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Flintknapper
Member
LoonWulf wrote:
Large 'pen' type trap.
Large 'pen' type trap.
Not again.......! Feral Hog Control in East Texas
- Thread starter Flintknapper
- Start date
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Flintknapper
Member
Good Hog Sign
I was walking some fence-line this afternoon....looking to see if any of it was in need of repair.
Found this 'Wallow' right in an old logging road on a part of the ranch I don't visit much.
It didn't appear to be very old..but heavily used.
It is about 6 feet long and nearly a foot deep. Large tracks all around it, lots of rubbing on the nearby trees.
Not a good place to trap or try to set up for a shot. But a good spot for a snare.
I put some corn out and will monitor that for a few days. If anything picks up the corn I will see about getting a game camera on that spot.
Hopefully determine the travel pattern of any hog(s) present. That will help in deciding the best placement for the snares.
So we'll see what shows up.
I was walking some fence-line this afternoon....looking to see if any of it was in need of repair.
Found this 'Wallow' right in an old logging road on a part of the ranch I don't visit much.
It didn't appear to be very old..but heavily used.
It is about 6 feet long and nearly a foot deep. Large tracks all around it, lots of rubbing on the nearby trees.
Not a good place to trap or try to set up for a shot. But a good spot for a snare.
I put some corn out and will monitor that for a few days. If anything picks up the corn I will see about getting a game camera on that spot.
Hopefully determine the travel pattern of any hog(s) present. That will help in deciding the best placement for the snares.
So we'll see what shows up.
Ole Joe Clark
Member
Hello Flint,
Just out of curiosity, how many acres is your ranch? If don't want to share it publicly that's ok.
Leon
Just out of curiosity, how many acres is your ranch? If don't want to share it publicly that's ok.
Leon
Ooooohhhhhhhhhh you don't kill the baby ones do you!?!?!?!??? Just kidding Flint, best of luck with those pesky pre prepped pork rolls! I like checking in time to time for the pic/updates and daydream of the day when I'll be able to take a few hogs off of some feller's property in an attempt to assist in the war on ham.
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Flintknapper
Member
Horsey wrote:
Actually that is a question I get fairly often. Normally...any small hogs that are dispatched have been trapped. So I would certainly have the option of letting them go, but it would be a self inflicted wound in terms of my efforts to reduce their numbers.
I have no qualms with those who choose to do so, it is a personal choice each person must make. I know of at least one well respected member here that turns out the 'little ones' and I support his decision to do so.
To answer your question....yes, ALL Feral Pigs...regardless their age or size are treated the same (dispatched). It is a necessary (if regretful) practice.
I can assure you I take no pleasure in shooting pigs whether trapped or not.
But with regards to trapped pigs...it remains a particularly difficult task for me to perform. It is 'slaughter', plain and simple and if it doesn't give you an unsettled feeling....then there is something wrong with you.
I don't pursue pigs for 'sport', it is a matter of trying to preserve our property, livestock and other wildlife. Pigs can be incredibly destructive.
So while I would be the first to tell you that baby pigs are 'cute' and not destructive at that age, they will grow rapidly and become a problem in just a few months time.
Its just how things work.... out here on the 'farm'.
Actually that is a question I get fairly often. Normally...any small hogs that are dispatched have been trapped. So I would certainly have the option of letting them go, but it would be a self inflicted wound in terms of my efforts to reduce their numbers.
I have no qualms with those who choose to do so, it is a personal choice each person must make. I know of at least one well respected member here that turns out the 'little ones' and I support his decision to do so.
To answer your question....yes, ALL Feral Pigs...regardless their age or size are treated the same (dispatched). It is a necessary (if regretful) practice.
I can assure you I take no pleasure in shooting pigs whether trapped or not.
But with regards to trapped pigs...it remains a particularly difficult task for me to perform. It is 'slaughter', plain and simple and if it doesn't give you an unsettled feeling....then there is something wrong with you.
