Scared to hunt ...
- Thread starter howabouttheiris
- Start date
P1ZombieKiller
Silver $$ Contributor
Iris,
I run a lease in Texas (not near Austin), but there are 1000's of leases that are just like mine. I agree with drummer when it comes to what hunting is all about. we are more about getting together, and doing stuff. Just two weeks ago, I took my son's soccer team out there and we just had a blast. These are the types of memories that you and your kids (should you have any) will remember for ever. A typical Texas lease will run you $1250 - $2000 a year. this should give you year round access to shoot deer, turkey, dove, quail, and all the critters you care too.
There are plenty of web sites that are dedicated to hunting leases. I will not post any of their names here, but PM me and I will be glad to share a few that I have used in the past. It's actually the way I found my lease 8 years ago. Still there and still love it.
www.P1HuntClub.com
I run a lease in Texas (not near Austin), but there are 1000's of leases that are just like mine. I agree with drummer when it comes to what hunting is all about. we are more about getting together, and doing stuff. Just two weeks ago, I took my son's soccer team out there and we just had a blast. These are the types of memories that you and your kids (should you have any) will remember for ever. A typical Texas lease will run you $1250 - $2000 a year. this should give you year round access to shoot deer, turkey, dove, quail, and all the critters you care too.
There are plenty of web sites that are dedicated to hunting leases. I will not post any of their names here, but PM me and I will be glad to share a few that I have used in the past. It's actually the way I found my lease 8 years ago. Still there and still love it.
www.P1HuntClub.com
P1ZombieKiller seems like a great resource!
A lot of people (and I suspect many posters on this forum) have no idea that Texas is almost entirely privately owned land.
I'm about as middle class as it gets, and I hunt quite a bit. Always have. In Texas, I'd have a hunting lease for sure. It's how things are done there, my Texan friends assure me.
In other states you've got public land, which makes hunting affordable for the masses. I too live and hunt in Washington State. The hunting here is good, but not great, and I don't know if I'd pay the non-resident fees to hunt here. On the other hand, I'll happily pay non-resident fees to hunt some of the other western states, like Wyoming for instance... Still, by the time you figure on travel costs, non-resident fees, etc, yes - your wallet is in a tight spot.
My advice, and I've never hunted in Texas, is to latch onto ol' P1ZombieKiller and see about leasing hunting rights to a chunk of private property. I've sure seen some dandy hogs and whitetails come off Texas leases.
Let me know if you want any info about hunting in Washington or Wyoming. That's where I've concentrated my efforts over the past 20 years.
Regards, Guy
A lot of people (and I suspect many posters on this forum) have no idea that Texas is almost entirely privately owned land.
I'm about as middle class as it gets, and I hunt quite a bit. Always have. In Texas, I'd have a hunting lease for sure. It's how things are done there, my Texan friends assure me.
In other states you've got public land, which makes hunting affordable for the masses. I too live and hunt in Washington State. The hunting here is good, but not great, and I don't know if I'd pay the non-resident fees to hunt here. On the other hand, I'll happily pay non-resident fees to hunt some of the other western states, like Wyoming for instance... Still, by the time you figure on travel costs, non-resident fees, etc, yes - your wallet is in a tight spot.
My advice, and I've never hunted in Texas, is to latch onto ol' P1ZombieKiller and see about leasing hunting rights to a chunk of private property. I've sure seen some dandy hogs and whitetails come off Texas leases.
Let me know if you want any info about hunting in Washington or Wyoming. That's where I've concentrated my efforts over the past 20 years.
Regards, Guy
first of all there is nothing wrong with hunting in texas!! and second why pay for hunting? i hunt coyote, hogs, bobcats, fox, deer, and cougars. i prefer predator hunting as to game hunting. and ranchers and farmers like the predators being thined out. so maybe you can look into more than just game hunting.
