Moving to Texas

[Billinsd]

You are going to confuse the hell out of drivers there when you keep right except to pass: based on my experience driving around CO watching white plates w black letters.

In California people pass on the shoulder.

 

[HNTR918]

I appreciate all the great advice and unfiltered honesty.

 

[Braaap]

I moved there for work and found a new job to get out after almost five years there. I would never consider moving back for any reason.

Only good thing I can say about Texas is that Texans are great people.

The weather, bugs, lack of mountains, virtually no public land, the distance from mountains in NM or CO is huge, etc.

I chose finding an exit strategy rather than learn how to adapt to it. Some guys have found ways to hunt and fish year round and I applaud them.

 

[JCohHTX]

It is even tougher to find non-high fence hunting or affordable leases down around Houston. DFW has some reasonable leases around, but personal relationships are the best way to find the best leases.

 

[jspradley]

In California people pass on the shoulder.

In Houston they pass wherever and whenever their little manchild brains tell them to...

 

[[email protected]]

No advise on your situation but I will say I’m sorry that’s happening to ya!

 

[carsonkeys]

OP: I just moved to TX in January, and have been really looking forward to seeing the 2019-2020 list of draw hunts in Texas. Well, they released it today and from what I've seen so far your BEST odds of drawing a tag to chase something with antlers or horns is sitting right around 1.3%. An absolute joke if you ask me.

 

[cuerro viejo]

It is even tougher to find non-high fence hunting or affordable leases down around Houston. DFW has some reasonable leases around, but personal relationships are the best way to find the best leases.

There is over 700k acres of public land within two hours of Houston???? Not including public tidal flats

 

[cuerro viejo]

OP: I just moved to TX in January, and have been really looking forward to seeing the 2019-2020 list of draw hunts in Texas. Well, they released it today and from what I've seen so far your BEST odds of drawing a tag to chase something with antlers or horns is sitting right around 1.3%. An absolute joke if you ask me.

10 years I’ve yet to NOT to draw a State or COE permit. Keep the faith, don’t forget COE draws. There are three I know of that are roughly 50% just off top of my head.

 

[tallbuchholz]

Everyone loves to hate lol. There's actually a bunch of bow-only public land opportunities within 2 hours of North Dallas. Some really good bucks taken every year too. Crowds here aren't nearly as bad as western states OTC units in my experience. The high-fence thing gets blown way out of proportion, and lease prices are right in line with DIY western hunting. Look around online or PM me if you want some help.

 

[2RiversCO]

HNTR918

Send me a pm. Just moved from an hour north of dallas to grand junction. Can give you a little info if needed.

 

[carsonkeys]

10 years I’ve yet to NOT to draw a State or COE permit. Keep the faith, don’t forget COE draws. There are three I know of that are roughly 50% just off top of my head.

Everyone loves to hate lol. There's actually a bunch of bow-only public land opportunities within 2 hours of North Dallas. Some really good bucks taken every year too. Crowds here aren't nearly as bad as western states OTC units in my experience. The high-fence thing gets blown way out of proportion, and lease prices are right in line with DIY western hunting. Look around online or PM me if you want some help.

HNTR918

Send me a pm. Just moved from an hour north of dallas to grand junction. Can give you a little info if needed.

Appreciate all of you guys. I had gotten pretty frustrated and disheartened after looking at that. I'll PM y'all.

 

[jspradley]

10 years I’ve yet to NOT to draw a State or COE permit. Keep the faith, don’t forget COE draws. There are three I know of that are roughly 50% just off top of my head.

Yep, 4 years in here and I have drawn 1-2 hunts every year.

I can point you to an awesome legit free range hunt with good shot opportunity for some animals you just can't hunt anywhere else that has ran 75-80% draw odds every year it's been around....

 

[Felix40]

Theres actually a lot of options for public hunting around you. National forest in east tx, oklahoma national forest, louisiana national forest, wmas, corp of engineers. Its not as good as the west but you shouldnt have any problem killing a deer every year. Hog hunting is really good and a ton of fun all year. Bowfishing, handfishing, duck hunting, plenty to keep busy without needing a lease.

 

[ncstewart]

I’m in Arkansas if ya want to talk about that as option. Cheap tags and pretty good public land compared to most southern states. Shoot me pm if ya want to talk.


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[Dos Perros]

No advice for the OP, just here to offer my condolences.

 

[mulie_mike]

The Texas draw hunts just came out you can apply online on there website www.tpwd.state.tx.us there are some good hunts to apply for and you can also get your APH (Annual Public Hunting Permit) which gives you access to a lot of land to hunt for different species, now not all of it will be rifle.

There are DIY hunts in Texas you just need to do your research but ultimately with the state being 99% private you are going to have to pay to play or become friends with a landowner.

 

[Dave_]

Theres actually a lot of options for public hunting around you. National forest in east tx, oklahoma national forest, louisiana national forest, wmas, corp of engineers. Its not as good as the west but you shouldnt have any problem killing a deer every year. Hog hunting is really good and a ton of fun all year. Bowfishing, handfishing, duck hunting, plenty to keep busy without needing a lease.

This. I've been hunting public land in TX for the last 15+ years, almost exclusively for the last 6-7. Mostly wmas and coe land. I dont have trouble filling the freezer. You just have to learn a new game.

I also do try to make it to NM or CO for elk every year, just because I love elk and mountains.

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[wytx]

My advice, stay out of the tall grass- CHIGGERS
You'll still be just a day's drive to the mountains.

 

[jspradley]

My advice, stay out of the tall grass- CHIGGERS
You'll still be just a day's drive to the mountains.

I don't believe in the extermination of any species of animal...except for chiggers.