Feral Hog Hunting in Texas
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Over the years, Texas feral hogs have become a big nuisance in Texas with impacts not only to agricultural lands but to the local, more desirable wildlife like the white-tailed deer. In an effort to control the population hunting continues, but how to hunt hogs in Texas?
While there is no real "season" to hunt feral hogs in Texas, they're usually easier to hunt when the weather is cool and they start to revert to their nocturnal state. This is why during the middle of January, we'll start seeing hunters gear up for some feral pig hunting! (Not to mention it's a lot more comfortable to hunt in cool weather as opposed to the sweltering Texas heat!)
It's easy to think, wow, these are just pigs, what's all the fuss? Well, unbeknownst to many, pigs are actually some of the smartest and most adaptable animals on the planet. In captivity, they will be docile and are just happy to rut around, eating the whole day. But in the wild, they're a different beast altogether.
In captivity, their teeth are kept fairly short due to them constantly eating, but in the wild, their teeth can grow long and sharp. Domesticated pigs don't develop the muscle since they're content to just eat and lie down afterward. In the wild, the constant hunting and foraging turn them into lean, mean hunting machines that are faster than deer with some known to charge at up to 30 miles an hour! So, hunters on feral pig hunts really need to be prepared and know their game before engaging.
Texas Hog Hunting Laws
Feral hog hunting in Texas (as long as it is in private property) is legal without a license. That's right! Feral hogs are classified as exotic livestock as described in Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Section 1.101(4) and Texas Agriculture Code 161.001(a)[4]. in a nutshell, they're not considered as game / non-game, so the landowners of private land can hunt them (or have someone hunt them) without a license.
Do you need a hunting license to hunt feral pigs in Texas?
When located on private property, no license is needed. For other locations such as Texas public lands or parks, you need to have a valid license to hunt these, and hunting hogs (feral) can be done throughout the year!
For full details and the official word on feral hog hunting in Texas, be sure to check out the Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension guide here.
Where can I hunt feral hogs in Texas?
Pretty much everywhere that's legal! A simple Google search for "Feral hog hunting Texas" will show you a large number of ranches that offer feral hog hunting. In fact, there are even some counties where wild hogs have a bounty on their head! That's right, you get paid for hunting hogs!
Is wild hog meat tasty?
For our purposes of course, we love wild or feral pigs because they're an alternative meat source! Since they're an invasive species, we're doing our part in ensuring that the local environment stays balanced and protected!
If you've never tasted feral pig before, it's like regular pork, only much leaner and it can be described as having a "gamier' taste, almost nutty!
In fact, many high-end restaurants in Austin regularly have feral pigs on the menu because of the unique taste of the pig. Many chefs have actually found the richer taste of feral pigs to be better than that of the domesticated types! Places like Dai Due feature wild boar right beside pastured pork and even Wagyu beef!
Have you been given some feral pig meat by a family member or friend? Don't know what to do with it? Worry not! Chef Ben shares with us his recipe for Wild Boar Ragu, not only does it give this classic Italian favorite a Texan twist, but in our opinion, gives it a richer, fuller taste! Even better than the original versions!
Feral pig hunting in Texas is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors while also helping to keep our natural environment balanced. Plus, feral pigs are actually quite tasty! With their leaner meat and nutty flavor, they're prized by many high-end restaurants in Austin for their unique taste. Whether you hunt your own or purchase some from a local ranch, feral pig meat is definitely something to experiment with. So grab your gear and head out into Texas' beautiful wilderness - it's time to go feral hog hunting!
Click here for more information on Texas Hunting Licenses and Fishing Licenses.
If you're looking for more traditional hunting, do check out our Best Places to Hunt in Texas guide.
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