Thinking about moving

[Ernie]

I live in the northern part of the lower penn. in Michigan and kicking the idea around moving around the Austin, Texas area. Not in the city, but out in the country a bit. Work is slow here in Michigan which leaves alot of time to hunt, but not alot of gas money for the truck. I have three sisters and a brother in or around Austin and they all say work is good there and I have checked the internet and their is alot of job postings. Another worry is I am not going to be happy not chasing something with hounds. I know their is alot of pigs there, but what else is there to chase? Anyone have any input or advice? Or anyone from Texas that can tell me what the hound hunting is like in that area? I know it is hot, been there in July. but was years ago.Thanks.

[Bearkiller]

Texas sucks unless you can buy a ton of land.

[briarpatch]

Ernie, as Bearkiller intimated, Texas does not have much public land. However, given time you may be able to find areas where you can hound hunt. You will not be far from areas in south-southwest Texas that have oodles of bobcat and you can probably find hunting grounds there. I would think that, after becoming acquainted, you could find places to coon and bobcat hunt around Austin (rivers, etc.). If you search, you probably can find ways to lion hunt in far southwest Texas, say from the Davis mountains and on down through the Rio Grande country. Also, you are only a few hours from New Mexico which has lots of public land with bear, lion, elk, etc.

As for the types of game, in addition to more than plenty of hogs, in most areas that I am familiar with, we have plenty of coon, bobcat, fox, coyote for hounding. Also, in most areas there are plenty of deer and turkey.

briarpatch

[Shorty]

Briar patch is right on the money. If you like coon hunting you should have no problem finding places. Everyone is overrun with them and want them gone. Abundance of game to run with hounds. Finding places is the hard part, but, if your dogs are broke and your polite the gates will open.

[Ernie]

Thanks guys. Your replies are much appreciated. Bobcats are what I like hunting the most here in the Michigan winters. I bet they are tuff to run down there on the dry ground. Again much appreciated and good luck hunting.

[tomtom]

What kind of job are you looking for? tom cantwell.

[Ernie]

Sorry Tom. I haven't been on here in a few days. It really don't matter to me what kind of job I get as long as their is work and some kind of medical insurance. I have a disabled daughter. I work for a road building company now. Our season hasn't started yet, we just got 2 inches of sloppy snow. I have expierence in ashalt, concrete, and grade work. I also have a CDL and have worked for a distributing company and have also worked on a fireproofing crew. I wish I would have stayed in the service, I probably wouldn't have hounds but at least it is a job. What is your opinion on the job market in Texas?

[tomtom]

The job market is fine here. I live in La Grange and work at all the power plants for the Lower Colorado River Authority. We have some major construction projects on the horizon, beginning realistically in January 2012. Keep an eye on this via lcra.org... I oversee contract construction. I will tell you that you can land a job with a major construction outfit, receive benefits and better than average wages, then get laid off pretty regular around here. Have you looked at Archer Western? They are a big road and bridge contractor. Chances are you have. HOWEVER, I would pack my bags tomorrow if I could have the job I have now in a place where I could run the dogs without fear of trespassing somewhere. Sure, I like to hunt with other people. We all know the colorful types that houndsmen can be. That's fine. But I promise you, around here, unless you land THE job you will play hell getting OUT ON YOUR OWN and listening to a good race. You are going to have to drive. Agreeing with what the other guys said, Texas is good comfortable weather and stuff is pretty reasonably priced. If you have the places to run them, and have the gas money, this is a great place to do it and the best part is you can do it year round.