[sam700]

I was thinking of doing a quick 3 or 4 day hog or Javelina hunt somewhere down south this winter. Any suggestions on a location? I was thinking of going in early to mid February. What would be the best place for me to go this time of year and have a reasonable chance of bringing some meat home? I'd like to combine it with some camping and backpacking, if possible, but I may just get a hotel as well.

I was thinking of something along the lines of west Texas, but I've never hunted hog before so I don't know if this is the best spot or not.

[.44walkersabot]

Jimmy Dean's back yard! Ha,ha,hee,hee,hee!...Okay...

[Jimmie]

Do you want a guided/chaperoned hunt or do you just wanna go wander on public land?

[SoonerSP101]

King Ranch in south Texas.

http://www.king-ranch.com/

And more specifically

http://www.king-ranch.com/hunting_overview.html

[Jimmie]

King Ranch in south Texas. I guess go big or go home!!

[.44walkersabot]

Okay, I had my little joke. Now, you mentioned Texas. There is some EXCELLENT hog hunting in South East Texas. An area called the 'Big Thicket'.
There is also very good hog hunting in Louisiana, South Miss. and South Alabama and Georgia. I don't know that there are any Javelina over that far East, although I know West Texas and New Mexico have plenty of them...Okay...

[SoonerSP101]

I guess go big or go home!!

hee hee......

It's a nice place...EXPENSIVE...but nice. You want free. I hunt hog all day (not peccary/javelina...but feral and some russian) on a WMA in Oklahoma called Love Valley. It's just southeast of Marietta, OK a couple of miles (right on the Red River) and LOT'S of pig.

http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hoghunting.htm

http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/love.htm

[sam700]

I'd prefer just to wander public land with myself and a buddy. It sounds like if I want Javelina, I should go to west Texas and if I want hogs, I should go further east, is that correct?

[SoonerSP101]

It sounds like if I want Javelina, I should go to west Texas and if I want hogs, I should go further east, is that correct?

Yeah, pretty much.

[sam700]

The question is which of the two would a first timer enjoy more. Are the strategies for hunting the two the same or is there a big difference. I don't have any dogs by the way, so I don't know if that makes a difference in which I should try.

[SoonerSP101]

No dogs... bait 'em then.

Catahoula's a good hog dog.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catahoula_Leopard_Dog

Sporting
The Catahoula is a common working dog of the region and is seen on farms and ranches across North America. These dogs are outstanding tracking and hunting dogs, commonly used for hunting feral pigs, squirrel, deer, raccoon and black bear.

Catahoulas have found their way to the Northern Territory of Australia where they have been found to be a superior hunting dog for pigs by breeders.

Apparently, they have been introduced in New Zealand as well, but the number of Catahoulas there is unclear.

[MCgunner]

Are you wanting a hog hunt or a javelina hunt? Don't chase javelina with dogs, I mean, if you like the dogs. They ain't big, but they ARE ornery and they fight in packs. Dog ain't got a chance. They'll be dead before you catch up to 'em.

Javelina roam south and west Texas and parts of the hill country as well as southern New Mexico in spots and Arizona. There's more public hunting land in Arizona and New Mexico. Most of Texas is private, though there are a couple of WMAs in the annual public hunting permit system out in west Texas where I believe Javelina hunting is allowed. Black Gap WMA comes to mind and one out in Hudspeth county out near El Paso IIRC. I haven't looked at that in some years, though.

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=32714&d=1134872636

[skinewmexico]

Javalina and feral hogs all over West Texas now. I hunted on a ranch south of Odessa one day, and stopped counting at 100.

[MCgunner]

Here's his mount.

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=50369&d=1167788030

[sam700]

Not bad. Does anyone know New Mexico's season for javelina?

