Hog hunting is an exciting sporting activity practiced mainly by people in the Southern States, such as Texas (TX), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), and Louisiana (LA). Most hog hunting in GA occurs during the night hours; however, hunting hogs can still be successful during the day. Therefore, various aspects need to be considered for daytime hog hunting. These aspects include; scouting approaches, appropriate weather gear, and considerable patience.

What Is the Best Time to Hunt Hogs?

When deciding on the appropriate time to go hog hunting, it’s worth noting that hogs usually root for food during the nighttime. Therefore, if you want to hunt them during the day, the best hours will be after sunrise and before sunset. These are the times they go back to their bedding locations.

However, various environmental factors will affect the behavior of hogs during the day. For example, hogs are more likely to be rooting throughout the day during cold weather because the cooler temperatures let them travel faster and traverse more area. As a result, they feel more at ease moving at this time.

Hog Indicators

Signs that hogs are in the area include:

• The ground is torn up, and there are holes where the hogs rooted for plants roots
• Excreta that is fresh
• There are wallowing holes (mud holes where hogs lay in the cool mud while it is hot)

Calls

A predator call is the best type of call to use for hogs. Coyote calls are excellent for luring hogs out of their hiding places and into the open. When utilizing this strategy, hunters should maintain a reasonable distance to avoid terrifying the hogs. If disturbed, the hogs can become aggressive and unpredictable in their moves.

Use a Feeder

A feeder is the best technique for hog hunting during daylight hours. If you are interested in getting them out during a specific time, use a timed feeder. It will be releasing a small amount of food at predetermined intervals. Hogs are intelligent animals, and they will eventually learn that the sound of this feeder going off signals a free meal.

Watering Holes

Hogs go near water sources for wallowing, especially when the weather is hot. Therefore, hunting for them at these locations can also work. Look for any spots hogs have been using to wallow, excrete, or roll in the water.

Tracking

It’s hard to track hogs during the day. However, hearing pig grunts and squealing is an excellent way to locate hogs in an area. To avoid alerting hogs of your whereabouts, remain downwind – they’ll smell you before they see you. Also, it’s best to stay away from hog nests during the day when they’re resting. If they are disturbed, they can become quite hostile – even lethal.

Gum Log Plantation

Are you interested in hog hunting in GA? Join us at Gum Log Plantation – a beautiful hunting lodge set on 3,000 acres of hunting land. Let our expert guides take you out on an exciting hunt. It’s a thrilling experience that can also fill your freezer with meat. Contact us today at 229-318-9015 and book your hunting trip.

The post How to Hunt Hogs During the Day first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

Wild hogs are some of the most sought-after hunter’s marks in the sphere of hunting, partly due to their elusive nature. However, feral hogs can be highly crafty, tenacious, and even dangerous, making them one of the more problematic marks.

So, why exactly are wild hogs so hard to hunt? One reason is because of their highly developed senses. Even though hearing may be one of their least developed senses, it’s still crucial for any hunter worth his salt to be aware of sound throughout the hunt. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about sound awareness while hog hunting.

Senses of the Wild Hog

Wild hogs, like many wild animals, have some incredibly keen senses. Their sense of smell, sight, and hearing is not to be underestimated and may allow them to detect you long before you get them in your sights.

Sight

A wild hog’s sense of sight is not the most formidable. However, that’s not to say that hogs are blind. But you should know that long before a hog sees you, they’ll probably already smell or hear you.

Smell

A hog’s sense of smell is its keenest sense, allowing it to detect specific odors up to 5 miles away. Therefore, when preparing for the hunt, you should keep this massively sensitive sense of smell in mind and use scent maskers or always stay downwind of the hog’s position to avoid spooking it.

Hearing

Another of the wild hog’s formidable senses is its sense of hearing. Even though its hearing may be a less developed sense, a wild hog can still easily detect a loud whisper up to 100 yards away. So, if you speak at a volume above a whisper for some reason, you can expect a nearby wild hog to flee. And if for some reason you’re close to a wild hog when you speak, it may be prompted to attack, especially if it feels threatened.

