Outdoors With Mat Taylor
Rainfall has Texas feral hog population rising

I received several rains last week that added moisture to the dry soil. The rain will help the growth of winter weeds and grass, which in turn will help the deer and livestock.

I calculated the rainfall totals for the year, and I have recorded more than 59 inches in 2007 in the rain gauge near my home. That may or may not be a record, but it still is a lot of rain.

On the plus side, the plentiful rains helped recharged the aquifers and resulted in an excellent growth of grass, forbs and woody vegetation. That is why there have been some very large-antlered bucks killed this hunting season, and livestock generally are in good condition.

On the negative side, I can't remember how many times this year I repaired and replaced fences and water gaps. There was also damage to some homes, and private and county roads. Due to the aboveaverage rainfall, ranchers with sheep and goats also had to treat their animals for stomach worms throughout the summer.

Another down side to the heavy rains, many state wildlife officials predict the ample moisture and increased vegetation could trigger a large rise in the number of feral hogs in the state.

Wild hogs in normal conditions reproduce prolifically, with sows having up to two litters a year of four to eight piglets. I once heard someone joke that a wild sow will have a litter of six pigs, and nine of them will survive.

Texas Cooperative Extension Wildlife Specialist Dale Rollins has said there are two types of landowners in Texas, those who have feral hogs and those who will someday. The animals number approximately two million in the state, and they are found in nearly all of Texas' 254 counties. Although feral hogs live in 38 other states, Texas hosts about half the wild pig population.

I know feral hogs can be found in Lampasas County, however up to now I have not spotted any on our family ranch near Kempner. If I do see one, it will be a dead pig -- or at least I will take a shot at it.

Feral hogs will eat both plant and animal matter. Foods include grasses, forbs, roots and tubers, acorns, fruits, bulbs and mushrooms. Wild pigs are especially fond of corn, milo, rice, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes.

It is estimated that feral hogs annually cause $52 million in damages to crops and property.

When I worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Blanco County, I saw several acres of pasture that were rooted and mangled after just one visit by a herd of wild pigs. They also can tear up fences, and have been known to kill and eat young goat kids, lambs and fawns. Therefore, I do not want any on my property.

This sentiment is not shared among all landowners, as some see an opportunity to make extra income off hunters who want to hunt the wild hogs. Some landowners also trap and feed them, then sell the hogs.

There are two slaughterhouses in Texas, with buying stations scattered across the state.

I never had much desire to hunt feral hogs, except that I hunted several times on a friend's ranch in Blanco County. I used a .50-caliber muzzleloader and killed several yearling pigs. I dressed them and made a batch of sausage. It was OK to eat, but I still prefer Owens or Jimmy Dean.

Some hunters mix the meat of feral pigs with venison to make a very low-fat sausage.

As far as diseases are concerned, wild hogs do not pose a significant threat to humans, however some illnesses can be transmitted to livestock and wildlife. These include brucellosis, tuberculosis, hog cholera, anthrax, and foot and mouth disease.

The Texas Animal Health Commission recommends that anyone handling wild hogs wear latex gloves and wash hands thoroughly after dressing a pig.

One reason many hunters want to hunt feral hogs is because they can pose a danger to the hunter. They can become aggressive, especially if cornered.

A big boar with long tusks can rip open a dog or your leg.

If I decide to hunt for a large pig, I will be toting a rifle such as a Marlin lever-action rifle in 45-70 with a heavy stout bullet. The hide of a big boar can be very tough.

Wild pigs are an unprotected, exotic, non-game animal, and hunting is allowed year-round. Any method may be used except for poisoning.

Feral hogs should not be confused with the javelina, which is a native game animal. I have hunted javelinas, but that is another story.

Former Soil Conservation Service employee and longtime writer Mat Taylor offers his outdoors column for Dispatch Record readers. He can be contacted at (254) 518-2262 or via e-mail at mntaylor@agristar.net.