Why Winter is a Great Time for Hog Hunting

Wild hogs can be a significant problem for landowners and even hunters. This invasive animal species rips through crops and eats up any food used to lure other wild game. Luckily, these animals can be tracked and hunted without too much trouble because it’s easy to spot where they are due to this damage.

The hog populations have exploded in the warmer southern states. Because of the destruction they cause, there are not a ton of restrictions surrounding hog hunting. Most states allow hog hunting year-round, but there are different regulations regarding private vs. public land and night hunting (when hogs are on the move and feeding). Before hog hunting in GA, check local laws.

Hog Hunting GA: Winter Hunting Tips

Hogs are just fun to hunt in general, and they have a lot of meat on them, making them good for filling a freezer. Still, when is the best time to hunt a hog? Many hunters think that summer and spring are the best times to hunt hogs, but this is not true.

You are better off hunting hogs during the cold winter months. Since there is no specific hog hunting season in most places, you could hunt hogs all year, but it is much easier to pursue these intelligent animals during the winter. First, we’ll talk about why winter is the ideal time to hunt hogs.

The Benefits of Winter Hog Hunting

Hogs need to eat, and they are highly motivated by food. During warmer months, hogs have to search widely for food sources. Their “home range” can vary from a few hundred acres to several thousand acres depending on food availability. So, they are constantly moving around and looking for moist and swampy areas to scavenge veggies and other types of sustenance.

However, in winter, things change. Food sources are limited, and the hog won’t quickly move from food source to food source. In other words, they will stick to restricted areas where food can be found. In addition, in summer and spring, hogs sleep in during daylight and forage at night. In the winter, they move during the day when it is cold, making them easier to track and hunt.

Gum Lodge Plantation

If you are interested in hog hunting in GA, contact Gum Lodge Plantation. Our lodge sits on over 3000 acres of land for hunting, and we provide affordable guided hunting packages. You can hunt hogs in the winter by booking a solo or group hunt with an expert guide. Contact us at 229-318-9015 – we look forward to hearing from you.

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The Dead Giveaways Of Hogs In Your Area

Wild hogs are found in 35 states – mainly in the southern region of the country. They are highly destructive and can be dangerous. Hunting hogs is legal in all these states, and controlling the population is a top priority. Whether you merely want to know what’s digging up your property or you are out tracking hogs when hunting, knowing the signs that indicate hogs are in the vicinity is vital information to know.

Hog Hunting Tips: Signs of Hogs

Here are some signs that reveal there are wild hogs in an area:

Uprooted Soil

One of the most crucial signs that hogs are in the area is large patches of uprooted soil. Hogs have an acute sense of smell. They can detect a food source up to 25 feet underground. When wild hogs identify a food source, they use their strong stouts to uproot and overturn the vegetation to get access to the food. Sometimes when they are done, the whole area will look like it just got plowed.

Hog Wallows

Another recognizable sign of wild hogs’ presence is wallows. Wallows are typically shallow, muddy depressions. They are oval to oblong in shape. Hogs do not have sweat glands; hence, hogs will seek ways to reduce their body temperature when it’s hot. First, near water sources, the hogs will dig into water-softened soil. Then, they will wriggle their bodies back and forth, covering their entire body with mud. The mud coating not only cools their bodies but also serves as a parasite deterrent for them.

Rubs

Once the wild hogs have cooled off in the wallows, their following action is to “shake off” all the mud stuck to them. To do this, they rub their bodies against hard surfaces such as trees, utility poles, rocks, etc. As a result, you’ll see patches of dried mud typically between 5 and 40 inches above the ground. The patches can encircle the structure. In addition, if a particular tree is used frequently, all the bark may be rubbed off.

Droppings

Many references have pictures of hog scat to help you distinguish it from other animals’ (It looks similar to dog feces). Wild hogs will leave dropping trails along the paths they journey through the most. You’ll also find scat around their feeding areas.

Gum Log Plantation

Our hunting guides are full of hog hunting tips and are experts in tracking them down. If you want to participate in a successful hunt, contact Gum Log Plantation at 229-318-9015 and book a trip today.

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