Hook'n Up & Track'n Down

Where are all the Fox Squirrels

2007-10-08T15:10:09Z

Could not make it out on opening day of squirrel season because of my work schedule, but talked to quite a few that did and they all had the same story, "got the limit, but no fox squirrels". What's going on with that? Any ideas?

Give me a good reason for the lack of fox squirrels and we'll hook you up the stylish and fashionable Hook'N'Up and Track'n' Down t-shirt.

Is there anyone out there?

2007-10-03T13:27:33Z

You know, our show nor our web site will never get better if you the listeners don't give us any feed back. Don't misunderstand, we love each and every one of our listeners but Hook'N Up & Track'N Down cannot continue to improve if we never get any ideas or suggestions from you the listeners. We want this show and our web sit to be entertaining and informative. Let us know when there is an event or fishing tournament in your neck of the woods so we can help get the word out for you. Let us know if there is a topic you want us to cover. This is your show not ours, we are just hear to bring it to you. There are times when we feel our show could be better, but in order to bring you an entertaining program, we need your input on what you would like to hear.

For the month of October, if you send us a suggestion, photo, or a even product review of something you have actually used, we will make sure you get a great looking Hook'N Up & Track'N Down t-shirt. We are also going to have a prize package each week to give away. So let us know what you think about the show and the web site as well. After we have reviewed your e-mails, we will send you a reply on how to collect your free t-shirt.

Thanks for listening to the Hook'N Up & Track'N Down Show!!!!

Steve, James & Chris

Wake up!!!! We're losing our lakes!!!!

2007-08-23T23:47:31Z

I cant' help but wonder what has happened to our area lakes and rivers. Just 10 years ago, we did not have the issue of too much aquatic vegetation on any of our area lakes. Boy what a difference a few years can make. Now, we're on the verge of losing some of our best fishing and hunting holes due to aquatic vegetation. What is going to be done about it? Probably not much since the LDWF does not have the money to really attack the problem the way it needs to. Unless the State gets involved really soon and dedicates more finances to the problem, some of these lakes and river systems are going to be un-navigable. I would hate to be a business or marina owner anywhere around a lake or river system in Louisiana.

A comment has been made by a state game warden that until we get rid of the birds, we will never control the vegetation. How stupid does that sound? We all know you can't get rid of or control the bird population. At a meeting on Lake Bistineau this week , another mind blowing comment was made. When asked about where the money is going to come from to attack the Silvania problem. They were told by a State official that the money would come from license fees and gas tax when you fill up your boat. WHAT? Fill up my boat!!!!!! How does the State know if I am putting gas in my boat or my truck.? What are they thinking when they answer these questions in this manner. All this does is enrage the public and make matters worse. All the State officials need to get together and educate the guys in the field on how to answer these questions. I want to hear a plan of action and when it will go into affect. Are you going to spray, introduce grass carp, or drop an atomic bomb. Whatever your sloution is, please tell me something other than "Well, until we can get rid of the birds ...." I am tired of the lack of response or concern about a problem that is going to cost property owners and businesses a lot of money. If you thought the low water problems at Toledo Bend was a major issue, this will be a lot worse because that will affect all of our lakes and rivers; not just one lake.

Misconception of Red River

2007-08-09T10:39:07Z

To all those people who have not been on Red River yet, shame on you!!! You are missing out on the best fishery to hit this area since the hay days of Toledo Bend. I talk to people every week that act surprised when I tell them about Red RIver and how good the fishing is. They respond with "You fish there?" Folks I understand that river systems can be intimidating but, it is just like any other body of water that you fish for the first time. You have to be careful until you learn the boat roads and how to get around. The main thing to understand about the little ol Red is while you're running the main channel, stay between the bouys. If you're running north, the red bouys should be on your right and the greens on your left. If your running south, red bouys on your left and greens on your right. I cannot tell you how many times I see anglers who are not from this area scouting for a tournament, cutting corners and channel bends where underwater rock jetties lie in wait. But if they would just stay between the bouys and use a little common sence, they would not be knocking their lower units off their motors and cracking hulls. Gel-coat (fiberglass) and rocks do not mix; the rocks will win every time.

