Hunters provide needed venison

The general hunting season begins November 5 and hunters will be doing their part to alleviate hunger in Texas through the Hunters for the Hungry program. Food assistance agencies such as food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters count on venison from Hunters for the Hungry to help stretch agency budgets and provide a nutritious source of protein to the people they serve.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one in five, or 18.8 percent of Texas households, were at risk of hunger between 2008 and 2010. Many families served by food pantries have to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or prescriptions.

Last year, hunters donated 178,662 pounds of venison statewide, resulting in more than 700,000 servings.

This season, Hunters for the Hungry is working with Reed’s Meat Processing in Cleveland to accept venison donations. Hunters who wish to be a part of the solution to hunger can learn more about the program by visitingwww.tacaa.org/hunters-for-the-hungry or call 1-800-992-9767, ext. 506.

Hunters for the Hungry is a program of the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc. (TACAA). For more information about TACAA, visit www.tacaa.org.

Liberty County Sheriff’s Office in high spirits after second major marijuana bust in two weeks

The county-wide burn ban didn’t prevent a local pot farm from going up in smoke thanks to the efforts of high-ranking law enforcement officials.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, at approximately 3 p.m. the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the City of Cleveland Police Department in reference to a person who had information about the high probability of a possible crime outside of their city limits.

Deputies arrived and met with this individual, who identified an area where a large marijuana growing operation was in full bloom off of SH Hwy. 105 in Liberty County. This person also warned that there were possibly armed persons at the site as well.

Deputies and state troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety rolled up to the area where this illegal operation was reported to be. The terrain was very difficult to traverse and was heavily wooded, accessible by foot or ATV only. In some places, even the ATVs had to stop and deputies had to cut their way through the weeds to reach the marijuana growing operation.

Upon reaching the operation, deputies discovered three large marijuana growing patches, tents and covered living areas. There were large trash dumps dug into the ground. Additionally, there were large water resources with pumps to irrigate the growing operation.

Over 1,000 stalks were contained at this site. Deputies and state troopers secured the site and found signs of persons recently at the site, who had left in such a rush, there were still warm cooking stoves at the camp site.

Air support was called in to assist in searching the area for suspects and to determine from a higher perspective, how large the entire growing operation actually was.

High-altitude air support was provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, aircraft division. By deploying a state-of-the-art helicopter with sensitive devices which can determine heat signatures, authorities determined the suspects were no longer in the immediate area and determined the size of the operation.

As nighttime conditions fell over the scene Saturday evening, the investigation took a hiatus as deputies took up security positions around the area and held crime scene in place until daylight.

Once the sun was high enough on Sunday morning, deputies began the task of eradicating the marijuana growing fields.

Before proceeding further, authorities located and disassembled separate counter measure devices which were located on the perimeter of the growing fields.

With the assistance of state and federal agents, the growing fields were dismantled and all of the marijuana plants were removed to a heavily-guarded, high-security position a short distance away.

The Tarkington Fire Department was called to this location and provided highly-skilled firefighting personnel and equipment, including SCBA (breathing apparatus).

Under the direction of highly-trained federal and state authorities, the marijuana plants and stalks were burned and completely destroyed according to the bureaucratic organization’s national guidelines.

Authorities on scene determined the “street value” of the marijuana at approximately $2.5 million dollars.

At this time LCSO, state and federal authorities are working to identify suspects possibly involved in this high-profile operation.

The total street value of eradicated marijuana in Liberty County in recent weeks is close to eight million dollars.

This is the second substantial marijuana growing operation to be dismantled by LCSO.

Presentation of ORWFD to the City of Old River-Winfree Council

You are invited!

On Monday, November 14th, 6:30 p.m. at the November City Council meeting there will be an award presentation to the City Council of Old River-Winfree.

At this Presentation, Miss West Chambers County and her court will be crown by the former Miss West Chambers County.

Mrs. Ethel Ramsey of Cinder  Block Restaurant in Old River-Winfree will received her Award as Bakeoff Grand Champion and the winners of the different categories will be recognized.

Many other Appreciation Awards will be given out.

The Mayor, Joe Landry, has allowed us this time and it is greatly appreciated.

City Council meetings are open to the public and this is a Formal Request for you to witness this Historic Event.

For information email info@orwfoundersday.com

 

On the Street Where You Live – Chambers County Sheriff’s Call out Report

Sheriff’s Report – October 3, 2011 – October 18, 2011

The following is a brief, partial recap of incidents reported by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office. General locations are listed rather than specific addresses.

Monday, October 3

12:15 a.m. – Deputies Childress and Miller were dispatched to the 5000 block Texana Dr., Baytown in reference to a disturbance. Criminal trespass was issued.

8:30 a.m. – Deputy Ritch was dispatched to the 200 block Gou Hole Rd, Cove in reference to theft-felony. Lock was cut and gang box with tools was missing.

9:15 a.m. – Deputy Richey was dispatched to the 800 block 9th St, Winnie in reference to animal on animal. Dogs attacked pot bellied pig.

5:10 p.m. – Deputies Ritch and Richey were out SH 99 South of FM 565 in reference to stray livestock. 1 charolais in custody.

8:10 p.m. – Deputy Childress was dispatched to the 8200 block Lantana, Baytwon in reference to a disturbance; settled by separation.

9:11 p.m. – Sgt Hatfield out Third St at Pear; 1 F jailed narcotic drug violation-felony, 1 M jailed narcotic drug violation -misdemeanor

Tuesday, October 4

2:28 a.m. – Deputy Childress was dispatched to the 2100 block Riceflower, Baytown in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Vehicle was gone on arrival.

2:26 p.m. – Deputies Cole and Childress were dispatched to the 7900 block Blackbird in reference to a disturbance; 2 F jailed on disorderly conduct.

10:15 p.m. – Deputy Arredondo was dispatched to the 200 block Fish Pond Rd, Winnie in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

Wednesday, October 5

12:15 a.m. – Deputy Miller was dispatched to the 7300 block SH 61, Hankamer in reference to alarms.

1:10 p.m. – Deputy Croley was dispatched to 2800 block Hwy 124 in reference to theft-misdemeanor.

2:00 p.m. – Deputy Croley was dispatched to the 200 block West Magnolia in reference to an unwanted subject.

6:05 p.m. – Deputy Johnson was dispatched to the 100 block Fairview Cemetery Rd in reference to burglary of a non-residence/unlawful entry; reported shop broken into.

8:30 p.m. – Deputies Krahel and Turner were dispatched to the 15900 block Sundowner, Baytown in reference to a welfare concern.

Thursday, October 6

12:15 a.m. – Deputy Johnson was dispatched to the 600 block Evans St, Winnie; 1 jailed disorderly conduct.

9:15 a.m. – Deputy Croley was dispatched to the 46400 block I-10 E in reference to an unwanted subject; settled by separation.

8:10 p.m. – Deputy Johnson was dispatched to the 800 block FM 1406; 1 jailed on public intoxication.

Friday, October 7

12:05 a.m. – Deputies Johnson and Turner out 817 North Feeder; 1 jailed on public intoxication.

12:05 p.m. – Deputy Croley was dispatched to the 700 block Stutes Rd; 1 F jailed on assault/family violence.

1:27 p.m. – St John and Croley were dispatched to the 300 block West Lane 1F jailed on violation of a protective order.

7:03 p.m. – Deputies Turner and Johnson out I-10 EB West of Jenkins Rd; 1 M jailed narcotic drug violation-misdemeanor.

10:30 p.m. – Deputies Johnson, Turner and Dugat were dispatched to the 500 block Blue Bonnett; 1 M, 1 F jailed on disorderly conduct.

