March 13, 2015 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

March 13, 2015 Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas Volume 11, Issue 14

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FISHING CONTENTSClassifi eds . . . . . . . . . Page26Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page20Freshwater Fishing Report . Page10FortheTable . . . . . . . . Page 20Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page12Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page22Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page25Products.........Page23Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page16Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page18

LSONews.com

Several giant Texas largemouth bass caught, includ-ing new Lake Ray Roberts record.

Page8

Hugeweekendforbass

INS

IDE

HUNTING

Landowners can take steps to help South Texas deer deal with high temperatures during spring and summer.

Page4

Howdeerbeattheheat

ByConorHarrisonLone Star outdoor newS

The Laguna Madre around Port Mansfield has been kicking out some impressive trout the past few weeks, in between fronts when the fishing turns on.

According to Capt. Ruben Garza, the fishing has been outstanding when the weather cooperates but a grind when frontal systems roll in and conditions change for the worse, like the weekend of March 7.

“It was slow,” he said. “Real slow this past week-end. It was definitely a grind to catch fish. But, before the front hit, it was on.”

Garza said he was wading with seven people on Sunday and they caught nine trout.

“And today was better than yesterday,” he said. “I did hear of several boats that caught their trout limits today. Earlier in the week, we had some huge days. We had one 15-minute wade where we all caught our limit of trout. They averaged 3 pounds and there wasn’t one under 18 inches.”

Garza said the pattern of wading productive shorelines in 3 to 4 feet of water throwing Kelly Wigglers in Laguna Shad color has been hammering the trout, and even accounted for his wife Sandra’s personal best trout.

“Sandra finally joined the 30-inch club when she caught her personal-best trout last week at 30 1/4 inches and 9 1/4 pounds,” he said.

Garza said there has been a north wind blowing,

Please turn to page 9

Loving the Laguna

PERSONALBEST:SandraGarzareeledinherpersonal-besttroutlastweekintheLagunaMadenearPortMansfieldduringawarmingtrendwhenthewindslackened.Thebigtroutweighedalittlemorethan9poundsandmeasuredmorethan30inches.Thetroutbitehasbeenonduringdayswhenconditionsareright.PhotobyRubenGarza.

Of arrows and bighornsFirst-ever desert bighorn harvested with a bow on

public ground in Texas

Thawing out on

Lake Fork

Largemouth bite fi nicky

COLDWEATHER,TIGHTLIPS:BigbasshavebeentoughtomakebitethepastfewweeksonFork.PhotobyLSON.

ByJillianMockFor Lone Star outdoor newS

The recent cold and wintry weather has considerably slowed largemouth bass fi shing on Lake Fork. But snow and sleet can’t deter the determined angler.

“You can pretty much catch ’em in every different weather, you just have to do lots of dif-ferent things to get them,” said Mark Stevenson of Lake Fork Fishing Service.

For much of February, water temperatures on Lake Fork hov-ered around 55 degrees before


North Texas looking good for turkeys this spring. Page5

TomsinNorthZoneMichigan teen fi shing in Austin carp tournament catches lake-record catfi sh.

Page8

Longtrip,bigcatfish


Round Rock bowhunter Alan McGraw is on a quest to harvest all 28 North American species with his bow.

He’s halfway there, but one of the toughest animals to hunt just got checked off his list when he took a 9-year-old desert big-horn ram at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area on March 3.

McGraw, the current mayor of Round Rock, purchased the hunt last year at the Texas Wildlife Association Convention — one of 13 tags in the state. Ten of those tags go to private landowners, two are drawn for the Texas Big Game Hunts through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and one tag is auctioned.

“I’m a huge bowhunter — I just love doing it,” McGraw said. “I started sheep hunting last year and

this was my second sheep hunt. I was unsuccessful on a Dall sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories last year. I was originally going to go hunt a desert bighorn in Mexico, but when this came up

and I got a chance to hunt a sheep in Texas, I took it.”

Before the hunt, McGraw prac-ticed with his bow out to 80 or 90 yards, often utilizing a friend’s back-

WELL-EARNEDTROPHY:ThisbigramwasoneofseveralstalkedbyRoundRockbowhunterAlanMcGrawonasheephuntseveralweeksago.PhotobyAlanMcGraw.


Page 2 March 13, 2015 LoneOStar Outdoor News LSONews.com

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HUNTINGCoping with South

Texas heat

ByCraigNyhusLone Star outdoor newS

The heat of the summer in much of Texas, especially South Texas, coincides with some of the most physically demanding conditions for white-tailed deer, including fawning and lactating for does, antler growth for bucks and building of reserves before the fall.

How do the deer deal with it?“There are lots of studies in the North about how deer

deal with the cold,” said Timothy Fulbright with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, “but not much in the South regarding how they deal with heat — it’s just as stressful.”

Fulbright said studies in Northern states show any tem-perature above 68-72 degrees causes deer to become less active, although these fi gures may not be the same with South Texas deer.

The deer are unable to deal with heat in ways many other animals do, Fulbright said.

“They don’t have sweat glands,” he said. “They can pant, but that involves a loss of water and South Texas summers are often short on water.”

So how do the deer cope? The primary way is through behavior.

“We saw two main ways they cope,” Fulbright said. “One, through decreased movement and the other by picking cooler spots on the landscape. We studied bucks wearing collars; they just don’t move in the heat of the day.”

Observations of the deer also included orienting them-selves to the prevailing winds for cooling effects and choosing the tallest stands of trees or brush that offer the most shade.

Where supplemental feed is available, deer are even less active and move more at night.

“They know where the feeder is and the feed is easier to digest,” he said. “However, the feed includes grain which does create more body heat when digested.”

So what is the solution for landowners, ranch managers and hunters when managing deer in an oven?

Charles DeYoung, a research scientist, offered some suggestions at the Deer Associates Meeting, held in San Antonio and hosted by CKWRI on March 5.

“Manage the vegetation,” he said. “Leave plenty of the tallest brush as shade to reduce the heat load and leave stands of brush, as fawns prefer bedsites near clumps of brush.”

When spraying, DeYoung discouraged aerial spraying of mesquites and other brush over large areas.

“Don’t spray big blocks,” he said. “Aerial spraying can destroy a lot of tall brush that a roller chopper can’t.”

DeYoung said managing the drinking water for the deer is equally as important when dealing with scorching sum-mers.

“Heat causes a decrease in appetite and panting causes a loss of water for the deer,” he said, citing a study where food was readily available for the deer but water was only available in limited supply and was located more than 100 yards away from the feed, simulating a poorly watered ranch.

“The bucks drank 27 percent less water and ate 21 per-cent less food than the deer with easy access to both food and water, and the does drank 21.8 percent less water and ate 9.6 percent less food.” DeYoung said. “Water has a direct effect on food consumption — it’s important to have well-distributed drinking water.”

Summer is coming — how deer deal with the dog days

WATERINGHOLE:Sourcesofwaterthatarewelldistributedthroughoutthepropertyhelpwhite-taileddeerhandletheheatofalong,Texassummer,allowingthemtofeedmorethanotherdeerinareaswithlimitedwater.PhotobyLSON.

ByCraigNyhusLone Star outdoor newS

An ice storm that stopped traffi c and closed schools and businesses didn’t deter or damper the spirits of more than a dozen youngsters who made the trek to Kaufman County for the 2015 Kaufman County Youth Hunt held February 28.

“Although we had 27 kids sign up, I thought it was pretty good that 13 future hunters made it,” said Pittman Haymore,

the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Hunter Ed area chief.

Kaufman County Game Warden Eric Minter helps host the hunt every year, and recruits help from other law enforcement offi cers, including wardens and state troop-ers.

The event, held for at-risk youth including youngsters from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Outdoor Mentoring Program and an urban

Youth hunt successful in cold

SQUEEZESLOWLY:AyouthhunterattheKaufmanCountyYouthHuntreceivesinstruc-tionfromLt.RandyJonesbeforeheadingoutonahoghunt.PhotobyCraigNyhus,LoneStarOutdoorNews. Please turn to page 15

Bipartisan support

PROTECTINGOURRIGHTS:GroupsliketheDallasSafariClubarepushingseveralbillsthissessiontopreservehunters’rights.PhotobyLSON.

Two legislative measures — one federal, one state — are at the center of legislative activities in March.

The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015A coalition of 47 sporting and conservation organiza-

tions, including the Dallas Safari Club, is actively support-ing the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 (S.405). Recently introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus mem-bers Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), S.405 is a package of measures that will expand, enhance and protect America’s hunting, fi shing and conservation heritage.

“DSC helped shape several of the act’s provisions, espe-cially the Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act, which would correct unjust government takings of legally acquired property,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director.

He explained, “Forty-one bears were taken in 2008 imme-diately prior to the species being listed under the Endangered Species Act. Listing meant the hides could not be imported to the U.S. This provision would allow the hides to be released to those 41 hunters.”

Although similar packages of measures have failed to advance in the previous two Congresses, Carter hopes the renewed, broad showing of support from organizations rep-resenting millions of hunters and anglers will lead to expedi-tious committee and fl oor consideration of S.405.

Texas Right to Hunt & Fish Constitutional Amendment

Support continues to grow for DSC-backed bills (HJR61/SJR22) proposing constitutional protections for hunting and fi shing in Texas. Last week, the bills were discussed without opposition at a meeting of state-based outdoor groups. A sign-on letter is now circulating.

Currently, 18 states have similar amendments in their con-stitutions.

The measures, authored by Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) in the Texas House of Representatives and Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) in the Texas State Senate, would put the amendment question before Texas voters on the November ballot. The bill could advance to the House and Senate fl oors within the next month and passage will require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Ashby said, “I was pleased to work with DSC and other



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North Zone looking strong

Expect plenty of mature birds, some jakes this season — Hill Country, northern river

bottoms best bet for success

GOODAGE,GOODNUMBERS,GOODHABITAT:AllsignspointtowardafantasticspringgobblerseasoninNorthTexasthisyear.TheNorthZoneseasonbeginsApril4andtheSouthZonestartsMarch21.PhotobyDavidJ.Sams,LSON.


That familiar sound of spring will soon be echoing across river bottoms and fields as toms in the North Zone begin their annual tradition.

This season, good numbers of birds — and pockets of not-so-good numbers — should have many hunters seeing plenty of gobblers where habitat is good.

“It’s pretty similar to the South Zone,” said Jason Hardin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s turkey leader. “There were tons of 2-year-old birds last season, so there should be good carryover to a bunch of

mature birds this spring.”Hardin said late winter rains brought some

poult production last spring, so many areas will see decent numbers of jakes, as well.

“It wasn’t a real boom year, but there will be a fair number of jakes,” he said. “The farther east you go in the Rio range (up to Interstate 35), the better the recruitment. The Rio corridor follows I-35 — and in some places there is hybridization going on. In Grayson County, there are about half Rios, half easterns and a mix of the two. The areas around Bastrop and Seguin are still Rios.”

Hardin said one of the best areas to shoot



yard.“I have a friend with a canyon in his backyard,”

McGraw said. “We live in the Hill Country, so I was shooting in real-life topography and not just fl at ground. I was shooting out to 90 yards, which makes a 40-yard shot look like much less. The only thing I wasn’t prepared for was the wind — we couldn’t duplicate that.”

Once at Elephant Mountain, McGraw, along with his wife, Kathy, met his team of guides for the hunt, which included TPWD’s Froylan Hernandez, head guide Dewey Stockbridge, Cody McIntyre, Mark Garrett and others.

“The fi rst day, we were within bow range of 12 rams,” McGraw said. “There were two shooters in the bunch, but they stayed at the back of the group and didn’t offer a shot. That fi rst day was tough. We literally hiked the soles off of Kathy’s boots. It was very rugged country. We started at the top of the mountain, stalked the rams mid-mountain and then walked down to camp in the dark.”

The next day, the group found two rams together and one was a shooter.

“They weren’t moving, so we decided to come back the next morning and try and hunt them,” he said. “That day, we had a snow and ice storm blow in and the mountain was fogged in. It was actually clear and sunny up top, but we couldn’t see the middle of the mountain to hunt.”

The third day the hunters found the same two rams near the top, and decided to plan a stalk.

“We got within 50 yards of the rams, but we never could see them,” McGraw said. “After the hunt, the spotters watching down below told us we had been very close to the rams, but we never saw them.”

That afternoon, the hunters found another group of rams that contained the sheep McGraw would eventually kill.

“Three hundred yards was as close as we could get, so we called it quits that afternoon know-ing there were two groups of rams, each with a shooter.”

The fourth morning proved to be the lucky day, even though the clouds had blown out and a howling wind greeted the hunters.

“We found my ram and another ram bedded near the top,” McGraw said. “We stalked from the top down and got to a ridge. The sheep were 54 yards below us but we did not have a shot. My guide and I belly-crawled a few more yards and got to a point where I could shoot from my knees.”

The only issue now was the hunters had been spotted.

“He knew we were there but in the wind, I’m not sure he knew what we were,” McGraw said. “He fi nally looked away downhill and gave me a chance to come to full draw and raise up. Because of the wind, I put my 50-yard pin cen-ter mass and released the arrow. It was so windy, I wasn’t sure if I had hit the ram.”

The sheep immediately disappeared over a small ridge, and hunter and guide scrambled to get a better look.

“We ran over to the ridge and didn’t see any sheep,” he said. “We radioed down below and asked where he went. They

radioed back and said his feet just stopped kick-ing 30 yards below us. We looked down and saw a blood trail — he was right there.”

McGraw said the emotions came quick.“I was wiping tears from my eyes,” he said. “It

was such a tough hunt, such an amazing animal, such an amazing place, and to have my wife there with me — all the stars aligned to make it work.”

