January 14, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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January 14, 2011 Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Volume 7, Issue 10

Don't shoot hensConservation group asks hunters

to focus on drakes. Page 5

Inside

❘❚ LSONews.com

❘❚ CONTENTSClassifi eds . . . . . . . . . Page 22Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page 20Fishing Report . . . . . . . Page 10For the Table. . . . . . . . Page 20Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page 19Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 25Outfi tters and Businesses . . Page 23Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 22Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page 20

Guide sets new Falcon Lake record with 15.63-pound bass.

Page 8

New Record❘❚ FISHING

More snow geese are mixing with Canadasover Texas.

Page 4

Snows in the forecast

Hypothermia nearly claims Arlington biology teacher.

Page 21

Survivor

Tests show Hunt County deer killed last month by the Texas Parks and Wildlife De-partment had no Chronic Wasting Disease.

Page 4

Free of disease

❘❚ HUNTING

By Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Christmas came early for Bibi Flores.The 2010 season produced her biggest buck ever — a 16-point, 184-inch

buck taken from her ranch in Webb County.She and her family had watched the deer grow for years, and the oppor-

tunity to harvest the animal fi nally presented itself in mid-December.“I’d been chasing him for three weeks,” she said. “He was chasing

does. I would sit at one stand and my son would call me and say he saw

him at another stand.”The buck, nicknamed “Homie,” fi nally appeared in front of Flores.“My husband said, ‘There he is,’” she said. “I grabbed my binoculars

and he said, ‘No, grab your gun.’“I was in shock after I shot him. This was my Christmas gift. He’s my

once-in-a-lifetime buck.”Many hunters connected on big bucks well into the post-rut, although

Post-rut bucks highlight season

By Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

The business mantra “location, location, location” applies well to Texas quail hunting midway through the 2010-11 upland game season.

Many hunters in North and West Texas reported scant coveys, unless

they were fortunate to hunt ranches that are actively managing for quail.

“It has been few and far between, as far as good coveys,” said Emily Berg of Dalhart in the northwest cor-ner of the Panhandle.

SEASON FINALE: Excellent range conditions made for healthy deer in the 2010-2011 deer season, and a good secondary rut added lots of late-season action from the Panhandle to the border with Mexico. This Webb County buck was photographed chasing does on a sendero Dec. 31. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Location, location, locationQuail

numbers picking up

in some regions,

hunters say

See POST-RUT BUCKS, Page 14

BACK TO BOB BASICS: Some hunters in North and West Texas still report scant coveys of bobwhite quail, but the opposite was true the fi rst week of January in southern and southeast-ern parts of the state. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

See LOCATION Page 14

After slow start, second half of season picks up for many hunters

La Niña back


Parched is how most of Texas began 2011, a complete reversal of the previous year when wet conditions spurred explosive growth of wildlife habitat.

Hunters and anglers closed 2010 with plenty of food and cover for deer, turkey and small game in Texas.

But the massive down-pours shed by Tropical Storm

DRY AGAIN: Don Stiles, a South Texas cattleman, inspects an empty tank on a ranch in DeWitt County. Hunters and anglers closed 2010 with plenty of food and cover for wildlife, but by early January, most of Texas was sliding back into drought. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.

See DROUGHT Page 24

Page 2 January 14, 2011 Lone✯Star Outdoor News LSONews.com

LSONews.com Lone✯Star Outdoor News January 14, 2011 Page 3


HUNTING

Snow fl ocks drift west

Great nesting season leads to more snows in the Texas Panhandle and along the coast


Pro bass fi sherman Kelly Jordon and Iraq War veteran Brent Homan were hunt-ing on a ranch near Laredo last month when they came upon a rare sight — two big bucks locked together in battle.

Jordon said it was Homan’s fi rst time ever to sit in a deer stand, and after shooting a doe dur-ing the morning hunt, the pair went looking for a man-agement buck for Homan to harvest.

Jordon said the two men were sitting in a blind overlooking a sendero when two management bucks appeared. Neither presented Homan with a shot and the pair walked into the brush. Moments later, one of the management bucks and another buck began fi ghting and crossing the sendero.

“They crossed the sendero three times, and the last time they crossed it looked like they were locked,” Jordon said. “Lots of deer began inves-tigating, including about a 150-inch 10-pointer

that was only 4 years old.”

Jordon said the bucks even-tually fought out of sight. One of the management bucks stepped back into the sendero, where Homan downed the deer.

After climbing out of the stand and taking pic-tures with the deer, Jordon said he heard the two bucks still fi ght-ing in the brush and decided to investigate.

“We found the bucks and I text-messaged a friend to come help,” he said. “We watched the two deer for probably 30 minutes before help arrived.”

Jordon’s friend grabbed one of the bucks and tried to get a rope around it to help pull the deer apart when the two bucks freed themselves and ran off into the brush.

Jordon said the bucks looked fi ne as they departed.“It was a great day,” he said.Jordon videotaped the buck fi ght. View it at

lsonews.com.

BULL'S-EYE: This single juvenile snow goose, in joining with a fl ock of Canadas, sticks out like a sore thumb and would become the target of West Texas goose hunters, where Canadas are more abundant. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.


Dang snow geese.That’s the sentiment of many hunters who have seen one

snow goose in a fl ock of more-easily fooled Canadas lead them away from decoy spreads this season.

Waterfowl hunters in the Texas Panhandle are reporting larger numbers of snow geese intermingled with fl ocks of Canada geese.

Snow geese often are harder to decoy because they prefer to stay with large fl ocks instead of small groups of geese like many Canadas.

On the fl ip side, hunters can shoot more snow geese than the darker Canadas, which can make for some great days if they are coming into spreads.

Young snow geese often will join a fl ock of Canadas if they get separated from their original fl ock.

Game Warden Adam Clark, who patrols Dallam and Hartley counties, said he has noticed a lot more snows in the air and in hunters’ bags this year, compared to years past.

One reason could be a bumper crop of young birds migrat-ing south from their Arctic breeding grounds.

“Absolutely, it’s crazy,” said guide Terry Cook of Straight Line Outfi tters, when asked if his hunters were seeing more snow geese. “All the Canadas are in the area around Amarillo, and we are seeing a lot more snows than normal. Friday (Jan. 7) was phenomenal. We killed 43 geese.”

Todd Merendino, Ducks Unlimited's manager of conserva-tion programs, said this year’s fl ock of snow geese contained 30 to 40 percent young birds, compared to 10 percent last year.

“The sheer numbers of (snow geese) coming south is higher,” he said. “Snow geese on the coast are up approxi-mately 200,000 birds from last year. It was a good hatch in the Arctic.”

Merendino said the Gulf Coast has been extremely dry

this year and the birds are congregating in huge fl ocks near feed and water. He also said some areas in the Panhandle had good water, while other areas are dry.

“Just given the habitat differences, those birds might be hold-ing in places they haven’t been before,” he said, which might explain why hunters are seeing snows in traditional Canada geese strongholds. “Snows will barge right in and take over.”

Biologist Greg Green said snow geese are staying in the Panhandle more than they used to, instead of heading far-ther south to the coast.

“They aren’t migrating like they historically did,” Green said. “With people seeing a mix of snow geese in fl ocks of Canadas, it could be young birds that fi nd security in a fl ock of Canadas. Snow geese are very particular.

“They tend to stay in large groups. Guys on the coast will put out 500 to 600 rag decoys. Those birds are watching for large fl ocks of white, but they are pretty selective.”

South Texas bucks lock upin head-to-head battle

TANGLED: These two bucks were clenched together while doing battle during the South Texas rut. The bucks were freed with the help of several hunters who intervened. Photo by Kelly Jordon.

Anderton deer free of disease

Critics help TPWD improvecontroversial disease protocol


No Chronic Wasting Disease or tuberculosis have been found in tests on 70 deer that were killed last month by state wildlife offi cials in Hunt County.

The deer at the Anderton ranch near Quinlan were euthanized on Dec. 6 because owners could not prove the animals came from a state free of CWD.

Mitch Lockwood, big game pro-gram director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, announced the test results on Jan. 10.

Texas breeders who bought deer from the Andertons in the spring of 2010 eagerly awaited the news.

“These results give us comfort that other facilities that received deer from this facility were not jeopardized by those transactions,” Lockwood said.

He added that the breeders who

received deer from the Andertons can “continue operating with no interruptions.”

Lockwood also said he will soon draft a revised protocol for euthaniz-ing deer at facilities that don’t have proof of the animals’ origins.

The controversial operation in Hunt County made news in print and on TV, and the protocol drew criticism from Texas deer breeders who complained that it needlessly caused healthy deer to die.

But some of the critics joined TPWD offi cials for meetings in late December and early January to dis-cuss the protocol.

Offi cials from the Texas Animal Health Commission attended the meetings, held in Austin.

Members of the Texas Deer Association, which criticized the Dec. 6 operation, also participated.

Lockwood said this working group

See RESULTS, Page 27


Don’t shoot hens

By Craig NyhusLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Two hunters sat in their duck blind when a pair of mallards fl ew overhead. One couldn’t shoot — he had limited out for the day. The other pulled up and dropped one.

“You just shot the hen,” the partner said.

“But I was shooting at the drake,” the other replied.

“It still costs $5 in the hen jar.”For years, that group of hunters

maintained a jar to collect fi nes for shooting hens. Fines varied from $1 for hen teal, gadwalls and wigeon to $5 for hen mallards, pintails, canvasbacks (when legal at all) and wood ducks. The money went to a waterfowl con-servation organization at the sea-son’s end.

Delta Waterfowl is promoting a similar approach.

Called “Voluntary Restraint,” it challenges hunters to focus on harvesting drakes, especially among sensitive species like pintails, canvasbacks, and blue-bills. The promotion isn’t new — it began in 1989 when duck pop-ulations were at an all-time low.

“It’s not about criticizing hunters that shoot hens,” said Delta Senior Vice President John Devney. “But for those guys that have lots of opportunities to hunt — why not pass on the hens?”

Although there isn’t defi ni-tive science that it makes a differ-

ence, the hope is that focusing the harvest on drakes and pass-ing on hens may have the poten-tial to improve the number of hens returning to the breeding grounds each spring.

“It’s something an individual hunter can do,” Devney said, “decide whether to shoot a hen or not. And I’ve found that being that focused has helped make me a better shot.”

Hens do all the important work in the duck world and suf-fer the most from predation. They lay a clutch of eggs, incu-bate them until hatch and care for the newly hatched brood. Letting the hen pass might allow her to return to the breeding grounds and contribute to next year’s fl ight.

At Pintail Farms near Telephone and the Oklahoma border, the lodge hits members and guests if they shoot a more easily identifi able hen mallard or pintail.

“It’s $10 for the hens,” said owner Mike Jolley. “They can decide whether the money goes to Delta Waterfowl or DU. Our total usually comes to between $250 and $400 per season.”

Delta’s VR program also pro-motes good fi eld identifi cation techniques, including learning to identify species and sexes in fl ight, avoiding losses of birds and taking a young people duck hunting, helping to improve their duck identifi cation skills.

Delta Waterfowl promotes focus on drakes

MEN'S CLUB: Delta Waterfowl is encouraging avid waterfowlers to focus on shooting drakes, leaving the hens to return to the breeding grounds in the spring. Photo by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Brittingham shoots record typical

Well-known Texas hunter Jack Brittingham harvested a typical white-tailed buck on Oct. 23 that offi cially gross scored 213 7/8 and netted 196 1/8 Boone and Crockett, besting the Texas Big Game Awards all-time record that has stood for 20 years.

Brittingham shot the buck with a bow on his 5,000-acre ranch, Rancho Encantado in Dimmit County.

The buck bested the previous record typical buck killed in 1991 by Steven O’Carroll in Shackelford County. That buck scored 190 2/8 B&C.

Brittingham also holds the record for the sixth-best non-typical buck all-time in the TBGA.

—Staff report

MUY GRANDE: Texas hunter Jack Brit-tingham shot this 196 1/8 B&C buck on his South Texas ranch on Oct. 23. Photo by Texas Big Game Awards.

Hunting Brief


By Alan ClemonsFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Predator hunters turn the tables on their quarry, pursuing bobcats, coyotes and foxes that typically are the hunters instead of the hunted.

From the Panhandle to the Rio Grande, the year-round opportunities for predators give hunters a chance to whet their appetites day or night in chal-lenging situations requiring stealth, call-ing skills and marksmanship.

Danny Bloodworth, who lives near Weatherford, has been calling preda-tors for about six years. He would shoot a coyote or bobcat on occasion while deer hunting before the bug bit hard to get more involved with predator hunting.

“Whenever you see their eyes pop up and you know they’re coming in, it’s like calling a turkey and dealing with some-thing one-on-one,” Bloodworth said. “They come in and it gets your heart pumping.”

During daytime hunts, full camou-fl age including gloves and a facemask are standard gear.

Bobcats, foxes and coyotes have keen eyesight and detect the slightest move-ments that can give them pause.

Because they lock in on the call — a “dying” rabbit or squeaking mouse, for example — they pinpoint the location fi rst by sound and then start searching with their powerful vision.

That’s one reason why nighttime hunts are more popular. The ability to call and use a light to “halo” a fi eld to spot gleaming eyes, under a cloak of darkness, leads to better success.

“It’s a lot easier and you see a lot more animals,” Bloodworth said. “During the day, if they’re pretty much within 100 yards and you move, they’re going to see you. Then you’re busted.

“At night, there’s a better chance for them to get closer and give you a better shot. Plus, when those eyes light up in


Most people wouldn’t think about hunting elephants in thick cover at night.

That’s not a big deal for Dr. Stanley McGowen of Weatherford.“It made no difference to me,” he said. “I hunt in the dark all

the time.”McGowen lost his eyesight in an airplane crash several years

ago, but he hunts with a laser site on his fi rearms. That way, his professional hunter can see if he’s on target and tell him when it’s safe to shoot.

While on a recent safari to Mozambique with Safrique Safaris, the opportunity arose to hunt an elephant that was causing trouble.

“I was actually on a leopard hunt,” he said. “We got a call from the district administration offi ce about elephants coming into banana plantations and wreaking havoc.”

McGowen said the local villagers tried to scare the elephants with burning torches and by banging pots and pans, but to no avail.

After receiving the necessary permits from the district admin-istrator, McGowen and PH Tinie Kok set out for the 35-mile drive from their concession to the plantation. After eating dinner, they began their stalk.

“We had a perfect wind and we could hear the bulls feeding,” McGowen said. “About the time we got close, the wind changed and we backed out.

“We moved around to fi nd another approach, and it was one of the hardest stalks I’ve ever made.”

McGowen said the area was not the manicured variety most associate with a plantation. It was a slash-and-burn operation with thick brush and thigh-deep holes dug by the elephants in search of fruit and peanuts.

“We moved around for two hours,” he said. “We got within 20 yards.”

McGowen shoots a .300 Winchester Magnum with the specially mounted laser sight, but for this stalk he put the laser on a .458 Winchester Magnum.

“I got the laser on the bull and shot him through the heart,” he said. “Tinie backed me up with his .500 Jeffries and I shot again as the bull turned. He ran close to 80 yards.”

McGowen said the most nervous part of the hunt was hearing what the other elephants were doing after the shots.

“It was so thick,” he said, “we couldn’t have run anywhere.”The other elephants went the other direction, and the party

returned in the morning, along with more than 100 villagers to help butcher the bull.

McGowen said the ivory and the hide went to the district offi ce to be sold, with the proceeds going to dig wells and build schools in the area.

He also harvested a trophy sable, Nyssa wildabeest and bushpig while in Mozambique.

“It was pretty exciting,” McGowen said. “I shot a Cape buffalo several years ago and this was every bit as exciting as that.”

By Ralph WininghamFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

The sad tale about Texas pheasant tails is that while length can win prizes in states like South Dakota or Kansas, Lone Star State hunt-ers have to settle just for a little personal glory.

