Where To Hunt Near Austin

Hunting on a private ranch in Texas can be a great way to experience the outdoors and to hunt for a variety of game animals. Luckily, there are more than a few hunting preserves and private ranches around Austin that allow you to do just that!

Before you do anything, though, you need to get permission from the landowner before you can hunt on their property. The landowner may have specific rules and regulations that you must follow, such as the type of weapons you can use, the time of day you can hunt and the number of animals you can harvest. Usually all of this information is on their website, so that’s a good place to look first.

You also need to make sure that you have a valid hunting license for the game animals you are planning to hunt. You can obtain a hunting license from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and you can always contact your preserve to find out if they require additional permits. Wherever you end up going, you need to be familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to hunting in Texas. These laws and regulations can vary depending on the type of game animal you are hunting, the location of the hunt and the time of year.

As always and in everything we do, it’s important to be respectful of the land and the animals you are hunting. Hunting should be done in a sustainable manner that does not damage the environment or harm the wildlife population — finding the right hunting preserve that follows ethical values is an important part of the hunting process!

If you’re an avid hunter, then you’re certainly familiar with all of this already. If you’re new to the game, though, hopefully this is helpful in your pursuit of the activity!

Either way, these hunting preserves and ranches near Austin are great for beginners to experts and everything in between, so check them out and see what they have to offer!

6 great hunting ranches near Austin

Austin Gun Club

Location: 2901 County Road 206, Lampasas, TX 76550

Dog provided: yes

Overnight stays: no

Appointment required: yes

Cost: $750+

Hunting type: quail, chukar, pheasant

Whether you’re looking for a guided hunt or a choose-your-own-adventure style of hunt, the Austin Gun Club has a wide variety of experiences to choose from. The guided hunts come with dogs, a dog handler, bird processing and a hot meal, and there’s always the pro shop if you’re looking to upgrade your gear, buy a license or refill on shells.

Central Texas Shooting Reserve

Location: 3800 County Road 480, Elgin, Texas 78621

Dog provided: yes

Overnight stays: no

Appointment required: yes

Cost: $240+

Hunting type: quail, chukar

With over 300 acres of native grasses dotted with mesquite and oak, this hunting reserve is ideal for a quick day trip from the city. Bring your own dogs or rent some of the ranch’s highly trained hunting dogs; even if you’re just looking for some dog training, you can get that, too!

Mustang Creek Ranch 

Location: 125 Mustang Creek Rd, Salado, TX 76571

Dog provided: no

Overnight stays: yes

Appointment required: yes

Cost: $1,500+

Hunting type: whitetail deer, wild hog, exotic hunts

Mustang Creek Ranch is an all-in-one experience for those seeking a hunting tip of a lifetime. Great accommodations, great food, guided hunts and a wealth of choices makes this Salado ranch a must-visit ranch for deer hunting, hog hunting, fishing and much more!

Ox Ranch

Location: 1946 Private Road 2485, Uvalde, TX 78801

Dog provided: no

Overnight stays: yes

Appointment required:

Cost: $3,000+

Hunting type: whitetail deer, exotic hunts, turkey (60+ species in total)

With over 18,000 acres and dozens of species, Ox Ranch is the premier ranch for Texas Hill Country hunting. 

Hunting amenities here include hunting blinds, bow hunting, luxury hunting cabins, award-winning chef-curated meals, night vision hog hunting, game processing, domestic shipping and much, much more!

The ranch also features a variety of other outdoor activities that include, but are not limited to, cave exploring, bass fishing, arrowhead hunting, kayaking, bird watching, yoga, 4x4 off-roading, tank driving and stargazing, just to name a few!

Premier Ranch

Location: 15378 Premier Ranch Rd. Mason, TX 76856

Dog provided: no

Overnight stays: yes

Appointment required: yes

Cost: $2,000+

Hunting type: whitetail deer, exotic hunts

With several locations throughout the Texas Hill Country, Premier Ranch offers a variety of hunting experiences for whitetail deer and exotic animals. Hunters here can use all legal methods of hunting, including bows, rifles, crossbows and muzzle loaders. 

The ranch also coordinates taxidermy and shipping services!

Tonkaway Ranch

Location:  16373 Tonkaway Lake Road, College Station, TX 77845 

Dog provided: yes

Overnight stays: yes

Appointment required: yes

Cost: $75+

Hunting type: quail, duck, hogs

Picture it: an hearty breakfast in a cozy lodge followed by clay shooting, duck hunting alongside dog companions, a stunning lunch and in-house bird processing and, of course, some afternoon clays. 

I mean, what more could you want?

If you live in or near our luxury Austin apartments and want to get out in the field for the first or hundredth time, then be sure to check out these highly-rated Hill Country hunting spots!

Happy hunting!

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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/Peggychoucair