Hog Hunting with Hog SWAT

Photo: Thermal Hog Hunting In Georgia @HogSWAT

Every guide remembers their first official night leading a thermal hog hunt — and Jordan’s first Hog Hunt with Hog SWAT had everything: long scans, shifting wind, perfect setups falling apart, pigs vanishing into cover, drone support from above, and finally… a hard-earned three-hog recovery after hours of persistence.

This was the exact kind of night that shows why South Georgia Thermal Hog Hunting is so unpredictable, so intense, and so rewarding.

The Night Begins – P Farms

Jordan started the night, scanning with thermals while Daniel flew the drone overhead to sweep the large agricultural system. For 30 minutes, they checked pivots, tree lines, edges, and clearings.

Nothing but deer and cattle.
A classic slow start.

He checked West P next — still only deer. With pressure building and no pigs holding still, Jordan moved on.

Finally, Movement

Back toward W Farms, things changed instantly.

Jordan pulled up to a pivot and was immediately greeted by a Sounder of Hogs feeding on the south end of the field. Finally — a chance.

The Stalk:

• Wind: perfect

• Noise: low

• Pigs: calm and unaware

• Distance closed: from 100 yards to ~65 yards

Jordan lined up the hunters on three Big Hogs bunched together — the dream scenario. But as they locked into their tripods, the wind shifted at the worst possible moment.

One pig lifted its head.
Caught scent.
And the entire sounder melted into the trees.

A perfect setup erased by a single breeze.

Movement agian

Regrouping, Jordan moved the team to new fields.
Nothing. Not even movement.

So he returned to Farm before hoping the earlier sounder had returned — and unbelievably, another group had moved in.

But as soon as the team approached, these pigs vanished into the exact same bush line as the earlier sounder. No wind issues, no noise… just pure bad luck.

Hope Returns – Drone Spots a Sounder Nearby

Feeling the weight of the night, Jordan radioed Daniel and asked him to sweep the fields north of their location. Within minutes, Daniel sent:

📸 A thermal picture of a sounder
📍 Pinged coordinates

Hope restored.

Jordan immediately repositioned the team, driving about 200 yards up the road to set up a new stalk.

The Final Stalk – Everything Comes Together

Jordan scanned the treeline for 200 yards, then climbed a pivot to get elevation.
There they were:
6+ pigs feeding peacefully with deer nearby.

He hugged the treeline, checked the wind — now pushing west — and took the team straight into the field toward the sounder.

At 65–75 yards, one hog drifted closer than the rest.
Jordan set up the hunters.
They took their chance…

But the hog didn’t go down.
Another close call. Another heartbreak.

And then — the miracle of the night:

The sounder didn’t leave the field. They simply shifted north.

Jordan immediately reset the stalk, tightened the approach, and lined everyone up again.

This time, it clicked.

• One hog went down on the opening volley.

• The sounder split in all directions.

• Another hog ran straight toward the hunters, offering a perfect opportunity.

• A third hog was recovered shortly after as they checked the field. You read how the 3rd was recovered next.

Three hogs recovered. A guide’s first successful hunt. A night redeemed.

A Baby Hog Encounter to End the Night

As the crew moved to gather the 2 hogs, Jordan heard movement.
A small piglet came running toward them in the dark.

He calmly warned the hunters to cover their ears and safely stopped the charge — securing the third hog of the night.

Wrapping Up at 3:00 AM

All three hogs were gathered, photographed, field-processed, and brought back to the van. The hunters were:

• Respectful

• Easy to guide

• Excellent listeners

• Fully engaged the entire night

A perfect group for a first-time guide to work with.

Jordan checked one last field and called it at 3:00 AM, officially ending a marathon of effort, wind battles, tracking, and teamwork.

A Strong Start to Jordan’s Guiding Career

Three hogs recovered.
Multiple stalks.
Perfect communication.
Smart decisions.
And no quit in him.

Jordan’s first hunt as a Hog SWAT guide wasn’t easy — but it showcased exactly what makes Thermal Hog Hunting in Georgia so real:

• No guarantees

• Every decision matters

• Wind can make or break a stalk

• Persistence pays off

• Teamwork (especially with drones) changes everything

A successful first night and a sign of many great Wild Hog Hunts to come.