bronco1

April 23, 2007 [Hidden Content] Saltwater Anglers Can Expect Good Year Coastwide, ‘Banner’ Year on Some Bay Systems AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department coastal fisheries biologists are predicting a good year for saltwater anglers in Texas. “Two years ago, the year began with a white Christmas and ended with a record number of hurricanes. Last year began with a severe drought and ended with no hurricanes. This year has started off chilly and wet,†noted Mark Fisher, Ph.D., TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division science director. “Despite the unusual weather patterns, the outlook for the coastal angler is a good one.†Fisheries biologists forecast angler success by analyzing the previous year’s sampling and survey data. Sampling is conducted using gill nets, bag seines and trawls; surveys of anglers are conducted throughout the year. The resulting data set has been called the largest and best such collection of information on coastal fisheries in the world and received high marks in an independent scientific review by scientists from the American Fisheries Society. “Overall, our data show our inshore saltwater fisheries to be in excellent shape,†said Larry McKinney, Ph.D., director of TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division. “Texas bays continue to provide world-class angling opportunities, and we are hopeful that recent changes in regulations — including last year’s seagrass conservation measure in Redfish Bay and the upcoming spotted seatrout bag limit change in the lower Laguna — will help continue that trend.†An analysis of information collected in 2006 indicates: Coastwide Fishing effort remained steady from last year, despite high fuel costs. Total landings decreased 4 percent and total catch per angler-hour decreased 3 percent. Spotted seatrout landings and angler catch rates decreased 3 percent. Red drum landings increased 12 percent, and angler catch rates remained at a 10-year high. Gill net surveys show red drum populations remaining at near-record numbers. Gill net surveys indicate high abundance of 20 to 30-inch trout from the strong 2000-2004 year classes. Red drum are at near-record abundance, with high numbers of 20-24-inch fish. A strong 2005 year class is just now reaching the 20†minimum size. Above-average numbers of 14-20-inch flounder are also present. Sabine Lake Some popular boat ramps are still in disrepair from Hurricane Rita. No live bait (shrimp or fish) is available in the area. The system received above-average rain since last fall. Lower salinities and higher freshwater inflows should push productive fishing to the southern reaches of the bay and out into nearshore Gulf waters. Black drum anglers should expect successful trips. Spotted seatrout abundance is at a near-record high, as is southern flounder. Anglers should use extreme patience and caution when driving to Sabine Pass during early morning or late evening hours. During these times, traffic is very heavy due to several major industrial projects. Galveston Bay Red drum abundance remains high with last fall’s gill net catches being the second highest on record. A large number of small fish were seen which should help the angler catches be above average for the 20 to 25-inch sizes. With all the rain this winter, along the Galveston-Freeport area, salinities should be more normal and forage species (shrimp and other baitfish) should be abundant. The average size of flounder seen in gillnet surveys has increased even though the abundance of southern flounder remains low. Spotted seatrout abundance in gill net surveys is just below the long-term average. Angler catches should remain stable, as in the past few years, and have many fish in the 18 to 22 inch range. Matagorda Bay Last year’s unusually warm and dry winter resulted in challenging spring and summer red drum and spotted seatrout angling. Guides and recreational anglers often reported fishing in areas not traditionally known as “hot spots†and discovering surprisingly good catches. It is likely this year’s cooler, wetter winter will redistribute prey and predator species back into the historically productive recreational fishing areas in Matagorda Bay. Colder winter temperatures in Matagorda Bay did not result in significant temperature-related fish kills so it is probable that mangrove snapper abundance will remain high. Last fall, bait camp owners in Sargent reported a banner croaker run for anglers fishing the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near Mitchell’s Cut, the Gulf pass at Sargent. Given current conditions it is likely this trend will continue throughout the next summer and fall. Flounder catches during the fall were surprisingly high. Significant numbers of anglers accessing shoreline fishing sites near the Colorado River diversion via canoe and kayak reported excellent flounder fishing near the junction of the Matagorda locks, Colorado River diversion and the Intracoastal Waterway. Sargassum and Portuguese-Man-O-War are already piling up on Matagorda beach. The arrival of this pelagic vegetation generally indicates the arrival of warmer Gulf waters, tripletail and other pelagic species such as ling and dolphin. Gulf shrimpers have been observed working nearshore Gulf waters off Matagorda beach in search of spawning white shrimp. While this occurrence may not seem a logical diagnostic tool for predicting recreational angler success it does indicate the presence of large quantities of prey in the surf. Inevitably, the presence of the large white shrimp equates to the presence of finfish predators exploiting this abundant food source. Current hydrologic and environmental conditions combined with our knowledge of a steady upward trend in landings and abundance of spotted seatrout and red drum seems to indicate that 2007 will be a banner fishing year in the Matagorda Bay system. San Antonio Bay Last fall's higher-than-average salinities were recently dismissed by heavy rainfalls over the watershed. Salinities in San Antonio Bay are now below average; however the freshwater inflow volume was not large enough to "freshen up" Espiritu Santo Bay where many anglers fish. If rainfall over the watershed is normal for the remainder of the year San Antonio Bay salinities should return to normal during the