Author Topic: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri  (Read 4731 times)

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Offline dgreen

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Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« on: January 22, 2009, 03:26:20 PM »
I'm looking for suggestions of where I could hunt feral hawgs here in Missouri.  I can provide character references.  Was raised on a farm, am very respectful of any livestock.  I live in Kansas City, but am willing to go about anywhere to get a hawg.  Thanks Doug

Offline rocko

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2009, 09:11:36 PM »
Your best bet is to just pay for a hunt. Cause it aint as easy as everyone thinks. If you dont have dogs, your wasting your time. And it aint like deer hunting where you can sit in a tree for the weekend and kill one. They are mostly nocturnal, and will let you walk right past them, or run and not let you see them. There is two types of people that kill wild hogs. The ones that get lucky and has one jumped that runs past them during rifle season, and the ones who put the time in and know what they are doing. Like i said, considering the hogs are mostly in southeast missouri, your best bet is pay for a hunt, or move. Cause it aint a weekend road trip sort of deal. Hopefully kevthebassman will see this and fill you in on that. He has drove the miles, and put the time in. And even with me pointing him in the right direction, he still hasnt connected. Im not trying to discourage you, just wanting to fill you in on the reality of hog hunting. You will wear out truck tires and shoe soles trying to do it. Trust me i have done it. Its addicting, but it aint easy.  ;)

Offline dgreen

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2009, 03:38:24 AM »
Rocko,  Thanks for the candid comments.  Back when I lived in Europe though the human population and hawg population was pretty dense, the hawgs were very illusive.  I had "heard" though that there was a growing population down around Lake Stockton, and around the Nevada area.  I was hoping some land owner had a problem with them and needed some help on eradication or maybe the conservation commission knew of some.  I appreciate the difficulty and frustration of trying to chase them down.  Well, wonder where is the closest place I could hunt them if Missouri is out?

Offline jenkst

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2009, 10:47:28 AM »
dgreen; I don't hunt hogs but turkey hunt. The place I'am thinking about is called Bell mountain Wilderness Area located in Iron and I believe Washington county in southeast Missouri. Also Peter Cave Conservation Area just across A hwy. from Bell Mt. The last time I hunted Bell Mt. the hog sign was everywhere and Peter Cave had sign also. Both are very rugged area's. You can find information on the Mo. conservation web site. Better bring a good pair of boots.  Jenks

Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2009, 08:23:55 AM »
The conservation area around Wappapello Lake, near Poplar Bluff is massivly overpopulated with feral hogs.  So much so that if you can get in touch with a park ranger, or conservation agent for that area, they will provide you with maps and such on where to find them and kill them.  They really don't care if you take them home w/ you or not. Just so long as they are dead.

Sam
I'm voting 3rd party in this election by writing in Jesus Christ for president.  Sadly even if this were an option most of you would still vote Republican because "It's a two party system."

Offline rocko

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2009, 04:06:03 AM »
The conservation area around Wappapello Lake, near Poplar Bluff is massivly overpopulated with feral hogs.  So much so that if you can get in touch with a park ranger, or conservation agent for that area, they will provide you with maps and such on where to find them and kill them.  They really don't care if you take them home w/ you or not. Just so long as they are dead.

Sam


Are you sure they are so thick? Consider i hog hunt around the lake, and know about everyone who does i figure my comments hold a little more water. Im not trying to be rude, but comments like you just made have caused alot of folks to go down there thinking all they gotta do is show up and they will kill a hog. And that is VERY far from the truth. There are still a few, but they are spread out over a very large area of big timber, and are pressured hard. They are MUCH less in population than what everyone has been lead to believe on the net, and from what the conservation tells. They act like they are real thick so more people will make the trip to hunt them. They dont have any reason to tell you the truth, which is that your more likely to kill a Pope and Young buck there than you are to kill a hog without dogs.


Again i hope you dont take this as rude, this just kinna hits home with me. Cause i have seen alot of folks missled, and waste there time and money.

Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2009, 05:28:00 AM »
I was taking my info from a conservation agent I spoke w/ quite a while back.  At one time I know for a fact they were thick, b/c friend of mine were taking mules and packs into the woods and coming out with hogs...without dogs.  That has been some time ago though.

I do not consider your posts rude.  Your info is much more current than mine.  I just try to pass along info that I know at one time was correct.  Thank you for clearing that up.
I'm voting 3rd party in this election by writing in Jesus Christ for president.  Sadly even if this were an option most of you would still vote Republican because "It's a two party system."

Offline rocko

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2009, 12:29:21 AM »
I was taking my info from a conservation agent I spoke w/ quite a while back.  At one time I know for a fact they were thick, b/c friend of mine were taking mules and packs into the woods and coming out with hogs...without dogs.  That has been some time ago though.

I do not consider your posts rude.  Your info is much more current than mine.  I just try to pass along info that I know at one time was correct.  Thank you for clearing that up.

You are correct that they used to be easier had. The main deal was they were condensed into one are. Now they have scattered all over. And they can cover some groung quick. We killed 21 last winter. I have moved since and havent had a chance to go this year. But last i talked to my buddy they had only killed 2 so far this year. So it is getting steadily harder.

Offline nomosendero

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2009, 01:32:52 AM »
I was taking my info from a conservation agent I spoke w/ quite a while back.  At one time I know for a fact they were thick, b/c friend of mine were taking mules and packs into the woods and coming out with hogs...without dogs.  That has been some time ago though.

I do not consider your posts rude.  Your info is much more current than mine.  I just try to pass along info that I know at one time was correct.  Thank you for clearing that up.

You are correct that they used to be easier had. The main deal was they were condensed into one are. Now they have scattered all over. And they can cover some groung quick. We killed 21 last winter. I have moved since and havent had a chance to go this year. But last i talked to my buddy they had only killed 2 so far this year. So it is getting steadily harder.

I believe the conservation folks say this because they want all Hogs to be gone & they know that the more people that
go & hunt hard the more likely it is that a Hog will be shot.
You will not make peace with the Bluecoats, you are free to go.

Offline billynwtf

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2009, 01:56:17 AM »
 The hogs are there and in good numbers. But they have had alot of hunting pressure and they for the most only move at nite. All you need to do is scout around and you will find lots of rooting. Hogs are not like deer when they are hunted they will move many miles away. I have watched too many hunters try to hunt them on the ground and you just cant hunt these hogs that way. Your best bet is to wait until its hot and I mean hot. Look for one of the MDC water hole ponds and see if the hogs have been using them. You can get a map with these ponds marked on them. Once you find one that is being used climb a tree. This will take some time but if you have 3-4 days you can locate one of these ponds that the hogs have been using. Pay attention to the wind and scent control. Hogs can smell better than a deer.

Offline deerman12

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2009, 06:49:23 AM »
I know a couple of guys that have killed one or two in the Mark Twain Forest.  They did alot more hunting then killing.  Mark Twain Forest is huge.  I would not know where to start with someone that educated on that area.  Good Luck.

Offline Tonk

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #11 on: November 25, 2009, 05:43:13 PM »
The Mark Twain Forest does have some hogs! However, they are not going to greet you when you get out of the truck that is for sure ok. You could walk a week and not see even a sign of a hog, you must be where those hogs are at and they will stay around the better food sources. There has been a very good acorn crop this year and those hogs and deer are getting fat. Also there are several locations to the Mark Twain Forest and I would start with the far to the South. You might want to contact the conservation agency and find out where the largest concentration of porkers are located. ;D

Offline The Sodbuster

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2010, 04:27:49 PM »
There are also fair hog populations not far from Kansas City: on some of the Army Corps ground around Truman Lake and at some conservation areas, such as Schell-Osage and others.  They see a fair amount of hunting pressure and are difficult to get on.  When pressured, they will keep to heavy cover during the day and come out mostly at night.  I've tried it.  I've found hog sign, but never saw any hogs.

