Big Pig Drop Trap vs BoarBuster: Whole Sounder Capture for Landowners

If you are evaluating suspended hog traps for whole-sounder capture, the Big Pig Drop Trap and BoarBuster-style systems will both come up. They share a goal, drop on the entire family group at once, but they differ in how they are built, deployed, and triggered. This is a fair, mechanism-first comparison. We will not quote competitor pricing or invent specs we cannot verify; check each manufacturer's current listings for exact figures.

Two Approaches to Whole-Sounder Capture

Both systems reject the old habit of catching a few hogs and educating the rest into being trap shy. The aim is the same: condition the sounder, wait for the full group, and capture them in one event. Where they diverge is the frame and the trigger.

How Each System Works (Mechanism)

The Big Pig Drop Trap is a fully suspended, four-section circular frame, 48″ high and 13′ in diameter, that hogs can enter from every angle. When the group is inside, the frame drops. A 10″ jump ring helps prevent aerial escapes. BoarBuster is also a suspended design that is dropped from above on a conditioned sounder. Both are “drop” concepts; the build and the control system are where buyers should focus.

Deployment, Weight, and Labor

This is where ranch reality shows up. The Big Pig system is engineered so that no single piece weighs more than 85 lb, enabling realistic one- or two-person assembly, and it uses roughly one-third the parts of some competing drop traps. For transport, the Big Pig A-frame Panel Trap Trailer carries panels upright rather than in a flat “pancake stack.” If you move traps between pressure points often, assembly weight and transport are not footnotes — they are the job.

Remote Triggering and Monitoring

Big Pig systems are almost always paired with the HogEye Camera System,  the camera and trigger layer, not a trap itself — which stays “Always Awake,” responds in under a second, and offers one-tap drop control from your phone on an AT&T or Verizon no-contract plan. When you compare any two suspended traps, weigh the monitoring and triggering system as carefully as the frame: it determines whether you actually catch the whole sounder on the night they commit.

When Each Fits Your Operation

Match the tool to the situation:

• Smaller sounders or trap-shy hogs: a drop trap's open, all-angle entry tends to fit well.
• Larger populations or ease of use: consider a modular panel trap, which scales with custom corral sizes and number of gates.
• Frequent relocation and one- or two-person crews: lighter panels, fewer parts, and upright trailer transport matter most.

For a deeper look at how Big Pig is built and why, see Why Big Pig. To size a system for your property, start on Get a Quote or call the Hog Trap Hotline at 888-744-8727.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Big Pig Drop Trap and BoarBuster the same thing?

No. Both are suspended “drop” concepts aimed at whole-sounder capture, but they differ in frame design, parts count, assembly weight, and the camera/trigger system used.

How heavy are Big Pig components?

No single piece weighs more than 85 lb, which makes one- or two-person assembly and relocation realistic.

Does the Big Pig Drop Trap include a camera?

It is designed to pair with the HogEye Camera System for remote monitoring and one-tap triggering. HogEye is the camera and trigger system, not a separate trap.

Which is better for trap-shy hogs?

A drop trap's open, all-angle entry is often a good fit for smaller or trap-shy sounders; larger populations may favor a panel trap.

Where can I see exact pricing?

Check each manufacturer's current product pages. Big Pig lists drop and panel options on its site, with custom configurations handled through Get a Quote.