With an estimated three million wild swine in Texas, it’s not hard to find a place to pursue them and in a variety of habitat.

Story and photography by Bob Zaiglin

I have been privileged to pursue big game around the world, not to mention the opportunity to hunt free-ranging white-tails on the Piloncillo Ranch, which I managed for 21 years, acquiring many fond memories.  I am often asked what was my most exciting if not most rewarding adventure, but that’s a difficult question as they were all unique, from my first cottontail at age 13 to the incredibly beautiful Lord Derby I took in Cameroon in 2022.

When it comes to hogs, there is one hunt that stands out, and I was not the one doing the shooting.  My hunting companion was a strapping 12-year-old hoping to shoot his first Piney Woods rooter.

It was a cold, bluebird-sky morning as the young lad, along with his dad, followed me up a hillside laden with post oak and hickory trees to an area I knew hogs liked to bed up.  Shortly after entering the forest, I could hear the sound of what appeared to be a .22 caliber rifle going off in the distance.  In reality what I was hearing was the sound of hogs cracking hickory nuts, a preferred food source for the animals during the winter.

Venturing further up the hill, we breached the south slope inundated with dried leaves gilded by the early morning sun.  Just prior to reaching the pinnacle of the hill, I informed the youngster he needs to get ready as I expected to surprise the hogs that frequently used the area to bed up.  I also informed him if we jump more than one pig, ‘keep shooting until they disappear’.

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