Re: Hogs In New York???
Hearing credible reports of them moving West through Binghamton last year, and firsthand reports of swine taken this year from a breeding population East of Seneca Lake on the region (Hector) of the Finger Lakes National Forest.
I live West of Seneca Lake, and nobody's talking about them locally yet. We had a very mild Winter last year, and wildlife populations are up across the board.
NY Feral Swine Habitats Map. Ferals in NY include domestic pig farm escapees, as well a Russian Boar escapees from private instate hunting preserves. There's a large breeding population in North Central PA that is infiltrating Northward into the NY Southern Tier. There's been DEC talk about banning private hunts, but it's already too late for that to do anything effective.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="color: #CC0000">Management</span></span>
In New York, anyone with a small game license may hunt and keep feral swine year round with no limit. To prevent the spread of disease, wear plastic or rubber gloves while dressing the animal, and bury the offal. Do not feed raw meats or organs to pets or livestock and thoroughly cook the meat before consuming.
Feral swine may be excluded from gardens and domestic hog pens with very heavy duty fencing, but since they can burrow, fencing should be monitored. Domestic swine should be securely enclosed.
Shooting can be used to remove one or two feral hogs, but trapping is recommended for removing family groups. Specially-designed corral traps with heavy metal fencing and mechanical doors are needed to capture free-ranging swine.
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When they arrive, they are also a road hazard, their eyes do not reflect headlights like deer eyes do.
Greg