There were 4 of us that recently got back from a 3 day hog hunt at the Venado Grande Ranch, located about 30 miles south of Uvalde, Texas. This is my third time hunting the Venado Grande Ranch.

The booking agent is Ray Atkinson.

In the 3 nights we hunted, the total tally was 28 hogs killed.

The numbers per hunter was, 4, 6, 7 and 11 hogs. Personally I had 3 doubles using the 127gr EXP Groove Bullet shot from a 7mm mag. The shots ranged from 100 to 175 yards. Complete pass through on all 3 doubles. I managed to kill off 3 coyotes as well, one each night. I shot 7 shots and killed 10 animals. It was a grand time.

The staff is first class as are the food, lodge and hunting.

Don

Is it true that they have closed down commercial hunting?

Groove, glad you had a good time in Texas. A friend of mine owns a ranch out there. I get invited quite often to go do a few ranch chores when he goes out and we always have time to go to the blind and shoot a pig or two.

Groove Bullets
Sounds like a good hunt.
What did ya'll do with the meat?

Since I drove, this time, I took coolers with me. I took back the meat from 3 of the smaller hogs I shot. We had one individual that brought several coolers and took back meat from a lot of the hogs. What we didn't take back with us went to Uvalde hog roast. We saw signs in Uvalde about a hog roast. As I understand it the town has a fair of some sort and the locals donate the hogs for a roast.

Don

475 Guy,

You would have to check with Ray on that one. As I understand it they are going with a private lease arrangement of some sort but they "may" be offering hog hunts to the public. I have made an inquiry about it and expect an answer in the next few weeks, since the lease has not gone in affect yet.

Don

Okie,

We first started hog hunting a few years ago - in Texas. It has to be the most enjoyable/relaxing hunt I have ever been on. No worries about the size or gender of the hog, you see it, you kill it.

We hunted from 2 hours before sunset till midnight or later, depending on how long each individual wanted to stay out. I didn't hunt from a box blind. The ranch foreman (Raymond) set up a pop-up blind for me so I could put my swivel bench inside. I set-up my bench, front rest, rear bag and rifle on top. The bench swivels 360 degrees and makes no noise at all. With my handicap it sure worked well.

As soon as I get the pictures developed and scanned I will be sure to add them here.

Don

Could you please tell me how can I get in touch with your booking agent?

Thank you.

Ray Atkinson is the agent. He makes about 10,000 posts here on Accurate Reloading a day

http://www.atkinsonhunting.com

Give Ray a call, he will take good care of you.

Don

Here are some pictures from our most recent hog hunt at the Venado Grande Ranch. We had 4 hunters for 3 days and killed 28 hogs. I should add, the second guy from the left is the Ranch Foreman - not one of the hunters.



Below are the rest of the hogs. We didn't have the energy to drag ALL of them out of the walk in cooler to take pictures.



Don

I wish everyone on AR would come down and shoot one. Then we may get some control. They are becoming a MAJOR pest in some spots. I have a friend in Kennedy Tx that has trapped over 125 off 362 ac. in 3mo and still has plenty!!

liled

Thank you for the info. I booked a hunt for April. Is there any advise you can give me on the Venado Grande Ranch like what type of hunting works better or wich feders are the best ones to shoot from?
Thanks, I can hardly wait, especialy after seeing your pictures.

Shell,

What days in April will you be hunting the ranch? I will also be hunting in April, which will be my 8th and last trip to the ranch. Peter Dunn the owner has leased the ranch to a private party effective September 1st 2004. If you would like blind recommendations send me a private e-mail.

bte

If the new leasors of Venado Grande do not want to hunt hogs commercially then Peter Dunn is going to arrange for me to book hog hunts with one of his neighbors, who also have an abundance of hogs....

Ray

I would agree that anywhere in that valley will produce hogs. Raymond the Venado Grande ranch foreman also works on the neighboring ranch and say's they have more hogs then Venado. Hope all works out on the hog front!!

bte