couple weeks away from that.”

Choke Canyon Reservoir After a tough early fall, Choke Canyon in South Texas is fishing better than it has all year, according to Charles Whited, of Barefoot Fishing Guide Service.

“It’s been on for about two weeks,” Whited said. “The first couple hours, we’re catching them shallow on spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps on the edge of the grass. We back off and fish a little deeper during the day for a couple hours, then come back shallow in the afternoon.

“You can really catch them however you want right now.”

A few cold fronts have blown through the area, but the water temperatures still are in the low 70s, which activates many fish.

Whited said they’ve been catching size and numbers, which is a nice reprieve from catching neither in September and October.

“Last month it was hard to get a fish over 4 pounds, but it’s really been picking up,” he said. “My last trip we caught 55 bass and had two 7 pounders and a 5.”

While the late-fall pattern will last a little longer on Choke Canyon, because it’s so far south, Whited said the cold shuts the big bass down.

“Your typical December, you can still go out and catch them,” he said. “You just have to play the wind and it’s cold. The time to fish Choke Canyon is right now.”

December 4

January 20-23

Mt. Pleasant Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Priefert Sales Hanger (903) 285-3179

Dallas Woods and Waters Club Holiday Party Orvis Dallas (214) 570-8700

Crockett County Deerfest Hunter appreciation/ community benefit Fairpark Convention Center Ozona (325) 392-4766

Galveston Ducks Unlimited Sponsor fundraiser M&M Restaurant (409) 682-2521

San Antonio Boat and RV Show The Alamodome (512) 481-1777 www.sanantonioboatshow.com

January 6-9

January 28-30

Dallas Safari Club Convention Dallas Convention Center www.biggame.org

Coastal Bend Marine Dealers Boat Show The American Bank Convention Center Corpus Christi (361) 991-0369 www.ccboatshow.com

December 8 Austin Coastal Conservation Association Angler’s Night Out Abel’s on the Lake (512) 542-3211

Austin Boat Sport and Outdoor Show Austin Convention Center (512) 494-1128 www.austinboatshow.com

January 27-30

Page 21

Page 22

November 26, 2010

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

To feed Continued From Page 1

show they can lose nearly 30 percent of their body weight roaming the woods searching for does, fighting other bucks and trailing hot does when they find them.

For hunters, it unquestionably is the most exciting time to be in the woods.

But once the rut is over, bucks have to recuperate or risk death by disease or predation.

Many landowners manage their herd to only shoot mature bucks that have reached their trophy potential. For many, this means shooting bucks 6.5 years or older.

But what can a landowner do to ensure bucks, especially older ones, make it through the post-rut period in good shape?

Dr. Mickey Hellickson, author of an article titled “Death in the Brush Country,” currently making the rounds across the Internet the past few weeks, has some ideas that landowners can incorporate to improve bucks chances for post-rut survival.

In his article, originally written in the mid1990s but recently updated, Hellickson, citing studies conducted by himself and Dr. Charles DeYoung, wrote that 10-30 percent of all bucks in South Texas die each year due to natural causes.

That translates to nearly 75 percent of all bucks dying of natural causes before they reach the age of 6.5 years — a shockingly high and disturbing number for hunters and landowners managing for older bucks.

Hellickson’s original study was conducted on ranches without supplemental feeding.

sive in Texas than most areas of the country.

He did say that preliminary studies have shown a higher percentage of bucks survive year-to-year in the Midwest, where deer have access to major agriculture throughout the winter, and a lower percentage survive in the northern extremes such as Canada, where winters are harsher.

Predator control also is important, especially to let fawns grow up to become mature deer.

But Hellickson said he conducted his master’s research project on buck survival with and without major predator control.

“We put radio collars on a couple hundred bucks and monitored survival,” he said. “We then compared ranches where we did predator control to ones we didn’t.

“There were fewer deaths on the ranch with predator control, but the difference wasn’t significant. But common sense says reducing coyote densities during the rut and continuing into the spring increases buck survival.”

Studies have conclusively shown that predator control does work to increase fawn survival.

Bob Zaiglin, wildlife biologist and lead instructor of the Wildlife Management program at Southwest Texas Junior College, said supplemental feeding has both positives and negatives.

“If you’re just supplying supplemental feed during the post rut when bucks need it most, it’s too late,” Zaiglin said. “It’s important to get the feed out early if landowners are considering it.”

FEEDING TIME: Post-rut bucks can benefit from supplemental feeding to give them a boost. However, bucks in close proximity to each other, even in the pre- and post-rut, can result in more combat, thereby reducing the benefit of supplemental feeding. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

In a more recent study conducted by Stephen Webb on the Callaghan Ranch in Webb County that did supplemental feeding, the mortality rate dropped to 12 percent. Along with a drop in mortality rate, 52 percent of yearling bucks in the study made it to 6.5 years of age.

That is a huge difference.

In an interview with LSON, Hellickson described practices that help ensure bucks’ survival.

“In regards to supplemental feeding in the late fall and winter, people might object, but I think the best supplemental feed is corn,” Hellickson said. “Corn is really high in carbohydrates, and that is what bucks that are really run down, due to the stresses of the rut, are in need of. ” Hellickson said from late winter through the summer, manufactured protein pellets are a great way to help bucks through the spring and summer.

“Doing that ensures bucks are in better condition,” he said.

For landowners or hunters who aren’t around to continually fill feeders, or can’t afford to feed year-round, a few simple farming techniques can help habitat become more nutritious and palatable for deer.

“Light disking in late winter/early spring will allow native forbs to grow,” Hellickson said. “Disking 2 to 4 percent of the property adjacent to existing roads is the easiest. That soil disturbance will set back whatever plant growth is there and stimulate forbs growth.”

Hellickson said many native plants are high in protein content, and new growth is easier for deer to digest.

“Also, aerating or roller chopping for landowners who have the ability in late winter before spring green-up helps knock existing brush down and puts plant growth within reach of deer,” he said. “It also breaks up hard packed soils so more water can be absorbed into the soil.”

Hellickson said it was hard to make regional comparisons on buck mortality rates after the rut, because deer management is more inten-

Zaiglin said if the deer population is at or below the carrying capacity of the land, supplemental feeding probably isn’t necessary, and it could have a negative impact by bunching bucks together while testosterone levels are still high.

“In the post rut, bucks still are powered up (from testosterone) regardless of how they feel,” he said. “They do not subordinate.

