Wild Hog Hunting Cost: DIY vs. Guided (2026)
Quick answer: a guided day hog hunt in the South usually costs $275 to $950 per person, a thermal night hunt $350 to $600, and a helicopter hunt about $2,750 to $3,000 for roughly two hours in the air. DIY is far cheaper: West Texas day access starts around $150, and Texas requires no hunting license for hogs on private land. Plan on another $25 to $60 per hog for processing if you do not clean them yourself, plus a nonresident license in Alabama, Georgia or Louisiana.
All prices below were taken from outfitters’ and state agencies’ own pages in September 2026. Prices change by season and outfitter, so treat them as a realistic range rather than a quote.
What hog hunts cost, by type
The spread is wide because hunts include very different things. A cheap day hunt might be access only; a $950 day includes a guide, a side-by-side, lodging and a guaranteed number of hogs. Helicopter hunts are priced by flight time, and a group can split some packages.
Real prices from Southern outfitters
| Outfitter | State | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Texas Hunt Org | TX | DIY day hunt, up to 2 hogs ($300 for 3 days); semi-guided unlimited hogs 2 days $650, 3 days $850 | from $150 |
| Independence Ranch | TX | 1-day guided hunt (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), unlimited hogs, lunch and retrieval; license and processing extra | $275 |
| Dos Plumas Hunting Ranch | TX | 2-day semi-guided, 2 nights lodging, 2 hogs; processing $25 to $50 | $600 |
| 4J Ranch | TX | Full-day guided side-by-side hunt, 3 hogs guaranteed, cabin and range; VIP $1,550 | $950 |
| Pork Choppers Aviation | TX | Helicopter hunt, 2 hours flight per person, rifles and ammo, video | $2,750 |
| Ron’s Guide Service | FL | Swamp buggy and dogs, 1 hog guaranteed; no license needed on the ranch | $275 to $400 |
| Hog S.W.A.T. | GA | Private guided thermal night hunt in south Georgia | $500 per night |
| Gopher Plantation | GA | 3-hour thermal night hunt with gun, suppressor and ammo, 3 hogs; $825 with lodging and meals | $600 |
| Triple H Guide Service | AR | Thermal night hunt with guns and ammo; $450 with lodging | $350 per day |
License costs for out-of-state hunters
License costs can add $65 to $400 to a trip, depending on the state and how long you stay.
| State | Nonresident cost for hogs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $0 on private land | No hunting license is needed for feral hogs on private land with the landowner’s permission. Public land needs a license. |
| Florida | $0 on private land | No license needed on private land with permission; WMAs need a license and management area permit. |
| Arkansas | $0 on private land | No AGFC license needed for hogs on private land, per the University of Arkansas Extension. |
| Louisiana | $65 (5-day basic) | A basic hunting license is required; 5-day hunting and fishing combo $120. |
| Georgia | $100 (annual hunting) | Big game licenses cost more; check which license your hunt requires. |
| Alabama | $173.90 (3-day all game) to $399.50 (annual) | Night hunting adds the $61.65 nonresident nighttime feral swine and coyote license; hunting over bait adds the $63.40 bait privilege license. |
Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana figures are the nonresident prices on each agency’s license page (Alabama’s are for the license year ending August 31, 2026; new-year prices may differ). For rules on each state, see our wild hog hunting by state guide.
What a trip really costs: two examples
DIY weekend in West Texas
- Three days of DIY access: $300
- License: $0 on private land
- Processing: do it yourself, or about $25 to $60 per hog at a processor
- Plus fuel, food and lodging or camping
Hunting cost: about $300 per person, before travel.
Guided thermal night hunt in south Georgia
- One-night guided thermal hunt: $500 to $600, with rifle, thermal and ammo usually included
- Georgia nonresident hunting license: $100
- Processing: about $30 to $60 per hog
- Plus lodging, unless your package includes it
Hunting cost: about $650 to $760 per person, before travel.
DIY or guided?
Go DIY if you already own a suitable rifle and can find access, you have time to scout, and your goal is meat or practice. Texas day-access hunts are the easiest way to start. Go guided if you are short on time, want to hunt at night with thermal gear you do not own, or want a near-certain chance at hogs. Guided night hunts in Georgia and Arkansas include the thermal optics, which alone cost thousands of dollars to buy.
What’s usually included, and what isn’t
- Usually included: access, a guide or stand, and on night hunts, the rifle, thermal optic and ammunition.
- Often extra: lodging and meals, cleaning and quartering ($40 to $50 per hog at several outfitters), processing, trophy mounts, and a guide tip.
- Ask before you book: how many hogs are included, what happens if you do not see any, whether you can bring your own rifle, and what the cancellation policy is.
Ways to cut the cost
- Ask farmers and ranchers. Many landowners will let responsible hunters shoot hogs for free because of crop damage. A polite request, proof of hunter education and an offer to share meat go a long way.
- Hunt public land in season. Florida and Georgia WMAs, and some Texas public hunting lands, hold hogs; you pay only license and permit costs.
- Share a package. Some helicopter and lodge packages are priced per group.
- Process your own. Cleaning and quartering a hog yourself saves $40 to $60 each.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a guided hog hunt cost?
Usually $275 to $950 per person for a day, or $350 to $600 for a thermal night hunt, in the outfitter prices collected for this guide.
How much does a helicopter hog hunt cost?
About $2,750 to $3,000 per shooter for roughly two hours of flight time in Texas, and more for longer group packages.
Do I need a license to hunt hogs in Texas?
Not on private land with the landowner’s permission. Hunter education requirements still apply, and public land requires a license.
What is the cheapest way to hunt hogs?
Get permission on private land from a landowner with a hog problem, especially in Texas, Florida or Arkansas, where no license is needed on private land.
Keep reading
- Wild hog hunting by state: rules and where to hunt
- Best caliber for wild hog hunting
- Feral hog damage: what the data shows
Sources
- Outfitter price pages linked in the table above, checked September 2026.
- Outdoor Alabama: nonresident hunting licenses
- Georgia Wildlife Resources: license prices
- Texas A&M NRI: feral pig laws in Texas
- FWC: wild hog
