Pink, red, white, and yellow are the most common flower colors. Therefore, now that you know why we believe this game is important to hunt (and if you havent read that last blog yet, click here before moving on), we want to provide you with crucial facts that we believe will elevate your future hog hunts. Wild hogs have nocturnal behavior. For the eggs to become putrescent, they will need to rotten up a bit. Try to avoid spraying directly on vegetables or fruits. Personally, Im not going to gamble on that because Im pretty sure there are some hogs who are lighter sleepers than others and hogs still rely on their sense of smell above all others. Read on to find out what scents you can use to deter groundhogs and how to use these natural scents to keep groundhogs away for good! Use the same odor-elimination procedures with hogs that you do with deer. The let their guards down just a tad because even though they smell humans constantly, they know humans arent always necessarily around. Groundhogs are part of the squirrel family and are similar in size and shape to their western cousins, the marmot. Another option is to pound small stakes into the ground and spray the stakes. When a hog is downwind from a scent, it can smell up to 10 miles away. It has also been reported that wild boars avoid places where they can smell other animals such as dogs or wolves. Their Canadian . Groundhogs can cause real problems for home vegetable and flower gardeners. Those who have cattle and other livestock or horses may be concerned about groundhogs as well. In 2019, South Carolina hunters reported killing 31,508 hogs while pursuing deer. Be aware of seasonal food sources, whether native or agriculture. It has been proven that areas with sufficient available food, such as acorns and other forest fruits, have a positive effect on wild boar reproduction. Few other animals have as well evolved and refined a sense of smell as do swine. Also, keep Fido's food in the house. Sweet corn is a staple in hog baits, because hogs can easily recognize the smell. Read on to find out what scents you can use to deter groundhogs and how to use these natural scents to keep groundhogs away for good! I've concluded that no scent is as distracting to a wild hog as the scent of FOOD! If you have sufficiently technologically advanced equipment, it could be possible to set up a trigger where the presence of an animal sets off the noise. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Once the eggs are good and mixed, add the water. It takes just 8 grams of sodium nitrite to kill a 100-pound pig, Gentry said. This results in more pregnant females and, therefore, more offspring per litter. Keeping dogs and allowing them to urinate in the surroundings could therefore scare these animals away. Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is a meat preservative commonly used to cure meats such as sausage and bacon. Hot Sauce And Cayenne Pepper: Why They Work To Repel Rats, 11 Things That Attract Ticks (And How To Repel Them), 9 Different Ways That Spiders Get Into Your Home, How Long Pigeons Nest For (And If They Reuse The Same One), Garlic: Can You Use It to Repel Squirrels? Even human scents or human related scents left on such things like boot tracks, trail cameras, and ground blinds become washed away in the rain. If African swine fever were to arrive in North America, feral pigs could be pivotal in spreading this devastating and deadly porcine disease. When it is extremely hot, hogs will tend to stay along water if available or near the thickest cover possible. When mixed with corn, it makes for the perfect wild hog bait attractant to put in your feeder. We have said it before, and we will say it again, hunting wild hog is becoming a very popular game to harvest. So be wary if you have small dogs or cats, as this deterrent mayattractthe predator to your yard. Like peppers, garlic and onions contain compounds that can upset a pigs stomach. For garlic, onions, mustard, or hot sauce, you can make a spray mixture to apply on and around your plants. Garlic and Pepper 2. The average hog can smell up to 25 feet below its hooves in order to root up worms, insects, or whatever it's in the mood to eat. However, they are also opportunistic and may consume certain types of invertebrates (e.g., insects and crayfish) and some types of vertebrates (e.g., amphibians and small mammals). Shotguns work at much less. The smell is what keeps it off the list of groundhogs' favorite foods, although they do occasionally eat them. Castor Oil 9. In addition, there are natural ways to repel groundhogs besides planting groundhog-proof plants. (n.d.). Why cant I tame a polar bear in Minecraft? That makes sow estrous a suitable attractant year-round. They can trample and uproot crops, springs, and creeks, and many times this means going over homes and business that are in close proximity to humans, livestock, or watering facilities. Also, keep Fidos food in the house. Using physical deterrents is more effective than scent deterrents, but its also more costly. Essential oils are quickly becoming popular for home remedies, aromatherapy, and the treatment of some minor ailments. Their sense of smell is so good, pigs can discriminate between mint, spearmint, and peppermint with 100 percent accuracy during academic testing. Today, as many as nine million roam the U.S., displacing native wildlife and causing . Hang dry your clothes. Plus, with how smart and mischievous these guys are, it is nothing