I've entered the public hunt drawing every year for the last forty years - but have never been drawn! This year I was finally drawn for the hunt at Colorado Bend State Park. I was not impressed by the hunting opportunity - but that's another story,
A fellow hunter assigned to my hunting compartment said that he'd been selected to hunt the Chaparral and he was really pissed because there was NO security in the hunters camping area and while the hunters were out hunting. the camping area was overrun with illegal aliens who stole everything that wasn't nailed down!
I was totally surprised that TPWD would allow this kind of activity to occur - but it turns out that the guy that told me this story is a totally self-absorbed *****.
I'm curious about other peoples experiences at Chaparral (or other public hunt venues).

Hunted GDE in about 10 or 12 years ago. Top notch hunt with top notch people. Hope to be drawn again one day

In a way I find this hard to believe but not out of the realm of possibility.

I've camped at the Chap camp area a couple of times and never had any problems.

If theft really happened there, it was likely during the morning or evening hours when hunters were out in their compartments. And it was likely people with vehicles.

My kids were drawn for a youth hunt at Colorado Bend State Park a few years ago and it was nothing less than rewarding and a good time with lots of shooting opportunities. Staff was helpful and accommodating as well.

Care to elaborate on your experience?


Edit: sounds like the self absorbed ******* may be dissuading you from applying for future hunts at the Chap. You know, less competition..

Hunted their last year management. Excellent experience even though i left without a deer.. Staff was great. The camping area is like any camping area. Its right off the road and easily visible. Could be anyone driving by as well as illegals. I don't know anywhere that would have it "guarded". Its your responsibility to lock your stuff up.

I've hunted the Chapp on 3 diffent occasions And camped onsite everytime. I've yet to have an issue. I even had a generator one time. There's a lock on the gate that you get the combo to everyone is supposed to lock in and out.

I hunted the Chap in 2016. We tent camped in the camping area for 4 or 5 nights. We did not have a problem with theft (illegals). There were several other groups camping there also. No trouble.

Side note: We had 12 points to draw GDE. I wanted to throw that out because I like hearing from others. When we were at the Chap had a guy draw for the first time at nearly 30 points. Another told me it was his first year to apply. I told him not to repeat that. I faintly remember being told the average number of points for drawn hunters on our hunt was 20. Gun Deer Either Sex Hunt