I would appreciate your comments. As I become a more dedicated hog hunter I would like to know a little more about my prey. These are my general observations. I would appreciate any comment. Please feel free to fill in, add to or disagree with my opinions. I now hunt in south and central Texas. The hunting is mainly over feeders or ‘fed’ senderos. It is all thick chaparral or shin-oak and juniper. There is very little chance of spot and stalk due to the dense cover. Most landowners discourage this because they fear that it will run pigs off. Every ranch is free range except one. It is 2700 acres.
My observations:
Pigs tend to run in three groups; 1) mixed adults 2) mixed with nursing pigs and shoats, and 3)single older males.
The groups containing mixed adults have both sows and boars. Some of these can be quite large and older, but most appear to be young adults. It’s possible that the larger boars in this group are just single males that join the group to ‘service’ the sows. All of the sows that I have shot have been gravid. None of the boars have been ruttin/stinkin.’ This could be because I always try to shoot the fattest, not necessarily the biggest. These pigs seem to be large and healthy
The mixed with nursing/shoats tends to range from babies to adults, including immature, gravid and nursing sows. It also contains young and mature, though apparently (?) non-breeding boars. Again, none of these boars are ruttin/stinkin. I believe that the pigs in this group must be from one or two families and the young mature boars have just not been kicked out. This group tends to be the easiest to get a shot at.
The single boars are generally the largest males, but I have seen ones as large in group one. Maybe we are lucky, but most of these that we have killed are not too stinky. These boars will come to feeders, but tend to ‘check’ them out from a distance. I don’t know if they are looking for hunters or other pigs but I believe that it is the former.
It is my experience that pigs will come to a feeder or ‘fed’ sendero daily if they will find feed there. If they are shot or otherwise frightened they will probably return within a day or so, but it could possibly after dark. It is also my belief that different groups might visit at different times.
I believe that too much pressure at any one stand or area will cause pigs to leave the area or become very nocturnal.
Although I know pigs need water and have shot wet muddy pigs, I have never had any luck stand hunting water holes during the day.
In my experience too many hogs are shot and wounded at night and never found or found the next day. It’s legal, but just not for me.
I shoot a 7x57 150gn Partition at around 2700-2800fps or a 308/30-06 165gn at 2600-2800fps. To this point, all of my pigs have been under 200yds with most a hundred or less.
I don’t find pigs to be all that tough if shot with enough gun and in the right place. I find many people shoot pigs too far back. Most pigs that are hit correctly and run don’t leave a blood trail, but seldom go far. Let me know what you think. Capt david

Which hogs do you find the best eating.....sows, boars, and size?
I have only tried sows in the 100 to 150 lb range and find them excellent.

captdavid,

I think you’re right on the money with your clarification, my experiences are very similar.

Regarding toughness, like with any animal, there is no substitute for shot placement; you are able to kill a Cape buff or Elephant with a 30-06 however most hunters will never consider even if it was legal, more margin that’s what it’s all about, a feral hog shot through the lungs will run for 100 yards and expire, with dangerous game it’s slightly different a mistake can have devastating consequences.

I witnessed a hog hit in the rear by a 458 Lot and running off, never able to find him back.

Roland

That is hard to say. As far as taste alone is considered I don't think size makes much difference on adults over 125lbs or so. The fatter ones are better than the skinny/poor ones. The older stinky rutting boars can be strong, but many taste ok. The smaller, under 70lbs, ones are tender but don't have much flavor. The one lactating sow, that my friend shot, was strong and awful. He did wound it, and shot it again 20min later, which could have something to do with it. The pig was poor and the weather was hot. All of this could have contributed, but we have not killed a lactating sow since. I think that the perfect pig is the fattest mature sow or boar in a group that weighs between 150-200lbs. Just make sure it's not lactating or has huge huevos.capt david

capt David--

Think I agree with each and every point except the one about watering holes. We have only one water source in the east half of our ranch, and in the hot months, I have shot pigs there at noon--just have to pull up a chair under a mesquite & behind a pear patch, and wait. The hogs get hot, come to the water for a dip of a few minutes to 10 minutes, and then go back to the shade. The repeat this over and over.

As far as one shot through the lungs running 100 yds--can't comment because everyone I've shot has been a neck/brain shot and they've dropped in their tracks. Personally, with firearms, I don't think they are any harder to kill than a whitetail. With a bow, a boar or sow encrusted with dried mud is more of a challenge.