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Feral hogs becoming a real problem in Wappapello area
Poplar Bluff American Republic
By MIC PLUNKETT ~ MO Dept. of Conservation
A dangerous menace can now be found in several Missouri counties.
Feral hogs are free-roaming hogs that do not have any type of conspicuous ear tag or other form of identification. Feral hogs come in all shapes and sizes. They can look like common barnyard pigs, Russian or European boars (black or red razorbacks), or something in between and can weight up to 500 lbs.
Populations of feral hogs can be found in Barry, Barton, Cedar, Clark, Dade, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Shannon, Texas, Wayne, and possibly some other Missouri counties. Some of these hogs are the result of domestic hogs escaping captivity. Unfortunately, it appears that several of these populations are the result of some intentional releases by a few sadly misinformed and/or misguided individuals. Make no doubt about it, feral hogs are a serious threat to Missouri.
Someone didnt simply make up the phrase, "Meaner than a biting sow" without a good reason. Whether it's a large boar with razor sharp tusks, or an adult sow who thinks her piglets are being threatened, feral hogs are a real danger to people. More than a few individuals have been treed by feral hogs over the last few years in Missouri.
People are also at risk from feral hogs that are infected with swine brucellosis, which is commonly known as undulant fever when it occurs in humans. It can be contracted through handling infected tissues of feral hogs.
Feral hogs do a substantial amount of rooting and wallowing. In doing so, they cause thousands of dollars of damage to row and forage crops, vineyards, and forest land each year. Their rooting causes soil erosion and eventually stream siltation.
The hogs rooting behavior thoroughly plows the earth to a depth of 6-10 inches. This activity seriously disturbs native plant communities and can affect the survivability of some native plants. Since hogs spend much of their time in or near water, their activities can degrade streams and have serious effects on fish and other aquatic life.
In addition to the human health implications noted above, swine brucellosis causes abortions in sows and infertility in boars of domesticated herds. Although the disease does not kill the infected animal, it causes reproduction losses in commercial hog operations and the disease can also be transmitted to other species, including cattle.
Pseudorabies is another disease that infects wild hogs. It can also cause serious health problems not only in domesticated hogs, but also cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats, where it is fatal. Feral hogs can infect wild mammals including raccoons, skunks, opossums, and small rodents with pseudorabies. Hunting dogs can also contract pseudorabies by contact with infected feral hogs.
Feral hogs can also spread leptospirosis to domesticated hogs by contaminating water sources. Leptospirosis is a bacterial livestock disease that causes serious health problems in domesticated hogs.
Feral hogs will eat almost anything they find, including sheep, goats, and newborn calves.
Hogs are efficient predators with an acute sense of smell. They will eat anything they can catch including reptiles, amphibians, fawns, and bird eggs. Besides the direct mortality, feral hogs also compete with native wildlife for food. They consume roots, berries, fruits, acorns and other nuts with such efficiency that native species may not have enough food to survive. A large population of hogs distributed through the Ozarks, where turkey reproduction and survival depends heavily on the annual mast crop, could do serious damage to Missouri's turkey flock.
Because of the tremendous negative impact feral hogs have on people, agriculture, and wildlife in Missouri, every effort should be made to eradicate these animals. Because feral hogs have high reproductive rates (there are normally 10-12 piglets per litter) and their populations can expand rapidly, it is essential that eradication efforts be increased if their populations are to be brought under control. It will not be easy and will require the support of all involved parties.
Local Populations
Several groups of feral hogs are now located around the Wappapello Lake area. This expanding population is a great concern to Gary Stilts, who is the project manager for the Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake. Stilts knows first hand the damage that feral hogs can do. Several years ago Stilts was employed by the U.S. Park Service in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Feral hogs do a great amount of damage to that park every year.
A recent inspection around Wappapello Lake revealed several food plots and agricultural lease crops damaged by the hogs. Corn, milo, and other crops planted in plots of several acres were totally destroyed with no food left for native wildlife.
Without a concerted effort to reduce their numbers, feral hogs will expand and soon be damaging or destroying crops on nearby private land. Corps personnel will provide an updated map of recent hog sightings to anyone interested in eliminating feral hogs around Wappapello Lake. Persons may contact their office at 573-222-8562 or stop by the management office, which is located on T Hwy. just south of the Wappapello Lake dam.
