Switching gears

[Petrichor]

Been trad only hunting for 6 years now. Mostly after just white tails.  For 5.5 seasons now I have yet to take a big game animal with a bow....I have been tempted to use other means but havent. I have taken a few squirrels which has been fun. In the south of Louisiana deer are super pressured and I have seen very few. I have come close 2 times but still have yet to get to draw on a deer in now 60ish hunts. Good news is I am getting out more this year than ever. I have had my best days in north louisiana but it's rare that I can make it up there. So it is the same with many bow hunters down here.

So rather than fight the system I'm gonna join it. I'm no longer actively looking for deer and that is ok.  If I see one great but from here on out I'm going for hog. In the past I have said I'm going for deer and if I see a hog I'll take a wack at it. Now I'm going the other way.  We supposedly have great hog hunting down here and after Terry's podcast im pretty inspired. Also, one of my heros clay hayes says that his favorite hunting is hog also. And I love me some pork.

This morning I got up early and hit a local hog hole. Didnt see anything but signs look very promising. I saw probably 3 or 4 hog tracks to every deer track. And some of the tracks were bigger than my feet!!!  I feel pretty hopeful but if you all have tips or tricks I'd appreciate them.  I have stand but also like roaming, in fact most of the deer I've seen have been on the ground. To call or not to call? What kind of call if any?   Any advice is appreciated. This bow hunter who has been patient and persistent in trying to take his first big game animal. 

Few details to help guide suggestions. I public land hunt only at the moment. So cant hunt hog at night unless I'm on private. I have a climbing stand. Can purchase of a call if necessary. I've attached a few photos from this morning. They say when the student is ready the master will appear. The student is ready.

Found the rooted up ground found the tracks.

[Wudstix]

Walk slow and softly, with the wind in your favor.  I am in a similar situation.

[Pine]

Hope you connect. 

[Petrichor]

Hope you connect. 

Thank you sir. I am ever hopeful and my faith in the trad bow and ancient ways endures.

[Captain*Kirk]

That's pretty cool, Dave. Sounds like opportunity is knocking (or should we say, 'nocking'?)
I have pretty limited access to deer hunting PHL and am looking into upland game hunting on PHL (squirrels, rabbits, etc) to fill the void.
We don't have feral hogs around here that I know of.

[Petrichor]

That's pretty cool, Dave. Sounds like opportunity is knocking (or should we say, 'nocking'?)
I have pretty limited access to deer hunting PHL and am looking into upland game hunting on PHL (squirrels, rabbits, etc) to fill the void.
We don't have feral hogs around here that I know of.

Here hogs can be hunted 30 min before and after sunset.  They can be hunted on public land during any other normal season and there is no limit.  It's considered a nuisance animal.  On private they can be hunted 24/7 365.

[Captain*Kirk]

Can you hunt over bait?

[Petrichor]

Can you hunt over bait?

No bait on public. And many places have banned the use of game cameras. I find it funny that for white tail both Mississippi and text make the top 10 of most lists.... not Louisiana.. why not its in between the two?

[Wudstix]

Hunting hogs in Texas is anyhow, anyway, and as often as you can.  With whatever you have in your hands when you see one.  Little joke is "shoot all the pigs you see and half the ones you don't"