Grapevine Hunting 2022-2023

[tward1604]

It's is probably time to start the 22/23 season thread.

I am pumped to be drawn out here. Hopefully we can get some quality deer on the ground and meet some quality folks out there.

With that I have hunted coastal deer my whole life and they rut in September. When should the deer be rutting at Grapevine?

[Grapevine USACE]

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

[gumbl3]

Never seen a live draw done... Would be fun I think

[tward1604]

The live draw could be fun, but might be hard for a lot to make it due to work unless it is in the evening or weekend.

[Texas Grown]

Live draws are fun. And gives the hunters a chance to meet other hunters. But, like said, work or life could hinder participation for some folks. There by cutting down on participation in the resources. I would also think the logistics of trying to draw deer permits, waterfowl permits, and all the other permits would be kind of taxing on the ACE staff without going to multiple day draws. It would probably need to be held outdoors as well. And some folks may not be able to participate due to heat related problems. Weather could cause a problem as well if storms were to blow up. And I'm very much sure the ACE staff would rather be in an A/C environment during years like this one.


I also want to send "Thanks for all you do" to the staff! Yall rock!

[troy_w_7]

My friend Josh and I went out yesterday and found some good sign, put out a few cameras, bumped about 6-7 deer and few stud bucks! Hopefully we can put a few down this season; I'm pumped!

[Therooster240g]

A live draw sounds interesting. I’d also like to thank the staff for everything.


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[SFAbowhunter]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

A live draw could be fun. It would need to be an evening or weekend though. This would probably cut out the left over permits that never get picked up too.

[Swamphunterfw]

I don’t understand how it’s so hard to get drawn it has been like 7 years since I was last drawn ������

[ArcheryAssassin]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

How about giving all the allotted permits out for the season ? Makes no sense at all that yall sit on 50 to 90 permits each season that are not picked up. The re-draw of 30 percent was a minimal effort at best to allocate those to serious hunters that want these tags! it should be a first come first serve on the remainder of deer permits each season! problem solved i guarantee every permit would be utilized each year. It almost seems as though yall dont want people hunting there the way its been handled!

[ArcheryAssassin]

Originally Posted by Swamphunterfw

I don’t understand how it’s so hard to get drawn it has been like 7 years since I was last drawn ������

and they dont even give out all the permits allocated its kinda stupid

[topshot]

I'm not too worried about the draw method...so long as I get drawn it's been years and years! Yall need some hunters to start taking deer off the property, the past 2 years havent produced many deer harvests.

[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

I'm ok with the current draw system, but do think a live 2nd draw of unclaimed permits would be nice. Give plenty of notice and make it a "be there to win it" type thing on a Saturday. That would help guarantee the seriousness of the applicants.

Whatever y'all decide, as long as we're able to hunt there, I'm happy. Keep up the good work and convince Lavon to start drawing permits for deer!

[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by troy_w_7

My friend Josh and I went out yesterday and found some good sign, put out a few cameras, bumped about 6-7 deer and few stud bucks! Hopefully we can put a few down this season; I'm pumped!

I was drawn but haven't had a chance to get out there yet. Hope to soon! Has the heat and drought helped with the thickness, or is it still stupidly thick out there?

[troy_w_7]

Originally Posted by Paddy3-17

I was drawn but haven't had a chance to get out there yet. Hope to soon! Has the heat and drought helped with the thickness, or is it still stupidly thick out there?

It's pretty thick but it's still possibly to navigate through.

[Aggiewelch]

I am in! Looking forward to getting out there and seeing what happens this year.

[Dirty Kev]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

If I could attend the live draw, that would be awesome. But on the other hand, if I had work/family/etc, I'd hate having to miss out on a chance to hunt just because of a schedule conflict for that day.

Have y'all looked into doing a online form on the recreation.gov website that campsite reservations are done through? I think Lake Georgetown does there deer permit lotto through there. Might be a learning curve, but could potentially streamline the process and save the rangers a bunch of time from having to sort through papers/emails and then calling/emailing folks back.

[Texas Deer Time]

Originally Posted by Aggiewelch

I am in! Looking forward to getting out there and seeing what happens this year.

When we going scouting?

[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by Texas Deer Time

When we going scouting?

Y'all are lucky you live close and can get out to scout quickly! I'm way on the east side of Allen (Lucas) and it takes me a good hour to get out there without traffic. Best of luck to you!

[Texas Deer Time]

Originally Posted by Paddy3-17

Y'all are lucky you live close and can get out to scout quickly! I'm way on the east side of Allen (Lucas) and it takes me a good hour to get out there without traffic. Best of luck to you!

It’s my first year out there! I’m super excited to be closer to home and hunt with a little one running around.

Excited for dove hunting in Williamson county to kick off the year and then it’s deer focus time! Good luck.

[SFAbowhunter]

Originally Posted by Paddy3-17

Y'all are lucky you live close and can get out to scout quickly! I'm way on the east side of Allen (Lucas) and it takes me a good hour to get out there without traffic. Best of luck to you!

I'm with ya! I'm in Gunter and it's over an hour drive for me. There is a decent chance I'm going to wait until season starts and just do some speed scouting tours in season and hunt the hot sign. Just gotta be where they want to be! Good luck to everyone!

[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by SFAbowhunter

I'm with ya! I'm in Gunter and it's over an hour drive for me. There is a decent chance I'm going to wait until season starts and just do some speed scouting tours in season and hunt the hot sign. Just gotta be where they want to be! Good luck to everyone!

I did a bit of that last year. Scouted early (about this time of year and it was thick!) and ended up hunting in a completely different area than I scouted.

Once it cooled off and thinned out some, I found some really good spots! I would find a spot early, hunt until about 11, then walk and scout. I got lucky and didn't mess up anyone's hunt. That was my main concern.

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[LukeDuke]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

Thanks for the opportunity!

I think most of us will do anything that you all deem best.

I suspect you and your bunch are under staffed, and still you do a great job IMO...

[LukeDuke]

I've been drawn once for deer since the drawing started.

Missed out this year, but I'm looking forward to having a close place to thwack a few pigs!

[Aggiewelch]

[QUOTE=troy_w_7;16361772]My friend Josh and I went out yesterday and found some good sign, put out a few cameras, bumped about 6-7 deer and few stud bucks! Hopefully we can put a few down this season; I'm pumped![/QUOTEi

I think I may have walked by your cameras this morning. If so we can coordinate closer to opener

[Texas Deer Time]

[quote=Aggiewelch;16373336]

Originally Posted by troy_w_7

My friend Josh and I went out yesterday and found some good sign, put out a few cameras, bumped about 6-7 deer and few stud bucks! Hopefully we can put a few down this season; I'm pumped![/QUOTEi

I think I may have walked by your cameras this morning. If so we can coordinate closer to opener

I’m the better looking one on your camera, let’s get numbers around so we can coordinate for sure!

[jbolton]

I was drawn for the first time this season, but have been eyeballing a spot for years and can finally take advantage of it. Never actually scouted there before, but plan to do some this week and probably put out a camera. Looking forward to this season

[troy_w_7]

[quote=Aggiewelch;16373336]

Originally Posted by troy_w_7

My friend Josh and I went out yesterday and found some good sign, put out a few cameras, bumped about 6-7 deer and few stud bucks! Hopefully we can put a few down this season; I'm pumped![/QUOTEi

I think I may have walked by your cameras this morning. If so we can coordinate closer to opener

We checked cams Saturday and didn't see yall on them. But if we bump into each other out there, we can definitely communicate about where everyone is going, make sure we aren't on top of each other.

[troy_w_7]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

I don't think I have any other suggestions on how to conduct the actual draw; whether names are drawn out of a hat, randomly chosen from an excel spreadsheet, etc. I'm okay with it as long as it's truly random.

Here are the things I'd love to see implemented if possible:

1. Preference points similar to the TPWS public land draws hunts, to help increase your odds of getting drawn year over year. Hunters who apply year in and year out will likely be more serious and utilize their tags.

2. Redraw for unclaimed permits after the first draw. I'm hesitant to say you have to be present to win because if there were some prior engagement I had on that specific date and I couldn't be there, that would be super disappointing. But maybe do the draw remote and then say you have to pick up your permit within 48 hours.

3. Doe harvests (1 or 2, you decide) get you automatically drawn for the next season. We can see by the data that there aren't that many deer harvested out there each year. So it's not like we are going to mow down the heard. And this would incentivize drawn hunters to actually get in the woods and utilize their tags and encourage actual deer heard management, which is why hunting is allowed there any ways.

I'm not sure how #3 would work without a check-in station, but it would be awesome if you could somehow make that happen!

[Kirby86]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

I'd like to see a bowhunter's education requirement. I know to some people it may sound absurd, but I have met at least 5 people over the years who have won permits at Grapevine that didn't even own a piece of archery equipment at the time of entry.

[tward1604]

Finally got time to pick up my permit today. I'll accept all PM's with GPS coordinates of where all the big dumb bucks are.

I'm counting down the days until I can get a scouting tip in.

[Double-AA]

Is it just me or the drought had no effect on slowing this mess down!?!?

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[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by tward1604

Finally got time to pick up my permit today. I'll accept all PM's with GPS coordinates of where all the big dumb bucks are.

I'm counting down the days until I can get a scouting tip in.

Here you go!

32.9574868, -97.0438145

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[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by Double-AA

Is it just me or the drought had no effect on slowing this mess down!?!?

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Ugh. Haven't been out there yet but was hoping the drought would've thinned it out a bit.

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[troy_w_7]

Originally Posted by Double-AA

Is it just me or the drought had no effect on slowing this mess down!?!?

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It's pretty darn thick out there still!

[Texas Deer Time]

Originally Posted by Paddy3-17

Here you go!

32.9574868, -97.0438145

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Even I can kill one there

[tward1604]

Originally Posted by Paddy3-17

Here you go!

32.9574868, -97.0438145

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That's the kinda quality I'm talkin about! I'll scout soon.

[troy_w_7]

Originally Posted by Paddy3-17

Here you go!

32.9574868, -97.0438145

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I've seen some literal wall hangers over there by the guns/ammo!

[tward1604]

Originally Posted by troy_w_7

I've seen some literal wall hangers over there by the guns/ammo!

Dang! Wall hangers and guns and ammo! If they had a reliable supply of reloading components I'd leave work now.

[jbolton]

So I spent tons more time scouting entry points today rather than actually scouting areas for deer signs and places to set up. Did get to walk some areas in between work this morning and afternoon so if anyone sees a fat guy in a collared shirt and pants on their cameras, that was my dumb self. Hopefully I didn't trample anyone's areas. Plan to trek deeper over the next few days...this rain is going to make scouting more fun.

[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by jbolton

So I spent tons more time scouting entry points today rather than actually scouting areas for deer signs and places to set up. Did get to walk some areas in between work this morning and afternoon so if anyone sees a fat guy in a collared shirt and pants on their cameras, that was my dumb self. Hopefully I didn't trample anyone's areas. Plan to trek deeper over the next few days...this rain is going to make scouting more fun.

Last year was my first out there and that was one of my biggest struggles initially...finding a decent access point that led to something.

I finally found a couple but am still trying to find access to other areas. Best of luck!

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[tward1604]

Finally got out scouting today. Wow this place is great. As soon as I made it in the tree line I was on an old rub line. Plenty of trails everywhere.


Also I found some hawk climbing sticks that someone lost last year or the year before. They were on the ground with at least a years worth of sitting on them.

If you can tell me where you lost them and how many you lost. (via pm to protect your spot is fine) I’d love to meet up and give them back to whomever lost them.

[Paddy3-17]

Originally Posted by tward1604

Finally got out scouting today. Wow this place is great. As soon as I made it in the tree line I was on an old rub line. Plenty of trails everywhere.


Also I found some hawk climbing sticks that someone lost last year or the year before. They were on the ground with at least a years worth of sitting on them.

If you can tell me where you lost them and how many you lost. (via pm to protect your spot is fine) I’d love to meet up and give them back to whomever lost them.

If nobody claims them, I'll buy them from you!

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[NCBBQ]

Went out there for the very first time on the 11th and did some scouting. Man what a neat property! Found some nice rub lines and travel corridors.

[skelsey]

[QUOTE=gumbl3;16359493]Never seen a live draw done... Would be fun I think[/QUOTE
I know a group that has been drawn the last 5 years so yea I would like to see a live draw to see if they are full of it or if they know somebody!!

[JD81]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

Please bring back the re-draw for unissued permits.

[troy_w_7]

Scouted the Vine today, took a leak, looked up and noticed a camera pointed in my direction... If you're on here, sorry about that. I seriously had no idea.

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by troy_w_7

scouted the vine today, took a leak, looked up and noticed a camera pointed in my direction... If you're on here, sorry about that. I seriously had no idea.

All in fun bud!

[Double-AA]

Longest, loudest, windiest hovering bird I've ever seen! Another fine day on the vine!

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[JD81]

Originally Posted by Grapevine USACE

Hunters: We have made all calls for the 2022-2023 Deer Lotto. So if you didn't hear from us or have a voicemail from us they you were not drawn. We understand the system we had to implement in 2020 is not a fan favorite and based off old thread it seems most would like it where you got a tag number and we post results. That one is a little harder to do since applications are emailed in. But we are already thinking of how to improve the system for next year. Quick question.... how would everyone feel about doing a live draw in person next year? Just trying to get some feedback from you hunters to see what you thought?

If you are basing the allotted permits each year (250) as though each will be issued because the deer population can support, you really hurt the hunters that don’t get drawn by not giving out the permits that are not picked up or that would have been up for a re-draw.

Give all of the permits out, whether it’s a re-draw or a first come first serve for the remaining permits.

I’d also like to see published the total number of permits drawn vs issued. Reading the past surveys, it’s very apparent the deer population can support more harvest.