TPWD … Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is accepting applications for thousands of available permits for a wide range of hunts included in the popular drawn hunts segment of its public hunting program.

The program is an exceptional value, especially for hunters on a tight budget or those looking to see new country or try something different. That's because it gives selected applicants the opportunity to enjoy high-quality hunting experiences on premium properties that see limited hunting pressure without investing much money.

Application fees for most of the multiday hunts range from $3-$10. Successful applicants are usually required to pay a hunt fee of $80-$130, but some hunts, including youth-only hunts, require no fees.

The 2019-20 menu of drawn hunts includes dozens of different hunting categories. The list of opportunities include deer, turkey, pronghorn antelope, exotics, javelina, alligator, waterfowl, pheasant, feral hogs, dove, quail and squirrel. A highly prized bighorn sheep hunt in far West Texas will probably be up for grabs as well, pending August population surveys.

The draw hunts are held on state wildlife management areas, state parks, federal wildlife refuges, U.S. Forest Service properties and select private tracts located throughout the state. While many of the hunts allow for the use of firearms, others are designated as "archery only." There also are several hunts open only to youth hunters with a supervising adult.

In addition to special permit hunts, hunters have the options of applying for numerous E-Postcard hunts, U.S. Forest Service antlerless deer permits and several hunts that will be held on a half-dozen national wildlife refuges.

E-Postcard and USFS antlerless permits are unique from other public draw hunts. There is no application fee or hunt fee. However, hunters 17 and older are required to have a current annual public hunting permit before applying.

The 2019-20 APH goes on sale along with new hunting licenses in mid-August. The cost is $48. The special permit provides access to hundreds of thousands of additional acreage enrolled in TPWD's public hunting program.

The drawn hunts are open to resident and nonresident hunters who meet application deadlines. Some of the deadlines roll around in early to mid-August.

TPWD has 9,177 hunting permits available to pass out through its drawn hunt program this year, including 5,260 permits for use on state owned/managed properties, 1,370 USFS antlerless permits and 2,547 permits designated for national wildlife refuge hunts.All applications must be submitted electronically via TPWD's public hunts link, tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/publichuntdrawing/hunt-categories.phtml. Required application fees for each hunter must submitted simultaneously using an appropriate credit card.

Applicants who do not have a personal computer or smart phone should seek out Internet access through a public library or a friend. Applications and fees are no longer accepted by mail.

The easy-to-navigate public hunting website contains a wealth of pertinent information about application deadlines, permit numbers, hunting methods, bag limits and previous success rates. There also is a downloadable brochure for each hunting area that lists a map, total acreage, a description of the terrain, check-in times, special restrictions, all legal game and baiting rules, etc. The website also provides links to check application status and a list of answers to frequently asked questions.