Americana Outdoors E-Magazine - September 2021

BIG OLE MEAN HOGS

In this recent episode of Americana Outdoors presented by Garmin, we’re hunting one of the most destructive animals: feral hogs. As an invasive species, feral hogs are the bane of native animals, hunters, land owners, and ranchers alike, and we’ll take a look at all the various ways you can hunt them, while having a lot of fun along the way! Many people look at hog hunting as a way to help eradicate the overpopulation of feral hogs, most of which have caused significant damage to the environment.

Over the course of this episode, we’ll be taking a look at several fun hog hunts we had using the Smith & Wesson M&P® 15 where we bring down multiple hogs. We’ll learn that when it comes to hog hunting, you have to think about how you’re going to get the upper hand and give yourself every advantage possible against these frustratingly clever critters. Doug Robert’s of ConQuest Scents is also featured in this episode as he is on a crossbow hunt as using ConQuest Scents’ Tyrant Rutting Boar & Estrus Sow Scents to his benefit.

A great aspect of hog hunting is that they can be hunted 365 days a year, day or night. This open season on hogs, gives hunters a wide variety of means and methods to enjoy hog hunting, from compound bows to crossbows, handguns, airguns, traditional bolt action rifles, and modern sporting rifles! Oneof themost important things todobefore hitting the field is to check your local state hunting guidelines to ensure you’re operating within legal bounds. As Wade will tell us, “ the bottom line on hog hunting is get out, learn their habits, learn what they do, and whether you’re just trying to shoot a small one to put in the smoker, or you’re trying to shoot a big boar to mount on the wall, you’re going to enjoy a hog hunt! ”

Then, Michael Wersig goes after some more hogs but this time, he’s going out for an evening hunt where he’ll be using Exude Lights to spot hogs in low light settings. Finally, to round out this show, we’ll be busting out a new method of hunting that we’ve never seen in our camp before, the Umarex AirSaber Airgun!