Columns

As Big As they Grow

Same lake, different story

February 1, 2013 Paul Johnson

Since my last report here, the Magnolia Crappie Club has held two tournaments at Chotard and Eagle lakes. These unusual “fisherman’s choice” crappie tournaments were held in early December and early January.

In fact, last month’s “As Big As They Grow” crappie column was based on what I expected to happen in that early December tournament. As I recall, I predicted that the tournament would be won pulling crankbaits at Chotard. […]

Bobby C's Outdoors

It’s crazy, but it’s politics

January 23, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

For several years, the Mississippi Bowhunters Association has been looking for help from the state legislature in confirming the right to hunt with bows during open gun seasons.

So don’t expect them to be happy after Monday’s deadline passed for introducing new bills in the state’s House of Representatives and Senate. No such “pro archery” legislation is on the table.

For the third straight year, no bills were introduced that would extend the only true archery season set in statute — the one that opens Oct. 1 and ends on the day before the first gun season begins. […]

Hog Hunting

A big-bore revolver hog hunt

January 23, 2013 Gordon Hutchinson

I was sitting on an East Texas pipeline, cradling my 7 1/2-inch Ruger Super Redhawk in my lap, watching a pile of corn that had been scattered about the area and trampled with hundreds of hog tracks.

My hand cannon was stuffed with 335-grain hard-cast bullets in .454 Casull, a potent enough load in itself, but this went the extra step. These rounds were manufactured by Cor-Bon — a company that found its niche in the ammunition market by producing ammo that pushed the envelope. […]

Fishing

Semiautomatic fish finder operation

January 21, 2013 Allan Tarvid

In the early days of automatic fish finder operation, I advised serious anglers to switch to manual mode where they could tune in a much better look at the underwater world. I think that has changed, and I now suggest that fishermen run their units in auto mode and just tweak the settings where they see problems. […]

Bass Fishing

Recent catch proves bass record within reach

January 15, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

When he caught a 17.34-pound bass Jan. 4 at Davis Lake, Jeff Foster did more than simply post the second-largest largemouth ever reported in Mississippi. He showed conclusively that Anthony Denny’s state record of 18.15 pounds is vulnerable.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt about that whatsoever,” said Ron Garavelli, the chief of fisheries for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. “That fish right there could have — no, make that would have — broken the record had it been caught a couple of months later when it was full of eggs.

“We’re only talking about .8 of a pound difference between 17.34 and 18.15, so yeah, fully loaded with eggs it would have been the record.” […]

Deer Hunting

When in doubt, back out

January 7, 2013 John J. Woods

Busted! Ever happen to you? While slipping into your favorite hunting stand, playing the wind just right, sun at your back, sprayed down with scent killer, walking quietly in rubber boots, you slowly creep around the corner and BAM, there stands a huge buck right in the middle of the food plot blocking your access to the stand.

And he’s looking right at you.

What do you do now? […]

Bobby C's Outdoors

Chase to fulfill resolution begins

January 4, 2013 Bobby Cleveland

I promised myself that the first day that conditions allowed, I would try to get started on fulfilling one of the many New Year’s resolutions I made, and the only one I am likely to continue.

The resolution: Catch at least 21 freshwater species of fish in Mississippi in 2013.

I am also attempting to get 15 saltwater species in the Gulf, which would be easier if it wasn’t harder to arrange the trips. […]