Congrats to our April winner. Be sure to send in your May entry for a chance to win a 50 qt Lone Star Outdoors Show Edition BruteBox cooler from our friends at Brute Outdoors!
What We’re Doing
Tried out a new KVD crank bait at the 'ol honey hole! Had 5 bites and landed 3 small ones. Still a great afternoon.
We jump right into some big bass talk with one of pro bass fishing’s biggest personalities when Ish Monroe joins the show. With a huge smile and unmatched intensity- Ish has become a fan favorite on the Elite Series and he is enjoying his best season to date as he currently sits 4th in the Angler of the Year standings. We talk post spawn bass, Ish’s favorite late spring baits and Major League Fishing. Ish also breaks down how he has learned to stay on more of an even keel which has increased his success as a tournament angler. You don’t want to miss it!
Then a good friend of the show and longtime hunting buddy Zane Williams drops by the studio. We recap our coyote hunt from this past week and hear some brand new tunes off Zane’s latest record ‘Overnight Success’ which comes out June 4th. There is no shortage of good times and great music when Zane is around. A true renaissance man when it comes to writing good story telling country tunes- be sure to visit Zane’s website to find out when he’s playing in your neck of the woods. (Visit Zane’s Website)
Then we wrap things up when Celina Bass Club President Mark Roundy joins us in studio. Mark felt called to help out the families of the victims of the April 17th chemical explosion that killed 14 of our Texas brothers and sisters in the little town of West. So he did what he knows best and with the help of 3 other Texas bass clubs, they set up a fishing tournament to help raise money for those families. Mark gives us the tournament details including info on the payout structure and awesome raffle and auction items they have lined up. (Visit The Tournament Website)
Zane Williams in Studio, Big Bassin' w/ Elite Series Pro Ish Monroe and A Bass Tournament for A Great Cause
This week we kick things off by touching base with longtime catfish tournament angler Greg Pavur of Pavur Outdoors. A seasoned catfish tournament angler, Greg is an expert on all things blue and channel catfish. With the channel cat spawn heating up all over Texas we focus on where to find and how to catch spawing channel cats. Greg breaks down the ideal water temperature range to look for as an indication that the spawn has started. Cut bait or punch bait, treble hook or circle hook? We cover it all with one of the best. With a 25 fish daily bag limit, a day on the water catching channel catfish can result in a heck of a fish fry! Greg with a nice 9 lb channel. Visit Greg’s Website
Then we get into one of my favorite topics when longtime retriever trainer Angie Becker of Tioga Retrievers drops by to talk hunting dogs with us. Offseason/summer training tips, retriever nutrition, snake avoidance and finding the right retriever and training regimen are just a few of the thing we cover. Angie with 3 generations of Master Hunters trained at Tioga Retrievers.
We round out this week’s show by talking some serious sport fishing with recreational tuna Captain Bruce Daniecki. Bruce and his partner run a boat out of Freeport, Texas and they specifically target both yellowfin and blackfin tuna. Captain Bruce discusses how far off shore you have to go in order to get into solid tuna fishing, also what fishing techniques they use to consistently pull tuna over the rail. Many anglers might not realize we have this great fishery just off the Texas coast but there are plenty of ways to get hooked up with some experienced tuna anglers. Forums such as 2CoolFishing (Visit 2CoolFishing) have a ton of great information and anglers who are more than willing to share their expertise. If you want to go on a tuna trip I recommend hooking up with a group of experienced anglers. Usually it will only require that you chip in for fuel. Captain Bruce with a beautiful Gulf of Mexico tuna haul.
Hunting Dogs, Spring Catfishin' and Big Time Tuna Fishing Off The Texas Coast
Be sure to send in your best outdoor photo for our May contest sponsored by Brute Outdoors. This month’s winner gets a 50 qt Lone Star Outdoors Show Special Edition Brute Box! Pretty sweet!!!
We start things off by talking mulies and pronghorn with our Texas Parks & Wildlife Mule Deer and Pronghorn Antelope Program Leader Shawn Gray. TPWD just introduced some new regulations that will give Texas hunters more opportunity to harvest each of these revered big game species. Shawn talks about giving landowners control of the number of antelope bucks they can harvest which should lead to more hunters chasing antelope this fall. We also discuss the recent pronghorn relocation effort headed up by his department. One of the estimated 11,000 pronghorn in the Texas Panhandle:
Shawn also breaks down the new regulations that will affect the 2013-2014 Texas mule deer season. How about an extra 3-4 weeks of hunting? Sounds good to us! Texas’ mule deer population has steadily improved since the historic drought of 2011. Things are looking good for this beautiful big game species.