Bunching the bucks together could increase the amount of combat and retard energy rates, thus adding to mortality.”

Although Hellickson’s studies focused mainly on South Texas, biologists in other parts of the state agreed supplemental feeding could give run-down bucks a bump to help them get through the post-rut, but it has its limitations.

Billy Tarrant, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department district leader for the Trans-Pecos region, said limited supplemental feeding is helpful in West Texas, although he does not recommend it year-round.

“If done timely and effectively, but not yearround in drier climates, it can have a positive effect on post-rut bucks,” Tarrant said. “I don’t recommend it year-round unless someone gets really serious about population control.”

Tarrant said high-protein pellets would be his recommendation to help stressed bucks recover.

“That little shot in the arm does help,” he said.

Across Texas, TPWD Piney Woods district biologist Gray Calkins said he’d describe supplemental feeding in his area as a “fad.”

“Our habitat is so different,” he said, “that even in winter with good rains, the deer have a lot to eat if the habitat is good. Our worst time (for deer) is late summer. We’ve always had an active food plot following because, if we get the moisture, it’s pretty easy to get a food plot going.”

Calkins said he has seen a shift during the past five years as more landowners begin to see the benefits of habitat management.

“With this shift heading down the road of improving habitat, food plots and supplemental feeding isn’t as critical,” he said.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides

Last

Nov. 26

Time 1:32 a.m.

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Height 2.7 H 0.2 L 0.5 L 1.3 L 0.7 L 0.2 L -0.4 L -0.9 L -1.1 L -1.1 L -1.1 L 2.5 H 2.3 H -0.5 L -0.2 L

Time 11:20 a.m.

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Height -0.2 L 2.3 H 2.3 H 1.8 H 2.1 H 2.3 H 2.7 H 2.9 H 3.0 H 2.9 H 2.7 H -0.9 L -0.7 L 2.1 H 2.1 H

Time Height 08:20 p.m. 2.5 H 2:38 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

5:52 p.m.

7:13 p.m.

8:17 p.m.

9:06 p.m.

9:40 p.m.

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6:01 p.m.

6:49 p.m.

1.1 L 1.6 L 2.0 L 2.1 L 2.1 L 2.3 L 2.3 L 2.3 L 2.5 H 2.3 H

Time

Height

9:31 p.m.

9:49 p.m.

10:07 p.m.

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10:49 p.m.

11:16 p.m.

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2.1 H 2.1 H 2.1 H 2.3 H 2.3 H 2.5 H 2.5 H

Time 2:19 a.m.

12:42 p.m.

1:46 p.m.

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Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

10:24 p.m. 2.1 L

Height 2.1 H 0.1 L 0.4 L 1.0 L 0.6 L 0.1 L -0.3 L -0.7 L -0.9 L 2.0 H 2.0 H 2.0 H 1.9 H -0.4 L -0.1 L

Time 11:46 a.m.

9:37 p.m.

9:59 p.m.

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2:35 p.m.

3:31 p.m.

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9:42 a.m.

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08:19 p.m.

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Height -0.1 L 1.9 H 1.9 H 1.4 H 1.7 H 1.9 H 2.1 H 2.3 H 2.4 H -0.9 L -0.9 L -0.7 L -0.6 L 1.7 H 1.7 H

Time Height 09:07 p.m. 2.0 H

Height 1.2 L 0.1 L 0.3 L 0.6 L 0.3 L 0.1 L -0.2 L -0.4 L 1.1 H 1.2 H 1.2 H 1.2 H 1.1 H -0.3 L -0.1 L

Time 2:49 a.m.

10:07 p.m.

10:29 p.m.

10:20 a.m.

12:25 p.m.

1:56 p.m.

3:05 p.m.

4:01 p.m.

8:29 a.m.

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Height 1.3 H 1.1 H 1.1 H 0.9 H 1.0 H 1.1 H 1.3 H 1.4 H -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.4 L -0.3 L 1.0 H 1.0 H

Time Height 12:42 p.m. -0.1 L

Time Height 09:37 p.m. 1.2 H

4:00 p.m.

5:37 p.m.

7:14 p.m.

8:35 p.m.

9:39 p.m.

4:52 p.m.

5:41 p.m.

6:29 p.m.

7:18 p.m.

08:06 p.m.

10:48 p.m.

11:06 p.m.

11:24 p.m.

11:43 p.m.

1.0 H 1.0 H 1.0 H 1.1 H

10:28 p.m.

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1.1 L 1.1 L 1.1 L 1.0 L

Height 1.8 H 0.1 L 0.3 L 0.6 L 0.4 L 0.1 L -0.2 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.5 L -0.5 L 1.7 H 1.6 H -0.3 L -0.1 L

Time 11:43 a.m.

8:59 p.m.

9:21 p.m.

9:12 a.m.

11:17 a.m.

12:48 p.m.

1:57 p.m.

2:53 p.m.

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9:39 a.m.

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Height -0.1 L 1.6 H 1.6 H 1.2 H 1.5 H 1.6 H 1.8 H 2.0 H 2.1 H 2.0 H 1.8 H -0.5 L -0.4 L 1.5 H 1.5 H

Time Height 08:29 p.m. 1.7 H

Time

Height

9:40 p.m.

9:58 p.m.

10:16 p.m.

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10:58 p.m.

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1.5 H 1.5 H 1.5 H 1.6 H 1.6 H 1.7 H 1.7 H

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7:39 p.m.

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0.9 L 1.3 L 1.6 L 1.7 L 1.7 L 1.9 L 2.3 H 2.1 H 2.0 H 1.9 H

Time

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Time 12:08 a.m.

1:38 p.m.

2:42 p.m.

5:09 a.m.

5:45 a.m.

6:24 a.m.

7:05 a.m.

7:47 a.m.

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12:33 a.m.

1:05 a.m.

1:36 a.m.

2:01 a.m.

12:01 p.m.

12:41 p.m.

10:18 p.m.

10:36 p.m.

10:54 p.m.

11:13 p.m.

11:36 p.m.

1.7 H 1.7 H 1.7 H 1.9 H 1.9 H

10:06 p.m. 1.9 L 10:29 p.m. 1.9 L 10:50 p.m. 1.7 L

Time 1:41 a.m.

12:39 p.m.

1:43 p.m.

4:10 a.m.

