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Deer hunting on public lands?
#4372056
07/08/13 03:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 735
fivefivesix
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 735 |
I've never been deer hunting on public lands. Is it worth my time? Any advice or words of wisdom?
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: fivefivesix]
#4372072
07/08/13 03:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 237
HBone
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 237 |
Yes , it's worth it, if you're willing to put some leg work in. If you archery hunt PM me.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: fivefivesix]
#4372076
07/08/13 03:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
It's worth your time if you like being outdoors with the possibility of taking game. Every place is different. Lots of public land in Texas, mostly east. Your question comes up often. There are many threads on THF regarding public hunting. Get out and enjoy the outdoors!
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: Erathkid]
#4372081
07/08/13 03:40 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 |
Some good deer on public land.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: rifleman]
#4372155
07/08/13 04:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 735
fivefivesix
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 735 |
Anybody here done Caddo National Grasslands or Ladonia? Those are the two I'm looking at.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: fivefivesix]
#4372186
07/08/13 04:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
Erathkid
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498 |
There are deer there. Lots of hunters at certain times. I've been there before. Great area for camping. If you see a deer, that's icing on the cake
Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it. Don't text and drive.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: Erathkid]
#4372376
07/08/13 12:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,303
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,303 |
Hunters often focus on the same areas, especially when camping is only allowed on or near those areas. If you don't mind driving, or if you can find private land to camp or hunt that's near public land that's also off the beaten path, you may find yourself the only person hunting it.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: Texas Dan]
#4373064
07/08/13 05:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 176
BoogerHook2012
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 176 |
Be ready to do plenty of walking but it can be worth it.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: BoogerHook2012]
#4379514
07/11/13 01:05 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 735
fivefivesix
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 735 |
Oh, I don't mind. That's all good news, I'm glad to hear its not out of reach to hunt without a $3-$5k lease.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum."
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: fivefivesix]
#4385019
07/13/13 02:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,831
creflo
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,831 |
Sent you a PM - I've hunted it quite a few times.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: creflo]
#4385343
07/13/13 05:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 60
cy100
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 60 |
In my opinion, it is more fun to hunt on public land. Because, it has more challenge and more unpredictable.
If you hunt at a true "public" land, which is opened to a large group of hunters for the whole season, you may have to compete with other hunters as well. This may be more difficult than chasing the game. You may have to hunt at a spot that not many people can reach, this always means more hard works for you; or hunt when most others cannot hunt, i.e. weekday.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: rifleman]
#4385650
07/13/13 02:09 PM
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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 |
Some good deer on public land. Any particular location you want to give out
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4385890
07/13/13 04:10 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,491
Jacob645
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,491 |
This one was killed on public land last year about 400 yards from where I was hunting.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: Jacob645]
#4386180
07/13/13 06:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 149
Chief C
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 149 |
It is definitely worth it. The APH permit is only $48 annually. There is a lot of public land here in Texas. Be prepared to do your share of scouting, and be willing to go where others aren't in order to increase your odds. I've been bow hunting the SHNF for the last 2 seasons, and have had pretty good success. Good luck.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: Chief C]
#4386353
07/13/13 08:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271 |
Just keep it in your head that successful deer hunting is a lot of work, year round. If you don't hunt a lease or private land, you still have to put in work days scouting and researching. It gets easier as the years go by because you build up a list of places to go and when. You still have to keep scouting and looking for more places because things change. Over the years, some of my most productive clearcuts and burned areas have grown up and are no longer productive. I'm headed out right now to scout a new spot to add to my list.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: fivefivesix]
#4387011
07/14/13 02:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 360
ILikeRugers2
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 360 |
I've never been deer hunting on public lands. Is it worth my time? Any advice or words of wisdom? We have always had luck at least seeing game. Get the public hunting permit and go walking. You will see game.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: ILikeRugers2]
#4389710
07/15/13 03:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 134
marshman
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 134 |
Anyone on here hunt the bow hunting only APH land near Newton?
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: marshman]
#4389729
07/15/13 03:43 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179
therancher
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,179 |
There are some huge public land bucks on the Aransas Wildlife Refuge. But, get a blood transfusion before you go...
Crotchety old bastidge
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: stxranchman]
#4389814
07/15/13 04:13 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 |
Some good deer on public land. Any particular location you want to give out Sure..all ya gotta do is ask. Won't even mention places someone can't access.
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Re: Deer hunting on public lands?
[Re: rifleman]
#4390490
07/15/13 03:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 134
chesterc
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 134 |
Leading up to turkey season this year I was scouting on the Caddo WMA outside Ladonia and came upon two adult deer and a juvenile watering at a tank. Also, land that is closest to the Sulphur River showed lots of deer tracks. So they're there. I haven't been out there during deer season; I'm guessing that weekends can be crowded. When I went during turkey season I only ever saw one other hunter and that was on a weekend.
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