I have a ranch in the Texas panhandle that I?m interested in setting up for handgun and bowhunting exclusively. The reason for this is twofold. I prefer the challenge myself, and secondly, I find the people who bowhunt and handgun hunt appreciate the experience and respect the animals and land much more than the guy who picks his rifle up the day before the season and assumes it?s still GTG from sighting it in 3 years ago! I have good WT, muledeer, hogs, and trying to establish rams. This it TOTALLY free range hunting. My questions to begin with are:
1. What type set ups as far as blinds or stands do you handgun hunters prefer?
2. What ranges are you comfortable shooting?
3. What do you expect to pay for the different species?
4. What do you expect to be included in your hunt?
5. What am I missing?
I am a farmer/rancher foremost but the hunting does subsidize my Income. I have several sanctuaries that I stay out of and REALLY try to limit the pressure on the animals. I also have the only cultivation in many area so you can generally expect a very game rich environment. I have been judging the experience of the hunters to this point and have been letting those who seem knowledgeable and trustworthy to hunt when and where they choose for the most part with my input as to game movement. There will only be 2 WT and 2 muledeer hunts per season and a very limited number of pig or ram hunts. People having a successful hunt is my utmost concern and limiting hunters is the best way to do that. The current acreage is 1500 but I have a contract on 320 more acres and will be closed on it by the first of the year. Thanks in advance for any responses.
Hello From Massachusetts:
Just my opinion.
1. Ideally the box blinds are nice. A couple of years ago I hunted Florida with a group of friends for wild hogs. It was a great "guys" trip and what the doctor ordered for my emotions at the time. I like the box blinds as they are comfortable enough to sit in from sunrise to sunset. Also you have a stable platform to shoot off of.
2. I like anything 25 to 100 yards. I love my TC Contender in 4570 and feel comfortable taking game out to 100 yards. More than that not so much.
3. I do not know how to answer that question. I do believe you can sell the Panhandle experience if that makes sense to you.
4. Hmm. A decent chance at game. I would also say a decent place to stay. It does not have to be the Taj Mahal but a simple cabin would be nice. The place in Florida was a "cabin" made out of a metal shed and it was neat. The cabin had room for six men and we had a great time. Simple shower and kitchen area. Very clean cut, so to speak.
5. Ok. You are in the Panhandle. Do you have javelina? Adding that to a deer or other hunt would be a bonus. To me they are a unique trophy. Also where we hunted there was an open canopy with a hoist to clean game.Also do you have any odd ball game like Auodad? Do you have varmints and small game? The guides could clean out and butcher a wild boar in under five minutes. Some type of electricity to refrigerate or freeze your game meat.
I hope this helps.
