Author Topic: Pig populations, Outdoor Life article.. (Read 1821 times)

bigbore442001 · « **on:** January 25, 2004, 07:01:29 AM »

While perusing through the isles of the supermarket, I happened to look at the latest Outdoor Life and an article titled," Swamp Hogs" by Todd Kuhn. The article was about wild boar/feral hog hunting and had included a map of the US showing wild hog distribution. What I found interesting was the areas that are reported to have wild boar/feral hog in the US.

According to the map, there are wild boar in 20 states. In the West, it shows an area covering much of California and extending into southern Oregon. Parts of southwestern Nevada, north central and south eastern Arizona. Parts of west and east Texas as well as a good portion of Louisiana as well as parts of Arkansas and Missouri. The Gulf Coast as well as Florida are included.

Now what I found interesting was it shows a shaded area around teh Cheasapeke Bay Region including the Delmarva Penninsula as well as what looks like the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

Another area that looks interesting covers south-central Michigan, northwestern Ohio and northeastern Indiana. In addition, a swath from northern Georgia thru Tennessee, Kentucky and into southeastern Indiana.

Anyone care to comment on how accurate that map is? I ran into a friend who was originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He told me that there are a few but they are so sparse it would be a waste of time. In addition, since I am an outsider(OK Yankee) that would be a big barrier.

I am curious if making a trip to one of these areas would be a waste of time? Any comments would be welcome.

Oldtimer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2004, 04:35:08 PM »

I can tell you that there are indeed hogs in the southeastern corner of Virginia, at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and at False Cape State Park. Both are lottery hunts and are very reasonable. The only stipulation is that you have a Virginia Hunting License, a large game license is not needed. Shotguns, 20 gauge or larger are required. Information on the hunts is available on the Virginia Division of Game and Inland Fisheries webpage and on the National Wildlife Service webpage.

HoCoMDHunter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2004, 05:08:39 PM »

Never heard of any in Maryland. I haven't done much hunting on the Delmarva, but a friend of mine has. No hogs seen. If there were a huntable population in MD I would be after them. They look tasty. There is no mention of them in the DNR's hunting guide.

VSSF · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2004, 12:40:12 AM »

Whats the particulars on the Back Bay hunts??

whitecloud · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2004, 03:06:12 AM »

I have heard rumors of them in Southern IN. In the hoosier natl forest.I did not know about the NE.I have tried for a year now to find some reliable info,but everyone in the know is hush,hush.The natl hunting club I belong to has members here in IN,they talk about it on the forum but will not give up any info.Just like to brag and pat them selves on the back I guess.Thereis pretty much an open season on them,as they are not listed as a hunting species.What more could you ask for in the off season?

willis5 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2004, 05:51:02 AM »

I grew up in MD and never heard of them being there. And if they are sparce, they would have populated by now I would think. I wish they were around when i grew up there

rickyp · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2004, 12:55:25 PM »

I can tell you for sure there are no huntable hogs in southern Maryland
(PG, Charles, Calvert, St. Mary's) I wish there where. It is one of my dreams to take a big hog, but at this time in my life I don't have the $$$$$ to pay the price outfitters are asking.

Perferator · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2004, 02:55:46 PM »

I've not heard a peep about wild/feral hogs in south central michigan. There has however, been a small amount of hogs escaping through a fence of an upper peninsula. Type in "abbaye hogs" in you google and see what pops out. I think most have been wiped out by the local pig vigilantes

Sure would be something to have a feral pig population in the UP!

Perferator

Mack in N.C. · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2004, 05:12:49 PM »

dont know about the other states but nc and sc have totally different populations of hogs.......most in nc are found in our sw mountains with a small population due north of this population in our nw mountains...these are a cross between russian and feral hogs.......going east there is a small population in caswell co. near the town of casville....these are the result of several pig farmers(nc produces the most pigs in the world)turning there hogs loose when the price per pound went cheaper than the feed......they just turned several thousand loose....going east again there is a population in johston and wayne counties along the neuse river.(this is the result of a small population already there and then paridise hunting club out of smithfield nc turning a buch more loose)..still going east again there are scattered hogs on the outer banks(our barrier islands).....sc hogs are mainly found on there coastal rivers and swamps........

