Pre-Season Survey: What mast harvest can we expect this fall?

Wild pig hunters in the South of our state reported about clear indications of a good mast harvest.

We all know that the availability of mast has a decisive influence on the reproductive rate of sows and on size and frequency of litters. The more mast, the merrier the sows and the more piglets we will get.

Considering the relatively wet winter 2009/2010 one would be tempted to conclude that we will enjoy an excellent harvest of nuts from mast trees. Yet, biologists have indicated that this is not necessarily so. Sometimes peak mast production occurs only in the following year.

Whether we will experience this phenomenon is best determined by first hand experience in the field. If you have been out in the woods hunting boar or are just scouting for fall and winter, please share your observations with us. We will use them to prepare a short report on the findings of hunters. You are welcome to report on your impression of the status of wild pig populations in the area hunted by you.
Did you already notice an increase in the number of boar sighted?

Send your observations to this blog or to the e-mail listed on our website.

PJJ