Hog 101

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A

AStone

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Aug 5, 2005
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Location
Far N, E coast
I'm moving to Florida in November.
Having grown up in Tennessee, eating pork BBQ,
which doesn't really exist in my home state, I'm hungry.

I own a .30-30 (click 30 in the sig line), more than adequate -- unless you piss off a big boar.
My hosts in Florida tell me there are thousands of square miles there to hunt hog.

So, this is where I'll learn more about hog hunting. There are LOTS of people on THR with experience hog hunting. So I'm going to be a student here, and learn from them. I'll help summarize ideas -- I like learning that way. Hopefully, it will benefit others.

Here's a partial list of topics.

  • Appropriate calibers -- of course: .223 to .45-70
  • Hunting strategies
  • Previous threads (some no longer accessible)
  • Non-THR hog hunting pages
  • Should you carry a handgun?
  • Field dressing, butchering, recipes
  • What knife for field dressing and butchering?
  • Hog diseases that can infect human hunters
  • History: why hogs are a problem in the south
  • Projections: why hogs will likely be a problem in the north
  • Hog attacks
  • Fun hog facts
  • The role of hog dogs
  • State laws
  • Seasons
  • Other stuff
 
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Ok, here are some links to start with. I'm studying all of them. I hope they're useful to others, too.

re feral hogs -- addresses history

Massive hog hunting thread

Florida wild hogs

Feral hog control in east TX

Why you should hunt and eat them

Skinning, butchering and diseases

Hog attacks

PS: originally, these links were spread over about four posts. I kept finding and posting them last night, but got lazy and posted to several instead of editing and adding to this one. A mod kindly deleted the empty posts for me.
 
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Just keeping this one open, hoping some hog hunters will post and teach me some things.

OK, let's start with a simple question: what caliber do you most use for hogs?
 
I have likely killed more with 7mm bullets than anything else with rounds as light as 7mm BR most likely came out of a 7-08 though. Lots of stuff will work though if they are in a trap a .22 pistol is fine.


Trapping is not a bad strategy if we are "hunting" we generally use game radios I built as we can cover a lot more ground and not actually need to be there until the hogs are there. They are motion activated and power up the keyed radio and play back a prerecord end location message when movement is detected. Use "pet" lenses and bury your corn so deer won't set them off.

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Don't have any links for you.


I think one should always carry a hand gun.


Dressing them out is easiest for me using a front end loader. Pick them up and drive to wherever you want the gut pile and field dress them. We have a long aluminum table that we use for butchering not unlike something one would use for fish. Lots of recipes one that is pretty good if your doing feral hog for the first time is to deep fry the back strap using hot pork rinds mixed into the batter, we call it twice baked pork. Hides "game" taste better than anything else.

Used many knives from leatherman up.
 
So cool to wake up to fresh posts this morning. :) Thanks, guys. I was starting to get lonely in here. :D

Really interesting stuff already -- I knew I was going to learn lots here.

JMorris, you may be giving me a reason to look at 7mm08 again. I researched them years ago, but never jumped. Don't really need one in Maine for the most part, but for Florida, could be interesting.

The radios are an interesting idea, too.

Spitballer, that guide service looks very interesting, and to start off, to get some experience, maybe just the way to do it. Learn with pros. Not too far from where I'll be based.

They have a very ... um, interesting client relations department (see contacts page). <ahem> :what:
 
Having a hard time focusing on work today. (Most of my work is scheduled for tonight, so I'm easing into the day. Going next to get a shipping estimate for a revolver I sold last evening.)

But during lunch, I've been reading more reviews on hog calibers, including 7mm08 and .223/556, and looking at some rifles. (Already fond of a couple of Ruger Americans, one in .223 with a 16.1" barrel -- love short barreled rifles.) I'm reading that with proper range, shot placement and ammo (including some of the new hog-specific rounds by several makers), .223 is a fine round for hogs, and does as good or better than 12 ga slugs or .45-70. Would enjoy reading opinions about the .223.

ETA: Here's an article that addresses the .223. He claims it's adequate with caveats that I mentioned above, and links to several manufacturers that are making hog worthy rnd for the .223. Color me curious.

Anyway, along the way, I stumbled on this beautiful new Leupold scope for hogs; the VX-R Hog. Love the concept. I'm already a Leupold fan -- I have one for my Remington 597 HB that I hope to shoot for the first time this week.

Now, I may have to get one of those VX-R Hogs for my .30-30. Could be even better than the ghost rings that are on it.

LEUPOLD-VX-R-Hog-1_25-4x20-Rifle-Scope-Profile-113165-Pic1.jpg
 
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JMorris, you may be giving me a reason to look at 7mm08 again. I researched them years ago, but never jumped. Don't really need one in Maine for the most part, but for Florida, could be interesting.
Click to expand...

I found the 7mm BR would do everything I needed to do loaded right but back then the cost to convert a model seven to 7mm BR cost more than downloading a 7-08 for the same job.

The rifle is just better for night hunting on the move, I always liked the results during the day with my XP-100. A nosler partition (140gn at 2000 +\-) always did the job for me, 1 round per hog.
 
