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Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
#4046574
02/12/13 03:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
khansen46
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7 |
Great site! I just recently joined, but I've been browsing for a while. I'm a late 40s IT Pro, and new to hunting (lifetime fisherman and camper). I just bought my first rifle last year (Remington 03 A3 sporterized to .280), and have been slowly accumulating some essential gear. At this time, my only interest is in hog hunting.
I am going to try some hog hunting with a couple of friends on public land in the next couple of weeks. We are looking at Blue Elbow Swamp near the LA border, and Sam Houston National Forest WMA. Has anyone hunted these areas recently, or seen any wild hogs? We've been on a couple of paid hunting trips and have not even seen a hog yet. I think I'd rather pay the $48 for a Public Hunting Permit, and at least get to go sight seeing and not be stuck in a blind. The reason we are looking at these two locations are that we are in the Houston area, and we all use rifles. Many of the public lands are restricted to archery or shotgun. Also, these two offer year-round hog hunting. If anyone has any hog activity reports or sightings in those areas, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Ken
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: khansen46]
#4047178
02/12/13 06:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
Mike H.
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 86 |
Ken:
Welcome to the forum; while I'm an occasional hog hunter and most folks here have forgotten more than I'll ever know on the subject, I can say I hunt exclusively on Texas public lands, so I've learned a little about 'em in general.
The best piece of advice I can offer, other than to watch this forum, is to contact the biologist responsible for the WMA where you plan to hunt. Some of these folks are more forthcoming than others, but they're a great resource regardless...whether you call, email or visit 'em, I'm sure they'll be plenty helpful.
Mike H.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: Mike H.]
#4049475
02/13/13 01:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
khansen46
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7 |
Thanks for the tip, Mike. I'll certainly do that. What areas have you hunted and had luck at?
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: khansen46]
#4049551
02/13/13 02:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,156
Inky Doc
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,156 |
I was at the SHNF WMA on Monday and saw plenty of evidence of hogs but didn't actually see the buggers themselves. I'll be going back out very soon to keep looking for them. Good luck.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: khansen46]
#4049557
02/13/13 02:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
hook_n_line
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185 |
Check out Somerville WMA. Year round archery hog hunting and you can bait them Feb 1 to July 1.
Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: hook_n_line]
#4049805
02/13/13 03:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
khansen46
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7 |
I'm not into archery, at least at this point. I'm strictly looking for rifle hunting. I'm just getting into hunting, and want to limit my focus for now. Archery will be an adventure in itself, since I have never done it before.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: khansen46]
#4050117
02/13/13 04:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,269
GriffGruff78
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,269 |
I'm not into archery, at least at this point. I'm strictly looking for rifle hunting. I'm just getting into hunting, and want to limit my focus for now. Archery will be an adventure in itself, since I have never done it before. Be careful out there... The rifle permissive inland WMA's can be dangerous.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: khansen46]
#4050372
02/13/13 05:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 86
Mike H.
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 86 |
I've hunted Big Lake Bottom, Cooper, Moore Plantation, Richland Creek and White Oak Creek. That last place is my favorite, mainly because it's where I've had the most luck. It's near Mount Pleasant and at almost 26,000 acres, there's plenty of room and plenty of pigs.
Like another poster mentioned, you do have to be careful at rifle-permissive WMAs, but I've only encountered one other person down "in amongst 'em" and he was an unarmed turkey hunter just doing a little scouting. If you go in heavy and check six often, you should be OK.
On my list to hunt next: Alabama Creek, Bannister and Old Sabine Bottom (better known as OSB). I know from other posts on this site OSB has got pigs, but it's 5,727 acres and can get a little crowded, IIRC.
Mike H.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: Mike H.]
#4050954
02/13/13 09:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,811
Trout-killer
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,811 |
SHNF has pigs in it. It'll take a little scouting and a lot of walking but they are there.
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: GriffGruff78]
#4051411
02/14/13 12:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
khansen46
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7 |
Good point, GriffGruff78. I will. Thanks.
Last edited by khansen46; 02/14/13 12:28 AM. Reason: sp
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Re: Looking For Hog Report on Public Land
[Re: khansen46]
#4096961
03/03/13 10:47 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Cochise77
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3 |
Hey Mike H, did you have any luck or see anything out at Cooper?
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