Outdoor Life

Sam Houston Nat'l Forest & others don't shut down access.

A number of state (TX) management areas and parks do shut down for special hunts (usually draws), but not during the general seasons. These areas and parks are funded through special fees (exceeding the cost of a hunting license), and other taxes on ammo, motorboat fuels, guns, etc. Birders, fishers, mountain bikers, etc. pay no special fees & taxes for using these lands. I think the present system is more than fair for everyone. Where the problem lies is in having too little land for public access. What lands (at the state level) are available for use are funded on the very thin backbone of mainly hunters.

Fortunately, many birders in Texas realize the essential role hunters play, and raise little objection, many buying hunting licenses with no intention of ever hunting.

NOTE: Special Draw Hunts last 3-5 days, and may be scheduled only one to four times a season, which in Texas can run over over 70 days, depending on species.