According to Extension Wildlife Specialists, Texas summer is in full swing and that means we can expect some major changes to feral hog activity for the next few months. Since feral hogs, like other suids, can’t regulate their body temperature through sweat glands, they typically thermoregulate via changes in behavior.

These behavioral alterations may include reducing activity during the day, decreasing distance moved from water sources, increasing wallowing activity, seeking heavily shaded areas (consider access to wind as well), and becoming almost exclusively nocturnal. Of course, feral hogs may mix and match many of these behavioral adjustments to minimize their exposure to high temperatures. Given these changes to how feral hogs are using the landscape, we can adjust our baiting, trapping, and shooting techniques to increase the efficiency and success of our population reduction efforts. For instance, now is the time to start adjusting baiting and trapping locations to areas close to water sources.

To really increase your effectiveness, keep an eye out for tracks, scat, wallows, and rooting at or near these sources. Focusing your removal efforts in areas that you know they are frequenting will really help alleviate their pressure on your property during these months. Keep in mind that feral hogs will likely want easier meals when dealing with these additional thermal regulatory costs, so seemingly free food will be enticing for them close to their primary sources of water.

As for shooting, concentrate your search efforts to food sources that are close to water during the night. While thermal and night vision optics are likely to be your most effective tools for hunting at night, a spotlight works just fine too. As always, if you have any additional questions or thoughts, feel free to call, text, or email me. Happy hunting!