TPWD Standby rant

[COOLDAD1]

Why say standby hunters must check in by 10 am if they don't even accept standby hunters. Me and the boys headed to Lake mineral wells state park only to be greeted by a rude park host. Rant over.

[Deer Tracks]

No standby positions available?

[COOLDAD1]

Nope..... she said they don't do standby positions there.

[big_smith]

I understand your frustration. I would be hacked as well. Might be a better idea to drop a phone call a day or so before and ask.

[COOLDAD1]

I understand your frustration. I would be hacked as well. Might be a better idea to drop a phone call a day or so before and ask.

Definitely will next time.

[Freight Mover]

I always call first. They can give you an idea if people have been showing up for previous hunts.

Most have told me don't bother or they are not accepting standby. I called 4 of them 2 weeks ago. Only 1 was accepting standby

I just went on a standby this week and got on. I talked to the Ranger twice before heading out

I pick the ones that had high permit counts as it gives you a better chance someone does not show up

[Fishndude]

Earlier this year, I spoke to someone who knows the TPWD Outdoor Annual pretty well. Let's just say the Annual is laced with errors. Lol.

[RobinBradbery]

The hubby and I went standby last week. 6 spots were open. Still they wouldn't let us put in on the same standby card. Said we would have to put in separate and if one of us didn't get drawn that person would have to leave. I understand if it was by assigned blind but this was by compartment. We were quite ticked at the idea one of us might get drawn and the other would not.

It worked out that we both made it on but that was still a dumb way to do it. I even pointed out the extra slots on the standby card for up to three more names. Still we had to fill out separate cards.

[sqiggy]

Might be a better idea to drop a phone call a day or so before and ask.

Definitely will next time.

Always call ahead a day or 2 before the hunt.
With that said, some hunts are capable of doing stand-bys. And what I mean by that, some places have a way to collect permit fees via credit card whereas some can't. Could have been they had no way to run a CC or had a full group. Also, TPWD doesn't always list the places that do or don't do stand-bys.

[bossbowman]

Everywhere has their own rules, some places like devils river won't take standbys even it spots are unpaid, other like GE & RC always seems to have a few standby spots on the gun hunts for guys that know some of the rangers Some areas if somebody is drawn and pays but doesn't show up they will not fill that vacancy, other places will if that person calls ahead and releases their spot, they're all different.

[The Insurance Guy]

I know it doesn't make things better but I'm at lake mineral wells hunting and all hunters showed up, you wouldn't have got to hunt

[bossbowman]

I know it doesn't make things better but I'm at lake mineral wells hunting and all hunters showed up, you wouldn't have got to hunt

Think he probably misunderstood the guy at the park office,

[flywise]

Sorry for your trouble
A phone call or email might help.
Hopefully you fet to go somewhere with the kids