January 10, 2025
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 21, Issue 10
Drum time beginning at piers
Anglers have been landing good-sized redfish and black drum from the 61st Street Fishing Pier, in Galveston. Photo from 61st Street Fishing Pier.
Timely rains blow up winter food plot
By Cory Byrnes
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Sometimes everything falls into place and you get the perfect food plot, even in the Texas Panhandle. Pecos Hagler manages ranches near the Donley/Gray County line, and the Dalkon forage radishes in his food plot brought in this buck to munch on the fruit (pod) and leaves. “We had two great rains, 2.85 inches and 4.25 inches, in November and it really took off,” Hagler said. Areas of Donley County became known after the wildfires that struck the Panhandle region in February 2024, although this ranch was just south of the burned areas. Besieged by drought, good rains have helped the wildlife rebound, and even food plots take off. “This buck really put on a show that evening.” Hagler said the deer and quail are doing well this year. “It’s the most quail I’ve seen in 30 years,” he said. “It’s worth a lot to get the rain.” Photo by Pecos Hagler.
Big black and red drum are the focus for most anglers fishing from coastal piers, and the fishermen don’t mind the cool fronts, as long as they don’t linger too long. At Galveston’s 61st Street Fishing Pier, some of the best fishing has come at night. “The last couple of days have been a little slow,” Josa Galdan said. “But the last several weeks have been good overall.” Anglers have been having most of their luck on dead finger mullet using a Texas double drop, off the bottom for red and black drum. “Fishing has been just as good at night as during the day,” Galdan said. “If they’re Please turn to page 23
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Not the greatest duck season By Nate Skinner
Duck hunters have spent more time scanning the skies, as many report the season has been a difficult one. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
With the second split of the regular duck season winding down, many hunters are saying this season has been one of the toughest they have experienced. Typical hotspots for ducks along many coastal rice prairies have held inconsistent numbers of birds at best. The most successful hunts
seem to be taking place over ponds and tanks on private properties in the central and southwestern portion of the state, as well as along middle and lower coastal bays. Gun dog trainer and guide Drew Horne of HD Gundogs has been pursuing ducks over ponds in the Brenham and College Station areas. He said he has had to bounce around on different properties and scout more this season than he ever Please turn to page 19
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Outdoor Blotter . . . . . . . . Page 12 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 22 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Boating to hunting spot (P. 4)
Flounder start fast (P. 8)
Bowhunter outsmarts public land buck
Reopening Dec. 15 great, but winding down.
Cain promoted (P. 4)
First 13-pounder (P. 8)
Longtime employee named Wildlife Divison director.
O.H. Ivie produces on Jan. 2.