Part 1: Getting Ready
Because feral hogs are a non-native species that compete for food with wildlife and livestock and destroy the habitat of native species, most states with a wild hog population have very relaxed regulations for hunting them. Even so, it’s important to know the law in your state. For instance, in Texas, hogs can be hunted every day of the year and at any time of day, sometimes even without a license under specific circumstances. In contrast, in Oklahoma, hogs can only be hunted during the day and on public lands at certain times of the year.
2. Find a Place to Hunt
Many property owners will allow you to hunt hogs on their land, either for free as a means of eliminating unwanted hogs or for a fee. Check the internet and newspaper classifieds to find a place near you to hunt hogs. Currently, feral hogs are most plentiful in the South but can be found in 35 states. Due to their prolific nature, many believe it’s only a matter of time until they inhabit all of the lower 48 states.
3. Select the Right Firearm
When selecting a firearm to hunt hogs, accuracy is crucial. Hogs are tough animals, so if you don’t hit a vital organ, they are likely to flee. It’s also important to consider the caliber of the weapon. Because hogs are tough, guns that fire larger rounds are usually superior. The minimum caliber for a hog hunting rifle is the .270 Winchester. A better choice is a .30 caliber rifle such as the .308 or the .300 Winchester Magnum. Other good options include the Browning Automatic Rifle, which comes in a special Hog Stalker model just for hog hunters, as well as the Savage Hog Hunter and the Weatherby Hog Reaper.
Using a thermal scope, such as the irARM™ Hawk 640-75, can significantly enhance your accuracy, especially in low-light conditions. This advanced scope features a 640 × 480 12µm detector and a 75 mm lens system, providing exceptional long-range detection and identification capabilities.
4. Scout the Land
Once you’ve found a place to hunt hogs, it’s a good idea to scout the land in advance to find the best places to stalk hogs or set up a stand. Look for hog droppings or signs that hogs have been rooting (digging) in the area. Land that hogs have rooted on generally looks as though it has been plowed. Hogs like to wallow in mud and shallow ponds, making such areas ideal places to hunt. Placing motion-activated game cameras around the property is another good way to figure out where hogs gather.
Part 2: Hunting Hogs
1. Hunt from a Stand
Especially if the weather is bad, you might want to hunt hogs from a stand or blind. This is basically a small shed, often raised above the ground, in which you can hide while waiting for hogs. While in the stand, you’ll need to stay as quiet as possible so that hogs don’t know you are hiding there. Be prepared to log some hours waiting for hogs to come by. Using game cameras can help you track any hogs that might be headed your way. Placing bait near your stand may increase the possibility that hogs will come by.
2. Stalk the Hogs
Many hunters find still-hunting and stalking a more exciting way to hunt hogs, as it keeps you more active and allows you to cover more territory. Still-hunting involves moving slowly through likely cover, looking for an animal to shoot. Stalking involves creeping up quietly on an animal you’ve already located. This approach allows you to cover multiple high-potential locations in a day instead of just one location where you have built a stand. When actively looking for hogs, you will most likely hear them before you see them. Move slowly and stop every few feet to listen for the sound of hogs. Hogs are somewhat nearsighted and tend to get preoccupied when feeding, making them easier to sneak up on.
3. Hunt with Dogs
In many states, it is legal to use dogs to track and flush out hogs. Some hunters prefer this method because the excitement of dogs can be energizing. To hunt hogs with dogs, you’ll need at least two dogs: a “bay dog” (or several) to find a hog and alert you to its presence by barking, and a “catch dog” to grab the hog by the face or ear until you arrive to kill it. Bay dogs can be any kind of trained dog with a good sense of smell, while catch dogs need to be large, powerful dogs, such as pit bulls or American bulldogs. Make sure all your dogs are wearing cut vests to protect their necks and vital organs from the hog. This type of hunting can be dangerous for dogs, so it’s a good idea to learn dog first aid and carry supplies for patching up your dogs should they be injured.
4. Call the Hogs
You can also buy hog calls, either electronic or mouth-blown, which can attract nearby hogs. Electronic calls programmed with the sounds of piglets in distress are often most effective.
5. Shoot a Hog
Once you’ve found a hog, take aim and shoot it. As mentioned before, hogs are tough, so make sure to shoot at their vital organs to ensure they don’t flee. Aim for the neck, between the shoulder and jaw or ear, to stop a hog in its tracks. Another good area to shoot is right behind the shoulder, where you can hit the heart or a lung without damaging choice cuts of meat. Avoid hitting a hog’s shoulder, as the bone and tough hide may only scare it away.
6. Dress the Hog
After killing a hog, you’ll need to remove several organs to get at the meat. Always wear latex gloves when dressing a hog, as they can carry swine brucellosis, a disease that can be transmitted to humans. Start by rolling the hog onto its back and spreading its hind legs. Cut down the center of the belly from the breastbone to the base of the tail, cutting through the hide and belly muscles without puncturing the stomach or intestines. Then, roll the hog on its side and pull out the stomach and intestines. Finally, cut around the diaphragm, sever the esophagus and windpipe, pull out the heart and lungs, and drain any excess blood. If the stomach or intestines were shot or punctured, wash out the body cavity with water as soon as possible. Get the meat in a cooler quickly to prevent spoilage.
Conclusion
By integrating irARM™ thermal scopes into your hunting strategy, you can elevate your hog hunting experience. Their high-resolution sensors and advanced imaging algorithms ensure you never miss a target, even in the most challenging conditions. The irARM™ Hawk 640-75, with its powerful detection capabilities and user-friendly features, can transform your night hunting adventures, making each outing more successful and enjoyable.
irARM™ Hawk 640-75 Scope