summer. Despite near record-high fishing pressure, angler landings for red drum and spotted seatrout continue to increase and remain at 20 year highs. Netting surveys indicate that red drum populations in the bay system are the highest in over 20 years. This should make for good red drum angling in 2007. While netting surveys for spotted seatrout indicate the population is off the highs of a few years ago, it is still higher than the long-term average and has increased much over the last 20 years. Anglers can expect trout fishing in 2007 to be similar to last year. While netting surveys indicate that the Southern flounder population is declining, the angler catch rate has remained stable. There is no reason to suspect this trend will not continue in 2007. Several research projects are underway in the estuary to ensure continued adequate freshwater inflows to the San Antonio Bay system and provide for improved oyster reef maps for upper San Antonio Bay. For an added adventure anglers visiting Calhoun County should try Hynes Bay near Austwell. Netting surveys indicate that large numbers of red drum frequent this bay during warmer months. Anglers can launch their boats at Austwell in Hynes Bay and avoid a long run to fishing spots. A non-traditional saltwater species that can be caught in the San Antonio Bay ecosystem is blue catfish. This species is a freshwater resident that ventures into the upper bay near the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe Bay and Mission Lake. Blue cats are fairly easily caught on live or dead bait after rain-induced "freshets" and make excellent table fare. Aransas Bay It remains illegal to uproot seagrass within the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area. However, anglers are reminded that access is allowed throughout the RBSSA. Hint for boaters: Lift, Drift, Pole or Troll in seagrass meadows. Spotted seatrout abundance showed a decline from previous record highs and has dipped slightly below the coastwide average. Angler catches have remained high but declined somewhat from last year. Red drum abundance is lower than last year but is tapering from near record highs during 2002-03. Angler landings of red drum are following this same pattern and they should find another good year of fishing. Routine rainfall events have kept salinity levels below historical averages throughout the Aransas system. Recruitment for numerous marine organisms should be excellent because of this. Last fall’s red tide event impacted very few game fish in Aransas Bay Corpus Christi Bay Increasing salinity along with a lack of freezes in recent years should continue the trend of larger angler catches of gray snapper along with other more tropical species moving up from the south. Angler catches of red drum and spotted seatrout should remain high. Spotted seatrout populations have increased, although the red drum population has declined slightly. Southern flounder numbers are similar to last year, and angler catches will likely remain low. Sheepshead abundance is similar to last year. Angler catches have been increasing for the past 5 years and are expected to remain at high levels. Upper Laguna Madre Spotted seatrout abundance in 2006 remained at near- record numbers. Fish over 24 inches in length made up about 18 percent of spotted seatrout caught in last spring’s gill nets. Upper Laguna Madre spotted seatrout landings generally increased between 1990 and 2006. Landings in 2006 were the second highest on record since 2000. Upper Laguna Madre fall gill net catch rate for red drum was the lowest recorded since 1995. The low abundance of red drum in fall 2006 may have been caused by severe drought conditions in south Texas resulting in very high salinities during 2005 and much of 2006. Despite the drought and lower abundance, recreational landings continued to increase. Black drum, often overlooked by anglers, are extremely abundant. The upper Laguna is the center of abundance for this species. Completion of the Packery Channel Dredging Project and Packery Channel public boat ramps last summer has provided area anglers improved access to Gulf and jetty fishing opportunities. A good number of large snook, spotted seatrout, and red drum were landed from the Packery Channel jetties last summer. Large schools of Spanish mackerel have been reported by jetty fishermen this spring. Brown tide has been observed since Fall 2003, but it has not affected fish populations. Large noisy lures or rattling bobbers are effective at producing fish in brown-tide stained water, as are natural baits. Lower Laguna Madre Red drum were caught in near-record numbers again last year. Anglers should expect the same for 2007. Spotted seatrout populations and catch rates were down last year; however, anglers should still expect to catch good numbers of the smaller spotted seatrout (15 — 17 inches) and a few of the over-25 inch size class can still caught by the skilled, or lucky, angler. Snook, tarpon, and mangrove snapper catches continue to be excellent in the lower Laguna Madre. Snook and mangrove snapper anglers should concentrate their efforts around structure adjacent to deeper water and along the mangroves in South Bay. Anglers are reminded that, beginning Sept. 1, 2007, both the daily bag and possession limit for spotted seatrout in the Lower Laguna Madre will be five fish, only one of which may be 25 inches or longer. Anglers can find more information on historic catch rates (by species) for any Texas bay system — as well as boat ramp locations — at TPWD’s interactive, online “Catch Rate By Minor Bay†application. For more information about a particular bay system, please contact the appropriate TPWD Coastal Fisheries ecosystem leader listed below: Sabine Lake: Jerry Mambretti (409-983-1104) Galveston Bay: Rebecca Hensley (281-534-0108) Matagorda Bay: Bill Balboa (361-972-6253) San Antonio Bay: Norman Boyd (361-983-4425) Aransas Bay: Karen Meador (361-729-2328) Corpus Christi Bay: VACANT (361-729-2328) Upper Laguna Madre: Kyle Spiller (361-825-3353) Lower Laguna Madre: Mark Lingo (956-350-4490) ——— On the Net: Catch Rate by Minor Bay Application: [Hidden Content] Texas Recreational Fishing Regulations: [Hidden Content] Changes to Saltwater Fishing Regulations Sept. 1, 2007: [Hidden Content] Seagrass Conservation: [Hidden Content] AR 2007-04-23

