texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,413
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,764
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,987
Posts9,719,159
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. #7963378 09/06/20 09:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 145
C
chrswr Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
C
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 145
My place it really starting to develop a hog problem. I just read parts of the CDC warning post.
I'm looking for the opinions of you fine folk...

Eating Feral HOgs
single choice
Votes accepted starting: 09/06/20 09:13 PM
You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7963393 09/06/20 09:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,045
M
mikei Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
M
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,045
Originally Posted by chrswr
My place it really starting to develop a hog problem. I just read parts of the CDC warning post.
I'm looking for the opinions of you fine folk...

Also, I don't eat the ones that weigh over about 50 pounds or so. I have the luxury of being very selective because my freezers are full; other folks will certainly take on the bigger hogs and as near as I can tell, if the hogs were cleaned and prepped properly, there have been no problems with eating the larger ones.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7963417 09/06/20 09:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,493
D
der Teufel Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
D
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,493
I've eaten 250# boars, after they went through the meat grinder.
I'm not fanatical about getting them processed super fast, but I don't waste a lot of time getting them on ice, either.
My recollection is that trichinosis is killed at 138°F, so 140°F is the rock-bottom minimum temp. Generally everything I've read says go to at least 150°F to be safe, and 160°F is better. I cook to 160°F as a rule.
The ground meat is good for just about anything that normally uses ground beef except for hamburgers. It's usually too lean for that.


I have two unwritten rules:
1.
2.
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7963418 09/06/20 09:51 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Don't let whether you're going to eat them or not delay you from starting to shoot. Start killing now and don't stop. If you see one you like the size of, and it's convenient for you, just cut the backstraps out right after you shoot it and get 'em on ice. No shame in leaving them lay. 'Totally different set of ethics when killing pigs as opposed to deer, etc. Buzzards clean up the ones I let lay within 24 hours; it's amazing how quick they're on them, and, other hogs probably have something to do with it too.

A close, departed friend was over all pork for HEB corporate for several years. He taught me regarding all meat that you have a whole lot more time with game when the temperature is under 60°.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7963908 09/07/20 08:25 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
L
LFD2037 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
L
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
I’ll eat small ones in the dead of winter if they’re not covered in bugs. I HATE FLEAS AND TICKS! I’ve killed so many, they’ve lost their luster to me.


R.I.P. CPO Matt Mills-(DEVGRU)- You will NEVER be forgotten!
10-25-75 / 8-6-11 *K.I.A.*
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7963931 09/07/20 11:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,413
S
SnakeWrangler Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,413
Anymore I only cook them whole in their skin....I prefer wild pigs over WT by a huge margin....

Had to use a tractor to load this big boy In the pit....Over 30 hours at 225......

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

This is a smaller pig at the house...22 hours at 225....

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

"You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7964106 09/07/20 02:44 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,129
B
Biscuit Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
B
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,129
Looks great

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7964162 09/07/20 03:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,857
S
Simple Searcher Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,857
Pigs are easy to come by for us, they are everywhere. I have had years that we killed 100+.
I have gotten picky and just eat little ones <50 pounds, and only a few a year. We have killed a few bigger ones that looked like they just escape a farm, we kept the entire pig.
But usually it is like CR said, backstraps, and then the scavengers get the rest. "Buzzards gotta eat same as worms"


[Linked Image]

"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7964174 09/07/20 03:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
S
snake oil Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
We use to eat them all the time now I just gut shoot them like a coyote so they run off and die.


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: SnakeWrangler] #7964303 09/07/20 06:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 168
L
Lalo Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
L
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 168
Originally Posted by SnakeWrangler
Anymore I only cook them whole in their skin....I prefer wild pigs over WT by a huge margin....

Had to use a tractor to load this big boy In the pit....Over 30 hours at 225......

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

This is a smaller pig at the house...22 hours at 225....

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Well, Snake Wrangler, you are the guy who maybe has the answers. I am a big believer in cooking an animal in its skin (except venison, rabbit, squirrel, etc, of course). I bought a propane torch just like your specifically to take the hair off pigs and cook them whole in my pit smoker. But the black skin turned me off. You have inspired me to try it again. It looks like you cook in the skin for moisture/flavor but then get rid of the skin before serving, right? does any of the charred flavor come through?
By the way, the celebrity New Orleans chef John Besh has a book which shows pictures of -- I think -- Germany, where a guy killed a wild boar and the singed the skin with a torch just like yours. In Germany, I guess they cook the head whole and eat the brain.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966114 09/09/20 01:03 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,605
6
603Country Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
6
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,605
Just last night the wife fixed BBQ sandwiches and tater salad. The BBQ was shredded feral pig.

