I agree I'm not sure how good it will be. I've climbed the rock once. It will at least be pretty.

My son and I were drawn for Balcones Canyonlands NWR. Finally landed my first draw after 4 years! It looks like it's hit or miss depending on what unit you're given. Anyone know when or how you find out what unit your assigned? If it's assigned blind or can you spot and stalk the area? Thanks for the info.

I guess I got lucky. First year to put in and I was drawn.

which hunt?

Ninney Stringfellow Doe/Spike

Better than nothing.

Nothing wrong with that. And it's not as though your points are going back to zero. You'll be where you started from. Good luck!

I think you will like that place and the faculty. I went there for a squirrel hunt. I believe they recommend bringing an ATV and I agree 100% with that. It could be a long walk otherwise.

My son and I hunted there 2 years ago. IIRC the NWR draws for the compartments in Early October. There is at least one compartment with blinds but you can spot and stalk in others. There was also a few days allowed for scouting and being from Austin, I took advantage of scouting one afternoon. It is beautiful terrain and we enjoyed ourselves even though we didn't see anything.

Man, I get why they went with cubing, but it really sucks for me. I have applied for almost everything the last 5 years or so and have always drawn a couple of tags. Usually the less desirable, but occasionally something cool. So, I don't have many points. I struck out this year.

I get that they want to reward the people that have applied forever, but it really discourages new hunters from getting in the game. I'm certainly not going to send them my usual $300 if the odds are stacked so high that I won't draw for 15 or 20 years.

Gun Deer - Either Sex 27 points, 27 years of applying out of my 57 years of life. FINALLY!
Going to the Powderhorn. I normally reserved those points for applying for the Chap only, but when I was younger I used to put in for the Sambar deer draw in Florida every year and never got drawn there, so that is partly why I switched over to the Powderhorn ranch hunt. What worked out great for this one is that I already am going to be in POC fishing for 10 days before the hunt.

Congrats SniperJohn, glad it worked out for you.

Congrats Sniper, IMO that is a better draw than the CHAP - the possibility of coming home with three trophies and doing some fishing sounds like a good time.

Congrats man, hope you have a great hunt!

Yes, congratulations! Heckuva "cast and blast".

100% if they don't reverse the cubing nonsense my annual donation will drop from like $500 to about $39 ... basically one application per deer/exotic category to purchase an LP (I'll drop every other non-deer/exotic category). Assuming I don't decide to sit it out entirely. One way to get TPWD to understand how ridiculous the change to cubing was is to lower the $$$$$ they get...they'll notice REAL fast. Eventually someone with some sense will ask WTF are we rigging the lottery to favor long term users to this extreme for when it's at the cost of overall participation and $$$$$.

I drew again this year too. 2 out of 3 now.

Congrats. That is awesome.

I've only been at this 4 years now. So far I have drawn something every year.

17'-18' We drew the Laguna Atascosa Archery, Lower Rio Grande Archery and also Gus Engeling Feral Hog. Only attended the LANWR hunt. It was a tough hunt but game was seen. I missed on a doe.
18'-19' We drew the Laguna Atascosa Archery again. Again we attended and game was seen. I connected on a small 8 point but lost him.
19'-20' I drew Chaparral WMA Archery and the Laguna Atascosa Archery. I also drew Trinity River NWR Muzzleloader but let it pass.
20'-21' I drew Balcones Canyonlands NWR General Deer and my daughter drew the Chaparral WMA Youth A/S. This was her first year applying.

My point is, after learning of the point cubing change, I was really not expecting to draw anything. I especially wasn't expecting my daughter to seeing how she only had 1 point.
This will be my first rifle hunt so I am excited for that! 4 years in a row I have drawn something. So far it hasn't resulted in meat in the freezer and who knows if this year will either. Either way, we're excited to see what we can do!!!

Fantastic. Glad that the perseverance worked out finally..

I was lucky enough to get a Doe permit for the USFS. Nothing else though. Been a bunch of years without getting drawn for anything else. Thirteen points for Either sex or Antlerless/Spike. Well, there is always next year.

You better find a cooler sponsor if all things go well

I have 29 points in GDE. Gave up on Chap and switched to Gene Howe. Maybe this year.

Drew a Doe permit national forest and my niece drew a Youth doe at the Gus Engling.

Nothing for me so far this year, pending second draw for Elephant mountain