April 23, 2007 [Hidden Content] Study To Guide Future Management of Eastern Wild Turkey AUSTIN, Texas — Proof the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Eastern wild turkey restoration initiative is a booming success can be found in the woods, where thousands of hunters are currently chasing wily gobblers in more than 40 East Texas counties. The ambitious undertaking to return Eastern wild turkeys to suitable habitat in Texas was made possible through a cooperative partnership between TPWD, private landowners and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Systematically over a 10-year period beginning in the mid-80s, TPWD released flocks of wild turkeys onto sites identified as having sufficient habitat qualities to support a turkey population. Using funds from hunting license and turkey stamp sales, TPWD purchased wild-trapped Eastern turkeys from other states having surplus birds and the NWTF helped coordinate the deals. More than 7,000 Eastern turkeys were stocked. "States had never paid for wild turkeys from another state," said Dr. James Earl Kennamer, the NWTF's senior vice president for conservation programs. "While it is illegal to sell wildlife, a plan was developed that allowed a state agency to donate wild turkeys to Texas, but be paid for their trapping costs or replacement value of the turkey. This approach paved the way to obtain the large numbers of birds necessary to restore turkeys in Texas." And, while turkeys continue to flourish in many areas of East Texas, there are places where the birds have not done as well as biologists had anticipated. “Some of our stockings in the past have been more successful than others, so the question we have is, ‘What is going on?’†said T. Wayne Schwertner, TPWD turkey biologist. “We want the answer before we move forward with additional restoration efforts.†Schwertner will be looking to a group of researchers from Stephen F. Austin University to help solve the mystery. During the next three years, researchers will be using radio telemetry tracking devices to document movements, habitat usage and reproduction of recently released turkeys on three different sites in Nacogdoches, Anderson and Houston counties. About 80 wild-trapped turkeys from Tennessee and South Carolina were stocked at each location. “The research effort will try to identify the effects on these birds of various management practices, such as prescribed burning, grazing, brush control and other habitat enhancements,†said Schwertner. “We’re also trying to identify what makes good turkey habitat because there are some places we stocked in the past we thought looked good, but the turkeys didn’t, and other sites that we considered marginal habitat where they have done well. As we look at future restoration sites we’ll have a better handle on which areas to concentrate on and which areas not to bother with.†As with the previous sites where turkeys were released, no turkey hunting will be allowed for several years on those properties. Private landowners volunteer their land and resources to assist in the effort. “Once again, this project is showing the importance of partnerships between TPWD and private landowners to conserve resources,†said Mike Berger, TPWD Wildlife Division Director. “We applaud these landowners for stepping up to the plate and offering their property as a research site.†SL 2007-04-23

