I may have a chance to chase pigs in south Texas (near Kerrville) at the end of August. I've hunted them every spring there for four years now, and some before that near Uvalde. However, I've never hunted in the heat of summer. What should one consider when planning and implementing a summer hunt in that part of the state? I realize the meat will require prompt attention, and we're set up for that, but what should I be thinking about as far as the actual hunting is concerned?

I'd appreciate any input, big or little. Thanks

Hey DR,

You hit the first part dead on, get them dressed and iced down ASAP. You can hunt food sources like feeders and corned roads at first and last light. During the day at this time of year you can spot and stalk near water holes and be pretty successful. The night hunting is also great this time of year. The biggest factor is the sun......use suncreen, wear very light weight clothing, and stay hydrated. It is very easy to get heat exhaustion or sun stroke with no warning when you are all stoked up about hunting. Keep pumping those fluids.......

We have a group going hog hunting near Abilene next weekend and then again in mid-September up near Albany.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Bob pretty much covered everything. The only thing I'd add is to be prepared for venomous snakes, esp. rattlers, and assorted things like wasps, yellow jackets & hornets.

Although the hunting can be fantastic, the heat can make things quite miserable if you are not prepared for it. Heat stroke is something relatively common here in Texas during the summer, so do be careful -- and good luck.

Drink a quart of Gatorade first. Then two quarts of water, then another quart of Gatorade,etc. The salts in the Gatorade helps the follow on water stay in your body better.Drink enough that you have to pee at leat every two hours, and your urine stays relatively clear.
The Hogs will be layed up during the hottest part of the day. You should do the same. Really pace yourself.
Wear a wide brimmed hat (military "boonie" hats are good). Soak the hat from time to time. Ditto for a big Bandana (again, the military bandanas in olive green work well. Those come in medical aid kits and are called "cravats". We used to call them "drive on rags". You can get them in a surplus store.
Ultrathon bug cream by 3M is the best. It will stay on for 8 hours. Don't let the sunscreen get in your eyes. Anything more than SPF 15 on the label is a lie.
If the heat gets to be too much you can revive yourself with Blue Bell "Cookies'n Cream" ice cream.
JCN

JCN,
you are perfectly correct in all this, but the sunscreen....

i burn like a brutwurst through 15... and I just finally "decided" on bullfrog or coppertone sport.... 45 or higher!!

I bet I am the most pasty faced of us all on here... but a 3rd degree sunburn ruined ANYTHING i want to get burn with

jeffe

Don't forget that insect repellants with Deet will rust your blue steel instantly.
BTW Bob,where near Albany will you be hunting?
I live in Breckenridge,about 23 miles east.
Mike

I'm not a pig expert but pigs need to drink every day, especially in high heat. I'd check out water early and late and take a nap in the middle of the day.

Hey Mike,

We will be hunting with Steve ford on his ranch about 20 miles from Albany. Next weekend we are hunting with Kurt Bryan of Clearfork Outfitters up near Haskell north of Abilene.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Some think I'm crazy but in the heat of the summer I wear Shorts!!! Let me tell you, when you are walking around amoungst the cactus and snakes, you pay attention when you have on shorts!!! my $.02, capt david

Good luck Bob,
I think you will have ample oppertunities out there.
Landowners here are close to putting bounties on hogs.
Soon as I line up a few "disgruntled" landowners,I'll holler
Mike

Mike
count me in on pest control

jeffe

Mike,


That sounds great......we can do some predator control too!

Good Hunting,

Bob

Here's a link to a hunt I posted in July.

July hunt post

As already stated, water is key--both for you, and the hogs. If there are scattered stock ponds around the property, with little other water around, you're golden. No need to quit during the heat of the day (unless you think you should for health reasons). The hogs will be at/in the water from late morning until evening. Glass water from high points, if possible. If not, just approach slowly from downwind. Your nose and ears will usually tell you where the pigs are/aren't.

If you have carefully checked out water holes from a couple of angles and don't see the pigs, find the trails they use to come/go, and circle downwind from the trails and follow their general direction. Again, your nose will tell you when you're close.

If you shoot a big one, do it close to driving access, or be ready to quarter it on the spot and get it on ice in a hurry.

This type of hunting is as good as it gets in Texas, I think. I just pretend I'm in Africa chasing Buff! It's hot, dusty, and just a little dangerous...

Gentlemen, thanks for all the input. Looks like we'll be heading south on August 27 for three days/nights of chasing pigs. I'll be carrying my new bow primarily, with my muzzleloader as a backup and to use in the dark (a scope sure improves night vision )

Desert Ram,

I just hunted hogs near Uvalde, TX in late May. I'm no expert but here's my $0.02.

Someone recommended you watch the sun. I would add to watch the moon. When it's hot, the hogs come out only at night, so planning your hunt during a full moon could help you see. Late August should be ok.

Range is harder to estimate at night so a laser range finder might help too.

If you plan to use a scoped rifle, the one with the largest objective lens that can gather the most light would give the best chance of making your shots.

Spot-and-stalk will be unlikely b/c of the snakes, so you'll probably be hunting from a blind. If you wound a hog and it runs into the brush, you'll have to decide whether to chase after it when there may be snakes.

So the scope, range finder etc which normally might be "overkill" might make the difference between being confident enought to take the shot - or not. I left all that stuff home b/c I figured i wouldn't need it in the brush country, and I regretted it. I don't like wounding animals and letting them get away, so I passed on some shots I otherwise might have taken.

Mosquitos, chiggers and other pests can eat you alive.

Good luck,

Hunter308