Man, I'd LOVE to get the chance to shoot some hogs! I have several qualified rifles, but for some reason I'd want to use my M1 Garand if possible. The Winchester .44 mag. Trapper would probably be fine though. Probably safer too. I have a brother that lives in Troup, TX, just south of Tyler. He'd be up for some o' this action, but he says he doesn't know anyplace to go.
Not again.......! Feral Hog Control in East Texas
- Thread starter Flintknapper
- Start date
Balog
Member
So I've been thinking about this a bit, especially the part where you laid corn into the hole under a stump.
Would it be possible to bait a small hole (or series of them) with a cover anchored over it so that it would take a hog to root it out: then place poisoned corn in there? I know you don't want to be indiscriminate (hence the lack of snares) and I agree with this position. But if you could cover it in such a way that it'd take a hog to root it out...
Would it be possible to bait a small hole (or series of them) with a cover anchored over it so that it would take a hog to root it out: then place poisoned corn in there? I know you don't want to be indiscriminate (hence the lack of snares) and I agree with this position. But if you could cover it in such a way that it'd take a hog to root it out...
Best Thread
Flint.
Best thread I have ever read. This would make a great story in any hunting or outdoor magazine. Hope you let everyone know how things go in the future with your hog problem. I have never trapped them but use a 30-06 or my British 303. They are both very old war rifles but do the job well. Good luck and keep posting.
Better figure out how your going to tell your little girl that Spot won't be around any more. Let us know how you are dealing with it. May be another chapter to this SAGA.lol
Flint.
Best thread I have ever read. This would make a great story in any hunting or outdoor magazine. Hope you let everyone know how things go in the future with your hog problem. I have never trapped them but use a 30-06 or my British 303. They are both very old war rifles but do the job well. Good luck and keep posting.
Better figure out how your going to tell your little girl that Spot won't be around any more. Let us know how you are dealing with it. May be another chapter to this SAGA.lol
jcox265
Member
awesome thread. i have been itching to get a gen 2 and by the looks of it we are really close geographically. except for those big damn deer! mine look like the illegitimate child of that deer and spot!
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
bowyer58 wrote:
I can tell you for certain that the feral hog population in Texas is indeed "that bad".
Even so, we don't allow anyone (other than family) onto the property to hunt them.
The reason for this is twofold:
1. It is a sad thing....but we live very litigious times. It simply isn't worth the headache to worry about being sued by a person you let onto your property to hunt. (Even with waivers....it still happens).
2. The average "Joe" looking to do the "poor farmer a favor", hasn't got a clue how to hunt hogs. We aren't looking for folks to "educate" our hogs. We are looking for DEAD HOGS.
Yes, there are a few qualified/experienced hunters out there, but honestly...they are few and far between when it comes to effectively hunting hogs.
I don't personally know of any landowner around here that would charge a fee to let you hunt feral hogs....but if they did, you could more rightfully think of it as a "trespass fee", (since money and the number of free ranging hogs have NO relationship).
I can't speak for how things are all over the state, but here (Deep East Texas).... only family and close, trustworthy friends are ever going to be allowed on your property to begin with.
I can tell you for certain that the feral hog population in Texas is indeed "that bad".
Even so, we don't allow anyone (other than family) onto the property to hunt them.
The reason for this is twofold:
1. It is a sad thing....but we live very litigious times. It simply isn't worth the headache to worry about being sued by a person you let onto your property to hunt. (Even with waivers....it still happens).
2. The average "Joe" looking to do the "poor farmer a favor", hasn't got a clue how to hunt hogs. We aren't looking for folks to "educate" our hogs. We are looking for DEAD HOGS.
Yes, there are a few qualified/experienced hunters out there, but honestly...they are few and far between when it comes to effectively hunting hogs.
I don't personally know of any landowner around here that would charge a fee to let you hunt feral hogs....but if they did, you could more rightfully think of it as a "trespass fee", (since money and the number of free ranging hogs have NO relationship).
I can't speak for how things are all over the state, but here (Deep East Texas).... only family and close, trustworthy friends are ever going to be allowed on your property to begin with.
MattTheHat
Member
And Poachers.
This year at my place, there aren't any piglets. Still have several larger hogs and sow, but all the little critters are missing. I suspect a mountain lion has moved in and is eating all the little ones. We aren't supposed to have the big cats in Hunt county where my place is, but I've seen some pretty big prints, and plenty of scats that are too large to be anything else. ("Here kitty kitty kitty kitty.")
