Everett Griner talks about feral hogs finding support in today’s Agri View.
Feral hogs. The image is changing- not everywhere and not to everybody, but, to some people in some places. These destructive animals are considered wild game in some states. They make money off of them by renting or leasing land for sportsmen to hunt them. In fact, they are welcomed on these commercial hunting lands. Some people are actually turning wild hogs loose on their property in order to sell hunting privileges. Still, to farmers they are still the same nuisance they have always been. They still do damage in the millions of dollars. Now we know they carry diseases that can adversely affect other animals- domestic as well as wild. So, while some accept the hogs, farmers would still like to see them eradicated. The fight goes on.
That’s Agri View for today. I’m Everett Griner.
From: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Feral Swine – Methods for Managing Damage
There are a variety of techniques that can be used to manage the damage caused by feral swine. Not all techniques are suitable in every location or situation and, often, a combination of methods must be used to ensure success.
USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services (WS) wildlife biologists and field specialists reduce feral swine damage by providing technical assistance to landowners and land-managers or conducting direct operational management activities to eliminate or alleviate the damage, upon request.
The most successful feral swine damage management strategies employ a diversity of tactics in a comprehensive, integrated approach. Factors to consider when choosing a management method(s) are overall objectives, landscape, environmental conditions, feral swine behavior and density, local regulations, and available funding. The appropriate method or combination of methods for the situation can be determined by utilizing the best information available which can be gathered from surveillance of damage and signs of feral swine on a specific property.