I moved here in 1986 for job reasons. I came from MN, which is full of public land. I tried hunting public land for several years. It was tough, especially the deer hunting, although I had some success with ducks and small game. I finally broke out the checkbook and joined a lease. The environment here for hunting is different than many states because of the private land. I enjoy hunting, and am on a great deer lease, it is not free, but I find it worth the cost. If money is tight, there are some hunting clubs in E TX that have reasonable membership rates. Good luck, and don't give up, the deer are here.

Does your property border Whammer7 by chance?

Are you certain you've exited the Walmart parking lot??????

There are deer in Texas. This one hangs around my front yard.

Lago Vista and Point Venture too. Walk right up to them and club them if you wanted.

No doubt

Welcome to east Texas. Head west for deer.

I mean, put forth the very least amount of work & effort possible & then complain.

That’s all that’s happened here.

Texas deer are smaller than the deer up north so he probably thinks he is seeing jackrabbits!

Damnit guys, you guys have MLD tags?, I need one claw hammer and a club hunt to go please with a side of drop flying elbow on my way!!!

When is the last time you took a shower?

Listen to “The Element Podcast” on Spotify or Apple. Texas hunters, primarily public land, successful. They discuss all that they do to prepare: scout, set cameras, shed hunt, locate bedding spots, multiple locations, year round work.

Good leases are no different. Those that are successful spend a lot of time, energy, and money.

Hunting is a lot like farming. You won’t have a successful harvest in the fall if you don’t do the work in the spring.

Good luck and don’t give up.

Wow that is strange. Sounds like its time to find a new spot to hunt. I also only bow hunt public land in east Texas and I've probably seen at least 25 deer this season alone,and a bunch more on trailcam. ( actually they're probably just the same deer). Keep at it and after a while you'll learn to recognize spots that just look "deery",lots of brushy undergrowth,etc.

I hunt public land northeast of Amarillo. I have seen deer every time I have been there are took a 6pt off it on Nov 25. Not sure what the OP is doing but TX has plenty of deer even on public land. You will have to work for the deer on public land. My 6pt was 3 miles from the parking lot when I got him.

You have pretty much missed the season, You need to do some research, but it appears that for $ 130 you can hunt on Ft Hood. You have to have a hunter education class (that includes archery) You have to qualify with your bow, see website below, you also need a state hunting license. GL

https://hood.armymwr.com/programs/sportsmens-center



Hunting Requirements
Check with us about hunting and fishing requirements on Fort Hood. Our office also administers programs for guns and archery, and annual turkey and deer hunt programs.

State License New Hunting Year Licenses go on sale starting 15 August
Soldiers are entitled to a free state "Super Combo" License with proof of 6 months Texas residency.
•Service record indicating that Texas is the home of record or, that the person’s duty station for the six months immediately prior to the time of application was in Texas.

Fort Hood Permit

•Hunting Active Duty E1-E4, $53


•Hunting Active Duty E5 & Above, $70


•Hunting Retirees/DoD Civilians, $70


•Hunting Non-Affiliated Civilians, $130


•Hunting Youth Big Game, $15


•Hunting Youth Small Game, Free


•Special Hunting 5-Day Small Game/Nongame, $45



Access Card

Firearm Registration
•Register at the Provost Marshal's Office at the corner of 58th St. and Battalion Ave., or at the Visitor’s Center at the main gate. All guns must be registered including black powder and muzzleloaders. Tel: +1 254-287-4001
•NOTICE: 190-11, October 2015 — Firearm registrations will have a 4-year expiration date.

Hunter Education Certificate

Hunter education certification required to hunt on post. Proof of any state's certification is accepted. Course information available on Texas Parks & Wildlife

I believe you can listen to it on their website as well - theelementwild.com - I know one of the guys and he is a good dude and they are both a wealth of knowledge and top notch public land hunters. They give probably more info than anyone out there - their youtube videos are great too.

This is one of the saddest threads I've read on this forum. Texas is supposed to be renowned for our hospitality and our go to attitude to assist someone reaching out for help. There are a couple that are somewhat helpful. There's posts on here that are completely WRONG. There's posts that are silly, and most egregious of all posts that are flat out condescending. Good Lord, the man isn't asking for anyone's spot.

NastyNate33, I hunt public too. My reasons for switching from private lease to public are my own. And it has taken me a couple of years to start seeing some success. I have drawn doe tags for SHNF for the last 3 years and filled it this year for the 1st time. I also aggressively hunted the same small sounder of pigs for 3 weeks, and finally outsmarted them and got my shot. I was within 10 feed of that darn sounder once sneaking up on their bedding area. I could smell them.

So, it can be done. And when you succeed, it is so gratifying that it is almost as good as getting your first ever deer. What you take out of the public forest, you have earned.

Now, I read what you are doing. It's all the right things - hunting the wind, scouting, etc. I'm going to PM you, hopefully you are still around the THF and realize that there are some of us willing to understand and help. That's what this forum is supposed to be all about.

"The Best Place in Texas to Talk Hunting"

I would recommend hunting with a friend or colleague that has success to see what they are doing. Or hire a guide or talk to others in the area to give you advice. It shouldn't be hard to see deer if you are seeing sign unless they're nocturnal in your area. Set up cameras to see when they are around.

If someone hasnt seen a deer in years of “hunting”, are they really “deer hunting”?

I think he's pulling your legs, I saw deer driving down the road all the time.

What times are you hunting and what are you going through to get to that spot. Had a gent from up north get on a lease and he would go to stand after daylight and then leave before dark. In a few years he shot only a cull from camp and never saw a decent deer. They were everywhere. Would also sneak through the cover/ bedding areas to try and stalk and mess up evening hunts

If you don't feed the deer, but your neighbors do, you're screwed.

Maybe trying to hard or you may need to get the right aira around you. I would also recommend stop the calling. maybe scaring them in that area. I would be as quite as possible. And don’t walk into stand right at daylight. I like to be in the stand / spot a hour before shooting light.

Also hunt the food spots. Big oak trees are great. Love them acorn trees
Deer in Texas be hungry


Good luck and don’t give up.

Maybe the way nasty nate started off his first post could have been better worded and then he would have gotten a better response.