January 9, 2026
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 10
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Suppressor applications for hunters are now $200 less expensive. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Suppressor tax goes away Hunters will save $200, but expect delays Obtaining a suppressor for your hunting rifle became a bit less expensive. Until Jan. 1, the Federal Stamp (applicants are still required to obtain for owning a suppressor) would include a $200 fee for the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. As part of the Federal budget from the summer of 2025, the Federal Stamp fee has gone to $0 as of January 1, 2026. Suppressors are still part of the National Firearms Act, making them regulated by the ATF. This means you still must go through the entire process to apply for approval, go through the background checks and submit the Form 4 to buy a commercially made suppressor. But now, there will be no $200 fee to the government.
Shauna Kohleffel had a great experience recently on a scimitar-horned oryx hunt her husband, Nick, won in a raffle at the 2025 LSON Foundation Wild Game Supper. The entire family, including kids and grandparents, got to participate in the hunt. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
LSON Foundation oryx hunt a success By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News
Boerne resident Shauna Kohleffel and her husband, Nick, have
both been supporters of the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation since the beginning. That’s why it brought a smile to everyone’s face when Nick was randomly picked and won the scimitar-horned oryx hunt raffle at the 2025 LSON Foundation Wild Game Supper held in
October at the Beretta Gallery in Dallas. Once the family arrived at the ranch north of Abilene, it didn’t take long to find the oryx the morning of Jan. 1. “It happened fast,” Shauna said. “We came out Wednesday and arrived New Year’s Eve. We
decided ahead of time to delay the first morning hunt to a little later so we could all celebrate that evening.” After the evening’s lingering effects had worn off, it was time to head afield and hunt mid-morning on the first. The group rode around checking wheat fields.
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Scattered flatties Anglers covering ground, still catching occasional larger fish By Nate Skinner
The flounder fishery reopened on December 15, allowing anglers to retain up to five fish per person, per day. The annual flatfish migration has slowed significantly, as most of the fish have already made their way to the deeper water of passes and the Gulf.
Please turn to page 11 Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
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However, anglers are still finding some larger stragglers in their typical haunts along the edges of channels and flats adjacent to deeper water. Those who have been persistent in targeting flatfish in these areas have been rewarded with quality catches. Tre’ White has been targeting flounder along the Galveston Ship Channel from the Pelican Island bridge to the Galveston ferry landing. Bulkhead walls and areas with various forms of hard structure have been holding the most fish. “The flounder are not near as stacked up in these areas as they were back in the fall
Capt. Devin Williams shows off a solid flatfish caught on a soft plastic grub in the Galveston Ship Channel. Photo from Capt. Devin Williams.
HUNTING
FISHING
Weird waterfowl (P. 4)
Strong bite on coast (P. 8)
Hybrids and other variations.
Coastal anglers finding success.
Still going strong (P. 4)
Early bite for whites (P. 8)
South Texas deer hunters still finding rutting bucks.
White bass spawning early in places.