Dove, Dogs, and Shotguns

North Zone Dove: Rain showers last week put a damper on the flight, however, between showers doves were good in corn, milo and along treelines. Fields near Paris enjoyed good shoots in harvested corn and soybeans. Amarillo fields of corn and milo hosted steady shoots. Abilene saw half-limits to near-limits of mourning doves. Hunters should expect a new flurry of birds this week with sustained north wind forecasted. Prospects are fair to good.

Central Zone Dove: Whitewing action picked up where it left off the first week of the season in San Antonio. An influx of birds in harvested corn just outside the city limits made for easy limits. Uvalde, San Saba, Waco, Sabinal, Del Rio and Hondo were the other hotspots around the state. Hunters there said they saw a new wave of birds ride in on the recent north wind. Sealy hunters continue to see plenty of whitewings around oak trees and milo on the outskirts of town. Harrison County hunters have taken half-limits in the afternoon. Katy, Hockley, Brookshire and Waller hunters saw a new crop of birds, but not enough to garner steady limits. Rain around the Houston area has limited the flight. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Dove: The season opens Sept. 18. Best hunts during the Special White-winged Dove Area season occurred around Harlingen and Brownsville. Corn, milo and wild sunflowers have seen the largest concentrations of birds. Some fields near Laredo saw slow hunting. Prospects look solid in Lytle, Uvalde, Del Rio and the Rio Grande Valley. Doves that have been shot out of Central Zone fields in Uvalde and Del Rio are staging just over the zone boundary in corn, milo and sunflowers. North winds this week should prompt more migrants to move south. Prospects are good.

Teal Season: Opening day of teal season on the coast was fair at best – not for lack of birds, though. Steady rains the week prior to the opener seemed to scatter birds. As is normally the case with puddle ducks like teal, many birds left the marshes when the heavy downpours occurred, heading to high ground. That made for slow hunts opening morning; however, by Sunday, birds began trickling back to the coastal marshes and hunters enjoyed better shoots. Good hunters were posted in Wharton County rice fields and leveed ponds. Eagle Lake hunters said they had to hunt later on opening day to get their birds, but Sunday shoots were much faster. Garwood hunters reported average hunting at best. Collegeport hunters said Sunday hunts were much better than opening day. Playa lakes in the Panhandle gave up good shoots. Water supplies there are in good shape from summer rains and recent rains have recharged playas. Hunters say the country is green from all the water. Prospects are good.

Here comes the SOUTH ZONE, HOOH RAH!

• 6 New Texas Dove Leases If anyone has hunted these leases, feel free to leave a review on them. Thanks for posting them, and keep them coming. Below are the details: NAME OF LEASE: Carol Knutson EMAIL: info@muysecoranch.com CONTACT NAME: Carol CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 830-363-4281 PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT: Either LOCATION INCLUDING CLOSEST CITY OR......
• Hunting South Texas I know we have a page to review hunting land, but I figured since this particular land is where we have our Top Gun competition every year, it deserved its very own post.     Since 2003 we've been hunting opening day of the south zone at the Las Palomas WMA in......
• Texas Weekly Migratory Bird Report Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February. North Zone Dove: The North Zone season closes at sunset Oct. 25, but reopens Dec. 26-Jan. 9, 2010. Generally, the season has been fair at best, but not for lack of birds. Rains hampered most flight patterns......

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• Fishing Report: December 18, 2009 Striped Bass, Crab and Halibut At Berkeley/Emeryville, crabbing has been, by all accounts, pretty terrible, mostly because the crab boats haven't even been able to go out. They've been docked for 5 or 6 days, and unable to even head out because of rough weather. Sturgeon trips are beginning, however.......

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is offering Texas hunters and anglers the chance to win a Lifetime Super Combo hunting and fishing license — an $1,800 value — for only $5.

