Nine Bar Ranch Blog
5 Tips for Successful Winter Hunting in TX
As enjoyable as the holidays can be, it’s no secret that many of us struggle with the unrelenting, frenzied activity leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If you are looking to relax, get away from it all, and reconnect with the beauty of fall and winter outside of the commercialized aspects, winter hunting in TX is the best way to make it happen!
In December, Texas has a wide variety of game animals in season. With an Annual Public Hunting Permit (available for just $48,) you gain access to more than 1 million acres of Texas hunting land. With this permit, you are also invited to begin scouting for prime hunting spots a full week before your target game’s season opens.
To find the best locations for your hunt, start with the public hunting map. While crowds tend to pack in on any given animal’s opening week, you can beat the rush by heading out as early as possible, hunting mid-week as often as you can, and choosing spots that cover more challenging terrain that might deter less capable hunters.
In December, the following game is in season:
- Javelina
- Mule Deer
- Squirrel
- White-tailed Deer
- Chacala
- Pheasant
- Quail
- Rio Grande Turkey
- Dove
- Duck
- Goose
- Rails
- Gallinules
- Moorhens
- Sandhill Cranes
- Snipe
- Teal
- Woodcock
- Rabbits
- Hares
To learn more about our state’s robust public hunting program, check out the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story, Hunting for a Place to Hunt?
Nine Bar Ranch’s Winter Experience
Of course, the best way to avoid crowds as a hunter is to book an exclusive hunting trip at Nine Bar Ranch. Our winter hunting offerings are more diverse than those found in the wild, and include the following:
- Aoudad
- Red Stag
- Fallow Deer
- Sika Deer
- Wild boar
- Scimitar Horned Oryx
Our spots for holiday hunting packages do tend to sell quickly, so please contact us as soon as you can to reserve your desired dates and game package.
Hunting at Nine Bar Ranch in Decatur is private and customized to your plans, yet remains a challenging and satisfying experience. Stay for two days, sleep in our cozy hunter’s lodges, relax around a roaring campfire at the end of a long day, and enjoy the option of having our crew dress and pack your game for you to take home with you.
Whether you hunt here at the ranch or out in the wilds of Texas on public land, we wish you a relaxing and successful winter hunting season. Happy holidays from our family to yours!
Is Hog Hunting in Texas Permitted Year Round?
Here in North Texas, we’re in the midst of the fall hunting season. In early November, the general white-tailed deer, turkey, and duck hunting seasons open while the dove hunting season temporarily comes to a close. What you may not realize is that hog hunting in Texas is permitted year round. Why is that the case and what should you know about it? Read on to find out.
Why Are There No Time Limits on Hog Hunting?
There are an estimated four to six million hogs across North America, and roughly half of them are right here in Texas. Hogs have become one of the most destructive invasive species to walk our lands, destroying crops and making beautiful parks dangerous for visitors.
Hogs have no natural predators in Texas and reproduce at a high rate. They’re tough creatures, surviving in just about any climate and evading the traps set by frustrated farmers and public groundskeepers. Hog hunting is a year-round activity in Texas because state officials determined an unending open season the best way to control this stubborn population.
Do You Need a License for Year-Round Hog Hunting in Texas?
Any seasoned hunter would naturally assume that you need a valid hunting license to hunt wild hogs. As of 2019, the state lifted this requirement under specific circumstances. If you have permission to hunt wild hogs on private land, you do not need a hunting license to do so.
That said, you always need a hunting license to hunt public lands in Texas, even when you’re specifically tracking hogs.
When Is the Best Time of Year for Hog Hunting?
Though you can hunt hogs at any time in Texas, you may find it easier to find and bag them at certain times of year than others. Many people reserve their hog hunting for the spring, specifically between the months of March and May.
By far, you’re going to have the best luck between December and February. In the winter months, hogs have to work harder to find food, which means they’re moving more frequently and exposing themselves to keen hunters.
Why Choose NineBar Ranch for Hog Hunting in North Texas?
The hog population may be booming, but that doesn’t mean that hogs are easy to find. At NineBar Ranch, we foster conditions that keep hogs nearby without sacrificing the challenge of the hunt.