Over the last few weeks I have received lots of questions from readers regarding both fishing and hunting. It is the prime time of year for both here in Southeast Texas and with some questions received several time I thought I would address some of them.

    Q: Is it true I can only shoot one Mexican whistler? Are they the “Mexican duck” talked about in the regulations book?

    A: A Mexican duck is a mottled type duck that is present along the Rio Grande corridor. “Mexican whistler” is a title given to both the black-bellied whistling duck and the fulvous tree duck, totally different species than the Mexican duck. You can shoot a full limit of either blackbellies or fulvous tree ducks, but only one Mexican duck in the dusky duck aggregate. Shooting one in our part of the state would be rare.

    Q: Do you know how to catch redfish or marsh bass out of grass beds?

    A:  It is challenging but there are lots of fish in the grass beds. Using a ?-ounce weedless gold or bronze spoon slow-rolled through the grass can produce good catches of all of the game fish that are in our grass beds in the marsh. Also a Stanley Ribbitt frog swam across the top can do wonders.

    Q: If I were to get a black bear photo on one of my game cameras should I report it to the state?

    A: Yes, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department would like to know about bear sightings so they can help conserve them and continue their growing database of continued sightings.

    Q: Any truth to the rumor the state is considering making a fishing pier out of the old causeway bridge?

    A: Well, there is a push from concerned local anglers to make that happen. In fact there is a petition going around to make that happen and you can sign it at Causeway Bait & Tackle on Pleasure Island. I am a supporter of this project and would love to see it happen so we can get local anglers good fishing access.

    Q: What do you consider a "trophy" flounder to be?

    A: Honestly, to me a trophy is whatever the angler considers it to be. It might be a first fish or a 16-incher that is really think and has a gnarly looking head. I know what you are asking and that is what size I consider a trophy flounder to be. I will put it in terms similar to deer hunting. A 20-inch flounder is sort of like shooting a buck that would make the Pope & Young record book. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the represent something like 1/2 of one percent of flounder catches in Texas. They are an impressive fish. Then when you get one 24 inches or better you have a true monster and that would be like one that makes the Boone & Crockett books for deer which many whitetail hunters consider the be all, end all. For me, it is all about having fun and if I catch a monster great. If not, as long as I get that "thump" I am happy.

     Q: Settle an argument between my friend and me. Is the pineywoods rooter the native hog to Southeast Texas or is it the regular feral hog?

     A: Interesting question but you are both wrong. No hogs are native to Southeast Texas or anywhere in the United States for that matter. Hogs were initially brought over by Spanish explorers. All free-ranging hogs in the United States are technically “feral hogs” and the long-snouted pineywoods rooter variety talked about by locals is simply a regional variation based on the kind of domestic stock that got loose years ago and started the process.

Chester Moore, Jr. is The News Outdoors Editor. To contact Chester Moore, e-mail him at cmoore@fishgame.com. You can hear him on the radio Fridays from 6-7 p.m. on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI or online at www.klvi.com.