Not again.......! Feral Hog Control in East Texas

[SciFiJim]

They look like they might be useful as punches in flintknapping!

[BBDartCA]

Originally Posted by Flintknapper

[IMG]

I'm used to seeing West Coast pigs which look a lot more "wild" than these. More Russian blood in the Cali hogs I guess. These Texas hogs look only a couple generations away from the farm.

[Flintknapper]

We have all types BB, some (as you say) don't look too far removed from the farm, others have a European influence.

Regardless...their appearance or lineage, they are all PESTS!

[Double Naught Spy]

Folks often refer to a hogs cutters as being “razor sharp” (not true)… but they do normally have a sharp point and a big hog could ruin your day if he got you down. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen often.

Right. Actually, very few animals have razor sharp anything. Some shark teeth come pretty close. I have read that bears, wolves, coyotes, hogs, raccoons, monkeys, opossums, rats, and others that have razor sharp teeth. They don't. About as close as most will come is when the teeth first erupt from the gum and have no wear on them. That is when most are sharpest.

What makes them "razor sharp" isn't the edge, but the power/force/velocity put behind it. A 57 Chevy becomes "razor sharp" if you get it moving fast enough, not that anyone does, but it makes the example.

Many animals have "razor sharp" claws, but when you examine the claws, it is only the points that may be actually sharp (like those of your pet cat). Even the hooves of deer, zebra, and giraffe are often described as being "razor sharp" when they aren't anywhere close. Once again, with enough force, speed etc. behind them, even dull claws can cut quite well, but they probably aren't razor sharp as they don't even have a razor edge.

Along similar lines with razor sharp hog teeth is the expression "they're sharpening their teeth" which is often seen on various hunting forums and on hog hunting TV shows, and often repeated by various hunters. This refers to when a hog, especially one known to be mad or upset, is snapping/popping its jaws/teeth. For some reason, folks have it in their mind that the hog must have had dull teeth before the encounter, and now that he is involved and about to fight or already fighting that he has decided to sharpen his teeth for battle. This is pure nonsense. The jaw/teeth snap/pop is a sign of anger or distress. Many mammals do it and some lizards as well. Bears do it, but you never hear folks exclaim that the bears are sharpening their teeth (because we know they are already razor sharp, LOL). The snap/pop is a warning, of sorts, projected to notify the animals in conflict that the given animal is upset. Some animals do this, growl, stomp feet, bristle the hairs on their back, assume a different posture, etc.

Yes, when the whetters and cutters rub together, some sharpening occurs, but it is extremely minimal and that isn't the reason the animals snap/pop, to sharpen their teeth. The process occurs all the time with jaw use. It is an ongoing process and it needs to be because the teeth are continually being subjected to dulling from contact with foreign materials such as dirt and foods.

[Flintknapper]

If I haven't posted this before, here is the relationship of the “Cutter” to the “Whetter”.

The constant wearing of the two… results in a flat surface on the cutter which produces an edge on each side of the tusk. Not “razor” sharp, but it doesn’t have to be.



Most of the damage done by a boar comes when the tip (point) of the tusk tears/cuts flesh. The edge of the tusk can certainly “cut” as well… but it is the tip I would be most concerned with. Don’t forget, that hogs (all) can simply bite too.

As concerns suffering a wound ….I would worry more about a Javelina chomping on me than the average boar taking a “swipe” at me.

Below is the skull of Javelina I took in South Texas while bowhunting (killed with flint-tipped arrow).



As you can see… they possess a formidable set of canine teeth (both males and females).

The teeth of a Javelina come much closer to being “razor sharp” than anything I’ve seen on a hog! Thank goodness they don't grow any bigger than they do (typically less than 60 lbs.)


Javelina are NOT hogs, by the way. They belong to the peccary family.

[waterhill]

I see a lot of russian cross in this one.

This ones littermates were red, orange, spotted and black. Each one unique.


I have seen an entire litter of black ones as well.

[nortexeric]

Once again, top notch information. I often have heard the "sharpening" comments before, which baffled me since I know of nothing in nature that once in a fight, begins preparing for said fight. Again, I appreciate your time in sharing your experience. I'm hoping that I'll get a chance to use what I've learned this fall. Wish you a continuing and speedy recovery, and keep the good stuff coming!

-Eric

[castingdonkey]

I have shot quite a few hogs in southern CA. That have looked more like ferrel hogs and several that looked russian. It seems to be more fun to shoot the greyish black ones. But the cute little 80# spotted ones sure taste good.

[Art Eatman]

Dunno about "razor sharp", but I advise that one not be careless when cleaning kingfish after a day in the Gulf. Will you settle for "needle sharp"?

