Looking for some advice.....

[aggie_archer]

I have been on this forum a lot, usually just as a spectator learning what I can and I do occasionally post. Though I’m posting today looking for some advice, I think this is the right place to post it if not can some point me in the right direction? I’m a student at Texas A&M in College Station, I’m not actually from TX but from Maine. I have been lucky enough to go with a few buddies to hunt hogs in the past and had a blast! I spent last fall with my free time at the Sam Houston Public land hunting. Though to say the least hunting in TX is so much different than the state of Maine where I grew up and learned to hunt. I’m looking for any advice to where, and how to find some hogs to hunt. I do have the public land pass, but was wondering if anyone knows of an area a bit closer to College Station. Being a college student money for gas is a bit tight and paying for a hunt is probably out of the question. Looking for a place that may be overrun with hogs, or at least have some to hunt. I have no problem helping out a landowner to get permission to hunt hogs on the land and actually just like being outside doing work (It beats my morning in the class room). And would be doing mostly bow hunting but if possible I wouldn’t mind taking one with my rifle or at least carrying my pistol. Any suggestion of places to go locally or suggestion for next time I can get to public land would be Great! Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

[aggie_archer]

TTT

Any one even have any suggestion as to the type of terrain to look for hogs or which public land areas are better then others

[reconman]

I like going to Richland Creek. It's public land, but I haven't ever seen that many folks out there. There are a TON of pigs! It's not super close to you, but an option none the less. I'm sure some guys will post something up that are closer to your area. Good luck!

[aggie_archer]

I will have to check that out for later in the season, just checked TPW website and its closed for hunting till August 31, 2011....But THANKS for the suggestion!

[TxBobcat]

What about the WMA in Sommerville? Heard theres lots of pigs there

[aggie_archer]

Haven't been there yet but just pulled up the TPW mad and compared it to some Google Earth maps. Looks like a good option....though not sure what type of terrain or what i should be looking for. This time of year is the open better or should i focus more on water and shade? I'm trying to find a place to get out to this weekend...does any one know if hunting with a firearm is allowed is is it bow only? I looked it up online and on the Map where it list the rules it says they are allowed except during deer season, then later on it says only bow are allowed all year??

[Wulver]

Haven't been there yet but just pulled up the TPW mad and compared it to some Google Earth maps. Looks like a good option....though not sure what type of terrain or what i should be looking for. This time of year is the open better or should i focus more on water and shade? I'm trying to find a place to get out to this weekend...does any one know if hunting with a firearm is allowed is is it bow only? I looked it up online and on the Map where it list the rules it says they are allowed except during deer season, then later on it says only bow are allowed all year??

No to firearms. I have been out there and its looks like most other places around here. I hunted there a year and its tough hunting. You can bait right now I believe but not during deer season. I haven't been there too many times but I think you can only hunt during the day.

There are some day outfitters that charge 50 dollars to kill a hog. I have been meaning to find them myself. That cheaper than gas really to drive anywhere. Let me know what you come up with.

[30-30]

Archer if I had a place down here to hunt I would hook you up but unfortunately I don't. I have been meaning to get down to Somerville or SHNF but never had time this past year. Maybe classes won't be so bad this fall. (I'm a sophomore)

I haven't hunted any of the public places down here but usually this time of year pigs are holed up in the thick, swampy stuff until after dark or very close to dark. You may walk some up during the day, but more than likely you won't see them moving until dusk. Look for trails and wallows near creeks in the thickest stuff you can find.

Do you do any dove hunting? There are a couple of public places reserved for dove hunting not too far from campus that I went to last season.

[aggie_archer]

I have not ever been dove hunting, i have hunted quail and pheasant before but back home can't hunt dove legally, though looking to give it a try this fall for sure! And i feel you on classes i'm hoping this fall will be a bit light this year ( Going to be my Junior year)

[huntnguide83]

Archer you really need to try to find thickets close to water...during mid day and with this heat those pigs arent' going to be far from water. Ive killed close to 40 pigs in the last 2 weeks around lake dams and within 100 yards feeding close to a few lakes we have on our lease in Carlos. Set you up a feeder or throw some hand corn out and they will be there before long. I may have a buddy that I can call that I can take you out there to shoot a few pigs in the river bottom. I will be in touch if things transpire there.

[aggie_archer]

Archer you really need to try to find thickets close to water...during mid day and with this heat those pigs arent' going to be far from water. Ive killed close to 40 pigs in the last 2 weeks around lake dams and within 100 yards feeding close to a few lakes we have on our lease in Carlos. Set you up a feeder or throw some hand corn out and they will be there before long. I may have a buddy that I can call that I can take you out there to shoot a few pigs in the river bottom. I will be in touch if things transpire there.

THANKS!! and thanks to everyone for all the advice!

[aggie_archer]

So i just called the office at Lake Somerville, asked a few basic questions, i was surprised to find out you do need to still wear orange right now even bow hunting when firearms aren't allowed but i guess safety first. Next i learned you can for sure bait until July 31st ...So what is a good bait? Just plain corn is there something better? An where can you get corn this time of year to bait with?

[acearrow]

straight corn would be fine. You should be able to find corn at any Academy or Tractor supply.

[aggie_archer]

Going to go check out Academy and Gander today...see if i can find anything useful for me to hopefully take out in the woods this weekend!

[aggie_archer]

Was finally able to get out there this weekend, First thing we did was find a good spot by some water, thee we set out some corn and left the spot till that evening to sit over. Then we went and walked by the river and looked for hogs, We were unable to find any, so we went back and sat over the corn for the last 2 and half hours before dark. We didn't see any hogs, there were a lot of signs of hogs by where we put the corn but not sure how old they were. Anyways it at least felt great to get outside and away from the books for a bit! Thanks everyone for all the advice! Any more advice is welcome! Hope to make it out there again!