Top of the Food Chain

Most days fishermen are satisfied with catching numbers of average size fish but there are times when landing a trophy becomes top priority.  I'm certainly no different.  I simply love to catch fish but wont pass up the opportunity to try and tackle a monster.  At the top of the food chain is such a beast...the alligator gar.  In fresh water, no other fish can match up to its size and strength. Shamefully, this predator has been misunderstood for years.  Treated as trash, they have been shot on sight, thrown on the bank, jaws broken, and blamed for the depletion of game fish.  Stories have even circulated over the many years of their existence that they have even eaten small children.  (How our imagination can run wild)  Sure, these big fish are predators and they do have to eat fish and even small game to survive but, never has it been proven that they cause as much destruction as the legend labeled them.  I am marveled at their size and how long they have evolved.  They like their namesake the alligator, are some of our oldest living species.  Growing to weigh as much as 300lbs, they can honestly be considered the kings of the freshwater trophies.

My quest to shoot a show and land one of these giants started on the Trinity River in East Texas with legendary gar guide Kirk Kirkland.  This native Texan has fished for alligator gar since childhood and has earned the reputation of being the best.  My fishing partner "Uncle" Bill Fondren and cameraman Aric Hein were excited to get the chance to see an alligator gar up close.  Needless to say, so was I.  I didnt want to kill one with a bow but actually feel what it would be like to actually catch one on rod and reel, then release it to fight again.

My anticipation was high on this particular morning and just the boat ride down this ancient looking river made my expectations of actually getting to see an alligator gar up close and personal seem guaranteed.

The setup was actually simple.  4 heavy action Shakespeare Powerods armed with Penn 760 Slammer spinning reels, 180lb Berkley Big Game braided line, and baited with 1-2lb cut bait. Short casts were all thats needed in this small river and the rods were placed on the bank in holders and the line fed through line alarms affixed to the holders to alert us when a fish was taking the bait.  We positioned our G3 on the opposite bank down stream and waited for one of the colored lights from Kirk's hand held transmitter to start chirping. "This wont take long" and no sooner than those word came from Kirk's mouth the alarm sounded.  We meandered are way back upstream to the rod and pulled it from the holder, then slowly followed the big fish as it zig-zagged its way undaunted by our presence.  As I waited for the sign from Kirk, I remember thinking, "Is this really happening?"  "Am I actually about to catch one of these bruiser fish?"  Then like being woke from a dream... "SET THE HOOK"!!!  Now, Im not intelligent enough to put into words what I felt next.  The power of this fish was incredible. With all due respect to the blue cat and the sturgeon, they hail in comparison to how the alligator gar fight.  I worked and fought this fish for a good while and finally got it to the surface.  Never before had I seen "Uncle" Bill and Aric so wide-eyed.  It looked enormous.  As I worked it along side the boat, Kirk lassoed the fish with nothing more than a nylon rope causing a second battle to begin.  Thrashing and jumping like nothing I've seen, he finally got the fish over the side of the boat and in.  It was then we could actually see this enormous specimen up close.  

Now the process began of measuring, calculating weight, tagging, and documenting all information.  Each fish Kirk catches is logged for future information and released.  Several times he has caught tagged fish and he can see how the fish has progressed over the years. 

All told, we landed 5 fish.  Two in the 40lb range, 1 near 80lbs, 1 at 110lbs, and the final fish (pictured) at a whopping 154lbs! All before 1pm! 

If you too like adventure and want to experience the fishing trip of a lifetime, then I strongly suggest trying this.  Kirk Kirkland is an awesome guide and his trips are truly memorable.  Be sure and catch this trip on the G3 Sportsman television series in January 2009.  You'll truly be impressed and maybe those of you with a low opinion of alligator gar will get a better understanding of how these predators deserve a chance to live and thrive in the waters they roam.  Just as they have for a million years. For more information about Kirk Kirkland, simply go to www.texasfishingguides.org/kirkland

