The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Biden administration announced recently that schools who teach programs like Hunters Education, archery, or any sort of competitive shooting will have their federal funds from the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) blocked by using a loophole in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, moved to block funding citing such programs violate the BSCA by providing training in the use of “dangerous weapons”. Several Senators, including some who actually voted for the BSCA have voiced concern that the administration “misinterpreted” the legislation and is now using it to go after those who support the Second Amendment. The withholding of federal funds is seen as a backdoor attack on the nation’s hunting and recreational shooting traditions and heritage.

The benefits of being outdoors and participating in such programs have long been recognized by many in both the medical and psychological world. Despite the obvious and known benefits of the outdoors it seems as if more and more kids spend fewer time outdoors, instead, they turn to “screen time” and different social media platforms which have been proven contributors to psychological and other health disorders. Defunding programs designed to make kids lives better, both mentally and physically seems to be counter productive at best but that also seems to be the mantra of the current administration. Tens of thousands of students participate in these school programs every year and there is no evidence that shows they are more likely to do harm with a firearm. In fact the benefits of being in a structured activity help to combat several contributing factors, such as alienation and social isolation that are commonly associated with students who carried out criminal activities including mass shootings. The lessons learned in these various programs go a long way towards helping kids in all aspects of life and it would be a huge disservice to any and all who participate in them. Sadly though this administration is set on eradicating anything that resembles strong, confident individuals who value life in the outdoors and like to share those activities with others. 2024 cannot get here soon enough.

Here at home we have finally gotten a slight reprieve from the brutal winds that plagued us throughout July. The constant howling out of the southwest made life on the open lake a disaster. This past week we got out early and were treated to some calm seas and absolutely gorgeous water color and clarity. The reports from all over the lake have been promising as anglers from the jetty’s to up in the Sabine river have been catching fish on a variety of baits. The early topwater bite has been steady and those choosing live bait fished under a cork or on the bottom have also been catching their fair share of fish. There have been a few birds in the lake over schools of ravenous lady fish so you have to go through the numbers in order to find a keeper. The best redfish have been doing their thing during the hottest part of the day and they show up in random locations so they are terribly hard to predict. If you are willing to burn some gas and go look you may be rewarded with finding an active school blowing holes in the water while eating everything that swims in front of them. With no appreciable amounts of rain in the forecast look for things to get nothing but better.

Please don’t forget the annual OCARC Fishing Tournament this weekend, it’s a yearly tradition that shouldn’t be missed. The tourney starts on Friday at 5pm and the weigh in will be Saturday at 5pm at the City of Orange Boat Ramp. You can register until August 4th at 5pm and the cost is 30.00. There are 12 categories with both fresh and saltwater fish available. You can register at the OCARC on 905 West Park in Orange. For more info or questions please call 409-886-1363