oso45-70 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2004, 05:17:05 PM »

Gent's
No one mentioned New Mexico, There are scattered herds of wild pigs in the suthern part of N.M. Also in the Tucumcari area, the biggest herds are
in the SW part of the state where NM and AZ and old mexico come togather, Best Wishes,,,,,,,,,,,,Joe,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

moose · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2004, 01:48:19 PM »

lots of hogs in gawja (georgia) lots of hunting on WMA's an hour and half from Atlanta,,,,,,,,hogs are over the southern half of the state ...plus nice hogs in the georgia mountains.......i usally take about 3 to 5 per year for food/ Bar-b-Que...............

gunoil · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2004, 02:11:16 PM »

in tn they are a lot of pigs in big south fork .. it is open intell feb 29 if i' can get up in the morn going to go ... :shock:

jschance · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2004, 05:32:54 AM »

I can tell you that in all my years hunting in both Northwest and Northeast Indiana, I've never seen hide nor hair of a 'wild hog'. I guess there are several 'game ranches' that offer canned hunts, but for a truly 'wild, free roaming hog", I've never seen one ( or tracks, or heard another hunter talk about one).

I'd guess that the only ones that could be around would be escapees from one of the many hog farms in the area.

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2004, 07:32:44 AM »

I oftened wondered why there were no hogs roaming the Southern Tier of NY State...Anybody care to comment on this. Is it the weather or the fact that the hogs just never made it up here...Who knows? :? I sure would love to go on a hog hunt in my home state...

papajohn428 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 03, 2004, 02:22:35 PM »

I have heard of some major league hogs in southern MO, but haven't been able to work up the price of a hunt. I think they should be bred and turned loose all over! Then I could become one of those vigilantes! :wink:
PJ

Tom · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2004, 09:28:48 AM »

Texas has about a million hogs from what I've read. Some areas of the state have more than others. There are places where you'd be surprised to not see and have a shot at a wild free ranging hog, if you hunted for just a couple of days.

Bushnell Boy · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2004, 05:42:51 AM »

Papajohn there are a few ranches that have very big hogs in Mo. http://www.highadventureranch.com/boar.html

The free ranging are mostly smaller from what I've heard and are still pretty scarce. They are slowly moving up from arkansas. If you go to the Mo. Dept of Conservation they urge people to go down south and hunt them. http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/hunt/deer/deertuk/feral.htm
MDOC wants these things dead. They do not want them moving up farther in the state and urge hunters to shoot them on sight.

As for the map I thought it was exagerated for Missouri. The hogs are not as far north as they said and if they are they are in very small populations.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2004, 09:39:38 PM »

What kind of hunting does the High Adventure Ranch offer. Is it a "canned" hunt?

Bushnell Boy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2004, 01:54:08 PM »

I've never hunted there so I'm not sure.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2004, 06:54:08 PM »

Bushnell Boy & Dusty Miller.
I went to google and looked around trying to find that outfit with no luck High Adventure ranch was not in my search if i did it rite. gona go back and do some more searching, I'm looking for a place myself. thought i had it made but the deal fell through, Oh well something will turn up i'm sure. If one of you guys hear of something let me know either by post
or pm me or e-mail. Good luck to both of you......Joe

oso45-70 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2004, 06:32:26 AM »

Gentlemen:
I went back and did another search and found. THE ADVENTURE RANCH
is in the ozark mt.s of missouri. you had it right its a canned hunt opperation. Not for me i'm sure. ............Joe...................

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 31, 2004, 10:48:11 AM »

I am a resident of southeast Michigan and have never seen or read about any wild hogs in Michigan. Yes there are some game ranches but no truly wild hogs. I would love to see them introduced into Michigan but i believe that will never happen as i have been told they compete to much with whitetail deer for habitat and food. Furthermore anyone who could give me some information about the closest state to me that i could hunt some wild hogs would be of great appreciation. It's looks to me like this could be an affordable species to hunt out of state as long as it wasnt to far. Thanks a bunch