Hogs spreading out in North Carolina?
Just saw this post over on Moose Droppings!
I’ve long known about the hogs up in the NC mountains, and even went looking (unsuccessfully) for them a few years back. These are descendants of the true european wild boar, released back at the beginning of the 20th century for a hunting preserve. As I mentioned in a previous post, I was always a little surprised that they didn’t spread out more than they have.
I also was surprised not to see more feral hogs spread around the rest of the state, especially over in the eastern and southeastern swamps. Besides rumors and old tales from my grandfather’s day, wild hogs just were never an option. But that may be changing. If they’re in Harnett County, they’re in other places too.
Of course the news carries a mixed blessing, if that. I have little doubt the habitat can support both hogs, deer, and black bear (the current big game species), but the farmers will have problems with this. I’m sure we’ll see a concerted effort to stop the spread before it takes off. Time will tell, of course, but that’s not been successful so far.
We’ll be watching.
In the meantime, I’m loading up the horses and heading for the woods this evening, so the HogBlog won’t be updated again until probably Monday. Hope ya’ll can get by for a couple of days without my wit and wisdom. I’m thinking you probably can.
Good post! I guess one reason there’s not many Feral Hogs, 2 sides of may family came to Texas from N.C. in the 1840′s and brought their Hogs with them!
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Aha! SO that’s where they went. I’d always wondered about that.
August 6th, 2007 at 4:31 am
I have never hunted for wild hogs,however I seem to have gotton this Hog fever by talking to some hunters and reading articles written by successful hunters. I live in the center of NC. Where are the best areas to hunt in NC for hogs?
August 7th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Hi Wallace, and welcome to the Hog Blog.
Hog fever is easy to get and hard to get rid of, so good luck with that. I’ve been bit hard, but I can’t complain.
Anyway…
Hog hunting in NC is probably about to experience some sudden growth (just my prediction… we’ll see), so you may be coming aboard at a great time. Check out the NC Wildlife Resources Commission website if you get a chance for some more detailed info. There are a few feral hog hunts in addition to the better know european hogs that are in the mountains.
If you want to get after the europeans, though, the best place to look is in the area of Swain, Graham, and Cherokee counties. That’s probably the highest concentration in the state, and most of your hog hunting operations are based in that area. For the most part it’s a hound hunt up there, but if you’re persistent you can get out and do some spot and stalk if you can find a good area.
Most of my own hunting was on the Nantahala National Forest and in that general vicinity. I found some scattered hog sign, lots of deer, turkeys, and bear, but never saw so much as a piglet. That’s probably why hounds are so popular up there.
Oh yeah (edited to add)…
South Carolina has some pretty great hog hunting too. Anywhere from out around Columbia and down the Savannah River to the coast is loaded with hogs. It’s not too expensive for a non-resident, and it’s not too far of a drive for you if you’re up in the piedmont part of NC.
Good luck, and hope to see ya around the Hog Blog with your success stories in the near future.
August 7th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Thanks for the info on areas to hunt. What cal. would you suggest for wild hogs? I have 223 cal.,22-250 cal.,243 cal.,30-30 cal.,and 30-06 cal..thanks
August 7th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Howdy, Wesley.
From the calibers you listed, I’d go with the tried and true .30-06 unless you decide to go with some houndsmen. I like a 180 grain bullet in my -06, but the 165 grain load is an excellent choice too. It’s the best all around hog caliber going right now, in my honest opinion (an opinion shared by a lot of other hog hunters).
If you’re gonna use dogs, the 30-30 should be a thrill. Load it up with some good, 170 grain Remington Core-lokt ammo and have at it.
August 7th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Hi Phillip- I’m new to hog hunting. I live down on the coastline between wilmington and myrtle beach. I was wondering if theres any good hog hunting to be had in the sirrounding areas. I’ve got a new 30-06 H&R Rifle its loaded with remington 180grn soft point core-lokt bullets. So this ammo will do the job well right on hogs from 100lbs and up right? Thanks for the help. Rick
December 26th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hiya Rick,
Sounds like you’re well enough equipped to go whack some hogs of pretty much any size!
Unfortunately, there’s not a ton of hog hunting real close to your area (I’m actually from the Wilmington area myself). It does sound like the critters are showing up in more and more places around there, but for consistent, quality hog hunts you should probably look further down in SC, closer to the Savannah River. There are hogs in the piedmont region too, but I’m afraid the numbers haven’t gotten high enough to make any one place stand out… at least as far as I know.
Good luck down there, and keep digging. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission website may have some good updates, and you can always call the WRC biologists in the area where you live. Their contact info should be on the website (http://www.ncwildlife.com/).
December 27th, 2008 at 7:07 am
We need someone to come and shool millions of wild boars on our property! Morgan Hill, CA.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:14 am