Entries for the Lifetime License Drawing can be purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold, as well as on the TPWD Web site. Two drawings will be held, the first on Dec. 30, 2009 and the second on June 30, 2010. Anyone who registers by Dec. 27 will be eligible for both drawings. Entries for the June 30 drawing must be purchased by June 27, 2010. Each drawing will select one winner. Participants can purchase as many entries as they like, and winners are allowed to give the license as a gift to family or friends who are Texas residents.

Proceeds from the drawing will help fund the Parks and Wildlife Department’s conservation efforts.

Winners will be exempted from purchasing state hunting and fishing stamps, although they will not be exempted from the Federal Duck Stamp Requirement. On Aug. 31, the price of a lifetime hunting and fishing license increased from $1,000 to $1,800.

• Texas Teens Take Home Honors From Ag Clays 381 State Trap Shoot KERRVILLE, Texas — The Second Annual Ag Clays 381 State Trap Shoot took place June 8 at the Hill Country Shooting Sports Range in Kerrville, where 121 shooters representing 23 schools formed 28 teams, including 10 mixed teams, 15 all male teams and 3 all female teams. The Ag Clays......
• Dove, Teal Seasons Set BIg News for Texas Dove Hunters AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, and a 16-day early teal season. Additionally, the SRC approved moving the Texas South Zone......
• TPWD seeking dove leases Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking to lease some more dove land for its public land. Landowners interested can click HERE for more information or call 512/389-4505. This a great opportunity for farmers to make some short term cash. The state generally pays about $5 per acre of land......

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Sept. 9th

Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

North Zone Dove: Plowed corn fields along the Red River in Lamar County held limits of mourning doves. Birds are coming into soybeans as well. Clay County hunters set up along treelines in the morning and afternoon for near-limits. Best hunts in the High Plains have been in harvested corn and milo fields in the morning. Playa lakes adjacent to agriculture fields have been best in the afternoon. Sunflowers have held most of the doves in the Abilene area. The season runs through Oct. 25. Prospects are fair to good.

Central Zone Dove: Shooting slowed in and around San Antonio as the week progressed. Resident whitewings have become educated to the plight of hunters in corn fields outside of Loop 1604. Hunters there have taken limits in fields with watering sources nearby. Limit hunts were posted near Lytle in corn and milo. Uvalde, Sabinal, Hondo and Del Rio hunters saw half-limits — again, resident birds have become wise. The region needs another cool front to push birds to the area. Hunters have taken half-limits at best around Beaumont, Dayton, Liberty, Nome and Winnie. Brookshire, Hockley and Katy hunters continue to see few birds. Better shoots have come from Sealy and Columbus. Afternoon showers have hurt the flight somewhat, but have been welcomed by Texans. Prospects are fair until another cool front prompts new migrants to head south.

South Zone Dove: Season opens Friday, Sept. 18.

Special White-Winged Dove Area: Shooting was fast and limits were quick around Harlingen, Brownsville and Edinburg. Best shoots were had over corn, milo and wild sunflowers. Port Mansfield hunters enjoyed good shoots as well. Del Rio hunters saw steady shoots in agricultural fields as well. The season opens again Sept. 12 and 13, with afternoon-only hunting. Prospects are good.

Teal Forecast: The 16-day season runs Sept. 12–27 and prospects look excellent for those areas holding water. The upper coast has endured decent rain during the summer which has habitat in good shape; however, the middle coast extending to the border has been severely dry. Some established ponds on TPWD wildlife management areas like Mad Island near Bay City, Justin Hurst near Freeport and Guadalupe Delta near Port Lavaca, have limited ponds available due to the drought. Second-cropped rice fields in Garwood, El Campo, Eagle Lake, East Bernard, Wharton and Collegeport are holding impressive numbers of bluewings. Fields near Port Lavaca and Seadrift are reported good numbers as well. Lakes and reservoirs in north and east Texas are in good shape and holding birds in shallow coves. Playa lakes in the Panhandle have received summer rains and are holding water and teal. The bag limit is four (4) birds per hunter, per day. Prospects are good.

Send in your reviews.

