Are there any restrictions regarding proximity to property lines. I'm reading through the TPWD regulations and trying to determine how close they can get and if any advance notice is required.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/permits/land/wildlife_management/aerial_wl_management/

If the practice that I saw last couple of weekends happens during deer gun season, it is going to be a problem. I understand the need for eradication, it is written into my lease agreement, but I have seen a different aircraft each weekend.

They are doing what needs to be done for the long term.

Helicopters will not permanently run off any deer. They will get back to their normal patterns within hours.

Sometimes they can get a big buck up moving to you that otherwise you would of never known existed.

Thanks for the feedback

My concern is about timing. If what I saw last couple of weekends continues to happen in close proximity to our lease property, it can't be good. They were flying directly over me while making the rounds.

I have no problem with the concept and the need for eradication but the approach I have seen is pretty invasive IF it happens during season.

I just wish I could determine who it was so we could contact them and find out more about their plans for the season. It would at least give me a chance to adjust accordingly.

Guess I will just wait and see how the season goes

They have to have an LOA to fly.

Had a small lease in Haskell County years ago. They were doing a lot of hog helicopter hunting in that area. I saw zero hogs and zero deer that year. Needless to say I let that place go.

Grab your binoculars, write down the Aircraft tail number. It'll start with the letter N...you can then look up the tail number via the FAA's website. It'll have the name of the person or company the aircraft is registered to. Should help you contact the owners, or get in touch with the pilots or operators.

Here's the link to look up N-numbers...

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Inquiry.aspx

Helicopter hunts are on my bucket list!

yagh, things been tough here... Makes ya kinda wonder... Been several fly-by-moonings here... Why just last week twas sitten out in the pasture on me bucket, minding my own busness, before could finish the paper work, had ta jump up & pulls up me britches, note ta self , whin standing up quickly on a hill whilst reachen for de britches around de ankle, will put ya in a roll... Yesterday got a pic of a red ring around uranus ....

Yes, I read through most of the info that I provided link for and saw that. I think it also says they have to dispose of the carcass, may have to perform a little reverse logistics. If they are hitting half of the animals they are shooting at that might be the ticket.

Landowner might be able to ask neighbors, they are new.

Thanks for that. I don't have any good binoculars anymore, kids lost them but I can borrow some. Seen two different helicopters. Probably not a good idea to scope them.

I wouldn't advise using your rifle scope

Agreed. It was sarcasm but could be misconstrued.

Just talked to landowner. He said he knew some of the folks in the area had signed up for eradication but was not sure which ones. Said he would ask around.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Same county

How do I get a TPWD job helicopter hunting?

the most sought after job in TPWD, you're not getting it. We're not flying this year till the 30th, deer resume being deer almost immediately, professional pilots will file and have necessary paperwork.

The state went helicopter hogging on and around our ranch in RR County a year or two ago because the hogs were destroying all the ag fields around us. We haven't seen much of any since then. We still saw the normal amount of deer and it didn't seem to change anything. As much as I enjoyed killing a bunch of hogs every year, we finally have good food plots that aren't all torn up so no complaints about it.

Your SBE will not work from a helicopter. You need to go back to migratory forum this is about 4 legged animals.

Not sure what you mean by almost immediately, but like I said before, my concern is about timing. If they are hunting and flying very low directly over you while you are in the blind then I can't imagine a buck or doe is going to be moving around. I understand the need to eradicate the hogs. If I can verify they are going to be flying every Saturday morning, I will adjust accordingly. Just trying to figure out how to do that.

The 30th of what? Do you dispatch coyotes while hog hunting. Do you dispose of the carcasses afterwards. Are you with the TPWD, a guide or a customer? Just curious, you seem pretty knowledgeable and are out of Graham.

Thanks for the feedback.

ND- When I said immediately, I wasn't exactly talking about flying while someone is hunting, but unless you really run the deer hard, they will go about their business within a very short time period, i've flown over lots of deer that never even ran off from the helicopter. We are flying October 30th and then will fly again after the season is over and the vegetation is gone. These flights will both be census only and no shooting will take place, We will fly eradication usually at the end of winter or early spring, We do not pick up any pigs or coyotes that are killed, I do guide around 10 hunts per year, as well as lease my own place to hunt for my family. Hopefully, they will not continue to fly during gun season, I, like you would be most unhappy about that happening. Good Luck this season, it looks like it will be great.

Yes sir, you understand my point. Wasn't trying to pry into your background you just seem pretty knowledgeable. I wouldn't mind trying it myself but doubt I can afford it right now. Never been in a helicopter.

Sitting my blind right now listening to the helicopter haul arse all over the place popping rounds off

I just wish they wouldn't do it during prime time

Guess I'm going to have to hunt weekdays for the rest of the season