Author Topic: Hog hunting in Indiana (Read 9627 times)

Dinny · « **on:** September 22, 2009, 04:53:53 AM »

Hoosier Hunters,
Where are the hogs?? That is the question. Please share what you know about angry farmers experiencing crop damage and any other info you may have.

Thanks, Dinny

bstewrat3 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2009, 05:41:22 AM »

All I have heard is they are along the south border of the state. I think they started over toward Evansville and have been expanding faster than the coyotes. I would love to get out on some hogs in Indiana if anyone knows where to start. Hopefully they stay a pest open year round.

Dinny · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2009, 05:46:24 AM »

I hunt the southern counties of Clark and Floyd. I haven't heard of or seen any hog sign in Charlestown or Borden. I heard that they are infiltrating the Hoosier Nat'l Forest though, maybe near English. I can't wait to put some pork on the table/bbq grill too!

Thanks, Dinny

teddy12b · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2009, 06:41:26 AM »

I'm in northeast Indiana, so I don't know of anyone having hog damage problems, but I would like know of any farmer who I can help with their hog problem.

If I can offer my hunting/shooting services to any farmer count me in. I'd love to get after some hogs.

Lon371 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2009, 08:40:47 AM »

A few years ago there was talk of hogs running in National forest around Corydon, and some up around Mitchel. But I never had real leads to go after. Rumor all said that the Hogs were from farms that couldnt support them any more, sooo they opened the gates, now they are ferral.

Lonny

theoldarcher · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2009, 09:28:33 AM »

A few years ago I hunted hogs in Martin and Lawrence Counties. The damage was quite obvious in crop fields, especially bean fields just to the SE side of Bedford. We hunted private land, saw lots of sign, heard lots of squeeling, but were unable to close the deal. The hogs stayed in really thick bottom brush that was mucky until dark. We were not equipped to hunt after dark--don't know if that is legal in IN--so we were probably walking out at a time when we should have been walking in!

Martin County, east of Shoals. along Lost River, about 2 miles north of the HWY. Again lots of field dammage--here we found acres rooted up on a ridge above the river. If I remember this property was private but butted up to some State land.

I would recommend knocking on farmers' doors and asking about problems with hogs gone wild. I have to believe you would be welcomed to help them.

Best of luck. Keep us posted.

I live in MI but grew up in French Lick, so I like to keep tabs on my old stomping grounds.

Arch

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2009, 11:57:15 AM »

I also live in NE Indiana and have not seen or heard of any hogs around here. Got plenty of other stuff, Turkeys, Coyotes, deer, small game all over, but no hogs.

Dinny · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2009, 08:04:20 PM »

With a little research, I have found the(other) folks that want to be notified of feral hog activities/spottings in IN.

This is from the DNRs Hunting Regs booklet that comes out every year.

Anyone who sees or takes a feral hog
should call BOAH at (877) 747-3038 or
email animalhealth@boah.IN.gov to report
the approximate location, number, sex and
estimated size of the animal(s).

I already sent an email to their Director and will give her a chance to reply before trying this email address. Who knows, maybe they'll give us some contact info or at least some locations.

Thanks,Dinny

teddy12b · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2009, 03:00:20 AM »

If they give details and farmers who need help, it'd be an excellent opportunity to get people together in the real world and do a little hunting. Hopefully with a hog roast at the end. I'm in if you all are interested.

Old Syko · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2009, 11:03:45 AM »

I can't imagine any farmer here in the southern part of the state that would look for help in giving away groceries.

There was a story in the local paper almost 2 years ago about an ole boy who discovered a small group on his place and readily dispatched the whole group. I spoke to the gentleman a while back and he hasn't seen another one since.

Lon371 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:00:54 PM »

"I can't imagine any farmer here in the southern part of the state that would look for help in giving away groceries"

I beg to differ kind sir. The farmers in my neighborhood dont and wont hunt. They mostly keep a few cows close for the freezer. Fortunately for me and the kids, we try to help keep the critter population down.

Lonny

Forestclimber · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:47:33 PM »

I find it hard to believe that a person could eliminate every feral pig on his place.

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:23:58 AM »

I recently spoke to a shooter that said he and his friend both shot a hog in Jackson county. One saw 3 and the other saw 7.

Lon371 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2009, 07:46:35 AM »

Ask them boys in Jackson county if they need help. I have a Mosin itching to shoot something legal.

to Jackson we will go, to Jackson we will go, I'll load the ammo and to Jackson we will go.

Lonny tired and need sleep

Dinny · « **Reply #14 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:43:41 AM »

Quote from: Hank in Indiana on September 28, 2009, 02:23:58 AM

I recently spoke to a shooter that said he and his friend both shot a hog in Jackson county. One saw 3 and the other saw 7.

Hank,
You have me on the edge of my seat. Do you know this "shooter"? Can you contact him again? Were they on a private farm? Inquiring minds want to know. I see us Hoosier GBO good 'ol boys having us a pig roast. Yum Yum!

~Dinny

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #15 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:36:22 PM »

Lots of luck! I tried to get an invitation and was informed that it was a private club of guys on private property. He did say that it was in Jackson Co. accross the river from Orange Co.

teddy12b · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2009, 02:34:25 PM »

Guys,
Another option we may want to consider.......

