Nine Bar Ranch Blog
Exotic Hunting in North Texas
It’s likely that all of this quarantine business is making you itch even more to “get your hunt on.” At Nine Bar Ranch, we are completely in tune with how you’re feeling, and before too long, we will have you back on your game. One of our favorite parts about Nine Bar Ranch is the opportunity to go on exotic hunts without traveling to another country. You don’t even have to leave the state! The best exotic hunting in North Texas is in your backyard, at Nine Bar of course. It’s possible that you’re wondering what the difference is between a typical whitetail deer hunt and more “exotic” hunts.
As the crow flies northwest of Decatur, Texas, to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, a diamond in the rough will appear from the dusty plains of Texas. Since the ranch has been a part of the Waggoner-Sauder family for over a century, it has also become a staple in the DFW community as well. Even more remarkable is the 12,000 acres of breathtaking landscape that spans our property, on which all of the opportunities for exotic hunts take place. Whether your trek to the ranch is long or short, it’s crucial that you have at least a small amount of background information on the varieties of species that you’ll find here.
If you’re seeking out a challenging adventure, check out the Aoudad, a type of sheep native to the Ivory coast of Africa, with a fierce sense of smell, an excellent hearing ability, and a tawny coat that doubles as camouflage. We recommend hunting these unique animals anytime between October and February as they are more easily tracked when they’re socializing with ewes.
Next up is the fourth-largest deer species – dubbed the Red Stag. The beauty of a stag hunting experience is that you can use any method you prefer, from spot and stalk to safari-style. We offer hunting opportunities for these big boys year round, but their antlers are hardest between September and February.
The Fallow deer, an elusive species that comes in three varieties, provides another variety of exotic hunt. Here at Nine Bar, we have chocolate, spotted, and white Fallow deer that meander the acreage. Similar to the Red Stag, we recommend hunting this deer species between September and February to ensure that you grab an antlered trophy.
One final species at the top of our exotic list is the Sika Deer, a unique species that offers a thrilling hunt. It’s not uncommon for this species to crossbreed, but at Nine Bar, we work to ensure the purest deer possible. Like other species, we encourage hunting from September to February.
As you’ve read, these four species are quite distinctive in the Texan terrain. Here at Nine Bar, our ultimate goal is to offer an excellent hunting experience that provides the highest quality trophies. Each day, we strive to put our customers first in all aspects of our service. We can’t wait to meet you and take you on your next adventure!
Hog Hunting: Why it’s Crucial in Texas
Hog hunting has become so much more than just a sport in the state where everything’s bigger. The wild hog population is bigger than anyone could have ever imagined, that’s for sure.
If you don’t live in Texas, you may not be fully aware of the feral hog quandary that has been slowly brewing for decades and has now fully manifested in the Lone Star state. It’s true: many outsiders simply don’t know that Texas is currently being quite literally overrun by an increasing number of wild hogs. It has been said that this breed of animal is simultaneously a blessing and a curse, but the curse is due to the fact that the wild boar population is growing, and doesn’t show any signs of stopping anytime soon. As they say, everything is bigger in Texas. There is just no simple answer to the predicament. While all of us at Nine Bar Ranch more than happy to help with necessary population control, stronger efforts will have to be put forth by more Texans interested in hog hunting if we are to see a substantial decrease in the overall population of wild hogs in TX.
About eighty percent of the Texan landscape is picture perfect for the thriving survival of wild hogs, and for that reason, their population has now skyrocketed to somewhere between 1 and 4 million in Texas alone. It’s challenging to determine a more accurate range due to the fact that the region is simply so saturated with these beasts that they can be hard to count. Approximately fifty percent of the entire United States’ wild hog population calls Texas home, mostly because the Texas landscape is so conducive to their existence.
Wild hogs have the highest reproductive rate of any hoofed animal, which is a leading reason why a reduction in their numbers is so critical. At a mere six months of the age, a hog is able to and ready for breeding. Typically, they carry four to six young per litter, but can have up to twelve, and most healthy females will produce two litters each year. Research has shown that if we do nothing to reduce their population, the Texas hog population will be able to triple in five years!
Wild hogs can practically live just about anywhere in Texas, from the vast, pine forests of eastern Texas to the rough brush of southern Texas. Generally they prefer habitats that provide them with a solid water source such as a creek, river, or drainage area, but they’ve also been found to thrive fairly well in dry climates. Their adaptability to different living conditions adds to the challenge of reducing their numbers.
If a scorching heat wave rolls through Texas (and if you’re from around these parts you know that happens on the regular), the hogs will retreat to a wet, muddy bungalow, usually one with dense shelter that will protect them from the direct sun. Synonymous to most living organisms, they are smart enough to congregate in areas with food availability with a variety of farm crops.
Not only do the beasts have the ability to live in any number of weather conditions and landforms, but they can (and do) consume just about any food. By nature, they are omnivorous, but their diet is primarily based on what foods are available to them. Some examples of the wide variety of their meals include: grasses, roots and tubers, acorns, bulbs, mushrooms, fruits, insects, snails, reptiles, amphibians, animal carcasses, and other birds and mammals if the opportunity presents itself.
Unfortunately, they also really seem to enjoy digging into local agricultural crops like watermelon, cantaloupes, peanuts, soybeans, wheat, rice, and corn, and they’ll eat to their satisfaction. This means they eat until they are stuffed! They will partake in nighttime or daytime feeding (whatever is most convenient for them at the time), and they’re willing to eat in any type of weather, whether it’s scorching hot, cold, or wet. By now, you have probably started to see a trend; they are basically unstoppable, which brings us full circle: hog hunting is absolutely, 100% necessary.
Because feral hogs will eat almost anything, their ecological and economical damage is outrageous. It is estimated that it costs approximately $1.5 million dollars each year to replace damaged crops and install control measures. In addition to eating many farmers’ livelihoods, they damage an exorbitant amount of crops while eating, simply because they are so gigantic and aggressive that they physically trample everything in their path. They also destroy the habitats of many other species as well as the eggs of turkey and quail. Though they are not normally predators, they will feed on fawns and other smaller animals if the right opportunity presents itself.
As a result of the uncontrollable population of feral boars in Texas, there is currently no legal limit set on how many of these wild beasts one individual is permitted to kill. In addition, any method of killing is allowed, except poison. Feral hogs can be hunted just about anywhere and it’s not uncommon for a hunter to ask for hunting privileges on private property, especially because most landowners recognize the overpopulation and are happy to see someone taking action. Want to join in the fight against the Texas takeover? Take a quick trip down to Nine Bar Ranch and test out your skills. Come join us in the fight against the omnipresent wild boars. We need your help!