Long tail feathers on Texas pheasants are rare and when anyone bags a bird sporting a plume nearing the 2-foot mark, they have claimed a trophy similar to a white-tailed buck that makes the Boone and Crocket record book or a big tom turkey dragging a 10-inch beard.

While a Panhandle café or bar may spon-sor local contests, the state does not enjoy the popular events like the ones sponsored by Cabela’s and Pheasants Unlimited in Midwest states that are rich with ringnecks.

“South Dakota is the heart of pheasant country,’’ said John Castrillo, who handles fi eld support of media relations for Cabela’s. “There are a lot of hunters up there and a lot of interest in our contests.

“There are some hunters in the Texas Panhandle who are pretty dedicated, but we’ve not looked into conducting any con-tests there.’’

Jordan Martincich, regional director of Pheasants Forever in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, expressed similar observations about the lack of Texas pheasant tail competitions.

“We have a lot of contests in Kansas, par-ticularly for the youngsters, because it helps get them excited and more involved in pheasant hunting,’’ Martincich said. “We only have about 330 Pheasants Forever

members in Texas and might be trying to get a chapter established in the Panhandle at some time, but don’t plan any contests yet.”

In the absence of sponsored contests, some outfi tters do organize competitions among their hunting groups, such as Dane Swinburn with Tule Creek Outfi tters based in Tulia.

“Sometimes we will have the hunters toss $10 in a pot and the one who brings in the longest tail feather wins,’’ Swinburn said. “Anything 24-inches plus is a pretty good tail feather — most of the birds have tail feathers about 18 to 20 inches long.

“The only sponsored contests that I have heard of are in Kansas.”

Tim Ballinger, with Ballinger Outfi tters, has been conducting pheasant hunts in the Panhandle area from his Dumas headquarters for about seven years, and has yet to fi nd a local contest where a long tail feather can earn hunters cash or prizes.

“If you fi nd out about one, let me know,’’ he said, adding that he has collected several tail feathers mea-suring 23 inches and four or fi ve that are 24 ½-inches long.

“A 25-inch long tail feather would be a once-in-a-lifetime trophy. I would guess that only about 10 per-cent of our birds have tail feath-ers more than 18-20 inches long,’’ Ballinger said. “When you do see a

bird with long tail feathers get up out of the grass, you know it — it looks like it is about 3 feet long as it is fl ying away.”

As for the adage “everything is bigger in Texas,” the Lone Star State is far behind in the pheasant tail feather arena.

Kacie Zajic, events coordinator for the

most popular tail feather contest in the country at the Cabela’s store in Mitchell, S.D., said the longest feather entry this sea-son has been 29 5/8 inches.

“Last year set the record with a tail feather that was 31 inches long,’’ she said.

Everything’s bigger in Texas, except pheasant tails

Blind Texas hunter shoots elephant TROPHY: Dr. Stanley McGowen, center, poses in front of the problem elephant he harvested on a recent safari to Mozambique. The meat was donated to local vil-lagers. Proceeds from the sale of the tusks and hide helped purchase infrastructure improvements in local villages. Photo by Stanley McGowen.

Calling all predators

See PREDATORS, Page 18

BRAGGING RIGHTS: Competitions awarding prizes for the longest tail on a ring-necked pheasant are common in states to the north, but haven’t quite caught on in Texas. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.


From gridiron to deer lease, Frisco youth make a differenceBy Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

When Mike Beecroft of Frisco told his son that he could invite two friends to hunt deer on a West Texas ranch, the 10-year-old boy knew whom to ask.

Charlie Beecroft, already a veteran hunter at age 10, invited Noah Jagot, also 10, and 11-year-old Dylan Deady. All three played for the Cowboys — a team in the Frisco Football League.

They teamed up again during this past deer season on the Crockett County ranch of Wilson and Susan Stout of Dallas.

The boys each fi lled doe tags, but the venison started to stack up; they still had quite a bit of it after donating some to a food bank in Ozona.

Mike recalled an article last fall in Lone Star Outdoor News about a sanctuary outside McKinney that was accepting freezer-burned venison to feed two female Siberian tigers and an African lioness.

The boys delivered the meat a few days before Christmas to the big cats at Pug Mark Park. The private sanctuary, which allows occasional visitors, is south-east of McKinney and just north of Lake Lavon.

“My mom used to give my old clothes away in a box, and that made me feel good,” Noah said. But donating his venison to the cats was his own decision.

“It made me feel like I was making a difference,” Noah said.

The cats’ owners were delighted to have the venison.Michelle Clark and her late husband, Michael,

founded Pug Mark Park in 1995 after the former circus performers rescued a male lion from being destroyed.

As many as 10 cats have lived there, but now there are only three: the tigers, Sheba and Pookie; and lioness, Sugar.

The sanctuary accepts freezer burned meat or parts that might be turned into sausage, espe-cially if a leg bone is attached.

Anne Pauken, Michelle Clark’s daughter, helps keep the sanctuary going as the last three cats live out their days.

A lot of people called to ask about donating meat after reading the Lone Star Outdoor News article, Anne said. But

only three donations were made, including the one from the three Frisco Cowboys.

“In Texas, the white-tailed deer herd is a resource that we need to look at other than just a source for trophies to put on the wall,” Mike said. “It needs to

be managed, and it can help feed the hungry.“But there is a lot of blood-shot shoulders that get cut off

while quartering that you can put in the freezer instead of the gut bucket.”

Sheba, Pookie and Sugar are nothing like the fi nicky felines described in some cat food commercials, Anne said.

They eagerly devour the donated venison, no matter if it’s bloodshot, freezer burned or even tainted.

“They just love it,” Anne said.

THREE AMIGOS: Charlie Beecroft (from left), Noah Jagot and Dylan Deady harvested deer recently on a Crockett County ranch. They donated the venison to the Pug Mark Park, a big cat sanctuary near McKinney. Photo by Mike Beecroft.

FOR THE CATS: Dylan Deady (from left), Noah Jagot and Charlie Beecroft unload their harvested venison at the Pug Mark Park near McKinney. The boys, football teammates, donated the meat to the wild cats that live there. To schedule a delivery, contact Anne Pauken at (469) 223-6859. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.


FISHING

Record largemouth caught on Falcon Lake

By Aaron ReedFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Conventional wis-dom holds that eco-nomic downturns can be good for businesses linked to outdoor recreation. When times are tough, the thinking goes, the tough hit the trail.

But for fi shing guides, a recession heralds “do-it-your-self” outdoor experi-ences, said Dr. David Yoskowitz, chair of socioeconomics at Harte Research Institute in Corpus Christi.

“As discretionary income is reduced, people will look for alternative forms of entertainment and recreation,” Yoskowitz said. “A lot of that — even camping and hiking — will be local, something they can get to in only a day.

“Large expenditures for guided trips will defi nitely be diminished in an economic downturn.”

There is a pervasive perception among working fi shing guides on the Texas coast that part-timers and guides with smaller client bases got out of the busi-ness over the past two years.

Certainly some may have, but the numbers of guide licenses issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have remained remarkably steady over the past fi ve years.

In 2004, TPWD issued 1,594 guide licenses statewide. By 2010, that num-ber was 1,855. That’s only slightly down from a high of 1,908 in license year 2008, which began Sept. 1, 2007, before the econ-omy tanked.

Some guides have resorted to offering discounts — as much as $75 to $100 off for 2011 trips paid in advance. Many more have simply held their prices steady.

“I haven’t increased my prices in a cou-ple of years, but bait and gas have gone up considerably,” said Capt. Bill Smith of Rockport’s Third Coast Adventures. “I’ve had no big group trips in two years, and that’s where my bread and butter came from.”

But, he said, 2010 was better than 2009, which “hit everyone really hard.”

Other guides have delayed major capital expendi-tures and found other creative ways to meet payroll.

Port Isabel-based Capt. Gencho Buitureira Jr. had his 24-foot Carolina Skiff professionally restored and repowered rather than purchasing a new boat.

MAKING A LIVING: Full-time professionals like third-generation Port Isabel guide Capt. Vere Wells are scrambling to make up for fewer bookings during the recession. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.

See FISHING GUIDES, Page 27


A 20-year-record fell on Falcon Lake Jan. 7 when guide Tommy Law caught a 15.63-pound large-mouth bass that beat the previous

record of 15.12 pounds set in 1991.Law was fi shing with clients

around 3:30 p.m. on the Mexican side of the lake when the fi sh bit a soft plastic Texas-rigged worm in 15 feet of water.

Law had waited nearly 40 years

for that bite.“I work real hard and have fi shed

this lake since 1971,” he said. “I started guiding full-time four years ago and take about 200 trips per year. I’d say I fi sh more than 300 days a year on this lake.”

The day started out almost as good as it ended.

Law, who owns Outlaw Guide Service, was guiding a couple from Tennessee, and on the fi fth cast of the day, his client caught a 13-pounder. That fi sh was 27-inches long and 21.5 inches around. After landing an 8-pound fi sh fi ve min-utes later, Law decided to move spots to get his other client a chance.

“We made a 20-mile run to where the wind was calmer and she caught two 5-pounders,” he said. “I got a call from a buddy who said he caught a big fi sh and he wanted to weigh the fi sh on my scale and have me take a few pictures.

“That fi sh weighed 12 pounds, 14 ounces.”

Law told his clients they weren’t far from a place where he had caught a fi ve-fi sh, 42-pound stringer the week before, so maybe they would be interested in trying it.

The group boated an 8-pounder, and then a 9-pounder was hooked, but it “came off at the boat,” Law said.

“We were fi shing a point that was 15 to 16 feet deep and dropped off to 22 feet,” he said. “I cast up on the top of it and it never hit bottom.

“I felt it get squishy and I set the hook. I didn’t move the fi sh when I set the hook.”

Law said the fi sh headed for deeper water — a good thing because if she had gone up the point, he would never have landed her, he said.

“I knew it was a big fi sh, but when she came up to the surface, I told my client he needed to help me land it,” Law said. “I thought

it was about 13 pounds or so, but when I got it to the boat, he said it looked bigger than his.”

Law said that when they put the fi sh on his scale, he thought he was reading it wrong.

“It read 15 pounds, 9 ounces,” he said. “I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I said ‘if that’s right, I’ve got the lake record.’”

Law put the fi sh in the live well and called a friend at a local bait shop to meet him at the dock with a game warden and a certifi ed scale.

When he got to the dock, 15 or 20 people had gathered to see the fi sh.

“I was pretty excited because I know my scales are right — at least I was praying they were right,” Law said.

Law said the fi sh was weighed with the game warden as a witness and then released back into the lake.

“I wanted to get that fi sh back in the water as quickly as possible,” he said. “The fi sh was perfect. She had moved up into a pre-spawn posi-tion and this was a young fi sh. She didn’t have a huge head like a real old fi sh does.

“These fi sh have a lot of food down here.”

Law said Falcon Lake’s water tem-perature has been around 65 degrees — perfect for catching big fi sh.

He said he hoped this would give the lake some positive public-ity after a negative summer that saw one man killed, reportedly by Mexican drug cartels, while out on the water.

“I feel absolutely safe,” he said. “I fi sh both sides of the border and I think it’s as safe as it’s ever been. Things like this is what we need down here.”

LAKE RECORD: Falcon Lake guide Tommy Law poses with the lake record bass he caught Jan. 7. Law has fi shed the lake for 40 years and said it had been a life-long goal to break the lake record, which had stood since 1991. Photo by Tommy Law.

Fishing guides keep rates fl at during recession

Lower bag limits

NEW SPECS FOR SPECS: A series of public meet-ings in January are gathering public input on proposals to ad-dress a fi ve-year downward trend in speckled sea trout. Such meet-ings are typically the fi rst step on the road to potential changes in fi shing regula-tions, including bag limits. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.

Measure considered for speckled sea trout


State fi sheries managers this month have been gathering pub-lic input on proposals to address a fi ve-year downward trend of speck-led sea trout in mid-coast bays.

A series of seven scoping meet-ings, the fi rst step on the road to potential changes in fi shing regu-lations, began Jan. 4 in Port Arthur and will culminate Jan. 18 with a meeting in Corpus Christi.

The proposal many anglers are talking about would reduce the

See TROUT LIMITS Page 16


By Kyle CarterFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

In February of 2009, Texas Federation Nation angler Bryan Schmidt stood in front of a crowd of 10,000, holding up two of the sweetest bass he’d ever caught.

It was part of a 22-pound, 1-ounce, fi ve-fi sh limit that was the second heaviest stringer pulled from the Red River on the fi nal day of the Bassmaster Classic. Against the best in the world, Schmidt fi n-ished sixth out of 51 and just 3 pounds, 12 ounces behind champion Skeet Reese.

“I just wanted to fi nish in the top 25,” Schmidt said after that event. “It’s safe to say I overachieved.”

The Federation Nation not only gave Schmidt, of Olney, the opportunity to fi sh the Classic, but he said it prepared him to hold his own on the biggest stage.

Schmidt’s results may not be typical, but Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation President Charles Harkless said being in a bass club — Federation Nation or otherwise — will make you a better angler, no matter what your current skill set might be.

“You get the opportunity to fi sh with guys who have differ-

ent styles and think dif-ferently than you,” said Harkless, who oversees the more than 100 Texas clubs affi liated with the federation. “Most the anglers have no problem sharing what they know, and you can learn a lot just by being in a boat with a guy for a day.”

Jon Harshbarger, an avid weekend angler, joined the Century Bass Club out of Dallas in 1986 when he was in his mid-20s. He said it didn’t take long to see how being in a club would help him as an angler.

“Before I joined, I pretty much just fi shed Lake Fork,” Harshbarger said. “All the sudden I was fi shing differ-ent lakes with different types of cover. It got me out of a rut.”

Harshbarger said watching and learning from some of the more experienced members of the club helped him become a more complete angler. He had some success in local tourna-ments and took a brief shot at fi shing professionally in the early 1990s before realizing that fi shing to pay the mort-gage wasn’t for him.

Like most anglers, Harshbarger said he was con-

tent trying to improve his skills by fi shing for fun, and compet-ing in as many club tourna-ments as he had time.

And it worked. Since join-ing the Century Bass Club, Harshbarger, 47, has won the club’s Angler of the Year title six times, including fi ve out of the last six years.

“I’m a guy who’s going to be out on the water no mat-ter what, but a club gives you a reason to get out and fi sh and sometimes learn from other guys doing the same thing,” Harshbarger said. “There’s no substitute for that kind of experience.”

Harkless said if you join a club in the Federation Nation hoping to fi sh the Classic like Schmidt or win Angler of the Year titles like Harshbarger, you might be disappointed.

But if you want to become a better angler, you’ve come to the right place.

“You can’t beat the camaraderie and knowl-edge you’ll fi nd at a club tournament,” he said. “It’s your responsibility to take what you’ve learned and practice it, but there’s not a faster way to get better.”

Membership has its benefi tsBass clubs help anglers become better fi shermen

IN THE CLUB: Anglers across Texas credit their bass clubs for helping them become good enough to guide or even fi sh professionally. Jon Harshbarger, above, said he was taught well by experienced members of the Century Bass Club out of Dallas. He's earned the club’s top angler title fi ve out of the last six years. Photo by Century Bass Club.

Bowfi shing heats up as hunting season winds downBy Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

The boat creeps slowly through the shal-low, murky water as the shooter positioned up front and the guide in back scan the sur-face for any hint of movement.

Suddenly, a dark shadow approximately

6-feet long appears out of the murk. At fi rst it looks like a submerged log. Then it moves.

The shooter pulls the bowstring and waits for the large alligator gar to turn broadside.

An arrow is released.It slices through the water and connects

with the fi sh, which immediately takes off like a bullet. The fi ght is on.

For many bowhunters such as Glenn Smith of Freer, the excitement of bowfi shing is a great way to pass the months before deer season.

