Need help with gear list

[beaunaro]

Some friends and I booked a March 2015 Javelina hunt with West Texas Outfitters in Marfa TX.
It's pretty far West Texas.

I will be taking my 16 yr old Grandson as well.

I have never hunted TX before.

We will be staying in a farmhouse on the ranch.

Got a few questions.

I'm pretty sure it will be HOT March 9-13. Not sure what temps for sure. Anybody know?

What kind of shirt is going to offer enough thorn protection yet be cool enough?

We are taking knee high snake boots.
Is that enough protection?

Should I also consider chaps?

I assume it is mostly rattlers and I've heard they can be pretty big.

Any tips on seeing them first?

Move slowly?

Look before you step?

For thorns...would you think I need cordura front pants, or knee pads?

I'm pretty sure I will take some good leather gloves.

Plenty of water.

Lots of arrows.

Compass, GPS.

What else do I need?

Want to go as light as possible, but hate to miss something I should have had.

Thanks, Guys. I know some of you have been there...done that.

[Sam McMichael]

Snacks, flashlight, snakebite kit, map, camera, rain gear come to mind.

[Diamond Paul]

Snake boots should do fine; the chaps I've tried are pretty hot and cumbersome, to me.  You might consider one of the hydration packs, like a Camelback.

[Bjorn]

Any chaps I have tried are impossible to stalk in. Bring binocs for you both.

[abbatoys]

Hydration packs are nice, possibly a pair of leather gloves or knee pads.

[ChuckC]

Which ranch are you hunting ?  I have been down that way twice. Hunted with Jeff Massie when he ran an outfit that way. Had a great time both times.  Both times I was there things were fairly green.

I wore standard cotton long sleeve T shirts to hunt in and fairly heavy boots (because of cactus).  I never saw a snake, although I was looking.  Just be careful is my advice.

Bring a bunch of blunts or judos cause there are a ton of bunnies down there.

They " corn" the senderos down there.  Don't use too much corn, only a dribble.  They do this cause in many or maybe most of the areas you cannot get off the road to do a stalk in the pastures.  Too much brush and cactus, and EVERYTHING has thorn's like. .  two feet long.

knee pads are a good idea (don't ask me how I know).  Try something if you can't sneak close enough.   Get down on hands and knees, hold your bow so it adds to your front, and pretend you are feeding, just like the javelina, and work your way toward them, right out in the open.   of course. . .  there is always the cow suit.

Bring plenty of hydration means.  I also like to have a light tarp, maybe 5 x 5 with a way to tie it to make a sun shelter for yourself to sit thru mid day sun.

I found that the senderos (sand and gravel roads) get packed and have a tendency to get noisy later in the day after getting pounded by the sun.  I wore a pair of Baer's feet or similar padded footies and thought them to work well.  Soft shoes and walking in stocking feet might work, but man you get just one cactus thorn thru the side of your (Bean boot)shoe, pinning your foot in and you will get the biggest, meanest boots you can find (again, don't ask).

If you have a ghillie suit, take it.

Good luck down there.
ChuckC

[pokeanhope]

Good hunting knife,  possibly gloves for felddressing ? I don't know if the carry the same sickness hogs do, but I had a friend die from cleaning a hog. I wear gloves gutting anything now!

[beaunaro]

Great list, guys.
I would have forgotten some of those things.

Raingear, Camelback. I've got a Sapper suit.

I kind of figured that chaps would be a pain.

Chuck,
We will be hunting the4D Ranch Ranch of West Texas Outfitters.
The guy's name is Mike McKinney.

Thank you very much for the tips on the bunnies, the hands and knees approach, the heavy boots, knee pads, gloves, tarp,  for the sun, the Baer's feet, and the corning and hunting methods.

Those tips are priceless
.
My friend Dale said to take a good pair of tweezers to remove thorns as well.

I will be sure to take gutting gloves. Can't be too safe.

Thank you ever so much everyone.

[Sean B]

Good luck Irv!!!