An invasion is imminent in Montana. There are no bones about it. According to wildlife biologists, wild pigs are on the move and getting closer to big sky country. The swine are moving south from Canada and as recently as last year they were photographed 5 miles from the US border. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Invasive Species Outreach coordinator Stephanie Hester said, “Oh, absolutely it’s a concern”.
Landowners, farmers, ranchers, and hunters across this nation have seen the devastation these feral swine have caused. They are excellent breeders and eat EVERYTHING. Wildlife agencies nationwide have been fighting the battle to eliminate them to no avail. Open seasons, no bag limits, any weapon of choice and still haven’t made a dent in population numbers. Damage estimated in the US is at $1.5 billion annually.
Montana is gearing up for this fight, in 2015 lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting the “transportation, possession and hunting of feral swine”. Senate Bill 100 also charges a minimum $2,000 fine for anyone caught hunting, possessing, trafficking wild hogs, or releasing them for profit. Officials have instituted a program to encourage residents to report wild pig sightings. The program is aptly named, “Squeal on the Pigs”. Montana simply does not want pigs in their state.
Hunting for pigs is big business in some parts of the nation. A hunting personality makes his entire living off hunting pigs and has a successful T.V show about it. Just a quick google search brings ups thousands of outfitters offering pig hunts. It is just a matter of time before wild hogs are a common sight nationwide. As a hunter I’m personally torn on the issue, invasive species need to be eradicated on sight. But, I’m also not about to tell an entire sub-sect of the hunting community that they can’t hunt an animal they want to hunt. What are your thoughts? Should we go all Holy Crusades on the swine with a take no prisoners attitude, using whatever means necessary to eliminate them all? Or do we keep the status quo and they will eventually invade every state?
