Just got back from my 2nd trip to Independence Ranch in Texas for hog hunting, and it was a success. I went with a buddy and we got 9 total hogs, with me shooting 5, and John (my buddy) shooting 4, so a total of 9. My first trip was in 2017 when I took my son for his 13th birthday and our first hunting trip.

Dave totals:

1. 50 lbs (this is generous, was probably closer to 25)

2. 50 lbs (also generous, was probably closer to 10)

3. 99 lbs

4. 108 lbs

5. 81 lbs

John totals:

1. 50 lbs (generous, probably closer to 25)

2. 127 lbs

3. 77 lbs

4. 155 lbs

Firearm selection:

Both John and I used scoped 30-06 rifles that proved very effective at taking down the hogs, most shots were within 20 yards, with one of the longer shots being about 50 yards from John (the 155 lb hog). Several other hunters used 12 gauge shotguns with slugs, which I have used in the past at the ranch, but I just don't have the accuracy with the 12 gauge at any distance beyond about 20 yards, so I much prefer the rifle.

Travel:

We both flew into Austin early Thursday morning (~8:30 AM arrival), and had plenty of time to pick up the rental car, stop by a Walmart in Lockhart Texas on the way to the ranch, and get lunch at a local BBQ. You will need a hard sided gun case if traveling with a gun with locks. We flew in Thursday morning, and flew back Saturday afternoon at 5PM, all with plenty of time.

Arrival at ranch:

We arrived at the ranch a couple hours early (~12PM arrival, with a 2PM start time), so traveled to the Walmart in Gonzales Texas to pick up some bug spray and bottled watter which we didn't really end up needing. The website warns of GPS sending people in the wrong direction but Google Maps got us there just fine.

Hunts:

Day 1 (6PM Night Hunt): We arrived at the blind (Tri-pod west) at exactly 6PM, and the shooting lane had been already bated with cracked corn, and some small hogs were already present. We weren't anticipating this, and were unprepared to act on it, so we just ended up scaring off the hogs. Within about an hour, the pigs returned and we got our first shot/kill, with me (Dave) getting 2 very small hogs with one shot. We saw plenty of other wildlife (deer, the biggest long horn you have ever seen), but didn't get a package that allowed hunting anything but hogs.

Day 2 (7:15AM morning hunt): We returned to the same blind the next morning, and didn't learn the lessons from the day before...there were about 6 hogs sleeping right next to the blind, and we didn't notice...we eventually heard them, spooked them, and they took off without us acting on it. Luckily for us, they returned about 30-40 minutes later and John was able to get his first hog (small).

Day 2 (~10:30AM mid-morning hunt): We were transported down to the honey hole via UTV, and were greeted by around 20 hogs already at the blind (South East blind), they scattered, and we waited patiently for about 30 minutes before a group of hogs started to approach us from the north east corner along the fence. The biggest of the heard approached usn (99 lbs), turned to give us a nice broad side shot, and I took the shot. The hog started running towards us, then ran into the fence and fairly promptly died. About 15 minutes later, another group of hogs headed our way and we repeated the same scenario (coming towards us, then turns to give us a nice broad side shot) for John this time, and John got his first larger hog (stated 127 lbs). We called the ranch hands, and about 20 minutes later they showed up and picked up the hogs to take them back for cleaning. Within about 10 minutes of them leaving, the situation repeated itself, but with a bit faster moving heard and I got a moving shot and took down a 108 lb hog. About 20 minutes later, same situation, and John got his 3rd hog 77 lbs. We had the opportunity to shoot many more hogs, but most of them were smaller, so we elected to save the ammo :-) This blind (South East Corner) was by far the most successful of our blinds, plenty of open space, and plenty of hogs.

Day 2 (~2PM hunt): We returned to the honey hole, but at a new blind (Hog Run), and had a nice wide shooting lane. It was about an hour before we saw our first hog, and it was a big one (stated 81 lbs, but no way it was only 81 lbs), and was slowly running across our shooting lane, and I got my 5th hog of the trip. As we approached it to make sure it was done, a hog and a lot of commotion started behind us...one of the other hunters had shot a massive (290lbs) that didn't go down, and the ranch staff was chasing it with what appeared to be a Glock to put it down. The ranch staffer figured out that the was out of ammo after sighting in, borrowed my rifle (with only 2 rounds left) and chased it for about another 45 minutes before finally getting it and returning my emptied rifle. We then saw our last really big hog (155 lbs) of the day right at about the edge of the shooting lane, and John took a longer shot (75 yards) taking it down.

