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    Warthog hunting in Africa

    Warthog hunting in Africa

    A Wiry, Fast and Worthy Opponent, Warthogs Provide a Fun and an Exciting Game Hunting Adventure

    No hunting safari in South Africa is complete without targeting the warthog (Phacochoerus). Warthog game hunting safaris are fun, exciting, and definitely worth including when hunting in Africa. Warthogs are considered pests by local farmers due to the damage they cause to crops by digging, but they remain a popular game hunting trophy for many hunting enthusiasts.

    The warthog is native to sub-Saharan Africa and found in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania. Warthogs prefer a habitat of grasslands, open bush, and woodlands, but remain highly adaptable in terms of environment. The IUCN lists the warthog’s status as “least concern.”

    Warthogs are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet. Grass, roots, fruit, bark, and berries form the backbone of the warthog’s diet, but they also consume insects, eggs, carrion and even injured animals.

    Warthogs are prey for numerous larger carnivores, including leopards, lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, crocodiles, and the spotted hyena, while raptors also target warthog piglets.

    AT A GLANCE

    Name:
    Phacochoerus

    Weight:
    130-340 pounds

    Shoulder Height:
    25-37 inches

    Tusks:
    Both Sexes

    Life span:
    7-11 years

    Hunting Warthog

    Hunt the Warthog for those looking to hunt an unusual plains game trophy

    Size and Appearance

    Warthogs are light gray to brown in color, with very little hair all over the body. They have manes that run down the spine to mid-back. Males are larger than females and weight 130-340 pounds, while females weigh 130-170 pounds. The male stands approximately 25-37 inches at the shoulder. They have large heads with tusks, and a short little tail that stands upright in the air when they run. Warthog hunting safaris in South Africa is popular, and you want to ensure that you have a prize trophy when hunting them. The tusks are the showstopper in terms of warthog ranking, with both sexes having tusks. The male’s tusks are 10-35 inches in length, while the female’s tusks are much smaller at 6-10 inches.

    Hunting Methods

    The spot and stalk technique is widely used for warthog hunting in South Africa, although one of the more reliable methods would be ambushing them near a waterhole by building a blind and targeting them from there.

    Challenges and Rewards

    Warthogs are continually on the move, and shooting a fast moving target that runs in all directions, can be tricky! The reward is obvious: A great African plains game hunting trophy, as well as some delicious tasting meat!

    Rifles and Requirements

    Even though these animals are not exceptionally large, warthog hunting should be done with a powerful cartridge. A 12 X 50 scope can be fitted to anything from a .243 to the old African hunting favorite, the 30.06. A .308 is also a good option using premium grade ammunition. .375 shooting 300 grain solids is also an option.

    MASTERING SHOT PLACEMENT FOR HOGS AND PIGS

     

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