District Supervisor for Fort Worth District of the Texas Wildlife Services Program. A Cooperative between USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Wildlife Services. Previously Randy was a staff biologist for the Texas Wildlife Services Program. Randy has 28 …
Brucellosis in Feral Hogs
Swine brucellosis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Brucella suis, of which there are five biotypes or strains. Brucellosis represents a significant disease of domestic swine, which had been all but eliminated from domestic herds …
Pseudorabies Virus in Feral Hogs
Pseudorabies virus (PRV), also known as Aujeszky’s disease, is an infectious viral disease that is caused by the Suid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV-1). The name “pseudorabies” means “rabies like” or “false rabies;” however, PRV is a herpes virus and is not …
Texas Hunting License Requirements for Feral Hogs
Hunting license requirements for feral hogs in Texas can at times seem unclear. This article will help define the laws and regulations related to hunting feral hogs.
The feral hog is defined as a exotic livestock In Texas according to…
Feral Hogs: Friend or Foe?
Diverse Opinions
Whether feral hogs are a friend or foe is a matter of perspective. Opinions vary widely, ranging from apathy to eradicating a pest species or to the thrill of hog hunting.
Feral Hogs as Pests
Feral hogs are …
Feral Hog Behavior
The behavior of feral hogs (also called wild hogs and wild pigs; Sus scrofa) is unique among native and introduced hoofed big game in the United States. Management strategies developed for other hoofed big game typically will not work …
Feral Hog Diseases and Health Risks
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Figure 1. Hunter wearing gloves while field dressing a feral hog. Photo courtesy of Jim Cathey |
In general, feral hogs have the potential to contract and transmit all of the diseases of domestic swine. Because of this, feral hogs have …
Quick Facts on Feral Hogs
Feral hog numbers are on the rise in the United States. Likewise the problems they cause are also growing. With attention on this invasive species, many myths are circulating about feral hog history, distribution, biology, and damage. The following bullets …
Use of Box Traps to Capture Feral Hogs
Figure 1. A litter of feral hog shoats captured in a box trap in Texas (Texas AgriLife Extension Service Photo).
Construction
Box traps come in a variety of designs and shapes. Most are built from livestock panels with steel pipe …
Feral Hog Attacks on Humans
Feral hog (also called wild hogs and wild pigs; Sus scrofa) attacks on people are rare and uncommon. In the United States, four people have died from feral hog attacks since the late 1800s—three victims were attacked by a …