Although not entirely necessary, it's common for the hunts to be carried out at night, so feel free to bring what ever night gear you have. Flashlight or some sort of soft lighting is usually necessary for hog hunting at night. Spot lights are usually used for varmint hunting and calling.

When determining the dates for our hunts, we usually try to schedule them around full moons. If there's full moon visibility and if you're set up with a scope that draws in plenty of light the animals can be seen at night without artificial lighting.

The length of time spent out on the hunt is up to the hunter. Most hunters will choose to leave out before darkness falls, so an evening hunt can be made. Then, the decision to hunt into the night can be made. Some hunters pull all-nighters on some occasions.

Before a hunter gets set up for the hunt, there will be a schedule made for checking in and transportation needs through the evening and on into the night.

2. How will we be hunting?

Varmint calling is usually done on the hill and hog hunting is usually done in the bottoms. The number of animals ranging over a smaller number of acres and the quality of the hunting increases if there's flooding in the bottoms, but the ranch is cut down in size, thereby opening up the hog hunting to its highest, most intense level.

The ranch normally maintains 5 to 8 corn feeders baited spots for hunting, depending on the time of year and level of hog activity. Although most all the stands are elevated, come prepared to set up in natural cover if its found that the hogs are inhabiting a particular section of the ranch.

In most cases, the hog hunting will be done in the areas of the that have the most amount of hog activity at the time of the hunt. This will usually be at one of the regularly baited spots but not guaranteed. Any specific request for an elevated stand will be honored.

Stand and still hunting are probably the 2 most common methods of hog hunting with a gun. Stand hunting is done over baited areas with abundant signs such as rooting, wallows, or trails. Still hunting also can be done over a baited area or in areas with signs. Sometimes, this method may be more successful due to the hogs' mobility.

3. What about using my bow?

As of the end of 2002, two of our regularly baited hog hunting spots are bow friendly. There are two nights of hunting so feel free to switch off with buddies if two are not sufficient. As we have additional requests for bow hunting, we will increase the number of bow friendly spots. If you have a specific number of spots that need bow friendly, we will try tour best to oblige. You're welcome to bring both gun and bow.

4. What about over-night and sleeping facilities?

There is 5 structures at the campsite about a quarter mile inside the front gate. There are 2 rustic bunkhouses (unheated), the Haynes Cabin and the Malloy Cabin. The third facility houses the restroom and is Mrs. Judy's craft workshop. The fourth facility is covered, concreted and set up for animal cleaning and quartering. The fifth facility is a covered fire pit area which houses the eating area.

The Haynes Cabin is reserved for Ol Jim's Hunting Club Members, who normally attend these hunts. If it's found that club members will not be attending the hunt Haynes Cabin is then available. The Haynes Cabin has 4 beds with cushion mattresses and there is space for additional sleeping cots. The Malloy Cabin is reserved for group hunters and has 6 beds with cushion mattresses. Also, there's additional sleeping spots in the Malloy Cabin for a sleeping bag or cot, for a total of 7 sleeping spots. Also, flat areas for tents (not provided by the ranch) are maintained within the campsite area.

The overflow area for sleeping quarters is the covered fire pit area which is open on 2 sides. Numerous sleeping cots (not provided by the ranch) can be set up there. Housed in the vicinity of the covered fire pit is an area which contains tables, chairs, and a grill for family-style eating and cooking.

**Special not for youth hunters** Sorry, but you may have to come prepared to sleep on a hard surface with sleeping bags if the beds are taken up by paying adults, or if your own cots are not brought. Paying adults get first dibs on the beds.

5. What about sighting in and target practice?

A primitive firing range had been set up just north of the campsite. River shooting is also available at the big bluff overlooking the Trinity River.

For the animals benefit, please be sure you riffles are well-sighted in. We are set up for tracking wounded animals, but clean, accurate shots will make your hunt more enjoyable.

