North American Wildlife and Habitat
  • Home
  • THE BOOK
  • 2018 Daylight Activity Index
  • Outdoor Writer & Photo Journalist
    • CWD - Missouri
    • CWD Meeting
    • Missouri Wild Turkey >
      • THE RISE AND FALL OF THE MISSOURI WILD TURKEY
      • 2021 Missouri Spring Turkey Season Worse in 24 Years
      • Missouri Wild Turkey Regulation Changes Needed
      • Missouri Wild Turkey Numbers
      • Missouri Wild Turkey Conservation
      • Missouri Wild Turkey Research
      • MDC Mythbusters Missouri Turkey Population
      • MDC Commission Meeting Wild Turkey
      • Missouri Quail and Wild Turkey
      • Missouri Wild Turkey Handout
      • 2022 Missouri Wild Turkey Season
      • Missouri Wild Turkey Habitat Initiative
      • Wild Turkey Hens Killed in Missouri
      • Wild Turkey Questions for MDC
      • 2022 Missouri Wild Turkey Poult Production
      • 1st Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 2nd Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 3rd Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 4th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 6th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 7th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 8th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
      • 9th Annual National Wild Turkey Symposium
    • Missouri Black Bear >
      • Missouri Black Bear Population
      • Missouri Black Bear Baiting
      • Missouri Bears Only
      • Black Bear Hunting Series >
        • Black Bear Biology and Behavior
        • Black Bear Hunting Methods
        • Black Bear Scouting
        • Black Bear Scouting Continued
        • Black Bear Field Judging Bears
        • Black Bear Hunting Season
        • Black Bear on the Ground
        • Black Bear is out of the woods
      • Missouri Black Bear Season 2021
    • Missouri Wild Hog Crisis >
      • HISTORY OF MISSOURI FERAL 2022 HOGS
      • Missouri Wild Hog Records
      • Bollinger Wild Hog
      • Wayne County Hogs
      • Madison Hogs
      • Perry Hogs
      • Reynolds Hog
      • Iron Hogs
      • Stoddard Hogs
      • Newton Hogs
      • Phelps Hogs
      • St. Francois Hogs
      • Shannon Hogs
      • Carter Hogs
      • Ripley Hogs
      • Oregon Hogs
      • Texas Hogs
      • Butler Hogs
      • Pulaski Hogs
      • Crawford Hogs
      • Dent Hogs
      • Laclede Hogs
      • Barry Hogs
      • Stone Hogs
      • Taney Hogs
      • McDonald Hogs
      • Cape Girardeau Hogs
      • Johnson Hog
      • Washington Hog
      • Dade Hog
      • Wright Hog
    • Missouri Elk
    • Horntagger's Radio Show
    • Horntagger Outdoor Columns
    • Horntagger Outdoor Travel >
      • Aruba
      • Wyoming
      • Charleston South Carolina
      • Horntagger's Key's Florida 2015
      • Horntagger Outdoor Travel Missouri
      • Horntagger Outdoor Travel Illinois
      • Horntagger Outdoor Travel Massachusetts
      • Horntagger Outdoor Travel Arizona
      • Horntagger Outdoor Travel Alabama
  • Business Imagery Consultant
    • 1860 Trapper Pack Project
  • Outdoor Shows and Events
    • NATIONAL TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
    • Eastern Ozark Rendezvous 2018
    • NWTFSHOW2018
    • NWTFSHOW2017
    • #DeerCon17
    • QDMA 2016 Convention
    • NWTF2016
    • Predator Management Program
    • 2012 Outdoor Shows and Events
  • Outdoor Product Development
  • Wildlife and Habitat Improvement
    • QDMA Deer Steward 1 Branson Missouri
    • QDMA Deer Steward 2 LaGrange KY
    • QDMA Deer Steward III - Bogart GA
    • Wildlife Management Plan
  • Hunter Selfie

MISSOURI FERAL HOG POPULATION

Picture
Picture

www.facebook.com/Missouri-Feral-Hogs
Keep up with the latest issue with Missouri Feral Hogs

BREAKING NEWS: MISSOURI Estimated Wild Hog State Populations is between 10,000 and 100,000 because the USDA only considers Missouri a Level 3 State.

Mark Twain National Forest publication (Forest Reflections 2017, page 10), “an estimated 20,000 – 30,000 feral hogs in the State of Missouri –

Now since USDA runs MTNF finally understand where the number came from:

That would mean that 2019 population would be closer to 40,000 to 100,000 after a 3 year ban on hunting.

