Policies & Procedures

GENERAL POLICIES

• Right to Refuse Service

 MRO reserves the right to refuse or cancel service to anyone, at any time, for any reason. 

• No Guarantees

   MRO makes no guarantees regarding harvest success or harvest limits and does not refund if the hunt is not successful.

• Conduct & Safety 

   All guests must act safely, respectfully, and in a sportsmanlike manner with staff and fellow hunters. Any disorderly conduct, as determined by MRO staff, will result in termination of the hunt, removal from the property, and forfeiture of all fees. 

• Liability for Damages 

   Guests are financially responsible for any damage caused to property, staff, equipment, or animals resulting from negligence or carelessness. 

• Lodging Rules 

   -Guests who switch rooms without prior approval will be charged an additional $250 cleaning fee.   

   - No food or drinks in bunkrooms.

• Liability Waiver

   All participants must sign MRO’s waiver before participating in or commencing hunting activities.   A waiver is only required once a season (September to May), not every time you return.

• Laws & Inspections

   All hunts must follow Texas Parks & Wildlife rules. MRO staff and game wardens may inspect hunters and property at any time. 

• Game Policies

   - A wounded animal counts as a valid harvest; MRO staff will track/recover it. 

   - Guests may not cross fences; only MRO trackers may recover game with firearms. 

   - Bird hunters may bring trained retrievers if approved. Dogs must be vaccinated, well-behaved, and either kenneled or on a leash at the lodge; they are not allowed indoors. No pets!  Clean up after your dog.

   - Cartridges must be removed from firearms while in vehicles, at the lodge, and after hunts. 

• Prohibited Activities

   - ATVs, RTVs, golf carts, and boats on property. 

   - Littering or removal of artifacts, plants, or natural materials. 

   - Night hunting, road shooting, or vehicle shooting. 

•Responsibility & Liability 

   - MRO is not responsible for theft or loss of personal items. 

   - Guests are liable for livestock or game harvested outside the contracted hunt; reimbursement will be required as determined by MRO. 

• Enforcement 

   Violation of these rules results in termination of the hunt, forfeiture of all fees, and immediate removal of the entire party from the property.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

ALCOHOL POLICY

   - MRO does not supply alcohol.  

   - You are welcome to bring your own (BYOB).  

  • To ensure everyone's safety:  

   - Alcohol consumption is not allowed before your hunt.  

   - All alcoholic beverages must be left at the lodge while you are in the field.  

   - You may drink responsibly at the lodge upon your return from the field.  

HOG HUNT RULES

   - All participants must be 17 years or older to participate independently. If younger participants wish to join, a guide can be hired for an additional fee of $175 per day.  

   - The cleaning fee for any size hog is $100. If you would like it capped for taxidermy, the cost is $150.  

   - We clean all harvested hogs unless we determine that the hog is non-harvestable.  

   - We donate all unwanted hog meat to various organizations that feed those in need; however, these organizations require the hogs to be cleaned beforehand.

BOOKING POLICY

•Pricing:

    - The Internet Special Rate includes a 4% convenience fee for online payments.​

   - Payments made by check can use the cash rate, but the check must arrive in our office within the terms of our payment policy outlined below.​

• Payment Policy:

   - All payments are non-refundable.

   - A full payment is required either 10 days from the time of booking or 15 days before your outing, whichever comes first.

• Reservation Changes:

   - You may change your reservation without penalty up to fifteen days before your arrival.

- A change fee may apply after this period.

   - We will do our best to accommodate rebooking requests based on availability.

 Cancellation Policy:

   - No refunds will be issued.

   - Canceling within 24 hours or failing to show up on the day of your hunt or excursion will result in the loss of your prepaid credit.

   - Any unused credit is valid only until May 15, 2026, and can be applied toward other hunts and excursions, subject to availability.

• MRO Cancellation Rights:
-MRO reserves the right to cancel any hunt for any reason and will not be responsible for any monies spent by hunters in preparation for the hunt prior to our cancellation.

AGE REQUIREMENT

- All participants must be at least 12 years old due to insurance restrictions.  

- The minimum age for Gator and Thermal Hunts is 16 years.  

- Fishing guests must be at least 8 years old.  

- Parents or guardians must provide a properly fitting personal flotation device for fishing youth participants.  

DEER HUNT RULES

   - Drawing blood is considered a valid Harvest, and you will be responsible for the associated costs if an outside tracker and a dog are needed to recover the deer.

   - A “nubbin buck” harvest or unauthorized buck kill carries a $5,000 penalty plus harvest fees (minimum $5,500). 

   - Full Metal Jacket ammo is not allowed on Game Hunts as per state law.

   - The cost for cleaning a deer is $100, while caping a deer will cost $200 for each one harvested.

   - We do not offer non-guided youth doe hunts. All youth aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an MRO guide during the hunt, which incurs an additional daily charge of $175.

   - Please be aware that the necessary equipment for harvesting deer is not included in the hunt package, so you will need to bring your own equipment if you wish to clean your deer personally.

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LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

   - Adult License: All participants must have a valid Texas Hunting License unless you are hog hunting, but you will still need to fulfill the Hunter Education requirements.   

   - Migratory bird stamps are required for Dove or Duck hunts & Valid Federal Duck Stamp is additionally needed for Duck hunters.

   - Youth License: For any person, resident or non-resident, under 17 years of age at the date of license purchase. Exempt from state hunting endorsement requirements.  A valid Federal Duck Stamp and HIP Certification are also required of waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older.

   - Fishing guests do not need a fishing license to bass fish on our private water.

   - Hunter Education Requirements:  

If you were born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, and you are:​

• Per state regulations: Age 9 through 16: You must complete a hunter education course or be accompanied.   (Please note MRO's age policy on hunting.)

• Age 17 and over: You must complete a hunter education course, or purchase a "Hunter Education Deferral" and be accompanied.

  • "Accompanied" means: by a person (resident or non-resident) who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control.

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These requirements are summarized from the TPWD website and specifically relate to hunting or fishing on Moody Ranch only. If you are hunting in other locations in Texas, some of these requirements may or may not apply.

NON-HUNTING OBSERVERS

Non-hunting observers are not permitted to sit in the blinds during any type of hunt due to insurance restrictions.

DONATION POLICY

   • Due the high volume of requests, we are unable to offer donations to organizations outside of Grimes County, Texas.

   - However, we do provide discounted hunting rates at specific times of the year. If you're interested in learning more, please submit your information through the Donation Link.

   - Please note that any emails, texts, or requests submitted through other website forms will be automatically deleted.