Texas feral hogs threaten environment, people, animals

“We don’t need anymore,” Dr. David Finch recently told the Lake Buchanan Conservation Corp.

Feral swine are domestic hogs released into the wild, the Texas Animal Health Commission veterinarian said Nov. 18. 

The untamed hogs weigh between 90 and 200 pounds, and they can destroy landscapes, natural flora and spread diseases to other animals, Finch added. 

“They eat just about anything,” Finch said. “They can eat humans, too. They can be carnivorous, so be careful.” 

One LBCC member told Finch several golfers have recently complained about feral swine chewing up the fairways at the Delaware Springs Golf Course in Burnet. 

Most likely, the annoying hogs ramble over the course because it is damp and a good food source, Finch noted. 

“Getting rid of them is next to impossible,” Finch said. “They tend to move in cycles. They move constantly. They may go away six months to a year, or they can come back one week later. You can get rid of one bunch, and then, the next bunch comes in.” 

One feral sow can produce 30 hogs after six months, more than 80 after 16 months and more than 300 after 24 months, Finch said. 

Feral swine births in Texas are out of hand,  Finch said 

“You don’t have the legislative support to go out and curb the (wild swine) population,” he added. 

About 10 percent of the swine carry pseudo rabies, a neurological disease that can harm cats, cattle, deer, dogs, horse and raccoons and is nearly always fatal, Finch said. 

Fortunately, pseudo rabies “does not affect humans,” Finch added. 

However, about 20 percent of feral swine can spread Brucellosis disease to humans, and medical treatment is necessary to cure the ailment. 

Anybody who experiences flu-like symptoms after contact with a feral hog should immediately see a medical doctor, Finch said. 

“Texas is not Brucellosis free,” he added. “It is one of those diseases most of our physicians don’t think about.” 

Animal Commission officials discovered 27 cattle in 20 herds infected with feral swine Brucellosis two years ago, Finch said. 

“We have worked nearly 70 years to clean it up in Texas,” Finch added. There is no official hunting season for wild hogs in Texas, Finch said. 

“You can shoot them as much as you want to,” he added. 

However, state law does regulate what to do after trapping one of the beasts. 

“You can trap them, but don’t turn them loose,” Finch said. 

Wild swine can be transported to a slaughterhouse, a hunting preserve approved by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department or a holding facility licensed by TAHC. The law requires trappers to maintain records on the captured hogs and confine them to a double-fenced, escape-proof pen more than 200 yards from other animals. 

All trappers holding feral swine after seven days are subject to TAHC inspection, Finch said. 

Any escape or release of the trapped hog from the pen is a Class C or Class B misdemeanor, he added. 

Turning to another matter, LBCC members announced their strong support for the proposed lengthening and renovation of the boat ramp at Llano County Park near Texas 261. 

Improvements to the ramp “will allow residents to launch their boats for more months during the year since the current ramp quickly becomes dry when lake levels fall,” according to a statement released by LBCC President George Bold. 

“We think it is a good idea,” Bold said. 

LBCC board elections will be held during the meeting Dec. 16, Bold said, adding the floor will open for nominations before the vote. 

The conservation corporation meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Lower Colorado River Authority Western District Complex, 8347 RR 1431, also known as “Fuzzy’s Corner.” 

raymond@thepicayune.com