• TPWD Sets Hearings on Lastest Proposals In a news release from Steve Lightfoot with Texas Parks and Wildlife, he announced the the department would conduct 21 public hearings. The hearing would cover the topics of increasing fees and yhe new dove season propsals. Changes proposed for the 2009-10 Texas dove season include a 70 day season......
• Walking the field Perhaps my favorite way to hunt dove is to walk the field for those dove that  have lighted in the field. Of course, if you are in a big shoot with many other shotguns, you can't do this for obvious safety reasons.  However, later in the season this method can be......
• TPWD Scoping Migratory Bird Issues at Public Hearings News Release Media Contact: Steve Lightfoot, 512-389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us April 28, 2009 AUSTIN, Texas — In addition to public comment on proposed fee increases and dove hunting seasons, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is inviting input on a series of scoping issues related to migratory game birds during public hearings......

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North Zone Dove: Dove hunters saw fair to good shoots around the Panhandle over cut corn and milo. The region has received rain during the summer so there are plenty of watering holes and playa lakes. Lubbock and fields north of Abilene were good for morning shoots of mourning doves. Fields along the Red River enjoyed steady flights of mourning doves near Paris and Bogota. Soy beans, sunflowers and corn fields have been the ticket. Treelines and watering holes have seen the best flights in the afternoon. The region has enjoyed above-average rainfall amounts for the year. Prospects are good.

Central Zone Dove: Generally, opening day of dove season was lackluster around the state, unless you were situated around the San Antonio township and feasted on the local flight of whitewings leaving the city to feed in agricultural fields outside of town. Sunflowers and corn yielded quick limits of whitewings in the morning. Castroville hunters also reported good shoots. Sabinal, Hondo and Uvalde saw good shoots as well. Afternoon hunters saw a steady flight as well. Sunflowers fields in Navarro and Freestone counties was fair to good. Hunters there reported seeing more mourning doves before the recent cool front. Public hunting fields near Liberty and Beaumont saw fair at best shoots for mourners. Fields north of Houston in the Cypress area saw better flights of doves last week. Fields near Waller saw limited flights as well. Fields north of Brenham enjoyed high flights of whitewings. Hunters situated around ponds and tanks took good numbers of mourning dove near Marlin and Waco. Sealy hunters saw their best action around treelines and cut rice fields — hunters reported excellent numbers of whitewings there. Katy, Brookshire and Hockley hunters saw slow action. Fields near Marshall and Longview saw half-limit shoots — many hunters there said they lost most of their birds after the last cool front. Prospects are fair to good.

Teal Update: The wettest areas of the state are in the Panhandle and Northeast Texas. Teal are beginning to show on playa lakes along the High Plains and on lakes and reservoirs in the northern reaches of the state. The coast is dreadfully dry. Freshwater marshes are parched flats of cracked earth. Salinity levels in brackish marshes are as salty as ocean water in most areas. Tidal flats should hold enough water for the opener with swelling tides prior to the Sept. 22 Equinox. Coastal prairies are dry as well, except for second-cropped rice fields. The good news is rice prices are favorable for most farmers to try and yield a second-crop harvest, therefore there should be more water on the prairies. Outfitters have begun to pump leveed ponds and fields and the bluewings have found the sweet water. Since the region is suffering from a severe drought, any watering hole is prime during the 16-day season, which runs Sept.12-27.

How was your shoot?

• Migratory Bird Report North Zone Dove: Rain showers last week put a damper on the flight, however, between showers doves were good in corn, milo and along treelines. Fields near Paris enjoyed good shoots in harvested corn and soybeans. Amarillo fields of corn and milo hosted steady shoots. Abilene saw half-limits to near-limits......
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• Texas Migratory Bird Report Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February. North Zone Dove: Wet weather continues to plague the dove flight, making access to fields tough. Muddy roads and soggy fields have not been conducive to hunting. Most of the birds have left the bottoms and staged......

