I have been looking for a place to hunt/spend some of my retirement time on. I have noticed a few places near the Texas/Mexican border, near Lake Amistad. Is it really too dangerous with the current situation in Mexico with the drug wars? These small plots seem so remote, so I dont think that there would be any trouble there. Any Texans have some thoughts on this?

I live about 150 miles from Lake Amistad right on the border and won't go fishing there anymore. For sure the area and the lake are totally unsafe after dark. You'd probably be O.K. in town or fishing the American side of the lake in daylight hours, but I emphasize the word probably. Also the risk of kidnapping is higher than in most other areas.
Lots of big rattlesnakes also, I wouldn't go out in the brush without snake boots and keep an eye out for them in the flooded brush when fishing. They swim and will climb up in the trees. I've seen rattlesnakes down here so big that you wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Free hunting in Texas is a thing of the past. Even reasonable fees are a thing of the past. Although hunting can be super if you have the money to spend.
There are quite a few camp grounds and winter texan recreational parks in the eastern Rio Grande Valley, some even have units for rent. I would suggest not buying until you get a good feel for the area. Winter time is a great time for a visit. Feel free to contact me if you need more info.

PM sent

Tarawa,
You have a PM.

quote:

I have been looking for a place to hunt/spend some of my retirement time on. I have noticed a few places near the Texas/Mexican border, near Lake Amistad. Is it really too dangerous with the current situation in Mexico with the drug wars? These small plots seem so remote, so I dont think that there would be any trouble there. Any Texans have some thoughts on this?

Stay away. Far away. That they are remote makes them much more dangerous. Why the situation on the border doesn't get more attention, I don't know. I grew up going to the beach at South Padre Island. Today, we go to the Florida panhandle because I don't want to be in Brownsville with my wife and children.

LWD

I live here and don't think that it's that bad. There are problems with druggies all over the U.S. I used to hunt, guide and fish in Mexico but I don't cross the border anymore, and I'm careful about the time and places that I go on the U.S. side. I know there are some very bad areas in Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth are probably just as bad.

Tarawa, any place rural within 40 miles of the Rio Grande River is not a safe place to hunt and/or camp!

I was born in Texas in the late 1930s when one could hunt free on anyone’s land and would be safe camping on the side of the highway sleeping in the open bed of a pickup. As others have said “Those days are gone in Texas!”

I wouldn’t hunt much farther South than San Antonio and would prefer North of Austin. The fact is the border with Mexico is not even safe in most cities especially for someone with out of state plates on their vehicle!

Being a native Texan, it pains me to say these things about my state, but it is true along the border with Mexico from the Gulf of Mexico, to the Pacific Ocean thanks to our do-nothing government, abandoning our ranchers along the border, and our president siding with Mexico against our own people. The fact is it will not get better in my life time I fear.

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That is why I like this forum......honest opinions.....Thanks all!
Mac,
when are you having another double gun hog hunt?

quote:

Originally posted by tarawa:
That is why I like this forum......honest opinions.....Thanks all!
Mac,
when are you having another double gun hog hunt?

We normally have a double rifle hog hunt in Jan, after the DSC show in Dallas. However the drought in Texas has closed a lot of ranches to hunting for hogs because the cattle and hogs are congrated on the water making it unsafe to shoot hogs among the cattle. In the case of the 4K where we usually hunt, most of the water is on Brady creek where the bush is very thick. Shooting at hogs where you cant see the cattle is a problem. We weren't able to hunt 4K last year either.

It seems by the time I get to hunt again my shoulder will have to reseason to the recoil og my doubles!

When we get one going I'll let you know, so maybe you can come over!

577NE B. Searcy


Hogs taken in one day at 4K


Mark (Nitro 400 Express) shooting a 450/400 3"


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Mac
I would love to get to Texas for a hunt. Just let me know.

I'll let you know if we get anything going! You will enjoy hunting and camping with the DRSS members who hunt in Texas every year!

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I was born and raised in Brownsville and still have a deer lease within probably 10 miles of the Border. Was there over Thanksgiving and found a lot of hunan tracks headed north -- big groups of up to 25 or so. That is a bit of a concern.

Been practicing law in Houston for 25 years, but plan on moving back home soon. Is it safe? Relatively, if you are used to traveling in third-world countries -- same rules apply. Only difference is I get to go armed in South Texas and I wouldn't go anywhere there unarmed. That said, I carry always, and feel perfectly safe, but it's home to me.

This thread is so sad. What is this country coming to?

I hunt a large ranch just north of Laredo. Last few years everyone carries a sidearm including the guides and cook. I have heard that things are quieter this past year though.

CBN, I've heard that too, but those guys are still lurking in the shadows so my guards still up. I always make sure that I stay well armed also.

I work in the oilfield and a lot of my work is right along the border mostly about 45-50 miles north of Laredo on the Brisco and Galvan ranches. I carry two handguns and a AR15 with me at all times.We never stop on old mines rd, if you have a flat and are alone you drive on the rim till you get to your location then change it.Last memo we got at work was that if the smugglers formed human chains across the rd to get us to stop, was to run them over.Lots of stuff along the border thats never reported on the news.

Wow, that sound like a bad place to be. Running over people, that is scary. How many have you killed ? Reports here are that the smugglers carry a lot more firepower than an AR 15. How do you drive through 20 guys with AK47s ?

AR is rather range limited as well. What if the bad guy has a 338 Lapua ?

Lots of stuff happens in WY and FL that never makes the news as well. People just vanish in the Everglades and the Rockies every year. As they say: "No body, no crime".

Had this ugly mutt crapping on the Golf Course yesterday, but the pellet rifle was stashed. maybe next time.

come on down, I'll give you the VIP tour.

quote:

Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
Wow, that sound like a bad place to be. Running over people, that is scary. How many have you killed ? Reports here are that the smugglers carry a lot more firepower than an AR 15. How do you drive through 20 guys with AK47s ?

AR is rather range limited as well. What if the bad guy has a 338 Lapua ?

Lots of stuff happens in WY and FL that never makes the news as well. People just vanish in the Everglades and the Rockies every year. As they say: "No body, no crime".

Had this ugly mutt crapping on the Golf Course yesterday, but the pellet rifle was stashed. maybe next time.

looks like petey is leaving a larry root on the golf course.

Stop immediately. I will not tolerate this constant bickering on this forum. You two are rapidly heading towards the exit. Play nice or take it offline to the PM section.

Fl. panhandle (Freeport). Plenty of hogs. Excellent fishing. (fresh or salt).

PM to moderator, "rootkiller" on ignore.
Adios.

.45-70 shooter -- It's a ploy. You won't run over anyone. They'll get out of the way when you gun it -- or not. Life's a bitch and then you die.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
. . . Life's a bitch and then you die.

Lavaca I must take issue with this. My daughter Stormy said it best. "Dad, Life is a Virgin! A Bitch is too easy!"

I have been very busy with my work, but so appreciate the responses and concern. Our biggest threat is in the north (Washington DC) at this time. God bless the Great Republic of Texas, the last real stand of of our great nation.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
I'll let you know if we get anything going! You will enjoy hunting and camping with the DRSS members who hunt in Texas every year!

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whats that white stuff on them hogs?????!!!!!!brrrrrrrr

I like it Rusty!

I read it all and I came away with great knowledge furnished by OTTOMAN.."Cats have nine lives. Which makes them ideal for experimentation".