Hey gang, my brother talked me into going hog hunting with him and my dad in early March of '08 and I have a couple of questions that i need advice on. The hunt will be in the Crystal City area about 100 miles SW of San Antonio if I'm correct. Real close to the border it looks like. What I was wondering was:
1)What type of weather to expect this time of year, and are the snakes out yet?
2)I will probably be stalking on the ground, so will some low top Columbia hiking shoes work or do I need to get something better?
3)Any other tips regarding clothing, hunting methods, tips would be appreciated.
Thanks for any and all help. Mark
Mark -
The weather for the Crystal City area during the month of March will probably be in the mid-50's at night, to the low to mid 80's during the day . . . but, it's just like everywhere else; extremes of temperature are not uncommon. Although Crystal is close to the border, it is still somewhat cool during the winter months.
Should the weather be warm prior to your arrival, you can certainly expect the Rattlers to be coming out of hibernation, but if you keep your eyes open, and be aware of their likely presence, you shouldn't have any problems. Scorpions are a far bigger concern than snakes! Be sure to check your shoes/boots before you put them on, and look carefully at anything you pickup off the ground. Areas of Zavala County are great for Arrowheads!
There are areas of Zavala County where the ground is littered with softball to football size rocks that make the footing somewhat difficult, so I would recommend a good boot for that little bit of extra ankle support just in case you end up in one of these areas.
This country is great for hogs and javelina, you shouldn't have any problem finding ample shooting opportunity. There's also plenty of rabbits (both cottontail and jack), badger, coyote, bobcats, quail (seasonal), and cactus, lots and lots of cactus. Be sure to bring along tweezers and duct tape for removing thorns, everything has thorns.
Hunting around feeders and/or water is the most common technique with the first thirty minutes and last thirty minutes of daylight commonly being the most productive, but they can be moving at any time of the day or night.
You didn't say if you were hunting high-fence or free range, but you shouldn't have any problem with shot opportunities regardless of which way you're going, there's just lots of hogs in this area.
There's also a great Casino in Eagle Pass ran by and located on land owned by the Kickapoo Indians. It's a first class facility equal to anything in Louisiana and they'll take your money just as fast. Deserves a visit if you have the time.
Have fun and enjoy your hunt, best of luck.
POP
Gary, Thanks for all the info. I have a pair of Wolverine non-insulated workboots that I wear to work on the family farm that I think will suffice for the boots. They are about 8-10 inches high and fairly comfortable to walk in. I am unsure of the outfitter, and will have to ask my brother again because I'm pretty sure that it is not high fence and is fairchase. Mostly hunting over feeders is what he said. I told him that I would prefer to stalk if possible but we'll see what happens. The outfitter said we are alotted two hogs and an ouadad sheep if there's a chance.
^^^