Wild Hog Hunt (no photo, just questions)

[lawrnk]

I've never hunted a day in my life. Now well into my 30's, I've decided I want to give it a whirl. I was thinking hog hunting, being reasonably priced and having 1.5 million troublesome hogs in texas might be a good start. I live near houston. Anyone have any suggestions to try this out? I do not have a "hunting rifle", but do have a sporter SKS with scope, plenty of pistols, an AK, and will have an 870 clone (norinco) and AR by month end.

[lawrnk]

no one?

[NcongruNt]

Perhaps you should clarify your question. What are you asking for? Are you asking which gun to hunt with? Are you asking where you should go hunting? Are you asking how you should go hunting?

Your SKS or AK will both be sufficient, and plenty of people go hog hunting with pistols as well. 9mm is more than sufficient to take down a hog from what I've read. Obviously, you should have a hunting license. You will also need to take a hunter's safety course, unless you were born before Sept. 2, 1971 (though, I would recommend it anyway, since you weren't raised and taught as a hunter).

I would personally find a friend who is an experienced hunter and plan a trip together.

[WildBill]

I would suggest contacting a person that offers guided hunts and who would dress and clean the hog after the hunt. They could guide you on gun selection or maybe have a rental/loaner available.

[bpet]

Check out this site for some useful information. http://www.texasboars.com/

[lawrnk]

Perhaps you should clarify your question. What are you asking for? Are you asking which gun to hunt with? Are you asking where you should go hunting? Are you asking how you should go hunting?

Your SKS or AK will both be sufficient, and plenty of people go hog hunting with pistols as well. 9mm is more than sufficient to take down a hog from what I've read. Obviously, you should have a hunting license. You will also need to take a hunter's safety course, unless you were born before Sept. 2, 1971 (though, I would recommend it anyway, since you weren't raised and taught as a hunter).

I would personally find a friend who is an experienced hunter and plan a trip together.

Thanks, that basically answered my questions. I'm going to see out a hunter or 2 at work and find somewhere to hunt some hogs.

[lawrnk]

I would suggest contacting a person that offers guided hunts and who would dress and clean the hog after the hunt. They could guide you on gun selection or maybe have a rental/loaner available.

I found one in centerville that seems priced well at 150 for an overnighter. thanks!

[lawrnk]

Check out this site for some useful information. http://www.texasboars.com/

Thanks, they have great info there...

[WildBill]

I would suggest contacting a person that offers guided hunts and who would dress and clean the hog after the hunt. They could guide you on gun selection or maybe have a rental/loaner available.

I found one in centerville that seems priced well at 150 for an overnighter. thanks!

That seems like a good price. If you decide to go let us know what you think about it.

[iahkaferoaster]

Your scoped AR with 75-77gr 223 or 7.62x39 100+gr round in a straight on between the eyes or behind the ear shot would be ideal from a meat conservation standpoint if less than 100yds. They are pretty much drop'm where they stand shots. The size hogs we have on my parents ranch (500+/-) south of Uvalde dictate the same shot placement or quartering away aiming at the last rib, but with lager calibered rifles. From 100-300 yards, I use a 308 with 150gr Winchester Accubond ammo. Past that, I bring out Ol' Bettsy, my 338 Lapua Magnum custum built shooting 300gr HPBT, as we prefer to hunt the next pasture over from the safety of our porch;))) So, after a hand load run, Ol' Betsy gets to dance a few songs

All that to say this, where you plan on hunting dictates your shots, and the caliber you use. The 308 is a great all around caliber. As for hunting opportunities, look around Hondo, Sabinal, LaPryor, and Jourdanton in south Texas for outfitters/guides. We grow monsters, because they benefit off the supplemental deer feeding programs as much as the deer. And from the bad boys being hauled through Hondo & Sabinal from being trapped south of there, they look to be eating as much of the corn as the deer do.