Help me out fellow outdoorsmen! (Fort Worth, Lewisville: real estate, leases, house)

[tdogmajor]

I'm thinking of moving to Fort Worth area from Utah. I love Texas and am excited for it, but I am scared that there won't be anything for me to do when it comes to the outdoors. Utah and Colorado have public land to deer hunt, duck hunt, fish, camp, etc. I'll go crazy if I can't do those things. I'm coming down to visit in a few weeks and check out real estate around the Flower Mound area. Any suggestions on things to see when I'm there (lakes, trails, rivers?), also, what do people do there for hunting? Do they hunt on large ranches, reserves? Anything helps, thanks

[ChristieP]

Texas is very short on public land for hunting. TPWD does not allow hunting in state parks (with only a few exceptions). The military bases allow hunting, but there's a priority list with veterans at the top.

If you want to hunt here, you will most likely need to get your own lease. Look online, in hunting magazines, etc. Leases can get expensive, like $1000 per person for a lease in the part of Texas with trophy whitetail deer. If you are lucky, you can find some buddies to split the cost with you.

FloMo is on the north shore of Lake Grapevine. There are numerous parks around the lake, although quite a few of them are still closed due to high lake levels flooding them out. There are several other lakes, and state parks, within an hour's drive.

[texas_nightowl]

As ChristieP said...fishing/camping? no problem. Hunting...will be more difficult.

Lake Grapevine is closest to Flower Mound. A little north is Lake Lewisville. Also in the area but a bit further are Lake Worth (and the Lake Worth Nature Center/Refuge), Eagle Mountain Lake, and then over further north is Lake Ray Roberts. All with various parks around them.

Also, here is the link to Texas Parks & Wildlife: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department There IS information on their site about public hunting and a draw system? So spend some time there.

[Angie682]

I am originally from Utah and have lived here for 12 years. I still really miss all of the outdoor activities in Utah and climate. I miss skiing, mountains, camping and fishing for rainbow trout.

There are lots of lakes for fishing here and a few alligators too.

There is not lots of public land for hunting like Utah and the west. Some people here consider hunting leaving out corn for deer and then shooting them from a blind or their truck. That's not really considered hunting where I'm from, but to each their own. The deer are small (think petting zoo).

Camping here is not really the same either. It's hot and does not cool down at night. Have actually seen someone bring a portable A/C unit to tent camp. The scenery is not as awe inspiring like Utah, Wyoming or Colorado.

DFW is not really known for it's scenery or natural beauty. People move here for jobs and cheaper housing, (relative to where you are coming from) but that's what vacations are for! Good luck. Flower Mound is nice.

[tdogmajor]

Thanks for the reply Angie682. That really helps. Coming from Utah, you feel me right?! I love Texas everytime I visit, so I'm way excited to move there, but I guess I'll just have to plan vacations to go back home for big hunts. Thanks again, helped a lot.

[tdogmajor]

Thanks ChristieP for the info about the lakes. I'll go drive there and check em out when I'm there in 2 weeks. Do they get pretty crowded on the weekends? Do folks usually just fish those lakes, or are watersports popular as well? Thanks!

[ChristieP]

Lewisville gets VERY crowded with boaters, skiers, etc. There are usually a couple of drownings each summer!

Grapevine is busy but not as crowded.

Lavon has lots of dead trees in the lake so it's great for fishing.

Ray Roberts is further out and not as crowded.

[Angie682]

Yep totally feel ya!!! I really do love living here, but I do miss those mountains. Lake Murray in Oklahoma is pretty. It's a short drive from DFW. I just bought a house near a lake. I love seeing the deer and kayaking! Good luck on your move!!!!