What Are They Hunting Nearby?
They may be nearby, so it also helps to know what hunting season we are currently in. You can find the 2020-2021 schedule here (2022-2023 has not been published at this time). We are extremely close to corps land (the entire lake and shores in South Paloma Creek), so it is not unusual to be woken up at sunrise at the beginning of each season. Hunters usually prefer sunrise and late afternoon through sunset. They should not be out after dark. If you see anyone spotlighting, please call the Game Warden. They are trained law enforcement professionals that are well versed in all of the codes, rules, and regulations specific to Texas Parks and Wildlife in our area as well as being Officers of the law. They are uniquely suited for this purpose.
You should always have a valid hunting license and take hunter’s education prior to hunting. I recommend it even if you have a CHL.
Here is a list of things that live in and around our area that can legally be hunted while in season:
Javelina (wild hogs) - They are extremely aggressive and destructive. They can become quite large and are dangerous.
White-Tail Deer - They are most active in cooler temperatures, usually group together, and the boys like to show off for the ladies. It isn’t uncommon to see them fighting with one another or telling off a tree.
Rio Grande Turkey - Not all turkeys are the same. These are actually slow when they are quite large and it isn’t unusual to see them just walking down a road.
Quail - They are small, migratory pheasants that vary greatly in their appearance. They are a favorite with hunters.
Dove - They are my favorite because they stand for peace. They can sing by inflating their lungs without opening their beaks. They are the ventriloquists of the bird kingdom. They are plump, round, and grey on top with black spots. Their colors fade onto their belly in a gradient pattern that goes to a light peach shade or white.
Duck - Also a hunter favorite. You will see the hunters either close to shore or in a boat. They are almost always in a blind, in formation, and have hunting dogs so they don’t have to go in the water after the birds.
Rails - They look like small chickens. They are brown.
Gallinules - They are small, dark grey, and the adult males have red beaks.
Moorehens/Marsh Hens - They are closely related to gallinules, but they like the water and are slightly larger.
Snipe - They are often used more for folklore and pranks because they are difficult to see. Snipes are real, but they are also really well camouflaged which is why they are legendary. They are plump and have beautiful brown and white spotted feathers. They tend to stay around water, so they are usually seen while perched close to a shore. Their long beaks make them effective hunters.
Teal - It is basically a small duck. It looks like a duck, quacks like a ducks, acts like a duck, so why don’t they call it a duck?
Woodcock - They are called all sorts of other names and decreasing in population. You may know them as a timberdoodle, bogsucker, hokumpoke, or Labrador twister. They are small birds that are perfectly camouflaged for hiding in brown leaves.
Alligators - Alligators may be taken under any resident or non-resident hunting license (except for a non-resident spring turkey license and a non-resident banded bird hunting license). They fall under special regulations and may only be taken on private property in Denton County per CITES.
Rabbits/Hairs - It is only legal to hunt cottontail (what the bobcats like to eat), swamp rabbits, and jackrabbits (they like those as well).
Non-game animals include (but are not limited to) the following: armadillos, bobcats, coyotes, flying squirrels, frogs, ground squirrels, mountain lions, porcupines, prairie dogs, other rabbits, and turtles. There is no closed season on these animals and a valid hunting license is required.
Please do NOT approach anyone with a firearm. If you anticipate that you will be in an area where there might be hunters nearby, I suggest taking the hunter education safety class - even if you never intend to touch a weapon. You should also invest in a fashionable safety vest like the one below. They come in all types, styles, sizes, price points, and prints. There is no reason why you can’t be fashionable while you are sporting safety gear. I would also like to mention that Under the Sportsmen’s Rights Act (Parks and Wildlife Code, §62.0125), harassment of hunters, trappers, or anglers is punishable by a fine of $200 to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail, so please do not disrupt or disturb the hunters. It is not only dangerous, it is illegal.
