My Son Drew the DFW Grizzley Island Pig Hunt

[CL&RR]

Does anyone have any pointers and what the hunt may be like. Appreciate any pointers. He's just turned 12 a few weeks ago and this will be his first big game hunt, he's pretty pumped so we'll have to start flinging slugs down the 12guauge soon.

 

[Fredezee]

I was drawn to the Rush Ranch property last year. Right next to joice island. Take water proof boots. Waders if possible. Be very careful treading through there. There are sloughs under the brush you cant see. I fell in one. At times the brush will be ankle high, then reeds over your head. Take an extended pole, like the ones used for painting. Use it to prod the ground in thick brush to locate small sloughs (They are waist deep, I know lol) and prod through the tall reeds. The pigs are in there and you will have to push em out. If you see them out in the open, you were lucky. Also, follow their trails. its a lot easier to move around following their trails than busting through waist high marsh brush. With all this water in the system, I won't be surprised if the area is flooded. Be prepared to deal with lots of mud.
good luck! and please post a report

 

[CL&RR]

Thanks Feedezee, I was expecting a nice canned hunt. LOL.

I was drawn to the Rush Ranch property last year. Right next to joice island. Take water proof boots. Waders if possible. Be very careful treading through there. There are sloughs under the brush you cant see. I fell in one. At times the brush will be ankle high, then reeds over your head. Take an extended pole, like the ones used for painting. Use it to prod the ground in thick brush to locate small sloughs (They are waist deep, I know lol) and prod through the tall reeds. The pigs are in there and you will have to push em out. If you see them out in the open, you were lucky. Also, follow their trails. its a lot easier to move around following their trails than busting through waist high marsh brush. With all this water in the system, I won't be surprised if the area is flooded. Be prepared to deal with lots of mud.
good luck! and please post a report

 

[Planetcat]

Fredezee advice is spot on. I've hunted joice island pigs several times. My son got drawn too. I'll be in a blue dodge truck. Hunting the property is very different from "regular" pig hunting. It is really a fun and exciting hunt. The good thing is that the junior hunts tend to have lots of unsuspecting pigs around. They get smarter over the weeks. A 12 guage sabot is serious medicine on them within 100 yards. Wear comfortable waders or hip boots. With all this rain, I reckon it'll be full of water. As the chaperone, carrying the pole is great. The pigs need to be flushed out of the tullies, and the poles help get through them. I use a wooden closet rod whittled to a point on one end. Don't forget it's copper ammo only on that hunt, too. Lots of walking, and they don't let you drive on the levees, so it could be a long drag. See you there.

 

[CL&RR]

Sounds good Planetcat, I'll be in a white 2015 Silverado.

 

[Bigolwiggler]

Yes on comfortable waterproof hip waders. I hope that you're butts are water tight too ! My Dad was the big game biologist out there ( Grizz / Joice )

BOW

 

[norcaljc]

Waders can't be stressed enough. Very wet around the ranch right now. Have seen plenty of sign on the property while duck hunting and fishing this winter. They seem to be bedding down in the thicker areas(I know, big surprise). Good luck!

 

[hntndux]

Good luck! I'll be there on the 11th. Another thing to note is all of the times I've been there the pigs have held tight like pheasants and will let you walk right past them in those thick reeds if they think you don't know they're there. Take time to stop and listen occasionally.

 

[Planetcat]

I forgot to mention that old ski poles work great in the slop. When I duck hunt with no dog, they are helpful for going through the goo to prevent falling. Might be good on joice island this year.

 

[CL&RR]

How did you guys do Planet cat? We got a nice 120lbr.