SPORTSDAY

Outdoors

Advertising

09/13/2008

Dove hunting Q&A;
For 24 years, Roy Wilson has guided dove hunters in the migration corridor that pulses like an artery through the heart of Texas. By the end of September, when Wilson's focus shifts from doves to deer, more than 400 dove hunters will have filled limits under his watchful eye.

White-winged doves worth the wait
It was hard to ignore the mourning doves that buzzed into the sunflower field shortly after first light. Roy Wilson, however, had told us to be patient if we wanted to shoot white-winged doves. "The whitewings won't start flying good until 8 a.m.," the West Texas hunting outfitter said. "There's a risk of shooting a limit of mourning doves before the real action even starts."

Outdoors notebook
If you've wondered what your grandfather's bamboo fly rods might be worth, you can find out Saturday at the Grapevine Antique Fishing Tackle Show.

Outdoors calendar
Outdoors events scheduled through March 7, 2009.

09/10/2008

Like the weather, teal forecast is dicey
Early teal season is a roll of the dice for most North Texas duck hunters, says columnist Ray Sasser -- and with Hurricane Ike bearing down on the state, opening weekend looks even more unpredictable, especially along the coast.

Outdoor notebook
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials are investigating a fish kill reported at Fairfield Lake early this month. More than 7,000 dead fish have been counted, mostly large red drum.

Outdoors tip
No matter how you choose to cook the doves shot since dove season began, the results are likely to be better if you take the time to fillet the meat from the breastbone.

Outdoors calendar
Event listings through March 7, 2009.

Cycling calendar
Event listings through Sept. 27.

09/06/2008

Birds plentiful near Treasury Dept. site; just be sure aim is true
When dove season rolls around, Cory Anderson takes it to the bank. Anderson, a Fort Worth hunting outfitter, actually takes dove season to a better place than a bank. He takes it to the place where money is printed – the U.S. Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Video: Dove hunters go after birds in Fort Worth city limits

TP&W;'s timing for steel shot study off target
On Aug. 30, two days before dove season began, Texas Parks and Wildlife began an ill-conceived scientific study comparing the effectiveness of steel shot vs. lead shot.

Video: Dove hunters go after birds in Fort Worth city limits

Outdoors notebook
Lewisville Lake will host the 2008 BOATU.S. National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Tournament on Sept. 18-20. Teams representing at least 20 states are entered.

Outdoors calendar
Outdoors events scheduled through March 7, 2009.

09/03/2008

Youth season overlap could have been avoided
Once again, Texas Parks and Wildlife has scheduled youth duck season in most of the state for the same weekend as youth deer season -- a conflict that columnist Ray Sasser says is inexcusable.

Outdoor notebook
Dove season opened with a flurry Monday in Texas' North and Central zones, and prospects west of Dallas remain good for the weekend hunt.

Outdoors tip
Knowing the exact times for sunrise and sunset are important to hunters, particularly those who hunt migratory game birds like doves and ducks.

Outdoors calendar
Event listings through March 7, 2009.

Cycling calendar
Event listings through Sept. 27.

08/31/2008

Study frustrates landowner as dove season opens
A group of 22 hunters sanctioned by Texas Parks and Wildlife opened dove season in Brown County two days early, killing over 300 doves Saturday for a study contrasting the effectiveness of steel versus lead shot. Opening day is today in most of the state.

08/30/2008

Scottish hunter devises formula to improve shooting of birds
At 30 minutes before official sunrise Monday, dove fields throughout most of Texas will reverberate with the staccato bark of shotguns. Veteran wing shots agree that mourning doves are among the most difficult targets that an average hunter will encounter.

Hunters have one sure way to protect against ticks
Two Texas medical researchers have received a grant to research conflicting reports about the infectious nature and causative agent of Southern-tick Associated Rash Illness in Texas and other states.

Outdoors notebook
Deer hunters getting ready for the fall season have 20 new shooting stations at Elm Fork Shooting Park, 10751 Luna Road, Dallas.

Outdoors calendar
Outdoors events scheduled through March 7, 2009.

08/27/2008

Dove forecast good, but only if you're ready
High fuel prices mixed with high shotgun shell prices will not dampen opening day enthusiasm when doves become legal game in most of Texas on Monday, writes columnist Ray Sasser. The happiest hunters are likely to be those who go through reputable outfitters or carefullly scout locations on their own.

Outdoors notebook
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission last week approved proposed late waterfowl seasons without change.

Outdoors tip
Texas hunting and fishing licenses expire at midnight Sunday. If you plan to be fishing or dove hunting Monday, you'll need a 2008-09 license.

Outdoors calendar
Event listings through March 7, 2009.

Cycling calendar
Event listings through Sept. 27.

08/23/2008

Dove season preview: Ready for action?
Hunting seasons kick off Sept. 1 with the beginning of dove season in most of Texas. Don't expect to find dove seasons listed in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual this year. A late request for a South Zone season change led to delayed finalization of hunting dates. Dove seasons were not approved until after the hunting and fishing regulations booklet was printed.

Outdoors calendar
Outdoors events scheduled through March 7, 2009.

08/20/2008

It's gadgets that make the hunter
The slow economy and high fuel prices may yet have an impact on the fall hunting season, but you couldn't tell it from the crowd at the Hunters Extravaganza on Aug. 16 in Fort Worth. The show is one of three consumer hunting shows produced by the Texas Trophy Hunters Association.

Outdoors notebook
Texas Parks and Wildlife last week unveiled at Lake Arlington its first lake-based paddling trail. The 10.9-mile trail hugs the 2,275-acre lake's shoreline with access points at local parks.

Outdoors tip
Avoid the traditional Labor Day weekend rush by purchasing a 2008-2009 Texas hunting and/or fishing license as soon as possible.

Outdoors calendar
Events through Sept. 11

08/16/2008

Outdoors calendar
Texas Trophy Hunters Association Hunters Extravaganza, Will Rogers Center, Fort Worth, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $10, ages 13-17 $5, 12-under free. www.ttha.org.