Texas any one?
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:08 pm
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/ ... f4433.html
Pesky wild hogs multiply like rabbits
Web Posted: 09/27/2007 09:50 PM CDT
Betsy Blaney
Associated press
LUBBOCK — Texas ranchers and farmers battling the nation's largest population of feral hogs may soon be trying to ward off twice as many of the tusked, field-shredding animals.
Wildlife officials fear the ample water and vegetation brought by record-setting rains this year could double the current state estimate of 2 million hogs. The animals reproduce prolifically even under normal conditions.
"We are seeing an absolute explosion," said Kirby Brown, executive vice president of the Texas Wildlife Association. "They are on a roll right now."
Feral hogs, which can balloon up to 400 pounds or more and have been known to act aggressively toward people when cornered, annually cause an estimated $52 million in damages to crops and property, state officials said.
Rancher Jim McAdams said a dozen or so hogs can mangle five acres of pasture in one visit to his College Station-area property, leaving behind torn-up ground that damages equipment.
"They're terrible," he said. "They just are a big nuisance. And despite all our best efforts, the population continues to grow."
Wild hogs are the most prolific large, wild mammal in North America. They're descended from domestic hogs and found in nearly all of Texas' 254 counties and in about 38 other states. Texas has about half of the nation's population.
When domestic hogs have a plentiful food supply just prior to mating, they ovulate more and produce more eggs. Wildlife researchers believe feral hogs' reproduction is similar. They anticipate more piglets per litter and more far-ranging herds because food is everywhere.
"The sows are super healthy," said Cody Weiser, editor of Wild Boar USA magazine. "With the amount of nutrition available all the pigs from this past spring have had plenty to eat. It's going to make for a very high survival rate."
Feral hogs reproduce so rapidly that there's a joke among wildlife officials: When a sow has six piglets, you can expect eight to survive. Sows can have two litters a year, and their female offspring can get pregnant as early as six months.
They have no natural predators, although hunters seek them out. Hunting season is year-round and there is no limit.
Texas had the wettest January through July ever recorded, with a statewide average of 27.11 inches — nearly 11 inches above the norm. The wet weather brought growth of vegetation and underbrush and the feral hogs' piglets will use that for cover from hunters.
Wildlife officials say the animals are primarily herbivores but will eat anything, including the occasional rabbits, quail and small fawns.
"They're just opportunists," Brown of the wildlife association said. "They'll eat whatever they run in to. They can take almost anything and turn it into producing more feral hogs."
Pesky wild hogs multiply like rabbits
Web Posted: 09/27/2007 09:50 PM CDT
Betsy Blaney
Associated press
LUBBOCK — Texas ranchers and farmers battling the nation's largest population of feral hogs may soon be trying to ward off twice as many of the tusked, field-shredding animals.
Wildlife officials fear the ample water and vegetation brought by record-setting rains this year could double the current state estimate of 2 million hogs. The animals reproduce prolifically even under normal conditions.
"We are seeing an absolute explosion," said Kirby Brown, executive vice president of the Texas Wildlife Association. "They are on a roll right now."
Feral hogs, which can balloon up to 400 pounds or more and have been known to act aggressively toward people when cornered, annually cause an estimated $52 million in damages to crops and property, state officials said.
Rancher Jim McAdams said a dozen or so hogs can mangle five acres of pasture in one visit to his College Station-area property, leaving behind torn-up ground that damages equipment.
"They're terrible," he said. "They just are a big nuisance. And despite all our best efforts, the population continues to grow."
Wild hogs are the most prolific large, wild mammal in North America. They're descended from domestic hogs and found in nearly all of Texas' 254 counties and in about 38 other states. Texas has about half of the nation's population.
When domestic hogs have a plentiful food supply just prior to mating, they ovulate more and produce more eggs. Wildlife researchers believe feral hogs' reproduction is similar. They anticipate more piglets per litter and more far-ranging herds because food is everywhere.
"The sows are super healthy," said Cody Weiser, editor of Wild Boar USA magazine. "With the amount of nutrition available all the pigs from this past spring have had plenty to eat. It's going to make for a very high survival rate."
Feral hogs reproduce so rapidly that there's a joke among wildlife officials: When a sow has six piglets, you can expect eight to survive. Sows can have two litters a year, and their female offspring can get pregnant as early as six months.
They have no natural predators, although hunters seek them out. Hunting season is year-round and there is no limit.
Texas had the wettest January through July ever recorded, with a statewide average of 27.11 inches — nearly 11 inches above the norm. The wet weather brought growth of vegetation and underbrush and the feral hogs' piglets will use that for cover from hunters.
Wildlife officials say the animals are primarily herbivores but will eat anything, including the occasional rabbits, quail and small fawns.
"They're just opportunists," Brown of the wildlife association said. "They'll eat whatever they run in to. They can take almost anything and turn it into producing more feral hogs."
