Sign in to follow this  
TJ Phaserman

Fort Benning puts a bounty on boars

Recommended Posts

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Maj. Bobby Toon is known as the Pig Czar at the huge army post on Georgia's western edge.

 

He has been assigned to help rid Fort Benning of its unwanted guests: an estimated 6,000 feral pigs that roam the 184,000-acre installation.

 

The animals, common throughout Georgia, are known for tearing up woodlands and farms. They are aggressive foragers, gobbling up native vegetation and endangered species.

 

"These pigs feed and breed," Toon said. "That's all they care about. I've been here off and on for 17 years, and I can never remember a pig population as big as it is now."

 

Since July, more than 900 pigs have been killed.

 

"These animals can smell a turkey egg three miles away," Toon said. "They're also a danger to tortoises and woodpeckers."

 

The former 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment company commander, who now instructs a course at the Maneuver Captains Career Course, has personally brought down 68 pigs in the past year.

 

He's not the only pig hunter at work.

 

About 2,000 people who are authorized to hunt on the post have been encouraged to go after the feral pigs. They must be active-duty, retired military or civilian workers at Benning and must have a license from the base.

 

The post is offering a $40 bounty for every pig tail that's brought in.

 

"We did a cost estimate with civilian contractors, but they wanted way too much money for the job," Toon said.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I remember when I was a kid (we really lived in the sticks) hearing my mom talking to someone about boars being seen in the area and my older brother and sister having to walk home from the bus stop. (it was quite a long walk)

 

I got chased by a pig (a domesticated one) when I was little - scared me to death. Actually, back then we called the baby ones pigs - we called the big ones hogs - so I got chased by a mama hog. I guess they're all called pigs now.

 

Anyway, back to the article are they talking about boars or feral pigs - not the same thing - not that I ever want to be chased by either again.

 

If they're feral pigs I guess they're edible. Umm ribs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this