EP317 How To Age Deer While Hunting

Can you age deer that are walking in front of you while hunting? How do you age deer that are up on the move or down on the ground? On this episode I tackle these questions, but I also address the much larger question of SHOULD YOU try to age deer at all.

Trying to age deer has been picking up speed and gaining momentum as of late. People want to know how old their deer are and use that information to affect their decision to shoot or pass in favor of another opportunity at that deer next year. There are three things that are very wrong with this line of thinking.

First, deer biologists tend to have a less than 20% accuracy rating when it comes to aging deer. If the pros can’t do it well, hunters don’t stand much of a chance. After year two, this becomes very difficult, to the point of it not even being worth trying to get an exact number of years for a deer living or dead.

Second, the age of deer is just one more mostly irrelevant variable that causes hunters to overanalyze a situation, likely causing more missed opportunities due to analysis paralysis. Hunters need to evaluate a very short list of variables before taking a shot, such as, is the deer legal, is it large enough to be worth what it costs to butcher it, is it a deer I would like to shoot, is it close enough and at a feasible angle. Then they need to setup and take a shot before they lose their opportunity.

Third, the idea of getting another shot at the deer in the future is an utter fallacy in all but some fantasy land states and enormous ranches. You must assume the deer will be shot by someone else by the end of the day, and you must be ok with that, knowing you want and can reasonably expect to harvest a deer that is better. If you feel bad when you find out another hunter shot the deer that evening because you hoped to shoot it next year, you are out of touch with reality and are not weighing your opportunities effectively.

So, the bottom line is, there are some ways to judge whether or not a deer is mature and viable for shooting that I discuss in the podcast episode. However, generally speaking, the age of the deer does not matter and should not even be thought about. Instead focus on the more important points and make fast decisive decisions that provide you with the time and confidence to take an action you will be happy about after the fact.

EP316 Pros & Cons of Tree Saddles

Should you be using a tree saddle? Is it really better than hunting out of a deer stand? On this episode I talk about the pros and cons of tree saddles and address the specific situations where tree saddles are indeed the best option, when they are an equal option, and when they are not the best option. 

Tree saddles provide unique flexibility and functionality compared to climbing stands and sometimes hang on stands. They enable people to hunt new locations and single attempt locations easier than any other in-tree option.  This is a big benefit to public land hunters and some private land hunters with a lot of acres available. They are both comfortable and light weight, enabling you to cover a lot of distance much easier than with other options.

This has caused tree saddles to gain a lot of popularity and use among celebrity hunters. However, they are not always the best option for hunting in a tree. In fact, usually they are not. Most hunters simply do not hunt like this. Most tree born hunters spend a lot of time scouting, studying how deer use an area, improving the area for deer movement, adding attractions, and picking a very strategic tree that they hope to use for years, maybe even generations to come. Tree saddles do not shine in this situation, in fact they take more work and effort than a long-term dedicated stand.

So, deer hunters with perennial spots and stand locations do not gain anything from tree saddles, generally speaking. The hunters that do benefit are the ones going deep into public land or hard to access private land, those changing spots mid-season, or perhaps just hunting a place once. This is not an insignificant number of hunters, but looking at the big picture, the majority of hunters gain nothing from saddles. But those who do benefit greatly tend to be very vocal and hold some of the loudest microphones in the industry.

So never accept the next hunting fad without evaluating the merits, especially when all the famous people jump quickly on the bandwagon. Yes, saddles are outstanding for some hunters, but for many they are not the best tool for the job. Are they right for you?

Listen to this whole podcast episode to hear about their pros and cons and when they may be a good fit for you and your hunting situation.

EP315 How To Start Hunting Deer From Level Zero

How can you start hunting deer from scratch? In this overview episode I take you from wanting to hunt, all the way to how to cook your meat. This is a beginner’s overview of the entire process, but I do point you to all of the in-depth resources you need to be successful!

The first and biggest thing you need to start hunting is a desire to do it. You need to have some level of push to jump in and keep on going until you are successful. Someone else wanting you to hunt isn’t enough. You need to want to do it yourself, at least to some extent. Hopefully that desire will grow the further you get.

