Hawgs on my land

[EddieWalker]

I live in an area that has a fair number of wild hogs. I've shot some, seen quite a few, and sometimes I take pictures of them. Last night, about an hour before dark, I went for a walk with my camera. It's a Cannon SX20 that I'm still learning how to use.

My deer feeder is towards the back of my property, and close to my neighbors property. I have 60 acres, he has 240 acres and on the other side of me is 460 acres of total jungle.

I took the first couple pictures at about 20 yards, but couldn't get any good shots because of how thick it was between me and the pigs. I backed up, and went around the trees to get a clearing shot from about 50 yards, maybe a bit more. It was getting dark and I switched from the Auto feature on the camera to the the Landscape feature. That gave me allot more light, or maybe I should say that the pictures came out allot brighter.

I took pictures until it was too dark, then just watched them chase each other around and make allot of noise until it was too dark to see them.

Eddie

 

[beenthere]

Sorry to see that. They are sure becomming a nuisance in other parts of the country too. Very prolific breeders and very destructive.
The best pics are the videos of shooting them from helicopters.

But good pics. Take the gun next time.

 

[jimmyj]

Your pig pics always blow me away Eddie. There are just so many! The wee ones look really tasty though. mmmmm....pork.

Farmers must hate them, I can't image what damage they would do to a cornfield.

 

[coreshot]

We don't have wild hogs in my part of the country. I have been wanting to go down to a friend's ranch in Texas to shoot some. Are they good eating? Sure seems like a guy could fill a freezer or three...

 

[EddieWalker]

Wild hog is much better eating then deer meat in my opinion. It's nothing like domestic pork. I think it has something to do with the diet of wild hogs, but from watching a show on National Geographic Channel, their DNA also changes when the go wild. Hair growth, ears change, tail straightens out and I'm guessing something to do with how they taste too. The really big ones are not very good to eat as steaks, but make OK sausages. Most of the big ones end up as coyote bait. The ones in the picture are all under 100 pounds, and the perfect size for eating. After 100 pounds, you are taking a chance on how good they'll be. Most of ths sows don't get much over that weight, but the boars can easily get over 300 pounds. In the 7 plus years that I've owned this land, I've only seen one that was allot bigger then that, and when I saw it, I thought it was a cow. It was massive, but with short legs. You see it and don't understand what you are looking at, then it hits you, that's one massive pig!!!!!! I've also seen others shoot hogs that won't go 200 pounds, but I'm told it's over 400 pounds. People lie about the weight of the hog they shoot more then the size of the fish that got away.

Pigs like the ones in the pictures are tender, full of flavor and good to eat without seasoning or maranade. You get about a third of the body weight in meat, or just a little less then that. It would take a few of them to fill up a freezer, but there are lots of them around here.

Most of the time they are nocturnal. In the fall, when the acorns drop, they disapear until the acorns are gone. For whatever reason, the most active month seems to be August. I also see them along the Interstate fairly often at last light. While most places have to worry about deer on the roads, we have hogs to worry about. I've seen several that have been hit by cars on the road I live on.

Eddie

 

[coreshot]

The only things we can shoot up here any time we want are jack rabbits and coyote. Neither are good eating. I think if we had something like wild hogs up here I would get my fill.:thumbsup:

 

[BruceWard]

My wife and a couple of her girl friends with similar birthdays want to have a Hawaiian themed luow party in June. We need a hog for roasting. They have moved into other parts of Arkansas but our farm does not have any wild hogs yet. I have some friends who have wild hogs on their deer camps and are planning to provide one. But I may come begging in June.

I am looking forward to the arrival, perhaps I should say reintroduction, of Razorbacks to our farm. They will be a nice addition to the venison!

 

[jayste]

Eddie, thanks for sharing. You must have definately been down wind to get those pics. I have to say I'm glad I don't have your "hawgs".

My wife and a couple of her girl friends with similar birthdays want to have a Hawaiian themed luow party in June. We need a hog for roasting. They have moved into other parts of Arkansas but our farm does not have any wild hogs yet. I have some friends who have wild hogs on their deer camps and are planning to provide one. But I may come begging in June.

I am looking forward to the arrival, perhaps I should say reintroduction, of Razorbacks to our farm. They will be a nice addition to the venison!

Bruce, from what little I know of feral hogs be glad you don't have them. Personally, I'd rather have the deer on my property than the hogs. Hogs are detrimental to the habitat. Deer can do their damage to crops but hogs are another story. If a person could manage both then that would be great. Unfortunately, the hogs will out produce the deer and the deer will leave. Even Eddie has posted on here some effects of the "rooting" of the hogs on some grass he's planted. I will say I'm a fan of both venison and feral hog meat but would rather assist someone elses problem of the hogs by thinning out THEIR hogs. Just my $.02 and that's worth a lot less in the present administration....oops I said it!:thumbsup:

 

[bullbreaker]

Awhile back local firefighter, son of a lady I know.Caught one(big male) in a big cage type trap.Instead of shooting it in trap for meat,Attempted to move it in a transport cage to take to other site for breeding with others.Somehow hog got loose with him in way,knocked him to ground.He ended up with 154 stitches in one leg.I didnt see it happen,but saw pics of his injurys.This was not this mans first rodeo when it came to handling wild hogs,but as we are all aware stuff happens.Pics of hogs on bottom are not of hog that injured man,(that hog is probobly still out there,bragging his side of story to his pack):licking:. Boone

 

[deerefan]

Kill em all and let the coyotes sort them out. They are tasty, though.