Wild
Hog Hunting
One of the fastest growing hunting sports in the United
States is wild hog hunting. In most states wild boar and feral hogs are
considered pests and can be hunted year round: even at night in some states. Wild
hog hunting; wild boar hunting; does require hunting credentials in all states
and the laws pertaining to wild boar hunting vary depending upon whether the
state classifies wild hogs as a pest or game. States where wild hogs are
considered a pest apply less stringent hunting laws but a hunting license is
still required. In some states such as California wild boar hunting season
coincides with the deer season and allows deer hunters who have purchased deer
tags to legally hunt wild boars.
What
gun and ammo do I use for hunting wild hogs?
There is no simple answer and is a question that has been
talked about over hunting campfires by generations of hunters. When you go hunting
wild hogs, you are hunting a very intelligent animal that have few natural
predators and are big and strong. The number one rule is choose a gun best
suited to the hunting conditions that ensures a clean kill to minimize the
animal’s suffering. An accurately placed shot using a .22 short will kill a hog
but be careful if the hog is wounded; a wounded hog is dangerous. For new
hunters hunting wild boars the consensus is to use nothing smaller than a 30 caliber. If restricted by regulations to using a
shotgun, a 12 gauge using rifled slugs will produce the best results. When
selecting ammo keep in mind that heavier bullets pack a bigger wallop, deliver
more energy on target and penetrate brush more effectively than lighter ammo.
Smaller calibers are used for wild hog hunting and are favored
by some wild hog hunters for their lightweight and large ammo capacity. While twigs
more easily deflect smaller bullets, semi-automatic weapons using smaller calibers
are handy when large groups of hogs are encountered.
Keep
weapons secured
Accidental shootings involving children, the increasing
number of reported burglaries and the ever present danger of fire provide the
keystone reasons for US households installing fireproof gun safes.
Surveys reveal 40% of US homes with children have guns
and that 50% of homes with guns do not secure firearms in gun safes. For the home there are multiple types of safes suitable
for use as a gun safe. There are gun safes specifically made for long guns and
pistols with biometric safes proving popular. Fireproof home safes come in many sizes and are perfect for use as a
gun safe. Wall safes and floor safes can be used as pistol gun safes and
provide the added security of stealth when securing pistols from inquisitive
children.
Gun
safes, preferably fireproof gun safes are the most secure way of protecting children from
accidental firing fatalities; protecting valuable weapons in the event of a
fire and for securing guns from the attention of burglars.
