MORE GOOD NEWS!!
More bad news on the hog poisoning program. A veterinarian on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who is a leading member of the states Feral HOG Task Force has advised against the use of Warfarin. Further, the Kaput feeders used for this have an 8 -10 lb. lid, while a raccoon was observed lifting a 23 lb. lid. Recipe for disaster. Playing with fire.
Feral hogs continue to pose problems; new product to control them under scrutiny
With the bulk of the hunting seasons closed statewide — small-game and snipe…
theadvocate.com|By
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
LaCour said the product can take as long as four days after ingestion to kill a hog.
LaCour’s concern is immediate considering plans to introduce and market the product is set for May 1 in Texas. Not only is the proximity of Louisiana to its sister state a problem, but he said the short-term and long-term effects of the product needs further testing to determine its effect on other nontargeted species.
LaCour said directions for use of Kaput is that feeders equipped with 8-10 pound lids might not be enough of a safeguard to prevent other animals from getting to the drug-laced feed. He cited an instance where a raccoon was observed lifting a 23-pound lid on feeder.
LaCour’s testimony comes with another warning: “Though there are specific directions for the toxicant’s use … concerns are high for inappropriate use of the product, especially bait dumping on the ground by users.’’
He said his concern, and those of the Feral Hog Task Force, went beyond raccoons to the Louisiana black bear, and that the drug-laced feed could be scattered by feeding hogs and become available to squirrels among other animals.
What’s more, LaCour said nontargeted animals feeding on Kaput could pose a threat to predatory animals like bobcats, owls, hawks, eagles and vultures.