Hi all, first post, came here to ask this. I'm a new Houstonian down here from New England (where you need a coat to hunt, and sometimes even a hat!) I have satisfied the training requirements for a license but haven't bought one yet. I find the lotto/permit system a bit confusing so I figured I'd hit up some public land this year, try to make more friends that hunt and have a better grip on it for next season!

Anyway, this being the public land forum my main (appropriate) question would be how you guys gear up to hunt in the heat. Gets awfully warm here.. so everybody's got a cooler. Is it appropriate to gut, skin and quarter an animal in the parking lot at the park? Then bag your bits and lay them on ice?

Second, how do people deal with sweat/scent control on early season hunts? How about monster Texan mosquitoes?

I'm sure I'll think of more soon but that's fine to start

Thermocell for mosquitos works wonders. I dress in light clothing and wear scentless deodorant. I haven't tried public land yet so I'm not sure how people handle the skinning. I know many field dress and carry the deer out.

As far as the lotto you still have time to take part in it. That will probably be your best chance of getting deer this year. This is also the perfect place to ask questions about the lotto hunts. It's $3 per entry and about $130 if you win for the permit.

Yes, definitely jump on the public draw hunts and see if any of the gun hunts match your available days off. You still have 8 days before the deadline to get them in. There are both whitetail and mule deer hunts, and management hunts for them available. Then they will draw on the 16th and you will know what you need to plan for. You probably won't make the time requirements for a resident license, so budget $315 for a NR one, and either $80 or 130 for a permit if you get drawn. You can always try your hand at the Big Time Texas Hunt lottery tickets for $9 a piece. As for temperatures, don't expect it to always be warm. Both the Panhandle and South Texas can get down to 15-25 degrees, and you can't feel your toes!! No mosquitos to worry about then either.

The size of mosquitoes in Texas is highly exaggerated. Some folks have claimed them to be the size of a small cat. I have never seen one over the size of a man's fist.

Seriously though, don't let the early season heat fool you. It can get pretty cold late season. You can start off in short sleeves, hotter than two squirrels humpin in a wool sock, and a front will blow in and you'll freeze your keester off.

I don't start hunting until I can sit down and not sweat. That usually is the cure for the heat, mosquitoes and snakes, scent control, can have a campfire, etc...

It's unusually hot right now. It will cool down some.

The best public hunting around Houston is the Sam Houston National Forest. Get an APH permit and you are golden. You also have time to apply for a doe permit if you want one also. You can get both of those items on the same cart as the public lottery hunt system.

Thermacell is the best way to keep the bugs down when it is hot.

Yes sweat is something you have to deal with so playing the wind is as important as ever in early season.. heck anytime you are downwind of an animal the odds are you will be busted no matter the situation

I feel sorry for bowhunters they have to sweat and hunt since it doesnt really cool down till mid november

Real Bowhunters never pick up a gun!!!

Gut your animal in the field if possible and you will need a large cooler with ice or frozen water jugs for cooling the meat. Many have walk in cooler at their lease for hanging animals till processed, and many just take the animal in for processing at a commercial facility.
With the number of animals possible to take in Texas a small walk in cooler is a good investment, Coolbot and a window A/C make them a lot easier and cheaper to build these days, an insulated storage shed would work with a Coolbot.