I'm heading to Texas in January to hunt Hogs and Javelina. Going to be within an hour of San Antonio. Just looking for any advice, and what to expect. Besides my bow and plenty of arrows, what are some must have items??? Thanks !!!
Bill
In January, be prepared for any temps from 70 to 15 degrees. Actually if it's cooler the hogs are better.
Mike
Expect potential rapid swings in temps in january it can be from 20 degrees misting rain and sleet to 85 degrees within a day. Some tall boots or gators to keep the cactus out of your legs and good Wells lamont full hide gloves expecially if you shoot an animal it seems that when I used to hunt that area that every animal I shot ended up in a prickly pear patch. Also this has been a bad drought and unless things change water is a big issue for wildlife.
:campfire:
Expect some fun and bring tweezers, theres cacti down in them parts.
Don't forget your rabbit arrows.
So where are you going exactly Bill?
I'm getting together with a few guys down there in early February in the same area.
QuoteDon't forget your rabbit arrows.
What is your favorite set up for rabbits? i typically use grass hoppers for small game and birds.
Kirk,
I believe it's Tilden,Texas. I got pretty lucky. One of my sisters friends found out that I wanted to hunt hogs, and invited me down. Should be fun !!! :thumbsup:
Bill
Be sure to take a good light for tracking at night.
Seen a huntin' show and some fellas were hunting javis with their bows. They used a rabbit squeal predator call, and those little monsters came running to the call with their teeth a poppin'. If I were going, I would invest in a call, who knows what might show up.
Pigs are fun to hunt. You can hunt them by any means, any time of the year, any time day or night.
Every hog you shoot, you'll be helping out the rancher. Bring lots of arrows and shoot every one you see. Take some pics for us, too!
As we say in Texas, KAP, kill all pigs. They are a nuisance.
Tilden is in "Muy Grande" (big deer)country.
Tilden is about 45 minutes south of my place. You should have a blast. Wingnut is right, be prepared for blistering cold or smoldering hot weather, you just never know. Usually its down in the 40s in the am and 60 and 70s in the mid noon. Snakes are out year round, be on the look out.
You will have a blast.
Good luck
Gilbert
January is dead middle of our winter. Might need a long sleeve shirt...then maybe not. If 70 degrees or above, watch out for snakes which come out to sun. Javes stink a bunch! Pigs can get big, don't see so good, but can smell around the world.
Tweezers are a "must have" item you'll need to keep in your backpack or whatever carry device you use.
Bring your sunglasses with you.
With clothing, both light and heavy cold gear. Temperatures can plunge 50 degrees or more in a 24 hour period.
One very important non item. Watch out for rattlesnakes. They can really ruin your "day" if you get hit by one.
Get some upland game hunting pants with the cordura on the front. Dont need to worry about camo with hogs and javies. That way you can bull your way into the mesquite thickets on your blood trail....and I do mean YOUR blood trail. :readit:
If you are hunting javies, don't look too far out. Especially if you are around prickly pear flats. Thay are pretty short and you can walk up on a whole heard of them before you know it. Trust your nose. I've smelled a lot of them before I actually saw them. If they get excited and raise the hair on their backs they look about a foot taller than they really are. Very easy to shoot high on them.Good luck and have fun.
Javelina and hogs in S. Texas are a blast to hunt; I prefer spot and stalk along the senderos especially the Javi... Hogs can be still or stand/blind hunted around the waterholes or over corn.. My favorite way to hunt the javi is to corn a sendero with a tailgate feeder throwing out just enough to get their attention.. Then sit at the end of the road and watch for a group to come out.. When I see the group the stalk is on.. Use the wind, and keep to the edge of the brush and you'll have a blast.. I often do the same with hogs and frequently I see a mixed bag..
The best investment you can make in this hunt is a pair of snake chaps, not as much for the snakes as for the pear thorns.. that and a pair of heavy soled boots with leather uppers.. one trip into the pear and you'll love the chaps..
Shoot low on both the hogs and Javi.. their lights is right behind their front leg and tight...
Hey Javi, where would a guy find some of these snake chaps? do you have a recommendation?
Only a few weeks away now. :thumbsup: Just wanted to see if there was anymore advice out there. Thanks !!!
Bill
Night wing is correct on cloth and the wearher.
Bring:
Sun protection.
bandana, for dust while riding quad or wind storm, sand! Or to put under your hat and protect your neck from sun.
duct tape, to remove cacti, and for a quick cut repair, on body, fingers, etc or other things.
Hat.
Fix a flat, plug kit, little compressor.
Look for arrow heads in the down time.
If you shoot a javelina or pig, let it sit till the body cools some, then flip it over for a while to cool. Don't pick it up till then. You will be sorry and "FLEA" infested!!!!!!!!!!
Your going to a great area, and Enjoy Texas!
Jwilliam, what ranch will you be hunting?
Be very careful where you sit. I learned that living in AZ. Turns out tweezers are sort of useless if you don't have a VERY good friend handy.
QuoteOriginally posted by White Falcon:
Jwilliam, what ranch will you be hunting?
As far as I know it's private property. Kinda lucked into this. It's a good friend of my sisters place. Somewhere in Tilden. I guess there are plenty of hogs too !!! :goldtooth:
Bill
All the above mentioned items are good especially the light....Id add the head lamp though.... but of all the things you will need, have some arrows with some heads that mean business. I snapped off popular 3 bladed head in a hogs shoulder and never recovered my hog. Made that mistake when I first started 17 yrs ago, and I never did it again!!
Shoot hogs behind the shoulder, but LOW!
Quatering away is the best. Don't shoot in the shoulder, they have a heavey grizzle plateon the shoulder and back some.