February 10, 2012 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

LSONews.com Lone✯Star Outdoor News February 10, 2012 Page 1

By Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

The end of the rod sitting in a holder on the side of the boat twitched downward once, then twice.

Guide Chris Edwards and angler Andrew Phillips both noticed the taps, and when the rod tip bent stronger for a third time, guide and

angler both knew it was game on.“I grabbed the rod, cranked three

times and set the hook hard,” Phillips said. “We never caught one of those monster catfi sh, but we caught a lot in the 10-to-25-pound range. It was a great morning.”

Phillips, of Kerrville, and his group

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February 10, 2012 Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Volume 8, Issue 12

For the needyTexas Deer Association gathers

venison for food bank. Page 20

Inside

❘❚ LSONews.com

Police departments embrace outdoor heritage with logo designs.

Page 4

Back the badge❘❚ HUNTING

Tuna, snapper fi lling up party boats.Page 8

Offshore action

Winter offers unique advantages to hunt feral hogs.

Page 4

Prime time for pigs

Bassmaster championship on Red River draws seven Texans.

Page 14

Classic time

❘❚ FISHING

Deer contest among friends celebrates cullsBy Craig NyhusLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Wildlife biologists and managers know the importance of manag-ing the size of their deer herds. And one group of managers is trying to make it fun.

Los Cuernos Feo (The Ugly Horns) contest began 10 years ago with three South Texas wild-life biologists and ranch managers, and now involves 15 people from

10 ranches represent-ing more than 200,000 Texas acres.

“It’s mundane and routine to manage the herd, shooting cull bucks,” said Jason Sekula, wildlife man-ager at Shiner Ranch in Frio County. “Now it makes it exciting. If you see something really bad, we get competitive about it.”

Contestants pay an entry fee and are required to keep the ant-

lers and jawbones from the bucks they cull.

At the season’s end, a party is thrown, special T-shirts are worn and awards and gag gifts are given.

NEW KIND OF TROPHY: Whitetail bucks like this one usually

don’t make the wall, but an informal South Texas deer

contest brings new meaning to herd management. Photo by

David J. Sams, LSON.

Los Cuernos Feo (The Ugly Horns)❘❚ CONTENTSClassifi eds . . . . . . . . . Page 25Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page 24Fishing Report . . . . . . . Page 10For the Table. . . . . . . . Page 24Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page 18Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 17Outdoor Business . . . . . Page 22Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 25Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page 24

See LAKE CONROE, Page 16

Down Mexico way

See UGLY HORNS, Page 21

HEATING UP: Kerrville angler Andrew Phil-lips holds a nice hybrid striper caught on a recent trip to Lake Conroe. The lake was still low, but good catches of catfi sh, bass and hybrids were reported the past few weeks. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

By Erich SchlegelFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Mention the name “Romney,” and the angler probably doesn’t think of fi shing lures.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been crossing the nation, hoping to win his party’s nomination to challenge the President.

Meanwhile, a second cousin, Kent Romney, has been quietly residing in Mexico, where he manufactures and assembles lures for U.S. companies.

His company, PRODEPEC, or Productos Deportivos de Pesca, specializes in color-ful top-water plugs that are popular for peacock bass

PLUG PRODUCTION: Kent Romney looks over a wooden top-water plug at his fi shing lure factory in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico. The business owner is a distant cousin to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Photos by Erich Schlegel, for Lone Star Outdoor News. See ROMNEY, Page 16

Bass, hybrids, cats thriving on Lake Conroe

Mitt Romney’s distant cousin makes fi shing luressouth of the border

Page 2 February 10, 2012 Lone✯Star Outdoor News LSONews.com



HUNTING

Winter offers ‘window of opportunity’ to take hogs

ONE THE MOVE: Feral hogs are more vulnerable to hunting in winter, according to one researcher, because they tend to move more when food sources fade. Photo by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

By Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

There is no better time than winter to kill feral hogs in Texas, according to one researcher.

The reason is food, said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Natural sources, like acorns, are depleted. Some supplemental sources, like deer feed-ers, haven’t been replenished since the end of the general hunting season.

Hogs, therefore, are on the move more than usual, which might nudge them out of their nocturnal patterns or at least into ranging farther, even if at night.

“The shorter the food sources, the more they’re going to move,” Higginbotham said, “and I think it will make them more vulnerable.

“Whether you’re baiting to shoot or trap, you have a window of opportunity that you really don’t have the rest of the year.”

Higginbotham works in East Texas from

an offi ce at Overton. But one South Texas hunting guide also

said hungry hogs are out ranging for food.Oscar Estringel of Alice said hog activity

accelerates as farmers disc their fi elds to get them ready to plant wheat, corn or milo.

“The hogs smell that fresh dirt,” Estringel said. “And then, whatever seeds are left from the previous crop, they rush in and pick all that up. In the next cou-

Offi cials wantmore quaildata before considering

season changes

See OPPORTUNITY, Page 21


Waiting until late summer to decide whether to shorten bag limits and the sea-son length for quail won’t be too late to authorize the changes for next season, if approved, an offi cial said.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission could have decided in March whether to authorize the changes suggested by TPWD biologists. Commission members, how-ever, decided at a Jan. 25 meeting in Austin to postpone that decision until August.

Commissioners said they wanted to see the most up-to-date quail population data, which isn’t available until surveys are completed in late summer.

Any changes to the hunting season can be adopted as late as the August commis-sion meeting, although they may not be included in the 2012-13 Outdoor Annual of Hunting and Fishing Regulations book-let, which is printed in June.

But that’s not insurmountable, said Ralph Duggins of Fort Worth, the com-mission’s vice chairman.

“To me, it’s not an issue that should force a premature decision on the sub-ject,” Duggins said. “It really doesn’t make much sense to set bag limits and the length of the quail season for 2012-2013 in March when you really have no informa-tion on what was going on in the breeding seasons and spring.”

Duggins said TPWD could effectively communicate any changes after the book-let is printed.

“We can certainly get it onto the Web site, very easily and inexpensively,” he said.

The changes are intended to help strug-gling bobwhite quail bounce back from drastic population declines that have worsened in recent years.

The data will be mulled at a special yet-to-be-scheduled commission meeting this summer. Offi cials said there would be ample opportunities for the public to comment.

Charles Hodges of Dallas, co-founder of the Quail-Tech Alliance, wanted to see the changes made. But he said on Feb. 1 that postponing a decision was appropriate.

“I defi nitely think they need to have all the data possible from people in the fi eld to make an informed decision,” Hodges said.

The extra time will allow quail advocates to fi ne-tune proposals.

One plan from TPWD staff calls for two regional zones for quail, like the ones des-ignated for turkey and dove. The quail bag limits could differ in the zones to refl ect available numbers.

Duggins, however, suggested four zones.“East Texas,

for example, is far different from South Texas and West Texas as far as use of the land,” Duggins said. “And it’s fragmented to a higher degree.”

Texas police departmentsshowcase wildlife on patches


While eating lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Kerrville two weeks ago, Lone Star Outdoor News Founder David J. Sams and Executive Editor Craig Nyhus noticed several of Kerrville’s fi nest seated at a table nearby.

In between bites of cheese enchi-ladas, the pair noticed something unique on the four police offi cers’ uni-form patches — a white-tailed deer.

They approached and asked about the unique design.

According to Kerrville Police Department’s Public Information Offi cer Paul Gonzales, the patch is taken from the local high school and their mascot — the Tivy Antlers.

“The fi rst patch proudly displayed on the uniform of a Kerrville Police Offi cer was adopted within the late 1960s and early 1970s,” Gonzales said. “This smaller yellow in color patch simply read ‘Kerrville Police’ with an image of a buck deer directly in the middle of the patch. The patch was displayed on a brown in color uniform.

“It was based on Tivy’s mascot.”Situated in the Hill Country, Kerrville and Kerr County have

long been a mecca for hunters, with many of the state’s exotic game ranches located near the town.

“The current patrol patch also represents the Guadalupe River (which fl ows through

the center of town) and the hills of the Hill Country,” Gonzales said. “They are all depicted on the patch.”

The Port Aransas Police Department’s patch also refl ects the outdoors — a marlin leaping out of the water.

Port Aransas PD Lt. Darryl Johnson said he redesigned the

patch about 15 years ago from an original design sketched by former

chief Don Perkins in the 1970s.“I think he picked the marlin

because it is a good fi ghting fi sh and we are a fi sh-

ing community,” Johnson said. “The high school bas-ketball team is also

the Marlins. About 15 years ago, I rede-

signed the patch to what it is today. I think

most police departments use a regional theme. “It was either a marlin or a

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SEE RELATED■ Public comment sought on silencers, other hunting issues.

Page 6■ Proposed fi shing regulations.

Page 11


Oryx, addax, dama gazelle permitting

explained

By Craig NyhusLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Texans who raise three species of African antelope are worried that a new rule requiring permits to hunt them will actually hasten the animals’ demise.

The rule results from a fed-eral lawsuit brought by anti-hunting groups that was fol-lowed by a settlement reached with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Now, on or after April 4, the ranchers need permits if they want to allow hunt-ing of their herds of scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle, all listed as endangered species in their native countries.

The issue has drawn media attention in Texas and across the nation. Lone Star Outdoor News covered it in its Jan. 27 issue; CBS “60 Minutes” aired a report two days later.

In the interviews, ranchers were con-cerned that the permits would become so diffi -cult, a lot of them would get out of the “exotics” business; with no one to raise these antelope, the species would decline in the U.S. and Africa, where replacement stock is needed.

In an attempt to address the concerns and explain the permitting pro-cess, Dallas Safari Club on Jan. 26 invited Tim Van Norman, the chief of the Branch of Permits with USFWS, to Kerrville to answer questions. He agreed to step in front of the verbal fi ring line.

Van Norman, whose offi ce is responsible for animals covered by the Endangered Species Act and permitting, currently handles 7,000 per-mit applications per year.

“We have a staff of 20 that deal with applications,” Van Norman told the group of 75 attendees. “These three ani-mals are now in the same permitting system as other endangered species — our

best hope is to make the pro-cess as easy as possible.”

Application forms were provided to all in attendance, covering both the Captive-Bred Wildlife Registration and an Export/Import/Interstate and Foreign Commerce/Take of Animals permits.

Van Norman explained when the permits are required.

“There is no prohibition of the sale of these animals

within the state,” he said. “If one is selling across state lines, the CBW registration is required and is valid for fi ve years. And an owner can man-age or cull to regulation their own populations — but it has to be done by the owners or employees at the ranch.”

If hunting is to take place, the second permit allow-ing the taking of animals is required and must be renewed annually.

The time period to obtain a decision on the permits will not be extensive, Van Norman said.

“If the application is complete, a determination should be made within 60 days, including the 30-day comment period,” he said.

Van Norman answered questions for more than two hours. He said the ulti-mate decisions are based on whether the management of the herd benefi ts the species.

“Reasonable population con-trol and offtake is expected,” he said. “Basically, we have to determine if there is a biological reason that this permit should not be issued. If there are 100 animals on a property and the

application is to take fi ve or 10, it shouldn’t be a problem.

“If there are fi ve ani-mals on a property and the application is to take four of them, that permit would not likely be issued.”

The lengthy per-mit applications and making information available to the public concerned many land-owners. Van Norman walked the attendees through the applica-tions step-by-step, and described the informa-tion made public.

“What is published is the applicant name and general location,” he said. “However, the appli-cation can be requested through FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). In that case, we would redact privacy informa-tion, but the ranch loca-tion would remain.”

Members of the con-servation and hunt-

ing communities are dealing with the permit issue, but aren’t giving up, said Lance Phillips, chairman of DSC’s political action committee.

He said, “Congressmen ‘Judge’ John Carter (R-Round Rock) and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) are work-ing with Texas ranchers, the Dallas Safari Club, the Exotic Wildlife Association and other members of the con-servation/hunting commu-nity to render a legislative fi x to maintain the incredible success that the private sec-tor efforts have had in estab-lishing vast herds of these ‘so-called’ endangered spe-cies in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and elsewhere.”

Offi cial faces landowners’ questions,provides guidance

Lexington varmint tournament draws a crowd

The Third Annual Lexington Lone Star Varmint Tournament was held Jan. 28-29 with 117 teams competing.

Hosted by Nocks Bow Repair, the tourna-ment gave points for harvesting mountain lions, coyotes, foxes and raccoons.

In total, 42 of the teams turned in animals on Jan. 29. No mountain lions were taken during the tournament, but 14 bobcats, 16 foxes, 22 coy-otes and 144 raccoons were recorded.

Team Long Range of Taylor won the fi rst-place prize of $4,680 with four bobcats, one fox and fi ve coyotes for a total of 340 points. The four winners included Dennis Pokorny, William Knauth, and Stephan and Bradley Hanson.

3C Yote Busters out of Gorman won $2,340 with two bobcats, fi ve foxes and two coyotes for a total of 315 points.

The team of Beer Belly Varmint Hunters from Brookesmith and Gustine took third place and Team Weaver from Hamilton and Austin took fourth. The fi nal team to receive a paycheck was Nuts & Furs from Houston.

Side pots for heaviest bobcat, coyote, fox and mangiest coyote were also paid out to the winners. Team Cooper, of Smithville, took the heaviest bobcat with a weight of 22.4 pounds. The heaviest coyote was taken by Team Lehmann Ranch and weighed 45.4 pounds. Team Weaver took the heaviest fox with a 10.2-pounder, and the mangiest coyote went to Team Beer Belly Varmints.

