Hog hunting is a sport that is becoming increasingly popular in the southern United States, and that is due to the feral hog population growing at an alarming pace. The feral hog was introduced to the Americas 500 years ago by Spanish explorers and thus is classified as a non-native species. They tend to breed quickly and are highly aggressive.
This makes them a danger to wildlife, and crops. They currently have a population of several million in the U.S. and thus many state governments, like Texas and Louisiana, have lax regulations when it comes to hog hunting trips. Some governments don’t have regulations at all, allowing boar hunting on both private and public properties at all times of the year.
Wild boar hunting trips are dangerous, even for the most experienced hunters. Those that are just beginining should be especially careful when tracking the animals, as feral hogs can be incredibly aggressive. Especially if they feel challenged.
To help you remain safe on your hunting trip, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Know How To Track
Knowing the location of the hog, or the general direction it went in, can make a large difference towards your personal safety. This can dramatically lower the chances of a surprise attack on the animal’s part, and decrease your chance of injury.
When you’re tracking a hog, these are the things to look for:
Rooting: Hogs use their snouts to dig through vegetation to find food, which leads to uprooted soil. This is one of the most recognizable signs of a hog’s presence.
Wallowing: Feral hogs dig up land near ponds and creeks to wallow in the mud and cool themselves down.
Tracks: Look for tracks that are similar to deer tracks, but are wider and rounder. These are hog tracks.
Use Calls
As feral hogs are known to be highly aggressive, using a predator call can be an effective way to lure them out of hiding. From a downward, and safe, position, call to the hogs using a predator sound in short bursts. The hog will remove itself from cover and move towards the call. Hog hunting can be better in some states than others, at least in terms of potential game and an enjoyable hunt. Below are two of the states with the largest populations of hogs, and the most lax hog hunting regulations:
It is important to remember that the hog will be charging, so you’ll want to be at a safe distance, and potentially out of reach.
Texas: The home of the largest population, with 2.6 million hogs. A general hunting license is all you need to hunt on public land, and the season is open all year round.
Florida: The second largest population of wild hogs in the U.S., with hogs present in 67 counties. Only a general hunting license is required for hunting on public lands, and hog hunting is open all seasons except turkey season.
If you have any questions about hog hunting or need some tips on how to start, contact us. We’ll be glad to help you plan your first big hog hunt.
