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Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

Bass fishing using a rattlesnake for bait

Being a fisherman, I will try just about anything to catch a big largemouth bass. Well, almost anything. I don’t think I would ever use a rattlesnake as bait, but that is exactly what Texas angler did. I got the “rattlesnake bass” story in an email. The fellow that wrote the story apparently owns or works for River Run Guide Service, but I was unable to find a Web Site for the fishing guide on the net. Anyway, if you enjoy a good fishing story, you should enjoy this one.

“Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit viper) within the riverbed. However, as I tell my clients, go outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story. Obviously, just because I have never come accross a venomous snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there. In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that I’m simply overdue for my first encounter. The way I look at it, Texas, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand.

So, I wasn’t too suprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake headed across the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig for bass. I continue fishing. However, I can’t help to notice the rattler has changed it’s course and is headed straight for my kayak. At this point, I’ve pretty much quit fishing and have my attention focused on the intentions of this potentially pesky pit viper. Continue reading Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

Big South Carolina Alligator Harvested!

Most folks are afraid of alligators, but some people go out looking for them. In the United States, there is a limited hunting season for the American alligator. People look forward to this short season every year, and the hunting helps keep the number of gators down. Think we don’t have enough for an alligator hunting season? Well, think again. There are probably about one million alligators in the lower 48 states! Texas boast having over 250,000 of the large reptiles itself!

So with those kinds of numbers, regulated alligator hunting is more than warranted. Such was the case in South Carolina this year, where they also have a limited alligator season. The photos below were taken a few days ago at Cordrays meat processing and taxidermy in Charleston, South Carolina. This big male alligator was 14 feet long and weighed in at a whopping 1,000 pounds!

American alligators breed during May of each year and females build a nest of mostly grass with some mud in June. The eggs then hatch out in late summer, with the female remaining close to the nest to protect the vulnerable hatchlings. Male alligators, which can grow as large as the one featured above, will feed on anything than can catch, including smaller alligators.

Big Black Bear Killed Near Alpine, Texas

Black Bear Killed Near Alpine

Texas Parks and Wildife Department (TPWD) has reported that a huge black bear weighing at least 406 pounds has been killed near Alpine, Texas. The facts indicate that the big bear was struck by a vehicle and road-killed after it’s pelvis was broken. Initial coverage of the bear’s death made front page news across west Texas and has even been featured on the Midland area TV news several times. TPWD has taken possession of the large bear.

The animal is an extremely large black bear, even by Texass standards, but male black bear do occasionally get this big in the southern parts of black bear range. What makes this bear unique is that there was virtually no damage to the hide and skull. Because of this opportunity, TPWD has coordinated with several individuals and organizations in order to use this specimen as an educational opportunity. Donated funds from conservation partners have flooded in to have a full body mount of the bear completed and placed in the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University. The museum will host an educational display titled “Bears in West Texas”.

Fallow Deer – What are They?

The Fallow deer is a Eurasian deer that is native to western Eurasia, but in the past century the deer has been introduced into other parts of the world, including the United States. In some portions of the U.S., free-ranging fallow deer populations have increased to the point that they cause serious browsing damage to young trees and compete with native white-tailed deer. Fallow deer have also been introduced in Texas along with many other exotic deer species, where they are often hunted on large game ranches.

Fallow deer have a lot of variations in the color of their coats, with four main types: common, menil, melanistic (black) and white. The white-colored fallow is actually white, and not an albino of any sort. In addition, white fallow deer are often mis-identified as albino white-tailed deer. Melanistic fallow deer are often mis-identified as Sika deer or even melanistic whitetail deer. The common coat variation has a brown coat with white mottles that are most pronounced in summer with a much darker coat in the winter. The white is the lightest colored, almost white. The common and menil colored deer are darker. Continue reading Fallow Deer – What are They?

The Wildlife Exemption and Management

The wildlife exemption is the most misunderstood valuation in Texas. First, it really is a valuation, or the rate at which a property is taxed. Many county appraisal districts do not realize the intention of the wildlife exemption or wildlife valuation or whatever you want to call it. No matter how you slice it, the widlife exemption is all about protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat in Texas.

One of the main goals of the wildlife exemption legislation is to protect animals that are native to Texas. This is a key component in converting land that from an ag exemption (1-d-1) to a wildlife exemption. Land may qualify for wildlife management use if it is instrumental in supporting a sustaining breeding, migrating or wintering population. A group of animals need not permanently reside on the land, provided they regularly migrate across the land or seasonally live there. Continue reading The Wildlife Exemption and Management

Texas Flounder

The southern flounder is the most abundant flatfish along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Flounder stay in mostly shallow water during warm months and then migrate through cuts and passes to the Gulf to spawn during the fall and winter. The flounder is an ambush feeder and will wait patiently for something to eat. They create an ambush spot by lying flat on the bottom and waiting for unsuspecting bait to swim by.

Tidal water moving through small cuts or rocky areas are excellent places to find feeding flounder. They sometimes bury themselves under sand or silt as they wait for food to enter their area. The prime fishing season is during the “flounder run” in the fall. This period takes place from roughly October through November. Gigging is a popular method for taking flounder.

Gigging is done by either wading with a spotlight or lantern and “gigging” or spearing the fish with a gig (multi pronged) as it lays waiting for its dinner. But instead, it’s your dinner! Flat bottom boats with an air motor or trolling motor are usually used for gigging flounder.

Flounder have a laterally compressed body (fish lies on its side rather than on the abdomen) and always looks up. The flounder is capable of changing its color pattern to match the bottom color, ranging from blackish-brown to light- gray or a mottled coloring. The down side is white. Young flounder feed on crustaceans, while older flounder eat mostly fish.

In Texas, flounder must be at least 14 inches long to keep, and each person may keep 5 fish per day, but check the current fishing regulations before you head out fishing.

Horrible Deer-Auto Accident Photos

Deer-Auto Collisions are Big Money!

Deer are beautiful animals. Thanks to state natural resource departments and regulated hunting throughout the United States, white-tailed deer herds are at all-time highs. And although just about everyone loves watching deer, record deer herds do not register well with everyone. In fact, some people outright despise them.

Deer-auto collisions cost millions of dollars each year. As a result, deer are not very well liked by auto insurance companies, nor the drivers that hit them. They have a whole different idea about deer management. But everyone that buys auto insurance either directly or indirectly pays for deer damage caused to autombiles. When it comes to hitting deer as they cross the road, a driver can lose more than just money. Continue reading Horrible Deer-Auto Accident Photos