I don't pursue pigs for 'sport', it is a matter of trying to preserve our property, livestock and other wildlife. Pigs can be incredibly destructive.
So while I would be the first to tell you that baby pigs are 'cute' and not destructive at that age, they will grow rapidly and become a problem in just a few months time.
Its just how things work.... out here on the 'farm'.
I do understand Flint, and upon reading over my previous post, I do hope no one takes offense, I did not word it well at all, I have trapped many varmints at the chicken coop and predators around the calving herd, and respect and support each person's individual views and solutions to their own troubles. Trapped animals, young or old, are (for me) much harder to dispatch but it's an occasion where the circumstances make all the difference. I do apologize to any who may have taken offense at my poor choice of words.
alsaqr
Member
Our deer lease has been trashed by wild hogs. This year i have shot 40-60 small pigs: The reason is simple; they grow up to be hogs.
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Flintknapper
Member
Horsey,
There was nothing offensive about your post. And no apology was necessary.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to address the topic/question (what is done with the small pigs?) that comes up from time to time.
But also to state that the 'killing' part of Feral Hog Control is not something I relish, it is simply a necessity.
Having said that....some will question why I continue to post to this thread, IF I didn't enjoy the killing. I do not.
I started this thread a few years ago mainly to bring attention to the destructive habits these Hogs are known for. And to offer a few 'tips' to others with similar problems.
I am certainly no expert....and claim no prowess with respect to hunting hogs, but I am willing to share with others...what has worked for me. So if anyone can glean something from this then it is well worth it.
I have learned a lot from others who have posted in this thread over the years and I greatly appreciate their participation.
I hope that the main theme and focus of the thread will continue to be 'educational' and all are welcomed and encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences.
Thank You for raising a question (even if in jest) that is valid and worthy of discussion.
Flint.
There was nothing offensive about your post. And no apology was necessary.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to address the topic/question (what is done with the small pigs?) that comes up from time to time.
But also to state that the 'killing' part of Feral Hog Control is not something I relish, it is simply a necessity.
Having said that....some will question why I continue to post to this thread, IF I didn't enjoy the killing. I do not.
I started this thread a few years ago mainly to bring attention to the destructive habits these Hogs are known for. And to offer a few 'tips' to others with similar problems.
I am certainly no expert....and claim no prowess with respect to hunting hogs, but I am willing to share with others...what has worked for me. So if anyone can glean something from this then it is well worth it.
I have learned a lot from others who have posted in this thread over the years and I greatly appreciate their participation.
I hope that the main theme and focus of the thread will continue to be 'educational' and all are welcomed and encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences.
Thank You for raising a question (even if in jest) that is valid and worthy of discussion.
Flint.
Stony
Member
I must state that I fully respect Flint's decision to dispatch hogs no matter of the size. People involved in agriculture definitely have a different reason for their approach to the hog problems than guys like me that just do it for the sport. The lands that I hunt and trap hogs on are large wooded areas with no agricultural usage and the hogs do not cause damage to the woods.
I personally turn hogs loose from a trap when they are small enough to still have their stripes as I do not wish to kill the babies...but if I were in Flint's position I might have to change my approach to them. I would imagine some of the real small ones might not survive on their own when I turn them loose as being that small they would probably be easy prey to some of the larger predators here in these woods.
To each their own...we all have our own reasons for this stuff....
I personally turn hogs loose from a trap when they are small enough to still have their stripes as I do not wish to kill the babies...but if I were in Flint's position I might have to change my approach to them. I would imagine some of the real small ones might not survive on their own when I turn them loose as being that small they would probably be easy prey to some of the larger predators here in these woods.
To each their own...we all have our own reasons for this stuff....
Blue68f100
Member
I checked my game camera yesterday after my neighbor said his was overrun with hogs. He owns the 95 ac to the south of me. This was a week ago (Sunday), with only one other day that was a month old. These came in just at day break. I need to check it regularly now to see if they come in on a regular basis.
