Hunters Urged to Report Wild Hogs

The November 24 deer hunt of BreckenridgeÕs Greg Austin on a Gratiot County farm took on a new twist when he got a tip from the landowners. The farmer told him that a big pig was feeding in a filter strip planted for erosion control. Soon after, Austin shot a male wild boar that appeared to weigh 120-140 pounds.

Dr. Patrick Rusz, Director of Wildlife Programs for the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, met with Austin a few hoursÕ later and obtained blood and tissue samples for disease testing by state pathologists. The information gained from Austin and the wild hog he shot, along with data from other hunters who encountered hogs while a field, is vital if Michigan is to avoid damage from the exotic species.

"Wild hogs are so scattered that biologists can't easily get a handle on their numbers or distribution," said Dr. Rusz. "The 750,000 deer hunters who get out each fall are our best means of finding out where the hogs are. Hunters like Mr. Austin are doing a great service when they report spotting or shooting hogs."

Even if the reports come in too late for samples to be taken, the information is still valuable. Hunters are urged to contact the DNR to report encounters with hogs while afield.