On September 6, 2012 at 6:30pm Lake Somerville State Park ( Nails Creek Unit in Lee County) will host an informational meeting about hunting the Somerville WMAs on Nails and Yegua creek. Questions about rules, regulations and access points will be answered by the folks running the program.

Hunting season is just around the corner and many of you will be looking for affordable opportunities around Central Texas. Lake Somerville is well known for it's "boom or bust" duck hunting as the lake fluctuates back and forth from drought and flood. Unlike last fall where there was no lake at all, this duck season is shaping up to be a good one. Lake Somerville and other area lakes have remained near normal level all summer and should provide ample winter feeding grounds for the seasonal visitors.

Hunters getting ready for the season that need a place to hunt will want to learn about the states Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). The Public Permit required to hunt the WMAs will cost less then a tank of gas for that old pickup you'll drive to get there. Access to over a million acres all over the state is a very good deal and some of the best bow hunting for deer and pigs can be found just down the road.

My two nephews, Austin, Harrison and I hunted the Nails Creek WMA last bow season for the first time in 30 years (for me). I was about my nephews age when I hunted the Nails Creek unit years ago. It first opened as a type II hunting area that became the WMA program. Much has changed over that last quarter century especially the quality of the bucks. The antler size regulation implemented a few years back has really done it's job in allowing more bucks to reach maturity while culling inferior animals.

Even in the midst of the drought we saw many good deer and a couple of really exceptional bucks. I don't know how well the deer herd weathered the drought overall but with the wet spring providing plenty of forage through the summer there should be some very good quality deer roaming the WMA.

Lots of nice deer around Somerville. Very cool area.

The meeting is this Thursday! I'll be grilling up some hotdogs and providing the drinks. Hunting the WMA's is very affordable and sure beats sitting at home doing nothing! The meeting will discuss hunting opportunities for ducks and bucks..

Drove around the area this past weekend. Rockdale, Caldwell down to Somerville. Beautiful country!

As I was driving through there, I was wondering how good the deer hunting is in the area.

Good to know. Hunting public land that's close to home is almost as good as having a lease. If you get out there enough before the season, you've got a good chance at a nice buck. I hunt SHNF and have taken deer every year. Good Luck!

Last minute reminder.. tonight's the night! How to see you there!

two nice ten points from the area..

Aww brother, that ain't nice to post pics like that while I'm working! Nice deer btw.....

Would love to hear all about it. Video/post of the meeting would be appreciated.

BrazosHunter, we probably know the same people out there. Any changes? Don't bow hunt but my buddies do out there. Who led the meeting?
Doug Mc