I believe as long as she's not shooting or holding birds she's ok. I wouldn't even hand her the gun. All it takes is a game warden to see her with a gun, and she's considered a hunter.

Scout the area you want to hunt first. Go deep in the woods if hunting public land. A hand held GPS works great for this, you can mark all of the spots that look promising on it. The deeper you go the further you are from everyone else, and the more deer you will see. One thing I never understood was most of the guys I've seen that hunt public land never travel very deep into the woods, or they walk and stalk. I've yet to see these methods work on public land. One thing you've got to remember is there will be more people there than you expected, and the deer will not be used to all of this new activity, and it will drive them deeper and further away from all of the commotion. Also buy a climber type stand, and you will have a lot more success. Public land hunting can be a lot of fun, but it is a LOT more work than a lease.

Just not on public land unless otherwise noted. Crossbows were legalized for archery season last year, but quite a few of the public hunting areas do not allow them unless handicapped. 

Danny,

Five things I hope will help:

First, getting a lease usually takes time.  Get to know the people who interact with ranchers like foresters, wildlife biologists (TPWD or otherwise), ag salesmen, or even oilfield landmen.

Second, unless you have deep pockets you'll probably fill a slot on an existing lease.  Get to know those guys as much as you can before you sign.  I've had real good success hunting with others on leases, but as many on this board will attest to there are some real horror stories because everyone is not as ethical or safe as you'd like.  Expect to pay about $1,500/gun minimum for a decent place.  There are exceptions, but generally speaking its not going to be cheap.

Third, since the cost is so high most leases in Texas are overhunted.  Find out how big the lease is and how many hunters will be on the lease, what the bag limits are, and what the guest policies are.  Before I signed I'd call the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists and get his opinion on the hunting pressure.  What works with hunter density in ETX usually will not work in WTX.

Fourth, I'd also get Google Earth or some other capacity to look at the lease to see what's around it as far as water, cover, topography, and the size of offset ranches.  Sometimes a smaller lease next to a big ranch is a real honey hole.  But, these days with high fencing and the like those are few and far between.

Last, there are a number of guys that hunt public land on this site, but most of those are bow hunters.  I wouldn't hunt there with a gun though - at least for the first week of the season, and around Thanksgiving.

I'm not lookng to pay. I found a spot in Mason, Texas which is about two hours from where I will be staying. I am looking to do it on someone's ranch or on public land.

You do not have to be a member to attent the Expo, events or Banquet.  It is open to the general public.

The LSBA has added new and exciting seminars, clinics, demos and a youth 3-D shoot to the schedule this year! Come early and stay late! There are plenty of exciting events for the entire family to enjoy! 

8:00 a.m. Team Bowmasters Pop-up 3-D Shoot

8:30 a.m. Snake Avoidance Clinic for Dogs with Wayne Lain of Snakebreakers $40.00

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Soldiers' Angels Youth Archery Challenge Qualifying Rounds (Must be registered by and in line by NOON) Please see LSBA's website concerning entry for this event.

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Operation Game Thief's Hall of Shame Visit with a Texas State Game Warden

10:30 a.m. Blood Trailing Seminar by Courtney Farris with National Lacy Dog Association $20.00

NOON Expo and vendors open

NOON to 4:00 p.m. Arrow making, Dipping and Cresting and Feather Splicing and Fletching Demos by Derek Herring of Bounty Hunter Traditional Arrows

12:30 p.m. Arrow Making for Kids Clinic by Derek Herring of Bounty Hunter Traditional Arrows

1:30 p.m. Photography Seminar by Certified Master Photograph, Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

2:00 p.m. Soldiers' Angels Youth Archery Challenge FINALS

2:30 p.m. Blood Trailing Seminar by Courtney Farris with National Lacy Dog Association $20.00

3:00 p.m. Tree Stand Safety Seminar by Bob Wright, Certifed Tree Stand Safety and I.B.E.P. Instructor

4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Social Get Together with Music by Michael Strickland and Steve Shedd

6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. 37th Annual Awards Banquet with Guest Speaker, Marty "Buff" Thomas. Listen to his hunting stories and watch his videos of his hunts around the world using a traditional bow!

To see a magazine that covers this area and the way we hunt and fish would be great!! That is the main issue I have with most magazines..... is thatfact that most of the techniques and info you get is pointed mainly towards the north or midwest.

If you hit on these things.....event coverage(COA fishing and hunting), TP&W Q&As, Hunting/Fishing/Gun & Atv information, product reviews, gun reviews, camp reviews, public land info & how-tos......  I think your magazine would be a hit with the East and North East part of Texas for sure.

I hunt and fish public lands and waters from COE Wright Patman Lake to Sam Houston N.F. and tips and tactics for those areas would be great. Count me in on a sub. as soon as you get it together!!!

It's a compilation of meeting held in key cities around the state.  The complete list can be seen below:

http://beta-www.tpwd.state.tx.us/calendar/public-meetings

That's downright scary.....