Hello all, this year will (hopefully) be my first time hunting. I'm a student at UT and me and some friends are looking for a cheap place to hunt. Thus far we've found that the APH lands are our best bet, but if anyone knows any better I'd appreciate the tip.

So, if anyone can give me feedback on places close to Austin (1-3 hrs) you would make some young men very happy. Here are some of the places I've been thinking:
-Lytton Springs
-Paige West
-Yegua Knobbs
-Granger PHL
-Holland Road
-County Rd. 104
-Glenwood

Thanks!

There's also the Guadalupe County Complex, just south of New Braunfels.

Did y'all get out for any dove yet? Any luck?

Hunted Paige West last Friday (9-13) afternoon with my son we saw about 10 dove, shot once, didn't get any. Had the entire place to ourselves. Checked out the Milam complexes Saturday 9-14 and saw more dove, killed two, saw other three hunters while there. There were a ton of dove up there on neighboring property but they never came over to public hunting lands. Went back up there on Wednesday (9-18), birds had thinned out a little, only shot one that I could not find. Had the place to myself.

Anybody have any luck at Granger? Was thinking about trying it out.

I went out to Paige West a couple weekends ago and there was a sign saying it was closed. But I have been at Yegua and Granger (on separate occasions) and saw nothing. Granted both times I went was in the afternoon or late morning, but still, you'd think you see something. I actually see more dove in my backyard in the middle of downtown Austin. Thanks for keeping this thread alive!

I've been going to the northern public hunting locations listed in the Austin/Waco area and have been seeing birds and always have the opportunity to shoot. I have only seen hunters at one property on one occasion. I see people have written that public hinting is tough and I have to agree. This is the first year I have gone the public hunting route and I have yet to shoot a limit. I had the opportunity at one location but my shooting was off that day. I like all the opportunity that the public permit gives you though for one low price.

My experience is that on opening morning, all areas have decent numbers of doves. Any time after that is a crap shoot. I've gone to areas several times and not seen a single doves, yet coworkers limit out in an hour the day before or after I am there. Just got to keep trying.

Go down South of San Antonio, Frio,Dimmit, Duval County and so on. It is maybe 2 1/2 hours from you. season starts later so you can try central first and then the South zone. Been down there 8 out of last 9 years for the opening 3 day weekends and got my limit almost every time each day.
Lived in Austin for 12 years and tried a couple of places 12 years ago that were east of San Marcos that could be great opening morning and weekend. After that not so good. Tried Granger twice back then, shot zero birds.
Hook Em!

Has any one made the drive to public land south of San Antonio yet this year? Not asking for specifics but just curious if it the prospects are better down there and worth the drive.