In case any of my fellow dog lovers are interested, I've uploaded my March and May Texas Wildlife working dog columns and a Texas Wildlife feature article on small game hunting to my website. You can check them out here: http://www.byhenrychappell.com/_i_texas_wildlife__i__68129.htm.
Enjoy!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Two Days In March
My home hunting ground lies along tributaries of the Red River, in Grayson County - or what used to be the Red before Lake Texoma backed up behind the dam.
Ecologists call the narrow stretch of hardwood bottomland that runs adjacent to the Red, between the Arkansas border and the western boundary of Grayson County, the Red River Area and generally consider it part of East Texas, a categorization I agree with. Culturally and ecologically, the Red River Area feels like the South.
I feel at home here.
West of Grayson County, the Red River country takes on characteristics of the much drier Cross Timbers and Prairie Region. Just to the south, out of the river breaks but still in Grayson County, the terrain opens up into Blackland Prairie.
Although squirrel season never closes in Grayson County, fox squirrels start breeding in late winter and stay busy with their young until late April or so. For me, the season is closed until May 1, the traditional opening day of spring squirrel season in East Texas.
Week before last, Cate and I spent two consecutive afternoons scouting our bottoms. Had I been inclined, I could have taken 10-squirrel limits both days. Things are looking up for May.
Spring is upon us, although the woods still have a open, raw, late winter look.
I think of these woods as mine. I'm occasionally reminded that others stake their own claims...
.... and employ their own methods. A homemade deer feeder, hidden on public land. We are, after all, in Texas.
Each to his own. I'll take this any day:
They're rarely this easy to spot.
In areas more exposed to wind, post oaks and blackjack oaks predominate - fine, gnarled old- timers, stocky, bent, and thinning on top, much chewed and drilled by their tenants, worthless to lumbermen....
... but benison to a transplanted Kentuckian.
Trees grow straighter down in the sheltered creek bottoms. There are giants here. My photos never do these woods justice.
High fiber diet? Actually, she's after the chewy center, which, seconds after I snapped this photo, shot out the end of the log...
... and disappeared here.
This piece of country suits me.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Texas's Best Wine Writer
My buddy Russ Kane, an indefatigable wine blogger, writer, and all-around good guy, has won this year's Press Award from the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. I met Russ this past September at a press event hosted by several South Plains wineries, grape growers and Texas Department of Agriculture. After two days of tastings, I was reduced to making comments like, "Hmmm...fruity," while Russ held forth on acidity, balance, texture, and all those other things guys like me have to fake. He took pity on on me, and we've been friends ever since.
Russ paid me a visit a few weeks ago during his North Texas Wine Tour. As we unloaded his car, I noticed a large Rubbermaid container full of books. He said, "Oh, that's my traveling library." Yet another reason we get along.
Be sure to check out Vintage Texas, Russ's wine blog.
I'll go ahead spill the beans and hope Russ will forgive me: He's working on what will be the Texas wine book for at least the next dozen years or so. Just remember, you heard it here first.
Russ paid me a visit a few weeks ago during his North Texas Wine Tour. As we unloaded his car, I noticed a large Rubbermaid container full of books. He said, "Oh, that's my traveling library." Yet another reason we get along.
Be sure to check out Vintage Texas, Russ's wine blog.
I'll go ahead spill the beans and hope Russ will forgive me: He's working on what will be the Texas wine book for at least the next dozen years or so. Just remember, you heard it here first.
Take that, water hustlers!
Great news from the front lines of the Texas Water Wars:
For immediate release from Texas Conservation Alliance
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Neches River National Wildlife Refuge
Contact: Janice Bezanson, 512-921-1230
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday affirmed the July 2008 decision by Judge Jorge A. Solis in favor of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. The City of Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board had filed suit hoping to overturn creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge and make way for a reservoir Dallas predicts might be needed in fifty years. Instead, Judge Solis upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 creation of the refuge.
“This is wonderful news!” said Janice Bezanson, executive director of Texas Conservation Alliance. “The Neches River Refuge is exceptional wildlife habitat -- one of the most important wildlife areas left in Texas. Thousands of Texans wrote letters or signed petitions in support of its creation.”
