Howdy, my pops got drawn for Archery deer in James Daughtrey this year! It's his first time to get drawn for anything and I'm super excited for him. Was wondering if anyone had any experience there and could lend helpful advice. Can he take a non-hunting companion (me)? What kind of hunting setup should he expect and is it totally DIY? Thanks for any help y'all.

I hunt at Daughtrey often for doves & rabbits, and did a draw hunt there a couple of years ago for javelinas and coyotes. I mostly stick to the south shore compartments, and I always see deer there, mostly does but there are some big bucks too. There are rudimentary blinds -- think wooden box -- and for the javelina/coyote hunt, we were allowed to throw corn by hand. I don't know whether a non-hunting guest would be allowed, but when I was there two guys hunted as a team in one compartment, so probably.

Do some scouting beforehand, either on foot or looking at satellite photos. Most compartments have dirt roads/paths running through them that make for good shooting lanes. Tracking an animal that goes into the brush can be rough.

Don't count on the non-hunting companion unless you have a disability that requires assistance. General rule is they are not allowed.

We drew the postcard archery last year. We started out in the "boat ramp compartment" with the high fence on one side. My buddy didn't bring snake boots and had a rattler slither up in his ground blind the first day. Saw a few does the one day we were in there. We got moved to one of the south shore units since they had senderos. Saw a lot of deer. We had met up after the morning hunt and went walking down near the lake. Stopped and were talking and I said "Hey, you have a doe 20 yds broadside over your right shoulder". No shot but funny nonetheless. Took us a few days to get the deer coming to corn. We camped at the state park.

Sounds good thanks y'all.