Hog hunting tips

[Aces11]

I have a hog hunt planned for February in Texas for archery. It’s some what a DIY hunt. The feeders and lights are set up. But I can bring bait and will be driving myself in and out. I am told the hogs can be leary. They use corn for bait. Would I need to worry about introducing a new food source? I am wondering if there’s any tips or tricks to get them to come in? I read about adding koolaid powder to the corn. Anything I can do to help get their stomach to overrule their worry for danger?

 

[wytx]

They rely on their nose, play the wind and maybe find n ambush route to the feeders.
Spot and stalk works well on hogs but keep the wind right.

A cherry koolaid pack wouldn't hurt but it my take a few days for them to find and use the new bait.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

We have had good luck making like a "corn mash" and adding it to existing bait piles.

take a few 5 gallon buckets, add kool aid, yeast, milk, maybe a lil sugar

google corn mash for hogs and u will see all kinds of recipes.

Definity has a stronger odor than normal corn

 

[neandth]

best tip is to take your time and take it all in.....when/if the hogs come in (i'm assuming you are hunting over bait, especially if you are hunting down here), let the hogs come in, don't move.....let them get comfy eating the corn, they will stay there until every last piece is gone....they can't see very well, but do have a nose from hell!

a big boar will usually come in downwind of you and will "suck in" a bunch of air, then will chomp his teeth, if he doesn't smell anything but food, then he's coming in....

 

[Aces11]

Thanks for the reply fellas. I will be hunting over a preset bait, and I was told the hogs are cautious. I am sure the bait is hunted over on a somewhat regular basis. Since I will be driving myself to and from the bait, I didn’t know if there was any tricks to get them to come in and be less cautious. Like a scent/bait they just can’t resist. I am definitely up to trying the corn mash.

 

[North of 60]

Agree with the good suggestions above...if you can have an elevated shooting position, that will help some. If not, the nose from hell phrase above is spot on. Regardless, hunt the wind and only expect one shot per group of hogs (if multiple groups are coming to the feeder over the course of the hunt).

Also suggest at least taking a sidearm with penetrating bullets as insurance if you have to track a good sized wounded pig into the brush.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Born and raised in Texas and hogs always around, killed many hundreds over the years. They'll smell plain corn and they know what it is so no reason to dress it up unless you just want to. I've used apple scented corn a few times just because I felt like it. Be sure your bait is upwind of where they're at and they'll wind it and find it. When you get there ask them if people have been hunting the area and if so where were they. Hogs are oddly smart, when you shoot one at a feeder they'll disappear for a week or so and ease back in on a completely nocturnal schedule for a while.
No matter what I'd plan on trailing corn all down the roads when you drive in (where you're allowed to hunt of course) and check those roads frequently. It's the best way to locate them as they'll stop and feed down the roads. You can stalk into them and get a shot or get close enough and wait for them to feed into you. If you get on a sounded like this but don't get a shot the next day trail the same area but out a little pile every 20 yards or so to hold them still for a shot so they're not moving around much.

Where in Texas will you be?

 

[Aces11]

It will be an elevated position, so not sure I will have the option to move it down wind, but could probably pop up a blind downwind if that’s an option that would work? I will be by Laredo.

 

[North of 60]

I would take the elevated position, especially if the wind is variable and/or your not sure where the pigs are coming from. Hairy S. makes some good points about how frequently that feeder is hunted and if you want to (and are allowed) to drop corn on the roads.

Whoever runs or owns the property should be able to tell you pretty much about what to expect if they have had game cameras set up for awhile on that feeder.

Good luck and get Porky and friends.

 

[go4thegusto]

When you do get that shot, shoot way further forward than any game animal you have ever hunted. Shoot the right in the shoulder V broadside or quartering away. They must have low blood pressure because they often don't start to bleed for 50 yards or so. If you shoot them right in the "deer vital" and few inches behind the crease you will miss the lungs.
It can be hard to track in some of that Tx soil and rock. we started using string trackers years ago and that fixed our wound loss for the most part.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

It will be an elevated position, so not sure I will have the option to move it down wind, but could probably pop up a blind downwind if that’s an option that would work? I will be by Laredo.

If it hasn't been hunted I'd probably just sit there but I'd still make a corn trail on the roads for stalking if they pop out a few hundred yards away. Brush around Laredo is likely super thick and can't see through it so being in a blind of sorts isn't really essential, just find a bald spot to stand in and trim out a shooting lane. Watch for snakes even in February but hopefully they'll be sluggish.

 

[Aces11]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I am looking forward to the hunt. Putting corn in roads should be an option, sounds like they do it for the javelina. Any tips on baiting those guys appreciated as well.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I am looking forward to the hunt. Putting corn in roads should be an option, sounds like they do it for the javelina. Any tips on baiting those guys appreciated as well.

Javelina are almost blind so rely on noses and root up ground and such. You can sometimes walk right up on them if they're loudly chomping on corn. Very cool critters though. They'll eat corn but they're not as reliant on it as hogs. Javelina make great tamales, best tamales ever honestly definitely give it a try. Be sure you get that musk gland off the back cleanly and don't contaminate your meat if your knife touches it, probably bring multiple knives to be safe and switch out.

 

[RWT]

You can stop at academy and pick up a few bags of Hog Wild. It is basically the berry scent with crushed corn and molasses. I also use sweet feed that I feed my cows. Hog wild is just an easy package that won’t leave your hands sticky.

Lots of pigs in my area. Hairy S is correct. They will hit a feeder until they are shot at or leave the area due to lack of food. I’ve noticed in my area they are heavy for 3 weeks. On the feeder every night. Then gone for 6 weeks. Then back on the feeder. Based on trail Cam pics and discussing with neighbors they do a loop. Once off my place they are heavy at a neighbors 1/2 mile away. Then move to another and eventually back to me. Hopefully you catch them at the feeder


Oh and use cheap broadheads. Nothing worse than watching $50 of lighted nock, arrow and broadhead run off into the mesquite and cactus.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Also worth noting javelina are a game animal in Texas and you'll need a Texas hunting license for them even on private land. Hogs I believe you do not need a license on private.