Hello,
I am looking for some information and suggestions on a Hog and or Hog/Javelina hunt in Texas. In about a year I am hoping to take my kids (ages 7&9) on a hunt in Texas. Here in Wyoming they cannot hunt anything but small game until they are are 12, both are dying to hunt something larger than a rabbit. So this brings me here, looking into a hunt for something different that we can all enjoy. Also if there is anything that you think I may need to know please mention it, I have only hunted Colorado & Wyoming and I imagine there are a few things that I should know that I would have know idea to ask about. So if you all would be so kind as to help me out with a few questions that I have ( I sure I will have a ton more) that would be great. Thank you all for your time.

First any suggestions on ranches? or guides to look into that have a high success?.

What cartridges are a good choice for youths? I plan on buying them a youth sized gun most likely chambered for a .243 or 7mm-08 would these work on a Hog?
Is it fairly easy to get within 75yds of Javelina in most places?

Do my kids need a hunters safety course before they can get a license to hunt?

Would a 7mm Rem or a 45-70 be excessive for Javelina? how about a 44Mag? ( I could always down load some cast rounds for the 45-70 & 44Mag if suggested )

Well, I can help with the last parts.

A .243 or 7-08 are both perfectly adequate for hogs with appropriate bullets. Be sure to have the gun stock short enough so your kids can mount and use it easily. If the recoil bothers them, especially the 7 yr old, I'd consider a .223, it will kill a pig graveyard dead with 64 gr Powerpoints and decent shot placement.

I'm not an expert on javalinas but I think getting within 75 yards should not be big problem.

Your kids at those ages will NOT need a hunter's safety course to hunt in Texas, and they are treated as Texas residents so all they will have to buy is a $6 youth hunting license. NOTE: you MUST have their social security # to get them a license. Your license OTOH will cost you out the wazoo....assuming you're not going to hunt deer, a 5 day Non-resident license will set you back $45. Hope you can stand the gaff.

No caliber that you can shoot well is excessive for a hog. Again, I'm not in javelina territory, but since they're not prime table fare in most people's opinion, I don't think its a major issue.

One place that has A LOT of hogs is the 4 K Ranch in Brady, Texas.

The DRSS has hunted there three times and each time we bagged A LOT of hogs.

I'm trying to find their website so you can have some more information.

The place is basically 50,000 acres and you hunt in blinds. Shot are anywhere from 20 to 100 yards.

The ranch has a big lodge, great accomodations, kitchen, gathering area, etc., etc., etc.

I'll keep looking for the website.

You can check out my website.

I don't have feral hogs but do have plenty of javelina along with jackrabbits and some predators.

In 2006 I had an AR memeber and his 10 and 15 year old sons down for a hunt.

I also offer an adult/youth package.

www.shoestringsafaris.com

WyoXJ

Go to www.4klandandcattle.com

I have hunted there twice with the DRSS.
It is a great place.

I would recommed you get your boys rifles in 308WCF and have them shoot either Remington 125gr Managed recoil or Federal 170gr reduced recoil.

When they "grow up" full power 308 is good for most all NA game.

The 4K is a great place to take your boys hunting.

+1 for 4K

Thank you all for the help this is giving me some good info and advise. As far as what cartridge to use I would love to get a .223 for them but it would not be legal for anything but varmints here. I have thought about the .308, I could always reduce load it for them. I want a round that is going to be good for the longer range hunting here for Antelope & Deer (when they get old enough to hunt them), but also work on Javelina & Hogs. For now I think the the 7mm-08 or .308 would be a good choice. When they get are old enough to accurately shoot a larger rifle I will look to get them something more suitable for Elk but that most likely will not be until they are 14-16yrs old.

Crazyhorse I really like that youth/Guardian hunt that is perfect!. When I get a chance if you do not mind I will get with you about some more information. Thanks

+1 for the .308. Load it light to minimize recoil.
Shotgun

quote:

When I get a chance if you do not mind I will get with you about some more information. Thanks

If it looks like the kind of hunt you would be interested in I would be more than happy to discuss details.

You might try contacting bbruce, he is the AR member that hunted with me last Feb. with his sons. I believe they had a good time and were satisfied with their hunt they got 5 of the 6 javelina they were after and I lost count of how many jack rabbits the boys shot.

If you go to the 4K photo gallery, found here, you will see me with my hog (top right), Mississippian with his hog, second to last row, center, and new_guy with an Oryx looking critter that he got.

Brad Woodard, the Wildlife Manager, is one great guy.

http://www.4klandandcattle.com/gallery2.html

quote:

If you go to the 4K photo gallery, found here, you will see me with my hog (top right), Mississippian with his hog, second to last row, center, and new_guy with an Oryx looking critter that he got.

Brad Woodard, the Wildlife Manager, is one great guy.

Didnt realize we was famous !! I would have powdered my nose!

