Does anyone have any tips on eastern turkey hunting on public land within a 2 hour drive from Houston? Just moved down from Oklahoma, so just trying to get a feel for places to go. Any help would be appreciated

Do not know that country, but get out and do some preseason scouting, I know there are turkeys on national forest land but the populations are not real high but there are birds there.

There is an active NWTF chapter in Harris County. I know some of their members hunt public land for Eastern Turkey. Those guys could be a good place to start.

http://nwtf-harris-county-wildlife-group.webs.com/

There is a thread further down the page about Eastern turkey.

Great, thanks

For 3 years I have helped with a THYP/NWTF combined youth hunt with several members from that chapter, some good guys for sure.

Do your research! Most of the original counties in East Texas and South East Texas have closed to the hunting of Eastern Wild Turkey. It changes from season to season due to the low reproduction rates and high mortality rates of the Birds they stocked a few years ago. I would call the TPWD and your local NWTF biologist for the most up to date info.....

+1

I've talked to four leaseholders in different areas of east Texas with only one reporting a small flock. I know the NWTF and TPW have done two stockings over the last 2-3 years but the population is still low.

6 years ago, I had turkeys all over me in Red River County. Drought. timber cutters, and predators have taken their toll Still have a few, but nothing like we had. Looks like we had a fair to good hatch this year.

Gman

Remember just because you have turkeys on or near your place be sure to check the regulations! 90% of the counties in East Texas have closed the spring season for the Eastern sub species of Wild Turkey over the last couple of years.....

I wouldn't say 90% but a little less than half of the east TX counties that had a season have closed...it went from 43 to 28 counties. Stocking efforts have been taking place in many of those counties starting with Anderson and Rusk counties last year, and Trinity counties this year.

There are some decent populations of birds around but most people aren't going to post details for public land areas. I killed a tom last year and called in a 2nd gobbler a couple of hours later for a forum member which was his first bird ever.

A lot of guys at the check stations reported that last year was the best year they've seen and I would expect it to be just as good this year with all the moisture we've had the past couple of years. You just have to do your research and put in the work scouting out an area where they still have a season.

I don't know about 2 hours from Houston besides Brazoria and Fort Bend counties which is all private as far as turkey populations, but the further north and east you drive your chances will increase.

I have killed one eastern turkey on public land in 5 years. It really tough. The public land that I hunt is more than 2 hours north of Houston. I found mine by scouting and driving roads looking for tracks in the dirt. The easterns on the public land seem to seldom gobble and only occasionally will respond to a call. The one I got was shot at 5:00 pm. Do not give up! If there are tracks or you hear a gobble camp out there all day you may be surprised when the goobler shows up. You should have the woods to yourself during most of turkey season if you hunt on weekdays. It's my favorite time of year to be roaming in the woods. Good luck.

Ain't that the truth.
Actually, my first Eastern on public land was fairly easy. It was opening day that year, which was a Sunday morning. I called one in and he was gobblin all the way. Got over anxious and took the shot before he really got into my range. After he ran off, I moved where I heard another one. Ended up walking right smack dap in a flock. Finally located another one way off, but he came right on in and shot him at 16 yds. Had a 10+ inch beard. That was a few yrs back. Then last year, my brother called one in for his preacher and he killed it. Couple weeks later, he went in and located about 5 toms on roost. They gobbled a few times and when they flew down, they gobbled a few more times, just long enough he could tell they were split up and going around him. He stayed put, quit calling and fell asleep. When he woke up, he had a jake in front of him staring him down. A little futher out was a tom. He killed it, about 11am. I went out there a few days later and never heard a bird. I sat not far from where my brother killed his and about 2 hrs later, had 2 jakes come in behind me. They never knew I was there, but I passed up the shot. This was on public land and every time I've been out there, I've never ran into or even seen another hunter, not even a truck parked. Hoping I can get out there this year.

Tj you stay at the fox's place?

I usually do...didn't need to last year since we killed out on opening day, but still stopped by to show them our birds before heading back to Houston. Good folks..