Only hog hunters need reply

[ingmansinc]

I am no novice to outdoor sports, but have never went hog hunting. I live in central Florida and was curious if there are any tips ya'll could offer as I am considering trying it for the first time. I am thinking about using a .45 auto with hollow points. Any and all info would be appreciated.

 

[ingmansinc]

I am no novice to outdoor sports, but have never went hog hunting. I live in central Florida and was curious if there are any tips ya'll could offer as I am considering trying it for the first time. I am thinking about using a .45 auto with hollow points. Any and all info would be appreciated.

 

[creedekid]

Can you run fairly fast, and can you climb a tree? Go with someone who has been before. But it is fun.

 

[ingmansinc]

Originally posted by creedekid:
Can you run fairly fast, and can you climb a tree? Go with someone who has been before. But it is fun.

If you are serious about running fast and climbing trees then I will have to do all my hunting at the meat case in the grocery. I've had two knees replaced and a hip going bad not to mention some ticker problems.

Can't I just shoot straight and stand my ground?

 

[84CJ]

That could kick the ticker into overdrive.

Maybe you could start your hunt already in the tree.

 

[tyusclan]

If you're going to be hunting with dogs that will catch the hog, a .45 is more than adequate. If you have good dogs they can hold the hog while you get close enough to shoot it.

If you're not hunting with dogs, I'd recommend hunting from a stand with a rifle. Anything in the .270-30.06 range will be fine. Use a good bullet, and hit them either in front or behind the shoulder. A big hog, especially a big boar, has a tough shield over the shoulder that can be hard to penetrate.

If you don't put him down with the first shot, put another one in him in a hurry. And make SURE he's down for good before you get close to him. A wounded hog is a mad hog, and a mad hog is dangerous as a bear. They will hurt you quick and hurt you bad.

 

[swampwalker]

In the wild, I think I was use a gun a little stronger than a 45 ACP. A good size hog's shoulder will stop the 45 ACP. It sometimes stops a 44 mag. slug.
You need to hit them behind the ear, thru the eye or ear or behind the shoulder in the vital area to effectively kill them.

 

[ingmansinc]

Originally posted by 84CJ:
That could kick the ticker into overdrive.

Maybe you could start your hunt already in the tree.

This is off the original subject, but I would prefer to check out doing something I like than laying in a nursing home!

Sounds like Creedekid has the best idea and that is to go with somebody that has been hog hunting before.

 

[boats1]

Good post. I'm interested in this as well. Located in Northern California and would probably be hunting the coastal areas. Hogs here aren't supposed to be as big as in other areas - but taste great. I was hoping to go with either the 44 Mag or 500 Mag. Neither will be scoped. Suggestions appreciated.

 

[canoeguy]

A few years ago, a Virginia Conservation Official (not sure of his official title) was driving a vehicle through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, in southern Virginia Beach, when he saw a wild hog, a sow, with a young piglet. He got out of his car, shot both pigs with his .45, but only wounded them. They couldn't move, but were still alive. The Game Warden had to return an hour or so later and finish them off with his revolver. I think the Conservation Official didn't want to wade through the mud the retrieve the pigs!

Big Problem! Hunting pigs out of season, hunting on Sunday, shooting on a Federal Wildlife Refuge, shooting from a roadway, etc. Very embarrasing, as I remember the Governor had to step in to save the guys job, he and the Governor were hunting buddies. The refuge does allow hunting of wild pigs in season, but only with shotguns.

Anyway, a .45 wasn't enough gun that day....

 

[Igiveup]

I've shot a lot of hogs in Ca. with both pistol and rifle. Pistol only when hunting with dogs and able to get in close for the head shot. I don't recommend hollow points. If you can't run, I think a rifle would be the best bet, for you never know how close you will get to the pigs, as in all hunting, it is a shot of opportunity.

 

[reddogge]

I know they kill plenty of them with arrows and recurve and longbows. Most go for the smaller eating sized hogs though, not trophies.

 

[Hermann]

Wild boars are many in the German woods and fields. I use to hunt them for 30+ years.
Smart animals and dangerous in some cases.

I recently shot a wild boar of more than 250 lbs. - I used a 300 WinMag about 70 yards distance, I would not want to go against it with only a handgun. They have killed many unexperienced hunters over here!

 

[Leonard]

I have shot quit a few hogs in South Carolina if rifle or handgun you want a tough bullet for example a Nosler ballistic tip is a poor choice but a partition or their accubond is fine.

I would carry a rifle scoped, and a hand gun for close or finishing shots. Having killed many really big and dangerous animals I am not particularly concerned about pigs BUT under the right circumstances they could hurt you!

Len

 

[jag312]

I use a .45, only not a .45 Auto. I use a Browning Model 1886 in .45-70 with 300 grain hollow points. Some people say it is overkill, but I don't want to deal with a wounded hog and have to shoot it twice. So far, I've never had to shoot twice.

 

[84CJ]

You are right! creedekid has the right Idea.
By all means get out and enjoy diong what you love to do. Do it with people you enjoy being with. I prefer not to hunt alone.

I would hate too see that get you hurt. All I was trying to say is If you want to use a 45 Auto I would prefer to see you shoot from a stand. Not on the ground face to face with a pissed off hog and a 45 auto. They are tough to stop comming at you head on.

Sorry if I offended you.

 

[Jerry in SC]

They're pests here, I wouldn't wish them on anyone..tear up crops and wallow in springs. A local guy has catch pens like they use in Texas and Louisiana. No limit, no season.

The only ones worth killing for food are the little guys. If you have a good catch dog and are fast on your feet, I'd start with a .44 Mag with hard cast bullets. Locals use the .22 WMR and ambush them from elevated stands.

I had one run me up a tree about thirty years ago after my buddy stuck him good with a broadhead. He grunted at me under the tree for about twenty minutes and finally keeled over dead.

 

[loubob608]

I've hunted hogs in south Texas for many years. I hunted them from stands, shot them at feeders, stalked them on foot and hunted them with dogs. The most exciting is with a pack of good dogs. In my experience, a hog will generally not chase or charge at you unless it is cornered or wounded. Most of the time they will try to run away from you. They might run towards you if they don't know where you are. I like to hunt with a 30-30 but I've killed many with a well placed .22 or .22 mag shot. Glocked a few. But the most exciting is to stab them with a large Bowie type knife behind the shoulder. Once the dogs catch the hog, you walk up behind it, pick up a back leg with one hand and stick it behind the shoulder with the other hand.

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This big boar weighed close to 300 lbs.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Check this site out-it shows pretty graphic necropsy photps of a hog where you can see that what looks like a good killing sholder shot is in reality nothing more than a p!ssin' off shot-be forewarned, not for someone who hasn't cleaned game

http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html

 

[tom turner]

Hi,

Lots of fun. Stay downwind as you approach. They have a fantastic nose and will be gone . . . but their eyesight is poor and their hearing is average.

Go with an experienced hog hunter and you'll have a blast.

The "extreme" hunters around here hunt with dogs and just knives. A perfect knife thrust ends it instantly for the cornered pig . . . but if one hesitates and or misses the right spot it can be dangerous for all in attendance!

Thus, it is an "A-ticket" adrenaline rush indeed. And yes . . . you'll be mightly bloody when that knife finds the artery!


OTHER METHODS . . .

You can easily dispatch 'em too with just a baseball bat to the head followed by a knife. Others use a .22LR round to the ear. Thus, they are easy to kill if you do it right.

IN THE REAL WORLD . . .

Most field hunters without dogs dispatch 'em with a .270 or higher bullet that will penetrate well without blowing up, for that shoulder is TOUGH if you hit it. I prefer now-discontinued Winchester Failsafe, though several other fine recommendations have already been given.

Also, a 12 gauge slug gun is also a fine ticket.

I usually prefer my 6" barreled S&W Model 29 .44 magnum revolver, topped by a Holosight . . . and using flat nosed, hard cast, 300 grain gas-checked bullets for that great penetration that's vital with hunting hogs.

Hunt with a partner and you'll have fun. If you don't want to do a dance for a pissed off, wounded boar a bat (or pack of hog-hating dogs) is a great move too.

Get out and enjoy a real rush. You'll be fine.

T.