Texas Sea Turtles Making a Comeback

So far this year 176 Kemp’s Ridley and 2 Leatherback sea turtles have nested on the beach along the Southern Texas coast. This will be a record year for the returning turtles which had nearly been wiped out. The turtle’s return is a true success story in wildlife management in Texas. There is, however, a dark cloud over this success story and the reason for my story. Two of the rare turtles have been run over by vehicles this year on the beaches of Texas. Driving the beaches of Texas is a privilege and not a right. If it becomes too dangerous for turtles we could lose that right during the nesting season. When driving the sandy beaches of Texas be sure and drive a safe speed and keep and eye out for the slow turtles. If you spot a turtle on the beach or a nest be sure and notify USFW or TPWD personnel. These beautiful animals are something we all need to help preserve and enjoy. It is a legacy we can pass down to our children and future Texans. Keep an eye out on the beach, Wild Ed

Fuel Costs and Fishing Texas

With the increase in fuel cost many fisherman are having to make drastic cuts in how much they go fishing or in how they fish. Many have found the cost of pulling a boat really adds to the fuel consumption of a vehicle. Those that go out with guides have seen the per day fees of coastal guides sky rocket as the cost of fuel to run a boat all day has gone out of sight. One alternative that many are looking at is fishing from the bank or in the surf. Surf fishing is one of the best and we have miles of coastline in Texas that we can fish.

Lots of people think that you have to have specialized equipment to surf fish but that is not really true. If it turns out to be something you really get into you can obtain surf rods and casting reels that allow you to throw baits out to the third gut or farther. A lot of people including me also use our favorite bait caster and popping rods to fish the surf. I often throw top water lures or plastics to trout, jacks and other fish in the surf. I have been known to throw a small surf weight with shrimp for pompano, croaker and whiting with my trout popping rig.



Instead of a boat one drives the beach in a vehicle to find places to set up and fish. In some areas of Texas beach driving is limited to 4x4 vehicles. Some drive looking for feeding fish or birds in a run and gun style of fishing. Other fisherman just find a favorite spot and set up and soak baits waiting for the fish to come in and feed. There are many methods and I use them all.
If you really want to learn about surf fishing from the experts then I would advise you purchase a DVD on surf fishing from Breakaway at the following link http://www.breakawayusa.com/ You can also discuss the sport with a great bunch of surf fishing addicts at the following forum http://nickawaymedia.com/phpBB3/index.php

Nick at Breakaway Tackle also puts out daily surf reports from Padre Island National Seashore for those that would like up to date information. I have found Breakaway tackle to be one of the best places to obtain gear. Nick has specialized rods, reels and some of the best terminal tackle I have ever seen. I am not connected to Breakaway nor do I get any advertising or funds from them in any way. My friends and family have just found their gear to be some of the best and the expertise, knowledge and customer service excellent.

See you on the beach, Wild Ed

Padre Island National Seashore

My brother by choice and one of my nephews have been asking me to take them surf fishing for the last couple of years and we just never took the time to go. We have finally set a date and are in the planning stage of our trip. It takes a while to get everything together and remember all the little things you need. We will be going to Padre Island National Seashore which is one of my favorite wilderness areas to visit. I will let you know how we do on the fishing trip in another posting but this one I just want to tell you about the Island and why you should visit.
Padre Island National Seashore is one of the largest if not the largest unspoiled and undeveloped beach left in this country. The numbers of wildlife we see on every trip is just mind boggling. It is a place to bring binoculars and cameras as every mile brings something new. There are hundreds if not thousands of different birds. The shear numbers of shorebirds is amazing and we always see something we have never seen before. Every kind of seagull and tern, pelicans, cranes, plovers, avocets and hundreds I do not know the names. It is not unusual to see hawks, harriers and falcons. If you are lucky you may see a Peregrine or the endangered Aplomado falcon. I have seen coyotes, whitetail deer and Kemps Ridley sea turtles. Dolphins and even whales come in close enough to the beach to get pictures at times. We have come across rattlesnakes and other reptiles. There are all kinds of crabs and sea life at the waters edge. Take plenty of film or memory on your camera as I never seem to have enough.



Padre Island is truly a wildlife paradise that you can visit for the price of a $10.00 permit or $20.00 for the annual permit. Here is a link to the official website with more on the Island.
http://www.nps.gov/pais/
This wilderness area is one of those must see places to put on your bucket list.
Enjoy the sand, Wild Ed

Deer Fawns Not Really Abandoned

I was headed over to my mother’s house last evening when the traffic came to a quick standstill. I could see up about 5 cars and watched this deer creeping across the road like a snail. I was wondering why a doe would be crossing the road so slow when the reason became obvious. She was leading a brand new spotted fawn across the street. It was only hours old and was taking tiny steps on its spindly legs as she led it across to a yard with better forage. I went on down the road to mom's house and turned in the drive. There standing in her yard was a doe with a pair of spotted fawns. These were several days old and could already run at a good clip. This time of year we are seeing this years fawn crop in more and more neighborhoods as we encroach into their habitat with development.

Here in Suburbia the deer are quite at home with living on the forage found in large yards and greenbelts. Several generations have been raised among the houses and traffic and thus it is normal for them. What is not normal are the numbers of fawns that are picked up by well meaning souls that find them laying in the yard or on the edge of a hike and bike trail. A doe will place her fawn somewhere she feels is secure and go off to feed. She will later return and get the fawn to nurse it as needed. So many city folks that run across these fawns think they are abandoned and take them. Not being equipped nor trained in raising deer they either have to get help or raise it themselves. Many can not get the little fawn to nurse or give it the wrong kind of milk and start it towards a cruel death even though they had good intentions. Rehabbers in our area have an over abundance of whitetail fawns they are raising because well intentioned people have picked them up.

Remember that if you find a fawn to leave it where it is unless it is covered by fire ants. Do not get your scent on it. The doe will return and get the fawn later. If you really think it is abandoned come back and check on it later. Ninety-nine percent of the time the doe will have moved it. It is illegal for you to possess a fawn in Texas so if it truly needs help you should go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website and locate a licensed rehabber in your area. They will take the fawn and give it a chance to survive. Feel free to observe the beautiful wildlife of Texas but do it from a distance. Good watching, Wild Ed