Hog hunting on private land

by J. Proud

October 27, 2010, QUESTION:
We put up a deer feeder and hogs have invaded the feeder, but they only come in at night. How can I solve the problem before they get closer to my house?


ANSWER: Some people would welcome the opportunity to take a hog. But it sounds like you're in an urban environment and don't particularily want to deal with hogs. To save your deer feeder, you need to put up a low, 3-foot fence with lots of posts to secure it and a wire skirt at the bottom on the outside of the fence. Try and stay tight to the ground on your skirt, possibly using stakes. And it's best not to have corners as the hogs will concentrate at the corners and push through. I prefer round enclosures because there are no corners; and deer can almost step over a 3-foot fence so it's not a problem. The fence should extend well beyond the limit of any feed the feeder dispenses.

The hogs may have already been there and just weren't a problem until you put the feeder up. Until they move on, keep external smells outside to a minimum; such as pet food, garbage, or anything else with a distinct odor.

If you don't want to hunt the hogs, you may check around and find someone who is willing to trap them and remove them for free. If you do want to hunt the hogs, it would be legal to hunt them at night. If you're real quiet, you could sit up and wait for them and use a bright light and a quick aim. But understand this only gets you some bacon. They can breed faster than you can load bullets. So it's best to keep the attractions away so they will move on.

Hope this helps.

Kenny Presnell
www.Hunting-with-Kenny.com