Where are the feral pigs?

[pconpcs]

Hey all, I've read many of the posts on here about feral pigs, but nothing about their regional habitats specifically in BC. Does anyone know areas in the lower mainland where someone could find them?

[KodiakHntr]

There isn't any. Not like in the US at any rate.

[wildcatter]

Your first post, perhaps an introduction would be in order.:wink:

[walks with deer]

sylvester road is loaded in pigs.

[Mosin]

Hey dude, there's guys on here that will try and dissuade you from hunting the feral pigs that are invading BC because they are jealous and want to keep the pig hunting to themselves. They are out there man!!! Sorry I'm not giving up my spot...but try whipsaw

[Treed]

I’ve seen parties of them in Victoria. Be careful though, most carry the swine flu, which is highly contagious and can lead to MLA, a terminal condition that makes it impossible to live anywhere except off the public teat.

[MontyLake]

This comes up every year, frequently by new hunters.

If there are any at all, they are so few that it is virtually an urban myth. In BC anyway.

I've never seen a real photo of one shot by anyone. There was a rumour a few years ago about some out Blackwater way.

The only pigs I've seen up Whipsaw are the 4x4 gangs chewing up the alpine.

[pconpcs]

Hi wildcatter, you're right... my apologies. I'm a rookie at these posting boards. Read them frequently, but should've said hello :) I've been shooting for about 5 years and live in the Lower Mainland. I am a complete noob when it comes to hunting (other than reading things online and talking to a few friends that hunt). I don't want to start with big game and noticed that feral pigs have no limits or season here in BC. Thought that would be a good place to start - an invasive specie that goes great with eggs in the morning! I really appreciate learning from you experienced guys on here. Thanks for posting great content!!

[Fella]

Hi wildcatter, you're right... my apologies. I'm a rookie at these posting boards. Read them frequently, but should've said hello :) I've been shooting for about 5 years and live in the Lower Mainland. I am a complete noob when it comes to hunting (other than reading things online and talking to a few friends that hunt). I don't want to start with big game and noticed that feral pigs have no limits or season here in BC. Thought that would be a good place to start - an invasive specie that goes great with eggs in the morning! I really appreciate learning from you experienced guys on here. Thanks for posting great content!!
Go for black bears. Lots of em out there, just go for a drive and you should run into 1 or 2

[pconpcs]

sylvester road is loaded in pigs.

thanks 'walks with deer'... you mean out Stave Lake / Mission area?

[REMINGTON JIM]

Stay away from Wildcatt he will lead u a stray leason only to Srupp ! :smile: lol. RJ

[pconpcs]

This comes up every year, frequently by new hunters.

If there are any at all, they are so few that it is virtually an urban myth. In BC anyway.

I've never seen a real photo of one shot by anyone. There was a rumour a few years ago about some out Blackwater way.

The only pigs I've seen up Whipsaw are the 4x4 gangs chewing up the alpine.

Hey MontyLake, yup that would be me - new hunter :) Disappointing to hear, but thanks for the reply.

[pconpcs]

Hey dude, there's guys on here that will try and dissuade you from hunting the feral pigs that are invading BC because they are jealous and want to keep the pig hunting to themselves. They are out there man!!! Sorry I'm not giving up my spot...but try whipsaw

Hey Mosin, thanks for the comment. I'll keep looking... sorry, what's Whipsaw?

[pconpcs]

Stay away from Wildcatt he will lead u a stray leason only to Srupp ! :smile: lol. RJ

Haha, thanks Jim. Why do I feel like i'm walking into a party where I don't know anyone, everybody turns and looks at me, and the music stops. haha! :eek:

[Redthies]

Hey Mosin, thanks for the comment. I'll keep looking... sorry, what's Whipsaw?

Ok. So I’m going to be a spoil sport. THESE GUYS ARE PULLING YOUR LEG. There are less feral pigs in BC than there are honest politicians. There may be a few hiding out somewhere, but you’d probably have better luck finding a Sasquatch. Start with grouse, rabbits etc if you don’t want to go after deer or elk etc yet. Given that you are in the LML, waterfowl is a good option too come fall.

