question about public hunting...

[tamu_bspeck]

I recently moved to east texas back in may and have always had land to hunt on in west texas that has been somewhat productive. this year we have had our trail cams out for about a month and have had nothing but the same 3 doe and 2 fawns coming in. I find it hard to justify traveling 5-6 hrs to spend a weekend sitting if nothing changes so Im kicking around the idea of public hunting here in east texas. I have NO CLUE how it works, other than purchasing a public land permit. Ive looked into a couple of WMAs but need some suggestions on which are better around here. I need to find one so I can start scouting and would also appreciate any advice you have to give.

[Stick em]

Best suggestion i can give is to get the public hunting maps booklet and find a place you'd like to try and make sure they allow deer hunts. Every place has some different rules on the means and methods so make sure you read those. I hunt public alot to and its been my experience that you have to out walk most people to find the best spots. So make sure you got your walkin boots on. And the game wardens get thick on public places so make sure your up to snuff on the legalities of the place your hunting.

[30-30]

+1 on the map booklet, and I'd also look up the "Official Guide to Texas Wildlife Management Areas" by Larry D. Hodge. There may be a more up-to-date book out by now, this book gives specific tips for each wma in Texas. It gives recommended places within each area for different species, as well as the best places to camp, bird watch, fish, and hike/bike. Well worth the $20 to me.

[BoneDigger]

If you are living in Henderson, probably the closest and best place to check out would be White Oak Creek WMA north of you. The Old Sabine Bottom in Smith County, north of Lindale/Tyler is also pretty good.

1) Purchase your public lands permit
2) you will receive the public land guide in the mail (or in person if you buy your license from the LE office).
3) Go through the book and check out the WMAs that are within easy driving distance.
4) Pay close attention to the seasons and bag limits. Many of the WMAs split their archery seasons and mix in squirrel hunting. For instance, the WOC (White Oak Creek) may say it's open for archery deer from October 15-31, November 24-December 5, and December 22-January 1, or something similar.
5) bag limits will be posted as well as restrictions.
6) In ET there is generally no baiting on public lands
7) Become portable. In other words, pack it in (stand/blind) and pack it out. If you like to donate stands to other hunters, feel free to leave them on the tree. Theivery is way out of control in these areas.
8) Talk to the area biologist (manager). He or she can ghenerally give you some tips on hunting the area. They generally love to talk, so making an appointment to come see them will not be an issue.
9) Game Wardens can be fairly thick in these areas so make sure you follow the laws.
10) A good hand held GPS AND a compass are a must on public lands.
11) Look for trails and look for thick cover. Deer will become active during midday with a lot of hunting pressure.
12) DO NOT get upset when you walk up on another hunter in "your" area or if you have someone walk under your tree while hunting. It is p[ublic lands and many people hunt in different ways. You may be deer hunting and they may be stalking pigs. Or, they just may be idiots. Either is possible.
13) I wear orange even during archery season. Even if it's just a hat. I just don't trust half of the guys I see out there, even the bowhunters.
14) Most WMAs do not assign areas for archery. It's kind of come and go as you please mentality.
15) Take a hand full of the registration sheets with you and fill them out at home. Just leave the date off until you use them. It saves time from having to stop and fill one out every time you enter the WMA. But, return the unused ones to the WMA at the end of the year (the ones NOT filled out), so they can reuse them next year.
16) For most WMA lands in ET, you will stop at the self check station, fill out the form, put one part in the box, then keep the other part in your truck. Then, after the hunt, you fill in the part about what you harvested/saw then deposit that part in the box before you leave. Keep the one section in the window of your truck so they know you registered.


Todd

[tamu_bspeck]

If you are living in Henderson, probably the closest and best place to check out would be White Oak Creek WMA north of you. The Old Sabine Bottom in Smith County, north of Lindale/Tyler is also pretty good.

1) Purchase your public lands permit
2) you will receive the public land guide in the mail (or in person if you buy your license from the LE office).
3) Go through the book and check out the WMAs that are within easy driving distance.
4) Pay close attention to the seasons and bag limits. Many of the WMAs split their archery seasons and mix in squirrel hunting. For instance, the WOC (White Oak Creek) may say it's open for archery deer from October 15-31, November 24-December 5, and December 22-January 1, or something similar.
5) bag limits will be posted as well as restrictions.
6) In ET there is generally no baiting on public lands
7) Become portable. In other words, pack it in (stand/blind) and pack it out. If you like to donate stands to other hunters, feel free to leave them on the tree. Theivery is way out of control in these areas.
8) Talk to the area biologist (manager). He or she can ghenerally give you some tips on hunting the area. They generally love to talk, so making an appointment to come see them will not be an issue.
9) Game Wardens can be fairly thick in these areas so make sure you follow the laws.
10) A good hand held GPS AND a compass are a must on public lands.
11) Look for trails and look for thick cover. Deer will become active during midday with a lot of hunting pressure.
12) DO NOT get upset when you walk up on another hunter in "your" area or if you have someone walk under your tree while hunting. It is p[ublic lands and many people hunt in different ways. You may be deer hunting and they may be stalking pigs. Or, they just may be idiots. Either is possible.
13) I wear orange even during archery season. Even if it's just a hat. I just don't trust half of the guys I see out there, even the bowhunters.
14) Most WMAs do not assign areas for archery. It's kind of come and go as you please mentality.
15) Take a hand full of the registration sheets with you and fill them out at home. Just leave the date off until you use them. It saves time from having to stop and fill one out every time you enter the WMA. But, return the unused ones to the WMA at the end of the year (the ones NOT filled out), so they can reuse them next year.
16) For most WMA lands in ET, you will stop at the self check station, fill out the form, put one part in the box, then keep the other part in your truck. Then, after the hunt, you fill in the part about what you harvested/saw then deposit that part in the box before you leave. Keep the one section in the window of your truck so they know you registered.


Todd

you guys are awesome, that really clears things up alot and WOC WMA was one of the ones I was told about and looking into.

[sqiggy]

If you get the $48 permit, check out what we call Yellow Dog over in Panola Co. Some pretty good woods in that bottom with lots of deer and PLENTY of hogs.