-Matt
RockinU
Member
I also can assure you it is that bad. However I also don't want a bunch of people I don't know running around my place with guns...I have stock to think of. If I need help I invite people I know and trust. I work as a guide for a hunting outfit, and I know how unsafe the average Joe can be while hunting. I'm sure some landowners do charge people to come in and hunt, then probably turn around and use that money towards truly effective methods of control.
Rem700SD
Member
I just read this thread straight throught and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Flint, my parents have a bit of land about 30 min down the king's highway from you with a chronic hog infestation. I have two problems. 1st, cows are run on this property, and 2nd, I live in Houston!!!
Do you have any advice for a weekend hunter? I can't be there but a few times a year.
Someone told me the moon phase affects their feeding patterns. have you seen any truth to this?
Flint, my parents have a bit of land about 30 min down the king's highway from you with a chronic hog infestation. I have two problems. 1st, cows are run on this property, and 2nd, I live in Houston!!!
Do you have any advice for a weekend hunter? I can't be there but a few times a year.
Someone told me the moon phase affects their feeding patterns. have you seen any truth to this?
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
Hi Rem,
Sorry to hear that you have the hog problem too.
Cattle on the property present three potential problems:
1. They will find and eat most baits put out for hogs (corn especially). You would need to fence off an area.
2. When shooting at hogs (in pastures), cattle may be present also. Great care must be taken to ensure it is "clear" behind the hog...in case of a miss or complete penetration.
3. Calves...(particularly the black ones) can be mistaken for a hog in low light conditions, or in heavy brush. (Make sure of your target!)
=============================
I don't have cattle on my place (horses instead), but my F-I-L's place is a working Cattle Ranch. I am very careful...and have never injured any of his livestock, but I would never allow anyone I didn't completely trust to hunt the property.
===============================
You can successfully hunt the property on "weekends" only, but some amount of pre-scouting and preparation would be beneficial.
================================
Houston is just 2-1/2 hours away, (so a leisurely drive by Texas standards). You and a trusted friend would barely have time for a good conversation....before you'd be here. Get after those pigs!
If you have any questions....or just need a few suggestions, don't hesitate to ask. I will do all I can to help.
Best of luck,
Flint.
Sorry to hear that you have the hog problem too.
Cattle on the property present three potential problems:
1. They will find and eat most baits put out for hogs (corn especially). You would need to fence off an area.
2. When shooting at hogs (in pastures), cattle may be present also. Great care must be taken to ensure it is "clear" behind the hog...in case of a miss or complete penetration.
3. Calves...(particularly the black ones) can be mistaken for a hog in low light conditions, or in heavy brush. (Make sure of your target!)
=============================
I don't have cattle on my place (horses instead), but my F-I-L's place is a working Cattle Ranch. I am very careful...and have never injured any of his livestock, but I would never allow anyone I didn't completely trust to hunt the property.
===============================
You can successfully hunt the property on "weekends" only, but some amount of pre-scouting and preparation would be beneficial.
================================
Houston is just 2-1/2 hours away, (so a leisurely drive by Texas standards). You and a trusted friend would barely have time for a good conversation....before you'd be here. Get after those pigs!
If you have any questions....or just need a few suggestions, don't hesitate to ask. I will do all I can to help.
Best of luck,
Flint.
tommyintx
Member
frustrated
Friend left me a drop-door hog trap about a month ago (ish..).. I dropped approx 400 lbs of feed in a 100 sq. foot area circle surrounding the trap.
I dropped another 200 pounds closer to the trap, and about half a 40 LB bag right in the trap.
I checked it every morning around 9 AM. Nothing, went home.
Two weeks have gone by, and although there is fresh rooting approx 400-500 yards away, hogs are going nowhere near the trap. The deer sure are enjoying it though.
Last night i got a wild hair up my butt and went out there in my truck and saw a lone boar, approx 100 yards away, who fled immediatly. I tryed to chase him down and hit him with my truck, or even get close enough to shoot him with my sidearm, but to no avail. he was in mud/swamp in seconds, where my truck could not go.
I'm losing my hair over this.
Friend left me a drop-door hog trap about a month ago (ish..).. I dropped approx 400 lbs of feed in a 100 sq. foot area circle surrounding the trap.
I dropped another 200 pounds closer to the trap, and about half a 40 LB bag right in the trap.
I checked it every morning around 9 AM. Nothing, went home.
Two weeks have gone by, and although there is fresh rooting approx 400-500 yards away, hogs are going nowhere near the trap. The deer sure are enjoying it though.
Last night i got a wild hair up my butt and went out there in my truck and saw a lone boar, approx 100 yards away, who fled immediatly. I tryed to chase him down and hit him with my truck, or even get close enough to shoot him with my sidearm, but to no avail. he was in mud/swamp in seconds, where my truck could not go.
