Pretty soon the joke will be on you
No sir..I've never had the problem you seem to keep running into. I drive up from Houston every year to hunt up there a few days and although I may not always kill a bird I can say I've at least seen a mature bird each time out although on private land half of the time. I just find it kind of funny that you seem so been the one doubting everyone elses claims because those ole birds are always giving you a run for your money.
I do however agree with you that the predator population is out of control and the number of mature birds may be down because of drought in 08 & 09, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying. It's going to be hard hunting but if he puts in the work and time he could still manage to bring home a bird. LA Strutter killed birds on his first time up. I've only hunted the grasslands 5 years and didn't kill a bird until my 2nd year hunting there, But my first year ever going I had 7 or 8 birds gobbling back at me. Last spring a guy from Alabama came up and killed 4 birds in two or three days, so it is possible.
I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hunt 3 different ranches this season in south and central TX, but I still plan on making a trip up to the grasslands before the season closes....if gas isn't $5.00 a gallon by then. All i'm saying is just don't discourage anyone from trying.