July / August 2016 TRACKS by Texas Deer Association

Elected EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Elected DIRECTORS & OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGION 1 Hugo Berlanga Mustang Ranch Corpus Christi (361) 813-9212 Term: 8/2015-8/2016 Sheldon Grothaus Texas Whitetail Breeders Hondo (210) 854-5833 Term: 8/2015-8/2018

PRESIDENT

BOB PRICE

Moss Creek Ranch Big Spring, TX (Region 2) Cell (432) 517-0269 Work (432) 393-5889 bob@mosscreekranch.net TERM 2015-2017

VICE PRESIDENT

MARK HUBBARD

Mark Hubbard Ranch Properties Boerne,TX (Region 1) Cell (361) 816-8400 hubbardranches@gmail.com TERM 2015-2017

Mark Hubbard Long Ranch Boerne (361) 816-8400 Term: 8/2015-8/2017 REGION 2 Bob Price Moss Creek Ranch Big Spring (432) 517-0269 Term: 8/2013-8/2016 Rob Beckham Spring Gap Ranch Abilene (325) 665-7889 Term: 8/2015-8/2018 REGION 3 Dick Cain Trophy Ridge Ranch Saint Jo (903) 821-6258 Term: 8/2013-8/2016 Joe Francks Three Nails Ranch Cisco (254) 631-9400 Term: 8/2015-8/2017

Ben Mooring 4M Whitetails Fort Worth (817) 822-8085 Term: 8/2015-8/2018

John Hueske T3 Whitetails Somerville (936) 520-1809 Term: 8/2014-8/2017

REGION 4 Buddy Jordan Indian Creek Ranch Spring Branch (210) 260-6711 Term: 8/2013-8/2016

REGION 7 Troy Smith Triple S Whitetail Highlands (713) 725-2723 Term: 8/2015-8/2018

Fred Gonzalez Gonzalez Whitetails Uvalde Cell (830) 279-8770 Term: 8/2015-8/2018

Zac Kennedy JZ Whitetails Gonzales (361) 293-8867 Term: 8/2014-8/2017

REGION 5 Jeff Jones Brown Trophy Whitetail Ranch Ennis (214) 534-7056 Term: 8/2014-8/2017

Scott W. Bugai, DVM Flying B Ranch Seguin (830) 556-9157 Term: 8/2013-8/2016

Mike Wood Madera Bonita Game Ranch Combine Cell (214) 356-7913 Term: 8/2013-8/2016 Carroll Glaser Emma’s Crossing Rockdale (512) 284-0807 Term: 8/2015-8/2018 REGION 6 Chris McDaniel B&C Wildlife Consulting Caldwell Cell (210)287-3226 Term: 8/2015-8/2018

REGION 8 Chase Clark Artemis Outdoors Three Rivers (361) 319-6926 Term: 8/2013-8/2016 Craig Wilson Wilson Whitetail Ranch Fair Oaks Ranch (210) 602-4531 Term: 8/2014-8/2017 Frede Edgerton Contigo Ranch Premont (210) 601-5171 Term: 8/2015-8/2018

DIRECTOR AT LARGE SECRETARY

JOHN HUESKE T3 Whitetails

Somerville, TX (Region 6)

Cell (936) 520-1809

hueskejohn@yahoo.com TERM 2015-2017

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

W. CHASE CLARK

Artemis Outdoors Three Rivers, TX (Region 8) Cell (361) 319-6926 Work (361) 786-1877

TREASURER

MIKE WOOD

Madera Bonita Game Ranch Combine, TX (Region 5) Cell (214) 356-7913 mwood@oldhamlumber.com TERM 2015-2017

“Terms for elected positions officially start following the Statewide Membership Meeting held at the TDA Annual Convention. Executive Committee members hold 2-year terms, Directors hold 3-year terms, and Officers hold annual terms.”

Gilbert Adams, III JAG Ranch Beaumont, TX (409) 781-6146

REGIONAL OFFICERS REGION 1 Sheldon Grothaus President Hondo (210) 854-5833

Steve Frisina Treasurer Fort Worth (432) 556-2970

REGION 6 Drake Heller President Houston (281) 546-7051

REGION 4 Brett Anderson Vice President Fair Oaks Ranch (210) 260-9064

Summer Wingo Vice President Center (936) 427-2773

Jason Maroney Secretary/Treasurer Kerrville (512) 748-2810

Clint Carby Secretary/Treasurer New Ulm (979) 676-1111

Bryan Lane Vice President Decatur (940) 389-2696

REGION 5 John True Vice President Dallas (214) 890-0900

REGION 7 Zac Kennedy President Gonzales (361) 293-8867

Michael Deveny Secretary Cross Plains (936) 554-4941

Jason Milligan Secretary/Treasurer Georgetown (512) 635-4327

Ryan Mills Vice President Gonzales (830) 857-3443

Hugo Berlanga Vice President Corpus Christi (361) 813-9212 REGION 3 Madison Michener President (806) 679-9320 Trophy Club

Jeremy Cook Secretary/Treasurer Gonzales (830) 857-0484 REGION 8 Roy “Smitty” Dennis President San Antonio (361) 877-2421 Lynn Collard Vice President George West ( 575) 519-8458 Valerie Erskine Secretary/Treasurer Tilden Cell (210) 705-4909

chase@artemisoutdoors.com TERM 2013-2015

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ADVISORY BOARD TDA FOUNDING FATHERS

EDITORIAL STATEMENT Tracks is the official publication of the Texas Deer Association (TDA) and is published bi-monthly year-round. Subscriptions are included in Activelevel membership dues. Articles in Tracks are independent opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of TDA. TDA assumes no responsibility for statements or advertising made or expressed in this publication. TDA reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. It is the sole responsibility of the advertiser to ensure their advertising contracts are up to date, ad artwork is current, and

SAN ANTONIO

NACOGDOCHES

GEORGE WEST

JERRY JOHNSTON

DR. JAMES KROLL

GENE RISER

(210) 288-1558

(936) 554-0998

1945-2011

submitted by each issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deadline. Materials should be emailed to publications@texasdeerassociation.com.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

November 15

TDA ADVISORY BOARD

MARCH/APRIL

Bill Grace Salado (254) 718-5084

Warren Bluntzer Lometa (512) 556-7027

Tom Malouf Wills Point (469) 222-2778

Jerry Johnston San Antonio (210) 288-1558

David Hayward Columbus (936) 870-6835

Marty Berry Corpus Christi (361) 767-7200

Dr. James Kroll Nacogdoches (936) 554-0998

January 15 MAY/JUNE

March 15

JULY/AUGUST

May 16

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

July 15

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

September 15

TDA FOUNDING DIRECTORS REGION 3 Ray Murski Meridian 1939-2011 Jon Henderson Meridian 2004 REGION 4 Bill Grace Salado (254) 718-5084 Dr. Dan McBride Burnet (512) 755-1919 Jerry Johnston San Antonio (210) 288-1558

Randy Shipp Lometa (512) 756-3194

Tom Malouf Wills Point (469) 222-2778

Slim Crapps Hondo (210) 413-9777

Glenn Sodd Corsicana (903) 396-7096

Warren Bluntzer Lometa (512) 556-7027

REGION 6 Dr. James Kroll Nacogdoches (936) 554-0998

REGION 5 Rod Green Mineola (903) 530-6326

J.N. Grimes Jacksonville (903) 721-1375

David Hayward Columbus (936) 870-6835

Robert Scherer Houston (713) 851-3767

REGION 8 Marty Berry Corpus Christi (361) 767-7200 Lee Wheeler George West (361) 449-6000 Gene Riser George West 1945-2011

WARREN BLUNTZER Senior Field Editor

thebluntzers@yahoo.com Editorial comments can be sent to: Warren Bluntzer thebluntzers@yahoo.com Advertising requests can be sent to: publications@ texasdeerassociation.com Direct all other correspondence and address changes to: TDA 816 Congress Avenue, Ste. 950 Austin, TX 78701

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NMLS493828

FINANCING TEXAS FOR 100 YEARS

HERE TO HELP YOU GROW.

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Texas never stops. Thanks to the financial support of Capital Farm Credit, neither do the farmers and ranchers who call her home. For nearly a century, we’ve helped rural Texans show the world what hard work can achieve. But the job is far from over. And as rural Texas grows further, we’ll be there. CapitalFarmCredit.com | 877.944.5500

TRACKS

CONTENT

DEPARTMENTS 12

President’s Journal

Calendar of Events

108 Advertiser’s Index 93

Tracks Classifieds

TDA WORKING FOR YOU 16

Industry News

THE BACK 40 87

Snapped In Their Tracks

Did You Know?

ABOUT THE COVER

FUTURE GENERATIONS By Butch Ramirez Do you have a great photo you want to submit for consideration? If so, please send your photo to Warren Bluntzer at thebluntzers@ yahoo.com. 4

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FEATURES

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 24 Planning and Site Assessment Important for Solar Water Systems

35 Vegetation More Than Just Cover

HUNTING & SHOOTING 50 Kid Time - Taking Youngsters Hunting

64 Out of the Ordinary 73 Hunting Where Tradition Runs Deep

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816 CONGRESS AVENUE, SUITE 950 | AUSTIN, TX 78701 WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

TEXAS DEER ASSOCIATION

STAFF

MISSION STATEMENT TDA is the unified voice of deer enthusiasts who seek to share ideas and methods to improve management and harvest of deer. TDA is a Texas deer organization that cares for the welfare and health of deer herds and methods to improve deer quality and hunting quality in Texas. We, as the TDA, are working toward better conservation, appropriate regulations and improving the overall quality of deer herds in Texas.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PATRICK TARLTON patrick@texasdeerassociation.com

PURPOSE & GOALS • To promote wise management of deer, recognizing that hunting and management are lifelong enterprises;

• • •

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

CECI WALLACE

JUDY JACKSON

ceci@texasdeerassociation.com

judy@texasdeerassociation.com

•

• • • ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

MACKENZIE OLIPHANT

PAULINE PRESTON

mackenzie@texasdeerassociation.com

pauline@texasdeerassociation.com

(512) 499-0466 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 950 Austin, TX 78701 info@texasdeerassociation.com

To be a repository and clearinghouse of accurate and high quality information and knowledge; To promote deer herd health and quality through research, technology, and flexible management practices; To improve the image and awareness of deer management and harvest through public education; To promote research and technology regarding improvements to deer herds through the practice of controlled breeding and genetic improvements; To share research findings, management techniques and harvest strategies with the membership of TDA; and To increase quality hunting opportunities for Texas hunters. The deer-breeding industry is relatively new to Texas, but data from a 2007 Texas A&M University Economic Impact Study indicates it has a $652 million annual economic impact in Texas, equivalent to the state’s rice and citrus industries.The industry’s economic contributions, especially to rural areas, tourism, real estate, wildlife, game and land management, are beginning to be noticed, not only in Texas, but in states across the nation.