Saturday, October 8

1:00 a.m. – Deputies Johnson and Tyson out Magnolia and 5th St, 1 M jailed on public intoxication.

1:30 a.m. – Deputies Johnson and Tyson were dispatched to the El Rancho Apts, 2 M jailed on disorderly conduct.

2:15 a.m. – Deputy Tyson was dispatched to the 4600 block IH 10; 1 F jailed on public intoxication.

1:00 p.m. – Deputy Pollard was dispatched to the 700 block Canal in reference to burglary of a residence/unlawful entry.

1:06 p.m. – Deputy Cole was dispatched to the Old River Community Building, 1 M jailed on public intoxication, assault on a police officer, failure to identify to peace officer, and narcotic drug violation-felony.

6:30 p.m. – Deputy Johnson out 1406 and 124; 1 jailed public intoxication.

9:33 p.m. – Deputies Johnson and Turner dispatched to 100 block Sixth St; 1 jailed on public intoxication.

10:15 p.m. – Deputies Johnson and Bettis were dispatched to Winzer Rd at FM 1406; 1 M jailed disorderly conduct.

Sunday, October 9

1:10 a.m. – Deputy Johnson was dispatched to the 200 block Spur 5; 1 F jailed public intoxication.

1:04 p.m. – Deputy Abernathy was dispatched to the 5th St Trailer Park in reference to suspicious activity; 1 transported to Baptist ER.

4:10 p.m. – Deputy Pollard was dispatched to the 1300 block Wallisville Liberty Rd in reference to burglary of a residence/unlawful entry.

5:30 p.m. – Deputy Arredondo was dispatched to 124 at White Ranch Rd in reference to stray livestock; owner put cows up.

Monday, October 10

12:03 p.m. – Deputy Pollard was dispatched to the 900 block Speights Rd in reference to a welfare concern.

12:10 p.m. – Deputy Houghton was dispatched to the 7700 block S FM 565, Baytown in reference to theft-felony; reported 4-wheeler stolen.

10:21 p.m. – Deputies Arredondo and Hatfield out Broadway at the Winnie Community Blg; 1 M jailed traffic offences and narcotic drug violation-felony.

11:13 p.m. – Sgt Hatfield and Deputy Miller out on traffic at Hwy 124 and Elm St; 4 jailed on theft-felony.

Tuesday, October 11

9:20 a.m. – Deputy Pollard was dispatched to Airport Rd in reference to criminal mischief.

7:16 p.m. – Deputy Childress was dispatched to the 5000 block Wimberly Ln., Baytown in reference to criminal mischief.

8:23 p.m. – Deputy Miller was dispatched to the 1300 FM 2936 in reference to an unwanted subject; 1 M jailed public intoxication.

11:32 p.m. – Deputy Arredondo out at 1663 and I 10 Speedy Stop; 1 F jailed on traffic offences and narcotic drug violation misdemeanor.

Wednesday, October 12

8:10 a.m. – Deputy Richey was dispatched to 15100 block Diamond Way, Cove in reference to an animal call. Reported pit bull killed cat.

12:00 p.m. – Deputy Cole was dispatched to the 9800 block FM 2354, Beach City in reference to burglary of a residence/attempt. Front door kicked in.

10:15 p.m. – Deputy Burt was dispatched to the 12800 block Live Oak, Old River in reference to loud music disturbance.

10:30 p.m. – Deputy Burt was dispatched to the 13100 block Timber Ridge, Old River in reference to suspicious activity.

Thursday, October 13

12:07 a.m. – Deputy Burt out at Redwood and Lorrell, 1 M jailed on possession of a controlled substance and possession of dangerous drugs.

8:03 a.m. – Deputy Cole was dispatched to the 17200 block Cheyenne, Baytown in reference to theft-misdemeanor.

11:03 a.m. – Sgt Golleher and Deputy St John were dispatched to the 800 block Miller, Anahuac in reference to burglary of a non-residence/unlawful entry. Store had been broken into.

3:15 p.m. – Deputies Richey and Croley in 700 block Stutes Rd; 3 pit bulls picked up.

9:30 p.m. – Deputies Orlando and Brightwell out Albritton Gully; 1 M jailed on public intoxication.

Friday, October 14

8:30 a.m. – Deputy St John dispatched to 1/4 mile East of 810 N Service Rd in reference to theft-felony. Entergy reported copper theft.

11:12 a.m. – Deputy St John was dispatched to the 1900 block Hwy 61 in reference to credit card abuse.

1:06 p.m. – Deputy Cole was dispatched to the 8400 block Ocean Drive, Beach City in reference to a civil matter/standby.

2:10 p.m. – Deputy Cole arrived 12900 block Shady Lane, Old River Winfree in reference to theft-felony. Jewelry reported missing.

9:22 p.m. – Deputy Orlando was dispatched to the I-10 EB at Gator Junction in reference to reckless driving; 1 jailed on narcotic drug violation-misdemeanor.

10:21 – Deputy Orlando was dispatched to the 200 Block S Galveston, Anahuac in reference to burglary of a motor vehicle & burglary of a residence/force. Truck & house were broken into and items stolen.

Saturday, October 15

4:30 a.m. – Deputies Turner and Croley were dispatched to SH 73 at SH 124; 1 M jailed on traffic offences.

2:21 p.m. – Deputy Cole was dispatched to the 13200 block Indian Ridge, Old River in reference to theft-misdemeanor. License plate was stolen.

6:06 p.m. – Deputies Abernathy and Turner out FM 563 South of Turtle Bayou; 1 jailed on warrant and narcotic dug violation-felony.

11:31 p.m. – Deputies Tyson and Turner were dispatched to the 900 block N Main St; 1 M jailed on public intoxication.

Sunday, October 16

1:12 A.M. – Deputies Johnson and Tyson were dispatched to 1406 at 9th; 1 F jailed purchasing alcohol for a minor.

9:20 a.m. – Deputy Jackson was dispatched to 1900 block SH 124 in reference to illegal dumping of trash.

12:11 p.m. – Deputy Pollard was dispatched to the 6600 block FM 563 in reference to property damage. Vehicle was reported damaged.

12:22 p.m. – Deputy Abernathy was dispatched to the 200 block Pine Hollow, Wallisville in reference to theft-felony. Money reported missing.

2:04 p.m. – Deputy Jackson was dispatched to the 500 block Meneley, Winnie in reference to theft-misdemeanor. Reported that radiator was stolen from truck.

6:03 p.m. – Deputy Krahel was dispatched to the 14700 block Stablebrook, Baytown in reference to theft-felony.

Monday, October 17

10:28 a.m. – Deputy Houghton was called to West Annex to take a report on burglary of motor vehicle. Gun was reported stolen

12:04 – Deputies Ritch and Richey were dispatched to the 5000 block Dripping Spring in reference to an animal bite. Reported bitten by a stray dog.

3:16 p.m. – Deputy Pollard was dispatched to the 400 block Davis, Anahuac in reference to burglary of a residence/unlawful entry. Air conditioners reported stolen from home.

Tuesday, October 18

2:09 p.m. – Deputy Ritch was dispatched to the 17100 W Shawnee in reference to a disturbance, both parties were advised to stay away from each other.

5:30 p.m. – Deputy Ritch was dispatched to the 7800 block Hunters Peak Lane, Baytown in reference to alarms.

7:30 p.m. – Deputy Burt was dispatched to the 10800 block Country Squire Blvd, Baytown in reference to juvenile problems; 16 year old male missing.

11:11 p.m. – Deputy Hatfield out 824 EB; 1 jailed on traffic offences
.

1 Office Arrested and 2 Suspended By Sheriff Joe LaRive in Sexual Assault of a Child Case-Chambers County

In a statement released by Sheriff LaRive last Wednesday, two Chambers County investigators were disciplined for mishandling the investigation of Sgt. Gabriel Marcelo Davila, following an internal investigation.

The officer originally assigned the investigation, Captain John Mulryan, who has been with the sheriff’s department for 19 years has been suspended from duties from Oct. 24th -28th, 2011 without pay and has been reassigned within the department for mishandling the case.

The investigating officer’s supervisor in the investigation was Chief Deputy Mike Wheat, who has been with the department for 23 years also received suspension of duties from Oct. 17th -21st, 2011 without pay for substandard supervision in the case.

Sheriff Joe LaRive stated “We take all our investigations, both criminally and internally, very seriously. Any indication of substandard performance warrants immediate and appropriate action. Our disciplinary action in this matter has been both.”

Sgt. Gabriel Marcelo Davila has been charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child. Sheriff Joe LaRive said he never had any direct contact with the mother that placed the complaint against Davila in December of 2009.

She contacted District Attorney, Cheryl Lieck’s office in June of this year, accusing the DA’s office of a “cover up” of the allegations against “one of their own”. Lieck immediately contacted the sheriff’s office demanding the file case, only to find it contained only the mother’s original complaint.

She then turned the investigation over to the Texas Rangers, which resulted in the grand jury indictments. Davila, who had been employed by the Chambers County Sheriff department for over eight years as a jail supervisor, was suspended from his duties at the sheriff’s department in July of this year while the Texas Rangers conducted their investigation into the allegations against Davila.

After the indictments were handed down Davila was terminated from the sheriff’s department and placed under arrest. He has since made the $60,000 bail that was set. Understand an indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that the grand jury believes the case should be determined in a court of law and by a jury of the defendant’s peers. The grand jury does not determine guilt only that there is enough probability that a crime has been committed and the accused should be tried in a court of law.

Realize the District Attorneys do not present a full case before a grand jury, but introduces key facts to show sufficient probability that the accused committed a crime. A defendant and if the defendant has an attorney, may not know that their case is being presented to a grand jury and may not be present when the grand jury convenes.

District Attorney, Cheryl Lieck would not comment on the actions of the sheriff’s department only stating “I am focusing on getting this case heard”

Bath Salts, K2 or Spice, are Now Illegal in Texas

The Chambers County District Attorney’s Office will notify local merchants that the sale of any amount of Mephedrone Methylone, commonly known as “bath salts” is now an illegal activity. These substances are commonly snorted or injected to get high with deadly results and until recently were sold legally online and in convenience stores.

The Texas Legislature recently banned the sale or possession of any amount of these substances, often known as K2 and Spice. A letter notifying local merchants of this change in the law will be hand delivered Thursday, October 27, 2011.

“This is the one and only warning that you will receive concerning these new laws and regarding these substances . . . Within 24 hours of this letter, officers from the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Mont Belvieu Police Department will begin making arrests concerning any violations of this law,” the letter from District Attorney Cheryl Swope Lieck reads.

Bath salts have garnered national attention in recent months due to their legal status in many states and the psychotic effects it has on users. Intense paranoia and suicidal thoughts are commonly reported among users

