I have dove-hunted every year for twenty years, but I’m now starting to get into small game hunting. I don’t have any access to private hunting property, so I’m limited to hunting WMAs etc. All the public land that is open for squirrel hunting right now is also open for deer all the way through December. I’m traveling for most of January and February, so my best opportunity to get in the woods is this month and next. I hear that public hunting land is pretty crowded with deer hunters right now, and still-hunting squirrels in the same woods is likely to spoil a hunt for someone who has spent a ton of time scouting and preparing. I want to be neighborly and not tramp through someone’s spot, but I also want get out and get some experience.

Are weekdays a good time to try and hunt Bois D’arc without disturbing the deer hunters? What about between 10am and 2pm? I’d appreciate any advice.

Don't know how crowded Bois D'arc gets. Try to find a parking area without any vehicles in it and you should be good.

I should clarify- I’m talking about the Caddo Grasslands Bois D’arc unit, not the new lake. I hear it’s pretty crowded but I haven’t been there during deer season

You should see a lot less hunter during the week. Just be sure to wear some hunter orange plus the deer & deer hunters will be in woods due to acorns falling.

I consider it a low and worthless thing to do, going around shooting up the trees during deer season on any day of the week.

I believe Caddo is within Wise and Montague counties. There's no closed season for squirrel in those counties. You could hunt outside of deer season.

It's in Fannin County and you're replying to a thread from Nov 2022.

That isn't that long ago.

Right. I was thinking LBJ. And rickt300 is right. Not that long ago.

Oh, and it should be "you're."

Thanks, fixed it.

FYI Long enough for Deer season to be closed. You can hunt Squirrels there through most of Feb and then again in May.

To PD, I hunt ducks, pigs, and squirrel on public land during deer season all the time. Those woods belong to all of us so go have fun and be courteous.

One year I spent a lot of time scouting for bow season, found the perfect spot and was sitting in my hang on tree stand opening day when a troop of boy scouts came through shooting up the trees. That was not courteous at all. Ever since that eye opener I hunt game other than deer after deer season to give the deer hunters some space.

Bang!

Use a scoped .22 rifle and you won't be "shooting up the trees", head shots make for better eating.

That's my favorite method, but sometimes I use a 12 gauge if they don't want to sit still long enough.

Better check the regulations, if it's like LBJ grasslands rifles are are not allowed, not even .22's.
Shotgun, muzzleloader and archery only.

I have hunted LBJ and have been successful in hunting squirrels there.
First off get the map: Provided by Arcgis
ArcGis LBJ Map

The nice thing about the LBJ grasslands is there are many compartments that are less crowded than Ladonia or Bois d' Arc.
Find the ones that are far from the recreation areas for hiking fishing etc.
Also, an advantage is no Annual Hunting Permit is required VS. the other two.

Shotgun only see:
LBJ Info
&
Wise county hunting regulations

Cry me a river

Caddo allows rifles.

Good spot is go up FM 2029 until you get to an entry point just across the bridge crossing coffee mill creek east side of the road. It's thick for a little while until you get into the woods. There was a trail on the woods you could follow. You'll get to an opening and there sits a big hickory or pecan tree. Can't remember which but I do remember seeing squirrels scurrying every which way. Had to have been a limit or 2 just in that one spot.

As long as its legal, I would hunt where and what you want to hunt on public land. Everyone has a right to be out there, even if your squirrel hunting.