On Saturday, 5/19/12, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM FCS will host our ‘FCS Open’ Sporting Clays Shoot at the Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (address, directions, and phone number are located below).  We’ll shoot a round on the Hunter Course and a round on the Master’s Course.  Shooters can shoot only one round if they wish.  We routinely shoot “on-report;” however, shooters can shoot true pairs, both targets as singles, or just one target if they wish.  After the shoot we will eat lunch at the 290 Cafe in Manor. 

Schedule

09:00 AM – Sporting Clays

12:30 PM – Scores and upcoming events

01:00 PM – Eat

02:00 PM – Depart 

Note that the larger the group, the longer it will take to shoot; however, if we have eight or more we’ll break into two or more groups.

The cost is $21.65 for a round of 50 sporting clays (includes tax but does not include shells).  Capitol City has given us this price because one of our members (Bruce Crockett) is also a member of Capitol City. However, they could revoke their generosity at any time and charge us non-members prices ($27.06; includes tax).

Capitol City requires eye and ear protection (available free of charge at Capitol City). They sell shotgun shells if you need them (but you can get them much cheaper at Academy, Wal-Mart, etc.). You’ll need to bring four boxes of shotshells if you’re going to shoot both rounds of sporting clays.

I recommend Winchester Game Loads/Federal Game and Target Loads and Remington Shur Shot Heavy Dove Loads/Winchester Heavy Game Loads all of which are available at Academy. The Winchester 12 gauge Game Load/Federal Game and Target Load shells each contain 1 ounce of shot and have a velocity of 1290 FPS. They both sell for $5.29/box. The Remington 12 gauge Heavy Dove/Winchester 12 gauge Heavy Game shells each contain 1 1/8 ounces of shot and have a velocity of 1255 FPS. They both sell for $6.39/box. All four are great dove/quail loads in addition to being good clay target loads. If you’re a dove/quail hunter, I recommend that for you shoot sporting clays with the same load that you use to hunt dove/quail. This enables you to develop consistent leads for similar targets.  I recommend 8 shot for their Hunter’s Sporting Clays Course and 7 1/2 shot for their Master’s Sporting Clays Course.

Directions from IH35 and Hwy 290 to 8707 Lindell Lane:

• Go east on 290 7.6 miles.
• Turn right (south) on FM 3177 (Decker Lane). There will be a sign that says “Travis County Exposition Center.”
• Go about 3/4 mile. You will cross a railroad track.
• Turn left on Lindell Lane immediately after the railroad tracks.
• Go about 20 yards and turn right into the Capitol City gate.
• Go about 1/4 mile (go past the model airplane airport).
• If you get lost Capitol City’s number is 272-4707. 

In the event of rain

• Light rain – we shoot
• Heavy rain – we stay home

The minimum age for a child to shoot is usually 8, with a gun that fits him or her.

Contact Ken Miller for more information at ken10toes@yahoo.com, 512-339-9804 (Home), or 512-797-8226 (Cell). It is not necessary to RSVP.

5/21/12 Chartered Hybrid Bass Catching Trip

Our next Chartered Hybrid Bass Fish Catching Trip will be on Monday, 5/21/12 from 3:30 PM until we limit or dark (whichever comes first) with guide Jay Garrett on Lake Belton. It’s called a “fish catching” trip because we have had seven fantastic trips with Jay including catching 20 fish in 2011, 34 fish in 2010, 26 fish on 10/19/09, 23 fish on 4/27/09, over 50 fish in 2008, 29 fish in 2007, and 26 fish in 2006! Jay can take up to eight fishermen and the cost is $100 each. We are presently full for this trip. Jay supplies the boat, rods and reels, bait, landing nets, and a fish box. He’ll also filet the fish. The price does not include shared gas, food, and an optional but highly recommended tip for Jay.

Recommended items to bring:

Polarized sun glasses
Cap or hat
Sun block
Drinks and snacks in a small cooler
Camera (waterproof is best)

We’ll consolidate the drinks and snacks into a larger cooler for the boat to save deck space and have less things to trip over.

6/11/12 FCS Meeting

Our next FCS Meeting will be on Monday, 6/11/12, from 7:00 – 9:30 PM at Larry Dowden’s home (905 Cashew Lane, Cedar Park, 512-259-2490 – Home, 512-507-5894 – Cell). This meeting will feature our Annual Fajita Dinner! The cost will be around $10.00 person. Please RSVP so we’ll know how much food to buy. Contact Randy Rowley at randy@fcs-texas.org (my preference) or at 512-963-0003 to RSVP. For directions use this map.

6/24/12 ‘June Buggin’ Sporting Clays Tournament

FCS will participate in the next Capitol City Trap & Skeet Club (8707 Lindell Lane, 512-272-4707) sporting clays tournament, ‘June Buggin” on Sunday, 6/24/12, 12:45 – 3:45 PM. There is an on-line registration form (pre-registration is requested, not required). The main event (100 targets) price is $65. Capitol City recently went up on their prices. We can have groups of up to eight but must have a group of at least three (not all have to be FCS members, but at least one must be in order to call this an FCS event). We must eat lunch by 1:00 PM, which is when they will stop serving. Registration ends at 2:00 PM and we must have our scores in by 4:00 PM. We may have time to shoot a practice round of skeet. Note that if you are not a National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) member you will be shooting Hunter (or Shooter) Class, which means that you will not be eligible to win any prize money, nor will your score be posted on their website. Membership with the NSCA is $40 per year. There will also be a 50 Target 5-Stand Event, 50 Target Side Event, and Concurrent options. Please let Bruce Crockett know if they can expect you or you have any questions at bmc55@att.net, 512-244-1555 (Home), or 512-970-7797 (Cell).

FCS membership is not required in order to participate or attend FCS events; however, if you are interested here is how to join.

Members and guests, please bring a friend (but RSVP for him or her and pay in advance, if required)!

President’s note: I, Randy Rowley, will run members prayer requests in the most recently received/updated order. I will run prayer requests for 90 days. After 90 days I will move them to the prayer requests archive page or the praises page. Members please e-mail your Prayer Request(s)/Praise(s) to me at randy@fcs-texas.org.

5/13/12 – Eddy Chance’s dad passed away. Please pray for Eddy’s family.

5/10/12 – Jim Irwin had surgery to have his prostrate removed on 5/7/12. The cancer was at the margins of his prostate, so he might not be completely cancer-free. The close-by lymph nodes and other structures were OK. He’ll know if he is cancer-free in 3 – 6 months. The doctors will monitor closely. He will have a round of radiation therapy starting in 3 – 6 months. Please pray for complete healing.

4/18/12 – Frank Linden passed away. Please pray for his family.

2/28/12 – Josh Sanchez was laid off. Please pray that the Lord will direct him to the perfect job for him.

5/8/12 Wild Game Dinner (Ministry Event)

Six officers, five members, one guest, and one son (13 total participants) had a great time at the Annual Wild Game Dinner (Ministry Event) on 5/8/12 at the St. George’s Court Senior Housing Apartments.  We fed 24 residents of St. George’s Court venison, axis deer, sika deer; duck, dove, feral hog, hybrid bass, corn-on-the-cob, french fries, hush puppies, potato salad, cole slaw, and soft drinks.  St. George’s residents threw in beans and deserts.

The St. George’s Court residents present enjoyed the meal immensely and all of them took home at least one large Zip-Lock of left-overs.  They were very appreciative.

Many volunteers made this event possible, including:

• Ken Miller for making his Slap Your Mama Chili
• Randy Rowley for making his Radioactive Road Kill Chili
• Charlie Batts, Jeff Cates, Flint DeShazo, Ken Miller, Randy Rowley, and Wayne Weilnau for donating game of various sorts
• Jeff Cates, Richard Corbin, Bruce Crockett, Ron Denison, Tori Denison, Flint DeShazo, Harrison DeShazo, Burl Fulenwider, Ken Miller, Greg Moerbe, Randy Rowley, Daryl Shipper, and Harold Terry for helping out at the event
• Ron Denison for bringing his grill

Thank you all very much!

While we were chasing the black hog a red hog bolted. We chased that thing for two more hours. I got a shot at it, but all I had time to do was to pull my sting back and release (not aim) as is bolted in front of me at Warp 9. The arrow sailed harmlessly over its back and stuck in the ground.

In 1997, David Chalmers, Tim Price, Jason Behm, Tom Grass, and I were bow hunting a 35 acre hog pen. I was at one end of the rectangular shaped pen. Suddenly I saw about 30 hogs running down the far fence line. David was chasing them about 75 yards behind. The hogs got to the corner and then ran to the corner near me. I was in head to toe camo (including face mask and gloves). I had not moved a muscle, yet they knew that I was there. They started to mill around and then got into the most amazing formation (quicker than most groups of humans could do). The big hogs got in the back of the formation. The medium sized hogs were between me and the big ones and the small hogs were between me and the medium sized ones. They then ran right down the fence line in that formation. I had a 20 yard shot, but if I wanted to shoot a big hog I would have to shoot through a medium sized one (we were only allowed to shoot one hog)! I aimed at the big hogs backs and let loose. My arrow stuck harmlessly in a cedar tree’s trunk.

During that weekend we averaged three shots each at running hogs. Only Tim managed to hit one and that was probably because he was only six yards away (hiding behind a cedar tree) when a herd ran past him.

I could tell you many more stories but suffice it to say that they’re smart.

They have incredible senses of hearing and smell (although you would think that they couldn’t smell a thing because they stink so badly). They are predominantly nocturnal animals so they see better at night than during the day. They have a reputation for poor vision, but that has not been my experience.

As to tips, standard deer hunting rules apply – hogs have incredible senses of hearing and smell. They also spot movement well. However, we can nullify these advantages through full camo, making as little movement as possible, noise control, scent control, and using the wind to your favor.

Hogs are color blind, so it really doesn’t matter if you chose an “Early Fall” or “Late Fall” camo pattern. Just pick one that matches the foliage where you hunt. If you’re hunting an area that is filled with mesquite trees and cactus then don’t choose Real Tree Treebark or Advantage Wetlands. The biggest things that are neglected when choosing camo are the hands and face. It always amazes me to see hunters in full camo except those two areas. I’ll spot them a mile away – their faces and hands glowing white like the moon.

You can have on the best camo in the world, but if you make a lot of movement you’ll still be spotted. Just as we spot hogs from their movements they also can spot us from our movements. Make slow and deliberate movements. Use your binoculars for spotting game instead of your riflescope, but don’t jerk them around. If you hear a hog behind you, turn around very slowly. When a hog is looking straight at you is not the time to bring up your rifle or draw your bow – unless you like seeing them run away from you!

Regarding noise, make as few unnatural noises as possible. If you have to cough, do so into your arm or your hog grunt call. Put carpet on the bottom of your blinds so that if you drop your binoculars, rangefinder, etc. the sound will be muffled. It will also keep your feet warmer.  Put your cell phone on vibrate and don’t listen to music or a football game. We can hear sounds a long way away and hogs have at least four times better hearing than we can do.

Regarding scent control, having no scent at all is best. Before I hunt I shower with a no-scent soap and shampoo (Scent Killer liquid soap is available at Academy and sometimes Wal-mart). I use unscented deodorant (Scent Killer makes an expensive one; various companies such as Speed Stick make cheaper ones) and spray my outer clothing with Scent Killer odor eliminator (available at Academy and Wal-mart). I also wash my hunting clothes in Scent Killer clothing wash or unscented soap (HEB sells a version of Tide that is unscented).  Unless it’s warm, I wear rubber boots.

Cover scents (cedar, pine, apple, etc.) don’t work that great, especially the ones that are not native to the area you’re hunting. For example, using a pine cover scent in West Texas is almost as bad as playing heavy metal music on a loud boom box! The hog know it’s not native to the area and won’t go anywhere near it. I’d also avoid cover scents like fox urine or skunk musk for obvious reasons. Instead of using a commercial cover scent I’ll take a cedar branch and rub it on my clothes and boots or step on a wet cow patty, as each step will say “cow” and not “human.”

Avoid bringing smelly foods like bacon or barbecue potato chips into the stand with you. In addition, don’t eat them right before you hunt as it’s easy to drip bacon grease and food crumbs onto your clothes. Instead, eat apples, carrots, or muffins before you hunt and/or bring them to your stand. Also avoid smelly drinks like orange or strawberry sodas, Gatorade, tea, or coffee. Instead bring water.  Avoid peeing near your blind.  Rather than walk 100 yards away to pee, bring something that you can pee in and then carry it out when you leave. Don’t smoke before or while hunting. If you smoke after your morning hunt, you’ll need to change clothes before your evening hunt or the next day’s hunt. The same applies to being near campfires!

If you’re hunting a stand where the wind is blowing your scent away from the feeders, then being scent free is not that big of a deal, but you just never know when the wind will choose to shift, especially in Texas.

We also have the advantage of baiting. I use a “Hog Bait.” Here’s my recipe. It’s best if it has been “cooking” in the sun awhile; however, I’ve had them come to freshly made bait more than once. Put it in a bathtub sized circle under a feeder.

You often won’t see hogs until dusk, at the earliest.  Therefore, I strongly recommend a 1/2 – 2 million candlepower rechargeable spotlight with a red, amber, or blue lens.   I recommend the Optronics NightBlaster Halogen Cordless Rechargeable Spotlight ($30) and the Brinkmann Q-Beam LED Spotlight with Night Vision ($55).

When hogs come to your corn don’t shine a spotlight straight on them, because they’ll bolt. Point it skyward and gradually bring it down onto them, like moonlight. If you’re hunting by yourself, you can only do this from a tripod with a rail or a box blind with one hand and shoot your rifle with your other hand. Some guys hunt as a team with a shooter and a light handler. After they shoot a pig they usually switch jobs.

Alternatives to spotlights are constant-on lights that attach to either a 12 volt or 6 volt battery or solar panel.

The most expensive option is a Big Red II 2X6 FD ($240; sold by www.texasboars.com; they make more powerful lights also).  My light is a discontinued model.  I’ve got a 12 volt lawn motor battery and two regular 12 volt batteries (that usually are in my boat).  My light is much, much brighter when hooked up to a full size 12 volt battery instead of the 12 volt lawn mower battery.  Simply turn it on before dusk and turn it off when you leave (you can keep it on all night if you have a solar panel attached to it).

A less expensive option is a Wildgame Innovations Moonshine Hog and Varmint Feeder Light that is much cheaper ($50).  You’ll need either a  6 volt battery or solar panel to operate this light.  However, be aware that Mark Dillow bought one for his deer lease and wasn’t very impressed with the light output.  Like the above light, turn it on before dusk and turn it off when you leave (unless you have a solar panel attached to it).

The least expensive option is a solar powered landscape spot light ($19) that comes on when it gets dark and goes off when it gets light.  Lowe’s used to sell a similar one for $15 (I don’t know if they still sell them).  Their drawbacks are they have weak light output and aren’t entirely weatherproof.  However, Ken Miller and I used one once.  We attached it to a feeder and set up 50 yards away.  We had a herd of hogs come in 30 minutes later but we could barely see our crosshairs, especially on the dark hogs.  If you go this route I recommend that you not set up more than 30 yards away from your corn.  This light has the advantage that you don’t have to leave your stand to go turn it on.

You can attach any of the above lights to a feeder, U or T post, fence post, tree, or feeder.  The posts and trees would be the best options if you put your corn no where near a feeder.

The big advantage to a light system like these is there is no need for one hunter to be the spotlight holder and the other the shooter, or, in other words, both hunters can pick out a pig (hopefully a different one) and shoot at the same time.  The other significant advantage is a constant-on light will preclude any possibility of hogs running as they often do when a spotlight beam hits them (even a red one).  I’ve heard that it takes hogs a few days to get used to constant-on lights, but as I mentioned above, Ken and I had a herd of pigs come in 30 minutes after we set one up, and it was a white light.  Therefore, I don’t think that there is any validity to that theory.

If you choose to use a rifle, bolt actions are king due to their accuracy. However, there are several very accurate semi-autos, pumps, and lever actions on the market.

Use at least a .243. If you have a .243 and a .30-06, take the later. Likewise, if you have 150 grain .30-06 bullets and 180 grain, take the latter. You just never know then you might run into a 400 lb. monster. It’s better to have too much gun than not enough. Use a quality bullet designed for deer, such as a Federal or Hornady Boat Tail Soft Point (BTSP), Nosler Partition, Barnes X Bullet, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, or one of the new “bonded” bullets like the Federal Fusion.

Hogs have a “shield” around their shoulders of very thick skin, gristle, and bone that covers their vitals that can deflect or even stop bullets. The shields of some big hogs have been documented to stop bullets from even a .30-06! A hog’s heart and lungs are between his shoulders. If you shoot behind his shoulder you’re going to hit his liver or gut and you could be in for a very long track.

As for scopes, ones with large objective lenses are preferred. 50mm lenses gather light 55% better than their 40mm cousins and allow you to see hogs better in low light. However, there is a major tradeoff with 50mm objective lenses. Because the front bell is so large they have to be mounted higher than 40mm objective lens scopes. That causes the shooter to have to raise his head higher on the stock, which takes some getting used to and often affects accuracy and target acquisition. Leupold solved this problem with their “Light Optimization Profile” that enables their 50mm and 56mm objective lens VX-L models to be mounted as low to the bore as 36mm objective lens scopes. Their major drawback is price – they start at $700.

Another popular scope feature that is beneficial to hog hunters is lighted reticle scopes. Usually just the inner reticle of a Duplex reticle is lighted but some manufacturers light the whole thing. Burris also makes an “Electro-dot” (a red dot at the intersection of the crosshairs). You can get these features on 40mm and 50mm objective lens scopes. Of course you have to pay more for them.

