FISHING Texas rig is no * May 12, 2006 Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Volume 2, Issue 18 * stranger to coast www.lonestaroutdoornews.com See Page 8 INSIDE HUNTING Rollin’ across Texas ShareLunker manager’s job is ‘keeping fish alive’ By Mark England night, at a marina at three in the morning and I picked up one at Alan Henry (Reservoir) at 5 a.m.,” Campbell said. “The David Campbell manages the Budweiser sooner we get a fish in our possession, the ShareLunker program. That means from Oct. better its chances of surviving.” 1 to April 30, he’s on call 24/7. On a The bass are taken to the Lunker Bunker, moment’s notice, he must be ready to drive part of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center anywhere in Texas — provided the caller is in Athens, for spawning purposes as well as holding a largemouth bass that weighs more research. Hunters should inspect their than 13 pounds. Producing a world-record largemouth bass ON THE ROAD AGAIN: David Campbell holds a replica of the treestand and fall-arrest gear in “I’ve met people at a boat ramp at mid- See LUNKERS, Page 10 bass he traveled 500 miles to the Canadian River to pick up. the off-season and before each hunt. The Treestand Manufacturers Association offers safety guidelines. AT SEASON’S END Stillhouse See Page 6 Volunteers from the Dallas Safari Club were on hand to help young hunters at the S.A.F.E.T.Y. Hollow Extravaganza. Josh Lakatos, a world championship shooter and Olympic medalist in the 1996 Atlanta games, was among the instructors. Best-kept See Page 7 FISHING Reports from across Texas secret in Texas? indicate it’s a good time for anglers to head to the lake By Craig Nyhus because Mr. Whiskers is biting. Channel cats are leading the way. Nestled on the fringe of the Texas Hill Country See Page 8 just five miles east of Belton sits Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, a 6,429- acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Supreme masters of camouflage, reservoir impounded in 1968, where big largemouth the elusive flounder bury their and spotted bass are mottled-brown bodies under soft thriving. bottom slop or grass. There are This scenic high- land lake offers clear, ways, however, to catch this deep water with a surprisingly aggressive fish. maximum depth of 107 feet. A trip to this See Page 9 unassuming, un- crowded lake is all the NATIONAL more appealing if you A 66-year-old Florida man was consider that it has attacked by a 10-foot alligator excellent fishing. while fly-fishing on Lake Istokpoga. Stillhouse presents a Also, in Boynton Beach, Fla., a different fishing pic- ture than many other diver hired to retrieve golf balls lakes. “The water is HOOKED ON HOLLOW: This 8-pound from a golf course lake was super clear, and there attacked by a 9-foot alligator. largemouth, caught on a Berkley is a lot of hydrilla,” Beast, is a “Stillhouse” trophy. said fishing guide and See Page 4 park ranger Kevin Cobb. To deal with this, most fish- ermen use braided line and a fluorocarbon leader. CONSERVATION “You might bring up 10 pounds of grass with a 2- Leading national conservation pound fish, so you need the strength.” officials gathered in support of The fishing at Stillhouse has been reported as the National Fish Habitat Action excellent. Cobb also fishes the weekly Wednesday night open tournaments. “Most winners have been Plan designed to protect, restore TOTIN’ A TOM: Derek Rambo crosses the Clear Fork of the Brazos River with a harvested bird. He was weighing in more than 20 pounds in a 3 1/2-hour and enhance fish habitat. hunting on the Krooked River Ranch. As another turkey season draws to a close, find out how the tournament,” he adds. hunting was on Page 8. See related photos “Calling all toms” on Page 19. Photo by David J. Sams. See STILLHOUSE, Page 11 See Page 5 PRSRT STD DEPARTMENTS Blaze orange product US POSTAGE Product Picks Page 13 PAID PLANO, TX Heroes Page 14 a gray area to deer PERMIT 210 Outdoor Puzzler Page 15 By Mark England has come to the rescue. Wild in the Kitchen Page 15 Covert Orange, manufactured by Carlile Design of Rolla, Mo., is a mix- Weather Page 15 Next season a product will hit the ture of safety orange and ultraviolet Game Warden Blotter Page 16 market that claims it can trick deer pigment designed by three research into turning a blind eye to hunters ophthalmologists. When applied to a Made in Texas Page 16 wearing blaze orange. hat and vest combo, it triggers differ- Outdoor Datebook Page 17 Deer, despite what some hunters ent reactions in humans and deer, said believe, are not color-blind, according Kevin Carlile. Fishing Report Page 18 to scientists. But never fear, capitalism See COLORS, Page 12 Page 2 * May 12, 2006 Page 4 * May 12, 2006 NATIONAL ’Gator Mexican wolves attacks bound for Gila The New Mexico Department of increase the likelihood the wolves will Game and Fish will assist in the remain in the area. The site was select- translocation of five federally endan- ed because the release was acceptable gered Mexican Wolves in the Gila with the owners of the closest private angler National Forest within the next three land, and the current grazing permit- months as part of the Department’s tee. The site also is a considerable dis- A 66-year-old Florida man was attacked by an alliga- continued participation in the tance from the San Carlos Reservation, tor while fly-fishing on Lake Istokpoga on April 24. Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. where the wolves were removed in The 10-foot gator grabbed him by the hip as he stood The Department’s recently hired 2005 because of boundary issues. in 41-inch deep water. wolf biologist, Saleen Richter, will In June, two female wolves and one Also, in Boynton Beach, Fla., a diver hired to retrieve assist with the releases and ensure they male wolf will be released in one of golf balls from a golf course lake was attacked by a 9- are conducted according to current four approved sites within the Gila foot alligator that bit his arm. restoration rules and with close inter- Wilderness. The females were captured Neither man sustained life-threatening injuries. action among the department, other in the Gila National Forest in 2005 as Warm weather and spring breeding seasons bring agencies, landowners and livestock pups when the Francisco Pack was about increased activity in alligators, and on May 1, operators in the release areas. removed from the area because of live- Texas Parks and Wildlife issued public safety tips. “We are aware of the need for cau- stock depredation issues. The male was “Springtime is when alligators are most active,” says tion in releasing wolves that have been captured outside its boundary in 2005 Monique Slaughter, a TPW biologist. “Courtship and captured elsewhere,” Richter said. “It is following a single depredation inci- mating begins in late spring, and continues through important that we work to release dent. The exact release site of the three early summer.” wolves that will adapt to their new sur- wolves will be determined after other In Texas, no fatalities have been documented due to roundings without conflict.” wolf packs have established dens to alligators, but 17 injuries have been reported in the Two wolves, a male and a pregnant maximize the distance between the past 15 years. TPW estimates there are about 286,000 female, will be released in the eastern translocated wolves and existing alligators in Chambers, Jefferson and Orange Photo by Bobby Sanchez side of the Blue Range Recovery Area in packs. Counties, but no statewide estimate exists. Alligators MEXICAN GREY WOLF late April, just prior to birthing to — A New Mexico Game and Fish report currently are found in 120 of the 254 counties in Texas. Alligator experts say the most important rule is to never feed an alligator or allow it to get food. In Judges sentence poacher to penitentiary October 2003 it became a Class C misdemeanor to intentionally feed a free ranging alligator. Baiting for For a nighttime poaching spree Nov. 26-27 ing, fishing and trapping privileges revoked for sheriff’s office was looking for a man who had legal hunting purposes is still allowed. As of near Boulder claiming four mule deer bucks, 20 years. trespassed into a Pinedale residence to sleep on September 2005, a special alligator hunting license is Michael Benjamin Acuna was assessed $17,000 During sentencing March 23, Sublette a couch. The Wyoming Highway Patrol later not required to hunt alligators in Texas, but all other in fines and restitution — plus sentenced to 2-3 County Circuit Judge John Crow said the fines located the suspect at a convenience store and requirements, including tag requirements, remain in years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary for and restitution would be waived if a $5,500 notified the Game and Fish Department of a effect. being a felon in possession of a firearm when donation to the Wyoming Wildlife Protector’s buck mule deer in the back of his truck. The sus- Other tips for persons near alligators include: committing the crimes. Association — administrator of the Stop pect, Michael Acuna, was booked into the •Keep pets on a leash or in a penned enclosure; Acuna, 37, was convicted of one count of the Poaching Program — was made before the Sublette County Jail for being a felon in posses- •Don’t get too close or swim in areas where alliga- “winter range statute” for taking an antlered defendant’s future parole was ended.