Download pdf - November 11, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

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November 11, 2011 Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Volume 8, Issue 6

Mutant HogHunter takes pig with no ears.

Page 5

Inside

❘❚ LSONews.com

Weather blamed, praised in fall speck fi shing.

Page 8

Coastal trout❘❚ FISHING

TPWD wants more research before issuing deer management permits for muleys.

Page 4

Mule deer dilemma

Anglers fi nd success as water tempera-tures cool.

Page 9

Crappie biting now

Texan startled as South Dakota pheasant nails windshield.

Page 6

Kamikaze

❘❚ HUNTING

Alabama Rig gainingattention in Texas

Prospects good for December

By Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

The Callahan County buck earned the nickname “Big 8”

for his tall tines, but he also had a roman nose and thick body mass — a very mature deer.

Jimmy Pitstick, of

Arlington, saw him on trail camera images and caught glimpses of him during bow

Quality deer downed in ‘gun’ opener

❘❚ CONTENTSClassifi eds . . . . . . . . . Page 29Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page 32Fishing Report . . . . . . . Page 10For the Table. . . . . . . . Page 32Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page 20Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 22Outdoor Business . . . . . Page 33Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 24Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page 32

By Alan ClemonsFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Even before the Alabama Rig found its way to Texas following Paul Elias’ win last month in an FLW Tour tourna-ment on Guntersville

Lake, the homemade versions already were being cut, molded, bent, connected and tried out.

The rig is neither new nor exclusive to Alabama. It’s a variation of an umbrella rig used by striped bass and saltwater fi shermen.

But the name was coined by the com-

See RIG, Page 18

By Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Aransas Bay guide Capt. Bob “Red” Van thinks a state record fl ounder will be caught during the second split of fl oun-der gigging season that begins Dec. 1.

“We are seeing some really big fi sh out there,” Van said. “I think you’ll see a record, if not this year, then defi nitely next year.”

Van is confi dent because of the big fl ounder he has seen throughout the month of October.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Van said. “I’ve limited out on 80 percent of my trips — 22 this month. The average size is larger (than last year), but there are just so many fi sh.

“A 6-pounder is my biggest.”Van called the fi shery “very healthy”

where he gigs in Aransas and Mesquite bays.The limit for fl ounder during the gig-

ging season is fi ve fi sh per gigger, down from 10 since September 2009. No gig-ging is allowed in November, when the daily bag limit drops to two fi sh per angler, and the fl ounder must be caught on rod and reel.

Capt. Mark Talasek said the fl ounder have rebounded from years past and have been running since the fi rst cold snap in early October.

“I went out the other night and it took 15 minutes to get a 10-fi sh limit,” Talasek said. “I’ve been out eight or 10 times in October and I’ve focused on the diversion

INSIDE■ Popping corks with hooks: Page 8

Flounder gigging ‘phenomenal’

See FLOUNDER, Page 18

CRAZY RIG: Professional angler Paul Elias demonstrates the Ala-bama Rig, similar to an umbrella rig used in saltwater fi shing. The rig is gaining popularity in Texas and other states. Photo by FLW Outdoors.

New ‘greens’ blunt some

feeder action See GUN, Page 15

NEW DAY, NEW SEASON: The sun rose on a new general deer season Nov. 5 across Texas, but the opening weekend harvest was down from previous years, according to some hunters and wild game processors. A lot of healthy deer were spotted, but big mature bucks in some areas seemed to be delaying their debuts for the main rut. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Page 2 November 11, 2011 Lone✯Star Outdoor News LSONews.com



HUNTING

More research required before mule deer program permits issued

Youth hunt successful in more ways than one

By Craig NyhusLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Law partners Joe Byrne and Chuck Aris were planning to take their sons to property south of Breckenridge for the youth hunting weekend Oct. 29-30.

A friend and former

partner, Jon Randall, of Grapevine, usually hunted at a different lease with his son, Jake.

But Randall became ill and died in February, leaving Jake without his favorite hunting buddy.

Byrne, of Dallas, gave the eulogy at Randall’s funeral and stayed in touch with

Jake. Byrne and Jake were Facebook friends, and Jake’s post a few weeks ago took Byrne aback.

“I would sure like to go deer hunting,” the post read.

Aris, of Waxahachie, a colonel in the National

Invite to lost friend’s son a ‘like’

FATHER AND SON: Joe Byrne, right, looks over the fi eld where his 15-year-old son, Nick, shot a doe during the youth-only deer season. Photo by Chuck Aris.


Trapping wild mule deer and mating them with prime breeder stock was approved this year by the Texas Legislature, but some landowners are frus-trated they can’t do that sooner than they had hoped.

Senate Bill 460, signed into law last summer, extends the successful “deer management permit” program for white-tailed deer to mule deer.

But landowners have learned that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department won’t issue any permits until research has been completed on issues related to mule deer in captivity.

Some landowners surprised, frustrated

See MULE DEER, Page 30A LONGER WAIT: State wildlife offi cials have called for more research before issuing deer management permits for mule deer. They also hope private citizens will fund the studies. Photo by Texas Mule Deer Breeders.


Last season, Scott Keith, owner of Quack Shack duck calls in Dallas, had 300 acres of fl ooded timber on his hunting property near Combine.

This year, he has only about 80 acres of fl ooded timber.

That, however, didn’t stop Keith and his group from taking easy limits during the opening weekend of duck season, Nov. 5-6.

“Opening weekend, we probably saw as many ducks as we did all of last year,” Keith said. “We mainly shot gadwalls, but there were some wood ducks and a few green-heads, which I think were local ducks.

“We didn’t see any wigeon, which is unusual. But the gadwalls were thick.”

Keith said the hunting party saw more big fl ocks of ducks (20-30 birds) this year.

“Last year they were coming in twos and threes,” he said. “This year we had some nice fl ocks. Only about a third of the ducks we called came in and landed. We had a lot of lookers, but most of them circled a few times.

“We shot a lot on the fi rst low pass by the decoys.”

Keith said he and friends have scouted many of the bigger lakes in North Texas up to the Oklahoma border, and they found large fl ocks congregating on the bigger water bodies.

“Those lakes are holding literally thou-sands of mallards, pintails, teal and gadwalls,” he said. “The snow that they got in Kansas this past week really pushed a lot of birds down.

“It’s going to get better as the season goes on.”Houston hunter Matthew Friedrichs said

his group had good shoots opening week-end, with pintails dominating the bag on the Northern Katy prairie south of Hockley.

“There were good numbers of birds,” he said. “Lots of high birds. Along with the pintails, we shot some wood ducks, shovelers and wigeons. The fi rst bird of the season was a banded pintail drake. It was a good start.”

Friedrichs said the group was split into fi ve blinds, and he could see birds working spreads.

“A lot of the birds wouldn’t fully com-mit,” he said. “We would watch the ducks go from one spread to the other, circle a few times and then head back up toward the clouds heading south.”

Friedrichs said a friend was hunting on

Lots of birds forthe opener in areas

with water

FLYING HIGH: Good shoots were reported across much of Texas for the opening weekend of waterfowl season. Hunters who had good water reported lots of ducks. Public land hunters on WMAs had a harder time. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

See DUCKS, Page 16

Time for

ducks

See YOUTH HUNT, Page 29



Jacob Thoele enjoys hunting hogs at night with his girlfriend’s brother on a large ranch near Wills Point in Van Zandt County.

But he and his friend got a huge sur-

prise in August when Thoele downed a boar with no ears or ear canals — a true mutant.

“The rancher enlists us to hunt hogs and predators,” Thoele said. “We have a normal routine where we hunt between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and we are always successful.”

On this evening, the 23-year-old from Tyler and his friend had searched most of the ranch and had come up empty-handed until they headed for the gate.

“As we were leaving, I looked to my right and saw a hog bobbling along in the pasture,” he said. “My buddy had

a new .270 and I took a shot while the hog was running. I knocked him down, but he started to get back up and I shot him in the head.”

As the pair was getting ready to take a picture, they noticed the pig had no ears.

“We thought it was strange that he didn’t even have any ear canals,” he said. “He also had no exter-nal ear fl aps. I thought it was pretty neat. They are so ugly to begin with.

“I guess it would have been more of a shock if it had been a deer.”

Thoele said he didn’t examine the skull to see if the ear canals had been cov-ered by skin, but he knows where they cleaned the ani-mal and is going back to search for the skull to see if he can fi nd evidence of the ear canals.

Thoele said he thought it was just a birth defect, but was surprised that the animal had reached the size it did without any sense of hearing.

According to experts, hogs can sur-vive this type of birth defect because they travel in sounders (groups) and rely mostly on their sense of smell to detect danger.

“Some people said that maybe dogs had pulled his ears off, but that wasn’t the case,” he said.

Thoele said he will be working the opening weekend of deer season, but his girlfriend will get out to the woods.

“She’s rubbing it in,” he said.

Hear no evilMutant hog shot by hunter had no ears or ear canals

SAY WHAT? This hog shot a couple months ago by Jacob Thoele in Van Zandt County had no ears or ear canals. Photo by Jacob Thoele.

Charges dropped in Kansas case involving Texans

Charges have been dropped against two Texas hunters in the investigation of a Kansas camp where hunters paid thousands of dollars to kill deer illegally.

At the government's request, U.S. District Judges Eric Melgren and Monti Belot dismissed the mis-demeanor charges in separate cases against James Donnan and Michael Scarber, both of Center.

The U.S. Attorney's Offi ce said the dismissal stems from “technical issues” with the type of equipment allegedly used in the hunt.

Twelve hunters from Texas and Louisiana were charged in August with poaching-related misdemeanors connected to Camp Lone Star near Coldwater, Kan.

Five pleaded guilty and seven pleaded not guilty.Two other Texas hunters were indicted in July on

felony charges.The camp's owner and his brother were sentenced

in June to prison terms. — KWTX.com

Dallas Safari Club, newsletterform partnership for hunters

The Dallas Safari Club and The Hunting Report, a news service catering to hunters who travel, are teaming up to improve information services.

The Hunting Report is a monthly printed newslet-ter, Web site and electronic news service. It reviews specifi c hunting areas, critiques outfi tters and reports on poor governmental treatment of hunters worldwide.

DSC and the newsletter began sharing news reports and alerts in 2010, but now that partnership is expanding.

The Hunting Report has become a regular news contributor to the DSC member magazine, Game Trails, and provides alerts for the DSC Weekly Update delivered by e-mail, as well as immediate DSC Twitter and Facebook communications.

News and member updates from DSC are now being distributed through The Hunting Report’s E-mail Extra Bulletins and Web site.

Also, The Hunting Report editor and publisher, Barbara Crown, will attend the DSC convention and expo in Dallas, Jan. 5-8, 2012, with her publication’s extensive database of outfi tter critiques. Subscribers attending the convention can visit her at booth 2649 and look up any hunt operator to see complaints and rebuttals from cases worldwide.

Crown has been mediating disputes between dis-satisfi ed hunters and outfi tters for 13 years. She will present a DSC convention seminar on the most com-mon causes of bad hunting experiences..

— Dallas Safari Club


Congratulations, Emily! You can claim your Nikon 10x42

Trailblazer ATB binoculars at the

Nikon Sport Optics dealer nearest you:

Ray’s Hardware & Sporting Goods730 Singleton Boulevard

Dallas, TX 75212(214) 747-7916

EMILY MADDEN,

10, of Frisco,

recently went

on her fi rst dove

hunt with family

and friends near

Paducah in Cottle

County. Here she

takes a break

with her family’s

loyal Brittany

Spaniel, MAX.

Several Texas hunters got more than they bargained for on a recent pheasant hunt to South Dakota

A meeting of the past presidents of Shikar Safari Club International, a worldwide hunting and conser-vation organization, was held in Chamberlain, S. D. — location of some of the fi nest wild pheasant hunting in the Midwest.

Ozzie Barrett of San Antonio, one of the past presidents, remained in a truck nursing a sprained ankle. He was enjoy-ing watching his fellow hunters making a drive when a high-fl y-ing rooster chose a path over the hunting truck.

Close friend and fellow past pres-ident Andy Phillips, of Kerrville, made a passing shot on the bird, which folded and fell from altitude in an arc that carried the carcass straight into the windshield of the hunting vehicle.

Fortunately, Barrett was wear-

ing his shooting glasses and, other than getting dusted with hundreds of particles of wind-shield safety glass, came through the experience unscathed.

“I saw the bird coming and just thought it would either miss or hit the roof,” Barrett said. “It was just a fl uke that it hit just in the right spot. None of us expected that to happen. It was just your standard, 5-pound rooster.”

No one in the hunting party had ever had a rooster crash into a windshield before, so it was a big surprise for all involved.

The experience, Phillips said, proved once again the need to always be vigilant in exercising proper safety precautions when hunting or shooting.

“Never forget to practice proper safety precautions when in the fi eld,” Phillips said. “You just never know what might happen!”

— Staff report

Kamikaze

Pheasant season in three counties may be eliminated

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission early next year will consider eliminating the pheasant season in Jefferson, Chambers and Liberty counties.

That’s not surprising, considering no pheasants have been seen there for many years.

The tri-county area, northeast of Galveston Bay, was stocked with ringnecks in the 1980s, so the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department opened a special season there. This year it began Oct. 29 and will con-tinue through Feb. 26.

“About 10,000 pheasants were stocked over 10 years in those coun-ties,” said Robert Perez, TPWD's upland game program leader.

“They hung on for a while,” he added, “but over time they blinked out.”

Perez said the coastal pheasant season once included seven coun-ties, but four of them were shut down in 2003.

TPWD offi cials have said that a few remnant birds may have hung on in Jefferson, Chambers and Liberty counties, but no one can recall the last time any were killed there.

People have called TPWD inquir-ing about the season, but offi cials had to tell them not to bother. Offi cials decided to fi nally see about scrapping it.

The commission was notifi ed on Nov. 2 that TPWD staff would be presenting a recommendation to close the season. Perez predicted the measure would be approved in early 2012.

Meanwhile, real pheasant hunt-ing in 37 Panhandle counties will run Dec. 3 through Jan. 1.

— Bill Miller

Texan startled as pheasantshatters windshield

INCOMING: San Antonio hunter Ozzie Barrett holds the South Dakota pheasant that smacked a windshield after being shot by friend and Kerrville hunter Andy Phillips. Photo by Andy Phillips.



Deer hunting might be opened next year in three northeast Texas counties and one along the coast, if the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approves.

Hunting regulations similar to archery-only Grayson County would be extended to Collin, Dallas, and Rockwall counties, according to the proposal.

And in Galveston County, the deer hunting regulations would mirror those of neighboring

Harris County that has seasons for archery, general fi rearms and muz-zleloaders.

All four counties currently have no open deer seasons.

Opening them to hunting would also provide “a tool to deal with urban deer issues,” said Alan Cain, white-tailed deer program leader at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“Obviously,” Cain added, “those areas are urban for the most part, fragmented, but still with small but huntable pockets of deer.

“Bottom line is, there is no bio-logical reason not to have a season in those counties.”

The archery-only Grayson County model for the three north-east counties does not allow hunt-ing with fi rearms. During archery season, crossbows are allowed only for people with upper-limb

disabilities, but they can be used by anyone during the general gun season.

Galveston County would be opened to archery season and also a general season during which fi re-arms would be acceptable. There also would be a muzzleloader season.

