Luckily personally haven't run into any. But all those stories happen the week before or after I have been there. Guess I have been lucky. Oil field has helped some but they change their maps and adjust to avoid gates now. Never be unarmed anymore.

My MIL lives on her ranch alone in La Salle county. A couple years back an illegal knocked on her door wanting to something to drink and eat. When she brought it to him, he wanted more. When she said she didn't have more he became agitated and wanted to use her phone. She said and asked him to leave. He went back into the brush and she called the GW. who along with BP found them on the next ranch over. There were 5 total and all carrying drugs. As for checking your deerstand, that goes both ways. One of my wifes cousins was in his tower stand when several illegals came out on the sender. They saw his stand and made their way to it. As the first one opened the door, her cousin jumped and yelled at him. He said it was the best rodeo he's been too in awhile.

I don’t believe I would let them get as far as the door.

Never met one, but one time we had them break into our trailer(s) and spend a couple of nights before moving on. We could never get the smell out of our bedrolls. Burned them and bought new ones. Good thing the LO never saw them. He had a dog that lived to bite people. We could never approach his house until the dog was put up.

stop making excuses for them.
if they want to come here legally and assimilate,
i'm ok with that.

Our family had two ranches in Starr County. I've hunted here my whole life and I will tell you that your chances are good that an encounter will take place. I will say that nothing real has happened as far as a confrontation but I think it's because we don't give them the opportunity.

I've seen some crazy stuff thru out there. I've seen groups of 30+, I've seen several mothers with kids and no men, I've seen serious injuries to individuals sustainef as they traveled, I've found staving people in the woods, it's tough but you have stay alarm you just never know. I will add one important thing: you will be able to tell when someone needs real help. It's a look That's hard to explain but you'll know.

Here are is something things my father taught us: when contact is made to keep looking behind them and scan the area while getting them to keep moving. Most are either looking for directions or water. Once they get going we keep our eyes on them and continue a level of vigilance. We keep our hunting firearms out of sight but we all wear side arms. We also bring our dog and keep him at the home as an early alarm.

If out in the field or deer blind. If I see them a head of time I get their attention and they usually run off into the woods.

My advice after 45 plus years of hunting south Texas is to stay cautious but not in fear. I speak in a firm medium tone and that usually does it.

Dang I'm glad I hunt in North Texas!

I have been on a ranch in south texas between Uvalde and Eagle Pass for ten years - close to the border. Knock on wood we have never had any issue in our camp. I have seen one illegal (first day I was ever on the ranch). Border patrol is active in our area so maybe that keeps them clear of our place but we have had zero issues

Sounds more a matter of situational awareness and vigilance will result with no problems

All i can says is it Build It.

I've seen illegals on our lease as far as north as Llano. Of course, they were doing some masonry work for the land owner.

I'm surprised it's not an everyday occurrence for y'all. I hunted the Chaparossa ranch in la pryor for javelina. This was before the shoot out. We didn't have a single day go by without seeing some. Never had a bad encounter. They just wanted water and most of the time it was families. Called BP one time and that was only because a man got left behind with a hurt ankle and dehydrated. He was happy we called. I was told there was so much traffic there because the high lines led to la Pryor where they were to be picked up.

You're very close to the border and have a couple giant ranches nearby, tlk. Some of the best Texas country and landowners.

I'm guessing all of you are happy to have BP on and around that country. No contact in all your years down there only reinforces that thought. Nice to be and have good neighbors.

Side arm and snake boots!

I don't think I could have handled it that way.

Good for you, though.

If I had to deal with that crap I'd find another place to hunt further North.

AAHHAHAHAAA!

'Seem to remember a thread on here a while back and a few were commenting how anyone who wears a sidearm on the deer lease is a fool.

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I've seen them on the backroads in Runnels county headed towards DFW. They will follow Highway 67 using side roads and the railroad as their map, walking until they run into someone that will give them a ride.

I have a ranch in webb county that is 14 miles from the border and I have a ranch in starr county that is 16 miles from the border. We have never had any major issues. I see illegals a couple times a year and myself or my staff is on these ranches several times a week. Be alert, carry a pistol and you have nothing to worry about.

I have a ranch in Batesville also. Never had an issue there.

We don't have to worry about illegals where I hunt but after the meth head neighbor a mile up the road took a shot at the spotlight survey folks in August I always walk around armed. Only an idiot wouldn't.

We found two camped out north of mason one year.

Wetbacks broke into my camp in Terrell County a few weeks ago. From what I understand, it was several younger fellows and they went from camp to camp in the area tearing stuff up. This is the first time I have experienced vandalism like this, usually want food and water.
Adios,
Gary