Summer 2018 Texas Land & Lifestyle Trends

The Oracle laser-rangefinding bow sight was designed for bow hunters who understand the importance of minimal movement and properly ranging targets when mere seconds and feet count. The Oracle eliminates aiming between pins by instantly calculating and displaying the exact aiming point for any distance and shot angle. A durable all-aluminum, water resistant housing ensures reliable performance in the field. The Oracle features a glassless sight window to prevent glare, fog or debris from blocking the target. Locking micro adjustment knobs allow for quick and precise tuning while preventing accidental tampering in the field. Second and third axis adjustments allow for extreme fine-tuning. BurrisOptics.com

Located in San Antonio, Texas, Rita Schimpff makes elegant antler displays, sporting art and accessories—from field to table to decor. This is a handsome flying bobwhite quail on oak leaf taxidermy panel accented with acorn and shield. A hand painted wild prairie scene has been added to the flat of the panel.  A taxidermy male quail has been added to make the 3D artwork come alive. This taxidermy panel is in the Black Forest finish. HeritageGameMounts.com

Blake Jones designs and produces handmade luggage right here in the U.S.A. All of their finished products are designed and assembled by hand at their South Texas facility. They have been making this case for over 25 years. Originally designed for ammo, it can be used for just about anything you want to carry. The center compartment measures 10″x10″ and 10 inches deep. It has an inside divider with open pocket. Two outside pockets on each side. Made from heavy 10 oz. bridle leather, with soft glove leather trim. BlakeJonesDesigns.com

Matt Bennett of Fly Geek Custom Flies lives on the outskirts of the Texas Hill Country near the heart of Austin and enjoys tweaking patterns for specific purposes. Whether you want a pattern on a specific hook or maybe to better imitate specific forage found in your area, the customization options are virtually limitless. Matt strives to create flies that make you excited about getting out on the water, and he welcomes any questions or requests. FlyGeek.net

Pheasants, quail, rabbits, doves, grouse and more—these are singular species with grand culinary traditions that offer the cook an unmatched range of flavors. Many cooks fear the fowl, however. Lean and athletic, game birds, rabbits and hares can dry out in a hurry. Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail shows you how to cook small game like a pro. What’s more, every purchase of this book helps our wild habitats. A portion of the proceeds of every book sold will go to help the non-profit conservation efforts of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, which will use the money to restore, maintain and expand habitat for all upland birds. BarnesandNoble.com

At Jon Hart, they offer a comprehensive collection of beautiful, handcrafted firearms accessories, including vinyl-coated canvas/cotton pistol carrying cases, shotgun carrying cases and personalized leather ammo cases. These weather-resistant cases are fleece lined. Their leather is touched by real life and may display stretch marks, scars, brands and insect bites. These elements of life, displayed through their all-natural leather, are what give their items their individuality and character. Their bags tell a story—and that story is carried on through the embossing of your unique personalization. JonHartDesign.com

Texas is widely known for its hunting culture and abundant game populations. However, in perhaps no other state is access to land for hunting so financially based and, therefore, financially limiting to the average person. Federal and state-owned land constitutes less than two percent of the state, with a mere fraction of this allotted to open access hunting. Moreover, it is among the states that have deviated furthest from the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.  The Texas chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice of sportsmen and recreationists in Texas who value wild land and water that support healthy wildlife populations and their habitat, public access and opportunity to that land and water, and the concept of fair chase. BackcountryHunters.org

The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies recounts the history of a sport that dates back 2,000 years. Among the countless fly patterns created over the centuries, these 50 have been carefully chosen to represent the development not only of the flies themselves, but also of fly-fishing techniques—and of rods, lines and reels. These iconic flies also chart the spread of this addictive sport from its modern origins on the chalk streams of southern England and the rivers of Scotland to the U.S., Europe, South America, Australia and now to every country in the world. Filled with profiles of the key characters involved, tying tips, photographs and illustrations of the flies, and detailed explanations of the techniques used to fish them, The History of Fly-Fishing in Fifty Flies is a fascinating companion to the evolution of this fascinating sport. BarnesandNoble.com

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Quail Conservation license plate is now available for order! For every license plate purchased, $22 will go to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation for quail conservation efforts in Texas, including habitat conservation, education and capacity building. A committee of representatives from quail conservation groups will select projects to receive funding. ConservationPlate.org

Located in Houston, Texas, Gordy & Sons Outfitters may not be the last place you look, but it will be the first place you remember. That’s because they don’t offer anything unless it’s both rare and extraordinary. The way they fit and advise you on field use is highly focused on your adventure. Whether you’re looking to be fit for a bespoke gun from Rigby or Purdey, or you have your eye on a fine offering from Blaser, Krieghoff, Browning, Mauser, Sauer, Anschütz, Caesar Guerini, Beretta Premium, Sako, Remington Custom Shop, Dakota Arms, Nesika, Marlin Custom Shop and many others including a full line of guns designed exclusively for women. GordyandSons.com