There are an estimated 2.1 million wild feral hogs roaming the lands of Texas. Other than ranch land, they are also entering farmland and destroying crops in which damage is an estimated 52 million dollars a year! But is poisoning the pigs the solution? Mixed emotions are currently hitting the hearts of both hunters and landowners as a test to control the hogs launches in Texas using sodium nitrate at an undisclosed location last month.
A previous attempt last year to pass a law using Kaput (an anticoagulant) that causes massive hemorrhaging as a form to control the hog population was removed due to the danger of other animals or humans that came across the pig meat. The government had previously granted private groups of hunters a contract for thousands of dollars to help control the problem but apparently, that was not successful. Hog hunting is a form of business to a lot of ranch owners here in Texas and would definitely put a dent in their business.
I also understand the devastation felt by farm owners when the hogs destroy their crops. We would love to see more involvement or interaction between both hunters and farmland owners to eliminate the problem. We hope to provide on our next issue hunting groups or companies that can provide this type of service. Until then we wait to see the outcome the state will provide in regards to this topic.
Fun Fact :
Wild hogs will breed year round, but births peak in spring and fall. Gestation is 114 days, and a sow will give birth to anywhere from 1 to a dozen piglets. She can have 2 litters a year.
