Why Spot-and-Stalk Works for Feral Hogs
Feral hogs exhibit patterns that lend themselves perfectly to spot-and-stalk hunting:
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Heavy feeding behavior around crops, mast, and water
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Poor eyesight compared to deer, making stalking possible
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Predictable travel routes between bedding, food, and wallows
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High noise levels when feeding, which mask your approach
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Frequent daylight movement in low-pressure regions
Understanding these tendencies helps you both locate hogs and get close enough for an ethical shot.
Best Places to Find Feral Hogs for Spot-and-Stalk Hunts
1. Agricultural Fields
Hogs love crops, especially:
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Corn
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Sorghum
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Peanuts
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Wheat
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Rice
Glass field edges at first and last light. Hogs often root and feed close to cover, then spill into fields as shooting light grows.
2. Oak Flats and Mast Areas
In the fall, acorns and other mast sources draw hogs in big numbers. Look for:
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Fresh rooting
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Torn-up leaves
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Muddy tracks
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Trails entering thick brush
These are prime bedding-to-feed transitions.
3. Water Sources & Wallows
Hogs rely heavily on water and mud to cool off.
Hot-weather hogs concentrate around:
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Creek bottoms
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Stock ponds
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Swamp edges
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Shaded wallows
These provide extremely reliable ambush or glassing opportunities.
4. Thick Bedding Cover
Even if you can't see hogs directly, you can find where they bed:
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Briar thickets
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Willow tangles
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Heavy grass
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Brush piles
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Cattail pockets
Stalking near bedding is tricky but can pay off when hogs transition to feeding areas.
Glassing & Locating Hogs
Use Elevation to Your Advantage
Any slight rise or hill overlooking a field, marsh edge, or creek system is valuable.
Look for Movement, Not Shapes
Hogs blend surprisingly well. Watch for:
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Ears flicking
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Dust clouds
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Mud splashing
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Tails whipping
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Grass shaking
Even large hogs disappear behind waist-high cover.
Planning the Stalk
1. Always Start With the Wind
Hogs have excellent noses. A bad wind ruins a stalk faster than anything.
Best approach:
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Crosswind or straight-upwind
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Use milkweed or wind powder to monitor shifts
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Avoid thermals that pull scent downhill in the morning or uphill in the afternoon
If the wind turns, stop immediately and adjust.
2. Use Cover and Terrain
Stay hidden by using:
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Creek banks
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Field edges
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Brush patches
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Drainage ditches
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Hay bales or crop rows
Even slight dips in terrain can get you inside bow or rifle range.
3. Move Slowly and Quietly
Hogs are loud when feeding, but sharp-eared when alert.
Tips for stealth:
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Take small, deliberate steps
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Avoid stepping on sticks or dry leaves
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Freeze when hogs lift their heads
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Wear soft-soled boots to reduce noise
Let their feeding noise mask your advance.
Shot Placement for Ethical Hog Harvests
Hogs are tougher than many hunters expect. Perfect shot placement is essential.
Broadside Shot
Aim low and tight behind the shoulder, targeting the heart/lung area. Their vitals sit farther forward than a deer’s.
Quartering-Away
Ideal angle. Aim forward through the lungs toward the opposite shoulder.
Avoid Quartering-To Shots
Heavy shields and thick muscle can impede penetration.
Tracking Hogs After the Shot
Even well-hit hogs may run into cover.
Track effectively by:
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Watching exactly where the hog exits
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Listening for thrashing or heavy breathing
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Using a flashlight with soft or red light at night
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Marking blood and direction with tape
Hog blood trails can be sparse—patience is critical.
Safety Considerations
Wounded hogs can be aggressive. Stay cautious when trailing.
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Approach downed hogs from behind
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Be ready to follow up with another shot if needed
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Avoid stepping into thick cover blindly
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Hunt with a partner when possible
Respect their strength and unpredictability.
Gear for Spot-and-Stalk Hog Hunts
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Quiet, lightweight boots
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Quality binoculars (8x or 10x)
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Wind indicator
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Rifle, bow, or crossbow suited to heavy-bodied game
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Shooting sticks or bipod
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Headlamp for evening recoveries
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Hydration and compact pack
Optional but extremely valuable: thermal optics for low-light or nighttime hog movement (where legal).
Why Many Hunters Book Guided Hog Hunts
Professional hog outfitters help hunters:
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Access large, pig-dense private ranches
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Learn high-percentage stalking routes
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Navigate thick cover and swampy terrain safely
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Make ethical shots in close quarters
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Hunt at night using top-tier thermal equipment (when legal)
If you want nonstop action and expert guidance, compare trusted hog outfitters on our hunt marketplace.
FAQs About Spot-and-Stalk Hog Hunting
When is the best time for spot-and-stalk hog hunts?
Early morning and late evening when hogs move from bedding to feeding areas.
How close can you get to hogs?
With good wind and cover, many hunters reach 20–60 yards.
Do hogs see well?
Their vision is poor, but they detect movement quickly.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Wind. If hogs catch your scent, they’re gone.
Is spot-and-stalk better than stand hunting?
For active hunters and high-density areas—yes. It's more engaging and often more productive.
Spot-and-stalk hog hunting is fast, intense, and incredibly effective when you play the wind, move with patience, and understand hog behavior. When you’re ready to plan your next hog hunt, explore vetted outfitters and book through Find A Hunt.