I recommend the following lighted scopes that are less expensive than the above mentioned Leupold or a lighted Nikon Monarch: Burris Fullfield II 3-9X 40mm with Electro-Dot for $300, Burris Signature Select 3-10X40 with Electro Dot for $450 or with Illuminated Ballistic Plex for $480, and Sightron SII 3-9X42 with Illuminated Plex for $200 (Sightron stopped making scopes with illuminated reticles so these are hard to find).

I bought a Trijicon Reflex II sight (for $350) and was very disappointed in its 50 yard performance at Eagle Peak (it was shooting 4″ groups at the bench). That may be good enough for some hunters, but not me (I sold it on e-bay). Another alternative to red dots or reflex scopes is to put a regular scope on a quick shooting rifle but install it using see-through mounts. This allows for shots with iron sights at running hogs and shots with the scope for hogs that are standing still. Trying to find a running hog in a regular riflescope is not easy (neither is hitting it once you find it).

Shotguns are often better choices for stalking; however, they are limited due to their range. Shooting slugs beyond 100 yards is iffy unless you have a specialized slug gun that includes a fully rifled barrel, a shotgun scope, and sabot slugs. The maximum range for shooting slugs out of a smooth bore shotgun with a regular bead is about 50 yards; as such guns are made for shooting fast moving targets and not for precise aim. The maximum range for buckshot is also about 50 yards. If you decide to shoot slugs out of a regular barrel the best choke to use is cylinder, followed by skeet, and then improved cylinder. Do not shoot slugs out of a choke tighter than improved cylinder!

If you plan to use a shotgun for stalking then I recommend a fast shooting (semi-automatic, pump, or double barrel) 12 gauge with 3″ shells filled with 000, 00, or 0 Buckshot. Fifteen 00 Buck pellets per shot at a running hog means a much better chance of a hit than one rifle bullet or a slug. Most manufacturers recommend using a full choke for buckshot, followed by modified, improved cylinder, skeet, and cylinder. Do not shoot buckshot out of turkey chokes! In fact, don’t shoot anything bigger than steel shot BBB or lead 4 shot out of a turkey choke. To do so can destroy the choke, barrel, and maybe you too.

Some guys alternate rifled slugs and buckshot and in their magazines. The idea is the first shot will be at a standing still hog. For such a case a slug would be the better choice due to its knock down power. If you don’t kill it, you’ll probably have to make quick follow-up shots at a running hog. This would best be accomplished by putting lots of buckshot pellets in the air. The best choke to use if you put both slugs and buckshot in your gun (at the same time) is improved cylinder, followed by skeet, and then cylinder.

The 16 gauge option is 1 Buck (.30 inches) but they are only made in 2 3/4″ shells. This shell contains only 12 pellets.

A 3″ 20 gauge filled with buckshot is iffy in my opinion. The largest buckshot available for a 20 gauge (Federal Vital-Shok and Power-Shok) is 2 Buck (.27 inches). Compare that to 000 Buck (.36 inches), 00 Buck (.33 inches), or 0 Buck (.32 inches) which are all available in 12 gauge. I shot an eight pointer with 3 buck (.25 inches) at 40 yards with a solid rest but did not recover it.

If you have no other choice than to use a 16 or 20 gauge, then go with a rifled slug. Federal even makes slugs for the .410 (1/4 ounce, 109 grain), which should kill a hog at close range (if you hit it in the kill zone). As I previously indicated, I would rather have too much gun than not enough. There is no reason to pull a .410 out of your gun cabinet to chase after hogs, when you have a 12 gauge leaning right beside it.

My present hog/deer rifle is a Remington Model 700 BDL bolt action in .25-06. It is topped with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9X40 scope. It has Leupold see-through scope mounts. For stalks, I prefere my Browning Gold 12 gauge stuffed with 3″ 00 buckshot.

After a few shots have been fired on the lease the hogs know that troubles afoot and will usually stop coming to the feeders. When this happens it’s sometimes productive to do group stalks. Form a line of hunters 30 yards apart and walk slowly through the woods. Wear blaze orange caps to spot each other easily and use two-way radios.  Hogs will oftne stay put until they feel that they don’t have any alternative other than to run. I’ve had them bolt as close as five feet from me (I thought that it was dead).

As with all big game hunting, patience is paramount. You need to be prepared to stay in your stand a long time. Bring food, drinks, a comfy chair, and something to pee in (as was previously mentioned). Good things often come to those who wait. Hunting with a buddy helps keep you awake.  You can also take turns napping and, as previously mentioned, one of you can operate a red spotlight while the other shoots.

Hogs are potentially dangerous, especially the big boars and sows protecting their young. If you only wound one at night it’s best to wait to track it until morning (with well armed friends). It’s also very hard to shoot at a running animal at night.

As I don’t believe in luck I wish you, “Good Hunting!”

P.S. Let me know if you need a “consultant” to go on your hog hunt!

The following is a rotation list for FCS self-guided hog hunts on ranches that do not charge us to hunt.  Presently these hog hunts are inactive as we do not have a place to hunt.  

After a hunter goes on a hunt he or she is moved to the bottom of the rotation. If I contact a hunter and he or she cannot go I will contact the next person on the list.

Here is what to know and bring. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THIS PAGE!!!

If you’re new to hog hunting please read this article on Hog Hunting Basics.

Being on this rotation is a privilege and is not a FCS membership benefit. A person can be removed from the rotation for any of the following reasons (this list is not all inclusive):

1. Not hunting in a safe manner, including deliberately not following my instructions during a hunt and especially during a group stalk.
2. Not returning borrowed equipment.
3. Not helping in camp or in the field.
4. Indicating that he or she will attend a hunt and then not showing up.
5. Repeatedly canceling at the last minute.
6. Not returning my phone calls and/or e-mails.

Hog Hunt Rotation

1. Randy Rowley (or the designated Hunt Master)
2. Mr. Charlie Batts
3. Jeff Reece
4. Harold McElfish
5. Harold’s son
6. Ken Hamilton
7. Bret Mercer
8. Moses Sandoval
9. Van Short
10. Roy Brigman
11. Harold Terry
12. Wayne Weilnau
13. Mark Dillow
14. Kevin Wall
15. Ronnie Ross
16. Justin McDaniel
17. Thomas Palmer
18. Jerry Stafford
19. Robby Wilson
20. Grady Van Heuverswyn
21. Jim McGee
22. Edward Terry
23. Ryan Rowley
24. Leroy Brigman
25. Mark Sullivan
26. Art Barrera
27. Al Weiss
28. Richard Beitel
29. Philip Nichols
30. Justin Painter
31. Greg Moerbe
32. Matthew Moerbe
33. Ron Palmer
34. Don Jordan
35. Kelvin Cheung
36. Daryl Shipper
37. Mike Shipper
38. Warren Hoke
39. Cezar Cervantez
40. Harry Biggs
41. Dennis Koch
42. Paul Irwin
43. David Chalmers
44. Tim Price
45. Ken Miller
46. Jim Gault
47. Burl Fulenwider
48. Darryl Swann

Contact me at randy@fcs-texas.org if you would like to be added to this rotation.

____ Standard deer hunting gear (gun, knife, binoculars, camo clothing, boots, etc.)

____ Cot (do not need one if you’re staying in my, Randy Rowley’s, pop-up)

____ Sleeping bag

____ Pillow

____ Rechargeable spotlight with a red, amber, or blue lens (1/2 – two million CP)

____ Two chairs (in case you need one for a stand)

____ Large Ice chest

____ Texas hunting license

____ Fishing rods and reels and lures (ranches with stocked tanks only)

____ A hunter (blaze) orange cap (a blaze orange vest is also recommended) (ranches where we can go group stalks only)

Note – if you need to borrow something (ice chest, chair, cot, binoculars, etc.) let me know before we leave for the ranch.

A/C and Heating Replacement and Repair by Keith Miller

Keith Miller recommends the following men for AC/Heating Replacement and Repair (Keith used to own Energy Miser – an A/C and Heating business):

Buddy’s Heating & Air – 512-282-8339

Jeff Knight – 512-282-3500 (Home), 512-775-2660 (Mobile), and 512-320-6698 (Pager)

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Archery, Clay Target, and Shooting Ranges

Archery Country by Randy Rowley

Those who love bows would benefit from checking out Archery Country.  They are located in central Austin (8910 F-5 Research Blvd, between Burnet Road and Northgate Blvd on the south side of 183).  They have been in business since 1989.  Archery Country includes a store, full-service pro shop, and 20 yard indoor range.  The store offers a wide selection of Mathews, Bowtech, Hoyt, PSE, and Archery Research bows which you’re invited to try out on their indoor range.  Shooting leagues are held weekly including a traditional shoot, a target league, and a hunters’ league.  Junior Olympic Archery Development classes are hosted each Sunday by two certified Olympic coaches.  They have a wide selection of carbon and aluminum arrows, for hunters and 3-D shooters alike, and are glad to cut them to fit your particular bow.  They carry every imaginable accessory – from the latest fall away rest to the coolest sights.  Their hours are Tuesdays – Fridays, 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM and Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  They’re closed on Mondays.  For more information see their website, call them at (512) 452-1222 or e-mail them. 

