New to hogs & need advice

[Jal5]

I 've been wanting to hunt hogs for some time and recently found out about a local wildlife area, 3000+ acres that has some herds. It was mentioned in an article from a local wildlife magazine. I cannot contact the writer so cannot get any further specific info from him. How would you go about hunting that property?  A friend who has successfully hunted hogs in another State will go with me. I thought i would contact the wildlife officer for that county and see what he can give me in terms of info. Any other ideas? thanks.
Joe

[Questor]

Look for patches of torn up ground. Hogs make dramatic sign by rooting around. Hunt near those places. Places with things like acorns are very attractive to hogs.

[Dee]

What Questor said is true. Hogs do leave a lot of sign. Also they have an affection for small stands of cedar trees, and produce rubs similar to deer. They make what we call runs (trails) down here in the south, and their tracks although at first glance look like deer, are more like cattle. Check the area for these sign, and that will put you closer.
Keep in mind that they are primarily nocturnal, and stalk INTO the wind during the day. I try and catch them asleep in cedar breaks, and know that they also like to bed down in the day in tree leaves. Good luck.

[Wynn]

Look for signs of rooting. Hogs will seldom get far from heavy shade and water. Creek bottoms, swamps, etc. are their haunts. Hunt very early and last light. I have good luck on wet, overcast, cool days this time of year. Good luck!

[Land_Owner]

It's reasonable to presume that Ohio (if that is the property site - where you are), like every other state, has rules and regulations regarding seasons for hunting hogs on public and private land.  I would start with those Regs first.  Google the Regs. 

Your own idea about contacting the wildlife officer there is a very good one.  He can steer you in the right direction.  Hogs being the nuisance they are, maybe he'll even put you on the hogs last known location(s).  Google the location name.

How would you go about hunting that property?

It is doubtful we can say from the information given.  Many have offered ideas that are "universal" just about anywhere.  Specifics of the property dictate other opportunities.  To be certain, you need to spend some "dirt time" there to get a feel for the land, its boundaries, its hazards, and its opportunities.  Following that, ask us again.

[Jal5]

It is in Ohio and I have read the regs for feral hogs, basically seen as a nuisance species here no restricted seasons or means of taking them...so that is good for me!

The wildlife area supervisor hasn't emailed me back yet, I will have to call him over the weekend, just been too busy with work and other responsibilities to do that yet. Hopefully he can narrow down our area to scout for sign, then its time to hit the dirt and do some scouting. the report I read indicated that a local hunter was hunting for coyotes and while scouting that area came across several herds of pigs so they are in there. Now I just want to narrow the search a little first. I will let you guys know what I find out.

Joe

[Zeeks]

Hey JAl5

  I live in Ohio too.  DNR had a map of counties with feral hogs reported.  I'm in the same situation with "no response"
or the game warden looks at you "stupid like" when you ask them questions.  I'm a newbie too but I found this site to
very helpful with suggestions...  Cant use a 30-06 here in this state... sucks  guess I'll have to move back to Montana.

        Pat

[quickdtoo]

Here are some links that may be of use.

Tim

http://www.buckeyepower.com/cl/upload/pg_226.pdf

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/3389

http://www.ohioboarbusters.com/

[jmayton]

Do what everyone else has said....and hunt the water.  They'll go there eventually.  The hogs I hunt tend to move around a lot.  When it's dry, I do better around water.  When we've had rain, they can be anywhere at anytime.  I drive around until I see some then get out and stalk closer.

[jones.md.4]

Hey JAl5

  I live in Ohio too.  DNR had a map of counties with feral hogs reported.  I'm in the same situation with "no response"
or the game warden looks at you "stupid like" when you ask them questions.  I'm a newbie too but I found this site to
very helpful with suggestions...  Cant use a 30-06 here in this state... stinks  guess I'll have to move back to Montana.

        Pat

Pat,
Actually you can use your 06 here in Ohio as long as you aren't hunting during deer season. Here's a quote from the ODNR site:
"Wild Boar - No daily bag limit. If hunted during the deer gun season, hours, and legal hunting devices are the same as for deer gun season."

I never have been able to figure that out. I can hunt hogs, coyotes, and groundhogs with any high power rifle I like (and I do), but can't shoot a deer with my 20" barreled lever action 44mag. For some reason it's OK to shoot them with a 16" Contender pistol though. Sheech.

Mike

[Zeeks]

Thanks quickdtoo,   the info was very helpful.    Mike  the gun laws restriction dont make since here.  I bought a 30-30 the other day to use here.  (less than 100 yards).  I'm planning on going to Double D Ranch here in Ohio with the guys from work.  But , If I can find some public land here to hunt would.  NW Ohio is really flat and not much but deer and bean fields......

[Zeeks]

Jal5,    You might want to check with the wildlife people, because they are trying to stop the ranches here in Ohio from raising or even having and boars, pigs on there premesiis (sp).

   Went to the DD Ranch over the weekend, and shot a 750# Boar. Cross between a Russian and Feral.    Excellant time, and was treated very well.   This was my first experience and
I have a complete freezer full of butcher'd boneless meat wraped and ready to eat.    Pat

[Jal5]

zeeks I haven't checked this post in awhile, sounds like you had a good hunt! where is the DD ranch and what did it cost to hunt there?
I haven't turned up any new info on pigs on public hunting areas...maybe people are keeping it to themselves so far so they have a place to hunt for free?

Joe

[Zeeks]

Hey Jal5    DDranch.com is located in McArthur Ohio. Between Chillicothe and Athens on route 50.  They have specials if you go to the web page.  Vinton County.   Not a large out fit.  Nice people.  There is other ranch's in the area also, but they couldn't beat the price.  Seen Buffalo, Elk, Axis Deer, Red Stag, Razorback hog, Fallow Deer, Rams, Watusi.  Wife bought this hunt for my Bday soo I couldn't say much.  She video'd it also.  I paid 700 for a Russian/Feral hog that weight'd 750 pounds.  125 to have it butchered and wrap'd overnight.
Home cook meals and great atmosphere.  75 for my wife and I to stay overnight.    It turns out that his tusks are Gold medals at 8 1/4" x 3" ROE  and the Taxedermist hasn't seen this size hog or tusks in 10 years here in Ohio.   Great time for the first time... 
            Pat

[Jal5]

A nice birthday present Pat...you'd better keep her!