For information on next year’s tournament, call (512) 636-9488.

— Staff report


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MATTHEW BAKER, 13, of Rockwall hunted during the Christmas break with his

uncle Brett Giles on a ranch near Leakey. During the adventure, Matthew har-

vested this exotic Corsican ram. “Matthew also took a nice whitetail doe later

that day,” Brett said. “It was a great day! Both uncle and nephew were thrilled.”

A single ‘bob’ worth $253, survey shows

What’s a quail worth? The short answer — as it relates to a wild

Texas quail — is $253 each, according to a recently completed survey of Texas quail hunters.

Researchers with Texas AgriLife Extension service and the University of North Texas conducted the survey.

It showed that 97 percent of Texas quail hunters are white males with reported household incomes of more than $100,000. Each averaged spending about $8,606 for 8.8 days of quail hunting during the 2010-2011 season.

Combined with harvest estimates the respondents provided, this resulted in the $253 per bird bagged — or a dollar increase of 24 percent over the 10 years since an earlier survey was taken.

Quail hunting boosts merchandise sales, hotel stays, restaurant and fuel pur-chases and sales tax revenues, said one

of the researchers, Dr. Jason Johnson, an economist for the extension service in Stephenville.

“This represents a tremendous economic impact to largely rural communities,” he said. “In fact, it’s one of the rare instances of money fl owing from the urban areas where the hunters live to the rural areas where the quail are.”

— Texas AgriLife Extension

Eye parasites in quailon rise in West Texas

During the fi rst year of this three-year project, research collaborators trapped 592 bobwhites during August and October from 21 different ranches in West Texas and 10 Wildlife Management Areas in western Oklahoma.

Blood and swab samples were obtained from all of those birds.

Preliminary results suggest that the high level of eyeworm parasites occur across a larger portion of the Rolling Plains.

Of 43 bobwhites examined as of mid-January, about half (49 percent) had eyeworms with an average of fi ve eye-worms per bird.

Eyeworms have not been found to date in bobwhites from South Texas.

Dr. Dale Rollins of the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch has speculated that the worms might be covering the birds’ eyes, causing them to fl y into fi xed objects or surfaces.

Obscured vision may also prevent the birds from seeing predators. Rollins said that no conclusions have been reached on diseases, but research continues.

“If you shoot any (wild) bobwhites (from anywhere) during the remainder of this season, consider donating the heads for eyeworm screening,” Rollins said.

To learn how to do that, e-mail him at [email protected].

— Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch

Trophy whitetails are up 400 percent since 1980s, B&C Club says

Boone and Crockett Club historical data shows that trophy whitetails are up 400 percent over the past 30 years, and Texas ranks 11th among states and Canadian provinces that produced the quality bucks.

For the period 1980-1985, hunters entered 617 trophy whitetails into B&C records. But, for the period 2005-2010, the total jumped to 3,090, an increase of 400 percent.

Texas, for the time period 2005-2010, recorded 132 entries. By comparison, it had 19 entries for the period 1980-1985, which ranked it No. 12 back then.

Wisconsin currently leads all states and provinces with 383 trophy whitetail entries from 2005 to 2010. It had only 40 from 1980 to 1985, which was third for that time period.

— Boone and Crockett Club

Time to speak up: Public comments sought on urban-area deer hunts, silencers

Public comment periods have begun on the proposed opening of deer hunting next sea-son in four urbanized Texas counties and the possibility of allowing silencers to hunt game species, including deer.

Opportunities to make comments were approved Jan. 25 by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Under a proposed amendment, an archery-only full-season, either-sex whitetail season would be allowed in Dallas, Collin and Rockwall counties.

Also, TPWD staff is proposing to imple-ment the Harris County season structure in Galveston County. Under the plan, Galveston County would be opened to archery season and also a general season during which fi re-arms would be acceptable. There also would be a muzzleloader season.

Also, Galveston County would have the same regulations as Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties that allow does to be harvested in the fi rst part of the season. Managed Land Deer Permits to harvest does would be required after Thanksgiving.

On silencers, TPWD staff reported that there is no resource- or enforcement-related reason to prohibit the use of these sound suppressors.

If approved, these devices would be legal for taking alligators, deer and other game animals and game birds. Approval, however, won’t relieve any person of the obligation to comply with state, federal or local laws governing the possession or use of fi rearm silencers.

Comments on these issues may be sent by phone or e-mail to Robert MacDonald (512) 389-4775; e-mail, [email protected]; or mailed to MacDonald’s attention at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744.

Comments may also be submitted at upcoming public meetings to be scheduled around the state. Be watching www.Lsonews.com for a list of those meeting locations.

— Staff report



FISHING

Tuna, snapper trips having

super success on coast


The winter yellowfi n tuna bite is on in deep waters off the coast of Texas.

The clearest evidence came the weekend of Jan. 21-22 when the Scat Cat, an offshore party boat operated by Fisherman’s Wharf in Port Aransas, took 24 anglers on a 56-hour offshore tuna trip and returned with one of the best catches in years.

“I would venture to say it was one of the biggest catches of yel-lowfi n tuna the coast has seen,” said Scott Garrison, manager of Fisherman’s Wharf. “We caught 72 yellowfi n, our limit of vermil-ion snapper, a boatload of black-fi n tuna, dorado, grouper, a 170-pound mako shark and amberjack.

“I’d say 60 percent of the yel-lowfi n were between 70 and 120 pounds.”

Garrison said the trip ran 150 miles offshore, and the anglers caught fi sh on a multitude of baits, including top-waters, chunk baits and jigs.

“These trips are a lot of fun,” Garrison said. “We’ve really been trying to get these tuna trips going, and I think we are starting to hit our stride. I’ve been a charter boat operator for a lot of years, and this is a great trip.”

Closer inshore, Capt. Leaf Potter out of Galveston has been target-ing bull reds in 40- to 50-feet of water.

“We’ve been running some short-range trips for the bull reds and we are having good success,” Potter said. “We have been using dead, frozen sardines as bait and we are averaging about a dozen fi sh per trip. The fi shing isn’t real fast, but we are doing pretty good.

Potter said he hasn’t been run-

ning any overnight tuna trips like some of the bigger boats.

Farther south on South Padre Island, Pablo Salazar, manager of Osprey Fishing Trips, said his boats have been targeting red snapper within nine miles of the coast.

“The red snapper fi shing has been really good,” he said. “We have to stay within nine miles to be in state waters, but our anglers have been limiting out daily.”

Salazar said they are using threadfi n herring and squid to pull the big snapper from the bottom.

“Along with the snapper, we’ve had good success catching oversized bull reds, grouper and mako sharks,” he said.

Fisherman’s Wharf, (800) 605-5448Capt. Leaf Potter, (832) 428-3340Osprey Fishing Trips, (956) 761-665

OFFSHORE MANIA: Yellowfi n tuna have been caught in large numbers more than 100 miles out from the Texas coast in the past few weeks. Along with tuna, bull reds and red snapper are also biting at various distances from shore. Above photo by David J. Sams, LSON, photo left by Fisherman's Wharf.

Crappie transitioning to pre-spawn early


Warmer than normal temperatures are pushing crappie from their deep-water winter haunts into an early pre-spawn pattern in shallow water.

According to Lake Livingston guide Simon Cosper, the slabs are already mov-ing to skinnier depths.

“The most consistent bite is in about 8- to 10-feet of water,” Cosper said. “They are biting on black and chartreuse jigs, but we are starting to see fi sh move in to the shallows in the 3- to 6-foot range.

“However, most of them are small males.”Cosper said muddy water is making

fi shing tough recently.“The other big factor is water clarity,”

he said. “With all of the recent rains, Lake Livingston is above normal pool and a large majority of the creeks are muddy. Once you fi nd the cleaner water, it is on.”

Jay Don Reeve, president of Crappie Anglers of Texas, said the fi sh are defi -nitely a month ahead of schedule.

“It’s been a really strange year,” Reeve said. “The mild winter has progressed the spawn a little bit. They are moving shal-lower, the females are full of eggs and the males are changing colors.

“We are catching fi sh in 8- to 9-feet of water and the fi shing has been really good.”

Reeve said he has been fi shing Cedar Creek, Lake O’ The Pines, Cypress Springs and Richland Chambers. He mentioned that jigs are actually work-ing better than minnows.

“White and chartreuse has worked well and anything with blue is working great,” he said.

The normal spawn occurs in late March and into April, but this year, expect that to get bumped up into February, guides said.

“Unless we get a real cold snap to make the water temperatures go down, I think they are going to be spawning in mid- to late-February this year,” Reeve said. “Cedar Creek’s water temperature was 58 degrees the other day. It should be around 48 degrees this time of year.”

On Toledo Bend, guide Butch Covington said he had an excellent January catching crappie.

“The fi sh are in transit right now,” Covington said. “Some of the fi sh have started to show up in shallow water. The fi shing is real good right now.

“We caught 38 fi sh over 2 pounds the past few weeks.

Covington said the water temperature was 61 degrees the fi rst week of February, compared to 44 degrees this time last year.

“We’ve been catching them on Road Runners in black and chartreuse colors,” he added. “We had a great spawn last year and we are expecting another one this year.”

Guide Simon Cosper, (936) 355-2889Guide Butch Covington, (337) 526-1257

Anglers befuddledby warm

winter

EARLY BITE: Crappie have been in a transition period recently. Due to warm weather, the fi sh are predicted to spawn early this year. Photo by LSON.

Could be a month ahead of normal


Coastal fi shing guides know it’s a weird winter when they’re still catching fl ounder on the coast.

By now the fl at fi sh have usually retreated to deeper waters, not to be seen again until springtime.

Not so this year. Warmer temperatures have them sticking around.

“The fl ounder are still here,” said Dickie Colburn who guides on the upper coast at Sabine Lake. “It’s like they never left, which is really unusual.”

Much of the U.S. has been having a mild win-ter, and the Texas Coast is no exception.

See WARM WINTER, Page 22

MORE■ See related: 'Mid Coast' story.

Page 9


Mid-coast fi shing already into spring pattern


Anglers hoping to fi nd the trophy winter trout bite along the coast might be out of luck this year.

Not because the trout aren’t there. It’s winter that has been the problem.

“The real big trout bite might not happen this year,” said Capt. Paul Braly of Fish Finder Guide Service near Corpus Christi. “It’s just not been cold enough. The trout are still in the deeper holes. We’re on a spring pattern right now.”

Braly said daytime temperatures have been in the upper 70s, and the warm weather hasn’t

concentrated fi sh like a good cold snap would.“The fi shing has been good,” he said, “but

it’s not like ‘Hey man, get down here now.’ It’s been a weird winter. The fi sh just aren’t concentrated in those shallow holes like they normally are this time of year.”

Braly said he has been catching trout on plum and chartreuse artifi cial lures and shrimp under corks.

Good trout reports have also emerged from Baffi n Bay and the backside of San Jose Island.

For redfi sh, he said, the King Ranch shore-line and Night Hawk Bay are holding fi sh.

Angler, 12, boats huge cat, earns several state records


Lane Ferguson has a bet-ter idea what it takes to catch big catfi sh than most people.

His dad, Chad, is a well-known catfi sh guide in North Texas.

However, even with all of that expertise in the boat, 12-year-old Lane wasn’t prepared for the 66.28-pound cat that tugged on the end of his line Dec. 23.

“I’ve been a serious fi sh-erman about three years,” Lane said. “I had no idea we would catch something LAKE WORTH MONSTER: Lane Ferguson and his dad, Chad, admire Lane’s

record-breaking catfi sh caught in Lake Worth. Lane broke several state and lake records with the catch. Photo by Chad Ferguson. See RECORD CAT, Page 22

See MID COAST, Page 22


AMISTAD: Water clear; 53–56 de-grees; 11.93’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and swimbaits. Striped bass are good on jigging spoons, slabs, small crankbaits and large jerkbaits. White bass are good on jigging spoons, slabs and small crankbaits. Catfi sh are good on cheesebait, shrimp and nightcrawlers in 30–60 feet over baited holes.

ARROWHEAD: Water off color; 42–51 degrees; 8.33’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits and shaky heads. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Blue catfi sh are good on live shad.

ATHENS: Water clear, 47–51 degrees; 3.76’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on watermelon shaky head worms and black/blue football jigs around brush piles. Early morning bite is slow. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait.

BASTROP: Water clear; 56–60 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on pump-kinseed soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows over brushpiles. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on stinkbait and liver.

BELTON: Water fairly clear; 53–56 degrees; 9.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on silver crankbaits. Hybrid striper are good on chrome slabs. White bass are good on chrome slabs, and on minnows under lights at night. Crappie are fair on min-nows under lights at night around structure. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on doughbait, hot dogs and summer sausage. Yellow catfi sh are good on trotlines and throwlines baited with live perch.

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 47–51 degrees; 7.86’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on black/blue jigs, shaky heads with fi nesse worms and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs. White bass are good on tail spinners and top-waters.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits and soft plastic worms near the dam. Striped bass are good on liver and shad at Dead Tree Point. Redfi sh are slow. Channel catfi sh are fair on shrimp, cheesebait and cutbait near the discharge.

BRIDGEPORT: Water lightly stained; 48–53 degrees; 8.83’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jerkbaits along main lake points and watermelon candy worms around deeper docks. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs (best action midday). Channel catfi sh are fair on cut and prepared bait.