Dallas and TWDB contended that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act by failing in several ways to do an adequate environmental assessment and by failing to cooperate with state and local officials.
After careful review, Judge Solis disagreed with the allegations and denied motions by Dallas and TWDB to require a more detailed environmental study. Dallas and TWDB appealed Judge Solis’ decision. Thursday a three-judge panel affirmed the lower court ruling.
Biologists say the land within the boundaries of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge is some of the least disturbed and highest-quality bottomland hardwood forest left in Texas, rated Priority 1 for acquisition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. By contrast, the reservoir proposed for the site is one of many water supply options available to Dallas Water Utilities.
Bezanson described the hardwood forests to be protected in the Refuge as “fabulous”. Towering oaks and hickories shelter wildlife and provide the nuts and acorns that deer, squirrel, turkey, and other animals depend on in winter. Bushes, smaller plants, and understory trees such as dogwoods provide a diverse array of food for resident animals. The Refuge is located in the heart of the North American Central Flyway, the major “highway” for and migrating ducks and songbirds. The waters of the Neches River sustain the exceptional habitat of the Big Thicket National Preserve, the Davy Crockett and Angelina National Forests, various state parks and wildlife management areas, and the Sabine Lake estuary.
“The Fish and Wildlife Service has been barred from acquiring land for the refuge, pending outcome of the appeal,” Bezanson continued. “Conservationists are poised to donate several thousand acres to the refuge as soon as the ruling is final. We look forward to celebrating a wonderful new refuge on the Neches!”
Texas Conservation Alliance, Friends of the Neches River, and a number of other organizations are proposing that the Neches River be studied for potential inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Designating the Neches as a Wild and Scenic River would protect the river and enhance its value for tourism.
I suspect Dallas and the North Texas Municipal Water District will now go after the Sulphur River like a junkies looking for a fix.
For immediate release from Texas Conservation Alliance
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Neches River National Wildlife Refuge
Contact: Janice Bezanson, 512-921-1230
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday affirmed the July 2008 decision by Judge Jorge A. Solis in favor of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. The City of Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board had filed suit hoping to overturn creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge and make way for a reservoir Dallas predicts might be needed in fifty years. Instead, Judge Solis upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 creation of the refuge.
“This is wonderful news!” said Janice Bezanson, executive director of Texas Conservation Alliance. “The Neches River Refuge is exceptional wildlife habitat -- one of the most important wildlife areas left in Texas. Thousands of Texans wrote letters or signed petitions in support of its creation.”
Dallas and TWDB contended that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act by failing in several ways to do an adequate environmental assessment and by failing to cooperate with state and local officials.
After careful review, Judge Solis disagreed with the allegations and denied motions by Dallas and TWDB to require a more detailed environmental study. Dallas and TWDB appealed Judge Solis’ decision. Thursday a three-judge panel affirmed the lower court ruling.
Biologists say the land within the boundaries of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge is some of the least disturbed and highest-quality bottomland hardwood forest left in Texas, rated Priority 1 for acquisition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. By contrast, the reservoir proposed for the site is one of many water supply options available to Dallas Water Utilities.
Bezanson described the hardwood forests to be protected in the Refuge as “fabulous”. Towering oaks and hickories shelter wildlife and provide the nuts and acorns that deer, squirrel, turkey, and other animals depend on in winter. Bushes, smaller plants, and understory trees such as dogwoods provide a diverse array of food for resident animals. The Refuge is located in the heart of the North American Central Flyway, the major “highway” for and migrating ducks and songbirds. The waters of the Neches River sustain the exceptional habitat of the Big Thicket National Preserve, the Davy Crockett and Angelina National Forests, various state parks and wildlife management areas, and the Sabine Lake estuary.
“The Fish and Wildlife Service has been barred from acquiring land for the refuge, pending outcome of the appeal,” Bezanson continued. “Conservationists are poised to donate several thousand acres to the refuge as soon as the ruling is final. We look forward to celebrating a wonderful new refuge on the Neches!”
