Looking for advice on/reviews of public hunting in Texas. Thinking about getting rid of my deer lease and going this route instead as I don't see many deer on our place and I have limited opportunities to go out there.

TIA!

Corps_Ag12 said:

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Looking for advice on/reviews of public hunting in Texas. Thinking about getting rid of my deer lease and going this route instead as I don't see many deer on our place and I have limited opportunities to go out there.

TIA!

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We need to buy land.

Where are you located? There are few opportunities outside of the draw hunts. If you are close by to one of those areas you could maybe make it work. You will need to put in a lot of time to be successful. Additionally the odds of any larger buck are almost nil.

Texas Hunting Forum has the best spot to find information outside of TPWD.

WestTexAg12 said:

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Corps_Ag12 said:

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Looking for advice on/reviews of public hunting in Texas. Thinking about getting rid of my deer lease and going this route instead as I don't see many deer on our place and I have limited opportunities to go out there.

TIA!

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We need to buy land.

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Corps_Ag12 said:

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Looking for advice on/reviews of public hunting in Texas. Thinking about getting rid of my deer lease and going this route instead as I don't see many deer on our place and I have limited opportunities to go out there.

TIA!

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Unless you are in East Texas, you need to look outside of the state - OK and Ark have a lot more public land available

#1 you need to start bowhunting if you don't already
#2 hunt plublic land in OK. Way more/better options up there.
#3 you can draw an E postcard deer or S Texas Nilgai/whitetail hunt almost every year through TPWD if you bowhunt which will get you (1) 4-10 day hunt per year.

If you don't bowhunt I'd just stick with the lease. I don't have any experience hunting East Texas national forest lands though.

I enjoy public land hunting more than lease hunting by a lot but keep the lease mainly to just have somewhere to hang out and to take my boys.

I have a friend who hunts on Fort Hood near Belton. I think it's very inexpensive. But I am not really sure on the process to get on. Or how many people actually hunt there. I don't think it's very many

Save the money you would spend on and hunting in Texas. Go west and start guided western hunts and have a way better hunting experience for less money.

Gammagrass said:

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I have a friend who hunts on Fort Hood near Belton. I think it's very inexpensive. But I am not really sure on the process to get on. Or how many people actually hunt there. I don't think it's very many

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There was a monster buck killed out there a few years ago.

CT'97 said:

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Save the money you would spend on and hunting in Texas. Go west and start guided western hunts and have a way better hunting experience for less money.

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Tell me how a guided hunt out west is cheaper than public hunting in Texas.

Corps_Ag12 said:

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Looking for advice on/reviews of public hunting in Texas. Thinking about getting rid of my deer lease and going this route instead as I don't see many deer on our place and I have limited opportunities to go out there.

TIA!

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There are a lot of public draw opportunities in Texas - you have to apply for them through the TPWD website before the submission deadlines.

Beyond draws, there are also standby opportunities at various places that you can look into. Also e-postcard opportunities. NOt sure where you are located, more opportunities in some areas of the state than others.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=EDR

While it's not the vast open regions of western states, Texas has a pretty decent amount of public opportunities available. You just have to apply and figure out whatever rules are specific to where you get drawn.

Gammagrass said:

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I have a friend who hunts on Fort Hood near Belton. I think it's very inexpensive. But I am not really sure on the process to get on. Or how many people actually hunt there. I don't think it's very many

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Another option here. Usually there are several more steps involved, more paperwork and you have to register the firearm you will be using to hunt with.

I think most bases give preference to active and reserve first, but are also open to civilians. I think most non military either don't want to go through the effort or don't know all the steps involved.

Ft. Hood, Camp Bullis, if you are way out west Ft. Bliss as well have massive amounts of huntable area.

There are millions of acres of public hunting lands and national forest land. Especially in Texas. I have three P&Y bucks taken on public land. A 130, 140, and 150.... all taken with a bow in December on public lands accessible with out a draw. Simple $40 public hunting lands permit..

Manage expectations and it is enjoyable. I hunted those deer an average of 4 years each of hard hard hunting without seeing anything.

Like you I will likely be pursuing public lands opportunities again soon. And with my son. It will be as much about camping and being out as anything.

Good luck. Best thing to do is go do it. Study maps and talk to forestry personnel etc.

schmellba99 said:

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CT'97 said:

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Save the money you would spend on and hunting in Texas. Go west and start guided western hunts and have a way better hunting experience for less money.

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Tell me how a guided hunt out west is cheaper than public hunting in Texas.

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Well, if you don't bow hunt there's nothing cheaper than hunting Texas public land. Because you'll hardly ever get to hunt.

AgLA06 said:

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schmellba99 said:

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CT'97 said:

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Save the money you would spend on and hunting in Texas. Go west and start guided western hunts and have a way better hunting experience for less money.

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Tell me how a guided hunt out west is cheaper than public hunting in Texas.

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Well, if you don't bow hunt there's nothing cheaper than hunting Texas public land. Because you'll hardly ever get to hunt.

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Not true, but go ahead with that thinking I guess.

I put in for a doe hunt at Caddo a few years ago just because. I was drawn, rifle hunt, no biggie. Plenty of rifle hunting can be done. It takes more work, without a doubt, because you have to apply and/or do standby.

schmellba99 said:

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AgLA06 said:

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schmellba99 said:

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CT'97 said:

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Save the money you would spend on and hunting in Texas. Go west and start guided western hunts and have a way better hunting experience for less money.

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Tell me how a guided hunt out west is cheaper than public hunting in Texas.

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Well, if you don't bow hunt there's nothing cheaper than hunting Texas public land. Because you'll hardly ever get to hunt.

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Not true, but go ahead with that thinking I guess.

I put in for a doe hunt at Caddo a few years ago just because. I was drawn, rifle hunt, no biggie. Plenty of rifle hunting can be done. It takes more work, without a doubt, because you have to apply and/or do standby.

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Hunting one year isn't a great example.