Feral hog hunting and trophies

[broseph]

I'm considering buying the CMMG Banshee MK10 to go hug hunting. I'm likely to hunt in Virginia, North Carolina, or South Carolina. Maybe West Virginia.

What are the laws on taking a trophy? I wanna mount the head of it. What blade/cutting tool should I use to decapitate the carcass? How should I transport it?

I'm born and raised on Long Island, NY; hunting and guns are new to me so don't laugh at me (too hard).

[Graybeard]

I've never been hog hunting, but taken plenty of deer.

I field dress them and have them processed and packaged by professionals. Quite often wild game processors have ties with local taxidermists. They'll ask you if you want to mount the head, what type of mount, neck, shoulder mount, etc. They do it all the time and know exactly how much to cut off for the chosen mount. Often the taxidermist will pick up the head from the processor, or you may have to drop it off. Everything stays refrigerated.

Since you've never done this before, I'd suggest you do a little research on the area you decide to hunt. Have it processed locally and take your meat home in coolers. The mount will take awhile and probably have to be shipped. Figure 6-8 months to get your trophy.

I would also suggest researching guide services in the area you choose to hunt. They'll know all the applicable laws, local processors, taxidermists, and know where the hogs are

[blaster]

I've killed plenty of hogs with a variety of weapons. including a 10mm pistol. wild hogs aren't bullet proof and many are killed with the little .22 rimfires BUT the most important thing with hogs (or any animal)is shot placement. hogs are built internally different from any other game animal. their vitals, the ones that count and will determine how soon you find the shot hog, are located farther forward and lower than other animals. I suggest studying their anatomy before hunting. broadside and quartering toward you shots can be iffy. slightly quartering away is the best angle. with a minimal caliber like the 10mm, you will also want to break a leg to put him down. I'd aim for his elbow joint, that will break his front leg and hit the heart. hogs can be tough and run a long way if your bullet is slightly off. last weekend I shot 3 hogs with my .30/06. all three were good hits in the chest cavity, all 3 died but only one was recovered (he weighted 334 lbs.) and thats because a leg was broken.  the buzzards showed us the others a few days later. often a hog hit with a good kill shot will bleed very little or stop bleeding and not leave a blood trail long enough to follow. a mortally wounded hog can run hundreds of yards before falling down. in thick brush with no blood to follow, he will be lost. for this reason, when I can, I like to shoot him in the ear or just behind the ear where the skull joins the neck depending on the angle.
since you are new to guns & hunting, I recommend you going with a guide or a knowledgeable friend who can show you how to take care of your kill & trophy. good luck and have fun!

[Kenk]

Great info to know, Thanks Blaster!

[broseph]

I've never been hog hunting, but taken plenty of deer.

I field dress them and have them processed and packaged by professionals. Quite often wild game processors have ties with local taxidermists. They'll ask you if you want to mount the head, what type of mount, neck, shoulder mount, etc. They do it all the time and know exactly how much to cut off for the chosen mount. Often the taxidermist will pick up the head from the processor, or you may have to drop it off. Everything stays refrigerated.

Since you've never done this before, I'd suggest you do a little research on the area you decide to hunt. Have it processed locally and take your meat home in coolers. The mount will take awhile and probably have to be shipped. Figure 6-8 months to get your trophy.

I would also suggest researching guide services in the area you choose to hunt. They'll know all the applicable laws, local processors, taxidermists, and know where the hogs are

thank you! Apparently there are hog hunting resorts? I think I'll look into this.

[Bluebird5000]

I'm in Texas so don't know any outfitters there but I definitely think a guide would be the way to go. It's also helpful for someone to help you gut/skin the hog the first time.

Check this thread out for shot placement as well. http://10mm-firearms.com/10mm-hunting/10mm-shot-placement-on-large-boars/

Have fun learning and make sure to come back to ask more questions or give us an update when you get to go hunt.

[Rognp2]

I'vE hunted with Fox-Brown outfitters in FL, near Okechobee. Its a unique experience with hunting done with swamp buggies and dogs. Shots will be likely at short range with hogs stopped by dogs.
Killed one we estimated at over 400#. We had to remove a lot of excess to get it back to swamp buggy. . They can't go everywhere.

[Kenk]

Lol  I love it

[gnappi]

I'm considering buying the CMMG Banshee MK10 to go hug hunting. >>SNIP<<

Hug hunting is best done with a clean shave, old spice after shave and clean snappy clothes :-)

[Kenk]

😀