THAT SUCKS, HERE IN FLORIDA WE HAVE OVER 350,000 ACRES TO HUNT IN AND COMPETE WITH DOG HUNTERS, HOW I MISS TEXAS DEER HUNTING!!!

Tim

I heard that they are trying to get it back by rifle season. But bow season is pretty doubtful. I havent been out there after IKE but i cant imagine it being not huntable. Here is the info from the website

Campground closings:
            Sam Houston NF - CLOSED
            Davy Crockett NF - CLOSED

Sabine NF - Red Hills Lake Recreation Area is CLOSED for the season. The Trail Between the Lakes Hiking Trail is CLOSED due to storm damage. Boles Field is CLOSED, but should open in early October. All campgrounds operated and maintained by the Sabine River Authority of Texas on Toledo Bend Reservoir in the Sabine National Forest are OPEN.

Angelina NF - The following recreation areas are OPEN: Bayou Boat Ramp, Bouton, Caney Creek, and Sandy Creek are OPEN. The other Angelina NF recreation areas are CLOSED, but should open in early October.

Sam Houston NF is CLOSED to ALL recreational activities (camping, hunting, hiking, etc.) at this time.

Part of the Davy Crockett National Forest, including Alabama Creek Wildlife Management Area, will OPEN Friday, Sept. 26, the day before opening day of bow season. Hunter camps in the area will also be OPEN.

I went out after the hurricane and there are about 1/2 dozen more trees down on my 2 mile walk in. It was not too bad but it was not the normal situation either. They will not clear these trees as they are not on a road or trail. I already had to step over 4 or 5 trees before the storm. Has anyone noticed the LIABILITY WAIVER in your type II books? You can find it on page iii. It clearly states we enter the forest at our own risk.

They also have the state park open. Imagine opening a state park in the middle of a closed forest. You bet you *#@ it's all about public safety and not the money and keeping hunters out! It clearly does not pass the smell test!!!!!

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

Hmm............. smells a little funny to me also.  I wonder if they will change their season close dates to allow us to hunt a little longer?

Upon further research the Texas Forest service has NO CLOSURES to date. Imagine that! The hurricane only did "catastrophic" damage to the U.S. Forest Service lands. The U.S. Forest service obviously has a political agenda against hunters!

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

I had to go out to Davey Crockett to check things out. There is a ton of limbs down. Makes it hard to walk. I tlooks as if the eye went over that area. There are lots of tarped roofs and trees down. Saw a few scrapes and had 1 buck come in behind me not offering a good look at him. DC was hit pretty good. There seems to me there is 3-4 times as much damage there as in SHNF. I did not see near the limb damage in the SHNF as in Davey Crockett. I still say we are being scammed.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

I couldn't resist so I went to SHNF to have a look.  They have removed some of the fallen trees from the hunting trails.  The bad thing is it looks like they are driving bulldozers down the hunting trails.  They demolished the area I had pre scouted to bowhunt this year.  The power companies left scrap metal laying all over the place.  Mosquitos are so thick I couldnt handle more than 10 min. of the forest.  On my way out the Forest Service stopped me.  He was pretty cool but said next time I was there it would be a $400 fedaral fine for being in the forest when closed.  He showed me a bug suit they sell at acadamy.  I couldnt resist but I have always been a little hard headed.  He said they are trying to open by next Saturday.  SHNF is going to be a little stirred up this year with all of the power companies and tree removal crews roaming around.  They probably closed the forest so the power line crews wouldnt get shot or have to wear hunter orange. 

David, what areas are they working bulldozers in? I have been east as far as four notch but have stayed on the roads and get out and listen. The damage I have been checking lately is along these roads since they closed the forest. It has always been quiet when I go check in areas that I know. This is from the far west side over to 4 notch. I have yet to see or hear anyone working. I have not been thru Stubblefield, Huntsville or around Coldspring.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

E mail sent

I think they are some kind of tractor to remove the downed trees.

Got this off of the TPWD website

Sam Houston NF- OPEN Oct. 1 except for: Cagle, Stubblefield, Lone Star Hiking Trail, Multi Use Trail, and Scott's Ridge Day Use Area (boat ramp open).

Emailed Steve Lightfoot and he said the same thing as BK9954.  Same houston Forest will open today.. Bowhunting is on.....

see website http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/