Author Topic: Track Size? (Read 742 times)

HWooldridge · « **on:** September 10, 2003, 10:08:09 AM »

I tried to post this earlier but something went haywire. Anyway...

We went to the deer lease in Uvalde, TX this past weekend and found a turned over feeder that used to have about 300 lbs in it. We set our legs out at 45 degrees and stake them to the ground so they are hard to flip but the stake was pulled and the leg was broken off the feeder (1-1/4 black pipe busted at the weld). The tracks leading away were about 5 inches long and almost as wide. They were sunk over an inch into the soft ground while my shoe print marked about 1/4 inch deep (Size 11 under 220 lbs) We don't have cattle on the place but we have killed hogs so know they are in the vicinity. Anyone have an idea how big this boy is based on the track size? We've killed a couple close to 300 but this looks much bigger.

howie1968 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2003, 11:33:35 AM »

sounds huge the 526lb hog i killed was not even close to that size sounds like a big one put up a game tracker camera id like to see the pictures of that monster

huntsman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2003, 06:45:46 AM »

There are many variables that go into the physical appearance of an animal track. In your own words, "soft ground" can easily exaggerate the size of a track considerably, often by almost 50% in both dimensions. Still, you are obviously dealing with a large specimen. How certain are you that the track was swine and not cow or elk? Cattle have been known to raid feeders in the manner described, and I have heard many reports of elk that have become feral as escapes from some of the exotic ranches in the Edwards Plateau region. A larger elk could conceivably have done the dirty work.

More than likely you have a large boar (possibly with foot problems) who decided to use your feeder leg as a rubbing post. He put too much lateral pressure on the pipe and POP! the whole thing came down in a hurry. He was probably high-tailing it out of there when he left the tracks, which can also make them look bigger as well. Let us know if you ever catch up to him. :grin:

HWooldridge · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2003, 05:26:14 AM »

Huntsman,

I see you are in San Antonio. This incident happened over in Uvalde so don't think we have elk or other huge deer roaming about. I suppose it could be an Axis or red stag but we have never seen any on the lease and at one time, there were cows but they have been removed. I think it's a hog but as you said, he was probably hauling a-- to leave after the feeder crashed to the ground.

I'll report back if we either see or kill him in the future. Thanks for the input...H

affordablehoghunts · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2004, 04:12:29 PM »

believe it or not fellas that hog is a old wise boar more than likely. the amount of corn put off by the feeder doesnt start to compare to the amount he wants so he in turn robs your feeder by rooting a leg down. happens all the time in my area. as far as track size in soft ground it is like someone else stated,its hard to determine on real soft soil. track him till he hits hard ground and that will give you a true track. ive taken 3 hogs over 600 and none had a hoof that large. also a hogs front hoof is bigger than his back hoofs.alot of folks misread this as 2 hogs running together.

HWooldridge · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2004, 03:30:14 PM »

Several miles north and east of our place, a fellow killed one last week that dressed 447. The article was in the San Antonio Express-News. They think he probably went over 600 on the hoof.