Lone Star Outdoor Show

Riding a hot streak doesn’t begin to describe the run that our friend Charles Whited of Barefoot Fishing Tours is on! The longtime Central Texas/Hill Country guide just added another Texas Tournament Zone Angler of The Year title to his long list of accomplishments. In 5 events he and his partner had two first place finishes, two 2nd’s and a 10th!

Needless to say, Charles is on the big fish as usual and this week we find out what post spawn pattern he is using to keep hauling giant bucketmouths onto the deck of his boat. He tells us where to find them and what baits he using. What about the recent statewide flooding affect on the bite and behavior? Charles breaks it all down for us. (Charles with a Lake Austin Texas Parks and Wildlife Sharelunker #534 )

Next, it’s our in depth interview with an old friend when Corey Knowlton makes his return to the broadcast. Over the past 15 months, Corey has taken a roller coaster ride like no hunter in modern history. If you recall, he made international headlines after submitting the winning bid for the Namibia black rhino hunt at the 2014 Dallas Safari Club convention.

Nobody could have predicted the amount of hell and backlash that would ensue. Death threats and hate mail was an everyday part of life and the FBI even had to position security outside of Corey’s residence in North Texas. Well, the controversial journey finally came to an end in May when Corey did harvest a problematic, infertile old bull. Renown news outlet CNN filmed the entire hunt and we get Corey’s take on whether or not they did a fair and unbiased account.

Corey talks about the hunt itself and danger level associated with black rhinos. Also, what caliber rifle one needs to take down a 2,000 lb animal. What about when the rhino charged the CNN reporter? We wrap up our discussion with Corey reflecting on the emotions he felt at the conclusion of the most famous single hunting adventure the modern world has ever known. Would he do it all over again to further the conservation effort? Tune in to find out.

We then wrap things up when Mossberg Firearms’ PR and Marketing Director Linda Powell joins the show. A passionate big game hunter, Linda recaps her turkey, black bear and woodland bison hunts from this spring. We then discuss our June Photo of the Month grand prize (the MVP Predator .223) as well as the new Patriot line up of hunting rifles. Always a treat to talk rifles and shotguns with one of America’s iconic gun makers.

If you haven’t heard by now, a new non typical world record axis buck was killed last month on the Rain Creek Ranch between Brady & Menard, TX. Wade Pinson was being guided by ranch manager Kyle Nunn when a giant, non typical free ranging axis buck appeared on the trail they were hunting. The buck was in full velvet and will smash the current world record pending the 60 day drying period.

Kyle Nunn joins us to talk about the crazy non typical axis genetics that the Rain Creek Ranch is known for. Look at this rack: it looks more like a double droptine whitetail! Kyle gives us the details of that epic hunt and discuss the possibility of an even bigger non typical freak still roaming the ranch. (Wade Pinson with the pending free range non typical axis buck)

Next, our good friend and Dallas Safari Club Executive Director Ben Carter returns to the broadcast. We recap the 2015 DSC Convention (the biggest on record) as well as get into the issue of poaching in Africa and how the anti hunting faction seems to want this disturbing trend to continue. After all the press and social media firestorm surrounding the black rhino hunt that Corey Knowlton purchased at the 2014 DSC convention, it’s apparent the anti hunting community would rather rhinos continue to be poached than accept financial contributions from hunters that are earmarked to fight poaching.

Sadly, they continue to grandstand and raise millions of dollars to fight us in the public eye and in the courtroom. What if they took a page out of our book and actually used the funds they raised to go back into conserving the animals they claim to be protecting? Novel concept right? (Rhino Poaching across Africa is on the rise with their horns being sold on the black market throughout much of Asia)

Then we take a look at a new invasive species that is adapting and thriving to life in the South Texas Brush Country. Likely, high fence escapees, African Warthogs are starting to show up with more regular frequency. So much so that TPWD Chaparral Wildlife Management Area Biologist Dan Walker photographed this warthog on the WMA while conducting an aerial deer survey last fall.

We discuss what impact warthogs could have on the landscape and native wildlife. Should they be shot on sight? Trapped? Can they cross breed with feral hogs? We get Dan’s thoughts on this new dynamic on the south Texas landscape. (Photo by Dan Walker TPWD)

We round out the show when Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch Executive Director Dale Rollins makes his return. We discuss our state’s bobwhite and blue quail. What does all this rain mean for nesting success? What about the impact predators have on a quail population? We also discuss the recent “Operation Blue Transfusion” where the Ranch headed up an effort to reintroduce blue quail back onto the Matador WMA. (Students from Paducah High School aide in the release)

Well, I knew I was going to be out of the country bear hunting…so I put together this ‘Texas Legends Special Edition‘ of the show for you ahead of time. We revisit some of our favorite interviews from the past 6 yeas with guests who are Texas icons for one reason or another. Hear how legendary singer/songwriter Gary P. Nunn’s Montana elk hunt went, what about former BassMaster Classic Champ and longtime Lake Fork, TX native Takahiro Omori adding a swimming pool to his house just so he can test out new baits and see how they move?

Also- Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Rangers/Astros legend Nolan Ryan talks about the huge double droptine buck he watched his son Reese harvest and what that meant to him as a father. We round things out by taking another look at an interview with Dr. James Kroll (AKA Dr. Deer) from 2011 where we discussed the effect feral hogs have on whitetail fawn mortality. Great stuff from some incredible guests! Thanks for sharing the journey with us.

Red Snapper is always a hot topic for folks along the Gulf Coast. Especially after a criminally short ONE DAY season was implemented for recreational anglers in Federal Waters this summer. That regulation caused quite the backlash and it has since been changed to a 10 day season from June 1st – 10th. So what changed? Our Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries Director Robin Reichers stops by to give us the low down on what happened. We also get updates on the overall health of our redfish, trout and flounder fisheries.

Next up a special in studio treat when our longtime friend and honky tonker Zane Williams drops in. We revisit some of our hunts over the years- from turkey to geese and axis deer at last spring’s first ever “Guns and Guitars” hunt at Koon’s Canyon Ranch where Zane harvested a beautiful axis buck.

Zane’s new record – “Texas Like That” is also doing very well. The title track has become a fan favorite and the latest single “Jayton and Jill” has climbed to #2 on the Texas Music Chart. Zane plays us some brand new stuff of the record. We also get into his recent dream come when he took the stage at the Grand Ol Oprey for the first time! Congrats buddy, we are glad all your hard work is paying off.

We also get into some giant muskie talk with former Duke Blue Devil 2x National Champion, USA Dream Team Member, NBA All Star and Basketball Hall of Famer Christian Laettner. Of course we mix in a little basketball discussion on the heels of the acclaimed ESPN Films “30 for 30 – I Hate Christian Laettner.” If you haven’t seen it, I encourage to check it out.

More importantly for our show though, Christian is an avid outdoorsman and passionate muskie fisherman. So much so that he founded his own muskie fishing company and social media community. He talks about living ‘The Muskie Life’ with us. What is so appealing about catching these freshwater monsters? We discuss his favorite method of catching giant muskies, what time of the year is best and Christian gives his favorite muskie fishing hot spots. www.themuskielife.com

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Who doesn’t want more public hunting or fishing opportunity? This week we are joined by National Wild Turkey Federation Private Lands Leasing Biologist David Carter. The NWTF has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife to lease additional private lands for the purpose of public hunting. David acts as the liaison between private landowners and TPWD. We discuss Type 2 (Annual Public Land Permit) hunting opportunity in Texas and how David works to enroll more lands into the program. Who funds this project? How can landowners lease their lands to TPWD? David breaks it all down for us.

