Wild boars are becoming a big problem in South Carolina, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
Their numbers are growing by the thousands
"A lot of times deer hunters will shoot hogs as they see them becasue they realize its a problem so deer hunters take hog hunting seriously and we know there are close to 39,000 hogs killed in 2009," said Gerald Moore from the Department of Natural Resources.
"If they’re killing close to 40,000 per year you know there’s got to be several times that number as a population to be able to support that kind of a harvest," said Moore.
Recent weather patterns also present a problem when it comes to the animals.
Flooding is pushing the animals out of their normal habitats near swamps and creeks and into areas where they may come into contact with humans.
"Hogs cause lots of problems like ecological damage to the habitat, they compete with deer and turkey for acorns and other foods they're rooting causes ruts and big holes in fields that sometimes can almost cause problems for cultivating," said Moore.
The state, however, is pushing back.
A new law in South Carolina allows hunting the animals day and night but there are some restrictions like at night, you may have an artificial light but it must be attatched to your belt or head. you may not hunt from a vehicle or with a shotgun or centerfile rifle unless permitted.
DNR says if you see one, kill it and they're trying to keep the problem under control.
-- Reporting by Christine Scarpelli
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement