Sergeant Chase's Information and Links on Hog Hunting

This site is still under construction.. trying to figure out the best way to highlight those links I have personal knowledge of... any suggestions welcome.. also any links you might want to see here.  Thanks,  Jay

I only started hunting in 1997.  My whole family had been eating as much venison as we could get a hold of for several years (I had two jailers that liked to hunt and would give us a LOT of deer meat :)   When I transferred out to an investigative division, my meat source had vanished.  So '97 and '98 were great years.  I got to go back to the same place - visit with friends and get some venison.  Then in '99 it happened.  The rancher had been complaining about his ranch being torn up by feral hogs.  I had never seen one and was hesitant to shoot one because I figured it would not taste very good.

On the trip out to the stand, I knew what the rancher meant.  I saw whole football fields of turned up earth.  As we were driving, everyone else was talking and I was looking for the area I was going to hunt in.  Right before we got to my stand, I asked my buddy if those were the size of pigs we should shoot.. he asked what pigs then actually looked by the feeder.  There was a line of about 15-20 hogs ranging from 10 lbs to over 200 lbs.   Everybody in the truck was impressed with my eyesight, but laughing at my mouth hanging open.  They kindly explained how to spot the boars (duh...:) and other bits of folk/hunter wisdom, patted me on the back and sent me up into the stand.  The last thing my buddy said was that if I shot, to stay in the stand for at least 20 minutes, because they would probably be back.

Of course, the hogs took off as soon as we pulled up, but within 15 minutes, they were back.  I sighted a 150 lb. Barr and took her with a head shot.  Huge ruckus - the other hogs hit the woodline and went crashing away, squealing and grunting.  I figured any deer in the area  would be long gone.  To my surprise, about 15 minutes later, the prettiest 10 pt. I had ever seen walked up.  I try to take does to help keep the lease's ratio correct and on the off chance that doe meat is more tender - but this guy was just too good.  So down he went.  I figured my hunting was done for the day.  I leaned back, lit a cigar and was enjoying the sunset, when I heard grunting and an occasional squeal.  Sure enough... the hogs had come back.  Found another one.. just like the other one.  At the time, I figured I was just doing the rancher a favor.  When they came back to get me, everyone was very congratulatory.. the rookie had done good!

We got back to camp and I learned that cleaning hogs is tougher, stinkier, and much messier then deer could ever be!!!  One buddy who has been hunting longer then I have been alive - waited til we had cleaned all of the hog and deer then took a backstrap from each, had me close my eyes, and asked which smelled "cleaner".  Sure enough... I had picked the hog.  I found that pretty surprising given the stench while gutting and cleaning those devils.

Successful trip over, I headed on home with two large coolers full of meat (hogs and deer separated of course :)  I dropped all the meat except the backstraps off at Midway and headed on home.  After the kids got to see the deer head and a hide that I had brought home, they wanted Mom to hurry up and cook the backstrap.  I waited til they had left the kitchen and told her about the hogs.  She was not too excited to say the least.  I asked her to cook up a couple of the backstraps and tenders along with the deer meat, but not to tell anyone.

I went ahead and got cleaned up and came back out to try the hog tenders... no such luck.  Everyone was standing in the kitchen smiling and licking their fingers.  I asked Valerie what had happened and she indicated that hog was a definite success in our household.  The kids described the tenders as "meat candy"  We ended up cooking the rest of it up that night.  That was the start of a piggy dynasty in our house.  We try for three to four hogs a year.  We usually split it up 50% pan sausage from mild to hot, then 25% link and 25% summer sausage.  My last one, we had steaked out and smoked.  I have hurt myself sitting down to eat one of those smoked ham steaks.. they are so good, you just can't stop eating :)

So.. that is how I got into the sport.  Trying to outwit those buggers and the excitement of getting onto them is at least as high for me as hunting deer.  Even better, there is no season.  Good way to practice your woodsmanship, hunting skills, and keep meat in the fridge!  Personally, I do not hunt during the warmer months, because of the prevalence of wormy meat.  From October through April, the pigs here in Texas appear to be fine!  Just be ready to climb a tree if you are hunting anywhere besides a stand, because they WILL come after you.

A&M article:  The Good the Bad or the Ugly?

Wild Hog Festival

TEXASBOARS

Goodhunting (Client complaints/compliments on outfitters)

Books on Hiking

The Javelina, or collared peccary resembles a wild boar but in actuality is unrelated to pigs. It is relatively short and  has a heavily built body covered with coarse hair, a heavy snout, and a distinct collar of light-colored hair around the neck. These animals are common in the southern desert regions of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, where they frequent the shrubby areas and canyons.  They roam the desert in loose groups of 8 to 12 (but up to 30) individuals, each group being led by an older sow.  They are territorial.  The average weight is around 55 lbs.  Their favorite food is prickly pear and other fleshy cacti - they eat vast amounts of prickly pear pads and are undeterred by the spines. They also dig up roots and bulbs.

Note from Webmaster:  Unfortunately, I hurt my knee chasing after a robbery suspect back in November ('02).  Blew it out badly enough that I could not get around for a few months and ended up needing surgery in February.  Pretty much shot the hunting season and had to miss the Black Gap hunt :(  As soon as I am recovered enough to get around safely, I think I am going to try a hog hunt at Reed Ranch.  If anybody has any other suggestions for here in the Texas area, please give me a shout!  All the best,  Jay