Is there still deer to be had on public lands?

The subject line to the post pretty much sums up the post. I have never hunted before and am wanting start. I am not looking for the big trophy buck but I just want the source of meat. Because of this keeping costs low is a factor for me. I am curious how readable it is to hunt deer on public land? Is there still good hunting places need Dallas TX? Or do you pretty much have to have access to private land to find deer reasonably consistently? Thanks in advance.

Deer to be had? Yes.

Reasonably consistently? No.

Or, I guess that depends on what you mean by reasonably consistently. I've deer hunted on public land every fall for the past five years, and I have shot one deer. However, I have seen does at times I could only shoot bucks, and I almost always see deer when I'm out on scouting trips. The deer are there, but shooting one on public land is a pretty significant accomplishment. That's why a lot of us consider anything taken on public land to be a trophy.

ta HF...
Agree with Harrier , some very good deer hunts... Most around Dallas are archery only few shotgun for deer... Farther South few are open ta rifle... Just gotta get out thar & do the leg work... Best Wishes...

Its cheaper to buy it at the supermarket than to hunt it. But the hunting is the fun part. It wont be like having your own lease where you can take the maximum amount of deer every year. It does take time and effort to hunt public land and expect it to be tough at first but in my opinion very rewarding.

Remember there are NO Deer in East TX.