Dove season opens in less than a month




It’s time to plan your autumn hunts because dates have been set for the 2016-2017 season. They include a dove season of 90 days, which is the longest in 80 years. The traditional opening date of Sept. 1 remains the same, but an additional 20 days will push dove hunting season into January.

Don’t forget the mandatory Hunter Education Course if you have never completed one.

Who needs Hunter Education?
Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete hunter education. Minimum age for certification is 9 years and cost is $15. If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:
- under 9 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
- age 9 through 16, you must successfully complete hunter education, OR you must be accompanied.
- age 17 and over, you must successfully complete hunter education; OR purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,” and you must be accompanied.

What does "accompanied" mean?
Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Proof of certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

Do I qualify for a Hunter Education Deferral?
Any person 17 years of age or older who has not completed hunter education may defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. You must be accompanied while hunting if you have a deferral. Note: The one-time Hunter Education Deferral is available at license vendors and costs $10. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral.

Choose a course:
- Classroom Course - 6 hours of basic instruction. Some courses may be extended in length to cover added topics.
- Online + Field Course - Completion of an approved online course plus a 4 hour minimum "field day" including live-fire and other skill-based activities. Be sure to look up and register for a field course near you prior to completing the online course.
- Online-Only Course (17 and older) - Completion of an approved online course, designed for Texas residents. You must be 17 years of age or older to register.
- Optional Hunting 101 Courses

Additional Option: One-time, one year Hunter Education Deferral Extension
Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. The one-time Hunter Education Deferral is available at license vendor.

 




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Toledo Bend Lake Weather Forecast

Thursday

Sunny

Hi: 69

Thursday Night

Clear

Lo: 51

Friday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 75

Friday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 58

Saturday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 78

Saturday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 61

Sunday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 78

Sunday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 68


Toledo Bend Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 3/28: 169.79 (-2.21)



Toledo Bend Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Mar. 27)

GOOD. Water slightly stained; 62 degrees; 2.40 feet below pool. Spring started off with a freeze. Water temperature is running 59-63 degrees and the clarity is clear. Lots of bass are still spawning in 1-5 feet of water hitting wacky-worms and senkos. There are good numbers of bass starting to show up that have already spawned, these fish spawned on that February full moon. These fish can be caught on shallow running crankbait and Carolina rig lizards . With the next moon coming, there will be more bass on the move towards the back. This will keep going until the first of May. Crappie are good, but with the colder weather will delay it several days. The crappie are super picky due to the changing weather. Best baits have been roadrunners and jig heads with curl tail or tube. Report by Stephen Johnston, Johnston Fishing.

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