Texan Outdoors Show

http://texasoutdoordigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Bass-Podcast-Final.mp3 Memorial Day weekend in Texas long has signaled the start of summer across the state, bringing with it thought of fishing, camping and other outdoors excursions. Here are your holiday listings for things to do, places to go and how to plan a last-second trip to some of our favorite places. Texas freshwater summer fishing guide “It’s tough to beat Texas angling no matter where you are, and while these bodies of water are surefire locales to find the fish of the year or fish of a lifetime, there are plenty of other places not far away that likely are just as good.” Channel catfish are distinctive, though they don’t grow as large as blue catfish and flathead catfish Catfish the perfect angling target for young, old across Texas “Because of its wide-ranging appetite for anything — and I do mean anything — the catfish is a great angling target for young and old. Not only can they grow to extreme size in some cases, they are tough to beat as table fare and definitely will put some curl in a fishing rod.” Flounder always are a welcome addition to a daily bag limit. Texas saltwater summer fishing guide “The Texas coastline stretches from the Louisiana border to the Mexican border and harbors game fish of all shapes and sizes – and tastes. With that in mind, here’s a summer saltwater fishing guide, featuring more than a few reasons why it’s worth making the trip south or east, at least for a few days when the weather’s scorching outside.” Texas jetty fishing provides some of the finest angling conditions imaginable “The miles of rocky outcroppings from Sabine Pass to Port Mansfield – and everywhere in between – are magnets for game fish of all shapes and sizes, offering the everyman angler their best chance to come close to the biggest and best fish swimming in the salt.” It’s time to play well with others in Texas hunting, fishing pursuits “There are millions of acres of land and water open to public hunting and fishing if you can get there, but I’m telling you right now, if you don’t like sharing, don’t even pack the truck. It’s Memorial Day weekend and you’re guaranteed to find people before you find redfish or bass.” Texas hunting, fishing pursuits continue to get even more crowded “During the next few months from east to west and north to south we’ll be sharing some of our favorite places that we find most dear with more than a million others, who may or may not be our future friends. My advice is to celebrate all that we have to legally enjoy.” Link to this post!

It’s Father’s Day weekend, and in this installment of the Texan Outdoors Show, I offer my take on what it means to be a father and why fulfilling that role successfully is so important to our children and to future generations. With summer rains come big predictions for the fall and winter deer seasons, and Alan Cain, white-tailed deer program leader for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, stops by to discuss this year’s seasons. Texas deer hunting is a multi-billion-dollar industry enjoyed by more than a half-million hunters each fall and winter, and even in average or bad years when dry conditions are prevalent we still have it better than any other state in the country. However, this year’s seasons should shape up to be exceptional, possibly one of the best on record, Cain said. “I have no reservations suggesting antler quality will be above-average this year and with a good number of bucks in the 5.5-year-old age class … I expect a number of hunters to harvest some exceptional bucks this year,” he said. “The habitat conditions statewide are much better than we’ve seen in years and the abundance of native forage will help bucks maximize antler growth this year.” Cain pointed to the best areas to bag a huge buck, with no surprise in which ones he picked. “Those hunters looking for a buck with good quality antlers can expect the usual locations to produce such as South Texas where the average Boone & Crockett score of a 6.5-year-old buck is about 136 B&C,” he said. “The Rolling Plains is right up there with South Texas where the average score of a 6.5-year-old buck is about 133 B&C. It should be noted, Cain said, that other areas still produce some top-quality headgear. “Although South Texas and the Rolling Plains are destination locations for bucks with big antlers, hunters can still connect on great deer in any ecoregion. In fact, in 2014 a beautiful 197 5/8 B&C buck was bagged in Nacogdoches County in East Texas and multiple bucks scoring 160 B&C or better were taken in many of the antler restriction counties of the Cross Timbers, Post Oak Savannah and Pineywoods,” he said. “Although those type of deer are the exception to the norm, the average 6.5-year-old buck still sports quality antlers with the statewide average around 128 B&C. The majority of ecoregions produce bucks with that quality of antlers if the bucks are able to survive to those older age classes. Regardless of where you hunt in Texas, there’s always a good chance you’ll see a great quality buck each season. Enhancing habitat to make your hunting lease or ranch more attractive to deer is always helpful to entice that big buck to your deer blind and hopefully in your crosshairs.” Later in the show, Bill Carey of Striper Express Guide Service, will discuss the fishing on Lake Texoma. Even though the lake has never been as high as it is now with recent huge rainfall and flooding events, the fishing outlook remains strong heading toward the heat of the summer. Carey, who along with his son, Chris, have great insight into catching striped bass, white bass and a host of other freshwater species, offers his take on what makes Texoma such a great angling paradise, including how his guides helped break four Texas and Oklahoma records this year and last. I’ve fished with the Careys a couple of times and the topwater bite always is mind-boggling for stripers during the summer. Texoma features the only self-sustaining population of breeding stripers in the country, making it among the best fishing destinations in the entire United States. The lake even made the Bassmaster Top 100 lakes in the country recently and shows no signs of slowing down. Link to this post!

It’s Father’s Day weekend, and in this installment of the Texan Outdoors Show, I offer my take on what it means to be a father and why fulfilling that role successfully is so important to our children and to future generations. With summer rains come big predictions for the fall and winter deer seasons, and Alan Cain, white-tailed deer program leader for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, stops by to discuss this year’s seasons. Texas deer hunting is a multi-billion-dollar industry enjoyed by more than a half-million hunters each fall and winter, and even in average or bad years when dry conditions are prevalent we still have it better than any other state in the country. However, this year’s seasons should shape up to be exceptional, possibly one of the best on record, Cain said. “I have no reservations suggesting antler quality will be above-average this year and with a good number of bucks in the 5.5-year-old age class … I expect a number of hunters to harvest some exceptional bucks this year,” he said. “The habitat conditions statewide are much better than we’ve seen in years and the abundance of native forage will help bucks maximize antler growth this year.” Cain pointed to the best areas to bag a huge buck, with no surprise in which ones he picked. “Those hunters looking for a buck with good quality antlers can expect the usual locations to produce such as South Texas where the average Boone & Crockett score of a 6.5-year-old buck is about 136 B&C,” he said. “The Rolling Plains is right up there with South Texas where the average score of a 6.5-year-old buck is about 133 B&C. It should be noted, Cain said, that other areas still produce some top-quality headgear. “Although South Texas and the Rolling Plains are destination locations for bucks with big antlers, hunters can still connect on great deer in any ecoregion. In fact, in 2014 a beautiful 197 5/8 B&C buck was bagged in Nacogdoches County in East Texas and multiple bucks scoring 160 B&C or better were taken in many of the antler restriction counties of the Cross Timbers, Post Oak Savannah and Pineywoods,” he said. “Although those type of deer are the exception to the norm, the average 6.5-year-old buck still sports quality antlers with the statewide average around 128 B&C. The majority of ecoregions produce bucks with that quality of antlers if the bucks are able to survive to those older age classes. Regardless of where you hunt in Texas, there’s always a good chance you’ll see a great quality buck each season. Enhancing habitat to make your hunting lease or ranch more attractive to deer is always helpful to entice that big buck to your deer blind and hopefully in your crosshairs.” Later in the show, Bill Carey of Striper Express Guide Service, will discuss the fishing on Lake Texoma. Even though the lake has never been as high as it is now with recent huge rainfall and flooding events, the fishing outlook remains strong heading toward the heat of the summer. Carey, who along with his son, Chris, have great insight into catching striped bass, white bass and a host of other freshwater species, offers his take on what makes Texoma such a great angling paradise, including how his guides helped break four Texas and Oklahoma records this year and last. I’ve fished with the Careys a couple of times and the topwater bite always is mind-boggling for stripers during the summer. Texoma features the only self-sustaining population of breeding stripers in the country, making it among the best fishing destinations in the entire United States. The lake even made the Bassmaster Top 100 lakes in the country recently and shows no signs of slowing down. Link to this post!

http://texanoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Bass-Podcast-Final.mp3 Memorial Day weekend in Texas long has signaled the start of summer across the state, bringing with it thought of fishing, camping and other outdoors excursions. Here are your holiday listings for things to do, places to go and how to plan a last-second trip to some of our favorite places. Texas freshwater summer fishing guide “It’s tough to beat Texas angling no matter where you are, and while these bodies of water are surefire locales to find the fish of the year or fish of a lifetime, there are plenty of other places not far away that likely are just as good.” Channel catfish are distinctive, though they don’t grow as large as blue catfish and flathead catfish Catfish the perfect angling target for young, old across Texas “Because of its wide-ranging appetite for anything — and I do mean anything — the catfish is a great angling target for young and old. Not only can they grow to extreme size in some cases, they are tough to beat as table fare and definitely will put some curl in a fishing rod.” Flounder always are a welcome addition to a daily bag limit. Texas saltwater summer fishing guide “The Texas coastline stretches from the Louisiana border to the Mexican border and harbors game fish of all shapes and sizes – and tastes. With that in mind, here’s a summer saltwater fishing guide, featuring more than a few reasons why it’s worth making the trip south or east, at least for a few days when the weather’s scorching outside.” Texas jetty fishing provides some of the finest angling conditions imaginable “The miles of rocky outcroppings from Sabine Pass to Port Mansfield – and everywhere in between – are magnets for game fish of all shapes and sizes, offering the everyman angler their best chance to come close to the biggest and best fish swimming in the salt.” It’s time to play well with others in Texas hunting, fishing pursuits “There are millions of acres of land and water open to public hunting and fishing if you can get there, but I’m telling you right now, if you don’t like sharing, don’t even pack the truck. It’s Memorial Day weekend and you’re guaranteed to find people before you find redfish or bass.” Texas hunting, fishing pursuits continue to get even more crowded “During the next few months from east to west and north to south we’ll be sharing some of our favorite places that we find most dear with more than a million others, who may or may not be our future friends. My advice is to celebrate all that we have to legally enjoy.” Link to this post!

