New guy - first post. I have been given the rare opportunity to hunt for the first time a LF family ranch se of the San Angelo area as a guest. Have never been to Texas before and coming from New England the style of hunting I know I am told is out the window. There will be platform blinds and feeder stations set up and I will need to learn to age an animal which I am told will be explained to me when I arrive. The other factor is there are feral pigs, javelinas and various predators which I understand are available for shooting as well. Can anyone share what type of weather I should expect for the first part of December, what type of cover I should expect, (I am use to heavily forested areas, with laurel pockets and tracking snow),type of boots you would recommend, and how big of a deer body weight size should I expect. Also are those pigs any good to eat. Thanks.

Weather: Expect anything from mid-teens to mid-80's

Cover will consist of various scrub and mesquite. Creek and river bottoms will have oak groves and pecan. Mostly though, if it doesn't bite or have fangs, it will have thorns.

Boots should be warm but not too warm. Lighter boots are best since heavier ones will cause your feet to sweat and then get cold. Heavy soles that resist mesquite thorns are best.

With the drought body weights are down. They can run up to 160 lbs field dressed in good years.

Feral hogs are excellent table fare if you care for them properly after the kill. Gut and skin ASAP. Quarter them and put 'em on ice relatively quickly. Especially if temps are above 45 degrees.

It's gonna be dusty and dry.

Typical shot distance is about 100 yards but in that country can range out to 400 yards. I recommend a 200 yard zero. That area is some big country. Take everything you'll need. It's probably a long trip to town to get something you may have forgot.

Landpirate I appreciate your input and see some adjustments to gear I need to make. Very much looking forward to getting on the ground in texas.

to the forum buc!!!

Welcome!!! In that part of Texas expect everything to stick, sting or bite. One thing to keep in mind is the trees will be really short and it will make the deer look twice as big and maybe a lot closer than they really are, take a rangefinder if you have one.

Stick, sting or bite - ok.. I understand we will have blinds to hunt from but love to be on foot as well. Maybe I need to add another layer to the hunting garb!

in miday in that area if the place u are hunting allows it u may have some luck rattleing in the brush so all hunting may not have to be in the blind , or just some still hunting am on a place up the road in blakwell , great to have a guest from your area and hope u enjoy your stay and hunt here in texas ,

piney woods thanks for the input. I will be able to hunt from the ground which is what i generally like to do and am real eager to try and rattle as you suggest. I read peak rut in that area is generally this week. Land is suppose to be open country and I am told I should see plenty of deer, getting within shooting range and being a shooter is another story that I will have to make happen. I am truly looking forward to my texas experiance.