Invasive Hogs

Coldwood

Coldwood

Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
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I know there's another pig thread going, and I don't mean to duplicate, but here's some news: We've got them now in far northern New York this year, for the first time. These are Eurasian (Russian) boars that were imported and escaped from a game farm in central New York a couple of years ago and they've been playing havoc down there.

Now they're here in Clinton County which is as far north as you can get (44th parallel) before you're into Canada. There's a herd of about 30-40 holed up in a large wooded area about 10 miles south of me. They've been ripping up a large apple orchard and pumpkin farm. It seems they like apple seedlings along with everything else. That's bad medicine because apples are a primary cash crop here.

I hear they also go after eggs of ground-nesting birds and will kill and eat a fawn. More bad news because we have a lot of wild turkey and Canada geese here and a good deer population.

A few dedicated hunters have tried to go in and get them but so far have only managed to kill about three. Apparently they produce about 3-4 litters a year, anywhere from 5-8 piglets.

New York's Department of Environmental Conservation is going nuts because they have no experience with this and don't have the funds for any kind of eradication program. A few have been trapped. Meanwhile, they've declared open season on pigs, anybody with a small game license can shoot them anytime, anywhere, and keep the meat for personal use (not for sale) while observing regular hunting regulations, safety and etiquette.

Nobody up here has the right kind of hunting dogs, just bird dogs and Beagles for rabbit. That may soon change.

This is wooded hill country interspersed with a lot of small farms growing apples, pumpkins, corn, potatoes, etc. Hog heaven. Ten miles isn't far, I expect I'll be seeing some in my backyard this year. I'm loaded for them.
 
Ya know I'd love to hog hunt, Maybe they will learn to swim and cross the lake over to VT I wouldn't mind taking a few out.

I can see where they would be a huge problem though, I just might have to get a NY license this year.
 
If they are not eradicated immediatley you will have one huge problem on your hands very soon. Down here in Texas Ive heard of helicopters ,thermal imaging equipment, and semi auto .308's of All sorts being used to destroy "problem" herds of these things. Once they gain a foothold ,though, there will be no going back.
 
If you get a chance to read this months issue of American Hunter, do it. Good article on feral hogs that says there was an estimated 1 million in the U.S. in 1988, and that now there is an estimated 5 million in the U.S.

Hey VTGUY there is some in southwestern NH according to the article...
 
Wild Hog's have been around in my area along time. They really were not a problem for a very along time and then thing's changed and their population exploded. I think several thing's came into play. Heavy logging practices, hunting club's being established which led to box stand's and lot's of corn being put out. Private property and the lack of hunting pressure gave them the time and resourses to explode in population. Prior to that, the land around here was open to everyone and people hunted this property and kept the number's low. It is known now that 75% of the population has to be removed every year or there number's will continue to grow out of control. The Hog's have become much smarter also when pressure is put on them. They will become trap shy very quickly and go nocturnal. Trapping, snaring, hunting, must be kept going continuously to take 75% each year. On a positive note, they can be very good to eat and provide a lot of meat. Most know the negative aspects as they are quite destructive. I think the population is going to keep growing and moving North. I don't think it can be stopped.
 
We knew they were in central New York, like I said escapees from a game ranch. But we were taken by surprise this past week to learn in the news that they were way up here. Further, this farmer had been dealing with them for a couple of years, but nobody knew. So they're somewhat established on his farm and woodlot. But there must be more in other areas, just not discovered yet. Should be interesting.
 
Hogs are like coyotes, once they are are started you got em. I don't know of any successful eradication program. I'm sure they play hell with the native flora and fauna where ever they are but the biggest impact is to farmers. Even a small group of feral hogs will absolutely wreak havoc on planted fields. Chris
 
Hopefully the NY DNR will consult some of the other pig infested states, like Texas, CA, or Florida. They can not be eradicated by hunting them down one by one. Like was stated, one sow with one boar can produce 20 piglets a year or more. They only need to hide out for about 4 months (enough for one litter) and then they will replicate like crazy. They will need some good tracking electronics to put a dent in the herds and unfortunately, the local farmers will need to put very tight fencing around their sensitive crops. They will eat and can sustain on almost anything, they learn human patterns and adapt, and can tolerate wide ranges of climates. Searing heat is about the only thing that will get them, but if there's water around, they'll make it. They are fun to hunt and taste pretty darn good too.
 
they are a plague wherever they have become feral
Australia, Hawaii and numerous lower 48 states.
Here in Canada a few provinces are having problems as well
I do hope they never become a problem here in BC
 
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