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T E X A S D E E R A S S O C I AT I O N POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

Celebrating a Decade of Advocacy for the Texas Deer Industry

What is the TDA PAC and why should I give to it? TDA PAC is an investment to help protect, improve and promote the deer industry in our great state. Opponents to our industry want to impose their ideals on landowners and deer enthusiasts, and create unnecessary government regulations which costs our deer industry and our state thousands of dollars each year. Your donation helps to support legislators who understand our issues and hear our concerns, as well as, to promote our message to others. “Their knowledge of our industry is our biggest asset .”** The success of our legislative efforts in Austin have a significant impact on our industry’s future. Thank you for your support! For more information on the TDA PAC visit www.texasdeerassociation.com **Quotes from The Honorable Bill Brewster

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�� NEW HOLLAND

PC(RRIS

+Mfo·li3'15HMM+

_ � Jhe Hoffpauir-Group�is Committed to the Deer Breeding Industry. We areGenerously Offering Empluyee rFamily Rebate & Discounted Pricing Exclusive to Texas Deer Association Members. This Includes Lines at All Location But Not Limited to Vehicles. Goldwaite, Tx Hoffpauir Outdoor Superstore, Polaris Hoffpauir Chevy

Lampasas, Tx Hoffpauir Chevy, Buick, Cadillac Hoffpauir Ford Hoffpauir Ranch & Purina Feed Store Hoffy's Archery

Burnet, TX Hoffpauir Outdoors Hoffy's Gun & Pawn

For details on TDA membership pricing contact Jason Maroney at (512) 748-281O or jwmaroney@gmail.com � EXCA./BlR """'"""

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.. BUSH HOG• r..

UAVALON'

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• 11

PRESIDENT’S JOURNAL BY BOB PRICE

ONWARD AND UPWARD

ell…. The deed is done. As I write this it is June 22, 2016 and two days ago the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, in a unanimous decision, voted to adopt the rules to regulate breeders of whitetail deer henceforth as published in the Texas Register and as amended per the recommendations of TPWD staff. The rules were adopted to provide to the Department a minimum of 50% confidence in detecting CWD within the first year. To be sure, the new rules provide more burden, hardship and cost to breeders. They were touted as a necessary address of what was initially purported to constitute an “emergency” and later as a disease destined to decimate the wild population of deer across Texas and a threat to land values. The very basic premise was that CWD was epidemic (or could become epidemic) and that it originates and is promulgated from breeder pens out into the wild. We all know there is no scientific basis for either of those claims, but I will refrain from preaching to the choir in this article. Even after passage of these rules it is very important that the Texas Deer Association continue to publish factual, scientific evidence that the pen breeding operations are the most highly tested population of deer in the state. Results of CWD tests provided by TPWD show that in the last 11 months breeders have tested 11,000+ animals out of a pen population of 140,000 with two positive from a pasture operation. This is a testing level of 11% of the entire population of pen deer standing in Texas currently. TPWD has tested 10,000+ animals out of a population of 4.5 million wild deer with one positive for a sampling of 0.22%. Clearly, our animals in breeder pens are far and away the healthiest herd of deer in the state. Given the passage of the new rules, the good news is that the uncertainty is removed. No longer does a producer have to guess and worry about all the “what if ’s” associated with their business. We now know where the floor is and it is now time to begin looking upward. The bottom has been established and, with the guidance of these new rules, we can all properly evaluate the most effective business model for profitable operations. The fight was long, hard, complicated and convoluted but the original objectives of 1.) Choices and pathways for compliance and 2.) Removal of “strings” attached to our product that dissuade buyers have been met. The focus for breeders now it to first evaluate where they are in the 4 classes of breeders established within the rules and how they will proceed with regard to testing up to a higher level or conducting business within their current status. The issue of capacity, both Veterinarians and testing labs, will no doubt become real. Getting live test made, results returned, results submitted on-line and then getting TPWD to log them in timely will be an extreme hardship this summer if one expects to sell stockers this fall with no pasture testing required. By the numbers reported to me there are approximately 1,300 active breeders in the state. Around 60 of those are Texas Animal Health Commission 5 year plus Status Herds. There are approximately

140 TC-2 breeders today that qualify for advancement to TC-1 by virtue of having tested at least 80% post-mortem over the last 5 years. That leaves 1,100 breeders with an average head count of 40 deer needing to live test 50% of their age eligible animals. If 75% of any given herd is older than 16 months, there will need to be 33,000 animals tested, reported and uploaded before late September. A tall order to be sure but in that not every breeder will need to comply for fall release and thereby has until May 15, 2017 to deliver all 50% of their test results AND given that the TDA request for ability to test up after that date, there should be ability to achieve the level of certification desired. Now is the time to take a good look at the capital investment and business models utilized in our day to day operations and apply the strict letter of the rules so as to be able to best address the path to operational viability in this new regulatory environment. All members can look to the Texas Deer Association for help in interpreting, understanding and complying with the rules adopted. We will have information and education programs that have been reviewed by TPWD to insure accuracy to enable a producer to proceed with confidence. In other business, please make plans to attend the Texas Deer Association Convention at the San Antonio JW Marriott August 11-13, 2016. It will be filled with opportunity to learn and exchange information while enjoying time with the family. Please pre-register and attend all the events as well as the Superior and Select Deer Auctions. The role of Texas Deer Association in support of its members – all members, both large and small- has never been more important as we embark on a new chapter in producing the best whitetail genetics in the state. Take the opportunity to share your role as a Whitetail Deer Conservationist with your friends and neighbors and help them understand the extent and high level of responsibility you have accepted to assure their safety and the health and vitality of the Whitetail Deer resource in Texas. Meet you all outdoors as you HUNT YOUR WAY. Respectfully, Bob Price TDA President

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August 11-13, 2016 JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

www.texasdeerassociation.com

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Animals speak louder than words. If there’s greatness on the inside, it shows on the outside. purinamills.com/game-feed

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TDA WORKING FOR YOU

INDUSTRY NEWS

BLM DIRECTOR: WILD HORSE PROGRAM FACING FUTURE $1 BILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL ARTICLE BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS RENO, Nev. —The head of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management says it’s time to admit his agency has a $1 billion problem. BLM Director Neil Kornze says the administration can’t afford to wage an increasingly uphill battle to protect the ecological health of federal rangeland across the West while at the same time properly managing tens of thousands of wild horses and caring for tens of thousands more rounded up in government corals. Kornze told The Associated Press the agency may not have done as good of a job as it could have in recent years to underscore the environmental and budgetary crisis looming in its wild horse and burro program. His experts estimate $1 billion will be needed to care for the 46,000 wild horses and burros currently in U.S. holding facilities over their lifetime. That doesn’t include the cost of future efforts to shrink the population of the record-67,000 now roaming public lands in 10 Western states. “We’re trying to make an effort to be real clear about the challenges because they are significant,” Kornze said late Tuesday. “We need partners coming to the table, whether it’s states or counties or others,” he said. The 67,000 horses and burros on the range is a 15 percent increase from last year, and more than double the population that was estimated when President Nixon signed the Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act into law in 1971. The landmark legislation allows for removals but also grants the animals unique federal protection and requires they be treated humanely during and after their capture. Kornze said his agency’s horse budget has doubled since 2009 — from $40 million to more than $80 million currently — but “the trajectory of the population has just gone up and up.” Left unchecked, the population naturally doubles every four years. “It’s a double bind,” Kornze said. “There’s a very real impact on the range when the herds are overpopulated, but it costs us $50,000 per horse if the horse lives out its whole life in holding.” Kornze said one of the growing problems is a dramatic drop in the private adoptions of gathered mustangs over the past decade from about 8,000 a year to 2,500 or fewer. Critics fear BLM is exaggerating the numbers to build support for past proposals by livestock interests to slaughter the oldest mustangs that have been placed in long-term holding with little chance of being adopted. “The BLM’s numbers are inflated estimates to fear-monger elected officials into supporting a breakdown of the 1971 law,” said Anne Novak, executive director of the California-based Protect Mustangs. Kornze insisted the agency has no intention of allowing the slaughter of federal horses. But he said it’s considering spaying, neutering or otherwise sterilizing some animals that are on the range — something just as distasteful to most horse protection groups who argue the real answer lies in dramatic cutbacks in governmentsubsidized livestock grazing.

“Wild horses are present on just 12 percent of federal rangelands, which they share with livestock, and their habitat has shrunk by over 40 percent the last four decades,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign. “The feds consider 67,000 wild horses and burros to be overpopulated, yet there are only 70,000 big horn sheep remaining in the West and they are highly endangered.”

IDAHO ORDERED TO PAY NEARLY $250,000 IN LEGAL FEES IN ‘AG-GAG’ CASE ARTICLE BY CYNTHIA SEWELL, IDAHO STATESMAN A federal judge has ordered the state of Idaho to pay $249,875.08 in legal fees to the coalition of nonprofit groups that sued the state claiming its “ag-gag” law criminalizes whistleblowing and violates freedom of speech. In August, U.S. District Court Chief Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled Idaho’s law making it illegal to secretly film animal abuse at agricultural facilities violates the right to free speech. “The effect of the statute will be to suppress speech by undercover investigators and whistleblowers concerning topics of great public importance: the safety of the public food supply, the safety of agricultural workers, the treatment and health of farm animals, and the impact of business activities on the environment,” U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill stated in his Aug. 3 ruling. Lawmakers in 2014 passed the statute — dubbed the ag-gag law — after Mercy for Animals, a Los Angeles-based animal-rights group, released a video showing workers at Bettencourt Dairies in Hansen stomping, beating, dragging and abusing the cows. A coalition of nonprofit groups sued, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and Center for Food Safety, claiming the law criminalizes whistleblowing and violates freedom of speech.

USDA ANNOUNCES $6 MILLION IN AVAILABLE FUNDING FOR ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE RESEARCH ARTICLE BY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON, May 2, 2016 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $6 million to fund research to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This funding is available through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, and administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). “Through our Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan, USDA is leading the way to better understand how antibiotic resistance

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develops, find alternatives to antibiotics, and educate people on practices that reduce the need for antibiotics,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The research projects funded through this announcement will help us succeed in our efforts to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics and protect public health.” This funding announcement is one of many ways that USDA supports the Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (CARB) National Action Plan and work of the Task Force for Combating Antibiotic Resistance, which USDA co-chairs. Specifically, this program priority promotes the development of sustainable and integrated food safety strategies that reduce public health risks along the entire food chain, from producer to consumer. Applications must address one or more of the following: • Develop novel systems approaches to investigate the ecology of microbial resistance microbes and gene reservoirs in the environment in animals, in crops, in food products, or in farm-raised aquaculture products. • Develop, evaluate, and implement effective and sustainable resources and strategies, to include alternative practices, techniques, technologies or tools that mitigate emergence, spread or persistence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens within the agricultural ecosystem, in animals, in crops, and in food. • Identify critical control points for mitigating antimicrobial resistance in the pre- and post-harvest food production environment. • Design innovative training, education, and outreach resources (including web-based resources) that can be adapted by users across the food chain, including policy makers, producers, processors, retailers and consumers. • Design and conduct studies that evaluate the impact and efficacy of proposed research, education and extension/outreach interventions on antimicrobial resistance across the food chain, from primary producers to primary consumers. Since 2009, more than $82 million in food safety research and extension grants has been awarded through AFRI, including $3.4 million in fiscal year 2015 for antimicrobial resistance. Previously funded projects include a State University of New York project evaluating critical control points in dairy farm operations and a Texas A&M University project to develop science-based decision aids related to antibiotic stewardship. Applications are due August 3, 2016. See the request for applications for more information. Science funded by AFRI is vital to meeting food, fiber, and fuel demands of a growing global population. AFRI programs help develop new technologies and a workforce that will advance America’s national security, energy self-sufficiency, and public health. The President’s 2017 budget requests to fully fund AFRI for $700 million; this amount is the full funding level authorized by Congress when it established AFRI in the 2008 Farm Bill. Over the past seven years, USDA has collaborated extensively with other federal partners to safeguard America’s food supply, prevent foodborne illnesses and improve consumers’ knowledge about the food they eat. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is working to strengthen federal food safety efforts and develop strategies that emphasize a three-dimensional approach to prevent foodborne illness: prioritizing prevention; strengthening surveillance and enforcement; and improving response and recovery. At the same time, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and transformative initiatives to solve societal challenges and ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. NIFA’s integrated research, education, and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel, have resulted in user-inspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are combating childhood obesity, improving and sustaining rural economic growth, addressing water availability issues, increasing food production, finding new sources of energy, mitigating climate variability, and ensuring food safety.

