Going on my 1st Hog Hunt.

[RtWill78]

My first hog hunt is coming up this friday (4/1/05) and I need your help. I say this is my first hog hunt, and it is technically because last time I was deer hunting with my Longbow and saw some hogs and went after them, never getting a shot.

First let me describe this place I'll be hunting. It's river bottom land that is VERY thick, but it is bordered by green (grass and wheat) fields that parallel the river and the thick stuff (separating the fields from the river). The hogs have sometime in the last couple of weeks have rooted around in the greenfield. This is private land and the last guys that hunted it (my brother in law and buddies) didn't see any hogs, but they didn't know what they were doing either. Any tips would be great. I know that I have to use the wind to my advantage, but that's about all I know.

Thanks in advance,
Rtwill

 

[Walker]

If the hogs are hitting the fields there will be pronounced trails coming out of the bottom. With the wind in mind set up on a good trail and put out some bait to stop the hogs momentarily. Otherwise the hogs will probably pass you at a trot. Sprinkle some corn (no piles) or throw out several slices of bread.

 

[RtWill78]

Thanks Walker, I haven't seen this place, but I'll have a couple of morning to hunt it. So when you say sent up, is it best to sit and let the hogs come to you, or should we move as quietly as we can through the woods for a spot and stalk?

Also, what is the best bait you've used, I've heard more than once something about Diesel on top of corn is that right? Sound crazy to me, but hey they are pigs.

Also, are hogs easy to butcher yourself (like a deer) or do you all leave it to the pros?

Thanks again,
Rtwill

 

[RtWill78]

Also, I forgot to ask. I am using a 30-06 180gr and I'm carrying my .40S&W as a backup, is a .40 worthless as a back up on hogs?
Thanks,
Rtwill

 

[Speckmisser]

RT,

The 40 is pretty useless because that -06 should lay them out flat.

No, seriously, finishing shots can be anything from a 454 to a .22 LR. I've put the final shot into a couple with a 9mm. Works just fine.

If you're concerned about getting attacked, rest assured that it's not gonna matter what you try to fend them off with... just move out of the way and let 'em run. Then pop 'em with the rifle when they're thinking about what just happened. Unless you're using dogs or crawling after a wounded hog, real attacks are extremely rare. The more common thing is that the hogs are danged near blind, and they often run right at the hunter when startled because they can't see you standing there. Just step aside.

As to tactics... Never hunted the area you're in, but the words you've heard so far ring true. Find out where they're moving and set up. You can hunt them a lot like deer if you're in a good travel/feed corridor. Just get in early and leave late. We can't use baits here in CA, but if you can, I've recently been hearing about raspberry Jello mix as an attractant. Could be just a myth, but that stuff smells pretty strong and seems like it might be attractive to a hog.

Skinning a hog is a little tougher than deer, but the butchering is exactly the same. Keep a sharpener or a couple of knives handy for the skinning, as hog skin will dull a blade faster than anything I've ever cut on. A lot of guys like to use utility knives with disposable blades.... and I imagine those work great.

Good luck, and take pictures!

 

[RtWill78]

Thanks for the help Spec, I'll definantly take pictures.
Rtwill

 

[Walker]

I'm sorry RtWill78, for some reason I was thinking you were going archery. The problem with bait in your situation is the hogs probably aren't being baited before your arrival. They will take a day or 2 or 3 to change their routine into the fields and start hitting the bait. What I refered to in my first post was just a little tidbit on their travel route to get them to slow down. Spot and stalk in the bottom with a rifle could be very productive. If the weather is warm I'd sneak in to the mud holes around 2 in the afternoon and try to catch them wallowing. .

 

[RtWill78]

Thanks for the help everyone, my brother in law is going to put out some corn, bread and jello tomorrow in hopes that they'll find it before Fri or Sat.

Also, do pigs stay away from an area when they smell human scent, even if it's old, like deer do?

Thanks,
RT