About a year ago I sold a rifle online to a guy in Texas. I immediately began bugging him with questions about hog hunting. He said that it's a real problem on the ranch he works at and people are more than welcome to hunt the over 10,000 acres for hogs. I haven't been able to make this trip work out because of time off and the travel expenses, but we could get some Indiana boys together for a hunting road trip to Texas for some piggies if people were interested. Keep any mind, anything goes in Texas.

Dinny · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2009, 08:10:01 PM »

Hank,
Thanks for you efforts, sounds like you were digging for all the info you could get. I will have to start researching to find if there's any public land near there to scout. It prolly wouldn't hurt, while I'm there, to stop and ask some farmers in the area to see if they have any problems.

Teddy,
Not a bad idea, we definitely have something to consider.....

Thanks, Dinny(from Iraq)

Dinny · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2009, 08:10:32 AM »

Quote from: Dinny on September 22, 2009, 08:04:20 PM

Anyone who sees or takes a feral hog
should call BOAH at (877) 747-3038 or
email animalhealth@boah.IN.gov to report
the approximate location, number, sex and
estimated size of the animal(s).

I haven't received a response from the Director of Animal Health yet. I'm gonna send a new email to this address and wait for a reply. I would call but I'm not in the States right now. Anyone else want to try them on the phone?

Thanks, Dinny

Lon371 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:11:37 AM »

Dinny, its a little late today to call. I will make myself a note and try calling tomorrow and see if they can shed some light on what they have heard.

Lonny

Lon371 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 11:27:20 AM »

Forgot to call earlier. Did just try, got an answereing machine. Left a request for info on the wild hogs in Indiana. Left my email and phone #. If I get home earlier tomorow I will try again.

Lonny

Lon371 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 02, 2009, 08:08:04 AM »

Ok got thru today. Talked with a nice lady. She gave me a list of counties where the hogs are reported to be. I didnt get them all(i write slower then she talked) She did say there should be info here http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/
I have not went to the site yet. Just got off the phone. Here is the partial list I did get.

Madison, Lawerance, Jackson, Washington, Warren, Gibson, Jennings, Dekalb, Lake

Like I said there is more, I just cant write that fast. Heading to the website, to see if any more info can be found.

Lonny

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:31:53 PM »

I live in Dekalb county and I have not heard of any hogs around here, let alone seeing any, no signs of hogs either. Dekalb is located in the North East corner of the state on the Ohio state line. Lake county is in the extreme North West corner of the state on the Illinois border. Makes me wonder if some farmer's hogs got out and they are thinking they were wild feral hogs?

Old Syko · « **Reply #23 on:** October 03, 2009, 02:56:23 AM »

Most any stock animal will turn feral after a time of being released to fend for itself. That's where most so-called wild hogs come from these days isn't it?

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #24 on:** October 03, 2009, 02:58:26 AM »

I was born in lake co, They may have been large rats not hogs.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 03, 2009, 03:50:02 AM »

Old Syko - you are absolutely correct - ALL feral pigs came off a farm at one time or another. What I meant was they got out temporarily. I once saw 30 head of hogs make mince meat out a yard. There was not one bit of sod not turned over and it was about an acre plot. They were out for two days, before the farmer came and rounded them up, but not before they caused all kinds of damage, not just that yard, but others too. Instances like this could be interpreted as wild feral hogs instead of what is penned up on a farm. BTW - Have you tried to keep pigs (hogs) in a fenced in area, it is difficult. The fences have to be well made and maintained. They can get their snout under a regular fence lift up and slide right under it. Once one gets out, the rest follow.

Old Syko · « **Reply #26 on:** October 03, 2009, 04:54:36 AM »

My grandfather raised hogs all his life. He had little trouble keeping them in. Kept them well fed and surrounded with more electric than you could get away with today. The fence killed 4 or 5 a year. That's what we ate. Local hog farm where my pork comes from operates much the same way today.

Dinny · « **Reply #27 on:** October 03, 2009, 06:51:00 AM »

Quote from: Lon371 on October 02, 2009, 08:08:04 AM

Ok got thru today. Talked with a nice lady. She gave me a list of counties where the hogs are reported to be. I didnt get them all(i write slower then she talked) She did say there should be info here http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/
I have not went to the site yet. Just got off the phone. Here is the partial list I did get.

Madison, Lawerance, Jackson, Washington, Warren, Gibson, Jennings, Dekalb, Lake

Like I said there is more, I just cant write that fast. Heading to the website, to see if any more info can be found.

Lonny

Lonny,
You live in Washington County, don't you? If not, I know a few other people who do and I will quiz them when I see them again. I tried the website and found very little info even while using the Search feature. I know that feral hogs are considered Invasive Species but didn't find anything under that topic. Maybe there will be more to come later.

Thanks for checking with them, they still haven't responded to my email.

Thanks, Dinny

Dinny · « **Reply #28 on:** October 03, 2009, 06:55:04 AM »

Quote from: Old Syko on October 03, 2009, 04:54:36 AM

The fence killed 4 or 5 a year. That's what we ate.

High voltage electricity + pig = instant ham cooked to perfection.

Just having fun!

~Dinny

Lon371 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 03, 2009, 07:01:07 AM »

I do live in Washington county. I have not heard of any wild hogs. I have friends who hunt all over Washington, Clark, Harris county. No one has heard anything more than we know here. Was a rumor several years ago of hogs around Mitchell, had friends check into that and nothing. Last couple years once in a while someone will mention hearing of some in Corydon area, again no first hand knowledge.

This is kind of like the eternal life water I am afraid

Lonny

Electric BBQ yeah baby