Now let me tell you where you can go fishing on the Red River and never have to venture out on the main river itself. There are several launches that are located in backwater areas. Lets start in Pool 5 (Shreveport/Bossier). Clark's Marina just south of Bossier City off Hwy 71 is a great place to go fishing. There are 100's of acres avaiable in some of the best bass waters anywhere. Pool 4 (Coushatta), Red Oak public launch ramp is located about 10 miles south of Coushatta on the Old Campti Hwy. Pool 3 (Natchitoches) has 3 ramps in backwater areas. One is located at the Natchitoches Grand Ecore Public Ramp on Bayou Pierre. You can fish the Bayou itself which is very similar to fishing Cane River. The best facility in Pool 3 is located in the St. Maurice oxbow just north of Montgomery off Hwy 71. Midway Marina is an outstanding place with some of the best fishing on the Red River. You can launch here and never leave this oxbow and catch some great fish!!!! You also have access to miles of Saline Bayou which feeds this oxbow.

What's my point to all this? Folks don't be affraid of the big bad Red. It's a great place not only to go fishing but it's a wonderful place for taking your family and pleasure boating. A lot of people are actually cruising the Red River and docking up on sand bars and setting up camp for the night or day and just relaxing. You can even tube or ski anytime you want. Under normal conditions and the river is stable, with the lock and dam system, the river is nothing more than a very slow drift. Sometimes you can't even tell if the water is moving at all. So get out and learn this great waterway right here in your own backyard and take advantage of a river that has soooo much to offer.

Rants from the Kingfish

2007-08-06T16:44:55Z

The wife and I went to the Hunter's Expo in Shreveport last weekend to check out new products, pick up some business cards, and hopefully be inspired by some new idea(doesn't take much to inspire this Ashland boy). Was very pleased to see a plethora of vendors from not only all over our great state but from abroad as well. If I'm not badly mistaken, we met some folks from Canada and a very nice Aussie couple as well. Plenty of new products to gaze at(from vinyl siding to turkey calls) as well as many hunting ranches and other various organizations to chat with. There seemed to be quite a few folks there while the wife and I were in attendance, however, many of them were grumbling and some were fighting mad about the some of the problems with the new convention center. Was told afterwards that people had to bring in their parking garage ticket inside the convention center with them so they could them purchase a card(for $3) that would grant them exit from the parking garage. When I was told of this, I thought it was somewhat goofy, but hey that's how things are in the city and let's face it, $3 for parking is a bargain at most venues. The problem apparently did not lie within that scheme itself, the problem was that none of the attendants at the parking garage or in the convention center felt it was necessary to tell any of the patrons about the parking arrangement. As you can imagine, there were some mad folks. The wife and I did not have that problem because I couldn't even find the parking garage to the convention center as the directions from the signs in the downtown area were somewhat ambiguous. I'm not saying that it was a nightmare to find the place and get adequate parking, but the whole process was quite annoying, and I don't on planning another event at the convention center until the good folks there get their collective act together. I know that some of the vendors from the boat show(held earlier in the year) were quite unhappy with the turnout at the new convention center for their event and it was largely blamed on the fact that people didn't want to go thru the hassle. Hopefully a new venue will be found for events such as the Hunter's Expo and The Boat Show until the convention center braintrust can make it an easier and better experience for the vendors and their patrons. In my opinion(and that's what this article is about), the Bossier City Convention Center would be a perfect place for these events as it is somewhat easy to get in and out of, there is other attractions(Pierre Bossier Mall) close to attract other patrons, and you don't have to worry about crime as much as you're right next door to the Bossier City police department. I may not get my wish, but I do have a feeling that the Shreveport Convention Center is going to have to try and shake some things up before event coordinators bring their attractions there.

Random thoughts of the day:

Two sisters from Vivian(can't remember the name of their business) were selling some kind of sauce that is out of this world good. The Sopping Sauce that they were peddling is quite unique and it tempts the palate with its Arby's like consistency and distinctive kick that isn't overpowering. I always wanted to be a food critic, I wonder if other fat guys have thought the same.

Did you know that the Great Horned Owl(which stands about 4 feet high) hoots five times as opposed to the Barred Owl(commonly referred to as the Hoot Owl) which hoots 8 times.

What ever happened to the whippoorwills? Used to hear them all the time as a kid, but rarely hear them now. Are they migrating to other areas of the country or has the timber industry run them off? Or is there another explanation?

