Post by: Littlefeather on February 08, 2006, 12:38:00 PM
Im going to try and share all the knowledge I've gained over the years with you in the most informative way I can. I certainly am not Gods gift to hog hunting but a fella can't help but learn a few things spending 3-4 days a week in the woods with hogs.
Opening info is to determine which type of hog you are hunting. There are two very different type of hogs out there. The first type is what I call "Herd Hogs". These are younger hogs that always run in a pack. The pack consists of 10-25 hogs generally and range from 20# to around 150#. Generally the larger hogs will be Sows.
The second type of hogs are the dominant hogs. These hogs will either run singular or will run in a very small group of 3-4 hogs. These hogs are generally from 175# to the largest available. The Singular hogs are generally aged hogs that have seen everything the world has to throw at them. These are the true trophy's and require greater skill and determination to acquire as a trophy. Be prepared to fail if you have set out to hunt a lone, aged boar hog! These guys are sharp!
Herd Hogs) These are the hogs people are talking about when you hear people say that hogs are dumb and blind. NOT SO!!! These hogs are in constant competition within the group and try and beat each other to a food source. They are so busy competing that the word ceases to exist around them. As Mark Horne says, "kids can kill a herd hog". These hogs rarely use their God given sences are are driven entirely by their desire to eat. Gluttony is a perfect word used to describe a herd hog.
Dominant Hogs) These hogs will pose a challenge as great as any trophy animal out there. These dominant hogs don't have such a regimented daily routine such as the herd hogs. The dominant hogs will rarely enter the shooting lane of an Archer without first scrutinizing the entire area. I've had these big hogs circle me repeatedly for hours trying to locate the source of danger that they know is there. You will rarely kill a dominant hog over a baited spot. Scent on the other hand will sometime allow you to coax the bruiser into an opening. Sound will also coax a giant. More later, CK
PS. There are about 6 guys on this site who hunt hogs a hell of a lot. If you guys see something I'm leaving out or wish to add your expertice, please feel free. This thread is here to help those with a bit less knowledge gain some insite. CK
Post by: wingnut on February 08, 2006, 12:59:00 PM
LOL
Mike
Post by: flatstick96 on February 08, 2006, 01:00:00 PM
Thanks for starting this thread; I'm new to Texas and have never hunted hogs before, but I am looking forward to trying it. I know that there is no substiture for experience, but I am really looking forward to learning as much as possible from you and the other guys on here who have already learned alot of these lessons the hard way.
Post by: Aeronut on February 08, 2006, 01:07:00 PM
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 08, 2006, 01:07:00 PM
Good thread Curtis. This should clear up and answer alot of hawg stuff...
Post by: Marvin M. on February 08, 2006, 01:18:00 PM
For now, I'm looking for a place here in KY. There are a few around, if you can find them and get permission.
Post by: Irish on February 08, 2006, 01:19:00 PM
Post by: HARL on February 08, 2006, 01:28:00 PM
Post by: TexMex on February 08, 2006, 01:35:00 PM
Post by: tms on February 08, 2006, 02:21:00 PM
I'm going on my first hog hunt, in two weeks. Anything you impart between now and then is golden to me.
Thanks again,
Tom
Post by: Lost Arra on February 08, 2006, 02:24:00 PM
Post by: Boris196 on February 08, 2006, 04:21:00 PM
I shot a Dominant Hog my first year stalking, but his attention was diverted by the hot babe in front of him. Hopefully I can use some of this to get another Dom Hog this year.
Post by: Boris196 on February 08, 2006, 04:23:00 PM
Post by: dosbow56 on February 08, 2006, 04:31:00 PM
Ionian and I are planning a hunt for later this fall, about 3rd week of october. don't know really where to start or where to go. if anyone wants to point a couple newbies, well one newbie and one hunter (nick) to some hogs, drop me a line.
again,great thread curtis, i'll be hangin on it.
dave
Post by: Terry Green on February 08, 2006, 04:45:00 PM
In the mean time.....I'm all ears Curtis.
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 08, 2006, 05:08:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on February 08, 2006, 05:19:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Bacote Kid:Haven't heard that one yet....but I sure wont forget it.
Also known as the North American Rhino.
:thumbsup:
Post by: Stalker58 on February 08, 2006, 05:29:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on February 08, 2006, 05:29:00 PM
Post by: matt schuster on February 08, 2006, 05:53:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 08, 2006, 06:02:00 PM
Some things I left out in the starting statment. Herd pigs don't always run alone with just their little group. As the Sows come into heat dominant Boars from around the area will stage up behind the herd hogs as they travel. As hogs travel, they generally are led by the smallest to the largest, in that order. If you are hunting bait, you will constantly see this happen. In comes the little dumb one, followed by the teenagers, and then young adults. Here's where the kicker comes in. If ya have a sow in heat in the bunch, there is a good chance there is a dominant Boar and maybe some contenders there as well. It takes these bruisers a little time to make sure all is clear and then they'll ease on in but they will always come in last. The trick is to remain calm and patient. That truly is the hard part. Next installment later tonight. I've got a great Moon to hunt this evening. CK
Post by: FLGATOR on February 08, 2006, 07:38:00 PM
Post by: southpawshooter on February 08, 2006, 09:17:00 PM
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 08, 2006, 09:44:00 PM
Post by: tippit on February 08, 2006, 10:05:00 PM
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 08, 2006, 10:16:00 PM
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 09, 2006, 12:47:00 AM
Dumb and Blind ??
there's a couple of them that have being making a fool out of me for a few months now.
Manny
Post by: herb haines on February 09, 2006, 07:39:00 AM
Post by: the Ferret on February 09, 2006, 07:44:00 AM
Big ol hogs with long bodies, deep bellies and lots of ivory are a lot like big ol whitetail bucks. While they may be a little lacking in the sight catagory but make up a lot for it in smelling, hearing and intuition catagories. Sometimes the only way to get a big tooth boar hog is when he's caught up in following a sow in rut like CK mentioned (just like a big ol whitetail buck). Other than that you have to route them out of the extremely thick stuff with dogs, especially if there has been any hunting pressure on them at all. But after you've killed a few big boars it's actually more fun to chase the meat hogs. More accesible, more easily spotted, more easily stalked, more easily killed (no shield to deal with)and better on the grill IMO. These hogs will go from 40-140 pounds where we hunt.
When shooting a big boar in the 185-200 pound range or bigger, chances are he'll have a pretty substantial shield 1 1/2 -3" thick. I have seen arrows out of light weight bows bounce off this shield and arrows from med-heavyweight bows stick in it but not make it to the vitals. We wait until those big boars quarter away pretty severly and shoot 1/3 of the way up the body, behind the ribs, aiming forward for an exit spot between the front legs.That usually does the job pretty quickly.
If you "deer" shoot hogs broadside, you've got problems. Hit them right and they fold up like yesterdays newspaper.
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 07:56:00 AM
Lets do scents, baits and attractants next. I hope everyone doesn't include everything they've ever used that worked. This will be a long thread indeed if that happens. Most anything stinky will grab a hog by the nose. Lots and lots of baits will work. This includes but is not limited to Strawberry jello, diesel, sour corn, rotten vegetables, and one of my favorites, fish. If you are planning on a upcomming hunt you can start your bait/scent now. The best I've found and is most widely used is plain ol corn. The next is sour corn. The juice drained off of a bucket of sour corn is great attractant scent if you live in an area where baiting is illegal. Soak corn in a covered bucket of water or beer for a couple of weeks. Use the corn where permissable or just the juice where it is not.
This works well also with fish if you bowfish a lot. Just cut up the fish into chunks, soak in a bucket of water till things start to smell bad, drain the water off and use the water as attractant.
We'll cover how to use and where later. This gives you time to start your own stink factory.
Hog Estrus and Dominant Boar scents: I must say that I was as excited as I could get when I was told about this stuff. Let me say it works sometime. The down side is that it works in very specific situations "like calling" and doesn't seem to work at all in other situations. The trick with the commercial scents is to use them where hogs will already be. In otherwise, you can use them around a bait site, along a well traveled trail, or around a pond that is getting hit daily. If you just use the scents randomly, hoping to draw a hog across the countryside, pack a lunch. You are going to be on a long wait. Beware when using these scents around yourself. The Estrus and dominant Boar scents bring out the fighting side of boar hogs and I've had at lease one very close call because I was stupid when using the scents. The key to everything is to use each tool available where and when you need to use it. That is important!
Here is the thing that is most important of all when using this stuff. I have learned this over and over and I still screw up sometime. Old hogs are very smart. These guys develop a routine and know everything associated with it. If a hog travels a trail every night and every night he runs past the same sights and same ol smells and all of a sudden one night you change something, it sets him on alert. He might like the smell of what you have offered but he is not stupid and most often will circle repeatedly, checking wind and anything he can see before going in. He will bust you because of the bait or scent! In other words, it is sometime best to NOT use baits or attractants especially with Dominant Hogs. If you've figured out their travel corridor, it is sometime best to just use the tools in the small pouch. If a feeder is something hogs are used to feeding at every night, they will generally rush right in without much thought. If you introduce a new scent to this area and they are used to no scent every time they are here, THEY WILL GO ON ALERT! The hogs that are used to rushing in will now start circling to try and figure out what has changed at their beloved bait site. You WILL get busted! OK, Im gonna let this soak in and hopefully get some other input. Please don't start listing every bait you've ever used. This will be the longest thread in history if you do. Thanks, CK
Post by: Shaun on February 09, 2006, 09:54:00 AM
Post by: cajunbowhntr on February 09, 2006, 10:12:00 AM
CB
Post by: herb haines on February 09, 2006, 10:25:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 11:17:00 AM
Cajun hit on a great point when he noted that hogs make lots of noise when running in groups. We'll touch more on that when we talk about locating hogs. Location will be the last subject because we are going to be talking about very broad, Nation wide generalizations. For now lets talk about using scents and baits properly and we'll touch on calling hogs as well.
The place to use baits is in areas where hogs are known to be but seem to have no real routine. You can introduce baits and scents to these areas and generally within a week or two generate a routine that was non-existant before doing so. Once a pig has located a source of food he never ever forgets where it is. Even months after discontinuing baiting, hogs will return to the location to recheck it.
In areas where baiting is illegal, I would advise using scents or better yet, skip on down the page to "redirecting hogs". A good way to use scents is to dig a hole close to an area with hog sign already present. Dig the hole about 18" deep placing the dirt to one side. Pour some of your sour corn juice or fish juice in the hole and start backfilling a little at a time with the dirt you had originally dug out. Mix the scent with the dirt thoroughly as you fill the hole back in. Hogs will locate the scent and keep themselves busy for hours digging for the goody they know is in there somewhere. Diesel rags wired to tree stumps and pieces of creosote posts also will attract hogs. They will be drawn in to use these areas to rub themselves down. This is for insect control on themselves. I have huge trails on my home place that lead to a creosote pole that washed up in a flood.
Directing hogs and redirecting travel corridors: Like I mentioned before, many hogs develop a daily routine and rarely deviate unless something changes in the world they are used to. If you have found the lair of a large hog or have found an area that the hogs seem to be bedding in you can generally direct them with little effort. Generally these locations have trails that the hogs are traveling. You may choose not to use baits or scents and for you guys this will work as well. Set your stand location on the downwind side of the trail. Hogs are generally running when in travel so you will need to stop them for a shot. Find your point of ambush and create a detour in the trail using logs and debris. I will lay a log across a trail in a manner that will make the hog 1/4 my location as he goes around my detour. I generally place a few drops of vanilla or something similar at the end of the detour to make the hogs stop for the shot. You can also use detours with logs and debris to keep the hogs from circling downwind of your stand location. Use your imagination here. I also cannot stress scent control enough when setting up these locations. If a deer can smell your presence, a hog can smell you twice as good! Use your best ability in controlling your scent.
OK, Hog calling is next. Any question? Any input? I know the demeanor of hogs and the way they travel may be different by region. If you guys have input, please speak up. CK
Post by: ptaylor on February 09, 2006, 11:33:00 AM
Post by: Stalker58 on February 09, 2006, 11:37:00 AM
:bigsmyl:
Post by: Caddo on February 09, 2006, 11:38:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/Caddo/HogVitals.jpg)
LD
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 11:57:00 AM
Post by: Huntschool on February 09, 2006, 11:58:00 AM
My bow poundage is from 53 and down so I weight my arrows a bit just for good measure. Curtis and I shoot simular arrows although his are heavier.
I prefer shooting over bait from a stand. Gives me time to "sorta scope out" the pig I want. I do not shoot big ones. I prefer 70-100 lbs. Way good on the tabel. Actually, my wife's orders.
I have done some spot and stalk and I have to totaly agree with Curtis and others, ya need to be aggressive when the stalk/shot start to come together. These devils can smell a peanut a mile away.
I have killed a few with flat broadside shots but its a waiting game for the onside front leg to get to and stay in a good position. Actually pooched a shot and dropped the pig like a rock by hitting the spine. Dumb luck. I would not try for that shot.
Keep it commin.... this is great stuff
Post by: cajunbowhntr on February 09, 2006, 12:01:00 PM
CB
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 01:51:00 PM
I spend countless days a year watching, listening and shooting pigs in the wild. I do know hogs communicate in a number of ways but I can tell you without a doubt that I've never heard one hog call another from any distance. I personally think the idea is total BS.
Now, having said such a bold statment, I will share my thoughts on this whole issue. Hogs communicate constantly. I don't think I've ever been around hogs when they aren't constantly talking to each other. This talk consists of constant, low pitched, gutteral grunts and squeels. This is the way everyone stays together and knows each others pecking order. Another vocalization you will hear is the
loud, shrill squeal, evolked by pain or a fight over food or a sow. This is generally a one time sound that lasts a total of about 2-3 seconds and stops, not to be repeated unless there is a fight over food. Breeding hogs squeel but are seemingly in constant forward motion.
CALLING: This is an issue that I've totally tried to avoid due to the fact that I think it is the best way to assure yourself that you will never see a hog . Having these thoughts running through my head has led me to test this idea against hogs in a wide variety of situations. During all this testing I have in fact proven my original thoughts incorrect. Calling will in fact work but once again the timing must be perfect or you are going to blow your cover. Here is where I've found calling to work.
When easing through the underbrush in close proximity to areas I know hold hogs, I will occasionally stop, listen, and then give one short, solid grunt. THAT'S IT! One grunt! If there is a hog in close proximity he will instinctively return a mirror grunt to the one I just issued. This is the way hogs communicate their location to one another. Once I have a hog located I will generally circle the area to get a good wind and then and only then will I issue another grunt. This second grunt will be aggressive and will be issued as territorial. Every time he grunts back at me I get more aggressive and will even start breaking sticks along with grunting. This technique works on Boar hogs and large Sows with little piglets. I do not use any commercial calls because I have not heard one that mimics the sounds that need to be made. I just walk around constantly practicing making sounds that I have personally heard while afield. Sounds crazy and I get lots of strange looks but I also sound realistic in the woods. LOL!
The second place where calling works the very best is when you have accidently stumbled upon a bedded group of hogs. When you have busted up the group, they will generally go several different directions and because they mostly operate as a family group, will start looking for where the others have gone. They are looking for each other by issueing gutteral grunts. You will hear hogs in several directions communicating their location to the others. This is when I will ease forward to the location the pigs were before I spooked them. I will get a good assult location and will grunt every time one responds. This will bring hogs in on a string. They will be approaching you from several directions and will know your exact location as they are comming toward you. Get ready, stay calm, and shoot straight. You absolutely do not want to wound one in this situation. A squeeling, hurt pig in this environment will evolk a defensive position from all the dominant hogs in the group and they will rush in to help their injured commrad. This is the situation that will make you or break you in hog hunting.
Feeders and calls. Never ever use a call in a feeder situation. Hogs compete within the family group but will shy away from competition from other groups of hogs. This is generally true unless you find a competative Boar hog. All other hogs will try and avoid confrontation with other family groups of hogs if they can help it.
If there were many hogs at a feed site when you shot one, they generally run ten different directions like we already talked about. Get a second arrow on the string and issue "one" grunt. If they answer you, grunt again. Continue and you will bring the group back together for shot #2. OK, I need a break from typing for awhile. There's more on this later. CK
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 09, 2006, 01:56:00 PM
Manny
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 01:59:00 PM
Post by: beyondmyken on February 09, 2006, 02:16:00 PM
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 09, 2006, 02:18:00 PM
you could be writing of the behavior of our pigs, if I didn't know you are in texas.
The only difference so far is water, pigs here get a lot of moisture from lots of fruit and jusy snails, ....but water is still key, just not as much.
I personaly never had any luck hunting over water :rolleyes:
Post by: cajunbowhntr on February 09, 2006, 02:38:00 PM
CB
Post by: Cinghiale on February 09, 2006, 02:48:00 PM
I take used oil where was fried fish; I soak a rag with the used oil and I drag it on the wood and than I came back under my treestand.
If a boar meet the oil trail follow it for sure.
To use corn I make some holes on the ground with a heavy metal stake and I fill it with corn. So when a hog came in it take more time to eat because it has to root. It's more natural make rooting to find food.
Tomorrow I'll try to make sour corn....nice idea.
Ciao Armando
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 03:10:00 PM
Cajun, Once again Im caught in a quandry about the calling. Here is my personal take on everything we've discussed so far. Use every technique we've discussed a little bit at a time till you determine what is working for you. Save the calling and vocalizations till you feel you've advanced just a tad with pig hunting. It's kinda like a new Whitetail hunter going out and immediately starting to snort/grunt/wheeze before he's ever heard the sound made by deer in nature. How could anyone produce the proper sounds when you've never heard them used by the animals. Just remember that ammo is in the arsinal if you find yourself in one of the situations I've mentioned about where and when to use the sounds. First study the hogs awhile. Calling is not for the two weekend a year pig hunter. You'll just end up blowing great possibilities before they arise.
Bedding areas: Im going to cover this at the end of the thread. For now I'll just say that the hogs in your geographic region will act totally different than those in mine when choosing bedding areas. My hunting is done in relatively flat, featureless country. Im sure yours vary's. How to determine if it's a hog bed? Well, here around me they tend to get up under low growing brush. The depressions they make are always slightly wallered out, leaving the appearance of a ring around the bed. Hogs literally waller around in these spots and loose lots of hair in them. Just get down close to them and if it was a hogs bed, there will most certainly be hair there. These areas generally are either moist areas holding coolness or they will have a powdery, dusty bottom to the bed. The powdery type beds are used to remove remove parasites from their skin a lot lite rabbits and birds dust themselves. You will generally find the dusty type beds higher in elevation and will generally be on the east side of ridges and high areas. Rarely will you find dusty beds where they aren't on the east side of a tree line or ridge. The wet type beds are generally late day beds where pigs are escaping the heat. These will be found in the low-lying drainages and around ponds. CK
Post by: JC on February 09, 2006, 03:39:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 09, 2006, 04:00:00 PM
Hogs in MY neck of the woods are true ROAMERS unless kept in an area by supplemental feeding of corn etc.
I have seen hogs in an area that looked like it was hit by an atom bomb one day- the next day there are no hogs on 2500 contiguous acres - go figure.
they like roaming up and down waterways here...swamps, creeks, streams, rivers. If I have a choice thats where I would concentrate my efforts every time.
Here hunting hogs in stands is only productive if you want to hunt on the runs coming into the feeders...otherwise, and even if you hunt a feeder- its sort of a crapshoot. The more pressure you apply to a feeder- that makes the hogs just go nighty- night to feed.
I like slipping for hogs. There's one of two ways to do it that we have found. Plant something in fields like sorghum, brown top millet...something that has nice tasty roots taht the pigs will have a good time rooting up..and spread the plots around your place..and move between them slipping, glassing, and if you see one, go after that sucker right away..be aggressive, move in, and take your shot.
The longer you mess with em, the more likely the wind will shift and all your work will go for naught.
Another way is to run around the roads of your property and spill a little corn along the sendero or two track as you drive around. This means the hogs have to come out of the thick and stay in the roadway moving up and down, picking up the corn. You can go in the woods or thickets on the side of the road and buttonhook them with the wind in your favor of course, and pop out on em and take your shot.
I like moving around in swamps for them, spotting them feeding- lots of times you will hear them before you see them..move in..get em spotted, check for more than the ones you see and if there's only one or two, move move move and get your shot.
if there's lots of them you are going to have to be more careful...more eyes, more noses. Don't get between a mama and a baby and you will be just fine.
In places where hogs STAY a lot, they do use regular beds i have found...around here they look like big bird nests...they like something we call tai-tai (looks like a weak, stringy sort of cane)..that grows in patches..they'll pile it up in cold weather and make a nest to lay in of it... Ive never seen them making a bed but I guess they bite the stuff off and pile it up just like a momma and daddy bird do twigs.
In warm weather its the muddy and wet areas they like...they roll in mud and rub on trees close to the wallows to rub the mud into their hidesto keep skeeters from biting them...like you wear a bug suit. The boars will mark trees with their tushes too, sort of like a buck rub only lower and a lot bigger than a buck rub...more like a 12 inch legged moose on steroids.
Ive got pictures of 30 inch diameter trees looking almost like a beaver has worked on em for a week but its boar hogs.
NOTE- regulations on hog hunting vary widely by state. You cannot hunt pigs after dark in some places...I wouldn't do it where I hunt them in the dark even if it was allowed as there are many bad things to walk into here like big gators, cottonmouths, etc in the wet areas..unlike many other locales this place is HOSSSTILE if you know what I mean.. :scared: :bigsmyl:
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 09, 2006, 04:05:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 04:09:00 PM
Thanks Ray, I know you spend lots of time with pigs out there. Glad to have you share your regional information and what works best for you out your way. CK
Post by: the Ferret on February 09, 2006, 04:09:00 PM
Carry on CK
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 09, 2006, 04:11:00 PM
In never knew there was this much interest in Hog huntin'. I thinks it's great... :wavey:
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 04:20:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 09, 2006, 04:39:00 PM
There's lots of ways to attract hogs and most of them don't involve damaging the environment- I know, its small compared to a diesel spill at a wreck, or what leaks out of underground tanks, but every little bit hurts a little bit more sort of like spray cans messing up the ozone...let's be careful about encouraging folks to poison themselves and others just to keep some pigs coming back to a rub. We've been using gas and diesel since the early 1900's- thats 100+ years this crap has been getting into our ground water and I firmly believe it to be one reason cancers are on the rise...do I have proof? No. But its a chance we don't HAVE to take either.
fuel will soak through your skin, so why wouldnt it soak through a pigs hide as well? If that happens, then its going to taint the meat or at least be in the muscle when you are eating it...and that cant be good either.
Remember, everybody lives downstream from somebody...underground water or above ground its all the same.
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 09, 2006, 05:31:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 09, 2006, 05:37:00 PM
Post by: Boris196 on February 09, 2006, 06:21:00 PM
I've hunted them a few times before but you can never learn enough, and since spot and stalk is my favorite every little bit helps.
I've found that when spotting and stalking being aggressive doens't hurt. They move around a lot and about the time opportunity finds itself, it's gone.
CK - I've tried the Here piggy, piggy call but never had much luck with it.
Post by: Cinghiale on February 09, 2006, 06:21:00 PM
Flash light or moon light ???
Arms
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 09, 2006, 06:38:00 PM
www.ultramaticfeeders.com (http://www.ultramaticfeeders.com)
Then click on feedlight. It's made for hog huntin...You can make your own if you get creative...I've found it just as hard to hunt em at night as in the day sense they don't have the best eyes anyway. Actually I think daylite is easier cause you can see em comin. At night, especially black hogs just appear. If it's a solitary boar they usually slip in and you don't hear em coming like you would a pack of em...
Post by: Lee in S.C. on February 09, 2006, 07:10:00 PM
Post by: Cinghiale on February 09, 2006, 07:16:00 PM
Now I look the link you have suggested.
Ciao Armando
Post by: Bacote Kid on February 09, 2006, 07:32:00 PM
Post by: Jumper on February 09, 2006, 09:44:00 PM
1) A hog’s nose is hard to beat. Try using a smell that they have trouble resisting if you want to hold them in an open shooting lane for the shot. Mind you, an older hog isn't going to stay long so make it happen. Poke small holes in the aluminum seal on a plastic bottle of vanilla extract. Next use it as a squeeze bottle/sprayer and lightly spray the area you want the hog to stop in. If you have the time, spray it on some corn and let it sit over night before putting it out. Another trick here is to dig a trough and burry the corn. They will stay in the area longer to dig up every last kernel. If a group of herd hogs comes in like Curtis mentioned earlier, they will make enough noise that in some cases a dominant hog will also come in to take over the food source. Be patient and see if one shows up if herd hogs are at your bait. Second scent that they can't seem to resist is Raspberry Jell-O mix. Got to love that one huh. I learned that one from a Texas Biologist who used it to bait traps. Seems they are willing to ignore the human scent left on a steel trap to some extent when they smell the Raspberry powder sprinkled in the trap bottom. Give it a try, I have and filled the freezer on more than one occasion.
2) If you don't want to go the attractant or bait route, stalking is a very viable option on hogs. Lots of fun too! Look in the shady, thick, cool areas during mid day. If you can combine that with a water source, you have hit pay dirt brother! Circle down wind, slip off your boots, and ease in there. Just take your time, don't rush it. Even if they get nervous and leave, sometimes they will filter right back into their mid-day haven. Good camo with a large open pattern is key here. Hogs seem to look right through you if you are wearing something like ASAT or Predator. Just try to stay in or partially in the shadows.
3) A bow that is pulling 45# or better should be good on most hogs. The larger boars will be a lot tougher but if you’re mindful to keep those shots low and forward, you will be in the money. Remember that a hog’s heart is just behind that front leg and below the scapula. On that note, keep your shots low. Too high and you won't get the penetration on a larger hog. Two blade cut on contact head. Heavy and sharp. Don't sacrifice good flight for weight though. Better to have a straight in hit that goes deep rather than an arrow that is flopping all over the place loosing energy that results in poor penetration.
4) Follow up after the shot. Mark the spot you took the shot and the spot the hog was standing when you hit him. Sounds simple but it isn't in the heat of the moment. Listen and don't move. Fix the last sound you hear the hog make and use it as a reference later if the blood trail gives out. You would be amazed at just how little they can bleed even with a good hit. Heavy fat layers, thick hide, it all adds up. Again, low and forward to put it in the boiler will lead to a fast recovery.
5) Leather gloves. You would be amazed at just how many prickly pear spines will be sticking out of a Texas hog! They will mess you up fast if you’re not careful. The gloves also give you a better grip for dragging and help protect you when you’re squeezing through the lovely prickly pear patches.
Just a few thoughts, hopefully some of the other Texas Sweat guys will weigh in here also. Between them, a lot of pork has hit the dirt!
Post by: Terry Green on February 09, 2006, 10:46:00 PM
Keep it coming.
Post by: CJ5 on February 09, 2006, 11:06:00 PM
Post by: slow walker on February 09, 2006, 11:16:00 PM
Post by: Scott G on February 09, 2006, 11:33:00 PM
I have always been one to use two bladed broadheads sharpened to a mirror, razor edge. Don't know if this is a problem anyone else has had, but I usually end up with skimpy blood trails when shooting hogs. Next time out I'm going to try Wensel Woodsmans and see if they do any better, unless its a really big hog.
Something I have observed at feeders, sometimes when you shoot a "herd hog" as Curtis puts it, they don't always take off in different directions but actually seem to have a freakin escape route...they all haul bacon in the same direction down the same trail. When this happens I swear a fatally shot hog can run 100 yards after it's dead just to keep up with the group. Shot a 40# hog that ran over 300 yards, keeping up with the herd, after center punching the heart with a razor sharp magnus. When I unzipped him the chest cavity was full of blood but he left a real skimpy blood trail.
Also, after putting a good shot on a hog if they don't get to far you might hear them make a death moan. Listen for it and make a note where it comes from, it might help in retrieval.
Post by: Scott G on February 09, 2006, 11:53:00 PM
None of the hogs I've killed have been over 150 lbs so take this for what it's worth.
I think most hogs just want to get away when you shoot them. Probably the most dangerous time is when your tracking a mortally wounded hog, it's decided to find a place to lay down and die but you won't leave him alone and his mind set changes from flight to fight.
Post by: beachbowhunter on February 09, 2006, 11:54:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by the Ferret:Ferret you took the words right out of my mouth! They are always moving, expecially on the front end. You need to be ok with taking a shot at a moving target. And unlike a whitetail, a grunt wont hold them. They bolt with no second glance.
A note about hogs, they never stop moving for more than a second or two unless they are bedded or sense something isn't right. If close to a hog, expect to make a quick shot because he is only going to offer perfect shots for a very small time frame before turning one way or another. I mean like a second.
Post by: tippit on February 10, 2006, 06:58:00 AM
Post by: the Ferret on February 10, 2006, 07:16:00 AM
The Spanish descendent hogs found in Florida and south Texas are runners and not fighters for the most part and hunters have little to fear in the way of charges unless you are standing in their flight path. They tend to be of smaller stature and body weights as well. A 200 pounder is a big one and a 300 pounder is practically unheard of. A true direct descendant pure Spanish hog may have what they call wattles, 2 fleshy flaps hanging under their jowls. I have only shot one of these. I have also shot one that had "mule feet", supposedly another rare trait of the Spanish hog.
The European hogs or Russians as some are called are larger and more aggressive and will chase you down and try and put a hurting on you. These can grow into the 400 pound and up range. I'm not sure where these live except I think they live in Tenn, Ark, maybe the Carolinas? I think they refer to these locally as Piney Woods rooters.
The 2 species besides size, are different in hair, snout length, ear shape, and tail shape. The Spanish tend to also have a flat back line and the Europeans have a sloped back line with the haunches lower than the front shoulders.
Like a deer a hog can go from standing still to full speed running in about 3 steps. I wouldn't call them blazing fast, but you are not going to outrun one. We have chased hogs that didn't stop running for 2 miles thru the Palmetto swamps.
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 10, 2006, 08:44:00 AM
I'd say that if there was ever a time when good optics paid for themselves it would be hog hunting.
Once those oinkers bed they can be hard to see regardless of cover type. I know around Curtis, they like to brush up in cockleburr thickets and under grandfathers beard... both very thick.
Use your binocs to pick apart cover, looking for patches of hair.
For me, at least, getting down low to scan under thick overhanging brush helps. What often appears as a wall of solid brush actually has a center and it's clear under there... but pretty dark compared to outside.
Patience is a virtue.
As far as dealing with an aggressive animals, I have this plan. (like Mike Tyson said, "everyone has a plan until they get hit) :D
A pig comes for me and he's gonna get a face full of arrow. I don't run or climb all that well.
Howard Hill used to bait them into a charge and then jump to the side... hogs don't turn all that fast... then he'd shoot them going away.
I did that very thing years ago on my very first hog... around 1967. Much more agile then!
They also don't jump all that well, so I guess you wouldn't need to get all that far off the ground if you had a tree handy.
Post by: JC on February 10, 2006, 09:07:00 AM
Shot placement is critical for hogs, they don't usually bleed a whole lot in my experience and have a great zest for life. Too far forward is better than too far back, just behind or above the elbow entrance with exit between the front legs somewhere will drop em like a hot horseshoe...or as mickey stated, hard quartering away between the last rib and hip entrance, exit between front legs somewhere. Mickey and others also stated they are in constant movement. A quick (yet still accurate) shot is an asset.
Ray touched on most of the hog behavior I have experienced locally: they roam a great deal and if you can find food areas to hunt to and between, I think it improves your odds of success.
Their eyesight may not be as keen as a whitetails but don't underestimate it, they key on movement very easily, though do seem to have some issue with picking out human form in camo. But their nose seems to be a whitetails better.
I prefer to hunt them spot and stalk, into the wind of course, while they are feeding/rooting. I poked a pig once it was making so much noise feeding it didn't hear me slip right up too it...course I doubt you'll do that with one of any size but they are sometimes so singleminded, and so loud in a group, getting to a shot can happen very quickly if you are agressive and use the wind correctly.
They are my favorite animal to hunt with a stickbow by far.
Now....on with the wisdom from the experts....I'm still soakin this thread in.
Post by: CJ5 on February 10, 2006, 09:07:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 10, 2006, 09:18:00 AM
My night hunt really well until 8:55pm when 9 good sized hogs come running by. I stopped them with a grunt and as the entire herd bunched up, I could only make out one big blob of black. The Moon had gone behind the clouds and thwarted my shot opportunity. They stood still for a solid 10 seconds and then continued of their nightly rituals. Maybe tonight will prove more fruitful. Let me get some coffee and we'll contine on down the path of piggy profiles. CK
Post by: citori on February 10, 2006, 09:23:00 AM
I am from southeast Missouri. We have a growing population of hogs here. I have killed 3 this past year, and am getting into hunting them pretty heavy. They are mostly on public land, and expanding the range at a good rate.
I took the jaw from my first hog and went to texasboars and aged it. It has the tooth between the cutters and molars in the lower jaw that the website says means it is a hybrid. They look almost pure russian to me. Huge long head and front shoulders, and small waist with shorter hams. LONG hair on the back and a 10" hairy tail.
The boar that I killed was @160# and I aged him at 3 years old. The other two were sows and were @225# and 140#.
I am VERY interested in all this info that you guys have talked about so far. I am hunting around a large lake that is very hilly. I put out bait at a wallow and have had little luck.
They seem to be VERY inactive during the day and lay up in heavy thickets. There is a LOT of pressure on the hogs from people hunting. We had a VERY good acorn crop this year and they dont have to move much at all to get all they need to eat.
I love this thread......it is the most info on hog hunting that I have ever seen.
thanks for listening to me ramble on :D hog hunting just gets me excited!!!!!
thanks
citori
Post by: Littlefeather on February 10, 2006, 11:26:00 AM
Im a South Texas hog hunter. Here in south Texas the lay of the land is almost featureless. My hunting areas are generally flat with the only elevation changes being along creeks, streams , and rivers. It is here where these elevation changes occur that I seem to find the more piggy sign.
Hogs are just an animal not unlike many of the other animals in the woods. They need the very things that every other animal needs and in many ways act the same in their daily/nightly routine. Eat, drink, sleep, and breed. Pretty simple isn't it? Not really!
Bedding areas: I find the greatest majority of the bedding areas in the cool, damp environments just out of the river bottoms and around the high edges of pond banks. Generally the bedding takes place along a ridge adjacent to a water source or wetland area where the pig can stay cool and still have the vantage of the best wind. These ridges may be a 5' rise in elevation a 100 yards away from water or a ridge 10" from the water. It doesn't have to be a big ridge, just a high point. Of course, if you've got a 50' ridge running parallel to a creek and is in close proximity, I think you will find bedding sign along it. The ridges that have an East facing direction will be your #1 choice in the entire area. This is going to be especially true in the winter and in areas where cold weather is dominant. Hogs generally feed at night and are quite cold by morning. They wish to lounge in the warmth of the rising, morning Sun.
Another type of bed is the dry dirt bed. I spoke a little about them earlier. You'll find these type beds as well as the moist beds. The dry beds are areas where the pigs are dusting themselves for parasites. They look quite similar to the moist beds but will be a bit harder to spot.
Feeding areas: This can be any natural or manmade food source including crops such as beens and corn. Also in some regions the hogs will forage grasslands, The grasslands look like an unlikely spot to you and I but under the ground will hold tubers which hogs will root for and feed on. Fruit and nut trees will also draw hogs. The areas with one or two fruit trees are only going to be a Snack Bar along the route. Hogs will hit them but with much less frequency than areas of greater food sources. What you are looking for is an area with a vast support system of food. Something that will easily support a group of hogs and not one or two hogs. This of course will also be a regional thing.
Water sources: These are likely spots to ambust hogs but can vary in results depending on the amount a water available within the region. If there is little water and it is far between, water is an amazing possibility in hunting hogs.
Sign posts: Hogs leave sign posts everywhere the travel. Once you've taught yourself what you are looking for you will find that hogs have been leaving you tidbits of information all over the place. You must adjust yourself to start reading the sign. Hogs bed generally in one direction. Here you can see which way the have been facing so that you may approach the bed properly next time. This is especially true of dominant, lone boars. Hogs scratch on trees and make sign posts. You can tell how tall the hogs are and what direction they are traveling by watching the bases of the trees and seeing which side they've been rubbed on. Hogs leave mud here and will sometime polish trees to a glossy sheen if they are used often. Feces will also tell you the direction of a hogs travel and how long its been since he was there. If the feces is still moist and warm, Id say you are relatively close to a hog! LOL!
Breeding: This is the least of your worries when hog hunting. It happens at all times of the year and never ends. There is no way that I know of to pattern hogs around breeding. I would consider this a secondary issue when hog hunting.
My overview in a nutshell: If you have an area where cropland in divided my a creek or river, you will certainly want to hunt along the brushy areas there. Hogs will be laid up in the heat of the day and will be bedding here. In the late evenings and at night, they will generally hit a water source and then continue on to feed in the fields. Of course there are so many variations on geographic and regional changes that I cannot even hope to cover a small percentage of these. You'll have to do some of your own foot work here and implement some of what we have talked about such as scents, baits, etc. to locate your quary. I cannot stress enough that hogs will bed on the East side of hills and ridges in the mornings. I've seen this over and over. I've also flown over bedded hogs on many occasions while flying with a friend. I see hohs bedded on open, desolate hill tops where I would have never looked. Don't overlook the obvious due to your extreem concentration on other things. Cover all the bases. The other thing I will say is that hogs in many, many areas are nomatic due to lesser food sources and less conducive areas to inhabitate. If you can't find a hog on any given 500 acre tract of land in your area, you do not have a hog overpopulation problem. You instead have huntable numbers but not an epidemic. Here in South Texas we are experiencing an epidemic and I fear that someone is going to start trying new measures to erradicate the species. Im gonna take a break now. Any questions or input? CK
Post by: Shaun on February 10, 2006, 11:32:00 AM
Been told that a charging hog will keep going if you manage to sidestep his charge. Heard that a javie will turn and keep after you. I can jump higher than a hog, but my hang time is not too good. Nothing to climb in south TX that is not full of thorns. Make the first arrow a good one!
Post by: Littlefeather on February 10, 2006, 11:55:00 AM
The absolute best time to find a hog is in the late evening and into the night. Hogs are mostly nocturnal by nature but are also opportunists and will feed, water, or breed just about any time the desire hits them. I actually have developed such a fondness for the pigs lifestyle that I find myself envious of them. My personal favorite time to hunt hogs is between dusk and around 11:00pm. The pigs around me tend to move best on moonlit nights with a slight breeze, between the hours of 7-10:00pm best. This may vary by region. I have used lights on feeders with great results but the results are generally short lived and the hogs get wise. I've hunted more and more by moonlight the last two years. Most every night hunt I've done in the last six month has been done without the aid of artifical light. Beware, your shooting will change when shooting at night. Practice a lot in the dark before going afield. I tend to shoot much tighter groups in the dark but the shots tend to be a bit high. Practice, practice, practice. There is a very unique, spititual connection with the bow when shooting in the dark. One of those "feel the force" type shots. Of course for about 8 or so nights a month the moon produces very shootable light. The use of pop-up blinds creates a brighter shooting environment as well. You are sitting in the dark looking out into the light. Your eyes adjust much better if using an enclosure. Although your eyes may adjust just fine, your heart never will. Nothing, absolutely nothing sends a jolt of adrenaline surging harder or faster than to be sitting in the dark with all around you silent when all of a sudden a boar hog breaks the silence in close proximity with a shrill squeel. BAM! The adrenaline almost knocks me down for a couple minutes! This is the entire reason I continue to push as I do on these rooters! The night time rush is unrivaled. Unless they make night hunting bears legal, I'll continue to hunt pigs in the moonlight.
Morning hunting: Mosty unproductive for hogs unless you catch some late runners on a return trip to the bedding ridges. The fact of the matter is that you and I have been taught since we were young boys to get up very early and sneek quietly through the wood in route to slay a mythological monster. This is a rich tradition that is truly ingrained within us since we were young. No need to dis traditions, you are supposed to hunt in the morning so get out there and enjoy the time afield and dream about shooting a hog of a lifetime later tonight in the moonlight! CK
Post by: The Ursus on February 10, 2006, 12:16:00 PM
Post by: The Ursus on February 10, 2006, 12:22:00 PM
Post by: Cinghiale on February 10, 2006, 12:38:00 PM
Here the wild boars have a very steep territory where live..normally the bedding zone is in the middle of a very steep scarp with a lot of brambles. You can shoot inside with a gun and they don't move from there.
The only one chance is night hunting.
Full moon nights are better for me but somone use a torch mounted on his bow with a remote control or a head lamp.
I don't like it....natural light is better.
The preferred time is about between 9 pm and 11 pm...If you like to know wich is the right time instead to use a expensive cam you can use a very cheap battery alarm clock. I buy it from street vendors for about 1 Euro ( about 1 US$ ).Than I remove the plastic cover of battery and tie some yards of fishing line to the battery..I fix with adhesive tape the clock to a tree ..I stretch the line and I tie it to another tree. When the boars came,pull away the line and the battery....the clock stop at the exact time....after some nights you know the habit of that animal....Just go up on the stand one hour before without long long waiting.
Ciao Army
Post by: Littlefeather on February 10, 2006, 12:56:00 PM
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 10, 2006, 01:39:00 PM
I've spend countless hours following trails and try to figure them out.
I know now where the general bedding areas are, but there's no way I could get anywere near them before they hear me good.
I have to hunt them when they are in transition, because even the most likely feeding areas are super thick, they love to root for snails on the open forest floor under the pine needles, but that's mainly nocturnal, the grounds are all tore up, but rarely I manage to spot them in dayligth in this areas.
On the charging note, when I was hunting them (rifle) in Australia with my Dad 20 years ago, he always made me carry a machete, and stressed, "if you get charged, stand your ground, sidestep them at the last second, and whak hem on the neck !"
Is 8:30 Am cool rainy day, I'm getting ready to go out for a Midday hog hunt, see you guys later :bigsmyl:
Manny
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 10, 2006, 01:49:00 PM
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d124/NorthShoreLB/woods/DSCF0026.jpg)
Post by: Littlefeather on February 10, 2006, 01:53:00 PM
You need to set a cheap trail timer a few nights consecutive and determine their travel times. We'll cover trail timers in awhile.
After reading what I have posted and what was also mentioned about baiting not working around a wallow, I think I'll expand.
Don't confuse a bedding depression in the dirt with a "hog wallow" along the waters edge. These are entirely different things all together. The bedding area and the depressions are made while the pigs are resting. These generally are on more solid ground that holds moisture as well. The "hog wallows" along waters edges are made for entirely different reasons and simply occur at random. A hog may have been running by and simply decided to cool hisself or to put on a layer of mud as a insect repellent. This is only a sign that a hog has once been here, not that he frequents the area often. It is important to know the difference. Of course if there is only one pond in a five mile radius, you can probably rest assured that a hog will be along soon to hit the pond again. The main thing is to find the bedding areas in close proximity. Pigs sometime have multiple bedding areas and seem to use them a few days and move on, returning a few days later depending on hunting pressure, etc... CK
Post by: Joe D on February 10, 2006, 09:54:00 PM
Post by: Missouri CK on February 10, 2006, 10:05:00 PM
I'm not sure what Curtis is better at....killing hogs himself or helping someone else to get a chance at a one.
I'd say all the generous information provided on this thread illustrates that perfectly
Post by: Islandlongbow on February 11, 2006, 03:07:00 AM
In my area I've found when hunting herd hogs you dont shoot the dominate sow. With out her leadership there will be confusion in the group. Making it tuff to predicate herd movements until a new leader takes over.
Jerry
Post by: Littlefeather on February 11, 2006, 08:18:00 AM
Jerry, I've found that when hogs have a daily routine and I interrupt it by shooting "any" hog from the group, they immediately change routine. They do sometime return to the old routine but it takes weeks sometime.
Determining when hogs are moving:Like I've already mentioned, the hogs around me are generally on a routine. The only thing that really changes is the times their routines take place. Im not sure what generates the changes in feeding times, etc. but it definitely is something that happens. I've suspected moon phases play an important part of things but have not really spent any time testing my theory. I really have had no need to test moon phases because I can use a $2.00 trail timer.
Trail Timer construction and use
Here is south Texas we have stores called Dollar General. You can buy most things in these stores for a dollar. Go in and pick up a wrist watch or as mentioned already, a battery operated alarm clock. I personally use a wrist watch. You will want to purchase the cheapest wind-up watch you can get. The way to use it is to pull out the set mechanism and tie a piece of dental floss around it. Set the watch to the correct time and strap the watch to a small tree on one side of the trail and string the dental floss across the trail and tie it off. As the hogs run through, the dental floss pulls the set mechanism out on the watch, stopping the time. The battery operated alarm clock would work the same way but would pull a battery free to stop the clock. You will need to do this several nights consecutive to get a good feel of the time they travel the trail.
Setting the unit: You should easily be able to tell the general size of the hogs using the trail by looking at the hoof tracks on the trails or at fence crossings. This will give you the estimated height to set your timer. If you set it too low a coon or other animal may trip the timer. Also, deer and other animals may walk through the timer so be sure to set it several times to get a good indication of times of travel. Also, keep a keen eye on the tracks left by the animals tripping the timer. If it keeps getting tripped between 8-9:00pm, Id say it's probably hogs(watch the tracks). If the time starts varying really wildly, Id say you better just go sit and watch all night one night. CK
Post by: mo bo hunter on February 11, 2006, 08:50:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 11, 2006, 09:03:00 AM
Post by: beyondmyken on February 11, 2006, 12:11:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 11, 2006, 02:11:00 PM
Post by: gregg dudley on February 11, 2006, 08:10:00 PM
We managed to kill only one more hog (my 8 year old with a rifle) that was also spot and stalk after we had seen a large group from a treestand. There continued to be hog sign all over the place, but we saw hogs on only five total occassions.
Granted, we did not actively pursue them because we did not want to mess up our deer hunting opportunities and only hunted them on an incidental basis.
Some facts: The property is 525 acres and mostly rectangular in shape. There are two ponds and a creek on the property. THe creek is literally eat up with hog sign. There is no sign at all on the ponds. The cotton fields had a lot of sign (wallows, droppings) on the edges. We only saw one lone hog (big boar)crossing a field in daylight hours. Baiting is not legal.
I have heard that the farmer will be planting peanuts next year instead of cotton. DO you think there may be more daytime activity in or around the fields with a peanut crop?
Post by: Littlefeather on February 12, 2006, 08:17:00 AM
What's wrong with night hunting. I SHOT TWO IN THE MOONLIGHT LAST NIGHT! LOL!
Post by: beyondmyken on February 12, 2006, 08:27:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 12, 2006, 08:35:00 AM
Post by: Stalker58 on February 12, 2006, 08:42:00 AM
I never knew there was so much to hog hunt'n.
This is great.I'm save'n this thred!
Post by: Mike Byrge@home on February 12, 2006, 08:55:00 AM
I've spent hours trying to close on pigs like this and have never been successful.
I'm not good at slipping up on them and I'm learning that if I see a pig, or pigs, and I'm downwind to just sit tight and hope the work in my direction instead of slipping in and blowing my cover.
My experience is with pigs that have only been bowhunted..I'm sure if I was somewhere where they had been gun hunted it would be different.
Post by: Mike Byrge@home on February 12, 2006, 09:02:00 AM
Do pigs see colors better than deer...I've noticed several times lately that pigs have seen me even when I'm in good cover and being still. My hunting arrows have pink and yellow feathers and they really "stand out" in dark woods.
I went to a local pig-hunting outfit yesterday mostly just to take pictures and I had several pigs look straight at me and "stop" even though I was in good cover and being still. I had my bow leaning on a tree next to me and my arrows were in plain view.
These pigs have been on this place since last summer and have not been hunted at all...at least not on this place anyway. Most were trapped and brought in.
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 12, 2006, 09:15:00 AM
Like most animals, movement is key to getting busted... but good camo practices are as important with pigs as other critters.
Who knows what an animal really sees anyway? Better safe...! ;)
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 12, 2006, 03:39:00 PM
Boars, 200 lbs is normal if they get the chance to live long enough..350 is a bruiser..top end..well above normal
Here is a shot of a decent pig(ugly, but decent size)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/hickoryuglyhog.jpg)
Here is a shot of the biggest sow we ever ran across there..so big we thought it was a boar..in high brown grass rooting, couldnt see that it was a dry sow...467 lbs
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/mikeshog.jpg)
Post by: the Ferret on February 12, 2006, 05:41:00 PM
Post by: Stalker58 on February 12, 2006, 05:41:00 PM
What part of SC,were you in?
I'll be in fairfax,about 1hr south east of Savanna.
Post by: beyondmyken on February 12, 2006, 05:57:00 PM
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 12, 2006, 07:55:00 PM
I couple of times I left my guard down, and boom, a beautifull boar appears from nowere, and of course that split second chance was gone before I could recover.
.....This is by no means a proof, but the hogs That I shot with selfbows hardly run away, a couple, after the arrow pass tru, kinda just stumble around and layed down in sigth,even shot as close as 10 yards,... all the ones shot with a glass bow took of in a hurry, making the trailing considerably harder.
Noise matters :bigsmyl:
Manny
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 12, 2006, 08:17:00 PM
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Texaskneelinghog.jpg)
Night hunting is a total blast and a little surreal!
Post by: tms on February 12, 2006, 11:39:00 PM
All this talk about how nocturnal hogs are, has got me a little worried. I'm going on my first hog hunt with the Wensels in a week. By the end of my week, it'll be dark of the moon. I'm beginning to think that I chose the wrong week.
As the moon wanes do hogs become more dinural, or am I just out of luck?
Tom
Post by: Roughcountry on February 13, 2006, 10:05:00 AM
Thanks Ck, and the rest of you for puttin all the info out :thumbsup:
Post by: Littlefeather on February 13, 2006, 10:17:00 AM
Lights- Hogs will get used to any spectrum of light over a period of time. If lights come on every night, hogs will get used to them quite soon. If you are cole calling a hunt location, don't try just any old light. The only ones I've seen work cole calling are green lights. Red lightswork too but only when used in spotlighting situations. From what I've seen myself, hogs can actually see red light.
Post by: trashwood on February 13, 2006, 11:31:00 AM
(http://www.trashwoodbow.com/abobows/spanish1.jpg)
(http://www.trashwoodbow.com/abobows/spanish2.jpg)
ya can tell from the teeth that he was an ole geezer. he was on the way down. still came in at 174#.
rusty
Post by: trashwood on February 13, 2006, 11:33:00 AM
rusty
Post by: Littlefeather on February 13, 2006, 11:38:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v241/Littlefeather/IMG_0114.jpg)
As you can see, in one end and out the other. CK
Post by: trashwood on February 13, 2006, 11:48:00 AM
rusty
Post by: trashwood on February 13, 2006, 11:57:00 AM
rusty
Post by: Littlefeather on February 13, 2006, 12:19:00 PM
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 13, 2006, 12:22:00 PM
On one of my early Javelina hunts I noticed that all the Javies shot in the back end (by accident by the way) were recovered with profuse blood trails and short recovery distance.
Couldn't say that for the shoulder hits made by the group.
Post by: Littlefeather on February 13, 2006, 01:41:00 PM
The fact that this is the Wensels first year down here tells me the hunt should be a real good one for awhile. The more hunters, the more educated the animals will become. Once they've figured out when they are seeing the most human activity they will alter their routine. This is especially true of the Commercial Ranches you are always seeing advertized. I've been on those type ranches where you are constantly finding someone elses arrows around the ranch. You'll notice immediately that the animals you do actually see are so jumpy you could never accurately hit one. They are riding lightning all the time, living in terror of where the next arrow is comming from. These animals are driven into nocturnalism. These are the places you will want to concentrate on hunting strictly nights. Sorry, the full moon or lights are a requirment.
Your best bet is to hunt well away from feeders if many guys have traversed the ranch prior to your arrival. Actually the hunters there before you can provide you with the best info available. Ask where guys have been seeing the most game "away" from the feeders. Id also highly recommend you hunt the washes leading into pond areas. Hogs love to hit the mud in the evenings! Good luck on your hunt. CK
Post by: beyondmyken on February 13, 2006, 08:02:00 PM
Post by: swampbiologist on February 14, 2006, 10:17:00 AM
Post by: Brandon on February 14, 2006, 10:33:00 AM
Here in East Texas we too a experiencing an epedimic. A standing rule on our lease is to shoot EVERY hog. They have absolutly destroyed our pastures, torn up feeders, etc.. It is so bad here that I hear rumors of a bounty being reinstated for each pig killed. We trap them spotlight them & continue to hunt them over bait. Seeing what a herd of 40 - 50 hogs can do to a food plot over night may change your mind about shooting sows. Not saying it aint fun cause it is. However the land owner requests that they all be killed so we try and keep him happy we do our best.
Just my 2 cents
Brandon :archer:
Post by: citori on February 14, 2006, 10:44:00 AM
Would I be better off putting the feeder right on the edge of the thicket?
We also located come tracks this past weekend that are VERY large to me. One set is about the size of a skoal can or a little larger and the other is unreal.....it is closer to an orange than a skoal can. What would be your guess as to the size of hog these belong to???
thoughts and ideas
citori
Post by: Terry Green on February 16, 2006, 02:26:00 PM
Post by: Luke Vander Vennen on February 16, 2006, 02:29:00 PM
Guys, here's someone who's going through a lot of work to try and make hog hunting more productive and enjoyable. He's not trying to sell this hard won information, he's giving it freely. Don't bite the hand that feeds you pork.
Post by: bluegrassbowhunter on February 16, 2006, 02:42:00 PM
Curtis,i hear that horne brushbow you've got shoots some serious smoke......
Post by: Ted on February 16, 2006, 03:49:00 PM
Ted
Post by: swampbiologist on February 16, 2006, 03:55:00 PM
Post by: southpawshooter on February 16, 2006, 03:56:00 PM
Post by: gregg dudley on February 16, 2006, 04:28:00 PM
Post by: Tradesmen4 on February 16, 2006, 05:14:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 16, 2006, 06:06:00 PM
Like I said at the beginning of the thread, there's a hand full of full blown pig killers round this site that could be sharing their info too. I kinda feel like I've been on stage alone so far. The fact is that we all hail from different states where laws are different and peoples upbringings mandate their own techniques. That spawns different feeling about techniques as well. Not to mention legalities :scared: . Of course I think I've said that after posting many things so far. The fact is, you've only heard "my" techniques, developed in deep south Texas. I feel I must be truthful and open if I am going to be able to share. Truthfullness keeps getting me in jams. Everything I've said so far is legal here so understand that up front. Im not advocating bait, or night hunting or anything else if it is not legal where you live. "My" successes are based on the whole spectrum mentioned above. Sorry if theat breaks ethics. Once again, Ethics are all together a different subject. I'll drop by tomorrow and see how things are progressing. Good evening gang! Rest well! CK
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 07:29:00 PM
when I first spotted Rojo Grande. He was by my guess the biggest feral pig I had seen. Wingnut (my hunting partner) had never shot a pig
and had a real hankering to do just that. I called him on the phone to see if he is interested.....he was, real interested :)
I went down to the boggy bottoms the next day to kinda get thelay of Rojo's lair. I saw him agian but stayed well out of his way. the next day Mike (wingnut) came out to look the situation over. While we were looking around we stumbled on to Rojo again.
Rojo didn't give us any ground at all. Stood his ground a sent nasty pig challanges our way. Wingnut had just unstrung his bow, I still
had my strung. Rojo was beded down in tall grass in an open spot as they often will during the day. He hauled butt to the edge of the
thick stuff and there he told us what he thought of us and what he was gonna do if we came into his kingdom. I got a shot at him
but it was sent haywire by a mesqute limb. I was glade really cause I thought this would be a great pig opener for Wingnut
round 1 goes to Rojo Grande
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 07:34:00 PM
I can't remember if it was the next day are the day after the Wingnut made it back to our pig sit up. Rojo had been feasting well but was a no show that day as I remember. Wingnutty put out some more corn.
Rusty
Post by: beachbowhunter on February 16, 2006, 07:35:00 PM
Post by: wingnut on February 16, 2006, 07:45:00 PM
Rojo Grande was a very big pig.
Ok more story
mike
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 08:07:00 PM
rusty
Post by: Doc Nock on February 16, 2006, 08:16:00 PM
Post by: wingnut on February 16, 2006, 08:33:00 PM
Anyway I sat and waited and waited and waited.
Finally Rusty called and said Rojo was back and that he was on the bait that am. I was only hoping he didn't clean up the 100# I had thrown out. After all he cleaned up a 40# bag the first night.
At about 4:00 I slipped into the stand and started the vigil. Birds were churping and squirrels running to and fro. Then all went quiet. I'm thinking theres a bear coming then remembered that I was in Texas not Canada. And this bear might have been a bigger challenge.