“You’ve got to stay alert, keep an arrow nocked and be ready to shoot,” Smith said. “When you shoot a trophy gar, you have to get another arrow into it quickly, drop the

bow and pull the line in. “It’s like roping a wild

horse.”Smith’s biggest gar

measured just less than 8 feet in length and weighed 264 pounds.

“I had it mounted and the meat is deli-cious also,” he said. “We also shoot a lot of tilapia because they are great to eat and there is no limit.

That kind of action is driving more and more hunters to discover what bowfi shing is about — great action.

“Bowfi shing is the fast shooting action of dove hunting com-bined with the thrill of big game hunting,” said Mark Malfa, long-time bowfi shing guide and owner of Big Fish Bowfi shing Texas.

Malfa guides through-out the state, and said the sport has exploded the past four or fi ve years.

“I fi sh both day and night,” he said. “It depends on the body of water and whatever gets the best shot opportuni-ties. The nights typically

get into more species of fi sh.”The main species that bowfi shermen target

are alligator gar, grass carp, buffalo and tilapia.“Pound for pound, the grass carp puts up

the best fi ght,” Malfa said. “They can get up to 100 pounds, but anything over 60 pounds is big. Buffalo are a lot of fun, and on the coast we shoot sting rays.”

Jack Thatcher, guide and owner of Extreme Bowfi shing, said the sport has made huge leaps in the past decade.

“When we started doing this nine years ago, we went to (archery) manufacturers and tried to get them to make bows for the sport,” Thatcher said. “Eventually, some manufacturers like Browning produced bows that were inexpensive — around $300 for the entire setup.

“That was a huge jump to help people get started.”

The sport is great for women and children because archers don’t have to pull heavy poundage to shoot fi sh. Generally, 30 to 40 pounds works fi ne.

Thatcher said he provides bows for his cli-ents and gets them comfortable shooting before he takes them on the water.

Arrow weight is one big difference between normal bowhunting and bowfi shing. Much heavier arrows are needed to penetrate the water and arrow weights start around 1,500 grains and go up from there for bigger fi sh.

Spring is the best time to bowfi sh when fi sh are spawning in the shallows between April and June, although hunting continues through the fall.

“The easiest time to shoot a big fi sh is in the spring when they are spawning because they are very lethargic,” Malfa said. “But any-time between mid-March and November you can fi nd 100-pound fi sh in Texas.”

The newest bowfi shing opportunities are happening offshore, where Malfa said he has shot dorado and barracuda.

“I don’t go offshore anymore without my bow,” Malfa added.

ACTION-PACKED: When big game hunting slows down during the spring and summer, bowfi shing heats up with incredible action across the state. Alligator gar, like the one pictured, can reach up to 250 pounds. Photo by Mark Malfa, bigfi shbowfi shingtexas.com.

‘State of the Gulf’ documentary airs in February

A one-hour documentary “The State of the Gulf — America’s Sea” will air in late February on Texas public television stations.

The program, produced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will take “a broad look at the Gulf of Mexico” following the Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill in April 2010.

The program will air at 8 p.m. central time, Thursday, Feb. 24 on most Public Broadcasting Service stations in Texas. KUHT in Houston will run it the following weekend.

“The State of the Gulf — America’s Sea” will explore the Gulf’s fl ora and fauna and habitats such as marshes and sea grasses.

It will also look at various forces that threaten Gulf ecosystems, from hypoxia zones to hurricanes and oil spills.

The explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig killed 11 crew members and caused the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

The Friends of Harte Research Institute, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority and the San Antonio Bay Foundation sponsored the documentary.

Other support came from the Nature Conservancy, the Apache Corporation, Ducks Unlimited, Wells Fargo, San Antonio River Authority, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Monthly, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Wildlife Association.

PBS TV stations in Dallas, Lubbock, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Midland-Odessa, Harlingen, Killeen, Waco and Austin will air the documentary at 8 p.m. Feb. 24. Stations in College Station and El Paso will air the program at 9 p.m. that evening. KUHT-TV in Houston will air it at 3 p.m. Feb. 26 and 4 p.m. Feb. 27.

— TPWD

Fishing Brief


ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 48–52 degrees; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and jigs. Crap-pie are fair on live minnows over brush piles. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 60 degrees; 0.61’ high. Largemouth bass are good on camo, green pumpkin, and watermelon football head jigs. Striped bass are good on jigging spoons in 30–60 feet. White bass are good on jigging spoons in 30–60 feet. Catfi sh are good on minnows and cut bait in 60 feet. Yellow catfi sh are good on trotlines baited with live perch in 18–30 feet.

ATHENS: Water fairly clear, 50–58 degrees; 1.8’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on 4” Yum Dingers, chatterbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfi sh are fair to good on Redneck’s Catfi sh Bait.

BASTROP: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and white tube jigs. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

BELTON: Water clear; 61 degrees; 3.58’ low. Largemouth bass are good on topwaters early and late. Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. White bass are fair trolling Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are good on minnows under lights at night. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on stinkbait and summer sausage.

BOB SANDLIN: Water off-color; 52–58 degrees; 3.55’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on wacky rigs, Rat–L–Traps and spinnerbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around the Hwy 21 bridge columns a few cranks off the bottom. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

BRAUNIG: Water clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Redfi sh are fair on live perch, shrimp, and shad near the dam. Channel catfi sh are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad . Blue catfi sh are good on cut bait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water fairly clear; 51–57 degrees; 3.04’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chrome/blue back Rat–L–Traps, crankbaits and jigs. Catfi sh are fair on stinkbait and cut shad. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and min-nows. Crappie are slow.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 58 degrees; 9.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on black/blue jigs and redbug and watermelon red Persuader crankbaits, in 10–20 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies and minnows under lights at night. Crappie are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies over brush piles in 10–25 feet. Channel catfi sh are fair on cut bait and punchbait over baited holes. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 60 degrees; 10.69’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chrome/chartreuse Rat–L–Traps, Texas-rigged pumpkinseed soft plastic worms, and black/blue curl tail grubs in 8–18 feet. Striped bass are good on dark Rat–L–Traps, Li’l Fishies, and live minnows in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on Tiny Traps and small spinnerbaits in the river channel. Crappie are fair on crappie jigs and minnows over brush piles. Channel catfi sh are slow. Yellow and blue catfi sh are fair on trotlines baited with live perch.

CADDO: Water murky; 49–57 degrees; 0.06’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, white spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged Senkos (with a light weight). Crappie are excellent on red/white or red/green jigs in the pads along deeper creeks. White and yellow bass are good on small spoons and tail spinners.

CALAVERAS: Water clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on redbug soft plastics and shallow-running crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Redfi sh are fair on live perch, shad, and spoons. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 57 degrees; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics in creeks in 8–20 feet, and on green pumpkin Scoundrel worms on shaky head jigs on main lake fl ats. Striped bass are good on Spoiler Shads and Red Fins, and vertically jigging Pirk Minnows in the lower end of the lake. White bass are slow. Smallmouth bass are fair on watermelon curl tail grubs and pumpkinseed jigs along ledges in 10–25 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and green crappie jigs upriver. Channel catfi sh are slow. Yellow and blue catfi sh are fair on live bait.

CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 50–57 degrees; 3.16’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, spoons and Texas rigs. White bass are fair to good on chartreuse/white slabs. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on live shad and Sassy Shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 61 degrees; 5.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon and June bug soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits in 10–20 feet. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Drum are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on stinkbait and shrimp in 2–10 feet. Yellow catfi sh are fair on live perch.

COLEMAN: Water fairly clear; 58 degrees; 10.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin and chartreuse soft plas-tics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Channel catfi sh are fair on stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and frozen shrimp. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 63 degrees (82 degrees at discharge); 0.99’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics and Rat–L–Traps in 10–20 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on trotlines baited with shrimp and perch. Yellow catfi sh are fair on trotlines baited with perch.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are good on pump-kinseed spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are good on minnows and chartreuse striper jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfi sh are fair on stinkbait and live bait.

FALCON: Water clear; 64 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. Crap-pie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are excellent on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfi sh are good on live bait.

FAYETTE: Water fairly clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on redbug, watermelon red, and plum Carolina-rigged soft plastic worms, and on topwaters over grass. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on live bait.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 49–56 degrees; 3.37’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on slow-rolled spinnerbaits, spoons and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on prepared baits and nightcrawlers.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver spoons. White bass are fair on min-nows and spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs. Catfi sh are good on shrimp, stinkbait, and liver.

GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 51–57 degrees; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, drop-shot rigs and fi nesse jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs and Humdingers. Catfi sh are fair on cut bait and chartreuse (use Worm–Glo) nightcrawlers.

JOE POOL: Water off-color; 52–58 degrees; 0.19’ low. Largemouth bass are good on

drop-shot rigs and crankbaits in 6–10 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around bridge columns and brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared baits.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 51–57 degrees; 0.66’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and black/blue Power Worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet (December 1st thru February 28th anglers keep their fi rst 25 crappie regardless of size). Catfi sh are good on bloodbait. Bream are slow to fair on cut nightcrawlers.

LAVON: Water stained; 52–57 degrees; 5.64’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and Texas-rigged worms fi shed around riprap. Crappie are good on minnows in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on white/chartreuse slabs fi shed vertically on main lake points in 15–25 feet. Catfi sh are fair to good drifting fresh shad around main lake points.

LBJ: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.17’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on char-treuse buzzbaits, chrome Rat–L–Traps, and wacky-rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks in 5–12 feet. Striped bass are fair on live bait and watermelon crankbaits. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on green Curb’s crappie jigs and live minnows over brush piles in 12–20 feet. Channel catfi sh are fair on shrimp under crappie docks.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 52–58 degrees; 0.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chrome Rat–L–Traps, crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfi sh are fair to good drift fi shing cut and live shad.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 61 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass to 3 pounds are fair on soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crap-pie are fair on minnows in creeks. Blue catfi sh are good on trotlines baited with shad. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

MACKENZIE: Water lightly stained; 49–54 degrees; 78.11’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Texas rigs, chatterbaits, jigs and slow–rolled spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Smallmouth bass are fair on drop-shot rigs. Walleye are fair on min-nows and jigs with a nightcrawler. Catfi sh are fair on prepared bait.

MEREDITH: Water lightly stained; 50–55 degrees; 89.2’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow to fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Smallmouth bass are fair drop-shot rigs and live shad. Walleye are fair on live bait. Channel catfi sh are fair on prepared and cut baits.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 68–85 degrees; 0.6’ low. Largemouth bass are good on topwaters early, later switching to wacky rigs, Rat–L–Traps and chatterbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs over brush piles. Catfi sh are fair to good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

O.H. IVIE: Water lightly stained; 49–57 degrees; 27.16’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Rat–L–Traps, Texas rigs and chatterbaits. Crappie are fair on live min-nows. No reports on white bass. Channel catfi sh are fair to good on prepared bait.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 51–57 degrees; 2.59’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Carolina-rigged wa-termelon lizards, chatterbaits and jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet around brush piles and creek channels. Catfi sh are fair on trotlines with live perch. Bream are slow. Hybrid striper and white bass are fair on shad and slabs.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 52–58 degrees; 1.51’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows over brush piles. White

bass are good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfi sh are good on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 52–58 degrees; 3.28’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, Carolina rigs and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on slabs. Catfi sh are fair on chartreuse (use Worm–Glo) nightcrawlers.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 49–51 degrees; 1.19’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on jigs and crankbaits around rocky points. Crappie are slow. White bass are good on main lake humps and ridges in 30–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs. Catfi sh are fair drifting cut shad around main lake humps.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water off-color; 50–58 degrees; 2.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on crankbaits, Tex-as-rigged purple worms and jigs. White bass and hybrid striper are fair to good on live shad and white/chartreuse slabs on main lake humps. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around deep–water trees. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers, prepared bait and liver.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 8.64’ low. Largemouth bass are good on tequila sunrise shal-low-running crankbaits and topwaters. White bass are fair on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bream are fair on worms. Catfi sh are good on shrimp and hot dogs.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 61 degrees; 2.03’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and cut shad.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 52–57 de-grees; 3.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, fl ukes and black/blue jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs and live minnows. Striped bass and hybrid striper are fair on live shad and topwaters. Catfi sh are fair on prepared baits.

TEXOMA: Water off color; 49–57 de-grees; 0.96’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chrome crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs. Striped bass are good on slabs, Sassy Shad and live shad.

TOLEDO BEND: Water fairly clear; 61 degrees; 8.38’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon shallow-running crankbaits, topwaters, and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and silver jigging spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows and char-treuse tube jigs. Bream are fair on worms. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on live bait. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

TRAVIS: Water fairly clear; 59 degrees; 14.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon crankbaits, soft plastics, and jigs in 12–30 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on silver spoons and minnows in 20–30 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on shrimp and liver. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

WEATHERFORD: Water lightly stained; 51–57 degrees; 2.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on fi nesse worms, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits around docks and on rocky points. Crappie are good in the fi shing barge and boat slips on minnows and green/chartreuse with pink head jigs. Channel catfi sh are good on minnows and dough bait. Yellow catfi sh are good on live sunfi sh. White bass are good on minnows and slabs. Bream are good on worms.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 9.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green/black spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver spoons. White bass are fair on minnows and roadrunners. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Catfi sh are good on shrimp, nightcrawlers, and stinkbait.

NORTH SABINE: Redfi sh are fair to good along the drains on the outgoing tide. Black drum are fair around rock groins. Sand trout are good in the deep holes on shrimp.

SOUTH SABINE: Redfi sh are good in the deep holes and drains along the Louisiana shoreline. Bull redfi sh are good at the jetty on crabs. Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp.

BOLIVAR: Sand trout are fair to good in the ICW on shrimp. Black drum and redfi sh are good at Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Redfi sh are fair to good in the bayous for waders tossing plastics on the incoming tide. Redfi sh are good at the Spillway on crabs and mullet.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair over deep mud and structures on MirrOlures. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

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

TEXAS CITY: Redfi sh are fair to good in the holes in Moses Lake on crabs and Gulps. Sand trout are fair to good on peeled shrimp.

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

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scat-tered shell. Redfi sh are fair on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfi sh are fair on the south shoreline in the guts and bayous. Sheepshead are fair around piers and rocks on shrimp. Water has muddied in the Colorado River from recent rains.

PORT O’CONNOR: Redfi sh are fair on Corkies over soft mud and drop–offs near reefs on plastics. Redfi sh are fair at the mouths of drains on soft plastics and gold spoons. Trout are fair to good on Gulps under popping corks over reefs in San Antonio Bay.

ROCKPORT: Redfi sh are fair to good at California Hole on shrimp. Trout are fair on the edge of the ICW on glow DOA Shrimp. Redfi sh are fair to good on the edge of the Estes Flats on mullet and shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfi sh are fair to good on the edge of the channel on Gulps and mullet. Sand trout are good on shrimp in the channel. Redfi sh are good on the fl ats on the incoming tide.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Redfi sh are fair good in the Humble Channel and around Emmords Hole on crabs and shrimp. Trout are fair to good on the edge of the fl ats on live shrimp and DOA Shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and rocks on Corkies, Catch 5s and Catch 2000s. Redfi sh are fair on the edge of the Land Cut on plastics tipped with shrimp. Trout are fair to good on the spoils on soft plastics.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on DOA Shrimp around grass holes. Trout and redfi sh are fair on muddy shorelines and on the edge of the ICW on Corkies and Gulps.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout and redfi sh are fair on the edge of the Intracoastal on DOA Shrimp and Gulps. 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 and Gulps. Redfi sh are fair in the deep holes and along the edge of the channel on Gulps and jigs tipped with shrimp.

TEXAS FISHING REPORT

HOT BITES SALTWATERSCENE

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BAY:BAY:

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LARGEMOUTH BASS

AMISTAD: Good on camo, green pumpkin, and watermelon football head jigs.

