I just read an article about a population of wild pigs in N.Y. state. They're to the west and to the south of us. How long before they are here in Ontario? Or are they already? Would be nice to have something to hunt year round other than coyotes. Pigs probably taste better! I read posts by whelanlad about his sambar hunts and must admit I'm jealous. To have an animal to hunt year round that can actually be eaten would be neat. A pig is no sambar, but you get my point.
pigs
- Thread starter 8mmpeter
- Start date
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
I remember when they had turkeys and we did not, and now we have many turkeys as well, but I have yet heard anything about wild pigs. Where in NY State are these pigs???
Turkeys didn't migrate into ontario, they were very carefully introduced. I hope they don't introduce pigs. They may be fun to hunt but they are extremely destructive, and can be dangerous if cornered or wounded as well. As far as being able to eat what you hunt year round, some of the fellows out west say most of they pigs they shoot smell and taste awful, depending on what they eat I would imagine.
The article says central new york state. Sullivan county was mentioned. "The wild boars have been killing pets, attacking livestock, and chasing people."
For anyone who has killed one... how do they taste? My old man and some buddies went to pennsylvania years ago and came home with a russian boar. Tasted just like pork from the grocery store, although maybe a little tougher.
For anyone who has killed one... how do they taste? My old man and some buddies went to pennsylvania years ago and came home with a russian boar. Tasted just like pork from the grocery store, although maybe a little tougher.
I found this on the net today
A wild boar in an image courtesy of the New York Invasive Species Council
Wild boars invade farms, attack pets
29/07/2011 10:27:34 AM
Ray Sanchez
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wild boars are invading the farms of central New York state, attacking livestock, killing family pets and chasing people, experts warned on Friday.
The feral swine are a non-native species suspected of escaping from game farms. As many as a couple of hundred are roaming the state, said Paul Curtis, a natural resources professor at Cornell University in Ithaca.
While an exact picture of the wild boar population in New York State is unclear, a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the swine were successfully breeding in the three counties and producing litters averaging four to six piglets.
"We've shot probably 15 to 20 of them in the last three years," said Peter Andersen, a farmer in Long Eddy in Sullivan County.
"We've shot them right square in the head and the bullet will glance off and they'll get up and go. Their skulls are so thick in the front, if you don't happen to hit it at a perfect 90 degrees, with the way their heads have that kind of curved shape, the bullet will glance right off," he added.
Armed with a $230,000 grant from the Invasive Species Council of New York, the USDA last year sought to control the growing wild boar problem.
According to a USDA report, 27 of the animals were trapped or shot and tested for diseases.
"In the absence of aggressive professional management, these populations will likely continue their expansion and become entrenched in New York State with potentially devastating consequences to natural resources, agriculture, and human health and safety," according to the report.
There have been no reports of feral swine attacks on humans but the animals can be aggressive, experts said.
USDA biologist Justin Gansowski said the swine have reportedly attacked livestock, killed a Labrador retriever and chased people in New York state.
"There's always the potential for attacks on people," said Curtis.
Gansowski said a lack of funding was the biggest obstacle to preventing the population from exploding.
"There needs to be more funding," he said. "That's currently why we only have one person, which is me. With the explosive nature of the feral swine population, our time frame to do something is now."
Andersen agreed that additional funding was needed and added that is losing the battle against the husky invaders.
Desperate residents have formed informal networks to report sightings and call rifle owners to eliminate the swine.
(Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Greg McCune)
A wild boar in an image courtesy of the New York Invasive Species Council
Wild boars invade farms, attack pets
29/07/2011 10:27:34 AM
Ray Sanchez
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wild boars are invading the farms of central New York state, attacking livestock, killing family pets and chasing people, experts warned on Friday.
The feral swine are a non-native species suspected of escaping from game farms. As many as a couple of hundred are roaming the state, said Paul Curtis, a natural resources professor at Cornell University in Ithaca.
While an exact picture of the wild boar population in New York State is unclear, a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the swine were successfully breeding in the three counties and producing litters averaging four to six piglets.
"We've shot probably 15 to 20 of them in the last three years," said Peter Andersen, a farmer in Long Eddy in Sullivan County.
"We've shot them right square in the head and the bullet will glance off and they'll get up and go. Their skulls are so thick in the front, if you don't happen to hit it at a perfect 90 degrees, with the way their heads have that kind of curved shape, the bullet will glance right off," he added.
Armed with a $230,000 grant from the Invasive Species Council of New York, the USDA last year sought to control the growing wild boar problem.
According to a USDA report, 27 of the animals were trapped or shot and tested for diseases.
"In the absence of aggressive professional management, these populations will likely continue their expansion and become entrenched in New York State with potentially devastating consequences to natural resources, agriculture, and human health and safety," according to the report.
There have been no reports of feral swine attacks on humans but the animals can be aggressive, experts said.
USDA biologist Justin Gansowski said the swine have reportedly attacked livestock, killed a Labrador retriever and chased people in New York state.
"There's always the potential for attacks on people," said Curtis.
Gansowski said a lack of funding was the biggest obstacle to preventing the population from exploding.
"There needs to be more funding," he said. "That's currently why we only have one person, which is me. With the explosive nature of the feral swine population, our time frame to do something is now."
Andersen agreed that additional funding was needed and added that is losing the battle against the husky invaders.
Desperate residents have formed informal networks to report sightings and call rifle owners to eliminate the swine.
(Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Greg McCune)
heavyBullet
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Just off the island of MTL
I watched "Hogs gone Wild" on the Discovery channel the other night, and you are so right about their destructiveness.
Several species that had been held back by the great lakes were introduced by bridges. Oppossums come to mind. I'm guessing they snuck a ride on semi rigs and don't see pigs doing that though!
I hunted boar in Hawaii (my thread on that hunt is in the knife subforum) and the meat was so tasty my wife was willing to send me back! My pig hunt in California fell through last year, but there still is a chance for just before Christmas this year.
Quoted for truth. As much as having edible year round hunting locally appeals to me, the last thing you need is feral pigs.... or feral anything for that matter. There are whole companies dedicated to wiping out non native animals- I know at least one of them well.