6. Where are we gonna hunt?

Twenty-three areas have been sectioned off for hunting and ranch management proposes. Club member spots are also maintained and available for hunting setups too, depending on whether the club member will be attending that particular hunt or not. Although not exclusively, areas on the above map that are normally baited up for group hog hunting include:

- Northwest Cut-off
- Southwest Cut-off
- East Lanes
- Horn Lake Spot
- Horn Lake Drainage
- Bearman Lake

At certain times of the year in the event of river bottom land flooding, backup spots are maintained at:

- Oak Grover
- Red Bird Patch
- Bearmam Lake
- The Big Food Plot

Most all the stands we have are elevated. In addition, we may set up spots with natural cover too, if we find an area o the ranch that's being inhabited and worked over by the hogs when your hunt is scheduled.

We will be scouting the various areas for you prior to the hunt so we can find where the most numbers of hogs are at the time of the hunt. Usually, is will be the same locations ar our corn-feeders, but not always.

8. What's special about night hunting?

You'll likely need a light source for shooting, we try to schedule our hunts around the full moon. On full moon nights that are clear there may be sufficient light to shoot by, if your scope is of the type that draws in plenty of light.

For inexperienced hog hunters, or those who are not set up for night hunting we usually recommend that hunters buddy up in stands together, with one being designated as the primary shooter and the other having primary light source responsibility and secondary shooter responsibility.

Some experienced hog hunter and those who are set up for night hunting are able to man a stand by him or herself by mounting a light source on the gun barrel or scope. The light source is then controlled by finger tip.

9. What will be the shot distances?

Hogs are often shot ar distances from 40 to 50 yards, although shots further out can be accomplished fine if the hunter is experienced enough, has the right kind of night equipment, and has good eyesight.

10. what about shot placement on hogs?

Because a hog's vitals are pushed forward from what's seen in a deer, many hunter make the mistake of shooting too far back around the shoulder area.

Correct shot placement can be generally described by saying "behind the ear and then a little lower down". This is an area which would be considered the "neck" area on ,most animals.

11. What caliber riffle is needed?

Lots of differing opinion here make for lots of discussion regarding what's needed to shoot a hog dead. It's widely recognize that shot placement is perhaps more important than caliber, but generally speaking the best caliber to use should be .243 or greater to prevent wounding or loss of animal.

12. What's my chances of getting a hog?

Your chance of getting a hog oughta be pretty good. As shown on the map to the right, the Reed Ranch is located in some of the most densely hog populate areas of Texas. About half the Ranch is in the bottomlands of the famous Trinity River, known for its rich wildlife habitat. However, on any free roam ranch, it's certainly possible to get skunked. The Reed Ranch specializes in challenging hunts and memorable experiences, so there no guarantees.

Before you leave to come on your hunt, you'll know the amount of hog rooting's and activity by what's reported to you using the Ranch's Hog Rating Scale. When you get to the ranch, you'll be able to look at things for yourself, by viewing the various signs of hog activity, and comparing 'em to the scales.

Also, as with any other hunting sport, lots depends on the skill of the hunter and the ability to remain still and quiet in the night. Hogs are very aware animals and have sensitive scent capability, so some of the best hog hunters know how to keep quiet in the dark and have eliminated human and other scents that can destroy a hunt.

13. When are the hogs gonna be out?

Feral hogs can be active just about any time of the day or night, depending on the season and food availability. Hot summer temperatures make them nocturnal to avoid excessive heat. During cooler months, hogs are active in early morning or late evening, in addition to midnight and very early morning times. Scarcity of food and poor habitat may cause them to extend their active hours regardless of the season.

Hunting pressure and harassment may also cause them to shift their activity periods and maybe their home trances for a short period of time.

14. Where are the hogs gonna be found?

Feral hogs have demonstrated that they can adapt to just about any habitat type, but prefer moist bottomlands and probably most common among streams and rivers or other areas with adequate water. Another feature associated with this type of habitat is dense vegetation.

Hogs seem to prefer riparian (wetlands and riversides) areas with good distribution of dense vegetation to use as escape cover and concealment.

