You may be one of the people who have become interested in guided hog hunts. Naturally, you want to know more about it but you do not know where to start. One of the reasons why hog hunting has increased in popularity is because of their growth in population. These aggressive animals have the tendency to breed quickly. There may come a time when they will take over other animals and will disrupt the circle of life.
Hog hunting is very popular in Texas and this is because the population of hogs there have reached over 2 million. According to recent statistics, more than 50% of their current population would have to be wiped out in order to restore the natural order of things. It does not mean that just because the number of hogs have increased, different states have let go of their rules and laws regarding hog hunting. Laws still vary from one state to another.
It should be remembered that while hogs may be smaller than the usual animals that are hunted, they can be dangerous especially for beginners. They have the tendency to become more aggressive than other animals especially when they feel that they are being provoked.
Some Things You Will Know
By reading this guide, you will get to know a few things about guided hog hunts such as the following:
- Where you should hunt for hogs
- When you should hunt for hogs
- How you will be able to track hogs so that you can follow their trail plus you will get to know some effective track hunting methods.
- How you can catch hogs effectively
- Different tips and tricks to make hog hunting easier
Before you learn the different details about hog hunting, remember that having basic gear before you go on any hunt is essential. You will never know what is going to happen to you while you are there so it is best to prepare basic gear like your weapon (what you are going to use for hunting), knife, flashlight and even a first aid kit just in case you get hurt while you are there. Once you have prepared your kit, you can go hog hunting.
Where to Hunt for Hogs
While hogs have started appearing in different parts of the globe, you can hunt for hogs in Texas and Louisiana. These are the states that are a bit more lax when it comes to their laws and regulations but you still have some rules to follow. Anywhere in the Southern Gulf State will probably allow you to do some hog hunting. Main places where you can hunt are the following:
1. Texas
This is the place where the hog population is truly large. You need a general hunting license so that you can start hunting on public land. This is also the best place to do hog hunting as it is open all year.
2. Louisiana
The main reason why it has gotten lax on its hunting regulations lately is because the hog population here is rapidly growing. You would have to get a valid Louisiana license before you can start hunting and you are recommended to hunt when there is still light.
3. Florida
You may be surprised to know that hogs are normally hunted in Florida but the population of hogs in Florida and its different counties is no joke at all. The only time when hogs cannot be hunted is during Spring Turkey Season. Take note of this when you are making plans to go hunting.
When You Should Hunt for Hogs
It is apparent that hog hunting in various states is available all year round although there may be some restrictions depending on the place that you are going to choose. While you can hunt any day that you want, you have to be conscious of the time. Most states that allow hog hunting will not allow you to hunt at night or you may need to get a special permit for that.
Searching for Hogs
Now that you are already sure about where and when you are going to hunt for hogs, you have to be aware how you are going to detect and track hogs. You need to do the following:
1. You have to look for hog tracks.
To recognize hog tracks, they look similar to the tracks made by deer but are usually rounder and a bit wider.
2. If you have already seen tracks, look for uprooted soil.
This is another sign that there are some hogs around as hogs usually try to remove soil to get to the vegetation seen underground.
3. Search for nearby ponds and other small bodies of water as hogs usually love to hang around these places to cool themselves down.
Catching Hogs Easily
It does not mean that just because you have tracked down and have seen the hogs, you will be able to get them immediately. You need to know what they do every day. Hogs are like humans in the sense that they love following patterns.
- Make sure that you are able to hunt no matter what the current weather is. You may think that just because it is raining, you will not be able to catch hogs anymore but this is not the case. If you are smart enough and you are skilled enough, you can still catch any hog.
- Use calls in order to call out on hogs and let them go out from where they are hiding.
- From where you are situated, use your weapon to shoot on the hog.
- If you are still having trouble with catching hogs during daytime, you may also choose to hunt at night. Do it while they are feeding so that they will not be too aggressive.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that when it comes to hunting, you need to be committed so that it will not be a problem. Get to know the public property where you are going to hunt beforehand. Did you like the details about hog hunting that you have learned today? Perhaps you will be excited to share it with fellow aspiring hog hunters. Feel free to share your comments below and do not forget to share this article as well so more people will have the details they need to start hunting for hogs.