Best way to combat wild pigs

[rocketsocks]

I find that a simple "hey pigs" gets them moving along.

That's funny, them pigs must have went to a pig roast the night before and really tied one on.

it's also very telling

[oruacat2]

Wouldn't shooting these pigs and just leaving the carcass attract hungry bears? Aren't bloody carcasses lying in the woods something you're supposed to AVOID while in bear country? lol

[Hill Ape]

that would be normal behavior for a bear, and wouldn't teach him to associate humans with food. i'm philosophically against killing a boar just for the hell of it, but leaving its carcass would help the bear, and the carrion, and any other scavenger that needs to eat

yes, our boar population is recovering, no, its not a problem. why poach them?

[oruacat2]

I'm not arguing in favor of or opposition to - I just hope common sense would dictate dragging it away from any trails.

[greentick]

My favorite hog quote:

"They're smarter than dogs, warier than turkeys or deer, and more evil than a dungeon full of Mansons." - HTR over at 68forums.com

We spooked some hogs in the Smokies and it was nothing but ******** and elbows as they took off.
Same thing when I hiked Cumberland Island Natl Seashore. Tons of piglets too, they are tearing up the protected areas so much the park service host 2 hog hunts there in January.

[ATMountainTime]

I find poking them with a stick is the best way to protect one's self from a wild pig/boar.

[Chair-man]

Pigs love acorns and may not shoo off easily in these areas.

[RCBear]

I have seen a feral boar here in florida slice a large dog to ribbons. Outside of Texas I believe we have the largest population of them. They are highly destructive and not to be trifled with if you dont have either a rifle or large caliber handgun on you.

[RCBear]

I find poking them with a stick is the best way to protect one's self from a wild pig/boar.

You made a funny :-)

[RCBear]

Some species do more harm than good. You only have to take visit the everglades to see that. The burmese python population has exploded out of control and has eradicated most of the native inhabitants there. They are even taking down gators under 7 feet now. Fish and wildlife have enlisted the help of private citizens now to eradicate them all, but are making no progress. Its a real shame that a couple of morons decided to let their pets free in such an important ecosystem.

[Wise Old Owl]

that would be normal behavior for a bear, and wouldn't teach him to associate humans with food. i'm philosophically against killing a boar just for the hell of it, but leaving its carcass would help the bear, and the carrion, and any other scavenger that needs to eat

yes, our boar population is recovering, no, its not a problem. why poach them?

Oh Boy....

1. They were not indigenous (Introduced 1500's and 1900's)
2. Their activity gives foot hold to invasive species
3. Crop and food destruction
4. No real predators for the sick and weak

They compete for food with deer, turkey, waterfowl, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, foxes, bobcats, javelinas, bears, sandhill cranes and chipmunks. Rooting effects can change soil properties such as water and mineral cycles, and can also alter plant community succession sequences. Positive effects include increased quality of seed beds, increased water infiltration, shift in plant succession toward increased diversity, accelerated decomposition of organic matter and increased mixing of soil horizons. Negative effects include soil erosion, consumption of native seed crops, consumption of threatened or endangered species, altered plant succession in monocultures or native rangeland and reduction of overall species diversity.


So why poach? ITS NOT POACHING. they are open season year round on private lands in your state.

Feral hogs can carry infectious diseases that are transmissible to people. To avoid possible exposure, wear plastic gloves when field-dressing feral hogs; wash hands with soap and hot water immediately afterwards; avoid direct contact with blood and reproductive organs; cook thoroughly, and properly dispose of all waste.

[Wise Old Owl]

Some species do more harm than good. You only have to take visit the everglades to see that. The burmese python population has exploded out of control and has eradicated most of the native inhabitants there. They are even taking down gators under 7 feet now. Fish and wildlife have enlisted the help of private citizens now to eradicate them all, but are making no progress. Its a real shame that a couple of morons decided to let their pets free in such an important ecosystem.

1. very few private citizens carry the license last I saw it was under 30 licenses or permits (this is not hunting but a controlled cull of a invasive species)
2. The major release happened when a large building was trashed by a hurricane in the glades.

[RCBear]

It is an attempted cull and you do have to show that you have some experience in dealing with large reptiles, but they did have a large amount of applicants a year or two ago when fish and wildlife announced their "Python Challenge" competition in order to spur interest from experienced hunters. They really had no impact however. They are actually very hard to locate and capture or kill. I didn't realize the main issue was from a warehouse destuction. I guess that happened before the state forbade bringing the snakes into Florida. Was it hurricane Andrew?