Also, Galveston County would have the same regulations as Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties that allow does to be har-vested in the fi rst part of the sea-son. Managed Land Deer permits to harvest does would be required after Thanksgiving.

The commission was noti-fi ed on Nov. 2 that a formal pro-posal would be made in January. Commission members would likely vote on the changes in March, Cain said.

Trevor Tanner, a TPWD biologist in northeast Texas, said healthy

deer populations have grown up near the Collin County commu-nities of Anna, Melissa, Blue Ridge and around Lake Lavon.

The best deer habitat in the region is along main creek drain-ages, Tanner said.

“I’ve seen some trail cam pic-tures from the Lake Lavon area of some decent-size deer,” he said. “There also have been some hit on (U.S.) 380. One actually ended up in the cab of an 18-wheeler.”

Hunting in these counties, Tanner said, could help control populations as urban areas expand.

“We don’t want to be the next Westlake in the Austin area or San Antonio and even the Conroe area that have very large deer popu-lations,” Tanner said. He added that those herds got out of con-trol “because there is no hunting allowed in those urban areas.”

Deer hunting could open 2012 in four urbanized

Texas counties

Hunting safety shouldn’t be overlooked

With hundreds of thousands of Texans afi eld now that the general deer season is underway, it’s impor-tant to keep safety in the crosshairs.

“It looks like hunting accidents are headed for another record low this year, and we want to keep it that way,” said Terry Erwin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s hunter education coordinator.

Hunters born after Sept. 1, 1971, and hunting deer for the fi rst time this year, must have com-pleted a hunter education course or obtained a one-time deferral if they aren’t able to get into a course.

Erwin suggested cleaning rifl es, checking for any mechanical prob-lems and getting them sighted in, but there also are some basic safety tips to keep in mind.

“The big four,” he said, “are always making sure your rifl e is pointed in a safe direction, always treat it like it was loaded, always make sure of your target before you shoot — use binoculars, not your rifl e scope — and keep your fi nger off the trigger until you’re ready to pull it.

“You can’t call a bullet back, and it always has the right-of-way.”

Last year, four people died in 25 hunting accidents in Texas. All four instances involved gunshots — two self-infl icted, two by other hunters.

TPWD’s annual Hunting Accident Report for 2010 identifi es the factors involved in reported hunt-ing accidents. The No. 1 cause involved hunters swinging on game outside a safe zone of fi re. One way to be recognized is to wear blaze orange clothing or hat.

“Blaze orange is not mandatory in Texas unless you’re hunting on public land, but it makes a lot of sense,” Erwin said. “Deer cannot see color, but other hunters can.”

Accidents in the fi eld, however, are more likely to occur without a shot being fi red, Erwin said.

“The most unreported of all hunt-ing accidents are falls from elevated hunting blinds or tree stands,” Erwin said. “If you’re going to be hunting from a tree stand, make sure to use a Treestand Manufacturer’s Association-approved tree stand and a TMA approved fall-restraint device.”

While tree stands see a fair amount of use in East Texas, many more hunters use elevated blinds or tripods accessible by ladder.

“Always keep in mind the three-point position when climbing into your blind,” Erwin said. “That means having two hands and one foot on the ladder at all times, or two feet and one hand.”

Don’t try to carry your rifl e while getting in or out of an elevated stand and make sure it is unloaded until safely seated.

“Use a haul line to bring your rifl e up once you are safely in your blind, then, unload your fi rearm and lower it with the haul line before climbing down,” Erwin said.

— TPWD


FISHING

Popping corks with hooksTop-water with fl uke trailer lands largemouths


For landing schooling bass or bringing them when cast-ing over grass, one Toledo Bend guide combines saltwater and freshwater techniques — with a twist.

“I use a top-water lure, usually a Zara Spook,” said Daryl Lyons. “And then add a leader with a fl uke behind it. The top-water acts like a popping cork like the saltwater anglers use.”

The rig is similar to the pop-ping cork set-up, but the cork can also catch fi sh.

“On the spook, I add a P-Line swivel because they are longer on the split ring,” Lyons said. “Then I add a 12- to 18-inch leader with a 4-inch fl uke behind it. That seems to work the best.”

Another option if tangles are a problem, he said, is to sim-ply remove the rear treble hook from the spook.

Lyons uses the technique over the grass or if he notices the bass are schooling, but he said it’s not just a freshwater technique.

“We used a similar approach at the coast when I was a kid,” he

said. “We had a big MirrOlure — in red and white with some green on the side and a chrome back — as the cork when fi shing for speckled trout. Then we tied on plastic, even plastic worms sometimes. We tried anything to catch more fi sh — and it worked.”

The freshwater approach has worked on Toledo Bend, which has more hydrilla now than in recent years.

“And you can play with what you drag behind it,” Lyons said. “A light jig, a crankbait, what-ever you want.”

Doubles aren’t that uncom-mon, either.

“Most often, one bass will hit the spook and carry it down into the school,” he said. “Then another will hit the bass bait trailing behind.”

Although several clients and other guides have seen the rig, only a few have adopted the technique.

“My son uses it quite a bit,” Lyons said. “And another guide here uses it for schooling white bass.”

To catch on, maybe the rig needs a clever name.

Daryl Lyons, (409) 787-3664

DOUBLE-TROUBLE: A trailer behind a top-water lure can land bass in two ways, and sometimes land two at the same time. Photo by LSON.

Where do the big reds go?By Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Every fall along the Texas coast, big redfi sh show up to spawn.

These “bulls” move in from the deeper Gulf waters to the passes leading into bays, where they fertilize eggs that fl oat into bay systems.

But where do these fi sh live during the rest of the year?

Anglers might be surprised to learn that, although predomi-nately known and caught in the bay systems, redfi sh spend most of their lives in open water.

“Well, in terms of redfi sh leaving, they’ll leave when they mature from a juvenile to an adult — about three years,” said Scott Walker, nat-ural resource specialist at the CCA/CPL Marine Development Center. “The really large redfi sh (40-inches plus) live offshore. That is their natural habitat.”

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, redfi sh spend those fi rst three years in the bays or surf zones near passes.

Tagged fi sh have shown that redfi sh tend to stay within three miles of where they were born until they are old enough to head to deeper water. Spawning season is from mid-August to mid-October.

Walker raises redfi sh hatch-lings to be stocked in freshwater lakes and saltwater bays. He said that when TPWD offi cials need brood stock, they head offshore with long lines to catch the big fi sh because they are guaran-teed to be breeding-age adults.

“All of those fi sh are over the slot limit,” he said. “Offshore, the fi sh eat other smaller fi sh and crabs.”

When asked if the redfi sh prefer shallow or deeper waters offshore, Walker said relatively speaking, all of the Gulf of Mexico is pretty shallow.

“They can utilize as much of the water column as possible,” he said. “When TPWD catches them on long lines, they focus on the Benthic habitat (deeper depths).”

Anglers looking to catch off-shore redfi sh should focus on structure, and the main struc-tures located in Texas Gulf waters are oil rig platforms.

“They are predator fi sh, so they go where the baitfi sh are,” Walker said. “Those rigs offer some protection for the baitfi sh, which attracts the big-ger, predator species.”

Redfi sh can live to 20 years in a natural environment, with the oldest recorded fi sh being 37-years-old.

Weather frontsrattle coastal trout By Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Feast or famine is an apt description of speckled trout fi shing on the Gulf Coast in late October and early November.

A couple of cold fronts made anglers work hard to land big trout over 25 inches long.

Kyle Tomek of Katy fi shed sandy, grassy areas during a recent tourna-

ment in Matagorda Bay.“We found good

redfi sh close to the shoreline, and we had a decent tide before the front came in,” Tomek said. “The trout were out deeper between waist and chest deep.”

Tomek threw soft plas-tics in chartreuse and plumb; success was fair.

“We caught better redfi sh,” he said. “We caught plenty of trout

but the size has been lacking — between 14 and 17 inches.”

SURPRISING: Some anglers may be surprised to learn that redfi sh are an offshore species, spending the majority of their lives in deeper water relating to structure. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

SPECK: Randy Weaver of Deer Park presents the

speckled trout he caught while wade fi shing Nov. 2 in the Galveston area. He

landed the 8.4-pound fi sh with a Wedgetail swimbait. It measured 28.5 inches long.

Photo by Randy Weaver.

See COASTAL TROUT, Page 27


Take care to avoid harmful

bacteriaBy Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

It was nothing unusual for a fi sh-ing guide.

Todd Casey’s client was after redfi sh and trout last July off Port Mansfi eld, but hooked a hardhead catfi sh instead.

Casey, of South Padre Island, got busy trying to remove it.

“I was fl ipping him off the hook and it didn’t come off right and it hit me,” Casey recalled.

A fi n made a tiny puncture in Casey’s arm. It didn’t hurt much and since he was busy, he soon for-got about it.

But when he awoke the next day, his arm had ballooned with swelling.

Casey got to a hospital where blood tests confi rmed he was infected with vibrio.

The bacterium is found in coastal waters and seafood all over the world. It can sicken people through blood infections or by eating uncooked seafood.

People are especially susceptible if their immune systems are compro-mised by cancer, HIV, liver disease, diabetes or long-term steroid use for asthma or arthritis.

Skin infections happen when vib-rio-laced water washes into a cut or an abrasion of a person swimming or wading on the coast.

If untreated, the redness and swell-ing can evolve into skin ulcerations.

How bad? Do a computer search on “vibrio vulnificus” and click on “images.”

Serious infections, left untreated, can lead to death.

“It got to where I couldn’t bend my wrist or elbow, kind of like a rattlesnake bite,” Casey said. “I thought a spider bit me, but then I remembered that catfi sh deal.”

Casey recalled doctors were sur-prised to see a vibrio infection.

“They said they hadn’t seen it in a long time,” Casey said.

Recent statistics from the Texas Department of State Health Services show there were fi ve reported vibrio infections and one death in 2008.

A year later, there were seven cases, including one death. In 2010, that number rose to 16, with three deaths.

Antibiotics are used to treat vib-rio skin infections, but patients are frequently hospitalized and some-times surgery is needed.

Prevention of the skin infections is pretty simple, said Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the depart-ment of state health services.

“Just stay out of the water if you have a cut or wound,” Van Deusen said.

But those who are cut in or near the water, like Casey, should imme-diately wash the wound with soap and water.

By November, Casey had moved inland to guide hunts, but he was still wearing an arm brace. He said time would tell if he would have per-manent muscle or nerve damage.

“It’s just uncomfortable,” he said. “It hurts a little when I crush a can, pick up a gun or cast a fi shing rod.”

Crappie bite is onBy Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Lake Livingston guide Simon Cosper loves winter fi shing for crappie.

“The colder the better,” Cosper said. “There are less peo-ple on the water so you don’t have to fi ght for your hole, and the fi shing has been phenomenal.”

Cosper said he has been catching loads of crappie on 4- to 6-feet of water around stump heads and submerged brush piles.

“The water is low enough that you can see the stumps,” he said. “I’ve been using black and chartreuse or chartreuse and black jigs on a 1/16-ounce head. I’ll try a 1/8-ounce if I’m fi sh-ing deep, but I mostly go with a 1/16.

“You can go too big for crappie but you can’t go too small.”

Cosper said the bite has been consistent throughout the day and no specifi c time has been better. The key, he said, is to keep moving until you fi nd the bigger fi sh.

“I keep moving from brush top to brush top

until I fi nd the bet-ter fi sh,” he said. “It’s a big misconception

that you can sit in one place all day. You can, but you have to go

JIG ‘EM: The crappie bite is on around Texas as the temperature cools down. Guides have reported large catches by using vertical jigs held very still for the bigger fi sh. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

See CRAPPIE BITE, Page 15


ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 58–65 degrees; 7.23’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits, Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 7.43’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, crankbaits, jerkbaits, soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are good on crankbaits, large top-waters, and large Red Fins. Catfi sh are good on cheesebait, shrimp and nightcrawlers over baited holes.

ARROWHEAD: Water off-color; 56–67 degrees; 8.3’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on top-waters early, later switching to Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and weightless fl ukes. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Blue catfi sh are fair to good on juglines with cut shad.

ATHENS: Water clear, 71–78 degrees; 5.47’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, shaky heads and shallow crankbaits — main lake points have been best with schooling action early. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait.

BASTROP: Water clear; 71–74 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and live bait.

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 72–77 degrees; 8.79’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on black/blue jigs, shaky heads with fi nesse worms and shallow-running crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows. White bass are good on Humdingers and top-waters. Catfi sh are fair to good on trotlines or juglines with Redneck’s Catfi sh Bait Soap. Barefoot Bay and Titus County Park are the only usable ramps.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and dark soft plastic worms near the jetty and dam. Channel catfi sh are good on liver, shrimp and cheesebait near the intake. Blue catfi sh are good on cut bait.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 71–76 degrees; 12.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits in shad patterns and TN Shad Jackall ASKA 60SRs along main lake points. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs (best action midday).

BROWNWOOD: Water lightly stained; 71–75 degrees; 15.58’ low. Largemouth bass are good on water-melon chatterbaits, Finesse worms, and craw-colored crankbaits. White bass are good on small Rat–L–Traps and perch-colored crankbaits off lighted docks at night. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs over brush piles and under lighted docks at night. Channel catfi sh are good on cut bait and stinkbait over baited holes in 10–20 feet. Yellow catfi sh are good on trotlines baited with perch.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 31.29’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed Skip–N–Pop top-waters, wacky-rigged watermelon Whacky Sticks, and crankbaits in creeks in 5–15 feet at fi rst light. Channel catfi sh are good on nightcrawlers and stinkbait. Yellow and blue catfi sh are good on live bait upriver.

CADDO: Water stained; 65–73 degrees; 1.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits around isolated cover. Shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits are pro-ducing numbers of fi sh. Yellow bass are good on minnows. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.

CEDAR CREEK: Water lightly stained; 68–74 degrees; 7.51’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, shaky heads and fi -nesse jigs around docks. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 70–74 degrees; 11.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft

plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on liver and nightcrawlers.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 70–73 de-grees; 15.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Channel catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 62–71 degrees; 7.33’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow- and medium-running crankbaits, shaky heads and

chatterbaits. Striped bass are good on live minnows.

COOPER: Water lightly stained; 64–72 degrees; 12.48’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms throughout the day. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair to good on Sassy Shad and live shad. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait and cut bait.

FALCON: Water murky; 74–78 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, top-waters and deep-running crankbaits. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on cut bait and shrimp.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 74–79 degrees; 7.45’ low. Largemouth bass are good on fl ipping jigs — concen-trate on the wood cover near creek channel bends. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 68–72 degrees; 4.13’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad-colored Rat–L–Traps and top-waters early and late. Catfi sh are good on stinkbait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers.

GRANGER: Water stained; 71–74 de-grees; 5.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and white spinnerbaits upriver around tim-ber. Blue catfi sh are good on juglines baited with shad and cut bait.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 5.01’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, fi nesse jigs, and top-waters along main lake points. Baitfi sh are concentrating at mouths of creeks and pockets. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on top-waters and Rat–L–Traps. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water clear; 75–78 degrees; 3.58’ low. Largemouth bass to 4 pounds are good on blue worms, top-waters, and shad-colored deep-diving crankbaits near the islands early and late. Channel and blue catfi sh are fair on juglines baited with perch in 13 feet.

