leases other than deer

[ggardner]

I have been deer hunting Texas for most of my 53 years and in the last 10-15 years I am beginning to tire of the increased prices, property owner family quarels, property changing hands...bla bla bla.  I need time in the woods and would like to hunt small game or plink at an empty beer can with a .22.
Are property owners likely to lease small game hunting rights like they do for deer season, and at a reasonable price?  
What has been your experience on these operations?  Thanks, Gary

[Greybeard]

I'm not from Texas but have hunted there several times. However I think you Texicans over look a really valid option available to you way too often.

I'm not sure the correct name for the program but Texas leases hunting rights on private land and sells a special license, tag, permit whichever is the appropriate term. I think I recall there are two categories of this land. But you buy the permit and can hunt it as you wish. Yeah I've heard some say it's not much good but have heard others say it's great. I suspect the truth lies somewhere in between and depends on the tract.

For small game I'm betting it's badly over looked and would be good. Again I'm not expert on this program but it is my understand that no matter where in the state you are there is some in reasonable driving distance of you. Check your state's F&G site whatever they call it.

[ggardner]

That is a good point that I had over looked. I avoided the Type 2 state land for deer as there can be some danger involved from others.  I would bet that I  could have some of those places nearly all to myself for small game.  thanks again, Gary

[DennisB]

Graybeard's talking about the Public Hunting Permit.  For $50 (on top of your hunting license) you get a map of and privileges to hunt, within established seasons and other limitations, on various plots of private land that the state has leased just for this purpose.  The map book is about as thick as an issue of American Hunter and gives all the details you need for any of the public areas statewide.  

I used that permit for several years.  Had a favorite spot down between Hillsboro and Lake Whitney where I had numerous fun trips chasing the squirrels and bunnies around the bottomlands, sloughs, and open brush.  Great place to take a young hunter.

There's some parcels scattered around the Justin-Denton-Sanger area that are open for dove season and not much for anything else.  Not a bad evening trip from Cowtown in September.

The main down side is that everyone else and anyone else is likely to be out there at the same time.  Also, with a few exceptions, most areas are limited to shotguns with slugs or buckshot for deer.  But, if I didn't have a regular lease, or when I do lose it, I'll be back there until I find another place.

[timbertoes]

That is a good point that I had over looked. I avoided the Type 2 state land for deer as there can be some danger involved from others.  I would bet that I  could have some of those places nearly all to myself for small game.  thanks again, Gary

absolutly!!   there is virtually no one out on the Public lands I vist before Deer Season.

however, LBJ north of Decauter is the one with year round squirrel and Rabbit.

go east of I-75, and there are Squirrel and Hare Seasons.

[wilded]

The program is fine for small game and waterfowl hunters.  For big game it is a joke.

[jerry4570]

I know this thread is old but wanted to chime in, Dennis, I guess you're talking about aquila? I'm in the s. dallas county area and drive there when I can, I hardly see anyone outside deer season and love to take my son there for squirrel and rabbit. Another favorite spot outside palestine was removed from the book this year but there are still a few places I havent hunted yet. I'll be back in hill county in may.