HUNTING -More About Quail

“THAT’S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE SOUTH”
by Jim Foster

Those were the words of an old acquaintance, Phil Harris, sang in his hit recording of many years ago. However for the better part of my life the South meant Texas, and to be more specific, quail hunting that lasts well into February. Now That’s what I like about the South.

Following the dogs through the bird fields is what I enjoy and rubbing elbows with gentleman of the upland hunt has been as rewarding as any experience outdoors.

Texas has fulfilled the hunters wish again this year with healthy populations of Mr. Bob White Quail.

The statewide quail season runs October 27 through February 24. The daily bag limit is 15, with 45 in possession.
Most know that quality quail hunting is tied directly to production. The good news is - this year’s crop of birds looks to be above the average and hunter’s are proving that daily.

Ideal quail production occurs in years that remain wet and cool during the spring and early summer months because it extends the window of opportunity for reproduction.

This year, most of the state experienced an unseasonably wet spring and summer with below-normal summer temperatures. For these reasons quail production was expanded in some areas of the state.

Even if your quail hunting and success was bad last year you likely will have a great season this year. The coastal areas of South Texas are no exception. Ranches are experiencing a bountiful covey of quail.

The Rolling Plains Region of the state had an unusually cool and wet spring and summer resulted in an extended breeding season for bobwhites. This is evidenced by field reports of differing size classes of chicks observed throughout the summer. Although they were impacted by dry conditions last year, much of the region seemed to carry over enough birds to make a decent rebound.

The South Texas Plains region also experienced an extended breeding season but seems to have had even fewer breeders available in the spring than the Rolling Plains. Flooding was also an issue in some counties. Pairs will re-nest if chicks or eggs are lost to exposure or flooding, but it’s just one more hurdle for the birds to overcome. Good production confirmed certain areas, especially in the eastern half- coastal areas - were holding fair to good numbers of birds.

These areas will offer good hunter opportunity. The Chaparral and the Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.

The Valley has several public hunting areas where I have found good quail hunting for the past several years. Hunting access to on managed public land is available with the purchase of a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit, which can be bought wherever hunting licenses are sold, online or by calling toll free (800) 895-4248.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

SALTWATER FISHING - SPECKLED TROUT

{ This article appeared first in the PORT ISABEL PRESS and the SAN BENITO NEWS}

SPECKLED SEA TROUT – A TROPHY
By Jim Foster

The water felt cool as I stepped in and felt the pressure push my neoprene waders closer against my legs. Adjusting my vest and gear, I shuffled a few yards away from the boat before making my first of many casts.

It was in this very spot three years ago my lifetime best trout gave me a morning to remember. The early March weather was overcast with a very light wind from the southeast. The sun rose behind the clouds and cast its defused light.

Wading out from the bank slowly I closed in on the grass flat dotted with sand “pot holes” where trout like to hang out waiting for a tasty morsel to swim by. The grass flats were the playing field - the trout and I were the key players.

Several keeper trout were fooled by my big topwater lure. They were quickly released as I moved slowly ahead. The quest - a big sow trout that would push the scales over the 14-pound mark. A long chance it was, but a goal well worth spending the time in order to accomplish.

As the morning wore on, I looked over my shoulder and found I had covered less than one hundred yards. I was thinking about the walk back as I made one more cast.

The silver lure with red vanished under in a washtub-sized boil.

I don’t know who was more surprised the trout or me. All the big female had wanted was breakfast; this was certainly not what she had in mind. As for me, I was surprised to say the least, but my surprise was of the pleasant variety.

The trout put a good bend in my rod. The old Quantum 1310 was working hard but doing nicely with the smooth drag system. The fish gathered herself together and took to the air in a series of head shaking jumps worthy of a tarpon.

It was several minutes before I saw the fish. When I did, I caught my breath and ran a mental checklist of what might go wrong. Having been in the situation a few times before didn’t do much to ease the tension.

