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Last few days I've seen hens going into or leaving a cutover, no doubt they have nests in the brush.
I was slipping around the cutover to get to a hardwood creek bottom and this sow and her piglets walked by. I usually carry a couple cheap shells for snakes and pigs but I didn't have time to switch so spent about 30$ getting rid of these vermin. Worth the money but didn't even make a dent. Third group of hogs I've seen in a week. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190423/5f79f2bc671a9713e2a95c4ca23aab19.jpg)


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Good shooting and thank you!  In GA the hogs don't damage the nest quite as much as coons, possums, foxes and yotes. Snakes too.  Gotta kill those hogs though.  And they are mighty tasty!  I hate pigs worse during deer season. My #6 lbxr won't do enough damage anyway.

Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 23, 2019, 07:28:28 PM
Good shooting and thank you!  In GA the hogs don't damage the nest quite as much as coons, possums, foxes and yotes.

I have actually read some interesting studies on coyotes...

Generally coyotes are not egg eaters, but they are generally good at controlling fox, opossum, and raccoon populations, and to some degree even skunk populations.  And bobcats do not like them either.

Furthermore, coyotes eat a lot of squirrels and rabbits which compete with upland species (including turkey) for food.

I know that coyotes eat turkeys, cause I have called in too many yotes to a turkey call...  But I still wonder if they sometimes are not more beneficial to have around than harmful?

We have multiple pictures of coyotes raiding nests from over the years on trail cameras.  And yes I forgot to mention skunks too.  Predator "control", now called "predator management" is the first step.  Then comes habitat management....another conversation altogether.

Egg eaters are #1 on my hit list

Nice work.

A .243 Winchester with a 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip makes a mess out of those white and black boogers. Just be sure you are up wind. Work well on woodchucks and Yotes too.

$30 well spent IMO

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Good shooting man, and well worth the 30.00 bucks

Killem all and let god sortem out. Good job brother.

Shot another sow that makes 9 I've shot in 9 days. I was kneeling down beside a tree doing some calling. I heard something walking in the pine straw and for a second thought it was a turkey...until I heard grunting. A herd of about 6-8 hogs coming right to me, dropped one shot 2 more that went down then ran off. Been loading one nitro and two Winchester #5s to save on shells lol. Can't use buckshot or I'd have killed more.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190430/aa3266fd7f46eca833ec4b4baef2380d.jpg)


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I'd love to shoot some pigs but glad we don't have any yet!

I do have a longbow and love to travel.  ;) Ha ha!

Every game camera we run shows hog activity such as this.  We shoot every one we see and they still keep coming. 

We have a lot of hogs in Louisiana but you mostly see them at night or really early or late. These are out  all day and dumb as hammers. I don't think there being hunted much. I'm hoping the ones that ran off learned not to go to hen yelping

$30 well spent. 

Pm me an I'll send you a coupon code for $30 in turkey calls

Quote from: Gooserbat on April 30, 2019, 11:13:12 PM
$30 well spent. 

Pm me an I'll send you a coupon code for $30 in turkey calls

Thanks a lot... will do

Money well spent. I shoot them every time I see them. Nothing worse than someone complaining about hogs then not shooting them when they have the opportunity. Between my dad, son, and I we've killed 12-15 since turkey season opened.

For those of you wishing you had feral hogs......get your head out of your butt!

Quote from: Marc on April 23, 2019, 07:34:10 PM

Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 23, 2019, 07:28:28 PM
Good shooting and thank you!  In GA the hogs don't damage the nest quite as much as coons, possums, foxes and yotes.

I have actually read some interesting studies on coyotes...

Generally coyotes are not egg eaters, but they are generally good at controlling fox, opossum, and raccoon populations, and to some degree even skunk populations.  And bobcats do not like them either.

Furthermore, coyotes eat a lot of squirrels and rabbits which compete with upland species (including turkey) for food.

I know that coyotes eat turkeys, cause I have called in too many yotes to a turkey call...  But I still wonder if they sometimes are not more beneficial to have around than harmful?

