Hello all,

Looking for insights and experience from fellow hunters again, this time regarding camping in a PHL. Are there any rules for these areas? In the booklet I don't see any specific rules for camping besides the designated camping area but wanted to see if anyone has experience that could help for first-timers.

Thanks!

Don't have a loaded weapon in the camping area. On Loan Star Law, I saw some folks get into trouble for have their loaded. Click on the link below for the rules and regulations.
Annual Public Hunting Rules

From the link noted above - prohibited acts section:

Camping - camps or builds a fire anywhere other than in a designated campsite

Using a cntrl F search here is every mention of camping cut and pasted from the PHL book. This would cover it all. https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0112a.pdf

Hunter Orange
• fails to visibly wear at least 400 square inches of hunter
orange material with orange headwear and at least
144 square inches appearing on both chest and back during
daylight hours at times when hunting with firearms is permitted. Exempt from these requirements are: (1) authorized
department personnel and landowner employees, (2) persons
hunting turkey or migratory game birds, (3) persons within
the enclosed passenger compartment of a motor vehicle,
(4) persons within a designated campground, designated
vehicle parking area, designated boat launching facility or
departmental check station, and (5) persons other than
hunters on COE properties.

PROHIBITED ACTS

Baiting and Trapping
• sets a trap or snare within 50 yards of a designated road or
public hunting lands boundary or within 400 yards of a
designated campsite;

Means and Methods
• possesses a loaded firearm within or on a motor vehicle
except as provided for a disabled person;
• possesses a loaded firearm within a designated campsite,
designated vehicle parking area, designated boat launching
facility or departmental check station;
• discharges a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow from, onto,
along, or across a designated road or designated campsite;

Dogs
• fails to keep all dogs in designated campsites confined or
leashed;

Hunting Blinds, Gear, and Equipment
• constructs or places a hunting blind, stand, tower, or
platform within 50 yards of any designated road, marked unit
boundary, or designated campsite;

Hunting Blinds, Gear, and Equipment
• constructs or places a hunting blind, stand, tower, or
platform within 50 yards of any designated road, marked unit
boundary, or designated campsite;

Camping
• camps or builds a fire anywhere other than in a designated
campsite, except on units 901, 902, 903, 904, and 905
where this restriction applies only from the day prior to the
opening of the archery deer season through the day following
the close of the general deer season;
• causes, creates, or contributes to excessive or disturbing
sounds beyond the person’s immediate campsite between
the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.;
• establishes a camp and leaves it unattended for a period of
longer than 24 hours;
• establishes a camp for more than 14 consecutive days on
the same unit of public hunting lands, or for more than
21 days in a 30-day period;

There is a whole other section on camping related to US Forest Service units I did not cut and paste.

Before buidling an open campfire you might also check the county where you are staying to see if there is a burn ban. Quite a few counties in Texas have one. https://www.kxan.com/weather/texas-burn-bans-map/

One unwritten rule for you-
PUT YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING YOU BRING WITH YOU! !
everything. camp gear, hunting gear, clothing, coolers, food
packaging, tableware, dishes, chairs, stands, blinds, etc.

I won't post the lengthy stories that I could tell.
That's just something for anyone to consider
Been there- Done that- had the t shirt, but
somebody stole it


Need to also add- every item you bring with a
serial number, guns, electronics, appliances,
VEHICLES, etc. take the time to write down
serial numbers and a description on a piece
of paper and carry it on you. That way if something
gets gone, you'll have the information right
there handy for the LEO or wardens and there's
that much more chance of recovery

Stands must be mover every 3 days.

Pay heed to maximum above, put identification on everything. The identification should be on the outside and in an obvious place to deter temptation to steal in the first place. Learned about this the hard way.

My experience has been on some you can put up stand or blind with your name, APH customer number and date you set it up , you don't have to move it every 3 days but change the date on your tag every 3 days and you can hand bait but no feeders. So technically you can but 1 up 2 months before season but change the date very 72 hours. see Twin Buttes for example. As state above tag everything and may be hide so cameras to help if someone takes it.

See my first post, See my first post might help, Howdy Everyone, technically not really a newbie. I was on the Texas fishing forum back in the 90,s but new to hunting forum. I'm a native Texan of 65 yrs and living in Grapevine, Tx. for 45 yrs. recently retired with lost of time on my hands,
With all that being said, I've been hunting 24/7 on Texas public land from the Red to the Rio Grand with some success and private land as well for native Texas game. I'm seeing some post by newbies and others questioning and not sure about hunting on Public Land. Well I'm here to help along with all the other great members on this board.

Anyone that would like, I will be more than happy to go with you or you with me ( I will probably be going away) to hunt on any public land you would like (split expenses ) or any of 3 private lands ( I only hunt low fence but nothing bad against high fence, its just me) I've used that are more than reasonable in pricing on Tx. game and other game as well, its your choice.( you pay for your hunt).
Also, I will give 1 free Hog hunt per month ( I will not hunt only go with you) on 1 of the 3 private lands ( pretty sure you will harvest one) to any ex military or current military person.( all expenses paid by me).
Well there it is my first hunting post let me know what ya think, I hope all this makes some since,all the best.

How far? Will a foot do it?