Need advice, I want to go on my first hog hunt.

[Dan71]

I live in Virginia about 20 minutes outside Roanoke and Im stationed in Norfolk.  This is something I've been wanting to do for some time, but being in the Military just didn't have the time. I like to plan something so I need some guidance and advice on where to go. I have no problem driving up to 6+/-hrs, but i honestly just don't know where to go? Also what type of weapon would be best?

I would appreciate it if I could get some links or some information, Im guessing the best thing for me is to go on a guided hunt.

Thanks, Dan

[thejanitor]

Hey Dan- Depending on the kind of hunt you go on, pay per hog or farmer wanting any pig you see killed.... I went on my first ferral hog hunt this winter and I used my single shot Handi rifle
45-70. Unlike deer hunting where you are going out to usually kill one animal, pigs may be in a group and if you are able to, you may want to shoot many in one quick minute. A lever action, bolt, pump or semi auto will give you several quick shots. We got 5 pigs one day in TX 4 of them out of a batch of 11. My son used a bolt .270 and got 2, I used the single shot and got 2 but they were more spread out than his quick 2. And I got 1 earlier in the day from a group of 5. If we would have known what we were getting into, we could have had more pigs on the ground. He had a semi auto in the truck I should have swapped my single shot for. I think we could have had 8 or more down that day had we planned better.....
I wanted to use my single shot because I really enjoy them, but for deer where one shot is it and the season is over thats fine, but if you plan a trip to fill the freezer with possibly several hogs in front of you at a time try to plan a weapon that can reload fast. Caliber will be very debated here, the hogs we got could have all been killed with .223 spine shot, but they were all 80 - 90 lb sows. A boar with a thick sheild will not be a canidate at all for .223 unless you can neck shoot them very well. Many will tell you a fat slow bullet is great, but the .270 rolled them quick, I think most any gun you can hit exactly where you are aiming with will do well. Many here told me if it will kill a deer it will kill a hog. Just learn the anatomy of a pig. IT IS NOT LIKE A DEER. A good lung shot on a deer would be a gut shot hog. The lungs are tighter to the front leg. Well I will let the pros tell you more, but I hope you get to go. It was one of my life dreams and it was a fun time. thejanitor

[jmayton]

I've killed or seen hogs killed with .222, .223, .243, .270, 30-06, 38spl, 9mm, .40s&w, 45acp, and a .44mag.  All of these were effective if used within their limitations and placed well.  The biggest two hogs I've killed fell to the .223.  They were pretty close and I was shooting Sierra GameKings in it, so they got good penetration and expansion.  I like the AR the best.  Unlike deer, follow-up shots are often needed on the hogs.  I've seen hogs run 50+yds with no heart whatsoever after a good shot with a 30-06.  Generally, CNS shots are your best bet.  Also unlike deer, the front shoulder immobilizing shot doesn't work too well.  The bones you need to break are too low and hitting the shoulder high will usually miss the heart.  Neck or head is the way to go if they'll stand still long enough.  If they're running, I'll shoot center mass to try to immobilize them. 

An ideal hog gun (and what I'm planning on building next) would be a 16-18" 6.8SPC AR with an optic suitable to whatever terrain you're hunting.  Good balance of weight, versatility, power, and speed.

As for where to go, there are some guys on here in your area, they should be able to point you to a place.  And I agree with thejanitor, learn hog anatomy.  You can check out texasboars.com to learn more.

[drdougrx]

Hi Dan,

Did a google search and here's what I've found (no idea if they are worth the money or not):

http://www.mountainmeadow.net/

[Dan71]

Thanks for the advise and links, Im doing my homework now.

[SHOOTALL]

Dan71 False cape state park has hog hunting and its about 30 min from Norfolk . Check out Va Dept. of Game and Fish. Being stationed here you get a instate lic I think. That said I went to Wilderness hunting lodge in Tn. They butcher , pack and freeze your hog . It was nice being so far from home to have a good place to stay, eat and hunt.
 Advice check out several before shooting  you can hunt 3 days don't rush. This is a fenced hunt but for a first time its a good place to learn about hogs and careing for the meat if you have never done so .

[Dan71]

Like to thank you all again for the posts... I just received my orders yesterday and Im heading back to the Middle East again close to August. So I guess I have to put these plans back on hold again.

Thanks Again, Dan

[SHOOTALL]

Good luck. and thank you .