Then you need to take your hunters safety course. This will NOT teach you how to hunt whitetail deer or anything else. It will teach you how to be safe in the woods. I recommend doing this live and in person so you can meet people and potentially build relationships and do some networking. This will also help ensure you finish the class, because it can be easy to not finish the online course. After this you need to buy your first hunting license, decide what you are going to hunt first, and get your tags for does or whatever else. 

Then comes the expensive part. You need to get a gun, gear, and anything else you will need to hunt deer. I have done lots of podcast episodes on this subject, but in short, I recommend you focus on using whatever you have, can borrow, or buy cheap to get started. You need to hunt a little bit before you are able to determine what kind of gear is a good match for you and your style, and the average weather.

The cheaper you can get started the better it will be financially for you in the long run. Else you may spend a lot of money buying expensive gear that you end up not liking because you didn’t know what you were doing when you bought it.

Then you need to find a place to hunt, either on public or private land, and begin scouting to find a good spot sit and hunt. I recommend you pick out two or three good spots, so you are able to hunt different wind directions, and in case one of the spots has no deer activity come the season, or in case someone else gets there first and takes your spot.

Then you need to be ready to field dress the deer when you do get one and have a plan to butcher and mount the deer if you want to do that. For your first year or couple of years I recommend you find a good butcher to take the deer to. Learning to process your own deer while also learning all these other things can be a lot of work and it’s not something I think you need to pile on your first year.

Check out all my deer hunting podcast episodes to go deeper in all these areas. You can also find more info in this in-depth article I wrote: How To Start Hunting As An Adult.

EP314 When To Pay For A Hunting Guide & When NOT To

Should you pay for a hunting guide, or should they be avoided like the plague? There are legitimate hunting guides and there are scammers, just as in any profession. And just like anything else, there are good and bad times to pay for services. On this episode I help you understand when it is a good idea to pay for a guide and how to get the most out of the experience. 

Hunting guides and outfitters are not the same thing. An outfitter may be a hunting guide, or may supply a guide, but the outfitters’ role is much broader. They help furnish everything you need for a hunting trip from transportation to lodging, food, entertainment, gear, etc. A guide is someone who takes you into the woods, leveraging their expertise and scouting to help find you game.

Guides provide a valued service, and it’s an honorable profession. But you will always want to try and vet a potential guide before employing them. Look for reviews, contact past customers, search their name and credentials, do anything you can to verify their legitimacy, or at least check to see if serious complaints have been lodged against them.

There are two main times when getting a guide is a good use of resources.

The first is educational purposes. If you are trying to learn how to hunt something new, somewhere new, or someway new, then a guide may be the fastest way to get a crash course in how to do it right. Watch them, take mental notes, ask questions, analyze everything. Do all that you can to take in as much as possible. Your goal is to learn from a master how it is done under these circumstances.

The second big time is for unique experiences. If you have a once in a lifetime or once in a blue moon opportunity to go somewhere really fun or hunt something really unique, a guide can help you maximize the enjoyment of that opportunity. It’s not so much about learning because you aren’t planning to do it again, or often enough to be able to master it, you are just out to have fun. It is also not about taking a large set of antlers that you can show everyone you ever meet for the rest of your life and tell them how amazing of a hunter you are. You boasting about your accomplishments that are the fruit of a guide’s skills is a bit slimy, and not a great reason to get a guide.

Listen to the whole podcast episode to hear all the juicy details!

EP313 How To Win The Battle Against Ticks

Ticks are a common enemy almost all hunters face. Thankfully because of this there are numerous ways to fight them. On this episode I talk about five strategies to help you win the battle against ticks.

No one wants to encounter ticks in the woods, there isn’t a good thing to say about them. They are small sneaky blood sucking bugs that are hard to detect, and worst of all they can carry serious disease. First things first, if you get bit by a tick that has been attached for any length of time seek medical advice. If you have any symptoms of tick-borne illness, whether you have evidence of a bite or not, seek immediate medical attention. Often times tick-borne illnesses can be effectively treated if caught early. The more time that passes the harder it may be to help.

Fighting ticks happens on three major levels, chemically, materially, and visually. The first has become very popular. There are many sprays that can be used to repel ticks. Some strong tick sprays can only be sprayed onto clothing because of how harsh they are while others can be sprayed on clothing or skin. The harsher the chemicals the better things typically are at killing ticks, sometimes when they make contact with the garment. However, we are also alive and will be wearing these chemically treated garments, so I am a little bit weary of that.

The milder sprays can be used on skin and clothing work fairly well at repelling ticks, but they are not generally able to kill them on contact. However, they may be a little safer for the wearers. The main thing to consider is there are pros and cons for each approach and product. The most effective products smell strongly and are highly toxic. You need to balance this with how often you will use repellants and if you want to regularly engage with these kinds of chemicals. And there are all natural approaches and oils people use to combat ticks.

There is also tick repellant clothing. Garments that ticks cannot penetrate if they were to try and dig through them, and garments that have repellents built into the materials or are in some way treated with them. There is a lot to like about this approach but for every strong pro there is also a considerable con to be weighed as well, such as cost, longevity, and how comprehensive the protection really is. 

In this podcast episode I talk about five ways to combat ticks and stay safe while you hunt.

 

EP312 Don’t Be A Squib Load In Life

A squib is an underpowered bullet that is unable to make it out of the barrel of a gun and gets stuck partway through. Numerous things can cause it, but if its caught and dealt with promptly, a squib can be easily repaired. But if not dealt with, it can be devastating and terribly unsafe. Just like with firearms, in life there many things we can do to prevent hazardous situations and prevent them from becoming devastating when they do occur. 

Modern ammo has made squib loads very rare. But there is a growing trend of underloading rifle or handgun ammo far below its maximum potential in order to use it for hunting smaller game. This can be a reasonable practice but doing so reduces the margin of error available. If a load is under powered, it is much easier for any small things to further reduce its power and cause a squib. If something causes you to load too little powder, or you accidentally use the wrong powder, or a wrong primer is used, or perhaps a primer damaged by moisture, etc., you could more easily have a squib.

A full powered load may have enough margin to overcome some of these issues, but a lightly powered one may not. In life we have alot of people who are underpowered, not operating at their full ability and potential. They do just enough to get by, to make it through, and then when even something small happens to compromise their momentum they dip below the minimum threshold and can experience major issues like losing a job, relationship, or possession. 

They do just enough work to keep from getting fired, but then something in life throws them through a loop and their performance dips and they cross below the line and lose the job. Then they have to deal with the life issue, and the lost job, because they are operating with too little margin, with too little focus and foresight, too far below their full potential. 

Everyone will experience some challenges in life, but operating at your full ability level will provide you with momentum that enables to completely miss some challenges, while recovering faster from other. And if/when something major does come up, you can often avoid compounding it with other issues of things that were on the brink of exploding and just got pushed over the edge.

Listen to this entire podcast episode to learn about how to not be a squib in life, and how to better recover yourself when squib situations come to you.

 

The Best Places for Beginners to Hunt Pheasants

Millions of people enjoy the thrill of a pheasant hunt every fall and winter. These beautiful birds make for accessible hunting experiences with good meat and beautiful feathers to enjoy at the end.

Pheasants also make for a great beginner target for individuals learning the complexities of hunting. Many hunters actually have the experience of pheasants as their first experience in the field!

In this article, we plan on providing you with a solid base of information for beginners looking to get into the hunt. From basic information like your hunting season to more complex information on where the best beginner pheasant hunting spots are, there are plenty of tips and tricks a novice hunter can pick up here.

You can’t hunt anything without land to safely do so, let’s start there!

Types of Places to Hunt Pheasants

Depending on your state, there will generally be three categories that huntable land will fall into including public, private, and game farms.

Each state varies in its regulations, but in general, these are how each of these land categories function.

Public Hunting Lands

Public hunting land is, naturally, the most accessible. In areas designated by the state, anyone with proper licensure can engage in hunting on public lands during the designated seasons.

Public lands are a great way for beginners to get in the field on the hunt as they are usually well-mapped and come with local tips.

At the same time, public lands receive much more hunting pressure than some of the other land categories, which can result in a more skittish and smaller pheasant population.

Private Hunting Lands

Private landowners in some states can come to agreements with hunters for access to their private land. Private lands can be exclusive and provide tremendous hunting opportunities, but you’ll likely have to pay extra for that access. Plus, you’ll need to cultivate relationships with local landowners to seek permission in the first place.

