Recently been having a hog problem on my land and now that deer season is about over I want to thin them out, the hogs seem to come through after dark so figured that would be the best time to hunt them but the hunting regulations seem somewhat contradictory. Tried calling my region today during business hours for clarification but the recording just says go to the TNwildlife website for questions.
Decided to post here for answers and for future reference in case anyone else is wondering.
Well the website states the following is prohibited:
1. No person shall make use of bait to take wildlife unless the bait has been removed and any electronic feeder disabled at least 10 days prior to hunting.
2. Firearms or archery equipment with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife.
3. Any electronic light amplifying night vision scope, thermal imaging device or similar devices while in possession of a firearm or archery tackle between sunset and sunrise.
4. Rifles or handguns with centerfire ammunition between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
But the same website also states:
Landowners have more opportunity than ever before to control wild hogs on their properties. They can shoot wild hogs year-round during the day without limit and trap with bait outside of big game seasons. Furthermore, landowners may obtain an exemption from their TWRA regional office enabling them to kill wild hogs at night using a spotlight, and to trap year-round.
My confusion is number 1 says baiting is prohibited (no exceptions listed) but later is looks like bait is allowed for hogs outside of deer season but is it only to trap first then shoot or can I hunt over a baited trap?
Number 2/3 say no artificial light or light amplifying devices (no exceptions listed) but later on the regulations say you can use a spotlight (which I assume could be white spotlight, red spotlight or infrared spotlight).
and last, number 4 says no centerfire at night (no exceptions listed) but wouldn't centerfire be almost required to effectively kill a hog.
Seems hog hunting at night on private land doesn't follow the normal rules of hunting and you can legally use prohibited methods, clear as mud.
Decided to post here for answers and for future reference in case anyone else is wondering.
Well the website states the following is prohibited:
1. No person shall make use of bait to take wildlife unless the bait has been removed and any electronic feeder disabled at least 10 days prior to hunting.
2. Firearms or archery equipment with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife.
3. Any electronic light amplifying night vision scope, thermal imaging device or similar devices while in possession of a firearm or archery tackle between sunset and sunrise.
4. Rifles or handguns with centerfire ammunition between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
But the same website also states:
Landowners have more opportunity than ever before to control wild hogs on their properties. They can shoot wild hogs year-round during the day without limit and trap with bait outside of big game seasons. Furthermore, landowners may obtain an exemption from their TWRA regional office enabling them to kill wild hogs at night using a spotlight, and to trap year-round.
My confusion is number 1 says baiting is prohibited (no exceptions listed) but later is looks like bait is allowed for hogs outside of deer season but is it only to trap first then shoot or can I hunt over a baited trap?
Number 2/3 say no artificial light or light amplifying devices (no exceptions listed) but later on the regulations say you can use a spotlight (which I assume could be white spotlight, red spotlight or infrared spotlight).
and last, number 4 says no centerfire at night (no exceptions listed) but wouldn't centerfire be almost required to effectively kill a hog.
Seems hog hunting at night on private land doesn't follow the normal rules of hunting and you can legally use prohibited methods, clear as mud.
