I am a traditional bowhunter, recently retired with plenty of time (finally) to make use of a Type II Permit. Could someone help me decide on where to deer and hog hunt public lands within 100 miles or so of Dallas? I have lived in Rockwall about 5 years, but have not had much time for hunting. Sure would like to spear a couple of deer or hogs before I get too old to pull a bow. Thanks for sharing. Jerry Barnes 214-802-0739.

What's in a name? Do you know my old hunting buddy's name is Jerry Barnes!!!!! talked to him last night....he been murdering the fish back home(Empire,LA)...any hoots Cooper gots lotsa big bucks/hogs roaming around and a lot of hunters to boot,with that being said trying to find an outta the place is hard however the south/west side of the lake are not as bad as around the dam....Pointer and I are due to hunt up there on Saturday if all goes right...Oilers Loop and the Sulphur River Channels are good bets..be prepared to walk them out....acorns hidden away will be the key....also the area around the state park ain't bad...Pointer and I have missed our share of deer round the lake,but public land is supposed to be a challenge...heavily pressured deer without feeders/food plots is truly huntin'..

HR3, I have spent a lot of time south of I-10 in Louisiana the past 25 years or so. Just retired from flying helicopters in the Gulf. However, no relation to the other Jerry.

Thanks for the tips on Cooper Lake. I went down on the SW side of the lake today. Saw 2 deer coming out of the big cotton field and one more just outside of the CR2075 parking area. Good bit of hog activity too. Got rained on a little when the front came through. That road going out was slicker than owl poop. Saw the backend of my Durango through the windshield a couple of times on the way out. I bet that place is 4-wheel only most of the winter. I'll be going back. Good luck on your hunt.

deer are always hangin' around that area....did ya' see anyone else out huntin'...weekdays usually are quiet...trying to lobby for a couple of days off next week myself...those road do get slick as I recall,had an suv without 4-wheel drive and had quite an experinece one day getting from back there...

Gen 27:3

HR3, I only saw one set of vehicle tracks as I went in, no new ones on the way out. Saw nobody the entire time there, and I did a lot of walking.

Tomorrow I will be going back, only this time at the very south area off Hwy 71. Be sure and take your Therma Cell or some mosquito stuff when you go. Boy I love this retirement!

We were there opening weekend and I saw 3 people in 4 days. That was a first. Hunted behind the damn. Saw 3 does and a bobcat. No kill. Partner was hunting North of the east west road in a slough and had a herd of 30 hogs on him at 10:00am Sat. morning, he dropped 2. 80lb sow and 180lb boar. I will post pics. He saw 2 does. That was it.

Hog kill from Cooper opening weekend.

Good job, OPC Crew!

got to hang round the house for a few weeks....anybody heard/been out to Cooper lately?...wife is due to deliver..... won't be any traveling anytime soon