Hey im going to call the lake authority tomorrow and ask...but thought i would run it by you guys for an answer tonight.

If you are hunting a lake that has private property along the banks and it is legal to hunt the lake as long as you don't trespass, what defines the edge of private property and the beginning of public. Is it the conservation pool line (high water mark, spillway elevation) Or does the private property line vary depending on lake level?

For example with the lakes being so low right now, much of what is normally underwater is now dry land. Are you trespassing if you are hunting these dry lands? When the lake is at full pool, its legal to hunt them..So is it legal to hunt them when the lake is down and its dry?

Thanks for the info. Ill be calling the lake authority just to play it safe, but wanted to see what yall thought.

I'm pretty positive that no one actually owns to the water. depending on the lake. most are 50' easements so it shouldn't be trespassing.

so would that be 50' from the current level or 50' from the level when the lake is full. Like right now, there are places where it is hundreds of yards or more from the water to the mark where the lake is normally.

no one?

You should be able to hunt up to the old water line

There will be an elevation that you are legal to hunt up to (pool level). With the lakes so low, it shouldn't be an issue.

The answer is not that simple. Depends on the lake. Within reasonable driving distance of the DFW area I am aware of one public lake that has it's hunting boundary a set elevation line. Another lake you have to be at least 6 ft into the water no matter what the level. Others have a set property line surveyed with corner markers that may or may not include a fence. One of those lakes you have to be a certain distance from that property line. Are you asking for hunting waterfowl on these now dry areas??? Note that many public lakes are "waterfowl" only. Some can be legal for all game, some are very restricted to what and how you can hunt. Check the link at the top of the forum. The controlling authority for most every lake in Texas has some form of website that includes the hunting rules regarding boundaries.

hey thanks guys I figured that each lake would prob be different. Yes i was inquiring for waterfowl though. I have been hunting this said lake, but have been hunting from the main body of the lake. I found a spot though that has birds that is not currently in the main body..but would be when the lake is at normal level. I will give the lake authority a call today. I appreciate it.

Every piece of real property in Texas that I'm aware of has very precise boundaries all the way around, a map of which is in the County Recorders Office and almost always includes a Survey when the property was last sold.

Boundary lines DO NOT move with changing water levels, period. You can no more be ordered off water that is NOT on their property than you have a right to hunt WITHIN their property boundaries when the water is high. Of course, this is only my $.02.

On a public lake Saturday I got checked by a game warden and asked the same questions, his reply to me was go anywhere you want to beyond the old existing shoreline. He said the landowners leaseback's end were the original shoreline was at full pool. However he also said the landowners are working hard to end hunting in several areas of the lake and will call them everytime they see someone hunting. This is why he was watching us from the woods with binos long before he wadded out to us to check our guns and license and yes we were legal.
He also said a few of them have been baiting areas along the shore to keep people from hunting.

What regulations exist for being within a certain range of a home?

Depends on the lake.

awesome, thank you. I didnt have a chance to call today but Im pretty sure they will tell me what you guys have already stated. It is what i figured to begin with but wanted to ask and make sure. Thats pretty lame that they bait the land like that. How the heck are you supposed to know if they baited it like that or not? Seems like that should be against the law too. Baiting period on public land for hunting or not hunting waterfowl.

It includes a Deed which has a written boundary description that we use to create a survey but the County does not record surveys. They do record plats which are maps of multiple pieces of property like a subdivision.
Your point is still correct the boundaries of a lake do not change with the water level. Since it is against federal law to impound water onto another persons property most lake authorities have bought up all the land at a contour above the spillway elevation. If it has ever been wet from the lake water chances are pretty high that it is owned by the lake authority. That doesn't mean that someone wont claim ownership or try to run you off and its always best to contact the lake authority to check.

I spoke to a Game Warden the other day about Palo Pinto lake. Told me I could hunt so long as I didn't get to close to or shoot at any occupied houses. I asked how far I have to be away from houses and he said there was no set limit.

So I guess it is up to the warden when called by a angry homeowner as to how far you have to be away?