I agree, I've read similar articles about coyotes.  IMO here in the southeastern United States they fill a needed predatory niche thats long been vacated by eastern cougars and red wolves.  Reading a book about red wolves right now and the efforts that were made to try to reintroduce them  Coyotes can effect fawn populations but black bears can too.  We have feral hogs here in VA, relatively low numbers now, hopefully it stays that way.     

Saw a pack of about a dozen hogs on Fort Polk last weekend. Tried to get an angle on em but didn't work out.

I'm in NC.  Found a bunch of egg shells yesterday among a pile of hen feathers.  I assume a coyote got her and her eggs.  Plenty of coyotes on camera.

Nice job. What a pest.  While delicious, most folks don't understand what a nuisance these things are. They are wreaking havoc on the natural systems down here in Florida, and I'm not sure that there have ever been this many.  We are on a lease that requires us to kill 150 per year, if it was 300 it would still be no problem.

That said, turkey nests don't seem to be what they are after there, the turkey population is still strong.

Went to the range this morning and double checked both my .243 and scoped 12 ga.  Really looking for this one particular coyote but any hog is living on borrowed time.

Quote from: Marc on April 23, 2019, 07:34:10 PMBut I still wonder if they sometimes are not more beneficial to have around than harmful?

There is nothing beneficial about a coyote. They eat fawns, and even take down adult deer when hunting in a pack. They stalk and kill turkeys. In fact, during turkey season, I see coyotes on the prowl most mornings. They kill all kinds of small game. It wouldn't surprise me to see a yote chomp down on an egg or 6.
We shoot every yote we see. It's one of the rules of our club. Shoot a yote if you see one, regardless of if it costs you a buck or a gobbler. We also employ other methods of predator control.
In SC, where my club is, SCDNR puts one tagged coyote a year in each game zone. If you shoot one of these, you are rewarded with a free lifetime license. This encourages hunters to shoot every yote they see. That's how much of a problem coyotes have become in SC.

We have feral hogs here in NY now too. http://nyis.info/invasive_species/feral-swine/  I know of an idiot in my county that wanted to be able to have them out back behind his house. EVERYBODY came out against him it seems and I am glad to say I was one of them.

Just a question and not trying to start any trouble, are you guys eating what you are killing and if not is there something like the venison collation where you can donate the meat to feed the poor in any of these areas?

Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 01, 2019, 08:16:40 PM
We have feral hogs here in NY now too. http://nyis.info/invasive_species/feral-swine/  I know of an idiot in my county that wanted to be able to have them out back behind his house. EVERYBODY came out against him it seems and I am glad to say I was one of them.

Just a question and not trying to start any trouble, are you guys eating what you are killing and if not is there something like the venison collation where you can donate the meat to feed the poor in any of these areas?

I put 2 or 3 hogs in the freezer each year and give away several. I also shoot plenty more and leave them where they fall with no guilt or remorse whatsoever. When you have a hog problem you worry about killing hogs. My tax dollars do plenty of feeding the needy, as well as the lazy.

Quote from: dublelung on May 01, 2019, 11:56:14 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 01, 2019, 08:16:40 PM

Just a question and not trying to start any trouble, are you guys eating what you are killing and if not is there something like the venison collation where you can donate the meat to feed the poor in any of these areas?

I also shoot plenty more and leave them where they fall with no guilt or remorse whatsoever. When you have a hog problem you worry about killing hogs. My tax dollars do plenty of feeding the needy, as well as the lazy.

Im turkey hunting not running a soup kitchen. I shoot as many as I can before they run off, finish off the wounded and move on. It's too hot to be dealing with a stinking hog miles from the truck. I'm starting a buzzard food bank.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190502/eaf9f89e6fce03f7ee56b10eba66eaaa.jpg). 2 came in to my decoy one went home ,#5 longboard to the head .


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we don't have many hogs yet but they are heading my way. bear hunters in neighboring counties introduced them years ago to train hounds with.
we also shoot all yotes and bobcats as well as trapping focused those 2 species. I have been personally managing a 750 acre farm for 14 years. first year I ran a line of 12 little grizz coon traps and caught over 2 dozen that winter. now I catch about a dozen a year and feel like turkey population has tripled there due to elimination of egg eaters. also employ little grizz's on 2 other farms as well and can tell growth in turkey population there as well. I thoroughly enjoy checking lines in morning with hot coffee and .22 magnum. caught a couple of coonzilla's over the years and will try to find and post some pics.

The DEC here does not want us to shoot them, that makes no sense to me. Glad some are giving some away and I do realize what a problem there is will them and that is why I said I did not want to start an argument. When I get more deer than I can handle (Only have one small freezer that is attached to the refrigerator) then I like to donate them or give them to those I know need food so that is why I asked.

I get what your saying about leaving them in the woods. And its not like you think. Most of your woods hogs aren't fit to eat and with our heat and humidity this time of year its just not worth it. I live in la also. But when you have as many as we do and see the destruction they do. You grow to hate them!!! I carry a ruger 10/22 in my truck with a 50rd clip and a gut shot is just as good as a head shot in my book with them. That sounds harsh but when you get beat to death bush hogging your pasture remorse goes out the window!!!

Quote from: J.D. Shellnut on May 02, 2019, 01:44:29 PM
I get what your saying about leaving them in the woods. And its not like you think. Most of your woods hogs aren't fit to eat and with our heat and humidity this time of year its just not worth it. I live in la also. But when you have as many as we do and see the destruction they do. You grow to hate them!!! I carry a ruger 10/22 in my truck with a 50rd clip and a gut shot is just as good as a head shot in my book with them. That sounds harsh but when you get beat to death bush hogging your pasture remorse goes out the window!!!

I understand what you mean completely, I went to visit family in OK a few years ago and was supposed to go on a hog hunt but that year they had a record stretch of 3 digit temperatures and we did not go because the meat would spoil.

As far as the equipment getting beat up I understand that as well, this is why I hunt woodchucks in my area, they do billions of dollars in damage and sometimes result it death if a tractor rolls over.

Only comment I do not like is the gut shot comment, everything should be taken as humanly as possible.

Quote from: Marc on April 23, 2019, 07:34:10 PM

Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 23, 2019, 07:28:28 PM
Good shooting and thank you!  In GA the hogs don't damage the nest quite as much as coons, possums, foxes and yotes.

I have actually read some interesting studies on coyotes...

Generally coyotes are not egg eaters, but they are generally good at controlling fox, opossum, and raccoon populations, and to some degree even skunk populations.  And bobcats do not like them either.

Furthermore, coyotes eat a lot of squirrels and rabbits which compete with upland species (including turkey) for food.

I know that coyotes eat turkeys, cause I have called in too many yotes to a turkey call...  But I still wonder if they sometimes are not more beneficial to have around than harmful?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend?

Good job on the pigs LaLongbeard.  They should certainly be shot on sight. 

I would have to say that they egg eaters have more of an impact than coyotes but that's just my experience. 

I completely understand that too. And would not take a unethical shot on any other animal. But when you pull up to a food plot, pasture, roadside ditch or like me my yard! And there's 15-20 of them tearing up things you worked for or even personally own. You only worry about one thing and that's how to inflict the most damage in the small window of time you have before they scatter. Because the ones that don't get hit WILL return. I've only seen one woodchuck in my life. But I'll kill the next one if they do half the damage a feral hog does! lol

Hogs are not native species they are invasive, destructive and a nuisance. Rats are also not native to North America and are also edible,some Vietnamese love them. Does anybody care what happens to a rat or would anyone here eat one?
I'm not big on picture posting or look what I did stories I only posted this because of how many hogs were in the area I was hunting and that they were rooting around in an area that hens were nesting. This wasn't in Louisiana but I do shoot them there every chance I get.
The last group of hogs I shot came right to my calling I don't know what they had on there minds but I have no doubt they were looking for the hen they heard. Everybody has there own opinion about killing snakes or pigs or whatever. If you live in an area that has a hog problem or hunt in water moccasin infested creek bottoms you'll probably have a different opinion than someone that saw a water moccasin on animal planet and likes bacon.
To each there own

These "if you shoot it you gota' eat it" discussions come up on many forums.  The picture posted of the dead sow with the dead piglets will shock some.  The only thing a central Florida rancher would ask is "how come you didn't get the rest of the piglets".  That sow probably had at least 6 more in her family group.  I once hunted a WMA quota hunt where a biologist was present.  He said a female pig is either pregnant or soon will be.  There is no middle ground on this.  I'll run game cameras again next week.   I'll post a few and you'll be amazed at the number of hogs present on a ranch where they are given no quarter. 

More to come.

Quote from: joey46 on May 03, 2019, 08:31:32 AM
These "if you shoot it you gota' eat it" discussions come up on many forums.  The picture posted of the dead sow with the dead piglets will shock some.  The only thing a central Florida rancher would ask is "how come you didn't get the rest of the piglets".  That sow probably had at least 6 more in her family group.  I once hunted a WMA quota hunt where a biologist was present.  He said a female pig is either pregnant or soon will be.  There is no middle ground on this.  I'll run game cameras again next week.   I'll post a few and you'll be amazed at the number of hogs present on a ranch where they are given no quarter. 

More to come.

I have no problem with it, just like wolves they have gotten to be to many and need to be thinned out. My question about the foodbank came as somebody that has been homeless before and can see much gain to be had by donation. It is why I donate as well.

Where we live and the terrain we hunt with the heat. By the time you got it out and cleaned I wouldn't trust feeding it to my family. So Im not going to poison somebody else. Don't get me wrong I eat wild pork. If you find a healthy sow that her ribs or hip bones aint showing and its cool. You cant beat it. And that bio that joey was talking about is right. Our saying down here is "if she aint got pigs under her then shes got pigs in her"!!! I killed a 50lb sow one time with pigs in her. She couldn't have been a year old.

Kill em all, these things ain't good for the turkey population.

Quote from: J.D. Shellnut on May 03, 2019, 12:27:41 PM
Where we live and the terrain we hunt with the heat. By the time you got it out and cleaned I wouldn't trust feeding it to my family. So Im not going to poison somebody else. Don't get me wrong I eat wild pork. If you find a healthy sow that her ribs or hip bones aint showing and its cool. You cant beat it. And that bio that joey was talking about is right. Our saying down here is "if she aint got pigs under her then shes got pigs in her"!!! I killed a 50lb sow one time with pigs in her. She couldn't have been a year old.

I can understand that they need to be controlled, I truly do. Having been injured in car accidents and all I just would rather make a clean kill and if I could not I would not because I know what it is to live in pain. Not that I think animals feel pain like humans do at all, it is just something that was drove into me is to not make the animal suffer. I can't expect everybody to think about it the way I do no more than I can expect somebody to like linguini and clam sauce just because I do, everybody had their own mind and their own methods.

Quote from: Marc on April 23, 2019, 07:34:10 PM

Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on April 23, 2019, 07:28:28 PM
Good shooting and thank you!  In GA the hogs don't damage the nest quite as much as coons, possums, foxes and yotes.

I have actually read some interesting studies on coyotes...

Generally coyotes are not egg eaters, but they are generally good at controlling fox, opossum, and raccoon populations, and to some degree even skunk populations.  And bobcats do not like them either.

Furthermore, coyotes eat a lot of squirrels and rabbits which compete with upland species (including turkey) for food.

I know that coyotes eat turkeys, cause I have called in too many yotes to a turkey call...  But I still wonder if they sometimes are not more beneficial to have around than harmful?

https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/turkey-program/turkey-ecology-and-life-history/dont-blame-predators-for-poor-turkey-habitat/ (https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/turkey-program/turkey-ecology-and-life-history/dont-blame-predators-for-poor-turkey-habitat/)

The Raccoon is my number one target...they are the most destructive nest predators. I think the coyote gets more blame than he's due. Once the turkeys get out of the eggs and make it 6 months or so they at least have a chance,it's that egg and poult stage that needs the most help imo. I just shoot anything that eats turkeys in any stage of life and consider that part of the sport.

To me the absolute worst is the feral cat. Can't legally shoot them in NY which is stupid.

Quote from: LaLongbeard on May 09, 2019, 01:51:20 PM
The Raccoon is my number one target...they are the most destructive nest predators. I think the coyote gets more blame than he's due. Once the turkeys get out of the eggs and make it 6 months or so they at least have a chance,it's that egg and poult stage that needs the most help imo. I just shoot anything that eats turkeys in any stage of life and consider that part of the sport.

I agree about racoons. Another predator that is very destructive after they hatch are Hawks. Them things love poults

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Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 02, 2019, 02:15:50 PM

Quote from: J.D. Shellnut on May 02, 2019, 01:44:29 PM

Only comment I do not like is the gut shot comment, everything should be taken as humanly as possible.

Hogs are not native "game" and due to the destruction they cause, make them suffer, all of them.

Shoot every pig you can. They're invasive, destructive, and disrupt every other species they encounter.

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Well turkey is done so I'm going for the egg eaters tomorrow


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Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 03, 2019, 11:09:49 AM
I have no problem with it, just like wolves they have gotten to be to many and need to be thinned out. My question about the foodbank came as somebody that has been homeless before and can see much gain to be had by donation. It is why I donate as well.

Living in California, there are some strict rules about donating food and especially wild game...  Most place will not accept such donations unless food has been FDA approved... 

As you your comments on ethical killing...  I am in full agreement.  I don't know what an animal feels when it is in pain...  But I know they don't like it, and I know I do not want to be the cause of unnecessary pain.

I am hunting purely for recreation...  I do not have animals causing damage to my crops or business; so when I take an animal, I make a concerted effort to do so humanely.   

Quote from: Marc on May 10, 2019, 10:06:43 PM

Quote from: Sir-diealot on May 03, 2019, 11:09:49 AM
I have no problem with it, just like wolves they have gotten to be to many and need to be thinned out. My question about the foodbank came as somebody that has been homeless before and can see much gain to be had by donation. It is why I donate as well.

Living in California, there are some strict rules about donating food and especially wild game...  Most place will not accept such donations unless food has been FDA approved... 

As you your comments on ethical killing...  I am in full agreement.  I don't know what an animal feels when it is in pain...  But I know they don't like it, and I know I do not want to be the cause of unnecessary pain.

I am hunting purely for recreation...  I do not have animals causing damage to my crops or business; so when I take an animal, I make a concerted effort to do so humanely.

It is a pity about the food banks being so strict, I honestly believe it is more of a not wanting hunters to be paved in a good light than anything else, most butchers will volunteer their time for things like this and check the meat anyway.

I once shot the front of the I guess you can say stout or face of a woodchuck off with my .243 at 200 yards, my friends thought I was nuts for taking a finishing shot in it, just did not seem right to me to let it suffer.

Living in California, there are some strict rules about donating food and especially wild game...  Most place will not accept such donations unless food has been FDA approved... 

As you your comments on ethical killing...  I am in full agreement.  I don't know what an animal feels when it is in pain...  But I know they don't like it, and I know I do not want to be the cause of unnecessary pain.

I am hunting purely for recreation...  I do not have animals causing damage to my crops or business; so when I take an animal, I make a concerted effort to do so humanely.

Quote


This information is very old and laws/ roles may have changed but years ago, when I was a deputy sheriff, I was sent on a call and it turned out the group had a deprivation permit to kill pigs in their orchard.  Once the pigs were killed they were to be transported to the butcher and the meat was to go to the jail. It was 2:00 AM and I can not remember if the original call was for shots fired or something else. This was in Northern California.

You do need a tag to harvest wild pigs in California but I have no idea of their game status.