How to Hunt Wild Hogs—Everything You Need to Know

Learn how to find, track, hunt, and shoot more hogs

From The Editors Of Field & Stream

Feral hogs are the most destructive and costly invasive species in North America. They are also one of the most numerous and widespread, and while it should be said that hunting doesn’t effectively control the species, there are plenty of places where wild hogs are here to stay no matter what—and where hunting is more fun than slapping clowns. I’ve hunted pigs with bows, crossbows, handguns, rifles, spears, and knives in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Tennessee, and have never wished I’d gone to work instead. Not every feral hog is delicious to eat, but neither is every beef cow. (I’ll take grain-fed over grass-fed every time). But plenty of pigs are quite good as table fare, with little noticeable difference in flavor or texture from store-bought pork.

In states where wild hogs especially pervasive, you can shoot them spring, summer, winter, and fall, sometimes without a hunting license and during the day or at night, at least on private land. And there’s no better time to give it a try than right now. Most other big-game seasons are either closed or closing, and cool temperatures keep hogs active all day long. And if you’re a deer hunter, you probably already possess the basic skills and equipment required to get serious about swine gone wild. Here is everything you need to know about how to hunt wild hogs. CONTINUE READING STORY