Comments on: A New Spin on the Feral Pig Problem http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:52:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Travis Buck http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-17172 Travis Buck Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:50:18 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-17172 I live in South Carolina. Needless to say we have our fairshare of wild pigs. Addressing the gentleman's comment that their damage is like a tilled garden, that may be true on flat land. But here in the mountains of South Carolina, it creates huge erosional problems. And as far as the problem being over stated by the livestock industry, bruecillosis is a very real concern when it comes to wild hogs. Zoonosis is also a very real concern to all of us. Pigs can carry a wide array of disease without being affected. This allows viruses to mutate until they can jump to different species, ie, flu among others. And perhaps we have all forgotten about the spinach ecoli event of a couple of years ago. That was eventually traced to wild pigs in Washington State. There is more than enough solid scientific reseach on this to support any kind of erradication effort. I live in South Carolina. Needless to say we have our fairshare of wild pigs. Addressing the gentleman’s comment that their damage is like a tilled garden, that may be true on flat land. But here in the mountains of South Carolina, it creates huge erosional problems. And as far as the problem being over stated by the livestock industry, bruecillosis is a very real concern when it comes to wild hogs. Zoonosis is also a very real concern to all of us. Pigs can carry a wide array of disease without being affected. This allows viruses to mutate until they can jump to different species, ie, flu among others. And perhaps we have all forgotten about the spinach ecoli event of a couple of years ago. That was eventually traced to wild pigs in Washington State. There is more than enough solid scientific reseach on this to support any kind of erradication effort.

]]> By: Josh http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-7061 Josh Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:26:04 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-7061 This is actually a very real threat. In texas alone wild hogs cause over $50 million in damages. They can reproduce at a rate that doubles the herd size in six months. It is a huge problem that is not overblown. It is not made up that people transplant the hogs, in fact that is part of what causes them to spread across the country. Hogs don't walk a thousand miles to a different state on their own. The discovery chanel has an interesting hour long episode called pig bomb that gives a pretty good overview of the situation. This is actually a very real threat. In texas alone wild hogs cause over $50 million in damages. They can reproduce at a rate that doubles the herd size in six months. It is a huge problem that is not overblown. It is not made up that people transplant the hogs, in fact that is part of what causes them to spread across the country. Hogs don’t walk a thousand miles to a different state on their own. The discovery chanel has an interesting hour long episode called pig bomb that gives a pretty good overview of the situation.

]]> By: Good stuff from my blog roll friends… - The Hog Blog - The Hog Hunting Blog http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-6910 Good stuff from my blog roll friends… - The Hog Blog - The Hog Hunting Blog Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:05:34 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-6910 [...] of all, over at Simply Outdoors, Arthur is writing a little about the feral pig invasion.  I’ve commented from time to time [...] [...] of all, over at Simply Outdoors, Arthur is writing a little about the feral pig invasion.  I’ve commented from time to time [...]

]]> By: Phillip http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-6898 Phillip Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:33:59 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-6898 Hi Arthur, Your skepticism is well-placed. The "destructive" capabilities of feral hogs are not completely made up, but I do believe they're being a bit over-inflated. I've had the opportunity to hunt some areas that are pretty heavily populated with feral swine (and eurasian wild boar), and I'm just not seeing it. Ground birds such as quail and turkeys appear (to my non-professional eye) to be doing very well. Rooted areas produce fresh growth, the same way a tilled garden does. I'm sure that in certain, endangered habitats they could be an issue... but in general, I just don't get it. Honestly, I believe the hype is maintained by the livestock industry because of the risk of disease transmission from feral hogs to their livestock. It's a real risk, and the financial damage a single outbreak can cause to the farmer is potentially devastating. This can't be ignored, but I think it can be mitigated. As far as the risk of sport hunters transplanting hogs into new areas, it's a real one... unfortunately. It happens, even where it's illegal. This is a crime that needs to be treated every bit as seriously as poaching... both by the authorities and by the hunting community. I like the approach of states like CO. In CO, it is illegal to profit from hunting feral hogs. Anyone can shoot them, but transplanting and/or charging hunt fees (tresspass, guiding, etc.) are against the law. The pigs will spread by themselves. The seeds are planted and the crop will be coming in for generations to come. I like the approach of states that allow licensed hunters to shoot them on sight, but I think states need to consider creating real management plans... the same as they've done for other game animals. You can't eradicate the things, but you can work to manage them. Hi Arthur,