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 51–55 degrees; 13.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on perch-colored jigs and soft plastics in 10–20 feet. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs over brushpiles. Channel catfi sh are fair on stinkbait and shrimp.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 54–58 de-grees; 30.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged black lizards, perch-colored suspending jerkbaits and chartreuse hair jigs in 10–20 feet. Striped bass are fair trolling white/blue striper jigs and Rattlin’ Rogues. Crappie are good on minnows over brushpiles.

CADDO: Water stained; 47–52 degrees; 0.86’ high. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue jigs around isolated cover. Shad-pattern lipless crankbaits in the same areas are effective. Yellow bass are good on minnows. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.

CALAVERAS: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastic worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits over grass. Striped bass are good on silver spoons and jigs near the dam in 15–25 feet. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on shrimp and cheesebait in 181 cove.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 9.88’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged watermelon worms on shaky jigheads along break-lines and ledges, and chartreuse hair jigs in 15–20 feet. Striped bass are fair trolling white/chartreuse jigs and vertically jigging spoons. White bass are good jigging dark Blade Baits and spoons along the main river channel.

CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 47–52 degrees; 4.31’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, shaky heads

and black/blue fi nesse jigs around docks (green pumpkin soft plastics suggested). White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 54–58 degrees; 15.79’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms with chartreuse tails, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows over brush-piles. Channel catfi sh are good on stinkbait, liver, and nightcrawlers.

COOPER: Water lightly stained; 46528 degrees; 7.57’ low. Largemouth bass are good on char-treuse shallow crankbaits and Texas-rigged craw worms later in the day. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait and cut bait.

FALCON: Water stained; 60–64 degrees; 27.87’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green jigs, watermelon soft plastics and slow rolling spinnerbaits. Channel and blue catfi sh are excellent on shrimp, nightcrawlers, stinkbait and cutbait.

FAYETTE: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and lipless crankbaits in 10–25 feet. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on shrimp and stinkbait.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 47–53 degrees; 5.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue or green pumpkin fl ipping jigs rigged with soft plastics — concentrate on the wood cover near creek channel bends. Lipless crankbaits are ef-fective as well. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 47–51 degrees; 3.04’ high. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon Texas-rigged worms, watermelon fi nesse jigs, lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits along main lake points. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water clear; 54–58 degrees; 2.55’ low.

Largemouth bass to 7.5 pounds are good on watermelon centipedes near the dam in 20 feet. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs near the dam. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on chum bait.

JOE POOL: Water lightly stained; 46–50 degrees; 1.81’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, lipless crankbaits and smaller jigs — midday bite has been best. Deep brush piles are best later in day. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on

slabs. Catfi sh are fair to good on prepared baits.

LAKE O' THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 47–51 degrees; 3.61’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms and lipless crankbaits along main lake points. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on cut shad.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 48–52 degrees; 5.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, black/brown jigs and square-billed crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns. Catfi sh are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

LBJ: Water clear; 54–57 degrees; 0.22’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Bleeding Shad lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits, and wacky-rigged watermelon plastic worms in 8–15 feet. White bass are fair vertically jigging spoons under birds. Crappie are good on live minnows over brush-piles in 10–15 feet.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 47–52 degrees; 1.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium-running crankbaits and suspending jerkbaits along riprap near the dam. White bass are good on slabs. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 72–88 degrees; 0.56’ high. Largemouth bass are good on square-billed crankbaits, weightless plastics, chatterbaits and Texas-rigged crea-ture baits on shallow wood cover. Flipping jigs is producing as well.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 47–52 degrees; 4.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black and blue jigs, shaky heads and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and minnows. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 44–54 degrees; 10.67’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, drop-shot rigs, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and

small swimbaits. Striped bass are fair to good on live shad and 4”–5” swimbaits. Catfi sh are fair to good on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 46–51 degrees; 2.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged crea-ture baits, square-billed crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and swim jigs are good around riprap also. White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in. Catfi sh are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 46–51 degrees; 2.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on sus-pending jerkbaits colors especially around main lake rocky points. White bass are good on slabs in 35 feet of water — watch for gulls.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 47–52 degrees; 4.41’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads and creature baits around docks. Square-billed crankbaits are producing numbers as well. White bass are fair on slabs and live shad. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs and live shad.

TAWAKONI: Water stained; 47–51 degrees; 4.06’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue Firewater 1/2 ounce jigs and sun perch-colored chatter jigs. White bass are excellent on white slabs and tailspins — schooling on points early and late. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on 4- to 6-inch white or shad pattern soft plastics in the shallows early then suspending deep during the day — drifting live bait is also producing. Catfi sh are excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.

TEXOMA: Water fairly clear; 46–51 degrees; 1.73’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on suspending jerkbaits and medium crankbaits along rocky points with larger rock. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on slabs.

TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 54–57 degrees; 54.25’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastic worms and perch-colored crankbaits. White bass are fair on minnows and soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink tube jigs in 25–35 feet. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on cut shad in 30–45 feet.

WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained. Largemouth bass are fair on small spinnerbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on minnows and silver striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows and soft plastics. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and shrimp.

WEATHERFORD: Water stained; 46–51 degrees; 2.99’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, shaky heads and Texas-rigged creature baits — target any shallow cover. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in. Catfi sh are fair on pre-pared bait and cut shad. White bass are fair on slabs and live minnows.

WHITE RIVER: Water stained; 43–51 degrees; 23.95’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, jigs and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfi sh are fair on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 52–56 degrees; 6.08’ low. Largemouth bass are good on dark soft plastics, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on minnows and green striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on min-nows and blue tube jigs. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 46–52 degrees; 5.31’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, shallow crankbaits and chatterbaits along main lake points. Football heads jigs have also been productive. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are fair to good on cut shad and prepared bait.

NORTH SABINE: Trout and redfi sh are fair while drifting mud and shell. Waders have taken better trout on the Louisiana shoreline on slow–sinking plugs.

SOUTH SABINE: Redfi sh are fair on the edge of the channel on mullet. Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on slow–sinking plugs. Black drum and redfi sh are good at Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet along shell shorelines. Redfi sh are good at the spillway on crabs and mullet. Trout are fair to good in Red’s Bayou on plastics.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good on the north shoreline on Corkies and hard baits. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair in the mud and shell on hard baits and Corkies in the afternoon. Sheepshead, redfi sh and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs.

TEXAS CITY: Redfi sh are fair in Moses Lake on shrimp and crabs. Pier anglers have taken sand trout, black drum, sheepshead and mangrove snapper on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Redfi sh are fair to good at San Luis pass on cracked blue crabs. Bull redfi sh are good at the jetty and along the beachfront.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp and plastics over humps and scattered shell. Redfi sh are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal and at the mouths of drains on scented plastics and jigs tipped with shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfi sh are fair to good on the south shoreline in the guts and bayous. Trout are fair in the guts on the incoming tide.

PORT O'CONNOR: Trout and redfi sh are fair on swimbaits over soft mud in waist–deep water in San Antonio Bay. Trout and redfi sh are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp and top-waters. Redfi sh are good at the mouths of drains.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair on the edge of the ICW on plastic shrimp. Redfi sh are fair to good in California Hole on mullet and shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfi sh are fair to good on the ledges of the channel on mullet. Sand trout are good on shrimp in the channel.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Redfi sh are good in the Humble Channel on crabs and table shrimp. Trout are best on the edge of the fl ats on live shrimp, scented plastics and plastic shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and grass on soft plastic swimbaits. Trout are fair to good in the guts along the King Ranch shoreline on swimbaits. Redfi sh are fair around spoils on live bait.

PORT MANSFIELD: Redfi sh are fair to good on DOA Shrimp and plastics under a pop-ping cork around grass holes. Trout are fair to good on mud along the edge of the ICW on swimbaits and hard baits.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout and redfi sh are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal and at Gas Well Flats on DOA Shrimp and plastics. Redfi sh, black drum and mangrove snapper are fair to good in the channel on shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: Trout are fair on the edge of the fl ats on soft plastics under popping corks. Redfi sh are good in the holes and guts on plastics and scented baits.

TEXAS FISHING REPORT

HOT BITES SALTWATERSCENE

BAY Redfish are fair

LARGEMOUTH BASS

BASTROP: Good on pumpkinseed soft plastics and spinnerbaits.

BRIDGEPORT: Good on jerkbaits along main lake points and watermelon candy worms around deeper docks.

COOPER: Good on chartreuse shallow crankbaits and Texas-rigged craw worms later in the day.

GRAPEVINE: Good on watermelon Texas-rigged worms, watermelon fi nesse jigs, lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits along main lake points.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Good on shaky heads and creature baits around docks.

CRAPPIE

BROWNWOOD: Good on minnows and white tube jigs over brushpiles.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Good on minnows and chartreuse jigs near the dam.

Sponsored by

on hard baits and Corkies

CATFISH

BELTON: Channel and blue catfi sh are good on doughbait, hot dogs and summer sausage. Yellow catfi sh are good on trotlines and throwlines baited with live perch.

FALCON: Channel and blue catfi sh are excellent on shrimp, nightcrawlers, stinkbait and cutbait.

TAWAKONI: Excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.

e good on shrimp in

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

BOB SANDLIN: White bass are good on Humdingers and top-waters.

CALAVERAS: Striped bass are good on silver spoons and jigs near the dam in 15–25 feet.

RAY HUBBARD: White bass are excel-lent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in.

RAY ROBERTS: White bass are good on slabs in 35 feet of water — watch for gulls.

HOT SPOT

Toledo BendLarge catches of crappie and largemouth bass have been reported in the past week. One guide reported a morning outing that produced 68 bass, 20 between 3 and 4 pounds. The crappie bite is picking up as the fi sh move into a spawning position (see story, page 8) and the white bass run is beginning to heat up earlier than normal. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.


New angler regulations under considerationPublic input is being sought for a series of proposed fi shing regulations that are being con-

sidered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.TPWD said the new regulations are aimed at improving angler opportunities, including limit-

ing the number of fi shing devices that can be used on state park lakes and easing restrictions on largemouth bass length limits on certain lakes.

The proposed changes include:Change the minimum-length limit for largemouth bass back to the statewide 14-inch limit

on three reservoirs: Aquilla Reservoir, Hill County; Lake Fort Phantom Hill, Jones County; and Lake Proctor, Comanche County.

Change daily bag limit for striped bass back to the statewide fi ve-fi sh limit on Possum Kingdom Reservoir in Palo Pinto County.

Implement an 18-inch minimum-length limit and fi ve-fi sh daily bag for largemouth bass and prohibit use of juglines, trotlines and throwlines on Lake Naconiche in Nacogdoches County, a reservoir that will open to angling Sept. 1.

Restrict the number of fi shing poles (to two) that a person may use simultaneously while fi shing from a dock, pier, jetty or other man-made structure in a state park.

Require gear tags for throwlines and minnow traps in fresh water.Reduce the time limit for re-dating gear tags for most devices from 30 days to 10 days.Change age for license exemption from 64 to 65 for Oklahoma residents fi shing in Texas to

conform to recent changes in Oklahoma.The proposals will be detailed during a series of public meetings around the state and avail-

able for review and comment on TPWD’s Web site. A fi nal rulemaking by the TPW Commission will be made at its March 29-30 public hearing.

Comments and questions about the proposals may be submitted to Ken Kurzawski at (512) 389-4591 or e-mail, [email protected]. Comments may also be submitted via the department’s Web site at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment/.

— TPWD


HONESTY HELPS BUT FOLLOWING RULES EVEN BETTER

Two off-duty deputies responded to multiple shots fi red in the front yard of a residence. Three individu-als were caught while loading up two deer. Medina County Game Warden Jeff Benson arrived to fi nd all three suspects (ages 18, 18 and 23) extremely cooperative. When asked who had the beer in the back seat of the truck, one of the 18-year-old suspects quickly said, “It’s mine, sir.” Their honesty kept the truck from being towed. Cases pending.

DUCKS UNLIMITED GIVEN WHOLE NEW MEANING

Hidalgo County Game Warden Will Plumas noticed two trucks backed into the brush on federal refuge property and later observed seven subjects armed with shotguns. The group took shots at black-bellied whistling ducks, a jackrabbit and a coyote. All of the shots were misses. Game Warden Harry Rakosky arrived to provide assistance. A total of 12 cases were fi led including trespass-ing and no hunting license. Federal charges are also pending. One sub-ject commented that he didn’t know that they couldn’t hunt on the ref-uge but that he did know that there was no limit on how many ducks they could take. He said the bag limit was printed on the protective sleeve they gave him when he pur-chased his hunting license. The man was referring to the Ducks Unlimited logo printed on the sleeve.

TAG ON DUMPED DEER CARCASS A DEAD GIVEAWAY

A deer carcass minus a head was dumped on the side of the road in Bexar County. Game Warden David A. Solis was contacted. The violator had forgotten to take his deer tag off the carcass. The violator told Solis his 11-point deer was at the meat processor and the deer head was at

the taxidermist. The story changed when he saw his deer in the back of the game warden truck. One waste of game charge was fi led against the violator. Case is pending.

A SINKING FEELINGWhen checking a hunter, Freestone

County Game Warden John Thorne noticed fresh blood and deer hair in the bed of the truck. The sub-ject said he only helped another hunter transport a deer to camp. It was determined the subject in the truck had killed the deer and sunk the head in a pond thinking it didn’t meet the antler restrictions. The meat was hidden in a cooler. After the sub-ject recovered the head by wading in waist-deep water, Thorne determined that the deer was, in fact, legal. Cases pending for untagged deer, harvest log and no proof of sex.

