They say that variety is the spice of life, and bushpig hunting is just a little variety needed on an African plains game hunting safari! Bushpig hunting in South Africa is exciting, fast-paced, and well worth trying. Hunters are spoilt for choice when hunting in South Africa, with many prime locations to target this hog. The Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape provinces are popular bushpig hunting locations. The bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) is a member of the pig family and closely resembles a domestic pig. It is a strong, stocky animal and is regarded as a pest by local farmers due to the crop damage the animal causes, consuming crops such as maize, tomatoes, potatoes, and sugar cane. They are highly adaptable in terms of habitats, which include dense forests, swamps, bushveld, agricultural areas, mixed scrub, and woodlands. These nocturnal hogs are omnivorous, feasting on a varied diet such as insect larvae, plant roots, fruits, vegetables, and bulbs. The most common method of bushpig hunting in South Africa is the baiting method with the bushpig hunted from a blind, although other methods such as hounds, spot-and-stalk, or from a hunting vehicle at night, using a spotlight are also utilized, depending on the region. Another method is, of course, that the bushpig was a trophy of opportunity and simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and targeted by the hunter. When bushpig hunting in South Africa, the best time to target them is at night, as they are nocturnal, but they can also be found during the day in some areas. Time your game hunting safari with the full moon, as they are more active over that time. Their status is listed as “least concern” with the IUCN.