What is considered a reasonable trophy size Warthog?

Bullthrower338 · Mar 19, 2018

I loved the character of this old boy. Seen many much longer but this is the guy I thought was a “trophy”. Spent several evenings trying to feed him a 180 grain Peragrine.

Nyati · Mar 19, 2018

Another of my favorites

Shooter375 · Mar 5, 2023

Warthog 2015

buck wild · Mar 6, 2023

I passed this pig in 2018 as it looked similar to my first one.

I killed this one on my first Africa trip neat Ellis Ras, SA in 2007

IvW · Mar 6, 2023

It depends on the hunter....I have always prefered age. This could mean 1 tusked or heavily worn down....thick with massive warts.....
At the end of the day the most important is the time spent in the bush and the experiences and memories and the fun you had, friendships made and stories told over a cold one looking at the hardwood fire....the tape measure should never rule the roost, the day the inches become the measure of a hunt is the day I will hang up my hunting boots....

mdwest · Mar 6, 2023

IvW said:
the tape measure should never rule the roost, the day the inches become the measure of a hunt is the day I will hang up my hunting boots....

this is exactly how I feel...

dont get me wrong.. if a fully mature 13" warthog comes walking out of the bush... I will certainly be excited about having the opportunity to hunt such a magnificent animal..

but for me.. I'll take an old, beat up, hard life, 10" pig with 1 tusk worn down an inch or two and the other broken... over a 12" that still had another year or two of growth left in him...

if the old beat up pig proves to be wiley and gives me a challenging hunt.. thats even better..

For me its about the memories and the experiences.. the trophy on the wall is just a tool that helps me recall the memory and relive the experience.. I will get more long term joy out of a marginal "trophy" (in inches) that provided a wonderful hunt than I will get from an above average "trophy" that was an easy take...

If I can pull off an above average or a world class "trophy" along with a challenging hunt... or take it during a week long hunt that was particularly memorable or wonderful.. thats icing on the cake!

PARA45 · Mar 6, 2023

Here are my two warthogs, one shot in Limpopo in 2012, and the other one at the Eastern Cape in 2022. I'm happy with both of them, not big in body, but like the tusk shape & size.

IvW · Mar 6, 2023

mdwest said:
this is exactly how I feel...

dont get me wrong.. if a fully mature 13" warthog comes walking out of the bush... I will certainly be excited about having the opportunity to hunt such a magnificent animal..

but for me.. I'll take an old, beat up, hard life, 10" pig with 1 tusk worn down an inch or two and the other broken... over a 12" that still had another year or two of growth left in him...

if the old beat up pig proves to be wiley and gives me a challenging hunt.. thats even better..

For me its about the memories and the experiences.. the trophy on the wall is just a tool that helps me recall the memory and relive the experience.. I will get more long term joy out of a marginal "trophy" (in inches) that provided a wonderful hunt than I will get from an above average "trophy" that was an easy take...

If I can pull off an above average or a world class "trophy" along with a challenging hunt... or take it during a week long hunt that was particularly memorable or wonderful.. thats icing on the cake!

Well said....

Kevin Peacocke · Mar 6, 2023

Bullthrower338 said:
View attachment 222154
I loved the character of this old boy. Seen many much longer but this is the guy I thought was a “trophy”. Spent several evenings trying to feed him a 180 grain Peragrine.

I agree, that is a grand old pig worth taking.

Mark Biggerstaff · Mar 6, 2023

In my opinion tusk size has a lot to do with terrain also. The sandy soil vrs rocks.
These two are from the Northwest area. Mostly rocks. I am happy with both!