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WILDLIFE GROUP PROPOSES DEER FARM CRACKDOWN TO FIGHT CWD ARTICLE BY ASSOCIATED PRESS MADISON — A prominent sportsmen’s group wants Gov. Scott Walker to crack down on captive deer farms as he considers revising the state’s chronic wasting disease tactics. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s letter to Walker, announced Thursday, asked him to impose regulations designed to keep CWD from spreading from captive deer to wild deer. The recommendations include requiring farms to double fence, installing warning devices that can detect open gates and annual fence inspections by the state or an independent inspector. The letter also suggests that farmers be required to inspect their own fences at least monthly and immediately after any major wind storms. They would have to kill their herds within a month if they haven’t double fenced and one of their deer tests positive for CWD. They also would have to maintain liability insurance to cover any damages to the state resulting from escapes. The DNR recorded 29 escapes from deer farms in 2015 alone. Nevertheless, the agency in December adopted an emergency rule allowing farmers to opt of the state’s CWD program without upgrading their fences. Before that rule, farms that refused to participate in monitoring had to install double fencing. The new rule allows them to keep single fences and not submit to monitoring, although farms still can’t import or export deer unless they’re in the program. DNR officials said it was designed to simplify farms’ regulatory burden, but the federation opposed the change out of concerns it would lead to more infected captive deer escaping. Deer farms aren’t to blame for spreading the disease, Rick Vojtik, president of the Whitetails of Wisconsin Association, which represents game farms and hunting preserves in the state, told The Associated Press. Rather, he believes birds are moving the disease from the wild herd into captive deer and he doesn’t understand how double fencing would make a difference. “We’re going to spend millions and millions of dollars (on fencing) for nothing,” Vojtik said. “(CWD is) everywhere in the wild now.” Democrats have been pressuring Walker’s administration to do more to contain CWD after infection rates hit an all-time high last year. The DNR initially tried to eradicate as many deer as possible after the disease was discovered in the state in 2002, but backed off after intense public backlash. The agency’s current plan allows for reducing local herds in areas of infection far from known clusters but emphasizes monitoring. Walker, a Republican, announced last month he’s considering a proposal from Democratic State Reps. Chris Danou and Nick Milroy to require double fencing on deer farms and adopting Illinois’ strategy of killing as many deer as possible in infected areas. The governor said last week his administration plans to come out with new proposals within the next month. Walker spokesman Jack Jablonski didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the federation’s letter.

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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

PLANNING AND SITE ASSESSMENT IMPORTANT FOR SOLAR WATERING SYSTEMS ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY ROBERT FEARS

ildlife managers often have to install watering systems in remote areas of the ranch where routing utilities to the sites can be very expensive. A good alternate for powering the pump is solar energy. Before installing a solar water system, however, site assessment and planning should be completed. “A solar-powered water pumping system is made of two basic components – PV (photovoltaic) panels and a pump,” says Dr. Michael Buschermohle, University of Tennessee. “The PV panels are the power supply with a solar cell 24

being their smallest element. Each solar cell has two or more specially prepared layers of semiconductor material that produce direct current (DC) electricity when exposed to light. This DC current is collected by wiring in the panel. It is then supplied either to a DC pump or occasionally stored in batteries for future use by the pump.” “The heart of any successful rural water program is a reliable and sustainable pumping system driven by efficient whole system design,” emphasizes Eric Macias, Chief Operating Officer of Lorentz. “The design should include use

of products with a long life, affordable maintenance and ability to monitor and measure system performance.” “Good design starts with water consumption analysis,” Macias says. “Compute quantity of required water using estimated needs of wildlife populations and amounts needed for other uses. Determine when water is needed by documenting the use cycle during the day. Identify the source of required water. Ground water from deep aquifers may be the better choice for reliability. If output of the well or surface water source cannot meet water demand, TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

then water will need to be stored.” LOCATION OF PANELS “Solar energy is very predictable, but location of the PV panels or modules is important,” Marcias continued. “To understand how to best capture solar energy, we need a quick reminder on the relationship of the earth to the sun. The earth is tilted and makes a complete rotation on its axis once every 24 hours. Earth orbits the sun once per year facing it more in summer and less in winter. Due to tilt of the earth, the sun appears higher in the sky in summer and days are longer. As you move closer to the equator, summer/winter variance becomes smaller.” Some of us need to relearn a small amount of basic physics to understand solar energy. We need to remember that radiation is a process where energy is radiated from a source. An example is solar energy radiated from the sun. Irradiation is the opposite of radiation and is a process where energy falls on a certain surface. More simply, radiation is a process where energy leaves a source and irradiation is the process by which a surface receives energy. Solar insolation is the amount of electromagnetic energy (solar radiation) that falls on the earth’s surface. By knowing the insolation levels of a particular region we can determine the required size of the solar array (set of PV panels) and energy output. An area with poor insolation levels will need a larger array than an area with high insolation levels. Insolation values are generally expressed in kWh/m2/day. This is the amount of solar energy (measured in kilowatt hours) that strikes a square meter of the earth’s surface in a single day. Values are averaged to account for differences in day lengths. “Irradiation level on the earth varies dramatically depending on atmospheric conditions, particularly the amount of cloud cover,” Macias explained. “This variation becomes important when calculating required size of solar generators, so accuracy is critical. “If the solar pump system is expected to perform during winter months, the array should be oversized to account for

low sunlight periods. Peak irradiation is 1,000 watts per square meter. If we have a 740-watt solar array and our motor requires 600 watts to achieve desired flow rate, double the array size to 1,480 watts. This will ensure maximum flow rate from the pump on days with irradiation of 500 watts per square meter.” “Consider the changing arc of the sun at different times of the year in the planning process,” continues Macias. “To maximize capture of sunlight, PV panels must be mounted tilting toward the sun which means that solar modules must be installed facing south in the northern hemisphere and facing north in the southern hemisphere. Optimum tilt angle is determined by the location’s latitude. In summer, tilt should be latitude minus 15 degrees and in winter,

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it should be latitude plus 15 degrees. As a year round compromise for pumping applications, tilt can equal the latitude. “Consider shading when planning a solar powered water system,” says Macias. “Shading caused by distant objects does not have a significant effect on output because diffused light, or light bouncing off of other surfaces, will contribute to module outputs. Shading from near objects will cause more severe drops in power and can easily stop the complete output from a module. Production levels of any modules connected in series to a shaded module is reduced to that of the shaded modules. Shading can reduce output from a module or a series of modules to zero.” When choosing a location for solar power installation, make sure that 25

SOLAR WATERING SYSTEMS nearby trees will not provide a shading effect on the PV panels. Even though trees may not be a current problem, they will continue to grow and may cause reduced output in the future. Trees have leaves in spring and summer which increases their shading effect. Tools and computer apps are available for viewing the solar path. Sunseeker, for example, provides a flat view compass and an augmented reality 3-D camera showing the solar path, its hour intervals, its winter and summer solstice paths, rise and set times, and a map showing solar direction at each daylight hour. PROVIDING ENOUGH WATER “Water storage is a key component of a reliable solar powered pumping system,” says Macias. “A minimum of one day’s water consumption should be stored and three days or more is better. Most USDA-NRCS solar pumping system designs require a minimum storage of seven days. Storage volume is based on number of water sources, number of animals to be watered and their daily water consumption. “Storing water requires almost no maintenance and is much more cost effective than storing power in batteries or hauling a generator. The only reason a generator or batteries should be used in a wildlife water supply system is when the well production is low or the water demand cannot be met by daytime pumping. If sized right, a solar pumping system should be independent of any other power source to meet water demand.” The pump system controller is a very important component because it allows the pump to start and run at reduced output in low sunlight hours. Through maximum power point tracking (MPPT), a system is optimized to produce 10 to 15 percent more water in a day. The controller also protects the pump from running dry, stores system performance data and tells the pump to shut off when the tank is full.

which should be respected,” says Macias. “Develop and follow a safety program based on local safety rules and codes of practice. Three 185 watt modules in a series generate 150 volts whereas any amount over 42 volts of either DC or AC (alternating current) electricity is considered unsafe. Handle PV modules with care and respect. “A switch to disconnect solar panels from the pump is a very important safety measure and is part of every professional installation. The disconnect switch is placed between the solar generator and controller and must be a DC type for high amperage. It must be connected as per manufacturer’s instructions. A disconnect switch is a national electrical code requirement in most countries.” Although a disconnect switch is used to cut off power to the pump, PV

modules produce power when they are in daylight and cannot be switched off. Before working on the equipment, cover PV modules with a sheet or cover of opaque material to stop power generation. Before purchase, it is important to look at maintenance costs associated with various solar pumping systems. Some systems contain non-serviceable components, meaning that the entire pump, motor and control have to be replaced when only one of the parts malfunctions. This considerably increases maintenance costs. In buying a solar water system, also compare gallon per day performance, component life expectancy and warranty coverage. Ensure that the vendor is reputable and is able to service what they sell.

