Things that go Oink in the dark ?

[Die Judicii]

Hi,

Having just put my 2 cents worth in on the topic asking about eating feral pig, I have a question of my own seeking answers.

I have hunted the feral grunters many times in the past but ALWAYS in daylight.

Now I have them on my new place of abode, but they don't like daylight.

Can anyone tell me, Do they carry on their social grunts etc in the dark that may help me locate them.

I have sat out in various spots for several hours at a time in the dark, but have never yet heard them.

Cheers

[AusC]

Just my experience...

Definitely they're active around twilight times. Business as usual then AFAIK.

I've heard a few in the true dark at times, wandering near a camp site, but the only doing was minor breathing and soft grunt sounds.

Only sounded like an individual or two maybe, no loud calls, nothing you would hear from a distance.

[Die Judicii]

Hi AusC,

Thanks for your reply. These mongrels hav been really active for the past fortnight over approx. 80 odd acres, and the only time I've actually sighted some was when I didn't have a F/arm in my hands.

It was only 50 metres from the back of the house, and I walked out with a torch to see what the dogs were barking at.

I saw 2 big ones cross the beam of light as they scurried off.

Since then I've walked with the night hunter light and the 30/06 pump at all different hours, as well as sitting and listening but so far no joy. Also spent quite some time in the cruiser over the rest of the property.

Yet every morning there is more fresh rootings. Bloody frustrating. Unfortunately my dogs are not suited nor versed in tackling them.

Cheers

[Arth]

Wild boar are situationally crepuscular or nocturnal, foraging in early morning and late afternoon or at night, but resting for periods during both night and day. They are omnivorous scavengers, eating almost anything they come across, including grass, nuts, berries, carrion, nests of ground nesting birds, roots, tubers, refuse, insects and small reptiles. Wild boar in Australia are also known to be predators of young deer and lambs.

Bit of chance/luck to find one at night I guess.

[AusC]

No problem mate.

Don't really have any advice for hunting them at night specifically for you I'm afraid as it's not something I do.

I guess they're pretty touchy and night, especially to see a torch. Sends then running quickly.

I guess I'd try and nail down some of their regular haunts and wait for them there rather than roaring around in the truck or scanning with lights.

Or locate some of their spots which you can approach from a distance and see if they are there while remaining unnoticed.

Not really proven advice though Just some thoughts.

[RealNick]

I guess they're pretty touchy and night, especially to see a torch. Sends then running quickly.

I think that's right.

I've only ever seen it done at night with night vision.

Gotta get them by surprise and take a few while they're confused and don't know where you are.

Or so TV tells me.

[Browning]

Try on the "new moon" nights more than others. We do a lot better on those darker nights..

I'd also try looking for sign and tracks where they're coming onto your place and then if you can be assed, try looking at those spots at different times of the night, especially in that last hour before sunlight when they'll be mooching back towards their daytime lodgings.

[wrenchman]

Also, try and put a colored lens on your torch like red. We use them when we call coyotes and foxes and try calling the pigs with a rabbit distress call if you have rabbit in the area.

[Die Judicii]

Hi, and thanks one and all for the input.

Unfortunately I've tried all the above albeit I've only done 1 quick walk just before dawn. Must try it more often.

However, I cant cover the entire place on foot at the moment (bit of a foot injury) and am limited to reasonably short treks.

The roos here are really thick, almost plague proportions, and the grunters probly come in with em, and tracks over tracks over tracks don't help.

The one thing I havnt tried yet is a bait (feeding) station.

That'll be easier to sit off from in the dark.

Just tie some fine wire or builders cord to it and sit back, relax, and wait till I feel movement and maybe sound.

All theoretical that is, but worth a try.

Cheers blokes

[jays]

Also, try and put a colored lens on your torch like red. We use them when we call coyotes and foxes and try calling the pigs with a rabbit distress call if you have rabbit in the area.

Pigs eat rabbits?

[Aster]

Omnivores.

They eat anything be it berries or fluffy bunnies.

[VICHunter]

Or people if you go too close to mum's piglets.

[Westy]

Or people if you go too close to mum's piglets.

I honestly have to say 10 outta 10 sows that I have crossed with, suckers have just run off and left the young for dead!

Mind you a lot have run off with a 540 Grn Gold Tip hanging out the side of them!

[VICHunter]

Yeah a lot will just leg it and hope the little ones catch up.

Find the wrong one though and they have no hesitation in running you down.

Usually gotta be close enough that fight seems like a better option than flight. Doesn't happen a lot.

[Die Judicii]

I honestly have to say 10 outta 10 sows that I have crossed with, suckers have just run off and left the young for dead!

Mind you a lot have run off with a 540 Grn Gold Tip hanging out the side of them!

Hey there Westy,

Is this a case of tough grunters, or poor shot placement?

Just asking.

[VICHunter]

Ha ha.

"all the pigs run away when I shoot them in the tree..."

[AusC]

Not sure that classifies as shooting them lol:

[Westy]

I honestly have to say 10 outta 10 sows that I have crossed with, suckers have just run off and left the young for dead!

Mind you a lot have run off with a 540 Grn Gold Tip hanging out the side of them!

Hey there Westy,

Is this a case of tough grunters, or poor shot placement?

Just asking.

Come to think of it since we upped the Grns they no longer hang out the side they just pass right on through!!!!!