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

His property is south east of Comanche and north east of Priddy. He lives on the property and the main use is deer hunting altho he does raise chickens and guinnies. Also his neighbor has some cattle on the property outside of deer season.

2. Terrain features, food/ water sources (and cover) are not as inviting as other properties.
Click to expand...

Plenty of food and cover but no creeks. He has one rocky bottomed pond (not suited for wallows) and water troughs in each feeder pen.

While it is good to be proactive when dealing with hogs, building a trap before you have a hog problem (or have no patterns) is like building a parking lot in the Sahara. It's not going to see much action.
Click to expand...

He started building the trap at first sighting of a pig, didn't know then that they would be gone so quickly. Besides he loves to weld and was just looking for a reason to build something. The trap spends most of its time sitting outside of his shop.

Keep an eye on the game cameras, learn to recognize the "sign" that hogs leave behind, then see if there are certain areas of the property they are traveling through.
Click to expand...

He swaps out the memory cards every week or two and looks around for scat (deer, turkey, and pig) when he does. The single boar has never visited the same feeder for more than a couple of weeks and again never the same animal. They don't come offten enough to start a trail and the ground is kinda rocky (not very good for finding tracks) in spots.

Thanks for the reply. This pig thing is new to me. Hope they stay away but it would be good to get some fresh pork.
Dallas Jack
 
DJ, it sounds like he is doing all that he can.

Its just one of those situations where he doesn't have an infestation of hogs, but a few boars coming through once in awhile.

And I understand completely about building the hog trap.

Nothing wrong with a man piddling around, heck he might actually catch one some day.

Stay after them....and good luck to you both.

Flint
 
Done deal......

Popped this one about 7:00 p.m. this evening.

He has been tearing up two pastures for about 3 weeks now. Finally caught up with him tonight.

I tried to drag him off the pipeline by hand...but gave up after 20 yds., I'm a pretty big boy...but enough is enough. Got my Father-in-Law to come scoop him up with the tractor.

Big_Boar_1.jpg

Big_Boar_2.jpg


.458 SOCOM vs. Hog (no contest):
Big_Boar_3.jpg
 
I sure don't envy the trouble you have with hogs. I can only imagine the havoc that big boy was causing. Any details? I've really enjoyed this thread and your insights on hog behavior. TIA
 
Flintknapper,

I'm sure the Hog Hammer is good medicine, but the way they seem to be coming in waves I think you could benefit from artillery and air strikes.
 
I have to say….I was very pleased with the performance of new Barnes TTSX 300 gr. Bullet.

Here… I have trimmed back the hide so you can see the point of entry. I was above the hog shooting downward at about 40 yds.

The boar was quartering hard toward me and had just put his head down when I took the shot.
Barnes_TTSX_1.jpg


This pic is of the same entry hole…but better shows just how large it is. The bullet has already expanded from having passed through the fat and gristle of the “shield” on the hogs neck/shoulder.
Barnes_TTSX_2.jpg


You can see from this pic…that the shield is about 2” thick at the point of entry.
Barnes_TTSX_5.jpg


I traced the bullet path by inserting a 3/8” fiberglass rod into the wound channel. It stopped on the “off-side” shoulder, so right away…I knew where to look for my bullet. I measured the portion of the rod that I withdrew and the bullet path was 20” long.
Barnes_TTSX_4.jpg

Continued next post:
 
I removed the off-side shoulder and found the bullet lying up against the lower portion of the bone there. I also, opened up the hog to look inside, damage was massive.
Barnes_TTSX_6.jpg


Here is the bullet right after recovery. It looks pretty good considering it traveled through 2” of shield , through the tough muscles of the neck, completely severed the spine (large in a hog), entered the chest cavity, took out part of the lungs, exited the ribs, went through another 1-1/2” of shield and hide, then lodged up against the shoulder bone.
Barnes_TTSX_7.jpg


Weight retention was right at 100% ( the blue poly tip is missing).
Barnes_TTSX_8.jpg


The bullet expanded in size….to just over ¾” of an inch. At some point…it was larger, but the “petals” folded over pretty good going through all that bone.
Barnes_TTSX_9.jpg

I want to try this bullet on few more hogs…before passing judgment….but so far it looks promising.

http://barnesbullets.myshopify.com/products/458-300-gr-ttsx-bt-458-socom


P.S.......Sorry for the poor picture quality. My camera went on the blink this morning and I had to use my cell phone.
 
For those of you wishing for hogs....there are those that have them, and those that will.

Know this though; They are smart, and elusive. Game cams make it look like you can just go out and shoot them all up am time, but it just doesn't work like that. They have a great sense of smell too. If you put up a feeder, don't let it go dry, because they will knock it down and tear it up. The only thing I know of that can be as destructive is a bear (that's here-say), and I haven't heard of a bear destroying acres of far/pasture land.
 
Thank you

Flint,

I too, have just read this thread from start to finish (so far:)).

I am a transplant to East Texas and have had hogs on my place in the past, but they have been gone now for two years. I have learned more about hogs tonight than I ever knew.

I have throughly enjoyed the thread and really appreciate the time and effort you have taken to share your knowledge and skills with us.

Thanks again and best wishes for your efforts!

