Hog Dog Hunting on Alabama WMA and Forever Wild land

I believe what we are seeing in the explosion of the hog population is the direct result of our own nearsightedness. Years ago, hunting was a past time sport as well as a lifestyle many people. There were open range hogs in many states and the right of people to catch, transport/sale, manage, and enjoy hogs they had marked with registered markings. The numbers were kept in check. With advent of deer leases and fences, along with big money on the table for acquisition of prime hunting lease lands, we forgot that many local's lifestyle was pushed out and free range became a thing of the past. As hunters put more effort into deer hunting and less effort into small game and other game due to factors such as deer only leases and costs of land and management we have let the feral hog population explode. In Lousisana where I lived, finding a lease that would let a person hunt anything other than deer during deer season was like trying to find hen's teeth. It is this way across the south and getting worse as hunters chase the trophy rack. Hunters turn on hunters in favor of limiting one style of hunting in preference to another till we have accomplished what the antis could not. Hog dogging is greatly misunderstood by the public and demonized by many hunters. I believe ALL dog hunting should allowed during the course of the entire hunting season. This includes hog hunting, deer hunting, squirrel hunting, coon hunting, possum hunting, fox hunting, coyote hunting, etc.

12 years ago Featured

Mr. Howard said it right! Hog hunting is a fast growing sport .The Game in the State belong to The People in The State! Feral Hog is some mighty Fine Eating!! There are 37 WMA'S in the State of Alabama, we are only allowed to Deer Dog Hunt 4 of these, and only certain times. WEARE NOT ALLOWED AT ALL TO HOG DOG HUNT ANY OF THEM!! There's Something WRONG with this picture!

Hunting with dogs is a part of our heritage and should never be taken away.

This will be a great way to keep the population under control better...

dog hunters need to unite and stay connected

Need To Put A Stop To Messing With Dog Handlers

I am from Florida and travel to Alabama to attend as many dog hunts as possible. I support all forms of dog hunting on all lands and the more opportunities on public lands for dog hunting, the more non residents will spend money in your state! Thank you

12 years ago Featured

As a wildlife biologist, it is my opinion that any and all methods of controlling feral hogs should be utilized. Especially on public lands where native flora and fauna are being destroyed.

Hope one day we can get are dog hunting back for deer hear in Winston county al

Ok

12 years ago Featured

It is an injustice to AL's Sportsmen to not be allowed to hunt Public Land with their dogs while at the same time the ALDCNR is trying to develop 'plans' to control the expanding population of feral hogs. Most of these 'plans' require Funds (taxes/fees) and Manpower (again, costs Money). These costs WILL be levied against the very group that already has answer to the problem and is denied access to the properties.

We need this to help protect our dog hunting rights and heritage. It's a family tradition of mine and it would be a shame to see such a great sport die in the hands of our own state legislation. There is a lot of misconceptions about hunting hogs with dogs and we need to set the bar straight and show the state how great we can be to the WMA. This could open a huge window for giving back o charity groups, bigger fundraisers for charity's, and also continue our love of or heritage in dog hunting.

Couldn't have said it better myself Mr. Howard. Thank you for the comment.

Deer hunting with dogs also

Keep all dog hinting going...no matter game it is

Leave the dog hunter's alone

Dog hunters in all states need to come together just one time. We have the people to get the job done. Stand together!!

Hunting any game animal has evolved to the point where it's no longer a sport, it's a business. The deer, turkey, and duck seasons within the state bring in more revenue for retailers and local businesses. If there's no game animals there's no business. The destructive and predatory characteristics of the feral hogs as well as coyotes need to be kept in check. Total eradication will never be accomplished but with the use of devices such as GPS systems and tracking units for dogs when implemented create a very useful set of tools for keeping track of working dogs. This in turn helps maintain a peaceful resolution between those who hunt the hogs and even coyotes with dogs and those who do not use dogs at all. Structuring the game maps and legislation with restrictions on those who desire to kill the feral hogs with the use of dogs is simply not the way to reduce feral hog numbers. Contrary to popular belief many hog hunters have gone to great measures to train their dogs to hunt the hogs only without disturbance to other wild game animals. This is a win win to all those involved and it doesn't cost WMA one dime.

13 years ago Featured

It's rather obvious the feral hog population is out of control. The measures presented by the game biologists within the state regarding the "aggressive characteristics" of the catch dogs is one sided and without merit. With strategic planning by those who have a long history in the removal of feral hogs the numbers can be systematically reduced also allowing donations of fresh meat to various charities who depend on food donations. The hog hunts could be monitored just like the deer hunts on state land with a "check in and check out " system. The monopoly created on feral hog hunters by a select group of state entities in Montgomery only allows for the continuance of destruction and increase in numbers of the feral hog population.