Problem

• The wild hog population keeps growing in Texas. In spite of very liberal rules--almost no rules--on hunting hogs, their population has exceeded 2 million, Texas Department of Wildlife game officials say.
  
  

Rules

• You must have a basic hunting license to hunt any animal in Texas, even on your own property. There is no season on wild hogs, it is open year-round, and there is no limit on the number of hogs you may kill.
  
  

New Ideas

• For years exterminators have used helicopters to eliminate hogs from ranches. In 2009 Texas was considering allowing hunters to shoot hogs from helicopters as well.
  
  

Hunting Area

• Much of the area around Cotulla is private land. You must have permission to hunt on private property. Some farmers lease their land for hunting, and some will let you shoot wild pigs without charge.
  
  

Significance

• Hogs are a menace because their digging destroys crops, they destroy wildlife habitat, and they spread disease to other animals. Hogs can have up to four litters per year, and there are up to eight per litter.
  
  

Importation

• Hogs are a problem because they have no natural predator. They were introduced by the Spanish--in Mexico and south Texas--300 years ago when they were brought for food.