However, private land access can come through hunting clubs, which may be a more accessible way for people to find private land to access. This extra work can certainly generate results, and you’ll be able to tap into a pheasant population that is generally inaccessible to the public.

Game Farms and Preserves

Some states have game farms and preserves that offer tremendous pheasant hunting experiences. This option will generally end up being the most expensive, but the most inclusive option as well.

Most of these lodges have places to stay, food to eat, and equipment to borrow, as well as a guide to help cultivate a successful hunting trip. While you’re paying more, the experience that can be had makes the money all worthwhile.

A huge advantage to these farms and preserves is that they can stock the fields with birds in controlled environments to create ideal hunting conditions.

Top States for Pheasant Hunting

Check with your state to see local pheasant hunting regulations. If you want to travel for some of the greatest pheasant hunting in the United States, consider some of the following!

South Dakota

South Dakota is a great destination for pheasant hunting. With a large pheasant population that thrives in the South Dakota habitat and with plenty of open space to hunt, there are some great pheasant hunting opportunities waiting to be had. This includes both experiences on public and private lands.

The traditional pheasant hunting season in South Dakota is from October 19 to January 31. Throughout this season, shooting hours are from 10 AM to sunset. You’ll need a small game license for pheasant, which bestows a three-rooster pheasant daily limit.

For some of the best hunting towns in South Dakota, consider some nationally renown areas like Aberdeen, Brookings, Hoven, Miller, Watertown, White Lake, and more.

South Dakota has a tremendous hunting heritage throughout the state, which makes the experiences more accessible and enjoyable!

Kansas

The plains of Kansas make for great pheasant habitat, which has created a healthy population of birds in the state.

With both public and private land access available, Kansas has some tremendous pheasant opportunities, making it one of the top states for pheasant hunting, especially for beginners.

With a season that runs from early November to late January, there are some great shooting opportunities available when it comes to pheasant hunts in Kansas. The daily bag limit is up to 4 pheasant roosters.

For beginners and experts alike looking to hunt in Kansas, most areas of the state have some sort of access available.

Eastern Kansas, for example, is known for the Flint Hills region with large grasslands. For public hunting, consider areas like Jamestown Wildlife Areas, Milford Wildlife Area, and some of the walk-in hunting areas scattered about.

There are also some reputable private Kansas pheasant hunting preserves and guides that can offer you and your hunting party a truly tremendous pheasant hunting experience.

Iowa

Similarly to Kansas, Iowa is known for its prairies, plains, and farms, which all create fantastic habitats for pheasants.

With a healthy pheasant population, there are usually plenty of opportunities for hunters to get a pheasant, regardless of experience level.

Hunting season for pheasants in Iowa runs from the end of October to the middle of January giving hunters several weeks to get in the field. The daily limit is three roosters.

Iowa boasts the Iowa Hunting Atlas, an online interactive tool that hunters can use to find public hunting lands. This tool is a great way to find spots to explore for pheasants.

In general, the highest pheasant population numbers will be towards Northern Iowa, but pockets of healthy pheasant populations can be found scattered throughout the state. Recent surveys indicate that pheasant populations in Iowa are at their highest in about a decade, and with plenty of lands accessible to hunt from, some great hunting expeditions are there for the taking!

Nebraska

Nebraska is another state with a general pheasant population that exists across the state. With numerous open landscapes like farms and wetlands, there are a ton of pheasant hunting habitats and opportunities. In Nebraska, the pheasant hunting season lasts from the end of October through the entirety of January. There is a daily limit of 3 rooster pheasants.

When searching for huntable land, Nebraska has both public and private options. For public options, similar to Iowa, Nebraska has a hunting atlas tool online where hunters can examine tens of thousands of acres of public hunting lands where you can try your hand at a pheasant hunt.

With healthy populations abound Nebraska provides a great opportunity for beginners to get their first pheasant.

Minnesota

Minnesota is another top state for pheasant hunting each year. Most of the state has suitable habitats that offer experiences ranging from good to great with pheasant hunts. The pheasant season in Minnesota spans from mid-October to the end of the year. The daily limit is 2 roosters.

The state of Minnesota provides a lot of resources for hunters looking for pheasants. First is the map every fall that depicts the abundance of pheasant throughout the state. This can limit your search to only high-density areas.

From there, the state offers numerous wildlife management areas to explore as well as federal Waterfowl Production Areas. What’s more, beginners can also use the walk-in access finder to find private lands available to the public for hunting with the payment of a small fee.

The opportunities for pheasant hunting are plentiful in Minnesota, making it a top option for new hunters.

Tips and Best Practices for Beginner Pheasant Hunters

Safety Tips and Regulations

The best hunting experiences are ones that are safe and legal. This reduces stress on you and your hunting party, allowing for an overall better experience.

To achieve these basic things, start by exploring your state and local hunting regulations for where you’d like to hunt. Each state has slight nuances in their hunting seasons, as well as their licensing, to make sure you are approved to hunt.

From there, practice and understand gun safety, as well as other safe hunting practices. Keep guns on safety when not in use, don’t point them at other hunters under any condition, plan your hunts ahead of time with a map, and stick to your script are all hunting practices that save lives each year.

Don’t become a horror story, stick to the fundamentals for safe hunts.

Understanding Pheasant Behavior

For any successful hunt, the hunter is best served to understand the behavior of the creature they hunt.

In the case of pheasants, these birds thrive on agricultural lands and old fields. Prairies with tall grasses, hedges, and bushes all provide an ideal environment for pheasants. In these locations, the birds will forage on insects, fruits, nuts, grasses, and leaves.

Unlike your typical bird, though, pheasants spend the majority of their lives on the ground. They like to roost in these tall grasses. Pheasants are easily spooked and can run extremely fast across the ground, as well as take off in speedy flight.

Keep this in mind when you’re flushing out your first or next pheasant.

Essential Gear for Pheasant Hunting

A hunt can only be as good as the gear brought.

For pheasant hunting, you want some warm, camouflage clothing. As pheasant season is always in the fall/winter, it will certainly be chilly. Sturdy, insulated boots are a hunting must, especially for pheasants. Keep a good map and GPS as well to avoid getting lost.

For the shooting itself, the best option for pheasant hunting is a shotgun, usually in the 20 to 28 gauge range. Its important to take the time and find a shotgun best suited to your needs. Many hunters opt to have hunting dogs aid in their pheasant hunts, as well. If you have access to a trained dog, this can be a tremendous help for flushing out pheasants to give you a shot.

Conclusion

Pheasant hunting is a great way for beginner hunters to get their feet wet in the sport.

Especially in the states listed above, there are a tremendous amount of great pheasant hunting locations due to the ample habitat for pheasants and dense population numbers across the states. If those options aren’t feasible for you, check out your local areas to see what information they offer for pheasant hunts.

For those totally inexperienced, consider finding a private guide in one of these states to cultivate a unique hunting trip for you to enjoy and hopefully succeed in. Regardless of where you go to pheasant hunt, make sure you do so safely, legally, and enjoy the hell out of that amazing experience!   

This article and its images were written and provided by the great folks at 10 Gauge Outfitters. They are very experienced in the area of pheasant hunting. Check them out.

EP311 Alternative Hunting Weapons | Slingshots, Air Rifles, Spears & More

Can you hunt with slingshots, air rifles, spears, primitive bows, and other alternative weapons? On this episode I dive into the efficacy of unconventional weapons to talk about what is viable, what is reasonable, and why certain things should never be used from an objective point of view. 

Slingshots are an entertaining idea when it comes to hunting weapons. They can certainly be powerful enough to kill small game. However, they have limited accuracy and there is often little margin of error when it comes to power. This weapon could be used to hunt small game in a survival situation, but I would not recommend it for hunting even if legal in your area.

The core reason is it provides limited ability to consistently and ethically kill game with minimal suffering. And that is a big deal. There is a reason we developed more advanced weapons. While possible for hunting, the slingshot is not ethical to use on game when better more ethical options are available.

Air rifles or pellet guns provide more efficacy and accuracy for hunting small game. While some of them are underpowered for anything but target practice, there are many air rifles that are capable weapons for hunting squirrels, rabbits and other small animals. These guns are both viable and reasonable for appropriately sized game at short range. They are not viable for mid-sized game with few exceptions.

There are some high end and large air rifles designed for deer hunting and throw a pellet with enough mass, speed, and expansion to kill a deer.  If you happen to have one of these and its legal in your area, then it may indeed be viable for hunting. But take no chances, it is not fair to our wildlife to use underpowered or inappropriate weapons that wound them and increase suffering needlessly. Do careful research and do not use novelties that may inflicting unnecessary suffering on animals.

Some people truly and honestly are interested in using spears for hunting deer or smaller game. The reality is, these weapons can be effective for this job, and were effective for hundreds of years.  But the other side of the equation is we invented better weaponry to replace spears because they are not effective enough to consistently and reliably kill game while minimizing suffering. Yes they are much more effective than a slingshot, but they should be avoided for all hunting except in a survival situation due to respect for the game, and the desire to get clean fast kills. 

There are many other unconventional weapons that people talk about for hunting, such as lances, knives, and yes even ninja stars. I talk about all of these in this podcast episode. 

The Best Times and Places for Beginners to Hunt Hogs

Across most of the Southern United States, feral hog hunting is a staple feature of year-round hunting. This need for year-round hunting stems from the fact that many places where feral hogs roam are overwhelmed by these extremely destructive, invasive animals. As such, hunting feral hogs has become something of a pastime and makes for great targets for novice hunters.

With the population numbers of feral hogs being so large, many places have feral hogs in open season where legal hunting can take place year-round with a huge variety of approved weaponry. Regardless of your hunting experience level, if you have any experience at all, feral hog hunting is sure to be a blast for novices and experts alike. Read on with us today as we explore the biology of feral hogs as well as the best times and places for beginners to hunt hogs. 

Understanding Hog Behavior

The start of any good hunt begins with understanding the animal being hunted. We will quickly explore what hogs want, which will indicate how to find them and their tendencies. This info will get even the most novice hunters in positions to hunt their own hog. 

Basic Biology of Hogs

At their core, feral hogs are quite intelligent and extremely adaptable animals. This flexibility allows hogs to thrive in a variety of temperatures at various elevations with a multitude of vegetation types. As opportunistic omnivores, a hog’s diet largely consists of any edible plant nearby. Along with plants, so long as they have access to water, hogs can thrive almost anywhere. 

Feral hogs are known for rooting, where they dig through dirt with their snout to access roots and bulbs below. This is where a lot of damage can stem from; the rooting and overturned soil can have a devastating impact on the environment while the hogs eat well. Farmers and natural forests alike can be absolutely devastated by a pack of feral hogs looking to feast. This occurs especially at night when the hogs congregate in “sounders”, the name of a large hog group. Once together, under the cover of night, local vegetation is at the mercy of the pack and may will not make it through. 

Seasonal Behavior of Hogs

Hog behavior will differ slightly throughout the changing seasons. The key principle for survival is having access to water to thermoregulate and plants for food. As such, these animals can survive even through cold winters. In the hotter months of summer, expect to find hogs laying low during the day and foraging in the cooler nights. Hogs will tend to stay near bodies of water as they aren’t great at thermoregulating themselves.

During the winter, with food being harder to find, hogs will travel further distances in search of sustenance. This desperation for food leads to more success with trapping these animals as they are more willing to go for the bait. 

Feral hogs don’t have a distinct breeding season. Like humans, they are capable of breeding year-round. However, biologists find that hog births tend to peak in spring and fall. Mother hogs are also known for being extremely protective of their piglets. They will respond to threats, so hunt carefully if you see piglets around. Their proliferation as breeders is why many hog populations are reaching levels that are out of control.

Best Times to Hunt Hogs

Time of Day

For most of the year, hog activity peaks in the early morning and late evening. These animals can run amuck at night, meaning that nocturnal hog hunting is extremely popular where permitted. Especially when temperatures get hot, hogs will avoid the heat of the day with a midday rest and do their foraging in lower light conditions. This can change when things get cold during the winter. In these winter months, hogs are more likely to be active during the day to take advantage of the heat and scrounge for any available food.

Best Months for Hog Hunting

As mentioned, many states offer year-round hunting of feral hogs. However, the seasons and weather can affect hog behavior, so there is an optimal time to hunt for the best results. 

