I have a friend that successfully hunts the Sam Houston Forest every year.  I'm not sure about the particular area.  There is one thing he has told me that is the key to his continued sucess.  Most hunters go approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile at the most into the woods away from where they park their vehicle.  My friend uses a GPS and hikes in no less than 1 1/2 - 2 miles.  This is for the most part, unhunted land.  In Texas, when your hunting public land, you have to work a little harder......

not to burst your friends bubble, But I don't think I can walk a straight line for 2 miles without hitting another road.  he might be walking to much but hey he is successful.  I think my success will depend on where I move.  i do hunt about 1/2 mile into the woods. 

thanks for the help

just wanting info on where to hunt.... like info such as... hunt edge of woods, hunt the bottoms, hunt the thickets... whats working for you guys.... hunt the scraps.. hunt traffic.

Ive been hunting the swamp area about a 1/4 mile from the lake by the bridge. I see a doe or two just about every trip. I always have success bagging a doe during archery season, but during gun season Ive seen 1 buck in 3 years, this is where alot of the hogs hang out so if you wanna bag a hog you have a pretty good chance. I see hogs about once out of every 4 times I hunt the swamp. 

They don't burn the wilderness area so it is nasty stuff. Yes there are deer in it. No they are not easy to hunt. I find deer most everywhere I go so it is not hard. The hard part is getting a mature deer. Larry is right go where others don't. I drove around opening morning and found a patch that had no cars even near it. I walked over 1/2 mile in, took a game trail and in 15 minutes I counted 30 scrapes. I will try hunting it at least once in the next couple weeks.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

thanks.  I did see 5 doe cross the road last weekend going it at the boys camp.  But that was after dark and I was leaving.  You know whats funny is I did see two game trails about 20 yards off the road.  I wonder if those deer are moving near the road when everyone else is going in a quater mile. And it does seem weird that everytime I leave the woods I jump a deer close to the road.

thanks for all the help.  I will post my kill when it comes.  ?  The doe permit, is that good for two doe's.  The forest map bag limit has two doe;s

ive been here 3 days now, and yes i have internet haha. I am in the little creek area, northwest corner. Not many people hunting here but man is it thick! This morning i saw the first deer i have seen yet and that was hunting along an old dried up creek bottom in stuff so thick youd be lucky to get a shot over 25 yards...i scared here up never couldnt have a gotten a shot if i had wanted, then a little further down the creek bed i caught a glimpse of a head and horns but that was for about 2 seconds as he took off

I am a little frustrated so far, I hate still hunting but if thats what it takes i guess ill have to sit my ass out by the pipeline and hope something walks out. Otherwise i guess ill keep bulldozing through the woods in hopes of maybe kicking something up....etxbowhunter i tryed to pm you but i dont know how...

by the way where exactly is the 'wilderness area', if you mean where i am then yea its nasty...I'm right at the camp site right off 1791 and the little county road that comes in to the first campsite in the north west corner...im thinking of changing gameplans

It's tough in there. You will be better still hunting for sure. There is nothing wrong with that 25 yard shot. I hunt places like that all the time. Find those little comfort zones and the deer will keep coming back to them I don't care how thick they are or how short the shot.

The wildernees is 1791/Bethel road area. It runs North and South between 244 and I don't know the number of the other road.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

the other road is 149.  Sounds like you are in the thick of things.  I would do like bowhunter says and find some areas in those thickets that loosen up a little an hunt that. 

Good luck!  I'm a little envious of you right now since I'm have to go to work.

well i came back this afternoon. I was there 4 days, learned a lot about hte lay of the land and how to hunt it..next time ill be on top of my game and i promise ill have a picture or two of the buck i get!

No it's between the 2 forest roads off Bethel. It's WMA west of 149.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

ive got food plot coordinates if anyone wants

Did they get around to that after the hurricane?

