Joseph Williams of Cleveland, TX, fishes the Trinity River below Lake Livingston dam about 30 weekends a year, trying to catch big alligator gar and release them alive. In April he landed a 200-pound-plus monster that did not survive and became the rod and reel record for the Trinity, but he had a higher goal in mind: the state catch-and-release record, which requires that fish be photographed, measured and released alive.

On July 4 Williams succeeded, landing and releasing an 88-inch-long gar that he will submit for recognition as the new state catch-and-release record. Williams is passionate about conserving these trophy fish, using a circle hook or small treble hook to hook them in the mouth. He fishes from a small, 14-foot boat that lets the fish tow him around without straightening the hook. Williams’s fish topped the previous catch-and-release record of 80 inches caught by Leo Flores from Choke Canyon Reservoir in March 2011.

Voice Your Opinion: Comment Period Closes July 30

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 13, 2011 – As a result of a proposal by a private company to use radio frequency bandwidth right next to the existing GPS radio bandwidth, the future reliability of the GPS system across the United States is now in question. The nation’s largest recreational boaters group, BoatUS, says boaters could have a hard time avoiding treacherous shoals or simply finding their way home if GPS signals are interfered with, and is urging boaters to speak out during a 30-day comment period.

“This is a remarkably short comment period for an issue that has such dire consequences for America’s boaters and every other GPS user in the country,” said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich.

At issue is an unusual conditional waiver granted in January by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to a broadband wireless communications provider, LightSquared, to permit the dramatic expansion of land-based use of mobile satellite spectrum. This spectrum, or frequency bandwidth, is directly adjacent to the frequencies used for Global Positioning System (GPS) communications.

The company has proposed to build 40,000 ground stations. LightSquared’s high-powered ground-based transmissions from these stations have shown to cause interference in hundreds of millions of GPS receivers across a wide range of uses, including aviation, marine, emergency response and industrial users such as delivery and trucking companies. A new report requested by the FCC says, “all phases of the LightSquared deployment plan will result in widespread harmful interference to GPS signals and service and that mitigation is not possible.”

Recreational boaters lost their only other viable navigation system, LORAN, when the Department of Homeland Security shut the system down last year. At that time the US Coast Guard urged mariners to shift to GPS-based navigation systems. Boaters rely on GPS-enabled chart-plotters to steer clear of navigation hazards, keep them in the safety of deep-water channels, or even get them home when storms shut down visibility. “They are a critical piece of safety gear,” said Podlich. “What will boaters do if they are unreliable, and how will the US Coast Guard’s new emergency search and rescue system that stands watch over 36,985 miles of coastline, Rescue 21, remain effective, since it relies on GPS?”

Boaters and other GPS users are urged to speak up now by going to www.BoatUS.com/gov to send their comments to the FCC and their members of Congress.

BoatUS is a member of the Coalition to Save Our GPS, which works to resolve this serious threat to the GPS system.

About BoatUS:
BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money-saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 9 years old on the date of completion and cost is $15.

2-Day traditional classroom courses (16 hours):

Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 at Dow Seadrift Clubhouse
6:00-9:00 p.m. Friday, and 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday

Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 at Coleto Creek Lake
6:00-9:00 p.m. Friday, and 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday

Hunter Education is the first step in a lifelong commitment to conservation and sportsmanship. Your responsible efforts will safeguard hunting opportunities and adventures in the great outdoors.

To RSVP call James Bartay at cell 361-649-3302.

Texas Parks & Wildlife proposes the following concerning oyster management and to address recent legislation (Senate Bill 932) that establishes an oyster shell recovery program and emergency closure criteria. Changes being considered:

Oyster shell recovery program (SB932) – requires TPWD to sell Harvester/Shell Recovery tags ($0.20 ea) that must be attached to the outside of each sack of oysters at the time of harvest. Funds received from these tags are dedicated to returning oyster shell or other suitable cultch materials to public oyster reefs in Texas.

Emergency closure rules (SB 932) – Allows for establishing criteria for closing areas that have been overworked within 72 hours and grants the Commission the authority to delegate to the Executive Director the duties and responsibilities to implement the closure.

Reduction in the daily sack limit from 90 to 50 sacks per day.

Reduction in legal fishing times from sunrise to 3:30 p.m. each day.

Public comment will be taken at the following sites. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.: July 26: Matagorda County Navigation District Administration Building, 1602 Main Street, Palacios July 27: Aransas County District Court Room, 301 N. Live Oak, Rockport. Art Morris (361) 825-3356

Thursday, August 4, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Bauer Exhibit Bldg.
181 County Rd 101, Port Lavaca

This workshop is being presented by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Wardens and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents.
Workshop will cover hunting regulations for migratory game birds (Ducks, Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and Dove). Current hunting regulations and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act will be discussed.
Waterfowl hunters, hunting guides, outfitters, farmers, as well as landowners who manage their property for waterfowl hunting are encouraged to attend.

More info: 361-575-6306