I'm a self-confessed coyote fanatic, and there's no question coyotes can be hunted coast to coast. But there's another winter hunting activity out there that shouldn't be shunned: hog hunting. Piglets have populated much of the Southern United States, and as they march north you'll find more and more states where hogs have discovered "hog heaven!" At least 39 states report hogs and national estimates range from 2-6 million of the bristly beasts that have virtually no real predators.

The great thing about hogs is the fact you can hunt them year-round in many locations, especially on private lands. Of course, you really need to check the regulations for each state because they vary more than a politician's message in a re-election year. Some states don't require a license, some states allow baiting, some states allow shooting at night ... and the list goes on. Plus, many states do have a season, but it only pertains to public land.

Nevertheless, winter is a great time to focus on hogs and acquire your own Famous Dave's franchise starter kit. (For those of you unfamiliar with Famous Dave's, it's a barbecue restaurant chain that serves a ton of pork.)

I'm not one to turn down a hunting trip where I can shuck lots of Hornady bullets downrange, and I especially am not one to turn down a slow-roasted pork sandwich, but there's another prime reason to tip over a porker. Feral hogs are creating havoc with farmers, land managers, wildlife populations and even (are you sitting down) suburban landscapers. It's true—hogs are hard on just about everything, and the little devils love to procreate, so the supply is beginning to outshine the demand.

You need to do your part. Take a trip below the Mason-Dixon Line and I'm sure it won't take too many door knocks to get on a place to shoot a hog. If you don't, then my next brainstorm involves shipping wolves from the West down there to help out; they sure seem to successfully thin the elk out. If you have a better idea, please share it in the comment box below.

Have fun and fire up the barbecue grill!