Public land options for wild hogs?

[TheCream]

I have looked at the map of hog sightings in Ohio, and there is a large portion of Vinton County (northern part) with hogs. I cross-referenced that with the map of public hunting land in Ohio, and these three public areas are right there: Zaleski, Lake Hope, and Turkey Ridge.

Anybody ever hunt these spots or see hogs near there? I'd really like for my new muzzleloader and a hog to meet up some day, and also do the state a favor by ridding it of another hog! Any information you folks can provide would be great. I'm in Athens County, so Vinton is right next door. Thanks in advance!

[BillK]

Never hunted hogs before, but when I lived in TX a few years ago, they had no closed season on them. Saw a small herd of them cross the road once. I couldn't believe how big they were. Imagine a huge deer with short stubby legs.

I didn't hunt at all the six years I was there (way too much $$$. Another reason I hope leases don't catch on in Ohio) but alway heard that you want the little ones instead of the big sows or boars. The big sows are tough and fatty and the boars are very gamey (i think - could be wrong).
I know they are one tough critter. Sold a .44 Redhawk to a guy that wanted it specifically for pigs because his .357 didn't put 'em down well enough.

I wouldn't mind running into one someday. I hear that they make great sausage when mixed with venison.

[Mid-Ohio Valley]

last season i had my first run in with a hog. where i hunt you can see where they root up the ground in low wet areas. i knew they were around but this was the first time with an encounter with one. i walked up on it in a standing corn field. it had no idea i was there ( very poor eye sight) i've heard. 3 have been killed on this farm and another was hit by a car. they average 150-200 lbs. i live in washington county.

[Q2XL]

oh they are out there for sure. i have gotten a couple and they are very good eatin.just got one last weekend in vinton county with archery equipment

[TheCream]

oh they are out there for sure. i have gotten a couple and they are very good eatin.just got one last weekend in vinton county with archery equipment

Buddy, yours is the reason I brought this up! That hog looked awesome!

[dugworm]

We hunt all around Zaleski and we are looking for Hogs as much as we are Deer. Not sure what the gun season will bring but we are ready.

[Thunderflight]

From what I've read it looks like the hog population is really taking hold and quickly multipling. Just two years ago the sightings were few and far between and this year they have been much more regular. Shoot five to ten years from now they might be all over the dang place.

There's good and bad to this (more bad IMO). The good is it's more opurtunities for off season hunting. The bad is hogs tend to push deer outta areas. If your leasing property the fact that you can hunt them year round might drive up lease prices too.

[Flippin 416]

Bad also because they will destroy crops and eat any bird/reptile eggs that are laid on the ground. Also I read a thing the other day in Ohio Outdoor news that stated that to keep the wild hog population at a safe level (because of reproductivity) that 80% of the herd would need to be harvested each year. Whereas the whitetail deer needs 30-35% of it's heard harvested each year to keep them at a safe population level. That is pretty daunting in itself.

I would love the chance to head south and snag one or two of these wild hogs....sounds like they are pretty good eating!!!

[bluefinn]

BACON,BACON,BACON. I would love to try one of them on the table.

[Thunderflight]

I'll bet you in five to ten years hogs are a common siting.

[Q2XL]

i know the division and other folks want them gone,but i hope they stick around them things are a blast too hunt.and they taste good too.

[jackalope]

they will be as thick as yotes in 10 years.