Controlling Feral Hog Damage

LONESTARBOAR

Grand Poobah
Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are members of the same
family as the domestic breeds, and in Texas include
the European wild hogs, feral hogs, and hybrids.
Feral hogs prefer the cover of dense brush for protection, but may also be found in open range and
grassy areas. During hot weather they spend much
of their time wallowing in ponds, springs and
streams close to protective cover.
Feral hogs are omnivorous and will eat anything
from grain to carrion. Vegetable matter constitutes
an important part of their diet. When available,
acorns are preferred. They also consume roots and
invertebrates such as centipedes, leeches, earthworms and crayfish. In certain areas cultivated
crops and row crops make up a significant portion
of their diet. Wild hogs also prey on young native
and exotic wildlife, livestock, and other small vertebrates.

Identification
Feral Hogs
Feral hogs are domestic hogs which have escaped
into the wild or have been released for hunting
purposes and have become free-ranging (Fig. 1).
Their size and color depend upon their breed and
their nutrition during development.
European Wild Hogs
European wild hogs (often referred to as
“Russian” boars) differ in appearance from feral
hogs. The wild hog usually has longer legs, a larger
head, and a longer snout. The young are reddish
brown with black longitudinal stripes. As the animals mature the stripes disappear and their color
changes to black. Wild hogs have continuously
growing tusks, in addition to multiple splits at the
ends of the hair shafts, and mane from the neck to
the base of the tail.

Hybrids
In the 1930s, European wild hogs were released as
game animals in areas of the Texas hill country
that already had feral hog populations. Crossbreeding between the two species occurred. As a
result of the hybridization, few individuals of the
pure European strain are found in Texas. However,
the hybrid offspring retained many characteristics
of the European wild hogs.
Distribution
Hogs were first introduced into the Americas in
1498 by Christopher Columbus during his exploration of the West Indies. After hogs were introduced into Florida in 1593, free-ranging populations
spread into Georgia and the Carolinas and eventually became established in all southeastern states.
Feral hogs have been present in Texas since 1689.
Today, feral hogs and hybrid feral hogs are reported
in almost every county of Texas

Biology, Reproduction
and Behavior
Adult weight: 100 to 400+ pounds.
Adult height: 3 feet (males are generally larger than
females).
Color: Varies from solid black, brown, blond, white,
or red to spotted or belted.
Feet: Similar to deer tracks, except toes have more
round or blunt tips.
Gestation period: 115 days.
Litter size: Four to eight, but may be as large as
thirteen.
Number of litters: Two litters per year, and young
may be born at any time of the year.
Social structure: Generally travel in family groups
comprised normally of two sows and the young.
Boars are generally solitary, only joining a herd to
breed.

Damage
Damage caused by feral hogs has been reported
in many Texas counties. Crops commonly damaged by feral hogs include rice, sorghum, wheat,
corn, soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, watermelon and
cantaloupe. One of the most common types of
damage to these crops occurs when the hogs root in
the fields. Hogs not only consume, but also trample
the crops.
Hog predation on livestock is a serious problem
in some counties. Feral hogs kill and consume
lambs and kid goats, especially during lambing and
kidding seasons. Physical evidence of hog predation may be hard to detect because the entire animal may be consumed. Ewes and nannies with
swollen udders but no nursing lambs or kids may be
an indication of hog predation. Hog tracks and
droppings may aid in identifying the predator. If
hog predation occurs when kids and lambs are larger, the entire carcass may be turned inside out, leaving the hide with little or no flesh except on the
head, neck and hooves.
Feral hogs also will kill ground-nesting birds such
as quail and turkey and destroy their nesting sites.
On some management areas, feeders used to assist
native wildlife are damaged or destroyed by feral
hogs attempting to consume the feed.

Control Methods
Feral hogs can be effectively controlled by snaring, live trapping, shooting and hunting them with
dogs. There are currently no toxicants or repellents
registered for the control of feral hogs.

Snares
Snares are used in travel ways under fences that
surround crop fields or livestock pastures. Three
sizes of galvanized aluminum aircraft cable are recommended for snares: 5/64 inch; 3/32 inch; and 1/8
inch. An extension cable, 3 feet long or longer,
should be tied from the snare to a log drag or fence
post to effectively restrain the animal.

