Expert Guide: How to Prepare for a Night Hog Hunt

Expert Gear Setup for Night Hunting

The gear you choose is critical when visibility is low. You need to be able to see in total darkness, stay steady, and rely on your equipment to perform. Here’s the setup Neil and his team used.

The Right Rifle & Caliber

For this hunt, Neil used a 16-inch AR in .300 Blackout. This platform is an excellent choice for hog hunting because it’s maneuverable and provides solid power for medium-sized game, while the .300 Blackout cartridge is effective without excessive recoil. This allows for quicker follow-up shots, which is a major advantage when targeting a sounder (a group of hogs).

Optics: The Thermal Advantage

You can't hit what you can't see. A high-quality thermal scope is your most important tool for hunting at night. The team used an ATN Thor 4 thermal scope, which allowed them to easily spot the hogs' heat signatures as they approached the feeder from the tree line. It also helped them spot coyotes that were otherwise hidden in the brush. A good thermal optic turns the dark into your biggest advantage.

Ammunition

Your optic helps you find them, but your ammunition is what gets the job done. The team used Hornady V-MAX bullets. This type of ammunition is designed for rapid expansion upon impact, which is ideal for a quick, humane harvest on animals like hogs and coyotes.

Stability

A steady shot is a safe and effective shot. Each hunter set up their rifle on a BOG pod. Using a tripod or shooting sticks is essential, as it gives you a rock-solid platform to rest your rifle. When you’re settled in and waiting, a tripod keeps your rifle ready and your body relaxed, ensuring you're steady when it’s time to take the shot.

Tactics for a Successful Hunt

1. Hunt the Right Location

Neil and his team set up about 80 yards away from a known feeder and a small pond. Hogs are creatures of habit and will reliably visit food and water sources. Setting up with a clear view of these areas is your best strategy. They used a storage shed for cover, which helped break up their silhouette and conceal them.

2. Hunt with a Team

Hunting with a team of three (or more) can maximize your success, but it requires communication. Neil's team demonstrated this perfectly.

This is a crucial tactic. By letting the entire group appear before anyone takes a shot, you prevent scattering the sounder prematurely. Once they are in the open, quietly coordinating with your team ensures you don't have multiple hunters aiming at the same hog. This maximizes your team's effectiveness and is exactly how Neil's team harvested five hogs from their first stand.

3. Be Patient and Stay Alert

The hunt isn't over until you’re back at the truck. After a few quiet spots, the team had made it to their last stand and was ready to call it a night. Just as they got back to the truck, Neil took one last scan with the thermal. That final scan revealed a coyote, then another, and then the giant boar they were chasing. Always stay alert and keep scanning—you never know what will appear in those final minutes.

Whether you’re preparing for your first night hunt or looking to upgrade your setup, having Expert-backed gear makes all the difference. Stop by your local SCHEELS to talk with an Expert and get everything you need for a successful and thrilling hunt.