By: Dan Gaskins,
Extension Assistant
For a few years now it has been
legal to hunt feral hogs from the air. By far the most polarizing (legal)
control method, it is a major source of controversy. As this method becomes
more widespread, I get more questions about the viability, efficiency, cost,
and safety of aerial gunning.
Photo Courtesy Texas
Wildlife Services
The Pros:
Aerial
gunning can be very effective, when
done by experienced personnel and under the right conditions. A
study in South Texas (Campbell et al., 2010) had removal rates of 9 and 27
pigs per hour, depending on the site. This suggests that it is possible for
quite a few animals to be removed in a single day. It is also a viable option
for absentee landowners or landowners that do not have the time to dedicate to
trapping or running snares.
In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed the so-called “Porkchopper
Bill” that allows landowners and contractors to sell seats in the helicopter to
a third party. This helps defray the expense (see below) of hiring a contractor
to preform aerial operations. Due to the recreational opportunity shooting pigs
on the run from a helicopter can provide, there is a large number of people
willing to pay for the experience. This has the potential to reduce or
completely eliminate the cost to the landowner.
The Cons:
The cost can be prohibitive, with companies charging from
$400 per hour to over $1,000 per hour. As mentioned above, by selling a seat to
a third party, landowners can reduce or eliminate this cost, but then there is
a question of safety. Texas law states the only qualification for buying a
helicopter hunt is a hunting license. Some landowners have concerns about people
who have never even been in a helicopter firing a weapon from one. Some
companies have begun requiring their clients undergo training to prepare them
for a safe and effective hunt.
Aerial hunting is also only effective on certain types of
properties. Gunners need a clean line of sight which means the pilot has to be
able to flush the pigs into the open. In heavy or tall vegetation, such as the
piney woods, this may not be possible. This method also requires quite a bit of
space to be practical and safe. Smaller properties may need to be grouped
together to provide enough space, which requires multiple landowner’s approval
and the pilot to be very careful about which properties they fly onto. This
type of flying also takes a fair amount of skill on the part of the pilot.
There is also evidence that aerial gunning decreases in
effectiveness over time. Studies conducted in Australia (Choquenot et al. 1999)
suggest that as the population density decreases, so does the efficacy of the
method. Also, while it has yet to be specifically studied, pigs have shown the
ability to become educated and hide from the helicopter. This behavior was
specifically documented in Australia (Saunders and Bryant 1988) with two
radio-collared pigs that had survived the aerial gunning operation. Attempts to
flush the pigs from cover were unsuccessful. This behavior is supported by
anecdotal evidence, however until it is specifically studied it will remain
uncertain to what extent this behavior affects aerial gunning effectiveness. Campbell et al. found that aerial gunning
only displaced pigs short distances and for short periods of time, suggesting
that it does not work as a tool to harass the pigs away from an area
permanently.
The Answer:
In the end, there is no one answer to which method is best.
In some situations, aerial gunning could be the best choice. For example, a 1000
acre ranch in the coastal prairie could benefit from an aerial gunning
operation. On the other hand, a 20 acre property in the pineywoods probably
wouldn’t find it practical. In the Statewide
Feral Hog Abatement Pilot Project, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension found
that in the pineywoods and post oak savannah ecological regions, vegetation
prevented the use of aerial gunning as a viable control option while it was the
most effective method in the coastal prairie (Higginbotham et al. 2008).
When hiring a contractor for an aerial gunning operation, do
a little research on the company first. What kind of experience do they have?
What is their track record? What safety measures do they use? Only hire someone
you feel comfortable with, because, after all, you are giving them permission
to shoot out of a helicopter on your property.
Prior to the passage of the “Porkchopper” Bill (2007-2010),
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approved an average of 1,511 Landowner
Authorizations for aerial control of feral hogs. In 2012, TPWD approved 1,883
Landowner Authorizations, a 25% increase. The 2007-2010 average number of pigs
taken annually by helicopter was 14,800. In 2012, 24,061 pigs were taken, a 63%
increase. The bill is having the intended effect: more landowners are turning
to aerial hunting to control their pig populations.
Finally, I would caution landowners against seeing an aerial
gunning operation as a “one and done” option. Even if every pig on your
property is removed in one fell swoop, that does not mean you will be pig free
for the rest of time. Feral hog “control” is a process, not an act. Continue
monitoring your property for signs that pigs are present and take appropriate
steps.
When done correctly and under the right conditions, aerial
gunning can be an effective control method for feral hogs. Contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for more information on rules,
documents, and aerial gunning in your area.
The hyper-linked resource document below will provide you with quick access to many of our online feral hog resources including publications, fact sheets and videos.
The hyper-linked resource document below will provide you with quick access to many of our online feral hog resources including publications, fact sheets and videos.
For free
educational programming or technical assistance with feral hogs please contact
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