New Boss Hog Series Blends Wild Hog Hunting and Authentic Texas BBQ

Outdoor sportsman fans and authentic BBQ lovers rejoice! The Discovery Channel’s new Boss Hog series debuts Friday April 11 and blends together for the first time Brian “Pig Man” Quaca’s wild hog hunting with the authentically awesome art of Texas Barbecue. 

Boss Hog Episode One Teaser Trailer

For those of you who aren’t familiar with The Pig Man’s exploits, let me give you a brief primer:

Brian Quaca (AKA The Pig Man) has spent the better part of his nearly 40 years tackling Texas’ wild hog problem, building his own “pig empire.”

In recent years, wild hogs have ravaged Texas, causing an estimated 1.5 billion dollars in agricultural damage annually. Where most see this as a nuisance, Pig Man sees it as an opportunity, making money off every aspect of the pig – from booking clients on high-end hog hunts and customizing hog hunting bows, to stuffing and mounting trophy boars.

Oh, he’s also an accomplished rifle smith and knows his way around some pretty high-powered and specialized guns, folks. Killer stuff… for real.

Now, with the advent of the Discovery Channel and their new Boss Hog show featuring Pig Man’s adventures in “hoggery,” we’re seeing what unfolds as Pig Man expands his Pigtime Enterprises hunting empire by partnering with the historic Wright’s Bar-B-Q of Mexia, TX.

At the helm of the BBQ business is Quita Wright, along with her brother James will be converting some of Pig Man’s wild game into deliciously crafted Texas BBQ.

That’s right.

Under USDA inspection and following all of the appropriate guidelines, Wright’s Bar-B-Q will be serving up wild game killed by the Pig Man and his compatriots in authentic Texas fashion.  With more than 50 years of barbecue tradition behind her – I can think of few others who have what it takes to make this effort a “hogtastic” success.

I wanted to know more about what Pig Man and Wright’s Bar-B-Q have going on here via the Boss Hog series. So, I sought out Quita for a phone conversation today to learn more about this unique and ground breaking partnership.

Interview with Quita Wright of Wright’s Bar-B-Q

“In it to Win it!” Quita Wright of Wright’s Bar-B-Q in Mexia, TX gets up close and personal with wild hogs using the trap seen here.

I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be out catching wild hogs. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to run the family Bar-B-Q business. The Quacas are long time family friends of the Wrights, and as crazy as things get – I now can’t see myself doing anything else. — Quita Wright

In my discussion with Quita Wright, one thing stood out above all else. It’s God, Family, Friends, and Bar-B-Q in that order. As the owner and manager of Wright’s Bar-B-Q in Mexia, TX and a long time family friend of Brian Quaca and the whole Pigtime Enterprises clan, she’s now embarking on a new and very promising venture: Wild Hog Barbecue. Officially listed as “Boss Hog Barbecue Partner,” it’s about to get real fun real quick alongside the now infamous Pig Man.

Divinely Inspired: The History of Wright’s Bar-B-Q

Right from the get go, the conversation with Quita touched on the long history Wright’s Bar-B-Q has in the Mexia, TX area. Back in  1957, Quita’s Grandfather, the late Clinton Wright started cooking up barbecue as a means of feeding and raising money for his church.  Serving in his role as a Pastor, Wright’s main goal was to use the proceeds earned selling barbecue to build a church. By 1959 Wright’s barbecue business increased to the point where he decided to establish it within a permanent structure, and so he bought a small filling station location and Wright’s Bar-B-Q was officially established as a business located at its present 123 N MLK Jr Hwy 14, Mexia, TX address.

Photo Credits: Daniel Goncalves/Fotobia.com and Don O.

Though the building was smaller than it is at present, it served its purpose well.  An open-pit was constructed inside the building in true Texas BBQ fashion, but has since been separated off to the side of the existing structure. Crafting his own special homemade sausage and coupling that with chicken, ribs, and brisket, Clinton Wright’s business grew steadily enough to provide for his family.

