Wild Hog Hunting?

[greyowl]

I never realized the extent that hunting wild hogs has. I knew it went on, but reading posts on Marlin owners has been an eye opener as to how much of it goes on. It sounds like a cartridge that will give good penetration is best, much like blackbear hunting. It doesn't take a tremendously powerful round to kill a blackbear but if you connect with a big one you need to get a bullet through a lot of thick fur, muscle and bone. From what I have read, the wild hogs can be a problem for farmers, so they can be looked at as a varmint type animal causing damage. How are they to eat? Also, is there a season or are they hunted year round, like coyotes are up here? How far north are they a problem, or maybe better put, is there a sizable population? Just wondering, thanks for the info.

[VTDW]

[SChoghunter]

greyowl,
From what I have read the population estimates back in the late 80's and 90's was around 1-2million give or take and as of last year it was i think around the 5-6million mark but they dont have any accurate numbers ... down here in SC on private lands there is no closed season or "bag limit"..... on WMA lands you can hunt them during the deer season and special hog seasons.

As for eating??....... I dont buy pork in the stores anymore ..

[ClintV]

I still occasionally buy a shoulder to smoke(I like a little fat on 'em) but I haven't bought any loins, ground pork, or sausage in years.

[kynardsj]

No closed season on them in here in Alabama. A local Fish and Game officer I spoke to a while back told me that there are two kinds of land in Alabama. The land with hogs on it and the land that will have hogs on it in the near future. They need to be hunted to help control the population, that and they taste great.

[oscarflytyer]

Just found a place to hunt them in AL. Just off a WMA wilderness area that is known for a lot of them. Can't wait to check it out. Would love some loins and sausage!

[greyowl]

Thank you all for the replies. I have learned a little about wild hogs now. Something that can be hunted year round that is good to eat. Makes me a bit jealous.

[1 big hole]

I think that maps a little out-dated, I know for a fact that their in Minn. and Mich. now.