2024-25 LANWR aka Laguna thread

[JackRyan]

(I will post some pics later) - 2024 LANWR hunt is in the books for us and it was a heck of a hunt, very different in some aspects from previous hunts. We didn't run into as many other hunters, everyone had ebikes, I'm pretty sure I saw more crossbows than compound. I never saw a warden or any refuge staff, not even at the check station. This was my fifth archery hunt at Laguna and it was a real grind as it always is. It was so HOT it was hard to carry enough water with us to stay hydrated, my pack started very heavy every day - mostly with water. Over six days (including scouting on Thursday) I hiked 49.56 miles according to my Fitbit and I think I averaged about 5 hours of sleep a night. (I was really kicking myself for selling my ebikes - but I sold them and then we got drawn on second draw - LOL) I was hunting with my son and good buddy whom we have hunted with every time at Laguna. I treated Friday morning as more scouting time, really trying to get dialed in. But, my buddy who was about half a mile from me took a very nice 10 point buck - a real trophy buck. That was an awesome start to our hunt. We also saw a lot of animals on Friday including Nilgai. Saturday morning I went in very confident based on what I had seen previously but the animals didn't stick to the plan. I did have a young cow at 30 yards walk right in front of me but she busted me as I drew. We saw significantly less animals Saturday and Sunday. Monday morning my son and I got setup and I didn't feel as confident but this time the animals did stick to the plan and I was able to take a doe at 25 yds and then by some small miracle also got a nice 8 pt buck only a few minutes apart. These two deer were not only my first Laguna kills but my first archery kills ever. To say I was excited would be an understatement, lol. We hunted yesterday morning hoping for a shot for my son and it was close but didn't happen. He passed on a small doe that he thought looked too young. We stayed until the front blew in and then got poured on on our walk out. We would have hunted all day but he had to head back to Corpus for work. We never saw any rattlesnakes. The chiggers are horrible, use Permetherine and don't sit on the ground, lol. The mosquitos were only bad at sunrise and sunset, other than that they weren't really horrible. But we did use our thermacells. I'll post a couple of pics later - good luck to the next crew!

[Garrett Harlan]

(I will post some pics later) - 2024 LANWR hunt is in the books for us and it was a heck of a hunt, very different in some aspects from previous hunts. We didn't run into as many other hunters, everyone had ebikes, I'm pretty sure I saw more crossbows than compound. I never saw a warden or any refuge staff, not even at the check station. This was my fifth archery hunt at Laguna and it was a real grind as it always is. It was so HOT it was hard to carry enough water with us to stay hydrated, my pack started very heavy every day - mostly with water. Over six days (including scouting on Thursday) I hiked 49.56 miles according to my Fitbit and I think I averaged about 5 hours of sleep a night. (I was really kicking myself for selling my ebikes - but I sold them and then we got drawn on second draw - LOL) I was hunting with my son and good buddy whom we have hunted with every time at Laguna. I treated Friday morning as more scouting time, really trying to get dialed in. But, my buddy who was about half a mile from me took a very nice 10 point buck - a real trophy buck. That was an awesome start to our hunt. We also saw a lot of animals on Friday including Nilgai. Saturday morning I went in very confident based on what I had seen previously but the animals didn't stick to the plan. I did have a young cow at 30 yards walk right in front of me but she busted me as I drew. We saw significantly less animals Saturday and Sunday. Monday morning my son and I got setup and I didn't feel as confident but this time the animals did stick to the plan and I was able to take a doe at 25 yds and then by some small miracle also got a nice 8 pt buck only a few minutes apart. These two deer were not only my first Laguna kills but my first archery kills ever. To say I was excited would be an understatement, lol. We hunted yesterday morning hoping for a shot for my son and it was close but didn't happen. He passed on a small doe that he thought looked too young. We stayed until the front blew in and then got poured on on our walk out. We would have hunted all day but he had to head back to Corpus for work. We never saw any rattlesnakes. The chiggers are horrible, use Permetherine and don't sit on the ground, lol. The mosquitos were only bad at sunrise and sunset, other than that they weren't really horrible. But we did use our thermacells. I'll post a couple of pics later - good luck to the next crew!

