Has anyone hunted feral hogs on Wma's. I'm looking at Caddo National Grassland Unit 901. Is this area good or bad for feral hog hunting etc? Also, where can i find lodging in this area.. Thanks guys

It has been a long time since I was that way, and I have not been to that unit. Bonham may be your best bet for lodging, unless there is something in Honey Grove or Ladonia.

Have you called the contact person from the Texas Parks & Wildlife website?

It's not clear to me when you are planning on hunting there, but the various WMAs all have their own rules for hunting which are often more restrictive than the general Tx hunting regs. For instance, the hog season for Caddo National Grasslands is OVER until November, 2008 unless they change their regulations for the coming hunting year.

No one asked my opinion, but I think Tx Parks and Wildlife is grossly mismanaging the hog hunting on lands under their control.

The reason i plan to us wma's is that i don't have private property to hunt in Texas. I would like to find some private areas in Northern Texas to hunt hogs. My work only allows me to plan hunts around the Xmas break. I had a hunt planned in Ok last Nov. but that did't happen. Funds, also play a major factor in planning a hunt out of state.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
It's not clear to me when you are planning on hunting there, but the various WMAs all have their own rules for hunting which are often more restrictive than the general Tx hunting regs. For instance, the hog season for Caddo National Grasslands is OVER until November, 2008 unless they change their regulations for the coming hunting year.

No one asked my opinion, but I think Tx Parks and Wildlife is grossly mismanaging the hog hunting on lands under their control.

I thought hogs were exotics that destroyed property and were to be shot on sight?

jb:

My first sentence copied in your post seems pretty self explanatory to me. The ability to hunt hogs 24/7 is a general statewide regulation which does not necessarily apply to specific WMAs.

The helicopter we have come in twice a year to kill hogs belongs to the state and is manned by state employees. If Tx Parks and Wildlife is not killing hogs as fast as they can the are grossly mismanaging the hog hunting. Nothing or no one will ever kill them out other than disease and I have my doubts about that.


The hogs are feral and not exotics.

Gatogordo-

Pay no mind to posts by jb. He knows nothing about Texas hunting and has no desire to listen and learn. Yet whenever a post mentioning Texas comes up, he feels the need to step in and muddy the water.

jb-if you would have read and comprehended the FIRST SENTENCE of Gatogordo's post, you would have understood that rules and regulations on WMAs are not the same as statewide regulations and, in fact, are often quite a bit stricter.

bob300WSM-Hogs are unpredictable, and while they may everywhere at a certain WMA one week, they may move or go completely nocturnal the next. ANd while you may have good luck at Caddo, the WMAs in the southern and eastern portions of the state will probably hold better populations. I know they are in abundance near Palestine, and that WMA may not be all that much farther for you to drive.

But, it's still best to call the individual WMA and get the current conditions and animal movements.

I'm not too familiar with WMA's but I know that the Matador WMA has lots of hogs. Big Trophy Adventures in Lubbock leases land in our area and I heard they are very reasonable. If you can get with someone like them I think you will have better luck as they have thousands of acres to hunt from.

coy.. My research on that area shows a two week long bow only season. This explains all the hogs you see. I'm trying to stay in the northeast or northcentral areas. Fuel for my truck is over 4.00 a gallon here. So this is a limiting factor in planning a out of state hunt. I'll use wma's before paying a outfitter to hunt hogs..

I sure understand the fuel problem and it looks like $4.00 may be cheep in a few months. My brother-in-law works for a ranch that borders the Matador WMA and now we know why they are overrun with hogs in that area.

quote:

Originally posted by bob300wsm:
coy.. My research on that area shows a two week long bow only season. This explains all the hogs you see. I'm trying to stay in the northeast or northcentral areas. Fuel for my truck is over 4.00 a gallon here. So this is a limiting factor in planning a out of state hunt. I'll use wma's before paying a outfitter to hunt hogs..

Bob:

I'm not pimping for any outfitters, and if you decide to use one you REALLY have to do your homework, BUT as in most non-local hunting situations you are trading your time for your money (that is money paid to an outfitter). IMO that is often a very good trade to make.

Many WMAs have VERY RESTRICTIVE rules on types of access. If you have to walk in, you are likely going to use a lot of time and effort locating a likely hunting area. For instance the 26000 acre White Oak Creek WMA not too far south of me has a horse or foot only rule for most of its land area the last time I checked. A boat is nearly essential if you want to hunt hogs there. It also has an very short hog season, BUT there are a lot of hogs there.

Just my opinion, but I think you'd be ahead of the game if you find an outfitter that charges reasonable prices, uses free range lands, and WILL KNOW where the hogs are when you arrive.

Just for instance, I've got a substantial quantity of hogs on and around my ranch. I wouldn't invite anyone to hunt them, even for free, except for friends who understand the situation, because their chances are so low at any given time. I kill as many as I can and they have become highly nocturnal, hunting them is a very hit or miss proposition with a lot of misses. I used to kill dozens a year, now I'm down to a dozen or so and that includes night work.

And finally, IF I was going to hunt hogs on WMAs, I'd pay a few more dollars for fuel and follow Bobby Tomeks recommendations and consider hunting them in the South and Eastern WMAs such as the Sam Houston Nat. Forest around Lake Sam Rayburn. I'd also certainly become a phone "friend" of the managers of the ones you are considering and get as up to date reports as possible on hog activity BEFORE leaving home. Good luck.

PS: Finally, there are quite a few "draw" hog hunts for the various Tx Parks and Wildlife properties. The odds of getting drawn aren't all that great, but the application cost is low and you will be in a target rich environment. Check it out.

The Richland Creek WMA, unit#703 Is about half way between Carsicana, and Palestine, Texas along both sides of Hyway 287 at the conjunction of hywy 488 with the area headquarters on Hyway 488. 13,000 acres, 4790 acres in the north zone, and 8993 acres in the south zone.

The hog season(No bag limit) for bow, is just over, (Mar 28-April 10) but the Muzzleloader season for hogs is just opening (Apr 11-30)

The annual Public Hunting permit required, for residents only!

These two parcels are in the flood plain of the Trinity River bottoms below the spill way of Richland Chambers Lake.

..........Good hunting Hoss!

PS:I see you are in Kansas, so I'm not certain any of tyhe WMAs allow nonresident hunting! Give the TPWL a call!

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
PS: Finally, there are quite a few "draw" hog hunts for the various Tx Parks and Wildlife properties. The odds of getting drawn aren't all that great, but the application cost is low and you will be in a target rich environment. Check it out.

Not the best location for bob300wsm but Peach Point WMA here by Lake Jackson has a great draw percentage and a better kill percentage. The draw rate is high enough that there are a lot of no-shows and most people that show up to fill a no-show actually get in.