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Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
#3672928
10/19/12 12:28 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12
RLTW27
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12 |
Hey all, preciate the your time reading my post. Come the March time frame I will be moving to the San Antonio area. I'm currently up in the mountains of North Georgia as a Ranger Instructor for the Mountain Phase of US Army Ranger School. For the last three years my partners and I have had the pleasure of being able to hunt nearly every free moment we had in the North GA mountains for whitetail, black bear and mountain gobblers.
I'm looking for some good info on the area with regards to hunting whitetail and turkey. I definitely DO NOT want to live within the city limits. Any info regarding rural places to live (rent) and most definitely areas to hunt (not asking to scout for me lol - just hunting areas in general. Public or leases). I hunt mainly bow.
Again thanks for your time! RLTW!
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: RLTW27]
#3673034
10/19/12 12:57 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: RLTW27]
#3673035
10/19/12 12:57 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 142
txff05
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 142 |
Texas does not quite have as many public hunting opportunities as many other States. There are some, but not as plentiful as you might be used to. There are many rural areas around San Antonio. The cheaper areas are going to be to the south and west. North, and northeast are high price (to live, leasing for hunting is exactly opposite) You might be able to find a rental house with some property and you can throw up a feeder. Or maybe find a lease. You can PM me if you have any other questions. Live just north of SA.
Last edited by txff05; 10/19/12 01:15 AM.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: txff05]
#3673054
10/19/12 01:02 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124
LandPirate
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124 |
West and north of SA is Hill Country. South of SA is Brush Country. Deer leases to the south are generally more expensive but the deer are typically bigger. Hill Country generally has smaller deer but leases are more affordable.
Check into hunting opportunities on some of the area military bases. Not much public hunting in Texas. 95% of the land is privately owned.
Leases can be had from $1000/year to more than $10,000/year.
Mike Buda, Tx Hunt near Freer
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: LandPirate]
#3673197
10/19/12 01:41 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12
RLTW27
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12 |
Thanks Stxranchman.
txff05 - Noted. Your the second person to tell me that about the West and Northern areas. Absolutely going to check them out. Like I said - no desire what so ever to live in an apartment in the city. Definitely going to check out some of the military managed lands too.
LandPirate - Im glad you told me that because I didn't think the public hunting areas where as scarce as you mentioned. But it makes sense seeing as how most of the land is private. I've never leased. I need to find a leasing for dummies book I guess.
Thanks all for the responses! Looking forward to hearing more.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: RLTW27]
#3673267
10/19/12 02:01 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
I hunted some out West of SA kind of on the transition from hill country to brush country. We'd see some small deer and then we'd see some that were slightly larger. For a person who is used to living in the sticks, SA and its outskirts is a rude awakening.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: rifleman]
#3673323
10/19/12 02:10 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12
RLTW27
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12 |
I hunted some out West of SA kind of on the transition from hill country to brush country. We'd see some small deer and then we'd see some that were slightly larger. For a person who is used to living in the sticks, SA and its outskirts is a rude awakening. Yeah Im not thrilled about living in or near the "7th largest city" in the US. I am however pumped at the prospect of doing some different style of hunting and being in a new area. Kind of bummed though at leaving GA's hunting laws - 2 bucks and 10 antlerless deer is the limit here. Hardly anyone fills all their doe limit though. Seasons here last from Sept 8th - Jan 1st/15th. Little shorter in TX right?
Last edited by RLTW27; 10/19/12 02:17 AM.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: RLTW27]
#3673336
10/19/12 02:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
they are unless you happen to find an MLD3 place.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: rifleman]
#3673375
10/19/12 02:21 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12
RLTW27
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12 |
AS far as processing deer/hog - what do most people do? Here deer processors are a dime a dozen. Personally I like doing my own but that wont be feasible if I end up living closer to the base or in an apartment (God forbid). Am I going to get laughed at asking about deer processors lol?
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: RLTW27]
#3673389
10/19/12 02:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
rifleman
Sparkly Pants
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Sparkly Pants
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461 |
You won't get laughed at. I never took any deer to processors around there, ended up doing them at a buddy's houst, so not sure of the reputable ones. STX would know though.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: RLTW27]
#3673445
10/19/12 02:43 AM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,386
nsmike
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,386 |
Welcome, Your best bet is to check out is what's available on Camp Bullis.
for every stereotype there's a prototype don't be the prototype
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: nsmike]
#3673469
10/19/12 02:52 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 142
txff05
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 142 |
X2 on Bullis they can produce some decent deer. Processers here are the same, there is at least one in every little town. A few in SA. Hopefully some people on here will have some insight. I only know the processers in Kendall Co. Just north of SA.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: txff05]
#3673529
10/19/12 03:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,695
grout-scout
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,695 |
Will a processer do a hog or just deer? Seems like my bro in law has to take hogs to Uvalde to have them processed.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: grout-scout]
#3673641
10/19/12 04:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,177
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,177 |
My processor will do both, but will not guarantee the quality or taste of the hog. He is in Katy though.