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

i woudl love the food plot coords, email them if you dont mind jmseckman@hotmail.com

ranger said the plots are in good shape since the storm i will try to email them tonight theres14 total

Can you send me the food plot coordinates

raj_144in@yahoo.com

Don't waste time on them. Deer will be nocturnal when they are there and all you will see is blaze orange from tons of other hunters. It still does help the animals. Try to stay back 1/2 mile or so to get them after daylight and before sunset.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

I've been hunting in Sam Houston for three years, i did a little bow hunting last year. I've found that going deep in the forest isn't always a must. Some good spots are along 219, 208 and the wilderness. I've logged lots of miles cause I don't like to sit very long, But the best thing to do is locate a spot with a heavy game trail, along creeks or in heavy hilled area, get high in a tree above the brush a see what happens. Morning hunts are usually the most sucessful at least from what I have experienced. I haven't seen one deer in the evening. So go early and stay as late as possible.

I have been hunting Sam Houston for 10 years and there are a lot of places to hunt. I do wallk in 1-1/2 miles in the forest with a GPS. Also with the scales on the maps. 1/4 mile 440 yards is not that far. I have seen deer every year. I took an 8 piont out last year along with another buddy who took a 2 1/2 year 8 point with a 16 inch spread opening weekend and this was checked in at the check in station. I also shot a pig that was 6' 6" and bottom my scale at 450 lbs.

Heading to sam houston in the morning.

drew doe tags going to see if I can fill them!

Been hunting davey crocket for years this will be my first time at sam houston.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Got my doe and saw a couple nice shooter bucks will be back for them next weekend!

I was in the area around 233 there are alot of deer there!

Good luck and happy hunting!

Congrats budd..any deer on public land is a good deer! Good luck

For some reason its not letting me to use the email option. Do you have an email address ?

The deer seemed very active Sunday.  There was lots of shooting going on.  My son and I saw two deer, but were hunting in heavy brush and could not get a clear shot before they spotted us and ran.

I saw several deer out there saturday I was going to stay sunday but wanted to get my deer to my prossesor in holland and didn't want to turn around and drive back!

but I wil be back this weekend to get my buck!

axisbuck my email addy is TxBowHunter2006@aol.com

Good luck and happy hunting!

Hello All,

This is my first post, but I have been checking out these forums for a long time.

I am new to hunting the SHNF and would like any advice you can give me.  I have been hunting the area off of the end of 1097 out of Montgomery and was wondering if you guys used calls or rattled and if so, is this a good time to do this i.e. where are we in the rut?  Also I am a first time whitetail hunter, I mostly hunted Elk and Muleys in WY before moving to Houston, so everything is unfamiliar to me.  Any and all advice is appreciated.

PS I missed a nice 8 point opening morning due to a gun malfunction, so I Know there are nice deer in the area.

THANKS!!!

I think all the National Forest areas are pretty much the same, I have Hunted Davy Crockett for 8 years near the Neches Bluff and Have killed Deer, Food Plots are a key also watching the Low areas that have large acorn crops, pick a area that is well traveled by deer and Hunt it, I killed a nice Hog opening morning and a spike that afternoon... deer are there you realy have to be patient and scout.. but the hard work will be worth it

Thanks, for the advice.  I got to go out last night and this morning and saw a very tall spike but could not get a shot.  I must have a good spot since I have seen deer 2 out of 3 times out.  I have a doe permit so antlers are just a bonus, hopefully I can get out around Thanksgiving.

Guys, finally got my Doe.  hunting a cutover area with minimal pines.  I see areas like this all over the forest but have never hunted them.  Climbed up a tree 35 feet and two came out about 80 yards from me.  I waited 30 minutes no buck so decided to fill my doe permit.  I call the ranger station and they are not giving more permits out.  So I will go back to see if there are any bucks in the area. 

I would love to get those food plot coordinates. Send em on please. jpmaro83@gmail.com

The bucks were on the move thanksgiving weekend at SHNF. I saw four saturday morning. using estrus doe bleet can and a young buck grunt tube.

They were in their second rut for sure! I shot a really nice ten point chaseing a doe sunday morning the heavy wind caused them to move cause i shot him on the run.

