Thread: Pest Controllers Endorsement

This is a topic I see cropping up regularly. Pigs are a new issue in many places due to releases and removing pigs for control purposes and the mind set around that is very different to doing it for fun. I consider that good pig dogs are a part of the equation but I also consider them as the option for when you are targeting one pig or have removed the bulk of them first. Or you just educate and move them around as you say. There is also a ton of difference between good pig dog and pig hunter abilities and unless you know what a good one is you run the risk of more education etc etc. If you are trapping or shooting then keep dogs away full stop. However indicator dogs with professionals in the right situation can be a lot more deadly and much lower impact. Thermal at night as someone said is a very good way to hit a number and not just singles. If you can get in close enough a tight choked semi shotgun with buck shot can be very effective (but noisy). Depending on the pigs they can be way more likely to run flat out at the first shot and so a shotty in the middle of them can be really useful when stuff happens. I use a powerful small LED torch on the gun or rifle and a thermal to find and sneak in. The torch means I use my standard day time set up and it is quicker when stuff is running around me. Trapping can be a very good way of removing numbers and pre feeding with maize etc to desensitize them is well worth doing. An auto feeder helps here. The best traps are big pens with a big entry gate and the feed in the middle. The key here is to get the lead pigs and not just the silly ones. The best way is to activate the trap door remotely yourself when you have what you need inside. You want all or most not some. Thermal again is really handy for this. I use a trail cam near the feeder to help tell me what is about and when. If you feed them enough you will almost tame them up. If it was me I would be putting my money in to a good trap and feed set up and either thermal or hiring someone with for when needed. The XP50 is about $8K and really high definition. Not sure what the poor $7K one would have been. You get what you pay for with thermal. I know some top performing professional people up your way if you need someone. Unfortunately not every 'professional' is like that with a bunch of new entrants. Hope this helps. Cheers