Smokies Hog Eradication Program

“Digging through the magazines in a doctor's office the other day I ran across a really short but interesting article about the feral hog eradication efforts in the Smokeys. According to the article this team of nocturnal hunters is armed with night vision and silencers removing hogs primarily along the AT. The team kills over 300 hogs annually and often goes on week long outings. Another interesting statistic the article mentions is that to even knock a dent in the population they must harvest from 50-70% of the total pop.”

“That's a lot of bacon.”

“I met two guys on the AT looking for their lost dog a month ago. I wondered what how someone would lose a hunting dog up there.”

“I have seen rangers on horses with rifles looking to shoot hogs... My neighbours have been on a few hunts with NPS in the Smokies...”

“I have a hog dog, wonder how I could get in on a hunt. That would be great training for him and a whole lot of fun. Maybe I should call the rangers?”

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“I met two guys on the AT looking for their lost dog a month ago. I wondered what how someone would lose a hunting dog up there.”
chili36
10:50:10 AM
3/21/05

What dialect is that?”

“Some hog dogs cover alot of ground in a hurry, and sometimes they charge, or catch when they should just hold and bay untill back up arrives. It is very possible the dog or dogs in question got divided from the main pack and were killed by another group of hogs. The dog I have runs for miles, very quickly, while air scenting and at some point he will get left behind also. Not uncommon for this to happen.”

“I talked with a ranger once who was sporting an AR-15. He said it was for hogs. I commented that they must have good cookouts. He said that they destrotyed the meat. To do otherwise would be immoral. Seems like to waste the meat is the bigger loser (not sure I'd go so far as to say immoral)”

“If I remember correctly the article sounded like they leave them. I can't imagine packing out a 100+ lb. hog even on a horse. Any Field and Stream subscribers?”

“He made it sound like they burned him. I think my comeback, was something like, "I'll bet yall do. Maybe 12-18 hrs over coals with beer?" That's when I got the morality speech.”

“Oops, burned THEM”

“Hunting on horseback....that's cool. Too bad, they have to waste the meat.”

“PETA must not know about this. ;-)”

“Too busy eating their steak.”

“A buddy at shot 4 hogs and had 700 pounds of wild hog meat processed. It is good stuff and does not taste strong. I tried some of the sausage and it was great. I'm trying to go on a hog hunting trip myself.”

“It seems like I have heard that dogs are not allowed in the park. So I guess "Dude" won't be able to catch any of these hogs unless they allow us for a special hunt.”

“Hog hunting is one of my favorites Wild pig tastes better than farm raised, much leaner. When I went on a hunt with a good ol boy from Texas, I shot a hog, about a 125 pounder. He hoisted it on his back and trekked out to the four wheeler, about a mile away. We crossed three streams on logs and through some rough brush with no breaks till we got to the fence by the ATV. Strong dude. I later asked him what he did for a living and he said "I don't work, I'm disabled. Bad Back" Alrighty then......”