After 13 years of trying, my group was drawn for the Feb 2013 hog hunt. I really don't know much about hunting at TPWD Mad Island. I do know it says by assigned blind, baiting allowed, and ATV are allowed. An ATV is something I don't have. I do have a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Has anyone hunted the area and have more details on how TPWD conducts the hunt? Any input would be appreciated.

You're best bet is to call the hunt coordinator down there. They will answer any questions you have and tell you exactly how they conduct the hunts, hat you should expect and what you need to bring. Their goal is for you to be safe, have a good time and shoot as many hogs as possible.

Where is Mad Island at? and one more thing BJ when are you going to take me fishing... You have promised for years now!

If you live in south Austin you could always stop by the TPWD headquarters and talk to someone in person. They are very friendly and helpful and pointed me in the right direction. They are just off Burleson rd

Hog hunting at Mad Island? Sounds like the title of a horror scream & slash movie.

Thanks for the suggestions. My hunting partner is calling the hunt coordinator today. They do provide good information on the hunt procedure.

I was hoping for some inside information from individuals that had hunted at Mad Island before. I might not even be smart enough to anticipate the question.

One that popped into my mind - how bad are the mosquitoes? At a muzzle loader hunt at Lake Summerville, they about ate us up. Needed to wear heaver clothing.

Mad Island is on the coast near Matagorda, TX - between Galveston and Corpus Christi.

Mad Island is right past Bay City and with it being part of the Gulf Coast and the marsh, bring plenty of mosquito spray or a Thermocel or two, you'll need it if the temperature stays as is and doesn't get down in the 40s. It is one of the top producing WMA's for feral hogs with the draw hunts.

Thanks for the information on the mosquitoes. They can cause havoc it your not prepared.

It should be a great hunt - I work with the public hunting program in Austin.

Hunt was Feb 19 - Feb 21. We were each assigned a hunting blind. I got blind V which was close to one of the marsh areas. You had to stay in your blind from 3:30 to 6:50 PM.

Driving to the blind, I saw several groups of hogs running across the road into other pastures.

I killed my first hog at 3:15, the second at 4:00, and the third at 6:40 PM. They were all in the 100-120 pound range.

The wind let up some that evening, and the mosquitoes were pretty thick picking up the hogs. I was a tired hunter after skinning the hogs back at the check station.

Almost everyone had at least 1 hog that first evening. My son was the exception, he didn't see any hogs the whole hunt.

Overall, it was a good hunt. The rain didn't materialize. It was just windy. But, the wind did keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Will I apply for Mad Island WMA Feral Hog hunt again? You better believe it.

I didn't take any pictures, as the hogs I shot were plain, old ugly.

Congrats on a great hunt. Too bad that your son did not get one. When I was there on a different hunt this season, I saw several hogs. Most were on high ground and out during the middle of the day. Just not legal game for my hunt.