Valerie Lizcano, 12, of Pharr, Texas showing off her first trout, 20 inches. Valerie caught her speck using Gulp Shrimp and popping cork for the first time. She was fishing with her dad off South Padre Island.

I was all prepared to send a glowing account of our West Texas mule deer hunt but, alas and alack, that was not to be. On approximately 22 sections and an estimated 24 hunters at various times during the 17-day season, this was one of only two deer killed. (the other was a 13-point with a 15-inch inside spread).

(click for larger image)

This deer, killed on our property 15-miles off Hwy 90, 6-1/2 miles east of Sanderson, TX, was taken by Forest Canion of Port Lavaca, TX, the opening weekend, and was 10-point with a 17 1/8″ inside spread. Forest has hunted our property a few times in the past and has taken deer in Texas, Mexico, and other states.

We were disappointed that no one was seeing deer on our four sections, but, in talking to a game warden in Terrill Co., this appeared to be the norm. The drought has taken its toll on vegetation and wildlife. Last year there were quail everywhere you stepped. This year we saw ONE LONE BLUETOP and that was it!

During the 17-day hunting period, Forest and his partner saw one more better buck, but were unable to get a shot, and I got a 3-second glimpse of a buck moving up a hill in the mist late in the evening. Did see lots of spikes and forkhorns, so, if we get sufficient rain this coming spring, there should be better hunting in 2012.

This photo by David Litchfield lends an unusual and thrilling perspective to the sheer size of an adult great white shark.

The photo is one of the entries in the 2011 National Geographic Photo Contest.

Lee Armola of Mesquite caught these King Mackerel out on a Gulf Trip. Ribbon fish was used as bait.

Douglas Bryant age 8 of San Antonio shot his first buck in Weesatch TX, while hunting with his dad. It was an 8 pointer killed with a 223.

Braedon shot his second deer, first buck, a 10 pt whitetail while hunting with his dad, Eric.

Hunter Trojacek (6 Years Old) killed his first deer at 225 yards with a .243 rifle.

Mitchell Chambers and Samantha Cooney with a 14.1lb Bass caught out of a 3 acre private tank near Smithville, TX.

Joey Murty caught this 30 inch black tip shark at the Sabine Pass jetties while fishing with mom dad and his two sisters on Sept. 18. It was his biggest fish ever and his first shark.

Ashley Stewart of Portland got her first kill on this hog from 100 yards with a .243 on the 6N Ranch in Webb County. She was guided by her boyfriend Jack Nohavitza.