*LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR FERAL HOGS 2009-2010 OUTDOORS ANNUAL
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/general/hunt_licenses/
A hunting license is required of any person, regardless of age, who hunts any animal, bird, frog or turtle in this state (except furbearers, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license). No license is required for nuisance fur-bearing animals, depredating hogs or coyotes (see below). Non-residents under 17 years of age may purchase and hunt with the Youth Hunting License (Type 169).

Exceptions: a hunting license is not required to hunt the following:

Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals, or fowl.
Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.
Fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.
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A hunting license is required of any person, regardless of age, who hunts any animal, bird, frog or turtle in this state (except furbearers, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license).

Note: All laws and regulations governing hunter education still apply.

EXOTIC ANIMALS AND FOWL
Exotic animal refers to grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hoofed or cloven-hoofed mammals that are not indigenous or native to Texas and are known as ungulates, including animals from the deer and antelope families that landowners have introduced into this state. Includes, but is not limited to feral hog, Aoudad sheep, Axis deer, Elk, Sika deer, Fallow deer, Blackbuck antelope, Nilgai antelope, and Russian boar. Exotic fowl refers to any avian species that is not indigenous to this state, including ratites (emu, ostrich, rhea, cassowary, etc.).

There are no state bag or possession limits or closed seasons on exotic animals or fowl on private property. It is against the law to:
-Hunt an exotic without a valid hunting license.
-Hunt an exotic on a public road or right-of-way.
-Hunt an exotic without the landowner's permission.
-Possess an exotic or the carcass of an exotic without the owner's consent.

Penalty: A person who violates these laws commits an offense that is a Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor ($500-$4000 and/or up to one year in jail).

Nongame and Other Species
NONGAME ANIMALS (Includes, but is not limited to the following):
Armadillos*
Bobcats*
Coyotes*
Flying squirrels
Frogs
Ground squirrels
Mountain lions
Porcupines
Prairie dogs
Rabbits
Turtles
Does not include feral hog (see Exotic Animals and Fowl).
No closed season. These animals may be hunted at any time by any lawful means or methods on private property. Public hunting lands may have restrictions. A hunting license is required.

February 18, 2010
New feral hog publications aim to help landowners thwart growing menace
February 18, 2010
Writer(s):
Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact(s):Dr. Jim Cathey, 979-845-2862, jccathey@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has developed five new feral hog control publications to help landowners corral this growing menace, according to an AgriLife Extension specialist.

These publications were funded by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through a Clean Water Act § 319(h) nonpoint source grant. Publications are available online at: http://plumcreek.tamu.edu/feralhogs/ .

These publications specifically target the Plum Creek Watershed in Hays and Caldwell counties, an area especially hard hit by the marauders, but are applicable wherever feral hogs are a problem, said Dr. Jim Cathey, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at College Station.

Chancey Lewis, AgriLife Extension wildlife assistant at Lockhart and his colleagues developed the new publications. Lewis works closely with landowners in Hays and Caldwell counties, giving instruction and technical guidance on hog trapping, as part of the implementation of the Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan.

The five publications are:

– “Recognizing Feral Hog Sign,” deals with the evidence or sign the hogs leave in passing. By being able to read sign, Cathey said landowners can learn where the animals are traveling and apply the appropriate management technique to reduce their numbers.

– “Corral Traps for Capturing Feral Hogs,” discusses large traps that Cathey said have proven useful in reducing hog numbers quickly. According to Lewis, feral hogs typically travel in large family groups called “sounders,” and a corral trap can often be used to capture the entire group.

– “Box Traps for Capturing Feral Hogs,” deals with a second option that should be considered after corral traps, Cathey said. While they are not the best choice for removing large hog numbers, box traps, because they are readily movable, can be used to quickly remove small numbers from trouble spots.

– “Snaring Feral Hogs,” offers instructions on placement and handling of snares. Snares are ideal for situations where feral hogs have become wary of box or corral traps. Snares are also much cheaper than traps, according to Lewis.

- "Building a Feral Hog Snare," provides step-by-step instructions for producing snares used for catching feral hogs.

For more information contact Lewis at 979-393-8517 or cdlewis@ag.tamu.edu .

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