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East Texas National Forests
#7486425
04/13/19 08:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Dave Scott
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557 |
There is Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. Lot's of acres but is it overrun with hunters and no deer?
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7486725
04/14/19 02:01 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,953
rickym
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,953 |
In areas yes. Though later in the season, middle of the week especially, there are some big deer that get shot. If you know what to look for you can still find areas that have good deer populations.
Wingshooting is like sex for me - I love doing it but I'm just not that good at it. Good hunting leases are like good bird dogs. You don’t have them forever, but they leave wonderful memories.
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7486757
04/14/19 02:32 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 15,586
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 15,586 |
While some areas see a lot of action, there are others that hardly ever see a hunter. I took this deer in the Davy Crockett several years ago and have seen deer taken with far bigger racks.
Last edited by Texas Dan; 04/14/19 02:34 AM.
Dan,
Spring, Texas
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7486879
04/14/19 11:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26,246
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26,246 |
The deer are there. But as with all public land, you have to both work smart and work hard.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7487051
04/14/19 04:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 25,255
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 25,255 |
Problem with the National forests in east Texas is that old growth pine forest isn’t great whitetail habitat and the numbers of deer reflect that.
Best thing they could do would be to clear cut large portions of it
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7487054
04/14/19 04:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 323
JB1316
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 323 |
I hunted the SAM this year for the first time and feel like I’d been duped. All I hear about public hunting lands is they’re overrun with hunters, and conflict is around every corner. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. I hunted weekday mornings so I’ll admit I didn’t see it on weekends, but I think I saw 4 other hunters the entire season and I went out about 10 times. Those hunters were just driving by in their trucks too, so never actually saw anyone out actively hunting. I think the whole “public land hunting sucks” comments are just public land hunters trying to scare guys from trying it out. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe I just made enemies of the other public land hunters on the forum
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7487256
04/14/19 09:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 25,255
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 25,255 |
I’ve hunted public land in several western states.
It can range from being crowded to wondering if we will see a person. I’ve has luck in crowded areas but I’ve also been in areas that if something would have happened to me it would have been a long while before someone found my body
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7487515
04/15/19 02:31 AM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 445
Deersteaks
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 445 |
It's what you make of it. My guess would be that only about 20% to 25% of the land actually gets hunted on any of the 4 big units. Most of that is within 200 yards of the road or up the local creeks. Use satellite maps to find places that require a little more walking or be smart and hunt the places that the deer escape to when the crowds hit ! Oh, and this is important..... hunt all day long when possible! The foot traffic in and out will push deer to you if you have positioned yourself properly! Good luck!
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7489116
04/16/19 08:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 763
Flashprism
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 763 |
It's been about 15 years ago but I found the area I hunted in Sam Houston devoid of hunters. A friend and I hunted opening weekend and we both harvested spikes. We had doe tags issued by the park service but we were meat hunting and took advantage of the first opportunity. We camped in the local camp ground and had a great time!!!
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7491606
04/19/19 03:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
chrishallsrq
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 6 |
You can kill great deer on public land but you will have to hunt for them and always keep in mind that if you found him chances are someone else has to.
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7492193
04/20/19 04:04 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 45,810
BOBO the Clown
decoy
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decoy
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 45,810 |
There is Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. Lot's of acres but is it overrun with hunters and no deer? No and No. It’s your land go enjoy it. We make our own opportunities
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Deersteaks]
#7492726
04/21/19 12:39 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 18,364
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 18,364 |
It's what you make of it. My guess would be that only about 20% to 25% of the land actually gets hunted on any of the 4 big units. Most of that is within 200 yards of the road or up the local creeks. Use satellite maps to find places that require a little more walking or be smart and hunt the places that the deer escape to when the crowds hit ! Oh, and this is important..... hunt all day long when possible! The foot traffic in and out will push deer to you if you have positioned yourself properly! Good luck! ^^^ This. 99% of hunters will not venture more that 1/4 mile from their vehicle. Get in deep and you will probably have some luck.
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7492971
04/21/19 12:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,019
laid over
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,019 |
Don't forget Angelina National Forest. A guy at work that grew up near Nacogdoches talks about it all the time.
My landlord is a bow hunter and hunts Davy Crockett national forest almost exclusively. According to him it's great for whitetails.
-Bryan
Yep, formerly regularguy11B
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7493411
04/21/19 10:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 15,586
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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Public land that borders private land that's heavily pressured with hunters can be very productive. It's often where the deer, and especially mature bucks go to bed and hide once all the shooting starts. And while some might see public land as the most likely places to be hunted out, the number of mature bucks that die of old age on public land might surprise you. No ATV's and feeder traffic means less noise.
Dan,
Spring, Texas
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Re: East Texas National Forests
[Re: Dave Scott]
#7494030
04/22/19 05:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Dave Scott
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557 |
Wello, sort of a back up if I didn't get a good lease. Thanks.
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