Glad yall had some success! Were the bucks starting to rut yet?

[jkelbe]

Send me some of your spots and I'll go scout them for you tomorrow lol. JK but good luck to you sir! shoot me a PM if you need help packing something out, Ill be in a blue tundra

Appreciate the offer, I'm rolling with a crew of 4. I will be in a white 4x4 chevy. I'll be on the look out for the Tundras. I may be all over the map, last year I staid in 5, and 6 was closed, I am really interested in 6 and 1 as the drive in is so much shorter.

[Huntindad]

I've heard a lot about unit 6. LOTTA critters in there. and... lotta people. I don't know the lay out so it may be good with lots of folks. Also heard about folks stands being taken during the hunt.

Good luck to all those headed out tomorrow.

[justletmein]

I've heard a lot about unit 6. LOTTA critters in there. and... lotta people. I don't know the lay out so it may be good with lots of folks. Also heard about folks stands being taken during the hunt.

Good luck to all those headed out tomorrow.

I think depending on setups more people can be better for hunting. I'm really people-phobic but hunting various public land you can really take advantage of animals being pushed around by other people. Hunker down on an escape route or funnel and let the walkers move the animals for you, sometimes they come right at you.

[Raharvey1124]

I was not able to hunt the last day, duty called and I was back at work.

Everything was running by the 4th & 5th day(heard from friends). I saw nilgai everyday, but on those days they were blowing through. I will say that I did not see any deer on the north side of the refuge. I was lucky enough not to run into any rattlesnakes, and we were hunting thick areas(waist high grass). I did see a huge indigo snake that scared me to death.

As has been said, mosquitoes are really only bad when the sun is either rising or down, other than that they are definitely bearable with a thermocell or permethrin.

[Stockmo]

Laguna Atascosa is an amazing place. This was my second trip down there. Day one I had pigs going by from about 9 until right at 11. I had a Nilgai walk out while I was watching the pigs. The Nilgai cow gave me every opportunity but I blew it, live and learn. I had learned my first trip that walking wasn't exactly the ticket for success. I would walk until I saw something I liked and sit for a few hours then walk again. Day two went back to the area I had pigs and the cow. Walking in I had several Nilgai out in the open with a massive black bull. I knew I couldn't sneak up on them and I was downwind so I waited. Learned you can't sneak up on them and you can't really wait them out either. Anyway I noticed a calf between me and the mature animals. While watching the calf the bull and the others disappeared on me, imagine that. I saw the calf bed down in the brush and figured I'd swing for the fences. In the process I noticed another hunter several hundred yards away and they noticed me too. I got out as quickly and quietly as I could thinking the whole time that guy is dead up wind of the animals I was watching (if you're in here had no idea anyone else was in the area and interested in how you got there before me). Left out of there and looked at OnX. Decided on an area that possibly the animals were relating to that I could stay down wind and possibly cut em off at the pass. No Nilgai but a heck of a buck stepped out after I'd been there an hour or so. No shot opportunity but enjoyed seeing him. We sat day 3 out decided to do a little fishing and sight seeing as well as get some rest. Day four started out slow with me going back where I'd seen the buck and hoping he might step out again. He did not and had very little action. Lunchtime I regrouped and decided I'd set up in an area I'd found during my first trip. About 430 I heard a noise to my left. Slowly looked over and there stands the biggest buck I've ever had near me about 15yds out with a mesquite between us. Couldn't speculate on his size but I can assure y'all he wasn't a 3 1/2 year old lol. Watched him wander around never giving me any hopes of a shot but enjoyed the experience and he was completely unaware of me. A few minutes later with my heart still pumping double duty I hear a noise in front of me and miss big mouth doe is doing the head shake looking dead at me. I think the bush I was set up in might of been her house and she was wondering what the heck I was. She tried figuring out what I was for a bit and decided something wasn't right. She didn't completely bust me but she knew something wasn't right. I left out day 4 excited and hoping day 5 morning the buck would reverse his path. Got there day 5 early and solo not a truck in sight. Set up with my knowledge of the bucks path and very hopeful. No wind not a whiff. Check wind with my wind detector and it just hangs. Oh man no wind no thermals and not a branch moving. Wasn't looking good for this guy. Hung out until the front hit with no action but wouldn't trade it for anything. Left happy for the experience but sad to leave. Needless to say I can't wait to get drawn again and It can't happen soon enough.

