ANGELINA CO., Texas — There’s a common saying among rural landowners in our area: If you don’t have a wild pig problem, just give it some time and you will.
Feral hogs, wild pigs, or whatever other name you have for these awful pests, they are a common problem. Make no mistake, while they don’t look particularly bright, they are very, very smart. Their keen ability to learn has made this destructive pest impossible to eliminate.
In Texas, we have an estimated 5.3 million of them. Based on a 2012 study, Texas has over half of the nation’s wild pig population. Being largely nocturnal, you are more likely to see the damage they do than see the animals themselves.
Toxicants have seen renewed interest in controlling the wild pig population. In the most recent Texas legislative session, this received a great deal of attention. A relatively new law from the state permits any landowner, landowner’s agent, or lessee to take wild pigs without a hunting license. Hunting on public lands (state and national forests for example) is the only time a hunting license is required.
Unfortunately, recreational hunting alone cannot control the wild pig problem. Nearly 8 of every 10 acres in Texas is deemed a suitable habitat for wild pigs according to biologists. Not too long ago, residents of the Brookhollow neighborhood captured some on game cameras. Groundskeepers at Crown Colony have reported damage from hogs on their award-winning golf course as well.
Experts agree that given current technology, complete eradication of wild pigs in Texas simply is not realistic. One must consider that they are the most reproductive large mammal A feral sow can average 1.5 litters a year and each litter typically produces five to six piglets. At that rate, we’d need to eliminate 66% of our wild pig population annually just to stop numbers from growing.
As if we need more reasons not to like them, they can carry E. coli and many other diseases. Some of them can be transmitted to people. So, when handling a harvested pig, make sure to have on protective latex gloves, wear eye protection and avoid bodily fluids. Like all pork, wild pig meat must be cooked to a minimum of 160 degrees before it can be safely consumed.
To revisit the first point, pigs are smart – really smart. If you set a trap that only captures one or two animals at a time, you are just training the other wild pigs to stay away. Trappers need to have a large trap to capture the entire sounder (sounder is the name given to a group of hogs).
To assist landowners, the Angelina County Extension office is holding a Feral Hog Control Seminar. On Monday evening, Oct 18. The featured speaker is Dr. Jamie Sugg, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources serving Rusk County.
Sugg has been heavily involved in trapping and conducting field research on feral hogs. He’ll talk about trapping as well as the toxicants that are being studied and are promised to be on the market someday.
The program will start at 6:00 pm Monday evening, Oct 18 at the Angelina County Extension Office located at 2201 S. Medford Dr, Lufkin, Texas.
Cost is $20 and those attending need to RSVP by Friday, Oct 15 for the meal count. Supper will be pulled pork sandwiches cooked by the Hudson FFA BBQ team. This program is sponsored by the Lufkin branch of the Heritage Land Bank.
1 CEU will be given to those with a pesticide license.
To RSVP or for more information about this event, call 936.634.6414 x 0.
–Cary Sims, Extension Agent
Texas A&M Extension Angelina County
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