When should you plan a hunting trip to harvest a wild hog? The time of year and time of day can impact your success when hunting this species.
What to Consider for the Best Timing to Hunt Wild Hog
Choosing the ideal time or days for your hunt can improve your chances of harvesting a wild hog. Hunters should consider the following variables to plan a successful hunting trip!
The Location
While you can find these animals in 45 states across the country, they are more prominent along the southeastern borders.
Hogs typically like heavy brush and muddy areas, which makes it no surprise that their populations flourish in states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia. So, if you don't live in these areas but are ready to hunt hogs, you'll want to travel to one of these southeastern areas to find these animals for your hunt.
The Solunar Calendar
Tracking animal activity based on moon phases is not a new strategy for planning hunts. According to a theory by John Alden Knight decades ago, animal movement can be affected by the position and fullness of the moon.
However, there is some speculation among hunters today whether moon phases affect hog behavior or not. Some hunters believe that a full moon means daytime (especially afternoon and early evening) activity slows because the moon provides more light for nighttime feeding. However, other hunters do not believe the Solunar calendar significantly impacts hog activity day or night.
In general, other factors can have a more significant influence on hog activity and how to plan your hunt.
The Time of Year
In areas that allow hog hunting, you can often legally hunt these animals 365 days a year. However, many hunters claim that the best time of year to hunt wild hog is right after deer season.
December to February makes for prime hog hunting because they are in heavy pursuit of food, which increases activity as they search farther and longer for food.
The Time of Day
The best time of day to harvest a hog is when they are most active.
These animals are most active in the early morning or late evening. However, if you hunt wild hogs in the winter months, they may be more active during the middle of the day when temperatures are warmer as they search for food.
The Temperature
As mentioned above, the colder weather causes hogs to move farther and longer in search of food, but why?
Hogs require extra food for energy when the temperatures drop. So, freezing temperatures in the early morning or late night make for prime hog hunting.
Barometric Pressure
Barometric pressure is another essential factor to consider when hog hunting because it can affect how hogs pick up your scent.
Lower pressure will keep your sent low to the ground, while high-pressure systems allow your sent to rise and become more detectable to hog snouts. Consider hunting from a stand on lower pressure days.
General Weather Conditions
While you can hunt hogs in most weather conditions – especially in areas where you can hunt these animals year-round – a light rain or cold front is ideal for spotting hogs on the move.
However, strong wind conditions can negatively affect your chances of taking one home. Wind can make it easier for hogs to pick up your scent and move away (as we'll talk about next).
Wind Conditions
Wild hogs are the bloodhounds of American game. While deer have a particularly good sense of smell, a wild board puts them to shame.
Because of their strong sense of smell, wind can make hunting particularly tricky. Make sure you set up down wind from the hogs you're hunting so they don't smell you coming.
