The Best Choice for Controlling Mature Boars

By: Josh Helcel, Extension Associate

Wild pigs are social animals that generally travel in female based family groups known as sounders. These groups are made up of adult females (sows) and their offspring, as well as bachelor males up to about 18 months of age (Mapston 2004). Past this age, however, adult males (boars) become solitary and usually only associate with sounders for breeding purposes. This behavioral tendency can present a challenge to landowners using conventional control strategies such as trapping. Mature boars can be very difficult to pattern, are often nocturnal and can avoid traps entirely. In some cases they can even complicate conventional trapping efforts by taking over bait or trap sites and not allowing a sounder to routinely feed during any phase of the trapping process (Figure 1).  While dominant boars can sometimes be removed through trapping, at other times the best choice may involve a different approach.

Figure 1. This video details a mature boar preventing a sounder from feeding at a trap site during the conditioning process.

What I’m about to suggest will perhaps come as good news to many Texas hunters – when targeting solitary mature boars it’s time to consider strategic shooting. This technique is by no means the only viable strategy; for example another good option for targeting individual wild pigs could be snaring. However, shooting can be an effective technique within this application particularly in areas with higher numbers of non-target species where snaring may not be feasible (Figure 2).

Figure 2. In areas with high numbers of non-target species, shooting may be a preferable option to snaring when targeting solitary wild pigs.

 Research conducted in review of legal control methods found shooting to be a good choice for selective removal of individual wild pigs by specific age or sex class when compared to other legal methods including aerial gunning (Massei et al. 2011). Aerial gunning, while capable of targeting individuals, is most often employed to achieve overall population reduction. This practice can also be relatively expensive ($500.00 – $1000.00+ an hour), and targeting solitary individuals with this practice could very quickly become cost prohibitive.

Strategic shooting disclaimer

Research suggested that strategic shooting or hunting can be effective in reducing agricultural and other damages associated with wild pigs by as much as 50% (Engeman et al. 2007). However, it is generally well accepted that is method alone is not a viable tool for effectively reducing populations (Mapston 2004). Reducing wild pig populations often requires the combined use of lethal techniques including trapping, snaring, aerial gunning, trained dogs and shooting. Non-lethal techniques such as exclusion fencing and others can also be used in conjunction with lethal control efforts to direct and influence animal movements and behavior. In short, shooting/hunting will not reduce wild pig populations. However, it can supplement control efforts such as trapping by removing trap shy individuals and solitary mature boars; especially those that take over bait or trap sites.

How to target mature boars with strategic shooting

Mature boars can at times be taken opportunistically during daylight hours, but more often than not some prior planning will be necessary. Specifically, you will most likely need to be prepared to pursue them on their terms – at night. There are a number of ways this can be accomplished, ranging from relatively inexpensive game feeder, side walk, or scope mounted artificial lighting to much more expensive night vision and thermal imagery equipment (Figure 2). Spotlighting from vehicles on private roadways can also be a good option. Be sure to know and understand all laws and regulations as well as obtain any necessary licensure prior to any shooting effort.

Figure 2. A variety of tools are available to aid in nighttime strategic shooting efforts. Some of these include 1) scope mounted artificial lighting 2) solar powered sidewalk lights 3) conventional spotlights 4) game feeder lights 5) bow mounted artificial lighting 6) night vision equipment and 7) thermal imagery technology. 

One strategy is to place game cameras at supplemental feed or trap sites to identify visitation times and frequency. Next, position a blind down wind of the harvest site and arrive prior to the next anticipated visit. While this sounds relatively simple and certainly can be, the intelligence and keen senses of a mature boar can also present a challenge. Be aware of the approach route of the animal and take care not to cross it or have the wind carry your scent in that direction as well if possible. If you notice a sounder is routinely using a baited site, consider trapping these animals instead of shooting just one or two from the group (Figure 3). Remember, the goal is to harvest the boar individually when it is alone and to trap the entire sounder in single effort.

 

Figure 3. Though it is tempting to attempt to harvest one or two wild pigs when a sounder appears, it is often a better choice to trap the entire group instead.

For a more in depth look at the practice of strategic shooting, check out this video: 

Conclusion

Strategic shooting can be an effective tool in targeting mature boars, which are often solitary, nocturnal and can both avoid or take over trap or bait sites. This technique can also remove trap shy individuals and potentially increase the success of trapping efforts by allowing a sounder of wild pigs to access areas previously held by a dominant boar. It is not uncommon for a sounder to arrive at or return to an area within a few days of the removal of a mature boar. However, another mature boar can just as easily move in instead and may also need to be removed. Texans young and old don’t need a good excuse to go hunting, but in certain situations this practice can in fact be the best choice for removing mature boars.

Wild pig resources listed below are available at the AgriLife Bookstore

– L-5523 Recognizing Feral Hog Sign

– L-5524 Corral Traps for Capturing Feral Hogs

– L-5525 Box Traps for Capturing Feral Hogs

– L-5526 Placing and Baiting Feral Hog Traps

– L-5527 Door Modifications for Feral Hog Traps

– L-5528 Snaring Feral Hog

– L-5529 Making a Feral Hog Snare

– SP-419 Feral Hogs Impact Ground-nesting Birds

– SP-420 Feral Hog Laws and Regulations

– SP-421 Feral Hogs and Disease Concerns

– SP-422 Feral Hogs and Water Quality in Plum Creek

– SP-423 Feral Hog Transportation Regulations

– L-5533 Using Fences to Exclude Feral Hogs from Wildlife Feeding Stations

– WF-030 Reducing non-target species interference while trapping wild pigs

Click here for additional resources or visit feralhogs.tamu.edu

 

For free educational programming or technical assistance with wild pigs please contact us:

Josh Helcel, Central and North Central Texas, 512-554-3785, josh.helcel@tamu.edu

Mark Tyson, South and Southeast Texas, 979-845-4698, mark.tyson@tamu.edu

Literature Cited

Engeman, R. M., J. Wollard, H. T. Smith, J. Bourassa, B. U. Constantin, and D. Griffin. 2007. An

extraordinary patch of feral hog damage in Florida before and after initiating hog removal. Human–Wildlife Conflicts 1:271–275.

Mapston, M. E. 2004. Feral hogs in Texas. Texas Cooperative Extension Service and

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services. 26 pages.

Massei G., S. Roy and R. Bunting. 2011. Too many hogs? A review of methods to mitigate impact by wild boar and feral hogs. Human–Wildlife Interactions. 5(1):79–99.