I agree with you Journeyman, not all public land in Texas is for deer hunting, but it is for hunting. Another thing that has not been mentioned are the 4 National Forests in Texas, of which 3 are free to hunt and the Sam Houston NF is part of the Annual Public Hunting Permit land as it has been designated a Wildlife Managment Area and the State and Forest Service have had an intensive land managment program going for a couple of years now aimed at making the land better for the wildlife.

I guess my main point is there is more land available in Texas then you might think. You just have to get out there and scout to find a spot no one else is at.

Just a side note, The biggest deer my lease partner ever killed was from the Sam Houston NF.