Author Topic: Hogs in Indiana (Read 3620 times)

Forestclimber · « **on:** April 03, 2009, 01:24:20 PM »

I know hogs are loose in Southern Indiana around Hoosier National Forest. I was just wondering how far in the state they have spread. I live in SE Indiana, and hope they never get over to where I am at.

theoldarcher · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2009, 09:09:41 AM »

I've hunted hogs in Lawrence and Martin Counties. Saw lots of damage. One farmer on the SE side of Bedford has quit planting corn because of them. I grew up in French Lick and still get down there once in a while to hunt with my brother. We saw evidence of some really big hogs (trees tusked higher than my knee and mud scrapes up to my belt--I'm 6' 3 1/2"). Although we heard plenty and saw the butt end of a couple, we never got a shot. I will be back down one of these days, however, to try again.

Arch

cam69conv · « **Reply #2 on:** May 07, 2009, 12:21:42 PM »

Oldarcher, If you wouldnt mind, Id love some numbers to call on these farms. From the information I could gather from the DNR there is no season on hogs in Indiana and the farmers are treating hogs as pests (which they should). I wouldnt mind driving down to Indiana at all to help with pest control

Any info you may have on farmers that need help would be greatly appreciated. Shoot me a PM

cam69conv · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2009, 09:55:21 AM »

Yehaww... Just in from Indiana DNR!!!

Flag this messageRE: Feral HogsFriday, May 8, 2009 2:37 PMFrom: "DFW" <DFW@dnr.IN.gov>Add sender to Contacts To: super-bow@att.netI spoke with the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife Staff Specialist. Feral swine are not considered a game species in Indiana. Therefore, there are no hunting seasons established nor bag limits. A license is not required.

If you would like to call District Headquarters office of the Division of Law Enforcement in a specific county, here is the direct link to their contact information: http://www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/2755.htm

No limits nor license required!!!!!!! Now...Who needs some pig killin done??? Freezer is already gittin a little skimpy!! I can smell the sausage cookin already

theoldarcher · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:23:39 AM »

cam: as soon as my brother gets back from a turkey hunt in Nebraska, I will email him to ask the farmers' names where we hunted. Although, if you will look up (Google) maps for Hoosier National Forest and many of the State Forest areas in southern Indiana, you will find loads of land access for hunting pigs--I'd look at parcials that are next to crop lands. Also I would call DNR officers in the southern part of the state to ask about places where pigs are particularly troublesome. If you plan a trip based on this info, I would make the attempt to let the CO in the area you are hunting know what you are doing--not mistaking you for a poacher. Be in touch when I get a contact with my bro.

Best of luck, Arch

theoldarcher · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2009, 03:53:43 AM »

CAM: my brother is somewhat reluctant to ask for permission for someone he doesn't know to hunt the farms we hunted. Sorry. But I would contact the DNR again, this time by phone, and ask who might allow hunting on their farms for ferral hogs. They may have a list of farmers who have complained and are looking for help. Also ask them about hunting in the State and National forest areas adjacent to 'hog problem' areas. Again--sorry about his reluctance.

Best of luck, Arch

teddy12b · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2009, 04:11:07 AM »

There's a smart guy out there setting up guided hunts for hogs now.

http://www.backwateroutlaws.com/hunting-guide-services/wild_boar_hunts/

I think it's a great idea. Turn lemons into lemonade. I've already contacted him about a hunt and the rates are current with what the market is.

Dinny · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2009, 02:33:06 AM »

The IN DNR has opened a new option for deer hunters to register for interviews with farmers for hunting their land. Who knows, maybe they will discuss hunting feral hogs as well. My family resides in New Albany, Borden, and Charlestown IN. We haven't seen any hogs there yet. I hope to soon, just for a new query.

Thanks, Dinny

teddy12b · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2009, 06:40:46 AM »

Quote from: dinny on June 26, 2009, 02:33:06 AM

The IN DNR has opened a new option for deer hunters to register for interviews with farmers for hunting their land. Who knows, maybe they will discuss hunting feral hogs as well. My family resides in New Albany, Borden, and Charlestown IN. We haven't seen any hogs there yet. I hope to soon, just for a new query.

Thanks, Dinny

I got an e-mail about the new "Hunters helping Farmers" program. You can sign up for it on July 1st. I will be signing up for it without a doubt.

Dinny · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2009, 07:23:18 AM »

I'm trying to delay another trip to a remote outpost in Afg by one day so I can get in on that. I think the farmers will be interviewing people themselves. I only hope they don't ask to meet in person, I won't be home until early November. If interviewed, I will ask them about hogs and coyotes too.

~Dinny

teddy12b · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2009, 09:04:09 AM »

I can't imagine that any farmer wouldn't give preference to a soldier overseas. As a vet myself I'm hoping farmers will consider military firearms training a confidence booster to letting a stranger hunt their land. If you can't sign up for anything that day let me know and I'll make sure it gets done for you. It the least I could do considering what you're doing for all of us over there. Keep safe and let me know if you need any help.

Dinny · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2009, 11:58:45 AM »

teddy12b,
Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. I will have to wait and see how things go. I was discussing this program with another friend earlier and he has some initial concerns. He wonders how many farmers will start charging hunters for their land, how many will allow multiple people to hunt the same land, and whether they will turn sour after getting a bozo on their land that invites his friends without permission. I guess only time will tell. I plan on distinguishing myself from others by having some standards and making the farmers agree to some as well. I would prefer that no one else is permitted to hunt the same farm(more for safety than greed), but given the varying sizes of farms and good communications with fellow hunters, it would really depend on each situation. Are you set-up to hunt with a pistol caliber carbine/rifle? I have a H&R Handi rifle in .45LC and .357Mag/Max as well as a Ruger .44 mag carbine. I will be ready for a deer or hog.

Thanks for your support, Dinny

teddy12b · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2009, 07:31:19 AM »

Dinny,
I can understand your friends concerns and I think he's right. I would hope that the farmers would take a little time and really get to know the people they would let hunt and have rules and expectations on both sides of the deal. There will be idiots out there and I hope I don't run into them where I hunt, but who really knows. I am setup to hunt with a pistol cartridge rifle. I have a puma 92 44mag and it sure did the job last year. Pistol cartridge rifles are just so much more fun to hunt with than a shotgun.

Dinny · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2009, 08:35:05 AM »

Quote from: teddy12b on June 27, 2009, 07:31:19 AM

I have a puma 92 44mag and it sure did the job last year. Pistol cartridge rifles are just so much more fun to hunt with than a shotgun.

I would agree on all accounts. We should have mutual agreements with the farmers, the 44 Mag does kill with authority, and it sure is more fun with the pistol caliber rifles. Last year the .45LC worked fine, but the .44 Mag worked even better, the deer ran uphill 30yds and expired near the logging trail. That made my job alot easier. This year I hope to use a .357Max Handi rifle. What counties are you going to register in? I'm going for Floyd and Clark counties myself.
I may even pay to place an ad in the Tribune offering to help rid farmers of feral hogs. Hogs in Indiana has really got me excited. I haven't shot a pig since I left Germany 18 months ago. I catch myself watching the moon reminiscing about the nights spent there hunting from a hochsitz(high seat). It's in my blood now!

Thanks, Dinny

teddy12b · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2009, 10:39:45 AM »

I don't know what you mean by registering for counties. Maybe I've been doing something wrong, but I just get my license and go to where I'm hunting. This year I will be hunting with a new 44mag rifle that I just accidentally won on gunbroker. It was brand new with no reserve so I just put in 365 max and won!!! I've got a brand new puma 92 20" with removable feed tube coming my way for less than $400. I can't believe it, but I'll take it. I already apologized to the seller and told I really wasn't expecting to win it for that. I feel kinda bad but I'm slowly getting over it.

Dinny · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2009, 10:53:42 AM »

I think we will have to register for specific counties under the new "hunters helping farmers program" No sense in a farmer from the northern IN calling to interview me when I plan on only hunting in southern IN.

http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/39999.htm

Thanks, Dinny

cam69conv · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2009, 12:31:03 PM »

Uh...Back to pig hunting here.... You wont need to register or even be licensed to hog hunt in Indiana. As far as the farmers registering for the help in deer hunting, I do believe that if you just approach a farmer and see if he has a hog problem he would be MORE than happy to allow you to hunt and get rid of some hogs. ANY farmer that knows ANYTHING about hogs will know they will decimate his crops and they do not want that. Just be civil, kind, forthright and respectful, then gaining permission usually isnt a problem. The problem I am having is I dont know the area well and really dont know where to start looking to have those conversations.

teddy12b · « **Reply #17 on:** June 27, 2009, 01:15:14 PM »

The problem with the knocking on doors approach is that around here it could take all summer to find a farmer who would let you hunt his land. Most people who have a place worth hunting already hunt it themselves or have friends that do. This new program they're bringing out is supposed to make it easier to find hunter-friendly farmers. This could be a win/win for the hunters & farmers. I really hope this opens up new oportunities for both farmers and hunters. Hopefully the new relationships will transfer over to hog hunting also. I'm in northeast indiana so I won't be hog hunting this year.

Dinny · « **Reply #18 on:** July 02, 2009, 03:12:39 PM »

Hello everyone,
I was able to get online today and register for the Hunters Helping Farmers program. Granted, this is a program to help farmers reduce the number of deer on their property, but also a great opportunity for us in inquire about feral hogs. Even though it won't be until after Sept that the farmers will start making contact with the hunters, let's use this forum to keep each other informed about what we find.

Good luck hunting,
Dinny

Zeeks · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2009, 11:16:26 AM »

Hi Did you guys ever have any luck finding or hunting hogs in Indiana? I live in NW Ohio, use to live in Connersville, In. Just caught my interest.

Dinny · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2009, 01:24:17 PM »

Zeeks,
I haven't heard anything yet. I'm hoping to get a chance to speak to some farmers this year and find what they have to say about hogs. I will certainly post any new findings. Maybe not the exact details of where, especially if the hunting is good, but I will give some details.

*Who knows, maybe someday we'll get our own forum to discuss all of this in (see forum request section)

Thanks, Dinny

tinman2561 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2011, 07:26:23 PM »

has anybody had or know of anybody having luck with the hunters heling farmers program for indiana? myself and 4 others have signed up for it the last two years with no luck and have never heard of anybody actually having any success with it.

Dinny · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2011, 10:23:07 AM »

Quote from: tinman2561 on January 30, 2011, 07:26:23 PM

has anybody had or know of anybody having luck with the hunters heling farmers program for indiana? myself and 4 others have signed up for it the last two years with no luck and have never heard of anybody actually having any success with it.

No such luck has been reported by anyone here.

Thanks, Dinny