Bullets alone can't solve Alabama's feral hog problem

[thackney]

Bullets alone can't solve Alabama's feral hog problem
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/alabamas_feral_hog_problem_can.html

Chris Jaworowski is a really good shot with his semiautomatic rifle, and he has plenty of experience hunting hogs.

As a wildife biologist and Regional Extension Agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and former employee of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, he's one of the foremost experts on feral hog control in Alabama, if not the Southeast.

Still, with all Jaworowski's experience and training, with thousands of dollars worth of specialized equipment, hunting feral pigs in Alabama is not easy.

In the dead of night in rural Autauga County woods, Jaworowski and his partner switch on their thermal night vision scopes -- which cost more than $3,000 each -- from their perch downwind of an empty cornfield where 21 hogs are doing what they do best; rooting around in the dirt, looking for something to eat and ripping up good cropland in the process.

The two experienced marksmen, with the aid of surprise and $7,000 worth of optics, are able to bring down 11 pigs. The other 10 scurry off into the trees to live and breed another day, as shown in the video above...

[thackney]

Pictures of damage from the article.  I have had similar damage in my pastures and little bit in the yard.

[driftdiver]

I had those living across the street from me.  Then a florida panther moved in.    He took care of the hog problem.

Everyone should get a panther (mountain lion for you northerners)

[Free Vulcan]

I had those living across the street from me.  Then a florida panther moved in.    He took care of the hog problem.

Everyone should get a panther (mountain lion for you northerners)

They've taken out a lease here in Iowa. We don't have alot if any feral hogs here, so the farmers are a bit skittish about the cattle.

[thackney]

I had those living across the street from me.  Then a florida panther moved in.    He took care of the hog problem.

Everyone should get a panther (mountain lion for you northerners)

I think my rifle will be more selective of hogs versus calves compared to a panther/cougar.

[driftdiver]

I think my rifle will be more selective of hogs versus calves compared to a panther/cougar.

I grew up in Iowa.   The problem there is that its flat, not Kansas flat but still pretty flat.   Rifles have too much range and could easily hit a farmhouse or cow behind your intended target.

Here in Florida its even flatter, the highest point is about 50ft above sea level.  But there is so much vegetation you're lucky to see the pig let alone have to worry about whats 200 yds away.    When I went hunting the brush was so thick in places you couldnt see your feet.   Made it exciting when a 300 lb hog jumped up about 8 feet away.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CthG4glF1es

[dfwgator]

[thackney]

I grew up in Iowa.   The problem there is that its flat, not Kansas flat but still pretty flat.   Rifles have too much range and could easily hit a farmhouse or cow behind your intended target.

Here in Florida its even flatter, the highest point is about 50ft above sea level.  But there is so much vegetation you're lucky to see the pig let alone have to worry about whats 200 yds away.    When I went hunting the brush was so thick in places you couldnt see your feet.   Made it exciting when a 300 lb hog jumped up about 8 feet away.

Which is why I and my neighbors hunt from raised stands, shooting into the ground with a missed shot.  And we are hunting in our own cleared pastures.

[roamer_1]

Everyone should get a panther (mountain lion for you northerners)

Well, 'cougar', but yeah.

[RoosGirl]

I grew up in Iowa.   The problem there is that its flat, not Kansas flat but still pretty flat.   Rifles have too much range and could easily hit a farmhouse or cow behind your intended target.

Here in Florida its even flatter, the highest point is about 50ft above sea level.  But there is so much vegetation you're lucky to see the pig let alone have to worry about whats 200 yds away.    When I went hunting the brush was so thick in places you couldnt see your feet.   Made it exciting when a 300 lb hog jumped up about 8 feet away.

Highest elevation in Florida = 345 ft. in the panhandle area.  My property, in central Florida is about a 1/4 mile long and has 30 feet of elevation difference.  Along the Atlantic Coast in Martin County there is even what is called Mt Pisgah, which has an elevation of 57 ft.

[driftdiver]

Highest elevation in Florida = 345 ft. in the panhandle area.  My property, in central Florida is about a 1/4 mile long and has 30 feet of elevation difference.  Along the Atlantic Coast in Martin County there is even what is called Mt Pisgah, which has an elevation of 57 ft.

well now that changes everything

[RoosGirl]

I thought it was interesting information for people who have never been here.  Certainly there are certain parts of the state as you described, but the state does have a wide variety of topography that isn't exactly as you described it.  Glad to pass on the information. :)

[driftdiver]

I thought it was interesting information for people who have never been here.  Certainly there are certain parts of the state as you described, but the state does have a wide variety of topography that isn't exactly as you described it.  Glad to pass on the information. :)

People come here to shoot hogs, they come here to go to the beaches, they even come here to gamble.   I don't think many come here to climb mountains.

About 2 miles west of where I live there is a blue marker on top of a telephone pole, about 17 feet up.   The sign says in a Cat 5 hurricane the storm surge would be up to that line.

So the 20 feet in elevation change between the coast and my house is important.  But it still would let a carelessly fired bullet go a long way.

[RoosGirl]

I didn't comment to start an argument about the topography of Florida.  I just added some information that I thought would clarify some misleading information.  Take a breath, it's not a personal attack on you.

[thackney]

People come here to shoot hogs, they come here to go to the beaches, they even come here to gamble.   I don't think many come here to climb mountains.

If I decide to become a mountain climber, my goal will be to climb the highest mountain, in Florida.

[driftdiver]

If I decide to become a mountain climber, my goal will be to climb the highest mountain, in Florida.

Bring your walking shoes and bug spray.   Don't need a lunch as its just a short hike.

Now if you want some fun go kayaking in the everglades.   Thats pretty cool.

[RoosGirl]

If I decide to become a mountain climber, my goal will be to climb the highest mountain, in Florida.

Hah!  Don't forget your oxygen. :)

[RoosGirl]

I was reading back through the article again.  I cannot understand why it's fine to hunt feral pigs but a hunt of feral cats makes people crazy.  Just about every check mark against the pig can be said for feral cats.

[roamer_1]

Along the Atlantic Coast in Martin County there is even what is called Mt Pisgah, which has an elevation of 57 ft.

Naw, now... that ain't right. 57 ft in elevation is not a mountain.
Hell, that ain't hardly a hill even. I've seen manure piles higher than that...

[RoosGirl]

Naw, now... that ain't right. 57 ft in elevation is not a mountain.
Hell, that ain't hardly a hill even. I've seen manure piles higher than that...

Hah, I don't know why it was named that.  Certainly it's not a mountain, but then neither are the Appalachians.  I guess Hill Pisgah or Pile Pisgah just didn't sound right.  We have a town close to us called Mount Dora.  It is on the hilly side, as far as central Florida goes, but they make fun of it themselves by selling shirts to tourists that say "I climbed Mt. Dora."

[Sighlass]

I was reading back through the article again.  I cannot understand why it's fine to hunt feral pigs but a hunt of feral cats makes people crazy.  Just about every check mark against the pig can be said for feral cats.

Because cats and dogs have been elevated to almost human status in today's society.

__________________________________________

From Alabama, we own land, yes hogs are a problem. Yes even in Hill country.

[RoosGirl]

Because cats and dogs have been elevated to almost human status in today's society.

That's true.

[dfwgator]

Because cats and dogs have been elevated to almost human status in today's society.

 

Some animals are more equal than others.

[Free Vulcan]

I was reading back through the article again.  I cannot understand why it's fine to hunt feral pigs but a hunt of feral cats makes people crazy.  Just about every check mark against the pig can be said for feral cats.

Me too. Feral cats tear the heck out of local bird populations in particular, and anything else they can catch.