Texas has the largest wild hog population in the US. Feral hogs are an invasive species that breed quickly and pose a significant threat to natural crops and the Texas ecosystem. Because of the nuisance caused by wild hogs, hog hunting has been encouraged and grown into a quintessential Texas hunting experience. Whether you are an experienced hog hunter or a beginner looking to bag your first hog, Nine Bar Ranch has a hog hunting experience for you. Here are some Spring hog hunting tips for your next hunt at Nine Bar.
1. Be Quiet and Conceal Scent
Hogs have a notoriously weak sense of vision. But while they are not likely to easily spot you with their eyes, they have an excellent sense of smell and hearing to sense predators or threats in the area. Because of this heightened sense of hearing, keeping noise to a minimum when hogs are near during your hunt is helpful. Some hunters even mask their scent by avoiding colognes, scented lotions, shampoos, and detergents. Washing hunting clothes in hot water and baking soda can help mask the human scent.
2. Camouflage
Just because hogs do not have a great sense of vision does not mean they are blind. While you may not need to be decked out in head-to-toe camo gear, you should specifically avoid shiny or reflective items on a hog hunt. Jewelry, watches, and even sunglasses can catch the sun in a way that hogs will notice. Keep these items at home. While you can use the blinds on our ranch to conceal much of your movement, be mindful of using slow, deliberate movements when exposed.
3. Aim to Kill Quick
Hogs have very thick skin and are known to be hardy and aggressive animals. If you shoot them and do not hit a vital organ, there is a major risk that they will flee or even charge toward you. Make sure you are lined up for a good shot when you are shooting. Aim for the heart (slightly above the elbow), the lungs (behind the shoulders), or the brain. A well-placed shot will ensure you walk away with your hog.
4. Use the Right Weapons and Ammunition
As previously mentioned, wild hog skin is thick and tough. You are going to need something powerful enough to take these hogs down. But you must also use a weapon that performs consistently at a distance. The consistency of your shot will come from practicing shooting the same gun with the same ammunition over and over. Bow hunters also need to ensure their bow can shoot an arrow at a distance with accuracy and enough force to pierce the tough skin of a hog. You can expect consistency during your hunting experience when you practice with consistency.
Nine Bar Ranch has some of the best hog hunting in Texas! We set up blinds 60-100 yards away from feeders that go off twice in the morning and twice in the evenings. We rotate blinds to ensure we do not burn a spot. Our experts can help you have a successful hog hunt, even in the daytime. Our hog hunts come with a two-night stay and two full hunting days, including professional guides, field dressing, skinning, and quartering. Schedule your spring hog hunt today!