[Stockmo]

Appreciate the offer, I'm rolling with a crew of 4. I will be in a white 4x4 chevy. I'll be on the look out for the Tundras. I may be all over the map, last year I staid in 5, and 6 was closed, I am really interested in 6 and 1 as the drive in is so much shorter.

6 is good and usually crowded.There's a reason it's the bow hunting only unit, just sits up better. I need to explore more I've hunted 6 exclusively both trips down there. I'm like a dog though. You move my food bowl and I'd starve to death. My joy of hunting public is to find a good area and thoroughly break it down and find the area within the area. I primarily hunt public and the majority of my time is spent at LBJ hunting the same dang area year after year.

[m10]

I’ll be there this hunt. Gotta work half a day then hit the road for the long 45 min drive there. Cant wait for Friday! Good luck to all.

[justletmein]

Laguna Atascosa is an amazing place. This was my second trip down there. Day one I had pigs going by from about 9 until right at 11. I had a Nilgai walk out while I was watching the pigs. The Nilgai cow gave me every opportunity but I blew it, live and learn. I had learned my first trip that walking wasn't exactly the ticket for success. I would walk until I saw something I liked and sit for a few hours then walk again. Day two went back to the area I had pigs and the cow. Walking in I had several Nilgai out in the open with a massive black bull. I knew I couldn't sneak up on them and I was downwind so I waited. Learned you can't sneak up on them and you can't really wait them out either. Anyway I noticed a calf between me and the mature animals. While watching the calf the bull and the others disappeared on me, imagine that. I saw the calf bed down in the brush and figured I'd swing for the fences. In the process I noticed another hunter several hundred yards away and they noticed me too. I got out as quickly and quietly as I could thinking the whole time that guy is dead up wind of the animals I was watching (if you're in here had no idea anyone else was in the area and interested in how you got there before me). Left out of there and looked at OnX. Decided on an area that possibly the animals were relating to that I could stay down wind and possibly cut em off at the pass. No Nilgai but a heck of a buck stepped out after I'd been there an hour or so. No shot opportunity but enjoyed seeing him. We sat day 3 out decided to do a little fishing and sight seeing as well as get some rest. Day four started out slow with me going back where I'd seen the buck and hoping he might step out again. He did not and had very little action. Lunchtime I regrouped and decided I'd set up in an area I'd found during my first trip. About 430 I heard a noise to my left. Slowly looked over and there stands the biggest buck I've ever had near me about 15yds out with a mesquite between us. Couldn't speculate on his size but I can assure y'all he wasn't a 3 1/2 year old lol. Watched him wander around never giving me any hopes of a shot but enjoyed the experience and he was completely unaware of me. A few minutes later with my heart still pumping double duty I hear a noise in front of me and miss big mouth doe is doing the head shake looking dead at me. I think the bush I was set up in might of been her house and she was wondering what the heck I was. She tried figuring out what I was for a bit and decided something wasn't right. She didn't completely bust me but she knew something wasn't right. I left out day 4 excited and hoping day 5 morning the buck would reverse his path. Got there day 5 early and solo not a truck in sight. Set up with my knowledge of the bucks path and very hopeful. No wind not a whiff. Check wind with my wind detector and it just hangs. Oh man no wind no thermals and not a branch moving. Wasn't looking good for this guy. Hung out until the front hit with no action but wouldn't trade it for anything. Left happy for the experience but sad to leave. Needless to say I can't wait to get drawn again and It can't happen soon enough.

