Where are the best TP&WD Drawing Hunts?

[Keith]

I would like to apply for some more TP&WD Drawing hunts for myself and my kids, but don’t know much about any of the places. I am definitely interested in hunting Axis if I can find a good place. As far as deer are concerned, where is a good place to apply for a good chance at success? I live in NE TX, but don’t mind traveling to a good place if we get lucky enough to get drawn. If you don’t want to post this information publicly, feel free to shoot me a PM.

[30-30]

Cooper Lake up the road from you is a good spot for the youth hunts. The area biologist told me that most of the youth hunters last year got shots but most of them missed. That's why the success rates are so low.

I've found this true of quite a few places, even the adult hunts. And I've seen multiple deer on most of the draw hunts I've been on, whether or not I got a shot. I really like Richland Creek (Corsicana), Old Sabine Bottom (Lindale), Cooper, Possum Kingdom (got my first deer there), and I'm waiting to get drawn for White Oak Creek (Mt. Pleasant).

The best way to learn about the different Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in my opinion, is to buy an Annual Public Hunting Permit when you buy your license. It's $48, and it gives you access to most of the WMAs. You will also be given a public lands map booklet, and this allows you to scout out areas in the off season that you might want to apply for. You should also get the latest edition of the "Official Guide to Texas Wildlife Management Areas." Mine is by Larry D. Hodge, but there is probably a more up-to-date version out now. It gives you plenty of info and hunting tips for all of the areas. This book coupled with a map booklet will give you a good start on learning the areas.

Good luck!

[30-30]

One more tip, don't be afraid to apply for the areas with 20 - 30% success rates. Anything higher, and the hunt is probably too hard to draw within a couple of years. Lots of people miss, and there may be multiple shot opportunities within a given hunt, so success rates can be misleading.

[jwred]

Matagorda hunt is not bad, but you have to have a boat to get to the island.

[Bilbo]

Keith, I would suggest Matador for the kiddos. Plenty of hogs and does.

[Shane]

I've been on several different places, and honestly none of them have been bad. Just about all the state parks and WMAs have game. Now if you're talking axis, then South Llano River SP is overrun with them. Garner and Devil's River have a good number, and other places have some. Just about everywhere has whitetail. Some more numerous than others, and some have better chances at true trophy bucks. But just about everywhere has game.

I try to apply for places that have a good permit-to-applicant ratio to increase odds of getting drawn.

[ken]

I would just look at the dates. location, success rate and draw odds and make a decision on what you want to do with your kids. I have been on several regular and youth hunts and had great TPWD personel at all of them.

For youths I would strongly recommend the javelina hunt at Chaparral. I took my kids several times and they had a blast and shot a javelina almost every time. Javelina are a great spot and stalk quarry for kids.

[Keith]

Thanks for the information. One thing I am looking for is a place with a pretty decent chance at an Axis. For example, Garner State Park supposedly has axis, but are they few and far between, or are they plentiful?

[Tmag]

Thanks for the information. One thing I am looking for is a place with a pretty decent chance at an Axis. For example, Garner State Park supposedly has axis, but are they few and far between, or are they plentiful?

They are plentiful from what I have seen. I signed up for it for 5 years and never got drawn but you never know. Good luck.

[ken]

Thanks for the information. One thing I am looking for is a place with a pretty decent chance at an Axis. For example, Garner State Park supposedly has axis, but are they few and far between, or are they plentiful?

Garner has a lot of axis but they changed it this year where you can only shoot axis does, fork horn and spike bucks. In the past you could go on a whitetail doe/spike hunt and have a chance at a big axis buck.

[Keith]

What other places have axis?

[Casey]

Devil's Sinkhole was a good hunt. Kickapoo Caverns as well. They're close to one another. I would guess they both have axis and other exotics.

[STXBOWHUNTER73]

Devil's Sinkhole was a good hunt. Kickapoo Caverns as well. They're close to one another. I would guess they both have axis and other exotics.

x2 on sinklhole ..... i had more fun watching the bats come out of the cave..

[grizzman]

x2 on sinklhole ..... i had more fun watching the bats come out of the cave..

Yeah, I was on that hunt a couple of years ago and stood out on the platform as they were coming out taking pictures. That was cooler than the hunt. The only exotics I saw on the hunt were on the road going back and forth to the hotel in Junction, though.

[innergel]

I just got confirmation that TPWD cashed my check for the two pronghorn locations I submitted. I wasn't sure I'd make it in on time, but since they cashed my check, I'm assuming I'm in. Is there a way to know for sure?

Next year I gotta put in for a few exotics.