[castingdonkey]

How about the gill rakers on a northern pike or gill plate on a west coast barracuda? those are mighty sharp.

[Flintknapper]

Definitely accept "needle sharp" on the King fish..... Art!

Been there, done that!

At the end of a long day of fishing...its no "treat" to stab yourself on those toothsome fish.

Even if you just go out to the Jack-Ups...it makes for a pretty good day. We usually go out to the "Water Change" or Blue Water which can be 70 miles out some days.

Mucho tired...by the time we get back. Easy to slip up when cleaning the fish.

[Flintknapper]

I’ve been a little under the weather the past few weeks and not able to keep tabs on my hogs. I guess the “news travels fast” as this small group has moved in.




Looks like a Juvenile Boar hanging out with a couple of sows and piglets.




I don’t feel well enough right now to set about trying to trap them, but I can sit on a stand for a few hours and see if they show up.

Besides, I just finished loading up some 300 gr. C/T BST bullets for the SOCOM and need to try them out.




OR………the piggies can take their pick of a 405 gr. Remy SP, 300 gr. Barnes TTSX, 300 gr. Remy HP or a 250 gr. Barnes TSX. Doesn’t matter to me.

[Twmaster]

Uh-oh piggies. I predict pain....

[SimplyChad]

Flint how does the 458 socom hold up to a good 45 70 load?

[castingdonkey]

Those rounds look awesone flint.

[Flintknapper]

Chad... the .458 SOCOM basically duplicates the velocities of (Level 2) 45/70 loads.

As you know, they share the same diameter bullets...so anything you can get to feed through the action can be used. The SOCOM is not yet SAAMI spec'd so reloading for it...is the same as for any "wildcat", you must develop the rounds yourself and watch for pressure signs.

The SOCOM is limited (per the inventor Marty ter Weeme) at 35,000 psi, though some German testing reported they thought it safe to 45,000.

Obviously, the 45/70 with its much larger case...can be loaded "hotter" (safely) in appropriate actions.

I can safely push a 405 grain Remy at 1760 fps from my 16" PacNor barrel, (plenty for any of the hogs I have around here) and send rounds downrange as fast as I can tap the trigger.

The SOCOM will actually shoot anything from a 100 grain pill (yes 100 gr.) up to a 600 gr. bullet, though most of us shoot bullets in the 250 gr to 400 gr range.

http://458socomforums.com/



Flint.

[SciFiJim]

Just tried to create a login at 458socomfourms and a window popped up that registration is closed. Do you know it that is permanent or temporary?

[Flintknapper]

Jim as far as I know registration is not closed, but when they opened the new forum, there was a "delay" in accepting new applications in order to avoid SPAMMERS. Applications have sometimes been approved days later....but usually within an hour or so.

I will look into it and let you know.

Update:

Jim, here is the latest information:


"New Member Registration Temporarily Disabled
New Member Registration has been temporarily disabled. Robots have been trying to register and we have temporarily disabled th registration to let them find a new home. Our mailboxes are filling up with registration request from them. If you would like to register just email the Forum Admistrator or have a friend you know that is registered email him with all the information needed and he can register you manually. Registration will be reactivated after the robots find a new home!!

Thanks,
Forum Administrator"

fjbarber@gmail.com

Just email Mr. Barber at the address above and he will fix you up, sorry for the inconvenience.

[Twmaster]

Spammers.... I hate spammers -more- than you hate hogs Flint.

When you absolutely must kill hogs with authority, dial 458-SOCOM!

Flint, what is the white tip on those rounds you loaded up?

[Mike1234567]

SPAMers + .458 SOCOM = Good Hunting

[Flintknapper]

TW,

That is a polymer tip on the Combined Technology Ballistic Silver Tip bullet. (Nosler makes it).

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=138115

Here is one I bisected:






Here is one I recovered from a 290 lb. Boar Hog:

[castingdonkey]

Flint I think you should open up a resort for the members of THR. It seems you have more fun than anyone I know of. I sure wish I had a hog problem. I keep calling the on the skies to send pigs to my region so that I can l have some to shoot but it's not happening.

[castingdonkey]

Have you recovered any Barnes rounds>

[Flintknapper]

C-Donkey,

See page 17 and post (409)?

I don't recover many of the Barnes bullets, they tend to just "keep on going".

Same thing with the 405 gr. Remy, unless another hog is lined up behind the first, you usually don't find the bullet. Have had several "one shot, two kill episodes though).

[castingdonkey]

Great read I need to finish reading this thread from the start. I shot an elk with a Barnes
.277 130 gr MRX at 100 yrd and recovered the round from the opposite knee of the animal. It still weighed 126gr and had excellent expansion. Too bad barnes had discontinued that round. I have switched to the TSX and like the accuracy a little better in my rifle.