While I'm a big fan of the 30-30 for hogs in the Okeechobee area, I'm going to try .450 Bushmaster next month just to change it up.

The 30-30 carbine is nice and sweet midst the brush down here.
 
After work, and after dinner, somehow, I found myself on a trajectory following 300 AAC Blackout.

Well, OK, it actually started earlier when I stumbled on a page describing Ruger's American Rifle Ranch.
But then, I was stuck on 5.56/.223, because several sites claim that .223 is an effective hog gun. That appears to be true.

But, after dinner, I watched all those vids and read other sites about the 300 Blk.

Now this comes from a .30-30 guy, so I'm drawn to .30.

But from this reading and vid watching, I can see that 300 Blk is punctuated equilibrium, a phase transition in evolution of .30.

I want this rifle in 300 Blk. I understand why that 16.1" barrel will work, and cut right through a hog's shield.
 
The Ruger scout rifle will do anything you ever want to do as far as dropping hogs. This one is in .308, but they come in .223 also, if a guy is so inclined.
DSCN1321_zpsf1z0iwvy.jpg
 
Stoney, I can see why you like that one. .308 is a fine round, especially for out there.

I'm leaning toward that 300 Blk with this scope. Less than the illuminated reticle by hundreds.
 
Ok,
The rifle(s)/calibre(s) I use for hogs are based on the terrain I'm in. Here's a short list of the ones I have used with success:

T/C Venture in .223 w/ Hornady 55gr PSP's
Winchester M70 CSLT in 30-06 w/ Rem 180 CoreLokts
Marlin 1894 in 44mag w/ 240gr MBC "Smasher" hand loads (1500fps)
Marlin 444S in .444 with 300gr Hornady XTP hand loads and 240 gr "Smasher" hand loads (~1800fps)
Marlin 1895 in 45-70 w/ 405gr MBC "#1 Buffalo" hand loads (~1600fps)
Ruger SBH in 44mag w/ 240gr XTP's and 240gr "Smasher" handloads (~1200fps)
Springfield XD45 in 45ACP w/ Winchester PDX1 HP's

With the .223 I shoot them at the base of the ear. DRT.
Everything else gets a shoulder shot with the cast loads and neck shots with HP's (except with the 45). Almost never have to track and have never tracked more than 30 yards. Interestingly enough, my 45 with PDX1's are shoulder shots and never tracked a single hog. Every one has dropped.

My knife of choice is actually my great grandfather's old 3 blade pocket knife. No idea of the brand. It just has an old worn "shield" on it. Cleaned 3 one night with it and only had to run it over a honing rod once. Really holds an amazing edge.

Hunting with dogs is really something you should experience at least once. Especially if the person you go with knows what they're doing and has good dogs. Catahoulas and BIG pits are kings. Yes the Argentina Dogo is a great dog. But they are Expensive. This is where rescuing pits are really a great asset. Dog doesn't get put down, and gets to do what they love to do and are easily trained to "catch" a hog.

If you are going to get into hog hunting, you absolutely need a good sized smoker. Nothing else will do.

The comment about burrying corn is spot on. I also mix my corn with diesel. Keeps the deer off it and, for the most part, the coons too. Post hole digger, dig down ~20-28" put some corn in, put some dirt in, and repeat till level with the ground. Makes the hogs work for the corn and it lasts a lot longer. The more they did for it, the more they cover it up. Works best to spread corn out around about 20' around the hole also. The big pigs will use the hole while the smaller ones eat the spread out corn.

You don't need camo when hunting hogs. They can't see worth a darn. By they can smell you. Hunt the wind if at all possible. My preference in hunting hogs is spot and stalk. I just go walking where I know they are. I always see them before they see me.

In the event a hog should charge, hogs run with their noses down. The are easily jumped over. You can also (I've actually seen this) if you a bigger guy, shove your foot down on the bridge of a charging hog's nose when they charge. It will cause them to flip, back first, into you. Catch their legs as they flip into you and you've got a caught hog (not recommended if you don't have a couple buddies with you to help secure the hog). And you better have a good footing and be ready to catch it. Don't even try on a hog that weight over probably 175 lbs. Better and safer to jump over them. But again, I have seen it done in person. I have to admit, I was in awe.

Anyone wants to add to my post feel free. I know I didn't cover everything. Gotta go study for my National Registry EMT test tomorrow. I'll check back later.
 
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BigBore: Several fella's in a lease I was on used pits to live catch their hogs for a club bbq......technique was to have the dogs hold the hog, big fella would then grab the pig by the hind legs and stand on it's neck while his buddy tied the legs and taped the mouth shut.....biggest problem was getting the dogs off it!!

Pig was then brought back to camp and dispatched via a .22 in the head....animal was then strip skinned by hanging it by the snout and using a razor knife to cut around the head at ear level....then approx 3" verticle cuts to the extremities.....after all the skin was pulled the intestinal cavity was then opened and all contents dumped into a large pail.....quickest, cleanest and easiest skinning method I have ever seen.....oh yeah, just prior to the strip cutting they did hose and use a heavy bristle brush to remove all the sand and crap....

