Get Ready for Fall Fishing and Hunting

TF&G Staff Report

LISTEN: (5 minutes, 57 seconds)

 

THE FALL HUNTING AND FISHING season is just around the corner.

While many automatically connect fall with hunting, the pursuit of game is not the only game in town deep in the heart of Texas. Our fishing reaches its peak during fall months and in reality, our hunting never stops.

Since we have so many opportunities to get in the woods and on the water in the coming months, here are some reminders, tips and strategies to help you be prepared.

Make Sure You’re Legal

As simple as it sounds, make sure you have your hunting and fishing license and any other additional tags or permits you might need.

Will you be needing a federal duck stamp? What about an annual public hunting permit?

Make sure you have all of the above before you hit the field and find yourself in an uncomfortable position in a game warden check.

Book It!

Whether you’re fishing for tarpon down in Lower Laguna Madre, shooting sandhills in the Panhandle or venturing to Colorado for muleys, get it booked.

Make sure everything is good from your outfitter to your accommodations. Check and double check. It’s frustrating when the time rolls around, and you realize the closest hotel available is 100 miles away.

Freezing Bait

Bait is often in abundance in summer.

Whether its perch for blue cats, shrimp for specks or shad for any number of species, catch as much as you legally can and freeze it. This can save you frustration when the bite is on, and you can’t get good bait and save you money as well.

Fall’s Favorite Lures

Fall fishing can be intense and we mean that in a good way. The action can be red hot with the best numeric catches of the year both in our bays and inland reservoirs.

If you have favorite lures or favorite color/pattern lures, now is the time to stock up. Don’t wait until your favorite DOA shrimp color or Gulp Swimming Mullet is sold out. Get them now and stockpile them away so you will be ready when the action hits.

Practice The Right Way

The archery-only season for whitetail deer is coming. TF&G Bowhunting Editor and master bowhunter education instructor Lou Marullo said the number one mistake he sees young hunters making in regard to shooting is not practicing with broadheads.

“It is extremely rare to find a bow that shoots with field points exactly like it would with broadheads of the same grain. All you have to do is look at the physical differences and see that there are some serious aerodynamic differences,” he said.     

A number of broadhead makers claim their products match up to field points, but there are simply too many variables.     

“It’s an absolute must to get out there and shoot with broadheads before going hunting. Even if you are just off an inch or two that could mean the difference between taking a big buck and suffering the heartache of losing an animal,” Marullo said.      

When it comes to shooting broadheads at a target, there are many options on the market nowadays

“When it comes to shooting broadheads, I have found 3-D targets with the removable core or vitals to be the best option although there are some good ones out there that are specific for broadheads as well,” Marullo said.   

File A Field Plan

This can be as easy as telling a loved one where you are headed and when you plan to return. Leaving this crucial information with someone on shore can help rescuers narrow down where to look if you don’t return when scheduled. If time allows, you should always try to fill out a completed float plan and update it as changes occur. Every piece of information proves more helpful than you may think.

On a boat, the easiest thing to have is a working marine-band VHF radio and a handheld GPS. This will easily allow you to call for help and give rescuers your position if necessary. Cell phones don’t always receive reception in the areas you may be going on your boat – so better to be prepared with extra equipment and not need it, than need it and not have it. The Coast Guard always monitors VHF Channel 16 for distress.

Venturing into the woods on a hunting or camping trip has some similar guidelines. A great option is to get a transponder which links to a satellite and can send the GPS coordinate of your location to all emergency response units in your area by the push of a button.

Scouting

For hunters, pre-season scouting is an absolute necessity.

This is especially true for waterfowlers when looking at vegetation growing in areas. Many hunters over the last decade have experienced showing up at a spot that was beautiful and full of ducks the previous season but was covered in salvina the next.

Spend as much time as you can looking at areas and always have backup plan after backup plan.

That way any weather scenario or change in conditions will not ruin your chance to hunt.

Sharing The Experience

This year, consider being intentional about bringing others in the field with you. Whether they’re your children, grandchildren or maybe someone from work who has never been fishing or hunting, you can be a difference maker in their lives.

Think about the times the outdoors has been a safe haven for you and all of the great experiences you have had beyond the pavement. That’s something that you can instill in others by simply investing time.

Take kids perch fishing.

Take adults on a simple live bait speck fishing trip or a duck hunt in a productive blind.

Get them hooked for life and help them prepare to become the new stewards of our resources.

—story by AUTHOR

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