Today, we’re bringing you the definitive guide to wild hogs – everything you need to know to protect your land, your crops, and your community from this destructive invasive species. Whether you’re a rancher, farmer, hunter, or just a concerned landowner, this conversation arms you with the tools and knowledge to effectively combat wild hogs (also known as feral hogs) here in Austin County and across Texas. In this special edition of Hello Austin County, we sit down with James “Jay” Long, Project Coordinator with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, and Stacie Villarreal, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Austin County. Together, Jay and Stacie break down the biology, habits, and explosive population growth of wild pigs, as well as the most effective control strategies available today — from trapping and shooting to coordinated landowner efforts. We cover damage costs, why wild hogs are so hard to eradicate, new research on smarter management approaches, and the resources available locally and statewide to help fight back. This episode also includes complete details on how to safely and legally use the newly approved warfarin-based bait for wild hog control in Texas — a major new development that landowners need to know about. Whether you’re facing damage to your crops, pastures, water sources, or fencing, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you take action.
Episode Highlights:
⏰ 00:00 – Understanding the Wild Hog Problem in Texas
⏰ 00:37 – Damage Caused by Wild Hogs to Land, Crops, and Infrastructure
⏰ 00:57 – Why Landowners Must Work Together (Coordinated Efforts)
⏰ 01:20 – Shooting as a Hog Management Tool
⏰ 02:10 – How Wild Hogs Reproduce and Spread
⏰ 03:49 – Why Eradication is Unrealistic — Focus on Management
⏰ 15:09 – Best Practices for Trapping Wild Hogs (Types and Setups)
⏰ 18:43 – Helicopter Hunting: When and Why It’s Used
⏰ 30:32 – Grants, Funding, and Cost-Share Programs Available
⏰ 01:09:57 – How Wild Hogs Impact Cattle Operations (Feeding Calves)
⏰ 01:10:48 – How Drones Are Being Used to Find Wild Hogs
⏰ 01:45:05 – New Smart Trap Technologies and Remote Monitoring
⏰ 02:00:00 – New Warfarin Bait Approved in Texas: How to Use It Safely
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