Texas Draw Hunts

[S-3 Ranch]

Considering the inflation and current fuel prices, what are your thoughts on the number of applications and the overall interest/attendance of the hunts?

I think lots of people will consider more high % local meat hunt permits over low odds long distance draws
The competition is still stiff on hunts like mulie and pronghorn, exotic

[Saltyag15]

I put in for the hardest to draw stuff (rifle mule deer, pronghorn and exotic). Never surprised when I don't draw, but there's always a chance I guess!

[Mr. Public]

Another way to look at this; how many folks will be hitting up the draw system for the first time because they can't afford a lease this year?

Yes, good point. I thought of that too. Many folks probably had to drop a lease or some other lost opportunity due to funds.

I am in the market for a honda car, don't be making fun of me when I pull up. I aint above strapping a deer on the roof.

[Mr. Public]

I'll still put in for the same number of hunts and go to the standby hunts depending on permits to be drawn.

May carpool instead of multiple vehicles.

I like the carpool idea! Wish I had hunting buddies that lived closer, still always have to have everyone in alignment on quick decision, fast action, limited gear trips.

[Mr. Public]

I think it may have a bigger impact on the number of stand by hunters who show up. If I apply for a hunt, I'm budgeting for the potential of being drawn for that hunt in my annual hunting expenses. However, it's unlikely I will drive several hours to put my name in the hat to maybe get drawn.

6 years of driving to Chap for SB a couple times each year without getting it has racked up a hell of a fuel bill, a many hours driving, and several thousands of miles.

[Mr. Public]

The Chap had ONE GDE date I think I have 14 pts but keeping adding a buddy that only has 6 pts. I think he is holding me down If I don't draw this year, next year I go solo !

I recommend you go solo now. Why? YOLO! I hate myself for using that acronym.

[Texas Grown]

Inflation and fuel ain't gonna make a single difference to me. I just try to make the hunts so they don't overlap categories. That sometimes means only picking 1 hunt date on hunts with several dates. But if getting drawn for two hunts in two different categories means having to drive from one hunt directly to the next, I'm good with that.

[CTR0022]

It won't affect me, I put in for the same hunts every year. As I continue to build points I have become picky on what hunts I put in for.

As far as standbys, I am still planning to go on the same standbys as I normally do, but as we get closer, depending on what I have going on may impact my willingness to go.

[Mjjust]

Nice my son started living with me 2 years ago this is our 3rd year. We haven't drawn squat .lol

When my son was younger he only got drawn on a single doe youth hunt in the 8 years we applied yet we went on multiple hunts every year. We did standby at a lot of places and had better than 50% success getting on. Chap doe hunt is basically a 100% chance and we did that hunt every year and some years did it more than once. Look at the stats from prior years and you will be surprised by the number of youth hunts that had standby and no one showed up. When those fail then check out TYHP.org for more opportunities. No reason for anyone not to be able to take their kid on at least one hunt every year.

[tdwinklr]

I put in for every mule deer hunt , pronghorn and nilgai hunt , whitetail bownanza, grandslam

Will worry about dealing with limited mobility issue if I draw ! LOL
Hopefully if I draw I can team up with someone else

I have drawn multiple times on alligator with 100% successful hunts , drew nilgai and my aunt and uncle backed out of the hunt, when I turned back the permits, there were probably
100-150 standby hunters waiting in a line @ the refuge ( freaked my uncle out how many wanted the permits)

where in the heck are nilgai draws in this system? I've never saw them ... just aoudad.

[S-3 Ranch]

where in the heck are nilgai draws in this system? I've never saw them ... just aoudad.

Look @ bottom of the page , National wildlife refuge exotic or
spread out your odds and apply for deer hunting also, because it’s unlimited exotic/ nilgai
May the odds be in your favor

[Huntindad]

Don't think I have seen a area have stand by for Nilgai.

[Shane]

I don't mind the sheep hunts being later, I am talking about all the other hunts for the Fall. I wish those would draw now so you could plan your Fall / vacation / other hunts.

Gotcha. Yeah, it would be good to do the drawings earlier. They could start the draw earlier too, if they want to still have plenty of time for entries to come in.

[S-3 Ranch]

Don't think I have seen a area have stand by for Nilgai.

Only laguna atatsosa has standby , the feds have thrown us some curveballs on The units up north west and send people to la Sal de ray instead of teniente , ect

[HuntorFish]

There’s no standby at LANWR. There’s no more in-person orientation either.