Hunting Pigs on Foot with a Knife

When hunting with projectiles there are a few standard things that one learns to keep in mind at all times. The distance between the hunter and the prey; the direction of the wind; and the concealment of the hunter (not getting skylined, etc.). When I was hunting pigs on foot with a knife I found that an additional element became very important. Hills.

The slope of the land is a major factor in hunting with only a knife. The hot pursuit of the pig will usually only last about 30 seconds at the most. The herd will be heading straight for thick cover where they will lose you quickly. During that very short chase the hunter needs every possible advantage in order to close the deal and using the slope of the terrain is essential.

I learned the hard way, repeatedly, that it is nigh impossible to gain ground on a pig while sprinting up a hill. The pig is simply more efficient at running uphill than a human is, at least over short distances. A better runner than I might be able to gain ground on level terrain. Bounding downhill, I found that I could really use my long legs as an advantage over the pig's short legs.

The ideal set-up would be to find a food source in an open field (baiting would be a smart idea) and set yourself up in ambush along the shortest route between the food source and the nearest cover or the edge of the woods, up-hill from the food source. Alternatively, it is possible to spot-and-stalk to such a position.

Spot-and-stalk works best on smaller groups of pigs. The larger the herd, the more eyes and ears are keeping watch and the less likely it is that you will succeed in approaching unnoticed. Keeping down-wind of the pigs throughout the approach is absolutely critical. If the wind is favorable for this, it is good to creep along the edge of a meadow at dusk with the woods behind you to hide your silhouette. When you reach the point where you are closest to the pigs, begin to move in. If the pigs are looking the other way and the wind is in your favor then you might be able to walk very close before they notice you. Move silently. Ideally, you want to sneak in within no more than about 25 yards before they start running. Every step that you can take unseen is one less step that the pigs can run away from you once the chase begins.

A variation on this could work very well when hunting in a two person team. One hunter positions himself at the edge of the woods at the point nearest to the pigs in the open field. The other hunter circles around and deliberately makes some noise to frighten the pigs into trotting off into the woods. The first hunter pounces on a pig as they move past him, placing a long, sharp knife into the heart.

The knife should be longer than a typical hunting knife used for quartering a deer. You will need a blade that can reach well into the vitals of a hog. Use a sheath knife and don't even consider a folder for this job. I used this Buck knife with a six inch blade because it was what I had that seemed to fit the bill. Something with a longer blade would probably be a better idea, such as this Buck Hoodlum survival knife. Carry an extra knife as well, since a blade can be accidentally dropped during the chase.

Do not choose the largest pig among the herd as your target. Look for a smaller pig of less than 100 pounds. Wild boar can grow to over 300 pounds and they have sharp, dangerous tusks. When cornered (which is what you are trying to do here), a wild boar can do some very serious, possibly life-threatening, damage to you. Stay away from the big ones. Look for a smaller pig at the back of the pack. Also stay away from the really small piglets. They have large mothers that will protect them at all costs.

Don't try to fight the pig. Just kill it immediately when you get close enough. If the pig is cornered then do not hesitate. Do not give it the time or opportunity to turn around into a position where it can use its teeth. A plunging stab from above and behind, through the lower shoulder, into the heart.

Practicing on armadillos is a good way of developing the instinct to kill instantly right up close. This isn't like hunting with a rifle, where you can take a few seconds to collect yourself before pulling the trigger. Hesitating for a second at the moment when the kill needs to happen will result in your prey either escaping or doing something nasty to you with its teeth. You've got to be absolutely ruthless and quick at the culmination of the chase. It is best to acquire that trait while practicing with something that doesn't bite back.

To summarize, here is what you need to remember: Mind the wind, never chase uphill, use a long knife, and stick with medium to small pigs. And just in case, maybe you'd better keep something handy for a tourniquet.


[Photo copyright 2011 by Jackson Landers]