Help Wanted!

[crazymonkey]

Thanks for all of the help.

I'm thinking Texas for hog hunting, February or March for the more desirable weather.

But, is there a better time for improved success? Also, what part of Texas, any specific ranches to contact?


For Javelina, leaning toward Az. …..but open to Tx also. So recommended areas for Az. and Texas. If Texas is year-round…..best time and area (ranch, ect).

Thanks again guys for all of the help. We're getting "antsy" as we've hunted very little the past 5 years! memtb

Independence ranch comes up alot. It's definitely high fence hunting as almost all Texas is private . The other is DosPulmas ranch . I've not hunted them but they do seem to be the bigger two. I'm lucky enough that my dad's buddy lives in Texas and has a small piece of land just 40 acres I can hunt anytime. I'm thinking the same time frame the January/ February. Do spray everything for ticks and chiggers . I had a couple ticks I had to remove even after spraying all my stuff down.

 

[RB II]

Best weather in Texas that is NOT regular hunting season is going to be early spring. Feb thru mid April won't be too bad, no hurricanes to spoil the hunt. Hogs are going to be best on the larger ranches that can bait them without interruption for several days/weeks. They go nocturnal very easily and become hard to hunt. There are lots of ranches that in South Tx that may offer hog/javelina hunts in the off season. I can't recommend any outfitters.
One of the coolest hog hunts is a thermal/night hunt with ARs. I have a friend that is setup to hunt thermal/jeep/tripods, etc but he doesn't guide. Just does it for fun and friends.

 

[Victor3Ranger1]

Thanks for all of the help.

I'm thinking Texas for hog hunting, February or March for the more desirable weather.

But, is there a better time for improved success? Also, what part of Texas, any specific ranches to contact?


For Javelina, leaning toward Az. …..but open to Tx also. So recommended areas for Az. and Texas. If Texas is year-round…..best time and area (ranch, ect).

Thanks again guys for all of the help. We're getting "antsy" as we've hunted very little the past 5 years! memtb

Going to PM you

 

[Gregg C]

For hogs and javelina, look to Texas. Prices can be very reasonable. Private lands are plentiful.

For just Javis, AZ has a bunch. Cheap too. Just need to draw a tag for most hunts, but there are some over the counter areas. Just not as dense of populations, so you need to know WHERE they are in those areas. Fun to hunt, they taste like stinky feet though.

Blue Rooster Ranch near Holbrook, AZ has hogs. Private land.

.....stinky feet!! That's funny!!

 

[akdad]

If you just want a place you can drive to drive the rv up to Ak. It's a great drive probably even better if you aren't trying to do it as fast as possible.

 

[1wildcatfan]

My wife and I have given up on the possibilities of ever hunting Alaska or Alaska, so we're gonna attempt some less expensive, hopefully easier to accomplish hunts in the Lower 48.

Our thoughts are pigs/hogs and maybe a Javelina hunt.

So, some suggestions on who to contact for hog hunting. A hunt that's reasonably priced, with pretty high success rates. We realize that hog hunting on public ground is likely near impossible. Especially as, we're not as mobile as we were years ago.

As for Javelina, what state would you folks recommend for a DIY hunt, that doesn't require you to be an Olympic athlete to hunt? What state, area/region would you suggest for inexperienced, older folks?

Oh and, we're not "long range" hunters/shooters, so we'd like to limit our shots to around 300 yrds and under!

I guess it's time to spend a little of our kids inheritance!

Thanks in advance! memtb

Aoudad hunts are fun. West Texas or SE New Mexico.
I'd go to Arizona for javalina. May take a couple of pts to draw.

 

[edgeag85]

My wife and I have given up on the possibilities of ever hunting Alaska or Alaska, so we're gonna attempt some less expensive, hopefully easier to accomplish hunts in the Lower 48.

Our thoughts are pigs/hogs and maybe a Javelina hunt.

So, some suggestions on who to contact for hog hunting. A hunt that's reasonably priced, with pretty high success rates. We realize that hog hunting on public ground is likely near impossible. Especially as, we're not as mobile as we were years ago.

As for Javelina, what state would you folks recommend for a DIY hunt, that doesn't require you to be an Olympic athlete to hunt? What state, area/region would you suggest for inexperienced, older folks?

Oh and, we're not "long range" hunters/shooters, so we'd like to limit our shots to around 300 yrds and under!

I guess it's time to spend a little of our kids inheritance!

Thanks in advance! memtb

Not aware of any specific outfitter but finding someone should not be a problem in South Texas where there are plenty of both species hitting feeders meant for deer.

 

[pdavitt]

My wife and I have given up on the possibilities of ever hunting Alaska or Alaska, so we're gonna attempt some less expensive, hopefully easier to accomplish hunts in the Lower 48.

Our thoughts are pigs/hogs and maybe a Javelina hunt.

So, some suggestions on who to contact for hog hunting. A hunt that's reasonably priced, with pretty high success rates. We realize that hog hunting on public ground is likely near impossible. Especially as, we're not as mobile as we were years ago.

