I like the compare the way I hog hunt to tournament bass fishing. In bass fishing you constantly move from spot to spot until the fish strike. I hog hunt in a very similar fashion.
Hogs are constantly on the move feeding and wallowing throughout the night. A typical night of hunting consists of 2-4 people in a truck, without a single light on, and generation 3 night vision mounted on helmets to provide constant watch. We slowly creep through fields and down dirt roads on private properties until we spot the little black piggies in the distance.
Once the hogs are spotted, the hunters dismount the truck, and stalk in for the shot with the wind in their face. The biggest challenge with hunting pigs in the dark is getting used to the equipment and knowing how to play the wind. If one stalks in with the wind going the wrong way or fumbles with the equipment while making too much noise the hogs will be in the next county before you know it.
The approach of constantly being on the move and covering ground helps in several ways. One, it keeps the hunters occupied the entire time. The hunter's brain is on constantly alert scanning, driving, softly talking in the truck. Two, the more ground you cover the higher your chases of bumping into a large sounder (group) of hogs feeding in a field. Three, once the shots have been taken and the hogs have been collected the hunters can easily load up and drive to the next property for another chance.
This is all contrary to what most traditional hunters do by sitting in a blind for hours on end while starring at the same feeder or tree line while twiddling their thumbs. This same approach will work on an ATV, side-by-side, or on foot. Some people worry about engine noise, but I have yet to see a hog run from an engine. However, I have seen them run from the sound of gravel under tires.
This tactic is completely legal in Texas. Check your local game laws in your area first.
Hogs are constantly on the move feeding and wallowing throughout the night. A typical night of hunting consists of 2-4 people in a truck, without a single light on, and generation 3 night vision mounted on helmets to provide constant watch. We slowly creep through fields and down dirt roads on private properties until we spot the little black piggies in the distance.
Once the hogs are spotted, the hunters dismount the truck, and stalk in for the shot with the wind in their face. The biggest challenge with hunting pigs in the dark is getting used to the equipment and knowing how to play the wind. If one stalks in with the wind going the wrong way or fumbles with the equipment while making too much noise the hogs will be in the next county before you know it.
The approach of constantly being on the move and covering ground helps in several ways. One, it keeps the hunters occupied the entire time. The hunter's brain is on constantly alert scanning, driving, softly talking in the truck. Two, the more ground you cover the higher your chases of bumping into a large sounder (group) of hogs feeding in a field. Three, once the shots have been taken and the hogs have been collected the hunters can easily load up and drive to the next property for another chance.
This is all contrary to what most traditional hunters do by sitting in a blind for hours on end while starring at the same feeder or tree line while twiddling their thumbs. This same approach will work on an ATV, side-by-side, or on foot. Some people worry about engine noise, but I have yet to see a hog run from an engine. However, I have seen them run from the sound of gravel under tires.
This tactic is completely legal in Texas. Check your local game laws in your area first.
