Official 2024-2025 Somerville Public Hunting Thread

[rem788]

I did some scouting at nails creek today. Is the entire area between 125 and flag pond off limits? I’m new to hunting 711.

I found enough sign to drop a couple pins. But the most interesting find always a few abandoned turkey eggs.

Yes. Everything east of 125 is off limits. That area is inside the state park. If you go to the TPWD website they offer a KML or KMZ file you can download and imprt to google earth to see the boundaries of the hunting land or you can get an app on your phone like OnX that will allow you to see the boundary with the paid service.

[texaztea]

I'm very new to hunting public land, based out of Bryan, and looking for places to hunt throughout the year. Does 711 normally have heavy crowds on opening day for dove? Thanks

[rem788]

I'm very new to hunting public land, based out of Bryan, and looking for places to hunt throughout the year. Does 711 normally have heavy crowds on opening day for dove? Thanks

I have personally never seen any dove hunters out there. I was out there last weekend and from the looks of things I can see why. Everthing is overgrown, waist to chest high, from the rain and it would be very difficult if not impossible to find a downed bird.

[mdoug1076]

I'm very new to hunting public land, based out of Bryan, and looking for places to hunt throughout the year. Does 711 normally have heavy crowds on opening day for dove? Thanks

I dove hunted one time years back while scouting for deer. Only shot one. It’s very thick. I’ve never seen anyone else dove hunt out there. I’ve had better luck hunting the public lands in Milam county which is about the same distance away from Bryan. There are about 6 hunting units up there you can check out and they are all pretty close together.

[texaztea]

That makes sense. I appreciate the advice!

[bowmasterluke]

Granger is also a decent dove spot.

[JoeStudd]

Went out two days ago and put in some more ground work, only been out 4x since the end of last season. It seems the ragweed sprouted up earlier (compared to last year) and is already really high, woody, and dying off. A lot of low points and the creeks are still holding water. The live oaks definitely dropped acorns recently as well. BUNCH of sign under them, but the acorns were all vacuumed up already. Anyone else seeing the feeding patterns have shifted forward a month or so this year? Maybe the lack of 100+ degree days, and the little rain we've gotten let everything grow up sooner this year? Want to hear what yall think and have been seeing out there lately. Good luck to everyone this season!

[rem788]

Went out two days ago and put in some more ground work, only been out 4x since the end of last season. It seems the ragweed sprouted up earlier (compared to last year) and is already really high, woody, and dying off. A lot of low points and the creeks are still holding water. The live oaks definitely dropped acorns recently as well. BUNCH of sign under them, but the acorns were all vacuumed up already. Anyone else seeing the feeding patterns have shifted forward a month or so this year? Maybe the lack of 100+ degree days, and the little rain we've gotten let everything grow up sooner this year? Want to hear what yall think and have been seeing out there lately. Good luck to everyone this season!

I’ve seen a few acorns but not much. The ragweed is insane already. I had some good sign about a month ago but now there’s a cow out there running all over the place so I haven’t seen much as far as deer since.

[bowmasterluke]

Went out two days ago and put in some more ground work, only been out 4x since the end of last season. It seems the ragweed sprouted up earlier (compared to last year) and is already really high, woody, and dying off. A lot of low points and the creeks are still holding water. The live oaks definitely dropped acorns recently as well. BUNCH of sign under them, but the acorns were all vacuumed up already. Anyone else seeing the feeding patterns have shifted forward a month or so this year? Maybe the lack of 100+ degree days, and the little rain we've gotten let everything grow up sooner this year? Want to hear what yall think and have been seeing out there lately. Good luck to everyone this season!

I was out there twice in August. From what I saw there were still live oak acorns that hadn’t dropped. The red oaks hadn’t started at all. Tons of rag weed. Pecans in trees still… I’ve been getting pictures of deer about every other day. Mostly does and small bucks. Although I have one night time picture of a mature 10 point... There was noticeably more activity in daylight a few weeks ago when it cooled down. Less since it got back into the 90s. I’m undecided about going out there early in the season from what I’m seeing right now.

[rem788]

Anybody else notice they have taken away the short doe season for Thanksgiving? It used to open back up for does for 4-5 days at Thanksgiving in case you didin't get a doe during archery only.

Is everybody filling out the report when checking out telling them what you actually saw during scouting and hunting?

[Cocobulldog]

Planning on being out there bright, CR125 section, bright and early on Sat. Went out earlier in the year to hog hunt at CR134 area, saw lots of hogs did not get any and skeeters were so bad have not been back since.

[mdoug1076]

Anybody else notice they have taken away the short doe season for Thanksgiving? It used to open back up for does for 4-5 days at Thanksgiving in case you didin't get a doe during archery only.

Is everybody filling out the report when checking out telling them what you actually saw during scouting and hunting?

I always fill them out. Saw one hog yesterday. Checked out 3 spots I’ve been watching and doesn’t look like anyone else has been near them. Saw some fresh rubs. Hope it stays dry and doesn’t flood this year.

[rem788]

I always fill them out. Saw one hog yesterday. Checked out 3 spots I’ve been watching and doesn’t look like anyone else has been near them. Saw some fresh rubs. Hope it stays dry and doesn’t flood this year.

Same here. I always fill it out. I was kinda hoping they would do like SHNF and allow us to apply for a second doe tag to use any time during the season.

I haven’t been out there for 3-4 weeks in hopes not to disturb any deer patterns, although I haven’t seen much at all since they all took off to rub their velvet off. Plus my cameras are set up at trail intersections but it’s so overgrown now I can’t even see the trails anymore. I’m hoping they’re still in the area and I’m just not seeing them. Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.

[TN_boy]

Race y'all there!
Be safe. If you need help call.
Best of luck!

[SwampBuck]

Good luck gents! I’m out this weekend but I’ll be making a trip soon once the weather gets right