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.)
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.)