As for Javelina, what state would you folks recommend for a DIY hunt, that doesn't require you to be an Olympic athlete to hunt? What state, area/region would you suggest for inexperienced, older folks?

Oh and, we're not "long range" hunters/shooters, so we'd like to limit our shots to around 300 yrds and under!

I guess it's time to spend a little of our kids inheritance!

Thanks in advance! memtb

Not sure why you are limiting yourself to hog hunting. Come to Texas, you can hunt most African plains animals here. And a 5 day out ofstate exotic game license is only about 38 bucks. Elk are considered exotic game in Texas.

 

[memtb]

Not sure why you are limiting yourself to hog hunting. Come to Texas, you can hunt most African plains animals here. And a 5 day out ofstate exotic game license is only about 38 bucks. Elk are considered exotic game in Texas.

Really interested in things that we don't have in Wyoming…..so elk are out. The African game sounds intriguing…..but would probably be a bit pricey for trespass fees and/or guided hunts. memtb

 

[wilehunting]

I've been to Texas in April. Hot but dry heat. It was a private ranch somewhere around San Antonio. We went there for spring turkey, javelina and hogs. Feeders were used for hogs and javelina. I didn't want a hog but I took a turkey and a javelina. Tape your pant legs and sleeves for fire ants. Nasty little devils.

 

[Ol' Red]

Really interested in things that we don't have in Wyoming…..so elk are out. The African game sounds intriguing…..but would probably be a bit pricey for trespass fees and/or guided hunts. memtb

I think you and your wife would enjoy Africa. I have never been but would like to go one day.

 

[southpa]

When one says "hog hunting" in Texas my mind goes directly to helicopter hunts. If you were gonna pay to shoot hogs that's what I'd do hahah.
We have done late archery OTC hunts in AZ. It's a blast and nowhere we went did we not run into javelina. As Lance mentioned I'm not sure how hard the tags were to get but thrm things a are blind as a bat and even the worst bowhunters (me and my buddy) had no problem getting within 30-40 yards of javelina any time we tried.

 

[BigDon]

I think you and your wife would enjoy Africa. I have never been but would like to go one day.

It's worth the effort. Fabulous hunting at prices Waaaaay under USA pricing. Plus - you want it - you got it - none of the tag agony we all go through here. The best part - It's not overrun with tourists. There are numerous well-reviewed operators that keep the market pricing competitive. Unlike Tanzania, most of the land is privately owned - and fenced. (I'm talking about South Africa, here.) But we're talking very large land tracts. The industry is mature and has a good reputation. RSA isn't the only choice. If I was going again on a general bag hunt, I would look hard at Namibia. It also has a great reputation and a large number of well-established outfitters, great accommodations, good food and competitive pricing. Just understand that going on 'Safari' in 'Africa' IS NOT A CRAZY out of reach idea. Note - that as I've written here before - every country in 'Africa' is different. Without question, the two most likely destinations for a newbie would be South Africa and Namibia. Yes, there are others. But these two have the most mature and well-run industries that value repeat business. Tanzania, Ethiopia, etc. are taking you into real money and specialist and/or dangerous game hunts. In this realm - all bets are off. I won't repeat in public the kind of money my wife and I have spent on those hunts. It can make a Marco Polo Hunt look cheap. On the other hand, at the entry level - you can be in and back with somewhere between 6 and 10 animals for less than $10K including airfare for an up to 10 day hunt.

The pricing approach is different in most other countries than RSA and Namibia. In these two you pay a daily rate for the infrastructure, vehicles, food, accommodations, guiding and game care. These rates are highly competitive, even now. Think in the ball park of around $300/day per hunter. A guest or observer runs about half that usually. And then you add the menu of trophy fees. Generally - bigger and badder costs more money. The good news - you know what you're committing to before you shoulder the rifle. Unlike Europe, an animal species costs what that species costs. They don't have the CIC size fees and bonus add-ons that can make writing a check a terrifying experience - with CIC scoring and pricing - you don't know the price until the animal is on the ground. It can get really ugly. An inch here or there can translate into thousands of dollars in additional trophy fees.

There is ONE other important element in the experience. If you book a multi-animal general bag antelope hunt with a baboon and warthog and maybe a zebra and/or waterbuck you WILL get on these animals. If you can shoot and pay - it's yours. This is nothing like going on a Deer or Elk hunt where you may - or may not see - a target. You'll be covered up in opportunities - which makes a bit of fiscal responsibility a challenge, sometimes. IT'S A Great Problem to Have! Unless you simply can't shoot, there is no way you'll come home empty handed. Also good news - you choose the distance you're comfortable - 50 to 200 yards is regular/normal/every day. If you want 600-1,000 yds - fine - that's up to you. Either way - you tell your PH what you want/need - that's what you'll get.

Also note - these are cushy 'estate' or 'ranch' based hunts. You'll be back in camp every night, showers, great food, with wonderful people that want you to have the time of your life. On the other hand - you can go 'Bush' - tents, etc. - but the price gets exponential. Seriously Exponential.

Glad to be more helpful. I was president of a high tech electronics company in South Africa for 4 years. I never traveled without a gun battery and ammo. So I was blessed with hunting opportunities regularly.