DIY Hog Bait?
- Thread starter cbrgator
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alsaqr
Member
Fill a 5 gallon bucket 2/3 full of shelled corn. Fill the bucket to about 3 inches from the top with water and put the lid on the bucket. Sit bucket in the sun or other warm place and let it sour. Takes about one week for it to get really sour.
Hogs love sour corn.
Hogs love sour corn.
janobles14
Member
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fruit punch jello
dogrunner
Member
2nd on the corn method.........seen a lot of 'em caught with the stuff on hunting leases here..........diff. between here and Okl. is that it's so damp & steamy that you don't have to soak it.......nature'l do it for you.........watch the dang coons don't clean you out tho.
MCgunner
Member
We seem to be like Florida. The stuff sours without the soak if the damned coons don't get it, and they usually do.. I put strawberry jello on mine and that really does seem to work. You know, I need a game camera to prove it, but I think those damned coons get in the trap, eat the corn, open the door and go back out! I find it all the time with the door tripped and the corn gone. Of course, black birds get it, too. Perhaps if I soured it first, the birds might not find it so tasty.
Right now it's so damned dry here, all the hogs are off on the big ranch next door where there's water, I'm sure. They just come through my place, no longer living there for now until we get another wet spell. I don't set my trap this time of year anyway as I can't get down there to check it every morning and if you catch one and don't check it, the heat will kill it in short order. We're already over 90 degrees here, so the hog trap is down for the summer.
Right now it's so damned dry here, all the hogs are off on the big ranch next door where there's water, I'm sure. They just come through my place, no longer living there for now until we get another wet spell. I don't set my trap this time of year anyway as I can't get down there to check it every morning and if you catch one and don't check it, the heat will kill it in short order. We're already over 90 degrees here, so the hog trap is down for the summer.
a-sheepdog
Member
The sour corn is easy, you can throw a can of cheap beer in there and speed up the process. Try not to get any on you when you put it out.
kyle1974
Member
just throw some corn out. I think the only reason it looks like hogs "love" soured corn, is because nothing else will eat it. I have 4 feeders on my lease in East Texas, and the hogs cover them up on a regular basis...and I don't put any jello powder, beer, diesel fuel, old motor oil....or any of the other things to attract them.
Flintknapper
Member
^ +1
Same as Kyle above. I have had excellent success for over 20 yrs. just using plain corn.
Everyone has their favorite techique...nothing wrong with that, but I see no evidence that hogs prefer "doctored" bait over straight corn.
Note: IMO, there IS an advantage to soured corn if your intent is to "attract" hogs. Obviously, anything you can do to create a strong odor...is of benefit when trying to lure hogs in initially (have them find the bait).
That is the one time I will use soured corn. After hogs are coming to the bait site...regular corn is more than sufficient to keep them coming back (provided other more desireable food sources are not available).
This time of year...(most places), it is about as "green" as it is going to get. Various food sources are available and corn may not be high on the list. Later in the year (fall through early winter), hogs will literally walk right over corn to get to the mast crop (acorns).
So... depending upon where you are and what the food sources are....any suggestions we make are just that, "suggestions".
If you already have hogs...I "suggest" you use plain shelled corn. If you need to attract hogs...let us know and we can make recommendations for that too.
Good luck...and lets see some pics if you are successful.
Flint.
Hogs on plain corn:
Same as Kyle above. I have had excellent success for over 20 yrs. just using plain corn.
Everyone has their favorite techique...nothing wrong with that, but I see no evidence that hogs prefer "doctored" bait over straight corn.
Note: IMO, there IS an advantage to soured corn if your intent is to "attract" hogs. Obviously, anything you can do to create a strong odor...is of benefit when trying to lure hogs in initially (have them find the bait).
That is the one time I will use soured corn. After hogs are coming to the bait site...regular corn is more than sufficient to keep them coming back (provided other more desireable food sources are not available).
This time of year...(most places), it is about as "green" as it is going to get. Various food sources are available and corn may not be high on the list. Later in the year (fall through early winter), hogs will literally walk right over corn to get to the mast crop (acorns).
So... depending upon where you are and what the food sources are....any suggestions we make are just that, "suggestions".
If you already have hogs...I "suggest" you use plain shelled corn. If you need to attract hogs...let us know and we can make recommendations for that too.
Good luck...and lets see some pics if you are successful.
Flint.
Hogs on plain corn:
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ccsniper
member
i used to work in a restaurant and i would take the leftover food off the plates and put it in several 5 gallon buckets. then let it sit for about a week. take it out to cederville and just throw it out on the land, couple weeks later id go and find a couple of hogs to shoot. 8mm mauser does a nasty job on wild hogs under 200 lbs
Flintknapper
Member
We do something similar to that, ccsniper.
