Hog Hunting: A Beginner’s Guide

Hog hunting runs in my blood. The European last name on my family’s maternal side translates to “the place where men kill boar.” I have hunted hogs for decades using handguns, bolt-action rifles, lever action rifles, black powder rifles, semiautomatic rifles, and even knives.

Feral hogs, with an estimated U.S. population of nearly seven million, range across 35 states. Their prevalence and the havoc they wreak on crops and ecosystems explain their popularity as hunting targets. Hog hunting can be as simple as picking them off from an elevated stand near a feeder or as challenging as executing a long shot during a stalk in steep terrain.

How you hunt hogs depends on the location, time, and conditions. Hunting hogs in central California’s coastal mountains differs from hunting in the impenetrable brush of south Texas or the swamps of Louisiana.

Although entire books have been written on hog hunting, here we’ll provide the essentials to help you bring home the bacon, including examples of what not to do.

Consider Booking a Guide

The best-eating hogs are boars weighing under 150 pounds or sows of any size.

As a beginner, it’s helpful to befriend an experienced hog hunter or book a hunt with a reputable guide who specializes in hogs. Be cautious when selecting a guide. Some will offer hunts employing different techniques, such as bay or catch dogs, spot-and-stalk, hunts over feeders, and even nighttime shoots. Choose a guide based on your preferred hunting tactic and conduct thorough research by asking questions, checking references, and understanding success rates and hunt policies.

DIY Hog Hunting

For the do-it-yourself hunter, scouting is essential. Hogs can’t be shot if they can’t be found. Private land generally has more hogs than public land. To determine hog activity, scout for fresh sign like well-worn trails, bristly hog hair on fences, fresh tracks, and fresh rooting. Other indicators include muddy wallows, scraped bedding areas, rub trees, scat, and torn-up cowpies. Torn-up ground beneath an acorn-dropping oak tree also indicates hog activity. Monitor these areas with optics or trail cameras.

Depending on the terrain, spot-and-stalk hunting can be effective for hog hunting. Stalking should be done with the wind in your favor due to hogs’ excellent sense of smell but poor depth perception. In some areas, spotting hogs from high ground and stalking early or late in the day when hogs are on the move can be effective. Still-hunting involves moving slowly and quietly through hog habitats, listening for grunts and snorts, and scrutinizing dark-shaded areas for hogs. Stand hunting from a tree stand or blind can also be effective, ensuring you position yourself downwind and arrive quietly. Hunting hogs at night is increasingly popular, using hand-held spotlights, weapon-mounted lights, or night vision. However, caution must be exercised when hunting at night.

Cartridges and Bullets for Hog Hunting

Most common deer-hunting cartridges work well for hogs, with .308 Winchester being a reliable choice. It offers sufficient power, range, and bullet options. .243 Winchester is a minimum and .30-06 Springfield is a maximum, with plenty of intermediate cartridges like .308 Winchester. Avoid full metal jacket bullets and choose expanding bullets like Federal Fusion, Hornady ELD-X, Federal Terminal Ascent, Swift A-Frame, Nosler AccuBond, Partition, and Barnes TTSX. Always be prepared to make a follow-up shot if needed.

Shot Placement on Hogs

Beginner hog hunters should focus on heart/lung shots rather than head or spine shots. A heart/lung shot is more forgiving and increases the likelihood of an exit wound. Avoid shooting at the sloping forehead of a hog, and always respect the dangers associated with hunting boars.

Eating Wild Hogs

Hog meat is delicious when properly prepared. Ensure you handle and cook the meat correctly to avoid diseases. Wild hog meat is leaner than domestic pork, so slow, moist cooking methods are recommended. Different recipes can enhance the taste and make it a crowd-pleaser.

Final Thoughts

Feral hogs are an invasive species, but they can also be seen as a hunting resource. They offer various hunting techniques and present a challenge when hunted with fair-chase principles. Make the most of your hog hunting experiences and continue to sharpen your hunting skills.