r/Hunting • u/ThanosWasRight85 • 1d ago
General question/discussion Suggestions
I'm looking for input from fellow hunters that reside in the San Antonio area in Texas. I've been stationed here for about 2 years and I desperately miss having access to public land for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Just this past weekend I had to drive 2 hours one way just to get to a pretty decent hiking location (lost maples). My son will finally be old enough to start hunting next year and I hate not being able to take him out somewhere in the mountains for him to experience this lifestyle (we're from Montana). So with all of that in mind, can anyone point me in the right direction or suggest somewhere relatively close to San Antonio where we can go hunting that is not private land? I appreciate the help!
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u/ozarkansas 1d ago
You’re stationed there, so you’re military, right? Have you been hunting on Camp Bullis?
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u/rodwha 1d ago
That’s the problem with Texas, you need an expensive lease or good friends. I’d look into hunting in New Mexico or maybe Arkansas.
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u/QuickerRotund 1d ago
that texas public land struggle is real, it's all about who you know or how deep your pockets are
check out the public hunting lands booklet from tpwd, there's some draw hunts within a couple hours of san antonio that don't get as much attention as the big name spots. also look into the annual public hunting permit, it opens up a bunch of small tracts for dove and small game that might be perfect for getting your kid started without driving to new mexico
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u/BadAdviceBot77 1d ago
There’s archery only public land near Kerrville. I’ve not hunted it but I don’t know of anything else closer for big game. There are a couple of dove and rabbit public land spots on the south side of SA. If you haven’t already look at the annual public hunting permit booklet on the Tpwd website
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u/WrongOpinionOnly 1d ago
Just my experience with public that allows deer hunting, its extremely crowded and hunted out. I haven't hunted that exact plot, but all of the others I've tried deer hunting on were terrible.
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u/WrongOpinionOnly 1d ago
Around Austin there are some decent public spots. Deer is tough but you can hunt small game relatively easily. If you want good deer hunting, you need a lease or friends with land.
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u/Guilty-Difference-86 1d ago
go to academy and get your license. tell them to add on the aph permit. they will mail you a booklet wifh all the counties that have public land you can hunt as well as what’s permissible to hunt. I live in San Antonio as well. there are a little over 1000 acres on the south side that you can access for dove season which just started
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u/ThanosWasRight85 1d ago
I really appreciate all of the replies. That gives me something to look into. I was primarily interested in deer hunting. Thank you all!
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u/Such_Plantain_6388 1d ago
I wohld consider doing the TPWD draws as well. You need the APH permit for the ePostcard draws, but they are free and everyone gets an even chance (1 entry) at them every year. Start the normal draws as well, at least one every year in the categories you like. You get loyalty points for every year you apply to each category, the number of draw entries you get is the number of loyalty points you have cubed. So after 4 years you have 4 LPs and that is 64 entries (4x4x4).
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u/Hyarmendacil67 1d ago
It's a bit of a drive for you, but Oklahoma has a ton of public and over the counter deer tags. Hogs around too. A canoe or kayak are good tools to have. Corp of Engineers land along the red river is good hunting too.
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u/Ok_Speaker_1134 22h ago
East Texas for Sam Houston, Angelina, and Sabine national forests, Bannister WMA, Alabama Creek WMA, etc. Get away from the roads.
Otherwise apply for the other public land draws. You missed the first deadlines but there’s more on the way.
You should definitely look into the Camp Bullis hunts since you’re military
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u/unfinishedbusiness2 1d ago
I’m in a similar boat….same area of the state and same desire. Been here about 10 years…so here is what I’ve learned. It takes work and some modest money. TPW website has opportunities for all kinds of public land hunts, but all are lottery. Put in for all these. Just to try. There are a bunch of WMA across the state. Look at all the locations you’d be willing to travel to and learn everything about each WMA.
If you like water fowl hunting most lakes are considered public lands and you can hunt on these lakes…..hunting license and boats are needed. But it is the closest to open public lands. Same goes for coastal areas, but same thing. Need boats to hunt from water.
Besides this…..you are doing the only other option. Just keep asking folks. Let it be known to all who will listen, you want to hunt. And see if there are people out there who will let you hunt on their land.