New to state, How does it work here?

Ok, I just moved here from Alaska. So I am aware I need to live here for 6 months to be a resident for hunting and fishing. Past that, I am a little confused on how hunting works. Coming from a state where 80% of the state is federal public land and anyone can hunt pretty much where they want, never heard of leases, or hunting ranches, etc. Is there public lands hunting here? How does a lease work? Having never hunted deer before, I have no idea what I am doing. Any suggestions on where to get information to learn? I enjoy archery and want to do some bow hunting. I fully appreciate how getting started in the wrong way can really hurt your chances as I truly struggled hunting moose for that very reason. So any advise is greatly appreciated.

Gerry - welcome to Texas - there is public land to hunt - on leases, they vary greatly depending on the part of the state you hunt in. Typically a group will get together and lease out a ranch for deer season. It can be fairly difficult to find a lease and in some cases costly. I would suggest search this website along with Texas bowhunting website. There is also a site called leasehunter.com that you can get a feel for cost, etc.

It is blazing hot here right now but the mild winters make it worth it - good luck

While you are waiting to become "legal" it would be a good idea to get your hunter ed class taken. It's also a good way to find out about hunting in Texas in General.

I won't give you a hard time 'cause you're gonna go through pretty bad withdrawal symptoms coming from Alaska to Texas.

to the great state of Texas.

Check out the land and leases section of this site. There is public land to hunt here but it can be tough hunting because most land to hunt in Texas is private so you have a lot of hunting pressure on public.

I would recommend buying a WMA permit that will at least give you public land access that is the best public options and you can also apply to draw only WMA lands that have pretty decent hunting.

Hunting whitetails I would recommend finding a water source and hunting within a mile or less from it if possible. Hunt with the wind blowing to you from where the deer sign is. You are allowed to bait with corn and the deer will come to it as long as your scent isn't blowing toward the bait.

You might want to start out with a guided hunt for does during bow season. That will be cost effective and the guides can help you learning how to bowhunt for whitetails in Texas. Good luck.

dont waste time on the walk up public land. yea there are some big places and some good deer taken each year but its a PITA.
check TPW website for the draw hunts, some a KATN hunts some are ok. also you can show up and wait around each morning in case they have a no show ( happen more then you think)
i would look thru the guides outfitters section in here and look for a meat/cull hunt or exotic. this will get you in the field and you can see how we do things here.
leasing is material and time intensive as well as $, but if your are on a good one with good folks it is alot of fun.
for what you spend on a "good lease" you can do a guided hunt for a pretty respectable deer and not have to fix a single thing

and one last thing "every thing loves corn"

HA exactly!
oh and

Gona be a big culture shock for you. But youll get it down. If you like to pull the trigger pigs are the best/cheapest option... There are good public dove spots around the state also. Welcome! Oh yeah you drink sodawater now not pop

Why in the world would you leave that place for that will be where i retire at

In addition to the great hunting, be sure to vote Republican.

Welcome to TX. I use to hunt public land in W.VA before I moved here in 1991. 95 percent of the land in TX is privately owned and you'll have to either start "hunting" for a lease, apply for the TPWD draw hunts, or buy the APH booklet/permit. THF website is a great source for all things hunting. Research is critical. I recommend trying the TPWD draw hunts. You'll get a great bargain for a public hunt and get to explore the state and people more. Also, if you post on THF...be aware some topics are pretty toxic. I'll let you figure that out.
By in large, TX hunting can be an awesome experience. I've been lucky to hunt every year here and always look forward to the next season. It's all in your mind set. Good luck and welcome to TX and THF.