I got a chance to go out yesterday and shot this 4x4 at dusk about a mile or so in.  The deer was facing me literally at 20 ft away and the shot entered between is front shoulder and breast bone and stuck in the skin just infront of the opposite hind quarter.  Took me about an hour and a half to drag him to the truck.

Although it took me 11 separate trips to the forest i was finally successful yesterday...which was my first shot opportunity.  it was a 4pt buck with a 10inch spread, as strictly a meat hunter; after such a slow year, and my freezer on the line, it would have been painful to pass this one up due to antler restrictions

Can anyone tell me if there is a camping area in, or near the Little Creek wilderness area?  I am new to hunting the forest.  Since most of my hunting experience has been in the swamps of Louisiana, I think I might be comfortable in the Little Creek area.  I just need to know if there is a place to pitch a tent.

there isn't a camping are in the little creek wilderness but there is one on 208, and off of 1375 across from stubblefield

Thanks!  I've camped at cagle, and I plan on scouting after the season to get an idea for next year.  Little Creek looks good to me on the map.  Also, do you have the fod plot coordinates?  If so, please send them to me.

I have been hunting the SHNF since the beginning of rifle season. Have found alot of tracks and trails, but have not seen any deer yet. Went this past weekend and set in two different spots by some water holes. Didn't see anything moving at all. If anyone has any helpful advice please reply!!!

Scott,  I'm by no means a hunting goo roo but I can offer a little insight on hnting and not seeing anything.  The deer have probably turned completely nocturnal by this time of year.  The rut is probably 95% over so they have settled into survival mode.  Hunger will be there main motivation for moving around,but they probably won't move much, so look for bedding areas and set up as close to a bedding area as you can withoutspooking them.  Move in early while its still dark so they can't see you.  Use a red head light.  Forget about hunting if there is a moon out at night, the deer will forage in the moonlight and hide all day.  The best time to hunt is when there is no moon itstoo dark even for the deer to see so most likely they will wait until daylight to eat.

The more time you spend in the woods the greater the probaility of seeing deer.

Thanks for the advise. Going to head out early tommorrow morning before daylight.

Good Luck!

Let me know how it goes...

for years i thought people who enjoyed the outdoors were generally honest people. i returned to my normal hunting spot in SHNF this past weekend to find that some sorry S.O.B. had taken the liberty to steal my ladder stand (which was lying on the ground out of sight).

That sucks! What kinda stand was it?

I learned the lesson 2 years ago.Ive had a chair stolen once in 10min. I had left it in the brush and followed a deer trail about 100 yards and then came back to find my stool gone!There is always gonna one numbnut for every 10 ethical hunters out there!

Doug,

     It might have been the Rangers.  I've read in the bylaws that you can only leave a stand for not more than 72 hours straight.  Ask the rangers they may have it.  I usually lock my stand up with a cable lock to keep an honest man honest.  But, I agree with you; you would think hunters would respect another mans property.

it was an inexpensive two piece 12 foot ladder stand with a seat. they left the brace which holds it to the tree. i don't believe a ranger would be tromping through the woods that far off road...i may be wrong. but it was laying in the tall weeds and was undetectable to someone merely walking down a trail. what really bothers me is what they may be doing to vehicles and campsites when nobody is around.

even though this is the last weekend for deer hunting in the forest, we can continue to hunt pigs right?

It closes on the 4th, then reopens Jan 15th through March 15th.  There is also a Muzzle loader deer season for spikes or Antlerless deer from Jan 10th to Jan 18th.  This information is in the Public Land booklet.

Yeah I had my tree stand stolen this year off of 59 and coldspring.  I will never leave a stand alone again.  Still have my climbing stand to use.  After 3 years of hunting the forest I finally found a honey hole.  I have seen deer the last 3 times I have been to the forest.  To bad it is at the end of the season.  There is tommorrow and muzzleloader season left.  Lets see what I can do.  Oh and dont worry Tim Truitt, its not in your area.

Would like info on food plots.    Have hunted the SHNF since 1966,

and used to ride the trails.   all of them.   Scouted every area possible.  Since the WMA took over, was told that there were food plots , but never saw one.   Little lake creek and Caney creek are the most remote areas.

Use 2 B

I hunted FS208 at the pipeline last season and, after arriving, found that a prescribed burn had happened the day before (Friday).  The burn started at the "Y" junction at FS215 and FS208.  Because I didn't know about the burn and hunt west of FS208 on the pipeline, the burn ruined my whole day's hunting.

I went to the office on FM1375 and asked if there was a schedule published to show which sections of the forest would be burned.  I was told that although there were certain sections slated to be burned, a specific date for any given area could not be published since many variables were factored to when a particular area would be burned.

When you visit the link below, you will see that all along FS208 is scheduled to be prescribed burned during 2009.  I hope that the prescribed burns will be complete well before bow season.  Otherwise, there won't be much deer hunting in the general forest this year (at least north of FM1375 and west of Lake Conroe).

All of us who hunt the SHNF should get together and make a plan for hunting there this year to have the best chance of seeing a "shooter".

Proposed prescribed burns for Sam Houston National Forest - 2009:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/fire/shnf_planned09_pburns.pdf

And remember, you cannot shoot a doe during gun season unless you possess a doe tag issued from the U.S.F.S.  As far as I can determine, the link to apply for a doe tag is not available yet (I just looked) - and last year it wasn't available until the first day of the new season (September 1).

The link to apply for a doe tag in a Wildlife Management Area is:

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

When applying, you must state WHICH FOREST you intend to hunt.  The doe tag will have your selected forest name on the tag and is only valid for ONLY THAT particular forest.

I live 45 minutes south of the S.H.N.F., am presently unemployed, and can meet anyone with a couple of hours notice - if I'm not previously engaged.

Current Outdoor Annual (thru August 31, 2009): http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/

Steve, I have shot deer when you could still smell the smoke in the air. As a matter of fact, 2 of the last 3 years I have taken deer from areas just days after the perscribed burns. Granted there seems to be fewer animals after the burns but with everything dark brown the deer are rather difficult to see against the burned brush.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

I placed a call this morning to the United States Forest Service – Sam Houston Branch @ (936)-344-6205.  I talked to two different people; one about food plots and the other was a biologist named Rusty concerning rule changes for the upcoming 2009-2010 hunting season.

Food Plots – the U.S.F.S. does plant food plots and there are GPS coordinates available for them.  They do not have the GPS coordinates available to email; however they are available in printed form.  The U.S.F.S. took my name and address and stated they would mail me a copy of the food plots with GPS coordinates.  Food plots are only planted in the fall.  Out of the 164,000+ acres of forest land, a total of approximately 50 acres are allocated to food plots – not a whole lot.  When I receive the list, I will share it through Texas Hunt & Fish.

Deer  Rut – Rusty stated the rut should be at its peak on November 11^th. 

Buck Antlers – Rusty stated that he was pretty sure the 13” rule for harvesting bucks would be state wide for the 2009-2010 hunting season.  You may shoot a spike (at least one unbranched antler), but if both antlers are branched, both antlers must be on the outside of the buck’s ears to be legal.

Hogs – Rusty stated that he was pretty sure the season on hogs would be lifted and allow hunters to take hogs all year either by trapping or hunting.  Rusty also stated that as many hog signs he sees when out in the forest, he rarely sees a hog alluding to the fact that they are almost certainly nocturnal.  That would make trapping the only logical way to catch one in the act.

Proposed Prescribed Burns – All prescribed burns are completed for this year.  With the currently dry conditions, Rusty stated even if the burns hadn’t already been completed, it would be doubtful that any more would take place.

I’ll post a follow-up when the food plot coordinates are received.  If you’d like your own plot coordinate sheet, just call the number above and ask for it.  The person I talked with didn’t hesitate to ask for my mailing address to send me a copy.

Steve Spence
Cell: 832-435-0706

Independent AMSOIL Dealer - T-1 Certified
AMSOIL - The "Once A Year" Oil Change
http://synthetic-oil-tech.com/1690163
amsoil1@charter.net

GPS coordinates of all campgrounds and boat ramps within National Forests in Texas:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/rec_area_gps_coords.shtml

Rules, Regulations and General Guidelines for hunting in the Sam Houston National Forest:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/recreation/sam_houston/hunting_on_samhouston.shtml

A great article detailing the "rut" in white tail deer.  It states the "rut" peaks November 12th for the southern Pineywoods.  Rusty, the wild life biologist I spoke with today, stated that the peak was on November 11th.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/planning/rut_whitetailed_deer/#E11E3

As promised - Food Plot Coordinates for Sam Houston National Forest.  The first two files are on the same piece of paper - front and back.  The last file with the handwritten notes is a page by itself.

This isn't exactly what I was expecting - don't really know what I thought was coming - anyway.  All three pages are on 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper and aren't easy to read.  If the pictures don't come out good enough, just drop me an email and I'll send you a copy of the originals via email.

It is worth making the call to get your own copy.  Along with the food plot information came a six page double sided "pamphlet" reviewing anything you'd want to know about the "do's" and "don'ts" while on national forest land.

I'm looking forward to meeting some of you while out in the forest hunting.  I'll be driving a white Chevrolet Silverado 4 door crew cab 4WD.  If you see me, please stop and introduce yourself.  If I'm not around, leave me a note under a the left wiper blade to let me you were there.  Include a cell phone number.  I'll call and see if we can hook up for a cup of coffee or something.

All I ask is that you guys leave me one good shooter during fun season.

Enjoy!

Steve Spence
Cell: 832-435-0706
Independent AMSOIL Dealer - T-1 Certified
AMSOIL - The "Once A Year" Oil Change
35 Years of GM Parts Experience
http://synthetic-oil-tech.com/1690163
amsoil1@charter.net

coming from tn was stationed there in infantry 5 years now got recruiting orders huntsville wanna hunt samhouston looks promising saw 9 deer 1 decent buck  last weekend saw majority down first left after bridge cumin from ranger station any thing u can tell me about area will be much appeceated gonna hunt with long bow most of time ant afraid to walk cant afford gps good with compass any body know were i can find good topo map of area

like huntin swamps an marsh raised in south la we bow hunted laccasine reserve best deer huntin i ever seen any areas  in sam houston like that and if got grid coordnits sendem please yes i know my spelling sucks

wizer_dude (Steve S) and Jake,

I know you guys are excited about the upcoming season as many are. However, I'm not sure posting food plot coordinates publically or any other coordinates you intend to hunt is a wise thing. On public land, remember it's just that, public. You will have a 1,000 people on top of you for whatever you publish. There are crazy's out there, people that don't belong. Fortunately we have a very good Law Enforcement system in place and a lot of people get ticketed.

Concerning food plots, deer don't show up in those during daylight anyway. With your publishing of the coordinates, plan for hundreds of people really to only be out in those areas, with the deer miles away. Deer will stay where they feel comfortable and lots of people in an area is not one of those places.

Just a word of advice, you may want to keep where you hunt completely a secret or plan for many others to show up and expect the deer to never come in there until after the season. With the economy as bad as it is this year, there will probably be many, many more people out there. With the 13" rule in place, let's hope people spend more time looking at what they are shooting at before pulling the trigger.

 A MESSAGE FOR US ALL - LET'S HUNT SAFE THIS YEAR IN THE FOREST. DEER DON'T WEAR HUNTERS ORANGE. READ THE LAWS, WEAR HUNTERS ORANGE, 72 HOUR STAND RULE, NO BAITING OF ANY KIND, 13" RULE FOR BUCKS, NO DOES WITHOUT A PERMIT, BE COURTEOUS TO OTHER HUNTERS, NO ATV'S OR OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES ALLOWED. BE SURE NO PEOPLE ARE IN THE PATH OF YOUR SHOT AT GAME.

HUNT SAFE AND LET'S ALL ENJOY IT TOGETHER.

excellent point, get what u sayin man evry man for him self unless talkin face to face, see yall in the wood line, fellas good luck

and be safe

were is the bow hunt only areas in sam houston an a email address or somthing i can get info on it at

an whats those damn points on left side of page mean

David:

The food plot coordinates are public information.  All I did was provide access to them for hunters who might not know about them being available for public dissemination.

Jake:

Like you said above, every man for himself unless talking face to face.  Since you aren't a contributor and just recently became a member of the web site, I will oblige  your terms of "every man for himself" and just say Good Luck To Ya!

If you really want to procure topo maps for the SHNF, I'm sure that the U.S.G.S. will be happy to sell them to you.  As a word of caution, any topo maps that you might want sould be ordered at least 6 weeks before needing them.  That has been my experience with ordering topo maps from U.S.G.S.  I have several dozen 7 1/2 minute quads for area within my interest.

Steve Spence

Wizer_dude I need to get out and scout for archery season I already have a good area I hunt and wouldn't mind sharing info with you..

Last year was my first season hunting SHNF and I got a late start but I did fill a doe tag and saw several very nice bucks..

When I finally get down that way I will give you a call and meet for some coffee and discuss the area..

Budd A

Good luck and happy hunting!

hi everyone i will be moving to texas in nov and am very interested in hunting pigs is the sam houston national forest a good spot to do this

What part of Texas are you moving to?

Good luck and happy hunting!

Hey Guy's I just found this forum looking for Doe permits for my son and myself. I read all of the story's and comments and was pleased to see there wasn't a lot of bad langauge or anything like that on this site. Thank You!!! I've hunted the S.H.N.F. for the last 27 years and never had a bad season. there were some a lot better than others but never a deerless one! For you new hunters if you see a truck or a car keep driving there's around 120.000 acers!!! Look for water which is very limmited or large white acorn tree's. Don't bother with clear cuts or area's that have been recently burnerd there's no cover and no food!! And please be carefull the last few years I have had some folks walking in on me that not only couldn't speak ENGLISH THEY WASN'T WEARING ORANGE AT ALL!!!! IDENIFY YOUR TARGET!!!  GOD BLESS and GOOD LUCK!!!!

Didn't hunt out there at all for deer this past year...spent most of my time making that 5 hour drive up to the grasslands or some private land I hunt up in Cass county. I think I may invest in that APHP this year and head back up to SHNF since i'm in Spring and it's only about 45 minutes away. I've always seen deer up there, but that's quite a record to hunt 27 years and never have a deerless year.

Mr. Jackson       Staying in the woods is the only way to get a shot. Most folks I have met will go all the way to getting up long before day light and all they do is walk less than 300 yds. And then they start walking around about an hour and a half after sunlight. And yes they see deer but they see the deer running away from them and then they always say I saw some but they were running and I couldn't get a clean shot!! If your serious you would be in the woods now looking for the right spot. And openning weekend you go in and stay in untill at least 11:00 o'clock. Good Luck this year!!    An Always Idenify Your Target!!!!!  God BLESS!!

I forgot to mention 4 WALL HANGERS  in 27yrs. is not a lot to brag about. But the truth is I HAVE NEVER GOT CAUGHT WAITING FOR A BIG BUCK!!!! And I always have more than one place to hunt just in case someone can't drive pass my truck and find thier own honey hole. Idenify Your Target!! God Bless!!

Well guy's it's only 11 days till openning morning!!  Are any of ya'll going to be in the 4- Notch area? My son and I will be out trying to put a tag on one and and then we like to drive over to the camp area to see whats been drug out of the woods over there too!!My son and I love to hear the STORY'S and the tales of yesterday. So if you see a little red 4-door with a couple of guys that look lost give us a shout! REMENBER  Idenify Your Target  & God Bless 

hey Huntsvillian,I will be out there but a little closer to Evergreen. Got a nice spot picked out, hope to tag one myself, good luck to you and your son. 

