I was checking out TPWD website and i noticed there is "Public Hunt Areas" and there are "Private Land Lease Areas". I am new to Texas hunting and of course Texas Public hunting. Do these Private land lease areas require something special to hunt on them? I am wanting to get into dove hunting (cheapest way to hunt for me at the moment), but I have no clue where to go. It seems Hebert Preserve is semi close but is it worth going? is there any public land worth going near the West side of Houston?

I hunted public land all winter, seen 3 sparrows. They were shot by 5 other hunters in the same field.

Look up TPWD on google and search around their site for publications on public hunting. There is over 1,000,000 acres set aside for public hunting. There is way too much information about it to type on here. I can probably guess the dove hunting west of Houston on public would suck. There are some $200 clubs for dove hunting that you can join. Just mix in with all the other hunters and see wha tyou get. Better than sitting at home.

Its only good for opening day but you have to get out there by 4:30 am just to get a decent spot. You will be hunting next to others within 20-30 yards away and most likely get 3 or 4 birds (if your lucky). Not really worth it. The better dove hunting is a little north in waller.

Any help on pointing to a place public or lease would be appreciated. not looking for a lot but 3-4 birds and stuffed withing 50yds on sides is not fun in my book... plus i'd like to take my son and dog without total fear of them getting hit.

There are a few lease places on katy hockley road not to sure who runs it though. If your interested look into www.wgohunt.com. They have leases in katy and waller. I been hunting with them for the past 3 seasons and they always put ya on birds. Last year i paid about $150 for a season lease and I believe it is $175 or $200 for you and a guest.

How often do you go on wgo hunts? They sound reasonably priced, are they "guided hunts where they tell you where to go or is it they offer the property and you hunt it? also noticed they have upland hunts... always wanted to try that..

If your on a lease you can go whenever you want. But how it works is they give you a map with all the properties and a lease member card (which you have to have with you everytime you go on one of their properties) and you can go whenever you want. But I haven't done any of their upland stuff but my understanding it's one of those hunts where they release the birds in an open field (whether it be quial, pheasant or chucker)

That sounds pretty good... I emailed them... hopefully they will get back to me soon... Will they let me bring my dog?

yea dogs are welcome. I usually leave mine at home on opening day just because there is alot of new hunters and i don't want him to get peppered but other than that I bring him on every hunt.