September 8, 2023
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 20, Issue 2
Pronghorn numbers stable By David Schlake Lone Star Outdoor News
Pronghorn hunting permits changed only slightly this year. The season opens Sept. 30. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Following the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s summer pronghorn surveys, the word “stability” rings optimism in the ears of wildlife officials. A species that calls both the
Panhandle and Trans-Pecos regions home, pronghorn live in a constant battle with drought — the primary factor determining their numbers year over year. Despite record-high temperatures this summer, a mild spring lent a helping hand to herds in both regions, as the
state issued only eight fewer total permits than they did last year. In 2020, TPWD issued 675 buck-only permits in the Panhandle region and 165 in the Trans-Pecos, whereas this year, it issued 670 and 162, respectively. The survey process starts Please turn to page 16
Happy dove hunters By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Although opening weekend dove hunts weren’t great for everyone, many hunters agreed with the predictions of more birds being around this year. Jeff Hart and Charles von Althann made the trip from Washington, D.C., to Texas to dove hunt with a friend on the first Saturday of the season. “There were lots of opportunities and lots of shots,” Hart said. “It was a great morning to be hunting in Texas” Hunters report a big flurry
of activity about 9:15 a.m. Hart shot his limit, near Old Glory in Stonewall County, using his 20-gauge Beretta. He plans to hunt in the D.C. and Chesapeake Bay areas over the next few weeks. “The fields are small there, but sometimes there are lots of birds,” he said. “It was fun to hunt over a giant field here.” Although von Althann didn’t limit, he was happy to take nine birds. “I hadn’t hunted in a long time,” he said. “I was having fun and it didn’t matter how many I got.” The group said the high weeds made finding downed birds more difficult. Like in many groups, one member, Rob Grasso, Please turn to page 6
Groups of anglers support returning to the three-fish limit, in place for the last few years following the freeze of 2021. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Anglers, guides push for return to three-fish limit Lone Star Outdoor News
Birds funneled into a small waterhole during the season’s opening weekend. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Power plant lakes turn over By Nate Skinner
Most people in the San Antonio area were elated to feel the mild, scattered showers that hit the area in recent weeks. However, while the short-lived precipitation seemed minor in regard to changing weather here in Texas, they dropped the surface water temperature on Braunig and Calaveras Lakes enough to make them mix or turn over. Although no major fish kills occurred, anglers had to adjust to
continue hooking up with the redfish these lakes are stocked with. According to Mitchell Nisbet, the Inland Fisheries San Antonio district manager and biologist, the warmest water in these lakes floats on the surface, while the coldest water is situated deep in the water column. “The warmer water is fully oxygenated, and oxygen levels tend to get lower down in the depths below the thermocline, where the coldest layer of water is located,” Nisbet said. “The cooler water below the thermocline does not mix Please turn to page 11
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 19 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
Many see increased bird numbers
Trout rules revert back
After rains changed patterns, anglers pursuing redfish on freshwater lakes had to change tactics. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
At the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Annual Public Meeting, held Aug. 23, a number of coastal anglers spoke out about speckled trout limits. Following the 2021 freeze that impacted trout populations, the state issued an emergency order. It reduced the speckled trout limit to three fish with a 17- to 23-inch slot from the Matagorda to the southern border. On Sept. 1, the order expired and the limit returned to five fish with a 15- to 25-inch slot. The anglers and guides spoke in favor of returning to the three-fish limit, and most advocated for a narrower slot, from 15 to 20 inches. Capt. David Rowsey, who fishes in the Corpus Christi area, said he felt the five-fish limit was no longer sustainable with the number of saltwater fishermen at 1.7 million and growing. “Speckled trout is the money fish on the Texas coast,” he said. “We should lower the limit and tighten the slot.” Parker Holt, of Austin, wadefishes for trout in the Laguna Madre about 45 days each year. “I’ve kept records of trout over 25 inches for the last 15 years,” he said. “I have seen a steady decline as my days on the water have increased.” Taylor Garcia asked the commission to consider what has happened to the trout fishery in Florida, where numbers declined dramatically.
HUNTING
FISHING
First hunt (P. 4)
A long trip (P. 8)
Woman takes Corsican ram.
Tagged trout makes big moves.
Billboards questioned (P. 4)
Jetty tarpon (P. 9)
Some believe campaign causing fear.
Silver kings on top-waters, flies.
Please turn to page 15