public hunting

[Jayt22]

does anyone hunt deer at lake Tawakoni? Was wondering if it was any good and if anyone had any problems there? Any help would be nice new to the texas hunting

[woodsman]

Yes it can be good, low #s though, and yes people have had problems there. I have hunted there once and was unsuccessful.

[kooterbrown9157]

Problems yes deer yes hard hunting

[Jayt22]

How about hogs? Good numbers or no?

[bowtechbandit]

i hunted there quite a bit in 2012-2013. had a climber stolen during that time. very hard hunting, every good food source I found was covered in pigs. I shot or could have a shot a pig but a handful of times I hunted it. there are good deer to be had there. I never saw a good one, but have a friend that owns property that back up to it. he has sheds and some trail cam pics of some 160ish deer. hunt county in general historically has produced some great deer south of I-30.

[Jayt22]

I was wondering about stands walkin off. How about inexperienced hunters leavin early comin in late? Did you see a lot of that?

[bowtechbandit]

not so much, I walked in over a mile, there was one other guy that I saw signs of back in there, but never saw him. I like to be on stand and settled an hour before light and I would sit ether all day or till 11 or 12. most people had left by then. I passed lots of flag tap and a few stands on my way in. my rule of thumb is not to even mess with public land for the first 3-4 weeks of season. by that time all the inexperienced hunters have burned out and been skunked enough times they loose interest. the ones that are still going in there regular know what they are doing or have seen a good deer that's keeping them interested. I have had great success late season in the public woods. I also never go unless its a good day to be in there. big weather event + good moon phase. you have to figure that the odds are stacked against you in the PW's due to pressure regardless. mature bucks will stay nocturnal or leave the property I believe. that's why I only mess with it when I feel like its my best chance to catch a mature buck on his feet in daylight. oh, and don't forget LUCK! right place at the right time. I have also had success hunting less than desirable spots that no one else would hunt, but due to all the pressure there were deer frequenting the area. there was absolutely no reason for deer to be in there, but they were. I hope this helps you out. just remember hunting the PW's is a beat down!!! but when everything comes together its the sweetest success there is in my opinion!

[LakeJake]

Don't leave anything of value in your truck...

[Jayt22]

How about obtaining a permit for that area? What's the process?

[LakeJake]

Need the $48 APH "Annual Public Hunting" permit, formerly called "Type 2". Sold everywhere that can do hunting licenses.

[Jayt22]

With that permit I can go to any public hunting area or just certain ones?

[LakeJake]

TPWD will mail you a book with all of the hunting areas included in APH. It includes details about restrictions for each location. You can also read more here - https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt...ublic_hunting/

[Jayt22]

Cool thanks

[LakeJake]

And here - https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt...ources/708.pdf

[Jayt22]

Will they let you go check it out without permit? Not carrying anything of course !