Remember MDC stated we had 10,000 wild hogs in 2014, that’s a magic number. Keep Reading.
 
It’s a crying shame that this information is TREATED LIKE NATIONAL SECURITY SECRET.
 
IT’S A FREAKING PIG!!!
 
Well AGAIN had to go out of the state TWICE to find the information.
Playing word games with Tier and Levels here it is. Had to got back to 2017 Funding to find it.
 
I asked USDA they had to ask bosses in DC and Senators and Representative what’s the difference between Tier 3 (Level 3) and Tier 4 (Level 4) Feral Swine State is?

Missouri Agency is mad that they are not in this Pilot Program. Missouri is only a Tier 3 (Level 3)
 
Didn’t expect answer. So, going thru 35 years of sources. Best info I could get.

Tiered ranking based on feral hog densities from USDA calculations. More on the program can be found at the link, but not much info on the tiered ranking.

Which lead me to this!!!!
 
FY 2015 and 2016 Allocations
Level 5-$325,000 – (Today’s Pilot Program Level)
Level 4-$295,000 – (Today’s Pilot Program Level)

Level 3-$235,000 – (Today’s Missouri Level)
​
Level 2-$165,000
Level 1-$68,000
Detection Level-$42,000
Level 0-$0
 
Operational Component Funding Structure
Level of baseline funding allocated to each WS state program depends on feral swine populations, distribution, damage to resources, presence of potentially damaged resources and state, territorial, tribal, or local regulations impacting management efforts
 
Estimated State Populations
Level 5-Greater than 750,000 feral swine (Today’s Pilot Program)
Level 4-Between 100,000 and 750,000 feral swine (Today’s Pilot Program)

Level 3-Between 10,000 and 100,000 feral swine (Today’s Missouri Level)

Level 2-Between 1,000 and 10,000 feral swine
Level 1-Less than 1,000 feral swine
Detection Level-All know feral swine populations have been eliminated from a Level 1 state and surveillance/monitoring efforts will continue for a minimum of two additional years to ensure success
Level 0-No feral swine (feral swine were either never confirmed in the state or the state has been free of feral swine with no confirmed reports for more than two years
 
Missouri Agency is mad that they are not in this Pilot Program. Missouri is only a Tier 3 (Level 3)
So, does Missouri Agency believe we have OVER 100,000 HOGS after 3 years of hunting ban?
 

All coming together now – Missouri agency says that feral hogs are too hard to figure out the population but, then in 2014 the magic number of 10,000 appeared in official statements.
 
Read again what 10,000 wild hogs gets you!!!!!
 
Arizona Feral Swine with USDA Levels
https://www.lcrmscp.gov/crtr/presentations/2017/crtr17_09.pdf

Mark Twain National Forest publication (Forest Reflections 2017
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd536458.pdf

Feral Swine Pilot Program
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=nrcseprd1461219


FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!

Missouri Department of Conservation – Director Sara Parker Pauley

MEET DIRECTOR
https://mdc.mo.gov/about-us/department-details/meet-director-sara-parker-pauley

Hollywood has nothing on them. You can't make this stuff up
They can’t eliminate feral hogs within Missouri Borders without help of our many partners.

GUESS HUNTERS IN MISSOURI ARE NOT PARTNERS IN STATE OF MISSOURI?

2008 plan order by Governor and since then?
WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS!!
ARE PARTNERS WISHED THEY WOULD HAVE CLOSED EARLIER THE HUNTING OF HOGS?
FOR 20 YEARS OF HUNTING AND TRAPPING –
​
REALLY HOW MANY TRAPPERS EACH YEAR FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS?
Question which area with no hunting has hogs been eliminated FERAL HOGS - JOHNSON SHUT INNS STATE PARK, FORT LENOARD WOOD, BIG SPRING NATIONAL PARK, CURRENT RIVER NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAY, SAM A. BAKER STATE PARK, DUCK CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, MINGO WILDLIFE REFUGE, WAPPAPPELLO LAKE –PECK’S RANCH AND TAUM SAUK STATE PARK, ETC.?

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS!!! –
Less Damage must be seen and people are seeing less hogs this year?

DO WE HAVE LESS HOGS THAN WE DO IN 2008?
WE GOT OFF TO A SLOW START AND GAVE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR RELEASE OF HOGS!

So breeding and migration has nothing to do with it? Might want to listen to the Elk Biologist talk once habitat has filled up the animals move out from that area. LOL has to be the best line in the whole thing.

