Info on hog hunting

[phonesysphonesys]

I am thinking about doing a hog hunt next year in Texas. What caliber rifles work best? Some outfiters do night hunts, do I need night vision stuff? Never done a hog hunt but it has been on my list.

 

[troy fairweather]

Anything for deer will work on hogs, I'd use a 30-30 power and up. What cartridges do you have to use.

 

[Patocazador]

Whatever you have for deer will work on a hog. They are not bulletproof. If you don't have a rifle, use a shotgun with buckshot or a slug.

 

[illinoisburt]

I am thinking about doing a hog hunt next year in Texas. What caliber rifles work best? Some outfiters do night hunts, do I need night vision stuff? Never done a hog hunt but it has been on my list.

Ask the outfitter! Our guides last week didn't care too much which centerfire caliber you choose so long you stick with head shots on hogs. They do not like trailng wounded pigs.

We are going back in a little while for nighttime hog hunts. We were told regular day optics are fine with green spotlights for most baited shooting. Open fields they recommended using IR or thermal night vision if you have it. IR is much better than spotlighting, thermal is vastly better than either. Cost plays a big part of this equation. Is an extra $400 to $2000 for the trip reasonable and fit your budget?

 

[Roverguy]

I have hunted hogs a fair bit in TX, several times at "ranches". The quotation marks are because a number of them are relatively small high fence outfits that supplement the northern orthodontists shooting tame exotics with hog "hunts" - again the italics because the hogs are trapped elswhere, trucked to do rancho, and released for your hunting pleasure.The hogs are indeed feral need to die, so the set-up offers no moral quandary to my mind.

As per above, for day hunting in the brush, any light, handy, rifle that is suitable for deer will be effective on hogs. They move quick, and aren't often very distant, so iron sights or red dots are easier than most scopes. I love a 30-30 lever gun in this role, think the 444 Marlin is perhaps the ideal hog brush gun, and that an AR without a bunch of junk bolted into it is pretty great, though I don't put much stock in 223/5.56 for brush hunting them. If you're just eradicating and not worried about recovery, or taking well aimed shots to the earhole, 223 does the job. Night hunts are over feeders. You don't need a fancy night vision set up. They are usually like 50 - 75 yards out. A good green LED light on your rifle will lightne them up pretty well. Pick and shoot quick. Enjoy.

 

[Ranger99]

. . . didn't care too much which centerfire caliber you choose so long you stick with head shots on hogs.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ THIS ^ ^ ^ ^

I've put well placed thumb sized holes
through feral hogs, and the mud and fat
will plug everything up
Please shoot as many as you're allowed,
and don't be bashful about it.
They're a plague from the prince of darkness himself. Bring lots of ammo and spare
batteries for your headlight and bug dope.
Good Luck

 

[Chuck R.]

I've hunted them from stands using mounted green lights on a .270 and from the ground still hunting thickets using my .350RM. Both worked well. The .350RM is a REM M7 with 20" barrel with a 1.25-4X Swarovski on it, ideal for thick stuff and the .350RM hits with 225 Partitions are pretty dramatic.

This year I'm hoping to go back to a friends lease in OK and I plan on bringing the .350RM and my FAL rigged with green light. My 'ideal' rig would be a 16" barreled 6.8SPC II with a suppressor and digital scope. But, for 1 trip a year and a couple pigs I can't justify it.

 

[Kevinq6]

My friends and I hunt hogs in Texas. You want to be really careful to verify the opportunity is good. Real hunting does not guarantee success but if you take the time to travel and spend the money you want.

There are a lot of different opportunities. You can hunt in a box blind and watch a feeder and other shooting lanes (day or night) or you can get a guide to help you stalk sounders at night on several different properties where farmers are needing them to be culled. Many outfitters and guides will loan you a rifle if you do not have one.

For very good hunting, around $500 is enough for two days with room and board. Tipping is always nice but sometimes not expected. I will check with the admins here before offering specific advice but I am sure there is a way for you to get help verifying an opportunity.

Any deer hunting ammo you would use on a mature buck will do.

I would recommend .243 an up but would nod my head to .270, .308, 30.06, 30-30 and 6.5 Grendel and similar calibers. Any deer round would do but if I were using 25-06 or another fast light caliber I'd favor bonded bullets. I use 165gr bonded ammo in my .308 and feel it has a nice balance. My friend uses 150gr power points (cup and core bullet) in his .308 and they are pretty soft but still seem to penetrate fine on hogs. The only small concern I would have is it there were a very large boar (250+lbs ) and you hit them on the exact thickest part of the shoulder but even then a deer bullet should do and you can always go for a heart, lung or neck shot.

