I was fortunate enough to be drawn for Richland Creek WMA on closing weekend of the season this year. I just have a couple concerns that y'all might clear up for me. OBVIOUSLLY it's late season which I like because in Texas, late season seems to be better, but at the same time I know it'll be hard due to educated birds.

My questions and concerns are more towards how they run these draw hunts. I've heard from lots of people that Richland Creek is a cluster when it's open to the public. Do they close the area to the general public on weekends of (or prior to) drawn hunts?

I guess it boils down to this:
1- Will the WMA get resting days prior to the draw hunts that weekend?
2- Will the WMA be packed out with hunters on draw hunt weekends?

Just FYI this is NOT my first rodeo... Just my first draw hunt.

1. Yes they rest it. Look at your book and it will tell you what days it's open to the public. Outside of those days the only hunting is the draw hunts.
2. Don't know as I've never done a draw hunt there

They completely changed how that place works this year. you can only hunt in with youth if you did not get drawn for the drawn hunt. They used to have it open Mon. Wed, Sat, or something like that to the public then when they had drawn hunts it would rest Thursday and Friday before your drawn hunt on Saturday and Sunday. It should be less crowded all year now with the new requirements. it used to be a cluster in December on Saturday for sure but even the week days would be packed the the birds would be so pressured.

1. Yes it will "rest"
2. I think there are something like 26 cells and most will have hunters it wont be packed but you will have a cell all to yourself I wouldnt expect much on your sunday hunt

I got drawn last year for opening day. The only people that will be allowed out there are the people drawn for that date. You or your group (if you applied with a group) will be able to pick a compartment to hunt in and will have it to yourself. They pass around a bucket with pingpong balls in it that have numbers on them, that will be the order you pick your compartment in. (We had the last number so hunted in the compartment no one chose). After the orientation thing Friday, you will be able to go to your compartment and set up your blind and decoys. A marsh seat will likely be all you need in most compartments as there is a lot of vegetation to hide in. Hunting Saturday was fantastic and sounded like war zone out there. Hunting Sunday was really really slow and did not get a shot and only heard a few compared to Saturday.

Yep, each group to a cell.

Do yourself a favor. Get there early and scout each cell! Not all of them are easy to hunt. Some will be favored by particular species. Be prepared. If you don't know, the WMA folks will help you a bit.

Let me ask this now... If I got drawn, do I have to hunt alone or can I bring people with me?

If you were the only one on the draw then you would hunt alone unless you double up with another group.

I plan on hunting this WMA this year. With the change in rules I'm hoping my son and I will at least get some shooting in without worrying about some yahoo sky blasting our birds. Are kayaks useful out there?

For the drawn hunts absolutely. Some of the cells will have the best hunting spots far from the levee and/or across deeper water. Wish I had one the last time I was drawn. If you can hunt from it even better. Worst case you can save a long walk in the water.

Never hunted there outside the drawing. Not sure how the zoo works and how that would work.

This is a really good tip. And the part about the species is spot on.

I took a few youths there a while back and shot limits of mallards. Definitely holds some birds. Good luck!

After confirming with a representative from the WMA. I probably won't be going on this hunt. I'm so bummed. I was unaware that all people expecting to go on the hunt had to apply on the same permit. I thought if I was drawn, I would be able to bring a buddy with me. Lesson learned for the future. I'm extremely comfortable at my skills if I were to hunt alone. I just don't enjoy hunting alone.

What days were you drawn for? Thks

There will be plenty of other hunters there. Great chance to meet some new friends.

Last year they let individual hunters that got drawn buddy up so they did not have to hunt by themselves if they did not want to.

I don't blame you for turning it down Noah. While it might be a great hunt, you wouldn't be making memories with your buds.

Ive always enjoyed hunts by myself. I recommend still going and making the most of it.

My vote would be to make the hunt anyway! I also won the lottery and will be hunting there solo mid December. Some of my best memories are just me and my dog in the duck blind in the morning. Seeing the joy that it brings that dog to fetch ducks is worth it, even if I'm the only one there. Make the hunt and make the memories for yourself!