Just got back from my 2nd trip to Independence Ranch in Texas for hog hunting, and it was a success. I went with a buddy and we got 9 total hogs, with me shooting 5, and John (my buddy) shooting 4, so a total of 9. My first trip was in 2017 when I took my son for his 13th birthday and our first hunting trip.

Dave totals:

1. 50 lbs (this is generous, was probably closer to 25)

2. 50 lbs (also generous, was probably closer to 10)

3. 99 lbs

4. 108 lbs

5. 81 lbs

John totals:

1. 50 lbs (generous, probably closer to 25)

2. 127 lbs

3. 77 lbs

4. 155 lbs

Firearm selection:

Both John and I used scoped 30-06 rifles that proved very effective at taking down the hogs, most shots were within 20 yards, with one of the longer shots being about 50 yards from John (the 155 lb hog). Several other hunters used 12 gauge shotguns with slugs, which I have used in the past at the ranch, but I just don't have the accuracy with the 12 gauge at any distance beyond about 20 yards, so I much prefer the rifle.

Travel:

We both flew into Austin early Thursday morning (~8:30 AM arrival), and had plenty of time to pick up the rental car, stop by a Walmart in Lockhart Texas on the way to the ranch, and get lunch at a local BBQ. You will need a hard sided gun case if traveling with a gun with locks. We flew in Thursday morning, and flew back Saturday afternoon at 5PM, all with plenty of time.

Arrival at ranch:

We arrived at the ranch a couple hours early (~12PM arrival, with a 2PM start time), so traveled to the Walmart in Gonzales Texas to pick up some bug spray and bottled watter which we didn't really end up needing. The website warns of GPS sending people in the wrong direction but Google Maps got us there just fine.

Hunts:

Day 1 (6PM Night Hunt): We arrived at the blind (Tri-pod west) at exactly 6PM, and the shooting lane had been already bated with cracked corn, and some small hogs were already present. We weren't anticipating this, and were unprepared to act on it, so we just ended up scaring off the hogs. Within about an hour, the pigs returned and we got our first shot/kill, with me (Dave) getting 2 very small hogs with one shot. We saw plenty of other wildlife (deer, the biggest long horn you have ever seen), but didn't get a package that allowed hunting anything but hogs.

Day 2 (7:15AM morning hunt): We returned to the same blind the next morning, and didn't learn the lessons from the day before...there were about 6 hogs sleeping right next to the blind, and we didn't notice...we eventually heard them, spooked them, and they took off without us acting on it. Luckily for us, they returned about 30-40 minutes later and John was able to get his first hog (small).

Day 2 (~10:30AM mid-morning hunt): We were transported down to the honey hole via UTV, and were greeted by around 20 hogs already at the blind (South East blind), they scattered, and we waited patiently for about 30 minutes before a group of hogs started to approach us from the north east corner along the fence. The biggest of the heard approached usn (99 lbs), turned to give us a nice broad side shot, and I took the shot. The hog started running towards us, then ran into the fence and fairly promptly died. About 15 minutes later, another group of hogs headed our way and we repeated the same scenario (coming towards us, then turns to give us a nice broad side shot) for John this time, and John got his first larger hog (stated 127 lbs). We called the ranch hands, and about 20 minutes later they showed up and picked up the hogs to take them back for cleaning. Within about 10 minutes of them leaving, the situation repeated itself, but with a bit faster moving heard and I got a moving shot and took down a 108 lb hog. About 20 minutes later, same situation, and John got his 3rd hog 77 lbs. We had the opportunity to shoot many more hogs, but most of them were smaller, so we elected to save the ammo :-) This blind (South East Corner) was by far the most successful of our blinds, plenty of open space, and plenty of hogs.

