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How to Conduct a Pig Trap

Wild pigs, hogs or boars run and reproduce freely in Texas and in many wooded areas of the southeast. These animals can devastate crops and pose a potential threat to livestock, which makes trapping them essential in order to protect personal property. Wild hogs are also often caught and raised for food or sale to restaurants specializing in wild game. Operating a hog trap requires patience and consistency. Trappers must make the effort to prepare the hog to take the trap. Once a hog has taken the trap, other hogs may join him even without bait.

Things You'll Need

Bait (soured corn, peaches)
Hog Trap
Wire or rope
Stick or PVC pipe
Bucket (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Locate signs of recent presence of hogs, including hoof prints, scat and evidence of rooting. Other signs include bark stripped or rubbed from the lower trunk of pine trees and electricity poles. Wallows near small pools of water are also signs of local feral hogs.
- 2
  Lay bait in the area for one week prior to trapping.
- 3
  Place the trap in a planned area. Tie the door back with a piece of wire or rope. Bait the trap daily for a few days prior to setting the trap for the catch. This allows the hogs to become more comfortable with the trap.
- 4
  Set the trap. Hold open a root door trap with a stick or piece of PVC pipe. For traps with a built-in door hook, use the stick or PVC pipe to push the hook around the catch. The pig will bump the stick or the catch in pursuit of the bait. Another method is to tie a rope to the door, loop the rope through the top of the pen, and tie the other end of the rope to a bucket loaded with bait. When the bucket is empty, the weight of the door causes it to close, lifting the bucket into the air.

Animals & Science