Techniques?

[KianZadeh]

Heading out for pigs this weekend, its going to be my first time targeting them exclusively and I dont know what to expect. Should I be hunting spot and stalk, still hunt, or should I be setting up near a wallow, feeding/rooting area, or a heavily used water source. Im going to be hunting a private ranch that holds a lot of pigs apparently but its semi guided so Ill know where the pigs have been, where they bed and the general area in which they feed in. All advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Planetcat]

Assuming you dont get much detailed info from the guide, first time in a new area, I would be constantly on the move in the morning. Following any tracks and well used game trails. In the evening,I would gather what I learned in the morning and take a stand in between food/water and bedding areas. I take it you are hunting in oak strewn hills and not open plains, like barley fields.

 

[garlicsalt]

Priest valley?

 

[KianZadeh]

Thank you so much for the help, I believe its both barley fields and oak hills. I'm going to be hunting in the afternoon the first day and the morning the next day. The piece of land is near Paso Robles.

 

[Planetcat]

Thank you so much for the help, I believe its both barley fields and oak hills. I'm going to be hunting in the afternoon the first day and the morning the next day. The piece of land is near Paso Robles.

East Paso tends to be more open plains and barley fields. You will need to glass for sign and walk the canyons and ditches. The come out of nowhere from the smallest depressions in the open country. My advice in the first post is for more wooded hog hunting like West Paso. Good luck!

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Yeh I would definitely key in on the barley fields for sure a real favorite for wild hogs especially sows with little ones. Sounds promising if it all goes together don't try to overthink to hard. Play the wind use your senses, sight , hearing and smell especially if u r walking and stalking them. If their is sounder or small group u will hear them squealing from biting on each other u can hear their jaws popping. With a big group if wind is in your face u will catch a
wiff of them that can alert u. Stop at advantage points and glass a little bit check fields and especially big trees that provide shade underneath.
Relaxe, point, shoot and seal the deal. I make it sound easy Ha but u never know. Good luck on your pig hunting adventure and cant wait for u to post up your trip.....tra


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[KianZadeh]

Thank you guys so much, got a lot of helpful tips and I will definitely make a post trip report, hoping for the best and not expecting much. 250 bucks for a semi guided hunt on private land that holds pigs doesnt sound too bad.

 

[Bankrunner]

I'm not a big pig hunter and never hunted a ranch before but i'll try and help.
It might be to early for barley (they seed out late spring/early summer unless they planted a fall crop), the pigs could still be cleaning up acorns but it's a bit late for that. They could be rooting for roots, shoots and worms/bugs with as much rain as we've had and if there'r doing that it gives em more freedom to roam. Talk with the ranch and get a feel from them and try and get a good feel for how much the ranch has been hunted lately. If it's had pressure the pigs will probably leave cover late and be back to cover early.
It might not be a bad idea to look at the ranch in google earth and look for cover and travel corridors like the ones mentioned also meadows our flatish spots where pigs like to root.
Remember pigs have good sniffers and ears but their eyes are not that good. Hunt them with the wind in your face or with a crossing wind that won't let them smell you and that will let you get away with some movement if your quit.
And be ready for a moving shot, it seems like if they aint sleeping those pigs are always on the move.
Good luck, can't wait for the report.