Ranch Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. Why does the Ranch provide a FAQ?

It is our desire that each hunter experience the best time possible. In order for us to help our hunters have a good time, we have provided this information. It is required that each member of your hunting party carefully read the FAQ, so as to be best prepared.

2. Would you like to own your own Ranch?

Our professional staff can locate and help you set-up the ranch of your dreams by
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3. What is the preferred weapon for hunting?

Since most of the hog hunting is done in thick brush, a open-sight shot gun with a slug or open-sight rifle is the preferred weapon, from April thru November. No buck shot is allowed on the ranch.  Scoped rifles or shotguns are recommended the rest of the year.  Pistols, bows, and crossbows are also effective. Smaller caliber guns are best for varmint hunting.

4. What Hunting Dates are available?

View available dates here:  Wild Hog Hunt Texas - Calendar

5. Where do I sign-in once I've purchased my hunt?

You will be given a unique user id and password that each member of your hunting party will use to sign in and register. You will read and approve the ranch rules, gun safety rules, and email back the release of liability. You will also find the directions to the ranch you are hunting on this secure link.

6. What deposits are needed to buy a hunt?

If you are purchasing a discounted hunt, the full amount is due upon booking. When purchasing a full-price hunt, you will need to place a 50% deposit with the ranch upon booking.  The remaining balance will be due no later than 30 days prior to arrival. If you purchase any hunt within 30 days of arrival, the entire balance will be immediately due upon booking. The ranch can accept credit cards or check by phone.  832-419-6151.

 

7. Where can I mail my payment?

Sign-in Here

8. Is this a guided hunt?

In some cases the hog hunting is fully guided, but most of the time, it is semi-guided to non-guided. All exotic hunts are fully guided, unless other arrangements are made.

9. What type of clothes should be worn?

In Texas, you always have to be prepared for wet weather. You will want to bring waterproof boots in the event of bad weather. In fall, winter, and spring, be prepared for cool to cold weather. In the summer months, you will need to dress light. Bring your sunscreen.

10. What do I need to bring with me?

If you are driving to the ranch, please bring your bedding, towels, and toiletries. If you are flying, the bedding and towels will be provided. Bring appropriate clothing and your weapons of choice. Walkie-talkies and a compass are highly recommended. Battery operated spotlights and flashlights are required if you plan on hunting at night. Bring your predator calls and night vision. It is recommended that you bring bottled water to carry with you in the field. Effective Feb. 1, 2006 Hunter Orange vests & hats are required to be worn by all hunters while on the ranch. Please bring 2 bags of deer corn per hunter, prior to your arrival. The corn is used to bait the hogs while you are hunting from a blind. Deer corn can be bought locally at Wal-Mart or the feed store.

11. Is a freezer and ice available at the ranch?

Ice is not available at the ranch. We do have a freezer available to keep your animals cold prior to your departure.

12. Is there much walking?

Sometimes there can be. If we are tracking the hogs in the creek bottoms, it is all walking. It is common to walk 5-10 miles per day.  You will also walk into your hunting areas. 4-wheelers can scare the game away. There are stands and blinds on the ranch for those that prefer not to spot and stalk.

13. What type of hunting license do I need?

For hogs, cats, varmints, and exotics, non-resident hunters will need a 5-day, non-resident general hunting license which can be purchased at any Texas sporting goods store or Walmart for $45. Texas residents will also need a general hunting license. If you are hunting turkey or whitetail deer, you will need a different license. Please refer to the Texas Parks and Wildlife link on our website for more details.

Texas Parks and Wildlife

14. What are the odds of harvesting my trophy?

There are many factors that play into this. For instance, we recently had a hunter bring ammo that would not fire. He missed a real trophy as a result. Another hunter, startled by the size of a 400+lb. boar in the creek bottom, missed his shot. In addition, much of our game is free ranging, and this is a HUNT, not a SHOOT.  It is common to see abundant game during your hunt, but not all hunters see the same quantity of game.  It is hunting.