FEELING LEFT OUT, MAN EXCEEDS WHITETAIL LIMIT

Terrell County Game Warden Kenneth Stannard and Val Verde County Game Warden Roger Nicholas checked two men who were returning home after a successful deer sea-son. One of the men was missing all fi ve white-tailed deer tags and one mule deer buck tag with no harvest log information fi lled out. The mule deer buck tag was found attached to the violator’s white-tailed buck. The wardens learned that the man took

six white-tailed deer during the sea-son. He told the wardens that after his friend got a buck, he felt left out and wanted to shoot one more. Violations for exceeding annual bag limit, improper tagging and failure to fi ll out the harvest log were iden-tifi ed. Charges and civil restitution are pending.

BAD TIME TO ASK A QUESTIONA man approached Delta County

Game Warden Chris Fried at a local gas station and asked if he had fi lled out his deer tag correctly. The man said he had killed a doe that morn-ing. Fried explained to the man that the tag might be correct, but that doe were not in season in Delta County. Case pending.

SHOPPERS DUMP CARCASSES BEFORE ENTERING STORE

After employees and customers complained about a large bag with duck carcasses located in the park-ing lot of a local sports and outdoors store, the manager called Harris County Game Warden Jennifer Inkster. Inkster collected the ducks and worked with the manager reviewing the parking lot camera video and in-store footage. They were able to identify two subjects dumping the bag, purchasing items and leaving the scene. By pulling the transaction receipt, the subjects were identifi ed and Inkster issued

citations and fi led restitution for the discarded birds.

PUSHING CART WITH ICE CHEST INTO FOREST A CLUE

Houston County Game Warden Eddie Lehr observed two subjects pushing a two-wheel cart with an ice chest through the woods in the Davy Crockett National Forrest. Lehr fol-lowed the subjects on foot about half a mile into the woods, where they led him to three other subjects and two doe deer already gutted and skinned hanging in some trees. Cases and restitution pending.

THIS LOTTERY TICKET WASN’T A WINNER

Two hunters found a deer carcass dumped next to their lease and noti-fi ed Lamar County Game Warden Bryan Callihan. Only the backbone, ribs, and skinned head remained, but left at the scene was a bloody lottery ticket. Callihan called the Lottery Commission and got the exact store, time and date the ticket was sold. Security camera footage was reviewed and the manager knew the buyer and where he worked. Blood and deer hair were still in a truck parked in front of the buyer’s residence. After lying about killing a coyote, the man confessed when confronted with the evidence. Cases for violating the ant-ler restriction, failing to tag a deer and harvest log are pending.

TRESPASSERS OCCUPY HUNTER’S DEER STAND

A hunter called Polk County Game Warden Ryan Hall and said as he pulled up to his deer stand for an afternoon hunt, he observed three subjects with fi rearms climb down from his stand and take off run-ning toward the adjoining hunting lease and a nearby neighborhood. After following footprints back to the suspect’s residence in the neighborhood and a two-hour game of hide and seek, Hall rounded up and arrested all three suspects and transported them to the Polk County jail. Cases pending.

GOOSE SHOOTER DUMPS BIRDS, CATCHES FINES

Lamb/Bailey/Cochran County Game Warden Lance May received a call from the Hockley County Sheriff’s Department stating that someone had thrown whole Canada geese in a dumpster. Castro/Parmer/Deaf Smith County Game Warden James Cummings and May responded. The wardens found seven birds in the dumpster. They contacted the resi-dence owner, who had already traveled to his home. The man confessed to shooting and wasting the birds. Cases are pending.

REPEAT OFFENDER DENIED LICENSE BUT STILL FISHING, HUNTING

Leon County Game Warden Oscar Henson and Limestone County Game Warden Randy Harper were check-ing fi shermen and came across a man fi shing without a license. The subject said he had tried to buy one but was denied. Henson learned the man had not paid two different restitution amounts. He also had a warrant out of Montgomery County. The suspect was taken to jail, where it was later discovered that he had been arrested four nights earlier for taking white-tailed deer from a pub-lic roadway. Cases pending.

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER

Jim Wells County Game Warden David Nieto con-tinues his hunting accident investigation in which a hunter was climbing the stairs of his blind and saw deer under his feeder eating corn. The hunter made a decision to try and shoot at one of the deer through the deer blind stairs. After shooting the fi rst round, he felt a pain and thought the scope had struck him above the eye when the rifl e went off. The hunter

reloaded and shot again. After shooting the second round and feeling a terrible pain in his left leg, the hunter returned to the ground and noticed he had blood on his face and leg. The hunter was able to drive to a local hospital for immediate care. The investigation revealed that the hunter shot his stairs twice, which resulted in his injuries to one of his eyes and leg when the metal pieces hit him.

SHOOTING THROUGH BLIND STAIRS A PAINFUL IDEA



By Alan ClemonsFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Seven Texans will tackle the unpre-dictable Red River in Louisiana with hopes of hoisting the Bassmaster Classic trophy when the champion-ship is held Feb. 24-26.

It will be the second time in three years that the annual season-end-ing championship will be held in Shreveport-Bossier City. Skeet Reese of California won the 2009 Classic with a total weight of 54 pounds, 13 ounces.

Returning this year for a second shot at the title on the Red River are Alton Jones of Waco and Todd Faircloth of Jasper. Faircloth fi nished 35th on the Red River in 2009 and Jones was 14th. Jones won the 2008 Classic on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.

The winding Red will be new this year for Bassmaster Elite Series pros Keith Combs of Huntington, Takahiro Omori of Emory and Matt Reed of Madisonville. None competed in the 2009 Classic. Omori won the 2004 title on Lake Wylie in North Carolina.

Tom Jessop of Dalhart and Andrew Upshaw of Hemphill are fi rst-time Classic qualifi ers. Jessop qualifi ed through the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation champi-onship. Upshaw, who lives on Toledo Bend, qualifi ed by winning the Mercury College B.A.S.S. National Championship. He edged his Stephen F. Austin University teammate to earn the berth.

The Red River can be a fi ckle beast, placid and inviting in its cover-laden backwaters or roiling with mud and debris after heavy rainfall. Faircloth expects conditions to be pretty good bar-ring any monstrous weather changes.

“I’m anticipating it being pretty similar to what we experienced in 2009,” Faircloth said. “We’ve had a good bit of rain in the last month or two and it could be a little dirty, which might cut down on the per-centage of clean water to fi sh.

“But I think it’ll be pretty good. One other factor: we’ve had a pretty mild winter and the fi sh may be a little fur-ther along than normal. I was fi shing close to home last week and water tem-peratures were in the 60s. That’s a bit more than usual for this time of year. Shreveport’s a few hours northeast of me, but I don’t expect it to be that much different due to the mild winter.”

Reese won the 2009 Classic by tar-geting bass staging for the spawn in the mouth of a slough. Many of the contenders in that event burrowed into sloughs and backwaters, seeking pre-spawn or early spawners.

Faircloth said the water clarity and temperature will dictate where every-one fi shes once they see the lake dur-ing the fi nal practice.

“Clean water is always a factor on a river system,” he said. “You defi nitely don’t want to be fi shing in cold, muddy water. The river dictates a lot of the water (areas) that’s available and fi shable for us. If it’s really rolling and muddy, more than what we’ve had lately, it’ll box us in a corner and compress us even more. It actually fi shed fairly small in ’09 and if we get those conditions, it’ll bunch us up even more.”

Daily weigh-ins will be held in the CenturyLink Center, which was fi lled to capacity in 2009. Fans were left standing in lines on the fi nal day after the local fi re marshal closed the arena for safety reasons. The out-doors expo will be held Feb. 24-26 at the Shreveport Convention Center.

Seven Texans aim to hoistBassmaster Classic trophy

ANDREW UPSHAWThe Hemphill native won his Classic berth by winning the College B.A.S.S. circuit, and edging past Stephen F. Aus-tin teammate Ryan Watkins.

TOM JESSOPThis is the fi rst Clas-sic appearance for the angler from Dal-hart. He comes to the competition from the Central Division Championship of the Federation Nation.

MATT REEDThe Madisonville angler looks to score big after missing the past four Classics. His previous best Classic fi nish was in 2003 when he placed 19th on the Louisiana Delta.

TAKAHIRO OMORIThe 2004 Classic winner from Emory is back for his eighth championship try. He fi nished 10th in 2010 and will be making his fi rst trip to the Red River.

TODD FAIRCLOTHThe Jasper angler came close to win-ning the Classic in 2010, fi nishing in third place. He was 35th on his last trip to the Red River.

KEITH COMBSThis will be the second consecutive Classic appearance for the angler from Huntington. He fi nished 22nd last year and ended the season 15th in the standings for Angler of the Year.

ALTON JONESThe pro angler from Waco and 2008 Classic winner is making his 14th Classic appearance. He was seventh in two other Classics and fi nished 14th on his previous trip to the Red River.


If you go, here’s what you need to know

The 2012 Bassmaster Classic is Feb. 24-26 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.

LAUNCH SITE:Red River South Marina & Resort 250 Red River South Marina RoadBossier City, La. 71112

(Located off of U.S. Highway 71 South, fi ve miles south of the Jimmie Davis Road Bridge.) Launch time all three days is 7 a.m.redriversouthmarinala.com

EXPO LOCATION:Shreveport Convention Center 400 Caddo Street Shreveport, La. 71101

(From Interstate 20, take Exit 19A, turn left onto SR-173/Caddo Street. Parking is avail-able in a four-story garage — 800 spaces — adjacent to the Convention Center for $5 per car, per day.)shreveportcenter.com

EXPO HOURS (ALL CST):Fri., Feb. 24 (preview) 11 a.m. to noonGeneral public, noon to 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun., Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WEIGH-IN LOCATION:CenturyLink Center2000 CenturyTel Center DriveBossier City, La. 71112

(From Interstate 20, take Exit 20A, turn right at the bottom of the exit, travel to the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway, and turn left. The venue is located at the end of the road. Parking is on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis, although reserved parking is available with “Centertainer” membership or luxury suites.)centurylinkcenter.com

Experience countsThe 2012 Bassmaster Classic fi eld is the second

most experienced in history. The average competitor has already fi shed 5.67 Classics before launching on the Red River. The only more experienced fi eld was in 2006 on the Kissimmee Chain. Kevin VanDam of Michigan has been to more Classics than anyone else in the fi eld — 22 straight.

Former champsThere are six former Bassmaster Classic champi-

ons in the fi eld for 2012 — Denny Brauer, Davy Hite, Michael Iaconelli, Alton Jones, Takahiro Omori and Kevin VanDam. After winning the championship in 2010 and 2011, KVD will have a chance to “three-peat.”

The AOYsThere are seven former Bassmaster Anglers of the

Year in the 2012 Classic fi eld — Denny Brauer, Davy Hite, Tim Horton, Michael Iaconelli, Aaron Martens, Gerald Swindle and Kevin VanDam. Between them, they have 14 AOY titles, including seven of the last eight. KVD leads the way with seven AOYs.

'Bama leads the wayFor the sixth year in a row, Alabama has the most

Bassmaster Classic qualifi ers — 10. In the 42-year his-tory of the Classic, Alabama has had 114 qualifi ers, but Texas has the most with 283 total qualifi ers.

Together againJamie Horton of Alabama and Chris Price of Maryland

both qualifi ed for the 2012 Bassmaster Classic through the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. The last time they made it to the championship was in 2002, also through the Federation Nation. The 10-year gap between appearances is one of the longest in Classic history.

Home sweet home?This will be Greg Hackney’s fourth try at winning a

Classic in his home state. The Gonzalez, La., resident fi shed the 2003 and 2011 Classics on the Louisiana Delta and the 2009 Classic on the Red River. His best fi n-ish in those events was 20th in 2009. No other angler has fi shed more than three Classics on home state waters.

—B.A.S.S.

CLASSIC NOTES


fi shed for catfi sh in the morning before switch-ing to hybrid stripers in the afternoon.

Edwards drifted over humps and channels in the lake with cut shad to entice the big cats to bite. For hybrids, he slow-trolled through likely areas with several rods baited with live shad.

He said the winter catfi sh bite has been good this season, despite higher-than-normal temperatures and lower-than-normal lake levels. Several cats in the 45-to-50-pound range have been caught this season, but the majority of cats are in the 20-pound range.

The cats are transitioning from the deeper channels in the main lake to the mouths of the creeks and more shallow water.

During Phillips’ trip in late January, the lake was down 7 feet and only two marinas had open boat ramps, limiting access. Recent rains had pushed the lake up about a foot, but it was still very low.

The hybrid fi shing was strong in late January, with the bite occurring in the late afternoon and early morning.

Phillips and his group boated about a dozen hybrids during the mid-afternoon, but time constraints kept them from fi shing the prime time period between 4 and 6 p.m.

This fi sh are averaging 7 pounds, with plenty of 10- and 12-pound fi sh being caught weekly.

According to guide Carl Bostick of WetHook Guide Service, the largemouth bass fi shing has picked up recently, with tournament stringers going as high as 35 pounds.

“The bass are excellent right now on crankbaits and soft plastics,” Bostick said. “From the bank to about 10 feet deep is where they have been catching them. The water is muddy right now, so darker colors like junebug or red shad have been catching fi sh.”

Bostick said the hybrids don’t receive a lot of pressure, and the bite has been good early and late on main lake points.

“Trolling using swim baits with a spoon or threadfi n shad has been the ticket,” he said. “There’s also a baithouse on (Texas) 105 that sells small bream, and they work great and are easy to keep alive if you can’t catch shad.”