 

Next up, our old friend and two time Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year Aaron Martens stops by. Aaron took home first place and a $100,000 paycheck at last weekend’s Elite Series event on Lake Havasu, Arizona. But it was the pattern he used to win that was pretty amazing. Always thinking outside the box, Aaron noticed all the blackbird nests lining the reeds of Havasu.

After finding a bunch of black feathers in his livewell, he realized the pattern that would win the tournament. When baby birds fall out of their nest, big predatory bass were usually there to scoop them up! We discuss the bird pattern as well as Aaron’s fitness routine and we get his thoughts on keeping and eating bass. Be sure to catch Aaron fishing the championship round of the Shell Rotella Challenge Cup this on Major League Fishing this weekend! Saturday, 1 PM CST on Outdoor Channel!

 

Then, Chris McKinnon of McKinnon Outfitters joins from Alberta, Canada! We get into all things spring black bear hunting as we are gearing up for our first ever black bear hunt next week. Chris tells us what to expect on our trip to Alberta to hunt with McKinnon Outfitters. We talk bear vitals, shot placement, and what is happening in the life cycle of a bear at this time of year.

 

We round out the broadcast with an in studio treat when renown wildlife and gun dog artist Van Johnson drops by. Named the ‘Ducks Unlimited 2014-2015 Texas Sponsor Artist of the Year’- Van talks about his love for upland hunting and how that ultimately inspired him to pick up a paintbrush and canvas some 20 years ago. We remissness on the heyday of Texas quail hunting and the kinds of bird dogs that Van hunted over for over 40 years. We also discuss how to commission an original painting like the one he did of Belle (pictured below).

Lifelong hunter and big game guide Remi Warren- host of Apex Predator on Sportsman Channel drops by to discuss the shows’s highly successful first season. What separates Apex Predator from most other hunting shows out there? Remi explains how he studies various predators at the top of the food chain and then implements their skills and traits into his own pursuit of wild game. Pictured below, Remi successfully takes a buffalo after sneaking up on the herd with the aide of a coyote skin on his back. Fascinating stuff!

Next, our old friend and fishing buddy Kelly Jordon makes his return to the program. Long before a successful career as a pro angler, Kelly was known for catching huge Lake Fork lunkers under the cover of darkness. Obviously, the Texas summers are hot- and spending a night on the water offers a nice break from the heat. But more importantly, Kelly explains that this is the time to catch that toad of a lifetime.

He gives us his favorite moon phase for night fishing. Also, what color baits and color patterns seem to work the best? What about line choice and poundage? You might be surprised by some of his answers. Bottom line- don’t be afraid of the dark!

Next a special in studio treat when we are joined by former US Navy SEAL and Carry The Load co-founder Stephen Holley. Carry the Load is an awesome event that really brings the purpose of Memorial Day to the forefront. It’s not at all about BBQ, beer and heading to the lake for a 3 day weekend. We discuss the upcoming Carry the Load events here in Texas and nationwide and how you can get involved. Stephen is also a passionate bowhunter so we mix in some elk hunting talk as well.

We wrap things up by checking in with our friend and bass fishing guide Charles Whited of Barefoot Fishing Tours. After taking home back to back 1st place finishes on the Texas Tournament Zone Trail and a 2nd Place on LBJ in the recent BASS CHAMPS event- Charles is clearly dialed in on Texas’ post spawn largemouths. He tells us where to find the big fish as they transition back out to deeper water and what to catch them on.

Jasper, TX native Fred McMahon drops in to recap his recent experience during the Big Bass Splash on Lake Sam Rayburn. Fred happened to be one of 5 random finalists for the tournament’s random drawing for a 2015 Triton Boat. Albert Jenkins of Port Neches was also one of the finalists for the boat giveaway and he fished the entire 3 day tournament from the bank. After winning the brand new bass boat, Fred turned to Albert and in a stunning act of kindness- gave Albert the boat he’d just won! Say what? Fred gave away the brand new bass boat he’d just won! We hear this incredible tale of humanity first hand when Fred drops in. He talks about why he did and what moved him to do so. Of course we also talk some big bass as well! (Albert reacting to Fred’s gift)

Next up we tackle some disturbing news coming from the U.S. Senate. After a 51-49 vote, our elected officials voted in favor of transferring some 640 million acres of federal public lands —including our national forests and Bureau of Land Management lands— to state control. Why does this matter? Well, states have a very poor track record of keeping these kinds of lands public. Meaning, when times are tough- they often sell them to the highest bidder.

