Hey Chris, how's it going? Check into the Texas Parks and Wildlife Public Hunting Permit that will give you access to tons of land to hunt dove, duck and some areas have quail. You also get access to deer, hog and small game hunting with the permit. The permit cost $48 and its a one time fee for the entire year. It is worth every penny. You can check it out at this link.   http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/

Maybe we can get together and do some hunting this year.

In the Davy Crockett National Forest you will only need a valid Texas Huntintg License, hunter orange vest and cap or hat of some kind and a COMPASS is a must for every trip and I mean a must, no exceptions. I have been hunting the Forest for 15 years and I still get turned around sometimes if I dont have a compass. I have helped guys out that were completely lost and miles away from there camp that did not have a compass. If you are hunting the Sam Houston NF I can't help you because I have never hunted it, but I think it is bow only. Shoot me an email if you are hunting the Davy Crockett and I will turn you on to a couple of spots to start hunting. Also, be careful in the Davy Crockett because there is some of the State land, Unit 116 and 117, you will need a State Annual Public Hunting Permit to hunt or even be driving thru this property and the game wardens don't play up there. Make sure you tag your deer before you drag it out of the forest because they will ticket you if it is not properly tagged. Also, you have to camp in the designated camps or you will get a ticket. Don't cut down any wood for fires but there should be plenty laying around from fallen pine trees. I can tell you where there is a shower that costs a couple of bucks and is not far from the camp off of Forest Road 524 and where there are some prime hunting spots no more than a mile from the camp. If you take your ATV you need the following, helmet, eye protection, and state registration. You can get the registration at the same place you get you tags for you auto and it cost $12.(the tags are only good thru March so if you have an ATV you have to renew them in March if you go scout in the spring). You can only drive across the roads not down them or you will get a ticket. Get a Map of the forest, they can be purchased at the store in Kinnard for $7. Let me know if need more information and watch out because there are plenty of huge bucks running around in that area. Get into your stand early and if you have the stamina hunt all day because the other hunters will push the deer around.

The Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands are located in two areas northeast and northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. They not only provide grazing land for cattle and habitat for wildlife, but offer a variety of recreation. The most popular activities are hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and photography.

he Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands are located in two areas northeast and northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. They not only provide grazing land for cattle and habitat for wildlife, but offer a variety of recreation. The most popular activities are hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and photography.

Welcome to Texas...SHNF is bow only. Try Davy Crockett National Forest, rifle and bow. Also Texas Parks and Wildlife has tons of land you can hunt if you purchase a $48 permit. Look the forests and the TPWD up on the web. Good luck.

Hey George, which public land did you hunt? I may be able to give you some pointers as to where some good spots are located.