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Ranger
Creek Ranch Texas Hog Hunting |
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| The Texas
sun was just starting to touch the western horizon with a promise of another
unbelievable sunset. I have been I my stand for two hours but I haven’t
seen any wild hogs, but I have been amused by an armadillo, a couple of
roadrunners, bluebirds and cardinals. The doves, I think, are trying to
get the corn that the corn spinner released an hour ago before the hogs
show up. With the sun setting and the evening air cooling off quickly I take a moment to slip my jacket on, while I am standing up to do this I hear the doves taking off with a sudden flurry of flapping, whistling wings. Anyone who has spent a lot of time outdoors knows to pay attention to all the wildlife around to alert you that there is a reason for their actions. As I wonder what they have seen and frantically try to get my jacket on the rest of the way , I hope it is hogs, but maybe a hawk, a deer, or a bobcat. As I cautiously sit back down to see what it was that scared the doves I see, almost surreal, a group of wild hogs rapidly approaching the feeder! They get to the feeder in a short time and become a writhing mass of furry objects, pushing and shoving to get at the corn. Having been in this situation before I knew that sooner or later one would take a breather and separate from the group and offer me a shot. Sure enough a perfect eater size hog has separated and is standing broadside for me! As my finger starts to squeeze the trigger thoughts race through my mind,” be sure, be sure” “this will be good on the BBQ” “I won’t be needing my red light tonight” This is such a typical hog hunting scenario at RCR, every hunt does go a little different, come on in and make your own memories….. |
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THE HABITAT We
are the "Heart of Hog country" in North-central Texas. The
terrain here ranges from dense mesquite-filled pastures to rough cedar
break canyons laced with spring-fed creeks to acres and acres of crop
fields A lot of our property here is perched on the rim of the scenic
South Wichita river canyon where the abundant wild game has easy access
to water, cover and food. Check out Google Earth aerial shot, coordinates:
33deg 38 min N and 99deg 35 min. W. this is the terrain here. |
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| THE HUNT On
these Texas hog hunting areas we set up strategically placed elevated
box blinds, corn spinners and establish bait holes containing sour
grain (hog candy) or corn topped off with success-proven hog attractant.
Once you have received orientation this is basically an "on your
own" hunt. We are always around to give advice concerning the
hunt and after we have made our daily baiting circuit we will meet
with you, usually during one of the delicious and plentiful meals,
to let you know where the active sites are. Hogs are naturally nocturnal,
so during warm sunny days they take a siesta, we suggest you do too.
Being hogs are more active in low-light conditions that is when we
hunt them, you must be prepared to hunt during low-light conditions
and at night. |
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THE HOG One of the biggest misconceptions first time Hog Hunters have about hogs is that by their appearance and unclean habitat that they are "dumb". This is far from the truth. A hog's intelligence level is higher than a dog. Their keen sense of smell is greater than a deer along with their keen hearing. The only advantage hunters have is that a hogs eyesight is poor. A hog is a very nomadic type of animal--here today--10 miles away tomorrow not committed to a set daily habit. With all of these traits it makes for one of the most difficult animals to pattern to hunt. For hunters up to the challenge, who can handle "boar fever", the satisfaction of accomplishment is greatly rewarding. Along with other game animals the females are the best eating, the boars are the best trophies and biggest challenge. |
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THE EQUIPMENT
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FREE
HOG HUNTING during
the months of May, June, July, and August with unlimited hogs. You pay
for your accommodations and have access to the hog hunting areas. This
will be a non guided, non baited no frill hunt. Basic Package The fee for a 2 1/2 day semi guided, unlimited hog hunt, 3 nights lodging, excluding meals is $550.00 per person. No minimum number of hunters. All Inclusive Package A 2 1/2 day semi- guided, unlimited hog hunt, 3 nights lodging including meals is $625.00 per person. 4 hunters minimum. Daily rates are $250per day Hog Safari An all inclusive 2 1/2 day semi guided, unlimited hog hunt, 3 nights lodging, including meals. This includes one afternoon guided hog safari, during this “hog safari” only 2 hog limit or additional hogs $100 each. $825.00 per person. 4 hunters minimum. Optional Services for Additional Fees:one x one guide $200 per day per person, shipping of meat, taxidermy, non-hunter $125 per day, air transportation, utv/atv rental $75 per day (please reserve when booking hunt), hogs may be cleaned and quartered for an additional $50 per hog. Not Included: Hunting license non-resident 5 day hunting license (type 157) $45, ammunition, hunting gear/apparel, staff gratuities. Basic Hog Hunting Schedule: Arrive on Thursday 2:00 p.m. to begin your hunt in the late afternoon. Hunt Friday, Saturday and depart early Sunday after a full breakfast. We can customize your wild hog hunt schedule Accommodations:The Main Lodge is only available upon request. We usually will book hog hunters at a Ranch house during our regular hunting season due to the difference in the hunting schedules with other hunters. This makes everyone more compatible during meal time! QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT HOG HUNTING AT RANGER CREEK RANCH Q: How do you normally hunt hogs at Ranger Creek? A: Evenings and well into the night from a elevated stand over bait (ambush hunting) Q: Can they be hunted during the day? A: Yes, if there is natural daylight feeding activity. Sometimes hogs will feed during the day when it is overcast and they have a normal feeding cycle during the day. Feeding activity can be tracked by watching game movement charts, much like deer. Also when they are having a tough time finding food they tend to feed longer during daylight hours to get the food they need. Remember that hogs are basically nocturnal. Q: What license do I need? A:
