How they got there is unclear but there is feral hogs tearing things up. Farmers in the area around Lillington are working to eradicate the problem but as experts will tell you getting rid of feral hogs is nearly impossible. Farmers first noticed hog sign back in January but it’s just recently that they began trapping them. The hog is a smart creature and he’ll adapt so what worked on getting a few today may not work tomorrow. At the age of 10 months a hog is able to reproduce and basically the only real predator for a hog is man.

The wild pig is the most prolific large wild mammal in North America. Given adequate nutrition, a wild pig population can double in just 4 months. Feral hogs may begin to breed before 6 months of age, if they have a high-quality diet. Sows can produce 2 litters per year and young may be born at any time of the year.

Extension

Usually by the time people really start noticing feral hogs they have a pretty good head start and are difficult to get rid of. In North Carolina wild hogs found outside of the mountain counties are considered feral hogs and not regulated by NCWC. The ones found in the mountains are what the Wildlife Commission refer to as “Wild Boar” and they do have a set season.
I would caution people about being short sighted and not looking at all the ramifications releasing hogs into the wild will cause. As hunters we sometimes get excited about having something else to hunt however the damage to the land and the impact on native species can be devastating.

Dunn Record

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