The fish was closer and surprised me with another jump. This time the fish came half out of the water and shook its head trying to lose lure. That not working, she tried a last hard run before being reeled closer and steered gently to my side. She lay still.

Gently lifting the big trout and I did a rough measurement on my rod ruler. About 34 inches form lip to tail. Fumbling around I found my Berkley digital scale and secured it to her lip. The numbers danced on the display and finely settled on 12 pounds 11 ounces. No record here, but what an exceptional fish.

I slipped the big fish back into the water. Holding her, I swam her gently back and forth until she started to regain her strength. A few minutes later she swam a short distance away. Stopped for a long minute and then powered out of sight with a splash of her tail.

Most large spotted seatrout caught are females and commonly live to be nine or 10 years of age. Anglers long ago recognized that very large trout were usually female and appropriately called them "sow" trout.
Spotted seatrout are generally nonmigratory with little inter-bay movement, and most movement seems to be in response to water temperature and spawning.

They are most common in the shallow bays during spring and summer. As water temperatures decline during fall, fish move into deeper bay waters and the Gulf of Mexico. The number of fish entering the Gulf varies from year to year depending on the severity of the winter.

As water temperatures warm in the spring the fish move back into the shallows of the primary and secondary bays.
Spotted seatrout are opportunistic carnivores whose feeding habits vary with size. Small trout feed primarily on small crustaceans. Medium-size trout feed on shrimp and small fish. Large fish feed almost exclusively on other fish such as mullet, pinfish, pigfish and menhaden.

Baffin Bay on the Texas Coast has been the location where the last two state record speckled sea trout were caught. Baffin may well be the bay where the next record is caught but there are other coastal that have the potential to produce trophy trout.

Now that these large fish are protected by a restricted limit we may see a new record in our own back yard, the shallows of the Lower Laguna Madre.

Some of the places that have repeatedly produced big trout over 25 inches are the Laguna Vista Cove, Holly Beach, Stover Point, the Long Bar, the Laguna Atascosa shoreline, and the cove near the old Texas and Parks and Wildlife boat ramp.
Favorite artificial lures have been Storm Lure’s Big Bug and Chug Bug, the Ghost, Top Dog, Top Dog, Jr. and other topwater lures worked slowly over grassy pot holes.

Although drift fishing from a boat can work, anglers with wet feet have caught all the last record breakers.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com

TRAVEL - THE TETONS BACK IN TIME

WAGON AND HORSE VACATION
By Jim Foster

As truly American as any mode of travel throughout history the wagon train has truly been tied to the opening of the western United States. It was those brave settlers who risk all types of peril to begin their lives anew.

Today travelers can still get an idea of the wagon train experience and at the same time see some of the grandest scenery the west has to offer. The trip begins in the Wyoming town of Jackson, better known as Jackson Hole.

Jackson Hole, named after Davy Jackson, an early fur trapper who frequented the valley between the Teton Mountains and the Gros Ventre Range. However it was a trapper John Colter who is believed to have been the first white man to visit the valley around 1807. Various Native American tribes came to the valley during summer months but the Harsh winters kept people from living here until recent times.

Jackson Hole retains much of its Old West character while offering all the amenities one expects to find at a world-class resort area. Cowboys can be seen alongside snowboarders and pampered shoppers.

It was a sunny morning when we met our guides and loaded our gear in the bus for the ride to the trailhead. Believing this adventure was for the young it was refreshing to be seated next to a lady of should we say acquired years. A recently retired couple, Tom and Emily Sparrow from Alabama. Tom had managed a large sports and activity facility while Emily was a college professor. They were ready for adventure and both proved to be excellent traveling companions. Tom even took a shot at driving one of the teams pulling the wagons.

After the ride the group gathered around while we were introduced to our hosts, the wagon train staff including wrangler and cooks. A short instruction period followed and some guests mounted horses while the rest climbed aboard the wagons for the first leg of the journey.

