Well, I against everyone's recommendations, I decided to see for myself given that I won a "free hunt". Let me start by saying, nothing is free. There was a $75.00 booking fee and $100 tipping fee that must be paid up front. Since this was a 3 day hunt, I agreed to pay because lodging and meals were included. When I arrived, we saw one very large group leaving. Although some had gotten lucky on some good pigs, most left with nothing positive to say about the place. We got escorted into the gate and followed the guides to camp. We quickly were told to unload our stuff and to give the guides our corn. I asked what corn? I was told I should have read the requirements. You must bring your own corn or you must purchase it from the ranch. I quickly bought a bag from someone so I would not get charged more. We then were informed of the rules and fees. I was under the impression that I would be hunting in the bow area with other bowhunters. NOPE! I was the only one hunting with a bow and arrrow. They told us that we are only allowed to use the stands in the evenings and morning until a certain time; the rest of the times there were rough organized "drives" where everyone is suppose to move clockwise around the ranch. Much to my surprise this actually seem to work on this very small piece of land (300 acres) with 20 hunters. I rarely ever saw someone coming at me from behind. Yes, 20 hunters! I was a little scared, but went forward with the hunt anyway. Thank God I was never caught in a cross fire!!!
I could on and on, but I will say..... all the animals (exotics and hogs) are very nervous and highly stressed. The are numerous small piglets (10-20lbs), but very few medium size pigs; only a few were killed. The large trophy pigs (700-800) appeared to show up on conviently on the last day for only those hunters that paid the big bucks for that hunt, which suggests that these pigs were deliberately placed and kept at a certain location until those hunters were transported to the area of the ranch to press the trigger. Most were not very proud of the trophy pigs, but they were huge!!!!
Bottom line, it appeared they only released a limited number of pigs at the begining and end of the hunt, most were small, and this place is NOT setup for bowhunters. The night hunting is possible for bowhunting, but again, they should have placed some bow friendly stands near the swampy section where most of the pigs seemed to prefer. Unless, they ever have just bowhunters, then do not go to this place. Also, they would have to ensure there are plenty of animals!!! This small area (300 acres) can not support 20 hunters hunting this ranch every 3 days. As we were leaving, more hunters were arriving. Overall, I did not expect much, so I still enjoyed my three days there for $175, but I would NOT return unless lots of changes were made.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention all the fees. You are required to have the ranch clean your hogs at a starting price of $35. The larger ones were around $50.00. It also costs $10/hog to use the freezer. If you kill more than one hog it will cost you $150. The camp was good, and the food was ok. The guides were cool.
I could on and on, but I will say..... all the animals (exotics and hogs) are very nervous and highly stressed. The are numerous small piglets (10-20lbs), but very few medium size pigs; only a few were killed. The large trophy pigs (700-800) appeared to show up on conviently on the last day for only those hunters that paid the big bucks for that hunt, which suggests that these pigs were deliberately placed and kept at a certain location until those hunters were transported to the area of the ranch to press the trigger. Most were not very proud of the trophy pigs, but they were huge!!!!
Bottom line, it appeared they only released a limited number of pigs at the begining and end of the hunt, most were small, and this place is NOT setup for bowhunters. The night hunting is possible for bowhunting, but again, they should have placed some bow friendly stands near the swampy section where most of the pigs seemed to prefer. Unless, they ever have just bowhunters, then do not go to this place. Also, they would have to ensure there are plenty of animals!!! This small area (300 acres) can not support 20 hunters hunting this ranch every 3 days. As we were leaving, more hunters were arriving. Overall, I did not expect much, so I still enjoyed my three days there for $175, but I would NOT return unless lots of changes were made.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention all the fees. You are required to have the ranch clean your hogs at a starting price of $35. The larger ones were around $50.00. It also costs $10/hog to use the freezer. If you kill more than one hog it will cost you $150. The camp was good, and the food was ok. The guides were cool.
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