SAFETY “PV panels generate DC electricity 26

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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

VEGETATION MORE THAN JUST COVER ARTICLE BY BOB ZAIGLIN

Characterized by a cluster of white flowers in the spring, kidneywood is a thornless plant sought after by whitetail deer.

s a doe walked effortlessly through a lush stand of buffle grass, her fawn playfully followed her. Standing at less than 20 inches tall, the youngster was virtually engulfed in the grass, relying on its sense of smell to locate its mother. Every once in a while, the dam would pause to scan its surroundings for danger. After several seconds of remaining immobile, she would feel the muzzle of her fawn ram into her udder in order to obtain some of the nutritious milk inside. With a gentle slap from the doeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rear leg, the fawn would back off, and the doe would continue wading through the sea of grass until she reached the brush line littered with kidneywood, when she paused once again WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

and began to engulf the palatable and nutritious terminal ends of the white-flowered brush species. Feeding on the plant for several minutes, with the fawn below her mimicking its mother by nibbling on the lower branches, the doe abruptly lifted her head and focused on a small opening in the brush on a pair of predatory yellowish eyes belonging to a coyote that stared back at her. The doe responded with a series of loud snorts while driving her right front foot aggressively into the parched soil. The coyote, failing to see the young deer ensconced in the thick grass and simply not hungry enough to take on the aggressive doe, slipped back off into the thornscrub. Seconds later the fawn exited its grassy hideout to join its dam, which 35

VEGETATION MORE THAN JUST COVER South Texas, how do we know which ones are selected most by deer? For years range and wildlife management researchers have not only observed what deer consumed, they have analyzed rumen contents to verify what species occurred most often in a deer’s diet and when. As a result, it is common knowledge as to which brush species are preferred most by deer. This information has facilitated a means by which biologists now rank various brush species based on their preference by whitetails. In other words, brush is now ranked as Class I, II, or III, which allows managers, landowners, and even hunters a method of measuring the quality of habitat they manage or hunt. For example, there are ten brush species ranked as Class I, thus a property with five, Characterized by zigzag-like branches and a simple leaf with serrated edges, the or 50%, of those top ten brush species present regrowth from this plant is nutritionally important to whitetail deer. can be assumed to be nutritionally stronger, or at least have a greater chance of developing had continued to feed on the obviously highly desirable forage larger-racked bucks than a property with only one or two of species. The whitetail’s world revolves around the vegetation that the species present. This comparison sounds simple enough until the availability makes up the habitat upon which it lives. All vegetation is critically important to their survival. Buffle grass, for example, of these highly preferred plants is considered. True all ten, is not a staple in a deer’s diet, but it, like all vegetation, 100%, of these Class I plants can occur on a particular represents protective cover for fawns, and at times shelter from property, but if they are not abundant, that is available to deer, intense heat as well as cold weather for all deer. This becomes what good are they? For example, on one of the Webb County ranches I work extremely obvious during extended drought when protective cover in the form of weeds and grasses becomes limited, with, kidneywood, one of the most desirable forage species of dramatically reducing the places where fawns can hide while the whitetail, occurs on the ranch, but only on the north end increasing the efficiency of predators such as the coyote. The of the 15,000-acre spread. One cannot disregard the plants’ presence, but its availability result is a reduction in fawn survival. But in a year with above average rainfall, an elevated occurrence of grasses, weeds, etc. is extremely limited, particularly to those deer inhabiting the southern portion of the ranch. This is why plant diversity is results in significant increases in fawn survival. Vegetation represents both protection and nutrition. The characteristic of a healthy habitat. Even though a particularly same grasses used to protect fawns represent nutrition early important plant species does not occur throughout the ranch, on in the plants’ developmental stage, but it is brush that remains critical to the animal’s survival when it comes to nutrition. South Texas whitetails are known to consume over 200 species of plants, but in some cases the plants they desire are ephemeral, that is, short-lived. For example, those nutritionally fortified forbs that decorate the landscape during the spring are critical to the production of large antlers, but their presence remains dependent on rainfall, and they are ostensibly absent during the characteristic hot, dry South Texas summers when antlers are developing and doe are giving birth. The fact is forbs grow antlers, but it’s the brush that sustains deer. And the presence of brush throughout the year makes it even more important to the survival of these herbivores. But not all brush is created equal. Some species are not only more palatable, but nutritionally beneficial to deer. And deer are extremely selective as to what The tree-like granjeno in the background is easily brush they consume, so much so they are even selective as to distinguishable from the kidneywood in the foreground. what parts of the plant they eat. With 281 different woody species known to occur throughout 36

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Deer use vegetation for a variety of reasons including communication with other deer by creating rubs as well as establishing overhanging branches.

other equally important plants exist in other portions of the property. In other words, diversity often indicates a lack of availability for some plants, but the variety of plants compensates for the absence of preferred plants in portions of a particular area. Once one realizes that not all brush species are equally nutritious or sought after by deer, it becomes important to be able to identify the species of concern. Most of the students in my vegetation ID class can initially identify a few plants like the ubiquitous prickly pear and mesquite, but the remainder, as far as they are concerned, can be lumped into one class of plants referred to as green brush. But after 15 two-hour excursions in the field with me, 80% of the students can identify at least 80 different species, which is primarily a result of redundancy, that is showing them many of the same species over and over again on a weekly basis while continually introducing new species at the same time. As they become familiar with some of the more abundant and easy to identify species, they begin to recognize the fact that other distinctly different plants exist and work on identifying those new now different-looking plants. For example, kidneywood and granjeno often occur in the same environment, but are two distinctly different plants, both highly preferred by deer. In order to distinguish the plants, an up close look at the leaves obviously separates the two immediately. First of all, granjeno is a tree-sized evergreen bush exhibiting a single leaf, referred to as a simple leaf, like that of an oak tree versus kidneywood, which exhibits a compound leaf or multiple leaves on a single rachis like that of a leaf from a pecan tree. Kidneywood is also characterized by a conspicuous elongated cluster of white flowers rising at the upper portion of the plant. It is often confused with whitebrush as it has a cluster of white flowers as well, but the leaves of whitebrush WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

are simple versus the compound leaves of kidneywood. Granjeno has a small inconspicuous whitish-colored flower, and it produces a small one-half-inch-sized orange fruit that is actually quite tasty to humans. Another major difference between the two species is the presence of thorns. One can physically run a portion of kidneywood through a closed fist without any harm, as it is one of the few brush species in South Texas that have no thorns. The same is not true for granjeno as it is characterized by zigzagged branches armed with stout thorns that are often paired. Another method of verifying kidneywood is to crush some of the leaves in one’s hand and smell the material. To me it emits a unique diesel-like smell that is similar to no other brush species. These two distinctly different brush country occupants are not only abundant, they are more importantly loaded with a substantial amount of crude protein. As a result, they are highly sought after plants by deer, thus important to deer managers. During the spring of the year, the tender, new leaves of granjeno, according to researchers Varner and Blankenship, contain 27.7% crude protein depending on climate and growth stage. During the summer period, which is often regarded as the principal stress period for deer, crude protein content is 23.5%, while in the fall it contains approximately 24% crude protein. It’s only in the winter that it drops below 20% with a 19% crude protein component. More importantly, it average 23.8% crude protein throughout the year. The percent crude protein in kidneywood ranges from a high of 24.4% in the spring to a low of 17% in the winter, with an annual average of 14.7%. The most impressive thing about these two plants is that they remain above the 16% crude protein minimum required by deer throughout the year. Although we can supplement the diet of deer during stress periods with a pelleted ration, it’s paramount that managers focus on appropriating habitat manipulation practices that not only sustain but in some cases enhance the availability of those species of brush extremely important to not only deer but all wildlife. It’s also important to remember that it is irrelevant how nutritious a plant is if it grows out of reach of the animals that need it, but by applying tools like an aerator or roller chopper, these plants can be returned to an earlier seral stage in which they are not only more available to deer, but are nutritionally stronger as well. But more important than the tools we employ to manipulate deer habitat is our ability to recognize those vegetative components most beneficial to deer.

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HUNTING & SHOOTING

KID TIME – TAKING YOUNGSTERS HUNTING ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JUDY BISHOP JUREK

These lively ladies aren’t particularly interested in shooting guns… yet. But oh, they love to wear their pink camo boots and watch wildlife in a deer blind…and eat cookies…and laugh and giggle…

he small thermometer on the side of the deer stand read 78 degrees. “How hot is 100 degrees?” asked the eight-year-old inside. The adult replied, “Oh, pretty hot. Hot enough to make you sweat.” Of course another question followed: “Well, how hot is a million degrees?” “Well, hot as a fire ant, I guess. If it was a million degrees right now we’d be fried up like crispy critters.” A small voice squeaked, “Oh.” However, the silence afterward lasted only a few seconds. “Why are we whispering?” the youngster queried. The adult replied softly, “So we don’t scare off the deer.” A groan of exasperation was caught before being audibly expressed. Looking about the inquisitive would-be hunter said quite matter-of-factly in a slightly louder whisper, “But there aren’t any deer anywhere.” The young man sighed deeply. “When are we going to see some?” After exhaling a long slow breath came the answer, “You’re right. But there might be if we’re quiet….very quiet. The deer 50

should be coming out any time now, but we have to be quiet and not move around.” The last comment was added as the youngster squirmed around in his seat. The kid suddenly hollered, “LOOK, THERE’S A DEER!” Uh-oh, there WAS a deer! ~ ~ ~ I had already started this article when I watched former First Lady Laura Bush on a news program stating today’s children are spending far less time outdoors than any previous generation. Stop and think about her statement for a moment as it’s truly sad. We all know the reasons – technology as in computers, ipads and smart phones as well as the ‘Me’ society of spending practically every waking minute concentrating on social media of every sort, not just a single one. Are these younger generations going to be able to engage in a verbal conversation while actually looking at one another in person? Will they be able to compose a decent letter or correspondence if the need arises? Can they fend for themselves in a worst case scenario of being stranded outdoors without a communication device that works? TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

Now let’s get back to where I first began. Hunting with a hour stint in a 4x4 blind would be a true test of patience…my young child full of energy and boredom is not easy. Much patience. Jack’s dad said the youngster was a handful in the depends on whether it’s being done as merely babysitting or stand so I was welcome to decline. as a teaching opportunity. Surely you, the adult hunter, aren’t Jack had a sparkle in his eye with a wide grin so what really expecting to kill something with an inquisitive lively could I say? Preparing to go out another adult male chided pint sized sidekick alongside? This is particularly true if a Jack about going hunting “with a girl” to which Jack quickly youngster’s first, or even second outing. replied, “But she’s a good hunter.” Bless his little heart; I fell in The future of hunting lies with our youth of today. Share love with Jack forever right then and there! the Heritage – Take a Kid Hunting is one pledge of the Texas Whew! At least a thousand questions later I had reWildlife Association. The Texas Game Warden Association discovered hunting through young keen eyes and a truly stands by their motto Conservation for Future Generations. inquisitive, sharp mind. I had a blast. The hug I received at Many associations and organizations have similar maxims the end of the hunt was a priceless thank-you. After that, I they follow and promote to encourage youth. We should received a hug upon every greeting and departure, a fact that all do our part by helping to put these principals to work astounded his dad as Jack wasn’t known for willingly giving ourselves. hugs. I still get them today! Hunting is not only a great sport it’s the prime opportunity Taking a youngster hunting can be very easy and/or difficult. to teach someone about ethics, outdoor skills, habitat, Quite naturally much depends on the age, activeness, and ecology, and various aspects of Mother Nature both good and maturity of the child (and you, too!). The weather can play bad. Your individual game preference is not significant. The a major role along with how, when, where and what you’re overall experience should be the most important aspect… hunting. A slightly older kid, one beginning double digit age, and the fact you spent time in the great outdoors. may be easier due to having a longer attention span. But then Annual weeklong traditions, weekend jaunts during a again, maybe not. season, or a continuous quest covering a variety of species, each hunt creates a memory. Perhaps you didn’t hunt anything but instead chose to relax and enjoy a respite from life’s everyday hassles. That in itself is a teachable moment as youngsters need to learn there’s nothing wrong with simply watching clouds in the sky or ants on the ground while listening to the wind or anything else without an electronic device in hand! Naturally there are trips more interesting than others. With many years of hunting experience, the past few years have provided many outstanding memories for me. The reason may surprise you. No massive antlered bucks have fallen to my well placed bullets for quite a long time. Venison in the freezer for delectable dining later doesn’t have to have antlers. It’s the challenge of hunting with children that’s been quite memorable. And it is a challenge as my husband and I have no kids. The children of relatives and friends, and now grandchildren, have given me unique adventures afield that are well worth each and every mistake, misstep, bump to the wall, and too many other things that produce raised eyebrows, a chortle, or downright rolling belly laughs. Each one has been totally different, exciting and above all – fun! The opening scenario of this article actually took place on my very first hunt with a youth. An adult male hunter suggested 8-year-old Brad Nauman has already started his young grandchildren Jack should go deer hunting with me. Jack and hunting. Checking snares along his high fence is an adventure I often chased rabbits around camp but a three everyone enjoys. WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

