I’ve mentioned before that Missouri is taking an aggressive stance against the spread of wild and feral hogs. Considered to be more than simply a pest, but a threat to agriculture and the environment, these hogs have definitely made the most-wanted list in several states, including Missouri.
As part of their efforts to eradicate, or at least control, the porcine invaders, the Missouri DNC has issued a “shoot on sight” order to hunters throughout the state.
The Conservation Department asks that all hunters who encounter a feral hog shoot it on sight. Doing so will reduce the feral hog population and keep the spread of this destructive pest in check.
They’ve even created a section on the MO DNC website specifically about hogs, with information about their spread, tips for hunting them, and other news and updates. If you live or hunt in Missouri, it’s definitely worth taking a look.
Elsewhere on the same site, I saw this interesting article: Do Pigs Have Wings?
The article is loaded with information about why the State doesn’t want the pigs to spread. And this leads me, once again, to the question that is blossoming in my mind… are feral pigs really that big of a threat to the environment?
I don’t know the answer, but I’m really finding myself questioning the standard arguments. I’ll have to keep exploring this, but short of being a scientist who is paid to do this kind of research, most of my findings will remain anecdotal and based solely on my experience and information collected from other folks who, like me, are fascinated with the wild pig… both as quarry in the field, and as a strong, and adaptable creature.
That is a good question Phillip. Michigan has a similar policy as well, and I have always wondered if they was a way to keep a decent population level for hunting, without eradicating them.
I think this subject is very intriguing, because I would love to have the chance to hunt pigs in this state, but I’m not sure of the possible ramifications.