CANYON LAKE: Good on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps and soft plastics in creeks in 8–20 feet, and on green pumpkin Scoundrel worms on shaky head jigs on main lake fl ats.

LBJ: Very good on chartreuse buzzbaits, chrome Rat–L–Traps, and wacky-rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks in 5–12 feet.

SAM RAYBURN: Good on tequila sun-rise shallow running crankbaits and topwaters.

CRAPPIE

BROWNWOOD: Good on minnows and Li’l Fishies over brush piles.

CONROE: Good on minnows.

WEATHERFORD: Good in the fi shing barge and boat slips on minnows and green/chartreuse with pink head jigs.

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n MirrOlures and Corkies

CATFISH

BRAUNIG: Channel catfi sh are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad. Blue catfi sh are good on cut bait.

CALAVERAS: Channel and blue catfi sh are good on liver, shrimp, and cut shad.

WHITNEY: Catfi sh are good on shrimp, nightcrawlers, and stinkbait.

r are fair to good in the

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

BELTON: Hybrid striper are good on live shad early.

CANYON LAKE: Striped bass are good on Spoiler Shads and Red Fins, and vertically jigging Pirk Minnows in the lower end of the lake.

RAY ROBERTS: White bass are good on main lake humps and ridges in 30–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs.


Texas boat show season underway with new products, better deals

By Nicholas ConklinLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Remember the excitement of shuffl ing through the line at a large stadium and wander-ing into the bright lights and bustling sounds of your fi rst boat show?

Well for many Texans it is the time of year to relive those old feelings, as stadiums and con-vention halls open their doors to display the newest in boating and fi shing products.

According to Carol Foley of Coastal Bend Marine in Port O’Connor, the early season shows offer consumers distinct advantages that cannot be found elsewhere.

The shows also offer displays of recreational vehicles, fi shing products, and even fi nancing and insurance options.

“Boat shows always offer better pricing, better fi nancing and usually longer terms,” Foley said. “In addition to that, the manufacturers may also offer incentives and extended warranties.”

The show season began Jan. 7 in Houston at Reliant Center.

In its 55th year, the Houston Boat Show scheduled 300 vendors, and included a daily giveaway of a Seadoo 150 Sportster. Boat build-ing for children and several seminars on fl oun-der and winter bass fi shing kicked off the event.

The fi nal day is Sunday, Jan. 16.Mark Cohen, of the Houston show, said that

although the economy across the country has been lagging, his event has not faltered.

“The Houston boat show has held its own and has attracted pretty good crowds and pretty good sales in even the tough times,” Cohen said.

Attendance for the event is expected to number close to 100,000 this year, according to PR specialist Margot Dimond.

The Austin Convention Center will play host to the next show starting on Jan. 20.

This show features a kid’s catfi shing tank and a boater education course for kids on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for the education course can be purchased for $13, and include admission to the show.

The following weekend, San Antonio will play host to the 2011 edition of the San Antonio Boat and RV show. Gates open at noon on Thursday at the Alamo Dome. Children are invited to participate in the boater education course that will be offered at this show as well. The education course and event admis-sion also will be $13.

For those in South Texas, the 54th annual Coastal Bend Marina Boat Show will take place in Corpus Christi over the weekend of Jan. 28-30.

The gates at the American Bank Center will open on Friday and will feature several seminars from local fi shing guides with tips and tech-niques for fi shing the Gulf Coast.

This event will feature various Texas-made boats and boating prod-ucts. Local boat manufacturers will be

on hand to provide information on their prod-ucts, as well as demonstrations.

Texas products are what make this show so popular each year, Foley said.

“Texas-built boats seem to be the rage for our area,” Foley said. “I think that this year we have just about every Texas-built boat (coastal boat) in our show.”

Foley said the average attendance for this event usually averages between 6,000 to 10,000 people — a number she expects to see this year as well. One advantage to this show, Foley said, is the low-key atmosphere, which allows attendees to browse the event without feeling pressured to purchase anything.

The Dallas Market Hall will host the Dallas International Boat show beginning Feb. 4.

This event will feature boat manufacturers from across the state and country.

Wrapping up the show season will be the Texas International Boat show at the Corpus Christi Marina, beginning on April 7.

This show will highlight the newest nauti-cal products, latest fi shing boats, cabin cruisers, catamarans, yachts and sailboats from around the world.

In its fi fth season, this year’s show will take place outdoors for a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience. Because of the outdoor venue, the event will include a wake boarding competi-tion, powerboat racing and live music.

Boat show schedule:Jan. 7-16Houston Boat ShowReliant CenterMon – Fri, 1 to 8 p.m., Weekends, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.$10 for adults, $4 for kids under 12

Jan. 20-23Austin Boat, Sport, and Outdoor ShowAustin Convention CenterThu – Fri, noon to 9 p.m., Weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.$8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for kids, kids under 4 free

Jan. 27-30San Antonio Boat and RV ShowAlamo DomeThu – Fri, noon to 9 p.m., Weekends, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.$8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for kids, kids under 4 free

Jan. 28-30Coastal Bend Marina Boat ShowAmerican Bank convention center, Corpus ChristiFri, 1-8 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun, 11a.m. to 5 p.m.$7 for adults, $3 for kids under 11

Feb. 4-13Dallas International Boat ShowDallas Market HallMon – Fri, 3-8 p.m., Sat and Sun, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.$10 for adults, $5 for kids under 13

April 7-10Texas International Boat ShowCorpus Christi MarinaThu – Fri, noon to 6 p.m., Sat, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun, noon to 6 p.m.$10 for adults, $7 for seniors/military, $3 for kids, kids under 6 free

Bay-user confl icts debated

LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Boat shows, like the event pictured here in Houston, frequently offer better pricing, bet-ter fi nancing incentives and extended warranties. The Texas boat show season runs through April. Photo by Houston Boat Show.

By David SikesFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

About 99 percent of the folks who attended a recent Corpus Christi workshop on bay-user confl icts believe these issues are growing concerns that should be addressed.

But fewer people at the workshop said it was neces-sary to create new laws or regulations when it comes to people-to-people confl icts.

The nonprofi t Coastal Bend Bays Foundation and other organizations spearheaded the workshop, Jan. 7-8.

Its goal was for people rep-resenting diverse interests to compile a list of concerns and possible solutions that will be presented to state offi cials.

Eventually, the recommen-dation list will be prioritized

by the group and given to TPWD offi cials or legislators for consideration.

About 95 people showed up at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

They represented numer-ous interests, including air-boat operators and organi-zations, duck hunters and outfi tters, fi shing guides, fl y fi shers, weekend anglers, boaters and kayak anglers.

Included was Texas Wade, Paddle and Pole — a group of coastal anglers best known for their desire to create low-impact fi shing areas, or LIFAs, within sensitive shallow fl ats.

A LIFA, according to the group, would be a designated space open to all fi shing methods, but closed to run-ning motorized craft.

TWPP does, however, endorse allowing motor-ized access within these areas during duck season.

Run lanes to allow motor-ized ingress and egress within a LIFA could be included depending on geography, depth and habitat condi-tions of a specifi c area.

Internet message boards and rumors leading up to the event indicated a suspi-cion that it would be noth-ing more than a vehicle to create LIFAs.

Ultimately, that concept was conspicuously missing from the whittled down list of recommendations, but not from the debate. It sim-ply did not have enough support.

See CONFLICTS, Page 16


LANDOWNER CITED FOR NO HUNTING LEASE LICENSE

Crockett County Game Warden Mark Blount, with the help of Game Warden Chris Amthor, recently fi led charges for no hunting lease license on an individual who owns 100 acres inside a subdivision in north-west Crockett County. The man, who was running a sizeable day hunting operation, claimed he wasn't charg-ing a fee to hunt, but was allowing people to hunt and camp for free. It was determined during a week-long investigation that the man was charging hunters $300 per week-end, $500 for holiday weekends, and would allow up to fi ve hunters at once. Case is pending.

STRANGE TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARREST FOR MURDER

State Trooper Aaron Hampton assisted by Hudspeth County Game Warden Tyler Reed made a traffi c stop during which the driver said that the offi cers were about to have to arrest him. The offi cers asked why, and he nonchalantly said that the Saturday before he had killed his grandmother in The Woodlands. At that point, the driver was detained and taken to the Hudspeth County Jail where he was questioned by Texas Rangers. He confessed to the entire incident and is being charged with fi rst degree mur-der. Case pending.

MOUFLAN RAM TAKEN FROM ROAD, WITNESSED BY LANDOWNERS

Val Verde County Game Warden Dustin Barrett received information on an illegally killed moufl an that had been shot without consent on a ranch near Del Rio. Contact was made with the two landowners who witnessed the event. The violator admitted that he shot the ram from the road. A written confession was obtained and a cita-

tion was issued for hunting from the public roadway. Case is pending.

GROUP CAUGHT TAKING 19 DEER FROM ROAD

Palo Pinto County Game Warden Cliff Swofford observed a pickup stopped on a road in Erath County. One of the occupants shot from the road. Erath County Game Warden Zack Havens arrived to assist. After a brief conversation with the three men in the truck, two of whom had blood on their clothes, Swofford and Havens went to their home to locate the deer. After fi ve hours, the wardens determined that 19 deer had been shot from the road, all during daylight hours. Several cita-tions were issued and deer antlers were seized for scoring purposes for restitu-tion value. Cases pending.

DEER DECOY STRIKES AGAINIn Sabine County, Game Wardens

Sam Smith and Henry Alvarado worked a deer decoy. A truck passed by the decoy, then turned around and began to approach slowly. The driver stopped 50 yards from the decoy and shot a single round from a 7mm-08 rifl e. After the shot, the suspect acceler-ated toward the decoy and ran over it. In Newton County, a decoy placed near

a road by Game Warden Brian Srba and Jasper County Game Warden Chris Fried was noticed by a man traveling home with his son in the back seat. They then turned around and came back for a second look. On the second pass, the man pulled over, exited the truck, and fi red a round at the decoy using a pistol. Cases pending.

SHOULD HAVE JUST GONE FISHINGAt a popular boat ramp, an indi-

vidual loaded his boat and then pulled out his rifl e and started shoot-ing squirrels in the neighboring RV park. Harris County Game Warden Tim Holland cited the man for hunt-ing without permission and failing to have a hunting license.

SOMETIMES IT’S BEST TO KEEP QUIETGame Wardens Derek Iden and

John Palacios checked several duck hunters by boat on Choke Canyon Reservoir. One duck hunter asked on behalf of his hunting partner why game wardens give less time to con-tact a court compared to city police. The wardens clarifi ed the issue and learned that the inquisitive hunter had previously been cited for not hav-ing enough life jackets. A complete water safety inspection revealed that

he again lacked a suffi cient num-ber of personal fl otation devices. Citation issued.

SPOTLIGHTERS CLAIM OF SHOOTING AT RABBIT FOILED

Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger stopped a vehicle on a county road after observing the vehi-cle spotlighting a spinach fi eld. The occupants admitted to hunting off the road and to having shot at a jackrab-bit and a bird. Stautzenberger found fresh blood and deer hair in the bed of the pickup. The subjects denied killing a deer that night but com-plied with the warden's request to go to the driver's house to take a look. Stautzenberger located a freshly killed doe in a canoe covered up by towels in the subject's backyard. Charges fi led.

RAID FINDS MORE THAN ILLEGAL DEERTPWD, the Roma and Rio Grande City

police departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a raid on a residence. Starr County Game Warden Dennis Gazaway Jr. arrived and was advised of a deer head that was located in the freezer. The deer was improperly tagged and was seized. In addition, approximately 4,895 pounds of marijuana, one stolen

vehicle, radios, a shotgun, a bullet-proof vest and $250,000 were seized. Charges are pending.

BAITING LATE SEASON DOVES GETS EXPENSIVE

A group hunting doves had sacks of bird feed and milo in the back of the truck when checked by Uvalde County Game Warden Javier Fuentes. Grain also was scattered in the fi eld and around a water tank. Fuentes seized 107 mourning doves. Cases and civil restitution pending.

TRASH NEAR DUMPED DEER CARCASS LEADS TO CITATION

Hardeman County Game Warden Matt Thompson came upon deer carcasses that were dumped on the side of the highway. There was some trash close by, and he was able to tie the deer to a man who said he was unaware that you had to keep all the meat in edible condition.

HOWDY, NEIGHBORAn axis deer was shot on a golf

course in Bandera County. The shooter happened to live across the street from Bandera County Game Warden Jeff Carter. Case pending.

CHECKING OUT THE COMPETITIONA game processor was concerned

about increased competition in his area, and his nephew and an employee stole two hind quarters from a white-tailed deer from their shop. They took the meat to one of the new competitors in an effort to see why they were losing business and to com-pare the quality of work and prices. The owner of the new store alerted Hidalgo County Game Warden Will Plumas. Plumas contacted the pro-cessor and told him of his nephew's and employee's antics. The nephew received citations.

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER

Kaufman County Game Warden Eric Minter and Van Zandt County Game Warden Trent Herchman received information from Wise County Game Warden Chris Dowdy and Game Warden Brian Bearden along with Kansas wardens regard-ing a man who had hunted in Kansas and may have killed a deer illegally there. The hunter shot a mule deer and tagged it with the landowner’s

tag and then killed a white-tailed deer and tagged it with his own permit. The man was issued nine citations from Kansas for violations that included hunting mule deer without a permit, exceeding the bag limit for a non-resident, hunting in the wrong unit, for hunting under the license of another, along with other permit violations and citations from 2007 and 2008 for hunting without

a license. The landowner in Kansas will be cited for allowing another to hunt under his permit. Fines exceeded $4,000, and restitution will be assessed at $3,000. The man surrendered his rifl e, and will be allowed to purchase it back for $1,000. He has agreed to pay taxi-dermy fees and shipping fees to send the antlers for the white-tailed deer and mule deer back to Kansas.

KANSAS TAGGING VIOLATIONS BRING BIG FINES



Post-rut bucksContinued From Page 1

post-rut hunting for white-tailed deer can be a frustrating experience.

Bucks, sore and rundown from weeks of chasing does, retire to secluded spots to rest and regain strength for the coming winter.

About four weeks after the main rut, the secondary rut heats up as does that weren’t bred dur-ing the main rut cycle back into heat and some yearling does come into estrus.

In South Texas, the rut started off strong during the middle of December but seemed to wane as the month progressed.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. biologist Daniel Kunz, bucks were chasing does during the week before Christmas.

“The landowners I talked to said it fi zzled out after that,” Kunz said.

“I don’t know if it was the moon, warm weather or a combination of the two.”

Kunz said the antlers coming out of South Texas have been out-standing due to good rainfall last spring.

“It’s been a heck of a year,” he said. “The habitat was tremen-dous — just like the 2004 season. But there were some holes in the rainfall like around the Zavala area. But overall, we had tremen-dous forb growth.”

Kunz said hunters still were see-ing fair rutting activity into early January, especially on colder mornings.

“They’re still trailing,” he added. “I talked to a rancher today and he’s seeing some action on the colder mornings.”

Although the season to shoot bucks in the Hill Country ended in early January, bucks hit the secondary rut around Christmas and rutting activity was reported in several locations.

Reports of outstanding sec-ondary rut activity during the last few weeks of the season sur-faced from Motley County in the Panhandle.

Nathan Daun, who hunted the Canyon Ranch the last few days of December, said bucks were chasing does.

“What’s cool about it is that it was the fi rst time I have ever experienced the secondary rut,” Daun said. “Bucks were running wild, just like the regular rut. We shot two bucks, two does and four pigs — awesome hunt.”

“We’ve put quail in our freezer, but having the land to hunt and know-ing where they are is the key,” Berg said. “Most people up here have been hunting waterfowl and pheasants.”

Robert Cantrell, of Texas Outdoors sporting goods in Fort Worth, was still struggling the fi rst week of January to fi nd a good place to hunt bob-white quail.

