October 12, 2012 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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October 12, 2012

367 2/8!

Could this be the biggest buck ever taken in Texas?

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

October 12, 2012

Monster low-fenced buck highlights bow opener

Inside

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Volume 9, Issue 4

One of the biggest low-fenced nontypicals in past 10 years

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

A.J. Downs knew when he and his brother, Quentin, saw the big buck on a trail camera in August that the deer would be the biggest he’d ever get the chance to hunt on his lease in San Jacinto County along the Trinity River.

The Conroe hunter had been on the 13,000-acre lease for the past seven years and had taken some nice deer, but nothing that looked like this.

“We had trail cam pictures of this buck in late August,” Downs said.

“We had him patterned pretty good, but as he shed his velvet his pattern changed. For about two weeks, he disappeared.”

The hunters had two ground blinds in the area, and when they went to check their stands before opening weekend, they caught a glimpse of the buck.

“After we saw him in person, we

❘❚ FISHING

Fish of a (long) lifetime

98-year-old angler catches biggest fish of her life.

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Stripers are biting on Texoma Cooler temps pushing the bite.

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❘❚ HUNTING

See MONSTER, Page 16

Pronghorn success

HAPPY IN THE RAIN: A.J. Downs gets wet as he shows off the big deer he killed on the opening weekend of the Texas bow season.

The buck is one of the top nontypicals to come from a low-fenced Texas ranch in the past 10 years. Photo by A.J. Downs.

Hunters reporting quality bucks in the Panhandle, but Trans-Pecos region tough.

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Can you or can't you?

Officials offer different interpretations for hunting waterfowl over millet.

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Cooler temps helping crappie anglers

Dallas man arrested for offering fake deer leases

Fish biting better, coming shallower

Hunters duped by Craigslist ads

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

Ellis County Game Warden Jeff Powell knew he had to catch this guy.

That became clear when Powell spoke MARTIN WENDELL with a hunter who TANNER told him the story of being duped by a Dallas man offering deer leases in Ellis County in 2009.

“The worst part was when the hunter told me they loaded up for opening weekend, had the kids going and everything, and went out to what they thought was their lease,” Powell said. “When they got there, the landowner told them they’d been scammed. When he told me he saw his little kid start crying because See MAN ARRESTED, Page 18

DOWNRIGHT PLEASANT: With scorching summer temperatures in the past, the crappie bite is turning on.

Photo by Catch A Trophy.

By John Keith

Lone Star outdoor newS Anglers are enjoying the cool fronts that have moved across most of the state, and reports indicate that the crappie are also responding well to the mild weather.

“They’re hitting those jigs like they have a running start at it,” said Corinth angler and Jigit Jigs Founder Stephen Lain. “The smallest fish I’ve brought home over the last five or six outings has been 14 or 15 inches.”

Fishing Lewisville Lake, Lain said anglers can even get some extra sleep in before they

hit the water.

“If you’re going out for crappie, there’s no sense in going out early,” he said. “The crappie sleep late, so take your time. I go out about 9 or 9:30 and take my time putting in.”

The best water depth to target the fish has changed along with the temperatures.

“Last week, the concentration was at 14 feet, and this week the concentration was in 10 feet,” Lain said. “The magic depth was 10 feet, but I’ve caught some as shallow as 7 feet, and as deep as 13.”

Altering from the norm, Lain said he doesn’t target brush piles, instead preferring standing timber, marina posts

or bridge columns.

Grapevine fishing guide Benny Dabney has also had recent success jigging for crappie instead of using minnows.

“It’s a whole lot easier because I don’t ever have jigs die,” he said.

“It doesn’t get much better than it’s been. The last two months have just been unreal.”

Jigging brush piles between 14 and 18 feet has been the ticket for Dabney.

“Until about November, December, they stay out on the lakes, coming up shallower to get in the cooler water,” he said.

“The bites have been in See CRAPPIE, Page 27

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HUNTING

Pronghorn season solid

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Photo by Shiloh Sosa.

Hunter stakes claim to biggest Texas buck Green scores 367 2/8 This tremendous deer was taken

by Calallen hunter Charlie Forbes on the Wink Ranch in Van Zandt County opening weekend of the MLDP season.

According to guide Shiloh Sosa, the buck, whose sheds scored 220 inches last year, green scored a whopping 367 2/8.

According to several prominent deer breeders, this could be the biggest buck ever killed in Texas.

The deer was aged at 3 years old.

The buck was taken with one 150-yard shot using a .300 Short Mag. — Conor Harrison

GOOD BUCKS IN THE PANHANDLE: This nice buck was taken near Texline by hunter Ben Binnion. He reported good numbers of pronghorn hitting wheat fields. Photo by Ben Binnion.

Texas rigging, decoy edition Technique saves hunters time

Ben Binnion said he was lucky to find a Texas pronghorn permit this season.

He parlayed the luck of finding a landowner with a private ranch and one pronghorn tag near Texline in the Panhandle into a great buck during the short season.

“The pronghorn were concentrated on the wheat fields,” the Zavala County hunter said. “It was real hard to kill them on the wheat fields, so I got up on a high point on the ranch with my spotting scope and glassed all day.”

Binnion found a buck he liked late one afternoon leaving the wheat field for a bowl to get out of a howling north wind.

“I watched him until dark,” he said.

“They got off the wheat and went over a rise, so I left them alone for the night.

I got setup before daylight and found him at 7 a.m. standing at 415 yards.”

Using a Nikon Monarch scope, Binnion was confident he could make the shot.

“I hit him good and he went down,” Binnion said. “He measured 14 6/8 and 14 7/8, really heavy with really good prongs. He grossed at 80 7/8. I was pretty excited.”

According to Shawn Gray, TPWD pronghorn leader, some really good bucks were taken in the Hudspeth County area of the Trans Pecos.

“The hunters weren’t expecting really good bucks this season, but they’ve taken some really good ones,” Gray said. “It was kind of surprising.”

Millet means confusing Officials vary on what is legal, what isn’t

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Millet.

Webster’s Dictionary defines it simply as a “cereal grass.”

But in Texas, it could mean “confusing” for waterfowl hunters — and federal and state game wardens.

That’s because millet has its own designation apart from all other grains when it comes to waterfowl hunting.

Can a Texas duck hunter hunt over a pond where millet has been planted earlier in the year?

That depends on whom you ask and if anything has been done to manipulate the millet after it was planted.

According to Kevin Kraii, waterfowl leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, it is perfectly legal to hunt over a pond planted earlier in the year with millet if the millet has not been manipulated in any way since it was planted.

TPWD defines manipulating as “the alteration of natural vegetation or crops, including but not limited to mowing, shredding, discing, rolling, chopSee MILLET, Page 29

NOT JUST FOR BASS: Hunters tout Texas-rigged decoys as easier to throw out, pick up and handle. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

By John Keith

Lone Star Outdoor News It’s an experience many duck hunters are all too familiar with.

The morning hunt is over, and it’s time to pick up the decoy spread. While wrapping the cord and weight around the decoy, your hands invariably get wet with near-freezing water.

But for hunters who Texas rig their decoys, this experience is a thing of the past.

“We all know what it’s like for it to be 30 degrees outside and then get your hands wet,” said Denton duck hunter Jesse Aurer. “The biggest pro I’ve found in Texas rigging is the ease of putting out and picking up decoys, and the ability to keep your hands dryer.”

Not only can hunters keep their hands warm, but the technique could also help protect the decoys.

“I think it keeps the decoys new longer because some guys

wrap weights around the head of the decoy,” Aurer said. “The only con I can think of is with super nice decoys you put in a slotted decoy bag, it might be kind of hard to use.”

Though heavy monofilament or weedeater string is normally used, Aurer prefers the softer, black decoy cord made by Tanglefree.

See DECOYS, Page 24

More big bucks down

GOOD OPENER: Koby Howell of 5 Star Outfitters in San Angelo sent LSON these pictures of two bucks taken during the October MLDP season. Great deer, Koby.

Photos by 5 Star Outfitters.

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Urban game wardens swamped with calls Nuisance wildlife calls part of the job

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Texas game wardens stay busy all across Texas. And based on where they are, some stay busier than others.

Fort Bend County Game Warden Barry Eversole responded to 156 calls in the 2012 fiscal year of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — the most in the state. Fellow Fort Bend County Game Warden Michael Weiss followed by responding to 98 calls, and Harris County Game Warden Timothy Holland responded to 97.

Region IV, which includes both Harris and Fort Bend counties, received the most calls for service with 2,831. The top three counties receiving calls were Galveston with 594, Harris with 542 and Brazoria with 388.

Why do bordering Southeast Texas counties lead the way in calls for service?

“A big part of it is the large population in the area,” said Col. Craig Hunter, Law Enforcement division director with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “And there are a ton of wildlife resources in that part of the state. When you go out West, there isn’t the population that would lead to a high number of calls.”

Eversole, a 28-year warden, said more than half of his calls aren’t crime related.

“I’ve probably led in responding to calls three years in a row,” he said. “A lot of people move into Fort Bend County (SW of Houston) that aren’t from this area or even from Texas. They move in master-planned

subdivisions, but the wildlife adapts and moves back in.

“Then they freak out.”

Eversole said a variety of critters result in lots of calls.

“The developers advertise the green space and nature trails,” he said. “People move in and then call and complain about the nature on the trails — it’s not all hummingbirds and butterflies.”

The complaints from the new residents aren’t surprising.

“There are bobcats in front yards, alligators in the lakes and yards rooted up by wild hogs,” Eversole said. “It’s a mixture of things, but there are a lot of nuisance alligator calls. People are scared they are going to eat the children, and they get upset when I won’t kill a 4-foot gator.”

Fort Bend County still has significant rural areas as well, especially at the southern end of the county with plenty of wildlife.

“When dove season opens, the people hear gunshots everywhere,” Eversole said.

“The people think they are being invaded.”

Eversole doesn’t see an end in sight to the high number of calls in the county.

“It’s a unique county; it’s close to Houston and there has been a recent invasion of rural areas,” he said. “The people can’t handle it.

When a new subdivision opens, it starts all over again and goes on for two or three years.

“If you’re close to an urban area, you’ll be spending a bunch of your time on nuisance wildlife calls.”

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Coyotes or bobcats: which is worse?

Research challenges normal assumptions

as social, and don’t create social units like coyotes do. The carrying capacity of coyotes in an area is more than the carrying capacity of bobcats.”

When it comes to impacting deer populations, bobcats and coyotes don’t have as large of an effect as people tend to assume, according to Herriman.

“A coyote or bobcat will take the occasional fawn as the situation presents itself, but that’s not the most important portion of their diet,” he said. “They’ll take more small rodents, rabbits, and things of that nature. Coyotes will take that, and also grasshoppers, eggs and soft mast; so they have a much more diverse diet than bobcats do, which are basically true carnivores.”

Herriman said hunters are allowed to take coyotes during draw hunts, but he is more worried about the impact of feral hogs than varmints.

“Feral hogs are creating far more damage and a bigger impact on other species than bobcats or coyotes, which are native species,” he said.

“Coyotes are what we call opportunistic animals; they’re not going to pass up anything that’s edible. If they spend more energy chasing down an animal and eating it than energy they receive, they’re on the losing end.”

CONTROLLING COYOTES: Studies have shown an unfavorable effect on fawn survival in areas with high coyote levels, but Jason Cross, of Cross Outfitters, little to no influence on mature deer. Photo by Carnivore Night Crew. offers whitetail, exotic and turkey hunts in West Texas, where he said coyotes really play, and why does it seem

By John Keith varmint control is necessary. that coyotes bear the brunt of the hate?

“We do a lot of predator control and have Lone Star outdoor newS “Bobcats are pretty much nocturnal, so been for quite a few years, because it kind The mindset of most hunters and land- you’re not going to see near as many as coy- of devastates fawn crops if we don’t,” Cross owners is simple: get rid of more predators, otes,” said Kevin Herriman, project man- said. “Our biggest deal is with coyotes, and and save more deer. ager for several wildlife management areas, control is mostly through snares on the But how big of an impact do bobcats and including Old Sabine Bottom. “Cats aren’t fences. We do catch some bobcats, but from

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Hidalgo County hunter JERYMIAH HER NANDEZ got to participat e in his first dove hunt this season.

Young Jerymia h accompanied his gran dpa, Rick, to the fields this season and harvested these birds.

Nice job, Jerym iah. Wrap those birds in ba con, find an open flame and enjoy a great meal with grandpa.

what we can tell they don’t bother much.”

Cross said after a few years of implemented control, the numbers of varmints has declined.

“We haven’t had a lot of fawn fatalities by coyotes because we’ve kept them down,” he said. “We don’t get a whole lot of coyotes now, but that’s what it takes is predator control.”

Texas Agrilife Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Dale Rollins said hunters and landowners probably tend to emphasize coyote control because of what they see.

“A coyote is not always a villain,” he said.

“People are more worried about coyotes because you hear and see coyotes, and you just don’t see or notice the presence of bobcats, so you could underestimate the number you have.”

Rollins said that from one angle, a bobcat population could be worse than a coyote population.