Be aware that their service department is pricy.  For example, I needed a new string for my bow.  Archery Country didn’t have what I needed so they sent me to Sportsmen’s Warehouse.  Archery Country would have charged me $15 to put the new string on plus an additional $10 to put my peep sight on the string.  Sportsmen’s Warehouse didn’t charge me to put the string and my peep sight on.

Austin Rifle Club by Randy Slagle

Those who shoot at ranges more than four times a year would benefit from joining the Austin Rifle Club.  The Club is located in Manor.  The membership fee entitles the shooter to unlimited days of shooting.  The range has 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 yard targets. There is also a plinking (.22 range) and a clay target thrower.  They have no official skeet, trap, or sporting clays ranges.  The club sponsors competitive shoots and hunters safety courses.  For more information see their website or e-mail e-mail them.

Capitol City Trap and Skeet Club by Randy Rowley

I highly recommend the Capitol City Trap and Skeet Club.  FCS has held clay target shoots there since 3/20/93 and, for the part several years, our experiences have been positive.  For sporting clays, Capitol City has automatic throwers with counters.  They have a corporate (hunter) course and a harder masters level course.  They also have two 5-stand fields, five skeet fields, two trap fields, a double trap field, and a wobble trap field.  They can set a skeet field for international skeet (about two times faster than regular skeet).  An adult individual membership is $225/year.  A family membership is $250/year.  Capitol City is located just minutes from the I35 & Hwy 290 intersection on the banks of Walter E. Long Lake (8707 Lindell Lane).  For more information contact Capitol City at 512-272-4707 or cctsc@texas.net.

Eagle Peak Shooting Range by Randy Rowley

I highly recommend the Eagle Peak Shooting Range.  Eagle Peak is located off of FM 1431 near Jonestown on 20026 Lindeman Lane.  They charge $10.00 for a lifetime range card.  Their range fee is $10.00, no matter how many rifles, shotguns, and/or handguns you shoot.  They have a 50, 100, 200, and 300 yard rifle range and a 7, 15, and 25 yard handgun range with brass catchers.  Rental guns are available.  The ranges are also lighted.  Their benches are on concrete and are carpeted and have good sand bags and rests.  They also have a shotgun range with four commercial spring loaded clay target throwers.  The shotgun range is included in your range fee.  Bring your own clay targets (or you can buy them there for considerable more cost).  They offer learn to shoot classes.  They are open from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM every day, 365 days a year.  From Austin, take Hwy 183 north and go to FM 1431 in Cedar Park.  Go left (west) on FM 1431 about 6 miles, and turn right on Nameless Road.  Go one mile and turn left on Lindeman Lane.  Go about 1/2 mile and turn right at their sign (located on a wooden fence).  For more information see their website or e-mail them.

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Bank Fishing Holes in the Austin Area by Randy Rowley

From time to time I am asked, “where is a good, cheap place to fish in the Austin area for people who do not have boats?”  Below is information on some local fishing holes.

The following is from http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/cfl.phtml?r=6.

Community Fishing Lakes

There are also community fishing lakes in other nearby counties, such as Burnet and Blanco.  I grew up near Northwest Park.  The pond there is very small and I never heard of anyone catching fish from it.  Brushy Creek Reservoir is a nice place to fish and has other things to do other than fish.  They do not allow power boats on the Reservoir.  It’s the only park listed above that I have fished at.  I read a Texas Fish & Game article that included Bullfrog Pond.  Here is more information on it: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20080512b.

Here is the map to the Quarries: http://www.superpages.com/bp/Austin-TX/Hyde-Park-Baptist-Church-the-Quarries-L0080347436.htm.  The best way to get into the park usually is to take the entrance off Duval.  There is no charge to fish and you do not have to be a member of the church to go to their park.  They allow power boats on Quarry Lake, but they can only use their trolling motors.

Here is the link to the South Shore Park on Lake Bastrop: http://www.lcra.org/parks/developed_parks/southshore.html.  It has a boat slip/fishing dock.  I fished it in 2008 and caught about five bass.  It has a lot of grass in it, so you’ll need bobbers to keep your hooks from getting tangled up in the grass.  Avoid the weekends, as there will be a lot of boats coming in and out of the slips.

Here is a link to Reimer’s Ranch, a popular spot Southwest of Austin: http://www.co.travis.tx.us/TNR/parks/reimers_ranch.asp.  This park borders the Pedernales River.  Successful fishing is dependent on having enough water in the river in which to fish.  It is a good place to fish for white bass during their spring run.

There are several county parks located along Lake Austin and Lake Travis.  The Lake Travis ones, include but are not limited to, Cypress Creek, Sandy Creek, Pace Bend, Mansfield Dam, and Aransas Bend.  Here is a link: http://www.lcra.org/parks/parks_travis_county.html.  There are also a lot of marinas where you can fish.  I’ve fished Rock Marina on the West Side of Lake Travis before.

Lake Decker (also known as Walter E. Long Lake ) in East Austin is also a very popular fishing spot.  There is a county park and lots of people fish from the banks inside of the park.

Lake Georgetown also has some nice parks, including Cedar Breaks Park, Jim Hogg Park, Russell Park, and Tejas Camp.  Russell Park is predominant a swimmers park and gets a lot of traffic.  Here is a link: http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/georgetown/Recreation/index.asp.

You can fish at City Park along Lake Austin you will probably be frustrated due to all the pleasure boaters and water skiers.

There are multiple places on Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake ) that you can fish.  However, most people do not eat the fish caught from there due to pollution warnings.

The great thing about the Austin area is you could spend a life time checking out all of these fishing holes!

Out of all the parks listed above, the three that I recommend that you try first are:

• South Shore Park on Lake Bastrop (during weekdays)
• Brushy Creek Reservoir
• The Quarries

The primarily reason that I recommend them is due to lack of people (which translates to solitude and lack of noise/disturbance).

Happy fishing!

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Clubs by Randy Rowley

Austin Christian Bass Club by Randy Rowley

The Austin Christian Bass Club’s principal purpose is to provide a fellowship opportunity for Christian men who like to fish for black bass.  They usually meet on the third Thursday of every month at Hillcrest Baptist Church (3838 Steck Avenue, Austin, between Mesa Drive and MoPac).  They usually have a monthly catch-and-release paper (they use of weight from a table of length versus average weight instead of actually weighing the fish) tournament on the third Saturday of every month.  They usually fish a local lake (Austin, Bastrop, Belton, Decker, Fayette, Travis, etc.) but also have a travel tournament each year.  You do not have to own a boat in order to fish or be a member.  Their ideal balance is 50% riggers (boat rig owners) and 50% non-riggers.

North Austin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) by Randy Rowley

The North Austin Chapter of the NWTF, was founded by Tonya and Curtis Slovacek (Tanya is a District Director of the NWTF).  The Slovacek’s can be reached at at 830-798-9023 or 830-385-6964 for more information.

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Feeding the Hungry

Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry is an outreach ministry of the people of God called upon to feed venison to the hungry among us nationwide.  All you need to do is take the field dressed deer (they no longer take hogs) that you wish to donate to the Bon Ton Meat Market (115 South Camino Real Road, Uhland, near Kyle, 512-398-3810) and tell them that it is for Texas Hunters and Hunters Feeding the Hungry.  There is no cost to you.  For more information contact John Hilgers at 512-350-4011.

Hunters for the Hungry is a program of the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc.  It is a statewide wild game donation program that provides a healthy source of protein to Texans who need assistance obtaining well-balanced, nutritious meals.  Simply bring your field dressed deer (they do not take hogs) to a participating processing plant, tell the clerk that the animal is for the Hunters for the Hungry program and pay the approximate $20.00 processing fee.  The meat will be given to low income people.  Participating processing plants in the Austin area include Hudson’s Sausage Company and Texas Sausage Company.  For more information e-mail or call them at 800-992-9767 or 512-462-2555.

Hunters Harvest is a group of people that utilize their skill, expertise, and love of hunting and fishing to feed hungry people served by non-profit organizations.  Since February 2005, Hunters’ Harvest has provided 93,000 lbs. of wild game and fish to organizations in our community.  Their purpose was to encourage hunters to donate fish and game to Get Together Partner Ministries feeding the hungry.  To donate see Pacto con Dios (below).  For more information contact Cathy Lawdanski or Wade Mattingly.

Pacto con Dios (A Pact with the Trinity) is based out of San Marcos.  They distribute any edible meat (deer, hogs, and birds), as long as it is field dressed and in good condition, to those that are unable to feed themselves along with sharing the gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  There is no cost for donations but they are appreciated.  The meat needs to be delivered to San Marcos.  If you have a substantial amount they will pick it up.  They have a trailer with cold storage on it that can handle up to 50 deer.  Joe and Melissa Lee can be reached at 512-805-7544 (Home) and 512-738-6924 (Work).

