December 12, 2025
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 8
Starting up
No drone for you
Rutting activity gains momentum down south
TPWD rules drones illegal for surf fishing
By Nate Skinner
By Conor Harrison
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Lone Star Outdoor News
Deer hunters in the southern portion of the state are beginning to see more bucks cover ground and stake claim of their territory as rutting activity gains momentum. Some of the best action has taken place during cold snaps, and many have been enjoying exciting sits from their stands and blinds. Jake Fuller has been spending quite a bit of time on his in-law’s ranch in the Charlotte area lately and has seen young and middle-aged bucks getting into full blown brawls and bumping just about every doe they come across. “The mature bucks have swollen necks, and look to be following suit any day now,” Fuller said. Other hunters from the Charlotte area reported that bucks have started chasing pretty hard. Rattling has produced consistent action, more so from young to middle class bucks, rather than from mature bucks. Russell Ernst hunted several days in Goliad County and said rutting activity was starting to kick off. “Bucks were chasing does, covering a lot of ground, and fighting,” he said. “They were on their feet most of the day, it seemed.” Wilson and Karnes County hunters have been reporting full blown rut activity. Many are observing bucks they have never seen before, cruising through open fields and senderos, looking for hot does. Devin Leissner has been hunting on a property he leases in the Freer area, where he said he has observed many mature bucks searching steadily for receptive does. “Rutting activity seemed to really kick
Surf anglers who use drones to fly baits past the breakers away from shore will have to find a new approach to targeting sharks and other big fish. According to a press release, “due to technological advancements with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, now widely available, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has noticed an increase in questions connected to their use in relation to fishing and wildlife. Some of the most frequent questions have been about the legality of using drones for deploying bait by surf or bank fisherman.” To address this, TPWD staff reviewed Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 19.11, also known as the Federal Airborne Hunting Act (AHA), which was first enacted in 1956. Staff also sought guidance from the Office of Law Enforcement within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The result of that analysis and discussion is the determination that 50 CFR § 19.11 (b) (2) prohibits the use of aircraft, which includes UAS or drones, to take or attempt to take wildlife, or aid in the act of fishing. Definitions as defined in 50 CFR§10.12 that apply to 50 CFR § 19.11: • Aircraft means any contrivance (device) used for flight in the air. • Fish or wildlife means any wild animal, whether alive or dead, including without limitation any wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, coelenterPlease turn to page 19
Please turn to page 16
Bucks are starting to square off in South Texas as the traditional rut dates approach. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Crappie descending By Cory Byrnes
Cold fronts have finally started coming to Texas, and the crappie are transitioning to more late fall, winter patterns. On Lake Conroe, avid fisherman Mike Bolen reports the fishing has been excellent. “They’re feeding pretty
heavy, getting ready for the cold weather and spawning in February,” Bolen said. He has been targeting brush piles in 10 to 20 feet of water around the lake. “They’re usually there,” he said. “We will give it 10 to 15 minutes, and if they’re not biting, we will go find another pile.” Most of his success has come on jigs and soft plas-
tics. “We’re just using jigs and hand ties,” Bolen said. “On an overcast day, the darker colors like black and chartreuse work well.” “Don’t be afraid to look for them on the bottom; they have been really tight to the bottom lately,” Bolen added. On Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Alton Jones with Jonesn4crappie says the Please turn to page 13
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 24 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Anglers should target brush piles and quickly move to cover more water for big crappie. Photo by David. J. Sams, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
HUNTING
FISHING
North to south (P. 4)
Rainbow time (P. 8)
Guide travels from Alaska to Texas.
Rifle review (P. 4) Bergara B-14 HMR a great fit.
Hill Country winter fly fishing off and running.
Remembering a legend (P. 8) John Hale passes away.