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Spring turkey is finally here and with the South Zone opening up this weekend I figured we better check in with the man who oversees our longbeards. So, our old friend and Texas Parks and Wildlife Turkey Program Leader Jason Hardin drops in to give us his 2015 Spring Turkey Season ‘Fearless Forecast’. What can hunters expect to see in each region, from North & South Zone Rios to the 28 country Eastern Turkey season in the Eastern part of the state? Jason gives us his thoughts based on last spring’s nesting conditions. We also take a regional look at tom to jake ratios and much more!
Then, on the heels of last week’s discussion regarding Texas’ Desert Big Horn Sheep- we are joined by Round Rock, Texas Mayor Alan McGraw. Earlier this month Alan became the first hunter to harvest a Desert Big Horn sheep on Texas public land with a bow. We get the firsthand details of the historic hunt from the polished bow hunter. (Alan has taken 15 of the 28 North American big game species with his bow).
How physically demanding was the hunt? What was it like having Texas Parks and Wildlife officials as guides? How far was the shot and what about the recovery? Alan tells all, plus we look back at some previous hunts from his quest to take all 28 North American big game species with a stick and string. (Alan’s ram- a new state record – 172 7/8 inches)
Next we are joined by our longtime Field and Stream Shotgun Editor Phil Bourjaily. We break down the importance of patterning your turkey gun and knowing how well your chosen shell will perform at different distances. Today’s turkey loads are capable of letting you really reach out there and touch a tom, but at what point does it become an unethical shot? We dissect how to find out what your maximum effective killing range is. Phil also talks about the importance of being able to shoot consistently from different positions. Because nobody knows what might happen in those crazy turkey woods!
We wrap this week’s broadcast up by heading down to the Texas coast with our good friend Captain Len Girard. The redfish, flounder, sheepshead and black drum are feeding voraciously on everything in site, and as long as you can find the fish you should be able to bring home a cooler full of fillets. So, Captain Len takes the hard part out of the equation and tells us where to find them and what to catch ’em on. We Also hit on the under appreciated black drum fishery. A close relative to the redfish, why is this fish seemingly forgotten by so many anglers? It certainly isn’t because of taste- black drum is some of the finest table fare one can find. Captain Len gives us his thoughts. (One of Captain Len’s recent clients with a giant Black Drum caught on light tackle)
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