From now until the spring green-up is one of the best times of the year to control feral hogs, says a AgriLife Extension Wildlife Specialist in a
recent article in AgriLife Today. One reason for this is the lack of food. As the acorn supply dwindles and hunters stop broadcasting deer corn, hogs move around more in search of food so that landowners have greater success baiting. Another reason to remove feral hogs during this time is that there seems to be a reproductive peak this time of year.
Several options are available when it comes to reducing feral hog numbers. Trapping, snaring, hunting, and aerial shooting are options, with trapping being the most efficient. Using a corral trap, as pictured above, is the best method of trapping because it contains a larger area than box traps and other species, such as deer, can escape if they get inside the trap. Due to the trap-shy nature of hogs, it is best to use a game camera in conjunction with baiting to ensure greatest possible trapping success. Lock trap doors open to allow hogs free movement in and out of the trap and bait with corn or some other attractant. Use camera photos and/or videos to monitor feral hog behavior in and around trap. Once most or all hogs come and go into the trap without hesitance, set the trap before nightfall and check it as early as possible in the morning to reduce the hogs' time in the trap. More info on feral hogs can be found at
http://www.feralhogs.tamu.edu/ and
http://www.pcwp.tamu.edu/.
From now until the spring green-up is one of the best times of the year to control feral hogs, says a AgriLife Extension Wildlife Specialist in a recent article in AgriLife Today. One reason for this is the lack of food. As the acorn supply dwindles and hunters stop broadcasting deer corn, hogs move around more in search of food so that landowners have greater success baiting. Another reason to remove feral hogs during this time is that there seems to be a reproductive peak this time of year.