I'm losing my hair over this.
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
Hi Tommy,
Sounds like your hogs have not yet discovered the corn you have put out.
This time of year (cold weather, few acorns left), they would be on corn like "white on rice".
Without knowing the specifics of your trap setup....I can't really make any suggestions except to offer the following:
1. Place your trap near known travel routes, this increases the chance that hogs will find the bait quickly.
2. Once hogs have found the bait, stop putting corn outside the trap and place it IN the trap ONLY.
3. If possible, check your trap about mid-day... hogs are still active in the morning hours this time of year, (if not pressured).
4. Be careful not to leave any scent around the trap or bait-site. I check my trap(s) from a distance using binoculars. I only approach the trap to re-bait or put out more corn (if necessary).
Good luck to you Sir!
Flint.
Sounds like your hogs have not yet discovered the corn you have put out.
This time of year (cold weather, few acorns left), they would be on corn like "white on rice".
Without knowing the specifics of your trap setup....I can't really make any suggestions except to offer the following:
1. Place your trap near known travel routes, this increases the chance that hogs will find the bait quickly.
2. Once hogs have found the bait, stop putting corn outside the trap and place it IN the trap ONLY.
3. If possible, check your trap about mid-day... hogs are still active in the morning hours this time of year, (if not pressured).
4. Be careful not to leave any scent around the trap or bait-site. I check my trap(s) from a distance using binoculars. I only approach the trap to re-bait or put out more corn (if necessary).
Good luck to you Sir!
Flint.
tommyintx
Member
tried what you said.
and..
i got two pigs last night!
who would have thunk' it. checking early was my problem. One about 200 LBS, already given to my uncle to mix with his deer sausage..
The 80ish pounder is in the trap in the front yard. gonna cut it up tommorrow with my brother, see how she tastes. Considering they ate in the neighborhood of 600 pounds of corn.. don't think i'll need to clean them out.
that, and.. they're pigs, not boars.
i really appreciate the advice. I'd take you out for lunch for it if you were closer.
now i just need a .458 socom to help tame the numbers. I have a .308 win H&K for the mean time..
and..
i got two pigs last night!
who would have thunk' it. checking early was my problem. One about 200 LBS, already given to my uncle to mix with his deer sausage..
The 80ish pounder is in the trap in the front yard. gonna cut it up tommorrow with my brother, see how she tastes. Considering they ate in the neighborhood of 600 pounds of corn.. don't think i'll need to clean them out.
that, and.. they're pigs, not boars.
i really appreciate the advice. I'd take you out for lunch for it if you were closer.
now i just need a .458 socom to help tame the numbers. I have a .308 win H&K for the mean time..
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
Good job Tommy, proud of ya!
Be careful when field dressing/butchering the hogs...not to get any blood/fluids in open cuts or scratches (wear latex gloves), some hogs carry potentially nasty diseases.
Cook well and enjoy.
Keep after them.
Flint.
Be careful when field dressing/butchering the hogs...not to get any blood/fluids in open cuts or scratches (wear latex gloves), some hogs carry potentially nasty diseases.
Cook well and enjoy.
Keep after them.
Flint.
tommyintx
Member
The small one dressed to 55 lbs.. the big one was almost 175 dressed.
I'd say probably 85-90/225-250 lbs of hog before cleaning. The little one's hanging in my front yard on a chain hoist.. its 23 degrees outside. no need to put it on ice. it's hitting the pit about 8 AM tommorrow. Big one is already getting processed into sausage to go with my uncle's deer.
Had the little one from squeeling in the cage to hanging dressed in the front yard in under 30 minutes.
Tip from my uncle, which worked extremely well, and made cleaning and skinning the hog extremely easily.. the 22 LR.
shoot right behind, and between the eyes. i'd say 1/2" back. the hog will go paralized/stunned and twitch. then immediately drag it out the trap. I couldn't get it by the hind leg it was kicking so bad, so i ripped it out by it's tail.
then pull the leg straight as if it was standing, stab straight in and when knife is completely submerged, flick the blade, and remove. If you did this right you will have pretty much cut the heart in half. will bleed out QUICK.
also, instead of hanging by the legs spread, run rope (or in my case, the hook from my chain hoist), through the bottom of the mouth, then when skinning,
cut off the ears, run straight down, and (box cutters make this easy, to gauge depth and speed, without dulling knives as bad) cut two inch strips. makes it alot easier to skin faster.. I might make a guide to musk gland locations if there is any demand.
got the hog trap pressure washed out, to remove blood (my 22-ar upper is COVERED in blood, up the free float tube and all over the barrel...)..
ready to soak trees around my next trapping location (500 or so yards away) in diesel, and start spreading corn.