“The one good thing the coyotes have going for them is they are very opportunistic, and eat a lot of fruits,” he said. “From a lot of standpoints that’s less damaging to a wildlife population than a bobcat, because (bobcats) don’t eat fruit.”

Rollins pointed to a study done on the King Ranch, where 308 bobcats and coyotes were removed from a particular area over a two-year stretch. Within only six months of the experiment ending, the predator numbers returned to their original total. During the same two-year stretch, fawn mortality was 67.5 percent higher on the area of the ranch where predator control was not implemented.

However, experiments done on the effect of coyotes on mature male whitetails showed that coyote removal did not change the number of harvestable bucks available.

“Half the papers suggest coyotes are a major problem, and half don’t,” Rollins said. “The answer for people usually just depends on which side you want to hear.”

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October 12, 2012

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Texting to catch poachers Hunters can now message in their tips

TEXTING IN TIPS: Hunters can now communicate with OGT dispatchers through text messages. Photo by John Keith, LSON.

By John Keith Lone Star Outdoor News Technology is constantly advancing for hunters.

From straighter shooting bows, to the next great camo pattern, there is always something different to try.

Not to be left behind, Operation Game Thief

County commish holds warden at gunpoint Upshur County Game Warden Shane Bailey was patrolling private property on an ATV south of Big Sandy along the Sabine River bottoms when he was allegedly held at gunpoint and then disarmed by Upshur County Precinct 3 Commissioner Lloyd Allen Crabtree, 51, and his son, Todd Crabtree, 28.

Bailey called 911, where Big Sandy Police, Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, Tyler State Park Police, Texas Department of Public Safety and other TPWD officers responded.

The father and son were taken into custody and booked into the Upshur County Jail on charges of aggravated assault against a public servant, but are out after posting separate $40,000 property bonds. A further investigation is underway by the Texas Rangers with assistance from TPWD. Game wardens have the authority to access private property to check for hunting or fishing violations.

— Staff report

Poll finds sportsmen’s number one issue is protecting lands A new national poll released this month shows sportsmen prioritize protecting public lands above energy production. The poll conducted by Chesapeake Beach Consulting shows threats to America’s conservation heritage are priority issues for sportsmen, on par with gun rights.

Among the poll’s key findings: Given a choice between protecting America’s public lands and prioritizing the production of oil, gas and coal, 49 percent want to protect public lands and just 35 percent choose fossil fuel production.

Conservation is just as important as gun rights, according to nearly half (47 percent) of sportsmen polled. Another 13 percent believe conservation issues are even more important than gun rights.

Two in three sportsmen polled believe we have a moral responsibility to confront global warming to protect our children’s future. Additionally, 69 percent agree the U.S. should reduce its carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and threaten fish and wildlife habitat.

Hunting and fishing are on the rise in America. From 2006 to 2011, hunting was up 9 percent and fishing is up 11 percent, according to a new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report. In all, over 37 million Americans took part in hunting, fishing or both, spending $90 billion.

— NWF

has introduced a new way for hunters to report poachers or suspicious activity — by texting in tips.

“It’s anonymous, and probably more anonymous than a phone call,” said OGT Coordinator Lt. Lewis Rather. “It keeps a person from having to verbally say anything or be overheard.”

The new system could also be beneficial for hunters with spotty cellphone reception on their leases.

“Regular phones have texting capabilities even more than you can do with a call,” he said.

“Some of these areas can’t get a call out with the cellphone, but you can take that phone and text the tip in.”

Rather said implementing the new system just made sense for OGT. “Texting is nothing new; people are doing it every day,” he said. “What it does is just give

the public or caller another avenue to report in information for violations and possible arrests.

A couple of people asked if you can text a picture in, and we’re working to see if we can add that.”

To successfully contact a dispatcher, users have to follow the steps carefully.

“Just go to your texting capabilities, and in the ‘To’ box type ‘847411,’ which is just a number that goes to the Text 411 program,” Rather said. “Then, under that where you put what you want to say, type ‘TPWD,’ then a space and continue with your message or complaint. It immediately goes to our dispatcher 24/7, and comes up on their computer screen.”

Jack County Game Warden Gary Hobbs said the new avenue of reporting to OGT is a natural transition.

“Everybody in the world carries a cellphone, and it has changed our world from the way we used to work,” Hobbs said. “It used to be call and leave a message at the sheriff’s office, and now you get through to us quicker than you ever have through texting or using a cellphone.

Guys are sitting out in deer stands, seeing road-

ways, and sometimes you can get a text out when you can’t make a phone call.”

Hobbs said he’d like to see the ability to send in pictures as an added feature to the program, and doesn’t think it would take away the ability for the user to conceal their identity.

“I could see a violator being out there and a guy in the crowd snapping a shot or shooting a video,” he said. “You can still remain anonymous. I just want the information.”

But is exchanging text messages, instead of calling, effective in quickly communicating with agents?

Lone Star Outdoor News sent a text message to OGT as a test of the new system. An automated reply conferring receipt of the message was immediately received. Then, a dispatcher responded within 60 seconds of the original test message.

Rather said OGT is under a two-year contract to test the new system, and will decide if the texting will be a permanent fixture of the program at that time.

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FISHING

Near the fish, away from the beach Good variety of species biting offshore

By John Keith

Lone Star Outdoor News

MAKING THE RUN: Anglers can find good offshore fishing, if they’re willing to bite the bullet of high gas prices. Photo

by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News.

There’s only one thing stopping anglers who want to find spectacular offshore fishing this time of year: the cost of fuel.

“If you’ve got the money for the fuel, you can catch about anything you want,” said Galveston fishing guide Johnny Walker. “You can catch, in one day, blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish,

tuna, swordfish; it’s phenomenal, but you have to run. And with today’s $4 gas, it costs $1,500 in fuel alone to do it.”

See BITING OFFSHORE Page 30

Fish of a lifetime — at 98

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Junction resident Adelaide Copeland loves to fish.

The 98-year-old has been going to the Texas coast near Rockport with her family for at least the past 60 years. But this year’s trip stood out, thanks to an old fishing spot and one big redfish.

“We take her every year, and we have been going with Jay (Nichols, of Just Add Water Guide Service) for the past three years,” said Copeland’s daughter, Connie Booth. “She’s in a walker and blind, so Jay lifts her in and out of the boat.”

Booth said she lost her older brother last year at age 74, and when the family was growing up, he would take his mom to a special spot to fish.

“We’d rent a boat and he’d take momma out to fish,” Booth said. “She loved to fish a certain post that marked a reef in the bay in front of Rockport. So this time, I told mom we were right out in front of Rockport. Well, Jay found that damn post — it had a pelican sitting on it.”

The family pitched lines in the water and it wasn’t long before Copeland hooked into a big bull red.

“Her fish was the biggest of the day — a bull red measuring 31 1/4 inches and weighing 14 pounds,” Booth said. “And of all the places; that is where she’d fish with my brother. It was one of her old spots.”

The big red was caught on cut mullet, and Booth said it was the fishing highlight of her mom’s life.

“It’s the biggest fish she’d ever caught,” she said. “It was her fish of a lifetime at 98 years old. We are so proud that momma is still game to enjoy a fun day on the water chasing the big ones.

“She is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.”

BETTER WITH AGE: 98-year-old Adelaide Copeland and guide Jay Nichols admire Adelaide’s personal-best redfish, caught on cut mullet. Photo by Connie Booth.

Stripers picking up at Texoma

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

After a slowdown due to the full moon, the striper action has picked up again on Lake Texoma.

According to guide Mike Beeson, the fishing is picking up after a slowdown during September.

“Well, the fishing has been pretty good the past week,” Beeson said. “We are catching a lot of 20-inch fish between 13 and 15 pounds.

They are starting to come back after the full moon.”

Beeson said he is working live bait over lake humps and ledges between depths of 28 and 35 feet.

“We are chasing a few on the flats early with slabs right at daylight, but that is starting to slow down,” he said. “Top-water has also been working a little bit early.”

Guide James Allen agreed, saying he has been catching fish early on the flats and moving deeper during the day.

“It has definitely picked up the last few weeks,” Allen said. “The water is cooling down, air temperatures are cooling down and it is getting to the time of year when they start feeding again.

“They are getting more aggressive and not quite as picky on what they eat.

October is better than September and November will be better than October.”

Allen said two weeks ago, he was keying on river ledges that the fish were running, but now he says he is catching fish everywhere from 2 to 70 feet of water.

“The lake hasn’t turned over yet,” he said. “It will be November before it flips, but the fish are fattening up. We are catching big fish in the shallows on top-water.”

Guide Jay Staley said he is having to work for limits, but he is averaging 30-40 fish each day.

“We’ve been doing well on the top-water,” Staley said.

“All of the fish we are catching are over 20 inches.”

Staley said he is catching fish on the west side of the lake in 30-46 feet of water.

“We have been looking for birds on the bank, which is a good indication that bait is being pushed up and you know the fish are in the area,” he said. “Catching bait has been tougher, though. I prefer big threadfin shad, but we are having to use a lot of small gizzards or small threadfins.”

COLD WEATHER HAS THEM BITING: The striper fishing on Lake Texoma is picking up as the temps get cooler. Photo by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News.

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October 12, 2012

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Bass still biting top-water bugs Should last into November

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

The crisp in the air felt across the state in early October means good fly-fishing action is headed below the surface.

Top-water enthusiasts still have time to get out on the water and throw the fly-rod with reasonable expectations of success.

“I fished on the South Llano yesterday and it was great,” said Hill Country Fly Fishers guide Kevin Hutchison. “I’ve been out a bunch lately and the fishing is really good. We are still a little low on water, but the Colorado, South Llano and San Marcos rivers are all pretty solid.”

Hutchison said right now, the air temTOP-WATER, FOR NOW: Bass can be caught on poppers, but the time is fast approaching where the top-water fly action will be gone until next spring.

Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

peratures haven’t been cold enough to change the water temperatures too much, and that has the bass biting in their usual summer spots.

“The bass are still moving through the water column,” he said. “They will eventually have to go deep as it gets colder, though. That is when the sinking flies will be effective.”

Hutchison said he has had good recent success on crayfish orange-colored flies.

“If the water is clearer, which it usually is in the winter, try going with lighter, brighter flies in white and chartreuse,” he said.

Rick Wilson, of flyfishingtexas.com in

Fredericksburg, said the water is cooling down and the bite is good in his area.

“The fishing is picking up, despite some low water,” he said. “The wade fishing has been really good on the Pedernales River and the upper Guadalupe. We are catching sunfish and bass.”

Wilson said he is using a hopper pattern to entice bites, and a locally made fly called a Llano bug.

“Damsel nymphs are also really good,” he said.

According to Sean Polk, fly-fishing education director at Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company in Dallas, top-waters are the way to go, at least for the next few weeks.

“Generally, when the cold weather becomes consistent, it will be the end of the top-water,” Polk said. “If this last cold snap See FLIES Page 18

Tarpon heading south Tracking Website giving look into migrations

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Capt. Steve Barnes loves to chase big tarpon along the coast in the late summer/early fall months.

He spent the past few weeks guiding clients to big fish, and reported an outstanding bite when the wind allowed the anglers to get on the water.

“It was real good a few weekends ago,” Barnes said. “Then

the fish kind of disappeared for a while. The wind picked up and it was hard to get out.”

Barnes said he is catching and seeing fish in the 80- to 120-pound range.

“A few more cold fronts and they will be gone down south,” he said.

Texas anglers are catching the tail end of the tarpon migration as the fish head to warmer waters. But some may stick around lon-

ger, as biologists are finding, thanks to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Tarpon Observation Network.

“Yes, it’s my baby,” said Art Morris, outreach specialist for TPWD. “We went live in May, 2009, and the goal is to capture any kind of tarpon observation, from juveniles in cast nets to 7-footers.

“We are also looking for See TARPON Page 24

SILVER KINGS HEADING SOUTH: Texas tarpon are heading south and, by the end of November, the big fish should be well below South Padre. Photo by LSON.

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Numbers, not size LAKE TEXOMA — It’s quantity over quality across the board for the bass species on Lake Texoma.

Local anglers are reporting a fair to good bite for stripers, spotted bass, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, but the size of most of the fish isn’t overly impressive, though some of the striper lean to the larger side.

No particular lure or pattern seems to be ruling the day. According to anglers fishing off points in Little Mineral Cove, bass are biting any type of shad-patterned moving bait. From crankbaits, swimbaits and Alabama rigs to shaky heads, bass are being brought in the boat.

One consistency anglers noted was fish biting in very shallow water. Fishing in the wind is effective, as it seems to drum up the bait activity.

Spotted action GUADALUPE RIVER — Anglers who prefer more of a slow ride type of fishing can find good success on the Guadalupe River north of San Antonio, according to area guide Barry Dodd.

“The front and rain kind of disrupted some stuff around, but it’s going to pick up,” he said. “The fishing is getting a little better, and October and November is almost always very good.”

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 76–82 degrees; 8.9’ low. Largemouth bass are good on buzzbaits early, midmorning switching to shaky heads, Texas rigs and jigs.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 78–82 degrees; 32.56’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and watermelon soft plastic worms.

