My boy's have it in their mind that They want to Hunt Pigs in Texas. One is 14 that shouldn't be a problem, but the other is going to be 10 and would really like to get one. Of course Dad would be with the little one. I was just wondering if it was possible as I know some of the southern states let kids hunt earlier.

Kids younger than that hunt frequently down here. You can check all of this out at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. Here is an exerpt:

Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $10.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:

* under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
* age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.
* age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,†and you must be accompanied*.

New - Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount. The new, one-time Hunter Education Deferral is scheduled to be available at license vendors and go into effect September 1, 2004.

*Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.


Let me know if you have other questions. I hope that you and your boys have a good trip to Texas.

Bbruce, my son was nine when he shot his first whitetail. He did it sitting in my lap, and used my .270 to accomplish the task. He had been sitting in the stand with me since he was seven, and had shot some, albeit not my rifle.

All that to say this: if your sons have been properly coached, are ready for the taking of a life, can witness something dying and understand what it represents, I say do it. They will probably be better for the experience. But only you can be the judge as to whether they are mentally ready or not...

The older one has hunted for a couple years with me now. He's killed a couple of deer' pheasants ect. Little one has been following around dad for 2 years while hunting. He's more of a hunting nut then dad and I've hunted deer for 60 days sofar this year. The trip will be more for him. I'll be sitting or walking with him this time. Thanks alot for the advise doubless. Charles thanks for the lic info that will allow us to make the trip. This should be a hoot.

Unrelated to your sons hunting, a word of caution. Do your homework on where you choose to hunt pigs in Texas so that you and they will enjoy a good hunt. While many are fine places to hunt, some are "put and take" where they literally open the cages when the hunters show up. There are many recommendations for good pig places, just use your common sense.

BTW sounds like you're raising two fine young hunters there. Congratulations.

I'm open to suggestions on people to contact. I would like a all inclusive hunt where We can fly down and rent a car and go to a lodge or motel. I would like to hunt for around 3 days. I've been looking on this site and I've read some good reviews but would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks Bruce

If there are outfits you have in mind you can always ask for postive/negative feedback here.

Good luck.

if you hunt on a farm or private land no one will need a license. considered a nuisance animal.

quote:

Originally posted by brad may:
if you hunt on a farm or private land no one will need a license. considered a nuisance animal.

From
Texas Parks and Wildlife:

a hunting license is not required to hunt the following...Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.

I am risk averse and would buy the license to avoid a discussion with the game warden over the applicability of the statute. The last person I know of who called Texas Parks and Wildlife and asked the question was told they needed one.

last year i went to wal-mart to buy my license and was told i didn't need one. didn't believe her so i called wildlife and fisheries. they told me i didn't need one also. the farm i hunt has no deer at all but the pigs are tearing up his pasture. he lets me hunt all year long.
but i do agree that it's better to be safe than sorry. better be able to prove your case.

I as understand the licence is only 45 dollars for a non- resident. I'll get one for each of us. As in my experience game wardens usually aren't as forgiving to out of state people and with my childern around I wouldn't want any!!!!! trouble. They are both are great kids and haven't got into any trouble yet except for the blackeyes that come with growing up. My wife would kill me if I took them both on a trip and there was a deal. We were all reading the posts this afternoon and things are getting exciting, both boy's want to go. So I'm going to start contacting some of the outfits that I've read about on these posts. I think I may sit this trip out and hunt with the little one. But I'll see after talking with a couple outfits. I know being with the oldest when he got his first deer was one of my best moments. Maybe when I'm old they'll remember old dad and take me hunting!!!!!!

I started both of my girls offat the age of 5 and they are both still to this day both hunt and love to go they are now 14 and 13 and both have Hunters Ed. and as I am instuctor for Texas Parks and Wildlife and I have had kids as young as 3 out hunting with myself and friends.


300shooter

BBruce:

A 5 day Tx NON-RESIDENT hunting license (not valid for deer) is $45. However, you kids can buy a type 102 season long license which will cost $6 each and, FWIW, they can hunt deer with it. Many people are not aware the kids under 17, I think, not totally sure whether it is 16 or 17, do not need a Federal Duck Stamp.

isn't hogs a non game animal?? why the need for a licence??

In TX adults need a license to hunt anything, game animal or not. The only exceptions I can remember are if you are on your own land or for hog depredation like mentioned above.

wow that is news to me, I guess I violated the law a bunch when I lived there, we would only buy a licence for game animals. but mostly hunted our own property. everyone I knew was the same way. with all the private land enforcement of any game rules was really tuff, that is why there where no deer in the area I lived in, the red necks would shoot anything they saw regardless of season

De depradation hog hunting is a new deal. Only been around for a couple of years. Prior to that everyone needed a license to hunt hogs in Texas.