hog hunting.

[oxn316]

hey guys i would like to try hog hunting, but i have no clue how to look into it. is there a lisence, where can i go and what kind of bullet should i use to shoot them with? Anybody offer me some help on getting started.

[WillD]

Check your local regulations. Here in Texas they are not considered "game " animals hence no season or limits but you do need to possess a valid license. Since they are the #1 pest/varmint in this state there are additional leniency's for night and most recently hunting from helicopters.

I don't know much about hunting arrangements in Ohio, I'm sure someone will fill in, but if hogs are as prevalent there as they are here I suspect asking land owners for access would be the best place to start. As far as bullet types go there is a certain amount of hog mythology. Some will tell you they are tanks on the hoof IMO to offset poor bullet placement. I wouldn't advise target, varmint, or other thinner jacketed bullets. As always proper bullet placement is key to any game retrieval.

I hope this helps. Good hunting, Will

[buckbustn]

It's the same here in Oklahoma. You have to have hunting license, but they're considered a nuisance animal, so no season, tags, or bag limit. It's pretty great in my opinion considering if done right, wild hog taste oh so good.
As far as caliber, bullet size etc, they have a pretty thick hide, but if it will drop a deer it will drop a hog. I've been with buddies who have taken them down with .17hmr up to .308 soft points.
Just don't get caught on the ground if you've ticked one off, or a sow with young. They're mean $%-*+%-& and have some pretty wicked cutters in their mouths.
Matt

[DangerClose]

Like Buck said, they only become the tank when they want to kill you. What are your ranges of hunting? I prefer on the ground with some dogs, so I opt for big boy calibers. Currently using a rem 870 with slugs. But, if you need accuracy at range, then find the tool to fit your hunt. Big boy calibers INHO are a better pick. I might be able to shoot a hog from a stand and make a kill with a 17 HMR, but if there is one 25 meters from me when i get off my stand, the .17 will likely just piss it off more. Big boy calibers or a good handgun.

[StoneTower]

It depends on the state you are hunting in.

In California we buy our tag, usually have to pay for access to a ranch (the one I went to has 276,000 acres) and look for a suitable target for 2 1/2 days. When you find your target, you take a deep breath, line up your scope, let half the breath out and squeeze the trigger shooting him 2" behind the ear. Then when the hog drops to its knees and your hunting buddies call out "hit him again" you pull the trigger once more but this time lining up on the left shoulder. Both shot were complete pass through and the second shot broke both shoulders. I now know that she would have soon been dead from the first shot but I think the guys just wanted to enjoy the follow-up shot from the Grendel.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...ejon-Ranch

[buckbustn]

That's precicely the reason my handgun is unsnapped when I start climbing down Danger

[StoneTower]

Since I started hunting with the Grendel, I stopped taking my handgun into the field. We walk many a mile and the extra weight (lead, steel and plastic) get heavier the further you travel. If I can't get a few shots off with the Grendel in an emergency, it is too late to start thinking about trying to un-holster a handgun. Keep your thumb on the safety and your head on a swivel

[bwaites]

I'm sure the Grendel will work just fine, but for areas where I might not see them until they are close, I think I'd be carrying the Beowulf!

[buckbustn]

I carry my xd40 with me anytime I go into the woods anymore. Not for hogs though. The last few years I have found cat tracks as big as my fist, on 2 seperate properties i deer hunt. Not that I'd actually be able to do anything about it if one decided to have me for supper, but having my .40 along gives me peace of mind at least. And, the funny thing is when we were children we never thought about stuff like that, even going deep in the woods with nothing but a daisy bb gun.

[buckbustn]

I do not know this man, he is a friend of my aunt's ex husband. This bad boy was shot in Jet Oklahoma a few years ago. This is why I'm always heads up in the quite places of the woods. And sorry, just like most threads this is off main topic, but I couldn't resist sharing with the current direction of the thread.

[StoneTower]

If you actually got attacked by a big cat (where you could not use your AR-15), I think a large tactical knife would be a better weapon than a handgun. One of the guys (there were 15 of us hunting that weekend) saw a big mountain lion the first night we were there. That same weekend a guide that belonged to the ranch (but not connected to our group hunt) was run up a tree by a big boar. He had to shoot the hog so he could get back to his truck after it showed no willingness to leave or let him get down.

[davidj]

That's one BIG kitty!

[DangerClose]

Remember with knives......you get in a lot closer than most people want to be. A hog's tusk is much like a knive, so expect to be hurt as well. No one gets out of a knife fight without a scratch.

One is none, and two is one. If my grendel fails, I want a secondary system to go to. I like the pistol over a knife because it still gives me 25+ meters to work with. A knife is SHTF and its do or die time.

If a pistol in a holster is too heavy, look for pack options of a chest rig. Or train if you are able. If you are not crippled or a recent surgery tester, then work out a little. Lose five pounds to carry a 2 pound pistol. JMHO

[DangerClose]

VERY big kitty, btw.

Wow......

[buckbustn]

Indeed it is. My aunt's ex said his friend (the man in pic) is 6' 215lbs. So that cat is pushing upwards of 200lbs at least. I'm still not sure which I'd rather be tagged by. A cats 2" claws or la hogs 2" cutters. Luckily all the hogs I've taken were dropped long before I had to worry about it.

[StoneTower]

The cat is 10x more dangerous. You could be dead from a neck bite before you know you are even being attacked. A women was killed about 10 years ago in Auburn California (30 miles from my house). They think she bent down to tie her shoe when the cat took her down.

[DangerClose]

I can agree to an extent. Cats are ambush predators. If you get ambushed, then chances of survival are slim. But, I think hogs are deadlier.

My argument, is cats ambush to make the chance of them being hurt slim. Hogs, will attack for no other reason than their nature. The cat, if maced or shot, will run to eat another day. A hog, with x number of rounds in it will charge you till it can breath no more after it chased you up a tree while it is rooting the tree to get you on the ground.

I think the sheer determination and pride of the hog makes it a much deadlier threat. To add, look at how many piglets a female hog has in one year, then look at the cat. Sheer numbers....

[buckbustn]

I was being sarcastic about which I would rather be tagged by :-) . Danger I somewhat agree with you, however I have seen vids of wounded mt lions. They are a wicked force of nature.

[WillD]

+1 for hogs being the greater danger and more aggressive. My younger brother has lived in lion country for the last 40 years and while he has seen them on rare occasion it is far more likely to only see tracks. A lion would have to be really hungry or pretty pissed off to pursue a grown man. Hogs on the other hand are much more willing to close the distance. I have had hogs in traps 100 yards away bloody their noses on the side of the trap just because I walked into sight. I could also hear their jaws popping at that range.

[sneaky one]

I am trying to put a pig hunt together at a pal's -bro in laws place near berryville ark. Sounds like I my need a mini-gun! We have cats, and timberwolves, 2 packs in my 3 mile sq. area., here in MN. They claim to have wild, or feral hogs next door in wisconson. I thought they would be a great source of state income if they included them in with other big game lic. and regs. All you guys down south can't shoot them all, so I'm comin down to help, look out oinkers!