the scoop on wild hogs in Pennsylvania

[Jaz]

I have been researching our wild hog situation here in Pennsylvania for some time now in the hopes of going down and hunting them with my longbow. I haven't had much luck finding alot of info until today.
I just called the Department of Agriculture and talked to a doctor about the hog situation.  I was told that basically hunters are doing more harm than good.  
A task force has been assembled to trap hogs.  The problem is that hunters are waiting until the Task force puts their bait out, then once the pigs start using the bait they hunt it.  The hunters may kill a few, but the rest of the group scatters and is now even more educated.
He did tell me to shoot any feral pigs I come across, but please don't organize groups of hunters to come hunt the areas that the task force is working in.
He was very polite and helpful and it was a very informative phone call.
I would love to go shoot some pigs with my Xcellerator, but after talking to him I must say that I really don't think we want wild hogs here, but it may be too late. He basically said that if we don't get these hogs controlled very soon that it could be too late.  Everything I've read about them says that once you have them they are almost impossible to get rid off.
Yes, it would be great to have an unregulated, edible species to hunt here in PA, but I don't think they are worth the destruction they could cause.  
I told the guy I would start spreading the word, since the state won't tell us anything.
Take care,
Jaz

[Jerry Jeffer]

I don't want them wrecking our ecosystem, but they are here and I want to hunt them. They aren't going away any time soon. I wish I knew where they were cause I'd be there wack'n em.

[jimneye]

I would be willing to give it a try. Being couped up this winter has been killing me.  I'm ready to get out and do anything.

[superkodiak]

count me in! I wonder who else we could get ahold of in order to find the right answers/ connections to hunt this piggies

[bentpole]

What part of Pennsy?

[Jaz]

South-central and northeast PA

[Stone Knife]

What part of PA and can an out of stater hunt them without a licence?

[jimneye]

Is there anyone on here that lives in South Central PA. that could answer a few questions?
There appears to be some game lands in the lower part that might hold a pig or two.

[Peckerwood]

I live in s. cental Pa. and I have never heard of hogs in the vicinity. I would like to know if there is a huntable population near by.
Bill

[bmfer]

I live in York County, right along the Susquehanna River, I've never seen any pigs, but if a college guy says they're here, I'm ready!! Please let me know, maybe we could set something up.

[Jerry Jeffer]

The state of PA does not recognize pigs as a game animal, but encourages hunters to shoot them according to the game laws. There is no season so they can be hunted any time. I would suspect you would need a liscense to be out with a bow (hunting equipment).

[BigHink66]

If you read Jaz's post, he mentions how the USDA APHIS guys are having their efforts of controlling the spread of pigs impeded by people educating them with hunting. This shouldn't be looked at as an opportunity for some sport or off season shooting.  Chasing them with a bow is unwise, as for every close stalk that gets blown or just outta range situation, should be an easy kill with a rifle.

My suggestion is that anyone interested in hunting them should use rifles and kill as many as you may have the opportunity to at whatever range you can connect with them.  They really need to be removed.  They are not a natural part of this ecosystem and should be eradicated.

Some may think that my opinion is cold hearted.  I want everyone to know that I believe all of gods creatures have a place on this earth.  But I also believe that its not mans place to decide where.

[Biggie Hoffman]

specially hogs....people are doing waaaaaaaay more harm to the ecosystem than hogs are.
Think about that next time you're in Walmart who destroyed 100 acres of land to build a concrete store and parking lot.

[BigHink66]

You are correct Biggie, but if I was an advocate for open season on people I'd get thrown in the slammer.

Most people think they want hogs, till they can't get rid of them and they incur crop damage and loss of wildlife habitat and food for native species.

[Jaz]

That's correct BigHink. Well said.
The hogs are reproducing in Bedford and Cambria counties.  They've been documented in many more.
This info is pretty easy to access by doing a quick search on "wild hogs in PA" on your search engine.
I would love to shoot some with my bow too, but you can't just drive down and find a woodlot and go shoot pigs.  They have been hunted very hard ever since the word of them being here got out. From what I've read and heard they are very intelligent.
With our deer population being down, I think many hunters are excited about having them here. Like I said the hunting opportunities would be great, but is it worth the trade offs?
Jaz

[Molson]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why don't pigs get educated to the traps?  Is trapping pigs over bait more effective than hunting pigs over bait?  How many pigs are caught in traps vs. how many pigs are shot by hunters?  Why doesn't the task force actively utilize hunting and trapping together in their baiting program?

[Biggie Hoffman]

a logical solution from a government entity?

Now that's funny right there!

that'd be too easy Molson. :-)

[Mr. Bowhunter]

I have heard pigs snorting while deer hunting southern Clearfield county but could not eyeball them through a hedgerow. I didn't want to disturb my deer hunt so I sat still hoping it would poke its head through to the other side but it didn't. They are there but I have no idea in what numbers they are.

[Red Beastmaster]

The southern part of Bedford Co is supposedly where the hogs are located. I have friends who live there and spend a lot of time afield. They've never seen one.

I guess one hog is too many, but as for huntable numbers, I don't think so. The few that are killed are more incidental confrontations during regular firearms season.

I've read that the local farmers are plenty upset with non-local hog hunters waking them up at all hours wanting to know "where the hogs are". Tresspassing, shooting from roads, shooting into pastures with cows, these things are also mentioned as being problems.