Aransas NWR 2019

[CoswayTyler]

Alright who all is going to donate blood to the Aransas this year?
I’m going back for my 2nd year in a row!

[Fthoodtanker]

I’m thinking of going. If I do it more than likely be during rifle season though


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[C-dubyah]

Is it worth going? Any tips for a new comer? Success rates look horrible.

[CoswayTyler]

It definitely separates the men from the boys.

[mdoug1076]

I got selected. This will be my first year going. Any tips would be much appreciated. From what I’m seeing, it looks like you need a ground blind? Trees don’t look big enough for a portable lock-on? Other than map scouting, I’ll definitely be down there early on the 27th and may go the 21.

[CoswayTyler]

Originally Posted by mdoug1076

I got selected. This will be my first year going. Any tips would be much appreciated. From what I’m seeing, it looks like you need a ground blind? Trees don’t look big enough for a portable lock-on? Other than map scouting, I’ll definitely be down there early on the 27th and may go the 21.

I’m seriously not joking you need to take the mosquitoes very serious. Definitely recommend a quality bug suit, thermacell and other products to deter these guys. With out a doubt top priority!
You really need to try and find a light weight tripod around 10-12’ tall. 90% of the trees aren’t big enough BUT a lot of the underbrush/grass is to tall for a ground blind. I found a tree last year big enough to hang a stand in but it was one of very few.
It “SHOULDNT” be as wet as last year but we still have a month. Last year was HORRIBLE 90% of the place was under water. Secret was to find some semi-dry ground and the acorns. If it starts raining invest in some good hip boots. Watch out for water moccasins, LOTS of them. Whatch out for alligators, no I’m not kidding stay away from pond edges there are some dinosaurs out there. If you can kill a doe, kill it! Anything off this place is a trophy! There’s a lot of game on the place but no baiting and the terrain makes it a tough hunt. I saw a very nice 120-130 class buck but never could get him to close the distance. In fact I saw deer every day I hunted and ended up killing a spike and a pig.
Good luck!

[fish4food]

Second year in a row I don’t get drawn. Haha

We got drawn 3 years ago and it was a tough deer hunt. My group killed 8 pigs and saw 2 deer. My buddy and I were stalking a field and a buck about 120”-130” came out about 50 yards from us. I’m not big on deer so I told my buddy shoot em. He got buck fever and didn’t move. Deer walked off.

Was cold and wet during our hunt. Good luck y’all.

[texastrouthunte]

Anybody know if they will do standby this year?

[Mr. Public]

Originally Posted by mdoug1076

I got selected. This will be my first year going. Any tips would be much appreciated. From what I’m seeing, it looks like you need a ground blind? Trees don’t look big enough for a portable lock-on? Other than map scouting, I’ll definitely be down there early on the 27th and may go the 21.

I found plenty of trees for a lock on and had shots.

[mdoug1076]

Thank y’all for the help and advice. I’m assuming orange vest/hat are not required since there will be no gun hunters there during that time?

[Ryan727]

It will be my first year there as well. Ive been hunting east Texas for years, but the lack of trees will definitely be a challenge. Thats some good advice Tyler, Thank you.

[Ryan727]

Im trying to scout the 22nd, it will be an experience for sure. If anyone wants to meet up shoot me a message.

[thisisbeer]

I drew here and Laguna Atascosa. First year for both.

[jnd1959]

Originally Posted by CoswayTyler

It definitely separates the men from the boys.

Actually, I think it separates the sane from the insane.

[Fthoodtanker]

Shoot I applied for 5 different places didn’t get drawn for any of them. Good luck y’all. I know Aransas refuge good it a tough hunt for anyone.


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[tom_tom]

So Aransas is a draw hunt now? I went for 20+ years in late 90s and early 2000s and know the place well. Everything I read above is great advise. It is as tuff of a hunt you’ll ever go on and is dangerous. How many do they draw? Used to be open to the public - went from 600 to 700 hunters back in late 70s and 80s down to 150 the last I went in 2009. Bucks die of old age there - there are some big ones there. Good luck. Skeeters are the most challenging obstacle at Aransas. Oh and the heat and the water the hard to find the right spot to set up in.

[C-dubyah]

How congested is it with other hunters during archery?

[stsportsman42]

Originally Posted by texastrouthunte

Anybody know if they will do standby this year?

The TPWD draw system says that there are no standbys available but last year there were 40 standbys for archery.

[stsportsman42]

Originally Posted by C-dubyah

How congested is it with other hunters during archery?

There are some hot spots to avoid but for the most part it’s not congested at all. The first weekend will have the highest attendance usually around 150-200 show up and throughout the week it gets down into the 50s. A lot of new people going to see what it’s about then quickly realizing it’s a pretty tough hunt and backing their stuff up the first Sunday. Mostly due to the mosquitoes.

[BackwoodzHank]

Tyler is right, definitely plan on combating mosquitoes, i took two thermacells and has sprayed everything down with Stewarts and it was not too bad, cottonmouths everywhere. I had good luck out of a tripod, had a 12' but it was a little tall, will be taking a 6' down to LANWR this year.
It is a tough hunt but very fulfilling, good luck!

[caalexander4]

Originally Posted by thisisbeer

I drew here and Laguna Atascosa. First year for both.

I had the same luck for archery this year. Super excited to try it out.

[mgperez]

Any mandatory orientation? Can you show up on say day 3 and start hunting?

Thanks in advance!

[L C]

Originally Posted by mgperez

Any mandatory orientation? Can you show up on say day 3 and start hunting?

Thanks in advance!

No orientation... You can just show up.

[Dmillerdesign]

I was down there for 5 days at last years hunt. It was the most miserable fun hunt i had been on in TX. Was hoping to go again this year, but no dice. It was VERY wet, we got some bad weather, and Cosway is right about the mosquitoes, no joke!
I suggest soaking your clothes in permethrin and running at least 1 if not 2 thermacells, and mosquito face mask. Walking to and from truck was the worst for mosquitoes and it would take a good half hour to kill all those *******s that got inside the truck.
I used my saddle, and was able to find some trees that were good enough to get me 12’ up. (And the mosquitoes were a little better at that altitude). The landscape varies so be prepared with ground blind, hang on (saddle), tripod.
We caught some bad weather early and it made it a very soggy trek, and the roads went to crap pretty quick. Lots of folks got stuck. The conditions (mosquitoes) cleared out the number of hunters pretty quick. I think after the first day of the hunt the campground went from full to about 20%.
It was a long hard hunt, but would go back again. I finally patterned a bedding area the day before i had to leave, wish I had had one more day.



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[jnd1959]

I see you captured one of the little mosquitoes from that day's hatch.

[c4hammer]

My brother and I were drawn, first time for both of us. Gonna try to find somewhere to camp with RV. I bought a small one last year just for hunting trip.

[hogdaddy]

killed my first eight pointer w bow there WAY before thermocells were invented. cream rose to the top then, cream will rise again. I'm old now and others have taken my place. good luck to all.

[Lee230]

I donated a lot of blood at that place in 1986 with some high school buddies. Sleeping in the roadside ditch waiting on the gate to open at 4:30 a.m..........None of us have gone back! Good luck to those of you going out!

[caalexander4]

Whats the general outlook on weather for this year? I saw the forecast was calling for rain. I am an hour and half above it and plan on being down there for the 21st and 22nd for scouting to see how it looks then. Planned on packing in my rubber boots and normals though.

[caalexander4]

Also got drawn for general season so it looks like Ill be donating a fair bit of money to hunts this year.

[Seatruckn]

Purchased permit for December rifle. Do most folks only hunt the weekends? Thinking about only going on the weekdays. Never been.

[caalexander4]

Originally Posted by Seatruckn

Purchased permit for December rifle. Do most folks only hunt the weekends? Thinking about only going on the weekdays. Never been.

Generally how it goes for most guys.


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[caalexander4]

Also for those who didn’t get out an scout this weekend, Burgentine lake road is pretty rough after the ConocoPhillips HQ on the map. So if you are in a car either be careful or avoid it. It’s got some wicked pot holes.


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[mdoug1076]

Originally Posted by caalexander4

Also for those who didn’t get out an scout this weekend, Burgentine lake road is pretty rough after the ConocoPhillips HQ on the map. So if you are in a car either be careful or avoid it. It’s got some wicked pot holes.


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Thank you for the heads up! I have a Chevy 4x4 but no lift yet so we will see. I’m headed down Thursday afternoon and will be tent camping at Goose Island SP. Plan to get up early Friday morning and scout all day, hopefully will find 1 spot for my hang-on stand if not I’ll be tucking up in the brush. Not expecting to kill anything on this hunt based on what I’ve heard and seen in the past posts, but it’s opening weekend so I’m just happy to be able to hunt in a new terrain with my bow in hand and enjoying the outdoors! I’ll be there hunting Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Good luck to everyone and be safe!

[caalexander4]

Originally Posted by mdoug1076

Thank you for the heads up! I have a Chevy 4x4 but no lift yet so we will see. I’m headed down Thursday afternoon and will be tent camping at Goose Island SP. Plan to get up early Friday morning and scout all day, hopefully will find 1 spot for my hang-on stand if not I’ll be tucking up in the brush. Not expecting to kill anything on this hunt based on what I’ve heard and seen in the past posts, but it’s opening weekend so I’m just happy to be able to hunt in a new terrain with my bow in hand and enjoying the outdoors! I’ll be there hunting Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Good luck to everyone and be safe!

I would call ahead and double check, but I’m 99% sure you can’t scout on Friday. The only scouting days were the 21st and 22nd. You shouldn’t need a lift kit unless you go in the holes though. I did fine with my standard 1500 and I don’t have 4 wheel drive either.


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[Muddy Bud]

I was there for the rifle last year in December. Waited for mid week to let the crowds thin. Think I only saw one other truck out there, but alot of the roads were completely underwater and they were bringing belly dumps of caliche the entire time fixing roads. Only saw 5 hogs, and three gators.

[mdoug1076]

Originally Posted by caalexander4

I would call ahead and double check, but I’m 99% sure you can’t scout on Friday. The only scouting days were the 21st and 22nd. You shouldn’t need a lift kit unless you go in the holes though. I did fine with my standard 1500 and I don’t have 4 wheel drive either.


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I double checked the regulations. You can scout September 21,22,27 from 0730 to 1900.

[caalexander4]

Originally Posted by mdoug1076

I double checked the regulations. You can scout September 21,22,27 from 0730 to 1900.

Dang, my bad then. Ill have to look at that again and come down on Friday. I saw a decent amount of flags on everything from the main road to the conoco hq. I took the right to keep going down Burgentine road(I think, the road that leads to the edge by the water) and there seemed to be way less down there as a reference point. Took me a good 20-30 minutes to drive out from back there though so it should help with limiting the amount of guys.

[mdoug1076]

Originally Posted by caalexander4

Dang, my bad then. Ill have to look at that again and come down on Friday. I saw a decent amount of flags on everything from the main road to the conoco hq. I took the right to keep going down Burgentine road(I think, the road that leads to the edge by the water) and there seemed to be way less down there as a reference point. Took me a good 20-30 minutes to drive out from back there though so it should help with limiting the amount of guys.

Thank you for advice and update. Yeah, there will probably be a lot of hunters near the private property border at the entrance since there may be corn feeders going off. Not a bad plan, but I’m not going to fight all the others for that spot. I just hope we aren’t all sitting in the rain hunting! Then also the roads may get bad too.

[AransasRanger]

Originally Posted by texastrouthunte

Anybody know if they will do standby this year?

We have 84 standby permits available. Cost is $130 for the 9-day hunt. Youth under 17 hunt FREE, but must have a permit. If you are interested in a permit, you must be here in person on Friday, September 27. Permits will be available starting at 9 am until 4 pm (or until permits are sold out, whichever comes first). Please bring exact change (cash only), your hunting license and proof of hunter education, and be prepared to scout/set up Friday. Call 361/349-1181 with questions.

[caalexander4]

Originally Posted by mdoug1076

Thank you for advice and update. Yeah, there will probably be a lot of hunters near the private property border at the entrance since there may be corn feeders going off. Not a bad plan, but I’m not going to fight all the others for that spot. I just hope we aren’t all sitting in the rain hunting! Then also the roads may get bad too.

If it rains I am either gonna see if I can borrow my FIL's truck since it has 4 wheel drive or I am gonna be busting out the waders to get off the road. My ram does terrible off road when it gets wet with my all season tires so I wont be playing around with that.

[fish4food]

Originally Posted by AransasRanger

We have 84 standby permits available. Cost is $130 for the 9-day hunt. Youth under 17 hunt FREE, but must have a permit. If you are interested in a permit, you must be here in person on Friday, September 27. Permits will be available starting at 9 am until 4 pm (or until permits are sold out, whichever comes first). Please bring exact change (cash only), your hunting license and proof of hunter education, and be prepared to scout/set up Friday. Call 361/349-1181 with questions.

Thanks for the information!
Very useful.

I’ll be trying for the gun hunts

[caalexander4]

Just as an FYI for those who didn’t scout, google maps and onyx are way off on what ground conditions look like. Was gonna meet up with another member while we scouted and what was supposed to be a service rod turned into the thickest crap to get turned around in. Thought the opening was only 20-40 yards away and that was not the case.

Mosquitos went that bad out today either.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow!


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[AransasRanger]

Originally Posted by fish4food

Thanks for the information!
Very useful.

I’ll be trying for the gun hunts

Ok! I will know probably next week how many standby permits we will have for each rifle hunt. We only sold 5 out of 84 standby archery permits.

[mdoug1076]

Saw a 6pt early this morning at 30 yards before rain hit. I had sprayed a ton of bug spray on my neck, head, face ...so of course the contact lense in my right eye goes blurry from bug spray dripping down from forehead as I’m drawing back. Couldn’t see anything, eased arrow back down. Wind was in my favor so he never spooked. Also saw two does out of range earlier this evening so far. The cloud cover today is nice, it was hot scouting Friday!

[caalexander4]

Not sure where the official kill board is, but I was looking at the cooler and butchering set up and noticed on the paper that as of 1:30 1 buck, 1 doe, and 1 hog had been taken.

I had 1 doe at 7 yards I never even noticed because I was looking through brush for some hogs I was hearing. I only noticed her because she eventually started blowing and took off running.


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[Dmillerdesign]

How are doing?


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[caalexander4]

Originally Posted by Dmillerdesign

How are doing?


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The kill log as of Sunday at about 3 only had 8 or so listed.

[texastrouthunte]

Any news on stand by for the first rifle hunt?

[AransasRanger]

Originally Posted by texastrouthunte

Any news on stand by for the first rifle hunt?

Not yet! Today is the deadline for people to pay, so I assume we will get a list early next week. I'll post on the Aransas NWR Facebook page as soon as I know.