where to hunt large hogs

[fog]

where can i go to hunt large hogs with a handgun?  prefer something over 400#

[Graybeard]

Generally speaking if you specifiy you want to shoot a hog over 400 pounds you'll be shooting a pen raised hog turned loose on a small acrege just for you to hunt. Oh they might lie and tell you otherwise and might do their best to convince you otherwise but that's just the way of life.

If the hunt is a guranteed one with no shoot no pay and over 400 then you're chances it wasn't pen raised and turned loose just ahead of you getting there drops to less than 1%.

What you really need to ask yourself is do you want to HUNT hogs or do you want to SHOOT a big one. The two are seldom the same.

A large ranch in TX without a high fence would be your best bet to be able to do both. One other place that comes to mind that might meet your interests is Carter's Pasture in northern FL. Mike has 1100 acres of the thickest mess you'll ever venture into under high fence. The hogs there have been there for generations and while held in by the fence they are raising naturally and living wild as far as the hogs themselves know. There are hogs that big there but whether you'll see one is another matter. We did but weren't hunting for them.

[drdougrx]

Hey Fog,

I'm with Graybeard on this one.  Over 400lb hogs are an inventory item if you know what I mean.  I've shot a few in the mid- to - high 300's.  400 pounders usually don't weigh 400 pounds in that very few in my experience are actually weighed...take a look at some of mine...one in particular I shot in NY in 2004...looks huge but actually weighed less than one I shot in 1995 at a preserve in VT.

I'd say if you really want one, call some large acre preserves and put down a deposit.  Expect to pay at least 1K or more (there's a premium for their size and because they tend to have really enormous tusks because they are so old and have their testes).  Also, expect your taxidermist to curse you.....the armour plate will dull his flesher and the form size for the mount will never be big enough resulting in a hell of a lot of clay!

As far as eating....well...400lb hogs tend to be overweight breeders which means old and tough...generally...you may get a good one, but, not like shooting and eating a 100 pounder.  

Also....IMHO...the really big ones don't run all that much and bay up quickly....just like me. ;0)

So...I'd say....shoot something in the mid-200's.  They are usually great eating, make a good large shoulder mount and like to run when they have to.  I guess what I'm trying to say is...the really big ones look GREAT in the pictures...the mid-large sized ones are a much better hunt and tend to be better to eat.

That being said.....I've got to come clean...I shoot the biggest I can find anytime, anywhere...a pox on me!

[curdog]

i have to agree with posts above, what are you looking for. stand hunt,stalking , run with dogs. what type of weapon? free range hogs or high fence? there is all types of hog hunting ,what do you want?

[curdog]

if you would like to try hog hunting with dogs, we would be glad to have you, we prefer pistols or knives, but any weapon will work, we have the dogs and hogs, free range no fence

[RemingtonMagnum]

Hey Fog,

I'm with Graybeard on this one.  Over 400lb hogs are an inventory item if you know what I mean.  I've shot a few in the mid- to - high 300's.  400 pounders usually don't weigh 400 pounds in that very few in my experience are actually weighed...take a look at some of mine...one in particular I shot in NY in 2004...looks huge but actually weighed less than one I shot in 1995 at a preserve in VT.

I'd say if you really want one, call some large acre preserves and put down a deposit.  Expect to pay at least 1K or more (there's a premium for their size and because they tend to have really enormous tusks because they are so old and have their testes).  Also, expect your taxidermist to curse you.....the armour plate will dull his flesher and the form size for the mount will never be big enough resulting in a hell of a lot of clay!

As far as eating....well...400lb hogs tend to be overweight breeders which means old and tough...generally...you may get a good one, but, not like shooting and eating a 100 pounder.  

Also....IMHO...the really big ones don't run all that much and bay up quickly....just like me. ;0)

So...I'd say....shoot something in the mid-200's.  They are usually great eating, make a good large shoulder mount and like to run when they have to.  I guess what I'm trying to say is...the really big ones look GREAT in the pictures...the mid-large sized ones are a much better hunt and tend to be better to eat.

That being said.....I've got to come clean...I shoot the biggest I can find anytime, anywhere...a pox on me!

You know that is a perfect analogy of a pen raised HOG. If it is 400 and tasty then it is pen raised. If it is tough and chewier then it may have been in the outdoors a few months. A 400 pound corn and shorts raised hog is good eating. You have to cut and remove all the excess fat. In days gone by we fried the lard out of the hog fat. The results were fantastic cracklings. Did you guess I am an old country fart.


Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag

[drdougrx]

Great post Rem!

Great to hear from a country boy!

[curdog]

wild hogs that are raised in pens will not gain wieght like normal hogs. a wild hog that weighs 400 lbs. raised in a pen is 4 to 5 years old. been doing this to long