In the early days of December, one of our year-round farm clients contacted us about seeing a large sounder near a field behind his house. After scouting their movements and tracking where we believe they are coming from, a feeder was installed. The feeder was placed in an area near both open field and brush to provide shelter and comfort to the hogs. It was set to spin the corn/Texas Hog Bait mix twice a day, and an ICE camera set in place high on a nearby oak tree.
Watching and waiting is always difficult. As the group came to the feeder, you could see a few hesitating. However, given an irresistible food source and time they became well conditioned to using the feeder as a food source. Then it was time to start adding trap components.
All during the process of baiting to the ICE camera and feeder, and while slowly conditioning the sounder to the trap components – we were watching and counting. So what is the big deal about watching? Does it matter? Absolutely!
What we watch for:
- The number of wild hogs visiting and at what time
- The coloring or patterning on individual hogs
- The time spent at the trap
- The time of arrival at the trap
- Their body posture (determines level of comfort/behavior)
- Any particular signs of a dominant boar or sow that could cause problems
All of these details guide our actions when trapping hogs. In this particular circumstance, a very large dominant sow was observed. When she became conditioned and was eating comfortably with a relaxed stance, we knew others would be following suit.
At this point, the double gate system had 1 MINE camera, 2 ICE cameras, and a stick video camera. This gave us great views outside of both gates and the feeder inside the trap.
Over the new year holiday, the weather changed and the sounder was absent for a day. A heavy fog developed overnight, and made counting more difficult as they returned. The morning of the 3rd Josey was on watch. He counted and recounted numbers – but through his experienced eye, something did not feel right. The 4th of January brought that same feeling, so once again he allowed the hogs to eat in peace and move on to their bedding area for the day.
To be continued…….
