Tips for Hunting Feral Hogs at Night

Tips for Hunting Feral Hogs at Night: A Complete Guide

Nighttime is the most productive window for hunting feral hogs. These intelligent, nocturnal animals move freely under cover of darkness, raiding fields, wallows, and feed sites with far less daytime caution. Whether you’re hunting private ranches, farmland edges, or dense southern timber, success depends on the right mix of gear, stealth, and smart stand placement.

This guide covers the best optics, weapons, baiting setups, spot-and-stalk methods, and nighttime safety considerations every hog hunter should know. If you’re comparing guided hog hunts or looking for reliable outfitters in hog-rich states like Texas or the Southeast, explore vetted options through Find A Hunt to plan confidently.

Understanding Nighttime Hog Behavior

Feral hogs behave very differently at night than during daylight.

Key Nighttime Traits

• Highly active: Most feeding, traveling, and wallowing happens after dark.

• Cover-oriented: Hogs stage in brush, timber edges, and creek bottoms before entering open areas.

• Sound-sensitive: They hear exceptionally well—quiet movement is critical.

• Wind-driven movement: A hog’s nose is its best defense.

• Group travel: Sounders can be noisy but unpredictable; boars often roam solo.

Knowing when and where hogs naturally move puts you ahead from the start.

Essential Gear for Night Hog Hunting

Optics: The Heart of Night Hunting

Depending on your state’s legal allowances, choose:

• Thermal scopes – Best for detection and shot placement in total darkness

• Night vision scopes – Excellent for bait setups and controlled shots

• Handheld thermal scanners – Huge advantage for locating hogs before they spot you

Thermal detection is a game-changer for spot-and-stalk hunts.

Weapons

Feral hogs are tough. Choose reliable calibers and optics.

• Rifles: .223/5.56, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Blackout (subsonic or supersonic)

• AR-platform rifles excel for fast follow-up shots on sounders.

• Hog-specific bullets: Bonded, monolithic, or controlled-expansion projectiles are ideal.

Lighting

If not using night vision or thermal:

• Red or green hog lights

• Gun-mounted lights

• Feeder lights for bait sites

• Headlamp for navigation (avoid shining toward fields)

Hogs are less alarmed by red/green illumination.

Clothing & Accessories

• Quiet, breathable clothing

• Snake boots or brush-resistant boots

• Bug protection in warm climates

• Hydration pack

• Tripod or shooting sticks for steady night shots

• Extra batteries and backup power banks

Scouting for Night Hunts

Look for:

• Fresh rooting and churned-up soil

• Wallows near ponds, ditches, and creeks

• Trails leading to crop fields or feeders

• Tracks and scat on soft dirt or sandy roads

• Moist soil turned over after rains

Best Scouting Times

• Last light: hogs begin staging

• After midnight: peak feeding for pressured hogs

• Early morning: fresh sign reveals overnight patterns

Trail cameras—especially cell cams—are invaluable for timing movements.

Proven Strategies for Night Hog Hunting

1. Baited Stand or Feeder Hunting

Highly effective on private land.

• Set up 50–120 yards from bait site

• Use red/green feeder lights or nighttime-rated optics

• Position downwind of approach trails

• Avoid over-pressuring the site; hogs learn quickly

2. Spot-and-Stalk with Thermal

The most exciting method—and incredibly effective.

• Glass fields, pastures, and tree lines with thermal

• Move downwind and slowly close the distance

• Use terrain features to break your silhouette

• Take steady, controlled shots

3. Ambushing Travel Corridors

Hogs use the same routes nightly.

• Creek crossings

• Field edges

• Ranch roads and sandy two-tracks

• Gaps between timber and open ground

Even without bait, these natural funnels can be productive.

4. Night Calling (Where Legal)

Electronic calls can draw curious or aggressive boars.

• Piglet distress

• Sow mating calls

• Fighting boar sounds

Use sparingly—overcalling can spook pressured hogs.

5. Hunting With Thermal Drones (Where Allowed)

Some outfitters use drones for detection.

• Locate groups

• Plan stalks strategically

• Maintain safety awareness

Always follow state regulations.

Wind, Weather & Moon Phase

Wind

Never hunt a hog with the wind blowing toward them. Their sense of smell is unmatched.

Weather

• Cold fronts: Increase movement

• Rainy nights: Hogs move more freely

• Windy nights: Hogs often stay close to thick cover

• Hot nights: Activity shifts to water sources

Moon Phase

• Bright moonlight: Hogs often move later, sticking more to shadows

• Dark nights: Ideal for spot-and-stalk with thermal

Safety Tips for Night Hog Hunting

Night hunting adds complexity—safety is critical.

• Always confirm targets before shooting

• Maintain communication with partners

• Wear reflective gear for group hunts

• Know land boundaries—night navigation can be tricky

• Use GPS mapping apps

• Be cautious with ricochets in open, hard-packed areas

• Watch for snakes, deep ditches, and uneven terrain at night

Hogs can also be aggressive—stay alert during close stalks.

Field Care & Meat Handling

Warm southern nights can spoil meat quickly.

Best Practices

• Field dress promptly

• Use breathable game bags

• Cool meat as quickly as possible

• Keep hogs clean of mud and debris

• Use ice chests if temperatures remain warm

Hog meat, especially from younger animals, is excellent for grilling, sausage, and smoking.

FAQs: Nighttime Hog Hunting

What’s the best optic for hog hunting at night?

Thermal is best for detection; night vision works well for feeder setups.

Do hogs see red or green lights?

They detect them minimally—excellent for bait sites.

What’s the best caliber?

.223 works with good bullets; .308 and 6.5 CM provide more margin for error.

When do hogs move the most?

Typically from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., depending on pressure and moonlight.

Are solo hunts safe?

Possible, but group hunts are safer—especially in thick brush at night.

Plan Your Next Hog Hunt

Night hunting for feral hogs blends adrenaline, strategy, and conservation benefits. With the right optics, smart setups, and disciplined wind management, you can consistently put hogs on the ground while helping control invasive populations.

If you're ready to explore guided hog hunts or compare outfitters in top hog states, start planning now through Find A Hunt.