Texas Conservation Alliance, Friends of the Neches River, and a number of other organizations are proposing that the Neches River be studied for potential inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Designating the Neches as a Wild and Scenic River would protect the river and enhance its value for tourism.
I suspect Dallas and the North Texas Municipal Water District will now go after the Sulphur River like a junkies looking for a fix.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Blogger Meet-up Continued
Matt and Ernie Matt has already covered our late February blogger meet-up at Gregg and Soo Barrow's place, but, late as usual, I thought I'd add a few more thoughts and photos.
Turns out, you can glean a lot from folks by reading their blogs and comments. When I met Gregg and Matt for the first time, in the Barrow driveway, I felt like I'd known them for years. A couple bottles of stout and a walk with the dogs only strengthened the feeling.
This was my first time afield with hawk and falconer, and I have to admit that I was surprised at the efficiency. I know that Matt is a fine falconer and, by extension, that Ernie is a fine hawk. I just didn't expect such a high success rate. Right before I left to head back to Plano, I told Matt that if I truly had to feed myself, I'd learn to fly a Harris hawk.
I have to admit that I get a real kick out of touching a hawk.
Hawkers don't need a hunting lease - even in Texas
Working a field
Gregg and Caleb
In short, a great trip with great friends and great conversation about dogs, books, and hawks. Gregg, thanks for all of the solid dog training advice. Soo, thanks a million for putting up with me.
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Plea for Hardwood Bottomland
Normally, I wouldn't consider pasting a press release here, but I have to make an exception for Russell Graves' new project. A couple years ago, Russell and I worked together on an article about proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir. Regular readers of this blog know how I feel about allowing water hustlers to destroy East Texas's remaining hardwood bottomland so that clueless suburbanites can water their Bermuda grass lawns.
So please check this out and lend your support:
New Multimedia Project Highlights the Decline of the Bois D'Arc Creek Watershed
February 19, 2009
For Immediate Release
Fannin County, Texas - On the eve of the construction of the Lower Bois d'Arc reservoir, professional photographer and filmmaker Russell Graves and his partner/brother William Graves embark on an ambitious new film/multimedia project documenting the history and loss of the Bois d'Arc Creek hardwood bottomlands. The not-yet-titled film is currently in pre-production with filming slated to begin in March and wrapping up in early June.
"Our family first moved to Fannin County in 1979," says WIlliam. "We lived in a small farmhouse south of Bonham along Bois d'Arc Creek and I spent lots of time trapping and exploring the creek while we lived there." Soon thereafter the family moved north of Dodd City near the Hilger Community just a short distance from the creek and the family continued cultivating their outdoor lifestyle through ranching, logging, hunting, and fishing. William, who is a retired 21-year US Army veteran, settled less than a half a mile from his parent's home.
"In many ways, my whole outdoor heritage and ethic was shaped by the things I learned roaming the bottomlands along the creek," says Russell, who for the past 16 years, has lived in Childress, Texas. "My brother, my dad, and I spent countless hours exploring our patch of the woods and in reality, the lessons I learned really helped me launch a successful writing and photography career."
When complete, the film will explore themes of habitat loss, the history of the creek, and the water needs of a burgeoning North Texas population - all told from a personal, first person perspective.
"I hope when this film is complete people will appreciate, for perpetuities sake, the importance of the creek to the cultural and natural heritage of Fannin County," says Russell.
To see a prelude to the film, check out http://www.russellgraves.com/blog/2009/02/hunt-junkies-episode-25.html
###
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Russell Graves at russell@russellgraves.com or 806.280.8007
So please check this out and lend your support:
New Multimedia Project Highlights the Decline of the Bois D'Arc Creek Watershed
February 19, 2009
For Immediate Release
Fannin County, Texas - On the eve of the construction of the Lower Bois d'Arc reservoir, professional photographer and filmmaker Russell Graves and his partner/brother William Graves embark on an ambitious new film/multimedia project documenting the history and loss of the Bois d'Arc Creek hardwood bottomlands. The not-yet-titled film is currently in pre-production with filming slated to begin in March and wrapping up in early June.
