Posted 9:22 am Friday, October 10, 2008
Weekend In The Outdoors
It feels like fall in East Texas. It just doesn't look like it because the leaves are still green and hanging tight to the trees.
A couple of fall hunting seasons, dove, squirrel, archery deer and special permit deer, are still under way, but for most hunters the focus is on Nov. 1 when the regular deer season opens in much of the state and duck season begins in the North and South zones.
Fishermen are also watching water temperatures beginning to dip in anticipation of a fall fishing pattern that should mean some big bass fishing for a couple of months.
But not everyone is a hunter or angler, and for those who aren't this is also a good time to go outside and if for nothing else watch the birds. A number of birds are currently migrating through the state.
Out earlier this week I saw a Cooper's hawk around every corner and heard the first speckled bellied geese flying overhead.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department about 300 species of birds will migrate into or through Texas during the fall. Some will winter in the state, while others will continue as far as South America.
South Texas is probably the best place in the state to follow the migration, but there are opportunities in East Texas as well. Some of the best spots are lakes associated to state parks. The state parks give clear access to the water for a few waterfowl and shore birds.
One of the highlights of the fall birding season will be the annual arrival of bald eagles into the area. The birds can usually be seen from November through February on just about any reservoir. For those who don't have a boat or know where to start, a good option is Fairfield State Park which has on-the-water eagle tours during the winter months. For more information, contact the park at 903-389-4514.
Coming Up
SATURDAY, Oct. 25 -- Opening day statewide quail season.
SATURDAY, Oct. 25 -- Lake Jacksonville Bass Championship, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., call 903-780-5132.
SATURDAY, Oct. 25 -- East Texas Area Boy Scouts of America Great Texas Shoot-Out sporting clays shoot, Prairie Creek Sporting Clays. To register, call 903-597-7201, e-mail to etac@etexscouts.com or on the Web at www.etexscouts.com.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, Oct. 25-26 -- Youth-only statewide deer season.
-- Steve Knight
