Fortunate. Need help on how to hunt pigs in orchards

[3056_HUNTER]

This is my first post here so hi to everyone....

I am fortunate enought to have access to two different orange orchards that contain pigs. I guess they have been knocking over the warmers to get the bugs underneth them and destroying watering equipt. Both areas are achery only due to being close to houses and feared damage to watering equipt. First time out I missed a 250Lb sow from about 10yards away. too much brush and winded me as i released my arrow. My friend killed it two days later......:bag-on-head:

One area is bordered by a stream with dense cover and ALOT of beds. I am new to hog hunting and have been using some common hunting sense trying to bag one, buts it s not working. Just finished up on a forum search and took a few notes on tactics.
-hunting pressure = Nocturnal
-during warm hours hunt the bedding areas
-morning/evening hours hunt the wallowing areas (feed/watering)

There is ALOT of sign but no hogs to be seen. I am thinking they are nocturnal and going into the groves at night. what are some good tactics for nocturnal pigs? There is sign all along the stream area and doesnt appear to be any specific wallowing area they use because there is about a hundred of them.

Any suggestions would be great......i am addicted now. :bounce-aqua:

 

[bigboarstopper]

what part of the country are you in?

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Welcome to JHO 3056_HUNTER

the only good tactic for hunting nocturnal pig is to hunt them at night which we can't do here in Ca., maybe someday that would be cool. i dont think your going to change thier sleeping or eating habits anytime soon either. all the sign is there so all thats left to do is being in the right place at the right time so you have to patteren them and ambush thier stinky little piggi butts:hog chewing::archer green:.

i am also convinced that full moons keep them more nocturnal to where they eat hard all night and sleep all day so it that would be a good time to try an ambush them in thier beds.
if ya ever need a bowhunting partner let me know, i am really good at finding hot steaming fresh piggie poop thats for sure:rotflmao:. have a great day!...tra

 

[3056_HUNTER]

I think that is the only chance i got....im in SoCal so night hunting i out :-(

 

[jb229]

you can try to get a depredatation permit through the DFG which will allow you to hunt 24hrs a day. But what i have read the guidelines of this permit can be a bit confusing and contradciting. But congrats on the property to hunt on and good luck with your hunts.

 

[boar slayer]

follow thier tracks back toward their bedding area it mostlikely will be in heavy cover if you get an idea where it is check it out on google earth if they have been in that area you may see trails or at least the ways in and out of the orchard in cover .
they mite be knocking over the warmers to roll around in the oil to get rid of ticks they like railroadties especialy the greasy ones.
good luck have fun

 

[Badland Elite]

I understand your frustation because I was in the same predicament on similar ranch as well. Pigs in that kind of area are almost always nocturnal and to follow tracks can be pointless depending on the area. I scouted them just before sunrise to see where they were coming from. I will can guarantee that they will be near the creek in the worst part of the brush. Try to find routes in the brush they pass and pick a spot to ambush them. Hunting in that type of brush with a bow can be both hard and beneficial. I actually enjoy it alot more because an area with many pigs will cause them to not be as alarmed when you are stalking/ walking through. PM me know if you need help or any ideas.

 

[3056_HUNTER]

Nice bow Badland Elite, I shoot an Elite Z28 and my bro shoots a GTO. best bows ever....

i get nervious on my hands and knees with a bow in those beds. im going to go look at the nearby mtns. in a few minutes. maybe the flooding will push them out of the creek

 

[Badland Elite]

I love the Elite bows and wouldnt trade them for any others. The Z28 or GTO is next on my list maybe a Judge. Do you post on the elite archery forums, if so I have pics of my pig from two weeks ago in the same type of area.

I really wouldnt count on seeing them push out right away in the rains. I would wait until after the rains and follow the fresh tracks. The only reason Im not big on following tracks before rains is that pigs will suddenly change routes from on day to next to feeding areas. I have followed some tracks for miles only to be led to old beds. As far as being worried dont be just get in there, listen for movements and watch for any changes in pattern. One of my last hunts a herd of 15 pigs stood 12 yards from me if it had not been for the grunt I would have missed them. On several instances they actually came towards me to investigate.

PM sent

 

[SoJo]

One thing you may want to do is also put in place a trail camera in a couple specific areas you think they're coming in to the orchards. At least you'll have an idea from the timestamp when they're entering and exiting.

And, agree that they are probably held up in the thick stuff during the daytime. I would suggest heading out during the wet weather and look for fresh tracks or just after it rains. You'll be on them soon enough...GL!!

 

[RIFLEMAN]

For a static and well-established food source, I would bet that the hogs are coming and going from the same direction(s). I would suggest you walk the perimeter of the orchard and find the tell-tale signs such as hoof-cut trails, holes in/under fences, hair, etc. You may be able to catch them coming into the orchard a little early or leaving a little late.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

I would have to agree with SoJo. Invest in a few gamecams and set them up in areas that look like has recent activity. You will get pictures and times of exact activity and it will help you pattern them. GoodLuck....

 

[3056_HUNTER]

I would have to agree with SoJo. Invest in a few gamecams and set them up in areas that look like has recent activity. You will get pictures and times of exact activity and it will help you pattern them. GoodLuck....

I have two of em still set up from deer season. As soon as it stops raining im going to go get em and set em up.rayin :

 

[switch]

3056_hunter, I sent you a PM

 

[Hogbutt]

I heard of a tactic used in Almond orchards on Northern Ca. Sorry I can't say where but the rancher got a depredation permit because of the destruction to the irrigation system. What they did was drive out to the edges of the orchard between 12:30AM to 3:30AM and quietly unloaded quads. They made a plan of attack knowing the hogs were already roaming the orchard. So all at once they started their quads and blasted down the rows with spotlights until they spotted a hog to chase. According to what my source said the hogs only ran 50 or 60 yards before they slowed up and they wasted them with shotgun slug. My buddy was lucky enough to get a 200lb hog on the first night he got invited. Now I don't know how legal or illegal this is but it sure sounds like a hecka of a lotta fun!

 

[sidepass]

I heard of a tactic used in Almond orchards on Northern Ca. Sorry I can't say where but the rancher got a depredation permit because of the destruction to the irrigation system. What they did was drive out to the edges of the orchard between 12:30AM to 3:30AM and quietly unloaded quads. They made a plan of attack knowing the hogs were already roaming the orchard. So all at once they started their quads and blasted down the rows with spotlights until they spotted a hog to chase. According to what my source said the hogs only ran 50 or 60 yards before they slowed up and they wasted them with shotgun slug. My buddy was lucky enough to get a 200lb hog on the first night he got invited. Now I don't know how legal or illegal this is but it sure sounds like a hecka of a lotta fun!

Sounds more like killing and not hunting, plenty of advice on hunting them. Thats the challenge. JMHO

sidepass

 

[Hogbutt]

Your right sidepass. They shot everything.

 

[don766]

I have never tried it but have heard double 00 buck works very well at close ranges and does not carry far

 

[rodneyshishido]

I am most successful in the latter part of the day. I generally hunt the beds until about 4:00 PM then start working the feeding areas.

When hunting the bedding areas, make sure you approach from downwind and use your nose. I usually will smell a bedded pig before I see it. They don't smell bad, there is just a slight musty odor.

 

[3056_HUNTER]

The whole reason why we are allowed to hunt the area is because the hogs are destroying the area.....in his quote "do whatever u have to do to get these hogs out of here." we found some fresh wallowing areas and have set up game cams so lets see what happens. I am a meat hunter....i will take em any legal way i can.