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Garner State Park Axis Deer Hunting??

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    Originally posted by WamBow View Post
    Just got back from the GSP exotic hunt. The super and all of the volunteers were very friendly and helpful. However, I did not enjoy the "hunt" experience at all. to sum it up in 2 words I'd say it was like "hunting prison". I ended up hunting in 2 spots and both had a feeder at 50-70 yards out with a 35" yard wide window I could shoot in. Once dropped off you have to stay in your blind until picked up. If you shot something that ran off you were permitted to go place an orange flag at the location you shot the deer or found blood and then return to your blind. The volunteers drove the trucks to drop off and left precisely at 6am and 3pm. pick up was precisely at 10am and 6:20pm. Out of the 20 hunting group 3 hunters had success on the far North side. The hunter at blind 12 didn't hunt in the morning, but saw and shot axis every evening. More axis likely would've been shot if another hunter was given the opportunity to hunt that spot in the morning. This was not allowed bc blinds could only be changed during evening hunts so that the hunter could have the flags for his "hunting window" pointed out to him...really?! The whole system was like a hunting program for infants. Also, I don't think blinds were arranged strategically to improve hunting success as much as they were to maximize the number of hunters that could be placed...more money. There're literally popups everywhere around the park.
    Here's the bigger issue I have with GSP. They have implemented Helicopter hunting with a 3rd party to decimate axis deer on the park for the last 2 years. Last one was done early 2016. Article posted below:



    If TPWD is going to do this then don't have such large number of hunters out for these "baby" hunts. I'm not concerned with the hunting fee I spent as much as i am the "loyalty points" lost as well as time off from work and away from family...and travel expenses. I was up to 7 loyalty points before getting drawn for GSP.
    I've hunted 2 other parks (Devils River and Guadalupe SP) and was allowed to still-hunt and come and go as I pleased. Saw far more game and enjoyed the HUNT...finding game trails, deer poop, hair, crossing patterns...using the wind to an advantage...stuff like that. I didn't always get a kill and harvest a deer, but at least I was hunting.
    To summarize I don't think the GSP hunts are conducted with the best interest of the hunter nor the harvest. Seems to be more about getting revenue from drawn hunt dollars. The officer that spoke at the orientation made statements that they weren't making money on these hunts. Hard to believe given the volume of hunters they run through there per season.
    I love that TPWD conducts these hunts at the parks...I'm also glad that the way GSP conducts the hunts is an exception and not the rule. Will continue to participate in the Drawn Hunt program, but will avoid GSP in the future.
    My take is that there is plenty of info about how this hunt is operated, so anyone going in should be well aware of their procedures. However, with that said I agree the park could do make some changes to improve hunter opportunities/success. Make no mistake, they want the axis gone and I am sure the park loses some revenue when it is closed for 20 hunters during each hunt period. The info I got from park staff was that they do night hunts and have USDA staff with them to certify the meat so it can be sold. We saw lots of axis riding to and from the stand. What would be fun, is to have a safari style hunt at night for axis.

    I asked to switch blinds on the last morning, but was told the same thing about the shooting lane. Silly, but their rules. I think they are extra cautious as GSP because it is such a popular park and there are some hunters that need that hand holding. A catastrophic event would be too much bad PR. While I was there, one hunter had an accidental discharge in his stand and blew a hole in the roof of his popup.

    Thankfully I only had 2 preference points when drawn. I'll probably apply again because I really want to kill a free range axis.

    I have been on the Enchanted Rock hunt and it was the same, but we killed lots of deer when I was there.

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      Originally posted by salth2o View Post
      My take is that there is plenty of info about how this hunt is operated, so anyone going in should be well aware of their procedures. However, with that said I agree the park could do make some changes to improve hunter opportunities/success. Make no mistake, they want the axis gone and I am sure the park loses some revenue when it is closed for 20 hunters during each hunt period. The info I got from park staff was that they do night hunts and have USDA staff with them to certify the meat so it can be sold. We saw lots of axis riding to and from the stand. What would be fun, is to have a safari style hunt at night for axis.

      I asked to switch blinds on the last morning, but was told the same thing about the shooting lane. Silly, but their rules. I think they are extra cautious as GSP because it is such a popular park and there are some hunters that need that hand holding. A catastrophic event would be too much bad PR. While I was there, one hunter had an accidental discharge in his stand and blew a hole in the roof of his popup.

      Thankfully I only had 2 preference points when drawn. I'll probably apply again because I really want to kill a free range axis.

      I have been on the Enchanted Rock hunt and it was the same, but we killed lots of deer when I was there.
      I agree, it was clear that you'd have an escort to your assigned blind for each hunt, but not that you'd have a 35-yard window to shoot in bc you are close to other hunters...which leads into my second point. If safety is such a priority, DON'T PLACE BLINDS THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO SHOOT SOMEONE ELSE. If homeboy accidentally discharged his gun through the roof then why not through the side window...out of his shooting lane...towards another hunter? No, I think it's set up to maximize the volume of hunters. Also, TPWD should note that the helicopter program is being utilized with great success. this would help curb ones expectations of deer on the property.

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        This is why I like this forum. Thanks for all the info.

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          Good info. This is why I never apply to hunts that are by "assigned blind." I dont like that, and what to be able to have the freedom to come and go as I want. My first draw hunt at the Chap probably ruined me lol

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              Good luck on the hunt, in for pics

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                Thanks for all the info here. Definitely taking some of these off my application list.

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                  Pics of Garner blind locations from last year.


                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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