Official Lake Georgetown Public Hunting Thread

[kestimator]

Congrats TXJon!!!!!

[TXBowhunter2009]

Congrats Txjon! I hunted my stand this evening saw 3 does that were out of range, and a small buck...couldn't tell if he was a spike or a forkhorn (too dark). Mabye next time.

[flipajig]

Im looking into hunting Lake Georgetown next year. im hunting Fort hood and im getting tired of the military games. closing areas and limiting the number of hunters and Deer to be that can be harvested. if you put up a stand and feeder its fair game to other hunters. So im looking at hunting Lake Georgetown for next year.
So im looking for some info. How is the hunting? Any one have problems with other hunters? What is the qualifying corse? And are you limited to how many stands you can have?
Also how many hunters are alowed to hunt? Any info that yall are able to pass on please let me know.
Thanks im just a old bow hunter.

[bigbowman91]

got bunch of deer under my feeder hopefully will be posting pic of a kill tomorrow night!!!

[Muzzy100]

Originally Posted by bigbowman91

got bunch of deer under my feeder hopefully will be posting pic of a kill tomorrow night!!!

good luck

[cy100]

Saw lots of moving yesterday morning and evening. 2 young buck came to the stand in the morning, one 8 pionts and one 6-or-7 points. They both are yearling. Saw other 3 bucks in the afternoon, including the one I shot. Other 2 were 8 points and 6 points. All were yearling.
The stand I hunt is a "funny" setup. It has two opposite shooting windows, and both sides had tracks and corned. So, I picked on side to set up (I am lefty). About 5:20pm, the first 8 points came out and ate corns at my right side, then moving slowing toward me, finally stayed at 7-8 yards from my tripod. So I just enoyed the watching. Suddenly, heard some noise from my left side. A spike ate the corn there, also 7-8 yards from me, it is a legal shoot. However, how can I do it? I have to turn 180 degree to manage a shot. Both deer were too close, every time I tried to move will make one or both raising heads. Even, the seat of the tripod was kind of stuck, no way to turn it without a big movement. Tried couple times, but I could not move the seat! However, I found a funny thing that every time I moved the deer raised head and checked around. And both deer saw each other through the cedar underneath my tripod, so I guessed that they might think the movement or noise were by another deer. This happens several times, they even did not look up. The 8 points made snore to warn the spike, finally he lost patient and tried to give him a lesson. The 8 points came and walked underneath the tripod, so both deer came to the same side. Good for me. The spike was a little afraid of the 8 points, he ran underneath my tripod <g>. I thought I could make a move now, but made the spike jump. Both deer disappeared from my sight. Then, I had a free move without worry about the deer. But then, for what? No deer . For 1 or 2 minutes, the spike came back . This time, I was at a perfect position, didn't hesitate to let my arrow fly. The deer jumped the string and disappeared in high grass. After several minutes, the 8 points came back and helped me find the spike. He walked to the same direction of where spike ran and then nodded head to something 30-40 yards away. I knew that was where the spike was lying. After a while, 8 points came back and walked underneath the tripod to feed for a while. Then after he went away, another 6 points came, walked underneath tripod too! <G> 6 points stayed about 20 minutes.
Shot from 10' tripod, the deer was 8-10 yards.

[El Jeffe]

congrats I too saw alot of deer moving out there this weekend just did not have a shot though.

[Stonecreek]

congrats CY, fine steaks on that one

[TXJon]

Nice job, congrats. You picked the right day to be out there. I sat this morning until 11 or so and it was SLOW. Saw 2 does with fawns at about 400 yds, then the wind picked up and everything shut down.

[paintman]

well i had to move my setup this weekend,did it mid day trying not to mess anybody up,if i did i opologize we tried to be quiet,but got a new spot set up yesterday,hunted tonight no luck,my son didnt see anything either,all i will say is make sure you do a good job scouting your spot before you set up,somehow i set up really close to someone else,and its hard scouting and setting up a new spot when your trying not to mess anyone up,anyways good luck yall

[jmaustin]

Went out yesturday to change out some camera cards and looks like someone got lucky on the 10th. Hopefully they are not too close. I don't have any other pics of them coming in or out so they must have just walked by the camera to show off

[RiverRat1]

Originally Posted by TXJon

Nice job, congrats. You picked the right day to be out there. I sat this morning until 11 or so and it was SLOW. Saw 2 does with fawns at about 400 yds, then the wind picked up and everything shut down.

yes was slow last night. I messed up. I hunted my buddies stand because it was closer to my other friends stand and he needed help after the hunt. I saw nothing. But stopped by my stand on the way to the boat and every piece of corn was licked up. Thats a suprise.

It may be slow because the pressure is getting to them. May get bad for a month before it gets better. Maybe...

[Stonecreek]

hopefully this little front will pick it up towards the end of the week for you weekday guys, I'm about ready to swap for weekdays, I've had my about my fill of people watching on the weekends

[TXFireFighter]

Im with ya Stonecreek cant wait till weekdays. It was nice to see so many deer on the cam in the middle of the week only to have them disappear on the weekends.

