Story originally printed in the Vernon Broadcaster or online at www.vernonbroadcaster.com
Published - Wednesday, May 11, 2005
DNR officials eyeing ways to combat feral pigs
DNR officials are looking into tactics to fight a growing population of feral pigs in the area.
One such plan is to capture a pig, fashion it with a radio collar and then turn it loose so it returns to its herd. DNR hunters could then track the pig and hunt down the pigs it joins.
The concept is one of several ideas the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is considering. Other methods include hunting and using baited traps to capture the pigs.
Feral pigs are from the same family as domestic swine but have heavy coats of bristles, a long snout and tusks — and can get up to 300 pounds. Hunters killed one in Vernon County last year.
Bill Howe, chairman of the Crawford County Conservation Congress, said he is pressing the DNR to apply for federal funds to eradicate the feral pigs while the herds are small.
They cause intense damage to crops and property, Howe said, attack livestock and have environmental impacts.
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