New to hunting. Seeking advice

I am very interested in hunting. I live in the Austin area and but was born and raised in Michigan. Most of my family extended family are up hunting and I grew up around it but living in an urban suburb I never really got into it. Ive been bow shooting lately and would like to go on a deer hunt this year. Being relatively new to the area and not knowing many hunters here can anyone offer and advice or insight on how I can get into a hunt or find a group to learn with?

Anything helps!

First, make sure you get hunter safety certified (required depending on age). Most of Texas is private land which requires getting on a lease, finding a day hunt, or knowing the right person. There are public land opportunities just not like most states. Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for most of the information you are seeking.

Thanks A lot! I am taking my safety course in August. Ive been reading a lot about how the public land in Texas is super dangerous. Thanks for the insight.

Thank you sir!

X2

Like westtexaswatkins mentioned, most of Texas is private land but don't be discouraged. Hopefully you'll eventually meet someone who has land and hunts. In the meantime, check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/. In it, you'll find all of the information you need. It's a lot of reading and clicking around but in the end it will benefit you since you'll understand the big picture process of hunting public lands here in Texas. Also, this link has an interactive map of all of the public land available for hunting. Each star has a link that will take you to the map of that particular hunting unit.

Things to note:
- You need to take a Hunter Safety class. It's required.
- You then buy your Hunting License which allows you to hunt for one season only. You'll get one each year. When you buy one, you'll have many options to choose from. See this.
- After you've completed your Hunter Safety class and have purchased your license, you'll need one additional PERMIT, called the Annual Public Hunting Permit, to hunt public land. It's $48 and with it you get a book with the same maps as the interactive map link above. You can't hunt on public land without this permit.
- Know that in addition to the hunting rules of the state, each public hunting unit may also have ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS that govern what you can hunt there and how you can hunt it. Restrictions may be what means you can hunt with (rifle, archery only, shotgun) and what game you can hunt in that area. Each of the maps in the interactive map or the APH book has the additional restrictions printed on it.
- Also, when you purchase your license you'll get the Outdoor Annual booklet. Read it. After you've read it, read it again. When you've finished it, read a few more times. It will answer all of your pertinent questions for hunting in Texas.
- Texas also offers areas to hunt that you can only access if you are drawn in a lottery system. These are the Drawn Hunts that you'll hear about. Read about these types of hunts in TPWD website.

Be an educated hunter.

Happy reading!

Thanks Johnnywoods. Very helpful!I really appreciate it!

since you are in Austin, you might also check out Lake Georgetown and Lake Granger as they have bow hunting by permit but I am not sure how they go about distributing those permits. Lake Granger has some bruiser bucks roaming around ... Lake Georgetown has really high numbers to pick from with all the surrounding neighborhoods that are no kill zones. Welcome to Texas and to the THF ...

There are a ton of really good outfitters in your area that you could contact to get a really inexpensive doe or pig hunt. Great way to meet really good folks and get your feet wet Check out the Outfitters and Guides section.

Welcome!

Im right up near Georgetown so that'd be perfect. Thanks

Hunting at Lake Georgetown

I would not worry too much if you are hunting during archery season.

-Z

and learn bow hunting deer and hogs before going for moose

'Love that clip with the pointed stick guy.