15. Is there a processor for the meat?

Wild game processing for steak-cuts & sausage will be available after June 1, 2009

16. Is there a taxidermist for the mount?

Yes. The trophy will be shipped to your home within 60 days.

17. Can someone clean and quarter my animal?

It is mandatory that the ranch skinners handle the cleaning of any animals harvested on any of our ranches.  The cost is $35 per average hog. Larger hogs; slightly more.  Exotics are $35-$150, depending on size 

 18. Can I take my animal back home if I am flying?

Yes. Your meat can be packed in a cooler that is bought at the local Wal-Mart and taken home on your flight.

 19. What can I do to increase my odds of harvesting a world-class boar?

  One of our ranch guides can fully guide you with dogs for the ultimate hog hunting experience. The cost is a $200 guide fee + a trophy fee, which will based on the size of the hog harvested and the length of tusks. The meanest hogs can only be harvested in the most remote regions, and only with the aid of highly trained dogs. Our most prized trophy hogs will average 200-600 lbs. and have 3-5" cutters! You should expect to pay a trophy fee of $600-$1200 for this hunt. Hog over 600 lbs. will incur additional trophy fees, however hogs this size are very rare. Your guide will ultimately price your trophy upon the harvest and after measurement and weight. These hunts need to be booked in advance, so our guides can scout the deepest regions of our ranchlands for at least a week prior to your arrival. There are no trophy fees for wild hogs taken without dogs.

20. What do I need to know when flying with my weapons?

All airlines allow guns to be flown with the luggage. Pack your guns and ammo separately.
Your guns will be inspected. Pack your guns well.

21. Where is the ranch located?

We have multiple ranches. They are all within 150 of San Antonio. The directions to the exact ranch that you will be hunting will be given to you via a unique user id and password. You will log on to the FAQ page for your directions.

22. What airport should I fly into?

You can fly into San Antonio or Austin.

23. What other costs should I expect once I'm on the ranch?

Any balances due, are to be paid in cash only at check-in. Also have your cleaning fees in cash.  Only additional trophy hunts can be paid with credit card.  No checks, no exceptions.

24. Do I need to rent a car?

Yes. Because of the distance, we are not able to pick you up.

25. Can I add days to my hunt?

Yes, days can be added to your hunt. Check with ranch for your exact cost.

26. What other animals can I hunt, and what is the cost?

We have several varieties of rams, axis deer, fallow deer, red deer, sika deer, scimitar-horned oryx, blackbuck antelope, bison buffalo, water buffalo, hogs, dove, turkey, and whitetail deer. Native animals can only be hunted when in season.  See our exotic hunt link on the hunt page for prices.  Also while on our hunt page, see our different hunting opportunities in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

27. What are the check-in and check-out dates and times?

Our check-In time is 1 pm on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. Please don't arrive early, as the gates are locked until then. It is important that you are on-time, as the group orientation cannot start until all hunters are present. Check-out is no later than 11 AM on the third day. (46 hours after check-in)  Our hog hunts are conducted all year, with no closed season.  Any time is the best time to hunt hogs, as they don't hibernate or migrate.
 

28. What if I want to bring an extra hunter?

Extra hunters can be brought when booked in advance. Please call the ranch for details..

29. What if I want to bring a non-hunting guest?

Non-hunting guests can be brought for a cost of $250, which will cover their meals and lodging. Non-hunting guests must be booked in advance.

30. What is the customary gratuity?

Your gratuity is always appreciated by your staff. The ranch staff is on duty to insure you the best trip possible.  Customary gratuity should be a minimum of $100 per hunter for the hog hunt, and the minimum will be collected at the beginning of your hunt and divided among the guides, cooks, skinners, and housekeeper. For exotic hunts, your gratuity should be between 10%-15%.  If any staff member goes the extra mile in performing their services, feel free to show your added appreciation directly to that individual. The staff is on duty 18 hours per day to serve you in every possible way. Your guides, cooks, and housekeeper are not on a salary and are on the ranch for your sole purpose, so please be considerate and generous. 