October 26 Freshwater Fishing Reports Update

Water Body	Report
ALAN HENRY	Water lightly stained; 72–75 degrees; 7.23’ low. Black bass are good on Zara Spooks early, later switching to Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.
AMISTAD	Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 7.26’ low. Black bass are good on topwaters, crankbaits, jigs, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are fair on crankbaits, slabs, and jerkbaits. White bass are fair on slabs, crankbaits, and jigging spoons. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on cheesebait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers over baited holes. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines, droplines, and throwlines baited with live perch. Everyone in a boat must have a Mexico fishing license (if fishing the Mexico side) whether fishing or not.
ARROWHEAD	Water off color; 72–74 degrees; 8.3’ low. Black bass are fair on topwaters early, later switching to Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and weightless flukes. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Blue catfish are fair to good on juglines with cut shad.
ATHENS	Water clear, 77–83 degrees; 5.38’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged worms, shakyheads and shallow crankbaits – main lake points have been best with schooling action early. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.
BASTROP	Water clear; 71–74 degrees. Black bass are good on Rat–L–Traps and live minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.
BELTON	Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 11.22’ low. Black bass are fair on light colored spinnerbaits in coves. Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows under lights at night in 30 feet. Channel and blue catfish are fair on hot dogs and prepared bait. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with small perch.
BOB SANDLIN	Water lightly stained; 78–83 degrees; 8.69’ low. Black bass are fair to good on black/blue jigs, shakyheads with finesse worms and shallow running crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows. White bass are good on Humdingers and topwaters. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines or juglines with Redneck’s Catfish Bait Soap. Barefoot Bay and Titus County Park are the only usable ramps.
BRAUNIG	Water clear. Black bass are fair on crankbaits and watermelon soft plastic worms. Striped bass are fair on green spinnerbaits near the dam. Redfish are fair on perch, shad, and silver spoons. Channel catfish are excellent on shrimp, cut bait, and nightcrawlers near the dam. Blue catfish are fair on cut bait.
BRIDGEPORT	Water clear; 76–82 degrees; 12103’ low. Black bass are good on shallow running crankbaits in shad patterns, Skinny Dipper swimbaits and Texas rigged Jackall Sasuteki Craws around main lake docks in 8–12 feet. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Channel catfish are fair on cut and prepared bait.
BROWNWOOD	Water lightly stained; 71–75 degrees; 15.44’ low. Black bass are very good on Grande Bass 4” redbug and watermelon Trickster worms and Bass Hogg inline buzz frogs over brush piles. Hybrid striper are good trolling spinnerbaits and hellbenders. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies off lighted docks at night. Crappie are good on Li’l Fishies and minnows over brush piles in 15–20 feet. Channel catfish are good on cut bait, stinkbait, and nightcrawlers over baited holes. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with perch and worms in 5–14 feet.
BUCHANAN	Water clear; 69–73 degrees; 31.05’ low. Black bass are fair on pumpkinseed Skip–N–Pop topwaters, wacky rigged watermelon Whacky Sticks, and crankbaits in creeks in 5–15 feet at first light. Striped bass are fair on Rat–L–Traps and Spoiler Shads near the dam in 20–35 feet early. White bass are fair on Tiny Traps and Li’l Fishies in deep creeks. Crappie are fair on chartreuse tube jigs and minnows. Channel catfish are good on nightcrawlers and stinkbait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on live bait upriver.
CADDO	Water stained; 73–85 degrees; 1.73’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged creature baits and shallow crankbaits around isolated cover early. White bass are fair on slabs. Yellow bass are good on minnows. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.
CALAVERAS	Water clear. Black bass are fair on watermelon spinnerbaits and crankbaits near the dam. Striped bass are fair on shad. Redfish are good on perch along the shoreline. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp, cheesebait, and shad near the discharge. Yellow catfish are slow.
CANYON LAKE	Water clear; 68–72 degrees; 9.32’ low. Black bass are fair to good on 6” purple Scoundrel worms on shaky head jigs, watermelon Whacky Sticks on jigheads, and perch colored spinnerbaits along ledges of main lake bluffs. Striped bass are fair trolling deep running crankbaits and jigging blade baits over humps in the lower end of the lake. White bass are slow. Smallmouth bass are fair on smoke JDC curl tail grubs on jigheads, and pumpkinseed Curb’s jigs along ledges and over rock piles. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs upriver. Channel catfish are slow. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.
CEDAR CREEK	Water lightly stained; 76–83 degrees; 7.23’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged worms, shakyheads and finesse jigs around docks. The topwater bite is improving. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad. Crappie are fair to good on minnows. Catfish are fair drifting cut shad.
CHOKE CANYON	Water clear; 70–74 degrees; 11.05’ low. Black bass are fair on watermelon soft plastic worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on liver and nightcrawlers. Yellow catfish are slow.
COLEMAN	Water clear; 70–73 degrees; 15.26’ low. Black bass are fair on watermelon spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Hybrid striper are fair on live minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Channel catfish are good on shrimp and minnows. Yellow catfish are slow.
COLETO CREEK	Water fairly clear; 3.08’ low. Black bass are fair on white crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are fair on stinkbait and shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.
COLORADO CITY	17.4’ low. No report available.
CONROE	Water fairly clear; 71–75 degrees; 6.04’ low. Black bass are good on pumpkinseed spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on live minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows and green tube jigs. Catfish are fair on stinkbait and shrimp.
COOPER	Water lightly stained; 78–83 degrees; 12.21’ low. Black bass are good on shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas rigged worms throughout the day. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair to good on Sassy Shad and live shad. Catfish are good on prepared bait and cut bait. Doctor’s Creek is the only open ramp.
FAIRFIELD	Fishing has been slow since the fish kill in September of 2010. TPWD has discontinued stocking the lake after another kill in early September 2011. Redfish and black bass survived the kill in limited numbers.
FALCON	Water murky; 74–78 degrees. Black bass are very good on crankbaits and jigs in 12 feet. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are very good on white and white/blue jigs. Channel and blue catfish are very good on cut bait upriver. Yellow catfish are slow. Everyone in a boat must have a Mexico fishing license (if fishing the Mexico side) whether fishing or not.
FAYETTE	Water clear. Black bass are fair on watermelon spinnerbaits, crankbaits and Rat–L–Traps. Red ear perch are good on worms in 2–8 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait over baited holes.
FORK	Water fairly clear; 76–82 degrees; 7.33’ low. Black bass are good on flipping jigs – concentrate on the wood cover near creek channel bends. The shallow bite is good early on topwaters and soft plastics. Squarebill crankbaits and Chatterbaits are producing around shallow timber. Bass continue to school mid day around bridges. The night bite has been good after midnight. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared bait.
FT. PHANTOM HILL	Water clear; 72–75 degrees; 9.31’ low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs and spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair to good on Road Runners. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.
GIBBONS CREEK	Water clear. Black bass are fair on blue/black soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs. Catfish are good on shrimp and liver.
GRANBURY	Water clear; 68–72 degrees; 3.16’ low. Black bass are fair on dark red/black spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are good on live bait. White bass are good on perch colored spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Catfish are good on stinkbait, shrimp, and hot dogs.
GRANGER	Water stained; 72–76 degrees; 5.13’ low. Black bass are good on soft plastic worms and jigs upriver around flooded timber. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs in 5–12 feet. Blue catfish are good on juglines baited with shad. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch.
GRAPEVINE	Water clear; 73–78 degrees; 4.80’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged worms, finesse jigs, and topwaters along main lake points. Baitfish are concentrating at mouths of creeks and pockets. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on topwaters and Rat–L–Traps. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.
GREENBELT	Water stained; 71–74 degrees; 37.09’ low. Black bass are fair on topwaters early, later switching to Texas rigs and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. The Old Marina Point ramp is still open.
HOUSTON COUNTY	Water clear; 80–83 degrees; 3.48’ low. Black bass to 3 pounds are fair on Pop–Rs near grass beds and black or black/grape worms early and late. Crappie are slow. Red ear bream are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on juglines baited with perch in 13 feet.
HUBBARD CREEK	73–75 degrees; 13.98’ low. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and weightless flukes. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.
JOE POOL	Water clear; 76–82 degrees; 3.19’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigs, shallow crankbaits and smaller jigs. Baitfish are transitioning shallow. Deep brush piles are best later in day. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on prepared baits.
LAKE O’ THE PINES	Water lightly stained; 77–82 degrees; 4.19’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigs, shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits off main lake points. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.
LAVON	Water lightly stained; 77–83 degrees; 12.75 low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged creature baits, topwaters and squarebill crankbaits. The shallow bite is good early. White bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs around bridge columns. Catfish are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.
LBJ	Water fairly clear; 70–73 degrees; 0.15’ low. Black bass are fair on watermelon topwaters, large buzzbaits, and wacky rigged pumpkinseed Whacky Sticks around brush early and late. Striped bass are fair on live bait at night. White bass are good on Li’l Fishies and small spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows over brush piles in 10–20 feet. Channel catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow and blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.
LEWISVILLE	Water clear; 76–81 degrees; 6.59’ low. Black bass are good on shallow running crankbaits, Skinny Dipper swimbaits and swim jigs along the rip rap near dam. The shallow bite is good throughout the day. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and Sassy Shad. Catfish are good on prepared bait.
LIVINGSTON	Water fairly clear; 71–74 degrees; 3.81’ low. Black bass are good on soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on Zara spooks and Rat–L–Traps. White bass are fair on troll tubes and pet spoons. Crappie are very good on minnows. Blue catfish are good on juglines baited with shad. Yellow catfish are slow.
MACKENZIE	Water stained; 70–74 degrees; 85.31’ low. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are fair to good on live shad. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines. Ramp #1 is still open.
MARTIN CREEK	Water fairly clear; 10.96’ low. No report available.
MEREDITH	Water fairly clear; 70–73 degrees; 97.38’ low. No report available.
MONTICELLO	Water fairly clear; 79–85 degrees; 0.71 low. Black bass are good on shallow crankbaits, chatterbaits and Texas rigged worms around deeper creek channels later in the day. The shallow bite is best early in the morning with occasional schooling reported. No reports on crappie. No reports on catfish.
NASWORTHY	No report available.
NAVARRO MILLS	Water stained; 73–76 degrees; 4.18’ low. Black bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are good on nightcrawlers from the banks. Blue catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait. Yellow catfish are slow.
O.H. IVIE	Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 36.7’ low. Black bass are fair to good on clear Zara Spooks early, later switching to Rat–L–Traps, Senkos and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on Rooster Tails and slabs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.
OAK CREEK	Water stained; 72–76 degrees; 13.76’ low. Black bass are fair to good on Zara Spooks early, later switching to Texas rigs, Rat–L–Traps and shakyheads. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.
PALESTINE	Water lightly stained; 76–82 degrees; 6.18’ low. Black bass are good early on topwaters, later switching to shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs, Sassy Shad and live shad. White bass are fair to good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.
PALO DURO	Water off color; 71–74 degrees; 43.52’ low. No report available.
POSSUM KINGDOM	Water fairly clear; 72–76 degrees; 10’ low. Black bass are good on buzzbaits and Zell Pops early, later switching to Texas rigs, Rat–L–Traps and drop shot rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and Road Runners. Striped bass are fair to good on live shad. Catfish are good on cut shad and nightcrawlers.
PROCTOR	Water stained; 69–73 degrees; 7.51’ low. Black bass are fair on minnows. Striped bass are fair on shad. White bass are good on chartreuse spinnerbaits and minnows. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait and minnows. Yellow catfish are slow.
RAY HUBBARD	Water fairly clear; 77–82 degrees; 5.92’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged creature baits and squarebill crankbaits – also reports of Rat–L–Traps catching numbers. Topwaters are producing early around rip rap. Crappie are fair on minnows and Road Runners. White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in. Catfish are good on prepared baits.
RAY ROBERTS	Water clear; 78–82 degrees; 4.68’ low. Black bass are fair on Pop Rs and Zara Puppys early, later switching to shallow running crankbaits around the edge of grass and points with rock – shallow timber is starting to hold bass as well. Crappie are very good on jigs and minnows in brush in 20–25 feet. White bass are excellent on chartreuse/white slabs bounced in 30–35 feet on deep humps and ridges. No report on catfish.
RICHLAND CHAMBERS	Water fairly clear; 77–82 degrees; 7.80’ low. Black bass are good on Texas rigged worms, shallow crankbaits and squarebill crankbaits around shallow docks. White bass are fair on slabs and live shad. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs and live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.
SAM RAYBURN	Water lightly stained; 68–72 degrees; 13.28’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon soft plastic worms with chartreuse tails in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on minnows and small spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Bream are good on nightcrawlers. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with live bait.
SOMERVILLE	Water murky; 70–74 degrees; 10.10’ low. Black bass are fair on small spinnerbaits. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on punchbait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers. Yellow catfish are slow.
SPENCE	83.76’ low. No report available.
STAMFORD	No report available.
STEINHAGEN	0.77’ high. No report available.
STILLHOUSE	Water stained; 69–73 degrees; 15.05’ low. Black bass are good on chartreuse soft plastic worms and chrome Tiny Traps. White bass are good on chartreuse roadrunners and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on minnows and shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.
SWEETWATER	Water murky; 71–75 degrees; 13.31’ low. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits, Texas rigs and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.
TAWAKONI	Water fairly clear; 78–83 degrees; 6.91’ low. Black bass are good on topwaters early, later switching to black/blue Firewater 1/2oz jigs, Texas rigged blue fleck worms and squarebill crankbaits. Bladed jigs are producing on windier days. Crappie are fair on 1/16oz. curl tail grubs and small minnows on docks, bridge pilings and deep timber. White bass are excellent on white SSS Slabs and tailspins – schooling on points early and late. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on 4” to 6” white or shad pattern Sassy Shad in the shallows early then suspending deep during the day – drifting live bait is also producing. Catfish are excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.
TEXOMA	Water fairly clear; 77–83 degrees; 7.35’ low. The lake is currently experiencing an outbreak of Blue–Green Algae. All contact with water by people and animals is prohibited. Boating and fishing are still permissible. Anglers and boaters, although in reduced numbers, are still visiting Lake Texoma and catching respectable stringers of fish, especially striped bass. It is recommended to clean the fish well and discard the entrails.
TOLEDO BEND	Water stained; 68–72 degrees; 11.99’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon/chartreuse soft plastic worms and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are fair on minnows. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs. Bream are fair on crickets and nightcrawlers. Channel and blue catfish are good on minnows and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are slow.
TRAVIS	Water stained; 70–73 degrees; 53.18’ low. Black bass are good on watermelon worms, chartreuse topwaters, and large buzzbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are good on white jigging spoons and live minnows in 30–40 feet. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on nightcrawlers and minnows in 25–35 feet. Yellow catfish are slow.
WALTER E. LONG	Water stained. Black bass are slow. Hybrid striper are fair on live bait. White bass are fair on small spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait and shrimp. Yellow catfish are slow.
WEATHERFORD	Water fairly clear; 77–82 degrees; 6.91’ low. Black bass are good on shallow crankbaits, shakyheads and Texas rigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in. Catfish are fair on prepared bait and cut shad. White bass are fair on slabs and live minnows.
WHITE RIVER	Water stained; 72–75 degrees; 23.49’ low. Black bass are fair on Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and live minnows. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers.
WHITNEY	Water stained; 68–72 degrees; 15.81’ low. Black bass are good on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits on main lake points. Striped bass are good on minnows. White bass are fair on minnows, Rat–L–Traps, and spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on shrimp, and stinkbait, and live bait.
WRIGHT PATMAN	Water lightly stained; 77–83 degrees; 2.87’ high. Black bass are good on Texas rigged worms, shallow crankbaits and chatterbaits along main lake points early – concentrate on deeper water later in the day with Carolina rigs on brush piles. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair to good on cut shad and prepared bait.