Garry
Garry
stapher1
Not a doctor
+1....I have gotten access to property that was posted or "nobody hunts here but family" deals by hunting varmints and after some time and a couple of long conversations about anything and everything and the owners have let me hunt deer on their property. Alot of land owners are leary of just letting anybody on their land because they don't know if your the kind of person that would shoot one of their cows or damage property to get a deer.cowboys22408 said:
Come to the Nebraska Sandhills, or any part of Nebraska. There is litterally thousands of public land to hunt. Maybe a lot or little walking but that would be A LOT cheaper then paying some yuppie guide to tell you "that's the one you want, SHOOT" . Sorry I am with a lot of other people on here that I WILL NEVER pay to hunt game PERIOD. Some ranchers have a big problem with Antelope,Elk,Deer whatever it maybe Grip and B**ch and Moan to the game and parks commision about the herds of wildlife destroying their cattle feed. But, when you go and ask if a guy can hunt they say Ya, sure for a FEE...That's when I say Well sorry I guess your on your own then. I then Walk away. Anyways, IFFF you would ever make it up here in NE there is a lot of public hunting land. You just buy a out of state deer tag, find some public land and BANG you have a deer on the ground. I could go on and on about this and still never say it all.
adding my 2ct - i raised 2 sons hunting and we never paid to get on a hunt like you describe,
we went on state, blm, tember company or farmer land, by asking,
at one point i joined 5 friends ane we paid a retired farmer a fee for an annual lease to go on his property,we paid 1/2 the taxes on his property about 350ac. we averaged 8-10 deer per year
We helped with fencing, keeping fire trails clear, and taking care of his property markers
in the past 20 years, have done the same out west to pd and mulie hunt by contacting gamewardens and ranchers, gone out, talked to them visit at thier front door, listen to their rules, and followed them. remember them at Christmas.
Good luck
Bob
we went on state, blm, tember company or farmer land, by asking,
at one point i joined 5 friends ane we paid a retired farmer a fee for an annual lease to go on his property,we paid 1/2 the taxes on his property about 350ac. we averaged 8-10 deer per year
We helped with fencing, keeping fire trails clear, and taking care of his property markers
in the past 20 years, have done the same out west to pd and mulie hunt by contacting gamewardens and ranchers, gone out, talked to them visit at thier front door, listen to their rules, and followed them. remember them at Christmas.
Good luck
Bob
P1ZombieKiller
Silver $$ Contributor
Guys,
Remember the OP lives in Texas. Most all land in Texas is Private. There are some public hunting lands, and you can most certianly harvest game on those lands (during the respective seasons), however I have found that leasing private land (around $12 - $20 per acre) gives you the many benefits.
I can remember when i was just a boy, my dad never had a Texas lease. But he had friends that did. I can remember EVERY SINGLE ranch he took me too. It may have only been for the weekend, and we may have only been limited to a doe (if even saw deer), but those times sitting in that deer stand with my dad are memories THAT CAN NEVER BE REPLACED. That was the type of quaility time that all our kids so desperately need.
That is why I have had a Texas lease for the last 12 years, and hope to have for the next 40 years. I have small kids, and the joy they get from getting to go with Daddy to the lease is incredible.
I know the OP was only looking for a "place to hunt that wouldn't break the bank", but there is so much more to it than that. You guys in other states have the luxury of having millions of public acres at your disposal. Texans don't. Sometimes if you want that adventure, and out of state trip is well worth saving up for. Austin is nearly smack in the middle of Texas. It's actually in the Hill Country. There are deer everywhere, and land is plentiful. You pay for it through the nose unless you get 2 hours away.
Just a few of the benefits I get by leasing my land (in Texas) for hunting are:
The ability to know that no one should be on this land, and it is for me and my party exclusively.
Since we are in the "plains" part of Texas, we can set up stands, feeders, cameras, food plots, and know they are safe from vandalism.
I can leave a travel trailer there so I can stay 2-3 days and not have a motel cost.
I can bring my guest and their kids with me (I know you can on public land too).
