As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our Associate portal can be found here
Wild hogs are now at 6million and rapidly increasing in number. It begs for better control strategies to not only keep the population in check but also bring it down. Trapping has been recommended as the most effective way of dealing with this wild hog problem. Whether you want some bacon for your freezer or want to deal with the hogs overrunning your ranch, trapping will consistently deliver results. But how do you do it right? Here are all the answers to the questions you may be having on hog trapping.
- Why would you trap hogs?
- What kinds of traps are there?
- Where do you place the traps?
- Where can you buy the traps?
- How expensive are the traps?
- How often do you have to check the traps?
Why Would You Trap Hogs?
A simple answer to this question is that hogs are currently a nuisance everywhere, and trapping them is the most effective method of control. But there is more to it.
First, the hogs are regarded as a nuisance in most states as their surging numbers have run out of control. They are destructive animals and wreak havoc everywhere they go. Some of the effects include:
- Destruction of croplands with annual agricultural damage amounting to billions of dollars
- Destruction of the environment that other wildlife need and hence resulting in an imbalance
- Ability to spread diseases to livestock
These are the reasons why most states have no bag limits and allow all-year-round hog hunting. Budgets have been set aside annually to try to control this menace, but it is far from being successful. That is why you need to join in this noble course and have a significant impact by trapping the hogs.
Secondly, it is a question of why trap the hogs as opposed to any other method. Trapping has proven to be the best option of catching hogs due to the following reasons:
It allows you to catch a live animal so that you can sell, send in for research and many other reasons
You can catch many hogs at a time with traps catching as many as over 100hogs at a time
No need for active participation saving you time and resources
Highly safe for the hunter
Works well even for hogs that avoid humans or walk around late in the night
What Kind of Traps are there?
Currently, there are three types of hog traps available: box traps, cage traps, and corral traps. Some of the factors to consider when choosing the type of traps are:
- Sounder size– the size of the herd you are expecting to catch
- Affordability– if the cost fits within your budget
- Presence and number of the species you are not targeting for instance deer
- Weight and portability in case you need to move the trap to a different place
Now that you know what to look for let’s have a look at what each trap type offers.
Box Traps
The smallest traps are box traps. The top and bottom are not fixed, and you can take it with you to the location of your choosing. A typical box trap will measure 4feet in width, 8 feet in length and 5 feet in height.
Pros
It’s simple to construct and easy to use
Less expensive than the other trap types
Occupies less transportation and storage space
Cons
The catch size is limited to only small numbers at a time
The wood panels give it a more confining appearance which may scare some hogs from getting in
Needs more long-term maintenance
Cage Traps
A cage trap is composed of heavy-gauge wire livestock panels that are welded to a steel angle iron. A square tubing frame can be used in the place of the steel angle iron. They often have a top and bottom (floor) panel. Secure it to the ground with T posts. We recommend those with no floor panel as hogs sense it as they walk in, which may scare them off. The trap door can be a single catch or multi-catch depending on your choice. There are various designs of cage traps, including:
- Rectangular cage traps– the more popular design
- Circular cage traps– a modern design that makes them more portable as they can be rolled on the ground or onto a trailer
- Box cage traps– look like box design but are made of metal
Pros
Less confining appearance as they are more open hence less scary to cautious hogs
Easy to transport
More durable
Cons
Catch size limited to a small number per trapping
No overhead exit for non-target species like deer
Corral Traps
The most effective trap type is the corral trap, which can catch large numbers of hogs at one time. It also offers two options when it comes to the doors: single catch and multi-catch. Some modern designs allow the entire trap to be lifted off the ground so that hogs can enter from all directions and then is triggered to drop and trap them. The circular design is the best option because it prevents the instance of hogs piling in a corner and climbing over the top.
Pros
It is adjustable to allow the catching of larger sounds
Has an open top that allows an easy exit of non-target species
Being open and larger, it is less threatening to hogs that are shy of traps
Cons
Takes more time and effort to setup
It’s not easy to transport this trap
Where do you Place the Traps?
Right trap placement means the difference between a small catch size and a large catch size. There are a couple of things that you need to understand about the wild hogs that will allow you to place the traps in the perfect place.
Hog Signs
Wild hogs are some of the least stealth animals. These animals will leave conspicuous signs of their presence in the area for you as a hunter. Look out for their trails as they leave a beaten path, and if you can identify their hoof prints, you are good to go. Also, look out for scat and wallows. Another clear sign is hog damage of the crops and other vegetation through rooting. The hogs also rub their bodies on trees, and you can easily pick that up.
Feeding Habits
Now that they don’t have sweat glands, they will mostly feed in the morning, evening, and at night when it is cooler. They mostly hang around water sources where they enjoy the mud as a way of keeping cool. Feeding is also done under the cover of trees or bushes. It is; therefore, better to place your trap in such a place.
Based on these two aspects of their behavior, you will need to place your traps near their feeding or water areas where there are hog signs that point to their presence. But that’s not all. You also need to understand that they will choose the familiar food when you set your trap inside their feeding ground, which means they won’t follow the bait. Place your trap on their trail towards the feeding ground.
Where Can You Buy the Traps?
You have a broad range of options when it comes to buying traps. You can opt for official brand stores, online stores, or physical stores near you.
Official Brand Stores
The two top brands when it comes to hog traps are Boarbuster and Jager Pro. They offer different types of traps that you can choose from depending on your needs.
Boarbuster offers revolutionary features; for instance, the ability to observe and drop the trap remotely using your mobile phone through the internet. It has motion alerts, live video feed, low light camera, 4G LTE connectivity, and suspended trap design. Wherever you are, you can deploy the trap with a single button once an adequate number of hogs get into it.
Jager Pro also offers similar features in their high-end traps but also has other options like box traps, funnel traps, and corral traps. They pride themselves with providing an all-round hog control service that goes beyond just traps. Their products are available around the country in the stores of authorized dealers.
Online Stores
The other option is to buy from a reputable online store. A plus for this option is the flexibility where you can buy a readymade trap or buy parts that you can use to construct one by yourself. Farmranchstore and Red rivers arena are some of these stores.
Physical Stores
If you reside within a state with a wild hog problem, then the chances are that you can find hog traps in a store near you. Ask around within the neighborhood, and you will be pointed in the right direction. The advantage of this option is that transportation to your location will be cheaper.
How Expensive are the Traps?
Buying a commercial trap may not be the best choice when you are working on a tight budget. The prices are quite on the higher side and range from several hundred dollars for small box traps to as high as $6995 for the Boarbuster trap.
As you can see, the price varies greatly depending on several factors:
- Size of the trap in question
- Brand of the trap
- Additional features like technology
In all cases, always insist on getting the best value for your money. Even though some traps may seem expensive, it is nothing compared to the cost of damage these hogs can do to your property. It is also a long-term investment that you can rely on over and over again without having to spend like you would on any other method.
Besides the price, also look at maintenance costs. Some traps may not cost much at purchase but end up costing a fortune over time. Before you settle for a product, always request for information on the maintenance costs.
How Often Do You Have to Check the Traps?
As earlier stated, hogs feed in the morning, evening the and at night. You will, therefore, need to check your trap around midday, after nightfall, and first thing in the morning, respectively. You don’t want to end up with hogs that died in the trap after you left the trap for too long without checking. It may be your desired result, but then it would be inhumane. On the minimum, check the trap twice a day, after morning hours and after nightfall.
Checking the trap that often may feel exhausting, luckily, modern traps allow you to check the trap from anywhere. Through a live video feed, you will be able to monitor how many hogs are trapped and act accordingly. The traps have cameras that are connected via the internet to your mobile device. You can also construct your trap and buy a camera that you can link to your phone.
Conclusion
It is quite clear that no other method of hog population control is as effective as trapping. You can catch many hogs at the same time without harming any of them. It reduces the amount of time and effort you put into dealing with the hog problem so that you can focus on other things. There are several choices available for you, depending on your needs and budget.
FAQ Hog Trapping
What is the best bait for trapping wild hogs?
Corn is the most commonly used bait for trapping hogs. It is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use. You can use whole shelled corn for the best results. The addition of artificial flavors or moistening it and then allowing it to be sour makes it even more attractive to the hogs while deterring other animals.
How do you make a simple hog trap?
Get a livestock wire mesh that measures 24 feet by 5 feet. Fold it into the four sides of a box that measures 4 feet wide, 8feet long, and 5 feet tall. Secure the corners to T posts using wires. On one shorter side, cut out a door and make the cutout mesh into a trap door with a tripwire triggering mechanism.
How much do hog traps cost?
The cost of hog traps ranges between several hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the size, brand, and technological enhancements.
What is a hog trap?
A hog trap is an enclosure designed to catch and retain wild hogs by allowing their entry but not their exit.
What smells attract hogs?
Hogs are attracted to sweet corn, with the attraction increasing when the corn is soured.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
36 years old, been hunting and fishing my entire life – love the outdoors, family, and all kinds of hunting and fishing! I have spent thousands of hours hunting hogs and training hunting dogs, but I’m always learning new stuff and really happy to be sharing them with you! hit me up with an email in the contact form if you have any questions.
