Question for Texans

COHunter · Feb 23, 2004

My first duty station in the Army was Fort Hood, TX. I was there a total of 2 1/2 years and ever since then I've wanted to know one thing.

What does the Texas Parks and Wildlife do with the millions of dollars it takes in from hunting license sales ? That State has all of 5 acre's open to public hunting. If you don't own land or have the money for a lease, your screwed there.

Just wantin' to know where it goes, from someone that knows

txhunter58 · Feb 23, 2004

Although Texas doesn't hold a candle to Colorado when it comes to public land hunting, it does have many thousands of acres open for public hunting. I will do some research and get back to you on that point. It also has many states Parks that it supports financially, thus the name: Texas PARKS and wildlife.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

wallhanger · Feb 24, 2004

Txhunter 58 is right. Contrary to popular belief, there are some public hunting opportunities here?though by no means do they compare to the west. There are quite a few bowhunts for deer and hogs you can put in for, and there are public land dove and even quail hunts. They also offer some lottery and package type hunts that probably have worse odds than even Nevada or Arizona ;-).

But you're right. For the most part, Texas hunting is a rich man's game. Not to mention a less active or style of hunting in the central to eastern part of the state.

Then again, nothing compares to the western mountains anyway.

WH

SoTX · Feb 24, 2004

There is more than 5 acres here to hunt. There just is not much Government land here like there is in other states. Not as much rampant socialism where the Government owns everything.
Texas PARKS and Wild Life like TXHunter58 said, takes care of all the park land in Texas andhe thousands of acres along our gulf coast. What we lack in Government land we more than make up for in our coastal bays and estuaries. TPW is also heavy into wildlife management practices for land owners. They will assist an owner in all aspects of wildlife management. All it takes is a phone call. Texas also has a very well staffed Game Warden program. Texas is a big state so it takes a lot of officers to patrol. Believe me we get our share of poachers because the state is so wide open.
Now if you do not own land and you want to hunt in this state there are some public lands you can out in for in a draw. Not much though. You can however lease property to hunt. Sure some places are more expensive than others depending upon region. But I would not go so far as to say it is a rich man,s game. There are plenty of reasonably priced places to hunt around the state.
Now Wallhanger's opinion is that nothing compares to the western mountains. Well I would have to say that you can not compare the two because they are two completly different animals. Do not get me wrong the raw beauty and variety of game hunting in the west is awesome. I hunt out of state in the mountain states once or twice every year. But if you have ever been to South Texas to hunt and experience the wild and untamed brush country you really do not know what you are missing.

txhunter58 · Feb 24, 2004

LAST EDITED ON Feb-24-04 AT 07:47PM (MST)[p]Rather than me do your research, here is the Texas Parks and Wildlife website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ You can research for yourself if interested. Suffice it to say that Texas spends money in different ways than Colorado. And of course, we don't have nonresidents providing 77% of license revenue, like Colorado does.

As far as Texas hunting being a rich man's sport, I would say no more than hunting out of state for us. I now spend about $1000 to come hunt elk in the great state of Colorado and feel privaledged to be able to do that. At most, I get to hunt about a week. My personal hunting in Texas in on my family's ranch. We lease several spots for $1000 for the season. That includes the month of October for bow season and 2 months of gun season (first Sat in November to first Sat in Jan.) and they can take 4 deer and 2 turkeys. In addition to that I took about 12 people hunting last fall for free, including 3 kids under 18 (took 5 kids last year). In addition to that, I have 2 guys coming from Colorado and 2 from California on swap hunts. Except for my leasors, no one pays me a dime and I enjoy the heck out of doing it.

Some of the ranches down here do indeed just lease, and some for big bucks (just like in Colorado). But a lot of them charge reasonable lease fees and take friends and others who have helped out in some way. I think it is much the same everywhere.

Here is another couple ofs links that talk about access to over 1 million acres for hunting, fishing, camping, etc in Texas. A couple more than 5 anyway: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt/public_hunting/ http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/wma/

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

COHunter · Feb 24, 2004

Thanks for the replies Gentlemen. I wasn't attacking, just curious

The only thing I didn't like was being confined to the 300 acre's I was able to hunt on, but then the "Hill Country" had so many Deer that I didn't need to leave my area, I just wanted too when I saw an interesting piece of land.

I must say that Texas was the best place I had an opportunity to live in. The atmosphere and attitude of the people was great. I was crying when I had to leave Lampasas. And the white bass fishing at the Colorado river bend was unreal !!!

Thanks Homie's

txhunter58 · Feb 25, 2004

Glad we could be informative. I bet you could work a swap with someone in Texas for a hunt on more than 300 acres too! Good hunting and fishing!

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

kilbuc · Feb 25, 2004

TXhunter.....good info, and update on Texas. I generally try to hunt Texas every year. Some of the finest people in the US, as long as you stay away from the liberals in a couple of the cities ....LOL

kilbuc · Feb 25, 2004

Txhunter... good update/info on Texas. I try to hunt their each year and have met some of the most down to earth people anywhere in the US. Just have to stay out of a couple of the liberal cities...LOL

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

songdog · Feb 26, 2004

COHunter,

My brothers and I take full advantage of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Public Hunting Lands Program. To date I have killed a nice desert muley buck, several whitetail does, a 30" aoudad ram, several axis deer does, turkeys, and more ducks and geese than I can count. The only problem with the public hunting lands program is you have to draw a tag or be available to hunt on public lands as a "standby" hunter. Drawing a tag now takes several years as you have to build points just like you do in Colorado. The more points, the better your chance at drawing a tag. Some areas are better than others, therefore, competition for permits is usually lottery type odds. But, there is some outstanding hunting here in Texas in public parks and wildlife management areas. It helps to know how to play the system and it doesn't matter if you're a resident or non-resident. Our public lands are open to all American citizens and Texas doesn't gouge the non-residents with outrageous license fees. The public hunts are usually 3 days with a permit fee of $50 with some hunts being 5 days for $100 regardless of residency. Of course, your State hunting license is extra.

If you're interested, I'll point you the right direction. It costs $2 to apply for a permit per species. But, you can hunt deer, antelope, turkey, hogs, exotics, and ALLIGATORS!

Like TxHunter said, check out the TP&W website and get them to mail you the public hunting lands application package. I'll be glad to help you with any questions you might have. Granted, I'll hope you'll share with me some info of where that big 30" muley is hanging out............

Watch your top knot!

songdog