Our 'kenfolk around here heard about my catch and had a hell of a good time laughing when they found out it took 600 pounds of corn (about 100$ worth), and two weeks, but when they saw the two i caught, and with my VERY crappy trap.. the laughing stopped.
No telling what i could have caught with a guillotine style door...
if anyone around here has a trap they want to donate, or even saloon style doors, and i'll buy hog panels.. be sure to speak up
I'd say probably 85-90/225-250 lbs of hog before cleaning. The little one's hanging in my front yard on a chain hoist.. its 23 degrees outside. no need to put it on ice. it's hitting the pit about 8 AM tommorrow. Big one is already getting processed into sausage to go with my uncle's deer.
Had the little one from squeeling in the cage to hanging dressed in the front yard in under 30 minutes.
Tip from my uncle, which worked extremely well, and made cleaning and skinning the hog extremely easily.. the 22 LR.
shoot right behind, and between the eyes. i'd say 1/2" back. the hog will go paralized/stunned and twitch. then immediately drag it out the trap. I couldn't get it by the hind leg it was kicking so bad, so i ripped it out by it's tail.
then pull the leg straight as if it was standing, stab straight in and when knife is completely submerged, flick the blade, and remove. If you did this right you will have pretty much cut the heart in half. will bleed out QUICK.
also, instead of hanging by the legs spread, run rope (or in my case, the hook from my chain hoist), through the bottom of the mouth, then when skinning,
cut off the ears, run straight down, and (box cutters make this easy, to gauge depth and speed, without dulling knives as bad) cut two inch strips. makes it alot easier to skin faster.. I might make a guide to musk gland locations if there is any demand.
got the hog trap pressure washed out, to remove blood (my 22-ar upper is COVERED in blood, up the free float tube and all over the barrel...)..
ready to soak trees around my next trapping location (500 or so yards away) in diesel, and start spreading corn.
Our 'kenfolk around here heard about my catch and had a hell of a good time laughing when they found out it took 600 pounds of corn (about 100$ worth), and two weeks, but when they saw the two i caught, and with my VERY crappy trap.. the laughing stopped.
No telling what i could have caught with a guillotine style door...
if anyone around here has a trap they want to donate, or even saloon style doors, and i'll buy hog panels.. be sure to speak up
Cooking Sausage ??
tommyintex,
How do you go about processsing your sausage meat to kill anything that might be in it? My mom was old school and literally cooked the crap out of any wild game I brought home (that's why I hate duck). Any venison I've had was fried, or roasted and I've had B-B-Q wild hog before that was slooow cooked over an open fire, so it was up to temp.
I'd like to know because one day I might get lucky.
tommyintex,
How do you go about processsing your sausage meat to kill anything that might be in it? My mom was old school and literally cooked the crap out of any wild game I brought home (that's why I hate duck).
Any venison I've had was fried, or roasted and I've had B-B-Q wild hog before that was slooow cooked over an open fire, so it was up to temp. I'd like to know because one day I might get lucky.
swampboss
Member
I didn't take time to read all of the posts on this thread, but I felt it important to put in my 2cents.
I have helped to trap and kill several hundred in E Texas and S Arkansas over the last 15 years. One problem we found was some of the hog dog runners like to catch them alive and put them out on the side of the road on other peoples property. They travel all over to hunt and like to make sure they have a few around "close to home". This is illegal in most states but happens more than you know. IMO the best way to control their numbers is to trap all you can year around, have a shoot on site policy on your property, you cant let them walk while deer hunting. Be careful which dog hunters you let on your property, make sure they have a good reputation. There are some bad apples that will let some loose near your property so they always have some to hunt.
I have helped to trap and kill several hundred in E Texas and S Arkansas over the last 15 years. One problem we found was some of the hog dog runners like to catch them alive and put them out on the side of the road on other peoples property. They travel all over to hunt and like to make sure they have a few around "close to home". This is illegal in most states but happens more than you know. IMO the best way to control their numbers is to trap all you can year around, have a shoot on site policy on your property, you cant let them walk while deer hunting. Be careful which dog hunters you let on your property, make sure they have a good reputation. There are some bad apples that will let some loose near your property so they always have some to hunt.
