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Feral pigs--also referred to as wild hogs--are among the most plentiful types of game in the state of Texas, with a population of 2 million being estimated by Texas Wildlife Services. Generally considered a plague by farmers, wild hogs offer a wide variety of hunting opportunities to sportsmen. Adhering to some basic guidelines should help lead you to a successful and enjoyable hunting experience.
Wild hogs cause serious damage and destruction to agriculture and other property across the United States. In certain areas of Texas, overpopulation is particularly bad and farmers sometimes enlist shooters to help eliminate some of the problem.
Texas has a large population of feral hogs. These wild swine are also commonly referred to a wild boar, pigs or Russian boar. Hog hunting trips can be taken throughout the year since there is no specific season to limit hog hunting. Additionally, hog hunting provides hunters with a challenge due to the high intelligence level of wild hogs. There are a variety of hog hunting trips from which hunters can choose.
Northwest Texas is a good example of the population growing of feral hogs. In 1990 there were none reported in this part of the state, but as of 2010 they had become a problem and were increasing.
Hogs are a growing problem in central Texas; it is warm enough for year-round crops and has plenty of vegetation and water, which supports an expanding hog population. This is good news for hunters.
Public lands, though small by percentage, offer many opportunities for hog hunting. Rules are fairly lax in Texas concerning the hunting of hogs, and most of it is done on private land, but there are many areas where you may hunt on public land.
Cotulla, Texas is a small town of less than 4,000 on Interstate 35, about 25 miles from the Mexican border. This is south Texas, near the end of the hill country. The land is dry but still produces a lot of wildlife.
Fairlie, Texas is a small community on State Highway 11, between Commerce and Greenville and northeast of Dallas. A population of around 100 is estimated. There are many hunting opportunities in the area, both on private and public lands.
Clarendon, Texas, was made famous for being the backdrop for the “Marlboro Man.” Clarendon is located in Marlboro country, in the Texas Panhandle, as it is known locally. Hunters flock here to track white-tailed deer, turkeys, javelinas and hogs. A number of private ranches and guides in the area can arrange for hog hunts and hopefully lead you to big ones.
Wild hogs, also known as feral hogs, wild boars or feral boars, are dangerous and invasive animals. In Texas, hogs cause problems by killing domesticated and native animals, as well as by eroding local water sources and spreading disease. In many places in Texas, hunting hogs is not only allowed, but also encouraged. If you are thinking of going on a hog-hunting trip, there are several tips that can help.
South Texas is home to many game animals, including white-tailed deer, wild hogs, and javelinas. Mild south Texas weather makes it possible to hunt hogs year round. There are many south Texas ranches that offer guided hog hunts. Before heading down south, be sure to pick up a valid Texas hunting license from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
East Texas hog hunting is a popular sport, and in this part of the country, you'll find numerous places to bring down one of these ferocious beasts. These hogs are feral, meaning they're wild. They have extra long snouts they use to root, or dig up, crops, causing millions of dollars in damage every year to local farmers. Most states classify them as nuisance animals and the goal of eradicating them has spawned a thriving hunting business.
Feral hogs are present in most of the state of Texas. Eurasian wild boars, feral hogs and hog hybrids are considered invasive exotic species that are allowed to be hunted all year long with appropriate hunting permits. There is no catch limit. Hunted on state, federal and private land, hunters have long used dog packs to assist in the hunt.
Hog baying is primarily a sport, though sometimes the technique is used for hunting. Two dogs are released into an arena which contains a wild hog. The dogs must then assist the handlers to hold the hog in one place for a specified period of time (usually 10 to 15 seconds). The dogs will "bay" the hog---bark in its face until it stops running---then the handlers step forward with shields, keeping the hog halted until the clock runs out. A point system determines which team ultimately wins the competition.
Commerce, Texas is a small town at the northeast edge of the Dallas metropolitan area. Even though close to a large city, it has plenty of hunting areas and wide open spaces. The Caddo National Grassland is nearby, as well as Cooper Lake State Park. Hog hunting is popular in Texas, and Commerce could be a good home base for a hunting adventure.
Northern Texas has hog hunting opportunities in nearly every county. The majority of the hunts are on private lands but access is not difficult. Hog populations in Texas are high and the animals are considered invasive by many ranchers and land owners. The laws for hunting hogs are loose, and numerous hunting strategies can be applied.
Haskell, Texas, is in the wide open west Texas farming country, 60 miles north of Abilene and 160 miles west of Fort Worth. Hogs, brought by the Spanish in the 1500s for food, have been running wild since then, and the rural area around Haskell provides a comfortable environment for them. Hog hunting has become a thriving business in Haskell.
Hunting wild hogs in northeast Texas has become big sport and a profitable business for area ranches and hunting guides. The sport is the silver lining and the unintended byproduct of the burgeoning wild hog population, seen by many area residents as a nuisance and threat to the local ecosystem.
Amarillo, located in the Texas Panhandle and Randall County, is home to a large population of wild hogs. Consisting of large ranches, the land in the Amarillo area witnesses significant damage caused by the wild hog population. Because of the large population, hog hunting has grown to be a popular year-round form of recreation.
It is estimated that Texas has 2 million wild hogs throughout the state. This many hogs can have a significant impact on the wildlife and environment. Hogs are spread throughout the state, but south Texas around Pearsall features excellent hog hunting habitat. With limited regulations and mild weather, hog hunting in Pearsall can provide a year-round hunting opportunity.
The Texas Panhandle is a favorite region for many hunters across the country due to the diversity of game that populate the region. The Panhandle is home to large amounts of white-tailed deer, pheasant and a large population of wild hogs. The hog population is considered a threat to farmers and ranchers in the region, and there is no restriction on hunting hogs in the Panhandle provided you have appropriate licensing.
