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NEW DIRECTOR — After 13 years as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s whitetailed deer program leader, Alan Cain was recently promoted to Big Game Program Director. Courtesy Photo
CAIN TO TAKE OVER REINS AS TPWD BIG GAME PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Alan Cain recently was promoted to Big Game Program Director with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Effective July 1, he takes over the position vacated by TPWD veteran Mitch Lockwood, who retired in April.
Cain, 52, has been the department’s white-tailed deer program leader since 2010. He says he looks forward to taking his career to the next level.
“It’s an incredible honor to have the opportunity to serve as the next Big Game Program Director and work alongside a talented team of wildlife biologists to manage and conserve our native big game species in Texas,” Cain said. “I’ve had a passion for big game hunting and big game animals since my childhood and it’s important to me to ensure we have healthy, sustainable populations of white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, alligators and javelina for Texans to enjoy. I want people to be able to have the same opportunities I’ve had to interact with and appreciate these critters.”
PANHANDLE, ROLLING PLAINS BENEFIT FROM RAINS
The big rains that caused serious flooding issues in May across parts of the Texas Panhandle brought some badly needed moisture to the drought-stricken landscape. The wildlife habitat there is currently in excellent shape because of it, according to Alan Cain, TPWD big game program director.
Cain recently passed through the Panhandle while traveling to Colorado on vacation. He says the landscape north of Sweetwater all through the Panhandle is in really good shape.
“It’s amazing how green it is compared to the last few years,” Cain said.
Cain says things are looking good across Hill Country, eastern Texas, South Texas and the Trans-Pecos, as well.
“A lot of the state has gotten rain that should benefit all sorts of wildlife,” Cain said. “We’re already hearing some reports of excellent antler development on whitetail bucks.”
BASS PRO ALTON JONES AND WIFE IN CAR WRECK
Lorena bass bass pro Alton Jones and his wife, Jimmye Sue, are currently recovering after being involved in an auto accident while traveling to Lake St. Clair in Detroit Michigan for a MLF Bass Pro Tour event.
According to a MLF press release, the accident happened on June 21 as the couple was traveling south from Saginaw Bay, Michigan to St. Clair. Their truck overturned and Jones’ Ranger bass boat was ejected from the trailer.
The report says Alton was not injured but did sustain some “bumps and bruises.” However, his wife suffered a broken sternum and other minor injuries. Jones told MLF his truck was totaled and his boat was severely damaged.
LOCKE REELS IN SKEETER OWNERS WIN
Jeremy Locke of Pineville, Louisiana topped a field of more than 1,750 anglers to win The 29th Annual Skeeter Owners Tournament recently hosted by Bass Champs at Lake Fork. Locke weighed in the heaviest bass of the event — a 9.71 pounder — during the noon hour of the opening round. The fish earned him a new Skeeter FXR21 bass boat and $775 cash.
Anglers weighed in 14 other bass at the top end of the lake’s 16-24 inch slot limit. Kellis Higginbotham of Caledonia took second place overall with a 9.57 pounder. Megan Wade of Garland won the Ladies Division with a 9.09 pounder.
ORANGE SETS ANOTHER BASS RECORD
The folks around Orange have a rich history of rallying around Bassmaster when the popular tournament organization brings a big league Elite Series event to town. In early June, the southeast Texas town set a new spectator attendance record for Elite Series tournaments as 42,448 people attended daily events associated with the Sabine River derby, including takeoffs, weigh-ins, an outdoors expo, the Orange County River Festival and nightly concerts.
Previous Elite events in Orange have also drawn record-breaking crowds. In four previous visits, the crowds totaled more than 136,000. In fact, Orange currently holds five of the Top 10 highest-attended Elite Series events of all time, according to Emily Harley, BASS communications manager.
“We are very proud that we set a record once again in attendance for the Bassmaster Elite Series on the Sabine,” said Ida Schossow, president of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event. “This community never ceases to amaze me! They love the event, and they continue to show up to support B.A.S.S. and the anglers. Our relationship over the past 10 years with B.A.S.S has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to bringing future events to Orange County.”
MLF ROOKIE FRANKENS NETS 4TH AT POTOMAC
Texas bass pro Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan was the lone Texan among the final Top 10 in the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational held June 17-19 on the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland. Frankens weighed in 46-9 over three days to log a fourthplace finish. He earned an $18,000 pay day. It is Frankens best finish in five events as a rookie on the big league tour.