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FFL Dealers in the Austin Area Who Are Willing to Transfer Guns

President’s note: If you do not live in the Austin area and want to see what FFL dealer live in your area go to http://www.gunbroker.com/User/DealerNetwork.asp, enter your zip code, and then click the “Go” button. 

Austin

Bill
Dancing Bear Outfitters & Firearms
8005 Coyote Ridge
Austin, TX 78737
Phone: 512-858-5154
Fax: 512-858-5154
Cell: 512-858-5154
Hours: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday – Friday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday
Transfer fee: $20.00 for CHL holders, $25.00 for non-CHL holders

Terry L. Davis
Terry L. Davis, Gunsmith
3411 Andtree Blvd.
Austin, TX 78724
Phone: 512-926-8082
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday – Friday
Transfer fee: $20.00

Alan Dugger
Sprinco USA
7804 Danz Blvd.
Austin, TX 78724-2508
Phone: 512-331-8797
Fax: 512-331-9172
Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Friday or by appointment
Transfer fee: $15 for TX CHL holders, $20 for non-TX CHL holders

Hank Fleming
Hank Fleming, Gunsmith
4722 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78745
Phone: 512-445-6339
Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday
Transfer fee: $35.00

Gary B. Gerding
Liberty Firearms
Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-836-6664
Cell: 512-297-8151
Pager: 512-708-6675
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday
Transfer fee: $15 for TX CHL holders, $25 for non-CHL holders

John Hansen
Hansen Precision Gunsmiths
6417 Billy Bonney Pass
Austin, TX 78749
Phone: 512-301-1844
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday
Transfer fee: $15.00

Alan M. Lovejoy
3317 RR 620 North
Austin, TX 78734
Phone: 512-697-0444
Fax: 512-327-1765
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday
Transfer fee: $25.00 for CHL holders, $30.00 for non-CHL holders

Chuck Moon
South Texas Guns
12009 Hwy 290 West
Austin, TX 78737
Phone: 512-288-0848
Fax: 512-288-0865
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday – Saturday
Transfer fee: $30.00 first gun, $20.00 each additional gun on the same transfer

James Rose
Spec-Ops
3010 S. Lamar #200
Austin, TX 79704
Phone: 512-468-2339
Transfer fee: $20.00 handguns, $25.00 long guns

Tom Snell
Heritage Firearms
13497 US HWY 183 N STE 300A
Austin, TX 78750
Phone: 512-219-1122
Fax: 512-219-1124
Cell: 512-769-1885
Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday
Transfer fee: $20.00

Karen S. Ziegler
Red’s Indoor Range
6210 Highway 290 West
Austin, TX 78735
Phone: 512-892-4867
Fax: 512-892-9487
Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
Transfer fee: $35.00

Buda

Eddie Ellison
Ellison Construction Company
42 Country Oaks Drive
Buda, TX 78610
Phone: 512-295-3644
Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and others

Cedar Park

Mark Couture
The Exchange
707 N Bell Blvd
Cedar Park, TX 78612
Phone: 512-249-5599
Fax: 512-219-8091
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday
Transfer fee: $25.00

SAM Randall
Action Pawn
2419 S. Bell Blvd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: 512-258-0221
Fax: 512-258-1278
Transfer fee: $15.00 for CHL holders, $20.00 for non-CHL holders

Chad Walters
Chad Walters
909 Petaluma Dr
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: 512-762-8253
Cell: 512-762-8253
Transfer fee: $20.00 plus sales tax

Leander

Wendy Mings
Eagle Peak Shooting Range
20026 Lindeman Lane
Leander, TX 78641
Phone: 512-267-1400
Fax: 512-267-4493
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday – Saturday,11:00 AM -6:00 PM Sunday
Transfer fee: $30.00

Scott Post
Post Gunsmithing
1300 Spivey Rd.
Leander, TX 78641
Phone: 512-844-0715
Fax: 512-515-6389
Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday
Transfer fee: $15.00 for non-CHL holders, $10.00 for CHL holders

Pflugerville

Jim Felix
Viking Arms
1602 Sage Boot Dr.
Pflugerville, TX 78660
Phone: 512-826-3926
Fax: 512-251-0545
Transfer fee: $20.00 plus sales tax and shipping

Round Rock

Larry Patschke Sr.
Patschke’s Rod & Gun
904 Brushy Creek Dr
Round Rock, TX 78664
Phone: 512-310-8055
Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Monday-Friday
Transfer fee: $30.00 Texas residents only

Chuck Tooke
Chuck’s Class 3
2105 Green Oaks Cir
Round Rock, TX 78664
Phone: 512-791-6547
Pager: 512-860-0343
Transfer fee: Title one: $20, NFA transfer $50

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Guide and Outfitter Reviews and Recommendations

Deep Sea Fishing with Captain Ron Pierson

I, Randy Rowley, recommend Captain Ron Pierson for deep sea fishing.  Ron fishes out of Port Aransas in the Marlin Babe.  Six FCS members were impressed with Ron and the efforts that he took to get us on fish during a 10/25/03 Deep Sea Fishing Trip.  The cost for 12 hour day is $1150.  For six anglers that’s $191.67 each.  Fishing is good any time of the year with the exception of winter.

Dove Lease (September and First Weekend) with Lance Sullivan

Ken Hamilton recommends the Sullivan dove lease.  Lance Sullivan presently has three properties near Woodson, which is in north Texas.  It is close to Breckenridge and about 60 miles north of Abilene.  It is 288 miles from Austin.  Several FCS members have hunted with Ken there since 2003.  A September pass goes for $140 if paid before 8/1 and $160 if paid on or after 8/1.  Lance also offers an opening day pass for $100.

Check in is in his barn on his property at 899 FM 209 W, Woodson, Texas, 76491 beginning each 8/31.  If you are interested in this lease  contact Lance at 940-345-6692 or 940-345-6788.  You must complete an agreement/release of liability form and mail it to 550 FM 209 W, Woodson, Texas 76491.  Hunting is usually good in September but opening weekend is, of course, the best.  They average over 100 hunters on opening weekends but there is plenty of room for all.

Directions from Austin

• Go North on Hwy 183 through Brownwood, Cisco, and in to Woodson
• As you first come into Woodson there will be a Dog Trailer manufacturer on the North West corner (behind a cyclone fence)
• Go West on FM 209 about 1 1/2 miles.  The Sullivan place is on the right (North side)
• Go over the cattle guard.  Follow the road between two cultivated plowed fields and then through some trees
• When you get to the “Y”, go right to the house instead of the barn (unless they are set up for sign-in at the barn)
• The Sullivan’s “street” address is 899 FM 209 W, Woodson, Texas, 76491

Contact Ken for more information at 972-966-8775 or 214-673-8308 (Cell).

Dove Lease with the Drott Bothers

Louis and Gary Drott have a season dove lease available in the Buda, Mustang Ridge, and Creedmoor areas.  They have several properties to choose from.  They include sunflowers and tanks.  The cost is $250 for the season.  There is no “day” hunting.  Make your check out to Louis Drott and send it to: Louis Drott Mortgage Services, 5121 Bee Cave Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas, 78746.  He must receive all checks by 8/11/07.  Hunters must abide by the lease rules and sign a release of liability.  Contact Louis at 512-329-9971, extension 224 (Work) or 512-422-4321 (Cell).  Several FCS members have hunted with Louis and Greg since 2004.  Hunting is usually good in September but opening weekend is, of course, the best.  They maintain around 135 hunters but there is plenty of room for all.

Duck Hunting with the Double Harvest Guide Service

Mark Dillow recommends duck hunting with the Double Harvest Guide Service.  They are located in Carthage, north of the Lake Toledo Bend area.  The cost for this unguided hunt is $75.00.  Food and lodging are available at an additional cost.  They also hunt for deer, hogs, and turkeys.  Double Harvest is run by Tim Kempfe, who is a Christian.  Bobby Brasher, the President of the Christian Hunters and Anglers, also recommends him.  Tim can be reached at 1-800-595-2945.

Hog and Sheep Hunting at the J.B. Hunting Ranch

Randy and Ryan Rowley and Kelvin Cheung recommend the J.B. Hunting Ranch for hogs.  Jimmy Cohenour, Jim Bob Cohenour, and his cousin Eddie Lee Toohey hunted with us at the FCS 2002 Hog Hunt with Texas Wild.  After hunting two other ranches with poor results, Jimmy and Jim Bob decided to develop their own hog ranch 23 miles south of El Campo, near Blessing.  They have 100 acres bordering a river.  Their ranch is divided into two sections.  They maintain 100 hogs on the property with about 60 on the front half and the rest on the back half.  They bought several hogs and trapped the rest.  They have an electric fence for the front half of the property to keep the hogs in.  The rear half of the property borders the river.  Hogs are free to come and go on the rear half of the property.  The cost is $125.00 for a hog of up to 100 pounds.  You pay $1 per pound for hogs above 100 pounds.  Thus a 150 pound hog would cost you $175.00 ($125.00 plus $50.00 for the excess weight).  They have a “You will get a shot or your next hunt is free” guarantee.  They also have a “Wounded hog counts as a kill” policy.  They had several Barbadoe rams, one Corsican ram, and one Mouflon ram when we were there.  However, their sheep had little fear of man.  We were able to walk straight up to them several times as close as 15 yards before they started to walk off.  Mouflon, Corsican, and Barbadoe sheep are $175.00 and up.  They have at least eight blinds and six working feeders and feed once a day, although most hunting is done by stalking or drives.  One stand is 52 feet tall.  They hunt year round and allow night hunting.  You can also shoot varmints.  They also offer the use of a boat to fish on their river during down time.  Group rates are available.

