Joshua Creek Ranch, TX

What is Provided:

In short, Joshua Creek Ranch can provide whatever is necessary to ensure that guests have an experience they'll never forget. In addition to packages for lodging, hunting and dining, guests are can also be outfitted with appropriate fishing and hunting gear and rentals, including shotguns and fly fishing rods if needed. The Pro Shop features a sizeable inventory of premium shotguns for sale and is full of sporting and hunting gear, accessories and specialty items. There are multiple options offered for game processing and taxidermy. If you choose to bring your hunting dog, several of the Ranch house accommodations offer kennels.

Gear Recommendations:

Guests are welcome to bring their own hunting and fishing gear and equipment. Be sure to check the weather forecast for the Texas Hill Country before you pack (we recommend layering) and simply bring yourself with a mindset ready to enjoy a great outdoor adventure surrounded by warm Texas hospitality. If you are hunting upland style, be sure to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes or boots. Snake boots are recommended in the warmer months toward the beginning and end of wingshooting season. Over/under or side-by-side shotguns are required for upland bird hunting. Pumps and semi-automatic shotguns are only allowed on the sporting clays courses or at the decoy duck hunts.

What to Bring:

South Texas weather changes quickly sometimes where rain and wind may drift through the area. Rarely is it enough to affect scheduled hunts and sporting activities, but we do recommend packing some rain gear and water-resistant footwear just in case.

Season:

There are two seasons at Joshua Creek Ranch—hunting season and summer resort and recreation season! Wingshooting begins with dove season opening September 1st, then by mid-September transitions into early morning quail hunts and driven pheasant shoots. From October until April 30th, upland bird hunting for quail, pheasant and chukar is complemented by European-style driven pheasant shoots and decoyed mallard duck hunts.

Species:

Wingshooting: Dove, quail, pheasant, chukar, mallard ducks Big Game: Whitetail deer, axis deer, Rio Grande turkey Fish: Rainbow Trout, Bass, Bluegill, Catfish Predators: Bobcat, fox, mountain lion

Region/Terrain:

Joshua Creek Ranch occupies a uniquely diverse terrain including miles of Joshua Creek and Guadalupe River bottomland planted in fields, food plots and permanent grasses for a prime upland bird hunting habitat. Some of the waterways and ravines are bordered by limestone bluffs that rise to oak and elm studded pastures lush with prairie grasses providing perfect quail hunting cover and chukar habitat. Densely wooded areas are managed for free-roaming Texas deer hunting, both whitetail and axis. Shallow ponds bordered by tall elms create an ideal decoyed mallard duck hunting scenario.

Typical Weather:

Fall and spring are typically very pleasant (highs in the 70s F and lows in the 50s/60s). With occasional morning frost, winters generally offer mild sunny days with average highs in the 60s'you might say 'winters are like Colorado summers.' The region has hot summers, particularly in July and August (highs in the 90s and lows in the low 70s). Mornings and evenings are delightful all summer long. Gentle coastal breezes and moderate humidity make the summer mid-day hours perfect for swimming, wade fishing and kayaking the creek or river. Regardless what time of year you visit Joshua Creek Ranch, the weather is always right for one of the many outdoor adventures available.

Rates start from: $795/gun (per half day of wingshooting).
You can find all pricing information at: All rates are published on the Joshua Creek Ranch website (www.joshuacreek.com), but guests are encouraged to contact a Guest Services representative to build a custom itinerary and pricing package that suits just about any size group and accommodates most requests.

How many guns can we combine in one party?

Three maximum (per guide) including any observers for upland bird hunting. Driven pheasant shoots require a line of at least four shooters, and can accommodate as many as 12 on one line of guns. The Continental shoot requires 10 guns and can accommodate up to 20 shooters, because they are rotating through 10 different double-positions as the shoot progresses.

How old do hunters have to be?

Minimum age requirement for hunters is 12 years old, unless they have completed an official Hunter Education Course and can present proof of certification.

How do you charge for birds?

For upland bird hunting, we offer both unlimited bird packages and packages with designated limits. For unlimited bird hunts, shooters may harvest as many birds as presented during their hunting period. On the average a pair of hunters will harvest 30+ birds in a half day. For limited bird hunts, shooters may harvest up to the limits included in their package. For driven pheasant shoots, continental pheasant shoots and decoyed mallard duck hunts, a designated number of birds are driven and/or flighted for each hunt. On driven pheasant shoots or mallard duck hunts, hunters are encouraged to discuss with their guides prior to their hunts if they would like to include more birds for an additional price. Regardless of the type of hunting, it is the job of JCR guides and dogs to find and present the birds and it's the hunters' job to bag them.

Do you offer shooting instruction?

Yes, we do offer shotgun shooting instructions. We maintain full-time shooting instructors for beginning and novice shooters. For more advanced shooters who want to polish their skills, a professional shooting instructor can be arranged with advance notice. All shooting instruction requires an appointment.

How many acres do you have?

We have 1300 acres, yet the diversity of the terrain makes it seem much larger. Open fields and food plots rise to oak studded pastures of native grasses. Creekside bluffs and ravines are perfect sites for driving pheasants high over eager shooters on European-style driven pheasant shoots.

Can I hunt without a guide?

Simply, the answer is "no". We adhere to this policy for one very important reason ' your safety and the safety of others.

How often do you release birds?

Our goal is for you to have an outstanding hunt every time you visit Joshua Creek Ranch, and that includes an abundance of wild-performing birds. We liberate birds continuously, using a method developed by wildlife biologists. Our birds are released into the natural habitat prior to and throughout the hunting season. As birds are harvested, new birds are introduced into the habitat and adopted by existing coveys in established territories. We also liberate excess birds prior to special events, like driven pheasant shoots, resulting in an abundance of birds in the habitat. We track releases and hunter success ratios to determine our huntable inventory per pasture and frequently replenish each hunting area.

Do you have meals available?

Yes, we have an excellent chef and an experienced kitchen staff. Since we are not a restaurant, advance reservations are required for any of the three sumptuous meals we serve. If you would like meals during your visit to the ranch, we need to know that in advance so we can staff and stock sufficiently. There is no minimum number of guests required for breakfast or lunch reservations, but at dinner, we require six dining guests (all parties combined) to have the chef come in. Special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notification.

What is your cancellation policy?

Your booking is important to us, and great care goes into being prepared for your visit. Cancellations and "no-shows" result in over-staffing and unnecessary expenses, which we would rather not pass on to our guests through higher prices. Please remember that this is a seasonal business with only so many days (and parti

Additional Activities:

• Sporting clays
• Fly-fishing
• Handgun range
• Long-distance rifle range
• Kayaking
• Water recreation on Joshua Creek
• Shooting and fly-fishing instruction
• Custom activities can be arranged on request (i.e., spa services, wine or whiskey tastings, etc.)