Hog sign or the presence of hogs in the area is usually fairly easy to spot if you know what to look for. With an estimated fifty percent of the total US feral hog population located in the state there are very few counties that don't have a significant number of hogs. Typically the most common sign when bow hunting hogs in Texas is the rooting into the soil to find tasty bugs, vegetation and new growth on shrubs and other types of greenery. The ruts dug by the hogs can be as deep as three feet and tend to cover an extensive area. Hogs will typically root all through one area before moving onto a new feeding location.

However it isn't uncommon for hogs to also have an extensive range and develop well developed game trails. Footprints on these trails can be used to check how frequently the hogs travel around their range, which can be up to fifteen miles or more. Wallows in wet area and rubs on trees, downed limbs and even rocks are also common signs of regular visitation of the area by hogs. Droppings are a sure sign and are typically found in large quantities in areas where hogs routinely visit.

What is the best time of day and location for bow hunting hogs in Texas?

Whenever possible hogs tend to feed and travel in the coolest part of the Texas day. In the summer months this is usually pre-dawn and just after the sun goes down. However, in the cooler spring, fall and winter seasons they are more often seen in the late afternoon and even well into the morning hours.

Hogs tend to prefer feeding in the open during the night and they are largely nocturnal feeders. In the daylight hours it is more common to find the hogs in the moist areas around creeks, rivers or lakes, but they can also be in dense brush or wooded areas as well.

What are the advantages of guided hunts when bow hunting hogs in Texas?

Hogs are very intelligent animals and are also unpredictable so a guided hunt really does provide you the very best opportunity to get off a shot. Bow hunting hogs in Texas isn't as easy as hunting most of the other native and non-native species since they are so difficult to kill with an arrow. A guide will not only help with finding the right location to set up for the hunt but also in tracking in the very likely event of a hit without a kill shot.

Guides also know the territory and movement of the animals, allowing you to just focus on the hunt itself, not all the logistics leading up to the big day. These professionals really do increase your chances of both seeing and bagging a hog for your freezer or for your trophy wall.

Are feral hogs worth hunting for meat?

Many people prefer feral hog meat, which is one of the reasons bow hunting hogs in Texas continues to grow in popularity. Sows and young boars are leaner and more flavorful than domestic pork however the older boars can be more gamey in taste. Dressed weight of a feral hog will vary based on the species of hogs, however most hunters can walk away with enough meat for a few great roasts and a lot of meat for ground pork or sausage.

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