15. How do I look for signs of hogs?

Some signs of hogs are easily recognized; some are not. Common indicators include tracks, rootings, wallers, rubs, and droppings. Tracks can be the most difficult to identify due to their resemblance to deer tracks. The key point to remember in distinguishing a hog track from a deer track is the rounded or blunt tip of the hog's toes.

Rooting is a common activity and is done year-round in search of food. Rootings result from the hog's snot uplifting soil and plant life, resulting in a dug out depression.

Wallows are depressions in mud created by rolling and rooting to enable hogs to get a mud coating on their skin. Wallows are normally created to escape heat and insects. Wallow's often fill with water, making them more effective for meeting the hog's needs.

Rubs are generally made as a result of wallowing and are most associated with wallows. The purpose of rubbing is for the hog to scratch and remove dried mud, hair, and parasites. Hogs will use just about anything on which to rub, including trees, fence posts, rocks and power poles. Feral hogs have a preference for rubbing on creosote-treated posts.

Another indicator of the presence of feral hogs is droppings. Like tracks, hog droppings are usually shorter lived and are harder to identify or confirm than any other hog sign. Hog dropping can look similar to dog in shape and consistency. However, depending on their diet, hog droppings can range from having horse to human characteristics.

16. What's this I hear about hog mobility and birth rates?

A feral hog's home can vary from 0.4 to 19 square miles and have been known to travel up to 15 miles. Availability of water and food are probably the 2 most important factors determining home ranges; thus fall and winter ranges are likely to be larger than spring and summer ranges.

Males generally have a larger home range than females, especially during breeding season. Boars usually travel by themselves unless they are with a receptive sow. Groups of hogs generally consist of sows and their young.

Feral hogs are prolific producers, having as many as 2 litters per year, with each litter consisting of 4 to 5 young. Good habitat and weather conditions allow production of the most young with peak numbers of young born in late winter to early spring. The gestation period is about 115 days.

17. What do I need to bring?

Well, it's very important that you bring all your hunting gear and come prepared to hunt. Sometimes being half prepared is worse than not being prepared at all.

Other items you'll likely be needing are:

- Supply of food and drinks (no beer or alcohol allowed)
- Cooler storage for food and drinks
- Your bedroll for sleeping on cushion mattresses (or your cot)
- Ice chests for transportation of meat

For communications, feel free to bring your own hand-held radio to communicate with ranch radio's. The ranch's radios are set to channel #1. Remember that the Reed Ranch is long, narrow, and has a diversity of landscapes, so it's possible that a hand-held radio will not be effective at all times. Cell phones are sometimes used to communicate during the hunts, so if you have a cell phone that will operate in the North central portion of Texas, bring it. You may find it'll come in handy if you need to call back up to the campsite. Also, for youth, please remember that they have to come prepared to sleep on a hard surface with sleeping bags if the beds are taken up by paying adults; paying adults get first dibs on the beds. Also, the bunk houses are unheated, so come prepared to keep yourself warm at night during cold weather.

There's grills to cook on and facilities for family-style eating and food preparation. You'll be bringing you own knives, forks, and such.

For fishing the various spots on the ranch, you'll need both small and large hooks. Be sure to bring bait, worms will work fine. For the smaller fish like perch and bluegill, you'll need small hooks and bobbers. The 10 acre lake was stocked with bass several years back.

For gar fishing, you'll need large treble hooks with steel leaders and a 20-30 ld test line. For catfish, you'll need weights for bottom fishing. The product called Hog Wild Catfish dip bait works fine for catching both catfish in the river and the stocked pond. There's also dipper sponges that you can purchase along with the Hog Wild catfish dip.

The most important thing is to have fun. A few hours fishing ALWAYS beats a day in the office.

18. Rules, reg and safety concerns?

Now, nobody likes a bunch of rules and regs, but we want you to return home just as safe and sound as when you left it. For this reason there are some considerations and concerns that need to be taken into account.

The organizer of the hunt is responsible for making sure others in his/her party are aware of these considerations and concerns, and the necessity of signing the below release of liability form. ( You will be asked to sign a RELEASE OF LIABILITY form. Click HERE for a printable copy of this form.)