My Daughter Was Drawn at Chaparral WMA - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Slow&Steady · 09-08-2016, 12:01 PM

This was our first year applying and she was drawn for Youth GDA/S at Chaparral. She's almost 9 and this will be her first deer hunt. This is also the first time I will have been on a drawn hunt. We live near Dallas and haven't been down the WMA before either. If anyone has been on a hunt there before, I would certainly appreciate any info you are willing to share. I'd also like to know how camping/lodging is handled for these hunts.

Thanks and Happy Hunting,
Scott

AntlerCollector · 09-08-2016, 12:02 PM

Congrats

Killer · 09-08-2016, 12:09 PM

They have some covered tent campsites and a bathroom and showers beside the WMA headquarters. If you stay in a hotel it is a good haul back to the WMA. Congrats. True south texas hunt

Huntindad · 09-08-2016, 12:53 PM

They have primitive and camper campsites available.

Take corn and a pop up down there. They have blinds, but pop ups are good on the sendros. They have a walk in cooler and cleaning area.
Yall will have a good time.

basschump · 09-08-2016, 01:28 PM

It's a great WMA for youth hunters. Lots of game- paved roads around the ranch. Camping onsite is basic- but there is a bathroom. Lots of folks camp so it's fun for the kids. The first year we went the road noise was unbearable in the campground but better since then. It's about 30 minutes to cotula.
You will assigned a hunting area so don't worry about picking a unit.
Bring a pop-up and corn. They will take you to your unit the first hunt. Take a GPS- it's a huge place. Ask if they have pre-baited an area. Don't be afraid to look around before you set up. Bait a couple of places incase one doesn't get discovered.

We were drawn as well but turns out are not available that weekend. Hopefully someone on here will get the second draw.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

basschump · 09-08-2016, 01:34 PM

Camping is onsite. Plan on 30 minutes to Cotulla if you decide to stay in a hotel.

Dirtfish · 09-08-2016, 01:40 PM

bring a chair, they have a few open top blinds scattered around the place. Long straight senderos, tons of javalina and deer with some hogs too. some of the back roads will get sloppy if it rains while you are there, 4wd truck would be nice. big bucks there if you have patience to pass on the smaller ones

grizzman · 09-08-2016, 01:49 PM

I did that hunt with my son a couple of years ago. I had the dates messed up and we ended up being a day late. He didn't shoot anything, but we saw the biggest buck either one of us has ever seen down there. I have camped at the campground many times and it is save, but a little noisy sometimes.

You can use the elevated stands but the deer might be educated to them. I put up a ground blind on the edge of one of the senderos so we could see. The buck popped out right in front of the blind as we were walking to the truck.

Driving down I always bypass Austin and take 130/45 down to I-10 and shoot across to SA and the bypass. It takes about six hours from Frisco with little traffic.

Fashinghunts · 09-08-2016, 01:50 PM

Cotulla has hotels and is about a 30 minute drive from the headquarters. The camp ground is good. There are two private bathrooms on the campground and plenty of space to put up a tent. The weather should be mild (if it doesn't rain.) Bring corn to throw out. They do have a nice walk-in cooler to hang your deer/hogs. They have paved roads going to all the compartments. A 2wd truck is perfect to take. Good luck!

grizzman · 09-08-2016, 01:52 PM

Oh, and the biologists may tell you to shoot any warthogs if you see them.

Lonestar88 · 09-08-2016, 02:14 PM

Awesome deal you have in front of you there. Heard nothing but great thinks about Chap.

tgil · 09-08-2016, 02:18 PM

Not much to add except congrats and good luck! Best youth hunting experience I've encountered! The last time we went, all of the covered spots were gone when we arrived about midnight before the hunt. Go early if you want a covered table.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

solocam_aggie · 09-08-2016, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschump

It's a great WMA for youth hunters. Lots of game- paved roads around the ranch. Camping onsite is basic- but there is a bathroom. Lots of folks camp so it's fun for the kids. The first year we went the road noise was unbearable in the campground but better since then. It's about 30 minutes to cotula.
You will assigned a hunting area so don't worry about picking a unit.
Bring a pop-up and corn. They will take you to your unit the first hunt. Take a GPS- it's a huge place. Ask if they have pre-baited an area. Don't be afraid to look around before you set up. Bait a couple of places incase one doesn't get discovered.

We were drawn as well but turns out are not available that weekend. Hopefully someone on here will get the second draw.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When we were there 2 years ago you picked your area based off of what number your ticket was drawn. Ours was drawn second, so we basically had to decide on the entire area! It might have changed since then, im not sure.

OP, this will be one of the most exciting hunts you'll go on. When you get there and see some of the bucks that have came off the WMA, it will surely get the blood flowing. Look at a map that shows drainages and try to set up near those. Best of luck.

BTLowry · 09-08-2016, 03:17 PM

Congrats

No email so guess we didn't draw

ken · 09-08-2016, 03:34 PM

Congratulations. I have seen some great deer at Chaparral WMA. I've seen the best deer in South Jay and Rosindo pastures but I'm sure there is great potential in all the pastures.

BirdHunter · 09-08-2016, 04:19 PM

Been down there for Javelina with my son several times.
One year they let us shoot does too.
One of my favorite WMA's and you always see wildlife.

BTLowry · 09-08-2016, 07:21 PM

I checked, we applied for the either sex hunt where you can kill a big buck. Has not been drawn yet

Encore · 09-08-2016, 07:44 PM

The chairs that seem to work the best for their blinds are the ones that fold flat because they sit higher.
She will have a great time.

Brute Killer · 09-08-2016, 07:45 PM

Good luck to her. I put my middle kid in for Chap, too. Guess she didn't draw.

Brute Killer · 09-08-2016, 07:52 PM

Well, it wasn't for Chap, but she still didn't draw. Showing loyalty point.

Huntindad · 09-08-2016, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solocam_aggie

When we were there 2 years ago you picked your area based off of what number your ticket was drawn. Ours was drawn second, so we basically had to decide on the entire area! It might have changed since then, im not sure.

OP, this will be one of the most exciting hunts you'll go on. When you get there and see some of the bucks that have came off the WMA, it will surely get the blood flowing. Look at a map that shows drainages and try to set up near those. Best of luck.

I think they were drawn for antlerless hunt. They will assign areas for that cause there are so many standbys, they really slice up the hunt areas.

On the buck hunts, yep you pick your poison.

Slow&Steady · 09-08-2016, 11:44 PM

Thanks everyone. Yeah, she was drawn for antlerless/spike. I put her in for some either sex hunts, but also some antlerless hunts that had decent hunter success rates and draw rates.

Since I hunt bigger pieces of public land and don't have an "easy hunt" for her to cut her teeth on, I really just wanted her to get a chance to hunt. What (or if) she gets to shoot isn't as important as getting out there and seeing some wildlife. At 8 years old, a mile walk with gear and a long day of sitting and seeing nothing isn't going to provide the kind of experience that will help her enjoy hunting. She's already hooked on duck hunting and I think it won't be too tough to hook her on deer hunting as well. She just needs the right spark. A few more years and I figure she'll be walking in to places like Caddo NGL and Pat Mayse with me.

KactusKiller · 09-09-2016, 09:58 AM

That's not a good place to "cut their teeth" with.........If that's their first real hunting experience it will ruin them for life.

Good luck and have fun!

TXFireFighter · 10-28-2016, 12:19 AM

My boy and I got drawn for A/S at the Chap 11/5-6. We are pumped! First time hunting the Chap and looking forward to it!

Big Brass · 10-28-2016, 12:31 AM

My son was drawn there last year. The staff is top notch and the facilities are great. We slept at the campground and were very comfortable. He missed a doe but did shoot a nice boar javi. One youth hunter shot 2 warthogs on the first day of the hunt. Take an electronic caller and thin out the coyotes. They are thick.

44mAG · 10-28-2016, 12:51 AM

Been there many times. You will have a blast. If you want you and your girl to see a lot of deer, find a few senderos that cross and hand corn all directions out to a comfortable shooting distance. If you want a better chance at a mature deer, get off the roads and look for rubs/scrapes along the edge of the clear cuts (aeration strips). Good luck!

Firefyter · 10-28-2016, 12:57 PM

I used to get drawn all the time, one string of good luck had me drawn 5 yrs in a row at Richland Creek, it has now been 7 yrs since being drawn. Payback I guess!

byler11 · 10-28-2016, 01:20 PM

I worked on the WMA as an intern. During my intern and doing my normal routes i would see lots of in the West Guajolote and East Guajalote, along with both blocker pastures. Their is a pretty good sized pond in East Guajalote pasture that i would go sit at in the evenings just to watch and would see several deer come down to water. Hope this info helps and good luck to your and your daughter.

09-08-2016, 12:01 PM	#1
Slow&Steady Six Point Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Rowlett, TX Hunt In: Whatever public land I can find game on.	My Daughter Was Drawn at Chaparral WMA This was our first year applying and she was drawn for Youth GDA/S at Chaparral. She's almost 9 and this will be her first deer hunt. This is also the first time I will have been on a drawn hunt. We live near Dallas and haven't been down the WMA before either. If anyone has been on a hunt there before, I would certainly appreciate any info you are willing to share. I'd also like to know how camping/lodging is handled for these hunts. Thanks and Happy Hunting, Scott

09-08-2016, 01:49 PM	#8
grizzman Pope & Young Join Date: May 2010 Location: Frisco Hunt In: Texas and Arkansas	I did that hunt with my son a couple of years ago. I had the dates messed up and we ended up being a day late. He didn't shoot anything, but we saw the biggest buck either one of us has ever seen down there. I have camped at the campground many times and it is save, but a little noisy sometimes. You can use the elevated stands but the deer might be educated to them. I put up a ground blind on the edge of one of the senderos so we could see. The buck popped out right in front of the blind as we were walking to the truck. Driving down I always bypass Austin and take 130/45 down to I-10 and shoot across to SA and the bypass. It takes about six hours from Frisco with little traffic. Last edited by grizzman; 09-08-2016 at 01:51 PM.

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09-08-2016, 12:02 PM	#2
AntlerCollector Pope & Young Join Date: Apr 2014 Hunt In: Votaw, Hardin/Polk Co., TX. Bon Weir, Newton Co., El Dorado, Schleicher Co., TX.	Congrats

09-08-2016, 12:09 PM	#3
Killer Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Powderly, TX Hunt In: God's green earth	They have some covered tent campsites and a bathroom and showers beside the WMA headquarters. If you stay in a hotel it is a good haul back to the WMA. Congrats. True south texas hunt

09-08-2016, 12:53 PM	#4
Huntindad Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leander / Liberty Hill Hunt In: Kerr county & TP&W	They have primitive and camper campsites available. Take corn and a pop up down there. They have blinds, but pop ups are good on the sendros. They have a walk in cooler and cleaning area. Yall will have a good time.

09-08-2016, 01:28 PM	#5
basschump Eight Point Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Austin Hunt In: Around TX	It's a great WMA for youth hunters. Lots of game- paved roads around the ranch. Camping onsite is basic- but there is a bathroom. Lots of folks camp so it's fun for the kids. The first year we went the road noise was unbearable in the campground but better since then. It's about 30 minutes to cotula. You will assigned a hunting area so don't worry about picking a unit. Bring a pop-up and corn. They will take you to your unit the first hunt. Take a GPS- it's a huge place. Ask if they have pre-baited an area. Don't be afraid to look around before you set up. Bait a couple of places incase one doesn't get discovered. We were drawn as well but turns out are not available that weekend. Hopefully someone on here will get the second draw. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-08-2016, 01:34 PM	#6
basschump Eight Point Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Austin Hunt In: Around TX	Camping is onsite. Plan on 30 minutes to Cotulla if you decide to stay in a hotel.

09-08-2016, 01:40 PM	#7
Dirtfish Four Point Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Dayton,Tx Hunt In: Everywhere	bring a chair, they have a few open top blinds scattered around the place. Long straight senderos, tons of javalina and deer with some hogs too. some of the back roads will get sloppy if it rains while you are there, 4wd truck would be nice. big bucks there if you have patience to pass on the smaller ones

09-08-2016, 01:50 PM	#9
Fashinghunts Four Point Join Date: Sep 2014	Cotulla has hotels and is about a 30 minute drive from the headquarters. The camp ground is good. There are two private bathrooms on the campground and plenty of space to put up a tent. The weather should be mild (if it doesn't rain.) Bring corn to throw out. They do have a nice walk-in cooler to hang your deer/hogs. They have paved roads going to all the compartments. A 2wd truck is perfect to take. Good luck!

09-08-2016, 01:52 PM	#10
grizzman Pope & Young Join Date: May 2010 Location: Frisco Hunt In: Texas and Arkansas	Oh, and the biologists may tell you to shoot any warthogs if you see them.

09-08-2016, 02:14 PM	#11
Lonestar88 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Huntsville, Tx Hunt In: Frio Co.	Awesome deal you have in front of you there. Heard nothing but great thinks about Chap.

09-08-2016, 02:18 PM	#12
tgil Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Burleson, Tx	Not much to add except congrats and good luck! Best youth hunting experience I've encountered! The last time we went, all of the covered spots were gone when we arrived about midnight before the hunt. Go early if you want a covered table. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

09-08-2016, 03:17 PM	#14
BTLowry Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lindale Hunt In: Behind the house and public in Texas; Kansas Unit 5	Congrats No email so guess we didn't draw

09-08-2016, 03:34 PM	#15
ken Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston/Galveston Hunt In: Dew	Congratulations. I have seen some great deer at Chaparral WMA. I've seen the best deer in South Jay and Rosindo pastures but I'm sure there is great potential in all the pastures.

09-08-2016, 04:19 PM	#16
BirdHunter Four Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Abilene Hunt In: Coleman Co	Been down there for Javelina with my son several times. One year they let us shoot does too. One of my favorite WMA's and you always see wildlife.

09-08-2016, 07:21 PM	#17
BTLowry Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lindale Hunt In: Behind the house and public in Texas; Kansas Unit 5	I checked, we applied for the either sex hunt where you can kill a big buck. Has not been drawn yet

09-08-2016, 07:44 PM	#18
Encore Four Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Garland	The chairs that seem to work the best for their blinds are the ones that fold flat because they sit higher. She will have a great time.

09-08-2016, 07:45 PM	#19
Brute Killer Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Llano. Hunt In: Pleasanton	Good luck to her. I put my middle kid in for Chap, too. Guess she didn't draw.

09-08-2016, 07:52 PM	#20
Brute Killer Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Llano. Hunt In: Pleasanton	Well, it wasn't for Chap, but she still didn't draw. Showing loyalty point.

09-08-2016, 11:44 PM	#22
Slow&Steady Six Point Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Rowlett, TX Hunt In: Whatever public land I can find game on.	Thanks everyone. Yeah, she was drawn for antlerless/spike. I put her in for some either sex hunts, but also some antlerless hunts that had decent hunter success rates and draw rates. Since I hunt bigger pieces of public land and don't have an "easy hunt" for her to cut her teeth on, I really just wanted her to get a chance to hunt. What (or if) she gets to shoot isn't as important as getting out there and seeing some wildlife. At 8 years old, a mile walk with gear and a long day of sitting and seeing nothing isn't going to provide the kind of experience that will help her enjoy hunting. She's already hooked on duck hunting and I think it won't be too tough to hook her on deer hunting as well. She just needs the right spark. A few more years and I figure she'll be walking in to places like Caddo NGL and Pat Mayse with me.

09-09-2016, 09:58 AM	#23
KactusKiller Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Midlothian, TX Hunt In: Irion co, Navarro Co	That's not a good place to "cut their teeth" with.........If that's their first real hunting experience it will ruin them for life. Good luck and have fun!

10-28-2016, 12:19 AM	#24
TXFireFighter Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Round Rock Hunt In: TX HillCountry, Granger WMA	My boy and I got drawn for A/S at the Chap 11/5-6. We are pumped! First time hunting the Chap and looking forward to it!

10-28-2016, 12:31 AM	#25
Big Brass Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kingwood Hunt In: SHNF	My son was drawn there last year. The staff is top notch and the facilities are great. We slept at the campground and were very comfortable. He missed a doe but did shoot a nice boar javi. One youth hunter shot 2 warthogs on the first day of the hunt. Take an electronic caller and thin out the coyotes. They are thick.

10-28-2016, 12:51 AM	#26
44mAG Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Buda, TX	Been there many times. You will have a blast. If you want you and your girl to see a lot of deer, find a few senderos that cross and hand corn all directions out to a comfortable shooting distance. If you want a better chance at a mature deer, get off the roads and look for rubs/scrapes along the edge of the clear cuts (aeration strips). Good luck!

10-28-2016, 12:57 PM	#27
Firefyter Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery Hunt In: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas	I used to get drawn all the time, one string of good luck had me drawn 5 yrs in a row at Richland Creek, it has now been 7 yrs since being drawn. Payback I guess!

10-28-2016, 01:20 PM	#28
byler11 Four Point Join Date: Apr 2011 Hunt In: Fayette	I worked on the WMA as an intern. During my intern and doing my normal routes i would see lots of in the West Guajolote and East Guajalote, along with both blocker pastures. Their is a pretty good sized pond in East Guajalote pasture that i would go sit at in the evenings just to watch and would see several deer come down to water. Hope this info helps and good luck to your and your daughter.