Ed
 
Were at a pig roast now just got 5 lastnight, it sounds like your about due for a roast at your place
 

Attachments

  • Hog Hunting.jpg
    Hog Hunting.jpg
    279.1 KB · Views: 332
Flint I am going on a hog hunt later in May in west Texas. I don't have a.458 hog hammer and am forced to rely on my Savage chambered in .308. :)

Would you be willing to recommend a .308 cartridge for hogs?
 
Lightninstrike wrote:


Flint I am going on a hog hunt later in May in west Texas. I don't have a.458 hog hammer and am forced to rely on my Savage chambered in .308.

Would you be willing to recommend a .308 cartridge for hogs?
Click to expand...

Hi LS,

I hope you have a great time on your hunt.

The .308 is more than enough "gun" for hogs. Shot placement....is key to getting quick, "DRT" kills.

If circumstance permits, I recommend you place the shot anywhere from just behind the jaw....to just in front of the shoulder.

Basically, that is a neck shot...but allows "room for error", while still getting good results.

It doesn't matter the caliber, that is always my preferred shot.

As concerns bullet selection, you don't have go heavier than a 150 grain (the most common weight for the .308), but I would use a well constructed bullet... one that will provide deep penetration.

With factory ammo...you should be able to find something with a Nosler "partition" bullet or something of similar construction. A bullet that will stay together (but expand and penetrate) provides you with "options" in terms of shot angles.

Though I wouldn't try to shoot the South end of a North bound hog....you can ethically and confidently take quartering away (and to you) shots out to 300 yds. Just aim for the spot that will allow the bullet to exit the "off side shoulder" and you should be fine.

If the place you plan to hunt will allow you to night hunt (legal in Texas for hogs), then by all means do so. Shots will usually be 100 yds and under.

I hope you have great success....but more than that, a GOOD TIME.

Be safe and welcome to Texas... Sir!


Flint.


Edit: Add links…….

150 grain partition:
http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/792357.jpg?SSImageQuality=Full


Another good choice is the Barnes TSX (my personal favorite), but there can be concerns with over-penetration using this bullet. Just be sure you know what is beyond your hog…if you chose this one.

150 grain TSX:
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/product_images/129-P308V.jpg?SSImageQuality=Full
 
Last edited:
I would love to see that 458 in action some time. If you ever want to get together and go to the range, shoot me a PM. I am self employed and pretty flexible time-wise.
 
I am going to pick up some Barnes TSX for the trip. I was pretty impressed with the results from your pictures above.

If the place you plan to hunt will allow you to night hunt (legal in Texas for hogs), then by all means do so. Shots will usually be 100 yds and under.
Click to expand...

Yes it does, and yes we are planning a couple of night hunts. Its a ranch not too far from San Antonio.

I hope you have great success....but more than that, a GOOD TIME.

Be safe and welcome to Texas... Sir!
Click to expand...

Thanks Flint. I am certainly looking forward to it. Appreciate the information !!

I'll try to post some pictures here afterward.
 
retrieverman wrote:


I would love to see that 458 in action some time. If you ever want to get together and go to the range, shoot me a PM. I am self employed and pretty flexible time-wise.
Click to expand...

We'll definitely do it.

We can go out to the Angelina Rifle/Pistol club if you like, or I have my own place to shoot... on my FIL's place.

Next time I load a bunch of rounds for testing, I'll give you a shout. I'm just 15 minutes outside of town (easy drive for you).


Flint.
 
Lightninstrike said:
Yes it does, and yes we are planning a couple of night hunts. Its a ranch not too far from San Antonio.
Click to expand...

You know the name of the ranch? There's one that is in Goliad that is a nice ranch, and offers night hog hunting with thermal and night vision (well, the guide runs the thermal), it's called the Wild River Ranch... link: www.wildriverranchtexas.com

Happy hunting, and looking forward to maybe a report!?



ETA: Saw you said West Texas. Nevermind. Goliad is south Texas.
 
Don't mind at all, post all the pics you want (with mods permission).

This thread is not intended to be an epic story of MY hunting escapades, but rather a venue by which to share information that might be helpful to others.

Everyone is welcome to contribute.....but do try to include something of value in terms of hunting methods, tactics, equipment, etc.


Flint.
 
Sorry if this seems a little too presumptuous for my first post...but why not get a pack of hog dogs to patrol the property? You mention how hogs hate dogs. You could get a half dozen hounds, spay/neuter them or select all male/female if you are worried about them going feral and displacing the hogs. Keep them as pseudo family pets so they stay accustomed to you...or as dedicated family pets that just roam free. You could pin them up during deer season so they don't run the deer off too.
Seems like the obvious, least expensive least time consuming solution to the problem...that is unless you enjoy the hunting and trapping and destruction that the hogs bring to the property.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Feral Hogs as Food
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
9K
MCgunner
M
M
  • Locked
What gun for feral hogs?
2 3 4
Replies
86
Views
8K
BigMustard
B
D
  • Locked
Texas' wild hog numbers lead country
Replies
7
Views
3K
Greybeard
G
C
  • Locked
Feral Hog hunting
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
blkbrd666
B
M
  • Locked
Feral hogs in Texas
2
Replies
44
Views
6K
JohnKSa
JohnKSa
Back
Top