Hagerman is over rated

[Shark Attack]

Hagerman is so over rated . I hunted there 2 years ago in second segment . I saw some young bucks . I killed a doe and was automatically drawn for segment B ( rut ) again last year . Sure a few good deer were taken while I was there . I arrived 2 days early scouted out 3 good spots and hung my stand early . The morning of the hunt people were setting up 70 yards from me in climbers . I waved my flash light in their direction but to no avail . Cling clang up the tree he goes . I am thinking well it wil settle . An hour later I hear something behind me I slowly stand and out pokes Sammy still hunter . Now this guy is good he walks under my stand 15 yards and never sees me ?!? I soon after climbed down .

I got frustrated , found a new area and that evening killed a large doe . To many people , not that many deer per acre , and to little land per 65 hunters . I actually paid my $50 for my tag and didn't even go this year .

I talked to Dale Moses (Hagerman Game warden ) at the police mans indoors at our shop this year . He was all pumped up but didn't get drawn this year . He remembered me killing that doe . Why didn't you hunt ? Segment B also ?

I told him there are way to many gomers and not enough land per hunter for me . I went to my West Texas lease with my brother and killed 2 does instead . I had a much better time I guarantee .

Sure I know there are world class bucks on Hagerman . You can win the lottery if you play today too . You have 2 1/2 days to seal the deal with a bow on land you know nothing about . I scouted a month before . Came back and you could land a 747 by all the trail ribbon in the trees .

For those of you who don't know me I am an optimist but also a realist . I figured with Diesel , hotel and food at minimal it cost me $500.00 to gamble on a chance . No thanks . I'LL take my valuable 5 days vacation and hunt my lease and settle for a mid 140 class deer . Just my .02 c guys

[12ring]

To each his own.........

But...... I got drawn this year and I WILL BE THERE ! Course, I don't have quite the expenses. I live less than 10 miles away!

[Chambers]

Yeah, what he said so nobody apply!

Just kiddin. I can see Shark Attack's point but I live in the same town so to me its worth it. It gives me a different place to hunt, and its just down the road so I have a chance to scout often. I will say this, you definately have to do your homework there to have any luck. The hunting is very tough, and having other people hunting with/around you makes it even more so. The main reason that I hunt there is that "lotto" chance. I set up trail cams all over my leases so I know what deer are there. I also know that I will never kill a buck over 140 on my leases. But at Hagerman you never know what might walk by and that is why I like to hunt there. I was fortunate enough to take a deer off there my fist year (which was last year) and thats just extra meat in the freezer for me. I had a great time and met some really cool people so I guess count me in!

[Landrover]

Yep, you got some decent points! Bottom line, it is PUBLIC land.....that just happens to be managed for trophy critters. Heck, I have hunted mosquito invested southeast Texas and Louisiana and don't even have a lottery chance in hell of even seeing a 6 point runt. Oh, not to mention the "yahoo's" running around those areas. Sorry to hear your experience was NOT to your liking but what you experienced could happen anywhere in the U.S. at any given moment. I also have a lease in the hill country with Ragin, we have ton's of deer but not a valid chance at a 140"+. Since I don't play the lottery and enjoy being around other bowhunters I will continue to chase them up that way!

[Landrover]

Oh, I also bowhunt in Kansas, also Oklahoma when I get drawn on the McAlester Army Depot traditional hunt and with my cousins in Louisiana......with deer dogs!!!
It is hunting (not killing), and I take it whenever, wherever I can get it! Folks with flashlights and lack of manners are in every walk of life. I do understand having only 5 vacation days to get'er done BUT that has nothing to do with Hagerman being overated.....heck, I did not even see a deer on my stand last year.....but by God the sign is everywhere!!!!

[2050z]

One less person less to enter the drawing. Seriously, I have had a great time each time I have hunted Hagerman. You always take a chance when hunting public draw hunts that somebody will walk by or setup near you.

I think I know Hagerman pretty well because I scout every chance I get and I have so many extra spots picked out I don't worry about people walking up on me.

[12ring]

I do understand Shark Attacks point, especially if you aren't local and figure in the cost of a weekend public land hunt.

I have also had people walk by me, and unfortuneately I have walked by other hunters. Not during the prime time, but mid-day going back into my stand. W/that many folks in the woods, it's gonna happen. I wish they didn't allow so many hunters per segment, but if that were the case, I might never get drawn!

Last year I was hunting about 400 yards off the road and as far as I know (at least according to the vehicles in the parking area) there were only 2 other hunters even remotely close. And they were well over 500 yards away from me. I saw deer and turkey everytime I sat out.

Landrover.......... Did you ever get a card signed/qualified? If you feel like driving about 5-6 hours, there is a shoot up here right beside the Hagerman Headquarters this evening. Starts at 7:00 pm.

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Probably because as soon as WORD got out all the Red River Valley methhead rednecks poached the crap out of it. Wait a minute.....did word ever get out?

[Landrover]

Landrover.......... Did you ever get a card signed/qualified? If you feel like driving about 5-6 hours, there is a shoot up here right beside the Hagerman Headquarters this evening. Starts at 7:00 pm.

Thanks again but I think i can get it done Saturday at the 3-D shoot down here in Montgomery couty. That hike up there would be downright brutal right now!!! Oh, could you send me the EXACT things (# of targets, distance, score, etc.) that I need to convey to the range official to get this done Saturday!!!!! Thanks again for everything !

[Smart]

Yep ...Hagerman is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY overrated...........

[TxTechBowhunter]

$50 for a chance at something like this on public land in TX is overrated?



Of course, like you said, if you don't live close it cost a lot more money in gas, etc.

[KRB]

Can someone fill me in on why hagerman produces such monsters? Is it high fenced or something? Just curious and I am being serious.

[Hafernick]

Ok first off it maybe just me, but I have never heard of this place. I read alot of magazines and am usually on here alot. I have never heard of this place till a couple of weeks ago everyone was freaking out about it. Is this place under a bad arse management program or what.

What makes is so great (BESIDES THE ONE PICTURE OF THAT BUCK that Smart posted).

[PERK]

Hagerman NWR....It's a waterfowl refuge on Lake Texoma...I think it's about 8,000 acres...The open up about 3500 in different area each season to 3 draw hunts usually spaced about 2-3 weeks apart.........It's a refuge....It's archery only...The entire county is archery only for deer too.....Good genetics......Lots of forage.....surrounding landowners that pump boookoos of money into protien and plots on their own land which also benefits "H"...... Put all that together, and you have a pretty good recipe for greatness.

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Hagerman NWR....It's a waterfowl refuge on Lake Texoma...I think it's about 8,000 acres...The open up about 3500 in different area each season to 3 draw hunts usually spaced about 2-3 weeks apart.........It's a refuge....It's archery only...The entire county is archery only for deer too.....Good genetics......Lots of forage.....surrounding landowners that pump boookoos of money into protien and plots on their own land which also benefits "H"...... Put all that together, and you have a pretty good recipe for greatness.

......but deer numbers are very low in that area. The hunter success ratio is low but some monsters appear from time to time. You may kill the buck of a lifetime(maybe one person out of hundreds) however, it is more likely that you will sit there bored to tears and never see hide nor hair of chit.