The ram green scored 172 7/8 inches and is believed to be only the fourth bighorn sheep to ever be harvested with a bow in Texas, according to TPWD. McGraw was quick to give credit to the team effort on his hunt.

“You begin to realize all of the work, all of the effort of so many people to restore the desert big-horn sheep to Texas and they all need to be con-gratulated,” he said. “I don’t want people think-ing this was all me on this hunt. It was a total team effort that I would never have been able to accomplish by myself.

“I could not have done it without them.”

Desert bighorn of a lifetime for Round Rock hunterContinuedfrompage1

TEAMEFFORT:Alongwithhiswife,Kathy,AlanthankedtheentireteamwhohelpedhimonhishuntandeveryonethathashadahandinrestoringdesertbighornsheepherdsinTexas.PhotobyAlanMcGraw.

MOREONTHEWAY:Morethan60sheepwerecapturedandmovedtonewareasoftheTrans-Pecosregionlastmonth.PhotobyDavidJ.Sams,


Two areas in Southwest Texas received a boost to their des-ert bighorn herds last month when Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, along with the Borderlands Research Institute, captured and released sheep at Big Bend Ranch and another site in the Sierra Vieja Mountains on state property.

“Overall, it went very well,” said Froylan Hernandez, TPWD’s bighorn sheep leader. “The herd in Big Bend Ranch seem to be doing very well so far. One ewe died a week after the release by an undetermined


Growingthe

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The camp, held near Lake Charles, Louisiana in past years, includes instruction in calling and shotgun shooting, with Kelly Haydel of Haydel Calls leading the calling lessons.

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eat ducks.“At our new location, we can do all of this in one location,” Todd said, “and campers will learn how

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FISHING


Worth the tripTeen’s roadtrip from Michigan for carp tournament nets pending lake-record blue catfi sh


Sixteen-year-old angler Nik Williams is serious about carp fishing, but it was another species that could put him in the record books for his 48–pound blue catfish — a pending new Lady Bird Lake record.

He and friends have made the trek from his frigid home in Macomb Township, Michigan, to Austin the past two years to compete in the Austin Team Championship.

“We began fishing a few summers ago and just really got into it,” Williams said. “That led to going to tourna-ments. We always wanted to go to Texas, and this was our second year. Since we can’t fish for carp in Michigan in the winter, we like to come to a warm place. Well, it’s usu-ally warm in Texas.”

A strong cold front greeted anglers as they fished through the night of the tournament. The bite was slow, but a big fish hit Williams’ Trilogy Baits flavored corn and began to take line.

“We don’t target catfish, but sometimes we pick them up because they are a bottom-feeder like carp,” he said. “At first, I thought I had a carp — I knew it was a big fish. Halfway through, I began to think it wasn’t a carp. I thought it was actually a buffalo because it wasn’t fighting like a carp.

“We got it to shore and realized it was a huge cat.”Williams, along with his partner, Brendan Pass, noti-

fied tournament officials, who weighed, measured, took pictures and released the catfish back into the lake.

Williams has not submitted his paperwork to claim

the official record yet, but says that is coming soon. The current lake-record blue catfish weighed 41 pounds and was caught on May 12, 1983 by Pete Pattisor.

“We got done fishing and went back to the hotel,” Williams said. “Someone mentioned it could be a lake record.”

Although Williams and Pass didn’t win any money in the tournament, Williams did manage to catch his

personal-best carp — a 28-pounder — and Pass brought three carp to the shore.

“Even though we didn’t win any money, I still caught my personal-best carp and personal-best catfish, so it was still a pretty good trip,” Williams said. “It’s just a great trip every winter and we are definitely coming back next year.”

WORTHTHEDRIVE:AfterspendingmanyhoursinacaronhiswaydownfromMichigan,16-year-oldanglerNikWilliamsreeledinthisLadyBirdLakerecord-sizedbluecatfishduringacarpfishingtournament.Thebigblueweighed48pounds.PhotobyNikWIlliams.

Catching on SabineEven with tough conditions, anglers still catching fi sh

Sabine Lake has been its normal, steady self throughout the winter months into March.

Solid boxes of keeper trout and redfish are being caught, and the fishing is only expected to improve with a warming trend on the horizon.

“We’ve been doing pretty good,” said Capt. Jerry Norris. “The conditions have been good and we’ve been catching fish — the weather warmed up a little the past week.”

Norris said he has been targeting redfish, although other captains are focusing on trout and doing just as well.

“It’s been mostly reds for me,” he said. “I’d say I’ve been catching redfish about three to one over trout. There was a bunch of baitfish in the lake two weeks ago, and there still is depending on the spot. I’ve been using all artificials — Corkys and Fat Boys and scented plastics. There hasn’t been much top-water action.”

Most of the redfish Norris has been catch-ing have been in the 25-inch range, with a few oversized fish also being caught.

“We have been drifting shorelines in 4 to 5 feet of water,” he said. “The entire lake is pretty good right now. People are catching fish from the south end, where I keep my boat, to the north end. I’ve heard the north is just as good as the south, but this end has been so good, I haven’t needed to run up that far.”

Norris said gas prices in the marinas are around $2.90 per gallon, down from a high NORTHORSOUTHBOTHGOOD:GuidesaresayingallofSabineLakeisfishingwellthis

month—boththenorthendandthesouthend.PhotobyLSON.

Huge weekend

BIGGIRL:ShannonElvingtonholdsthenewunofficialRayRobertspend-inglakerecordlargemouthweighing15.18pounds.PhotobyTPWD.

15.18-pound lunker on Ray Roberts, several more giants caught


Shannon Elvington of Pilot Point caught the new pending lake record on Lake Ray Roberts when he reeled in a 15.18-pound giant largemouth bass fishing with guide Dannie Golden of Get-Bit Guide Service.

Golden said the big fish capped an amazing week.“The last few days have been crazy good for me,”

Golden said. “I had a client yesterday catch a fish weighing more than 10 pounds on the Alabama rig. Then today, I caught a 10 and my client caught a 15.18-pound lake record. This was my second day out in my new boat. So the first day in the new boat my



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Big trout in Laguna Madre Continuedfrompage1

BIGTROUTBITING:WhentheweathergetsrightontheLagunaMadre,bigtroutarethereforthetaking.PhotobyDavidJ.Sams,LoneStarOutdoorNews.

which doesn’t affect the bite much.“If it blows from the north, we’ll head north and fish those shorelines,” he said. “It

doesn’t negatively affect the fishing at all. The only wind I don’t like is a west wind.”Although the trout bite has been good, the redfish have been tough to find.“I haven’t caught any redfish,” Garza said. “In 10 days, I caught four rat reds; it’s been

nothing but trout.”Capt. Ted Springer said the redfish are in deeper water than the trout, and the trout

bite has been good when the weather allows.“The bigger trout are starting to move,” Springer said. “I fished a couple of days last

week and there were some nice trout over 30 inches caught. I’ve been using Catch 2000s and shrimp tails.”

Springer said the best areas are shallow water near shorelines where bait is active.“The trout are shallow,” he said. “We’ve been catching mostly trout in less than 3 or

4 feet of water.”

Capt.RubenGarza,(832)385-1431Capt.TedSpringer,(832)724-5463


ALANHENRY: Water stained; 42–46 degrees; 9.92’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, jigs and Texas rigs.

AMISTAD: Water murky; 57–61 degrees; 29.23’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, crankbaits, jerkbaits and soft plastics. Striped bass are good on slabs and small crankbaits under birds.

ATHENS: Water clear; 41–45 degrees; 0.20’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on bladed jigs, lipless crankbaits and soft jerkbaits. Crappie are slow on minnows and white jigs.

BASTROP: Water stained; 54–58 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on green pump-kin spinner baits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and soft plastics.

BELTON: Water murky; 53–57 degrees; 12.74’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

BOBSANDLIN: Water clear; 42–46 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Carolina rigs and lipless crankbaits.

BONHAM: Water stained, 43–46 degrees; 2.845 low. Largemouth bass are slow on crankbaits, jigs and jerkbaits. Catfi sh are fair drifting. BRAUNIG: Water stained. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on sil-ver striper jigs near the pier. Channel catfi sh are slow. Blue catfi sh are fair on shrimp and cut bait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water lightly stained, 41–44 degrees; 24.17’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on suspending jerk-baits and hair jigs. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 51–55 degrees; 12.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastic worms over brush piles.

BUCHANAN: Water murky; 52–56 degrees; 32.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse lipless crankbaits, pumpkinseed lizards and black/chartreuse hair jigs over main lake humps.

CADDO: Water stained; 45–48 degrees; 1.60’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on white bladed jigs, Texas-rigged worms and black/blue fl ipping jigs.

CALAVERAS: Water stained. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed worms, crank-baits, and lipless crankbaits.

CANYONLAKE: Water murky; 54–58 degrees; 11.40’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/chartreuse hair jigs in 15–25 feet, and Texas-rigged black worms on shaky heads.

CEDARCREEK: Water clear; 42–45 degrees; 3.83’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on bladed jigs and shaky head worms in watermelon red. White bass are slow on min-nows and slabs.

CHOKECANYON: Water stained; 54–58 degrees; 28.80’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 54–58 degrees; 19.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are good on chartreuse striper jigs.

COLETOCREEK: Water murky; 58 degrees in main lake, 71 degrees at hot water discharge; 4.30’ low. Largemouth bass to 14 pounds are good on char-

treuse crankbaits, soft plastics and spinner baits in 4–8 feet.

CONROE: Water murky; 54–58 degrees; 0.11’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed worms and liz-ards.

FAYETTE: Water stained. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon, green pumpkin, and redbug Carolina-rigged soft plastics off deep points.

FORK: Water clear; 42–46 degrees; 6.10’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on Carolina rigs, drop shots and football jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows near bridges.

FT.PHANTOMHILL: Water clear; 42–45 degrees; 17.18’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chrome lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows.

GIBBONSCREEK: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse lipless crankbaits. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and hot dogs.

GRANBURY: Water murky; 52–56 degrees; 9.43’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon red soft plastics, spinner baits, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits.

GRANGER: Water clear; 52–56 degrees; 0.46’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and spinner baits along the river channel.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 41–44 degrees; 10.70’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on shaky heads, fi nesse jigs and deep crankbaits. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs.

HOUSTONCOUNTY: Water stained; 53–57 degrees; 0.25’ high. Largemouth bass to 9 pounds are fair on char-treuse soft plastic worms and lizards, crankbaits, lip-less crankbaits, and black/red fl ake Carolina-rigged worms.

HUBBARDCREEK: Water off-color; 42–46 degrees; 30.31’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chatterbaits, lipless crank-baits and Texas rigs.

JOEPOOL: Water clear; 42–46 degrees; 0.76’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, suspend-ing jerkbaits and drop-shot fi nesse worms.

LAKEO’THEPINES:Water lightly stained; 43–47; degrees; 1.78’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and bladed jigs.

LBJ: Water stained; 53–57 degrees; 0.30’ low. Largemouth bass are very good on Bleeding Shad lip-less crankbaits, buzzbaits and wacky-rigged green pumpkin Whacky Sticks in 6–12 feet. Striped bass are fair on silver striper jigs.

LEWISVILLE: Water lightly stained; 40–44 degrees; 6.07’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on drop shots and suspending jerkbaits.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 54–58 degrees; 0.51’ high. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse/white spinner baits.

MARTINCREEK: Water clear; 55–65 degrees; 0.00’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on shallow/medium crankbaits in shad patterns and double wil-low white spinner baits.

MONTICELLO: Water clear; 41–45 degrees; 0.88’ high. Largemouth bass are slow on Texas-rigged creature baits, fl ipping jigs and bladed jigs.

NAVARROMILLS: Water stained; 53–57 degrees; 1.41’ low. Largemouth bass are fair green pumpkin soft plastics and spinner baits. White bass are good on slabs.

O.H.IVIE: Water stained; 42–46 degrees; 43.08’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, jigs and Texas rigs.

OAKCREEK: Water stained; 41–45 degrees; 25.69’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, Texas rigs and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on live minnows.

PALESTINE: Water clear; 42–45 degrees; 0.53’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, shaky heads, and green pumpkin fl ipping jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows.

POSSUMKINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 42–47 degrees; 14.5’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad.

PROCTOR: Water murky; 55–59 degrees; 12.81’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on deep-running crankbaits and spinner baits off points. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Crappie are fair on min-nows.

RAYHUBBARD: Water clear; 42–46 degrees; 7.91’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on crankbaits, smaller umbrella rigs and suspending jerkbaits.

RAYROBERTS: Water clear; 41–44 degrees; 7.30’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on drop-shot fi nesse worms, jig-ging spoons and Texas rigs near deeper timber.

SAMRAYBURN: Water murky; 54–58 degrees; 0.05’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on tequila sunrise and pumpkinseed soft plastics. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 56–60 degrees; 0.15’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse/black lipless crankbaits and soft plastics.

Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs.

TEXOMA: Water clear; 41–44 degrees; 5.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on suspending jerkbaits, umbrella rigs and watermelon fi nesse jigs.

TOLEDOBEND: Water murky; 51–55 degrees; 2.00’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse/black soft plas-tics, spinner baits, and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are slow.

TRAVIS: Water murky; 53–57 degrees; 55.28’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on purple/black soft plastic worms and crawfi sh crank-baits in 12–30 feet.

WALTERE.LONG: Water lightly stained. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are good on chartreuse striper jigs and silver slabs.

WHITNEY: Water murky; 53–57 degrees; 10.30’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on char-treuse striper jigs.

