Originally posted by C-dubyah
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I drew the rifle hunt last year. I regret applying for it, especially since they decided to surprise us all and "cube" the loyalty points this year. I blew 5 loyalty points, or 125 I should say.
I don't intend to sound condescending on the WMA, but it is bottom of the barrel of the Gun Deer Either Sex choices for WMAs, I've been to plenty WMAs and have a pretty impressive archery success rate of big bucks taken on draw hunts, some of which I do not reveal. OSB isn't one I'll return to, so the local guys that feel that they have a honey hole can rest easy. Low deer density, and abundance of hogs, not a place I want to spend time at during my busy hunting season.
I pre-scouted the place, used an UTV and walked it prior to the hunt. I read up on everything available on the web, studied satellite imagery, spoke with everyone I could including wardens and biologist. I put in plenty of time to make trip there successful and meaningful. Of all the hunters, only 1 deer was harvested. A woman hunting with me shot it(doe) at 70yds, across my lap sitting in a UTV watching a powerline right of way. I had plenty of opportunities to shoot hogs, and a couple deer (spike/doe). But, I wasnt there for me, I tagged out on 3 WT Buck 1 Mulie Buck with a bow. I was trying something new with hopes of her being successful. It worked.
The guys/biologist that ran the place were cool as heck, very accommodating. They even cooked all the hunters supper the first night, Johns Famous Carne Guisada. Made from an OSB hog. Very cool that they did that, all the hunters got to sit down and eat a meal together.
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I’ll give this last bit of info on this property: if you listen to the Storm Water Creek podcast hosted by Abe Bullman on Spotify, they actually had the biologist from this area on multiple episodes, for two different years (2017&2018). I think Abe won a drawn hunt here as well. Couple quick stats from Chris Farrell (WildLife Biologist for Tawakoni and OSB) that stood out to me:
A total of about 3 deer come off the property every year. I think hunters have to report all kills. There may be a couple more that get killed, but not accounted for.
Deer density is 1 deer per 34 acres
Of the 3 or so deer taken avg yearly, they are more likely to be locals, than drawn hunt winners.
This sounds like depressing stats, but there is still potential. I got drawn this year for another GDE, but next year and every year after I would not apply to this place. It can be hunted without burning a draw and there are far better properties for deer density and big buck potential. Get to the pipeline if you can - if this place is flooded I wouldn’t mess with it.
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