By: Kristen Tyson,
M.A.
Feral hog: One of an
estimated 2.6 million that occupy 99% of Texas counties.
The
bitter truth is that feral hogs cause over $50 million in agricultural damage
annually, and that number is rising as feral hogs are left unbridled across our
great state. If the economic impact were
not enough, these feral hogs compete with native wildlife species for scarce
resources and damage irreplaceable wetlands by rooting and wallowing. Hogs are
known to carry brucellosis, a disease that is easily spread to humans and other
animals in contact with their blood and other bodily fluids. Their penchant for
defecating in or near rivers and streams add bacteria (fecal coliforms) to
further contaminate Texas watersheds and ponds. Hogs are rampant rooters, which
has led to soil erosion and the degradation of native plant communities that
are vital to indigenous wildlife.
Feral
hog rooting damage
And don’t think these feral hogs defer to the wild landscape
which offered such a rich diet for so many centuries. These hogs are smart and
elusive and can now be found enjoying the oasis that is suburban and urban
landscapes. Collisions with vehicles, damage to parks and golf courses, flowerbeds
and sport fields, these hogs stop at nothing, not even our sacred cemeteries,
in search of their next meal. Lands that
were etched by trees and endless seclusion have now turned into neighborhoods
and recreation centers. Woodland trails that once led to a private pasture now
lead to newly planted turf grass and petunias.
What can be done about this terrorist on our terrain?
Plenty! For starters, trapping, snaring, shooting and the use of dogs are legal
practices for abating feral hog damage in Texas. But, feral hog management is
not a one-time event nor are these little piggies ready to give up their
domain. They have set deep roots over the years and will not go quietly. Best
management practices suggest that the use of a corral trap can be highly
effective in removing feral hogs from the landscape. Invest in your trapping
efforts and the return will be well worth the time and money spent. Other legal
practices such as aerial gunning, snaring and the use of dogs, combined with
trapping, can multiply the impact of your management efforts. The result will
be a reduced number of feral hogs and their destruction on your land, water and
plants will be diminished, leading to a healthier habitat for native wildlife
to resume control of their rightful domain.
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.
There are numerous videos and publications available from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service on preparing your land for trapping feral hogs. Pre-baiting and conditioning hogs to a trap site is a vital first step in the trapping process.
For free educational programming or technical assistance with feral
hogs please contact us:
Mark Tyson, South and Southeast
Texas, 979-845-4698, mark.tyson@ag.tamu.edu
Our services are provided
free of charge through a Clean Water Act 319(h) non-point source grant from the
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency