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Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season #5979345 10/15/15 09:35 PM
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Hey everyone,

I grew up in Philadelphia, moved to Austin a year ago for grad school. I have plenty of experience flyfishing and backcountry camping, and I'm a good archer, but I've never been hunting in my life. I recently upgraded my archery gear (Mission Hype), got my Texas hunting license and deer tags, and am ready to get out there-- but taking an animal is something I want to do for the first time with an experienced hunter who can talk me through their process. I'm confident in my archery and shooting abilities, but I'm well aware that reading how to hunt and field dress doesn't prepare you to do it in real life any more than watching the NFL teaches you how to play football.

I'm looking for someone/a group of people who I could tag along with on a hunt somewhere in central TX, who wouldn't mind me asking them questions and watching how they work. I'd be happy to pay for food, lodging, or ammo, and I'll pull my weight around camp. Not looking to freeload at all.

The alternative is to go out with an outfitter for a weekend, which looks to be ~$1000 for a meat hunt, and I can't swing that at the moment.

Thanks, appreciate any tips or comments.


Philadelphia native, Michigan alum, current UT Austin grad student.
Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5979436 10/15/15 10:46 PM
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welcome ta texasHF.. i started deer hunten with a Kentucky .45... Archery is great way ta start out... Plenty of hogs, My first deer, i was in stand ruffly 15' high, & deer 20 yrds away.. Target shooting is one thing, get a 3D target.. when shooting from a stand aim point is higher... At shot the deer actualy ducked under the arrow at 20 yrds... i'm the local muyloco of the form... You'll learn the habbits of deer quicker threw archery than gun... i enjoy taking my camera while sitting on stand... Most land is privete, if no one willing ta help.. Their is some great WMA, public land... Best Wishes... watch out for the mosketoes... flag

Last edited by colt.45; 10/15/15 10:50 PM.


i'm postaddic
Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5979476 10/15/15 11:23 PM
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welcome to the great state of Texas texas

You might want to post something similar in the outfitters section.

Tell them you are willing to fill feeders, drive hunters back and forth to stands etc... in return for being able to watch, learn and observe.

Offer to help skin, quarter and field dress deer after they show you how to do it by observing what they do.

Good luck up

Last edited by Pitchfork Predator; 10/15/15 11:23 PM.

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Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: Pitchfork Predator] #5979922 10/16/15 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
welcome to the great state of Texas texas

You might want to post something similar in the outfitters section.

Tell them you are willing to fill feeders, drive hunters back and forth to stands etc... in return for being able to watch, learn and observe.

Offer to help skin, quarter and field dress deer after they show you how to do it by observing what they do.

Good luck up


Seems like a great idea and good advice. I'd look into that.


Originally Posted by bill oxner
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.


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Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: Duck_Hunter] #5980184 10/16/15 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted By: Duck_Hunter
Originally Posted By: Pitchfork Predator
welcome to the great state of Texas texas

You might want to post something similar in the outfitters section.

Tell them you are willing to fill feeders, drive hunters back and forth to stands etc... in return for being able to watch, learn and observe.

Offer to help skin, quarter and field dress deer after they show you how to do it by observing what they do.

Good luck up


Seems like a great idea and good advice. I'd look into that.



Probably your best bet is the suggestion made above. It is challengng to get a start if you dont know someone with land access.


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Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5980352 10/16/15 02:58 PM
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In Texas, your best bet is to break out the cash. Otherwise, check into public hunting areas. You can find information on here about public hunting.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/43/1/Public_Hunting



To be determined
Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5980450 10/16/15 04:10 PM
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You can find meat hunts for does well under $1000 in the outfitter section. I have seen some at $150 per doe but most likely if you can swing $500, you should have no problem finding a doe and pig hunt. Having someone with you is good help but you will be stuck with public hunting which is rewarding but tough and requires lots of preseason scouting. Start now on getting info on hunting lake Georgetown for next year. They limit the number of hunters and have a good deer population plus it is close to you, just 30 minutes up the highway.

Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5981492 10/17/15 02:05 PM
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Definitely look in to public hunting lands. It is cheap for sure. I hunt public lands every year and I like it. Very challenging but that is what is fun about it. Sitting in front of a feeder taking target practice isnt very rewarding unless you just want meat so definitely give it a look.


You can also check out the many outfitters here. There are places you cant hunt for $200 a day for pigs and deer. I am going with hog heaven hunts for a 2.5 day trip and it is under $500 so you dont need to spend a grand to find a hunt


GO TRUMP!
Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5982232 10/18/15 04:32 AM
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I would spend the money with an outfitter and shoot a doe first. Then go from there.

Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5983413 10/19/15 03:48 AM
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Thank you for all the responses, I'll check out a cheaper outfitter and I have a PM from a nice guy here in Austin willing to meet up and talk.

Cheers everyone.


Philadelphia native, Michigan alum, current UT Austin grad student.
Re: Novice hunter new to TX, looking for guidance/to tag along this season [Re: AustinNovice] #5983439 10/19/15 05:01 AM
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The best way to learn how to gut, skin, and quarter something is to do it. Best of luck to you.

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