Laguna Atascosa 2018

[Huntindad]

I got drawn for Laguna Atascosa 11/16 -11/20. This will be my first time down there. Gonna start getting preparations in order.

Any advice / suggestions are all welcomed and appreciated. Gonna try to scout next month with bike, But hunt utilizing 4 wheeler.(i have the medical release). Wanna see what the backside of unit 1 looks like and maybe the west side of 3.

[NxSTexan]

Congratulations brother! I got drawn for early December, first time hunting there. Family friend said to expect a lot ticks and snakes. Also mentioned they had a Nilgai cull to check for disease. I'll post more as I find information. Going to be a helluva hunt!!

[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by NxSTexan

Congratulations brother! I got drawn for early December, first time hunting there. Family friend said to expect a lot ticks and snakes. Also mentioned they had a Nilgai cull to check for disease. I'll post more as I find information. Going to be a helluva hunt!!

hunh?

I figure to have clothes sprayed down with the tick killer stuff and will get snake boots.

[gemini2759]

Congrats to all hunting Atascosa. I got November 16-20. Depending on the weather, permethrin (sp?) is a must on your clothes. The chiggers are unreal. if you're bringing a tripod, it should be no more than 8'. Lots of low brush and mesquites. Hopefully, I'll get a crack at that big buck I hunted last year.

[gemini2759]

Oh yeah, LANWR is still under a tick quarantine. Deer and nilgai must be skinned out there and you cannot take your animal until it is checked by USDA. You will get some type of paper work that lets you travel with the meat.

[DannyGarcia]

Im on 2nd draw, hoping for a miracle


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[DannyGarcia]

Can someone tell me what is the deadline to purchase the permit that way i know when to check on the 2 drawing


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[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by dannygarcia

can someone tell me what is the deadline to purchase the permit that way i know when to check on the 2 drawing


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08/25

[DannyGarcia]

Thanks, and some advice from laguna, the best thing is to find a good trail and sit on it, a good 5-7ft tripod will be ideal. If you really want nilgai unit 3 or 5 would be best especially if you can use a 4wheeler get to spots before anyone can.


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[DannyGarcia]

You have a HUGE advantage with the 4 wheeler


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[philipolsen]

I'll be out there 11/16 - 11/20. This will be my third year to hunt out there. Had a great time the past 2 years

[Huntindad]

I will bring a tripod. it telescopes up from about 6' to 8' or so. anyone know the scoop on unit 1. looks like it may be decent way back along the creek. I do pretty good sitting for long durations. Like you said, I want to find a good trail...poop area and wait in ambush.

[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by philipolsen

I'll be out there 11/16 - 11/20. This will be my third year to hunt out there. Had a great time the past 2 years

where bouts you hunt at... where do folks normally stay down there? campground...motels?

[philipolsen]

Originally Posted by Huntindad

where bouts you hunt at... where do folks normally stay down there? campground...motels?

I just stayed at a hotel lat 2 years, but will probably camp this year. I hunted area 3 the most, but did some walking around some in several areas

[jdunn6092]

How did y’all get drawn???? I guess I applied for something else? Mine still says “application received” and the available dates are in January-February.


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[jdunn6092]

Originally Posted by philipolsen

I'll be out there 11/16 - 11/20. This will be my third year to hunt out there. Had a great time the past 2 years

Have you got one yet?


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[philipolsen]

Originally Posted by jdunn6092

Have you got one yet?


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Not yet, I've seen a lot though and did get a shot off at a Nigel last year but shot just over the top of it, made me sick to my stomach

[jdunn6092]

Originally Posted by philipolsen

Not yet, I've seen a lot though and did get a shot off at a Nigel last year but shot just over the top of it, made me sick to my stomach

Man that sucks. Sorry. Maybe you’ll have better luck this year!!!


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[Huntindad]

Originally Posted by jdunn6092

How did y’all get drawn???? I guess I applied for something else? Mine still says “application received” and the available dates are in January-February.


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this was for archery... you may have applied for the gun hunt.

[jdunn6092]

Originally Posted by Huntindad

this was for archery... you may have applied for the gun hunt.