"Our family first moved to Fannin County in 1979," says WIlliam. "We lived in a small farmhouse south of Bonham along Bois d'Arc Creek and I spent lots of time trapping and exploring the creek while we lived there." Soon thereafter the family moved north of Dodd City near the Hilger Community just a short distance from the creek and the family continued cultivating their outdoor lifestyle through ranching, logging, hunting, and fishing. William, who is a retired 21-year US Army veteran, settled less than a half a mile from his parent's home.
"In many ways, my whole outdoor heritage and ethic was shaped by the things I learned roaming the bottomlands along the creek," says Russell, who for the past 16 years, has lived in Childress, Texas. "My brother, my dad, and I spent countless hours exploring our patch of the woods and in reality, the lessons I learned really helped me launch a successful writing and photography career."
When complete, the film will explore themes of habitat loss, the history of the creek, and the water needs of a burgeoning North Texas population - all told from a personal, first person perspective.
"I hope when this film is complete people will appreciate, for perpetuities sake, the importance of the creek to the cultural and natural heritage of Fannin County," says Russell.
To see a prelude to the film, check out http://www.russellgraves.com/blog/2009/02/hunt-junkies-episode-25.html
###
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Russell Graves at russell@russellgraves.com or 806.280.8007
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Cur-Dogs
“What we call a cur dog was just a general mixture of dogs. They had dogs of all kinds and descriptions, took the best ones and interbred them, developed the cur dog, and the strain breeds true, the best dog in the world.”
* * *
This is Cate's daddy, Coker's Dorcheat Tiger, with his boss, Greg Coker, after winning the treeing competition in the 2006 UKC Black Gold Challenge, in Dover, Arkansas. (As you can see here, and probably already suspected, tree dog competitions aren't real tweedy.) Tiger is a Mountain Cur, mostly of the Kemmer bloodline.
This is a purloined photo of Smoky, Luisa's new cur puppy. (Luisa, I didn't think you'd mind.) We've all been fussing over Smoky for the past several days. If you haven't yet read his story and registered your unqualified approval and support, please do so at once or else your status as a sure-enough dog nut may be called into question.
Luisa made an executive decision: "He is a Mountain Cur. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."
Given Smoky's appearance, I'm inclined to agree. And this:
"Smoky has one of those barks that's more of a single, sustained roar."
Well, yeah. Sounds about right.
At least one commenter suggested that there may be some Plott Hound in his lineage. Could be. There may also be a some Treeing Tennessee Brindle. I could go on.
No matter. I'm sure he's a cur. I've seen a few.
In 1957, when Riley Daniels, of Georgia, Woody Huntsman, of Kentucky, Dewey Ledbetter, of Tennessee, and Carl McConnell, of Virginia, founded the organization that would become the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association, they were less concerned with establishing a breed than with preserving a once common general type of herding and hunting dog that nearly disappeared after World War II as mountain people began leaving their subsistence way of life for steady wages in cities and towns.
Take a look at some of the old photos on the OMCBA website and you'll see that the old-time mountain curs varied greatly in appearance, and, I suspect, working style. No doubt, the old-timers were pretty open-minded about style, so long as the semi-wild cattle and swine got bunched, penned, and marked and the 'coons and squirrels ended up in the pot.
And I seriously doubt that the old boys would have hesitated to bring in hound or shepherd blood if they thought it would produce a better cur-dog. Today, we tend to think of the mountain cur as a specific breed or type. The old-timers were simply breeding curs for working conditions in the Southern Appalachian mountains. Had you asked a mountaineer what kind of dogs he ran, he would not have said, "mountain curs." He'd have answered "cur-dogs."
The National Kennel Club recognizes the cur's varied lineage. While it lists specific cur types such as the Mountain Cur, Leopard Cur, and Yellow Blackmouth Cur, the NKC also has a category for the general working cur of recently mixed heritage. While breeders of treeing curs must keep accurate records, the NKC standard specifies a height of 18 to 28 inches and a weight of "over 30 pounds." Eye color? "Green, blue, or brown." Coat color? "Any color variation is acceptable." Tails? "Any length."
