3pairs12, same here, did it because I'd never done it and I got invited and, well, if you never do it, you won't be able to say you did. I raced Daytona on motorcycles for the same reason. That's pretty dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, too.
Of course, you don't get a license in that case. Not just anyone gets an AMA pro license.
Oh, I ain't gonna say hog hunting with a knife and dogs ain't dangerous. The hog CAN get loose of the dogs. It happens. I know a guy that has a scar from his navel to his left nipple from just such an incident. The guy I went with had a suture kit on him for the dogs. He's had dogs torn up pretty good before. Hog guys take care of the dogs, cost a lot in time and money.
BUT, hunting 'em this way, while not as safe as sitting in your tripod stand and sniping 'em from 50 yards, isn't all THAT dangerous. I mean, it's not a suicidal sport. I've never heard of anyone killed by a hog. The hog generally, if he gets loose, will take a few swipes at whatever's near by and high tail it outta Dodge. They aren't about to try fighting to the death with a pack of dogs and humans. I can believe the story about the guy being one nutted, for instance. Hey, it happens. If I got cut up, I'd heal. That motorcycle racing thing I did for all those years and still dabble in has had me laid up more'n once, casts and stuff. I got over it. Ernest Hemmingway ran with the bulls, same sort of thing. I won't say it makes you feel more "macho", but some folks like adrenalin. Just put it that way. For all I've been able to do in my life, I ain't flying to Pamplona, Espana to get chased by a toro. I have my limits.
