In less than a week, hunters across the Lone Star State will be heading afield with bows in hand and big bucks on their minds. But hunters aren’t the only ones after big bucks.

Over the past 25 years, hunting has changed. Some for the better, some for the worse. The most notable change is how the sport has evolved. What started as a necessity — a way for people to feed their families — grew into a family tradition where parents introduced their kids to the ways of nature and the bonds that form between people at a hunting camp.

In recent decades, though, another change has taken place — hunting has turned into an industry.

Most deer hunters today don’t set up camp at their grandparents’ farm anymore. Many pay thousands of dollars every season to hunt at deer leases, while others shell out even more money to game ranches.

Much like the cattle industry, the deer industry is about controlling the genetics of a herd through containment and breeding. High-fence ranches are common, and breeder conventions that offer high-priced straws containing genetic materials from bucks with more antlers than seems possible are the standard. Game ranches offer prize animals to anybody licensed and willing to pay — some of whom lack even the slightest bit of hunting knowledge.

And while it may sound like I’m complaining, I’m not. I understand the free-market system, and when there’s a demand for a product, it would be stupid not to provide a supply. But the other side of the story is that a lot of everyday people are being priced out of a sport that’s already short on newcomers. It’s almost like the hunting industry is doing to itself what groups like PETA have been trying to do for decades.

But there are options for people who want to hunt without forking over a lot of money. Texas offers public hunting opportunities through both the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Over a million acres of hunting land are open through the TPWD program statewide, and  roughly 35,000 acres of Corps land are available at Central Texas lakes alone.

Whitetail deer archery season opens Saturday. For more information on public hunting in Texas, go to the Centex Outdoors website.

Outdoor rec calendar

The City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department has set the schedule for its fall outdoor recreation programs, and it includes some one-time events as well as continuing activities.

Kayaking takes place Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. through Oct. 27, as well as Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. on Oct. 9 and 23 and Nov. 13 and 27. Pre-registration is required and costs $10 per person per session. The price includes a kayak, life vest and paddle.

The Noon Hike is a guided walk through Cameron Park from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in October. Cost is free and the hikes start at Jacob’s Ladder. This program is designed for people who can hike for an hour with minimal break time.

Ride Cameron Park is an award-winning mountain biking clinic slated for Nov. 6-7. It’s free and designed for riders ages 8 and up. Mountain-bike rides can be scheduled throughout the next few months by calling the Parks and Recreation office. Cost is $10 per person. Helmets and bikes are provided.

The Kids Fishing Derby, an annual event hosted by the City of Waco Park Rangers and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, will be held from 9-11 a.m. Dec. 4 at Buena Vista Park. Cost is free, and the contest is open to kids between ages 4 and 16.

Crappie biting near shad

Navarro Mills Lake Marina owner Brenda Wallen (578-1131) reports that the Central Texas crappie lake is living up to its reputation, with good numbers coming on minnows at the fishing pier in Liberty Hill Park in the mornings.

Boat fishermen are also finding good numbers near the bottom in 16 feet of water around structures. Angler Keith Speer says the key to finding the crappie is locating shad, adding that crappie were nailing his bait as it fell below the shad schooling at the surface.

www.centexoutdoors.com

717-8907