According to Texas AgriLife Extension, the Texas Legislature provided $1 million for feral hog abatement to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the 2008-09 Biennium. That money was provided through a grant to Texas AgriLife Extension Services-Wildlife Services program to conduct statewide abatement projects for a 2-year period, from March 1, 2008 through Feb. 28, 2010.

The AgriLife Website states, “The overall damage from feral hogs has been variously estimated anywhere from $50 to $500 per hog per year.”

It also states that during the first year of the grant, Texas AgriLife Extension Services-Wildlife Services removed 24,350 feral hogs. During the second year of the project, they removed 23,057 feral hogs for a total of 47,407 feral hogs during the grant period. The average cost per hog removal during the 2-year project was $19.69 per hog.

According to Texas AgriLife Extension Publication L-1925 “Managing Feral Hog Damage,” control methods used to manage a feral hog problem include using snares, live traps, hunting with dogs and shooting them are all effective methods used to control hogs. It states that through various research demonstrations, live traps have shown to be one of the most effective ways to capture wild hogs. Residents are encouraged to consult with an experienced professional or County Extension Agent for the most practical trap designs when necessary. Additional information is available at the Grimes County Extension Office.

“This is an ongoing problem throughout the State. We’re so close to the Navasota River, we just want people to know they (wild hogs) are dangerous, and to call the police department or animal control (if a wild boar is spotted),” said Stribling who is leaving the trap at the pantry for a few extra weeks as a precaution.