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East Texas Deer
#1438745
05/21/10 06:51 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
jrrose
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21 |
So here is the situation, I have a friend that has about 100 acres near Yantis and has told me that I can have the run of the place for free for as long as I want. His family owns it, but they have no use for it and never go there. Since it is free, I'm not really at risk of losing any money (except a new feeder and some corn to begin with). I know that even if there are any deer there, we wouldn't be talking about a 160 trophy, but I am just wondering if there is anything out there. I have to think there are probably hogs and a few turkeys at the very least, but the question is, are there any deer in that area. Ultimately, I am just looking at it as a place that is near Dallas (1.5hr) where I can take my son and hopefully see a few deer and spend some time together in the woods. I just don't want to be waiting for something that isn't within a hundred miles of the place.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Joel
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: jrrose]
#1438777
05/21/10 07:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 137
txfbc
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 137 |
I live probably 20 miles from Yantis. I would bet that there are some deer there and probably hogs. I would also bet that if the land-owners are never there that somebody is hunting it already.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: txfbc]
#1438873
05/21/10 07:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,394
Chuck McDonald
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,394 |
I used to be a memver at the Links at Lands Ends outside of Yantis by Lake Fork, and I saw some really good deer there. I would imagine it is poacher city though.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: Chuck McDonald]
#1438890
05/21/10 07:59 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
jrrose
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21 |
Thanks for the input. I am amazed at the concept of hunting someones land without permission, but I'm sure it happens. Maybe me being there regularly will help change that.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: jrrose]
#1439261
05/21/10 11:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 907
Erich
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 907 |
the best thing you can do to ward against poaching is to keep your hunting setups well off the road and out of site of the road, and give the impression that the property is visited regularly.
Outdoorsman
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: Erich]
#1439388
05/22/10 12:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
Find out who the local game warden is and let him know that you have exclusive hunting rights and anyone else on the property is trespassing and/or poaching. You may have to show proof that you have hunting rights but that shouldn't be a big deal.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: jrrose]
#1439413
05/22/10 01:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 20,366
Curly
Overrated
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Overrated
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 20,366 |
If it's free....treat it right, enjoy it, don't break the stupid AR rule and enjoy! I should be so lucky.....
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: Curly]
#1440148
05/22/10 05:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 577
millerliteliker
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 577 |
I have land in East Texas and two leases in West Texas (Sterling County and Baylor County). East Texas has ALOT of good deer, they are just more of a challenge to hunt than West Texas.
The key to East Texas is food plots and timing your hund during the rut.
In my opinion, feeders are a waste of time in East Texas. My family shot two excellent bucks on my land north of Longview. Neither of them was shot off a feeder - both off of food plots. Go ahead and plant a spring plot asap - cow peas and lablab are good choices. The spring plot will attact them to your 100 acres. Follow that up with a Fall plot in September - clover is best. That will be your "kill zone" plot.
Just be prepared to spend ALOT of time in your set ups. This is not like West Texas where the feeder goes off and the deer appear out of no where to feed.
East Texas can be a great place to hunt, you just have to think different than if you are hunting in Central or West Texas.
Good luck and have fun.
Mathews Z7 Bow for Whitetail and Hogs Remington R-15 .223 REM for predators I also like to "hunt" sporting clays with my Benelli SuperSport!
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: millerliteliker]
#1440645
05/23/10 01:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,328
billy gordon
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,328 |
I agree east texas deer just dont care alot about feeders so much foilage.I also shoot mine coming and going to a natural crossing no feeders or plots.Hogs will destroy the plots.
Billy Gordon
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: billy gordon]
#1440922
05/23/10 05:08 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 577
millerliteliker
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 577 |
Good point about plots - just make them BIG (sevaral acres) and the hogs will not be able to destroy them.
Plus, in regard to clover, I really have not had a problem with the hogs going after the clover for some reason.
The main thing is to be prepared and able to spend ALOT of time in your stands. You may go days without seeing anything worth shooting.
Mathews Z7 Bow for Whitetail and Hogs Remington R-15 .223 REM for predators I also like to "hunt" sporting clays with my Benelli SuperSport!
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: millerliteliker]
#1444198
05/25/10 04:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253
huntindude
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,253 |
I like to have several smaller ones, but then again, I have a few stands I hunt out of. The more edge you have on your plot the better. I try to make mine an odd shape in order to have more edge.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: huntindude]
#1444232
05/25/10 05:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486
duckslayer1206
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486 |
jrrose i hunt near you out off quinlan takes me close to 45 min from sunnyvale to get to the gate and i know for fact there are deer out there just like everyone else has mentioned its hard hunting and you have to be patient there is alot of hunting pressure in that area, i believe bow season is more affective i see ad shoot most my deer during the october month. if you want to kill some hogs i would put a feeder but if you want mainly deer the plots are the way to go we have both and more deer in the plots than the feeers....
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#1445384
05/25/10 08:14 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
jrrose
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21 |
Thanks for all of the input. As I mentioned, this is land that is going unused and untouched. I am grateful that it fell in my lap, and my goal is to leave the property in better shape than when I arrived. I am headed out there for the first time this weekend to get the lay of the land. I really have no idea what I am going to find, I don't know if there are any roads on the property, how overgrown it is, are there any clearings, nothing. I have contacted the game warden and introduced myself. He told me that he lives nearby, and there are definately deer and hogs, and absolutely no turkey. The land owner is having a letter notarized giving me full access incase any questions come up.
