Wild Hog Control: Trapping More Effective Than Hunting

Wild hog populations are out of control in the United States, and it’s estimated that they cause $1.5 billion worth of damage nationwide.

Research in Mississippi indicates that hunter harvest of hogs is not adequate to control their populations, but trapping holds some promise.

From the Mississippi Business Journal:

Traps can remove a greater number of pigs from an area at once, he said. Traps also require less time and effort than other removal methods, such as hunting or exclusion fencing.

A corral trap is best for capturing and removing large sounders, or herds of pigs, Hamrick said. These traps can be built easily with off-the-shelf materials. Before setting up a trap, scout the property and prebait suspected high-use areas. Set up game cameras to determine size of the sounder, whether more than one group is present, and the best spot for the trap.

Though the corral traps work, many hogs have become wise to them, requiring trappers to take a look at some other methods to catch hogs.

Trapper Newt Sterling from Port Republic, New Jersey is an expert snare man and on the forefront of the wild hog snaring profession.  Here’s from one of his recent videos:

Wild hogs become very wary of pen-type traps after a few initial catches, and quickly avoid bait sites after being shot at. Snares are an effective, fast, mobile, inexpensive method of controlling hog populations, plus are deadly on wary hogs. After considerable experimentation, Master Snaresman Newt Sterling has developed and designed equipment and methods in a system guaranteed to catch and hold hogs ranging in size from piglets to the largest boar.

To find out more, visit www.SnareOne.com.