new hog hunter here
 

what time of day am i most likely to spot some hogs up and around?

That depends on what time you have your feeder set to go off... :)

Hogs are like deer in some respects. Sometimes they'll be out in the heat of the day and sometimes they won't. Your best luck will usually come early in the morning or just before dark. But bait and a trail cam can help you pattern them down to the minute.

i just called the local rangers station and they told me where some were spotted on thursday afternoon. i found the location yesterday it is in the national forest so i can't bait them. i'm just going to find some sign of where they have been and wait for them to come back. any other ideas please let me know
thanks

Usually they will lay up in the middle of the day and move very early in the mornig or right before dark. They also fed alot at night especailly if they have been hunted much.

they haven't been showing up in the fields where i found some sign of them... do they like the thick brush like deer? i'm wanting to find them

Pigs love brush, the thicker the better. I'm not sure what your state regulations are but you might try out one of those varmint lights. We've used them around here and they do pretty good at night.