Wild hogs are intelligent, ornery, and often unpredictable. The either follow or make their own path.

On a South Georgia farm we provide hog trapping services for, Hog Cutters has come across a perplexing situation. The ICE cameras began alerting with wild hog activity around a field of cotton. The geography around the cameras did not allow us to determine the sounder size. To get a better look at the sounder an ICE camera was placed temporarily along the access road to the field. A small amount of corn was added in front of the camera to encourage the hog group to pause and eat. The images of the group eating would hopefully show the details we want.

Once enough information was gathered we could create a plan for trapping nearby. This ICE location was never meant to be a bait or trap site. It is not an ideal spot for a trap. However, the hogs seem to be quite content to stay and gorge themselves.

We had to consider several factors when deciding whether to place a trap at his location;

  1. The hogs are obviously comfortable here.
  2. The hogs have returned to this location several times looking for additional food.
  3. Although we have little indication of their education level, the hogs were not affected by the intrusion of the ICE camera mount.
  4. The hogs are causing damage to the cotton field. Wild hogs do not normally eat cotton crops. They will however remove the cotton buds from the plants. The bigger problem for this field is its previous use as a peanut field. Buried peanuts from last year’s harvest spillage, as well as voluntary peanut plants attract wild hogs and wild hog damage.
  5. Patience is another option. A mere 600 yards through the woods is a semi-permanent Jager Pro hog trap system. Given time the sounder could find it’s way eventually.
  6. Time is NOT on our side. Within 2 weeks local peanut harvesting starts. Bow hunters are starting food plots for whitetail and turkey (which is legal in Georgia). Beyond that, acorns will begin dropping. These events each will offer their own natural food supply. When natural food becomes readily available, hogs will lose most interest in the bait we offer.

Once all factors were considered, Josey opted for eliminating the sounder at this site. The group is is conditioned to the location as a food source. Several rigid panels were installed to begin conditioning the hogs to the trap as well. Next will be to continue watching hog behavior, determining the best time to enclose the trap. We are hopeful we have made the right decision for this wild hog sounder to be eliminated.

On a happier note, Josey had some extra help today. When Rod Pinkston was in the process of inventing, designing and patenting the Jager Pro Hog Trapping System in 2010, little did he know the design of his panels would be perfect for the social distancing necessity of 2020. Today Josey was joined in the field by Mr John. As a man with extra experience in life, Mr John’s family felt it prudent for him to self isolate for a while. The width of the 8’3″ rigid panels between them, Josey and Mr John could be sure a safe distance still came between them. It was wonderful to see them working together again.