Then U.S. Army Master Sargent CJ Grisham joins the broadcast to discuss how he was illegally disarmed and arrested outside of Temple, Texas back in mid March. The Youtube video his son took of the exchange with the cops has become a viral sensation and he has been on such shows as Glenn Beck since his arrest. He still hasn’t gotten his guns back from the police department and his CHL license is suspended until the charges brought against him have been adjudicated. Master Sargent Grisham discusses the case and events surrounding the police arresting him for “rudely displaying a firearm”
Then we round out the show by checking in with Dr. Tim Fulbright- Endowed Research Scientist at the Ceasar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute in Kingsville, TX. Dr. Fulbright has over 30 years experience in wildlife research and he and his colleagues just concluded a 9 year study on whitetail deer populations that had access to year round supplemental feed vs deer on the same ranch that didn’t get supplemental feed. How was the natural browse and forage affected in both groups? Will deer essentially eat themselves out of house and home like the snow geese on the Arctic Tundra? Dr. Fulbright breaks it down for us.
New Regulations for Texas Pronghorn and Mule Deer Harvest, War Hero Illegally Disarmed & Arrested & Results of 9 Year Whitetail Study
We are all over the map this weekend! To start with we are joined live from the Texas Coast by our good friend Captain Len Girard. The trout bite is on fire right now and Captain Len tells us where to find ‘em and what bait to use. Of course live shrimp and croaker are always great options for live bait but what about artificials? Captain Len breaks down his favorite plugs and soft plastics as well. Full stringers of trout with some bonus reds can be expected from Corpus Christi Bay all the way to the Land Cut.
Then we change gears and dive into a hot button issue involving two heavy weights on the Texas deer scene. The Texas Deer Association and Texas Wildlife Association passionately disagree on some recently proposed legislation in the Texas house. HB 2433 and SB 1412 – would change the an 80 year old 10 day rule for releasing bucks into high fence pastures. The new legislation would increase the required release time from 10 days to 60 days. Dick Cain- Board Member, Texas Deer Association and longtime deer breeder drops by to explain why this would not be in the animal’s best interest. Also, it becomes a private property rights issue when folks start trying to tell each other what they can and can’t do on their own place. The high fence vs low fence debate will never die. Personally, I believe we need to stand united as a hunting community. Either way, it’s very interesting stuff for sure. Which side of the fence are you on?
Next we talk spring crappie with Texas’ top crappie angler- Paul O’Bier. A longtime friend of ours, Paul is a 4 time Crappie Anglers of Texas Angler of the Year and 3 time Texas Crappie State Championship Tournament winner. Paul breaks down how this unpredictable spring weather has affected the crappie spawn and bite. Where is Paul finding most of his fish? What is his go to jighead weight? We also find out what color jig he used to win the CAT Tournament on Cedar Creek last weekend. Paul with a couple nice slabs from his winning stringer of papermouths.
We wrap things up by checking in with TPWD Chief Pilot and Assistant Chief Game Warden Lee Finch. Lee heads up TPWD’s aviation department and his responsibilities include wildlife surveys, animal relocation and patrolling the night skies in search of poachers and game law violators. Lee talks about some of his experiences as the “Eye In The Sky”, from West Texas mule deer counts, to big horn sheep relocation and using night vision to bust an unsuspecting deer poacher. Lee and his partner using night vision goggles while flying an anti poaching surveillance mission.
TDA vs TWA, Trout Bite On Fire, Spring Crappie and The Eye in The Sky
Lots of star power this weekend! We start off by checking in with renown chef, world traveler, author, blogger and TV show host Andrew Zimmern. His hit series Bizzare Foods is wrapping up Season 7 on Travel Channel. What drew me to invite Andrew on the show is the fact that he is also an avid hunter and angler which is depicted in almost every episode of Bizzare Foods. He has hunted and fished for wild game all over the globe. He brings Bizzare Foods full circle in each episode by showing the entire process from the hunt to harvest, to gutting and cleaning and then the preparation and eventual consumption of the animal. Andrew with a nice strap of ducks from the Texas Coast.
