Since Ponce De Leon delivered the first swine to Florida, five hundred years ago in 1521, hogs have become an important source of both fun and food. You really don’t need to wait for any particular season to come back around since hog hunting is allowed all year round on private land. All you have to do is to gain permission from the landowner. And, you can always find a place that offers hunts for a fee, but I wouldn’t overlook our public lands.
Our state offers a lot of opportunities for hog hunters. Over five million acres of public land has been designated as wildlife management areas, so whether you are a well-seasoned hunter or a first-timer, you can definitely find a few acres to stake out for yourself. The best way to start your search is to check out the online WMA brochures. You can visit the Florida Wildlife Commission’s website at www.MyFWC.com, to see brochures, maps, as well as the rules and regulations for each of the properties, which makes it a lot easier for you to find your new Honey Hole. Go to their menu and click on things to do, then select hunting and it’ll take you right to where you need to begin your research.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are also privately owned ranches where you can pay for guide services. The average rate is from two to three hundred bucks, but this may go up depending on the hunt package that you may choose. If you are looking into affordable hog hunts, you can consider either of these ranches.
Tiger Island Outfitters, located in Cedar Key. You probably have seen this group featured in Woods N Water Magazine already. They offer some of the most affordable hog hunts along the Gulf Coast, and they can also provide customized packages according to your personal preference. If you want to fill your cooler with fresh pork, you should look up Billy and Meghan through their website at www.TigerIslandHogHunts.com.
One ranch, very dear to my own heart, is the Ross Hammock Ranch in Inglis. They offer year round hog hunts on twelve continuous miles of old Florida wilderness with likely the best rates of success than you will find anywhere. HR Ross, the owner, is a sho’ nuff, dedicated bowhunter and his passion for archery is evident in the layout of the stand and feeder sites. You’re welcome to hunt hogs there in a variety of hunt styles utilizing any legal weapon at your disposal. Reach out to HR Ross through his website at www.RossHammockRanch.com.
Hog hunting is fun and exciting, but a wild hog can be a dangerous animal too. That’s why I recommend that you take advantage of a guided hunt, especially if you are a first-timer. For a minimal fee you can be paired with a professional, to keep you safe and show you the ropes. By taking advantage of their experience, it will also significantly increase your odds of success.
I surely thank you for all of your input and as always, if you have any feedback, give me a shout at [email protected]. God Bless and Good Hunting!