The ride in the wagons was exceptional and it didn’t take long for friendships to develop. Even an afternoon thunderstorm didn’t dampen the sprits of the travelers. The horseback riders donned rain gear and continued on with the wagons. Later around the fire the taste of camp coffee warmed the sprits as the warmth of the fire dried several pair of damp boots.

During the evening there was an attack buy a marauding band of Indians who were driven off by the wagon train staff. This was a prelude to the arrival of a pony express rider the next afternoon. Many of the travelers had sent mail in advance that was delivered by the rider. The pony express rider’s running remount was authentic as well as exciting.

The age difference of the travelers was oblivious however there was never a clash between the older folks and those lacking acquired years. An example was Judy Soderburg, her daughter, and her granddaughter. These three ladies were experiencing their long planned “girls week out” and enjoying themselves. All three rode horses and spent their time riding the wagons.

If you are planning a vacation this spring and summer check out these folks and book a wagon and horse adventure with them. Oh, The food? It was great and I know my horse knew there was a weight difference at trails end.

Check them out on the wed at; http://www.tetonwagontrain.com/tetonadventures.htm or give them a call for printed material or to book your trip. TETON WAGON TRAIN & HORSE ADVENTURE, DOUBLE H BAR, INC., P.O. Box 10307, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83002-0307 or call 1-888-734-6101 or (307) 734-6101, FAX (208) 787-3435

TRAVEL- BIRDING / NEW MEXICO

WOODS OF THE APACHE
By Jim Foster

Vehicle headlights illuminated people standing along the gravel road. The common denominator among those gathered was everyone there either had a spotting scope, a tripod with cameras, or field glasses, and all were awaiting the sunrise some half hour in our future.

The cold air was filled with sounds of waterfowl - geese and ducks and the unmistakable waking up calls of sandhill cranes. The sounds seemed to come from all points of the compass. Like the people the birds were waiting for the dawn and the mystical time when something would tell them to take flight.

As the light increased so did the sound. Now there were more people lining the road and filling the observation decks. A tour bus unloaded its human cargo and they joined the early risers in the cold predawn air - steam rising from mouths, noses, and what was left of the morning coffee in go-cups. There was an unspoken sense of anticipation. Most people didn’t even notice the frost coating the grass, weeds, and the wooden handrails of the platforms.

The location of all this activity was the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, near Socorro, New Mexico.
In Spanish, Bosque del Apache means "woods of the Apache," and goes back to the time when early Spanish explorers observed Apaches camped in the riverside forest. Today the name denotes a spectacular national wildlife refuge, one of the special places in the refuge system.

Numerous photographers and bird watchers gather at the refuge each fall to capture with cameras the birds as they conduct their everyday business. Flying from roosting to feeding areas in the morning, then to loafing areas, and then returning to their roosting areas for the night.

Many photographers will drive to the refuge well before sunup bringing lunches and refreshments so they may remain in the fields until the light fails and they return to their RV’s, hotels, or homes.

Bosque del Apache is located on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert. Elevations range from about 4500 at the river level to 6,272 at the top of Chupadera peak. Habitats include riparian and desert. Indigenous animals and birds reflect the different habitats on the refuge.

Several species of mammals including coyotes, mule deer, and elk occur on the refuge. Over 340 species of birds and many species of reptiles, amphibians and fish call the refuge home at various times of the year.

In the fall the Bosque del Apache numbers explode with the arrival thousands of birds--including sandhill cranes, geese, and many species of ducks, and other water birds. Feeding snow geese erupt in the sound of thousands of wings when frightened by a stalking coyote. At dusk, flight after flight of geese and cranes return to roost in the marshes.

Comprised of 57,191 acres along the Rio Grande near Socorro, New Mexico. The refuge is located at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan desert, and straddles the Rio Grande approximately 20 miles south of Socorro, New Mexico. The heart of the refuge is about 12,900 acres of moist bottomlands--3, 800 acres are active floodplain of the Rio Grande and 9,100 acres are areas where water is diverted to create extensive wetlands, farmlands, and riparian forests. The rest of Bosque del Apache NWR is made up of arid foothills and mesas, which rise to the Chupadera Mountains on the west and the San Pascual Mountains on the east. Most of these desert lands are preserved as wilderness areas.

The 15-mile auto tour loop allows visitors to enjoy wildlife viewing and photography. Much of the refuge wildlife is conditioned to the road traffic and may be closely observed from vehicles. Even stepping out of your car to get a better shot may not bother them if you move slowly and are quiet. The refuge tour route is open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset every day of the year.

Observing nature and hiking are permitted in the refuge's three wilderness areas - Chupadera, Indian Well, and Little San Pascual. Primitive camping is available with advance reservations to educational and volunteer groups. At no time are fires allowed on the refuge.

Photographers have been attracted here over the years due to the multitude of fowl and time has selected the sandhill crane as the bird of choice and celebration. Each year the CRANE FESTIVAL is held during the month of November.

The 2006 festival will be the 19th year the City of Socorro, New Mexico and the Bosque del Apache NWR have celebrated the return of the cranes. Tours are offered to introduce visitors to the area, birders will be out from dawn to dusk on and off of the Bosque, and there will be a birding tour on Elephant Butte Lake. Lectures are offered for a variety of wildlife related subjects and there will be workshops conducted in the field or within special facilities. Add to this exhibits, displays, local history and gallery showings and visitors will find a plethora of activities before, after, and during the festival.

For more information about the refuge and the festival go to; http://www.friendsofthebosque.org/crane/ on the web.

HUNTING - PASSED THE TEST

WINCHESTER HAS ANOTHER WINNER
By Jim Foster

Anyone who shoots or hunts should remember the flap regarding the dreaded “Black Talon” ammunition produced by the Winchester Ammunition Company. Bad press resulted in the “rumor” the bullets had been outlawed or banned depending on the version of the story.

Such was not the case. What did happen is the bad publicity convinced Winchester that a name change was in order. So the Black Talon was morphed into what became the popular Winchester Fail Safe.

I have used Fail Safe ammunition almost exclusively for many years for big game and especially for nilgai bull. As both a hunter and guide I saw the demise of hundreds of bull nilgai. Many times my shot was after the bull had been wounded and was at a full run. It had to be stopped.

Although there were several favorite bullets among guides, the Fail Safe was my number one and always in the top five selections. Why? Because the Fail Safe produced results on large and tough game.

The nilgai bull is an excellent example. Hunters need a hard hitting round with the ability to penetrate the animal, stay together, and retain its weight. The Fail Safe filled those requirements. My daddy always told me if it wasn’t broke don’t fix it – it’s clear Winchester didn’t know my dad.

It was a shock to learn the Fail Safe bullet was being discontinued and a new round from Winchester would take its place, the Supreme Elite XP3.

Winchester engineers took on the challenge of developing the ultimate rifle-hunting bullet. The guidelines were simple; it had to be accurate and tough, but capable of working as well on thin-skinned game, like deer and antelope, as it did on tough game, like elk, moose, bear, and African animals.

The XP3 combines all the best-known bullet technology features into one bullet that gives precision accuracy, awesome knockdown power, and deep penetration all in one package.

Shooting the round at the range I found it followed the Fail Safe nicely and noticed that the round did burned cleaner. The clean-up work was cut almost in half.

Beginning with the Idaho mule deer season one 180 grain 30.06 round brought down my buck and a few weeks later a large elk fell with one shot of the same 30.06 Supreme Elite XP3. I am sold again so Winchester remains my choice for big game ammo.

The round is new and Winchester is still adding calibers and bullet weights to its line. It recently introduced the XP3 in the popular .243. I can see this being popular for whitetail, pronghorn, and varmint hunters. Take a look at the new XP3 at your local sporting goods or gun shop and give it a try in the field.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at; jfoster188@aol.com.