TAKING YOUNGSTERS HUNTING

I took a 15-year-old hunting not long ago. We didn’t see the mature 8-pointer I was hoping for so she could take her first buck that wasn’t a spike. Upon return her dad asked how it went. “Fine. We had a great time. Cydney is so smart and I learned a lot. We talked about all sorts of things,” I replied, meaning every word. It had been a most pleasurable hunt, listening to a teenager’s past goofs, present worries, and future plans. No wonder we didn’t see that buck – we talked too much! Her dad wrinkled his brow, shook his head, and said, “What? You talked? She talked? All she ever does is play games on her phone while we’re hunting. What’d she say? What’d she tell you? What’d ya’ll talk about?” “I’ll never tell,” I smiled. “It was ladies day, a girls’ hunt, no boys allowed. And whether you know it or not, that young gal knows a lot about hunting. She’s been paying attention and could possibly teach you a thing or two if you’d let her!” Safety, Patience, Understanding and Flexibility are words and actions to be remembered and practiced continuously when taking a youngster hunting. While you should be the teacher, don’t forget to listen and pay careful attention to your tender aged hunting partner. You might learn something! Kids are quite observant once they acquire the skill of picking wildlife out of the landscape. Don’t be rude or defensive when a youthful hunting companion gets one over on you. It will happen, just you wait. Some young hunters are surprisingly knowledgeable

about what they are doing especially with today’s hunting shows on television and Internet videos. Yet there’s also a great deal of inaccurate information so now’s the time to correct something while also informing them not to believe everything they see. Be careful, you might get tripped up by a savvy youngster. However, you may also discover all sorts of small wonders you had forgotten over the years as you turned into a more serious hunter. Sit back, have fun, and have patience. An adult often expects too much from a youngster when hunting. It may be quite difficult for the novice to remain reasonably still and/or quiet. So what if you both laugh out loud or accidentally kick the stand walls more than once? Ask as many questions as you receive but think before you say something…remember that sometimes even the most innocent remark is the one they will remember forever! Years ago sitting around a campfire I talked about jackrabbit chili being very tasty albeit a bit sweet. The next morning a quartet of young men brought me three jacks, asking if I would make them a pot of chili. The boys skinned and deboned the hares as I supervised. I added venison hamburger meat (to cut the sweetness), and while it wasn’t my best creation, there wasn’t a spoonful left over. Two years ago at a hunting show a handsome man in his early twenties stopped me. “Do you remember me, Mrs. Jurek? I’m Will. We hunted with you at Melvin and you made us the best pot of chili from They say a picture is worth a thousand words and the grin on this young man’s face with his very first deer says more than words!

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jackrabbits we brought to you and you taught us how to clean. I’ll never forget that as long as I live.” Oh my goodness me! There is something about being in a blind that makes a kid hungry and thirsty. Yes, it happens to me, too. And don’t forget the call of nature may come often and I’m not talking about a coyote yip. Boredom from not seeing game movement is a dreaded visitor on any hunt but especially true when accompanied by a youngster eagerly waiting to see something. Now is the time for whispered conversation…if that’s possible. Actually harvesting a deer, turkey, feral hog or whatever may or may not happen. Don’t be a hog if an animal appears. Share binoculars if you didn’t think to bring two pair along. If given the opportunity, study a creature from head to tail or toe or beak or whatever. This creates splendid classroom instruction. Look for distinguishing marks. Watch the animal, trying to predict its movements. The time will come for the actual hunt. Having survived the rigors of a first or second outing, you and your young protégé are seriously hunting for a deer. The youth is properly prepared to handle a weapon. Now don’t be surprised by your own actions or reaction when the moment of truth arrives. Jeff was nine when we went after his first deer. Having practiced beforehand we knew he had to sit in my lap to correctly shoulder the rifle for a comfortable and hopefully accurate shot. A long horned spike arrived so we got ready. Breathing rapidly, starting to shake with buck fever, I told Jeff to take his time. He replied with a confident, “I know.” I waited for Jeff to pull the trigger although I could scarcely contain my excitement. Instead he drew back from the scope to scold me! “Calm down, Aunt Judy. Quit shaking! I can’t shoot!” It was me, not him! Cool and steady as a rock, Jeff dropped the buck in its

tracks with a perfect shot, thus entering the world of successful deer hunters. But I almost blew it for him! Never push a youngster into hunting. Let him or her decide when they’re ready, when they want to pull the trigger. Also at age nine Greg insisted he wanted to take a deer. A long day of hunting included his brother taking a small wild hog while Greg bagged a buck. Receiving biology and anatomy lessons, the young men helped me dress and quarter both animals. That evening Greg proclaimed I had given him the best gross day of his life. Wow! What more could I ask for? However, he also declared he enjoyed shooting but not gutting and skinning big game. His parents and I were informed right then he would never take another deer and he hasn’t. Greg does engage in dove, duck, and goose hunting and cleans them without a problem. Hunting with teenagers can be quite an experience as well. Teetering on that high wire between kid and adult, trying hard to act mature, they create memorable moments. I was in a deer blind with Lane, 13, when he got his first coyote. Several song dogs appeared, romping in and out of the sendero we were watching. It seemed forever before a decent shot presented itself. Seconds later the entire stand began shaking as Lane declared exuberantly, “I’m excited NOW!” At age 14 Blake missed a buck that really got his blood pumping. With a part whine, part cry trying to hold back tears while being totally mad at himself, Blake exclaimed, “I thought I had outgrown the shakes!” No, my dear young man, it happens to the best of us regardless of age! Some of us never outgrow it; I get more nervous trying to shoot a doe than a buck. Hog hunting with fifteen year old Kevin had not been very exciting. The day had been long with just one small hog harvested out of only two run-ins with porkers. A quiet, mannerly young man, Kevin hadn’t gotten a shot at all.

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Right at dark on the way back in to call it a day, Kevin brought home the bacon in the form of a 240 pound boar. His grin from ear to ear told the whole story. An adventuresome yet educational outing had several adults accompanying five kids ages nine to seventeen on a rabbit hunt. Safety was at the forefront as the night revealed raccoons, skunks, armadillos, rattlesnake trails across dirt roads, one bobcat, numerous deer, and dozens of shouts, “I saw something!” Jackrabbits and cottontails were plentiful. A huge dinner of rabbit fricassee resulted from the bounty. Talk about fun! We had it. This time of year is a great time to start kids hunting as there are multiple things to pursue: shed antlers; squirrels, rabbits and javelina (check your county as there may be a season and/or limit); varmints; exotics; and of course, feral hogs. Hunt for trophy trout as well as channel, blue, and yellow catfish…ok, that’s called fishing but you can turn it into a hunt for fish. Whatever – it gets you and some kiddos outdoors. Any type hunting with a youngster can be a fine experience but it is up to you, the adult, to make it happen. If given the chance, you may find yourself transported back in time to your very first hunt or two or three. I’m willing to bet you can recall those early hunts with much clarity, details and all. Pass it on! The time will come when you’re sitting around a cozy campfire reminiscing about past hunts when suddenly a voice starts telling about a hunt they had with YOU long ago. That person proceeds to tell a tale of special things happening that particular day, events which shaped the hunter they became, and are now passing it along to another young hunter, perhaps their own child. It will be a wonderful feeling to know you had an effect on someone else. Take a kid hunting. It’s well worth every minute! 53

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HUNTING & SHOOTING

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JUDY BISHOP JUREK

A Missouri native, this 3-stemmed Foxglove grew out of the ordinary all alone in the middle of 80 Hill Country acres. A bird or the wind likely planted it from parts unknown.

hunderstorms loudly rolled through central Texas from west to east just before dawn, leaving the landscape clean, fresh, and damp. Taking my canine for an early morning walk, all was peaceful and still. A cottontail hopped across our path producing a whimper whine as Zarr wanted badly to give chase but knew the answer was a firm negative. Bobwhite quail called in several directions as a distant gobble rang out from the creek bottom. Something caught my eye. Looking up a massive flight of seagulls passed silently overhead barely above the tree line. Instantly I was struck by the sight…seagulls? Up here in the very center of the Lone Star state near Brady? I’d grown up on the Texas coast where seagulls are common, even 100+ miles inland but I’d never seen them in my nearly five years here. 64

A second huge flight passed over us a few minutes later, all headed east. Lovely to witness but weird! Seemingly quite out of place for where I was located at the moment. I knew many lakes dotted the area but again I’d never seen gulls on or around them. I was somewhat in awe as we continued our walk… Ordinary. Webster’s defines the meaning as ‘of a kind to be expected in the normal order of events; routine; usual; of common quality, rank, or ability.’ My often used Thesaurus states similar meanings as normal, commonplace, usual, regular, everyday, conventional, average, familiar, routine, common, mundane, run of the mill, dull, drab, and predictable, just to name a few. Everyone sees, hears, feels, smells, and tastes familiar things TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

every day, every hour. But when something takes place that is out of the ordinary, it often produces a brand new sensation. The reaction may be wonderful or terrible or anywhere in between but whatever way it strikes you it is likely to be memorable simply because it is out of the ordinary. And that, my friend, is what this article is about…the unusual, uncommon, and perhaps even extraordinary scenes or events that everyone, at one time or another, has experienced. MORE BIRDS

Kay, “I kept thinking ‘gullet equals pelican; pelican equals ocean’ but I’m in south Texas not far from Uvalde and the Rio Grande. How can this be? It’s something I’ll never forget and still astounds me when I remember it. I’ve never witnessed the huge birds again.” Paul suddenly, tragically lost his 13-year-old son years ago. “The day after Toby got killed a pure white dove with red eyes landed on a low limb in my back yard. It stayed for five days before departing. I could almost touch it. I’d put my hand within one inch of the dove but it would slowly move a few steps away. I would talk. It would coo back.” Paul stated it returned a week later. “I was happy to see this beautiful white dove and it was the same way as before. I would talk. The bird would look at me and coo. The next morning I went out to visit it. The dove cooed, flapped its wings and flew up, then circled me two times before leaving.” Reminiscing, Paul concluded, “I never saw it again. It was like the dove was telling me that Toby was O.K. and to stop grieving.”