• Locating the Deer A lot of hunters that are unsuccessful are in such a position because they set up anywhere they can in the woods and simply hope that a deer is going to go by. Other people may set up near a rub, simply hoping that a monster buck is going to......
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• EarthTalk: On Aerial Wolf Hunting In Alaska. Dear EarthTalk: What is aerial wolf gunning and why does Alaska governor Sarah Palin endorse the practice? Aerial wolf gunning involves stalking and shooting wolves from low-flying planes and helicopters. The practice yields better results than traditional ground-based hunting since it allows hunters to cover lots of ground quickly and......

AUSTIN, Texas — The Lone Star State boasts some of the finest hunting anywhere in the country, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Big Time Texas Hunts offer hunters a chance to experience the best of the best.

The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals — the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, exotic big game, waterfowl and upland game birds.

Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold or by calling 800-895-4248. They may also be purchased online this year at a discounted price of $9 each. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older.

Proceeds from the Big Time Texas Hunts are used to provide more public hunting opportunity and to fund wildlife conservation and research programs in Texas.

Here’s a summary of the Big Time Texas Hunts offerings:

The Texas Grand Slam — This truly is the hunt of a lifetime. The bighorn sheep hunt is very exclusive; TPWD issues only a handful of permits a year. The bighorn sheep hunt takes place on a West Texas Wildlife Management Area. The other three hunts included in the Texas Grand Slam will be on some of the most exclusive private ranches in the state. The winner may also bring along a non-hunting companion to share in this awesome outdoor adventure.
Texas Whitetail Bonanza — Ten winners will each get to experience a high-quality white-tailed deer hunt, something legendary to Texas on popular ranches known to produce big bucks. Guide service, food and lodging are provided on these 3-5-day trips. Each winner can also bring along a companion to hunt as well.
Texas Gator Hunt — One winner and a guest will enjoy a rare and unique three-day trip pursuing alligators at the J. D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area on the Gulf Coast. Each hunter may harvest one alligator. All necessary equipment, expert guides, lodging and gator hide removal are included. The winner and guest will also be treated to an airboat tour of the marsh to view alligators.
Texas Waterfowl Adventure — One winner and as many as three invited guests will win a series of three exciting waterfowl adventures. The hunts are located on some of the best waterfowl areas in Texas. Trips include a Coastal Prairies guided hunt for snows, blues and white-fronted geese; a guided duck hunt in the Coastal Marshes; and an East Texas hunt for wood ducks and mallards.
Texas Exotic Safari — Two winners will experience the thrill of hunting African exotic game right here in Texas on the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area in the Texas Hill Country. Each winner can take two exotic species, including sable antelope, gemsbok oryx, scimitar-horned oryx or common waterbuck. Hunters may choose to shoot modern rifle, muzzleloader, archery or crossbow. Winners can also bring along a companion to hunt a management exotic. Food and lodging will be provided at the scenic Mason Mountain WMA lodge. Taxidermy service will be provided for the two winners. Proceeds go to benefit wildlife conservation and research on Mason Mountain WMA.
Texas Big Time Bird Hunt — One winner along with as many as three hunting buddies will enjoy a unique package of upland game bird hunts: two days of quail, two days of pheasant hunting in the Panhandle and two afternoons of dove hunting. There will also be a two-day guided spring turkey hunt for two included in the package. Food, guide service and lodging are included on all bird hunts, and pointing dogs are provided for quail and pheasant hunts.
Texas Premium Buck Hunt — This is the ultimate deer hunting experience-an opportunity to harvest a trophy white-tailed buck in the rugged South Texas brush country. One winner and a guest will enjoy the finest deer hunting trip that Texas can offer. Professional guide service, food and high quality accommodations are included to provide each hunter comfort as well as great hunting.
The deadline to apply for this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts is Oct. 15. Winners will be announced in November.

———
On the Net:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bigtime

• Picking a spot in the field Who hasn't done it, shown up for a big dove hunt and put yourself in a bad spot. It is simply miserable to listen to all the blasting around you as you contemplate everything from moving spots to what you did to deserve this. The best bullets, most expensive shotgun,......
• Shotgun Ammo & Chokes Choosing shotgun shells and choke tubes can be confusing to say the least. Just go to Academy and look at the variety, 1oz., 1 1/8oz., 7 shot, 7.5 shot, 2 3/4", 3", lead, tungsten etc, etc, etc. If your not careful you could spend a fortune on the wrong stuff. Let's......
• Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report Sept. 9th Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February. North Zone Dove: Plowed corn fields along the Red River in Lamar County held limits of mourning doves. Birds are coming into soybeans as well. Clay County hunters set up along treelines in the morning......

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• How to Use Hunting Decoys Learning how to make use of hunting decoys can be a very important part of your hunting experience. Regardless if you are new to hunting, or if you are a seasoned veteran of the fields and forests, learning how to use decoys as part of your hunting can advance things......

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-2010 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15. Sportsmen are reminded all current Texas annual hunting and fishing licenses (except for the year-to-date fishing license) expire Aug. 31.

Most fees for recreational hunting and fishing licenses have increased by five percent; resident hunting licenses now cost $25, while the Super Combo all-inclusive license costs $68. There is no increase in price for any of the required stamp endorsements or the $48 Annual Public Hunting permit.

Non-resident hunting licenses increase by $15 from $300 to $315, which also reflects a five percent hike.
The resident freshwater fishing package costs $30 and the saltwater fishing package is $35.

Effective Sept. 1, the resident lifetime fishing and hunting licenses will increase to $1,000 and the lifetime combination license increases to $1,800.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues 2.1 million hunting and fishing licenses annually through the agency’s 28 field offices, more than 65 state parks and at over 1,500 retailers across Texas.

Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD Web site or by phone (800-895-4248). Call center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday — Friday. The online transaction system is available 24/7. A $5 convenience fee will be charged for online and phone orders.

A license confirmation number is issued at the time of purchase for online and phone orders, and the physical license is mailed separately. Confirmation numbers will verify that a license has been purchased, which is sufficient for dove hunting, but will not allow hunters to take fish or wildlife that requires a tag.

In addition to a hunting license, all wing shooters will need to purchase a game bird stamp. To hunt doves or teal in September, a Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required. Duck hunters also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and receive HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification. HIP certification will be printed on the license at the time of sale only after the purchaser answers a few brief migratory bird questions. Lifetime license holders must also be HIP-certified and purchase the Federal Duck Stamp to hunt migratory birds. All other state stamp endorsements are included with a lifetime license.

New this year, purchase of the Federal Duck Stamp will cost $15-$17 depending on where you buy. If purchased through the TPWD license system there is a $2 administrative fee. Your license will indicate Federal Duck Stamp purchase and the physical stamp will be mailed. There are other options for purchasing the stamp, either at some major post offices or online.

“Remember, it’s your responsibility to make sure you are properly licensed, so be sure to check your license before you leave the sales counter,” said Tom Newton with TPWD’s license program. “We do get a fair number of requests for re-issuance of licenses because the hunter forgot to get HIP certified.”

There are other mandatory endorsements to consider at the time of purchase, too. An Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required to hunt all non-migratory game birds, including turkey, quail, pheasant, chachalaca and lesser prairie chicken.

Of course, anyone who purchases the Super Combo license package, the best bang for the buck, automatically gets these needed stamps.

Also new this year, sandhill crane permits may be obtained in person at no cost only through TPWD Law Enforcement offices and TPWD headquarters in Austin. Permits are also available anytime online through TPWD’s online license sales and by calling 800-792-1112 (option 5, menu 2) or 512-389-4820 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For online and phone orders, a confirmation number will be issued in lieu of a permit and a $5 transaction fee will be charged.

Hunter Education Certification is also required of any hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 and who is at least 17 years old. For hunters who are unable to work in a hunter education class before hunting season for whatever reason, TPWD does offer a deferral option.

The deferral option allows people 17 years of age or older a one-time only extension to complete the state’s hunter education requirements. The individual must first purchase a hunting license and then may purchase the deferral option.

