I got drawn for both. I can only go to one. Which would yall reccomend?

Bastrop is a friday, Saturday, and Sunday so it would work best for me but if Government Canyon is much better then I'd consider it.

It's for gun deer antlerless/spike.

I've never won any of these. Can I shoot 3 doe? Or 3 spikes? Or any combination?

Are there many exotics?

Two draws, that's crazy. Sixteen years without being drawn.

Thats awesome! I think Government Canyon is new for this year. The hunt details should tell you what the bag limits are. When is the registration deadline?

Government canyon has a higher deer density. Bastrop had the fire a few years ago, lots of new regrowth, probably more to eat, so less likely to see as much movement, IMO.

Government Canyon hasn't been hunted for deer only hogs by a chosen few!
I'd go with GC you should have a better chance at some good deer.

I live 10 minutes away. Seems to be plenty of deer. I've even heard they're seeing some Axis, but I don't know how reliable that info is.

That means that someone that didnt get drawn could have.
If no one shows up for a stand by just a wasted draw.
Sound kinda greedy, do the MATH ...JMO

I won't pay for one of the $80 permits so they will do a second draw. Someone will get it then. So it's not wasted.

That's a head scratcher for sure! I thought that once drawn for a hunt your name would be kicked out of the system.
Guess not, so you can enter as many hunts as you like?
I guess after all these years they still haven't worked out the bugs!

More than likely it will go to a standby hunter the day of the hunt, so technically no it won't be wasted.

This year is the first year you can enter more than one hunt for each category, before it was a disqualifier. If you don't pay for your hunt by the deadline (oct 13th I think) there is a second round drawing for all of the unpaid spots. only then if someone who paid doesn't show up, a standby hunter (if the area allows it) can go.

Yes, it will go to the second drawing. On all of mine if states "pending second draw" So in all honesty it might go to someone who did not get drawn in first round = good! I live in Bastrop and there are tons of deer on my place (I bow hunt my back pasture) But it is completely different terrain over at the park and the park was ravaged by the fire. BSP was hit the hardest of all the areas around. I can't say how the growth is where the hunt will be, but I see the areas of the park visible from the highway and it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie it's so bleak.

not the first case. Just read on another board of someone getting drawn on 3 hunts this year.. This is only my second year to submit and nothing yet.. I would think that with one draw in the season there might be a stipulation.. any case.. some are very lucky indeed..

Congratz..i didn't get selected for 2 draw hunts but still have 2 more to go!

I guess they figured it will give those who sign up a better chance, but then there are still people who haven't been drawn for a hunt in years, and possibly still not get drawn while some get drawn for multiple hunts.....Luck of the draw!

There is no limit on the draw locations you want to enter, I like to enter for areas I don't get to. I entered the draw for 20 locations, I was drawn for 2, and I can make both.

Yea, I got so tired of not being drawn, I quit trying...I think his middle name is LUCKY!

I would go to the one that just opened up, personally...but hey, my advice and two dollars will buy you a cup of coffee!

Congratulations !! Go with the one that is new to the draw. Got chosen for Atlanta State Park ( Atlanta, Tx. ) years ago on the 2nd hunt ever in that park and it was interesting to say the least. 7 1/2 year old doe dressed at 58 pounds with twin embryos. Dear were on Stage 3 browse at the time, biologist said 1/2" of snow or ice would probably kill 1/2 the deer in the park. Interesting part was all the deer taken had 1/4" of hard fat along their backs because landowners around the park fed corn. Friend shot a 1 1/2 year old doe that was 28 pounds dressed.

Was also drawn for a Federal land Pronghorn hunt ( 8 drawn out of 3600 entered ) close to Dalhart years ago. Only 13 1/2" but it was a great price ( under 100 bucks ) and a fun hunt.

Turns out at Bastrop I can shoot up to 3 deer and at Government Canyon I can only shoot one.

I'll be calling Bastrop this weekend and asking about populations per acre and some info. I think at Bastrop the main burned area won't be hunted. I think it will be the part that isn't as bad. I'll be asking them about that.

I'm going to do Bastrop SP. So, those of yall that put in for Government Canyon still have a chance.

Thanks for the info.

Also this is the second year I have put into draws. So I had one preference point. The guy that put in with me had 3 preference points. They used an average of 2 for our preference points.

Just got lucky!!!

Have to believe with this new system TPWD will make more revenue by allowing hunters to enter multiple locations. I would love to see the numbers of hunters who entered the draw this year for all locations and see how much that increases over the next three years. This new system is going to attract more hunters, I know quite a few people who learned about the new system late, but are already prepared to jump on next year. Expect the permit numbers to go up as well, increased competition will allow TPWD to raise the price and still sell off the permits.

Congrats on getting drawn and good luck. I struck out across the board so far. Have a few more unlikely ones left though

WE put in for 9 hunts and got picked for 3, can only make 2 of them cause 2 of them the dates over lap. So someone will get the second chance drawing the way I read it.

Supposedly Bastrop SP has an over population of deer now. 3.5 acre per 1 deer. Hopefully we can get 3 each. It can't come soon enough.

96% of the park burned...

I live just a few minutes away from Government Canyon, and I have entered the draw every time. I would love to hunt it.
IIRC it was first opened last year for hunting, and it is huge. Gotta be a ton of wildlife there. I have seen axis around, but very little and scattered.
Congrats on being drawn. Please post your experience if you go.