Im thinking about heading out there this weekend to try to bag a few squirrels and rabbits and also scout for hogs once the general season starts. Does anyone have any experience out there? Does it get very crowded? I plan to hunt/scout the west side which I understand is the non-ATV side of the WMA and hopefully its not going to be too drenched from this weeks rain.

It will be flooded after all the rain. Not crowded in late season. You must have the $40 dollar permit to hunt WMA's

I hunted on the west side about 5 years ago. It was next to a parking lot that you walk in from and there were no ATV's allowed. I saw several people in that area. That doesn't necessarily mean you will have the same experience though.

What White Falcon stated. It will be wet and slick. It will push the hogs out of the bottom some though.

Now I kind of regret staying home this weekend. With all the rain and me being new to the area I figured it would be best to just hold off until next weekend when things dry out a bit.

Sun might be out, but water is still up!

Probably still rising with all the creeks flowing again. Every farm pond around is overflowing.

And I like it too. It has been so dry this fall/winter. When I would go feed the cows the dang dust was ruff.

Boy ain't that right. I had hay rings from parched ground to mud holes. That was our first good rain since before Harvey.

River is down today. There were 5 trucks in the parking lot and by the boat ramp. I think they were duck hunters. Lots of booming going onat sun rise.

Im glad to hear its back down! Ill be out there over the long weekend to scout a bit and enjoy some fresh air.

How did the hunting/scouting trip go ?
As White Falcon mentioned it stays wet down their. Should be the hog only hunts going on... That's when did my hunt/scouting for next years archery hunts...
Best wishes for the New Year & little late, Merry Christmas ta all

Scouting went well! I was on the west side of the WMA since my understanding its thats the no ATV side. I found hog sign gallore out there including a few ruts so deep I damned near fell into them. When those ruts get covered up with leaves they could actually be a little dangerous. I also got the drop on a group of two mama's and three to four babies. They were so slow to get out of my way I seriously considered trying my luck with the 22 I had with me since they were legal to harvest with a rimfire. I only had my day pack with me though and dragging a hog out of there seemed like a great way to ruin what was a pretty nice day so I passed.

I definitely want to get back out there once or twice before the general hog season is over. I really liked the area in general and its making me think about taking up bow hunting so I can get out there for some deer. Sadly things have been so busy I probably wont make it out until after the general is over. Hopefully squirrels will still be in season by then at least.

Glad you had a good experience. Just watch for snakes, of all kind!!

Tips his hat. Did i ever tell ya bout the time was down in the switch cain on a hog hunt ?
Nature was a callen, all them ru.ors bout people chooten at hem White tails in the thick stuff got me nervous, even with the bright orange, so found me a big ol tree, dropped me britches, ta make a deposit & do the paper work, went ta squat, looked behind ta make sure no poison ivy or oak when spotted a snake coiled up...
Took off a runnen (best could with britches down around ankles) sceamen & yellen, some say it sounded like a panther, others say, mating call of a squash, yet i know diferent.
Ya, got bout 20 steps till took a tumble, & when woke up from me nap, & back ta me truck, rumors started bouts panthers & squash. Ya, as pappy says: when ya huntsolo memories die with ya, stay safe, it's a jungle out their...
Get off beaten b path, thick stuff, you'll find the hogs, most of rooting up along old atv trails, mostly done at night. Less hunting pressure.
Best wishs, & stay safe.

Funny!!

KeyLymePie, you park at parking area at Hoard Rd ? Forget the road that ya drive past the old check in station, it goes ta the three camp sites & divides east & west trails. West side, no atvs allowed. When it first opened, draw hunts were only time atvs were allowed. Son & i been from far east ta Hoard, sliding feet when crossing knee ta chest deep water. They let use of atvs on east side as experiment program. Have used Jon boat & canoe on north boundary. They later extended west of Hoard rd. Have seen hogs their while scout & hunt. Not sure if miss understood your post, you do know ya can hunt both east & west trails, restriction is for atv use.
They had released turkeys when first opened it up ta public, flooding pushed them out. At one time they had plans ta flood area & make it a lake. Had maps of what it would look like. Send pm if wanna chat. Best wishes. Hope all enjoy the hunts as much as i did.
Take some one with, as pappy says: when ya huntsolo your memories die with ya.

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The Hoard Road parking lot is exactly where I parked when I was out there. You can follow the power line right of way all the way to the south end of the WMA and then follow the Sabine channel further in which is pretty handy. Ive only been as far east from Hoard Road as the pretty good sized lake that sits about three miles in. That seemed like a pretty good spot to stop for a coffee before turning back.The brush in the area between that lake and Hoard Road is pretty dense for the most part, I only found a few places that seemed like a decent place for a stand. My plan when I get back out there, which will hopefully be tomorrow, is to just get out there and move around a whole lot and hope I see some more hogs.

I really like the WMA and was hoping Id get to spend more time out there this season. Sadly life had other plans for me and Ive just been super busy.

Two different lakes on wma, found antler shed on east side on a March hunt. Think one of the lakes theirs small bridge. Been awhile, Best wishes.

Try to work along the river East of H. road. Lots of hogs follow the river and there are still some good acorns under the leaves. Good luck, there are some big hogs there and a lot of grill size!

Old Sabine River is North boundary, they used ta brush hog trail roughly 50-75rds went left, their was a deer stand sitting before got ta the tree line. Watch the trail, can see hog-deer trails leading off, ta the left back in thick young growth, little slew, have seen several hogs in their, also if ya follow high-line hog trails, little slews, were had sow bluff charge, had mentioned in different thread.
If ya hit the trail going east by North river boundary, theirs slew on left side, on right side in thick switch cain is were took video of hogs sleepen, could have reached out and touched em, seen lots hogs in that area. If ya stay on trail, old crank up camper, with add on. Used ta walk two bends up & zig-zag south ta trail by Old Sabine Channel. Seen hogs, that was back few years. Keep eyes roamen, that orange shows up at goid distance. Slower the better.

. Now that's a story worth tellin'.

colt.45, is the Man!