Your skepticism is well-placed. The “destructive” capabilities of feral hogs are not completely made up, but I do believe they’re being a bit over-inflated. I’ve had the opportunity to hunt some areas that are pretty heavily populated with feral swine (and eurasian wild boar), and I’m just not seeing it. Ground birds such as quail and turkeys appear (to my non-professional eye) to be doing very well. Rooted areas produce fresh growth, the same way a tilled garden does.

I’m sure that in certain, endangered habitats they could be an issue… but in general, I just don’t get it.

Honestly, I believe the hype is maintained by the livestock industry because of the risk of disease transmission from feral hogs to their livestock. It’s a real risk, and the financial damage a single outbreak can cause to the farmer is potentially devastating. This can’t be ignored, but I think it can be mitigated.

As far as the risk of sport hunters transplanting hogs into new areas, it’s a real one… unfortunately. It happens, even where it’s illegal. This is a crime that needs to be treated every bit as seriously as poaching… both by the authorities and by the hunting community.

I like the approach of states like CO. In CO, it is illegal to profit from hunting feral hogs. Anyone can shoot them, but transplanting and/or charging hunt fees (tresspass, guiding, etc.) are against the law.

The pigs will spread by themselves. The seeds are planted and the crop will be coming in for generations to come. I like the approach of states that allow licensed hunters to shoot them on sight, but I think states need to consider creating real management plans… the same as they’ve done for other game animals. You can’t eradicate the things, but you can work to manage them.

]]> By: The Hunter's Wife http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-6881 The Hunter's Wife Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:24:33 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-6881 Another hunting topic I know nothing about. I don't even think we have those around where I live. Another hunting topic I know nothing about. I don’t even think we have those around where I live.

]]> By: Blessed http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-6880 Blessed Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:05:40 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-6880 Well. The only thing I know about pigs is that they taste good after they've been butchered and cooked so... I'll be checking back to see what other people think :) Well. The only thing I know about pigs is that they taste good after they’ve been butchered and cooked so… I’ll be checking back to see what other people think :)

]]> By: gary http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/2009/03/19/a-new-spin-on-the-feral-pig-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-6878 gary Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:33:48 +0000 http://www.simplyoutdoors.net/?p=1282#comment-6878 Maybe I'm the last one that should speak my piece because I live in a state that has no feral hogs, but I have been around pigs and know how quick they can mess up the country side. They can turn over an amazing amount of real estate in short order. They would be devastating in any place that they do corragate irrigating. So I have no doubt to their destructive effect on the countryside. Secondly, I cannot imagine anyone catching enough pigs and releasing them in an area just because they want pig hunting closer to home. That would take a considerable effort and if they are going to go through that effort and money to accomplish that (under the threat of getting caught)why wouldn't they just go hunt them where they are at? It would be cheaper. Pity the states that don't allow the hunting as these things produce like rabbits. Sounds like anti-hunting propaganda, reasoning. Maybe I’m the last one that should speak my piece because I live in a state that has no feral hogs, but I have been around pigs and know how quick they can mess up the country side. They can turn over an amazing amount of real estate in short order. They would be devastating in any place that they do corragate irrigating. So I have no doubt to their destructive effect on the countryside. Secondly, I cannot imagine anyone catching enough pigs and releasing them in an area just because they want pig hunting closer to home. That would take a considerable effort and if they are going to go through that effort and money to accomplish that (under the threat of getting caught)why wouldn’t they just go hunt them where they are at? It would be cheaper. Pity the states that don’t allow the hunting as these things produce like rabbits. Sounds like anti-hunting propaganda, reasoning.

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