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Dec 17

Dec. 10

Houston Height 1.2 H 1.1 H 0.9 H 0.8 H 0.5 L 0.2 L 0.0 L -0.2 L -0.3 L -0.3 L -0.3 L 1.1 H 1.1 H 1.0 H 0.9 H

Time Height 2:40 p.m. 0.1 L 3:18 p.m. 0.2 L 3:45 p.m. 0.4 L 3:26 p.m. 0.5 L 10:02 p.m. 0.8 H 9:17 p.m. 1.0 H 9:21 p.m. 1.1 H 09:53 p.m. 1.2 H 10:37 p.m. 1.2 H 11:29 p.m. 1.2 H

Time

Height

11:22 p.m.

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Time

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

12:48 p.m. -0.3 L 1:32 p.m. -0.2 L 2:15 p.m. -0.1 L 2:54 p.m. 0.0 L Time Height 4:07 p.m. 0.13 L 4:39 p.m. 0.16 L 4:56 p.m. 0.20 L 4:37 p.m. 0.25 L 8:38 a.m. 0.23 L 11:25 p.m. 0.43 H 11:41 p.m. 0.46 H 11:17 a.m.

12:08 p.m.

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Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

Time 2:12 a.m.

12:21 p.m.

1:25 p.m.

3:52 a.m.

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Height 1.7 H 0.1 L 0.2 L 0.5 L 0.3 L 0.1 L -0.2 L -0.4 L -0.5 L -0.5 L 1.6 H 1.6 H 1.5 H -0.2 L -0.1 L

Time 11:25 a.m.

9:30 p.m.

9:52 p.m.

9:43 a.m.

11:48 a.m.

1:19 p.m.

2:28 p.m.

3:24 p.m.

4:15 p.m.

5:04 p.m.

8:38 a.m.

9:21 a.m.

10:03 a.m.

08:12 p.m.

08:45 p.m.

-0.02 L -0.04 L -0.04 L -0.04 L -0.03 L -0.02 L -0.00 L Height -0.1 L 1.5 H 1.5 H 1.1 H 1.4 H 1.5 H 1.7 H 1.8 H 2.0 H 1.8 H -0.5 L -0.4 L -0.3 L 1.4 H 1.4 H

Time Height 09:00 p.m. 1.6 H 2:43 p.m.

4:20 p.m.

5:57 p.m.

7:18 p.m.

8:22 p.m.

9:11 p.m.

9:45 p.m.

5:52 p.m.

6:41 p.m.

7:29 p.m.

0.5 L 0.7 L 0.8 L 0.9 L 0.9 L 1.0 L 1.0 L 1.7 H 1.6 H 1.5 H

Time

Height

10:11 p.m.

10:29 p.m.

10:47 p.m.

11:06 p.m.

11:29 p.m.

11:56 p.m.

1.4 H 1.4 H 1.4 H 1.5 H 1.5 H 1.6 H

10:08 p.m. 1.0 L 10:29 p.m. 0.9 L

South Padre Island

3:01 p.m.

4:38 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

7:36 p.m.

8:40 p.m.

9:29 p.m.

10:03 p.m.

10:26 p.m.

6:10 p.m.

6:58 p.m.

0.5 L 0.8 L 1.0 L 1.1 L 1.1 L 1.2 L 1.2 L 1.2 L 1.7 H 1.6 H

10:47 p.m. 1.1 L

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Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

Time 11:28 a.m.

12:22 p.m.

1:21 p.m.

4:06 a.m.

4:22 a.m.

4:55 a.m.

5:35 a.m.

6:19 a.m.

7:05 a.m.

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08:40 a.m.

09:26 a.m.

10:11 a.m.

10:54 a.m.

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Height 0.0 L 0.3 L 0.6 L 1.1 L 0.6 L 0.2 L -0.2 L -0.5 L -0.7 L -0.7 L -0.7 L -0.6 L -0.3 L -0.1 L 0.2 L

Time Height 9:03 p.m. 2.0 H 9:15 p.m. 1.9 H 9:15 p.m. 1.7 H 8:55 a.m. 1.3 H 11:48 a.m. 1.4 H 1:40 p.m. 1.7 H 2:57 p.m. 1.9 H 4:00 p.m. 2.0 H 4:57 p.m. 2.0 H 5:51 p.m. 2.0 H 6:43 p.m. 2.0 H 7:29 p.m. 1.9 H 08:07 p.m. 1.8 H 08:32 p.m. 1.8 H 8:45 p.m. 1.7 H

Time

2:32 p.m.

4:10 p.m.

Height

1.0 L 1.3 L

Time

ACROSS 1. Hunter’s name for the predator 4. Newborn elk (plural) 7. Another name for the largemouth 8. To take by bow 10. The male gobbler 11. Act of fish hitting a bait 12. A type of arrow 13. A species of large bass 14. A method of scouting for deer 16. Great for a deer blind in winter 19. A large lake trout 22. Forward end of a gun barrel 23. A male elk 24. A very large game of the plains 28. To relocate seasonally 30. A sight on a gun 31. Term for a leader on a flyrod 32. A species of deer DOWN 1. Skin-like covering on antlers 2. A large antlered animal 3. Platform for still hunting 4. Controls spread of shot pellets 5. To care for bow and gun parts 6. A popular panfish 9. Term for a bass 11. Fish classed as a predator 14. Canada, snow or blue 15. The hunting area 17. Protects skin from snap on arrow release 18. To construct a fly lure 20. A game’s favorite area 21. A wild sheep 25. Part of the fishing gear 26. Brand of bowhunter’s optic 27. The fur seeker’s gear 29. A deer resting place

Height

9:06 p.m. 1.5 H 8:45 p.m. 1.5 H

A.M. Minor Major 9:06 2:53 10:04 3:51 10:57 4:44 11:46 5:34 12:08 6:20 12:52 7:05 1:38 7:51 2:26 8:40 3:18 9:32 4:13 10:28 5:11 10:53 6:10 11:52 7:08 12:55 8:03 1:51 8:55 2:44 9:43 3:32 10:27 4:17 11:08 4:58 11:47 5:37 12:05 6:16

P.M. Minor 9:33 10:29 11:22 ----12:33 1:18 2:05 2:54 3:46 4:42 5:39 6:37 7:33 8:27 9:17 10:03 10:47 11:28 ----12:26

