Hello All,
My son and I are planning on doing some squirrel hunting this coming week-end on the Youth/Adult hunt. I have never hunted on public land before. I would really like to get some advice on what too expect and what to look out for. I have heard horror stories about hunting on public land and I have heard it is not that bad if you pay attention.

I would really like to hear from folks on their experiences! Also has anyone hunted this area for squirrels before? If so where is a to good place hunt. I would really appreciate anyone's time to help me out. Feel free to PM me! Have a great week-end!!!

The white oak wma requires an APH permit to hunt it. If you don't have the permit go get one before you go hunt. Its only like $40. I've never hunter there but always have wanted to, lots of room to hunt. I wouldn't worry too much about other hunter and those horror stories this weekend. Just besure to wear the required amount of hunters orange. Once deer season gets here im sure there will be a handful of idiots in those woods, but it shouldnt be as bad as some other places and stories you read about on here. As far as the squirrel hunting goes, there should be tons of them for you guys. Getin and settled at least 30mins before 1st shooting light and you should be able to shoot several from one area in the first hour... I like to let them wake up and move around for a few minutes before I start shooting. Then ill shoot one, but I stay seated.. it will only take a few minutes before the others start moving about again.. after I've killed 3 or so, ill go pick them up, then move to another section. Get close to water (if there is any) or draws and go for the gray/cat squirrels.. have fun.

If you don't have or don't wanna get the APH permit you can hunt almost any of the other coe property in that area without permit.

I squirrel and coon hunt their alot with dogs, the squirrel hunting will suck in their this year with the lack of mast,that place is dry as a bone right now, its all cat squirrels in their and they go where the food is i.e. not in their,they migrate.They are not like fox squirrels that just stay put...

Well I went squirrel hnt there today with my 12 year old son. We had a wonderful time but did not see anything because it was just darn windy today. Also I looked and looked at the White Oak and Hickory trees and there is absolutely nothing. I mean there's not any acorns or hickory nuts this year!!! I guess the drought took its toll on the all of the trees and stressed them out so none of them made.


I suppose the animals are going to have a hard time this fall and winter looking for good food.

Told you....

LOL...Well I thought about what you said while my son and I were walking through the bottom off of CR 4307 by the boat ramp by the river and I did not see any acrons. Oh well we still had a good time spending the day together.

Are from that area? Ever done any duck hunting in any of the slews there?

I don't live to far from their,I hunt in their about 50 times a year, mainly coonhunting, the best duck hunting is at the end of county rd 2513,you got to walk in about 3/4 of a mile to Jennings lake slough, ducks in their big time....

There are no ducks, deer, or hogs on White Oak...........

You are right about the deer....

That's true...

and we wouldnt lie to a fella.

Well darn it seem that WOC WMA is a going to be a bust. I do think I will scout out the area where Top spoke of for duck hunting if we ever get any more RAIN!

I was wondering if any of you any have any suggestions where one could take their 12 year old son to do some good or at least decent squirrel hunting? Are there any other WMA in the Piney Woods Area?

Also are there any resources that have detail maps of these WMA other than the crappy maps online on the Texas Parks Wildlife Sites.

Please excuse my ignorance for asking stupid questions. I am just trying to take my son hunting some.

Southeast Arkansas got lots of squirrels right now, and some good public land to hunt on....

I spoke wiith the WMA guy there this afternoon. We talked for about an hour and he told me where to go to hunt cat sqirrels. He said there is a bunch there. It was just to darn wind Sunday.

We hunted off of the entrance of CR2513 bt we only walked the horse trail and the perimeter trail. Did not actually go into the woods.

He did speak of the Jenning slew and said that it was an excellent place to duck hunt. He said that there is a resavior there that they can open to flood it out but did not know if that was going to occur this year due to the drought.

He also spoke of the Chicken Ranch Road and the power lines is a good place to do deer hunting as well as hog hunting. He said hogs are everywhere just have to find the water to find them.

I figure I'll just keep trying hopefully something will appear. I'll be able to spend many hours there with my son and that time is priceless.

go far it i ant far from chicken ranch road and that area look for water holes were hogs have been wallowing as you hunt carry your shotgun for hogs wirh slugs or buckshot and busytail shoot backing up first if two of u one could have 22 though lots of green in trees for rifles right now any way all time in woods with your boy is well spent days good luck and keep that young man hunting

Hey add147, check out the land around Wright Patman lake.
It is managed by the US Corps of Engineers & is available for public hunts. Just look at the web site and map to make sure of the boundaries and rules.
You can also call them for details at 903-838-8781.
Here is a link to the web site and the Hunting Areas Map. I used to fish the lake a lot and there are some great areas for squirrel hunting. I also know several guys who do pretty well duck hunting there as well.
I would stay away on opening days or weekend even of any season as it gets pretty wild at times being free public land!

Good luck!