General question for the masses. I understand that no hunting license is required to hunting feral hogs, however, if a non-resident relative is visiting, would they be required to buy a non-resident hunting license? I know this is a stupid question, just want to stay on the right side of the law.

I dont think so. Just make sure you dont move the hogs after you shoot them ie. dont take them home.

The only time you don't have to have a hunting license to shoot a hog is if you can prove that hogs are doing crop damage or being a nuisance animal. Otherwise you are required to have a hunting license. Usually you can get away with it if they are tearing up a crop field or rooting up your yard, but there is a lot left up to interpretaion and how you react to Mr. Lawman. Best thing to do is buy a $48 5-day non-resident license and then you don't have to worry about it at all.

I think that is more towards maybe a land owner protecting his land.

get the liscense

Why not just look up the regs on TPWD's web site instead of rolling the dice on comments here?

Paraphrased:

How do I hunt feral hogs?
Although feral hogs are not classified as game animals, a hunting license is required to hunt them. Feral hogs are very intelligent and considered to be challenging quarry. Many hunters consider the long tusks and mean appearance a genuine trophy, in addition to the quality of meat. They also provide a great off-season challenge and opportunities to hone hunting skills and spend time in the field.

There are many hunting techniques used, including stand hunting over a baited area, quite often incidental to white-tailed deer hunting. Stalking or still hunting over baited areas and areas indicating recent hog activity, such as wallows, are commonly used techniques. Corn or milo, often soaked in water and allowed to sour and then buried underground is good bait.

Night hunting with a spotlight is often used; however, the local game warden must be notified beforehand. (There are certain laws which prohibit using artificial light where deer are known to range.) Hunting with well-trained dogs is another hunting method utilized and can be very exciting. Because the feral hog has such a tough hide the best rifle calibers to use should be a .243 or greater to prevent wounding and loss of the animal. Bowhunting, muzzleloading, and handguns are also popular among sportsmen to hunt feral hogs.

More good info:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/nuisance/feral_hogs/#hunt


Paraphrased:

Exceptions: a hunting license is not required to hunt the following:

•Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl.
•Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.•Fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/general/hunt_licenses/

hunting is the key word....we just want to kill them


saves a lot of headache to just pick up a license.

Just say they are depredating your land and you are good, unless the game warden sees different. Then you have to tell the judge that they are depredating your land. If you buy the license then all problems solved.

Just get the licence and be safe. I always do when i go to Texas. If your friend or family member can affort to come and visit and get a free hunt from you. Surely he can afford the $50.00 for the licence. If not he should take up a new hobby, somthing like checkers should be about right!

That's interesting that TPWD put that on their website - it's written by one of their biologist as an informative pamphlet, but it is NOT what the applicable regulations say:

Non-protected nongame animals and fur-bearing animals may be hunted at night with the aid of an artificial light on private property. If hunting at night, please make a courtesy telephone call to your local game warden.

David

just make sure you kill as many as you can......

Thanks for the information folks, and SATX thanks for the link, that is exactly what I was looking for. Ain't the THF great, if you can't find the answer, our friends here always help each other out. Again, thanks all.


God Bless Our Troops.