LETS GO BRANDON
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: TXHOGSLAYER]
#3673917
10/19/12 12:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,957
don k
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,957 |
There are plenty of processors around the North West side at least. Most of the taxidermist either do it or know of one. There is one in Helotes, another between Helotes and Pipe Creek. Kerrville has a bunch. I think the guy close to me does it. If push comes to shove do it yourself. It is not that big or hard of a deal. Welcome to the area and hope you enjoy your stay. A lot of military that get transfered here end up staying.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: don k]
#3673947
10/19/12 12:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124
LandPirate
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,124 |
Granzin's in New Braunfels is pretty good. A bit pricey, but their jalapeno/cheese sausage and bucksticks are danged tasty.
Mike Buda, Tx Hunt near Freer
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: LandPirate]
#3673987
10/19/12 01:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,972
Dry Fire
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,972 |
I have nothing to add, but just wanted to say welcome to Texas, and Thank You for your service to our country.
coffee spelled backwards is eeffoc. I don't give eeffoc until I have my morning coffee.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: Dry Fire]
#3674109
10/19/12 01:48 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,296
Bob in TX
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,296 |
First, thanks for your service! There are several nice small towns near San Antonio. I live in Natalia just south of SAT near Lytle and Devine. Some other options are Castroville, Hondo, and Somerset. Welcome to Texas........almost! Bob Some shots from my deck. Coyotes too.
The Texas Predator Posse NRA Life Member/TSRA Life Member
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: Bob in TX]
#3675247
10/19/12 09:54 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 145
fjdave
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 145 |
Welcome to TEXAS!
Not much public hunting here. You can do day hogs hunts pretty cheap south of san antonio. If your interested in hunting exotics junction is 2 hours north of SA and you can find leases that have Axis, Sika, Fallow deer and black buck all free roaming.
There are some nice areas to live on the outskirts of san antonio. A lot of military families moving out near the rio medina area near castroville which is not too far from Lackland AFB. Helotes is a very nice area as well. It just depends on what part of town you will be driving to work as traffic can be bad.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: fjdave]
#3675935
10/20/12 03:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,959
Scoop
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,959 |
Welcome to the forum and the SA area. Would not worry too much about all the San Antonio haters... I love it here, and it is nothing like the what you'd expect from the 7th largest city. I choose to live outside the city, too. I'm up north toward Boerne, and its an easy commute into town compared to most metros. West on 90 toward Castroville, or east on I-10 toward Seguin will also get you a bit out of the city.
My son has been through Ranger training as well and probably shares a few common experiences with you. I know its been quite a ride for him. He's in the 10th SF right now in CO.
Sounds like you'll be out here in time for turkey hunting this spring. Keep in touch. I have a place a few hours west that usually holds some good rios. Hunting can be good if you time it right. Give me a shout when you get into town...
As others have said, there are lots of processors, but unless I am getting sausage made up, I process it myself. Not much to it for hogs. I smoke many of the small ones whole, or quarter them up as needed. I too recommend Granzines as a processor. As LandPirate said, a bit more, but I know they do not mix my well kept hog meat with anyone else's road kill. Had a cheap processor give me some nasty tasting stuff I know 100% was not mine. Threw it all out, so how cheap was it really? Now I don't skimp on processors.
Hunters will fit right in. Seems every other vehicle on the road is a 4x4 crew cab diesel with a big deer sticker in the back window. Like I said, not your typical big city. Even the non-hunting people at work line up to take any extra feral hog I may have from the ranch. Not a peta friendly area...
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: Scoop]
#3680341
10/22/12 03:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 511
ddmm
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 511 |
For public hunting information, check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. They are the state agency that oversees the hunting and fishing in Texas. Not sure about the public hunting land around SA, but up around the ft. Worth area there are lots of places to hunt, but you have to get out and really do some scouting.
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Re: Moving from GA to the San Antonio area
[Re: ddmm]
#3680722
10/22/12 11:42 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,085
Don Dial
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,085 |
Most of the Public Hunting you will find is in East Texas w/Davy Crockett Nat'l Forest, ect. You may get on a canned hunt on Bullis and with you being in the svc. you'd get preferred treatment. Re: Hog or Deer..Were I you I'd skin and quater and debone myself..that way you get your own meat, know how it was handled and don't spend several $ per pound on it after the kill. My Buddy & I usually clean and quarter about 8 to 10 deer a wkend if we go to our friends and there are many hunters. Hogs usually on one or two annually..but they are cleaner and easier than deer most cases..we don't kill big stinky ones..DD
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