2014 Hilltop Lakes Thread

[TXhoghunter94]

I thought we should go ahead and start a thread for this year to have one spot for posting reports, questions, updates, and pretty much just anything related to help keep us all informed throughout the year.

The fawn crop is looking good so far, it should be a great year!

[TXhoghunter94]

I went out there last night for the first time in months. My camera died in late April but before that happened, there had been anywhere between 5 to 12 does coming in daily along with one large black hog about once a week.

[TXhoghunter94]

I took down some other cameras and but up the 3G Covert I finally got working right.

[kumathebear]

Read about this in a post for classifieds. I assume by some comments it is doe's only, no bucks? Either way, looks great!

[TXhoghunter94]

Got a few pics this morning of a nice young 3 1/2 year old 8. Camera is working great!

[TXhoghunter94]

I'm assuming they are building a hanger for the air planes since this is right next to the air strip.

[ultralite09]

Okay, so I have spent the last hour or so reading over past Hilltop Lakes threads and am really interested. Dont have the funds right now, (broke college kid) but would love to save up to get a lot. It seems worth it to me since I cant afford to get on a lease and just looking for meat until I can get on a good lease where I can work on management bucks.

What are the rules about having family or a friend come hunt with me? Also, would I be able to set up a tent to stay in rather than booking a hotel? How is hunting on the smaller 1/4 acre lots? Are all lots pretty heavily wooded? Do most of yall hunt feeders or pinch points/trails?

Sorry for all the questions!

[TXhoghunter94]

Read about this in a post for classifieds. I assume by some comments it is doe's only, no bucks? Either way, looks great!

Yes, basically it is a large half way developed country club neighborhood that has tons of undeveloped lots that no one ever did anything with. Most of them are right around 1/4 of an acre. You can buy a lot that you will own outright and pay for taxes, a POA fee of $35 a month and the Hunting fee for $75 for a single person or $125 for a family per year. They have a very nice cleaning station for all the members to use as well. They are loaded with deer but mainly a lot more does than bucks. It use to be MLD 3 but now it is MLD 2 so they have a large amount of doe tags that all the members can use. In order to kill a buck, (for last year at least), you must complete your work day requirement to be eligible and the member who kills the most does in a two weeks period gets one buck tag. There were three tags awarded last year so it ran from opening weekend, till 6 weeks later. Although I do not think any bucks we every killed. You do not use your own tags since it is MLD and the season runs from opening weekend to the end of Feb. Archery only of course. There are also a lot of hogs in some places, you can kill those year round too of course.

This is not a typical type of place for deer hunting so we all must follow the rules and of course be respectful of everyone who is a part of the neighborhood to stay in good standing and be able to keep on doing this for years to come hopefully.

[ultralite09]

Yes, basically it is a large half way developed country club neighborhood that has tons of undeveloped lots that no one ever did anything with. Most of them are right around 1/4 of an acre. You can buy a lot that you will own outright and pay for taxes, a POA fee of $35 a month and the Hunting fee for $75 for a single person or $125 for a family per year. They have a very nice cleaning station for all the members to use as well. They are loaded with deer but mainly a lot more does than bucks. It use to be MLD 3 but now it is MLD 2 so they have a large amount of doe tags that all the members can use. In order to kill a buck, (for last year at least), you must complete your work day requirement to be eligible and the member who kills the most does in a two weeks period gets one buck tag. There were three tags awarded last year so it ran from opening weekend, till 6 weeks later. Although I do not think any bucks we every killed. You do not use your own tags since it is MLD and the season runs from opening weekend to the end of Feb. Archery only of course. There are also a lot of hogs in some places, you can kill those year round too of course.

This is not a typical type of place for deer hunting so we all must follow the rules and of course be respectful of everyone who is a part of the neighborhood to stay in good standing and be able to keep on doing this for years to come hopefully.

Man this sounds awesome, hopefully I might get lucky and can stumble upon another deal I saw on here last year for the free lot and just pay the taxes and transfer fee, So I dont have to wait till I have the extra cash

Thanks for answering all questions!

[TXhoghunter94]

Okay, so I have spent the last hour or so reading over past Hilltop Lakes threads and am really interested. Dont have the funds right now, (broke college kid) but would love to save up to get a lot. It seems worth it to me since I cant afford to get on a lease and just looking for meat until I can get on a good lease where I can work on management bucks.

What are the rules about having family or a friend come hunt with me? Also, would I be able to set up a tent to stay in rather than booking a hotel? How is hunting on the smaller 1/4 acre lots? Are all lots pretty heavily wooded? Do most of yall hunt feeders or pinch points/trails?

Sorry for all the questions!

I'm in a similar situation to you, a somewhat broke college kid haha. You can bring your family with you as long as you pay the $125 a year. For guests, I don't think they can hunt with you unless they also own a lot there. But I'm not sure on this, I could be wrong, I'll have to check the rules again. The do have camp grounds you can camp on or bring a camper that is located in the neighborhood. The hotel is pretty clean and cheap too for members (like $55 a night), just a little outdated. Hunting a 1/4 acre lot is fine IMO. It is enough room for bow set-up with a feeder. I know some people just hunt trails because a some points of the year with the acorns on the ground they will ignore feeders. I use a feeder and usually have plenty of deer. You can also buy up to 4 lots that must be connected (1 acre total) and still pay for just one POA fee, otherwise, for each lot you have that's not connected, you will be paying $35 a month per lot, so that can add up. I only have one lot right now but would like to buy one of my neighbors lots eventually just to have a little more room. If the deer runs off your lot after your shoot (most of the time) you are allowed to track your deer as long as your neighbors are fine with it. So I usually makes friends with everyone around me and so far everyone is fine with it and easy going. I also hunt close to other houses. Most of the lots are far away from houses. The majority of the lot are wooded and there is tons of brush on some lots, also have some nice oaks and other hardwoods. There are a lot of different types of terrain so you can drive around to the different lots for sale and see if you like the area. There are decent roads that go to all the lots its not like you have to walk anywhere to get to your lot, so that's nice.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have if you cant find what your looking for.

[TXhoghunter94]

Man this sounds awesome, hopefully I might get lucky and can stumble upon another deal I saw on here last year for the free lot and just pay the taxes and transfer fee, So I dont have to wait till I have the extra cash

Thanks for answering all questions!

Call 936-855-2222 ext. 164 (I think) and talk to Diana, she is awesome with handling everything with buying and selling lots and knows everything about the hunting club. There can be lots that people are giving away just to get out of the POA fees and a good amount you can get for $300, they are usually just further back in the neighborhood and harder to get to. But she can definitely hook you up and help you find what your looking for.

[Younggun1996]

I don't hunt at hilltop,but i am there2-3 times a week. I can try to keep yall updated.
I hunt and live about two miles North of hilltop.

[czechgrubworm]

I have a lot there as well..

[TXhoghunter94]

I don't hunt at hilltop,but i am there2-3 times a week. I can try to keep yall updated.
I hunt and live about two miles North of hilltop.

That would be awesome! We certainly do appreciate that in advance

[Younggun1996]

No problem if I am already there might as well make my self useful