Myths and Legends

By Dustin Bergen

17 May 2012 — Updated 18 Dec 2019

Chances are you’re here to learn about what sets hogs apart from other animal species; at least, as far as hunting them goes.  Much about hog hunting has to do with being a good (disciplined) hunter in general, regarding not only things like scent control, noise reduction, and camouflage, but also preparation, situational awareness, and marksmanship.

For some reason, some people seem to think hunting wild pigs will be easier than hunting other North American big game.  Perhaps that has to do with the wild & feral hog population being so unrestrained that is has been dubbed “The Pig Bomb”, whose explosion produces a new litter of 10-15 little packages of bacon every three months, three weeks and three days. However, explosions like that make for a lot of pig sightings and increased hunt successes.

This easy-to-hunt reputation could also have something to do with the popularity of “canned” hunts – hunts that take place within a fenced enclosure to ensure the odds of a kill.  These hunts are marketed heavily for statistical purposes (to make the numbers look good) and often televised and edited to make for ‘good TV’.  When you see those hunters on TV walking and talking while they casually stroll up to a pack of pigs without them taking off at light speed, you can bet your last sausage that it’s taking place in a high fence situation.  Don’t plan on just sailin’ along, singin’ a song and expect for this to happen for you – not if you’re hunting real, wild hogs.

Pursuing wild pigs presents a new set of challenges to the hunter; a new set of unpredictable circumstances that can jeopardize not only the hunter’s chance of success, but also his health and welfare.  They don’t call it the ‘poor man’s grizzly’ just because it sounds cool.

Wild boars have been considered a very fierce and worthy quarry since antiquity, with animal likenesses appearing in various forms of art throughout human history.  One archaic vase shows a boar ripping a dog into two pieces while Gullinbursti, a golden boar in Viking mythology, was described as a gift to match the quality of Odin’s spear, professing that it could run through the air and water better than any horse and could light up the night with its mane and bristles.

In ancient Greece, wild boar were feared and respected, being considered the embodiment of a worthy adversary and representing the dual sided nature of Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, by its ability to release sudden and violent destruction on people and property.  Warriors would attach hog tusks to their shields.  No fewer than three Roman legions used the boar’s image as their emblems and many other present and past military units have embossed it upon their coats-of-arms.  The red coloring on the flag of Vanuatu represents the blood of wild boar and men, and also depicts a golden boar’s tusk, symbolizing prosperity.

So, how is hunting hogs any different than hunting deer, turkey or even squirrels for that matter?  I mean, they’re just dumb, ugly, short legged animals that eat whatever they find, right?  They’re not any more challenging than hunting deer are they?

Well, yes and no…

Next — “The Eyes”