[pernicus]

like said before, don't hunt hogs with dogs unless they are pitbulls/rotweillers/wolves lol

[MCgunner]

I've hunted HOGS with dogs, even BIG hogs aren't Javelina. Javelina run and fight in packs and have 10 times the attitude of a 350 lbs boar feral hog even though a Javelina will only reach 60 lbs on a good day. Hog hunting with dogs is big sport around here, but more'n one dog has been killed when he got after a Javelina. You don't mess with those things cause they'll mess back. :D

We seem to be confusing two different species here. Javelina are NOT hogs. Pit bulls, Rotweillers, Wolves? No match for a pack of Javelina. :D And, a hog will take a stab, rip at you and run. They wanna get a way. Once Javelina get after you, well, hope your insurance is paid up. They aren't really aggressive as such, but if they feel threatened/cornered and go in to fight mode, the devil himself is in trouble.

Yeah, from what I'm hearing, feral hogs are even taking over west Texas. South Texas (like the King Ranch, but there are other ranches) has both. You won't find Javelina where you don't find their favorite food in abundance, prickly pear. You know you're in Javelina country when you see little bites out of the prickly pear pads. You KNOW they're tough SOBs if they can eat those things spines and all, ROFL!

[sam700]

It looks to me like a lot of areas require a draw to hunt Javelina or have seasons that are closed in February. Is there anywhere where there is an abundance of Javelina that also has an open season in February and allows tags to be purchased over the counter by nonresidents, or am I pretty much out of luck for this winter?

[MCgunner]

Tags? New one on me. No closed season on Javelina around here, limit two per year. as per TP and W. Never figured out how they regulate that since there are no tags, but, probably self regulating since locals, for the most part, don't care anything about shooting stink pigs. :D Be hard to find a Javelina poacher I reckon, LOL!

Here's a link to Hudspeth county, for instance. Regulations are county to county, but almost universally no closed season on Javelina. Now, public WMAs have their own rules and may limit hunting, but there are plenty of private day leases around and I don't think Javelina would take much money. The big bucks are for the big bucks, and exotics. Feral pig hunting is pretty reasonable, too. Just search the net for hunting day leases for Javelina in Texas, probably plenty of hits.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/season/county_listing/details/?countyId=115

Just doing some quick googling, seems that 3 day hunts for Javelina/hog run around $600. Some have an additional trophy charge on Javelina, some don't. This one looks pretty good. Don't see any mention of a trophy fee. If you look harder, you'll find 2 day hog hunts (good hunting) for a couple hundred bucks. I've done a few south of San Antonio, had a lot of fun.

http://www.ybarranch.com/hunting%20packages.htm

[3pairs12]

If had to choose between hogs or javalina I would pick hogs. Abileen area has both and pretty good population of each. There are ton of avenues you can go. Lots of day leases guded and un guided. Hell dog and knife is also very fun with the right dogs.

[Nathanael_Greene]

If you're looking for something to eat, I'd suggest feral hogs. They make really good eating.

Try the Dos Plumas Ranch near Abilene (www.dosplumasranch.com). You can hunt from ground blinds or spot-and-stalk if he's not too busy (I've shot three hogs there, one from a stand, two while walking around).

Prices are good, lodging is good, the owners are some of the finest people I've ever met in my life.

Check 'em out.

(Hey, this is my 1000th post. Wow.)

[Ed4032]

Come on down to Texas. Really they are everywhere now. I think that any farmer would love to see you. They really tear the place up and breed like rabbits.

[El Tejon]

I've had very good experiences in hog hunting Texas.:)

My father enjoyed TN.

[MCgunner]

That dos plumas link is interesting. 175 a day for combo deer/hog. That is NOT bad! That area has a lot of deer. 125 is about right for hog hunting per day. I've found good hunting a little cheaper, but that's a good deal.

Yeah, unless you want to mount the head (makes a good evil looking mount), I'd not mess with Javelina. But, before I ever shot one, it WAS on my "to do" list, so I know the feeling. The meat ain't nothin' to write home about, though. Best used for tamales. That's what most people I know do with it, ain't bad in tamales, sorta like making gar balls out of gar. :D I'll take a feral hog ANY day over a Javelina OR deer for meat, and there's a lot more of it. But, Javelina are an interesting critter and hunting them is fun, especially since you can stalk from down wind with a handgun and get in range cause they can't see worth a poop. Even in open country, you can be successful with a handgun and a .357 is more'n enough gun. If I had to hunt 'em from a stand, I wouldn't bother, takes the fun out of it. I'd just shoot feral hogs.

[sam700]

Thanks, I'm actually looking mainly at hunting public land though.

Sounds like hogs are a lot better tasting than Javelina. Is it practical to spot and stalk hogs too, or is that pretty much limited to stand hunting?

If I did decide on Javelina, how is the meat compared to venison?

[TehK1w1]

Well, I work on the King Ranch as a hunting guide and have to field-dress 'Javis daily. Never tried eating them, but if they taste anything like they smell, you literally could not pay me to eat one. They make great mounts though. One comment-if you buy a guided hunt and shoot a javalina, keep in mind that by Texas state law the meat must "remain in edible condition", i.e. they will not toss the meat even if you just want the mount :p

[MCgunner]

Javelina is dryer and tougher than feral hog and cannot be grilled. You'll have to carve it with a chain saw and then you'll need a couple of blades. What I do is soak it in ice water for several days until the stink goes away. When you can lift the lid on the cooler and the funk don't knock you over, you can butcher. :D It tastes like pork, just dry, dry. You can't taste the original smell if you do it this way, thankfully. The dryness and toughness is why it's best shredded in tamales. Just tastes like pork shredded in tamales. You'd think slow cooking it in a crock pot would help, nope, too dry.

OTOH feral hogs are good even on the grill. I do hams all the time, ribs, and that.

Get on the TP and W website linked earlier and see if they list any of the WMAs around east Texas. They're all public, 48 dollar APH permit, and there's one on the upper end of Toledo Bend reservoir that looks real "hoggy" :D I've thought about running up there, but I have all the hogs I can handle. Best hunt them at night, from a stand watching a feeder. They hole up in heavy cover during the day. You'll never see 'em, can walk 10 feet from one in an oak mott and know he's there. They move and feed at night, mostly. Javelina in more open country are spot and stalk, best way to hunt 'em. You can hunt 'em at a feeder, of course, but if you can, spot and stalk is a LOT more fun. I don't even consider hunting Javelina unless I can spot and stalk 'em.

There is some limited Javelina public hunting in west Texas, or used to be. I think there still is. Check Black Gap WMA in the big bend country. There's not much for public land in south Texas, private ranches only.

[Hoof]

Any landowner in TX would welcome you.

[cobrian45]

If you're looking to eat it, please stay away from Javelina. They are a peccary, not a type of pig as you'd think. Yes, they can be eaten and some people swear by it. I'd prefer not to. It takes special handling and preparation to get it right and not have everyone looking at you over the table like you're trying to poison them. Go for feral hogs. Their range is much larger and you will get a larger animal and better meat.

On pigs, meat shooting you want to go for smaller or sows (shoot sow first and reload, if there are smaller ones you WILL get another shot). If you shoot a big boar, take the backstraps and tenderloins and turn the rest into sausage. Stand hunting insures better shots and you are more likely to get a shot at the time of day they move around (dusk to darktime). Yes, spot and stalk is possible, but not unless you have time to do it a lot.

Pick a good rifle caliber with penetration capability and a quality bullet. Behind the ear is a good shot from a stand, behind the shoulder is fine, too, but larger boars have a thick "plate" that feels like wood when you knock on it.

I agree there are some farmers/ranchers that love people to come out and shoot pigs. The problem is finding one and then getting him/her to trust you to shoot on his/her place. They are cautious about that sometimes.

I like McGunner's WMA (Wildlife Management Area) idea. They are run by TPWD and you know you'll be doing everything right if you are from out of state. What I mean by that is that you have to have a license to hunt ANYTHING in Texas, even pigs and exotics. It's much less expensive than a White-tail non-resident license and they are usually for a short period, but they are required. The APH permit may be all you need for the WMA, but I don't know if it works for non-residents all by itself or not. Think all of South Texas for feral pigs (east and west) from south of San Antonio to the border and all the way across. They're everywhere.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/

Here's one for ya:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii235/cobrian45/WildBoarclose2.jpg

[p89cajun]

If you come hunt here in Louisiana you don't need a license and there is no season for hogs.