WRIGHTPATMAN: Water lightly stained; 42–47 degrees; 5.43’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on green pumpkin fl ipping jigs and bladed jigs near shallow cover.

— TPWD

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT

nSaltwaterreports:PleaseturntoPage16

RunstillgoingNUECES RIVER — Reports from the Nueces River

near George West have been very good for white bass action the past few weeks.

According to multiple anglers on Internet forums, the white bass run near the Highway 59 bridge is still pro-ducing good numbers of big female white bass.

“Hit the airport at 8:30,” said Weirdofi sh. “Walked the river to deep hole. Caught 25 whites — 15 huge keepers, 10 throwbacks and three catfi sh. (The) bite was good until 10:30.”

Reports of fi sh being caught up and downriver from the bridge have come in, with some females already spawned, leading some to believe the fi shing will begin to slow down in the near future.

However, females full of eggs are also being caught, so the fi shing should be good in the meantime. Lots of water has fl owed into the Nueces, bringing levels up and giving anglers multiple holes to fi sh.

ToughonborderFALCON INTERNATIONAL RESERVOIR — The cold weather has slowed the bite on

Falcon, according to guides and anglers.“Cold and colder,” reported one angler. “Friday was a chilly, chilly morning with the air

and water not climbing very fast. Saturday was 33 in the morning and got up to 53 by the time we got off the water. Water temp was 54 to start, and I found 57 was the warmest in

the three days I was there. Fished in 8 to 10 feet of water most of the time, and burned a tank of gas trying to fi nd fi sh. Soft plastics were the key — had one fi sh come on a square-billed crankbait on what seemed to be the only reaction strike we got.

“Tough would not describe the trip. Cranking deep water and dragging a worm produced nothing — really tough and a real confi dence destroyer.”

CatsinthecoldRICHLAND CHAMBERS RESERVOIR — According to guide Royce Simmons, the cold

weather has made fi shing tough on Richland Chambers, but several big blue catfi sh have been caught in the past week.

“We’ll start with the good news and that is the cold weather is behind us,” Simmons said. “We’ve received lots of much needed rain and more is on the way. the lake level is up more than a foot and rising. The bad news —the couple of weeks of cold weather has the water temp very low in the 40s and this, coupled with all the fresh water, made fi shing tough last week. The bite was very slow and the fi sh were about as uncooperative as we’ve seen them this winter. We did manage a couple of big blues, but the large numbers we’d been catching shrank to low numbers.”

To contact guide Royce Simmons, call (903) 389-4117.

— Conor Harrison

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT

According to multiple anglers on Internet forums, the white bass run near the Highway 59 bridge is still pro-


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Texas Gander Mtn. Locations

Killeen, (Coming Soon)Lake Worth, (817) 231-6848Lewisville, (469) 444-6072Lubbock, (806) 785-1591Mesquite, (214) 377-2354

Round Rock, (512) 368-2133San Antonio, (210) 202-2822

Amarillo, (806) 354-9095Arlington, (682) 323-0090Beaumont, (409) 347-3055

College Station, (979) 693-6412Corsicana, (903) 874-2500

El Paso, (Coming Soon) Houston, (832) 237-7900

Sherman, (903) 891-8585Spring, (281) 288-2620

Sugar Land, (281) 239-6720Texarkana, (903) 832-3607

Tyler, (903) 594-4088Waco, (254) 230-1001

West Houston, (218) 617-4982

Low water, high numbers of fi sh

Lake Tawakoni still living up to reputation for solid cats

ByJillianMockFor Lone Star outdoor newS

If you have a boat and a heavy parka, now is a great time to go fishing for blue cats on Lake Tawakoni.

“If you’ve got a boat and can go into the deep water, you can catch the catfish,” said Alton York of Lone Star Marina in East Tawakoni.

Shore anglers are finding it a bit tougher to find big catfish, though.“(Anglers are) not fishing from the shore and the docks right now because you

really have to cast out,” said Janet Miller, office manager at Lake Tawakoni Marina.Besides rendering some boat ramps useless, the low water level poses other hazards

for would-be anglers. “Right now, with the water levels, you’ve got to really be careful — we’ve got a

lot of real shallow points. I am finding new stumps and things of that nature virtu-STILLBITING:Plentyofbig,andeating-sized,catfisharebeingcaughtthismonthonLakeTawakoni,eventhoughthelakeremainsataverylowlevel.PhotobyLSON.Please turn to page 17


NEIGHBORTRESPASSES,APPLIESANIMALREPELLANTTOKEEPDEER

AWAYWharton County Game Warden

Chris Bird arrested a man for hunter harassment and criminal trespass. Bird had received information from a hunter and obtained several game camera photographs of a suspect holding a white container, pouring its contents onto a game trail lead-ing into the landowner’s property up to a deer feeder. The suspect in the photograph was identified as a neighboring landowner and hunter. Bird collected samples of the substance from the scene. At local stores, he was able to obtain copies of purchase receipts, signed by the suspect, for a prod-uct called Repels-All, an animal repellant. The suspect in question was attempting to restrict and hin-der the movement of the deer to the landowner’s deer feeder, effec-tively harassing the hunter, while trespassing on another separate landowner’s property to accom-plish this. Cases pending.

MULEDEER,WHITETAILPOACHERSNABBED

A caller to the Hemphill County Sheriff’s Office reported a dead mule deer buck in the bed of a passing pickup. Hemphill County Game Warden Mark Collins received a call from the SO’s dispatcher. Collins discovered the suspect truck was actually observed in Roberts County. Collins contacted Ochiltree County Game Warden Mike Wheat and requested his assistance in locating the truck. At this point, both wardens were approaching the vicinity in which the suspect vehicle was last seen from opposite directions, to increase the possibility of locating it. Wheat was able to locate a pos-sible match to the suspect truck. Wheat approached the remote

ranch house and discovered a man standing at the rear of the truck bed, which did contain a freshly killed mule deer buck. A second suspect involved in the incident was located, and he too was quizzed about the pair’s activities. Numerous other deer heads were observed scattered inside the shed where the truck was parked. At the conclusion of the five-day investi-gation, three suspects were cited for multiple violations. Restitution for a mule deer and white-tailed buck were included.

UNTAGGEDBUCKANDDOE,PLUSDRUGS

At a deer camp after dark, Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger found an 11-point buck hanging from a skinning rack and a doe strapped over an ATV — both untagged. An Arkansas hunter admitted to not purchasing a valid Texas hunting license the night before. Stautzenberger noticed the hunter acting nervous, and after a brief search of the hunter’s ATV, Stautzenberger came up with a small container of homegrown marijuana and a marijuana pipe, along with a meth pipe and a bag-gie of crystal meth. Both deer were seized and the Arkansas hunter was taken to jail and booked for

misdemeanor and felony charges.

WARDENHELPSBAGCONVENIENCESTOREBURGLAR

After midnight, Potter County Game Warden Steve Urben was at his residence when he heard a strange crushing sound out-side. Looking out his window, he observed a man break through the drive-thru window and enter the closed convenience store across the street. Urben got dressed, armed himself and coor-dinated with Amarillo police as he approached the store. The subject, a 55-year-old man, was taken into custody a short time later. The man confessed to five similar burglaries in the Amarillo area over the last few months.

MAYNOTBETHEELKPOACHER,BUTOTHERVIOLATIONSDISCOVEREDDallam and Hartley counties

Game Warden Stewart Rogers received a call about an indi-vidual shooting off a public road at a bull elk in early July, which led him to interview a local resi-dent who was possibly involved. After the interview, a search war-rant on the individual’s residence was obtained. During the search, a white-tailed deer was found. It was determined the deer was taken

without landowner’s consent. Also recovered were a stolen rifle, multiple bottles of prescription medication and drug parapherna-lia.

BADSPOTTODOVEHUNTOUTOFSEASON

A subject was hunting mourning dove out of season and was shoot-ing directly over the fence on a road close to TPWD headquarters. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office called Travis County Game Warden Jeff Hill after the subject was in custody for felony possession of a stolen shotgun. The shotgun was unplugged, and large amounts of feathers and crushed beer cans littered the immediate area from heavy usage over time. The subject did not have Hunter Education or a hunting license. Cases pending.

SPARETIRECOMPARTMENTUSEDASFISHCREEL

Four individuals fishing in Port Mansfield told Willacy County game wardens they had caught nothing, and hadn’t even had a bite. As the wardens checked fish-ing licenses, they noticed the trunk of a vehicle was open. Inside the trunk, the spare tire was missing. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, the wardens found

10 undersized black drum in the spare tire compartment. Multiple citations were issued.

BADLEASEMEMBERRETURNSA hunting lease member con-

tacted Tyler County Game Warden Brandon Mosley and Angelina County Game Warden Tim Walker, reporting that a lease member was being removed from the lease because he had killed an under-sized white-tailed deer, and then later killed a 13-inch buck. The wardens responded, and after an interview, the subject admitted to taking an additional buck and pro-vided a statement. Case pending.

WARDENSPOTSBURGLAR’SVEHICLE,MULTIPLECHARGES

FOLLOWWhile in Sutton County,

Schleicher County Game Warden Chris Frey observed a small white vehicle that matched the descrip-tion of a vehicle implicated in a local burglary. A registration check showed it to be expired, so Frey initiated a traffic stop as the vehi-cle pulled up to a residence. Frey recognized the driver as a local con-victed felon. Two shotguns were in the back seat of the vehicle. After backup from a Sutton County dep-uty arrived, the driver was allowed to put his dog in the house and a consensual search was requested due to the burnt marijuana odor inside the residence. Charges for possession of controlled substance (Methamphetamine), drug para-phernalia, felon in possession of a firearm and fictitious registra-tion on motor vehicle are pending, along with several warnings.

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looking for an animal that he had shot. Two rifles, a spotlight and additional hunting equipment were located in the truck. The wardens located the freshly killed 10-point buck approximately 60 yards from the fence line. Written confessions were obtained and two subjects were arrested. The same subjects had been caught by Pipkin on multiple occasions in the past. Felony and Class A misdemeanor charges are pending.

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cause. There have been no other mortalities and none died in the relocation.”

The sheep were captured from existing herds across two mountain ranges in West Texas — the Beach and Sierra Diablo ranges.

Hernandez said the Texas herd, overall, is fl ourishing, with some 1,500 animals now roaming several wildlife management areas and mountain ranges. He added dis-ease is always an issue, although not as much in Texas as in other Western states, and predation, especially in a new herd, is always a problem.

“We haven’t experienced a disease outbreak where an entire herd has been wiped out like other Western states have,” Hernandez said. “We try and sample ani-mals from each capture to check for disease. Predation is always a concern, but once sheep numbers get beyond a certain point and you have a viable population, the pre-dation becomes less of an issue.”

Along with disease and predation, Hernandez said the next biggest threat facing bighorns are from exotic species — namely aoudad sheep.

“Aoudad share the same space, compete for the same resources and the potential is there for disease,” he said.

Dr. Louis Harveson, head of the BRI, said the herds have seen good lamb recruitment during the past sev-eral years, and that should continue with ample rainfall in the region this winter.

“Those sheep can be hard to fi nd on 200,000 acres,” he said. “We put collars on some of them back in 2011, but after two years, they drop off. This new herd in Big Bend Ranch should be easier to keep track of and main-tain.”

Harveson said seven or eight of the sheep in the origi-nal herd were killed by mountain lions since they were released, and several more were killed by natural causes.

“But by all accounts, the herds are growing and recruitment is up,” he said.

As for huntable numbers, both biologists said it is in the long-term plans, but nothing has a timetable on it as of this year.

“Some of those places in fi ve years should be ready to receive a permit,” Hernandez said. “That is defi nitely one of the objectives — to have a sustaining herd with huntable numbers.”

Currently, several Texas bighorn sheep tags are auc-tioned off each year or won in drawings.

Bighorn recruitment on the riseContinuedfrompage6

ONTOGREENERPASTURES:StudentsfromtheBorderlandsResearchInstituteandothervolunteershelpmovedesertbighornsheepfromoneareaoftheTransPecostoanotherlastmonth.PhotobyBRI.

stakeholders on this important piece of legislation. Hunting and fishing is a fundamental right which Texans hold dear, and ensuring our future generations of Texans access to this tradition is essential.”

“We applaud Rep. Ashby for introducing this important bill,” Carter said. “Our club was proud to help with the development of the language, and we’re anxious to do everything we can to help it move forward. This is a mea-sure to help ensure the future of Texas’ rich sporting traditions, outdoor heritage and effective fish and wildlife conservation.”

Watching the billsContinuedfrompage4

Photo by LSON

TrailerstorequiresafetyinspectionThe next renewal notice received by owners of trailers in Texas with a

gross weight (weight of the trailer plus its carrying capacity) of more than 4,500 pounds will include a notifi cation that the trailer is required to have passed a safety inspection prior to the new registration sticker being issued.

Previously, the inspection sticker has been placed on the trailer’s tongue and enforcement has been diffi cult to determine. Under a law passed by the 2013 session of the Texas Legislature, certifi cation stickers will not be issued, and inspection stations will notify the Texas Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles electronically that the trailer has passed the safety inspection and a certifi cate will be issued to the owner. To obtain a registration sticker, the owner must prove that the trailer passed the safety inspection.

The annual registration will be placed on the trailer’s license plate, making enforcement easier for offi cers.