Years ago outside our country home with no neighbors for miles I kept hearing a beautiful yet unusual bird song. Finally I spied the singer…a gorgeous turquoise and white parakeet sitting on a broad sycamore limb. Where it came from I have no idea. For several hours it happily sang outside my house until flying away never to be seen or heard again. It was out of the ordinary. Bird sightings seem to be common. Cecilia said, “One day I was outside looking down at the grass when I thought I saw UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS a hummingbird flying very low just over the grass tops. It was the size of my thumbnail and very colorful. It almost looked Due to a recent injury, Zarr must be on a leash for any activity, like a moth until I saw a tiny beak. It was so strange to see.” hence multiple daily excursions to break his confinement On a south boredom. On one of Texas ranch Kay our treks my faithful Piebald whitetails are out of the ordinary especially when it’s a nice 8-point buck had an interesting companion desired scoring 138+B&C. James Curtis had a full body mount created of his unique East experience. Trying getting off the Texas trophy. to kill coyotes, a beaten trail. Area hog head had been grass and brush was wired to a pipe short so we ventured near their small forth. Zarr suddenly lake. Parking the stopped, sniffing a jeep some distance shaft of gorgeous away, Kay snuck up blooms. There were on the dam to peek no others anywhere, over at the hog head. just this single plant Instead of coyotes with three stems she saw 12-15 huge of very pale pink white birds quietly somewhat bell swimming. shaped flowers. I “It took about was intrigued. 30 seconds before U p o n they noticed me. investigation I I’ll never forget how discovered this gracefully they lifted was a Cobaea up out of the water Penstemon, also to fly. They were known as a Foxglove solid white except for a black fringe of feathers along the edge Beardtongue or Prairie Beardtongue. It’s native to Missouri of their wings, and big bright yellow gullets. I think I was very and the central plains states. How, when and why did it pop lucky to have seen them!! Wish I had had a camera!” up in the middle of 80 hill country acres all by its lonesome? Back at camp she pulled out her bird book (The Birds of The answer is most likely a bird or the wind carried a seed in Texas by John L. Tveten) to learn the American White Pelican from parts unknown but it made for a most unusual out of the ranges from central Canada, Minnesota, Colorado, Nevada ordinary moment and memory. and California but migrates to the Gulf in the fall. There have Ginny and Max were hunting in the middle of a 12,000 acre been sporadic breeding records along the Texas coast. There’s ranch when a Dachshund came into view. They called to the one colony of them on an island in Laguna Madre in Kleberg gaunt, dehydrated, and disoriented little dog. With wagging County. tail it somewhat hesitantly came to them. The landowners, “When it happened I couldn’t believe my eyes!” exclaimed ranch personnel, other hunters, area veterinarians, and lost WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

OUT OF THE ORDINARY

This South Texas toad featured dark and light gray camouflage with a bright yellow/ orange underside. Discovered after an old shack on skids was removed, it was out of the ordinary and never seen again.

and found ad failed to locate the owner. Lucky found a new home for over a dozen years before old age took its toll. At our Whitsett deer camp, having received landowner permission, we removed a dilapidated skid mounted shack as it was a rodent, snake, and varmint attractant. A few hours later while completing cleanup of the area, I discovered an unusual camouflaged toad. It was dark and light gray with a bright yellowish orange underside. It was left alone and never again seen. Alligator sightings are common in Louisiana and many coastal areas of the Lone Star state. However, Jack and Johnice were surprised when traveling down FM 791 west of Falls City to yield for a gator in the highway! “It was a really hot day when we spotted something up ahead in the road,” said Johnice. “We were astounded to see about a ten footer crossing in front of us, headed to a large pond on the other side. To us it was certainly out of the ordinary!” FISH TALES While fishing the Colorado River near Columbus, Walter recalls catching a large channel catfish that wasn’t of the usual variety. “It was covered with white spots, like the rump of an Appaloosa. It appeared totally normal so we ate it. Tasted fine.” Jerry said he once caught a blue gill perch with two tails. When placed in the water, both were used to swim. “We kept 66

it in an aquarium for several years as it was most certainly a conversation piece.” Karen had a small crab latched onto cut mullet when a 22 inch redfish shot across the water to eat it, providing her with a nice supper that night. Winding in for another cast, a large snapping turtle grabbed Steve’s frog bait. Several people told tales of reeling in a small fish only to have a larger one, the same or a different species, seize their catch right in front of their eyes. Veteran saltwater fisherman Jim recalls two Gulf of Mexico out of the ordinary experiences. Fishing weed lines way offshore, a boat with four men approached. “They said they were fishing a Sargent tournament…then asked where Sargent was.” Jim chuckled, “I pointed and they took off. I guess they made it but for all I know we could have pointed them to Cuba. I was somewhat amazed they were out in the Gulf with no clue where they were. Huh!” Another time Jim and three friends were 20 miles offshore when a boat approaching with much flopping in the water beside and behind it. Pulling up alongside, the party was fishing in a shark tournament and had a large tiger shark roped to the boat. They asked for help loading it but first wondered if Jim and his crew wanted to catch the numerous ling following them. “We immediately hooked one ling but the others wouldn’t take a bait,” Jim said, “However, they never left and kept TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

swimming around the boats and shark. That tiger was somewhere around 700-800 pounds; the biggest I’d ever seen. We tried & tried but could not load the entire shark in their boat.” “They finally tied it off with the head in the boat, tail in the water before heading for Matagorda. They made the weighin just before deadline and won the tournament. “I usually carried a camera but that day had forgotten it.” With a laugh, Jim added, “It was pre-cell phone cameras. I’d never seen ling like that before nor have I since.” WEATHER PHENOMENON Weather has the ability to produce many out of the ordinary experiences. I’d seen photos but never actually been hit suddenly and totally unexpectedly by a dust storm. It happened one day on the outskirts of San Angelo as a norther pushed a wall of north Texas red sand and dirt ahead of it. The sight of boiling red dust coming at you is ominous with a feeling of helplessness. Instantly I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face and I was driving! I was afraid to go forward yet scared to stop. Luckily after several long frightful minutes the density lessened enough for me to see the center road stripes enabling me to drive out of the dust rampage. It made the news that night. Many years ago living on the Gulf coast prairie a powerful arctic front hit with much force. It’s hard to describe the clash of the dry cold air mass against the hot humidity. As the norther approached I watched in awe as a massive white (vapor?) cloud rolled over the ground like a giant tumble weed, running alongside a wooded creek bottom. The temperature dropped nearly fifty degrees in minutes. I’ve never witnessed anything like it again. While driving near Mason in April 2012 with the sun clearly in the west, in an otherwise blue sky with wispy clouds there appeared a bright white light with a golden rim along its right edge. I pulled over to take several photos. Was it a ‘hole’ in the thin clouds with the sun’s reflection casting the golden glow? Whatever it was, it didn’t last long and was definitely out of the ordinary. JACKS OUT OF THE BOX Living in the country has many benefits city folks seldom get to enjoy. Randy loves to watch the sun rise having coffee on his back porch. Four years ago the coyote population had exploded around him, thus prompting a pair of jackrabbits to move into his yard. “I think they realized it was a safe haven. While they aren’t tame by any means, they aren’t scared of me,” laughed Randy. “The pair has multiplied; there are currently ten although I’ve lost a few over the years. They will let me get within about six feet before moving. They’ll stay under a trailer while I’m hooking it up and will come up close when I’m sitting outside the barn. I like ‘em!” Randy says he sighted a bobcat last week WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

and for two days no hares appeared at all. “The bobcat must have moved on as the jackrabbits have reappeared.” He also has a fox pair with a den under a junk iron pile. “They’ve raised a litter of pups for four years now, then move out. I watched the female yesterday trying to coax her pups outside. It will happen any day now,” said Randy. “I have a pair of roadrunners and for the first time a pair of quail. While none of this may be out of the ordinary, it’s such a pleasure to watch wildlife while the sun comes up…or goes down. I’m a lucky man!” OTHER STUFF Sometimes we see something out of the ordinary simply due to color or shape, like the toad mentioned earlier. In Columbia Lakes near West Columbia resides a totally white squirrel. At a Bandera RV park we’ve been going to for years there’s a very light gray whitetail doe passing her coloring to her offspring every year. The Houston Zoo has a leuistic (white) alligator named Blanco that’s 30 years old. Sometimes whitetail deer are colored like a paint or pinto horse. They are called piebalds. James Curtis killed a fine East Texas piebald buck in 2008 that tipped the scales at 195 pounds whole weight. The typical eight-point was seen a few times in the years before and a late summer sighting of the buck led to the family agreeing whoever saw it first should take it. James was almost dumbfounded when hunting with a friend and actually discussing the buck, it walked out broadside. His shot was true. The piebald was aged at 5-1/2 years old, which is unusual as these odd colored deer are easy targets for predators as well as hunters. With a gross score of 138-5/8 B&C, James had a full body mount created of his out of the ordinary whitetail. I once had a crossbred cow with an almost perfect white heart in the center of its broad forehead. I’ve seen a photo of Mickey Mouse ears and face outlined on a Holstein cow’s side. A friend recently had a paint filly born with the shape of a rabbit on its shoulder and ribs. Although she has a long official registry name, the horse has already been dubbed Bunny. Another paint mare I know has a perfect circle between her eyes, thus she’s named Dot. BE PREPARED How many times have you seen something but know others possibly won’t believe you when you recall it? How many times have you wished you had a camera to prove what you saw? Smart phones and ipads with cameras now enable many out of the ordinary scenes to be captured as testimony you did see something unusual, extraordinary or just plain different than expected. Like the Boy Scouts, you should always be prepared. Have fun and keep your eyes open as you never know when you may encounter something out of the ordinary! 67

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Sekula Whitetail Ranch

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HUNTING & SHOOTING

HUNTING WHERE TRADITION RUNS DEEP

Photo by Luke Clayton

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY LUKE CLAYTON

Luke took this fine gobbler this spring on the White Ranch near Nemo.

emo, TX. For the past couple of decades, my friend Randy Routh has been telling me about the White Ranch where he has been hunting since the nineties. Randy and several of his friends help the White family work cattle on the ranch and through the years, the group has set up a nice little hunting camp on the property. Many youngsters have been introduced to the outdoor lifestyle thanks to these veteran outdoorsmen. Routh took Mr. White’s granddaughter, Kelse now (Kelse White Rose) on her first deer hunt when she was thirteen. Kelse harvested one of the biggest WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

typical 8 point whitetails taken on the place during this hunt and developed into a “sure nuff ’ outdoor lady. Routh says he remembers Kelse bringing he and the guys cookies and lemonade when they were working cattle. Today, he kids, “She no longer brings us snacks but rather is right in the middle of things, giving orders!” In essence Ruth and the other hunters trade their skills and labor working on the ranch for hunting rights but it’s easy to see the relationship between hunters and landowners go much farther than this. After spending a couple of days hunting turkey with Routh on the ranch, it was clearly obvious to me that all these folks have become very close through the years. Reese White passed away a little over a year ago, well into his eighties and with the stories I have been told about this gentleman, I could write a fair sized book. I truly regret not getting to spend some time with Reese, listening to the stories of his life and those that were passed along to him from his parents who also lived on the ranch. Mr. White was a well educated man that could identify every plant, animal and insect on his place and from what I’ve learned, was a pretty adventuresome fellow back in his younger days. The remains of a small hanger are still on the ranch where he housed his light airplane back in his youth. I’ve been told of some daring flights Reese made along the nearby Brazos River back fifty or so years ago. The White Ranch is steeped in a rich history of frontier life and much of the knowledge of the ranch in its early days was passed along to Reese. Reese’s brother, Sam who is well into his 90’s, still owns land adjacent the ranch that was part of the original spread. When I arrived at the ranch, Routh introduced me to Tim White who is Reese’s son. Tim grew up on the ranch and shared a few stories about when he was growing up on the place. It was crystal clear to me that Tim loves the land and will do everything in his power to insure that the ranches’ rich history will be preserved. We were visiting next to an old split rail cedar fence that Tim told me was built in the 1890’s. The fence was still in use for penning cattle up until a few years ago and is currently under reconstruction. Upon close inspection, I found the split cedar rails to be as solid as they day they were stacked in place way before the combustion 73