ARROWHEAD: Water off-color; 78–83 degrees; 10.94’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on poppers early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs and jerkbaits. White bass are good on slabs and Rooster Tails.

ATHENS: Water clear, 74–80 degrees; 3.14’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged craws in green pumpkin around grass and docks — top-waters and spinner baits early as well.

Catfish are good on prepared bait.

BASTROP: Water stained; 81–85 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue soft plastics and small spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs.

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 74–79 degrees; 4.83’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, jigs, shaky heads and shallow crankbaits in chartreuse with black back. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on trotlines with soap.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms in reeds and near the jetty and dam. Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and cut bait near the intake.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 74–79 degrees; 12.75’ low. Largemouth bass are excellent on Texas-rigged plastics fished around any shallow wood cover. Shallow running crankbaits and top-waters in shad patterns are good early in the day.

Crappie are good on minnows.

White bass are good on slabs.

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 78–82 degrees; 10.33’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on dark red crankbaits, watermelon spinner baits, and soft plastics early. White bass are good on small spinner baits and soft plastics off lighted docks at night. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs over brush piles and under lighted docks at night. Channel catfish are

good on cut bait and stinkbait over baited holes. Yellow catfish to 20 pounds are good on trotlines baited with perch.

BUCHANAN: Water murky; 76–80 degrees; 27.04’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on silver flake plastics on jigheads, and on chartreuse spinner baits and crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows and 2” plastic swim baits along the river channel in 20 feet. Yellow and blue catfish are good on live bait upriver.

CADDO: Water stained; 76–80 degrees; 1.12’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged soft plastics in green pumpkin. White and yellow bass are good on slabs.

CALAVERAS: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms, spinner baits, and crankbaits around reed beds. Redfish are good on perch and tilapia near the dam.

Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and shad.

CANYON LAKE: Water stained; 75–79 degrees; 7.09’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red soft plastics, chartreuse crankbaits, and Texasrigged pumpkin worms. Striped bass are good trolling crankbaits around humps in the lower end of the lake. Smallmouth bass are fair on white grubs and pumpkinseed jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs upriver.

CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 75–80 degrees; 2.66’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black and blue flipping jigs fished around docks with brush. Top-waters are good early in the same areas. Crappie are good on minnows.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 80–84 degrees; 15.42’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse crankbaits and topwaters off points.

COLEMAN: Water lightly stained; 76–80 degrees; 12.37’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon lipless crankbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics.

Channel catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 3.03’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and chrome spinner baits in 10–15

feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and nightcrawlers.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 81–85 degrees; 2.89’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse spinner baits, crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs.

COOPER: Water lightly stained; 75– 80 degrees; 4.74’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics, jigs and shallow-running crankbaits. Hybrid striper are good on small swimbaits and live shad over main lake humps.

FALCON: Water clear; 83–87 degrees; 36.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon/ white crankbaits and top-waters.

Channel and blue catfish are excellent on cut bait and shrimp.

FAYETTE: Water stained.

Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed spinner baits and crankbaits. Red ear perch are good on worms. Channel and blue catfish are good on live bait.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastics, spinner baits, and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are good on liver, shrimp, and nightcrawlers.

GRANBURY: Water murky; 81–85 degrees; 4.27’ low. Largemouth bass are good on perch-colored spinner baits, soft plastics, and top-waters early and late. White bass are good on minnows and silver spoons.

GRANGER: Water clear; 78–82 degrees; 0.84’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are very good on minnows and watermelon tube jigs over brush piles in 4–12 feet. Blue catfish are good on prepared baits, and on juglines baited with shad.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 75–79 degrees; 5.13’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on green pumpkin finesse worms on shaky heads.

Crappie are good on minnows.

White bass are good on slabs.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water murky; 73–77 degrees; 1.15’ high.

Largemouth bass to 7 pounds are good on black/blue jigs near the dam, and on blue soft plastic worms and shad-colored topwaters and deep-diving crankbaits

On Dodd’s most recent trip, spotted bass topped the list, with a few Guadalupes being brought in. Largemouth weren’t as active, but fish up to 14 inches were caught.

Wacky worms and drop-shot rigs coaxed the most strikes, with a few sunfish also hitting the worms.

To contact Barry Dodd, call (210) 771-0123.

Autumn bite BELTON LAKE — The summer pattern is behind Bell and Coryell County anglers fishing Belton Lake, according to guide Dave Hogge.

“We’re getting into the fall pattern pretty good now; the bass fishing is picking up real good out on Belton,” he said. “You can catch them however you want to catch them: top-water, jigging spoon, just a variety of ways.”

Hogge’s best luck has come from watermelon worms Carolina rigged in 5 to 8 feet of water.

“Pretty much stay around points or secondary points,” he said. “The white bass and hybrids are also picking up pretty good, too.”

Hogge said a simple top-water is working when they are schooling on top, and jigging spoons down to 35 feet are catching the suspended fish.

To contact Dave Hogge, call (254) 702-8349.

— John Keith

near the islands early and late.

Crappie are good on live minnows in 20 feet. Bream are good on live worms off points in 20 feet. Catfish are good on trotlines baited with shad and perch in 20 feet.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 75–80 degrees; 1.87’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and small crankbaits around shallow cover. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs and jigs.

LAKE O' THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 75–81 degrees; 3.62’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on black/ blue jigs around shallow cover.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 75–80 degrees; 7.29’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits and bladed jigs around shallow cover.

White bass are good on slabs.

Crappie are good on minnows.

LBJ: Water clear; 82–86 degrees; 0.40’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse top-waters and watermelon wacky-rigged green pumpkin soft plastics early and late. White bass are good on soft plastics at night. Channel catfish are good on minnows and stinkbait.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 75–79 degrees; 4.87’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and shaky heads. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs and artificial shad.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 81–85 degrees; 0.77’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on white spinner baits and perchcolored crankbaits. White bass are good on pet spoons, hellbenders, and minnows. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shad and shrimp.

MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 75–80 degrees; 4.76’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on black/red flipping jigs around shallow cover. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait and minnows.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water stained; 83–87 degrees; 1.72’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon top-waters and shallow-

running crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on shad and minnows.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 78–83 degrees; 32.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs, spoons and Carolina rigs. White bass are good on top-waters and slabs.

OAK CREEK: Water stained; 77–82 degrees; 16.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on buzzbaits early and late, midmorning switching to Texas rigs, lipless crankbaits, Carolina rigs and shaky heads. Crappie are good on jigs and live minnows over brush piles. Catfish are good on chartreuse nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water clear; 75–80 degrees; 1.26’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged soft plastics near shallow cover and around docks. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 77–83 degrees; 8.06’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on lipless crankbaits early, later switching to Texas rigs, jigs and Carolina rigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs over brush piles and around bridge columns.

White bass are good on top-waters while schooling and on slabs over humps. Catfish are good on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

PROCTOR: Water stained; 81–85 degrees; 4.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse crankbaits and small spinner baits.

Channel and blue catfish are good on goldfish, shrimp, and shad.

RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 75–80 degrees; 2.56’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium crankbaits and spinner baits along points with riprap. Crappie are good on minnows and Road Runners. White bass are good on humps with hybrids mixed in.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 75–79 degrees; 2.69’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged craw baits and top-waters along main lake points. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water clear; 75–80 degrees; 3.15’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on flip-

SEE MORE

■ Saltwater fishing reports: Page 14 ping jigs and bladed jigs around docks. White bass are good on slabs and live shad. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 81–85 degrees; 3.32’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on tequila sunrise soft plastic worms and lizards, and on perch-colored top-waters early. Bream are good on nightcrawlers. Catfish are good on live bait, shrimp, and stinkbait.

STILLHOUSE: Water murky; 80–84 degrees; 3.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse/black soft plastic worms and white spinner baits. White bass are good on white soft plastics and minnows.

Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

TAWAKONI: Water stained; 75–80 degrees; 3.33’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged black/ blue soft plastics and flipping jigs around docks. Crappie are good on minnows around bridge pilings.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 79–83 degrees; 2.88’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms, flukes and top-waters early and late. Crappie are good on minnows over baited holes. Bream are good on nightcrawlers.

TRAVIS: Water stained; 82–86 degrees; 46.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms, chrome spinner baits, and white grubs in 10–25 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on liver and cut bait.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 80–84 degrees; 7.84’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse crankbaits and soft plastic worms and lizards. White bass are good on minnows and pet spoons.

Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

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

A salty study Eagle Claw’s circle hooks, rods and reels put to the test

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News Can a circle hook really outmatch the competition? If it’s the Lazer TroKar saltwater series, the answer just might be yes.

“They are the sharpest hooks on the market,” said Eagle Claw’s Marketing and Product Director Chris Russell.

Using technology developed in the medical field and working with the makers of surgical grade needles, Lazer TroKar hooks used surgically sharpened technology to grind and hone a three-sided symmetrical point that is capable of penetrating and withstanding the toughest membrane and cartilage a fish can offer.

In plain terms, the hooks are scalpel sharp and the high-carbon steel used makes them stronger and more durable than any hooks on the market. Made in sev-

eral styles for all kinds of fishing, they are made in America — and only Lazer Sharp makes them.

On a recent trip to Rockport, the Lancet Circle hooks in size 16 were put to the test. Facing very dirty water in the bay, Russell and Doug Long with Attraxx Baits switched from the artificials to cut mullet on the circle hooks to land redfish.

One of the two boats on the water landed a 31-inch red early in the day, but otherwise the early morning fishing was slow.

“We texted pictures of each of the three of us with the same big red to the guide on the other boat several miles away,” said Mike Nelson of Portland, Oregon, also on hand to test the products.

Each time the guide heard the beep from his phone, he uttered a few choice words until he figured out the scam.

Later in the morning, Russell and Nelson’s boat found the reds.

“The guide saw a dozen or so birds on the shoreline, shut down the boat and got all excited,” Nelson said. “He said the birds were waiting for shrimp to jump onto the sand because redfish were chasing them.”

The guide was right, and for the next few hours, numerous reds were landed, most in the corner of the mouth, despite a subtle bite that required letting the fish take the bait for an extended time.

And the trash texting to the other See HOOKS Page 32

Pair repeats as Bass Champs Central Division champions This wasn’t the first time the team of Charles Whited, of San Marcos, and Bill Polkinghorn, of Hockley, have had to mount a comeback in the Bass Champs Central Division.

The winners of this year’s Bass Champs Central Championship on Lake LBJ came from behind on the final day to claim the win and retain their title for a second straight year.

“Last year we won the Belton championship, and we were in seventh place and came back,” Whited said. “This time we were in twelfth place and came back.”

Whited said the team had lost a couple of fish that hurt their standings on the first day, and knew they had to pull out all the stops to keep their title.

— Staff report

Stephen F. Austin wins FLW College Southern Championship at Lake Dardanelle The National Guard FLW College Fishing Southern Conference Championship on Lake Dardanelle wrapped up its third day of competition Saturday in Russellville, Ark., in cold and rainy conditions. At the end of the day, the Stephen F. Austin team of Kyle Turner, of Kennedale, and Robert Platt, of Tyler, weighed in five bass for 16 pounds, 3 ounces to stand as champions with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 44 pounds, 8 ounces. For their victory, the team won a berth in the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“This is awesome,” Turner said. “For SFA to come in here and repeat is awesome. We were 3 ounces out of the lead yesterday, and we just put our heads down and took it one bite at a time, and it really worked out for us.

“We made a game plan sitting in the hotel room last night to prepare for a water change and a temperature change,” Turner added. “We were going for a reaction bite. So we tied on a Rat-LTrap, because that's what we'd be doing right now back home. It really worked out for us.”

Turner said the team had been catching fish earlier in the week on top-water baits and still caught a lot of keepers Saturday on top-waters, but the Rat-L-Trap made the bigger fish bite when the team really needed them to.

— Staff report

October 12, 2012

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER TOO MANY BIRDS AND OVER BAIT Parker County Game Warden Ronald Mathis filed on three subjects for hunting over bait and for 19 birds over the daily bag limit on opening day of dove season. Cases pending.

VANDALS AND THIEVES NABBED During the first week of September, Parker County Game Warden Ronald Mathis completed an investigation and cited two minors for theft, criminal mischief, no hunting license and for no hunter education. This was after the two subjects trespassed on a ranch, shot a deer feeder and damaged or stole two game cameras.

BUYING A LICENSE WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER On opening day of dove season, Milam County Game Warden Charlie Mayer and Bell County Game Warden Chris Wilson located a group of hunters just before sunset. The wardens waited to see if they would continue to shoot after sunset. After waiting awhile, the wardens made contact. The wardens found three men and two guns, one a 12-gauge, the other a 20-gauge, and spent shells everywhere. Only one man admitted to hunting, though. Mayer asked one of the men who wasn’t hunting why he had so many shells in the back of his truck. He stated his girlfriend was shooting beer cans. Mayer asked to see the cans.

The man said she was shooting the cans 15 yards away and had missed every time. Mayer called his bluff, and the man admitted to hunting and citations were issued.

