Public Hunting Lands. South Texas

[Texpppr]

How do you go about finding any public deer hunting lands in south texas? I have bought the $48 public hunting lands deal , but thats mostly for bird hunting it seems. Any ideas would be appreciated. I live way down in the Rio Grande valley, but don't mind traveling 200-250 miles. Steve

[jdickey]

:)Hey Steve.... get to your local TPWD office, they have a booklet that shows all public hunting lands and the game available for each. It's a free book, list by county and the name of the land.

[Texpppr]

The only open deer hunting lands I have heard of is the big forests in east Texas. Everything goverment down here in south Texas is drawn hunts or bird hunting. Thats as far as I know. Has anyone else heard different?

[ICMCumin]

Hey Steve:
Have you looked at Amistad? I probably misspelled it, but itis down near Del Rio, I think. Large lake. Remember reading on another board that there are some rams there and other hunting there as well.

Jim

[Texpppr]

Yes Jim, I understand that it is bow hunting only. Thats not what I do. That place does sound interesting. Steve

[Texpppr]

Anyone know much about Aquilla WMA down here in the valley. How to find out more information?

[jdickey]

;)Didn't know you had an Aquilla in the valley; we've got one just north of Waco. It offers public deer hunt with shotgun or bow; lots of ducks, along with doves, pigs, and turkeys. The deer are sparse but big body and there was a nice 12pt. killed about three years ago. Haven't heard much this year though.

And oh yeah, it's got some great fishing too.

[Texpppr]

Your right I was thinking of a wildlife refuge we have down here by a similiar A name..lol Don't know what I was thinking. Maybe wishful thinking..lol

[1st cav sgt ret]

Txpppr sorry had to do some digging to find it again,try www.tpwd.state.tx.us or www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ look just under the heading and it should say hunting should answer your ?(youl have to do some digging tho)

[rogerb]

here's the rest of it.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt/public_hunting/lands/index.phtml

unfortunately most of the public lands south of San Antonio aren't open for deer or hog, mostly dove. You can go to some of the ones that have done the drawings and see if you can get a standby for one of the drawn hunts - odds are pretty slim.

[BobR]

Steve, I would do what Jdickey suggested. The booklet from TP&WD has lots of good info and is easy to read. I got that booklet every year when I lived in Texas.
My dad and I always put in for the muledeer hunt at Black Gap Wildlife Refuge in Brewster County. We were drawn twice and always got our deer. I have a pic of a nice ten point my dad got 25 or so years ago. I used to live in Three Rivers. They always had those booklets out in the office where you bought your day permits at Choke Canyon Lake. There is some public hunting at Choke Canyon Lake, but I do not remember what kind.
My dad and I went to Black Gap a few times fishing in the summer. It is right on the Rio Grande adjacent to Big Bend. All you have to do is check in at the ranger station and let them know where you will be and how long you plan to be there.
Here in WA, the public lands that are open to bird hunting, allow predator calling also. I would think there might be something like this in Texas. There are lots of bobcats in the Choke Canyon Area. If you put in for a public hunt in the future, Black Gap is hard to beat.
Beautiful rugged country.
Good Luck, Bob

[Texpppr]

wow thats aways out there in west texas, but worth checking out for next year. Now is the time to get ideas for next year. Thanks. Steve

[REM223PA]

hay texpppr
come to PA we have somthing like 3 millon aceres of public land no mater were you live inP.A your only 30min. from good deer hunting.
we kill some biggins to.
i shoot deer right in the city of philadelphia with my bow
we have 170'' class deer right here in the city.
not easy to get but there here

[REM223PA]

both killd 10min fom my home in center city.


not monster but shooters!