School the newby

[MountainMedic]

I am new to hawg hunting and will be going on my first hunt in a week. I am going to be using a T/C Omega with 295gr Balistic Tip Powerbelts. I have loaded up some 150gr Grand Slam bullets for my father to use in his .270 Winchester. I also have a .41 Mag for "back-up" although I am not sure of the need for this (guess I will find out over the next few hunts.

What I need to ask is, can you guys who are "in the know" lay out a list of "rules" for hog hunting? I read in a previous post that mornings are really pretty worthless. I expected otherwise. I live in Oklahoma so night hunting is not allowed (does anyone know the reason that hog/coyotes/fox/ect cannot be hunted at night). I have hunted deer all my life and am really pretty salty at that, at least for a 28 year old. But I sure would like to learn some stuff from the pros. Let's hear it boys.

[CoonDawg]

Rule #1 ALWAYS STAY DOWN WIND!

RULE #2 KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE OUT FOR LOANERS, they we sneak up on you .

RULE #3 TEXTDON'T GO STRAIGHT AFTER THE HOG YOU JUST SHOT!!!!!!!! (Dead hogs will hurt you)

Rule #4 MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER RULES 1&2.

RULE #5 MURPHY IS YOUR HUNTING PARTNER... Read the post from GonHuntin about his trip.

[Bobcat]

Mountain Medic,

First, welcome to the Posse! It is great to have another member from Oklahoma!

I have found mornings to be very productive for me with hogs. Don't worry too much about that. I really enjoy spotting and stalking hogs when you can. Where are you going to be hunting in Okalhoma? Do they have feeders set up to attract the hogs or hog pipes? If you are hunting with an outfitter, they will pretty much give you the drill.

As far as night hunting........because it is the law up there. Folks were afraid of accidents, wild shooting, and poaching........you know how y'all get on the other side of the Red River! ;D I would join the Oklahoma State Rifle Association and maybe a local gun club and actively lobby your representatives to change the law.

Like CD said.......watch the wind and be careful trailing a wounded hog.

I look forward to some great stories and pictures!!

Good Hunting,

Bob

[captkb]

Welcome aboard MountainMedic. Hogs are a ton of fun to hunt, especially this time of yr thru March. Hog hunting can be good anytime of day when the weather is cool. Mornings, mid-day, late evenings and where permitted at night. You mentioned something about carrying a sidearm - good idea. The more you hog hunt the more stories you will hear about someone shooting a hog and then needing a sidearm to finish them off. They are tough critters and their will to live is even tougher. In my opinion the best shot placement is right behind the ear. Its not always possible to take that shot, but for me it has been the most effective. Hogs can be easily stalked as long as you keep the wind in your face and take your time. Its easy to stalk up on what you think is a single hog, only to find yourself in the middle of 15 or 20 big hogs. Get between a sow and her babies and your asking for trouble. CoonDawg mentioned not going straigt after a hog once you shot it - good point!!! A wounded hog is a real mad hog and they are looking for something or someone to dish out some revenge on. Believe me a wounded hog can still run pretty fast - faster than you would think, so keep on your toes and be ready for anything. If you shoot a hog and it goes into some pretty thick brush - give it a good hour or two and then go in after it with at the least 1 person, but 3 or 4 is better. Once you get your hog and ready to process it - make sure you have some jalapeno and cheese german sausage made. That stuff is some awesome eaten!! Good luck on your hunting trip and let us know how it all goes.

Let us know what kind of set up you will be hunting and what the terrain is like there. For a first time hog hunter I would suggest hunting out of a blind over a corn feeder or stock tank that they have been wallering in. If all your looking for is meat hogs then try to pick one out under 250 lbs, especially if its a boar. Sows can get as big as they want and are still good eaten. Hope this helps ya out some.