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TIPS & INFO FOR ONCE YOU ARE BOOKED

Guidelines, tips, FAQs and more

Do I need binoculars and boots? Do I need a hunting or fishing license? Do I bring my own fishing gear and ammunition? To help ensure you have the best possible experience during your upcoming visit to Spread Oaks Ranch, we have put together this page of downloadable PDF guides on “What to Expect,” a comprehensive list of FAQs, hunting & fishing license info, and other handy tips. As always, if you have any questions or need clarification, please connect with Ged at info@spreadoaksranch.com, (979) 429-3026.

Download the guidelines

We have created a series of documents to help provide you with some important details based on the events in which you might be participating at Spread Oaks Ranch. Feel free to click, view, download, or print any of these that might be helpful for you.

What does it cost?

We get a lot of questions about the cost of events, accommodations, hunting & fishing expeditions, weddings, and more, so we created a page with everything you want to know about pricing.

Got a question?

FAQ: Accommodations & More

We offer a lodge bookout package in which you will be the only party at the ranch. During the hunting season there is a 10 person-minimum and 12-person maximum. During our social season, we can accommodate 22 people.

We coordinate with the event host to determine the best room fit for each attending guest previous to your party’s arrival. We have two types of guest rooms, king suites, and double queen suites (with two queen beds). Of the 12 guest rooms on the property, there are 5 double queen suites and 7 king suites.

Yes, we do provide this service as a courtesy to our guests with a convenience fee added of 3.5%. You can pay via the ‘Make a Payment’ link on our website and we can also take a credit card onsite.

Only if you advise us in advance! Each guest, prior to arrival, simply needs to complete a digital guest form which allows for notification of any allergies or special dietary requests.

Guests typically tip between 10% and 15% of their invoice ranch total. We can add tips to your invoice, or you are welcome to use gratuity envelopes that are provided in each guest room.

Yes and No. If you are visiting with a hunting dog, we do have clean, spacious indoor kennels on the property. If you want to bring a dog on a hunt, we ask that you to discuss this with our staff. Please note that dogs are not permitted in guest quarters. 

The number of internal ranch or external vendor “add-ons” is limited to one per day. You can choose an add-on activity such as a mid-day clay target shoot or a shooting clinic with Adam Blair, or external vendor events such as saltwater fishing, a helicopter hog hunt, or an upland hunt. We require advance notice in order to organize any additional activities.

Yes. For split groups, we usually add additional staff, and we will discuss any extra costs with you in advance. For activities other than our core activities (duck, deer, hog) we only need notice – a couple of weeks is best – as outside vendors may already be booked.

We can add the cost of all external vendor activities to your bill except for local helicopter hunting contractors, which are not affiliated with the ranch.

No. We arrange these as a courtesy to our guests. Our only charge for outside vendor activities is when we provide items on your behalf for such things as transportation, ammunition, or bird cleaning. Please note that Spread Oaks Ranch makes every effort to maintain current external vendor pricing, but their pricing can change periodically. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions about external vendor pricing before you book.

Please see our pricing page. Often, however, we custom tailor our Spread Oaks Ranch adventures to our guests’ specific requests. Please contact Ged Durham at info@spreadoaksranch.com or at (979) 429-3026 so that he may provide you with the best options for your group. Note that external vendor pricing occasionally is subject to change.

From downtown Houston or from Houston Hobby (HOU), it takes about 90 minutes to arrive at the lodge.

From George Bush International Airport (IAH), it takes an hour and 45 minutes.

But, despite the proximity to the city, when you arrive, you’ll feel like you are light years from the stress of city life.

We can for the former, and we can help with arrangements for the latter. The roundtrip cost for our local limo service to pick up and deliver your group to and from Bay City airport, in 2023, is $840. If you are flying into one of the two Houston area airports, we have several car or limo services we can recommend coordinating your transfer.

No. We maintain comfortable caliche roads between the entrance and the main lodge.

We work with seasoned, professional event planners that specialize in creating memorable trips for all types of groups — families, executives, friends. Let us know your goals for the group, and we’ll suggest an itinerary that will exceed your expectations.

Our hunting guides can ensure that a guest can step into a blind straight from an ATV. Nearly all areas of the lodge, casitas, bunkhouse, game room and grounds are accessible by the wheelchair-bound or mobility-impaired, and our staff is at the ready to ensure all guests enjoy their Spread Oaks Ranch experience to the fullest of their abilities.

FAQ: Hunting & Fishing

No. We have several spinning and bait casting rigs at the lodge, as well as two 6-weight fly rods. If you are saltwater fishing with our captains, they will provide gear for you.

Yes and No! If you have a trained retriever that breaks rarely, and can handle both multiple marks and blinds, then that dog is an asset to the hunt. If that does not describe your dog, then your dog will likely make the hunt less enjoyable for your blind mates. In either case, we have clean, spacious kennels on the property for your dog. 

We have provided details on hunting and fishing license requirements further down on this page.

In addition to premier lodging, field to table dining, and fine liquors, each hunting season package comes with two standard “core” ranch activities – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. A typical schedule consists of a hunt for ducks in the morning, and a deer and/or hog hunt from a blind in the afternoon.

We offer two activities day as part of our hunting season package. With advance notice – usually a minimum of 30-days – you may substitute a standard “core” activity with another. Or you can substitute a ranch core activity with an add-on third-party vendor activity such as an upland preserve hunt, our continental pheasant tower shoot, or saltwater fishing in Matagorda Bay. We require advance notice to organize any third-party activities.