You can take I-10 to Beltway 8 go north over Old Hwy 90 and the first light is Tidwell. Turn Left heading west go until you see the HS on your left. You come to C.E. King parkway take a left at the light and then another immediate left to the field.

Bayou Bowl 2007 Saturday, June 9, 2007 Stallworth Stadium 2208 E. Archer Rd. Baytown, Texas 77521 Gates Open 7:00 PM Kick Off at 8:00 PM TSRN will be broadcasting the Bayou Bowl-Pregame show starting at 7:35. [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content]

Good stuff!

JUst the ones on the 22-4A Visitors to Bronco Stadium-New Pictures thread. I will try to get some new ones tomorrow. [Hidden Content]

Hunter friendly books for kids Two new books finally present hunters as good guys in children's literature By James A. Swan, Ph.D. Author of "In Defense of Hunting" — April 16, 2007 Walt Disney's animated feature film "Bambi," (1942), based on the 1923 children's novel, Bambi: A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten, has left its mark on the psyche of generations of young children, who tearfully watch Bambi lose his mother due to a hunter's bullet. Since "Bambi" targets audiences of women and children, it makes daddy's recreational deer hunting trip seem cruel and it turns daddy, the hunter, into a bad guy. Hunters are not the only people to have trouble with "Bambi." According to movie critic Roger Ebert, "Bambi," is "a parable of sexism, nihilism, and despair, portraying absentee fathers and passive mothers in a world of violence." Fess Parker, who played coonskin cap-wearing hunter heroes in Disney's blockbuster "Davy Crockett" film and the very popular "Daniel Boone" TV series, assures me that when Walt Disney made "Bambi" he had no intention of making an animal rights movie. "Bambi" was originally billed by Disney as "a great love story." [Hidden Content]. And as WWII was under way when it came out, it probably spoke to the fears of children and wives of that era with gun-toting hunters chasing members as symbols of the war. So, for that time, maybe it was a kind of metaphoric love story. Today, "Bambi" is hailed as an anti-hunting epic that sends a very early message to kids that hunting is bad and cruel. In traditional cultures, kids grow up hearing stories and songs about heroes that give them role models. Mythic tales, such as the Navajo Deerhuntingway, where talking deer teach a hunter about conservation, set cultural norms and teach about ethics and good woodsmanship. Kids love stories and books, but there are next to no children's books out there that present modern hunters as positive role models. Thanks to author J.J. Reich, that's changing. Reich has just come out with two colorful, richly-illustrated kids' books — Deer Dad and Snort, Wheeze, Rattle and Grunt — about a family that hunts, the Kampps. These books are just what the modern hunter needs to give to his kids for they both entertain and educate. The 32-page hardcover, Deer Dad, illustrated by Johnathan Kuehl, is the first of a series designed for ages 3-7. Kids will love the warm-hearted storyline. The father, Jack Kampp, seeks to educate his son about deer by dressing up and acting like one. The son, loving the story, can't wait until it's time for him to join dad in the woods. The 64-page hardcover, Snort, Wheeze, Rattle and Grunt, designed for 8-12 year-olds, is about a day deer hunting where Kampp's son learns about calls, rattles, habitat, and hunting methods, and his dad bags a buck. Two more pro-hunting kids books from Reich — one about duck hunting and the other about wild turkeys — are due out in July. These books may not yet be in your local bookstore. Priced at $14.99 each, you can order them directly from J.J. Reich at from Kampptales and receive copies autographed by the author. Article link: [Hidden Content]

TPWD Surplus Equipment On-Line Auction - Ends Apr. 20 Ends Tomorrow lots of boat motors and parts. [Hidden Content]

TPWD Surplus Equipment On-Line Auction - Ends Apr. 20 Ends Tomorrow [Hidden Content]

Whats your list?

