Can anyone explain the public hunting system in Texas? I understand from their website that there are two classes. One provides for special hunts that you have to win a lottery and the other is for anyone who wants to backpack in and set up camp and hunt for whatever is in season. Do you understand this? If so, please elaborate.

Anyone else feel free to chime in and correct any errors I make here.

You mentioned two different things in your post, both of which are public hunting areas in Texas, but are not the same.

The lottery system you mentioned is for what I believe they call Big Time Texas Hunts, which are generally guided hunts on public property only hunted during the drawn hunts. You pay an entry fee for a drawing and get to go if you win. I'm not sure if you need the public hunting permit for this.

The other way to hunt public lands in Texas is to buy a day permit at federal or state property that allows public hunting , or buy the public hunting permit. The public hunting permit gives you access to all state public hunting lands, some of which require you to have a reservation, others you just show up and fill out a form detailing what day you went, why, and if you took any game.

There are two main sectors of the public hunting program: the Annual Public Hunting (APH) permit, and the drawiing system.

The APH gives you access to the WMA's that are open to hunting, and it costs $48/yr. This link shows the 2006-2007 WMA's that are open to hunting, the seasons, and bag limits of each one:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/table_contents/

There is also the drawing system. This describes the system:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/public_hunting_system/

And this is the link for the 2006-2007 hutns available through drawing:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0112.pdf

The booklet usually comes out toward the end of July, and you can also find it online at that time. There are different deadlines for each hunt.

As a warning, I've been putting in for over 8 years now, and have only been drawn for one archery hunt. It's not guaranteed that you are going to draw.

There are also the Big Time Texas Hunts. They cahnge every year, but they are more like playing the lottery.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/btth/

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also allows hunting on certain properties surrounding reservoirs. You usually have to get one of their permits though, which is typically free. Here's a link to their guide:
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/op/rec/huntguide.pdf

Fort Hood also allows hunting.

The National Wildlife Refuges on the coast (and on Texoma), the National Forests (the sections that aren't part of the APH), the Big Thicket National Preserve, and Amistad and Lake Meredith National Recreation Areas all allow hunting as well.


[This message has been edited by Log (edited 3/22/2007 3:35p).]

Keep in mind, that you are required to have completed a hunters safety course in order to hunt public land.

Ahhhh... public hunting. The one thing that I traded up on when I moved to Kansas.

Thanks.

How is the hunting on these public areas?

We hunt our land for deer and hog, but I'm looking for turkey and exotics.

Anyone recommend an area?

I put in for a quail hunt and on my first year I got drawn. Now I figure it'll be forever until I get that lucky again.

Good luck. You going to have to go through the drawing system to have a chance on the exotics and turkeys. Some of the East Texas APH areas have turkey, but they are pretty widespread.

On a general note, most unregulated public areas in the state get slammed with hunters.