IMO

[badfaulkner]

Based on my experience in hunting hogs, which is fairly limited in terms of years but extensive in the amount of days actually hunting during those years, it is my opinion that hogs are harder to find on public land than deer.

I have no scientific theory to back this up but merely anecdotal evidence: I "always" (nearly) see deer in the swamps I hunt but seldom see wild hogs.

Why?

Well, I'm told they roam farther than deer, that they're nomadic, that they'll just up and leave, that they spook easier, that they're as smart as dogs.

At any rate, although they are considered to be pests by most farmers, landscapers, and golf course managers (and DNR employees), I find them great to hunt. A real challenge.

[huntinnurse]

I agree. They could be coming in like clockwork for 4-5 days, same time seen, but up and leave for no apparent reason. No way to pattern them. You know the thing I notice about hogs is this, they love to wallow and need to for their skin, but, they do not seem to like to constantly be in wet surroundings. They seem to prefer dry ground and make or seek the wallows.

[badfaulkner]

Very good point, huntinnurse. They are not reptiles, for sure. When the river basin water levels rise, hogs head for the high ground like the deer, etc.

An active wallow and scat, imo, are the best signs of hogs frequenting an area.

[huntinnurse]

One of the things I learned in Hawaii, the pigs there have a preference for where they poop. They will go to one area and do their business and leave. No rooting, no staying, no wallows, just their "bathroom". I have not heard of anyone here in TX noticing that of the pigs here.

[Liberty-Hunt]

I know biologically Hogs and Wild Boar are very close (36 chromosomes for Hogs and 38 for Wild Boar)...

I can not speak really about Hog but I suppose them behavior are pretty similar...

A lot of hunters here think "they're nomadic" like you did right badfaulkner. But I can tell you is a mistake.
In fact most part of time they have a very big territory.
(Of course I always speak for sure about Wild Boar...).
A big mature Boar have between 5000 and 7000 Ha and some group of female are crossing this one (the female have usually a more little one).
They move with food availability and quiet aria.
They don't perspire, so for them temperature regulation they are in water...mud help to kill them parasite etc...

Hope those information will complete yours?!

[badfaulkner]

If in terms of "big territory" you mean an entire geographical river basin area across several counties (or even several states), than I'm in complete agreement with you.

I'm not talking about pigs/boars/feral hogs that have bait stations to feed them, either. Public land, free ranging hogs, with natural food sources. They will leave an area completely that is allegedly "infested" with hogs.