This feeder I can see from my back door, 100 yrds. I have a blind that is 70 yrds from the feeder. The bad thing is a southeast wind will take my scent toward them.
If you notice the the black trash back in the back ground. That's part of my home range.
This feeder I can see from my back door, 100 yrds. I have a blind that is 70 yrds from the feeder. The bad thing is a southeast wind will take my scent toward them.
If you notice the the black trash back in the back ground. That's part of my home range.
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Flintknapper
Member
Oh.....No!
Do they have a 'Factory' somewhere.....or what?
It's a losing proposition, they make them faster (much faster) than I can get rid of them.
Do they have a 'Factory' somewhere.....or what?
It's a losing proposition, they make them faster (much faster) than I can get rid of them.
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Flintknapper
Member
Hi BB,
Yes, this would be a trapping opportunity. There are actually two mature Sows in the group, one is not pictured. I stopped the video at that point to take a picture to share but another Sow is in the group. Still...a lot of little ones.
There are 22 pigs in total.
I'll need to see if I can get them to hang around long enough to warrant assembling a trap for them. Sometimes you'll see a group and they just 'move on'... other times they 'move in'.
Once the weather cools off a little...I need to break out my welder and construct some portable panels that I can quickly and easily set up.
Just about the time you think you have them 'beat back' a little, you get a group like this come through. It leaves no doubt...they are alive and well.
Thank God they don't vote.
Yes, this would be a trapping opportunity. There are actually two mature Sows in the group, one is not pictured. I stopped the video at that point to take a picture to share but another Sow is in the group. Still...a lot of little ones.
There are 22 pigs in total.
I'll need to see if I can get them to hang around long enough to warrant assembling a trap for them. Sometimes you'll see a group and they just 'move on'... other times they 'move in'.
Once the weather cools off a little...I need to break out my welder and construct some portable panels that I can quickly and easily set up.
Just about the time you think you have them 'beat back' a little, you get a group like this come through. It leaves no doubt...they are alive and well.
Thank God they don't vote.
Is that a Ruger Precision Rifle?
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Flintknapper
Member
gspn wrote:
Yes Sir. In 6.5 Creedmoor.
My Brother spends a lot of time shooting long distance. On days without too much wind, 3" @ 1000 yds. He recently shot a 18" x 24" target at one mile his second try.
Yes Sir. In 6.5 Creedmoor.
My Brother spends a lot of time shooting long distance. On days without too much wind, 3" @ 1000 yds. He recently shot a 18" x 24" target at one mile his second try.
Flint,
Yeah that's the funny thing about hogs. Here today. Gone tomorrow. Or here today. More tomorrow. And there's no rhyme or reason for how they decide. They truly are targets of opportunity.
By the looks of the background in that picture, I'm thinking that RPR, didn't really get to stretch its legs much before downing that boar. One thing I've always thought was interesting. Wanting a hunting rifle that shoots sub MOA and excepting nothing less, so you can kill an animal at 100 yards. Obviously your brother shooting a mile is not in this category.
Yeah that's the funny thing about hogs. Here today. Gone tomorrow. Or here today. More tomorrow. And there's no rhyme or reason for how they decide. They truly are targets of opportunity.
By the looks of the background in that picture, I'm thinking that RPR, didn't really get to stretch its legs much before downing that boar. One thing I've always thought was interesting. Wanting a hunting rifle that shoots sub MOA and excepting nothing less, so you can kill an animal at 100 yards. Obviously your brother shooting a mile is not in this category.
Wow. I've been looking at one with the idea that I could hunt with it as well as play at the range with it. Nice to finally see one in the woods.
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Flintknapper
Member
gspn wrote:
It can certainly do 'double duty' but be advised...they are quite long and heavy, so I wouldn't want to carry one around for long.
My Brothers rifle has a big NightForce scope on it, a Suppressor and Bipod (all adding weight to an already heavy rifle) and it weighs in at a bit over 13 lbs.