short of fun. Astudydone by the University of Nebraska identified geranium oil as an effective scent repellent against groundhogs. Thus, the negative impact on crop plantations described above is exacerbated by a significant number of these animals and is perpetual. Garrett Boelkes of Last Breath TV shares his unique techniques for creating a mock scrape. As mentioned above, there are similarities between deer and hogs. These ain't grandpa's hogs running the woods, these are crossed with Russian boar and bad to the bone. So, all those precautions you take regarding scent while deer hunting like playing the wind apply to hogs just the same. It corresponds to the genus Sus, a type of even-toed ungulate animal. So, if you see a large hole in your yard, chances are you have a groundhog. You'll have to decide if the knowledge gained from these preliminary trips into the woods outweighs the chances of disturbing the hogs' routine. This guy right next to me? Even the name sounds like it smells bad. However, now that you know where they will reside during the warm months, they might be easier to locate. If a hog smells something that it usually doesnt smell in its habitat, like spearmint, it will stay away. Hogs will have a harder time even smelling you if you are soaked by the rain. Symptoms may include lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, nasal discharge, muscle tremors, coughing, frothing at the mouth, sneezing, involuntary eye movement, labored breathing, and bloody diarrhea. If you havent read my article on hunting hogs in the rain, I think you should do so. This wild hog repellent can also be spread around crops so that the wild pigs will not think of the food as something appetizing. Smoke Wrap Up What Smells Keep Woodchucks Away - 9 Natural Ways So, let's read it out what woodchucks hate to smell, and then we can fix your woodchuck issue without any glitch! Make sure that you use fine plastic mesh for your fence as it prevents the pigs from coming in. For nearly a century, scientists have investigated chemicals that can fell big, vertebrate pestsparticularly feral swine. Feeding raw meat to pigs can transfer diseases such as foot and mouth disease. Porta potties Anyone with a sense of smell is at least somewhat afraid of porta potties. You also can sprinkle some near groundhog burrows to discourage them from remaining in the area. It corresponds to the genus Sus, a type of even-toed ungulate animal. There are many special traits about a hogs sense of smell that should be learned in order to better hunt it. That familiar smell can have a calming effect. Wild/feral hogs are extremely intelligent animals, like most animals they can also become creatures of habit therefore over time they can be "patterned" as to their movement preferences, feed times, travel patterns etc. Like predator urine, putrescent eggs also appeal to a groundhogs sense of danger. The biggest problem with groundhogs is when they get into your vegetable gardens or crops. Start by building fences around your crops, vegetables, and gardens. Table 9. will cast a shadow, often times alerting one or more of the hogs in the group, they will become skiddish and possibly leave the feed area. Pustilnik, J. D., Searle, J. Now, what does all of this mean? Youll use the urine to create a barrier around your garden, spraying the scent liberally around the perimeter. Rosell, Carme, Fernndez-Llario, Pedro and Herrero, Y. Feral hogs are credited anecdotally with good, but not great eyesight. Hunting At NightHuntingHunting SuccessFeral Hog BehaviorHog BehaviorFeral Hog Hunting Feeders, Night hunting with the PATENTED GAME ALERT Stealth Hunter Kit, Game Alert Night Hunting Module with Neoprene Case, Game Alert Single Beam Headlamp kit/ Red, Green,White LED emitter. Also, use a complete scent elimination system to remove scent from your body, clothes, and gear. Reapply Hog Scram as a preventative to repel Hogs from the area. Instead, spray around the plant or directly on its stems and leaves. JMrocek / Getty Images. Groundhogs are also confused with woodchucks. A Little Goes A Long Way Secrets To Mock Scrapes. The numbers of them are rapidly growing throughout the United States, causing them to be easily accessible to many hunters. For a lot of us, we love to pile on the garlic, pepper, and hot sauce. Spicy Odors. There are some other plants that repel groundhogs as well, but their names aren't as well known. However, there are a few easy ways to keep pigs out of your back lawn. A successful hunt requires you to trick their senses and allow them to carry on as if you werent around. Finally make sure that you do not live any food close to your garden that the pigs can scavenge. Wild Boar Anatomy and Appearance In January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a warfarin-based pesticide for registration called Kaput. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. Feral/wild hogs use of monocular (both eyes independent) results in hogs being very aware of close movement in their field of vision (130 degrees). Spread these in areas popular with wild hogs or use it in an outline around your property's perimeter. Wild hogs do not have very good vision, although they do have a good sense of smell. Devices should play the selected sounds automatically and and at regular intervals. Infection can set in and this can be lethal. To groundhogs and other critters, at least. As we stated above, they have a great sense of smell, and they are large, aggressive animals that can come charging at high speeds which means that if you are planning on hunting or trapping these wild hogs, you must be careful with the techniques that you are aiming to use. What Does It Mean When a Cat Shows Up at My Door, My Female Dog In Heat Wont Accept A Male - Causes, The 10 Most Solitary Animals in the World, The 10 Animals Most Faithful to Their Mates, How to Keep Birds Away - Humane Methods of Bird Repellent, Different Types of Domestic and Wild Parrots, How to Volunteer at an Animal Shelter in India: Tips to Get Involved. They don't exhibit signs of poor eyesight and they certainly are no where close to blind as some articles will lead you to believe. Can you hunt over corn in North Carolina? Their sense of smell is so good, pigs can discriminate between mint, spearmint, and peppermint with 100 percent accuracy during academic testing. Fences should be resistant and made of a material that will withstand environmental conditions. Strep Meningitis, Swine Dysentery respectively. Although groundhogs do a lot of good for the environment, in certain situations, they can become a nuisance and a pest. After a few hours of being out in the hot sun, your mixture will begin to sour. Keep all the dry hunting clothes in large ziplock bags and dont open them until youre ready to wear them for the hunt. Take care to keep baits out of the reach of domestic animals or non-target wildlife; place baits where only rodents can access them. The rain will wash away the spray pretty easily since all the ingredients are natural. No one wants a tomato that tastes like hot sauce and mustard, right? Pouring scent around bait, or at any location, can put hogs at ease. Confident hog hunters accurately shooting well within their comfort zone might consider sending a well-placed round directly into the recessed spot behind a hogs ear. The good news is, this will happen naturally once you spray your mixture outside. Pouring scent around bait, or at any location, signals that the spot is safe. That's my buddy, Vito. We now accept phone orders Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm CST. The best way to keep feral pigs out of your garden is to build a sturdy physical barrier around it that prevents them from getting in. You can mix 10-15 drops of something likeMary Tylor Naturals Geranium Essential Oilinto a cup of water and place the mixture in a spray bottle. Ultrasound equipment to scare away wild pigs is also available in some markets, if you prefer. Citrus Peels are Natural Home Remedies to Keep Skunks Away from the House. If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of Wild Hogs, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. But when they, Read More Garlic: Can You Use It to Repel Squirrels? It really depends where you hunt and the type of hog hunting you do. "A hog's vitals are low to the ground. I wash all my clothes in detergents without fragrances and UV brighteners. Broadside-Shoulder Shots are Best. What do hogs hate? It has given rise to hybrid animals. D/CODEconsists of scientifically-proven Field Spray, Body Wash & Shampoo, and other scent-elimination products, that when used together, provide an effective scent-elimination solution. They can be drawn to an area using feed that emits a strong odor. I basically describe the benefits of hunting hogs in the rain in more detail and how it can end in a successful hunt. Ournationwide pest control findercan get you in contact with a wildlife pro for free. You can add garlic or hot sauce to the mixture if you want to provide additional deterrent effects. However, they have also been introduced into the Americas, Australia and onto several islands. This site is owned and operated by Hog Hunting For Beginners. Wild hogs are native to Europe, Asia and some parts of Africa. The owl also has eyes that light up, and it emits a hooting noise when motion is detected. In the warm months, you cant spray down enough with scent-eliminating spray. Hogs love to wallow in the mud. Pigs affected by these diseases can actually die of salt poisoning. 2:545:05How To Survive This Scary Wild Boar Attack - YouTubeYouTube. Always keep a bottle ofCode Blue Smoke Detectorin your pocket to ensure that you're still playing the wind properly. Check for burrows around your garden to determine if groundhogs are to blame or some other critter like rabbits or raccoons. Therefore, uprooted soil is one of the most recognizable signs of a wild hog's presence and is going to help you harvest a nice pig. Or you can also try an electronic cannon such as the one below, that is meant to scare birds, foxes, deer and wild pigs from the area. You can also spray it on fencing around your garden. Homemade repellents with unpleasant smells can be made to discourage feral pigs. In field tests I have intentionally made noises to alert the hogs at a feeder, they typically acknowledge but tolerate the common noises (movements, rustling of brush, shuffling of rocks etc.) If a hog is uncertain of what predators or hunters may be lurking by, it will refuse to come out from its comfortable hiding spots. Wild hogs possess one of if not the strongest highly developed senses of smell of any animal you will hunt, capable of detecting certain odors in excess of 5 miles away. They have also been known to jump over fences that are less than 3 feet high, and researchers have sighted wild hogs making their way out of traps that were 5 to 6 feet high. This is easily accomplished by simply carrying a pound or two of corn in a bag tied to my pack or belt, cut a small hole in the corner allowing a few kernels to drop out as the bag moves from your actions. Here's a look at how dangerous feral hogs are and what should you do if you encounter one. If it is shelter, perhaps you can make changes to the shade and cover provided. Problems only arise when groundhogs begin burrowing near the foundation of your home or if they find their way into your garden. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. The smell sends a message to the groundhog that big predators might be nearby and sends them scurrying away. What you need to do is remove access to the food by building a fence. When used outdoors, they end up in our groundwater. They can be used against crawling, flying insects, mice, rats, cats, dogs, snakes or other pests. Although all groundhogs look about the same, just like we humans, each groundhog has unique preferences. Feral Hogs are wild animals that need food, shelter, and water. Raw meat and raw eggs should never be fed to swine. With this recipe, simply soak your corn in beer. Groundhogs always create at leasttwoentrances to their burrow, the second entrance being an emergency entrance or exit. B., & Curtis, P. D. (2021). Uprooted soil from a wild pig feeding, bedding, etc. Pigs have a remarkable 1113 active genes related to smell. They left their usual corn at the corn feeder to raid this mans garden. When the wind won't work with you, we will! Therefore, if we are the ones responsible, we should seek solutions which are non-aggressive and non-harmful for the animals. With these 7 facts in the back of your mind, and your HuntWise app to guide you along the way with predictions of the best times to hunt in your area, you are sure to see success afield and harvest a wild hog. But more specifically, its made with rotten eggs. In National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995 (p. 4). Patterning is only possible if they establish a home-range (wild hog home ranges vary from 4-6 square miles) a home-range will only be established if there is plenty of food, water, escape cover and the area is not subjected to excessive hunting pressure. To keep groundhogs out of your garden, fencing will have to accommodate both the groundhog's digging and climbing. Another tactic is to use predator decoys. 10. Many farmers choose to use chemicals to keep weeds and pests from destroying their crops and to add more nutrients to the soil. With a hogs sense of smell being its strongest weapon, the hog is unable to use it properly due to the wind providing constant uncertainty of the smells around it. Hogs have a keen sense of smell that may be greater than even that of a whitetail. The sweet smell of raspberry jello mix will lure hogs in from all over. Talcum Powder 3. In the past, wild boars were put under pressure because of hunting and the fragmentation of their habitat which displaced them from their natural areas. This appeals to a groundhogs sense of danger. In this way, we humans are often responsible for altering their habits. You can sprinkle the repellent around the perimeter to create a barrier and keep them out or spray liquid right onto surface of plants, wood, grass, mulch or wherever you have found signs of the ground hog. It is like kryptonite to Super Man. Sweet corn is a staple in hog baits, because hogs can easily recognize the smell. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. While doing rattlesnake telemetry at the Chapparal Wildlife Management Area, I walked (usually within a few feet and quite often a few inches) up on numerous snakes, hundreds of times. When eaten in high doses over a short period of time, it is toxic to feral swine. Then, address the cause. Farmers would complain like they do nowadays when the wild hogs root up the land looking for their own truffles.. Try to make minimal cuts in the first 24 hours to let the rigor mortis process take place. One of Pompi's friends, Delvin, a doughy guy with red cheeks and khaki shorts sagging at his rear, climbs down from the cab. There are three different kinds of pesticides; herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Chemical repelents; active substances such as Anthraquinone, Butanethiol, and Methyl Anthranilate can be used to keep wild animals away from crops. Heres How. black bear, once you identify your target your chances of succcess are greatly enhanced if you pocess a base understanding of the strengths/weaknesses of your game. Keep your yard clear of litter and debris that may attract Wild Hogs. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. What can farmers do to protect their crops? In reality, wind tends to swirl and constantly change direction in which it blows. Simple enough, right? All three of these pesticides are used to kill different kinds of pests that can be found on a farm. I have tried so many scent killing products myself. Pigs have a remarkable 1113 active genes related to smell. SMELL Wild hogs possess one of if not the strongest highly developed senses of smell of any animal you will hunt, capable of detecting certain odors in excess of 5 miles away. Whether these little bandits have been stealing your garden vegetables or their burrows are getting out of control, youre ready to do something about it. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. . One such repellent which quickly scares them away is the human scent, so collecting human hair in a barbershop and spreading it around the areas they usually frequent is an effective way to scare them off. This includes our own. However, we feel that various wild hog hunting equipment such as the Game Alert Hog Hunting Light, which can be attached to the bottom of feeders and provides momentary illumination when a hog is within range, simplifies the process of hog hunting at night and helps you see success. Bean, N. J., Korff, W. L., & Mason, J. R. (1995, August). Dont use scented lotions or deodorant either. Physical barriers can be used to prevent feral pigs entering protected areas, if the space is not too large. If youre interested, you can read more about thebest coyote urines for repelling animals here. The Epsom salt won't do anything harmful to a groundhog, as it's a natural product. What can you do to keep wild hogs from tearing up your yard? The first thing to know about hogs is that their sense of smell is excellent. If youre just trying to get a quick hunt in, then you can sprinkle packets of raspberry jello mix around an area to attract them. Hogs are used to encountering the scent of other hogs. Hogs are creatures of habit. He has a live sow in his truck bed . In a 1913 photo, two feral hogs on St. Vincent Island, Florida, trigger a camera by pulling on a baited string. it is this lack of depth perception that i believe leads to the near blind myth. Choosing the right mount for your Rifle Mount Flashlight. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. Minimize your chances of alerting hogs by choosing a way in that doesn't follow a hog trail. Feral Hunting: Yes; it is legal to kill feral hogs on your own property and on public lands where hunting is allowed. Dont worry; no live animals will be involved on your part! How do banks earn a profit from lending money to their customers? The hot sauce and garlic will reinforce the message to STAY AWAY. Now that youre packed full of groundhog deterrent information, you should have a small arsenal of ideas to repel these pesky critters. Wild hogs, wild pigs, feral pigs, feral hogs, razorbacksthey go by many names, but one thing is certain, they cause a lot of property damage. Consider all rodenticides sufficiently toxic to cause death to pigs. Groundhogs tend to hate the taste of Epsom salt. Boar taint is the offensive odor or taste that can be evident during the cooking or eating of pork or pork products derived from non-castrated male pigs once they reach puberty. Contacts | About us | Privacy Policy & Cookies. Fences can also be installed and are highly effective in preventing the access of these animals. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. As mentioned previously, wild boards have a highly sensitive sense of smell. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. But scent deterrents use natural ingredients that you may already have lying around the house. If you do not want to line your garden with peppers, you could simply swap out the peppers for garlic or onion plants. To keep wild pigs away, you can also use repellents, such as light or noise sensors, or water sprinklers, that will scare them away. Pouring scent around bait, or at any location, can put hogs at ease. The smell alone of certain herbs and aromatic flowers will repel even the most determined groundhog. Even though their hearing isnt as good as their sense of smell, it is still considered their second best sense. This can include seeds and animals buried in the ground. My field experience has proven that wild hogs often detect movement at distances up to 100 yards, not sensing immediate danger this distant movement has little if any impact on their actions. When Im not out roaming around 50+ acres of pastures, woods, and a freshwater bass pond, Im at my computer writing on Pest Pointers. Avoid growing crops that pigs enjoy, such as strawberries and other sweet fruit. The good news is,groundhogs and woodchucks are actually the same animals, so theres no need to confuse the two! Although they have solve the problem of deterring wild hogs, they may have a negative effect on the local ecology. Considering many hog populations that are becoming hard to control are in the south (Texas, Alabama, etc. Make sure to clean your washer out beforehand and clean out any residue. However, because of the complicated history of hogs in North America, the terms can be used interchangeably. If youre unsure about your groundhog problem or if you dont think you can handle it on your own, get help from a professional! if you do not disrupt there senses. By using scents, you can set yourself up in the best position possible to put that trophy buck down for the count! You can mix it all together in a container or put everything into the spray bottle if its big enough. Heres HowContinue, Your email address will not be published. They can cover considerable areas, except when the females are pregnant. To make a homemade scent spray, follow these steps: If you dont have all four ingredients, its okay to skip out on one or two, just as long as you have at leastONEscent deterrent in there. Groundhogs have a keen sense of smell that helps them stay safe from predators. Use soap and shampoo right before your hunt that specializes in killing your human scent. If you wish, you may try planting repellant plants such as fragrant herbs among growing flowers and fruit trees, as these are supposedly plants javelina will not eat and tend to avoid. Published April 30, 2021. Skatole may also be detected in gilts, but this is linked with faecal contamination of the skin.