I agree, it is expensive to hunt in TX, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.  It seems to me that the advertised leases on here are priced well over most peoples budgets.  That is just a result of supply and demand.  I have had leases sold out from under me but the land owner got about 4X the amount we were paying.  I would probably do the same thing.  However there are a lot of public hunts around the state if you are willing to do some leg work.  TPWL has a lot of hunts on their web site but you have to apply for them.  The Army Corp. of Engineers also has a lot of public hunting land all over the state.  I live in a small town in ranch country and through word of mouth I found my deer lease this year for $5 an acre for the year.  That is cheap.  We have 4 hunters on the property at a cost of $800 ea.   I found one lease a few years ago by just driving around the country side finding a spot of land that I wanted to hunt and contacted the landowner and we made a deal.  I dropped out of that lease due to work but the other guys are still there.  Living in the City makes it a bit harder for someone to make contacts with ranchers.  Good luck, but don't loose hope not all of the properties are overpriced, just most of them you hear about.

yes it is VERRRY expensive. we are fortunate enough to be on a lease thats not too expensive. we have it made where we are..no huge bucks but some good ones (for the hill country), a good camp house, good owners, and good friends. its a shame that you talk about those guys who pay big bucks to shoot a monster deer, i guarantee they throw most of that meat away cause they could care less about it...they want the horns. just shop around and talk with people and maybe you could find a lease or slip into a lease with someone you know thats not gonna hit the wallet too hard.

It takes a lot of time and a lot of legwork.  The supply and demand here in Texas is definitely in favor of the landowners.  That being said, good old fashioned door knocking is one option, and a man who has served our country in uniform still has some pull here in Texas. Another option is talk to folks at your church and see if they know of any places.  Your local gun range or gun club could also be a great source of info.

As Gary said, you have to draw but some of the public hunts can be pretty good here in the state.  Any ways wishing you the best of luck in finding an affordable place to hunt.

I appreciate the info. You're right about the lack of ranch contacts.  It seems all my contacts are in suburbia, new to Texas, or their family is extremely stingy with their land.  I guess it is their land after all.  They impose so many rules that the fun of the sport is taken out.  "You can't shoot this deer b/c cousin Bob has been watching it since last year, you can't hunt at this certain spot on Saturdays, no spittin' seeds, that 7mm mag will shoot too far, that 30-30 isn’t accurate enough, don't scare the horses, be quiet driving up at 5 a.m.,....do your homework, brush your teeth, be home by 9, look both ways"...you get my point.  I've always been taught hunter safety and responsibility.  I had hunter safety education when I was 13 at our middle school.  Yes. The WV DNR sends an officer to the schools in West Virginia.  As a kid, there were several deer I didn't shoot b/c I wasn't sure what was behind them.  I used to get scolded for pointing a water gun at my sister. It just really bothers me b/c my family's land is not here, but my family is.  On days I didn't have some kind of ball practice, I remember walking home from school and being at my favorite hunting spot in 15 minutes.  That wasn't that long ago b/c I'm only 30.  From my parents' backyard, I could literally throw a rock and hit one of my tree stands.  Those days are over.   I have looked into the public hunting lands through the Army Corp. of Engineers and it’s probably what I’ll do for next year.  I may have to get into bow hunting again and break out the 1989 Golden Eagle Turbo.  I often talk to some ranchers when I go to my VA appointments, but I don’t want to take advantage of the situation.  Thanks again for the info.

I guess I will have to get motivated for next year.  I was going to start door knocking, but I don't particularly like getting shot at.  I'm just kidding.  I've never put myself into a situation in Texas to get shot at.  I never expected all the mature and generous responses and I really appreciate it.  I just assumed everyone would tell me to go back to WV or somewhere else.  Speaking of deer meat, have any of yall tried canning it in Mason jars?  It's mainly a WV thing, but it is worth it.  In 2003, I ate a deer shot in 1996 or 97. 

yeah, it's very frustrating and hard to find a decent place

I have had the good fortune of being able to hunt on friend's places but was always at the mercy of their schedules... I wanted my OWN place!

I looked hard and found a place, a little less than 200 acres, 3 people, 1500 per gun

it's not perfect, but it's between Austin and Houston where my brother lives...

we can't have guests out during deer season, but perhaps we could setup a hog hunt after season opens

I would check craigsist for Austin, San Antiono and Houston

I bet there are some spots open you could find that need to get filled

I'll dig around some and PM you if anything looks interesting

Josh, you have several options. I hunt on well over 250,000 acres for <$250.00 a year. It is work, I don't get to invest anything into the land or animals I hunt. The quality is not top notch but I do put meat in the freezer. It does allow me to get my fair share of time in the woods. Send me a PM if you want to know more.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

Josh,

For us it took a long time to get to know folks, but keep at it.  I've lived down here for almost 30 years now (orig from PA), so I have a pretty good idea of the change in situations you're faced with.  For the last 10 years we've essentially been invited to go to a very generous rancher's place for a week during the season.  Yes we pay, but its a fraction of what he could get.  Those type of folks are out there.  Lord willing, you'll find one.

checking through craigslist, saw this

http://austin.craigslist.org/spo/1429115311.html

Mr. Coker, that's sounds good. I'm not sure how to "PM" so you'll have to bare w/ me.  I am from West Virginia you know.

I'm good w/ a doe only, but that leaves too much gray area for the bucks being priced per point.  I wouldn't want to screw up and accidentally shoot a buck standing behind...beyond a doe and go home w/ a $1500 bill. I'll talk to my financial advisor a.k.a. the MRS. Thanks for that link.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/

Thank you, Mr. Hank.

go back to WV... lol Just kidding. Have you ever looked at hunting on the public property provided by TPWD? I think the permit is like $40. Check out their site do find out more info.

LET HIM GO SO HE CAN GROW!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're at the hands of capitalism. It's all about supply and demand. Texas is the apex of trophy white-tail hunting. Not just in rack size, but by the vast numbers of tropy class deer. Not to mention Texas has the largest population of white-tail deer than most of the other states combined!....and because of these factors it has become a multi-billion dollar plus booming buisness as well as one of the fastest growing ventures you can invest in. That said, I feel your pain!....After years of protecting these resources so others can hunt, I have been fortunate enough to get to view, and occasionally hunt, deer on many ranches all over the state. I, too, couldn't afford to pay what some of the upper end leases are going for in south Texas. Okay, probably not even lower end leases in south Texas. It's BIG BUSINESS! Most ranchers in the prime hunting areas have had the good luck to have that asset to offset their losses from the decline of livestock production. Let's face it. Ranches in those regions are vast....and so are their soaring land taxes and maintenance costs. Owning land is a never ending financial drain. It just doesn't set there and cost the owner nothing. If it did, we'd all be in south Texas hunting every year! Hunting has become the primary source of revenue to those landowners. If it weren't for the demand for such good leases....most ranches would have already gone belly up. Livestock production just cannot keep up with the costs of maintaining such vast amounts of land. You're unfortunately in tough part of Texas to bargain hunt for a hunting lease. Try looking further east and north of Austin. You'll find a reasonable lease that may not be large in size as south Texas ranches go, but will be capable of producing large amounts of deer and even a few trophy class bucks. Bottom line......Big Ranches + Big Racks = Big Bucks! Look for the more fractured parcels of land to the east or search for hunting leases in the price range you want. They ARE out there. Edwards Plateau, Hill Country, and South Texas is where the highest demand for deer hunting are. Heck, just look at any hunting show on TV....they may hunt in other parts of the country....but they ALL brag on their south Texas deer hunts! Those shows have only increased the demand for leases in the south...... If I didn't own where I hunt, I'd be with you for hunting outside the state....huge deer up north!

WyleeCoyoteTX, I understand what you're saying that it is big business.  I don't, however understand why one would pay $25,000 for a whitetail buck.  As I said in a previous post, wouldn't it be more cost effective to put that lump sum on your own management operation or land?  I would never pay that.  That's probably why I'm stuck at home playing Duck Hunt on the original Nintendo.  I've heard trophy buck sperm is auctioned off for a lot of doe(sorry couldn't resist that one).  Seriously, I can't believe that is such a hot commodity for sperm.  It may not be a huge help, but I always buy Texas beef.  I can't think of any other way I can help.  I'll figure out a way to go hunting in Texas, though.  I don't want to overanalyze the politics and economics of the whole thing.  I just want a little piece of land for a spike or doe for the freezer.  I'll worry about those big bucks and large leases after I get my feet wet in this whole Texas lease operation.  As far as public hunting opportunities, I don't want to get mistaken for game.  If I do get shot at, they better kill me.  I uphold a zero tolerance policy for getting shot at.  I do appreciate your info.

I believe in capitolism. However PT. Barnum said it best, "There's a sucker born every minute." And gentlemen, I'm no sucker. One must have more money than they need to go puting 10-20 thousand dollars on a single deer. And guess what? That price comes from the ANTLERS. The rest of the animal is a by-product. This is not what hunting needs. This should not be how hunting is perceived because it will ruin hunting. When these obsene amount of dollars are charged, an animal is killed for the temporary hardware on his head and the meat is often times donated (I'm hoping) or it secondary on the list.

There is no solution to this as long as those with deep pockets are so willing to part with that kind of money. In the future, if that urge to part with your money strikes you, sent me a PM and I will be happy to supply my mailing address.

GO CLIMB A TREE, TIM

westtx, the guys paying these outrageous prices for the prime leases don't mind paying.....money is no problem to them. Thats why I have my own place that I own and do my own management. If you're going to invest....invest on something that's going to be yours someday. I've seen way too many guys invest tons of money and time into management only to lose their leases because some outfit with deep pockets took a liking to the quality of white-tail they were producing. Sometimes good is bad! I have to agree with E.TX.Bowhunter........I'm from the old school with Uncle Ted Nuge.....Trophies are nice, but where's the horn soup!

No problem, hope it helps.

your best options for just getting some meat is via public hunting lands with a bow

not necassarly the highest percentage chance of actually bagging one, but the best odds of getting an affordable hunt

public hunting here seems difficult to get a handle on it, I have a buddy that does it and has taken a few does at lake Grainger just north east of Austin

I actually found a couple of $150 day leases.  They're free-ranging, low fence leases so you can shoot whatever legal comes out.  No trophy fees if it's a nice buck or anything like that.  One lease consisted of 2 deer for $150.  Either a buck and a doe or 2 does, or 1 doe and some hogs.  Sounds good to me.  I'm trying it this weekend.  My freezer shall be full.  Next summer I'm entering every public drawing possible and getting a nice bow.  I will be ready for Fall 2010.

hey man.. that sounds like a heck of a deal

you want something ultra tasty?

go for an axis doe

We have a small place, 362 acres and have never offered hunting on it, until this year.  I have tried to be very accomodating to everyone who has called and those that have been out here.  I am charging $250.00 per day/per person and have been told by those who have been out here that I am giving it away at that price.  This is from guys who have payed the BIG BUCKS for BIG BUCKS!  I do not want to get greedy with it and I feel as though we are offering an excellent hunting opportunity that is AFFORDABLE. 

For that $250.00, you get lodging which would cost you minimum $75-80 per night, 15 miles away, plenty of good home cooked food, beer in the fridge, and NO trophy fees.  In addition, I/we are NOT going to tell you what you can and cannot shoot, assign you to a blind and make you "stay" and you (being you and whomever comes with you) are the only people hunting here.    Everyone who comes through the front gate is told, "You have the run of the place while you are here.  Enjoy it!  Do what, when and how YOU want."  I have totally rearranged my life schedule so as to NOT interupt the hunting (I am working 6-7 nights a week.  When there are hunters here, I do not come home until my husband calls to tell me they are done for the morning.  Let me tell you, that makes for some very long days for me!)  If it sounds like I'm complaining, I assure you I am not.  I appreciate every dollar I have earned from our hunters.  The guys who have been out this year are great people and have really taken care of our place.  I have enjoyed meeting and socializing with each and every one of them and am proud to have exceeded their expectations.  I hope to see them for years to come!  I am also looking forward to the same thing with those whose weekend is coming up.

Let me vent for just a moment.  Why is it that the locals feel as though they should be allowed to hunt for little to nothing?  I pay a lot of property taxes out here, to 3 different counties.  I have spent years feeding and nurturing the wildlife that call this place home.  I LIVE here and foot the bills on ALL of this.  Why should I give it away?  Especially when I know damned good and well that you WILL leave here with meat for your freezer and a nice trophy for your wall.  I have asked the same questions of those who feel I am OVER CHARGING and still can't get a straight answer.  Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!     

Overall, I totally agree that the prices some places get are WAY to expensive.  It may be supply and demand but I simply call it greed.

Josh,

I am originally from Ohio and feel your pain.  I moved here for work (dont get me wrong I love being here) In Ohio we used to see a farmer bailing hay, pull over, help for the day and have a hunting spot for life.  I was shocked coming down especially after being so excited to move to an area of the country i had so often read about in magazines.  $150 a day is even too much for me as well as $800 a year.  Its taken some time but i have learned the public hunt system and now hunt successfuly and fill my freezer from public land. Even finally shot a nice buck this year.   I must say even though many of the deer are smaller...i have more satisfaction out of working hard and finding one in the forest then i used to get from hunting a friendly farmers cornfield.  Texas is a great state and I dont plan on leaving, my goal now is to stay in the best shape possible so i can hunt public land as long as i can.  thanks for your service

Miss Angela,  I appreciate you taking the time to post and I especially like the "Big Bucks for Big Bucks" quote.  That pretty much sums it up.  Your lease sounds very affordable and accomodating.  It sounds amazing actually.  Your days seem very long and I hope your time invested in this is working for you.  You may vent as much as you want to me.  My email address is available.  I am sincerely relieved to know that there are people out there who are not greedy.  There is a huge difference between your lease compared to the greed based leases.  On one of the websites, someone was trying to charge $2500 a year for a 14 acre plot.  I didn't read the details so I don't know what they were offering.  Maybe free helicoptor rides,  a used Kia, and a goat.  Who knows?  They can keep it.  Like I said before, they can keep their $200 pigs too.  It's a pig.  These leases are so expensive that it is literally less expensive to hunt in other states.  My neighbors ask me to go dove hunting in Kansas.  A non-resident license was about $75.  Other than some snacks and ammo, that was pretty much it.  They wouldn't let me pay for gas.  My Marine buddy offered me to go the Arkansas to hunt over Thanksgiving.  It's only $100 for a 3 day non-resident license, but I'm not going.  My mother-in-law passed away in July so this is my wife's first Thanksgiving without her mother.  She said it was okay if I go, but I'm not going to do that.  If I can ever make it back home to West Virginia, the opportunities seem endless.

  Money is tight for alot of people this year and especially tight for my family.  I haven't been working since August.  I tore 2 ligaments and both mensci in my knee playing volleyball with my kids.  I originally hurt it in the Army and the VA won't give me surgery for two reasons. I'm not "a professional athlete" and the arthritis is that of a 60 year old.  I'm 30.  My employer can't let me go back to work due liability reasons and there is no "light duty".  I'm in apprenticeship/ojt program so if I'm not obtaining work hours, the VA won't pay my GI Bill benefits even though I'm going to school.  I just dropped $150 on a 50 acre day lease and got nothing.  That was supposed to be my Christmas present.  I only saw a spike and I didn't shoot it b/c the owner's house was just beyond it.  The owner said that he is going to let me come back b/c he was 1/2 hour late picking us up at the rendezvous.  We'll see if that works out.  I guess I'm venting again too.  Sorry about that.  I guess it's my "poor me" sob story I've been telling lately to whomever will listen.  LOL.  Oh well.  I have it good compared to other families.  1)My kids are healthy.  2)I'm able to spend all kinds of time w/ them.  3)I'm alive and not dodging bullets on foreign soil. 

Back to the lease:  I have to talk to my financial advisor/planner a.k.a my wife.  Where is your lease?  Do you have anything available?  Do you have a K-mart layaway plan? Just kidding!  There is lodging, cold beer, and home cooked food?!  That sounds better than sleeping on the ground eating peanut butter and crackers.  Again, thanks for your post and letting me know about your lease.

Paul, Congrats on that buck this year.  Things are always worth more when you work hard for them.  I'm definitely doing the public hunt thing next year...if I'm still in Texas.  Thanks for your post.

I have lived in Texas all of my life and couldn't agree more with this post.  The problem is becoming that if you don't own land or know someone who does that doesn't hunt and youre not a Dr. or a Lawyer it is hard to hunt afford hunting here.  I am thankful for our ranch in OK that I am able to use every year.  This year we were able to find a local rancher is TX that has allowed us to hunt for free, but that is very rare.  Too many people smelling $$$$.  Plus with all of the pro-staffers choosing Texas as one of their top spots more and more people will pay the big $$ to hunt in TX.  The good thing is that the more people that jump on the band wagon trying to make money as more people get fed up with paying big money, eventually the market will bottom out and these guys will have to adapt their prices to survive.  Also read somewhere where Texas has more high fence than any other state which is sickenig.  It is sad when I can go on a guided, fully accomodated bow hunt in Iowa w/travel cheaper than I can hunt in my own state. 

Josh, I didn't get to hunt for 6 years because I was handicapped and could not walk well.  Last year was my first time to hunt since then and I was amazed at how much the cost had gone up.  Everything from lease prices to corn to bullets to licenses, etc.  But I was patient and kept looking.  A friend was getting off a lease and told me about it so I took his place.  I paid $1800 and drove from Orange to Ozona for only 2 bucks, no does.  The house was old but had running water and electricity, even hot water and a washer and driver.  But the water was undrinkable and the lease manager was nutso.  So this year I looked some more and found a listing on TPWD site for Val Verde County.  I answered the ad via email and it turned out to be a guy from east Texas I had known for over 20 years.  Now for $100 a year more, I get a good bunk house, fully equipped, four deer, a doe and spike season if needed and I can bring my nephews to teach them to hunt.  It's a long drive from where I live now near Houston to Del Rio area, but it is well worth it.

Keep searching, keep looking.  Go to the TPWD site, go to several of the commercial sites, even if you have to pay a little.  Contact all the chambers of commerece in the areas you want to hunt.  Most of them usually have a list of available leases each year.  I set my sights on a lease with a cabin/bunk house, water and electricity, an indoor toilet, guest priveliges and managed by responsible stewards of God's natural gifts.  I found it for $1900 a year.

I am not a guy that can pay $25,000 for a deer lease for a year, much less a weekend.  But, by being patient and working the internet, I found what I wanted and so can you.  Start looking Feb. 1 for next year.  Good luck.