9/1 results in

I won Laguna Atascosa and Aransas NWR. Has anyone done either?

Me and the wife drew Laguna Atascosa as well. 11/15 - 11/19. I've never been so hopefully there is someone on the forum who has

Won National Refuge Archery Deer - Aransas NWR. I didn't know much about this place when I applied for it. After doing a bit of research, it doesn't look like it's worth the time. It has about a 6% success rate based on the 2018 numbers, wicked mosquito's, no camping and 300 other people cruising around at the same time.

I might do it but it doesn't look to good.

I have heard that its one of the more difficult hunts all around. Ive taken the vehicle tours through there and can definitely attest to the mosquito population haha

I believe I heard that there were issues with the weather last year. But I may be thinking of somewhere else.

My son also won the youth rifle at White Oak WMA.

Here are the Aransas NWR numbers from their website

I must have been thinking of Harvey in 2017.

I got Laguna Atascosa last year, but wasn't able to make it. I was excited to draw it again this year until I noticed my sons youth hunt at White Oak WMA is the weekend right in the middle.

My son drew James Daughtrey WMA either sex. We're pretty pumped.

I hunted the Aransas NWR last year, I really enjoyed it. I was there in December so that would have been either the 3rd or 4th rifle they had. Are you archery or rifle?

I drew archery 9/28-10/6. I'm excited since I don't have a place to bow hunt this year. Did you get or see much last year?

Yea, I saw a few deer and took a small buck. Out of the 40 or 50 hunters in during my hunt, I think 8 or 9 took deer so fairly good odds there.
Archery would definitely be a challenge I can see- but if that's how you hunt I guess you dont mind that part of the game haha.
It is def hot and the mosquitos will be crazy, so be sure to bring thermocell. When I was there it was down in the low 40's in the mornings and there were still a lot of mosquitos - and I couldnt help but feel bad for anyone who was hunting it in warm weather. The game warden there was I think Officer Giles - very friendly guy and more than happy to point me in the right direction as to where he sees deer and hogs. They do wounded warrior hunts there for hogs during the year so they have spots they know fairly well to set up on to get a decent shot. I didnt see any hogs while I was there, but tons of sign & no question the place is thick with them.

Amazingly, I won 4 archery hunts. Big Lake Bottom, Keechi Creek, Laguna Atascosa, and Trinity River NWR Hirsch unit. No way that I'll be going on all 4 hunts so I'll probably let 1 or 2 go to second draw. I haven't decided which ones to accept.

Re Private Lands. Just checked and don't see any activity. My LP's are unchanged and I've received no EMails ...So how long will it take TPW to update my file?
Ron

Pending 2nd draw on all of mine.

Congrats to those who were successful!

Got Nuthin. Just Nuthin.

Duck hunts are coming up though. These are what I really want and I have been applying for years. Hope this is the year we get one. I'd really like that Playa lakes Duck/Pheasant hunt.

Congrats to all that won.

More goose eggs for me.

Daughter was drawn at I.D. Fairchild State Park. Anybody ever been there? Thanks

I know of at least two more people that are going to be selected in the "Pending 2nd Draw" for Aransas NWR. We decided to pass on our permits.

My son bow hunted Aransas NWR last year in October. The mosquitos were crazy bad due to all the heavy rain preceding the hunt. There was standing water in most areas. I have hunted this area in Dec/Jan and the mosquitos are not nearly as bad. But if it is still warm and there is standing water stock up on the thermocell l!!!

Drew Big Lake Bottoms on second draw. I've never been selected on second draw and remain skeptical. Accepted anyway. It's also my first e-draw so no $. That will be cool.