IF MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST CLOSES TO HOG HUNTING WE WILL PROVIDE MONEY!!!

I thought 1.865 million of the 2.2 million came from the USDA?
So your going to stop eradication on 1000’s conservation areas if Mark Twain National Forest stays open?

Nothing Edited - Watch here if you don't believe it - Video of Conservation Meeting

​Attention: PEOPLE OF MISSOURI – DADE, CEDAR, VERNON, BATES, ST. CLAIR, HICKORY, BENTON and CAMDEN counties you are in the FERAL HOG TASK FORCE ZONE 1

As of June 28, 2019 – Missouri Department of Conservation – Director Sara Parker Pauley stated that ZONE 1 had almost eliminated all the Feral Hogs from that ZONE 1!!

What are you thoughts?

​The same zone which seems hogs have been bragged about being eliminated to Wildlife Society
2015 - QUOTE - Missouri has eliminate two of five identified feral swine populations. Photo is from Dade county I got this in last few weeks of hog in field

RESPONSE FROM THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI

I have seen several dozen hogs at a time in a few of these county's in the last few months

I deer hunt St. Clair . I spoke with a local farmer last fall that gave mdc permission to shoot hogs on his land with the helicopter, he told me alot of the farmers would not give them permission so they spent most of the day trying to run the hogs onto the property they had permission to hunt with the helicopter and only ended up killing a couple hogs, sounds like a waste of money to me!

​!!BREAKING NEWS!!
MISSOURI DOG HAS BEEN KILLED BY WILD HOG
7 TO 8 INJURED
2 possibly permanently INJURED
DADE COUNTY MISSOURI.

JUNE 29TH, 2019

Picture

!!BREAKING NEWS!! – MISSOURI DOG HAS BEEN KILLED BY WILD HOG – 7 TO 8 INJURED and 2 possibly permanently INJURED in DADE COUNTY MISSOURI.

First the owner of the dog ripped open in photos is highly upset because, they rushed dogs to vets and is dog named GIZMO has now died. So, first I want to say I am sorry, owned dogs all my life and losing a dog is tough and sending a stranger photo does not make it any easier.

While coyote hunting, the dogs ran across the hogs and broke off the coyote chase. These are not hog dogs. They are not trained to bay Wild Hogs and don’t have the strength to take on Wild Hogs like trained catch dogs with cut vest to protect them do.

Once they took on the wild hog, they were ripped open and even the veterinarian best efforts could not save GIZMO

Now what makes this so bad, last month in April Commission Meeting they bragged on how great a job they have done in eliminating hogs from those Zone 1 in which DADE county is in.  They are even hard to find. 

​Maybe because of your methods you are using?

Feel Free to go to 2:08 Minutes you can see the proof.

https://livestream.com/mdc/events/8627555/videos/189898231

As of June 28, 2019 – Missouri Department of Conservation – Director Sara Parker Pauley stated that ZONE 1 had almost eliminated all the Feral Hogs from that ZONE 1!!

Listen for yourself.


https://mdc.mo.gov/about-us/conservation-commission/conservation-meetings-and-actions/live-streaming-commission

Since then I received photos from farmer of hogs in field Dade County.

The same zone which seems hogs have been bragged about being eliminated to Wildlife Society


2015 - QUOTE - Missouri has eliminate two of five identified feral swine populations. ​https://wildlife.org/collaborating-to-halt-feral-swine-damage-from-the-wildlife-professional-magazine/
 
While the Missouri Feral Hog Task Force is winning the war using the Media against hunters. They are losing the war against the FERAL HOGS and PEOPLE OF MISSOURI hunting and pet dogs are paying the price.
 
This makes 1 Coyote Dog, 1 Coon Dog killed, 4 Pet Dogs Injured and 7 to 8 Coyote Dogs Injured in 7 months.

Not one of these attacks on dogs have been covered by the Missouri Media but widely aware of.

http://www.northamericanwildlifeandhabitat.com/missouri-wild-hogs-attack-pets.html

http://www.northamericanwildlifeandhabitat.com/missouri-wild-hogs---broken-system.html
​

MOVING FERAL HOG IN TRAILERS!

Picture

5:36 Minute Mark of video! 

Who the hell is trapping and moving feral hogs in trailers?

Moving feral hogs in trailers!
Moving feral hogs in trailers!
Moving feral hogs in trailers!


​So is this just stock footage coming from a different state? Or is this a MDC trap, trailer and feral hogs being loaded up?