Shooting
Feral hogs may be taken in any numbers throughout the year. During most of the year, no permit is required and any method, including baiting and the use of dogs, is allowed. Be aware that there may be special regulations regarding the use of bait, dogs, or ATVs on some public lands. Be sure to check first with the agency that manages the area.
Feral hogs are intelligent animals and difficult to hunt. Possibly the most effective way to hunt feral hogs is with trained "hog dogs." The average new hog hunter is probably not willing to spend the time and money for one of these specialized dogs.
Another hunting method would be to try to find fresh hog tracks after a snow and simply trail the animals until they are located. In warmer weather, areas of heavy use by hogs can be watched by hunters from suitable locations either on the ground or in a treestand. Used properly, treestands can provide an additional amount of safety when hunting hogs.
Heavy hunting pressure can make the animals more nocturnal (active at night).
It is important to note that some special regulations apply to hog hunting during the fall firearms deer and spring and fall firearms turkey hunting seasons. See accompanying article on feral hog hunting regulations for details.
Keeping the methods regulations in mind, hunters should consider using repeating firearms suitable for deer, when legal. It might be best to hunt during times when such firearms and ammunition are legal. A feral hog, especially one that is injured or feels threatened, can be a serious threat to human safety.
Just like outdoor writer Robert Ruark's famous book, hog hunters should be sure to "Use Enough Gun" when pursuing these animals. A repeating, large caliber centerfire rifle or large gauge shotgun, loaded with slugs, are excellent choices for shooting feral hogs.
Feral hogs are a serious threat to Missouri's people, agriculture, and wildlife. The elimination of these animals should receive high priority from all of Missouri's citizens.
If you see or shoot a feral hog, please report it to the Missouri Department of Conservation at 573-751-4115 ext. 3147.
In addition, the Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake would like to receive any information in regard to feral hogs seen or shot at Wappapello Lake. They can be contacted at 573-222-8562.
Successful hunters should wear some type of rubber or latex gloves to protect themselves from being exposed to blood-borne pathogens.
As with any meat, thorough cooking will make the meat from feral hogs safe for human consumption. Finally, hunters who are successful are asked to submit a blood sample from harvested hogs for the purpose of testing for the presence of diseases. Blood test kits are available from the Missouri Department of Conservation or the Wappapello Lake Corps of Engineers office. Instructions are included with the test kits.
Poplar Bluff American Republic
By MIC PLUNKETT ~ MO Dept. of Conservation
A dangerous menace can now be found in several Missouri counties.
Feral hogs are free-roaming hogs that do not have any type of conspicuous ear tag or other form of identification. Feral hogs come in all shapes and sizes. They can look like common barnyard pigs, Russian or European boars (black or red razorbacks), or something in between and can weight up to 500 lbs.
Populations of feral hogs can be found in Barry, Barton, Cedar, Clark, Dade, Howell, Iron, Laclede, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Shannon, Texas, Wayne, and possibly some other Missouri counties. Some of these hogs are the result of domestic hogs escaping captivity. Unfortunately, it appears that several of these populations are the result of some intentional releases by a few sadly misinformed and/or misguided individuals. Make no doubt about it, feral hogs are a serious threat to Missouri.
Someone didnt simply make up the phrase, "Meaner than a biting sow" without a good reason. Whether it's a large boar with razor sharp tusks, or an adult sow who thinks her piglets are being threatened, feral hogs are a real danger to people. More than a few individuals have been treed by feral hogs over the last few years in Missouri.
People are also at risk from feral hogs that are infected with swine brucellosis, which is commonly known as undulant fever when it occurs in humans. It can be contracted through handling infected tissues of feral hogs.
Feral hogs do a substantial amount of rooting and wallowing. In doing so, they cause thousands of dollars of damage to row and forage crops, vineyards, and forest land each year. Their rooting causes soil erosion and eventually stream siltation.
The hogs rooting behavior thoroughly plows the earth to a depth of 6-10 inches. This activity seriously disturbs native plant communities and can affect the survivability of some native plants. Since hogs spend much of their time in or near water, their activities can degrade streams and have serious effects on fish and other aquatic life.
In addition to the human health implications noted above, swine brucellosis causes abortions in sows and infertility in boars of domesticated herds. Although the disease does not kill the infected animal, it causes reproduction losses in commercial hog operations and the disease can also be transmitted to other species, including cattle.
Pseudorabies is another disease that infects wild hogs. It can also cause serious health problems not only in domesticated hogs, but also cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats, where it is fatal. Feral hogs can infect wild mammals including raccoons, skunks, opossums, and small rodents with pseudorabies. Hunting dogs can also contract pseudorabies by contact with infected feral hogs.
Feral hogs can also spread leptospirosis to domesticated hogs by contaminating water sources. Leptospirosis is a bacterial livestock disease that causes serious health problems in domesticated hogs.
Feral hogs will eat almost anything they find, including sheep, goats, and newborn calves.
Hogs are efficient predators with an acute sense of smell. They will eat anything they can catch including reptiles, amphibians, fawns, and bird eggs. Besides the direct mortality, feral hogs also compete with native wildlife for food. They consume roots, berries, fruits, acorns and other nuts with such efficiency that native species may not have enough food to survive. A large population of hogs distributed through the Ozarks, where turkey reproduction and survival depends heavily on the annual mast crop, could do serious damage to Missouri's turkey flock.
Because of the tremendous negative impact feral hogs have on people, agriculture, and wildlife in Missouri, every effort should be made to eradicate these animals. Because feral hogs have high reproductive rates (there are normally 10-12 piglets per litter) and their populations can expand rapidly, it is essential that eradication efforts be increased if their populations are to be brought under control. It will not be easy and will require the support of all involved parties.
Local Populations
Several groups of feral hogs are now located around the Wappapello Lake area. This expanding population is a great concern to Gary Stilts, who is the project manager for the Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake. Stilts knows first hand the damage that feral hogs can do. Several years ago Stilts was employed by the U.S. Park Service in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Feral hogs do a great amount of damage to that park every year.
A recent inspection around Wappapello Lake revealed several food plots and agricultural lease crops damaged by the hogs. Corn, milo, and other crops planted in plots of several acres were totally destroyed with no food left for native wildlife.
Without a concerted effort to reduce their numbers, feral hogs will expand and soon be damaging or destroying crops on nearby private land. Corps personnel will provide an updated map of recent hog sightings to anyone interested in eliminating feral hogs around Wappapello Lake. Persons may contact their office at 573-222-8562 or stop by the management office, which is located on T Hwy. just south of the Wappapello Lake dam.
Shooting
Feral hogs may be taken in any numbers throughout the year. During most of the year, no permit is required and any method, including baiting and the use of dogs, is allowed. Be aware that there may be special regulations regarding the use of bait, dogs, or ATVs on some public lands. Be sure to check first with the agency that manages the area.
Feral hogs are intelligent animals and difficult to hunt. Possibly the most effective way to hunt feral hogs is with trained "hog dogs." The average new hog hunter is probably not willing to spend the time and money for one of these specialized dogs.
Another hunting method would be to try to find fresh hog tracks after a snow and simply trail the animals until they are located. In warmer weather, areas of heavy use by hogs can be watched by hunters from suitable locations either on the ground or in a treestand. Used properly, treestands can provide an additional amount of safety when hunting hogs.
Heavy hunting pressure can make the animals more nocturnal (active at night).
It is important to note that some special regulations apply to hog hunting during the fall firearms deer and spring and fall firearms turkey hunting seasons. See accompanying article on feral hog hunting regulations for details.
Keeping the methods regulations in mind, hunters should consider using repeating firearms suitable for deer, when legal. It might be best to hunt during times when such firearms and ammunition are legal. A feral hog, especially one that is injured or feels threatened, can be a serious threat to human safety.
Just like outdoor writer Robert Ruark's famous book, hog hunters should be sure to "Use Enough Gun" when pursuing these animals. A repeating, large caliber centerfire rifle or large gauge shotgun, loaded with slugs, are excellent choices for shooting feral hogs.
Feral hogs are a serious threat to Missouri's people, agriculture, and wildlife. The elimination of these animals should receive high priority from all of Missouri's citizens.
If you see or shoot a feral hog, please report it to the Missouri Department of Conservation at 573-751-4115 ext. 3147.
In addition, the Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake would like to receive any information in regard to feral hogs seen or shot at Wappapello Lake. They can be contacted at 573-222-8562.
Successful hunters should wear some type of rubber or latex gloves to protect themselves from being exposed to blood-borne pathogens.
As with any meat, thorough cooking will make the meat from feral hogs safe for human consumption. Finally, hunters who are successful are asked to submit a blood sample from harvested hogs for the purpose of testing for the presence of diseases. Blood test kits are available from the Missouri Department of Conservation or the Wappapello Lake Corps of Engineers office. Instructions are included with the test kits.
