YO Birds – Quick Facts
- Season Dates: Generally, the beginning of November through the end of February.
- Your hunting party consists of 2 Hunters or more.
- Hunting Area. We are located on 7900 of the 40,000 acre Y. O. Ranch. We usually hunt @ 100 acres at a time. The Y. O. Ranch is approximately 1.5 hours from San Antonio, Texas and 2.75 hours from Austin, Texas.
- Birds. We release 35 quail per hunter in the hunting area in advance of the hunt.
- Why Release Birds? A wild bird population exists in the Texas Hill Country, but long droughts, predators and other factors have reduced the population to the point that it is not (and in our opinion, should not be) hunted. The wild birds need to revive their numbers. We release isolation-raised birds that are healthy and fast.
- Overnight Facilities are not available at the Y. O. Ranch until January 1st. Lodging is available in Kerrville, Texas (approximately 35 miles from the Ranch). If you wish to stay overnight at the Y. O. Ranch after January 1st,, two-day hunts or combination hunts (i.e., birds/exotics) can be booked and priced.
- Shooting Warm-up on a target thrower is offered before the hunt.
- Guns. Safety is our first concern for the Hunters, Guides and Dogs. ONLY side-by-side or over and under shotguns are allowed in 12, 20, 16 or 28 gauges.
- Gun Rental. House guns are available for rental of $25/day.
- Safety meetings will be held before each day’s hunt, reviewing in detail our hunting and safety rules.
- Pricing: $795 per Hunter per day (includes lunch in the field, Guide, dogs and birds)
- Deposit of 50% is required at reservation booking
- Gratuity is appreciated.
Your reservation starts a chain of events and expenses which culminates in your hunt. These expenses and scheduling of facilities and peoples’ time are not done at the last minute. If you cancel your reservation, change the dates, or reduce the number in your party, YO Birds and the Ranch have lost opportunity and incurred expenses on your behalf. That is why we have our cancellation policy as follows:
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellations must be in writing via mail, fax or email and you must receive written confirmation from YO Birds of receipt of your cancellation notice.
- Cancellations received more than 60 days prior to the booking incur a $150 per person cancellation fee.
- Cancellations received less than 60 days, but more than 30 days, prior to the booking have a 35% per person cancellation fee. The balance of your deposit will be applied to a future booking.
- ancellations received less than 30, but more than 10 days, prior to the booking have a 50% per person cancellation fee.
- Cancellations received less than 10 days prior to the booking or “no-shows” are charged the full value of the booking.
- insurance from your agent to avoid any loss.
- YO Birds reserves the right to reschedule, postpone, cancel or substitute other opportunities if weather conditions or other circumstances prevent the delivery of the specific services reserved. Appropriate adjustments will be made to clients’ charges.
Your dogs are welcome. Your dogs must be trained and behave. Bringing your own dogs does not decrease the cost of the hunt.
The guide can terminate the hunt for any reason: safety considerations, weather or other.
Clothing
ORANGE hats and vests are required. High top boots are suggested as the land has some snakes. Again, safety is our primary concern. Bring layers of clothes as Texas Weather can be unpredictable.
We have chosen hunting areas that are comfortable for walking.
We do everything we can to accommodate the physically challenged. Call us to discuss the possibilities.
We will give a detailed discussion of our safety procedures before you pick up your gun. The safety procedures must be adhered to. Hunters walk with guns open and only load upon the Guide’s instruction.
None until the guns are put away empty and you are back at the lodge. This is simple, straightforward and strictly enforced.
Once a dog is shot on a hunt, the animal is never the same -- regardless of the injury. You will be responsible for the value of the dog, usually $3500 to $5,000. Following simple safety procedures can avoid this problem.