Anyone ever utilized the public hunting fields in North Texas? It looks like there are "check in" stations at some of these fields. Wondering how that process goes and any recommendations on what to do from this board.

I'm not too concerned about crowds because every other dove field I've payed to hunt on had 40-50 hunters.

Pre scout the fields. If all dirt (plowed) and no doves like it's been a couple of the past years, don't waste your time. I've sat in the fields around Gunter and the fields to the east of McKinney north of 380. Never fired a shot.

As mentioned checkbthe fields and see what they actually are. Also if planning on hunting the opener 40-50 is a small number. After opener and Saturday there will be maybe 4-5 people if that.

If it were me I'd head toward Delta county still going to be busy but those fields usually atleast have birds for a week or two

Wish I could hunt the small field off Teal and Stonebrook. Small field covered in sunflowers with lots of power lines for them to sit on. Always saturated with birds up and down Stonebrook.

FirefightAg said:

---

As mentioned checkbthe fields and see what they actually are. Also if planning on hunting the opener 40-50 is a small number. After opener and Saturday there will be maybe 4-5 people if that.

If it were me I'd head toward Delta county still going to be busy but those fields usually atleast have birds for a week or two

---

Cool! I'll check thinks out prior for sure. Opening weekend up here has been a bust since it's so damn hot Sept 1st.

Recent grad that just moved to Dallas, been worried about opportunities to shoot birds up here. Following this thread!

North Dallas?

Lots of pressure limited access, or you can buy your way into birds at 125-200 a day, but hey they will feed you lunch

FirefightAg said:

---

North Dallas?

Lots of pressure limited access, or you can buy your way into birds at 125-200 a day, but hey they will feed you lunch

---

I plan to go 5-6 times before and after work. Don't want to pay that for birds that may not even be there!

Echo some of the negative comments on the public hunting west of Howe. Not much there early in the season. Better in late Sept and early Oct after the first cold front hits and some of the dove from KS & NE make their way down.

Opening weekend you are better off headed west past Mineral Wells, or south toward Taylor/Hutto to areas west and south of College Station.

I believe it was 2 years ago..the fields near Gunter had been completely plowed and nothing was left but a muddy field. I would assume for TPWD to lease out the fields they would atleast require something to be grown/left in the field...

FC12 said:

---

I believe it was 2 years ago..the fields near Gunter had been completely plowed and nothing was left but a muddy field. I would assume for TPWD to lease out the fields they would atleast require something to be grown/left in the field...

---

Scouted Gunter yesterday. All plowed up and nothing but dirt. Didn't see a single dove for the entire drive.

October will certainly be the time to go.