In many states, the winter months are the peak months for feral hog hunting. During the cold weather of December through February, hogs are forced to move around during the day to absorb heat and find food in the bare landscape. This extra movement, especially during sunlight hours, increases the hunting success rates. 

With so many hogs roaming the landscape, the other seasons can still make for great hog-hunting experiences. As days get hot, especially during the summer hunting, the best hog encounter will occur at night when they are most active. Keep an eye on temperatures to see how hog monthly activity shifts. 

Ideal Locations for Hog Hunting

Depending on your state and local hog population, there are slightly different regulations around where you can legally hunt for hogs. Hogs being extremely adaptable will be found most places, so oftentimes it’s just regulations that restrict where you can hunt, not when or how many. 

Public Land

Many states allow for feral hog hunting on public land year-round. The list of states includes: 

California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

Check with your specific state for more details on regulations that will apply to you. These states also offer private land opportunities.

Hunting on public land has its advantages, but also some drawbacks. First, public land is cheap and available, making hunting opportunities more accessible to individuals, especially beginners. This works in both directions, however, as public lands will have more hunting pressure that can result in smaller, more cautious animal populations and an increased likelihood of running into other hunters. At the same time, public lands are often well mapped, easy to find, and provide local tips that allow novice hunters to get into the hog hunting game more easily.

Private Land

Some states only allow for private land hunting, though these states still offer year-round opportunities. Again, check for specific local regulations in your state and county, but in general, states that allow private land-only hunting include: 

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Hunting on private land revolves around relationships with landowners or finding a hunting outfit and private guided hunts. These opportunities can be extremely unique and exciting as the hunting on these lands can be extremely controlled and almost manicured for you. Hunting clubs in lodges provide a full hunting experience from expert guiding to room and board. A large majority of Tennesse hog hunts take place on private land with outfitters and guides.

The downside to private land hunting is that usually more planning and money are required to see these hunts through. Whether you’re paying a landowner for permission/a hunting lease or getting access to private property through hiring a guide at a lodge, you’ll pay more for what can be a fantastic experience. 

Regional Hotspots

Some states are more known for their hog hunting than others. Especially if you’re a beginner, trying your luck in one of these areas can increase your chances of success due to higher hog population density. 

Some estimates have Texas accounting for almost half of the feral hogs in America. With hunting available year-round on public and private lands, Texas makes for a fantastic destination for hog hunting. Florida and California also have extremely high hog population densities providing more locations for a great hog hunt. From coast to coast, you can find hog hotspots; feral hogs are an extremely accessible hunt. Check with local regulations prior to your hunt and don’t be afraid to hire a local guide for more in-depth knowledge on hunting in certain areas. 

Tips and Gear for Beginner Hog Hunters

To have a successful, safe, and legal hunt, be sure to have the proper equipment and permissions prior to setting out. This list of essential gear includes:

  • Proper hunting license and landowner’s permission (if on private land)
  • Proper attire for camouflage and coordinated with expected weather conditions
  • Maps, Compass, GPS, and Radios for communication and navigation
  • Proper weaponry, ammunition, flashlights, and night vision goggles (if a night hunt)
  • Baits, calls, and safety equipment – hogs can be dangerous especially when injured
  • Appropriate dressings – can you efficiently get the hog out after the hunt?

Hunting for hogs is a literal different from other types of game, as you can really use almost any weapon of your choice. Whether it be a rifle and a pistol or an automatic shotgun and a spear, it’s really up to the hunter.

Tips for Successful Hog Hunting

For beginners looking to have successful hog hunts, your best bet will be to start in an area with a high hog population density. In these hotspots, there will be telltale signs of hog activity including tracks, uprooted soil from rooting, and cavities near ponds and creeks where hogs “wallow” in mud to cool themselves. Following these signs to track hogs and find them in their destruction.

Understand when the hogs are most active. For most of the year, this is during the night hours. Use calls and bait to lure hogs into prime shooting locations where you can land the kill shot. Consult local maps and guides to get insider information on where to find hogs and the best way to get them in the open. As with all hunting, always be cautious with noise control and scent drifting to avoid spooking the hogs prematurely. 

Feral hogs are dangerous animals, especially when wounded or around their offspring. Always be properly equipped and prepared to defend yourself when on a hog hunt, regardless of where you are. 

