what des a hog rub show?

[bladerunner]

My friend and I came upon a tree that had been rubbed by a pig (we presume),and there was mud 36-37 inches high. Do pigs always rub while standing on all fours? if this hog is 3 feet tall,how much would it weigh (presuming it is a healthy hog)?

Thanks

[Dee]

It would probably go around 250 pounds, maybe a little more or a little less dependin on how good it was eatin. That's pretty tall, could the tree be small enough to have been pushed over a bit? They rub to scratch, and they love cedar, because the sap is a good insect repellent.

[bladerunner]

Dee,
      It was about a 6-8" sweetgum,I believe......definately a hardwood and bigger than 5".....he didn't push it over,for sure. Looks like he was HUGE,lol


Thanks,Dee

[Dee]

Yea, he could go 300 or better I guess. It's really hard to tell, the hoof print and dew claws are a good indicator.

[STUMPJMPR]

Dee,

Your profile pic is that a new toy?  I have one for hunting out of I love it.

[Oldshooter]

They will last a while, There is one on a telephone post at a hunting spot of mine that has been there all winter, prolly cause it gets used often. There is also a hole wallered out around the pole that is at least 24 inches deep.

[Dee]

STUMPJMPR, it is my primary transportation. The wife will not let me hunt out of her Chrysler. I have been driving jeeps for years. I hunt mostly by myself, and the winch is there in case I get stuck, or someone else is stuck.

[Land_Owner]

The wife will not let me hunt out of her Chrysler.

Nor mine outta her 2010 convertable Mustang GT (in black).  

She took my truck so I headed to the woods in her Mustang.  I woodda put a bloody dead hog and its ticks in the trunk - or prop'd it up in the front seat belted in (for effect) and driven the 30-minutes back to the house...but the pigs didn't participate.  She didn't like the mud on her side panels either.  

That should warn her about taking my truck...hehe.



The tree rub could also be quite a few hogs at one time attempting to get on the tree or possibly in succession.  When many hogs are present in close quarters, they will raise up with their front feet on the backs of others.  If they are not fighting for food or breeding rights, they are fairly "communal" and will tolerate one another this way.

[STUMPJMPR]

I thought they rubbed trees caused they had an itch

[Land_Owner]

That and ticks and miscellaneous skin irritations that only you and I can imagine we don't want to get and that penicillin couldn't cure.

They will sunburn you know...

[Dee]

As I mentioned before, they love cedar trees to rub on for the insect repellent, but they also love creosote poles too, as the creosote on light, and telephone poles works great also. Land_Owner mentioned their socializing with each other, and it extends to pigs that are still sucking. If their mother dies, another wet sow will let them suck. Their hard to get rid of, once the infestation takes hold. Their wilder, smarter, and tougher than any coyote or deer, and they will eat anything, including coyotes, their pups, deer, and their fawns, and even each other. They also have far bigger litters than either deer or coyotes, and can also decimate the squirrel, and turkey population by eating all the mast, and the turkey eggs.

[Land_Owner]

...wilder, smarter, and tougher than any coyote or deer

"Smarter"?  Really?

Perhaps it is me, and their rather poor eyesight, but an animal that I can kill, sit tight and shoot another right next to its dead bud, and continue in this fashion (with rimfire rifle), until I have exhausted bullets or pigs, whichever come first, is a pretty stupid/hungry animal.  Eating in its own feces is pretty gross too when they are confined.  In the wild, they arre better about "hygene" being pigs and all.  They do like to smell to high heaven.  Perhaps that is for "keeping in touch" with one another.  Eau de toilette - eh?  They damn sure have a BAD temperament.

[Dee]

Do the research Land_Owner. It's common knowledge. You see more pigs than coyotes because there's more pigs, than coyotes. Intelligence comes in all forms. You for instance eat and drink things that you know aren't good for you, yet you do it anyway.
It has been known for many years that a pig is smarter than a k-9. Deer come to food plots time after time, and feeders in broad daylight. Pigs come at night. The mud is for staying cool and repelling bugs. Even man has used mud for protection against insects. You may kill a lot of hogs, but you don't seem to know much about them.
Bad temperament? Most all I have hunted wanted to GET AWAY, not fight. At 60 years old, and having been around feral hogs all my life, and domestic farm raised also, we definitely don't see them the same way.

