This is straight from the Tn Hunting Guide:
It is well documented that the introduction
of exotic species has often led to the
decline of native species. Most of the time,
these declines go unnoticed because they
occur in the less obtrusive bird, fish, and
insect world. Unfortunately that is not always
the case. There is an invader in Tennessee that happens to
be one of the largest and most destructive animals in the
nation, it is the feral hog.
Sus scrofa, otherwise known as the pig, was introduced
to North America by the first European settlers. Although
they have long been domesticated and are an extremely
popular farm animal, free-ranging feral hogs are a different
animal altogether. Their voracious appetite and destructive
rooting behavior can cause severe habitat damage, especially
to fields that have been planted for food production. Compounding
the problem is the fact that the female pigs (sows)
can produce 2-3 litters per year, with each litter ranging in
size of 6-12 piglets. Considering young pigs become sexually
mature at 6-8 months you can easily see the nightmarish
reproductive capacity of these animals.
Besides the destructive nature of the hogs the greatest
single threat comes from their potential to transmit swine
brucellosis and pseudorabies to farm raised animals, both of
which would have serious effects on Tennessee�s agricultural
economy. Therefore, feral hogs are definitely a major threat
to all Tennessee residents.
In just over a decade, the distribution of Tennessee�s feral
hog population has spread at an alarming rate. Although
first confined to small pockets in East Tennessee and the
Cumberland Plateau, it is now estimated that viable hog
populations can be found in close to a third of Tennessee�s
counties. We need to stop the spread, and stop the spread
now. [color:#FF0000]Feral hog season is open year-round on private lands
with no bag limits whatsoever. In other words, we want
you to kill as many hogs as possible to slow their spread.[/color]
So please help us take aim at controlling feral hog populations.
NOTE: Releasing feral hogs is a federal offense and is in
violation of USDA regulations. Anyone providing information
leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals
releasing feral hogs may be eligible for a $100 reward.