Back 20 years or so, when pigs finally made their way to NE Louisiana, Dad decided he loved wild pig meat, and much preferred it to venison. He told me once “Son, that pig meat is so good that if deer didn’t have antlers they’d have to put a bounty on them before I’d shoot any more of em”.

Sooo, do we eat feral pigs. Yup!


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966182 09/09/20 01:53 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
S
scalebuster Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
Everyone I know prefers pig to deer if they have tried both. I know I do.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: snake oil] #7966228 09/09/20 02:31 AM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 464
T
Tommar Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
T
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 464
Originally Posted by snake oil
We use to eat them all the time now I just gut shoot them like a coyote so they run off and die.


Not cool, dude.

I know they may be a nuisance and cause a lot of problems but still... not cool.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: Tommar] #7966278 09/09/20 03:17 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
L
LFD2037 Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
L
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
Originally Posted by Tommar
Originally Posted by snake oil
We use to eat them all the time now I just gut shoot them like a coyote so they run off and die.


Not cool, dude.

I know they may be a nuisance and cause a lot of problems but still... not cool.

They're no different than rats in this aspect. If you were killing 100's a year, you'd feel different.


R.I.P. CPO Matt Mills-(DEVGRU)- You will NEVER be forgotten!
10-25-75 / 8-6-11 *K.I.A.*
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966280 09/09/20 03:17 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
skinnerback Offline
THF Celebrity Chef
Offline
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
Feral swine has always been and always will be a staple in my house. So yes.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966678 09/09/20 02:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157
J
Judd Offline
#1 Creedmoor Fan
Offline
#1 Creedmoor Fan
J
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,157
I cut the hams and backstraps off of one last year. I'll not waste my time doing hams out of another one....now, the backstraps are legit loins that are awesome but they are quite a bit smaller than you get in the store. We typically will skillet fry it with caramelized onions and garlic and some seasoning (my wife likes teriyaki the best) then eat it over or with rice.


Originally Posted by Phil Robertson
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966699 09/09/20 03:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
We definitely eat them. I like to brine them and smoke low and slow for pulled pork, the ribs if off a decent hog can come out good. We put them in sausage/burger. I dont serve any of it medium/rare etc. it is all cooked well. For the most part all boars go to the gut pile and sows to the table.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966844 09/09/20 04:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429
E
Exiled Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
E
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429
One more vote, we eat them all the time in a variety of ways, depending on the size. And I don't have any qualms eating the big ones, shot multiple 200+ lbs hogs and eaten them just fine.


"Who Dares, Wins"
Instagram: @HCConnected
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: LFD2037] #7966901 09/09/20 04:55 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 464
T
Tommar Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
T
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 464
Originally Posted by LFD2037
Originally Posted by Tommar
Originally Posted by snake oil
We use to eat them all the time now I just gut shoot them like a coyote so they run off and die.


Not cool, dude.

I know they may be a nuisance and cause a lot of problems but still... not cool.

They're no different than rats in this aspect. If you were killing 100's a year, you'd feel different.


I’m not saying they don’t need hunted. I’m saying wounding on purpose to let them wander off and die later is both wrong and lazy.

Even rats get a clean kill.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966938 09/09/20 05:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 820
R
Red Pill Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
R
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 820
Unless it's a big old boar. Shot one two years ago and it smelled so bad i just dragged it off for the coyotes. But sows and smaller boars, no problem.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966964 09/09/20 05:25 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459
M
majekman Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
M
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,459
Ate a many of em until several years ago....at ranch had big cow die in summertime. We were driving by it and buzzards went flying off. A sow and 5 piglets ran out of the cavity covered in guts, maggots and buzzard puke. I always knew pigs would eat anything but having that visual was a wake up I reckon.
I’ve never eaten wild pig again.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7966985 09/09/20 05:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
H
hook_n_line Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
H
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7967085 09/09/20 06:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 18
B
Burwabit Offline
Light Foot
Offline
Light Foot
B
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 18
Big boars - no. Pregnant or nursing sows - no. Everything else... yes. But, I mostly let them lay. I'd never be able to eat them all.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7967575 09/09/20 11:39 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,835
U
unclebubba Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
U
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,835
I chose a certain time of year, but not for safety concerns, mainly for fat content and thereforetaste. IMO, late fall and winter pigs tend to have more fat, which equates to a better tasting and juicier piece of meat. Before I was overrun with pigs, I'd only kill a few pigs a year, and ate them all regardless of time of year. Now that we are overrun, I can and do kill pigs every time I go. I can't remember going to the Ranch and nobody killing a pig in over 2 years. I get to be picky now.

Re: Feral pigs - Do you eat them or not. [Re: chrswr] #7967917 09/10/20 02:34 AM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,147
Bee'z Offline
The Beedazzler
Offline
The Beedazzler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,147
Kill them year round and buzzards got to eat same as worms.


[Linked Image]
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3