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/ozarks-tonight-efforts-to-eliminate-feral-hogs/

​FRONT LINE OF THE MISSOURI HOG WARS - TOWN HALL MEETING

If I could give an American Journalism Award it would be to this newspaper, because they stopped just taking the word of the government agency and started asking the CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS to both sides of the story.

​The editor of the Wayne County Journal Banner has gave me permission to post so everyone can read. I broke it down just in case you can't zoom in enough to read. Send that paper a big thank you. Reynolds County Courier and Wayne County Journal Banner
https://www.waynecojournalbanner.com/
(Article was awesome just not publish as a online link

​Plucking hairs: New feral swine genetic archive

​https://wildlife.org/plucking-hairs-new-feral-swine-genetic-archive/

The New Madrid County BACON SEED is on the loose
(Not released by hunters, but someone's pets)

June 27th, 2019

Picture

Smith fights for all methods of feral hog eradication in Mark Twain

http://www.thesalemnewsonline.com/news/local_news/article_80371d30-9912-11e9-ad6e-ff9fd20c8256.html

NO GUARANTEE OF WHOLE SOUNDER SUCCESS!!! When Animal Activated Traps are used. WELCOME TO MISSOURI!!! The majority of traps used. 

​Missouri Department of Conservation owned only Traps as of July 10, 2019
 
Electronic Human Activated
Qty. 7 – Boarbusters
Qty. 2 – Jager Pro
 
Total of 9 Electronic Human Activated Traps
 
Animal Activated Traps
Qty. 3 – Box
Qty. 88 – Drop Traps
Qty. 147 – Guillotine
Qty. 47 – Saloon/Rooter
 
Total 285 Animal Activated Traps
 
Total 294 Hogs Traps owned by MDC.
 
NO GUARANTEE OF WHOLE SOUNDER SUCCESS!!! When Animal Activated Traps are used. WELCOME TO MISSOURI!!! The majority of traps used. 
NO CELL SERVICE!


Picture

Castor River Conservation Area Hogs Killed - 10,000 Acres
 
Number of feral hogs killed; the information is based upon available data. Not all persons entering the data include all specifics such as gender, age, etc. The information includes data entered by state and federal agencies. 
 
So, I have the first Wild Hog Photo October 29th, 2011 going across property.
 
2014 Wild Hog killed at Twin Bridges Campground
 
When did you see hogs on Castor River Conservation Area?
 
So, September 30th, 2016 MDC banned hog hunting on conservation areas because it interferes with efforts by MDC staff to trap and eliminate entire groups of feral hogs, called sounders.
 
2012 – 0 Killed
2013 – 0 Killed
2014 – 0 Killed
2015 – 0 Killed
2016 – 0 Killed
2017 – 66 Killed by Trapping – 41 Sows – 25 Boars – 15 Adults – 51 Juveniles – 0 Fetus
2018 – 61 Killed by Trapping – 29 Sows – 32 Boars – 20 Adults – 41 Juveniles – 0 Fetus
 
 
Private Landowner's adjacent to and around Castor River Conservation Area
 
Comments have flooded in since posting videos on March 2nd, 2019
 
​It isn’t nothing to see groups of 50+ at one time and most likely if you see one group you will see the other 4-5 Sounders that like to roam that area. The Sounders range between 35 to 50 +
 
Private Landowner Adjacent to Castor River Conservation Area - I started seeing 2 Juvenile Wild Hogs in 2016 since then the problem has only gotten worse - I had photos now of up to 20 Wild Hogs in one photo.
 
Private Landowner 4 Miles West of Castor River and only a 1 mile west from Castor River Conservation Area- We have a 5 Acre Food plot that looks just like that across the river. From a Distance it looks as if it has been plowed. 
 
Missouri Feral Hog Refuge System - With the Wild Hog reports I have gotten and the landowners and hunters I have talk to, looks like 6.5 mile radius from Blue Pond the Epic center of Castor River Conservation Area with 23 acres of corn food plots and 84,948 acres.
 
Multiple Road Kills on Hwy 34 at CRCA and 2 of 5 killed on my property coming from CRCA

Picture

Bollinger County Hogs Killed
 
Number of feral hogs killed; the information is based upon available data. Not all persons entering the data include all specifics such as gender, age, etc. The information includes data entered by state and federal agencies. 
 
So, I have the first Wild Hog Photo October 29th, 2011 going across property.
 
When did you see hogs in Bollinger County?
 
2012 – 0 Killed
2013 – 0 Killed
2014 – 0 Killed
2015 – 0 Killed

2016 – 55 Killed by Trapping (Total 55)
– 21 Sows – 22 Boars – 9 Adults – 11 Juveniles – 0 Fetus

2017 – 257 Killed by Trapping, 7 Killed by Shooting, 5 Killed by Helicopter (Total 269)
 – 153 Sows – 115 Boars – 96 Adults – 257 Juveniles – 0 Fetus

​2018 – 272 Killed by Trapping, 8 Killed by Shooting (Total 280)
 – 139 Sows – 141 Boars – 123 Adults – 157 Juveniles – 0 Fetus

Picture

​State of Missouri Hogs Killed
 
Number of feral hogs killed; the information is based upon available data. Not all persons entering the data include all specifics such as gender, age, etc. The information includes data entered by state and federal agencies. 
 
2012 – 1,001 Killed
2013 – 1,397 Killed
2014 – 2,371 Killed (Wild Hog Est. Population 10,000 in state of Missouri by MDC) (Level 3)
2015 – 3,791 Killed

(One sow can give birth to two litters of about six piglets twice per year, resulting in a population growth rate of about 166% per year per MDC.)
 
2016 – (Total Killed 5,358)
4,872 Killed by Trapping, 258 Killed by Shooting, 4 Killed by Snares, 224 Killed by Helicopters, 0 killed by Dogs
– 1,760 Sows – 1,584 Boars – 2,224 Adults – 1,344 Juveniles – 0 Fetus
 
(So, 1,760 Sows killed in 2016 survived 2015 efforts – 1,760 x 166% = 2,292 piglets born in 2015 by those individual sows)
 
 
2017 – (Total Killed 6,567) (Wild Hog Est. Population is 30,000 to 40,000 in state of Missouri by MTNF Report).
 
5,853 Killed by Trapping, 383 Killed by Shooting, 1 Killed by Snares, 350 Killed by Helicopter, 0 killed by Dogs
 – 2,192 Sows – 1,893 Boars – 2,453 Adults – 1,666 Juveniles – 0 Fetus
 
(So, 2,192 Sows killed in 2017 survived 2016 efforts – 2,192 x 166% = 3,639 piglets born in 2016 by those individual sows)
 
 
2018 – (Total Killed 9,365)
8,577 Killed by Trapping, 486 Killed by Shooting, 0 Killed by Snares, 302 Killed by Helicopter, 0 killed by Dogs
 – 3,431 Sows – 2,998 Boars – 3,786 Adults – 2,633 Juveniles – 0 Fetus
 
(So, 3,431 Sows killed in 2018 survived 2017 efforts – 3,431 x 166% = 3,639 piglets born in 2017 by those individual sows)
 

TWO TICKETS 15 YEARS AGO RELEASE HOGS AND BUT 7 TICKETS FOR KILLING HOGS!

​Ok let me get this right MDC has been trapping hogs for 20 years and have been blaming hunters from the start. Have gotten two convictions back 15 years ago. All the top leadership brags about both of these.

Whole state in 1969 requires confinement of hogs
Since 1969, there have been feral hogs in a few Missouri Counties, primarily south of Interstate 44.
1990s, domestic pork prices plummeted, and hogs were released by hog farmers.
So, they started Trapping in 1999 per MDC
The release of hogs illegal. The passage of “Feral Hog Statutes” in 2002
In 2004 they catch ONE person Releasing Hogs and ONE person for helping release hogs. BENTON County Missouri.
 
But they have given tickets for killing hogs SEVEN times.
 
But in a OFFICAL GOVERNMENT DOCEMENT - FERAL HOGS- STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION IN MISSOURI one page 31 in a special “sting” operation was conducted in early 2005 and several people were prosecuted for illegally releasing hogs for hunting purposes. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/downloads/Hardin.pdf
 
So, where that sting information?

Letter sent by MO Dept of Conservation & MO Dept of Agriculture to US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, urging his support to BAN HOG HUNTING & support their efforts to close Mark Twain National Forest to Hog Hunting!

Picture
Picture

My Response to Sara Parker Pauley Director Missouri Department of Conservation & Chris Chinn Director Missouri Department of Agriculture to Secretary Sonny Perdue dated April 30th, 2019

July 6th, 2019
The Honorable Sonny Perdue
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S. W.
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Perdue
​
My Response to Sara Parker Pauley Director Missouri Department of Conservation & Chris Chinn Director Missouri Department of Agriculture to Secretary Sonny Perdue dated April 30th, 2019
Feral hogs spreading throughout Missouri continue to cause severe damage agricultural land, private property.  

Even though Missouri Department of Conservation prohibit hog hunting on our conservation areas for the last 3 years, using trapping to catch whole sounders and helicopters only as an interagency efforts to eliminate feral hogs from Missouri, they have failed to eradicate any population from these areas if successful, they would be Wild Hog Free since they have had no hunting and are under complete control of  Interagency Feral Hog Eradication.


JOHNSON SHUT INNS STATE PARK,
FORT LENOARD WOOD,
BIG SPRING NATIONAL PARK,
CURRENT RIVER NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAY,
SAM A. BAKER STATE PARK,
DUCK CREEK WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA,
WAPPAPPELLO LAKE
PEAK’S RANCH  – Feral Hogs still exist – Has to be the most watched Conservation Area in Missouri since Elk have been introduced in 2011 Missouri.
MINGO NATIOAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

​We recognize that agricultural land is vitally important to the thousands of Missourians that work hard to provide food, fuel, for the world. Out state’s number one economic driver is agriculture.

Even so Missouri Department of Conservation has not given a VOICE to the landowners doing the work. There are no Agriculture Landowners working group that has feral hog problems, that are a part of the Feral Hog Task Force in Missouri - Just Lobby Groups that say they are speaking for landowners while receiving money from the MDC.

​Feral Hogs, classified by Missouri state law as an invasive species,

Even if a LAW is written on the paper for the world to see – Feral Hogs can’t read! Lawmakers, Biologist and Captain Kangaroo can call them Pigs with Wings if you want.

But a Wild Hog lives, breeds, and eats just like all Wild Animals – It has one purpose like all wild animals to survive long enough to pass along DNA to the next generation of Wild Hogs.

​pose a critical threat to the future of our industry and – as a result – our state, Today we are asking the U.S. Forest Service to move forward with closing the Mark Twain National Forest to feral hog hunting to help with the eradication of feral hogs from Missouri Landscape.

Even though ERIDCATION may be a goal, let’s talk about the TRUTH and if you can’t admit to the truth then why are we even talking - USDA MTNF – Quote: “Presently, feral swine populations are well established in many counties in southern and central Missouri”
Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina Biologist, Scientists and Agency who says they cannot

Can I wipe out a hog population through hunting or trapping?

Quote “The feral hog has managed to survive, adapt, and increase their numbers despite attempts at population control. While it is possible to keep population in check with continued controls of 70 plus percent killed annually, it is highly unlikely to eradicate a hog population within established range."
To control, keep population in check, manage to a low number Wild Hog Population requires all methods be used Trapping, Snaring, Hunting, Hunting with Dogs, and Shooting at Night using Thermals

​The land we have come to rely on is being destroyed by feral hogs, which are capable of decimating acres of land in matter of hours. As you know, feral hogs root and wallow which contributes to soil erosion, reduced water quality, and extensive damage to agriculture crops, pasture ground, hay fields and public land.

Missouri Department of Conservation does not include as stated already any of these stake holding landowners and does not include any County Commissioner Groups who local government are directly affected by the economic and the damage done by feral hogs.

​Biosecurity is a top concern for domestic hog farmers as news of African Swine Fever and PRRS continue to hit closer to home. Recently, Missouri found a PRRS positive hog in feral herd in Wayne County, Missouri bringing forward the reality that African Swine Fever (ASF) could be easily and quickly carried from farm to farm by feral hogs, if ASF hits U.S. shores.

​Did you forget in your Biosecurity that the only way that AFS gets into the Feral Hog population is from the Domestic Hog Farms hogs, equipment, clothing, shoes, feed or international travelers. Feral hogs’ population won’t be the cause of ASF spreading it will be from human sources.

Agriculture Groups (AKA as lobbyist), conservation organization (that also receive money from MDC) state agencies and federal partners agree that any further delay in implementation will cause serious control efforts and result in the need for a stepped up effort at a higher cost and more years needed to achieve our eradication goal.

Exactly how many years do you need? The Governor of Missouri in 2008 told you to get it done. For the last 20 years you been trapping feral hogs per Deputy Director of the MDC own words. Per Feral Hog Task Force Feral hogs will be eliminated in 5 to 10 years without one mentioned of MTNF being closed. 

​Missouri’s public lands are also extremely valuable when it comes to providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and quality habitat for wildlife. One of the biggest challenges is the growing interest in feral hogs hunting with dogs on the Mark Twain National Forest.

(HOLD THE DOGS – I thought it was a small group of dog hunters that MDC quoted in saying in conservation commission meeting)

YOUR are banning ALL HUNTING OF FERAL HOGS so you are OFFICALLY going to be PROTECTING feral hogs from hunters 365 days a year and just like MDC lands your won’t trap during deer or turkey season so will MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST LANDS become a hog refuge in for 5 ½ months out of the year? Or will it become legal for bow hunters, gun hunters and turkey hunters to hunt over corn that is used for baiting feral hog traps?

​The U.S. Forest Service has not advanced a regulation prohibiting hog hunting on federal properties like other state and federal partners did in 2016.

​Because all it did was make the feral hog population explode on state and federal lands since 2016, not one acre of land on those properties, that hogs have been eliminated. All it did was make the population larger and landowners around those area suffer the consequences as feral hogs had to move out to find more food and expand their range.

​The delay has likely resulted in more hogs, a higher value placed on hogs,

You mean the VALUE of what the Director of the MDC says 100’s of trappers jobs created by the state in salaries, insurances, trucks, trailers, utv’s, traps, corn, and the millions of dollars from the USDA to the state. The 100’s thousands of dollars in pilot program. You mean that Value?

​Trapping interference on private and public lands by hog hunters, and more land being destroyed by feral hogs

You mean the bold face lie the Deputy Director told the Natural Resource Committee in Jefferson city February 18th, 2019 then the same lie told to the media in an press release even after MDC was contacted about the lie and said they know it’s not true, but still going to use photo because it’s their property and tell the message they want to tell.

You going to ban Raccoon Hunters with dogs that chase coons into traps with corn also?
​
How many more activities will you ban? Hikers that finds a trap, coyote hunters with dogs, morel mushroom hunters. You can’t make the promise you won’t ban any once you start down this road.

The combination of trapping and hunting with dogs does not allow for eradication success and has been ineffective across the United States.

REALLY! Even the Deputy Director of the MDC in the Feb 18th, 2019 meeting says Tennessee has started allowing dogs and we are watching that program.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is in the business of providing research-based information, and the research continues to affirm the validity of trained dogs among the tools in our wild pig management toolbox.

I am currently unaware of a single successful wild pig eradication study that did not utilize trained dogs in some form; whether through hunting drives, tracking or through direct pursuit and capture (Mcilroy and Saillard 1989; Caley and Ottley 1995; Schuyler et al. 2001; Parkes et al. 2010; Muir and McEwen 2007; McCann and Garcelon 2008; Scillitani et al. 2010). This is not to say that successful eradication without dogs is impossible, but rather to evidence that effective wild pig management often requires the use of all available tools.

​It as been proven by the Missouri Department of Conservation that concentrated trapping efforts are the best way to approach eradication.

​REALLY! PROVEN – They really want to go down that path.

Research on the Mingo Wildlife Refuge in 2013 - Feral hog movement around the refuge. COMPLETE ERADICATION IS NOT POSSIBLE IN MOST SYSTEMS, AND CERAINLY NO AT MINGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WHERE THE AREA IS LARGE.”  
Funded by Missouri Department of Conservation. 2013 - Site specific control strategies for feral hogs on Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.  $ 14,700.  Funded, Missouri Department of Conservation.

MINGO WILDLIFE REFUGE WILD HOG RESEARCH
March 14th, 2014

This information to be more efficient in their hog eradication efforts.
Project continued through 2013. Cameras pulled in January of 2014.
Hog sign has been detected over a large area of the refuge.
Since January 2013, a total of 210 hogs have been taken from Mingo NWR (see graph below).
 
HOG DOGS – 54.8%
115 - Feral Hogs with HOG DOGS - A Special Use Permit (SUP) was issued to a hog tracker with “hog” dogs.
 
HUNTING / SHOOTING – 23.3%
25 - Feral Hogs taken by Hunters during the managed hunts for whitetail deer
24 – Feral Hogs shot by Staff over bait piles.
 
TRAPPING – 18.6% (MDC the most efficient method) BHAAAAA
39 – Feral Hogs TRAPPED by MDC one full-time hog technician with panel traps, with bait.
         Trapping was halted for deer and turkey seasons to prevent baiting issues.
 
SNARES – 2.9%
6 – Feral Hogs with CABLE RESTRAINTS (snares) set up in known locations by MDC full-time hog technician.
 
HELICOPTER – 0.5% - (MDC killing the last remainder of hogs) BHAAAAA
1 - Feral Hog was taken by MDC Helicopter

​While hunting can be an effective wildlife management tool for species such as deer and turkey, it is not the tool to use to eradicate an invasive species from the landscape. In fact, feral hogs are not considered wildlife or game. 

Tell that to the market hunting of Buffalo, Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Elk, Wolves and Bears

THE NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MODEL - 
POPULATION REDUCTIONS or maintenance at appropriate levels are a clear case of HUNTERS acting as partners in wildlife management.

While the word management is used for wildlife and ignores invasive animals, someone has forgotten to tell the feral hog that it is a living, breathing, eating and breeding wild animal which the population needs controlled.

THE NORTH AMERICAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MODEL - In some areas, overpopulation of Wildlife increases because LANDOWNER RESTRICT HUNTING. (MDC act as Landowners of MDC ground and restrict hunting over 79,000 acres in Southern Missouri and the Wild Hog population has increased.

​Hunting targets individual animals, not family groups, and hunting pressure can cause animals to disperse to a larger area where they continue to reproduce.

This story occurs in Missouri from 1997 to 2008
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri: A Feral Hog Eradication Success Story
​
National Conference on Feral Hogs

April 15th, 2008 Hunters went after their new quarry with much enthusiasm and an unknown number was removed by hunters from 1997 – 2004 but likely included SEVERAL HUNDRED HOGS. 

A total of 93 hogs was trapped and removed by natural resource managers from 2001 – 2004. No hogs have been documented on FLW since 2004. 
​
RESTRICTED AREA THAT HUNTERS COULD NOT ACCESS AND SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME HOG REFUGES. 

​Because of the no hog hunting regulation on MDC and other public lands and concentrated trapping efforts, we are seeing success in eliminating feral hog population in these areas. As example, we are seeing the greatest success around Truman and Stockton Reservoirs. Interestingly, this is only landscape with no hog hunting on public land.

ONLY you have 79,000 acres with the same policy and hog population has exploded in the last 3 years. Including making the feral hogs range expand onto private ground.

You mean the same area in the same week you made the same statement to the conservation commission that MISSOURI COYOTE DOGS HAS BEEN KILLED BY WILD HOG, 7 TO 8 INJURED, 2 possibly permanently INJURED, DADE COUNTY MISSOURI.  

RESPONSE FROM THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI about that same area.

I have seen several dozen hogs at a time in a few of these county's in the last few months
I deer hunt St. Clair . I spoke with a local farmer last fall that gave mdc permission to shoot hogs on his land with the helicopter, he told me alot of the farmers would not give them permission so they spent most of the day trying to run the hogs onto the property they had permission to hunt with the helicopter and only ended up killing a couple hogs, sounds like a waste of money to me!

​Currently, the Department of Conservation is providing more than $2 million in funding annually to help eradicate feral hogs on private and public land, and we stand ready to provide additional assistance if the U.S. Forest Service moves forward with the closure. In fact, private landowners, state and federal partners joined forces to remove more than 9,300 feral hogs last year and already more than 2,000 in 2019.

AS A PRIVATE LANDOWNERS - In FACT you trapped no hogs on my private property, in FACT could not get permission from your bosses to hunt because of feral hogs infrequency because it was corn and trap shy, in FACT you left after 34 days, in FACT you did not help me pay for my own trap, In FACT you told me to stop reporting feral hogs on my property and on MDC property next to me, In FACT I bought my own Thermals and Gun and by HUNTING AT NIGHT killed feral hogs, In FACT 1000’s of hogs are killed by hog doggers each year and MDC refuses to work with, add numbers to theirs or even talk with about collaborating efforts to control hogs in Missouri. 

​We are asking for you to support our eradication efforts and the closure of Mark Twain National Forest to feral hog hunting. We must continue aggressively removing these hogs to protect Missouri’s strong agricultural industry and natural resources we have come to enjoy in our state.

I just want to clarify that if MTNF does not close the MDC and MDA will NO LONGER aggressively remove hogs from Missouri to protect the agricultural industry and the landowners of Missouri? My next question is WHY? 93% of Missouri is Private Property – I would think you would ALWAYS want to help protect Missouri.

I asking you Sonny Perdue a long-time supporter of hunters, who at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in February 2019 bragged about all the federal lands opening up to hunters in which I attended and now YOU are going to go down in history in closing 1.5 million acres in Missouri to hunters trying to control the population of Feral Hogs and in turn protect feral hogs from being killed by any hunter?

Allen Morris

Just a Missouri Landowner.   

Missouri Wild Hog Crisis - Page

Proudly powered by Weebly