Wild Pigs In Texas Hog - Heaven for Hunters

One of my hunting acquaintances easily qualifies as the most dedicated, if not addicted, wild boar hunter I know. That does not mean that he is equally successful. In fact, the closest he has come to bagging a wild pig up to now was when one stood broadside to him about 50 yards away. Too far for a well aimed shot from his shotgun, he decided. Ever since he has dedicated countless weekends and much money to the pursuit of a quarry that seems to elude him wherever he goes. His refrigerator remains empty.

In desperation he decided to try his luck with wild pigs in Texas. We know what that means, don't we? Feeders on a private ranch, hunting at night from a blind or stand next to the feeder, spotlights, night vision goggles and scopes and almost any type of weapon you can imagine.

This time he has to realize his dream. Or hang up his gloves . . . uh, boar rifle.

Wild pigs in Texas revisited
Texas is the state with the highest population of wild pigs. Estimates vary from 2 to almost 4 million. In Texas every parking lot has its own resident pig, they say. Wild pigs are found in almost all counties except for a fringe along the western border of the state. Nowadays boar in Texas are almost exclusively feral pigs or feral hybrids between imported true boar and wild pigs. Pure strains of true European boar have been diluted to the point of non-existence.

The average weight of a feral boar is generally around 130 pounds; feral sows weigh in at about 110 pounds. But there are substantial variations in in size and weight. Some wild pigs grow significantly heavier than the average. This is due to abundant food as a result of intensive agriculture and environmental improvements and to the practice of ranchers to establish feeding stations for wildlife and hogs.

At first glance it seems paradox that landowners would feed the very same wild pigs that they consider pests. However, it makes sense at least for the ranches that maintain an ongoing boar hunting program. Well stocked feeders attract wild pigs to a ranch and keep them there – even when they get shot at.

The best places to look for wild pigs in any given area are determined by their food preferences. Mark E. Mapston, District Supervisor, Texas Cooperative Extension * Wildlife Services, writes in his highly informative essay 'Wild Pigs in Texas' :
“They prefer succulent green vegetation (they do not digest cellulose well) along with a variety of animal material, fruit and grain.

In the spring they eat grasses, forbs, roots and tubers. In the summer and fall

they eat mostly soft and hard mast such as prickly pear cactus, mesquite,

guajillo, huisache, grapes, plums, acorns and persimmons. Rhizomes, bulbs

and tubers are also important food items during the fall. Winter diets consist

mainly of grasses, forbs and agricultural grains such as corn, milo, wheat,

oats, rice and soybeans. They also eat peanuts, pumpkins, watermelons,

potatoes, cantaloupes and orchard fruit. Shelled corn put out as supplemental

feed for wildlife attracts feral hogs and can be a major part of their diet.

They readily consume carrion and animal matter, including arthropods

(especially beetles), amphibians, reptiles, eggs, birds, small mammals, and the

young of wild mammals and livestock. Large feral hogs also may cannibalize

pigs and shoats.“

Let us add to this list a few environmental factors. Since boar cannot sweat, they must have some water supply both as drinking water and as a cooling agent. They spend much time wallowing in mud holes they have created. It keeps them cool and also has the added benefit of caking parasites and insects in the dry mud on their coat. Rubbing vigorously against trees removes the dirt and insects trapped in it. As you know from my previous posts and my tutorial “Signs of the Beast“ rub marks on trees and mud holes are two of the most visible and characteristic signs of the presence of wild pigs. Rooting is another, of course. It is also the one most responsible for the reputation of wild pigs as loathed pests.

Hunting boar in Texas

Because wild pigs are so abundant in Texas hunting regulations are quite lax compared to those in many other states. Night hunting is legal, so are spotlights, night vision goggles and night vision scopes. Harvesting boar over bait at feeder stations is also permissible. In fact, much of boar hunting in Texas consists of a guide leading the hunter(s) to blinds or tree stands right at the feeder. When the wild pigs arrive to partake of the generous offerings of food, hunters open up with a wild and wide variety of weapons because there are few weapons restrictions, if any. Always check with the local game warden to assure that your hunting methods and equipment are legal. There are a few local restrictions on the use of spotlights for example.

Wild boar may be hunted year round in Texas. Since much of the land is private property, written permission from the landowner is required to hunt on his land. Expect to pay an access fee or a hefty guide fee despite the fact that ranchers and other landowners loudly complain about the damage done to their property ańd the environment. Even trophy fees are not unheard of.

Access and guide fees vary wildly. I have seen from $ 150.00 to close to $ 1,000 and anything in between. Average fess seem to hover in the range between $ 25Some ranches charge a very small access fee ($ 50.00) and then collect $ 1.00 per (boar) pound.

Because of the extremely high number of wild pigs and the damage wrought by their activities, Texas has created a unique, albeit rare, version of boar hunting in the form of wild pig eradication companies. Several boar control and eradication companies offer their services to landowners – often, but not always, free. Once a job is secured these pig exterminators employ wild boar hunters to do the actual shooting. The hunters are charged for their participation in the 'eradication program'. At least in theory. I have not yet independently confirmed these reports. I suspect however that the participation fees charged to hunters will be not much less than access fees at the low end of the fee schedule.

With several million boar running around all over Texas eradication of wild pigs in Texas is next to impossible. Under good conditions wild pigs can live four to five years. With ample food from feeding stations or 'natural' resources a wild pig population can double in four months!

Wild pigs are here to stay in Texas.

PJJ