Live Traps
Live traps are extremely effective for capturing
feral hogs. There are many different trap designs,
ranging from single-catch traps with a drop gate or
one-way swing gate to multi-catch traps. One kind
of multi-catch trap is shown in Figure 3. This trap is
constructed from 2 inch x 2 inch angle iron and
stock paneling. The trap door measures 2 feet x 2
feet and when closed should lie at an angle of
approximately 30 degrees. The assembled trap measures 10 feet x 10 feet x 5 feet. It may be necessary
to enclose the top of the trap to prevent hogs from
escaping. All sides of the trap, except that with the
gate, may be camouflaged with brush. If the trap is
not secured to trees, it should be secured to the
ground with 24-inch stakes so that the hogs do not
escape by rooting under the sides.
After the trap is assembled and secured, the door
should be propped open with a stick that is
attached to a screen door spring. The door should
be opened approximately 18 to 20 inches, and the
spring should have enough tension to pull the stick
away from the door when a hog enters the trap.
Grain and domestic livestock carcasses are the
preferred trap baits. Since a hog has a keen sense of
smell, place the trap so the wind will carry the
smell of the bait toward the areas where hogs are
most active. This will attract hogs to the trap.
Prebaiting may be necessary in areas where crops
have been damaged.
Once an animal has been caught in the trap,
other hogs can enter by pushing open the door. As
with other multi-catch traps, a decoy animal in the
trap will aid in attracting other hogs to enter. The
trap should be checked daily for animals. Decoy
animals should be fed and watered as often as necessary.

Shooting
Shooting at night is an effective control method,
especially if the areas of greatest hog activity are
known. A spotlight with a red filter is a valuable
aid to the hunter. Before using a spotlight, notify
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials.

Hunting with Dogs
In certain situations, trained dogs may be used to
locate individual hogs or small groups of hogs.
Dogs should be properly trained for hog control to
lessen the possibility of their being injured. Hogs
will become particularly wary of dogs after they
have been continuously harassed. Therefore, other
control methods may become necessary.

Restrictions
In Texas, feral hogs are considered free-ranging,
exotic animals and may be taken at any time of the
year by any legal means. Consult with the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department regarding any question about the legal status of feral hogs.
For more information and assistance, contact
your local Texas Wildlife Damage Management
Service office

(Source: Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service.)
 

LONESTARBOAR

Grand Poobah
Hogs Are smart and constantly evolving to hunting and trapping tactics. Hogs have learned to run from dogs, not stopping to fight. There are studies showing hogs avoiding traps after watching other hogs trapped, then teaching their young to avoid the traps. So far the most effective tool for hog hunting/control is night vision and thermal followed by visible lights. Hunting at night in combination with traps has been very effective in controlling hog populations on several large ranches I hunt.
 

Afalex1

LSB Active Member
SUS VENATOR CLUB
This is a great article with a load of valuable information. I have also found that hunting at night with night vision and thermal to be the most effective way to control the population.

Yes, trapping will get large numbers at first. However, the hogs that learn to avoid the traps are still there and that is when the NV and Thermal come into play. Without them a landowner will still have damage from the hogs that remain.

Along with the NV, a suppressor on the guns is very valuable. Even with supersonic ammo it seems to confuse the pigs on what is happening for a few seconds and provide a few more follow up shots. Sometimes they will even run a circle until they decide which way to go to get away!
 

Ratdog68

LSB Official Story Teller
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And... my baby back ribs are almost done slow cooking in the Weber grill.
 

DaveABQ

Albuquerque, NM
I think the quick way to control them is put a bullet in them, hand grenade for a sounder lol
 

pruhdlr

Cantonment,Fla.
SUS VENATOR CLUB
As to what is happening or HAS happened in other states,including Texas IMO ------> Florida has huge tracks of land that are not hunted for hogs. To me,this is the main problem with the expanding hog population and range. Hog hunting is allowed 24/7/365,both day and night on private property in Fla. ANY gun can be used,ANY ammo can be used,ANY mag can be used,visible lights at night,and NVD's also. They can be baited. They can also be trapped.

BUT........on some of the private property hunting clubs there are extremely stoooopid rules and regs set in place by the leadership. No hog hunting during deer season,no hog hunting during turkey season,no hogs at night,no trapping, a limit on how many killed,register them in the club book,take a pic of each hog and submit it to the clubs president,contact land mgr/owner on each hog killed,etc,etc.

