That's a very nice sentiment for this holiday and for all the time.

The hope of seeing and shooting something like that buck is why I keep dragging my butt up to the Forest. Good job!!!

Yes Sir...I agree that taking this buck was a blessing. I have seen several nice bucks on the forest..some much better than this, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to drop one. Last year my scope fogged up and I couldn't see him to take the shot before he disappeared into the thick stuff...he was a monster though. The year before I saw a huge one that I believe was a 12 point from what I could tell. Noticed the doe first and when he came behind her and she took off in the other direction I got a look at him in hot pursuit. Same year I had another big one that I waited too late to fire the shot on because I wanted to make sure he was legal. He got in the distance and looked my way to reveal a very nice wrack just before disappearing into the brush. I've found some monstrous rubs out there on some big trees as well and the year before last one of the locals who lives near the area took a big 12 point that looked like a mule. There are some good deer out there but I've noticed that most of my sightings were way back in the real thick stuff where they feel safe.

I agree...have noticed some very nice bucks out there over the past few years...

I shot him with my 30'06...dropped him where he stood and was surprised that it didn't mess up a lot of meat either...

Keep at it...ol Mossy Horns is bound to make a wrong move at some point...

Thanks guys...God is good!

Congrats on an awesome buck!

8-points are soooo cool! I got one on 11/12/2014, in the Sabine National Forest. Been hunting there for 19 yrs. now. Heard about some good deer coming out of SHNF, just cant see leaving the area i hunt right now, its been too productive. Nice buck.

I understand that...I used to come out there during deer season but Sam Houston is a lot closer to home for me. Last time I deer hunted at Sabine filled a doe tag out there, but that was years ago. Now I only come out there during turkey season. I see and hear turkey out there every year and finally managed to take a nice one this past April...

Amen! Great buck

Nice buck!

I've got a rookie question for anyone that knows. So I got selected this year for a Doe tag for SHNF. Done a bunch a research and I'm a little confused with the rules for hunting public land. According to the their 2014-2015 info general season is "Nov. 1-Jan. 4 (buck only unless in possession of a USFS Antlerless Deer Permit obtained from the USFS. See USFS Additional Restriction section for more information on antlerless deer permits)."

So way I'm reading this since I have my hunting public lands permit, valid hunting license, hunting class card, and the USFS Antlerless permit. If I see a qualifying sized (see below) buck or a doe I could harvest either as long as I'm within the proper "hunting zone" on the maps. Correct?

A legal buck means:
"White Tail - bag limit - 1 buck and 2 antlerless (all seasons combined). Legal BUCK must have at least one unbranched antler or an inside spread of at least 13 inches"

My brother in law is a game warden for another state and I'm just being extra careful with the rules.

Sorry for the late reply. That is correct....you can take either or both (buck and doe) if your lucky enough to have the opportunity to take two. If you go during bow season you can take two does using your regular tags on your hunting license as well as a buck if you have the opportunity. Then once gun season starts you can use your doe tag to take a third doe totaling 4 deer ...if you're lucky enough to have that kind of success. The Antlerless permit is more of a bonus tag only valid during gun season that is separate from your regular license tags