Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
April 14, 2023
Volume 19, Issue 16
Timing is everything Finding gobblers in the right mood By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News North Zone hunters joined in on the spring turkey hunting action at the first of this month, while South Zone hunters have continued their pursuit of mature longbeards. Regardless of location, those who have been lucky enough to find themselves within earshot of birds in an aggressive mood enjoyed magical experiences in the turkey woods. Hunters who struggled have likely not hit the perfect time window just yet. Tyler Lee spent some time chasing gobblers with a buddy on his family’s property in Brown County during the opening weekend. This was his first time to make a spring turkey hunt after hearing some of his friends talk about how exciting it can be, and he said the experience did not disappoint. “We’ve always had turkeys on our property, and I can’t believe I just realized how fun chasing them during the spring can be,” he said. “I’m definitely addicted now, that’s for sure.” Lee was able to score a mature tom during a mid-morning sit on the second day of the season. “My buddy, Miguel Morales, helped me roost some birds at sunset on opening day, so we had a pretty good idea of where to set up the following morning,” Lee explained. “The birds were pretty quiet at daylight, so we made a move to another area on the ranch that had plenty of turkey sign. After playing with a flock of birds with several gobblers that were gobbling, but would not leave their hens, we had a single tom come in silently. He saw the Jake decoy that we had put out, and came in on a rope, giving me an easy shot.” That afternoon came with no success. “It got pretty hot and windy during
Kevin Costner accepted the Park Cities Quail Coalition T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman Award at the group’s annual dinner and auction. Photo from Park Cities Quail.
Yellowstone star honored by Park Cities Quail By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
North Zone opener in Jones County. “On opening morning the birds were pretty quiet,” Yates said. “We saw a hen but didn’t hear any gobbles. Later that
A Hollywood star and outdoorsman captured the audience’s attention at the Park Cities Quail Coalition 17th Annual Dinner & Auction on March 25 at SMU’s Armstrong Fieldhouse in Dallas. Kevin Costner was honored with PCQC’s T. Boone Pickens Lifetime Sportsman of the Year award at the event, and after greeting and being photographed with many of the attendees, gave an uplifting and emotional response, including memories of hunting with his late father. The Yellowstone star shared the story of his first rifle, his grandfather’s .30-30 bought for $20. “I took it to show-and-tell at school,” Costner said. “I remember being sent home with a note pinned to my shirt. I didn’t know how to read then but I came to know that if my parents wanted the gun back they would have to go and get it.” Costner said the gun was too heavy for him to hold, but it didn’t keep him from practicing without bullets. “The night before my dad was to leave on a deer hunt he realized the firing pin was broken — I had dry fired it so much.”
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Turkey hunters who have found toms in an aggressive mood have experienced quite a show, often without needing to call. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
the afternoon, and the birds stopped talking,” Lee said. Matthew Yates took his brother, Kevin, on his first spring turkey hunt for the
By Nate Skinner
Gusty winds and everchanging springtime conditions have been dictating which portions of the lower coast bays anglers are able to target. Even though areas where stretches of fishable water are located have been varying from week to week, and sometimes from day to
day, quality speckled trout and redfish are still being caught. Baffin Bay-area guide, Capt. Christian Schneider, has been finding some trout in the 27inch range, with the majority of specks measuring 20 to 23 inches. “I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the north shoreline and south shoreline of Baffin, depending on the
wind speed and direction,” Schneider said. “The edges of grass beds and scattered sand pockets in knee- to waistdeep water have been the ticket for staying hooked up with quality fish.” Schneider said any stretch of water containing mullet, other baitfish and good water clarity seems to be producing.
“If an area looks fishy, it’s probably worth checking out,” he elaborated. “Recently we stopped in a spot that had some slicks along a grass line and made a long wade that produced bites all morning long.” Soft plastics have been drawing the most strikes, but the fish are becoming more and more willing to hit Please turn to page 19
CONTENTS
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For Lone Star Outdoor News
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 15 Datebook . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 19
INSIDE
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Baffin, Mansfield trout, reds on upswing
Capt. Christian Schneider landed this Baffin Bay speckled trout while wading scattered grass beds. Photo from Christian Schneider.
HUNTING
FISHING
Mule deer antlers (P. 4)
Restoring boat at age 11 (P. 8)
Peak reached earlier than believed.
Youngster wins 4-H Grand Championship.
Half-million for black rhinos (P. 6) Trout in Galveston bays (P. 8) DSC South Texas sets record.
More, bigger fish being landed.