I believe Dayton starts the 23rd as well.

That is crazy!!

Oh, I believe you thats not all that uncommon. Neither are bearded hens, I found one floating in a water tank one time at our lease.

I agree, exhaustive. Great job.

[move]Funny Fishing Video[/move] Click the picture

Lets stay on topic please!

Ya'll remember one of the best ways to give back is to be a Hunter Education Instructor. It doesn't take that much time to do it. If any wants to know more about it let me know.

Our middle school is not in the same District we are in, typically there are alot more Jr. Highs or Middle schools in an area so it is easy to find games for them.

I would think the UIL would make some kind of considerations for travel times. I don't think middle schools would be affected by this but, sub-varsity levels would.

Possible 5A Districts Northshore should have to play JUCO. ;D

I will see if I can put that together.

If only half the games are away, and half of those are far away. I am OK with it.

;D Yeah, with a bus load of kids in tow.

They weren't, that has got to be the dumbest "man" in the world.

April 16, 2007 Game Warden Field Notes The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports. Frustrated captain catches extra citation— On April 1, game wardens from Harris and Galveston Counties worked between the Galveston jetties and Galveston Bay looking for fishing violations. Several citations were issued, including two citations issued to oyster boats for having undersized catch. After returning his oysters to the reef, one captain began venting his frustration by throwing plastic jugs and burlap oyster sacks overboard as well. The wardens re-boarded the boat and cited the captain for littering. A ‘campful’ of violations — An Irion County game warden was checking turkey hunters April 1 when he located a camp containing several violations but no hunters. Before anyone returned, a Tom Green County warden was called in for assistance, and when the hunters got back to camp, they were greeted with 15 citations and 15 warning citations. Warden wins bid on frozen animals — A Coleman County game warden got a call in early April about someone selling a frozen bobcat and grey fox on eBay. The game warden registered on eBay and sent a few messages to the seller. The seller replied gave the warden his name and phone number. A brief meeting revealed the seller had a valid hunting license but no trapper’s license. Complacent campers get caught — On March 15, a Young County game warden received a call regarding suspicious individuals on the Brazos River. Wildcatter Ranch owners were giving paid tours of the Brazos and offered to escort the warden for free on their airboat. A few miles down river, two individuals and a jon boat were located near a cave. The subjects, apparently camping on the river, assumed the airboat was just conducting another tour. They failed to realize that the “tourist†was a game warden. When approached, illegal drugs were still in plain sight. Bothersome hog no match for game warden — A Goliad County game warden responded to a call from a residential area mid-March. A wild hog had been rooting up small trees, flowers, plants, and fighting with neighborhood pets. The warden successfully tracked down the feral hog, and after a little wrestling, captured and relocated it to a ranch in Goliad County. Make sure someone knows you’re gone — A Lamar County game warden received a call March 11 concerning a group of hunters who had not returned home. The caller was worried the hunters would get caught in an impending storm. The warden located the subjects unharmed. Their truck had gotten stuck in the mud, and their cell phone was dead. By the time the tow truck arrived, it had to pull the vehicle out several times until reaching the end of the very muddy road. Shallow water isn’t for speeding — A McLennan County game warden and a Coryell County game warden were called to investigate a boating accident on Lake Waco March 2. Two men were operating their bass boat at a high rate of speed in a shallow, stumpy part of the lake. Inevitably, they struck a log and the boat overturned. One passenger was ejected from the boat, but both occupants escaped without any serious injuries. Lucky boaters get water safety reminder — A Hood County game warden was contacted in late February by the county sheriff’s office about a boat on Lake Granbury that was in danger of capsizing in nearly 60 mph winds. The warden and a Brazos River Authority lake ranger responded to assist. The officers found four teenagers in a 12-foot Jon boat with only paddles as well as a man and two small children in a paddleboat. Everyone was returned safely to shore, where they received a water safety lesson from the warden.