Editor: Shannon Cottongame
September 28, 2023
The Hill County Extension Office has scheduled upcoming programs for hunters who would like to take part in the county’s feral hog “Bucks for Bacon” bounty effort.
Feral hogs have become perhaps the largest pest to agriculture producers and landowners in Texas, with a conservatively estimated population to be over 2.6 million in the state and 99% of all Texas counties having feral hog populations.
Not only are feral hogs destructive to most crops grown in the county, but they also pose a major threat to water quality, native ecology, native wildlife and livestock. These hogs can also aid in the spread and transmission of several diseases to domesticated livestock.
Many may think of feral hogs as native wildlife or game; however, they are actually an invasive species that destroys the natural resources that our area’s native wildlife utilize.
To help agriculture producers, landowners and citizens make informed decisions concerning abatement and control options, the Hill County AgriLife Extension Office will be hosting four feral hog programs. The programs will be held Tuesday, October 3; Thursday, October 5; Monday, October 30; and Wednesday, November 1, beginning at 6 p.m. All programs will be at the Hill County Extension Office, located at 213 Stadium Drive in Hillsboro.
Interested participants will receive training on feral hog biology, reproduction, safety, control methods and the continued Hill County feral hog bounty program called Bucks for Bacon.
This workshop will be presented by Hill County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources Zach Davis. Forms will be available for participants to sign up for the bounty.
The Bucks for Bacon feral hog bounty program, which began in October 2014, has tracked the harvest of approximately 11,000+ hogs across Hill County. Individuals interested in participating in the bounty program, including those previously registered, will need to attend one of the meetings offered.
The Hill County Feral Hog Committee manages the Bucks for Bacon bounty as part of the Feral Hog Reduction Program in Hill County. The bounty is currently in operation and will continue until bounty funds allocated by the Hill County Commissioners Court are exhausted. The bounty is set at $10 per tail. Participants must present biological evidence of the harvest. Further details will be provided at the events offered.
“Our goal is to have as many citizens as possible throughout the county participating in this program,” Davis said. “The only way for us to make a significant reduction in feral hog damage is to systematically reduce the population. This can only be accomplished through a coordinated and widespread effort.”
There is no registration cost to attend the meetings. Those interested can call 254-582-4022 with any questions or to RSVP for a workshop.
The Lakelander 