New wild pig regulations announced in Ontario - OFAH

[FISH-ON]

Following years of OFAH advocacy, the Ontario government has finally taken someimportant steps to prevent wild pigs from becoming established in the province.

In 2019, we urged the government to make wild pigs a priority and enactchanges that would reduce the risk that they pose. Yesterday, it was announcedthat wild pigs will now be listed under the Invasive Species Act, making itillegal to allow a pig to escape into the wild. The government also announcedthat Eurasian wild boar farming will be phased out, removing a major risk forboars being introduced into Ontario’s ecosystems.

“This is a huge win for Ontario’s wildlife and ecosystems, as wild pigsdamage plant communities and complete with and prey on native wildlife such asdeer and turkeys,” says Lauren Tonelli, OFAH Resource Management Specialist.

THE ROLE OF HUNTERS

Hunting and trapping of wild pigs is not permitted unless it is to preventthe destruction of property. This is important, as many other places that aredealing with pigs have shown that hunting wild pigs is not effective atcontrolling them and can make the problem worse.

However, hunters can still play a key role in protecting Ontario from wildpigs by reporting any sightings and by using the OFAH’s Wild Pig Trail Camera DetectionProtocol to help with surveillance.

[js4fn]

As long as government in involve in wild hog I have complete confidence they won’t become a problem.

[MikePal]

Much more effective to call the MNR to report it than to kill it.

Invasive species should be shoot on sight like in Manitoba.

[Badenoch]

Does anyone have a link to information explaining why hunting them would not help eradicate the population?

In the meantime should I see one on my property it will be shot and the smoker will be fired up.

[trimmer21]

Well,I guess I won't need that new smoker I wanted to buy,now,will I? Four years ago,New York state (among a few others south of the border) decided to use the same approach. So far,it's been an unmitigated failure with sounders ripping up farm land throughout the entire state prompting farmers to sue the state for damages which is likely to take years to wend it's way through the court system. Meanwhile,Hog populations expand exponentially from inaction. Quite clearly,the approach doesn't work. Why our province insists on making the same mistake,especially,with obvious evidence to the contrary from other jusidictions,defies logic. It seems like junk science and the political correct bureaucracy has ruled supreme.

[Gregger17]

As much as I don’t want them here, it would be fun to place some lead threw their ear hole. A few years back a buddy of mine went down to Texas and had a great hunt. :smoker


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[FISH-ON]

https://www.ofah.org/insider/2021/04...-program-wpsp/

Does anyone have a link to information explaining why hunting them would not help eradicate the population?

In the meantime should I see one on my property it will be shot and the smoker will be fired up.

[Badenoch]

https://www.ofah.org/insider/2021/04...-program-wpsp/

This link did not work. In the meantime I found this article from the Atlantic that gives some insight including Ontario content. Good read.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/...ywhere/616389/

So what is the consensus on the best round for wild pig defense? 12 gauge slug or 44 mag would be my choices.

[werner.reiche]

Following years of OFAH advocacy, the Ontario government has finally taken someimportant steps to prevent wild pigs from becoming established in the province.

In 2019, we urged the government to make wild pigs a priority and enactchanges that would reduce the risk that they pose. Yesterday, it was announcedthat wild pigs will now be listed under the Invasive Species Act, making itillegal to allow a pig to escape into the wild. The government also announcedthat Eurasian wild boar farming will be phased out, removing a major risk forboars being introduced into Ontario’s ecosystems.

“This is a huge win for Ontario’s wildlife and ecosystems, as wild pigsdamage plant communities and complete with and prey on native wildlife such asdeer and turkeys,” says Lauren Tonelli, OFAH Resource Management Specialist.

THE ROLE OF HUNTERS

Hunting and trapping of wild pigs is not permitted unless it is to preventthe destruction of property. This is important, as many other places that aredealing with pigs have shown that hunting wild pigs is not effective atcontrolling them and can make the problem worse.

However, hunters can still play a key role in protecting Ontario from wildpigs by reporting any sightings and by using the OFAH’s Wild Pig Trail Camera DetectionProtocol to help with surveillance.

New York and a few other states have found this strategy - barring hunting and then having pros bait and night shoot - has been largely ineffective. It is based on trying to remove a single sounder - that works better than hunting them since hunting makes them wilder/smarter. But as a whole it doesn't work on a large scale because it requires too many (*paid*) people. Better to turn it over to an army of unpaid volunteers (hunters).

[werner.reiche]

This link did not work. In the meantime I found this article from the Atlantic that gives some insight including Ontario content. Good read.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/...ywhere/616389/

So what is the consensus on the best round for wild pig defense? 12 gauge slug or 44 mag would be my choices.

If you're concerned about knockdown power, the 12ga slug is in a whole different league than the .44mag.
My choice - since I use it for everything else, because its big and nasty and mean: 444 marlin.