Laguna Atascosa NWR

Hey, I know there were several guy's on here who were selected for Laguna Atascosa NWR. Let's let this be the official post for collaborating together and helping each other out with what we're learning and researching along the way!

My crew was selected for the first Archery Hunt- November 17th-21st. It is our first time to go down there. Trying like the Dicken's to get mentally and physically prepared as well as getting appropriately equipped for a hunt like this.

We will be staying at the Adolph Thomae County Park in tents. Anyone ever stayed there? How is it? Should we bring our fishing gear for nighttime? Are any of you going to be staying there?

From what I've researched so far,

1. Bike is almost a necessity! Along with spare tubes or solid tires.
2. Snakeboots or snake gaurds
3. Some extreme bug repellent. Permethrin seems to be the popular choice.
4. The success rate is extremely low. Like 5% chance that you'll bag an animal. So if you have an animal in range, take the shot, you may never get another shot!
5. The Refuge does not manage for trophies but rather a healthy population. Don't pass on a buck because it isn't a wallhanger.
6. Be prepared for the toughest hunt of your life and get in shape starting yesterday!
7. There is a 50% rule! 50% of the people from the day before will be gone the next. Lol. Most people aren't going to hang it out. Be the one who toughs it out and you'll have better odds!
8. You will be required to use your own tags on this hunt. This needs to be done before you check your deer into the check station.
9. Bring a tarp to line the bed of your vehicle. This is a requirement by the refuge to prevent the spread of the fever ticks that are an epidemic down there.

I'll add more stuff as I think of it or learn it.

Feel free to add any advice! If any of you have gone before, even better, share that insight!

Not a bad summary. The only thing I would add is, unlike the hunts on state properties, they do NOT issue tags. You use the ones on your license. Be sure to tag any deer you take and properly fill out the log on back of your license. When you bring your deer to the check station, they WILL check to make sure the deer is properly tagged and will give you a financial encentive to do better next time if you don't.
Another thing, be sure to bring a tarp to wrap the deer or nilgai in when you bring it to the station. They want you to do that to avoid bringing home any fever ticks and allowing them to spread.

One more thing I would add, go into YouTube and learn how to quarter an elk without gutting. It will save you a ton of work hauling that nilgai out if you're lucky enough to get one.

Thanks Palehorse! I think I've gathered that you've been before! Did you get selected this go-round?

Yep. I'll be there Nov 17th-21st.

Regarding #4 on your list, this is a pic of the board after last year's hunt. These are the success's out of 250 hunters.

Crazy!

I got drawn for the gun hunt December 22-24. Will definitely be watching this thread.

Got drawn for the last hunt, can't wait.

Congrats guys. Either of y'all been down there before?

Thanks for posting this Palehorse, that puts the hunt/success in perspective. Actually, you could remove two deer & one nilgai from the count as the three animals were killed by a fellow that has probably hunted the refuge more than any other hunter many times over. He is a bit of a legend and killed all three animals still hunting his favorite areas. He has hunted the refuge from the start, is local, and spends a crazy amount of time scouting the refuge.

The weights speak of the age structure that has been taken as well.

Howdy!

Yak, this is my first time applying for drawn hunts at all. I applied for 7 gun deer hunts thinking I'd be lucky to get one. Ended up getting Balcones Canyonlands and Laguna Atascosa and pending 2nd draw on 4 others. I put my brother on this hunt/application and can't do both so dropping the Balcones hunt. Internet scouting has been interfering with work, here's hoping they don't find out.

No, I have never been down there. With as much time as I have spent on Google Earth, though I feel like I have!

I know fellows are also using drones on scouting days.

They better not get caught. It specifically says in this years brochure,

" Prohibited Activities include:
-Camping, except at Adolph
Thomae Jr. County Park
-Use or possession of alcoholic
beverages and/or drugs
-Possession and/or use of dogs
while scouting or hunting
-Target practice
-Use of motorized carts/wagons
-Taking of any plant or animal
species not designated on your
permit
-Possession and/or distribution of
bait or hunting over bait
-Use of flagging and/or markers
-Use of, or hunting from, any type
of watercraft or floating device
-Use of drones/aircraft"

Same here! Google Earth is my favorite tool!

Same here. I applied for the first time ever with my brother and a buddy! We got drawn for this Laguna Atascosa hunt and the Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR hunt. Both archery. We had to cut LRGV because it was less days, less lodging availability and the same weekend.

We applied for 23 diff hunts between the 3 of us. My brother also drew a Doe permit for Bannister WMA.

Yeah, I guess they added it. They didn't like it last year but there was nothing they could do about it. I guess it is okay for them to log hundreds of helicopter hours hulling out hogs and nilgai but the public, who own the place, can't use a drone to scout.

Me and my brother were drawn for rifle. December 29-31.

Congrats! I would imagine a rifle would make it easier to bag an animal. I put in for rifle as well but only drew the archery. I'm not really an archer so I'll be using my trusty crossbow.

I'm hoping since the hunt we drew is the first archery hunt November 17-21 that the animals won't be as skittish. Who knows. Never been.

From my experience the first day is the best after that when the animals see all that activity they go into section 8 (no hunt area). If it rains or drizzles get ready for some of the worst mud you’ll ever trek through.

Hey guys its great to join the forum and this thread. I'm pretty excited, I got drawn for the 29-31 Dec Hunt. All the collaboration is nice and refreshing.

After reading I got some questions answered but was wondering if anyone who had previously hunter there knew if cell phone reception was operational? If so what carriers? Are there any other thoughts on communication between hunters other than cell phones or 2-way radios?

Whats the avg, or best for planning, shoot distance for Nilgai at the refuge?

Morning gents, lurked on here for a long time but figured I need to join since I actually drew some tags this year.

I pulled a Laguna Nilgai tag along with my wife, father in law and 9 YO son for Jan 19-21. Haven't made it down there before but I have hunted deer on Aransas years ago. Anyone know if it is comparable?

Anyone going to be down there at the same time? From my research, it looks like a mature Nilgai can push 600 lbs. May be nice to have a bunch of folks to help each other out cutting and processing!

Congratulations adkhunter! We drew Nilgai but for LRGR NWR in Feb. Looking for all the insight ourselves! Good luck!

Rolling out at about 2am on Thursday morning for our hunt!!! Can't wait!!!

Just got back from Lower Rio Grande Teniente Unit Hunt. Might want to read my posting from yesterday. Subject is Lower Rio Grande Teniente Unit Hunt.

Sorry javman, section 8 is huntable. Sections 1,2, 3, 5, 6, 8 are open for archery. I believe they close 1 for rifle.

I just came across this thread and wanted to check in to see if anyone has had any success this year so far. A buddy and I where drawn for the Jan 19-21st hunt and are very excited to go. Any advice, or tips for this year is much appreciated!!!

Geoff

We hunted the first archery hunt.

The nilgai we saw seemed very educated and stayed out in the open fields hundreds of yards away from brush areas.

I saw one WT doe and got a shot at her. Couldn't find her or any blood. I swore I hit her but I digress.

My advice would be to try to find an area where the animals are bedding/scraping or some heavy heavy used trails. Their were game trails EVERYWHERE! So I would say look for one that is bigger and more used than others. Don't be afraid to get off in the thick stuff. That is one of my regrets. I wish I had pushed harder and hunted deeper in the thick brush. I suspect that's where more animals were at. I was on the edge of a clearing and some thick brush right along a game trail. Didn't see a whole lot of activity.

Hope this advice helps. Good luck and post up results.