Hog Hunting: 12 States Where You Can Hunt Year Round

Throughout the United States, the number of wild hogs has rapidly increased over the years, which has caused this species of wild game to be much more popular to trap or hunt. Not only is it important to keep the numbers in check and help control the population, but many hunters also see hog hunting as a way to help protect their crops and properties. 

Estimates indicate that a single wild hog can cause significant damage to 6.5 square feet of land in a minute or less. Therefore, many states have added wild hog hunting regulations to support the popularity and necessity of curbing species population growth. 

However, twelve states allow you to hunt wild pigs year-round. To take advantage of this opportunity, keep reading to learn where to hunt and why!

States Where You Can Hunt Hogs Year-Round

The numbers can grow more rapidly if a significant portion of the wild hog population is not reduced throughout the year. So, where can you help hold off the hogs? 

The following states allow you to hunt wild pigs year-round: 

• 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 

Keep in mind that some states have specific requirements or regulations, so check your HuntWise app or area websites to follow the rules.

Why You Should Hog Hunt

Now that you know where to go for a wild pig hunt, let's talk about why you should consider adding this game to your hunting plan during the year.  

1. A Year-Round Opportunity to Hunt

We've mentioned this already, but let's talk about it further. One of the first – and probably most fun – reasons you should try hog hunting is the year-round opportunity to hunt this game. 

Let's face it: the wait for fall deer season is extremely long in the eyes of a hunter, and it can feel like forever. From turkey hunting in the spring to fishing in the summer, you can easily keep busy. 

However, you will soon be done with that season and start the wait until the next, just like waiting for whitetail. Hog hunting can give you that same thrill and help you sharpen your skills for the next primary hunting season. 

Again, you will want to check your state regulations or visit one of the 12 states above and make a trip out of it, but there are a lot of opportunities for more hunting when you add wild hogs to your species list. 

2. Damage Control

Another good reason to hunt wild hogs is the damage they cause to property. They are destructive animals. 

Whether they cause damage to your crops, your cattle, or your property, they are very harmful. A statistic from the Mississippi State University Center for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflict notes, "a conservative estimate of the cost of wild pig damage to agriculture and the environment in the United States currently stands at $1.5 billion annually." 

Therefore, it has become crucial to control the population of this species as they cause significant harm and damage to our agriculture and the environment.

3. It's Tasty

A third compelling reason why you should hog hunt is that it fills your freezer. 

Wild hog is a delicious cut of meat. From sausage cuts to pulled pork sandwiches, this game can be helpful to fill your freezer when deer or turkey season isn't here quite yet. After bringing home your hog, try this wild hog BBQ recipe we found from Hunt Gather Cook. 

Hunting wild hogs doesn't have to only be about controlling the population. Hunting to put food on your table, no matter the species you prefer, is a good enough reason to hunt the game of your choice. 

Use HuntWise to Hunt Wild Hog Successfully

Whether you've never hunted wild hogs before or consider yourself a hog-hunting pro, we want you to succeed in the field. We also love seeing hunters expand their hunting skills to new species to spend more time outdoors. 

There's no need to wait for a specific season to start when you could sharpen your skills by practicing during another season. Take this "off-season" to hunt other game and fine-tune your skills. 

To improve your chances of success and bring home a hog, make sure you have the HuntWise app. Use the app's features to check out the predictions for wild boar in your area, find public and private land boundaries, mark where you've seen hog activity, and plan your path into your set-up. 

Download and try the app for free! 

Content updated December 21, 2023.