I have both tritronics and sportdog.  These two brands are the go to ones for most hunters.  I would  caution you when purchasing the latest tritronics models.  Alot of people are having problems with them since garmin bought them out.  They all have there quirks and are priced equally.  I would spend the extra money to get one that is expandable meaning it can be used on multiple dogs.  Also I would make sure you purchase one with an audible tone feature, I  use that more than anything else.

You guys will have to cut me some slack as I ask these questions because I have very limited knowledge of hog behavior.  That being said, are hogs nomadic feeders meaning as long as an area has everything they need with regards to cover, food and water will they stick like other species or do they tend to wander?

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I live in central Maryland so if anyone in that general area needs a dog handler shoot me a pm and I'm on the way.

I'm pretty sure the ones in PA were stocked hogs on game ranches that managed to get loose.  Taking that into account, you have to wonder what is keeping the hog numbers from exploding as they have in the south.  I hear little tid bits of gossip through the hunting grapevine from PA but I have yet for someone to beyond all doubts affirm that what they saw was a hog.  Usually its a matter of no other animal runs a track like that and I've heard there are hogs in the area or there dog was really spooked and would not hunt out right so they figured there were hogs in the area but no confirmed sightings or even hog sign.  I could be wrong and believe me I will follow up, it just seems like they hit NC and stop.  Not sure if there is a natural barrier or what but there are alot of areas that are prime hog habitat up this way.  I guess time will tell.  Thanks for the feedback.

I'm sure this topic is probably covered somewhere else but I can't find it so here it goes.  In terms of the east coast side of the us, what is the furthest state north where there has been reports of hog sightings?  I'm talking about natural migration, not transplants.

I run hounds primarily for coons.  I have a plott hound and an American leapord hound.  These are the two i'm hunting currently.

Just wanted to throw a howdy out there and compliment you guys on an awsome web site.  I can honestly say this is one of the best sites I have been on.  Its clear you guys have put alot of thought and hard work into this covering all the bases.
    We dont have hogs here in the mid-atlantic region, not yet anyway.  So for now I'll have to be content on learning from you all and keeping my appitite wet from reading your stories.  The one thing i do share with you all is I live to run my dogs.  I dont get alot of invitations to hunt up my way only because I'm not as selective as most about what I turn loose on.  If it will bay up on the ground or climb a tree (with a few exceptions) I will turn loose on it.  The few exceptions are skunks, porcupines and opposums.  Slick tails dont bother me to bad just not much of a challenge. I am looking forward to some great advise and stories and potentially some new friends.  I always a sucker for talking dogs.