Hunting Bushpig

How about the topic bushpig hunting any different views?

I like bushpig hunting very much, the fast action and fun that bushpig hunting brings is just a highlight on anyhunt. I have hunted a lot of bushpig, and as funny as it may sound most of them were during daylight hours. I believe every hunter should experience a good bushpig hunt, be it driven or baited, or just by chance encounter.

I have done lots of driven boar hunts in Europe however have only heard of driven hunts for Wild Boars in North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia...) not in Southern Africa for Bushpig. Is this something that some outfitters are offering?

Hi,

I think by saying "driven" it could also mean by dogs like when leopard hunting, not only by men with sticks making a noise like in Europe. I know in SA when we hunt caracal with dogs we always shoot pigs during the drive because it works wonders and there are always pigs coming out of the bush.

One of my clients used a videographer a few months ago that is also a PH from South Africa. His name is Clive Curtis from Safari-vision. Clive is doing a lot of Bushpig hunting in Kwazulu Natal. He just released a video on Bushpig hunting. This is a great video and cover everything about pig hunting that you can think of. The name of the video is "Ghosts of Darkness" and a must for anybody that like Bushpig hunting.

HI,

Yes video is used often too. What iv seen people we create a feeding spot near a blind and put dead animals or veggies there with a night camera that takes pictures of any movements. Once the bait has been take the next night you can wait in the blind and use the moons light will work the best. In SA they use this method or dogs. In my last experience with such a bling the pig came from behind and charge the blind right over !

I have watched the DVD by Clive its very informative and much can be learned by the hunter that is new to the method. We usually do baiting, we don't really do driven hunts as you disturb the area and the rest of the game, main reason for this is we have bow hunters hunting them and by baiting is the best method to bag them.(Personally don't think both can be done in the same area)

The strategy we use is by identifying suitable habitat where tracks and droppings can be found. We then find a suitable site where we can bait and build a hide if they start feeding. We set up a trail cam and then wait as soon as they start feeding we built a hide and wait for them the next night. A reostat light can be fitted above the feed. A feeding spot can be used to shoot several pigs.

Thanks for the replies

I have photos at my concession where a leopard was chased from a kudu carcass by 2 bush pigs...

I will only be back in South Africa in May and will make sure to get those photos to share with you guys

That would be exelent to see!!

Some piggie photos. Enjoy !

Hi everyone,
As I can see we all excited by pig hunting. I hunted wild boars in France, bushpig in South Africa and Zimbabwe, red river hogs and giant forest hogs in CAR and warthog in many countries. Do you know that you can hunt warthog, red river hog and giant forest hog in the same area in CAR. Quite a challenge!!! 2 of my hunters did it. Always nice hunt in deep forest, walking or waiting in a machan.


Giant Forest Hog hunted in CAR - 176 kg (388 pound)



Red River Hog Hunted in CAR - 8 1/2'' #1 Rowland Ward

The more bushpig photos i see the more i want one !!!!!!!!
I here they are becoming a big problem for farmers in RSA.

I just did a bush pig hunt in the Kouga wilderness area in SA. Although it should have been call mountian bush pig. For they ran thru the mountions like a goat and ravaged the orange and apricot grove. As a hunter I was glad to help, but had no idea what I was getting into. It is not for the faint of heart and you better be in good shape. My PH on the left is Mossie with Thorndale Safaris, give a call or look on the web.

It is super hunting bushpig, they have a lot of "soul".

I agree that Bushpig have "soul", but they have an even bigger sense of humour and test ones patience to the limit, particularly hunting them with a bow at night. Their sense of smell and hearing are unbelievable, and I believe that hunting them with a bow is one of the most rewarding experiences, particularly after weeks of preparation to get them within range. Happy Hunting!

A friend of mine took me along to hunt bushpigs in a macadamia nut plantation in the Tzaneen area. Pitch black night, walking around the plantation and listening out for pigs crushing a nut.
My buddy had night vision bino's, and I just followed him blindly.
I've gotta admit, its nerve wrecking to listen to the sounds of the pigs chewing on macadamias, which I know I struggle to break with a hammer.
Once we figure out where they are, its a tough stalk. It took several attempts over a few nights to get within bow-range. Once in range, he would indicate the position to me, and when I'm at full draw, he'd switch on a torch. This gives about 2 seconds to get a shot off, before they bolt.
I've only tried it a few times, and havn't been succesful, but my buddy has some impressive trophies from succesful hunts in this manner.

Christophe wow !!! amazing bush pig trophies, wish to hunt them some day.

Thanks for sharing the photos.

Monish

Fredrick, astounding piggies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monish

dharding,
Try this next time. Have the torch holder point it well over the feeding pigs. Ease the light down gradualy. You should be able to have your pin very close to the location you want to shoot well before the brightest part hits the animal. Then you can quickly make a small adjustment and shoot. It has worked well on our feral hogs here in the U.S. .

Some super photos being posted on this thread.
I would love to put my dogs on the track of a Giant Forest Hog!

Pigs are increasing in distribution in SA, now being found in areas where previously they did not occur. It is generally believed this is due to the expansive agriculture, particularly maize cultivation, effectively linking areas to each other and providing a type of travel corridor.

An interesting read is a book by the title: The Whole Hog.

Some video:
XOSHA - African Professional Hunter - Videos