Bowhunting Hog Wild

As the number of pigs increased, so did the hunting of pigs. However, pigs have gotten smarter and become popular

As you learn how to hunt wild boar, you also need to hone your tracking skills. Luckily, wild boars have some unique marks and tracks. To determine if pigs have passed through the area, check the following.

Rooting - As a species of pig, pigs tend to root in vegetation in search of food. Therefore, one of the easiest and most identifiable ways to track wild boars is to look for uprooted soil.
Tracks - A pig's track is similar to a deer's track, but wider and rounder.
Rolling - Another recognizable sign of wild boars is the "rolling," an area often found near creeks and ponds where they wallow in mud to keep cool.
Summon Boar
Pigs are more aggressive - and faster! – more than you can imagine, so never underestimate these wild animals. However, you can use this to your advantage by using predator calls to bring them outdoors. Call the boar from below, using the predator's voice for quick, short bursts. Another way to call a wild boar is to play recorded sounds of piglets in distress. This is sure to get the attention of the protective sow! No matter which phone you choose, be vigilant and keep a safe distance. Wild boars can dash out of bushes with surprising speed.

Hunting wild boar with a bow and arrow is an exciting and sometimes dangerous endeavor.
When it comes to pig hunting, I prefer the word "boar" to convey romance rather than the unimaginative "boar." Admittedly, they are pure European wild boars, not even native to North America. But they do make for a really fun way to hunt.


Wild boars have earned my undying respect for many reasons, not the least of which is the wild bow hunting adventure they offer. They also help maintain an edge between seasons of the more prestigious big games, and require precise shooting skills and solid gear. Char-grilled, grilled, stewed or fried, pig is absolutely delicious.


California is another hog hotbed, with 56 of its 58 counties having hog populations and known for its giant wild boars with their trophy tusks. Public hunting is abundant on BLM and National Forest lands, although private holdings tend to be under lighter hunting pressure. Monterey and Kern counties lead the Golden State in hog hunting returns. Daily trespass fees and guided hunts are popular, with non-resident hunters buying tags for $50 each. Year-round hunting is permitted with no limit on the number of tags that can be purchased.

The Deep South is another popular hog hunting destination, with Florida leading the way. Public hunting is available throughout the state, year-round and without restrictions. Non-residents pay $26.50 for a managed area permit and $46.50 for a 10-day hunting permit. Wild boars are scattered throughout the rest of Dixie, with concentrations in countless places to hunt. Check state regulations for specific seasons and license details.

An even bigger surprise is the pigs popping up in strange places seemingly without explanation. Especially when bow hunting in Texas we found a lot of wallowlers; spots that looked like they were being attacked by runaway tillers. Pig manure can often reveal what pigs eat, such as plums or crops or even grasshoppers, helping to focus efforts on productive areas. In the middle of the day, or in the heat of summer, dive into the deepest cover—the bottom of winding creeks and rivers, swamps, cedar thickets—then get down on your knees and gaze into the darkest cover. It's challenging, but also productive and exciting; most wild boars are found at less than 15 yards, and the biggest trick is finding a gap big enough for the arrow to pass through.

Tracking is another effective tactic if you have semi-open country and good binoculars. Northern Texas and California are prime locations, endless expanses of open mountains and ridgelines that provoke anxious vitrification. On a more classic pig farm, fields attract hungry pigs, while convenient haystacks, silos, or farm machinery provide concealed vantage points that can be framed with uncut crops or meadow edges.

Hunting on foot offers the greatest challenge of bow hunting. While not as challenging as deer or elk, pigs will not be overwhelmed when exposed to minimal hunting stress. Those big furry ears are very effective at hearing snapped twigs and the rustle of clothing. Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, pigs are not blind and catch careless movements.


When it comes to smell, it's a completely different story. Pigs don't have the same eyesight as deer, but deer don't have the same sense of smell as pigs. A pig's first line of defense is its nose. Go against the wind and it's game over.



Finding wild boar can be the most difficult part of the hunt. But once you find one, you're likely to find many, making multi-animal success common in better places.
For pure adventure, try hunting pigs behind hounds. The ignorant proclaim it doesn't offer any movement, I guess some people think it's madness to charge like hell over miles of rough terrain, dodge bloody ones, charge wild boars in tight confines or run through bouncing madness while looking for safety The Hound did not challenge to shoot at the rampaging target. Obviously this requires a friend or a guide with a trained dog, but even a guided hunt is a fairly egalitarian affair and within the reach of the average working-class person.


There are two kinds of hogs in these deals -- runners and fighters. Runners are slim and have long legs. These chases started quickly and proceeded at a reckless pace; the hounds and hunters were just trying to keep the whole mess to their ears until the hounds or pigs ran out of minerals. Many hounds employ "catch dogs" -- dogs that actually attach themselves to pigs in an attempt to slow progress. But even the best dog catcher must first catch the boar, which can take miles.

Fighters are usually large, ill-tempered wild boars accustomed to doing as they please. These chases rarely cover great distances and are usually played in a stop-and-go fashion, with a lot of worn-out nerves along the way. These are dangerous; pigs that kill hounds and leave nasty scars on unwary hunters.


Make no mistake; the dangers of wild boar hunting are very real. Like black bears, 99% of them will turn and run away at the first chance. But when wounded or cornered (especially when stalked by hounds), they fight well. They are bigger and stronger than you. The pistol does serve as a useful backup in a pinch--useful for feeding wild boars if you get too close. The tree-climbing skill is also particularly useful, except in bushes where hurdling and dodging abilities become more important. Do not laugh. I was serious.

I never tire of hunting pigs with a bow and arrow. It offers an exciting break when other big game seasons are just a distant hope. Hunting wild boars is fun. They live in different habitats and face many challenges. Ask around, make a few calls, and enjoy the off-season to its fullest.

Best places to hunt wild boar
Wild boars are not as common as deer. You have to look for them in certain areas where they are more prevalent. Some of the best states for hog hunting are in the southern Gulf states. Of course, if you can afford to go hog hunting in Hawaii, you can have a picnic. But, as a matter of practicality, the three best states for wild boar hunting are Texas, Florida, and Louisiana due to the need for population control and lax hunting regulations.

Texas
Some 2.6 million hogs wallow in Texas, and it's eager for you to try barbecue, too. To hunt wild hogs on public lands in the Lone Star State, all you need is a general hunting license. In addition, the pleasant temperature allows the hogs to thrive and the hog season runs year-round. If you plan to go night hunting with a spotlight, be sure to notify your local game warden and make sure it's not banned.

Florida
In Florida, wild boars moved in like snowbirds and decided to stay, creating the second-largest wild boar population in the United States. The Sunshine State requires only a general hunting license to hunt on public lands, and the hunting season is nearly year-round. The only exception is the spring turkey hunting season. In Florida, hunters can also use hounds and a variety of firearms and crossbows to hunt wild hogs of any size in unlimited quantities. If you're heading to Florida, hunting wild hogs with a bow and arrow can be an exciting challenge.

Louisiana
All 64 parishes in Louisiana have an estimated 500,000 pigs. A survey revealed that 213,300 wild boars were caught in the 2019/2020 hunting season alone. To hunt in the Bayou State, you need more than a general hunting license. Here, hunters need to have a valid Louisiana hunting license, which allows you to hunt wild boar year-round. Mostly it is suitable for daytime hunting, but with some restrictions it can also be used for nighttime hunting.