Surge in Illegal Immigration Activity Hurts Texas Ranchers, Hunters and Outfitters

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last [year], no matter what part of the country you live in, you’ve heard of the crisis along our Southern border. But what many don’t think about when it comes to illegal immigration is the affect it also has on area ranchers, outfitters and hunters. As a hunter who sells farm, ranch and recreational real estate for Hayden Outdoors in Texas and who gets regular reports from rancher friends near the border, I knew it was a matter of time before concern within the hunting industry also made headlines.

According to the article [“Migrant Activity Affects Ranchers, Hunters”], as South and West Texas landowners face increasing property damage and safety threats, they are urging hunters to pack pistols. With one million illegals expected to cross from Mexico into the United States by summer, things will go from bad to worse under the current administration’s policies as everything in Texas along the border is private property.

The article notes that even [in 2020], before the numbers of border-crossers ramped up to what they are today, it was not unusual to find illegals using hunting blinds for shelter and a place to hide. In fact, one rancher and outfitter in Maverick County, who asked not to be identified, said, “This hunting season was the worst I’ve seen. … Some people don’t feel safe to hunt—and they won’t book.”

And who could blame them? So now ranchers and outfitters get to add the negative economic impacts to personal property and safety concerns. And this was before President Biden shut down wall construction on his first day in office.

Click here to read the entire article at NRAHLF.org.