tommyintx
Member
cook the hell out of it. slow, thorough. the only significant problem with hogs is pseudo-rabies and brucellosis. there are many websites with guides on cooking and recipes to counter this problem. freezing the meat, even substantially and for long periods of time will not lower these risks. there is a minimum cook temperature, which should be way above this as the meat will not cook evenly. get yourself a digital temp sensor and stab the pig all over if cooking whole to find the lowest temperature which should still be +10 degrees or more above the minimum.
fishermen0105
Member
would like more hogs here!
hey tommyintex, what i have out here is set out my trail cam a few times try and pinpoint there movin time, i got pigs on cam, a BIG sow and others, there only movin at night and it a place where i really should not be. real bummed out about that too, feel like going in and just stickin er w/ a muzzy.
hey tommyintex, what i have out here is set out my trail cam a few times try and pinpoint there movin time, i got pigs on cam, a BIG sow and others, there only movin at night and it a place where i really should not be. real bummed out about that too, feel like going in and just stickin er w/ a muzzy.
just finished reading this entire thread, i totally came across this forum by accident yesterday.
i just happen to be heading off hog hunting tomorrow. its my first time hog hunting so it made this thread even more interesting.
thanks to everyone that has added to this thread... as it has all ready been said before, its the best thread ever in the history of the internet!
i just happen to be heading off hog hunting tomorrow. its my first time hog hunting so it made this thread even more interesting.
thanks to everyone that has added to this thread... as it has all ready been said before, its the best thread ever in the history of the internet!
Dallas Jack
Member
I've got a question for you pig guys. First here is the situation. I hunt with a friend on his property (120 acres in Comanche county) and we both have a trail cam set up looking at our feeders. In the last two years a single boar will show up in the pictures. He wil stay for a week or two and then he is gone. It is never the same feeder or the same boar. He is always alone and it is months between visits. Only three times (1 to 2 weeks each) in two years. Again never the same boar, never the same feeder.
Now for the questions. There are five feeders on this property feeding corn year round. Why haven't pigs moved on to the property? Why do they come and go? Why are they alone?
My friend doesn't want pigs on his property and he has already built a trap but with the infrequent visits there is no way to pattern them.
Dallas Jack
Now for the questions. There are five feeders on this property feeding corn year round. Why haven't pigs moved on to the property? Why do they come and go? Why are they alone?
My friend doesn't want pigs on his property and he has already built a trap but with the infrequent visits there is no way to pattern them.
Dallas Jack
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
Dallas Jack wrote:
Is this around Comanche/De Leon?
1. There aren't large numbers of hogs in that area (probably not the case).
2. Terrain features, food/ water sources (and cover) are not as inviting as other properties.
Even then, they often hang out on the periphery of the group and don't always show themselves.
Also, a boar could just be passing through your property (not actively on sows). They travel long distances in search of sows to breed.
Advice: Anytime you see sign (or have pics) of a mature Boar, get on him immediately. He won't be there for long.
120 acres is a small amount of property, so unless it is virtual hog haven (food, water, cover, little pressure), then don't expect to see them on a regular basis.
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.
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.
You might be able to bait them out in an area other than the feeders and shoot a few of them.
Much of your success will depend upon how much time you have to devote to it. If the property is rarely visited after deer season....then it might be difficult to keep up with what the hog movement is.
Hopefully, the hogs will stay off the property for a while longer. But they are constantly increasing their range.
Good luck to you guys.
Flint.
Is this around Comanche/De Leon?
One of two reasons:
1. There aren't large numbers of hogs in that area (probably not the case).
2. Terrain features, food/ water sources (and cover) are not as inviting as other properties.
Even with the best habitat (and little hunting pressure), hogs are transient by nature and will not stay in one area indefinitely. This is particularly true of boars.
Mature Boars are solitary animals. They do not travel with other hogs (a sounder) UNLESS there are sows/gilts in estrous, or about to be. Then they will follow the group (or single animal) until they "cover it" or the animal is no longer in heat.
Even then, they often hang out on the periphery of the group and don't always show themselves.
Also, a boar could just be passing through your property (not actively on sows). They travel long distances in search of sows to breed.
Advice: Anytime you see sign (or have pics) of a mature Boar, get on him immediately. He won't be there for long.
120 acres is a small amount of property, so unless it is virtual hog haven (food, water, cover, little pressure), then don't expect to see them on a regular basis.
If your interest is in deer hunting....then he is wise not to want hogs.
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.
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.
You might be able to bait them out in an area other than the feeders and shoot a few of them.
Much of your success will depend upon how much time you have to devote to it. If the property is rarely visited after deer season....then it might be difficult to keep up with what the hog movement is.
Hopefully, the hogs will stay off the property for a while longer. But they are constantly increasing their range.
Good luck to you guys.
Flint.
