faqs
The New Standard for Monster Whitetails and Super Exotics | Columbus, Texas
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We look forward to helping you with any questions you may have about Vara Ranch. Some of the most common questions are mentioned below, however if you do not see the answer you are looking for, please feel free to contact us here.
Vara Ranch
Frequently Asked Questions
We look forward to helping you with any questions you may have about Vara Ranch. Some of the most common questions are mentioned below, however if you do not see the answer you are looking for, please feel free to contact us here.
Check in time is generally from 1-3 pm and check out time is by 10 am on the final day of your hunt. This will be confirmed by the Hunt Coordinator prior to your hunt.
The hunt will completely depend on the type of game you are after. We utilize blinds, rangers, Jeeps and anything else necessary to get your trophy on the wall. Be prepared for an array of spot and stalk, blind-sitting, and walking. We will tailor the hunt to your abilities. You will be escorted by a professional guide at all times who has specific knowledge of the ranch, experience with tracking and judging all species, and most importantly, the passion for helping you obtain the trophy you are after. All hunters will be required to shoot and qualify their weapons at our range before the hunt can begin.
Vara Ranch is located in Columbus, TX between Houston and San Antonio and south of Austin, TX. For directions, please CLICK HERE.
Most exotics hunts we run year round. Prime hunting is usually September 1 to the end of May. Whitetail hunts are regulated by the State of Texas hunting seasons (usually the start of October to mid-February). We are a Level III MLD permit holder for whitetail so you will not need to use your hunting tags. Other antlered animals are seasonal due to shed time. We typically book months to even years in advance, so please contact us to make your preferred reservation dates as soon as possible.
For sure! The cost is $200/day for spouses, friends, or family that will share a room with you. This price includes lodging, meals/drinks and maid service at the end of your visit. It does not include gratuities for the staff. To upgrade to a private room for a non-hunting guest, the fee will be $300/day, if one is available. We do welcome groups and offer special pricing. Please contact us for more details.
The processing of your meat, taxidermy, State of Texas hunting licenses, transportation to/from the ranch, and tips for your guide and staff are additional expenses.
No, but we do offer free delivery to our “Preferred Taxidermist,” Brush Country Studios in Cypress, Texas.
You will check out in private at the end of your hunt. We accept cash, debit card, cashier’s check, company check, personal check, traveler’s check, American Express, Discover, Visa, and Master Card and/or ACH. Please note that there is a 4% processing fee on all credit and debit cards.
We recommend camouflage clothing for hunting. Weather in our region in any season varies greatly. The fall, winter and spring could be 90 degrees one day and 25 degrees with a mix of rain and sleet the next, and summers are dependably hot. Come prepared for either, dependent on the season you are hunting!
Bring your normal hunting gear including boots, jacket, hunting weapon of choice, ammunition, binoculars, eye protection, ear protection, insect repellent and sunscreen. If you are a bow or pistol hunter, please bring cover-up scent to eliminate any odor for close-range encounters. We do have a pro shop stocked with the latest and greatest in hunting gear just in case you forget anything. We do also have over 10 acres of lakes on the property. One is fully stocked with feed-trained bass for action bass fishing and our trophy bass lake is stocked with trophy Florida bass for that once-in-a-lifetime catch. Please feel free to bring your fishing gear. Vara Ranch does keep a small amount of gear available to borrow as well.
We are conveniently located 1.5 hours from three commercial airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. We do offer pickup and drop off for $300 round trip (subject to change) to these airports. The nearest private airports are Brenham Municipal Airport (11R) with a 6,003’ runway, Houston Executive Airport (KTME) with a 6,610’ runway, Eagle Lake Airport (ELA) with a 4,280’ runway, and Robert R. Wells Airport in Columbus (66R) with a 3,800’ runway. We offer free pickup from Robert R. Wells and $100 round-trip fee for Brenham, Houston Executive and Eagle Lake.
Whitetail hunts require a $2,500 deposit and exotic hunts require a $1,500 deposit that is non-refundable.
Yes, if there is availability, extra hunting days can be added.
No, but we do offer free delivery to our “Preferred Processor” Bellville Meat Market in Bellville, Texas.
All tips are just that, a tip, and should only be left if you are completely satisfied with the service our staff performed for you. Industry standard for your guide is 10% of the cost of the hunt, but again this is totally up to you. The tip for the staff (kitchen, cooks, skinner, etc.) is normally an additional 5%. If you had an excellent experience, which we are certain you will, we suggest a 15-20% total tip. If you have any suggestions, compliments or complaints, please do so at check out time, as we are always seeking suggestions for improvements to our ranch.
Visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt for the most up to date information.
Once you have dates reserved and confirmed through email with Vara Ranch and want to purchase your hunting license in advance, you can do so online at www.txfgsales.com. Another option would be to purchase them along the way to the ranch at many convenience stores, WalMart or other sporting goods stores.