Make sure to google where the vitals on a pig are, they are lower and very far forward compared to deer. They are very delicious and make exquisite breakfast sausage. Some processors do a great job and will ship it to you. Make sure any processor you use only uses your pig and will not mix them with other pigs that might have not been shot ethically or gutted quickly.

You will have a great time, hog hunting is a great adventure!

 

[jmorris]

The bullet itself will matter more than the caliber. What you need depends on what you are buying.

Some places you might be on your own with what you brought. Other places might have everything ready to go except trigger pulling.

 

[45-90]

For close up shots and the adrenaline of the chase, try a hunt with chase dogs that "tree" the hog (usually a boar) and then you walk in and shoot it. I hunt the Boars Nest in OK just north of the Red River. They will retrieve the hog, skin and quarter it and drop it into your cooler for you. When I learn how to post pictures, I will do so. I have taken hogs from 100 to 600 pounds there over the past few years. Shooting hogs is my favorite way to blood a new rifle.

 

[outdoorman63]

It's on my bucket list, just need to do it. Plus it gives me a reason to buy a thermal scope.

 

[FL-NC]

Most hogs around here get shot by whatever a hunter has in his hand while hunting deer, or whatever gun is available when you happen to see one wherever. When I hunt them on purpose, I use either a AR15 or my Mossberg MVP (both 223). I use Hornady 75 grain BTHP rounds. I have also killed deer and turkey with these rounds with zero problems (legal to kill a turkey with a rifle in Fl). Some of these places offering night pig hunting will supply the night vision/thermals and even the gun the device is mounted to.

 

[1942farmall]

I hunt Texas hogs about every 6 months down at my buddies who lives there.
It's a blast.
I did invest in a digital Sightmark Wraith and an upgraded illuminator.
This, along with an AR chambered in 7.62x39 works great.
I typically earhole them if I can.
I've used a 458 socom but got tired of chasing my brass.
I buy inexpensive steel case 123 grain hollow points and light em up.
Be safe and have fun.

 

[easy]

You know, there's a sticky at the top of the 'Hunting' section. All about hunting/shooting hogs, what gear, etc.

 

[alsaqr]

Make sure to google where the vitals on a pig are, they are lower and very far forward compared to deer.

This is important: Shoot hogs in the crook of the front leg. High shoulder shots work well too.

 

[AK Hunter]

You are going to be shooting a lot of rounds so it would be cheaper if you shot the cheapest round that would do the job.
Something like the 7.62x39 SP would be a good shot.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I am thinking about doing a hog hunt next year in Texas. What caliber rifles work best? Some outfiters do night hunts, do I need night vision stuff? Never done a hog hunt but it has been on my list.

There aren't a lot of places to day hunt hogs unless they are small high fence localities. Otherwise it is night hunting. Yes, if the outfitter doesn't provide it, you will need NV or thermal gear. You can rent from some outfitters or rent the optics from some place like ultimatenightvision.com.

I've used a 458 socom but got tired of chasing my brass.
I buy inexpensive steel case 123 grain hollow points and light em up.

Brass catchers will pay for themselves.

Nothing wrong with going with an inexpensive caliber, but if you are going to be shooting a lot, going with GOOD expanding bullets, regardless of the cost, are going to get you better results. I have helped guide a lot of people hog hunting and those that bring the cheapest non-FMJ ammo they can find usually have the worst recovery, plain and simple, except for those who brought FMJ.

I know ammo is pricey right now, but in the grand scheme of guided hunts, your ammo cost will pale in comparison to your other costs.

 

[1942farmall]

There aren't a lot of places to day hunt hogs unless they are small high fence localities. Otherwise it is night hunting. Yes, if the outfitter doesn't provide it, you will need NV or thermal gear. You can rent from some outfitters or rent the optics from some place like ultimatenightvision.com.
I used a brass catcher and it was a pain in the ass.
Like I mentioned, shooting them in the ear gets it done.



Brass catchers will pay for themselves.

Nothing wrong with going with an inexpensive caliber, but if you are going to be shooting a lot, going with GOOD expanding bullets, regardless of the cost, are going to get you better results. I have helped guide a lot of people hog hunting and those that bring the cheapest non-FMJ ammo they can find usually have the worst recovery, plain and simple, except for those who brought FMJ.

I know ammo is pricey right now, but in the grand scheme of guided hunts, your ammo cost will pale in comparison to your other costs.

 

[phonesysphonesys]

Thanks for all the info. I have various caliber rifles. MY .444 Marlin and .35 rem are my top choices.

 

[Roverguy]

Thanks for all the info. I have various caliber rifles. MY .444 Marlin and .35 rem are my top choices.

And excellent choices indeed!