The Best Times for Hunting Wild Hogs

Wild hogs, although not native to the Americas, were brought here by early European explorers. They were later introduced to parts of the United States for hunting purposes. 

Today, due to escapes from privately owned hunting preserves as well as illegal translocation, wild hogs have been reported in 45 out of 50 states in the U.S. Whether you're dealing with too many hogs causing property destruction in your area or simply want to try your hand at harvesting another species of wild game, use the following insights to plan a successful wild hog hunt.

What to Consider for the Best Timing to Hunt Wild Hog

Choosing the ideal time or days for your hunt can improve your chances of harvesting a wild hog. Hunters should consider the following variables to plan a successful hunting trip! 

The Location

While you can find these animals in 45 states across the country, they are more prominent along the southeastern borders. 

Hogs typically like heavy brush and muddy areas, which makes it no surprise that their populations flourish in states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia. So, if you don't live in these areas but are ready to hunt hogs, you'll want to travel to one of these southeastern areas to find these animals for your hunt. 

The Solunar Calendar

Tracking animal activity based on moon phases is not a new strategy for planning hunts. According to a theory by John Alden Knight decades ago, animal movement can be affected by the position and fullness of the moon. 

However, there is some speculation among hunters today whether moon phases affect hog behavior or not. Some hunters believe that a full moon means daytime (especially afternoon and early evening) activity slows because the moon provides more light for nighttime feeding. However, other hunters do not believe the Solunar calendar significantly impacts hog activity day or night. 

In general, other factors can have a more significant influence on hog activity and how to plan your hunt. 

The Time of Year

In areas that allow hog hunting, you can often legally hunt these animals 365 days a year. However, many hunters claim that the best time of year to hunt wild hog is right after deer season. 

December to February makes for prime hog hunting because they are in heavy pursuit of food, which increases activity as they search farther and longer for food. 

The Time of Day

The best time of day to harvest a hog is when they are most active. 

These animals are most active in the early morning or late evening. However, if you hunt wild hogs in the winter months, they may be more active during the middle of the day when temperatures are warmer as they search for food. 

The Temperature

As mentioned above, the colder weather causes hogs to move farther and longer in search of food, but why? 

Hogs require extra food for energy when the temperatures drop. So, freezing temperatures in the early morning or late night make for prime hog hunting. 

Barometric Pressure

Barometric pressure is another essential factor to consider when hog hunting because it can affect how hogs pick up your scent. 

Lower pressure will keep your sent low to the ground, while high-pressure systems allow your sent to rise and become more detectable to hog snouts. Consider hunting from a stand on lower pressure days. 

General Weather Conditions

While you can hunt hogs in most weather conditions – especially in areas where you can hunt these animals year-round – a light rain or cold front is ideal for spotting hogs on the move. 

However, strong wind conditions can negatively affect your chances of taking one home. Wind can make it easier for hogs to pick up your scent and move away (as we'll talk about next).

Wind Conditions

Wild hogs are the bloodhounds of American game. While deer have a particularly good sense of smell, a wild board puts them to shame. 

Because of their strong sense of smell, wind can make hunting particularly tricky. Make sure you set up down wind from the hogs you're hunting so they don't smell you coming.

Where Can You Hunt Wild Hog?

Although the population of wild hogs is rapidly increasing and spreading, twelve states now allow you to hunt this game year round. 

Those states are as follows:

• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Michigan (allowed to hunt during open season for any other game)
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• South Carolina (allowed to hunt during open season for other game on permitted WMA or year-round on private property)
• Texas
• Virginia
• Wisconsin 

However, many additional states allow you to hunt hogs with their own specific guidelines. Make sure you're up to speed on hog hunting regulations anywhere you plan to hunt.

Find The Best Times For Hunting Wild Hogs With HuntWise

In addition to considering the variables we've discussed today, using the right digital tool can help you plan the ideal days and times to hunt wild hogs. At HuntWise, we work hard to provide digital tools to help users get out of the house and into the field for successful hunts and animal harvests. 

With the HuntWise app, you can find private and public land to hunt, use our WindCast feature to plan your entrance and tracking around wind directions and conditions, and mark spots where you see evidence of hog activity to focus on those areas while in the field. 

HuntWise is the best tool to target the best hunting times for wild hog! Download the app and get the first week on us. 

Content updated December 5, 2023.