texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
nmmuledeerhunter, Dzia-Dzia, TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed
71989 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,417
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,769
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,039
Posts9,719,720
Members86,989
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
East Texas National Forests #7486425 04/13/19 08:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
D
Dave Scott Offline OP
Pro Tracker
OP Offline
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
There is Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. Lot's of acres but is it overrun with hunters and no deer?

Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7486725 04/14/19 02:01 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,513
R
rickym Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,513
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.



Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7486757 04/14/19 02:32 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,215
T
Texas Dan Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,215
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.

[Linked Image]

Last edited by Texas Dan; 04/14/19 02:34 AM.

"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7486879 04/14/19 11:37 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
N
Nogalus Prairie Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
N
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
The deer are there. But as with all public land, you have to both work smart and work hard.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7487051 04/14/19 04:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
T
txtrophy85 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
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


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7487054 04/14/19 04:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 478
J
JB1316 Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
J
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 478
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

Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7487256 04/14/19 09:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
T
txtrophy85 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
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


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7487515 04/15/19 02:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 482
D
Deersteaks Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
D
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 482
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!

Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7489116 04/16/19 08:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,113
F
Flashprism Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
F
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,113
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!!!

Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7491606 04/19/19 03:29 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 6
C
chrishallsrq Offline
Green Horn
Offline
Green Horn
C
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.

Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7492193 04/20/19 04:04 AM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,273
BOBO the Clown Offline
kind of a big deal
Offline
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,273
Originally Posted by Dave Scott
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


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Deersteaks] #7492726 04/21/19 12:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,105
T
TXHOGSLAYER Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,105
Originally Posted by Deersteaks
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.




LETS GO BRANDON
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7492971 04/21/19 12:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,586
1
10 Gauge Online Content
Extreme Tracker
Online Content
Extreme Tracker
1
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,586
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.


1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7493411 04/21/19 10:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,215
T
Texas Dan Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,215
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.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: East Texas National Forests [Re: Dave Scott] #7494030 04/22/19 05:15 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
D
Dave Scott Offline OP
Pro Tracker
OP Offline
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Wello, sort of a back up if I didn't get a good lease. Thanks.

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3