Ranch Hunting in Texas

Concept Behind Ranch Hunting

• Hunting is a popular sport in Texas and the ranches where the public can hunt are called "high fence" ranches, as opposed to "low fence" ranches. The definition of a high fence ranch is one where the owner has erected 8 feet or taller fences to keep the herds of wildlife inside the ranch boundaries. Deer can jump a low fence erected for cattle or other livestock. In this way, ranchers can manage the wildlife on their property by conducting censuses, providing sufficient food for the wildlife, and maintaining a consistent population.

Government Involvement

• While the hunting land may be owned by a private party, in Texas wildlife is considered the property of the state. The governmental agency that works with private land owners in Texas for wildlife management is the Texas Park and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This agency has a team of wildlife biologists who work with the ranchers to make sure that the population of game animals and their access to sufficient food and water is adequate to promote the health of the herd. The state has broken the land into wildlife management areas and each area has a staff that actively works with landowners.

  The TPWD also issues hunting licenses and sets the schedules for the hunting seasons for the game. They set bag limits depending on the existing population of the species each hunting season.

Advantages Of Ranch Hunting For Land Owners

• In addition to being able to use their land for livestock grazing, Texas ranchers can make an additional stream of income by leasing their land to hunters. They set their rates based on the cost of providing a sound environment for the wildlife that live on their land.

Advantage For Hunters On Private Land

• Since the wildlife on Texas ranches is well-managed, hunters benefit by knowing that the chance of their bagging a catch is good, unlike on public lands where animals have to survive without the safety net of dependable food and water that the TPWD and the ranchers provide.

Lodging

• The hunting ranches in Texas can provide lodging on site. These accommodations vary from areas to pitch a tent or park an camper to five-star quality lodging in ranch houses and lodges.