[robert05]

Whipsaw is off the Hope Princton Hwy on the left and goes over to Tullameen, need a good four wheel drive. Google lots of info.

[markt308]

Haha some great comments in here. But as Redthies said, start with grouse. You will actually find them if you drive or hike and they are fun to hunt, and delicious.
I have hunted for 34 years in BC and never seen a wild pig. Doesn't mean they aren't out there, but you can appreciate that setting your sights on them might be lofty goal to say the least. Good luck and welcome to the hunting lifestyle

[Squamch]

Hey Mosin, thanks for the comment. I'll keep looking... sorry, what's Whipsaw?

The whipsaw is a destination 4x4 trail. Folks come from all over the run it.

[MontyLake]

The whipsaw is a destination 4x4 trail. Folks come from all over the run it.

Did you mean to run it or to ruin it?

Either way, you are right.

On Thanksgiving weekend 1992 I had my first 4x4 and my wife and I spent an idyllic weekend camped at the cabin there and in three days we only saw one party come by, two guys in a pickup and a quad one was driving because it had rolled out of the back of the truck. I hunted but as lovely as the alpine was, all I got was a spruce grouse.

The last time I went there was a convoy of 4x4 Jeeps and Toyotas loaded with yahoos roaring up the hill and that was indeed the very last time I ever went. I'm very happy I got to experience it back then.

[wildcatter]

Hi wildcatter, you're right... my apologies. I'm a rookie at these posting boards. Read them frequently, but should've said hello :) I've been shooting for about 5 years and live in the Lower Mainland. I am a complete noob when it comes to hunting (other than reading things online and talking to a few friends that hunt). I don't want to start with big game and noticed that feral pigs have no limits or season here in BC. Thought that would be a good place to start - an invasive specie that goes great with eggs in the morning! I really appreciate learning from you experienced guys on here. Thanks for posting great content!!

Hey no problem pcopcs, there may be some pigs out there, but few and far between.
Don't mind Remington Jim, he's losing it from being cooped up too long.:lol:
Like Fella said try bear hunting, much more numerous, than pigs.

[Harvest the Land]

There's a ton of them in Saskatchewan. Pretty sure you don't need a license or tags and there's no bag limit. Will be doing a trip out there in the next few years. Follow this guy on twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanKBrook/status/1252603421728763904 . He's a Prof at U of S and the leading expert on feral pigs in Canada.

He's been sounding the alarm for years as their numbers are exploding on the prairies

[Mosin]

Hey Mosin, thanks for the comment. I'll keep looking... sorry, what's Whipsaw?

Dude, I'm phucking with you, pm me if you want. Honestly, don't bother looking for feral pigs, I'm sure there is the odd one here and there but next to nil. Just out of curiosity out of all the other species that are way more plentiful ie:black bear, deer, Leh moose, Leh elk, what makes you ask about feral pigs?

[IronNoggin]

There's a ton of them in Saskatchewan. Pretty sure you don't need a license or tags and there's no bag limit. Will be doing a trip out there in the next few years. Follow this guy on twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanKBrook/status/1252603421728763904 . He's a Prof at U of S and the leading expert on feral pigs in Canada.


First (and again) - Your source is a researcher in need of more funds to continue his "research". Only ones that consider him an "expert" on this matter are himself, and a few understudies. Reality.

Second: His "information" has been widely proven wrong by the very folks that live in the areas he says have the highest concentrations.

Third: You WILL NOT be heading over there "in the next few years" to hunt feral pigs. It is ILLEGAL for anyone who is not a Saskatchewan Resident to do so. Period.

So much for that horseshit.

Nog

[Pauly]

First (and again) - Your source is a researcher in need of more funds to continue his "research". Only ones that consider him an "expert" on this matter are himself, and a few understudies. Reality.

Second: His "information" has been widely proven wrong by the very folks that live in the areas he says have the highest concentrations.

Third: You WILL NOT be heading over there "in the next few years" to hunt feral pigs. It is ILLEGAL for anyone who is not a Saskatchewan Resident to do so. Period.

