Laguna Atascosa 2021 - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Tiburon1 · 07-10-2021, 06:20 PM

This is a little early and my first time attempting to upload a picture, so here goes nothing, but I though everyone might like to see Unit 2 right off the main road before the bridge as of last night. It looks like an ocean from all of the rain we have received this week. Unit 5, didn’t take a picture of it, heading out of the Arroyo this morning is the greenest I’ve ever seen it.

Mr. Public · 07-11-2021, 12:08 AM

Holy NILGAI SCAT! That's a ridiculous amount of water!

Glad there's been precipitation down there though and for greenery.

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BigLig · 07-19-2021, 03:35 PM

WOW!!!! Might need to pack a Kayak if I get drawn!

no bait · 07-19-2021, 03:48 PM

They are opening up a new hunt mid summer! fly swatter only mosquitos are carrying tics now!

RGV Hunter · 07-24-2021, 11:55 PM

Wow, I guess all my hunting spots are probably underwater

Lurchy · 08-04-2021, 03:51 PM

I live about 20 mins away. We have gotten 250% of the yearly total already this summer. 11 inches just in July.

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justletmein · 08-04-2021, 03:53 PM

Finally took the plunge and applied for archery along with a couple buddies, figured I'd better jump in the thread and follow along in case we get lucky and draw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurchy

I live about 20 mins away. We have gotten 250% of the yearly total already this summer. 11 inches just in July.

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I bet the skeeters are wonderful.

Lurchy · 08-04-2021, 05:29 PM

They have been bad for the past month, but are starting to get a bit better now that the rain has stopped dumping everyday. Gona be bad this fall without a good cold spell. If you get drawn I'd definitely get a thermacell

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Tiburon1 · 08-05-2021, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justletmein

Finally took the plunge and applied for archery along with a couple buddies, figured I'd better jump in the thread and follow along in case we get lucky and draw.

I bet the skeeters are wonderful.

They are still pretty rough. I was fishing super close to horse island on Friday and Saturday (Unit 5) and though I was wading about 100 yards off the bank they found me and extracted their fair share of blood. Redfish were thick so I didn't mind as much.
What's going to be tough is how high the grass is. You're going to need to get off the ground. Tripod guys are going to do well.

Yakinthebox · 08-11-2021, 09:46 AM

Pretty timely for antler development. May be some decent bucks taken this year. (For that area at least)

FlyGuyy · 08-16-2021, 05:47 AM

Isn’t today the day for archery draw?

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JackRyan · 08-16-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyGuyy

Isn’t today the day for archery draw?

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General archery - yes - refuge archery is September 1 I believe.

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gonzaleziam · 08-16-2021, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBludau

Holy NILGAI SCAT! That's a ridiculous amount of water!

Glad there's been precipitation down there though and for greenery.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

And about to get worse….more water coming in possibly with Grace this weekend.

Tiburon1 · 08-16-2021, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzaleziam

And about to get worse….more water coming in possibly with Grace this weekend.

I drove by it on Sunday coming back from the Shallow Sport Tournament on SPI. The water on Unit 2 has gone from the ocean, originally pictured, to a nasty mud flat. If we get the north end of this thing or a direct hit, it will be an ocean again.

prodigyoutdoors · 09-02-2021, 08:00 AM

New to Texas but I put in fir nilgi

Huntindad · 09-02-2021, 10:53 AM

got drawn for first hunt.

Txfire409 · 09-02-2021, 11:01 AM

got drawn for third hunt

Brentwalkertx · 09-02-2021, 11:13 AM

Got first hunt

txoutdoorsman24 · 09-02-2021, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txfire409

got drawn for third hunt

Congrats man. You’re turning into a regular down there. We are pending 2nd yet again. Drew it on 2nd last year so still holding out hope

jkelbe · 09-02-2021, 11:20 AM

Got Drawn for 2nd session 11/12-11/16. First Draw ever in this system.

peterp63 · 09-02-2021, 11:22 AM

I was drawn for 11/5 - 11/9 (first hunt). Anyone have recommendations for a portable tripod? I am unfamiliar with this area so any info helps!

piercebronkite · 09-02-2021, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txfire409

got drawn for third hunt

Heck ya man! Congrats! Im still pending 2nd draw.

justletmein · 09-02-2021, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterp63

I was drawn for 11/5 - 11/9 (first hunt). Anyone have recommendations for a portable tripod? I am unfamiliar with this area so any info helps!