If you are a Texas resident, just general hunting license. If you not
a resident of Texas you need either the General license, type 105,($315.00)
or special 5 day, Type 157. ($48.00)
A: Clothes suitable for warm and very cold weather. The temperature here can drop dramatically in a short time when weather fronts come in. Camo and scentloc clothing is recommended but not required. Q: Do I need a spotlight? A: Yes, either a rechargeable hand-held or scope-mounted light will work. You will need to be able to see at least to 50 yards at night, preferably out to 100 yards is better. Night vision scopes work well also but they are very expensive. We do rent the red lens handheld spotlights for $20 per 2 ½ day hunt. Please let us know prior to your arrival that you want to rent a spotlight. Q: What gun should I use? A: One you are familiar with. Large caliber, scoped rifles are commonly used. It is really a issue of shot placement, your guide will talk about this when you arrive. If you are from an area where night hunting is not allowed it is highly recommended to practice shooting at night before you arrive. Q: What vehicle should I bring? A: A 4WD truck and/or ATV works the best. If we have wet conditions during your hunt you will need a 4WD. Also you will need to be able to transport your hogs back to our processing facility. It is best to plan to haul your hogs yourself, it will be tough to find someone to do it for you late at night. If your hog hunt is unguided, you need to be prepared to handle your own game. Q: When I shoot a hog what do I do with it? A: “Don’t shoot it if you don’t plan on utilizing it” Your guide will talk to you about this and show you our processing facility. Hogs are normally hauled back to the lodge area where they are field-dressed, skinned and quartered. It is the hunter responsibility to do this. It will cost you extra to have a guide do it for you. You will need a cooler to keep your hog meat in once it is quartered. Also bring a good quality knife for skinning and butchering. We do have some freezer and cooler space available but it works good to keep ice on the meat, which is available here. Q: Is the meat from a Wild Hog good to eat? A: Yes, the meat from hogs is excellent, In some areas it is considered a delicacy. The most common hog taken for meat are young ones around 100-150 pounds, Meat from sows to any size is usually good but may get a bit tougher from older sows. Meat from older boars may not be good to eat, they are usually taken as a trophy only. Care must be given to the meat to preserve it, like any wild game. Wild hog has been on menus for many years, wild game cookbooks and the internet are full of different recipes to prepare it. Q: What is the best strategy to hunt hogs? A: “ Get in the blind and sit until a hog comes”. Game movement charts play a big role here. Hunt as quiet and scent-free as possible, keep your equipment in good working order. A good pair of binoculars is recommended for seeing in low-light conditions. Q: Do you allow hunters to walk around or still hunt? A: Normally No. It is not a productive way to hunt hogs in the terrain here and it also disturbs the hogs in the area making them more difficult to hunt. Your guide can possibly show you a spot you can try some spot-n-stalk away from the areas we hunt out of blinds. Q: Can I bring bait? A: Not recommended at all. Hogs are very sensitive to new things and it usually takes them a long time to come into something new, if ever. We have had hunters bring their own bait and the results are not good. It sometimes acts more like a hog repellant. Q: Can hogs be hunted by archery? A: Yes, we have Double Bull archery blinds we can use, as well as feeders in place just for archers. We also keep a few elevated archery stands near corn spinners or bait holes at all times. Q: Am I limited to hogs? A: No, your guide will tell you more but there are other animals you can take, there is a kill fee for some of them. Q: Can I spotlight hogs from my ATV or truck? A: No, This is not the way we hunt here and it is usually not productive. Q: What type of blind will I be hunting out of? A: Normally we hunt hogs from a 4’ x 6’ elevated box blind large enough for two hunters. The blinds have windows, 2 chairs and carpeting. The blinds are positioned in proven hog activity areas near a corn spinner and/or baited hole. When we find hogs frequenting an area where we don’t have a box blind we set up a Double Bull pop-up blind or build a simple blind out of brush. Most of the archery hunting for hogs is also from Double Bull blinds. This question and answer section is meant to prepare our hunters to hunt Ranger Creek style. We do have spotlights and blind heaters that can be rented. (We rent these out to keep the cost of the hunt down for those who are prepared) Note: Hog hunting at Ranger Creek Ranch is usually unguided, when you arrive you will meet the person (guide) assigned to your group. He or she is responsible to get you started on your hunt. You will go through a short orientation, you will be shown where the shooting range is, the cut-n-gut facility and where and how to hunt. On a daily basis he/she will meet with you (usually at meal time) to see how your hunt is going and also recommend stand sites for you. The kitchen staff will also meet with you to assign rooms and explain meal times as well as show you around the lodge.
Check out this website
for the moon phases:http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/
Hogs may be hunted throughout the year. Please contact Ranger Creek Ranch at 940-888-2478 or email Hog Hunting to book an exciting wild hog hunt. |
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