Something to think about Hog Numbers Way down
- Thread starter daddyflea
- Start date
Gman757
Active member
If there is a food source they will be back.
https://www.lakeforest.edu/live/news/1650-the-biology-of-native-and-invasive-wild-boar-sus
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daddyflea
Active member
I think their biggest asset is their intelligence in that they quickly learn to recognize areas where Landowners will not allow hunting as well as use Cattle and Deer as look outs for Danger. Another big problem and one I have not seen studies on is their Home Range. I know they do have areas they run to regularly at times they leave these areas to travel miles at a time. I would like to know just how far they do roam?
Quote:HOME RANGE AND HABITAT USE OF FERAL PIGS (Sus scrofa) ON LOWNDES
COUNTY WMA, ALABAMA
WESSON D. GASTON, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
602 Duncan Dr., Auburn, AL 36849.
JAMES B. ARMSTRONG, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
602 Duncan Dr., Auburn, AL 36849.
WENDY M. ARJO, NWRC Olympia Field Station 9730-B Lathrop Industrial Dr.,
Olympia, WA 98512.
H. LEE STRIBLING, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences 602
Duncan Dr., Auburn, AL 36849.
ABSTRACT: This study was conducted on Lowndes County Wildlife Management Area
(WMA), Alabama to assess the survival, home ranges, and habitat preferences of feral
pigs during high and low hunting pressure seasons. For the study, two six-month seasons
were defined (high pressure hunting or low pressure hunting) based on the number of
hunters that entered the woods on the WMA. We collared twenty-four pigs to determine
home range and habitat use from 1 February 2005-31 January 2006 on Lowndes County
WMA. Seventeen collared pigs had an average home range of 403.6 + 65.6 ha in the low
pressure season, and 11 pigs had an average home range of 278.6 + 64.5 ha during the
high pressure season. Season had a significant effect on home range size (P = 0.039) and
core range size (P = 0.018). The test for group effect randomization indicated that the
pigs did not choose their habitats (home range or core range) randomly (P < 0.0001).
The type of season had a significant effect on habitat use (P = 0.027). Sex (P = 0.062)
and age (P = 0.84) did not have any significant effects on pig habitat preference. During
the low pressure season, the collared pigs preferred wetland and shrub/scrub habitats;
whereas, they preferred pine forests and shrub/scrub habitats during the high pressure
season.
KEY WORDS: feral pig, home range, habitat use, humans, hunting pressure
________________________________________________________________________
Home Range and Habitat Use of Feral Hogs in Alabama
For those not familiar with hectares, there is 2.47 acres per hectare. So the low pressure home range was 995 acres and the high pressure home range was 687 acres in this particular study.
Quote:This could be attributed to
high hunter pressure causing the pigs to
decrease their home range in an attempt
to avoid the hunters. The pigs would
stay in impenetrable thickets to avoid
detection by hunters during the day and
would venture out to nearby food plots
at night to feed before returning to the
thickets.
The amount of pressure in each
season proved to be a significant
influence on the sizes of the feral pigs’
home ranges. Their home ranges were
larger during the low pressure season
when compared to the high pressure
season. The pigs seemed to tighten up
their movements and seek out areas of
refuge away from human presence;
Somewhat surprising to me, in this particular study the home range size of boars and sows was almost identical in both the high and low pressure seasons.
COUNTY WMA, ALABAMA
WESSON D. GASTON, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
602 Duncan Dr., Auburn, AL 36849.
JAMES B. ARMSTRONG, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences
602 Duncan Dr., Auburn, AL 36849.
WENDY M. ARJO, NWRC Olympia Field Station 9730-B Lathrop Industrial Dr.,
Olympia, WA 98512.
H. LEE STRIBLING, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences 602
Duncan Dr., Auburn, AL 36849.
ABSTRACT: This study was conducted on Lowndes County Wildlife Management Area
(WMA), Alabama to assess the survival, home ranges, and habitat preferences of feral
pigs during high and low hunting pressure seasons. For the study, two six-month seasons
were defined (high pressure hunting or low pressure hunting) based on the number of
hunters that entered the woods on the WMA. We collared twenty-four pigs to determine
home range and habitat use from 1 February 2005-31 January 2006 on Lowndes County
WMA. Seventeen collared pigs had an average home range of 403.6 + 65.6 ha in the low
pressure season, and 11 pigs had an average home range of 278.6 + 64.5 ha during the
high pressure season. Season had a significant effect on home range size (P = 0.039) and
core range size (P = 0.018). The test for group effect randomization indicated that the
pigs did not choose their habitats (home range or core range) randomly (P < 0.0001).
The type of season had a significant effect on habitat use (P = 0.027). Sex (P = 0.062)
and age (P = 0.84) did not have any significant effects on pig habitat preference. During
the low pressure season, the collared pigs preferred wetland and shrub/scrub habitats;
whereas, they preferred pine forests and shrub/scrub habitats during the high pressure
season.
KEY WORDS: feral pig, home range, habitat use, humans, hunting pressure
________________________________________________________________________
Home Range and Habitat Use of Feral Hogs in Alabama
For those not familiar with hectares, there is 2.47 acres per hectare. So the low pressure home range was 995 acres and the high pressure home range was 687 acres in this particular study.
Quote:This could be attributed to
high hunter pressure causing the pigs to
decrease their home range in an attempt
to avoid the hunters. The pigs would
stay in impenetrable thickets to avoid
detection by hunters during the day and
would venture out to nearby food plots
at night to feed before returning to the
thickets.
The amount of pressure in each
season proved to be a significant
influence on the sizes of the feral pigs’
home ranges. Their home ranges were
larger during the low pressure season
when compared to the high pressure
season. The pigs seemed to tighten up
their movements and seek out areas of
refuge away from human presence;
Somewhat surprising to me, in this particular study the home range size of boars and sows was almost identical in both the high and low pressure seasons.
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Gman757
Active member
Originally Posted By: Yellowhammer
Home Range and Habitat Use of Feral Hogs in Alabama
You have to consider that some of the findings in this study are somewhat skewed if you compare hog behavioral influences on private land as apposed to a WMA.
1. Most hunters on WMA property are hunting other game besides hogs and shoot hogs as targets of opportunity, however their presence in the woods could still have the same pressuring effect.
2. Depending on the state, they may or may not allow the use food plots.
3. There are generally more hunters and hunter activity in the woods on a WMA than you would normally see on private property.
4. Unless the WMA borders ag land there is no way to gauge hog behavior as it relates to hogs feeding on crops and how it affects the size of their range.
5. Most all WMA management will NOT allow night hunting so the hogs recognize this just like the deer. The deer go nocturnal very quickly.
6. Hogs have no physiological mechanism to deal with heat other than evaporative cooling by water therefore ambient temperatures can affect hog activity as it relates to nocturnal vs day feeding cycles. (applicable to WMA and private land)
Home Range and Habitat Use of Feral Hogs in Alabama
You have to consider that some of the findings in this study are somewhat skewed if you compare hog behavioral influences on private land as apposed to a WMA.
1. Most hunters on WMA property are hunting other game besides hogs and shoot hogs as targets of opportunity, however their presence in the woods could still have the same pressuring effect.
2. Depending on the state, they may or may not allow the use food plots.
3. There are generally more hunters and hunter activity in the woods on a WMA than you would normally see on private property.
4. Unless the WMA borders ag land there is no way to gauge hog behavior as it relates to hogs feeding on crops and how it affects the size of their range.
5. Most all WMA management will NOT allow night hunting so the hogs recognize this just like the deer. The deer go nocturnal very quickly.
6. Hogs have no physiological mechanism to deal with heat other than evaporative cooling by water therefore ambient temperatures can affect hog activity as it relates to nocturnal vs day feeding cycles. (applicable to WMA and private land)
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This study actually showed opposite results from another study and they mention that in their results:
Quote: Home ranges should be smaller if the pig’s living requirements are provided in a smaller area (Sanderson 1966), and when food was scarce during the winter, home range size increased (Kurz and
Marchinton 1972, Singer et al. 1981). Maillard and Fournier (1995) showed that with pig home ranges and movements increased with the onset of hunting pressure in the winter, then decreased when hunting pressure subsided. Our high pressure season (fall and winter) showed the opposite results.
Just more proof there are no absolutes.
Quote: Home ranges should be smaller if the pig’s living requirements are provided in a smaller area (Sanderson 1966), and when food was scarce during the winter, home range size increased (Kurz and
Marchinton 1972, Singer et al. 1981). Maillard and Fournier (1995) showed that with pig home ranges and movements increased with the onset of hunting pressure in the winter, then decreased when hunting pressure subsided. Our high pressure season (fall and winter) showed the opposite results.
Just more proof there are no absolutes.