So my family and I moved to Texas about 3 years ago from Montana. I came from a county that had 2.5 million acres of public land. I have not hunted since I have moved here since I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices for a deer and public land is not as bountiful as it was back home. I would average about 10,000 rounds a year in Montana shooting prairie dogs, coyotes, bobcats, etc. Not to mention deer, elk, antelope, pheasant seasons. What does a guy gotta do to hunt in Texas w/o breaking the bank? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Your frustration is understandable. You moved from a hunter's playground to a pay-to-play state.

Dan, first, welcome to Texas and THF! Since most of Texas, over 95%, is privately owned you will need to get some contacts for a lease. Many of us old boys on here can help you with that. It is not as bad as you think. May cost a bit more, but you can develop hunting friendships and not worry about being overrun with everyone else on public land. Good leases allow year round access so you can hunt turkey, deer, hogs, quail, dove, rabbit as well as fish. It is ia different animal from Montana but it is still hunting. If I can be of help let me know. I can guide you through the BS.

It was sticker shock for sure when I started looking. Deer/Elk season back home cost me $60 + fuel for an elk and 5 deer.

Halfadozen- That would be greatly appreciated. I havn't had much luck on cragslist.

Happy to talk to you to lead you through the maze. Stay away from Craigslist and network with guys here onTHF. You will find something that works for you. PM me and I'll call you to help you out in finding a spot.

Dang cool thing to do there Halfadozen

That's awesome, thank you.

Welcome to THF.

You could maybe swap hunting here for guiding texas hunters in your home state.

Dan, what part of the state do you live in?

Tbone

ta THF i'm postaddic ta Best Wishes

Dan, I am sure that the transition from MT to TX has been eye opening to say the least. Hang in there and keep the chin up; good things usually come to positive attitude persons. Welcome to TX where everything is bigger including egos!

Welcome to the forum!!!

Understand it may take a while. It took me almost 2 years to find a good lease

Welcome to Texas, Dan. It is frustrating and timing is key, you have to be ready if something comes available. I have been searching Chamber of Commerce sites for the counties I want to hunt, including the newspapers. It's still a little early, but gotta start sometime. Also post a request on the Lease area here. Good luck (to both of us!)

Tbone- I am in San Antonio.

Welcome to here. Now that you are a resident here see what it costs you to go hunting in Montana. gas license etc.

Non resident general deer, elk, upland game bird and fishing combo lic. is $976 in Montana.

Still way cheaper than Tx! Welcome to the forum. I have always dreamed of moving to Montana from Tx but I just can't fathom moving from Montana to Tx. Sorry for your loss, so to speak.

+1 on what Booner said...

Been trying for 5 years to get the Other Half to move to Montana, take a look/see trip anything to get her over her Self described interpratations of " Life in the Frozen North" stereotype...but then she's never lived anywhere north of Oklahoma and thought that was too cold!!! Check that we did live in Chicago for a couple years and I've never lived that adventure down with her. She wore a wool nitegown & wool sweatsox to bed in August if ya know what I mean....but then we'd moved to ChiTown from Florida...until I put everything in the back of the biggest UHaul Truck I could find and came home to Texas. Oh Well
Ron

I came here with my company to open a shop here. Hard adjustment moving to a city. I was on 1200 acres 14 miles out of town back home. My neighbor on one side had 60 sections and the other neighbor had 82 sections. My place was a "hobby farm" compared to theirs. I do miss zeroing rifles off the dining room table out the window. My neighbors here might get a little excited if I did that.

Took me three years to find all my contacts when I first moved to North Texas. I frequented places that hunters/fisherman visit and always invited people to come along with me. By year three I had a half dozen private spots to hunt that were 100% free. I also went to places where the elders drink coffee and made several contacts that way too. I feel your pain as I recently moved out of Texas and had to start my contacts all over again. Kind of fun building new hunting relationships.

Sounds like a dream for sure!

Heck, I can beat that- at the job before I the one I am currently at, I didn't work and made tons of money! Things always change- and you adapt. Even hunting. Used to go to Oklahoma and run greyhounds-not any more. There's a reason everybody and their dog are coming to Texas. Find a good lease and get with the program.