new to pig hunting have tons of ?s
Hawaiipighunter,
Welcome to one of my favorite game animals - HOGS!!
Let me very briefly answer some of you questions:
1. I am not familar with your gun - a Winchester 9410. It sounds like a level action rifle, but I'm really not sure. What caliber is it? In any event, just make sure that you use premium bullets that really hold up well. Even at shots at 50 yards or less, you still need strong bullets for hogs.
2. Bait - In Texas they use corn. In other parts of the country they use anything else: pastries, apples, honey, etc. Hogs react to different baits in different places. As your local hunters what they use.
3. Field dressing - You don't need to do it in the woods, but then again don't do it at home because hogs stink (especially when you open them up).
4. Tips - WATCH OUT FOR CHARGING. Wounded pigs can, and will, charge you. Make sure that you have plenty of ammo in your gun. Also, look around for dug-up areas - a sure sign that hogs are there because they root the ground.
5. Fool proof shots - I don't think there is such a thing, but your best bet would be right between their eyes or right in their ear. This usually drops them in their tracks - but they are tough shots because hogs are usually always moving - thus making for a tough shot. Shots to avoid - right on the shoulder because they have a "gristle" plate as thick a rail-road track. I have seen a 130 grain convential bullet literally bounce off the shoulder of a 150 lb hog. The hog ran off and was found the next year with a slight limp. Other shots include right behind the shoulder. But on hogs their vitals are more forward than that of a whitetail deer, so don't shoot too far back behind the shoulder because you will hit its guts.
6. Feral hogs v. Javelinas. Feral hogs are wild pigs. Javelinas are, believe it or not, not pigs, but really part of the rodent family. You eat hogs, you only shoot javelinas.
Zachary
Hawaiipighunter,
Welcome to one of my favorite game animals - HOGS!!
Let me very briefly answer some of you questions:
1. I am not familar with your gun - a Winchester 9410. It sounds like a level action rifle, but I'm really not sure. What caliber is it? In any event, just make sure that you use premium bullets that really hold up well. Even at shots at 50 yards or less, you still need strong bullets for hogs.
2. Bait - In Texas they use corn. In other parts of the country they use anything else: pastries, apples, honey, etc. Hogs react to different baits in different places. As your local hunters what they use.
3. Field dressing - You don't need to do it in the woods, but then again don't do it at home because hogs stink (especially when you open them up).
4. Tips - WATCH OUT FOR CHARGING. Wounded pigs can, and will, charge you. Make sure that you have plenty of ammo in your gun. Also, look around for dug-up areas - a sure sign that hogs are there because they root the ground.
5. Fool proof shots - I don't think there is such a thing, but your best bet would be right between their eyes or right in their ear. This usually drops them in their tracks - but they are tough shots because hogs are usually always moving - thus making for a tough shot. Shots to avoid - right on the shoulder because they have a "gristle" plate as thick a rail-road track. I have seen a 130 grain convential bullet literally bounce off the shoulder of a 150 lb hog. The hog ran off and was found the next year with a slight limp. Other shots include right behind the shoulder. But on hogs their vitals are more forward than that of a whitetail deer, so don't shoot too far back behind the shoulder because you will hit its guts.
6. Feral hogs v. Javelinas. Feral hogs are wild pigs. Javelinas are, believe it or not, not pigs, but really part of the rodent family. You eat hogs, you only shoot javelinas.
Zachary