October 26 Saltwater Fishing Reports Update

Water Body	Report
NORTH SABINE	Trout are fair to good under birds and pods of shad on soft plastics. Redfish and flounder are good in the marsh on shrimp. Flounder are good on shrimp, shad and Gulps at the mouths of bayous.
SOUTH SABINE	Trout are fair to good under birds and pods of shad. Redfish are good at the jetty on live bait and cracked crabs. Flounder are good on Gulps around marsh drains.
BOLIVAR	Trout, black drum, sand trout and redfish are good at Rollover Pass. Trout are fair to good while drifting shell on plastics. Bull redfish are good on the beachfront.
TRINITY BAY	Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on soft plastics and Gulps. Redfish are fair to good on the east shoreline on topwaters.
EAST GALVESTON BAY	Trout and large Gulf trout are good for drifters working deep shell on plastics and fresh shrimp. Redfish and flounder are fair to good in the marsh around drains on shrimp. Trout are good on topwaters for waders working mud and shell.
WEST GALVESTON BAY	Bull redfish and flounder are good at San Luis Pass on shrimp and shad. Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Trout are good on topwaters for waders working the shorelines.
TEXAS CITY	Gulf trout are good in the channel on fresh shrimp. Redfish are good in Moses Lake on shrimp.
FREEPORT	Trout and redfish are fair to good on the reefs in Christmas Bay and Bastrop Bay. Bull redfish are good around Surfside and at the Quintana jetty on crabs, shrimp and mullet.
EAST MATAGORDA BAY	Trout are fair for drifters on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Trout and flounder are fair to good on muddy shorelines on soft plastics.
WEST MATAGORDA BAY	Trout are fair on sand and grass humps on soft plastics and topwaters. Redfish are fair on live shrimp at Shell Island, Oyster Lake, Crab Lake and Mad Island on the incoming tide.
PORT O’CONNOR	Bull redfish are good at the jetty on crabs, mullet and shad. Trout are good on the reefs in San Antonio Bay on live shrimp.
ROCKPORT	Trout are fair in the channel on free–lined shrimp. Redfish are good in Redfish Bay on mullet and crabs. Bull redfish are good in the Lydia Ann Channel and around Mud Island on shrimp and crabs.
PORT ARANSAS	Redfish are fair at Shamrock Cove and Pelican Island on topwaters and Gulps. Bull redfish are good at the jetty and on the beachfront on natural baits.
CORPUS CHRISTI	Bull redfish are good in the surf on mullet and shrimp. Trout are fair for waders working mud and grass on Super Spook Jrs and Gulps.
BAFFIN BAY	Trout are good on topwaters and plum plastics around rocks and grass. Trout are good while drifting deep rocks on plum plastics. Flounder are good in the Land Cut on Gulps and jigs tipped with shrimp.
PORT MANSFIELD	Redfish are good while drifting pot holes on topwaters and soft plastics under a popping cork. Trout and redfish are fair to good on the spoils on small topwaters and gold spoons. Flounder are fair to good at East Cut on Gulps and shrimp.
SOUTH PADRE	Redfish are good in Airport Cove and on the Gas Well Flats on DOA Shrimp and TTF Flats Minnows. Snook are fair to good in South Bay on topwaters and Gulps.
PORT ISABEL	Trout and redfish are good over potholes and grass flats on scented baits and topwaters. Redfish and flounder are fair to good in Cullen Bay on Gulps.

So You Want to Go Duck Hunting in Texas….