Legal Considerations and Safety

Hunting Regulations

Always be sure to check with your state, county, and town regulations where you are hunting to make sure you are legally taking on the hunt. This will certainly include a hunting license as well as bag limits, reporting requirements, and regulations on allowed weaponry. If hunting on private land, make sure you have all the proper documentation from the landowner. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, understanding the legalities of your specific hunt is crucial.

Safety Precautions

With any hunt, firearm safety is absolutely essential. Proper usage of a gun’s safety mechanism while practicing other safe firearm practices is a must. Firearm safety includes marking your body with bright orange to distinguish yourself to other hunters in the woods. On hog hunts especially, be prepared to protect yourself from a charging hog. These animals are dangerous, especially when wounded.

Plan your trips with maps and directions. Bring communication devices and GPS. Getting lost in the woods on a hunt is a dangerous aspect to taking on the challenge, but proper planning and precaution greatly reduce this risk. Having first aid equipment and knowledge to properly use it can save lives in the field; this knowledge is extremely important to have on hand. Always air on the side of caution when out in the field, hunting can be a dangerous proposition, especially if done incorrectly.

Conclusion

Hog hunting is widely accessible across the United States and provides a service to reduce the often out-of-control feral hog populations. Check with your state and county to understand where and when you can engage in a hog hunt. In general, the winter months make for the best hog hunting as they are out more during the day and they cover larger ranges in search of food. During the summer, hogs wait until nighttime to forage, meaning that you’ll have to come out at night to have the most success. 

As always, safety is the key to a successful hunt. Practice proper gun safety and be ready to defend yourself against a charging hog. What’s more, be sure you can safely get in and out of your hunting area so that you can get home at the end of the trip. Finally, enjoy the trip! Enjoy the wilderness, the nature, and if you manage to get a hog, enjoy the table worthy meal they provide. 

This article and its images were written and provided by the great folks at Spartan Boar Hunting. They are very experienced in the area of hog hunting. Check them out.

EP310 Is Hunting High Fence Areas & Preserves Legit?

There are many establishments that promise hunters great prospects if they pay to hunt on their “preserve” or ranch, but much of the time hunters are being lured into exotic animal farms made up to sound like natural open hunting land that is protected by something other than tall fences. In this episode I talk about these kinds of situations in depth and answer a lot of questions. 

Alot has been said against hunting preserves, and high fence areas, and not all without cause. But on this podcast episode I break down this type of hunting utilizing an objective framework and what I define as the three main elements of fair chase in an attempt to provide an unbiased overview. 

Is there something morally wrong about going to preserve or high fence areas? Of course not! But at the same time, is it still considered legitimate hunting? These are the kinds of questions I tackle in this episode. 

Some people leave the impression that if the enclosure is large enough then it is very similar to open land hunting, but usually this really couldn’t be further from the truth. Often times the animals are not living in their native habitat, sometimes they are thousands of miles from anywhere they would choose to live and are simply doing the best they can in the space they have, similar in some ways to the zoo.

But even native animals are not able to establish native patterns and tendencies due to space limitations or if nothing less, artificial population density. Most of time these animals do not have 6,000 acres on which to roam. And even then, 6,000 acres only equates to about 6 square miles. Which while it sounds like a lot, is very limiting for certain types of game. 

The bottom line is fair chase is voided in these types of scenarios. Which is part of the reason why the game commission usually considers them farms instead of game lands or even private hunting lands. Which is why you often do not need to buy tags to hunt there. It’s not that much different than going to a farmer and paying them to shoot their cattle. If they animals are owned and considered property, it’s not hunting. Even if you sit and wait in a tree for an hour for the deer or elk to wake up and go to get its breakfast. 

If you are paying for each antler point or select your deer in advance from a list of named animals, that should be a fairly big clue that this is not legitimate hunting.

Sometimes guides or outfitters will secretly take hunters to these kinds of areas if public land hunts fail. Unless the hunter is very keen and aware, they may not even know they were driven to a preserve on day 5 of their hunt. The guide may well lie or work to distract the hunter from picking out key details to realize where they are.

All of that said, there are still times and places where preserves do have a legitimate function. Listen to the entire podcast episode in order hear all of the details.  

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