Posted: 3/30/2009 3:31:21 PM EDT
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Hey Everyone,
Just signed up for my first hog hunting trip in Texas this June. I'm pretty new to hunting and completely new to hunting pigs! I'm reading some great info/advice on here and sucking up every bit of knowledge I can. I have a couple questions regarding gear that I want to get started thinking about early. First, I'm going to northern TX (near Seymour about 150mi west of Ft. Worth) the first week of June. What kind of clothing should I bring to hunt in? Especially in terms of insulation, thickness, water repellency, etc. What kind of temperatures can I expect at night and in the day? Good chance of rain? Second, I have several AR's in 5.56, but seems like most people are recommending something bigger so I'll probably be taking a PTR-91 with a 2.5-8x scope and an Aimpoint for dawn/dusk, close range, etc. Sound like a decent setup? For a sidearm (or perhaps secondary hunting gun) I'm looking at getting a large bore revolver. Otherwise, I'm stuck with using a 9/40/45 etc which after reading a bit sounds like a somewhat undesirable situation. Between the PTR and say a 44 or 454, would I be pretty well set to deal with hogs at a variety of ranges, etc? Thanks for any tips/blessings/hate 
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Hey Everyone, Just signed up for my first hog hunting trip in Texas this June. I'm pretty new to hunting and completely new to hunting pigs! I'm reading some great info/advice on here and sucking up every bit of knowledge I can. I have a couple questions regarding gear that I want to get started thinking about early. First, I'm going to northern TX (near Seymour about 150mi west of Ft. Worth) the first week of June. What kind of clothing should I bring to hunt in? Especially in terms of insulation, thickness, water repellency, etc. What kind of temperatures can I expect at night and in the day? Good chance of rain? Wear layers and I always bring rain gear when I got hunting. As far as temps check the weather. Second, I have several AR's in 5.56, but seems like most people are recommending something bigger so I'll probably be taking a PTR-91 with a 2.5-8x scope and an Aimpoint for dawn/dusk, close range, etc. Sound like a decent setup? I have killed plenty of hogs with ARs in 556, only used my 308 once, no problems there, shot placement helps though as with anything. You should be fine with your aimpoint, although I use a 4-14 power scope on top of my 20in bushy and a good set of shooting sticks. For a sidearm (or perhaps secondary hunting gun) I'm looking at getting a large bore revolver. Otherwise, I'm stuck with using a 9/40/45 etc which after reading a bit sounds like a somewhat undesirable situation. Between the PTR and say a 44 or 454, would I be pretty well set to deal with hogs at a variety of ranges, etc? Always just have my rifle and maybe a 9mm pistol/large knife. I dont plan on getting dirty with a hog and if you let a couple shots rip they will take off, I have been in that situation before (walking creek bottoms at night). I would ditch the weight of a large bore unless you feel like you must have it. Most times I dont even carry a side arm when hog hunting. Thanks for any tips/blessings/hate |
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Like Jim pointed out if your using a .223 stick to earhole shots and your good. The PTR in .308 is much more suitable for hogs.
What type of hunting will you be doing? Stand, Stalking, some of both? If you are going to be doing alot of stalking I would recommend a good pair of snake boots. Especially if your going to be doing any night hunting on the trip. My short list while hog hunting is: Weapon of choice(plenty of ammo!) Mum & 760 (if night hunting) Leica 1200 range finder snake boots (clothing dependent on weather) White light knifes xd 45 If your stalking make sure the wind is in your favor. Good luck on your hunt |
| We hunt dove in that area. We wore gun show camo without problem. Depending on where you will be, and weather, it can get up to 100 degrees in the summer. Wear boots that are broken in, and snake boots if you can. We didn't get into any, but loud trucks and shotgun blasts seem to scare anything off anyway. I also second the texasboars.com forum check |
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From my miniscule amount of experience (one night) I treated like a military ambush and prepared accordingly from past experience doing the real thing.
Dress in scrape/thorn resistant stuff. Wear boots. Bring bug spray. Dark colors are fine, camo if you feel the need. Nice knife. Between the five of us we had a 700 in .308, a .44 levergun and .30-06 bolt action (M1917 Enfield) both with irons, and a couple nice ARs. Pistols were all 9mm/.45. The guys with NV had a definite advantage, my hunting buddy (who's been doing it his whole life) had a walker's game ear, which helped a lot (electronic shooting ears do essentially the same thing). I had a bag with wet/cold gear, camera, spare batteries, some food goodies and stuff. Aside from the fact we were after pigs, not people who shoot back, I prepped for it just like a night ambush in training back when I had a uniform on. |