Successful Boar Population Control No Longer A Secret

The previous article in our series On controlling Wild Pig Populations has shown that the survival rate of young boar, particularly survival rates of female piglets, shoats and yearlings, drives the growth of boar and wild pig populations. Let's sum up the findings of the Austrian researchers.

Let us assume a 20 percent survival rate for piglets and shoats (i.e. 80 percent loss of young boar) in a year of average food resources. The survival rate of mature sows is 70 percent. The blue line in the diagram represents a survival rate of young female sows of just under 50 percent, which must be maintained to keep the population from growing. If it is not, this boar population will continue to grow. The following diagrams show the situation at survival rates of 10, 20 and 30 percent of piglets in times of average availability of food.

Legend:

Vertical axis(x coordinate) - % of surviving female yearlings (gilts) in percent

Horizontal (y coordinate) - surviving mature sows in percent

Green line – percentage of surviving young boar

blue line - total boar population

Small arrows on lines signify increase or decrease of population.

The Austrian researchers also prepared a diagram that reflects the situation when food is abundant. Nowadays, this is almost the norm and nowadays hardly ever the exception because agricultural production and other human activities offer an abundance of non-traditional food sources available boar can use almost at will.

In years when the availability of food is above average a given boar population will continue to grow unless far less than 40 percent of all young female boar survive. In order to keep the boar population at its original level, no more than 20 percent of young sows should survive. All other survival or mortality rates remain the same as in the previous graphic. The graphic below shows how survival rates of young female boar affect population numbers. It is assumed that the survival rate of mature reproducing sows does not change (i.e. stays at 70 Percent).

(Beech nut data courtesy of Dipl.Ing. Rudolf Litschauer and Dr. Siegfried Jaeger.)

Y axis - surviving female yearlings (gilts) in percent

X axis - surviving mature sows in percent

I know. The diagrams look a little confusing. But it all comes down to this:

Put bluntly, about 80 percent of all young female boar and wild pigs must be shot regularly to prevent the growth of any given boar or wild pig population.

For the benefit of our our sensitive animal friends and PETA members we could also say:

Eighty percent of all young boar and wild pigs must be humanly prevented from joining the reproduction cycle in order to keep a boar population stable at their original numbers.

In other words, if more than 20 percent of young boar or wild pigs escape the murdering butchers in their camouflage outfits and 4x4 trucks, a boar population will inevitably increase its numbers.

The more young boar survive, the faster the boar population will expand.

It is a fact of life for wild boar and wild pigs.

And a lesson for animal lovers who are upset because some dastardly wild pig got into their flower garden and rearranged the flower beds to its liking. It also should teach farmers, ranchers and landowners to take action early and decisively instead of banking on additional income from a profit maximized hunting program. The same applies to hunting guides and outfitters.

The best and most successful boar population control is to start countermeasures early and to remove consistently at least 75 to 80 percent of all young boar. Year after year after year; and season after season.

In light of this knowledge we have to ask:

Why do boar and wild pigs overrun many European countries and numerous states of the United States? Why is Texas not able to get rid of several millions of their wild pigs?

Read why in the last article of this series.

PJJ

DFG to Offer Three Late Season Goose Hunting Opportunities

DFG News January 27, 2012

“The California Fish and Game Commission has approved a third 2011/2012 late season hunting opportunity for geese.
Licensed hunters can now hunt white-fronted geese and white geese during the late season for geese in the Balance of the State Zone. This is in addition to the already established late season goose hunts in the North Coast and Imperial County Special Management Areas . . .
The new season in the Balance of the State Zone will be open from Feb. 18 through Feb. 22. A daily bag limit of eight geese is allowed which may include up to six white geese or up to six white-fronted geese. The Sacramento Valley Special Management Area will be closed to the take of white-fronted geese during the late season goose hunt. Type A and B wildlife areas will not be open to hunting. However, Type C areas and other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.
The North Coast Special Management Area will be open from Feb. 18 through Mar. 10. The daily bag limit is six small Canada geese only. Large Canada geese cannot be taken during the late season hunt. Type A, B and C wildlife areas will not be open to hunting but other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.
The Imperial County Special Management Area will be open from Feb. 11 through Feb. 26. The daily bag limit is six white geese. Type A, B and C wildlife areas will not be open to hunting but other public lands that allow waterfowl hunting may be open.
The purpose of these late season goose hunts is to reduce goose crop depredation complaints on private lands. Providing hunting opportunities in the late season will help reduce potential crop depredation by lowering the population(s) and shifting geese onto public areas. Most goose populations that winter in California are at or above population goals and remain in California through late spring. . .. All late season goose hunts are closed on Type A and B wildlife areas. However, other public lands open to waterfowl hunting may be open during these late season hunts.”

Check applicable regulations at dfg.ca.gov/regulations.

Another Turkey Hunting Clinic in March

This time for Northern California on March 3, 2012.

The DFG is announcing another one-day turkey hunting clinic. It will be held from 09:00 to 17:00 at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area near Gridley.

DFG wildlife biologist Joe Johnson, also an experienced turkey hunter, will lead the clinic. It is designed to cover the usual topics, decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, necessary equipment and safety.

The price is $ 45.00. The clinic will be open to hunters of all ages. Junior hunters of 16 or less can participate for free as long as they are with an adult. For details go to the DFG webpage for advanced hunting clinics. Advance registration is required.

PJJ

Remember Wolf 07?

He is now federally protected by the Endangered Species Act

DFG News January 24, 2012

The California Department of Fish and Game just published a press release regarding this now famous wolf.

“The gray wolf designated OR7 has remained in California since he crossed the state line on Dec. 28. The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) closely monitors the wolf’s position and progress, and will report on his status through a new website at www.dfg.ca.gov/wolf/.

While OR7 is the only documented wolf in California, any wild gray wolf that returns to California is protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The federal law generally prohibits the harassment, harm, pursuit, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capture or collection of wolves in California, or the attempt to engage in any such conduct. Penalties include fines up to $100,000 and one-year imprisonment.
Though many sightings have been reported, all other recent “wolf” sightings that have been investigated in California have been found to be something else, such as a coyote, a dog or a hybrid wolf-dog. Despite reports to the contrary, DFG is not aware of confirmed sightings of other wolves in California since 1924. . .
Concerns about human safety are largely based on folklore and are unsubstantiated. In recent years there was one human mortality in Canada caused either by wolves or bears and one confirmed human mortality in Alaska by wolves. Based on experience from states where substantial wolf populations now exist, wolves pose little risk to humans.
However, DFG recommends that people never approach a wolf, or otherwise interact with or feed a wolf.  Farmers and ranchers can reduce the likelihood of attracting wolves and other predators by removing potential sources of food and other attractants from their land such as discarded animal carcasses, bone piles, etc. . .
OR7 is a 2 ½ year old male formerly from a pack in northeast Oregon. He is being monitored through various means, including with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device that periodically transmits its location. It is not possible to predict his next movements, but he has remained in eastern Lassen County for approximately one week. DFG is notifying media, local officials and landowners of OR7’s general whereabouts.
DFG has been following the recovery and migration of gray wolves in western states with the expectation that at some point they will likely reach California. The last confirmed wild gray wolf in California was killed in Lassen County in 1924. The available historic information on wolves in California suggests that while they were widely distributed, they were not abundant. DFG has summarized information about wolves in California which can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/wolf/docs/Gray_Wolf_Report_2012.pdf.”


The release also references a graphic to distinguish a wold from a coyote. It is found at the official website of the State of Montana: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/wolf/wolfCoyote.html.
Have a look.
PJJ