James Daughtrey hunt the 13th-15th

[150class]

Heading down the 13th-15th for a either sex hunt and hoping to best my last buck from down there back in 2003!

So for anyone that's been down there what units did you hunt and did you see any good bucks? Any particular tactics help out more then others.

Also I'll be looking for a place to stay and don't expect any hotels to be available so any tips on places to stay? Do they have any slots in the Parks that you can stay at?

[150class]

Bump

[150class]

Nobody?????

[Slick8]

Do some research, I bet you can find a place if you look. We had no trouble finding a place in Catulla last year on a javi hunt at the chap.

If all else fails you can rough it at one of the many campsites.

[Village]

Howdy,

I went out there in November for the e-postcard draw. I'm by no means an authority but can pass along my experience.

Of the 24 people drawn, about 12 of us showed up for the 5-day hunt. At the end of the week no one tagged a deer! It's tough to bowhunt there because the land is often either impenetrable brush or wide open ranch roads. I hunted compartment 14 with a buddy and we saw quite a few deer but they were always out of range. There are some huge bucks out there. We tried every kind of corn and syrup bait to bring those deer in. They didn't bite until the end of the week. Probably leery of strange food. It's honestly like playing whack-a-mole with the hundreds of deer paths cut through the brush. The lake has receded about a mile from original levels in the last five years. The deer bed up in the thickets and walk across the open grassland of dry lake beds to get water.

In the last couple years the area has turned into an oil town. Especially in the morning when the humidity was high, the constant truck noise on the main highway was distracting. The deer have become accustomed to it. We camped out at the Choke Canyon park in the middle of the Daughtrey area. Compartments 8, 9, 10 and 13 & 14 are within a few minutes drive of the park so it's easy to get to your hunt, but if you bag something note that you'll have to drive 20min to the other side of the lake to check in.

The tent campsite in Choke Canyon used to overlook a pond but is now just a field. I'd spend the extra few bucks and get an RV campsite. You have close access to showers and several sites have a lake view.
The Calliham Store on the road into Choke Canyon park also has take-out pizza that is great after a long day. I think 20min call-ahead before 8pm will work.

Good luck!

[150class]

Howdy,

I went out there in November for the e-postcard draw. I'm by no means an authority but can pass along my experience.

Of the 24 people drawn, about 12 of us showed up for the 5-day hunt. At the end of the week no one tagged a deer! It's tough to bowhunt there because the land is often either impenetrable brush or wide open ranch roads. I hunted compartment 14 with a buddy and we saw quite a few deer but they were always out of range. There are some huge bucks out there. We tried every kind of corn and syrup bait to bring those deer in. They didn't bite until the end of the week. Probably leery of strange food. It's honestly like playing whack-a-mole with the hundreds of deer paths cut through the brush. The lake has receded about a mile from original levels in the last five years. The deer bed up in the thickets and walk across the open grassland of dry lake beds to get water.

In the last couple years the area has turned into an oil town. Especially in the morning when the humidity was high, the constant truck noise on the main highway was distracting. The deer have become accustomed to it. We camped out at the Choke Canyon park in the middle of the Daughtrey area. Compartments 8, 9, 10 and 13 & 14 are within a few minutes drive of the park so it's easy to get to your hunt, but if you bag something note that you'll have to drive 20min to the other side of the lake to check in.

The tent campsite in Choke Canyon used to overlook a pond but is now just a field. I'd spend the extra few bucks and get an RV campsite. You have close access to showers and several sites have a lake view.
The Calliham Store on the road into Choke Canyon park also has take-out pizza that is great after a long day. I think 20min call-ahead before 8pm will work.

Good luck!

Awesome!

Thanks for the info.
I was curious how the lake level was because I new it was low.
I'm really thinking of finding a wide open space to set up in with my 308 to cover a larger area.

But it's not the lightest gun and if I resort to walking it won't be to fun and that makes me want to take my 257 Roy...

I hunted unit 14 twelve years ago and took a 151" ten on a youth hunt and hope to better it this year.
How did they do who got what unit?

Draw outta a hat or was it already selected?

Thanks for the tip on the RV slot.
Might just park my truck in one and sleep in the bed and use the showers

[aranyszarvas]

Like the other hunter said it is an oil country down there now, you can find brand new places to stay in the City of Three River.

Awesome!

Thanks for the info.
I was curious how the lake level was because I new it was low.
I'm really thinking of finding a wide open space to set up in with my 308 to cover a larger area.

But it's not the lightest gun and if I resort to walking it won't be to fun and that makes me want to take my 257 Roy...

I hunted unit 14 twelve years ago and took a 151" ten on a youth hunt and hope to better it this year.
How did they do who got what unit?

Draw outta a hat or was it already selected?

Thanks for the tip on the RV slot.
Might just park my truck in one and sleep in the bed and use the showers

[DeadEyeB]

It's going to be tough hunting no matter what. Lake is way down, but thats not the problem. THe problem is that it's been so warm and so much rain that there is a buch of forage for them to eat.

The big bucks are mostly nocturnal at this point, and likely wont just show up to corn you put out.

If I was you I'd spend my first day scouting for bedding areas and game trails..

If you just throw some corn on the ground and sit it for a few days you are going to have a bad time.

[150class]

It's going to be tough hunting no matter what. Lake is way down, but thats not the problem. THe problem is that it's been so warm and so much rain that there is a buch of forage for them to eat.

The big bucks are mostly nocturnal at this point, and likely wont just show up to corn you put out.

If I was you I'd spend my first day scouting for bedding areas and game trails..

If you just throw some corn on the ground and sit it for a few days you are going to have a bad time.

I planned on spending the first hour after I find out what unit I'm in on google earth trying to find some draws and other spots that are worth taking a look.

Plan on taking some horns with me to see if anything is responding still.

Are you allowed to bait? I thought that was a youth only thing?

[150class]

Bump

[150class]

Bump

[Txfire409]

there is a 170 class buck running around the east side of compartment 15

[Village]

there is a 170 class buck running around the east side of compartment 15

^ this, @150class. I got my compartment numbers wrong last time:11, 12, 13 and 14, 15 are close to Choke Canyon. I would have had a freezer full of venison if I had a rifle with me.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/table_contents/media/713.pdf

[150class]

there is a 170 class buck running around the east side of compartment 15

Awesome, that's what I like reading!

Unit 14 is where I killed my deer and really liked that area

^ this, @150class. I got my compartment numbers wrong last time:11, 12, 13 and 14, 15 are close to Choke Canyon. I would have had a freezer full of venison if I had a rifle with me.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt.../media/713.pdf

Thanks for the update

[150class]

Bump