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One of the best places to hunt hogs is Texas. With up to 3.4million wild hogs in the state alone that cause an estimated $52million in agricultural damage, you are more than welcome to hunt them. But before you hit the road to drop some hogs down in Texas, there are several vital things you need to know.
- What legislation is good to know in Texas when going hog hunting?
- Where in Texas are the best places to go for hog hunting?
- What about public land hunting in Texas?
- What kind of hunting methods are there in Texas for wild hogs?
- Best hunting shops in Texas
- Best place to pick up your bait in Texas
- Best hunting guide in Texas
What Legislation is Good to Know in Texas When Going Hog Hunting
Section 1.101(4) of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code describes hogs as exotic livestock. That means they are neither game nor non-game species and are not owned by anyone. An individual can only claim ownership when they express control of the animal in regard to section 161.002 of the Texas Agricultural Code.
Okay, here is a little dive into legal stuff to help you understand this part. The section states that only through control by ownership or lease of the pen, pasture, or land in which the animal is located is one considered an owner. Another scenario is when they exercise control or care of the animal. That allows landowners or their agents to kill hogs within their property without a hunting license.
What that legislation also means is that if you agree with a landowner to help control the hogs that are causing damage to their property, you won’t need a hunting license. However, if you plan to use traps or snares, you will need a get a valid Texas hunting license. It is necessary because this method will affect other wildlife.
You are most likely going hunting for trophy or food, and for that, a hunting license is mandatory. A Texas hunting license allows you to use firearms, trapping, snaring, and aerial gunning. However, you will need an additional permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for aerial gunning. You can check out the license requirements and what hunting methods are legal in the Outdoor Annual, a hunting and fishing regulations publication released annually by TPWD.
It is exciting to note that there is neither a closed season nor a bag limit when it comes to hog hunting in Texas. You can do it as much as you want, day and night. You may want to give a courtesy call to the local warden in case you are going to hunt in the night using red or green lights or night vision.
Where are the Best Places in Texas to go to Hog Hunting?
With the highest population of wild hogs in the country, Texas offers you the best opportunities, whether as a beginner or an expert hunter. According to Texas Agricultural Extension Services, there are hog populations in 74% of the 254 counties of Texas!
Hogs have no sweat glands, and so will be mostly found around water sources as they try to stay cool. Watershed areas are, therefore, the best bet when you want to spot them. For instance, areas in the major river valleys of Sabine, Canadian, and Red are some of the best places to go hog hunting.
Given that these animals wreak havoc in croplands, farmers are always seeking willing hunters to help control the hog populations in their private lands. Hogs have overrun these croplands, and farmers will be more than willing to let you kill them if you ask. Some of the counties with this problem are Briscoe, Hall, and Cottle.
If you want to know which farmers have the hog problem, just ask around animal feed stores, and you will be pointed in the right direction. You can also enquire from the local wildlife management service offices because farmers lodge complaints about hogs daily. Some farmers may ask you to pay a fee before they grant you access to their land. On the upside, you will need no hunting license on these lands, and you can hunt day and night.
In addition to these private lands and ranches, there are countless other areas that you can head to for a successful hunt. In this state, you never have to look too hard to find a place to