Feral hogs in Texas could be targets for high-flying hunters.

[waterdog]

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Updated today at 3:00 PM

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Feral hogs in Texas could be targets for high-flying hunters.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering allowing hunters in helicopters to shoot wild pigs at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

Refuge manager Deborah Holle on Monday told the Austin American-Statesman that feral hogs have been trapped and killed during autumn hunts, but the pig population continues to thrive and destroy habitat.

The refuge, with about 23,000 acres in Burnet, Travis and Williamson counties, was formed to protect the habitat for two endangered songbirds.

The service is considering amending the 2001 Feral Hog Management Plan to allow aerial shooting.

The proposal would allow personnel from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to shoot feral hogs on refuge lands away from public roads and developed areas.

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http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/balcones/

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Passthrough]

I say fire away!!

[Jaspro]

I say fire away!!

[Russ]

Hmmmm sign me up! How do u hire a guide for this???

[Passthrough]

This is truly the only answer to serious hog eradication IMO. Traps,dogs,bows and all that will not get it done! Numbers I say...you need numbers killed! And those copters get it done! Mercy to none!

[3rdShot]

They are losing out on a revenue stream...I (and a LOT of others, I'm sure) would pay for that opportunity!

[Brandon T]

Dont realy know?

[Keithb]

I have never seen hogs around here where I live until about 5 years ago. Our neighbor had us sign an agreement form last year to have a local helicopter pilot fly over our land and shoot any hogs he sees because they were destroying his rice field. I've lived out here for 35 years and 30 of it we've never had hogs until the last few years.

[Booger74]

They are losing out on a revenue stream...I (and a LOT of others, I'm sure) would pay for that opportunity!

This could be an opportunity for all Hunters, as well for the state. Instaed of the state paying big money; why not see if paying hunters like you and i can make a dent. It is something that can be done year round. It will not work if they only allow hunters to hunt them during the regular deer season. 100 hunters at $50 each 8 times a year would be $40,000 in the black. Not much more than that in the RED. not to mention what it would do for small business. Archery Shops, Resturants, Meat Markets Etc. MORE COLLECTED TAXES.

[DJM]

[ATTACH]215778[/ATTACH]



get some!!!!!!!

[baitcaster2009]

where do i sign?

[NYBowman]

I don't think the helos will be a cure all. They cant get the ones in the brush and then in a few years when there are amillion fat yotes, then they'l be crying again. I say open night hunting and a longer season inconjunction.

[1FREAK]

mow'em down.....

[PSD Ryan]

They need to be taking them by helicopter in Bell, Coryell, and Crosby.
kwtx.com/home/headlines/114503609.html

Infected with Tularemia. One of these counties is very very close to where I hunt.

[Smart]

I don't think the helos will be a cure all. They cant get the ones in the brush and then in a few years when there are amillion fat yotes, then they'l be crying again. I say open night hunting and a longer season inconjunction.

Seems they mostly run them out of the brush to shoot but there are plenty of videos of them whackin' them in brush. They may not be a cure all but it sure is hard to argue with their effectiveness in knocking them back....

Also....night hunting is already allowed and there is no closed season on pigs in Texas..


1st video is the best....it won't allow embedding but you can click on "Watch on Youtube" and it'll play.


.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiHmYsyVniE"]YouTube - Nueces Helicopter Pig Hunt (no music)[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81JveSuQs24"]YouTube - Hog Wars[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6B5BIDG8Rg"]YouTube - helicopter hog hunt[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLejlibClio"]YouTube - Death from Above (feral hog depredation from chopper in Texas with Nueces Helicopters!)[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGC1tjHCSVE"]YouTube - Freedom Helicopter Hog Hunt High Definition[/ame]