Outdoor News President and Editor Rob Dresline drops by to break it all down for us and help explain what is at stake and what we need to do about it. Since late last year, efforts to wrest public lands from the federal government and put them under state ownership have been matched by the unanimous outcry of sportsmen across the country. Over 72% of western hunters depend on public lands for access and it’s paramount that we as sportsmen and women don’t stand idly by and watch as our federal lands are sold away to the private sector. (I hunt/fish/backpack New Mexico every fall and a part of me would die if these National Forests were sold off at some point. I’m sure many of you have the same sentiment about various tracts of our public lands)

We then are joined by our old friend and Professional Bass Angler Ish Monroe. We talk Major League Fishing, as well as Ish competing on the Elite Series and FLW Tour- one of the few who still does both trails. Considered one of the best frog fisherman on the planet, Ish breaks down his ideal setup for frog fishing – from rod/reel to line choice and poundage. https://www.globosurfer.com/best-fly-fishing-rods/

Also, why does Ish feel he can compete by targeting shallow bass 12 months a year while other anglers move out into deeper water? We get it all and we even give away an autographed and tournament worn Ish Monroe Major League Fishing Jersey during our visit!

We round out the show by talking all things optics with Vortex Optics Director of Marketing- Mark Boardman. What’s new with Vortex in 2015? What about choosing the right scope for you? What is the difference in MOA vs MIL formatted scopes? We get into all that plus talk some bear and elk hunting- two of Mark’s favorite pastimes.

The always affable Captain Len Girard gets things going for us this week when he joins us live from the Upper Laguna Madre. We find out what the trout and redfish are biting and where they are stacking up. Captain Len also updates us on the flounder and black drum bite as well. Where are they staging and what does he look for when trying to locate them? Never a dull moment with a good friend and great story teller Captain Len!

Then a real treat when lifelong hunter William Clark Green makes his return to the studio. A Texas good ‘ol boy at heart, William Clark Green has been tearing up the Texas music scene with the debut of this 4th studio album “Ringling Road”. The first single “Sympathy” went #1 on the chart and we take a listen to the current single as well as a couple other tunes off the record.

Of course, we also talk about growing up in the country and what hunting and fishing has meant to William throughout his life. These days he enjoys duck hunting, dropping feral hogs and off shore fishing trips. So get ready for a heavy dose of outdoor talk including a tale of a coyote getting smoked on a dead sprint with a .45 pistol!

We wrap things up by talking land acquisition with Lone Star Ag Credit’s Credit Analysis Manager Brad Fjestad. Lets face it, land is the one thing they aren’t making more of. Whether for recreation, hunting, fishing or ranching- having your own patch of land to call your own is every sportsman’s or woman’s dream- I know it’s mine. Anyway, Lone Star Ag Credit has been making that dream a reality for folks since 1917! We get into all that plus hear about Brad’s recent South Texas bowhunt for javelina.

We get things going this weekend when longtime singer/songwriter and avid outdoorsman James McMurty drops in! One of my longtime favorites on the Texas scene- James has been making some of the Lone Star State’s best music for over 3 decades now. His new record ‘Complicated Game’ is no exception as many critics believe it’s his finest work to date. We discuss the new record and take a listen to the first track ‘Copper Canteen’ which references deer hunting and walleye fishing.

We also hear a little bit about James’ background growing up bird hunting and squirrel hunting and eventually transitioning into deer hunting as a young man. What is his favorite deer rifle? What about fishing back home in the Texas Hill Country? We get to the bottom of what makes this musician and outdoorsman tick.

Ducks Unlimited’s Southern Region Director of Operations Dr. Tom Moorman stops by next to discuss the alarming trend of coastal wetland loss in the Gulf Coast region. Texas and Louisiana are losing valuable wetlands at an ever increasing rate. Where are the wetlands going and why? What is DU doing to stem the tide? How can we help as duck hunters and conservationists? Most folks probably understand that coastal wetland loss is bad from an ecological standpoint, but the economic impact can be just as devastating. Habitat loss is a major factor in the decline of the mottled duck (pictured below) in the Gulf Coast Region.

Next we check in with longtime actor, tv show host and retired US Marine Corps Drill Instructor – Gunnery SGT R. Lee Ermey. ‘Gunny’ as he likes to be called, talks about his new show on Outdoor Channel “Gunny Time W/ R. Lee Ermey”. We talk some high powered weaponry with the man who these days gets to go around blowing stuff up and playing with some pretty large caliber guns. Including, his new favorite- the Dillon Minigun.

Gunny also talks about his passion for big game hunting and his plans to travel to Siberia this coming fall to hunt the world’s largest moose and brown bear species. Not bad for a 71 year old! So get ready for an action filled segment with the Golden Globe nominated actor (Full Metal Jacket). Be sure to set your DVR for “Gunny Time” Wednesdays 7 PM CST on Outdoor Channel.

We round out the broadcast by checking in with STI International Marketing and Sales Director Jens Krough. If you haven’t heard by now, we are giving away and STI TROJAN .45 ACP 1911 pistol as our April Photo of The Month Grand Prize! Jens gives us the specs on this signature STI 1911 as well as the latest and greatest from Texas’ #1 pistol manufacturer! Based our of Georgetown, TX – STI is 100% employee owned. Be sure to check out STI for your next handgun purchase.

Michael Waddell is perhaps the most recognizable face on Outdoor Channel. His hit shows “Bone Collector” and “Realtree Roadtrips” are mainstays on the network’s lineup. What most folks don’t realize however, is that Michael actually got his start in the industry based off the fact that he is an NWTF World Turkey Calling Champion.

Of course he is mostly seen these days punching arrows through the vitals of big racked bucks, but it was the turkey woods that opened the door. So, today we talk all things spring gobblers with one of the absolute best. He even does a calling demo for us on how he coaxes that mature tom into shotgun range that has hung up at 70-80 yards. Michael also offers insight into the pros and cons of the running and gunning style of turkey hunting he is known for. Check out “Bone Collector” Monday nights 7 PM on Outdoor Channel.

Next up we talk spring crappie fishing with our longtime friend and fishing guide Greg Pavur of Pavur Outdoors. The Texas spring spawn is either going on right now in your local reservoir, creek or river- or it’s about to! Greg tells us what to look for as far as using water temperature as an indicator as to when males will begin moving shallow in order to prepare beds that females will lay their eggs in.

Greg also breaks down his set up. From rod and reel selection to what lb test he prefers. We discuss vertical jigging and his favorite skirt colors. What about fishing at night? Greg shares years of knowledge and experience chasing slabs with us! Be sure to check out Pavur Outdoors for your next fishing trip. Greg with a mess of North Texas crappie:

We wrap things up when Pope & Young Club President Jim Willems drops by. Now in it’s 54th year, we discuss the club’s history and how it was instrumental in creating archery only seasons in many states. We then get into record keeping and one can go about submitting an entry into the record books. Especially in situations where the club might not recognize a species from a specific region. This is not an oversight by the club, they have established boundaries and they amend them as trophies are submitted.

Jim and I also tackle the unfortunate division that exists between different factions of the hunting community. There is an elitist attitude that sadly enough is fostered by many hunters in the public eye. Most of it is misguided and founded purely on the lack of understanding between the way sportsmen and women hunt in various regions. We ask Jim the tough questions and he gladly steps up and answers them.