Millennium T100 is great for carrying around. It's a bit short but better than sitting on the ground, usually. Very comfortable seat, quiet, easy to carry.

BenjiBarr · 09-02-2021, 11:44 AM

Got drawn for the third hunt. It will be my first time hunting Laguna but I grew up in the area, so looking forward to it!

TildenHunter · 09-02-2021, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkelbe

Got Drawn for 2nd session 11/12-11/16. First Draw ever in this system.

I drew 11/12-11/16 hunt also. Need to figure out if I can make it or not. Depends on if we have hunters at our place or not. Congrats!

BarBBar · 09-02-2021, 12:11 PM

Drawn first time for January 7-11, 2022. Competely ignorant about it, so I will read old threads and accept any advice I can get. The trip should be fun, especially since regular deer season will be over by then.

Lurchy · 09-02-2021, 12:20 PM

Couple years now I haven't been drawn. Sucks cause I actually live down here now

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BigRed323 · 09-02-2021, 12:30 PM

Got drawn 01/07-01/11!

jkelbe · 09-02-2021, 12:44 PM

The archery draw had 800 permits. 200 permits per hunt. That seems like a lot of hunters down there.

Huntindad · 09-02-2021, 12:46 PM

it is alot of hunters, but the place is big. Sucks that unit 6 is offlimits the first 2 hunts. More folks will be in units1 & 8.

RichExotics10 · 09-02-2021, 01:15 PM

Got drawn for the 11/5 to 11/9 hunt!

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Tiburon1 · 09-02-2021, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkelbe

The archery draw had 800 permits. 200 permits per hunt. That seems like a lot of hunters down there.

About 15 years ago they had just two archery hunts. The first one was a week long but allowed 1,200 hunters or something like that in it. You want to talk about crazy. I saw a dude camped out on a road hunting with practice tips. It will still be a bit crazy but if you're willing to get away from the roads, you will be relatively alone (at least those venture that far out with you might have some common sense) and stand a good chance of being successful.

Drew51 · 09-02-2021, 02:17 PM

I got drawn for the second hunt! It will be my first drawn hunt ever!

Lucky333 · 09-02-2021, 03:41 PM

I’ll be out there for the first hunt. I’m excited to be down at laguna again. I ended up killing a cow there a couple years ago during a rifle hunt.

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BenjiBarr · 09-02-2021, 05:09 PM

Question for those you who have hunted at Laguna out of a tripod, do you think a 10ft Tripod would work down there or should I look for something a little smaller?

Yakinthebox · 09-02-2021, 05:53 PM

I got drawn for the last hunt 1/7-11/22.

I must've screwed up looking at the calendar because I can't make those dates. I would have to take 48hrs of PTO one week into the year. Big dummy!
So having said all that, for all you guys who are pending 2nd draw, YOU'RE WELCOME! Lol

I have hunted it twice before and my advice is this;
-get off the main roads and trails
-use google earth ahead of time but don't "trust" google earth, I had a plan to hunt this clearing up in the middle of this really thick area. I made my way through all the thick, thorny, impenetrable brush only to find that my clearing was about as thick as everything else I had just pushed through. Boots on the ground and your eyes are the best way to scout. But GE has it's place.
-hunt all day
-get away from the crowded areas, the animals will be trying to do the same

The Skunk Ape · 09-02-2021, 05:54 PM

I got drawn for the 11-12 / 11-16 hunt as well. I’ll be there for sure I don’t know much about the NWR. Is there a good population of Nilgai and what about the whitetail? Just started searching threads for info

Txfire409 · 09-02-2021, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjiBarr

Question for those you who have hunted at Laguna out of a tripod, do you think a 10ft Tripod would work down there or should I look for something a little smaller?

A 10ft should work just fine.

Txfire409 · 09-02-2021, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txoutdoorsman24

Congrats man. You’re turning into a regular down there. We are pending 2nd yet again. Drew it on 2nd last year so still holding out hope

Thanks and good luck to you. I got it on a 2nd draw last year too. This will be my fifth year in a row chasing nilgai in deep south Texas. Second year was at LRGV Teniente but all others were at lanwr. Last year I got drawn for a bow hunt in December and a rifle hunt in January. I connected on both hunts but no recoveries. Hit a big 8pt buck on the archery hunt and a bull nilgai on the rifle hunt. It's become personal now.