Hunters using the deferral must be accompanied by someone 17 years old or older who is also licensed to hunt in Texas. The accompanying individual must have completed hunter education or be exempt from the requirements (born before Sept. 2, 1971). The extension is good for one license year, by which time the person with the deferred option needs to complete a hunter education course.

This option is not available to those who have ever received a conviction or deferred adjudication for lack of hunter education certification. They still must take the course before going afield.

Also available through license agents and online are chances for TPWD’s Big Time Texas Hunts. The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals — the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, exotic big game, waterfowl and upland game birds.

Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold. They may also be purchased online at a discounted price of $9 each. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase, and entries may be given as gifts for others. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older.

• http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bigtime/
• http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/

• TPWD Offering 'Big Time' Hunts  In the mail yesterday I received Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's special drawings magazine. Right inside the front cover was an advertisement for 'BIG TIME Texas Hunts'. There are seven 'Big Time' hunts you can put in for. They all start with Texas, e.g. Texas Premium Buck Hunt, exotic safari,......
• TPWD offering chances to win lifetime hunting license AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is offering Texas hunters and anglers the chance to win a Lifetime Super Combo hunting and fishing license — an $1,800 value — for only $5. Entries for the Lifetime License Drawing can be purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are......
• TPWD Dove Season Framework Gets Commission Approval AUSTIN, Texas — Changes proposed for the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, received approval from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The season framework change is part of a new adaptive harvest management regulations package developed for the 14 states, including Texas,......

• Hunting and Legislation - the Eternal Battle In Texas, it is the occurrence that is the bane of hunters that comes only once every other year. During the four month season, hunting and fishing finds itself in the Texas Capitol building in Austin. Many hunters are unaware of the impact of the legislature on their activities. There......
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 In the mail yesterday I received Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s special drawings magazine. Right inside the front cover was an advertisement for ‘BIG TIME Texas Hunts’.

There are seven ‘Big Time’ hunts you can put in for. They all start with Texas, e.g. Texas Premium Buck Hunt, exotic safari, gator hunt, whitetail bonanza, grand slam, waterfowl adventure, and the big time bird hunt.

The Big Time Bird Hunt winner gets to take three buddies for two days of quail hunting, two days of pheasant hunting, two afternoons of dove hunting, and one buddy gets to join the winner for a two-day guided spring turkey hunt.

Naturally, to put your name in for one of the hunts it cost $10 over the phone or at a licensed retailer and $9 if you enter online. Go to http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bighunts to check it out and enter the drawing. The deadline to enter is Oct. 15, 2009. To purchase by phone call (800) 895-4248.

These hunts appear to be top of the line and all the proceeds go to help preserve the great traditions of hunting in Texas.

The bird hunt could be the best ten bucks you ever spent, call or go online today.

Time to RELOAD!

Dove, Dogs, & Shotguns

• TPWD seeking dove leases Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking to lease some more dove land for its public land. Landowners interested can click HERE for more information or call 512/389-4505. This a great opportunity for farmers to make some short term cash. The state generally pays about $5 per acre of land......
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• Finding Good Dove Leases - Easier Said Than Done There are hundreds of dove leases advertised on the Internet and in newspapers. Just about everyone tells you that they have the best dove hunting in Texas. How do you know which ones actually have dove on them? IF you have a large bank account and can afford to hunt on......

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BIg News for Texas Dove Hunters

AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, and a 16-day early teal season.

Additionally, the SRC approved moving the Texas South Zone dove season opening the Friday nearest Sept. 20, but no earlier than the 17th. This year the season will open Sept. 18.

Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 25 and reopen Saturday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Jan. 9, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

The South Zone dove season will run Sept. 18-Nov. 3, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 17 with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

Possession limit is twice the daily bag for all migratory game birds except light geese, which currently does not have a possession limit.

The Special South Texas White-winged Dove Area will open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September running from Sept. 5-6 and 12-13 and reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, Sept. 18 through Tuesday, Nov. 3 and again from Saturday, Dec. 26 through Wednesday, Jan. 13. The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area most close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone. The daily bag limit is 15 birds, not more than four mourning doves during the first two weekend splits and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15.

