Recently I was dispatching hogs in a trap for processing, there were 16 of them and it was not a quiet affair. The goal is to make each shot count and be ethical about getting the work done.

So I am about 11 pigs into the group and the squealing has probably been going down for about 2 minutes and I hear commotion behind me.

I spin around to see 4 - 5 hogs inbound and they are coming in HARD right to me (and the trap).

I have alot of assumptions about the behavior - hoping some of you folks who have seen and done this a few more times than I or who are proficient at calling and studying hog sounds and behavior will post your thoughts.

We have used a FoxPro for a few seasons and used the pig in distress or baby pig squeal call with VERY limited success.

I assume that when we play the sound it is the equivalent of a guy walking down the street and hearing a call for help coming from a dark alley - guy thinks to himself well it could be real but just to risky to go find out and continues to walk.

With the situation I encountered I assume that I didn't capture the whole sounder (later verified on game cam that I did miss a few) and that the other pigs were on property when the shooting and squealing began and unlike the scenario above - guy hears his "family" or "friends" calling for help and goes charging into the alley way.

It was very educational for me to see it unfold, I took a defensive position when the hogs were inbound and watched intently to see what happened:

Essentially the hogs in the trap (ones I hadn't yet got to) remained silent, the incoming pigs also remained silent - the silence over the course of the next 5 minutes was deafening, however at no time did the hogs come close to the trap to investigate - they maintained a distance and eventually faded away out of sight.

Thoughts?

BB

When I get home, I will have to find a video on Youtube that has a hunter charged by hogs as he attempts to dispatch a wounded, squealing hog. Apparently, hogs do sometimes render aid.

Dang, that would have to raise the hair on the back of your neck..

I have had both happen...seen big boars with a big group trail the group and stop to fight also.

Waiting on the vid...

Ive got 3 videos of hogs running towards my shots.
One 2 years ago biggest bore I shot
Last winter and my last video they were running right towards my shots.

When people say "hogs charge" my experience has taught me they are just running for dear life and you just happen to be the direction they are going.

Ed - perhaps a very valid point here Sir ! I hadn't thought that they may be running away right at me.

Each case will be different based on circumstances, in my case I feel the shooting had been going long enough and the squeals were of a certain type - that I feel as though the hogs were inbound on a rescue mission....

BB

I hesitate to post a video as it would probably take the conversation away from hogs responding to squeals for help and instead to questions about how hogs are dispatched from traps.

BB

I understand.... But I meant the vid showing you pooping your shorts...

You're one sick puppy

OK, you guys been hunting at night just a little too much....

Having a recording of that squealing pig would have been good to try on other pigs. I bet not all squeals are the same.

You ever see what a group of javies do when one starts squealing? them suckers come looking to tear you up

It will warp you...

No doubt pigs have an elevated communication skill set...

Here is a 30 seconds snipet - let me know if it works on your pigs....



Use at your own risk, might cause a change of shorts by the user

BB

Why didn't you shoot the hogs that came charging?

Okay, I can't find the vid I alluded to above. Sorry. Either it was pulled or I am searching on the wrong parameters to find it.

A) I didn't plan on shooting back that direction towards camp
B) You only saw what was in the frame of the scope, I was being surrounded - tactically....
C) I had 6 bullets left in the clip and I haven't shown a great proficiency with the 1911 at night while under attack.

Good question, now thinking back on it I kick myself for not sending a warning shot there way at least

BB

Anyone use the sound of a little pig squealing? Like when they are caught by one leg or when picked up under a couple weeks old? That squeal/scream can be heard a long, long ways away.

You know this forum well, don't you?

I totally agree with this. I think that when people get hurt hog hunting is when they are hunting with dogs. Then you're approaching a pig that has been harassed to the point that he's quit running for dear life and started fighting for it.

When this has happened to me, usually the Hogs that are getting away stop and look towards the noise after running away from the carnage. A 55gr 5.56mm projectile is usually not far behind.

The only hard chargers are wounded pissed off Hogs and those who are not aware I was standing there when they are running trying to get off the X.