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El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist 1
Feral Hog Control
Feral Hog Control
Mike Mitchell
Milam County Game Warden
June 23, 2008
Feral Hogs
Eurasian Wild Boars
Russian BoarsEuropean Wild Hogs
Wild Boars Razorbacks
Pineywoods Rooters
Woods Hogs
El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist 2
Feral Hog Control
Hog Control Objectives
• Identify Hog Characteristics
• Understand Hog Control Methods
– Different traps
– Construction tips
– Baiting methods
– Laws
• Learn ResourcesSource: USDA, Wildlife Services, 2005.
Hog Biology and
Reproduction
• Adult weight 100 – 400+ lbs.
• 115 day gestation
• Litter typically 4 – 8
• Two litters per year, anytime
• Family groups with two sows and young
• Boars not monogamous
Source: TPWD, Northeast Milam County, 2005.
Hog Diet
• Omnivorous
• Vegetable matter
• Prefer acorns
• Deer feeders
• Commercial products
• Agricultural molasses
• Wildlife, small animals
Photo Source: Wade & Bowns, March 1993.
El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist 3
Feral Hog Control
Hog Tracks
• Similar to deer tracks
• Toes have more round or blunt tips
• Prefer moist bottomlands & dense
vegetation
• Groups (sounders) of 2-20
• Typically range ½ to 3 square miles
• Boars travel as much as 15 milesSource: Texas Cooperative Extension Service, May 2004.
Hog Tracks
Hog Deer Calf
Source: Adapted from Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
Hog Scat
Photo Source: Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
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Feral Hog Control
Hog Wallows
Photo Source: Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
Hog Rubs
Photo Source: Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
Hog Beds
Photo Source: Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist 5
Feral Hog Control
Hog Control Methods
• Shooting
• Live Traps
– Drop gate
– Multi catch
• Hunting with Dogs
• Hunting at Night
• Snares
• Wire fences
• Donkeys
Shooting
40%
Trapping
37%
Dogs
10%
Other
13%
Source: Texas Agricultural Extension Service, March 2004.
Hunting with Helicopters
• Aircraft operator requires permit
• Landowner requires written
authorization
• Allows taking of feral hogs
• Sport hunting is prohibited from aircraft
Photo Source: US Fish & Wildlife Service, 2007.
Hog Kill Zone
Photo Source: Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
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Feral Hog Control
Operating Commercial Hunts
• Hog hunting is big business
– Milam County has been a destination
– Outfitters vary; costs vary; liabilities vary
• Legal Requirements
– Hunting lease license
– Hunting license
• Bay dogs, catch dogs
• Hand-stabbed
Photo Source: Southern Hog.com, September 2007.
Hire Smartly
Drop Gate Hog Trap
Source: TPWD, Northeast Milam County, 2005.
Water
Storage Bait
El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist 7
Feral Hog Control
Multi Catch Hog Trap
Source: TPWD, South Milam County, 2005.
Chute
Multi Catch Hog Trap
Source: TPWD, West Milam County, 2005.
Chute
Multi Catch Hog Trap
Source: TPWD, South Milam County, 2005.
El Camino Real Texas Master Naturalist 8
Feral Hog Control
Multi Catch Hog Trap
Source: TPWD, South Milam County, 2005.
Chute
Overhead Schematic
Multi Catch Hog Trap
Source: TPWD, South Milam County, 2005.
Flexible
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Feral Hog Control
Entrance Door
Source: TPWD, East Milam County, 2008.
Slide
Bracket
Hog Trap Solidity
Source: TPWD, Northeast Milam County, 2005.
Hog Trap Door
Source: TPWD, South Milam County, 2007.
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Feral Hog Control
Another Hog Trap Door
Source: TPWD, East Milam County, 2008.
Raised Ramp
Hog Baits
Source: TPWD, West Milam County, 2005.
Aging Hogs
• Has nothing to do with hog size
• Aging process similar to aging deer
• Example, 5 years old
• Look for cusps through gum line
• Look for wearPhoto Source: Texas Boars.com, January 2005.
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Feral Hog Control
Hog Diseases
• Swine brucellosis
• Psuedorabies
• Anthrax
• African Swine Fever
• Others
Hog Laws
• Notify Game Warden at light / night
• Exotic animal
– Any time of year
– Any legal means
– No limit
• Hunting License specifics
• Hunter Education requirement
Abatement Pilot Project
• Texas Dept. of Agriculture and Texas
Cooperative Extension funding
• To measure economic impact of
managing feral hogs within agricultural
enterprises
• Hill/Navarro & Camp/Titus Counties
• Started February 2006
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Feral Hog Control
Hog Resources
• Agricultural Extension Service
– feralhogs.tamu.edu
• Texas Cooperative Extension Service
– tcebookstore.org
• Texas Parks & Wildlife – Wildlife Division
– www.tpwd.state.tx.us
• Texas Animal Health Commission
– www.tahc.state.tx.usSource: Agricultural Extension Service, 2007.