SHOWING OFF PROTECTED BIRD Hays County Game Warden Jake Scott and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent Jesse Fielder teamed up and patrolled opening day of dove

TATTOO SHOWN ON GAME CAMERA HELPS NAB THIEF In July, Van Zandt County Game Wardens Trent Herchman and Steve Stapleton were contacted by a local ranch owner concerning a unique picture that was taken on his game camera. The picture showed a female subject, with a very distinct tattoo, holding a baby white-tailed deer fawn. The photograph had been taken in May, on

the same date and time when the ranch had been burglarized and several firearms, miscellaneous hunting equipment and a Polaris Ranger were stolen. Unable to identify the subject in the photo, wardens conducted a press conference seeking public help in naming the female.

Wardens soon received several calls, all of which

season in the Kyle/San Marcos area. They visited with many hunters throughout the day who were actively engaged in dove hunting.

For the most part, everyone was having fun and compliant. One individual, though, was proud to show off a bird that he shot. It turned out to be a protected scissor-tailed flycatcher. Cases pending.

FATHER-SON BAITING BACKFIRES Bell County Game Wardens Chris Wilson and Justin Valchar checked an area with several hunters. When they arrived, the wardens observed a person texting on the phone, who informed them the other hunters were down the trail. As the wardens walked the trail, they noticed that corn had been broadcast all over the trail. When the wardens arrived, the juvenile hunters were standing around several vehicles. They admitted to the bait being placed in the area, stating they did that with their dad. The dad was cited. Cases pending.

BAITERS LOSE 133 BIRDS Uvalde County Game Wardens Rachel Kellner and Javier Fuentes were patrolling for dove hunt-

identified the woman in the photo with the same name. The wardens then received a tip as to her current location in Smith County and went to that location, along with Wood County Game Warden Derek Spitzer. The subject was found at the residence and interviewed, and subsequently confessed to wardens and identified her

ing activity and found six hunters surrounding a large tank.

Upon inspection, the wardens found the roads were baited with cracked corn, milo and wheat. A total of 133 birds were seized and citations were issued for hunting over bait and no hunting licenses.

WARDENS ASSIST WITH BOAT FIRE AT MARINA GAS DOCK Grayson County Game Wardens Dale Moses, Colt Gaulden, and Michael Hummert responded to a call at a marina on Lake Texoma where a 30-foot boat had exploded and was burning after fueling up at the gas dock. The wardens assisted the marina personnel, who were able to tow the burning boat out of the marina to the boat ramp where the local fire department put the fire out. Luckily, there were only minor injuries.

“A LITTLE MILO” FOUND Upshur County Game Warden Shane Bailey received a tip from a concerned citizen who thought his neighbor was baiting a field for dove. Later that evening, from a wood line about 500 yards away, Bailey observed two men hunting in

accomplice. The investigation led to a substantial amount of stolen items being recovered, including three guns and the Ranger.

The case was turned over to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office for prosecution, where burglary of a habitation, trespass and unlawful use of a motor vehicle were filed on all subjects.

the field. As Bailey approached, the men loaded up the guns/equipment into their truck, drove to their trailer and quickly ran inside. Bailey drove to the trailer, and after questioning, one of the men admitted to throwing “a little milo” in the field. Bailey asked the man to show him where he threw the milo. Approximately 200 pounds of milo were scattered within a 50-yard radius. Citations were issued to both hunters.

HUNTING OPERATION BUSTED FOR BAITING Hopkins County Game Warden Jarrod Bryant received information from Titus County Game Warden Jerry Ash regarding a baited field in Hopkins County. Ash gave Bryant a number to call from an informant.

The informant was contacted and stated he didn’t know where the field was but gave a website to look at. Bryant knew the ranch after looking at the website, but there was no information on dove hunting. He then called the hunting operation to book a hunt. The hunting guide stated that opening weekend they killed 300 birds. The next day, Bryant, Ash and Delta County Game Warden

Christopher Fried traveled to the ranch and located the vehicles of the hunters and the guide. The hunting guide was interviewed and admitted to baiting the 300-acre pasture with 3 yards of wheat seed right down the middle with a tractor and front-end loader. Several citations were issued for baiting and placing bait to attract.

Cases pending.

CATTLE EGRETS PAY THE PRICE FOR POOR DOVE HUNT Washington County Game Warden Eddie Hines received information on a possible hunting violation from a local cyber crimes unit. Hines interviewed an individual who had posted a picture on his Facebook page of six cattle egrets that had been taken during a dove hunt. On the page, the individual said that only three dove had been killed because the egrets got in the way. The subject gave a statement of how he and three other individuals had shot the cattle egrets. Hines obtained information on the other three hunters and the location of the violation, which occurred in Austin County.

With assistance from Austin County Game Warden Sonny Alaniz, statements were obtained from the other three hunters. Citations and restitution pending on all four subjects.

THIS BAITING CREW LOST 28 BIRDS Mills County Game Warden Vance Flowers and Brown County Game Warden Travis Allen were checking dove hunters in Mills County near the Colorado River and found several hunters shooting on a farm.

The hunters were checked, and there was one unplugged shotgun.

The field was checked and bait was found. The owners were confronted and admitted to placing bait the week before. Cases were filed, and 28 birds were seized.

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

They’re here, they’re hungry PORT ISABEL — The fishing has been picking up, with a little bit of everything biting right now, according to area guide Gary Farmer.

“The fishing is definitely good now,” he said. “Not necessarily a limit of one species — we’re finally getting some reds coming in, some nice-sized trout as well, and a flounder now and then.”

Farmer said some large black drum are also being caught, and he’s seeing solid schools of reds.

“The reds were just late coming this year,” he said. “We’re getting some bulls in the herds, but seems most are in the slots.”

Farmer starts with artificials, but said some days live shrimp and mullet are the way to go. A trout or two a day in the mid-20s has not been uncommon.

To contact Capt. Gary Farmer, call (956) 459-0594.

Winds of change UPPER LAGUNA MADRE — A little bit of weather has gone a long way for area guide Paul Braly.

“The Northers have got them moving again,” he said.

“We’re catching redfish and trout on piggy perch.”

Braly said the King Ranch shoreline has been dependable,

NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good under the birds when the wind allows on soft plastics and good in the river on live shad. Redfish are good in the marsh on small topwaters.

SOUTH SABINE: Bull redfish are good at the jetty on crabs.

Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are good around birds and slicks on soft plastics.

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

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad

and mullet on soft plastics.

Redfish are good at the spillway on crabs and mullet.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on top-waters and soft plastics. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good in the mud and shell on top-waters. Bull redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs.

TEXAS CITY: Redfish are good in Moses Lake on live shrimp and mullet. Large sand trout are good in the channel on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Bull redfish are good in Cold Pass and San Luis pass on cracked blue crabs.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfish are good while drifting the east end of the bay on live shrimp under a popping cork and scented plastics.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are good in Oyster Lake on shrimp. Trout are fair on shell and grass on soft plastics. Flounder are fair to good on soft plastics over muddy bottoms. Limits

and good schools of reds have moved in.

“There’s some schools of all sizes, some hardly have any keepers, and some are just all keepers,” he said. “At the end of the Packery Channel jetties there are some schools of reds around, too.”

Finger mullet around the jetties are bringing bites, and gold spoons are also working well, according to Braly. Wade anglers are getting some bites on soft plastics, and black drum are “real decent” on the eastern shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay. To contact Capt. Paul Braly, call (361) 533-0982.

Bulls brought in GALVESTON FISHING PIER — Bad news for the trout anglers, but redfish is topping the list of catches.

“We’ve had a really good run of bull reds, and a really good run of Spanish mackerel,” said pier employee Bizzle Green.

“The past couple of days have been slow because the cold front came in, but lately it hasn’t been bad, with most days plenty of catching. But the mackerel came in and the specks went away.”

Live mullet has worked the best for anglers. For some less-targeted species, there’s been a consistent stingray bite, and plenty of big croaker caught. Piggy perch and whiting are also hanging around.

To contact Galveston Fishing Pier, call (409) 974-4383.

of flounder have been taken by giggers.

PORT O'CONNOR: Trout and redfish are fair on top-waters over soft mud in waist–deep water in San Antonio Bay. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp and top-waters. Bull redfish are good at the jetty on live shrimp fished on the bottom.

ROCKPORT: Bull redfish are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on crabs. Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp. Redfish are fair to good on the Estes Flats on mullet and shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: Bull redfish are good at the jetty on crabs

and finger mullet. Redfish are fair to good on the East Flats on top-waters and scented plastics.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Redfish are fair to good around Shamrock Cove on small top-waters and spoons. Redfish are good in the Humble Channel on crabs and table shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and grass on topwaters and scented plastics under rattling corks. Redfish are good in the Land Cut on natural baits. Flounder are fair to good on the edge of the channel on scented plastics.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on top-waters around sand and grass holes. Redfish

are fair to good while drifting potholes and sight–casting to the shallows. Bull redfish are good at East Cut on mullet and crabs.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout and redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on scented plastics. Tarpon and redfish are good at the jetty on live shad and crabs.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good in South Bay on live shrimp. Redfish are good on the flats on scented plastics under rattling corks.

Flounder are fair to good on the edge of the channel on scented plastics and jigs tipped with shrimp.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 12, 2012

Page 15

HEROES

Caldwell County hunter ERIC DEHOYOS II, 14, was hunting with his dad when he harvested this 250-pound boar on a night hunt.

Sisters TORI AND ALI GILES recently went to the Florida Keys for a day of fishing, and were rewarded with these nice barracudas.

WYATT MAHER is all business after taking a limit of ducks on a private lake in Grayson County.

Houston angler CLARENCE LAMB caught this big redfish near Port O’Connor in July fishing with Capt.

Jarrid Malone.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE

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

E-mail them with contact and caption information to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com. High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

Granger angler MIKE MALONE caught this big catfish while fishing out of his home lake.

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Page 16

October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Monster Continued From Page 1 BETTER FROM BEHIND: The rear view of A.J. Downs’ buck is even more impressive than the front. Despite A.J.’s success, acorns have driven many deer away from feeders, frustrating archery hunters.

Photo by A.J. Down.

checked the trail cams and we had two or three pictures of him at both stand locations,” Downs said. “We both killed trophies out there last year, so we just numbered the stands and drew to see where each of us would hunt.”

When Downs awoke on opening weekend, the same rain that covered most of the state was dumping buckets on the lease.

“It was raining hard that morning but started to slack off to a steady drizzle at daylight,” he said. “I hadn’t seen a deer all morning, but at 7:15, he came in at 15 yards. I videoed him for about five seconds, but then I told myself to put the camera down and get into shooting position.”

When the big buck turned away from Downs, he drew his bow and sent a perfect shot behind the buck’s shoulder. The deer bolted 60 yards out of Downs’ view.

“I lost sight of him after the shot,” he said.

“Then it started to rain hard. I went to look for the buck and he wasn’t where I last saw him. I began to get concerned, because all of the blood had been washed away, but he had made a 90-degree turn and we found him.”

Downs said nobody on the ranch had seen the buck before this season.

“We’ve killed some really nice deer but nothing like this,” he said. “This is the deer of a lifetime, especially on a low-fenced ranch.”

The deer was unofficially scored at just under 240 P&Y, which would make him one of, if not the biggest low-fenced nontypical buck to come out of Texas in the past 20 years.

“This deer is extremely special for me because of where it was taken,” Downs said.

Despite the rain, most of the reports from across Texas were positive on opening weekend, with nice deer dropping from South Texas to the Red River.

However, by the second week of the season, the acorn crop had moved deer away from feeders and hunter success was spotty.

“It’s been pretty tough so far,” said Gary Broach of Rhodes Brothers Taxidermy in Kerrville. “We’ve had a few good MLDP deer come in, but only a couple of small archery bucks. I am hearing, ‘Acorns, acorns, acorns.’

“The deer are not coming to corn right now because of all of the natural food.”

Message board chatter during the first few weeks of the season bemoaned much of the same: lots of natural browse and not a lot of mature bucks up and moving — yet.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 12, 2012

Page 17

Page 18

October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Man arrested Continued From Page 1

they did not have a deer lease, that is when I got ticked off.”

Several complainants came forward in 2009 and offered a description of Martin Wendell Tanner, 45, who had leased them land he did not own. Nobody got a real name or contact number, but the man was distinguishable by several tattoos on his arms.

Fast-forward three years.

Powell began receiving complaints this year about a man who fit the same description as Tanner offering leases on Craigslist.

But this year, Tanner was dumb enough to use his real name and checking accounts to dupe unsuspecting hunters.

“He used to live around the area, and he would show people pictures of gates with directions and a map to the property,” Powell said. “He’d never meet them at the property, there was always an excuse why he couldn’t go. He had actual lease agreements, but he

signed his real name this year. He actually told one man that he couldn’t meet him at the property, but to just cut the locks on the gate and put a new one on.”

The leases ranged in price from $250 to $1,500.

Powell said an informant called him in September with information about a tattooed man offering fake deer leases in Ellis County.

