Hog Wild in Texas

Hog Problem

Up here in Montague County we have seen a dramatic increase in hog numbers over the last 4 or 5 years. There have always been a few in this area, the old men say there Grandpa's used to kill a few in the late 1800's, but there weren't near as many as there are now or even 10 years ago. I think it is because of all the feeders and food plots we provide for deer. This makes the land support more hogs. I have a group of 30 or so that hits my feeders everynight. I have about 10 big old mean Bores that we see by themselves occasionally to. I saw 70 in one group once trotting across our East pasture at dusk, lots of them were piglets. They are very nocturnal up here and we dont see them much in the daytime. Here are some pics of the infestation, one taken with one of our Game-Cams, one of the big nasty bore with my camera while turkey hunting. I get more pics of hogs with the Game-Cams now than of deer. Usually out of 24 pics on a roll, 15 will be hog herds.

Game-Cam Pics

Heres some night pics.

Reunc

Dunc said:

Sea-Slug,

My opinion only but you need to lay waste to those hogs. Remember they are "feral" as in not native. I kill 'em on sight, without exception, as many rounds as I can get off into the herd. They will definately impact deer movements. Ever been in a deer stand wathcing a feeder with deer at it and all of a sudden they spook and run off and 5-10 minutes later here come the hogs? Killing the babies is expecially fun ( and tasty) watching momma freak out. Sling some lead at 'em.

Click to expand...

Dunc- Believe me there is no shortage of pork in my freezer. Or any my hunting partners. These hogs are heavily hunted and are very cunning, much more cunning than deer. They will move out of an area once you go in and leave your scent around. They have a dang good sense of smell and can wind you 300 yards away. They seem to be much more cunning than ones I have hunted in other parts of the state. They are European-Feral- and imported Russian's, and a mix of all together. They have been heavily trapped and hunted up here for years and just keep multiplying. They seem much smarter than the hill country ferals. Lots of people have hunted for them for 3 days on this place and never saw one, but during that same 3 days, my Game-Cams will take pics of hundreds of them. Wherever they go hunt, the hogs move to another area of my place unseen, unheard. As far as killing for fun, I never have and never will. I dont get any fun out of killing. I hunt to put food on the table. In my opinion, killing just strictly for fun is very, very, wrong. Why waste the meat, it is absolutely deliscious, much better than venison.

Hog Control

We shoot all we can but we keep them, except for an occasional rank boar. You hurt your deer hunting far worse than the hogs do if you go around blasting hogs right before or during deer season, you can kiss your big old smart bucks goodbye, because they will head to greener pastures with the hunting and shooting going on. My deer heard is in real good shape, really, I have to many deer, the hogs have not affected them at all. And remember, we (caucasions) are not native to this continent either. Personally, I like having some around so I can big-game hunt year round. They are more challenging to hunt than deer in my opinion. I love to hunt, I like the stories and meals around the campfire, the scouting, the planning, the ammo-weapon choice, the stalk or ambush, but for me, it's not the kill I enjoy, it's the thrill of the chase. And the sharing of the memories with your friends and family. And the meat! The actual killing is the least enjoyable aspect of hunting to me, but we all have our opinions.