michael.shabareck
New member
At the seasoned age of 32, I wish I could claim I’ve harvested every tasty critter from Tulsa clear on to Timbuktu. Reality is… my hunting résumé is more haiku than epic.
I’ve hunted whitetail exactly once, and I’m fairly certain the only reason it worked out is because I used a few unorthodox methods—nothing I’m willing to document for legal reasons. I’ve also punched a couple hogs in Florida, but Texas is a whole different ecosystem for me.
Out here, I don’t have the usual network of outdoorsmen I’m used to. I’m not sure I can justify the time or cost of a lease right now, and I’m mostly just trying to figure out how a newcomer can get into whitetail hunting (plus all the other oddball critters this state seems to produce).
Guided hunts look fun, but my wallet has filed a formal objection. Public land sounds like a bow-only endurance trial within a descent driving distance that I can spend scouting etc...
Long-term, I’d love to do an Outrider Event—maybe by the time I hit 40 and have the PTO/Budget to match the ambition.
Hunting clubs, though… those have my attention. I don’t know much about them, but they seem like a potential path that doesn’t require selling a kidney.
So I’m throwing this out to the group:
For someone new to Texas hunting—no lease, limited network, trying to learn without going broke—what paths, clubs, or strategies would you recommend? Any pitfalls to avoid? Anything I'm not considering?
Appreciate any guidance from folks who’ve walked this road before.
I’ve hunted whitetail exactly once, and I’m fairly certain the only reason it worked out is because I used a few unorthodox methods—nothing I’m willing to document for legal reasons. I’ve also punched a couple hogs in Florida, but Texas is a whole different ecosystem for me.
Out here, I don’t have the usual network of outdoorsmen I’m used to. I’m not sure I can justify the time or cost of a lease right now, and I’m mostly just trying to figure out how a newcomer can get into whitetail hunting (plus all the other oddball critters this state seems to produce).
Guided hunts look fun, but my wallet has filed a formal objection. Public land sounds like a bow-only endurance trial within a descent driving distance that I can spend scouting etc...
Long-term, I’d love to do an Outrider Event—maybe by the time I hit 40 and have the PTO/Budget to match the ambition.
Hunting clubs, though… those have my attention. I don’t know much about them, but they seem like a potential path that doesn’t require selling a kidney.
So I’m throwing this out to the group:
For someone new to Texas hunting—no lease, limited network, trying to learn without going broke—what paths, clubs, or strategies would you recommend? Any pitfalls to avoid? Anything I'm not considering?
Appreciate any guidance from folks who’ve walked this road before.