Major 3:20 4:17 5:09 5:58 6:45 7:31 8:18 9:08 10:01 10:56 ----12:24 1:21 2:15 3:06 3:53 4:37 5:18 5:58 6:37

SUN Rises Sets 06:54 05:22 06:55 05:21 06:56 05:21 06:56 05:21 06:57 05:21 06:58 05:21 06:59 05:21 07:00 05:21 07:00 05:21 07:01 05:21 07:02 05:21 07:03 05:21 07:03 05:21 07:04 05:21 07:05 05:21 07:06 05:22 07:06 05:22 07:07 05:22 07:07 05:22 07:08 05:23

MOON Rises Sets 10:23p 11:09a 11:27p 11:48a NoMoon 12:25p 12:31a 1:00p 1:35a 1:35p 2:39a 2:13p 3:45a 2:53p 4:52a 3:38p 5:57a 4:29p 7:00a 5:24p 7:57a 6:22p 8:49a 7:21p 9:34a 8:20p 10:13a 9:18p 10:48a 10:13p 11:19a 11:06p 11:48a NoMoon 12:16p NoMoon 12:45p 12:50a 1:16p 1:43a

2010 Nov-Dec 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun Q 29 Mon 30 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat > 05 Sun > 06 Mon N 07 Tue > 08 Wed > 09 Thu 10 Fri 11 Sat 12 Sun 13 Mon Q 14 Tue 15 Wed

A.M. Minor Major 9:12 2:58 10:09 3:56 11:02 4:50 11:52 5:39 12:13 6:26 12:58 7:11 1:43 7:57 2:31 8:45 3:23 9:38 4:19 10:33 5:17 10:59 6:16 12:02 7:13 1:01 8:09 1:57 9:00 2:49 9:48 3:38 10:32 4:22 11:13 5:03 11:53 5:43 12:11 6:21

P.M. Minor Major 9:39 3:25 10:35 4:22 11:27 5:15 ----- 6:04 12:38 6:51 1:24 7:37 2:10 8:24 2:59 9:13 3:52 10:06 4:47 11:02 5:45 ----6:43 12:29 7:39 1:26 8:32 2:21 9:22 3:11 10:09 3:59 10:52 4:42 11:33 5:23 ----- 6:03 12:32 6:42

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:06 05:20 10:24p 11:20a 07:07 05:20 11:30p 11:57a 07:08 05:20 NoMoon 12:32p 07:09 05:20 12:36a 1:05p 07:10 05:19 1:42a 1:39p 07:11 05:19 2:48a 2:14p 07:12 05:19 3:56a 2:53p 07:12 05:19 5:04a 3:37p 07:13 05:19 6:11a 4:26p 07:14 05:19 7:14a 5:21p 07:15 05:19 8:11a 6:19p 07:16 05:19 9:02a 7:20p 07:16 05:19 9:46a 8:20p 07:17 05:19 10:24a 9:19p 07:18 05:19 10:57a 10:16p 07:19 05:20 11:27a 11:10p 07:19 05:20 11:54a NoMoon 07:20 05:20 12:21p 12:04a 07:21 05:20 12:49p 12:57a 07:21 05:21 1:18p 1:52a

P.M. Minor Major 9:46 3:32 10:42 4:29 11:34 5:22 ----- 6:11 12:45 6:58 1:31 7:44 2:17 8:31 3:06 9:20 3:59 10:13 4:54 11:09 5:52 ----6:50 12:36 7:46 1:33 8:39 2:28 9:29 3:18 10:16 4:06 10:59 4:49 11:40 5:30 12:00 6:10 12:39 6:49

SUN MOON Rises Sets Rises Sets 07:06 05:35 10:36p 11:21a 07:07 05:35 11:41p 12:01p 07:07 05:34 NoMoon 12:37p 07:08 05:34 12:44a 1:13p 07:09 05:34 1:48a 1:48p 07:10 05:34 2:52a 2:26p 07:11 05:34 3:58a 3:07p 07:11 05:34 5:04a 3:52p 07:12 05:34 6:10a 4:42p 07:13 05:34 7:12a 5:37p 07:14 05:34 8:10a 6:36p 07:14 05:34 9:01a 7:35p 07:15 05:34 9:46a 8:34p 07:16 05:35 10:25a 9:31p 07:17 05:35 11:00a 10:26p 07:17 05:35 11:31a 11:19p 07:18 05:35 12:01p NoMoon 07:19 05:35 12:29p 12:11a 07:19 05:36 12:58p 1:03a 07:20 05:36 1:29p 1:56a

P.M. Minor 9:59 10:55 11:48 12:12 12:59 1:44 2:31 3:20 4:12 5:08 6:05 7:03 7:59 8:53 9:43 10:29 11:13 11:54 12:13 12:52

SUN Rises 07:32 07:33 07:34 07:35 07:36 07:37 07:37 07:38 07:39 07:40 07:41 07:42 07:42 07:43 07:44 07:45 07:46 07:46 07:47 07:48

San Antonio 2010 A.M. Nov-Dec Minor Major 26 Fri 9:19 3:05 27 Sat 10:16 4:03 28 Sun Q 11:09 4:57 29 Mon 11:59 5:46 30 Tue 12:20 6:33 01 Wed 1:05 7:18 02 Thu 1:50 8:04 03 Fri 2:38 8:52 04 Sat > 3:30 9:45 05 Sun > 4:26 10:40 06 Mon N 5:24 11:06 07 Tue > 6:23 12:09 08 Wed > 7:20 1:08 09 Thu 8:16 2:04 10 Fri 9:07 2:56 11 Sat 9:55 3:45 12 Sun 10:39 4:29 13 Mon Q 11:20 5:10 14 Tue ----- 5:50 15 Wed 12:18 6:28

Amarillo

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Mail to Lone Star Outdoor News, PO Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355. For fastest service, call (214) 361-2276 or visit LSONews.com.

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen

2010 Nov-Dec 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun Q 29 Mon 30 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat > 05 Sun > 06 Mon N 07 Tue > 08 Wed > 09 Thu 10 Fri 11 Sat 12 Sun 13 Mon Q 14 Tue 15 Wed

Dallas

0.39 H

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier

Freeport Harbor Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

Time 3:07 a.m.

3:50 a.m.

4:05 a.m.

1:31 a.m.

7:58 a.m.

08:18 a.m.

08:57 a.m.

09:42 a.m.

10:28 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

12:02 p.m.