That is as much as my 458 SOCOM weighs when I have it all decked out with Hog Hunting gear.
But is will definitely 'shoot' if you do your part.
It can certainly do 'double duty' but be advised...they are quite long and heavy, so I wouldn't want to carry one around for long.
My Brothers rifle has a big NightForce scope on it, a Suppressor and Bipod (all adding weight to an already heavy rifle) and it weighs in at a bit over 13 lbs.
That is as much as my 458 SOCOM weighs when I have it all decked out with Hog Hunting gear.
But is will definitely 'shoot' if you do your part.
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Flintknapper
Member
BB44 wrote:
Correct. That boar was shot at 100 yds.
Mark had not shot anything larger than 100 lbs. with it and we were curious to see the performance of the Hornady ELD-X bullet on a heavier pig.
Otherwise, he would have taken his Savage Model 10 Carbine in .308 for the short distance we were at .
The longest shot (to date) we have had to take on hogs....was 250 yds. (I think I wrote about that back on page 70 or there about).
He jokingly says that 100 yds. is "Slingshot distance".
Of course...I took that opportunity to remind him that he did MISS his second shot at the boar (at 140 yds.). In fairness it was running (and do mean running!).
Correct. That boar was shot at 100 yds.
Mark had not shot anything larger than 100 lbs. with it and we were curious to see the performance of the Hornady ELD-X bullet on a heavier pig.
Otherwise, he would have taken his Savage Model 10 Carbine in .308 for the short distance we were at .
The longest shot (to date) we have had to take on hogs....was 250 yds. (I think I wrote about that back on page 70 or there about).
He jokingly says that 100 yds. is "Slingshot distance".
Of course...I took that opportunity to remind him that he did MISS his second shot at the boar (at 140 yds.). In fairness it was running (and do mean running!).
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Flintknapper
Member
BB,
Considering the shot placement (ended up just behind the shoulder) it did pretty well. Hog ran about 40 yds and piled up. Bullet did not exit (I was surprised at that).
If the hog had been hit in the neck or a high shoulder shot...I would not necessarily expect an exit (at that distance/impact velocity), but behind the shoulder I was thinking it would.
Depending upon how you look at it...that can be good or bad. Good that the bullet expended all of its energy on the hog. But when you don't have an exit hole, you often have a poor (or non-existent) blood trail (with pigs).
I happened to see where this pig went down but the only blood we found was one very small spot where it had bleed from the nose (lung shot).
IF the pig hadn't taken a step just before the shot broke, it would have been a mid to high shoulder shot and would anchored the pig right there I am confident.
I looked for the bullet after the Coyotes and Buzzards had cleaned up the carcass, but couldn't find anything. So I don't how much it expanded/fragmented. Just that it didn't exit.
Considering the shot placement (ended up just behind the shoulder) it did pretty well. Hog ran about 40 yds and piled up. Bullet did not exit (I was surprised at that).
If the hog had been hit in the neck or a high shoulder shot...I would not necessarily expect an exit (at that distance/impact velocity), but behind the shoulder I was thinking it would.
Depending upon how you look at it...that can be good or bad. Good that the bullet expended all of its energy on the hog. But when you don't have an exit hole, you often have a poor (or non-existent) blood trail (with pigs).
I happened to see where this pig went down but the only blood we found was one very small spot where it had bleed from the nose (lung shot).
IF the pig hadn't taken a step just before the shot broke, it would have been a mid to high shoulder shot and would anchored the pig right there I am confident.
I looked for the bullet after the Coyotes and Buzzards had cleaned up the carcass, but couldn't find anything. So I don't how much it expanded/fragmented. Just that it didn't exit.
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Flintknapper
Member
Sometimes you win, sometimes they win...!
Back in post #1953 I alluded to a spot I found that looked promising for a 'snare' set up.
I baited it out for several days and had action each night. Noted a single set of large hoof prints each time, so I assumed it to be a Boar Hog.
I didn't put up a camera as originally planned because I was fairly certain it was just a single hog using the area.
I set up two snares on one side of a wooden fence post, placed a short section of a rotten log between them and piled some brush to the outside of the last one. So the arrangement was Wooden fence post, Snare #1, Log, Snare #2, Brush pile.
Basically created two 'easy' paths for the hog to go under the fence.
Checked my snares this morning and even before getting all the way up to them I could see the ground was torn up around the snare site. Didn't see a hog however.
I walked on down to the site and found that the 'set' had worked perfectly, BUT the hog managed to pop the snare wire.
I searched the area for about 100 yds. around but couldn't find the hog or any sign of what direction it might have gone.
I use heavy 1/8" snares whenever I expect to catch a large hog and generally they work very well. In this case...the hog managed to circle the fence post five times AND go over and under the bottom wire four times.
When that happens a cable can become kinked or twisted and will be substantially weakened. I use both springs and swivels on my snares to reduce that possibility...but this pig managed to do it anyway.
The real 'problem' I believe was of my own making. I set one of the snare loops a bit closer to the ground than I normally do...because I had a trail of corn dribbled out and was attempting to get the hog to feed through it.
My guess is that the hog stepped through the loop and had a leg and it's neck in it (snare around one shoulder). IF the hog had been caught only by the neck, it would surely have choked down. I use 'cam' locks on my snares.
So most likely there a hog out there wearing the remaining part of the snare around its shoulder. There wouldn't be enough of the 'tag' end of the cable to catch on anything....but it would take the hog rubbing on something just right to get the cam lock to release.
Doubtful it will return to that same area, but I will watch my game cams to see if it turns up.
So once again "The best laid plans of mice and men......."
Back in post #1953 I alluded to a spot I found that looked promising for a 'snare' set up.
I baited it out for several days and had action each night. Noted a single set of large hoof prints each time, so I assumed it to be a Boar Hog.
I didn't put up a camera as originally planned because I was fairly certain it was just a single hog using the area.
I set up two snares on one side of a wooden fence post, placed a short section of a rotten log between them and piled some brush to the outside of the last one. So the arrangement was Wooden fence post, Snare #1, Log, Snare #2, Brush pile.
Basically created two 'easy' paths for the hog to go under the fence.
Checked my snares this morning and even before getting all the way up to them I could see the ground was torn up around the snare site. Didn't see a hog however.
I walked on down to the site and found that the 'set' had worked perfectly, BUT the hog managed to pop the snare wire.
I searched the area for about 100 yds. around but couldn't find the hog or any sign of what direction it might have gone.
I use heavy 1/8" snares whenever I expect to catch a large hog and generally they work very well. In this case...the hog managed to circle the fence post five times AND go over and under the bottom wire four times.
When that happens a cable can become kinked or twisted and will be substantially weakened. I use both springs and swivels on my snares to reduce that possibility...but this pig managed to do it anyway.
The real 'problem' I believe was of my own making. I set one of the snare loops a bit closer to the ground than I normally do...because I had a trail of corn dribbled out and was attempting to get the hog to feed through it.
My guess is that the hog stepped through the loop and had a leg and it's neck in it (snare around one shoulder). IF the hog had been caught only by the neck, it would surely have choked down. I use 'cam' locks on my snares.
So most likely there a hog out there wearing the remaining part of the snare around its shoulder. There wouldn't be enough of the 'tag' end of the cable to catch on anything....but it would take the hog rubbing on something just right to get the cam lock to release.
Doubtful it will return to that same area, but I will watch my game cams to see if it turns up.
So once again "The best laid plans of mice and men......."
alsaqr
Member
They sometimes escape our best laid traps.
Our lease has numerous trap shy boars. Been slowly picking them off with a muzzleloader but it's taking too long. i've been reading about the snaring option and will soon order some snares.
Our lease has numerous trap shy boars. Been slowly picking them off with a muzzleloader but it's taking too long. i've been reading about the snaring option and will soon order some snares.