Sounds like an awesome time!

Y'all are killing me, we got two hunts coming up and both are late so reading all this is driving me nuts. Lol

[Mr. Public]

Laguna Atascosa is an amazing place. This was my second trip down there. Day one I had pigs going by from about 9 until right at 11. I had a Nilgai walk out while I was watching the pigs. The Nilgai cow gave me every opportunity but I blew it, live and learn. I had learned my first trip that walking wasn't exactly the ticket for success. I would walk until I saw something I liked and sit for a few hours then walk again. Day two went back to the area I had pigs and the cow. Walking in I had several Nilgai out in the open with a massive black bull. I knew I couldn't sneak up on them and I was downwind so I waited. Learned you can't sneak up on them and you can't really wait them out either. Anyway I noticed a calf between me and the mature animals. While watching the calf the bull and the others disappeared on me, imagine that. I saw the calf bed down in the brush and figured I'd swing for the fences. In the process I noticed another hunter several hundred yards away and they noticed me too. I got out as quickly and quietly as I could thinking the whole time that guy is dead up wind of the animals I was watching (if you're in here had no idea anyone else was in the area and interested in how you got there before me). Left out of there and looked at OnX. Decided on an area that possibly the animals were relating to that I could stay down wind and possibly cut em off at the pass. No Nilgai but a heck of a buck stepped out after I'd been there an hour or so. No shot opportunity but enjoyed seeing him. We sat day 3 out decided to do a little fishing and sight seeing as well as get some rest. Day four started out slow with me going back where I'd seen the buck and hoping he might step out again. He did not and had very little action. Lunchtime I regrouped and decided I'd set up in an area I'd found during my first trip. About 430 I heard a noise to my left. Slowly looked over and there stands the biggest buck I've ever had near me about 15yds out with a mesquite between us. Couldn't speculate on his size but I can assure y'all he wasn't a 3 1/2 year old lol. Watched him wander around never giving me any hopes of a shot but enjoyed the experience and he was completely unaware of me. A few minutes later with my heart still pumping double duty I hear a noise in front of me and miss big mouth doe is doing the head shake looking dead at me. I think the bush I was set up in might of been her house and she was wondering what the heck I was. She tried figuring out what I was for a bit and decided something wasn't right. She didn't completely bust me but she knew something wasn't right. I left out day 4 excited and hoping day 5 morning the buck would reverse his path. Got there day 5 early and solo not a truck in sight. Set up with my knowledge of the bucks path and very hopeful. No wind not a whiff. Check wind with my wind detector and it just hangs. Oh man no wind no thermals and not a branch moving. Wasn't looking good for this guy. Hung out until the front hit with no action but wouldn't trade it for anything. Left happy for the experience but sad to leave. Needless to say I can't wait to get drawn again and It can't happen soon enough.

That’s a true Laguna story. I read every word. I’m blessed to be going back.

what a hunt!

[Mr. Public]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17FRB2tELR/?mibextid=W40cHY

Well we all know where hide wig is made?

[CoswayTyler]

Loaded up and headed south!

Let the games begin!!

[Garrett Harlan]

Starting out strong this morning, printed out the docs you need to keep on yourself/in your truck and placed them in one bino harness. When packing up last night I chose a different harness to bring...... SMH. Gotta wait till CVS or Office Depot opens to get them printed before heading out to scout. None the less feeling extremely blessed to be back to my favorite public land chasing some blue devils!! Stay safe everyone and adapt!

[JackRyan]

Here is a pic of my buck from Monday morning, I did not get any good pics of the doe.