Hogs close to me

[oldandslow]

I inherited the dry land farm I grew up on that over in Texas. My renter also has the place just next to me and it's irrigated. Good water is very spotty and it's the only irrigated place for several miles around. I spoke with him earlier in the week and he said he had found several hog wallows out in the cotton that is irrigated when he harvested. Mule deer have also moved in. He said a big buck was killed last year and he thought it was killed on my place and drug across the property line. I don't suppose it hurt anything. There is no way for me to prevent it.

I may have to see what I can do about hunting over there next year. The bad part is I think I'll have to fork over big bucks to Texas to hunt my own land. I'm going to research a little on that. I pay them enough property tax now.

[LunaticFringeInc]

If you got a few hogs there this year you will have at least twice that many next year if not tripple that.  These things breed like rabbits and are spreading across Texas in numbers like a wild fire!  I have seen them chase deer off feeders and push grown cattle off fed troughs to get to the easy food.

Here in Denton Texas they are even starting to move in the are despite suburbia.  There is a an area just east on Highway 380 owned by The COE that they allow bow hunting for hogs on and they are begging for hunters to come in and thin the population down.  I try to nail a half dozen in the 70-100 lbs range every fall/winter.  Despite it seems the pickings are more plentiful each year!  It cost a small fee for an annual permit but its well worth it considering the amount to sausage and bacon I get every year and beats the heck out of lease fees or land tax fees 8 days a week. Best part is being about a 20 minute drive from the house, I can hit it several times a year and cash in on the bounty.

[Land_Owner]

Check in with Kevin and the Boys at http://www.TEXASBOARS.COM . They 'KNOW' Texas Hogs and Hog Hunting in Texas.  They will steer you straight.  GB knows, and often vouches for Kevin - in a Forum discussion kind-of-way.  Know what I mean?

[Mohawk]

I drove from Austin to Big Spring(near Odessa) on Thanksgiving and saw nearly as many roadlkill hogs as deer. That is something you never used to see.

[Mohawk]

Why are you having to pay the state to hunt your own land?

[jmayton]

If you're out-of-state then you'll have to pay the non-resident license fees.  But if you're not hunting deer, then it's significantly cheaper, and that will allow you to hunt the hogs.  I'm guessing your land is West of San Angelo or panhandle area, PM me with more details and I may be able to put you in contact with people who are in the area.  Texas Boars is good, but they are primarily south Texas and it's a bit different down there.  But they may certainly be able to help and I've heard nothing bad about them.

[Mohawk]

Jmayton is right. Texas has a much cheaper non-resident license if you are not hunting deer.

[oldandslow]

I did the research and it looks Like I can hunt the hogs on my land without a license. From TP&W website:

 Exclusions: A hunting license is not required to hunt the following: Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non resident) or a landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the land owner's land.

It's going to cost me if I want to hunt one of those mule deer. Non resident general hunting license: $315. Valid to hunt any legal bird or animal (including deer). At least I won't have to pay for a hunting lease. 

If I'm going to hunt hogs anywhere but on my own place it's going to cost also. Non resident special hunting license: $132. That covers about anything  not considered a game animal.

[Mohawk]

You might want to get clarification and their definition of depredation.