Bostick also reported a good crappie bite near the FM 1097 bridge and around deep brush piles.

“They are starting to get shallower,” he added. “Jigs and minnows are working right now.”

Guide Chris Edwards, (817) 271-5014Guide Carl Bostick, (936) 718-7983

Lake ConroeContinued From Page 1

fi shing in Brazil and Florida.Kent Romney, 66, said he has never

met his political cousin, although he lives in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua — the town where Mitt Romney’s father was born. The candidate’s notoriety, however, has neither helped nor hurt his distant cousin’s business.

“It’s a neutral thing,” Kent said. “My customers don’t care if I’m related to JFK or Mitt Romney. What they are concerned about is how much it costs to manufacture their product, the best quality possible, and ship to them in a timely fashion.

“One of the advantages we offer our customers is a fast turnaround time over operations in China.”

Kent Romney was born in St. George, Utah but his family moved to Mexico when he was 10 years old.

“When I was 12 or 14 years old, I used to travel all over the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico to fi sh for native trout,” he said. “Most of my fi shing has been for native Mexican trout.”

It wasn’t until 2000 that he got into the fi shing lure business.

A friend of a friend mentioned some-one who was manufacturing lures in Guatemala and thought he could do bet-ter in Mexico. He contacted Kent who did some research, and then started his business in 2000.

The baits he makes for High Roller Custom Fishing Lures in Gainesville, Fla., are made of sugar pine and turned on lathes, and then painted in bright colors with airbrushes.

Terry Jertberg of High Roller said the lures Romney makes for him are pri-marily used on peacock bass in Brazil, although he said plenty of Texans have taken them on trips to the Amazon.

But, Jertberg said, there is another Texas connection. The sugar pine Kent Romney uses is shipped to El Paso where he picks it up and hauls it by trailer to

his manufacturing plant, about a three-hour drive southwest of Juarez, Mexico.

Jertberg said Romney is “kind of a cowboy-type of a guy.”

“He’s a very honest person, eager to serve and satisfy his customers,” Jertberg said. “He bends over backwards a lot of times and he has done a really good job making our lures.”

Romney makes an array of jigheads made of lead or glass that are used in freshwater and saltwater fi shing. He also makes buzz baits, snagging hooks and lead weights.

The North American Free Trade Agreement allows him to ship his prod-ucts duty free back into the U.S.

Romney employs eight to 20 workers, depending on time of year and demand for lures. At the top of the economy in 2006, Romney had 40 workers before the

U.S. economy slid in 2008.“It seems the fi shing lure industry is

down about 50 percent of what it used to be a few years ago,” Romney said.

Nevertheless, Romney is optimistic.“From my vantage point, I see big pos-

sibilities in overseas marketing of fi sh-ing lures,” he said. “A company like High Roller has been selling in Brazil, and now some of these companies have been look-ing into markets in France and Thailand.

“It’s an encouraging move in the right direction.”

Although Mitt Romney is a top run-ner in the GOP race, the nominee won’t be known for several months. His cousin confi rmed, however, that he has retained his U.S. citizenship.

He plans to vote in November.

RomneyContinued From Page 1

ROMNEY LURES: Ernesto Jurado paints top-water plugs at Kent Romney’s fi shing lure factory in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico. The company specializes in lures for peacock bass, and also buzz baits and an array of jigheads made from lead and glass. Photo by Erich Schlegel, for LSON.


DATEBOOKFebruary 10-26Texas Wildlife ExpoSan Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo(210) 623-0932sarodeo.com

February 10Texas Deer AssociationSuperior Genetics Deer AuctionSan Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo(210) 767-8300texasdeerassociation.com

Ducks UnlimitedSan Jacinto DinnerMontgomery County Fairgrounds, Conroe(936) 537-2737ducks.org

February 12Crappie Anglers of Texas2012 CAT ExtravaganzaTexas Motor Cars,Addison(903) 887-0602crappieanglersoftexas.com

February 16Dallas Safari ClubYPG Happy HourBlackFinn, Addison(214) 980-9800biggame.org

February 17Ducks UnlimitedBrazos Valley DinnerBrazos Center,Bryan(979) 255-8507ducks.org

Ducks UnlimitedPearland/Friendswood Dinner for the DucksSt. Helen Catholic Church, Pearland(713) 907-4264ducks.org

Ducks UnlimitedSherman/Texoma D.U. Couples Raffl e NightSherman Municipal Ballroom(903) 463-1151ducks.org

February 18Ducks UnlimitedGainesville/Red River Valley BanquetGainesville Civic Center(940) 736-1799ducks.org

Ducks UnlimitedKerrville DinnerHill Country Shooting Sports Center, Kerrville(830) 377-2838ducks.org

Ducks UnlimitedHemphill/Sabine County BanquetHemphill VFW Hall(936) 590-2223ducks.org

February 21-22Abilene Chamber of CommerceTexas Farm and Ranch Wildlife ExpoTaylor County Fairgrounds, Abilene(325) 677-7241abilenechamber.com

February 24-26B.A.S.S.Bassmaster ClassicRed River, Bosier City, LAbassmaster.com

Trout UnlimitedGuadalupe River TU Troutfest 2012Rio Raft Resort, Canyon Lake(210) 654-6220grtu.org

February 25Borger Ducks Unlimited DinnerGraceland East, Borger(806) 898-6389ducks.org

February 29-March 3Lake Fork Carp and Buffalo ChallengeLake Fork(315) 427-7109wildcarpcompanies.com

March 2-3Texas Deer AssociationTDA Spring Gala Banquet and Auction, Grapevine(210) 767-8300texasdeerassociation.com

March 2-4Los Cazadores2012 Marranos Muertos,Pearsall(830) 334-5959loscazadores.net

Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce2012 Wild Boar Hunting, Gun and Dog ShowWilbur Baber Memorial Complex, Hallettsville(361) 798-5135hallettsville.com

March 3Mule Deer Foundation1st FundraiserParker County Sheriff's Posse Event Center, Weatherford(817) 565-7121muledeer.org

Dallas Woods and Waters Club33rd Annual BanquetPlano Center,Plano(214) 570-8700dwwcc.org

Ducks UnlimitedAnna/Hurricane Creek BanquetHurricane Creek Country Club, Anna(214) 478-9512ducks.org

Ducks UnlimitedArlington Casino NightSt. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Arlington(469) 446-4176ducks.org

March 8Quail CoalitionPark Cities Dinner and AuctionFrontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas(214) 632-7460parkcitiesquail.org

Caesar Kleburg Wildlife Research InstituteDeer Associates MeetingJ.W. Marriott Resort, San Antonio(361) 593-4120ckwri.tamuk.edu

Ducks UnlimitedBoerne DinnerKendall County Fairgrounds(210) 710-0153ducks.org

Ducks UnlimitedGreenville/Hunt County DinnerNational Guard Armory,Greenville(214) 476-8662ducks.org

om

Lone Star Outdoor News, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material with-out written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to [email protected].

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Executive Editor

Editor

Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Graphics Editor

Business/Products Editor

Operations Manager

Accounting

Web site

Advertising Sales

Founder & CEO

Craig Nyhus

Bill Miller

Conor Harrison

Mark England

Amy Moore

Mary Helen Aguirre

Mike Hughs

Ginger Hoolan

Bruce Soileau

Mike Nelson

Jaimey Honea

David J. Sams

National Advertising Accounts Manager

Contributors Kyle CarterAlan ClemonsDavid DraperWilbur LundeenAaron ReedErich SchlegelDavid SikesScott SommerlatteChuck UzzleRalph Winingham


HEROES

BRETT KETCHUM landed ShareLunker 526 Jan. 29 at Lake Austin — the third ShareLunker to be caught this season. The Austin angler hooked the 13-pound bass on a jerkbait. It was 25.75 inches long and 20.25 inches in girth.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE■ Want to share hunting and fi shing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? E-mail them with contact and caption information to [email protected]. High-resolution origi-nal jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

TANNER PETTITT, 9, of Fort Worth harvested this Pan-handle porker Thanksgiving weekend in Donley County. Tanner went to a blind with his dad, TONY, but the door was locked, so they hid in some brush with a set of shooting sticks. The boar came out and Tanner dropped him at 85 yards with a .243-caliber rifl e. “I was proud because he had to be versatile,” Tony said.

BRIAN GENOVESE of Dallas used a .25-06-caliber ri-fl e last November to get this nice buck near Pales-tine. It was aged at 6 1/2 years old and weighed 187 pounds. The bullet that tipped Brian’s ammo was a 115-grain Nosler partition.

Striped bass action has been the highlight this winter at Lake Texoma. Showing off the results of a big day are (from left): BRYSON ANDREWS, 8, Keller; HAILEY JONES, 10, Keller; GUNNAR DOGGENDORF, 9, Flower Mound; and guide DAVID BEESON.

J.T. HOWARD III, 10, of Hempstead shot his fi rst buck with a bow the evening before Thanksgiving near Del Rio. He was trying for an odd “unicorn” buck that had been seen on the ranch, but another hunter got it. J.T. settled for this spike instead.

This Comanche County buck fi eld

dressed at 150 pounds after WILL

HUTCHISON of Dallas arrowed it on Nov. 27.

Will’s shot on the 4 1/2-year-old buck was

a mere 15 yards.

EMILY WHITE of Dallas may have thought she shot a porcupine after she downed this 6 1/2-year-old buck Nov. 20 in Comanche County. Cactus spines covered his face, eyes and mouth, perhaps the result of falling into a cactus patch during a pre-rut fi ght.

MADELINE MADRIGAL, 10, of Fulshear was

hunting with her dad, TROY, last season

when she took this doe in Coryell County. Said grandfather, TIM MADRIGAL, “She used

her trusty 7mm-08 with which she had

practiced extensively.”



On the hunt to push back hunger

By Craig NyhusPhotography By David J. SamsLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Some may think harvesting does on Texas ranches to meet either MLDP or carrying capac-ity requirements would be an easy task. Drop some corn and wait. But this year at least, that wasn’t the case on one large South Texas ranch.

“The deer were really spooky,” said Darrell Cox, special events and banquet coordinator at the Texas Deer Association, who participated in the harvest of does at a Frio County ranch. “The sight of a vehicle, even at 300-plus yards sent them scampering.”

The hunters adapted by corning the senderos and returning later on foot, sneaking around the edge of the brush. Even so, most shots were taken in prone positions using a bipod or standing with shooting sticks, and the shots exceeded 200 and even 300 yards. One successful shot was so long the range fi nder didn’t pick up the distance.

Cox, on behalf of TDA, worked to accomplish two things: help harvest the does necessary to meet the requirements of the ranch’s wildlife management plan, and process and donate the meat to charity as part of TDA’s charitable pro-grams. TDA supports numerous other charities,

including hunter education classes, Combat Marine Outdoors, the Jasper 4-H, the Laredo Food Bank and the San Antonio Stock Show.

After several days of hunting, a total of 38 does estimated to weigh 3,040 pounds were delivered to K&G Plaza Meat Market in Kerrville to be processed into ground venison.

It took four men more than two hours just to pick up the animals from three different loca-tions and coolers and load and strap the deer on Cox’s trailer. The 90-mile trip to the processor required a quick stop at Sonic instead of lunch at the Triple C Steakhouse in Devine to make sure the meat stayed cool.

Once at K&G, the meat barely fi t in the pro-cessor’s coolers, and extra hanging hooks had to be located. Terry Burch at K&G claimed he could skin four deer per hour. The hunters hung around — talking about the deer and the shots — long enough to get proof Burch was right.

It's not easy for landowners and ranch man-agers across the state to remove that many deer. Some of the work can be done with guests, groups of youngsters and paid or leased hunters. But in the end, most is left to the wildlife managers.

The help from TDA cut some of the work and expense for the managers. The 1,500 pounds of venison delivered to the San Antonio Food Bank will feed approximately 1,172 needy people in the San Antonio area, according to Veronica Laurel at the San Antonio Food Bank.

Texas Deer Associationgets meat for food bank

FEEDING THE NEEDY: Darrell Cox glasses down a sendero, looking for adult does to take to reduce the herd’s size. Trail dog Jack wished the doe at left hadn’t dropped in its tracks. After the hunts, 3,040 pounds of deer were loaded onto a trailer and taken to K&G Plaza Meat Processing in Kerrville, where Trey Burch got busy skinning. The venison resulting from the effort will feed 1,172 needy San Antonio-area families.


ple of weeks or so, farmers start planting (new) seeds, and the hogs will come in and get them.”

Estringel, who hunts with catch dogs, said the story is the same from Kingsville to Corpus Christi to Orange Grove.

“A lot of times you’ll see, with night vision, (about 30 to 40 of them) screw-ing up the ground,” he said. “Last night we ran up on a pack of about 30 and we ended up killing two of them.”

But despite the wintertime advantage, Higginbotham said, “It’s not like shoot-ing fi sh in a barrel.”

That’s because feral hogs hole up in dense cover, and they operate almost exclusively at night.

Hunters, therefore, can also become nocturnal, which is legal for hogs in Texas. But there is more to it than just showing up, Higginbotham said.

He said lots of hogs are shot during deer sea-son at dusk and dawn, but recent studies with

trail cameras show the swine can be most active from 10 p.m. to midnight and a few hours later.

“Cameras,” Higginbotham said, “are going to be a hunter’s best friend.”

He suggested posting more than one to get the best data on when hogs are moving

the most. Hunters can then match their schedules to the habits of their prey.

Higginbotham also recommended multiple bait piles and urged hunt-ers to experiment with different lures like cheese-based catfi sh bait, dog food, soured milo and soured corn.

Premixed “attractants” have been known to work, especially the ones with berry fl avor-ing. Higginbotham also pours strawberry soft drinks and gelatin mixes onto bait.

“The thing is, you don’t want to get stuck on just shelled corn,” he said. “If you have four locations, use four baits.”

Inexpensive solar-powered lights are low-glow, but they can illuminate an area just enough to see crosshairs on a hog, plus the animals can become used to them. Higginbotham stressed, however, that

hunters should avoid a hog’s keen sense of smell by approaching hunt areas from down-wind directions.

“You can’t beat their noses,” he said.

OpportunityContinued From Page 4

Study shows traps get the most hogs

Trapping was the most effective hog-removal technique described in a recent survey conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

The survey included responses from 700 landowners in 139 Texas counties, said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, a wildlife specialist for the extension service.

“Of 36,664 wild pigs removed in 2010 by survey respondents, 57 percent were removed through trapping and 24 per-cent via aerial and landowner shooting,” Higginbotham said.

“Hunting,” he added, “was respon-sible for removing another 11 percent of the pigs taken. Catch dogs removed 6 percent of the total while 2 percent were removed through the use of snares.”

Themes of the parties have included “Taking out the Trash,” “Bagging the Basura” and “Banging the Ugly.”

The scoring isn’t too complicated.“Awards go to the lowest score in

each age class,” said Amy Dugosh, who works at the Rutherford Ranch and lives on the Mason Ranch, both participants in the contest. “There the lowest gross score wins.”

It doesn’t stop arguments about the age, though.

“The guys text each other back and forth during the season, claim-ing they have a winner,” Dugosh said. “At the party you have a bunch of wildlife biologists looking at teeth and arguing about the age of a deer to deny someone else a prize.”

“Yeah, there is some trash tex-ting,” said Michael Hehman, wildlife biologist at the Hixon Ranch near Cotulla. “Early on, a guy dominated for the fi rst three or four years. I had some stuff I thought would win and he beat me every year.

“He took some ribbing — some ranches have more junk than others.”

The tide turned a few years later.“I took another job (at another ranch)

and right away I started winning,” Hehman said. “There were lots of texts and photos going back and forth.”

Another prize is for the shortest spike.“I had a spike where the antlers

were so small we had to measure it with calipers — it was 4/8 inches,” Sekula said. “I can’t tell you how ner-vous I was when I shot that deer. I was sure he would win, but I got beat by one that measured 3/8 inches.”

But another year set the record. “We had a 7-year-old buck

with nothing but hard pedicles,” Dugosh said.

The grand prize, The Mucho Feo, is awarded to the person with the “overall sorriest deer,” Sekula said.

The deer has to be at least 2 years old, and is scored by taking the gross score and dividing by the age. The lowest score wins.

“And if you have a 60-inch 8-year-old, it’s a pretty low score,” Dugosh said.

Ugly hornsContinued From Page 1

NIGHT MOVES: Hunters take plenty of feral hogs in broad daylight, but studies show that swine are most active late at night. Game cameras can help pattern their movements, a researcher said. Photo by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Photo by Amy Dugosh.


OUTDOOR BUSINESS

that big, but I was really excited.”

Chad had done his homework and saw the lake record for blue cat-fi sh was 26 pounds — a “softball” because Chad knew what kind of fi sh the lake held.

“(Lane) wanted to break a record and I’d never taken him on a lot of trips during the winter,” Chad said. “We started on Lake Worth because it was a small record.”

Several days before, a friend of Chads had his son on the lake and the pair boated a 37-pound catfi sh — good enough to break the existing record.

“Lane caught a 39 1/2-pounder that day, but we threw him back because we thought the other fi sh was over 40 pounds,” Chris said. “Oh well. I thought we could still beat the new record, so we decided to go back out on Friday.”

The pair had lines in the water for less than 30 min-utes when the big fi sh hit

a cut shad on the bottom.“I did a lot of driv-

ing around looking for schools of bait on the side-imaging sonar,” Chad said. “I found sev-eral big cats that I thought would be 35 to 40 pounds. I didn’t realize it was a really big fi sh at fi rst.”

Chad said Lane was fi ghting the fi sh, and neither realized the size until the fi sh turned into the wind.

“The wind was blow-ing hard and when he turned into the wind, he drug the boat,” Chad said. “I knew it was a good one then.”

The fi sh made sev-eral runs away from the boat, even bending the rod tip until it touched the underside of the boat several times.

“I was worried about losing the fi sh when I could hear the rod hit-ting the bottom of the boat,” Lane said. “I knew it was big and it was an exhausting fi ght.”

The Fort Worth Highland Middle School student fi nally boated the fi sh and put it on the scale.

“My scale was new

and not yet certifi ed, so we put the fi sh in the livewell and took it to a feed store,” Chad said. “I got 65 pounds on the feed store scale. We went back to the lake and I got my scale certifi ed. It was 100-percent accurate to begin with.”

Lane said he was in shock at the size of the fi sh.

“I knew he was big when my dad couldn’t lift him,” Lane said. “He was bigger than I thought and I was really shaky after the fi ght.”

Chad said his son “has been on Cloud Nine” since the catch.

“I told him he could fi sh the rest of his life and not catch a fi sh that big again,” Chad said. “He’s got me beat with records.”

The fi sh earned Lane seven awards: junior angler state record, junior state catch-and-release record for blue cats, both junior and all-age lake records for Lake Worth, catch-and-release records for junior and all-age anglers and a big fi sh award.

What’s next for the young angler?

“Hog hunting,” Lane said.

He also said the black drum fi shing has been steady for schooling drum, and the bigger drum are beginning to show up in the ship channels.

“The schooling drum are being caught in Deadman’s Hole and the Boat Hole,” he said.

Solid reports for drum have also come from Copano and Port bays.

According to Capt. Ron Moore’s fi shing report from Feb. 1 on fi shrockport.com, the fi shing has been hit or miss.

“The tide has been sort of in between the good high level and the good low level,” Moore reported. “That means not low enough to put the reds on the

drop-offs and not high enough to get them on the fl ats that are easily acces-sible for most boats. We have been picking up trout along the Intracoastal Waterway on Gulps and some black drum in the deeper holes and channels on the fl ats using peeled shrimp.

“There are still redfi sh around on the fl ats and the Lighthouse Lakes but get-ting to them requires a shallow run-ning boat. Some places you will need to run in 8 inches and fl oat in about 10- to 12-inches.

“We have been getting the reds mostly on dark soft plastics and peeled shrimp.”

Capt. Paul Braly, (361) 533-0982Capt. Ron Moore, (361) 356-1144

Record CatContinued From Page 9

Mid coastContinued From Page 9

There have been only a handful of instances when the mercury dipped below freezing, according to Laura Keys a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi.

“We did get down below freezing a cou-ple times at the end of November,” she said. “On the 28th we had a low of 27 degrees. On December 7th, we got down to 25 degrees.”

January, how-ever, ended with an average high of 74.7 degrees, nearly 8 degrees warmer than normal, Keys said, adding that the higher temperatures are a result of the warm weather phe-nomena La Niña.

That’s a stark con-trast to a year ago when ice and snow blan-keted much of the state in early February.

But on the coast, the lack of freezing temperatures this year has caused the fi sh to hang around the fl ats more, and not retreat to deeper water, Colburn said.

“It really has been weird,” he said. “We fi shed in 68-degree water in February, and we really don’t see that.

“We’re fi nding more fi sh in the lake in 5- to 6-feet of water. They don’t have to even get onto the mud or shell to get warm. It’s just like springtime.”

With fi sh not concentrating in their normal winter

haunts, guides have to cover more water to fi nd fi sh, but they are fi nding plenty of trout, redfi sh and fl ounder.

“They’re all up and down the banks and all over the fl ats,” he said. “So it has been a positive change in the bite; it has just been putting them in different places than they normally are.”

A similar report came from the oppo-site end of the coast.

Capt. Gary Farmer out of Port Isabel said he too has been cov-ering a lot of water, but with great results.

Farmer said he fi shed a 10-mile radius

on the Lower Laguna Madre the fi rst week of February, “And we caught fi sh every-where.”

“Fish are still in the fl ats, even in shal-lower water, about 10 inches or so,” Farmer said. “We got three limits of trout, all 18 to 22 inches and a couple fl ounder as well. We did catch some redfi sh but they were undersized so we threw them back.

“It’s really nice to fi sh like we do in spring and summer. It gives us another option because there still are fi sh in deep water as well.”

Farmer said “any

kind of soft plastics are working, either under a cork or not.”

Colburn said he is still using winter baits, but he has been retriev-ing them quicker.

“This time of year we’re usually throw-ing suspended mul-let-type baits like a Corky,” he said. “We use a real slow pre-sentation for cold water. Well, you can write that off now.

“We use the same baits, but everything about it is faster, even with Corkies.”

Capt. Dickie Colburn, (409) 883-0723Capt. Gary Farmer, (956) 459-0594

Warm WinterContinued From Page 8

BOUND FOR THE COAST: While winter 2012 has lacked freezing temperatures, there has been decent rainfall across much of the state. Rivers like the Guadalupe, shown here in DeWitt County, have risen and sent a lot of freshwater to the coast. Anglers hope that will ease salinity in the bays, and biologists say these “pulses” do help, although more steady infl ows are needed. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.



LastFeb 14

NewFeb 21

Solunar | Sun times | Moon timesMoon Phases

FOR THE TABLEOUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen Solution on Page 26ACROSS

1. Classed as rodents 3. Name for weeds

quail feed on 8. A position to stand

ready to fi re 9. Part of a fi shline11. To stalk a game12. A Rocky Mountain

game13. Field area pre-

ferred by quail14. To dress a game16. A boat that can be

folded up19. Act of removing

meat from bones20. Hunter rattles

these to lure deer22. The moray23. A boat gear25. The trapper's

interest26. Part of a gun scope28. Bowhunter's ammo30. Where wildfowl

have their young32. The shoulder hide

on a deer34. Pack your day's

catch in this36. A shell that fails

to fi re38. Indian name for deer39. A deep-water trout

species

42. A gun organization44. A deer species46. To stand ready to

shoot48. Oxidation on gun

parts49. A series of shots in

a shoot contest

DOWN1. Good pheasant

gun, duck _____ 2. Name for a large

trophy fi sh 4. A good trap bait 5. A bass species 6. Food fi sh that bites

well in winter 7. Angler considers

this when fi shing 8. Has a black and

white pelt10. Lab name is roe15. Commercial fi sher-

men use very large ones

17. A quail food source18. A wood used for

arrow shafts19. Home of the Key

deer21. Used to fry fi sh

over open fi re24. A bedded game is

at _____

27. Name for a bowhunting storage cabinet

29. A stream fi sher-man's wear

31. Hunters aim for a clean one

33. Young boars35. Large member of

the deer family37. To point at the target40. Arrows, shells41. To analyze a game

track

42. A brood of pheasants43. Deer teeth can

reveal this45. Bowman's protective

device, ____ pad47. Letters signify a

single action gun

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

Sun Moon Tides| |

1/3 cup Dijon or prepared mustard1/4 cup water1 tsp. lemon juice1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper1 1/2 cups seasoned coating mix2 1/4 pounds bass fi llets, cut into 2-inch piecesCanola oil

In small mixing bowl, combine mustard, water, juice, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne. Place coating mix in shallow dish. Dip fi sh fi rst in mustard mixture and then dredge in coating mix to coat. In 10-inch skillet, heat 1/2-inch oil over medium heat. Add fi sh. Fry three to four minutes or until golden brown. Turn once. Drain on plate lined with a paper towel.

— easyfi shrecipes.com

2 cups roasted goose meat Goose carcass 1 onion, chopped Celery leaves to taste 2/3 cup uncooked rice 2 tbsps. butter 3/4 cup fi nely chopped celery 1 cup leftover goose gravy

Break carcass apart and add four cups water, chopped onion (reserving 1 tsp.) and celery leaves. Simmer for one hour; strain out bones; bring the stock

to boiling and stir in slowly 2/3-cup rice.

Cook rice in the liquid until tender (about 1/2-hour); drain and reserve the liquid. Next, melt two tbsps. butter, add fi nely chopped celery and one tsp. grated onion; saute covered for fi ve minutes. Add the goose meat, rice, and one cup of goose gravy. Mix ingredients well with a fork. Serve hot with blended stewed plums or apricots.