— Staff reprt


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Denton D&L Denton 940-891-0100

Edinburg Martin Farm and Eanch 956-383-4949

El Campo United Ag-El Campo, Edna, Eagle Lake 979-543-7756

Elgin Elgin General Store 512-285-3210

Emory, Quitman Potts Feed Store, Inc. 903-473-2249

Fairfi eld Capps True Value Hardware and Ag 903-389-4504

Farmerville, LA Thomas Nursery and Feed 318-368-2425

Flint Noonday Feed 903-561-5622

Fort Stockton Pecos County Feed 432-336-6877

Franklin, Cameron M and M Farm Sply Inc 979-828-3516

Fredericksburg Lochte Feed and General Store 830-997-2256

Frost William Gin & Grain 903-682-2611

Ganado Ganado Feed & More 361-771-2401

Gatesville Coryell Feed & Supply 254-865-6315

Georgetown Georgetown Farm Supply 512-930-4054

Giddings Giddings Ranch & Pet Center 979-542-3188

Goliad Goliad Feed 361-645-3266

Gonzales E-Barr Feeds 830-672-6515

Graham J&N Feed 940-549-4631

Granbury Arrow Feed & Ranch Supply 817-573-8808

Greater Houston Area Steinhauser’s 979-885-2967

Groesbeck Woodson Lumber 254-729-2882

Fredonia Fredonia Peanut Company 325-429-6211

Hallettsville Helena 361-798-3296

Hamilton Watson Ranch & Farm Supply 254-386-3717

Hardin, TX Maci Feed 936-298-9404

Hondo Mummes 830-426-3313

Huntsville Huntsville Farm Sply LLC 936-295-3961

Industry Lindemann Store 979-357-2121

Iraan Cand T Auto and Feed 432-302-0057

Iola Standley Feed and Seed Inc 936-348-5272

Isidro Farm and Ranch Supply 956-481-3346

Jacksboro H-Brand Feed 940-567-3794

Johnson City Odiorne Feed & Ranch Supply 830-868-4579

Junction Junction Warehouse 325-446-2537

Keller McDonnell Feed 817-431-3551

Kenedy Tractor City Country Store 830-583-2017

Kerrville Kerrville Ranch and Pet 830-895-5800

Lafayette, LA Ranch Outlet LLC 337-235-2163


Lake Charles, LA Currie & Son Feed & Garden 337-433-2111

Lampasas Hoffpauir’s Ranch & Supply 512-556-5444

Laredo Laredo Country Store 956-722-7500

LaVernia LaVernia Country Store 830-779-2600

Lexington Lexington Farm & Feed 979-773-2782

Livingston, TX Livingston Feed & Farm Supply 936-327-8853

Llano Llano Feed & Supply 325-247-1426

Longview, TX Jakes Feed and Animal Center 903-663-3139

Lufkin Lufkin Farm 936-634-7414

Luling Luling Feed & Supply 830-875-5423

Madisonville Standley Feed and Seed Inc 936-348-5272

Mart Watson Feed Store 254-876-2501

McGregor McGregor General Store 254-840-3224

Menard Kothman’s 800-637-0951

Mineral Wells Walden Farm & Ranch Supply 940-325-8500

Murchison Scott’s Crossing 903-469-3122

Nacogdoches Boles Feed 936-564-2671

Naples Middle G 903-575-1869

Needville Needville Feed and Sply 979-793-6141

New Braunfels New Braunfels Feed and Supply 830-625-7250

Normangee Standley Feed and Seed Inc 936-348-5272

Olney Berend Brothers 940-564-5674

Paris, TX Big Country Farm Center 903-785-8372

Pearsall Mumme’s 830-334-3323

Pecos Reeves County Feed 432-447-2149

Raymondville Neuhaus & Co. 956-689-2481

Refugio Anderson Ag 361-526-5018

Rockdale Rockdale General Store 512-446-6100

Round Top Round Top Farm & Ranch 979-249-5666

Royse City Eagle 972-635-7878

Ruston, LA Tommy Feed Store and More 318-255-4095

Sabinal Sabinal Grain 830-988-2215

San Angelo Grogan’s Farm & Ranch 325-227-6870

San Antonio Mummes 830-980-4924

Seguin Producers COOP Seguin 830-379-1750

Sequin D&D Farm & Ranch 830-379-7340

Shiner Beran’s Agri-Center 361-594-3395

Shreveport, LA Paul’s Farm and Garden Supply 318-425-2222

Somerville Somerville Farm & Ranch 979-596-2224

Springhill, LA Taylors Feed and Farm Supply 318-539-5818

Springtown Springtown Feed 817-220-7656

St. Martinsville, LA Joyce’s Farm & Home Supply 337-342-2615

Stonewall Allied Ag 830-644-2411

Stonewall, LA DeSoto Town & Country 318-925-0998

Sulphur, LA Fletcher’s Feed & Farm Supply 337-527-6610

Taylor Taylor Feed 512-365-9436

Temple Temple Feed & Supply 254-778-7975

Thibodeaux, LA Thibodeaux Feeds, Inc. 337-898-1829

Trout T & C Sportsmans Haven 318-992-4774

Uvalde TX Farm Store 830-278-3713

Victoria Northside Ranch, Pet & Garden 361-573-5000

Vinton, LA Vinton Feed Store Inc. 337-589-3260

Waco B&S Farm & Home Center 254-752-0777

Waco Bar None Country Store 254-848-9112

Waco Waco Brazos Feed & Supply 254-756-6687

West Monroe, LA S and J Farm and Feed 318-388-5858

Wharton Wharton Feed & Supply 979-532-8533

Wichita Falls Berend Brothers 940-723-2736

Wimberly King Feed and Hardware 512-847-2618

Windthorst Berend Brothers 940-423-6223

Winnsboro, TX Tri County Enterprise 903-342-3586

Yoakum Yoakum Grain, Inc 361-293-3521

REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL PURINA DEALER

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Boy Scout troop in Arlington, began with safety instruction, shooting and educational pro-grams teaching them about feral hogs.

The highlight, though, came after a venison burger lunch, when the youngsters, each accompanied by a law enforce-ment officer as guide, trudged through the mud to blinds in pursuit of pigs.

In total, the youngsters brought down three hogs, hit a few others and missed a few more.

“About two-thirds of the hunt-ers saw hogs,” Haymore said. “Cierra Calloway’s hog weighed 148 pounds — we cut out the back strip for her to take home to her mom.”

The stories the youngsters like Cierra take home should be a hit at home and at school.

“Her smile made a week’s worth of time spent baiting hog areas worthwhile,” Haymore said.

Three hogs taken by youngsters Continuedfrompage4

AGOODDAY:CierraCallowayofMesquiteisallsmilesaftershootingherfirsthog,a148-pounder,withherdad,Vincent,intheblindwithher.PhotobyPittmanHaymore.

a bird this season will be in Menard and Mason counties, and most of the Hill Country.

“That Hill Country area is loaded,” he said. “Schleicher County also has a lot of birds. There are a bunch of birds along the Nueces River.”

One area that could have a down year is the Rolling Plains.

“Up to about Highway 13, it is very dry in the Rolling Plains,” Hardin said. “But as you head north, along the Canadian River, and the North and Salt Forks of the Red River near Oklahoma is loaded with birds. The farther south you go around Childress, numbers are dropping off a little.”

Panhandle hunter Jim Johnson said the area he hunts on the North Fork of the Red River has good numbers of birds, but roost sites are key.

“There are a lot of birds, but you’ve got to have the roost trees,” he said. “The birds will travel up and down the river corridor, but they are easier to hunt when you can catch them off the roost. And you can burn out a roost area pretty quickly if you hunt it too much or too close.”

The North Zone season begins April 4.

Big toms abound in North Zone Continuedfrompage5

THERE’SMOREAROUND:NorthZoneturkeyhuntersshouldfocusonriverbottomsandareaswithgoodhabitatthisseason.MuchoftheHillCountryfitsthebill.PhotobyDavidJ.Sams,LSON.

Huntinggroupswinchallengetothreeamigos

A federal district court’s ruling has dismissed a constitutional challenge to the law that exempts the hunting of three exotic antelope — dama gazelle, scimitar-horned oryx and addax — from permit and other Endangered Species Act requirements. A judge ruled the anti-hunting plaintiffs lacked standing to raise their constitutional claims, and the D.C. federal district court dismissed the case on March 4.

For those who own U.S. captive herds of one or more of the three antelope species or who wish to hunt an antelope from one of these herds, nothing has changed. The regulation that Congress directed the FWS to reinstate has remained in effect during the litigation.

— Staff report

SpringTurkeySeasonDatesSouth Zone: March 21-May 3

North Zone: April 4-May 17

Eastern Turkey: April 15-May 14

See TPWD for more information

YamahaVikingVIwinsawardYamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., was awarded the 2015 FinOvation

Award from Farm Industry News magazine for its Viking VI Side-by-Side utility vehicle.

The FinOvation Award is designed to celebrate the spirit of innovation and recognize new products that have received the most interest from Farm Indus-try News readers. This is the second consecutive year Yamaha has received the award.

“We’re honored to receive the FinOvation award for a second consecutive year,” said Steve Nessl, ATV/SxS marketing manager, Yamaha Motor Corpora-tion. “It’s especially rewarding to know the award is based on positive re-sponses from people who rely so heavily on their utility vehicles for day-to-day toughness, durability and performance in the fi eld.”

Farm Industry News wrote, “Yamaha made a statement with the new Viking side-by-side. This machine offers six-person seating, more room for cargo and has a number of convenience features.

Yamaha introduced the Viking VI EPS six-person SxS in June 2014. The extended cab Viking VI combines Yamaha performance and durability with the comfort and convenience of a Viking.

— Yamaha Motor Sports


BlackfinsgaloreMIDCOAST OFFSHORE — The blackfi n tuna bite

has been good on headboats heading out of midcoast ports, according to anglers.

On a recent trip, anglers aboard the Deep Sea Headquarters boat caught 151 blackfi n tuna, six amberjack and an assortment of other small sharks and bonitas.

Mid-sized, 6-8 ounce, fl ashy jigs brought most of the blackfi n tuna aboard in about 250 feet of water.

To contact Deep Sea Headquarters, call (361) 749-5597.

Cold-waterflounderGOOSE ISLAND STATE PARK — Miserable con-

ditions have greeted fl ounder-gigging anglers the past few weeks around Goose Island State Park with Capt. Rick Hammond of Night Stalker Guide Service.

However, even with less-than-ideal conditions, Hammond still managed to fi nd fi sh.

“Conditions were miserable with temps around 48 degrees, north wind at 10 to 20 mph, and periods of light rain and mist,” he said. “We did

have a nice high tide, which pushed the fl ounder very shallow over hard sand and shell bottom. Our fi rst two stops were slow, with only four fl ounder and four drum in the fi rst three hours of the trip. On the next stop, we found very clear water and lots of fl ounder holding on hard sand bottom. There were hundreds of fresh fl ounder beds in this area, but the majority of the fi sh had already moved out, leaving just enough behind for us to fi nish up our limit. We ended with a 20-fl ounder limit plus fi ve black drum before mid-night.”

To contact Capt. Rick Hammond, call (361) 727-0045.

BigdruminsurfSARGENT — The action from the beach is

picking up after a slow winter around Sargent.Anglers are reporting good catches of black

drum on cracked crab, along with some big red-fi sh.

Although the whiting bite has slowed down in the colder water, the black drum are easy to catch when the bite turns on.

Dead shrimp and Fishbites have also caught fi sh.

— Conor Harrison

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

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

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

TRINITYBAY: Trout are fair for waders on Soft–Dines and MirrOlures. Redfi sh are fair to good at the spillway on crabs and mullet.

EASTGALVESTONBAY: Trout are fair to good on the north shoreline on Corkies, Crazy Croakers and pink MirrOlures. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

WESTGALVESTONBAY: Trout are fair on twitchbaits in the afternoon for wad-

ers. Sheepshead, redfi sh and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Flounder have been showing on the shore-lines.

TEXASCITY: Redfi sh are fair in Moses Lake on shrimp and crabs. Pier anglers have taken sand trout, black drum and mangrove snap-per on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Redfi sh are fair to good at San Luis pass on cracked blue crabs. Redfi sh are fair to good at the mouths of drains on scented plastics and shrimp.

EASTMATAGORDABAY: Trout are fair on Bass Assassins and Down South Lures while drifting shell. Redfi sh are fair to good on the south shoreline and at the mouths of drains on scented plastics and gold spoons.

WESTMATAGORDABAY: Redfi sh are fair to good on the south shoreline in the guts and bayous. Trout are fair in the guts on the

incoming tide on soft and scented plastics. Sheepshead are good at the jetty on shrimp.

PORTO’CONNOR: Trout and redfi sh are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp and top-waters. Redfi sh are good at the mouths of drains on scented plastics and TTF Flats Minnows while wading.

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

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

CORPUSCHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the fl ats on live shrimp, scented plastics and DOA Shrimp. Redfi sh are fair in the guts running parallel to the shorelines on gold spoons and plastics.

BAFFINBAY: Trout are fair to good in mud

and grass on Corky Fat Boys and Gamblers. Trout are fair to good in the guts along the King Ranch shoreline on Corkies. Redfi sh are fair around spoils on live bait.

PORTMANSFIELD: Redfi sh are fair to good on DOA Shrimp and scented plastics under a popping cork around grass holes. Trout are fair to good on mud along the edge of the ICW on Corkies and MirrOlures.

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

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

— TPWD

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dipping 10 degrees to the mid-40s with last week’s win-ter weather.

“The fi shing (has been) a little more consistent this year because we haven’t had the extremely cold weather for long periods of time,” said Gene Snider, of Adventures on Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni Guide Service.

That is until recently. “It’s essentially given them lockjaw,” said Jason

Hoffman, of Jason Hoffman’s Lake Fork Guide Service, about the recent temperatures. “Those fi sh that have already started moving (into the shallows) and started staging (to spawn) will stay there but they won’t bite very well.”