Duck Season Outlook: No Water, No Fowl

AUSTIN – Texas waterfowlers might have better luck bringing in birds with a divining rod instead of a duck call this hunting season. Wetland habitat conditions throughout waterfowl wintering grounds in Texas have suffered greatly under the drought, and what precious little groceries that remain aren’t expected to hold birds for long.

Any rainfall prior to the Nov. 5 waterfowl season opener would be a welcome sight for an anticipated banner migration of ducks, but at this point wildlife biologists feel it’s too late to repair the damage this year from the drought.

“It will be a very interesting year to say the least as we have a large number of waterfowl headed our way but very little habitat on the landscape to support them,” said Matt Nelson, Central Coast Wetlands Ecosystem Project Leader with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “I suspect the bays will see more activity this season than in years past but with little food production I don’t think we will hold many birds for any length of time.  We simply don’t have the habitat or food. “

Hunting in areas fortunate enough to have retained water and preserved habitat should be excellent during the early part of the season, but may not be sustainable through the winter.

Texas provides a winter home to 90 percent of the Central Flyway’s ducks, roughly 10 million birds in an average year. Unfortunately, this year is an exception as extremely wet conditions in the prairie pothole waterfowl breeding grounds in Canada and the Dakotas bolstered production and near record fall flights are headed this way.

“We still have millions of birds to our north, but nowhere at this time for them to winter successfully,” said Kevin Kraai, TPWD Waterfowl Program Leader.

The bulk of incoming ducks winter along the Texas coast and rely on a number of wildlife areas; a lot of duck hunters do, too. Here’s a quick look at conditions at those traditional hotspots:

Nelson stressed the mid coast Wildlife Management Areas have very little freshwater available and all wetland impoundments and fresh water ponds are dry.  Currently the only water on the Justin Hurst WMA and Mad Island WMA are tidal water.

“It’s very salty at the moment and these tidal marshes are pretty much void of any submergent vegetation, which our migrating friends are dependent upon,” Nelson said.

Guadalupe Delta WMA is in better shape as its marshes have maintained a decent amount of fresh/brackish water throughout the summer and has produced a fair amount of groceries for the ducks.

“Unfortunately it’s the only area along the mid-coast at the moment with decent habitat and considering the high number of migrating birds headed our way I predict what submergent vegetation is remaining will be consumed quickly,” Nelson predicted. “I don’t know where the birds will go but I feel that they won’t be in very good shape when we send them back up north.”

The upper coast is fairing a little better, but not much, said Jim Sutherlin, TPWD Upper Coast Wetlands Ecosystem Project Leader.

“We are 23 inches behind our annual rainfall after ending last year around 13 inches behind,” said Sutherlin. “Our soil moisture levels are very low, but we are growing green grass this fall instead of watching grass turn brown as we did in the hot summer. Coastal marsh habitat conditions are dismal, either we have dry marshes, or marshes with very high salinity waters which produce little wildlife benefit, kill plants and deteriorate organic wetland soils.”

The brightest spot on the J.D. Murphree WMA is likely Wetland Compartment 5 where Ducks Unlimited installed a new pump this past summer using a NAWCA Grant (North American Wetlands Conservation Act), which gives the WMA the ability to pump water from Big Hill Bayou into this management compartment.

“We have very few submerged aquatic plants, but we do have some impressive stands of millet in a few sites,” Sutherlin added. “The rice agriculture and coastal prairie range around us is very dry.  We likely will have an abundance of ducks for short periods of time during the hunting season due to the overall duck numbers in this fall migration.  I do not expect the birds to stay with us for very long due to low waterfowl food availability and marginal seasonal habitat conditions along the Western Gulf Coast.”

Habitat conditions are equally bleak in the High Plains with biologists reporting all playa basins are dry in the Panhandle.

“Our ‘rainy season’ typically ends around the end of October, thus, it appears this is the card we have been dealt this year,” said Kraai.

Goose hunting still could be good around the more permanent water sources such as Rita Blanca Lake near Dalhart, feed lot lakes, effluent lakes near tanneries and beef packing plants, power plant lakes and urban lakes.

“We continue to see a growing population of wintering small Canada geese utilizing urban parks and lakes that make feeding flights to surrounding crop fields each morning and evening,” added Kraai.  “I expect we will see an increase in these populations once again this year simply because they will have very few options in regards to playa wetlands on the landscape.   So, individuals targeting these urban geese in crop lands near Lubbock, Amarillo and Plainview have the potential to see consistent success this winter.”

Hunters are reminded that in addition to HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification, they are required to possess a Federal Duck Stamp and a Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp to hunt ducks, geese and sandhill cranes.

Following is a summary of the Texas late season migratory framework for 2011-12.

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Ducks

High Plains Mallard Management Unit

All species other than “dusky ducks”: Oct. 29-30, 2011 and Nov. 4, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012; “Dusky ducks”: Nov. 7, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012; Youth-only Season: Oct. 22-23, 2011

North Zone

All species other than “dusky ducks”:  Nov. 5 – 27, 2011 and Dec. 10, 2011 — Jan. 29, 2012; “Dusky ducks”: Nov. 10 – 27, 2011 and Dec. 10, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012; Youth-only Season: Oct. 29-30, 2011

South Zone

All species other than “dusky ducks”: Nov. 5 – 27, 2011 and Dec. 10, 2011 — Jan. 29, 2012; “Dusky ducks”: Nov. 10 – 27 and Dec. 10, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012; Youth-only Season: Oct. 29-30, 2011

The daily bag limit for ducks is six, to include no more than five mallards of which only 2 may be hens; three wood ducks; two scaup; two redheads; two pintails; one canvasback; and one “dusky” duck.  Dusky ducks include: mottled ducks, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids. For all other species not listed, the bag limit is six. The daily bag limit for coots is 15. The daily bag limit for mergansers is five, which may include no more than two hooded mergansers.

Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

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Geese

Western Zone

Light geese: Nov. 5, 2011 – Feb. 5, 2012, daily bag limit is 20 and no possession limit.

Dark geese: Nov. 5, 2011 – Feb. 5, 2012, daily bag limit is five in the aggregate to include no more than one white-fronted goose

Eastern Zone

Light geese: Nov. 5, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012, the daily bag limit for light geese is 20 and no possession limit.

White-fronted geese: Nov. 5, 2011 – Jan. 15, 2012, daily bag limit is two;

Canada geese: Sept. 10-25, 2011 and Nov. 5, 2011 – Jan. 29, 2012, daily bag limit is three.

Light Goose Conservation Order

Eastern Zone

Jan. 30 — Mar. 25, 2012, no bag or possession limits.

Western Zone

Feb. 6 — Mar. 25, 2012, no bag or possession limits.

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Sandhill Crane

Zone A

Nov. 5, 2011 — Feb. 5, 2012, daily bag limit is three and possession limit is six.

Zone B

Nov. 25, 2011 — Feb. 5, 2012, daily bag limit is three and possession limit is six.

Zone C

Dec. 24, 2011 — Jan. 29, 2012, daily bag limit is two and possession limit is four.

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Extended Falconry Season

Ducks, coots, and mergansers:

High Plains Mallard Management Unit

No extended season.

North Duck Zone

Jan. 30 — Feb. 13, 2012

South Duck Zone

Jan. 30 — Feb. 13, 2012

For all zones the daily bag limit is three and possession limit is six.

SL 2011-10-26

Texas Game Wardens On Patrol – Field Notes

Game Warden Field Notes

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

• Better safe than sorry: Val Verde County Game Warden Isaac Ruiz responded to a call on Oct. 16 from an elderly lady worried about a turtle that had taken up residence in her rural backyard. Acknowledging that the turtle was not doing anything destructive, she said she feared it was creating a tripping hazard for her. Ruiz located a Texas tortoise behind the woman’s house, safely relocating it to another area.

