Texas public land hunting
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 |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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! |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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 |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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............ |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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. |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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 |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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.
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RE: Texas public land hunting
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 |
RE: Texas public land hunting
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.
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RE: Texas public land hunting
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 |
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