31. How are the hunts conducted?

Typically, the hunts are spot and stalk during the daylight hours, and blind hunting during the dark hours. Upon request and for special needs, the daytime hunts can also be done from blinds.

32. Is this hunt recommended for younger hunters?

With parental guidance, this is a great hunt for younger hunters.

33. Are there special prices for young hunters?

Children 12 and under can take a 3 day 2 night hog and varmint hunt for only $75.00. In addition, they will pay $275.00 for meals, lodging, guide, and gratuity. Children 13 and older pay the same price as adults.

34. If I have physical restrictions, can I take this hunt?

Depending on the severity of the physical restriction, most of our hunts are still possible.

35. If I wish to extend my stay beyond the hunt,
what is there to see and do?

San Antonio and Gonzales are very historic, and if you are interested, you can be given many recommendations of things to see and do on your extended stay.

36. How long do I have to book the hunt once it is purchased?

Unless otherwise specified, you have up to one year to redeem your hunt, based on availability.

37. What are the lodging facilities?

Depending on which ranch we are hunting, you will be staying in a clean and comfortable 3 bedroom mobile home, lodge, hacienda, or one of our bunkhouses while on the ranch.  Many of our hunt packages include lodging at no extra cost.  It is important that you confirm the details of the particular hunt package that you have purchased.  If lodging is not included in your hunt package, the cost is $50 per person, per night..

38. Do I need to bring a cooler?

If you are driving, please bring your coolers, however if you are flying, coolers can be bought at the local Wal-Mart.

39. Are meals provided?

Most of our ranches include meals at no extra cost.  Please check the details of the hunt you have purchased for exact details, as it can vary for the different hunt packages.  If your hunt package does not include meals, all meals will be provided for $50 per hunter, per day.

40. Are there fishing opportunities?

This varies from ranch to ranch, but many of our ponds have catfish and bass. This is catch and release only.

41. Is there a place to sight in my gun once I arrive?

Yes.

42. Can we hunt at night?

The night hunt is semi-guided, and you will need to bring a compass, varmint calls, and a battery-operated spotlight with an amber or red lense.  Walkie-talkies are highly recommended for communication with camp for animal pick-up.

43. Can I camp on the ranch?

Effective September 1, 2005, we are no longer allowing camping on any of our ranches. We have had multiple incidences of our hunters being stung by scorpions and fire ants while in their tents. We had one situation where a dangerous snake got into a hunters tent. Others have reported animals pushing on their tent, one bobcat was reported on top of a 1 man tent, and a buffalo knocked over a small tent in the middle of the night with a hunter in it. Tenting on our game ranches has proved to be a negative experience. If you don't wish to stay in our facilities while on the ranch, there are hotels 10-20 miles from any of our ranches.

44. Is an insect repellent needed?

You will need mosquito spray except in December-February.

45. Is Alcohol allowed on the ranch?

Yes, however drink responsibly. You will need to provide you own alcoholic beverages.

46. Ranch policy changes

The ranch reserves the right to make periodic changes to the FAQ as needed. It is recommended that you review the FAQ one last time before attending your hunt.

47. What if I need to cancel or reschedule my hunt?

You can cancel your hunt, but will forfeit your payment if it is not rescheduled. There are no refunds for hunts not taken. You can reschedule your hunt with no penalty, as long as it is reset within 2 weeks of the original date. 30 days notice must be given to reset a hunt to avoid forfeit. Only upon approval of the ranch, will an exception to this guideline be allowed for late cancellations. Upon approval, you will be allowed to reset your hunt, with a $50 per person rebooking fee. Trip Insurance can be purchased by clicking here.

48. Do you have a printable brochure?

Yes,   www.northamericaoutfitters.com/Brochure.htm

49. What will the weather be like during my hunt?

50. Does the Ranch Barter?

Our ranch believes in bartering, and will barter any of our hunt packages for Ranch-needed goods or services.  Call the ranch with what you have to trade, and lets see if we have a match for a barter.

 

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last updated 4/21/09