• It’s still illegal, even if you use a company car: Parker County Game Warden Ronald Mathis on Oct. 18 filed on two subjects for hunting deer in closed season after finding them shooting a doe from a public road. The subjects, who were hunting from a company vehicle, initially denied their activity. Cases pending.

• Traffic stop leads to illegal hunting charges: Liberty County Game Warden Adam Broll received a call Oct. 16 from a Kenefick police officer regarding a vehicle he had pulled over. The officer noted blood and hair on the tailgate and in searching the vehicle found two .22 cal. rifles, a spotlight, and three deer antlers. The driver admitted shooting three white-tailed deer the night of Oct. 14 off a pubic road, as did two of his friends. Liberty County Game Warden Daniel Diaz came to assist in the investigation. The wardens obtained written statements from the subject and his two accomplices. When interviewing the third subject, they discovered there had been two additional people in the vehicle on the night in question. After interviewing those subjects, they returned to the original suspect and interviewed him again. During the this interview, they learned that the subject and one of his friends had also been hunting on the night of Oct. 13, and killed another white-tailed deer and a red stag. The meat from these two animals was seized and donated to people in need. The original three deer had been dumped on the side of the road and were not salvageable. All five individuals were cited and will pay civil restitution for the deer.

• Careful with the bragging: Orange County Game Warden Clint Caywood on Oct. 17 received information about a Vidor man who had reportedly taken two small white-tailed bucks and was bragging about it at work. The informant said the man would have his wife come out of his lease before him to make sure no one was around before he emerged. Warden Caywood found out the man would be hunting on Oct. 19, and was hiding near the lease gate when the man came to the road. After making contact, the warden found he had no tags missing from his license.   The man denied having taken any deer but agreed to let the warden search his residence. Caywood along with two Orange County sheriff’s deputies followed the man to his home. While the warden checked the man’s freezer, his daughter said, “Daddy shot a four-point and a six-point a couple of days ago.” After the warden searched the grounds outside and interviewed the man, it was determined he had killed two small bucks and failed to tag them. One buck had a 5-inch spread and the other 8 inches. The meat and antlers were seized. Cases and restitution pending.

• Operation nets shrimp violations: During the night of Oct. 13, Jefferson County Game Wardens Chris Swift and Steve Satchfield, along with Orange County Game Warden Clint Caywood worked night shrimpers in south Jefferson County. With the help of TPWD Special Operations wardens, they filed 13 shrimp cases, one undersized fish case, and one illegal cast net case. More than 100 pounds of shrimp were seized. Cases and civil restitution pending.

• Couple just out for a walk help wardens: Harris County Game Warden Susan Webb received an Operation Game Thief call on Oct. 15 reporting illegal hunting in a subdivision at Lake Houston. Warden Webb arrived to find a couple who said that while walking along the greenbelt they heard a gunshot, located the poachers and photographed them before they left. The warden found an 11-point buck about a mile from the trailhead in an area that would, but for the drought conditions, normally be under water. This is within the Houston city limits and densely populated. Harris County Game Warden Kevin Creed and Waller County Game Warden Kevin Glass assisted in the investigation, which continues.

• No free lunch, no free trucks: Webb County Game Wardens Calvin Christian and Weston Burris were checking hunting camps in northern Webb County on Oct. 15 when they found a vehicle with an out-of-date registration sticker. Checking its registration, they found it had been reported stolen. When the landowner and ranch hand returned from their hunt, they were questioned about the vehicle. Turned out that the vehicle had been abandoned on the landowner’s property and they were using it as a farm truck. The vehicle was impounded and hauled to Laredo.

• Watch your lights if you’re fishing without a license: Central Texas game wardens on the nights of Oct. 14-15 worked with a TPWD aircraft to look for spotlighters.  Numerous suspicious lights were seen from the air and wardens were able to make contact with most of those doing the spotlighting. While no hunting cases were developed, wardens did find two fishermen on Lake Somerville who had picked the wrong time to play with a flashlight. Both were cited for no fishing license by Game Warden Eddie Hines. 

• Taking a dead buddy’s boat: In a felony tampering case filed late last year by TPWD Special Operations Sgt. Ned Nichols, the defendant was charged with forging documents to gain illegal ownership of a deceased friend’s boat. The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 27 months in prison. The boat was seized at the offender’s home, its titling corrected to show true ownership, and returned to the family of the deceased.

• Florida man convicted for Lacey Act violations: Loren Willis, 62, of West Palm Beach, Fla. has been found guilty by a jury on two charges of conspiracy to transport fish in interstate commerce in violation of state law or regulation, and transporting or selling a fish in interstate commerce in violation of state law or regulation. The verdict came after a two-day trial in U.S. District Court in Lufkin before Judge Ron Clark. Willis was found not guilty of one additional charge of conspiracy to make or submit a false label for a fish that would be transported in interstate commerce. The trial was the culmination of what began as a nine-month joint investigation between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Special Operations Unit and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In August 2010, the two agencies began investigating multiple individuals who were taking alligator gar illegally from the Trinity River, and subsequently selling the fish domestically and internationally.

2011-10-27

Chambers County Emergency Management Seeking New Secretary

Chambers County KBDI is Still Rising

Don’t let the cooler weather fool you.  Our Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average is still rising.

 

CHAMBERS                         708

 

Thanks,

 

Ryan Holzaepfel, CEM

Chambers County

Emergency Management Coordinator

Fire Marshal

PO Box 957

Anahuac, TX  77514

Office:  409-267-2445

Fax:      409-267-4133

 

Historic Old River and the outpost of Straddle are Explored by Boyce Morris, Jr. and the Traverso Family

In the center of the picture is the location of the old ferry that crossed Old River.

The History of our Historic Old River is beginning to come to the forefront as the original settlers families come back to the area as they hear about Old River-Winfree Founders Day and what we are trying to do here with a museum and the Economic Development of the area through the History of the Old River.

Boyce Morris, Jr. is the Historian of Old River-Winfree Founders Day.  To read more about him and his mentor Harry Daves, please click on this link http://www.orwfoundersday.com/Old-River-Winfree-History.html.  I can just imagine Boyce and his wife Mary’s excitement to walk with these other family Historians And to walk in the steps of the original settlers of the Old River.

There is one thing about Old River-Winfree, if we want anything done, we have to do it ourselves.  The County seems to acknowledge Anahuac, Wallisville, Winnie, and Mont Belvieu, but continually ignore the Old River.  

As we endeavor through the efforts of the Old River-Winfree Founders Day Team and the expertise and commitment of Boyce Morris, Jr., we continue to try to put our Old River on the map as a beautiful river of untapped Natural Resources teaming in birds and fish.

This Slideshow is called “Unexplored History of the Old River”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

If you would like information on how to join us, you may contact info@orwfoundersday.com and we will gladly start the process of putting you on our team!

Car Thieves at Work in Woodland Acres

A truck in Woodland Acres off of Woodland Lane was stolen during the night last night.  A family member came in around 9:30 p.m. and the truck was still there.

When the family woke up this morning, the truck had been stolen.

If you do not live in a fenced yard, please be aware of your vehicles at night.  If you don’t have a security program on your vehicle you can keep the front porch light on, leave the dogs outside, etc.

Don’t make it easy for a THIEF to steal what you worked so hard to get. Especially something like transportation for your family.

This can be from the economy or could be drug related.  If you see something suspicious, REPORT IT!  To CATCH A THIEF takes a town of good neighbors.

Anonymous tips are always accepted at the Sheriff’s Office or Crimestoppers. Crimestoppers offers a reward if the criminals are caught.