The ability to feed protein year round to strengthen the heard (this is BIG for me and in the 8 years we have been on this piece of property, we have seen a huge benefit to the herd until this last summer which was the hottest on record).
I can set up a private gun range to shoot at distances I want to shoot (RJ knows what I'm talking about).
Remember the OP lives in Texas. Most all land in Texas is Private. There are some public hunting lands, and you can most certianly harvest game on those lands (during the respective seasons), however I have found that leasing private land (around $12 - $20 per acre) gives you the many benefits.
I can remember when i was just a boy, my dad never had a Texas lease. But he had friends that did. I can remember EVERY SINGLE ranch he took me too. It may have only been for the weekend, and we may have only been limited to a doe (if even saw deer), but those times sitting in that deer stand with my dad are memories THAT CAN NEVER BE REPLACED. That was the type of quaility time that all our kids so desperately need.
That is why I have had a Texas lease for the last 12 years, and hope to have for the next 40 years. I have small kids, and the joy they get from getting to go with Daddy to the lease is incredible.
I know the OP was only looking for a "place to hunt that wouldn't break the bank", but there is so much more to it than that. You guys in other states have the luxury of having millions of public acres at your disposal. Texans don't. Sometimes if you want that adventure, and out of state trip is well worth saving up for. Austin is nearly smack in the middle of Texas. It's actually in the Hill Country. There are deer everywhere, and land is plentiful. You pay for it through the nose unless you get 2 hours away.
Just a few of the benefits I get by leasing my land (in Texas) for hunting are:
The ability to know that no one should be on this land, and it is for me and my party exclusively.
Since we are in the "plains" part of Texas, we can set up stands, feeders, cameras, food plots, and know they are safe from vandalism.
I can leave a travel trailer there so I can stay 2-3 days and not have a motel cost.
I can bring my guest and their kids with me (I know you can on public land too).
The ability to feed protein year round to strengthen the heard (this is BIG for me and in the 8 years we have been on this piece of property, we have seen a huge benefit to the herd until this last summer which was the hottest on record).
I can set up a private gun range to shoot at distances I want to shoot (RJ knows what I'm talking about).
P1ZombieKiller
Silver $$ Contributor
msr243ai said:
No disrepect 243ai, but hunting for me is sooo much more than this. I am sure the way this is written is not what you truly meant to say. For me, hunting is as much about the company, the adventure, the friendship than it is about the kill. Don't get me wrong, my goal is to harvest game during season, however it is not the only goal.
We have very liberal hunting limits in the county my land is in. Each year I donate a single doe or spike to a person that has never harvest a deer before. 2 years ago was the only year that this did not happen (and that was due to a last minute scheduling conflict). I encourage all hunters to do the same. People think hunters go out and kill and tortue animals so hey can consume their flesh. Most all hunters I know have a deep respect for the animals they harvest. Why else would we spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year doing what we love to do?
Once again.... 243ai... I mean no disrepect. I was just hoping to clarify that hunting is so much more than point and shoot.
I'm lucky enought to take guys hunting for a living in Utah, Wyoming & Montana. Here is my advice if your on a DIY budget or a first time hunter. Wyoming antelope, plenty of game plenty of free acess plenty of all day action action & if your looking for private land acess you can find it for under $1000.
You said you were in Austin so maybe you might want to look into this one. Now I Haven't checked it out and the URL has been in my computer for a couple of years but I'm thinking about looking into it myself, possibly this year. It's close enough to you that you could call and see if the offer is still current. maybe not the best type of hunt but it is a "fill your freezer' hunt, not a trophy hunt.
http://www.serengetibend.com/pricing.php
I guess the guy who doesn't think guided hunts are much good, comparing one to a hug from a whore but I'll guarantee one thing. One of those hunts can be as easy as lying in bed or as tough as you want to make it.