Day 2 (6PM hunt): Having taken down 9 hogs by this point, and being out of ammo we elected to skip the 6PM hunt and just relax at the lodge, and travel into Gonzales to pickup more ammo, and some beers for relaxing on our cabin porch.

Day 3 (7AM hunt): We went to Yellow Blind, which had spectacular views, but didn't see any hogs at this location. Normally the ranch bates the shooting lanes the night before, but since we didn't go on the night hunt, the shooting area wasn't bated in the morning, which contributed to the lack of activity. We did see some deer, and heard some cows, but no hogs. At this point though, it was fine, with 9 hogs down, we had enough.

Costs:

• Air fare...

• Car rental: $200

• Staff fee: $100 (paid up front)

• Honey Hole: $99

• Upgraded lodge $500 ($250/person)

• Hog cleaning and processing: $1200 (~400lbs * $3/lb for processing, $1.50 unprocessed)

• Hunt: Varies based on package, I "won" a $99 all inclusive hunt, and added another hunter for $599 (that could have been cheaper if I booked earlier)

• Staff gratuity: $150 (which I think was more than they expected)

• Total: ~$2,400/person

We could have kept the costs down more than this, and shaved off about $600 by not getting 9 hogs. The ranch also offers many different packages, and all sorts of options, read carefully what you are signing up for.

Hog Cleaning Fees:

The place charges $75 cleaning fee for hogs under 50 lbs, and $1.50/lb for hogs over 50 lbs, and will swap out your cleaned meat for processed sausage, brats, bacon, etc for an additional $1.50/lb, which is nice if you are flying back, and will package it in an airline approved box for $40/box (note: airlines won't allow you to have ice in coolers if it is melted without a bunch of hastle, but the boxes they give, and the meat being frozen should last for 2-3 days with no ice).

Example: 100 lb hog will cost you $300 processed, which will yield you 30 lbs of meat (roughly half that for bacon).

Meat Selection:

If you get the processed meat, you have the option of about 7 different types of sausage (cheddar, jalepeno cheddar, italian, etc), 6 different cuts (bacon, ribs, etc), and 8 different types of ground pork (breakfast sausage, ground pork, etc). I have yet to try any of it, but will do a follow up post on my favorites after I get through some of it.

Food:

With the all inclusive package you get dinner the first night, breakfast lunch and dinner on the 2nd day, and breakfast the 3rd day. The food was all quiet good, a mix of tacos one night, chicken alfredo the next, and biscuits and gravy for breakfasts along with cheesy eggs. The main lodge is open 24 hours a day, and they usually have snacks or leftovers available, so you never really end up being hungry. I was generally really impressed with the food selection and quality.

Other notes:

• Take a hunters safety course, it is required to hunt at the ranch, but they don't check the qualifications. Some reviews online talk about the safety of the ranch (or lack of), but of incidents I've heard of at the ranch were caused by poor hunter safety (i.e. entering/exiting the blinds with a loaded firearm).

• Do the honey hole...it's an additional $99/hunter, but well worth it, much more hog activity, and much bigger hogs.

• Alcohol is not served at the ranch (thankfully for safety reasons), but can be brought in for drinking in the cabins.

• The ranch had about 20-25 guests while we were there, but the blinds seem to be well spaced so you don't feel like you are climbing all over each other. If you can go mid-week you likely will see smaller crowds.

Overall Impression:

Really enjoyed the time and was very comfortable throughout. The ranch is a "high fenced ranch" where the pigs are brought in (I'm told they are trapped from other farms), so it isn't the most sporting, but it's virtually guaranteed you will be shooting hogs. If you are an inexperienced hunter, this isn't a bad place to start, and a great way to get your feet wet into hunting.

Sunday, April 28 2024