Drew Bow tag. Been almost 20 years since I last hunted Aransas. Anyone hunt it recently with a bow? Trying to determine if it's worth the $130 tag.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dang, shouldn't that have been a consideration before application?

I've only rifle hunted it in the last thirty years, about once every five years. Last time was two years ago before they went to the TPWD draw. I hunt all over Texas and consider it the hardest hunt out there. That is what slowly sucks be back every few years plus it is drivable on a daily basis for me.

I know that The Nature Conservancy has started to help them with burns as the NWR has desperately needed to reduce young oak thickets. I'm pretty sure it has seen a normal amount of rainfall so the mosquitoes always make it interesting.

I hunted there with a rifle a few times. As Ranch dog said it’s a tough hunt. It’s thick and depending on rainfall downright a muddy wet mess. The place is absolutely covered in pigs. I always had a good time and enjoyed going. The big downside to me was that they do not allow camping on the refuge. The closest decent lodging was in Rockport almost an hour away. If you have the time you should go and experience it for yourself.

The "Friend's of the Refuge" run the check station and sell the coded flagging tape, if they still do that. They also host a hog contest. Ask about it as you go through the check station. You just turn in the tail and you can leave the hog where you killed it.

Oh, the rule of halves apply to this place; each day only half of the previous day's hunters return.

Thanks Ranch Dog, normally I wouldn't hesitate to buy the tag but I drew a bow tag for Laugna Atascosa as well and gun hunted that last year.

Unfortunately life obligations cut into hunting time and I need to choose which one to hunt. Personally I don't usually care if there is a high or low percentage of taking game but since I have a choice this time I'll factor that in.

You're descriptions are similar to what I recall. Yes lots of pigs.
Thick brush and few deer.

Given the two choices, despite the drive, I would take the Laguna Atascosa. Way better deer, hogs are less of a bother, and then there is the nilgai.

I hunted there last gun season. I came with a ground blind. BIG mistake. The grass was pretty high, and I couldn't see far at all. I didn't see a deer while hunting, but they were there. Tracks told the tale. Hog tracks too. It was a tough hunt. TRIPODS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you go, bring a tripod, period. The best area's are toward the front from what I saw. LOTS of guys wanted those area's, as they were across the fence from a hunting ranch with LOTS of deer. Be careful though. If you set up to close to the no hunting zone the game warden will ticket you. There were two guys that did that last season, and they were ticketed. There were a few decent deer taken. One young fella rattled in a nice buck about 300yrds in from where I was hunting. He and his girlfriend stalked into the thicket, found a clearing, started rattling, the buck came out, and he shot him. I heard the shot, and their conversation, and drag to their truck. So, I met up with them and congratulated them.

It's a tough hunt. If I do it again, I will NOT be in a ground blind. I'll be in a tripod.

I hunted there once with my wife and as mentioned above, it is very hard.

We saw only young deer, mostly by sitting still while the pumpkin army marched around pushing animals all over the place.

Thanks for all the good info. Sounds about like I remember it 18 years ago. I'll keep that tripod deal in mind. That would work for atascosa as well.

I bailed on Aransas and accepted my Atascosa tag and then promptly drew a Devils River gun tag for exotic. It was pending second draw. At least it's early January and should be nice and cool.

Good luck to all those who drew and on the next round.