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New to Texas
#6028087
11/13/15 10:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
VT Hunter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5 |
Hello all, I am new to Texas, moved here from Vermont in April. I am an avid whitetail hunter and have harvested many nice bucks and does in the cold northeast including Maine, New York and my home state of Vermont. Slowly but surely I am learning the hunting process here in the great state of Texas but would welcome any and all suggestions. I have spent many hours reading the hunting guides, applicable laws, and researching places to hunt. I hunted one day at the Somerville PHL but most of it was flooded and probably still is. My plan for this weekend is to go to SHNF and try my luck there. I am very interested in finding a lease or joining lease. What is the best way to go about it? Nothing huge or more than $4K/ year. Is that even realistic? Any advice for public land hunting would be appreciated as well. I wish you all the best of luck on harvesting your trophy this this season and if happen upon a hunter who seems confused or misplaced, it is probably me.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028122
11/13/15 10:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 197
TravisP
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 197 |
See 2.5.. someone might tempt you with 4k when they charge everyone else 2. Lol
Hunting in magnolia would be better in a gated community.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028366
11/14/15 12:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,650
Pitchfork Predator
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,650 |
to the forum. You can find a very good lease with year round access in that price range. The closer to the metroplex the more expensive the leases are. So if your willing, driving a few hours can get you alot more bang for your buck. There is alot of great country to discover very different than the north northeast Texas area. I think it would be a nice change from what your used to hunting. Post in the land/leases section your price range that you can do and that your looking for a lease to join or for yourself. It may take a while, but stick with it and you'll find what your looking for. Always ask for references from past hunters that have hunted there before you commit. Good luck and welcome to the great state of Texas.
Last edited by Pitchfork Predator; 11/14/15 12:56 AM.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028375
11/14/15 01:00 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Some of the very best hunting is on private land. Texas is 97%+ privately owned land. Seasons are long and habitat is varied around the state. With that kind of budget you can probably find you a pretty good lease.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028560
11/14/15 02:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,566
KennyLee
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,566 |
You're going to find our deer to be tiny. I went to school in VT for a short time and found the white tails to be huge!
For your budget, you should have plenty of options.
Welcome to Texas.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028639
11/14/15 03:29 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,443
Captain Luke
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,443 |
Come to south Texas
If you want some friendly advice, get a haircut and take a bath. You wouldn't get hassled so much.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: Captain Luke]
#6028788
11/14/15 10:34 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
VT Hunter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5 |
Any suggestions as to where?
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028790
11/14/15 11:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,566
KennyLee
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,566 |
For the amount you're willing to pay I'd think you would have a lot of options. Question becomes what your goals might be. Are you looking for trophies or just lots of animals? Looks like you're near Houston so south Texas or the hill country are your best bets. I haven't hunted those areas a ton as most of my hunting has been in north and west Texas, but from my limited experience you could get quite a bit of variety south and west of San Antonio. Great whitetail a in areas and a good chance at exotics in many.
Much of it will come down to how far you're willing to travel. Driving from Houston to Rock Springs is pretty similar to driving from Maine to NYC. Figure that the metroplex is similar in area to the entire state on Connecticut and you get an idea of how large Texas is.
The best advice is to check out the Lease section of this site and get ready to drive. You should be able to find a year round lease that will suit your needs without much trouble.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028826
11/14/15 12:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,806
Deerhunter61
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,806 |
You should be able to find a really nice lease for that amount. Like others said...check refenences and do your research. I wouldn't share what you are willing to spend. I'd put together a list of what you want in order of importance, i.e. Trophy bucks, turkey, exotics, etc. also you need to define what a trophy is for you. Do you want to see a lot of deer activity when you hunt or is it more important to shoot a trophy? Then start looking.
Always beware and don't make a hasty decision.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6028830
11/14/15 12:48 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 374
StretchR
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 374 |
East Texas is an inexpensive option. I'm on a smallish (500 acres) timber company lease with a few other hunters near Nacogdoches. Though it isn't the same as south Texas or west Texas, or high-fenced deer, it is still good hunting. Costs are much lower, too.
We have mixed hardwood and pine and are near a river bottom. Two years ago, my son-in-law shot a Texas Big Game Award "low-fence" 11-point buck that was nearly 160 B&C points. I shot a heavy-beamed 10-point this week that will probably score in the 130's. We see lots of deer and have the opportunity to shoot pigs as well.
My opinion is that closer to home means more hunting time, since it is easy to run out for a weekend hunt or out for a day off during the week.
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Re: New to Texas
[Re: VT Hunter]
#6030187
11/15/15 01:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
VT Hunter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5 |
Thank you everybody for the tips and advice. I hunted SHNF yesterday. Saw deer but also saw a lot of hunters, which I expected. Very hard to hunt those woods. Very thick.
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