Why Trapping Wild Hogs Matters More Than Ever
Feral hogs are one of the most destructive invasive species in the United States — causing over $2.5 billion in annual damages to crops, pasturelands, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Their population has exploded in recent decades, with millions now roaming across Texas, the Southeast, parts of the Midwest, and even California. To control these pests, landowners, wildlife agencies, and private contractors have adopted a variety of removal strategies including net traps. Some are high-tech. Some are old-school. But each comes with trade-offs — and only a few deliver consistent results. Check out this study on net hog traps and how they compare to cage traps.
The Feral Hog Crisis in the United States
Aerial Gunning
Helicopter-based shooting has gained popularity in open terrain states like Texas. Trained shooters fly low and target hogs from the air, sometimes eliminating dozens in a single flight.
- Effectiveness: High short-term kill rate
- Limitations: Expensive, requires permits, only works in open landscapes
- Bottom Line: Great for fast population suppression, not scalable for ongoing control
Ground-Based Hunting (with or without dogs)
Recreational and professional hunters use rifles, bows, and trained dogs to pursue wild hogs, often at night with thermal scopes.
- Effectiveness: Low to moderate
- Limitations: Usually removes 1–2 pigs per outing; doesn’t reduce population at scale
- Bottom Line: Useful as a supplement, but ineffective for long-term reduction
Corral-Style Cage Traps
Traditional steel-panel traps arranged in a circle or square with one-way gates. Requires baiting and patience.
- Effectiveness: Moderate, if sounder enters
- Limitations: High cost, heavy, labor-intensive, partial captures common
- Bottom Line: Can work, but often fails to catch entire sounders
Remote-Trigger Drop Traps
Suspended trap systems like BoarBuster Net Traps or Big Pig use trail cameras and remote triggers to drop a net or gate when the sounder is inside.
- Effectiveness: High when timed correctly
- Limitations: Expensive, relies on cell service, complex setup
- Bottom Line: Effective but not always practical in remote areas
Toxicants and Baited Poisons (Emerging)
States like Texas are testing sodium nitrite or warfarin-based baits. These are promising but controversial.
- Effectiveness: Potentially high
- Limitations: Not yet approved for wide use, environmental and safety risks
- Bottom Line: A future tool, but not ready for broad deployment
Passive Net Traps (like Boar Blanket)
Systems like Boar Blanket net traps are laid on the ground, not dropped from above. During conditioning, the net is raised. Once hogs are trained, the net is lowered. Hogs push under it and become passively trapped by its tapered shape.
- Effectiveness: High whole-sounder capture rates
- Limitations: Requires planning and proper setup
- Bottom Line: One of the most effective, scalable, and affordable solutions available
Hog Trap Designs: Cage vs Net Hog Traps
The two most common hog trap types are:
- Cage traps: rigid steel frames with entry gates
- Net traps: ground-based passive systems like the Boar Blanket
While both can work, only one offers easy setup, full sounder capture, and true scalability.
Why Cage Traps Often Fall Short
Cage traps are heavy, expensive, and time-consuming. They require:
- 10+ T-posts
- 5 or more inner anchors
- Steel panels, gates, clamps, and tools
- 2+ people to install and relocate
They also tend to spook pigs, especially after failed or partial captures. Incomplete captures make hogs trap-shy, reducing long-term success.
Why Net Hog Traps Like Boar Blanket Outperform the Rest
Boar Blanket is a ground-based passive net trap system. It does not drop from above. Instead:
- Conditioning phase: Net is raised so pigs feed freely
- Net is lowered to the ground once hogs are conditioned
- Hogs push under the net to feed
- The net’s tapered shape keeps pigs trapped inside
- Whole sounders can be captured without scaring pigs
It uses fewer materials, installs faster, and can be set up by one person.
How the Boar Blanket Net Traps Works
Side-by-Side Comparison: Cage vs Net Hog Traps
| Feature | Cage Trap | Net Trap (Boar Blanket) |
| Setup Time | Slow, 2+ person | Fast, 1-person |
| Visibility | High | Low (camouflaged netting) |
| Inner Anchors | Required | None |
| Posts Needed | 10–12 | 8 |
| Equipment Weight | Heavy | Lightweight |
| Portability | Low | High |
| Capture Rate | Partial sounders | Whole sounders |
| Cost | $$$ | $$ |
Ranchers Agree: Net Hog Traps Work Better
Boar Blanket users consistently report:
- Easier setup and takedown
- Higher capture rates
- Fewer escapes and injuries
It uses 100% knotted nylon netting, diamond mesh for tension distribution, and sewn-in rings for quick deployment.
Boar Blanket vs Pig Brig Hog Trapping Systems
See results in the field: Boar Blanket Case Study
The Future of Hog Control Is Net-Based
Boar Blanket net traps are the next evolution of hog trapping:
- Captures full sounders
- Portable, solo-friendly setup
- Works in rocky, remote terrain
- Compatible with camera-triggered systems
Why Net Hog Traps Are the Future of Feral Swine Control
Buy the Boar Blanket Net Trap System Today
If you’re ready to:
- Capture more hogs
- Spend less time and money
- Avoid the complexity of drop traps or cages
👉 Buy the Boar Blanket Trap System
Questions? Visit our FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is the Boar Blanket different from drop traps like BoarBuster or Big Pig?
The Boar Blanket is not a drop trap. Systems like BoarBuster are suspended in the air and dropped remotely using a trigger mechanism. In contrast, the Boar Blanket is a passive ground-based net trap. During the conditioning phase, the net is raised off the ground so hogs can access the bait area freely. Once the sounder is conditioned, the net is lowered flat to the ground, forming a perimeter. Hogs then push under the net to enter and feed, but due to its tapered, double-net design, they become trapped inside and can’t escape. It’s silent, scalable, and does not require cellular signal or mechanical drop triggers — making it ideal for remote or rugged terrain.
2. What size sounder can the Boar Blanket Net Hog Traps realistically trap?
The Boar Blanket is designed to trap entire sounders — typically groups of 8 to 20 feral hogs, but it can accommodate more depending on how the system is deployed. Its effective capture diameter is approximately 20 feet, giving ample space for multiple pigs to enter gradually. Because pigs can continue pushing under the net once it’s been lowered, the system allows for sequential entry, which increases the chances of catching the full sounder over a single night or two. It’s this ability to trap over time that makes it superior to many drop or gate-style systems that close after a single trigger.
3. Can one person set up and use the Boar Blanket system effectively?
Yes — and this is one of its biggest advantages. The Boar Blanket was designed with solo ranchers and landowners in mind. It requires only 8 T-posts, no inner anchors, and no heavy steel panels or power tools. The included cam buckle straps and sewn-in steel rings allow for fast, secure setup. Many users report full assembly in under 30–45 minutes, even in difficult terrain. The light weight and portability make it easy to move and redeploy as hogs change behavior or move to new areas. Compared to cage traps — which often require a trailer and two people — the Boar Blanket is a game-changer for small-scale operators.
4. Will the Boar Blanket work in rocky or hard ground conditions?
Absolutely. Unlike cage traps that require driving deep inner ground anchors — which can be nearly impossible in rocky or drought-hardened soil — the Boar Blanket only needs eight outer T-posts. These are faster to install and can be placed using a standard T-post driver or sledgehammer. The system was specifically engineered to function in tough terrain, including dry Texas rangeland, uneven ground, or brushy forested areas. This makes it ideal for ranchers who’ve struggled to use other systems where soil conditions make traditional traps impractical.
5. What happens after the pigs are trapped inside net hog traps? How are they removed?
Once the sounder has entered and become fully trapped, the landowner or wildlife manager can return and approach the net perimeter. There are multiple methods for removal, depending on state regulations and operator preference:
- Pigs can be dispatched on-site using humane and legal methods.
- If relocation is legal in the area, the Boar Blanket includes seam access points that allow for live load-outs, which are legal in a few states (such as Texas and Oklahoma).
- The entire net structure can be partially lifted or opened to allow controlled removal if necessary.
Operators are strongly encouraged to check local trapping, euthanasia, and transport regulations before planning their removal method.