12:25 a.m.

1:18 a.m.

2:03 a.m.

2:35 a.m.

Date Time Height Nov 26 4:54 a.m. 0.53 H Nov 27 5:31 a.m. 0.48 H Nov 28 5:26 a.m. 0.41 H Nov 29 1:30 a.m. 0.36 H Nov 30 12:12 a.m. 0.36 H Dec 1 9:07 a.m. 0.14 L Dec 2 9:46 a.m. 0.07 L Dec 3 10:30 a.m. 0.02 L Dec 4 12:15 a.m. 0.47 H Dec 5 1:01 a.m. 0.47 H Dec 6 1:55 a.m. 0.45 H Dec 7 2:54 a.m. 0.43 H Dec 8 3:51 a.m. 0.40 H Dec 9 4:44 a.m. 0.36 H Dec 10 5:32 a.m. 0.32 H

San Luis Pass Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

Dec. 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.

Full

First

Rockport

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

New

Port O’Connor

Sabine Pass, jetty

Page 23

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases

Texas Coast Tides Date Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9 Dec 10

November 26, 2010

Solution on Page 29

2010 A.M. Nov-Dec Minor 26 Fri 9:32 27 Sat 10:30 28 Sun Q 11:23 29 Mon ----30 Tue 12:34 01 Wed 1:18 02 Thu 2:04 03 Fri 2:52 04 Sat > 3:44 05 Sun > 4:39 06 Mon N 5:37 07 Tue > 6:36 08 Wed > 7:34 09 Thu 8:29 10 Fri 9:21 11 Sat 10:08 12 Sun 10:53 13 Mon Q 11:34 14 Tue ----15 Wed 12:31

Major 3:19 4:17 5:10 6:00 6:46 7:31 8:17 9:06 9:58 10:53 11:19 12:22 1:21 2:17 3:10 3:58 4:42 5:24 6:03 6:42

Major 3:46 4:42 5:35 6:24 7:11 7:57 8:44 9:34 10:27 11:22 ----12:49 1:47 2:41 3:32 4:19 5:03 5:44 6:23 7:03

Sets 05:35 05:35 05:35 05:35 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:34 05:35 05:35

MOON Rises 10:42p 11:50p NoMoon 12:57a 2:04a 3:12a 4:21a 5:30a 6:38a 7:42a 8:39a 9:29a 10:12a 10:49a 11:21a 11:49a 12:16p 12:42p 1:08p 1:36p

Sets 11:45a 12:21p 12:54p 1:26p 1:58p 2:32p 3:10p 3:53p 4:41p 5:35p 6:34p 7:35p 8:36p 9:36p 10:34p 11:30p NoMoon 12:25a 1:19a 2:15a

FOR THE TABLE Grilled Quail with Honey & Tarragon Marinade 6 whole quail (with skin on or skinless) Marinade: 1 1/4 cup white wine 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup of honey 1 tablespoon tarragon 1/4 cup melted butter 2 cloves fresh garlic minced 1 tablespoon olive oil 6 green onions and their tops, chopped 2 teaspoons sugar Split quail in half lengthwise.

Place halves in marinating pan and pour marinade over birds

being sure that both sides are coated. Refrigerate overnight.

Remove quail from marinating pan and grill birds over medium hot coals. Heat remaining marinade enough to melt butter and mix thoroughly. While quail are cooking, baste birds with marinade. Cook evenly on both sides to medium well doneness. Quail should be cooked completely but still juicy and not overdone.

—Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Catfish and Shrimp Soup 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced One 28-ounce can of tomatoes 3 tablespoons tomato paste 1 bay leaf 4 cups water 1 cup of dry white wine One 8-ounce bottle clam juice 1/2 pound shelled medium shrimp 2 catfish fillets cut into 1-inch cubes 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Coriander (or parsley) Lemon slices

In large soup pan, heat oil.

Sauté onion and garlic until onions are transparent. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and bay leaf. Cover the pan and simmer for 25 minutes. Add water, wine, and clam juice. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes. Add shrimp, catfish, salt, and pepper. Cook 10 minutes or until catfish flakes easily. Remove bay leaf. Garnish each serving with chopped coriander and lemon wedges.

—National Marine Fisheries Institute

Page 24

November 26, 2010

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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Fishing buddies

Flushing coveys

Continued From Page 1

Continued From Page 1

HELPING HAND: Stanley Lures owner Lonnie Stanley, right, helps John Hale land a nice bass on a recent outing to test lures on a lake near Athens.

Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

“We just have the ability to look at a situation and come up with something to fit the need.

The stuff we build works.”

Stanley said the pair’s unique personalities have never been a problem while fishing together.

“He’s about as hard-headed as I am on the water,” Stanley said. “But our different styles work fine when we are testing lures together.

Because of our different styles, when a lure hits the stores, we know it will work.”

The pair’s bond, and the ability of their lures to catch fish, was on display during a recent fishing trip with Lone Star Outdoor News CEO David Sams on a private lake near Athens.

On a day when the wind hit gusts of more

than 35 mph, the trio caught more than 150 bass. The fishing started out slow, but as the water temperature warmed up a few degrees, the bass began biting.

Sams said watching the two old friends interact was a highlight of the trip.

“You can tell the two have fished together a long time,” Sams said. “They are almost to the point where they can read each others' thoughts and finish the other one’s sentences.”

Hale said he now works around the company doing whatever needs to be done, but still enjoys sitting down at his mold-making machine with a piece of lead and a hook and seeing what emerges.

“I enjoy bringing an idea to fruition,” he said. “I take it from a hook and piece of lead and come up with something that works and fishermen can use.

“Lonnie has just been great to work with all of these years.”

Stanley gives a lot of the credit for the company’s success to Hale, and all of the employees who work at Stanley Lures.

“The whole team here is really good,” Stanley said. “The business-end folks do a great job, which takes a lot of pressure off of me and allows me to get out and test fishing lures.

“It’s a teamwork deal, and I give John a lot of credit for being a big part of that.”

—Staff report

“We haven’t found a lot of birds yet,” Brewer said, “but we had such good rains and we have good ground cover. The birds have plenty of areas to eat and dust. It’s real early, but I think we have the birds.”

In East Texas, even though it is the heart of deer season, hunters have reported seeing more quail than in recent years.