“I began building a case against him,” Powell said. “About a week later, I found out his real name and where he lived. Then he came up on Craigslist again.”

More than 12 hunters responded to the Craigslist ads this year.

Tanner was arrested at his home in Dallas and taken to the Wayne McCollum Detention Center, where he was arraigned on felony charges of securing execution of a document by deception and theft over $1,500.

“Fourteen people have been scammed so far, and we expect a few more will come forward,” Powell said. “He was pretty brazen this time.”

Flies Continued From Page 9

had happened in November, I would say that is the end.

When that happens, we will be going to a full-sinking line with big flies like Meat Whistles.”

Polk said the Hill Country did not have a monopoly on solid fall fly-fishing.

Great water can be found in North Texas, too.

“Lake Fork or Lake Texoma are great spots,” he said. “Stripers are still good on flies at Texoma. Purtis Creek also offers good flyfishing friendly water for guys who like smaller water bodies.

“I’d say the Brazos, but that has been pretty tough this summer.”

Polk recommended several flies for the cooler weather, including the Bubbleicious foam diver that bubbles as it goes through the water,

Todds Wiggle Minnow and a BoogleBug. “For subsurface, it is tough to beat the Clouser Minnow,” he said. “Also, the Readucer is a bucktail streamer that has a big profile without a lot of material.”

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 12, 2012

Page 19

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October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

New video series shows how to cook wild fish and game A new series of “Eat Local: Cooking Texas Style” videos from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department feature Chef Jesse Griffiths, who is also leading Central Market Cooking School classes this fall in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Southlake. The classes will feature TPWD experts on hand to answer questions about hunting, fishing and the outdoors.

It’s easy to see why TPWD chose culinary renaissance man Griffiths as a first partner for its new cooking videos. For years, the Austin hunter, butcher, chef and sustainable food advocate has been hosting supper club experiences where urban foodies rediscover the original local food movement: fishing, hunting and eating off the land.

Griffiths’ new book, “AFIELD: A Chef’s Guide to Preparing and Cooking Wild Game and Fish,” is just out Sept. 18 through publisher Welcome Books. In it, he serves up vivid tales of hunting, fishing and cooking, with inviting images and savory recipes.

The new video series on the Texas Parks and Wildlife YouTube Channel debuts with four tasty episodes on feral hog tacos, wild duck yakitori, grilled venison and redfish.

— TPWD

Beretta USA shooter medals at World Cup Beretta USA team shooter Vincent Hancock continues to add to his medal collection, winning a silver medal at the recent ISSF World Cup Finals in Maribor, Slovenia. This silver medal comes on the heels of Hancock's recent historic gold medal in Men's Skeet at the 2012 London Olympics.

Competing for the last time as a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, Hancock obliterated 122 out of 125 qualification targets using his trusted Beretta DT10, the same shotgun that brought him gold two short months ago. A final round score of 24/25 targets secured second place for Hancock, just three targets short of first place and another gold medal. As the competitive season draws to a close, Beretta USA congratulated Vincent Hancock on a successful and historic year. He will continue as a member of Team Beretta, and transition to his new DT11.

— Beretta USA

Joshua Creek gears up for upland season with stellar dove hunting Joshua Creek Ranch, award-winning Beretta Two Trident lodge for upland bird hunting, has announced a sensational kickoff to their 2012 dove season.

Space is still available for the South Zone hunts that run through Oct. 21. Reports from the field indicate excellent numbers of both white-winged and mourning dove in the area. In addition, evening hunts have been extremely successful since the locations include both roosting and feeding areas.

The Joshua Creek Ranch Dove Hunting Packages are sure to satisfy the same discerning wingshooting enthusiasts who have found JCR’s upland bird hunting so extraordinary.

Clients indulge themselves with a one- or two-night stay at Joshua Creek Ranch, including gourmet dining, world-class sporting clays, and a relaxing ride to some of South Texas’ finest dove hunting country. Wingshooters hunt up their limit of white-winged and/or mourning dove, then enjoy refreshments in the field as well as on the return trip to Joshua Creek Ranch where their gourmet game dinner awaits. The total package includes dove hunting, sporting clays, lodging, meals, transportation to and from the dove fields, ammo in the field and at the conclusion of the hunt, alcoholic refreshments are served in the field.

— Joshua Creek

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 12, 2012

Page 21

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October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides Texas Coast Tides Sabine Pass, jetty Date Time Oct 12 1:23 AM Oct 13 1:36 AM Oct 14 1:49 AM Oct 15 2:04 AM Oct 16 2:20 AM Oct 17 2:40 AM Oct 18 3:03 AM Oct 19 12:00 AM Oct 20 1:14 AM Oct 21 2:26 PM Oct 22 3:47 PM Oct 23 6:15 AM Oct 24 12:26 AM Oct 25 12:48 AM Oct 26 1:06 AM

Height 2.9H 2.8H 2.8H 2.9H 3.0H 3.1H 3.2H 3.1L 3.1L 0.5L 0.8L 2.4L 2.9H 2.8H 2.8H

Time 7:03 AM 7:29 AM 8:04 AM 8:44 AM 9:28 AM 10:17 AM 11:09 AM 3:28 AM 3:46 AM 11:13 PM 11:56 PM 9:44 AM 6:44 AM 7:15 AM 7:43 AM

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date Time Oct 12 2:10 AM Oct 13 2:23 AM Oct 14 2:36 AM Oct 15 2:51 AM Oct 16 3:07 AM Oct 17 3:27 AM Oct 18 3:50 AM Oct 19 12:26 AM Oct 20 1:40 AM Oct 21 2:52 PM Oct 22 12:00 AM Oct 23 12:43 AM Oct 24 1:13 AM Oct 25 1:35 AM Oct 26 1:53 AM

San Luis Pass

Date Time Oct 12 2:40 AM Oct 13 2:53 AM Oct 14 3:06 AM Oct 15 3:21 AM Oct 16 3:37 AM Oct 17 3:57 AM Oct 18 12:31 AM Oct 19 1:22 AM Oct 20 2:36 AM Oct 21 3:48 PM Oct 22 12:30 AM Oct 23 1:13 AM Oct 24 1:43 AM Oct 25 2:05 AM Oct 26 2:23 AM

Freeport Harbor Date Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26

Time 1:55 AM 2:13 AM 2:31 AM 2:47 AM 3:00 AM 12:38 AM 11:33 AM 12:30 PM 1:35 PM 2:49 PM 4:12 PM 12:22 AM 12:51 AM 1:12 AM 1:29 AM

Height 2.3H 2.3H 2.3H 2.3H 2.4H 2.5H 2.6H 2.5L 2.5L 0.4L 2.5H 2.4H 2.4H 2.3H 2.2H

Height 1.9L 1.5L 1.0L 0.6L 0.2L 0.0L -0.1L 3.2H 3.2H 3.2H 3.1H 2.6H 2.1L 1.7L 1.3L

Time 1:05 PM 2:14 PM 3:18 PM 4:21 PM 5:24 PM 6:30 PM 7:40 PM 12:08 PM 1:12 PM

Height 2.9H 3.1H 3.3H 3.5H 3.6H 3.6H 3.5H 0.0L 0.2L

Time 7:13 PM 8:02 PM 8:49 PM 9:36 PM 10:23 PM 11:09 PM

Height 1.6L 1.8L 2.1L 2.5L 2.7L 3.0L

8:55 PM 10:11 PM

3.4H 3.3H

5:07 PM 11:34 AM 1:02 PM 2:12 PM

1.1L 2.6H 2.7H 2.9H

6:18 PM 7:18 PM 8:10 PM

1.4L 1.7L 2.0L

Time 7:29 AM 7:55 AM 8:30 AM 9:10 AM 9:54 AM 10:43 AM 11:35 AM 4:15 AM 4:33 AM

Height 1.6L 1.2L 0.8L 0.4L 0.2L 0.0L -0.1L 2.6H 2.5H

Time 1:52 PM 3:01 PM 4:05 PM 5:08 PM 6:11 PM 7:17 PM 8:27 PM 12:34 PM 1:38 PM

Height 2.3H 2.5H 2.6H 2.8H 2.9H 2.9H 2.8H 0.0L 0.2L

Time 7:39 PM 8:28 PM 9:15 PM 10:02 PM 10:49 PM 11:35 PM

Height 1.3L 1.5L 1.7L 2.0L 2.2L 2.4L

9:42 PM 10:58 PM

2.7H 2.6H

4:13 PM 6:41 AM 7:10 AM 7:41 AM 8:09 AM

0.6L 1.9L 1.6L 1.3L 1.1L

10:31 AM 12:21 PM 1:49 PM 2:59 PM

2.1H 2.1H 2.2H 2.3H

5:33 PM 6:44 PM 7:44 PM 8:36 PM

0.9L 1.1L 1.3L 1.6L

Height 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H 1.4L 1.5L 1.5L 0.2L 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H

Time 8:25 AM 8:51 AM 9:26 AM 10:06 AM 10:50 AM 11:39 AM 4:20 AM 4:45 AM 5:03 AM

Height 0.9L 0.7L 0.5L 0.3L 0.1L 0.0L 1.5H 1.6H 1.5H

Time 2:22 PM 3:31 PM 4:35 PM 5:38 PM 6:41 PM 7:47 PM 12:31 PM 1:30 PM 2:34 PM

Height 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.7H 1.7H 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L

Time 8:35 PM 9:24 PM 10:11 PM 10:58 PM 11:45 PM

Height 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.2L 1.3L

8:57 PM 10:12 PM 11:28 PM

1.7H 1.6H 1.6H

5:09 PM 7:37 AM 8:06 AM 8:37 AM 9:05 AM

0.4L 1.2L 1.0L 0.8L 0.6L

11:01 AM 12:51 PM 2:19 PM 3:29 PM

1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H

6:29 PM 7:40 PM 8:40 PM 9:32 PM

0.5L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L

Height 1.8H 1.7H 1.7H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6L 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L 0.3L 0.5L 2.0H 1.9H 1.7H 1.6H

Time 8:12 AM 8:24 AM 8:47 AM 9:18 AM 9:57 AM 3:06 AM 8:10 PM 9:25 PM 10:38 PM 11:38 PM

Height 1.1L 0.9L 0.7L 0.4L 0.2L 1.6H 2.4H 2.3H 2.2H 2.1H

Time 1:42 PM 2:48 PM 3:50 PM 4:51 PM 5:54 PM 10:42 AM

Height 1.7H 1.9H 2.1H 2.2H 2.3H 0.0L

Time 8:07 PM 9:09 PM 10:11 PM 11:19 PM 7:00 PM

2.4H

7:04 AM 7:19 AM 7:43 AM 8:09 AM

1.4L 1.2L 1.0L 0.8L

10:09 AM 12:03 PM 1:33 PM 2:45 PM

1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.9H

5:37 PM 6:55 PM 8:05 PM 9:09 PM

0.7L 0.9L 1.0L 1.2L

Height 0.9L 1.1L 1.2L 1.4L

LSONews.com

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases New

First

Oct. 15

Port O’Connor

Date Time Oct 12 5:46 AM Oct 13 3:42 AM Oct 14 2:04 AM Oct 15 11:35 AM Oct 16 12:18 PM Oct 17 12:59 AM Oct 18 2:08 AM Oct 19 3:11 AM Oct 20 4:10 AM Oct 21 4:59 AM Oct 22 5:20 AM Oct 23 4:45 AM Oct 24 4:32 AM Oct 25 4:24 AM Oct 26 3:14 AM

Rockport

Date Time Oct 12 4:48 AM Oct 13 4:06 AM Oct 14 3:34 AM Oct 15 3:13 AM Oct 16 3:18 AM Oct 17 3:48 AM Oct 18 4:36 AM Oct 19 5:36 AM Oct 20 6:41 AM Oct 21 7:49 AM Oct 22 8:56 AM Oct 23 10:06 AM Oct 24 11:30 AM Oct 25 3:21 AM Oct 26 2:45 AM Time 1:36 AM 1:43 AM 1:47 AM 1:45 AM 1:33 AM 10:28 AM 11:19 AM 12:13 PM 1:13 PM 2:19 PM 3:29 PM 12:11 AM 12:33 AM 12:49 AM 12:58 AM

Time 1:28 AM 1:30 AM 1:28 AM 1:18 AM 9:34 AM 10:21 AM 11:12 AM 12:08 PM 1:08 PM 2:13 PM 3:23 PM 12:14 AM 12:29 AM 12:38 AM 12:41 AM

Nov. 7

Houston Height 1.2H 1.1H 1.2H 0.7L 0.6L 1.5H 1.5H 1.6H 1.6H 1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H

Time 10:25 AM 10:33 AM 10:59 AM 10:41 PM

Height 1.1L 1.0L 0.8L 1.4H

1:09 PM 2:07 PM 3:11 PM 4:18 PM 5:26 PM 6:31 PM 7:29 PM 8:19 PM 10:21 AM 10:41 AM

0.5L 0.5L 0.5L 0.5L 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 0.9L

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

Time 10:15 AM 11:21 AM 12:13 PM 1:03 PM 1:53 PM 2:47 PM 3:43 PM 4:40 PM 5:35 PM 6:27 PM 7:10 PM 7:42 PM 7:59 PM 8:44 AM 10:18 AM

Height 2.0H 1.9H 1.9H 2.0H 2.1H 0.3L 0.2L 0.2L 0.3L 0.4L 0.6L 2.2H 2.0H 1.9H 1.8H

South Padre Island Date Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26

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.

