How to Locate and Hunt Pigs in California plus Public Land Hunting, Hunting Clubs, and Ranches
We have the maps on our other sites on where to hunt pigs- please click links below or archived blogs to the right to see California pig hunting INFO AND MAPS
This post is information about pig behavior and how to locate and hunt them.
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Hog Behavior and Habits
Intelligence is what makes pigs a great sporting challenge. Many studies have indicated Boar are more
intelligent than canines, just behind dolphins and various primates.
Despite much hunting directed at them they can adapt and thrive. In many areas they have learned to hunker down and are only out just after sundown and at night.
Hogs are mobile and active. When out and about, hogs are almost always moving or cavorting amongst themselves. You.have to be ready to take a shot quickly unless they are engaged in rooting or some other feeding.
Boar have extremely poor vision which does help your stalk. But if you are upwind, they can literally
smell you from miles away. It is their greatest asset and they have very good hearing to boot.
You literally can't stalk them unless you come from the right direction, wind-wise.
Pigs are prolific breeders, in fact they are not restricted to being in season like other mammals. A sow is fertile within a half-year after birth, and can have up to 3 litters per year!
If you see a solitary pig it is almost certainly a Boar looking for new available sows. Boars fight frequently for mating dominance as a result. You need to keep your ears open for the squealing and
sounds of these confrontations.
On this subject Boars have natural thick shoulder and back cartilage that is augmented by scarring tissue.Your weaponry and butchering equipment need to be able to handle this. A small ax and pliers comes in handy.
Their large teeth and aggressive nature is something to keep in mind when dealing with these animals. When wounded they can attack you without hesitation.
Sows remain together with other sows and piglets nearly all the time. They are dutiful mothers and breeders. They are rarely as large as males but do have tusks, just not as large as the boars. Try not to shoot a brooding female with piglets to keep the hunting stock numerous.
How to Locate Wild Pigs
Hogs are very sensitive to temperature. Like canines, pigs lack the ability to lose heat by sweating. They have a very high metabolism, too, so in hot weather look for water and cover, that's where you will find the pigs.
You should find wallow holes -indentations in muddy areas- where the pigs seek to cool off and also get a mud coating on their skin. You can imagine how lovely they appear.
In real hot weather, they really hunker down in the thickest stuff they can find so the early mornings or late evening is prime time for hunting. Hunting during the fall and spring is probably the best time, especially when the acorns drop in the fall.
Tracking Pigs
Once you think you have found good habitat, now look for pig tracks or hoof prints. They
are almost circular, blunt and are indentated in the front. They differentiate from deer track's pointed ends.
Tracking
the hoof print is the best way to find pigs. If you wait until after a
rain to hunt your job will get easier. Once you find lots of pig
activity, make concentric circles, while quietly creeping along, making
them narrower each time.
Pigs are far vision challenged
but their ears and scent powers are better than deer, so it is still a
challenge. If they are distracted by feeding or socializing, you can
get with 50 yards without being noticed as long as the wind cooperates.
Look for the aforementioned wallowing holes and also they like to rub on trees to relieve an itch, often leaving traces of fur.
If you ever have looked around the base of an oak tree in the spring, you will see evidence of how they use their snouts to dig.
Trail identification: Most critters make angle trails going up hill, but our piggish friends most often go straight up a steep hill.
Their spoor or droppings are clumpy and use a stick to dissect the dropping, and perhaps you can ascertain what -and where - they have been eating.
Other Ways to Hunt Pigs
Hunt using a stand or blind
Utilizing a blind to hunt pigs is a viable choice, but not necessarily the best one on account of the pig's highly mobile nature. Hunting from a blind is good choice, however, if you know the area well.
•Locate a spot around food or water source,
•Remember wind direction as a critical factor
•Purchase a pig call that mimics a immature pig
How to use a Pig Call
Select the Right Call: There are various pig calls available on the market, ranging from electronic calls to mouth calls. Choose a call that mimics the sound of piglets or distressed pigs, as these can attract curious or protective adult pigs.
Understand Pig Behavior: Pigs are naturally curious animals and may investigate unfamiliar sounds in their territory. They are also protective of their young and may respond aggressively to distress calls from piglets.
Choose the Right Location: Set up your calling position in an area with known pig activity, such as near water sources, feeding areas, or well-used trails. Look for signs of recent pig activity, such as tracks, droppings, or wallow holes.
Concealment: Ensure that you are well concealed and downwind from the direction you expect the pigs to approach. Pigs have an excellent sense of smell, so it's crucial to minimize your scent and avoid being detected.
Use Decoys: Consider using pig decoys along with your calls to make the setup more realistic. Decoys can attract pigs' attention and draw them closer to your position.
Be Patient and Quiet: Once you've set up your calling position, be patient and avoid making unnecessary noise. Pigs may take some time to respond to the calls, so stay alert and ready for action.
Take your Best Shot
Shoot straight. You need to shoot pretty low on the shoulder, or put another way, shoot high on the leg, but just behind and slightly above where the leg hits the animal's body. You want to target the heart, or the brain, just below and a little forward of its ear.
Pigs can run a long time with little blood trail if hit by a lung shot, so use extra caution. They are also dangerous when wounded and will often attack.
If you can't find the shot animal, it is your duty to locate it, it is unethical to not do so. Once you’ve shot the wild pig, there’s a good chance that it won’t go down immediately. They are not heavy bleeders usually, but look for blood on brush or high grass as well as the ground. Foaming blood is a lung shot, brownish is a liver shot, deep red is a cardio area shot.
But always exercise caution, they can be on you in a split second. Even a downed pig is not to be approached recklessly.
See our blog "How to Field Dress a Pig" and "Hunting Areas in California" in "Archived Posts" to the right.
Our other post have maps where to find pigs:
TO SEE HIGHEST PIG KILL MAP CLICK THIS SENTENCE... ACCESS TO OUR HUGE MAP SITE TOO!!!
TO SEE HIGHEST PIG KILL MAP CLICK THIS SENTENCE... ACCESS TO OUR HUGE MAP SITE TOO!!!
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Happy Hunting!
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