OK, so now I’m confused.
Last fall the Michigan DNR sent out news releases encouraging anybody with a valid hunting license to shoot feral hogs. There’s no doubt free ranging hogs can cause a lot of damage to habitat. In fact, many southern states have been decimated by wild pigs. Because of that, it makes sense for hunters to shoot them…and with the DNR’s encouragement, I was ready to do so if I got the chance.
So when I heard about proposed legislation to institute a feral hog season in Michigan, I viewed it as a way for politicians to get their name in the news. In fact, I went off on a rant about it on this weekend’s Outdoor Magazine Radio show. After all, if it’s already legal, why do we need the bureaucracy of a new season? I would also be reluctant to raise wild pigs to the status of a “game animal” for fear of where that might lead.
I just read a blog by MUCC’s Dave Nyberg though, that has me very frustrated. According to Nyberg, shooting feral hogs is still illegal in fifteen Michigan counties. If that’s the case, why did the DNR encourage hunters last fall to do it?