My dad and I would like to get some meat in the fridge this fall and can find no other option to hunt that doesn't cost $500+. I understand there's special permits to hunt there. What exactly do we need to hunt there? Also any tips on where to hunt (not asking for your secret spot or anything) or info about the land available (how thick are the woods, hills? Flat? Etc.) Any help is very appreciated.

You might have better luck posting this in the Public Hunting forum.

Basically, you need the annual public hunting permit, which is $48 and can be purchased online or wherever you get a hunting license. I've hunted Sam Houston and seen deer there, but mostly does. To shoot a doe you need to apply for a separate doe permit, which usually has about a 50% chance of being drawn. As for spots, check out Google Earth etc. for good spots, and be prepared to walk in a mile or more to get to where the big game is. It's fairly flat, and there are plenty of streams and thickets of tall pines in there, and those are good spots to find deer and hogs.

Good luck.

You need to wear an orange vest and hat. For a beginner I'd recommend setting up on one of the cleared pipeline ROWs that you can see on google maps or google earth. It's too late to apply for a doe permit, I think. And ARs apply. You can't put up any permanent stands so climbers are useful.

Hunted there about 10 years ago for meat. My buddy and I spent 3 days there and we both scored on spikes. You need the public land permit [censored] noted. At the time doe tags were available at ranger station over the counter with limited quantity. We were there day before opener and both got doe tags but didn't use them. With a little scouting we found plenty of sign and used climbing tree stands as there are numerous large pine trees. Good luck!!!!!!!!!

Need APH permit
need orange hat and vest
Know ALL of the rules because the GW's dont care if you are new and dont know the rules. You will learn the hard way if you dont know them.
DO NOT set up on a pipeline because that is a violation of rules.
Very flat with shots typically under 80 yards in thick brush.
Treestands are best because of foliage
Any animal taken is a trophy.
Tough hunting!

I like the bottomlands and creeks.

Look for signs
like this fresh scrape I found a few days ago while out scouting/hunting.