I have learned alot on my own but have also been taught alot by a couple of generous tbh'rs. I love this place and cant wait to get down there again.

Gopher · 09-02-2021, 06:20 PM

I got drawn on some other properties this year. I am surprised there are no conversations about them. I’ve been spoiled by LANWR and other hunt locations. People are always talking about them. Crickets on my new places this year. I got drawn on this one as well and can’t go so good luck to those waiting on the second go around.

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FlyGuyy · 09-02-2021, 07:25 PM

Whoooooohooooo!

Man I’ve had so much bad luck this year on elk and mule deer draws that I thought for sure I’d see “pending second draw” for this, but I managed to pull a tag for myself and 3 buddies for the last hunt of the calendar year (12/17-12/21). All you Pro’s that are going early- please don’t kill everything and try to save a couple nilgai for me! Never been this last in the year. I’m sure they will be wise to the pressure by then but maybe, just maybe, it will be a little cooler down there.

This will be my 3rd straight year on the archery hunt. Man I’m pumped to get back down there again!

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HuntorFish · 09-02-2021, 09:30 PM

I will be down there for the first hunt also

txoutdoorsman24 · 09-02-2021, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky333

I’ll be out there for the first hunt. I’m excited to be down at laguna again. I ended up killing a cow there a couple years ago during a rifle hunt.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey dude, how you been. Congrats on the draw. Hope you can connect again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txfire409

Thanks and good luck to you. I got it on a 2nd draw last year too. This will be my fifth year in a row chasing nilgai in deep south Texas. Second year was at LRGV Teniente but all others were at lanwr. Last year I got drawn for a bow hunt in December and a rifle hunt in January. I connected on both hunts but no recoveries. Hit a big 8pt buck on the archery hunt and a bull nilgai on the rifle hunt. It's become personal now.

I have learned alot on my own but have also been taught alot by a couple of generous tbh'rs. I love this place and cant wait to get down there again.

I can understand that personal part! If we don’t get lucky on 2nd draw, this will end my 5 year run for Laguna and/or LRGV. Bummed but it is what it is. Best of luck on your hunt

gdouty · 09-02-2021, 10:02 PM

In for first hunt this year, had last hunt last year…hunting Gods are balancing the odds, lol. Really excited to go back, learned a lot last year, fully prepared to get humbled again.

Lucky333 · 09-02-2021, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txoutdoorsman24

Hey dude, how you been. Congrats on the draw. Hope you can connect again!

Hey! I’ve been doing well. I’m working in AK again doing 3 weeks on/3 weeks off. I hope you’re doing well and I hope you get drawn for this hunt. I could use some help. Ha ha.

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txoutdoorsman24 · 09-02-2021, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky333

Hey! I’ve been doing well. I’m working in AK again doing 3 weeks on/3 weeks off. I hope you’re doing well and I hope you get drawn for this hunt. I could use some help. Ha ha.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice to hear you’re still working! Man I’m all in if I get drawn. I had my mind dead set on a bull this November

.

Txfire409 · 09-03-2021, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyGuyy

Whoooooohooooo!

Man I’ve had so much bad luck this year on elk and mule deer draws that I thought for sure I’d see “pending second draw” for this, but I managed to pull a tag for myself and 3 buddies for the last hunt of the calendar year (12/17-12/21). All you Pro’s that are going early- please don’t kill everything and try to save a couple nilgai for me! Never been this last in the year. I’m sure they will be wise to the pressure by then but maybe, just maybe, it will be a little cooler down there.

This will be my 3rd straight year on the archery hunt. Man I’m pumped to get back down there again!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

See ya there...again.

HuntorFish · 09-03-2021, 08:00 PM

What time do we need to be there for the mandatory orientation video that’s mentioned in the permit documents? I don’t see a time anywhere’s. I see where it mentions scouting the day before and hours the refuge will be open. Also I wasn’t provided the vehicle validation tag.

RichExotics10 · 09-03-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntorFish

What time do we need to be there for the mandatory orientation video that’s mentioned in the permit documents? I don’t see a time anywhere’s. I see where it mentions scouting the day before and hours the refuge will be open. Also I wasn’t provided the vehicle validation tag.

I know that last year you just had to watch the video on your own. Pretty much just watch it and pay attention to the rules and regs of the refuge. In years past prior to Covid they would have everyone there at 9am to listen to the info from the wardens and park employees.

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HuntorFish · 09-03-2021, 09:45 PM

Thanks. I was curious if it changed with COVID. The group I hunt with went two years ago when everything was still in-person.

07-10-2021, 06:20 PM	#1
Tiburon1 Four Point Join Date: Nov 2018	Laguna Atascosa 2021 This is a little early and my first time attempting to upload a picture, so here goes nothing, but I though everyone might like to see Unit 2 right off the main road before the bridge as of last night. It looks like an ocean from all of the rain we have received this week. Unit 5, didn’t take a picture of it, heading out of the Arroyo this morning is the greenest I’ve ever seen it. Attached Images

09-02-2021, 05:53 PM	#36
Yakinthebox Four Point Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: SE Texas Hunt In: Upper TX Coast	I got drawn for the last hunt 1/7-11/22. I must've screwed up looking at the calendar because I can't make those dates. I would have to take 48hrs of PTO one week into the year. Big dummy! So having said all that, for all you guys who are pending 2nd draw, YOU'RE WELCOME! Lol I have hunted it twice before and my advice is this; -get off the main roads and trails -use google earth ahead of time but don't "trust" google earth, I had a plan to hunt this clearing up in the middle of this really thick area. I made my way through all the thick, thorny, impenetrable brush only to find that my clearing was about as thick as everything else I had just pushed through. Boots on the ground and your eyes are the best way to scout. But GE has it's place. -hunt all day -get away from the crowded areas, the animals will be trying to do the same Last edited by Yakinthebox; 09-02-2021 at 05:57 PM.

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07-11-2021, 12:08 AM	#2
Mr. Public Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: College Station Hunt In: Too many to list	Holy NILGAI SCAT! That's a ridiculous amount of water! Glad there's been precipitation down there though and for greenery. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

07-19-2021, 03:35 PM	#3
BigLig Six Point Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Round Rock Hunt In: Wherever the chase takes me	WOW!!!! Might need to pack a Kayak if I get drawn!

07-19-2021, 03:48 PM	#4
no bait Eight Point Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: RGV Hunt In: deep south Texas	They are opening up a new hunt mid summer! fly swatter only mosquitos are carrying tics now!

07-24-2021, 11:55 PM	#5
RGV Hunter Eight Point Join Date: May 2017 Hunt In: Anywhere I can legally	Wow, I guess all my hunting spots are probably underwater

08-04-2021, 03:51 PM	#6
Lurchy Four Point Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sebastian Hunt In: El Sauz	I live about 20 mins away. We have gotten 250% of the yearly total already this summer. 11 inches just in July. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

08-04-2021, 05:29 PM	#8
Lurchy Four Point Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sebastian Hunt In: El Sauz	They have been bad for the past month, but are starting to get a bit better now that the rain has stopped dumping everyday. Gona be bad this fall without a good cold spell. If you get drawn I'd definitely get a thermacell Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

08-11-2021, 09:46 AM	#10
Yakinthebox Four Point Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: SE Texas Hunt In: Upper TX Coast	Pretty timely for antler development. May be some decent bucks taken this year. (For that area at least)

08-16-2021, 05:47 AM	#11
FlyGuyy Four Point Join Date: May 2017	Isn’t today the day for archery draw? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

09-02-2021, 08:00 AM	#15
prodigyoutdoors Four Point Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Alvin,TX Hunt In: Anywhere	New to Texas but I put in fir nilgi

09-02-2021, 10:53 AM	#16
Huntindad Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leander / Liberty Hill Hunt In: Kerr county & TP&W	got drawn for first hunt.

09-02-2021, 11:01 AM	#17
Txfire409 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Labelle, Tx. Hunt In: Edwards County, anywhere drawn hunts take me	got drawn for third hunt

09-02-2021, 11:13 AM	#18
Brentwalkertx Six Point Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Arlington texas Hunt In: Lbj, caddo	Got first hunt

09-02-2021, 11:20 AM	#20
jkelbe Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Richardson Hunt In: Anderson County	Got Drawn for 2nd session 11/12-11/16. First Draw ever in this system.

09-02-2021, 11:22 AM	#21
peterp63 Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2015	I was drawn for 11/5 - 11/9 (first hunt). Anyone have recommendations for a portable tripod? I am unfamiliar with this area so any info helps!

09-02-2021, 11:44 AM	#24
BenjiBarr Four Point Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: San Antonio, Tx Hunt In: Premont, Freer & Bayview	Got drawn for the third hunt. It will be my first time hunting Laguna but I grew up in the area, so looking forward to it!

09-02-2021, 12:11 PM	#26
BarBBar Six Point Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Llano, Texas Hunt In: Burnet	Drawn first time for January 7-11, 2022. Competely ignorant about it, so I will read old threads and accept any advice I can get. The trip should be fun, especially since regular deer season will be over by then.

09-02-2021, 12:20 PM	#27
Lurchy Four Point Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sebastian Hunt In: El Sauz	Couple years now I haven't been drawn. Sucks cause I actually live down here now Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

09-02-2021, 12:30 PM	#28
BigRed323 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Harlingen, TX Hunt In: Texas, Missouri	Got drawn 01/07-01/11!

09-02-2021, 12:44 PM	#29
jkelbe Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Richardson Hunt In: Anderson County	The archery draw had 800 permits. 200 permits per hunt. That seems like a lot of hunters down there.

09-02-2021, 12:46 PM	#30
Huntindad Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leander / Liberty Hill Hunt In: Kerr county & TP&W	it is alot of hunters, but the place is big. Sucks that unit 6 is offlimits the first 2 hunts. More folks will be in units1 & 8.

09-02-2021, 01:15 PM	#31
RichExotics10 Eight Point Join Date: Sep 2016 Hunt In: Val Verde	Got drawn for the 11/5 to 11/9 hunt! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-02-2021, 02:17 PM	#33
Drew51 Eight Point Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fort Worth Hunt In: Hamilton, Commanche, Grayson, and Cooke Counties	I got drawn for the second hunt! It will be my first drawn hunt ever!

09-02-2021, 03:41 PM	#34
Lucky333 Four Point Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Garden Ridge Hunt In: Everywhere	I’ll be out there for the first hunt. I’m excited to be down at laguna again. I ended up killing a cow there a couple years ago during a rifle hunt. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-02-2021, 05:09 PM	#35
BenjiBarr Four Point Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: San Antonio, Tx Hunt In: Premont, Freer & Bayview	Question for those you who have hunted at Laguna out of a tripod, do you think a 10ft Tripod would work down there or should I look for something a little smaller?

09-02-2021, 05:54 PM	#37
The Skunk Ape Spike Join Date: Mar 2019 Hunt In: Robertson county	I got drawn for the 11-12 / 11-16 hunt as well. I’ll be there for sure I don’t know much about the NWR. Is there a good population of Nilgai and what about the whitetail? Just started searching threads for info

09-02-2021, 06:20 PM	#40
Gopher Spike Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Austin Hunt In: San Saba CO, Wisconsin, Illinois, Canada, Any TPW drawn hunt	I got drawn on some other properties this year. I am surprised there are no conversations about them. I’ve been spoiled by LANWR and other hunt locations. People are always talking about them. Crickets on my new places this year. I got drawn on this one as well and can’t go so good luck to those waiting on the second go around. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

09-02-2021, 07:25 PM	#41
FlyGuyy Four Point Join Date: May 2017	Whoooooohooooo! Man I’ve had so much bad luck this year on elk and mule deer draws that I thought for sure I’d see “pending second draw” for this, but I managed to pull a tag for myself and 3 buddies for the last hunt of the calendar year (12/17-12/21). All you Pro’s that are going early- please don’t kill everything and try to save a couple nilgai for me! Never been this last in the year. I’m sure they will be wise to the pressure by then but maybe, just maybe, it will be a little cooler down there. This will be my 3rd straight year on the archery hunt. Man I’m pumped to get back down there again! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

09-02-2021, 09:30 PM	#42
HuntorFish Four Point Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Conroe, TX	I will be down there for the first hunt also

09-02-2021, 10:02 PM	#44
gdouty Nubbin' Buck Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Humble, TX Hunt In: Texas and Beyond...	In for first hunt this year, had last hunt last year…hunting Gods are balancing the odds, lol. Really excited to go back, learned a lot last year, fully prepared to get humbled again.

09-03-2021, 08:00 PM	#48
HuntorFish Four Point Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Conroe, TX	What time do we need to be there for the mandatory orientation video that’s mentioned in the permit documents? I don’t see a time anywhere’s. I see where it mentions scouting the day before and hours the refuge will be open. Also I wasn’t provided the vehicle validation tag.