[oldandslow]

Gotta agree with Dee, part way anyway. I don't know anything about wild hogs as we don't have any so I don't know if they get dumber when wild or not. It would take a really tough pig to make it thru our hot, dry summers. I do know domestic hogs are smart. The people that study animal intelligence say they are a lot more intelligent than dogs also. Bad tempered? Yes, they can be, especially big ol' boars, and some mamma hogs will chew your leg off if you make one of her pigs squeal and she can catch you. The only wild hogs I've encountered, in Texas, were only interested in leaving and they did a very good job of it.

[Dee]

That's my point oldandslow. Pigs cannot sweat except thru their nose, and they seek water and mud to control their body temp, and as I said, it has an extra bonus of repelling biting insects, and sunburn. They are touted by scientists as the smartest domestic animal in the world, and their PERCEVIED NASTINESS is grossly misunderstood by people whom THINK they know pigs, wild or domesticated.
Just as Land_Owners perceived ability to "ambush and kill" wild hogs, it is even easier to ambush and kill humans. Hygiene? Check out a homeless guy whom hasn't bathed in weeks, and let him sit in your car while you checkin him out.
Due to changing food supplies, and hunting pressure, feral hogs are constantly having to adapt, and yet they continue to multiply. A couple of months ago Land_Owner started a thread because he didn't know what happened to the hogs on his place. They were out surviving. Unlike coyotes and deer, feral hogs are not territorial. They will move when they need to move. That's why they are spreading across the United States, and HUMAN EFFORTS can't stop them.
And just as you said, a boar hog in a pen, can be cranky because he wants to be left alone, and a sow with babies will eat your lunch. Hell! A mouse will fight if you corner him. A chicken will fight if you get after her chicks.
It's kinda like those cannon carriers who swear it takes a big gun to kill a hog. jamayton probably kills more hogs than anybody, and he like me knows a 223 will easily kill a hog, and it's his weapon of choice on the things. Mine too sometimes.

[Land_Owner]

You may kill a lot of hogs, but you don't seem to know much about them...and their PERCEVIED NASTINESS is grossly misunderstood by people whom THINK they know pigs, wild or domesticated.

Now I was nice in my post, asked a reasonable question based on my observations, and you went and got all personal about who knows what.  I didn't attack you nor throw down the gauntlet and ask for a fight.

I will read about your experiences and hopefully neither challenge nor insult your intelligence.  My "day job" is not farming.  Never was, never will be.  I am here to learn as much as to tell stories.

You and I have never butted heads.  I don't know why we should now.  Right here and right now is my tolerance. 

That's your warning...unless you wish to Moderate this Forum and in that instance you can inform GB and me, then I will step aside.

[Dee]

...wilder, smarter, and tougher than any coyote or deer

"Smarter"?  Really?

Perhaps it is me, and their rather poor eyesight, but an animal that I can kill, sit tight and shoot another right next to its dead bud, and continue in this fashion (with rimfire rifle), until I have exhausted bullets or pigs, whichever come first, is a pretty stupid/hungry animal.

Well Mr. Moderator, I made the statement thru personal knowledge, and experience that you chose to "challenge and dispute" what I said, not with a question, but a statement. Now you don't like my response to your challenge so your telling me your drawing the line as moderator of the forum. The line sir is drawn then. I will exit your forum, and you may moderate at will.

[Land_Owner]

Dee, I would prefer that we agree to disagree on a matter of perspective, or take the time, in a friendlier way, to explain the circumstances of our opinions.

It is not my intent to quash your knowledge or understanding.  I am not claiming to know "pigs".  I just want the discussion to be friendly and not go where it was tending to go.

[Dee]

Dee, I would prefer that we agree to disagree on a matter of perspective, or take the time, in a friendlier way, to explain the circumstances of our opinions.

It is not my intent to quash your knowledge or understanding.  I am not claiming to know "pigs".  I just want the discussion to be friendly and not go where it was tending to go.

Why use a portion of my post disputing a statement I made,that I directed at know one, and then threaten me when I respond? Let's be done with this. I'm outta here, and your the moderator.