Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
December 23, 2022
Volume 19, Issue 9
Opening day madness By Craig Nyhus Boats were out in force when flounder season reopened Dec. 15. Many anglers in the Galveston area reported catching limits using shrimp and scented plastics. Photo from Cody Dunn.
Lone Star Outdoor News When the flounder season reopened on Dec. 15, just after midnight seemed like the opening of dove season. “People were flounder crazy,” said Ruben, with Texas All Water Fishing, who posts YouTube videos about his fishing adventures. “It was bonkers.”
In the area he fishes near Galveston, the parking lots were packed at 2:30 a.m. “There were boats next to boats and boats next to people wading,” Ruben said. Fishing with Capt. Cody Dunn, they landed a dozen slot flounder each, two over 20 inches, plus a handful of smaller ones. “A lot of limits were being
caught,” Ruben said. “We did best on live shrimp in the dark, and then on white swim mullet and white Gulp shrimp once it got to daylight.” Dunn fished between Pelican Island and Galveston Island, and so did a lot of others. “There were boats everywhere,” Ruben said. “And there were lots of boats at the
Causeway.” Winds picked up on the days after the opener, greatly reducing the number of boats on the flounder-popular waters. “Those areas are tough to cross when the winds pick up,” Ruben said. “But there have been lots of bank fishermen, too.” Several other anglers, Please turn to page 9
Late season magic By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Deer hunters across the state are still taking to their stands as the end of the general season approaches. The rut is in various stages in different geographic regions of Texas, and one thing is for sure — those who are putting in the hours in the field are finding out that persistence and a little bit of luck pays big dividends. David Rapstine has been hunting in Karnes and Wilson counties with his wife, Taylor, and their kids. He said they have
been seeing plenty of bucks chasing does pretty hard. “It seems that the younger bucks are starting to slow down a little bit, but the mature bucks are still covering quite a bit of ground,” Rapstine said. “Most of the rut activity seems to be taking place during the morning hours. The does are still coming to corn feeders, but the bucks don’t seem to be concerned with feed a whole lot.” Rapstine’s wife was able to take a mature 8-point buck that was chasing a doe. “We had never seen that buck before,” he said. “I had to bang
Colton Beam finally caught up with this old buck on the Lowrance Ranch after several hunters put 20 days into hunting him without success. Photo from Colton Beam.
Please turn to page 7
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Get up for West Texas geese By Robert Sloan
Goose hunting can be hit-or-miss, but your chances are better in the wide-open corn fields around the northwestern area of Texas, outside of Lubbock. The only glitch is that you have to get up at three in the morning to get a head start on what may be one of the best goose hunts you will ever have.
“You definitely have to get up early and travel a pretty good distance to reach the best fields,” said Lewis Hiltpold, who has chased ducks and geese all over the Lone Star State. “But the payoff is in the hunt. You just can’t believe the number of birds that call the northwest area of the state home for the winter. Once you meet up with your outfitter, the rest is easy, with the exception of putting out hundreds of goose decoys. Please turn to page 6
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Datebook . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 19
INSIDE
CONTENTS
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For Lone Star Outdoor News
Lubbock-area goose hunters are seeing good numbers of Canada geese, along with occasional good hunts for snow geese. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
HUNTING
FISHING
Unique dove (P. 4)
Covering water (P. 8)
Young hunter takes piebald.
Bass scattered, but biting.
First bucks (P. 4)
Cats on Squaw Creek (P. 8)
Two women score with LSONF.
Big numbers on punch bait.