Hunting Texas rios

[timberjack86]

I am headed to a friends ranch in Texas for a few days. I have never hunted rios but I grew up on Tn easterns. Are there any tips you can provide this Tn boy that might help me track down my first rio? What can I expect from these birds compared to my home birds? Thanks

[Txag12]

Generally if I unpressured they are more vocal, and willing to cover a long distance to reach you. Working a bird several hundred yards is pretty common. What part of the state will you be in? Rios are found in vastly different habitat around the state which can really dictate how you hunt them.

A good glass/crystal call is great for covering long distance to strike up a bird, generally my go to call. Afternoon hunting can be great. It's very common to get a bird fired up that is a half mile away, not hear a word from him for 15-20 as he navigates towards you, then have him pop up right in your lap. They typically roost in the same tree or group of trees each night, which are normally located near a water source.

[Triple Gobble]

You will love hunting them, I killed my first
Rio this year and it's just different.

[cjr1]

I was out in Eldorado a couple of weeks and came home with all my tags. This was my 15th year and the first time ever not getting a bird. Depending on where you go it could be tough. They've had so much rain this spring the birds have tons to eat and are hard to pattern.

BTW. Watch for snakes. We killed a rattler everyday we were out there.

Love the Rio's. A lot of folks say they are easy to kill. They are if you sit on a feeder. Go chase them like you have to in TN and it's a whole new ballgame.

Good luck!!

[gobbler777]

Like someone said ... it depends on the habitat/where in Texas. I did a TV show in South Texas (S of San Antonio) then out on the panhandle. In S Texas the roost areas were a lot easier to find.The birds acted the same as Easterns to me. Rantlesnakes ... keep an eye out where you walk and sit but don't let it freak you out. Because of the wide open areas My fav call was a high pitched boat paddle. It reached out.

[timberjack86]

Thanks guys for the tips, I hunted Hamilton county and tagged my bird the last day. They are defiantly different from easterns. I enjoyed it so much I am going back next year!