The Service also approved a proposal to give TPWD the option to adjust a portion of the boundary of the Special White-winged Dove Area. This change would remove portions of Jim Hogg and Starr counties.

Texas’ 16-day September teal season will run Sept. 12-27.

The season for rail and gallinule is Sept. 12-27 and Oct. 31-Dec. 23; for snipe, Oct. 31-Feb. 14; and for woodcock, Dec. 18-Jan. 31.

• Do Dove Decoys Work Every year I see hunters placing decoys around the dove fields. I've always wondered if they were worth their salt. Let's find out... Ducks, Geese, Turkeys are all susceptible to decoys. With ducks being the most social of the game birds. These flock oriented birds find safety when they spot......
• New Season Hunting, Fishing Licenses Go On Sale Aug. 15 AUSTIN, Texas — Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-2010 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15. Sportsmen are reminded all current Texas annual hunting and fishing licenses (except for the year-to-date fishing license) expire Aug. 31. Most fees for recreational hunting and fishing licenses have increased by five percent;......
• Walking the field Perhaps my favorite way to hunt dove is to walk the field for those dove that  have lighted in the field. Of course, if you are in a big shoot with many other shotguns, you can't do this for obvious safety reasons.  However, later in the season this method can be......

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KERRVILLE, Texas — The Second Annual Ag Clays 381 State Trap Shoot took place June 8 at the Hill Country Shooting Sports Range in Kerrville, where 121 shooters representing 23 schools formed 28 teams, including 10 mixed teams, 15 all male teams and 3 all female teams.

The Ag Clays 381 Trap activity began three years ago by Charlie Wilson, Mobile Shooting Range coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The shoot is for those students enrolled in the Agriculture Science elective course, Ag. 381, Wildlife and Recreation Management. The event is open to any student currently or previously enrolled in Ag 381 who has completed hunter education certification as part of the curriculum. This means that a student can enroll as a sophomore and compete in the event for three years until they graduate.

“The requirements follow the usual UIL rules of no pass, no play, but have much more stringent requirements through the Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) Career Development Education (CDE) rules,” said TPWD Hunter Education Coordinator Terry Erwin, who added it is possible to gain scholarships to college if one’s scores are consistently good enough. ”We look at it as a recruitment tool for young people to learn a sport that may be carried on throughout their entire lives,” said Erwin.

There was more than a 100 percent increase in shooters from last year with more than half of them beginning as new shooters in the program. River Star Farms, a company who produces items as fundraiser products for FFA chapters, donated and catered the noon meal with Sloppy Joes, chips and drinks. There were 82 male and 39 female shooters from high schools as far north as Littlefield in the Pan-handle, as far south as Corpus Christi and east at Wills Point.

The winners were as follows:

All Female State Champion:

• Brazoswood High School — Team members — Kelsey Firkins, Ashley Slaughter, Taylor Self and Kaitlyn Garrett
• 2nd Place — Whitharral ISD — Team members — Molly Presley, Alisha Pecero, Sarah Myatt, and Breanna Hays
• 3rd Place — Belton High School — Team members — Jessica Mebane, Haley Thorne, Ashley Sanders, Kaitlyn Ellis

All Male State Champion:

• New Braunfels High School — Team Members — Tyler Martin, Blaine Floerke and Nelson Reuwer
• 2nd Place — Whitharral ISD — Team Members — Tell Rutledge, Keaton Samsel, Corey Nickelson and Ryan Lorenz
• 3rd Place — Corpus Christi Mary Carroll High School — Team Members — Dustin Almendariz, Payton Sienkiewicz and Ryan Sijansky

Mixed Team State Champion:

• Littlefield High School — Team Members — Tucker Foley, Shelby White, Jake Blackwell and Kylon Blackwell
• 2nd Place — Brazoswood High School — Team Members — Dean Tumlinson, Kelsey Firkins, Cody Wilson and Zack Henderson
• 3rd Place — Bellville High School — Team Members — Collyn Tiemann, Tanner Vecha, Garrett Rinn and Brittney Klein

The High Overall Male State Champion was Tyler Martin of New Braunfels, who shot a score of 96 out of 100. The High Overall Female State Champion was Raylea Underwood or Borden County ISD (Gail, Texas), who shot a score of 93 out of 100.