What, then, does the standard absolutely require? "The Treeing Cur must show strong treeing ability in the hunting area(s) of squirrel, coon, boar, bear or cat. Their hunting ability must prove them to be more than just an average dog. "
One of the best hunting dogs I've ever known was a treeing cur owned by my buddy Donny Lynch. Molly was a quarter treeing Walker and three-quarters mountain cur - a typical treeing cur mix. She looked just like a big mountain cur. In fact she looked a lot like Luisa's Smoky. And she was a little more open on the track than your average mountain cur, and deadly on squirrels and 'coons. Whenever she'd bark or give a little yelp on a cold trail, Donny would smile and say, "There's that Walker dog showing through."
So, Luisa, is Smoky a mountain cur? I suspect so. I'm almost certain he's a cur-dog in the broad sense. Take him up to your cabin, and then he'll be a cur-in-the-mountains.
That's all the old-timers ever wanted.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sound Advice
From a certain cowboy and dog man who knows how to get cattle out of the brush:
"You'd better watch a man that don't like dogs. There's something broke in him."
"You'd better watch a man that don't like dogs. There's something broke in him."
Some Lazy Blogging
I apologize for the light blogging. I'm working on a long feature article about the history, current status, and future of the East Texas forests, and a shorter travel piece for Texas Highways.
For you fellow dog maniacs out there, I just uploaded my latest two Texas Wildlife working dog columns to my website. You can check them out here.
For you fellow dog maniacs out there, I just uploaded my latest two Texas Wildlife working dog columns to my website. You can check them out here.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
One That Got Away
Where the hell are Terrierman and his little scrappers when you need them?
Late January, and the remaining fox squirrels are sure-enough survivors. Cate treed this one in a blackjack oak, but as I approached it jumped out. She almost caught it on the ground, but not quite.
The fox squirrels will be breeding soon. I'm starting to see signs of pairing up. I'd say this one is fit to pass along his or her genes.
We'll hunt this weekend, then leave them alone until May 1, when spring squirrel season opens.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A Texas-Sized Embarrassment
Compared to other parts of the country, Texas grows a modest amount of corn. Nevertheless, most of the State's deer hunters are obsessed with it. I suspect that without it, very few would know how to hunt.
Hats off to Wyman Meinzer and Texas Parks & Wildlife for saying so. Here's Wyman speaking the truth in his December 2008 article:
...it is disturbingly true that fewer and fewer people are learning these once-essential outdoor skills. In this age of spacious and comfortably furnished elevated blinds, solar-powered feeders spraying their offering of golden delight at predictable intervals or video cameras offering the "hunter" a tantalizing array of super bucks for the taking at exorbitant prices, few incentives exist today to encourage our youth to hunt in a more traditional way.
Even on public land, where elevated blinds and feeders are illegal, people find a way to cheat. A few weeks ago, squirrel hunting on public land in far North Texas, I found various camouflaged homemade feeders strapped to trees. Late in the day, I passed two hunters getting ready for their afternoon hunt. Both were unloading bags of corn from their pickups. They made no effort to hide it. After all, they were deer hunting. That's just the way we do it here in Texas.
Read the rest of Wyman's article. I'm proud of TPW for having the guts to run it.
Hats off to Wyman Meinzer and Texas Parks & Wildlife for saying so. Here's Wyman speaking the truth in his December 2008 article:
...it is disturbingly true that fewer and fewer people are learning these once-essential outdoor skills. In this age of spacious and comfortably furnished elevated blinds, solar-powered feeders spraying their offering of golden delight at predictable intervals or video cameras offering the "hunter" a tantalizing array of super bucks for the taking at exorbitant prices, few incentives exist today to encourage our youth to hunt in a more traditional way.
Even on public land, where elevated blinds and feeders are illegal, people find a way to cheat. A few weeks ago, squirrel hunting on public land in far North Texas, I found various camouflaged homemade feeders strapped to trees. Late in the day, I passed two hunters getting ready for their afternoon hunt. Both were unloading bags of corn from their pickups. They made no effort to hide it. After all, they were deer hunting. That's just the way we do it here in Texas.
Read the rest of Wyman's article. I'm proud of TPW for having the guts to run it.
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