Shadow 7D wrote:
So, Flint
Hypothetical (kinda, cause I know half the posters here would love to get some trigger time on your feral hogs)
Yes, I get “offers” all the time…. that range from polite, sincere, respectful hunters, to the “If you’ll just let me and my buddies come to your place ONE weekend, we will end your hog problem”!
If you happen to know someone with a hog problem, how do you go about getting permission (in Texas under Texas laws) to hunt their land. What is the courtesy involved.
Shadow before answering your question…I would like to point out some important distinctions that make Hunting in Texas (whether you are from the State or not) different and possibly more difficult than other States.
1. Depending upon what source you believe, something between 87-95% of all land in Texas is privately owned. Very little public land for ANY use, let alone hunting.
2. The heritage and pride of land ownership in Texas is without equal anywhere else in the U.S.
3. Hunting is deeply rooted in the rural culture here (as in other States) BUT…”property lines” and access to the land are taken much more seriously!
Now, to address your question(s):
As concerns Texas Hunting/Fishing/Game laws…you can consult the link provided below.
I can summarize what is required for an out of State hunter to pursue Feral Hogs (and other exotic or non- game species) if you like.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/nonpwdpubs/media/regulations_summary_2010_2011.pdf
Gaining “permission” to hunt someone’s property (versus paying for a hunt someplace), can take place in different forms.
1. You befriend and gain the trust of a landowner/agent.
2. You befriend and gain the trust of someone who has a hunting “lease” and they invite you as a guest.
3. You marry into a family that has a land holding, then keep yourself in “good favor” and you’ll probably have a place to hunt.
4. You “trade” a hunt (something you can offer in exchange for a hog hunt).
5. You possess a Silver Tongue, are able to sell “ice cubes to Eskimos” and “Locusts to Farmers”. You take that ability and a friendly smile… go door to door until you find a landowner willing to let you hunt.
No small task in these litigious times.
Seriously, methods 1, 2&3 are your best bets. The days of easily gaining access to private lands hunting (no matter how bad the depredation is) have been gone for at least 10 years.
Unless you have a lot of time to devote to contacting people and gaining their confidence (hard to do from out of State), then finding a place with a hog problem and getting permission to hunt it will be elusive at best.
IF you do find such a place….”Courtesies” are simple and straight forward.
Just be yourself (sincere and genuine), you don’t need to put your nose up anyone’s butt.
Do not offer monetary “courtesies”… it will only cause offense. If you want to “buy” a hunt they are for sale all over the State.
Ask the landowner if there are specific restrictions he/she may have about where and when you hunt/camp/travel.
Please remember you came here to “hunt” not PARTY, bring your manners with you, if you wouldn’t “do it” at home in front of your family DON’T do it here!
ALWAYS leave the land as good as (or better than) you found it, NO TRASH left behind, no vehicular traffic off of established roads, trails (unless permission has been given).
Leave gates as you found them (If you open one…. CLOSE IT when you go through).
Report any sick/injured livestock to the landowner/ranch manager, also any damage you might happen to notice (fences, buildings, equipment) this helps build rapport.
If time permits, try to find something you can do to “lend a hand” during your visit.
There are still land owners willing to let someone who is sincere, honest, trustworthy and SAFE onto their land (on occasion). And
I believe that no small number of dedicated hunters meet those standards.
The task then becomes finding/meeting a landowner and PROVING yourself.
Most landowners don’t really need the “help”, any hogs you take will amount to a small fraction of the population. Any promises that “you and your buddies will eradicate them” will be met with rolling eyes and an immediate understanding by the landowner…. that you don’t know your butt from page 8.
Just keep the relationship one of appreciation (on your part) for being allowed to hunt the land, (you are a guest). NEVER let the privilege dissolve into anything hinting that you are “doing them a favor”.
Do all that…and you might find someplace to hunt, it might be once…it might be for a lifetime.
Most folks (these days)….find it more expedient to buy a Hog Hunt at one of places that offer such.
