Lone Star Outdoor News celebrates 10 years, 240 issues

In August of 2004, Lone Star Outdoor News printed its first issue. Now, 240 issues later over the span of only a decade, the issues are still coming, along with the online version, e-newsletters and a social media presence.

“Our objective was to provide timely hunting and fishing journalism to Texans, something we recognized more than a decade ago as lacking,” said Founder David J. Sams. “That mission will always remain.”

In the past 10 years, Lone Star Outdoor News has covered the most important stories in Texas hunting and fishing.

Some of the highlights of the past 10 years include:

• Then Vice President Dick Cheney’s quail hunting accident

• The new world-record largemouth bass caught in Japan, along with several close calls and near-records that didn’t pan out

• The decline of bobwhite quail across Texas, the split of the state’s quail conservation organizations toward a more grassroots effort and the hopeful return of Texas quail populations with recent rains

• The scientific improvements to managing white-tailed deer, along with the rise of scores for Texas bucks, including passing the 300-, 400-, and 500-inch marks

• The first large-scale eradication of a private deer herd by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

• Multiple state-record freshwater and saltwater fish

• Untimely deaths of some of the most iconic Texas outdoorsmen and women, along with several state game wardens

The editors at Lone Star Outdoor News have always strived for balance— from having equal coverage of freshwater and saltwater fishing stories in each issue to covering both sides of emotional issues, LSON has reported on both sides fairly and accurately. Our model works because our readers tell us it works. And it’s been a lot of fun.

“It began a lot more hand’s on for us, but it’s been fun the whole time,” said Executive Editor Craig Nyhus. “We drove all across the state delivering papers, and after writing stories or taking photos, we would be back in the office stuffing envelopes and licking stamps. We met and talked with so many people it really helped direct us in regards to what the readers wanted to know. We definitely couldn’t have done it without the support from our subscribers, advertisers and sponsors, and especially our readers in Texas and across the country.”

The next decade will bring more news and more challenges to hunters, fishermen, state officials, legislators, fishing and hunting product manufacturers and retailers, and LSON will be right there bringing you the news.

“We’re even more excited about informing Texans about all of these challenges over the next decade,” Sams said. “Our state is growing at an incredible rate and people need to know where the opportunities are when it comes to hunting and fishing.

“Here at LSON, are ready to provide that information for another 10 years.”