Pig hunting advice!!

[leatherneck]

Ok all you pig hunters. I'm going to go after a few southern hogs in about 10 days and would like some of the expert advice. Never hunted them before so any pointers would be appreciated. Stalking methods,shots(do's and dont's), how to avoid those southern snakes,lol etc. Let me learn from your mistakes. Thanks.
Also-Some care advice after the kill would be appreciated.

Mike

[Charlie Lamb]

Shoot low and tight... not to be confused with high and tight, Marine.
Shoot 'em through the elbow and you'll be golden.

Forget the snakes, just hunt!

Gut and skin the hog then put in a chest full of ice.

If you save the kidneys, cook the piss out of them before serving.
       

[leatherneck]

Thanks Charlie!

[chopx2]

If you want a tip for cleaning the Kidneys so they taste great...

Partially freeze them, want them flexible, but stiff. Butterfly them open and remove all the whitish tissues from the inside.

Try frying them with bacon grease, bay leaf, and red pepper...you could also carmelize some onions in the drippings...Then invite me over for dinner! I'll bring a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine.

[Izzy]

Stalk aggressiveley, they arent nearly as spooky as a whitetail from my limited experience.Just hunt the wind.

[hockey7]

-my son and I went with Greg Campbell in March. We learned to play that wind. If you were in position downwind, and that wind shifted a bit, they picked up your scent like you wouldn't beleive. That was the most frustrating part to getting a shot.

[Dave Lay]

like izzy said they seem to have pretty poor eye sight but excellent noses.. stalk em ... std procedure move when they do stop when they stop.. and stay downwind

[chopx2]

Don't know about not seeing well,

The big 'uns seems to pick up movement very well. Had two bust me this summer when their heads were behind brush I was using for cover. Tried to draw so as they came out I'd be at full draw, but they swapped ends so fast I couldn't believe it.

I couldn't see their heads so i don't know how they saw me draw. Wind was perfect both times.

[leatherneck]

All this is good info. keep it coming.

[chopx2]

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=091393#000011

Check out this thread

[chopx2]

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=084174#000001

this one is on shot placement

[chopx2]

Do a search in PowWow under hogs and you will find a ton of threads most with some good stuff in them

[Looper]

There's really not much more to add. The wind is the biggest factor. Use some sort of wind indicator. I'd say you need to treat them as being as wary as a deer. From my experience, they see well enough to pick out movement, but don't seem to be as concerned about noises. A bunch of pigs make a lot of racket.

Regarding snakes, just make sure that if you need to cross a log, step on top of it, and never just step over it. Hogs have a way of cleaning out the snakes, anyway.

And, like Charlie said, try to hit that front elbow. Straight up the leg and the lower quarter.

[Bjorn]

If anybody tells you they are near blind and easy to sneak up on you are not talking to a hog hunter, so beware. For me deer are easier to stalk than hogs. Hogs are super aware of what is going on, and the more there are in a group the tougher the stalk becomes-but it can be done. Their sense of smell is amazing and they spot movement as well as a goat! So pay attention to the wind and if you can see their eyes don't move! Move quietly and slowly and you may hear them before they detect you.
Shoot them where others have said and use a 2 blade. IMHO

[tradtusker]

Originally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Shoot low and tight... not to be confused with high and tight, Marine.
Shoot 'em through the elbow and you'll be golden.

Forget the snakes, just hunt!

Gut and skin the hog then put in a chest full of ice.


           

I also like to stalk hogs aggressively, they are usually always moving. Their sense of smell is Very good, and very good hearing, watch the head and ears when stalking, Stop moving when they lift their head or prick their ears.

i always say "stalk them as quickly as quietly possible"

have fun its a blast hunting howgs.

[Bill Skinner]

If you try a slow stalk, they will walk off and leave you.  Use slow, smooth, movements, they will spot fast, jerky, movement.  Get one of the little bottles with UNSCENTED talcum powder and use it often, pay special attention to the air currents around your knees.  As far as cammy, don't get too light or too dark, they will pick out the contrast.  Jeans and a cammy tee will work if the jeans are not too faded.  A good pair of boots will stop all but the largest rattlesnakes, rubber boots with your trousers in them will stop everything.  Semper Fi! Bill

[leatherneck]

I'm getting pumped up just by all the advice. Thanks all!!!

[tradtusker]

your gonna have a blast.

what you need is a "respect" for Snakes not a "fear".

the bigger the boots you wear the louder you will be, i hunt pigs barefoot most of the time, if you really wanna get close.    :cool:

[leatherneck]

Now Andy, do you really think I'm going to walk barefoot in snake infested territory.  :eek:      Your just not right.lol      

[hunt it]

Andy's young enough he can get away with the loin cloth and barefoot deal and still look like tarzan!

As far as snakes go, I don't like them either but chaps are way too noisy to hunt pigs in. I've always found that when stalking your looking closely as to what your going to step on as to not make noise. You will see any snakes at this time. I've hunted Texas 10 times and Africa and Oz a bunch and never had a snake issue.