Year Of The Pig - Book Review

SHOOT 'EM IF YOU GOT 'EM - 11/6/2011 in Santee Delta

According to the Chinese calendar 2007 was the Year of the Pig, and that tempted Auburn University science researcher Mark Hainds to hunt feral hogs across the Southeast that year as research for his book. The detailed account of hunting wild pigs in eleven southern states includes quick and easy hunts as well as marathon dry spells. The entire book mixes in ecosystem appreciation contrast and comparison comments that bring an added dimension of enjoyment to the reader.

            

Mark Hainds is also research associate with the Longleaf Alliance at the Solon Dixon Forestry Center in Andalusia, Alabama. He regularly contributes technical papers like “Distribution of native legumes in frequently burned longleaf pine wiregrass ecosystems,” which appeared in the American Journal of Botany. Part of Hainds’ message is that man should strive to restore more longleaf pine and to leave a few less pigs than we will encounter.

            

In the book’s foreword Steven Ditchkoff writes the Hernando de Soto brought the first pigs to North America in 1539. Already known as survivors, the explorers knew that fresh pork meat would be readily available upon subsequent return visits to the new world. “The feral pig has become an incredibly successful invader, especially considering their short gestation period, a sow can have three litters in 14 months under good conditions,” said Ditchkoff. “While it is sporting to hunt them, pigs should be eliminated with extreme prejudice.”

            

In a second foreword, Mark Bailey writes that the feral hog, or Sus scrofa, is not a game species to be managed for sustained harvest. “Feral pigs are an invasive, exotic and ecological nightmare and are a scourge on the southeastern landscape straight out of Pandora’s box,” said Bailey. “The answer to solving the wild pig dilemma lies in concerted efforts of public education, landowner incentives and persistent management programs on a landscape scale.” Leave no pig behind!

            

Hainds did not hunt in South Carolina for the Year of the Pig but he praises the forestry and natural resources advocates of the Palmetto state. “The S.C. Association of Consulting Foresters has received the message of fire ecology from the Longleaf Alliance with tremendous enthusiasm,” said Hainds. “The list of agencies in S.C. working to promote longleaf goes on and on, an endeavor which will restore her native forests and promote prescribed fire.”

            

A common theme of the hunt narration in Year of the Pig is the central role that wildlife feeders play. Always waiting on the spinning cycle so that the corn would make the telltale rattle against metal as it is distributed to the ground, signaling nearby swine to come and dine. If the feeder is clogged, then not enough corn comes out to lure the feral flock consistently, and if it spreads during the night, then the feral vacuum cleaners will do their business under the safety of darkness.

Outdoorsmen who think of themselves as keen observers will enjoy reading Year of the Pig, which is told first from the perspective of a hog hunter, and second from the perspective of a naturalist. Hernando de Soto will never know the plight of feral hogs in North America, or how the topic of discussion after so many modern day hunts ends up with the quandary of - What are we going to do about these wild pigs?

To see a past blog entry about hog hunting click here.