hunting in TX

[bender]

I've never hunted, but my son is wanting me to take him hunting. Rabbits, squirrels, and similar small animals, not deer.

where do you even go? Isn't all land owned? do you have to pay someone to "rent" their property, or is there public land for hunting?

I'm in the hill country area around san antonio.

 

[Mr. Two Guns]

This should get you started...

Texas Parks and Wildlife

 

[quatin]

I'm in the same situation as you, let me know if you can what you find out. I would hunt public land, but you can only use shotguns and bows. Using a shotgun to kill rabbits and squirrels just seem like a bad idea...Unless you just like to shred small furry animals into pieces. I am in Austin btw and I heard Granger WMA just north has plenty of squirrels, but it's also shotgun only.

 

[grizz]

Shotguns will work fine on just about anything. For example a 12 guage can be used on anything from doves to turkeys - or even big game with the use of slugs.

The key is using the right size shell/ shot size/ choke tube/ barrel length combination.

I don't live in Texas, but if you're looking to get into hunting, I highly recommend you follow the above link and call your state's Fish and Game Department. Seriously, just tell them your situation. Those folks are usually really good about helping people by suggesting places nearby to hunt, the right kind of firearms & ammo, etc. etc. etc.

I hope you enjoy your future hunt!

 

[MCgunner]

I've killed squirrels with shotguns, though I prefer a 22 rifle or handgun because I just prefer a 22. Shotguns don't shread anything at anything over 15 yards. I like number 6 field loads. Shotguns are about the only way you're going to take a running rabbit in brushy terrain where there's not enough time to get on him with a rifle. I've taken a lot of rabbit with shotguns.

Get a Texas type 2 public hunting permit and they'll send you the maps and information. Get it anywhere you buy your license. Most of it is in east Texas in the piney woods except for some duck hunting and dove hunting.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Be sure you both take a hunter's safety course, too.

 

[Geno]

For your 1st hunt consider...

Hunter Safety as a must for both of you. Then, for your 1st hunt consider hunting on a professonal game ranch simply for ultra safe surroundings.

Thereafter you could venture to state land. I've hunted 4 ram in Texas, and must say, the Texans are quite simple decent folks. I was in and around Mt. Home. Just my humble opinion.

Doc2005

 

[Art Eatman]

bender, the first part of hunting is learning about what animals do. I wouldn't even bother worrying about a gun. In your area, go out into ranch country and knock on a door and explain about what you hope to teach your son as well as yourself. You might strike out several times, but sooner or later somebody will be willing to work with you for access onto their land.

Then, figure on doing a good bit of sitting and looking in late afternoon, all the way to dark. It takes a while to figure out likely looking spots to see wildlife. Some of that is available via TP&WD literature and via hunting magazines such as Field & Stream or Sports Afield.

If you've not spent much time out in the countryside, just learning the proper way to walk without spooking critters takes a while. Learning how to imitate a stump or large boulder is also part of the process.

You can't shoot anything until you learn how to find it.

, Art

 

[bender]

ok, thanks. I checked out the tx parks & wildlife link that mr two guns posted. There's quite a bit of public land for hunting.

I don't own a shotgun though and don't want one. I thought texas hunters used centerfire rifles...

Just wanted to take the kid hunting... for rabbits, squirrels, etc. with his .22LR that I'm gonna buy him.

I'm not really a city boy, have been shooting (not hunting) on some texas ranches (either family owned or friend's families). But I don't have access anymore. Wife's grandad passed away, and his 2,000 acres in Texas was sold. Co-worker's parent's ranch out around Blanco TX.. he's not my co-worker anymore (moved away), so I won't be going there anymore.

 

[Art Eatman]

bender, I guess it depends on the old "where and how" thing. I've only used centerfire rifles for my deer hunting. Lots of real thick, jungly areas in the river bottoms of east Texas; maybeso a shotgun with slugs would be a good item in that part of the country. Out here around Terlingua, you never know if a deer will jump from right under your feet or sail off from 200 or 300 yards out when you first see him. I've had both happen...

, Art