Wild hogs are a problem. You might not hear a lot about them these days, but they are still causing damage across America. They are very smart, adaptable and somewhat nomadic. They root up crops, tear up property, they breed almost like rabbits, and have been linked to E. coli contamination on crops. I am unaware of any poison that will effectively control wild hogs. The main reason is if it will affect a hog it will affect almost everything else in the woods. That brings us to trapping and hunting as a primary control method.
Most everyone has heard of hunting hogs from a helicopter. Since I have not been hog hunting from a helicopter, I called the good folks at HeliBacon and talked to Chris. The gist of the conversation was about hogs changing their patterns due to their method of hunting. Chris told me that they have not seen any changes other than the normal changes due to food, water, available cover and nomadic tendencies. That means hunting hogs from a helicopter is a very efficient way of population control. If you want to shoot hogs from a helicopter, give HeliBacon a call.
I say all of that to tell you this. Around 2007, a friend of mine related a hog hunting methodology that sounded somewhat like a tall tale. But, it was so intriguing that even my wife wanted to try it. So the next Saturday night we loaded up a shovel, #3 wash tub, 50# of whole corn, and a half gallon of Everclear. Hooked up the trailer with the 4-wheeler and headed off to the farm near Rosser Texas. There were feeders in the bottoms and hogs were plentiful. We arrived at the farm at about 10pm. After stowing our gear in the bunkhouse and loading the shovel, tub, corn and booze on the 4-wheeler, off we went.
The plan was to cross the slew and over the levee. Bury about half of the tub and close to an active feeder. Pour the corn in the tub and add the Everclear. Apparently, the hogs can’t handle their corn liquor. They eat until they pass out drunk. You go back in the morning and shoot the passed-out hogs. That was the plan and you always need a plan.
When we got to the slew, the water was running a good 3 feet over the crossing. We really wanted to cross here, but thinking of getting washed down a creek, in the dark, just to shoot passed-out hogs, wasn’t good for us. Back to the bunkhouse and a good night’s sleep. The next day, we rode the 4-wheeler and did some shooting. Since I had to be back at the store Monday, we left the tub, corn, and Everclear in the bunkhouse and headed home.
The following Saturday night we were back at the farm to find the bunkhouse had been broken into. And yes, they left the tub but took the corn and Everclear. We cleaned up the place, had a good night’s sleep, and the next day we rode the 4-wheeler and did some shooting. If you have an opportunity to get some wild hogs drunk and shoot them, I would love to hear the story. Have a safe and productive hunting season.