|
Points:
Month (0)
/
Year (0)
|
|
| Who is my State Representative? | |
|
Our Sponsors and Partners:
Monthly Points Leaders
Yearly Points Leaders
|
253 results found Next Page >Showing results 1 through 10
Search Results:Will Crossbows Be Legal During Bow Hunting Season?Summary:
My experience shooting a crossbow is that the opportunity for the deer to jump the string starts to happen when taking shots over 25-30 yards. I strongly believe the same rule applies to compound bows.
How much juice is behind the bow or crossbow has little to do with the distance of the shot you should take. For example, whether you are shooting a .243 or a .338, you still have to take into account the distant you are comfortable hitting a 4-6in circle, environmental variables such as wind, the type of animal you are about to shoot, and the consequences of a bad shot. The same applies to archery. Just because my friend can shoot a coke can at 50 yards 4 out of 5 shots with a compound bow doesn't mean he should take that shot on a trophy buck - does that make sense?
With my recurve bow I stay inside 15 yards. When using a .12 gauge slug I don't take shots at deer over 50 yards. With a .44 mag not scoped, I don't take shots over 25 yards. With the .308 bolt action and a Leupold VX-7 scope I am staying inside 250 yards, even though I practice shooting clay pidgeons at 400 yards.
If it is a hog or coyote I will take any shot at any distance with any legal weapon.
All of these methods of harvest have an effective range greater than my comfort and skill level. So what. Learn your weapon. Learn your species.
Some traditional archers think compound bows are as much cheating as many compound hunters think of crossbows. Why not argue about shooting rifles open sight versus using optics? My grandfather hunted with a .30-30 lever action open sight rifle. Does that make him better or worse? Yearling Spikes?Summary:
This is from an article I posted on the site about 2 years ago:
The other school of thought comes from one of the, no, the greatest deer manager of all time, Al Brothers. In a time when deer populations were managed like cattle and shooting does was thought to be a cardinal sin, Mr. Brothers applied his real world experiences from the field and co-authored a book called, Producing Quality White-tails, changing the way we look at deer management today. His management strategy was based on 3 principals: letting bucks grow old, planting food plots, and keeping buck doe ratios as close to 1:1 as possible. What Mr. Brothers strategy has over the archaic dogma that TPWD is now using to set harvest regulations in parts of Texas, is that his strategy can actually be applied by ranchers, hunters, and deer managers to create deer populations with more bucks and bigger racks. Until the day that deer walk out from the woods with their age, weight, and a record of what they have been eating and will eat in future seasons tattooed on their backs, the indiscriminate killing of young deer, thought to be inferior, is not practical for managing deer genetics, unless of course these deer live their entire lives in a variable controlled pin, living off an ample ration of pedigree. If you are managing an average Texas lease, between hunter error and environmental variation, there are just too many variables too implore the Kerr WMA’s harvest strategy on your ranch.
Black bear caught in tree in Del Rio
Summary:
April 15, 2008 Black Bears Are On The Move In TexasHunters Advised to ID Targets: That Hog Could Be A Bear TYLER, Texas — In the dim light before dawn, it’s hard to tell what that dark shape is under the feeder 100 yards from your hunting blind. It’s probably a feral hog stealing corn you bought for deer to supplement native forage. But make a positive identification before you pull the trigger; that hog-like shape could be a black bear. Black bears were almost gone in Texas by the end of World War II because of unregulated hunting and habitat loss. However, a small resident and reproducing black bear population now exists in Texas and it is slowly expanding its range. To manage the return of bears in the forests of eastern Texas, a coalition of conservation partners called the East Texas Black Bear Task Force has created the East Texas Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan. The task force is working to pave the way for black bear restoration in its historic range in eastern Texas through education, research and habitat management. Bears have been making a slow and natural return to Texas since 1984, when a black bear was observed in Big Bend National Park for the first time in nearly 50 years. A large portion of today’s bear population resides in the vast, arid desert and mountain country of the Trans Pecos Region in western Texas. A few wild and free-roaming individual bears have been observed in south Texas, the western edge of the hill country, the northwestern panhandle and the forests of deep east Texas in recent years. They are considered to be primarily younger males moving hundreds of miles alone from their birth places of western Texas, northern Mexico or the bordering states of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana where black bears are more common. Black bears are protected in Texas and are on the state threatened species list. Only in far eastern Texas do black bears get additional protection through listing as a threatened subspecies under the federal Endangered Species Act. This listing is associated with the black bear population in adjacent Louisiana (Ursus americanus luteolus). Bear hunting of any kind has been prohibited statewide in Texas since 1983. The forests of eastern Texas are similar to other occupied black bear habitats in adjacent states. East Texas contains approximately 12 million acres of forested private and public land, including four national forests and the Big Thicket National Preserve. This region is considered to be one of the next places in Texas for the continued slow, natural return of black bears. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has documented several reliable bear sightings in recent years in eastern Texas. Some of the most recent sightings have been verified by photos of bears taken by motion-sensitive cameras installed at deer feeders. Studies are in progress with researchers at Stephen F. Austin State University to better determine the distribution and occurrence of black bears in eastern Texas. This research involves the collection of hair samples for DNA analysis and the assessment of suitable forested habitats most likely to support bears. The East Texas Black Bear Conservation and Management Plan adopted by TPWD in 2005 uses a partnership approach to facilitate the recovery of black bears in eastern Texas through cooperative efforts. One misconception about this plan was an early suggestion that TPWD would stock bears. This has never occurred and department biologists say it will not happen in the future unless there is solid public and political support for it. And, stocking may be unnecessary as bears continue to move slowly and naturally into the forests of eastern Texas from adjoining states where there are growing, expanding or stable black bear populations. Bears are still rare in Texas and very few Texans have ever seen one here. Black bears are also normally shy and not aggressive to humans. This combination of factors makes it unlikely that you or someone you know will encounter one. Even so, never approach a bear. If you do happen to encounter a black bear at close range in the wilds of Texas, it is advisable to talk in a calm manner while backing away slowly. Do not make direct eye contact and do not run. If a bear approaches you, stand your ground and raise your arms, backpack or jacket to appear larger. If the bear continues to approach, yell at it to scare it off. If a bear is visiting your deer stand or campsite, scare it with rocks, a slingshot or an air horn. Hunters need to know their target and not mistake a bear for a feral hog or javelina. It is a violation of law to kill a black bear in Texas. Public opinion surveys of residents in several Texas counties show general support for the return of black bears, while also indicating a need for more easily available information about bears. Anyone can receive the recently created brochure "Bear Safety in Mind" from TPWD by calling one of the following regional offices nearest you: West Texas/Alpine — (432) 837-2051, Central Texas/Kerrville — (830) 896-2500, East Texas/Tyler — (903) 566-1626, North Texas/Canyon — (806) 655-3782), or South Texas/Pleasanton — (830) 569-8700. The brochure and other information about black bears are also available on the TPWD Web site. On the Net: Get 300-500 Bonus Points When You Go To An Event!!Summary:
Hey everyone! Don't forget TTHA's 2008 Hunters Extravaganza is in San Antonio this weekend (new location: Alamodome!). In addition to hundreds of booths, there will be several great speakers, such as Dr. James Kroll and speakers from Bowtech, Nikon Optics, Mossy Oak Biologic, Bad Boy Buggies, and more. National Park Plans to Cull Its Herd of ElkSummary:
From the Wildlife Management Institute: Park Service Takes Controversial Aim at Elk OverpopulationOn December 11, the U.S. National Park Service released the Final Elk and Vegetative Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) in Colorado, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. The plan outlines five different management alternatives designed to address RMNP’s burgeoning elk population and declining native vegetation. Along with a “no-action” alternative, the plan lists four “action” alternatives that incorporate, “adaptive management and monitoring to determine the level and intensity of management actions.” These alternatives are the result of seven years of research and four years of extensive planning by RMNP and U.S. National Park Service staff. Under the plan’s third and “preferred” alternative, park officials would utilize a number of management techniques aimed at reversing the ecological damage caused by the park’s overpopulated elk herd. Specifically, Alternative 3 could rely on “lethal reduction” of as many as 200 elk per year to reduce the population from 1,700 to 2,200 animals to, “the high end of the natural range of variation, between 1,600 and 2,100 elk.” While park staff would administrate the culling, the plan approves the use of “authorized agents” from other federal agencies, volunteers and private contractors. Due to the minimal implementation of lethal reduction in Alternative 3, the plan concedes that additional measures will be required. These include the use of a birth-control agent (Gonacon) on 120 cow elk, fence construction around select aspen and willow stands, and adverse conditioning by means of rubber bullets and firecrackers to keep elk away from certain areas. Interestingly, the preferred alternative also lists a provision for the, “adaptive use of wolves as a management tool.” Projected cost for Alternative 3 would reach $2.1 million in the program’s first year, followed by an annual budget of more than $200,000. Over the course of the program’s suggested 20-year life span, park officials could spend $6 million implementing the plan. Concern about the number of elk in RMNP first arose around 1930 due to the failing conditions of the herd’s winter range as a result of overbrowsing. Because of this, elk