Preparations in Progress for Suburban Pig Control
Published#0026
The feral hogs continue to assault the city property. They have been making a mess of the soccer field and the area around the fire station.
The rancher has cattle in the area adjoining the city limits. I have placed two pig pipes just inside this pasture.
I baited the two areas yesterday, Saturday, with corn. On Sunday and Monday I can see if the pigs are taking the bait and being conditioned to eating the free food. Repeated baiting as needed.
My scheme is to wait at home until the camera alerts me that hogs are present. (They only come out at night.) It takes some time for the pigs to bump the pipes enough to shake out all the corn. The clock begins when they arrive causing the camera to alert me. I travel as they eat.
I will park nearby and approach the shooting locations which are along the gravel road along the north limit of the cityβs property. During this walk, I will be able to scan with the thermal to confirm the presence of the pigs.
Our Police Chief is aware of my plan and has approved. (He wants the pigs for his table.) The rancher is onboard.
Safety considerations: This will be a one-shot only event. That is, I will get a shot at one hog at the bait. I wonβt be shooting at hogs running away. Also, if I see cattle behind the hogs, itβs a no-go. The bullet could deflect and impact a non-target animal. Not acceptable.
If things go well, I hope to report success on Wednesday morning.
Tuesday afternoon update: Hog damage continues to soccer field. Two cameras mounted and tested. Bait deployed. I noticed one problem this morning. The cattle in the pasture are able to roll the pig pipe and dispense the corn and eat it all. Therefore, I moved one pipe from the pasture into the ditch just inside the city property.
Charging batteries for thermal scanner and infrared scope. Mag loaded.
Now, the waiting begins.
Update tomorrow morning, success or failure.
Porcus Hogrelius
Make Yourself a Better Hog Hunter