Pig hunting USA
- Thread starter Jonty
- Start date
I've been living in Texas for the past 5 years. Needless to say, it's not exactly difficult to find somewhere to hunt pigs here....so that's what I've been doing. Because there is so little public land in Texas, unless you know someone or have a hunting lease, going to a ranch (what they call an outfitter on private land here) is a good idea. Understand that most of these guys see it as a business...you're likely to find that they've fenced off a 30 to 50 acre portion of their property, and they purchase hogs trapped elsewhere to release in there. They'll set you up in a blind close to a feeder that runs on a timer...you get the picture.
Alternatively, you can spot and stalk - but be aware that hogs are smart, have an exceedingly effective sense of smell, have become nocturnal, and love to bed down in cover that is incredibly thick. (I've spent a lot of time working in the bush in Canada, and not once have I ever seen undergrowth as thick as Texas)
I've used a .458 SOCOM for pigs...but that's honestly far more than is actually necessary. I've also found that regardless of hog size, quality bullets (I've had very good luck with Barnes projectiles) make a difference in terms of staying together when hitting tough areas of a pig. Both .30-30 and .308 seem to work very well for myself and those that I hunt with.
Alternatively, you can spot and stalk - but be aware that hogs are smart, have an exceedingly effective sense of smell, have become nocturnal, and love to bed down in cover that is incredibly thick. (I've spent a lot of time working in the bush in Canada, and not once have I ever seen undergrowth as thick as Texas)
I've used a .458 SOCOM for pigs...but that's honestly far more than is actually necessary. I've also found that regardless of hog size, quality bullets (I've had very good luck with Barnes projectiles) make a difference in terms of staying together when hitting tough areas of a pig. Both .30-30 and .308 seem to work very well for myself and those that I hunt with.
I tried hunting on public land in East Texas (Angelina NF) last winter - unsuccessfully. Lots of factors to contend with on public land - deer hunters until mid January, no night hunting, no baiting, hunting with dogs after deer season, etc .
This winter I will definitely be looking to outfitters for a more successful hunt.
If I was walking and stalking I carried my shotgun with 000buck - the close quarters of the underbrush dictate up close and personal protection, as a non resident a handgun was not an option. The few times I hunted from a tree stand I used my 308. Most of the WMU, where there was a hog season, only allowed shotguns.
Non-resident Special Hunting License (Type 107) @ $132US for a year was the most economical of the the several states I looked at for hog and coyote hunting opportunities.
This winter I will definitely be looking to outfitters for a more successful hunt.
If I was walking and stalking I carried my shotgun with 000buck - the close quarters of the underbrush dictate up close and personal protection, as a non resident a handgun was not an option. The few times I hunted from a tree stand I used my 308. Most of the WMU, where there was a hog season, only allowed shotguns.
Non-resident Special Hunting License (Type 107) @ $132US for a year was the most economical of the the several states I looked at for hog and coyote hunting opportunities.
