By: Mark Tyson, M.S.
Photo by: Jared Timmons
Some feral hogs can be more reluctant than others to enter a
rooter gate due to the visual and physical barriers this type of gate poses. If
you are having problems getting the hogs to enter a rooter gate, you can modify
the rooter gate to work off a trip wire. This elevates the trap’s door and
removes the visual and physical barrier that the door previously provided. This
publication will show you how to modify your rooter gate http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/files/2010/04/L-5527-Door-Modifications-for-Feral-Hog-Traps.pdf.
(Rooter gate with tripwire modification)
A variety of trip wire types exist, this article gives a
good explanation of some of the options available http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/files/2010/04/Selecting-a-Manual-Pig-Trap-Trigger.pdf.
Also remember that one of the primary steps in trapping is to train the hogs to
bait and condition them to the trap enclosure. A great article on how to do
this can be found at http://feralhogs.tamu.edu/files/2010/04/Training-Wild-Pigs-to-Bait.pdf.
Another key factor in trapping is monitoring the hog’s response to the trap.
This can be done with game cameras (the more the better); the photos may show
you what is going wrong and you can work from there to fix the problem.
For free educational
programming or technical assistance with feral hogs please contact us:
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Protection Agency.