10 Tips for Preparing for a Boar Hunt

Boar hunting has become a popular activity, especially as the wild hog population continues to explode across the Southern states. Feral hog hunting seasons are open year-round or almost year-round in many states where the bear population is out of control. If you’re looking to hunt in-between deer seasons, consider these hog hunting tips for beginners to help you get started.

1. Understand What Makes Boars Dangerous

Wild boars can be extremely risky to hunt. They’re known for being aggressive, mean and territorial, which can create dangerous hunting conditions. Full-grown male boars can easily reach 300 pounds or more and are capable of running nearly 25 miles per hour. Boars also have sharp, powerful tusks that can seriously injure both animals and humans. That’s surely not an animal you want to upset and have running at you full force.

Additionally, boars carry numerous diseases humans can contract. The most commonly contracted disease hunters contract is swine brucellosis, which is bacteria in the hog’s blood. This can be transmitted, for example, when handling a boar carcass. Keeping these things in mind can help ensure your boar hunting safety is adequate.

2. Know What to Look for When Tracking

Boars are known to be on the move and often won’t stay in one area for long. This results in the need to track the boars, which means you need to know what to look for and what the telltale signs of nearby boars are. Here are a few things to look specifically for:

• Rooting: Boars tear the ground up to find roots, worms and grubs to eat. Look for signs of rooting and ground disturbance, as it can be a sign of hogs in the area. Typically, the more moist the uprooted area is, the more recent it is.
• Tracks: Hog tracks look very similar to that of a deer, though they will be wider, rounder and slightly larger.
• Wallows: Water sources are common places to find boars, as they use mud to cool their bodies. Wallows are areas near water that boars bury themselves in. These spots typically smell like feces or urine.
• Rubs: Hogs will rub themselves up against trees, poles, fences and logs. Look for mud rubs as a sign of nearby boars.

3. Hunt at Night

Boars are extremely intelligent and have become nocturnal in some areas as a result of heavy hunting and pressure during the day. In states where it’s allowed, consider boar hunting at night. Hunting for boars at night requires the proper illumination and equipment, but it can prove successful for many hunters.

4. Make a Fatal Shot

One of the most important hog hunting tips is to learn where to shoot when making your shot. If you’re an avid hunter, you know a fatal shot is crucial when hunting any animal. When hunting big game animals that may be new to you, it’s smart to learn where you should be aiming to make a fatal shot because every animal’s anatomy is different.

On a boar, the heart sits low in the chest and in line with the elbow. The lungs will be slightly above that, behind the shoulder. Hitting these vital organs will be your best opportunity for taking the boar.

5. Use Sufficient Ammunition

To make a fatal shot, you also need to use adequate ammunition. Boars have heavy bones and thick skin, which serve as protection from weaker bullets. Be sure to choose sufficient ammunition and a powerful weapon so your bullets or arrow will penetrate deeply to take down the hog quickly.

6. Use Calls or Feeders

Next on our list of boar hunting tips is to use calls or feeders. Calls imitate a female’s call to lure in males or a piglet’s distress call to lure in females. Female boars are extremely protective of piglets and will easily come to you if they think their babies are in danger. Feeders are used for baiting hogs into an area. Set up a blind within shooting distance, and when boars come to eat, take a shot.

7. Hunt Where Hog Populations Are High

Boar populations in some states have risen so high that they’re actually considered an invasive species. While feral hogs can now be found in almost all of the lower 48 states, some states have extremely high boar populations. For example, Texas has the highest population of wild hogs, with nearly 3 million of them running around. Other states like Mississippi, Florida and California have extremely high hog populations as well.

If you’re able, try hunting in states with an abundance of boars. You’ll have a higher chance at taking one and will be contributing toward conservation efforts to keep the populations at bay.

8. Learn Common Hog Hunting Techniques

Boar hunters typically use at least one of three common hog hunting techniques. Hunters have been able to find success with all three techniques, and the one you use will likely depend on your resources and where you hunt. Here’s a brief look at each technique:

• Stand hunting: Stand hunters hunt from one spot in either a blind or tree stand. Because of the wandering nature of wild hogs, this technique is most effective when baiting or calling so you’re bringing the hogs to you instead of tracking them.
• Spot and stalk: Boars have poor eyesight, which makes stalking a common hunting technique. Hunters locate hogs in an area using binoculars, then quietly move closer for a shot.
• Dog hunting: Just like dogs can be trained to hunt raccoons or squirrels, they can be trained for boar hunting. Be careful with this method, as boars can be aggressive toward dogs when they feel threatened.

9. Use Coverage and Plan an Escape Route

Because boars can be easily agitated and storm toward you, it’s best to hunt from an area with adequate coverage. Blinds are one of your best options for coverage, though if you’re hunting without one, plan an escape route. For example, look for clear paths out of the area or high rocks and trees you could easily climb to get out of harm’s way.

10. Get Boar Hunting Insurance

Boar hunting is an exciting feat for avid hunters and beginners alike. While boar hunting safety is important to keep in mind while you’re out hunting, there are ways to ensure you’re protected from any accidents before you even leave for your trip. For example, getting boar hunting insurance will provide coverage for any potential liabilities that occur while you’re hunting.

Purchase Hunting Liability Insurance From XINSURANCE

Because of the animals’ wild and aggressive nature, hunting for boars is a risky activity. Accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of how careful you may be. Hunting liability insurance from XINSURANCE provides the necessary coverage to protect you if you accidentally injure a person or damage someone’s property. To learn more about our hunter’s insurance, contact our specialists at XINSURANCE to find out how we can get you the coverage you need.

Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, President, Chairman, and CEO of XINSURANCE

Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Rick J. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick J. Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick J. Lindsey discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Rick J. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick J. Lindsey to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. XINSURANCE also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are XINSURANCE can help.