Thanks for Playing
Run to the light, Jonny! I got to change things up this week and leave the dark side behind a while.
I was starting to have dreams – nay, nightmares – about rednecks, booger nets and accusatory shotguns pointed in people’s faces. I’ve also developed an unexplained phobia to banjo music. I’m not sure what’s going on there, Anyway, hunting season is here! As I write this, I’m riding in the backseat of a truck on my way to the Black Gap Wildlife Management area for a couple of days of dove hunting and hanging out with the boys.
We’re all pretty geeked up about it, so much so that my son Eric provided us all with a laminated maps of the 103,127-acre tract of land so we’ll know where in the middle of nowhere we are at all times.
My nephew Luke is looking forward to a triumphant return for a swim in the Rio Grande and his second trip to Mexico, even if he doesn’t get past the mud at waters’ edge. This our second annual trip, and whether we have any luck with the birds or not, it’ll be big fun.
Back in day, this would be the time of year game wardens would be carrying around boxes of Outdoor Annuals with all the new season dates, rules and regulations, and everything you need to know and then some about hunting and fishing for the fiscal year.
Not only did those little booklets provide valuable information, but they also made the ticket writing experience go a whole lot smoother. You know, kind of like the “parting gift” on game shows for the folks that don’t win. Sure, Bob won a new car, but Sherry gets to go home with complete car care kit from Turtle Wax. Thanks for playing.
Come to think of it, writing a ticket was kind of like “Let’s Make A Deal”. It’d go something like, “Sir, you are 11 birds over your daily bag limit.
Each bird is a separate violation, but since you’ve been so cooperative, I’m gonna make a deal with you and only write you for two. Sign here. Oh, and here’s an Outdoor Annual that has all our rules and regulations.”
Thanks for playing. Now, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Annual App that’s downloadable to your phone, none of that is necessary, and countless less trees don’t have to die.
Heck, if you downloaded it last year, it will automatically update this year. Is this a great country, or what?
If you’re wondering what’s new for this year, it’s all listed on the front page. There’s not a whole lot there, but if you like to fish saltwater, there’s some spotted seatrout information at the bottom that you’ll need to pay attention to if you want to avoid a “Let’s Make a Deal” moment.
Here it is, note for note from the app front page: “Daily bag limit is 3, with a minimum length of 15” and a max length of 20” for spotted seatrout. During the license year one spotted seatrout over 28” may be retained with a properly completed Spotted Seatrout Tag and an additional spotted seatrout over 28” with a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag.”
I get all the “conservation for future generations” stuff from TPWD, but those seatrout regs make it kinda hard for a poor boy to go fishing.
That’s all I got for now. The Black Gap beckons. For those of you who were looking for more tales from the dark side, stay tuned. Oh, and thanks for playing!