populations were controlled from 1944 to 1968. Since then, a lack of natural predators and the loss of migration corridors have enabled a dramatic increase in elk numbers. The resulting overabundant herds have decimated the park’s aspen and willow patches that provide crucial habitat to them and many other wildlife species. The park’s elk management plan has already drawn criticism from the wildlife management community. According to a press release issued by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) on December 13, the Colorado Wildlife Commission (Commission) and CDOW stated that park officials should rely on qualified volunteers and not sharpshooters to control RMNP’s overabundant elk. In addition, CDOW and the Commission oppose the use of birth control and wolves to manage elk numbers. In an effort to, “develop a viable alternative to using federal tax dollars to fund government sharpshooters,” the Commission adopted a resolution in July 2006 that supports the use of qualified volunteers as the most viable method of managing elk numbers in RMNP. Congressman Mark Udall and Senator Wayne Allard mirrored the Commission’s view in March 2007 when they introduced federal legislation that would authorize the U.S. National Park Service to use licensed hunters as “qualified individuals” in elk-reduction efforts within RMNP boundaries. In a statement issued on December 11, Representative Udall supported the park’s decision to include “qualified volunteers” in the final elk management plan but was doubtful of the park’s commitment to using them: “I’m concerned the Park Service might give a higher priority to using people from other federal or state agencies. I think if qualified sportsmen or sportswomen are willing to volunteer, they should be first in line.” Commission Chair Tom Burke is similarly skeptical of the park’s commitment to follow through with appropriate implementation of the final elk management plan. “If you read Alternative 3, it merely lists all of the options that park officials could use to manage elk numbers. It fails to define what they are actually going to do.” Burke said the Commission will continue to support the use of qualified volunteers to manage elk numbers in RMNP and to oppose other methods that are inappropriate: “The North American model of wildlife management has always relied on America’s hunters to manage big game populations. We think that should apply to the elk in Rocky Mountain National Park as well.” The U.S. National Park Service will execute a record of decision no sooner than 30 days following the release of the final plan/EIS. To view the final plan/EIS for RMNP, go to http//:www.nps.gov/romo/parkmgmt/elkvegetation.htm. (mcd) TPWD Big Time Texas Hunts Winners SelectedSummary:
Here are this year’s winners and hometowns for all seven Big Time Texas Hunts categories: Texas Grand Slam Texas Exotic Safari Texas Premium Buck Texas Whitetail Bonanza David G. Fallin The Woodlands, TX Jean J. Astie Dallas, TX Robert Valentine Houston, TX Stephen L. Holley Dallas, TX Lee R. Jones Wichita Falls, TX Buren A. Haltom Dayton, TX Ward M. Cooksey Sulphur Springs, TX Miguel Saldivar Devine, TX Roberto J. Laurel Laredo, TX Texas Big Time Bird Hunt Texas Waterfowl Adventure Texas Gator Hunt All told, hunters bought 79,815 Big Time Texas Hunt entries during this year’s sales period from Aug. 15 through the Oct. 15 deadline. This generated $798,150 in gross revenue to support wildlife research, habitat management and public hunting.
Texas Big Game Awards NEW ALL-TIME NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL ENTERED
Summary:
About the TBGA: Celebrating its 17th season, the Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA), a partnership of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA), continues to be the leader in recognizing the contributions that landowners, land managers and responsible hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat on Texas’ private lands. The Texas Big Game Awards program is designed to recognize 1) the quality of big game animals in Texas, 2) the hunters who harvest these animals, 3) the land managers who produce these animals through their management efforts, 4) the importance of our hunting heritage, and 5) the achievements of young and new hunters. For more information on the program visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.com Or call (800) TEX-WILD, ext. 114. Hunters who harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, or pronghorn antelope this season meeting the minimum net score B&C requirements for their respective Region, may be eligible to receive recognition in the “Scored Entry” category as well as the landowner for where the trophy was taken. Also new this year is the recognition only, of the hunters and landowners where desert bighorns are taken in Texas. Hunters of any age who harvest their first big game animal in Texas are eligible for the “First Big Game Harvest” category. Hunters who harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, or pronghorn antelope are eligible whether they harvest a buck or doe, regardless of score of the animal in this category. The TBGA website for this season will include the $20,000 College Scholarship Program sponsored by Carter’s Country Outdoor Stores. Scholarship applications will be available in December and due by March 15, 2008. All program information, program history, entry rules and minimum scores are also featured on the website. Also this fall, keep up with news on the TBGA program and current hunting issues with the TBGA News Link this fall. You can also find a local scorer in your area for official entry forms, or download the First Harvest/Youth Division