So much for that horseshit.

Nogtakes a pig to know a pig hey nog!! Oink oink lol

[Harvest the Land]

Hey Nog, thanks for the positive friendly feedback.

You don't anything about me or my life situation, so how can you say that I won't be heading over there in the next few years to hunt them? I have family in the PA and Meadow Lake areas. They know a couple of spots where there's good numbers of them. My uncle has a buddy at Twin Creeks ranch and they've hunted pigs together in the PA area. I will most DEFINITELY be going there and hunting for feral pigs with him in the next few years if I can get time off work. (Reality)

To the best of my knowledge, most researchers depend on funding to conduct their studies. I don't know of anyone else who has put in more time studying feral pigs in Sask than him. Please tell me who has put in more time than him in trying to understand their population distribution - I would love to know because I don't of anyone else has more experience. Also, if you could please point me in the right direction where I can read more about his "information" being "widely proven wrong by the very folks that live in areas he says have the highest concentrations" I would really appreciate it. Moreover, I would gladly question him about whatever information he has put forward that has widely been proven wrong - so if you could send me a link I would love to read more and inform myself.

I was just trying to help the original poster out - seems like he/she is a new hunter looking for information. Sorry if I offended you Nog

[Pauly]

Hogs are a problem in Saskatchewan they live out the winter in pigloos burrowed in the snow or round bales. These are not feral pigs that escaped these are the real deal Russian boars imported for pay to hunt operations that escaped and thrived. They are in their element so shoot as many as you can. Peace river country has them as well. By the way my friend is a sask native we make wild boar breakfast sausage every year.

[RackStar]

Sylvester road, may long weekend ... will be loaded with pigs

[likemaple]

I believe they are some here in BC and AB. But extremely rare, and most MUs do not list them as game animal? I think someone actually made a website tracking the sighting of these pigs

[walks with deer]

Go for black bears. Lots of em out there, just go for a drive and you should run into 1 or 2

best and most honest reply yet.

[walks with deer]

Hey Nog, thanks for the positive friendly feedback.

You don't anything about me or my life situation, so how can you say that I won't be heading over there in the next few years to hunt them? I have family in the PA and Meadow Lake areas. They know a couple of spots where there's good numbers of them. My uncle has a buddy at Twin Creeks ranch and they've hunted pigs together in the PA area. I will most DEFINITELY be going there and hunting for feral pigs with him in the next few years if I can get time off work. (Reality)

To the best of my knowledge, most researchers depend on funding to conduct their studies. I don't know of anyone else who has put in more time studying feral pigs in Sask than him. Please tell me who has put in more time than him in trying to understand their population distribution - I would love to know because I don't of anyone else has more experience. Also, if you could please point me in the right direction where I can read more about his "information" being "widely proven wrong by the very folks that live in areas he says have the highest concentrations" I would really appreciate it. Moreover, I would gladly question him about whatever information he has put forward that has widely been proven wrong - so if you could send me a link I would love to read more and inform myself.

I was just trying to help the original poster out - seems like he/she is a new hunter looking for information. Sorry if I offended you Nog

great reply do not be insulted by the washed up ex marine bioligist no it all. he likes to attack all. hes been banned from ab outdoors so now i am sure hes a suthority on saskatchewan.

[IronNoggin]

Hey Nog, thanks for the positive friendly feedback.

Didn't mean to come across quite as harsh as that sounded.
Simply I am more than a little fed up with the BS being touted regarding these swine, here, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Apologies for being so gruff.


You don't anything about me or my life situation, so how can you say that I won't be heading over there in the next few years to hunt them? I have family in the PA and Meadow Lake areas. They know a couple of spots where there's good numbers of them. My uncle has a buddy at Twin Creeks ranch and they've hunted pigs together in the PA area. I will most DEFINITELY be going there and hunting for feral pigs with him in the next few years if I can get time off work. (Reality)

You are publicly stating you are willing to break their game laws? Really??
They made what you are so adamantly suggesting illegal for any but Saskatchewan residents years ago.
Guess if you're comfortable ignoring that, carry on...


Please tell me who has put in more time than him in trying to understand their population distribution - I would love to know because I don't of anyone else has more experience.

Both my Family, and my Lady's family lived in Saskatchewan for many years. All of hers still do.
We both have life-long friends that are farmers and ranchers scattered widely over the province (especially so my wife's extended family).
These number in the dozens upon dozens. You can add to that the great many landowners whose properties I hunted back then that went on to become fast and firm family friends that we will always maintain contact with.
Many live right smack dab in so-called "hot zones" the prof notes as having "very high population numbers".
Only one of those many folks actually living right there have EVER seen one - they ate it.

My father was a Dean at the same university this fellow is at.
Many of my close friends still work at that same institute.
Several are directly involved in wildlife, and wildlife studies.
Collectively they will tell you this fellow is "a little off".

Between those two, and my personal experience on the ground, I have complete confidence suggesting the man tends to exaggerate.
For rather obvious reasons.

No offense taken, and please understand, I mean none myself either.

Cheers,
Nog

[Darksith]

The guy that can prove he is standing in BC and has a photo of an actual feral pig, or trail cam pics of them for more than a year will become a legend, until then, its all a myth. No one can produce actual proof, its all just I heard it from a guy who knows a guy. Its been this way for years, but then you will see guys on facebook that swear up and down there are populations yet they can offer no proof...

[skibum]

I was gifted a pile of old BC Outdoors; in one from the mid-eighties there was an article on a couple pigs around Harrison Lake.

Anyways, the biologist in the article stated that the forests in BC wouldn't support a population of wild pigs - not enough quality feed for them. I guess that makes sense correlated with how many bears there are in a given area. Not like there are "herds" of bears wandering around.

[browningboy]

I've never in 25 years of being active in the bush seen a wild pig... Well maybe at a few bush parties when I was younger! LOL

[btridge]

12 years ago, there was a breakout of Russian Boar in central Alberta. They went feral very quickly and pretty much nocternal. The farmer in the area that raised Russian Boar, refused to take responsibility for them and said they were not his. I was in on taking out one VERY large boar, not the best meat, but edible. It took about 2 years to clean up the breakout, it's been 10 years since any boar were sighted...but apparently it's a hot spot.

[wildcatter]

I was gifted a pile of old BC Outdoors; in one from the mid-eighties there was an article on a couple pigs around Harrison Lake.

Anyways, the biologist in the article stated that the forests in BC wouldn't support a population of wild pigs - not enough quality feed for them. I guess that makes sense correlated with how many bears there are in a given area. Not like there are "herds" of bears wandering around.

Wild boars usually like beech and oak forests as that provides them with lot's of feed.
Here in BC we don't have much deciduous forests, but farms of course attract them.

[REMINGTON JIM]

I've never in 25 years of being active in the bush seen a wild pig... Well maybe at a few bush parties when I was younger! LOL

Oh Quit it Buddy there's LOT's of PIG's in Langley and you know it ! :tongue: lol RJ

[DarekG]

According to the responses in this thread I should go buy a lottery ticket.

I've seen one.

[mr eagle]

I have relatives that are avid hunters who live in the "hot spot" in Saskatchewan. They have never seen boar tracks or sign, let alone a live one and do not understand why their area has been deemed a "hot spot".

[browningboy]

Oh Quit it Buddy there's LOT's of PIG's in Langley and you know it ! :tongue: lol RJ

there’s two and they are working it on the pole! Cash is low now a days!

[DarekG]

I saw a wild pig just this last Wednesday. Thick brown fur and small tusks on it, it's been feral for a little while from the looks of it.

I didn't have any of my hunting gear on me unfortunately but I saw him streak across the road in broad daylight.

[Darksith]

I saw a wild pig just this last Wednesday. Thick brown fur and small tusks on it, it's been feral for a little while from the looks of it.

I didn't have any of my hunting gear on me unfortunately but I saw him streak across the road in broad daylight.

:lol: .,..

[DarekG]

:lol: .,..

I know right? It's totally unreasonable and crazy that I saw a feral pig on crown land within 2 kilometers of a pig farm. :neutral: