Stalking hogs

[GG]

Now that deer season is over, it's time to go after South Georgia Hawgs. I will be hunting on WMA's. What is the best approach once hogs have been spotted. I know the wind is vital, but is a slow stalk best, closing the distance quickly, or trying to get in front of them. I reaize every situation is different, but what works best for all the experts out there.

[Pat B]

Can you hunt hogs in GA on WMAs out of season?     Pat

[brent d.]

dont wait too long, the wind is always gonna change.

[GG]

You can hunt wild hogs during small game season, which runs thru Feb 29th, on many WMA's in Georgia.

[Chris Surtees]

Everything in your original post is correct given the situation. Always like to watch the situation develop a little before deciding on a course of action. Lots of things have to be taken in consideration but the hogs will pretty much dictate your actions.

[Bjorn]

Once you have spotted them go fast when you can and slow or not at all when their heads are up. Hogs are very smart creatures and they usually travel in groups, so at least one is watching and listening most of the time. Wind direction and noise are a given factor-right? I always think about how can I get to a spot they are likely to go as well, and get there first.

[Bear Heart]

I will be head to GA on the 24th of this month and be there for a couple of months. So what is a WMA?

[GG]

A WMA is a Wildlife Management Area and is owned by the state.

[bigislandmark]

Howzit Gray,

Alot of good advise so far! Da pua and wind will dictate the stalk when hunting on the ground.

I would also like to suggest that after you set up, look around  to see if there is any escape route for you jus incase da bugga decide to come at you.

 Most times---99% of da time, the pig would rather run than come at you. Luckily I haven't been chased up a guava tree---yet, but have come close on several occations. In my experience, sometimes a wounded pua will come at you--- not all da time but sometimes.  An-- da bugga no need be big either. I've had a small one-- bout 70lbs come at me after I put an arrow in him.

Also da pua no need be wounded to come at you. Last year I had a boar make 2 false charges at me and a friend. Pig came in and stopped around 15 yards away from us ran back and came at us again and stop even closer. I was excited about taking him but my friend was a little rattled.Long story short, he didn't present us with a shot.

 Dat being said---- they are however, alot of fun to hunt and make good eatin.

I know that you will enjoy your hunt!

Aloha,

        Mark

[Chris Surtees]

Bear Hart,

If you are going to Benning or Stewart you can hunt on the base. Benning is offering a $40 per tail bounty now.

Wildlife Management Area is sort of like the units in WA but much smaller.

[Apex Predator]

Hunt the wind!  The old nose is better than I whitetail I've heard.  They make a lot of noise feeding, so stalk them while they are pigging out if you can.  When they are travling, they move much faster than you could imagine, and it can be hard to get in front of them.

[Bear Heart]

No, Chris I will be going over to Gordon this time.  I think back to all the time I spent at Benning and wish I hunted back then. Saw plenty of guys get chased by pigs. SC might hold the nearest hunting grounds for those pigs.

[SOS]

Bear Heart,

Surprisingly few, if any piggies, have been taken off of Ft. Gordon.  Despite some good wet areas, they just don't hang there much.  Some great deer there, but the season closed last weekend.  The back woods of Gordon are actually designated as a WMA.

Tuckahoe, about 1:45 away from the fort is probably best bet for piggies.  Couple of others in the neighborhood as well with some decent populations.  Ft. Stewart is supposed to be great as well - about 2 1/2 hours.

The Gordon Sportsman's Club has some good places to shoot.  Also on the Georgia thread here on TradGang, you can tie into the Trad Bowhunter's of Georgia activities.  Couple of shoots coming up in the next few months.

PM when you are in town - I live in the Augusta area - actually got draw to hunt Gordon this year.  STeve

[wtpops]

Bjorn Hit it on the head.

The number 1 thing i have noticed in my 30 years of chasing them not counting there nose of course (YOU CAN NOT BEAT THERE NOSE!). Every one says their eyes are bad and there are but movement will bust you every time. with that said if you get caught out in the open and freeze solid and wait you will be ok, most of the time. Also your ears and nose are your best weapons for finding them in thick cover. If you have never smelled a wild hog up wind of you, once you do you will never forget it. and it will lead you right to them. one other thing about there eyes, they are SMART if they get a lot of hunter presure they will learn the silhouette of an up right human so when you get close to a bunch of hard hunted hogs hands and knees have worked for me.