I am exploring a possible lease for 2010 in Rusk County and wanted to know what other's have experienced in this area. I primarily bow hunt and am intriqued by the piney woods region of TX. Any thoughts or testimonials would be appreciated. I have not visited the property yet, but understand it may have something of a hog problem.

Thanks in advance

I am sure it has hogs and there is a excellent deer population in that area as well.

Thanks for the info

I've hunted in Rusk Co all my life. I grew up in Tatum which is in north Rusk and is primarily where I hunt. I also have places in panola co and in south central Arkansas but most of my hunting is done in Rusk Co. I mainly bow hunt as well. There is diffidently a hog problem in this county but I've learned that if you don't run a feeder, they will leave you alone for the most part. I've had better luck hand feeding trails than running a brodcast feeder. This year was tough due to the excelent acorn crop. Look for a place that has pine trees as well as hard wood flats and bottoms. This is not South Texas where you can see a counry mile. Most of my stands have maybe a 50yd shot at the longest. I didnt get to hunt alot this year because of an ACL surgery in October but I did get a 110 inch eight point that weighed around 160lbs with my bow in early December. Texas Utilities has a power plant at Martin Creek Lake and has bought up a bunch of property in this county for strip mining. You can't hunt this land but if you can get a piece right next to it, you might be able to pull some of their deer on over to you. There's a rumer that TXU has brought in some deer from Kansas for their genetics. There is always a 170-180 class deer or two killed in this county every year. IMO, look for land that has water, older hardwoods as well as pines, and electric right of ways or gas pipe lines, as these will give you the ability to see a few hundred yards. To me, the deer here are smarter than the deer I hunt in Arkansas. If you don't have the wind in your favor, dont hunt that stand becuase you wont see squat. I always set up two stands at each location to make sure the wind is in my favor. If you need any more info, just pm me. I'd be happy to let you in on the stuff I've found out over the years...
happy huntin'
Chad

Thanks RazorBuck, very helpful info and hints, I will take you up on some additional information if I end up with the lease.

I hunt in Minden, Rusk county and have only seen 1 buck. Which luck would have my mechanical broadhead failed to work properly and he got away. I have put in much time and haven't had any luck. Which part of Rusk county is the lease located? The Brachfield area has always been good.

The property is south of the Cross Roads, New Hope area.

Man, that sucks about your mechanical failure, I have been hearing more of that lately.

If you get it and need people to fill it let me know, I'm always looking for other places to hunt. Oh, I went to using fixed blades again, aint got to worry about it not opening.

Check this out.
http://www.texassportsmanmag.com/hunting/whitetail-deer-hunting/tx_aa125104a/

Thanks Bigpoppa, good read and even better advice. Probably the best tip was to not make the lease a party. I could not agree more! I have been on leases in the past that put their campers next to the best deer travel areas because it was convenient, and built the biggest fires possible while playing the radio full blast. No wonder that lease never produced more than 100 inch deer.

Good move on the fixed blades, I love my muzzys!! I will keep you posted on my progress getting access to this land.

that area will put you very close, if not next to the txu property. my parents live pretty close to there.

I got to do my first deer hunt in Rusk Co.
This was my first year deer hunting and shot a doe on my uncles land who lives in Rusk.

I have a 3,000+ acre lease in Sterling County, but I live in Longview and hunt on my own land north of town. I am probably about 30 miles from where you are talking about in Rusk County.

The deer hunting in East Texas is different than West Texas - you have to be a little more patient and you definitely don't see deer on every hunt like you do out west.

I would say that hunting food plots is very important. Feeders don't really do much good in East Texas from my experience. There is too much food (acorns) for the deer to notice corn - at least until maybe late in the season when the acorns begin to rot.

Still, you will have much better luck with a food plot.

My son took the buck pictured Friday afternoon. He was a 10 pt. with a splitter and the beginnings of a drop tine. He was even slightly bladed. Don't let anyone tell you there are not good bucks in East Texas. You just have to work for them, but in my opinion that makes it more rewarding when you get a nice one.

Sterling County is easy, but East Texas is rewarding (and closer to my house by 7 hours).