Warthog Questions

[Hunt anything]

Not 100% sure the extra inspection Hookmeup mentioned is valid anymore, my last 2 crates with no primate, birds or swine still had to go through USDA inspection just like my previous 2 did with baboon, warthog and bushpig did. Honestly that was about the most painless part of government I had to deal with. I do believe they still need to go to an USDA approved taxidermist if being mounted in the states.

 

[shotgungibbs]

I took 7 on one hunt back in 2009. Owner charged me for 1. I had an absolute blast! I could enjoy just Warthog hunting!

 

[Nyati]

I hear that the Spaniards go over to SA and wear out the pigs. I’ve heard that from enough PHs, there must be some validity.

Can´t be true, I have only shot about 16

Now, seriously, for me they are a target of opprtunity, in my 8 Safaris, the results have been widely different, I managed to get 6 in one, but got none in others. Question of luck !

Could have shot many more, but I only try for the large ones.

 

[matt vejar]

If you want your best chance of a big warthog and seeing many hunt the rut. May/early June in Namibia. Limpopo probably is your best bet for combo - price. On average East Cape has much smaller tusks than Namibia and other countries and areas mentioned. Moz and Tanzania not worth the extra cost since you’re not looking for monsters. Spaniards are the pig killing machines! They love them all makes and models. Like it was said it cost me an extra $600 bucks to bring a pig or primate into California. Has to go to a certified tannery. I’m leaving them now

Rowland Ward bushpig in Selous. 5 minutes down the road after sighting in gun. Good Warts are dime a dozen during Namibia rut! Drought severely affects old hogs.

 

[MedRiver]

Any extra inspection costs if I just wanted to euro the skulls and have them done over there and shipped here?

 

[Hunt anything]

Any extra inspection costs if I just wanted to euro the skulls and have them done over there and shipped here?

If I remember correctly USDA charges a flat 25$ 1 up to 5 animals and 5$ per a animal above 5.

 

[375Fox]

Any extra inspection costs if I just wanted to euro the skulls and have them done over there and shipped here?

It’s the pig skin that causes issues. I’ve never had an issue only bringing tusks and skulls, but I won’t bring any more back to get shoulder mounted unless something really once in a lifetime exceptional.

 

[Buffalo1]

I am right there with you with an affection for pig hunting. I have been fortunate to take feral hogs, Russian boar and warthog with my bow.

In Africa, you can take as many animals as you want (non-permit species) as your wallet can handle. However, you can only import 2 warthogs. I did manage to import a third one that was a "gift" from an outfitter.

I have witnessed and hunted better quality warthogs in Namibia than in South Africa. This is because the soil is more sand than rock. The sand is easier on tusks than rocks. I have also seen more warthogs in Namibia than South Africa. I have however taken SCI trophy quality warthogs in both countries.

Best of luck on your quest !!

 

[shootist~]

Any extra inspection costs if I just wanted to euro the skulls and have them done over there and shipped here?

The biggie is if dip and pack only - they have to go to a USDA licensed taxidermist.
I dropped mine off at Bullseye Taxidermy in SA last week for a shoulder mount - they said if fully processed, they don't require that extra step.

 

[matt vejar]

That’s correct dip/pack needs inspection. If hog skull is on a plaque good to go. I guess I should look at that cost. A properly dipped skull is a Euro mount without the plaque!! That’s the rub me wrong !!!

 

[Hunt anything]

That’s correct dip/pack needs inspection. If hog skull is on a plaque good to go. I guess I should look at that cost. A properly dipped skull is a Euro mount without the plaque!! That’s the rub me wrong !!!

I’ve never understood the having to be on a plaque deal either, I use skull hookers for my skulls so I had my taxidermist screw them onto a piece of plywood and they didn’t have to go to USDA, this was in 2021 but in 2022 I had another crate of fully finished taxidermy as was the 2021 shipment the 2022 shipment had to go to USDA. No swine or primates in the 2022 crate but had both in 2021. So I quit trying to figure out the regulations and hire Coppersmiths to sort it out and drive to Atlanta when they say they’re ready.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

One property owner in the East Cape told me if I didn't shoot every warthog I saw, he would kick me off the place. They are hard on game and domestic farm management because they dig under fences which allows leopards to move around (note that many game fences are electrified at the TOP specifically for that reason ... but maybe for baboons too?). Leopard are essentially not huntable in most of South Africa. My PH said there's less than half a dozen tags a year and those almost always go to "friends of friends." During the drought many property owners had to supplement with feeding to keep the game going. Needless to say, warthogs gravitated to feeding spots. I found them to be very skittish and challenging to hunt. Both of mine were opportunity knocks while hunting plains game. For them, unless shooting over bait (boring!), it's typically not spot and stalk. Usually spot and shoot quickly. The little buggers don't hang around and they usually see you about the time you see them. Both of mine were taken after stepping out of the truck ... on the same property ... at exact same spot ... two different safaris. The owner wanted them shot and lodge wanted the meat. Second trip after cresting a hill, the owner in back seat said, "There's one with tusks. You better shoot him." Nice boar was running across the road. It stopped in the meadow to wait for three others just long enough for me to step out and drop it in a cloud of dust at 200 yards. "Better reload." Not necessary. I shot him in the neck. PH and owner looked at each other. "In the NECK?!" Yeah. Didn't want to waste the meat. And sure enough it was shot in the neck. I think when shooting at something that doesn't matter, one has a tendency to be more accurate. Lesson learned is force yourself to be "unexcited" when stalking the big one for the wall. Better yet if the opportunity pops up unexpectedly and there's no time to get excited. I spent an hour and twenty minutes on the sticks last year before my nyala finally moved into a brush free window for a clear shot. Not sure if I was shakey from anticipation or exhaustion but the first shot went a bit low. He ran and fell but got up again. Killed him with quick second shot off the sticks running at 100 yards through the heart.

Bush pigs are generally taken at night over bait. I have no interest in that. Farmers usually want to be rid of them. They kill livestock. Very hard on sheep. Baboons are also sheep killers.

 

[CJW]

I would love to do a warthog only, spot and stalk safari. Maybe shoot a few over a waterhole during lunch.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Warthogs make a good hunt.

 

[WAB]

 

[Speedster]

I am green with envy. Twice in Africa, Zero warthogs. Stalking, sitting at wartholes, driving around, nothing. Have seen easily over a hundred. Of that, one would be considered a shooter but was running away so no shot was possible. I am jinxed.