Just being pensive

[Wudstix]

As I mature, and with my current situation and location, I have been thinking.  "What if I can not hunt?"  Living in a large Texas city where it is prohibited to hunt within city limits.  Not having the means to pay to hunt in Texas or buy land, due to other obligations.  What if the only critters I'll see are those I glimpse, as I Mt Bike in the greenbelt?  What if my archery is limited to shooting 15-18 yards along the side of my house?

[Sam McMichael]

Well, I wouldn't like being so limited, but I would still shoot the bow. The thought of that is one of the reasons I would never care to live in a big city.

[Wudstix]

I've made my career choices, living in the country would be nice.  Still break away a couple times a year to hunt hogs on public land a few hours North of here.

[McDave]

As I get older and no longer have as much spare energy for hauling my old bod up and down hills, and hauling animals out of them, I find it very enjoyable to participate in my archery club's activities, and to shoot in other nearby clubs' tournaments.  Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

[tradslinger]

the seasons of life change for us, unfortunately, not always for the best either. As I get older, I find myself giving up more and more and being able to do less and less. But, I have 11 yards to shoot inside the house if I have to. Where I live now, nobody lived anywhere near here for miles. My parents and I each built a house here and within months we had neighbors. Now, the very area that I walked all over freely without a thought, has around 400 houses on it, spread out all over of course but people living here that I never heard of before.  some of the changes have been for the better but a lot not so good. It can become us doing the best that we can with the limitations that we have been given. Making do with less but always remembering the memories and the good times. Yeah, we even become "Has Beens" but as a guy once told me, "Maybe so Jerry, but a has been is a whole lot better than a never was. Good luck Sir, I sure hope that you still get blessed anyways

[GCook]

Good, bad or indifferent, Texas is a pay to play state as far as hunting is concerned.
That said I know a couple of traditional archers who are consistently successful on public land, often killing nicer deer than I see on private land.  But they work hard at it and relish the challenge.
I worked a lot my whole life.  Work-aholic if you ask my family.  Hunting and fishing was affordable only because I worked so much.  I don't see that changing in Texas and it seems to be growing in that direction in other states.
I agree on finding an archery club near you.  They often have monthly shoots and if you are close enough an evening or two after work rounds on a static range is a nice change of pace. 
But yeah, I can empathize with the struggle.

[Wudstix]

Perhaps I should spend my free time making arrows and reading the books I had on my shelf, or been gifted.  Shooting bow is also good, if limited to a short time at first light when it is still cool enough.  Focus on what I do have.

[Killdeer]

There ya go. Do what you can with what ya got. If it isn't enough, figure what you have to trade off to get what you need.

I have fiberoptic internet and city water/sewer.
Want less noise.
Doublewide with a dish would be cheaper...

Grateful that the choice is there!
Killdeer

[Steelhead]

Brush your whole house in and turn into a big blind.You allready got shooting windows as well.

Then plant food plots surrounding your House blind all around.Good to go!:)

[mgf]

Welcome to my world. LOL

I live out in the country but I don't have anyplace to hunt. I'm waiting on word on whether or not I'll have a place to squirrel hunt for a couple of weekends.

I live on a few acres and I get a shot at something once in a while but it's a tough spot to sit...especially when you sit there too much.

I don't really have the time or money to travel for hunting. Most of the travel is to see the grandchildren who are all out of town. Sure it's a choice.

Then there is the age thing. I used to hunt the national forest in the southern part of the state once in a while. It's some rough country and I don't know if I'll be doing much of that anymore. I can still go for a walk but I don't know how I'd get a deer out. I used to hunt way back in there.

Nope, it's shooting in my back yard range and sitting in or under a tree in the backyard come deer season. I could get lots of them with my truck though.

[Cory Mattson]

You are in a tough spot

I don't consider 'not hunting' an option
Understood you have it tougher than most
You do have LTR
Port Mansfield is my all time favorite place to fish for Redfish if that helps
Look to get hired on a ranch. Even part time. Might be allowed to hunt does. Might be able to trade work days for hunt days. I've known a lot of guys who have done this successfully. Might be able to make that work. Feed stores might have contacts for you.

Socorro NM
Salina KS
Little Rock AR are all over 10 hour drive and under 12 for you
Camping free on WMAs is something we've been doing since 78 and doing that has produced amazing successful hunts.

Here in the East and particularly the southeast we've pretty much got it made. I am very aware how tough it can be. Some of us had tough meager beginnings.

If nothing else worked you could drive to a big WMA in GA and camp/hunt for two weeks for very low cost.

Don't give up
Good luck
And good hunting<><
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[Wudstix]

Hiked Knobstone trail, so know what you're talking about.

[Sam McMichael]

I have been very lucky. For many years I had regular access to private land. Then around 2009 I bought a small tract that has a lot of deer and turkey.  It's not a large tract, but I am the only one who hunts it, so it is plenty big enough. I hope that some day you can have room to hunt and shoot without being crowded by too many neighbors.

[mgf]

Perhaps I should spend my free time making arrows and reading the books I had on my shelf, or been gifted.  Shooting bow is also good, if limited to a short time at first light when it is still cool enough.  Focus on what I do have.

Something to be said for that. I don't have anyplace worth hunting locally but that's about all I have to complain about

I have grandkids that eat up my vacation. I have a house I need to work on. Plenty of room to shoot  and good fishing close by.

My wife even tells me to take money out and buy a hunting trip. I'm just reluctant to commit the vacation time and spend the money.

So the only thing I don't have is a place to hunt. Many people are not so blessed.

[Wudstix]

True enough!!!

[Tim Finley]

There are day hunts in Texas that arent very expensive and not far from you . You could always move, lots of job opportunities here and good hunting just for the asking .

[Al Dean]

I thought for the most part in Texas if you were satisfied with a doe or an inferior buck or hogs you could find some reasonable price hunting.  I could be dead wrong.

[M60gunner]

I hate to say this in a way but I am finding other ways to enjoy archery besides hunting. My excuse is the old body is starting to complain to a point the leg and back pain climbing hills hurts to much. I (we) joined our sportsman club which is part of our Rec center group. The club made an indoor range. We can shoot up to 30 yards. Not bad for $15 a year and a few hours of monitoring each month and it's air conditioned! I do hope and surly want to hunt the ridgeline in back of our son's home one time before they box me up even if I don't take a deer.

[acolobowhunter]

Pack that bag and bow and take a trip to Africa (Namibia).  You would be surprised, the cost is really not that bad.  I know many hunters make a trip here to Colorado in hopes of getting an elk.  Figure the cost of getting here, the high out of state elk license (if you can draw one).  Hunt a week on public ground and maybe not even see an elk.
Go and see Africa (Namibia - the best prices in Africa).  See lots of game and probably, shoot several different species. 
I've been there and done that.  Have also send several other bowhunters and everyone of them had a great time.
Something to think about!

[Tajue17]

looks like its time to pack a tent and drive 200 miles and spend the weekend at some campground that is near a hunting management area or something similar..  if its beyond even that then its time to save some money and only do semi guided hunts maybe the cheaper non rut or maybe hogs and javilinas..... I work in and live near Boston if I can find hunting there must be something in reach for you...

if money is an issue then get some empty sacks from a farmer or plumbing supply store and fill them with trash bags they stop arrows in a pinch and set up a 3D course somewhere........ OR put on some judos and go stumping or plinking theres got to be something to shot at in Texas  .