But instead of throwing it out on the ground we make what we call a "drip".
I like to take a five gallon bucket (with lid), fill half way with corn, add about a half gallon of milk and about a quart of water.
Then add table scraps until the bucket is about 3/4
full. In about 7-10 days it will turn into a fairly putrid smelling mix.
Application: Find a old pair of panty hose (buy some if necessary) put one half the contents of the bucket into each leg of the panty hose (do this on site...its messy).
Make a big knot in the top (at the waistline). Now carefully place this over a limb/branch of a tree at least 6' off the ground (hogs can't reach it).
The mixture will "drip" its liquid content onto the ground and the smell permeates the air until birds or coons finally discover it and tear open the panty hose.
The contents then drop to the ground for the hogs/other to consume.
For you married guys: ASK...before you take any pantyhose! DO NOT...place the blame on me if you don't.
But instead of throwing it out on the ground we make what we call a "drip".
I like to take a five gallon bucket (with lid), fill half way with corn, add about a half gallon of milk and about a quart of water.
Then add table scraps until the bucket is about 3/4
full. In about 7-10 days it will turn into a fairly putrid smelling mix.
Application: Find a old pair of panty hose (buy some if necessary) put one half the contents of the bucket into each leg of the panty hose (do this on site...its messy).
Make a big knot in the top (at the waistline). Now carefully place this over a limb/branch of a tree at least 6' off the ground (hogs can't reach it).
The mixture will "drip" its liquid content onto the ground and the smell permeates the air until birds or coons finally discover it and tear open the panty hose.
The contents then drop to the ground for the hogs/other to consume.
For you married guys: ASK...before you take any pantyhose! DO NOT...place the blame on me if you don't.
kd7nqb
Member
I remember reading a number of places that corn and diesel are a really good mix something about the smell they love.
I have also heard that they love coffee to me it seems like if it smells strong they will come over to check it out.
I have also heard that they love coffee to me it seems like if it smells strong they will come over to check it out.
Flintknapper
Member
Most folks that use diesel (mixed with corn) are doing so in an effort to discourage raccoons and other animals (deer, crows, etc) from consuming the corn before the hogs can get to it. Hogs will readily eat the corn despite the diesel smell.
Some folks will argue that there are environmental issues involved in using diesel…but that is another subject.
Certainly…there is benefit in using different types of “scents” to attract hogs to an area. Anything from “Sow in heat” scents to general attractants (Black Gold)…are used with varying degrees of success.
Personally, rather than just making a food source available.... I try to make the entire area as enticing as possible. One such way to do that... is to provide “rubbing posts”.
Hogs love to rub on anything (telephone pole, fence posts) that has creosote on it. It is just another way (other than wallowing) they rid themselves of parasites. Creosote (coal tar) is no longer sold to the general public…but you can still purchase creosote dip.
http://stores.godwinsoutdoorinc.com/Detail.bok?no=222
This can be mixed with water and sprayed or sponged onto trees, posts, etc… an ounce or two will make 3-4 gallons of solution.
Naturally, this needs to be applied in areas that hogs feel comfortable visiting/lounging (I.E. not in the middle of a bald open field).
Here is an example of a pine tree I treated recently:
The same tree just a couple of days later:
The same tree about 10 days later (bark rubbed smooth):
The Kreso-D imparts a very strong creosote smell that is carried by the wind over long distances. Don’t get any on yourself….you will smell for a week.
Anyway, this is just another method to attract and hold hogs in an area.
Some folks will argue that there are environmental issues involved in using diesel…but that is another subject.
Certainly…there is benefit in using different types of “scents” to attract hogs to an area. Anything from “Sow in heat” scents to general attractants (Black Gold)…are used with varying degrees of success.
Personally, rather than just making a food source available.... I try to make the entire area as enticing as possible. One such way to do that... is to provide “rubbing posts”.
Hogs love to rub on anything (telephone pole, fence posts) that has creosote on it. It is just another way (other than wallowing) they rid themselves of parasites. Creosote (coal tar) is no longer sold to the general public…but you can still purchase creosote dip.
http://stores.godwinsoutdoorinc.com/Detail.bok?no=222
This can be mixed with water and sprayed or sponged onto trees, posts, etc… an ounce or two will make 3-4 gallons of solution.
Naturally, this needs to be applied in areas that hogs feel comfortable visiting/lounging (I.E. not in the middle of a bald open field).
Here is an example of a pine tree I treated recently:
The same tree just a couple of days later:
The same tree about 10 days later (bark rubbed smooth):
The Kreso-D imparts a very strong creosote smell that is carried by the wind over long distances. Don’t get any on yourself….you will smell for a week.