Sure Andrew will eat just about anything put in front of him, but I truly respect the fact that he isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and doesn’t sugar coat how food is really procured. We talk about some of his favorite hunting/fishing trips, most tasty wild game recipes and of course we’ll find out what his least favorite wild game meal consisted of. Andrew with a nice tuna caught off the coast of Samoa.
Then we check in with old friend and one of my favorite songwriters Brandon Rhyder. We talk some music- including taking a listen to the brand new single “Haggard” which is climbing up the Texas charts. Brandon talks about the single and the new record (which currently doesn’t have a title) but is scheduled to be released sometime this summer. Brandon doing what he does best:
Also, if you’ve been watching Sportsman’s Channel over the past couple of months then you might have seen Brandon as a frequent guest on Lone Star Outdoors TV. Hunting and fishing were part of Brandon’s upbringing in rural Northeast Texas. But with his music career having blossomed, he is finding alot more time to enjoy the outdoors. He took down this Texas free ranging aoudad at 450 yards on a recent hunt!!! Nice shot.
Bizarre Foods' Andrew Zimmern & The Great Brandon Rhyder!
Wow what an awesome story to kick off this week’s broadcast. Trevor Brittingham was fortunate enough to harvest the oldest buck I’ve ever heard of this past whitetail season on a 5,000 acre Dimmit County, TX ranch. The buck know as ‘Indigo’ was first filmed at 3 years old and Trevor first saw him and filmed him running does as a 160 class at 10 years old!
He took the video to the ranch manager and they scoured the archives until they found the buck that would become known as ‘Indigo’. Turns out they even had his 7 year old sheds on hand. His rack changed over the years but he always maintained a narrow rack with some very defining characteristics. After that disovery Trevor hunted him hard but Indigo disappeared for 2 seasons and was feared dead. A helicopter survey discovered he was indeed still alive at the ripe old age of 13 and Trevor’s patience and dedication to hunting this buck finally paid off in December.
Trevor with Indigo- a 14 year old trophy!
Indigo’s 7 year old sheds
Indigo captured on trail cam just days before Trevor harvested him.
Then one of my favorite Texas artists joins us when William Clark Green drops by the studio. William’s new record ‘Rose Queen’ comes out April 30th. We hear a couple tunes and talk a lot of hunting. A passionate waterfowler- William grew up duck and goose hunting on his family ranch near Beaumont, Texas. He then attended Texas Tech in Lubbock and experienced waterfowling on a whole new level during his college years. We cover all that and William even tells us about his recent offshore fishing trip which didn’t turn out so great. Dramamine anybody? William playing the new single ‘She Likes The Beatles’ in the Lone Star Outdoors Show Studio:
William Clark Green in Studio & Ghost Like 14 Year Old South Texas Buck Shot
We kick this week’s show off by checking in with Beaumont, TX native and Nashville recording artist Clay Walker. Coming from modest means in southeast Texas- Clay grew up in a family that lived off the land. Hunting and fishing were just a way of life. We talk about his upbringing and his new gig as the host of Texas Trophy Hunter TV on Outdoor Channel. What hunts can we expect to see on the upcoming season? We also discuss Clay’s brand new book ‘Jesus Was A Country Boy’. Lots of great stuff with Texas good ‘ol boy!
Then I will share a sickening personal experience with you guys and gals. I was kind of torn whether or not to even discuss this on the air. But what you see is what you get with me so I really had no other option. Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of joining our 2012 Photo Of The Year winners John & Justin Church on their Grand Prize exotic buck/spring turkey hunt package at Koon’s Canyon Ranch. We had a great time and everybody brought home a mount worthy trophy (including John’s 28 inch axis buck) and on Saturday evening I shot an axis buck myself. Daylight was fading and we decided to go recover him in the morning. We found a solid blood trail and expected to find my buck piled up under a cedar. Sadly that isn’t how things worked out. I explain what I would have done differently and hopefully my failure will result in one of you not making the same mistake. We thought for sure he was down for the count after finding good blood.
We round out the show by talking spring predator hunting with Gary Roberson- host of Carnivore TV and owner of Burnham Brothers Game Calls. Nobody hunts coyotes and bobcats harder than Gary and he has been blessed enough to do it for a living. We pick his brain on how the game changes once warmer weather arrives. Does he change up calling technique? What about the length of time he sits on stand? How does a coyote’s behavior change? All that plus we talk ballistics with one of the best in the industry.