Scott Turnage/Host/G3 Sportsman 

Turkey Hunting Never Sounded So Good

Most of us (for what ever reason) can find something to complain about. Especially when it comes to turkey hunting. Its is no doubt one of the most frustrating sports I've ever had to deal with because if anything can go wrong...it will. I'm sure many times I felt jinxed or just unlucky when it came to baggin an old long beard and I'm pretty certain I did my fair share of belly aching. Well, not anymore. Never had I just appreciated the sounds of the hunt. Hearing a tom on the roost just gobbling his head off, hens clucking, birds singing, or just the wind whistling through the blind. All of these sounds I just took for granted and (for the most part) wasnt too concerned with other than just for location purposes for my targeted bird... until I met Halye. Born into this world a healthy wide eyed bundle of energy that on the outside appeared to be normal, until her parents realized she didnt respond to voices or sounds. You can only imagine the anguish a parent would have thinking their child would go through life never hearing but for Halye, she continued to be as happy as ever, never realizing what she was missing. Anyways, by age 5 Halye had learned to communicate with sign language and gestures and for Hayle, she never let it slow her down. Shortly there after granddad Mike (pictured) was watching a 60 Minutes telecast on Cochlear Implant surgery. A new procedure that could actually allow Halye to pick up sounds. Wanting his little hunting buddy to live a normal life, he scheduled an appointment and she was an ideal candidate. The surgery was a success and Halye could actually for the first time in her life hear sounds and voices! Now 13, Halye spends every hunting season with her granddad. A couple of months ago I heared of this story and was honored when they accepted the invitation to shoot a show this past turkey season. Halye had never bagged a turkey and she was really excited to have her first video taped. We acquired the services of our own G3 Field Staffer Rick Lowry and land owner Mark Smith of Bolivar, MO to help set up the hunt and launched out on a rainy April morning. In the blind I watched Halye get so excited when hearing gobbles and commenting on the guys calling just outside. These are all sounds that I use to take for granted. The birds seemed to cooperate somewhat and after a few hours we finally got a group of jakes within range. With the guidance of granddad, Halye squeezed the trigger and bagged her first turkey. Im not sure who was more excited. We were all so proud of her and I have the upmost admiration of this young lady for never once complaining of her short comings. Its amazing how far we've come with science and technology that just a few short years ago Halye would still not be able to hear all that we take for granted. Mike and Halye make a great team and are wonderful people. We should all have someone care for us as Mike does for his little girl. She has her whole life ahead of her now and should live as normally as any of us thanks to Cochlear Implants and a granddad that wouldnt give up his fight to provide for her the best possible care.
You'll be able to see Halye's story and hunt this fall on the G3 Sportsman on FSN Midwest, FSN South, and the Sportsman Channel.

Scott Turnage/Host/G3 Sportsman TV

Island Swampers

I recently got the opportunity to hunt for the elusive swamp rabbit. Also called "cane cutters," these rabbits are a larger version of the common cottontail bunnies we are familiar with. Swampers are commonly found in river bottoms, swamps, and even islands. Their size ranges from 4-6 pounds and can give a beagle quite the challenge.
My good friend Jeff Baugus (Pickwick, TN) invited me to Tennessee recently to go with him and his trusty beagles for an island jumping swamper hunt up and down the Tennessee river.
On a snowy cold February morning, we loaded our G3 with his beagles and ran down the Tennessee river to a large island. Island? You bet. When the river floods the bottoms, swamp rabbits will cling to downed trees or debris and take root on islands. Now you would think there wouldn't be much sport in hunting anything on an island but quite the contrary when it comes to swampers. These big bunnies can make any beagle and hunter scratch his head when they leave after several good runs without as much as getting a shot. They are very smart and have keen eyesight. Also, a swamp rabbit isnt afraid to hit the water to lose the beagles or even swim to an adjacent island. I know, it happened to us more than once. We did manage to harvest a couple of these big bunnies and it was just as exciting getting to see one coming toward me as a big ole gobbler.
It was a great time and if you want to add some excitement to rabbit hunting or want to give your own beagles a work out, then try chasing swamp rabbits. A more worthy opponent you'll not find in a while.
We'll be airing this episode soon on the G3 Sportsman and look forward to our next big adventure. Until next time, we'll see you.