Real big boars are a problem....probably best to just drop 'em and let then lay as they stink so bad....also they are hell on wheels to dogs and will gut one pretty quickly. We used to live catch sows with litters and castrate all the males.........sounds like the gates of hell have opened but it sure did result in some quite edible pork.
 
The problem with the dogs not releasing is pretty simple. Hook the dog's collar with their escort chain. Then a guy goes in with what we call breaker bars between the dog's jaws and pry them open. If the dog is even a halfway decent dog, you have basically a zero percent chance of getting bet. He wants the hog, not you. Once free, the handler pulls the dog up and then back. If the chain has any length to it (should never really be longer than 6') don't pull back first. Then your just in a tug of war with a big pit. And if you aren't ready, in a split second your dog has lunged and latched on again. And now the guy has to go back in with the breaker bar.

Biggest pig I've seen taken was by a friend of mine. 6 bay dogs and 4 catch dogs with cut vests. 2 fairly young dogs and 2 seasoned dogs. Bay dogs cut a trail and off they went. We followed with GPS trackers. About 1/2 mile in the beacons stopped. The only thing we heard was the baying dogs. No pig squealing. Cut the catch dogs loose and about 15 seconds later it got bad. Pit bulls don't have a deep bark. It's almost like a very loud yelp. Well these dogs didn't yelp. They were getting tore up. I origionally wrote the details out just now, but I guess I should spare everyone who reads this. I love dogs as much as anyone. But I know what dogs are bread and born to do. And I don't care if it's a lab making a blind retrieve, a dauschound going in a hole after a badger, a Brittany locked on a pheasant, or a bunch of beagles chasing rabbits. I love to watch dogs work. So let's just say 3 of the 4 catch dogs didn't make it. They were out sized and way overpowered. Hog was 405lbs and had 7" cutters. And he wasn't some fat domestic that leaned against his pin one day and it fell over. This hog was legit. Fact is, dogs don't always win. Even big pits have limits. Just like we do. But you ever see a pit latch on a hog that's 3+times its size and you'll damn sure have respect for their abilities. And their tails are wagging the whole time they're in the fight. They really do seem to love it. And you know when you see a pit in the back of a truck if it's a hunter or not. They just have a look about them. It's like everyday life is boring. They yearn for the hunt.

As for that big boar, he didn't make it either. He was quartered up and placed in a brine of ice, sea salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, and a little water for about 5 days. Then he spent about 20 hours on a smoker with hickory and apple wood. Honestly, some of the best, most tender pork I've ever had. Ribs fell off the bone. Hams could be eaten with chopsticks. We all ate good that night. So did the dog's. They each got a plate and had bones for a month to chew on and play with.

The secret to those big boars is the brine, time, and have enough big coolers to handle it all. He took 5 of the biggest coolers wallyworld had.
 
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If you are going to get into hog hunting,
you absolutely need a good sized smoker.
Nothing else will do.
Click to expand...
Having grown up in Me'omphis,
I understand this point.

Pork needs smoke.
 
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Haven't lost interest here. Just a major busy week -- inching up on a transcontinental move (west to east), finishing up loose ends here, trying to make sure my safety net is secure in the east, dealing with a nearly catastrophic computer failure (dodged the proverbial bullet), so haven't been around.

But this is an important thread for me, so here's an update.

Thought of an interesting question earlier. How effective is 9mm against hogs out of a pistol?

Did some research. Read some pages.

Of course, it depends on the size of the hog. But the question for me is, how big?

Of course, that depends on that perennial wisdom: shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

But I'm still curious.
 
Thought of an interesting question earlier. How effective is 9mm against hogs out of a pistol?
Click to expand...

Just as good as a .22lr if they are still in the trap.
 
From 300 Blk to .223

On Oct 15, I wrote:

I'm leaning toward that 300 Blk
Click to expand...
Well, after a lot of reading, I'm changing my mind. I think now that my .30-30's got the 30 realm covered just fine. No advantage for me with the 300 Blk, either now or -- especially -- in the future.

So, I'm dropping back to a focus on another rifle in .223/5.56 that can be one of two hog rifles (and deer rifles; .223 is legal for deer in both my states, which have dense underbrush where I'll be hunting --> shots 75 yds or so).

I've started another thread about potential rifles and ballistics over here so we can focus on hog hunting in this one.

Dang, this is fun. I love learning about guns and hunting.
 
AStone,
The .233/5.56 is plenty for hogs. Shoot them in the medial line of the neck or base of the ear with a bullet of decent, to good construction in the 55+ grain weight. DRT. Or the perverbial "bang/flop". Don't use ballistic tip ammo though. You do need better penetration than ballistic tip ammo provides.

As for the 9mm, if their 9mm is as good as their 45, Winchester PDX1 is my choice. Have shot them broadside, quartering to and away, and front facing. Only recovered one bullet the other day.. And it was 4 inches in the ground after a complete pass through after breaking the front shoulder, 4 ribs total, and exiting in front of the back leg on the opposing side. Still perfectly expanded with no deformity other than expansion. Great bullet in my opinion. But I honestly don't have any experience with 9mm for hogs. But I see no reason it wouldn't work just fine with a well placed shot.
 
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