Glancing out the front door last night, I saw a “shape” out in the driveway in front of the garage. Knowing the dogs were inside, I thought it was a stray so was ready to chase it off when I saw it turn a bit and take a few steps. There was no doubt what it was – a PIG! Before I could grab a light and have a closer look, it meandered down the hill behind the garage and disappeared into the pasture.
This morning, I went out to take a closer look and saw many prints around the firepit but the ground wasn’t disturbed so it’s doubtful an entire sounder of ferals was wandering through and was more likely a domestic that got loose. I believe the Amish neighbor across the road has a few pigs so will ask him about it.
Regardless, reading up on it, feral pigs/hogs are quite a problem in Missouri and many other states. A farmer friend a few miles up the road had quite a problem with them and had the conservation department come to run them off. Even though they are considered pests and invasive nuisances, they recommend NOT shooting them as that action is detrimental to the goal of eliminating the whole group.
https://mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/invasive-animals/feral-hogs-missouri
It’s an interesting read and likely something we’ll have to deal with sometime in the future so it never hurts to be ready. I thought it would be interesting to set up a few trail cameras anyway – just to see what wonders by.
Back when we graduated High School, I helped a friend (Martin) “process” a pig that he raised for a pig roast at his grad party. I wish I would have paid better attention back then. My only “processing” so far has been a single rooster and is something I’ll need to work on. But, I’m sure those chances to improve those skills will come soon enough.
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Bill,be careful with the wild hogs can be very dangerous and not that good to eat unless you get a younger one.
I think this was a younger one but pretty sure it was a local. I asked an Amish guy at Frankie’s General Store and Frankie himself. Both thought it was likely an Amish domestic that got loose. It wasn’t in a “sounder” but I am well aware of their nature to get aggressive. We have our farmyard pretty well fenced off (to keep the dogs from straying) and this one was outside that perimeter in the driveway. I’d like to ask Rudy (my Amish neighbor across the road) but they are so hard to connect with. You can’t “call them” or drive by to see if their truck is parked there. I’ll be watching a little closer though and thinking a few trail cameras might be wise.