Texas in April Advice

[keh&h]

I am heading to the US with my wife on Holiday next Month and have a week in Texas in the middle of the Month with no plans. I would like some advice on great outdoors activities and if there are any good quality rifle activites/training that could be interesting. I am used to iron sights and my 375/458 but am quite keen to meet like minded people (passion for firearms, nature and africa) and would enjoy some training with a scoped rifle for distance shooting etc.

I have a week to burn and thought members might have good advice for an African guide in the US for the first time.

 

[30-06Ken]

You didn't say where you are staying in Texas. Please remember Texas is a huge state. You can hunt exotics on private ranches, Fallow deer, Nilgai, Oryx and Blackbuck are all very popular. Turkey are in season during April and wild pigs are always available to hunt. Whitetail deer will be out of season and not huntable. Hunting the exotics is much like high fence hunting in SA, it can get very expensive though. Many ranches are in the Hill Country of Texas.

 

[Throwback]

Not sure of your budget, as mentioned exotic hunting is great but it can be quite expensive. There are dozens upon dozens but check out Ox Ranch, G2 Ranch and FTW Ranch (which has the type of training you mentioned you were interested in). I think just their websites would give you an idea of what is offered and the pricing. Let us know what you end up focusing on.

People do hunt Aoudad, Nilgai and Turkey this time of year in Texas, among all the other exotics.

 

[Flipper Dude]

You can always go after a wild hog with a knife and hounds. If you’re feeling froggy.

 

[Elkeater]

Like the others have said. Exotics, turkey, and hogs are always fun. The fishing on the coast for redfish and sea trout, shark, and maybe even a tarpon if you go far enough south should be pretty decent in April.

I would recommend hitting up south padre island for a few days and enjoy the beach and some inshore fishing for redfish and trout. Eat good seafood, maybe rent some paddle boards and go visit the sea turtle sanctuary. April should be late enough in the year to avoid most of the spring break crowd. Pro tip: Wanna Wanna beach bar has an excellent turbo pinacolada and ceviche.

 

[BWH]

That is a huge opportunity….. fish/hunt….weather should be pleasant but potentially unpredictable/turbulent. It’s a big state…. Lots of options.really just depends on time/budget/desires. If you want to knock down some turkeys, hogs, maybe exotics…..reach out to Erik @gizmo

 

[Tex .416]

There are a few different top notch training facilities for rifles, FTW, Tac Pro, and Rifles Only. Each has a different focus and feel, but all offer solid training in precision rifle and long distance.

Other non-hunting activities: Texas is a global level destination for birders, “twitchers” in the UK, in April to observe bird migration from South America to North America. It is for bird migration what East Africa is for mammal migration.

The fishing on the coast can be quite good in April if the winds are calm.

Big Bend National Park is a remarkable place to visit, but will use several days. It is remote, wild, and beautiful. I have seen mountain lions there on two occasions, once with cubs. Bears are present there most of the time, but hard to see.

Hog hunting is always open year round. Please shoot some.

 

[gizmo]

Give me a holler, I can help you out.

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

For practical shooting skills training, FTW is one of the best in Texas. If you wish to do a bit of iBig Game or Bird Hunting, we are located Southwest of San Antonio and offer a variety of activities.

John Ed

 

[adgunner]

Tagged for interest.

 

[Neophyte]

Take in a rodeo while you’re there and eat some good BBQ.

 

[buck wild]

As noted, it would be helpful to have your approximate location. Weather will be unstable for sure. Hot, cold, rainy, humid, windy- about anything you could imagine except possibly snow and I wouldn't rule that out 100% .

But let's talk about more important stuff. Where will you get BBQ ?!?

 

[Philip Glass]

We welcome you to Texas!

 

[mdwest]

Palo Duro Canyon isnt too far from @gizmo 's place If you decide to go there.. and is a beautiful part of the state, with some very unique and interesting history associated with it.. its also the second largest canyon in the US (only the Grand Canyon is larger)..

Palo Duro Canyon State Park |

palodurocanyon.com

If isolated to just one part of the state (its a huge state.. it would be hard to see much of it with less than a couple of weeks of time available), I'd recommend spending your time in the "Hill Country".. its the most scenic (IMO) part of the state, and there's a lot to do in the area.. several beautiful lakes, many nice ranches with exotic game if you're interested in hunting.. the city of Austin borders the hill country and has great restaurants, nice nightlife, etc..

 

[keh&h]

Brilliant Info. I am listening to the Lions on my veranda here but excited now to come over to the US. Hope to meet a few of you. I have approx 10 days in texas. I am meeting a friend in San Antonio and driving from New Orleans (with a stop on the way somewhere).

I will google a few and message gizmo and Reserve Ranch. Looks like I wont be short of stuff to do if we can shoot and fish easily.

 

[buck wild]

Brilliant Info. I am listening to the Lions on my veranda here but excited now to come over to the US. Hope to meet a few of you. I have approx 10 days in texas. I am meeting a friend in San Antonio and driving from New Orleans (with a stop on the way somewhere).

I will google a few and message gizmo and Reserve Ranch. Looks like I wont be short of stuff to do if we can shoot and fish easily.

I'm 1 hr 30 mins south from San Antonio if you want to come down and kill a javelina or some pigs. I'm also 15 minutes from the coastline if you want to try saltwater bay fishing. You'd have to get a guide for that, as I don't have a boat

Now where did you say you were going to eat BBQ??