Deer Season In Full Swing




The leaves are dropping and the mornings have that familiar chill in the air, which means for a lot of hunters that deer season is in full swing. Across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee, hunters are hitting woods and fields in the dark to try and chase that monster buck.

For deer hunters, it’s a familiar routine – hiking under starlight, watching first light break while sitting in the stand, warming up with coffee, paying close attention to the wind, moon and weather. Opening day is right up there with Christmas morning. There are many different styles of hunting and hunters, ranging from mountain archers to hardwood bottom muzzleloaders and open range snipers.

If you don’t bag your goal early in the season, then the hardcore hunters rise to the task of dedicated repetition. By December the insanity starts to set in… why am I doing this? Going out in all weather, over and over, countless dozens of hours logged in pursuit of what seems like a ghost. You see sign all over, you have pictures from the game camera, you may have even seen the deer you’re after with your very own eyes but not had the opportunity to take him. It seems like it’s never going to pan out for you, until that one frosty morning where he slips up and gives you the opportunity. Or he doesn’t, and he lives to scratch out a living for another year while you dream about him every night.

This is deer hunting. Sometimes the game comes to you – literally and figuratively – and you have a solid harvest on opening weekend. Other times it’s the toil and grind, putting in the work, the hours, and the miles. Sometimes all of that work pays off late in the season, which is one of the most rewarding experiences a hunter can have. Other times, you get skunked. As they say, it’s called “hunting” not “killing”. But that tenacity is what it takes to be a hunter, regardless of results.

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” is a creed associated with the USPS letter carriers, but I think us hunters can adopt that creed as well. For those determined beyond weather, pain, cold or soreness, to those driving and hiking in the dark when everyone is still dreaming in Neverland, to those who can’t feel their fingers or toes by daybreak, I raise my travel coffee mug and salute you.





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Toledo Bend Lake Current Weather Alerts

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Toledo Bend Lake Weather Forecast

Friday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 84

Friday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 71

Saturday

Thunderstorms Likely

Hi: 84

Saturday Night

Thunderstorms Likely

Lo: 68

Sunday

Sunny

Hi: 75

Sunday Night

Clear

Lo: 59

Monday

Sunny

Hi: 80

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 68


Toledo Bend Lake Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 10/17: 167.72 (-4.28)



Toledo Bend Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Sep. 24)

FAIR. 90 degrees; 4.00 feet below pool. Water temperatures are back up in the mid to high 80s, and fishing has been tough on the south end of the lake as it continues turning over, with brown bubbles showing up-something that should settle in the next 5-6 days. For now, it’s best to stay north of the bridge. Main lake ridges in 12-18 feet are producing a few bites on Texas rigs and big crankbaits, while creek bends in 3-8 feet are giving up some small fish and keepers on square bills and lipless baits, though not many over 2 pounds. Crappie remain slow on brush piles and natural timber in 16-22 feet, with most caught on live bait rather than jigs. The fall transition keeps getting delayed by the heat, but signs point to a real shift coming next week once the turnover passes. Despite the tough bite, a few big fish have been landed recently, including several in the 9-pound range. Report by Stephen Johnston, Johnston Fishing.

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