Hunt Rules
Know the rules before you step into the field.
Rules vary by species and property. The following page consolidates the rules stated in the Ford Ranch deer-hunt and turkey-hunt information provided by Heart of Texas Bowhunting.
General rules and requirements
- Follow all Texas hunting laws and property-specific instructions.
- Hunters must carry a valid Texas hunting license on their person, unless hunting for hogs.
- Hunters must carry proof of Hunter Safety when required.
- Stay in your area while hunting. Do not cross any fences or boundaries. If you disturb another hunter in his area, you may be asked to pay for his entire hunt
- Confirm harvest limits before beginning the hunt.
- Confirm legal weapons and equipment for the specific hunt.
- Do not assume rules from one ranch or species apply to another.
- No hunting within 1/2 mile of headquarters or other designated non-hunting areas.
- No alcohol permitted in hunting areas. No smoking in the camp house or hunting areas, keep it outside of lodging areas.
- Respect ranch roads, gates, livestock, habitat, blinds, feeders and other hunters.
- Use of ATV/UTVs is permitted going to and from your assigned area. Do not get off roads and do not go past designated parking areas with any vehicle except for e-Bikes.
- All equipment must be removed from hunting areas by Sunday night unless prior arrangements have been made.
- Mandatory check-in with H.O.T. personnel when leaving hunting areas.
- H.O.T. reserves the right to take pictures and make a replica of any animal taken on H.O.T. property.
Unguided Deer hunt rules
- This is a bowhunting only hunt. No crossbows allowed.
- Each hunter is allowed 1 mature buck, 2 does and all hogs and varmints per trip. Make sure of your does (shooting a button buck or an Axis doe will be a $500.00 additional fee, unless Axis option paid prior to the hunt).
- Only mature bucks may be taken (9 point mainframe and under w/ minimum P&Y score of 125 inches OR 10 point mainframe and over w/ minimum P&Y score of 135 inches). Management fees will be assessed for undersize deer. There will be a $1,000.00 management fee for 9 points and under that do not make the minimum and a $2,000.00 trophy fee for 10+ points that do not make the minimum. Broken mainframe tines will be measured as a minimum of 1”.
- We offer an Axis “option”. This is $150 up front when you check in. This allows you to take an Axis buck and Axis doe. Axis bucks must have at least a 22-inch beam on one side (3-year-old) and not in velvet. There will be a $2500.00 management fee assessed for undersize or velvet Axis under 30” and $3500 fee for velvet Axis over 30”.
- Attend the MANDATORY briefing the evening prior to the hunt.
- If you hit an animal text or call us. Don't begin tracking your deer into another person's area without our help. WOUNDING: If you draw blood on an animal that is your animal. A hit is a harvest so make your shots count!
- All arrows will have your name and phone# on the fletching.
- No hunting within 200 yards of any feeder. No stands/blinds within 50 yards of boundary lines. No shooting across boundary lines.
- No driving from 30 minutes before daylight until 10:00am and from 4:00pm until dark.
Guided Deer hunt rules
- This is a bowhunting only hunt. No crossbows allowed.
- Each hunter is allowed 1 management buck, 2 does and all hogs and varmints per trip. Make sure of your does (shooting a button buck or an Axis doe will be a $500.00 additional fee, unless Axis option paid prior to the hunt).
- Only mature bucks may be taken, 9 point mainframe and under with P&Y score less than of 120 inches. Broken mainframe tines will be measured as a minimum of 1”. If the hunter chooses to shoot a larger deer the following management fees apply.
- All 9 point mainframe and under are:
- If less than 125”, a management fee of $1000 will be assessed.
- 125”-139 7/8” - $20 per inch.
- 140”-149 7/8” - $25 per inch.
- 150” and over - $30 per inch.
- All 10 point mainframe and over are:
- If less than 135”, a management fee of $2000 will be assessed.
- 135”-139 7/8” - $20 per inch.
- 140”-149 7/8” - $25 per inch.
- 150”-169 7/8” - $30 per inch.
- 170” and over - $40 per inch.
- We offer an Axis “option”. This is $300 up front when you check in. This allows you to take an Axis buck and Axis doe. Axis bucks must have at least a 22-inch beam on one side (3-year-old) and not in velvet. There will be a $2500.00 management fee assessed for undersize or velvet Axis under 30” and $3500 fee for velvet Axis over 30”.
- Attend the MANDATORY briefing the evening prior to the hunt.
- If you hit an animal text or call us. Stay in your blind until directed by H.O.T. personnel. Don't begin tracking your deer into another person's area without our help. WOUNDING: If you draw blood on an animal that is your animal. A hit is a harvest so make your shots count!
- All arrows will have your name and phone# on the fletching.
- H.O.T. personnel will take you to and from your blind, you may be hunting from different blinds each set so be sure and keep your equipment with you, unless you make arrangements with H.O.T.
Turkey hunt rules
- Turkey may be taken by bow or shotgun.
- NO loaded firearms in the lodge, rooms or cabins. Ensure gun safety!!
- Each hunter is allowed 1 tom turkey and all hogs and varmints per trip.
- One additional tom may be taken for an additional cost.
- Hogs and varmints may be taken by shotgun, bow or crossbow.
- If you hit a turkey, text or call us. WOUNDING: If you draw blood on an animal that is your animal. A hit is a harvest so make your shots count!
Hog hunt rules
- Hogs and varmints may be taken by bow or crossbow.
- Each hunter is allowed to shoot as many hogs and varmints as they wish
- We offer an Axis “option”. This is $150 up front when you check in. This allows you to take an Axis buck and Axis doe. Axis bucks must have at least a 22-inch beam on one side (3-year-old) and not in velvet There will be a $2500.00 management fee assessed for undersize or velvet Axis under 30” and $3500 fee for Axis over 30”.
- If you hit an animal, please tell us. Don't begin tracking your animal into another person's area without our help.
- Hunters may use our blinds on feeders, set up own blinds, stalk and shoot, or any other method pre-approved by H.O.T. personnel.
Final authority: the confirmation information and instructions issued for your specific booked hunt control over this general website summary. Call if anything is unclear.