Dispatching of Feral Hogs

[wushaw]

It's shot placement on a pig... not necessary caliber size. Not unless were talking .50cal then just about anywhere will leave a blood trail a two year old can follow.
I have taken several pigs with my bow, they taste good and alot of fun to hunt.
Traps will work for a short time, they will wise up to them.

As far as complete erradication it really won't happen but you can thin the heard pretty good with simi-auto rifle with scope and weapons light mounted to it.
Ear, heart or lung preferably both are the best spots.

 

[HGM]

I wish you were closer to Ga.. I'd give you a hand, they're good eating...

Anyhow, you could run an add in the local paper or here to start.. See what kind of responce you get..

As for hunting them yourself. A 12ga will work, but not as effective as a 30-06.. Buckshot would be hit or miss, they have a very thick shoulder plate that, along with the tough hide, will allow them to walk away after being shot.. I would recomend a rifle(whatever cal you want as long as its accurate) and just place the shot behind the ear or in the eye.. They will drop in their tracks, and you wont mess up the meat..

Really, they are good eating.. Takes some work, and if you have that many it could be a bit much.. But, a local search may help, maybe a deer processor has options too??

 

[EddieWalker]

If you want to cut down on the hog population, then shooting them is a total waste of time and energy. Shotgun is next to worthless at any range and the small calibers are fun for plinking and small game, but totally under classed for hogs.

You have tow methods that will actually work. Trapping is very effective when you keep up at it. Good bait and moving the traps around to new locations. Dirt on the bottom also helps. If you ask around you can sell them for a buck or more pound live weight. Check with the Mexicans, they really love the meat!!!

The most effective method is poison. I've never done it myself and don't know what works the best, but just about every old timer you talk to has a recipe of what they like to use. If you really push it, you might be able to get the local populations down by half.

They are rabid breeders and go into heat almost as soon as they give birth. By the time teh piglets are done feeding off moma, she's got a new batch coming out.

It's a loosing battle, but you can make a difference with some effort.

Good Luck,
Eddie

 

[JoeR]

I have the same problem on my property too. Florida Environmental Protection actually asked me to start handling the problem since they were destroying my property and the protected wetlands on my property. In Florida feral pigs are considered livestock when they are on your property, so you can shoot them day or night. I found the 12ga with 00 buck is only good on the pigs under 150lb. If they are over that, then they are just too big, and the 00 doesn't penetrate deeply enough. I have shot them with a .223, and it seems the .223 round works well if you place the round properly. I prefer rounds in the .30 cal range, this way it knocks them down and they don't get to charge me. Regardless of caliber, I find myself hunting them at night. Their eyes don't reflect light, and its hard shooting at a dark colored mass, even with a light on the end of the barrel it is still difficult shooting. After a couple of nights of hunting, the pigs got smart, and realized that any light meant run! It is hard to acquire a fast moving target in the dark. I got so frustrated with them destroying my pastures, that I borrowed an AN/PVS-4 night vision scope. Worked great! I took 5 pigs with 6 shots in one night. I am not a hunter, but I have shot pigs and coyotes trying to either kill my chickens or destroy my pastures.

Joe

This one was so heavy I had to use a lead rope and my tractor to drag him.

This is the coyote that almost wiped out my flock.

 

[YanmarFever]

Caylor,
If you buy some folks here the plane ticket & license , you can kiss them hogs away !!
Its all done under darkness
Ernie

 

[SkyPup]

I've been using my Sig P229 in caliber .357 SIG with 125 grain hollowpoints on our wild hogs at close range <50 feet with excellent success, it puts a hole through them about the size of my fist.

I also carry my trusty Winchester lever action .44MAG for the big sows, the pistol is good for everything else.

Whatever you do, do not try shooting them in the head, the bullet will richocet off their skull. Put it into a front shoulder blade and take out either the lungs or the spinal cord.

 

[caylor]

Thanks for all the input guys. We have several traps set up already and have a standing order with my and my neighbors mexican chicken house workers that they can hunt/trap/whatever the hogs on our property as long as they check in with us first.

I really like the AR-15 idea. This is the perfect excuse the buy a new gun, it should not be too hard a sell with the CFO since she has seen all the damage done so far.

Pardon my ignorance here, but are hogs primarily noctural movers? Every time I have seen them it has been out in the open just after dawn or prior to dusk. I certainly like the possiblity of setting up on an area with my favorite cooler of adult beverage and helping "control" the population.

 

[dooleysm]

Drinking and shooting, I don't see how you can go wrong!

The AR15 is a mean little gun. I loved mine. I could put 29/30 rounds in a pie plate at 100 yards with the open sights. I sold it 3 years after I bought it for a $25 profit!

Loved it even better then.

 

[texasjohn]

Hogs are often nocturnal as you have indicated. However, depending on conditions of available forage, shade, temperature, etc. you can find them during the day as well.

 

[gsganzer]

Put up a deer feeder and a blind. Then you can sit back at dusk and wait for a few to come to you. Like others have said, try to get the momma's and the boar.