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Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

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    Originally posted by maxwellllll View Post
    Thanks for this--had the same question myself. My father and I were selected for Nov 16-18. This will be only our second public hunt (well, other than dove that we have gotten drawn for three years in a row!), so the more info I can glean from here the better.

    I'm curious what everyone is thinking re: scouting. It appears that we are permitted to scout our designated hunt areas on November 3-8, 15, 29, and December 6 and won't even need to check in and out at HQ. Honestly, I'd prefer to do my scouting further in advance rather than the day before the hunt so I'm probably going to skip out on my regular opening weekend activities (or maybe just cut them shorter than usual) and try to get some scouting in at the Balcones on the 3rd or 4th. Anyone else thinking similarly?

    Finally, as far as the mediocre hunting there the past few years goes, I'm personally not feeling like it should be too much of a downer for those of us drawn this year. Fair chase hunting has been pretty lousy (fewer good bucks, less overall animal movement) the last couple of years on the property I hunt, and I've heard similar from others on their properties. I've chalked much of that up to the fact that animals that would've been at full maturity for the past 2-3 seasons were all coming out of the mid-drought fawn classes (2010-2012). I am anticipating that the quantity/quality of animals fawned post drought (2013 on) are going to be more visible this year and for the next couple of years. Maybe this is all wishful thinking, but if so, I'll just be hunting the Balcones Canyonlands with my rose-colored glasses on!

    I will be out there scouting the 3rd and 4th. I plan to be there from sun up to sun down both days. May even put out a game camera

    ...

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      Any idea when we will find out what units we are drawn for?

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        Originally posted by C-dubyah View Post
        Any idea when we will find out what units we are drawn for?
        Above, they said it would be sent out around Oct. 5th.

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          Daughter and I BOTH got drawn. We'll be there for the youth hunt and the third general in Dec. From all the threads on the green screen, sounds like a challenge but def worth the scenery. Think I'll take a bow and a rifle for both of us. I'm thinking a couple ground blinds too.

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            Bring SxS ranger or not?

            Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

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              no but I need some Balcones Bourbon

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                Originally posted by fishin' soldier View Post
                Bring SxS ranger or not?

                Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
                I personally believe the SxS and 4wheelers scare a lot of game off because how noisy they can be. Maybe keep it around on stand by for if you harvest a deer or a hog. I plan to put in a ton of foot work.

                How early in the morning are we allowed to enter the units?

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                  Originally posted by Oldsouth View Post
                  I personally believe the SxS and 4wheelers scare a lot of game off because how noisy they can be. Maybe keep it around on stand by for if you harvest a deer or a hog. I plan to put in a ton of foot work.

                  How early in the morning are we allowed to enter the units?
                  They can only be driven on roads and to retrieve game. Mine is stock and pretty quiet. Just dont know if it's worth the effort.

                  Not sure on entry times. Needs to be early as we need time to get in and get set up. I wont have a chance to scout. So my Friday eve with be my scouting.

                  Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

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                    My son and I will be there the 16th as well. I guess this will be like any other NWR Hunt........people walking around everywhere?


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                      Originally posted by Jen-Man View Post
                      My son and I will be there the 16th as well. I guess this will be like any other NWR Hunt........people walking around everywhere?


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                      That's what it sounds like. Just a bit fewer people.

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                        Originally posted by C-dubyah View Post
                        Any idea when we will find out what units we are drawn for?
                        Got my email today Unit 8 for us Nov 9-11.

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                          I talked to them today. Waiting on the list from TPWD. Based on the above post sounds like youth list got there Friday. I would expect an email any day now. Large units will have assigned parking cones. No requirement to shoot hog/doe first.

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                            Our email did not say anything about assigned cones. Just unit 8. I sent email asking when we would find that out. No since in scouting the wrong side of 2500 acres.

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                              Originally posted by fishin' soldier View Post
                              Our email did not say anything about assigned cones. Just unit 8. I sent email asking when we would find that out. No since in scouting the wrong side of 2500 acres.

                              Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
                              You can hunt the entire unit but must park at the designated cone. Maybe they changed their mind or they handle it differently for youth. Curious to hear what you find out.

                              Good luck.

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                                I just got mine! I'll be in #3B on Nov 16-18.
                                Any tips for that area?

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