Lightninstrike wrote:
I'm headed out to the range this morning to sight in the 458 Socom (Flint inspired me) for a hog hunt next weekend in NE Texas.
Can't wait to see a report. Glad you got it!
Friend's property. I was in the area last week, pretty chilly. Good news for skeeters, the state bird, I guess.
Yes, the skeeters (State Bird) have abated with the colder weather (finally)!
Is there anything different about hog behavior when it gets cold? I mean about the timing of their movements? Never hunted them in winter.
You'll get different answers depending upon where you hunt and who you talk to... but generally speaking... there are
some differences.
We've actually had some rain most places (meaning more water available) and the cooler weather lessens their need to be around it.
This time of year they still wallow some...but primarily they are going to water only to drink it. So...don't spend too much time hunting water sources.
FOOD...is what hogs are after more than anything else right now. If the place you hunt has hardwoods that are still dropping their last acorns...that is where I would go. If the property has "feeders" on it...then that is always a good source to hunt too.
The cooler weather will sometimes encourage daytime movement of the hogs but it really depends more on how much hunting pressure they have had.
Moon phase is another consideration, some scoff at it and say "it makes no difference", but my experience has shown that hogs move MUCH more during the dark periods than when the moon is up and bright. They are also much less nervous in the dark.
Your trip will have you hunting the moon just coming off of being full...so although it will still be bright (if no cloud cover)...it won't be coming up until nearly 1:00 a.m.
That is good news...since you should have decent hog movement for at least 8 hours (5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.)
Of course, you know from experience....any time you try to put a "time table" to hogs...they will do the opposite and make you look foolish. But, those would be the peak hours...IMO.
I don't know what the long range weather forecast is...but if there is front coming...be sure and hunt all you can before it arrives. Hogs seem to move a lot in anticipation of the wind and less favorable weather. Again, immediately after the front passes through...get out there.
Remember, Neck Shots or through the MIDDLE of both shoulders= DRT.
But the SOCOM...(with proper bullets) does give you
angle options and I certainly wouldn't let any hogs "walk away".
Best of luck guys, have a great time and I wish you much success.
And....Thank You for helping whittle down the population.
Flint.