switch to strictly public land?

[Slick8]

I'm on the last $500 lease known to man. It's not much; no camp, the rancher lives right in the middle on the creek bottom, 3 gas well and a small plant=VERY high traffic, two roads on the north and south boarders of a 400 acre pasture, very few hogs so no off season huntin, 3 small acreage hunters that have feeders on the fence line.

BUT, it's 1.5 hours from the house and I've killed 3 great bucks (130 class) in 4 years. If I ever lose this little slice of heaven, I fear I'll never be able to replace it and may look to public/end of season doe hunts and that dreamed of western hunt.

[HR3]

grew up hunting on public land and I only hunt public land in Texas and it's been good to me so far....nothing like you see on these hunting shows....lol

[ArcheryAssassin]

There are NO deer on public land in your area .... move along.

I agree, stay off of my public lands , noooo deeer :-)

[ArcheryAssassin]

grew up hunting on public land and I only hunt public land in Texas and it's been good to me so far....nothing like you see on these hunting shows....lol

Look harder then ! ;-)

[SCREAMINREELS]

Thanks guys. and im not new to the forest as ive hunted it (without success) but know thats earned. im not asking if there are deer there as i literally drive some part of the national forest just about every day for work. Was mainly asking about making the switch. ill make a decision soon. ill still hunt national forest a few times this year as well even though i still have a lease next year may be my only place other than an over the counter out of state and i thik im ok with that. With a new kid im getting serious about a budget for the first time in my life id like to have his college fund paid off as quick as possible etc. by cutting out a lease ( ive had 2 at the same time before) i can put an extra 250-400 a month into his fund without ctting anything but hunting. seems worth it for me. there may be another full timer with yall in shnf next year

was also curious about the out of state hunts as id like to still squeeze one of those in

[HR3]

Look harder then ! ;-)

....did see one today....Hunting the country, I believe....didn't get to watch the whole thing....multi year hunt without any success....not your typical show

[Dave_]

We lost our "irreplaceable" lease about 4-5 year ago. I do miss the freedom do to just about whatever and be able to hunt decent deer/quail/turkey/ducks or whatever is in season in one spot.

But Ive been hunting public for the last 10-11 years or so and managed to do a DIY NM muzzle loader elk hunt last year (took a nice 6x6 opening morning ) and I can't complain. Ive never taken any trophy deer on TX public land but never have a problem getting meat in the freezer.

My wife is happier that I don't disappear for long weekends all fall/winter Just day trips for the most part and sleep in my own bed at night. Except if Im out of state...

[flywise]

If i ever loose my lease ( been on it since 1989) i'll probably never lease again.
I go to New Mexico or colorado every year as well and really look forward to some time on East Tx public land this year

[James]

As expensive as my lease is after everything I've been highly considering doing all public and one outa state hunt a year. If I didn't have a place to go every weekend id go crazy is the main reason I have a lease, along with being obsessed with mature trophy caliber deer

[switchback]

I have always hunted public land. Even back home. For the last 5 years I have only been off one day a week. Now I'm off 3 days a week. Just couldn't justify spending money on a lease I would only use 1 day a week. Back home there was just so much public land to hunt and hardly anyone hunting it. I've seen some nice deer on public land over the years.

[Texas Grown]

I've nearly always hunted public lands here because lease prices were out of my reach all but two years. Been hunting some public for 30 years in some places as of this year. One of the years I did lease, I never killed a deer on that lease (Throckmorton). But did go to one of my spots on public that did not fail me. So all was not lost .

There is good and bad about both leases and public lands. Just depends on your view point and what your willing to put up with, on both.

[Limbwalker]

I don't regret it and doubt I ever will.

For about 5 years, I had one of the sweetest private land honey holes a guy could ever ask for. Just minutes from my house and I was the only one hunting it. It was literally covered with deer. I could hunt does all season because of landowner permits.

Was it nice? Heck yea it was. And I'll always remember the kind gentleman who allowed me and my kids to hunt there. We made a lot of lifetime memories at the perfect age for my kids to hunt.

But for me personally, taking a deer with a bow on public ground is the pinnacle of hunting in Texas. I've been fortunate enough to do it a few times now, and the feeling is like no other. Even if I don't get a deer, I'm still having a ball hunting new areas, scouting thousands of acres of land, and enjoying the HUNT. Because that's what it should be at the end of the day.

[TXgringo83]

I have been considering the same thing... I am going to keep my lease and try a PL bow only area this year and see how it goes.

[Boone44]

Hunting public land is more physically demanding but I think you'll actually enjoy hunting it more if you like a challenge. You shouldn't have any problems shooting a buck every season. Anymore, I have a hard time lease hunting. I definitely feel I've accomplished more harvesting deer from public land verses a lease. Also, the financial savings is substantial. I'd say go for it.

[grizzman]

I still have a cheap lease ($250 for 120 acres) but they have clear cut it. I didn't hunt last year but I went on several youth hunts with the kids. I'm always looking at public options. Draw hunts if I can get them.