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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Why I prefer to hunt public land
#4530691
09/01/13 07:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 408
Harrier
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 408 |
I was out on public land this morning for the dove opener. Even though I was joined by a hundred or so strangers, I wouldn't have missed it. I shot only two doves (and used an embarrassing number of shells to do so) but I'm much prouder of those two doves than of any number of birds I've taken on leases. Same goes for the deer and small game I've shot on public land. Here's why:
No one scouted the land for me. No one told me the best places to set up. No one drove me out there or picked me up -- I was on foot the whole time. I carried all my own gear. No one retrieved or cleaned my birds for me. No sunflowers, no milo, just me and the doves. From start to finish, any success and any shortfalls were mine alone. I subscribe to the theory that any animal taken on public land is a trophy, even my two doves today.
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Harrier]
#4530779
09/01/13 08:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,070
Ol_Yeller
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,070 |
I was out on public land this morning for the dove opener. Even though I was joined by a hundred or so strangers, I wouldn't have missed it. I shot only two doves (and used an embarrassing number of shells to do so) but I'm much prouder of those two doves than of any number of birds I've taken on leases. Same goes for the deer and small game I've shot on public land. Here's why:
No one scouted the land for me. No one told me the best places to set up. No one drove me out there or picked me up -- I was on foot the whole time. I carried all my own gear. No one retrieved or cleaned my birds for me. No sunflowers, no milo, just me and the doves. From start to finish, any success and any shortfalls were mine alone. I subscribe to the theory that any animal taken on public land is a trophy, even my two doves today. Good job and I agree. Public is the only way I hunt waterfowl.
"Duck hunter's minds are like concrete. All mixed up and permanently set."
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Ol_Yeller]
#4530897
09/01/13 09:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
billygoat
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75 |
Way to go. I agree with you 100%. I would rather harvest any legal deer on public land than pay huge prices to take a deer that i am waiting at a feeder for.
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: billygoat]
#4531420
09/02/13 03:00 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,840
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,840 |
It is better to have your own place, nobody to tell you how to hunt or to get in the way. 
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
_____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/usergals/2018/09/full-3152-162968-charge_air_assault.jpg)
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Harrier]
#4531548
09/02/13 04:21 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,181
Hill Country Hunter
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4,181 |
I was out on public land this morning for the dove opener. Even though I was joined by a hundred or so strangers, I wouldn't have missed it. I shot only two doves (and used an embarrassing number of shells to do so) but I'm much prouder of those two doves than of any number of birds I've taken on leases. Same goes for the deer and small game I've shot on public land. Here's why:
No one scouted the land for me. No one told me the best places to set up. No one drove me out there or picked me up -- I was on foot the whole time. I carried all my own gear. No one retrieved or cleaned my birds for me. No sunflowers, no milo, just me and the doves. From start to finish, any success and any shortfalls were mine alone. I subscribe to the theory that any animal taken on public land is a trophy, even my two doves today.
Psalm 3:3 - But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Chadillac]
#4537317
09/04/13 03:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,450
Aggieduck
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,450 |
Public land limit tonight  
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Aggieduck]
#4545450
09/06/13 09:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,960
1FowlHntR
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,960 |
here is my opening morning haul on public....I have been hunting it for 3 years now and it Always produces good numbers!! scouted it this year and it had potential, so I "pulled the trigger" so to speak and here is the total... 
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: 1FowlHntR]
#4549824
09/08/13 04:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16
Charker
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 16 |
Im trying to plan my hunts. Anyone having the same frustration I am about 2nd half of the Split Season? Why are there VERY FEW options from TPWD for the 2nd half in the North and Central and even South Zone for Dove?
Looks like ill be booking a flight to Brownsville soon unless I am just reading all of the dates wrong on these parcels: "Each day of the 1st split" blah blah blah. Help.
Something Witty and Convicting
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Charker]
#4550232
09/08/13 07:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943
Ben Lilly
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,943 |
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Ben Lilly]
#4552448
09/09/13 02:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 325
seethemkillthem
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 325 |
I love public land. Its been good to me for Dove and Ducks. Last year Id did start to hunt a few private ponds ounce the lakes dried up and the ducks moved off but other than that I hunt Public.
There is something rewarding about being successful on a piece of public land when everyone else says there are no dove.
Got 9 dove on opening Sunday, 11 on Monday, 7 on Saturday and a limit yesterday. All in all it has been a very productive dove season.
Now the big question is where are all the Teal??????
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Charker]
#4567693
09/14/13 07:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 408
Harrier
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 408 |
Im trying to plan my hunts. Anyone having the same frustration I am about 2nd half of the Split Season? Why are there VERY FEW options from TPWD for the 2nd half in the North and Central and even South Zone for Dove? Yeah, that's frustrating. I have my second split public land all picked out, but it's twice as far as where I usually go. Another frustration: Sites that don't allow small game hunting with dove. I was out at my spot this morning and could have taken two rabbits EASY, but that isn't allowed at this particular location. And I like rabbit! On the plus side, I had the place pretty much to myself this morning, and since this was my fifth public land hunt already this season, my $48 APL has already paid for itself a couple times over when compared to day lease rates.
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: Harrier]
#4571719
09/16/13 06:08 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,924
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,924 |
Fair chase, now-a-days it takes bigger buck's ta hunt bigger bucks 
i'm postaddic
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: 1860.colt]
#4575609
09/17/13 04:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6
MJJ
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6 |
Hey all - I am new to the forum (have been viewing pages for a while now but just haven't joined to post) and was wondering if anyone has tried their luck dove hunting public land this season in the Bastrop/Lee County areas (anywhere along 290 east of Austin).
I went out with a buddy last weekend and it was dead quiet and no signs of hunters (i.e. shells, boot prints, beer cans) and we saw 2 dove all day (didn't even fire a round).
Any scouting/input on the weather/condition report would be appreciated.
Thanks
Benelli Nova 28" Max 4 Camo - Chambered for 3.5"s - Banded Sling - Specter Gear buttstock 6 shell holder - B-Square Saddle mount w/Simmons scope (for slugs).
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Re: Why I prefer to hunt public land
[Re: MJJ]
#4578107
09/18/13 07:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 96
timawa
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 96 |
Looks like I'm not the only one of so proud of 2 dove limit. I feel so manly when I shot my 2 dove limit on my first bird hunting. I thought to myself "now I can feed my kids by hunting". Nah just my thought.
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