My experience was just from a few years ago. I heard the same thing everyone here is saying about all the orange I would encounter and how unsafe it would be.
But my experience simply wasn't like that at all. Yeah, I ran into other hunters, but everyone was courteous and I never once felt unsafe.
The first year I hunted there, I had a spot scouted out about 1.5 miles from the road, and I was in my tree before it was light on opening morning. I was a pretty nervous that first morning, not knowing what to expect since that was my 1st time ever hunting public land.
As soon as it was light, I had deer all over me, does and some small non-shooter bucks. Ended up getting a doe that morning, and it was the only deer I killed in 2 years out there. I saw LOTS of small non-shooter bucks out there during those 2 years, and only 1 that would've made ARs. But he ran right through my hunting spot before I even had time to react.
The first year, I saw lots of deer and ran into very few hunters. Never once had a moment that made me want to quit hunting there. I found it very enjoyable.
The second year was a little different. We had a brutally dry and hot summer that year, and about the only water in the entire damn forest was Lake Conroe. I hunted closer to the lake, and ended up running into more hunters as a result. Never had a problem with anyone though. You just walk past them and tip your hat as you do. What few people I stopped and talked to were good people.
I never once "had bullets wizzing by me" or "saw a big parade of orange" like I heard I was going to.
It's tough hunting, but that's what public land is all about. If you're completely conditioned to sit over a feeder and expect results, it may not be for you. If you're willing to change your tactics a bit and do some legwork, you can be successful.
And I was just as proud of that doe as any buck I've ever killed.
[This message has been edited by BurrOak (edited 10/7/2013 4:45p).]
