PKnTX

For those like me without their own land or a lease to hunt,
let's talk about public land hunting. Specifics about particular
areas we have experience with preferably.
Myself, I've hunted Caddo Nat. Grasslands in Fannin county
the last 2 deerseasons. It's a fairly high use area, especially early
season and weekends, but later and during the week it's not too
crowded. 2lakes, quite a fewtanks and a couple of creeks
would seem to provide good water source. Despite it's name
there's a good amount of forested bottom lands.
Plenty of campsites,alot of primitive though there are spots
with tables and toilets available. Lake traffic seems low
and I'm told the fishing is good, I plan on finding out for myself soon.
I've not killed a deer here yet though I've seen a few during off
season and usually find sign while I'm out so I'm not yet discouraged.
I've also found hog wallows, always see squirrels and alot of people
duck hunt on the lakes. It is probable I just need more experience
and patience to take a deer, so I'll keep trying until I find another
option. And I am looking.
Anyone else hunt public land in Texas. I'd like to hear about it.

PK

bruce_smith60

Don't hunt public yet.......you need to talk to the land manager/ranger..he/she can give you some direction to where the deer are most often seen. They may have some maps to help as well. Thwe folks I know that hunt public..say....get as far away from the roads as you can. But I would look at camp areas too...some times deer feel safe around people....
Good luck to you this season!

PKnTX

Thanks Bruce,
Yeah the map really helped and I hope to speak to
a ranger/warden over there next time out. I always
hike in a good ways and never have had a problem
with other hunters but at over 16,000 acres it's taking
me a while to get the whole place figured out.
I'd like to try Sam Houston Nat. Forest sometime.
It's quite a bit further from me here in Collin Cty. but
for a 3-4 day trip would probably not be bad.

God bless & good hunting
PK

bruce_smith60

I am guessing you gun hunt only.....but I would recommend going to TexasBowHunter.com and post up the same questions, there are a lot of folks there that hunt public, and may be able to give you some more insite!
Now, if I could just have the deer come in when I'm on stand............

patch51

PK
I have been hunting public lands about 4 or 5 years I guess.I have been hunting,Caddo Grasslands,Aquilla, mostly.I met a guy this year that has been hunting Alabama Creek WMA for years . He is going to show me some of his favorite areas this deer season.I have been in the area but have not hunted there.Public land hunting is tough in Texas but its all I have to hunt on. I have talked to the game warden and rangers at Caddo they both said the best hog hunting was down by Ladonia on cr # 3380 & cr #3395.I have seen some good bucks ar Aquilla but no shot yet.Aquilla is muzzleloader/shotgun/ archery only.
good luck.

PKnTX

Yes Bruce, rifle hunter only at this time. I'm sure there's alot
I could learn from the Texasbowhunter site. Considering
taking up archery if for no other reason than getting in the
woods more and honing skills.

patch51,
Getting some insight from other hunters is great, hope
it leads you to a nice deer. Aquilla and Alabama Creek
look good (from what I can tell on a map) maby I'll get
a chance to try them sometime. Thanks for the tip on
hogs at Caddo. I've driven around the Ladonia area but
never spent any time. Sounds like I should.

PK

ricoace

This is just my personal opinion, leave Sam Houston Alone unless you get some serious inside information from the people who live there and hunt there. The Forest is Huge, alot of Deer, hunting pressure is high, deer go nocturnal fast after the season starts. I have been hunting Texas Public land for ten years now, And Sam Houston is last on my list...Again, this is just my personal opinion.

PKnTX

Thanks for the advice ricoace.
SH Forest size and deer #'s is what
makes it interesting to me. I'd certainly
like to get some guidance from someone
familiar with the area before trying it.
That's not always possible though which
is the main reason for this thread.
What areas do you hunt? Not trying
to infringe, would just like to get first
hand info for myself and others here
that may have limited resources.

Also, it would be great to keep this open
to all types of hunting be it deer, birds or
small game. Anyone can share and it could
help alot of people.

Thanks and God bless
PK

Susquatch

I have been hunting the WMA's in Texas for like 15 years now. I used to hunt an unnamed WMA (had a number, like 207) near Maydell TX for years. Great place, crawling with deer, feral hogs, and (unfortunately) venomous snakes. it was like a 65,000 acre swamp. I LOVED that place, but they closed it some years back. I have hunted Richland, Hunt, Peach Point, and a number of other units. I mostly hunt Sam Houston National Forest nowadays. Takes a while to find the game there, as anywhere with easy access is crawling with 'hunters' during the season. At least on weekends. But, good areas to hunt can be found there. Good luck.

ricoace

I wish I could help you out more...I exclusevily bow hunt and my Favorite spots are the Somerville units, nails and yegu creeks...But those units are Archery ony...I have heard good reports from The richland unit and also Crockett national forest

Good luck choosing one