Anyway, this is just another method to attract and hold hogs in an area.
Ok, well here's my situation. Maybe you can guys can tell me the best method under these conditions.
I am coming from a big city (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale) and the weekend after next I am going to a friend's river house in the country. I'm told there are lots of hogs on the land and I wan't to ensure that I see them so that I can shoot at least 1. I don't really have the option of letting stuff spoil because I will be transporting it 2 1/2 hours away. What could I easily just bring with me and dump outside to get some decent attention from these things?
I am coming from a big city (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale) and the weekend after next I am going to a friend's river house in the country. I'm told there are lots of hogs on the land and I wan't to ensure that I see them so that I can shoot at least 1. I don't really have the option of letting stuff spoil because I will be transporting it 2 1/2 hours away. What could I easily just bring with me and dump outside to get some decent attention from these things?
Flintknapper
Member
Not knowing the size of this place (acreage) or the make up of the vegetation/terrain, it is hard to make recommendations beyond putting out corn when you get there.
How long do you have to hunt?
Is there a water source nearby?
How large/small a place is this?
Are there feeders (or natural food source) on the place?
Can you hunt at night in your state?
Is there a road system through the property?
Are there any hunting stands on the property?
How long do you have to hunt?
Is there a water source nearby?
How large/small a place is this?
Are there feeders (or natural food source) on the place?
Can you hunt at night in your state?
Is there a road system through the property?
Are there any hunting stands on the property?
I haven't been to this place yet, so I will answer to the best of my knowledge.
How long do you have to hunt? a weekend
Is there a water source nearby? yes
How large/small a place is this? about 50 acres?
Are there feeders (or natural food source) on the place? unsure
Can you hunt at night in your state? no
Is there a road system through the property? unsure
Are there any hunting stands on the property? don't think so
How long do you have to hunt? a weekend
Is there a water source nearby? yes
How large/small a place is this? about 50 acres?
Are there feeders (or natural food source) on the place? unsure
Can you hunt at night in your state? no
Is there a road system through the property? unsure
Are there any hunting stands on the property? don't think so
Flintknapper
Member
My advice then.... would be to try to locate evidence of hog "sign" (trails, tracks, droppings, wallows, rubs on trees, hair caught in barb wire on fencing if fenced)
Once you locate an area with obvious hog sign...you then have a spot to "bait out".
You will need to consider the direction of the wind for the day(s) you will be hunting. You will want to always stay downwind of the area you want to watch/hunt.
Most places (sans a frontal system) have a "prevailing wind". Here it is from the Southeast, it may be different where you are.
Hogs have good to excellent hearing, decent eyesight (out to 100 yds. or so) and the best "nose" in the business.
If daytime temps are already in the 80's-90's there (as here) you will probably see movement mostly during the cooler morning hours and again late afternoon till dark.
Considering the place is fairly small...I wouldn't recommend you actively walk around it (stalking) hogs.
IMO, a better strategy would be to bait a couple of areas and hunt from a hidden spot downwind of the bait...but not too close to any trails leading into the area.
If there are roads....you can dribble out corn along the length of them to increase your chance of the hogs finding it.
If presented a shot (and circumstance permits) aim for a spot anywhere from just in front of the shoulder to just behind the jaw (basically a neck shot), a hog shot in that manner will generally be DRT.
A shot directly through both shoulders (not behind it) is your next best bet IMO.
Best of luck to you....and don't forget to take pics.
Flint.
Once you locate an area with obvious hog sign...you then have a spot to "bait out".
You will need to consider the direction of the wind for the day(s) you will be hunting. You will want to always stay downwind of the area you want to watch/hunt.
Most places (sans a frontal system) have a "prevailing wind". Here it is from the Southeast, it may be different where you are.
Hogs have good to excellent hearing, decent eyesight (out to 100 yds. or so) and the best "nose" in the business.
If daytime temps are already in the 80's-90's there (as here) you will probably see movement mostly during the cooler morning hours and again late afternoon till dark.
Considering the place is fairly small...I wouldn't recommend you actively walk around it (stalking) hogs.
IMO, a better strategy would be to bait a couple of areas and hunt from a hidden spot downwind of the bait...but not too close to any trails leading into the area.
If there are roads....you can dribble out corn along the length of them to increase your chance of the hogs finding it.
If presented a shot (and circumstance permits) aim for a spot anywhere from just in front of the shoulder to just behind the jaw (basically a neck shot), a hog shot in that manner will generally be DRT.
A shot directly through both shoulders (not behind it) is your next best bet IMO.
Best of luck to you....and don't forget to take pics.
Flint.
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