Outdoor News

 

Lee County hunters take part in Rocksprings bow hunt

 

A group of local bow hunters recently had the opprotunity to go to the hills of Rocksprings for a weekend of exotic hunting. The group had a successful trip with one Giddings resident, Thomas Ewing, making his first "bow kill".  

 

After a day-and-a-half of hunting, the group came home with 2 animals qualifying in the gold category, 5 silver, 4 bronze, 2 fallow Does and 1 axis doe. Everyone reported that they had a  great time and look forward to next year’s hunt.

 

Photo: Larry Spitzenberger with his Persian Ibex. The ram’s horns measured  10” at the base and are 32” in  length and had  a score of 98”. The ram was  shot at 40 yards in 20 mph winds.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo (left to right) Gerald McKee, Giddings;  Doug Meyer, Weatherford; Wayne Shelly, Lexington; Landis Lehmann, first bow kill, Giddings; Pat Smith, Giddings; Nick Shelly, Bellville; Michael Mueller, Ft. Worth; Larry Spitzenberger, Giddings; Dale Hombre, Abilene; Thomas Ewing, Giddings; Tommy Ewing, Giddings; Larry Weiser, Giddings; JD Rhodes, Giddings; Brian Tracey, Lexington; Daniel Herbrich, Lexington

 

 

Patrol Report: Water Safety

By Victor Gonzales Lee County Game Warden

4/8/09  This spring marks my 22nd year working water safety. It also means another year of chiropractic visits to the local chiropractor! While most recreational boaters use their boats several times a month, wardens are required by division policy and yearly evaluation to work the water just about every weekend and portions of mid-week. In addition to the elements, wearing a gun belt and uniform, varying weather conditions, mental and physical fatigue, we also look out for the well being and safety of all boaters.

 

The most difficult part of water safety patrol is making people understand the importance of having the most basic life saving equipment; life jackets. When I perform a water safety inspection, I’m looking for two important things; current registration and operational equipment. The statute that allows game wardens to conduct the inspection can be found in chapter 31 of the Parks and Wildlife Code. This statute allows any game warden to conduct an inspection at anytime, anywhere, on any public water.

 

Where most people fail to comply is unserviceable or inappropriate sized life jackets. The life jacket has to be able to fit. Putting an adult sized jacket on a child just to save money is not a good idea. If the jacket is torn and flotation material is missing, do you really think it’s going to hold you up when needed?

 

When purchasing a vest or jacket, look on the inside for approval of the U. S. Coast Guard. The size of the vest is also located here as well. The jacket should fit snug enough so as not to slip over the head of the wearer upon entering the water.

 

Boater registration can become a nightmare if you let it. If you register your boat correct the first time, it will go smoothly and no problems should exist. If you register your boat incorrectly or fail to secure the correct paperwork from the onset, I guarantee you will always have problems. Here in Texas we do not skip transfer boat and motor titles. Once a boat is sold, each and every owner must put the boat and/or motor in his or her names. We will not register a boat that has someone other than the previous owner’s information.

 

As always, contact me 979-540-0194 (m) or 979-542-2526 (o) for more information.

 

Next week... information on the first annual Ducks Unlimited Green-Wing Outdoors Event being held at Camp Tejas on Sunday May 3, 2009. Contact Susan Hosch at 979-716-8339 for more information. This event is for kids under 17 years of age and coincides with Governor Rick Perry’s Proclamation promoting Green-Wing  participation.