“Between customers and friends, and everyone else, I don’t know any-one who has quail,” Cantrell said with a good-natured chuckle. “I’m fi x-ing to get a report out of Stinnett.

“Supposedly this guy has quail.”The dwindled bobwhite population of the U.S. is now an old story.

Numerous factors have been blamed, from fi re ants to hawks to bad deer corn.

While all of those may well happen, experts agree that the biggest reason for less quail is the loss of habitat because of urbanization and overgrazing.

Hunters and conservationists have been working to promote range management techniques that restore habitat, including the reintroduc-tion of native grasses for cover.

Maybe that’s paying off in South and Southeast Texas, where multiple coveys similar to years past were reported the fi rst week of January.

Numerous coveys of bobs and blue quail were spotted by a crew from Lone Star Outdoor News that was hunting deer New Year’s Day weekend on an 8,000-acre ranch, south of Laredo, in southern Webb County.

The quail trooped in beneath corn feeders each morning; there were about 18-20 birds in each covey.

Timely rainfall in the summer and early September should get credit for growing dense cover for the little birds. Grass on this ranch was about a foot tall.

Great cover and strong coveys were also reported in counties north of Laredo, including Frio, Atascosa and Medina.

“We’ve had reasonable populations of quail and the predators haven’t hit them too hard,” said Mike Petter, a land management consultant in Pleasanton. “Generally, we’re seeing coveys with 12 to 14 birds in the them.

“And I’ve noticed blue quail have expanded their range. Places I haven’t seen blues before, I’ve seen them this year.”

Jim Willis of Cat Spring in southeast Texas said he has hunted in North and West Texas this season, but seeing few birds disappointed him.

He returned home to the Coastal Prairie and became “pleasantly sur-prised” while hunting on a neighbor’s land in Austin County.

“I put up fi ve coveys in one hour,” he said.That’s signifi cant, Willis said, because although 2010 was wet, the pre-

vious two years had drought.Willis, also a consultant, helps clients fi nd ways to improve quail habi-

tat on their land. Some area landowners have been working to establish a “wildlife cor-

ridor” to the nearby Atwater Prairie Chicken National Refuge.“I’m really proud of my neighbors,” Willis said. “God bless them for

not trying to overgraze during those drought periods.”

LocationContinued From Page 1

LATE ACTION: Rutting activity still is being reported on the colder mornings in South Texas. Across the state, many hunters reported a better-than-average secondary rut. Photo by Lili Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.



daily bag limit for speckled trout from 10 to fi ve, mirroring the bag limit for the Lower Laguna Madre that began Sept. 1, 2007.

Since then, catch rates there have gone up overall, and the average size of har-vested trout also has increased slightly. But biologists say they fear that could be due to culling, rather than bigger fi sh in the bay.

“I don’t think any-body needs more than fi ve trout in one trip,” said longtime Rockport angler Eric Scott. “I don’t even think it would hurt the guiding.

“Five trout can feed three or four people. I think it’s a good idea.”

Speckled trout limits have been controver-sial in years past, and the latest proposal has its critics.

Jim Leavelle, a Corpus Christi-based fi shing guide, said that lowering the bag limit

from 10 to fi ve “is not a conservation solution.”

He favored keeping the 10-fi sh bag limit, but lowering the min-imum length from 15 to 14 inches.

“The males gener-ally do not get over 15 inches,” he said. “But if you drop it to 14 inches, a greater amount of the fi sh taken will be males, not females.

“Then we’d rec-ommend adopting a slot limit that would make you throw back all the fi sh between 20 and 25; that would include the productive females.

“That way you’re protecting your brood stock.”

It was only seven years ago that a 30-year high in the relative abundance of speck-led trout on the mid-dle coast was recorded by gill net samplings conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Through 2009, those numbers fell by 60 percent. As of 2010, they still were about

40 percent below the historic average for the species.

“We know the bays have the potential to hold many more trout than what we currently see on the middle coast, though it does appear to be bouncing back,” said Dr. Mark Fisher, TPWD’s direc-tor of Coastal Fisheries Division Science.

The why behind the crash is an open ques-tion, but a current baby boom of juvenile sea trout should bolster the fi shery in coming years.

“It’s mid-coast bays and multiple years so we can rule out a string of bad luck,” Fisher said.

Older fi sh, however, will join predators in taking some toll on the younger ones. It turns out that trout like trout just as much as humans.

“They’re known cannibals,” Fisher said. “We see that in our hatcheries.”

Perhaps most note-worthy is the fi shing public’s readiness to discuss such a measure.

The proposal in early

2007 to manage the Lower Laguna Madre’s trout fi shery separately initially sparked a wave

of public outrage, pre-dictions of economic collapse and even rumors of impending lawsuits.

“Ten years ago we would have been lynched for even men-tioning this,” said Fisher. “This change in bag limits is com-ing from the public. There’s been such talk about it … It’s time to go out and discuss that in a public forum.”

Trout limitsContinued From Page 8

State scopes lower bag limits to address mid-coast sea trout

concerns

Speckled trout regulations history in Texas:

1978: 12-inch minimum, 40 fi sh daily bag1984: 14-inch minimum, 10 fi sh daily bag1990: 15-inch minimum, 10 fi sh daily bag2003: Anglers limited to one fi sh over 25

inches and boat limits imposed for guided trips

2007: 5 fi sh daily bag limit for the Lower Laguna Madre only

Current regulations in other Gulf states:

La: 12-inch minimum, 25 fi sh daily bagMiss: 13-inch minimum, 15 fi sh daily bagAla: 14-inch minimum, 15 fi sh daily bagFla: 15-20-inch reverse slot with one fi sh

over 20 inches per person per day; daily bag of 4 or 5 fi sh depending on region, seasonal harvest closures.

A lesser measure also was narrowly defeated after a spirited discussion.

It would have recommended the creation of mandatory idle zones or no-wake zones in areas of the bay with limited sight distance, such as the maze of channels through mangroves known as Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trails.

People on both sides of this debate did agree that, even at current traffi c levels, collisions between motorboats and kayaks are inevitable unless some-thing is done.

They just could not agree on a solution.What did make the list of recommendations

is a standardized system of tide-level indicators to guide boaters into safe waters and away from waters too shallow to run safely or without dam-aging habitat.

This recommendation included a caveat that the measure would be non-regulatory and for informa-tional purposes only.

Perhaps highest on the group’s list of recommen-dations was a mandatory boater safety course — along with a required boat driver's license — that would include lessons in boating safety, etiquette and habitat conservation.

Other recommendations included various safety measures to make kayaks more visible, better signage to protect nesting birds and fi ne-tuning of laws regarding angler disturbances in crowded situations.

The group also decided to develop a standardized set of ethical behaviors for the bays.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens urged workshop participants to provide as much evidence as possible when reporting a violation and to be willing to appear in court as a witness.

Videotaping could be a useful legal tool in this regard. But when it comes to seagrass violations in the Redfi sh Bay State Scientifi c Area, where uproot-ing seagrass with an outboard propeller is prohib-ited, actual seagrass roots from the site should be collected.

TWPP spokesman Ben Frishman said this was a valuable outcome of the workshop.

“This should give anglers the tools and initiative necessary to help game wardens enforce existing laws,” he said.

ConflictsContinued From Page 11

We know the bays have the potential to hold many more trout than what we

currently see on the middle coast, though it does appear to be bouncing back.

- Dr. Mark Fisher


NATIONALOffi cials probe deaths of birds, fi sh in Arkansas

“Blunt force trauma” is believed to have killed an estimated 5,000 red-winged blackbirds on New Year’s Eve near Beebee, Ark., according to reports.

That was the fi nding of a preliminary test released Jan. 5 by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis.

“It appears unusually loud noises, reported shortly before the birds began to fall, caused the birds to fl ush from a roost,” Arkansas Game and Fish offi cials said in a news release.

“Additional fi reworks in the area,” they added, “may have forced the birds to fl y at a lower alti-tude than normal and hit houses, vehicles, trees and other objects.

“Blackbirds have poor night vision and typi-cally do not fl y at night.”

The USGS report supported preliminary fi nd-ings released Jan. 3 by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission.

The tests revealed internal hemorrhaging and no presence of a harmful pesticide, but offi cials were still checking to see if any toxins or dis-eases might have caused the deaths.

Meanwhile, the investigation continued into the deaths of 83,000 fi sh on the Arkansas River near the community of Hartman.

About 99 percent of the dead fi sh were fresh-water drum. A few yellow bass, white bass and sauger were found in sampled areas, but may be unrelated to the drum kill.

The fi sh samples are being analyzed, but it could take up to 30 days for full test results, offi cials said.

Several days later, another bird death was reported near Baton Rouge, La. About 500 black-birds were found dead along a highway.

Offi cials speculated the birds could have hit power lines or vehicles in the dark.

A group of dead birds found in Upshur County, Texas appeared to die of natural causes and did not appear to be linked to the deaths in Arkansas and Louisiana.

“To my knowledge, there are no bird kills in Texas related to the Arkansas situation,” said Tom Harvey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spokesman.

—Staff report

Delta Waterfowl Launches ‘First Hunt’ Program

Delta Waterfowl has begun a new program designed to tackle declining hunter participation.

“First Hunt” is intended to recruit and retain waterfowl hunters in the United States and Canada, where waterfowl-hunter participation has been declining for years.

“The continued loss of duck habitat and the continued loss of duck hunters are the two greatest challenges facing our waterfowl-ing heritage,” said Delta Waterfowl President Rob Olson. “First Hunt focuses our attention squarely on hunters and their recruitment.”

Olson said Delta’s mentored hunts, totaling about 120 annually across North America in recent years, have had great success recruit-ing youth and adults, especially through the organization’s special youth, women and uni-versity hunts.

“Running these mentored hunts for more than a decade has taught us that we need more volunteer mentors, plain and simple,” Olson said.

He noted that new mentors bring fresh ideas and energy to First Hunt.

“You can’t impact hunter recruitment, to say nothing of retention, without a growing mentor-ship base,” he said. “One of the primary goals of First Hunt will be to connect mentors with anyone who wants to learn to hunt.

“What we’ve also learned is that new hunters who prepare and eat what they kill are far more likely to understand the need to conserve our natural resources, including ducks, for the next generation and beyond.”

Olson said the dramatic declines in waterfowl-hunter participation in the U.S. and Canada is a crisis for conservation, particularly for chroni-cally at-risk waterfowl habitat on the prairie breeding grounds.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. waterfowl-hunter numbers from 2001 to 2006 dropped 27 percent.

“If hunter numbers continue to decline, the funding that protects and restores wildlife habi-tat in and outside the duck factory will also disappear,” Olson said.

— Delta Waterfowl

No CWD found in Pennsylvania elk harvested by hunters

Samples taken from the during the state's 2010 hunting season have all tested negative for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and tuberculo-sis, offi cials said.

Dr. Walt Cottrell, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s wildlife veterinarian, announced the test results.

He noted that sample collection was greatly facilitated by the tremendous cooperation of the elk hunters and taxidermists.

He added that the Game Commission still was awaiting the results of CWD testing for the hunter-killed deer samples collected during the 2010 rifl e deer season, and will announce those results once received.

"Currently, there are no confi rmed or sus-pected cases of CWD-infected deer or elk in Pennsylvania," Cottrell said. "We obviously need to keep a watchful eye on our wild and captive deer and elk.”

CWD tests on the elk samples were con-ducted by the New Bolton Center, which is the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary diagnos-tics laboratory.

Under a contract with Penn State University, the elk samples also were tested for brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis and found to be free from those diseases.

New Bolton Center also is conducting the CWD tests on the deer samples. Results are expected later this spring.

—Staff report

Kids Gone Hunting Foundation launches Web site

The Kids Gone Hunting Foundation Inc. offi -cially has launched a Web site to promote the positive effects that the outdoors and hunting has on kids and their relationships with their parents.

The Web site (www.kidsgonehunting.com) was developed in conjunction with a panel of youth ages 7-17 and includes an online channel of hunting videos done by kids.

The videos are from the fi rst release of the Kids Gone Hunting DVD that was distributed free in 2010.

The Web site is intended to be a social net-work for young hunters, a place for them to share stories of hunts, fi shing trips and other outdoor adventures and to connect with other kids with similar interests or new hunters who need hunting and outdoor tips.

Recent research has shown that the ben-efi ts of outdoors skills education are a valuable contributor to personal health and well-being, according to the foundation.

The research also showed that when young people are able to connect with the outdoors reg-ularly, profound positive outcomes could result.

“It's in that spirit that Kids Gone Hunting was founded and continues to strive to take this positive message to kids everywhere,” founda-tion offi cials said in a news release.

“With the new Web site and videos, Kids Gone Hunting hopes to secure new sponsorships to help take the organization to the next level,” the offi cials said.

—Staff report

CWD FREE: Samples from 41 elk, like this bull, harvested recently by hunters in Pennsylvania have come back negative for Chronic Wasting Disease and tuberculosis, offi cials said. Photo by Jake Dingel, Pennsyl-vania Game Commission.


the distance it’s more exciting.” Numerous ranches and lodges across the

state offer predator hunts as part of their packages. Feral hogs and javelinas are often part of the mix.

“We have a lot of our off-season hunt-ers who pursue hogs and varmints,” said Jeremy Williams with 5J Hunting Ranches in Cameron, about 70 miles northeast of Austin. “We have some ranches we lease for predator hunting and have a few folks who come in.

“Coyotes are pretty tough and are a whole lot smarter than people give them credit for, too. Foxes aren’t like that. You can just about call one of them right into your lap. Coyotes are so much more wary. They’ll stay on tree

lines and maybe run out, but they use the available cover when possible.”

Firearms options span the gamut from .17 HMR to .243s, and big calibers aren’t necessary for the small-bodied and thin-skinned predators.

Proper shot placement on coyotes is key, however, for a quick kill.

Bloodworth uses a Savage .223 dur-ing the day and a .243 at night, with a Hornady 58-grain V-Max bullet. Williams also uses a .223 — a fl at-shoot-ing caliber that delivers good knockdown power for predators.

“The .223 is fast and we use it for prairie dogs when we go out west,” Williams said.

“The ammo is fairly inexpensive, too.”Bloodworth said he and his friends have

access throughout the state, from the Panhandle down to Weatherford, and farther west around the Davis Mountains and else-

where.“We’ll go wherever anyone gives us access,”

he said. “Things are about to start heating up pretty good with winter having arrived and the contests all starting up.”

PredatorsContinued From Page 6

SUCCESS: Hunters sit atop their truck, above, and wait for predators to respond to the sound of a dying rabbit. Right: Two happy Texas hunters show off their predator trophies after an afternoon hunt. Photos by Alan Clemons, for Lone Star Outdoor News.


HEROES

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Johnny's True Value914 W Tyler Ave

Harlingen, TX 78550 956-428-4011

KYLER DE LEON, 6, of San Benito, killed his fi rst turkey while hunting with his dad at

their lease in Falfurias.

CLAIRE CHASE, 12, of Waco downed her fi rst duck in Bosque County. MICHAEL HORAK, 14, of Haslet took this 154-class white-tailed

buck in Mills County.

ANNABELLA SHANDLEY, 8, harvested her fi rst deer with her dad. The 7-point whitetail deer

was taken in Real County.

TODD MOORE of Houston caught this speckled trout in Baffi n Bay.

MADELINE MADRIGAL, 9, of Katy, bagged her fi rst hog with a 7mm-08 rifl e on a lease in Coryell County.

