Will Texas Use Poison to Eradicate Hogs?

by
posted on April 18, 2017
texas_hogs_poison_f.jpg

Sid Miller, Texas Department of Agriculture (DOA) commissioner, proposed a change to the Texas Administrative Code in an attempt to control the 5 million feral hogs in the state. The destructive hogs are estimated to cause upwards of $52 million in damages a year in Texas alone, and Miller suggested using poison, specifically Kaput Feral Hog Lure, a bait mixed with the blood thinner warfarin that is normally reserved for humans but happens to be lethal to pigs.

While most agree that hogs must be reined in, some are opposed to poison being considered as an option. The vice president of the Texas Hog Hunters Association, Eydin Hansen, argued, “We don’t think poison is the way to go … If a hog is poisoned, do I want to feed it to my family? I can tell you, I don’t.” Though Miller argues that his proposition would only be a “minimal” threat to other animals, Hansen and others worry the poison will harm more than just pigs.

Hunters who shoot a tainted pig will know it because the swine’s fatty tissue will be bright blue.

At the time of this report, the DOA’s potential rule change was temporarily suspended due to a decision by District Judge Jan Soifer in Austin. Though no timeline has been given for a decision on the potential rule change, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) published a disclaimer on its website stating it hasn’t “… evaluated the risks and impacts this toxicant may have on non-target species. … Once an assessment of the research on Kaput is completed, TPWD hopes to express its position on the risks the use of this toxicant may have on Texas wildlife.”

Latest

LEDE Marlin Dark
LEDE Marlin Dark

Hardware Review: Marlin Model 1895 Dark

If you think lever-action rifles should only have walnut stocks and a blued-metal finish, then the new Marlin Dark series with its polymer buttstock and aluminum AR-esque handguard probably won’t be your thing. That’s a shame, because this recent offering in Marlin’s line of modernized, capable lever-action rifles has a lot going for it in terms of performance, functionality and fun.

ATN Shipping TICO LTV Thermal Clip-On

This thermal clip-on device is a huge night-time gear multiplier for hunters and observers, transforming any daytime scope into a thermal sight.

MidwayUSA Named Official Sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings

Glock, Inc. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Freedom Experience on Saturday, April 26th

First Look: Montana Rifle Company Marshall Hunting Rifle

Montana Rifle Company (MRC) has announced its Marshall Hunting Rifle—a rifle the company bills as being 10,000 rounds in the making.

Spring Gobbler Gear Roundup

Mike Roux lays out his winter's turkey gear discoveries, just in time for spring gobbler season.

National 4-H Shooting Sports Signs on as Official +ONE Partner

The National 4-H Shooting Sports program has joined the +ONE Movement, a national mentorship initiative led by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that encourages peer-to-peer mentorship in the hunting and shooting sports.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.