Texas hog hunt

[JMS]

Just returned from a Texas wild hog hunt. This was my second hog hunt but my first in Texas. We went to a ranch just outside Waelder Texas. Here is the link to the ranch, http://www.hoghunting2011.com/. I booked the hunt for me and 11 other friends/family. I had read some bad things about this place after I had paid, but decided to give it a try. We had a great time with a few hiccups. If you want any info good or bad about this place just send me a PM and I will fill you in as we did have some problems but nothing major. We had 12 hunters and we left with 28 hogs. I was shooting archery only and was able to take 3 hogs. My first was about 75lbs and was a 20-25 yard running shot and I got him in the neck (lucky shot), the second was 120lbs and a perfect double lung 28yd broadside shot. The 3rd. was 95lbs and a double lung quartering away shot at 48 yds. I even got an Armadillo. All in all it was a good time, I'm hooked on hunting hogs with my bow for sure.

 

[Mlindsay]

Very nice pics.

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[solus]

JMS I have looked at this outfitter before and love the prices. Are you going again? Ide like to go one day

 

[JMS]

solus,
Prices are great but there were a few "hidden" charges that we didn't expect. When I talked to Paul the owner he said that things had changed and he would honor what was on his website when I booked the hunt. ( after so questioning on my part) The first thing was the gratuity. When we got there he collected $100 up front and said it was a "guide fee". On his FAQ page it listed it as a customary gratuity. That has been changed since I got home. The skinning fees are straight up on the webpage as well as the $10 PER HOG freezer fee. I also had my 3 hogs cut and wrapped which was an additional charge but my choice. When we talked to the guides they said they wouldn't see a dime of the "guide fee". That's when I called the owner and he confirmed to me and the guide on speaker phone that the money would be given to the 2 guides and the cook. So here is the breakdown of cost once we arrived at the ranch.
1. Guide Fee / Gratuity $100
2. 3 pigs skinned and processed with freezer fee $265
3. 2 bags of corn for bait $20 ( he will charge you $30 a bag if you dont bring it) it's at the tractor supply store 9 miles away
4. I left an additional $40 tip
TOTAL of $425 once on the ranch.
The 3 day hunt was also no 3 days. You check in on your first day at 3, settle in sight in your weapon of choice, have dinner and do a night hunt from 7pm until 9am the next day. Hunt "spot and stalk" from 10am till 1pm, break for lunch 1pm-2pm, hunt "spot and stalk" 2pm until 6pm, dinner from 6pm till 7pm, night hunt from 7pm till 9am the next day and off the ranch by 1pm. If you look at the hunt schedule that is what also changed as there is no "spot and stalk" on the 3rd. day. In fact there is no hunting that day except from a blind until 9am if you want. So you only get to hunt 1 full day and the other 2 are night hunts from the blind. so it is no really a 3 day hunt. Now for the good:
Lots of hogs on the ranch, 265 high fenced acres but the hogs are wild as they are trapped on other properties and brought in. There are some big ones too. While there a 520# Boar was taken on a trophy hunt. Eli the head guide is the best there is!! Sal the cook layed down some awesome grub too. If not for these 2 guys I'm not sure I would ever consider going back. If Eli is still there I will book another hunt. Any other questions hit me up.

 

[solus]

do you think its worth it?

 

[JMS]

I would say yes, as long as Eli is running the place. If not that means it's gotten worse, the owner is unwilling to change and he quite. If you do book it my first question would be is Eli running the ranch. If not I would not book it. I'll put it to you like Eli put it to me. This is a hamburger hunt, you are not paying for filet Mignon. I like the "hamburger hunts" I don't need to be waited on hand and foot, I just need a place to rest my head, eat and clean up. This place provided that and had a lot of hogs. Here are a few more pics of the accommodations.

 

[solus]

nice you thinking of going back soon or you waiting until next year?

 

[JMS]

Probably gonna have to wait a bit and save up for the next trip.

 

[solus]

ok Ide like to go sometime but now Im thinking 1k for the price

 

[JMS]

It broke down pretty much like this:
2 for 1 hunt was $300
Airfare on Southwest fly into Austin from Ontario roundtrip $200
Hotel in Austin the day of arrival and day of depature $200
License in Texas $48
Ranch once there $425
Car Rental split 3 ways ( me and 2 other buddies) $100
Incidentals ( going to Cabelas, beer, meals off the ranch etc..) $200
Rough estimate about $1500
You could shave some money off and fly in the day you hunt since you can't get in the gate before 3pm. It's only an hour drive from Austin and leave late the same day you finish hunting like a 7pm flight. I might try a hunt in California next time and just drive, I was glad to go to Texas and see/hunt a state I had never been to. It was worth the money for the time in the field with my dad, brother, father in law, brother in law, and a bunch of good friends but I think I could do the same hunt in California for a little cheaper. Sometimes it's not all about the hunt.....

 

[solus]

I see well thank you for the advice. : -)

 

[DFG_Bear]

Yeah, thanks for sharing your cost breakdown. It might be an eye-opener for some other folks pondering the same.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

At least you put pork on the ground. Thanks for the breakdown and info!

This is the same outfitt that sent me an email saying I won a "Free Hog Hunt", after I entered their monthly drawing. Never used it and read A LOT of bad things about the ranch. Good to hear a real experience from someone who actually experienced it first hand!!!!

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Jms, thanks for sharing your Texas hog hunt and congrats, sounds like u guys had a blast......tra

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[JMS]

We did have a blast and I talked to Eli, the head guide and he said the owner is open to change and has already changed some things for the better. He is hopeful to have this place running top notch soon.

 

[spectr17]

So your free hunt was not so free with all the extra charges and the 3 days to hunt turned out to less than 3 days. I think I'd cross that outfit off my list.

 

[Dust feeder]

EDIT. Just saw this thread is old

 

[Live2hunt]

I was in TX for a job for 3 months. I did a couple of hunts and became members in a few TX internet forums. Everyone I talked to and every TX forums I visited, all said the same thing about this outfitter. He is the TX version of our Larry Hamilton.