My guided antelope hunt in New Mexico would probably fall in between. We spotted the antelope at roughly a half mile out and the stalk ended at about 75 yards. One shot from my .270 and it was liver in the pan. Yes, it was a relatively easy hunt but I'm 73 years young with a bad knee and hip so I'm not complaining about the ease. His head looks down upon me in our TV room. 8)
The cow elk hunt I did in New Mexico in 2010 was even easier, thank God as I was having problems with the altitude. I should have gotten to Raton a few days earlier to have a chance to acclimatize to the altitude. That was my bad. Still, after a very short stalk I got my meat and I'm a happy camper.
FWIW, those two hunts are the only guided hunts I've ever done in almost 64 years of hunting. Would I do another? The Good Lord awillin' and the crick don't rise? You betcha!
If the few bills I have get paid off in time and nothing major gets in the way, I just might do one of those "fill your freezer" hunts. Never was much of a head hunter anyway. A couple of does and pigs would look mighty fine in my freezer.
However, as the late great Elmer Keith once said, "I prefer to let every man scratch his own fleas in whatever manner he chooses.
Paul B.
http://www.serengetibend.com/pricing.php
I guess the guy who doesn't think guided hunts are much good, comparing one to a hug from a whore but I'll guarantee one thing. One of those hunts can be as easy as lying in bed or as tough as you want to make it.
My guided antelope hunt in New Mexico would probably fall in between. We spotted the antelope at roughly a half mile out and the stalk ended at about 75 yards. One shot from my .270 and it was liver in the pan. Yes, it was a relatively easy hunt but I'm 73 years young with a bad knee and hip so I'm not complaining about the ease. His head looks down upon me in our TV room. 8)
The cow elk hunt I did in New Mexico in 2010 was even easier, thank God as I was having problems with the altitude. I should have gotten to Raton a few days earlier to have a chance to acclimatize to the altitude. That was my bad. Still, after a very short stalk I got my meat and I'm a happy camper.
FWIW, those two hunts are the only guided hunts I've ever done in almost 64 years of hunting. Would I do another? The Good Lord awillin' and the crick don't rise? You betcha!
If the few bills I have get paid off in time and nothing major gets in the way, I just might do one of those "fill your freezer" hunts. Never was much of a head hunter anyway. A couple of does and pigs would look mighty fine in my freezer.
However, as the late great Elmer Keith once said, "I prefer to let every man scratch his own fleas in whatever manner he chooses.
Paul B.
My plan was to do a guided hunt 1st, as I do not have ANY experience ...
Having grown up in an area that does not have any large game or dangerous animals, I have ...
1) never hiked any distance or laid prone with snakes, spiders, coyotes, cactus, ...
2) never shot and killed any animal larger than a snowshoe hare...
3) never cleaned anything larger than a snowshoe hare ...
4) never followed a map close enough to satisfy the cold slug of the castle doctrine ...
As for hugging whores.... call me a pimple faced 17 year old in Vegas for the 1st time. I'm in.
I appreciate those who say just go out and do it, but I am really unsure what to go out and do. Looking to do 40 years of catchin up and believe in learning to do it the 'right 'way.
On the finances... I guess I just mis-estimated the costs. I now understand that hunting in Texas is 'free', once you pay $1000 per year for a hunting lease.
Having grown up in an area that does not have any large game or dangerous animals, I have ...
1) never hiked any distance or laid prone with snakes, spiders, coyotes, cactus, ...
2) never shot and killed any animal larger than a snowshoe hare...
3) never cleaned anything larger than a snowshoe hare ...
4) never followed a map close enough to satisfy the cold slug of the castle doctrine ...
As for hugging whores.... call me a pimple faced 17 year old in Vegas for the 1st time. I'm in.
I appreciate those who say just go out and do it, but I am really unsure what to go out and do. Looking to do 40 years of catchin up and believe in learning to do it the 'right 'way.
On the finances... I guess I just mis-estimated the costs. I now understand that hunting in Texas is 'free', once you pay $1000 per year for a hunting lease.
"On the finances... I guess I just mis-estimated the costs. I now understand that hunting in Texas is 'free', once you pay $1000 per year for a hunting lease."