Country Artist Clay Walker, Sad Ending to My Axis Hunt & Spring Coyote Hunting
We kick this week’s show off by talking some bowhunting with newly elected Lone Star Bowhunter’s Association President Bob Barnett. If you aren’t familiar with this great organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the great sport of bowhunting in Texas, then I suggest you tune in. If you are aware of the LSBA, then tune in anyway because fresh ideas and some significant changes or on the horizon under the new leadership. Bob also tells us about his favorite bowhunt ever. I imagine it might have to do with the Pope & Young buck he is posing with in the picture below.
Then we tackle the Colorado anti-gun legislation that was signed into law last week. Many of you have probably seen or heard about outdoor television producer Michael Bane’s recent letter to Colorado Senator Steve King. If you haven’t, the gist of the letter outlines Michael’s stance that he will be pulling his production company completely out of Colorado- and with 4 shows currently airing on Outdoor Channel (including Gun Stories & Shooting Gallery), Michael’s reputation and influence has a very broad reach. The new laws will limit magazines to 15 rounds and shotguns to 8 rounds only.
With a hunting and tourism industry that pumps over 1.7 billion dollars into Colorado’s economy each year- there’s a clear way to stand up and make a statement that his type of agenda won’t be tolerated. Michael discusses what he feels is the only option left to save the rich hunting tradition and western way of life in one of the nations most beautifully rugged states. Michael in front of the camera on one of his productions for Outdoor Channel:
We round things out by talking some bass fishing with John McClure- Board Member of the Lake Fork Classic fishing tournament benefitting Camp John Marc. This annual tournament is an excellent opportunity for fellowship and camaraderie at Texas’ historically best big bass lake. Even, better than that however, is the fact that all proceeds from tournament entrees to raffle/auction items go to Camp John Marc. This one of a kind camp is dedicated to getting kids into the outdoors, specifically the kids who need it the most.
Whether they have been in an accident or are facing some life threatening illness, Camp John Marc hosts thousands of these special kids each year. They experience everything from horseback riding to fishing to just hanging out around the campfire with children who are experiencing the same obstacles. This year’s Lake Fork Classic takes place on April 27th and there is still plenty of time to get a team registered. I promise that you won’t ever wet a line for a better cause. By the way…did I mention that Fork has already pumped out 5 Sharelunkers this season?
Colorado Sets Bad Precedent for Gun Owners, Lone Star Bowhunters Association & Lake Fork Classic!
We get things rolling when renown bowhunter Tom Nelson drops in. Tom is the host of the Outdoor Channel’s longest running bowhunting show- American Archer. Not only has Tom been able to travel the globe flinging arrows at big game animals for a living, but he is also a board member and Auction Fundraising Chair of the Pope and Young Club. Founded in 1957, P&Y has been dedicated to record keeping and furthering the sport of bowhunting in North America. We are thrilled that the bi-annual convention is coming to Texas this spring. Tom also talks about the upcoming event which takes place in Dallas this April 10th-13th. We both hope to see everybody out there. Tom with a nice Texas boar!
Then a real treat when Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours joins us. Evan is the front man for one of the best acts going on the Texas/Red Dirt scene right now. Of course the music is awesome, but I realized Evan is just like you and me after running into him at KHYI’s Texas Music Revolution 17. After just a few seconds of visiting I found out he is a passionate hunter and angler. We talk some tunes and mix in some big game hunting and wingshooting with one of the best singer/songwriters out there!
Next we mix in some bass fishing when our longtime friend Lake Fork Guide Heath Hardwick drops in. We recap the 2013 Bassmaster Classic and discuss the big females that are starting to show up on beds all over Texas. Heath tells us what to look for and what baits will help get that huge bucketmouth into your live well. Can’t beat this time of the year for big bass in the Lone Star State. Remember- go shallow!
We round out this week’s show by talking spring turkey! And for those of you who know me…well lets just say I have a bit of a turkey hunting addiction. That being said, I am by no means the best turkey hunter out there. But countless days in the woods has given me a wealth of experience and knowledge on the subject and I am thrilled to share my Top 5 Turkey Hunting Tips with you fine folks. Hopefully my successes and failures just might help you bag that big tom this spring!
Bowhunting Legend Tom Nelson, Turnpike Troubadours, Cable's Top 5 Spring Turkey Tips & Lake Fork Bassin'
