By John Jefferson
On July 31, TPWD stocked the one-billionth fish in state waters since stocking began. But they’ll only be one-to-two-inch redfish (red drum), like thousands of their little buddies will be.
They’re too little to keep. If you’re fishing for any other fresh or saltwater fish of legal length in Texas waters after August 31, you’d better have a new fishing license. And your license must have all the proper endorsements – including fresh or saltwater fishing endorsements, and Current licenses expire AUGUST 31.
New licenses go on sale on AUGUST 15 at sporting goods stores and TPWD offices. Hunters and anglers are required to have a valid license in possession while hunting or fishing on SEPTEMBER 1, and thereafter. Purchasers of licenses valid for a year from date of purchase have until the purchase anniversary before a new one is required.
Don’t let September 1 catch you napping! I did once and could have read several chapters of “The Compleat Angler” before I got to the head of the line. Dove season in the North and Central Zones opens on September 1, so delinquent dove hunters will be in line on August 31, too.
The best buy for the buck is still a “super combo.” It’s sure cheaper than a violation fee!
And don’t think that game wardens won’t be working in the field and on the water on Sunday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 2, checking licenses, unplugged shotguns, excessive bag limits, AND SOBRIETY!
I’ve never heard of a game warden arresting a dove hunter for public intoxication, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn it has happened. Don’t let yourself become a test case. Personally, I miss too many doves in flight having ALL my faculties; I shudder to think how many shots I’d miss if I mixed gun powder with alcohol!
If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never forget the misery one afternoon in Starr County years ago. A landowner had permitted us to hunt doves on opening day on his land bordering the river, with plenty of shade. A two-lane dusty road led the way. We got about half-way to the friend’s land, going slowly through the dust stirred up by pickups ahead of us. It was worse than a pea soup fog. Then, the traffic stopped.
It was over a hundred degrees that afternoon. With no breeze. After a while, we turned off the engine and AC and opened the doors and windows. Somebody up ahead hollered: “There’s been a wreck!”
Indeed! From what we gathered, two pickups hit head-on, blinded by the dust; unable to see ten feet ahead. Alcohol was suspected. A game warden drove by with his red and blue lights flashing, stirring up more dust. Then, an ambulance passed while we sat –sweltering and discussing the ancestry of the two drivers who collided in the impenetrable dust they were driving through.
It cost us an hour of hunting. It probably cost the pickup’s occupants much more.
JJ
