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