Throwing the big one back

2007-07-16T20:50:20Z

As I have stated many times in previous posts or in disclaimers, I am not an avid hunter or fisherman. Heck, I'm not even a casual outdoors sportsman to tell you the truth, but recently I experienced the pain and agony that so many avid outdoorsman face when they have to throw the big one back or fail to track down their harvest(Bunnyhuggers are people too you know) on a hunting expedition. How many times have you been in a local tournament and reeled in what you thought was going to be the clincher only to find out that the fish had to be thrown back because of the slot limit? Or how many times have you shot that one perfect trophy deer at dusk and are unable to locate him? If you've been hunting or fishing for any amount of time, then you know exactly what I'm talking about and the aggravation that accompanies such instances. The problem doesn't get any better when you tell pals about it and they all give you the same look that says " Sure you did(Fill in your name)". Not only did you miss the big one, but now your compadres are questioning your integrity(let's face it, everybody has exaggerated here and there when it comes to the outdoors) and you're faced with a daunting decision. Do I continue to tell folks and possibly incur more outrageous looks or do I just keep the story to myself? I can't answer that question for you, that is for each man to decide himself, but I can tell you that I recently attended a NL baseball game between the Houston Astros and the New York Mets in which I caught a homerun ball off the bat of perennial All-Star Outfielder Carlos Beltran. Amid all the jostling for the aforementioned ball, my heart jumped for joy as I knew that I would have sole possession of the Beltran launched ball and a great souvenir for the weekend trip. As I was grinning from ear to ear knowing that the erstwhile projectile was mine forever, my heart sank as I heard the Astro faithful chanting "Throw it back, throw it back!". This is somewhat customary in major league ballparks, especially if the guy used to play for that team and left them for the greener pastures(money). After a quick (terrified)look from my wife(who actually secured the ball with her rear-end), I heaved the ball back onto the field from which it came and tried to enjoy the rest of the game. You notice that I said "tried to enjoy" as I couldn't get over the fact that I just had a great catch in my hand and I had to throw it back. I do indeed know the pain that all you outdoorsman have had to suffer before when throwing the big one back or not being able to find that trophy deer, now if I could just get all my friends to stop looking at me like I was lying.

Reeves Marine All City Championship

2007-07-13T05:59:01Z

I am sorry to say that the Reeves Marine All City Championship will be no more. This is disapponting not only too me but to alot of fishermen throughout the Shreveport/Bossier area. This was at one time the most prestigiuos tournament of the year and all fishermen in the area looked forward to it. But now it has come to an end. Reeves has decided to put all their effort into the RMTT circuit instead. But make no mistake, the RMTT is without a doubt the best thing to come along in this area ever. But there was something about having just one tournament (the All-City Championship) that you just anticipated and looked forward to. Teams would camp out on the steps of Reeves Marine all night once the tournament registration date was announced. Only the first 100 teams got in this event.

This tournament was not about the money, but the bragging rights you had for one year to be called the Shreveport All-City Champions. No event garnered more coverage than this one. No tournament could even touch this event throughout the 90's. There were teams from all over Northwest Louisiana, East Texas and Southern Arkansas fishing this event.The winning team received an all expense paid trip to the Bassmaster Classic with some spending money as well. The names of you and your partner were placed on the 3 foot trophy that was on display at the Reeves Marine Center. You took great pride in having your team name on this trophy; it really meant something to the local anglers to win this event. The Reeves family did a great job in making this event so special. They fed all team members and most of their wives the night before the tournament. But what else made this tournament so special? The coverage and exposure the winning team got was great! You had TV and radio interviews along with full page coverage of both events in the Shreveport Times. It was two tournaments in one because you had to make the Top 20 in order to come back and compete for the All-City Championship two weeks later. The Top 20 teams received great gift packages from tackle packs, caps, jackets, tote bags ect.... It really was an honor just to make the Top 20. But the last few years I felt that it lost it's luster when it was decided to make it just one event instead of bringing back the Top 20. They were struggling the past couple of years to even have 80 teams. I think that when the format was changed, and the lack of support from key sponsors as well as the media coverage dropped off, it just was not the same. It did not have the same feel or air about it. It became just another tournament. There was really something special about this tournament and I know alot of people are going to miss it.

I just want to say thanks to the entire Reeves Marine family for putting on an event that meant so much to the anglers in the Shreveport/Bossier area. Maybe someday you can bring this event back with the same luster of years gone by.

Red River Feather Dusters

2007-07-11T03:40:42Z

While the title of this post might conjure images of a janitorial crew, it is in fact the newest local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Based in Red River Parish, we are setting our sights on becoming the best new chapter in the state. Our first banquet is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, 2007 beginning at 6pm at the Coushatta Country Club. This will be a family-oriented event with no alcohol. Ladies and children are welcome and encouraged to attend. It is important to note that you don't have to be a turkey hunter to be a part of this great organization which also focuses on preserving hunting rights and wildlife habitat for all species of wild game. For ticket information, you may contact me at radiosportsman@yahoo.com . I hope to see you there!