Just returned from W. Texas Javelina hunt, and let me tell you that a .223 just knocks em dead with a 55 gr sp.

A good friend is involved with a youth deer/hog hunt sponsored by the local shooting club. He takes his (petite) wife's 6.5x55 and the kids love it. I think most of them are over 10, but almost ALL of them have never shot a gun before. He lets them shoot a 22 LR at the range a few times, then some downloaded 6.5 to get them used to the feel, then a couple full power loads and they are ready to go. His rifle/technique has a three year string of one-shot kills. The 223 WILL work, but like you said, why buy something you cant hunt with where you live?
FWIW, I have never shot a hog over 100 yards, most closer than 75 yards in the river bottoms I hunt.
Do javelinas have a season? In my area they are still scarce and cant be hunted, but a couple counties away I know they can.
Eterry

There are approximately 50 counties that the season runs from Sept. 1 thru Aug. 31, which basically means No Closed season and approximately 43 counties with an Oct. 1 thru Feb. 24 season.

There are 6 counties in North Texas with the Oct.1 thru Feb. 24 season, Archer, Baylor, Foard, Knox, Wichita and Wilbarger.

There are javelinas also in Cottle, Haskell, Jack, Throckmorton, and Young counties, but no open season for them.

The state wide limit is 2 per license year.

Most Texans however do not consider them a Game Animal and treat them like a pest.

TP&W's attitude toward them is ambivelent, since even though they are classed as a Game Animal, there are No Tags on the license.

As for choice of firearm for them, we have had them killed with everything from a 22 LR and up.

The 22 Hornet is an excellent choice, but I go along with getting a rifle in a caliber that will be legal for deer hunting in the hunters state of residence.

The 243 and 257 Roberts are both great choices for javelina. JMO.

Thank you all for the great info, it is most appreciated. This will give me an excellent idea on how to get started on this trip. This is going to be great! I have been wanting to take a "Father & Wierdo" trip for a long time but finances are very tight, but I think I can pull this off. Thanks again to you all.

Crazyhorse I will be getting in contact with you here in the next few weeks, once I get a few things around here taken care of. Thank you.

WyoXJ,
I think the best thing for you to do as a father and a hunter is----have the boys take the HUNTER SAFETY COURSE !!! It will never hurt them to do so----SAFETY COMES FIRST !

Have a great hunt with your boys!
Hipshoot

quote:

Originally posted by Hipshoot:
WyoXJ,
I think the best thing for you to do as a father and a hunter is----have the boys take the HUNTER SAFETY COURSE !!! It will never hurt them to do so----SAFETY COMES FIRST !

Have a great hunt with your boys!
Hipshoot

They have taken the course online, but have not done the field day to get the certification in hand yet. And I am well aware that safety comes first.

I began my Javalina hunting at age 11 shooting them for 25 cents apiece for my dad and uncles, brought them the ears. I used an old worn out Remington drop block 22 short, got in the middle of a herd and went to shooting them, then let them stew a bit and picked them up...I bought my first magnum rifle with the money earned, it was a Win. m-63 Auto in 22 L.R. and wow! was that a Javalina killer...

I also got a nickle for everyone that I weighed from the gamewarden...The biggest I ever weighed was 27 pounds, and they averaged about 15 to 18 pounds, so when someone tells me they killed a 50 pound plus Javalina I get suspecious right away..I weighed literally hundreds of pigs.

The ideal Javalina caliber is the 22 Hornet, 222 or 223 and I really like the 6x45 a lot and the 6x45 is really good if your in feral hog country also..

quote:

I also got a nickle for everyone that I weighed from the gamewarden...The biggest I ever weighed was 27 pounds, and they averaged about 15 to 18 pounds, so when someone tells me they killed a 50 pound plus Javalina I get suspecious right away..I weighed literally hundreds of pigs.

Times have changed. The average weight of the adult javelina we kill on our hunts runs right at 45 pounds.

The 3 heaviest we have killed were a 64 pounder, and last year one hunter took a 60 and a 62.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that so many folks here in Texas are supplementally feeding the deer on their places, and the javelina are benefitting from that extra food. JMO.

The two biggest Javelina I have killed weighed 36 and 38 lbs, carcass only, ie no guts and no hide,head.

Both were females, both good eating.

Wyoxg,
I emailed you a reply to your request but cannot get it to go through, keeps coming back.

Crazyhorse,
I wouldn't doubt that, feed always makes a difference..The hogs in the Big Bend would tend to be smaller as they have to scuffle for survival and they live in the high desert rimrock country, get less food and more exercise, betcha their tougher!

Hey Crazyhorse,
How's it going? I would like some more details on the hunts you offer. I live in Wichita Falls, and I visit my Dad between Springtown and Azle fairly often so the drive isn't that bad. When is season open in your countr. Also, what are rates and limits? Thanks, Lee