In 30 years, feral pigs have expanded from 17 states to 39, reaching a population high enough to constitute a “feral swine bomb,” researchers say. We know what you’re thinking:
These things are not seen a bunch by general population of folks but are a huge problem. Very wary critters And really smart so they tend to be more difficult to eradicate than say, the squirrel in your backyard. Not much I’m spooked by in the woods but hogs are the #1 reason I carry a pistol besides my hunting weapon when I’m in the woods
Ya haven't lived until you been treed by a hog. And pity the fool who doesn't have a pistol when in the brush hunting hogs. Hope he has a good medical plan.
Most feral hogs I have seen don't have lots of belly fat. They may be big, but they aren't fatty like fed domestic hogs. And bacon comes from pork "belly". If the hog doesn't have a belly because it is running all day looking for food, it won't have anything to make bacon from.
Don't discount the taste of the rest of the meat. The baby pigs are best. And pigs and hogs trapped and then allowed to calm down for several weeks before slaughter will be much better than those shot and killed while being chased by people, dogs or helicopters. If you can shoot and kill one or some while they are feeding, that will be good meat to eat.
Stir the hog up and get the adrenalin going before the animal dies, and the meat is going to be dog food as far as I am concerned. I am a subsistence hunter, I hunt mostly deer all year around. And we eat everything I kill. When I slaughter an animal I plan to put in my freezer and later in my mouth, I want to make the dying as sudden and "humane" as possible. Saying I give a "Humane" death is stupid. That is some make-up word play by townies who know nothing about hunting for meat on the table.
The less stress the animal feels when death arrives the better the meat will taste and the more tender it will be. Same is true with cattle and goats too. I don't eat sheep, they are nasty to begin with.
Agree with above - smarter than deer. Very often noctournal, hole up in dense brush when resting and always on the move. I was lucky to kill one last year during deer season. Meat is awesome good and lean to boot. Feral animals have very relaxed rules on how they can be hunted or trapped - more people should take advantage of this.
If you have any farmer / rancher acquaintances, ask them if they need help taking some off the range. You would be doing them a service.
Texas removed the requirement to have a hunting license to take hogs. Year long, no bag limit, no license needed. They are a big problem here. Oh, and that 1.5 mil estimate was from a few years ago. Its more now.
The State needs to put a bounty on any human who spread the pigs to other areas. There is always talk about bounties on hogs. But it isn't coming form the State. Maybe from the landowner. And there are landowners who are really being stressed by hogs who will offer bounties or a payment contract for hunters or A hunter to come in and take as many as they can shoot, trap or poison.
I got treed by a hog in Florida, when I was just a sprite of 12. I put five .303 rounds into the SOB, and he still just about ate the tree I was in. Luckily, my uncle was nearby with more firepower and finished the job. That was 600 pounds of just mean-ass hog. I could not bring myself to eat any of it.
One of my customers (back when i was working) was the Smith and Wesson representative and the company Sponsored an Aerial Hog hunt. he did not say if he got any or not. i asked him if they played Ride of the Valkyries in the helicopter during the hunt. He just looked at me and said your sick. Come on an AERIAL VERMIN SHOOT Good practice for Killing Commies I say Including ANTIFA and BLM
These things are not seen a bunch by general population of folks but are a huge problem. Very wary critters And really smart so they tend to be more difficult to eradicate than say, the squirrel in your backyard. Not much I’m spooked by in the woods but hogs are the #1 reason I carry a pistol besides my hunting weapon when I’m in the woods
ReplyDeleteYa haven't lived until you been treed by a hog. And pity the fool who doesn't have a pistol when in the brush hunting hogs. Hope he has a good medical plan.
DeleteIs their bacon as good as store bought bacon?
ReplyDeleteMost feral hogs I have seen don't have lots of belly fat. They may be big, but they aren't fatty like fed domestic hogs. And bacon comes from pork "belly". If the hog doesn't have a belly because it is running all day looking for food, it won't have anything to make bacon from.
DeleteDon't discount the taste of the rest of the meat. The baby pigs are best. And pigs and hogs trapped and then allowed to calm down for several weeks before slaughter will be much better than those shot and killed while being chased by people, dogs or helicopters. If you can shoot and kill one or some while they are feeding, that will be good meat to eat.
Stir the hog up and get the adrenalin going before the animal dies, and the meat is going to be dog food as far as I am concerned. I am a subsistence hunter, I hunt mostly deer all year around. And we eat everything I kill. When I slaughter an animal I plan to put in my freezer and later in my mouth, I want to make the dying as sudden and "humane" as possible. Saying I give a "Humane" death is stupid. That is some make-up word play by townies who know nothing about hunting for meat on the table.
The less stress the animal feels when death arrives the better the meat will taste and the more tender it will be. Same is true with cattle and goats too. I don't eat sheep, they are nasty to begin with.
Agree with above - smarter than deer. Very often noctournal, hole up in dense brush when resting and always on the move. I was lucky to kill one last year during deer season. Meat is awesome good and lean to boot. Feral animals have very relaxed rules on how they can be hunted or trapped - more people should take advantage of this.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any farmer / rancher acquaintances, ask them if they need help taking some off the range. You would be doing them a service.
Texas removed the requirement to have a hunting license to take hogs. Year long, no bag limit, no license needed. They are a big problem here. Oh, and that 1.5 mil estimate was from a few years ago. Its more now.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet some idiots spread them and introduce them to new areas!
ReplyDeleteDidn't some jurisdiction put a bounty on them some years back?
ReplyDeleteThe State needs to put a bounty on any human who spread the pigs to other areas. There is always talk about bounties on hogs. But it isn't coming form the State. Maybe from the landowner. And there are landowners who are really being stressed by hogs who will offer bounties or a payment contract for hunters or A hunter to come in and take as many as they can shoot, trap or poison.
DeleteI got treed by a hog in Florida, when I was just a sprite of 12. I put five .303 rounds into the SOB, and he still just about ate the tree I was in. Luckily, my uncle was nearby with more firepower and finished the job. That was 600 pounds of just mean-ass hog. I could not bring myself to eat any of it.
ReplyDeleteOne of my customers (back when i was working) was the Smith and Wesson representative and the company Sponsored an Aerial Hog hunt. he did not say if he got any or not. i asked him if they played Ride of the Valkyries in the helicopter during the hunt. He just looked at me and said your sick. Come on an AERIAL VERMIN SHOOT Good practice for Killing Commies I say Including ANTIFA and BLM
ReplyDeleteIn New Mexico, it's kill-em-where-you-find-em, no license required. But if you screw up and shoot a javalina and get caught, your ass is toast.
ReplyDelete