Remeber back in the day

2007-07-06T16:25:50Z

I can remember back in 1979 as a young man all of 18 years of age, coming to Lousisana on an athletic scholarship to play football and baseball for Northwestern St. University. What an experince that was!!! Playing with players such as Bobby Hebert, Mark Duper, Joe Delaney, Gary Reasons, and former Natchitoches Central great Larry Robinson. It was truely an honor to play with players of such ability.

But, I can also remember my first hunting trip here in Northwest Lousisana. Being from Texas where all the land is leased up, it was eye opening to me that unless you had a fence around your place or had it marked with paint every 50 feet around your proerty line, anyone could hunt anywhere they wanted. Basically Louisiana was an open range state. Now again being from Texas, this was hard for me to comprehend since you would NEVER in your wildest dreams cross another man's fence or property line. Some of my best hunting experinces of my life were during this time period when everyone would and could hunt pretty much anywhere they wanted. I can remember running into some deer hunters from Minnesota who also enjoyed the open range of yesterday and envied the freedom we had here in Louisiana. They looked forward to their La. hunts more than anything because they said they loved the fact that they could scout and roam some of the "best hunting in the south" as they called it. Maybe that's why Louisana has been called the "Sportsman's Paradise".

But now look at what is happening. Our hunting range has shrunk significantly and why? All the great hunting here in La. is now on private property and just like our neighbors to the west (Texas) you can only hunt on a few small wildlife management areas. Even some of these are now being reduced in size ie Sabine Wildlife Management Area. In a certified letter on May 24, 2007 to the LDWF, the Atlanta based company of TimberStar Southwest decided it need to bring a better return to it's investors which means a 6,500 arcre reduction to the Sabine Wildlife Management Area. The state now has 60 days to vacate the land. So how does this affect you and I, well it means that the Sabine WMA has now been cut in half from 13,706 acres to 7,206. This means land that we have been hunting for 20 to 30 years is now not available. But it's not just TimberStar but Boise Cascade has sold off more than 688,000 acres since 2004. Don't get me wrong, I know there are still some good places to hunt, but you either have to know someone or have the deep pockets to join a lease and not everyone here in La. has that. You have to wonder how much longer can Louisiana truely call itself the "Sportsman's Paradise"

Flooding Threat

2007-07-06T05:08:24Z

It seems so ironic that, just last year, many tackle dealers in Louisiana and Texas suffered due to record-low lake levels. Many boat ramps were closed because the water was so low. Now, these dealers are suffering because of too much water. Many reservoirs in Texas have ramps that are closed due to high water levels. Public ramps along the Red River in Shreveport and Bossier City are also closed. Landowners and farmers along the Red are also keeping a wary eye on Lake Texoma. It is dangerously close to spilling over, which would result in a significant and potentially dangerous rise to the already rain-swollen river. If you must launch anywhere along Red River, or any flooded waterway, exercise extreme caution. It is not unusual for large debris, such as mature trees, to be swept away by the tremendous currents spawned by such flooding. Whirlpools along bridge pilings, jetties, and inlets can also pose a grave threat to boaters. Heed all watches and warnings and stay safe!

HB 599 Regarding Muzzleloading Season

2007-07-04T16:25:49Z

You may or may not be aware of it, but there was a bill introduced during the recent Louisiana legislative session which would change the type of approved weapons for use during the muzzleloader season. The bill, House Bill 599 (Waddell), approved the use of pre-1900 patented single-shot centerfire rifles for use during this season, and passed the House by a vote of 98-0. Mississippi passed a similar law a couple of years ago, which had a huge economic impact for the state due to increased license and firearms sales. It also boosted participation in the muzzleloader season, now known as a 'traditional' or 'primitive weapons' season. The most common caliber that meets the requirement is the 45-70 gov't. Now, since it passed by such an overwhelming vote in the House, dealers and hunters across the state just assumed it would fly through the Senate and be quickly signed by the Governor, thereby making it effective in time for the '07 season. Firearms orders in the thousands were placed by gun dealers, with many customers already staking their claims to these low-maintenance 'buffalo guns'. Then, the Senate referred the bill to their Natural Resources committee, which saw fit to add a couple of amendments. The first would change the effective date to 2008, the second would establish the season as two weeks after the regular gun season, rather than the current one week prior and one week after. None of this was to be, however. Remember, this is Louisiana. Having two groups agree on anything is next to impossible. We have more lobbies than a hotel chain. In the end, the Senate chose not to call the bill up for final passage, instead letting it die. According to the helpline assistant I spoke with in Baton Rouge, they do not carry over legislation. This means a new bill would have to be introduced and the subject re-visited. The next regular legislative session is January, 2008. Personally, I feel this would be good for our state and for hunting participation in general. There are arguments to the contrary, however. Some bowhunters feel that this infringes on their pre-gun season opportunities because it will increase the number of folks in the woods with guns for that one-week pre-season window. I am an avid bowhunter myself. There are numerous "Bowhunting Only" leases one may join, allowing one to hunt the entire season with a stick and string, if he so chooses. I contend that we as hunters should not work against each other. There's room for everyone. We should keep our focus on preserving our hunting rights and hunting season without bickering over who gets what. Such in-fighting causes the anti's much happiness. Now, the other argument comes from dealers who have heavy inventory in traditional muzzleloaders and are afraid they will get stuck with old inventory. I can certainly understand their concern, but feel that the sales of the newly-approved guns would more than compensate for their losses. We will be discussing this topic on our next show and will have input from both sides. What do you think? What questions or concerns do you have regarding this? Click the "Comments" tab below and let us hear from you!