forms on-line, as no scorer signature is required for those entries. The TBGA website will also feature photos of entries that are entered this season. Last season over 700 photos were mailed in. You can check out links to great TBGA Sponsors too. And, any youth hunter (under 17 years of age when they purchase their hunting license) with a Special Resident Hunting License who harvests a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, or pronghorn antelope is eligible for the “Youth Division” whether they harvest a buck or doe, regardless of score. The javelina is a new species added to the Youth Division and First Harvest Division this season. The Texas Big Game Awards is proudly sponsored by: Statewide Sponsors Hixon Land and Cattle Company, Carter’s Country Outdoor Stores, and Budweiser. Texas Regional Sponsors include: Remington Arms, Leupold and Stevens, Gerber Legendary Blades, Thompson Center Arms, C. Young and Company, DoskoSport, Mossy Oak Brand Camo, Tecomate Wildlife Systems, Smith’s Abrasives, Hunter’s Specialties, Moultrie Feeders, ThermaCell, Wildgame Innovations, Bass Prop Shops, Under Armour, Nunley Brothers, Universal Scoring Products, BogGear, Cocoon ATV Products, Game Guard, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Cabela's, Drury Outdoors, and Record Rack Premium Game Feeds. Outlook Bright for Upcoming Deer SeasonSummary:
Panhandle“We’re anticipating excellent body weights and horn development, and even though it has gotten dry whitetails should go into the winter in good shape,” noted Danny Swepston, TPWD district biologist in Canyon. “Having too much cover may be a problem during the early part of the season,” Swepston added. “In areas where winter wheat is coming up, deer may be moving on that pretty quick. They may be slow coming to feeders in some places.” Swepston recommended in some of the eastern counties of the Panhandle having high deer populations, hunters are encouraged to take does. Official won't sell land to National Park Service
Summary:
Stop hunting for buyers for Christmas Mountains Suddenly, the National Park Service expresses serious interest in acquiring the Christmas Mountains land in West Texas, near Big Bend National Park. You might think the cavalry is coming to the rescue of almost 10,000 acres of mostly unspoiled wilderness before it is sold into private hands. But you wouldn’t be Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who sees only a threat: Not only is hunting banned in national parks, he says, there is an “unconstitutional” ban on anyone carrying a loaded weapon in a park. To spare Texans the outrage of going unarmed onto land that they don’t even have access to now, the commissioner still intends to sell the Christmas Mountains to a private owner - preferably one who will allow hunting. Furthermore, he said, the Christmas Mountains area is so wild - narcotics traffickers, for example - that no future visitor should be barred from carrying a weapon for self-defense. Or as the commissioner neatly sums up his position: “No hunting, no firearms, no deal.” A brief review: In 1991 the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Conservation Fund gave the people of Texas 9,269 acres in West Texas, just northwest of Big Bend National Park. The gift came with a considerable list of restraints on its use to keep it in its wild, natural condition. The hope was that the land would be turned over to the Texas Departments of Parks and Wildlife or to the National Park Service for permanent conservation. But both the state and federal park departments declined, apparently mostly for budget reasons, and Patterson decided that the only way to save the land was to sell it. The land can’t be developed, so the likeliest buyers are wealthy individuals who could make some limited, private use of it - like hunting. The initial round of bids was rejected because of a map error, but a second round is scheduled for opening on Nov. 6. Last week, though, Superintendent William Wellman of Big Bend National Park asked Patterson for more time for the National Park Service to reconsider acquisition of the Christmas Mountains, which he said “would be an appropriate addition” to the Big Bend park. Patterson did not welcome the request, though he said a winning bidder wouldn’t necessarily be chosen next month. Though Patterson insists he will not surrender 10,000 acres in West Texas that might be used by some hunters, there is in fact no hunting there now. “Nobody’s hunting it now because there’s really no species to hunt,” Patterson told us on Monday. Several weeks ago, though, Patterson was arguing that it was important to sell this land into private hands to put a stop to invasive species - and poaching. Patterson said the conservation easements on the land are so strict, and the original donors who hold them so strict about enforcement, that the land itself would be best off in the hands of a private owner motivated to conserve it (and, apparently most critically, to hunt on it). Kept in public hands, he said, the public will have little practical access to it. Wellman, though, said in a telephone interview Monday that the restrictions “are not a barrier to the type of use that we envision, which would almost be wilderness-like use - hiking, camping, no permanent structures.” And no hunting. The superintendent said he would need six months or so to determine if the land could be acquired. Patterson should cancel the current round of bids and give the National Park Service the time it needs. The public interest requires it. 253 results found Next Page >Showing results 1 through 10
|
|
COPYRIGHT © 1998-2009 Texas Hunting & Texas Fishing Network, All Rights Reserved
|
|
Email this page