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Solunar | Sun times | Moon timesMoon Phases

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

ACROSS 1. A member of the weasel family 6. Camo slip-ons for a bow 9. A method of fi shing10. Term for a bass species11. A shot that misses12. A very good walleye bait13. Of the mouth of the bass16. Also called a bowfi n19. To debone a fi sh21. Doe having young23. Letters for grain merasurement

of a shell24. Polar, brown, grizzly26. The female pheasant28. Reading the freshness of a track29. A deer hunter's spring activity34. The buck mating periods35. Code for a type bullet36. A deer food source37. A game bird41. Used on gun parts42. A male pheasant43. A substance for stove fuel44. The male Dall

DOWN 1. Also called a dogfi sh 2. Consider this when fi shing 3. Large on the muley 4. Home of the brookie 5. A species of bass 6. Collection of the catch 7. A very tasty panfi sh 8. To fi rm a hook

14. A deer food source15. Common name for the brook trout16. Term for a really small bass17. The trapper's interest18. A nuisance fi sh for trotlines20. Code for a type bullet21. Term for the Arizona whitetail22. Usual feeding time for bucks25. Code for a type bullet

27. Deer have four sets of these glands30. The outdoorsmen's food31. A method of hunting32. Stream fi shermen wear these33. An area for some fi shing38. Field area preferred by quail39. Term for an open sight40. A group of decoys41. Propels the boat

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| |

4 fi llets 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained 1/3 cup chopped onion1/4 cup honey 3 tbsps. soy sauce 2 tbsps. Hoisin sauce — found in Oriental section at grocery store2 tbsps. lime juice 2 tbsps. white wine or apple juice 2 tsps. grated & peeled fresh ginger

1 1/2 tsps. cornstarch 2 jalapeno chilies, fi nely chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped

Mix all ingredients except fi sh. Stir well. Set aside. Place fi sh in a baking dish and pour sauce over the fi llets. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Serve over hot steamed rice.

— Colorado Division of Wildlife

Asian honey trout

1 snow gooseCrushed red pepperCrushed black pepperOnion saltLemon pepper2 tbsps. poultry seasoning½ cup teriyaki sauce½ cup Italian dressing½ cup white wine1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce2 large onions1 can mushroom soup1 can chicken broth8 strips bacon

Rub inside of goose with pep-pers and onion salt. Rub outside with lemon pepper. Combine teri-

yaki, dressing, wine, Worcestershire and poultry seasoning and pour over goose in a heavy plastic bag. Seal and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning several times.

Remove goose from bag. Place onions and soup in body cavity. Cover breast with bacon. Place in oven baking bag with marinade and chicken broth, seal bag and bake at 325 degrees for two hours. Open top of bag and cook until tender, bast-ing every 10 minutes with marinade. Serve with marinade as sauce.

— South Dakota Healthy Hunter program from the South Dakota

Department of Health

Marinated snow goose

FirstFeb. 4New

Jan. 28Full

Jan. 14

LastJan. 21

Texas Coast TidesSabine Pass, jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 14 4:23 a.m. -0.7 L 1:41 p.m. 1.6 H Jan 15 5:03 a.m. -1.1 L 2:11 p.m. 1.8 H Jan 16 5:44 a.m. -1.3 L 2:42 p.m. 1.8 H Jan 17 6:26 a.m. -1.4 L 3:14 p.m. 1.8 H 6:48 p.m. 1.6 L 10:19 p.m. 1.8 H Jan 18 7:09 a.m. -1.6 L 3:43 p.m. 1.8 H 7:12 p.m. 1.6 L 11:30 p.m. 1.8 H Jan 19 7:53 a.m. -1.6 L 4:11 p.m. 1.8 H 7:52 p.m. 1.4 L Jan 20 12:38 a.m. 1.8 H 8:37 a.m. -1.4 L 4:37 p.m. 1.6 H 8:41 p.m. 1.3 L Jan 21 1:49 a.m. 1.8 H 9:22 a.m. -1.3 L 5:01 p.m. 1.6 H 9:38 p.m. 0.9 L Jan 22 3:09 a.m. 1.6 H 10:07 a.m. -0.7 L 5:23 p.m. 1.4 H 10:41 p.m. 0.4 L Jan 23 4:41 a.m. 1.4 H 10:54 a.m. -0.2 L 5:45 p.m. 1.4 H 11:49 p.m. 0.0 L Jan 24 6:28 a.m. 1.3 H 11:44 a.m. 0.4 L 6:06 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 25 12:58 a.m. -0.4 L 8:27 a.m. 1.3 H 12:43 p.m. 0.9 L 6:26 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 26 2:08 a.m. -0.9 L 10:34 a.m. 1.4 H 2:32 p.m. 1.3 L 6:44 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 27 3:16 a.m. -1.1 L 12:24 p.m. 1.6 H Jan 28 4:20 a.m. -1.3 L 1:33 p.m. 1.8 H

Galveston Bay entrance, south jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 14 4:49 a.m. -0.6 L 2:28 p.m. 1.3 H Jan 15 5:29 a.m. -0.9 L 2:58 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 16 6:10 a.m. -1.0 L 3:29 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 17 6:52 a.m. -1.1 L 4:01 p.m. 1.4 H 7:14 p.m. 1.3 L 11:06 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 18 7:35 a.m. -1.3 L 4:30 p.m. 1.4 H 7:38 p.m. 1.3 L Jan 19 12:17 a.m. 1.4 H 8:19 a.m. -1.3 L 4:58 p.m. 1.4 H 8:18 p.m. 1.1 L Jan 20 1:25 a.m. 1.4 H 9:03 a.m. -1.1 L 5:24 p.m. 1.3 H 9:07 p.m. 1.0 L Jan 21 2:36 a.m. 1.4 H 9:48 a.m. -1.0 L 5:48 p.m. 1.3 H 10:04 p.m. 0.7 L Jan 22 3:56 a.m. 1.3 H 10:33 a.m. -0.6 L 6:10 p.m. 1.1 H 11:07 p.m. 0.3 L Jan 23 5:28 a.m. 1.1 H 11:20 a.m. -0.1 L 6:32 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 24 12:15 a.m. 0.0 L 7:15 a.m. 1.0 H 12:10 p.m. 0.3 L 6:53 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 25 1:24 a.m. -0.3 L 9:14 a.m. 1.0 H 1:09 p.m. 0.7 L 7:13 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 26 2:34 a.m. -0.7 L 11:21 a.m. 1.1 H 2:58 p.m. 1.0 L 7:31 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 27 3:42 a.m. -0.9 L 1:11 p.m. 1.3 H Jan 28 4:46 a.m. -1.0 L 2:20 p.m. 1.4 H

San Luis PassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Jan 14 5:45 a.m. -0.3 L 2:58 p.m. 0.8 H Jan 15 6:25 a.m. -0.5 L 3:28 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 16 7:06 a.m. -0.6 L 3:59 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 17 7:48 a.m. -0.7 L 4:31 p.m. 0.9 H 8:10 p.m. 0.8 L 11:36 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 18 8:31 a.m. -0.8 L 5:00 p.m. 0.9 H 8:34 p.m. 0.8 L Jan 19 12:47 a.m. 0.9 H 9:15 a.m. -0.8 L 5:28 p.m. 0.9 H 9:14 p.m. 0.7 L Jan 20 1:55 a.m. 0.9 H 9:59 a.m. -0.7 L 5:54 p.m. 0.8 H 10:03 p.m. 0.6 L Jan 21 3:06 a.m. 0.9 H 10:44 a.m. -0.6 L 6:18 p.m. 0.8 H 11:00 p.m. 0.4 L Jan 22 4:26 a.m. 0.8 H 11:29 a.m. -0.3 L 6:40 p.m. 0.7 H Jan 23 12:03 a.m. 0.2 L 5:58 a.m. 0.7 H 12:16 p.m. -0.1 L 7:02 p.m. 0.7 H Jan 24 1:11 a.m. 0.0 L 7:45 a.m. 0.6 H 1:06 p.m. 0.2 L 7:23 p.m. 0.7 H Jan 25 2:20 a.m. -0.2 L 9:44 a.m. 0.6 H 2:05 p.m. 0.4 L 7:43 p.m. 0.7 H Jan 26 3:30 a.m. -0.4 L 11:51 a.m. 0.7 H 3:54 p.m. 0.6 L 8:01 p.m. 0.7 H Jan 27 4:38 a.m. -0.5 L 1:41 p.m. 0.8 H Jan 28 5:42 a.m. -0.6 L 2:50 p.m. 0.9 H

Freeport HarborDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 14 4:46 a.m. -0.4 L 1:50 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 15 5:26 a.m. -0.5 L 2:20 p.m. 1.2 H Jan 16 6:07 a.m. -0.6 L 2:51 p.m. 1.2 H Jan 17 6:49 a.m. -0.7 L 3:23 p.m. 1.2 H 7:11 p.m. 0.8 L 10:28 p.m. 1.2 H Jan 18 7:32 a.m. -0.8 L 3:52 p.m. 1.2 H 7:35 p.m. 0.8 L 11:39 p.m. 1.2 H Jan 19 8:16 a.m. -0.8 L 4:20 p.m. 1.2 H 8:15 p.m. 0.7 L Jan 20 12:47 a.m. 1.2 H 9:00 a.m. -0.7 L 4:46 p.m. 1.1 H 9:04 p.m. 0.6 L Jan 21 1:58 a.m. 1.2 H 9:45 a.m. -0.6 L 5:10 p.m. 1.1 H 10:01 p.m. 0.5 L Jan 22 3:18 a.m. 1.1 H 10:30 a.m. -0.4 L 5:32 p.m. 1.0 H 11:04 p.m. 0.2 L Jan 23 4:50 a.m. 1.0 H 11:17 a.m. -0.1 L 5:54 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 24 12:12 a.m. 0.0 L 6:37 a.m. 0.9 H 12:07 p.m. 0.2 L 6:15 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 25 1:21 a.m. -0.2 L 8:36 a.m. 0.9 H 1:06 p.m. 0.5 L 6:35 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 26 2:31 a.m. -0.5 L 10:43 a.m. 1.0 H 2:55 p.m. 0.6 L 6:53 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 27 3:39 a.m. -0.5 L 12:33 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 28 4:43 a.m. -0.6 L 1:42 p.m. 1.2 H

South Padre IslandDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 14 4:15 a.m. -0.3 L 3:19 p.m. 1.2 H Jan 15 5:00 a.m. -0.5 L 3:34 p.m. 1.3 H Jan 16 5:46 a.m. -0.6 L 4:02 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 17 6:32 a.m. -0.8 L 4:34 p.m. 1.5 H Jan 18 7:19 a.m. -0.8 L 5:04 p.m. 1.5 H Jan 19 8:06 a.m. -0.8 L 5:29 p.m. 1.5 H Jan 20 8:53 a.m. -0.7 L 5:45 p.m. 1.4 H Jan 21 9:40 a.m. -0.5 L 5:54 p.m. 1.2 H 10:56 p.m. 0.9 L Jan 22 2:34 a.m. 1.0 H 10:27 a.m. -0.3 L 5:56 p.m. 1.0 H 11:29 p.m. 0.6 L Jan 23 4:28 a.m. 0.9 H 11:15 a.m. 0.1 L 5:52 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 24 12:13 a.m. 0.2 L 6:33 a.m. 0.8 H 12:03 p.m. 0.4 L 5:43 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 25 1:05 a.m. -0.1 L 9:04 a.m. 0.9 H 12:53 p.m. 0.8 L 5:26 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 26 2:02 a.m. -0.4 L 4:45 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 27 3:03 a.m. -0.7 L 2:03 p.m. 1.2 H Jan 28 4:06 a.m. -0.8 L 2:53 p.m. 1.3 H

Port O’ConnorDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan14 7:56 a.m. -0.4 L 7:51 p.m. 0.5 H Jan15 8:45 a.m. -0.5 L 8:31 p.m. 0.6 H Jan 16 9:32 a.m. -0.6 L 9:18 p.m. 0.6 H Jan 17 10:18 a.m. -0.7 L 10:12 p.m. 0.6 H Jan 18 11:01 a.m. -0.7 L 11:15 p.m. 0.6 H Jan 19 11:43 a.m. -0.7 L Jan 20 12:31 a.m. 0.6 H 12:22 p.m. -0.7 L Jan 21 2:11 a.m. 0.5 H 12:57 p.m. -0.6 L Jan 22 4:06 a.m. 0.3 H 1:25 p.m. -0.4 L 9:42 p.m. 0.1 H Jan 23 12:56 a.m. 0.0 L 6:06 a.m. 0.2 H 1:41 p.m. -0.2 L 8:24 p.m. 0.1 H Jan 24 2:32 a.m. -0.1 L 8:33 a.m. 0.1 H 1:23 p.m. 0.0 L 7:46 p.m. 0.2 H Jan 25 3:50 a.m. -0.3 L 7:31 p.m. 0.3 H Jan 26 5:04 a.m. -0.4 L 7:37 p.m. 0.4 H Jan 27 6:18 a.m. -0.6 L 7:58 p.m. 0.5 H Jan 28 7:30 a.m. -0.6 L 8:29 p.m. 0.6 H

RockportDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 14 8:28 a.m. -0.37 L 11:02 p.m. -0.06 HJan 15 9:17 a.m. -0.40 L 11:40 p.m. -0.05 HJan 16 10:08 a.m. -0.43 LJan 17 12:22 a.m. -0.04 H 11:00 a.m. -0.45 LJan 18 1:06 a.m. -0.03 H 11:50 a.m. -0.46 LJan 19 1:52 a.m. -0.04 H 12:36 p.m. -0.47 LJan 20 2:40 a.m. -0.06 H 01:18 p.m. -0.45 LJan 21 3:32 a.m. -0.09 H 01:53 p.m. -0.42 LJan 22 4:35 a.m. -0.14 H 02:17 p.m. -0.37 LJan 23 6:18 a.m. -0.21 H 02:19 p.m. -0.31 L 9:18 p.m. -0.22 HJan 24 4:02 a.m. -0.29 L 09:43 a.m. -0.26 H 1:22 p.m. -0.27 L 8:40 p.m. -0.19 HJan 25 5:20 a.m. -0.36 L 08:40 p.m. -0.14 HJan 26 6:20 a.m. -0.41 L 09:05 p.m. -0.11 HJan 27 7:17 a.m. -0.45 L 09:48 p.m. -0.08 HJan 28 8:15 a.m. -0.47 L 10:40 p.m. -0.07 H

Houston2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets14 Fri 12:11 6:24 12:36 6:49 07:17 05:41 1:03p 2:19a 15 Sat 12:57 7:10 1:24 7:37 07:16 05:42 1:50p 3:17a 16 Sun 1:45 7:59 2:13 8:27 07:16 05:43 2:43p 4:16a 17 Mon > 2:36 8:50 3:05 9:19 07:16 05:44 3:43p 5:13a 18 Tue > 3:29 9:44 3:58 10:13 07:16 05:45 4:47p 6:07a 19 Wed F 4:25 10:39 4:54 11:08 07:16 05:46 5:55p 6:57a 20 Thu F 5:22 11:36 5:50 ----- 07:16 05:46 7:03p 7:42a 21 Fri > 6:20 12:07 6:47 12:33 07:15 05:47 8:11p 8:22a 22 Sat 7:18 1:05 7:44 1:31 07:15 05:48 9:17p 9:00a 23 Sun 8:16 2:03 8:41 2:29 07:15 05:49 10:23p 9:37a 24 Mon 9:13 3:00 9:39 3:26 07:14 05:50 11:28p 10:14a 25 Tue 10:09 3:56 10:36 4:23 07:14 05:51 NoMoon 10:53a 26 Wed Q 11:04 4:51 11:32 5:18 07:13 05:52 12:34a 11:34a 27 Thu 11:58 5:44 ----- 6:12 07:13 05:53 1:39a 12:20p 28 Fri 12:22 6:36 12:50 7:04 07:13 05:54 2:42a 1:11p 29 Sat 1:13 7:27 1:41 7:54 07:12 05:54 3:41a 2:05p 30 Sun 2:02 8:16 2:29 8:43 07:12 05:55 4:35a 3:01p 31 Mon 2:50 9:03 3:16 9:29 07:11 05:56 5:23a 3:5901 Tue > 3:37 9:50 4:02 10:14 07:11 05:57 6:06a 4:57p02 Wed > 4:23 10:35 4:47 10:58 07:10 05:58 6:44a 5:54p