“I’ve been out deer hunting, but I saw a nice covey the other day,” said Lewis Thomas from the Marshall area. “That’s an excellent sign for deep East Texas. The last 10 years we’ve seen numbers decline drastically.

“I ran up on the covey and they scared me. But it is a good kind of scared.”

In South Texas, a combination of warm weather and impossibly thick ground cover has made it treacherous to work dogs and created poor scenting conditions during the first month of the season.

“We had 40 inches of rain and we normally have 20,” said Bill Rauch, a South Texas quail hunter. “I think we made a lot of birds this summer but the cover is as high as I’ve ever seen it. The dogs don’t want to run through it and the quail don’t have to move much.”

Rauch said he knows he has birds, but until the weather is better for hunting, he can’t prove it.

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November 26, 2010

Page 25

Page 26

November 26, 2010

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LONE STAR MARKET

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

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November 26, 2010

Page 27

Arroyo Colorado

Redfish hot

Continued From Page 8

Continued From Page 11

The lower, tidal portion of the ton of fun on an 8-weight long Arroyo Colorado also is listed as rod or conventional light tackle. impaired, primarily due to nutriGreg and Maddie Bow, the ent enrichment and periodic low only resident real estate agents dissolved oxygen, but the water in sleepy Arroyo City, also know is still considered safe for contact about the river’s potential for water sports and no consumption tropical game fish. advisories for saltwater fish species In 2007, Maddie landed a 31are in effect. inch common snook from the Flores, an avid angler, says the dock behind her house. Greg folprimary motivation in his work lowed that up the same week with with the partnership is protecting a 35-inch linesider. Early this a way of life he loves. He said there summer, Maddie’s father, visiting is reason for hope when it comes from Colorado, caught a snook to the health of the little river. and a trout at once on a two-hook The voluntary partnership he speck rig. manages encompasses state and “It’s pretty neat that we have federal agencies, cities and towns, this right here in our back yards, farmers and birders and academics. and not too many people seem to It has focused on upgrading antiknow about it,” Maddie said. “You quated wastewater treatment plants, just never know what’s going to introducing integrated pest mancome out of that river.” agement and modern soil conserMassive flooding of the Rio vation practices in agriculture, and Grande this summer, spawned improving storm water runoff filterby the rains of Hurricane Alex ing from the area’s booming cities. over Mexico, led to a rise of nearly “We’re not seeing a continued 14 feet on some portions of the degradation in water quality,” Arroyo, which is used as a diverFlores said. “We’re not seeing these sion for floodwaters, and it has bacterial levels continue to rise as run muddy and murkier than we have been. So we do see progusual through the fall. ress being made. And we’re lookPlecostomus — armored catfish ing at different, alternative methcommon in the aquarium trade ods to treat the water in place.

— are showing up in crab traps in “We have a project right now to Arroyo City, and alligators, gar and put some solar-powered circulators carp are turning up in the usually up in the Port of Harlingen.” salty, tidal portion of the river.

In Flores’ eyes — and many sci“It’s kind of exciting to see what will come out of it, with SLEEPY VILLAGE: The small community Arroyo City attracts vacationers and entists agree — the health of the Lower Laguna Madre is intimately all this flooding,” said Jaime J. anglers on the south bank of the Arroyo Colorado, a 15-minute boat ride linked to the health of its singular Flores, coordinator for the Arroyo from the Laguna Madre. Photo by Aaron Reed. source of freshwater inflows.

Colorado Watershed Protection “If the Arroyo is impaired, that means the bay is impaired,” he Partnership. He cites the wealth of native biota — seeds and spores and nutrients — washed downstream in the massive releases from said. “It will be the Arroyo sick first, and then the bay will be sick.

If we cannot clean the Arroyo Colorado, the Laguna Madre could the Rio Grande’s Falcon Dam this year.

The EPA has found legacy pesticide contamination in measur- turn into Galveston Bay. “If we can do something here, we can do the same thing all up able quantities of chlordane, the toxaphene and DDE, among other compounds, on the non-tidal, upper reaches of the stream, and down the Gulf Coast. If some of these things work, we can try where consumption advisories for smallmouth buffalo and gar them in the Trinity and on Oso Creek and other places.

“Everyone’s being impacted the same way for the same reasons.” are in effect.

hot around the Port Aransas area, according to guide Ed Woodhouse. He said the influx of cooler weather and fewer anglers will keep the fishing productive for the coming weeks.

“In my opinion it’s the best time of the year,” Woodhouse said. “And the reason is that there is less pressure on the fish.”

But, he noted, quality bait will help. Most of his redfish have been landed on live shrimp and cut mullet in very shallow pockets of water.

In Galveston, the key to finding fall redfish, according to guide Paul Maracaccio, is to search out flocks of seagulls above churned up water.

“With all the shrimp being pulled out of the marshes, seagulls make it easy and all you have to do is find a flock of birds and get up underneath them,” Maracaccio said.

He added that recent rains have caused the bayous and marshes to flood, forcing redfish to stage outside of those inlets. Most of those reds have been caught in 2 to 3 feet of water.

The topwater bite within the bay also has been successful for Maracaccio, with reports of high numbers of fish being taken on artificial baits in black, plum, glow and pearl colors. However, Maracaccio reported slot fish being taken along with the larger fish.

“The redfish slots are in abundance, but, there’s a lot of smaller fish in the 16- to 18inch range,” Maracaccio said.

Cooler weather, however, has begun to slow some of the fishing around South Padre Island.

Guide Mark Guillot said because of schools moving through the Laguna Madre in the summer, the action in the fall and winter slows down considerably.

“There are schools that run through here in the summertime, so when you find a school you can catch anywhere from nine to 12 redfish on an outing,” Guillot said.

“But in the wintertime you’re catching individual fish.”

Guillot said that with recent fair weather conditions, the key to catching fish is drifting, typically with live shrimp.

Page 28

November 26, 2010

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Boat burglaries Continued From Page 8

November when his boat was robbed. He has a 1996 Skeeter and was at least the fourth tournament angler hit in the small town near Lake Fork in recent weeks.

“They hit me sometime between midnight and morning, and I guess a crowbar does a good job on the rod box locks,” he said. “They got at least 11 Revo reels and St. Croix rods, a couple of other boxes of items and a tournament bag. It just made my stomach turn.”

The National Insurance Crime Bureau lists Texas among the top five states for thefts and recoveries of watercraft (boats, PWCs, etc.).

It ranked third behind Florida and California in both categories from Jan. 1, 2006 through March 31, 2009. The group surveyed all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Lee Sisson of Florida wondered if he could take a car alarm system and build a better mousetrap.

The veteran lure designer and tournament angler, who qualified this year for the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series, tried to modify a car alarm but finally gave up and began working with a company on a boat-specific warning system.

Because thieves don’t just grab anything they see or yank a sonar unit left on the console, Sisson wanted something that would be loud when the boat was bumped or there were vibrations. That turned into his “Two Way Alarms” system, which

Deer and hog Continued From Page 14

rate of about 1 percent of the hog population or more yearly, Higginbotham said.

But the risk is not tied to a specific breeding season because hogs reproduce all year round.

Texas’ feral hog population conservatively is estimated at more than 2 million, although Higginbotham said no one really knows how many there are.

“If anyone quotes you a number, then they’re lying, because it’s all conjecture,” he said.

Still, feral hog sows will have at least one litter a year, and the litter size averages five.

comes with a remote control key fob that also acts as an alarm.

If the system gives two warning blasts, the second one is louder, different and sustained — meaning someone probably is doing something to the boat.

“I had a guy in Texas who ordered one and called me two weeks later,” Sisson said. “He said the alarm went off twice within a minute and was going crazy. He went into his driveway and a truck was backing out of his driveway real fast.

They didn’t get anything.

“In Texas, those guys really have been hit hard all over the state. One of the first questions I often get is, 'Can the system be set so the remote goes off but not the boat alarm?' They want to catch these guys. I just wanted something for my boat loud enough to scare them away.”

Sisson’s alarm system isn’t the only device available to anglers.

One of the most popular is the Loc-R-Bar, which spans the front deck’s lids to help prevent access. An additional adapter bar provides more protection, as does a dual-alarm “Loc Alarm” padlock system that can be attached to the bar.

Another option is the DuraSafe locking systems for trolling motors, electronics and trailer hitches. One outstanding feature is the locks arrive without having been set, so the owner can use one key, such as a truck key, for every lock and not have to keep up with another key.

Reed said he didn’t have an alarm system on his boat although he did wake up when his dog was barking. But that didn’t convince him anything was amiss. He noticed a deck lid not completely shut the next morning while walking to

Although they can have litters of their own earlier, the female piglets will usually birth their first offspring when they are about 13 months old, Higginbotham said.

“Feral hogs are the most prolific large mammal on the face of the Earth,” he said. “There’s no question about that.”

And there’s no question that hog-car encounters are always a danger, and the incidences are increasing yearly, he said.

“I think we’ve steadily trended upward in terms of hog and vehicle collisions over the last 10 years,” Higginbotham said. “There’s a much higher incidence now than there was five years ago.

“And five years ago, it was greatly increased over the five years before.”

—Staff report

Puzzle solution from Page 23

November 26, 2010

his truck for work; he lifted the lid and discovered the theft.

“If they’d have shut the door completely, I might not have noticed for at least another week,” he said. “I’d planned to fish the FLW Texas division and had been buying new equipment. Thought I had everything ready — now have to start over.

“I’m a workingman, just like everyone else, and buy things here and there. It made me sick to my stomach.

“I think if I’d have had an alarm system, it would have been a deterrent. If an alarm goes off, they’re not going to hang around.”

Sisson said his alarm system has thwarted three attempted burglaries of his boat. Someone tried to lift a deck lid once, and the straps on his boat cover were popped twice.

Each time, he said, the alarm spooked the would-be burglars.

“I’ve seen some guys with the alarm system and the bar, but if the alarm goes off they’re probably not going to get past the bar before someone notices and they take off,” Sisson said.

“Usually, when the alarm goes off they run. But I like the security of just knowing that something’s going off.

“I can sleep at night.”

Page 29

Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Editor Bill Miller Associate Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Nancy Halphen Web site Bruce Soileau

National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager Classified/Outfitters Blazing Paths Media Advertising Intern Nicholas Conklin Founder & CEO David J. Sams

Contributors Kyle Carter Alan Clemons David Draper Wilbur Lundeen Erich Schlegel David Sikes Scott Sommerlatte Chuck Uzzle Ralph Winingham

Web links ■ Two Way Alarms: www.twowayalarms.com ■ DuraSafe Locking System: www.durasafelocks.com ■ Loc-R-Bar: www.loc-r-bar.com

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com (214) 361-2276

Lone Star Outdoor News, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2010 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 e-mail them to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Page 30

November 26, 2010

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

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PRODUCTS

>>

CHEST ORGANIZER: This organizer system from EZ ACCESS GEAR allows outdoorsmen to keep all their small items — such as calls or keys — within easy reach. The organizer comes with a pouch and two pockets as well as three quick-detach buckles. Two drop calls with attaching clips, a neck strap with two key rings plus attaching clips, and two cord assemblies for attaching accessories are also included. Items can be detached and changed out as needed. The organizer, which sells for about $22, can be worn with the accompanying strap or it can be hooked up to a belt or binocular strap.

CLASS PRO ACTION SUIT: FROGG TOGGS offers waterproof, windproof gear that is lightweight, breathable and durable.

Constructed with three layers of polypropylene material with a center layer of micro porous film, the fabric will not allow moisture to penetrate. The rain suit features a roomy jacket with a hood that zips into the collar and a full-length zipper covered by a storm flap that snaps closed to keep wind and rain out.

The pants have pass-through pockets, an elastic waist with barrel-pull drawstring, and 8-inch zippers with elastic cuffs. The rain gear, which sells for about $70, is available in the Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity camouflage pattern.

>>

(920) 609-7995 www.ezaccessgear.com

>>

SUPER SLAM HUNTING SERIES: A partnership between MASTIFF LLC and REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY has resulted in Remington’s newest game series, "Remington Super Slam Hunting," which can be played on Nintendo’s Wii system or PC. The games — there are three in the series — allow gamers to experience hunting in North America, Africa and Alaska as they track big game with likenesses of weapons, hunting gear and accessories from top manufacturers like Remington. In the African version, players will stalk such big game as leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes and lions. Players can choose to team up with a fellow hunter to track and hunt on safari, earning medals or awards based on their progress. The games will sell for about $20 each.

