Why Hunting Warthog in Africa is Thrilling
Hunting warthog in Africa is a thing of excitement! The challenge of hunting warthogs, whether for trophies or meat, is both adrenaline-inducing and challenging. If you haven’t yet experienced the thrill of getting your first warthog trophy tusks, then it’s time you gave it a try!
Meet your trophy: the warthog
The warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a member of the pig family that can be found across sub-Sahara Africa. The name warthog is quite simply due to the four (male) and two (female) wart-like protrusions on the animal’s head.
Warthog’s preferred diet, habits, and habitat
The warthog can be found in grasslands, savannah and open woodlands, and can be found at Huntershill Safaris lodge in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. They live in burrows in the ground – usually aardvark burrows – even though they can dig their own. They will reverse back into their burrow with their heads facing the entrance for a rushed exit if needed.
They enjoy grazing on short grasses, berries, and roots.
Warthogs are also prolific diggers, and use their snouts and front hooves to dig up roots and tubers, leaving the ground looking like a plowed field! For this reason, they are also a tremendous pest to cultivated farm land.
Warthogs can be found in small family groups called “sounders”. Sows and piglets stay together for as much as three years, while the boar joins the group for mating.
Dimensions and temperament
The African warthog boar weighs 130 to 340 pounds and stands 25 to 37 inches tall. In general, sows weigh approximately 170 pounds and stand five inches shorter at the shoulder.
While warthogs are more than capable of fighting, their default is to run away from danger. The males fight each other during mating season. Sows can be very aggressive when defending their piglets, even goring much bigger animals to defend her brood.
Is it dangerous to hunt warthog in Africa?
Warthog can undeniably be considered one of the toughest African game trophies to hunt. The adult can weigh more than 250 pounds.
The best way to hunt warthogs is to approach slowly from downwind; he has poor vision, but he has a very good sense of smell and hearing.
If you have shot your warthog, and he is down, it is always best to approach with caution. Ammo is cheap, but leg reconstruction isn’t!
Where can I hunt warthog in South Africa?
You can hunt warthog in Africa at Huntershill Safaris in South Africa, where a professional hunter will assist you in nabbing that coveted set of tusks or trophy.
The best places to hunt warthogs are wet, marshy areas, water holes, and pans.
Why are warthogs hunted?
Hunters take on the adventure of hunting warthogs in Africa for their tusks because they make excellent trophies. Boars have longer tusks than sows, which can exceed ten inches in length.
The shorter lower tusks below the upper tusks are razor-sharp due to the constant gnawing from when the mouth opens and closes.
Ideal shot placement and caliber for hunting warthog
The 7mm’s and 30 calibers are adequate with good quality 170 or 180-grain soft-point bullets. On larger, trophy-sized boars, consider the larger calibers for a better effect.
The warthog’s anatomy and physical appearance make shot placement challenging.
For the most effective shot placement, aim for a side-on, high heart shot. To find this, aim immediately up and slightly behind the front leg to about the body midline and gently squeeze. Your warthog should drop close by.
If he is running away, the “Texas heart shot” is your best option. Aim just below the anus.
How much does it cost to hunt warthog in Africa?
The cost to hunt warthog in Africa depends on the hunting package you want.
It is worth noting right up front that everything is included when you hunt at Huntershill Safaris:
- accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, air transfers, PH and field preparation of trophies, hunting license, a 4×4 vehicle.
- The only extra costs you have to cover are your airfare, any other accommodation you might choose outside of the lodge, taxidermy charges, and gratitudes.
Here are your warthog hunting prices.
- Individual warthog price: $600
- Make your own custom hunting package: Choose what you want to hunt, and for how many days you want to hunt. Daily rates for your PH are $350 for one hunter, or $330 for two hunters. Non-hunters @ $150 each.
- The Savannah Package includes warthog, plus many of the plains trophies. This is a 10-day hunt.
- Bow package includes warthog, plus many other popular trophies. This is a 10-day hunt.
- The Executive Bow package includes warthog, plus many prized trophies. This is a 10-day hunt.