Hi Keith59
It’s good to hear the hog has been visiting again. It’s not unusual for males to miss some nights – they have larger ranges than females, so don’t always visit everywhere every night.
I would be inclined to open the box earlier than late September. Some males begin hibernation in September and they may be looking around for suitable nesting places earlier. Don’t forget to leave lots of nesting materials nearby (medium sized leaves, grasses, etc.). Nesting material is as important as hog boxes – the boxes are, to hogs, just structures within which they can build their hibernation (or other) nests.
Good luck and happy hog watching.