Sometimes. With advance notice, we will do our best to guide you through what can reasonably be achieved. Often, there are scheduling challenges between activities and meals, for example. For split groups, we must bring in additional staff, and we add a $300 cost per day for each additional outdoor host to your invoice.

Absolutely. You can replace any standard activity with another from our menu of options, including external vendor events such as upland game, helicopter hunting, or saltwater fishing. Additional pricing applies for external vendor activities.

Spread Oaks Ranch has an inventory of 8 over-and-under 12-ga shotguns. We stock 12- and 20-ga 3-inch steel shot ammunition and provide our guests with one box (25 rounds) for each waterfowl hunt and a box for clay target shooting. If you are using a gauge other than a 12 or 20, or prefer other shot types, you will need to bring your own ammunition. We also provide ammunition and scoped bolt action rifles chambered in .243, .270, .300, and .308. We have a total of 5 rifles available for guests.

No. Waterfowling is a gear intensive sport, and we strongly advise that you bring what you will need for all types of hunts and weather. We do keep rubber boots in most adult sizes and have a limited supply of “backup” hip boots, rain jackets, and caps.

Yes. You can group your inexperienced hunters and we’ll take them to a blind that requires only a pair of rubber boots and no walking. We’ll put them with a guide who can help them get comfortable with the sport. Another guided, but more experienced group, can go to locations that require waders and a walk in the mud or through the timber.

We always advise guests when cranes are on our property and your group, or even just a few from your party, can certainly substitute a crane hunt for a duck or deer hunt. Snipe hunting is more challenging to manage because snipes occupy the same habitat as the ducks we roost on the property. If you are interested in a snipe hunt, we will scout areas that will not interfere with roosting waterfowl and advise if we can do the hunt.

The hunting season package allows each guest to harvest a doe at no cost until such time as our management “quota” is met. We do have a pricing schedule for bucks, and it is the same for river-bottom “low fence” and high fence deer. See our buck pricing list.

The answer is no, but with caveats. Our nominal guide fee is designed for safety and to ensure that the “right” deer are harvested. Staff will help you decide who, if any, in your group need a guide.

A nominal cleaning fee covers skinning, quartering, and icing your harvest. Guests must bring their own coolers. We can ship on your behalf, but it is expensive, and we encourage you to discuss pricing in advance.

Our hunting guides can ensure that a guest can step into a blind straight from an ATV. Nearly all areas of the lodge, casitas, bunkhouse, game room and grounds are accessible by the wheelchair-bound or mobility-impaired, and our staff is at the ready to ensure all guests enjoy their Spread Oaks Ranch experience to the fullest of their abilities.

Hunting & Fishing Licenses

To learn about Texas hunting regulations and purchase licenses, go to: tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual

To purchase your hunting licenses online, visit: tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses

To purchase your hunting license by telephone, please call: 1-800-895-4248 (Monday through Friday).

Questions about any license requirements? Call one of our favorite state game wardens, Alden Mann at 956-500-6273.

Out-of-State License Requirements

Non-Resident Special Hunting License: $48. The best option for DUCK HUNTERS. Required additions/endorsements: Federal Migratory Bird Stamp, State Migratory Bird Stamp, Sandhill crane permit, HIP certification, proof of Hunter Education.

Non-Resident General Hunting License: $300. The best option for DUCK & DEER HUNTERS. Required additions/endorsements: proof of Hunter Education if you hunt only deer. If you intend to hunt waterfowl, then add Federal Migratory Bird Stamp, State Migratory Bird Stamp, Sandhill crane permit, and HIP certification.

Non-Resident Youth License: $7. For under 17 years of age, and both federal and state Migratory Bird stamps (endorsements) are exempt to 16 years of age. After the age of 16, however, federal and state Migratory Bird stamps (endorsements) are required as well as HIP certification and Hunter Education certification.

If you choose to saltwater fish, every non-resident guest must purchase a Non-Resident All Water Fishing package for $68.

Neither ranch hog hunting or ranch freshwater fishing requires licenses.

Texas Resident License Requirements

Resident Super-Combo: $68. While there are several options, the safest option is a Super-Combo. This provides you with all water fishing, all game animals and birds, and includes all game tags.

Required additions/endorsements: Federal Migratory Bird Stamp, State Migratory Bird Stamp, Sandhill crane permit, HIP certification, proof of Hunter Education.

Resident Youth License: $7. For under 17 years of age, both federal and state Migratory Bird stamps (endorsements) are exempt to 16 years of age. After the age of 16, however, federal and state Migratory Bird stamps (endorsements) are required as well as HIP certification and Hunter Education certification.

Neither ranch hog hunting or ranch freshwater fishing requires licenses.

Hunter Education

Texas law required all hunters born after September 2, 1971, to show proof of completing a Hunter Education course. Out of state hunters need only carry proof of same from their resident state.

Hunters between the ages of 9 to 16 without Hunters Education may hunt only if they are be accompanied by a person who is certified.

Hunters 17 or older must have completed a course either online or in person.

There is an option to purchase a one-time Hunter Education deferral ($10) online, but you must be accompanied on your hunt by someone with the certification

Other

Remember that while it is legal to have your license on your phone when waterfowl hunting, by law you need to have migratory bird stamps physically on you. Best practice is to carry your license and ID while engaging in any regulated hunting or fishing activity.

If you intend to hunt game animals during the archery-only season, both non-residents and residents must purchase an Archery Hunting Endorsement.

Disclaimer: Spread Oaks Ranch is providing this information as a courtesy to our guests. It is as accurate as possible. Ultimately, however, the guest is responsible for understanding the regulations and purchase of the required documents for their intended outdoor experience. We have provided links and phone numbers to facilitate this effort.