In a state as big and diverse as Texas, there’s a lot of good deer hunting to go around. The same can be said for the state’s Public Hunt Drawing System, the application-driven collection of multi-day experiences distributed via a lottery system.
One glance at everything the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers in these drawn hunts will make your head spin. Every hunting method — archery, rifle and muzzleloader — and nearly every corner of the state is included in the available list. But if you could only apply to one in search of a whitetail harvest to remember, which would it be?
A little research, some knowledge of the region and a strategic approach can help those looking for a little insight. Plus, there are a few bonuses, like chances at exotic harvests or hunting deer within sight of the Gulf of Mexico.
First, some criteria and context. This list only considers white-tailed deer hunts offered on public land with deadlines that haven’t expired yet, which took the archery category off the table. It excludes from consideration all the Big Time Texas Hunts, the premium hunt packages on well-known game ranches, as well as a few others available on private land. And finally, it excludes the youth-only options (of which there are plenty), the mule deer opportunities and the antlerless/spike hunts. That still leaves 67 total hunts — each requiring just a $3 application fee — that made the cut.
Factors taken into consideration included the number of permits issued, the total number of applicants last year and the ratio between the two. The overall success rate of hunters who used their drawn permits in the previous season weighed in, too, as did the region, the total acreage to hunt and the time of year.
The season’s near and each of these draws has a deadline of Sept. 15. Which one will you apply for?
Brazos Bend State Park
Maybe it isn’t regarded as a hotspot like the Hill Country or huge and expansive like West Texas, but Brazos Bend State Park is known to hold some great, mature deer. What’s more, the two-deer bag limit also includes an antlerless tag and as many feral hogs as you care to take. TPWD sets up the blinds and will randomly assign them to the permit winners, and last year’s stats saw a 72-percent success rate across 60 hunts. The state will only draw 30 hunters this year, which has pushed this experience into coveted territory.
Matagorda Island WMA
With nearly 25,000 acres to work with and a beautiful coastal backdrop, Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area is a heck of a place to hunt white-tailed deer, especially in mid-November when this drawn hunt is offered. There’s a catch to this one though: you’ll need to provide your own boat to reach the island. That might explain the low number of applicants (1,242), but there are 40 of these permits available. Those are some of the better basic draw odds, and while the 51-percent success rate is no sure thing, it’s still better than 53 of the 66 other hunts. The permit has a two-deer bag limit, so you can get an antlerless deer alongside your buck should the chance arise.
San Angelo State Park
The mid-December dates of this drawn hunt will take you to a rugged but beautiful region, with white-tailed deer up for grabs for the 20 lucky hunters this season. Just over 2,600 folks applied last year, but the 90-percent success rate comes in at fourth-best overall for any drawn hunt area last year. When you consider the full bag limit of four deer (two bucks), one javelina, one exotic mammal, and unlimited feral hogs, you’d better bring a few coolers if you draw this hunt.
Remember, most Texas Drawn Hunts require a Public Hunting Permit, as well as an additional permit fee should you win the lottery.
