Has anyone tradgangers hunted hogs with them this winter? I will be there early march, and looking for reports. thanks
I'll be watching this one...
Jacob just started running baits and setting up stands, blinds, trail cams etc. this weekend. First group of hunters coming in another week. Kind of cold down there right now. Just talked to him and he said it is in the 30's today. He is seeing a lot of hog sign at most of the water holes, especially on the Looney ranch. Wish I was retired already.
Updates to follow as events develop.
Going the second week of February, can hardly wait!!! :thumbsup:
Thanks John, I was thinking you started in december. January and February are always long cold months here, even worse with a trip to Texas planned for march.
Heard nothing but good things about these hunts. Hope the 1st group tells a tale here for us to read.
TTT
I went a couple years back and enjoyed it. The bigs did their part, but I didn't do mine. A very cool part of the world to hunt in and more game than you'd think. They run a great camp.
Jacob and John are outstanding guys and will move both heaven and earth in order to make this hunt an outstanding time away. I spent 12 in elk camp with them at 10 000' and nothing was to much bother and you kinda get to know a fella in a wall tent for a spell...
TTT
First group had a couple days of cold weather and snow to end their hunt. Cold weather not the best for hog hunting but you run into that hunting in January sometimes. 7 guys finished with 9 hogs recovered and 1 javelina. I will not have any pics until Jacob gets home with the goods.
Never hunted with them, but I hunted the Looney Ranch which is part of the property they manage. It was a very good piece of property at the time.
Thanks for the update John. Keep them coming
I need to make that trip, again
Frank,we're always there 3rd week of Feb.You're always welcome with us..Bill
QuoteOriginally posted by Missouri Sherpa:
First group had a couple days of cold weather and snow to end their hunt. Cold weather not the best for hog hunting but you run into that hunting in January sometimes. 7 guys finished with 9 hogs recovered and 1 javelina. I will not have any pics until Jacob gets home with the goods.
Thanks John
Sounds like there was plenty of action.
I've started my planning:)
We have a lot of repeat hunters that come back every year or two. We will not book any new hunters for next year until our regulars decide if they are coming back. Once we have a headcount of how many are coming back I will post a thread here looking for some new hunters willing to kill some pigs.
Roll on February 15th!
Thanks Bill, I haven't shot much the last few years, shoulder surgery but I'm going next year
I think cold weather with snow success is a function of the terrain. It can sure concentrate those piggies. My best hunts ever were in weather like that. Hope all of the groups have great success.
i hope there is no snow when we are there, I could save the 26 hr drive and enjoy the snow here. however, if there is, thanks for the info
Ken,
In west Texas I would be more concerned of having 90 degree days in March than I would be of having snow. I believe you will have seen enough snow to be ready for some sunshine by the time your hunt rolls around.
Here are some of the animals killed the first two hunts.
Only two Javelina killed the first two weeks. Usually we have a higher percentage of Javelina kills. If you stake out a spot where there are lots of hogs and big boars you will not see as many Javies.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN1024.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN1024.jpg.html)
These are some of the braggin size hogs. We had a few of the smaller pigs taken as well.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN1022.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN1022.jpg.html)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN1015.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN1015.jpg.html)
Check out the cutters on this nice boar.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN1014.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN1014.jpg.html)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN1005.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN1005.jpg.html)
Most of the waterholes had some big pigs on them. More rain this year than we have seen in several years. Plenty of forage, the wild hogs are making a good living in west Texas.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN0616.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN0616.jpg.html)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN0601.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN0601.jpg.html)
We had some jagterriers available for finding dead pigs. Vader, Molly and Maisy
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c324/nucduke/DSCN0598.jpg) (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/nucduke/media/DSCN0598.jpg.html)
I am definately ready for sunshine and warmth. After looking at the pictures, I have only 1 question. Are you sure the are no trees to climb?
Some fine lookin hogs you have down there...and lots of action.
Hope you have some openings next yesr
Those are some good ones Doc. Keng if there were tree's I'm sure it would have thorns the size of those cutters...
WOW! Nice looking hogs.....
Wow, those are huge hogs. Are they all trad kills? Didn't see the bows.
I hunted there last week and hated to head home. Saw 5 hogs in the week including one boar that looked as big as a cow when it came in to the waterhole. Didn't get a shot at that one and missed the only other opportunity I had.
This was my first experience with hogs and I learned a lot. Hogs are way more spooky than I ever thought they would be. That and sitting on the ground at a waterhole in the middle of the night - makes ME spooky :scared:
I had fun and am already planning on coming back.
thanks for the report Frank. Really getting anxious. i am waiting on some fancy store bought woodies from wilderness Custom Arrows, but my new 160 vpa's are flying good on my own arrows, my bow case should be here thhis week, and my hunting clothes are packed and ready. Leaving in 24 days!
I was not present in camp the last two weeks when these hogs were killed and do not know what type of equipment each hunter was using. About half of our hunters use traditional equipment only and the rest of our hunters use other types of bows. All hunters have equal opportunity setups hunting the same types of blinds and water holes with short range shooting opportunity. Our hunts are all bowhunting only and these pigs are not being shot at with guns during our hunts.
There definitely is a learning curve when it comes to killing wild hogs. Our returning hunters tend to have a much higher success rate than first time visitors.
We only hunt this large ranch for 6 to 8 weeks during the winter every year. There is very low pressure on this hog population allowing a large number of big pigs to roam this ranch as is evident by the above photos.
Real nice hogs, one way or the other.
any more pics John?
Ken,
Jacob checked in some local hunters last week before coming home for a few days to spend with his family. He did not get back to Texas in time to get any pictures. The only way we will see pics of their pigs is if they happen to log in here and post them.
-6 here yesterday morning with a high of -1. -8 here so far today.Come on Feb 28th
nice!