HUBBARD CREEK: 57–65 degrees;

13.98’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and weightless fl ukes. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 71–76 degrees; 3.28’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas rigs, shallow crankbaits and smaller jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 69–74 degrees; 12.81’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged crea-

ture baits, top-waters and square-bill crankbaits. The shallow bite is good early. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns. Catfi sh are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.

LBJ: Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 0.23’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon top-waters, large buzzbaits, and wacky-rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks around brush early and late. Striped bass are fair on live bait at night. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies and small spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs and live min-nows over brush piles in 10–20 feet. Channel catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 68–73 degrees; 6.71’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow-running crankbaits, Skinny Dipper swimbaits and swim jigs along the riprap near dam. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and Sassy Shad. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 71–74 degrees; 3.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Striped bass are good but small on Zara spooks and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfi sh are good on juglines baited with shad.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 76–88 degrees; 0.92’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, chatterbaits and Texas-rigged worms around deeper creek channels later in the day. Flipping jigs around shal-low wood cover is producing as well. The shallow bite is best early in the morning with occasional schooling reported. No reports on crappie.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 73–76 degrees; 4.30’ low. Channel catfi sh are good on nightcrawlers from the banks. Blue catfi sh are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 58–70 degrees; 36.7’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Rat–L–Traps, shallow-running crankbaits,

Texas rigs and 3” swimbaits. White bass are fair to good on Little Georges. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 68–75 degrees; 6.29’ low. Largemouth bass are good early on top-waters, later switching to shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. Jig bite around docks improving. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on prepared bait.

PROCTOR: Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 7.62’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and spinnerbaits. White bass are good on minnows. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and shad.

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 69–74 degrees; 6.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged crea-ture baits, square-bill crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Top-waters are produc-ing early around riprap. Crappie are fair on minnows and Road Runners. White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in. Catfi sh are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 69–74 degrees; 4.79’ low. Largemouth bass are slow but being caught on Yum Dingers and traps in and around the grass. Crappie are good on minnows in brush in 20–25 feet of water. White bass are good. Slabs in char-treuse/white bounced in 30–35 feet of water on deep humps and ridges.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water fairly clear; 68–73 degrees; 8.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, shaky heads and crea-ture baits around docks. Square-bill crankbaits are producing numbers.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 68–72 degrees; 13.50’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms with chartreuse tails in 20–30 feet.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 10.20’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. White bass are good on minnows at night. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 69–73 degrees; 15.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastic worms and chrome Tiny Traps. White bass are good on char-treuse roadrunners and Li’l Fishies. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on minnows and shrimp.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 69–75 degrees; 7.08’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters early, later switching to black/blue Firewater 1/2 oz. jigs, Texas-rigged blue fl eck worms and square-bill crankbaits. White bass are excellent on white SSS Slabs and tailspins — schooling on points early and late. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on 4” to 6” white or shad-pattern Sassy Shad. Catfi sh are excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.

TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 70–73 degrees; 53.91’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon worms, chartreuse top-waters and large buzzbaits. White bass are good on white jigging spoons and live min-nows in 30–40 feet. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on nightcrawlers and minnows in 25–35 feet.

WEATHERFORD: Water fairly clear; 69–74 degrees; 7.16’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits, shaky heads and Texas rigs — dock bite is improving. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 68–72 degrees; 15.90’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-waters early. Catfi sh are fair on shrimp, liver, and live bait.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water lightly stained; 68–74 degrees; 2.71’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, shallow crankbaits and chatterbaits along main lake points early. Football heads jigs have also been productive. Catfi sh are fair to good on cut shad and prepared bait.

NORTH SABINE: Trout are good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics. Redfi sh and fl ounder are good in the marsh on shrimp. Flounder are good on the falling tide on the muddy shorelines.

SOUTH SABINE: Trout are good under birds and pods of shad. Redfi sh are good at the jetty on live bait and cracked crabs. Floun-der are good on Plastics in the bayous.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Trout are good under birds on soft plastics. Redfi sh are good at the Spillway on shrimp and Plastics.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout and large Gulf trout are good for drifters working deep shell on plastics and fresh shrimp. Redfi sh and fl ounder are fair to good in the marsh around drains on shrimp. Trout and redfi sh are good under the birds.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Bull redfi sh and fl ounder are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp and shad. Sheepshead, redfi sh and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Trout are good under the birds in the afternoon over deep shell.

TEXAS CITY: Bull redfi sh are good in the channel on shrimp and crabs. Gulf trout are good in the channel on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout are good on reefs on shrimp and DOA Shrimp under corks. Redfi sh are fair to good on the reefs in Christmas Bay and Bastrop Bay. Bull redfi sh are good on the beach.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are good for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Trout and fl ounder are fair to good on muddy shorelines on soft plastics tipped with shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and top-waters. Redfi sh are good on live shrimp at Shell Island, Oyster Lake, Crab Lake and Mad Island. Flounder are good in the Diver-sion Channel on plastics.

PORT O’CONNOR: Bull redfi sh are good at the jetty on crabs, mullet and shad. Trout are fair to good on the reefs in San Antonio Bay on live shrimp. Flounder are fair to good in Saluria Bayou on plastics and jigs tipped with shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair in St. Charles Bay on Corkies while working reefs. Redfi sh are good in Redfi sh Bay on mullet and crabs. Bull redfi sh, black drum and fl ounder are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on shrimp and mullet.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfi sh are fair at Sham-rock on top-waters and plum soft plastics. Bull redfi sh are good at the jetty and on the beachfront on natural baits. Offshore is good for tuna, kingfi sh and dolphin.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Bull redfi sh are good in the surf on mullet and shrimp. Trout are fair for waders working mud and grass on plastics and top-waters. Redfi sh are good in the channels on natural baits.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are good on top-waters and plum plastics around rocks and grass. Trout are good while drifting deep rocks on plum plastics. Redfi sh are fair to good on plum plastics around spoil islands.

PORT MANSFIELD: Redfi sh are good while drifting potholes on top-waters and soft plastics under a popping cork. Trout and redfi sh are fair to good on the spoils on small top-waters and black/chartreuse plastics.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout are fair to good while drift-ing grass and mud on plastics and live shrimp. Redfi sh are good in Airport Cove and around the causeway on Plastics and DOA Shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfi sh are good at Laguna Vista and Holly Beach on plum and black plastics. Snook and mangrove snapper are good in the Brownsville Ship Channel on DOA Shrimp and live shrimp. Bull redfi sh are good along the channel near the causeway.

TEXAS FISHING REPORT

HOT BITES SALTWATERSCENE

horelines on soft plastics

mp p

h li ft l ti

LARGEMOUTH BASS

COOPER: Good on shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms throughout the day.

GRANBURY: Good on shad-colored Rat–L–Traps and top-waters early and late.

FORK: Good on fl ipping jigs — concentrate on the wood cover near creek channel bends.

LEWISVILLE: Good on shallow-running crankbaits, Skinny Dipper swimbaits and swim jigs along the riprap near dam.

PROCTOR: Good on watermelon soft plastics and spinnerbaits.

CRAPPIE

BASTROP: Good on minnows and blue tube jigs.

JOE POOL: Good on minnows and jigs.

LBJ: Good on chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows over brush piles.

Sponsored by

s Pass on shrimp

CATFISH

BRAUNIG: Channel catfi sh are good on liver, shrimp and cheesebait near the intake. Blue catfi sh are good on cut bait.

SOMERVILLE: Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

STILLHOUSE: Channel and blue catfi sh are good on minnows and shrimp.

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

fi

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

AMISTAD: Striped bass are good on crankbaits, large top-waters, and large Red Fins.

BRIDGEPORT: White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs (best action midday).

CEDAR CREEK: White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad.

CONROE: Striped bass are good on live minnows.

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

HOT SPOT

BOLIVARGuides have reported big fl ounder in the passes, along with quality catches of trout, black drum and redfi sh in Rollover Pass. Drifting shell with soft plastics has produced keeper trout and anglers are

still reporting bull reds being caught on the beachfront with cut bait. Photo by LSON.



Keith Combs of Huntington is a new mem-ber to the Bassmaster Elite crowd, but when it comes to catching big fi sh in Texas, he’s no surprise.

At the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, Oct. 28-30 at Lake Conroe, the for-mer Amistad guide held onto the lead the fi rst two days with giant bags of 28 pounds, 8 ounces (includ-ing a 10-pound, 8-ounce

largemouth) and 27 pounds, 4 ounces.

Looming behind, though, was Mike Iaconelli, of Pittsgrove, N.J., in sec-ond place after Day Two with 51 pounds, 12 ounces.

And Ike had another great day, landing 25 pounds even.

Combs, coming in with 55 pounds, 12 ounces, needed 21 pounds, 1 ounce to win. He caught 21 pounds even, all in the last two hours of the day.

A tie.

Tournament emcee Dave Mercer gave the puzzled anglers the news.

“We’re going fi shing again,” he told the crowd. “A sudden death fi sh-off. The one who catches the fi rst legal fi sh (at least 14 inches) wins.”

They returned to the water, each hoping for a quick catch. And this time, size didn’t matter as long as it was a keeper. But no quick catch came, and 45 minutes of the one-hour allotted time passed.

Then the $100,000 fi sh hit.

“I went to the place where I caught all my fi sh in the last hour with a crankbait, but they weren’t there,” Combs said. “They were gone. I went to a new spot and on the third cast, there he was.

“When I hooked it, I knew it was a keeper — I was trying to decide whether to net it or swing it in. I swung it in — his fi n poked me right in the fi n-ger but I didn’t feel a thing.”

A tie? Now what?Combs takes TTBC in fi sh-off


The scoring system used at the Toyota Texas Bass Classic brings the best of both worlds to the conserva-tion-minded event: instant informa-tion for tournament offi cials and a near 100 percent fi sh survival rate.

The system, modifi ed for the tour-nament by www.fi shhound.com, allows information from the water to be delivered to tournament offi cials.

How does it work? When the pro-fessional angler lands a fi sh, a judge in the boat weighs and measures the fi sh. The angler confi rms the recorded weight and then releases the bass. The judge, using an iPhone, sends the information (including photo, if

desired) to the secure site for offi cials.The software has more benefi ts,

according to VP of Operations Rick Patri.“We get a GPS reading from the

phone,” he said. “The TV guys use that to get to the hot angler.”

Dave Terre, inland fi sheries chief of management and research for Texas Parks and Wildlife, touted the conser-vation aspects of the system.

“With a 99 percent survival rate, we think this type of system could become the way future tournaments are handled,” Terre said.

Could the system be used for smaller tournaments that don’t have judges on the boats or TV crews?

Members of the Seven Coves Bass Club thought so.

“We have had paper tournaments

where if the boater catches a fi sh, the non-boater weighs and records the results,” one of the club members said. “It’s basically the same thing, but the director would have all the results when the fi shermen got to the dock.”

Patri said some simple modifi cations would make it work for small events.

“Closed groups may be set up on our system,” he said. “Scoring and reporting information could be collected within the group in much the same way. And an individual angler can use it as a per-sonal catch diary — kept private or he can make it public if he wants.”

And with the GPS component, he’ll know exactly where he caught them.

Fishhound.com launched in 2010, primarily as a real-time fi shing report site.

Unique scoring system with real-time results

LIFE CHANGER: Former Lake Amistad Guide Keith Combs won $100,000 plus a boat and motor after winning the Toyota Texas Bass Classic in a sudden death fi sh-off. Photo by TTBC.


GAME WARDEN BLOTTERMILO BRINGS IN THE DOVE

During the South Zone dove opener, Dimmit County Game Warden Eugene Fernandez and Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger cited several indi-viduals at two different locations for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area and placing bait to attract migratory game birds, along with hunting without licenses and hunting with illegal (unplugged) shotguns. The following morning, Fernandez cited more individuals for the same violations. Three separate baited areas were discovered. None of the individuals checked admitted to placing the milo in the fi elds.

TRIP HAZARD TORTOISEAn elderly lady called Val Verde

County Game Warden Isaac Ruiz regarding a turtle that had taken up residence in her backyard. She stated that even though the turtle was not doing anything destructive, her fear was that it was creating a tripping hazard for her. Ruiz removed and relocated the Texas tortoise.

TRESPASSERS PURSUING SQUIRRELS COME BACK WITH DEER

Upshur County Game Warden David Pellizzari received a call con-cerning individuals hunting without consent. Pellizzari located a vehicle and waited until the subjects came out of the woods from squirrel hunt-ing. A quick call to the landowner confi rmed that the men did not have permission to hunt the property. One subject did not have his wallet or license and had blood on his cloth-ing. A search of the area revealed the front leg of a freshly killed deer. The subject denied killing the deer and stated he found a doe on the back of the property, even though the meat was still warm and had fresh blood on it. The subject maintained that somebody else must have shot it that morning. The subject fi nally admitted to killing the deer, cut-

ting off the front leg and backstraps, and to not having a hunting license. Cases pending.

SPEARS USED TO TAKE LOW-WATER GAMEFISH

McLennan County Game Warden Jason Campbell apprehended a group of fi shermen in Falls County. The sub-jects were using spears to take several different species of game fi sh from a local river, where the fi sh were unable to move due to the low-water condi-tions. One yellow cat weighed more than 25 pounds. Cases pending.

TAKE HEED OF FRIENDLY WARNINGSOn Oct. 7, Zapata County Game

Warden Carson Wardlow was off-duty and fi shing from the bank on Falcon Lake when a man approached and asked if the area was open for the public to fi sh. Wardlow informed the man it was a public area. The man stated his semi-truck was parked up the road but he would be back shortly with his pole. When the man returned, it was discovered that he was from California and didn’t have a Texas fi shing license. Wardlow warned, “You need to go get a license before you start fi shing because the game wardens patrol this area.” The man stated that he would “take his chances” and began

fi shing for catfi sh. Not wanting to blow his “cover,” Wardlow discreetly called his partner, Game Warden Shane Bailey, who was in the area and on-duty. Bailey arrived and the California man denied that he was fi shing; after a few questions, the man admitted he was fi shing and received a citation. After Bailey left, the man informed Wardlow that he had received a ticket and now he had to leave and buy a license. Wardlow replied, “I tried to warn you.”

SPEEDING TO FEED PET GATORThe Galveston Police Department

stopped a speeding driver. When asked why he was in such a hurry, the driver replied that he needed to get home and feed his pet alligator. Game Warden Jaime Pendlebury was noti-fi ed, responded to the location and seized a baby alligator. Case pending.

BAG OF CORN NOT THE RIGHT HIDING PLACE

Starr County Game Warden Dennis Gazaway checked two men leaving a dove hunting area. While inspecting their game, Gazaway noticed several empty sacks and one sack half-full of corn in the bed of the truck. Under the corn the warden found four quail. Cases pending for pos-session of quail in closed season.

HUNTING ACCIDENT SOUNDS FAMILIARSomervell County Game Warden

Joni Kuykendall responded to a report of a hunting accident that had occurred at a local private bird hunting area. Two bird hunters were hunting quail with 12-gauge shot-guns. While walking through the fi eld, one hunter swung and shot at a bird that was fl ying toward the other hunter. The other hunter was peppered with birdshot. Both hunt-ers were hunter education certifi ed.

DIESEL SPILL AT MARINA UNDER INVESTIGATION

A fi shing guide reported a die-sel spill at a Lake Texoma marina to Grayson County Game Warden Dale Moses. Moses made contact with Grayson County Game Wardens Michael Hummert and Colt Gaulden, who were on the lake at the time. The wardens did not fi nd evidence of any injured wildlife. Moses contacted Grayson County's environmental offi cer. The operations manager of the marina contacted Moses and advised him that they’d lost 10 gal-lons of fuel, but the report of 10 gallons did not match the product in the water. TCEQ investigated and found that 693 gallons were lost. TCEQ and the Corps of Engineers are investigating.

BAD TIME FOR A SPEEDING TICKETA police offi cer stopped a vehi-

cle containing two .22-caliber rifl es, a spotlight, three deer antlers, and blood/hair on the tailgate. The offi -cer contacted Liberty County Game Warden Adam Broll. The driver admit-ted to shooting three white-tailed deer at night off a pubic road, as did two of his friends. Liberty County Game Warden Daniel Diaz came to assist in the investigation. After three inter-views, the wardens learned that the subject and one of his friends had been hunting the night before and killed another white-tailed deer and a red stag. The meat from these two animals was seized and donated to people in need. The original three deer that were killed had been dumped on the side of the road and were not able to be salvaged. All fi ve individuals involved were cited and will pay civil restitution for the deer.

BRAGGING BRINGS ATTENTION TO VIOLATOR, DAUGHTER GIVES HIM AWAY

Orange County Game Warden Clint Caywood received information about a man who had taken two small white-tailed bucks and was bragging about them at work. The man had a history of several violations including hunt-ing without consent. Caywood found out when the man was hunting and was hiding near the lease gate when the man came to the road. No tags were missing from the man’s license. The man denied having taken any deer but agreed to let Caywood search his home. While Caywood and two Orange County sheriff's deputies were looking inside the man’s freezer, his daughter stated, “Daddy shot a four-point and a six-point a couple of days ago.” Upon further searching of the grounds outside, it was deter-mined he had taken two small bucks and had failed to tag both of them. One buck had a spread of 5 inches and the other of 8 inches. The meat and antlers were seized. Cases and restitution pending.

Game Wardens Justin Valchar and Brandt Bernstein were contacted by Fort Hood game wardens who said that they had stopped a suspicious vehicle on post, with two soldiers inside the vehicle. The two men were in possession of four recently killed white-tailed deer that had been skinned and quartered. One suspect said that he shot the deer two nights earlier on a property where he keeps his horses. One of the men told Valchar that he was the one who shot the four deer because they were eating his horses’ hay. The wardens received consent to search a suspect’s home for the deer meat and weapon used. The wardens seized one rifl e and the deer meat in the freezer. The deer meat was not fully

frozen and there was still water in the bag. Bernstein spoke with the wife of one of the suspects. She advised that three other men had gone hunting with her hus-band, provided their names and said each had shot a deer from the highway. The husband then admitted to hunting at night, shooting at approximately 14 to 16 deer and killing and taking seven deer. Bernstein and Valchar retrieved search warrants and arrest warrants for the three other soldiers and charged them with hunting white-tailed deer at night and hunting from a vehicle. All deer meat from two houses was seized and .50-caliber and .30-06-caliber rifl es were seized in connection with the shootings.

THIS PUNISHMENT MIGHT BE MILD ONCE THE CAPTAIN FINDS OUT



CONSERVATIONInput sought on more seagrass protection

Scoping meetings on designating a new state scientifi c area to protect seagrass near the JFK Causeway in Nueces County will be held this win-ter, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

This coastal issue is part of pos-sible statewide hunting and fi shing regulation changes for 2012.

It will not become an offi cial pro-posal until January. After that, there will be more statewide meetings and comment opportunities before the TPW Commission considers new rules in March.

Shallow-water seagrass meadows are among the world’s most produc-tive marine habitats, next to coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.

Seagrass meadows serve as nurs-eries for juvenile game fi sh, crabs and shrimp.

The JFK Causeway proposal would form a new 15,500-acre protected area similar to the Redfi sh Bay State Scientifi c Area created in 2000.

Redfi sh Bay was the state’s fi rst scientifi c area for education, sci-entifi c research and preservation of fl ora and fauna of scientifi c or edu-cational value.

A key goal was to give submerged seagrasses time for recovery from extensive damage caused by outboard motor propellers, and prevent further harm to the delicate aquatic plants.

When the Redfi sh Bay area came up for fi ve-year renewal in 2005, TPWD enacted a rule to prohibit sea-grass uprooting in the scientifi c area.

At that time, TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division launched a com-prehensive outreach and education campaign about the new rule and the importance of seagrass, emphasizing a “Lift, Drift, Pole, Troll” message.

In 2010, the TPW Commission voted to indefi nitely extend the “no uprooting seagrass with a boat pro-peller” law in the Redfi sh Bay area.

Scientifi c studies demonstrated the Redfi sh Bay rule has helped sea-grasses recover.

Using transect surveys and aerial photography, coastal fi sher-ies biologists found the number of boat propeller scars in Redfi sh Bay decreased 45 percent from 2005 to 2009. Preliminary data suggest seagrass propeller scars may recover faster than was previously thought.

In the wake of this success, the TPW

Commission subsequently directed staff to explore expanding seagrass pro-tection on the Texas coast.

— TPWD

Freeze rules to protect coastal fi sh to be clarifi ed

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wants to clarify rules to protect fi sh during prolonged freezing weather on the Texas coast.

For example, on Feb. 2, the agency

issued a temporary closure to salt-water fi shing at specifi ed areas or thermal refuges along the Texas coast.

Texas has about two million acres of bays and estuaries susceptible to freeze.

There were three major freezes dur-ing the 1980s, including one in 1989 when the temperature at Brownsville dropped to 16 degrees and an esti-mated 11 million fi sh were killed.

The existing rule says no one can fi sh with a hook and line, pole and line, or throw line in an affected area during a freeze closure.

The proposed rule change for 2012 makes clear that no one may

take or attempt to take any aquatic life by any means in an affected area during a freeze.

The agency will hold public meet-ings to scope both items along the coast before the Jan. 25-26 commission meeting in Austin, and will also take comments via the TPWD Web site.

The staff will make proposals for commission consideration at the January meeting.

If approved by the commission, the proposal will be published in the Texas Register and the item will be considered for fi nal adoption at the March 28-29 commission meeting.

— TPWD

Game warden named 2011 top wildlife offi cer

The Shikar Safari Club International has named Game Warden Michael J. Hanson as the organization’s 2011 Texas Wildlife Offi cer of the Year.

This marks the 31st year this award has been presented to a Texas game warden.

Hanson has served as a warden in Shelby County for 18 years, his only station since he graduated from the Game Warden Training Academy.

The award he received noted his recent involvement in “Operation Cimarron,” an extensive assignment spanning several years.

During this investigation, Hanson worked closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents and Kansas wildlife agents to build what is regarded as the largest white-tailed deer poaching case in Kansas history.

Hanson and colleagues’ work resulted in the seizure of more than 100 trophy deer and federal charges fi led for conspiracy, wildlife traffi ck-ing, and obstruction of justice on two brothers from Texas.

— TPWD

SEAGRASS: Shallow-water seagrass meadows are important habitat for juvenile game fi sh and baitfi sh. State wildlife offi cials want to designate an area near the JFK Causeway for special seagrass protection. Photo by LSON.


season. But he decided to let the big deer walk.

That is, until he could get his 15-year-old son, Pierce, out to the lease in North Central Texas for the “gun” season opener Nov. 5-6.

The Pitstick family adventure was one of many played out across the state during opening weekend, which, according to some, didn’t see anticipated action at feeders.

“I saw him during bow season but I thought, ‘Man, I want Pierce to take this buck,’” Jimmy said. “Every year we rotate who gets to shoot the big buck on the lease, and this year was his year.”

A big deer appeared at one of the feeders in the dim pre-dawn light Sunday morning; the silhouette of the antlers exposed him as the Big 8.

“It all happened really fast,” Pierce said. “I just put the cross-hairs on his shoulder and took it.”

The .243-caliber rifl e connected; Big 8 went another 30 yards and dropped.

But not every corn feeder had that kind of action opening week-end, although a lot of hunters expected otherwise, considering the drought.

October rains helped sprout some weeds and also nourished wheat and rye — all favored by white-tailed deer.

In West Texas, Jack Graves, owner of J’s Processing in San Angelo, said bowhunters had reported seeing 20-30 hungry deer around feeders, but then came about 5 inches of rain two weeks before the start of gun season.

Suddenly the ground was yield-ing “green stuff,” Graves said.

“It scattered them, that’s for sure,” Graves said.

He added that opening weekend was windy in the Concho Valley and “deer were laid up everywhere.”

“We only had 80 deer come in this weekend, which was 101 off of last year,” Graves said.

And while a few big-bodied deer were brought in, bucks with really big antlers were still on the range.

“Time will tell, probably around the third and last week of November,” Graves said. “When the rut starts, that is when we will judge the big deer coming in.”

Rain had not been as generous in Menard, about 65 miles south-east of San Angelo, but the range was still helped by the light show-ers, said Max Stabel, owner of Ranch House Meat Company.

Hunters, he said, reported that a lot of deer were coming to feeders, but not all of them.

“We got a little shower that dropped a half to 2 inches of rain,” he said. “There have been a few winter weeds, but I’m not too sure anyone would consider that to last much longer. As December rolls along and it gets colder, they’re going to be hungry.”

Stabel and Graves both reported seeing healthy deer with good amounts of body fat, as did David Poteet, owner of C&D Game Processing in Kemp, east of Dallas.

Poteet said hunters told him deer have been coming to feeders, but they were also in local fi elds of winter wheat and rye.

“The rain wasn’t enough,” he said. “It didn’t fi ll the stock tanks, but the deer are fat and healthy. I don’t see any signs of a famine on those animals.”

Some hunters in South Texas reported deer at feeders, while oth-ers said that activity was light.

In Victoria County, Darryl Hester said deer are coming to feeders and young bucks were chasing does, especially along the banks of the Guadalupe River.

But Hester, who operates Victoria All Sports Center, said

“the big bucks haven’t taken hold.”

“We’re seeing a lot of bucks, but they’re young,” he explained.

Hester said cold weather would help stir big deer, but temperatures were expected to be in the low 80s the second weekend of the season.

GunContinued From Page 1

BIG 8: Pierce Pitstick of Arlington got this mature buck the second day of

the general “gun” season at his family’s lease in Callahan County. The

deer’s rack earned him the nickname, “Big 8.” Photo

by Jimmy Pitstick.

Crappie biteContinued From Page 9

through a lot of smaller fi sh.“I have places where I can catch 200 to 300 fi sh in a

short time, but a lot of them are 9 inches. I like those big slabs.”

Cosper said a tip for catching more crappie is holding the jig still in the water.

“Big crappie like a still bait,” he said. “Ease it down and don’t move it too much.”

According to fi shing reports from Ray Roberts guide Cliff Spindle, of Spindle Guide Service, the crappie bite is good right now.

“Crappie are starting to get on their winter pattern,” the report said. “The crappie are holding to deep struc-ture from 22 to 40 feet. The best bait now is minnows to get good numbers.”

Other reports from Ray Roberts Lake agreed crap-pie are on their winter pattern and holding on deeper structure. Minnows and jigs are the best baits.

Reports from Lake Texoma stated that the crappie bite was slow with the bigger fi sh holding tight to cover and only hitting jigs that were perfectly still.

Positive reports have also emerged from Lake Fork. Fishing has been picking up under the bridges and on brush tops.


FETCHING DUCKS: Many retrievers, like the one pictured, picked up plenty of ducks during the opening of waterfowl season. Lots of birds continue to move into the state as temperatures get colder to the north. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Lake Livingston, and reported it was “like early teal season with all of the green-winged teal.”

He said thousands of teal were on the lake opening day.

Some reports from the coast were favorable.Lots of ducks were killed in the Rockport

area, where hunters on private land reported good numbers of birds, with gadwalls, teal, redheads and pintails making up the major-ity of the bag.

But not all coastal reports were good.Matt Nelson, Texas Parks and Wildlife

Department’s director of coastal Wildlife Management Areas, said hunters on pub-

lic land near the coast did not have a good opening weekend.

“On the Justin Hurst WMA, 29 hunters shot an average of .8 birds,” Nelson said. “Guys at Mad Island did a little bit better, with 43 hunters shooting an average of 2.2 birds, and that went up to 3.8 birds Sunday morning.

“Our coastal marshes are in bad shape. Hunters need to call the WMA before they come and hunt because we are so limited on spots to hunt.

“We’d hate to have to turn a big group away because we just don’t have room this year.”

DucksContinued From Page 4



Depending on what you use it for, the popular online garage sale known as Craigslist can bring deals on anything from a used car to male/female companion-ship for an evening to hunt-ing and fi shing gear.

The prices range from great deals to the totally ridiculous.

The hunting and outdoor section has a plethora of items: old stands, taxidermy work, blinds, feeders, bows, camou-fl age clothing, hunting prop-erties and camp vehicles.

Listings in Texas have their share of interesting items for sale, including a pair of duck hunting “mud shoes” for $60.

“Ever gotten bogged down in mud when walking to your favorite duck hunting spot or putting out decoys?” the ad asked. “Put these on and your walk just got 10 times easier. They will keep you from sinking in the mud and help you hunt places where others can’t. Get away from the crowds!”

The mud shoes were a pair of new snowshoes.

But, with a little imagina-tion, they could be used in the mud.

Need a deer stand?Check out this $200

beauty from Fort Worth.“Perfect deer stand, 6 foot,

has gun rail rest, or camo and would make a great bow stand,” the ad said.

For the hunter who wants a

6-foot ladder on rollers from a warehouse, he’s found his per-fect “deer stand.”

Want a hog trap?For the bargain price of

$100, you can get a “nice animal trap that works fi ne and would be perfect for fairly small hogs or large coyote, bobcat or mountain lion,” according to the ad.

The ad goes on to say the seller is letting it go for cheap because it is made of differ-ent metals. The accompa-nying picture looks like the “trap” was thrown together from chain link fencing and chicken wire and has been sitting in the elements for 20 years.

But hey, if you want to trap small hogs, it might be for you.

Anything you can imagine (and then some)

WHO WANTS THIS STUFF? Outdoorsmen looking for good deals on used and new sporting goods should check Craigslist. Just be aware that some things aren’t always what they seem. Photos by Craigslist.


pany’s founder, Andy Poss, who lives in northeast Alabama near Pickwick Lake. He has been fi sh-ing with it, tinkering with it, promoting it and selling it for more than a year.

Whether the Alabama Rig secures a long-term lifespan is unknown. But it’s getting a look from the top pros to the week-end angler. More than a few pros were throwing the rig during the Toyota Texas Bass Classic, on Oct. 28-30, at Lake Conroe (See related story Page 11).

“I have one and I’ve tried it,” said Bassmaster pro Gerald Swindle of Alabama. “It looks crazy… but you better believe I have one.”

The rig’s wire snap clips can hold spinnerbaits, swimbaits, crankbaits or other lures. It could also be used for crappie or white bass, with smaller jigs or swimbaits. For now, the door is wide-open for experimenting before next year’s tournament seasons begin.

Poss is at least fi ve weeks behind production, according to his

company’s Web site. He offers it in seven head colors for $24.95. Some tackle shops in Alabama have limited purchases to two rigs per angler and have waiting lists.

After Elias, of Laurel, Miss., caught more than 102 pounds in four days to win the FLW event on Guntersville, and then Dan Morehead, of Paducah, Ky., used it to win the EverStart Championship two weeks later on Kentucky Lake, orders have poured in.

As expected, knockoffs already have made their ways to the market.

From garage tackle junkies using crankbaits and wires to companies putting out their near-similar versions, it has taken on a life similar to the ChatterBait vibrating jig or Senko soft plastic stickbait. Both of those were viewed skeptically until they were proven on the water, and then became part of the tackle industry’s stable.

Swindle said because swimbaits are arguably the pre-

ferred bait to use on the rig, it could be more successful in sea-sonal applications. In the FLW events on Guntersville and Kentucky lakes, bass were fol-lowing autumn migrations of shad and keying on them, which in turn made the rig, and swimbaits used on it, shine.

Bryan Thrift of Shelby, N.C., another TTBC competitor on Conroe, caught 8- and 9-pound-ers during practice and said he would “give it a shot if I think the time and location’s right.”

Mike Hughs, operations man-ager for Lone Star Outdoor News, who fi shed the Century Bass Club championship on Lake Bob Sandlin, also Oct. 29 and 30, said he knew of three anglers using the rig in that tournament.

“One threw it about 50 times and caught two keeper bass,” Hughs said. “Another guy threw about 20 times and lost his rig. And the fi nal guy threw it less than 10 times and gave up, but ended up coming in third or fourth in the tournament.”

Hughs noted, however, that the rig is “intriguing.”

“Its design mimics a small group of baitfi sh,” he explained. “But it needs to be used in specifi c situations. It’s good for fi sh sus-pended, grouped up around bait.”

The rig is legal in Texas but some states restrict the num-ber of baits with hooks or size of hooks that may be used at one time. Tournament organizations are evaluating the Alabama Rig’s use for future events.

Whether it’s permitted, it’s impossible to argue with the rig’s success or appearance as a fi sh-catching technique.

“I’ve thrown it in the swim-ming pool and it looks good,” said Bassmaster pro Terry Butcher of Oklahoma. “I put Yum Money Minnows on it and they’re like a little swarm of shad swimming together. It looks wild, but it looks pretty darn good, too.”

RigContinued From Page 1

FlounderContinued From Page 1

channel in Matagorda.”Talasek said the bigger females are

using the diversion channel right now and he gets several 3- to 5-pound fi sh each outing. He also said numer-ous fi sh in the 4- to 5-pound range have been gigged near the inlets as they come out of the bays.

“Last year it was tough,” he said. “We had trouble sticking limits. But the fi sh have really rebounded.

“I don’t know if that is due to the different conditions this year or the lower limit, but something is work-ing. I expect it to be just as good in December, unless it gets really cold like last year.”

Along the upper coast, Greg Berm with H20 Adventures agreed that the fl ounder gig-ging was outstanding in October.

“We’ve been doing great,” he said. “We had three people out the last night of the season and they had their 15-fi sh limit by 10 p.m.”

Berm said he focused his gigging trips in Galveston Bay, west of the causeway.

“If the weather stays mild, December should be great as well,” he said. “I usu-ally get my biggest fl ounder in December. The numbers aren’t always as high, but we usually see bigger fl ounder then.”

Berm said he thinks lowering the limit has helped the pop-ulation a bit, but he thinks the real atten-

tion should be focused on commer-cial fi shermen rather than guides.

“I can take a person out and he can gig fi ve fl ounder, and then run into a fi sh market and get 50 of them,” he said. “They lowered the limit (for commercial fi shing) from 60 to 30, but I think more regula-tion could be done.

“I am seeing a bunch of small fl ounder out there, but the com-mercial people play a much bigger role (in fl ounder population) than the guides.”

Capt. Bob “Red” Van, (361) 727-0045Capt. Mark Talasek, (979) 479-1397Capt. Greg Berm, (409) 739-8526

THE NEW THING: The Alabama Rig resembles schooling shad and is getting the attention of anglers and copycats. Photo by FLW Outdoors.

STICKING THEM: October was a good month for fl ounder gig-gers. Many think December will be just as good, with bigger fi sh often showing up later in the season. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.



HEROES

TERRY MIKESKA of San Angelo (below) attended a Na-tional Wild Turkey Federation banquet last year and put down the winning bid on a South African hunt donated by Xomaqua Safaris. Joining him on the adventure last June was son, CHANDLER, 18, (above) who just gradu-ated from high school.

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

TONY FAZZINO was 11 last season when he dropped this buck in

Robertson County.

BILL DAVIDSON of Highland Village recently boated his fi rst bonita while trolling two miles offshore from Palm Springs, Fla. It put up a 20-minute fi ght and made three passes under the boat. The 35-pound fi sh was baited with ballyhoo on a 30-pound test line.

MATT BRYARLY of Dallas recently caught his fi rst mahi-mahi on the Pacifi c side of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The fi sh was estimated at 10 to 15 pounds.

SPENCER GEORG 15, of Comal County recently took this nine-point buck with his Mathews Craze. The buck was so close, Spencer could hear it crunching on corn.

GOLDEN MADRIGAL of San Antonio was 10 when he downed his fi rst buck last season on a ranch in Atascosa County. A 100-grain bullet fi red from a .243-caliber Rossi dropped the nine-point buck, which scored 150.

DYLAN DRY, 4, of Plano recently hooked this bluegill while fi shing with his family

at West Lakes in Wood County.



Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscrip-tion is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to [email protected].

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

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

Executive Editor

Editor

Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Graphics Editor

Business/Products Editor

Operations Manager

Accounting

Web site

Founder & CEO

Craig Nyhus

Bill Miller

Conor Harrison

Mark England

Amy Moore

Mary Helen Aguirre

Mike Hughs

Ginger Hoolan

Bruce Soileau

Mike Nelson

David J. Sams

National Advertising Accounts Manager

Contributors Kyle CarterAlan ClemonsDavid DraperWilbur LundeenJohn MeyerAaron ReedErich SchlegelDavid SikesScott SommerlatteChuck UzzleRalph Winingham

November 14Coastal Conservation AssociationFishsticks Golf TournamentWildcat Golf Club, Houston(713) 884-8100ccatexas.org

November 15Ducks UnlimitedHarlingen DinnerLonghorn Cattle Company(956) 245-2463ducks.org/texas

Ducks UnlimitedLongview DinnerMaude Cobb Activity Center(903) 748-5488ducks.org/texas

Coastal Conservation AssociationWest Houston Chapter meetingMolina’s Mexican Restaurant(281) 772-0132ccatexas.org

National Wild Turkey FederationSpecial informational meetingCabela’s, Fort Worth(903) 372-5355nwtf.org

November 16Ducks UnlimitedDallas BanquetCrown Plaza Suites(214) 282-3000ducks.org/texas

Coastal Conservation AssociationAustin Angler’s Night OutAbel’s on the Lake(512) 904-0570ccatexas.org

November 17Dallas Safari ClubMonthly meetingOmni Hotel(972) 980-9800biggame.org

Ducks UnlimitedCorsicana BanquetStar Hall(903) 654-7704ducks.org/texas

Delta WaterfowlAlba DinnerAJ’s Firehouse(903) 638-1426deltawaterfowl.com

Ducks UnlimitedAggieland DinnerBrazos Center, College Station(972) 921-5655ducks.org/texas

Ducks UnlimitedWeatherford DinnerWeatherford National Guard Armory(817) 907-3403ducks.org/texas

Bass Pro ShopsGrand OpeningHarlingen(956) 291-5200basspro.com

November 19Ducks UnlimitedWhitesboro BanquetDon’s Bar-B-Que(903) 814-5826ducks.org/texas

November 22Ducks UnlimitedAustin BanquetDouble Tree Hotel(512) 370-3237ducks.org/texas

November 26Kimble County Wild Game DinnerCoke Stevenson Memorial Center(325) 446-3190junctiontexas.net

December 1Delta WaterfowlFort Worth DinnerElks Lodge #124(817) 475-9796deltawaterfowl.com

December 3DeerfestCrockett County FairparkOzona(325) 392-3737deerfest.org

December 8Dallas Woods and Waters ClubChristmas PartyOrvis Store, Dallas(214) 570-8700dwwcc.com

Delta WaterfowlCollege Station DinnerBrazos Center(979) 680-5569deltawaterfowl.com

December 8-9Texas Gun and Knife ShowAmarillo Civic Center(830) 285-0575texasgunandknifeshow.com

December 10Annual Inshore Fishing ExpoHouston(281) 481-6838fi shingtackleunlimited.com

December 13Houston Safari ClubChristmas PartyCadillac Bar(713) 623-8844houstonsafariclub.org

December 15Austin Fly FishersMeeting, NW Rec Center(512) 346-0592austinfl yfi shers.com

January 5-8Dallas Safari ClubOut of the Wild ConventionDallas Convention Center(972) 980-9800biggame.org

January 13-15Houston Safari ClubNew Horizons ConventionThe Woodlands Waterway Marriot(713) 623-8844houstonsafariclub.org

DATEBOOK

ark


NATIONALRMEF defends wolf planin Idaho

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation plans to help defend the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s authority to manage and control wolves as part of a state-approved plan.

Oregon wildlife offi cials recently announced the agency would use lethal means to stop two wolves known to habitually kill livestock in Wallowa County. Animal rights and wolf activist groups sued the state, claiming that any loss of wolves could cause “irreparable harm” to wolf recovery in Oregon. That argument was rejected in a previ-ous lawsuit heard in a Montana federal court. But an Oregon court granted a temporary stay to stop the search for the two wolves until the legal mer-its of the case can be considered.

RMEF has fi led a motion to enter an amicus curiae brief opposing the plaintiff groups.

If the motion is granted, RMEF documents out-lining the need for science-based, state-regulated wolf management will be considered as part of the court’s fi nal ruling.

“Our organization has over 15,000 members in Oregon, including hunters, ranchers and other conservationists. Together we endorse the efforts of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to manage and control wolves alongside other wild species as part of an approved plan,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We support the agency’s work to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of citizens.”

RMEF attorneys also continue to respond to legal wrangling by animal rights and wolf activist groups contesting management plans in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Great Lakes states.

In some areas, such as the northern Yellowstone in Montana and the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, elk calf survival rates are now too low to sustain herds for the future.

— RMEF

Nebraska sees record bullelk harvest

The bull elk-hunting season closed Oct. 23 for the major-ity of the state, with a record number 91 bulls harvested, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reported.

Only the Boyd Unit, where three bull permits were issued, remains open. So far, 80 percent of the hunters who had a bull

or either-sex 2011 Nebraska elk-hunting permit have shot a bull.Twenty-seven cow elk have been harvested this year to date,

and the cow elk season closes Dec. 21 for every unit but Boyd, which has six cow permits and is open until Dec. 31 for both cows and bulls.

There were a record 2,544 elk applicants this year, with 294 permits issued. All available permits were sold for the second year in a row because of statute changes that allow landowners to draw a cow tag without affecting preference points for bull permits.

— NGPC

DU celebrates new Louisiana WMA Representatives of Ducks Unlimited and several partner

organizations gathered in early November at Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area to celebrate the completion of a $1.2 million coastal restoration project in southeast Louisiana and to dedicate it to Ron and Jackie Bartels of Schriever.

“Ducks Unlimited is pleased to recognize the Bartels’ unyielding commitment to conservation by dedicating the Grand Bayou Unit project to them,” said DU Executive Secretary Dan Thiel. “Pointe-Aux-Chenes WMA is one of the most popular public lands for waterfowl hunting in the state,

and it is only fi tting that Ron and Jackie’s con-servation legacy be tied to it.”

The Grand Bayou project restored hydrology on approximately 3,255 acres of coastal marsh habitat through the installation of water control structures and levee work.

In addition to enhancing public hunting opportu-nities on one of the most popular areas in the state, the work enables Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries managers to restore and maintain coastal marsh vegetation and salinity levels that support migratory waterfowl, shorebird and neo-tropical songbird populations, resident mottled ducks and myriad other marsh-dwelling species.

— DU

Pheasants Forever Farm Bill helps improve habitat

Improve how conservation programs are deliv-ered to agriculture producers, ranchers and landowners.

That’s the goal of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program, which has, in just nine years, accounted for more than 2 million acres of habitat being created or improved for wildlife.

The Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate farmers and landowners about the benefi ts of conservation programs, and continue helping landowners after programs have been implemented.

Pheasants Forever fi rst employed four biologists in 2003, but now there are 90 of them in 15 states — Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and con-sulted with more than 60,000 landowners, resulting in the improvement of more than 2 million acres of land for wildlife.

“We’ve designed our Farm Bill Biologist program as the best possible resource for conservation information; we call it the ‘One Stop Shop’ for anything conservation and wildlife related,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator. “Our Farm Bill biologists possess the necessary knowledge of federal, state and local conservation programs. More importantly, they are making local contacts and promoting programs on a personal basis.

“That formula helps landowners fi nd the right conservation programs to meet their personal habitat and land-use goals.”

— Pheasants Forever

PRIME HABITAT: The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is taking steps to help defend the wolf manage-ment plan in Oregon. Meanwhile the group is planning its next convention. The 2011 Elk Camp, Feb. 2-4 in Las Vegas, will raise money for more elk habitat, like the vast area shown in this photo. See related story on page 27. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.


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dump feature, can transport a couple of buddies into the fi eld or a trophy out of the

fi eld. The vehicle also offers a portable power station. With a total towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, this durable hybrid

vehicle was designed for the outdoorsman. It retails for about $18,000 and higher, depending on options.

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(800) 638-9052templeforkfl yrods.com

MIRAGE REVOLUTION II:Hobie Cat, which earned ICAST’s Best of Show in the Boat Cat-egory for the Mirage Revolution 11 (pictured) and its compan-ion paddle model, the Quest 11, designed these models for

anglers who want a compact, lightweight and ma-neuverable fi shing kayak to ease through shal-low, fast-moving water. The Mirage Revolution 11 is powered by the company’s MirageDrive pedal system while the Quest 11 accommodates

those who prefer to paddle. With the same an-gler-friendly design, these shorter, lighter models

are fast and nimble, track straight and have a sharp turning radius. Both models are offered in a variety of

colors and are constructed of seamless molded polyethylene hulls and are designed with open-deck construction. They both come with two-piece paddles. The 11-foot, 6-inch Revolution II will cost about $1,750 while the 11-foot, 1-inch Hobie Quest II sells for about $950.

(760) 758-9100hobiefi shing.com

A-5 SHOTGUN:Yes, Browning’s new recoil-oper-

ated shotgun has that iconic humpback-shaped re-ceiver. Hunters will also appreciate the reliability of this

fi rearm that is described by the company as “the fastest-cycling, best-performing, and softest-shooting recoil-operated autoloader on the planet.” Features include an ultra-reliable “Kinematic” drive system, lengthened forcing cones, a new invector-DS choke tube system, and an Infl ex II recoil pad. The shotgun costs about $1,400.

For dealer information, visit:browning.com

ENDEAVOR SPOTTING SCOPE:Vanguard has un-veiled a spotting scope that is sure to appeal to hunt-ers. It delivers bright, clear, high-contrast im-ages even in low-light conditions. The scope’s advanced optical system offers high-resolution, fully multi-coated lenses and a BaK4 prism. A dual-focus wheel system enables easy and fast fi ne-tuning focus adjustment. The Endeavor is 100-percent waterproof and fogproof to per-form in challenging weather conditions. Plus, its durable and lightweight magnesium con-struction features rubber armor for shock resistance. Available in four models — two with a straight eyepiece and two with an angled eyepiece — the spotting scope sells for about $500 to $600. A digital camera adaptor for digiscoping is sold separately.

(800) 875-3322 vanguardworld.com

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Bass Pro plans grand openingAn all-star cast that reads like a who’s who in the world of sports, entertainment and the

great outdoors will help Bass Pro Shops celebrate a spectacular Evening for Conservation, Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

On hand will be Bass Pro Shops #1 Sprint Cup Series NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray and Bass Pro Shops/RCR #3 Truck Series driver Austin Dillon. Special celebrity guests appearing include former Dallas Cowboy, fi ve-time Pro Bowler Jay Novacek, billiard’s star, Jeanette Lee (the Black Widow) and Miss Texas USA Brittany Booker.

Professional anglers scheduled to appear include legendary angler and TV host Jimmy Houston, host of Jimmy Houston Outdoors, 11-time Bassmaster Qualifi er Edwin Evers, 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie of the Year Ott DeFoe and Tournament Series Pro Angler Pedro Sors.

RedHead Pro Hunting Team members also appearing include John Paul Morris, Jerry Martin, Jim and Angie Ryan and their grandson, Hunter, and History Channel’s 2011 Top Shot Chris Reed.

For every $1 spent during the Evening for Conservation, 50 cents will be donated to the “More Fish” campaign of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to save fi sh and their habitats. The foundation offers a variety of grant programs aimed at a variety of geographical and species-spe-cifi c goals so that local conservation entities may apply for grants for local fi sh habitat efforts.

The actual Grand Opening Celebration begins Thursday, Nov. 17 and will continue through Sunday, Nov. 20. The store will open at 8 a.m. Thursday and at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. The celebration includes special exhibits, store-wide savings and fantastic giveaways.

— Staff report

Plink Fest to raise funds for wounded vets

With a goal of helping wounded veterans relive outdoor experiences they may have thought were lost to them, “plinkers” are expected to come out in force Dec. 10 at San Antonio’s National Shooting Complex for a .22-caliber “Plink Fest.”

The event to raise funds for the Combat Marine Outdoors organization will feature knockdown action plates and self-setting high quality polymer Varmint Targets on six differ-ent stages at the NSC pistol and rifl e range in western Bexar County.

Designed for the average “plinker” who likes to go out and hone his or her small game hunting skills or who just likes to spend some quality time on the range, there will be three stages for .22-caliber pistols and three stages for .22-caliber rifl es. Targets will be set up at various ranges to test the shooting skills of both beginner and veteran shooters.

The event will also mark the fi rst major showcase of the Varmint Targets, made in Texas that feature a motorized self-healing

polymer prairie dog target that falls and resets itself when it has been hit.

An entry fee of $75 per person covers the entire course of six stages, including loaner fi rearms and ammunition if needed, with win-ners of each stage and the high overall winner to receive donated prizes or gift cards.

Proceeds from the “Plink Fest” will help Combat Marine Outdoors provide wounded veterans with the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities such as donated hunting and fi shing trips.

Based in Houston, CMO began in 2005 by offering wounded veterans at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio an opportunity to accelerate their recoveries through outdoor activities.

Registration for the “Plink Fest” will start at 8 a.m.; shooting starts at 9 a.m.; prizes will be awarded after all participants have com-pleted the course.

Further information and e-mail preregistra-tion is available by contacting Dan Moseley at [email protected] or by calling (210) 867-3467.

— Staff report


TEXAS BIG BITESSTATE RECORD: Rory Starling of El Campo caught the state record swordfi sh on electric rod and reel. The big fi sh, boated on July 9, was 89.75 inches long. It weighed 353 pounds. The electric rod and reel qualifi ed under the "other methods" category.


Coastal troutContinued From Page 8

Tomek said he knew of a few large trout being caught on the Mid Coast, but they have been “random.”

Other reports from Matagorda also put trout at fair to good over grass humps and on soft plastics.

“The big trout aren’t show-ing up like we’re used to seeing,” Tomek said.

He wondered if the harsh freeze in February and the ongo-ing red tide along the coast made larger dents than originally thought.

An estimated 4 million fi sh have died from red tide this fall, but fi sheries experts have said the damage isn’t the worst they’ve seen.

Farther down the coast, trout were also fair to good with soft plastics over mud and grass at

Port Mansfi eld, South Padre Island and Port Isabel.

Gary Farmer said one of his cli-ents caught a 25-inch trout off Port Isabel.

“It was in real close to the old causeway,” he said. “A couple other guides were in there, and we drifted, drifted, drifted to get just a few fi sh.”

Farmer said his client’s big fi sh was caught with a Norton Sand Eel in avocado with chartreuse tail and a light-red Mansfi eld Mauler popping cork.

The best report came from Upper Coast.

Tournament angler Randy Weaver of Deer Park went fi sh-ing with friends Nov. 2 in the Galveston Bay area. Together they caught eight trout over 25 inches and one over 28 inches.

The fronts, it seemed, gave them a slight advantage.

“Two strong northers came in and blew all the water out of the marshes,” Weaver said. “The bait, you could see it fl oating by you as it was getting fl ushed out of the marshes.

“Well, the fi sh are just sitting at the mouths of the marshes wait-ing on all that baitfi sh and the fi shing has just been ridiculous.”

Any of the bays connected to marshes have had great action, including Christmas Bay, Chocolate Bay and West Bay, Weaver said.

He also had success wading.“The water temperatures are

getting into the high 60s and the low 70s,” Weaver said, “and my rule is, if I’m wearing waders, I’m going to be fi shing on mud to

mud/shell mix bottoms.”He explained that muddier

areas warm up quicker, and that’s where fi sh like to go.

Weaver’s go-to lures have been Wedgetail swimbaits. But, he added, with cooler water, it’s fi nally time to break out the Corkies because trout are responding to suspended baits.

“I don’t throw a Corky unless I’m wearing waders,” he said. “So now it’s Corkies until the end of April.”

RMEF to pitch 2012 Elk Campin Las Vegas

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation brings its annual Elk Camp convention and expo to the Las Vegas Convention Center and Riviera Hotel Feb. 2-4.

The event is new to Las Vegas. RMEF offi cials expect a fresh energy unlike any in Elk Camp history.

“We’re really looking forward to Las Vegas,” explained RMEF President and CEO David Allen, “because it’s a new market for us with plenty of local sportsmen and out-of-town visitors to enjoy our show.”

For 27 years, RMEF has relied on Elk Camp to build on previous momentum and set the tone for the year ahead.

In 2011, following the annual con-vention and expo in Reno, Nev., the organization passed the 6-million-acre mark for habitat conserved and enhanced nationwide.

It also supported elk restoration efforts in Maryland and Missouri, helped mitigate the effects of historic wildfi res in Arizona, and much more.

Event highlights this year include fund-raising auctions, gala banquets and entertainment from Clint Black and Craig Morgan.

There also will be attractions, displays and activities for the whole family, plus 450 booths fi lled with outfi tted hunting and fi shing oppor-tunities, art, gear, fi rearms and everything elk.

As always, Elk Camp 2012 will feature the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships. Preliminary rounds are Feb. 3; championship rounds are Feb. 4.

For booth information, contact [email protected] or 800-545-6100.

For more details, agendas and more information, visit www.rmef.org.

— RMEF

USFWS fi sheries program supports 68,000 U.S. jobs

The fi sheries program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pumps $3.6 billion into the nation’s econ-omy and supports 68,000 jobs across the country, according to a new report.

“The report confi rms once again that fi shing, hunting and other out-door recreational activities are an economic engine for our country,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Overall, hunting, fi shing, and outdoor recreation contribute an estimated $730 billion to the U.S. economy each year, Salazar noted. One in 20 U.S. jobs are in the rec-reation economy — more than there are doctors, lawyers or teachers.

The report, Conserving America’s Fisheries, An Assessment of Economic Contributions from Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation, shows that each dollar invested in the Service’s Fisheries Program, combined with its partners, generates about $28 in economic contributions and value.

The economic contributions gen-erated are evidenced at sporting goods stores, marinas, guides and outfi tter services, boat dealerships, bait shops, gas stations, cafes, hotels, and many other enterprises.

The report also shows the USFWS’s National Fish Hatchery System alone generates $900 mil-lion in industrial output and $550 million in retail sales.

Meanwhile, the National Fish Passage Program works with part-ners to reopen an average of 890 miles of river habitat annually, which has an economic value of $483 mil-lion and supports 11,000 jobs.

That is more than $542,000 in economic benefi t per stream mile restored, according to the report.

—USFWS

BUSINESS BRIEFS


LSON FULL 11/11/11


Classifi ed Order Form3 Easy Options: Mail this form, Call the offi ce (214) 361-2276, or E-mail; [email protected]

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MERKEL GUNSFor Sale

Merkel K1 Single Shot .270 WinThe Merkel K1 Jagd Stalking Rifl e features a breakopen design utilizing the patented Franz Jager action and a cock-ing/uncocking slide, which provides a simple and posi-tive safety. Has fi ne engraved hunting scenes. $2,250.

Merkel K1 Single Shot .270 Wby Mag

The Merkel K1 Jagd Stalking Rifl e features a breakopen design utilizing the patented Franz Jager action and a cock-ing/uncocking slide, which provides a simple and posi-tive safety. Has fi ne engraved hunting scenes. $2,500.

Merkel K1 Single Shot .308 Win.

The Merkel K1 Jagd Stalking Rifl e features a breakopen design utilizing the patented Franz Jager action and a cock-ing/uncocking slide, which provides a simple and posi-tive safety. Has fi ne engraved hunting scenes. $2,250.

Merkel 280 EL Side by Side 28ga

Featuring exhibition grade wood, slightly used vari-ous blemishes on stock. Hand engraved receiver with a nickel fi nish. $5,000.

Merkel 2001 EL Sport Over/Under 28ga

Slightly used various blem-ishes on stock, featuring exhibition grade wood and a hand engraved receiver and a nickel fi nish. $6,400.Merkel 147 E Side by Side 20gaSlightly used various blem-ishes on stock, featuring high grade wood and a hand engraved receiver and a nickel fi nish. $3,750.Merkel 360 Side by Side 410gaSlightly used various blem-ishes on stock, featuring exhibition grade wood and a engraved receiver. $3,200.Contact Nick.

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DECOYS WANTEDWooden

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DEER LEASE WANTEDLone Star Outdoor News is looking for a hunt-ing and fi shing lease with all hunt and fi sh rights. Central or Northwest Texas. Camphouse is needed.

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LSON 11/11/11

Guard, had just returned from a year in Iraq, and this was to be his fi rst

hunt with his 12-year-old son, Matthew, since the dove opener of 2010.

“It took us about a second to invite Jake,” he said.

Byrne brought his 15-year-old son, Nick. Jake, who will turn 16 this month, knows Nick but they hadn’t hunted together.

“Jon and I were on a lease in Jack County, and we brought some other families into it,” Byrne said. “It was like a mob of fourth graders having a blast. Nick and Jake got to be buddies riding the four-wheel-ers and doing kid stuff.”

This year’s hunt allowed Nick and Jake to renew their friendship.

“They hadn’t hung out in fi ve or six years,” Byrne said. “When they got together it was just like old friends get-ting together again.”

The hunting was good, too. Rains allowed the wheat fi eld

to come up and feed-ers provided supple-

mental corn. Nick shot a doe and Matthew downed his fi rst buck on Saturday afternoon.

“Matthew was grin-ning ear-to-ear,” Aris said. “We were gutting and cutting up deer; it was 10:30 by the time we got around to eating our steaks.”

The next morning Jake shot a hog.

Each of the young hunters made perfect shots, Aris said, and no searching or blood trail work was required.

“They all got blood on their hands,” Byrne said. “And the day after we got back, Jake posted his picture with his pig and the ‘likes’ and com-ments started fl owing in — that made me feel good. I expect he’ll be a hunting buddy for life.

“And now my 16-year-old daughter has taken an interest in hunting — that’s even better.”

Youth huntContinued From Page 4

MORE FUN THAN FACEBOOK: Jake Randall took this feral hog after be-ing invited to hunt by friends of his late father. Photo by Chuck Aris.

Dalhart’s Jessop wins chance to fi shin Bassmaster Classic

Tournament angler Tom Jessop of Dalhart has won the chance to compete at the 2012 Bassmaster Classic in February.

Jessop, who operates a Panhandle cattle business, topped the Central Division at the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship, held Nov. 3-5 on the Ouachita River in Louisiana.

He was among six Federation Nation anglers whose performances on Ouachita won them the opportunity to compete in the 2012 Bassmaster Classic.

The Classic is the pinnacle of bass tournaments, drawing the nation’s best anglers. It will be held Feb. 24-26 on the Red River in Louisiana.

In June, Jessop advanced to the Federation Nation championship after winning a spot at the Central Division Championship on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

He fi nished the championship on Ouachita with a catch of 15 fi sh weighing a total of 27 pounds, 7 ounces.

— Staff report

‘Drought Survival Kit’ includes tips for wildlife

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s new Drought Survival Kit includes tips for helping wildlife in times of extreme dryness.

It is posted online at www.texasthestateofwater.org. According to the information on this site, 30 percent of municipal

water is used on lawns and outdoor landscaping, but a homeowner can reduce that amount by planting drought-friendly native plants that use less water.

Those plants also provide shelter for wildlife. However, the site also advises homeowners that feeding wildlife like deer and raccoons only causes problems.

— TPWD


LONE STAR MARKET

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

The bill was signed by Gov. Rick Perry on June 17, and became law immediately.

Gilbert Adams III, a Beaumont lawyer and pres-ident of the Texas Deer Association, said he has heard it could be at least a couple more years before per-mits are available.

“It took us by surprise,” Adams said.

Carter Smith, TPWD execu-tive director, said the research is critical for protecting the state’s mule deer resource.

For example, a recently appointed Mule Deer DMP task force met Oct. 5 in Alpine, and identifi ed diseases as a research topic.

TPWD also wants to study the appropriate sizes of pens, how long deer can be kept, and how often they can be rotated among pens.

Smith called the task force an “all-star cast” of veterinarians, ranch-ers, hunting guides, biologists and even some breeders — a no-better group “to help us thoughtfully think through these issues.”

The Texas Wildlife Association called for the research while SB 460 was being crafted.

The TDA, a deer advo-cacy group, countered that there already was suffi cient research.

“I could not disagree more strongly,” Smith said. “Right now that science doesn’t exist.”

TDA members thought the research amendment supported by TWA had been defeated.

Nowhere in the bill, 887 words, is there any

reference to research.TDA members questioned

how TPWD could go forward with studies without clear language in the bill calling for research.

“It is confusing,” Adams said, “and it must be frus-trating to those landowners who want to immediately implement this bill.”

But Smith said the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has the author-ity to call for the research.

He referred to a section of the bill that says, “A permit issued under this subchapter is subject to conditions estab-lished by the commission.”

State Rep. Kel Seliger, the bill’s author, agreed.

“It is in their executive authority and responsibility that they do programs based on sound science,” said Seliger, a Republican from Amarillo.

But Adams pointed out that TPWD apparently has no money budgeted for the research.

That’s true, said Smith.TPWD could issue “scien-

tifi c research permits” for a “pilot” mule deer DMP pro-gram that would conduct the research.

Smith said he did not know how much that would cost, but he hoped mule deer “stake-holders” would want to fund it.

According to estimates, there are between a half-dozen and 20 landowners or breeders who want DMPs for mule deer.

“The bottom line is, we’re looking for reliable partners who have legitimate interests to carry this out,” Smith said.

Chase Clark, a breeder from Three Rivers and a member of the task force, said he pre-ferred issuing DMPs immedi-ately and conducting research “along the way.”

Although other members disagreed with him on that point, Clark said the group is poised to do some impor-tant work. He added, how-ever, that he’s concerned the price tag is not yet known for a pilot project.

“If signifi cant costs are involved, it might put a damper on the number of people who will want to be involved,” he said.

Mule deerContinued From Page 4Mule deer down

this season


West Texas mule deer hunters can expect two things this season: dry country and bucks that probably aren’t going to reach last season’s lofty standards.

According to guides in the Trans-Pecos region, the drought has been hard on the deer and antlers are suf-fering. But there could be a silver lining on ranches that supplement with protein feeding.

“I’ve spent $50,000 a month on protein,” said Hunter Ross, owner of Desert Safaris based in Jeff Davis, Pecos and Brewster counties. “I have 42 feeding stations and we have seen some really nice bucks. The fawn crop was down about 70 percent, but the adults held their own.”

Ross said ranches that didn’t feed protein had a fawn recruitment around 10 percent.

“The fawns were killed by the heat,” he said. “There was no cover for them to get out of the sun.”

Ross said he has been hunting Aoudad on his 104,000-acre ranch, and has seen several bucks in the mid-180s and a 200-class typical monster.

“We killed a 211 last year and put about 25 bucks in the Texas Big Game Awards last year,” he said. “We had two of the top fi ve typicals.”

Guide Troy Calaway, of TWC Hunt Co. in Culberson and Brewster counties, said the areas where he conducts free-range hunts are bone dry and the deer have suffered.

However, he said the ranches he hunts that feed protein still hold nice bucks, just not as nice as last year.

“During antelope season I saw two nice deer on one of the places we hunt that

Ranches that provided supplemental feed have

better bucks

See DOWN, Page 34

DROUGHT AFFECTING ANTLERS: Mule deer guides said the bucks they’ve seen have taken a slight hit this year due to the ongoing drought in West Texas. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.


LONE STAR MARKET

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

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Solunar | Sun times | Moon timesMoon Phases

FOR THE TABLEOUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen Solution on Page 34

ACROSS1. A type of bait

4. A cousin to the weasel

9. Buck's mating rituals

10. A task of the bird-dog

11. To analyze fresh-ness of tracks

14. A tent area need for rain runoff

15. This expels a fi red casing

17. Action on a repeat-ing gun

19. A food fi sh21. Prevents easy re-

moval of an arrow22. Hunter gives this

TLC23. A popular fi sh bait25. A game bird28. Sage, ruffed, spruce30. The bowhunter's

ammo31. A large cottontail32. A buck's usual

feeding time34. An animal resting place35. Name for the Arizona

whitetail36. Boat that can be folded

and carried

39. Color bands on arrows43. Name for a type fl y lure44. The quick-to-erect type

tent45. Name for a camp-type

fi replace

DOWN1. Some bullets have a

_____ jacket 2. A bear scent 3. Outdoorsmen's supply

packet

4. The trapper's interest 5. A bass species 6. Said to be best lure

color for fi shing 7. A pheasant food

source 8. Holds the rifl e

barrel12. Arrow and shells13. Angler's term for a

really large bass16. A young elk18. A dog's foot20. Fur seeker's gear21. A game bird23. Venison24. Act of reading

track's freshness26. A type of gun sight27. The basket that car-

ries a day's catch29. Native American

name for deer33. The hunting area36. A salmon species37. Sound made by

wild turkeys38. Very large on the

muley39. A bow scope protector40. To construct a fl y lure41. A large member of the

deer family42. A female elk

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

Sun Moon Tides| |

6 Eggs2 cups coconut milk4 1/2 cups fi ne breadcrumbs3 cups fl aked unsweetened coconut2 tbsps. lime zest, minced12 fl ounder fi lletsSalt to tasteGround black pepper to taste

Mustard Lime Sauce1 1/2 cups reduced calorie mayonnaise1/4 cup Dijon mustard3/4 cups lime juice

Whisk together ingredients until smooth.

Next combine egg and milk in a shallow dish. Set aside.

Combine breadcrumbs, coconut and lime in a separate shallow dish and set aside.

Lightly season fi llets with salt and pepper, dip into egg mixture, then dredge in coconut mixture.

Arrange fi llets on a lightly greased parchment-lined sheet pan.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 min-utes until fi sh fl akes easily.

Serve each fi llet with approxi-mately 1 1/2 tablespoons of mustard lime sauce.

— aboutseafood.com

Center cut baconDove — cut off boneDried apricots halvesFresh jalapenos seeded halvesCream cheeseBollner’s Fiesta fajita seasoning —(Tony Chachesery is a great alternative.)Toothpicks to hold the appetizer together

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.On baking sheet, cook bacon until

halfway cooked. Cool.Fill jalapeno halves with cream

cheese, sprinkle with Fiesta seasoning.

Now top fi lled jalapenos with apri-cot, dove and bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the individual bites on a cooling rack, then place the cool-ing rack on a foil-lined cookie sheet for cooking. This will allow better heating. Cook for at least 20 minutes. At 20 minutes, start checking them to make sure they are done. You may have to cook a little longer. Remove from oven, and place on serving tray. Cool for a few minutes before serving.

— Adrienne Sams

Delightful dove bites

FullNov 12 Last

Nov 20First

Dec 4New

Nov 27

Texas Coast TidesSabine Pass, jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 12:21 a.m. 2.7 H 8:20 a.m. 0.2 L 4:38 p.m. 3.0 H 8:59 p.m. 2.5 L Nov 12 12:29 a.m. 2.7 H 8:52 a.m. 0.0 L 5:22 p.m. 3.0 H 9:20 p.m. 2.5 L Nov 13 12:37 a.m. 2.7 H 9:27 a.m. 0.0 L 6:13 p.m. 2.9 H 9:46 p.m. 2.7 L Nov 14 12:47 a.m. 2.9 H 10:05 a.m. 0.0 L 7:09 p.m. 2.9 H 10:21 p.m. 2.7 L Nov 15 1:01 a.m. 2.9 H 10:47 a.m. 0.2 L 8:05 p.m. 2.9 H Nov 16 11:34 a.m. 0.2 L 8:51 p.m. 2.7 H Nov 17 12:27 p.m. 0.5 L 9:21 p.m. 2.7 H Nov 18 1:29 p.m. 0.9 L 9:42 p.m. 2.5 H Nov 19 4:14 a.m. 1.8 L 8:54 a.m. 2.0 H 2:44 p.m. 1.3 L 9:59 p.m. 2.3 H Nov 20 4:29 a.m. 1.3 L 10:56 a.m. 2.1 H 4:09 p.m. 1.6 L 10:15 p.m. 2.3 H Nov 21 5:03 a.m. 0.5 L 12:23 p.m. 2.5 H 5:33 p.m. 2.0 L 10:32 p.m. 2.3 H Nov 22 5:43 a.m. 0.0 L 1:33 p.m. 2.9 H 6:46 p.m. 2.1 L 10:53 p.m. 2.5 H Nov 23 6:27 a.m. -0.5 L 2:33 p.m. 3.2 H 7:46 p.m. 2.3 L 11:19 p.m. 2.7 H Nov 24 7:13 a.m. -0.9 L 3:30 p.m. 3.2 H 8:36 p.m. 2.5 L 11:51 p.m. 2.7 H Nov 25 8:01 a.m. -1.1 L 4:25 p.m. 3.2 H 9:19 p.m. 2.5 L

Galveston Bay entrance, south jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 1:08 a.m. 2.1 H 8:46 a.m. 0.1 L 5:25 p.m. 2.4 H 9:25 p.m. 2.0 L Nov 12 1:16 a.m. 2.1 H 9:18 a.m. 0.0 L 6:09 p.m. 2.4 H 9:46 p.m. 2.0 L Nov 13 1:24 a.m. 2.1 H 9:53 a.m. 0.0 L 7:00 p.m. 2.3 H 10:12 p.m. 2.1 L Nov 14 1:34 a.m. 2.3 H 10:31 a.m. 0.0 L 7:56 p.m. 2.3 H 10:47 p.m. 2.1 L Nov 15 1:48 a.m. 2.3 H 11:13 a.m. 0.1 L 8:52 p.m. 2.3 H Nov 16 12:00 p.m. 0.1 L 9:38 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 17 12:53 p.m. 0.4 L 10:08 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 18 1:55 p.m. 0.7 L 10:29 p.m. 2.0 H Nov 19 4:40 a.m. 1.4 L 9:41 a.m. 1.6 H 3:10 p.m. 1.0 L 10:46 p.m. 1.9 H Nov 20 4:55 a.m. 1.0 L 11:43 a.m. 1.7 H 4:35 p.m. 1.3 L 11:02 p.m. 1.9 H Nov 21 5:29 a.m. 0.4 L 1:10 p.m. 2.0 H 5:59 p.m. 1.6 L 11:19 p.m. 1.9 H Nov 22 6:09 a.m. 0.0 L 2:20 p.m. 2.3 H 7:12 p.m. 1.7 L 11:40 p.m. 2.0 H Nov 23 6:53 a.m. -0.4 L 3:20 p.m. 2.6 H 8:12 p.m. 1.9 L Nov 24 12:06 a.m. 2.1 H 7:39 a.m. -0.7 L 4:17 p.m. 2.6 H 9:02 p.m. 2.0 L Nov 25 12:38 a.m. 2.1 H 8:27 a.m. -0.9 L 5:12 p.m. 2.6 H 9:45 p.m. 2.0 L

San Luis PassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Nov 11 1:38 a.m. 1.3 H 9:42 a.m. 0.1 L 5:55 p.m. 1.5 H 10:21 p.m. 1.2 L Nov 12 1:46 a.m. 1.3 H 10:14 a.m. 0.0 L 6:39 p.m. 1.5 H 10:42 p.m. 1.2 L Nov 13 1:54 a.m. 1.3 H 10:49 a.m. 0.0 L 7:30 p.m. 1.4 H 11:08 p.m. 1.3 L Nov 14 2:04 a.m. 1.4 H 11:27 a.m. 0.0 L 8:26 p.m. 1.4 H 11:43 p.m. 1.3 L Nov 15 2:18 a.m. 1.4 H 12:09 p.m. 0.1 L 9:22 p.m. 1.4 H Nov 16 12:56 p.m. 0.1 L 10:08 p.m. 1.3 H Nov 17 1:49 p.m. 0.3 L 10:38 p.m. 1.3 H Nov 18 2:51 p.m. 0.4 L 10:59 p.m. 1.2 H Nov 19 5:36 a.m. 0.9 L 10:11 a.m. 0.9 H 4:06 p.m. 0.6 L 11:16 p.m. 1.1 H Nov 20 5:51 a.m. 0.6 L 12:13 p.m. 1.0 H 5:31 p.m. 0.8 L 11:32 p.m. 1.1 H Nov 21 6:25 a.m. 0.3 L 1:40 p.m. 1.2 H 6:55 p.m. 0.9 L 11:49 p.m. 1.1 H Nov 22 7:05 a.m. 0.0 L 2:50 p.m. 1.4 H 8:08 p.m. 1.0 L Nov 23 12:10 a.m. 1.2 H 7:49 a.m. -0.3 L 3:50 p.m. 1.5 H 9:08 p.m. 1.1 L Nov 24 12:36 a.m. 1.3 H 8:35 a.m. -0.4 L 4:47 p.m. 1.5 H 9:58 p.m. 1.2 L Nov 25 1:08 a.m. 1.3 H 9:23 a.m. -0.5 L 5:42 p.m. 1.5 H 10:41 p.m. 1.2 L

Freeport HarborDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 12:30 a.m. 1.8 H 8:43 a.m. 0.1 L 4:47 p.m. 2.1 H 9:22 p.m. 1.3 L Nov 12 12:38 a.m. 1.8 H 9:15 a.m. 0.0 L 5:31 p.m. 2.1 H 9:43 p.m. 1.3 L Nov 13 12:46 a.m. 1.8 H 9:50 a.m. 0.0 L 6:22 p.m. 2.0 H 10:09 p.m. 1.4 L Nov 14 12:56 a.m. 2.0 H 10:28 a.m. 0.0 L 7:18 p.m. 2.0 H 10:44 p.m. 1.4 L Nov 15 1:10 a.m. 2.0 H 11:10 a.m. 0.1 L 8:14 p.m. 2.0 H Nov 16 11:57 a.m. 0.1 L 9:00 p.m. 1.8 H Nov 17 12:50 p.m. 0.3 L 9:30 p.m. 1.8 H Nov 18 1:52 p.m. 0.5 L 9:51 p.m. 1.7 H Nov 19 4:37 a.m. 0.9 L 9:03 a.m. 1.4 H 3:07 p.m. 0.6 L 10:08 p.m. .6 H Nov 20 4:52 a.m. 0.6 L 11:05 a.m. 1.5 H 4:32 p.m. 0.8 L 10:24 p.m. 1.6 H Nov 21 5:26 a.m. 0.3 L 12:32 p.m. 1.7 H 5:56 p.m. 1.0 L 10:41 p.m. 1.6 H Nov 22 6:06 a.m. 0.0 L 1:42 p.m. 2.0 H 7:09 p.m. 1.1 L 11:02 p.m. 1.7 H Nov 23 6:50 a.m. -0.3 L 2:42 p.m. 2.2 H 8:09 p.m. 1.2 L 11:28 p.m. 1.8 H Nov 24 7:36 a.m. -0.5 L 3:39 p.m. 2.2 H 8:59 p.m. 1.3 L Nov 25 12:00 a.m. 1.8 H 8:24 a.m. -0.5 L 4:34 p.m. 2.2 H 9:42 p.m. 1.3 L

South Padre IslandDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 8:23 a.m. 0.2 L 5:57 p.m. 2.0 H Nov 12 8:54 a.m. 0.1 L 6:44 p.m. 2.0 H Nov 13 9:29 a.m. 0.1 L 7:32 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 14 10:07 a.m. 0.1 L 8:16 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 15 10:50 a.m. 0.2 L 8:54 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 16 11:38 a.m. 0.3 L 9:21 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 17 12:31 p.m. 0.5 L 9:39 p.m. 2.0 H Nov 18 1:33 p.m. 0.7 L 9:46 p.m. 1.8 H Nov 19 4:48 a.m. 1.3 L 8:39 a.m. 1.4 H 2:49 p.m. 1.0 L 9:45 p.m. 1.7 H Nov 20 4:46 a.m. 0.9 L 11:28 a.m. 1.5 H 4:25 p.m. 1.3 L 9:35 p.m. 1.5 H Nov 21 5:12 a.m. 0.5 L 1:16 p.m. 1.7 H 6:28 p.m. 1.4 L 9:07 p.m. 1.5 H Nov 22 5:48 a.m. 0.1 L 2:37 p.m. 1.9 H Nov 23 6:30 a.m. -0.3 L 3:45 p.m. 2.1 H Nov 24 7:16 a.m. -0.6 L 4:48 p.m. 2.2 H Nov 25 8:05 a.m. -0.7 L 5:49 p.m. 2.2 H

Port O’ConnorDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 11:47 a.m. 0.3 L 10:59 p.m. 1.3 H Nov 12 12:21 p.m. 0.3 L Nov 13 12:18 a.m. 1.3 H 12:57 p.m. 0.2 L Nov 14 1:28 a.m. 1.4 H 1:36 p.m. 0.2 L Nov 15 2:26 a.m. 1.3 H 2:15 p.m. 0.3 L Nov 16 3:14 a.m. 1.3 H 2:55 p.m. 0.3 L Nov 17 3:54 a.m. 1.2 H 3:33 p.m. 0.4 L Nov 18 4:18 a.m. 1.1 H 4:06 p.m. 0.5 L Nov 19 3:35 a.m. 0.9 H 4:07 p.m. 0.7 L Nov 20 12:45 a.m. 0.9 H 8:57 a.m. 0.7 L 10:24 p.m. 0.9 H Nov 21 8:34 a.m. 0.5 L 9:04 p.m. 1.0 H Nov 22 9:04 a.m. 0.2 L 9:20 p.m. 1.2 H Nov 23 9:46 a.m. 0.0 L 10:09 p.m. 1.3 H Nov 24 10:33 a.m. -0.1 L 11:12 p.m. 1.3 H Nov 25 11:21 a.m. -0.2 L

RockportDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 2:10 a.m. 0.67 H 12:44 p.m. 0.32 LNov 12 2:45 a.m. 0.67 H 1:29 p.m. 0.31 LNov 13 3:24 a.m. 0.66 H 2:15 p.m. 0.29 LNov 14 4:04 a.m. 0.65 H 3:00 p.m. 0.28 LNov 15 4:42 a.m. 0.64 H 3:43 p.m. 0.28 LNov 16 5:16 a.m. 0.62 H 4:23 p.m. 0.28 LNov 17 5:41 a.m. 0.58 H 4:58 p.m. 0.30 LNov 18 4:29 a.m. 0.54 H 5:24 p.m. 0.33 LNov 19 2:10 a.m. 0.50 H 5:32 p.m. 0.37 LNov 20 1:07 a.m. 0.49 H 8:51 a.m. 0.39 LNov 21 12:25 a.m. 0.50 H 9:19 a.m. 0.31 LNov 22 12:03 a.m. 0.54 H 10:00 a.m. 0.23 LNov 23 12:09 a.m. 0.57 H 10:46 a.m. 0.17 LNov 24 12:37 a.m. 0.60 H 11:36 a.m. 0.12 LNov 25 1:21 a.m. 0.61 H 12:29 p.m. 0.10 L

Houston2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONNov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets11 Fri F 4:52 11:04 5:17 11:29 06:41 05:28 6:05p 7:25a 12 Sat > 5:44 11:56 6:09 ----- 06:42 05:27 6:52p 8:19a 13 Sun > 6:38 12:25 7:03 12:51 06:43 05:27 7:44p 9:10a 14 Mon 7:34 1:21 8:00 1:47 06:44 05:26 8:39p 9:59a 15 Tue 8:30 2:18 8:56 2:43 06:44 05:26 9:36p 10:44a 16 Wed 9:26 3:13 9:51 3:38 06:45 05:25 10:35p 11:26a 17 Thu 10:19 4:07 10:44 4:31 06:46 05:25 11:36p 12:05p 18 Fri Q 11:10 4:57 11:34 5:22 06:47 05:24 NoMoon 12:42p 19 Sat 11:58 5:45 ----- 6:10 06:48 05:24 12:37a 1:18p 20 Sun 12:19 6:31 12:44 6:56 06:49 05:23 1:40a 1:55p 21 Mon 1:04 7:17 1:30 7:43 06:50 05:23 2:44a 2:34p 22 Tue 1:50 8:04 2:18 8:32 06:50 05:23 3:51a 3:16p 23 Wed > 2:40 8:55 3:10 9:25 06:51 05:22 5:01a 4:04p 24 Thu > 3:36 9:51 4:06 10:22 06:52 05:22 6:11a 4:57p 25 Fri N 4:36 10:52 5:08 11:23 06:53 05:22 7:19a 5:56p 26 Sat > 5:41 11:21 6:12 ----- 06:54 05:22 8:22a 6:58p 27 Sun > 6:46 12:32 7:16 1:01 06:55 05:21 9:19a 8:02p 28 Mon > 7:50 1:36 8:18 2:04 06:55 05:21 10:09a 9:05p 29 Tue 8:50 2:37 9:15 3:03 06:56 05:21 10:52a 10:06p 30 Wed 9:44 3:32 10:08 3:56 06:57 05:21 11:30a 11:04p

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell PierDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightNov 11 1:01 a.m. 1.7 H 8:25 a.m. 0.1 L 5:18 p.m. 2.0 H 9:04 p.m. 1.1 L Nov 12 1:09 a.m. 1.7 H 8:57 a.m. 0.0 L 6:02 p.m. 2.0 H 9:25 p.m. 1.1 L Nov 13 1:17 a.m. 1.7 H 9:32 a.m. 0.0 L 6:53 p.m. 1.8 H 9:51 p.m. 1.2 L Nov 14 1:27 a.m. 1.8 H 10:10 a.m. 0.0 L 7:49 p.m. 1.8 H 10:26 p.m. 1.2 L Nov 15 1:41 a.m. 1.8 H 10:52 a.m. 0.1 L 8:45 p.m. 1.8 H Nov 16 11:39 a.m. 0.1 L 9:31 p.m. 1.7 H Nov 17 12:32 p.m. 0.2 L 10:01 p.m. 1.7 H Nov 18 1:34 p.m. 0.4 L 10:22 p.m. 1.6 H Nov 19 4:19 a.m. 0.8 L 9:34 a.m. 1.3 H 2:49 p.m. 0.5 L 10:39 p.m. 1.5 H Nov 20 4:34 a.m. 0.5 L 11:36 a.m. 1.4 H 4:14 p.m. 0.7 L 10:55 p.m. 1.5 H Nov 21 5:08 a.m. 0.2 L 1:03 p.m. 1.6 H 5:38 p.m. 0.8 L 11:12 p.m. 1.5 H Nov 22 5:48 a.m. 0.0 L 2:13 p.m. 1.8 H 6:51 p.m. 0.9 L 11:33 p.m. 1.6 H Nov 23 6:32 a.m. -0.2 L 3:13 p.m. 2.1 H 7:51 p.m. 1.0 L 11:59 p.m. 1.7 H Nov 24 7:18 a.m. -0.4 L 4:10 p.m. 2.1 H 8:41 p.m. 1.1 L Nov 25 12:31 a.m. 1.7 H 8:06 a.m. -0.5 L 5:05 p.m. 2.1 H 9:24 p.m. 1.1 L

San Antonio2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONNov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets11 Fri F 5:05 11:17 5:29 11:41 06:53 05:41 6:18p 7:38a 12 Sat > 5:56 ----- 6:21 12:09 06:54 05:40 7:06p 8:31a 13 Sun > 6:51 12:38 7:16 1:03 06:55 05:40 7:58p 9:22a 14 Mon 7:47 1:34 8:12 1:59 06:56 05:39 8:52p 10:11a 15 Tue 8:43 2:30 9:08 2:56 06:56 05:39 9:50p 10:56a 16 Wed 9:38 3:26 10:03 3:51 06:57 05:38 10:49p 11:38a 17 Thu 10:32 4:19 10:56 4:44 06:58 05:38 11:49p 12:17p 18 Fri Q 11:22 5:10 11:47 5:34 06:59 05:37 NoMoon 12:55p 19 Sat ----- 5:58 12:10 6:22 07:00 05:37 12:50a 1:31p 20 Sun 12:31 6:44 12:56 7:09 07:01 05:36 1:53a 2:08p 21 Mon 1:16 7:29 1:43 7:56 07:01 05:36 2:57a 2:47p 22 Tue 2:03 8:17 2:31 8:44 07:02 05:36 4:04a 3:29p 23 Wed > 2:53 9:08 3:22 9:37 07:03 05:35 5:13a 4:17p 24 Thu > 3:48 10:04 4:19 10:34 07:04 05:35 6:23a 5:11p 25 Fri N 4:49 11:05 5:20 11:36 07:05 05:35 7:31a 6:09p 26 Sat > 5:53 11:34 6:24 12:09 07:06 05:35 8:35a 7:12p 27 Sun > 6:59 12:44 7:28 1:14 07:06 05:35 9:32a 8:16p 28 Mon > 8:03 1:49 8:30 2:16 07:07 05:34 10:21a 9:19p 29 Tue 9:02 2:50 9:28 3:15 07:08 05:34 11:04a 10:20p 30 Wed 9:57 3:45 10:20 4:09 07:09 05:34 11:42a 11:17p

Amarillo2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONNov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets11 Fri F 5:18 11:30 5:43 11:55 07:17 05:44 6:19p 8:05a 12 Sat > 6:10 ----- 6:35 12:22 07:18 05:43 7:06p 8:59a 13 Sun > 7:04 12:51 7:29 1:17 07:19 05:42 7:57p 9:51a 14 Mon 8:00 1:47 8:25 2:13 07:20 05:42 8:53p 10:39a 15 Tue 8:56 2:44 9:22 3:09 07:21 05:41 9:52p 11:22a 16 Wed 9:52 3:39 10:17 4:04 07:22 05:40 10:54p 12:02p 17 Thu 10:45 4:33 11:10 4:57 07:23 05:40 NoMoon 12:39p 18 Fri Q 11:36 5:23 ----- 5:48 07:24 05:39 NoMoon 1:13p 19 Sat 12:00 6:11 12:24 6:36 07:25 05:39 1:01a 1:46p 20 Sun 12:45 6:57 1:10 7:22 07:26 05:38 2:07a 2:20p 21 Mon 1:30 7:43 1:56 8:09 07:27 05:38 3:15a 2:55p 22 Tue 2:16 8:30 2:44 8:58 07:28 05:37 4:25a 3:35p 23 Wed > 3:06 9:21 3:36 9:51 07:29 05:37 5:38a 4:20p 24 Thu > 4:02 10:17 4:32 10:48 07:30 05:36 6:50a 5:11p 25 Fri N 5:02 11:18 5:34 11:49 07:31 05:36 8:00a 6:09p 26 Sat > 6:07 11:47 6:38 12:22 07:32 05:35 9:03a 7:12p 27 Sun > 7:12 12:57 7:42 1:27 07:33 05:35 9:59a 8:17p 28 Mon > 8:16 2:02 8:44 2:30 07:34 05:35 10:47a 9:22p 29 Tue 9:16 3:03 9:41 3:29 07:34 05:35 11:27a 10:26p 30 Wed 10:10 3:58 10:34 4:22 07:35 05:34 12:02p 11:26p

Dallas2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONNov Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets11 Fri F 4:58 11:10 5:22 11:34 06:52 05:28 6:03p 7:38a 12 Sat > 5:49 ----- 6:14 12:02 06:53 05:27 6:50p 8:32a 13 Sun > 6:44 12:31 7:09 12:56 06:54 05:26 7:42p 9:24a 14 Mon 7:40 1:27 8:05 1:52 06:55 05:26 8:37p 10:12a 15 Tue 8:36 2:23 9:01 2:49 06:56 05:25 9:36p 10:56a 16 Wed 9:31 3:19 9:56 3:44 06:57 05:25 10:36p 11:37a17 Thu 10:25 4:12 10:49 4:37 06:58 05:24 11:38p 12:15p 18 Fri Q 11:15 5:03 11:40 5:27 06:59 05:24 NoMoon 12:50p 19 Sat ----- 5:51 12:03 6:15 07:00 05:23 12:41a 1:25p 20 Sun 12:24 6:37 12:49 7:02 07:01 05:23 1:46a 1:59p 21 Mon 1:09 7:22 1:36 7:49 07:01 05:22 2:52a 2:37p 22 Tue 1:56 8:10 2:24 8:37 07:02 05:22 4:01a 3:17p 23 Wed > 2:46 9:01 3:15 9:30 07:03 05:21 5:12a 4:03p 24 Thu > 3:41 9:57 4:12 10:27 07:04 05:21 6:23a 4:56p 25 Fri N 4:42 10:58 5:13 11:29 07:05 05:21 7:32a 5:54p 26 Sat > 5:46 11:27 6:17 12:02 07:06 05:20 8:36a 6:56p 27 Sun > 6:52 12:37 7:21 1:07 07:07 05:20 9:32a 8:01p 28 Mon > 7:56 1:42 8:23 2:09 07:08 05:20 10:21a 9:05p 29 Tue 8:55 2:43 9:21 3:08 07:09 05:20 11:03a 10:08p 30 Wed 9:50 3:38 10:13 4:02 07:10 05:19 11:39a 11:07p

Coconut lime fl ounder fi llets

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Puzzle solution from Page 32

would have gone in the mid-180s,” he said. “That’s about as much as you can expect this year on free range. It’s rough.

“All of West Texas is in bad shape right now.”Calaway said he has been honest with his

clients, telling them not to expect the same caliber of deer they shot with him last year. He hunts in the Alpine and Van Horn areas.

“Body condition is not nearly what it should be,” he said. “On one of the ranches that feeds protein, we had about a 5 percent fawn crop, if that. And those deer have been getting everything from the feeders.”

Last year, Calaway’s hunters killed fi ve bucks that averaged 195 inches.

Guide Ken Burton, of Burton’s Hunting Service in Pecos County, said an archery hunter he guided earlier this season took a 150-class buck, and the bucks on his low-fenced ranch are down a little, despite pro-tein feed.

“They’re off a little,” he said. “This buck should have been a 160-inch deer. We do feed protein year-round, but they also need the stuff from Mother Nature.

“Overall, my deer are in pretty good shape.”

Burton said he has seen several deer in the 160 class, and is sure there are bucks on the property that will push into the 170s this year.

“Last year we saw some bucks in the 170s,” he said. “In a normal year, those deer would jump into the 180s, but I’m sure they will still be in the 170s despite the drought.”

The regular season for mule deer begins Nov. 19 in the Panhandle (38 counties) and Southwest Panhandle (10 counties) and Nov. 25 in the Trans Pecos (19 counties).

Guide Hunter Ross, (210) 264-1745Guide Troy Calaway, (830) 879-5956Guide Ken Burton, (325) 347-2815

DownContinued From Page 30

SOON TO BE CHASING: Bucks should start chasing does as the month of November heads into the later season. Despite the drought, some nice archery bucks have already been seen and taken, especially on properties that have fed their deer protein this year. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

