Official 2024-2025 Somerville Public Hunting Thread

[mig100]

We logged 80+ miles scouting from Jan-June and this is our 2nd full-time season. I shot a nice buck last year and a doe this year.

The more effort you put in, the greater the reward.
Figurine out how to hunt around dove and duck guys is the hard part. Throws a real monkey wrench into deer patterns.

Thanks for responding. I actually love the scouting, but these days with 3 little kids it is tough to find the time. I only got out there twice. Looking forward to when I can take my son out there with me eventually.

[stevo41300]

New to this area..couple questions. Is orange required and is there an issue with popups being stolen?

[TN_boy]

New to this area..couple questions. Is orange required and is there an issue with popups being stolen?

Orange is required, unless you are a duck hunter tromping through the woods making all kinds of noise talking so everyone in 300yds can hear you nowhere close to water. Then you can be in jeans and ducks unlimited shirt toting a shotgun and binoculars.

Pop ups come and go. Not sure if they go with the owner or not.

[mdoug1076]

Caught someone on camera messing with my stand and with game camera. Hope they come back, left them a surprise for next time. I’ll be looking out for them too.

[timtrice]

Pop ups and blinds technically should only be 72 hours but I don't think GW cares. He did take down some stands earlier this season from last year but some remain, I guess those he didn't find.

[stevo41300]

Thanks for the info guys!

[JoeStudd]

So, I’m curious guys. Before this year I had never seen otters out here, but this year I’ve seen 2 in person (got a pic of one) and I’m pretty sure I got another on camera. This is only my 3rd year hunting this part of Texas and coming from south Texas they’re not a common sighting for me. It’s been a drought pretty much since I started hunting here, and my question is, were they more common to see before the last couple of years? I’m starting to take a camera out because my 6 yr old iPhone isn’t cutting it for photos anymore, hoping to run into one again when I have it on me for better photos of one.

[mdoug1076]

That’s cool. I haven’t seen otters in the public hunting land side but I’ve seen them when kayaking up into Nails and Yegua creeks from the main lake.

[Cocobulldog]

I thought I saw a little one in the spring out in the CR134 area, gate 4 I believe it is. I normally hunt straight past the oil rig pad, down toward where the creek holds water. Hunting the same area now so will keep my eyes open and hope to get some cool pics like your.

[rem788]

So, I’m curious guys. Before this year I had never seen otters out here, but this year I’ve seen 2 in person (got a pic of one) and I’m pretty sure I got another on camera. This is only my 3rd year hunting this part of Texas and coming from south Texas they’re not a common sighting for me. It’s been a drought pretty much since I started hunting here, and my question is, were they more common to see before the last couple of years? I’m starting to take a camera out because my 6 yr old iPhone isn’t cutting it for photos anymore, hoping to run into one again when I have it on me for better photos of one.

Man thats cool! I have never seen them out there.

[Texas452]

There’s lots of otters now, I have them, and I know lots of people that have them, in Burleson county.

[Beargrasstx]

Well first time in years that something of mine was stolen. I always python lock my stuff and hang 8 to 10ft in air so a climber is needed. Went to get my stuff as I'm done for the season and I noticed my camera hasn't been working since I had a visitor.

Not 100% sure this guy did the sd card theft and if he did it to see what was in area or because he was scared he wasnt wearing orange but either way. He shows up, camera quits working and sd card gone.

Been hunting this particular area years with no issues.

[Beargrasstx]

Date and time

[mdoug1076]

That really stinks. Public land hunting is already tough enough without having to worry about theft or people messing with your stuff.

[mdoug1076]

Just curious, has anyone ever shot a mature Buck from a ground blind at Somerville?