Pros: There are many, many hogs.  You will get at least a shot.  Jim Bob went the extra mile in conducting drives, looking for my hog, and in helping us skin and quarter our hogs.  The Cohenour’s make you feel welcome.  Mrs. Cohenour gave us some desert bread when we arrived and biscuits and honey the next day for breakfast.  They have a new bunkhouse with an A/C – heater combo unit.  They have a garage with a sink, toilet, stove, and upright chest freezer.

Cons: The size of the ranch precludes large groups.  Several hunters in 100 acres with high powered rifles and/or shotguns would be highly dangerous.  Other Cons include the tame sheep, the bunkhouse is tiny (we barely fit all of our gear in it; a group of six would have to store some of its gear in their garage) and costs $20.00/per person/per night, the freezer has room for no more than two 150 pound butchered hogs, and their pricing is more costly than some of their competitors (e.g. Texas Wild charges $200.00 for two hogs regardless of size).  If you shot a really big hog at the J.B. Hunting Ranch you would have to take out a loan!  A 400 pound hog would cost you $425.00 ($125.00 plus $300.00 for the excess weight)!  Texas Wild does not have a guaranteed shot so there is the potential that you could walk away with nothing.  You also could walk away with two hogs, like I did in 2/02.

In the final analysis, the J.B. Hunting Ranch is a great place for a small group to go kill “meat” hogs of up to 100 pounds.

Contact Jimmy at 361-588-6845 (Home) or 979-240-9445 (Mobile) for more information.  Jimmy says that he will give a discount to FCS members

Hog and Sheep Hunting at the Rio Bonito Ranch

Mr. Charlie Batts highly recommends the Rio Bonito Ranch near Junction for hog and sheep hunts.  Fishing is available at no additional charge.  It is a 16,000 acre ranch with no high fences.  Mr. Batts reports that the Rio Bonito Ranch is probably the finest hunting ranch he has ever hunted.  The people were wonderful, the food was great, the service was unbelievable, and the hunting was beyond belief.  Everything was as promised with no push to upgrade to other animals.  He killed a Texas Dall ram.  If you ever want a dream hunt at a reasonable price with extremely fine service and animals this is the place!  Mr. Batts also reports that Chuck Swindall and many other Christian men have hunted there.

Hybrid Bass Catching with Jay Garrett

FCS has had several fantastic trips with guide Jay Garrett for hybrid bass catching on Lake Belton.  I wrote “catching” instead of “fishing” as, unlike most fishing trips, when you fish with Jay you WILL catch fish!  We have limited out every trip, except one (we came close to a limit).  Jay can fit six fishermen in his boat.  Hybrids will go between 3 – 10 lbs.  The best time to fish is between April and July.  Jay supplies the rods & reels and bait.  Casting skills are not required.  Jay will filet and bag the fish for you.  Six fishermen cost $600 or $100 each.  Jay can be reached at 254-642-3611 (Work), 254-718-2299 (Home), or 254-718-9270 (Cell).

Speckled Trout and Redfish Fishing with Captain Bob Hill

Jim McGee recommends Captain Bob Hill of Fish Port O’Conner.  Bob specializes in bay (speckled trout and redfish), jetty, and offshore fishing from Port O’Conner and is a Christian.  Bob can be reached at 361-983-4325 (Home) and 361-920-4615 (Cell).

Speckled Trout and Redfish Fishing with Captain Brent Hopkins

Jim McGee recommends Captain Brent Hopkins of the Ace in the hole guide service.   Brent specializes in speckled trout and redfish fishing from Rockport.  He also does “Blast and Cast” trips (combo duck hunts and bay fishing trips or dove hunts and bay fishing trips) and hog and javelina hunts.  Brent is also recommended by Archery Country.  He has an e-mail distribution list that he will be happy to add you to.  He sends out fairly frequent e-mails about how the fishing is going near Rockport.  Brent can be reached at 361-729-6911 (Home) and 361-534-4007 (Cell).

Speckled Trout and Redfish Fishing with Captain Rick Loveday

Mr. Charlie Batts recommends Captain Rick Loveday for speckled trout and redfish fishing.  Mr. Batts reports that Rick is the best bay fishing guide that he has fished with and is a gentlemen.  Rick uses live bait or lures and boat or wade fishes.  Whatever it takes to catch fish!  He leaves the dock at first light and normally puts in an eight to nine hour day unless they limit out early.  When they limit out on trout he’ll go try to find the reds.  He specializes in big trout.  He fishes the Laguna Madre, Baffin Bay and the Land Cut.  Early in the Spring he wades Baffin Bay with top water lures or soft plastics.  He supplies everything except your food and drinks.  For wade trips you fish with your own rod and reel.  He supplies stringers and bait buckets if needed.  One of his clients won 5th place in a STAR tourney with a 31 1/2″ Speck.  It weighed 10 lbs when he caught it and they had a 10.10 lb. speck the day before.  His rates are $450.00 for two people and $75.00 for each additional person up to 4 people total.  He can handle large groups and get as many boats as you need.  Rick can be reached at 361-368-2422 (Home) or 361-946-1182 (Cell).  His address is P.O. Box 1691, Odem, TX 78370.  FCS fished with Rick on 8/5/05.  Three of us caught 50 lbs. of fish.

Speckled Trout and Redfish Fishing with Captain Joe Miles

Mr. Charlie Batts recommends Captain Joe Miles of Reel Busy Guide Service.  Mr. Batts reports that Joe is great guide who has a great boat and a condo near the dock for $100.00 per night.  Joe uses live croaker.  Mr. Batts caught one 30” trout and several large redfish over 28”.  Mr. Batts stated that their catch was great, but not much above Joe’s normal catch on good days at Baffin Bay.  Mr. Batts also stated that the 21 mile boat ride to Baffin Bay is a blast and just watching the sun come up on the water and seeing the big trout and reds feeding on bait fish is extreme!  Joe’s address is 4113 Claudia, Corpus Christi, TX, 78418.  His phone number is 361-937-7062.  Mr. Batts warns FCS members that Joe is a bit “crusty” and uses vulgar language freely.

Turkey Hunts offered by Ronnie Ross

Ronnie Ross has a spring turkey lease available for the upcoming season.  The price is $200 for the entire season and includes access to 1600 acres in Mills county, a cabin, and pre-scouting.  Ronnie can be reached at 512-459-5748 (Home), 512-567-5748 (Work), and 512-461-2577 (Cell).

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Insurance Agents by Eddy Chance

Eddy recommends Farmers insurance agent Krissy Rougeau.  Give her a call or send her an e-mail and have her compare your current insurance policy to what Farmers can do for you.  Eddy has been with Farmers for many years and has had a great experience with them.  Krissy can be reached at 512-922-0391.

Eddy highly recommends Lone Star Insurance broker Michelle Gundlach.  Give her a call or send her and e-mail to see if she can save you some money on your insurance needs.  They have auto, motorcycle, home, boat, and commercial insurance.  Michelle can be reached at 512-350-4171 (Work), 512-233-2532 (Fax), or LoneStarInsBrokers@yahoo.com.

Taxidermy

Big Rack Taxidermy by Charles Batts

Mr. Charlie Batts has started using Big Rack Taxidermy Service here in Austin.  If someone needs a quality job done at a reasonable price, he recommends these folks.  Contact Jesse Cortinas at 512-288-1646 (Work) or 512-663-2322 (Cell).  Tell them that Charles Batts suggested them and they will treat you right.  They are located at 8739 Hwy. 290 West.  Jesse is a Master Taxidermist.  He has my South Texas javelina and it looks like it is alive and very angry.  He may also save someone some money.  He does great mounts.

Trophy Taxidermy by Ronnie Ross and Kevin Wall

Ronnie Ross and Kevin Wall recommend Trophy Taxidermy in Early (next to Brownwood).  Steve charges $215.00 for a pheasant/duck mount.  Most Austin taxidermists charge $275 to $300.  His phone number is 325 646 8534. 

Ronnie's ducks

Top Gun Taxidermy by Randy Rowley

I, Randy Rowley, Eddy Chance, and Larry Dowden recommend Randy Pistole of Top Gun Taxidermy in Holland (10 miles east of Salado).  Randy does excellent work and is significantly cheaper than Austin taxidermists.  For example Randy presently (12/14/04) charges $385 for a deer shoulder mount.  Most Austin taxidermists charge $550 to $575.  He charges $195 for a duck/pheasant.  Most Austin taxidermists charge $275 to $300.  Randy also works much quicker than the Austin taxidermists.  My teal took only four months.  Randy can be reached at 254-657-2800 (Work) or 254-657-8114 (Home

Randy's Teal

Larry's Pheasant

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Ways to Support our Troops by Randy Rowley

Any Soldier by Randy Rowley

Sergeant Brian Horn from LaPlata, Maryland, an Army Infantry Soldier with the 173^rd Airborne Brigade was in the Kirkuk area of Iraq when he started the idea of Any Soldier to help care for his soldiers.  He agreed to distribute packages, that came to him with “Attn: Any Soldier” in the address, to the soldiers who were not getting mail.

Brian recently completed a tour in Afghanistan and is now home, but Any Soldier.com continues.

Any Soldier Inc. started in August 2003 as a simple family effort to help the soldiers in one Army unit, thus their name.  However, due to overwhelming requests, on 1 January 2004 the Any Soldier effort was expanded to include any memberÔ of any of the Armed Services in harms way.

Any Soldier Inc. has helped approximately 91,188 Service Members including 2927 Military Contacts (2053 Army, 543 Marine, 178 Air Force, 143 Navy, and 4 Coast Guard).

They have Soldier contacts on their Where to Send page.  Click through the names and select the one(s) you wish to support.  They list what the folks they represent want and need.  They even have a search capability so you can easily identify what the troops need most.

All the Soldiers involved in this effort are military volunteers stationed in areas that are in harm’s way. You send your support (letters and/or packages) addressed to them and when they see the “Attn: Any Soldier” line in their address they put your letters and packages into the hands of Soldiers who don’t get much or any mail first.  Everything is shared.

They have What to Send and How to Send pages to help you properly send letters and packages, and a FAQ page, please read these.  This effort is 100% voluntary.  You send your support, and maybe some stuff, directly to whatever unit or units you want.

For more information see http://anysoldier.com/.

Books for Soldiers by Randy Rowley

During the first Gulf War, several reservists and were activated to fight the Iraqis.  Once the soldiers were deployed, they were faced with massive downtime and were restricted to their base due to the travel limitations set by the Saudi government.

The founder of Books for Soldiers (BFS) is a voracious reader.  At the beginning of the Gulf War, he had a closet full of paperback books that were not being used.  Instead of selling them at the used book store, he packed them up in small care packages and sent them out to all the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen that he had addresses for.

Within a few weeks, he ran out of books before he ran out of addresses.  Friends and family members began donating their paperback books and in the end, over 1000 books were sent to the Gulf.  After the war, they received many thank-you notes from soldiers who got one of their books.  Unless it was time for them to fly back home, mail-call days were one of the most anticipated events of deployment.

With the initiation of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, BFS is more active than ever before.  Regardless of why the military is deployed, the men and women of our armed services are there for us.  They deserve our support.  Providing books, magazines, DVD’s, games, and relief supplies to them are ways to make their deployments easier.

To provide more security for our troops, they require their volunteers to fill out a notarized application and mail it in.  Once your application is approved, you will be able to send gifts to our troops.  You will also have access to their Pen Pal area and Post Card Jamboree.

Currently, BFS is a non-profit corporation, operated as a ministry of a non-denominational church in North Carolina.  On average their volunteers fill over 1000 requests a month.

For more information see http://booksforsoldiers.com/.

Gifts from the Homefront by Randy Rowley

Please consider sending a Christmas Gift Certificate to an individual military family member, friend or loved one.  You can also designate that they be used “for any soldier” deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, or for wounded or hospitalized soldiers.  The Christmas Gift Certificate can be used it at any military exchange (AAFES, NEX, MCX, Coast Guard Exchange) retail store around the world.  For more information on this program see http://www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm.

Give2TheTroops by Randy Rowley

Give2TheTroops® is a nonpartisan, non-political, non-profit, patriotic organization formed to support the physical, moral, and spiritual health of America’s armed forces in combat zones around the world through letters and care packages prepared and shipped by patriotic volunteers.  Deployed and wounded troops in harm’s way in all branches of service are supported.  They are incorporated and certified as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity charitable organization.

Since December 2002, Give2 has supported hundreds of thousands of deployed U.S. troops.  This was made possible only with the help of tens of thousands of generous and patriotic friends in the U.S. and abroad.  They believe that this is the least we can do to show our troops how much we appreciate the sacrifices that they make for us.  This is about giving back to those who give all.™

Donations to Give2TheTroops are tax deductible, however donors should consult their independent tax experts and advisors to appropriately determine and verify all charitable contribution deductions.  Monetary donations given to Give2TheTroops are used to pay for postage to mail the care packages and/or to purchase special items requested by our deployed troops.  99% of all donations go to our troops.  They have no paid employees.

They accept food, snacks, toiletries, entertainment items, sports items, and cards and letters (they cannot accept home-baked food, glass bottles, aerosol sprays, expired food, canned items, lighters, hotel samples, or hard-cover books).  They have packages for 20,000 troops ready to ship but don’t have the funds to ship them.  They accept donations via credit cards, PayPal, personal checks, and money orders.  Please mail checks or money orders to: Give2TheTroops, Inc., P.O. BOX 445, Canton, CT, 06019-0445.

For more information see http://www.give2thetroops.org/.

Homes for our Troops by Randy Rowley

Homes for Our Troops is a non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 2004.  This organization is strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries.

They assist injured service men and women and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials, professional labor, and coordinating the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility.

All services provided by Homes for Our Troops are at no cost to our veterans.

Since breaking ground on our first home in December 2004, they have made great strides in helping our military families adjust to a new way of life as well as providing tangible opportunities for all Americans to support our troops.  In just over two years, they have provided barrier-free adaptations and complete handicap accessibility to homes for many veterans and have over a dozen additional projects underway in cities and towns across the USA.  Help comes from many sources, so the community benefits along with the veterans and their families!  Community spirit thrives when Homes for Our Troops is in town!  People put their differences aside and roll up their sleeves and work together to help our wounded American Heroes!

Homes for Our Troops is currently working with veterans throughout the country.  With more than 18,000 injured to date in the War on Terror, many veterans are in urgent need of help.  They continue to grow their network of professionals in the building industry, building material manufacturers, and generous donors from across the USA to provide this vital service at no cost to our veterans.

For more information see http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/PageServer.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund by Randy Rowley

To date over 18,000 men and women have been wounded in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Most of these troops are ultimately returned to duty.  But some suffer injuries so severe that they require extensive medical care and years of treatment and rehabilitation.  Their future quality of life, their ability to care for themselves and provide for their families, and their very survival depends on the treatment and rehabilitation, they receive following their injuries.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is constructing a world-class state-of-the-art advanced training skills facility at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.  The center will serve military personnel who have been catastrophically disabled in military operations as well as military personnel and veterans severely injured in the normal performance of their duties.

The center will encompass a $35 million 60,000 square foot structure, providing ample space and facilities for the rehabilitation needs of the patients and their families.  It will include top of the line indoor and outdoor facilities.

As of April 17, 2006, The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund successfully reached its goal of $35 Million dollars.  Although sufficient funding has been received for the construction costs, the Fund is accepting donations to provide additional services to the patients who will be treated in the Center and their families.  These services may include facilities for patients’ children, additional medical equipment and supplies, medical research to improve the care of patients, or other areas relating to the Center’s activities including the patients and their families.

One hundred percent of contributions will continue to go to these services, with nothing taken out for the Fund’s administrative costs.

For more information see http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/fallenheroes/index.php.

Let’s Say Thanks in Support of our Troops by Randy Rowley

To honor U.S. military personnel and increase community morale, Xerox Corporation has created Let’s Say Thanks, a national program designed to deliver millions of free personalized printed postcards with messages of support to deployed U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.

Their website gives you the opportunity and means to send as many postcards as you desire.  It shows your support and appreciation for their service to our country.

Postcards sent through LetsSayThanks.com will be delivered to men and women from all military branches deployed on active duty.  If you would like to mail a postcard to a relative or personal friend, downloadable files are available for each design once a card is selected off the homepage of this website.

The postcards, depicting patriotic scenes and hometown images, were selected from a pool of entries from children across the country.

All you have to do is click on your favorite design, either select the message that best expresses your sentiment or draft a personal note, and then hit “send.”  You can send out as many postcards as you desire.  Xerox then prints the postcards and Give2TheTroops^® mails them in care packages on a monthly basis.

The response has been tremendous.  To date they’ve received over two million messages of support to share with military personnel serving overseas.

For more information see http://www.letssaythanks.com/.

To Our Soldiers by Randy Rowley

To Our Soldiers is a service that provides an opportunity to send a message of support to Soldiers who are serving in the War on Terrorism.  Messages are posted on the website.  The website is not designed to be a letter writing service, instant-messaging service, e-mail service, bulletin board, or general chat service.  It is designed as a means to leave messages to the troops at large, rather than to individuals.  All messages are viewed and edited or deleted based on content.  Profanity and violations of operational security, privacy, and propriety will not be posted.  Soldiers around the world appreciate your thoughts and feelings of support.

For more information see http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/tooursoldiers/.

Wounded Warriors by Randy Rowley

Wounded Warriors was founded in March 2003 to support the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines who were evacuated from Afghanistan and Iraq to the Landstuhl (Germany) Regional Medical Center for treatment for injuries and wounds stemming from Operations “Enduring Freedom” and “Iraqi Freedom.”

Because of financial contributions, Wounded Warriors was able to support other military hospitals in the States and Iraq by purchasing laptop computers and other morale items to be used by the staff and patients.

Their new mission is to provide families of our young warriors who have been severely injured or wounded something they may never be able to afford – a vacation.  To facilitate this Wounded Warriors owns two fully furnished two-bedroom condominium units (one in Orlando, Florida, and the other in Galveston, Texas), for the use of qualified soldiers, reserves, veterans and their families.  Military personnel are entitled to a one-week stay.  Wounded Warriors also pays for theme park tickets for veteran’s dependents.

A new endeavor is to establish a family oriented Wounded Warriors’ Retreat in Western Nebraska.  Activities will be designed to bring families closer together by providing memories that will last a lifetime.  These will include horseback riding and hiking in the rolling hills, swimming, campfires and more.

Because of generous friends like you, Wounded Warriors already has entered into a contract to purchase this property.  Their goal is to build a central lodge, six two-bedroom cabins, a swimming pool, and a horse barn, with construction starting in the summer of 2007.

Your tax-deductible gift to Wounded Warriors will help make it all possible.

For more information see http://www.woundedwarriors.org/.

• I’ll buy food for everyone.  I’ll also buy three bags of corn for each hunter and will make a five-gallon bucket of hog slop for each hunter (the hog slop is optional).  We’ll divide the costs.
• Deer rifles and bullets work fine on hogs.  But if you have a .243 and a .30-06, take the latter.  If you have 150 and 180-grain bullets, take the latter.  I do not recommend hunting hogs with a caliber smaller than .243 or 6mm.  A scoped rifle is better than one with iron sights, a red dot scope, or reflex scope.  Aim at the hog’s head or neck if it’s decent sized (above the shoulder).  Big hogs have a “shield” over their shoulders of very thick skin and bone that can deflect or even stop bullets.  Avoid aiming at the shoulder of a big hog.  A hog’s heart and lungs are between his shoulders.  If you shoot behind his shoulder you’re going to hit his liver or gut and you could be in for a very long track.  Bring a lot of bullets.  I once fired 10 shots during one hog hunt.  For most hunts, you’ll be fortunately to fire one or two, but you just never know when you’ll run into an entire herd!
• If we’re able to do a group stalk (we only do them if it is safe) you’re welcome to bring a shotgun with either rifled slugs and/or buckshot.  Fifteen 00 Buck pellets per shot at a running hog means a much better chance of a hit than one slug or rifle bullet per shot.  Most manufacturers recommend using a full choke for buckshot.  The next best choice is a modified choke, then improved cylinder.  However, this may not be true for your gun so the only way that you can find out what it prefers is to pattern it.  Do not shoot buckshot out of a turkey choke!  It will ruin it, and maybe you too (turkey chokes are too constricted to handle anything larger than 4 shot.  The best shotgun choice is a fast shooting (semi-automatic, pump, or double barrel) 12 gauge with 3″ shells (or 2 3/4″ if so chambered) filled with 000, 00, or 0 Buckshot.  Some guys alternate rifled slugs and buckshot in their magazines.  The idea is the first shot (slug) will be at a standing still pig.  If you don’t kill it, you’re follow up shots will be at a running pig, which is where buckshot excels.  The best choke to use if you put both buckshot and slugs in your gun (at the same time) is modified.  If you are only going to use slugs the best choke is cylinder, then skeet, then improved cylinder and tighter chokes.

What to bring

• Standard deer hunting gear (gun, knife, binoculars, camo clothing, boots, etc.)
• Cot (do not need one if you’re staying in my, Randy Rowley’s, pop-up; I’ve got extra cots if you need one)
• Sleeping bag (I’ve got extra sleeping bags if you need one)
• Pillow
• You’ll need a rechargeable spotlight with a red, amber, or blue lens, 1/2 to two million candlepower (two hunters can share a light and take turns being the spotter and the shooter)
• You’ll need a chair for camp (you also might need a comfy chair for your blind; I’ve got extra chairs if you need one)
• As hogs can be big, bring a big ice chest (it’s better to have one that is too big than one that is too small; I’ve got extra ice chests if you need one)
• Although hogs are not considered a game animal you’ll still need a Texas hunting license in order to hunt them
• Bring your rods and reels and lures for the ranches that have stocked tanks.
• Bring a hunter (blaze) orange cap for ranches that allow group stalks (a hunter orange vest is also recommended)

Here is a simplified, and more printer-friendly, Hog Hunting Checklist.

Note – if you need to borrow something (ice chest, chair, cot, binoculars, etc.) let me know before we leave for the ranch.

$500 – lease
$800 – new rifle and scope
$150 – camo clothes
$50 – magazines
$200 – bullets
$6,000 – 4 wheeler
$500 – food for the lease
$8,200 – total

He also stated that he on average killed one deer each season and after processing he came home with 50 pounds of meat. Divide $8,200 spent by 50 pounds and you get $164/pound! As he points out in the skit – lobster doesn’t cost that much!

Although most of us don’t spend nearly that much every year on hunting and fishing, we’ll all agree that they’re expensive hobbies. About the only way that they are cost effective is successful self-guided fishing trips on near-by bodies of water or successful self-guided hunts on near-by public land or land that the landowner doesn’t charge you to use. The reason that I said “near-by” is the high cost of gas will make even a no cost to hunt or no cost to fish trip cost ineffective if the land or body of water is far away. For example, I usually get 12 MPG so a 200 mile trip with no partner will cost me around $67 (figured at $4/gallon).

Also, compared to procuring meat at a grocery store, hunting and fishing is much more difficult.

For starters hunting and fishing gear takes a lot of effort to maintain. Hunting is hard on boots, clothes, guns, scopes, binoculars, bows, arrows/bolts, broadheads, decoys, calls, and battery operated devices such as range finders and 2 way radios. Fishing is hard on rods, reels, lures, hooks, bobbers, weights, and line (especially knots). Both are hard on vehicles, knives, and flashlights. Add camping gear, a boat, a 4 wheeler, and a dog to the mix and you’re got a new list of things that have to be maintained.

Secondly the act of hunting or fishing takes a lot of effort. Take a self-guided duck hunt for example. You’ve got to get up no later than 3:00 AM, get dressed (including waders), meet up with your friends, drive to the lake, get everything in the boat and launch it or hike it in a mile or more, put out the decoys, hunt, pack everything up, take the boat back to the ramp and put it on the trailer, drive back home, clean the ducks, wash your dirty clothes, clean your gun, and put everything back up. Even if you limit out you’ll only bring home a few pounds of meat for around a nine hour trip. I can go get a few pounds of meat at a nearby grocery store in about 30 minutes and not have to leave home at 3:30 AM!

Lastly, there is no guarantee of success. Despite extensive research and planning, perfect stand or decoy placement, and putting the bait three inches from the bass’ nose sometimes (or often) we are skunked. Even worse is being skunked due to our own ineptitude or to be more blunt – we missed the deer or hog.

Considering these things, is it no wonder that some of us are stingy when we’re asked to share our harvest? It’s easy to develop an attitude that screams, “I worked hard for this meat, enduring countless hours in cold uncomfortable deer stands and hot dusty fields, and I’m gonna keep it!”

This attitude forgets the principle that God is in control of and owns everything. Psalms 19:21 states, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” We can get on the best deer lease in the world, buy the best equipment, and feed six times a day year round, but if it is not in the Lord’s plan for us to get that Boone and Crockett deer it won’t happen. Or to put it another way, we harvested what we did because God allowed it. Therefore, our harvest all belongs to Him, not us.

Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Note that not all ambition is selfish. It is good ambition to serve God with everything that we have and to want to become more like Him.

Even Christians can be driven by self-preoccupation and vain self-interest, such as moving up the ladder at work, church, or other places. Our desire for advancement sometimes manifests itself as self-promotion or manipulation. This is what Paul meant by “selfish ambition.” As a Christian’s self-absorption, selfish ambition, and conceit die they are replaced with a concern for the needs of others. We develop a new heart of love for others and no longer have a selfish heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26).

Once a year FCS members have a great opportunity to consider others as more important than ourselves. We cook game that we harvested and share it with people in need in Austin. Most of the people who live where we have our Wild Game Dinners are elderly, have low incomes and some have disabilities. Meat is a luxury they do not often see, much less wild game.

When I ask you to volunteer to help out, please do so. When I ask you to share your harvest, I encourage you to give generously. Don’t ask the Lord how much of your game you should share. Rather ask Him how much of His harvest He wants you to keep.