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Shooting Sports texas ANNUAL 2023
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July 14, 2023
Volume 19, Issue 22
Fawn crop looking good By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
After a year with a low fawn crop, the numbers and health of the young deer are greatly improved. Photo by James Richards.
Dunlap dam almost complete
It seems the apex of summer heat arrives right when deer hunters start talking about the upcoming fall. Folks start getting serious about preparing for hunting season on their leases or other properties where they plan to hunt. Bucks begin showing antler growth and fawns get on their feet as they learn to survive. Now halfway through July, the dif-
ference in the whitetail outlook from a year ago is night and day, as range conditions, fawn crops and body composition among whitetails are all trending in positive directions. According to Alan Cain, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s white-tailed deer program leader, hunters have a lot to be excited about with the season fast approaching. Cain said range conditions were exceptional during the spring and even
into the beginning of the summer due to ample precipitation across much of the state. Bucks were able to recover from the rut, while does were able to take advantage of premium habitat and pack on fat reserves for fawning and lactation, and fawns were treated with cover and shade to protect them from the summertime heat. “We are seeing a lot of bucks in really good shape, especially when compared to the same time last year,” Cain said. Please turn to page 6
Working the tides Anglers adjust to unfavorable winds By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
$40 million restoration expected to wrap up this summer
Prevailing southwesterly winds have been creating below-average tidal levels and dirty water across Sabine Lake, the Galveston Bay Complex and their surrounding satellite bays, marshes and estuaries. Fishing guides and anglers have been adjusting their game plan accordingly to stay hooked up with redfish, despite the unfavorable conditions. Sabine Lake fishing guide Capt. Chris Phillips has been targeting redfish with his anglers along the north end of the ship channel. He’s been finding the reds near the edge of the channel in 3-4 feet of water, adjacent to the dropoff. Live shrimp rigged under a popping cork
By David Schlake Lone Star Outdoor News
On May 14, 2019, disaster struck the New Braunfels community. As the hinges of the Lake Dunlap Dam gave out, more than 693 million gallons of water drained out in a matter of hours, turning one of Texas’ most beloved recreational lakes into a muddied, hazardous disaster. A fluid channel littered with stumps and debris kept most regular boaters at bay, while depleted water levels within the
Please turn to page 17
Despite lower-than-average tides, anglers are adapting to find redfish along the Upper Coast. Left: Stephanie Skillman landed this beautiful redfish on the fly while fishing in a marsh pond near lower West Galveston Bay. Photo by Capt. James Frausto. Right: Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Datebook . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
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HUNTING
FISHING
Treeing coons (P. 4)
Bass on the Devils (P. 8)
Access a challenge for hound owners.
Big baits in small pools.
Wolf to retire (p. 5)
Offshore magic (P. 8)
After 30 years, TPWD biologist to step down.
Multiple species being caught.