— wildgamerecipes.org

Pilau of goose

FullMarch 8First

March 1Texas Coast TidesSabine Pass, jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 3:52 AM 1.5H 10:00 AM -0.1L 4:40 PM 1.4H 10:30 PM 0.0LFeb 11 5:17 AM 1.5H 10:44 AM 0.4L 4:58 PM 1.4H 11:28 PM -0.3LFeb 12 6:52 AM 1.4H 11:30 AM 0.9L 5:15 PM 1.5HFeb 13 12:31 AM -0.6L 8:39 AM 1.5H 12:24 PM 1.3L 5:31 PM 1.6HFeb 14 1:41 AM -0.8L 10:31 AM 1.7H 1:51 PM 1.6L 5:46 PM 1.6HFeb 15 2:54 AM -1.0L 12:07 PM 1.8HFeb 16 4:05 AM -1.1L 1:08 PM 1.9HFeb 17 5:11 AM -1.1L 1:50 PM 1.9H 6:46 PM 1.6L 9:51 PM 1.7HFeb 18 6:10 AM -1.1L 2:21 PM 1.8H 7:09 PM 1.5L 11:08 PM 1.8HFeb 19 7:01 AM -1.0L 2:47 PM 1.8H 7:36 PM 1.3LFeb 20 12:15 AM 1.8H 7:46 AM -0.8L 3:08 PM 1.7H 8:06 PM 1.1LFeb 21 1:17 AM 1.8H 8:26 AM -0.5L 3:27 PM 1.6H 8:38 PM 0.8LFeb 22 2:16 AM 1.7H 9:01 AM -0.2L 3:45 PM 1.5H 9:11 PM 0.6LFeb 23 3:14 AM 1.6H 9:32 AM 0.2L 4:01 PM 1.5H 9:47 PM 0.4LFeb 24 4:15 AM 1.6H 10:02 AM 0.5L 4:17 PM 1.5H 10:24 PM 0.2L

Galveston Bay entrance, south jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 4:39 AM 1.2H 10:26 AM -0.1L 5:27 PM 1.1H 10:56 PM 0.0LFeb 11 6:04 AM 1.2H 11:10 AM 0.3L 5:45 PM 1.1H 11:54 PM -0.3LFeb 12 7:39 AM 1.2H 11:56 AM 0.7L 6:02 PM 1.2HFeb 13 12:57 AM -0.5L 9:26 AM 1.2H 12:50 PM 1.0L 6:18 PM 1.2 HFeb 14 2:07 AM -0.7L 11:18 AM 1.3H 2:17 PM 1.3L 6:33 PM 1.3 HFeb 15 3:20 AM -0.8L 12:54 PM 1.5HFeb 16 4:31 AM -0.9L 1:55 PM 1.5HFeb 17 5:37 AM -0.9L 2:37 PM 1.5H 7:12 PM 1.3L 10:38 PM 1.4HFeb 18 6:36 AM -0.9L 3:08 PM 1.5H 7:35 PM 1.2L 11:55 PM 1.4HFeb 19 7:27 AM -0.8L 3:34 PM 1.4H 8:02 PM 1.0LFeb 20 1:02 AM 1.4H 8:12 AM -0.6L 3:55 PM 1.3H 8:32 PM 0.9LFeb 21 2:04 AM 1.4H 8:52 AM -0.4L 4:14 PM 1.3H 9:04 PM 0.7LFeb 22 3:03 AM 1.4H 9:27 AM -0.1L 4:32 PM 1.2H 9:37 PM 0.5LFeb 23 4:01 AM 1.3H 9:58 AM 0.1L 4:48 PM 1.2H 10:13 PM 0.3LFeb 24 5:02 AM 1.3H 10:28 AM 0.4L 5:04 PM 1.2H 10:50 PM 0.2L

San Luis PassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Feb 10 5:09 AM 0.7H 11:22 AM 0.0L 5:57 PM 0.7H 11:52 PM 0.0LFeb 11 6:34 AM 0.7H 12:06 PM 0.2L 6:15 PM 0.7HFeb 12 12:50 AM -0.2L 8:09 AM 0.7H 12:52 PM 0.4L 6:32 PM 0.7HFeb 13 1:53 AM -0.3L 9:56 AM 0.7H 1:46 PM 0.6L 6:48 PM 0.7HFeb 14 3:03 AM -0.4L 11:48 AM 0.8H 3:13 PM 0.8L 7:03 PM 0.8HFeb 15 4:16 AM -0.5L 1:24 PM 0.9HFeb 16 5:27 AM -0.5L 2:25 PM 0.9HFeb 17 6:33 AM -0.5L 3:07 PM 0.9H 8:08 PM 0.8L 11:08 PM 0.8HFeb 18 7:32 AM -0.5L 3:38 PM 0.9H 8:31 PM 0.7LFeb 19 12:25 AM 0.8H 8:23 AM -0.5L 4:04 PM 0.8H 8:58 PM 0.6LFeb 20 1:32 AM 0.9H 9:08 AM -0.4L 4:25 PM 0.8H 9:28 PM 0.5LFeb 21 2:34 AM 0.8H 9:48 AM -0.2L 4:44 PM 0.8H 10:00 PM 0.4LFeb 22 3:33 AM 0.8H 10:23 AM -0.1L 5:02 PM 0.7H 10:33 PM 0.3LFeb 23 4:31 AM 0.8H 10:54 AM 0.1L 5:18 PM 0.7H 11:09 PM 0.2LFeb 24 5:32 AM 0.8H 11:24 AM 0.2L 5:34 PM 0.7H 11:46 PM 0.1L

Freeport HarborDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 4:32 AM 1.1H 10:53 AM 0.1L 5:22 PM 1.0H 11:22 PM 0.2LFeb 11 5:50 AM 1.1H 11:46 AM 0.3L 5:39 PM 1.0HFeb 12 12:05 AM 0.0L 7:17 AM 1.1H 12:54 PM 0.6L 5:51 PM 0.9 HFeb 13 12:58 AM -0.2L 8:56 AM 1.2H 2:56 PM 0.9L 5:52 PM 0.9HFeb 14 2:00 AM -0.4L 10:47 AM 1.3HFeb 15 3:11 AM -0.5L 12:28 PM 1.4HFeb 16 4:25 AM -0.6L 1:36 PM 1.5HFeb 17 5:36 AM -0.6L 2:25 PM 1.5HFeb 18 6:39 AM -0.6L 3:02 PM 1.5H 9:05 PM 1.0L 11:24 PM 1.0 HFeb 19 7:34 AM -0.5L 3:29 PM 1.4H 9:17 PM 0.9LFeb 20 12:45 AM 1.0H 8:24 AM -0.4L 3:50 PM 1.3H 9:35 PM 0.7LFeb 21 1:52 AM 1.1H 9:09 AM -0.2L 4:05 PM 1.2H 9:55 PM 0.6LFeb 22 2:54 AM 1.1H 9:49 AM 0.0L 4:19 PM 1.1H 10:17 PM 0.5LFeb 23 3:53 AM 1.1H 10:27 AM 0.2L 4:32 PM 1.0H 10:39 PM 0.3LFeb 24 4:51 AM 1.1H 11:04 AM 0.4L 4:44 PM 1.0H 11:04 PM 0.2L

South Padre IslandDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 3:48 AM 0.9H 10:33 AM 0.1L 4:53 PM 0.8H 10:59 PM 0.2LFeb 11 5:27 AM 0.9H 11:23 AM 0.4L 4:47 PM 0.8H 11:46 PM -0.1LFeb 12 7:21 AM 0.9H 12:18 PM 0.7L 4:36 PM 0.8HFeb 13 12:41 AM -0.4L 9:41 AM 1.0H 1:31 PM 0.9L 4:07 PM 0.9HFeb 14 1:43 AM -0.6L 12:07 PM 1.1HFeb 15 2:49 AM -0.7L 1:34 PM 1.3HFeb 16 3:57 AM -0.7L 2:25 PM 1.4HFeb 17 5:03 AM -0.7L 3:03 PM 1.4HFeb 18 6:05 AM -0.7L 3:30 PM 1.3HFeb 19 7:01 AM -0.5L 3:48 PM 1.2H 8:06 PM 1.1L 11:15 PM 1.1HFeb 20 7:52 AM -0.4L 4:01 PM 1.1H 8:25 PM 0.9LFeb 21 12:47 AM 1.1H 8:38 AM -0.2L 4:08 PM 1.0H 8:54 PM 0.7LFeb 22 2:04 AM 1.1H 9:21 AM 0.1L 4:12 PM 0.9H 9:26 PM 0.6LFeb 23 3:16 AM 1.1H 10:02 AM 0.3L 4:12 PM 0.9H 10:00 PM 0.4LFeb 24 4:27 AM 1.0H 10:40 AM 0.5L 4:08 PM 0.8H 10:36 PM 0.2L

Port O’ConnorDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 12:14 AM -0.2L 5:47 AM 0.0H 1:13 PM -0.3L 7:06 PM -0.1HFeb 11 1:13 AM -0.3L 7:48 AM -0.1H 1:38 PM -0.2L 6:18 PM -0.1HFeb 12 2:11 AM -0.4L 6:04 PM 0.0HFeb 13 3:13 AM -0.5L 6:11 PM 0.1HFeb 14 4:24 AM -0.6L 6:30 PM 0.2HFeb 15 5:42 AM -0.6L 7:08 PM 0.3HFeb 16 7:04 AM -0.6L 8:01 PM 0.3HFeb 17 8:20 AM -0.7L 9:05 PM 0.3HFeb 18 9:27 AM -0.6L 10:21 PM 0.3HFeb 19 10:23 AM -0.6L 11:49 PM 0.2HFeb 20 11:08 AM -0.5LFeb 21 1:33 AM 0.1H 11:43 AM -0.4L 8:34 PM 0.0H 11:04 PM 0.0LFeb 22 3:43 AM 0.1H 12:09 PM -0.3L 8:22 PM 0.0H 11:57 PM -0.1LFeb 23 5:13 AM 0.0H 12:28 PM -0.2L 6:51 PM 0.0HFeb 24 12:35 AM -0.1L 6:33 AM 0.0H 12:42 PM -0.1L 6:14 PM 0.0H

RockportDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 12:11 AM -0.2L 6:26 AM -0.2H 1:49 PM -0.3L 8:13 PM -0.2HFeb 11 2:34 AM -0.3L 9:21 AM -0.2H 1:24 PM -0.2L 7:39 PM -0.2HFeb 12 3:54 AM -0.3L 7:36 PM -0.1HFeb 13 5:00 AM -0.4L 8:02 PM -0.1HFeb 14 6:04 AM -0.4L 8:48 PM -0.1HFeb 15 7:07 AM -0.4L 9:45 PM 0.0HFeb 16 8:11 AM -0.4L 10:47 PM 0.0HFeb 17 9:14 AM -0.4L 11:50 PM 0.0HFeb 18 10:12 AM -0.4LFeb 19 12:52 AM 0.0H 11:03 AM -0.4LFeb 20 1:52 AM 0.0H 11:45 AM -0.3LFeb 21 2:54 AM -0.1H 12:19 PM -0.3LFeb 22 4:03 AM -0.1H 12:43 PM -0.3LFeb 23 5:28 AM -0.1H 12:58 PM -0.2L 6:49 PM -0.2HFeb 24 12:16 AM -0.2L 7:17 AM -0.1H 1:01 PM -0.2L 6:35 PM -0.1H

Houston2012 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONFeb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets10 Fri 7:06 12:54 7:32 1:19 07:05 06:05 9:21p 8:33a 11 Sat 8:04 1:51 8:30 2:17 07:04 06:05 10:26p 9:11a 12 Sun 9:03 2:49 9:30 3:16 07:03 06:06 11:32p 9:52a 13 Mon 10:02 3:48 10:30 4:16 07:02 06:07 NoMoon 10:37a 14 Tue Q 11:02 4:47 11:31 5:16 07:01 06:08 12:38a 11:27a 15 Wed 11:59 5:45 ----- 6:14 07:01 06:09 1:43a 12:21p 16 Thu 12:25 6:40 12:54 7:09 07:00 06:10 2:43a 1:19p 17 Fri 1:18 7:32 1:46 8:01 06:59 06:10 3:39a 2:20p 18 Sat 2:08 8:22 2:35 8:49 06:58 06:11 4:29a 3:21p 19 Sun 2:56 9:09 3:22 9:34 06:57 06:12 5:13a 4:22p 20 Mon > 3:42 9:54 4:06 10:18 06:56 06:13 5:52a 5:21p 21 Tue > 4:28 10:39 4:50 11:02 06:55 06:13 6:28a 6:18p 22 Wed N 5:13 10:58 5:35 ----- 06:54 06:14 7:01a 7:13p 23 Thu > 5:59 11:44 6:20 12:10 06:53 06:15 7:33a 8:08p 24 Fri > 6:46 12:35 7:07 12:57 06:52 06:16 8:05a 9:01p 25 Sat 7:34 1:23 7:56 1:45 06:51 06:16 8:38a 9:55p 26 Sun 8:23 2:12 8:45 2:34 06:50 06:17 9:12a 10:49p 27 Mon 9:13 3:01 9:36 3:24 06:49 06:18 9:49a 11:43p 28 Tue 10:03 3:51 10:27 4:15 06:48 06:19 10:30a NoMoon 29 Wed Q 10:53 4:41 11:18 5:05 06:47 06:19 11:14a 12:36a

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell PierDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightFeb 10 4:04 AM 0.7H 10:29 AM -0.1L 4:58 PM 0.8H 11:13 PM 0.0LFeb 11 5:41 AM 0.8H 11:17 AM 0.3L 4:57 PM 0.8H 11:58 PM -0.2LFeb 12 7:35 AM 0.9H 12:13 PM 0.7L 4:50 PM 0.9HFeb 13 12:51 AM -0.4L 9:51 AM 1.1H 1:37 PM 1.0L 4:22 PM 1.0HFeb 14 1:52 AM -0.6L 11:57 AM 1.3HFeb 15 2:57 AM -0.7L 1:10 PM 1.4HFeb 16 4:03 AM -0.9L 1:59 PM 1.4HFeb 17 5:08 AM -0.9L 2:37 PM 1.3HFeb 18 6:07 AM -1.0L 3:08 PM 1.2HFeb 19 7:01 AM -0.9L 3:33 PM 1.1H 8:39 PM 0.7L 11:22 PM 0.8HFeb 20 7:50 AM -0.8L 3:52 PM 0.9H 8:47 PM 0.6LFeb 21 12:52 AM 0.8H 8:36 AM -0.6L 4:06 PM 0.8H 9:08 PM 0.4LFeb 22 2:08 AM 0.8H 9:19 AM -0.4L 4:15 PM 0.7H 9:33 PM 0.2LFeb 23 3:18 AM 0.8H 10:00 AM -0.1L 4:19 PM 0.6H 10:02 PM 0.1LFeb 24 4:27 AM 0.8H 10:40 AM 0.2L 4:17 PM 0.6H 10:34 PM 0.0L

