I just got back from the International Wild Pig Conference in Myrtle Beach. I know, yes they actually have one. LOL

There was one presentation on the population of wild pigs in America. The author said in 2013 there was a maximum "estimate" of 300,000 pigs in Alabama. The latest Auburn Hunter Survey said hunters killed about 110,000 pigs during the 2014-2015 season.

They also estimated Mississippi at 800,000 and Georgia at 2,700,000.

I don't think GA has near that many. I think MS is about right. I also think AL is in the same neighborhood numbers wise. I have worked 3 different estimates using different data and I keep coming up between 700,000 and 800,000. I know this is all SWAG material. Just trying to create discussion.

I think the fact that the numbers vary SO widely is proof positive that nobody knows what the population is.
It appears to be a game of numbers and $$$, in my honest opinion.

If Alabama's estimate had been grossly overstated, I might agree with you. But, I think it is very understated. I do believe the hunter survey is in the ballpark and if so, I seriously doubt sport hunters killed more than 20% of the pig population in Bama putting the estimated population over 500,000.

So, you do not think that the State's that claim and 'prove' more hog damage are more likely to get Grant and Research money??

Whether the proof is valid or not!

Squeaky wheels normally get the grease. I guess that is what surprised me about Alabama's being such a low estimate.

Maybe the problem is not nearly as bad as some depict?
The number may be grossly over-stated......the chance is better that it is, than not.

I don't for one second think MS has more pigs than AL. No way no how.

How'd you get out so early? I'm still here.

Guess you missed the state update this morning if you're already back?

I remember TX being the state who estimated 2.7 million?

where does Florida rank with the estimates, I know there are a pile of them here in NW Fl.

FL's policies may well be changing now......

BUT, I know that in the past, they have trapped hogs on Sanctuaries and Preserves and moved them onto Public Hunting Areas in the past to supplement hunting opportunities. They will tell you that Public access and hunting will decimate a herd!

I think TX had an estimate of 3.4 million.

I had to cut out yesterday morning early. Dang I wish I would have known you were there, I would have looked you up.

Mbrock,

So, what did the trap gate presentation say about the size of the gate?

The 2014-2015 hunter survey estimated the total feral hog kills at just under 110,000. I seriously doubt sport hunting kills 1/3rd of the population each year. I doubt they kill 1/5th.

But, of course, those are just my guesses.

Which Hunter's Survey are they referencing?
I have honestly never seen one that asked about feral hogs.

http://www.outdooralabama.com/alabama-hunter-survey-results

It is the same one they have been doing for years. They added pigs to the survey a few years ago.

I sure did not realize that!

I would think that random statistics would be hard to utilize to gauge the harvest of feral hogs. The fact that most people do not have access to property with hogs combined with the fact that there is a small minority of people who actually target them means that there is a solid chance that the data could be easily skewed by some individuals. For instance, if you and I were included....and our numbers extrapolated as 'normal'.....the estimated kill would show a marked increase. Fact is, a small minority of hunters kill a huge majority of the hogs.
But, anything is better than nothing, I suppose!

I could see how the estimates might be skewed to the low side.

You guys average about three a trip where I average that in a year.

Again, access to land with a dense population is the difference. Also some difference on geographic land use. It's a lot harder to hunt them in a national forest that's all thicket and hills than on a 10,000 acre row crop farm.

RANDOM STATISTICS ARE VERY USEFUL...Jusst ask any red snapper fisherman how well they work!!! No statistics are better than bad ones!
If you were to average out Hogwild and Elkhunter kills and nobody else in the state said they harvested any...the state average per hunter would still be over one per year I bet! LOL

On another note and state...riding I10 to NOLA on a field trip yesterday...my little girl is sitting by the window and says daddy is that hog rooting all over the side of the road just like at our house! I had already noticed it and we were on the LA side of Pearl River. It went for miles almost uninterrupted.