Realize it isn't the sidebar anyone is looking for here, but I would avoid the feral hog discussion

Hogs are such prolific breeders that just shooting or trapping a few won't do much good. It's about like stomping a roach on the kitchen floor and expecting it to make a difference. - Rod Pinkston

Realize it isn't the sidebar anyone is looking for here, but I would avoid the feral hog discussion, more funding and coordination are the only things that will eliminate feral hog populations and anyone including the govt. doing so must have both to make something happen. States like FL and CA where policies confound the work being done including in CA selling GAME TAGS for hogs will make eradication impossible for anyone.

In NM a multi agency task force is having a very positive effect and changing the tide in feral hog population spread. Will this be the same everywhere? Nope,
but I would hesitate to throw stones in the direction of invasive species, they are better at it and it used to be my job to plan and coordinate it.

They (USDA) can't overthrow private landowners and others who harbor and spread hogs which is the real problem with feral animals of any kind, it is not possible to kill off a population of invasive species, or reduce disease issues, etc... without landowner support, because we do not live in a country where you can just usurp the private landowner for such things at this time. (Though this is done with invasive weeds in the western U.S.)

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The rest of the discussion is interesting and entertaining and also telling of the separation within the "industry" being represented by various sides here.

I'm not jumping in on this discussion for any reason other than to say I would avoid the feral hog or invasive discussion. Until a bunch of private guys form an entity of size and scope to do statewide or regional feral hog programs with landowner and interagency support, this one is best left alone.

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Again, interesting discussion though on everything else!

USDA set to be investigated in 2013 according to the OIG report.
See appendix E (pg 16)

http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/2013APFinal.pdf

It is vital that everyone contact the OIG and tell them how USDA is effecting you company. All you need to do is send an email, also ask them the current status of the investigation.

Make sure you back your claims up with facts and not anger. Keep it short and to the point. PM me if you would like an example.

Here is their website:

http://www.usda.gov/oig/hotline.htm

USDA doing goose work on LI NY

http://www.longisland.com/news/05-13-13/north-hempstead-approves-plan-to-euthanize-canada-geese.html

Thanks wildlifeus, this study, being only a couple of years old, I found it kind of amazing that I knew practically everyone mentioned, including the author. Some of these guys, that I know, are PHDs and all I am is a CWCP.

Yeah, not only have I seen it but I've met the speaker and think very highly of him.

Did you know that USDA Wildlife Services has a contract with ALDOT to do beaver work state wide?

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damag...bama_report.pdf

Why don't they hire someone in the private sector instead of relying on tax payers?

http://www.capitalpress.com/content/SE-wolf-money-070513