Black Lake and Lake Bisteneau Drawdowns

2007-07-03T21:25:52Z

I am ammazed at the LDWF and how they continue to have these lake drawdowns. What do they think they are accomplishing? From an outsiders stand point, it appears that the lakes are in worse shape now than when they started having these draw downs a couple of years ago. They are absolutely doing nothing to help either Black Lake or Lake Bisteneau. Fishing in both of these lakes has really gone down both in numbers and quailty. What do you think?

Hog Wild-Observations from a hog hunting trip

2007-07-03T15:47:02Z

I must preface this article by stating that I am not an avid hunter or outdoorsman by any means or definition. I also must state that I am somewhat ignorant(If you listen to Sports on Call, you already know this) when it comes to the sports of the outdoors, which is why I have named the article "Observations from a hog hunting trip" instead of "Tips on a hog hunting trip." So without further ado, here are some observations from an ignorant outdoorsman on a recent hog hunting escapade.

1. If travelling via boat to the harvest(I use this word to keep the bunny huggers happy) site, make sure you leave enough room in the boat to carry your bounty home. Unfortunately for my hunting partner, he never thought this one through. He ended up leaving a couple of nice new ice chests at the harvest site in lieu of fresh pork. My hunting partner(Ricky Davis) of the day is a great guy, but not exactly a Rhodes Scholar candidate.

2. Not only can hogs run fast, they can swim really fast too. To my amazement, pigs can really scoot through the water. I was told that is because of the fat content of the pig (which directly correlates to buoyancy) and really fast feet.

3. Make sure you know where the bigger hogs are in the bunch. The bigger hogs generally will protect the other hogs in the bunch, so make sure you know where they are in relation to you. Remember, hogs can run really fast(See observation #2), and they do have a tendency to get aggressive when being jacked with and some are armed with tusks that cut like a razor blade.

4. Gut and groom the hog as soon as possible. Young male hogs need to be castrated as quickly as possible to prevent the meat from being tainted. The meat won't kill you(as far as I know), but it doesn't exactly taste right. Also, some people like to eat the hog testicles and I've been told they're really good. They could taste like pumpkin pie for all I know, but I'll never find out.

5. Watch for snakes! I know that these slimy creatures are delicacies to pigs, and for the most part you won't see many snakes around where swine reside, but we spotted a few water moccasins close to the harvest site. A quick strike from one of these dudes and your hunting trip goes from bacon in the pan to you laying in the hospital for a few weeks.

Hope some of these observations can be of use to you or your party next time you go out to snag the swine.

Your Comments Welcome!

2007-07-03T03:00:03Z

Steve Graf and I are both avid outdoorsmen. He is a professional angler and fishing guide, and I work in the hunting and fishing industry. Each of us spend much of our spare time in the woods and on the water in pursuit of fish and game. With that being said, we still don't know everything about the great outdoors! That's where you come in. In the future, you will see blogs from our own network of experts, friends, and guests. Please feel free to submit your comments on any of them. We welcome and encourage your participation. Thanks again for stopping by!

Welcome to the Hook'n Up & Track'n Down Blog Page!

2007-07-01T01:26:09Z

Well, as promised, I've finally gotten a blog page up and running. Chris Boyd, our advisor and technical consultant, will be proud. You'll want to keep an eye here for regular updates from myself, Steve, Chris, and others, including the occasional celebrity. Thanks for visiting the site! Don't forget to drop us a line and tell us what you like or dislike about the show. You can also send us your photos (related to the outdoors, of course) to be posted to our photo album page. That's all for now. Don't forget, take a kid fishing!