DEC issues shoot on sight

[Mikey]

I received a e-mail today from a friend in the Finger Lakes region that contained a post by DEC issuing a 'shoot on sight' order for feral hogs.  Apparently the hogs/swine have migrated up from further south and are either wreaking havoc with local farmers or the concern is that they will shortly and DEC wants that prevented.  One of my buddy's sons has also told me of hog problems in central ny.  This could get interesting.  May have to call on some Texans for help........

I just had a thought - if we invite some Texans tohunt hogs here in upstate nys, maybe we could give them neu yawk city in payment.......... think they would want it??

[mbopp]

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/70843.html

Looks like it's open season (except for using rifles during deer season in shotgun-only zones.)

OT - I went for a walk in some State land a few miles from my house just south of Rochester a few weeks back. Caught a fleeting glimpse of a 'yote hightailing it away from me. I may have to look into a hunting setup for them.

[LanceR]

Hello Guys

It's not an "order" as much as it's an acknowledgment that feral swine are a non-protected species just like groundhogs.  All you need is a small game license.  Since you are hunting you need to wear your back tag.  Other than that you ca use any legal implement, day or night.  Since they will scatter if put under pressure the preferred method of eradicating them is my the use of large area traps to get rid of whole groups.  There are some local sportsmen's groups getting organized to do some of that.

It looks like neither the DEC or the USDA are going to be able to fund a concerted effort this year due to the fiscal situation so landowners ans sportsmen will have to pick up the slack.

One question that still needs to be answered, for clarity's sake, is: do you need a trapping license to trap feral swine?

I suspect that the answer will be "Yes" but the DEC Division of Law Enforcement an the Legal Affairs folks are looking at the issue this week.  Until they come back with an answer I'd act like we have to for other non-protected species like groundhogs.  You can trap them without a trapping license if your are on a farm that you own and on which you make your principal income.  Otherwise you need a trapping license.

There's a lot of good info here:

http://www.texasboars.com/

and here:

http://www.boarmasters.com/

Dave Figura, the Outdoor Editor for the Syracuse Post Standard just wrote an article for today's paper.    It is here:

http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2011/04/wild_boar_war.html

Hope this helps.  I'm in Sennett between Auburn and Skaneateles.  Where are you guys from?

Lance

[FLNT4EVR]

The hogs have not only moved into the state along the Penn border, but ther are also reports of them coming in to the Adirondaks from VT. These are a defenite threat to all the wildlife in NY and the shoot on sight order is definately warrented. They are a dangerous animal and prolific breeders. It is in the best interest  of all NY hunters to take this seriously.

[DANNY-L]

Are they eatable (safe)? or worth eating.

[Dee]

Their really good eating if cooked right. We've had them in this part of Texas for over 200 years, thanks to De Soto coming up the Nueces River in the what? 1600s. They breed faster than you can kill them, and they get trap wise pretty quick, so you'll get a bunch with traps at first then the traps will be mostly a waste of time. Their smarter than a coyote, and wilder than a whitetail, and very nocturnal. They are not territorial, and will move when the food plays out, or the pressure is put on.
They will go along a creek here, and vacuum up every acorn, native pecan, edible root, and grubs are rooted for with gusto. They will eat ground nesting birds, their eggs, fawns, coyote pups, calves ANYTHING.
Other than that, their just a pleasure to be around.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Might be a good reason to take the rifle out in the woods with me while I am working up some food plots as well as just woods walking...

[ironglow]

Their really good eating if cooked right. We've had them in this part of Texas for over 200 years, thanks to De Soto coming up the Nueces River in the what? 1600s. They breed faster than you can kill them, and they get trap wise pretty quick, so you'll get a bunch with traps at first then the traps will be mostly a waste of time. Their smarter than a coyote, and wilder than a whitetail, and very nocturnal. They are not territorial, and will move when the food plays out, or the pressure is put on.
They will go along a creek here, and vacuum up every acorn, native pecan, edible root, and grubs are rooted for with gusto. They will eat ground nesting birds, their eggs, fawns, coyote pups, calves ANYTHING.
Other than that, their just a pleasure to be around.

   Dee;
  I enjoyed your description of Texas fceral hogs, truly funny..       But I understand they are not funny in a real situation, since they are very destructive...

[Mikey]

Whitetailer:  having a rifle or a shotgun with slugs in your hand when you are out in potential hog country is just good sense.  Feral hogs are about as wild and nasty as you can imagine and have no problems 'dealing' with humans if we get in their way.  There was a video clip (on this site??) of a fellow hunting hogs with his dogs in a field and the dogs found the hog but in getting away from the dogs the hog ran right for the hunter and flipped him over when he hit his legs - the hog kept on going but I'm sure that hunter had some leg damage as a result of being hit by what appeared to be about a 200 pounder.  These critters are both nasty and dangerous. 

If you can recognize hog sign from rootings and scat in and near your food plots and the like then you know they are around, so be careful.  If you are not sure what hog sign is or looks like there may be some game farms or preserves in your area that offer the Russian Boar and if any of these places are close enough you may wish to take the opportunity to see what they look like and what their rooting areas and bedding areas look like and if you encounter any of that when you are out and about, be careful. 

I have hunted feral hog, Russian Boar, and Javelina.  Most ferals and Javelinas I have hunted will scatter quickly if they see you or if you get one of them first, although they will have no problems running you over.  Russians aren't that scared of us.....  but be careful when dealing with ferals or any hog for that matter. 

[ironglow]

If they get their chance, even domestic hogs will EAT you...  Ferals can't be much better !