Getting a hunt together on Public land near the LA and AR lines. DCNF, ANF, SNF.

[RyanTBH]

LOL! I'm down to camp, but I'm taking the wifey so we'll see how far I can push this thing. LOL!  We've been camping plenty of times, but this will be OUR first hunting trip together. So I'm pretty excited to see how it all turns out.

[KevinN]

Lol, set the date! Sounds like there are enough parties interested to hit it from all sides and clean the place out. LOL

[RyanTBH]

I'm trying to get off of work now, so wish me luck...

[t.wilbanks]

Let me know what dates you have planned !!




That way i can go hunt it the weekend before!!!   

[RyanTBH]

LOL! I'm thinking there might be a few people from the board show up. This might turn out to be pretty fun guys! Looking forward to it. I just got it approved so it's on... well, that's if the wifey can get it approved now too.  As of right now, April 20th is the date. We will be leaving really early friday morning to get there... Brookeland it is I guess, and Charles, since you did most of the research you pick the spot we'll be camping.  Thanks for that btw buddyl.. Now I'm pumped! 

[charles]

 the camp spot should b a group agreance. who ever is going, please throw in your ideas of camp places. i got an 8ft bed, a boat and a 4wheeler trailer to sleep on, it wouldnt be the first time using the tck and boat.  camp site may need to be adjusted to account for winds on the lake and wave swells. i dont know about the rest of yaw, but im not to partial to being thrown and bounced around on an unfamiliar lake and not knowing where the boat lanes stumps are. i kinda dont want to tear the lower unit out off my motor. reaching out the any1 on this site or friends to members on this site. how bad are stums and swells from moderate winds on rayburn between mills creek park and rayburn, and powell park? actually the qestion from those going should be. how many would hunt both nf or would yaw prefer to stay on just sabine of angelina only? its a group effort to ensure a good time is had by all, not just 1 or 2.

[RyanTBH]

I'm personally more interested in the SNF more than the other... Looks bigger and more piggy...  but that's just me... LOL! I'm down for whatever. 

[RyanTBH]

SwampHunter just made me think of this, but since 4 wheelers can only be used for retrieval purposes... does anyone have a couple horses they could bring...? This would make it a lot easier on draggin hogs out, if we get any... 

[RyanTBH]

I also just got off the phone with the reservations place for Mills Creek Park. It is reservation only... WE'd have to know the number of tents and people going to make the res. So Charles, I don't know if you had another place in mind, but it would be good if there is somewhere that you can just pitch a tent and go. Mills Creek Park is more uppidy... LOL!

[RyanTBH]

OK. Angelina may be different than SNF so I called Sabine since this is where I would rather hunt. The section in between ANF and SNF from brookeland to hemphill is what I want to hit hard. I called SNF and they said that Willow Oaks Campground is first come first serve. Dogs and Horses are ok, and dogs just have to be on a leash. $4 a night per tent (on the honor system) and $2 a day per car. +31° 12' 39.61", -93° 44' 1.55" that is the gps for the location of Willow Oaks. This seems to be the best option after doing some research, IMO, for us doggers. I would like to know who all is coming, but doesn't matter that much because my wife and I, and probably JoeTBH and JeffreyTBH are going to go give em he!!... So whos coming with me? LOL!

Hunting in the national forests and grasslands can be a rewarding experience and U.S. Forest Service officials remind hunters of guidelines designed to make their hunting trips safe and enjoyable.

All hunters and those accompanying them must wear daylight fluorescent orange at any time when hunting, except when hunting fur-bearing or predatory animals at night or when hunting turkey or migratory birds. A minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent orange must be visible (144 square inches on both the chest and back, and a daylight fluorescent orange cap or hat).

All those camping or hunting in the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine or Sam Houston National Forest or the Caddo National Grasslands must camp in designated campsites or developed recreation areas during general gun season.

Hunters using the wildlife management areas (WMAs) must have the annual hunting permit to hunt deer, turkey, small game, waterfowl and feral hogs.

Wildlife management areas in the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas include the Alabama Creek WMA in the Davy Crockett National Forest, Bannister WMA in the Angelina National Forest, Caddo WMA in the Caddo National Grassland and the Moore Plantation WMA in the Sabine National Forest. The entire Sam Houston National Forest is a wildlife management area.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Official Hunting Guide and the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet, regulations vary in different locations. The annual booklets are issued to individuals who obtain a WMA permit, and the booklets list rules for national forest lands within the WMAs.

Hunting antlerless deer on the national forests in Texas is conducted only within WMAs and only by permit. [Read more]

The regulations for legal species, weapons, season dates and bag limits are issued by the State of Texas on a county-by-county basis. Regulation booklets are available where hunting licenses are sold and at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offices. The rules in this guide are general in scope. More detailed, local rules and regulations may be obtained from the district ranger’s office.

“It’s the hunter’s responsibility to know the regulations and game limits while hunting in national forests and grasslands,” said Chris Crain, U.S. Forest Service patrol captain. “Hunters should check bag limits for the county where they are hunting and refer to this year’s hunting booklets for information to avoid citations. No baiting for wildlife or hunting over baited areas is allowed on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.”

Crain also said only portable deer stands are allowed in national forests and grasslands and are limited to 72 hours in one location. To prevent damage to trees, the stands must not be nailed to trees. When hunters fail to remove their deer stands, it causes damage to forest land and creates an expensive, time-consuming cleanup.

Vehicles should not be parked near gates or in areas that would impede traffic and block roads. Also, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is restricted.  There is one designated OHV trail on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas and that is the Multiple Use Trail located in the Sam Houston National Forest.

Visitors to the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas are encouraged to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is most important that visitors return home safely.

[SwampHunter]

What kind of terrain is down there ? Swampy ? I just wondering if it be to boggy for horse to be able to move around good ?

[RyanTBH]

There are cut out trails for ridding, so I bet it isn't too bad down there. But I do not know for sure... If you have questions, cause I am in same boat you are, give them a shout and share your findings.

Sabine National Forest
5050 Hwy 21 East
Hemphill, TX 75948
(409) 625-1940

[txhogsanddogs]

Im interested

[RyanTBH]

Lol! That what I wanted to hear! You know you wana let ol superman show out with Fred! Lol! Come join in brother!

[txhogsanddogs]

Lol! That what I wanted to hear! You know you wana let ol superman show out with Fred! Lol! Come join in brother!

he will be ready.

[charles]

 ryan, if i am not in kuwait by then, im down for it.

[RyanTBH]

Good stuff Brian!!! Hope you do come with man. and Charles, I sure hope you get to come after all that planning and research you did for us! If you do have to go back, keep your head down over there!  You working over there, or enlisting again?

[outlaw]

you fellars better bring some runnin dogs and a hoss.theres n atvs aloowed on natinal forest that im aware of.been huntin it sicnce i was as tall as a bow legged grass hopper.

[charles]

 im contracting, but jobs are evidently scares even though there are 100s of job postings. if to broken down to go back in and with the military doing a RIF (reduction in force), they are putting people out from early retirement to people that just want out. since there are no atvs allowed, does anybody have a balloon wheel type dolly that will also turn into a cart? that can be used to take hogs out instead of tryn to drag them 100s of yds or take a hand limb saw and cut a 2-3" diamiter sapling down and tote them out on the shoulders.

[RyanTBH]

The dogs I'm bringin should be able to go the distance... question is am I? LOL! I talked to the park this morning and they said that horses are allowed to hunt. So that's better than nothing. if/when we get some to bring out, if someone brings a horse then we'll use that to drag. If not, sapling it is... LOL! I am also pretty sure that atvs can be used to retrieve game... I will call again about that.