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Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

fieldandstream.com

11–20 of 168 posts

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#12
> [The] reality is still that outside of the Prairie Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, there are no meaningful opportunities to hunt wild pigs, which is not allowed in Ontario and Quebec

In the southern United States it’s open season on wild pigs to keep the population under control.

In at least Texas, you can take a machine gun mounted to a helicopter to go hog hunting: https://www.helibacon.com/texas-helicopter-hog-hunting/

This article is light on the risks of an unchecked feral pig population. Pigs are dangerous. They’re mean, dirty, and can wreak havoc in ecosystems. Coming across a feral pig is dangerous, and they travel in squadrons so it’s likely you’ll cross a handful at a time. Unlike most animals that will leave humans alone unless they have reason, feral pigs will pick a fight.

That these researchers are saying the pigs are pushing into human settlements is cause for concern.

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#13
In Texas we trap them, blow them up, shoot them from helicopters, and shoot them from quads while chasing them at 50mph. They're too smart to shoot them from a standing position.

I've seen packs of 15-20 running along together while riding my motorcycle along county roads in the middle of nowhere, San Saba County. But they normally stay out of sight; they're super smart.

Good luck.

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#14
post #3

selling wild game appears to be illegal in Canada like it is in the US. Ostensibly the reason is because of risk of illness but it's likely also due to lobbying by farmers. I think there's a solution staring at us in the face here

Most of those pigs are, by western standards, inedible. With the exception of the very young adults (and the piglets), their meat is tough and has a very objectionable gamer/musty/garbage-y flavor. Texas is contending with a similar problem, and if Texans can’t find a way to eat them, you know that meat is worthless.

But isn't that true of most any game meat?

I've heard that bear meat can be tough and grisly, but I was told it depends on how you butcher it.

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#16

For a moment I though my ex-gf started posting to HN :/ (This was her love language, ok? Don't judge us)

I don't know why you were downvoted, this is adorable

A segment of HN is allergic to humor. Real Jabronis/Giambones.

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#17

I'm really hoping the other predictions in Neil Gaiman's System Shock aren't also coming true. But I suspect they will... For the big ones I have it as 3/6 already. (Not detailing em to avoid spoilers :))

> Neil Gaiman's System Shock

Ehm... which book?

Are you thinking of Neil Stephenson's "Termination Shock"? That one involves feral pigs, and I'm not seeing "System Shock" as a book by Gaiman.

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#19

Really, I thought it was more of a US phenomenon.

The feral pig population in North America is based on a hybrid species with the Russian Razorback. It makes sense that they wouldn't be able to invade old climates as well

Re: Researchers are trying to mitigate the spread of wild pigs in Canada

#20
post #3

selling wild game appears to be illegal in Canada like it is in the US. Ostensibly the reason is because of risk of illness but it's likely also due to lobbying by farmers. I think there's a solution staring at us in the face here

Most of those pigs are, by western standards, inedible. With the exception of the very young adults (and the piglets), their meat is tough and has a very objectionable gamer/musty/garbage-y flavor. Texas is contending with a similar problem, and if Texans can’t find a way to eat them, you know that meat is worthless.

Is this a problem that can be solved with enough chili powder? I'm not a terribly picky eater or familiar with wild game, just have a lot of confidence in gastro science.
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