Sports / Columnists

13 - 1:30am

Bullish bovines

JoJo LeMond is best known for his world-class team roping skills. The Andrews cowboy has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo three times as a header. But during the past weekend, LeMond stepped on the world stage in steer roping. He earned $16,662 after winning the tripping title at the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo. LeMond ranks third in the world steer roping title race with regular season earnings of $17,183.

Hoffman: Feild aims to clinch PRCA bareback title 02/21/13 - 1:29am

PBR update

In ideal situations and in not-so-favorable circumstances, world champion Kaycee Feild never loses his drive to spur a rodeo bronc in dramatic fashion. “If you can pull a check on a horse nobody has pulled a check on since he was a colt, it says a lot,” Feild said. “If you can spur a horse better than anybody, you’re going to win the money.”

Hoffman: Sudan roper, partner clinch title 02/14/13 - 1:36am

PBR update

When the title was at stake at the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo, Kory Koontz of Sudan and his partner Brock Hanson knew they were in for a big challenge. They learned they had drawn a difficult steer, an animal that had a reputation for stopping immediately after the head catch had been made. But they also realized they had some wiggle room. They entered the finals with a commanding lead with a two-run time of 9.6, 1.1 seconds ahead of their nearest competitor.

Leschper: Time becomes opponent on final day of duck season 02/10/13 - 1:19am

BAFFIN BAY — On the final day of duck season, hunting is measured in hours and minutes. And the clock is ticking. A looming full moon peeking ominously through faint bands of wispy clouds greets the pair of droning bay boats flanked by the unmistakable mist of salty spray that always hovers distinctly in a steady South Texas breeze during dawn runs.

Hoffman: Smartphone app puts fans in rodeo judges' seats 02/08/13 - 1:38am

Score It! makes PRCA debut at Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Stock Show’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association show thrives on featuring a very traditional look and feel for fans. But this year, during the 117th edition, organizers have brought in a high-riding technological innovation called Score It!, which is part of the Stock Show’s new smartphone application and allows fans to become armchair rodeo judges.

Leschper: Time between hunting seasons perfect for fishing prep 02/03/13 - 1:20am

Hunting frameworks for geese and sandhill cranes end today in these parts, adding to the number of seasons we’ll have to wait until next fall to again enjoy. However, since we’ve also wrapped up deer and waterfowl seasons, and spring turkey season doesn’t begin until the end of March, now is the time to line out your fishing gear for spring and summer. I’m specifically talking about your bass boat, flats craft or offshore brute that likely has sat idle for months.

Hoffman: Sudan roper ranked No. 2 in world 01/31/13 - 1:33am

PBR update

FORT WORTH — As Kory Koontz attempts to earn his 20th team roping berth to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the West Texas cowboy is relying on a new partner. Throughout last year, Koontz, who lives in Sudan, partnered with header Erich Rogers and thrived throughout the Las Vegas NFR. This year, Koontz is partnering with Brock Hanson, an Arizona cowboy who competed in his first National Finals last year, and they also are thriving.

Hoffman: White named to Cowboy Hall of Fame 01/24/13 - 1:31am

PBR update

Every year, a media celebrity who successfully has promoted the western lifestyle is inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in the Fort Worth Stockyards. It’s called the Rick Smith Spirit of Texas Award this year’s honoree was former Dallas Cowboys star defensive tackle Randy White. Over the years, White enthusiastically has competed in celebrity roping and cutting horse events.

LeschperSmaller lakes often hold biggest treasures of fish 01/20/13 - 1:45am

The best-kept secret in the early 1990s in Brownwood surprisingly had nothing to do with high school football, the next man to follow in the legendary footsteps of Gordon Wood or the juicy details of a Lions-Yellowjackets rivalry that Stephenville later would dominate when our family moved there. Instead, it was the 25-acre jewel of a largemouth bass honey hole nestled near the local country club’s golf course that was a paradise for many tight-lipped anglers and which produced the biggest bass I’ve had the pleasure of boating.

Leschper: Plenty of waterfowl opportunities remain, but time is running out 01/13/13 - 1:22am

Panhandle

If you haven’t already had an opportunity to spend a chilly morning in search of waterfowl, there’s still time, but you must act quickly.