[Hill Ape]

i'm familiar with the regs, thanks, i even know where you cut and pasted you info from. but the distinction is who owns the land, the regs differ from private/public lands

Feral Hog

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Private Lands


No closed season; no limit. Feral hogs may be hunted at night with a light (no voltage restriction), which is carried on the person, affixed to a helmet or hat, or part of a belt system worn by a hunter. No hunting from a vehicle. Hunting over bait is allowed. A resident Hunting License is required to hunt feral hogs for all resident hunters 16 years old or older, except when hunting on land owned by them or their immediate family (blood or dependent relationship) residing in the same household. Non-residents must possess a non-resident hunting license.
National Forest Lands (outside of WMAs)
Hogs may be taken with archery equipment during archery deer season, with deer weapons during firearms deer season, with turkey weapons during turkey season and with small game weapons during small game season. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs with appropriate weapons restrictions while training dogs during dates when training season coincides with small game or turkey season. See section Dogs & Dog Traning for dog training seasons and rules. No limit. No night hunting. No hunting over bait. Hunting license requirements must be met. Hunter orange is required during firearms and primitive weapons deer seasons.
Transporting & Release
It is illegal to release any trapped or transported live feral hogs into any area that is not fenced to prevent escape of such feral hog. Any persons convicted of the release of live feral hogs in violation of established laws and regulations may be subject to revocation of hunting privileges for up to three years. Transport and possession of live feral hogs are regulated by Georgia Department of Agriculture, contact the Animal Industry Division at 404-656-3671 for more information.
Warning
Feral hogs can carry infectious diseases that are transmissible to people. To avoid possible exposure, wear plastic gloves when field-dressing feral hogs; wash hands with soap and hot water immediately afterwards; avoid direct contact with blood and reproductive organs; cook thoroughly, and properly dispose of all waste.
Processing
Any facility that processes hogs for a fee must be licensed as a red meat establishment by the Dept. of Agriculture. Deer processors can obtain a Custom Feral Hog Exempt license from the GA Dept. of Agriculture, Meat Inspection Section for $10. Contact the Meat Inspection Section at (404) 656-3673 for more information. This licensing requirement does not apply to anyone processing a feral hog for their own use.

[Hill Ape]

and since we are talking about the appalachian trail (right?) hunting regulations are not consistant
HUNTING

Hunting regulations vary widely along the Appalachian Trail. Although the A.T. is a unit of the National Park system, it traverses many different types of public lands—including parks, forests, refuges, and game lands.

Hunting—with the proper state licenses—is PERMITTED along approximately 1,250 miles of the Appalachian Trail through national forest lands, national recreation areas, and on state forests and game lands. Although a concerted effort is made to identify land types on official A.T. maps, it is seldom easy while on the footpath in several states to determine which jurisdiction you are walking through, except at boundary signs. Both hikers and hunters are advised to “know before you go.”

Hunting is PROHIBITED along approximately 900 miles of the Trail through national parks (like Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains), most state parks, and on lands acquired by the National Park Service (NPS) exclusively for the Appalachian Trail and still under NPS administration—indicated on the outside edges by A.T. corridor boundary signs. Hikers should be aware that the protected corridor is often narrow, averaging about 1,000 feet wide.

Even in areas where hunting is prohibited, hunters on adjacent lands may not know that they are near the Trail. Hunters may inadvertently cross onto Trail lands or unknowingly fire toward the Trail.

[Hill Ape]

and since we're talking about guns

Firearms Information

New Firearm Regulations for the National Park Service As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms on portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This applies to: This only applies to lands owned by the U.S. Government and managed by the National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Park Office. This includes 428 miles of trail, 25 % of the trail’s length in 9 of the 14 trail states. This does not apply to: This does not apply to the Appalachian Trail located on lands owned and managed by the more than 90 other federal, state and local agencies. This includes 1747 miles of trail, 80 % of the trails length across all 14 states. Rules and regulations on these lands are determined by the individual agencies. Please note: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a unit of the national park system, is administered by the National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Park Office. The Appalachian Trail spans 2,179 miles across lands administered by 6 other national parks, 8 National Forests, 1 National Wildlife Refuge, and 75 other federal, state, and local agencies. Each one of these agencies has their own rules and regulations which contributes to the complexity of legally carrying a firearm on the Appalachian Trail. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before visiting the Appalachian Trail. What has not changed: The use of weapons are still prohibited on Appalachian Trail National Park Service lands Hunting is still prohibited on Appalachian Trail National Park Service lands Firearms are still prohibited inside National Park Service federal facilities

[Hill Ape]

true, there is no bag limit, and there is no "season" because hogs are not classed as game animals. however, that does not mean there are not regulations. shooting a boar with a rifle during bow/primitive weapons seasons is a no go. there is no bag limit, but you can't just go out anywhere in georgia and start killing. on private property you can, but even then the type of weapon you use is regulated. on public lands it gets very complicated.

[Hill Ape]

so it may or may not be poaching, and in the context of this thread, it probably is. no bag limit doesn't translate to shoot on site. and the appalachian trail in georgia is not on private property

[RCBear]

I think what should be taken from this subject is "just dont F#&$ with wild boar".

Statistically speaking you wont have a dangerous encounter, but the sounds that would be coming from deep inside you if you are that "one" is not a pleasant thought.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2

[vamelungeon]

Feral hogs are a prime example of an invasive species. There is a continuous open season on them here in VA as long as you are on private property. National Forests have different restrictions on carrying firearms, as do National Parks and State Parks. These hogs or boars or whatever you want to call them are not a native species so it's ridiculous to talk about their population "recovering." I think most wildlife biologists want to see them eliminated entirely because they are so destructive to both flora and fauna.