I will be driving down early wednesday morning and primitive camping for the Crossbow deer hunt at Chaparral WMA next week. Going by myself.

I called and spoke with a staff member down there and got some good information. I'm planning on bringing a popup blind, rattling antlers, and a grunt call. She said that protien is OK but no corn, so i guess I'll bring some protien to try out.

She did tell me that if it's hot you wont see much. The weather report says Highs in the mid-70s and lows in the 40s... hopefully that isnt too hot for deer movement. Looks like a last quarter to a waning crescent moon... not sure if thats good or bad.

I've read to hunt all day and not to hunt the established stands.

My plan was to look for a trail leading into a sendero or a tank and set up the popup nearby, she said that the deer shoulnt be bothered by the popup. Maybe I'll sit in one of the rifle stands the first morning and see if there is a pattern to any deer activity.

Has anyone been down there recently have any other advice to improve success?

We will be down there also. We are going to be in a enclosed trailer should stop by and hang out.

Be sure to take a saw and brush in your popup.
If it’s hot hunt the trails close to water.
By chance can you take any another attractants such as acorn rage or sugar beet crush?
Or maybe even a bag of horse and mule?

I am going to hunt over water for sure. Sit in blind all day

Good luck guys. I'll be going to the riffle hunt on Dec 16-20. Keep us posted. I scouted a whole day during October on a dove hunt and all the pastures look good. Can't really say that we saw a lot of deer but I would say we saw 30 driving around in 6 hours. Weather was actually great. Light drizzle and in the low 60's. what confuses me is that they will not let you feed corn but they will let you feed protein. I just don't get it. Anyways, the park manager told us that baiting with corn would be decided a day or two before the actual hunt according to harvest results before our hunt. I've been posting on here for a while to see how others did, but not many replies. I'm anxious to know harvests for the youth hunts. They took place the last couple of weeks.

NewJeep, I'd be down to hang out after the hunt. I'll be in the primitive spot in a grey dodge truck.

I was under the impression that you aren't allowed to cut any brush, which is the main reason why I was concerned about the popup sticking out. I guess i can try and wedge it into the brush line somewhere.

She only said no corn. If anyone has experience with other attractants working I'd consider trying them.

Again, its supposed to be mid 70's highs and mid 40s lows, is that considered hot for down there?

BTW, most of the blinds are set up in good locations for riffle hunts. I'm not too sure it's good for crossbows though.

Almost time. Will be headed that way in 3 hrs

Leaving Austin early tomorrow morning. Supposed to be pretty warm.

Good luck guys.

Word from the chap is bucks r starting to chase. Youth weekend was a little slow 30 does taken combined and a fee bucks

i would forget the feed. on those places the deer won't know what it is anyway.

if you can cut brush, i would cut down some persimmon branches and camo your popup using that. you can bet your boots the deer are going to notice it if its not camo'd.

the rut is just starting in that area right now. its won't be in full swing till around the 14th or so but the younger bucks are starting to think about it....a doe that comes into heat early will get them chasing. mid 70's temps isn't ideal...thats hot for this time of year, but you can't change the weather so it its what it is.

I would set up on well travled lanes along cross fences and in little mott clearings. tank hunting is gonna be pretty unproductive as most deer will water at night.

don't get too aggresive however, you don't want to bust up there bedding area, stick to the edges of brush pockets but don't go bushwhacking directly into them.

hunting all day if you can take the heat is a good idea, but with the weather that hot, don't expect a tremendous amount of mid day activity, but you might catch on slipping

oh, and def. bring a pair of rattling horns.


these are your biggest asset

And a grunt call. Sometimes it's more productive than rattling.

Hunted there rifle 5 or 6 seasons ago... Couple of points

1. There rifle stands are productive. Don't ignore them
2. Ask someone who knows your pasture well. They will tell you the most productive stands
3. Nice idea about the water but it didn't work for us or others when we were there
4. Hunt all day
5. It is a blast and a privilege. Enjoy!!!!
6. Hate to be a downer but they are right about the weather. We had a couple of days of cool weather and saw 10X the deer on those days.

Wes

We will be there also for the Dec. 16th hunt. We have been putting in for about 6 years. We hunted stand-by there a few years ago. Cousin shot a 10pt. upper 150 class 7.5 yrs old. Hunted what they called the House Pasture. Can't wait to hear the pipes rattle when we cross the cattle guard!

Hey ALJ79, I'll be there as well on the 16th. Hope we can meet up and exchange notes. Looking forward to it. Will you be staying on the camp grounds?

King, We will be staying at the primitive campsite. We are dragging a travel trailer and will be using a generator. Look for a maroon ford. We are planning on getting down there around noon Sat. and scouting after shooting our rifles in.

Not sure what we'll be driving but will be pulling two trailer blinds. We will also be there on saturday to scout. What number are you to choose compartment? We will be 5th.

Not sure. Are you reading your permit number? If so ours ends 0012. So probably last.

Ours is 0006. Stopped by there yesterday on my way to the lease and a 114 bc 8 pt was all that had been killed so far.

Any updates?