Tree Stand Man    I had a Game Warden tell me about a giant buck that was crossing on the east corner leaving 4-notch camp area last year. He said that he saw it at least three or four times on the left side of the road just before the right hand turn headed to the evergreen area!! He told me this about a week before the end of last yr.  I'm meeting up with graceNmercy this year in the phelps area between the three of us we should have at least one more story for the books!! God willing will have it openning morning and can share it at camp site! Well Good Luck to you and your huntting buddys.  Idenify Your Target & God Bless!!!

has anybody had any luck ? this thread does not get much action

Shot a nice doe this morning

Good luck and happy hunting!

 got a question fellas shot at abig boy this morning at 12 yards arrow hit a vine turned the arrow left then arrow hit atree broke broadhead off then arrow glanced right an barley grazed front of  deer breast bone just took a little hair off the deer never saw me at all are smelled  me never knew i was there yall think that will spook a deer enough it will change his pattern or just give him a few days what do yall think, any info will be a grat big help

I think you should give me the GPS coordinates to the spot the buck was standing so I can investigate the scene and give you an answer to your question!

just joking in my opinion if you did not cause him a great deal of pain he will be back deer are very curious creatures and in a couple of days he won't even remember it happened!

get back out there and get him!!

Good luck and happy hunting!

Hey guys i just moved up to the Montgomery area from katy. Ive never hunted the national forest before and i was wandering what the need to knows ( permits, etc.)  are before i give it a shot? I'm mostly a bow hunter and I'm pretty sure i was where somebody on here said something about bow only areas. Any info yall could share would be appreciated.

theres 2 i know of one is write next to huntsville state park on west side of 45 along service road the other is down 1375 the same road the main warden station is on its on left in between eqestrean camp ground an some other camp ground right before lake there archery only sign  all over it hard to miss if your lookin for it if u want im out there 4 or 5 times a week i can meet u some where an show u areas real quick

Thought I'd share this pic taken with my Blackberry this morning along 208H. It was a "red on yellow, kill a fellow" one.

Hey guys, looking for some good hunting spots, this will be my first time hunting, SHNF

Hey guys,

I am moving to the area and have started to research hunting at SHNF. One question... Can you use centerfire rifles to hunt deer in SHNF and if so do they have a caliber minimum?

Can you also use centerfire handguns to hunt deer in SHNF?

YEA YOU CAN USE CENTER FIRE RIFLES DONT KNOW ABOUT HAND GUNS THOUGH BUT WHEN U GET YOUR LICENCES U GET GET A HUNTING PAMPHLET CHECK IN THERE                             AND DANG GUYS ANYBODY SEEING ANY  GET ANY BIG ONES ANY TIPS OR ADVICE OR JUST WANNA BULL%$#^ SOMETHING I MEAN PEA SHOOTER SEASON OPENED WHAT 2 WEEKS AGO COMMON !!!!!!!!

Taken directly from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Annual (2009-2010)

Means and Methods

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/means/

Firearms

Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:

• white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope may NOT be hunted with rimfire ammunition of any caliber.

Why can't people just look this stuff up for themselves?  Is it just too easy to let someone else do it for them?

Well thanks for the info Wizer_dude..  I actually pulled up the public land booklet with all the maps and special restrictions before posting my questions and SHNF does not show a legal method for taking deer. Yes it shows bow and muzzleloader seasons but it does not show restrictions such as "shotgun only" like most of the other areas show in there info box. I just wanted to be certain centerfire was allowed.

RemMan700:

My comments weren't meant to offend you... I was just seething about Jake taking up space while having nothing to contribute toward the question relating to the subject matter "can centerfire hanguns be used to hunt deer in the SHNF".

He states that he doesn't know but that you can read the pamphlet.  If he doesn't know, he shouldn't (IMHO) be taking up space on the server just to see his words in print.

OK... down off my soap box... my apologies in advance for anyone who thinks we should all be politically correct.

find  the scrapes then then find a constricting terrain feature 50 to 100 yards down wind like thin thick strip of woods connecting two thickets in middle of old growth pines or a thicket finger juting out towards road or thickest part of acreek with a heavily used crossing through the center dont set up on heavy crossing though set up on ghost trails 75 to 100 yds up an down streem there only gonna have 1 or 2 sets of fresh tracks dont let it fool ya though thats were u set up pretty much find the buck sign an find a place down wind were he has has has to walk but walk saflley an still be able to sint ckeck main trails an scrapes find overlooked places all these spots i have discribed i have been hunting since bow season started an there all within 300 yds off main highway 4 diff locations i have seen 37 deer while hunting from 50 yds to 9 from day break to 10:15 havent hunted evinings at all this year i hunt 5 mournings a week all but about 9 or 10 deer i hve seen were bucks from teetiny 6 points to 3 big boys yea i missed  one at 9 yards hunting on a dove stool in palmetta ground blinds with longbow guess i am stupid stick withit till i kill though next its primitive archery ha ha anyway small bucks are working scrapes hard havent seen mature deer workin scrapes see themm on ghost trails down wind of scrapes in constricting terrain features look i know this this is common knowledge but i didnt start applying this till this year now im beatin the doors off it an these spots are all over the nf most of them right off side of hwy u just half to play the wind an be seriouse about are these the only tactics workin now hell no but ther workin for me if yall got dif tactics im all ears fellas          if yall see a blue 4 door gmc with tennasse plates stop an bull#$^# for a sec HOPE I HAVE CONTRIBUTED ENOUGH FOR TODAY

an a easy way to scout is find these terrain features on topo maps it cuts your scouting time down a but load u can get these topo maps by googleing free printable topo maps an the site is called digital map store-topographic maps an save it to favorites u get    free printable topos any were in country  

Hey guys, I'm planning to go out the day after Turkey Day.  Has anybody had any luck so far?  I've actually scouted the 59N side of the park as well as the 45 side.  I like the 45 side a lot better.  Any info would be greatly appreciated. 

SAFETY TIP:  Don't shoot at anything that you can't clearly identify.

Been hunting East Texas public land for about 17 years now, never hunted SHNF but going to give it a shot this weekend.  I hear there a quite a few pigs in the area, is this a fair statement to make?

a lot of sign everywhere but very nocturnal. my partner and i have seen 3 in the last 5 years(killed them all) this is a pic i took last week with my game cam. they pass through the area all night but dont move during the day

Went out Saturday morning, you were right, lots of pig sign!   Saw no pigs though, did see two healthy does and a little forked horn.  Saw lots of deer tracks, but not many scrapes or rubs, only saw one small rub. 

I am new to public land hunting and this forum.

A friend and myself are planning on making a hunting trip to Sam Houston NF at the end of Dec. We want to hunt deer or hogs(whichever we can find). I need some help on how to avoid other hunters and where to find game. I would hate to walk up on somebody and not realize it until I was right on them due to the thick forest.

 Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Running over each other is going to happen.In eight years its only happened twice.Once a father and son walked in on me at 40 yards,the man saw me tip my hat and i got up and eased off.No deer is worth blowing a kids hunt.From high in a pine,i've seen deer running like heck and soon after,a walker shows up.I hunt the wilderness area,the bikers go deep,a few miles,last year  they had already headed out so I took the first dozer break to the left and went down to a creek.shot the biggest deer of my life.19"spread ten point.Took 4 hours to drag out.Just hunt,stay put,get high up in a pine.

Jonathan, congrads on that nice buck last year. How old was he? Was that the ten

pointer in the pic, I can't tell. What did the buck score. Great looking deer.

Bryant

Thats beautiful. I have been hunting SHNF going on 4 years and have not even seen a dear. I know they are out there my buddy always gets one each season. I also see plenty of tacks. I am going to keep trying because I like being in the woods.

Thanks,this deer was around 125ish.Based on some tooth wear charts he looks about 3.5 to 4.5yr.

any body have any luck       i got a doe an a spike with my rifle had to put the bow down for a minute

Got a doe back in october,A legal eight at the lease.Going back to nf during smoke pole season.I think we can take a doe and any legal buck.

are they gonna let us shoot pigs after deer season this year   i have done a pretty good bit of reserch cant find an awnser any were  any info would be a big help

I think mzzle loader is doe and spike only. Yes we can hunt pigs year-round trhis year.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM