I want to do a boar hunt, englighten me!

cote_b

cote_b

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
232   0   0
Location
Ontario
So my mom and I are looking to do a wild boar hunt this year. We have been talking about it for years, but I think we have decided this is going to be the year.

I don’t know much about it yet, so I’m looking for you folks to school me on it. We prefer to stay in Ontario, or even Canada if possible so the transport of firearms and the meat will be easier and cheaper, but we aren’t opposed to going to the states either. I don’t have any calls or decoys at the moment, but would look into these things and also bait options if it will make the hunt more successful. I have a truck so hauling the carcasses is no issue. We are both already licensed for hunting and firearms ofcourse. As for firearms, the only two things in my cabinet which I would rely on shooting 100 yards plus with would be my scoped .223 and scoped .308. Would both of these firearms be adequate for this purpose? I have rounds of a variety of weight for both firearms so that shouldn’t be an issue ( 55, 60 and 75 grain for the .223 and 150,165 and 180 for the 308).It wouldn’t break my heart to have an excuse to buy another rifle though, if the .223 isn’t adequate for the tough pigs. Something like a .243, 6.5 CM or 7.62x39.

What kind of areas should I target? Farmer fields? (with permission). Wooded areas? Swamp land? Do I need to put prep time in first before the hunt? Baiting, cams, blinds etc? Or can I show up and hunt a piece of land and expect to shoot some hogs? What time of day? Time of year? Is best.

Anyone who has had a successful hunt, in Ontario or elsewhere, please enlighten me!

Thanks
 
I assuming you mean wild hog?..... If so, I can help you out......

If you want to do a boar hunt, that means a "canned" hunt...... I have done a couple of those as well and can point you to a good place that actually présents some challenge.....
 
Free range wild hogs do exist in Ontario but are almost as rare as cougars. If you want to stay in Ontario or even Quebec and actually have a shot at something you are looking at a canned hunt. Much better odds at a free range animal if you head to the States. Crossing with rifles and ammo is no big deal as long as you plan ahead and get your Form 6 done. Been 5 years or so since I last did it. We drove down to Texas and took 5 hogs between my son and I over the course of a 3 day hunt. Drove home after freezing the hogs in a walk in freezer and packing them in 1500lbs of ice in the box of my 1 ton. They were still frozen when we got home. Ice is cheap down there especially in bulk - cost us $100 for all the ice. Crossing back was easy as well. We just declared the hogs at the border and they didn't even ask to see them. As long as they are intact (ours were field dressed with hides on) with hides on it is all good.

My son was 14 at the time and was shooting a .308 with 165 grain Accubonds. I was shooting a 35 Whelen with 250 grain partitions. Largest hog on that trip was taken by my son:

25032970887_36570ce5a2_b.jpg


That boar scaled 165lbs at home field dressed with the hide on.
 
Hogs all over the southern U.S. Texas is full of them. Great hunts and good times. Hunt both during the day and at night with red search lights mounted on our scopes (good for almost 75 - 100 meters). Hogs are tough but not bullet proof. A tough bullet is more important than the exact caliber or high velocity. Their innards have a little different arrangement than antlered game. Check out "The Perfect Shot: North America" by Craig Boddington. It shows photos of lots of game from different angles with the insides visible. Good luck - have fun!
 
So it sounds like it may be worth the trip to Texas for the hunt eh? What about gear? Am I going to need something a little more potent than a 223 w/ 75 grain bullets? Do I need anything else really? Or would we just get set up at a feeder and that’s about all we would need for a good hunt? Thank guys!
 
cote_b said:
So it sounds like it may be worth the trip to Texas for the hunt eh? What about gear? Am I going to need something a little more potent than a 223 w/ 75 grain bullets? Do I need anything else really? Or would we just get set up at a feeder and that’s about all we would need for a good hunt? Thank guys!
Click to expand...

A 223 would likely work with the right shot placement but for myself I would consider it too light. There can be a big range in animal size from like 50 lbs to 300+. Basically same size range as a whitetail fawn to a big old buck. They are tougher than deer as well. So would you hunt whitetail with a 223? I wouldn't and the hogs definitely have the potential to be bigger and tougher than that. Gear wise nothing special is needed unless you are night hunting and than the outfitter would likely provide everything you need.
 
There are advantages in going south of the border for a pig/hog hunt. They are far easier to shoot than their European cousins and you do not have to pass a test to go and hunt for them. You are usually set up in a field were the pigs have been baited and it is pretty much a done deal. Also you can use an AR-15 as well. Having done the hunt many times in the EU I can attest there is nothing like it. The pomp and ceremony as well as the high level of dedication of the guides and outfitters would make someone think they are in a resort.
 
cote_b said:
Yeah good point. Should re consider getting a 6.5 Swede, 6.5 creedmore, 25-06 or 7.62x39.
Click to expand...

Of those listed and if you are going to Texas the Creedmore and the 25-06 are very popular down there and would be the easiest as far as locating good ammo is concerned. You always have the option of bringing your own ammo with you across the border as long as you declared it ahead of time and it is listed on your Form 6 permit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom