I am planning a kayaking trip on the Brazos River at the end of September (29-30).

Can I legally hunt(Waterfowl[Teal Season]) from a sandbar or island in the river? I have heard people talk about it, but I don't know anything about the rules, regulations, locations, etc....

Also, what are the rules on Hogs? Could I hunt hogs in the streambed?

Any info is GREATLY appreciated!!!

Technically your "projectile" can't cross any property lines or it's trespass. But if a tree falls in the woods....,

Yes, but a few laws apply that make it difficult. And if your on a section under Brazos river authority control, you can't. If in a portion within a municipality/city/town that has an ordnance against discharging a firearm or similar, you can't. Your entrance or take out point might have a rule or ordinance against possession of firearms. If your shot crosses the public bank onto private it's illegal. If your game falls or runs beyond that boundary you have to choose between tresspass or waste of game. It is common for the adjacent landowners to call the GW or other law enforcement and any embeleshment will be your word against theirs. There are known problem landowners and known outfitters that lease land on rivers that will make sure you have a bad day. If you shoot a hog on the river, but a landowner accuses you of shooting it on his property from the river, your probably going to get a ticket to let the judge sort it out. This is like one of those spotlighting hogs situations where it is advised to call the area game warden to let them know because they will get calls accusing the op of spotlighting deer. Same kind of advice, it would be smart to call the local game warden to verify you can hunt at the location you want to hunt, to let him know you are aware of the legal restrictions, so he can let you know of any problem areas, etc. If he is called or if he checks up on you, it will make the outcome of his visit much more enjoyable.

Sec. 62.0061. HUNTING ON OR OVER CERTAIN SUBMERGED LAND
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PW/htm/PW.62.htm#62.0061

Sec. 62.0121. DISCHARGE OF FIREARM ACROSS PROPERTY LINE
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PW/htm/PW.62.htm#62.0121

Stream Navigation Law - Criminal Trespass http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/water_issues/trespass.phtml

Homeyfucious say...

Truer words have never been spoken....especially on the Braz and Nav. River hunting ain't what it used to be. Not worth the hassle anymore

Can't be waste of game it's not a game animal correct?

The question posted in the migratory forum so the answer was meant to be taken in this context "Can I legally hunt(Waterfowl[Teal Season])"

"Additionally, if the animal or bird escapes to or falls on private property adjacent to the water, the hunter is faced with a dilemma: Retrieve the animal and risk committing the offense of trespass, or stay within the area open to the public and risk committing the offense of waste of game or failure to retrieve."

For a feral hog. It is an exotic animal. He would just not be able to retrieve it. Know again as in the earlier concensus with homey, an upset landowner, adjacent hunting lease member, or outfitter will likely accuse you of shooting it on private property from the river, trespassed to shoot it, illegally dumping the carcass, your bullets skipped on the water and rock over the property line and endangered them, and so on. Local judge will likely side with local landowner.

Retrieval of Game: No person may pursue a wounded wildlife resource across a property line without the consent of landowner of the property where the wildlife resource has fled. Under the trespass provisions of the Penal Code, a person on a property without the permission of the landowner is subject to arrest.

And in your defense with trouble landowners...again word against word. Keep a camera rolling. But it would still be best to avoid such areas IMHO.
Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, or Anglers (Sportsmen's Rights Act) is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2000 and/or 180 days in jail.

I wouldnt have high expectations for the hunting in that mud hole but if its legal then go for it. Nothing worse than rich SOBs trying to control public property that they dont even own.

I hunted it years ago an I ran into a man hog/deer hunting with his 7mm mag. We were duck hunting. After the hunt I ran into him and he said he was watching us through his scope so that he knew where we were and he would shoot the deer/hog as they crossed the water as long as we weren't in the background. I felt really safe.

Good Luck!

Thanks for all the input y'all. Sounds like more hassle then it's worth.

But then again, I have a while to figure it out still.

I may just stick to the kayak/camping/fishing on this trip...

Who knows. Thanks for all the info though... I appreciate it...

I live 15 mins from the brazos. Its a pain in the arse to even find a place to hunt it duck wise. I'd focus more on fishing. What part of the river are you going to be in?

We're going to be on the lower brazos.

Maybe I'm dumb, but what is funny about Gill-97's question???

I've got a new lease above lake Whitney on the Brazos.

Can someone point me in the right direction as far as regulations of hunting the river where it borders my lease?

Has anyone hunted this general area before? PM me if so.

Crap, I've named a lake and I fully understand the lake naming thing, but hopefully I'm being general enough talking about the river!

i too use my 7 mag out there, I have seen a few birds that made me wish I had my shotgun...When I brought it, I saw nothing to shoot at. Not sure bout where you're taking bout but there are many public areas to hunt on the Brazos, I have hunted it for 12+ years and have had few issues. I can be over-run with hunters at times, like all public places close to the Metromess

Lower Brazos. So hopefully that's far enough in between the big cities to not be overcrowded. plus it's teal season.

Cluck PM sent

I hunted rivers a lot last season. I suggest calling the local game warder fisrt and he will tell you all the does and donts. That way if there is a problem you will know your rights.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I got the local game wardens direct number and will be giving him a shout sometime within the next couple of weeks.

I wonder if the dove hunting is any good on the river? It will be dove season as well. I think we might eat good on this trip...