Feral Hog Appreciation Day set for Aug. 24 in Coleman

Feral Hog Appreciation Day set for Aug. 24 in Coleman

COLEMAN – “Appreciating” feral hogs will be the topic of a program to be conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Coleman County from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Bill Franklin Center in Coleman.

The center is located on the corner of State Highway 206 and 5th Avenue.

Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available to private applicator license holders, one in integrated pest management, one in laws and regulations and three in general.

“It’s hard to believe that anyone could appreciate feral hogs now that the country is being overrun with them, but even if you hate them, you do have to appreciate their survivability,” said Luther Dunlap, AgriLife Extension agent in Coleman County. “They’re tough and prolific and the more you know about them the better you’ll be able to cope with them.

“The purpose of this program is to arm landowners with the knowledge of how best to deal with this new but often unwelcome resource.”

The program’s speakers will be Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo, Dr. David Finch, DVM, Texas Department of Animal Health, Lampasas and Glenn Ryley, AgriLife Extension Wildlife Services, Brownwood.

The day’s topics will include feral hog status and distribution, biology, their interactions with native wildlife, hunting and control measures, and disease concerns.

So an accurate count can be made for the noon meal, event organizers are asking those who plan to attend to RSVP to the AgriLife Extension office in Coleman county by noon Aug. 20 by calling 325-625-4519. Registration is $10 at the door.

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