Hagerman Segment B 2022

[hully1029]

Id like to see the unit that you are going to hunt get assigned to each hunter when they are drawn, this would put a stop to 70 plus hunters walking around and scouting the entire refuge, each hunter would probably use their time scouting just the unit drawn,

I agree. The "legendary" Hag hasnt been legendary in a long time. Are there opportunities at a big buck, well of course. But it seems like the logistics need reworking. Why not open the entire refuge to hunt? Even maybe keep one section closed, and open all the others.. and like you said - assign units to hunters as they're drawn.

Heck, I would even be okay with them shutting down the deer hunting in there for a couple of years and open up a slew of hog hunts. That place is invaded with pigs.

[perow]

It’s killing time boys!

[bowhuntntxn]

I agree. The "legendary" Hag hasnt been legendary in a long time. Are there opportunities at a big buck, well of course. But it seems like the logistics need reworking. Why not open the entire refuge to hunt? Even maybe keep one section closed, and open all the others.. and like you said - assign units to hunters as they're drawn.

Heck, I would even be okay with them shutting down the deer hunting in there for a couple of years and open up a slew of hog hunts. That place is invaded with pigs.

The system worked fine before the internet and all the hogs. The state taking over the draw didn't help things either imo.

It's still a good to great place to hunt for a giant buck. People just have to put in the work to make it happen.

[hully1029]

The system worked fine before the internet and all the hogs. The state taking over the draw didn't help things either imo.

It's still a good to great place to hunt for a giant buck. People just have to put in the work to make it happen.

I also agree when the state took over, everyone knew it was going to go downhill. Seemed like when I was growing up, mostly locals hunted it and I seen/heard of a mega getting taken every year, along with several NICE bucks.. just seems like the herd quality and quantity, in totality, has diminished a bit.

[eliteweldingco]

Ricky was a TBH legend in a bad way



I’m south of there and nothing moving either, maybe it’s the wind but seems like it should be a great morning that’s not. Activity was fantastic during the rain Monday, I don’t get it.

Monday and Tuesday was great. I’ve seen a big slow down since Wednesday

[eliteweldingco]

I agree. The "legendary" Hag hasnt been legendary in a long time. Are there opportunities at a big bucki, well of course. But it seems like the logistics need reworking. Why not open the entire refuge to hunt? Even maybe keep one section closed, and open all the others.. and like you said - assign units to hunters as they're drawn.

Heck, I would even be okay with them shutting down the deer hunting in there for a couple of years and open up a slew of hog hunts. That place is invaded with pigs.

I’ve been saying that last paragraph for years now. Let it rest for 5 years and focus on hogs l, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement.
This topic gets brought up ever year. “Not what it use to be”

[eliteweldingco]

I agree. The "legendary" Hag hasnt been legendary in a long time. Are there opportunities at a big bucki, well of course. But it seems like the logistics need reworking. Why not open the entire refuge to hunt? Even maybe keep one section closed, and open all the others.. and like you said - assign units to hunters as they're drawn.

Heck, I would even be okay with them shutting down the deer hunting in there for a couple of years and open up a slew of hog hunts. That place is invaded with pigs.

I’ve been saying that last paragraph for years now. Let it rest for 5 years and focus on hogs l, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement.
This topic gets brought up ever year.

[Paddy3-17]

HQ says rough day. Even asked if I saw anything. 3 deer turned in as of 6:45. 2 bucks (1 spike) and a doe.

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[Low Fence]

1 more day! Go after them!

Not to derail but, doing draw hunts to “help” with hogs is laughable. Helicopter is only way out there. And professional/knowledgeable trappers

The chance of a monster there is reduced by age structure and internet scouting allowing folks into areas that they have just enough knowledge to mess the whole area up and push to private land that caters to the deer anyway. There’s no fair way to fix that… it’s a public draw.

Only way to fix age structure is go big or go home 15” minimum and no spike…. But that ain’t happening either. Hard to push trophy tactics on the average public hunter


If it reduces enough… people will quit applying and the problem would correct itself…. But that ain’t happening either

[hully1029]

1 more day! Go after them!

Not to derail but, doing draw hunts to “help” with hogs is laughable. Helicopter is only way out there. And professional/knowledgeable trappers

The chance of a monster there is reduced by age structure and internet scouting allowing folks into areas that they have just enough knowledge to mess the whole area up and push to private land that caters to the deer anyway. There’s no fair way to fix that… it’s a public draw.

Only way to fix age structure is go big or go home 15” minimum and no spike…. But that ain’t happening either. Hard to push trophy tactics on the average public hunter


If it reduces enough… people will quit applying and the problem would correct itself…. But that ain’t happening either

1000% agree

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[eliteweldingco]

1 more day! Go after them!

Not to derail but, doing draw hunts to “help” with hogs is laughable. Helicopter is only way out there. And professional/knowledgeable trappers

The chance of a monster there is reduced by age structure and internet scouting allowing folks into areas that they have just enough knowledge to mess the whole area up and push to private land that caters to the deer anyway. There’s no fair way to fix that… it’s a public draw.

Only way to fix age structure is go big or go home 15” minimum and no spike…. But that ain’t happening either. Hard to push trophy tactics on the average public hunter

If it reduces enough… people will quit applying and the problem would correct itself…. But that ain’t happening either

Valid points

[LukeDuke]

I like the current rotation system. It's nice to have 3 unit choices AND allow each unit to rest 3 years.
If you let them all open at once more than 50% of the hunters would be in Big Mineral every year.

Regardless - I agree the hog situation is out of control. They should host at least 2 hog hunts after deer season and before green up. You have to kill a hog or hogs to earn a deer hunt in the Fall.

[tvann75]

Had a pretty good hunt so far. 11 does, 6 bucks between the two days so far. One big boy that has walked by 4 different times not presenting a shot, the first time was 11:40am on Friday as I just opened my first snack *facepalm*. Trying to convince these does to head to y’all searching for the golden tickets (already know I wouldn’t be able to hunt next year and don’t want to shoot one just to shoot).

Good luck to all on the last day.

[Paddy3-17]

Only way to fix age structure is go big or go home 15” minimum and no spike…. But that ain’t happening either.

I drew Richland Creek a couple of years ago and they had a15" minimum. Saw some great deer during that hunt!

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[AggieMark]

I had an encounter with a true hagerman monster at 20 yards this afternoon and couldn’t make it happen. Probably a 160” giant typical. He came in from my downwind side and had me pinned. I couldn’t make a move for my bow. It happens fast out here, keep your bow ready during magic hours.


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