Hog Hunting

Hog hunting is a general term that covers several types of swine hunting such as: wild hog, wild boar, boar hunting and pig hunting. The focus of hog hunting is on the male; one that has adapted to a wildlife habitat as opposed to a domesticated hog raised on a farm. Hog hunting has become extremely popular in North America, both for the trophy head to mount and to put meat on the table. Wild hog barbecued on your back yard grill can’t be beat for taste and the joy of having brought home your own kill.

Before hog hunting begins, it is important that you decide whether you are searching for a trophy to mount, or for the meat. If you don’t plan first, you may get frustrated and discouraged, causing you to prematurely take a shot at a modest sized hog, and then minutes later see that huge trophy sized boar bolt away; the one you hoped to kill. Bagging a trophy wild boar requires both discipline and patience. You can wait hours for just the right shot.

In some states the population of wild hogs has multiplied so rapidly they are unable to sustain their grazing in their natural forest habitat. Their need for food forces the hogs out of the forests into adjacent farms and ranches, where they devour and tear up the crops and other vegetation. They can also contaminate streams and ponds with their feces. In these areas of high-density hogs, some farmers will permit you to hunt on their land. Make certain you ask before you go hunting on land that you do not own. Also, contact local wildlife authorities regarding their local laws that pertain to hog hunting in the area. This can prevent both accidents and stiff fines.

Having an experienced hunter on your first hog hunting trip is important, since these wild animals can weigh up to 450 pounds and when cornered by man or hunting dog, they will viciously strike out at both of you with long tusks that curve up and out of their mouths. An eight-year-old trophy boar, can have tusks that are 3 to 6 inches long.

In order to kill a hog you must hit one of three kill spots: the heart, lungs or the spinal cord. Sitting around the campfire at night, experienced hunters share their stories of how most of the hogs are not killed with the first shot since these kill spots are fairly small areas.

Wild trophy boars can take up to 8 years to grow to maturity. At about age 4 years they begin to take on trophy aspects such a longer tusks and higher weight level. In some areas, hunting farms actually feed these wild animals protein and other things to help them grow and mature for prime trophy hunting on their land.

Sows have litters of 3 to 6 piglets weighing about 2 pounds each. The gestation period is 100 – 125 days. The sow maintains her little family until the pigs become about a year old.

The aggressiveness of a wild boar is what makes hog hunting such a challenging sport. This along with having to hit the kill spot just so, in order to bring the animal down, causes this challenging sport to continue to grow in North America. Get your favorite hog-hunting gun all cleaned up; obtain all local information required for a safe and productive trip in advance; then enjoy your hunt!