(800) 349-1835 www.froggtoggs.com

>>

PERFORMANCE SOCK: They are just socks, but they are good socks. SOLE socks provide a lasting, comfortable fit that stays in place, coupled with high-performance wicking properties to keep feet cool and dry. The socks are made from a blend of fabrics that offer comfort and breathability. The company’s lightweight sport and dual-layer socks are available in ankle or crew length. The lightweight sport socks feature a durable blend of lightweight and breathable fabrics, instep vents for breathability, and a hand-linked seamless toe and an arch band that keeps the sock in place. The dual-layer socks feature an inner layer that hugs the foot and slides against the outer layer, insulating skin against friction to reduce the risk of blisters. The socks sell for about $9.50 to $12.50 per pair.

(866) 235-7653 www.yourSOLE.com

(925) 551-8080 www.mastiff-games.com

>>

SMALLMOUTH BASS LINE: The newest line from RIO PRODUCTS features a taper design that allows a rod to load at close range. The medium-length front taper is ideal for casting smallmouth flies while the long back taper allows for a smooth-casting loop that keeps the line stable on long casts. A unique handling section behind the head makes it easy to control the fly at long range when fishing for smallmouth bass in rivers. This line features Rio’s dual coloring, which will help anglers find the perfect loading point of the line. The Smallmouth Bass line has a bronze colored head with a beige running line and is available in a WF6F, WF7F and WF8F for about $75.

VMAX SHO OUTBOARD ENGINE: YAMAHA says its latest engine offers “gamechanged super high output four-stroke outboard technology.” The VMAX SHO, available in a 200, 225 and 250 horsepower, features impressive hole shot, acceleration and top speed. This lightweight outboard engine was designed and built as the ideal power for bass boats and in-shore bay and flats boats. The engine achieves its 4.2-liter big-bore V6 displacement by utilizing plasma-fused sleeveless cylinders to increase displacement without enlarging the outer diameter of the cylinder. Other features include instant throttle response, an intake system that delivers greater fuel efficiency, smooth and quiet operation, and ease of maintenance. The MSRP for the VMAX SHO 250 is $21,870.

(800) 553-0838 www.rioproducts.com

To find a dealer, visit: www.yamaha-motor.com

>>

>>

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November 26, 2010

Page 31

Boone and Crockett Club urges hunters to report trophies The Boone and Crockett Club records program is the only North American harvest data system that collects information on all species of free-ranging native North American species collected in fair chase.

Placing these trophies in the Boone and Crockett record book can honor them, club officials said.

Getting listed in the record book, once the animal has been harvested, is easy, officials said. The process involves having the trophy officially measured, paperwork and a $40 processing fee, all detailed at www.boone-crockett.org.

The club urges hunters to enter their trophies for these reasons: • Archiving Conservation History Under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, the club’s system of scoring big-game trophies originated in 1906 (although official records

Fairfield Lake receives influx of largemouths Fairfield Lake recently was stocked with 500, 16-inch largemouth bass to help the lake recover from a series of devastating fish kills over the past three years.

The lake, south of Dallas, experienced its last major fish kill in August, due to low oxygen levels, but Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials stocked it on Nov. 16.

“The kills are the result of low oxygen levels that occur following several days of cloudy weather,” said TPWD fisheries biologist Dr. Richard Ott. “Fairfield Lake is very rich in nutrients, which causes phytoplankton to grow rapidly and produce oxygen during the day.”

—Staff report

Abu annouces sweepstake Abu Garcia has announced a December Sweepstakes campaign “Experience The REVOlution” to promote the new Revo® Premier Spinning Reel.

The sweepstakes promotion offers Revo fans the chance to experience the only spinning reel so advanced it is considered a revolution to fishing. It is the only spinning reel that deserves to carry the Revo name.

Through Dec. 21, consumers can register to win a Revo PremierTM spinning reel. A winner will be awarded every week on Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 during the promotion period.

Consumers may register for the promotion through www.facebook. com/abugarcia and visiting the sweepstakes tab, or by visiting www. abugarcia.com and clicking on the sweepstakes widget.

—Abu Garcia report

TPWD Freshwater Fish Center Closed The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Visitor Center in Athens will be closed Dec. 13-20 for renovations to the heating and cooling system.

The center’s casting pond also will be closed and no fishing will be allowed in any of the streams and ponds until the center reopens 9 a.m., Dec. 21.

The facility’s Hart-Morris Conservation Center will remain open for privately scheduled events during the renovations.

— Staff report

date back to 1830) to record details on species thought to be disappearing due to rampant habitat loss and unregulated hunting. Sciencebased conservation efforts, led and funded by license-buying hunters, brought those species from vanishing to flourishing.

• Improving Future Management Because they represent fully mature specimens, Boone and Crockett records are important indicators of the age structure and breeding fitness of a herd, as well as an indicator of habitat quality. For biologists and professional wildlife managers, the presence and production of trophy animals suggests optimum overall herd health; their absence may suggest that refined management strategies are warranted.

• Honoring the Animal Outstanding trophies produced

naturally deserve to be recorded and respected in the most prestigious annals of big game hunting.

“Any true hunter’s sense of pride and satisfaction will be even more fulfilling and longer lasting if his or her quarry and the place where it lived are appropriately recognized, too,” club officials said.

• Discrediting Hunting’s Critics Boone and Crockett Club trophy entries have increased 400 percent over the past 30 years, which means trophy-class animals actually are more plentiful now than ever before. This single statistic is an ongoing tribute to the professionals who manage wildlife and the hunters who participate in that management, officials said. Even more important, by being the only published reference of trophies taken in fair chase, such data counters

other rhetoric being spun by antihunters to an uninformed public that sportsmen have become just a lawless bunch of wildlife killers.

• Establishing Official Bragging Rights Less than 1 percent of all sportsmen will take a Boone and Crockettqualifying trophy in their lifetimes.

“An accepted entry absolutely signifies the highest accomplishment in big game hunting: the legal, ethical, fair-chase harvest of a free ranging specimen that stands as an ultimate representation of its species', officials said. “World-class trophy mounts are celebrated and passed down from one generation to the next. However, always remember that, over time, the more enduring story will be less about how you harvested your trophy, and more about how that remarkable ani-

TROPHIES: This desert bighorn ram, killed by Thomas D. Friedkin, was on display at the 26th Boone and Crockett Awards held in Fort Worth in 2007

mal got there in the first place — through the efforts of sportsmen.”

— Staff and B&C report

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November 26, 2010

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