5 Reasons to Hunt Summertime Hogs

Hog hunting opportunities are plentiful, giving hunters something to pursue during the off-season. Image by WildMedia.

Slipping through an oak hammock, my wife and I flanked a sounder of a dozen or more feral hogs as the setting sun cast the day’s final rays through the enchanting Florida timber. Most of the “oinkers” were small, but a few were good-sized. After several close calls, daylight started fading, and we lost the group.

Suddenly, the smutgrass began parting less than 20 yards away. I instinctively drew my bow, knowing a good-sized pig was approaching. Out popped an average boar, 8 yards away. My arrow slammed behind the shoulder, and the double-lung strike was lethal. My first hog dropped like a pile of bricks 80 yards away.

DON’T MISS: Video | Woman Kicks Lion to Save Goat

As a big-game and turkey hunting enthusiast, recovering and butchering that hog felt vastly different from other successful hunts. Although anchoring a feral hog is a great time, it’s not quite the same as outwitting a big whitetail buck or bull elk. Nonetheless, there are at least five good reasons to hunt feral pigs this summer.

1. THEY’RE OVERPOPULATED

Feral hog populations can get out of hand in a hurry. My first visit to a Florida orange grove with an Osceola turkey outfitter revealed pigs up and down many of the tree rows. I commented on how many we were seeing. The outfitter shifted in his seat and glanced my way, saying, “You should have seen it before they flew it with a helicopter and shot hundreds of hogs.”

Reputable sources say that sows can begin breeding as early as 6 months old and produce up to two batches of piglets annually. So, in many regions that support feral hogs, the animals are overpopulated. Farmers, ranchers and homeowners curse the damage they do. The bristly marauders can do massive harm to a property without warning. In 2020, for example, I saw big swaths of a Texas cattle ranch get uprooted overnight.

Check Out Our Latest Camo Pattern: Realtree APX

Hunting and trapping are the only effective ways to ethically manage feral pigs. Every pig harvested in overrun areas helps. Go do your part.

2. THEY TASTE GREAT

Opinions about wild pork vary, but anyone who knows anything about cooking will tell you that an average-sized feral pig makes excellent table fare. I’ve heard that big old boars are no good, but I haven’t shot a huge one, so I cannot confirm or deny it.

If you haven’t eaten wild pork, you’re missing out. Prepared right, it is excellent. Image courtesy of Darron McDougal.

I like to dry-rub and smoke the quarters and then shred the meat. I’ve made my own rubs for Texas-style BBQ, but I’ve also used pre-made taco seasonings as dry rubs when the smoked and shredded meat will be enjoyed on street tacos. I’m getting hungry just writing about it.

3. THEY PROVIDE REAL-WORLD HUNTING PRACTICE

With deer and other big-game seasons occurring in fall, summer is a great time to challenge your accuracy and skills. You can practice with targets to stay sharp, but nothing replaces the act of putting crosshairs or a bow-sight pin on a live critter. And beyond shot placement, hogs will challenge your hunting skills. Although they don’t see as well as deer, their noses are hard to beat, and they hear pretty well, too. Whether you sit or stalk, you won’t kill hogs by being sloppy. Success comes by hunting them as you would deer. And success will boost your confidence for your upcoming fall hunts.

4. THEY’RE AFFORDABLE TO HUNT

For a couple of reasons, hogs are generally inexpensive to hunt compared to other species. First, hog numbers are high, and the demand to hunt them is low compared to that for whitetails. Second, most ranchers and landowners are desperate to see them go. I’ve killed hogs in Florida, Georgia and Texas just by networking for free access. Public-land hunts can be difficult, as hogs are mostly night movers and are highly sought in states where they roam, but if that’s your only option, you can find success with more effort.

DON’T MISS: Do Scented Bass Baits Really Work?

If you’re not interested in scraping together a free hunt, a hog hunt with a ranch or outfitter is vastly more affordable than a deer or elk hunt. Depending on the area and what’s included, you might be able to get your fill of hogs for dirt cheap. Do your research, and I’m sure you’ll find reasonable hunts.

5. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU HUNT IN SUMMER?

If you deal with post-deer-season depression, perhaps spring turkeys and bears get you through. But then the summer hits, and there are months of downtime. Sure, there’s prep to do for fall hunting, but if you’re itching to launch a bullet or some carbon, beyond an expensive Africa trip, hogs are a great option to keep you in the field while other folks are grilling brats or waterskiing.