Day Hunt Noob

[Cratus]

I've grown up hunting on land owned by family/friends and things have changed the last few years and my hunting opportunities have become slim so I've been looking at day leases for a bowhunt. I've NEVER done one before so I have no idea how they operate. I feel dumb for asking these questions but I'd rather get them answered and out of the way rather than tick somebody off.

Do the owners take you to designated stands? Do you remain there until they pick you up?

If you kill an animal, do you track it yourself or call the owner and wait for him/her to show then track it? (to avoid wandering into other hunter's areas)

If you book a two or three day hunt and tag out the first day, are you still allowed to sit in a stand just to watch the wildlife?

That's all I can think of- maybe someone else can throw in some other tips??

[pigstika1978]

Try brushy hill it's basically do it all your self kind of gig or you can pay nick the ranch Forman to set you up a spot for a little extra cash but you better bring your A game these animals have had every trick in the book thrown at them good deer and lots of pigs good luck and happy hunting

[Dirtymike]

Good questions. I have never done the day hunt either. Tagged in for answers

[HainesNYT]

Those are good questions, but probably need to be asked with every operation you contact. They all seem to do things a little different.

[Hard Knocks]

this^^^^^^^^

[Cratus]

So the answer so far is it depends on which operation I use. Thought I'd expect most of them to share some common traits on how they operate. Guess they don't? How about at, say, Big Oak or KJO which are a couple that I've noticed quite a few from this forum use.

[r_u_sharp_2]

Each day hunt I went on I asked all the questions, usually via email so I have record of the answers as I was just getting into it and had no experience or frame of reference for it. Most the good places websites lay it out pretty well.

I have been always taken to a pre set stand/blind. A couple places, the guide did move stands after a morning hunt for more shot opportunities.

The guide usually helps track, or they have dogs that they use(some times charge for the dogs)

I never tag out.. Always willing to shoot more pigs.

I would ask if they skin/cape, or charge for it. Do they have a freezer for storage.

[charrell71]

Haven't been to Big Oak, but have been to KJO. Keith will take you to your stand and pick you up. If you shoot something, he asks that you stay in your stand til he comes and gets you. He has a tracking dog that he will use to help locate your animal, no extra charge. He has plenty of hogs, so you can continue to hunt even if you kill your intended animal. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

[Happy97]

Just be careful if you keep hunting after you get what you came to shoot, I did that one time and was going to shoot a doe or hog, and it never fails that a monster steps out and all of a sudden your having to call your wife and tell her to send you another check.

Most of places I have been take you to/from your blinds, especially if its HF. The guides will usually help you track animals. Most places don't let you wonder around to much. But the details can change from place to place. Also, if your looking for hunts, search the public draw hunts on here or at TPWD, most of the dates for archery draws are passed but you can still get in on some gun hunt draws, Good luck to you.