Review of CenTex Hog Hunt Requested

[mr kablammo]

The ranch at 9537 Texas 97, Waelder, TX is advertising a two hog hunt w/ varmints for $299. Anyone hunt there? It is east of San Antonio about 75~90 miles. Will the Swiss 7.5x55 put a hog down? Can the 5.56 take a bobcat? In terms of success will the Best Hog Hunt produce results?

[rickyrick]

Yes and yes on the ammo question, don't use military fmj.

Should be lots of pigs in the region you mentioned.

[johnwilliamson062]

from what i hear people are begging for hog hunters in texas.

[Shoes]

If anyone knows of a landowner who'd let an Illinois hunter come down and help them out PLEASE let me know. PMs are greatly appreciated.
Shoes

[rickyrick]

Land owners are quite peculiar or particular;
Many are wary of letting outsiders on the property to hunt, especially if the main revenue is farm and ranch related.

While the owner may be over-run with pigs and whatknot they still only want trusted friends taking care of the problem. I see much criticism about Texas' hog problem and not letting folks on the land to hunt.

Like I said its about trust because these farms usually have expensive hay and other resources that can ne loaded up, not to mention stuff that can be sold as scrap iron due to hifh prices. The safety of the domestic animals must also be considered.

So if you gain access, its probably not going to be free.

On the other hand, many places have turned to sport hunters as a revenue stream. I see more and more high fences going up everyday it seems.

[bumnote]

I was in Kerrville, TX (which is north of the San Antonio area) last month hunting deer and hogs on my folks ranch...the hogs are all over the place down there. The 7.5 Swiss will put down a hog with no problem. Most of the ones I saw were in the 150lb range, and a 5.56 will do nicely as well. There were quite a few 200+lb hogs out, the largest one I saw probably weighed in at more than 250lbs, just couldn't get a shot off on him. I used a 30-06 and 308 for the bigger hogs and my 223 on the smaller ones.
Didn't see any Bobcats...but wasn't really looking for them.

[johnwilliamson062]

If you are a decent hunter at all... I recommend you do some bluffing and post an add as a varmint control service that hunts for some nominal bounty, like $10 a head. Hell print up some business cards and pass a few to the rancher before you leave if it goes well.

Sounds to me like there isn't a whole lot to hog hunting in these areas at least compared to white tail or coyote.

[checkmyswag]

I don't post on The Hunt hardly.

I was just logging on to post a similar thread.

Looking to hunt deer/hogs around Austin.

Weird, how there is so little public land here in such a huge state.

[Major Dave (retired)]

According to the current map booklet for Texas public hunting lands there are 13 public hunt areas offering feral hog opportunities in Region 6 - Austin/Waco.

None of them are in Travis County (Austin), but all of them are within an hour or two of drive time from Austin.

The closest appears to be at Granger WMA, which is only about 30 miles from Austin, just north of Taylor.

You will have to pay $48 for an Annual Public Hunting Permit to take advantage of these opportunities, but it's well worth it. ;)

Upon further review:
Granger is open for hog hunting year around, but it's ARCHERY ONLY.

Most of the other 13 are "during dove season, only". Too late for that!

Best bets are limited to only 2 areas, for any legal means (rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzle loader, etc.) One of them is for Jan, Feb, and March, while the other is for March and April.

Buy the permit, and you will get a 142 page book of maps and specific instructions on what, when, where, how, etc., covering almost 900,000 acres (that's nine tenths of a MILLION) acres of public hunting lands. Plus several National Forests administered by the Feds. No permit needed, just a Texas hunting license.