Hog Hunting in Indiana
- Wild hogs--also called feral hogs--started to grow in population after domestic hogs escaped from the farms of the early settlers. Hogs are known to carry at least 37 different parasites and bacteria that are infectious to livestock, wildlife, pets and humans. A major disease that can be transferred to dogs is pseudorabies. Brucellosis is infectious to humans and gloves should be worn when handling any part of a wild hog.
- In addition to carrying and spreading infectious diseases, wild hogs cause significant damage to the environment. They can damage vegetation, soil, agriculture and crops as they search and root around for food. They can also damage ponds, waterways and irrigation as they wallow in the mud near that surround these areas.
- There are different methods for hunting wild hogs. A popular method is spot-and-stalk where you walk around until a hog is spotted. Then you will slowly move into a position to execute a shot. Hunting with archery equipment requires stalking within 40 yards, while modern rifles may allow shots up to 200 or 300 yards. If there is a known feeding area or travel route, a ground blind or a tree stand can be set by the hunter to wait for a hog to walk into shooting range.
- There are several outfitters in Indiana who offer hog hunting. Some of these hunts take place in a high fence location where there are other exotic species, such as fallow deer, axis deer or mouflon ram. Most outfitters will offer packages that combine two or more species of exotic game for a reduced price. Ask the outfitter about a fair-chase hunt before you book if you are interested in a hunt outside of a high fence area.
- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources suggests that anyone who sees or harvests a wild hog to call 877-747-3038 or email animalhealth@boah.IN.gov. They will ask for a report containing location, number of hogs seen, sex of the hog and estimated size.