[TXBowhunter2009]

Originally Posted by RiverRat1

yes was slow last night. I messed up. I hunted my buddies stand because it was closer to my other friends stand and he needed help after the hunt. I saw nothing. But stopped by my stand on the way to the boat and every piece of corn was licked up. Thats a suprise.

It may be slow because the pressure is getting to them. May get bad for a month before it gets better. Maybe...

X2, I didn't see anything yesterday evening either.

[clawdig88]

Ok question ? Is it legal to kill bucks with antlers smaller than ears ?

I thought in Williamson County it had to be larger than ears.

[Stonecreek]

Originally Posted by clawdig88

Ok question ? Is it legal to kill bucks with antlers smaller than ears ?

I thought in Williamson County it had to be larger than ears.

From TPWD website:
Special Antler Restrictions do not apply to properties for which Level 2 or Level 3 MLDPs have been issued. For counties with Special Antler Restrictions, a legal buck deer has:

at least one unbranched antler, or
an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. The inside spread requirement does not apply to any buck that has an unbranched antler.
Not more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater may be taken.

[chrisgunguy]

I'll be in my spot this eveing. I've had deer in every sit. Missed a doe openin weekend with the recurve. I've let does with babies and bucks under 13 all walk.

[TXBowhunter2009]

Originally Posted by clawdig88

Ok question ? Is it legal to kill bucks with antlers smaller than ears ?

I thought in Williamson County it had to be larger than ears.

No, the 13" rule still applies except for spike bucks in Williamson county. If they have an unbranched after there is no width requirement.

[RiverRat1]

North wind today so I should be golden this evening.. fingers crossed...

I just wish they had pigs at Georgetown. Would make it better IMO.

[BTexan]

Originally Posted by Stonecreek

From TPWD website:
Special Antler Restrictions do not apply to properties for which Level 2 or Level 3 MLDPs have been issued.

Now, if the question was concerning Lake Georgetown in particular, regardless of the level of MLD tags, the Corps says that you will adhere to the 13" wide rule. Or spike.

The landowner that gets the MLD tags can tell they hunter what type of buck he is allowed to harvest.

[clawdig88]

Hey thank you for the info about the 13" rule.

If I'm understading correctly I can kill 1 buck with a rack less than 13" in but the second buck has to be larger than 13" ?

[BTexan]

Originally Posted by clawdig88

Hey thank you for the info about the 13" rule.

If I'm understading correctly I can kill 1 buck with a rack less than 13" in but the second buck has to be larger than 13" ?

In Williamson County you can't take a forked horn that is narrower than 13" wide. Doing so can earn you a ticket from the game warden. A spike (one side unbranced) can be narrower than 13" and is okay.

Now on Lake Georgetown? IF you are hunting in the General/Archery Only areas and IF the lake still has buck tags, you can take a forked horn IF it is larger than 13" wide. If at least one side is unbranched, it is considered a spike and you can take it IF they still have buck tags left. Now, that is IF there are buck tags left. BUT if you are hunting in the parks or on the special access/park hunts, it is spikes only and only IF tags are left.

[clawdig88]

Ok I copy. No buck kills unless spike or over 13".

Thank you everybody for the info on this.

[RiverRat1]

Russel park is now out of buck tags. They will probably get more from the main office.

Wind was bad last night swirling every direction. 2-3 were bedded under my ladder LOL... 4 came in early, one winded me, blew one tiny blow and they ran like the forest was on fire. Right before dark this spike came in. Heart shot.

[HUNTING_COACH]

Looks like one side is forked. What about the other side? Cant tell from the pics.

Good job. Anybody seen any bucks, other than spikes.

[jmaustin]

Nice one RR. Doesn't look like he went too far with that shot.

I'm headed out this evening. Anyone have any word on how many permits were issued this year?

[cy100]

Congrats, RR! How old is it? Looks like 2.5 yrs. Which broadhead did you use?

I was told that if the tine shorter than 1 inch, it does not count as a "point".

[RiverRat1]

It was not an inch. When I first walked up to him I saw the forked side and thought oops! But then saw it was about 1/2" and the other side was a spike.

He was little. I think 1.5 year old. Going to be good eating. Was nice to clean a smaller easy deer LOL.

I used a hellrazor. I really do not think broadhead choice makes any difference when the arrow goes through the heart though LOL

[alec73065]

Good Job in a tough hunting situation

[TXJon]

Congrats, great job.

[cy100]

Originally Posted by RiverRat1

It was not an inch. When I first walked up to him I saw the forked side and thought oops! But then saw it was about 1/2" and the other side was a spike.

He was little. I think 1.5 year old. Going to be good eating. Was nice to clean a smaller easy deer LOL.

I used a hellrazor. I really do not think broadhead choice makes any difference when the arrow goes through the heart though LOL

I saw the hole was pretty big, that is why I was curious.
I switched to hellrazor from NAP thunderhead this year. I am satisfied both, but after I used hellrazor, I like it more. It opens a bigger hole than Thunderhead.

[Stonecreek]

Originally Posted by clawdig88

Ok I copy. No buck kills unless spike or over 13".

Thank you everybody for the info on this.

Yes, thanks for the clarification everyone. Congrats RR...

[RiverRat1]

So can we only shoot one buck over 13" ?

Not that I plan on shooting even 1 but it's nice to know LOL...

[clawdig88]

You can only kill a buck with a spread less than 13" if atleast one antler is branchless. 1 antler has to be a spike.

I was confused on that part too.

[cw3jperry5]

Bound to be some updates from this weekend, let's hear them.

[Captrix]

I went out last night. Didn't look like anything had been at my feeder for a few days. I haven't seen or herd a deer out there since opening weekend. I'm starting to think there aren't any deer out there.
I doubt I'll go back out there until December.

[TXBowhunter2009]

It gets that way, its still warm and there's still plenty of acorns on the ground. Once it cools off good and the acorns disappear you'll see more activity. The best hunting out there is later in season anyway. It seems like once the new wears off, less and less people put out the effort to hunt and there is a lot less hunting pressure on the animals.

[cy100]

Went out last Satursday morning and one of my buddy hunted Sunday morning. We both did not see any deer while on the stands.
I spooked a doe while walking out. She was 50 yards away from my feeder and bedding. This reminded me that I heard something laid down around 8:30-9am. Deer definitely showed uninterested to my corn. There are still lots of fresh broadleaf grass and acorn available.

[Stonecreek]

Has anyone heard the final status on buck tags left? I was under the impression that they are starting to run low.

[TXBowhunter2009]

Originally Posted by Stonecreek

Has anyone heard the final status on buck tags left? I was under the impression that they are starting to run low.

I think they were just out of buck tags a one of the check-in stations. I think there were around 30 buck tags last year and still a few left over after season ended. Surely they can't all be gone this soon.

[jmaustin]

The new guy that is staying at and/or watching Tejas told me they only had 2 buck tags left??????? He seems to be a nice guy , but not sure how good his information is especially since he is from Michigan He said to his knowledge no bucks over 13" have been killed yet (all spikes/unbranched) so something doesn't seem to be adding up. But also mentioned that Terri informed him of the 2 tags issue. I'm hoping he was mis-informed or did not hear it correctly.

[Stonecreek]

that was kinda what I got from Stacey when I called to the office last week

[Stonecreek]

Originally Posted by TXBowhunter2009

It gets that way, its still warm and there's still plenty of acorns on the ground. Once it cools off good and the acorns disappear you'll see more activity. The best hunting out there is later in season anyway. It seems like once the new wears off, less and less people put out the effort to hunt and there is a lot less hunting pressure on the animals.

That's what I was hoping for/anticipating, people slowing down and getting more time in on the stand as it gets colder. Hope their not out of big buck tags by then. Saw a good one on the side of the road last weekend coming out after the hunt. He was in the 120's easy, got me pretty excited seeing that quality out there.

[TXBowhunter2009]

I'm headed out to hunt this evening, wish it was a little cooler. I'll let yall know how it goes.

[Stonecreek]

good luck

[RiverRat1]

Originally Posted by Stonecreek

That's what I was hoping for/anticipating, people slowing down and getting more time in on the stand as it gets colder. Hope their not out of big buck tags by then. Saw a good one on the side of the road last weekend coming out after the hunt. He was in the 120's easy, got me pretty excited seeing that quality out there.

Where exactly was this? LOL

Russel Park was out of buck tags last Weds. but said they would get more from the main office. They only had spikes taken out of Russel so far.

They should send out an e-mail to everyone when they are down to 1-2 buck tags. They did last year.

Would be my luck though, to get the e-mail saying they are out, then have a 170" buck come stand broadside at 15 yards.

[Buckrunner]

Originally Posted by TXBowhunter2009

I'm headed out to hunt this evening, wish it was a little cooler. I'll let yall know how it goes.

Good luck!

[TXFireFighter]

Well Im sure you all got the email about no more buck tags... So that is the truth, the 6 bucks tags that were given were filled with 6 spikes... What a waste. Dont get me wrong I understand the importance on shooting spikes, it just seems like in an MLD property they ought to seperate the tags doe, spike, buck. So i guess we wouldnt be able to use our own tags then if a good one walks out? Well good luck to all the rest of the year looks like Ill be out in the next few weeks tryin to drop some does. Keep up the updates.

[TXBowhunter2009]

Originally Posted by TXFireFighter

Well Im sure you all got the email about no more buck tags... So that is the truth, the 6 bucks tags that were given were filled with 6 spikes... What a waste. Dont get me wrong I understand the importance on shooting spikes, it just seems like in an MLD property they ought to seperate the tags doe, spike, buck. So i guess we wouldnt be able to use our own tags then if a good one walks out? Well good luck to all the rest of the year looks like Ill be out in the next few weeks tryin to drop some does. Keep up the updates.

My thoughts exactly. A spike is not a legal buck according to tpwd, and is legal during the special ANTLERLESS season, so why use buck tags for them? You're right, they should differentiate between spikes and bucks with additional tags. Oh well, it doesn't really matter too much to me. I still haven't found a recipe that makes those horns taste good!