I am used to hunting west Texas, where feeder equals dinner bell, so some of your responses hit home. I don't mind working hard for the hunt, especially since it is a relatively short drive and it is free. I am excited to see what's out there, and will post up once I get more information. I have never had to start from scratch or develop a food plot, so I am sure I will have lots of questions, heck, i've got plenty now and I haven't even seen the place.
By the way, what is the no AR rule?
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: jrrose]
#1445967
05/26/10 12:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,484
BowSlayer
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,484 |
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: txfbc]
#1446044
05/26/10 01:20 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17,226
6InARowMakeItGo
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17,226 |
I would also bet that if the land-owners are never there that somebody is hunting it already. X2
🍻
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: jrrose]
#1446757
05/26/10 02:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,896
DCS
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,896 |
First of all welcome to the forum.
I used to love hunting in East Texas, for one thing you actually have to hunt in East Texas. To me it means more you work hard to "ambush" a deer rather then sit in a box blind at a feeder.
I believe my first thing to do is to scout the land, walk the perimeters and make sure you know where the property lines are. While you are at it look for "deer signs". Tracks, trails, droppings, ect.
I would also focus my attention on water holes and creek beds.
You might try setting up some simple "tube" feeders or just throw out some corn for that matter and just see what happens.
You are going to have to spend some time during the hot months to scout out the land and see what is going on.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: DCS]
#1447135
05/26/10 04:38 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
jrrose
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21 |
Thanks DCS, you read my mind. Thats' pretty much my To Do list for this weekend. I need to map the boundries because the property isn't completely fenced. Next is looking for signs of any kind, checking out the topography, looking for funnels or travel routes if I can find them. I am also thinking I will put some corn or somthing out and set up a camera just to see what happens. I am actually pretty excited about truly working for it like this, I think it will be pretty rewarding if it is even slightly productive.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: jrrose]
#1447400
05/26/10 06:27 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 239
Tx Deer Hunter
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 239 |
Even if you don't own it and your hunting for free get with the land owner and POST the property lines! I believe it is purple paint? Do it NOW! anyone that has been poaching on that 100 acres will now know that it is PRIVATE property and that trespassing will no longer be tolerated! then contact the game warden and give him your cell phone number and a description of your truck so he knows if someone is poaching! BTW you will still need written permission from your friend in order to hunt the land legally!
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: Tx Deer Hunter]
#1448472
05/27/10 02:22 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 577
millerliteliker
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 577 |
East Texas is great to hunt, but you just need to be prepared to put in ALOT of time in your stands to get a chance at a good deer (or any deer at that).
Like I said above in my first post, I have leases in Sterling and Baylor County, but I live and own property in East Texas. My son and I both shot our biggest bucks last season on my property in East Texas, but it took ALOT of time sitting in our stands to wait for a good buck and a good shot.
If you don't have much time, just make sure you get out there during the rut. Last year in my area that was around the 1st and 2nd week in December. The deer were really moving then.
Other than that, avoid hunting during a full moon (too much light at night for them to feed) and just make the time to properly scout and then get some food plots down.
I like East Texas hunting. To me, it is a REAL hunt and not a shoot.
Mathews Z7 Bow for Whitetail and Hogs Remington R-15 .223 REM for predators I also like to "hunt" sporting clays with my Benelli SuperSport!
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: millerliteliker]
#1453727
05/30/10 02:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 447
RangerRick
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 447 |
Ive hunted SE and NE Texas evenly for last 34 years. Have seen corn work but seems that the better size deer were indeed coming from Oats or other food plots/natural everyday stuff like acorn ,pecan,persimmons and peanuts etc... You literally do hunt the day..more time in stands. Seen a lot of deer when not in stand around the 11am -3pm time zone too.
Last edited by RangerRick; 05/30/10 02:23 AM.
The way things should be are not often the way things are.....
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: RangerRick]
#1453977
05/30/10 12:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 708
texas8point
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 708 |
take a little time and plant a clover food plot and you will see allot more deer than with a corn feeder.
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: texas8point]
#1456483
06/01/10 06:30 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,766
Tactical_Smurf
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,766 |
I have a friend that is ou that way that takes good shooter bucks every year.
Certified Glock Armorer - Because my Sig Sauers Don't Fail. "We are prepared to give all of our Tomorrows, for a single child's Today" - Kidnap Rescue Operator
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Re: East Texas Deer
[Re: Chuck McDonald]
#1459327
06/02/10 05:56 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,383
bigmike_ml21
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,383 |
I used to be a memver at the Links at Lands Ends outside of Yantis by Lake Fork, and I saw some really good deer there. I would imagine it is poacher city though. We always see a bunch of deer when we go play there and have also seen some pretty good bucks in that area. I wouldnt hesitate to go put up a stand and feeder on the place, you never know what might walk out. At least its FREE!
Sometimes I wonder if it will get to the point you bring an attorney with you out hunting.
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