Feral Hog Invasion

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We have a serious problem with feral hogs in this area of the U. S. They are considered a parasite, blight on the land, an...invading force. They have become such a danger and nuisance that ranchers will hire professional crews who hunt them by helicopter. Large metal traps are used as well. These traps are large enough to capture and contain an entire pack of feral hogs. Packs can range from a sow and her litter of 3-8 young to a pack of up to 20, give or take. From what I have read these groups will, typically, be two sows with their young and the boars travel alone until mating season. The cages are welded metal, suspended from the ground and set to drop down and catch as many as possible at one time. Bait can vary as feral hogs will eat anything from corn, nuts to meat and they are voracious omnivores. Smaller traps are set on the ground and baited with food. The gates are triggered to close on the animal that takes the bait. Wild hogs are also highly intelligent and have been known to avoid a trap by smell alone and then avoid that area where a trap has been set on the ground. They can destroy acres of crops as well as affect the local wildlife by destroying foraging grounds. They tear up and scar the land and are very unpredictable and dangerous if you come up on one that decides to attack. And attack they will. Many hunters, and ranchers, keep attack dogs that are trained to take down a feral hog. Pitt Bill terriers (Pibbles) are a tough and reliable breed for this. They have strong jaws, a muscular build and are brave and loyal. I believe Black Mouthed Curs are also trained to take down feral hogs but I'm not sure they are as effective as a Pibbles. We had a lot of trouble with ferals when we moved here a little over a year ago. I came up on a herd, with a young boar, while going to my laundry house. He easily had 7 in tusks and we were both startled. Fortunately yelling was enough to send him running and the herd after him. Another instance was coming home one evening and finding a sow and piglets in the front yard of my son's tiny home. Needless to say we are VERY leery of them and on alert especially in the spring when they bring their young out to forage. Do you have a feral hog problem where you live? Public domain image of feral hogs.