Information about the Ag Clays 381 program is on the TPWD Web site. For details or questions, contact Charlie Wilson at agclays381@yahoo.com or (512) 414-0194.

Time to RELOAD!

Dove, Dogs, & Shotguns

• New Texas Dove Lease Mr. Carrales has listed what looks to be a great dove lease in the heart of whitewing country. If anyone has hunted this lease please send us a review. Below are the details: Name of Lease: Gus Carrales Leases Email: gus.carrales@oxea-chemicals.com Contact Name: Gus Carrales Jr. Contact # : (361)522-4070......
• 6 New Texas Dove Leases If anyone has hunted these leases, feel free to leave a review on them. Thanks for posting them, and keep them coming. Below are the details: NAME OF LEASE: Carol Knutson EMAIL: info@muysecoranch.com CONTACT NAME: Carol CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 830-363-4281 PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT: Either LOCATION INCLUDING CLOSEST CITY OR......
• 51 New Game Wardens Will Enforce Texas Conservation Laws Cadet Class To Graduate 9 a.m. June 9 at Capitol In Austin AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Game Warden Academy’s largest class ever will graduate at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning in the House of Representatives chamber at the capitol, after which the 51 cadets will disperse to their first duty......

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• Intriguing BCS matchups add sizzle to uninspiring college bowl season [/caption] by: Stewart Mandel>INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL> Sport Illustrated Welcome to my seventh annual ranking of this year's bowl games, No. 1 through 34, in order of anticipated entertainment value. Much like the bowl business itself, these rankings are based only marginally on the teams' actual merits. They also take into......

Cadet Class To Graduate 9 a.m. June 9 at Capitol In Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Game Warden Academy’s largest class ever will graduate at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning in the House of Representatives chamber at the capitol, after which the 51 cadets will disperse to their first duty stations across the state.

Game wardens perform water rescue operations, respond to natural disasters, and conduct public outreach programs, in addition to enforcing traditional hunting, fishing, and water safety regulations.

“Basically, game wardens are the primary law enforcement off the pavement in Texas,” said Major Danny Shaw, director of training at the academy.

This 54th Game Warden graduating class was the first to be trained at the academy’s new site in Hamilton County, in a facility donated by the nonprofit Police Activities League. Previously, cadets trained at a converted warehouse in Austin and various borrowed facilities around the state, adding extra costs and travel time to the training schedule.

Construction began in April on a $20 million training complex at the new Hamilton site. Fundraising is needed to complete the ambitious projects, and Texans are encouraged to support future Texas game wardens. More information is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Web site.

Current graduates received 1,400 hours of training over seven months in areas such as peace officer training, firearm use, public speaking, police driving, all terrain vehicles, and various Texas Parks and Wildlife statutes and other state codes.

The new game wardens will report for duty in different counties across Texas within the next week.

June 2009 Texas Game Warden Cadet Assignments by County

• Shotgun Ammo & Chokes Choosing shotgun shells and choke tubes can be confusing to say the least. Just go to Academy and look at the variety, 1oz., 1 1/8oz., 7 shot, 7.5 shot, 2 3/4", 3", lead, tungsten etc, etc, etc. If your not careful you could spend a fortune on the wrong stuff. Let's......
• Headed for a Showdown From the Houston Chronicle: WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to decide whether strict local and state gun control laws violate the Second Amendment, ensuring another high-profile battle over the rights of gun owners. The court said it will review a lower court ruling that upheld a handgun ban......
• Texas Weekly Migratory Bird Report Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February. North Zone Dove: The North Zone season closes at sunset Oct. 25, but reopens Dec. 26-Jan. 9, 2010. Generally, the season has been fair at best, but not for lack of birds. Rains hampered most flight patterns......

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