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell PierDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 14 4:28 a.m. -0.3 L 2:21 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 15 5:08 a.m. -0.5 L 2:51 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 16 5:49 a.m. -0.5 L 3:22 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 17 6:31 a.m. -0.6 L 3:54 p.m. 1.1 H 6:53 p.m. 0.7 L 10:59 p.m. 1.1 H Jan 18 7:14 a.m. -0.7 L 4:23 p.m. 1.1 H 7:17 p.m. 0.7 L Jan 19 12:10 a.m. 1.1 H 7:58 a.m. -0.7 L 4:51 p.m. 1.1 H 7:57 p.m. 0.6 L Jan 20 1:18 a.m. 1.1 H 8:42 a.m. -0.6 L 5:17 p.m. 1.0 H 8:46 p.m. 0.5 L Jan 21 2:29 a.m. 1.1 H 9:27 a.m. -0.5 L 5:41 p.m. 1.0 H 9:43 p.m. 0.4 L Jan 22 3:49 a.m. 1.0 H 10:12 a.m. -0.3 L 6:03 p.m. 0.9 H 10:46 p.m. 0.2 L Jan 23 5:21 a.m. 0.9 H 10:59 a.m. -0.1 L 6:25 p.m. 0.9 H 11:54 p.m. 0.0 L Jan 24 7:08 a.m. 0.8 H 11:49 a.m. 0.2 L 6:46 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 25 1:03 a.m. -0.2 L 9:07 a.m. 0.8 H 12:48 p.m. 0.4 L 7:06 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 26 2:13 a.m. -0.4 L 11:14 a.m. 0.9 H 2:37 p.m. 0.5 L 7:24 p.m. 0.9 H Jan 27 3:21 a.m. -0.5 L 1:04 p.m. 1.0 H Jan 28 4:25 a.m. -0.5 L 2:13 p.m. 1.1 H

San Antonio2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets14 Fri 12:24 6:36 12:49 7:01 07:28 05:54 1:17p 2:31a 15 Sat 1:10 7:23 1:36 7:49 07:28 05:55 2:03p 3:29a 16 Sun 1:58 8:12 2:26 8:40 07:28 05:56 2:57p 4:28a 17 Mon > 2:48 9:03 3:17 9:32 07:28 05:57 3:57p 5:25a 18 Tue > 3:42 9:56 4:11 10:26 07:28 05:58 5:01p 6:19a 19 Wed F 4:37 10:52 5:06 11:20 07:28 05:59 6:09p 7:09a 20 Thu F 5:34 11:48 6:02 ----- 07:27 06:00 7:17p 7:54a 21 Fri > 6:32 12:19 6:59 12:46 07:27 06:00 8:24p 8:35a 22 Sat 7:31 1:18 7:56 1:43 07:27 06:01 9:30p 9:13a 23 Sun 8:28 2:16 8:54 2:41 07:26 06:02 10:35p 9:50a 24 Mon 9:26 3:13 9:51 3:38 07:26 06:03 11:41p 10:27a 25 Tue 10:22 4:09 10:48 4:35 07:26 06:04 NoMoon 11:06a 26 Wed Q 11:17 5:03 11:44 5:31 07:25 06:05 12:47a 11:48a 27 Thu ----- 5:57 12:11 6:24 07:25 06:06 1:52a 12:34p 28 Fri 12:35 6:49 1:03 7:17 07:24 06:07 2:54a 1:24p 29 Sat 1:25 7:39 1:53 8:07 07:24 06:08 3:53a 2:18p 30 Sun 2:15 8:28 2:42 8:55 07:24 06:08 4:47a 3:15p 31 Mon 3:03 9:16 3:29 9:42 07:23 06:09 5:35a 4:13p01 Tue > 3:50 10:02 4:14 10:27 07:22 06:10 6:18a 5:10p02 Wed > 4:36 10:47 4:59 11:11 07:22 06:11 6:56a 6:07p

Amarillo2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets14 Fri 12:37 6:50 1:02 7:15 07:55 05:55 1:17p 2:57a 15 Sat 1:23 7:36 1:50 8:03 07:55 05:56 2:02p 3:58a 16 Sun 2:11 8:25 2:39 8:53 07:54 05:57 2:55p 4:57a 17 Mon > 3:02 9:16 3:31 9:45 07:54 05:58 3:55p 5:55a 18 Tue > 3:55 10:10 4:24 10:39 07:54 05:59 5:02p 6:47a 19 Wed F 4:51 11:05 5:19 11:34 07:53 06:00 6:12p 7:35a 20 Thu F 5:48 ----- 6:16 12:02 07:53 06:01 7:23p 8:17a 21 Fri > 6:46 12:32 7:12 12:59 07:53 06:02 8:34p 8:54a 22 Sat 7:44 1:31 8:10 1:57 07:52 06:03 9:44p 9:29a 23 Sun 8:42 2:29 9:07 2:55 07:52 06:04 10:53p 10:02a 24 Mon 9:39 3:26 10:05 3:52 07:51 06:05 NoMoon 10:36a 25 Tue 10:35 4:22 11:02 4:48 07:51 06:06 12:02a 11:11a 26 Wed Q 11:30 5:17 11:57 5:44 07:50 06:07 1:11a 11:50a 27 Thu 12:00 6:10 12:24 6:38 07:49 06:08 2:19a 12:34p 28 Fri 12:48 7:02 1:16 7:30 07:49 06:09 3:23a 1:23p 29 Sat 1:39 7:53 2:06 8:20 07:48 06:10 4:23a 2:17p 30 Sun 2:28 8:42 2:55 9:09 07:47 06:11 5:16a 3:14p31 Mon 3:16 9:29 3:42 9:55 07:47 06:12 6:03a 4:13p01 Tue > 4:03 10:16 4:28 10:40 07:46 06:13 6:44a 5:13p 02 Wed > 4:49 11:01 5:12 11:24 07:45 06:14 7:19a 6:13p

Dallas2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets14 Fri 12:17 6:29 12:42 6:54 07:29 05:40 1:02p 2:31a15 Sat 1:03 7:16 1:29 7:42 07:29 05:41 1:47p 3:31a 16 Sun 1:51 8:05 2:19 8:33 07:29 05:42 2:40p 4:30a17 Mon > 2:41 8:56 3:10 9:25 07:28 05:43 3:40p 5:27a 18 Tue > 3:35 9:49 4:04 10:19 07:28 05:44 4:46p 6:20a 19 Wed F 4:30 10:45 4:59 11:13 07:28 05:44 5:55p 7:09a 20 Thu F 5:27 11:41 5:55 ----- 07:28 05:45 7:05p 7:52a 21 Fri > 6:25 12:12 6:52 12:39 07:27 05:46 8:14p 8:31a 22 Sat 7:24 1:11 7:49 1:36 07:27 05:47 9:23p 9:07a 23 Sun 8:21 2:09 8:47 2:34 07:26 05:48 10:30p 9:42a 24 Mon 9:19 3:06 9:44 3:31 07:26 05:49 11:38p 10:17a 25 Tue 10:15 4:02 10:41 4:28 07:25 05:50 NoMoon 10:54a 26 Wed Q 11:10 4:56 11:37 5:24 07:25 05:51 12:45a 11:34a 27 Thu ----- 5:50 12:04 6:17 07:24 05:52 1:52a 12:19p 28 Fri 12:28 6:42 12:56 7:10 07:24 05:53 2:56a 1:08p 29 Sat 1:18 7:32 1:46 8:00 07:23 05:54 3:55a 2:02p 30 Sun 2:08 8:21 2:35 8:48 07:23 05:55 4:49a 2:59p31 Mon 2:56 9:09 3:22 9:35 07:22 05:56 5:36a 3:58p01 Tue > 3:43 9:55 4:07 10:20 07:21 05:57 6:18a 4:57p 02 Wed > 4:29 10:40 4:52 11:04 07:21 05:58 6:55a 5:55p


Lifejacket stowed, kill switch off, but angler survives frigid water


It was a harrowing way to begin 2011, and to nearly end it.Sunday, Jan. 2 was sunny but chilly in North Texas. At about

4:30 p.m., Brandon Pope fi nished tending his brush piles for crappie on Lake Arlington. He then piloted his 18-foot G3 tun-nel-hull at high speed toward the middle of the lake.

The 36-year-old lifelong angler from Arlington leaned toward the stern to stretch his back, but the steering wheel spun left.

The sudden motion pitched Pope, a biology teacher and father of two, into deep, 48-degree water.

The kill switch should have been attached to him, but it was clipped tidily to the engine key. A lifejacket was stowed under the front deck.

“As cold as that water was, I knew I didn’t have much time, so I tried to quickly run through all the things I needed to do,” he said. “My fi rst prior-ity was to get out of the way of the boat, which was coming back around. I swam backwards as fast as I could.”

Pope knew that an area of shoals in the lake sometimes became an island when water levels dropped. He swam toward the area as best he could in his sodden winter clothing.

But moments later, his arms and legs became diffi cult to control — a symptom of hypothermia, in which the core body temperature dangerously drops below 98 degrees.

Vital body organs subsequently shut down, causing death.Finally, all feeling gone from his extremities, Pope’s legs

began to sink behind him.“I thought: ‘Okay, this is it. I’m going to die,’” Pope recalled.

“I told myself: ‘Just don’t die scared.’”Then, with his mind on his wife, Patty, 9-year-old son, Blake,

and 15-month-old daughter, Emory, Pope watched the sec-ond hand of his life grind to a near-standstill.

He was sinking fast.But then his toes hit something solid. He locked his knees

and thrust his face toward the sky, standing in water just shallow enough to allow him to breathe —as long as he didn’t slouch.

Meanwhile, anglers Ricky Jennings of Arlington and Keith Bettis of Justin heard the motor on Pope’s run-away boat and realized something was wrong.

They found the boat and then they saw Pope’s face sticking out of the water about 150 feet farther away.

“We hollered at him and he actually hol-lered back at us,” Jennings said.

Pope said he remembered being hauled over the transom like a gaffed tuna.

Doctors later told Pope that his core body temperature had fallen to 88 degrees.

“That is pretty signifi cant hypothermia,” said Dr. Darrin D'Agostino, of the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth.

In 48-degree water, loss of conscious-ness could occur in as little as 10 minutes, D'Agostino said.

“He was not only lucky, he also had enough common sense to allow him to survive,” D'Agostino said of Pope's decision to swim to shallower water. “He did good.”

Game Wardens John Padgett and Capt. Neal Bieler caught the call and initially thought they were going to Arlington to recover a body.

“It could happen to anyone, and it could happen anywhere,” Bieler said. “It’s best to use

the equipment on the boat whether you like it or not.”That’s advice Pope has heard from his wife and from

countless friends.“I defi nitely learned a lesson,” Pope said. “Kill switch.

Lifejacket. Got it.”And, he added, it’s good he learned the lesson at age 36.“At 56 or 66 or 76, I might not have made it.”

BEFORE THE PLUNGE: Brandon Pope, a biology teacher from Arlington, unhooks a crappie on Lewisville Lake the week before his near-fatal boating accident Jan. 2 on Lake Arlington. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.

HAPPIER MOMENT: Brandon Pope, 36, of Arlington, fi shes with his son Blake, 9, on Lewisville Lake the week before his Jan. 2 bout with hypother-mia. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.


PRODUCTS

NANO SILVER FOOD STORAGE KIT: Hunters and anglers will appreciate InterCon Marketing’s new containers that promise to keep stored game or fi sh fresher up to three times longer than conventional plastic storage. The nano silver process incorporates micro-sized bits of silver that either cover the surface or are suspended in the material. These nanos, which are about the size of six atoms lined up to-

gether, prevent bacteria and infections. The BPA-free plastic kit includes 14 containers in a va-riety of sizes that can be refrigerated, frozen and microwaved. The set sells for about $40.

(941) 355-4488www.contoure.com or www.interconmktg.com

sggg

(941) 355-4488www.contoure.com or www.interconmktg.com

AIR FRESHENER: In 1903, the original Hoppe’s No. 9 gun solvent was cre-ated. Since then, the scent has been evoking memories of great hunts in generations of outdoorsmen. Now, that nos-talgic scent is available in a new air freshener. Hang it in the man cave during the off-season so at least it will smell as if you are hunting. It sells for just under $4.

(800) 423-3537www.hoppes.com

REVOLUTION RIFLESCOPES: Redfi eld’s affordable line of rifl escopes

comes in 2-7x33 mm, 3-9x40 mm, 3-9x50 mm and 4-12x40 mm models, each with a black matte fi nish and either

a 4-Plex or Accu-Range reticle. The rifl escopes’ premium lenses have vapor-deposition multi-coatings for bright, crisp imaging and superior light

transmission in low-light conditions. Other features include an Accu-Trac windage and elevation adjustment system with resettable precision stainless steel ¼-MOA fi n-ger click adjustments and a Rapid Target Acquisition lockable eyepiece. The rifl escopes cost about $130 to $220, depending on model.

(877) 798-9686 www.redfi eld.com

DOCK LIGHTS: Aqualuma’s bright outdoor lights are designed for in-water, dock use. The curved design has six, high-output LEDS, which are housed in a high-tech, patented polymer to help withstand en-vironmental forces. Drawing less than 1.3 amps at 12V DC, the dock lights emit virtually no heat and operate on 12 or 24V DC. The lamp comes with a fi berglass mounting post, injec-tion-molded, reinforced bracket, stainless steel mounting pins and 16.2 feet of tinned cable. Its pivot bracket enables easy cleaning and can be piggybacked to install two lights on one pole. The dock light is available in blue, green and white. It sells for about $777, with piggy-back units available for $642.

61-7-551-94555 (Australia)www.aqualuma.com

APPRENTICE: Pfl ueger’s spinning combo is for young anglers who are ready to step up from their fi rst rod and reel. The 5-foot, 10-inch graphite rod has a custom-sized cork

split grip, stainless steel guides, and a lightweight graphite reel seat. It is paired with a spinning reel with such features as three stainless steel ball bearings, instant anti-reverse bearing, a graphite body and rotor, plus machined aluminum spool.

This 2010 ICAST show winner in the kids’ tackle cat-egory sells for about $60.

(800) 554-4653www.pfl uegerfi shing.com>>

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PRODUCTSEXPLORIST 310 GPS:

Magellan’s waterproof handheld GPS receiver includes a premium world map and the ability to upload detailed topographic maps. An-glers can record hundreds of waypoints, tracks, and routes, includ-ing all their favorite fi shing spots. Features include a 2.2-inch trans-fl ective color screen and a highly sensitive GPS chipset providing 3-5 meters of accuracy. Two AA batteries provide up to 18 hours of con-tinual outdoor use. It sells for just under $200.

(800) 707-9971www.magellangps.com>>

STRIPER PFD/VEST: Extrasports’s combination personal fl oating device and fi shing vest is perfect for the angler fi shing off a boat. The fi shing vest’s seven pockets can handle plenty of gear while the mesh shoulders and side keep the wearer cool and ventilated. The front-zip vest also features a “GlideFit” shoul-der adjustment system and an adjustable neo-prene-covered waist belt for just the right fi t. The sand-and-black vest sells for about $100.

(800) 852-9257www.extrasport.com

STAMINA LINE:Stren describes its premium salt-water fi shing line as being the perfect balance between pow-er, shock-resistance, and recov-ery. This abrasion-resistant 10- to 50-pound test line is available in Clear or Hi-Vis Gold. The spool sells for just under $10. (866) 447-8736www.stren.com

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CLASSIC BAIT SHEARS:Berkley Fishing’s shears with their curved serrat-ed stainless steel edge will cut through the tough-est of bait, even if frozen. The shears will withstand harsh salt and marine environments. And its sure-grip black and red ergonomic handle will ensure a comfortable grip when tackling the toughest — and messiest — of fi sh-cutting chores. It sells for just under $10.