HUNTING WHERE TRADITION RUNS DEEP

This beautiful waterfall, situated on Buck Creek on the White Ranch has long been a spot for taking a “summer dip”. It’s a good bet that Charles Goodnight and White Parker, the son of Quanah Parker, bathed and swam here.

engine and electricity changed the world forever. Within walking distance from the hunting camp, an old cedar log house still remains that was constructed by Charles Goodnight and his men back in the late 1800’s. The cabin was first constructed a quarter mile so from its present location and several years ago, the logs were marked and the cabin relocated closer to the present day homestead. The family built a metal roof over the structure and the logs are as solid today as when Goodnight carved the notches and put them in place. Standing beside this ancient old structure, photographing the notches in the logs, I was caught up in a time machine of sorts, I could almost hear the crosscut saws and axes transforming rough cedar logs into a frontier home. It was interesting to note that the windows were small and set high into the sides of the structure. Houses back in those days served double duty not only as living quarters but also as forts for protection against Indian raids. I studied the old logs closely and found a couple of indentions that could have been made by bullets but that’s strictly speculation on my part. It would be interesting though, to check for metal embedded in the logs. It’s interesting to note that this wild country along the Brazos was the origin of many of the famous cattle drives to northern railheads. Back in late 1800’s this area was still largely untamed frontier. It’s interesting to note that when Quanah Parker was a young man, he lived the life of a Stone Age warrior who led raids on many of the frontier ranches. He lived the Comanche way of life, hunting, fighting and living the nomadic life common to plains Indians. Quanah was, of course, the son of the noted Comanche warrior Chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker who was taken hostage as a child of nine years old by 74

a raiding band of Comanche in 1836 from Ft. Parker, near the present day town of Groesbeck. Quanah made the transition from an ancient lifestyle to that of a successful businessman and chief of the Comanche. I’m sure his son White Parker must have given much thought to this fact when visiting with his friends the White family on their vast ranch back in the first half of the past century. Frontier farmers/ranchers in this part of Texas had to keep one eye on their task at hand and the other watching for roving bands of Comanche. Many believe the feral longhorns that the drovers rounded up were all from the brush country of South Texas but in truth, this Brazos River country was where many of the big cattle drives started. White Parker, the son of the famous Comanche chief Quanah Parker, was a great friend of the White family and he made frequent visits/hunting trips to the ranch back in the first half of the past century. Mr. Parker would bring his family and set up several Indian lodges near where the hunting camp is situated today. He would spend his days hunting with his short, power “Comanche” bows with which he was deadly accurate. As I took my state of the art Darton 3800 compound bow out of its case in preparation for the hunt, I couldn’t help but wonder what White Parker would think if someone would have handed him such a bow back in his hunting days! I was here to hunt turkeys and enjoy some “camp life” with my longtime friend Randy. As Randy drove his ATV back into the interior of the ranch, we spotted a couple of hen turkeys running through the center of a big meadow. Randy commented that he had called many turkeys out of the wood line into this open meadow in the TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

These logs of this old cabin on the White Ranch were cut and put in place back in the late 1800’s by cattle driver Charles Goodnight and his men.

past couple of decades. The place had “wild turkey” written all over it! Lots of grass and weeds for insects for turkey to eat, surrounded by plenty of cover in the adjacent woods. As we continued down into the woods, I could hear running water. The appropriately named Buck Creek was running full, thanks to a very wet spring. Adjacent the creek banks grew some huge live oaks that were surely standing sentry for at least the past 150 years. Randy took the time to show me a spot with a four foot waterfall that emptied into a deep hole in the creek. This is a favorite summer swimming spot for the hunters and White family. I am positive that not only Charlie Goodnight but the White Parker and his family used this remote spot as a summer “cooling off ” destination. The creek bottom was solid rock, indicating that water has been tumbling over this structure for eons. As we approached the waterfall, we disturbed a gigantic gobbler that had come down for an afternoon drink. With a thick bushy beard that looked to be at least a foot long, the gobbler with his red and blue head and neck and iridescent feathers was quite a sigh, especially with a backdrop as magnificent as the falls. This will surely be engrained in my mind as one of the most beautiful sights I’ve been blessed to witness in more than sixty years of spending time in the outdoors. Rather than take to wing, the big gobbler ran from water’s edge to the top of the high bank and disappeared into the brush. Randy stopped his ATV on the edge of a remote clearing not far from the creek. Ancient live oaks grew along the edge of the clearing and I noted turkey scratching and droppings under the trees. With all this sign, I was feeling pretty good about harvesting a bird on this afternoon hunt. When the majority of hens are on nests, as they usually the latter portion of the season, gobblers are often up and looking for love during the afternoon hours. I placed my hen decoy in a spot WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

where it would be visible to approaching gobblers from three directions, pulled my face mask down to conceal my face and settled down into a well camouflaged ground blind. In about thirty minutes, I watched a lone hen working along an open spot in the clearing, heading my way. She simply meandered along and disappeared into the oaks along the creek in front of my blind. I had a feeling she might have a gobbler on her trail. A few hen yelps on my box call was answered by a resounding gobble from the far side of the clearing. I learned a long time ago that overcalling often does more harm than good in the turkey woods. A turkey gobbler has built in GPS and has the ability to precisely pin point the origin of a hen yelp. I remained silent and kept an eye pealed in the direction I’d heard the gobbler. In a matter of minutes, a mature old gobbler came strutting within easy range and I soon had my bird on the ground. I had plenty of time to contemplate my hunt while waiting for darkness when my friend came to pick me up. I had just killed a wild turkey from a spot that, I’m positive White Parker had hunted many years before. I sincerely hope that our way of life continues and that 80 years from now, another hunter will harvest their turkey from this spot beside Buck Creek. With Tim Parker and his daughter Kelse still living close to the land, I came away from my hunt feeling that this very special ranch is in very good hands. Luke Clayton is an outdoors writer from Combine, Texas. His bylines appear regularly in over 20 newspapers across the state and several outdoor magazines. His radio show, “Outdoors with Luke Clayton and Friends” features a segment highlighting the Texas Deer Association each week. Listen online anytime at www.catfishradio.com. 75

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ILS A T E T DLINES I H L B W G N A I D D TAJA USTRY LEA IND

TAJADA WHITETAIL RANCH

EXPRESS / FREE AGENT / PRIME TIME'S SISTER

GUNSLINGER

WOMB BRO TO HR'S EARTHQUAKE

EPICENTER 2 YEAR OLD PICTURE

epicenter... high roLLerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best kept secret!

TAJADA WHITETAIL RANCH

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

Frames

TAJADA

Open

WHITETAIL RANCH

Big Wide

DNA 48543 34" WIDE • OVER 300”

JESSE JAMES

DNA 140153

232" @ 1 YEAR OLD

HIGH232NOON 3/8" YEARLING TAJADA

WHITETAIL RANCH

GEORGE TUNAL TAJADAWHITETAILS@GMAIL.COM (832) 622-2571 81

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GOAT

EED

RANCH dnas#118281

Phone: 903-277-3252 Fax: 903-831-4656 www.goatweedranch.com larryhaey46@yahoo.com Mailing Address: 530 Sowell Lane, Texarkana, TX 75501 Ranch Location: Highway 8 (2 miles south of Douglasville, TX)

proven Producer SemenAvailable

Grizzly 30352

607yd 15531

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM Certified Tier 1 - TAHC

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

2015 BREEDING LINEUP FOR

OVERNIGHT EXPRESS TRIPLE CROWN / MISS HR 10 YARDSTICK / MAXBO - BLUE 510 (DREAMBO'S WOMB SISTER) DREAMBO / ORANGE 312 (SWEET DREAMS' FULL SISTER) FREEZE FRAME / MONARCH - MISS HR 10 (NO LIMIT'S WOMB SISTER) KID DYNAMITE / YARDSTICK - MAXBO / BLUE 510 KID DYNAMITE / EXPRESS - DREAMBUCK / TOPSY KID DYNAMITE / LONGHORN - MONARCH'S DAM (MONARCH'S FULL SISTER) KID DYNAMITE / DAGGERDROP - MONARCH'S DAM DREAMBUCK / TOPSY EASY DOES IT / TOPSY GLADIATOR'S HAMMER / MAXBO - DOUBLEDROP / YANKEE DOODLE DANDY YARDSTICK / HIGHROLLER - ESCALADE'S WOMB EASY DOES IT / HARDCORE - TEXAS QUEEN HA HARDCORE / DR D - HOLLY (PRIMETIME'S FULL SISTER) TEBOW / DR D - HOLLY (PRIMETIME'S FULL SISTER)

Texas TX 1058

JOHN TRUE | 214-890-0900

WWW.BIGRACKRANCHWHITETAILS.COM

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

IT’S NOT JUST IN THE NAME; IT’S IN OUR DNA...

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! HWH has Acquired Exclusive Texas and Mexico Semen Rights!

JAMES MOSES

MAJOR LEAGUE DNAS# 200602

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT

GREG ALMOND 214-202-5712 GREG@HWHWHITETAILS.COM

WWW.HWHWHITETAILS.COM WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

THE BACK 40

SNAPPED IN THEIR TRACKS

JACK RABBIT: A TEXAS ICON

PHOTO BY BOB ZAIGLIN

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

THE BACK 40

DID YOU KNOW?

INTERESTING FACTS BY WARREN BLUNTZER

The owner and operator of Warren Bluntzer Wildlife Consulting Services, inc., which serves Texas and the nation in wildlife consulting services.

Spring is here; you better be ready.

photo by Warren Bluntzer

Point to Ponder

Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them. Think it over! See you down the trail! Warren

Bobcats

Whip-Poor-Wills

Bobcats are believed to have evolved from the Eurasian Lynx and crossed into North America by way of the Bering land bridge 20,000 years ago.

Whip- poor - wills once were thought to suck the milk from female goats and cause them to dry up (old wivesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tales). In early days they were called goat suckers.

House Flies

Carp

House flies only live 2 to 5 weeks and can lay up to 500 eggs. They can survive by hibernating in the winter. (Here they come!)

The common carp. Is now listed as listed as one of the worlds most invasive species. It is now in the top 100.