San Antonio2012 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONFeb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets10 Fri 7:19 1:06 7:44 1:32 07:17 06:18 9:34p 8:46a 11 Sat 8:16 2:03 8:42 2:29 07:16 06:18 10:39p 9:24a 12 Sun 9:15 3:02 9:42 3:29 07:15 06:19 11:45p 10:06a 13 Mon 10:15 4:01 10:43 4:29 07:14 06:20 NoMoon 10:51a 14 Tue Q 11:14 5:00 11:43 5:29 07:14 06:21 12:51a 11:41a 15 Wed ----- 5:57 12:12 6:26 07:13 06:22 1:55a 12:35p 16 Thu 12:38 6:52 1:07 7:21 07:12 06:22 2:56a 1:33p 17 Fri 1:31 7:45 1:59 8:13 07:11 06:23 3:51a 2:33p 18 Sat 2:21 8:34 2:48 9:01 07:10 06:24 4:41a 3:35p 19 Sun 3:09 9:21 3:34 9:47 07:09 06:25 5:25a 4:35p 20 Mon > 3:55 10:07 4:19 10:31 07:08 06:26 6:05a 5:34p 21 Tue > 4:40 10:51 5:03 11:14 07:07 06:26 6:41a 6:31p 22 Wed N 5:25 11:10 5:47 ----- 07:06 06:27 7:14a 7:26p 23 Thu > 6:11 12:01 6:33 12:22 07:05 06:28 7:46a 8:20p 24 Fri > 6:58 12:48 7:20 1:09 07:04 06:28 8:18a 9:14p 25 Sat 7:46 1:36 8:08 1:57 07:03 06:29 8:51a 10:08p 26 Sun 8:36 2:24 8:58 2:47 07:02 06:30 9:26a 11:01p 27 Mon 9:25 3:14 9:48 3:37 07:01 06:31 10:03a 11:55p 28 Tue 10:16 4:04 10:39 4:27 07:00 06:31 10:44a NoMoon 29 Wed Q 11:06 4:53 11:30 5:18 06:59 06:32 11:28a 12:48a

Amarillo2012 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONFeb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets10 Fri 7:32 1:20 7:58 1:45 07:39 06:22 9:51p 8:57a 11 Sat 8:30 2:17 8:56 2:43 07:38 06:24 11:00p 9:33a 12 Sun 9:29 3:15 9:56 3:42 07:37 06:25 NoMoon 10:11a 13 Mon 10:28 4:14 10:56 4:42 07:36 06:26 12:09a 10:54a 14 Tue Q 11:28 5:13 11:57 5:42 07:35 06:27 1:17a 11:42a 15 Wed 12:01 6:11 12:25 6:40 07:34 06:28 2:23a 12:35p 16 Thu 12:51 7:06 1:20 7:35 07:32 06:29 3:24a 1:33p 17 Fri 1:44 7:58 2:12 8:26 07:31 06:30 4:19a 2:34p 18 Sat 2:34 8:48 3:01 9:15 07:30 06:31 5:07a 3:37p 19 Sun 3:22 9:35 3:48 10:00 07:29 06:32 5:49a 4:40p 20 Mon > 4:08 10:20 4:32 10:44 07:28 06:33 6:26a 5:42p 21 Tue > 4:53 11:05 5:16 11:28 07:27 06:33 6:59a 6:42p 22 Wed N 5:39 11:24 6:01 ----- 07:26 06:34 7:29a 7:40p 23 Thu > 6:25 12:14 6:46 12:35 07:25 06:35 7:59a 8:37p 24 Fri > 7:12 1:01 7:33 1:22 07:23 06:36 8:28a 9:33p 25 Sat 8:00 1:49 8:22 2:11 07:22 06:37 8:58a 10:29p 26 Sun 8:49 2:38 9:11 3:00 07:21 06:38 9:31a 11:25p 27 Mon 9:39 3:27 10:02 3:50 07:20 06:39 10:06a NoMoon 28 Tue 10:29 4:17 10:53 4:41 07:18 06:40 10:45a 12:21a 29 Wed Q 11:19 5:07 11:43 5:31 07:17 06:41 11:28a 1:15a

Dallas2012 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONFeb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets10 Fri 7:12 12:59 7:37 1:25 07:15 06:06 9:29p 8:37a 11 Sat 8:09 1:56 8:35 2:22 07:14 06:07 10:35p 9:14a 12 Sun 9:08 2:55 9:35 3:22 07:13 06:08 11:43p 9:54a 13 Mon 10:08 3:54 10:36 4:22 07:12 06:08 NoMoon 10:37a 14 Tue Q 11:07 4:53 11:36 5:22 07:11 06:09 12:51a 11:26a 15 Wed ----- 5:50 12:05 6:19 07:10 06:10 1:56a 12:19p 16 Thu 12:31 6:45 1:00 7:14 07:09 06:11 2:57a 1:17p 17 Fri 1:24 7:38 1:52 8:06 07:08 06:12 3:52a 2:18p 18 Sat 2:14 8:27 2:41 8:54 07:07 06:13 4:41a 3:21p 19 Sun 3:02 9:14 3:27 9:40 07:06 06:14 5:24a 4:23p 20 Mon > 3:48 10:00 4:12 10:24 07:05 06:15 6:02a 5:23p 21 Tue > 4:33 10:44 4:56 11:07 07:04 06:16 6:36a 6:22p 22 Wed N 5:18 11:03 5:40 ----- 07:03 06:17 7:08a 7:19p 23 Thu > 6:04 11:50 6:26 12:15 07:02 06:17 7:38a 8:15p 24 Fri > 6:51 12:41 7:13 1:02 07:01 06:18 8:09a 9:10p 25 Sat 7:39 1:29 8:01 1:50 07:00 06:19 8:40a 10:05p 26 Sun 8:29 2:17 8:51 2:40 06:58 06:20 9:13a 11:00p 27 Mon 9:18 3:07 9:41 3:30 06:57 06:21 9:49a 11:55p 28 Tue 10:09 3:57 10:32 4:20 06:56 06:22 10:29a NoMoon 29 Wed Q 10:59 4:46 11:23 5:11 06:55 06:22 11:13a 12:48a

Mustard batter bass

*E-mail LSON your favorite recipe to [email protected].


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proved fi nger dexterity. The OutDry membrane is bonded to the shell, resulting in a fully wa-terproof, windproof and breathable

laminated glove outershell. This technol-ogy eliminates gaps between membrane

and shell where water can stagnate and create a wet, cold sensation. The new glove line also includes the Dirty

Bird Insulated Decoy Gloves, which feature insulation on palm and back of hand and fi ngers. The Decoy-length gauntlet design has a one-handed, cord-

lock closure with an overlay on palm, thumb and fi ngers. Available in sizes small through extra-large, the gloves sell for about $105.

(800) 333-3288www.browning.com

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mbrane nate The irty ich ack ength

sizes small through extra lable in $105.

3-3288ning.com

PINK RIBBON TACKLE BOX: If she likes to fi sh, she’ll appreciate Flam-

beau Outdoors’ compact tackle box more than a box of chocolates this Valen-tine’s Day. This sturdy, weath-

erproof pink tackle box has removable divid-ers for fl exible stor-

age options, molded-in tool holders on the

side, a “Drawtite” latch for secure clo-

sure, and tray supports that prevent the tackle

box from tipping over when fully open. Part of the pro-

ceeds will be donated to the fi ght against breast can-

cer. The tackle box sells for about $15.

(800) 232-3474www.fl ambeauoutdoors.com

CUSTOM-MOLDED EARPLUGS: Remington offers a new — and affordable — way for shooters to protect their hearing with its Custom Molded Hearing Protection Kit. The do-it-yourself kit allows users to create earplugs with a noise reduction rating of 26. Made from a non-toxic, hypoallergenic silicone, the earplugs of-fer protection that is reusable plus comfortable enough to wear all day. Included is a lanyard cord with colored screw ends that fi t securely in the earplugs, a mirror to aid in the molding process, and a microfi ber bag to store the earplugs. The kit sells for about $20.

(877) 723-4267www.radians.com

RODENT SOFT PLASTIC LURE: Here’s a rodent that anglers will welcome in

their tackle boxes. Strike King Lures’ Rodent is made from a blend of soft plastic ingredi-

ents infused with large amounts of salt and a coffee scent that masks human scents and

oils. Designed to make a major disturbance under the water, the Rodent is a good choice for fi shing in waters with heavy cover and works on a Texas rig, Carolina rig, or

as a jig trailer. Its bubble-tipped appendages and soft plas-tic tails offer incredible action in the water and will punch through

vegetation. Available in 16 colors, this 4-inch-long lure sells for about $5 for a pack of six.

For retailers, visit:www.strikeking.com

LETHAL HUMAN SCENT ELIMINATOR FIELD SPRAY

& ACTIVATOR: Lethal Products has part-

nered with Mossy Oak. Now, the company’s core prod-

ucts, including its fi eld spray and activator, feature a touch of

the Mossy Oak camo on the packaging. The fi eld spray and activator has a sepa-rate concentrated activa-tor that charges the prod-uct with odor eliminating

bonding agents. Lone Star Outdoor News Editor Bill Miller used the spray this

deer season while hunt-ing from ground blinds. “I

had an archery-range shot while hunting with a rifl e,” he said. “The freezer is full. That says enough for me.” This product lasts

90 days after activation. It sells for about $14.

(800) 841-3904www.lethalproducts.com

>>

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LONE STAR MARKET

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or e-mail him at [email protected].

Puzzle solution from Page 24


Brackettville angler wins on Amistad

JJ Ducharme’s weekend of fi shing didn’t get off to a great start in the EverStart Series Texas Division Feb. 2-4 on Lake Amistad.

Conditions changed drastically from early in the week until the time the tournament started, forcing Ducharme to search for clear water.

“I never thought I had a chance to win,” said Ducharme. “We got to the spot I have been fi shing all week and between the cold front that rolled through today and the wind that brought 3-to-4-foot rollers, it had turned the water to chocolate milk, I knew I was in trouble.”

Ducharme, of Brackettville, righted the ship in time to weigh a fi ve-bass limit totaling 23 pounds Feb. 4 to win with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 63 pounds.

For his victory, Ducharme earned $35,000.“All week the afternoon bite has been the

most productive,” Ducharme said. “On the fi rst day I caught my 10-pounder 10 minutes before we had to check in and we left them biting. On day two, between my co-angler and I, we caught 45 pounds in three hours there — it was incredible.

“And today my big fi sh didn’t come until after 2 p.m. Staying in the game mentally was really my biggest challenge all week, especially with the bite not turning on until after noon.”

Ducharme indicated that he was fi shing with Strike King Series 5 and 6 crankbaits mostly in the color bluegill.

— FLW Outdoors

Yowell and Schott win on tough Cedar Creek

Despite high winds and rough lake condi-tions, Lee Yowell of Ennis and Brian Schott of Longview stuck by their plan to fi sh docks and were rewarded with a win in the Bass Champs North Region tournament.

“We planned to hit docks all day,” Schott said. “We were fi shing with spinnerbaits, square-bill crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps all day.

About every 10th dock, we’d catch a keeper. It seemed to be the docks that had 2- to 4-feet of water were holding bass.”

Winning by a mere ounce and a half, Bass Champs presented the team with the guaran-teed fi rst place check for $20,000.

Jeremy Zmolik of Mabank and Strider Browning of Gun Barrel City came home in second place.

“We found a few spots in the backs of coves where the water was a little warmer,” Zmolik said. “The fi sh were in shallow water.”

Bringing in 16.71 pounds, they enjoyed a $3,000 check for their second place fi nish.

Brothers Mike and Rob Burns, from Lucas and Plano, fi nished in third place, followed by Lee Batson and Jason Greer, both from Forney”

— Bass Champs

Lamar University uses weather to win Amistad

Lamar University’s Danny Iles, of Hemphill, and Justin Royal, of Vidor, won the National Guard FLW College Fishing South Conference event on Lake Amistad Feb. 4 with fi ve bass weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces.

The victory earned the team $5,000 and helped them advance to the South Conference Regional Championship.

“You couldn’t have asked for better weather conditions,” said Iles, a senior mechanical engineering major. “It was overcast with a wind that really helped us with our bite. We wouldn’t have been able to catch anything without the wind we had. It was perfect for rattle baits. We caught all our fi sh with a Red Eye Shad in about 2- to 8-feet of water. We fi shed the same grassy area all day long and were catching one fi sh about every 15 minutes. We must have had at least 25 keepers today.

“I think the fi sh are starting to move from deep to shallow to start spawning. That’s why you saw fi sh caught anywhere from 80 feet to 6 inches. We chose to fi sh shallow because you typically catch them faster shallow and we knew our time was limited.”

— FLW Outdoors

TOURNAMENT BRIEFS


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February 10, 2012 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting