Will Clay Pigeons Kill Wild Hogs?

Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman.

Clay pigeons are a great way to practice your shooting skills with a shotgun and are used worldwide. They may have a dark side that not many know about, however. Are these simple training tools toxic, and can they kill wild hogs?

Clay pigeons can kill wild hogs if ingested. There are a few reasons why wild something as simple as a clay pigeon can be toxic to many different kinds of wild animals, not just wild hogs. There are a few reasons why this is and why you should be careful and efficient with your shot placement.

While wild hog populations need controlling in most areas, using clay pigeons to poison and kill them is not a good way to do it. But why is that? Let’s look at clay pigeons, what they are made of, and why you should be very careful with them and avoid leaving them anywhere, which can affect wild hogs or other wild animals.

In this post, we'll cover:

What Are Clay Pigeons Made Of?

While similar to clay, clay pigeons are not made out of clay at all! They also do not resemble pigeons. The term clay pigeon was given to them to honor the age-old sport of pigeon hunting. And, back in the day when they were first invented, they were made out of natural clay. Clay pigeons are now actually made out of a resin or pitch combined with limestone. This makes them stable in flight but with the properties of clay, exploding and breaking apart when shot. Unfortunately, some of these new materials can be hazardous.

Those made of petroleum pitch and limestone contain toxic materials such as coal tar derivatives. This means protoplasmic poisons such as cresols and phenols can negatively affect all animals that ingest them, wild or domestic. There are, however, some clay pigeons out there that are made of materials other than a petroleum pitch to avoid the downsides of traditional clay pigeons. Many people who shoot clay pigeons will never realize what they are made of and their potential downsides.

Are Clay Pigeons Toxic?

Traditional clay pigeons, or those made out of pitch with coal tar, have poisons that can be highly toxic for the environment and many animal species. Even as a clay pigeon breaks down and is in smaller pieces, it will retain its toxicity. The components may break down so small that they may be undetectable to the naked eye. This can be a bit misleading as they seem to have dissolved, but the soil will retain all of the particles and toxins that can be harmful to wildlife.

Are Clay Pigeons Biodegradable?

There are some clay pigeons out there that are made to be biodegradable and safe for the environment. The standard or traditional clay pigeon, however, is not biodegradable. When made with a petroleum pitch, they will not decompose and simply just break into smaller pieces. To avoid polluting the environment and keep it safe for animals, many companies have made clay pigeons out of non-toxic and non-hazardous materials that will eventually break down over time. These particular clay pigeons will decompose back to their natural elements while traditional clay pigeons will not.

Because traditional clay pigeons will not decompose, they are much more susceptible to being found and eaten by all manner of wildlife, including wild hogs. It is crucial to only shoot clay pigeons in certain specified areas, such as shooting ranges. Here the environmental impacts can be more easily controlled and diminished. If you take clay pigeons out to shoot in other areas, wild animals are more prone to find and consume them.

Should You Use Clay Pigeons to Control Hog Populations?

Since clay pigeons are toxic to wild hogs, many people may ask if they should use them to poison and control feral hog populations in their area. It is no secret that wild hog populations are out of control in most places. They must be appropriately taken care of to help limit the adverse effects of overpopulation. But should you use clay pigeons to poison and kill wild hogs?

The answer is no, as it is not an approved way to control wild hogs. It is illegal in many areas and can hurt other animals that are already struggling in the area. Poisoning wild hogs through the ingestion of clay pigeons mixed with bait can cause a horrible and prolonged death. This is caused by the toxins creating hemorrhagic necrosis of the liver. Even if you do not intentionally bait and poison wild hogs, they can still find and eat the broken fragments of clay pigeons as wild hogs will eat just about anything and have giant appetites.

Final Thoughts

So will clay pigeons kill wild hogs? Yes, they can and do kill wild hogs because of the toxins they retain. While clay pigeons can be toxic and hazardous to other animals, wild and domestic, wild pigs seem to be the most affected. Their digestive systems are more easily effective, and they love to eat anything they find. If you can, avoid shooting clay pigeons in any areas where wild hogs can accidentally discover and consume them.

Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.

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