How do YOU like to hunt?

There are a lot of ways to hunt hogs, and I’ve tried most of them. 

Here in CA, there are two main options… spot and stalk or hunting with hounds.  Feeders are illegal here, and while blinds can be productive on the right property and the right conditions, they’re not widely used.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Feick

Personally, I’ve found spot and stalk hunting (and still-hunting to an extent) to be my favorite technique.  There’s so much country to access out here in the West, I find it hard to sit in one spot like a tree stand or blind.  I like to get out and cover some ground, and change my vantage point.  It works well with the hogs here too, since they tend to move around almost at random (even though I know it’s hardly random to them).  I can find out where they are, and get on them.

I didn’t care much for hound hunting.  I can see why some folks like it, and I’m not gonna knock it.  But it’s not for me.  I’d rather do the work myself, from finding the animals to getting into range.  For those who’ve never tried it, hound hunting for hogs is more of a catch and bay game, much different from hunting deer in front of the Walkers, Blue Ticks, and Beagles we saw back in NC.  Deer hunting in front of hounds presents a challenge in the shot, as the animal is almost always being pushed, and often at a dead run.  At its best, it’s a matter of posting up on stand, and listening to the hound music as the dogs follow the trail through the swamp or woods

Hogs, on the other hand, are usually shot while at bay, usually at very close range.  Many times, the dogs only sound off when the hog is bayed, and the chase is on foot while trying to keep the dogs in sight.  Once on the bay, you usually have to wait for someone to move the dogs, or at least call them off so you can make a safe shot.

Anyway, as I said, a lot of folks really dig running the hounds, and I’m happy for you if you’re one of them. 

I’ve hunted hogs from blinds and tree stands, and over feeders or bait as well.  This is a common practice both in South Carolina and Texas, two other states where I’ve had the good fortune to pursue these creatures.  I don’t have any issue with this kind of hunting, but I don’t find it nearly as satisfying as the previously mentioned spot and stalk methods. 

But, enough about me.  As the title of this post asks, I want to know how you, the readers, prefer to hunt hogs.  Use the poll on the right side of the page and let me know what you think.