Chambers County Sheriff Joe LaRive Disciplines Two Officers “mishandling” child sex assault case

The Chambers County sheriff said he never had any direct contact from the mother who complained his sergeant had sexually assaulted her child, and that he was disciplining two other officers for “mishandling the case” which had lingered for 1½ years without action.

Sheriff Joe LaRive issued the statement by email on Wednesday – six days after a grand jury indicted Sgt.Gabriel Marcelo Davila. He is charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child.

Chambers County District Attorney Cheryl Lieck said while the sheriff may not have spoken directly to the mother, he had been kept well abreast of the situation. “He knew what the accusations were against his officer long before we took any action,” she said.

Lieck said she had to enlist the help of a Texas Ranger to investigate allegations that Davila had sexually assaulted an elementary school girl, because the sheriff’s department had failed to take any action since 2009. The Ranger’s findings were presented to the grand jury.

When she looked into the sheriff’s investigative file, she said she only found the mother’s complaint. No statement had been taken from Davila, she said.

LaRive had not returned media phone calls about the indictments before releasing the statement Wednesday, which announced the conclusion of his internal investigation.

He said immediately after Davila was indicted on the two felonies, the sergeant had been terminated from the jail supervisor job that he’d held for eight years. He had been temporarily suspended on July 15 while the Ranger conducted his probe.

LaRive also issued five-day suspensions without pay to the officer initially assigned to investigate the assault, Capt. John Mulryan, and his supervisor, Chief Deputy Mike Wheat. Mulryan, who has worked for the sheriff’s office for 19 years, will begin his suspension Monday while Wheat started his suspension on Oct. 17.

LaRive said Mulryan will also be “reassigned within the department” for his “mishandling of the case,” and that Wheat is being disciplined for “substandard supervision.”

When asked why his department’s investigators took so long, he stated by email: “The investigating officer did not properly do his job.”

Asked what they had specifically failed to do, he said, “The officer should have conducted a proper investigation, and the supervisor should have ensured that it was done.”

Davila, 32, of Anahuac, has been released on $60,000 bail.

Neither he nor the complainants, whose names have not been released, could be reached for comment.

Source:  Houston Chronicle

Chambers County under Fire Weather Watch

NWS HGX has a Continued Fire Weather Watch for Chambers County until 09:00 PM Tuesday

FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR DRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS – 

ORWFD 2011 “Rolling Thunder” Tribute Hits FM 1409 and “Rolls” Over the Historic Old River Bridge

The 2011 ORWFD “Rolling Thunder” Tribute was, in my opinion, the best yet!  Organized by Wayne Anderson and the Circuit Riders – Mont Belvieu Chapter and joined by other Circuit Rider Chapters. The Silsbee Archangels are always show stoppers on this Annual “Honor” ride!

After crossing the Old River Bridge, the “Tribute” headed to the ORW Community Building where the Annual Motorcycle Contest was held.  If you missed this show and contest is was your loss.  They are magnificent!  

Winners were announce under the “Big Tent” and awarded the special Patriot Trophies of the Eagle in Flight surrounded by the American Flag.

Thanks again to the Old River-Winfree Volunteer Fire Department for their commitment to this event and for letting Jamie Anderson ride on the top of the Firetruck where most all these great pictures were taken from.  Thanks Westlake Voluteer Fire Department for keeping them all in line by taking up the rear of the Tribute!

God Bless you all.  You Honor God, the Warriors, Pfc Wesley R. Riggs, the Runners, Walkers, Organizers of the 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk, and our town of Old River-Winfree!

“Ride on”!!!

Colleen Fontenot

2011 President

Old River-Winfree Founders Day

 

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DPS warns parents that Mexican drug cartels are recruiting Texas high school students

Six of the seven Mexican Cartels have established command and control networks in Texas and they are recruiting Texas students to support their drug, human, currency and weapon smuggling operations on both sides of the Texas/Mexico border. These Cartels and their operatives are extremely violent, torturing and killing thousands of people in Mexico, and they use transnational and Texas prison gangs to further their criminal operations in Mexico and the U.S.

The Texas border region represents 9.7 percent of the state’s population, yet this region has 19.2 percent of the state’s Juvenile Felony drug referrals and 21.8 percent of the state’s Juvenile Felony Gang Referrals. In one Texas border county, more than 25 juveniles have been arrested for drug trafficking within the past year. Last month, two Texas teenagers were lured to Mexico where they were kidnapped, beaten, ransomed and released in a remote area along the Rio Grande River. Last week, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) apprehended a 12-year-old boy in a border county driving a stolen pickup truck containing more than 800 pounds of marijuana.

“Mexican Cartels have corrupted nearly an entire generation of youth living in Northern Mexico and they seek to corrupt our youth as well to further their smuggling operations” said Steven C. McCraw, DPS Director. “The Mexican Cartels value Texas teenagers for their ability to serve as expendable labor in many different roles and they have unlimited resources to recruit our children.”

Parents should talk to their children and explain how the Cartels seek to exploit Texas teenagers and the risks in dealing with these ruthless organizations, especially those parents who live along the Texas/Mexico border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection developed Operation Detour, an educational campaign warning high school students of the consequences of becoming involved with smuggling. Additional information regarding Operation Detour can be found at:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2009_news_releases/september_2009/09232009_2.xml.

October 8, 2011 “Rolling Thunder” Tribute Through Woodland Acres and Indian Ridge

This slide show is in honor of all that participated in the “Rolling Thunder” Tribute.  It was magnificant!  Pictures provided by Jamie Anderson of the Circuit Riders-Mont Belvieu Chapter.

Thanks to Old River-Winfree Volunteer Fire Department and the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department for joining in!

Thanks so much Old River Assembly of God for the meeting place and the sign out front!

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Chambers DA says sheriff failed to act in child sex case

Charges against sergeant comes nearly 2 years after initial complaint

The Chambers County district attorney expressed “shock and dismay” on Friday that she was forced to ask a Texas Ranger to investigate a child’s sexual assault complaint against a sheriff’s sergeant after the sheriff failed to act when the accusations were first raised in 2009.

District Attorney Cheryl Lieck said the complaint sat in the Sheriff’s Department without action for 1½ years until the victim’s mother sought help from the DA’s office, and she enlisted the assistance of a Texas Ranger.

On Thursday night, a Chambers County grand jury indicted Sgt. Gabriel Davila, who had been a supervisor at the county’s jail for eight years. He was charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child. His bail was set at $60,000.

Neither Chambers County Sheriff Joe LaRive nor Davila could be reached for comment.

The name of the victim, an elementary school girl, was not released.

“I’m very disappointed when someone sworn to protect the citizens does not do their duty,” Lieck said. “When somebody does not do their job, it makes us all look bad.”

According to authorities, the assaults occurred in Davila’s home in Chambers County.

The girl’s mother, who lives in another county, initially filed a complaint with the Sheriff’s Office in December 2009. After finding the sheriff to be unresponsive she sought help from the district attorney’s office in June, Lieck said.

“I asked to see the sheriff’s file and all that was in there was the original complaint from the mother. Nobody had even bothered to take a statement from the jailer who was working at the jail right by them,” she said.

The Texas Ranger had his investigative findings reviewed by a grand jury which chose to indict Davila.

Davila continued working and was not suspended until the end of August when the ranger’s investigation was nearing completion, Lieck said.

Children’s Protective Services has also investigated the case and attempted to forward its findings to the sheriff to “no avail,” Lieck said.

CPS closed its file because the child was no longer living in Chambers County and not believed to be in any further danger, she said.

Lieck said her focus in this case will be on seeing the young girl’s case is heard by a jury.