[gallery_post_embed gallery=”3807″] http://texanoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/TurkeyPodcastFinal.mp3 It’s the second week in March which can mean only one thing: it’s about to be spring turkey hunting time. In this installment of the show I’ll be offering up a forecast for the season as well as some tips and tactics and even a glimpse into the historical significance of the pursuit and why it’s a great introduction to the outdoors for youths and others who have yet to enjoy all that the Lone Star State has to offer. Texas turkey hunting central Texas turkey hunting guide from A to Z Watch your step when spring turkey hunting Here’s  a spring turkey hunting guide, coming from someone who knows more than a thing or two about missing out on bagging a bird. When it comes to spring turkey hunting in Texas, there is plenty of trial and error. While man has leveled the playing field in almost every pursuit, turkeys can make the most seasoned hunter look foolish with their uncanny ability to foil even the best-laid plans. Though you should be skeptical of anyone who claims to be an expert turkey hunter, there are a number of things that you can count on when it comes to turkey hunting during the next six weeks. Staying legal: There are a number of requirements that hunters must follow, successful outing or not. First, the annual bag limit in the aggregate for most counties is four birds, only one of which may be an eastern turkey. However, there are some counties to the south (Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee and Milam) that adhere to a one-gobbler framework. Turkey hunters also must ensure they have a $7 upland game bird stamp (endorsement) on their hunting license. Hunters may shoot male birds (gobblers, jakes) and hens with beards, which are rare, during spring frameworks. The most common method of harvesting birds in the spring is with a shotgun, but some hunters still tote along a rifle, a bow or even a crossbow for Rios. If you’re hunting eastern turkeys, there are special regulations. They include not hunting over bait, and if you’re successful, you must take your bird to a certified check-in station within 24 hours. Rifles also may not be used to harvest eastern turkeys. You must also must keep proof of sex (leg with spur, patch of feathers with beard) on your bird or birds until you get home and don’t breast them out until at a final destination. Turkeys have excellent eyesight: The standard rule is to not move if you can see a turkey’s head, but sometimes it seems like they have X-ray vision through any type of brush and can bust you. Camouflage from head to toe is a requirement, as is staying completely still. Setting up with your back to a tree and having a comfortable seat will help. Turkeys are sociable: They find each other by making any number of inflections – purrs, yelps, gobbles, cackles – and each bird has a slightly different alteration in its calls. The best thing is you don’t have to be a champion caller to entice birds. Turkeys like their safety: They usually roost at night in big trees such as cottonwoods and stay there until it is light enough in the morning to determine friend from foe when they fly down. They also tend to bunch up during breeding season in the spring. Turkeys are tough: It should be second nature to pattern the shotgun you’ll be using before heading into the field. You should use the same choke and loads you’ll have on your hunt. If you are able to put anywhere from 80 to 100 pellets into a 10-inch circle at 40 yards or even more into one at 30 yards, you should be able to have no problems making a clean shot on a bird that gets in range. Turkey talk: There are a staggering variety of calls on the market, but they all can be broken down into basic categories. The box call probably is the most well-known. It consists of a striker and box. The striker is slid across the box and mimics any number of calls. Don’t touch the striking surfaces of the call as the oils in the skin can affect the sound and life of the call and also use only chalk that is free of oil and only use it on the underside of the lid when needed. The slate call is another mainstay, utilizing a striker used in different motions on a slate surface to create sounds. Practice makes perfect — or even somewhat decent — with this type of enticer. The mouth call has reeds in it that produce yelps and cackles when air is pushed in and around them. This call is the toughest to master, but if you do, it’s a great thing because it offers hands-free imitations. You should not let these calls get hot, or the latex in them can expand and alter the sound. To clean, simply rinse with cold water and spray with antiseptic to eliminate germs and bacteria that might get on the call. The locator call is used to startle a turkey into gobbling. It can mimic an owl or crow, but I’ve even heard tales of hunters simply yelling out before daybreak and shocking birds into giving away their positions. It’s no wonder turkey hunter success rates are less than 40 percent in most locales, but putting in time learning the terrain and practicing with your hunting implements will help swing the odds in your favor this season. The good thing about making mistakes is being able to learn from them. And turkeys are about the best teachers around. Link to this post!