Author Topic: where to go for hog hunting (Read 927 times)

sachel.45 · « **on:** October 24, 2005, 06:22:58 AM »

hi my dad and I would like to go on a hog hunting trip as it has been both are dreams to take a hog with a handgun, however, there are no hogs where we live. so where should i start in looking for a hog hunting trip? we already know what kind of hunt we would like.(keep in mind we've never paid for a hunt or had a guide before) no tree stands, no shooting boxes, no dogs, perferably no fences, just plan spot and stalk or the like. thanks

FWiedner · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2005, 06:56:42 AM »

Hi sachel.45;

You neglected to mention where you're located.

Might help as a point of reference to suggest the closest that has what you're looking for.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2005, 08:20:20 AM »

Should we pick you up before and take you back following the hunt :lol: ?

sachel.45 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2005, 07:37:39 AM »

sorry i'm in washington state. distance doesn't really matter

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2005, 07:52:28 AM »

I'd suggest either TX or FL. Those are the two primary free range hunting states where you can do what it seems you want. TN is another big state on hog hunting but most all of it is inside fenced areas and most of them pen raised hogs. Not all mind you but most. They primarily use dogs in TN and stands. Not a lot of walk and stalk there.

I hope you realize that what you are asking for limits the chances of you being successful. In fence operations from stands and/or with dogs success rates pretty much run 100%. But in all honestly the majority of such hunts are for hogs raised in pens and turned loose in a limited area inside a hog proof fence a relatively short time before the hunt.

Even in FL and TX most of the hunting is done from stands and in TX often at night.

One place I can recommend in TX is the Nail Ranch. Several of the GBO members have been. It's free range with no hog proof fences on huge acreage and you can stalk if you like. That's the most common method there as I understand it. Success is NOT guranteed.

I'm not familiar with the places in FL enough to recommend a no fence stalk hunt operation there. Now I do have experience at Carter's Pasture in north FL. It's a high fence area of about 1100 acres so thick neither you nor the hogs will have a clue the fence is there. They prefer hunts from shooting houses but you might talk Mike into a stalk hunt. WOuld definitely be all the challenge you'd want IF he will allow it.

Jim Reed of the Reed Ranch (make contact thru www.Texasboards.com will I'm sure let you stalk the bottoms for hogs if you ask. He normally hunts primary over feeders at night but if you ask he likely would let you stalk. Free range with no fence and no gurantees.

darrell8937 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:00:51 PM »

A friend of mine went to Florida bow hunting for hogs. He talked about it the whole patridge hunting trip. He obvisouly had a great time. He brought some meat to camp.. excelent... He did a guided trip.. Guaranteed! he butchered himself but that service was available if needed. I can e mail him fo the name of the outfitter if you would like.. I know he had a great time.

elmer · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:13:46 PM »

I'd like to second contacting Jim Reed. He is a heckuva nice guy. His website is www.reedfamilyranch.com.

sachel.45 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:20:11 PM »

darrell8937, that would be great.

Graybeard, thanks for the info, i understand that i'm not guaranteed a hog and thats fine with me. thats what hunting is all about. i could be going about this the wrong way but thats ok

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2005, 05:52:03 PM »

I've hunted hogs a lot of times in a lot of places. Been to Jim Reed's ranch twice on group outings sponsored by Kevin at TexasBoars.com and sorta jointly by GBO. We really had a good time and met lots of nice folks both times. Neither trip did we take a lot of hogs but then you usually don't on fair chase free range hunts. I'd have preferred to have been down in those bottoms during the early morning and late afternoon walking and stalking but with the size crowd we had it was blinds only and mostly we hunted at night.

The times I've gone to preserves with a fence it was 100% kill. When I've been on free range fair chase hunts it's been very low percentage, not even 10% for sure. But if done in an area with a high population which I've not always hunted them in it can be a fairly good chance of success done properly.

Just make sure before you go you ask all the right questions. If it's a free range stalk hunt you want then places with guarantees are not offering it.