Now in operation through more than 50 years, Wright’s Bar-B-Q is owned and managed by Quita Wright and her brother James who serves as Pitmaster. Together, they represent the 3rd generation of the Wright family running the business, which has definitely become a treasured landmark.

Popular items continue to be their signature homemade sausage, along with chicken, ribs, brisket, pork, and some home-style options including ox tails, meatloaf and collard greens. Sign me up for all of that, please!

Boss Hog: The Pig Man and Wright’s Bar-B-Q Partnership Begins

So we have this historic Texas barbecue joint now in its third generation of operation, and then we bring the one, the only, Brian “Pig Man” Quaca and his Pigtime Enterprises into the deal. How’s that going to work? My guess… it’s going to freakin’ rock!

Both Quita and Pig Man have such strong and vibrant personalities that it’s got nowhere to go but “awesome.” But what I think really is going to make for a thriving partnership here is that both of these folks are just as you see them: honest, God-fearing, family driven people who know exactly who they are and what they’re all about.

But the chemistry goes beyond all that. When I asked Quita how she managed to become partners with Pig Man, she explained that the Wright and Quaca families go back a long way, and that there is much love between them. In fact, Pig Man’s Uncle, his father DAP’s brother, was a very close friend and loyal barbecue customer of Quita’s Father Clinton.

“Brian’s Uncle, before he passed away, would come in to see my Dad all the time,” said Quita. “He was a fine Man, a very good man. My Dad just loved him. I mean, he was the only one who would come straight through the door and walk to the back and you know, just talk. He was just a fun guy – you never know what was going to come out of his mouth. As Brian would say, he’d come in “hot!”

“It’s just been a great experience being in this partnership with Brian and his family. I mean, I can’t remember a time when our families weren’t connected in some way, so it is just a natural thing for us. We always have had something going on across the past three generations where one family would trade or barter with the other, you know for things they needed. So when the chance to work together with Brian and his family came along, I had no hesitation whatsoever. I mean, we do barbecue and they hunt hogs. I need them to hunt it and they need me to cook it! Everybody has to eat!”

Amen! Man, I’m so stoked about this upcoming inaugural season of Boss Hog, I can barely stand it. The fun Brian and his crew have based on what I have seen in their Leupold’s Pig Man series is off the charts. And you can bet that Quita and James are going to get theirs in as well!

Just check out this video to get an idea of what you’re in for this season.

Hahaha! Isnt’ that great? I think DAP has a little “comin’ in HOT” in him, too! You see that photo at the top of this post where Quita is tending to that hog trap? My guess is that DAP shows her just how he goes about catching wild hogs!

I asked Quita about DAP and she just laughed. We’ll have to see if I’m right.

In any case, it’s clear she loves him very much, and you can tell that when they go at each other. “DAP’s all good. What I love most about DAP is that he lives life every day for what that day is all about. He doesn’t carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, you know? I’m like that and think that’s why we get along so well.”

“You know, he’s a loose cannon sometimes, so we have to keep him under control. He’s going to keep us busy, you hear me? So that’s going to be just a great thing. I mean, he’s like a child that never grows up. You know, the one that has to stay at the house with you.”

As far as the Boss Hog show goes and what Quita expects to come from it, she expects great things. “You know, humbly speaking, I do see wonderful things on the horizon for this partnership we have going.” I think so too, Quita — no doubt.

So, What Do You Think? Comment Below And Let Me Know!

Based on what you see here, is this a show you think you’ll tune in to watch?  For sure if you love outdoor shows, bow hunting, cool ass guns, and Texas barbecue, you’re going to find plenty to like with Boss Hog. Leave a comment below to share what you think of the preview clips I’ve shared here. And don’t forget to tune in to watch episode one of Boss Hog with Brian “The Pig Man” Quaca and his Barbecue Partner Quita Wright this Friday April 11 at 10 PM ET.