The unexpected journey to eliminating 1000 wild hogs on a South Georgia property.
At 6:00 am on a cool October morning, the Georgia Hog Cutters crew arrived at the 23 Square Mile Project. There was no fanfare as the 16 trapped wild hogs were removed from the cycle of destruction.
At the beginning, there was no agreement to cull 1000 hogs. Nor were the conditions of the contract on a per hog basis. Hog Cutters we simply employed to remove hogs. Dedication and hard work made the numbers grow. Five hundred seemed enormous at one time, then unbelievably eight hundred. Now one thousand and thirteen hogs have been eliminated. Yet the hogs continue to move in.
Several hours after the team rolled out from headquarters, I received a photo from Josey. The whole Visnovske family was on the job. In the center, they held a simple cardboard sign. 1013. Other than a different number, and the whole family in the photo, it could have been any of the hundreds of other trapping photos. Except for the American flag hanging proudly behind them.
Knowing how much Josey was striving to reach the 1000 hog goal, I had to ask him why. Why so little excitement? Why only the flag as celebration?
I am uncertain whether his answer came from his country boy roots, his years in public service, or his patriotic pride of being a United States Marine. All I know, is his response came from a weary yet hopeful heart.
Josey’s explanation touched me deeply. I sincerely hope I can convey his words in the way they deserve.
“The last 8 months have been perfect to spend virtually alone. Time spent in the peaceful woods and swamps of the South trapping feral hogs. Working with my friend Mr. John, we began this journey together. The boys jumping in on weekends and Sara when she could. Suddenly the spread of Covid 19 became a threat. My friend John needed to quarantine to protect his family. Shortly thereafter, my son’s schoolwork was relegated to completion at home. This new schedule allowed us to work as a team, eliminating hogs and share lessons school does not teach.
This United front helped Hog Cutters to progress quickly through sounder after sounder. Our time trapping was exhausting but peaceful. Meanwhile the rest of the country seemed to be falling into a divided state.
The business known as Hog Cutters has found success. Yet it is not only by our own actions that success has come along. There are many whose labors united with ours to arrive at today’s milestone. The collective efforts of many, joined with our small family business, to do something for landowners, whose work could have an impact on the economy of our nation.
We see how the combined efforts of wild hog control impacts the farmer’s yield. In turn, the farmer’s yield impacts the kid putting peanut butter on bread in New York City, or the parent in California buying cotton socks for their family.
The American flag flies to remind us of being the United States. In this year of so much divisiveness, many Americans are disheartened. It is easy to allow ourselves to be consumed by our own goals and desires. To be consumed with being right, left, or correct.
We need to recall the incredible results when Americans stay United in purpose. We need to teach our children to understand the impact of working together can make. Whether uniting to find freedom, equality, or simply to aid a neighbor in need of help – success is found when we come together. “
Tonight, as I type Josey’s words and share the success of my friends and their little hog control company, there is hope in my heart. Hope that the folks fighting the feral hog battle can work together. Hope that this thousand is followed by another thousand, and another. Hope that the farmers see relief from their losses. That my friends in Georgia continue to succeed.
More so, I hope that the words of a simple hog trapper will touch the hearts of others. Finally, hope that our America can be the United States once more.
This is not how I envisioned feeling today, but it is a lesson I am incredibly happy to share. Thank you all for your support. We especially want to thank the people who make the team Hog Cutters stands United with.
