Texas feral pig extermination "hunt"

[dave1949]

Anyone watch the Discovery Channel show on feral pigs tonight?

Turns out there is an explosion of the wild pig population all over the world. No theories were offered on why that is happening.

They also suspect the feral pigs in Texas, Alabama, etc. have crossed/are crossing with Eurasian wild boar stock that got away from hunting preserves. That makes them a bit tougher, taller, and faster runners.

Dave.

 

[Bird]

They also suspect the feral pigs in Texas, Alabama, etc. have crossed/are crossing with Eurasian wild boar stock that got away from hunting preserves. That makes them a bit tougher, taller, and faster runners.

Dave, all the feral hogs I saw when I lived down in Navarro County, and I think all the pictures Eddie Walker posted from near Tyler, were black. But 20 years ago I saw a big bunch in Fairfield State Park that was a whole assortment of colors. I suspect they're right about the cross breeding.

 

[jinman]

I believe the wild boar genes are present in all our hogs, but captive breeding has reduced those characteristics in favor of the characteristics we prefer for pork production. In the wild where natural selection rules, those wild boar dominant genes win out. After a few years, the herd reverts to the features and mannerisms of the wild boars. That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it...:laughing:

 

[Bird]

Your theory sounds as plausible as any other to me.

 

[Nissan197]

Sorry if this has already been answered. Are feral pigs any good to eat? I know a couple of guys who went to the southern part of TX a couple of weeks ago to hunt havalinas (spelling is probably wrong). I am guessing havalinas are smaller. Don't know if they were successful. I know in the county where I live deer are out of control. In a local park they had sharp shooters come in and try to take the number down to 50 per square mile. I think they got them down to around 75 per square mile. They donated all the meat to the food pantry's in the KC metro area. It was needed, but of course there are the animal lovers who protested.

 

[Bird]

Are feral pigs any good to eat?

Eddie Walker has posted things in the past about eating the ones they've shot. When we lived in Navarro County, I knew a guy who trapped them live to take to a slaughter house to have them butchered for the meat. And while I don't know whether they still have it or not, I know one of the most expensive restaurants in Dallas used to have feral pork on the menu (according to a newspaper story 'cause I sure couldn't afford to set foot in that place).

Of course, the feral hogs came from domesticated hogs that were turned loose or escaped. The Javelina is our only native wild hog, is much smaller, is hunted for meat, and, in Texas at least, is a game animal with the attendent restrictions, while there are no restrictions on killing or capturing feral hogs anytime, anyway.

 

[Travelover]

Sorry if this has already been answered. Are feral pigs any good to eat? ...........

When I was in the Pantanal region of Brazil, I was told by a rancher that they deliberately turn hogs out to the wild and harvest them for special holiday feasts. They really know how to do a BBQ down there, too, complete with an in ground fire pit.

 

[MossRoad]

When I was in the Pantanal region of Brazil, I was told by a rancher that they deliberately turn hogs out to the wild and harvest them for special holiday feasts. They really know how to do a BBQ down there, too, complete with an in ground fire pit.

They used to do that in the first American colonies, too. Also, many stories of sailors dumping pigs on islands all across the oceans with the intent of picking them up for food on later trips. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Now we know the utter devastation these animals can have on native plants and animals. They are at the top of the survivors list along with roaches! :laughing:

 

[dave1949]

I believe the wild boar genes are present in all our hogs, but captive breeding has reduced those characteristics in favor of the characteristics we prefer for pork production. In the wild where natural selection rules, those wild boar dominant genes win out. After a few years, the herd reverts to the features and mannerisms of the wild boars. That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it...:laughing:

I think they are building a DNA database to check that out. The first domestic pigs in the Americas were brought over by Columbus on his second voyage. He picked them up in the Canary Islands to use as 'walking' food. They were turned loose somewhere in the Carribean - I think they said.
Dave.

 

[Rockin RK]

Wild hog are very good eating. In fact there will be a wild hog cook off in Cotulla, Tx. this weekend and the variety of dishes would suprise you.