Has hog-hunting become so popular now that the State's hunters are going to begin complaining about hunting them with dogs? That is very contradictory to the facade that most play.....i.e. The hogs are ruining the enviroment and the hunting!

I think so.

I have been saying this for a while now. And, it is fine if that is the case!! People should have the right to hunt what they want!!!!

But, the 'Baiting Permits', 'Night Hunting Permits', 'Special Opportunity Hunts', etc. should NOT be allowed for one group of hunters without allowing the other group (dog hunters) the SAME opportunity! Anyone saying such is being hypocritical!

As far as releasing feral hogs for hunting opportunities. There are FAR more documented cases of commercial hunting operations and still/stalk hunters releasing hogs than any dog hunters; so save that for someone who hasn't been intimately involved in the Sport for 20+ years!

The 'plott dog'/coyote post got me thinking. I have not seen the clamor over anyone squirrel hunting with dogs, rabbit hunting with dogs, coon huntign with dogs, bird hunting with dogs, etc. (all legal on all WMA's) that there is over hunting hogs with dogs. I think it all boils down to people being envious of others having success in their hunts and the personal lack of success and the need for a scapegoat.

As long as the State PROMOTES the Sport hunting of hogs, they WILL continue to spread and increase in population. Short duration, public gun and bow hunts are inneffective in their control.

Now, this is fine and dandy with me IF this is what the true agenda is. BUT, don't whine, cry and gnash teeth over the increasing population and enviromental and crop damage at the same time!

Just a few rambling thoughts this morning!

Along these same lines:

I am aware of a situation that is escalating as we speak over hog hunting with dogs. There is a large hunting club in South AL that is basically surrounded by farmland. The Club changed leadership this past year and made a couple of changes. Always in the past, they have allowed hog-doggers that have legal permission to catch/kill the hogs on the farmland access to their property during the off-season to retrieve their dogs/hogs. This is a pretty large Club that is thick and nasty. A couple of guys I know went there recently and caught 4 or 5 hogs and had to go on th Club land to get one of the hogs and the dogs. Always been 'No Problem'. Well, the first thing they noticed was feeders in the food plots with ladder stands over them and more hogs sign than they had ever seen on the property. Then, while going to the dogs, they were stopped by 2 of the Club members and chastised over them being there 'messing up their hunting'. Well, I am not 'sure', but I think this has turned legal now, and the farmers are raising some kind of heck! They have no problem with the guys in the Club driving through their fields and hunting their lines......but they want the hogs gone (or at least controlled)....NOT baited into the property for Sport Hunting. They (the farmers) have contacted the landowners and are in active discussions with them as to Crop Liability if they are going to allow the Club to promote the Sport Hunting of hogs on the property.

No idea as to what the outcome will be, but there are some pretty major players ($$$$) invloved.

Just more rambling thoughts......

Hmmmmmm.......... "we shall see", said the blind man.

Danny -

I don't think anyone will argue with you about hunting with dogs. I also don't think anyone will argue about (at least what I perceive) about dogs being able to move hogs off property quicker than other means of eradication. I also think that what you are saying about extending hunting seasons through baiting has some validity.

However - not everyone has dogs. Many wouldn't be interested in using dogs for control because of the nature that dogs do not know property lines. But your crusade against baiting, night hunting, and other control methods other than running dogs is WRONG. You have basically accused EVERYONE that baits and get permits to night hunt of killing deer (I'm sure it happens - but, probably not to the degree that you).

Dogs are not going to eliminate the feral hog problem, but neither is baiting, trapping, night hunting...etc. I agree that we need to call it what it is - it is either an effort to eradicate or hunt, as for me I could care less what they call it. I just want them gone - I'm a deer hunter, not a hog hunter. I don't believe that hog and hunting should be used in the same sentence - I prefer hog killing by whatever means is available.

As for the farmers - whether they have a legal leg to stand on or not I don't know, since I am not an attorney nor judge - but, I would guess they will probably have a lot of input to the adjacent landowners.


Brian

I hope I didn't sound like I was accusing ALL hunters of abusing the permits. I know many of them that have very honorable intentions!!!!!

But, on that same note, I am also very aware of other that purposefully and willfully abuse the programs!

Also, is it not at least slightly ironic that people think bait will draw every deer for miles onto a property (which is not true) but don't use the same logic about baiting hogs???? PLUS, you can draw hogs a long distance and congregate them with food!!!

I don't understand the reasoning for attracting and congregating hogs on your property if you want them gone?

I am not AGAINST the SPORT of Hog Hunting; I love it.

I am simply saying, "Call it what it is!"

I also know that several of the people that have obtained the 'Night Hunting' permits have used them for illicit purposes, including charging people to go with them and shoot the hogs.

That is illegal and is not the intent of the Permit System.

Hey, Brian,

I appreciate your openness and showing me how harsh I was sounding. Sadly, I really am that exasperated, though.

It is frustrating when you sit back and listen to the propoganda but actually SEE the TRUTH. There are multitudes of hunters who WANT the opportunity to hunt hogs. Yet, they choose to hide behind the fallacy of 'helping landowners'.

I thoroughly enjoy hunting hogs with my dogs and usually catch/kill 150-250 per year. I have done better, but had more time and the hog density was crazy high!

Your post:



Is DEAD-ON accurate!!! It is an all-out war and most people familiar with hogs, hog hunting and their biology knows this. Especially seasoned hog-doggers!! I love to hunt a place that is actively trapped and the hogs shot. That leaves only the big, smart ones behind. That is what I really want to catch anyway!

Sorry for being so callous!

I agree and I agree - but, we are going to primarily trap them, which means we have to pull the ones from our property as well as potentially other properties. Which I hope to catch large quantities at one time. We'll probably start shooting them once they become trap shy. Then finally, I am hoping to get hogwrangler (since he is around Montgomery) or you if you want to make a trip to the Montgomery/Macon county area to come with his dogs and finish the job of at least moving them off our property.

If all else fails - I have a ATN-6015 Gen-IV NV monocular with an EOTECH holographic NV sight that I can sell hunts with

Good Luck, Man!

It really is a WAR!!!!

Danny - You don't own anyone an apology - somebody's gotta be honest about what it is. If folks would look at the damage they do - they'd probably be a lot less likely to TRY to feed and manage hogs as a game animal and treat them for what they are, which is a non-native destructive species that SHOULD be the one thing that ALL hunters would want to eliminate (which is completely impossible), instead of viewing them as a way to extend deer season for another 6-months.

We do need to hook-up one of these days.

Hogwild you say you catch/kill 150-250 per year. What do you do with the ones you don't kill. Just asking. Because if every one was as interested in control/eradication they would not take the chance of catching hogs. I say shot to kill! just my 2 cents.

Catch them later...

Several of the properties that I hunt want me to castrate and release the boars for the deer hunters to kill during the winter.

They want all the sows and gilts killed to control the population.

Some of the properties want me to kill every hog I see and then stomp the pigs.

Doesn't matter to me; I just like to hunt!