PIGS GONE WILD: THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC DESTRUCTION BEING WREAKED BY WILD HOGS IN TEXAS

Smithsonian.com has an in-depth look at the shockingly destructive and invasive wild hog problem across the southern United States, but most significantly in Texas. Plateau recently re-engineered our cowbird trap to also operate as a feral hog trap. We have inventory on the way and will be rolling more details shortly. From the article:

"Wild hogs are among the most destructive invasive species in the United States today. Two million to six million of the animals are wreaking havoc in at least 39 states and four Canadian provinces; half are in Texas, where they do some $400 million in damages annually. They tear up recreational areas, occasionally even terrorizing tourists in state and national parks, and squeeze out other wildlife.

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"Wild hogs are “opportunistic omnivores,” meaning they’ll eat most anything. Using their extra-long snouts, flattened and strengthened on the end by a plate of cartilage, they can root as deep as three feet. They’ll devour or destroy whole fields—of sorghum, rice, wheat, soybeans, potatoes, melons and other fruits, nuts, grass and hay. Farmers planting corn have discovered that the hogs go methodically down the rows during the night, extracting seeds one by one.

"Hogs erode the soil and muddy streams and other water sources, possibly causing fish kills. They disrupt native vegetation and make it easier for invasive plants to take hold. The hogs claim any food set out for livestock, and occasionally eat the livestock as well, especially lambs, kids and calves. They also eat such wildlife as deer and quail and feast on the eggs of endangered sea turtles."

Read the complete article here.

For more information on our cowbird/feral hog trap, contact Plateau.

FERAL HOGS

Country World has a well-written article on the feral hog problem in Texas. They speak with Jim Cathey of Texas Agrilife Extension who offers priceless gems on the porcine menace. Regarding the fact that feral hog sows usually have one or two litters a year of four to 12 young:

"A fellow told me that they might have 12 babies but 18 of them will survive," Cathey added.

With regard to landowners who find feral hogs in the "act of depredation or about to depredate" being able shoot a feral hog even if he or she does not have a hunting license:

"If the hog is breathing, it's about to depredate," Cathey noted.

Read the complete article here.