What public land do you hunt?

[notku]

I've never won a lottery but haven't tried too hard or sought out a permit. Spoiled with some private land but I have to drive 3 hours to get there, would love to hunt around Kyle/Buda. What public areas do you hunt?

 

[Slow dance]

I usually hit Granger WMA and sometimes head toward San Marcos for dove. The crowds can get thick though. Have you looked into public spots closer to Buda yet?

 

[dennyntx]

I hunt the big thicket national reserve by sour lake tx. Or in Saratoga tx. They give out free permits every year they are a first come first serve basis and different units have different amounts of permits they give out

 

[Riddler]

I’ve hunted a few Texas public spots. Somerville and Granger WMAs gave me decent deer and hog opportunities, and I’ve tagged along on hunts at Sam Houston National Forest too. Crowds can be tricky, but with scouting you’ll find good pockets

 

[Wendell Reich]

I’m spoiled by private land hunts and I just can’t do the crowds. Elk out West? No thanks. Not again. Call me whatever names you like … half of them are probably accurate, but I don’t like sharing my woods with other people.

I never could get over that thought that I’m competing for the animal. Even if I do everything just right, some other guy can shoot it out from under you. I find I’m rushed and I make bad decisions.

It kind of ruins the experience for me.

I used to hunt Ducks on Texoma on public land, just north of Haggerman, but that was late 80’s. Not much competition. I don’t know what it’s like now though.

Draw hunts are a better option. I do put in for a dozen or so drawn hunts every year. Limited competition, better odds.

 

[dennyntx]

I saw 2 people in the big thicket hunting last year the lance rosier unit where I go is 25,000 acres so don't come across many people

 

[MrbigTexan]

Lake Meredith

 

[dvor316]

Lake Meredith

How bad is the crowds there? I have heard it gets lots of pressure.

 

[MrbigTexan]

How bad is the crowds there? I have heard it gets lots of pressure.

It’s like anything, the closer to the trail, the more people will be there. There’s so much land to explore that never gets hunted because it’s pretty rough country. But myself and my friends have had pretty good success the last decade or so

 

[Top 'O Texas]

Lake Meredith

sorry about the emoji, but wth is around there! lake is near bone dry along with nothing in the canadian river. pretty sad what has happened to the lake over the decades