For retailers, visitwww.berkley-fi shing.com

DAKOTA CARRY-ON CASE:Fishpond’s 31-inch by 9-inch by 5-inch rod and reel case is large enough to hold up to four rods. In addition to the padded compartment for the rods, the case also has adjustable, padded removable interior dividers for reels. Three mesh interior pockets hold favorite baits and other fi shing gear while three laminated see-through outside mesh pockets are handy for such items as keys, airplane tick-ets and cell phone. The case sells for about $160. (970) 468-7883www.fi shpondusa.com

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CONSERVATION

Group aims to relocate Panhandle pronghorns

to Trans-Pecos By Mary Helen AguirreLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

The Trans-Pecos Pronghorn Working Group is hoping to move up to 200 pronghorn antelope in February or, at the lat-est, March, from the Panhandle into the Trans-Pecos region, where the native pronghorn population has been in decline for the last several years.

But, fi rst, the group needs to raise the money to pay for the relocation.

The organization, made up of landowners, hunters, wild-life biologists and other concerned people, is scrambling to raise $100,000. In addition to seeking donations from private donors, the group also has organized a fund-raiser for Saturday, Jan. 29 in Alpine.

Dr. Louis Harveson, group member and Director of Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University, said that depending on the amount of private funds raised, the group would also seek additional state and federal grants of up to $150,000 through matching fund programs.

The money is expected to pay for the trapping and transfer of 200 pronghorn antelope this year and 200 next year, plus the GPS collars and equipment required to monitor the animals in their new habitat.

A private helicopter service — selected through a bid pro-cess — and experienced trappers will capture the antelope, Harveson said.

The team will deploy nets from the helicopter, trap the ani-mals, and fl y them in bags to a designated area before gently lowering the animals to awaiting ground crews.

The veterinarians and wildlife biologists on the ground will evaluate the animals and fi t them with GPS collars before trans-porting the animals in trailers to their new home.

The helicopter service alone is projected to cost $80,000 per year, said Harveson. However, it is perhaps the least stressful way to capture the wild animals.

“Through the years, our profession has evolved. We used to sedate them but we have realized that physically restraining the animal is less stressful than using drugs,” said Harveson.

He added that the helicopter crew is expected to get the job done in about a week.

Harveson said the plans calls for mostly pregnant does to be moved from a yet-to-be-determined site in the northern Panhandle, where the pronghorn population is plentiful and healthy and has been known to graze on many a farmer’s crops.

Those pregnant does will be released on the Marfa Plateau in Far West Texas. The region, which experienced a drought from part of the 1990s until the early 2000s and again in 2008, has seen its native pronghorn population drop in the last few decades.

For landowners in that area of Texas, a dwindling population signals the potential loss of a majestic animal that for genera-tions survived and thrived in the Chihuahuan desert. A decline in the number of pronghorn antelope also means fewer hunting permits and less revenue from hunters for those landowners.

Autopsies on hunted antelope in the Trans-Pecos region revealed that a vast percentage of them were infected with bloodworms. The parasitic worm poses a danger to an animal that is in a weakened state.

Just what is weakening the pronghorn, however, remains a mystery.

Harveson points to the habitat and nutrition, or lack thereof, as possible culprits. Wildlife researchers will continue to investigate the issue.

For now, the group is betting that the stronger, healthier antelope will be able to ward off whatever is affl icting the native population and that the introduction of the pregnant does will jumpstart the recovery of the Trans-Pecos prong-horn population.

To attend the fund-raiser:A benefi t dinner and dance will take place at the historic

Granada Theatre in Alpine on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.Tickets are $50 and include dinner followed by entertainment

by Craig Carter and the Spur of the Moment Band.To purchase tickets, call (432) 837-8488 or visit www.sulross.edu/brinrm/pronghorn.htm

By Mark EnglandLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Texas legislators have other things on their minds than hunting and fi shing, judging by the few bills fi led related to the outdoors.

“The big fat issue is the budget,” said Tom Harvey, spokesman for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Texas faces as much as a $20 billion budget shortfall and state agencies have been asked to reduce their budget requests for the 2012-2013 biennium by 10 percent. Plus, the Legislature, which began its 140-day session Tuesday, will take another whack at congressional redistricting.

Still, there are several outdoor bills worth following. The most controversial, so far, is a Texas Senate bill that would revamp the procedure for denying permits to deer breeders and destroy-ing deer.

The bill comes in the wake of TPWD’s shooting of 70 breeder deer last month in Hunt County after ranch operators could not prove the deer came from a state free of Chronic Wasting Disease.

The bill by Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, would require the state to identify the deer to be destroyed; give the date for their destruction, which can be no more than 10 days after the deer breeder is notifi ed; and give a detailed reason for the deer destruction.

However, a TPWD spokesman said the biggest impact of the bill would be on the state’s abil-ity to deny deer breeder permits. The bill would grant applicants the right to a hearing con-

ducted by the State Offi ce of Administrative Hearings, even if they’ve been convicted of violat-ing state or federal wildlife laws.

“It’s not as expeditious as the way we’re currently doing it,” said David Sinclair, chief of staff for TPWD’s Law Enforcement Division. “Under this, it could be six months to a year before there’s a hearing.”

Other bills affecting hunters and anglers are two House bills that would make weapons, includ-ing handguns, carried on boats subject to the same laws as weapons carried in automobiles.

A bill by Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, would make it a Class A misdemeanor to sell or attempt to buy a boat with an altered or removed hull identifi cation number.

A bill that has raised eyebrows would redo the prohibition of hunting on public roadways to allow the capture, trapping or hunting of reptiles, amphibians and insects.

But Mark Langford, communications director for Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, said the bill isn’t a joking matter to West Texas hotels and restaurants that claim to have lost 20 percent of their business.

“Basically, it’s an economic development issue,” Langford said. “Collectors want to get the law back to what it was, and we’re glad to sponsor it because it will benefi t businesses in West Texas.”

Sinclair said game wardens were frequently called out for possible night hunting before the ban was extended to nongame animals.

“That’s really slowed down,” he said. “That’s the way we like it, rather than rushing out at 3 in the morning to fi nd someone’s shining a light in the middle of the roadway trying to collect snakes.”

Legislature to look at several outdoor bills

Hermine in early September were among the last signifi cant showers seen in many parts of the state.

By early January, the National Integrated Drought Information System had declared that most of Texas was too dry.

“The Panhandle and areas along the Red River are about the only areas that have escaped drought so far,” said John Nielsen-Gammon, the Texas State Climatologist.

Deluges from Hermine fl ooded some areas on its track along the Interstate 35 corridor, but East Texas and much of West Texas didn’t get any rain from it.

“It was dry in parts of East Texas all year,” said Nielsen-Gammon, a professor at Texas A&M University. “Some folks in Nacogdoches County said that they received less than 25 inches for all of 2010, and 48 is normal.”

Farther west in Central Texas, the range was “fi ne through September,” Nielsen-Gammon said. But, he added, the region had “less than 2 inches of rain since the fi rst of October, and normal should be around 10.”

The culprit, Nielsen-Gammon said, is the ocean-atmospheric phe-nomena La Niña.

It happens when sea surface tem-peratures in the parts of the Pacifi c Ocean are cooler than normal, which causes warm, dry conditions across the southern U.S., including Texas.

Dan Huckaby, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Fort Worth, reported that the U.S. Seasonal

Drought Outlook called for La Niña conditions through the end of February.

As of Jan. 4, 158 of the state’s 254 counties had issued outdoor burn bans to hedge against wildfi res, according to the Texas Forest Service.

An Arctic cold front blew through Texas Jan. 9, and brought snow and showers to North and East Texas. But, if more rain doesn’t come later this winter, the state might be fac-

ing severe dryness, similar to the harsh drought of 2009, Nielsen-Gammon said.

“How bad remains to be seen,” he said. “But, if we don’t get it turned around, we won’t have much moisture in the ground when the warmer months approach. That will make us more vul-nerable at the root level.”

The consequences for wildlife could be dire, and South

Texans know that all too well. They were hit hard in 2009.

Fawn recruitment in Goliad County, for example, was estimated at less than 10 percent.

“Every rancher I talked to didn’t remember it being that dry for that long,” said Josh Turner, a biolo-gist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Turner, who works in Goliad and

DeWitt counties, said, “there was no grass, no nesting cover for quail or turkey, and no fawning cover for deer.”

And drought is also bad for fi sh: it purges habitat from Texas waters — a killer of bass and other species.

John Tomerlin, vice presi-dent of the Bee County Wildlife Management Association, oper-ates an 840-acre high-fence breed-ing operation. He said he normally puts out a ton of protein every three weeks, but during the summer of 2009, it was a ton a week.

His fawn recruitment was only 30 percent. Members of his wildlife association hope they don’t see that again for a very long time.

“Everybody wants rain right now,” Tomerlin said. “The tanks have all dropped down. The ground is dry, but I don’t see any cracks or anything yet.”

Turner agreed that crisis mode had not yet arrived in early January, but landowners will be watching.

“Once springtime comes, that will be the telling part,” he said. “If we get some rain here, we could be fi ne.”

DroughtContinued From Page 1

NO CRISIS — YET: Landowners hope drought conditions in Texas don’t get as bad as 2009 when this photo was taken on a ranch near Cuero. La Niña conditions are expected to produce dry weather in Texas at least through February. Photo by Bill Miller, LSON.

FUND-RAISING: The Trans-Pecos Pronghorn Working Group currently is raising funds to relocate pronghorn from the Panhandle to the Trans-Pecos region. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.


DATEBOOKJanuary 14-16Houston Safari Club ShowConventionThe Woodlandswww.houstonsafariclub.org

January 15-16Texas Gun and Knife Association ShowAbilene Civic CenterAbilene(830) 285-0575

January 20-23Austin Boat, Sport, and Outdoor ShowAustin Convention Center(512) 494-1128www.austinboatshow.com

January 22Texas NWTF Awards BanquetEight Seconds ClubMesquite(903) 573-4570

Eagle Lake Ducks UnlimitedFund-raiserEagle Lake Community Center(979) 758-4103www.ducks.org

January 26Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentPublic MeetingTPWD Headquarters, Austin(800) 792-1112www.tpwd.state.tx.us

January 26-29Safari Club International Annual ConventionReno, Nevadawww.showsci.com

January 27-30San Antonio Boat and RV ShowThe Alamodome(512) 481-1777www.sanantonioboatshow.com

January 28-30Coastal Bend Marine Dealers Boat Show The American Bank Convention Center, Corpus Christi(361) 991-0369www.ccboatshow.com

January 29Ducks UnlimitedBig Thicket DinnerCleveland Civic Center(281) 593-9118www.ducks.org

Pronghorn Restoration Benefi t Granada Theatre, Alpine(432) 837-8488www.sulross.edu

Texas Wildlife AssociationWildlife, Land and Livestock SeminarFort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo(512) 551-3004www.texas-wildlife.org

February 3Tomball Ducks Unlimited Dinner Tomball VFW Hall(832) 303-9464www.ducks.org

February 4-5Texas Hill Country Chapter SCICampfi re Memories BanquetInn of the Hills Resort, Kerrville(830) 928-4344www.texashillcountrysci.org

February 4-6, 9-13Dallas International Boat ShowDallas Market Hall(469) 549-0673www.dallasboatshow.net

February 10-12Big Country Celebrity Quail HuntAbilene(325) 677-6815www.driabilene.org

February 11Texas Deer AssociationWhitetail WorkshopSan Antonio Stock Show/Rodeo Auction Barn(210) 767-8300www.texasdeerassociation.com

February 14-15Texas Wildlife AssociationBoots on the Ground EventAT&T Center, Austin(210) 826-2904www.texas-wildlife.org

February 18Ducks UnlimitedPearland DinnerEpiphany Lutheran Church(713) 907-4264www.ducks.org

February 19-20Texas Gun and Knife Association ShowGillespie County FairgroundsFredericksburgwww.texasgunandknifeshows.com

February 26North Texas Chapter SCI MeetingEmbassy Suites Outdoor World(940) 612-1928www.scinorthtexas.com

March 3National Wild Turkey FederationAlamo Chapter BanquetThe Alzafar Center, San Antonio(210) 213-5339www.alamochapternwtf.org/banquet.htm

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 2011 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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Fishing guidesContinued From Page 8

He cut the number of giveaway trips he offered nonprofi ts and others.

And before the recession he would turn down dou-ble bookings, but during the past two years he has fi shed mornings and after-noons on the same day whenever possible.

He has also taken more clients per trip.

“Before they would ask for two boats,” Buitureira said. “Now they’re crowd-ing onto one boat just so they can afford it. These are regulars I’m used to putting in two boats.”

Yoskowitz agreed that people are looking for ways to stretch a dollar.

“While they still want the experience, they’ll give up some level of comfort to get the experience,” he said.

Capt. Chuck West, pres-ident of the 85-mem-ber Coastal Bend Guides Association, said the reces-sion has forced some mid-coast guides to expand services and seek new mar-keting opportunities.

“A number of our guides have participated in the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau wild-life guide certifi cation pro-gram,” West said. “I’m sure it will get those people some trips.”

Capt. Chris Martin, owner of Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift, has doubled advertising expenditures from 2009 to 2010. With nine full-time guides and a 36-bed, full-service lodge, he averages about 600 guests per month.

“It gave us a 17-percent increase in sales,” he said. “We were basically fl at in 2009 and I didn’t want to continue that fl at run.

“The average fi shing guide or lodge owner better spend a lot of

time in front of a computer, especially in a recession. You’ve got to do something to stay in front of people.”

The good news, Yoskowitz said, is that the worst of the recession may have passed.

“All indications are that the future looks bright,” he said. “We’ve had 11 months of solid job growth across the country and that’s just going to translate into more discretionary income that people are going to start spending on fi shing again.”

LOOKING BRIGHTER: Guides along the Texas coast said as the economy continues to improve, people are once again spending money on guided fi shing trips. Photo by Aaron Reed, for LSON.

identifi ed proposed additions to the protocol. The measures don’t require approval from the

TPWD Game Commission or the Texas Legislature, Lockwood said.

All that is needed, Lockwood said, is a signature of approval from TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith.

That had not yet happened at press time.One addition calls for the posting of an indepen-

dent wildlife veterinarian at future operations like the one in Hunt County, Lockwood said.

The veterinarian, Lockwood explained, would evaluate proposed techniques for the operation and offer opinions on whether they are humane.

Another addition would be the option of putting deer in quarantine facilities paid for by the breeders.

But fi rst, breeders would have to confi rm with doc-uments or DNA samples that their deer were born in Texas or another state that is clear of CWD.

Lockwood said the current protocol doesn’t require him to ask for DNA records, but he plans to start requesting them to avoid future problems.

He noted, however, that DNA might not answer every question.

“While DNA can prove relations, it does not prove where a deer has been,” Lockwood said. “But if it does prove that we are dealing with a legitimate breeder deer, it’s possible we can offer a quarantine option.”

It will be up to breeders to determine if they can afford quarantines. An acceptable holding facility will be costly, with high fences, Lockwood said.

Quarantine expenses might be necessary for the life of the deer in question, or until testing for CWD can be done on a live deer.

Current test samples are taken from a deer’s brain-stem, which can’t be examined without killing the animal.

But, Lockwood said, breeders still could make money from a quarantined buck, if its semen is used for artifi cial insemination.

CWD can’t be transmitted through semen, he said.Although the TDA assailed TPWD’s actions at the

Anderton ranch, its executive director praised the proposed additions to the protocol.

“The main thing now is Texas gets the gold medal for the work the state agencies and stakeholders are doing together,” said Karl Kinsel, who attended the meetings. “Other states are not that way.”

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January 14, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting