Home Again, Briefly

I'm back home after 6 days at the cabin.  Some of that time was spent working, reading, visiting with friends, and some spent nursing my allergy induced teary, itchy eyes, sneezing, and blowing my nose.  After Fee mowed the field next to the cabin, my eyes went nuts.

Fee, David, Andrew, and Chris were all about hog hunting.  They were sitting by the fire some time before midnight, drinking beer, and no doubt dreaming of a big fat wild boar to dine on, when what to their wondering eyes did appear?  A whole troop of wild hogs headed up the gravel drive to the big cabin.  Had it not been for the dogs barking, the hogs may have joined the intrepid hunters at the fire for a beer.

I had told Fee that at night I'd heard them in the low area, but whoa, didn't think they would cross the road and come visiting.  The ersatz hunters were caught unaware and unprepared.  No cochon de lait for us.

From Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries:

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa), including European wild hogs and hybrids, are quickly becoming the most serious problem facing land managers and hunters in Louisiana....  In Louisiana, feral hogs are considered unregulated quadrupeds and may be taken year round during legal daylight shooting hours by holders of a valid hunting license. They may also be shot at night under certain conditions. Feral hogs are targeted by hunters because they are excellent table fare and can be very challenging to hunt....  Adult feral hogs commonly weigh 200 lbs, but may reach over 400 lbs.  (some in Texas and Oklahoma have reached from 800-1000 lbs.  -  don't know if any Louisiana ferals have reached that size)


Feral Hogs are plagued by a multitude of diseases that can affect humans, commercial swine operations, or wildlife.

Feral hogs are also known to prey upon livestock and wildlife. They are known to catch and consume baby goats, lambs, and calves, usually leaving no evidence of the attack. If the opportunity is available, feral hogs will consume fawns, rabbits, turkey nests, and any other wildlife they encounter. Feral hogs can be especially damaging to crops and food plots. In addition to consuming the crop, they can trample crops, uproot plants, and disrupt drainage. 


Feral hogs are extremely prolific, having the potential to rapidly expand their population. Sows can have up to 10 piglets per litter and reach sexual maturity at 6 months of age. They have a gestation period of 115 days, allowing 2 litters per year. Feral hogs have virtually no natural predators, so piglet 

survival is nearly 100 percent.

Complete eradication may never be achieved, but controlling or reducing the population is crucial.


excerpts taken from:
 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Wildlife Division - Private Lands Program
Written by : Michael Perot, Wildlife Biologist

Pics found from Google images of wild hogs.







Right now, I'm catching up on a week's worth of laundry and doing a little weeding in the home garden.  Will be headed back to the country tomorrow.

Sooooo....I haven't even reviewed all of the books from April, and I've read even more in May.  I guess I'd better get to reviewing.