Public Hunting Lands in Texas
Walt Heitz
deer
and turkey. It's kind of goofy (in my opinion), that TPWD doesn't tell
you where the public hunting areas are, but I guess they're trying to
keep those which haven't bought the APH away..."
When I went to a TPWD office, they allowed me to look at the books before I
decided if I wanted to purchase them.
Where do you live? If close to Houston, you can look at mine.
Chris Barnes
> Martin wrote:
> > "Grrrr. I should have been more specific. I was
> > thinking mostly deer and turkey.
Deer is not too bad in east Texas. Turkey is pretty much non-existant
on the AP properties (wrong locations).
> It's kind of goofy (in my opinion), that TPWD doesn't tell
> you where the public hunting areas are, but I guess they're trying to
> keep those which haven't bought the APH away..."
>
> When I went to a TPWD office, they allowed me to look at the books
> before I decided if I wanted to purchase them.
Same at the TPWD office here in Bryan. They would let me look at it,
but not take it with me. I think it was more a "we don't have enough to
just pass out to anyone that's interested unless they buy" issue. Made
sense to me.
As I said, it's only $40. It's not like you're spending $1300 on a
lease somewhere that may or may not have what you're looking for.
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Frank Johnson
> lease somewhere that may or may not have what you're looking for.
Exactly. I don't even use mine to it's full potential, but I get one
every year. I think of the Super Combo license and the APH license as
donations to TPWD, and buy them every year even if I don't use 'em.
TPWD and all the other state and national parks agencies can use all
the help they can get.
John Sauer
It seems as if you know a lot about hunting public lands in Texas. I have
disparaged hunting Texas public lands for deer [rifle] because there does
not seem to be many opportunities and I hear terrible stories about
overcrowded conditions. I cannot afford a lease and for the last two years
have chosen to hunt out of state with family [same cost as a lease but at
least I am with people I know and don't have to camp over a feeder].
So the question would be, can you find a quality hunting experience on Texas
public land with reasonable searching?
Thanks,
-John Sauer
Chris Barnes
Depends on what you want to hunt.
* Everything *except* deer, absolutely.
* Deer? Depends on how much work you do to find a good Annual Permit
place....
keltner
consider purchasing my license without getting the $40 APH permit. You make
a valueable point about public deer hunting, the public areas are not in
the greatest deer country available. However, there are deer there and we
have seen them just no shots taken. We use the public mostly for dove,
duck, geese and squirrel hunting. An archer would, I believe have a better
deer hunt because a few more opportunities. Hogs are abundant, quail is
fantastic. I really like the ability to move and hunt different parts of
the state and habitat. So IMHO, the answer to your question below is "yes".
dave
> So the question would be, can you find a quality hunting experience on
Texas
> public land with reasonable searching?
> Thanks,
> -John Sauer
D&A Hale
> John, I have hunted public land in texas for the last 5 years. I dont even
> consider purchasing my license without getting the $40 APH permit. You make
> a valueable point about public deer hunting, the public areas are not in
> the greatest deer country available. However, there are deer there and we
> have seen them just no shots taken. We use the public mostly for dove,
> duck, geese and squirrel hunting. An archer would, I believe have a better
> deer hunt because a few more opportunities. Hogs are abundant, quail is
> fantastic. I really like the ability to move and hunt different parts of
> the state and habitat. So IMHO, the answer to your question below is "yes".
Don't forget pheasant. Although its a long way from the metropolitan areas, the
public hunting for pheasant is pretty good. I was on the land for pheasant
hunting in hansford county in Nov. and the place was full of pheasants.
Which places are you using to hunt quail? Matador?
David
Frank Johnson
have been drawn for deer two years in a row, and I'm pretty sure we'll
get picked again this year. There are many categories to apply for,
and each time you don't get picked in a category, you get points that
add to your probability of getting picked for the next year. From
what I've seen, the Texas drawn hunts are run professionally and
SAFELY. My dad and I had 1500 acres all to ourselves last year.
John Sauer
Reading the other posts to my question it seems that finding quality public
deer hunting in Texas is the issue. I was spoiled by years of hunting in CA,
WA, and OR where public land was plentiful and hunting was good if you put
in the leg work. I think that if I hunt deer in TX this year, it will be
with a bow.
Thanks to all who answered this post as well. Great info.
Best,
-John
altj...@webtv.net
I agree that the draw hunts are good. We have been drawn 2 times in 8
years, haven't drawn in 5 years. Hopefully we have enough preference
points that we will stand a good chance this year. It does seem to me
that more people are applying every year and chances are diminishing.
Generally we hunt the Davy Crockett NF in east Texas. Success rate is
normally about 20% for the area. By picking one area and learning it we
run around 50%. Part of that Forest is a game management area requiring
the annual permit, part is not. I talked to the NF biologist 3 years
ago and he told me the deer density was about the same in both areas.
So from that perspective there is no advantage to buying the permit.
Sam Houston NF is not a choice in that the whole has been designated a
game management area requiring the permit. The Angelina and Sabine NFs
are a mix like the Davy Crockett.