It’s important to know that normal movement noises, such as shifting rocks, rustling undergrowth, or snapping twigs, will not spook a wild hog right away. They are known to tolerate such noises for a time, but if they persist or grow louder, the hog may flee.

Gum Log Plantation

Are you new to hog hunting? Gum Log Plantation has expert guides that lead successful hunts. Then after a long day in the field, you’ll retire to a beautiful hunting lodge for delicious meals and a good night’s sleep. So, contact us today at 229-318-9015 and book your hunt.

The post Sound Awareness While Hog Hunting first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

If you’ve ever been on a hunting retreat, you may have wondered what kinds of animals around you could be carrying rabies. It’s a scary thought and one that many hunters have had before. There are, of course, your well-known rabies carriers, like raccoons, but what about other kinds of animals, like wild hogs? In this article, we will explore whether or not wild hogs carry rabies, how you can know, and if it’s safe to eat their meat.

Do They Carry Rabies?

So, let’s get the main question out of the way. Can wild hogs carry rabies? The answer is yes. Feral hogs can, in fact, contract and carry rabies. But how does this happen?

Because wild hogs are aggressive and territorial animals, it’s common for them to attack smaller animals that may be carrying rabies. In addition, they could contract and carry rabies in situations where they may sustain an injury from a fox or raccoon. As such, you should always be cautious when hunting if you encounter a wild hog.

How Can You Know?

At first glance, it may not always be apparent when a wild animal is carrying rabies. This statement is true for wild hogs carrying rabies as well. However, there are some key signs and behaviors you can watch for that could indicate a wild hog has rabies.

Early on in the stages of infection, it will be nearly impossible to tell if a wild hog has rabies. However, you may suspect they are carrying the disease if you spot any bite marks on their bodies. As the infection progresses, you’ll notice some classic symptoms. These include whitish-yellow foaming at the mouth, extremely erratic, confused, aggressive behavior, or a general pallor of sickness over the animal. If you spot any of these signs in a wild hog, you should keep your distance and not engage.

Is Wild Hog Meat Safe to Eat?

Should you encounter a wild hog in the early stages of rabies and kill it, are you at risk of getting rabies from its meat? Unfortunately, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Thoroughly cooking meat from a non-symptomatic animal carrying rabies will eradicate the virus. However, one should never eat meat from any animal that shows signs of rabies.

Gum Log Plantation

Are you interested in hunting wild hogs? Gum Log Plantation, a hunting retreat in Abbeville, GA, offers a great hunting experience for hunters of all skill levels. Our expert guides know how to spot the healthiest hogs, so you’ll feel safe filling your freezer with your catch. Contact us today at 229-318-9015 and schedule your stay at Gum Log Plantation.

The post Can Wild Hogs Carry Rabies? first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

Wild hogs are an extremely popular animal to hunt in North America. For centuries, hogs have been a food source for hunters and explorers. The great thing about hog hunting is that the season is year-round, and many states encourage hunting these overpopulated destructive animals because it reduces damage done to farmers.

Hog hunting is frequently done at night, so no matter what season or state you’re in, you need to dress warmly. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter trying a new animal or an amateur looking to break into the sport, here is a list of items you should wear for a hog hunt.

Hog Hunting Lodge in Georgia: Gum Log Plantation Hunting Tips

Head & Face

In any sport, you’re going to want to protect your head. For hunting, having the proper headgear is essential to keep you safe.

A baseball cap or a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to protect your face and neck from the sun if you’re hunting during the day. Using a hat also provides some strategic advantages to hog hunting. Hogs don’t have great long-distance eyesight. A head covering of any style or color breaks up your silhouette, making it hard for the hogs to detect you as a danger. An orange hat is recommended so other hunters can see you. In cold weather, wearing a face covering, like a balaclava or a half-face mask, adds some extra protection from the weather.

Upper Body

For summer months, it’s reasonable to go hog hunting in a t-shirt. However, long pants are still advised to protect you from ticks and bugs. For the same reason, a lightweight, long-sleeved t-shirt is also a great option.

In the winter months, you should layer up. It’s best to have 1-2 layers underneath a heavy, water-resistant jacket. Dry-fit or lightweight wool shirts are great for under layers as they are moisture-wicking and keep your body temperature from dropping.

Lower Body

In general, you’ll want to wear pants for a hog hunt because of the bugs in the high grass areas where hogs congregate. In addition, wearing long pants protects your legs from scratches and bites. You’re going to want to wear hiking or hunting boots for your foot coverings. Boots are durable enough to protect you from animal bites and let you traverse rugged terrain.

It is recommended you don’t wear jeans for hunting. Denim material is not very flexible, and if jeans get wet, they become heavy and difficult to dry. Instead, wear hiking or hunting pants – they have extra pockets and are usually water-resistant.

Hog hunting is a fun year-round sport that anyone with a hunting license can enjoy, and hog hunting attire is simple. However, you’ll want to dress for the elements and have basic protections for arms and legs.

Gum Log Plantation

Do you enjoy hog hunting or want to try the sport? Gum Log Plantation is happy to help. Our hunting lodge in Georgia is located on 3,000 acres of prime hunting land, and our expert guides know where to find the hogs. Contact us today at 229-318-9015 and book your trip today.

The post What to Wear During a Hog Hunt first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

If you’ve ever been deer hunting, you know it consists of hours spent outdoors in the middle of the wilderness; therefore, it’s essential to bring along everything you could need. When heading on a hunting retreat, here is a list of 10 things you should pack for your deer hunt.

Hunting Retreat: Deer Hunting Essentials

Compass/GPS. A hunter’s worst nightmare is trekking too deep into the woods and not being able to find their way back out again. Getting lost can be a disastrous issue when hunting deer, so you should never forget to bring along a compass or GPS.

First Aid Kit. In the case of an injury while out hunting, it can be a lifesaver to have a first aid kit on hand. A first aid kit will allow you to treat cuts, stings, and other injuries.

Firestarter. Fire can be a massive boon to any hunter out hunting, especially if you’re hunting in the cold. So, always have a way to start a fire.

Knife. You never know when you might need to cut something while you’re hunting. So whether it’s a branch, a piece of cloth, or whatever else, a knife is handy to have along.

Boots. A comfortable pair of boots is also an essential item. When hunting deer, you’ll be covering a lot of ground on foot, so you’ll want some sturdy and comfortable footwear to cushion your feet along the way. Also, take an extra pair of socks to ensure your feet stay dry.

Rattling Antlers. One of the best ways to attract deer into shooting range is to mimic the noises a buck makes and having rattling antlers is incredibly helpful.

Binoculars. As you’ll be searching far and wide for a deer to bring down, binoculars can assist in spotting deer from long distances.

T-Handle Saw. These small saws have a wide range of uses, from cutting tree branches to sawing through the skin and bone of any deer you might bring down.

Paracord. This compact cord can be handy when dragging a buck back to your truck or when you might need to tie something to your pack.

Canteen. Staying hydrated while hunting is essential, as you wouldn’t want to start getting lightheaded when a deer comes into range. So, make sure you have water and throw in a high-energy snack bar too.

Gum Log Plantation

Deer hunting is an outdoor activity enjoyed by many. Having an extraordinary experience is the goal of Gum Log Plantation, a hunting retreat in Abbeville, GA. Our expert guides will take you on hunts through our 3,000-acre grounds then return to the lodge for relaxation and delicious meals. So come and experience deer hunting at its best – call 229-318-9015 and book your hunt today.

The post 10 Things to Pack for Your Deer Hunt first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

Hunting is a sport enjoyed by many people. However, due to the nature of the sport, being careless can have grave results. If you’re a hunter or plan to visit a hunting lodge in Georgia, it’s essential to practice all safety precautions when out in the field.

There are many things to consider when it comes to safety, from knowledge about your target and what’s beyond it to using the correct gear and being aware of your surroundings. This blog post will discuss some essential safety tips for hunters and hunting lodges alike.

Hunting Safety Tips

Check Your Equipment Regularly

The supplies you carry or have nearby will depend on the type of animal hunted, the hunting style used, and time out in the field. Either way, checking your equipment is one of the most important things to do before heading out. Hunting equipment can include:

Hunting Vest or Backpack – This should be well-padded and have a lot of pockets to store your gear. Bright-colored or camouflaged will depend on the hunting style or local hunting season requirements.

Gun – Make sure the gun is clean and in good condition, with no cracks or rust on the barrel. The gun’s safety should always be engaged until it’s time to fire.

Clothing – Take a second set of clothing to stay dry and warm. A second pair of socks is essential.

Hunting Plan – It is recommended to leave a written hunting plan that shows departure dates, times, locations, and when you plan to return. Leave a copy at home and one on your vehicle. This information will save crucial time if a search is required in an emergency.

Sighting Your Gun

Another important safety tip for hunters is sighting their guns regularly. Hunting can be an enjoyable sport, but it’s also hazardous if done incorrectly. Hunting is not safe unless you’re ready to handle firearms. By shooting often, you can improve your skills tremendously and gain the confidence to be on target every time you fire your gun. Also, store your weapon in a case to reduce the chances of getting off the mark. Then, when possible, test your sighting by taking one shot.

Wear The Appropriate Clothing

When you’re visiting your favorite hunting spot, be sure to wear appropriate clothing. In most cases, experts recommend wearing brightly-colored hunting vests and hats as they help you be seen from all directions. Bright colors, such as orange, green, or yellow, are best so that other hunters can easily spot you. However, wearing camouflage under the vest or with the hat hides you from most animals because the pattern breaks up the human silhouette when set against the foliage.

Gum Log Plantation

If you are looking for an unforgettable hunting experience, look no further than Gum Log Plantation. The plantation is home to Georgia’s biggest deer, turkey, and hog populations. Also, the lodge was built for hunters and their families – it’s the perfect place to relax after a long day in the woods. So, call 229-318-9015 today and schedule a hunting experience you’ll never forget. But most importantly, remember to hunt safely – safety is their number one priority.

The post Hunting Lodge Rule #1 – Safety First first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

Feral hogs aren’t the same as the domestic pigs most of the public is used to seeing. They are not even native to this country. Texas has the largest population of feral hogs, but North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and California also have large wild hog populations. Hunting helps control these populations; plus, wild hogs are good to eat. So, if you’re hunting them for more than sport, it’s essential to understand how to butcher the animal properly. Here are some butchering tips and tricks of the trade to ensure safety.

Gum Log Plantation Hunting Lodge in GA: Hog Butchering Tips

Use the Right Tools

Butchers need the right tools to process the hog properly. An experienced butcher will never forget any of these tools:

• Boning knife
• Meat saw
• Cleaver
• Bone dust scraper
• Clip point knife
• Drop point knife
• Slicing knife
• Latex gloves

Butchering Overview

Before separating the best meats, the animal must be split in half.

Halve the Carcass– Split the breastbone with a knife while locating its center and cut down to the bone straight from neck to tail. This line is the guide. Be careful while sawing the hog in half, and then clean it by removing veins and organs.

Making the Cuts – First, cut parallel from the spine to the tailbone to get the Tenderloin. Pull the meat away and separate it. Next, cut through a leg for a short Ham or shoulder for a whole ham. Afterward, cut around the third rib, saw through the bone, and split the shoulder. Next, use the knife to cut through the meat to make a Picnic Shoulder and Boston Butt. Next, divide the belly. Finally, cut the ribs straight using the saw until they break in half. This last cut will separate the top loin and the belly.

Hunting Lodge in GA

Now that DIY butchering is out of the way, it’s time to consider where to go hunting. In the state of Georgia, you can have an experience that can’t be matched anywhere else. Some of the best hunting lodges are located in Georgia. Georgia has the perfect ecosystem for hog hunting, with swampland and hunting grounds along the Ocmulgee River. Of course, these hunting grounds don’t guarantee that each hunt will be successful, but Gum Log Plantation has a high success rate.

Gum Log Plantation

One of the best hunting lodges in GA is Gum Log Plantation. The grounds are full of targets. The plantation has expert guides with the experience necessary to advise hunters eager to have a rewarding adventure. So, if you’re itching to catch a feral hog, contact Gum Log Plantation at 229-318-9015 and book a trip.

 

The post Our Most Popular Hog Butchering Techniques first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

Wild hogs (also known as wild boars) are fascinating creatures. They typically live in forests and swamps, but they also enjoy living near lakes and rivers. Feral or Wild hogs are intelligent animals with excellent sensory perception. Here are the senses that most hunters need to be familiar with when hunting and tracking wild hogs.

Hunting Lodge in GA: Wild Hog Hunting Tips

Sense of Smell

Wild hogs have an excellent sense of smell. They can smell food from miles away, and they use their noses to root around in the ground for food. This strong sense of smell also helps them detect danger – they can easily smell the scent of a predator or other animals that might be dangerous. Smell is the strongest of their senses. Therefore, hunters need to stay downwind from wild hogs to remain undetected.

Hearing

Wild hogs also have excellent hearing. They can hear things happening far away and use their ears to listen for danger. In addition, hogs can also distinguish between different types of noises. They will tolerate everyday noises such as rustling leaves or swaying tree branches but flee any unusual sound. A wild hog’s hearing is so sensitive that they can hear a human whisper from 100 yards away. It can help protect them from predators but can also be very problematic. Therefore, hunters need to be very aware of any sound they generate.

Monocular Vision

Contrary to what some ill-informed articles would make you believe, wild hogs aren’t blind. They have excellent vision. Unlike human beings, they have monocular vision (independently focusing each eye on different things). This type of vision gives them a significant advantage when spotting food, danger, or prey, but it lacks depth perception. The result is wild hogs see movement 100 yards away but often don’t react because they do not detect it as an immediate danger, but any nearby action or even shadows will send them fleeing.

Hunting Wild Hogs

Many people like to hunt wild hogs. One way to improve your hunting skill is to understand how different senses help wild hogs survive. By knowing how they smell, hear, and see, you can better determine where they might be hiding or what type of terrain they prefer. Understanding their senses can help you become a better hunter!

Gum Log Plantation

If you are new to hunting or an avid wild hog hunter, you should make your way to Gum Log Plantation. The expert guides at Gum Log Plantation can provide all the relevant information regarding wild hog hunting, so you have a fantastic hunting experience. So, schedule a stay at a wonderful hunting lodge in GA by calling 229-318-9015 today.

The post Wild Hogs: What Senses Do They Have? first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

It might be shocking to learn that Georgia is home to feral hogs, commonly called wild boars. These animals are highly invasive and a significant nuisance for ranchers, farmers, and people living near wildlands and rural areas. They invade fields, eat and destroy crops, tear up land rooting, and defecate, spreading parasites and bacteria. Hog hunting is one way to control their rapidly increasing population.

Hog Hunting in GA: Controlling Pests

How Did the Pigs Become Wild?

Wild pigs, like many other invasive species, were created accidentally. Spanish missionaries brought domestic pigs with them as a food source when they came to America. However, the pigs were released from pens to forage, and many weren’t recaptured. They then became feral after escaping domestication. Later, in the 1900s, European wild boars were introduced to America for sport hunting. The two types of pigs interbred and produced what is found in the wild today.

What Makes Them Such a Problem?

Wild pigs are invasive and destructive pests with ravenous appetites for many plants and animals. They will kill and eat small farm animals and other wildlife. Pigs compete for food with native wildlife, often forcing the natives from the area or starvation. They dig up land designated for grazing livestock when searching for food and disturbing native vegetation. In suburban areas, they cause damage to gardens and lawns through rooting.

It is estimated that wild boars cause $1.5 billion in economic damage to the environment and agriculture every year. Wild boars invade farms and cause severe destruction to crops and the native vegetation leaving farmers counting losses. No wonder farmers engage in hog hunting to get rid of these pests.

Not only are the wild pigs destructive, but they also spread diseases. They’re known to carry E. coli and Salmonella, which are infectious to humans. They can also pass potentially devastating diseases to domestic livestock and wildlife. In addition, wild hogs host more than 34 parasites that affect various animal species.

Wild pigs can be contained and managed through hog hunting. Laws and regulations regarding wild pigs or feral hog hunting are available by state. Most states allow hog hunting all year long. Check local regulations before hunting.

Gum Log Plantation

Are you interested in hog hunting in GA? Gum Log Plantation is a beautiful hunting lodge in Abbeville, GA, set on 3000 acres of fertile hog hunting land. Our expert guides will take you on an exciting experience of hunting and tracking these invasive beasts. Contact us today at 229-318-9015 to book your hog hunting trip.

The post What Makes Wild Hogs Such Pests? first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.

Hunters are a driving force behind our country’s conservation efforts. But, in terms of a single animal, you wouldn’t think hunting aids conservation. However, it’s only in a much broader sense, where hunting aims to assist conservation efforts for the ecosystem as a whole, does it start to make sense.

Hog Hunting in GA: A Conservation Effort

What Is Conservation?

Conservation is the act of preserving, securing or safeguarding a limited resource. For example, many animal populations become extinct if they are hunted without restrictions. However, by that same token, many animals and plant species benefit from fewer predators in an ecosystem. Therefore, you can see that sustaining biodiversity in the ecosystem is hunting’s most important conservation effort.

How Does Hunting Help Conservation?

Let’s take hog hunting in GA, for instance. Since wild hogs are a nuisance and immensely destructive, allowing hog hunting helps to keep the population in check and the ecosystem balanced. If hog hunting in GA were suddenly outlawed, the wild hog population would become out of control. Hogs are voracious eaters consuming both the plant and roots, destroying native plants, crops, and pastureland, causing soil erosion. The decline in vegetation starves additional native animals. In addition, feral hogs prey on livestock and other native wildlife and can seriously threaten endangered species in the area. Hunting plays an essential role in keeping these things in check.

Spread of Disease

Wild hogs are reservoirs for many serious infectious diseases in domestic animals, including swine fever, brucellosis, and trichinellosis. Feral swine can also spread diseases to humans such as hepatitis E, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, salmonella, and trichinellosis. Controlling their population through hunting keeps the spread of disease in check.

The Verdict. Does Hunting Help Conservation?

Hunting certainly helps conservation in a broad sense. For example, it helps secure and protect biodiversity, keeps animal and plant populations at sustainable levels, and ensures that the spread of disease does not get out of control.

Ready to help control the wild hog population? Hog hunting season varies depending on who owns the land. There are different stipulations for state, federal, and privately owned land parcels, so check local regulations before hunting.

Gum Log Plantation

Are you interested in hog hunting in GA? Gum Log Plantation can plan the perfect trip for you, your friends, and your family. Our beautiful hunting lodge is set on 3000 acres of wonderful private hunting land. Our guides are skilled and knowledgeable in the area’s wildlife, guaranteeing an enjoyable experience. Contact us today at 229-318-9015, and we’ll help plan your outing.

The post Why Hunters Are the Most Impactful Conservationists first appeared on Gum Log Plantation.