Then about 100 yds out I see him. Dang he's kinda big and he just start grunting and coming right in. I could tell he was used to having his way anywhere he went.
He seemed to sense that something was wrong and spent the first 10 minutes eating while facing me. He kept looking but not up at me but rather past me and behind. later I would find out that Rusty was trying to sneak in to video.
Finally he shifted and offered a broadside. I had decided that I only wanted a quartering away shot. but my nerves were shot and I had a lot of bow. I was shooting my 60# Sley LB with tapered maple arrows weighing nearly 800 gr and woodsman BH.
Any way as he turned I picked a spot tight to the elbow and drew. The arrow hit with a smack and seemed to slow down but continues to penetrate.
Now most animals shot, run and die. Not Rojo, he turned towards me and ran over under my stand. The stand was only 8 ft up so he was close.
He stood under me and called me everything he could think of. I then saw the arrow sticking out both sides with blood pouring down the shaft.
I knew he was done. . .but he didn't.
Finally after a good minute of cussing me, he turned and started off. As he went between two trees the arrow caught on both sides and I heard it break. This set him off again, he turned back and started the string of pig cussing again.
He repeated the sequence three times. On the fourth turn back, I saw his feet go up in the air and all was quiet.
I know I was going to go check him alone so I backed out and went to call Rusty. When I got to the truck I was surprised to see the Jeep parked behind it. I tried the radios with no answer and then called his cell.
He answered and was whispering, I said where are you. And he said right behind you. I said Iwas at the truck and that Rojo grande was no mas.
He came a running and we jumped around and hooted and hollored before we went back to find him.
It took a few minutes but Rusty finally said, Here he is and there is no ground shrinkage.
I got there and was impressed. We tried to drag him intact the 40 yds to the skid road. We couldn;'t get 4 ft. so we decided to field dress him then move him. We got 10 ft. so I decided to make a 4x4 road to him. that worked until we tried to get him in the truck. I would pay to see that video. it took nearly an hour to get him up there.
Post by: wingnut on February 16, 2006, 08:35:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/pighunt%202005/rojo1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/pighunt%202005/Mikehog_2.jpg)
Now we didn't have a scale big enough but in comparison, I'm 6'4 and weigh 285
Mike
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 09:22:00 PM
(http://www.trashwoodbow.com/files/rojo3.jpg)
keep in mind with this shot the pig still lived several minutes (guess on my part but three laps to tell Mike what he thought of him)
rusty
Post by: Horne's Archery on February 16, 2006, 09:24:00 PM
I think Ill hunt with Rusty.What was his number again.
Mark
Post by: hogzndogz on February 16, 2006, 09:38:00 PM
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 09:40:00 PM
Now here is reasons for the way we hunted Rojo. The area is a very good area to spot and stalk so why did we bait him. well first of all he had shown himself to be pretty aggersive if not real aggersive. Either Wingnut or I would be hunting the stand alone. If I had couple more guys close around to help drag my body off I might have given stalking him a try. Another thing is on a pig that big I wanted Mike to have the best shot he could possible get. If Rojo ran off to the boggy bottoms I don't think we would have ever found him.
I have taken several spot and stalk pigs from the area but I made sure they were in the 50-60# range. I can carry them out by myself and I have not found them particuarly hard to stop.
As I commented to Mark there is one big sow down there and tracks of other prety big pigs. They have not been hunted by anybody but me for the last 12 yrs. they don't fear man too much and ain't gonna put up with any of his stuff.
I have found true feral hogs to be more aggressive than the spanish hogs are....and they can be a lot bigger.
rusty
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 09:47:00 PM
when he told me about this I tought about all the "big" pig I had eaten that was less the delightful. Well Wingnut used the same process Rojo. Got him boned and on ice in less than 1&1/2 hours. Rojo was the best wild hog meat I have eaten. I figure the same thing can happen to a big pig as an elk and to make it worse we don't have the sub-20 degree temps to help it at all.
So if ya take a big pig and want it to be table fare, ya might put the Wingut process to work. get in boned into smaller piece and on ice.
rusty
Post by: Horne's Archery on February 16, 2006, 10:11:00 PM
You are right on getting the big ones apart as soon as posible.They do spoil from the bone out just like Elk.
Mark
Post by: trashwood on February 16, 2006, 10:47:00 PM
Oddly enough even though baiting is legal in Texas I very seldom use it and in general find that in whitetail hunting it leads to more loss than non-baiting methods.
DISCALIMER! please understand the opinions about baiting are mine. I am not tring to talk you into anything or tring to change your mind if you feel baiting is not an ethical means of hunting. I respect ya for your opinion. the point I want to make is that if ya do use some kinda bait for pig hunting, ya still need to do your scouting and homework. When that is done ya still have to put your time in the stand in and make your shot count :)
rusty
Post by: NorthShoreLB on February 17, 2006, 12:27:00 AM
good decision Curtis, class is open :bigsmyl:
Manny
Post by: Littlefeather on February 17, 2006, 05:58:00 AM
One thing I've found with every really big boar is that they generally place their lair very close to water. If I remember correctly Rojo was not close to water. Please tell the lay of the terrain. Was he bedding on a rise or in a wash. How was he facing when he bedded? What was beside him and around him? Did he have an escape route or was he backed up to a wall of brush? If you'd have been armor plated, could you have approached him for a shot or was he so well protected that you'd have surely been seen and eaten? Do you remember how much bone/shield was encountered on the shot? What was your general feelings about your gear selection after seeing the results? And the last question is, Can I come hunt the really big Sow with Mark? LOL! Thanks for adding your imput guys! CK
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on February 17, 2006, 07:47:00 AM
Thanks
Post by: wingnut on February 17, 2006, 08:07:00 AM
C - If I remember correctly Rojo was not close to water.
M - Actually he was very close to the river. We busted him outta his bed about 50 ft from the river in 4 ft high grass.
C - Please tell the lay of the terrain. Was he bedding on a rise or in a wash. How was he facing when he bedded?
M - It is a fairly steep river bank with a bench on it. He liked the bench. River behind him wind in his face, with escape to the trees on both sides.
C - If you'd have been armor plated, could you have approached him for a shot or was he so well protected that you'd have surely been seen and eaten?
I don't think we could have hunted him in his bed, but if we could find where he was eating we might have been able to stalk him. This is very thick brush and the pigs in there tend to brush up near the river. Hard to get around, but not impossible
C- Do you remember how much bone/shield was encountered on the shot?
M - At the penetration point there was just over an inch of shield, both in and out. I wanted an exit wound real bad and had just enough bow to do it. If I were to do it again, I would wait for the 1/4 shot and angle it in.
C - And the last question is, Can I come hunt the really big Sow with Mark?
M - Nope!! You can come hunt the big un with Mark, Wingnut and Rusty. That is if Rusty will video it.
Mike
Post by: Littlefeather on February 17, 2006, 09:36:00 AM
The dominant boars always seem to cover their axx with water. Actually I find that they like water on several sides where they can find it. If you find an L shaped pond, they'll be in the L every time. Facing the wind while he slept though. Humm? This does somewhat contradict what I've seen. I see them face down-wind mostly using the wind to carry scent from behind them. I believe they think they cover themselves two ways like that. They can see downwind and smell what is approaching from behind. Something like that anyway. Just my beliefs.
You also confirmed what I thought about approaching him while bedding. Those big ones don't make too darn many mistakes. Normally you don't get a second chance to find him in the same spot once he knows you found his lair. Yall done good getting that hog! I think baiting way your ticket on this particular hog.
So, you felt good about the bow/arrow combo. You said 800 grains? Pretty heavy for the bow weight wouldn't ya say? I do agrees with the extreem heavy thought process for the record.
Did this hog demonstrate any characteristics that you've seen before or was this particular hog demonstrating something unique to you. Just trying to assertain some pattern here. I think now that you've brought up Rojo we can go back to the beginning at look at the differences in what was said about the general differences in herd hogs and dominant hogs. Also, we can look back at bedding patterns, etc.
Bedded on a slight ridge, adjacent to water and facing ? direction at what time of day?
Yea, what time of day did you catch him napping again? Which way was he facing in relation to the 4 axis's? CK
Post by: trashwood on February 17, 2006, 10:17:00 AM
nothing could apporach Rojo from the river, so he only had one directtion to worry about. 15 yds on either side of his day bed is thick greenbriar, nasty nasty stuff. he was on the high ground really. both thick brushy side drop down into real boggy bottoms.
I don't know which way he was facing on his bed but as Mike desicred this day there was a north wide so he had the wind in his face and the river to his back, with a left and right escape route that would be real hard to follow.
I don't think I can compare the boggy bottoms pigs to other pigs I've taken becasue some of these pigs don't have any idea what a human is. they have not been hunted at all except by coyotes.
I guess the biggest difference on thinking aobut it is since they don't know to fear humans they are a little more aggressive than ranch pigs are. 'em dumb pigs (not!!!) think they own the place and gonna kick your skinny little hide out of their home :)
i think most ranch hogs have been human educated and react different to situations than these pigs might. for example one time i was cutting down a bodark sucker to look up and see a sounder of pigs watching me curiously. wonder what the heck that strange looking animal was doing :)
rusty
Post by: trashwood on February 17, 2006, 10:20:00 AM
Rusty -more luck than pig sense- Craine
Post by: trashwood on February 17, 2006, 10:28:00 AM
The other times she has still been in really tight stuff. stuff is so thick with brair. brush and trees I can't figure out the lay of the land.
rusty
Post by: Littlefeather on February 17, 2006, 10:45:00 AM
Post by: trashwood on February 17, 2006, 11:16:00 AM
I admire ya guys that really get into a hunt. alas that is not usually one of my qualities. I take my bow, 2 pig arrows, 2 swamp rabbit arrow, 4 squirrel arrows. If i find pigs, it's a pig hunt, swamp rabbit, it's a swamp rabbit hunt, IT IS always a squirrel hunt (no closed season in this area, thanks to the pecan growers).
when the gas projects are over we'll look into a sow hunt.
rusty
Post by: swampbiologist on February 17, 2006, 12:07:00 PM
Post by: JC on February 17, 2006, 12:08:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by trashwood:Yer a feller after my own heart rusty...I like to hunt fer what I find :bigsmyl:
I admire ya guys that really get into a hunt. alas that is not usually one of my qualities. I take my bow, 2 pig arrows, 2 swamp rabbit arrow, 4 squirrel arrows. If i find pigs, it's a pig hunt, swamp rabbit, it's a swamp rabbit hunt, IT IS always a squirrel hunt (no closed season in this area, thanks to the pecan growers).
Post by: swampbiologist on February 17, 2006, 12:13:00 PM
Post by: swampbiologist on February 17, 2006, 12:28:00 PM
Here is what one of my hog hunting outings produced along the Coast after Hurricane Rita. Notice hanging over my left shoulder, a rabbit and the skull from a dead spike that I found. A Good Day because I was There!
Post by: trashwood on February 17, 2006, 01:18:00 PM
OK here is another myth (imho). Highfences???
Dean, Lew, and I went to south texas for a pig hunt. here is the layout. 285 acers highfenced with 80 pigs inside. oh man like shooting fish in a barrel right?????? Nope We hunt hard for 4 days from light till dark. I was on one stalk or another from dawn to I could not see. I was running plumb out of adrenaline. I'll bet I was on at least one stalk every hour I was hunting.
Now Lew and Dean are good solid hunters. Lew can bust blue rock ( i saw it happen time and time again after I missed :) ) at 20 yds with regularity.
We each killed one pig. not because we would not have take more. Our duty was to thin the herd :) .
So if ya get a chance to hunt pig in a high fence, don't feel to bad for the pigs. they are fixing to make a fool out of ya :) ....and your hunting buds too.
our concessions to fairchase was that we would not hunt the feeder or water trough. it was gonna be spot and stalk.
BTW - Dean's shot was a thing of beauty. at a running 70#er at 15+ yds clean the boiler room.
After my lessons with 80 pigs in 285 acers of highfence I wonder what the heck all the fuss was about. All the highfence did was make it more exciting in my opinion. it did not make it any easier to stalk within 15 yds of a pig. in fact it might have made it harder.
rusty -never too old to change my mind when I find out the facts- Craine
Post by: Littlefeather on February 17, 2006, 01:58:00 PM
Spot and stalk : Now here is my favorite of all the favorite methods for pig hunting. This most certainly will be different everywhere you will encounter hogs in the world. It's the terrain that will dictate your approach among wind direction and how you hold your mouth. LOL!
I generally have found most of my spot and stalk pigs in the last year to have occurred in the mid-day time frame. For some odd reason the pigs on one of my lease properties like to enter the wide open grasslands during the mid-day. I've found that short of belly crawling hundred of yards, the best approach has been to make a wide berth around the group till I reach a downwind location. I like to use the cover of dry creeks and tree lines for cover as I make my approach. Once I(if I make it) find a point of good visibility overlooking the hogs but remain hidden, I'll watch to assertain what direction they are feeding. As the pigs move along feeding, I get a better feel of where they are heading. Of course this is only one of a thousand case scenereo's(sp). I'll try and keep gaining a vantage and let em come to me if at all possible. I've been busted more times than I can count by pushing myself to gain ground. I've found that I generally am more successful if I employ just a tad of patience. Now, having said that, let me change the scenereo just a touch.
The hogs are in full view but are moving away and you have no choice but to gain ground or loose them. I'll try and move as their heads are down. There is always a few that are looking around so I try and either move or don't move. There just isn't really much middle ground here. Once I've closed the gap to a reasonalbe distance, I employ the "sneak-n-crawl". I've spoken about this in multiple threads. I drop all my gear, fanny pack, extra clothing, AND my quiver. If it has the possibility of making noise, I leave it behind while I close the final few yards. I generally will take only one arrow at this point. I like to make Ferrett proud sometime too! Here is where you make or break the hunt. Ya gotta move quick before they get your wind but you also have to demonstrate enough control not to bust the hunt yourself. Each stalk will be entirely different than any other. This is where real hunting between two opponents really comes into play. Be prepared to fail if you make this your choice technique. Hogs sences inside of bow range get really sharp. If you do fail, shake it off, smile at the moment you just shared and move along to the next opportunity. If hunting is strictly about fun for you, the spot and stalk is the ultimate ticket to the show. It truly is all about having a great time. CK
Post by: JC on February 17, 2006, 02:25:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on February 17, 2006, 02:26:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Littlefeather:Valentines day was last week!
I'd love to go into her lair, find her bedded and give her an aggressive grunt sequence.
!["[tunglaff]"]("graemlins/tunglaff.gif" "\"\"")
Post by: Doc Nock on February 17, 2006, 02:34:00 PM
I'm so proud! Me remembering sumpin from 2 years?! :eek:
Guess that thing about half-heimers is true...long term memory lasts, short don't. Can't remember what/if I had for breakfast!
Great read even 2nd time around. I love that part of the pig cussin mikey...2 times! Blood just a pouring out... "c'mon down here coward and I'll shove that li'l stick poker of yours where da sun don't shine!" (pig translation)
I think the best image for giggles was you two trying to load that big hog inta th truck! :)
Post by: trashwood on February 17, 2006, 03:08:00 PM
DocNock if Wingnut was not a strong as an ox "we" would never have got the pig loaded in one piece :) I make sure my hunting buds are stronger, smarter and better hunters than I am before I go with 'em :)
I just don't hunt big pigs anymore. I like them purse size, think ya very much. I hog tie all four their legs together and throw 'em over I shoulder and carry 'em out like a purse. About 5 or 6 months after they lose their strips will do just fime for my macho image :)
rusty -not too tall, not too smrat, but real tricky- Craine
Post by: Littlefeather on February 17, 2006, 04:41:00 PM
Hey, didn't Guru kill a wopper hog a year or two ago. I wonder what the specifics were on location, bedding, hunt techniques, etc. Seems there may be a few things to learn from that big girl too. CK
Post by: JC on February 17, 2006, 04:47:00 PM
Yeah, Guru did kill one that looked like VW bug was in his avatar I think before that hoss buck. Speak up Curt, school's still in session.
Post by: Littlefeather on February 17, 2006, 05:34:00 PM
You guys who've been emailing for info should start asking openly so that everyone gets to learn or share ideas. CK
Post by: Scott G on February 17, 2006, 06:18:00 PM
When I hunt deer in Texas it's from a treestand and I try to do everything I can for scent control. Clothes washed in no-scent detergent, Scott washed in no-scent soap, rubber boots, probably scent-loc if it isn't too dang hot, scent loc head mask whether it's too hot or not.
When your stalking hogs how much scent control do you personally use?
Post by: knife river on February 17, 2006, 09:11:00 PM
Post by: beyondmyken on February 18, 2006, 12:33:00 AM
Post by: trashwood on February 18, 2006, 01:24:00 AM
rusty
Post by: trashwood on February 18, 2006, 01:35:00 AM
rusty
Post by: tms on February 18, 2006, 01:36:00 AM
Oh man, don't tell me that; I'm going to Texas tomorrow for my first bowhunt , for hogs, with the Wensels. I decided on 2117s with a 40gr adapter and WW for a 640gr arrow out of my 50# Thunderbird, or my 60# bamboo backed jatoba longbow. I figure I get somewhere around 34 ft. llbs. of KE, if that means anything. Mostly, I was just satisfied with the "whump" factor I got on the foam target.
Tom
Post by: mo bo hunter on February 18, 2006, 07:47:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 18, 2006, 07:55:00 AM
Scent Control Excellent question.
I guess Im going have to talk about this in general terms. I need to do this because most hunters hunt the weekends or a few times a month. For these hunters scent control is quite attainable and is of utmost importance when hunting pigs. The better your scent is controlled or eliminated, the higher your success rates will surely be. Pigs have a sence of smell that is truly incredible. I still do not know how they can smell food a foot under the ground. Remember the fletching on your arrows, your quiver, boots, hat, leather grip on your bow, etc when exercizing scent control. Ah yes, Breth! Breath is your biggest stink factor. Mix some baking soda in a Baby food jar with water. Place it in your daypack and just before you go hunt, shake it up and rinse your mouth very well. This will give you a great deal of control with scent. Using the wind to your advantage is the greatest tool but only works when you yourself are mobile. If you are stand hunting you really can't use the wind but are actually at the winds mercy. I personally try very hard to remain scent free but there is just so much I can do. I hunt 3-4 days a week and it gets really hard to guarantee I'll remain non-smelly. I do hang my camo on the fence when I get in after the hunt so they can air out. I try and not leave my quiver or arrows anywhere that they will soak up lots of smell. This year I experimented extensively with scent control products. I must say they work incredibly well on deer but every hog that got down-wind still busted me. You can't imagine how many times I got busted for the few measly hogs I did shoot. So, I suppose the answer to the question is to really watch your scent and play the wind when at all possible. CK
Post by: Littlefeather on February 18, 2006, 08:04:00 AM
Seriously, We had a foot of snow in deep south Texas last Christmas. I never miss hunting on my birthday, the day after Christmas so I was out in the nasty stuff. What I found was that if I had snow in Texas all the time, there wouldn't be many hogs left to hunt. The snow made it as easy to find them as I've ever seen. If you have snow and you've been having a problem locating the hogs, you'd better get out in it and work all day till you hit a cross trail in the snow. Don't plan on hunting them if the snow has a crust on it but at least use the snow for locating them bedding. Come back in a few days when the snow is gone and tag one. The snow led me straight to hogs last Christmas but getting a shot was impossible in the crunching snow. It sure was a bright memory for me though. The prickley pear cactus looked quite surreal covered in white. Here's your chance to locate the bedding area of those big boars you've been talking about. Please report your findings. CK
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 18, 2006, 08:05:00 AM
If a hog smells you- he isn't going to confirm that with eyes or ears- he's out of there right then!
You ever notice how a deer will smell you and then look for you- or hear you and then try to smell or see you?
Hogs are smarter, friends...they don't need confirmation- they bust it getting gone!!!
Post by: Littlefeather on February 18, 2006, 08:09:00 AM
Post by: wingnut on February 18, 2006, 08:39:00 AM
My first hog hunt ever was in the snow. However I didn't know it. My dad and I were in NE Washington state and hunting whitetails and mules. Nope them ain't hogs just deer. But we were going along a base of a ridge and cut about 6 sets of very fresh tracks moving into the winds so we followed up and over the ridge and into a quiet little draw. We could hear em moving ahead and slowed to a snails pace. Then all of a sudden there they were. Six beautiful hampshire feral hogs. Only they had been feral for about an hour. They excaped from the farmers pen down the road.
We yucked it up and headed on for our deer hunt. And stopped by later to tell the farmer where his hogs were.
LOL
Mike
Post by: Lee in S.C. on February 18, 2006, 09:28:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/LeeSatterfield/Jan_2002_Recurve_Boar.jpg)
Post by: Horne's Archery on February 18, 2006, 02:05:00 PM
Durring the drive Jim told me the Care Taker of his inlaws ranch had a problem with a hog.This hog is a 300 plus .lber.Now the problem is the hog will just stand there and gral at them on there nature walks.Two days ago the hog traped Chuck in the barn in the midle of the day.
This hog,and 25 or so herd hogs are running in a thick wooded wash that runs North and South not 2000 yards from the house.The wend generaly blows North or South.I think the herd has a saw in het,and thats keeping him in the area.
Any angles on taking this hog is apreciatet.
Off to work right now.
Mark
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 18, 2006, 02:41:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 18, 2006, 05:19:00 PM
Where in the herd was he located as they traveled. Front, middle, or dead last? If you would have shot a hog as soon as you saw the group would you have had a shot at the Boar? What was your set-up as far as Hunt location(tree stand, ground blind, etc) and what was your gear selection(broadhead, arrow material and weight, bow draw weight). What was your thoughts about gear selection after the shot? Thanks!
Mark, I'm going to have to come up and check your hog problem myself. :readit: I just don't feel good about sharing right now! :D Seriously, I'd like to take a shot in the dark on how to get him since you are probably going to go after him soon anyway. Back in a bit! Got some chili cookin right now. CK
Post by: Horne's Archery on February 18, 2006, 05:51:00 PM
Mark
Post by: trashwood on February 18, 2006, 08:11:00 PM
in some states it might be not so legal ?? :) . Bruce and I have always include the gamewarden. at least in some parts of Texas this is how get your doe tags. it is a real good way to check on your real pig population.
i'll find the calculation or maybe some of ya game warden folks all ready know it.
ya be surprised where ya find pigs bedding down in the cold and freezing rain :)
rusty
Post by: Lee in S.C. on February 18, 2006, 08:19:00 PM
The boar in the pic was solitary, he never mixed with the other hogs. All of the better boars I've killed have been that way.I shot him with a 53# Jeffery recurve, 2216 xx75 tipped with a woodsman. The arrow passed through except for the fletch and he bent the shaft when he fell on it. I shot him from a loc on in a creek bottom at the edge of an overgrown clearcut that was holding water due to beavers. I knew I had hit him well and heard him thrashing and gurgling about 50-75 yds out in the cut. Never any doubts about my gear selection, I knew it would do the job. Ive killed hogs with longbows recurves and selfbows from 45-65 lbs using carbon, aluminum and wood. Ive shot muzzy 3 blades, woodsmans, snuffers, and magnus 2 blades and stingers, razorheads, and a ribtec. They ALL worked when I put them in the right place.
Post by: beachbowhunter on February 18, 2006, 08:53:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 19, 2006, 07:58:00 AM
Mark, I hate to give you advice. I already know you are pig smart. Let me go ahead and have a wack at it though. The Boar is running the caretaker in the barn for no apparent reason you say. Dang, My kind of hog. I like it when they come beggin for it. :D I think you need to take that boar out. Here's the deal, you think you have a Sow in heat in the herd running there. That is going to make the boar unpredictable as far as hunting dominant hogs goes(using info we;ve shared already). With a Sow in heat running round the area, I do believe I'd hunt the herd for a few hunts and see if he's running behind the pack. If he is, Id just hunt the herd hogs and refrain from shooting anything but the big feller. You say you're setting up some bait sites so you are half way to the herd hogs already. Probably ought to concentrate the efforts there for now. If that doesn't work, I think easing into the wind down that ridge you speak on in the AM, doing "one" grunt every 50 yards or so as you travel may locate him. Those big hogs will respond to a singular grunt every time. The reason, I didn't advise going straight for his bedding location first is that sometime if you jump a dominant boar out of his lair he'll discontinue use of that particular bedding area. He knows you've found him and they most often won't lay there again any time soon. No need to push him if you can bait him into the open with Natures best bait, a Sow n heat! CK
Post by: wingnut on February 19, 2006, 08:04:00 AM
how about you come up and we'll soak ya in some sow in heat scent? Then you could crawl around making soft grunts while we keep an eye out for the big fellar.
Sound like a plan?
LOL
Mike
I could never get my bear hunting partners to do it either.
Post by: Littlefeather on February 19, 2006, 08:09:00 AM
Post by: wingnut on February 19, 2006, 08:12:00 AM
Mike
Post by: Van/TX on February 19, 2006, 07:24:00 PM
Quote
Oh, I think it's a little early in the morning to ask me to do that. Ask me again this afternoon after I've had a few beers. [/b]
In south Texas (at least by my rules) it's OK to drink beer after 0945 hrs. For you non-military types that 9:45 AM :bigsmyl: ....Van
Post by: Charlie Lamb on February 19, 2006, 08:04:00 PM
Post by: swampbiologist on February 19, 2006, 09:13:00 PM
IMG]http://i17.photobucket
Hog bedding area in Sedge Grass
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Swampbiologist/DSC02591.jpg)
Rootings
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Swampbiologist/DSC02597.jpg)
Willow ridge
[IMG]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums
Hog / Deer Trail
Easy to walk but hogs found in very thick areas.
Post by: swampbiologist on February 19, 2006, 09:19:00 PM
Here's the Hog / DeerTrail
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Swampbiologist/DSC02590.jpg)
Here's the sedge grass that they love to lay up in and I love to stalk in.
Post by: swampbiologist on February 19, 2006, 09:35:00 PM
Post by: Marvin M. on February 20, 2006, 09:35:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 20, 2006, 09:55:00 AM
What is the distance from where the defined trail starts to fan out. They generally start fanning out and getting much wider as they get closer to feeding areas. This is where I think I'd place the feeder and not right along the water. The hogs are quite obviously feeding on Sedge tubers. It happens here all the time. I really think you can use the cover of the standing sedge as a natural blind in which to hunt from. The sedge should afford you ability to move around as the wind changes the direction. Just hunker low in the grass and enjoy the day. I love that set-up. I shot two hogs 45 minutes appart in the exact type of location last Febuary. Good luck. CK
Post by: swampbiologist on February 20, 2006, 11:46:00 AM
There is also a large amount of Cattail grass there and this time of year, they have a maze of trails through it. It can be tough walking through some of these areas which makes locating them tough. When you do find them in this stuff, you can get right on top of them for one of those long 4 yard shots!
Post by: Ted on February 20, 2006, 02:32:00 PM
Swampbio's last post raises a question that has had me thinking for a couple weeks. A couple weeks ago, I got back from only my second hog hunting trip. This one was in South Carolina. I have heard that Deer and Hogs don't enjoy one another's company, but I saw some counter evidence on this trip.
I was hunting a corned road. I heard something around the bend. As I eased around, I heard/saw several deer blow and vacate. I looked further up the trail and about 20 yards beyond where the deer were there was what looked to my inexperienced eyes to be a pretty big pig feeding on the trail. It was completely dark and I was on my way back to camp. I could only see by the light of the nearly full moon. The situation raised a couple questions that I thought the experts could address:
1) One of the take-homes I got out of this situation was that it may not be true that hogs and deer don't mix. What's the concensus about this? Certainly possible that the hog just showed up and the deer where leaving anyways, but my sense was that they were both happilly feeding before I came along.
2) The deer blew several times as they left and one stood there stomping for a few seconds before taking off. I figured that like deer and turkeys, that the hog would pick up on the warning from the deer, but the hog seemed relatively unphased by the spooked deer. Is this odd to the experts or expected?
3) Also, being new to this game, I have no experience to help me understand a hog's body language (this was only the fourth feral hog I had ever seen), but the thought did cross my mind that I may not be in a very safe situation. Given that is was dark and I may have been able to see him better than he could see me, I had the wind and I was pretty quite, I thought maybe he knew something was there and just didn't care. From what I could see he would feed away from me for about 5-10 yards, then turn and move pretty quickly in my direction for about 10 yards (I thought this perhaps could have been like a warning charge of sorts). I remember hearing some noise, but I didn't interpret it as threatening. This went on for about 3 minutes or so. I was able to get an arrow on the string and drop my pack, so I did move a bit. He was about 40 yards away when this went down and the whole thing lasted probably 3-4 minutes before he decided to take off (the opposite direction as the deer). What do you guys make of this behavior?
If there isn't much here for others to learn from feel free to ignore these questions, but if possible I would like to learn as much as possible from this experience so I am that much better on my next trip down.
Thanks for anything you can share,
Ted
Post by: JasonV on February 20, 2006, 02:46:00 PM
(this was nocturnal feeding from a timed feeder)
Post by: swampbiologist on February 20, 2006, 11:03:00 PM
Some hogs are more aggressive than others. Some run off and others stand their ground. Hogs out produce and out compete deer for such important foods as acorns.
Just the fact that the deer blew at the hog says that the deer did not approve of the hogs presence and then the deer left. I would say that under normal circumstances, they don't associate much. As most hunters know, deer are courious animals. Who knows how they interact under unusual situatuions.
Post by: aussiebowhunter on February 21, 2006, 04:45:00 AM
im up here in the wet on my own and im trying to think of ways to track him down when food and water is so plentiful..u can just see them anytime or not at all..
once again really enjoy ur posts all the best pat...
Post by: Lee in S.C. on February 21, 2006, 07:14:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 21, 2006, 09:51:00 AM
Hello Aussie! I got notified by one of your Countrymen that they were cutting and pasting this thread to OZBOW to share over there. That's a nice honor! Hope we can help one another atlhough half a world appart. It would be nice to see some of the techniques prove to be the same on two different continents. Lets chat! I do believe you are looking at a very difficult situation in finding hogs when the water has dispersed them into the unknown. I think I'd start on the highest ground on the East facing sides as we've already talked about. Even hogs get sick and tired of rain after awhile and will seek a dry spot. Can you describe things a little better on the lay of the land and the general feeding habitats and bedding areas? Thanks, CK
Post by: Mark Normand on February 21, 2006, 02:08:00 PM
Yesterday I shot a small pig out of a bunch, and the squealing brought in moma and the calvary of backup adults, about 4-5 in all. They didn't give me another shot, just a bit too far +/-40 in the woods, a-woofing and blowing, but I wonder if I could have showed myself and bullied them into coming closer. Before anyone freaks out, I'm not talking deathwish like Emile's marsh pics above, this was woods with trees and tops everywhere to get clear if necessary. Man I wanted another shot badly.
Any realistic suggestions from the experts here?
Post by: Littlefeather on February 21, 2006, 02:14:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 21, 2006, 02:22:00 PM
Post by: Mark Normand on February 21, 2006, 02:55:00 PM
Good suggestion on the varmit call, dang I wish I would have thought of that quickly.
[and held on for the ride] LOL
What a great suggestion for stand hunting at a feeder!
Post by: Mike Byrge on February 21, 2006, 03:15:00 PM
I crossed paths with her and her bunch a couple of times and she was very protective...a smart old pig.
Curtis what's your take on bow-quivers and bright-fletch? I've been two weekends in a row and I've had pigs see me when I was still and in good cover. Dark woods, overcast days..everything is black or gray right now and I suspect my yellow and lime fletch is "standing out" even to an animal that isn't supposed to see in color.
Most of my pig hunting has been in South Texas where it is generally bright and much more color.
Post by: Doc Nock on February 21, 2006, 03:19:00 PM
Been to TX 2x (never saw hair) and once to Shiloh and had the chance to watch many, stick one and after all the doins were done, snuck up on a big hampshire sans bow...what a thrill that was! Po boy's griz!
Post by: the Ferret on February 21, 2006, 03:56:00 PM
Death Wish naaa, a little excitement OH YEA!
Post by: Mark Normand on February 21, 2006, 04:17:00 PM
It was absolutely awesome and exciting to hear all that grunting, woofing, teeth popping, snorting going on. Man it really got loud at one point when the whole bunch was wired up.
I had a large barrier of blowdowns in front of me, I could see/shoot over it, but couldn't climb over quickly or quietly, otherwise I would have immediately closed the distance for a followup.
Post by: Littlefeather on February 21, 2006, 05:01:00 PM
Mike, I hate to admit but in all I've gathered on pigs over the last few years, I've never known whether they see in color. I really never needed to know I suppose. I've never seen pigs pic off a hunter that is remaining still due to colors. I've not know it if this has happened anyway. One thing I know for certain is that pigs detect movment far greater than deer from my experience. I've done movement experimenting with deer in close proximity. Very slow movments, no matter the distance don't seem to be detected. Pigs on the other hand seem to detect the slightest movments. I know the general eyesight of a hog is not superior to that of a deer but when detecting movment is concerned, the pig seems to have the upper hand. Deer do seem to detect camo patterns that don't mix and color variations. Im not too sure if deer see in color or not either. Maybe I need to study more. One thing I see in lots of hunters who use bow quivers is that when the bow is raised or lowered with bright, matching fletching is what is called flagging. Look at the measurable surface area of all the fletching next to one another. If everything is one color, it looks like one continuous flag of color raising up and down. Of course my side quiver does the same when I am moving through the brush. Keep testing Mike and let us know what you find. CK
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 21, 2006, 05:48:00 PM
I experimented by pulling an orange watch cap out of my coat pocket after getting within 75 yards three different times, three different groups of pigs, and EVERY single time they hauled butt like nobody's business!
One of my favorite times to hunt pigs in SC is during the period from June 20- July 10th. I know, its HOT with a capital H, BUT, the blackberries are ripening in the clear cuts and the hogs are absolutely WILD about blackberries. They will be out there chomping berries till they are all gone...morning, noon, and night feeding on those berries...you can hear their lips smacking way before you ever see the hogs they love them so much.
I highly recommend berry time for pigs in SC and GA!
Post by: Paul R on February 21, 2006, 07:50:00 PM
I've got a question for you regarding the calling of dominant Boars. There have been numerous times while stalking in really thick cover, that I have woken up big boars and had them jump up out of their beds in front of me.
Nine times out of ten they haven't got a clue what woke them up but they sure are cranky, snorting and growling and clicking their tusks. They are normally within 10-15 yards and it can get pretty exiting, only problem is that it's normally too thick for a shot and eventually the boar moves off. If I try to follow through the thick stuff I get heard and the boar heads for the hills at a fast rate.
My question is can I get them to come closer and present for a shot, without making them rush straight in and eat me or alternitivly run away? I've tried a couple of grunts as they were moving away but to no avail.
Post by: Whip on February 21, 2006, 11:40:00 PM
Post by: aussiebowhunter on February 21, 2006, 11:49:00 PM
well where i am we hav two seasons.wet and dry..wet last for around 4 mths,rains of and on most days,where there was no grass is suddenely 3 to 8 ft high,creeks and rivers are following and some may come up 20 metres...so water is plentiful and so is feed...
during the dry,the best times for hunting boars is later sept to dec as everything is drying up and water is only in the dams,the odd waterhole in the creeks. so u know if u hunt through the heat of the day they are going to be laid up near the water...
as i am here on my own over the wet,i get plenty of time to play..but where before if u had a carcass down ,u could be sure of boars coming in early morn or late arvo..
i only hunt the loners as they are the older and wiser pigs as u hav mentioned and they are sure to have the best ivory...and they are very aggressive,they will hav u for dinner as quick as if u pis them off..they basically arnt scared of anthing up here..they only hav dingos as an enemy..
now the lay of the land is mostly flat with some small rises,creeks etc,there is the odd ridge..as i said mostly the grass is high now and heaps of water and feed..
i have had mobs of pigs below me rooting up the ground,going down to 3 ft in places all around these beans trees..we also hav small land crabs that come out in the wet,so im sure they are dihgging for them too..
they dont seem as keen on a carcass now as they would before..
i havent been able to find there bedding,u would think it would be in the higher ground?? what u think?
i hav seen a regular set of good size tracks close by crossing one of our roads here,and also a good size walllow on the same road,,hes been having a wallow during the heat of the day..
im thinking maybe the trick might be to try some of ur baiting techniques,grain and jelly maybe combined with treestand...but i do like ur ideas using a grunt call plus also a animal in distreess call..what do u think and what calls would u recommend to try..
i also caught three little fellas a couple weeks back,been feeding them up,and i have noticed tracks coming around,maybe some have heard them??
so theres a bit of info,what r ur thoughts?/
many thanks pat
Post by: Littlefeather on February 22, 2006, 06:44:00 AM
Post by: aussiebowhunter on February 22, 2006, 07:22:00 AM
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c87/aussiehunter1964/IMGA0399.jpg)
Post by: the Ferret on February 22, 2006, 07:30:00 AM
Our son Brian (Boris 196) leaves for Florida to hunt pigs tomorrow and is taking several boxes of raspberry jello mix with him to try on the pigs down there. A tip he picked up on this thread. He's also taking a javie squealer. I'm sure he'll give us a report when he returns.
Post by: the Ferret on February 22, 2006, 07:31:00 AM
Post by: Glenn Newell on February 22, 2006, 08:42:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v475/Glenn51/pinkshirtcamo.jpg)
Post by: the Ferret on February 22, 2006, 08:44:00 AM
Post by: Glenn Newell on February 22, 2006, 08:54:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 22, 2006, 09:30:00 AM
Pat, Sometime when I fly with a friend of mine, we see pigs bedded on the open grass hill tops. You'd never expect to see pigs in the open grass but they are there. I think this affords them a lazy place to hide in the tall grass and soak up sunshine. Nothing can approach due to the long distance that they can see and smell. Try those hill tops! Id also start a baiting routine if it's legal and "you" find it ethical. Great pig you shot there! Really happy to see you take one after hearing how difficult things are for you right now.
Glen, you look so pretty in pink. :readit: Just kidding mate! :D That's some good info on color. CK
Post by: Doc Nock on February 22, 2006, 09:38:00 AM
out at Matt&Cheryl Nappers (Shiloh) I got to watch a lot. We were in established stands on feeder overlooks. Once they were into the grits, you could move pretty much I found. But the big boys would stand off 60-80 yards and grunt at anything in the stands...camo be darned. If you shifted a foot 6"... they were GONE.
I replayed that a few times and had some buds go down several years in a row who had similar results...fwiw from a bunch of neophytes book(s).
Post by: Glenn Newell on February 22, 2006, 03:34:00 PM
Curtis I know what you are saying about the grass. In the Outback in winter when the heat is gone the pigs and especially the old boars can be found out on the Leichart Grass Downs Country(grassy treeless plains)during the day, they will lay out in the grass all day for the sunhine. These areas are so vast though it's normally best to hunt the areas adjacent to dams and bore drains. It's really good hunting in this country when is high and there a large numbers of locust around, you watch for locust flying infront of the pigs walking around in the grass...Glenn...
Post by: Paul R on February 22, 2006, 06:37:00 PM
Glenn, I have seen the same things with pigs on cold winter mornings out west , camping up in the long grass, soaking up the sun(I wasn't wearing a pink shirt though ;) ). It can get pretty exiting when the long grass starts to part in your direction too. :eek: One method I use in winter is to hunt along the water channels or bore drains or the timber lines close to them, checking the eastern side (side facing the sun) of Lignum bushes and other undergrowth, I think CK already mentioned this. In the Summer the pigs will bed deep in the bushes under the thickest shadiest tree, close to water or under the over hanging creek banks, away from the sun.
I also used to do a lot of pig hunting west of Armidale which is one of the coldest places I’ve ever hunted in Winter ( it even snows there sometimes :scared: ) but I guess it would be pretty mild compared to what you blokes in the USA can experience. The properties I used to hunt in the area consisted of deep blackberry choked gullies and round sparsely wooded hills which were bare on top. Every time I hunted the place in Winter I would find lone Boars asleep right on top of the bare hills soaking up the sun. In the summer they would bed at the head of deep, blackberry choked gullies usually on the southern side of the hills trying to escape the sun and heat.
Pat, out in Western QLD when there is a lot of rain, the pig’s bed on the sand ridges. These sand ridges can be only a few feet higher than the surrounding soil plains but afford good cover and comfortable, comparatively dry beds, especially when it floods. Because these small ridges are made of sand the pigs don't get mud and clay building up on their trotter's, which annoys the hell out of them, or if they get a build up while they are watering and feeding, they can clean it off in the sand and move about more freely. I don't know if there's anything like that up the Cape, but regardless I would be hunting whatever high ground you have up there, as CK suggested, if there is any. :)
Post by: aussiebowhunter on February 22, 2006, 07:33:00 PM
ck,could u mention what callers u like for grunting and distressed..if its not right to name brands on here,would u mind emailing..
in yestredays situation,the large boar and the rest didnt know what was wrong and basically had a little shuffle and looked around..i sat still,i was thinking then what would have been the go,give a grunt or hav a distress call going.??
what would u reckon ck?? i am ok with a boar coming in on me,with an arrow ready,they were all in such good condition compared toi the dry..def double there body weights...
cheers pat...
Post by: Glenn Newell on February 22, 2006, 11:17:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 23, 2006, 06:12:00 AM
Pat, I don't use any manufactured calls. I don't know who makes them and cannot recommend one. All the ones I've heard don't sound realistic. They all sound like modified deer grunt tubes. I've worked for sometime creating the proper sounds inside my chest and deep throat. My calling lacks the high pitch weeze that is inside of the big boars grunts but I'm sounding real close. Maybe some of the guys here can help with manufactured calls. I wouldn't know where to look for one. CK
Post by: Glenn Newell on February 23, 2006, 06:32:00 AM
I have seen when two boars are fighting and they are making plenty of noise other boars will come running to the scene...Glenn...
Post by: Joe D on February 23, 2006, 10:49:00 AM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 23, 2006, 11:02:00 AM
Glen, I appreciate your input. What you just said further reinforces my thoughts about calling. Like i've said repeatedly, I believe calling will only work in very specific circumstances. They do have a language. You just have to figure out when to speak! CK
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 23, 2006, 11:25:00 AM
They are not standing still, usually, like a couple of bulls rutting- they are moving, running, chasing- over a big area- at least thats the way it has been around here. I get very, very excited when I hear this kind of racket in the woods- the first thing I say to myself is like that fight announcer..." Let's get ready to RUMMMMBBBBBLLLLLLLLLEEEEEE!!!!!
Post by: Littlefeather on February 23, 2006, 01:47:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 23, 2006, 02:08:00 PM
Other than elk hunting, hunting swine is the about the most fun you can have with your britches on!
Well, maybe I shouldnt have said THAT last remark quite that way... Let me rephrase that a little- its the most fun you can have huntin!!! How's that? :bigsmyl:
Post by: Littlefeather on February 23, 2006, 02:16:00 PM
Post by: dan massa on February 23, 2006, 04:02:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 23, 2006, 04:12:00 PM
Post by: dan massa on February 23, 2006, 04:16:00 PM
Post by: Scott G on February 23, 2006, 10:46:00 PM
Another more general question...I have heard people say some hogs just taste bad. I know one guy that says he likes to cut a small piece out of a hog and throw it on a hot skillet before he goes to the trouble of cleaning the hog because the smell will let you know right away from the smell if the hog will be "a bad one".
I haven't killed enough hogs to run across any bad ones yet, but some have been tougher than others.
Post by: longbowfanatic02 on February 24, 2006, 01:43:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 24, 2006, 06:58:00 AM
That mud has the most awful smell to it at low tide, and the pig meat smells JUST LIKE THAT mud when you cook it!!!! I won't even go down there to shoot pigs any more because of that.
As to big boars- I have had a couple pretty rank ones that were only fit for sausage but for teh most part I've never felt the meat was tainted to the ponit we couldnt use it- so far! Again, my hunting is limited in range...just SE GA and Southern South Carolina.
There's no doubt, though, that if you want to cook and eat a pig then take a herd pig, between 75 and 125 lbs and you won't find any better eating on the planet.
Shoot a big boar to get a trophy would be my advice.
I'll pass on the recipe we use if anyone is interested?
Post by: David M. Mathis on February 24, 2006, 09:16:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 24, 2006, 10:09:00 AM
Post by: beachbowhunter on February 24, 2006, 12:47:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 24, 2006, 02:06:00 PM
Yikes. Dead fish- I'm guessing they werent fresh either.....now that will curl your toes up just thinking about it!
Post by: Littlefeather on February 24, 2006, 02:14:00 PM
That's not stink you are smelling. That's aroma de here piggy piggy! CK
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 24, 2006, 05:05:00 PM
Post by: DAGATOR on February 25, 2006, 03:23:00 PM
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/DAGATOR16/HOG%20BED/HOG1.jpg)
Picture two is a different angle showing many piles of scat that are many days/months apart. I'm guessing that a herd will use this bed many times in a year? This is all news to me so tell me your thoughts.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/DAGATOR16/HOG%20BED/HOG2.jpg)
Picture three is a close up of the bed (nest). I think they will nest up and climb all over each other during cold weather to stay warm. Is this what you see?
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/DAGATOR16/HOG%20BED/HOG3.jpg)
The fourth picture is a sixteen button rattle snake that will be on the back on my bow this summer. The first arrow missed 1 inch high. The second split his head.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/DAGATOR16/HOG%20BED/HOG5.jpg)
Thanks for all input, Clay
Post by: Littlefeather on February 26, 2006, 09:20:00 AM
Post by: DAGATOR on February 26, 2006, 12:37:00 PM
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/DAGATOR16/HOG%20BED/LAYOUT.jpg)
Clay
Post by: aussiebowhunter on February 26, 2006, 08:57:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 27, 2006, 09:53:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 27, 2006, 10:08:00 AM
Post by: Missouri CK on February 27, 2006, 02:00:00 PM
I have a question about night hunting.
I know you do some hog hunting at night. If sufficient moonlight isn’t available have you ever used a small battery powered light in a new set up location. I know you used that battery powered light at the bamboo blind but I didn't know if you had tried this somewhere else.
I have no clue how that would affect the game. I thought I would ask for any opinions.
Thanks,
Chris
Post by: Missouri CK on February 27, 2006, 02:01:00 PM
Post by: Littlefeather on February 27, 2006, 02:20:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on February 27, 2006, 05:12:00 PM
Had some of your breading mix again this weekend on some cubed buff steaks. Yum!.....thanks again.
Post by: DAGATOR on February 27, 2006, 07:17:00 PM
Glad you enjoy my breading mix. You need to fry some hog and turkey with it too! If anyone would like to get their hands on my breading mix, they can look up my personal information on Trad Gang to locate my website.
Thanks again Terry, Clay
Post by: DAGATOR on February 27, 2006, 07:19:00 PM
Glad you enjoy my breading mix. You need to fry some hog and turkey with it too! If anyone would like to get their hands on my breading mix, they can look up my personal information on Trad Gang to locate my website.
Thanks again Terry, Clay
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 27, 2006, 10:44:00 PM
Thats a handsome buffalo pedastal mount!
Think I will order some of that stuff to try, Clay. I bet it will be great on turkey breast fingers!
Post by: Carbon Caster on February 27, 2006, 10:48:00 PM
I know better, but I just had to.
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 28, 2006, 05:05:00 PM
by the way, that's one of the ugliest, but most unique, deer mounts I have ever seen. I have the ugliest pig in the world, and you have the homeliest deer....great minds I guess!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aussiebowhunter on March 01, 2006, 09:23:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on March 07, 2006, 06:39:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v306/beachbowhunter/feralhog1.jpg)
Post by: Glenn Newell on March 07, 2006, 09:59:00 PM
Post by: wingnut on March 08, 2006, 09:25:00 AM
Thanks!
Mike
Post by: Littlefeather on March 08, 2006, 10:09:00 AM
Shoot them quartering away or break that danged shoulder bone!!! CK
Post by: Ray Hammond on March 14, 2006, 10:19:00 PM
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/hogbed.jpg)
Post by: yleecoyote23 on March 19, 2006, 07:43:00 PM
Thanks to everyone for all their expertise and advice here!!
Post by: Terry Green on April 04, 2007, 12:52:00 PM
Post by: Longbowwally on April 04, 2007, 02:37:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/wallyholmes/hogrubandbw.jpg)
Post by: Littlefeather on April 04, 2007, 05:22:00 PM
Post by: Bobby Sikes on December 27, 2023, 02:31:48 PM
Post by: Wudstix on December 27, 2023, 10:13:21 PM
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Post by: rastaman on December 28, 2023, 03:28:29 PM
Post by: Skates 2 on December 28, 2023, 03:43:32 PM
Post by: Lefty on December 29, 2023, 11:15:55 AM
Yes mine too. It's really a shame that the crack pipe got in the way. He was a real asset to traditional bow hunting and Tradgang.
That's sad to hear! I hunted with Curtis in Texas years ago. I always wondered what happened to him. He was a great contributor to this site, back in the day!
Post by: Brockett on January 04, 2024, 03:06:52 PM
Post by: Terry Green on June 10, 2024, 10:14:19 AM
:campfire:
Post by: Wudstix on June 10, 2024, 11:19:09 AM
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Post by: beachbowhunter on June 11, 2024, 07:45:25 PM
I am sure that I have stuff to add to this thread since 2006 as I have been hunting hogs regularly since then, which is 20 years.... I will get to it as soon as I can.
Good grief has it been that long since I first joined TG?
:campfire:
Post by: Even on June 11, 2024, 09:19:50 PM
Post by: Terry Green on June 12, 2024, 07:59:41 AM
Join Date: May 2004
Post by: beachbowhunter on June 13, 2024, 11:49:49 AM
Post by: cacciatore on June 13, 2024, 12:39:17 PM
Post by: Terry Green on June 13, 2024, 01:24:09 PM
20 years last month! It wasn't too much later that we were hunting with Curtis down in the brush country. Still one of the most memorable hunts I've been on.
Norbert, you should come to Laredo with us..... it's chaos compared to the sweat hunts.
Have a read for yourself a read....
Any of the Laredo threads will fill you in....
https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?board=144.0
Post by: Terry Green on June 14, 2024, 09:43:30 AM
It will also serve as a good refresher course for yes I might have forgotten a few things. :campfire:
Post by: Terry Green on June 15, 2024, 10:18:06 AM
The second type of hogs are the dominant hogs. These hogs will either run singular or will run in a very small group of 3-4 hogs. These hogs are generally from 175# to the largest available. The Singular hogs are generally aged hogs that have seen everything the world has to throw at them. These are the true trophy's and require greater skill and determination to acquire as a trophy. Be prepared to fail if you have set out to hunt a lone, aged boar hog! These guys are sharp!"""
Post by: Terry Green on June 15, 2024, 10:25:18 AM
I And here's another two hundred and fifty plus pound sow
Now for instance this guy was running with a herd because he was after a hot sow......
More in a bit about the rest of that quote I posted....
Post by: cacciatore on June 15, 2024, 10:57:27 AM
Post by: Terry Green on June 15, 2024, 11:04:12 AM
Yes the easiest way to kill a big boar is when they follow a sow in heat.
Yes, sir agree. However it's hard to make that happen. :laughing:
Post by: pdk25 on June 16, 2024, 12:09:23 AM
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 07:37:06 AM
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 07:55:10 AM
I agree, and I believe they often leave more times than not as they are much more nomadic than deer.
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 10:07:19 AM
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 10:55:15 AM
The first hog was a sow protecting her piglets and I had no bow. We were just scouting before the hunt. The next two that charged me were shot by other hunters 1st and I was there on recovery.... the 4th was a different story and pertaining to a little bit of previous info posted but there was no grunt by me, only listening and responding aquordingly.
More on chargers in a bit...
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 11:14:44 AM
My arrow is the one on the left with the bright feathers. He turned his head to his left to go around a cedar to get me as the last shooter
had passed me along with the so called ",cameraman,". It was very bizarre as this hog reared up on his hind legs and shook like he was electrocuted and fell over on the spot.
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 11:26:40 AM
- [[/li]
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 11:33:30 AM
"Ah,... to hell with it" :biglaugh:
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 12:21:07 PM
Post by: Skates 2 on June 17, 2024, 02:18:36 PM
Post by: Terry Green on June 17, 2024, 04:02:03 PM
I'm not saying you have to hunt over water. But it better be on the property and not one little mud hole.
Big hogs will backup to water. And i'm not talking about a babbling trout stream. I'm talking about slow moving water that makes no noise. A very Slow moving Creek in Florida or in the South generally or a slew that backs up from a river. It also has to have thick cover from what I have found for them to hide. The wind will be from the opposite direction of the water most times. The water is there for noise factor so nothing will sneak up on them down wind. I have almost stepped on many hogs that were set up in this fashion.
Next up will be night hunting which is my favorite way to hunt them. It is the most unbelievable rush there is in hunting that have I found.
Post by: Charlie Lamb on June 18, 2024, 01:33:36 PM
Post by: Terry Green on June 18, 2024, 05:52:05 PM
I have killed a couple of hogs with a white light but I have spooked more than that. White lights suck and I won't get into why they do because if you use them after reading this that's up to you.
I have used green light for a long time.And I have no problem hunting with green lights and shooting hogs. Whatsoever from a feeder or stalking and walking up on them. I have stopped more hogs at night with a green light on my bow or a stationary light on a certain spot more than you can imagine successfully.
Take for instance, Patrick Kelly, and I have left the LTR Ranch five times and brought back seven hogs.
I've denied the last night after I had been there for 3 weeks and it was the last night and I had a very early plane flight. So, it could have very well been 8 hogs. I really wish I would have gone, but at the time I was so whooped and my flight was so early I said to heck with it. :banghead:
Some people claim that red lights are better than green. I can't argue because I don't know, but I do know that green has been perfect for me and has allowed me to get within twelve and even eight yards from multiple hogs before the shot on foot. 8 yards from 4 hogs it a RUSH!!!
12 yards from two like this is a rush also...
More insite when I get time...
Post by: Wudstix on June 18, 2024, 06:41:12 PM
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Post by: Terry Green on July 04, 2024, 01:18:01 PM
Here's what I use....
4 fletch Flow yellow/lime, white 9 inch reflective arrow wraps from Onestringer, Glory, now supposedly called Halo, lighted nocks.
I have yet needed the lit knock to find an animal, but it sure helps me see where I hit the animal. However, Smokin Joe has found 4 animals after dark due to the lit knocks. I found 2 and he found 2 when I was with other hunters. So, they definitely can help. Joe also uses about a 3 inch white reflective wrap on the very front of his arrows in case the arrow breaks in what ever fashion and the front end can also have a chance to be found.
Post by: Bobby Sikes on July 07, 2024, 11:31:01 AM
Post by: Sam Spade on July 13, 2024, 04:39:36 PM
Post by: Terry Green on March 13, 2025, 01:17:59 PM
Hogs will squeal when fighting, breeding or being shot in the vitals. I have
never heard a gut shot hog squeal, although I have recovered a few hogs
that I gut shot and several that other people shot. Of those gut shot hogs
that I have recovered were shot with multi blade heads. Hogs are notorious for moving a lot on their own, and stepping forward, stepping quartering away when calm, or simply wheeling at the shot if nervous.
Multi blades through the guts will release more toxins and make the
animal sicker quicker causing them to lay down sooner. And believe me, the sooner the better when they are in the thick stuff. They will also most times leave more blood sign with a multiblade and even an intestinal trail from time to time.
If you know fora fact that you gut shot a hog or any animal for that matter, do not pursue immediately. It's best to leave them alone and let them lay down only one time. Bumping them is the worst thing you can do as there will likely be no more blood sign hardly at all when they get up leading you to nowhere if you can't follow them by their tracks. I have found a lot of them by following their tracks, and lost their track many times also as gut shot hogs want to 'run with the pack' much more so than vital hits where they are more likely to single off to themselves. 'Running with the pack' is disastrous for trying to follow a single fresh track. Then pack will also 'drag' them further away most times. Wait at least an hour, preferably two.
Hogs, that huff at you have either seen you move or heard you. They huff to see if you'll move again or make more sound. They are trying to get a bead on you and find out what you are. I have never heard a hog huff that has gotten a snoot full of my scent. They may or may not grunt when they launch to run. Hearing or seeing something has a completely different reaction than if they smell you. If they smell you, the gig is up immediately and they will put some serious distance between you and them much more so than just sound or possible sight.
Those that hear you or think they saw you will put some distance between you and them, but not as far as smelling you and they will settle down and there's a possibility of you getting on them again. However, if you do get on them again in short order, they are much more wary if they possibly see or hear you again. This second time they will put a considerable distance between you and them and the gig is likely up at this point.
Hogs talk a lot to each other. Heck, if I know what all they're saying, but
I do know that I have seen sows talk to their young ones to keep them in
line as I've witnessed this many times over the years.