The weather continues to be hot and dry, at least here in eastern Lampasas County. We have missed out on some of the recent rains, and for me it is difficult to think of hunting when the temperature is above 100 degrees.

Hunting this fall crossed my mind, however, when I received in the mail the 2009-2010 Applications for Drawings on Public Hunting Lands.

The booklet is prepared each year by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in a continuing effort to provide additional public hunting opportunities.

Texas has very little public land available, but TPWD offers a variety of access permits on lands under its control. Public hunts are offered on many Texas State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas.

There also are some hunts on private land and a pronghorn antelope hunt on the Rita Blanca National Grasslands.

If you applied for a public hunt last year, you also should have received a booklet. If you did not receive one, write to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.

Deadline for applying for the first hunt -- alligator -- is Aug. 5, and for archery deer hunts the deadline is Aug. 12, so hurry if you want to apply for these.

The hunting booklet also may be viewed on the TPWD Web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/ hunt/public.

I have been going through the application booklet and trying to decide if I am going to apply for any hunts. There is a private land pronghorn antelope hunt and some private lands deer hunts. I may apply for one of those.

There are a number of either-sex or antlerless deer hunts, as well as a few mule deer hunts, turkey and exotic game hunts. Numerous youth-only hunts also are available.

One of the new hunts offered this year is an aoudad sheep hunt in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. If you have been to the canyon previously, I do not have to tell you this will be a difficult hunt in very rough country. The park covers over 20,000 acres, and I would think anyone on that hunt should be in good physical condition.

Several parks and wildlife management areas are easy to hunt, as hunters can drive near to their assigned hunting blind.

Two years ago, my son and I were drawn for an antlerless deer hunt on Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area near Junction. All hunts were by assigned blinds. Even though I did not take a doe, we enjoyed several days of relaxing hunting.

Hunters are reminded that even though hunts are planned on certain areas, that is no indication of a large amount of game. Hunters' success can range from zero to 100 percent.

Also, if you apply for a hunt, the odds of getting drawn are very slim. I calculated the odds of drawing a permit for the Rita Blanca pronghorn permit at more than 500 to one. Last year 4,067 people applied for the eight permits available.

The best odds of being drawn are for one of the

antlerless/spike-only hunts.

*** Lampasas County resident Bob Chapman, a National Wild Turkey Federation member, said he and several others are trying to form a local chapter. To help achieve that goal, a Wild Turkey Federation Banquet and Auction is scheduled Aug. 8 at the Hostess House. The doors will open at 6 p.m., and the meal will be served at 7:30 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to come early to review the silent auction items and start the bidding process.

Ticket prices are $45 per person or $60 per couple. Advance tickets may be purchased from Lampasas County Extension Agent Jason Byrd at 556-8271.

The National Turkey Federation is a well-known organization with a good reputation for encouraging and funding land management practices that benefit wild turkeys and other wildlife.

I would encourage all persons interested in wildlife and the outdoors to attend the banquet and support this organization. More details will be offered in my next column.

Former Soil Conservation Service employee and longtime writer Mat Taylor offers his outdoors column for Dispatch Record readers. He can be contacted at (254) 518-2262 or via e-mail at mntaylor@agristar.net.