Just saw a boar

[carnut]

@Tully_Mars

I can’t speak for the rest of the US, but I have a big problem with them. They have been repeatedly damaging my pastures. They like to root up the grass for grubs and earthworms and their rooting destroys the grass root system. It also makes the pasture difficult to maintain and it’s causing erosion problems. It doesn’t help that I’m a weekend-only farmer and they have free reign during my absences. They’ve recently started rooting up near the house.

The problem with feral hogs in East Texas is that they are a prolific, hearty hybrid. Some bright-minded individuals got the idea to import European wild boars and raise them on their hunting leases. They didn’t build adequate fences.

I wouldn’t mind having a few around but they reproduce like crazy and they have no natural predators. I wish the coyotes would develop an appetite for tender little baby pigs. They are also competing for the same food supply as the deer and other wildlife.

Can you invite hunters onto your property to come and get 'em?

[Tully_Mars]

@carnut

Can you invite hunters onto your property to come and get 'em?

You can, but it comes with its own set of problems. For example, I have had one guy ask me about it, but I knew his reputation and I wouldn’t trust him with unsupervised access to my property.

I can shoot the hogs for destroying my property. If I shoot the hog hunters, I’m likely to end up in jail. Poaching, while on the decline, has always been a serious problem in that neck of the woods.

[carnut]

I do understand that set of problems. You have to be picky.

[sich_hinaufwinden]

@Tully_Mars

…I can shoot the hogs for destroying my property.

You probably know this, but for the benefit of others: you can shoot them for no reason at all.

As many per day as possible. Every day of the year. No limits whatsoever.

And you will never kill enough of them.

The problem is that bad.

[The_Holdsworth_Effect]

There is at least one restaurant in Seattle (The Pink Door) that serves “wild” boar. (Tasted just like a pork chop to me). Turns out it came from Texas.

Feral pigs here in WA are also open season, no limit.