Yeah I think so. I’d rather have the archery tag!!! I just looked it up. There’s 750 archery tags available. Is it super crowded out there???? How do they have that many permits for 3 hunt dates???


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[BigRed323]

Originally Posted by jdunn6092

Yeah I think so. I’d rather have the archery tag!!! I just looked it up. There’s 750 archery tags available. Is it super crowded out there???? How do they have that many permits for 3 hunt dates???


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Around 80k acres.

I’ll be out there this year. Got drawn the 12/7-12/11. Can’t wait to get back out there!

[Zapatahorn]

Got drawn for 11/16-11/20. Remember mandatory orientation on the day before hunt starts at 0900 at Los Fresno's community center. Scouting allowed after orientation

[JasonS]

The orientation was the evening before the first day of hunting last year. It’s at 9:00am this year the day before?

[txoutdoorsman24]

Good luck you y’all hunting lanwr. My favorite place to hunt. Unit 3 is huge and wide open. I think having the 4 whlr will help you get in deep and much faster. Look for water. I hunted 3 on all but one hunt last year and saw tons of Nilgai. Just too wide open to make a good sneak on them

[Zapatahorn]

Ya it looks like they changed the mandatory orientation time on the hunting info PDF for this year

[Huntindad]

Wonder ... during the pre hunt scouting session, they will allow stand placement?

[RGV Hunter]

Originally Posted by DannyGarcia

You have a HUGE advantage with the 4 wheeler


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Unless you have a disabilty along with your paperwork, you can not use any motorized vehicles in there. Unless the rules have changed it is bicycle access only.

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[Huntindad]

i Have a bad/deformed hip joint. uneven ground...long distance doesn't fare well these days.

I am gonna try to scout next month on a bike. Not sure how far I will get though. Once I get set up, I can sit for hours.

I am gonna call the folks down there and talk with them about it.

[RiverRat00]

[quote=Zapatahorn;13557463]Got drawn for 11/16-11/20. Remember mandatory orientation on the day before hunt starts at 0900 at Los Fresno's community center. Scouting allowed after orientation



Good luck-

[Budman68]

Originally Posted by Zapatahorn

Ya it looks like they changed the mandatory orientation time on the hunting info PDF for this year

That kind of sucks for the second hunt. It would mean you would have to go down on Thanksgiving. Why can't they do this via webex?

[JasonS]

Not trying to be a jerk, I don’t know you or you disabilities.
But, it seems like if you are able to scout on a bike, you shouldn’t be taking a 4wheeler out there.
I’ve seen many older gentlemen last year, have to hunt within their walking ability d/t their age. IMO 4 wheeler shoukd really only be if handicap and cannot walk. This is a hard hunt. People who have no disabilities other than “out of shape” can’t walk that far or bike. Letting a somewhat able body person use a 4 wheeler is an advantage over others, not an equality.

, maybe you trying a bike is really pushing yourself, but it comes off like trying to get an advantage when reading the post.

[RuebenCaballero]

Exactly what I was gonna say. Last year a guy had a motorized bike and game warden and Park rangers were looking for him.

[Huntindad]

Well Jason & Rueben...you are correct...you DON'T know me or my disabilities.

If you will re-read my post I said I was gonna TRY to scout and was not sure how far I would get.

you know...I debated about mentioning the 4 wheeler. Hindsight is 20-20...should have kept that to myself and refuge officials.

luckily, your opinion about who can use a 4 wheeler does not matter. ...yeah...you ****** me off.

[JasonS]

No need to get mad/ p#ssed off. I didn’t directly accuse you of anything, and offered an alternate explanation. I simply said how it came off. I’m a Very direct person, and would rather be straight forward. I’m not trying start an internet fight. I’ll be there hunting as well. Goid luck on you hunt.

[PBUCKSHOT]

Originally Posted by Huntindad

Well Jason & Rueben...you are correct...you DON'T know me or my disabilities.

If you will re-read my post I said I was gonna TRY to scout and was not sure how far I would get.

you know...I debated about mentioning the 4 wheeler. Hindsight is 20-20...should have kept that to myself and refuge officials.

luckily, your opinion about who can use a 4 wheeler does not matter. ...yeah...you ****** me off.

I wouldn't get ***** off about it brother. You obviously knew it was going to be a topic of discussion. The most enjoyable part of my public hunt was the quiet and peaceful sittings. Hearing a 4 wheeler pass after biking 5miles to the back would ruin it for me, no matter how hard I tried to suck it up. One of the coolest things I witnessed last year was a very old man hunting about 200 yards in because that was as far as he could physically make it in. Conversations with him at the rest spot were priceless. Not bashing you but this is strange. On another note, ride like you own the place and explore the whole thing cuz I'm hunting the following hunt! I'm kidding. I'm kidding!

[Budman68]

Looking at the map and google images, you can make it what you want. Long bike ride or short walk off the road to a patch of trees. Or the beach, lol. I still need to call them about the orientation and see if there are any exceptions. There is no way the wife is going to let me miss Thanksgiving to drive down there. Also, not sure I want to drive all night to get there by the 9am Orientation.

[Huntindad]

i would ride in once to my area...early. and not ride it again till leaving. just a means to get me there.

[JasonS]

Was the old man hunting with his son? I think I met the same gentleman last year. At the end of the road. He was wait on his done to come out/finish hunting. We are lunch beside home on the scout day.

[JasonS]

I called about the orientation times, 9am on 15 will be difficult for me. They asked me to call on Monday and speak with the manager. The permits are signed during the orientation, so the question is: can we get the permits signed at a different/later time time than orientation.

[BigRed323]

Originally Posted by Budman68

Looking at the map and google images, you can make it what you want. Long bike ride or short walk off the road to a patch of trees. Or the beach, lol. I still need to call them about the orientation and see if there are any exceptions. There is no way the wife is going to let me miss Thanksgiving to drive down there. Also, not sure I want to drive all night to get there by the 9am Orientation.

The orientation is a fairly new thing so I highly doubt they’re gonna make any exceptions, especially since they chose the hunt dates themselves. Even though I live in Harlingen, sure do wish they could just do something online so I didn’t have to ask for another day off.

[txoutdoorsman24]

Originally Posted by Huntindad

Wonder ... during the pre hunt scouting session, they will allow stand placement?

The day before yes but not any sooner

[DannyGarcia]

Originally Posted by JasonS

I called about the orientation times, 9am on 15 will be difficult for me. They asked me to call on Monday and speak with the manager. The permits are signed during the orientation, so the question is: can we get the permits signed at a different/later time time than orientation.

I believe if you miss the orientation then you pretty much have to sit out the first day since you need to meet with them at there time to go over the orientation. Thats if they want to, they could just flat out not let you hunt since it does state mandatory


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[RuebenCaballero]

I know a spot you can drive too and do donuts on your 4 wheeler!! Oh wait your not hunting my hunt.

[Huntindad]

Naah...last time I had the urge to do donuts was over 40 years ago in my youth.

[Huntindad]

that community center is gonna be packed if every one shows up

[GBludau]

Originally Posted by DannyGarcia

Im on 2nd draw, hoping for a miracle


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Me and you both Danny! I've got a reputation to uphold and I can do that from the green screen!

[GBludau]

No offense, but I highly doubt that four wheeler idea is going to fly.In fact, I'd confidently say it won't. Don't get your hopes up.
If they won't allow a Refuge gasoline pick up truck in a unit to retrieve a nilgai during hunting hours, I don't see them letting a 1 of 750(250) hunters use a 4-wheeler as a means of access. Medical release or not.

[HighwayHunter]

Would y’all recommend a tripod over a pop up blind?


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[gemini2759]

Originally Posted by GBludau

No offense, but I highly doubt that four wheeler idea is going to fly.In fact, I'd confidently say it won't. Don't get your hopes up.
If they won't allow a Refuge gasoline pick up truck in a unit to retrieve a nilgai during hunting hours, I don't see them letting a 1 of 750(250) hunters use a 4-wheeler as a means of access. Medical release or not.

A few years back, there was one gentlemen who used a 4 wheeler but he was restricted on what roads he could use it on. He could not use it for cross country purposes.

[gemini2759]

Originally Posted by HighwayHunter

Would y’all recommend a tripod over a pop up blind?


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I've never used a pop up out there, but have used several heights of tripods without spooking animals.