Even with the miserable weather and the slow bass, the Lake Fork guides agree there are fi sh to be caught if you’re thoughtful in your approach.

“There are basically two schools of thought,” Hoffman said. “One is to really slow down and pick

an area apart and be as thorough as possible. The other school of thought is to create a reaction bite. Really fi sh erratically and try to trigger a strike by banging your bait off of trees or any kind of cover that is in the water.”

For the fi rst method, Hoffman recommends a jig, for “good pre-sentation” and for the second he suggested a jerk bait, lipless crank-bait; even a spinner or a chatter-bait.”

Hoffman suggested sticking to the main lake and lake points for the time being. Snider pointed out that very soon the fi sh will head into the creek channels to spawn, making those the best areas to fi sh as the weather pattern moves into spring.

As Snider describes it, Lake Fork is heading into “prime time” large-mouth fi shing as the bass continue to move into the shallows through March and April. Snider estimated the average-size bass right now to be around 3 to 4 pounds, although on Lake Fork there is always the possibility of catching “a ticker

fi sh.” “We have (very big) fi sh come out of this lake year-

round,” Snider said, refl ecting on his 35 years of expe-rience, “One of the most amazing things about the lake is it’s produced so many fi sh over the 13-pound range.”

Of course, prime time depends largely on water temperatures.

According to Stevenson, it will take at least a four- or fi ve-day warming stretch to get the fi sh moving again.

As Hoffman describes it, that arrow pointing up is a big deal.

“It’s not so much the actual number temperature as it is the momentum and the rise,” he said.

Even if the cold temperatures hold, guides like Hoffman encourage the skilled angler to go ahead and try their luck.

Frosty bite on ForkContinuedfrompage1

MOVINGSHALLOW:AnglershavereportedbassthatwanttocomeshallowonLakeFork,butthewatertempsaren’tquiteright.PhotobyDavidJ.Sams,LSON.

ally every trip,” warned Jim Martin of Jim’s Guide Service in West Tawakoni.

Shallower water also gives the catfi sh fewer hiding places. Before spawning later this spring, the blue catfi sh are sticking to the deep, a trend reinforced by colder water temperatures. With the current lake lev-els, guide Tony Pennebaker, of Thunder Cove Guide Service, said this can work in an angler’s favor.

“If anything, it makes it all a little easier,” he said, “since there isn’t all that much deep water. You know to just go fi sh where there is deep water.”

For Lake Tawakoni anglers, the winter weather last week was a rela-tively welcome development. Even though colder temperatures dropped the water to the 43-degree range, the precipitation brought the water level up a good 2 feet.

“The best news for the fi sh and all of us is that the lake is up nearly 2 feet in the last week or so, and more rain and other kinds of mixture are forecast,” said Mary Russell, owner of the Lake Tawakoni Marina.

Cold weather and low lake levels aside, the timing is right for catching blue catfi sh.

“If you want to catch lots of fi sh, I am saying March and April,” Martin said. “Mainly blue catfi sh, but in a daily trip, it’s not uncommon if I’ve got three people in the boat to catch a good 50 fi sh.”

Pennebaker echoed similar enthusiasm. “I am catching more big blues this year than I’ve ever caught — we

have been catching blues in the 20- to 40-pound range every time we went out,” he said.

Lake Tawakoni is famed for its catfi sh and, while now might be the time to hit the blues, the lake makes good on its reputation all year long. Once warmer weather and spawning season kick in, channel catfi sh become considerably more active. The guides switch focus from blues to channel cats in late spring and summer to take full advantage of the seasonal swing.

“The lake is getting a lot more press than it’s used to,” Martin said, laughing at the irony of telling this to a reporter. “It’s an amazing lake and it’s an amazing business, but we need to take care of it.”

Timing is right for big bluesContinuedfrompage11

PhotobyJimMartin.


SolunarSuntimes

Moontimes

MoonPhases

LastMarch 13

TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDESFirst

March 27Full

April 4New

March 20

Houston2015 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONMar.-Apr. Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

SanAntonio2015 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONMar.-Apr. Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

Amarillo2015 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONMar.-Apr. Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

Dallas2015 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONMar.-Apr. Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

TexasCoastTides

SabinePass,northDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 3:46 AM 0.0L 11:53 AM 1.3H 4:04 PM 1.2L 7:40 PM 1.2HMar 14 4:49 AM 0.0L 1:02 PM 1.4H 5:35 PM 1.2L 9:25 PM 1.3 HMar 15 5:52 AM -0.1L 1:49 PM 1.4H 6:39 PM 1.1L 11:24 PM 1.3 HMar 16 6:52 AM -0.2L 2:26 PM 1.5H 7:27 PM 1.0L Mar 17 12:49 AM 1.5H 7:48 AM -0.2L 2:59 PM 1.5H 8:12 PM 0.8 LMar 18 1:59 AM 1.6H 8:42 AM -0.1L 3:30 PM 1.5H 8:57 PM 0.6 LMar 19 3:02 AM 1.7H 9:33 AM 0.0L 4:02 PM 1.5H 9:43 PM 0.4 LMar 20 4:04 AM 1.8H 10:22 AM 0.2L 4:34 PM 1.5H 10:30 PM 0.2LMar 21 5:05 AM 1.8H 11:12 AM 0.4L 5:07 PM 1.5H 11:19 PM 0.0 LMar 22 6:07 AM 1.8H 12:01 PM 0.6L 5:40 PM 1.5H Mar 23 12:09 AM -0.1L 7:13 AM 1.7H 12:53 PM 0.9L 6:15 PM 1.4 HMar 24 1:03 AM -0.1L 8:26 AM 1.6H 1:50 PM 1.0L 6:53 PM 1.4HMar 25 2:00 AM 0.0L 9:50 AM 1.6H 3:05 PM 1.2L 7:36 PM 1.3HMar 26 3:03 AM 0.0L 11:24 AM 1.5H 5:29 PM 1.2L 8:48 PM 1.3 HMar 27 4:10 AM 0.1L 12:48 PM 1.5H 7:27 PM 1.2L 10:32 PM 1.3H

GalvestonBayentrance,northjettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 3:25 AM 0.0L 12:08 PM 1.3H 3:46 PM 1.2L 8:27 PM 1.3 HMar 14 4:36 AM -0.1L 1:05 PM 1.4H 6:23 PM 1.2L 9:25 PM 1.3HMar 15 6:01 AM -0.1L 1:52 PM 1.4H 7:02 PM 1.1L 10:41 PM 1.3HMar 16 6:59 AM -0.1L 2:39 PM 1.5H 7:39 PM 1.0L Mar 17 12:28 AM 1.3H 7:50 AM -0.1L 3:22 PM 1.5H 8:22 PM 0.8LMar 18 2:00 AM 1.4H 8:45 AM 0.0L 3:59 PM 1.5H 9:16 PM 0.6LMar 19 3:39 AM 1.5H 9:48 AM 0.1L 4:29 PM 1.5H 10:10 PM 0.3LMar 20 4:42 AM 1.7H 10:44 AM 0.3L 4:55 PM 1.5H 10:57 PM 0.1LMar 21 5:36 AM 1.7H 11:33 AM 0.5L 5:16 PM 1.5H 11:41 PM 0.0 LMar 22 6:39 AM 1.7H 12:22 PM 0.7L 5:34 PM 1.4H Mar 23 12:29 AM -0.1L 7:54 AM 1.7H 1:19 PM 0.9L 5:54 PM 1.4HMar 24 1:22 AM -0.1L 8:59 AM 1.7H 2:16 PM 1.0L 6:21 PM 1.4 HMar 25 2:15 AM -0.1L 9:56 AM 1.6H 3:05 PM 1.2L 7:08 PM 1.3HMar 26 3:06 AM 0.0L 11:00 AM 1.6H 4:04 PM 1.2L 8:26 PM 1.3HMar 27 4:02 AM 0.1L 12:12 PM 1.5H 7:02 PM 1.2L 9:18 PM 1.2H

SanLuisPassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Mar 13 3:30 AM 0.1L 1:20 PM 1.1H Mar 14 4:42 AM 0.0L 2:01 PM 1.1H Mar 15 5:59 AM 0.0L 2:33 PM 1.1H Mar 16 6:55 AM 0.0L 2:53 PM 1.1H 8:21 PM 0.9L 11:47 PM 1.0 HMar 17 7:49 AM 0.0L 3:02 PM 1.1H 8:41 PM 0.8LMar 18 1:18 AM 1.1H 8:48 AM 0.1L 3:19 PM 1.0H 9:10 PM 0.7LMar 19 2:33 AM 1.1H 9:50 AM 0.2L 3:43 PM 1.0H 9:48 PM 0.5 LMar 20 3:46 AM 1.2H 10:46 AM 0.4L 4:10 PM 1.0H 10:30 PM 0.3LMar 21 4:50 AM 1.3H 11:39 AM 0.5L 4:37 PM 1.0H 11:12 PM 0.2LMar 22 5:55 AM 1.3H 12:37 PM 0.7L 5:02 PM 1.0H 11:57 PM 0.1LMar 23 7:20 AM 1.2H 1:46 PM 0.8L 5:22 PM 1.0H 12:52 AM 0.1LMar 24 9:03 AM 1.2H 2:58 PM 1.0L 5:27 PM 1.0HMar 25 1:56 AM 0.1L 10:36 AM 1.2HMar 26 3:01 AM 0.1L 12:14 PM 1.3HMar 27 4:13 AM 0.2L 1:18 PM 1.3H

FreeportHarborDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 1:16 PM 0.3L 9:16 PM 1.7HMar 14 4:29 AM 1.0L 8:18 AM 1.2H 2:37 PM 0.6L 9:50 PM 1.6HMar 15 4:53 AM 0.8L 10:20 AM 1.3H 4:18 PM 0.8L 10:21 PM 1.5 HMar 16 5:25 AM 0.5L 12:01 PM 1.5H 6:01 PM 1.0L 10:48 PM 1.4 HMar 17 6:02 AM 0.2L 1:23 PM 1.7H 7:32 PM 1.1L 11:12 PM 1.3 HMar 18 6:40 AM 0.0L 2:28 PM 1.8H 8:53 PM 1.2L 11:34 PM 1.3 HMar 19 7:20 AM -0.1L 3:25 PM 1.9HMar 20 7:59 AM -0.2L 4:15 PM 2.0HMar 21 8:37 AM -0.3L 5:00 PM 1.9HMar 22 9:15 AM -0.2L 5:41 PM 1.9HMar 23 9:50 AM -0.2L 6:20 PM 1.8HMar 24 10:25 AM -0.1L 6:55 PM 1.7HMar 25 10:59 AM 0.1L 7:28 PM 1.6HMar 26 11:34 AM 0.2L 7:59 PM 1.5HMar 27 12:12 PM 0.4L 8:28 PM 1.5H

RolloverPassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 8:28 AM 0.0L 7:56 PM 0.9HMar 14 9:41 AM -0.1L 8:07 PM 1.0H 11:02 PM 0.9L Mar 15 1:23 AM 1.0H 10:41 AM -0.1L 7:49 PM 1.0H 11:37 PM 0.9 LMar 16 2:44 AM 1.0H 11:34 AM -0.2L 7:48 PM 0.9H Mar 17 12:05 AM 0.8L 4:01 AM 1.0H 12:23 PM -0.1L 7:47 PM 0.9HMar 18 12:29 AM 0.7L 5:12 AM 1.1H 1:10 PM -0.1L 7:44 PM 0.8 HMar 19 12:53 AM 0.6L 6:19 AM 1.1H 1:57 PM 0.1L 7:50 PM 0.8 HMar 20 1:21 AM 0.5L 7:25 AM 1.2H 2:46 PM 0.2L 8:02 PM 0.8 HMar 21 1:57 AM 0.3L 8:31 AM 1.2H 3:38 PM 0.4L 8:17 PM 0.8HMar 22 2:40 AM 0.2L 9:42 AM 1.1H 4:39 PM 0.6L 8:31 PM 0.8HMar 23 3:29 AM 0.1L 11:03 AM 1.1H 5:52 PM 0.8L 8:46 PM 0.9HMar 24 4:30 AM 0.1L 1:06 PM 1.1HMar 25 5:50 AM 0.1L 3:47 PM 1.1HMar 26 7:23 AM 0.1L 5:24 PM 1.2HMar 27 8:43 AM 0.1L 6:16 PM 1.2H

PortO’ConnorDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 5:40 AM -0.1L 6:11 PM 0.5HMar 14 6:56 AM -0.1L 7:04 PM 0.5HMar 15 8:11 AM -0.1L 7:59 PM 0.5H Mar 16 9:18 AM -0.1L 9:07 PM 0.5H Mar 17 10:18 AM -0.1L Mar 18 1:01 AM 0.5H 11:13 AM 0.0LMar 19 3:48 AM 0.5H 12:06 PM 0.1L 7:48 PM 0.3H 11:00 PM 0.2 LMar 20 5:40 AM 0.5H 12:58 PM 0.2L 5:59 PM 0.3H 11:55 PM 0.1 LMar 21 7:22 AM 0.5H 1:49 PM 0.3L 5:08 PM 0.3HMar 22 12:51 AM 0.0L 9:42 AM 0.5H 2:37 PM 0.4L 4:42 PM 0.4 HMar 23 1:48 AM -0.1L 11:44 AM 0.6HMar 24 2:48 AM -0.1L 5:01 PM 0.6HMar 25 3:53 AM -0.1L 5:33 PM 0.7HMar 26 5:03 AM 0.0L 6:09 PM 0.7HMar 27 6:18 AM 0.0L 6:37 PM 0.7H

RockportDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 7:13 AM -0.1L 10:18 PM 0.1HMar 14 8:13 AM -0.1L 11:14 PM 0.1HMar 15 9:14 AM -0.1L Mar 16 12:16 AM 0.2H 10:12 AM -0.1LMar 17 1:25 AM 0.2H 11:08 AM -0.1LMar 18 2:42 AM 0.2H 11:58 AM 0.0LMar 19 4:14 AM 0.2H 12:41 PM 0.OL 7:05 PM 0.1H 10:18 PM 0.0LMar 20 6:07 AM 0.1H 1:10 PM 0.1L 5:55 PM 0.1HMar 21 12:24 AM 0.0L 8:30 AM 0.1H 1:04 PM 0.1L 5:32 PM 0.1 HMar 22 1:51 AM 0.0L 5:44 PM 0.2HMar 23 3:02 AM 0.0L 6:21 PM 0.2HMar 24 4:07 AM 0.0L 7:13 PM 0.2HMar 25 5:08 AM 0.0L 8:15 PM 0.3HMar 26 6:08 AM 0.0L 9:22 PM 0.3HMar 27 7:08 AM 0.0L 10:32 PM 0.3H

PortAransasDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 2:48 AM 0.1L 4:14 PM 1.0HMar 14 3:59 AM 0.1L 4:52 PM 1.0H Mar 15 5:15 AM 0.1L 5:24 PM 1.0H Mar 16 6:25 AM 0.1L 3:17 PM 1.0H 7:53 PM 0.9L 11:16 PM 1.0HMar 17 7:27 AM 0.1L 3:13 PM 0.9H 8:05 PM 0.8L Mar 18 12:42 AM 1.0H 8:24 AM 0.1L 3:11 PM 0.9H 8:36 PM 0.7 LMar 19 1:59 AM 1.1H 9:19 AM 0.2L 3:25 PM 0.9H 9:19 PM 0.5 LMar 20 3:14 AM 1.1H 10:13 AM 0.4L 3:47 PM 0.9H 10:05 PM 0.4 LMar 21 4:28 AM 1.1H 11:07 AM 0.6L 4:11 PM 1.0H 10:54 PM 0.2 LMar 22 5:46 AM 1.1H 12:05 PM 0.7L 4:35 PM 1.0H 11:46 PM 0.2 LMar 23 7:16 AM 1.1H 1:09 PM 0.9L 4:57 PM 1.0HMar 24 12:41 AM 0.1L 9:12 AM 1.1H 2:28 PM 1.0L 5:15 PM 1.1HMar 25 1:41 AM 0.1L 1:01 PM 1.1H Mar 26 2:50 AM 0.2L 2:18 PM 1.2HMar 27 4:03 AM 0.2L 3:09 PM 1.2H

SouthPadreIslandDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 2:59 AM 0.3L 1:49 PM 1.4HMar 14 4:07 AM 0.2L 2:49 PM 1.5H Mar 15 5:20 AM 0.2L 3:16 PM 1.5H Mar 16 6:31 AM 0.2L 3:31 PM 1.4H Mar 17 7:37 AM 0.2L 3:40 PM 1.4H 8:40 PM 1.2L Mar 18 12:43 AM 1.3H 8:38 AM 0.3L 3:50 PM 1.3H 9:03 PM 1.0LMar 19 2:21 AM 1.4H 9:37 AM 0.4L 4:01 PM 1.2H 9:36 PM 0.8LMar 20 3:44 AM 1.4H 10:35 AM 0.6L 4:13 PM 1.2H 10:16 PM 0.6 LMar 21 5:02 AM 1.5H 11:34 AM 0.8L 4:24 PM 1.2H 11:00 PM 0.4 LMar 22 6:20 AM 1.5H 12:36 PM 1.0L 4:28 PM 1.2H 11:47 PM 0.2LMar 23 7:42 AM 1.5H 1:47 PM 1.2L 4:22 PM 1.2HMar 24 12:38 AM 0.1L 9:14 AM 1.5HMar 25 1:33 AM 0.1L 11:05 AM 1.5HMar 26 2:35 AM 0.2L 12:56 PM 1.5HMar 27 3:43 AM 0.2L 2:11 PM 1.5H

EastMatagordaDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightMar 13 5:35 AM 0.1L 3:00 PM 0.4HMar 14 5:55 AM 0.0L 3:50 PM 0.4H Mar 15 6:22 AM 0.0L 4:26 PM 0.4H Mar 16 6:59 AM 0.0L 5:00 PM 0.4H 9:27 PM 0.3L 11:49 PM 0.4HMar 17 9:08 AM 0.1L 5:44 PM 0.3H 9:41 PM 0.3LMar 18 12:26 AM 0.4H 9:37 AM 0.1L 6:53 PM 0.3H 9:30 PM 0.3LMar 19 1:09 AM 0.4H 9:53 AM 0.1L 4:19 PM 0.3H 9:52 PM 0.2LMar 20 4:22 AM 0.4H 10:15 AM 0.2L 4:30 PM 0.3H 10:21 PM 0.1LMar 21 5:17 AM 0.4H 10:41 AM 0.2L 3:42 PM 0.3H 10:57 PM 0.1LMar 22 6:58 AM 0.4H 2:00 PM 0.3L 4:09 PM 0.4HMar 23 12:29 AM 0.1L 11:22 AM 0.4H 2:32 PM 0.3L 4:40 PM 0.4HMar 24 2:06 AM 0.1L 11:57 AM 0.4H 2:49 PM 0.4L 5:18 PM 0.4HMar 25 2:34 AM 0.0L 12:28 PM 0.4H 2:44 PM 0.4L 6:30 PM 0.4HMar 26 3:11 AM 0.0L 1:00 PM 0.4HMar 27 5:28 AM 0.0L 1:44 PM 0.4H

13Fri 12:49 7:00 1:13 7:27 7:33 7:27 2:48a 1:43p14Sat 1:39 7:53 2:07 8:21 7:32 7:28 3:42a 2:38p15Sun 2:32 8:46 3:00 9:14 7:31 7:28 4:36a 3:39p16Mon 3:23 9:37 3:52 10:06 7:30 7:29 5:27a 4:43p17Tue 4:14 10:28 4:42 10:57 7:29 7:30 6:16a 5:49p18Wed 5:05 11:19 5:33 11:47 7:27 7:30 7:03a 6:56p19Thu 5:57 ----- 6:25 12:39 7:26 7:31 7:48a 8:04p20Fri 6:51 ----- 7:19 1:33 7:25 7:31 8:33a 9:11p21Sat 7:49 1:35 8:17 2:03 7:24 7:32 9:17a 10:18p22Sun 8:49 2:35 9:17 3:03 7:23 7:33 10:03a 11:24p23Mon 9:51 3:37 10:18 4:05 7:21 7:33 10:49a NoMoon24Tue 10:52 4:38 11:19 5:06 7:20 7:34 11:38a 12:27a25Wed 11:51 5:38 ---- 6:05 7:19 7:34 12:28p 1:27a26Thu 12:23 6:34 12:47 7:00 7:18 7:35 1:19p 2:22a27Fri 1:15 7:26 1:39 7:51 7:17 7:36 2:11p 3:13a28Sat 2:02 8:14 2:26 8:38 7:15 7:36 3:03p 3:59a29Sun 2:46 8:58 3:09 9:21 7:14 7:37 3:55p 4:41a30Mon 3:28 9:39 3:50 10:01 7:13 7:37 4:47p 5:20a31Tue 4:07 10:18 4:29 10:39 7:12 7:38 5:39p 5:56a 01Wed 3:45 9:56 4:07 10:17 7:11 7:38 5:30p 5:31a

13Fri 11:32 5:18 11:59 5:45 7:46 7:40 1:13p NoMoon14Sat 12:02 6:13 12:26 6:39 7:44 7:40 1:54p 12:58a15Sun 12:51 7:04 1:17 7:29 7:43 7:41 2:33p 2:02a16Mon 1:38 7:51 2:04 8:17 7:42 7:42 3:13p 3:05a17Tue 2:24 8:37 2:50 9:03 7:41 7:42 3:53p 4:08a18Wed 3:09 9:22 3:35 9:49 7:40 7:43 4:35p 5:11a19Thu 3:56 10:09 4:23 10:36 7:39 7:43 5:19p 6:13a20Fri 4:45 10:59 5:12 11:25 7:37 7:44 6:06p 7:13a21Sat 5:37 11:50 6:03 ----- 7:36 7:44 6:56p 8:10a22Sun 6:30 12:17 6:56 12:43 7:35 7:45 7:48p 9:03a23Mon 7:24 1:12 7:50 1:37 7:34 7:46 8:41p 9:52a24Tue 8:19 2:07 8:43 2:31 7:33 7:46 9:35p 10:36a25Wed 9:12 3:00 9:35 3:23 7:31 7:47 10:28p 11:16a26Thu 10:02 3:51 10:25 4:14 7:30 7:47 11:22p 11:53a27Fri 10:51 4:40 11:12 5:01 7:29 7:48 NoMoon 12:27p28Sat 11:36 5:26 11:58 5:47 7:28 7:48 12:14a 1:00p29Sun ----- 6:09 12:20 6:30 7:27 7:49 1:07a 1:33p30Mon 12:40 6:51 1:02 7:13 7:26 7:50 2:00a 2:06p31Tue 1:21 7:32 1:43 7:54 7:24 7:50 2:53a 2:40p01Wed 2:01 8:13 2:25 8:37 7:23 7:51 3:49a 3:17p

13Fri 11:39 5:25 ----- 5:52 8:01 7:51 1:17p 12:04a14Sat 12:09 6:20 12:33 6:46 7:59 7:52 1:59p 1:07a15Sun 12:57 7:10 1:23 7:36 7:58 7:53 2:40p 2:10a16Mon 1:45 7:58 2:11 8:23 7:57 7:54 3:21p 3:12a17Tue 2:31 8:43 2:56 9:09 7:55 7:55 4:03p 4:13a18Wed 3:16 9:29 3:42 9:55 7:54 7:55 4:46p 5:14a19Thu 4:03 10:16 4:29 10:42 7:52 7:56 5:31p 6:15a20Fri 4:52 11:05 5:18 11:32 7:51 7:57 6:19p 7:14a21Sat 5:43 11:57 6:10 ----- 7:49 7:58 7:09p 8:11a22Sun 6:37 12:24 7:03 12:50 7:48 7:59 8:01p 9:04a23Mon 7:31 1:19 7:56 1:44 7:47 7:59 8:54p 9:53a24Tue 8:25 2:13 8:49 2:37 7:45 8:00 9:47p 10:38a25Wed 9:18 3:07 9:41 3:30 7:44 8:01 10:40p 11:19a26Thu 10:09 3:58 10:31 4:20 7:42 8:02 11:32p 11:56a27Fri 10:57 4:47 11:19 5:08 7:41 8:03 NoMoon 12:32p28Sat 11:43 5:32 ----- 5:54 7:40 8:03 12:23a 1:06p29Sun 12:03 6:16 12:27 6:37 7:38 8:04 1:14a 1:40p30Mon 12:47 6:58 1:08 7:19 7:37 8:05 2:06a 2:14p31Tue 1:27 7:39 1:50 8:01 7:35 8:06 2:59a 2:50p01Wed 2:08 8:20 2:32 8:43 7:34 8:06 3:53a 3:28p

13Fri 11:52 5:39 ----- 6:05 8:05 7:58 1:36p 12:11a14Sat 12:22 6:33 12:46 6:59 8:04 7:59 2:15p 1:17a15Sun 1:11 7:24 1:37 7:49 8:04 8:00 2:54p 2:22a16Mon 1:58 8:11 2:24 8:37 8:03 8:00 3:32p 3:27a17Tue 2:44 8:57 3:10 9:23 8:01 8:02 4:11p 4:31a18Wed 3:29 9:42 3:56 10:09 8:00 8:04 4:52p 5:35a19Thu 4:16 10:29 4:43 10:56 7:59 8:04 5:36p 6:38a20Fri 5:05 11:19 5:32 11:45 7:57 8:06 6:22p 7:38a21Sat 5:57 ----- 6:23 12:10 7:55 8:07 7:11p 8:36a22Sun 6:50 12:37 7:16 1:03 7:54 8:07 8:03p 9:29a23Mon 7:45 1:32 8:10 1:57 7:53 8:08 8:57p 10:18a24Tue 8:39 2:27 9:03 2:51 7:51 8:08 9:51p 11:01a25Wed 9:32 3:20 9:55 3:43 7:50 8:09 10:46p 11:41a26Thu 10:22 4:11 10:45 4:34 7:48 8:10 11:40p 12:16p27Fri 11:11 5:00 11:32 5:21 7:47 8:11 NoMoon12:50p28Sat 11:56 5:46 ---- 6:07 7:47 8:12 12:34a 1:22p29Sun 12:16 6:29 12:40 6:50 7:45 8:13 1:27a 1:53p30Mon 1:00 7:11 1:22 7:33 7:45 8:14 2:21a 2:25p31Tue 1:41 7:52 2:03 8:14 7:43 8:15 3:16a 2:59p01Wed 2:21 8:33 2:45 8:57 7:41 8:16 4:12a 3:35p


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Good numbers on SabineContinuedfrompage8

of around $4.50 last summer. That makes a big difference to guides.

“It definitely helps when the gas prices aren’t killing you,” he said. “I’ve been trying to tell the marina to go ahead and fill up the whole tank when prices are low, like they are now.”

Capt. Lindy Hebert has been fishing the north end of the lake, and said the bite has been good for trout up north.