Offline Ponydog36

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2011, 10:06:21 AM »
As far as hogs go......maybe you might have some luck if you found sign, or a waler, and posted trail cameras.
You may get a snpashot of a hog.....but most important...you may get to understand what time these hos move about.

If it is 3:30 am...... might as well pack it in.....if it is first light , or last light......you may have a chance.....

Offline greywolf444

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2011, 07:47:21 PM »
I've about decided that the MDC is making a lot of noise about them but there really aren't very many to be found.  See many pictures posted?  personally know anyone who has found any?  didn't think so. My sons and I spent a lot of time looking and found nothing worthwhile. saw one in a private field where we couldn't hunt and nothing else on public ground. its a nice dream that you can hunt with no restrictions and no limit but there is nothing to hunt. I'm sure that there are the scattered pigs here and there but in practical terms you're wasting your time.  btw the agents we contacted really weren't any help in putting us onto good areas. they don't know where they are either. they really loved that the MDC offered their help like that.

Offline Ponydog36

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2011, 08:02:59 AM »
I agree with you Greywolf.   I tried in vain a few times, Pretty much decided that when folks like us get stir crazy, and someone publishes a story on hogs.......we all head that direction.    A little pressure, alot of racket, gravel roads buzzing.....the hogs that may be there..find a place you cant find.    They sleep while you hunt.   You leave, presto.  Hogs
They are not keen on hearing, but that nose is better than a deers.   I just think they go nocturnal.   
Funny, we all wish there were some to actually hunt and be successful with,  but after looking at 30 acre food plots in S Texas being literally plowed under......with the row crop we have in this area......they would be devastating to agriculture.

I will say this, armadillos didn't used to be here....they are here to stay now.......hogs wont take long to follow.

Offline kevthebassman

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Re: Help want to hunt hawgs in Missouri
« Reply #16 on: March 31, 2011, 11:59:38 PM »
Your best bet is to just pay for a hunt. Cause it aint as easy as everyone thinks. If you dont have dogs, your wasting your time. And it aint like deer hunting where you can sit in a tree for the weekend and kill one. They are mostly nocturnal, and will let you walk right past them, or run and not let you see them. There is two types of people that kill wild hogs. The ones that get lucky and has one jumped that runs past them during rifle season, and the ones who put the time in and know what they are doing. Like i said, considering the hogs are mostly in southeast missouri, your best bet is pay for a hunt, or move. Cause it aint a weekend road trip sort of deal. Hopefully kevthebassman will see this and fill you in on that. He has drove the miles, and put the time in. And even with me pointing him in the right direction, he still hasnt connected. Im not trying to discourage you, just wanting to fill you in on the reality of hog hunting. You will wear out truck tires and shoe soles trying to do it. Trust me i have done it. Its addicting, but it aint easy.  ;)

WOW this is an old post, but rocko was right, I did see it eventually! 

I haven't chased hogs in a couple of years, I went and got married and had a baby.  But Rocko is right in that you will certainly see a lot more of scenic rural Missouri than you ever knew existed if you're an out-of-towner out to kill a hog without the aid of dogs. 

You'll get a "hot lead" from a conservation agent, drive 4 hours, camp out in your truck in January.  You'll walk in where you were supposed to, get a feel for the place, and walk some more.  You'll find sign enough to convince you that the blisters on your heels ain't that bad yet, and all you gotta do is just walk up this holler, over that ridge, and down that logging road.  Then you get there, look around, realize it's going to be dark in a half hour, and make the trek back to the truck, then drive back to the camp ground for some grub and sleep. 

The next morning, you dress your blisters, saddle up, and find your way back to where you were before, a little quicker this time.  You follow a creek a few miles down to a swampy area, find some rooting, and follow a game trail into the thickest swamp you've ever seen.  About a half hour before dark, you hear a massive amount of racket as you jump up what might be deer, or might be hogs.  You follow until dark, but never see anything.  Now you've got to get back to the truck, drive the 4 hours back home, and be back to work at 8 AM the next morning!

Sometimes I think I should have taken up bowling!