Relocating to Texas

[Starkman]

Fellas,
My wife and I are thinking about relocating to Texas.  We're not quite sure exactly where, but are giving it some serious thought.  I have some concerns about hunting opportunities.  Arkansas is a great state for hunting and fishing, but the economy of old Delta towns like Pine Bluff (where I live) is getting worse.  Northwest Arkansas is a beautiful place, but limited for job opportunities  (I teach).  How accessible is decent hunting in Texas?  Is there lots of public land to hunt, or is it mostly tied up in private leases?  
I'd appreciate any information.
Thanks,
Bob

[longstick]

COME ON DOWN! Deer leases are getting out of hand here as far as Im concerned Bob,I hunted National Forests last year and actually was drawn for  Texas draw hunt. Most dont know butthey have been introducing Illinois deer into them past few years and are producing some nice deer. There sre several National Forests to choose from if you do a goole search. IMHO I think Davey Crockett and Sabine are the two best,tho I hear Sam Houston has nice deer to but I wont go that close to Houston  HAHAHHA

[Starkman]

Thanks for some info Harvey.  I guess I'm a little spoiled hunting Arkansas as decent hunting is within a and hour drive, from just about anywhere in the state.  When you say deer leases are out of hand, roughly how much?  Here, they can range anywhere from $150.00-$500.00.

My wife has a sister in Allen, so the area north is tempting....just as long as it is far enough from Dallas.  I've seen the countryside around there and I'm not thrilled about the lack of forest land around that area.
Bob

[BlackDog]

Bob, most hunting is all private land/leases. Most public is north/east Texas like Longstick mentioned. The economy in Austin is still strong with alot of people moving here.
  If hunting was the main concern I would stay north. There are big deer around the Red River area and leases are somewhat less expensive. Average price for a lease in central Texas is about $2500 a year and it goes up from there.
  If you end up north you should put in to hunt the Hagerman refuge. They take a few big ones from there every year.

[OkKeith]

Bob, Bob, Bob...

TEXAS?!! You need to come visit us here in Oklahoma! We always need good teachers. No, we don't pay as much as our well loved neighbors to the south, but you won't have to plop a month's wages down to hunt either. We even have trees..real trees, growing right in some of our largest cities.

We have SOOOOO much diversity. Try the pine forests of the southeast (typically called the Little Smokies because of their similarity to that area), or the BIG bottomland hardwoods of the northeast (my personal favorite). Or perhaps the granite peaks of the southwest (and maybe get drawn in for an elk hunt on federal/state land). Maybe the cedar breaks and gypsum hill country in the northwest, or some genuine prarie spot-and-stalk mule deer in the panhandle.

Yes, I dearly love all my friends from Texas, many of them now live right here in Oklahoma. I have even been known to go to Texas to hunt and fish, nice place to visit. But if you move down there, before long you might be wearing burnt orange, or standing up through a whole football game!

Just some friendly advice, take it for what it's worth.

With love to all those doing time south of the Red River,
OkKeith

[redfish]

I hunted in Texas for the first time in many years just after Thanksgiving. Public hunting, archery. I never expected the see the size of deer where I saw them. There are some good public hunting places in Texas if you seek them out.
However, having lived in Arkansas for a number of years, I know what you mean. I hunt both places. I have a residence in Conway and another in Austin. I keep bows, arrows, and fishing poles at both places.
My "lease" in Texas costs $48 (Public hunting permit), and my "lease" in Arkansas costs $300 for a non-resident hunting license.
Southwest Airlines makes it real easy to get back and forth.
Last Wednesday afternoon, I drove 35 miles from my house in Austin and was hog hunting and saw several hogs and deer.

[redfish]

What do you teach?

[Starkman]

Larry,
I teach Biology and Anatomy and Physiology at a SEARK College (local Community College) in Pine Bluff.  My only experience with Texas is the drive from Arkansas (Texarkana) to Allen.  There isn't much to look at but urban sprawl.  I've heard lots of good things about Austin.  Actually, there was a job with Texas Parks and Wildlife I've considered applying for near there.  I'm actually a Fisheries Biologist.  I live about an hour from the White River Wildlife Refuge and that is some mighty fine country to hunt and fish.  I guess I'll get a taste of Texas hunting this March with Curtis.  This will give me a better opportunity to see more of the state.

Keith,
I do like Oklahoma.  I've been to Broken Bow and Oklahoma City.  But for some reason, my wife gives  me strange looks when I mention Oklahoma. I think she just wants to stay around family.  

Bob

[OkKeith]

Bob,
'Nuff said. My gal is a Texan as well. She is from south of Stephenville, TX. A little place called Toler, TX. There may acctually still be 300 or 400 people who still live there.

No matter how it turns out, I wish you luck. How can I do anything else for a fellow fish squeezer!

Oklahoma State University: Class of 1990/ BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology

OSU Class of 1996 MS in Natural Resource Mgt.

I was down to see Curtis in Jan. you will have a GREAT time. Tell him the guys from Claremore said hey.

OkKeith

[redfish]

There is a lot of Texas to see...and a lot of different country.
I was born and spent 45 years there (excluding military time) before moving to Conway in '97.
I worked for the TPWD way back when I was a wildlife science major.
It's different, but it is good. "Different" doesn't mean "bad".
I work there now and go there almost every week. The company's territory covers from the OK border to the Mexican border, and west to the Pecos river. I love traveling Texas.
Let me know if I can help with anything. I have a book with all of the public hunting places in it. Let me know where you are looking and I can let you know what there is around there.
LB

[Kevin Breaux]

Google KISD "Killeen" school district for job info, they are always looking for teachers. We are a military town and the turn over of Military spouses that are teachers are very high! There are positions on and off post.

The plus is, Fort Hood encompasses 200,018 acres, yep, that is 25 miles North to South and 18 miles East to West. The fee to hunt Ft. Hood for one year is $100.00, that's it!

[Russ Clagett]

Kevin,

How big of a hassle is it to hunt Fort Hood? I'm an active duty soldier with the Guard in Texas, about 3 hours north of you. I'd love to come hunt Fort Hood, but am wary of stupid regs, hassles, stuff like that.

Can you tell me where to look for info? I'm in Iraq right now but due to rotate home to the Promised Land in May, so I've got some major hunting plans for this year.

Thanks

Russ

[JPaul]

I live in south east Texas and  this area offers the most public hunting opportunities. There are 4 national forest areas, 2 national refuges(Anuhuac and Trinity river), and two state areas, all within an hour or so drive. Plus most of the forest in east texas are owned by timber companies and the cost for a year round family lease will run $500-1000 depending on the member to land ratio. that is very economical compared to the rest of the state.

[Bill Turner]

If you are looking for cheap deer hunting, Texas is not the place to go, unless you are going to locate close to a national forest, such as Davey Crockett. Sure, we have public land, but the state is so large, the amount is deceiving. I have friends in north Texas that lease property in Arkansas because they cannot afford the average Texas deer lease. These guys are not paupers. They just believe they can get a bigger bang for the buck out of state. Research the opportunities and pick your spot accordingly. Good luck.  

[redfish]

I used to hunt Hood back in the early 80's. I was stationed there in the early 70's right before I got out. I was born 20 miles south of Hood.
Back in the 80's, the regs could change with a change in command.
Do a google. There is a website but I can't remember what it is.
LB