How to Scout and Track Wild Boar in the Southern United States

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Find out what a typical wild boar looks like by doing some research.

   Arm yourself with a weapon capable of lethal force before scouting for signs of activity. ,, Look for a mud hole near a creek bed called a hog wallow.
   
   Near the wallow you should see a hog rub at the base of small trees that will appear scratched and caked in mud. , Look for signs of hogs digging up roots and digging into rotting tree trunks.
   
   Be cautious if you find any tell-tale signs of activity like hog wallows, hog rubs, or hog rooting. , Look for specific hog shaped prints while tracking.
   
   A hog track resembles a deer-sized track except it lacks pointed grooves, and it has larger rounded front tracks without dewclaw prints. , Look for the highway trail that is used the most in the area.
   
   A highway trail may be several miles long with minor trails branching off.
   
   This is the best area to scout from. , Do not confuse hog scat for deer droppings; the pellets of hog scat are three times larger with remnants of hair and bone. , Home for the hog is a “hot spot” called a hog bed, which is nothing more than a bowl shaped hole in the ground used to hide and rest in.
   
   The hog bed is called a hot spot because they are hard to spot, making it easier to stumble on a sleeping hog.
   
   Be cautious! If you accidentally disturb a sleeping hog be prepared for an unprovoked attack. , Choose to either:
   Scout the area from a camouflaged hide until you make a positive identification of the hog; Plan a way to safely ambush the hog by engaging from a far away distance. (Optional) Arrange to have the hog captured and relocated by Wildlife Services.
2. 2

   Step 2: Plan ahead on encountering the aggressive hog; devise a plan that will allow you to either escape or engage the animal in the open and on your own terms.

3. 3

   Step 3: Survey the perimeter of your property for fresh signs of activity.

4. 4

   Step 4: Be advised that hogs live in swampy terrain with dense cover that must be near water.

5. 5

   Step 5: Watch for overturned soil since hogs dig for tender roots instead of eating grass.

6. 6

   Step 6: Search for hog footprints near the sites of activity that lead to more trails.

7. 7

   Step 7: Track the direction of the hog prints until you are lead to the main highway trail.

8. 8

   Step 8: Infer the level of activity on the highway based on droppings.

9. 9

   Step 9: Be aware that the highway is the direct route to and from food and water.

10. 10

    Step 10: Establish your hide somewhere along the highway.

Detailed Guide

About the Author