Santa Cruz Island pigs

[Orso]

Wasn't Santa Cruz Island the place where DF&G set up a series of drawing hunts last year or the year before? If I recall correctly, after the drawing hunts (which I know at least one JHOer was drawn and took a hog) they were going to have the hogs professionally removed... Am I right so far??? Am I crazy???

Well, last night on the 11 o'clock news I heard a report about the people in Santa Barbara were protesting the killing off of the hogs. They were saying there should be some kind of way to keep the piggies in check. That since the hogs have been there for so many years that they should be left there... I find that cool, yet very funny because the MASSES wanted the hogs exterminated 'cause they were killing off all of the native plants and foxes or something.

Any one else here about this new uproar to save the pigs? Do I fore-see (sp?) more drawing hunts in the future by DF&G?

Someone please clue me in or call me whack... Someone just help me out here.

 

[Rancho Loco]

I don't know about the "masses"....

There's plenty of folks out there (me included) who want them wiped out.

 

[pig guide]

Yes!!!! But look at the tree hugging, yuppie, mercedes driving, mamosa drinking, Peta loving, over wealthy, self absorbed, kiss the lawn, wine snob, don't eat meat, mind others business fools there are in Santa Barbara.
Where were all of these Morons when this Isalnd pig slaughter went out for bid 2 years ago? Where were they when the piggies were running free with no one paying attention except the hunter, who for years were out on the island laying waste to them.
These are the same dummies who believe that a man should loose his 1000 acres because there is ONE remaining salamander left on the property. OR SO THEY BELIEVE. They are the same people who want NON-NATIVE species removed from THIER parks and forests so as not to upset the pretty surroundings.
Well. The pigs are non-native to the island. They were put there and are over 25,000-30,000 strong. I myself bid on the project and lost. But, these are Santa Barbaran's and they feel that what they say is gospel.
Now see, I live in NORTHERN Santa Barbara County and I detest these peckerwoods. They're so phony and pretentios that it is disgusting. I say, ship them out to the island and let them watch their precious leetle piggies get blasted. It is time for a reality check.

 

[BOWUNTR]

You will never see an organized, ethical hunt on Santa Cruz Island ever again. The slaughter took place on Catalina, is taking place on Santa Cruz and will take place on Santa Rosa. No more Island hunting in Ca. I learned how to hunt on the Islands as many others have. I'm sad that our kids will never get to experience it. Campfire stories! Ed F

 

[pig guide]

What really sucks about the whole deal?? They didn't give an AMERICAN the job of eradicating the piggies. It went to a Kiwi from New Zealand. Over $7,000,000.00
woth of contract. Plus with the dollar exchange rate, they gain an additional 24% valuation back home on the money. Blech!

 

[SDHNTR]

I did my part. Killed 4 of those pests off the island.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

SDHunter got an awesome oppertunity to get a few of those hogs on the island. I wish they would offer that again. Reading his story and seeing his pics, it looked like one hell of a hunt....

 

[BGH831]

To hear that some aussie a**hole got paid to kill the pigs that I'm sure 20-30 of us would gladly organize and do for free is sickening. Who was responsible for the bill Fedral fish and Game or state funds?

 

[pig guide]

It was done through Gail Norton, Secertary of the Interior.
The Feds once again spending millions where as they could have MADE millions.

 

[New Pig Hunter]

from the newspaper, Ventura County Star.

The story: http://www1.venturacountystar.com/vcs/coun...3687847,00.html

Opinion Pages:
http://www1.venturacountystar.com/vcs/opin...3692527,00.html

http://www1.venturacountystar.com/vcs/opin...3692529,00.html

 

[underone]

I was thinking the same thing. I spoke to DFG last year and they said they did not have any draws planned for the future. They said they hired a "professional firm" to exterminate the hogs. Last year I was fishing off the island and a helicopter came by dropping pellets onto the island. Never did find out what the pellets were though. Someone said it was to kill of a rodent population.