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

Serving All Texas Ranches

Standing Seam Metal R-Panel Metal Stone Coated Steel DesignerRoofing.com

972.644.6556

TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

THE BACK 40

GOOD HUMOR

CARTOON BY RICHARD STUBLER

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

TEXAS DEER ASSOCIATION

CALENDAR

JULY

July 30, 2016

TDA REGION 6 ANNUAL MEETING High Roller Whitetails Center, TX

AUGUST

July 8, 2016

July 13, 2016, 12PM

TDA REGION 5 TOWN HALL MEETING Big Rack Ranch Terrell, TX

July 16, 2016

WHITETAIL DEER FARMERS of OHIO SUMMER PICNIC Ohio

July 22-24, 2016

TROPHY GAME RECORDS of the WORLD38th Annual Big Buck Contest Awards Ceremony Inn of the Hills Resort & Conference Center Kerrville, TX

July 27-30, 2016

NORTH AMERICAN ELK BREEDERS ASSOCIATION- 26th Annual Convention & International Antler Competition Ramada Plaza Convention Center Omaha, NE

WHITETAILS of LOUISIANA EXPO Lafayette, LA

August 11-13, 2016

18TH ANNUAL TDA CONVENTION JW Marriott, San Antonio, Hill Country Resort & Spa 23808 Resort Pkwy San Antonio, TX 78261

August 25, 2016 9AM

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT COMMISSION MEETING TPWD Headquarters 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744 For info, contact (512) 389-4800

OCTOBER HUNT YOUR WAY October 13-19, 2016

August 23, 2016 8:30AM

TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION MEETING 2105 Kramar Lane, Austin, TX

August 24, 2016 2PM

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT COMMISSION- Annual Public Hearing TPWD Headquarters 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744 For info, contact (512) 389-4800

UNITED STATES ANIMAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE Sheraton Hotel Greensboro, NC

DECEMBER

December 3-5, 2016

TEXAS FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING Rivercenter Marriott San Antonio, TX

STAY CONNECTED! "Like" TDA on

FACEBOOK! 92

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TEXAS DEER ASSOCIATION

CLASSIFIEDS

Deer - Horse - Cattle - Hog Proof Fence

903-292-0525

TejasRanchFence.com

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

U.S. PATENTS 8201520, 7370605, 6920841, D575908, D599503, D602649, D603104, D603105, D604017, D603566, D624706, D624708, D622453, D624707, D636942, D629572, D629976, D629975, D624709, D630802, D630653, D647253, D642750, D681883 • OTHER PATENTS PENDING • U.S. TRADEMARKS 3629190 & 3625066

NEW! Outback Wildlife Blinds featuring Outback Wildlife Custom Camo Outback Wildlife LONE STAR HUNTING BLIND The Outback Wildlife Lone Star Edition is our premier blind that features a fully insulated blind with four flip-up combo slider windows, full faux leather interior with wood trimmed corner shelves and faux leather wrapped shooting rails, fold-up shooting bench that accommodates right- and left-handed shooters, fully trimmed with special blackout ceiling and tinted windows. Blind sizes: 6’x6’/6’x8’/8’x8’ Tower sizes: 5’/10’/15’

Outback Blinds feature all aluminum tubular framing, decking and aluminum exterior sheeting; making them superior to other blinds by being lightweight and will not rust or rot, ensuring you years of use. • Flip-up combo slider windows • Tinted & tempered glass windows • RV style door with slam latch • All aluminum tower, porch & ladder • Padded shooting rail • Carpeted flooring • Corner shelves • 6’4” ht. inside clearance

Outback Wildlife RENEGADE HUNTING BLIND

The Outback Wildlife Renegade Edition is an all aluminum blind that is a fully functional blind. With its all aluminum design, you will get years of use from this maintenance-free blind. • Fully insulated • One large flip-up shooter’s window • Three 18” tall center slide windows • Shooting rails at each window • Fully carpeted • Corner shelving • RV door • Tinted windows • Blacked-out ceiling Blind sizes: 6’x6’/6’x8’ Tower sizes: 5’/10’/15’

Outback Wildlife LONGHORN HUNTING BLIND The Outback Longhorn Edition is an non-insulated blind. All aluminum framing and exterior, 100% all welded frame that will not rust, while being comparative in cost to a fiberglass or steel blind. • Fully carpeted • Sliding center windows • Corner shelving • RV door • Shooting rails at each window • Tinted windows Blind sizes: 4’x6’/ 6’x6’/‘6x8’ Tower sizes: 5’/10’/15’

Quiet ShOck WindOWS

One of the worst things about hunting in a blind is noise. Trying to open noisy windows when opportunity presents itself. The Outback Wildlife Blinds feature the Quiet Shock Window. Just unlatch the window and simply push them open and the shock will gently raise the window, leaving your game unaware of your presence.

Aluminum deck board floors

All welded tubular frame

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM See all our products! Contact us for a brochure or see online at outbackfeeders.com or kickinbackkreations.com 96

Built Right the FIRST TIME to last a LIFETIME CP REGULATOR The Regulator has “The Timer” inside the gravity flow system allowing control of the feed amount while maintaining dispensed feed inside the feeder housing and tubes. You program to dispense feed up to 6 times/day at the rate of 2 lbs./second & 360 lbs./day max. CF CORN FEEDER with Solar Powered Timer • 600, 1000, 2000 & 3000 lb. capacities

DOUBLE BARREL PARDNER Twin Bulk Trailer with Remote Controlled “Eliminator” Road Feeder, Gravity Tube & Blower System • Complete with tubing, fittings, ladder & spare tire

6000#

FLIPPER WATER TROUGH • Save time emptying & cleaning • Easily dumps in seconds DUALLY PROTEIN & CORN FEEDER Split hopper simultaneously dispenses gravity-flow protein and directional corn, controlled by “The Timer.” • 3 tubes • 3 capacities OUTBACK features THE TIMER 12-Volt Control Unit with 5 year warranty

HALF-BACK PROTEIN FEEDER • 700 & 1000 lb. capacities

“BABY-BACK” Series • 360o corn distribution or up to 50 feet in one direction via Outback’s “Pistolero” directional unit • Very low profile

Get Outback’S MaxiMuM

Quality in theSe SMaller SizeS!

36” height 400# cap.

42” height 600# cap.

42” height 1000# cap.

Shown with Pistolero 42” height 600# cap.

TRACKS JULY/AUGUST 2016

903.734.4210 • 800.396.6313 • e-mail: rickmeritt@yahoo.com

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

we finance Texas homes

Texas Country Mortgage Division

s rural property lending experts, we understand the unique needs associated with financing country homes. We offer Rural Home, Conventional, Jumbo, and FHA financing options.

Marc Loredo Mortgage Loan Officer MLoredo@TexasFCS.com 903-245-5620 NMLS 506942

Call today and make your dream of owning a piece of Texas a reality. TexasCountryMortgage.com WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

WWW.TEXASDEERASSOCIATION.COM

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ECLIPSE 21 - NEW FOR 2016! PELLETED FEED. 50LB SACK, SUPER SACK. AUGER TRUCK DELIVERY AVAILABLE SOON!

NUT N MORE - THE STANDARD

IN TOP DRESS FEED SUPPLEMENTS. HIGH FAT, HIGH ENERGY FORMULA. 40 LB SACK, SUPER SACK.

IN SHELL PEANUTS - HIGH IN FAT, HIGH IN ENERGY. GREAT SNACK FOR YOUR CHAMPIONS! SACK OR SUPER TOTE.

GXLPhoto Courtesy of:

FUEL Y

! S N O I P M OUR CHA

GET SWEET BREEDER SYRUP - 48% SUGAR GREAT FOR BINDING

FEED TOGETHER, HIGH IN ENERGY, FRUIT AVOR, 20% MORE SUGAR THAN MOLASSES. WE ALSO CARRY SOYBEAN SYRUP! ASK ABOUT SYRUP IN A BARREL!

Rusty Roberson National Sales: 254-977-5225 ASK ABOUT OUR DDG AVAILABLE NOW! www.InSightsNutrition.com Rusty@InSightsNutrition.com 104

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AD INDEX 3-S Whitetails .................................... 32 4M Whitetails...............................88,103 All Seasons Feeders ...........................98 Atascosa Wildlife Supply, Inc. ............ 47 Big Rack Ranch ...................................85 Brown Trophy Whitetail Ranch ......94,95 Capital Farm Credit ............................ 3 Cargill ............................................... 27 CC Bar Whitetails .............................. 38 Champion Genetics .......................... 93 Charquitas Creek Ranch ................... 68 Cross Canyon Whitetails ......................7 Deer Breeders Futurity .....................106 Deer Star Breeders ..................... 54,102 Derby~Sand~Ranch ..................... 48,49 Designer Roofing................................90 Droptine Ranch ................................. 55 Easley Does It Whitetails............. 90,104 G2 Ranch .......................................... 78 Gist-Kinsman Ranch ............................ 9 Goatweed Ranch .............................. 82 High Roller Whitetails ......... 10, BC, IFC High Wide & Heavy Whitetails .......... 86

108

Hoffpauir Group ................................ 11 In Sights Nutrition ............................104 Indian Mountain Ranch ..................... 23 KDH Whitetail Nursery ...................... 93 Limitless Genetics.............................107 Lodge Creek Whitetails ..................... 21 Lonehollow Whitetails ............................ ...... 19,46,100,101 Lyssy & Eckel Feeds .......................... 40 Massey Hollow Whitetails ............ 70,71 M C Bar Whitetails ............................ 57 Mosley Ranch .................................... 41 Mossy Rock Whitetails ....................... 18 NADR ................................................ 79 Outback Wildlife Feeders..............96,97 Paco Deer Co., Inc ............................. 29 Pine Meadow Ranch .....................30,31 Purina ................................................ 15 Purina Mills - SW .......................... 62,63 Red Chain Feeds ............................... 28 Red Stag Ranch ................................. 60 Revels Racks ...................................... 69 Rockstar Whitetails ..............14,42,43,84

RR Ranch ..........................................105 RS Deer & Cattle Ranch .................... 77 SASCO- San Antonio Steel Co. ..........33 Sekula Whitetail Ranch ......................72 Stockerbuck.com............................... 39 Summit Whitetails ............................. 66 Tajada Whitetails .................. IBC, 80,81 Tejas Ranch & Game Fence .............. 93 Texas Farm Credit ............................. 99 Texas Hunter Products ...................... 59 Texas M3 Ranch ................................ 83 Texas Ranch Sales, LLC. .............114,115 The Refuge ........................................ 44 Three Nails Ranch ............................. 20 Trophy Ridge Whitetails .................... 76 TWC Ranch Services ......................... 99 UVC Powersports .............................. 61 Wildlife Consulting Services, LLC ......93 Wildpoint Whitetails .......................... 58 Wilks Ranch ....................................... 22 Wilson Whitetail Ranch ..................... 23

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EXPRESS / FREE AGENT / PRIME TIME'S SISTER

Bred to some of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best does in 2015

LOOKS PEDIGREE

18" TINESOUTSIDE 45" SPREAD

GUNSLINGER

TAJADA

WHITETAIL RANCH

GEORGE TUNAL

TAJADAWHITETAILS@GMAIL.COM (832) 622-2571 FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS