Lone Star Bowhunters Association - View Single Post

05-22-2008, 11:14 AM

I have been on a few "canned" hunts, do not much care for them, and generally have regretted the time wasted.

The last one was a few years ago on a 320 acre property advertised as Texas Wild Hog Hunt. (I wanted to get a bowhunt in before going to New England on an unbaited fall black bear hunt.) The Wild Hog Hunt owner schedules about 16 people on the property at a time, some with bows, but most with rifles. Almost all of the hogs are purchased and released on the property for the hunters, although a few are captured from adjacent properties as a result of traps set along the fence line where the fence has been cut to allow the hogs access to the traps. Twice a day, there are hog drives where groups of three or four hunters are loosed on various parts of the property and then are supposed to walk in a clockwise fashion around the property. Needless to say, once hogs are spotted, the hunters forget about walking in just one direction and start chasing the hogs in whatever direction the hogs are heading. I am surpised that, so far, I have not read about a Cheney type accident having occurred on the property. There are also night hunts, but the hogs have been spotlighted with red or green light so often that they immediately bolt at the first sign of light. After 24 hours, I decided that I had experienced all I needed of this type of hunt. Not only was it dangerous to try to bowhunt on the property due to the number of rifle hunters wandering around, but I did not find any satisfaction in the experience.

Generally, I try to limit my hunts to fair chase which I find much more satisfying, even though I very well may not harvest an animal. Spotting an animal (which will hightail it to the next county if it winds or spots you), stalking it for several or more hours, and getting close enough for a bowshot is an incredibly rewarding and satisfying experience that one just cannot get on a canned hunt.

05-22-2008, 11:14 AM	#15
fabiomerrill Guest Posts: n/a Points:	Fair Chase is Better I have been on a few "canned" hunts, do not much care for them, and generally have regretted the time wasted. The last one was a few years ago on a 320 acre property advertised as Texas Wild Hog Hunt. (I wanted to get a bowhunt in before going to New England on an unbaited fall black bear hunt.) The Wild Hog Hunt owner schedules about 16 people on the property at a time, some with bows, but most with rifles. Almost all of the hogs are purchased and released on the property for the hunters, although a few are captured from adjacent properties as a result of traps set along the fence line where the fence has been cut to allow the hogs access to the traps. Twice a day, there are hog drives where groups of three or four hunters are loosed on various parts of the property and then are supposed to walk in a clockwise fashion around the property. Needless to say, once hogs are spotted, the hunters forget about walking in just one direction and start chasing the hogs in whatever direction the hogs are heading. I am surpised that, so far, I have not read about a Cheney type accident having occurred on the property. There are also night hunts, but the hogs have been spotlighted with red or green light so often that they immediately bolt at the first sign of light. After 24 hours, I decided that I had experienced all I needed of this type of hunt. Not only was it dangerous to try to bowhunt on the property due to the number of rifle hunters wandering around, but I did not find any satisfaction in the experience. Generally, I try to limit my hunts to fair chase which I find much more satisfying, even though I very well may not harvest an animal. Spotting an animal (which will hightail it to the next county if it winds or spots you), stalking it for several or more hours, and getting close enough for a bowshot is an incredibly rewarding and satisfying experience that one just cannot get on a canned hunt.