On that point I agree with you 100 percent. However, how can you expect some rancher to let you hunt for free when there are yahoos with more money than brains willing to pay up to $20K to hunt a record book deer that the rancher has invested time and money? But then Texas has always been mostly private land with strong trespass laws. The nice thing about a lease is you probably have almost exclusive use of the property. Kind of like renting a home.
When I lived in Nevada, I had acess to several private ranches to hunt. The last time I was back there to visit friends, I talked to a couple of the ranchers about doing a hunt on their place if I could draw a tag. One said $5,000 trespass fee. He said he has rich dudes from California who pay that every year. Another ranch I used to hunt I lost before I even left the state as it was bought by a consortium of California lawyers who bought it as an investment. They immediately closed it to hunting.
When I did my antelope hunt, I shared my guide with a gentleman from east Texas. He said he had a small spread with some deer and a lot of hogs. He did offer an invite to hunt so if I don't draw for anything here in AZ I just might give him a call and take him up on his offer. My youngest daughter lives in the Houston area so the better half can visit with the grandkids while I go do the dirty deed on a some hogs and maybe a deer or two. I haven't taken him up on the offer as I hate driving through Houston and thier darn toll roads.
Paul B.
On that point I agree with you 100 percent. However, how can you expect some rancher to let you hunt for free when there are yahoos with more money than brains willing to pay up to $20K to hunt a record book deer that the rancher has invested time and money? But then Texas has always been mostly private land with strong trespass laws. The nice thing about a lease is you probably have almost exclusive use of the property. Kind of like renting a home.
When I lived in Nevada, I had acess to several private ranches to hunt. The last time I was back there to visit friends, I talked to a couple of the ranchers about doing a hunt on their place if I could draw a tag. One said $5,000 trespass fee. He said he has rich dudes from California who pay that every year. Another ranch I used to hunt I lost before I even left the state as it was bought by a consortium of California lawyers who bought it as an investment. They immediately closed it to hunting.
When I did my antelope hunt, I shared my guide with a gentleman from east Texas. He said he had a small spread with some deer and a lot of hogs. He did offer an invite to hunt so if I don't draw for anything here in AZ I just might give him a call and take him up on his offer. My youngest daughter lives in the Houston area so the better half can visit with the grandkids while I go do the dirty deed on a some hogs and maybe a deer or two. I haven't taken him up on the offer as I hate driving through Houston and thier darn toll roads.
Paul B.
P1ZombieKiller
Silver $$ Contributor
I am one of those guys that will do everything I can for the "Texas Hunting Lease". The benefits I get from doing this most certianly outweights the draw backs. I have a place that me and 5 others (in my case) can go any weekend we want to camp, work, varmint shoot, or just hang out. We have liberal rules so that I can take a few friends when I want. All of this has costs (as does ANY trip you take to any place hunting or not).
At my place I only have to factor in food and gas. No motel, no eating out, no "ENTERTAINMENT" as we make our own (and if you don't think a few Texas boys with some Tannerite can be entertaining.... You REALLY need to make a trip with me to my place).
Iris... My group has deposits due March 1st.... If for some reason one of the guys do not come back, and you are interested in being amember of our group, send me a message. I will be glad to talk to you about it. If you are just starting out, I have PLENTY of stuff to help you get started. Plus I LOVE to do work in the field. We do not have HUGE deer on our place, but we do have plenty. Here is the buck I shot this year.
At my place I only have to factor in food and gas. No motel, no eating out, no "ENTERTAINMENT" as we make our own (and if you don't think a few Texas boys with some Tannerite can be entertaining.... You REALLY need to make a trip with me to my place).
Iris... My group has deposits due March 1st.... If for some reason one of the guys do not come back, and you are interested in being amember of our group, send me a message. I will be glad to talk to you about it. If you are just starting out, I have PLENTY of stuff to help you get started. Plus I LOVE to do work in the field. We do not have HUGE deer on our place, but we do have plenty. Here is the buck I shot this year.
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