****hogs and Rain****

[Manny_Silva]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping some of you can explain how rain effects wild hogs as it relates to hinting. I know most Hogs bed during hot weather during day light. Is it the same when it's raining? Also when hunting in the rain how is your sent effected? Can Hogs smell u just as well in the rain? Thanks in advanced

 

[Wild1]

Rain doesn't effect hogs much, unless it's a torrential down pour - in fact, in some areas the pigs will come out to feed in the rain, when they normally would not (due to worms and other subterranean critters coming up to the surface of the earth). Rain will help with scent, but not a lot - still have to play the wind.

 

[Manny_Silva]

Thanks wild one. Always wonderd about that.

 

[Bigbadboar]

Rain does affect hog behavior. Resources that weren't available during dry conditions become available to the hogs so they may take advantage of those available resources by changing their daily patterns and occupy different areas. The moisture in the air will makes scent particles easier to pick up within their nose, so there sense of smell improves. As already stated, you can still beat their nose by staying down wind.

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Wild pigs definitely come out in the rain and yes rain helps contain the scent to a degree depending on hard it's coming down. But the best reason I enjoy hunting in the rain or after it rains is noise suppression control of your foot steps or when u are trying to creep in some wooded oak areas, when California is in its dry spell everything is super crunchy and loud when u are trying to hunt which cuts down the chances of getting close opportunities and they are already gone because they hear u coming in advance.
Remember 1 thing the more excuses or reasons u choose from keeping u to get out and hunt will only hurt your chances in the long run for successful opportunities.
No matter if it's hot no matter if it's cold no matter if it raining no matter if it's a holiday get out and hunt, wild pigs can be unpredictable as well as predictable.
Don't get caught with your pants down in the wood's because that's when a wild pig be there for the shot......lol.....tra

 

[CottonwoodHunting]

Depending where you're hunting, wild pigs are generally nocturnal. Do the pigs have an alarm on their smartphone that tells them to be in bed by the time the sun rises? Nope. So, how do pigs know when to bed down? Its pretty simple. Pigs start bedding down when the following two things start happening:

1. The sky starts to get brighter.
2. The temperature starts to get warmer.

Okay, but what about when its overcast & rainy? Does that change things? Yes...

1. The sky isn't all that bright. In fact, the sky is kinda gloomy & dark.
2. Its not that hot out & the hot rays of the sun are blocked by clouds.

What does this mean for pigs? It means the pigs will stay out later in the morning. In California it is illegal to hunt pigs prior to 30 minutes before sunrise (unless perhaps you have a special permit?). This law puts pig hunters in a bind. Pig hunters are supposed to hunt pigs during the day, yet pigs are nocturnal. So, what's an ambitious pig hunter to do? Wait for the next rainy day! The pigs will be more likely to stay out & about, for longer, during legal hunting hours. On a typical day you might have a 30 minute window of opportunity in the morning, but on a rainy day you might have, say, 90 minutes. Of course it isn't an exact science, but in hunting, minor changes in pig activity can increase your chances greatly.

 

[thewolfman]

OK... I m no expert or am a scientist on wild pig behavior... I m only going by my hunting experiences... Depending on where the wild pigs are, like is it public land or private land... I ve seen pigs out in the hot summer day feeding in the middle of a field under just a lone tree on private land... I ve hunted wild pigs on public land and saw pigs slowly feeding into thick brush as late as 11 am in the morning in the summer... Ive also seen pigs going out to water at 3 pm in the afternoon in the heat of day on publicland...So like Tra said... Be out there hunting as much and as often as u can...

As far as rain and pigs go... Rain is the best time to hunt pigs any where... Rain will bring out the worms and soften the grounds for pigs to dig up roots and grubs... I personally like to go hunt after a big storm..note: not during a big storm but after... So rain is a perfect time to get out and hunt...

The scent thing for me is this... I ve hunted for almost 30yrs and have yet to use any type of scent control... I was taught at an early age to work the wind in my face and scout scout scout and scout out some more of the places u gonna hunt... I practice the hunt and scout every single time I m out... This is from my experience... I hope that helped alittle... Goodluck

 

[Manny_Silva]

Awesome. Lots of good and insightful info here. The common theme her is to keep the wind in your face and don't let the weather dictate hunting plans thanks everyone Ive got another question posted. Would love the input.