Either or, Moore decided to build a 1,500 acre hog preserve to entertain and persuade some of this wealthy friends to invest in businesses organized by himself. For ten years the hogs in the preserve went unmolested and were allowed to reproduce. In the early 1920's Moore deeded the entire preserve over to his foreman Mr. "Cotton" McQuire. McQuire was unable to maintain the area as a private or commercial game preserve and invited a lot of his friends over for a hog hunt. During the first hunt only two hogs were harvested, with many escaping through the fence during the resultant excitement. Subsequently, the wild hogs increased in numbers and extended their range throughout North Carolina and Tennessee. Since this time, thousands of introductions have involved stocking true European wild boars and domestic swine that went feral throughout this area and the nation.

Today, wild hogs (domestic, feral and European wild boar) occur in four major locations in the United States. They encompass over 42,120 square miles of land in the southeast, 67 percent in Texas and Florida, throughout California, on eight major islands of Hawaii, Puerto Rico and

All hogs have elongated canines which act as whetstones keeping their tusks razor sharp. Their food habits are indicative of an omnivore (meat and plant eaters). Research has shown that its use of certain habitats is strongly related to hard and soft mast producing trees. Competition with deer is only significant in poor to fair mast years. Obviously, food availability and population densities probably plays a significant role in home range distribution. A hog's home range is very similar to a deer's one to two square mile area. However, research in the mountains of West Virginia indicated a home range of nearly four square miles.

Since most states allow you to hunt hogs year round and with nothing to hunt in my home state I decided to travel to South Carolina for some hog hunting with my friend Jimmy Manor. Since the summer was relatively dry, Jimmy said the number of wallow holes should be limited to the swamp areas. So into the swamp we headed. On the first day out the temperature reached a balmy 90 degrees. I couldn't help to sweat like a pig as I climbed into my treestand. With no apparent wind I could only hope the hogs desire for shelled corn would overtake any foreign odors. Maybe, just maybe my Scent-Lok suit would prove itself.

After only one hour on stand I heard a crunching sound to my backside. Two does were feeding my way toward the bait. As they passed by me at 15 yards I realized my scent was not going to be a problem. Since I did not want the deer to eat all the corn I snorted at them and they rapidly exited the area. Another hour went by and I saw some water start to ripple in the nearby channel. Right away I thought of alligators, but soon found that we had otters in the area. As the otter swam by an

As I slowly drew the bow, locked in the kisser button at the corner of my mouth and let the 125-grain broadhead fly, my bow string inadvertently hit my hog grunt call's lanyard. As the call exploded into three parts, my neck felt as if someone just tried to rip a noose off around my neck. Needless to say the hogs disappeared in short order and the arrow flew at least two feet over my intended target. Although I did not see any more hogs, I spent most of my time trying to keep the deer away from the Jimmy's corn. At this point, all I could do was wish for the deer season!

With no meat for my barbecue I decided to venture up to a hunting preserve in Pennsylvania. My brothers and I bought our father a hog hunt as a birthday gift. Since he's been through two angiography operations and open heart surgery, he does not have the physical capacity to run up and down mountains anymore. I could only hope he would get into something special. Although preserves may not constitute a real hunt to many hunters, our main objective was simply to take some meat home. Hopefully, our barbecue would have some hog meat instead of plain old hamburgers. If you have never eaten wild boar before there is simply no better table-fare than a medium-sized wild hog.

As we entered the 1,500 acre enclosure our anticipation grew when we saw that a handicapped hunter just harvested a 250 pound boar with his crossbow. In addition to handicapped hunters, Pete also caters to many young hunters who have never taken any big game animals. Our guide tried to calm us down and suggested that we go into another area and set up as he tried to push some hogs in our direction. Since I was filming the hunt, both dad and I set up behind a large pine.

Just when we thought nothing was coming our way a boar came directly toward us. Since all pigs have terrible eye sight, the boar had no idea we were there. While dad got ready, his heart rate must have went into overdrive because he shot an arrow directly over the hog's shoulder at 18 yards. As the hog kicked it in high gear our guide sprinted over the hill to cut the animal off. After 10 minutes the boar started back up the hill and ran by us, but just out of range.

For the next hour we tried to locate this boar with various sightings, but no shooting opportunities. Dad was starting to tire out when our guide set

It only took one month for our barbecue to materialize and inspire us to once again return to hog country. The hog meat was some of the best meat a lot of our non-hunting and hunting friends have ever eaten. Many stated that if they had the chance to shoot a deer or hog, simply for the meat they would choose the hog...dad and I totally agree. Hog hunting sure isn't "boaring" and the meat is delicious!