Day 2 (~2PM hunt): We returned to the honey hole, but at a new blind (Hog Run), and had a nice wide shooting lane. It was about an hour before we saw our first hog, and it was a big one (stated 81 lbs, but no way it was only 81 lbs), and was slowly running across our shooting lane, and I got my 5th hog of the trip. As we approached it to make sure it was done, a hog and a lot of commotion started behind us...one of the other hunters had shot a massive (290lbs) that didn't go down, and the ranch staff was chasing it with what appeared to be a Glock to put it down. The ranch staffer figured out that the was out of ammo after sighting in, borrowed my rifle (with only 2 rounds left) and chased it for about another 45 minutes before finally getting it and returning my emptied rifle. We then saw our last really big hog (155 lbs) of the day right at about the edge of the shooting lane, and John took a longer shot (75 yards) taking it down.

Day 2 (6PM hunt): Having taken down 9 hogs by this point, and being out of ammo we elected to skip the 6PM hunt and just relax at the lodge, and travel into Gonzales to pickup more ammo, and some beers for relaxing on our cabin porch.

Day 3 (7AM hunt): We went to Yellow Blind, which had spectacular views, but didn't see any hogs at this location. Normally the ranch bates the shooting lanes the night before, but since we didn't go on the night hunt, the shooting area wasn't bated in the morning, which contributed to the lack of activity. We did see some deer, and heard some cows, but no hogs. At this point though, it was fine, with 9 hogs down, we had enough.

Costs:

• Air fare...

• Car rental: $200

• Staff fee: $100 (paid up front)

• Honey Hole: $99

• Upgraded lodge $500 ($250/person)

• Hog cleaning and processing: $1200 (~400lbs * $3/lb for processing, $1.50 unprocessed)

• Hunt: Varies based on package, I "won" a $99 all inclusive hunt, and added another hunter for $599 (that could have been cheaper if I booked earlier)

• Staff gratuity: $150 (which I think was more than they expected)

• Total: ~$2,400/person

We could have kept the costs down more than this, and shaved off about $600 by not getting 9 hogs. The ranch also offers many different packages, and all sorts of options, read carefully what you are signing up for.

Hog Cleaning Fees:

The place charges $75 cleaning fee for hogs under 50 lbs, and $1.50/lb for hogs over 50 lbs, and will swap out your cleaned meat for processed sausage, brats, bacon, etc for an additional $1.50/lb, which is nice if you are flying back, and will package it in an airline approved box for $40/box (note: airlines won't allow you to have ice in coolers if it is melted without a bunch of hastle, but the boxes they give, and the meat being frozen should last for 2-3 days with no ice).

Example: 100 lb hog will cost you $300 processed, which will yield you 30 lbs of meat (roughly half that for bacon).

Meat Selection:

If you get the processed meat, you have the option of about 7 different types of sausage (cheddar, jalepeno cheddar, italian, etc), 6 different cuts (bacon, ribs, etc), and 8 different types of ground pork (breakfast sausage, ground pork, etc). I have yet to try any of it, but will do a follow up post on my favorites after I get through some of it.

Food:

With the all inclusive package you get dinner the first night, breakfast lunch and dinner on the 2nd day, and breakfast the 3rd day. The food was all quiet good, a mix of tacos one night, chicken alfredo the next, and biscuits and gravy for breakfasts along with cheesy eggs. The main lodge is open 24 hours a day, and they usually have snacks or leftovers available, so you never really end up being hungry. I was generally really impressed with the food selection and quality.

Other notes:

• Take a hunters safety course, it is required to hunt at the ranch, but they don't check the qualifications. Some reviews online talk about the safety of the ranch (or lack of), but of incidents I've heard of at the ranch were caused by poor hunter safety (i.e. entering/exiting the blinds with a loaded firearm).

• Do the honey hole...it's an additional $99/hunter, but well worth it, much more hog activity, and much bigger hogs.

• Alcohol is not served at the ranch (thankfully for safety reasons), but can be brought in for drinking in the cabins.

• The ranch had about 20-25 guests while we were there, but the blinds seem to be well spaced so you don't feel like you are climbing all over each other. If you can go mid-week you likely will see smaller crowds.

Overall Impression:

Really enjoyed the time and was very comfortable throughout. The ranch is a "high fenced ranch" where the pigs are brought in (I'm told they are trapped from other farms), so it isn't the most sporting, but it's virtually guaranteed you will be shooting hogs. If you are an inexperienced hunter, this isn't a bad place to start, and a great way to get your feet wet into hunting.

Sunday, April 28 2024

If you're looking for a unique and challenging way to get in shape, consider incorporating wood chopping into your fitness routine. Not only is it a great full-body workout, but it's also a fun and satisfying way to burn calories and build strength.

Wood chopping is a primal exercise that activates nearly every muscle in your body. It requires strength, endurance, and coordination to swing the axe and split the logs, which makes it an effective way to challenge your body in new ways. Plus, the repetitive nature of the movement can help improve your cardiovascular fitness and burn a significant number of calories.

In addition to the physical benefits, wood chopping is also a great way to relieve stress and clear your mind. There's something inherently satisfying about taking a piece of wood and transforming it into something useful, and the rhythmic motion of the axe can help you focus and unwind.

At Ass Kickers United, we offer wood chopping options at all of our locations with complimentary axes and mauls to use.

So why not give wood chopping a try? It's a fun and effective way to mix up your fitness routine and become a total ass kicker. Join us at Ass Kickers United and experience the benefits of this ancient and powerful exercise.

Sunday, December 4 2022

This year, Ass Kickers United is participating in the 73rd Burro Days race. Never done burro racing, but this sounds bad ass.

The first year of the World Championship Pack Burro Race in 1949 saw 21 entrants with only 8 finishing the race. These days there are nearly 100 racers and burros that take on this historic challenge. Some choose the “lower altitude” short course of approximately 15 miles while others take on the long course and attempt the grueling climb to the top of Mosquito Pass and back, 29+ miles and an elevation change of 3,232 feet! The racers start at 9,953 feet in Fairplay and hit the halfway point at the top of Mosquito Pass, elevation 13,185!

Sunday, January 30 2022

We have a saying at Ass Kickers United...if it's not worth measuring, it's not worth doing. The challenge is, when it comes to boxing and kickboxing, there aren't great options on the market for boxing activity measurement. The options are either way too expensive, or don't have a rich feature set, so Ass Kickers United set out to solve the problem. We are in the process of beta testing a mobile app for tracking boxing activity, and are looking for additional beta testers.

Our app PunchTrackr is currently in beta testing for iPhone users, and is styled and modeled after the activity tracking app on iPhone. It allows users to track historical workout progress measuring the number of punches thrown, average force of each punch, and adds enhanced social sharing of your workout details.

To sign up for the beta, add your email address via the "Join the Ass Kickers United movement" form at the bottom of this page.

Here's a short preview of what you will see:

Saturday, February 22 2020

You come to an intersection, on four corners, there are four different events taking place. On one corner there is a football game, a pickup game of football, and another a pickup game of basketball, and on a 3rd corner kids are playing stickball, and on the 4th corner there is a fistfight, where is the crowd...if you are at that intersection what are you watching?

-Max Kellerman

Thursday, October 3 2019

Ass Kickers United High Performance Boxing Gloves are now shipping. For limited time, through October 4th the boxing gloves are selling for $29.99 and have free shipping on Amazon for Prime members.

The AKU boxing gloves provide 3 layers of foam protection for your hand, and reinforced wrist protection. I've been using these for about a month 3x a week hitting heavy bags, sweating, and all out kicking ass, and the gloves have held up better than gloves that cost twice as much. I guarantee you will love them!

Checkout the product detail page for more info.

Order your gloves here today.

Tuesday, October 1 2019

Ass Kickers United just closed on a 3 acre property with a cabin in Jefferson, Colorado and will serve as the Ass Kickers United High Altitude training camp. Situated at 9,500 ft of elevation, and modeled after Rocky's training camp in Rocky IV, the new training camp is the ideal location for training for your upcoming fight, bike race, ultra distance race, or outlining your new writing project. The camp is entirely off the grid with no power, running water, or cell reception, giving you a distraction free training experience.

At the foot of Kenosha Pass the new Ass Kickers United training camp is only a few miles from the Colorado trail and Pike National forest. The entire town of Jefferson has a population of under 1,000 and fewer than 4 people per square mile, and has miles upon miles of fishing access.

We are in the process of renovating the camp to include an outdoor punching bag, pull-up bar, and adding a wood burning stove for heat and plenty of wood at the site for you to saw and chop. If you are interested in renting the Ass Kickers United High Altitude Training Camp reach out to us via our contact page for details. Once the renovation is complete we will be listing the camp on AirBNB.

Friday, September 20 2019

In the early 1990s, salesman Art Davie and Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Rorion Gracie set out to answer a simple question: Who is the ultimate fighter? A wrestler? A boxer? A martial arts master? The result, the first-ever ‘Ultimate Fighting Championship’ (UFC), was more violent, chaotic, and electrifying than anything else on TV. In the aftermath, a multi-billion-dollar sport was born.

Amazing to think that the UFC was founded by a car salesman. Despite selling early, and not seeing the financial windfall from the success of UFC, Art has no regrets about selling, and realizes he wouldn't have been able the UFC to it's eventual success. ESPN's 30 for 30 podcast (linked above in the post title) tells the story of the founding of the UFC.

Thursday, September 5 2019

UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock gives a shoutout to Ass Kickers United.

View this post on Instagram

A shoutout to #asskickersunited from The World’s Most Dangerous Man @kenshamrockofficial

A post shared by Dave Mozealous (@asskickersunitedtraining) on Sep 3, 2019 at 5:40pm PDT

Wednesday, September 4 2019

Great news, the manufacturing of the Ass Kickers United branded Muay Thai/Boxing gloves is done and they are on their way to the store.

Join our mailing list to be notified when the gloves are available for sale.

Check out the sneak peak of the gloves below.

Friday, August 30 2019

It was late 2017 and I had just accepted a new role with Amazon to lead a new office in Denver, Colorado for the Devices Sales organization. The new role was great professionally, I was leading product and tech for a 45 person organization that spanned Denver, Seattle, and Bangalore, India, and I was making great money. In the job I was responsible for building, developing and bringing the Amazon culture to Denver, and as a result was traveling frequently between Denver, Seattle, Bangalore and London, often spending weeks at a time in hotel rooms and countless hours in airports and hotels. Again, the job was great professionally, I was responsible for an organization that was generating half a billion dollars and had great people on my team.

To manage the stress that the job entailed, I tried things like CrossFit, hiring a personal trainer and drinking heavily. CrossFit was a great way to get fit, but after spending 10 hours a day, 7 days a week at work managing so many people the last thing in the world I wanted to do at the end of the day was go to a class that required heavy engagement with yet more people. Personal training was great at teaching me the fundamentals of lifting heavy weights, but was extremely boring...it was a drag going to lift at the end of the day. I tried other activities to stay fit, and relieve stress including traveling to camps in Pataya, Thailand to learn Muay Thai, Boxing and BJJ. These camps were great, and highly recommended, but it requires a ton of travel. I was looking for something that would help relieve stress, get in shape, and keep me engaged without the need of a "support circle". This led to the creation of Ass Kickers United.

In the movie Rocky IV, after the death of his dear friend Apollo Creed in the exhibition match with Ivan Drago, Rocky travels to a remote cabin in the snowy mountains of Russia. This was the inspiration of the first Ass Kickers United gym, which was formed at the top of Lookout Mountain west of Golden, Colorado at an elevation of 7,300 ft. I converted a shed to a working gym, and modeled it after the cabin in Rocky IV. Outside of the gym I have an area for chopping and sawing logs, inside the gym I have a pull-up bar, olympic bar, heavy bag, speed bag, and climbing rope. The gym created an environment that would allow me to train using many of the concepts I learned in CrossFit (functional body-weight fitness) and in training Muay Thai (technique, endurance and toughness).

This is how Ass Kickers United was born.

Sunday, July 14 2019