Specifics on Feral Swine in Michigan?

[efw]

Does anyone have specifics on the location of huntable populations of feral swine on public hunting grounds here in Michigan?

I went to the DNR website and pulled all the information that they have on the subject and intend to call their contact to inquire further, but wondered if anyone here had any direct or indirect experience.

I've done a couple of trips to Texas and hunted these animals down there, but sure would enjoy getting out and tagging something here!

Thanks ahead of time,

efw

[Wildwood_Deckers]

Midland and Gladwin are supposed to have sizable populations of feral hogs, giving a specific spot is very difficult since hogs will travel considerable distances in search of food... When you take into account the relatively small population, and the regulations that must be followed.... sit tight they will soon be in your backyard.... As for them wanting to eradicate the michigan feral hogs... forget it, for every year that goes by, the population probably increases 400% or more....
I have been talking to a number of hunters in the south and i'm told the same thing... if hogs go one year, there is no getting rid of them....

I'm taking a trip down to Tenn. to look at some hog dogs, hopefully I will be bringing back a start dog, that should up my odd considerably.... however, I can hunt hogs now with a small game license, but i can't use dogs untill July 15th.... By then, my odds should be even higher since all the sows should have raised one litter by then.... adding a good number of feral hogs to the population....

Clyde

[TVCJohn]

There's a thread on here that is (was) actively updated by the DNR gal who tracks all the hog reports and posts them on here in real-time. I couldn't relocate it but it is here. Great info!

[Ninja]

Here's the link to the thread:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194817

As WildWood said, specific spots are hard to give because of the vast amount of area they cover.

[efw]

Thank you very much for the information.

Yes that is what I've been told as well re: erradication. As much as I'd love to have year-'round big game hunting opportunities such an invassive species will certainly wreak havoc on our environment.

The pork will be nice, but it'd be great to help save our native populations of flora and fawna from these animals.

Thanks again,

efw

[kristie]

The pork will be nice, but it'd be great to help save our native populations of flora and fawna from these animals.



That's what I like to hear........:D
Go pig posse:help:

[eino]

Midland and Gladwin are supposed to have sizable populations of feral hogs, giving a specific spot is very difficult since hogs will travel considerable distances in search of food... When you take into account the relatively small population, and the regulations that must be followed.... sit tight they will soon be in your backyard.... As for them wanting to eradicate the michigan feral hogs... forget it, for every year that goes by, the population probably increases 400% or more....
I have been talking to a number of hunters in the south and i'm told the same thing... if hogs go one year, there is no getting rid of them....

I'm taking a trip down to Tenn. to look at some hog dogs, hopefully I will be bringing back a start dog, that should up my odd considerably.... however, I can hunt hogs now with a small game license, but i can't use dogs untill July 15th.... By then, my odds should be even higher since all the sows should have raised one litter by then.... adding a good number of feral hogs to the population....

Clyde

By no means do I know the laws on shooting hogs here but I remember something being said about not actually being able to "hunt" them. But rather you can shoot one if the opportunity arises. Just something to look into. Not that I care if you have a hog dog(heck I'd like to go with you sometime)but the DNR might have something to say about it.

Ed

[GRJohnnyRingo]

EFW

I have been to Texas several times myself hunting these hogs and find them extremely challanging. Like you as well, I have been doing a lot of research into them and their habitat. As stated earlier, Midland and Gladwin counties have sizeable heards. If you read the thread here about them it will give you the nearest crossroads for the sightings and kills. That being said, hogs love and need water, so they will always be near a water supply. As well, they love thick cover, and swamp or marshland. If you find the areas that have this, as well as being close to a food source, (acorns are some of their favorite foods), like farm crops, that would be a good place to start. Then just start looking for signs of them, or talk to some of the locals in these areas, espically the farmers. If they are there and rooting up the fields, they will let you know. The sightings, and kills that have been reported are thought to be somewhat understated, as some people dont want there "private pig hunting locations" shared. This is from a very reputable source. There is a vast amount of resources on the net as to what to look as far as signs etc. Now, with respect to Kristie ( AKA the pig lady, AKA feral swine eradication coordinator) there is no eradicating them now. They are here and here they will stay. Within a very short time, we will be seeing more and more pigs shot in the state. Just do any research on them and you will find that once they have established a foothold, there is NO getting rid of them. Just look at Texas and Florida that have populations of them and what those populations have done there. They are prolific breeders, and are ideally suited to this ( Michigans ) climate. I myself am planning on doing some hunting for them on the 3 & 4th of may, and will hopefully see some sign. If you would like to know more, please feel free to PM me and we can chat more about where to hunt them, etc..

[Wildwood_Deckers]

By no means do I know the laws on shooting hogs here but I remember something being said about not actually being able to "hunt" them. But rather you can shoot one if the opportunity arises. Just something to look into. Not that I care if you have a hog dog(heck I'd like to go with you sometime)but the DNR might have something to say about it.

Ed

Ed,
I emailed this question to the DNR question & answers.....

"If I have a small game license, am I permitted to hunt feral swine with my dogs year round?"

Here is the answer I recieved.....

"Response (lawdog) - 04/08/2008 12:51 PM
You may hunt feral swine year round with a valid small game license. However, you may only use dogs on wild animals from July 15 through April 15. The intent of that regulation is to protect newborn wildlife, so even though you would be targeting the feral swine, you would still be in violation of the state law."

Clyde

[Ninja]

EFW

I have been to Texas several times myself hunting these hogs and find them extremely challanging. Like you as well, I have been doing a lot of research into them and their habitat. As stated earlier, Midland and Gladwin counties have sizeable heards. If you read the thread here about them it will give you the nearest crossroads for the sightings and kills. That being said, hogs love and need water, so they will always be near a water supply. As well, they love thick cover, and swamp or marshland. If you find the areas that have this, as well as being close to a food source, (acorns are some of their favorite foods), like farm crops, that would be a good place to start. Then just start looking for signs of them, or talk to some of the locals in these areas, espically the farmers. If they are there and rooting up the fields, they will let you know. The sightings, and kills that have been reported are thought to be somewhat understated, as some people dont want there "private pig hunting locations" shared. This is from a very reputable source. There is a vast amount of resources on the net as to what to look as far as signs etc. Now, with respect to Kristie ( AKA the pig lady, AKA feral swine eradication coordinator) there is no eradicating them now. They are here and here they will stay. Within a very short time, we will be seeing more and more pigs shot in the state. Just do any research on them and you will find that once they have established a foothold, there is NO getting rid of them. Just look at Texas and Florida that have populations of them and what those populations have done there. They are prolific breeders, and are ideally suited to this ( Michigans ) climate. I myself am planning on doing some hunting for them on the 3 & 4th of may, and will hopefully see some sign. If you would like to know more, please feel free to PM me and we can chat more about where to hunt them, etc..

She prefers "Ms. Pig-Lady"!!! :lol:

Or Swine-Beeeotch. :cwm27:

[efw]

EFW

I have been to Texas several times myself hunting these hogs and find them extremely challanging. Like you as well, I have been doing a lot of research into them and their habitat. As stated earlier, Midland and Gladwin counties have sizeable heards. If you read the thread here about them it will give you the nearest crossroads for the sightings and kills. That being said, hogs love and need water, so they will always be near a water supply. As well, they love thick cover, and swamp or marshland. If you find the areas that have this, as well as being close to a food source, (acorns are some of their favorite foods), like farm crops, that would be a good place to start. Then just start looking for signs of them, or talk to some of the locals in these areas, espically the farmers. If they are there and rooting up the fields, they will let you know. The sightings, and kills that have been reported are thought to be somewhat understated, as some people dont want there "private pig hunting locations" shared. This is from a very reputable source. There is a vast amount of resources on the net as to what to look as far as signs etc. Now, with respect to Kristie ( AKA the pig lady, AKA feral swine eradication coordinator) there is no eradicating them now. They are here and here they will stay. Within a very short time, we will be seeing more and more pigs shot in the state. Just do any research on them and you will find that once they have established a foothold, there is NO getting rid of them. Just look at Texas and Florida that have populations of them and what those populations have done there. They are prolific breeders, and are ideally suited to this ( Michigans ) climate. I myself am planning on doing some hunting for them on the 3 & 4th of may, and will hopefully see some sign. If you would like to know more, please feel free to PM me and we can chat more about where to hunt them, etc..

I actually just subscribed to "Boar Hunter" magazine and have been reading quite a lot of "how to" stuff on the web besides. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience down in Texas and was somewhat distraught when I heard that they were here... the guy whose ranch we hunt puts us up for free so long as we shoot as many as we can because they're so out of control. He makes good money on trophy whitetails but these darned oinkers eat the expensive feed!

They are good eating though.

Thanks a lot for all the information. I'm keeping an eye on the other thread for specifics. I appreciate your willingness to talk over PM and may take you up on that as well.

Take care and good hunting,

efw

[tbbassdaddy]

She prefers "Ms. Pig-Lady"!!! :lol:

Or Swine-Beeeotch. :cwm27:


Holy crap... You might just get your ar$e kicked for that one!!! We LOVE Kristi!!! ;)
tb

[kristie]

from Ninja......

but thanks tb for your support:D

and Ninja....you're asking for it......:16suspect

( I may not have mad Ninja skills, but I do know how to use a pitchfork)

[BeWild]

Speaking of Tennessee, my roommate is headed down there in a couple weeks for an internship in the national park to shoot hogs for the summer. Three months of spotlighting and slaying pigs doesn't sound too bad does it??