Last

Oct. 30

Oct. 22

Time 3:25 PM 7:16 PM 8:57 PM

Height 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H

Time 10:02 PM 10:53 PM

4:45 PM 6:57 PM

1.1H 1.2H

8:58 PM 9:12 PM

Height 0.6L 0.6L 0.5L 0.5L 0.4L 0.4L 0.4L 0.4L 0.4L 0.4L 0.5L 0.5L 0.5L 0.6L 0.6L

Time 3:11 PM

Height 0.6H

1:34 PM

0.6H

7:53 PM

Time 7:34 AM 7:56 AM 8:26 AM 9:02 AM 9:43 AM 7:24 PM 8:36 PM 9:47 PM 10:50 PM 11:37 PM

Height 1.4L 1.1L 0.9L 0.7L 0.5L 2.8H 2.8H 2.7H 2.6H 2.4H

Time 1:34 PM 2:50 PM 3:59 PM 5:06 PM 6:14 PM

Height 2.0H 2.2H 2.5H 2.7H 2.8H

Time 7:45 PM 8:50 PM 9:58 PM 11:17 PM

4:44 PM 6:45 AM 7:01 AM 7:27 AM

0.8L 1.4L 1.2L 1.0L

11:21 AM 1:12 PM 2:33 PM

1.7H 1.8H 2.0H

5:59 PM 7:14 PM 8:27 PM

Time 7:25 AM 7:46 AM 8:16 AM 8:53 AM 6:16 PM 7:30 PM 8:46 PM 10:01 PM 11:04 PM 11:47 PM

Height 1.3L 1.0L 0.7L 0.3L 2.2H 2.2H 2.3H 2.2H 2.2H 2.1H

Time 1:16 PM 2:38 PM 3:53 PM 5:04 PM

Height 1.8H 1.9H 2.0H 2.1H

Time 7:40 PM 8:50 PM 10:04 PM

4:36 PM 6:31 AM 6:53 AM 7:23 AM

0.8L 1.5L 1.2L 1.0L

11:12 AM 1:11 PM 2:38 PM

1.7H 1.8H 1.9H

5:52 PM 7:08 PM 8:24 PM

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier Date Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 22 Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct 26

Full

Height 1.8H 1.7H 1.6H 1.5H 0.1L -0.1L -0.2L -0.1L 0.0L 0.3L 0.6L 2.0H 1.9H 1.8H 1.7H

Time 9:28 PM

Height 1.0L 1.2L

1.0L 1.2L Height 0.6L

2012 Oct 12 Fri 13 Sat > 14 Sun > 15 Mon N 16 Tue > 17 Wed > 18 Thu 19 Fri 20 Sat 21 Sun 22 Mon Q 23 Tue 24 Wed 25 Thu 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun > 29 Mon > 30 Tue F 31 Wed >

A.M. Minor Major 2:55 9:07 3:38 9:51 4:25 10:38 5:16 11:30 6:14 11:55 7:18 1:02 8:25 2:10 9:34 3:18 10:39 4:25 11:40 5:26 12:11 6:22 12:59 7:11 1:43 7:55 2:24 8:35 3:03 9:14 3:42 9:53 4:22 10:33 5:05 11:17 5:52 ----6:41 12:29

Dallas

0.6L

Height 1.3L 1.5L 1.8L 2.0L

2012 Oct 12 Fri 13 Sat > 14 Sun > 15 Mon N 16 Tue > 17 Wed > 18 Thu 19 Fri 20 Sat 21 Sun 22 Mon Q 23 Tue 24 Wed 25 Thu 26 Fri 27 Sat 28 Sun > 29 Mon > 30 Tue F 31 Wed >

A.M. Minor Major 3:01 9:13 3:44 9:56 4:30 10:44 5:22 11:36 6:20 12:05 7:23 1:08 8:31 2:15 9:39 3:24 10:45 4:30 11:46 5:32 12:16 6:27 1:04 7:16 1:49 8:00 2:29 8:41 3:08 9:19 3:47 9:58 4:28 10:39 5:11 11:22 5:57 ----6:47 12:35

San Antonio 1.0L 1.2L 1.5L Height 1.2L 1.3L 1.4L

1.1L 1.3L 1.5L

2012 A.M. Oct Minor Major 12 Fri 3:08 9:20 13 Sat > 3:51 10:03 14 Sun > 4:37 10:51 15 Mon N 5:29 11:43 16 Tue > 6:27 12:12 17 Wed > 7:30 1:15 18 Thu 8:38 2:22 19 Fri 9:46 3:31 20 Sat 10:52 4:37 21 Sun 11:53 5:39 22 Mon Q 12:23 6:34 23 Tue 1:11 7:23 24 Wed 1:56 8:07 25 Thu 2:36 8:48 26 Fri 3:15 9:26 27 Sat 3:54 10:05 28 Sun > 4:35 10:46 29 Mon > 5:18 11:29 30 Tue F 6:04 ----31 Wed > 6:54 12:42

Amarillo

2012 A.M. Oct Minor 12 Fri 3:21 13 Sat > 4:04 14 Sun > 4:51 15 Mon N 5:42 16 Tue > 6:40 17 Wed > 7:44 18 Thu 8:51 19 Fri 10:00 20 Sat 11:05 21 Sun ----22 Mon Q 12:37 23 Tue 1:25 24 Wed 2:09 25 Thu 2:50 26 Fri 3:29 27 Sat 4:08 28 Sun > 4:48 29 Mon > 5:31 30 Tue F 6:18 31 Wed > 7:07

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen 21. A very large trapper’s prize 22. Magnifying lens in a gun sight 23. A game cover 25. A breed of hunting dog 29. A type of lure 30. Some fish are _____ feeders 31. A 30.06 32. A salmon 33. Newborn elk 35. To fire the shotgun 36. The female bear 38. Wild pigs 39. The still hunter’s platform 40. Make sure this is out when moving on

ACROSS 1. A grouse species 3. Breed of dog trained to hunt 6. A gauge used by anglers 8. Antelope cousin 10. A duck species

11.

12.

13.

18.

19.

To skin out a game To construct a fly lure A French model rifle The channel marker Northern state hunters may do this

DOWN 1. A good bait for brown trout 2. Axis are classed as this 3. Part of a gun scope 4. A deer food source 5. Hunting and fishing ethics

Solution on Page 34 6. A big cat 7. Largest of the American deer 9. Game hideaways 13. An in-hole fireplace 14. The formation flyer 15. A bony food fish 16. A method of fishing 17. Hide, skin, fur 18. The inside of a gun barrel 20. Deer meat 21. A game bird 24. A part of a stag’s rack 26. A large game of the plains 27. Mountain hunter’s name for the Dall 28. Eiders, widgeons, mallards 30. Of a bow with backing 31. A buck’s domain markings 34. A type of gun sight 37. A type of fly lure

Major 9:33 10:17 11:04 11:56 12:25 1:28 2:36 3:44 4:51 5:52 6:48 7:37 8:21 9:01 9:40 10:19 10:59 11:43 12:05 12:55

P.M. Minor 3:19 4:04 4:51 5:44 6:44 7:48 8:56 10:04 11:09 ----12:35 1:23 2:06 2:46 3:25 4:04 4:44 5:28 6:15 7:05

Major 9:32 10:16 11:04 11:58 12:29 1:33 2:41 3:49 4:54 5:54 6:48 7:35 8:18 8:57 9:36 10:15 10:56 11:40 12:04 12:53

SUN Rises Sets 07:20 06:54 07:20 06:53 07:21 06:52 07:21 06:50 07:22 06:49 07:23 06:48 07:23 06:47 07:24 06:46 07:25 06:45 07:25 06:44 07:26 06:43 07:27 06:42 07:28 06:41 07:28 06:40 07:29 06:39 07:30 06:38 07:31 06:38 07:31 06:37 07:32 06:36 07:33 06:35

MOON Rises 4:16a 5:18a 6:22a 7:28a 8:37a 9:45a 10:52a 11:55a 12:51p 1:41p 2:24p 3:03p 3:39p 4:13p 4:46p 5:19p 5:55p 6:32p 7:12p 7:55p

P.M. Minor Major 3:25 9:37 4:09 10:22 4:57 11:10 5:50 12:04 6:49 12:34 7:54 1:39 9:02 2:46 10:10 3:54 11:15 5:00 ----- 6:00 12:40 6:53 1:29 7:41 2:12 8:23 2:52 9:03 3:30 9:41 4:09 10:20 4:50 11:01 5:34 11:45 6:21 12:09 7:11 12:59

SUN Rises Sets 07:27 06:57 07:28 06:56 07:29 06:55 07:30 06:53 07:30 06:52 07:31 06:51 07:32 06:50 07:33 06:49 07:33 06:48 07:34 06:46 07:35 06:45 07:36 06:44 07:37 06:43 07:38 06:42 07:38 06:41 07:39 06:40 07:40 06:39 07:41 06:38 07:42 06:37 07:43 06:36

MOON Rises Sets 4:21a 4:59p 5:24a 5:35p 6:29a 6:14p 7:38a 6:56p 8:48a 7:44p 9:58a 8:37p 11:05a 9:36p 12:08p 10:38p 1:03p 11:42p 1:52p NoMoon 2:34p 12:46a 3:12p 1:49a 3:46p 2:49a 4:18p 3:47a 4:50p 4:44a 5:22p 5:40a 5:56p 6:35a 6:33p 7:31a 7:12p 8:26a 7:54p 9:20a

P.M. Minor Major 3:32 9:44 4:16 10:29 5:04 11:17 5:57 12:11 6:56 12:41 8:01 1:46 9:09 2:53 10:17 4:01 11:22 5:07 ----- 6:07 12:47 7:00 1:36 7:48 2:19 8:30 2:59 9:10 3:37 9:48 4:16 10:27 4:57 11:08 5:41 11:52 6:28 12:16 7:18 1:06

SUN Rises Sets 07:32 07:06 07:32 07:05 07:33 07:04 07:34 07:03 07:34 07:02 07:35 07:01 07:36 07:00 07:36 06:59 07:37 06:58 07:38 06:57 07:38 06:56 07:39 06:55 07:40 06:54 07:40 06:53 07:41 06:52 07:42 06:51 07:43 06:50 07:43 06:50 07:44 06:49 07:45 06:48

MOON Rises 4:29a 5:31a 6:35a 7:41a 8:49a 9:58a 11:05a 12:07p 1:03p 1:53p 2:37p 3:16p 3:52p 4:25p 4:59p 5:33p 6:08p 6:45p 7:26p 8:09p

Sets 5:05p 5:43p 6:24p 7:08p 7:57p 8:52p 9:51p 10:53p 11:56p NoMoon 12:59a 2:00a 2:59a 3:56a 4:50a 5:45a 6:39a 7:33a 8:27a 9:20a

P.M. Minor 3:45 4:29 5:17 6:10 7:09 8:14 9:22 10:30 11:35 12:06 1:01 1:49 2:32 3:12 3:51 4:29 5:10 5:54 6:41 7:31

SUN Rises 07:49 07:50 07:51 07:52 07:53 07:54 07:54 07:55 07:56 07:57 07:58 07:59 08:00 08:01 08:02 08:03 08:04 08:05 08:05 08:06

MOON Rises 4:41a 5:46a 6:52a 8:02a 9:13a 10:24a 11:32a 12:34p 1:30p 2:17p 2:59p 3:35p 4:08p 4:39p 5:10p 5:41p 6:14p 6:50p 7:28p 8:10p

Sets 5:20p 5:55p 6:33p 7:14p 8:01p 8:53p 9:51p 10:54p NoMoon NoMoon 1:04a 2:07a 3:09a 4:08a 5:06a 6:03a 6:59a 7:56a 8:52a 9:46a

Major 9:58 10:42 11:30 12:24 12:55 1:59 3:07 4:15 5:20 6:20 7:14 8:01 8:44 9:23 10:01 10:40 11:22 ----12:29 1:19

Sets 07:16 07:14 07:13 07:12 07:10 07:09 07:08 07:07 07:05 07:04 07:03 07:02 07:01 07:00 06:58 06:57 06:56 06:55 06:54 06:53

Sets 4:53p 5:30p 6:11p 6:55p 7:44p 8:38p 9:37p 10:39p 11:43p NoMoon 12:46a 1:47a 2:46a 3:42a 4:38a 5:32a 6:26a 7:21a 8:15a 9:08a

FOR THE TABLE Crappie with lemon butter 4 crappie, cleaned and scaled Salt and pepper Flour 8 tbsps. butter 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp. marjoram 2 tbsps. lemon juice Salt and pepper fish to taste.

Roll the fish in flour. Melt the

butter in skillet, stir in garlic and marjoram. Add the crappie.

Brown both sides of the fish. Add the lemon juice, cover and cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes.

Remove the fish and save any lemon butter to pour over the fish when served.

— easyfishrecipes.com

Venison pot pie 4 deer chops, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 1/4 cup Bisquick mix Oil 1 can cream of celery soup 1/2 cup water 2 beef bouillon cubes

1 package frozen mixed vegetables 1 medium potato, cubed Salt, pepper, garlic powder 1 1/3 cup milk 1 egg

Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet. Coat the venison with 1/4 cup Bisquick. Cook in the hot oil until done, remove and drain. Add the soup, water and bouillon to skillet and stir. Add the meat, vegetables and potato; season to taste. Mix the two cups of Bisquick, milk and egg together. Pour over the top of meat mixture. Place in the oven and bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let sit for a few minutes.

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

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October 12, 2012

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October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Tarpon

How to Texas rig a decoy:

Continued From Page 9

Monofilament between 300 and 400 pounds is the most popular line to use. You'll need the line, crimps, weights, and either a crimping tool or a hammer.

1. Loop the line through your weight and crimp it to itself.

2. Cut the line to your desired length, and then thread it through the hole at the top of the keel. Not all decoys are pre-drilled for this.

3. Put a crimp on the line on the opposite end as the one with the weight, and then make an overhand knot so that the line will be in the shape of a loop. Run the free end of the line through the loop a couple of more times for strength.

4. Run the free end of the line into the crimp and close. Make sure to cut off the extra sticking out from the crimp to prevent snags.

Decoys Continued From Page 4

“The hard wire never seems to lose its memory and will curl, which can be a problem in shallow water,” he said. “The whole point of Texas rigging is getting in and out real quick. The carabineer can be clipped to the ring on your waders, and just slide each different loop and that carabineer and you have your hands free.”

Garwood Hunting Club guide Randy Wheeler uses Texas rigs on all 1,500 of the club’s decoys.

“Our decoy rigs are real simple,” he said. “Imagine the weight at the bottom of the line, and then a big swivel on the decoy.

The line goes through the swivel and comes up and makes a loop at the other end. And crimp the end as well, so you have a loop to put the carabineer through.”

Wheeler said he puts about a dozen decoys per carabineer, and keeping them untangled is as simple as tying a knot.

“If you’ll hold the carabineer up, and take your other hand and run down the line, then drop the carabineer hand and put a knot in the line, you’ll keep them from pulling through and they don’t get tangled as easy,” he said. “You lay them on the ground, take the knot out, and then you just pick up one decoy, jiggle it and it’ll come out.”

For Dallas hunter Scott McWilliams, the Texas-rigging system was nearly a necessity for his hunts on public land.

“I was hunting a lot of public land, walking way back into the

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marsh,” McWilliams said. “I had to walk so far and go through so much stuff, it was easier to not bag them and just Texas rig them, and pull them along.”

McWilliams said he quickly saw the benefits of Texas rigging his decoys.

“The performance was so much quicker than the traditional way,” he said. “My hands stayed dry and weren’t drenched to the bone up the elbow. All I had to do was clip them to the D-ring and go.

“My buddy had his all traditionally rigged. He’d sit his bag out, and I’d set mine up, and be done way before him.”

See more at LSONews.com

Less is more when hunting small ponds When duck hunters seek out small ponds away from big lakes and rivers (and pressure), what should they be looking for to hunt these out-of-the-way honeyholes?

According to duck hunter and call maker Scott Keith of the Quack Shack, tone it down — whether using decoys, calling or blinds — when it comes to small bodies of water.

“The best advice I’ve found is less is more,” Keith said. “Even to the point of just having three or four decoys with a jerkstring or a Mojo. If the pond is small enough, set the decoys in the shallowest part and set up across the water from them on the opposite bank.”

Keith said forget a lot of calling like the feed chuckle and focus on one main call — the lonesome hen.

“Keep it simple and small and you can have some great hunts,” he said. “The mallards and wigeon will pour into small ponds.”

Good camouflage is also key.

According to Keith, ducks will usually make several passes on a small pond to make sure there is no danger, so good camo is a must to pull ducks in close on small water.

— Conor Harrison

data on the early juveniles.”

Morris said some of the findings are surprising biologists.

“We had an angler report one 21 miles up the Brazos River with a picture,” Morris said. “We also had one show up way up the Guadalupe, and we took a 6-footer in Espiritu Santo Bay. We are seeing a lot of positive signs.

“The best years have been in the past three to five years.”

Morris said while tarpon sightings have been on an upward trend, there still isn’t a ton of fish, but it “appears we are getting more tarpon.”

“This has been a record year so far for the Tarpon Observation Network, if that is any indication,” he said. “I think anglers can now target them with some reasonable expectations of success.”

The numbers back him up. Since 1975, TPWD only officially recorded 358 sightings. This year alone, that number has grown to more than 400.

“Most of the fish are being sighted south of the Colorado River,” Morris said. “Most are off the beaches or in the bays. We start seeing them in June and quit seeing them in late October.”

Tarpon Capt. Mike Williams said he believes tarpon numbers have remained steady but more people are noticing them and reporting the sightings.

“Traditionally, August produces the most tarpon, but I catch my bigger fish in September and October,” Williams said. “August this year was a total wipeout because of the windy weather.

“Anytime the conditions got right, we hammered them.”

Williams said he has fished for tarpon for the past 50 years, and said there are two types of tarpon along the Texas coast — tarpon that migrate and resident fish.

“The most tarpon I ever caught in one day was in November, 2006, and I caught 27,” he said. “I also caught a 29-inch trout, and not one of those tarpon were bigger than the trout. The fish never left, they just changed migration routes.”

Williams said when Texas rivers were dammed in the 1960s, the tarpon changed their migration routes.

“They depend on that freshwater,” he said.

“Tarpon alley (along the coast) is between 28 and 42 feet deep. That is where they migrate.”

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October 12, 2012

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October 12, 2012

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NATIONAL Calif. artist Robert Steiner wins 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Robert Steiner, an artist from San Francisco, Calif., is the winner of the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest.

The announcement was made by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Rowan Gould at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, during the annual art contest — the only juried art competition sponsored by the federal government.

This is Steiner’s second Federal Duck Stamp Contest win. His art previously appeared on the 1998-99 Federal Duck Stamp.

Steiner’s acrylic painting of a common goldeneye will be made into the 2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2013. The Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to provide critical funds to conserve and protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge system for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.

— USFWS

30 alligators taken in Ark. permit hunt Arkansas’ fifth alligator hunt resulted in 30 gators taken by permit holders, including the largest to date. The hunt was Sept. 15-16 and Sept. 22-23.

Mike Cottingham of Prescott was successful with a 13-foot-3-inch male alligator that was taken on private land in southwest Arkansas. Cottingham’s gator was the largest taken since hunting began in Arkansas.

Linda Newman of Damascus led the women alligator hunters with her 10-foot3-inch male, also taken on private land in southwest Arkansas.

Alligator permits are drawn randomly from

several thousand applications. If drawn, there is a $35 tag fee. The number of permits and hunting locations for them are determined each year after surveys by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists. The application period is in June.

— Arkansas Game and Fish

Three La. men caught with 62 redfish Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three men for alleged fishing violations on Sept. 21 in Lafitte.

Agents cited Rickie Thomas, 57, of Westwego, Leon Firven, 56, and Willie Langford, 80, both of Avondale, for taking or possessing over the limit of red drum and possessing undersized red drum.

Additionally, Firven was cited for angling without basic and saltwater licenses.

Agents received a complaint about people catching over the limit of red drum in The Pen, which is a body of water east of Lafitte.

The agents stopped the men in their vessel as they were leaving the complaint area returning to the launch and found them in possession of 62 red drum with some of those being undersized.

In addition to the fines, the men will be charged a civil restitution for the value of the illegally taken fish in the amount of $1,315.60.

— Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

Elk killed illegally near Telluride A bull elk was killed illegally near Telluride about a week ago and Colorado Parks and wildlife officials are seeking information on this poaching incident.

The manager of the West Meadows subdivision found the elk within the gated

community on Sept. 28. The animal was shot with a rifle, its head had been cut off and removed, and it had been partially field dressed. District Wildlife Officer Joe Koch said that the elk also had been dragged some distance by an all-terrain vehicle. He said the animal was probably killed the weekend of Sept. 22.

“The manager said that he'd seen some large bulls within the subdivision’s property, so if anyone saw any suspicious activity there we want to hear from you,” Koch said.

— Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Honobia Creek to add 23,347 acres for sportsmen A cooperative agreement between the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and a timber company with land in southeast Oklahoma will secure more than 22,000 new public acres for sportsmen.

At its September meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission authorized the director of the department to enter into a three-year lease with Southern Diversified, LLC, for the company's lands in LeFlore, McCurtain and Pushmataha counties. The agreement would expand the Honobia Creek Wildlife Management Area to 102,346 acres.

According to Alan Peoples, chief of wildlife, the new properties would include land never previously available to the public, including several sections of the Mountain Fork River and the Little River that would benefit both hunters and anglers. The land is located east of Smithville near Watson.

The Honobia Creek and Three Rivers WMAs provide access to thousands of acres of privately owned timberlands in southeast Oklahoma through lease agreements between the wildlife department and the timber companies that own the land. Sportsmen fund the lease agreements through their purchase of the land access permit required of most

residents and all non-residents who hunt or fish on the areas. The cost of the land access permit is $40 for residents and $85 for nonresidents and provides access to over 300,000 acres of land for hunting and fishing.

— Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation

Colorado poacher caught with landowner’s help Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers in Hot Sulphur Springs have cited a West Virginia resident for “hunting on private property without permission” and “illegal possession” of a 6x6 bull elk taken on Devil's Thumb Ranch property in Tabernash earlier this month.

David Lee Burner, 61, was assessed $11,509.50 for his role in the incident. The amount included a $10,000 additional penalty that applies when trophy-quality wildlife is poached.

“We first received a tip from a concerned hunter who witnessed a suspected trespassing incident in Devil's Thumb Ranch,” said Lyle Sidener, area wildlife manager in Hot Sulphur Springs. “After the ranch owners found evidence of trespass on their property, they informed us and then assisted us in the investigation.”

Officers were also able to recover the bull's head, providing forensic evidence that could help match the confiscated antlers to the head. Additional evidence included photos of Burner’s hunting party, provided by the hunter who first observed what he suspected was trespass activity.

With the provided evidence, District Wildlife Manager Gene Abram and AWM Sidener were able to locate Burner’s hunting party. It was during this contact that the officers determined that Burner was the responsible individual. Burner then admitted his guilt to the officers and paid his penalty assessment the next day.

—Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

Crappie Continued From Page 1

STRAIGHT TO THE PAN: Anglers are reporting hotter crappie action with the cooler weather, and believe it should only get better. Photo by LSON.

the middle of the day. With the full moon, they’ll feed in the middle of the night and the middle of the day.”

Dabney said watching the lunar charts is a good way to follow the crappie bite, with two or three days before and after a full moon being the best times to fish.

Farther south, Lake Conroe fishing guide Chris Edwards said he’s still waiting on improved conditions to take the crappie bite to the next level.

“It’s a little early for the crappie and it hasn’t really turned on yet, but it should pick up once this water cools down a little bit more and everything stables out,” Edwards said. “This last cool front that hit us kind of changed a lot of stuff, but the bite has started and it’s going to pick up as it gets cooler.”

Edwards targets boat docks with brush piles around them in 15 to 20 feet of water.

“For some reason, it seems the evening bite is really good on Conroe,” he said. “We’ll use 1/8ounce jig heads and play around with different soft plastics — my favorite color is pearl white — and you can’t go wrong with minnows.”

Edwards said he worries about the future of the crappie fishery in the lake, due to the introduction of grass carp.

“The fish we are catching are big,” he said.

“It’s kind of scary because we used to have a lot of hydrilla protecting the fry, and now the hydrilla is gone. That’s probably why we’re not seeing too many smaller fish, because the smaller fry have no place to hide and they’re getting eaten.

“The fish we are catching here are averaging in the 2-pound range for black crappie.”

Benny Dabney, (817) 915-8634 Chris Edwards, (817) 271-5014

October 12, 2012

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October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

Millet Continued From Page 4

ping, trampling, flattening, burning and herbicide treatment.”

“Manipulated is the key word,” Kraii said. “You can plant anything and hunt over it that year if it isn’t manipulated. And flooding, by definition, is not considered manipulating. You can plant it, flood it and hunt it the same year. If the millet comes up a year later (after planting), you can manipulate it and hunt it because after the first year, it is considered natural vegetation.

“But you can’t manipulate the millet that is less than a year old and still hunt it.”

Kraii said waterfowl may be hunted over any grain that hasn’t been manipulated.

“Oklahoma spends thousands of dollars each year

to plant millet on tens of thousands of acres for public hunting,” he said. “And we do it on some WMAs for our public duck hunters.”

But according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Mike Merida, millet is a gray area between agriculture and natural vegetation.

“You can’t hunt over manipulated millet the first year you plant it,” Merida flatly stated.

Merida said the federal guidelines say “freshly,” while the Texas law specifically says one year.

“Freshly means ‘one year,’” Merida said. “The Texas definition trumps the federal definition in this case.”

However, if you don’t manipulate it after planting, you are fine to hunt waterfowl over the planted millet,

as it would not be considered baiting — right?

Not so fast, said Scott Vaca, TPWD assistant chief of wildlife enforcement, who, after reading the federal guidelines word for word, said it was his understanding of the law that you can’t hunt over any millet for at least a year after planting.

The TPWD regulations state: “A hunter may not hunt waterfowl or cranes over manipulated planted millet, unless the millet was planted more than a year prior to hunting.”

With varying opinions, it may be wise to check with your local game warden before doing any hunting over millet this duck season.

Although, they may be as confused as the rest of us.

HAVE FOOD, HAVE DUCKS: Hunting ponds with planted millet can be deadly during duck season, but be sure to check with your local game warden to get their interpretation of the laws before hunting. Photo by LSON.

October 12, 2012

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October 12, 2012

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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Biting offshore Continued From Page 8

Walker said he’s found a “smorgasbord” of good fishing between 75 to 100 miles offshore.

“We’re catching a multitude,” he said. “We’ve caught some real nice grouper, yellow fin, warsaws and big, big amberjack. They didn’t open commercial amberjack this year, and that’s probably why the amberjack fishing was so good.

“But for the most right now, grouper and amberjacks are the two big things that are hot.”

Walker said another fish he’s had luck with that people tend to overlook off the Texas coast is swordfish.

“The sword fishing is good, I’ve been catching some,” he said.

“That’s something where the fishery is kind of wide-open, and peo-

ple don’t even know.”

Walker is using live blue runners and piggy perch as bait, and said the grouper fishing starts at about 400 feet of water.

Anything less, and too many snapper get in the way.

Down south, South Padre Island fishing guide Daniel Cole has been focused on tuna, which he said have started biting better in the slightly cooler temperatures.

“There’s lots of tuna,” he said.

“We got 17 yesterday, and probably could have caught 15 or 20 more. Then we caught about seven nice dorado after that.

Other boats have caught some wahoo, and the amberjack fishing has been pretty good.”

RIG DONKEYS: Amberjack, like this one caught offshore by San Antonio angler Jason Downs, are biting well near offshore structure. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

Fishing 30 to 40 miles out, Cole said following shrimp boats is a good idea for anglers.

“There’s not many weed lines,” he said. “We’re catching them trolling and getting some on chunk baits, croakers — stuff like that.”

Cole said anglers should be able to rely on a good tuna bite if they head offshore anytime soon.

“It’s mostly going to be tuna for the next couple of months until it gets real rough and the water gets green and nasty,” he said. “There’s also a few ling and a lot of sharks around this time of year we like to play with. It’s cool with calm seas and you don’t sweat your butt off.”

Fishing 50 miles out of Port Aransas, Central Texas angler John Melnar headed out to target

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amberjack.

“We were using hardtails to drop down for the amberjack,” he said.

“The hard part was fighting off the snapper.”

After a few rounds of catch and release, Melnar finally boated an amberjack.

“It was a day-saving fish, because it had been pretty slow,” he said.

“We made a few more drops but couldn’t pick up anymore fish, so we started to go out trolling with live and artificial baits. We had one billfish bite down and it broke off.”

Later, some dorado were picked up by sight-casting near shrimp boats with live bait.

Capt. Johnny Walker, (713) 408-1509 Capt. Daniel Cole, (956) 299-0492

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

October 12, 2012

Wounded warrior DOVE DOWN: Specialist Brian Kenney, left, a cavalry scout from El Paso who had been deployed in Baghdad, recently went on a wounded warrior dove hunt south of Cleburne. There, he was able to harvest his first dove. Butch Roberson, right, of Combat Marine Outdoors and Jon Stolee, center, who organized the hunt showed Spc. Kenney how to clean the dove. “I love it,” he said of dove hunting. “Anytime I get to shoot a gun I’m happy. It’s perfect weather and we have good company.” Spc. Kenney, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, said he could see himself being a life-long dove hunter from that day on — and with his shooting skills, it should be no problem.

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Just fishin’ in the rain A rainy day sees many anglers sleeping in or staying home to tackle their honey-do list. But wet weather conditions could be a good time to hit the lake and try some different tactics.

According to Lake Fork guide and fishing pro Mark Pack, a little rain won’t keep him at home.

“Those fish are more aggressive,” Pack said.

“There’s less pressure on the atmosphere and it makes the fish feel more safe.”

Keying in on this behavior, Pack said he’ll pitch his lures a little shallower than he would if the sun was out.

“A lot of people don’t use buzzbaits in the rain, but buzzbaits are always good in the rain,” he said. “And spinner baits and chatter baits can be good.”

When the weather is more of a bluebird day, Pack said bass tend to hang around structure, and their strikes are more reactionary in nature. When the weather is cloudy and rainy, the fish go more into a predatory mode, which can equal more bites for the angler.

— Staff report

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Hooks Continued From Page 11

boat continued.

“It takes some getting used to not to set the hook hard; it’ll pull it out of the fish’s mouth,” Russell said. “Just reel and apply slow, steady pressure with the rod.”

The rest of the trip for both boats didn’t include many redfish, but the hardheads and gafftop cooperated fully. And with the circle hooks, all that was required to release them was a flip with the hook remover. No touching the fish or bringing it into the boat required.

“I liked not having to handle those things,” Russell said.

The crew of two guides and five fishermen tested Wright & McGill’s new Blair Wiggins Signature Series rods and Sabalos spinning and casting reels, too.

The rods sport a finish that quickly gets one’s attention.

Designed not to spook fish in clear, skinny water, the Flats Blue color has to be seen. Held up to the sky, it almost disappears from view. And the rods are super light.

The reels, with an ultra-light aluminum body, sport a 9+1 ball-bearing system with infinite anti-reverse, a dual disc front drag system and an oversized, soft touch handle. The casting reels have large power handles with rubber paddles and a smooth Teflon drag system.

And with the not-so-great fishing, the rods and reels, in both spinning and baitcasting, saw plenty action in the form of long casts with lures, bait beneath popping corks and free-lining cut mullet.

“They are light and cast easy and far,” said guide Alan Skrobarcek. “The price is a deal at $100 for the rods and $100 for the reels. And they look great.”

One of the baitcasters casted fine, but let out a strange, whining sound that reminded the anglers of the pig going “Whee, whee” in the Geico commercial.

Russell jumped on it, eager to get the reel back to the shop and totally break it down to find the source of the sound.

“That’s some good customer service,” Nelson said.

On the second boat, guide Jeremy Griffis almost panicked when the spinning rod and reel were put to another test — it was completely dunked under the salty water. Grabbing his water bottle to try to rinse it off, he had to be reminded this was a tackle test.

And the rods and reels passed.

Lastly, the group tested the new Attraxx Baits. Owner Doug

Photos by LSON.

Long tried to see how many small trout he could catch on the 3 3/4-inch Attraxx Shrimp during the inaugural test of the lures in Texas saltwater. The answer will surprise you, and look for a report on the test of the lures soon in Lone Star Outdoor News. www.wright-mcgill.com, (720) 941-8700 www.eagleclaw.com, www.lazertrokar.com

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October 12, 2012

PRODUCTS FISHHOOK SL2 TENT: Hunters or anglers who want to camp out near the action will want to opt for Big Agnes’ award-winning two-person tent. The freestanding, three-season tent features a spacious interior with a zipper-less door and vestibule. Instead of zippers, the tent door uses 15 magnets, all user-friendly and quiet, which seal up the door to maintain full protection from the elements. Ideal for backpacking into those hard-to-reach sites, the lightweight tent weighs in at 3 pounds, 4 ounces. The Fishhook SL2 will sell for about $400.

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GARMIN FENIX: Garmin has unveiled its first GPS wrist watch for outdoorsmen. Utilizing the company’s GPS technology, the fenix can help guide hunters off the trail and back to the safety of a vehicle or campsite. Sporting a classic round watch design in a high-strength housing with a scratch-resistant glass lens display, it is built to endure tough outdoor conditions. The watch offers a comprehensive navigational toolset that allows wearers to plan trips, create routes, and record waypoints and GPS bread crumb trails on the move. A navigation arrow provides clear directional guidance. Plus, its Basecamp map mobile app allows users to transfer waypoints and track logs to view them on a more detailed map and larger screens of select smartphones. The waterproof wrist watch is equipped with ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) sensors to provide realtime information, including elevation data and weather changes. It has a battery life of up to 50 hours in GPS mode or up to six weeks in watch mode. Basic watch functions include alarms, vibration alerts, timer, stopwatch, and the ability to display several times zones at once. It sells for about $400.

(877) 554-8975 www.bigagnes.com

(800) 800-1020 www.garmin.com

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(800) 426-8020 www.eddiebauer.com

(888) 405-6433 www.sogknives.com

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MICROTHERM FEATHERWEIGHT HUNTING JACKET: Eddie Bauer’s ultra-light and extra warm hunting jacket is designed to offer women unrestricted arm movement while shooting. This is a goose down jacket that provides the warmth without the bulk. Featuring a water-repellent finish, the machine-washable jacket comes in cognac and moss and sells for about $200. (A men’s version of this jacket also is available.)

BLADELIGHT: This knife by SOG Specialty Knives & Tools has six LEDs molded right into its streamlined handle on either side of the clip point fixed blade to provide shadowless light when cutting. One AA battery provides 25 Lumens of bright white light. Or, use it safely as a flashlight. Its molded hard sheath is easily removed from wearer’s belt to allow the flashlight to be used while the knife is still in the sheath. Left on the belt, it can be used to illuminate the way. The sheath features a button-retention system and quiet carry tensioner. The 11.3-inch BladeLight is rated for water resistance to full immersion. It sells for about $115.

FISH HEAD SINKERS: Bullet Weights’ sinkers are brilliantly painted in five realistic baitfish designs: fire fish, tiger fish, baby bass, silver ghost and green pumpkin red belly.

Designed primarily for Texas rigging, the sinkers are traditional bullet-shaped weights that allow the rig to glide through weeds and bounce off rocks. These sinkers will be offered in a six weights ranging from 1/16ounce to 1/2-ounce sizes and will sell for about $2.70 per pack.

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(800) 872-0131 www.bulletweights.com

OUTDOOR BUSINESS Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Managing Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Intern John Keith Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Web site Bruce Soileau

National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager Advertising Sales Jaimey Honea Founder & CEO David J. Sams

Contributors Kyle Carter David Draper Shannon Drawe Wilbur Lundeen Aaron Reed

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or email mhughs@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

Erich Schlegel David Sikes Scott Sommerlatte Chuck Uzzle Ralph Winingham

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

Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $2, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2012 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 news@ lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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DATEBOOK October 12

October 16

October 18

October 24

Operation Game Thief Alamo Area Sporting Clays Fundraiser National Shooting Complex, San Antonio ogttx.com

Delta Waterfowl Nacogdoches Dinner Piney Woods Country Club (936) 553-8388 deltawaterfowl.org

Ducks Unlimited Arlington Dinner and Banquet Collins Entertainment Center, Arlington (469) 446-4176 ducks.org/texas

Texas Wildlife Association Membership Reception World Birding Center, Edinburg (210) 826-2904 texas-wildlife.org

October 13-14

Ducks Unlimited Texoma Banquet Loy Lake Park (903) 821-7467 ducks.org/Texas

October 19

October 27-28

Galveston Bay Foundation Bike Around the Bay bikearoundthebay.org

October 15 Ducks Unlimited Lake Grapevine Dinner Grapevine Golf Course (214) 675-0550 ducks.org/Texas

Puzzle solution from Page 22

Ducks Unlimited Terrell/Kaufman Banquet El Patron, Kaufman (972) 762-5701 ducks.org/Texas

Delta Waterfowl Cleburne Dinner Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds (817) 307-4468 deltawaterfowl.org

Houston Gun Collector's Association HGCA Gun Show Reliant Center hgca.org

October 19-20

Cotulla-LaSalle County Chamber of Commerce Hunter’s Extravaganza AB Alexander Convention Center, Cotulla (830) 879-2326 cotulla-chamber.com

Taxidermy King Big Game and Trophy Mount Auction Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth (512) 451-7633 taxidermyking.com

October 20 Ducks Unlimited Rockport-Fulton Banquet Fulton Convention Center (361) 790-5917 ducks.org/Texas

October 20-21 Bass Champs Tournament 7th Annual Big Bass Tournament Lake Fork (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com Texas Team Trail Tournament Series Championship Lake Amistad (210) 788-4143 texasteamtrail.com

November 2

Bandera Chamber of Commerce 50th Annual Hunters BBQ and Outdoor Expo Mansfield Park, Bandera (830) 796-3280

November 3 Baytown Nature Center Nurture Nature Festival BNC, Baytown (281) 424-9198 baytown.org

November 8 Dallas Woods and Waters Club Monthly Meeting and Dinner Sheraton Dallas North Hotel (214) 570-8700 dwwccs.com

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