Trophy Hunting Warthog in South Africa

Overview of this species and the hunt

As a relative of the European boar, the warthog is an animal that loves grasslands, open plains, water holes and woodlands. They are grazing animals and tend to enjoy eating new grass more than other types of vegetation. Warthogs are named after the wart like features on their faces and both the males and the females can have impressive tusks on their upper and lower jaws. The females, in particular, can have very long tusks.

Warthogs live in dens, especially when they have piglets. Their dens are often abandoned ant-bear dens and the piglets live at the back of the den while the adults protect them by living in the front. They are known to live in small families. Warthogs don’t necessarily need to live near to water but they do love playing in the mud! Warthogs are grazing animals and they are not at all territorial.

An adult warthog can weigh as much as 250 pounds and while they are often hunted for their tusks, their meat is quite tasty and their hide can also be used. Hunting warthog can be a challenge when you take into consideration the habitat in which you will normally find them. Although they can be spotted on open plains and in grassy areas, your best chances for trophy hunting warthog in South Africa will be in wet areas. The first things you will spot are the tusks. If you approach him slowly, you should be able to get close enough to take a shot. They have bad eyesight but don’t underestimate their sense of smell. A 7mm or a 30 calibre rifle should do the job when used in conjunction with a quality 170 to 180-grain soft bullet. A larger calibre might be needed for the bigger warthogs.

Placing your shot takes skill. The warthog has a unique appearance and the placement is critical. Try aiming for the heart, with a higher shot, by aiming up the front leg and to the middle of the animal. A shot between the eyes is also quite common but only if you are skilled. Placing a shot below the anus should stop the animal if you see that he is running away.