Scott Turnage, Host/G3 Sportsman

German Retriever...A New Breed?

As the story of this amazing dog begins to circulate in the outdoor industry I thought I should provide people with the "how the story actually began version", of the German Shepherd that retrieves ducks.
About a year and a half ago my daughter gave me this dog as an eight week old pup. She knows I have always liked black German shepherds so she located on and brought it to my house. She insist this dog came from a littler of black and tan GSD's, that were advertised as German Shepherds.
Last fall I told my doubting brothers I thought he was smart enough to learn the art of waterfowl retrieval even though he wasn't actually a waterfowl dog. As you might expect, they of course fell backwards out of their chairs laughing. When they finally picked themselves up off the floor they said; "there is no way that dog is ever going to retrieve even a single duck".
Now everyone knows I love a challenge, especially when it comes from my older brothers, but I was beginning to wonder if I had bitten off a bit more than I could chew this time, since I have never trained a retriever of any kind. Determination took over and I worked with my dog Rocket throughout the summer, just taking it one slow step at a time. When duck season arrived this fall I nervously ventured out to put his training to the real test. .
When the first duck hit the water he was out of the blind and on him with a classic retrieve that would have made any black lab in the country jealous with envy. As a matter of fact he is now running 100% on retrieves. Not only has he picked up every duck he's been asked to, but he stepped it up a notch with a double retrieve on Canada geese, getting the wounded one first mind you!
The question often comes up is he 100% German Shepherd? I don't know the answer to that because my daughter didn't get the papers on him at the time and I have no way of locating the breeders. He is obviously not a retriever but I don't tell him that, because he certainly thinks that he is.

Steve Matt/G3 Sportsman Field Staff

Bullwinkle Isnt So Friendly

It wasn't the bears that almost did me in this time, as it has been in years past. It was a bull moose that almost cleaned my clock this year. To those of you who actually know me, you are quite aware that I will do almost anything to get that quote; "one perfect photo". This years Alaska trip was going along very smoothly and although I got some great bear shots, we were never really in "extreme danger” from the brown bears this time. Each year I learn just a bit more about bears, I take a bigger gun and I am way more careful than I was the year before when it comes to hanging out with my big brown brothers.  I have recently learned there is another creature out there who has my number and wants to do me great bodily harm. During the trip I had the opportunity to get some up-close and personal photos of a big bull moose feeding on some leaves, so I jumped on it as usual. He really didn't seem to care about my presence so I slowly crept to within 20 yards and started banging away with my camera. The light was extremely poor at dusk so I set up my trusty tripod and I began working the settings on my camera from what I thought was a hidden location in a wooded ditch, that's when things went to Hell on me very quickly. He turned around and immediately charged at full speed once he figured out I was there. I dove out of the way just in time (screaming, losing my hat and breaking my tripod in my attempt to flee like scared cat). Fellow team member Aric Hein was shooting video from a much farther, but not necessarily safer distance at the same time. I figured he probably got some great video of this interesting incident, but when we reviewed the videotape all you can really see at the moment of the charge is Aric's camera pointing at the ground and a ton of turf going by under his feet. It seems, at that exact moment in time he was also fleeing for his life as well. Be sure to watch the G3 Sportsman this coming year and you'll get a look at one scared and stupid hillbilly right before he takes off running for the Ozarks just as fast as his little legs can carry him.

Steve Matt/G3 Sportsman Field Staff

Let the Hunting Season Begin

When I was growing up in the Missouri Bootheel, I would get so pumped for September 1st. This was opening day for doves and the start of the hunting season. It was a great feeling to dig out my camo and start scouting for a field to hunt.
Being from an agricultural area we never had a shortage of birds, even if none of the migratory doves had ventured into our area. Milo, corn, and even rice fields are abundant there so we always had a great place to hunt. I can remember the skies darkening with birds as they started dive-bombing over us and the fun we had giving each other a hard time missing more than we hit.
I've sinced moved from there many years ago and for whatever reason didnt return to my old stomping grounds to dove hunt for nearly 20 years...that is until last year. I joined my brother Van and cousins Duke and Richard in a fresh cut corn field (owned by another cousin Danny) near the tiny rural town of Wardell. It was fun re-living old memories in the field and yes, we made fun of each other just like when we were kids. It was so much fun I decided then to make this a yearly tradition.
This brings us to the present and as you can see in the picture above, we had yet another successful day. We've now added a new generation of Turnage hunters to our clan with Richards son Jordan. A great kid, he too has the fire in his eyes we once had and was a good sport to put up with a bunch of old time dove hunters. We've also gained a retriever (Dakota) to now chase after our downed birds and to give our tired old legs a break.
Its good to get to go back and make memories in the places of my youth. The places where I learned to hunt and fish. My family still lives there and its always good to get to spend time with them. Im lucky to be able to travel anywhere Id like in order to shoot shows but none are more special than going back home. Back to the Bootheel...back with family.

Scott Turnage/Host/G3 Sportsman

"Mississippi Blues"

On a muggy summer evening not long ago, I traveled to downtown St. Louis for a night of fun and excitement. No, I didnt go to a Cardinal game, didnt do the party scene, and didnt go to a casino. I stayed up late, spent time with a new friend, and did something Id not done in a long time. I went catfishing! Oh yeah, with the lights of the city beaming down on us and with the sounds of planes, trains, automobiles, and the occasional towboat in the distance, Captain Ron Burr of Two Rivers Guide Service took me on a very unusual fishing trip.
We launched out right at dark and started this journey by catching fresh bait. Next, we dropped anchor near one of the many grain mills that line the river bank and commenced casting out lines. Didnt take long for a nice size blue cat to start sampling our entree' of "mooneye shad" that Ron had attached to a huge circle hook. Then in a blink, wham, the battle began. Ok, now picture this, we are anchored off in swift water, trying to pull a monster catfish upstream, in a big comfortable G3 2072, at night, and with the glow of the St. Louis Arch as our backdrop. How cool was that? Seriously, Im all about doing different things and I especially love to do what I did growing up in the old Bootheel of MO. This trip really took me back to my roots and re-introduced me to one of our old time favorite fish to catch...the catfish. There are more glamorous fish to catch nowadays but most of us grew up catching and eating catfish and for whatever reason just drifted away from this species. What a rush it was to battle this giant of the deep. Yeah, we got some slime on us and yeah its a little nasty having to cut up bait but hey, its all worth it once that first bruiser gets hooked on the end of your line. So how about we escape from the norm and do something different, lets go catfishing...again.
Two Rivers Guide Service is located in Troy, MO and in close proximity to St. Louis. Ron Burr will guide you on this most memorable trip and will provide you with all you need. His contact number is 636-236-2877 and remember to bring an appetite for fun and the willingness to be excited.
Look for Capt Ron and me sometime this early fall on the G3 Sportsman.

Scott Turnage/Host/G3 Sportsman

A Fishing Legend Joins The Team

We are proud to announce that Lonnie Stanley is the newest member of the G3 Sportsman Team. A legend in the fishing industry, Lonnie brings a wealth of experience and fishing know-how to our show. For over 20 years theYamaha/Skeeter pro from Texas was a five time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, MegaBucks Champion, and show co- host on ESPN's Sportsmans Challenge, all while becoming a household name as President of the Stanley Jig Company. Talk about having a lot on your plate!
Already we have begun shooting several episodes with Lonnie and his tactics and methods will be a useful tool for all who want become a better fisherman.
Starting from scratch (literally) Lonnie started making jigs in his garage years ago to help supplement his income to further his professional fishing career. The company has now grown to be one of the top lure manufacturers in the country. Most known for jigs but new baits such as the wedgetail, or the patented ribbit frog, and the Stanley spinnerbaits are fast becoming some of the most popular in the fishing world.
A humble man, Lonnie is very approachable and always a favorite at seminars and shows. We look forward to the possibilities and blessed to have such a great man grace our show.

Scott Turnage
Host/G3 Sportsman TV