HUNTING ANNUAL INSIDE Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
August 12, 2022
HUNTING texas A N N UA L 2 02 2
What will he look like? Advertising Section
Volume 18, Issue 24
Looking for dove in new places By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
Hunters will be looking for areas of croton, native sunflower and water to locate their opening day spots. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Some of the usual hotspots for the dove opener might not be so hot this season, according to outfitters. In the Coleman County area, outfitter Tom Stephenson said native sunflowers are lacking. “I had one area with a good stand, but it got burnt
up,” he said. “When that happens, the seeds blow away like a dandelion.” Stephenson said rain would spur the croton. “To get croton to invite dove, we’ll need another good rain and then more heat,” he said. “The seeds almost pop of the stem.” The outfitter plans to limit his hunters to keep birds around and hopefully pro-
duce quality hunting. “One area got a good rain a few weeks back, and it’s covered with birds,” he said. “The question is will it keep them.” Stephenson said after outfitting for 36 years, he’s learned to limit the hunts depending on the conditions. “Opening day will be fine,” he said. “We may be
waiting until the first weekend of October after that.” For people looking for spots to hunt on their ranch or leased land, he suggested checking wheat fields if they are standing, gravel areas and, of course, water. “They may not be in the usual places,” Stephenson said. Near Haskell, outfitter Please turn to page 20
Studying shade How deer deal with heat By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Jacob Dykes has been leading studies evaluating shade selection and the effects of heat on white-tailed deer internal temperatures for four years. One of the main discoveries? Not all shade is created equal. Using black globe thermometers, he said a key is determining the operative temperature — what the deer is really feeling. On East Foundation’s El Sauz Ranch near Port Mansfield, researchers placed the thermometers in different areas, including woody cover and open grasslands. “They take into account am-
bient heat, radiant heat and the cooling effects of winds to reach the operative temperature,” Dykes said. “It’s similar but more complex than measuring things like wind chill and heat index. It’s a more accurate reading of what’s really being felt.” On the large ranch, researchers collared 30 deer and 10 cattle, with data being collected every 30 minutes. What have they learned? “During midday, deer selected woody cover, while cattle avoided it,” Dykes said. “Deer, especially bucks, selected areas with lower temperatures, while the does used both.” The extent of heat was a factor in deer behavior. Researchers measured shade quality in a captive facility by controlling the amount of
Deer seek refuge from the heat, but some areas of shade are better than others. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
Please turn to page 17
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Falcon at historic lows
Water levels on Falcon Lake haven’t been this low since 2002, but the fish are still biting. Photo from the National Weather Service. 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
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Lone Star Outdoor News Anglers can still launch on both ends of Falcon Lake, but need to be careful when heading out from there. National Weather Service meteorologists were on Falcon Lake, witnessing some of the lowest lake levels on record — below 10 percent of the conservation pool. James Bendele of Falcon Lake Tackle said the lake hasn’t been this low
since April of 2002, the lowest level since the lake filled up in 1954. The fishing reports are good, especially for catfish and white bass, but Bendele said there aren’t many boats on the water. Largemouth bass are used to hot water on the border lake, and Bendele said they can be found shallow early, later being caught on crankbaits and Carolina rigs off ledges and humps.
HUNTING
FISHING
Costner honored (P. 4)
Break out the fly rod (P. 8)
Award presentation at PCQC banquet.
Anglers enjoying summer.
Time to comment (P. 4)
Bringing in cats (P. 8)
New CWD zones proposed.
Smaller fish on the bite.