Corpus Christi Caller-Times Outdoors by David Sikes

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David Sikes

David Sikes, Caller-Times outdoors writer specializes in hunting and fishing. David's columns are published Thursdays and Sundays. David also compiles a fishing report on Saturdays. He can be reached at sikesd@caller.com.

Thursday, August 30, 2001

Coastal Bend’s floater numbers could sink

Despite recent additions, floating cabins might be fewer because owners failed to register

Dove hunt opportunities

Rychetsky Farms (Nueces County) - 241-3970 or 387-1491
Ruben Garza - South Zone (361) 994-0645
Wild Horse Lodge (near Baffin Bay) - (361) 584-3098
Mark Katzfey (George West area) (361) 449-1151 or 449-2989
Rocky Teague (Three Rivers) - (361) 786-4092
Shane Johanson (Three Rivers) - (361) 786-2769
The South Texas Hunting Co. - (877) 999-4868 (toll free)
Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce - (361) 786-4330
George West Chamber of Commerce - (361) 449-2033
Les Tisdale (Hildalgo County) white-winged and mourning dove hunts - (day) 956-781-6589, 956-702-7676.
La Paloma Grove - Juan Valles - white-winged hunts (Harlingen area) - (956) 399-4517
Bee County Chamber of Commerce - (361) 358-3267, or www.beeville.net/chamber of commerce
Ultimate Hunts (Boerne, Central Zone) - (210) 260-3355
B Bar B Ranch Inn (Kingsville) - (361) 296-3331
Knolle Farm and Guest Ranch (Orange Grove) - (361) 547-2546 or www.knolle.com
Outdoor Destinations (McAllen) - (956) 380-2303 (Mexico white-winged hunts and Texas dove hunts)
Whitewing Ranch (Cameron County) (956) 831-4681 or www.whitewingranch.com
Cris Perez - White-winged dove hunts and South Zone hunts near Brownsville - (956) 423-8991; rgvdovehunts@att.net.
Jim Wells - South Zone (956) 399 3045
Laguna Vista - Mexico hunts (956) 421-4401
Las Palomas WMA - (956) 383-8982
Rancho Caracol - Mexico hunts (956)-542-3482
R & F Farms - South Zone (956) 831-4681
Casa Monte Lodge - (830) 876-2271 (also offers south zone hunts)
Jason Rieger - 643-4164
Brad Hart - Central Zone (830) 278-4422 or (830) 988-2649
Campbell Hunting - Central Zone - 438-3306 or campbellhunting@aol.com

It appears the floaters that will be eliminated because their owners failed to register before the Aug. 31 deadline (that's Friday) could offset the number of floating cabins recently added to coastal waters.
   This could result in fewer cabins in the Coastal Bend, not more, as predicted by some.
   I base this on Texas Parks & Wildlife records that show that as of this week, only 80 or so floater owners had applied for permits. The department had not heard from owners of about 100 floaters that remain unaccounted for.
   Notices have been posted on floaters for weeks now, notifying owners of the deadline and consequences of non-compliance. Because cabin ownership is not known, there was no other way to notify owners.
   No doubt, more floaters are being built and will be put in place by Friday.
   "If they don't have it moored in place and floating at high tide, they won't be eligible for a permit," said Dennis Johnston, TPW director of boating safety enforcement. "So if it's not out there by the deadline, there's no way it will be allowed."
   Owners of floaters already in place must apply for a permit by Friday or remove them immediately. Failure to do this could result in criminal charges, possible civil lawsuit or removal and demolition by other means.
   Of course, the rush to apply for permits has escalated this week, and last-minute applications are expected.
   According to TPW and personal observations, about 15 to 20 floaters recently have been put in place in Upper Laguna Madre, following passage of a law requiring all floaters be registered with the state. The law also requires a $1,500 one-time deposit from floater owners and a $300 annual fee.
   After Friday, floaters also must have a portable marine toilet and a 360-degree white light. They must float at high tide and cannot float over seagrass, natural rocks or oyster reefs, nor can they obstruct navigation.
   To get a permit, call (512) 389-4624.
   License by phone
   Last year's fishing/hunting licenses will expire Friday.
   If you've forgotten to get a 2001-2002 license and plan to hunt or fish this weekend, they may be purchased 24 hours a day by phone using Visa or MasterCard credit cards. Call TPW at (800) 895-4248, choose menu 2 and follow the instructions. The licenses are valid immediately, except for certain tags.
   TPW Corrections
   The 2001-02 Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Annual contains some errors. Below is the correct information:

The season dates for pronghorn antelope are Sept. 29 through Oct. 7.

Applications for the two new hunt categories in the Big Time Texas Hunts program may not be purchased through license vendors. Entries in the Texas Heritage Hunt and the Texas Premium Buck Hunt must be mailed in to TPW and are available online (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt/pubhunt/bgtime_entry.htm) or by calling (800) 792-1112 and requesting an application from the wildlife information help desk (menu option 5)

Some counties in the one-buck-only zones were incorrectly noted in text appearing with a statewide map listing of white-tailed deer regulations. Instead of the repetitive and lengthy text listing of hunting regulations for each of Texas' 254 counties that has appeared in the Outdoor Annual for years, TPW created a common alphabetic key system with accompanying maps. The one-buck-only counties that are divided into West and East zones should include counties labeled B, C, D, E, F, G, I, L, and M.

In the section outlining general season white-tailed deer regulations for D counties, hunters in Grayson County should be aware that antlerless deer may be taken by Managed Land Deer permits only, except on the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. No antlerless permit is required for Williamson County (west of Interstate 35) or McLennan County, unless MLD permits have been issued.

In the section outlining general season white-tailed deer regulations for F counties, which include the East Zone one-buck-only counties of Cass, Harrison, Marion, Nacogdoches, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine and Shelby, hunters should be aware that doe days begin Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22, 2001) and run through Sunday, November 25, 2001, not Nov. 7 as indicated in the guide.

In the section outlining white-tailed deer regulations for K counties - which include Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell and portions of Upton counties -hunters should note that during the general season antlerless deer may be taken without an antlerless permit unless MLD antlerless permits have been issued for the property.
   If you aren't sure about a regulation, contact the local TPW office at 289-5566 or call TPW headquarters toll free at (800) 792-1112, prior to going hunting or fishing.

Talk about fishing in the Coastal Bend

Outdoors writer David Sikes' column appears Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at 886-3616 or by e-mail at sikesd@caller.com

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