Words of Advice from an Expert Fishing and Hunting Guide

How to Be a Responsible Hunter and Angler

By Capt. Scott Pierce

As a professional hunting and fishing guide and an individual who enjoys both hobbies in my spare time, I believe in conservation. I also think anyone who loves both outdoor activities should be actively involved in conservation. Whether following sustainable hunting and fishing practices, being eco-conscious, volunteering your time, or donating to a cause, there are many ways to commit to conservation. It's something that I would highly encourage every angler and hunter to do, including those who book my guide services through my charter business, Texas Coastal Adventures, here in Port O’Connor, Texas.

I, for one, regularly donate to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, which is the official non-profit partner of the state’s parks and wildlife department. When you donate to the foundation, you can choose which cause your money goes to. Your options include supporting state parks exclusively or other conservation needs like those addressing native wildlife and endangered species, inland fisheries management, coastal fisheries management, and land conservation acquisitions. You can also support the efforts of game wardens and hunting and conservation educators in the state. If you can’t choose, you can label your donation as general support so that the foundation can decide which conservation cause may need your money the most.

Aside from donating to the state foundation, I am a Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited member. Delta Waterfowl, or The Duck Hunters Organization, is one of the top conservation groups whose mission is to ensure the security of waterfowl hunting for years to come. The organization produces ducks via research and intensive management programs and conserves duck habitats to spur breeding. One of the newest initiatives of our organization is HunteR3 — the R3 standing for recruiting, retaining and reactivating waterfowl hunters in North America. We believe that the more hunters there are, the more stewards we can have for our waterfowl species.

On the other hand, Ducks Unlimited is a non-profit organization devoted to the continental conservation of waterfowl and wetlands. A yearly membership costs 35 USD — this fee goes a long way in helping restore and strengthen habitats and ecosystems for waterfowl and provide food for the species. In return, you get one-year membership benefits — a subscription to the info-packed Ducks Unlimited magazine, members-only access to the org’s website, a membership card, and vest, plus invitations to special events. 

Apart from encouraging outdoor lovers to engage in conservation in their ways, I have several bits of advice to my fellow anglers and hunters, especially those new to either sport and booking the services of a guide much like myself. One piece of advice I would give is always to be prepared. Preparation won’t take away the fun; it can only double your enjoyment. Being prepared out on the water or in the duck blind will guarantee that not only will you have a productive time but also be fishing and hunting for memories of a lifetime.

Another tip I would give: buy the best that you can afford. Your equipment is your investment, so don’t rush into it. Save up for the best equipment, and maximize your investment by learning how to use it. Practice using your fishing gear before you even go on a fishing trip. Read up on it and seek the advice of your fellow anglers. There are now so many fishing forums where you can connect with other anglers who are more than willing to share their expert advice and experiences, so take advantage of those if you have a friend or family member who can teach you even better! The same goes for your hunting gear. Scrimping on a fine piece of equipment can mean a matter of life or death in this situation.

If you’re booking the services of a hunting and fishing guide like myself, I would highly advise you to be on time. Not only is it a way to show your respect, but it’s also for you to maximize what you paid for. Being just a few minutes late can affect your chances of landing a fish even if you're in a perfect fishing spot — so wouldn’t you want to use all the time you paid for to better your chances? 

And while we’re on the topic of booking guides, another thing I want to remind our fellow anglers and hunters — please listen to your guide. He knows what he’s talking about — he has long-term knowledge of the environment you’re in and the conditions required to get the best results. Why book a professional guide if you won’t let him do the actual guiding? If you book a hunting and fishing trip with me, I assure you that I will do everything within my power to give you a pleasant, safe, and productive experience that you will look back on with fondness for years to come. That’s what a good guide aims for, after all.

So if you’re in Port O’Connor, hit me up for a day of hunting or fishing — or why not both, if you’re up for it. For anglers, we wade-fish the flats here and target all the hungry fish species found on the Gulf Coast — redfish, sea trout, southern flounder, and more. We’ll try fly and light tackle fishing, whichever gets your target fish to bite. I will provide you with the rod, reel, lure, and tackle, so you don’t need to bring your own. Just bring your fishing license, some snacks, sun protection, your grit, and a sense of adventure.

We can also arrange a trip for you if you're into duck hunting. We offer wetland/inland hunting and bay hunting. We provide the guns, so all you need to provide are the necessary licenses and tags for ducks, along with steel duck hunting shots in sizes 2 and 4.

For either activity, I would advise bringing a raincoat, a pair of waders, gloves, a hat (a camo hat for hunting), a face mask, and sunscreen. 

If you need more information, it’s all up on our website. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have more questions. I hope to see you soon here in the best-kept secret of the Gulf Coast.