whats a good place to start ...deer hunting over there. I have a friend that was asking me about it.. I have driven the area, but not sure about deer hunting there.. Thanks.

which national forest?

I live in far south Texas but the place I go hunting isn't really happening untill after Christmas. I know the national forests .. Sam Houston and such betwwen Houston and dallas are places you can go earlier.. Probably need to stay back from the roads a bit..

MY DAD AND I AND SOME FRIENDS SPENT MANY A WEEKEND BOW HUNTING IN THE DAVEY CROCKETT NATIONAL FOREST ABOUT 7 TO 8 MILES OUT OF A LITTLE TOWN NAMED GROVETON. THAT'S BEEN MANY MOON'S AGO BUT IT WAS FUN AND HUNTING THE TRUE FOREST WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER HUNTER. TRICK IS TO KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE ON NATIONAL FOREST LAND OR PAPER COMPANY LAND. NEVER HUNTED IT DURING RIFLE SEASON, SO BE CAREFUL WHEN DOING THAT.IT'S REAL HUNTING ON HUGE HUGE TRACTS OF LAND. DON'T GET LOST. GOOD LUCK

No matter how deep you go into the NF, climb 30 feet up a tree and you will count 5-10 orange spots with binos! I have only hunted public land until this year (THANK YOU GORDON!!!) and it is truly a pain in the butt. There is just too many people hunting in too small a land space. And before someone says you need to walk deeper into the forest... I usually hump my tree stand, hunt pack and weapon 2-4 miles from the road and intentionally pick heavily thicketed spots.

Sounds like its too busy for spot and stalk.. but I like the kind of hunting where you go out into the woods and just do it..lol

Deer densities in the NF are very low, and they tend to be mostly nocturnal. Most of it is very thick cover that you can't move thru without a pair of nippers, and you certainly can't move thru it quietly, so still hunting or spot and stalk aren't good options.

Remember, you can't hunt within 50 yards of a forestry road or trail -- and that's the bulk of the openings there. There are some pipeline and powerline rights-of-way, but they are popular spots.

You need to buy a climbing tree stand, first thing, and be prepared to go way back in. And don't be surprized if you don't see any deer at all. In fact, expect that.

And don't forget to buy a flak jacket!

try hunting the shnf by boat from lake conroe. nobody is on the lake in nov/dec and the spots you can get to off the lake should be secluded and you shouldnt have problems with human traffic. i never did anyways, buddy of mine took several nice bucks in a couple year span.

Take some time and scout it out. You can also find out from the rangers if and when there have been controlled burns and where areas of clear cut may be that aren't exactly on the beaten path. I loved my time hunting in Davy Crockett and I never shot a thing in 4 years. In my head, it's what I've envisioned real deer hunting to be like. (I often daydream of it, while I sit in my heated blind watching tons of deer walk by. )

That said, I won't go back unless I have to. Too many yahoos that shoot at first movement or don't wear their safety orange. I had a guy walk under my climber stand wearing a buckskin colored jacket.

that one falls in the category of a "cull", IMO

I drive through the Trinity and Houston county part of Davey Crocket Nat. Forest every morning and evening. I know some places where a lot of people hunt and some place where I never see any cars or trucks. I do not hunt Nat. For., but by the looks of it, could be some monster deer in them. If you need special insight for some possible good locations, give me a pm. I dont know about weekends though.

I was suprised on opening weekend when I drove through on sunday evening and saw all of 1 vehicle (but I expect to see that one b/c the guy has parked in the same place for as long as I can remember)...will give it a look this weekend when I make my way back..my trip usually takes me from Diboll to Apple Springs, Over to Kennard on 357 and then on to Crockett.

Hunt there alomost everyday on my days off, the only thing is, i hunt during the week, and go to my lease on the weekends. One other thing, i hunt in a bow only area.

IMO, if you can get the time off during the week, thats the best time to hunt, you have to woods all to your self. I've been hunting the SHNF for 4 seasons now, and can count on one hand the number of hunts that i have not seen deer. Missed a heckuva 8 point in there lastyear. You have to put in your time scouting BAR None!

I have hunted Crockett National Forrest for 25 years. Opening weekend might be alittle crowded but that is about it. Since they went to desinated camping and Ar not many people go anymore. THere is actually alot of deer there. I just got back yesterday and killed a monster 12 point monday. Unfortunitely I do not know how to put pics on here from my Iphone or I would show everyone. Last 4 years I have killed 3 trophies. This week we saw alot of deer. They are definitely in the rut. Saw alot of bucks chasing does.

we hunt the angelina forest up by zavalla and there have been some big deer taken from there. I was up there last weekend and took a big spike and a 140lb hog. There were bunches of folks up there but I went past a washout on my bicycle to the back and had the woods to myself. my son and his buddy camped up there this weekend and have not seen a soul.