Bastrop State Park

[TN_boy]

Slow morning, nothing seen so far. Death is in the air down here and everyone must have gotten the memo last night. Fixin to climb down, pack and scout hunt back toward truck. 10am is cutoff today.

[Yakinthebox]

3 deer limit, my buddy Justin shot one walking to me to help.

Awesome! I knew you had said 3 each but then I read #4! Y'all killed it! Pun intended!

[MtnMike]

Slow morning, nothing seen so far. Death is in the air down here and everyone must have gotten the memo last night. Fixin to climb down, pack and scout hunt back toward truck. 10am is cutoff today.

You had a good hunt!! Congratulations!! Did anyone see any Red Deer?

[TN_boy]

This hunt was by far the most organized and well ran that I have attended. All park staff were happy and excited to see the hunters.
They drove a truck in last night through the grass and trees all the way to where we gutted our deer and transported to check station.
Volunteers at the check station helped hang and hold animals being broken down. I did recommend making all 6 A-frames 24" taller. Finishing a deer on your knees is no fun.
One park staff even helped coach two guys on how to break down a deer with explanation of what each section of meat was and used for.
Only animals taken were by stand-by hunters. Drawn hunters accounted for 0 harvests.

We were the only two hunters to hike more than 200 yards from a parking area (each area had 2-3 designated parking spots). Granted, the units were only ~150 acres each, but we still scouted almost all of our section.


Food for thought:
300wsm with 180gr Bondstrikes = no blood trail and no tracking.
Headshots out of a saddle are possible.
Deer still eat acorns in January.
Bastrop SP does not mow prior to hunts, the native grasses are tall: waist/chest or higher. Plan your hunt accordingly.
Groups of youth loblolly pines are beautiful.
Tons of people utilize the park. I would have never thought. Driving through getting to hunting areas (which are closed to public year round), we saw plenty of families and cars, hiking, walking, biking.
Large animals still roam. We found tracks.
Coyotes there look and sound like wolves.
Gun hunting is easy, if you can get on animals.
Bring options for setups. I had my saddle, 10ft tripod, blind material and chair, and shooting sticks.
Deer love edges where two or more vegetation types meet.
Squirrels are good alarm systems. Listen.

I bailed on bow hunting this weekend. Our next gig is my son's draw at Nails Creek State Park at the end of this month.
Now it's time to start scouting, logging miles and setting up trees for next year. This time we'll prep some South wind trees just in case we have another hot winter.

[joelacz]

Congrats on the successful hunt. My son and I will be at Nails as well. Going to camp at the park. Already talked to Stacy (a guy) that runs the hunt. They are going to corn the spots 10 days before. Good luck on that hunt as well.

[Killer]

Congratulations

[TexasAggie04]

Congrats!

[KardiacBowHuntr]

Didn't realize they have red deer listed for Bastrop State Park. I have been hunting a property that borders it for close to 20 years, no red deer, but have had an axis come mingle with our goats. We have shot a lot of quality deer off our place; I know some giants live in the park.