Has anyone seen the show "Pig Bomb" on the discovery channel. If not you need to see if you can watch it. You can also watch it in bits and pieces on Youtube. It shows how much the wild pig population has grown over the last several years, and how much they have grown in size and hostility. They say this started happening after there was an introduction of russian boars into the wild. I know where I live I have never heard tell of someone finding a wild hog, but we have them at the beach and in the mountains.
I've been catching some of the shows and it appears the wild hogs are going through a population explosion.
It's gotton very serious in some places and they seem to be mutating into a more fierce hog...A.H
They are everywhere here now, and without help from the game and fish dept., they will be here for a long time. They are considered nuisance animals, yet they restrict how and when you can hunt them. I have read articles that says that you have to kill 87% of their population each year just to keep them in check, I would be surprised if the kill rate here was even close to 10%. I would say that is a loosing battle.
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One hole groups are as easy as pulling the trigger, until you pull it the second time.
Out at Eglin AFB's hunting preserve, you can take one a day per person.
If you are on Private Property, unlimited. They are considered farm animals, even if not indigenous.
I often run an ad offering Free Removal of Wild Hog without Use of Gun...and I take 'em with my Bow. Lots of Farmers appreciate it because those things will wipe out a couple acres of crops REAL fast.
Even if you can't use the meat, you can often cut it up and donate it to local shelters...they don't mind free ham/bacon at ALL. I just tell 'em to cook it Well-Done because Wild Hog tends to be a little wormy if ya don't.
__________________ Marlin & Calico Specialist
I'm not just Trigger Happy, I'm Trigger Ecstatic!!
They are everywhere here now, and without help from the game and fish dept., they will be here for a long time. They are considered nuisance animals, yet they restrict how and when you can hunt them. I have read articles that says that you have to kill 87% of their population each year just to keep them in check, I would be surprised if the kill rate here was even close to 10%. I would say that is a loosing battle.
I'd write up a logical argument paper to Game & Fish for upping the limit, or even removing it altogether. Send a copy to the local newspaper as an Editorial as well
The more Public Interest, the better!!
__________________ Marlin & Calico Specialist
I'm not just Trigger Happy, I'm Trigger Ecstatic!!
A very well studied wild hog biologist told the audience at the southeast wild hog conference a few years ago " There's two types of property in the United States, property that has hogs on it now and property that WILL have hogs on it in the near future". They're getting thicker by the day, and they're here to stay! If you don't believe me just ask the guys from Texas. They've been trying to kill em out for over a hundred years and there's more hogs there now than ever! There's a large ranch (+15,000 acres) about 2 miles from me and they killed 96 in 3 days from a chopper a few weeks ago. The ranch manager said a week later that they couldn't even tell they'd killed one by the way the feeders were still getting emptied, and by the numbers they were still catching in traps. The only reason they haven't got to my place yet is the ranch has a 10' fence around the biggest part of it.
Do yourselves a favor and barn-raise 'em until they are weaned...then only release MALES.
Otherwise you'll end up as screwed as Florida after they introduced Spanish Boar in the 50's...now look at how many there are...and our deer look like Coyote with Horns...the average Florida deer is 1/2 the size in comparison with their Alabama & Georgia cousins...simply because they have more food cometition with something that can clear ACRES in a day.
__________________ Marlin & Calico Specialist
I'm not just Trigger Happy, I'm Trigger Ecstatic!!
Angler,
I think that would be against the law for you to introduce a non native species into the wild. You might want to look into that. There could be some pretty hefty fines for it.
What part of the UP are you from? My Great grandparents lived in Gladstone and I used to go and visit them when I was younger. Used to love to spend time up there in the Summers. The winters... not so much LOL. Only went there in the Winter once when my Great Grandfather passed away. Man was it cold. And they couldn't put him in the ground due to the ice and ground being frozen solid. They had to wait until spring. Had him and a few others in an out building. We went back in spring for the actual burial.
Paladin,
I have on of my camps in the Ishpeming area.
I know it is against the law to release pigs, but what can one do if the break down the fence and get away?
and yes, it is cold up here, almost freezes the nipps of my girls (;
There's actually a new federal law about non-indigenous animals being run through Congress right now...they want to step up regulations and hold owners Directly responsible for any escapes of non-indigenous animals...all owners will be licensed and have to show proof that their facilities are Nigh Impossible for the creatures to break out of.
And the fines are reportedly VERY stiff.
They started it because of the Python/Boa Constrictor problems in Florida...and some dang fish from Cambodia that's wiping out indigenous species in our lakes...not to mention a few other nasty critters that have been "released" through idiot owners not making sure they were properly secured.
All non-indigenous animals will be Strictly licensed and tracked...think about that for a few moments and wonder about all the South American Birds...African Animals...etc etc...that will be almost completely outlawwed...
There's some heavy things in the bill that are making Python/Boa owners squirm...but then, it's about time they took a little more responsibility for their animals.
Now if they can just regulate "Dangerous Breed Dogs" like Pitt Bulls the same way...require a license & proof of Secure Facilities...That would be a Wonderful Thing!!
__________________ Marlin & Calico Specialist
I'm not just Trigger Happy, I'm Trigger Ecstatic!!
Big Shrek they should be licensed and such to some extent. What about all the ranches though with animals that they have stocked that are from africa. People pay to hunt them, and there would be no real way to tell how many they had. We had a Boa get found by a river here a few years back. Thing was nearly 20 feet long. Also that fish is a snakehead, we had one of them get caught in a river about a hour from where i live. I don't believe they should regulate dogs as much though. I am against dog fighting, but if you raise any dog right it will be ok. Releasing pure Russian stock would be insane. Pigs can be rough animals, no matter what kind. Putting in the roughest and toughest would be idiotic. We don't have no pigs where I live, but I am sure that before I die there will be some.
I guess maybe I am just a bit jealous, but all those pay to shoot game places should be responsable for the animals they have, and any problems caused by them. Yes there will always be people that "find" and release animals into the wild, whether it be a kitten, or a russain hog, or lion, but with DNA research, the animal can be tracked back to where it came from.
In Pa, there is a small population of wild pigs. The game commission has done a lot of things to attempt to remove the population completely, but the hogs are still winning. They do not just live in farm land, or ranch land, but thrive in the rough mountain terrain, which makes them hard to find, and to hunt. Many people who hunt like hunting in that type of area, but with the thick undergrowth,and all, the hogs are as hard to hunt as bears, and with alot less people hunting them.
Here in Western Maryland there are a good many pig farms especially in Garrett County, and we have a breeding population of feral pigs, Me and one of my buddies actually get calls from local crop farmers to come shoot the animals. We offer our services for free but most of the farmers up here actually will pay you for your fuel and ammo. Plus we get as many hams and bacon and chops as we want!