During deer season I have overheard hunters whining about how the hogs were rooting up their plots. I have volunteered to come in with my thermal and take care of their problem for them either before,after,or during deer season. The reasons why that just could not happen are waaaay too numerous to list here. BUT......the very best one is....."nope....you gotta be a member of the club to hunt on our property".

The WMA's(state owned or leased property)have some of the damn strangest rules and regs concerning hog hunting possible. The one that "takes the cake" is: "You can only hunt hogs during the open season on deer." Just recently only several(out of dozens and dozens)of the WMA's have allowed hog hunting by drawing or "special" permit. BUT.....this "special" season only lasts several days to a week or so. NO BAITING....period ! (HUH ??????)

In Eglin AFB,here in NW Fla, there is a HUGE hog problem.There is tons of whining about the hogs on the runways,taxiways,and rooting up the parks and little league fields. Eglin's property is measured in square miles. Just guessing I would say 250-300sq miles. NO hog hunting is allowed EXCEPT during deer season. Then with limited guns,mags,and ammo,and not at night. NO BAITING allowed....period ! The feds have been PAYING trappers to come in and trap the hogs. I have heard reports of p/u trucks coming out of Eglin with the bed "rounded up with dead hogs". I have also heard tell of poison being used.

Florida is right behind Texas. We are where Texas was 30 years ago and quickly catching up. BUT......it is not the hogs fault. It is mans fault. A farmer has a hog "problem" yet will not allow anyone to hunt his property. It becomes a hog sanctuary where they are fed well,can hide,plenty of water,and more importantly,can breed at will. Eglin AFB incorporates 250sq miles yet the public is only allowed to hunt them from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset,using NO BAIT,6-8 weeks a year ???????? Yep there is a problem. ---- pruhdlr
 

Ident Marking

Rockwall, Texas
Vendor
Farmers and landowners are very picky about who has access to their property and I don't blame them. Some people aren't responsible or don't care for the property. I now all the landowners we hunt for love us because not only do we kill the pigs we respect the land.

-hd
 

TEXASLAWMAN

Lone Star Boars Owner
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Exactly. It's surprising how many hunters shoot cows!
 

Wildfowler

Mis'sippi
SUS VENATOR CLUB
There are studies showing hogs avoiding traps after watching other hogs trapped, then teaching their young to avoid the traps.

Hi, I'm new here and hope it is appropriate for me to make this request in my first post.

Would you mind posting some links to these studies that you were referring to above?

I have heard from a reliable source that the Mississippi game and Fish commission is considering outlawing the hunting of wild hogs. They believe that hunters are proliferating the hogs into new areas of the state and otherwise causing them to be even more difficult to kill by hunting them.

Their plan is to only allow hogs to be captured in traps and then killed. Apparently our local state biologists are convinced that trapping hogs is the only effective way of controlling them and that hunting them only makes them more wary and difficult to kill.

I would like to have some good information to present to the commission prior to them making any drastic changes. Not to mention I have invested a significant amount of my time and money hunting these things and would be devastated to see that go away.

Thanks.
 
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ZenArchery

LSB Active Member
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Gonna send this to every idiot who tells ask, "why do you shoot so many hogs..."
 

Wildfowler

Mis'sippi
SUS VENATOR CLUB
I've seen those videos, thanks. Are these videos considered the studies that were being referred to above?
 

FrankT

Destin FL
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LoneStarBoars Supporter
They also have a branch op in FL, at least the guys claim to be affiliated. Some WMA's let them on the land and some don't, we want nothing to do w them as they could wipe or hogs and hunting out.
 

TEXASLAWMAN

Lone Star Boars Owner
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
I've seen those videos, thanks. Are these videos considered the studies that were being referred to above?
There were others a much better one where they made a large coral trap with a whole panel missing. And several adult hogs would never go in. They would walk up to the entrance and then jump back like they had been shocked. But I could not find it last night. A google search returned all kinds of info on trap shy hogs.

It is well known that trapping alone will not fix the problem. A combination of trapping and shooting is the most effective means besides poison. If they ever approve a poison you can kiss hog hunting good by.
 

Wildfowler

Mis'sippi
SUS VENATOR CLUB
Thanks for your help with this. We've got a lot of cut corn in my area. I'm hoping the swine are going to show up for a little action after dark.
 

rob072770

Lewisville NC
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Exactly. It's surprising how many hunters shoot cows!
Here down the street from me my neighbor used to let people hunt deer on his land until 2 years ago some dumb SOB shot one of his horses. It does amaze me some times some hunters are just stupid.
 
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