(We recently fished) Sabine Lake, the north end, a little cool, moderate east wind, cloudy, but not bad at all,” said Capt. Lindy Hebert. “We got a late start and ended up catching a nice mess of speckled trout. Everything was 16 inches and up — not one undersized fish. The bite was more aggressive than it has been, and more concentrated in one area.”

Hebert said soft plastics were the ticket.

“Caught everything on soft plastics,”

he said. “Colors ranged from Opening Night to Root Beer-Chartreuse, so I am not sure if color made a lot of differ-ence. The darker colors did catch more fish later in the afternoon. We did not catch any trophy specks, but did man-age some solid keepers.”

Hebert said the water was looking good, although it could look a little better.

“Water was in pretty good shape,” he said. “If there was a little more sun-shine, or a little bit warmer, I think we would have done even better.”

Internet reports have also confirmed the fishing is good all over the area. Posters on message boards said good redfish and trout were being caught during the past week on both live bait and artificials.

Capt.JerryNorris,(409)718-8782Capt.LindyHebert,(409)720-8148

— Staff report

client catches a 10-pounder. Then the second day in the boat we catch a 10 and a 15-pound lake record.”

The fi sh, according to Golden, are as healthy as he has seen them and he believes the clear water has helped the fi shing and their fattening.

“We were catching fi sh on jigs, jerkbaits and umbrella rigs,” he said. “Today’s fi sh was actually caught on a Lucky Craft jerkbait. The 10-pounder we caught yesterday actually had mud on its belly. I think these fi sh are coming up out of deep water because they can see so far to eat.”

The pending lake record was hooked midmorning.“He hooked the fi sh on a long cast and I saw it fl ash

way out there, and immediately went for the net,” Golden said. “He got the fi sh up close to the boat and she made a little run around the boat. He did a great job playing her down. This was the second fi sh he had ever caught on a jerkbait. The fi sh bit around 10:45, and I had just boated the 10-pounder at 9:45.”

Along with Elvington’s fi sh, several more huge bass were caught last weekend.

Nacogdoches angler Wayne Triana Jr. caught a 13.43-pound bass fi shing the Bass Champs Tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir March 7.

The second huge bass from Sam Rayburn was caught by Darrell Tompkins of Huffman, who caught the bass at 6 p.m. Tompkins was throwing a spinner bait in shallow water when the 14.32-pound bass took it. The fi sh was 26.25 inches long and 22.25 inches in girth.

Another huge bass was caught in Lake Athens by Robert Adams. The bass weighed 12.93 pounds.

Big bass being caughtContinuedfrompage8

11poundswinscrappietournamentonTawakoniThe Crappie Anglers of Texas recently held its 2nd Crappie Anglers of Texas

Qualifier Tournament of 2015 on Lake Tawakoni February 21, and had 31 teams signed up for a cool and cloudy day of fishing under very windy conditions.

In Division 1, Paul O’Bier, Gunter, and George Nelon, Boyd, won first place with a stringer of seven fish weighing 11 pounds. Second place was won by Chris Scott, Sanger, and Willie Scott, Denton, with a stringer weighing 8.31 pounds.

— CAT

GOODDAYONRAYBURN:WayneTrianaJr.holdsthebigfishhecaughtduringaBassChampstournament.PhotobyBassChamps.

RustyandChrisHarveywinBassChampsonRayburnThe Bass Champs East Division held its second tournament of the season March

7, and the team of Rusty and Chris Harvey bested nearly 500 anglers to claim top prize with a 29.88-pound sack.

The pair took home more than $20,000 for the win.In second, the team of Marc Woolems, Jasper, and Jason Hanks, Pineland,

caught 26.9-pounds of bass to claim a $5,500 check.— Bass Champs


Snow goose breastSaltWaterMrs. Dash seasoning, original fl avorMolassesSoy sauce1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, optional2 tsps. minced garlic, optionalBacon

In a large bowl or pot, dissolve 2 table-spoons of salt in 2 quarts water. Add the breast and knead with your hands. Drain and rinse under cold water. Repeat the salt soak several times. Rinse with cold water and pat dry. Remove any remaining skin, fat, shot, etc. Cut the breast into three pieces across the

grain. Tenderize with a tenderizing machine or a fork. Flip and repeat. Sprinkle Mrs. Dash liberally on both sides of the meat. Place in a large Ziploc bag. Drizzle on some molasses or honey and knead. Pour enough soy sauce into the bag to cover the meat. Add the cayenne and garlic if desired. Seal bag and place in refrigerator overnight. One hour before cook-ing, remove the meat and rinse lightly under cold water. Wrap a piece of bacon around the meat and secure with toothpicks. Grill over medium heat until the bacon is done. As with all waterfowl, the meat should be cooked a little on the rare side, so when the bacon is cooked the goose should be cooked to the proper degree.

— myrecipes.com

TastyBBQsnowgoose

*email LSON your favorite recipe to

[email protected].

6 trout fi llets1 citrus barbecue sauce (rec-ipe below)

Citrus Barbecue Sauce:1 onion large, fi nely chopped1 tbsp. ground red chilies1/4 tsp. ground red pepper1 ancho chili, seeded and fi nely chopped1 tbsp. vegetable oil1 cup orange juice1/2 cup lime juice2 tbsps. sugar2 tbsps. lemon juice1 tbsp. fresh cilantro, snipped1 tsp. salt

Combine ingredients for

the sauce in a bowl and whisk

to incorporate. Set aside.

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Place fi sh in an ungreased

13x9 rectangular baking dish.

Pour 1 cup of the sauce over

the fi sh. Bake uncovered until

the fi sh fl akes easily with a

fork, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve

with remaining citrus barbe-

cue sauce.

— backwoodsbound.com

Bakedcitrustrout

FORTHE

TABLE

ACROSS 1. Term for a rear gun sight 3. A type of shot 5. Also called a dogfi sh 8. Arrows and shells 9. A female elk10. Denotes a model shotgun11. Added to lake water to purify it to drink12. A brand of ice shelter, ____ trap14. Strength of a fi shline17. Cutthroat trout have a ______ slash on jaw18. A gauge valuable to the angler19. A breed of retriever20. A type of camp fi replace21. A good food bait for traps23. A name for a sea bass26. The _____ necked pheasant27. A species of 29 down30. Name for some trout32. Old isolated gobblers

33. Shedded antlers34. A game resting place35. A game path38. Makes lake fi shing easier41. The rear jerk when a gun is fi red42. Seminoles bowhunting lodges44. To pull the bowstring45. A wild turkey’s calling sound46. A fuel for camp stovesDOWN 1. Sound of turkey placing tail in display 2. A game runway 3. Inside surface of a gun barrel 4. Oxidation on the gun parts 5. A game bird, ____ white 6. A predator of small game 7. Term for a trap disc’s fl ight13. The king is one14. Outdoor portable shelters15. Term for a jig

16. To analyze a game track18. Common deer, the white ___19. Hunting and fi shing equipment22. Determining the freshness of tracks23. A large bass24. The object of a hunt25 A good pheasant gun, duck _____28. Term for the strawberry bass29. A wingshooter’s prey31. A wood used for arrow shafts32. An excellent bait for walleye36. Sounds made by the wild turkey37. A species of deer38. A type of spinner39. Deer, bear, squirrel food source40. A fl at-bottomed fi shing boat42. A chief commercial fi sh43. A group of decoys

OUTDOOR PUZZLER By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen SolutiononPage25

March 21-22AMARILLOAmarillo Civic Center

March 28-29ABILENEAbilene Civic Center

April 18 -19KERRVILLE Hill Country Youth Event Center

May 16 -17ABILENE Abilene Civic Center

July 11-12AMARILLO Amarillo Civic Center

August 15-16ABILENE Abilene Civic Center

February 21-22 FREDERICKSBURG - Gillespie County Fairgrounds



HEROES

Lake Fork guide MikeMcFarland was fishing with his client Leo when this 9-pound largemouth hit.

SHAREANADVENTUREnWanttosharehuntingandfish-

ingphotoswithother Lone Star

Outdoor Newsreaders?Emailthemwithcontactandcaptioninfor-

[email protected].

High-resolutionoriginaljpegsonly.Mail

printstoHeroes,Lone Star Outdoor News,

P.O.Box551695,Dallas,TX75355.

DarrellTompkinsof Huffman caught this 14.32-pound largemouth on Sam Rayburn Reservoir on March 7.

Bandera hunter LeslieLester harvested this 6x7 nontypical elk in Raton, New Mexico on a recent hunt.

NathanDaun, from Sachse, shot this 6.5-year-old buck that scored 129 1/8 inches near Palestine.

OliviaRodriguez, 9, shot her first buck with her dad at the Kelly Mitchell Ranch near Lockhart.


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KVD8.0LURE:This magnum-sized squarebill lure byStrikeKing is a big bait that entices bites from big fi sh. The 5-inch-long bait, which defl ects well off cover, is designed with no internal rattles for a silent approach. It features an erratic “hunting” action that runs 3 to 7 feet deep. Available in 10 color patterns, the lure sells for about $13.

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CRAPPIEBUSTERSHADSCALES: Johnson’s shad scales mimick a feeding frenzy in the water. Crappie Buster Shad Scales, a shad-fl avored, gel attractant perfect for fi lling hollow tube baits is available in multiple colors. These scented, re-fl ective micro scales mimic descaling prey and draw the attention of shad predators. Each container holds enough for 150 to 200 applications that will stay on/in a tube for 15 to 30 minutes. Available in eight colors, Shad Scales have an MSRP of $3.99.

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SWEETFLYFISHINGPACKVEST: Patagonia’s daypack/fi shing vest combo is designed to comfortably carry and organize whatever anglers need on those long hikes to those out-of-the-way honey holes. The pack, which is made from tough, highly water-resistant 840-denier coated ballistic nylon with a durable water-repellent fi nish, features a main compart-ment with multiple interior pockets for fl y boxes, tippets and gear. The vest, which is constructed from lightweight, breathable mesh construction, provides easy-access verti-cal pockets. Once they reach their fi shing spot, anglers can easily detach the vest from the pack. The Sweet Fly Fishing Pack Vest sells for under $200.

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See a full selection of Nikon products at:

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RecordspottedbasscaughtinCalifornia

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced the state has a new record spotted bass, caught in Yuba County in January.

Timothy Little reeled in the massive 10.38-pound spotted bass from New Bullards Bar Reservoir, which is commonly recognized as one of the top fisheries in the country for that species. The angler may not have expected the record-breaking catch, but officials said he was certainly prepared for one.

“Luckily Tim was ready that day for this rare opportunity, as he had a certified scale on his boat and a witness,” said the CDFW in a release. “After reviewing Tim’s record application, DFW confirmed that Little’s fish beat the 14-year-old previous record of 10.25 pounds taken from Pine Flat Lake (Fresno County) by Brian Shishido in 2001.”

— CDFW

Sheepgroupscan’tfindmiddleground

After five weeks of intense face-to-face discussions, conference call participa-tion, and lengthy email exchanges, the Wild Sheep Foundation reported an inability to reach a workable solution with domestic sheep industry representatives from Idaho and elsewhere on future operations of the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station headquar-tered in Dubois, Idaho.

Following summer and fall 2014 announcements by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack that USSES would be closed, with staff and program funding reallocated to other Agricultural Research Services loca-tions, implementation of this closure was postponed in the FY 2015 omnibus spend-ing package agreed to by Congress and signed by the president late in 2014.

When the FY 2016 administration bud-get was published in early February 2015, intent to close USSES by October 1, 2015 was still included. WSF was invited in late January 2015 to join an Idaho-led effort to reverse the administration’s stated intent to close USSES. True to WSF’s published multiple-use approach to the issue of inter-action and potential disease transmission from domestic to wild sheep, WSF agreed to come to the bargaining table in an effort to reach a solution, recognize domestic sheep industry needs, while also achieving tangi-ble benefits for bighorn sheep.

“While productive discussions were held on collaborative disease research, and a revised Recommended Mission was devel-oped, agreement was not achieved with domestic sheep interests on timely strat-egies to reduce risk of wildlife conflicts in higher-elevation locales,” said WSF Vice-Chair Doug Sayer. “The default admin-istration position is to close USSES next October; it’s unfortunate that agreement could not be reached.”

— WSF

Louisianamanmistakesbearforhog

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a New Iberia man for allegedly killing a Louisiana black bear on Feb. 28 in St. Mary Parish.

Agents received a call from a hunting group that Richard A. Picard Jr., 52, ille-gally shot and killed a Louisiana black bear while he was hog hunting.

Picard Jr. was hog hunting with a group of hunters near Cypremort Point when he shot a 350-pound Louisiana black bear. Picard Jr. claims to have mistakenly identified the black bear as a wild hog.

He shot the 5-year-old male bear with buckshot from his 12-gauge shotgun. Agents seized Picard Jr.’s shotgun and issued him a citation for killing the bear.

Killing a Louisiana Black Bear brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Picard Jr. also faces up to $10,000 civil restitution for the replacement value of the black bear.

— LDWF

Arizonaenhancingfisheriesmanagement

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has launched a new data management sys-tem that modernizes managing information on how and where the department stocks fish, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in its management of Arizona’s fisheries.

The system, known as FINS (Fisheries Information System), makes it easier and faster for Game and Fish biologists and project managers to collect and share com-prehensive fisheries data throughout the State of Arizona.

“The FINS project is an illustration of how Arizona Game and Fish is working on creating a leaner, more efficient government agency,” said Fisheries Chief Chris Cantrell. “In the past, these records were paper forms, in typical government triplicate. FINS eliminates the redundancy and ineffi-ciency through process improvement.”

Cantrell explained that data is now electronic, and when fish are stocked, a keystroke on a tablet sends the informa-tion to a central database. What used to take weeks now takes moments, and more importantly, customers will have access to the stocking information on the soon-to-be-released customer portal. This will give customers the opportunity to get real-time information to help plan their next outing.

— AGFD

NewMexicoanti-hunting,anti-trappingbillsdefeated

Two bills that would have had detrimen-tal impacts on New Mexico sportsmen were tabled indefinitely at a meeting of the House Agriculture, Water and Wildlife Committee on Friday, Feb. 27, thanks to the united voice of sportsmen in the state who opposed the mea-sures.

Senate Bill 253, which proposed banning coyote contests, and House Bill 426, which would have banned trapping on public lands and the barter of raw furs, were both defeated by an overwhelming 8-2 votes.

Both pieces of legislation carried signifi-cant negative consequences for sportsmen and wildlife management in the state of New Mexico. Numerous hunters, trappers and sportsmen showed up at the committee hearing to voice their opposition to these mea-sures.

— US Sportsmen

World-recordbighornconfirmed

A Rocky Mountain bighorn ram hit and killed by a car in Alberta has been officially scored as the new world record.

But what was bad luck for the sheep turned into the serendipitous score of a lifetime for ranch manager Todd Snodgrass, who found the dead animal off Hwy. 541 near the OH Ranch near Longview, and was allowed to keep the tremendous set of horns after he reported the kill to Alberta Fish & Wildlife.

This was back in 2010 — but it wasn’t until recently that Snodgrass and the rest of the sheep-hunting world found out just how tre-mendous the old ram really was.

With the official panel of judges located in the United States, taking the massive set of horns over the international border and back was just too big a hassle, and so Snodgrass accepted an unofficial measure of 207 4/8 inches — enough to place the horns as third largest ever collected.

But Reg Prostebby, president of Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta was just too curious, and when he realized enough officials would be in Red Deer this past weekend for the annual convention, he asked for an official measure-ment of the No. 3 rack.

Armed with flexible steel measuring tapes, the expert judges carefully examined the Longview horns — and when they were fin-ished, a new record of 209 4/8 inches had been set.

“We made history,” Prostebby said.At the weekend convention in Red Deer, five

of the top ten bighorn sheep trophies were gathered under one roof, all from Alberta.

“That’s a remarkable achievement,” said Prostebby.

— Calgary Sun


LONE STAR MARKET

DATEBOOKMARCH 12-14

TexasGameWardensAssociationWhiskers and Reds Fishing Tournament(979) 257-6508texasgamewarden.com

MARCH 13-14ExoticWildlifeAssociation48th Annual Membership MeetingEmbassy Suites, San Marcos(830) 367-7761myewa.org

MARCH 15JoshuaCreekRanchDriven Pheasant Shoot(830) 537-5090joshuacreek.com

MARCH 19CoastalConservationAssociationBrazoria County Chapter Annual Banquet Dow Academic Center, Brazosport College(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

DallasSafariClubMonthly MeetingBent Tree Country Club(972) 980-9800biggame.org

MARCH 21JoshuaCreekRanchDuck Shoot(830) 537-5090joshuacreek.com

DucksUnlimitedBowie DinnerBowie Civic Center(940) 872-0071ducks.org/texas

DucksUnlimitedSan Augustine DinnerSan Augustine County Showbarn(936) 275-7581ducks.org/texas

MARCH 21-22TexasGunandKnifeShowsAmarillo Civic Center(830) 285-0575texasgunandknifeshows.com

TejasBowmenMarch Vengeance ShootCorpus Christi(361) 774-7059tejasbowmenarcheryclub.com

MARCH 26WhitetailsUnlimitedNorth Texas Deer CampMyers Park Show Barn,

McKinney(512) 657-9943whitetailsunlimited.com

CoastalConservationAssociationColorado Valley Chapter Annual BanquetKnights of Columbus Hall, La Grange(979) 249-7425ccatexas.org

MARCH 28OperationGameThiefClay Stoppers ShootoutCreekwood Shooting Sports,

Conroe(512) 389-4381

DucksUnlimitedLiberty County DinnerDayton Community Center(936) 776-1859ducks.org/texas

MARCH 28-29TexasGunandKnifeShowsAbilene Civic Center(830) 285-0575texasgunandknifeshows.com

KCKL95.9FMBigBassTournamentCedar Creek Lake(903) 489-8118kcklbass.com

MARCH 29CoastalConservation

AssociationHill Country Chapter Fish FryRed Barn, Seguin(713) 626-4222ccatexas.org

APRIL 2DucksUnlimitedAustin BanquetPalmer Events Center(512) 370-3237

APRIL 16CoastalConservationAssociationDallas Chapter Annual BanquetFrontiers of Flight Museum(972) 768-3521

APRIL 18SafariClubInternationalHill Country Chapter FundraiserNational Museum of the Pacifi c War,

Fredericksburgtexashillcountrysci.org

PuzzlesolutionfromPage20


CLASSIFIEDS

TROPHY BASS AND BIRD HUNTING

Fish famous Lake Guerrero.Hunt Dove, Quail, Ducks.Please contact Lago Vista

Lodge today!dickyn@

lagovistalodge.com(713) 376-3938 or

(281) 495-9296

ARROWHEADS AND ARTIFACTSI buy and sell authentic

Texas artifacts. Please call Nick.

(210) 557-9478

SOUTH PADRE FISHING

Reds, Trout, Flounder, Snook. Everything sup-

plied but food and licenses. Multiple trip discounts. Call Capt. Thomas for details or

[email protected]. CustomSportsAnglers.com

(956) 551-1965

TROPHY WHITETAIL BUCK HUNTS

Intensive Management Program. Lodging included.

(940) 362-4219

TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS

ASSOCIATIONScholarship application now

available at TexasDoveHunters.com for high school seniors who are

hunting enthusiastsNine $500 scholarships will

be awarded this yearApplications must be post-

marked by April 2, 2015(210) 764-1189

DECOYS WANTED WOODEN

Duck and Goose. Top prices paid. Ask for David.(214) 361-2276FISHING

HUNTING

VEHICLES

MISC.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS &

MAPPINGRANCH & HUNTING,

AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL,

2014 IMAGERY AVAILABLEBalboaMapCompany.com(806) 777-8840

VLE HUNT CLUB5,300-acre Val Verde County lease for 4 hunters. $3,000 per hunter for deer, turkey, quail and small game. Lots of deer stands and feed-ers provided or bring your

own. Must be management minded. Family and guests are allowed. Nice campsite with power and water. Call

(832) 435-6226.1.23.15TPWD

RANCHO SIERRA VIEJA

Aoudad Hunters — World class — not hunted in 20 years in Sierra Vieja moun-tains. (432) 386-7702.

Ask to speak with Antanicio. Mule deer in Sierra Vieja Mountains below Marfa in Presidio County. (512)

327-5753. Ask to speak with Bob.

1.23.15TPWD

PECAN SPRINGSBandera County property includes a pecan orchard. We offer weekend dove

hunting packages, whitetail, blackbuck and axis packages.

We have newly remodeled, fully furnished cabins. Please

contact Stacie at

(830) 780-4609.1.23.15TPWD

HAECKER SAFARI RANCH

Family-friendly environment on this 1,000-acre Real

County property with meals and lodging on-site. Come

hunt hogs and predators for just $250 per day and add

any other animal for a reason-able harvest fee. All Inclusive Packages for whitetails and exotics start at only $2000 for 3 days of hunting and 2 nights lodging. Call us today

(830) 660-4933.1.23.15TPWD

HUNT/FISH/RELAX Texas Hill Country. Ideal Cor-porate Retreat for entertaining key customers, prospects and

employees. 15,000 acres, year-round use of headwaters lodge and game room, fully furnished, accommodates

20+ guests. Hunt deer, turkey, dove, javelina, wild hogs and

some exotics. Great bass fishing in spring-fed lakes bounded by pecan groves.

Near Junction, TXCall Maynard Ranch (512) 477-7774

1.23.15 JCOC

MASON COUNTY High Fenced Package

Hunts: 3 days fully guided with accommodations and meals included. Trophy,

management, and doe hunts available. Father and Son

packages encouraged. Spring turkey semi-guided with lodg-ing Call Ranch Branch Ranch

(830) 981-42251.23.15 JCOC

DAY LEASE DEER AND TURKEY

Located in Kimble County. Lodging available with water and electricity. Blinds and

feeders. Can accommo-date five hunters. Call Ivy Ranch days (361) 648-

2922, nights (830) 583-2407

1.23.15 JCOC

WHITETAIL JUNCTION RANCH 3-day fully guided whitetail

hunts on a 2,900-acre ranch located between Junction &

Menard.Limited availability on 200+ class bucks. All lodging and meals provided. Can accom-

modate up to eight hunters ei-ther individually or a corporate group. Also has spring turkey

hunts available and year round axis, blackbuck and red

stag hunts. Call for further information or for a complete list of Exotic Game Available.CALL (210) 247-8317

1.23.15 JCOC

SPRING TURKEY HUNTS

$400 Per Hunter — Includes 2 Nights Lodging Wild Hog

Hunts $200 Per Hunter — Includes

2 Nights LodgingNear Junction

CALL (325) 475-2901 1.23.15 JCOC

LEASED FISHING ACCESS

Brazos River downstream from Lake Whitney

Located on the east bank of the Brazos River in northern McLennan County near the

town of Gholson, approximate-ly 6 miles downstream of the

FM 2114 bridge crossing. Phone: (254) 290-0029

This 120-acre property offers 2,051 feet of river frontage for bank fishing and serves as a day-use and camping area for canoe and kayak

anglers that launch upstream. There is no road access to

this area; paddlers can reach it only from the river. Call

(254) 622-8364 for more information. 1.23.15TPWD

UMBRELLA RANCHING

4200 acres in northwest Kimble County. Remote. Electricity & Water avail-

able. Hunting Rested Last Year. Protein Feeders & Pens

already set up. Drop Tine Genetics. Other leases also

available. For info CALL (325) 456-0130

1.23.15 JCOC

WHITE BASS FISHING

Neches River, upstream from Lake Palestine Chandler River

ParkSpring run (Feb-April) 2,650 feet of river frontage to the north and 3,000 feet to the

south for bank fishing. (903) 849-6853

1.23.15TPWD

COLORADO RIVER FISHING

Located in east Austin on the north bank of the Colorado

River, Latitude: 30.256179 Longitude: -97.634178

1-acre leased-access fishing, boating, and camping area. It offers 225 feet of bank access and serves as a boat launch, and overnight campground. Call for rates (512) 289-

0750. 1.23.15TPWD

LOOKING FOR A FORD F-150 OR

F-250 SUPER DUTY?I’m a lifelong hunter and can help you hunt for your next

truck.Call Bobby at Rockwall Ford,

(214) 632 7963. I have a great selection of preowned trucks, as well.

2007 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab 4x4 5.4L — $21,990

2012 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab 4x4 — $31,500

2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4-door — $34,980

RANCH PROPERTIES

Looking for a ranch or want to sell one?

Contact Chris Susilovich, Agent,

Hortenstine Ranch Company

[email protected](903) 503-5961

DALLAS SAFARI CLUB MEMBERS

Are you 21 to 40 years old?Join the new Conservation

Society(a young professional

group) We are a fun group and

want you to learn about us.Contact Crystal at (972)

989-9800 or [email protected]

dscconservationsociety.org

NAMIBIA HUNTINGChapungu-Kambako

Hunting Safaris PH Herman Coetzee will

guide you to your next plains game or dangerous

game trophy.

[email protected]

chapungu-kambako.com

FINE GUNS Patrick Willoughby-Mccabe has opened his new store in

Albany, TexasStop by and see what it has

to offer140-144 S. Main Street

Albany.Call for an appointment

(469) 759-6146

BOATS

2004 2200V PATHFINDER

225 Yamaha, GPS, Power-Pole,

Oxygen Baitwell, T-Top, McClain Trailer, LED

Lightbar, Custom Cover, Low Hours,

Call before 8 p.m. (817) 832-8987

LEON COUNTY PROPERTY

For Sale: Leon County, one of a kind hard to find spring-fed approx. 25-acre private fishing

lake. Great hilly elevations with mature hardwoods, deer,

hogs, ducks, feeders and other improvements. Call for

details. (281) 733-5585

1994 SKEETER 17’.6” with 115 Yamaha:

$6,500

(361) 296-4571

FALCON LAKE

Fishing Camp: $14,000361-296-4571

16’ COBRA KAYAK: $800

(361) 296-4571

TROPHY STRIPERSLake Texomal

Guided fishign trips and cabins available.

Complete packages also available.

VisitCFAFISHING.COM

BASS FISHING TOURNAMENTS

Century Bass Club, Since 1976… Accepting new

members anytime.Boater and Non-Boater draw

format.Monthly tournaments: East

Texas Lakes.B.A.S.S. Nation Affiliate.

CenturyBassClub.com214-507-7435


Good for Private Property Rights

Good for Maintaining Whitetail and Mule Deer Herds

Good for Texas’ Rural Economies

Good for Preserving Our HuntingHeritage

Good for Agricultural Jobs

Good for Promoting Conservation

Good for Sharing Our Passion forthe Outdoors

Good for Promoting a SustainableRural Lifestyle

www.TexasDeerAssociation.com

403 East Ramsey, Ste. 204 | San Antonio, TX 78216

P: 210.767.8300 | F: 210.767.8401

LIKE US ON


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15000_Mount_Em_Up-10x16-AD_v2.indd 1 1/30/15 11:12 AM

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March 13, 2015 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting